Martial Arts Overlord

Four invisible sword lights, covering nearly half of the platform from four different directions, swiftly attacked Zi Yuan with lightning speed.

"What's happening!"

In the audience seats, many were so surprised they stood up.

They had no idea where these four sword lights had come from.

Facing the four roaring sword lights, Zi Yuan dared not hesitate; the slender sword in her hand shone with a brilliant golden light.

"Solar Division!"

Her slender sword, gripped between two fingers, erupted with golden radiance as Zi Yuan executed four slashes in quick succession.

The four dazzling golden sword lights outshone even the scorching sun in the sky; their power was astonishing.

CRACKLING!

The golden sword light sparkled, and Sword Qi filled the platform. The ten-meter-high platform cracked down the middle, and the four invisible Sword Qi vanished without a trace.

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP...

Zi Yuan's face flushed slightly, and she staggered backward several steps, her footing unsteady.

"Such terrifying Sword Qi! It's practically invincible!"

"This must be the Invisible Sword Technique He Qin has been cultivating! I've heard that this martial art has formless Sword Qi. Coupled with He Qin's cultivation at the Eighth Level of the Hell Realm, allowing her to unleash the Hundred Steps Sword Gang, it's virtually invincible!"

Everyone looked at the platform, now split in half, and gasped in shock.

While everyone was discussing, the situation on the stage changed rapidly.

Unable to defeat Zi Yuan in one move, He Qin's expression remained unchanged. With another flick of her wrist, the space before her instantly twisted, and sixteen streams of invisible Sword Qi roared towards Zi Yuan.

Zi Yuan's pretty brows furrowed slightly. Biting her red lip, she drew a semicircle in the air with her slender sword, and a ring of golden Sword Gang materialized around her.

BOOM!

When the invisible Sword Qi struck the golden Sword Gang, Zi Yuan's figure staggered. Blood oozed from the corner of her rosy lips, and an unnatural flush spread across her face.

"You've lost."

He Qin sheathed her sword and looked at Zi Yuan, her voice as light and ethereal as smoke and clouds.

Zi Yuan wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, glanced at Luo Feng below the stage, and a smile touched her pretty face. "I've achieved my goal."

He Qin noticed Zi Yuan's gaze, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. She smiled faintly and said, "You have that much confidence in him? His Sky Slayer Saber Technique is indeed very powerful, but it's no threat to me."

"You'll know after you fight him," Zi Yuan said, then turned and walked down the stage.

He Qin glanced at Luo Feng and nodded. "I'm looking forward to it as well."

After Zi Yuan's defeat, three matches remained in the tenth round.

Fearing elimination and losing their qualification for the ranking matches, the students in the final three bouts unleashed their trump cards, making the competition spectacular.

After these three matches concluded, the knockout stage was declared over.

Only Heavenly Fragrant Woman He Qin, Traceless Young Master Ji Wufa, and Luo Feng maintained perfect win records.

Based on the number of wins, a total of six participants were eliminated. These included two students from Wanluo School, two from Tianlan School, and one from Floating Snow School.

Xu Mei, with three defeats and three forfeits, also missed out on the challenge match.

After the elimination round, the rankings of the ten students participating in the challenge round still needed to be determined. Everyone seized the opportunity to rest, recover from injuries, and replenish their depleted Yuan Qi.

For this competition, Tianlan School had specially prepared one hundred Rejuvenation Pills for the participating students.

Rejuvenation Pills could not only restore depleted Yuan Qi but also heal a Martial Artist's injuries.

Luo Feng took two Rejuvenation Pills, consumed them, and began to regulate his breathing to recover the Yuan Qi he had just expended.

The martial arts arena itself was quiet, but the spectator stands were already in an uproar.

The crowd was still buzzing about the results of the knockout stage.

This year's New Talent Conference had undoubtedly seen a major upset.

Because Wan Feng had been defeated by Luo Feng, Wanluo School, initially a favorite, had only one student named Lu Ye make it to the challenge match.

Conversely, Purple Sun School had made an unexpected surge, with Luo Feng, Zi Yuan, and Bing Ruolan—all three of them—advancing to the challenge match.

"Lu Ye's strength is considered inferior to Hu Yidao's. Wanluo School certainly won't have any members among the Four New Marvels this year."

"Indeed. Who could have predicted the appearance of Luo Feng, a dark horse from Purple Sun School? So far, he has maintained a winning streak and even defeated Wan Feng. His strength is truly astonishing!"

"Hu Yidao, Gu Yunfei, and others have been left far behind him."

"Do you think Luo Feng has a chance of defeating Ji Wufa or He Qin?"

"That might not be easy. He Qin is an expert at the Eighth Level of the Hell Realm, and her Invisible Sword Technique is incredibly potent. Ji Wufa's Sword Intent has only offered a glimpse of its true potential; he's clearly concealing even greater strength. Luo Feng's chances of winning against either of them are slim."

"Even if he loses, he'll still be the third New Marvel. He has already surpassed all other new geniuses this year."

...

Luo Feng hadn't expended much Yuan Qi. After taking two Rejuvenation Pills, his energy was restored to its peak.

Opening his eyes, Luo Feng saw Bing Ruolan and Zi Yuan still meditating to regulate their breathing. Not wanting to disturb them, he turned and walked towards where Luotian and Yang Qing were.

"Feng Er, you truly gave your father a fright today! I never imagined our Luo Family would produce one of the Four New Marvels!" Luotian looked at Luo Feng, his face flushed with excitement, and laughed heartily.

Luo Feng smiled. Yang Qing, at his side, chided Luotian, "Listen to yourself. Did you think our Feng Er wasn't worthy of being one of the Four New Marvels?"

Luotian chuckled. "I'm just overjoyed, that's all."

Yang Qing pursed her lips into a gentle smile, then turned to Luo Feng and asked, "Feng Er, how did your strength improve so quickly?"

Hearing this, Luotian also looked very curious.

Advancing from the Sixth Level of the God Bravery Realm to the peak of the Seventh Level of the Essence Storage Realm in just two or three months—he had never heard of such cultivation speed.

Luo Feng scratched his head. "I don't really know why. I suppose I just had a sudden enlightenment."

Glancing at the surrounding audience, Luo Feng changed the subject. "Mother, why hasn't Big Brother arrived yet?"

Hearing this, Yang Qing also frowned and said, "By rights, your brother and the Dean of Cyan Leaf School should have arrived yesterday. I'm afraid they might have encountered some delay on their journey."

"With Xiao Er traveling with the Dean of Cyan Leaf School, they will surely be fine. Feng Er, you should focus on the competition and not worry about other things," Luotian said.

Luo Feng nodded, excused himself, and returned to the martial arts arena.

Once Luo Feng had left, a martial artist from nearby approached, greeted Luotian with a clasped fist, and said, "So, you are Luo Feng's parents! Congratulations! For your son to be so young yet so powerful, his future is boundless—he's sure to soar to great heights!"

"I am the City Lord of Huanghan City. Might I ask for your names?"

"I am the Dean of the Cold Deer School in Cold Snow City, known in the martial world as 'Broken Mountain Guest'..."

The influential figures nearby all came forward to offer their congratulations to Luotian and Yang Qing.

Regardless of Luo Feng's final ranking, his name, from this day forward, would truly become renowned.

To earn the title of one of the Four New Marvels before the age of sixteen meant his future achievements would be limitless. Befriending him now could bring them considerable prestige as they navigated the martial world.

Luotian, in high spirits, returned their greetings with clasped fists. "I am Luotian, City Master of Panlong City. If you would all do me the honor of visiting Panlong City when you have time, I, Luo, will certainly ensure a warm welcome!"

"Ah, so you are City Master Luo! The adage 'like father, like son' certainly holds true. I will definitely visit when I have the opportunity!"

By this time, the rankings for the challenge tournament participants had been determined. Zhou Zhiyun descended to the center of the martial arts arena to announce them.

He Qin and Ji Wufa, as members of the previous Four New Marvels, were ranked first and second respectively.

Luo Feng, having defeated Wan Feng, was ranked third.

Zi Yuan, having lost one match to He Qin, was ranked fourth.

'Sky Heart Swordsman' Gu Yunfei was ranked fifth, and Bing Ruolan ranked sixth.

Following them were 'Chaotic Snow Blade' Hu Yidao, 'Iron Man' Lu Ye, Chen Wan, and 'Flying in the Wind' Wu Fei.

After announcing the rankings, Zhou Zhiyun, seeing that the ten contestants looked vibrant and full of Jing Qi Shen, declared the challenge round open.

The rules of the challenge round were simple: each of the ten contestants had three chances to challenge others. A successful challenger would take the rank of the person they defeated!

Once the challenge round concludes, the four highest-ranked participants will earn the title of the Four New Marvels!

As Zhou Zhiyun announced the start of the challenge round, a massive roar of cheers erupted throughout the martial arts arena.

Spectators in the stands shouted the names of the contestants they supported.

The ten contestants participating in the challenge round stood side by side at the edge of the martial arts arena.

From left to right stood Heavenly Fragrant Woman He Qin, Traceless Young Master Ji Wufa, Luo Feng, Zi Yuan, Sky Heart Swordsman Gu Yunfei, Bing Ruolan, and so on.

What surprised Luo Feng somewhat was that the first to issue a challenge was Bing Ruolan.

Bing Ruolan floated lightly onto the platform, her beautiful eyes fixed on the fifth-ranked Gu Yunfei.

"I challenge the fifth-ranked Gu Yunfei."

Luo Feng nodded silently to himself. Bing Ruolan, ranked sixth, has almost no chance of challenging the top four. Her only viable opponent is Gu Yunfei.

Gu Yunfei had clearly recovered from his earlier defeat. His gaze was sharp, and his aura exuded a palpable, keen edge.

Stepping onto the platform, Gu Yunfei looked at Bing Ruolan. "Make your move!"

The spectators watched the two on the platform with great interest.

From the previous matches, both were clearly sword experts.

Bing Ruolan's swordsmanship was light and elegant, while Gu Yunfei's was ruthless and fierce; their styles were completely different.

The crowd was eager to see whose swordsmanship would prove superior.

"Luo Feng, who do you think will win?" Zi Yuan asked, standing beside Luo Feng and watching the two on the stage.

Luo Feng pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "It's hard to say. Gu Yunfei has a slight edge in cultivation, but Ruolan's swordsmanship and Qinggong are more refined than his. Their chances are roughly even. It will depend on who can seize an opponent's opening first."

Zi Yuan nodded.

On the platform, Bing Ruolan attacked first. The airflow around her stirred subtly as her sword shadows flickered and transformed. Her sword lights, a dazzling dance of feints and true strikes, assailed Gu Yunfei from all directions.

Gu Yunfei watched without blinking, drawing his sword only at the last possible moment. A beam of Sword Qi split the air, intercepting Bing Ruolan's attack.

"Clouds and Thousands of Peaks!"

Bing Ruolan's skirt billowed. The slender sword in her hand moved like a flurry of winter snow, dense and widespread, unleashing a cascade of sword lights that filled the air.

Within the relentless flow of her sword momentum, a sharp, hidden Qi lurked like a venomous snake's fangs, poised to deliver a fatal strike at any moment.

"Great swordsmanship!"

A glint flashed in Gu Yunfei's eyes. Not daring to be complacent, his sharp sword lashed out like an untamed stallion, slashing furiously as brilliant sword radiances immediately raged forth.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

For a moment, the entire platform was inundated with shimmering Sword Qi, completely obscuring the two figures from sight.