Martial Arts Overlord

Luo Feng didn't know what Hu Yitian was thinking and asked, "Do you know anything about the Green Wood Trading Co.?"

Hu Yitian nodded. "Green Wood Trading Co. is the largest medicinal trading company in Giant Stone City; you'll know about it once you're there. However…"

"What is it?"

Hu Yitian heaved a long sigh, looking at Luo Feng with a somber expression.

"If I were you, I wouldn't covet those three Golden Jade Heart Lotuses. The Green Wood Trading Co. is a significant asset of the Duanmu Family, and many masters are stationed there. As far as I know, there are two mid-stage experts of the Eighth-level Hell Realm in the trading company! On top of that, there are numerous other Seventh-level Essence Storage Realm Martial Artists!"

"Two powerful warriors in the mid-phase of the Eighth-level Hell Realm?"

Luo Feng's brow furrowed slightly.

The Duanmu Family is indeed worthy of being one of the six great families in the Flowing Cloud Region if even one of their businesses has so many experts.

Hu Yitian nodded. "Therefore, I advise you not to go."

Luo Feng smiled faintly, not answering.

His elder brother, Luo Xiao, was still critically injured. Now that he finally knew the whereabouts of the Golden Jade Heart Lotus, how could he miss this opportunity?

Hu Yitian saw Luo Feng's expression and knew his words were in vain. No longer trying to persuade him, he said,

"Luo Feng, I can't intervene in this matter directly, but if you need any other help, you can always find me."

Luo Feng hadn't planned on asking Hu Yitian for help, so he simply nodded his thanks.

Hu Yidao stood up. "Given the significant incident at this New Stalwart Conference, I must report this to my family as soon as possible. I shall take my leave."

After taking two steps, Hu Yidao halted, turned to Luo Feng, and said,

"Luo Feng, the Duanmu Family has numerous experts, with three masters in the Ninth-level Heavenly Court Realm alone. Their Family Head, Duanmu Xiao, is a master at the peak of the Ninth-level Heavenly Court Realm and could enter the Spiritual Rotation Realm at any time. This cannot be underestimated! Duanmu Ji's uncle is an elder of the Sky Sword Pavilion, one of the Twelve Golden Palaces, and his cultivation is unfathomable."

Although he didn't believe Luo Feng would be foolish enough to challenge the entire Duanmu Family, he still felt compelled to offer this reminder.

"Rest assured, I'm not arrogant enough to challenge a Ninth-level Heavenly Court Realm master right now," Luo Feng said, dismissing it with a wave of his hand.

Hu Yidao, also feeling he had been overthinking things, chuckled. "Alright! I shall take my leave then! Come visit us at Floating Snow School when you have time. My younger sister has been pestering to meet you. If she hadn't snuck off to Ghost Howl Forest last time, causing our father to ground her, she definitely would have come along this time."

Luo Feng recalled Hu Caiyun, dressed in colorful clothes like a butterfly, and chuckled, "I will definitely visit when I have time."

"We'll meet again!"

Hu Yitian clasped his fists in a salute, turned, and strode away.

Luo Feng watched Hu Yitian leave, then turned and returned to Luo Xiao's room.

Bing Ruolan and the others were by Luo Xiao's bedside. When Luo Feng came in, Bing Ruolan asked softly, "Was that Hu Yitian just now? What were you two talking about?"

Luo Feng shook his head. "Nothing. He invited me to Floating Snow School."

Luo Feng didn't want Bing Ruolan to know about the Golden Jade Heart Lotus, lest she worry.

Bing Ruolan nodded. Seeing Luo Feng's gloomy expression, she hesitated for a moment before saying, "Luo Feng, what happened to your elder brother isn't your fault. Only Duanmu Ji, with his vicious heart, is to blame."

Luo Feng knew Bing Ruolan was trying to comfort him and offered a small smile.

Just then, Luo Xiao, who was lying on the bed, stirred and regained consciousness.

"Big Brother, you're awake?" Luo Feng quickly walked over to him.

Luo Xiao saw Luo Feng, nodded, and sighed. "Second Brother, I'm useless. When Duanmu Ji insulted you, not only could I not defend your honor, but I also got injured. I'm a terrible big brother..."

Luo Feng's heart warmed, and he gripped Luo Xiao's hand. "Big Brother, don't say that. I'm fortunate to have a big brother like you."

A smile appeared on Luo Xiao's face. "How did the New Stalwart Conference go? It should be over by now, right?"

Luo Feng nodded.

"What rank did you achieve?" Luo Xiao asked anxiously.

Bing Ruolan, standing beside him, smiled faintly and said, "Luo Feng is this year's Number One Stalwart."

"Number One Stalwart!"

Luo Xiao stared at Luo Feng with wide eyes, his face full of disbelief, and even his pale complexion flushed slightly.

The four major academies were the highest institutions of learning in the Flowing Cloud Region, and the most gifted students were generally among them.

Securing first place in the New Stalwart Conference was an incredibly difficult feat!

When Luo Xiao had first heard Luo Feng was entering the New Stalwart Conference, he had been incredibly excited. He never expected Luo Feng to actually win, becoming this year's Number One Stalwart! This news was more shocking than a thunderbolt from a clear sky.

After a moment, Luo Xiao recovered from his surprise, looked at Luo Feng, and laughed heartily. "Excellent! My Second Brother is the Number One Stalwart! Big Brother is proud of you!"

Luo Feng smiled faintly. It was impossible not to be happy after receiving his big brother's affirmation.

Luo Xiao tried to sit up, remarking, "It seems I also need to cultivate diligently. Otherwise, I don't know how far behind you I'll fall."

"Big Brother..."

Luo Feng wanted to stop him, but it was too late.

As soon as Luo Xiao circulated his Yuan Qi, he felt a piercing pain, like needles, all over his body. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his Yuan Qi flowed several times slower than before.

"Big Brother, you haven't fully recovered yet. Don't try to cultivate now," Luo Feng said.

Luo Xiao looked at Luo Feng and smiled bitterly. "Second Brother, we grew up together. What could you possibly hide from me? Tell me straight, what's wrong with my body?"

Luo Feng knew he couldn't evade the question any longer. He sighed deeply and explained everything from beginning to end.

"Big Brother, don't worry. I already know the whereabouts of the Golden Jade Heart Lotus! You'll be able to recover soon!" Luo Feng said to Luotian, his tone firm with determination.

"Thanks, Second Brother."

Luo Xiao smiled, though it seemed somewhat forced.

He too had heard of the Golden Jade Heart Lotus. Such a heavenly treasure was worth a fortune and so rare as to be priceless; it wasn't something easily obtained.

Having not seen each other for several months, the brothers had much to discuss and chatted warmly.

After a long while, seeing Luo Xiao looked tired, Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan took their leave.

As they walked out of the small courtyard, Xu Mei approached them.

"Luo Feng, the Dean asked if you would like to return to the school with them?"

Luo Feng nodded. "I'll go back with you all."

Staying at Tianlan School was pointless now. Giant Stone City was closer to Purple Sun School, and returning there would make things more convenient.

They walked towards Tianlan School's main square. Zi Hongyuan and the others had already brought out the Six-leg Demon Horses. Yang Hong, due to his severe injuries, remained at Tianlan School to recuperate and would return to Purple Sun School once he recovered.

Zi Hongyuan was somewhat surprised to see Luo Feng but didn't ask any questions.

Zhou Zhiyun and He Qin were also present. Luo Feng mounted his horse and said to Zhou Zhiyun, "Dean Zhou, I'll entrust my big brother to your care. I will bring back the Golden Jade Heart Lotus as soon as possible."

Hearing the confidence in Luo Feng's voice, a peculiar light flashed in Zhou Zhiyun's beautiful eyes. She nodded. "Alright. I will prepare the other medicinal herbs."

"Thank you," Luo Feng said, clasping his fists in a salute from horseback.

"Alright, let's depart!"

Zi Hongyuan flicked his sleeves and pulled the reins. The Six-leg Demon Horse neighed, transforming into a streak of black light as it shot forward.

Luo Feng and the others followed closely. The ten riders stirred up a fierce wind, disappearing in an instant.

Only after Luo Feng's group had vanished from sight did Zhou Zhiyun withdraw her gaze, murmuring softly, "The Duanmu Family has offended someone they shouldn't have this time."

"Dean, what do you mean by that?"

The Heavenly Fragrant Woman discerned the hidden meaning in her words, a faint look of surprise flickering in her beautiful eyes.

Zhou Zhiyun didn't explain, only smiling as she said, "It's nothing. You'll understand in due time."

The Six-leg Demon Horses were astonishingly fast. After a night of frantic galloping, Luo Feng and his group returned to Purple Sun School the next morning.

News of what had transpired at Yunlan Peak had already reached the school.

While many were alarmed by the appearance of the Demon Sect Disciples, they were also thrilled by the achievements of Luo Feng and the others.

Three of the Four Great New Stalwarts were students from Purple Sun School, including the top stalwart himself—an unprecedented victory!

For years, Purple Sun School had consistently ranked at the bottom in the New Stalwart Conference. Now, finally holding their heads high, many students regarded Luo Feng and the others as their idols.

When Zi Hongyuan announced the results, the cheers nearly overturned the entire school. However, when everyone looked for Luo Feng, the biggest dark horse of this New Stalwart Conference was nowhere to be found.

「Upon arriving at Purple Sun School, Luo Feng immediately returned to his small courtyard.」

Sitting on his bed, Luo Feng muttered to himself, "With my current strength, I should be able to handle one Eighth-level Hell Realm Martial Artist. But facing two simultaneously would be very dangerous."

He was self-confident, not arrogant.

Analyzing Hu Yitian's words, going to Green Wood Trading Co. now would be too dangerous, and the chances of successfully obtaining the Golden Jade Heart Lotus were slim. This matter concerned his big brother Luo Xiao's safety; he couldn't afford any mistakes. Luo Feng decided to increase his strength before heading to Giant Stone City.

After careful consideration, Luo Feng decided to cultivate the Condensation Yuan Technique.

Once his cultivation reached the Eighth-level Hell Realm, further advancement would become extremely difficult. However, the Condensation Yuan Technique could refine a Martial Artist's Yuan Qi, allowing them to display strength exceeding their actual cultivation level. It was perfectly suited for him to cultivate now.

Luo Feng took the Secret Manual for the Condensation Yuan Technique from his storage ring and began to read it carefully.

"The Condensation Yuan Technique refines a Martial Artist's Yuan Qi, unifying its flow. It requires a Martial Artist's cultivation to have entered the Eighth-level Hell Realm, with their Yuan Qi sunk into the Hell Realm, before it can be cultivated."

"This Cultivation Technique has three tiers. The first tier increases a Martial Artist's Yuan Qi by ten percent; the second tier, by thirty percent; and the third tier increases a Martial Artist's Yuan Qi by ninety percent!"

HISS!

Luo Feng gasped.

"Increasing a Martial Artist's Yuan Qi by ninety percent... If the Condensation Yuan Technique is cultivated to the third tier, wouldn't that mean one's Yuan Qi would be nearly doubled?! This is too incredible!" Luo Feng was first astonished as he read the introduction in the Secret Manual, then a delighted look appeared on his face.

He had eighteen Meridian Wheels in his body; his Yuan Qi far surpassed that of an ordinary Martial Artist.

If he cultivated the Condensation Yuan Technique to the third tier and his Yuan Qi nearly doubled again, then even if his cultivation was only at the early stage of the Eighth-level Hell Realm, his Yuan Qi wouldn't be inferior to that of an ordinary Martial Artist at the late stage of the Eighth-level Hell Realm!

The mere thought was astounding.

Taking a deep breath, Luo Feng gradually calmed down.

Although the Condensation Yuan Technique was powerful, judging by Dean Zhou's words, its cultivation difficulty was also not to be underestimated!

Moreover, once one stepped into the Spiritual Rotation Realm, its effects would become very limited.

This was also why Dean Zhou had only cultivated the Condensation Yuan Technique to the second tier and hadn't continued further.

"Let's not even talk about the third tier for now. I wonder how long it will take me to cultivate the Condensation Yuan Technique to the second tier." Luo Feng put away the Secret Manual, muttering to himself.