Martial Arts Overlord

Having had the previous encounter with the Demon Sect, no one dared to underestimate the situation. Zi Hongyuan and Feng Linshan had a brief discussion, deciding to set off to leave the Red Flame Desert and return to Changxin Academy.

Luo Feng stopped Zi Hongyuan, saying, "Dean, I have some urgent matters. I need to rush back to my academy, so I will not be heading to Changxin Academy."

If he returned directly to the Flowing Cloud Region and then to Dayang City, he would still have time to spare within the ten days. However, if he detoured to Changxin Academy, it would take half a month, far exceeding the ten-day limit. Naturally, Luo Feng would not accompany them.

Zi Hongyuan heard this and frowned slightly, saying, "What's so urgent?"

"This…" Luo Feng hesitated and did not respond.

It was a private grudge between the Luo Family and the Duanmu Family. Even if Zi Hongyuan and the others knew about it, they would not intervene. He didn't want others to interfere either.

Zhou Zhiyun noticed Luo Feng's dilemma and smiled at Zi Hongyuan, saying, "Since Luo Feng has said so, he must have his reasons. Even if the journey is dangerous, he must walk it himself. We can only help him temporarily, not for the rest of his life."

On hearing this, Zi Hongyuan nodded. True powerhouses aren't made by constant help. Disciples living under the wings of their elders, like flowers in a greenhouse, can never achieve greatness.

"Alright! Be careful then. Remember, as long as the green hills last, there'll be no shortage of firewood. Never act rashly," Zi Hongyuan said, then had Zi Yuan bring over a Six-leg Demon Horse as he advised Luo Feng.

"Thank you, Dean. I know my limits."

Luo Feng nodded. Just as he was about to mount the horse, a figure flashed before his eyes; Bing Ruolan had already mounted it.

"Ruolan, what are you doing?"

Sitting on the horse, Bing Ruolan spoke with conviction, "I'm going too."

Just as Luo Feng was about to dissuade her, Bing Ruolan patted the horse's neck and smiled, "Don't forget, this Six-leg Demon Horse is mine."

"Alright then." Looking at Bing Ruolan's expression, Luo Feng knew she would not back down and had no choice but to agree.

He would first return to the academy and find an excuse to leave alone later.

"Dean, everyone, I'll be taking my leave." Luo Feng mounted the horse, cupped his fists to the group, and immediately spurred the horse onward, disappearing into a cloud of golden dust in moments.

Watching the direction in which Luo Feng disappeared, Feng Linshan congratulated Zi Hongyuan, "Zi Hongyuan, congratulations. Purple Sun School has produced a genius like Luo Feng. In next year's Golden Palace assessment, your Purple Sun School will definitely be among the best."

Zi Hongyuan, his face beaming with pride, shook his head and said, "I've been in charge of Purple Sun School for seventeen years and still can't see through him. He is extraordinary indeed! However, his temperament is a bit too straightforward. Being too rigid makes one easy to break, and acting this way can easily attract the envy of others."

Feng Linshan laughed, "I disagree. Luo Feng has a straightforward personality, direct like his Saber Technique. He's true to himself! What's more, true powerhouses are those who survive countless hardships. Blindly compromising will only cause a Martial Artist to lose their true heart."

"That's true indeed."

...

Under the scorching sun, the Red Flame Desert was like an endless golden ocean, and a dark shadow galloped through it at lightning speed.

"Luo Feng, what urgent matter do you have to attend to?" Bing Ruolan asked from horseback.

Luo Feng sniffed the faint fragrance of her hair wafting on the wind and smiled, "Nothing much. Just a small matter."

Bing Ruolan's tender shoulders trembled slightly, and she bit her lip. "You're lying to me. I saw you chasing Duanmu Xiong just now. Is this related to the Duanmu Family?"

When did this girl notice? Luo Feng was taken aback but didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "Ruolan, when Xue Ren ambushed me, why did you block that palm strike for me?"

Bing Ruolan suddenly slowed the horse, turned her head, and stared at Luo Feng. She shook her small head, bit her lip, and said, "I don't know. At that moment, I just thought that if anything happened to you, I would feel terrible."

Looking at Bing Ruolan's earnest expression, Luo Feng felt an inexplicable pang in his heart. He reached out to wipe the tears from her eyelashes and smiled, "Don't do such foolish things again. I promised you that once I enter the Golden Palace, I'll accompany you home to cancel the engagement. I never go back on my word."

Bing Ruolan understood the implication in his words, and her face turned crimson. She lowered her gaze but obediently nodded.

"HYAH!"

Amidst the strange atmosphere, the two set off again. The desert stretched out like a sea, under a vast expanse of sky. The sight of the two of them galloping on a single horse through it was as beautiful as a painting.

The Red Flame Desert was near the West Desert's Demon Realm. Luo Feng, fearing an encounter with disciples of the Demon Sect, traveled day and night, arriving at the edge of the Red Flame Desert within a day.

During their rest stops, Luo Feng would take out the Secret Manual for the Shocking Thunder Saber Technique to study and practice. The Shocking Thunder Saber Technique truly lived up to its name as a mid-grade Profound Level Martial Art. Even with Luo Feng's comprehension abilities, he found it somewhat challenging to understand. The overall intent realm of this Saber Technique was exceptionally profound, far surpassing the Sky Slayer Saber Technique. After several periods of contemplation, Luo Feng's understanding of Saber Techniques deepened considerably, and he made significant progress.

Another day passed, and the two left the Red Flame Desert, arriving before a massive city.

Luo Feng noticed signs of fatigue on Bing Ruolan's small face and suggested, "Ruolan, let's go in and rest for the night."

After traveling day and night, Bing Ruolan was indeed quite tired. Hearing his words, she shook her head and said, "Don't you have urgent matters? Let's keep going."

Luo Feng grasped the reins and shook his head. "One night won't make a difference. Let's go." With that, he slipped his hands around Bing Ruolan's soft, slender waist and directed the horse towards the city.

With the speed of the Six-leg Demon Horse, they only needed five to six days to reach Dayang City from here. Time wasn't tight.

"Alright, just for one night. We'll set off first thing tomorrow morning." A hint of joy flickered deep in Bing Ruolan's eyes. However, she raised a finger and added, as if making a promise to herself.

Luo Feng shook his head with a wry smile. Was this still the Bing Ruolan known as the Ice Beauty of Purple Sun School?

Of course, he also knew she would only show such expressions in front of him.

Riding together on the horse, they quickly arrived before the city. Luo Feng looked up, and three large golden characters on the city gate met his eyes: East Flame City.

Looking at the city before him, Luo Feng was somewhat surprised. This city was even larger than Frost Leaf City, which he had visited before. The city walls were nearly twenty zhang high, and the city gate was almost three zhang tall. The sheer scale was imposing; people standing beneath it hardly dared to breathe too deeply.

"So, this is East Flame City..." Bing Ruolan seemed somewhat taken aback.

"Have you been here before?" Luo Feng asked.

Bing Ruolan nodded and smiled. "I came here once when I was very young."

Outside the huge city gate, the flow of people was like a shuttle. Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan dismounted from their horse and followed the crowd into the city. Upon entering, Luo Feng was immediately stunned by the scene before him. If the crowd outside the city was already considerable, inside it was even more packed, with people shoulder to shoulder. Buildings on all sides were adorned with lanterns and colorful decorations, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

"So many people. What special day is it today?" Luo Feng asked, surprised.

Bing Ruolan blinked and smiled at Luo Feng. "Haven't you heard about East Flame City?"

"This is the first time I've heard of it," Luo Feng shook his head.

Bing Ruolan chuckled. "We've come at just the right time! The first day of the first month is the Demon Extermination Festival in East Flame City. That's why there are so many people."

"Demon Extermination Festival?"

"Yes. Legend has it that in ancient times, an extremely powerful Heavenly Demon descended here and nearly destroyed the entire East Flame City, causing widespread devastation. At that critical moment, a peerless expert suddenly arrived and slew the Heavenly Demon! That day happened to be the first day of the first month, so every year, the first day of the first month is a day of celebration in East Flame City to commemorate this event."

Luo Feng was deeply shocked. A single Demon Beast could threaten an entire city! Although he didn't know the authenticity of the legend, such stories weren't usually baseless; it definitely had some foundation.

Luo Feng resolved inwardly. I must read more miscellaneous books when I get back to the academy. I really know too little.

"What is a Heavenly Demon?" Luo Feng asked, recalling what Bing Ruolan had just mentioned.

"It's rumored that Heavenly Demons are powerful beings from an outer world. I don't know exactly what they are," Bing Ruolan shook her head slightly, then sighed softly with emotion, "The True Martial Continent is boundlessly vast. I've heard that beyond the True Martial Continent, there are countless other spaces. I wonder if it's true..."

A sense of yearning filled Luo Feng, and he smiled, "Sooner or later, we will leave the Canglang Dynasty, and even the True Martial Continent. When that time comes, we'll naturally find out all these things."

"Mhm." Bing Ruolan looked at Luo Feng, her eyes shining brightly, and gave a sweet smile.

The two wandered with the crowd, taking in the sights, and before they knew it, they arrived in front of a tavern in the city. The tavern was named East Facing Tavern and was situated beside a flowing river, boasting an elegant ambiance.

"Let's go up and get something to eat," Luo Feng suggested.

Bing Ruolan nodded.

As the two approached the tavern, a waiter spotted them. His eyes lit up when he noticed the Six-leg Demon Horse Luo Feng was leading, and he hurried over with a beaming smile, "What would you two esteemed guests like to eat? Our East Facing Tavern has everything—things that fly in the sky, swim in the water, and run on the ground!"

Although Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan appeared travel-worn from their long journey, the waiter did not dare to look down on them. A Six-leg Demon Horse was a valuable creature, a ferocious Level Three Demon Beast. Anyone who could possess such a mount was undoubtedly wealthy or noble. He wouldn't dare to be neglectful.

"We'd like a private room," Luo Feng said.

The waiter smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, esteemed guests, but due to the festival today, all private rooms are full. However, we do have an elegant window seat available on the second floor. Would you like it?"

Luo Feng nodded and tossed a piece of silver to the waiter. "Take good care of the horse."

"Sure thing!" The waiter took the silver, beaming, arranged for someone to lead the horse away, and then guided Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan to the second floor.

Unlike the bustling first floor, each table on the second floor was separated by screens, creating a much more refined and quiet atmosphere.

Luo Feng nodded in approval. This seems like a good place to rest.

"Sir, this is it," the waiter said, pointing to a nearby window seat.

Just as Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan were about to sit down, the sound of loud footsteps echoed from the staircase. A young man and a young woman ascended. The young man wore brocade robes, his hair was elegantly styled, and the scabbard of the precious sword at his waist was inlaid with many gemstones, exuding an air of wealth and opulence. Leaning on him was a buxom young woman, quite attractive, her eyes holding a captivating charm that could stir one's soul.

Seeing them, the waiter was slightly startled but quickly put on a smile. "Young Master Xiao Ning, what an honor to have you visit today!"

The young man in brocade, Xiao Ning, waved his hand arrogantly and said, "I'm having a small gathering with Sister Xuan today. Quickly arrange a private room for us!"

The waiter looked troubled. "I'm sorry, Young Master Xiao Ning, but all the private rooms are already taken."

Xiao Ning's brows knitted together, and he huffed, "Then arrange an elegant table for me. You should have one of those available, right?"

"The elegant seating areas are also all taken."

Xiao Ning frowned, on the verge of losing his temper, when the charming-eyed young woman beside him pointed to the window seat and asked, "Isn't that seat empty? How can you say they are all taken?"

"This..." The waiter glanced awkwardly at Luo Feng, considering how to respond.

"We've already reserved this seat, so please look elsewhere," Luo Feng said calmly.

"Oh?" Xiao Ning finally noticed Luo Feng. His gaze swept over Bing Ruolan, and his eyes lit up. He casually took out a stack of gold banknotes, tossed them in front of Luo Feng, and declared, "This seat, I want it!"