Martial Arts Overlord

Seeing the azure cyclone bearing down on Luo Feng, everyone on both sides of the street stared wide-eyed, seemingly anticipating a scene of carnage. However, an unexpected scene unfolded.

Luo Feng swung his hand, unleashing a palm strike. A massive and majestic Yuan Qi immediately erupted, forming a millstone-sized Palm Gang that burst forth with a rumbling roar as it shot out.

BOOM!

A violent explosion erupted. The astonishingly powerful azure cyclone offered no resistance whatsoever against the Palm Gang and instantly exploded. The remnants of the Palm Gang flew towards Li Lu, who was behind the cyclone.

"What!"

Li Lu's expression changed drastically as he sensed danger. Yuan Qi surged from his body, forming an icy Protective Gang Qi around him.

The Palm Gang moved with lightning speed, like a streaking meteor, reaching Li Lu in an instant.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The Palm Gang struck Li Lu's Protective Gang Qi, triggering a series of violent explosions.

Li Lu struggled to withstand the force. His body was violently propelled backward, his feet gouging two terrifying trenches in the ground. Eventually, his protective barrier shattered with a loud crack, and he vomited a mouthful of fresh blood.

The entire street fell silent. Everyone stared at Li Lu, who lay weakly on the ground, their faces frozen. Some had their mouths agape, unable to close them for a long time.

Not only had Luo Feng easily defended Li Lu's attack, but Li Lu himself was now injured!

"It seems this person is not to be underestimated. No wonder he dared to challenge Li Lu!"

"Yes, this person is extraordinarily bold and powerful. He's probably not some unknown figure. I wonder who he is..."

Many people looked at Luo Feng, secretly speculating about his identity, their expressions filled with anticipation.

Li Lu's earlier arrogant demeanor was still fresh in their minds. They had been furious but dared not voice their anger.

Now, seeing Li Lu humiliated by Luo Feng, everyone felt a mix of admiration and excitement.

COUGH!

Li Lu coughed up another mouthful of blood. He raised his head and looked at Luo Feng, his somber eyes revealing a deep wariness. The power of that palm strike had been unbelievably strong. He had exerted his full might, yet he still couldn't resist it. Moreover, judging by his opponent's calm demeanor, it seemed Luo Feng hadn't even used his full strength. This man is incredibly strong!

Li Lu's face paled slightly, his gaze flickering. He realized the person before him was no simple character. However, he had just uttered those provocative words. If he couldn't teach this person a lesson, how could he, Li Lu, maintain his standing in Qingfeng Town in the future?

A sharp glint flashed in Li Lu's eyes as his aura surged to its peak. His clothes billowed around him. Without turning his head, he yelled, "Fang Lin, join me! Let's teach this kid a lesson!"

He hadn't used his full strength earlier. He was confident that if he joined forces with Fang Lin, they could definitely defeat Luo Feng.

However, after waiting for a moment, Fang Lin's voice was nowhere to be heard.

Li Lu frowned slightly. When he looked back, his eyes immediately froze.

Fang Lin, along with the Fang Family Martial Artists, had retreated a hundred meters away at some unknown point!

"Li Lu, I suddenly remembered I have urgent business at home. I have to go now."

Waving his hand, Fang Lin immediately led the Fang Family Martial Artists and bolted into the distance. Their retreating figures, no matter how one looked at them, clearly showed them fleeing in disarray.

Fang Lin knew Luo Feng was a terrifying figure, someone who even dared to kill elders from the Zhou Family of Red Maple Ridge. Ten of him would be no match for Luo Feng, so how could he dare to stay?

"Fang Lin, you bastard!" Li Lu roared, his face ashen and his body trembling slightly as he watched Fang Lin and the others depart.

"It seems your friend doesn't want to help you," Luo Feng said, looking at Li Lu and walking towards him step by step. His calm tone carried an unsettling, chilling aura.

Li Lu's body trembled slightly. He looked at Luo Feng and blustered, his face flushed, "Kid, don't get cocky! I only used 80 percent of my strength just now!"

Luo Feng's expression remained indifferent. He smiled faintly, "Really? I believe I used less than 20 percent."

Luo Feng was telling the truth. Against an Eighth-Layer Hell Realm Martial Artist, there was no need for him to use his full strength. However, the onlookers didn't think so. Laughter rippled through the crowd; many believed Luo Feng was deliberately humiliating Li Lu.

Li Lu's face turned ashen, his eyes bloodshot. Less than 20 percent of his strength? This is a blatant provocation!

"You don't seem convinced," Luo Feng said. "Alright, I'll use 30 percent of my strength this time. If you can withstand this palm, I'll let you go."

Luo Feng glanced at Li Lu and attacked directly, unleashing another Palm Gang with a wave of his hand.

BOOM!

A thunderous crack echoed through the street. A house-sized Palm Gang, imbued with the sound of wind and thunder, shot out from Luo Feng's hand, hurtling towards Li Lu with the speed of a falling star.

Initially, Li Lu had thought Luo Feng was joking and hadn't taken him seriously. But when Luo Feng made his move, Li Lu knew something was terribly wrong. The Palm Gang hadn't even neared him, yet it already instilled in him an overwhelming urge to flee.

Without the slightest hesitation, he desperately channeled all the Yuan Qi in his body, attempting to resist.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The Palm Gang moved like lightning, reaching Li Lu in an instant. A series of astonishing explosions thundered. Li Lu's Protective Gang Qi shattered instantly, his clothes were blasted apart, and he was sent flying, spewing blood.

Furthermore, a few Li Family Martial Artists standing behind Li Lu were also caught in the blast. They too were sent flying, coughing up blood, before crashing onto the street, their conditions unknown.

The entire street fell into an eerie silence, everyone completely dumbstruck.

After witnessing the first exchange between Luo Feng and Li Lu, the onlookers had considered the possibility of Luo Feng winning. However, none had expected him to win so effortlessly and decisively.

With just a seemingly casual palm strike, he had knocked Li Lu unconscious. Li Lu, a cultivator at the late stage of the Eighth-Layer Hell Realm, had been utterly powerless to resist.

Luo Feng looked at Li Lu on the ground, dusted off his hands, and said casually, "Turns out, you're the real waste." Taking a breath, Luo Feng turned and headed towards the Medicine Ding Store.

Defeating an Eighth-Layer Hell Realm Martial Artist was no longer a significant feat for him. The priority now was to refine the Illusory Blood Demon's Demon Core into an Illusion Heart Pill. This would allow him to break through to the late stage of the Ninth-Layer Heavenly Court Realm.

Fortunately, because of Li Lu and his group's appearance, no one else was at the entrance of the Medicine Ding Store. Luo Feng walked in unhindered.

Shopkeeper Lan Congfeng stood by the door. Seeing Luo Feng, he smiled and said, "Luo Feng, it's been months! I didn't expect your strength to have grown to such an extent. Congratulations!"

Luo Feng smiled. "Shopkeeper Lan, long time no see."

Lan Congfeng nodded and smiled. "Oh yes, congratulations on becoming the son-in-law of the City Lord of Dayang City! I've heard all about how you fought against young talents from all corners for Miss Waner in Dayang City. Nine battles, nine victories—truly a youth to be reckoned with!"

Luo Feng touched his nose, somewhat surprised. "News travels that fast?"

When he left Dayang City, he had specifically asked Yang Wanyi to keep this matter low-profile. It shouldn't have spread so quickly.

"I only found out because I received a letter from Dayang City." Lan Congfeng shook his head and, looking at Luo Feng with a smile, asked, "Are you here to buy pills? However, you're already at the Ninth-Layer Heavenly Court Realm cultivation. I'm afraid I no longer have any pills suitable for you here."

"No," Luo Feng replied. "I need to refine a certain pill, and I was wondering if you knew any Alchemists."

"Alchemists? I do know a few. The Dayang Commerce Alliance has its own Alchemists." Lan Congfeng glanced at Luo Feng and asked with a smile, "What materials are they, that you're so concerned about them?"

Luo Feng directly took out the Illusory Blood Demon's Demon Core and the Peaceful Heart Grass.

"Huh? An Illusory Blood Demon's Demon Core and Peaceful Heart Grass!" Seeing the materials Luo Feng presented, even Lan Congfeng, despite his extensive knowledge and experience, couldn't help but be surprised. These were all exceptionally rare pill-refining materials.

Lan Congfeng immediately guessed Luo Feng's intention. He nodded and said, "The Illusion Heart Pill allows one to connect to the Heaven Gate and condense Yuan Qi. It's of great benefit to Ninth-Layer Heavenly Court Realm Martial Artists and is indeed suitable for you to take."

"I don't know any Alchemists, so I was hoping you could help," Luo Feng said.

Lan Congfeng smiled at Luo Feng and said, "Miss Waner has shown me great kindness. Since you are her fiancé, how could I refuse to help? You can leave the Illusory Blood Demon's Demon Core and Peaceful Heart Grass here. I'll send them to an elder in the Dayang Commerce Alliance for refining. The Illusion Heart Pill should be ready in a month."

"A month?" Luo Feng frowned. With only a little over twenty days left until Duanmu Xiao's fortieth birthday, he couldn't possibly wait a whole month. "Is there any faster way?"

Lan Congfeng shook his head. "The elder of the Dayang Commerce Alliance resides in Red Sun Valley, west of Dayang City. The round trip alone takes more than ten days. Adding the time to refine the pill, it will take nearly a month at the very least."

Seeing Luo Feng's troubled expression, Lan Congfeng pondered for a moment before saying, "There might be a faster way, but I'm not sure if it will succeed."

"What is it?" Luo Feng's eyes lit up.

Lan Congfeng glanced outside the apothecary and whispered, "I have an old friend who sought refuge here a few days ago. He happens to be a fourth-grade Alchemist and can refine Illusion Heart Pills. However, he's currently being hunted and is struggling to protect himself, so I'm afraid he won't help you."

Luo Feng didn't want to miss this chance. "Could you take me to meet him?" he asked.

"I can, but he has an irascible temperament, and now that he's being hunted, the chances are slim." After saying this, Lan Congfeng turned, closed up the apothecary, and said to Luo Feng, "Follow me."

Luo Feng nodded and followed.

Behind the apothecary was a small courtyard where medicinal herbs were laid out to dry. The air was filled with their fragrance, creating a serene and refined environment.

Luo Feng followed Lan Congfeng down a corridor to a secluded side room.

"Who is it?"

The moment they neared the room, a resonant voice came from within. It wasn't loud, yet it carried an imposing momentum, like the clash of blades, exuding a heavy pressure.

Late-stage Ninth-Layer Heavenly Court Realm cultivation, Luo Feng sensed the other party's aura and immediately assessed his strength.

At that moment, Luo Feng felt a pair of eyes scrutinizing him, but he paid it no mind, allowing the other person to observe him freely.

Lan Congfeng spoke, "Elder Zhuang, it's me."

"And who is this person with you?" Elder Zhuang's tone was laced with deep suspicion, and simultaneously, a wave of pressure bore down on Luo Feng.

It seems Elder Zhuang truly is being hunted; no wonder he's so cautious, Luo Feng thought.

Lan Congfeng, after a glance at Luo Feng, said, "This is Luo Feng, the top newcomer from the Four Great Academies. He has something he'd like to ask of you."

"I refuse to see him!" Elder Zhuang's voice was cold as he refused flatly.

Lan Congfeng looked somewhat helpless but pressed on, stating their purpose directly, "Elder Zhuang, Luo Feng is my friend. He is also now the son-in-law of Yang Dingtian, the City Lord of Dayang City. I hope you can grant me this favor."

"I can barely ensure my own safety right now; how could I possibly have the energy to concern myself with others? Tell him to leave!" A cold, emotionless laugh emanated from the room.

Lan Congfeng glanced at Luo Feng, his expression clearly indicating that the negotiation had failed.