Chapter 273: Chapter 273: He’s Ten Thousand Times Stronger Than You
Gazing at the beautiful young woman in the center of the square, the crowd wondered at the purpose of this.
Elder Chen clapped his hands and said with a laugh, "To thank everyone for coming, we have prepared a sword dance performance. We believe it will bring a smile to everyone’s face."
Elder Chen then turned aside and announced the start of the performance.
As his voice faded, twelve beautiful young women stepped lightly, forming a circle.
CLANG!
The twelve drew their swords, yet only a single sound of unsheathing was heard. A cold light, like snow, illuminated the entire square for an instant.
The moment they were unsheathed, an icy Sword Gang burst forth. Then, twelve sharp swords thrust simultaneously towards the center.
TING!
The sword tips met at a single point. A gentle breeze arose, stirring the light gauze on the young women, creating a dreamlike, ethereal scene.
"Excellent! Excellent Swordsmanship!"
Thunderous applause erupted throughout the square.
The sword light converged to a single point, demonstrating a truly impressive level of Sword Dao Cultivation. For these twelve young women to execute their moves in perfect unison was no small feat.
"Beautiful."
Luo Feng also clapped. The sword dance performance was indeed splendid. However, this kind of training is merely for show, possessing limited power and suitable only for performance, he thought.
Bing Ruolan sat nearby. Seeing Luo Feng watch with such absorption, she pursed her red lips, appearing somewhat displeased.
In the square, the twelve young women’s sword movements, initially slow, grew progressively faster, seeming to depict the changing of seasons. It possessed an indescribable beauty that drew wave after wave of cheers from the crowd.
"The summit will begin after the performance. Prepare yourselves," Zhou Zhiyun said slowly, her gaze falling on Luo Feng and his companions.
The four of them nodded. Zi Yuan clenched her small fists, a resolute expression on her face. "We must give it our all and not let those from the Red Maple Lead look down on us!"
He Qin and Bing Ruolan both smiled.
"Don’t worry, I’m also very interested in the treasures within the Secret Realm," Luo Feng said with a faint smile.
Nearby, Zi Hongyuan and Zhou Zhiyun exchanged a glance, both shaking their heads in resignation.
Among the four, apart from Luo Feng, the other three were only at the early stage of the Eighth Layer Hell Realm Cultivation. It would likely be difficult for them to win against quasi-Young Master level experts.
Although He Qin had comprehended Sword Intent, she had done so too recently. It was still difficult to say how much of her true strength she could unleash.
Even Luo Feng was only at the mid-stage of the Eighth Layer Hell Realm Cultivation. Meanwhile, among the Four New Prodigies of the Red Maple Lead, the lowest-ranked, Jadeite Young Master Xin Wuyue, was at the late stage of the Eighth Layer Hell Realm Cultivation. This was to say nothing of the third-ranked Fiery Sun Young Master Qin Honglie or the second-ranked Young Master Hanshan Li Hanshan.
Winning seemed as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Zi Hongyuan and Zhou Zhiyun shared the same thought: they only hoped the four would not suffer too humiliating a defeat. As for the Secret Realm, that was an extravagant hope...
「After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn」
The sword dance concluded. Many were still lost in that beautiful intent realm.
The young women with swords departed. Elder Chen returned to the center of the square, cleared his throat, and announced:
"Next is the main event of this summit. Young prodigies from all factions may challenge opponents they are interested in and come to the square to spar. Sparring requires mutual consent. If an opponent does not agree, no one may force the issue."
At this point, Elder Chen’s expression turned stern. "Sparring matches must stop short of serious harm! Fatal blows are strictly forbidden. Otherwise, do not blame this old man for being merciless!"
The crowd was roused, their eyes glinting with anticipation.
"Elder Chen, let’s begin quickly! We can’t wait any longer!"
"Indeed! The performance was good, but how can it compare to the thrill of watching geniuses clash? Elder Chen, don’t delay any further! Announce the start of the summit!"
Hearing the crowd’s impatient cries, Elder Chen smiled and announced loudly, "The summit officially begins now! Which young prodigy will be the first to step forward?"
A student from the Changxin Academy leaped up and landed steadily in the center of the square.
"I am Qiu Qianchi of Changxin Academy! Is there anyone from Ivy School who dares to face me?" The young man was powerfully built, with broad shoulders and a thick waist, and possessed a pair of tiger-like eyes. He stared at the Ivy School contingent, his fighting spirit blazing like fire.
"It’s ’Tiger Man’ Qiu Qianchi from Changxin Academy! His Cultivation has reached the peak of the Seventh Layer Essence storage Realm, and his Iron Tiger Divine Gang is extremely formidable, making his strength close to the quasi-Young Master level. I wonder who will be his opponent."
"As if we wouldn’t dare!"
Before Qiu Qianchi’s voice had even faded, another figure leaped out—a slender student from Ivy School.
"Excellent! Take my punch—Tiger’s Roar Shakes the Forest!"
Qiu Qianchi roared, his aura surging wildly.
BOOM!
With a sudden, forceful stomp, Qiu Qianchi shot towards the slender young man like a cannonball. His ferocious fist technique whipped up a violent wind that howled across the square.
The slender young man frowned. His arms suddenly moved like swaying willow branches, layers of Qi Force rippling outwards to meet Qiu Qianchi’s attack.
CRACKLE! POP! The two distinctly different energies collided violently, producing a sharp explosive sound, like a string of firecrackers.
"Incredible!" Cheers and applause surged from the crowd.
Qiu Qianchi’s techniques were powerful and overwhelming, each blow seeming to possess the might to split mountains and shatter stone. His opponent, however, utilized Martial Arts that countered hardness with softness, skillfully neutralizing the ferocious fist attacks inch by inch. Their exchange was incredibly intense, like waves crashing against a riverbank or lightning striking a perilous peak.
Their Martial Arts styles counteract each other, so it will come down to a contest of Yuan Qi. Qiu Qianchi’s Cultivation is a notch higher; he’s sure to win, Luo Feng observed their exchange, thinking to himself.
BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM...
A fierce gale raged in the square around the two youths. In a mere moment, they had already exchanged dozens of blows.
The outcome was just as Luo Feng had predicted. The slender young man could not sustain the consumption of his Yuan Qi. The power of his techniques diminished, and he was sent flying by a single punch from Qiu Qianchi!
The first sparring match concluded, and the summit continued in an orderly fashion.
The students who had sparred so far were mostly ordinary geniuses at the Seventh Layer of the Essence storage Realm Cultivation. Luo Feng’s group of four, as well as the quasi-Young Masters and Young Masters from the Red Maple Lead, had yet to intervene.
As time passed, the summit’s atmosphere grew increasingly fervent. Everyone knew the main event was about to begin.
Another sparring match ended, and a sudden burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted in the square.
A figure emerged from the Ivy School’s pavilion.
"Li Jun from Ivy School is making his move! He’s a quasi-Young Master level expert! I wonder who he’ll challenge!"
Seeing this figure step out, the crowd grew excited.
Li Jun walked to the center of the square. His gaze swept over the areas where the Four Great Academies were seated. After a cold glance at Luo Feng, he cupped his fists and announced loudly, "I am Li Jun of Ivy School! I wish to challenge Bing Ruolan, one of the Four New Prodigies of the Flowing Cloud Region! Bing Ruolan, do you dare to face me in battle?"
Having been defeated and humiliated by Luo Feng, Li Jun harbored a deep-seated hatred for him. Unable to swallow this indignation, Li Jun had made inquiries and learned that Bing Ruolan was a fellow student of Luo Feng’s at Purple Sun School, and that their relationship was far from ordinary. He knew he was no match for Luo Feng, so he intended to teach Luo Feng a lesson by targeting Bing Ruolan.
"Bing Ruolan, this man seems to harbor ill intentions. He’s an expert at the mid-stage of the Eighth Layer Hell Realm. It would be best if you didn’t accept his challenge," Zi Yuan said, frowning. She had noticed the sinister look in Li Jun’s eyes and the unsettling aura he exuded.
He Qin nodded in agreement. "This man was publicly humiliated by Luo Feng yesterday. He’s likely trying to take it out on you now. Although Elder Chen won’t let him go too far, it’s hard to guard against underhanded tricks."
Bing Ruolan glanced at Luo Feng, then suddenly stood up. "This is the first battle for us, the Four New Prodigies of the Flowing Cloud Region. I cannot refuse."
Having spent some time together, Zi Yuan and Bing Ruolan had become good friends. Hearing Bing Ruolan’s decision, Zi Yuan bit her lip and turned to Luo Feng. "Luo Feng, you should try to persuade her too!"
Luo Feng merely smiled and nodded at Bing Ruolan. "Be careful." Bing Ruolan is not one to easily admit defeat, he thought. Besides, I wouldn’t want to persuade her to refuse either.
Bing Ruolan nodded to Luo Feng and walked out, sword in hand.
"Luo Feng! I’m not talking to you anymore!" Zi Yuan had expected Luo Feng to try and dissuade Bing Ruolan from accepting the challenge. When he suddenly said that instead, she became quite cross.
Luo Feng smiled faintly. "Zi Yuan, don’t worry. Li Jun is no match for Ruolan."
In the center of the square, Bing Ruolan and Li Jun stood facing each other, about ten meters apart.
Li Jun looked Bing Ruolan over and was immediately captivated by her beauty; his eyes seemed unable to move away. After a moment, he smiled confidently and said, "My beauty, my father is an Elder at Ivy School. If you just nod your head, I can arrange for you to study at Ivy School. It would surely be a hundred times better than following that waste, Luo Feng!"
CLANG!
Her sword left its sheath, its cold light illuminating Bing Ruolan’s frosty face, making it seem even colder. Her voice, too, seemed to carry an icy chill. "If you don’t have the guts to spar, then get lost! As for Luo Feng, you’re not even worthy of comparison. To say you’re ten thousand times inferior to him would be to flatter you!"
"What?!"
Li Jun’s face stiffened, and his expression instantly turned frigid. "Such a sharp-tongued little wench! For me, Li Jun, to take an interest in you is your good fortune! Since you refuse to appreciate my kindness, don’t blame me for being merciless!"
"Rend!"
The moment he spoke, Li Jun’s eyes turned cold. His hands formed into eagle claws, and sharp, azure Qi blades swirled at his fingertips.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Three sharp, azure Claw Strengths shot towards Bing Ruolan, tearing through the air as if it were silk.
Bing Ruolan’s expression remained impassive, her right hand resting lightly on her sword hilt. Her entire aura undulated, like the drifting clouds in the sky—elusive and unpredictable.
"Clouds and Thousands of Peaks!"
With a flick of her fair wrist, Bing Ruolan’s aura surged. Her Three Feet Green Edge unleashed cascading layers of cold light, seemingly endless.
VMMM!
The sword light slammed into the Claw Strength. The air trembled faintly. Before the Claw Strength could even get within three feet of Bing Ruolan, it was obliterated by the sword light, vanishing without a trace.
"Cracking Air Eagle Claw Hand!"
Li Jun narrowed his eyes, sharp glints of light bursting from them. His figure flickered into a series of afterimages. Azure light erupted from his hands, which resembled the talons of a fierce goshawk. Accompanied by a whistling gale, he attacked Bing Ruolan once more.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH...
Azure claw shadows filled the sky, whipping up a furious wind and emitting ear-piercing shrieks. The hard ground was torn with countless gashes by the fierce gusts. If these azure claw shadows were to land on a person, they would undoubtedly be flayed open, their flesh torn and mangled.
At that instant, Bing Ruolan’s entire demeanor changed. What was moments ago like a silent, gentle spring rain, instantly transformed into a raging tempest!
"Star-piercing Swordsmanship, Fifth Level: Sunset Penetrates the Star!"
RUMBLE!
Bing Ruolan’s cold gaze locked onto Li Jun. A breathtaking beam of golden sword light suddenly erupted, like a comet streaking across the night sky, and blasted fiercely towards him.