Chapter 267: Chapter 267: Changxin Academy
From the west, two slender figures flew in.
The girl on the left was petite, with two braided pigtails and a pair of large, animated eyes.
The girl on the right, with a sword by her side, had short, azure hair. Her delicate features and her slender, well-rounded legs were nothing short of perfection.
The arrivals were Bing Ruolan and Zi Yuan.
As two of the four rising stars of the Flowing Cloud Region, they had also received an invitation from Red Maple Lead and arrived there half a month ago with Zi Hongyuan.
A gentle breeze blew, and the two girls quickly arrived.
Seeing Luo Feng, Bing Ruolan’s sapphire-like pupils twinkled. She asked with a bitten lip, her hands folded behind her back, "Luo Feng, are you alright?"
Emotions stirred as they reunited after the long separation. Luo Feng nodded and replied with a smile, "I’m fine."
Bing Ruolan scrutinized Luo Feng closely, and once she confirmed his words were genuine, she exhaled as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
"Luo Feng, you really have some guts to dare to cross the Red Chain Mountain Range! You’re lucky you weren’t eaten by a demon beast!" Zi Yuan scolded as soon as she approached, her an qi.
Luo Feng knew Zi Yuan was concerned about him. A warmth ran through his heart as he reached over and teasingly pinched her nose. "Oh, you seem so happy that I didn’t get eaten by a demon beast?"
Zi Yuan puffed up her budding chest. "Of course. Without you at the academy, I would be the top student."
"Well then, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed."
Luo Feng chuckled and asked, "How did you know I was here? Where’s the headmaster?"
"Zi Hongyuan and Zhou Zhiyun are waiting for you somewhere else. We were nearby and sensed the Grand Momentum, which confirmed your arrival," Feng Linshan, who was nearby, explained.
After Zhou Zhiyun and He Qin arrived at Red Maple Lead and didn’t see Luo Feng, they informed Qin Hongyuan and others about Luo Feng being followed by Duanmu Xiong.
They were all worried that something had happened to Luo Feng, so they planned to wait near the Red Chain Mountain Range to find him as soon as he appeared.
"Luo Feng, how did you escape from Duanmu Xiong? He is a formidable martial artist of the Ninth-Level Heavenly Court Realm. My father was even shocked when he heard the news!" Zi Yuan asked Luo Feng, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Feng Linshan and Bing Ruolan also looked curiously at Luo Feng.
A Ninth-Level Heavenly Court Realm martial artist, who can communicate with heaven and hell and possesses divine Yuan Qi, is drastically different in power level from an Eighth-Level Hell Realm martial artist.
Logically, there is almost no possibility of escape for someone targeted by a powerful Ninth-Level Heavenly Court Realm martial artist.
Luo Feng naturally wouldn’t mention the Sword Heart Golden Scale Fruit. He played dumb, touching his nose and feigning surprise, "Duanmu Xiong? I didn’t encounter him at all."
"I see. It seems someone was mistaken," Zi Yuan nodded, a relieved look in her eyes.
The three of them believed Luo Feng’s words.
After all, with Luo Feng’s abilities, there was virtually no chance of escaping from a Ninth-Level Heavenly Court Realm martial artist.
Luo Feng chuckled internally. If he were to tell them that he not only encountered Duanmu Xiong but also a sixth-level demon beast, he couldn’t imagine their reactions.
"Huh!"
Gazing at Luo Feng, Zi Yuan suddenly widened her eyes and exclaimed in shock, "Mid-stage, Eighth-Level Hell Realm? You’ve broken through again?"
Luo Feng touched his nose but neither confirmed nor denied it.
He planned to reveal his true abilities at the beginning of the Red Maple Lead summit. During his fight with Qin Honglie just now, he only demonstrated strength equivalent to the mid-stage, Eighth-Level Hell Realm; he hadn’t gone all out at all.
"I have no idea how you train," Zi Yuan mumbled.
After advancing into the Eighth-Level Hell Realm, increasing cultivation becomes even more challenging.
For someone like Luo Feng to break through in less than three months was indeed remarkable.
Luo Feng glanced at Bing Ruolan and Zi Yuan and said, "You’ve also improved a lot during this period."
Zi Yuan’s aura was restrained; she had indeed reached the early-stage, Eighth-Level Hell Realm. As for Bing Ruolan, her aura was only slightly weaker than Zi Yuan’s, and she too had attained the Eighth-Level Hell Realm! Moreover, a hidden glint flickered in her eyes, a sign of advancement in her Sword Dao cultivation.
It seemed that the rewards from the last New Talent Conference greatly benefited them both.
"Of course. We’re also among the four Rising Stars of the Flowing Cloud Region. At this summit, don’t expect to be the only one hogging the limelight!" Zi Yuan said, lifting her small, fair, and delicate chin, a touch of satisfaction in her bright eyes.
After their brief exchange, Zi Yuan suddenly announced, "My father and the others are still unaware of your well-being. I’ll go and tell them!"
WHOOSH!
Without waiting for Luo Feng’s response, Zi Yuan sped off, employing her Light Martial Arts.
"She really is as fiery as ever," Luo Feng shook his head, amused.
"Let’s head back too and wait for them at the academy," Feng Linshan said.
The summit was being held at Changxin Academy. Luo Feng nodded and quickly set off with Bing Ruolan, following Feng Linshan.
All three were experts, so they traveled swiftly, covering more than a hundred Baili in half a day.
「In the afternoon」
Feng Linshan, who was leading the way, suddenly slowed down.
"We’re about to reach Changxin Academy," he said.
Upon hearing this, Luo Feng’s eyes lit up. He had long heard that Changxin Academy of Red Maple Lead was built in a Cave Sky Paradise with remarkably beautiful scenery. He had always wanted to see it but never had the opportunity until now. Now, he was quite looking forward to it.
As they rounded a mountain pass, Luo Feng’s vision suddenly opened up, and an awed expression appeared on his face.
Standing at the valley entrance, one could view the landscape for several kilometers ahead. A range of imposing mountains encircled a valley. The peaks rose and fell; some were majestic and imposing, others crisp and elegant, and potent Spiritual Energy filled the air.
In the middle of the valley, flowers were in full bloom, butterflies flitted about, and the area was veiled in mist, resembling a paradise on earth.
"What a beautiful place. No wonder Changxin Academy enjoys such a great reputation," Luo Feng said, awestruck after a moment.
Feng Linshan smiled. "Previously, the scenery at Changxin Academy wasn’t as breathtaking. Then, Cang Nanyue discovered a Yuan Spirit Vein in the mountains and directed it into the valley. This place became a convergence point for Yuan Qi, leading to the beautiful scenery we see today."
"So that’s how it is."
Luo Feng nodded in understanding. A Yuan Spirit Vein is an underground network of Yuan Qi, similar to rivers on the earth’s surface, but filled with flowing Yuan Qi.
Places where Yuan Spirit Veins exist are abundant in Yuan Qi, making them ideal paradises for cultivation. Many masters seek out such places to build their own retreats.
This valley is merely more vibrant than other places, which indicates that the Yuan Spirit Vein here is a small one.
The three of them used their Qinggong and quickly arrived at the valley entrance.
The valley entrance was hundreds of zhang across, with flat terrain. Voices and the neighing of horses could be heard, as many renowned martial artists from the rtiad entered in groups.
An elder from Changxin Academy, dressed in a moon-colored uniform, saw Feng Linshan and immediately went up to greet him. "Dean, who might this be?"
His gaze swept over Luo Feng, and a flash of brilliance appeared in the elder’s eyes. A martial artist at the mid-stage, Eighth-Level Hell Realm at such a young age was definitely not ordinary.
"Elder Chen, this is Luo Feng from Purple Sun School," Feng Linshan introduced.
So this is the Luo Feng who comprehended the Grand Momentum! Elder Chen’s eyes flashed with surprise; he hadn’t expected Luo Feng to be so young.
Feng Linshan said, "Go entertain the others. I’ll personally escort him in."
"Understood." Elder Chen nodded, his gaze turning somewhat strange. Even though Luo Feng was the number one new talent in the Flowing Cloud Region, there was no need for Feng Linshan to personally attend to him.
At this moment, the sound of footsteps arose, and several figures approached. The person at the front was Zi Yuan, followed by Zi Hongyuan, Zhou Zhiyun, and He Qin.
"Luo Feng, be more careful in the future. Don’t be as reckless as this time."
Zi Hongyuan approached and immediately warned him. It was all because of Luo Feng that Purple Sun School could become the number one academy this year. Zi Hongyuan did not want anything to happen to him.
Luo Feng nodded.
The Heavenly Fragrant Woman, He Qin, glanced at Luo Feng and offered an enticing smile.
Everyone had already learned the whole story from Zi Yuan and thought Luo Feng hadn’t encountered Duanmu Xiong, so they didn’t ask much about what happened on the way.
"There are a lot of people here; let’s go in first," Zhou Zhiyun proposed.
Just as everyone was about to enter the valley, a rapid clatter of horse hooves echoed from the entrance.
"The people from Ivy School are here!"
The martial artists in the valley noticed the newcomers and immediately became excited.
Outside the valley, several figures in green uniforms rode wildly on horseback, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Hey, Young Master Hanshan and Fiery Sun Young Master aren’t here."
"The four young masters have their own styles. They’ll probably come later. These people should be the quasi-young master-level students from Ivy School."
"Their auras are so strong, and they’re only quasi-young master-level students. Just how powerful are the four young masters?!" someone couldn’t help but exclaim.
"The four young masters are all exceptionally talented. You’ll be able to tell at a glance when you meet them. Look, that’s ’Smiling Fox’ Qin Huan. His cultivation has probably already reached the mid-stage, Eighth-Level Hell Realm. It seems he’ll also be a young master-level figure in the future."
"However, it seems like someone is missing. Iron Cedar Master Yi Zhong didn’t come."
...
The surrounding martial artists discussed the figures entering the valley.
With his sharp senses, Luo Feng clearly heard their words, and a faint smile touched the corner of his mouth. Iron Cedar Master Yi Zhong is probably demon beast chow by now; of course, he wouldn’t come.
Several figures moved like lightning and soon arrived before them.
The leading middle-aged martial artist glanced at Zi Hongyuan’s group, a hint of disdain in his eyes. His horse didn’t stop until it reached Feng Linshan. Only then did he dismount, bursting into laughter.
"Feng Linshan, I hope your Changxin Academy won’t disappoint me in this summit."
"Dean Zhu, please come in," Feng Linshan gestured invitingly.
The middle-aged martial artist shifted his gaze from Feng Linshan to Zi Hongyuan and Zhou Zhiyun. He raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh, isn’t this Zi Hongyuan and Zhou Zhiyun from the Flowing Cloud Region? You two actually came as well. How rare!"
Zi Hongyuan and Zhou Zhiyun looked displeased. This man was Zhu Huo, the dean of Ivy School. He was arrogant and had always looked down on the four academies of the Flowing Cloud Region. His words just now were full of sarcasm.
"Since it’s the summit of the two regions, our four academies naturally had to come," Zhou Zhiyun said with a frosty expression.
"Well said! If you didn’t come, we’d be missing a lot of fun. HAHAHAHA..." Zhu Huo dismounted, laughed heartily, and said to the Ivy School students behind him, "Let’s go in."
"Father, this man is so arrogant!" Zi Yuan clenched her fists and said indignantly.
Zi Hongyuan shook his head without speaking. Ivy School was more powerful than their four academies; refuting him now would only invite ridicule.
As the group was halfway in, someone suddenly stopped beside Luo Feng. It was Qin Huan.
Looking at Luo Feng, Qin Huan sneered, "Luo Feng, this isn’t over!"
Luo Feng glanced at him and said indifferently, "Are you done? If you’re done, then scram."
Qin Huan’s face darkened. He snorted coldly, "The summit is in two days. Let’s see how long you can remain so arrogant!"