"Luo Feng, congratulations on your breakthrough..."
After Nanfei left, the students of the Silver Moon class congratulated Luo Feng one after another.
Many considered his previous victory over Lin Hui accidental. However, his defeat of Nanfei, who was solidly ranked second in class strength, made everyone recognize his powerful ascent.
The Silver Moon class was at the bottom rung of the Purple Sun School, looked down upon by other students.
Luo Feng's sudden rise made many empathize with him. They looked at Luo Feng with awe.
This was especially true for students who, like Luo Feng, once had the lowest cultivation in the class. They even worshipped him, hoping to one day be as prominent as Luo Feng.
After the crowd dissipated, Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan were able to leave.
On the way, Bing Ruolan glanced at Luo Feng and suddenly asked, "Luo Feng, what kind of Light Martial Art did you just use? I've never seen it before."
"Teng Dragon's Step." Bing Ruolan had told him about the storage Spiritual Artifact she possessed, so Luo Feng didn't plan to hide this from her.
"It's really Teng Dragon's Step!" Bing Ruolan's eyes quivered. As she looked at Luo Feng, her gaze became dreamy.
Bing Ruolan had also heard that Luo Feng had chosen to cultivate Teng Dragon's Step. At the time, she didn't think he could succeed and hadn't paid it much mind. Yet now, it had become a reality.
Luo Feng nodded, "I've only cultivated it to the second layer."
"Second layer!" Bing Ruolan stood there, dumbfounded.
Since Teng Dragon's Step was introduced over a decade ago, no one had succeeded in cultivating it. The only genius student, Lu Xiao Yun, who had even touched its threshold, only managed to cultivate it to the first layer. Now, Lu Xiao Yun had already entered the Golden Palace and was one of the ten New Dragons of the Flowing Cloud Region, his reputation prominent.
Standing there, Bing Ruolan stared at the confident back of the young man ahead. She was lost in thought for a moment, then gave a faint smile and muttered softly, Lin XiaoXiao, one day, you will regret your decision...
...
The two exited the accommodation area and passed through the school square.
The square was bustling with noise, filled with a sea of bobbing heads.
"Why are there so many people?" Luo Feng found it strange.
The academy square was where important announcements were made. Students usually focused on their cultivation, so the square was generally quiet.
"You don't know yet?"
Bing Ruolan beside him gave Luo Feng a displeased glance and added, "In half a month, it will be the Challenge King competition for the outer academy! You didn't forget, did you?"
"I really did forget. I'll go take a look."
Luo Feng had been cultivating on Purple Spirit Peak during this time. He hadn't come down the mountain at all, so he was completely unaware of happenings in the academy.
The two reached the center of the square. On a giant notice board, lines of fist-sized characters were written with forceful, elegant strokes, exuding power and experience.
Luo Feng looked up and saw that besides some notes about the Challenge King competition, the rewards for this Challenge King competition were also mentioned.
Bing Ruolan, standing nearby, also looked at the notice board, her expression slightly excited. "The rewards for this Challenge King competition are very generous! The top one hundred students can get two Condensation Yuan Pills."
"Two Condensation Yuan Pills?" Luo Feng was slightly moved. One Condensation Yuan Pill was worth five hundred taels of silver. That meant the total value was nearly one hundred thousand taels of silver! The academy had truly spared no expense this time.
"That's not all!" Bing Ruolan pointed to the characters at the top of the notice board and said, "The top ten Challenge Kings can freely choose a mid-level Yellow-Grade Martial Art from the Martial Arts Hall. The top six will be rewarded with a first-grade Spiritual Medicine, the Jade Bone Pill. The top three can freely choose a high-level Yellow-Grade Martial Art! And the first-place winner will receive a peerless Yellow-Grade Martial Art personally bestowed by the Dean, plus a second-grade Spiritual Medicine, the Nurturing Spirit Pill!"
A peerless Martial Art! A Nurturing Spirit Pill! Luo Feng's heart leaped. He swallowed, his expression thoughtful.
As Bing Ruolan said, the rewards for this Challenge King competition were more generous than any previous ones!
After cultivating Tiger Roar Fist, Luo Feng was not particularly interested in mid-level Yellow-Grade Martial Arts, but the Jade Bone Pill was different.
The Jade Bone Pill could assist Martial Artists of the Meridian Wheel's fifth layer, the Iron Bone Realm, in their cultivation. It could also be used by those at the peak of the fourth layer, the Rigid-Soft Realm, to break through. It was perfect for him.
As for high-level Yellow-Grade Martial Arts, they were also very important.
The Martial Arts Luo Feng currently knew were Teng Dragon's Step, Leopard Fist, and Tiger Roar Fist. Apart from Teng Dragon's Step, which was a Light Martial Art, the others were all fist techniques. He didn't know any weapon-based Martial Arts, which was a significant drawback.
Luo Feng planned to buy a suitable weapon today. If he could obtain a matching high-level Yellow-Grade weapon-based Martial Art, doubling his strength wouldn't be an issue.
His gaze fell on the first-place reward on the notice board, and Luo Feng couldn't help but shake his head with a bitter smile.
There was no doubt that the reward for first place was the most appealing!
A peerless Martial Art was very precious, its grade between Yellow and Profound. It was difficult for even inner academy students to obtain, let alone those from the outer academy!
The Nurturing Spirit Pill was even more extraordinary—it was a second-grade Spiritual Medicine! It could help Martial Artists of the Meridian Wheel's sixth layer, the God Bravery Realm, to refine their spirit. It even had some effect in helping them break through to the seventh layer, the Essence Storage Realm!
However, Luo Feng had no confidence at all in taking first place.
Li Yunhao's strength only ranked him within the outer academy's top twenty. Luo Feng, having advanced his cultivation realm, was confident he could enter the top ten without issue. However, progressing further would not be easy.
The top ten students in the outer academy had all reached the fifth layer, the Iron Bone Realm. Li Heshan, the foremost genius of the Golden Sun class, was already at the late stage of the Iron Bone Realm, his strength unfathomable.
Luo Feng was confident he had no rivals within the Rigid-Soft Realm. He could even contend with an early-stage Iron Bone Realm Martial Artist. However, against a mid-stage Iron Bone Realm opponent, his chances of winning would not exceed thirty percent.
After some thought, Luo Feng made a decision in his heart.
I won't count on first place. But I must secure at least second or third and win a high-level Yellow-Grade Martial Art!
"Luo Feng, there's only half a month left. If you try your best, you can definitely make it into the top ten," Bing Ruolan said, her eyes shining with confidence.
The top ten...
Luo Feng smiled noncommittally. His goal was the top three!
"Hmph! With mere mid-stage Rigid-Soft Realm strength, I doubt he can even make it into the top hundred," a harsh voice suddenly jeered from the side.
Luo Feng turned around. At some point, a space had cleared behind him, and three people now stood there.
Two of them were familiar faces, Duanmu Yu and Lin XiaoXiao. Standing next to them was a sturdy-looking young man.
The robust young man was about fifteen or sixteen years old. His muscular build strained the Golden Sun class uniform he wore, causing it to bulge. Arms crossed, he was looking down at Luo Feng with disdain; he was the one who had just spoken.
"Li Tianyang!" Bing Ruolan frowned.
"That's Li Tianyang, ranked second in the Golden Sun class!"
Many surrounding students gasped quietly, their faces showing a mixture of fear and awe.
Luo Feng glanced sideways at Li Tianyang and immediately felt a surge of immense vital energy pressure. The other party had already reached the mid-stage of the fifth layer, the Iron Bone Realm!
"Luo Feng, you claimed you would enter the inner academy within three months, didn't you? Almost a month has passed; surely you haven't forgotten?"
Duanmu Yu stepped forward, scrutinizing Luo Feng with a smirk. "By the way, didn't you start practicing Teng Dragon's Step? I wonder if you've mastered it?"
"Young Master, you jest. A mere Silver Moon class student like him, delusional enough to try and learn Teng Dragon's Step? Ridiculous!" Li Tianyang shook his head, his disbelief evident.
Watching the two play off each other, Luo Feng sneered inwardly and responded calmly, "Duanmu Yu, I always keep my word. I will certainly enter the inner academy within three months. As for whether I've mastered Teng Dragon's Step, you'll find out eventually…"
Duanmu Yu's face darkened. He had initially wanted to mock Luo Feng, but Luo Feng did not fall for it. This left Duanmu Yu feeling frustrated with nowhere to vent.
"Young Master, if I can rank among the top six in the Challenge King competition and get the Jade Bone Pill, I'll definitely reach the fifth layer, the Iron Bone Realm," Lin XiaoXiao said, looking at the announcement board. She suddenly stepped forward and coquettishly clung to Duanmu Yu's arm.
Duanmu Yu glanced at Luo Feng and smiled lightly. "That's easy! I'll have Li Tianyang help you. Never mind the top six, you could easily achieve third place if you wanted!"
Li Tianyang, at his side, nodded in agreement. "Junior Sister Lin, rest assured. When the time comes, I'll assist you and guarantee you third place in the Challenge King competition!"
Lin XiaoXiao's eyes lit up with joy, and she gave a radiant smile. "Thank you, Young Master." Although she was speaking to Duanmu Yu, her almond-shaped eyes locked onto Luo Feng, a playful, icy smirk in her gaze.
Luo Feng's gaze turned cold. Lin XiaoXiao was clearly putting on a show for him.
"Luo Feng, didn't you invite me to dinner at the Drunk Fairy Building? If we don't go now, there won't be any seats left," a light, pleasant voice sounded. Bing Ruolan abruptly stepped forward and held Luo Feng's right arm. Puffing her cheeks slightly, her beautiful eyes sparkled, presenting a charming and adorable picture.
GULP...
A wave of swallowing sounds echoed from the surrounding area as the nearby students gazed at Bing Ruolan infatuatedly.
As one of the three great beauties of the outer academy, Bing Ruolan usually maintained a cold, aloof demeanor, an eternal iceberg keeping others at a distance. But her smile now could topple cities and make flowers lose their luster! Though Lin XiaoXiao was also beautiful, she paled in comparison.
At this scene, a hint of jealousy flickered deep within Duanmu Yu's pupils. Lin XiaoXiao's complexion beside him turned extremely unsightly.
Bing Ruolan was superior to Lin XiaoXiao in all aspects, whether it be cultivation, beauty, or figure! Back in the Silver Moon class, Lin XiaoXiao had always considered Bing Ruolan her biggest rival.
At this moment, Bing Ruolan's actions were a naked provocation! However, Lin XiaoXiao could do nothing but swallow her humiliation.
Luo Feng was taken aback for a moment, then quickly understood. He smiled at Bing Ruolan. "I almost forgot. Ruolan, let's go."
"Mm," Bing Ruolan smiled sweetly and walked towards the edge of the plaza with Luo Feng. Looking back, she glanced at the pale-faced Lin XiaoXiao and said pointedly, "Lin XiaoXiao, you've always wanted to surpass me, but unfortunately, you've lost every time. This time will be no different. I even feel pity for your short-sightedness."
"What do you mean by that?!" Lin XiaoXiao exclaimed, her almond eyes wide with anger, thoroughly incensed.
"You'll find out soon enough." Bing Ruolan smiled, her gaze subtly flicking over Duanmu Yu nearby before she and Luo Feng quickly disappeared into the crowd in the square.
"Damn!" Not until Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan's figures disappeared did Duanmu Yu let out a low growl. He seethed like a riled lion, his eyes dark.
Bing Ruolan's earlier words were clearly implying that he was inferior to Luo Feng!
Gritting his teeth, Duanmu Yu turned to Li Tianyang beside him and ordered, "Li Tianyang, during the Challenge King competition, you are to teach Luo Feng a good lesson. I want him to be publicly humiliated!"
"Rest assured, Young Master Duanmu. He's just a mere Silver Moon class student; I could crush him with one finger! I guarantee he won't even make it into the top hundred in the Challenge King competition!" Li Tianyang declared, crossing his arms with immense confidence.
Duanmu Yu's expression softened, and he nodded. "That's more like it. XiaoXiao, let's go."
"Mm." Lin XiaoXiao nodded, somewhat absentmindedly, her thoughts still dwelling on Bing Ruolan's earlier words.
My short-sightedness? Does she mean Duanmu Yu is inferior to Luo Feng?
Ridiculous! With a single word, Duanmu Yu can ensure I get third place in the Challenge King competition. What can Luo Feng do? A mere mid-stage Rigid-Soft Realm cultivator like him won't even make it into the top fifty! Bing Ruolan, it seems you're the one who has lost this time!
A glint flashed through Lin XiaoXiao's eyes, and a faint smile touched her lips.