Martial Arts Overlord-Chapter 551 - 549: The Girl on the Stone Bridge

Luo Feng paid no mind to the surrounding gazes that felt as harsh as fire, nodding calmly.

Seeing this, Purple Brow Wanderer, an elder of Purple Extreme Palace, regarded him with even more approval.

A Martial Artist’s potential isn’t just determined by their cultivation realm; their temperament is especially important.

A person with an unstable temperament has limited achievements.

Thus, renowned and powerful individuals usually have their unique way of dealing with matters—some ruthlessly decisive, some compassionate and unaffected by external things.

Soon, the two Purple Extreme Palace elders finished checking everyone’s Identity Token.

"There are no problems."

Purple Brow Wanderer returned the last Identity Token to a student of Changxin Academy beside him and gestured across the distance.

A manager of Sky Mountain hastily came over, saying to Feng Linshan, "Gentlemen, your lodging is ready. Please, follow me."

Feng Linshan nodded, retracted his surprised gaze from Luo Feng, and said, "Let’s go inside."

As Luo Feng and the others moved further away, a taller Purple Extreme Palace elder walked over to Purple Brow Wanderer. Watching Luo Feng’s back, he asked, "Senior Brother Zimei, why the sudden interest in taking on a personal disciple? Besides, that young man is just a student from Purple Sun School."

Purple Brow Wanderer laughed. "Junior Brother, do you remember the letter Cang Nanyue sent me last time?"

The taller Purple Extreme Palace elder nodded. "Of course I do. She has entered the holy land of Martial Arts. Given her potential, she will definitely accomplish a lot in the future. This is indeed good news for our Purple Extreme Palace."

Purple Brow Wanderer, looking in the direction of the valley entrance, laughed. "There’s one thing I didn’t tell you. Cang Nanyue mentioned someone in her letter."

"Who?"

"Luo Feng, an inner-school student of Purple Sun School."

"Luo Feng? The rumored genius student from Purple Sun School who comprehended the Grand Momentum!"

The taller elder from Purple Extreme Palace paused, then frowned and said, "Could that be the young man from just a moment ago?"

Purple Brow Wanderer lowered his eyes, a sparkle glinting within them as he said, "Precisely. Cang Nanyue strongly recommended this young man in her letter. She said his talent is on par with hers, if not superior."

The tall elder of Purple Extreme Palace expressed his astonishment. "Huh?"

When Cang Nanyue was in Purple Extreme Palace, she was Purple Brow Wanderer’s disciple and was considered the top genius in Purple Extreme Palace at the time. Her talent was so outstanding that just one year after entering Purple Extreme Palace, she was noticed by a powerful figure in the holy land who wanted to take her as a disciple.

However, back then Cang Nanyue was focused on avenging her annihilated clan. She rejected the kind offer of that figure and went to Changxin Academy in Red Maple Lead to serve as its principal. It wasn’t until some time ago that news surfaced she had gone to the holy land to cultivate.

Thinking about this, the tall elder from Purple Extreme Palace smiled, stroking his beard. "I see. It’s no wonder you’re so eager to take him as your disciple. However, seeing is believing. It remains to be seen whether Luo Feng truly is that excellent."

"The Twelve Golden Palace evaluation is in three days. We will naturally know by then. I believe in Cang Nanyue’s judgment; she won’t be wrong..." Purple Brow Wanderer said with a faint smile.

「Within Sky Cloud Valley.」

Luo Feng and the others followed the manager into the valley.

Inside the valley were several lakes enclosed by lush willows and splendid flowers, like a paradise.

"Wow, this place is beautiful..."

"It’s truly a paradise on earth!"

"Guys, look! Are those fish in the lake the Seven-Colored Mysterious Fish? They’re an ancient species, extremely rare. Who would’ve thought we’d see them here..." a student from Changxin Academy pointed at the lake and exclaimed.

Everyone looked where he was pointing to see a school of fish with beautifully multicolored, mysteriously dazzling scales.

It seemed the fish sensed their gazes. Suddenly, they emitted a beautiful Seven-Colored Mysterious Light.

Just as everyone was captivated, SPLASH! A huge wave surged from the lake, its speed like lightning.

BUZZ!

Luo Feng reacted instantly, sending out a Palm Gang to protect himself and Yue Haitang behind him.

The other students nearby weren’t as lucky. Most of them ended up drenched, and the lakeshore echoed with a mix of laughter and curses.

Yue Haitang, looking at Luo Feng who had shielded her, had a glimmer in her bright eyes and a faint smile on her lips.

Nearby, the manager guiding them laughed and explained, "Those are the ancient Seven-Colored Mysterious Fish, First Rank Demon Beasts. Don’t stare at them for too long, or they’ll do what they just did."

As he spoke, the manager glanced at Luo Feng with a trace of surprise.

The water column sprayed by the Seven-Colored Mysterious Fish was extremely fast. In such a sudden situation, even a Martial Artist of the First Level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm would have difficulty reacting. Among those present, only Luo Feng and Yue Haitang remained completely dry.

After that little interlude, the group continued on their way.

The buildings of Sky Cloud Valley were nestled in the deepest part of the valley. Before them lay a series of lakes of various sizes, with jade bridges built over them.

On the path between the lakes, Luo Feng looked towards a stone bridge up ahead. Suddenly, his gaze fixed on a girl on the left side of the bridge, and his footsteps involuntarily stilled.

The girl had short, light-blue hair that neatly reached her shoulders, giving her a clean and sharp look. Her tight academy uniform perfectly outlined her well-developed chest, and especially her slender legs, which were perfect enough to make other girls jealous. Standing there, she was as elegant and beautiful as a solitary orchid in a secluded valley.

It was Bing Ruolan.

At that moment, Bing Ruolan also turned her gaze and caught sight of Luo Feng. Her mesmerizing sapphire-like eyes trembled slightly, like a pebble dropped into a deep, clear lake, sending out ripples.

As they gazed into each other’s eyes, time seemed to freeze in that moment.

Beside Luo Feng, Yue Haitang sensed something. She raised her head to look at Bing Ruolan, then gave Luo Feng a side glance, her brow furrowing slightly.

"Luo Feng, the residences for the four major academies of Flowing Cloud Region are not in the same place as ours. I’ll go ahead. Once I’ve settled down, I’ll come find you," Yue Haitang said to Luo Feng.

Luo Feng was startled from his reverie and nodded. "Alright."

Yue Haitang said no more and followed her group towards the bridge. As she passed Bing Ruolan, she glanced at her before walking by.

After Yue Haitang and the others left, Luo Feng approached Bing Ruolan.

Looking at those familiar eyes, Luo Feng called out softly, "Ruolan."

Bing Ruolan nodded and gracefully circled Luo Feng, taking in his appearance.

Luo Feng quirked an eyebrow. "What are you looking at?"

After scrutinizing Luo Feng, Bing Ruolan finally breathed out. Her sparkling eyes blinked, filled with relief. "You are not hurt."

Luo Feng felt a warmth in his heart at her words. He playfully tapped her small, delicate nose. "Why would I be hurt? What are you thinking?"

In front of everyone, Luo Feng’s affectionate action made the tips of Bing Ruolan’s ears flush a faint crimson, but she didn’t shy away. Puffing up her cheeks, she said, "You’ve been gone from the academy for so long, and we didn’t hear anything. Plus, during this time, there have been reports everywhere about Demon Sect disciples appearing. Just yesterday, news came that thirty to forty students from Tianming Region’s Great Shepherd Academy were all brutally killed on the road..."

Saying this, Bing Ruolan suddenly stopped and pursed her red lips.

Seeing Bing Ruolan’s vulnerable expression, Luo Feng felt a momentary pang of amazement. He was about to reassure her when—

"Luo Feng, you’re finally here!"

Abruptly, a voice called out.

Luo Feng was startled. He looked to the side and saw a tall figure in a white dress approaching gracefully. It was Xu Mei, known as the Flower Picking Hand.

"Xu Mei."

Xu Mei’s sudden appearance made Bing Ruolan’s pretty face show a hint of unease.

Xu Mei stopped three steps in front of Luo Feng, a playful smile on her lips. "Luo Feng, Bing Ruolan has been coming here to wait for you every day. If you hadn’t shown up soon, I was worried she would wear out this stone bridge with her pacing."

Bing Ruolan’s cheeks flamed. "I didn’t..." she hurriedly interrupted Xu Mei, her shy expression, like a newly bloomed lotus flower, pure and captivating.

Luo Feng watched the scene unfold with growing interest.

Xu Mei giggled and turned her attention back to Luo Feng. "Let’s go. The dean already knows you’re here. He asked me to bring you over."

Luo Feng was a touch surprised. He hadn’t expected word to reach the dean so quickly.

"Alright, let’s go."

Agreeing, the three of them headed towards the cluster of buildings deeper in Sky Cloud Valley.

On their way, Luo Feng took a look at Bing Ruolan in surprise. "Ruolan, you’ve broken through to the peak of the ninth layer of the Meridian Wheel Realm!"

Luo Feng remembered that when he left the academy, Bing Ruolan had been at the peak of the eighth layer of the Meridian Wheel Realm. Now, her aura felt complete; she was like a half-step Spiritual Rotation Realm Martial Artist. One more advance, and she would reach the Spiritual Rotation Realm.

Upon hearing Luo Feng’s praise, Bing Ruolan’s gem-like eyes sparkled with a playful smile as she nodded. "I broke through five days ago. It’s thanks to the Red Gold Pill you gave me."

"Sky Cloud Valley is influenced by a formation, making the Yuan Qi abundant. Cultivating here is much more efficient than in other places. After cultivating here for ten days, I’m also about to break through," Xu Mei smiled.

Luo Feng nodded thoughtfully. It seems Bing Ruolan’s rapid progress is due not only to the Red Gold Pill but also thanks to this Cave Sky Paradise.

"Luo Feng, what’s your current realm? Have you broken through to the Spiritual Rotation Realm?" Xu Mei asked curiously, unable to discern Luo Feng’s cultivation level.

Hearing this, Bing Ruolan also turned her gaze towards Luo Feng, her eyes filled with the same curiosity.

Luo Feng scratched his nose, smiling. "Yes, I broke through half a month ago."

"You really broke through!"

Although she had expected it, Xu Mei still looked stunned upon hearing Luo Feng’s affirmative answer, her face a mix of shock and envy. "Your progress is so incredibly fast! In half a year, you’ve advanced from the second layer of the Meridian Wheel Realm to the Spiritual Rotation Realm. Half a year ago, my cultivation was far above yours, but now I’ve been left far behind. It’s so frustrating to compare myself to you."

Bing Ruolan smiled gently. "Xu Mei, compared to most people, your cultivation speed is already very fast."

Xu Mei looked at Bing Ruolan, grinning. "Are you complimenting me, or are you complimenting Luo Feng?"

The color rose in Bing Ruolan’s cheeks. She looked at Luo Feng and murmured, "Both..."

Xu Mei laughed. "Heh heh... Alright, let’s go. We’ll be the first to tell the others this news."

With that, the three of them quickened their pace.

A short while later, they arrived at a luxurious small courtyard.

Inside the courtyard, there was a main building and dozens of smaller ones. In front of the main building was a plaza several hundred meters wide.

As Luo Feng entered the courtyard with Xu Mei and Bing Ruolan, he looked up to see many figures standing in the plaza.