Martial Arts Overlord-Chapter 558 - 556: Luo Feng, Number One!

Luo Feng arrived at the square outside the main courtyard.

The square was already full of people. Students from all four major schools of the Flowing Cloud Region, who were participating in the Twelve Golden Palaces examination, were all gathered here.

"Luo Feng is here..."

Seeing Luo Feng’s arrival, the students present all looked over, their eyes filled with shock and admiration.

The news of Luo Feng fighting the Stone Man Xue Fei and winning in just two moves the day before had spread like wildfire among the four major schools.

Xue Fei was a genius student of the Bluemoon School, the top school in the Blue Moon Territory, and was once a figure these students greatly admired.

Now that Xue Fei had been defeated by Luo Feng, these students had come to see him as an idol of the four major schools.

Among the crowd, young masters such as ’Thunderbolt Spear’ Wan Feng from Wanluo School and ’Traceless Young Master’ Ji Wufa from Floating Snow School were looking at Luo Feng with mixed feelings.

A few months ago, during the new talent conference, they could still compete with Luo Feng and even looked down on him.

But now, Luo Feng’s strength made them feel deeply powerless.

"Luo Feng, over here!"

Seeing Luo Feng, Bing Ruolan waved her delicate white hand amidst the crowd.

A smile appeared on Luo Feng’s face as he walked over.

"Why are you so late?"

Bing Ruolan blinked, her smile slightly playful, like a blooming lotus in the early morning, fresh and delightful.

Luo Feng laughed and said, "Training delayed me."

Bing Ruolan pointed ahead with her slender fingers and smiled, "Quick, look, Uncle and Auntie are there too."

Luo Feng looked up and saw Luotian and Yang Qing standing in a corner of the square.

"Feng Er, good luck."

Yang Qing, though nearly forty years old, looked only about thirty due to her life as a martial artist. Her personality was like a little girl’s. Seeing Luo Feng, she waved her hand vigorously and smiled.

Luo Feng smiled and gave his parents a reassuring look.

Withdrawing his gaze, Luo Feng turned and looked towards Tianlan School. He saw his elder brother Luo Xiao and the Heavenly Fragrant Woman, He Qin.

He Qin was dressed in a plain long dress, her black hair cascading down like a waterfall. The Mysterious Green Treasure Sword attached to her waist lent her a valiant bearing. Her refined and attractive face, as always, revealed no hint of emotion, exuding an aura as lofty as snow.

Seemingly sensing Luo Feng’s gaze, He Qin looked over, her red lips curling up slightly to reveal a smile as dazzling as melting spring snow.

At this moment, the headmasters of the four major schools came out from the courtyard.

Zi Hongyuan scanned the gathered crowd, and seeing that everyone had arrived, he announced, "Purple Sun School, move out!"

Along the way, teams of students in various uniforms streamed towards Mysterious Rock Square; they were all young talents participating in the Heaven Gate Road challenge.

"Luo Feng, of the six Golden Palaces available, which one do you plan on entering?"

Walking on the wide path between the lakes, Bing Ruolan turned to ask Luo Feng.

Before Luo Feng could answer, Zi Yuan walked up from the side, giggled, and said, "Students from our Six Southern Domains can only choose from Linglong Hall, Purple Extreme Palace, Yuangang Hall, Sky Sword Pavilion, Gold Stone Hall, and Jade Hall. Each of these halls has unique characteristics. Take the Sky Sword Pavilion, for example; it is the best choice for students of Sword Dao. Luo Feng, your Saber Technique is suitable for Linglong Hall, Yuangang Hall, and Jade Hall."

"Hmm."

Luo Feng nodded. Before his arrival at Sky Mountain, he had investigated the nature of the Twelve Golden Palaces examination.

The Canglang Dynasty’s Twelve Territories were divided into the Six Northern Domains and the Six Southern Domains.

Students from the Flowing Cloud Region, which belonged to the Six Southern Domains, could only choose from the six halls including Linglong Hall.

The other six halls only recruited students from the Six Northern Domains.

"Hey, Luo Feng, you haven’t answered yet! Which Golden Palace do you want to enter?"

Zi Yuan, noticing Luo Feng was silent, pouted unhappily. Her bright black eyes darted around, and she covered her red lips with her hand, laughing teasingly, "Don’t tell me you want to enter Linglong Hall?"

Hearing this, Bing Ruolan couldn’t help but show a faint smile and interjected, "Zi Yuan, stop teasing Luo Feng. Everyone knows that Linglong Hall only recruits female students..."

Luo Feng looked at the two of them, shook his head, and said with a laugh, "I haven’t decided yet which Golden Palace to choose. I’ll decide after the second round of assessments."

The Twelve Golden Palaces examination consisted of three rounds.

The first round was to select qualified students.

The second round was to select the top-ranked students from the qualified ones.

Each year, the Twelve Golden Palaces had a limited quota for new disciples. Many students who were qualified but not exceptionally skilled would be eliminated in the second round.

"What about you, Ruolan?" Luo Feng asked Bing Ruolan.

Bing Ruolan blinked and said playfully, "I’ll also decide after the second round of assessments."

At this moment, Headmaster Zi Hongyuan turned around and addressed Luo Feng: "Luo Feng, you and a few others are the most outstanding. During the assessment, I hope you can help the others."

"Rest assured, Headmaster." Luo Feng nodded.

"Furthermore, don’t be impulsive. Avoid conflicts as much as possible. I don’t want any accidents during the assessment."

Bing Ruolan, Zi Yuan, and the others all nodded.

Although Sky Cloud Valley forbade martial artists from engaging in private duels, this restriction would be lifted once the assessment began.

Each year, a large number of participants in the Twelve Golden Palaces examinations perished in the ensuing mêlées.

"Especially you, Luo Feng."

Zi Hongyuan stared at Luo Feng. "The tree that stands out in the forest will inevitably be blown down by the wind. You defeated Xue Fei yesterday and are now famous. You will inevitably draw the attention of other powerful contenders aiming for the Martial Champion title. Be extremely cautious. If anything happens, don’t show mercy."

"Rest assured, Headmaster." Luo Feng’s eyes glinted as he replied coolly, "I won’t be the one to cause trouble, but if others provoke me, I will make sure they pay the price!"

Upon hearing this, Zi Hongyuan nodded, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

It was no exaggeration to say that Luo Feng was the best student he had ever seen.

Lu Xiao Yun from three years ago had potential not inferior to Luo Feng’s, but he was too fond of the limelight, ruthless, and aggressive; his temperament was far worse than Luo Feng’s.

「A moment later」

Luo Feng and the others arrived at Mysterious Rock Square.

The vast Mysterious Rock Square was already teeming with people. At a glance, it was a sea of heads.

Upon their arrival at the square, a steward from Sky Mountain immediately greeted them.

"Everyone, the area for the Flowing Cloud Region is over there. Please follow me."

Zi Hongyuan nodded and followed the steward into the square.

Luo Feng surveyed his surroundings.

The square was surrounded by spectator stands, which were already filled with people. Luotian and Yang Qing were among the spectators in the southern stand.

The center of the square was divided into six areas, one for each of the Six Southern Domains, each filled with young talents ready for the assessment.

Looking to the side, Luo Feng spotted Xue Fei from the Blue Moon Territory.

Xue Fei was also looking in their direction. Upon meeting Luo Feng’s gaze, his face stiffened, and he quickly averted his eyes.

Next to the Blue Moon Territory was the Tianming Region.

"Senior Brother Wei Kuang, the people from the Flowing Cloud Region’s four major schools have arrived," one Long Wind School student, who noticed Luo Feng and his party, told Wei Kuang.

"Oh?"

Wei Kuang, the Wild Wind Saber, raised an eyebrow. As his gaze met Luo Feng’s, a contemptuous grin touched the corners of his mouth, his eyes turning somewhat icy.

Luo Feng sensed Wei Kuang’s gaze, glanced back, and smiled indifferently.

If it were before, Wei Kuang might have been worth his attention. But now, times had changed. Currently, the only opponents that posed a threat to him were the top ten young martial artists. However, the top ten young martial artists wouldn’t participate in the first round of assessment. If he wanted a showdown, it would only be possible in the second round or during the third round for the Martial Champion contest.

"Senior Brother, this Luo Feng is so arrogant!" The Long Wind School student who had spoken earlier was incensed by Luo Feng’s demeanor.

"He’s just puffed up with pride after defeating Xue Fei. Rest assured, I’ll soon let him know that there’s always someone better, and a sky beyond the sky." Wei Kuang sneered, his gaze growing colder.

Luo Feng, with his group, arrived at the designated area for the Flowing Cloud Region.

His mind stirred. Luo Feng lifted his head to look at a loft in the distance, his eyes slightly narrowed. In the loft, a middle-aged martial artist with purple eyebrows was seated by the window; it was none other than the Purple Brow Wanderer Luo Feng had met three days ago. The others’ faces weren’t visible, but judging by their auras, they were all experts at the fifth level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm or higher, likely people from the six Golden Palaces.

"Purple Brow Wanderer, who do you think will be the first one to pass the Heaven Gate Road in this trial?"

Within the loft, a middle-aged man dressed in white robes, his face clean-shaven, asked as the Purple Brow Wanderer scrutinized the contestants in Mysterious Rock Square.

Hearing this, the Purple Brow Wanderer withdrew his gaze, looked at the speaker, and retorted without answering directly, "And what do you think, Xue Wu Qing?"

Xue Wu Qing’s expression was calm, yet his calm demeanor exuded a sharp energy that seemed to pierce the heavens. He glanced at Mysterious Rock Square and said with a faint smile, "Wei Kuang of the Tianming Region, the Wild Wind Saber. I’ve heard his Saber Technique has reached the Great Achievement Realm, making him formidable; he’s one. Luo Lie of the Black Cloud Domain, the Killing Star, has cultivation at the peak of the first level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm and was ranked thirteenth at the last Six Southern Domains summit; he’s another. Then there’s Yue Haitang of Changxin Academy in the Red Maple Lead. Though her cultivation is lower, her swordsmanship is unpredictable and versatile. She’s a Sword Dao prodigy capable of defeating stronger opponents; she’s the third."

Hearing this, the others present nodded in agreement.

Xue Wu Qing was the youngest elder of Jade Hall, and his insights were naturally sharp and unique. The three individuals he mentioned were indeed renowned figures in the Six Southern Domains, aside from the top ten young martial artists, and certainly had a chance of taking the top spot in the first round.

This assessment was quite fair.

However, the Purple Brow Wanderer shook his head. "I’m afraid we might have to add one more."

Xue Wu Qing was taken aback, then smiled. "Purple Brow Wanderer, I heard that three days ago you wanted to accept a Purple Sun School student named Luo Feng as your personal disciple. Could he be the one you’re referring to?"

"Indeed."

The Purple Brow Wanderer nodded, not denying it.

Xue Wu Qing pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "I also heard about Luo Feng defeating the Stone Man Xue Fei. This Luo Feng indeed has first-rate potential. However, Xue Fei only recently reached the Spiritual Rotation Realm, so defeating him isn’t that significant. Luo Feng’s strength probably still falls short compared to the three I just mentioned."

"The first person to pass through Heaven Gate Road shall undoubtedly be Luo Feng!"

Just as Xue Wu Qing finished speaking, a melodious voice suddenly interjected with undeniable certainty:

Hearing the voice, everyone turned to look deeper into the room, surprise dawning on their faces.

Inside the room sat a woman of unparalleled beauty. Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, her figure was exquisite, and the pale-blue dress she wore flowed around her like water, lending her an ethereal, otherworldly charm. Her stunningly beautiful face radiated an endless allure.

This person was none other than the Second Hall Master of Linglong Hall: Shui Linglong!

Xue Wu Qing was also somewhat surprised. He smiled teasingly, "Shui Linglong, you think that highly of Luo Feng?"

Shui Linglong did not reply.

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP...

Just at this moment, a distant bell tolled across the square.

The time to challenge the Heaven Gate Road had arrived.