Martial Arts Overlord-Chapter 576 - 574: Together Forever

"Three individuals from the Flowing Cloud Region have entered the top ten. It’s truly rare."

"Indeed, and they’re all high on the list. It seems the Flowing Cloud Region is poised to rise in this year’s Golden Palace examination. I wonder how many of them will make it to the Martial Champion List..."

"It might not be that simple, though. The first round of the examination requires both luck and strength. Besides, none of the top ten young talents are pushovers."

"That’s true. I’m curious about the content of the second round of the examination. I hope it ends soon—I’m anxious to see the competition for the Martial Champion List."

"Yes, with Luo Feng emerging as a dark horse this year, the competition for the Martial Champion List is sure to be incredibly exciting..."

Luo Feng’s victory surprised many, further heightening their anticipation for the third round’s contest for the Martial Champion List.

"This is the Rotary Solidification Pill. I hope you perform even more impressively in the upcoming assessments," the middle-aged steward said with a smile as he handed a jade box to Luo Feng.

Hearing this, the surrounding young talents all gazed fervently at the jade box in the steward’s hand, their hearts filled with envy for Luo Feng.

This was a fifth-grade Spirit Pill. Even Spiritual Rotation Realm Martial Artists would covet it, let alone them.

Luo Feng accepted the jade box, feeling a surge of excitement as well—not for himself, but for Bing Ruolan.

After thanking the steward, Luo Feng descended the high platform.

"Ruolan, this is for you."

When Bing Ruolan came down from the high platform, Luo Feng handed her the jade box.

"Luo Feng, you only recently entered the Spiritual Rotation Realm. This Rotary Solidification Pill can help you consolidate your cultivation. You should take it..."

Bing Ruolan bit her red lip, her pearly white teeth visible, and shook her head slightly. Her short, light blue hair gleamed with an alluring luster under the setting sun.

Luo Feng gently tapped Bing Ruolan’s nose and said with a smile, "Silly girl, I’ve already taken one Rotary Solidification Pill. Taking another would yield diminished effects. Besides, I won this specifically for you."

"Really?"

"Really!"

"Thank you..."

Listening to Luo Feng, Bing Ruolan’s cheeks flushed red. She accepted the jade box, clutching it tightly in her hands. A sweet smile graced her lips, as alluring as a lotus blooming at dawn.

He Qin stood nearby, her exquisite face devoid of expression. After a moment’s hesitation, she turned and walked towards the Tianlan School.

「About half an incense stick’s time later」

The rewards for the top one hundred students in the examination had all been distributed.

The young talents who received prizes were naturally overjoyed. Those who did not secretly vowed to achieve good results in the upcoming assessments.

Once the award ceremony concluded, the middle-aged steward promptly announced the end of the first round of the examination, and everyone rose to leave the plaza.

As the crowd began to depart the plaza, two figures in the spectator stands became particularly conspicuous.

"I never expected him to take first place."

A cold smile touched the corners of Yi Tian’s lips as he watched Luo Feng leaving the plaza with Bing Ruolan.

"Young Master, what are your plans?"

The small-eyed Martial Artist stood beside Yi Tian. Sensing the chill emanating from him, the Martial Artist took a deep breath and asked.

Yi Tian replied, "Initially, I didn’t think much of him. It seems he does possess some ability; no wonder he dared to refuse my offer of recruitment."

Yi Tian smirked coldly. Spotting a dejected Wei Kuang in the crowd, his eyes glinted, and he instructed, "Go and bring Wei Kuang to me. I have something to discuss with him."

"Yes."

「After bidding farewell to his parents」

Luo Feng left Skyridge Plaza with Bing Ruolan.

On the way, Luo Feng asked, "Ruolan, when do you plan to take the Rotary Solidification Pill?"

Still immersed in her joy, Bing Ruolan clutched the jade box, her pretty face beaming with a smile. Hearing Luo Feng’s words, she paused, then quickly hid the jade box behind her back and said, "I feel my cultivation has reached a bottleneck. I should be able to use the Rotary Solidification Pill to attempt a breakthrough into the Spiritual Rotation Realm."

"Alright then. There’s no time like the present. Take it tonight, and I’ll stand guard for you," Luo Feng said.

"Alright."

Bing Ruolan nodded. With the second round of the examination only a day away, she too was eager to break through to the Spiritual Rotation Realm as soon as possible.

"Luo Feng, I’ll go and prepare first."

Bing Ruolan suddenly stopped and bade Luo Feng farewell, intending to return and change her clothes.

"I’ll wait for you at the Bamboo Shadow Courtyard," Luo Feng said.

Watching Bing Ruolan depart, Luo Feng took a deep breath and headed towards the Bamboo Shadow Courtyard.

「After their figures disappeared」

Two other figures emerged on the path behind where they had been.

Both were dressed in black uniforms with mountain emblems embroidered on their chests; they were students from Chongyue School.

"Yi Wuxue, do you suspect this kid killed Luo Lie?"

The man on the left, burly and dark-complexioned, was the ’Black-faced Killer,’ Xie Xuantong. He frowned as he stared at Luo Feng’s retreating figure.

Yi Wuxue’s vividly red lips, like blood, curled into a cold smirk. "I heard some students say that Luo Lie, Luo Feng, and Xu Tao from Blue Moon School nearly came to blows underground. Among all the students participating in the examination, fewer than five possess the strength to kill Luo Lie. This Luo Feng is one of them."

Xie Xuantong’s expression turned grim, a murderous aura surging from him, making the nearby young talents shrink back and not dare to approach. "If that’s the case, let’s go find him and avenge Luo Lie! Anyone who dares kill a student of our Chongyue School, I’ll tear him limb from limb!"

"Don’t be reckless!" Yi Wuxue waved his hand, halting Xie Xuantong. "Xie Xuantong, you’re still as impetuous as ever. This is Sky Cloud Valley. Do you want to forfeit your qualification for the examination? Besides, right now, it’s merely suspicion; we have no conclusive evidence. Xu Tao, Wei Kuang, Yue Haitang, and even He Qin from Tianlan School—any of them could be Luo Lie’s murderer."

Xie Xuantong paused, then complained, "Then what do we do? If we can’t find the murderer, are we to let Luo Lie die for nothing? What dignity would Chongyue School have left then?"

Yi Wuxue smiled coldly. "Revenge must be taken, naturally. But now is not the time. The second round of the examination is in one day. We should investigate first."

"And if we can’t find the murderer?"

"Then we’ll kill every last one of them to accompany Luo Lie in death!"

Yi Wuxue licked his lips, an intense killing intent radiating from him, so palpable it seemed to warp the very air around them.

The sun gradually dipped below the western horizon, its golden rays painting the myriad lakes of Sky Cloud Valley in brilliant gold, transforming the landscape into a fairyland.

「Upon returning to the Bamboo Shadow Courtyard」

While waiting for Bing Ruolan, Luo Feng reviewed the day’s examination in his mind, especially his confrontation with Luo Lie.

Repeatedly replaying the scene in his mind, mulling over the characteristics of Luo Lie’s spear techniques, Luo Feng became completely engrossed, losing all track of time.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK...

A sudden knocking at the courtyard gate startled him from his thoughts. Bing Ruolan’s pleasant voice drifted in, "Luo Feng, are you there?"

This girl... she’s here already...

Luo Feng exhaled softly, opened the courtyard gate, and his eyes involuntarily lit up as he gazed at the youthful young woman standing at the entrance.

Bing Ruolan had changed into a light green dress that gracefully accentuated her slender figure.

Her short, light blue hair framed a face above a budding chest and long, flawless, jade-like legs. Standing in the glow of the setting sun, Bing Ruolan resembled a sprite, her unique, refined aura setting her apart from other young women her age.

"Aren’t you going to invite me in?"

Noticing Luo Feng staring, Bing Ruolan’s cheeks warmed, but she didn’t avert her gaze. Instead, she rose onto her tiptoes, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled playfully.

Luo Feng regained his composure, stepped back into the courtyard, and chuckled, "We’re going to cultivate. Why are you dressed so beautifully?"

A blush crept up Bing Ruolan’s face. She bit her red lip and said suddenly, "Luo Feng, it’s been a long time since we last cultivated together."

Hearing this, Luo Feng couldn’t help but feel a little startled. He recalled that since their return to the academy from the Secret Realm, quite some time had passed since he had last truly spent time with Bing Ruolan. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Luo Feng gave a helpless shake of his head, looked Bing Ruolan over, and smiled, "Very beautiful."

"Thank you."

Bing Ruolan’s eyes, like sapphires, sparkled brightly, a smile making them seem as captivating as a spring pond.

"Let’s go. We’ll head outside." Luo Feng quickly tidied the courtyard and said to Bing Ruolan.

"Go outside? Aren’t we going to cultivate here?" Bing Ruolan asked, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Luo Feng shook his head and smiled. "Breaking through to the Spiritual Rotation Realm creates quite a commotion. Do you want everyone to know about your breakthrough?"

Hearing this, Bing Ruolan clasped her hands behind her back, playfully stuck out her little pink tongue, and walked over to Luo Feng, asking, "Then where are we going?"

This girl... she’s becoming more and more beautiful... Luo Feng murmured to himself.

Taking a deep breath, Luo Feng looked at the beautiful sunset painting the horizon and suddenly asked, "Ruolan, have you ever wanted to fly?"

"Fly?" Bing Ruolan looked slightly surprised, her brow furrowing. "But only Martial Artists at the Spiritual Rotation Realm can use Aerial Flight."

Luo Feng patted his chest and grinned. "Have you forgotten? I’m already a Spiritual Rotation Realm Martial Artist."

"Ah?" Bing Ruolan paused, understanding Luo Feng’s intention. Her face flushed slightly, and she hesitated. "But... what if someone sees us?"

Luo Feng saw the longing in her eyes and smiled faintly. "Don’t worry. I’ll be careful; no one will spot us."

Bing Ruolan also wanted to experience the sensation of flying. She nodded and urged, "Alright. Then you absolutely mustn’t let anyone see us. The Dean and the others are nearby..."

"Don’t worry. Give me your hand..." Luo Feng took Bing Ruolan’s soft little hand and asked, "Ready?"

Bing Ruolan gazed at the sky, brilliantly colored by the sunset, then her eyes met Luo Feng’s. Blushing, she nodded. "Mhm."

Luo Feng had Bing Ruolan put her arms around his waist and said, "Here we go!"

WHOOSH!

A gentle breeze suddenly swept through the small courtyard as their bodies lifted off the ground.

Luo Feng activated his Protective Gang Energy, enveloping both himself and Bing Ruolan. He pushed his speed to the limit, and within a single breath, they had soared into the clouds.

"Hm?" Zi Hongyuan, who was in an adjacent courtyard, looked up at the sky with a puzzled expression. For an instant, he vaguely sensed a powerful aura flash overhead, but the sky above was empty; there was nothing there.

It must have been my imagination. Zi Hongyuan shook his head and looked away.

Luo Feng, hidden within the clouds, smiled. "Phew, it seems we weren’t discovered."

At that moment, Bing Ruolan’s attention was completely captivated by the breathtaking scenery. Looking down from the sky, the entire world was bathed in the golden glow of the sunset. The lakes of Sky Cloud Valley below resembled pieces of transparent amber, crystal clear and incredibly spectacular.

"It’s so beautiful..." Her light, airy voice drifted with the wind.

Luo Feng caught the faint fragrance of her hair on the breeze and looked at Bing Ruolan, his gaze suddenly sharpening. He wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but for a fleeting instant, he thought he saw a seven-colored light flash within her autumn-water clear eyes.