Martial Arts Overlord-Chapter 619 - 617: Martial Champion Ranking!

As Shui Linglong’s voice fell, the entire Skyridge Plaza suddenly descended into an eerie silence.

All eyes widened in disbelief.

A moment later, the plaza erupted in an uproar.

"Did I hear that right? Shui Linglong actually chose Luo Feng?"

"I don’t think you heard wrong, because I heard it too."

"What’s going on? Doesn’t Linglong Hall only recruit female disciples?"

"I’m completely baffled. Perhaps... this Luo Feng is a woman disguised as a man?"

"How is that possible..."

The chatter in the plaza surged, wave after wave, with everyone speculating on various possibilities.

Linglong Hall, which had always exclusively recruited female disciples, had chosen Luo Feng as an Inner Sect Disciple. This sent shockwaves of disbelief through everyone present.

Listening to the surrounding discussion, Zi Yuan and several other familiar students from Purple Sun School all turned their gazes toward Luo Feng, their expressions odd.

"You don’t actually think I’m a woman in disguise, do you?" Luo Feng discerned their thoughts and said with a wry smile.

Zi Yuan’s delicate eyebrows arched, her bright eyes sparkling with amusement as she chuckled, "Well, it’s hard to say. Otherwise, why would Linglong Hall, which only accepts female disciples, choose you?"

"I don’t know either," Luo Feng shook his head helplessly, his gaze, full of confusion, fell upon Shui Linglong.

On the high platform, several Golden Palace elders, who were accustomed to the great storms of the martial world, were also profoundly shocked by Shui Linglong’s words.

After a moment, Xue Wu Qing frowned at Shui Linglong and demanded, "Shui Linglong, what is the meaning of this?"

Shui Linglong calmly replied, "It means exactly what I said. I wish for Luo Feng to become a disciple of our Linglong Hall."

Hearing this, Xue Wu Qing’s tone cooled considerably. "If I recall correctly, your Linglong Hall has always only recruited female disciples."

"Rules are made by people, so naturally, they can be changed," Shui Linglong stated placidly.

Xue Wu Qing’s eyebrows twitched as he sneered, "You are fully aware that Yi Tian is a disciple of our Floating Snow Hall. This Luo Feng, audaciously bold enough to agree to a life-and-death duel with Yi Tian in the Imperial City three months from now, and yet you still want to recruit him as an Inner Sect Disciple? I don’t think you’re trying to change the rules, but rather, you’re trying to oppose me, aren’t you?"

Shui Linglong’s gaze met Xue Wu Qing’s increasingly flustered one, a half-smile on her face as she replied, "I am not you."

"You!"

Xue Wu Qing became furious. His body pulsed with azure light, and a terrifying aura burst forth, sending strong gusts of wind sweeping through the entire Skyridge Plaza.

Feeling the biting aura emanating from Xue Wu Qing, everyone in the plaza held their breath.

"It seems Xue Wu Qing and Shui Linglong are having a dispute. Given their auras, are they actually going to fight?"

"Yi Tian is an outstanding disciple of Floating Snow Hall. Luo Feng has agreed to a life-and-death duel with him. Now, Shui Linglong wants to break convention and recruit Luo Feng. This implies she believes Luo Feng’s potential surpasses Yi Tian’s. How could Xue Wu Qing not be enraged?"

"Regardless, behaving like this in front of so many students is truly unbecoming of a Golden Palace elder."

Many in the plaza murmured quietly among themselves.

Facing Xue Wu Qing’s imposing aura, Shui Linglong’s beautiful eyes remained calm as water, though a touch of coldness appeared on her exquisite face. "Xue Wu Qing, do you intend to fight me here?"

Seeing the atmosphere grow increasingly tense, the Purple Brow Wanderer hurriedly interjected, "Both of you, please remember, this is Sky Mountain."

If two Golden Palace elders were to come to blows here, the Six Golden Halls of the Six Southern Domains would undoubtedly become a laughingstock.

"Hmph!"

Xue Wu Qing’s gaze flickered. He suddenly flicked his sleeve, retracting his aura. He glanced at Luo Feng, then turned back to Shui Linglong and sneered, "Fine! Shui Linglong, since you think so highly of Luo Feng, we shall wait and see! Three months from now, we’ll see who will be utterly defeated!"

"I’ll gladly await the outcome," Shui Linglong answered indifferently. Her beautiful eyes then turned to Luo Feng as she asked once more, "Luo Feng, have you considered it?"

Luo Feng frowned slightly. From the very beginning, he had never imagined that Linglong Hall, which only recruited female disciples, would choose him. He had been quite startled just now.

As he was hesitating, Shui Linglong’s voice sounded in his ear again, "Luo Feng, even if only for Wan’er’s sake, surely you won’t refuse me in front of so many people?"

A voice transmission?

Startled, Luo Feng raised his head to look at Shui Linglong, meeting her expectant gaze.

If I join Linglong Hall, won’t I be the only male in the entire Golden Palace?

As this thought flashed through his mind, a bitter smile touched Luo Feng’s lips. He took a deep breath, stepped forward, cupped his fist, and said, "Greetings, Elder."

Shui Linglong had once saved him from Xue Jiuyou, so Luo Feng would naturally not embarrass her. Moreover, Shui Linglong didn’t care about his life-and-death agreement with Yi Tian. This point alone was enough for him to make his decision.

"Very good. From this day forward, you are an Inner Sect Disciple of my Linglong Hall."

A smile blossomed on Shui Linglong’s exquisite face. Ever since that day she witnessed Luo Feng withstand a blow from Xue Jiuyou, she had been determined to recruit Luo Feng into Linglong Hall. Otherwise, she would not have come personally this time.

Seeing the matter settled, another wave of excited discussion swept through the plaza, with many eyes turning towards Luo Feng.

The young students all wore expressions of envy.

To be able to cultivate in Linglong Hall was the dream of all young people in the Six Southern Domains. They had never imagined such good fortune would fall upon Luo Feng, and many wished they could take his place.

"Hmph!"

Xue Wu Qing’s face was grim, his fists clenched tightly, clearly furious to the extreme.

In the plaza, Bing Ruolan looked at Luo Feng and smiled, "Luo Feng, congratulations."

Luo Feng nodded. Although he was confident he could still easily become an Inner Sect Disciple even if not selected, that didn’t mean he was indifferent. Buddhas vie for incense, and people strive for dignity. Especially when his parents were present.

In the spectator stands, Yang Qing’s eyebrows relaxed as she said joyfully, "It seems not everyone is blind."

Luotian shook his head helplessly, though he was just as joyful in his heart as Yang Qing.

Yang Qing smiled teasingly, "Brother Tian, Linglong Hall is full of female disciples. When Feng Er goes there..."

Luotian interrupted Yang Qing with a wry smile, "Feng Er is only going to Linglong Hall to cultivate. Don’t let your imagination run wild."

"I’m just happy, let me say what I want..."

As Luo Feng handed his Identity Jade to Shui Linglong, he officially became an Inner Sect Disciple of Linglong Hall.

Although the matter was settled, the shock in everyone’s hearts had not diminished in the slightest.

After all, this event was too sensational. For a long time to come, it would likely be the talk of the entire Six Southern Domains.

When it was Floating Snow Hall’s turn to choose, people were still discussing Luo Feng’s entry into Linglong Hall.

As it turned out, Xue Wu Qing chose the ’Black-faced Killer,’ Xie Xuantong, who was ranked fourth among the top ten young masters.

Once the six exceptionally admitted Inner Sect Disciples of the Golden Palaces were confirmed, a Sky Mountain steward walked onto the high platform.

"Everyone, the quota for Golden Palace Inner Sect Disciples has been filled. Next is the competition for the Martial Champion Rankings! After the students choose their respective Golden Palaces, please proceed to Sky Mountain!"

As the Sky Mountain steward’s voice fell, a deafening rumbling sound filled the sky.

Five small mountain peaks, their entire bodies shimmering with azure light, descended above the plaza.

"The competition for the Martial Champion Rankings! It’s finally about to begin! I wonder which elder has the best judgment this time."

"The Martial Champion Rankings competition is for academy students. What does it have to do with the Golden Palace elders?" a martial artist from the Jianghu asked, puzzled.

"That’s where you’re mistaken. The six great Golden Palaces confirm their six Inner Sect Disciples before the Martial Champion Rankings for comparison. This serves to motivate these talented students to recognize their shortcomings, learn from their setbacks and strive harder, so they can shine in the New Dragon Rankings in the future."

"So that’s how it is."

"Let’s go, we should head to Sky Mountain too. Now that Shui Linglong has accepted Luo Feng as an Inner Sect Disciple, she has made an enemy of Xue Wu Qing. In the upcoming Martial Champion Rankings competition, the ’Black-faced Killer’ Xie Xuantong and Luo Feng will surely give it their all. Both are saber men; this will be a peak duel between saber masters!"

"Indeed, let’s hurry! We must get a good spot. A duel of this caliber isn’t something you can see every day."

The martial arts heroes and leaders of various factions in the spectator stands all rose and quickly made their way towards the five mountain peaks.

Skyridge Plaza also buzzed with activity as the other students chose their desired Golden Palaces.

"Ruolan, which Golden Palace have you decided to choose?" Luo Feng turned and asked Bing Ruolan.

"I’ll be right back."

Bing Ruolan didn’t answer, but winked at Luo Feng before disappearing into the crowd in an instant.

This girl...

Luo Feng rubbed his nose and waited quietly where he was.

A short while later, Bing Ruolan returned to Luo Feng’s side. Her small hands were clasped behind her back, her pretty face flushed faintly as she smiled sweetly. Complemented by her bright, sapphire-like eyes, she looked pure and enchanting.

Luo Feng’s eyes lit up slightly as he smiled, "Stop hiding it, let me see."

Bing Ruolan bit her red lip, then brought her hands out from behind her back, revealing a crimson token.

Seeing the token, a smile appeared on Luo Feng’s face. It was an entry token for Linglong Hall.

The flush on Bing Ruolan’s pretty face had yet to fade as she said softly, "The martial arts style of Linglong Hall should suit me."

"Mm."

Luo Feng nodded and smiled, "Let’s go, we’re heading to Sky Mountain."

Along the way, Luo Feng saw He Qin and learned that she had chosen the Sky Sword Pavilion.

The five small mountain peaks floated a hundred meters above the plaza, with vine ladders hanging down from them. Students with insufficient cultivation had to climb these ladders, while those in the Spiritual Rotation Realm had it much easier, able to use Aerial Flight, which was several times faster.

Executing Teng Dragon’s Step, Luo Feng, Bing Ruolan, and the others landed on one of the small mountain peaks a moment later.

His feet firmly on solid ground, Luo Feng surveyed his surroundings.

Looking up from below hadn’t prepared him for this; now, seeing it up close, Luo Feng was even more astounded.

The small mountain peak was over a hundred feet high. In its center was a plaza capable of holding tens of thousands of people. Around the plaza stood towering green stone pillars, shimmering with a green radiance that pierced the sky, like pillars of heaven.

Truly an unearthly masterpiece, Luo Feng sighed inwardly.

Before long, everyone had ascended the five mountain peaks.

More than a dozen Sky Mountain stewards appeared in the plaza. Their figures flashed as they took positions on the green stone pillars and began to operate the Formation.

HUMM!

A strange ripple appeared in the sky above the plaza. More than a dozen green radiances gradually connected, forming an immense green celestial canopy that enveloped the entire mountain peak.

In an instant, wind roared and thunder rumbled, as the five small mountain peaks soared through the air toward Sky Mountain.

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM...

The five mountain peaks shot upwards like lightning. Protected by the green light screen, the people on the mountains felt no chill from the wind.

After a moment, the peaks broke through the clouds. Luo Feng’s vision suddenly cleared, and an enormous, suspended mountain peak came into view.

The mountain was over a thousand feet high, majestic and imposing. Concentrated Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi formed a light mist that swirled around it. The mountain itself was verdant and beautiful, with lush greenery. Faintly visible within was a gigantic palace, resembling a celestial paradise.