Martial Arts Overlord-Chapter 620 - 618: "Cold Sun" Ling Qingwu

The hundred-zhang mountain peak stood tall amidst the clouds, occasionally accentuated by a passing bird, creating a majestic spectacle.

This scene left all the students in awe. How can such a giant float in the sky! they all wondered.

Zi Hongyuan smiled and said, "Don't be surprised. Once you enter the Twelve Golden Palaces, you'll find that all of this is quite common. A strong cultivator of the True Yuan Realm can easily shake a hundred-zhang mountain peak. With a single sword strike, they could redirect a ten-li river."

Shake a hundred-zhang mountain peak, redirect a ten-li river!

The nearby students took a deep breath, their faces filled with longing.

WHOOSH!

The five mountain peaks broke through the clouds and roared towards Sky Mountain, soon reaching a plaza high above.

The plaza was incredibly vast, several miles in both length and width, where ten martial arts platforms were situated.

These martial arts platforms were arranged in a circular pattern. Each was over ten zhang in length and width. Their surfaces were covered with blade and sword marks, and dried, mottled bloodstains added to the solemn atmosphere.

Luo Feng's gaze fell on the central area of the martial arts platforms, his eyes narrowing slightly.

There stood a giant, cyan stone pillar, made of a material that was neither gold nor stone, divided into ten layers. Each layer was inscribed with characters gleaming with Yuan Qi.

Some of these inscriptions were wild and unrestrained, others elegant and intricate, and some resembled dragons soaring and phoenixes dancing. Each character conveyed an immense sense of solemnity and reverence, inspiring awe in all who beheld them.

Carved above the cyan stone pillar were three majestic words: Martial Champion's List!

"This is..."

Luo Feng took a deep breath. He noticed that each inscription on the layers of the stone pillar was, in fact, a name.

Bing Ruolan, her beautiful eyes shimmering with a hint of excitement, explained to Luo Feng, "This is the Martial Champion's List. Each year, the top ten students in the promotion assessment of the Twelve Golden Palaces can have their names placed on this list and enjoy infinite renown!"

"I see."

Luo Feng nodded, his gaze sweeping over the names on the Martial Champion's List, finally resting on the inscription on the top layer that shone with a faint, flame-like light.

There was only one character on this layer: 'Wu'.

The calligraphy was elegant and intricate, clearly penned by a woman. Yet, this simple character 'Wu' (Dance) exuded a commanding aura between its strokes, compelling attention.

At this moment, everyone's eyes were focused on the Martial Champion's List.

"Time flies; it has been a year since Ling Qingwu topped the Martial Champion's List," a swordsman lamented, looking at the character 'Wu' on the Martial Champion's List.

"Last year, Ling Qingwu won consecutive battles. Her graceful and skillful swordsmanship still remains fresh in my memories. After that, she went to Linglong Hall, and few rumors of her have circulated in the martial world since. I wonder how her skills are now."

"You don't know about her?"

Someone looked surprised, shaking his head and saying, "That's Ling Qingwu, also known as Leng Yianyang! She and Yang Wanyi, the 'Fire Proud Sun,' are hailed as the Shuang Jiaoyang of Linglong Hall. Ling Qingwu is now ranked thirtieth on the New Dragon List."

"Ranked thirtieth on the New Dragon List!"

The martial artist who had just asked sucked in a cold breath, his face shocked. Everyone on the New Dragon List was an absolute prodigy. To have reached the top thirty in a year, her talent could only be described as terrifying.

"But she topped the Martial Champion's List last year. Such genius can't be judged by common standards."

"Indeed. I wonder who will make it onto the Martial Champion's List this year..."

Everyone looked at the Martial Champion's List and discussed animatedly, their eyes full of anticipation.

As for the students of the major academies, their eyes were all focused in the same direction, full of fervent excitement, fists clenched.

If they could rank in the top ten in the third round of the assessment, their names would be inscribed on the Martial Champion's List. They would enjoy infinite prestige and garner the admiration of others. What great honor that would be!

RUMBLE, RUMBLE...

The five mountain peaks flew through the air, the sound growing louder and louder, like deafening thunder. They split into five directions and stopped over the plaza.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

As the cyan light curtain shattered and the five mountain peaks descended around the plaza, the ground shook, and a fierce wind swept through.

Only then did Luo Feng realize that these five mountain peaks were the spectator stands. He couldn't help but admire, "Truly ingenious."

Bing Ruolan nodded slightly, taking in the magnificent scenery around them, her gaze falling on Luo Feng's profile.

"Ruolan, what are you looking at?" Luo Feng asked curiously.

With a hint of mischief in her charming smile, Bing Ruolan blinked and said, "Luo Feng, do you remember what we said to each other half a year ago in the Misty Swamp?"

Luo Feng was taken aback. Then, he rubbed his nose and grinned, "Of course, I remember."

He and Bing Ruolan had agreed to become disciples of the Twelve Golden Palaces together.

That day, he had kissed Bing Ruolan for the first time. It was a memory etched deep into his heart; how could he possibly forget?

Facing Luo Feng's somewhat burning gaze, Bing Ruolan's charming face flushed an alluring shade of red. She pursed her lips and said, "Luo Feng, thank you."

Were it not for Luo Feng, she would not be standing here today.

As the two of them were talking, Zi Hongyuan, Zhou Zhiyun, and He Qin came over.

"Luo Feng, Bing Ruolan, let's head down!" Zi Hongyuan looked at Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan, his face flushed with excitement, his voice trembling slightly.

It had been three years!

Aside from three years ago when Lu Xiao Yun participated in the Martial Champion's List contest, the Purple Sun School hadn't produced any Spiritual Rotation Realm martial artists for a full three years!

Over these three years, as the Headmaster of the Purple Sun School, he could only watch from the spectator seats every time the Martial Champion's List competition took place—a bitter pill to swallow.

But today, he could proudly walk down from the spectator stands with Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan!

"Mm."

Luo Feng took a deep breath, and the group headed towards the plaza.

"Senior Brother Luo Feng, go for it!"

"Senior Sister He Qin, go for it!"

"Senior Sister Bing Ruolan, you must make it to the Martial Champion's List!"

Cheers full of excitement came from the crowd of students from the four major academies.

The students of the four major academies nearby looked at the trio with awe, even adoration.

Zi Yuan stood in the crowd, her red lips pursed, waving at Luo Feng, her eyes filled with envy.

Only those who had reached the Spiritual Rotation Realm could participate in the Martial Champion's List competition. Though she was a half-step into the Spiritual Rotation Realm, she could only watch from the spectator stands.

Luo Feng nodded in acknowledgment. His figure flashed, and along with Bing Ruolan and the others, he appeared in the central plaza.

On the five peaks, constant streaks of light appeared as the eligible young talents participating in the Martial Champion's List competition emerged onto Sky Feather Plaza, their spirits high.

Luo Feng looked around and frowned slightly. "Why are there so few people?"

Within the plaza, there were just over a hundred Spiritual Rotation Realm martial artists.

He remembered that during the second round of assessment, there had been nearly two hundred Spiritual Rotation Realm martial artists.

Zhou Zhiyun sighed softly and said, "The second round of assessment was successful in eliminating the Underground Demons, but the losses were also substantial. Almost half of the Spiritual Rotation Realm martial artists died there. Even Wei Kuang from Long Wind School didn't return."

Bing Ruolan and He Qin exchanged glances. They knew very well that Wei Kuang had been killed by Luo Feng.

"So that's what happened," Luo Feng remarked, his expression as calm as usual.

Zi Hongyuan then spoke, "Martial artists only have one life. You must always remember this. Never act impulsively on your emotions."

As he spoke, Zi Hongyuan gave Luo Feng a profound look.

"Mm," Luo Feng nodded.

At this moment, an administrator from Sky Mountain, clad in a blue robe, appeared in the sky over the plaza, stepping on a streak of light.

After surveying the crowd, the blue-robed administrator cleared his throat and announced loudly, "Congratulations to all of you for passing the previous two rounds of assessment! Next is the competition for the Martial Champion's List! This competition, like those in the past, is divided into two stages. The first stage is a life-or-death battle. You will be divided into ten groups for matches, and each group will include one of the young experts from the Six Southern Domains. The match order will be determined by drawing lots. Once defeated, you are immediately eliminated. This continues until only the final ten remain!"

Eliminated upon defeat… No wonder it's called a life-or-death battle; defeat means certain elimination, Luo Feng thought, raising an eyebrow.

BANG!

The blue-robed administrator waved his large sleeve, and a square sandalwood box appeared in the center of the plaza.

"Begin drawing lots for your groups!"

The moment his words fell, the young experts competing for the Martial Champion's List swarmed forward to draw their lots.

"I hope we don't end up in the same group," Luo Feng remarked, looking at the sandalwood box.

Hearing this, Bing Ruolan and He Qin both remained silent.

Only one person in each group could advance. If the three of them were assigned to the same group, it would be the worst-case scenario, as at least two of them would be eliminated.

"Let's go."

Luo Feng took the lead and stepped up. He placed his hand on the sandalwood box and closed his fingers.

POP! A jade tag was drawn into his palm.

Bing Ruolan and He Qin also stepped forward and each drew their own jade tags.

"Which group are you in?"

Seeing the three of them draw their group tags, both Zhou Zhiyun and Zi Hongyuan looked slightly tense. They were also worried about the three being allocated to the same group.

Bing Ruolan took out her jade tag. The number eight was carved on it.

"I'm in group eight."

"I'm in group five," said He Qin.

Then, everyone's gaze fell on Luo Feng.

Luo Feng rubbed his nose, retrieved his jade tag, and laughed, "Seems like our luck isn't bad. I'm in group nine."

Hearing this, all four of them sighed in relief.

Bing Ruolan's beautiful eyes flickered slightly, and as if remembering something, she asked in surprise, "Group nine? Doesn't that mean you're in the same group as 'Blood Hand' Xu Zhan?"

"Mm, it seems enemies truly are destined to meet on a narrow road."

Luo Feng nodded and turned his gaze to the side. A tall, broad young man was standing there. It was Xu Zhan, ranked ninth among the top ten young experts of the Six Southern Domains.

Turning his gaze back, Luo Feng said to He Qin, "The young expert in group five is 'Heart Locking Double Swords' Liu Ling. I think she's at the Spiritual Rotation Realm Second Stage…"

He Qin nodded, a trace of determination in her cold eyes. "I will win."

Luo Feng smiled faintly. If it were a typical Spiritual Rotation Realm First Stage martial artist facing an expert like Liu Ling, they would probably lose all confidence. But He Qin was clearly not one of them.

The group assignments ended quickly, and ten administrators from Sky Mountain appeared on the martial arts platforms.

The blue-robed administrator inhaled deeply and announced loudly, "The Martial Champion's List competition officially begins!"

The crowd, already brimming with impatience, erupted upon hearing the announcement. The atmosphere in Sky Feather Plaza instantly boiled over, and the intense shockwave of sound directly dispersed the clouds in the sky.

On the martial arts platforms, the ten administrators from Sky Mountain started to draw lots for the matches.

"First group, Chen Lu versus Ye Xuan."

…

"Fifth group, Qian Feng versus Duan Jin."

"Eighth group, Bing Ruolan versus Cai Xing."

"Ninth group, Lin Dongyan versus Xu Qiao."

…

As the announcements rang out, students from the various academies ascended their respective martial arts platforms one after another, ready to face off.

"Ruolan, good luck!" Luo Feng cheered for Bing Ruolan.

In the first round of draws, only Bing Ruolan from their group had been called.

"Mm."

Bing Ruolan nodded slightly, took a gentle breath, and with a flash of her figure, appeared on the eighth martial arts platform.