Martial Arts Overlord-Chapter 622 - 620: First Battle!

"That Bing Ruolan’s Swordsmanship is quite impressive."

"Hmm, in terms of Cultivation, Cai Xing is slightly superior, but in Martial Arts realm, he is far inferior to her. This woman is remarkable."

"I wonder who would win between her and ’Shock Mountain Tiger’ He Wu from the eighth group. If she defeats He Wu, the Purple Sun School would have a good chance of having two disciples enter the Martial Champion Rankings!"

"After all, He Wu is a top expert from the Six Southern Domains summit, ranked eighth. It won’t be easy for her to win."

Seeing Bing Ruolan’s sword strike shatter Cai Xing’s Protective Gang Qi, a wave of discussion erupted from the audience.

"Bing Ruolan wins!"

The Sky Mountain steward overseeing the assessment glanced at Bing Ruolan with some surprise before announcing the duel’s result.

Cai Xing wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and dejectedly left the fighting platform. He had considered himself lucky when he drew the eighth group, thinking that as long as he defeated He Wu, he could make it onto the Martial Champion Rankings. He never expected to be eliminated in the first round, and by a Purple Sun School disciple at that. This was a significant blow to him.

Bing Ruolan sheathed her Azure Sword and stepped directly off the fighting platform. She winked at Luo Feng. "Just a lucky win."

Luo Feng didn’t believe for a moment that luck was involved in the previous duel. He smiled. "That last sword strike was incredibly powerful. What level has your Star-piercing Swordsmanship reached?"

"The Ninth Layer," Bing Ruolan replied.

"The Ninth Layer?"

A trace of astonishment flickered in Luo Feng’s eyes.

Perfecting a Martial Art isn’t as difficult as creating one from scratch, but it’s still far from easy. Considering Bing Ruolan’s age and Cultivation level, the fact that she could perfect Star-piercing Swordsmanship truly showcased her formidable talent in the Sword Dao!

While Luo Feng was merely amazed, Zi Hongyuan, who had overheard their conversation from the side, was utterly stunned.

She actually perfected Star-piercing Swordsmanship to the Ninth Layer...

Zi Hongyuan was shocked beyond words. The Purple Sun School had many disciples practicing Star-piercing Swordsmanship, but only one had ever cultivated it to the Seventh Layer.

It turns out this woman is a Sword Dao genius. I failed to notice her before, truly, I am ashamed...

Sighing inwardly, Zi Hongyuan’s eyes immediately lit up with fervent interest.

Although Star-piercing Swordsmanship was only a Profound Level mid-grade Martial Art, when cultivated to the Ninth Layer, its power was comparable to an ordinary Profound Level top-grade Martial Art. With this Swordsmanship, even if Bing Ruolan were to face ’Shock Mountain Tiger’ He Wu, she would certainly have a fighting chance!

The surprise in Luo Feng’s eyes vanished in an instant. He advised, "The Death Matches have only just begun. Don’t reveal too much of your strength, to prevent others from anticipating it."

"Mm," Bing Ruolan nodded.

Apart from the duel between Bing Ruolan and Cai Xing, the first round of the Death Matches offered no particularly striking confrontations. After all the first-round matches concluded, there was a rest period equivalent to the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, and then the second round of matches began immediately.

"Group Five, He Qin versus Tie Shan."

"Group Nine, Luo Feng versus Yin Hao."

Hearing the steward’s announcement, Bing Ruolan smiled sweetly. "It’s your turn."

Luo Feng and He Qin exchanged a glance and a slight nod, then headed towards the fifth and ninth fighting platforms respectively.

TAP.

With a light tap of his foot, Luo Feng’s figure, as light as a feather, landed on the ninth fighting platform.

Instantly, all eyes focused on Luo Feng.

Before the assessment began, few of the faction leaders and prominent figures of the martial world present knew much about Luo Feng. However, after the first two rounds, he had already gained a significant reputation. His popularity soared to its peak, especially after Shui Linglong selected him for Linglong Hall, making him its first male disciple in history.

"Luo Feng’s up. So he’s in Group Nine."

"The young expert in Group Nine is ’Blood Hand’ Xu Zhan. That man is notoriously brutal. Luo Feng, who doesn’t even bat an eye at Yi Tian, the Princely Heir of Qingyun Mansion, is also a formidable figure. There’s bound to be a spectacular clash later!"

"This Yin Hao is the top fighter from Yunlin School in the Tianming Region, a Martial Artist at the peak of the first level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm. Judging by his expression, he seems to hold Luo Feng in utter contempt."

"Yin Hao’s strength is indeed not weak. However, Luo Feng ranked first in both preliminary rounds of the assessment, proving his strength is sufficient to contend with the top ten young masters. Yin Hao is likely no match for him."

"Yeah, now we can only wait and see how long he can last against Luo Feng. I’d guess ten moves..."

"Ten moves? Isn’t that underestimating Yin Hao a bit too much? He is, after all, the top disciple of Yunlin School and not weak by any means. I think he should be able to withstand more than fifty moves."

So far, aside from the brief clash between Luo Feng and Wei Kuang in the first assessment round, the crowd had not yet witnessed his true capabilities. Thus, most gazes were fixed on the ninth fighting platform.

Xue Wu Qing also fixed his gaze on Luo Feng, a hint of coldness on his face. He hoped Luo Feng would be defeated, thereby causing Shui Linglong to lose face in front of everyone.

On the fighting platform.

Opposite Luo Feng stood a flat-browed young man in a green uniform, a three-foot longsword in his hand. A faint, water-like emerald glow rippled along the blade, and a subtle, sharp aura emanated from its tip. It was a first-grade Spirit Weapon.

"Luo Feng, others may fear you, but I, Yin Hao, do not."

The flat-browed young man sized up Luo Feng, flicked his right wrist to casually execute a sword flourish, and said arrogantly, "You couldn’t even defeat Wei Kuang, yet you dare to challenge Yi Tian, the Princely Heir of Qingyun Mansion? Today, I’ll show you just how overconfident you are!"

Luo Feng gave a wry smile. The other party must have heard about his exchange with Wei Kuang at Skyridge Plaza and mistaken that for his true strength, hence his current confidence.

Shaking his head, Luo Feng stood his ground and said nonchalantly, "If that’s the case, what are you waiting for? Make your move."

The flat-browed young man chuckled coldly, his gaze turning sharp. "Prepare to lose!"

The moment his voice fell, the flat-browed young man stomped on the ground. The fighting platform beneath his feet immediately cracked as he shot forward with agility.

"Soundless Drizzle!"

As he moved, emerald radiance erupted from the flat-browed young man. His sword tip flickered in the void, the blade moving so fast it became a blur, unleashing countless strands of emerald Sword Qi that rained down on Luo Feng like a persistent drizzle.

"A decent Fast Sword, but compared to Yue Haitang, it’s not worth mentioning."

Luo Feng’s eyes were illuminated by the emerald Sword Qi, yet he didn’t retreat. He shook his head and casually threw a punch to meet the attack.

"Tyrant Flame Return Wind."

BOOM!

An overbearing fist momentum erupted from within him. The instant he struck, Luo Feng’s aura transformed, resembling a ferocious tiger uncaged—powerful and domineering. The crimson fist energy formed a fiery cyclone that blasted outwards with a deafening roar.

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

Before the fist energy, the emerald Sword Qi vanished like moths drawn to a flame, disappearing without a trace, as if they had never existed.

WHOOSH!

The crimson fist energy, unleashed, was just as quickly retracted. Luo Feng appeared two steps in front of the flat-browed young man, his fist a mere inch from the tip of his nose.

GULP...

The flat-browed young man stared at the fist before his eyes, his face deathly pale, and he swallowed hard.

"Do you wish to continue?" Luo Feng asked, withdrawing his fist.

The flat-browed young man’s clothes were soaked with cold sweat. He involuntarily retreated several steps, a sliver of relief washing over him.

"No... No need... I admit defeat. Thank you for your mercy..."

Sheathing his sword, he cupped his fist towards Luo Feng. The flat-browed young man leaped off the fighting platform, his face flushed crimson, regretting his earlier boasts immensely.

If he hadn’t spoken so arrogantly earlier, he wouldn’t be in such a humiliating position now.

"Luo Feng wins!"

The Sky Mountain steward, recovering from his shock, announced the result.

"He defeated Yin Hao with a single punch! That’s too strong!"

"What kind of Martial Art did he just use? It was so domineering!"

"If I’m not mistaken, that should be ’Eight Wildernesses Dominating Flame Fist,’ the signature Martial Art of Yang Dingtian, City Lord of Dayang City in the Flowing Cloud Region, from his younger days! However, Eight Wildernesses Dominating Flame Fist is only a Profound Level mid-grade Martial Art. Logically, it shouldn’t possess such power. Strange..."

"Could it be due to Grand Momentum? It’s rumored Luo Feng has comprehended Grand Momentum."

"That’s likely the case. Grand Momentum can suppress all forms of malevolence and allow a Martial Artist to unleash the true intent of their Martial Arts."

"This young man’s talent is monstrous, reminding me of Ling Qingwu from last year. It seems that apart from the top ten young masters, no one else is his match."

Witnessing Luo Feng defeat Yin Hao with a single punch left everyone astonished, while envy stirred in the hearts of some.

Comprehending Grand Momentum was the dream of every Martial Artist. Two years ago, Xie Xuantong, despite his average talent, suddenly comprehended Grand Momentum. From then on, he advanced triumphantly, and within a year, he rose to rank fourth among the top ten young masters of the Six Southern Domains!

"Hmph!"

In the audience, Xue Wuqing snorted coldly, his expression chilling.

Elsewhere, Zhou Zhiyun looked at the youth standing on the fighting platform with striking presence, a faint smile on her lips. "Zi Hongyuan, your Purple Sun School seems to have produced an exceptional genius. Perhaps his future achievements might not be inferior to Lu Xiao Yun’s, perhaps even surpassing them."

Zi Hongyuan nodded, a gratified smile on his face; Luo Feng was even more outstanding than he had imagined. However, when he recalled Luo Feng’s life-and-death pact with Yi Tian, his expression couldn’t help but dim.

Looking in another direction, Zi Hongyuan said, "He Qin from your academy isn’t bad either. She has comprehended Sword Intent and stands a very good chance of entering the Martial Champion Rankings."

Zhou Zhiyun smiled without speaking; only she knew that Luo Feng deserved significant credit for He Qin’s comprehension of Sword Intent.

Ignoring the crowd’s gazes, Luo Feng calmly walked off the fighting platform.

His duel with Yin Hao had lasted merely a few breaths. On the other nine fighting platforms, the matches were just beginning.

On the fifth fighting platform, He Qin stood quietly in a plain skirt, holding her Cold Snow Sword, an invisible, sharp aura enveloping her.

Looking at He Qin, Luo Feng’s eyebrows rose slightly. Her aura pulsed with sharpness; her Sword Intent seemed to have progressed even further. This aura could create an illusion of invincibility in an opponent. Of course, Luo Feng was not susceptible to this.

"Giant Phoebe School, Tie Shan! Please offer your guidance!"

He Qin’s opponent was a burly youth. The moment he stepped onto the fighting platform, he immediately activated his Protective Gang Energy. Four mysterious green Yuan Qi shields materialized around him, vigilantly guarding all directions. He was clearly extremely wary of He Qin’s Sword Intent.

"Are you ready?" He Qin asked, her expression impassive.

The burly youth felt a chill under He Qin’s gaze. He took a deep breath, his Yuan Qi surging, causing the four mysterious green shields to blaze with a dazzling light. "I’m ready when you are!"

CLANG!

The instant his words fell, the Cold Snow Sword in He Qin’s hand was unsheathed, and the entire platform was illuminated by its brilliant light.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

With a flick of her wrist, the Cold Snow Sword thrust forward fiercely, its blade splitting into four icy Sword Shadows mid-flight.