Chapter 44: Who Can Stop Him
In Yangzhou City, on Tianfu Street, many martial artists had gathered in a large courtyard, a cacophony of noise filling the air.
"Six people now, plus Qiu Lan, only one more person is needed to make up the eight. Damn it, these guys are all freakishly strong. I have to fight for that eighth spot." Among the crowd, a young man stared fixedly ahead, muttering under his breath.
"Are you dreaming? The eighth spot is already decided. Feng Qian is at the Ninth Layer of the Qi Martial Realm, far stronger than many family disciples. He hasn't been competing until now because he disdains to. In his eyes, this last spot is definitely his. Are you stronger than Feng Qian?"
The person beside him mercilessly poured cold water on his hopes.
"Damn it." Hearing the name Feng Qian, the young man's face changed, filled with frustration. It seemed he had no chance of participating in the Yangzhou City Martial Meet convened by the City Lord this time.
It turned out that news had spread from Yangzhou City that the City Lord's Mansion would once again hold the Yangzhou City Martial Meet. However, this time, besides the four great families, disciples from smaller families, and even outstanding young martial artists without a family, could also participate. But they only had a total of eight spots.
Similarly, the four great families—the City Lord's Nalan Clan, the Gu Clan, the Lin Clan, and the Wen Clan—each had eight spots. These forty selected spots represented the most outstanding youth of Yangzhou City. It was an honor, the focus of everyone's attention. Who wouldn't want to be the center of that spotlight?
Unfortunately, the City Lord's Mansion and the other three great families had already confirmed thirty-two spots. The rest of Yangzhou City could only compete for one of the eight spots the City Lord's Mansion had given to Qiu Lan. As for Qiu Lan, he let them prove their strength through combat. At this moment, seven people had already been selected, leaving only the last spot to be fought over. But even this last spot was essentially decided—Feng Qian.
Feng Qian was dressed in blue robes, tall and lean, with an arrogant look in his eyes.
At this moment, he walked to the front of the crowd with his arms crossed, speaking indifferently, "This last spot is mine."
The crowd watched Feng Qian's haughty posture with silent resentment. They wanted to step up and challenge him, but thinking of his strength, they could only sigh inwardly. It seemed they would have to settle for being spectators.
Feng Qian swept his gaze over the hundreds of people before him, a look of disdain in his eyes.
"A bunch of trash, not even daring to fight. Since you don't dare to contend, I'll go in." Feng Qian sneered, then prepared to walk toward the main hall ahead. Inside the hall, seven people were already seated, including Qiu Lan and the six who had been selected.
"This guy is as arrogant as the rumors say. I've heard he's extremely vicious. If anyone dares to challenge him and loses, the consequences are dire—they'll end up crippled." The crowd thought to themselves. Although they were furious at Feng Qian's words, no one dared to respond. Feng Qian's ruthless methods were well-known in Yangzhou City, and coupled with the fact that few below the Spirit Martial Realm could handle him, his arrogance only grew.
The angry crowd could only watch as Feng Qian walked step by step toward the main hall.
"Wait." A not-very-loud voice suddenly rang out, exceptionally clear in the quiet courtyard. A flicker of surprise passed through the crowd's eyes. Turning their gazes, they saw a young man step out from the crowd.
The young man wore white robes, not luxurious but clean and neat, with a long sword strapped to his back and a well-proportioned build. What was even more striking were his eyes—clear and pure, yet giving a profound and vast feeling. Those lively, clear eyes also held a hue that seemed out of place for his age.
Seeing this person, many of the self-proclaimed outstanding youths felt a sense of shame.
This young man who had appeared was none other than Lin Feng, who had just washed and changed. After making a few inquiries, he had learned about the situation here and came straight over. It seemed he had arrived just in time.
Feng Qian looked at Lin Feng, still with his arms crossed, his eyes looking down from above, as if sneering or mocking.
"You, telling me to wait?"
"Yes." Lin Feng seemed not to understand Feng Qian's gaze and nodded calmly.
A slight curl at the corner of his mouth, Feng Qian looked at this young man, who was a year or two younger than him, with pity in his eyes, and said with a smile, "Do you know the consequences of telling me to wait?"
Lin Feng shook his head with a bitter smile. In a world where martial arts reigned supreme, did those who considered themselves gifted always have to act so pretentiously?
Lifting his foot, Lin Feng walked toward Feng Qian. This scene stunned the crowd. Was this guy crazy? At around sixteen years old, even the most talented disciples of the great families could at most cultivate to the Seventh or Eighth Layer of the Qi Martial Realm. How could they possibly contend with Feng Qian?
To challenge Feng Qian at this age, only the most outstanding talents among the four great families of Yangzhou City could do it, and they clearly didn't think Lin Feng was one of them.
"It seems you also want to enter that hall. I really don't know whether to admire your courage or call you foolish. Since you want to fight, I'll cripple your cultivation." Feng Qian, seeing Lin Feng challenge his authority, looked down on him as if from a great height.
"Clang!"
A soft sound rang out as a cold, icy light flashed. Then, with a muffled grunt, Feng Qian's body slid across the ground, skidding a hundred meters away.
A jet of blood shot from Feng Qian's mouth. He coughed violently a few times, then knelt on one knee, blood still spilling from his mouth and dripping to the ground.
The sword light flashed again, and the cold gleam disappeared. The long sword returned to Lin Feng's sheath.
The crowd's pupils dilated, their hearts trembling. Lin Feng had sent Feng Qian flying with a single sword strike?
"So strong." Their hearts pounded. He was only about sixteen, yet Feng Qian, at the Ninth Layer of the Qi Martial Realm, couldn't even withstand a single blow. Moreover, Lin Feng had held back, using only the flat of the blade. If he had used the edge, Feng Qian would already be dead.
"You talk too much." Lin Feng didn't even glance at Feng Qian. With his back to him, he spoke indifferently, then lifted his foot again and walked toward the main hall.
Perhaps in his eyes, Feng Qian wasn't even worth a second glance. Feng Qian didn't even have the right to be looked at again.
Watching Lin Feng's back, countless thoughts flashed through Feng Qian's mind.
"You talk too much." That was Lin Feng's parting gift to him.
The path of martial arts was a defiance of heaven, extending one's lifespan, overturning the world, even seizing the very essence of creation. It required immense perseverance and an unyielding heart. Yet he, only at the Ninth Layer of the Qi Martial Realm, a frog at the bottom of a well, had been arrogant and conceited, looking down on everyone. This sword strike was not undeserved.
Struggling to his feet, Feng Qian bowed deeply toward Lin Feng's retreating figure. It wasn't out of reverence for Lin Feng, but gratitude for shattering the shackles that had bound his martial path.
This scene left many utterly confused, but some eyes flickered as if they understood something.
Lin Feng, however, didn't see this. As he entered the main hall, the seven people inside all fixed their gazes on him. The one seated at the head was Qiu Lan. He had seen Lin Feng once at the Listening Wind Tavern and naturally knew his identity. Moreover, he was somewhat aware of Lin Feng's situation within the Lin Clan.
"I need a spot to participate in this martial meet." Lin Feng's gaze fell on Qiu Lan, his voice calm but carrying a firm resolve. He had to participate in this battle.
"How dare you!" One of the people seated below Qiu Lan slammed his hand on the table in front of him, causing the wooden table to shatter with a loud bang.
"Who do you think you are, speaking to Qiu Lan like that?" This man, named Wu Xiao, had always harbored certain fantasies about the beautiful and talented Qiu Lan. His strength was also formidable, at the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Qi Martial Realm, far beyond Feng Qian's level.
In his view, Lin Feng's one-strike defeat of Feng Qian had been partly due to catching Feng Qian off guard. He could do the same. Now, he intended to put Lin Feng in his place, to display his strength and authority, and to make Qiu Lan think more highly of him.
Lin Feng glanced at Wu Xiao and walked toward him. This made Wu Xiao stand up, releasing his aura, ready for battle.
A dazzling white sword light flashed again, stinging people's eyes. Before Wu Xiao could even react, he let out a scream, clutching his wrist.
Fast. Since entering the Spirit Martial Realm, Lin Feng's casual sword strikes were incomparably faster than before, and far more precise.
Reaching out, Lin Feng grabbed Wu Xiao by the neck, lifted him up, and carried him toward the main hall's exit.
"What use is trash like this in the martial meet?"
With those words, Lin Feng kicked out. Wu Xiao's body flew backward, crashing heavily onto the ground in front of the crowd in the square.
PS: Do you like this domineering attitude? I'll show you more of it... But, I'm asking for your support...