Chapter 45: Battle Against the Wind Platform
"Wu Xiao, it's Wu Xiao." The crowd stared in shock at the young man who had fallen before them, exclaiming in surprise.
Wu Xiao's strength was even greater than Feng Qian's, and he had a considerable reputation in Yangzhou City. Yet, he was still kicked out by Lin Feng with a single kick. Such was the consequence of questioning Lin Feng.
"Who is this person? So arrogant."
The crowd exchanged glances, trying to see if anyone recognized the young man. They had no idea that such a genius existed in Yangzhou City.
However, if the crowd knew that this arrogant and domineering young man was the very waste rumored to have been expelled from the Lin Clan, who knew what they would think.
The other six people in the great hall were also shocked by Lin Feng's methods. This guy was truly arrogant enough.
"Does anyone else have an objection?" Lin Feng turned around, his indifferent eyes sweeping over the crowd, causing the few people in the hall to feel a chill run down their spines, not daring to speak.
"Heh." Qiu Lan chuckled, then walked over to Lin Feng's side. She glanced at the crowd in the courtyard, finally fixing her gaze on Feng Qian, who had not yet left.
"Feng Qian, there's still one spot left. You take it."
Feng Qian was stunned for a moment. He looked at Lin Feng beside Qiu Lan, then nodded. "Alright."
"Come with me." Qiu Lan said to Lin Feng, then walked toward the back of the great hall.
Lin Feng did not refuse. He followed Qiu Lan to the back of the hall, where there was another small courtyard with several rooms. It was elegant and refined, with a touch of tranquility—a rather nice place.
"Are you planning to participate in the martial meet just like this?"
Arriving at a stone table, Qiu Lan said to Lin Feng.
Lin Feng's eyelashes fluttered slightly as he looked thoughtfully at Qiu Lan. "What do you mean by that?"
"If I'm not mistaken, you should have entered the Spirit Martial Realm by now." Qiu Lan smiled at Lin Feng and continued, "A sixteen-year-old Spirit Martial Realm cultivator, with remarkable talent. But you don't think that with your newly stepped-into Spirit Martial Realm cultivation, you can contend with the Lin Clan and the City Lord's Mansion, do you?"
A confident smile, as if everything was under her control, appeared in Qiu Lan's eyes. She went on, "A waste of the Lin Clan, yet at sixteen, he steps into the Spirit Martial Realm, surpassing many who call themselves geniuses. Lin Feng, I admit many people have misjudged you. But you should know in your heart that there are quite a few people who want you dead right now."
Lin Feng looked at Qiu Lan in surprise. This woman knew quite a lot. It seemed Qiu Lan was not as simple as she appeared on the surface, just a talented young martial artist.
"According to you, what should I do?" Lin Feng did not expose her. Many things were better kept to oneself.
"Would you mind waiting a moment?" Qiu Lan smiled charmingly, quite different from her usual image, with a hint of seductiveness. It had to be said that the already beautiful Qiu Lan, revealing a shy smile with a touch of femininity, was indeed captivating. It was just that her image didn't quite match the tight-fitting outfit she wore.
"Of course not." Lin Feng shook his head.
Qiu Lan walked into a room. She did not keep Lin Feng waiting long before she came out, but in her hand, she held an object that shimmered with a silver luster in the sunlight.
"See if the size fits."
Qiu Lan handed the object to Lin Feng. It was a silver-white mask, with only the eyes and half the face exposed.
Lin Feng took the mask Qiu Lan handed him and put it on. It fit perfectly, neither too loose nor too tight.
With the mask on, Lin Feng exuded an air of mystery. Dressed in white, with an ancient sword on his back, his exposed eyes were clear, carrying a depth and tenacity that made Qiu Lan momentarily lose focus.
"After this battle, there will surely be many girls in Yangzhou City captivated by you." Qiu Lan teased with a laugh, but she was not exaggerating in the slightest. People all have a strong sense of curiosity, and Lin Feng was already handsome. Now, with the silver-white mask, it added a touch of mystery to his handsome appearance. Coupled with his strength, it was enough to stir up quite a stir in Yangzhou City.
"The people of the Lin Clan probably never dreamed that Lin Feng, who was just expelled from the clan, would compete for Lin Qian's dazzling glory in the martial meet." Qiu Lan thought to herself. Of course, she firmly believed that the protagonist of this martial meet would not be Lin Qian, but neither would it be Lin Feng.
………………
At dawn, the people of Yangzhou City became active. Everyone gathered early toward a certain place in the city—the residence of the Yangzhou City Lord.
The City Lord's Mansion of Yangzhou City, also known as the Nalan Clan, was located in the northern part of the city. The towering castle was majestic and imposing. The castle gate was made of refined iron, a full five meters high, extremely spectacular.
A wide avenue led into the castle. Today, the City Lord's Mansion was open to all, for today was the day of the Yangzhou City martial meet—one of the most sensational events of the year. Not only could one witness the young talents of Yangzhou City and admire their formidable strength, but one could also see the important figures of the city's major families.
At this moment, Lin Feng was among the crowd.
Wearing the silver mask, Lin Feng walked behind Qiu Lan along with the other six. The crowd made way, pointing at Lin Feng and the others and whispering, their eyes filled with envy. They knew that soon, these eight people would appear on the battle platform of the martial meet, admired by all, full of spirit. Moreover, if they were favored by the City Lord, their future would be bright, and stepping into the powerful Spirit Martial Realm would only be a matter of time.
"A mere City Lord's Mansion is comparable to the imperial palace of my previous life." Lin Feng looked at this majestic castle, thinking to himself. On the Nine Heavens Continent, human strength was immense. Many could easily lift millions of pounds, so the buildings they constructed were naturally more magnificent. If placed in his previous life, they would be called miracles.
Stepping into the castle, it was a different scene altogether. The vast martial arts arena was boundless, easily accommodating a hundred thousand people. This was where the City Lord usually trained his private army.
But at this moment, five battle platforms stood in the center of the huge arena, arranged in a square. Four battle platforms were at the four corners, while in the middle stood the highest main battle platform.
At the same time, around the five battle platforms, viewing stands were erected in the northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest directions, higher than the battle platforms. These were prepared for the important figures of the four major families.
The viewing stands in the east, west, and south directions were already filled with people. They were the Gu Clan, the Lin Clan, and the Wen Clan, respectively. At the very front of these three families sat eight neatly arranged young disciples, exuding extraordinary momentum.
"Look, on the south viewing stand are the people of the Lin Clan. Sitting in the very center is Lin Badao. It seems the rumors are true. Lin Hai has been crippled and expelled from the clan along with his waste of a son." Many people noticed the Lin Clan's direction and began to discuss. The rumors about the Lin Clan had caused quite a stir in Yangzhou City, and now they were confirmed.
"That's Lin Qian. So beautiful, but a bit cold. I heard she's already at the Spirit Martial Realm. A sixteen-year-old Spirit Martial Realm cultivator, truly remarkable. If only she could be my woman."
"Get lost. Don't drag me into your dreams. If the Lin Clan hears that, they'll cripple you."
"Heh, just talking. Look over there, the City Lord's Mansion people have arrived too. That's City Lord Nalan Xiong and Princess Nalan Feng. Nalan Feng's beauty is no less than Lin Qian's, and her strength has also reached the Spirit Martial Realm. Looks like there's going to be a good show today."
The crowd buzzed with discussion. At this moment, the people of the Nalan Clan had also taken their seats on the viewing stand.
Nalan Xiong lived up to his name. He was tall and imposing, with a dignified face that exuded authority and majesty.
His eyes swept over the crowd, and Nalan Xiong smiled at everyone before speaking loudly, "Today, I am very pleased that everyone has gathered at my Nalan Mansion. However, I must say this first: today is the day of the Yangzhou City martial meet. If anyone dares to cause trouble, don't blame me, Nalan Xiong, for being impolite."
The crowd nodded in agreement. This was the City Lord's Mansion. Even if they wanted to cause trouble, they would need the ability to do so.
"Alright, I won't waste words. I know you're not here to see an old man like me. Let us invite the young talents of Yangzhou City to step onto the battle platform." After saying this, Nalan Xiong sat down and nodded to the family heads in the other directions. Then, the young talents at the front of the four major families all lifted their feet and walked toward the battle platform.
At the same time, Qiu Lan, Lin Feng, and the others also walked toward the battle platform.
PS: Posted early. Have to rush to the company again. Sigh. Please support!