Chapter 47: Yellow List Martial Artist
Zhang Ruochen did not wish to speak further with Liu Chengfeng. Lifting his Flash Soul Sword, he said, "After we fight, you will naturally know whether I am capable or not."
Having watched the previous nine battles, Liu Chengfeng actually did not underestimate Zhang Ruochen in the slightest. Instead, he regarded Zhang Ruochen as a formidable opponent of equal rank.
Liu Chengfeng possessed a fifth-rank Cold Ice Divine Martial Mark and had cultivated Cold Ice True Qi within his body. It could be said that his divine-granted conditions were far superior to those of many martial artists.
Thus, Liu Chengfeng was considered quite powerful among those at the Great Perfection of the Yellow Extreme Realm, rarely encountering rivals among his peers. If not for his lack of diligent cultivation, he would likely have reached the Mysterious Extreme Realm by now.
"Meteor Sword Technique!"
The true qi within Liu Chengfeng's body was extremely abundant. Channeling it into his sword, the Meteor Sword in his hand instantly emitted a blinding radiance.
Within the sword body, five light-attribute inscription patterns were activated, releasing sharp, radiant sword qi.
Across the entire battle platform, sword qi shuttled back and forth incessantly.
"A fifth-rank True Martial Treasure-level battle sword?" Zhang Ruochen remarked.
"You have some discernment."
Liu Chengfeng let out a cold, sharp laugh. "Sparks and Fireflies!"
Man and sword flew out simultaneously, thrusting toward Zhang Ruochen's heart at a speed so extreme it resembled a meteor streaking across the battle platform.
A human-grade upper-class sword technique—Meteor Sword Technique.
Zhang Ruochen dared not underestimate his opponent. He mobilized his true qi, channeling it through the "Eye Meridian" toward his eyes.
In an instant, his visual acuity doubled.
Looking at Liu Chengfeng again, the speed of his sword strike seemed to become very slow. It was not that Liu Chengfeng's speed had slowed, but rather that Zhang Ruochen's ability to observe things had risen to another level.
The "Eye Meridian" was one of the twenty-seven meridians within his body.
Few other martial artists managed to open the Eye Meridian.
"Clang!"
Zhang Ruochen thrust his sword forward, sliding it past the edge of Liu Chengfeng's blade and leaving a shallow blood mark on Liu Chengfeng's neck.
A single drop of blood dripped from Zhang Ruochen's sword tip.
"How is his speed faster than mine?"
Liu Chengfeng touched the sword mark on his neck, a cold, deep light flashing in his eyes. He shouted, "Again! Meteor Triple Flash!"
Three sword strikes were unleashed simultaneously.
The sword qi carried intense cold ice energy, causing white frost particles to appear in the air.
"Heavenly Heart Points the Way!"
Zhang Ruochen swung his sword and slashed, dispersing all three sword strikes at once.
The sword qi did not dissipate but continued flying toward Liu Chengfeng.
Liu Chengfeng dared not directly counter the Heavenly Heart Sword Technique. He transformed into a phantom, shifting horizontally to the right. Then, with a light tap of his toes, he leaped over ten meters into the air and executed another "Meteor Triple Flash." Three sword strikes descended toward Zhang Ruochen's head.
Liu Chengfeng, ranked eleventh on the Yellow List, was naturally a top-tier expert, a veritable overlord at the Yellow Extreme Realm. Even against martial artists who had just entered the Mysterious Extreme Realm, he could hold his own for a few exchanges.
In other words, with Liu Chengfeng's combat strength, even if he encountered a martial artist at the initial stage of the Mysterious Extreme Realm, he had a chance to escape. Other martial artists at the Great Perfection of the Yellow Extreme Realm would face certain death against a Mysterious Extreme Realm martial artist.
Zhang Ruochen's realm of sword intent was far superior to Liu Chengfeng's. However, Zhang Ruochen's true qi was nowhere near as abundant as Liu Chengfeng's, putting him at a clear disadvantage in terms of martial arts realm.
"Liu Chengfeng's true qi reserves are dozens of times greater than mine. If this drags on, it will be to my disadvantage. I must end this quickly," Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
Zhang Ruochen's true qi reserves were indeed far inferior to Liu Chengfeng's. Yet, he had opened twenty-seven meridians, while Liu Chengfeng had only opened nineteen.
His explosive power was stronger!
"Fight!"
Zhang Ruochen let out a loud roar. His feet moved in steps matching the Heavenly Heart Sword Technique, and he thrust his sword forward—a move from the Heavenly Heart Sword Technique called "Heavenly Heart Pierces the Plum."
"Heh! Using a spirit-grade lower-class sword technique again? Trying to end this quickly? Do you think I'll let you have your way?"
Liu Chengfeng saw through Zhang Ruochen's intention. Instead of engaging in a direct clash, he quickly retreated, widening the distance between them.
He knew his own strengths and Zhang Ruochen's weaknesses, planning to continue draining Zhang Ruochen's true qi.
Liu Chuanshen nodded and said, "Chengfeng has finally learned to use tactics. If he can maintain this approach, the victory is assured."
The Iron-Masked Scribe said, "In truth, the young master has high talent in martial arts. If he could devote himself to cultivation, his future achievements would not be inferior to the manor lord's."
About a quarter of an hour later, beads of sweat appeared on Zhang Ruochen's forehead and the back of his hands, finally showing signs of fatigue.
"True qi nearly exhausted?" A cold sneer appeared on Liu Chengfeng's face.
Suddenly, a fatal flaw appeared in Zhang Ruochen's sword technique, clearly indicating he had no strength left.
This was the moment.
"Die!"
Liu Chengfeng seized the opportunity, striking first and launching an active attack. He thrust his sword toward Zhang Ruochen's heart.
He wanted not only to defeat Zhang Ruochen but also to kill him.
Just as his sword shot out, Zhang Ruochen's eyes suddenly revealed a hint of a smile, as if to say, "You finally took the bait."
"Whoosh!"
Zhang Ruochen lowered his body, sliding forward, and thrust his sword toward Liu Chengfeng's abdomen.
How could Liu Chengfeng have expected Zhang Ruochen to still have the strength to change his move?
In haste, Liu Chengfeng forcibly twisted his arm, slashing his battle sword downward.
"Bang!"
The two battle swords collided, and a tremendous vibrating force simultaneously traveled up the arms of Zhang Ruochen and Liu Chengfeng.
Both battle swords flew out of their hands and landed off the battle platform.
The moment the swords were knocked away, Zhang Ruochen immediately mobilized the remaining true qi in his body, channeling it through his twenty-seven meridians, unleashing his full power with a palm strike.
"Wild Elephant Stomps the Ground!"
The power of forty-nine bulls erupted!
"Pfft!"
Liu Chengfeng was struck in the abdomen, spat out blood, and flew backward over ten meters, crashing heavily off the battle platform. Because his injuries were too severe, he lost consciousness the moment he fell off the platform.
Liu Chuanshen gently shook his head and said to a servant beside him, "Ah! Still too impulsive. Carry the young master away to recover from his injuries."
Having said this, Liu Chuanshen turned and walked out of the Yellow-Level Martial Combat Hall.
"Boom!"
The Yellow-Level Martial Combat Hall erupted with deafening cheers.
A new Yellow List martial artist had been born!
Subsequently, a steward of the Martial Combat Hall delivered a black iron token and a reward of one hundred spirit crystals to Zhang Ruochen.
"Congratulations, Ninth Prince, for becoming the twenty-eighth Yellow List martial artist of the Yunwu Commandery. Your ranking on the Yellow List is eleventh," the steward said.
Based on Zhang Ruochen's performance in the combat arena that day, the Yellow-Level Martial Combat Hall had conducted a comprehensive evaluation of his strength before finalizing his ranking.
The steward handed the black iron token to Zhang Ruochen, saying, "This Yellow List Iron Token represents the Martial Market Bank's recognition of your strength and is also a symbol of a Yellow List martial artist's identity."
Zhang Ruochen took the black iron token, on which were engraved the words: "Yunwu Commandery, Yellow List Eleven, Zhang Ruochen."
The steward then handed one hundred spirit crystals to Zhang Ruochen, saying, "Winning ten consecutive matches in the Yellow-Level Martial Combat Hall earns a reward of one hundred spirit crystals, worth one hundred thousand silver coins."
"If Your Highness's cultivation improves, you may continue to fight in the Yellow-Level Martial Combat Hall. If you can win another ten consecutive matches, the reward will be one million silver coins."
The steward added, "Of course, if Your Highness returns to the Yellow-Level Martial Combat Hall to fight, you will only face Yellow List martial artists. That is to say, only by defeating ten Yellow List martial artists in a row can you obtain the reward of one million silver coins."
"Since the founding of the Yunwu Commandery, no one has ever managed to win ten consecutive matches against Yellow List martial artists. Even the exceptionally talented Seventh Prince only managed nine consecutive wins back then, setting the highest record in the Yunwu Commandery."
Zhang Ruochen put away the Yellow List Iron Token and the one hundred spirit crystals, saying, "I will definitely return to the Yellow-Level Martial Combat Hall."
With that, Zhang Ruochen stepped off the battle platform and walked toward the Ninth Princess and Shan Xiangling.
The Ninth Princess was extremely excited. Like a fragrant breeze, she rushed directly toward Zhang Ruochen. She extended her soft, snow-white arms, wrapped them around Zhang Ruochen's neck, and kissed him on the cheek. Her beautiful eyes sparkled as she said excitedly, "Ninth Brother, you're amazing! A Yellow List martial artist! You even defeated Han Fu and Liu Chengfeng! I've already sent word back to the palace. Consort Lin and Father King will be overjoyed."
The Ninth Princess was already sixteen, with a well-developed figure. Her pair of large, soft breasts pressed against Zhang Ruochen's chest, rubbing incessantly, making Zhang Ruochen quite embarrassed. He could only look away.
The Ninth Princess released her arms from around Zhang Ruochen and said, "Ninth Brother, now that you've become a Yellow List martial artist, you can go cultivate in the Barbarian God Pool again. I'm so envious!"
Zhang Ruochen asked, "I can go to the Barbarian God Pool a second time?"
"Of course! But only if you become a Yellow List martial artist!" the Ninth Princess said.
"Good! Once I go to the Qingxuan Pavilion to buy a refining furnace, I'll head straight to the Barbarian God Pool," Zhang Ruochen said.
Zhang Ruochen was delighted. He thought to himself, if he could enter the Barbarian God Pool a second time to cultivate, he would surely absorb even more blood essence power.
At that point, his physique could improve by another large margin. When he charged toward the Great Perfection of the Yellow Extreme Realm, he would have the opportunity to open thirty-six meridians, making him even stronger than in his previous life.