A Jianghu hero, his gaze unintentionally falling upon a spot near the restaurant window, immediately gestured for silence.
The people who were loudly discussing turned their heads to look.
By the restaurant window sat a black-haired youth dressed in a Purple Sun brocade robe.
The young man was handsome, drinking by himself. Beside him, a treasure saber nearly as tall as a person was particularly eye-catching.
"We didn’t expect to see a disciple from the inner court of the Purple Sun School here," someone whispered.
The others nodded and lowered their voices.
Openly demeaning someone’s school, especially when it was rumored to be the weakest at the New Talent Convention, was never a good idea.
If the other party had a violent temper, blood might splatter!
The black-haired youth was none other than Luo Feng. After annihilating the Red Blood Fort, he had traveled day and night, stopping at this restaurant to rest.
Last place in the New Talent Convention...
Luo Feng set down his chopsticks, a faint smile playing on his lips, his eyes calm.
He had heard their conversation clearly.
If it had been ten days ago, he might have been somewhat worried.
But hearing these words now, he no longer cared.
Having practiced his Sky Collapse Fist to the first level and touched the threshold of Grand Momentum, his strength had improved significantly. He was confident he could even fight an expert of the Eighth Hell Realm!
"Speaking of the four new talents, have you heard? Some time ago, someone found the body of ’Life-Taking Greedy Wolf’ Du Lang outside Wind Howl City!"
"I heard about it too. Rumor has it his entire chest was pierced, a gruesome sight! He was last seen tailing Ji Wufa from the Southwind Auction; he must have died at Ji Wufa’s hands!"
"Tsk, tsk, Du Lang, an Eighth Hell Realm powerhouse, was killed by Ji Wufa..."
"Ji Wufa has comprehended Sword Intent; his strength is extraordinary."
"At this rate, he might be a threat to ’Heavenly Fragrant Woman’ He Qin!"
Luo Feng’s ears twitched slightly as he recalled the piercing aura he had felt in Wind Howl City.
That aura, like an unsheathed treasured sword, was unforgettable.
Though they had never met, Luo Feng was sure that the person he had sensed then was Ji Wufa!
I wonder if my Grand Momentum will have any chance of winning against him.
By this time, Luo Feng had eaten his fill. He left a silver ingot on the table, exited the restaurant, and set off leading the Dark Cloud Treasure Horse.
With the Dark Cloud Treasure Horse traveling day and night, Luo Feng was back at the academy after a day and a night.
After completing his task at the Extreme Sun Great Hall, Luo Feng returned to his small courtyard, intending to consolidate his Grand Momentum with the remaining few days.
In the small courtyard, rainwater had filled the drained pond.
Luo Feng sat cross-legged beside the pond, the Tiger Soul Saber resting flat on his knees. His eyes were half-closed, and mysterious light flickered in his pupils as he entered a profound state of ethereal tranquility.
The morning breeze brushed over the pond, wrinkling the clear water. In Luo Feng’s perception, the wind seemed to stop, the water became rippleless, and the world around him grew still.
With his mind fully immersed in this marvelous state, Luo Feng felt as if his spirit had left his body, looking down on everything around him, comprehending the profound mysteries of change between motion and stillness.
In his perception, when the world started moving again, Luo Feng abruptly opened his eyes.
An eerie wave spread from his body, and a phantom image of the treasure saber emerged. The Tiger Soul Saber itself began to tremble, as if drawn by an invisible force, and with a SWOOSH, it landed in Luo Feng’s hand.
ZZZT ZZZT ZZZT ZZZT...
The moment Luo Feng held the Tiger Soul Saber, the phantom of the gigantic blade immediately withdrew into his body.
In an instant, an invisible Qi Force surged around Luo Feng, like a storm of blades sweeping past, instantly carving half a foot off the ground.
The Grand Momentum is like the saber. I wonder when I can truly master Grand Momentum...
Luo Feng felt his Grand Momentum had consolidated considerably, but he was still far from achieving true Grand Momentum.
With a slight tremor of his body, Luo Feng concealed his aura. It was as if a treasured saber had been sheathed, its sharp edge vanishing, making him difficult for outsiders to perceive.
There was a knock at the courtyard door.
Thinking it was Bing Ruolan, Luo Feng shouted, "Coming!"
Upon opening the courtyard door, a disciple in an outer court uniform appeared before Luo Feng. It was Chen Yan, who was responsible for delivering letters in the academy.
"Senior Brother Luo Feng, there are two letters for you."
Looking at Luo Feng’s inner court uniform, Chen Yan’s eyes showed admiration as he handed over the two letters.
Luo Feng was slightly surprised; it was unexpected to receive letters at this time.
After accepting the letters, Luo Feng gave Chen Yan two Condensation Yuan Pills and then closed the courtyard door.
It’s from my instructor! Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on ⓝovelFire.net
Opening the first letter, Luo Feng’s eyebrows raised.
The handwriting on the letter was bold and unrestrained, carrying a faint fragrance. It was signed with the three characters ’Ji Wuyue.’
Since Ji Wuyue had left the academy to participate in the Golden Palace examination, there had been no news for two months. Luo Feng quickly read the letter’s contents.
"Luo Feng, I’ve passed the exam and become a disciple of the Sky Sword Pavilion. I am deeply grateful for your gift of the pills."
"I’m glad to hear that you became a Hidden Dragon List student. I originally wanted to watch the New Talent Convention and cheer for you all. Unfortunately, as a disciple of the Golden Palace, I can’t leave the academy for three months. It’s a shame; we’ll have to meet another day."
"Furthermore, Duanmu Ji will soon head to Yunlan Peak. This man is ruthless and likely to make a move on you, so be very careful! Remember!"
Having read the letter’s contents, an image of a valiant and beautiful figure flashed through Luo Feng’s mind, and a smile appeared on his face.
My instructor has indeed become a disciple of the Golden Palace.
Letting out a slow breath, Luo Feng’s gaze fell upon the name ’Duanmu Ji’ on the letter, a hint of coldness appearing in his eyes.
He had nearly been killed by Duanmu Ji at the Smelting Mountain Range. He hadn’t forgotten the incident; he had merely suppressed it because his strength was insufficient at the time.
Now that his cultivation had reached the peak of the Seventh Essence Storage Realm, he was only a step away from the Eighth Hell Realm, and having condensed his Grand Momentum, he no longer feared Duanmu Ji.
Taking a deep breath, Luo Feng’s thoughts gradually calmed.
Duanmu Ji was an expert at the mid-stage of the Eighth Hell Realm. Although Luo Feng no longer feared him, winning would still be difficult.
I must persist in my training.
Shaking his head, Luo Feng took out the second letter.
The envelope read ’For Luo Feng to personally open,’ written with forceful strokes that seemed to penetrate the paper, revealing the writer’s profound skill.
Luo Feng recognized the handwriting on the envelope. His expression shifted slightly as he quickly tore it open.
The letter’s contents were extremely simple, only two sentences: Your mother and I are heading to Yunlan Peak. Do not worry!
My father and mother are also going to watch the New Talent Convention!
Luo Feng was startled by the letter’s contents.
Only after a moment did he regain his composure. He shook the letter and chuckled, It seems that I must win this competition. It would be best to seize the title of Foremost New Talent during the convention, allowing my parents to bask in the glory as well! I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of them.
Determined, Luo Feng stowed the letters away and immediately began to cultivate.
His cultivation at the peak of the Seventh Essence Storage Realm was still somewhat ordinary. If he could step into the Eighth Hell Realm, no one within the four major academies would likely be his match. Even against Duanmu Ji, he would have a chance of winning.
In the morning, Luo Feng meditated and cultivated in the small courtyard, refining his Grand Momentum.
In the afternoon, Luo Feng continued to consolidate his Sky Collapse Fist.
In the evening, Luo Feng would go to Purple Spirit Peak to practice Teng Dragon’s Step and Sky Slayer Saber Technique.
Another three days passed, leaving only two days until the New Talent Convention.
This morning, Luo Feng was meditating in the small courtyard, consolidating his Grand Momentum. His martial arts and cultivation had improved over the past few days, but breaking through the current bottleneck in such a short time was still unlikely.
Suddenly, the distant sound of bells drifted from the direction of the academy.
Luo Feng opened his eyes and muttered to himself, It seems it’s time to head to Yunlan Peak.
The annual New Talent Convention was always hosted by the academy that had ranked first among the four in the previous year.
Last year, Tianlan School had taken the top spot in the New Talent Convention.
Therefore, this year’s New Talent Convention was to be held at Purple Sun School on Yunlan Peak.
Luo Feng stood up, returned to his room to grab a few sets of clothes and some necessities, then closed the door and headed towards the academy plaza.
The vast and magnificent academy plaza was already teeming with people.
On the high platform in the center stood nine figures, all students from the Hidden Dragon List.
At the forefront stood Zi Yuan. Her aura was like the vast sea, her Yuan Qi surged like a tide, and her cultivation had clearly stabilized at the peak of the Seventh Essence Storage Realm.
Behind Zi Yuan, in order, were ’Twin Sword Guest’ Yang Hong, ’Flower Picking Hand’ Xu Mei, Bing Ruolan, and others.
"Luo Feng! Why are you just arriving now?"
Bing Ruolan was standing on her tiptoes, eagerly looking around. Upon seeing Luo Feng, a smile melted the coldness on her small face, like the first thaw of spring snow.
The other students nearby looked on with envy.
Bing Ruolan was one of the academy’s three great beauties. Besides her title ’Jade Legs Fairy,’ she was also privately known as the ’Ice Mountain Beauty.’ She rarely paid attention to others, let alone greet someone so warmly.
Luo Feng, unconcerned with the surrounding gazes, rubbed his nose and walked closer.
"I’ve been in secluded cultivation for the past few days. I only realized today was the departure day for Yunlan Peak when I heard the bells."
"No wonder I haven’t seen you these past few days," Bing Ruolan said with a smile.
Just then, Dean Zi Hongyuan walked over. Having overheard their conversation, he couldn’t help but ask, "Luo Feng, have you made any progress recently?"
Zi Hongyuan had also heard many of the discussions in the Jianghu regarding the New Talent Convention.
He knew that obtaining a good ranking this year wouldn’t be easy, but still, he was unwilling to simply accept last place.
The only students with a hope of contending for the title of the Four Great New Talents were Luo Feng and Zi Yuan.
Luo Feng replied honestly, "My cultivation hasn’t improved much, but I’ve cultivated the ’Sky Collapse Fist’ to the first level."
"Sky Collapse Fist! That’s a Profound Level lower-grade martial art, isn’t it?!"
Hearing this, Zi Hongyuan gasped, staring at Luo Feng in astonishment.
Luo Feng nodded. There was no need to hide this; his greatest trump card was his comprehension of Grand Momentum.
Seeing Luo Feng’s acknowledgment, not only Zi Hongyuan but also Xu Mei and the others beside him wore expressions of disbelief.
To cultivate a Profound Level lower-grade martial art to the first level in half a month—such martial arts talent was simply monstrous!
The higher the quality of a martial art, the more difficult it was to cultivate. An ordinary person might not achieve anything even if given a year to cultivate a Profound Level lower-grade martial art.
Even Zi Hongyuan himself had spent five months just to touch the threshold when he cultivated a Profound Level lower-grade martial art back then!
Compared to Luo Feng, his own achievement was not worth mentioning.