Chapter 28: The Duel

Liu Feng stood in place, momentarily lost in thought, as Wang Jun and his companions had already departed. From their handshake just now, he could sense Wang Jun’s formidable strength, making the outcome of tomorrow’s duel difficult to predict.

Yet Liu Feng was not worried, for he had broken through to a new realm today, his power greatly enhanced.

“Liu Feng, do you have confidence in this match?”

“That’s Wang Jun from Class Three, one of their top three in strength. He’s incredibly powerful; ordinary people are no match for him.”

“If you weren’t sure of yourself, you didn’t have to accept his challenge just now,” some of his classmates from Class One voiced their concerns.

Liu Feng replied, “From our brief exchange, I’ve already gauged his strength. I believe I won’t lose.”

“Since you’re so confident, we won’t say more.” Seeing Liu Feng’s calm demeanor, his classmates said nothing further.

Liu Feng then found Zhao Yang in the training square and recounted what had happened.

Zhao Yang said, “Wang Jun of Class Three is indeed very strong. During the last class competition, I lost to him. You must be careful in tomorrow’s match.”

“I will.”

“How many spirit stones do you have? I’d like to borrow them to use as stakes for tomorrow’s match,” Liu Feng asked.

“I have fifty. I’ll see if I can gather enough from Wang Yue and the others to make it a hundred,” Zhao Yang replied.

He went off to find Wang Yue and soon returned with Wang Yue and Wang Yang.

“We’ve collected one hundred spirit stones,” Wang Yang announced.

“I feel like Wang Jun didn’t challenge you out of good intentions,” Wang Yue said with a frown.

Zhao Yang added, “I think he’s heard about your recent victories and fears your rapid progress could disrupt the balance in the upcoming class competition.”

“So they want to win this match and plant the seed of defeat in your heart, hoping to stall your growth,” Wang Yang continued.

Liu Feng listened to their analysis, his expression as calm as ever. “I already guessed their intentions. Since they want to play this game, I’ll see it through to the end.”

“So you’re confident you can beat Wang Jun?” Zhao Yang asked.

“Though I can’t say for sure, I feel I won’t lose,” Liu Feng replied with unwavering confidence.

“With your confidence, we’re reassured,” Wang Yue said.

“My stomach’s growling. Let’s go get something to eat,” Wang Yang said, patting his belly.

The group nodded and headed out of the academy to a well-known restaurant, enjoying a hearty meal before returning to their dorms to rest.

As they parted, Zhao Yang said, “Liu Feng, we’ll all be there to watch your match tomorrow.”

“Alright, see you then,” Liu Feng replied before returning to his dorm to rest.

Morning passed quickly the next day.

After lunch, Liu Feng made his way to the training square. The arena was already packed, with both familiar and unfamiliar faces. Some people chatted animatedly, others exchanged whispers, and some joked among themselves.

“Wang Jun is here—he really is handsome,” a female student remarked.

“Yes, he carries himself with such poise. Truly a master,” another commented.

At that moment, Wang Jun approached Liu Feng with a slight smile. “Liu Feng, are you ready? If so, let’s take the stage.”

Liu Feng produced one hundred spirit stones. “I’m ready.”

Wang Jun also took out one hundred spirit stones. “Let’s hand the stones to our instructors.”

At this point, Instructor Zhang Ning from Class One had arrived, as had Zhang Ying, the instructor for Class Three, a young man of about thirty.

Zhang Ning declared, “This match is an exchange before the class competition. Decide the winner, but no ruthless moves.”

Zhang Ying added, “Hand the spirit stones to us. Whoever wins will take them all.”

Zhao Yang pushed through the crowd and said, “Be careful, Liu Feng. Wang Jun’s fists are fierce.”

Liu Feng nodded and leaped onto the stage.

Wang Jun followed suit, springing up right after him.

“Go, Liu Feng! Class One will win!” shouted the students of Class One from below.

Class Three’s students were just as spirited. “Wang Jun will win! Defeat Class One!”

Shouts rang out in waves from below as the two onstage focused intensely on each other.

“Come, Liu Feng. Show me what you’re capable of,” Wang Jun said.

With that, he strode forward in great bounds, arriving instantly before Liu Feng and throwing a punch.

The fist gleamed with a violent force, the air exploding with a thunderous sound as it rushed toward Liu Feng.

Liu Feng focused, and as the fist neared, he struck out with his palm.

A tremendous surge of energy radiated from his palm, sending ripples through the air and creating tiny swirling vortices, his strike carrying the power to shatter mountains and rocks as it met Wang Jun’s punch.

A dull thud echoed across the stage as both were forced back by the impact.

Without pause, they both surged forward, fists colliding midair.

Again and again, the sounds of impact rang out as their figures danced across the stage, fists and palms clashing, legs and feet colliding.

The two moved like tigers and panthers—swift, agile, their power savage and wild, their presence overwhelming.

The crowd watched, transfixed, silently cheering for their own champions.

A loud crash sounded as the two leapt apart, each watching the other closely.

“Zhao Yang, who do you think will win?” Wang Yue asked from below.

Zhao Yang frowned, pausing before he spoke. “I still can’t tell. They were just testing each other; neither has shown his true strength.”

“Seeing how strong they are, I feel I can’t keep up anymore,” Wang Yang said, somewhat dejected.

Zhao Yang nodded. “When I fought Liu Feng last time, we were evenly matched. Who would have thought his strength would rise so quickly?”

“I really wonder how that kid trains,” Wang Yue remarked.

Instructor Zhang Ning watched the match in silence, deep in thought, while Zhang Ying’s eyes gleamed, clearly analyzing every move onstage.

At that moment, Liu Feng’s palm turned into a blade, true energy rippling through his hand and making the air sizzle and then crackle explosively.

He sliced forward with his palm, and countless thin blades of energy appeared out of nowhere, shooting forth like arrows, each accompanied by the sound of air bursting, slashing toward Wang Jun.

In response, Wang Jun unleashed his energy, gathering all his true power into his fists.

Instantly, his fists shone with blinding light, burning like twin torches, their violent aura colliding with the flurry of energy blades.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Under Wang Jun’s blazing blows, the dense array of energy blades shattered one after another.

Then, moving with the speed and ferocity of a wild beast, Wang Jun’s dazzling fists shot toward Liu Feng.

Bang!

Liu Feng was forced back rapidly by the strike.

A gasp of shock rose from the crowd below.