Chapter Forty-Eight: A Contest of Strength

Liu Feng, seeing this, understood that the outcome was decided—Zhao Yang was about to claim victory.

Once more, Zhao Yang soared forward, his fist surging with a violent wave of power, smashing down with tremendous force. The air itself was struck into swirling vortices by the blow.

"Eagle Claw!"

Huang Yongbo let out a thunderous shout, his five fingers forming into talons as his true energy roared out, coalescing at his fingertips until five sharp blades of energy took shape. He lashed out, his claws slashing through the air like steel beams, each one gleaming with a chilling, lethal light, colliding fiercely with Zhao Yang's fist.

A metallic clang rang out as the energy blades on Huang Yongbo’s fingers shattered under the impact. At the same time, the mighty force of the punch drove him to spit out several mouthfuls of blood. His body wavered and collapsed onto the arena floor.

"Zhao Yang of Class One is victorious. One point added to his score," announced Judge Zhang Guang.

Huang Yongbo was helped off the stage.

In the eastern stands, the instructor of Class Two wore a grim expression.

"Old Wang, your student has only lost one match—no need for such a face," said another instructor with a commanding aura, smiling faintly.

"Easy for you to say, Zhao Peng. Let’s see if you’re still so calm when your Class Four student loses," retorted Wang Lang, the tall instructor of Class Two, his tone edged with annoyance.

"Enough, Wang Lang, Zhao Peng, stop your bickering and keep watching the match," the head of the academy interjected, and the two instantly fell silent.

"Next, contestant number two, please take the stage."

Liu Feng glanced at his number, then rose to his feet.

"Good luck," Zhao Yang called out from behind him.

Liu Feng nodded, stepping onto the arena. He saw that someone was already standing there—a youth of medium build, handsome features, sword-like brows, and bright, spirited eyes that occasionally flashed with a keen light, giving off an air of sharpness and confidence.

"That's Zhang Rongxuan. Looks like Class Two is about to win this round," someone remarked.

"Of course. Zhang Rongxuan is a prodigy—after just one year of cultivation, he's already reached the ninth level of the Qi Gathering Realm."

The students in the stands whispered among themselves, brimming with confidence in Zhang Rongxuan, certain that he would emerge victorious.

Wang Lang, the instructor of Class Two, smiled at the students’ chatter and glanced over at Zhang Ning.

Zhang Ning merely nodded to him, her expression calm and indifferent, which left Wang Lang somewhat disappointed; he had hoped to see some nervousness in her.

"Liu Feng."

"Zhang Rongxuan." The two exchanged names, then locked eyes with fierce determination.

Zhang Rongxuan struck first. Pushing both palms forward, he unleashed a surging wave of energy, rumbling as it crashed forth.

Liu Feng raised his palm like a blade, true energy surging out, immediately forming long, slender blades of light. With a sweep of his hand, the blade energy shot out like arrows loosed from a bowstring, slicing through the air with a piercing screech.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The blade energy struck the energy wave, shattering it into pieces with a series of rapid explosions.

Seeing his attack broken, Zhang Rongxuan swiftly rotated his arms like the spokes of a windmill, sending another surge of true energy roaring from his palms. A spiraling force burst forth, crashing out with violent strength.

"Sky-Splitting Slash!"

Liu Feng shouted, his true energy surging wildly. Forming his hand into a blade, he cleaved the air repeatedly, sending out wave after wave of razor-sharp energy that howled towards the spiraling column.

The blade energy collided with the spiral force, ringing out like clashing metal as the powers locked in stalemate.

"That newcomer Liu Feng is impressive—he can actually hold his own against Zhang Rongxuan."

"I think that's only because Zhang Rongxuan hasn't gotten serious yet. If he did, Liu Feng would have lost already."

"Nonsense! I say Liu Feng hasn't shown his true strength yet. Otherwise, Zhang Rongxuan would be flat on the floor by now."

The stands erupted in debate, opinions split along class lines as the students bickered and boasted.

Boom!

With a thunderous crash, Zhang Rongxuan was forced backward by a tremendous force.

"Not bad. Now I'll show my real strength," Zhang Rongxuan declared, pressing his palms together and then quickly separating them. His fingers moved in a dazzling blur, forming complex seals at lightning speed, so fast they became a phantom to the eye.

"Lotus Slash!"

His fingers suddenly stilled, and a white lotus, formed entirely of condensed true energy, burst forth from his palm. Each petal gleamed with a chilling light, as if razor-sharp blades were embedded in the flower.

"The lotus he’s formed is already approaching the level of a true arcane art. Zhang Rongxuan really is a genius."

"But forming that lotus must consume a tremendous amount of energy."

Some of the more discerning students were visibly shaken by the sight of the lotus Zhang Rongxuan conjured.

Unmoved by the others’ astonishment, Zhang Rongxuan flicked his fingers, sending the white lotus spinning and shooting forward, its petals slicing through the air with a sharp hiss.

Liu Feng’s expression grew grave. He clenched his right fist, gathering his true energy until his fist shone with dazzling light, a surge of ferocious power erupting as he smashed at the oncoming lotus.

Clang!

Liu Feng’s fist struck the lotus, but it didn’t break—an echo like metal on stone resounded. His face changed, and he drove his energy even harder, his right fist blazing as he hammered the spinning, slicing lotus again and again. Finally, with a series of heavy blows, the lotus burst apart, its petals shooting out like daggers in all directions.

Liu Feng shattered the petals flying towards him, then swiftly drove his fist forward, the air swirling into vortices as he launched a powerful punch at the unmoving Zhang Rongxuan.

Just as the punch was about to land, Zhang Rongxuan reacted, thrusting both palms forward.

Bang!

His defense, made in haste, was overpowered by Liu Feng’s punch, sending him staggering backward. Liu Feng followed up, unleashing another mighty punch.

Though Zhang Rongxuan was forced back, he remained composed, quickly gathering energy into a shield.

Liu Feng’s fist struck the shield, ringing out as if against a metal barrier, but the shield did not shatter in one blow. With another crack, the shield split apart.

Seizing the moment, Zhang Rongxuan leapt back, rapidly waving his hands to send out wave after wave of sword energy, whistling toward Liu Feng.

Liu Feng swiftly punched, conjuring shadowy images of fists around him that shattered each incoming sword wave.

"Raging Storm Barrage!"

Zhang Rongxuan shouted, channeling his energy into his ten fingers. He flicked them rapidly, firing a dense rain of energy droplets towards Liu Feng, enveloping him in a relentless assault.