Chapter Forty-Nine: Victory Through Battle

Facing the torrent of whizzing droplets of energy, Liu Feng’s eyes flashed with a sharp glint. He shifted from fist to palm, his hand slicing through the air like a blade—swift as lightning, powerful as a surging river—striking the oncoming drops one by one. Instantly, the droplets shattered under his assault. Yet there were simply too many; Liu Feng could not avoid being hit altogether. Fortunately, his protective energy shielded him from serious harm, though the immense force contained in the droplets drove him back.

Zhang Rongxuan seized the opportunity, his figure flickering across the ring. In the blink of an eye, he was upon Liu Feng. He launched a vicious kick, like a massive hammer swinging down, aiming to stomp Liu Feng’s chest with brutal force.

Having just dispersed the energy droplets, Liu Feng suddenly felt a tremendous power crashing towards him, compressing the very air around him until it pressed like flowing water, slowing his movements. Seeing the attack about to land, Liu Feng let out a thunderous shout—a wave of sound like a peal of thunder—forcing Zhang Rongxuan’s kick off course.

In midair, Zhang Rongxuan switched tactics, crossing his legs like a pair of massive iron pincers, snapping them towards Liu Feng’s body. Liu Feng dropped swiftly, evading the deadly strike. Zhang Rongxuan’s legs closed on empty air and he landed heavily on the stage. Without pause, he stepped forward, twisted his waist, and whipped his right arm out like a steel lash, explosive force howling through the air as it crashed down toward Liu Feng’s head.

With a single thrust of his leg, Liu Feng leapt backward at an angle, narrowly dodging the blow.

“Liu Feng from Class One isn’t doing well—he’s just dodging, not even getting a chance to attack!”

“I think Zhang Rongxuan is about to win.”

“Not necessarily. I bet Liu Feng hasn’t shown his true strength yet.”

On the stands, the students erupted into heated debate, each refusing to concede to the others.

Hearing the commotion, Zhang Rongxuan’s face took on a look of smug satisfaction. He glanced at Liu Feng, who remained calm and composed, appearing not to hear a word of the discussion.

“You’re putting on a good front, kid. Let’s see how long you can keep it up.” With that thought, Zhang Rongxuan attacked again, both palms striking out in rapid succession. Instantly, enormous energy palms materialized—each one like a small mountain—hurtling towards Liu Feng with wild, crushing force.

Watching the towering palms, Liu Feng’s eyes flickered. At last, he resolved to respond with ferocity.

He clenched his fists, surging energy flowing into them like a rushing river. His fists blazed with brilliant light, as if wreathed in flames.

Liu Feng’s fists trembled, their power sending ripples through the air, spreading in all directions. He smashed down upon the oncoming energy palms.

A series of thunderous explosions rang out as the giant palms shattered one after another beneath his blows. Liu Feng advanced with swift, forceful steps, and in a flash, stood before Zhang Rongxuan. With both fists raised high, he brought them crashing down toward Zhang Rongxuan’s head.

Zhang Rongxuan felt a mountain-like pressure descending upon him. Not daring to hesitate, he thrust both hands upward as though supporting a pagoda. Fists and palms collided with earthshaking force, a violent power radiating outward and making the platform creak and groan.

Zhang Rongxuan’s body bent under the crushing pressure. His face flushed red as he summoned all his strength, jolting Liu Feng’s fists away.

Liu Feng withdrew his fists, instantly gathering strength and launching another rapid straight punch, his blow erupting with the power of a volcano toward Zhang Rongxuan’s chest.

Zhang Rongxuan raised his palms in front of him and pushed forward, meeting Liu Feng’s attack head-on.

There was a resounding bang as fist met palm, and Zhang Rongxuan staggered, unable to steady himself.

Liu Feng stepped forward, closing in again, his fists blazing like fire as he unleashed a furious barrage.

In a panic, Zhang Rongxuan raised his palms in defense, but with a thunderous impact, he was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground. He spat out several mouthfuls of blood and lay collapsed, unable to rise.

“This round goes to Liu Feng. One point for Class One.” With the referee Zhang Guang’s announcement, the match came to an end. Attendants hurried onto the ring to help Zhang Rongxuan down for treatment.

“I didn’t expect Liu Feng to be this strong—even Zhang Rongxuan couldn’t stand against him.”

“I heard Liu Feng’s only been at the academy for three months, yet his strength is already unfathomable.”

The crowd was abuzz. The students of Class One brimmed with joy, and their mentor, Zhang Ning, wore a faint smile. In contrast, the students of Class Two looked as if they had been struck by frost—listless and silent. Even their instructor, Wang Lang, looked grim. He hadn’t expected to lose to Class One twice, and his face burned as if with fever.

“Don’t take it so hard, Old Wang. Winning and losing is all part of the game,” said Zhao Peng, the instructor of Class Four, grinning at his side.

“Don’t get cocky, Zhao Peng. When your class loses, let’s see if you’re still in the mood to laugh,” Wang Lang retorted, his face dark.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure my mood will be better than yours.”

“We’ll see about that.”

They turned away from each other, refusing to meet each other’s gaze. The headmaster, watching their expressions, could only shake his head slightly.

“Number Three, to the ring!” At Zhang Guang’s call, two students leapt onto the stage.

“Wang Mao.”

“Li Yuanfeng.”

They announced their names, fixing each other with intense gazes.

Li Yuanfeng made the first move, drawing a long sword that gleamed with a cold light, thrusting swiftly at Wang Mao’s arm.

Wang Mao dared not be careless. He quickly pulled out a massive black hammer, easily a hundred pounds, and swung it fiercely at the oncoming sword.

Instead of clashing head-on, Li Yuanfeng flicked his wrist, guiding the sword to rest atop the hammer’s head. With a sudden twist, the blade slid down toward the hammer’s handle, aiming for Wang Mao’s hands.

Wang Mao gripped the handle tightly and jerked it upward, knocking the sword aside with a metallic clang. Then, bracing both arms, he swept the hammer out in a wild arc, the wind shrieking as it crashed down.

Li Yuanfeng sprang back, his toes barely touching the ground, dodging the strike. Instantly, he pushed off his right foot, lunging even faster toward Wang Mao, his sword stabbing forth and slicing the air with sharp, hissing sounds.

Wang Mao countered with a direct thrust of his huge hammer, its massive head slamming toward the sword point.

Watching the hammer bear down, Li Yuanfeng’s eyes flashed with steely resolve. His sword accelerated, now wreathed in a razor-sharp aura.