Chapter Fifty-Four: The Competition Continues

Liu Feng and Zeng Lu finished dealing with the corpses and left the woods, heading toward the academy.

"Today was truly dangerous. If it weren't for this broken sword, I might have died at that old man's hands," Liu Feng said to Zeng Lu along the way.

"Back then, we all thought this sword was nothing but scrap metal. Who could have guessed it was such a treasure? You certainly have a keen eye, Brother Liu," Zeng Lu replied, a hint of admiration in his voice.

Hearing this, Liu Feng put on a mysterious expression, though in his heart he thought, "If it weren't for that piece of beast hide, I never would have discovered the sword's true nature."

The two chatted as they walked, and after about a quarter of an hour, they returned to the academy.

"Brother Liu, get some rest. You have a competition tomorrow," Zeng Lu reminded him.

"See you tomorrow, Brother Zeng," Liu Feng replied.

They parted ways, and Liu Feng returned to his dormitory.

The next morning, after breakfast, Liu Feng made his way to the arena.

He found the stands already packed with people; even the head of the academy and the mentors of each class had taken their seats on the east platform.

Liu Feng ascended to the east platform, where Zhao Yang and the others were already seated, eyes closed, conserving their strength as they waited for the competition to begin.

About half an hour later, Zhang Guang walked onto the stage and announced, "The competition is about to begin. The first round will be Class One versus Class Three." He was still holding the box containing the number tokens.

The competitors took turns ascending the stage, each drawing their number.

"Number One, come to the stage for your match."

This time, Class One sent Li Jingtian, while a representative from Class Three stepped forward as well.

"Li Jingtian will definitely win!"

"Wang Jun, take him down!"

The students of both classes cheered for their own.

Li Jingtian appeared calm and collected, as if he hadn't given his opponent a second thought.

Wang Jun's expression was serious; he had seen the previous matches and knew his opponent was formidable.

The two faced each other for a moment before Wang Jun made the first move.

He formed a knife hand, circulating his inner energy rapidly, and a massive blade of energy took form, exuding a fierce and sharp aura. He swung his hand downward, cleaving toward Li Jingtian.

Li Jingtian brought his fingers together like a sword, unleashing a blazing sword light filled with deadly intent to meet the incoming blade.

Blade and sword collided with a shrill, piercing sound, followed by an explosion of tremendous force that swept across the arena.

For a moment, they were at a stalemate before both the blade and sword energy burst apart. Both fighters were propelled backward through the air.

Without pause, they sprang forward, closing the distance once more.

Li Jingtian's sword light remained dazzling as he slashed from mid-air, while Wang Jun's fists howled with the wind, pounding forward with savage force.

Their movements were lightning fast as they circled the arena, sword light and fist force clashing repeatedly in a deafening cacophony.

"Judging from their stances, it looks like they're evenly matched!"

"No, I think Li Jingtian has the upper hand."

"I feel like Wang Jun's attacks are stronger."

The students in the stands whispered among themselves, each offering their own opinion.

"Tempest Fists!"

Suddenly, Wang Jun shouted, and the power in his fists surged, becoming even more violent, like a raging hurricane. The force of his punches created swirling vortices in the air, whirling toward Li Jingtian.

Li Jingtian pushed both palms forward, inner energy surging as two massive palms of light formed, exuding a pressure as heavy as a mountain. With overwhelming force, he struck them out.

The palm light crashed into the air vortices, shattering them with a thunderous boom, and continued forward, colliding with Wang Jun's fists.

A loud bang resounded, like two mountains colliding. The violent shockwaves swept outward, leaving the arena spotless.

Wang Jun staggered backward a step from the impact. Li Jingtian strode forward in an instant, closing the gap. He brought his fingers together like a sword, unleashing another sharp sword light that struck Wang Jun before he could dodge, sending him flying before he crashed to the ground.

"Li Jingtian is victorious," Zhang Guang announced.

"As expected, Li Jingtian is truly strong—two matches now and he remains unscathed!"

"Of course, he's the strongest in Class One!"

The Class One students were all smiles at his victory, while the Class Three students looked dejected.

As the students discussed the match, the second round began.

"Zhang Hao."

"Sun Hui," the other responded.

After a brief exchange of glances, Sun Hui attacked first, launching both palms rapidly and sending violent waves of energy crashing toward Zhang Hao.

Zhang Hao's expression remained calm as he raised his hand like a knife. His inner energy surged, and a fierce blade of light shot forth, slashing at Sun Hui's twin palms with razor-sharp force.

When their energies collided, a tremendous force rippled outward, making the arena floor creak and groan.

Sun Hui darted around Zhang Hao, launching a relentless barrage of powerful palm strikes.

Zhang Hao, facing Sun Hui's onslaught, stood unmoving at the center of the arena, responding only with swift, precise knife-hand strikes. Blade after blade of energy shot through the air, colliding again and again with Sun Hui's palms.

In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged hundreds of blows. Sun Hui's attacks were fierce and explosive; Zhang Hao's counterattacks were sharp and agile.

After two hundred more exchanges, Sun Hui was already gasping for breath, while Zhang Hao remained composed and unruffled.

"Their skills were originally similar, but Sun Hui attacked too hastily, wearing himself out. It looks like the result is about to be decided."

"Yes, Zhang Hao's steady approach means he still has plenty of strength. With the way things are going, Sun Hui is doomed to lose."

Liu Feng and Zhao Yang watched the duel, making their assessments. Li Jingtian nodded slightly in agreement.

Sure enough, as they spoke, Zhang Hao suddenly launched a ferocious assault, pounding Sun Hui back step by step with a flurry of furious fist imprints.

Finally, with a resounding crash, Sun Hui was knocked to the ground.

"Zhang Hao wins."

"Number Three, come to the stage."

Liu Feng stepped forward, and so did a member of Class Three.

Liu Feng sized up his opponent—a tall, cold-faced young man with piercing eyes as sharp as swords, exuding a fierce aura like a drawn blade.

"Liu Feng."

"Li Rui," the other replied, locking eyes with him.

"Li Rui will win!"

"Li Rui is invincible!"

The Class Three students erupted in cheers at Li Rui's appearance.

Liu Feng paid them no mind. He formed his fingers into a sword and unleashed a sharp sword light, as swift as thunder and lightning, driving it straight at Li Rui.

Li Rui's eyes narrowed. He thrust his palm forward, summoning a surge of golden energy. With wild force, he struck at the sword light.

A metallic clang rang out as the sword light cleaved through the golden energy, continuing its deadly course toward Li Rui.

Li Rui struck out again, shattering the sword light with his palm. He shot Liu Feng a penetrating look.

From this brief exchange, Li Rui had sensed Liu Feng's formidable strength and now grew serious.