Martial Arts Overlord-Chapter 541 - 539: Luo Feng Is My Rival

"Not by human hands?"

Yue Haitang’s expression changed subtly as he followed Luo Feng’s gaze.

On the chests of the corpses on the ground were three ghastly claw marks. The marks were extremely deep, tearing fissures more than a foot deep into the earth itself.

Upon seeing these claw marks, Yue Haitang’s eyebrows rose. He looked up at Luo Feng and asked, "Could it be a Demon Beast?"

Luo Feng shook his head and said, "This whole area is barren mountains. There shouldn’t be any formidable Demon Beasts around."

"Then what is it..."

BOOM!

While the two were conversing, a massive sound suddenly emanated from within the village.

Buildings collapsed one after another, and a terrifying, ferocious aura blotted out the sky, sending shivers down their spines.

Luo Feng and Yue Haitang exchanged a glance, simultaneously drawing their weapons, cautiously watching the direction from which the dust and chaos swept.

AWOOO...

As buildings shattered, several tall, dark figures leaped from the chaos, their landing making the nearby ground tremble violently.

By the moonlight, Luo Feng saw clearly that the dark shadows were four humanoid monstrosities.

The dark figures were each twice the height of a man, their entire bodies covered in pitch-black scales. Half-foot-long bone spikes grew from their crowns and backs. They had gaping maws with fangs, claws like sickles, and a pair of blood-red eyes that radiated bloodthirsty brutality.

"Underground Demons!"

Looking at the figures, Yue Haitang’s handsome brow furrowed slightly, a tinge of coldness in his voice.

Luo Feng nodded. He had read about Underground Demons at the academy.

The demons before him were likely the lowest-ranked Bone Scale Demons. In addition to their inherently strong physiques, their strength was terrifying; they were born capable of tearing tigers and leopards limb from limb.

"Humans!"

The four demons fixed their blood-red eyes on Luo Feng and Yue Haitang, their crimson pupils flaring with savage light.

Yue Haitang, watching the four demons, gave his Red Dragon Purple Gold Sword a flick, scattering a cold gleam of light. He asked coolly, "You Underground Demons should be in the West Desert Demon Realm. Why have you come to the Hundred Nations Territory?"

"Kill!"

The four demons paid no heed to Yue Haitang’s words. They sneered maliciously, an aggressive and brutal aura erupting from their bodies as they pounced directly at the two.

Luo Feng said, "They’re just the lowest-ranked Bone Scale Demons and don’t possess much intelligence. There’s no need to waste words on them."

RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

As he spoke, the Bone Scale Demons had already charged within ten meters of them.

These demons were physically huge. Coupled with their inherent, monstrous strength, they seemed like killing machines. Each step they took felt like a heavy hammer pounding on a mountain, causing the earth to tremble within a radius of a thousand feet.

"Die!"

Vicious intent gleaming in its eyes, one of the demons swiped its huge, glossy black claw at Luo Feng’s head.

These Bone Scale Demons weren’t even worthy of Luo Feng drawing his blade. He smiled coldly and met the attack head-on with his fist.

BOOM!

As the fist and claw met in mid-air, a miserable shriek tore out. The right arm of the Bone Scale Demon, a creature twice Luo Feng’s height, exploded. The formidable punch shattered its internal organs, and it died instantly.

"ROAR!"

Seeing their companion killed, the remaining three Bone Scale Demons howled in rage. They abandoned their attack on Yue Haitang and charged Luo Feng together.

The moment they turned, a brilliant sword light flashed under the moon.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

The sword light flashed past, and the three Bone Scale Demons fell backward, their pupils gradually dilating.

A bloody hole, two fingers wide, had appeared in the center of each of their foreheads.

Soundlessly, Yue Haitang emerged from behind the fallen Bone Scale Demons.

SHING!

Sheathing his sword, Yue Haitang looked at the corpses of the Bone Scale Demons on the ground, his handsome brow furrowed slightly.

"Underground Demons haven’t appeared in the Hundred Nations Territory for over a century. Why would they appear here..."

Luo Feng recalled his conversation with Shui Linglong and Xue Jiuyou and said, "I heard that the Underground Demons and the West Desert Demon Sect plan to unite and invade the Hundred Nations Territory again."

Glancing at the demon corpses on the ground, Luo Feng took a deep breath. "It seems this rumor might not be without foundation."

"The West Desert Demon Sect and the Underground Demons are uniting?"

Yue Haitang’s expression changed slightly.

When the West Desert Demon Sect last invaded the Hundred Nations Territory, dozens of dynasties were annihilated. If the Underground Demons were to join them...

"Could it be that the West Desert Demon Sect and the Underground Demons have already begun their invasion of the Hundred Nations Territory?"

"It shouldn’t be that fast. These three Bone Scale Demons might have just appeared here by chance..."

Luo Feng shook his head. From what Shui Linglong and Xue Jiuyou discussed, the West Desert Demon Sect wouldn’t invade the Hundred Nations Territory so soon.

Exhaling slowly, Luo Feng looked at the devastated village and said,

"We shouldn’t stay here long. Let’s go. Once we reach Sky Mountain, we should be able to find out what’s happening."

"Alright."

Yue Haitang agreed. The two searched the village again but found no other Underground Demons.

They set the village ablaze, then found their Black Cloud Horse and continued their journey.

「One day later」

After traveling through the night, Luo Feng and Yue Haitang arrived in the vicinity of Primordial Blue Mountain a day later.

The sky was high, the clouds sparse. The setting sun cast its slanting rays, painting the distant green mountains in vibrant hues.

"That’s Primordial Blue Mountain up ahead!"

Yue Haitang and Luo Feng, sharing a mount, spotted the verdant mountain ahead and exclaimed in delight.

Once they passed Primordial Blue Mountain, Sky Mountain was only half a day’s journey away.

Luo Feng looked ahead. In the distance, a massive, precipitous peak rose from the earth like a pillar holding up the sky. The mountain was a vibrant green, with clouds and mist swirling around it, an incredibly beautiful sight.

Taking a deep breath, Luo Feng said, "We’ll rest here for the night and head to Sky Mountain tomorrow."

Although the Black Cloud Horse had Demon Beast blood, it was still a creature of flesh and blood and needed rest.

"Alright."

Yue Haitang agreed, and the two rode swiftly towards Primordial Blue Mountain.

"Hm? So many people."

Approaching the mountain, Luo Feng noticed dozens of people camped near its base. Some wore turquoise attire, others light green robes.

Noticing their clothing, Luo Feng’s brow twitched. "Yue Haitang, they’re students from Changxin Academy and Ivy School," he said.

Yue Haitang also noticed the people gathered ahead and frowned slightly. "The Headmaster and the others left the academy before I did. Why are they still here?"

"We’ll find out when we get there."

With that, Luo Feng lightly tugged the reins, and the Black Cloud Horse moved forward at a quick walk.

The sound of hooves alerted the people camped at the foot of the mountain. Many stood up, drawing their swords, their killing intent palpable.

"Quick, lower your swords! It’s Senior Brother Yue Haitang!"

"Quickly, inform the Headmaster! Senior Brother Yue Haitang is here!"

As they drew closer, the Changxin Academy students who saw Yue Haitang on horseback all cried out.

However, when they saw Luo Feng seated behind Yue Haitang, they all looked startled, somewhat confused by the situation.

Sitting on horseback, Luo Feng glanced around. These students from Changxin Academy and Ivy School were all at the Meridian Wheel Realm Seventh Fold or higher, clearly here for the upcoming Twelve Golden Palace assessment.

Gazing into the distance, Luo Feng’s pupils constricted as he spotted several familiar figures.

They were Young Master Hanshan, Li Hanshan; Jadeite Young Master, Xin Wuyue; and Fiery Sun Young Master, Qin Honglie! Including Yue Haitang, the Four Great Young Masters of Red Maple Ridge were all present.

Moreover, Luo Feng noticed that their strengths had all increased significantly.

Qin Honglie and Xin Wuyue were both at the half-step to Spiritual Rotation Realm. As for Li Hanshan, although he concealed his aura, his surrounding Yuan Qi fluctuations were even stronger than Qin Honglie’s and Xin Wuyue’s. He had likely already stepped into the Spiritual Rotation Realm.

It seems I’m not the only one who has grown.

Luo Feng raised an eyebrow and slowly exhaled. He didn’t pay them much mind.

"Yue Haitang, you’re finally here. The Headmaster has been very worried about you," Jadeite Young Master Xin Wuyue said with a smile as he approached, his gaze shifting to Luo Feng behind Yue Haitang.

Noticing Xin Wuyue’s gaze, Yue Haitang seemed to recall their current circumstances. His eyes flickered, and he hastily dismounted.

Luo Feng also dismounted from the Black Cloud Horse, and the two walked over to Xin Wuyue.

Yue Haitang frowned. "Xin Wuyue, what happened? You all should have reached Sky Mountain days ago. Why are you still here?"

"On our way, we were attacked by Blood Demon Sect disciples and Underground Demons. We’re recuperating here," Xin Wuyue explained.

"You ran into Blood Demon Sect disciples and Underground Demons!"

Yue Haitang’s expression changed. Only then did he notice that many nearby students were injured. He quickly asked, "Is the Headmaster alright?"

"He’s fine. Only a few students were injured."

Xin Wuyue glanced at Luo Feng and said with a meaningful smile,

"But let’s not talk about that for now. How did you two end up together? And sharing a horse, no less."

"We..."

Yue Haitang opened his mouth, glanced at Luo Feng, unsure how to explain, his face turning slightly red.

Luo Feng interjected, "We met by chance in Wutie Town. On the road, we encountered members of the Demon Sect, and my mount was unfortunately killed."

Yue Haitang seemed to want to keep his identity private, so Luo Feng didn’t mention Qingyun Mansion.

"You encountered Demon Sect disciples too!"

Xin Wuyue was slightly surprised but didn’t doubt Luo Feng’s words.

Just then, a voice interjected. Everyone turned to see Fiery Sun Young Master Qin Honglie, with his masked younger brother Qin Huan beside him. "Hmph. Luo Feng, you encountered Demon Sect disciples and only lost your horse instead of your life? You’re quite lucky!"

Hearing Qin Honglie’s sarcastic remark, Luo Feng smiled faintly and uttered two words: "Defeated rival."

At these words, Yue Haitang couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.

Qin Honglie had been publicly defeated by Luo Feng at Changxin Academy. Those words were more potent than any rebuttal.

"You!"

A vein throbbed on Qin Honglie’s forehead. He snorted coldly. "Luo Feng, I only lost to you at Changxin Academy because I was careless! Do you really think you can defeat me?"

"Want to try?"

Luo Feng, tired of pointless talk, looked calmly at Qin Honglie, Yuan Qi surging around him.

At his words, the nearby students held their breath, their attention fixed on the two.

The scene of Luo Feng battling three Young Master-level experts at Changxin Academy was still vivid in their memories.

Three months had passed, and everyone was eager to see who would prevail if Luo Feng and Qin Honglie clashed again.

"Senior Brother Li Hanshan, if Luo Feng and Senior Brother Qin Honglie fight, who do you think will win?" an Ivy School student asked Young Master Hanshan, Li Hanshan.

Li Hanshan, cradling a twelve-foot silver spear, kept his gaze fixed on Luo Feng. "Qin Honglie will undoubtedly lose," he said.

"Why so?"

The Ivy School student was taken aback.

Battle intent blazed in Li Hanshan’s eyes. "Because Luo Feng is *my* opponent."