Martial Arts Overlord-Chapter 582 - 580: The Approaching Conspiracy

"One Sky Flying Demon can be exchanged for three Qingyuan Pills! I must kill more Sky Flying Demons to exchange for Spirit Pills!"

As the middle-aged steward's words fell, figures immediately soared into the sky, flying northeast towards the Red Flame Desert. All of them were Spiritual Rotation Realm experts participating in the assessment.

A fourth-grade, top-ranking Qingyuan Pill would be too tempting for even a Spiritual Rotation Realm expert to resist.

In an instant, hundreds of streaks of light shot into the sky, leaving Skyridge Plaza.

Other Martial Artists in the Meridian Wheel Realm also formed teams of three or five and rushed towards the Red Flame Desert, fearing they would be left behind.

"Why are they in such a hurry?" Zi Yuan watched the hurried crowd, her small, exquisite eyebrows furrowing as she asked in confusion.

"Zi Yuan, how many of us are there in total?" Luo Feng asked.

Unsure why Luo Feng had suddenly asked this, Zi Yuan thought for a moment, then raised her fair fingers and said, "Nearly 150,000 people participated in the assessment. Subtracting those eliminated in the first round, there should be about 60,000 to 70,000 people left."

"And how many Underground Demons are there?" Luo Feng asked with a smile.

Zi Yuan frowned in thought for a moment, then her beautiful eyes lit up as she said, "I see. There are only tens of thousands of Underground Demons. To pass the assessment, one has to kill ten Underground Demons, so those who fall behind will definitely be eliminated!"

Luo Feng just smiled without saying anything.

Zi Yuan gave Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan an envious look and said quietly, "You two are so lucky you can perform Aerial Flight. It seems I also need to step into the Spiritual Rotation Realm as soon as possible."

"Luo Feng, Bing Ruolan, I'm going ahead then."

Zi Yuan bade farewell to Luo Feng; she didn't want to be left behind. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Alright, do take care."

Luo Feng watched Zi Yuan leave, then turned his head towards the Tianlan School. He found his Big Brother, Luo Xiao, and walked over.

"Big Brother."

Upon hearing the voice, Luo Xiao turned his head to see Luo Feng. He smiled and said, "Second Brother, why haven't you set off yet?"

"Big Brother, come with us. We can support each other on the way," Luo Feng suggested.

Luo Xiao immediately shook his head, refusing. "Second Brother, you're already a Spiritual Rotation Realm expert and can kill Sky Flying Demons. I'd only be a burden if I went with you. Besides, I've already promised to team up with a few classmates."

Luo Xiao looked to the side.

Following Luo Xiao's gaze, Luo Feng saw four young men and women standing there. All were students of Tianlan School, with Cultivations around the eighth or ninth layer of the Meridian Wheel Realm.

After glancing at the four, Luo Feng sighed, nodded, and said, "Alright then, Big Brother, take care."

He knew Luo Xiao's temperament well. Once a decision was made, it was unlikely to change.

Moreover, these four were all experts. As long as they didn't encounter Sky Flying Demons, they should be safe.

"Alright. You too." Luo Xiao nodded heavily, giving Luo Feng a bear hug.

"Luo Xiao, let's set off."

The four of them walked over.

"Alright. Second Brother, I'll leave first."

Luo Xiao patted Luo Feng's shoulder and, with the four, strode away from Skyridge Plaza.

"Luo Feng."

Bing Ruolan tugged Luo Feng's sleeve, her beautiful eyes glancing to the side.

Luo Feng turned his head and saw the Heavenly Fragrant Woman, He Qin, standing there. Her coldly beautiful face still carried an icy expression, but he could see she seemed to be hesitating over something.

"He Qin, do you have a team yet?" Luo Feng walked closer and asked.

Upon seeing Luo Feng, He Qin's eyes flickered, and she shook her head.

"How about joining us then? If we encounter Sky Flying Demons, our chances of winning will be higher," Luo Feng said with a smile.

"Alright."

He Qin nodded curtly, her face still expressionless.

"Then let's set off as well." Luo Feng glanced around, saw that most people had already left, and then spoke.

"Feng Er."

Just as the three of them were about to set off, two figures approached. It was Luo Feng's father, Luotian, and his mother, Yang Qing.

"Father, Mother." Luo Feng saluted them.

Yang Qing nodded, her eyes somewhat red. "Feng Er, where is your Big Brother?"

"He's already set off."

Yang Qing reached out to caress Luo Feng's face, her voice soft. "You must return safely."

As the saying goes, a mother always worries for her child traveling far from home, especially since Luo Feng was going to exterminate the Underground Demons this time.

"Yes, Mother, don't worry. I'll take good care of myself." Luo Feng's nose also tingled.

Yang Qing turned her gaze to Bing Ruolan. "Ruolan, Feng Er is good in all aspects, but sometimes he likes to push himself too hard and can be obstinate. When you're by his side, please remind him."

"Ah?"

This sudden request startled Bing Ruolan. A blush spread across her pretty face as she bit her red lip and nodded. "Auntie, I will."

"..."

He Qin stood to the side, her face still expressionless, but a trace of barely detectable envy flashed in her cool eyes.

Luo Tian gave a helpless smile. "Qing'er, Feng Er has grown up. He knows the importance of things. Feng Er, be careful on your journey, and don't try to be a hero."

"Yes, Father." Luo Feng nodded. "I'll set off now. Just wait here for my good news."

After speaking, the three of them bid Luotian and Yang Qing farewell. Each employed their Light Martial Arts, stepping on radiant light as they flew away to the northeast.

Luotian and Yang Qing stood in place, gazing northeast. Long after the figures of Luo Feng and the others had disappeared, they remained standing there.

"Damn it, he still has two others with him!"

In a corner of Skyridge Plaza, Wei Kuang watched the distant figures of Luo Feng, Bing Ruolan, and He Qin disappear. His face was dark, and his eyes radiated intense killing intent.

Standing next to Wei Kuang was a robust man with long hair flowing down his back, giving him a wild aura. Hearing Wei Kuang's words, he sneered, "So what?"

Wei Kuang glanced at the man beside him, deep wariness in his eyes.

This man was no ordinary young talent. He was Xu Zhan, ranked ninth among the Top Ten Young Experts, known as Blood Hand. His strength was unfathomable, and he was highly renowned in the Six Southern Domains.

"Xu Zhan, you shouldn't underestimate those two. We can ignore the blue-haired woman for now, but the other, that Tianlan School student, is He Qin—last year's top new talent in the Flowing Cloud Region, the 'Heavenly Fragrant Woman'! She is skilled in Sword Dao, and it's rumored she comprehended Sword Intent a few months ago. Her power is not to be underestimated," Wei Kuang said in a low voice.

"She couldn't even hold onto her position as the top newcomer? Seems she's nothing special after all." Xu Zhan's eyes filled with contempt as he sneered, "Students from the Flowing Cloud Region are just a bunch of show-offs with flashy but useless techniques. No matter how many come, I'll kill them all!"

Wei Kuang swallowed and said, "Xu Zhan, it would be wise to be cautious. If the mission fails... Yi Tian is not someone we can afford to offend."

"You doubt my strength?"

Xu Zhan's eyes turned cold, his Qi Force surging like a ferocious tiger awakening.

Wei Kuang was frightened by the look in Xu Zhan's eyes. Although he was arrogant, it depended on whom he was facing.

Xu Zhan was famously ruthless in the Six Southern Domains. Those who offended him ended up dead or crippled, unable to cultivate for life. Feeling the icy aura emanating from Xu Zhan, cold sweat broke out on Wei Kuang's palms. He quickly forced a smile and said, "Xu Zhan, how could I doubt your strength? I just don't want any mistakes."

"Hmph, you wouldn't dare!" Xu Zhan glanced at Wei Kuang dismissively and said, "After this is done, of the ten thousand second-grade Yuan Stones Yi Tian promised, I take ninety percent."

"Ninety percent!"

Wei Kuang's face stiffened.

After the first round of the assessment ended, Yi Tian had approached him and asked him to kill Luo Feng. Wei Kuang knew he was no match for Luo Feng and had initially wanted to refuse. However, Yi Tian assured him that one of the Top Ten Young Experts would assist him and also offered ten thousand second-grade Yuan Stones as a reward upon completion.

Ten thousand second-grade Yuan Stones were no small sum. Moreover, Luo Feng had stolen his first-place finish; he wished he could cut Luo Feng into a thousand pieces. Thinking no more of it, he had immediately agreed.

However, Wei Kuang had never expected that the Top Ten Young Expert who would assist him would turn out to be 'Blood Hand' Xu Zhan.

"What, you're not willing?" Seeing Wei Kuang's expression, a ferocious grin spread across Xu Zhan's face as he sneered, "Let me tell you, I can complete this mission even if I'm alone."

Hearing Xu Zhan's threatening words, Wei Kuang frowned slightly, then finally gritted his teeth and conceded, "Fine, I agree! After it's done, you take ninety percent!"

At this moment, his heart was bleeding; five thousand second-grade Yuan Stones had suddenly shrunk by more than half!

Thinking of the fate that awaited Luo Feng made Wei Kuang's gloomy mood lighten somewhat. He sneered inwardly, Luo Feng, you brought this upon yourself! Who told you to walk all over me and dare to offend Princely Heir Yi Tian!

"That's more like it!" Xu Zhan laughed heartily and said, "Let's go. We'll wait until they're a bit further away before we make our move, so we won't be discovered."

With those words, Xu Zhan stamped his foot hard on the ground.

BOOM!

The ground within a three-meter radius instantly sank, revealing a concave pit. Xu Zhan's figure shot off like an arrow from a bow, chasing in the direction where Luo Feng and the others had disappeared.

Wei Kuang dared not delay, following closely behind Xu Zhan.

Luo Feng and his companions left Skyridge Plaza, pushing their speed to the limit as they headed towards Sky Frost City and Crack Stone City.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

All three were now Spiritual Rotation Realm cultivators, soaring through the sky. They left three clear vapor trails, and long after their figures vanished, the sonic booms followed; their speed had already surpassed that of sound.

On the way, He Qin observed Bing Ruolan, her tone somewhat astonished as she remarked, "Bing Ruolan, your Cultivation is slightly higher than mine!"

Bing Ruolan glanced at Luo Feng and smiled. "I'm already at the peak of the First Layer of the Spiritual Rotation Realm, all thanks to the Rotary Solidification Pill Luo Feng gave me."

"Peak First Layer of the Spiritual Rotation Realm!" Hearing this, a flicker of emotion crossed He Qin's icy face.

She had entered the Spiritual Rotation Realm half a month before Bing Ruolan, yet she was still only at the mid-stage of the First Layer. Bing Ruolan, on the other hand, had just broken through and was already a Martial Artist at the peak of the First Layer of the Spiritual Rotation Realm. This was somewhat difficult for He Qin to believe.

Could it be because of him? Looking at Luo Feng, He Qin's gaze trembled slightly, and a sense of understanding settled in her heart. Luo Feng had helped her comprehend Sword Intent before; in her eyes, nothing he did was surprising.

Facing He Qin's gaze, Luo Feng scratched his nose. He knew she had misunderstood, but this matter was impossible to explain.

Each lost in their own thoughts, the three of them sped onward like the wind.

「The next day, at the crack of dawn.」

At this time, they were several tens of thousands of miles away from Sky Mountain.

Here, they had already reached the outer region of Sky Frost City.