Martial Arts Overlord-Chapter 626 - 624: Never Saw It Coming

"Luo Feng versus Xu Zhan!"

"Luo Feng is finally going to face off against one of the top ten young prodigies!"

"’Blood Hand’ Xu Zhan, ranked ninth among the top ten young prodigies. I wonder who will win this time."

"I’m leaning towards Xu Zhan. His Innate Grand Crack Art is incredibly powerful and domineering; it’s very difficult to withstand."

"Not necessarily. Luo Feng hasn’t shown his full strength yet."

Upon hearing the draw official’s announcement, the atmosphere in Sky Feather Square instantly erupted, with cheers soaring from the audience. So far, aside from the top ten young prodigies, only Luo Feng had maintained a record of defeating opponents in a single move. Everyone could see Luo Feng’s strength, and the number of people supporting his advancement was growing. Of course, his popularity still couldn’t compare to Xu Zhan’s; each of the top ten young prodigies enjoyed immense support.

In the audience, Luotian, Yang Qing, and Luo Xiao all had looks of excitement in their eyes. Only three contestants remained in Group Nine. The others were of average strength. The duel between Luo Feng and Xu Zhan would undoubtedly decide who advanced to compete for a spot on the Martial Champion rankings. They knew in their hearts that Luo Feng was a Martial Artist at the peak of the second layer of the Spiritual Rotation Realm; Xu Zhan was absolutely no match for him!

"Tian!" Yang Qing whispered, gripping Luotian’s hand tightly, her beautiful eyes slightly red.

Luotian nodded slightly, his gaze fixed on Luo Feng, whose figure on the martial arts stage stood as straight and sharp as a sword. His eyes were filled with excitement and pride. He had never held much hope for Luo Feng even entering the Golden Palace, yet now, Luo Feng could contend with the top geniuses from the major academies across the Six Southern Domains!

As all eyes focused on him, Luo Feng stepped onto the martial arts stage.

"Xu Zhan, come up. Let’s settle things." Luo Feng’s gaze landed on Xu Zhan in the crowd as he spoke calmly, his placid tone carrying a hint of chilling intent. Xu Zhan had pursued him under Yi Tian’s orders that day, intending to kill him, but had later given up. Today was the perfect opportunity to settle that score.

These words reached the ears of the others, leaving many dumbfounded. His tone was an undeniable provocation aimed at Xu Zhan.

"Hmph! Let’s see how long you can maintain that arrogance!" From the Chongyue School’s contingent, Wu Tong stared at Luo Feng, a cold sneer on his face, clearly anticipating a good show.

He knew Xu Zhan’s character well. The man was insatiably greedy and utterly ruthless; he would absolutely not tolerate Luo Feng’s provocation!

However, to everyone’s surprise, Xu Zhan didn’t fly into a rage at Luo Feng’s provocation.

He killed Wei Kuang and took first place in the second assessment. His cultivation has likely reached the second layer of the Spiritual Rotation Realm...

Staring at Luo Feng, the image of Luo Feng felling Wei Kuang with a single saber strike flashed through Xu Zhan’s mind, making his thick eyebrows twitch.

Although they had only exchanged a single blow, he didn’t believe he could defeat Luo Feng.

Recalling the saber technique Luo Feng had used to kill Wei Kuang, Xu Zhan still felt a lingering trepidation.

Back then, he only revealed cultivation at the first layer of the Spiritual Rotation Realm, yet he easily killed Wei Kuang. If he’s truly a second-layer Spiritual Rotation Realm Martial Artist, I will undoubtedly lose!

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Xu Zhan took a deep breath and suddenly declared, "I admit defeat!"

At these words, an eerie silence descended upon the entire Sky Feather Square. Even the contestants fighting on other martial arts stages paused.

A moment later, WHOOSH!

The square exploded with a deafening roar as the atmosphere ignited.

Xu Zhan, ranked ninth among the top ten young prodigies, possessed strength that could be described as unfathomable. Many had expected him to defeat Luo Feng and secure a place on the Martial Champion rankings. No one had ever imagined that Xu Zhan would willingly admit defeat!

"What’s happening? Xu Zhan actually conceded willingly? Has the sun risen in the west?"

"I can’t believe it either! Xu Zhan, who fears nothing, actually chose to admit defeat."

"Is he really that afraid of Luo Feng?"

Xu Zhan’s voluntary concession sent a huge shockwave through the crowd. In the Six Southern Domains, Xu Zhan was notorious for his brutality. Anyone who offended him usually ended up dead or grievously injured. For such a person to willingly admit defeat was astounding!

Yi Wuxue looked at Xu Zhan, his brow furrowed slightly, and he snorted coldly, "Useless!"

Wu Tong also wore an expression of utter shock. He too had never anticipated that Xu Zhan would willingly concede when faced with Luo Feng’s provocation. However, Wu Tong couldn’t be blamed for his shock. Luo Feng cultivated the Teng Dragon’s Step, which could conceal his aura and make his true cultivation level indiscernible. Even the elders of the Golden Palace couldn’t see through to his actual strength.

"Senior Brother, this is actually good," Wu Tong said, looking at Luo Feng with a vicious grin. "If he had lost to Xu Zhan just like that, it would have been far too dull. When we contend for the Martial Champion rankings, I’ll personally teach him a lesson he’ll never forget and avenge Luo Lie!"

Yi Wuxue nodded slightly. "Good. Be ruthless. Elder Xue Wu Qing will back us up."

Among everyone present, only He Qin, Bing Ruolan, Luotian, and a few others were not surprised.

Luo Feng glanced at Xu Zhan, then turned back to the draw official. "Official, can you announce the result now?"

The draw official paused, momentarily stunned, then nodded and announced loudly, "Xu Zhan concedes! Luo Feng wins!"

Hearing this, many people sighed with a mix of disappointment and surprise. They had anticipated a climactic duel, but it had ended so abruptly. Xu Zhan, one of the top ten young prodigies, had actually conceded voluntarily.

"Zi Hongyuan, congratulations. Your Purple Sun School has truly stolen the spotlight this time," Zhou Zhiyun said, an amused smile playing on her lips as she congratulated him. With Xu Zhan’s concession, Luo Feng’s entry into the Martial Champion rankings was now a certainty.

Zi Hongyuan’s face was beaming. He chuckled, "I also never expected Luo Feng to be this outstanding."

Ignoring the gazes of the crowd, Luo Feng’s figure flickered, and he landed lightly below the martial arts stage.

By this stage of the competition, those who remained were truly the elite of the elite. Every duel was exceptionally thrilling.

One wave had yet to settle before another surged; the square suddenly erupted with another wave of excited clamor.

On the fourth martial arts stage, someone else had just challenged Xie Xuantong, ranked fourth among the top ten young prodigies. Xie Xuantong’s opponent was Dong Fei, also known as ’Little Silver Spear’, who had a fair reputation in the Six Southern Domains.

"’Little Silver Spear’ Dong Fei! He couldn’t attend the last Six Southern Domains summit due to urgent matters. I’ve heard his strength is on par with the top ten young prodigies, perhaps even ranking above Xu Zhan."

"I’ve heard of him too. I wonder how long he can last against Xie Xuantong."

Amidst the crowd’s discussions, Xie Xuantong and Dong Fei clashed fiercely. The outcome, however, defied everyone’s expectations. In just three saber strikes, Dong Fei’s silver spear was severed, and he was sent flying off the martial arts stage, coughing up blood. Each of Xie Xuantong’s saber strikes was as heavy as a mountain, accompanied by thunderous rumbles that made everyone take notice.

"So powerful! Truly worthy of someone who has comprehended Grand Momentum."

Someone beside him remarked, "It seems Luo Feng has also comprehended Grand Momentum. They are both Saber men; I wonder which of them is superior."

After defeating Dong Fei, Xie Xuantong sheathed his saber and strode off the martial arts stage. As his gaze swept over Luo Feng, his eyes narrowed, and his piercing stare felt as sharp as the glint off a saber’s blade.

「After the ninth round of matches concluded」

The life-or-death battles were drawing to a close, with only the final two rounds remaining.

The tenth round of matches began. On the eighth martial arts stage, Bing Ruolan was up against He Wu, ranked eighth among the top ten young prodigies and known as ’Shock Mountain Tiger’.

"Bing Ruolan defeated ’Tide Control Sword’ Qin Yue. Her movement techniques and swordsmanship are exceptionally profound. I wonder how much of her true strength she’ll be able to display against He Wu."

"He Wu cultivates the Fierce Tiger Mountain Subjugating Skill, a Horizontal Practice martial art specializing in defense. Bing Ruolan’s swordsmanship is exquisite, but it lacks raw power. I’m afraid she’ll have a hard time winning."

"I’m betting on Bing Ruolan."

"Stop arguing, the match is starting!"

On the martial arts stage, ’Shock Mountain Tiger’ He Wu stood with his arms crossed, a powerful aura swirling around him. He eyed Bing Ruolan and sneered:

"Even though you’re a woman, I won’t hold back. I advise you to concede like Xu Zhan did, to avoid embarrassing yourself in front of everyone."

A flash of blue light emanated from Bing Ruolan’s small hand as her azure sword materialized. She replied coolly, "We’ll only know who will be embarrassed after we fight."

He Wu’s thick eyebrows shot up. He lowered his arms and sneered, "It seems you’re just like Luo Feng, utterly clueless about the vastness of the world. Fine! Let’s see how you intend to make me even lift a finger!"

"Fierce Tiger Strength!"

Before his voice faded, He Wu barked, his right hand clenching into a fist. An earthy yellow light converged on it as he suddenly threw a punch at Bing Ruolan.

ROAR!

An earthy yellow fist projection shot through the air, transforming into a three-meter-tall giant tiger. It roared and snarled, its voice vibrating the air into visible, transparent ripples.

Bing Ruolan remained expressionless as countless brilliant golden motes of light appeared around her. With a flick of her wrist, the golden light condensed into an enormous Sword Qi that shot out and slashed into the giant tiger.

BOOM!

The giant tiger’s entire head was cleaved apart, its body shattering and vanishing without a trace.

"Hahaha... Is that all the strength you have?" He Wu roared with laughter, the earthy yellow glow around him intensifying as he advanced step by step towards Bing Ruolan.

When he was only ten meters from Bing Ruolan, a savage glint flashed in He Wu’s eyes. "Then be defeated!"

BOOM!

With a heavy stomp, He Wu lunged forward, transforming into a blurry afterimage. In an instant, he closed to within three steps of Bing Ruolan and leaped into the air.

"Fierce Tiger Leaps the Cliff!"

Both fists clenched together, He Wu’s aura surged dramatically as he plummeted from above, bringing immense pressure down on her. Beneath the crushing force of his fists, the air emitted a mournful, high-pitched WHINE. Fine cracks began to appear on the surface of the martial arts stage, testament to the terrifying power of this strike.

Luo Feng watched calmly. Bing Ruolan’s Star-piercing Swordsmanship has reached the ninth level; its power rivals high-grade Profound Level martial arts. Her Spirit Rhino Finger can pierce through defenses with focused power and is not to be underestimated. If she unleashes her full strength, she’s practically unbeatable among martial artists of the same rank.

"Spirit Rhino Yuan Sword!"

To everyone’s astonishment, Bing Ruolan did not retreat. Instead, she concealed her sword behind her back, brought the index and ring fingers of her left hand together, and jabbed them towards the sky.

FZZT!

A seemingly corporeal golden Sword Qi shot skyward, precisely striking a weak point in He Wu’s fist projection. The tremendous impact sent He Wu flying backward, nearly knocking him off the martial arts stage.

"Such powerful finger qi!" Many were left in awe by this finger strike.

CRACK!

Several cracks spiderwebbed across the hard martial arts stage where He Wu landed. He steadied himself, glaring at Bing Ruolan with furious embarrassment. "Damn it! You’re actually qualified to make me use my full strength!"

Just as he was about to strike, He Wu suddenly felt an oppressive chill bearing down on him.

"Star-piercing Swordsmanship, Ninth Level: Starlight Like the Sea!"

Bing Ruolan’s eyes shone like distant stars. With a flick of her wrist, countless dazzling sword gleams erupted, illuminating the stage like a galaxy of stars, then surged towards He Wu in a continuous, relentless barrage.