"Luo Feng, you..."
The squint-eyed martial artist was about to speak but was directly interrupted by Yi Tian, who stood beside him.
Yi Tian stared at Luo Feng, saying coldly and arrogantly, "Luo Feng, you are indeed talented. However, in my presence, you are no different from an ant. If I declare you dead at the third watch of the night, you won’t survive until the fifth!"
"Then why don’t you act?"
Luo Feng sneered. Though unsure of victory, he was confident he could handle a few moves without a problem. Moreover, this was a vital location in Sky Cloud Valley; even the Princely Heir of Qingyun Mansion wouldn’t dare to act too recklessly here.
Yi Tian’s face grew cold. The power of the Twelve Golden Palaces superseded imperial authority; he indeed dared not recklessly harm people here. Besides, his purpose in coming to Sky Cloud Valley this ti was the Sword Heart Heaven Jade.
Taking a deep breath, Yi Tian glanced at Luo Feng, his face gloomy as he laughed, "Very well. I hope you won’t regret the decision you’ve made today. Let’s go!"
Yi Tian huffed lightly and turned to walk out of the small courtyard. His strength was already approaching the fifth level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm. He could even contend with one of the top ten new talents of the Six Southern Domains, so he didn’t consider Luo Feng a rival at all.
"Luo Feng, you dare to refuse my Young Master! You’re seeking your own death!"
The squint-eyed martial artist’s eyebrows shot up. He hadn’t anticipated at all that Luo Feng would have the audacity to reject Yi Tian to his face.
"Get out!" Luo Feng’s gaze turned cold.
The squint-eyed martial artist, frightened, stumbled backward, threatening, "No one who refuses my Young Master has ever t a good end! Just you wait for death!"
"You talk too much!"
Luo Feng swung his arm, and the courtyard door slamd shut with a BANG. The squint-eyed martial artist’s screams ca from outside.
Exhaling, Luo Feng looked at the cold moonlight, his eyebrows creased. A slight chill flashed in his dark pupils.
The Princely Heir of Qingyun Mansion, Yi Tian... I didn’t expect him to co to Sky Cloud Valley too, he thought. His visit this ti is likely for the Sword Heart Heaven Jade that Yue Haitang possesses...
His expression changed slightly. A surge of energy flowed around Luo Feng. With a light tap of his foot, his figure, like a night owl, landed gently on the courtyard wall. After a few leaps, he vanished into the boundless night.
"Young Master," the squint-eyed martial artist hissed, following Yi Tian closely, his hand clapped over his mouth, fresh blood seeping through his fingers. "That Luo Feng shows you no respect at all! He deserves to die a thousand deaths!"
Earlier, when Luo Feng had slamd the courtyard door infused with Gang Qi, the squint-eyed martial artist had been caught off guard. Two of his front teeth were knocked out. His hatred for Luo Feng ran bone-deep, and he couldn’t help but embellish the story to Yi Tian.
"A re first-level Spiritual Rotation Realm martial artist, and he actually thinks he’s soone important."
Yi Tian sneered, full of disdain, and said, "His insolence in my presence is solely because he’s relying on Sky Cloud Valley being a restricted area where I can’t touch him. We’ll see if he can hide here for the rest of his life."
"You’re right, Young Master." The squint-eyed martial artist nodded, his gaze venomous.
Yi Tian waved his hand. "Let’s put Luo Feng aside for now. Keep a close watch on Yue Haitang’s movents. I must obtain the Sword Heart Heaven Jade."
"Yes, sir."
The squint-eyed martial artist’s figure flashed and vanished.
WHOOSH!
Luo Feng executed Teng Dragon’s Step. His figure, like a nightingale, glided between the buildings of Sky Cloud Valley, quickly arriving at the courtyard where the students from Red Maple Lead resided.
Releasing his Soul Power, Luo Feng stayed alert to any movents as he approached Yue Haitang’s residence.
As he passed a small courtyard, sounds like a tempestuous gale, akin to wind and thunder, erupted from within. Luo Feng glanced sideways; it was ’Young Master Hanshan’ Li Hanshan, practicing his spear techniques in the yard.
WHOOSH!
The silver spear in Li Hanshan’s hand moved like a Jiao Dragon erging from the sea, its transformations endless. Clusters of chillingly sharp spear-lights flickered in the night. The ferocious spear energy roiled the air currents in the courtyard, causing fallen leaves to swirl upwards, forming a miniature cyclone.
Not wanting to disturb the other’s practice, Luo Feng accelerated, flitting over the small courtyard.
"Hm?"
A sense of alarm flashed through Li Hanshan. He retracted his spear stance and looked up at the sky. The night sky was inky black, dotted with stars, with only a thin wisp of cloud floating by.
It seems I was being overly sensitive...
Li Hanshan heaved a long sigh, withdrew his gaze, and looked at the large boulder in the courtyard. A chilling light suddenly flashed in his eyes.
"Luo Feng, take this!"
Flying Star Spear thod: Star Crossing the Milky Way!
With a low shout, the silver spear in Li Hanshan’s hand erupted with dazzling silver light, transforming into a streak of silver that pierced a three-ter-diater hole through the boulder.
Ever since his defeat at Luo Feng’s hands, Li Hanshan had considered Luo Feng his target, always imagining him as his opponent during practice.
WHOOSH!
Luo Feng soon arrived at Yue Haitang’s residence, the Red Moon Pavilion. The courtyard gate of the Red Moon Pavilion was tightly shut, but candlelight glowed from a room in the rear courtyard.
PHEW...
Luo Feng breathed a sigh of relief; it seed Yi Tian and his n hadn’t co here.
Entering the courtyard, Luo Feng approached the candlelit room and knocked. "Yue Haitang, are you in there?"
"AH!"
A cry of surprise ca from the room. Luo Feng recognized it as Yue Haitang’s voice, and his heart suddenly clenched.
"Yue Haitang, what’s wrong?"
"I’m fine! I... I’m bathing. Please wait, I... I’ll be out soon," Yue Haitang’s slightly panicked voice ca from inside the room.
So that’s what it was, Luo Feng thought with a wry smile. He had assud sothing unexpected had happened and had almost broken down the door. With a smile, he said, "Alright, I’ll wait for you outside."
CREAK...
A mont later, the wooden door was slowly pushed open.
Luo Feng, who had been strolling in the courtyard, heard the sound and turned towards the wooden door, his pupils contracting slightly.
The wooden door was open. Faint moonlight spilled in, bathing Yue Haitang in a soft glow. He wore a simple teal robe, his damp hair tied back. Under the moonlight, his handso face appeared even more dazzling and mysterious, utterly captivating.
Looking at Yue Haitang, Luo Feng was suddenly reminded of the woman in the painting. He sighed inwardly. No wonder Yue Haitang has such a beautiful sister, he thought. If he were a woman, he’d undoubtedly be a nation-toppling beauty.
Shaking his head, Luo Feng dismissed his stray thoughts. "Yue Haitang."
"Luo Feng, you... why have you co looking for so late?" Yue Haitang asked, his expression a little unnatural as he looked at Luo Feng. A faint blush crept onto his cheeks, and he bit his lip.
Luo Feng said, "I saw Yi Tian."
"Yi Tian!"
Hearing this, Yue Haitang’s expression changed slightly. He looked at Luo Feng with concern. "Are you hurt?"
Luo Feng shook his head and smiled. "We didn’t fight."
Yue Haitang bit his lip. "It’s all my fault for involving you."
A smile touched Luo Feng’s lips. "Since we’re friends, we should naturally face difficulties together. He’s likely after the Sword Heart Heaven Jade. You must be careful."
Hearing this, Yue Haitang finally understood why Luo Feng had entered without even knocking; he had been worried about him.
Realizing this, Yue Haitang looked at Luo Feng with gratitude in his eyes. "Luo Feng, thank you. Sky Cloud Valley is under the jurisdiction of the Twelve Golden Palaces. Yi Tian wouldn’t dare to act rashly here."
"Mm."
Luo Feng nodded. "It’s getting late; I should head back. If anything happens, you can co find anyti."
"Alright."
Yue Haitang pursed his lips, his bright eyes watching Luo Feng with a peculiar gleam, as if he wanted to say sothing yet hesitated.
Luo Feng noticed the odd expression on Yue Haitang and asked, "Is there sothing else?"
"I..."
Yue Haitang’s gaze rested on Luo Feng’s face. He opened his mouth, then suddenly mustered his courage and said, "Luo Feng, after the Twelve Golden Palaces’ assessnt is over... c-can you go with to the Imperial City?"
"The Imperial City?"
Luo Feng was taken aback for a mont, then shook his head. "I don’t have any plans to go to the Imperial City."
"Is that so..."
Yue Haitang lowered his gaze to the ground. Though he tried his best to conceal it, a hint of disappointnt still flickered in his bright eyes.
"However, if I get the chance, I’ll definitely go. After all, I still need to et that sister of yours."
Luo Feng, oblivious to Yue Haitang’s strange expression, smiled and added, "Tomorrow is the Heaven Gate Road trial. You should rest early."
Bidding farewell, Luo Feng turned and left the courtyard.
Yue Haitang remained standing there, watching Luo Feng’s departing figure. An unreadable expression, perhaps a self-deprecating or bitter smile, touched his handso face.
A sister, indeed...
「Back at Bamboo Shadow Courtyard」
Luo Feng returned directly to Bamboo Shadow Courtyard after leaving Yue Haitang’s residence. Yi Tian’s appearance had been unexpected, putting him on guard.
Sky Cloud Valley is safe, but I can’t stay here forever, he mused. Once I leave, the only thing I can rely on for protection is my own strength.
Standing in the small courtyard, Luo Feng let out a heavy breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, then sat down cross-legged and continued his cultivation.
The moon set and the sun rose; the night passed peacefully.
「The Next Morning」
A thin layer of morning mist enveloped Sky Cloud Valley, clinging to the surfaces of its many lakes, large and small, lending the landscape an ethereal and sacred aura.
Sky Cloud Valley, quiet for a night, gradually grew lively as the morning sun ascended, filled with the clamor of voices.
The martial arts experts and leaders of various factions who had co for the spectacle all surged towards Mysterious Rock Square. A dense, dark mass of people stretched as far as the eye could see.
"I wonder what the Heaven Gate Road trial will entail."
"Whatever it is, it certainly won’t be simple. Do you rember the first round of last year’s Twelve Golden Palaces assessnt?"
"Of course, I rember! Last year’s first round involved breaking out of an encirclent by tens of thousands of Mad Blood Poison Tooth Leopards. Those beasts were equivalent in strength to mid-stage ridian Wheel Realm martial artists. Twenty percent of the students were killed or injured in that first round alone! It’s horrifying to even think about now."
One martial artist couldn’t help but suck in a cold breath at the mory of last year’s assessnt.
"Terrifying indeed, but it’s also a form of tempering. Only martial artists who have experienced life-and-death battles can achieve significant accomplishnts in the future. Flowers coddled in a greenhouse cannot withstand the harshness of wind and rain; they are dood to wither eventually."
"Exactly. With the Demon Sect currently running rampant, our Canglang Dynasty must quickly bolster the strength of the younger generation. Life-and-death trials are the best form of cultivation!"
On the wide paths between the lakes, prominent figures from the martial world and the leaders of various factions were all discussing the potential content of this year’s Twelve Golden Palaces assessnt.
Inside Bamboo Shadow Courtyard, Luo Feng opened his eyes and gently exhaled.
A stream of white qi, straight as a sword, shot out for about a ter before gradually dissipating.
Standing up, Luo Feng heard the growing commotion outside the courtyard. He murmured to himself, It’s finally starting... I hope I can secure a good ranking on the Martial Champion list. That way, I can enter the core formation to cultivate!
A determined glint in his eyes, Luo Feng freshened up and walked out of the courtyard gate.
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