After Luotian and Yang Qing left, Luo Feng spent his days caring for Bing Ruolan. He spent the rest of his ti sparring with Yue Haitang. In the evenings, he diligently practiced the Divine Dragon Nine Changes without a mont’s rest.
During this ti, Luo Feng heard about the turmoil the recent showdown had caused within the Canglang Dynasty.
On the day of the duel, the news that he had defeated Yi Tian spread rapidly throughout the entire Canglang Dynasty.
Everyone was greatly shocked by this news; it was unprecedented for an academy student to defeat a renowned expert from the New Dragon Rankings. Later, it ca to light that on the day of the showdown, both Yi Tian and the Azure Cloud Marquis had perished. Furthermore, the Dali Dynasty, along with several powerful factions from the North Sea, had made an appearance. When this news spread, shock turned into horror.
Everyone was taken aback by the unexpected turns the life-and-death showdown had taken and sighed endlessly in dismay.
The Azure Cloud Marquis, one of the dynasty’s six great King Marquises, had died unexpectedly. This event should have caused a great sensation throughout the dynasty. However, due to the involvent of two major families from the North Sea and the diation of the Second Prince, the matter ultimately subsided without causing any ripples.
This news did not particularly bother Luo Feng. To him, these matters had lost all significance.
This battle had shown him a much broader world.
Now, his sights were set beyond the small Canglan Dynasty.
His focus was singular: cultivation, day and night.
「In the blink of an eye, two days had passed.」
"Luo Feng, I didn’t expect you to break through before . Congratulations."
Yue Haitang gripped her sword in a reverse hold, her bright eyes filled with mild surprise as she looked at Luo Feng.
She had expected to break through first. To her surprise, Luo Feng had overtaken her, reaching the peak of the Spiritual Rotation Realm’s fifth level before she did.
Luo Feng smiled faintly. The previous night, feeling his cultivation had reached a bottleneck, he had attempted to break through. He succeeded far more easily than in his previous attempts, much to his surprise.
His cultivation had advanced to the peak of the Spiritual Rotation Realm’s fifth level. Combined with his Spirit and Flesh Unity, Luo Feng now possessed the confidence to fight Martial Artists of the Spiritual Rotation Realm’s sixth level.
"It must be due to the Spirit and Flesh Unity," Luo Feng said after so thought.
"Indeed. The Spirit and Flesh Unity occurs when a Martial Artist’s Jing Qi Shen reaches a state of natural balance, greatly benefiting their cultivation."
Yue Haitang nodded thoughtfully, drew her sword, and said to Luo Feng, "Let’s continue practicing. I’m also aiming to break through within these two days."
"Alright."
Luo Feng nodded, and the two of them began to spar without further words. Their figures flashed across the training field, kicking up gusts of strong wind.
「On the morning of the third day.」
Luo Feng arrived outside Bing Ruolan’s room just as a maid was delivering breakfast.
"Good day, Master Luo Feng."
By now, everyone in the Marquis’s Mansion recognized Luo Feng. The young, pretty maid imdiately bowed respectfully upon seeing him.
Luo Feng nodded and, glancing at the food basket in her hands, said, "Give the food to ; I’ll take it in."
"Okay."
Upon entering the room, Luo Feng looked up and saw the flash of a sword.
SWISH, SWISH, SWISH...
Bing Ruolan, sword in hand, executed her sword forms. Her movents were like a graceful butterfly in flight, each stroke a delight to behold.
"Impressive Swordsmanship," Luo Feng praised her sincerely.
SWOOSH!
Hearing his words, Bing Ruolan abruptly halted her sword movents. Seeing the food basket in Luo Feng’s hands, she furrowed her brow slightly and said, "Elder Hai said my injuries would heal in a few days, so I can go to the dining hall myself."
"So you’re saying you haven’t fully recovered yet? Besides, I’ve already brought the food. You wouldn’t make take it back, would you?" Luo Feng shrugged and smiled.
Bing Ruolan pursed her red lips, watching as Luo Feng carefully took out the dishes. Her bright eyes softened, and her lips curled into a beautiful smile. Blushing slightly, she said, "Then you feed ."
Luo Feng paused, taken aback. Looking at her youthful, innocently pouting face, he recalled Bing Hanbai’s words. With a faint smile, he nodded and said, "Okay."
Luo Feng took the bowl of clear porridge, carefully blew on it to cool it, then brought it to Bing Ruolan’s lips. "Careful, it’s a bit hot."
Seeing Luo Feng’s careful expression, a dreamy, delighted smile graced Bing Ruolan’s pretty cheeks. She opened her mouth and drank the porridge.
When the bowl of clear porridge was empty, Bing Ruolan suddenly laughed. "Luo Feng, this is the best porridge I’ve ever tasted."
"Really? Then I’ll have soone bring another bowl," Luo Feng said, standing up.
"No need."
Staring at Luo Feng’s earnest expression, Bing Ruolan pouted slightly. He really is a blockhead, she thought.
With a sweet smile, Bing Ruolan rested her delicate chin on her hands, her sparkling eyes fixed on Luo Feng as she chuckled, "I’m already full."
Gazing at the vibrant, youthful energy radiating from the girl before him, Luo Feng was montarily captivated. It was the first ti he had ever seen Bing Ruolan smile so brilliantly.
BANG BANG...
Suddenly, a knock ca from the door outside.
Luo Feng returned to his senses and said, "Co in."
The beaded curtain was pushed aside, and Bing Hanbai entered.
"Brother..."
Bing Ruolan imdiately stood up, a faint blush still lingering on her pretty face.
Noticing Bing Hanbai’s unusual expression, Luo Feng asked, "Did sothing happen?"
Bing Hanbai shook his head, his gaze settling on Bing Ruolan. "Ruolan, tomorrow we return to the Ice Palace."
"Return..."
Hearing this, the smile on Bing Ruolan’s face vanished instantly. She glanced at Luo Feng and imdiately shook her head. "I’m not going back! And I will not marry Nan Gong Kuo!"
Luo Feng frowned and put down the bowl. He had anticipated this day, so he wasn’t surprised.
"I’m afraid you must return this ti."
Bing Hanbai shook his head, raising a hand to stop Bing Ruolan’s impending words. "You have awakened the Saint Soul. This is no small matter. Have you ever considered the consequences if you continue to stay here?"
"I..."
Bing Ruolan opened her mouth but said nothing, a sense of unease stirring in her heart.
Bing Hanbai’s gaze was stern. "The Saint Soul possesses the sacred power to command all underwater tribes. The major families in the North Sea will undoubtedly try to destroy you before you fully mature. Even other powers, like the Demon Sect, might intervene. If you continue to stay here, the entire Canglang Dynasty could be reduced to ashes. Furthermore, if they discover you are with Luo Feng, given the Nangong family’s thods, they will never spare him!"
Bing Hanbai emphasized his last sentence.
Hearing this, Bing Ruolan’s face instantly turned deathly pale.
Though unwilling to admit it, she knew deep down his words were no exaggeration.
Luo Feng looked up at Bing Hanbai and asked thoughtfully, "If Ruolan returns to the Ice Palace, will she no longer be in danger?"
Bing Hanbai nodded. "In the entire North Sea, only a handful of powers can threaten the North Sea Ice Palace. Besides, Nan Gong Kuo and Ruolan have a marriage contract. Now that the Nangong family knows Ruolan has awakened the Saint Soul, they will definitely ensure no harm cos to her."
A bitter smile touched Luo Feng’s lips. He hadn’t expected this marriage contract to beco a protective amulet at such a ti.
However, he also knew that with his current strength, he simply couldn’t protect Bing Ruolan. Let alone the entire North Sea, even the Nangong family alone was far beyond his ability to handle.
"Luo Feng, I know what you’re worried about."
Bing Hanbai looked at Luo Feng and said, "The Xi Tribe holds a coming-of-age ceremony at eighteen, which is also when the marriage contract is to be fulfilled. I cannot cancel this contract. However, I guarantee, in my capacity as the Young Palace Master of the North Sea Ice Palace, that Ruolan will face no danger for these two years. As for what happens two years later..."
He took a breath and continued, "On the True Martial Continent, strength is paramount. I hope you understand."
"On the True Martial Continent, strength is paramount..."
Luo Feng’s eyes flickered. He glanced at Bing Ruolan and smiled. "In other words, two years from now, I must personally terminate this marriage contract."
"Exactly."
Bing Hanbai nodded.
Bing Ruolan looked startled. She bit her lip and said, "Two years is too short! That’s the Nangong family... How could it be possible..."
Bing Hanbai interrupted Bing Ruolan and said to Luo Feng, "This is the only path available to you. In two years, you must demonstrate enough strength to make the Nangong family back down and to make my father acknowledge you. Otherwise, no one can help you. This path is indeed incredibly arduous. It’s either a desperate struggle to succeed, or you give up now. You decide."
"There is no need to consider."
Luo Feng shook his head decisively. He took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with determination. "If Ruolan dared to face a True Yuan Realm Martial Artist for , what do I have to fear! Never mind the Nangong family; even if it were the Nine Heavens God Demons, I would slay them with a single strike! I, Luo Feng, swear an oath once more: within two years, I will personally journey to the North Sea!"
"Luo Feng..."
Bing Ruolan was slightly taken aback.
Bing Hanbai’s eyebrows rose, a rare smile appearing on his face. "Very good! I wasn’t mistaken about you."
Bing Ruolan bit her red lip. She knew this situation was unchangeable, and she was powerless to alter it. She looked at Luo Feng and then pleaded with Bing Hanbai, "Brother... can I stay here a few more days?"
At this mont, all she wanted was to spend a little more ti with Luo Feng, even if only for an instant.
Bing Hanbai hesitated for a mont, looking between Bing Ruolan and Luo Feng. He sighed helplessly and said, "One more day. Early in the morning, the day after tomorrow, we will depart for the North Sea Ice Palace."
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