Madman of Shu

Chapter 285: The Mysterious Visitor

Chapter 285: Chapter 285: The Mysterious Visitor


The spar between Luo Feng and Li Hanshan had ended quite some time ago, yet the entire Star Gathering Plaza remained silent.


Everyone was still in shock from Luo Feng’s final strike, unable to snap out of it.


After a moment, Elder Chen, who was in charge of the contest, loudly announced, "Luo Feng is the winner."


"I can’t believe it! To think Luo Feng won in the end."


"This young man is simply terrifying. Not only has he grasped the Grand Momentum, but his Martial Arts cultivation is also outrageously high. Even his cultivation base has reached the peak of the Eighth Level Hell Realm! He’s top-tier even among the younger generation of Red Maple Lead!"


"That final saber strike was horrifying. Just its sheer presence made me feel incapable of resisting. I really don’t know what other techniques he has yet to display."


"From the current situation, it seems only Young Master Haitang from Changxin Academy and Ivy School is his match among those from Changxin Academy and Ivy School."


"I wonder who would win if Young Master Haitang dueled him."


"Regardless of who wins or loses, after today’s battle, Luo Feng is thoroughly famous for successively defeating two Young Master-level experts!"


Upon hearing Elder Chen announce Luo Feng’s victory, gasps of astonishment filled the plaza. Even the Martial Artists who had previously doubted Luo Feng were now utterly convinced.


In the second pavilion, an elder from Ivy School frowned. "Who would have thought Purple Sun School would produce such a monster like Luo Feng? Even Li Hanshan is no match for him."


Zhu Huo, the Dean of Ivy School, wore a gloomy expression and snorted coldly. "What good is outstanding talent? A genius who is killed before they can truly rise has no value at all!"


The elder, startled by the sudden cold aura emanating from Zhu Huo, exclaimed, "Dean, don’t tell me you intend to..."


Zhu Huo motioned for him to be silent, his gaze fixed on the pavilion where Luo Feng was. His eyes flashed with a sharp glint. "If they are so eager to enter the Secret Realm, then let them. The Secret Realm is riddled with traps; it’s perfectly normal for one or two geniuses to die in there."


A cold smirk appeared on Zhu Huo’s face.


"Hehe, you’re right. While the Secret Realm indeed holds precious treasures, it’s also fraught with various dangers. It’s perfectly normal for one or two people to die there," the Ivy School elder chuckled, a knowing look on his face.


Their voices were kept extremely low and did not carry, but Luo Feng sensed their chilling killing intent.


Those two old geezers, so sneaky and underhanded, they’re definitely up to no good! I wonder if they’re targeting me.


As soon as Luo Feng returned to his pavilion, he noticed the coldness in Zhu Huo’s gaze and began to consider his options.


He had great confidence in his intuition. In the Red Chain Mountain Range, this intuition for danger had saved him several times, allowing him to sense even the slightest killing intent directed at him.


Luo Feng glanced at them once, then averted his gaze.


This is Changxin Academy. I believe they wouldn’t dare to act recklessly here, even if they harbor some ill intentions.


Besides, my current goal is to destroy the Duanmu Family, and I don’t want any unnecessary complications.


As long as I enter the Secret Realm and obtain the treasures within, I will leave Red Maple Lead.


"Luo Feng, are you alright?" Zi Hongyuan immediately inquired as Luo Feng sat down.


With his level of cultivation, he could naturally tell that the Saber Technique Luo Feng had just demonstrated consumed a tremendous amount of Yuan Qi. Seeing Luo Feng looking somewhat pale, he was worried it was an aftereffect of the technique.


Luo Feng shook his head. "I’m fine, Dean. No need to worry."


His spar with Li Hanshan had indeed consumed a substantial amount of Yuan Qi. An ordinary peak Eighth Level Hell Realm Martial Artist would likely have exhausted their Yuan Qi to the point of being unable to stand.


However, thanks to the Condensation Yuan Technique and his eighteen Meridian Wheels, Luo Feng’s Yuan Qi reserves were nearly ten times that of an ordinary peak Eighth Level Hell Realm Martial Artist. Thus, this consumption was of little consequence.


Hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Zi Hongyuan’s eyes, but he didn’t press further.


Luo Feng’s rapid improvement in strength undoubtedly stemmed from his own secrets. Prying into others’ secrets is a major taboo among Martial Artists, one that could even lead to undying enmity. Zi Hongyuan naturally knew to press the matter no further.


After Luo Feng’s spar with Li Hanshan, some of the quasi Young Master-level experts who had intended to compete lost their desire to do so.


With Luo Feng having set such an impressive precedent, anyone who stepped up now would inevitably be compared to him.


Having witnessed the duel between Luo Feng and Li Hanshan, no one believed they could surpass either of them, so naturally, no one wanted to make a fool of themselves.


Seeing no one else step up to challenge, Feng Linshan, the Dean of Changxin Academy, could only manage a wry smile. In previous years, the summit’s sparring contests usually lasted for two days.


It seemed that wouldn’t be necessary this year.


Letting out a breath, Feng Linshan stood up and announced loudly, "This year’s summit sparring is concluded. I have ordered a banquet to be prepared for everyone. I hope you will all attend and enjoy yourselves."


"Haha... It’s a rare occasion to visit Changxin Academy; we should certainly stay for a few days."


"I’ve long heard that not only is Changxin Academy’s scenery peerless, but its cuisine is also unique. I’ve been wanting to try it for ages!"


"Indeed! Since Dean Feng has personally invited us, how could we possibly leave?"


The entire plaza once again erupted with excitement as everyone rose, preparing to leave.


Along the way, many people excitedly discussed the spectacular highlights of this summit.


Of course, most of the discussion centered around Luo Feng.


At this summit, the one who undoubtedly stole the show was Luo Feng.


Defeating two Young Master-level experts in succession was an unprecedented feat in past summits; his prestige was now immense.


Many leaders of major factions were now considering recruiting him, and many chose to stay for this very reason.


After making arrangements for the various heroes from the pugilistic world, Feng Linshan went to the pavilion where Luo Feng was.


"Zi Hongyuan, it’s truly delightful and commendable that your Purple Star Academy has produced a talent like Luo Feng!" Feng Linshan said, smiling and congratulating Zi Hongyuan.


Due to their connection through Cang Nanyue, Changxin Academy and Purple Sun School shared a close relationship. Furthermore, Luo Feng was someone Cang Nanyue held in high regard. Seeing Luo Feng’s immense potential, Feng Linshan, as the Dean of Changxin Academy, was also very pleased.


"This is all the result of Luo Feng’s own hard work."


Zi Hongyuan beamed, his face glowing with pride and satisfaction.


When coming to Red Maple Lead for the summit, he had prepared for the worst. He hadn’t expected Luo Feng to perform so brilliantly, defeating two great Young Master-level experts. This brought great honor to Purple Sun School, and even he, as its Dean, felt his own prestige rise.


"The banquet is about to begin. Luo Feng, you’re the main star this time, you can’t be absent," Feng Linshan said, turning to Luo Feng.


"Since Dean Feng has invited me personally, how could I possibly refuse?" Luo Feng replied with a faint smile.


Hearing this, Feng Linshan laughed heartily. "Then let’s go."


Feng Linshan led the way with Luo Feng following, both heading towards the exit of the plaza.


As everyone headed to the banquet hall, two figures in a corner of Star Gathering Plaza were particularly conspicuous.


They were an old man and a young man.


The old man was slightly stooped, but his sharp eyes, like those of an eagle, gave off a fierce impression.


Anyone whose gaze met the old man’s immediately looked away, not daring to hold contact for even a moment, as if his eyes concealed something terrifying.


The young man was about sixteen, with sword-like brows and star-like eyes. He was dressed in extremely lavish clothing, exuding an air of nobility and power with every gesture. He possessed a natural air of authority, and the Yuan Qi fluctuations around him were intense, no less than Luo Feng’s.


"Elder Hai, what do you think of this Luo Feng’s strength?" the young man in brocade asked slowly, looking in the direction Luo Feng had departed.


The old man, addressed as Elder Hai, showed a respectful expression. He pondered for a moment before cautiously answering, "He’s very strong! Truly a talent one might see only once in a century. But compared to the geniuses of our Imperial City, there’s still a considerable gap. Unless, of course, he can advance to the Spiritual Rotation Realm."


Hearing this, the young man in brocade sighed softly. "These past few years, the West Desert Demon Sect has been producing experts one after another. Sooner or later, another terrible storm will be stirred up. I don’t know if our Canglang Dynasty will be able to weather the Demon Sect’s calamity once more."


"Young Master, you need not worry. The Demon Sect also lost many experts during the turmoil ten years ago; they certainly haven’t fully recovered their strength. As long as we identify and diligently cultivate promising talents now, and produce one or two leading figures, the dynasty will be safe!" Elder Hai said.


If only my elder brother thought this way too, the young man in brocade thought, his gaze flickering as he sighed.


Elder Hai looked at the young man, his eyes holding a profound meaning as he began, "If the Young Master were to ascend the throne..."


"Silence!"


The young man in brocade cut him off with a cold shout. After a moment, he frowned and said, "Elder Hai, my elder brother and I are full brothers. Never mention this again. Otherwise, I will punish you severely!"


"The Young Master is right. I misspoke," Elder Hai nodded, though the disappointment on his face was impossible to hide.


The young man in brocade pretended not to see it and turned to walk towards the plaza exit. "Keep an eye on this Luo Feng. If he can break through to the Spiritual Rotation Realm before he turns eighteen, I will seek him out again."


If anyone nearby had heard the young man’s words, their jaws would have dropped in astonishment.


Breaking through to the Spiritual Rotation Realm was already incredibly difficult for a Martial Artist; many geniuses were stuck at this bottleneck for their entire lives, unable to advance even an inch. To achieve such a breakthrough before the age of eighteen was almost unthinkable.


Elder Hai, however, showed no surprise, merely nodding. "Yes, Young Master."


With that, Elder Hai followed closely behind the brocade-clad youth, and their figures soon vanished from sight.


...


The evening banquet was lavish, with tables laden with a dazzling array of dishes that were a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.


Luo Feng, having exhausted himself in the day’s battles, was famished and immediately dug in, eating heartily.


As it was late, many martial artists from the pugilistic world chose to stay overnight and leave the next day, making Changxin Academy exceptionally lively that night.


In an elegantly decorated room within Changxin Academy, illuminated by the soft glow of a Luminous Pearl, high-ranking members of Changxin Academy and Ivy School were gathered. Feng Linshan sat at the head of the table, with Zhu Huo to his side. Zi Hongyuan and Zhou Zhiyun were also present nearby.


Feng Linshan scanned the attendees and began, "There are no outsiders here, so I’ll speak plainly. I’ve gathered you all to discuss the matter of the Secret Realm."


Pausing, Feng Linshan glanced at Zi Hongyuan and Zhou Zhiyun.


"At today’s summit, as everyone witnessed, Luo Feng possesses Young Master-level strength. According to our agreement, the Four Great New Talents of the Flowing Cloud Region will also be eligible to enter the Secret Realm."


Upon hearing this, Zhu Huo snorted coldly, and several elders from Ivy School also wore expressions of displeasure.


Zhou Zhiyun and Zi Hongyuan, however, had smiles on their faces.


Feng Linshan continued, "Besides the Four Great New Talents from the Flowing Cloud Region, our two academies in Red Maple Lead will each select ten outstanding students to enter the Secret Realm."


Although the numbers were imbalanced, since the Secret Realm was discovered by the two academies of Red Maple Lead, Zhou Zhiyun and Zi Hongyuan could not voice any objections.


Moreover, success in obtaining treasures within the Secret Realm depended entirely on individual fortune; a larger number of people did not necessarily guarantee greater success.


"Since there are no objections, everyone should prepare. In three days, we depart for the Red Flame Desert!"