"What is it, Ling Feng? Are you going to try and stop me, too? Are you really content with letting this punk have that precious spot?" the skinny disciple asked, looking at Ling Feng and speaking coolly.

"Lin Feng, this was a unanimous decision by the Sect Leader and the Elder Council, so of course, I have no objections. Are you trying to challenge their authority?" Ling Feng pointed at the skinny disciple before him and demanded coldly.

’Lin Feng?’ Hearing Ling Feng say the skinny disciple’s name, Shen Haoran thought it sounded familiar. After a moment’s thought, he realized who this Lin Feng was.

Lin Feng: ranked twelfth on the Hidden Dragon List, a Tier Nine Spirit Marquis, an Inner Sect Disciple of the Celestial Spirit Sect, and one of the top talents of the Northern Domain’s younger generation. Shen Haoran couldn’t understand it. ’With Lin Feng’s strength, securing a spot to enter the Desert Ancient City should have been effortless for him within the Celestial Spirit Sect. Why is he so determined to come after me?’

But Lin Feng’s next words made Shen Haoran understand. It was jealousy, pure and simple. Within the Celestial Spirit Sect, aside from Xue Shitian, Lin Feng’s strength was enough to place him in the top three. Yet even he hadn’t been directly granted a spot. Instead, one had been snatched away by a new disciple. It was no wonder he felt so resentful.

"Ling Feng, are you really going to stand by and watch this punk, who just joined the Sect and is only a Tier Five Spirit Marquis, walk all over us? You know how precious the spots for the Desert Ancient City are! I can accept Xue Shitian getting one. He’s stronger than me, and he’s number one in the Northern Domain. I have nothing to say about that. But this kid? He just joined the Sect, I’ve never even heard his name, and he’s only a Tier Five Spirit Marquis. A weakling like him—on what grounds does he get a spot handed to him for free?" Lin Feng stared at Shen Haoran, his eyes filled with envy.

"Hmph. This was the Sect Leader’s and the Elder Council’s decision. It’s not something we can change. Besides, I heard that Junior Shen, with only two others, dealt with a second-rate power like the Hehuan Sect. If it were you, could you do that?" Ling Feng said coldly.

"Haha, what a joke! The Hehuan Sect is a second-rate power, and you think *he* took them down? And the Sect Leader and the Elder Council actually believed such a ridiculous story? Even if giving him a spot for the Desert Ancient City was their decision, I have my ways of changing it!" A venomous glint flashed in Lin Feng’s eyes.

"What are you planning? I’m warning you, don’t do anything reckless!" Seeing the cold light in Lin Feng’s eyes, Ling Feng warned, his brow furrowed.

"What am I going to do? It’s simple. If this punk gets crippled, that spot will open up, won’t it? Then, I’ll have my chance!" Lin Feng gave a cruel smile. In the next instant, the full aura of a Tier Nine Spirit Marquis erupted from him. An invisible wave of energy blasted the surrounding disciples back dozens of paces, kicking up swirling clouds of dust. The fierce gale whipped at Shen Haoran’s and Ling Feng’s robes, making them flap wildly. For a chance to enter the Desert Ancient City, Lin Feng was finally making his move!

"Ling Feng, you’re not thinking of stopping me, are you? I’d advise you to stay out of this. Otherwise, I’ll cripple you right along with him!" Lin Feng said coldly, looking at Ling Feng, who now stood in front of Shen Haoran.

Hearing this, Ling Feng frowned. "Lin Feng, with your strength, getting a spot in the selection tournament would be effortless. Why must you insist on snatching this one from Junior Shen?"

"This is none of your business! Get out of my way!" Lin Feng roared.

Seeing the overbearing Lin Feng, Ling Feng’s expression darkened. "Hmph! If you insist on stealing Junior Shen’s spot, then I can’t just stand by and watch. If you’ve got the guts, then come on!"

"Heh heh, you asked for this!" Hearing Ling Feng’s challenge, Lin Feng gave a vicious grin, and his body blurred into an afterimage, vanishing from where he stood.

The moment Lin Feng disappeared, Ling Feng’s pupils contracted. Lin Feng was a full tier stronger, so Ling Feng was naturally no match for him. He moved so fast that Ling Feng could only perceive a fleeting afterimage, unable to track his attack path at all.

But even without seeing his opponent’s path, Ling Feng sensed immense danger and instinctively threw up his arms to block. The expected impact never came. When Ling Feng opened his eyes, he found Shen Haoran standing in front of him, effortlessly catching Lin Feng’s incoming fist with a completely unconcerned expression.

"Senior Brother Ling, there’s no need for you to get involved in such a trivial matter. For people who refuse to accept me, there’s only one solution: beat them until they do!" As Shen Haoran spoke, his once-amiable gaze turned razor-sharp, and an incredibly domineering aura erupted from him.

’Since so many people are unconvinced about me getting this spot, I suppose I have no choice but to take action. Lin Feng’s status and strength among the disciples are both considerable. He’s the perfect target to make an example of.’

The aura that suddenly erupted from Shen Haoran stunned the nearby Lin Feng. Under its pressure, he felt a sudden impulse to fall to his knees, as if in comparison to Shen Haoran, he was nothing more than an insignificant ant.

The moment that feeling arose, a chill shot through Lin Feng’s heart. ’I’m a Tier Nine Spirit Marquis! How could I feel this way when facing a punk weaker than me? It’s impossible! Absolutely impossible!’

Lin Feng roared internally, casting the feeling aside. He then glared at Shen Haoran with a venomous gaze as the Powerful Qi in his fist surged once more, and he lunged for Shen Haoran’s chest.

"Hmph!" Sensing the surge of power from Lin Feng’s fist, Shen Haoran snorted. He squeezed his hand, gripping Lin Feng’s fist tightly. A sharp CRACK of breaking bone echoed. Daring to compete with Shen Haoran in raw physical strength? Lin Feng really was courting death.

"Is this all you’ve got? You’re a real disappointment," Shen Haoran said coolly, looking at Lin Feng, whose face was contorted in pain from his shattered hand.

With that, Shen Haoran released Lin Feng’s arm. The next moment, he clenched his own fist and sent it drifting leisurely toward Lin Feng’s chest. But this seemingly slow and gentle punch was a different matter entirely in Lin Feng’s eyes. The aura emanating from it made his hair stand on end. He desperately tried to dodge, only to find he was completely powerless to move.

BAM—

In the end, Lin Feng could only watch helplessly as Shen Haoran’s fist slammed into him. A terrifying power was unleashed, and Lin Feng’s body shot backward like a cannonball, only stopping when he crashed into one of the pillars surrounding the training grounds. The sheer force of the impact created several cracks in the solid stone. Before he could even spit out the blood filling his mouth, Lin Feng lost consciousness.