Martial Arts Overlord-Chapter 650 - 648: Just One Punch

"Explaining would only complicate matters, so Luo Feng flatly denied what had happened in the core array.

Ye Siyi did not doubt Luo Feng’s words. She gently exhaled and said, "After I came out, the Yuan Qi throughout Sky Mountain suddenly began to riot. We were worried that something had happened in the core array..."

Luo Feng nodded. "So, that’s how it was..."

The green-robed Manager Ning looked at Luo Feng and said, "As long as you’re all right, you can rest in Sky Cloud Valley for one night and leave tomorrow."

Ye Siyi looked at Luo Feng, a smile appearing in her bright eyes. "Luo Feng, I cannot decipher your cultivation. What realm are you in now?"

Upon hearing this, the other Sky Mountain managers also turned their gaze to Luo Feng.

Interest flickered in Manager Ning’s eyes as well.

Luo Feng was the biggest dark horse of this year’s Golden Palace assessment. He had comprehended the Grand Momentum and, young as he was, he was already a third-level Spiritual Rotation Realm Martial Artist. His strength could only be described as terrifying.

Everyone wanted to know what realm Luo Feng could reach after a month of cultivation in the core array.

Just as Luo Feng was about to speak, Yi Wuxue and Xie Xuantong walked over, their expressions hostile.

"Luo Feng, you’ve cultivated for a month in the core array, so your strength must have improved. How about we go to the dueling platform and settle things once and for all?"

Yi Wuxue walked straight towards Luo Feng, his aura intensifying with each step.

He had lost all face during this Golden Palace assessment. After breaking through to the third level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm, he had specifically stayed behind to wait for Luo Feng to appear and have another decisive battle.

As his words fell, all nearby eyes focused on Yi Wuxue. No one had expected him to issue a challenge so suddenly.

Ye Siyi looked at Yi Wuxue, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. "Yi Wuxue, you should know you’re no match for Luo Feng."

Yi Wuxue did not respond, his eyes fixed on Luo Feng.

He knew that the hope of defeating Luo Feng was slim. But for this duel, victory or defeat was secondary; he just wanted to prove that his potential was not inferior to Luo Feng’s. Having advanced to the third level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm, Yi Wuxue was confident that even if he couldn’t defeat Luo Feng, he could at least put up a fight.

Luo Feng’s gaze fell on Yi Wuxue. His eyes flickered for a moment before he shook his head and said, "You are no match for me. Why insist on humiliating yourself?"

"Hmph! Since you’re so confident, then let’s go to the dueling platform and see who’s superior! I’m afraid the result might be something you can’t accept," Yi Wuxue sneered, retorting sharply.

"Manager Ning, should we stop them?" a middle-aged woman with a degree of charm asked as she walked over to the green-robed Manager Ning, her gaze fixed on Luo Feng and Yi Wuxue.

Manager Ning waved his hand. "No need. If anything unexpected happens, I’ll step in."

Looking at Luo Feng, Manager Ning smiled. "Besides, don’t you want to see Luo Feng’s current strength?"

The middle-aged woman was momentarily startled, then nodded with a smile. "Ye Siyi broke through two levels. Luo Feng has comprehended the Grand Momentum, and his potential isn’t inferior to hers. So, Manager Ning, what is his current cultivation?"

"We’ll know by watching."

Manager Ning did not speculate.

The middle-aged woman pouted her red lips. "How dull!"

Luo Feng observed Yi Wuxue’s expression, shook his head slightly, and said, "If you can block one punch from me, I’ll fight you on the dueling platform."

Yi Wuxue’s pupils contracted.

"Just one punch? I accept!"

Taking a step back, Yi Wuxue drew his longsword. A powerful, blood-red light erupted from the blade, cutting through the air with a sizzling sound. It was several times stronger than a month ago, giving off the feeling of an impending storm.

Watching Yi Wuxue, a flicker of surprise crossed Ye Siyi’s beautiful eyes. Since advancing to the third level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm, Yi Wuxue’s strength has improved more than I imagined.

It should be fine, right? she thought, glancing at Luo Feng before retreating.

The others also backed away, their gazes fixed on the two figures in the center.

Luo Feng stood his ground. His Purple Sun Azure Cloud Robe fluttered though there was no wind. Facing Yi Wuxue’s intense sword momentum, he seemed like a small boat in a raging storm, liable to capsize at any moment. Yet, his eyes remained perfectly calm from beginning to end.

"Are you ready?" Luo Feng asked indifferently, looking at Yi Wuxue.

"Splitting Light Sword Screen!"

Yi Wuxue took a deep breath, his foot stomping hard enough to crack the ground. He held his longsword vertically, and layers of blood-red Sword Qi crisscrossed, completely sealing the space around him, leaving no openings.

"Not bad. It seems Yi Wuxue has made great progress in his Splitting Light Cold Flow Sword technique after the Martial Champion contest."

"In this case, Luo Feng’s Qinggong will be useless; he can only fight head-on."

"Yi Wuxue is now also a third-level Spiritual Rotation Realm Martial Artist. It’ll likely be difficult to determine a winner with just one punch. It seems the two of them are in for a tough battle."

Seeing Yi Wuxue execute the Splitting Light Sword Screen, many elders showed expressions of approval. In just one month, Yi Wuxue’s strength had improved significantly.

The green-robed Manager Ning said nothing, his eyes fixed on Luo Feng.

"Let’s begin!" Yi Wuxue declared, his Yuan Qi flaring around him.

Luo Feng walked forward step by step until he was in front of the sword screen. Only then did he say, "Brace yourself."

BOOM!

The moment his voice fell, Luo Feng threw his punch.

Most people couldn’t see clearly how Luo Feng attacked. They only saw a thick, crimson fist-light appear, like an enraged dragon emerging from the sea, lunging towards Yi Wuxue.

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!

It was a simple punch, yet it carried a sense of relentless ferocity as it slammed heavily into the sword screen.

CRACKLE...

Under the crowd’s horrified gazes, the crimson Sword Qi shattered layer by layer. It offered no resistance and vanished without a trace in an instant.

Yi Wuxue grunted, his body flying back over a hundred meters as his feet gouged two deep furrows in the ground before he finally stopped.

PTHOO!

The longsword clattered from Yi Wuxue’s grasp. His face flushed red, and he spat out a large mouthful of blood. The sleeve on his entire right arm had been blasted to shreds, and crimson blood trickled down his fingers.

At this moment, the entire Sky Feather Square was deathly silent.

Xie Xuantong’s eyes widened in disbelief.

The nearby Sky Mountain elders also looked slightly stunned, their mouths agape.

Ye Siyi covered her red lips with her small hand, her beautiful eyes filled with utter shock.

Strong! He’s too strong! With just one punch, he injured Yi Wuxue, leaving him no chance to even resist! Their strengths are on completely different levels now.

"You!" Yi Wuxue stared fixedly at Luo Feng, finding it impossible to believe that he, having reached the third level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm, couldn’t even withstand a single punch from Luo Feng.

Luo Feng dusted off his clothes and said nonchalantly, "You’re not the only one who has progressed. I’ve now reached the peak of the third level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm. You’re no longer a match for me."

WHOOSH!

One wave of shock had yet to subside when another arose.

Upon hearing Luo Feng’s words, the nearby Sky Mountain elders were shaken to their core, standing stunned.

"Manager Ning, Luo Feng has reached the peak of the third level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm. How much has his cultivation increased this past month?" the middle-aged woman asked in awe, gazing at Luo Feng with slightly parted red lips.

The green-robed Manager Ning’s eyes narrowed slightly. "From the early stage to the peak of the third level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm. That’s three minor realms."

"Three minor realms! Doesn’t this parallel the record set by Duan Yuntian back then?" the middle-aged woman exclaimed.

Thirty years ago, Duan Yuntian, who was also the number one Martial Champion, entered the core array for cultivation. He broke through three consecutive minor realms in one go, causing a sensation throughout the martial world. For thirty years, no one had matched Duan Yuntian’s achievement.

And now, Duan Yuntian was a luminary in the world of Martial Arts, one of the Ten Great Venerables!

The green-robed Manager Ning nodded silently.

There was one thing he didn’t explain. When Luo Feng was competing for the Martial Champion title, his Yuan Qi was unstable, indicating he had only just entered the third level of the Spiritual Rotation Realm. Strictly speaking, Luo Feng’s progress was an advancement of four minor realms, surpassing Duan Yuntian, the ’Ghost Spirit Saber’...

Luo Feng paid no attention to the others’ gazes and walked over to Ye Siyi. "Ready to go down the mountain?"

Ye Siyi snapped back to her senses, smiled, and nodded, her eyes assessing Luo Feng with a hint of lingering surprise. "You’re truly incredible, advancing three minor realms! Even Duan Yuntian, one of the Ten Great Venerables, only achieved as much back then."

Luo Feng smiled. "I stayed three days longer than you."

"If I wanted to break through again, I’d need to stay inside for at least half a month," Ye Siyi said with a faint smile, then suddenly patted her smooth forehead. "Oh, I almost forgot something important."

"What is it?" Luo Feng also stopped.

Ye Siyi took out two letters and handed them to Luo Feng, saying with a smile, "He Qin and Bing Ruolan asked me to give these to you."

"Letters?"

Luo Feng was slightly taken aback as he accepted them.

Both envelopes bore the words ’For Luo Feng’s Eyes Only.’ The handwriting on one was graceful and elegant, flowing with a nimble spirit—it had to be from Bing Ruolan. The other’s script had strokes like swords, hinting at a sharp edge—unmistakably He Qin’s.

After a glance at the envelopes, Luo Feng broke the wax seal on Bing Ruolan’s letter.

"Luo Feng, you’re out gaining experience. It’s a pity my cultivation is still too shallow to be of any help, so I have to report to Linglong Hall first. Please be careful with everything while you’re out there. See you in the Imperial City in three months. —Ruolan."

Silly girl... Luo Feng shook his head and opened He Qin’s letter.

"Take care!"

Seeing those two words on the paper, Luo Feng gave a wry smile. That’s He Qin’s style, all right.

After putting the two letters away, Luo Feng said to Ye Siyi beside him, "Let’s go."

Bing Ruolan leaving early suited his intentions perfectly. There were too many uncertainties on a training journey; even he couldn’t be sure of everything.

「Tens of thousands of li north of Sky Mountain, on a remote cliff.」

The cliff, a plateau several tens of zhang wide, rose sharply from the earth like a wolf’s fang. It was flanked by sheer precipices on three sides, overlooking a rolling sea of clouds below, which gleamed magnificently under the brilliant sun.

At the edge of the cliff, an exquisitely beautiful young girl paced back and forth. Her lovely eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and her crystal-clear eyes continuously scanned the northern sky, a hint of anxiety and worry on her small face.

The girl was about fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed in a light green short skirt. She stood tall and graceful, exuding youthful beauty. Her light blue short hair shimmered charmingly under the slanting sun—it was none other than Bing Ruolan.

Why isn’t he here yet? Could something have happened?...

Bing Ruolan gazed out at the vast sea of clouds, lightly pressing her red lips together as she stopped pacing.

Suddenly, a biting chill touched the back of her neck, making her body go rigid. She didn’t dare to move, and frowning, she asked, "Who are you?"

Footsteps sounded, and a figure appeared before Bing Ruolan.