Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

Ling Fei and Zhou Xiaoyu walked toward the competition grounds.

The two chatted as they walked.

Zhou Xiaoyu told Ling Fei all about the benefits of distinguishing oneself in the new student competition.

"Sister Xiaoyu, do you happen to know if there's anywhere near the academy where the wind is particularly active?" Ling Fei had little interest in the competition. Instead, he asked about the wind, which was crucial for his current training. If he could perfect his Wind Shadow Step, his overall strength would increase significantly.

"The wind?" Zhou Xiaoyu was taken aback.

"I'm learning the Wind Shadow Step," Ling Fei said.

"Oh." Realization dawned in Zhou Xiaoyu's eyes. She then explained in detail, "Not far from the academy, there's a place called the Celestial River Windy Pass. It's a long river canyon where gales often blow. When the winds are at their most violent, they can even stir up towering waves. Many people like to go there to practice their sword skills."

"All the older students know about it. You can find it just by asking around."

"The Celestial River Windy Pass!" Ling Fei's eyes focused. He looked at her gratefully and said, "Thank you, Sister Xiaoyu."

"Don't mention it. I also owe you thanks for helping Qingshui during her training trial," Zhou Xiaoyu said with a smile.

"Qingshui?" Ling Fei's brow furrowed.

"She's my cousin!" Zhou Xiaoyu smiled.

...

In the competition grounds, Shangguan Yurou and Liu Ming were in the middle of a match.

Shangguan Yurou wielded a Green Patterned Long Sword. As she thrust it forward, the blade glinted, accompanied by a sharp Sword Momentum.

As that Sword Momentum swept out, even the Cultivators on the distant observation platforms felt their eyelids twitch.

However, Liu Ming's Swordsmanship was also extraordinary. His long sword moved like a snake, swift and agile in its attacks, always managing to parry Shangguan Yurou's strikes.

Thus, after trading blows again and again, Shangguan Yurou failed to gain an advantage. Instead, she had exhausted a great deal of True Qi, causing her presence to weaken significantly.

"In this battle, Sister Yurou is going to lose." Shangguan Qingmu stood beside and slightly behind Shangguan Hong, his brow furrowed as he spoke in a low voice.

"That girl Yurou's Swordsmanship is good, but she's too eager to win. Her style is aggressive but lacks stability. Liu Ming's Swordsmanship is steady, like a dormant Spiritual Snake. It seems harmless, but once it strikes, it's bound to be a fatal blow. Besides, he has other tricks up his sleeve."

Shangguan Hong stroked his short beard and murmured.

"Yurou is still young. With a few more years of experience, her achievements will be nothing to scoff at," one of the academy elders next to them said with a smile.

It seemed that in their eyes, for a woman to possess such strength was already quite impressive.

SWISH!

Just then, Liu Ming's long sword flashed, and a sharp Sword Qi burst forth from it.

This Sword Qi was like a river, majestic and powerful. It erupted suddenly, sweeping toward Shangguan Yurou.

Under such pressure, the already weakened Shangguan Yurou immediately lost her composure.

Then, amidst the river of Sword Qi, a pattern of light flashed. The long sword, like a snake, broke through the waves and stabbed directly toward Shangguan Yurou's chest.

Fast!

This strike was incredibly fast, truly like a Spiritual Snake striking its prey.

"This Liu Ming is truly a genius. He's clearly merged the Celestial River Sword Technique with his Liu Clan's Spiritual Snake Sword." On the Observation Platform, many instructors nodded in approval.

"Yurou is about to lose," Instructor Ruo Huan also stared intently ahead.

SWISH!

The long sword thrust forward at extreme speed.

Shangguan Yurou retreated step by step, a panicked light flickering in her autumn-water-like eyes.

Then, her retreat came to a halt. She had reached the edge of the stage, with nowhere left to go.

WHOOSH!

As her feet stopped, the long sword that had been pressing its advantage also paused.

But the sharp Sword Momentum still raged on, causing Shangguan Yurou's clothes to flutter in the wind.

"Yurou, you've lost!" As the Sword Momentum halted, Liu Ming reined in his attack. He landed on his feet and smiled at Shangguan Yurou.

"Hmph, I will defeat you someday." Shangguan Yurou sheathed her sword. Her brow lifted as she shot the young man before her a resentful glance and snorted softly.

Then, with graceful steps, she walked off the stage.

Seeing this, Liu Ming shook his head and gave a bitter smile.

Ever since they sparred as children and he knocked her into a pond, she had held a grudge against him, desperate for revenge.

"Shangguan Yurou has been defeated. Now, only three remain!"

"Liu Ming, Pang Fei, and Zhou Feng. They've all entered the Innate Realm. I wonder who is the strongest?"

As Shangguan Yurou walked off the competition stage, a buzz of discussion immediately rose from the crowd.

"I think there's more to Liu Ming than meets the eye. Not only is his Swordsmanship superb, but the Liu Clan's bloodline is also very powerful. I heard he has some astonishing techniques."

"I'm betting on Liu Ming, too!" Many people voiced their opinions.

Liu Ming also left the stage, not bothering to challenge Pang Fei or Zhou Feng.

It seemed that in his eyes, there was no need to challenge them at all.

'A challenge is for proving oneself.'

'But why would I, Liu Ming, need to prove anything?'

'I... '

'...am a favored son of heaven, beyond comparison!'

And so, on the stage, Pang Fei stood up.

"Heh, well then, let's have a little spar!" Zhou Feng smiled and also stood up.

Then, he and Pang Fei leaped onto the competition stage.

"It's Zhou Feng! He has a Water Spirit Body, which gives him a natural advantage with the Celestial River Sword Technique!"

As Zhou Feng leaped onto the stage, many people's eyes burned with excitement.

The academy was primarily dominated by the Han Clan and the Zhou Clan.

The successive deans and vice-deans had all come from these two clans.

"Please!" Pang Fei and Zhou Feng faced each other.

Both held their swords, their eyes meeting.

A sharp aura began to emanate from them.

Around Zhou Feng, it was as if waves were rising and falling.

However, Pang Fei's presence had a weighty momentum, as if to suppress those rolling waves.

Clearly, these were two completely different types of auras.

SWISH!

Then, they both attacked, each unleashing a sharp aura that swept outward.

The moment Zhou Feng's long sword moved, it was as if a river began to churn.

Pang Fei's long sword danced, its afterimages overlapping, pressing down like a great mountain.

"So this is a Spirit Body?"

"Possessing a Spirit Body truly makes one a favored son of heaven. Even a casual strike contains a powerful momentum that makes others feel helpless!"

When these two geniuses made their move, the faces of the distant spectators turned solemn.

Even some of the older students couldn't help but swallow their pride and watch peacefully, sensing the auras the two on stage possessed.

...

"Why isn't Brother Fei here yet?" As Pang Fei and Zhou Feng fought, Wu Dapang's brow furrowed.

'The competition is already nearing its end!'

If Ling Fei didn't come, he would miss this entire competition.

Huang Liang was also looking around anxiously.

They were both hoping Ling Fei would appear.

Because, at that moment, many people were taunting them.

"What's wrong? Hasn't that genius from your Longtan Town shown up yet? Is he scared?"

"Heh, if his Cultivation isn't good enough, he could just fight next time. But this Ling Fei doesn't even dare to show up. He's nothing but a coward."

"And to think I used to admire him so much!" A wave of contemptuous voices rose.

"Shut up! Brother Fei would never be afraid to fight!" Seeing this, Wu Dapang was furious.

"Heh, he's clearly a turtle hiding in his shell, and you're still trying to argue!"

"Some genius from a Humble Family? He just got lucky for a while. If he can't break into the Innate Realm, he'll always be an ordinary Martial Artist. How can he compare to the likes of Young Master Liu? Young Master Liu is the true favored son of heaven. In the future, he'll become a Great Cultivator, attain immortality, and become a genius like a Divine Spirit."

"Look how amazing Young Master Zhou and Young Master Pang are!"

"Heh, I'm afraid the Ling Fei of today couldn't even take a single blow from them, right?"

Many people jeered.

Most of these people were followers or clansmen of Liu Ming, Pang Fei, and Zhou Feng.

Initially, when Ling Fei became number one on the Mortal Ranking, his fame was unparalleled, and he became an idol for disciples from Humble Families.

This had left the disciples from the great clans resentful.

Now that they had a chance to bring Ling Fei down, how could they possibly miss it?

If Ling Fei failed to appear this time, the reputation of being a coward, being afraid to fight, and being a turtle hiding in its shell would become a stain on his entire life!

Taunted by these people, Wu Dapang was furious but momentarily speechless.

Because the auras of Pang Fei and Zhou Feng on the stage were just too powerful.

Furthermore, Shangguan Yurou and Liu Ming, who had fought earlier, were also exceptionally strong.

'Without stepping into the Innate Realm, no one can truly compete with them.'

'I wonder what Realm Brother Fei is at now?' Wu Dapang muttered to himself.

"The Innate Realm is the gateway of Martial Arts, and it's incredibly difficult to cross. Although Ling Fei is a genius, he reached the Ninth Layer of Body Tempering too recently. It would be difficult for him to break through to the Innate Realm at this time. So difficult!" The nearby Chen Feng frowned and shook his head repeatedly as he spoke, seeming to also have little faith in Ling Fei.

Just then, at one of the entrances to the competition grounds, Ling Fei and Zhou Xiaoyu were slowly walking in.

"Pang Fei and Zhou Feng... have they already started their match?" After seeing the two young men on the competition stage, Ling Fei's eyes focused. He then murmured, "They've both stepped into the Innate Realm. Their Sword Momentum is extremely strong, clearly surpassing that of ordinary people. They truly live up to their status as the top students of the Genius Class."

With just a brief perception, Ling Fei could tell how powerful Pang Fei and Zhou Feng's auras were.

"So, are you confident you can beat them?" The nearby Zhou Xiaoyu smiled, her beautiful eyes narrowing as she gazed at Ling Fei.

Her eyes were filled with anticipation.

"There's always someone better, a higher mountain to climb. Who would dare claim to be invincible?" Ling Fei's gaze shifted as he looked at Zhou Xiaoyu.

"Oh!" Seeing this, Zhou Xiaoyu was slightly taken aback. 'This young man is quite humble, isn't he?'

"However, as a Martial Artist, one should have the heart to strive upward, to surpass one's peers. One must never give up easily and must possess the will to overwhelm all rivals."

However, Ling Fei's eyes quickly focused, and he spoke with a determined glint in them.

A faint aura began to spread from his body.

It was an aura of never admitting defeat!

"Oh, not bad. I didn't expect you to have such ambition at your young age. This big sister has high hopes for you." Hearing this, Zhou Xiaoyu immediately looked at Ling Fei in a new light. If a Martial Artist lacked this determination, this conviction to never admit defeat, how could they ever reach the pinnacle alone?

Only those with the heart of a champion can ascend to the absolute peak!

Ling Fei shrugged and said no more, but the confidence in his eyes was unconcealed.

Then, he and Zhou Xiaoyu walked toward the instructors' observation platform up ahead.

"Huh? That's Ling Fei!"

"Ling Fei is here!" As Ling Fei walked into the competition grounds, someone with sharp eyes immediately spotted him.

Instantly, cries of surprise erupted.

"Just a turtle hiding in his shell. He only shows up when the competition is almost over!"

Amidst the shouts of surprise, most were filled with contempt.

"So that's Ling Fei? He's so handsome!"

"It seems like even Young Master Liu Ming isn't as handsome as Ling Fei!" some of the girls said, their faces full of infatuation.

"But I wonder who's stronger between him and Young Master Liu?" However, in a world that revered Martial Arts, everyone clearly prioritized strength. So, very quickly, these girls began debating whether Ling Fei or Liu Ming was stronger. They even began to hope the two would fight to determine who was superior.