Martial Arts Overlord

"You actually failed to find that brat!"

In a dense forest on the outskirts of the Black Cloud Mountain Range, the Li Family squad was rushing back, covered in dust. Hearing that the men sent to find Luo Feng had returned with no news, Li Tianyang’s expression turned grim. Of the ten members in the Li Family squad, only seven remained. Three had been killed by Demon Beasts the previous night, and the rest were injured, appearing quite battered.

A young Martial Artist named Li Guang stepped forward. "Young Master, we searched a radius of dozens of miles around the area where Luo Feng disappeared but found no trace of him."

"Hmph! A grown man, don’t tell me he sprouted wings and flew off!" Li Tianyang’s gaze was icy, clearly unwilling to accept this. He had trained day and night, finally achieving Small Success in the high-grade Huang-level Martial Arts, Stacking Wave Palm, all for the sake of killing Luo Feng with his own hands.

"Forget it, Second Brother. They did their best." Li Tianyao waved his hand, his gaze fixed on the depths of the Black Cloud Mountain Range. "The Black Cloud Mountain Range is incredibly dangerous at night; even I wouldn’t dare venture too deep alone. Given Luo Feng’s Cultivation, he might have already become food for the Demon Beasts."

A cruel glint flashed in Li Tianyang’s eyes as he snorted heavily. "That would be for the best! It’s just a pity I won’t get to see him die!" Glancing back, Li Tianyang’s grim expression softened slightly. The Li Family members behind him were all carrying large bundles filled with various Demon Beast materials.

Between yesterday and today, they had hunted a total of 241 Demon Beasts! The previous record for the Hunting Tournament was a mere 232 Demon Beasts! They had surpassed the previous record by nine! The thought that the Luo Family might not even have fifty Demon Beasts made Li Tianyang’s mood indescribably joyful.

"Hahaha... First place in this Hunting Tournament belongs to our Li Family! Let’s go, pick up the pace! We’re going to shock everyone! Let them know who the true number one family in Panlong City is!" Li Tianyang waved his arm and strode forward.

「The sun climbed higher, approaching noon.」

In the drill ground, countless eyes were fixed on the main gate, filled with anticipation. The Clan Leaders of the Four Great Families sat on the viewing platform with the best vantage point, also awaiting the return of the participating teams. Yang Wanyi sat beside Luotian, chatting and laughing with him occasionally. Her captivating beauty made several nearby young Martial Artists gulp, but considering Yang Wanyi’s status, none dared to harbor any improper thoughts.

Li Yantian, seated not far from Luotian, had tried to strike up a conversation with Yang Wanyi several times, only to be met with a cold shoulder. He clenched his fists tightly, his expression extremely grim. The Li Family ranked second among the Four Great Families of Panlong City. In terms of status, he was even above Luotian. Yet, Yang Wanyi ignored him, and since he dared not show any resentment towards her, he could only direct his anger towards Luotian.

After shooting Luotian a cold glare, Li Yantian seemed to recall something and turned to a somewhat portly, middle-aged man in a brocade robe, saying with a laugh, "Fengtang, tomorrow is Yanger and Lingyue’s grand wedding. We must prepare thoroughly to ensure their marriage is a splendid affair."

This slightly portly middle-aged man was Fengtang, Feng Lingyue’s father and the current Family Head of the Feng Family. Fengtang understood that Li Yantian brought this up at such a time merely to provoke Luotian. Not wanting to get involved in the conflict between the Luo Family and the Li Family, he gave an awkward laugh and said nothing.

Li Yantian then turned his gaze to Luotian and said with a chuckle, "Luotian, you must come then."

Luotian’s expression darkened. "Li Yantian," he said coldly, "isn’t it a bit premature to be saying such things? Don’t celebrate too early, lest you end up with nothing but an empty basket for all your efforts."

Li Yantian roared with laughter, shaking his head arrogantly. "Throughout Panlong City, aside from that girl Feng Lingyue and Han Lie from the Han Clan, who else is a match for my Tianyao? Luo Xiao’s talent is mediocre. Luo Feng was trash three years ago, and now he’s merely back to being an ordinary person."

"Li Yantian, watch your words! Do you think I, Luotian, am afraid of you?" Luotian’s aura flared as he abruptly stood up. As an eighth-level Hell Realm expert, his imposing presence gathered like an impending storm.

Seeing the two on the verge of conflict, Fengtang rose to mediate. "Enough. Today is the decennial Hunting Tournament. As Family Heads of two of the Four Great Families, don’t make a spectacle of yourselves. Besides, Miss Waner is present."

Li Yantian and Luotian were evenly matched in Cultivation, and knowing he couldn’t gain an upper hand, Li Yantian shot Luotian a cold look, thinking inwardly, Hmph, just wait until I become City Lord and obtain the Guixu Pill. Once my realm advances, I’ll settle this score with you!

Waving a dismissive hand, Li Yantian sat back down. Looking at Luotian, he said, "Luotian, I’ll give face to Fengtang and Miss Waner today and won’t bicker with you! But you don’t need to put on airs for me. Whether you’re a dragon or a worm, we’ll soon find out!"

"They’re here!" Just then, someone in the drill ground shouted.

WHOOSH!

Everyone in the drill ground turned to look at the main gate. Luotian and Li Yantian were also startled, simultaneously turning their gazes towards the gate. A team of young Martial Artists entered the drill ground; it was a participating team from a smaller family in Panlong City. Recognizing them, a wave of boos swept through the drill ground. The crowd had expected one of the Four Great Families to be the first to return, so their disappointment was palpable when it wasn’t.

Li Yantian and Luotian both sighed in relief, yet their expressions grew even more tense.

"Place the Demon Beast materials you’ve hunted on the ground." Steward Li had already returned to the drill ground. He pointed to an empty space and instructed the returning team. After inspecting all their Demon Beast materials, Steward Li announced in a loud, expressionless voice, "The Xuan Family of Panlong City, forty-two Demon Beasts."

After the first team, more teams continuously entered the drill ground. Most of these teams had hunted fewer than fifty Demon Beasts. Only a few managed to approach one hundred, a feat considered quite outstanding. These teams knew they weren’t the main attraction of this grand event. After Steward Li announced their results, they obediently waited to the side.

「Time trickled by, and half of the thirty-four participating teams had returned, but the Four Great Families had yet to make an appearance.」

"The Han Clan and the Feng Family are here!" A sudden burst of excited shouts erupted in the drill ground, and the atmosphere instantly intensified. Two teams appeared at the drill ground gate, clearly distinct from the previous ones. Feng Lingyue and Han Ji led their teams into the drill ground, placing down the Demon Beast materials they had hunted.

"Feng Family team, one hundred ninety-three Demon Beasts."

"Han Clan team, two hundred and four Demon Beasts."

Steward Li tallied the Demon Beast materials and announced loudly.

ROAR!

The entire drill ground erupted in cheers, as these scores far surpassed those of the other families.

"As expected of the Four Great Families! Their scores are more than double the others!"

"The Han Clan actually hunted two hundred and four Demon Beasts! It seems the former top family still has a strong foundation. The highest record in previous Hunting Tournaments was only two hundred thirty-two. Looks like the Han Clan might reclaim the top position! This Hunting Tournament’s competition is fierce."

"Naturally. Although the Han Clan’s Han Lie has ordinary talent, his uncle Han Yong’s son, also named Han Lie, is a genius. At seventeen, he’s already a mid-stage sixth-level God Bravery Realm expert. It’s no surprise they achieved such results."

"When it comes to talent, no one surpasses Feng Lingyue of the Feng Family; she’s Panlong City’s foremost genius. Unfortunately, the Feng Family has only been established for a few decades, so its foundation can’t compare to the other three great families."

"Now, of the Four Great Families, only the Li Family and the Luo Family remain. I wonder what their scores will be..."

Everyone knew the Hunting Tournament had reached its most crucial moment, and the excitement was palpable. Steward Li looked at Feng Lingyue and Han Ji with a hint of approval in his eyes. To hunt nearly two hundred Demon Beasts in such a short time was indeed impressive.

With the return of the Feng Family and Han Clan teams, both Li Yantian and Luotian grew restless. They had used their connections to gather some information about the competition. Upon hearing that the Luo Family team had ceased all activity near White Forest Mountain and that Luo Feng was missing, Li Yantian’s eyebrow twitched. He looked at Luotian with a triumphant expression and laughed heartily. "Luotian, it seems you’ll definitely be drinking wedding wine tomorrow!"

Fengtang had also heard about the Luo Family team’s apparent self-sabotage after entering the Black Cloud Mountain Range. His eyes gleamed as he congratulated Li Yantian with a warm smile, "Family Head Li, congratulations, congratulations! It seems the position of the top family is destined to be yours."

He broke into a cold sweat, inwardly sighing with relief that he had kept a card up his sleeve and agreed to Li Tianyang’s terms. Otherwise, if he had sided with the Luo Family, and the Li Family became the top family, he would likely be their first target!

Luotian heard Fengtang’s opportunistic words and snorted coldly. He ignored Li Yantian’s taunts, his eyes fixed on the drill ground gate. His hands gripped the armrests of his chair tightly, his expression grave. Old fox! He knew his two sons; they definitely wouldn’t give up on themselves. However, he was also deeply puzzled as to why Luo Feng had left alone, and why Luo Xiao and the others had halted at White Forest Mountain.

「After a few more teams arrived, Li Yantian’s eyes suddenly lit up from the viewing platform. Li Tianyang and his group had appeared at the drill ground gate.」

Li Tianyang entered the drill ground, and upon spotting Feng Lingyue nearby, he strode over with a majestic gait, a smug smile on his face. "Lingyue, so you’re back already."

A flicker of disgust crossed Feng Lingyue’s eyes, but she ignored Li Tianyang. Li Tianyang paid it no mind. His greedy gaze swept over Feng Lingyue’s exquisite face. He licked his lips and grinned, "Lingyue, rest assured, tomorrow I will personally come to the Feng Family to escort you in marriage!"

"Bring them in!" Li Tianyang turned, waved his hand, and several Li Family disciples walked into the drill ground, carrying enormous bundles.

"Heavens, such huge bundles! Just how many Demon Beasts did they hunt?!" Gasps of astonishment rippled through the drill ground as everyone stared at the several large bundles the Li Family team placed in the center.

Feng Lingyue saw the bulging bundles on the ground, and her Daimei creased slightly.

Hearing the surrounding exclamations, Li Tianyang was immensely pleased. Arms crossed, he stood aside with an arrogant air, awaiting Steward Li’s announcement. After tallying all the Demon Beast materials, Steward Li’s expression shifted slightly. He glanced at Li Tianyang and his group, then announced in a clear voice, "The Li Family, two hundred forty-one Demon Beasts!"