Chapter 161: The Final Match
With Lin Miaomiao's withdrawal, Lin Feng advanced to face He Rongsheng of the Azure Cloud Sect, the top-ranked youth on the Stele.
This day marked the final stage of the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference's Martial Examination.
The Martial Emperor of the Great Zhou Empire, accompanied by the Queen, personally attended the event at Azure Cloud Sect. Cold Rain was present with several elders from Duwei Mansion by his side. Helan Mountain, the leader of Qingyun Sect, came out to greet them.
"The top talent on the Stele is facing the greatest dark horse in the history of the Jiuzhou Gathering. Who do you think will win?" Not only disciples but even elders from various sects began to discuss. These debates had circulated in Gaojing for a day and a night, and today would bring a final conclusion.
"He Rongsheng has a ninety percent chance of winning. His strength is overwhelming, and with the Eye of Destiny, he can see through illusions. In contrast, while Lin Feng is impressive, his cultivation level is still somewhat lacking."
An elder made a decisive statement.
"I wouldn't be so sure. Lin Feng has a knack for extraordinary performances in desperate situations, turning the tide against all odds. If He Rongsheng underestimates Lin Feng at a crucial moment, it’s not impossible for Lin Feng to turn defeat into victory."
Some elders expressed their support for Lin Feng.
In the arena, only one Refined Iron Arena remained. A white figure transformed into a beam of light, descending like a meteor with speed and momentum onto the arena.
"Boom."
The White Shadow landed, shaking the ground beneath. This was He Rongsheng, endowed with the Eye of Destiny, hailed as one of Azure Cloud Sect's most astonishing talents in a century. The person he most wanted to battle was Lin Feng.
There was only one reason: he wanted to show Lin Miaomiao that in his eyes, Lin Feng was nothing more than an insect.
In stark contrast to He Rongsheng's imposing entrance, Lin Feng simply walked into the arena. Finally reaching this moment felt surreal, as if he were lost in a dream.
If it weren't for the various encounters in Gaojing and the help of noble individuals, Lin Feng knew he wouldn't have come this far.
The heavens only favor those who are prepared. Thus, Lin Feng accepted all his fortunes with calmness. He had been preparing for this moment for a long time.
From the moment he met Master Da in the Barbarian Mountain Range of Qingshan Town until now, becoming the champion of the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference was Lin Feng's ultimate goal.
He Rongsheng looked at Lin Feng and noticed without using his eyes that today's Lin Feng was vastly different from the Lin Feng who had just arrived in Gaojing. There was an added layer of meaning to him.
Fate Realization; only by understanding one's own meaning can one touch upon the Dao. It was surprising that Lin Feng, merely at the mid-stage of Fate Realization, could already sense this meaning. It was earlier than He Rongsheng had anticipated.
"I advise you not to cross my path. I will make you suffer greatly. Against me, I won't even need to use Manifestation of Divine Powers or open my eyes."
As He Rongsheng spoke, a terrifying Vital Energy spread out, causing his clothes to flutter violently. A faint glow emanated from his body.
Lin Feng recognized this glow; it was similar to his own Indomitable Sword Intent.
"You are very proud, yet when facing me, you can only lower that arrogant head of yours. You are not as good as I am."
Lin Feng retorted sharply as the Vital Energy surged around him. A sharp and piercing Sword Intent poured forth, enveloping his body.
"There's no need for further words; let's battle."
"I've waited for you for a long time."
Lin Feng's fists were suffused with intense Vital Energy. Facing a formidable opponent like the Eye of Destiny, he dared not show any carelessness or conceal his strength. His cultivation of Vital Energy was unlike anyone else's.
While others cultivated pure Vital Energy, Lin Feng had absorbed Chaos Stone Essence over many years, infusing his cultivation with Chaotic Energy.
Although the amount of Chaotic Energy absorbed by Lin Feng was minuscule, it represented a power that any Walker could only dream of. This thread of energy was the first time Lin Feng had ever utilized it.
The faint strands of Chaotic Energy surrounded Lin Feng's fists like a delicate mist.
Lin Feng moved like lightning, darting through the air with the grace of a dragon, charging towards He Rongsheng at an astonishing speed.
He Rongsheng let out a cold shout, his face filled with pride as he surged forward with equal speed. His body was enveloped in a soft glow, giving his flesh a translucent sheen.
Within that sheen, if one looked closely, they could see fine threads of power swirling and coalescing.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang...
The two met in midair without using any magical artifacts. In an instant, they exchanged blows hundreds of times, their fists and feet colliding as if ancient echoes resonated around them.
"Both have cultivated their own intent, and it seems that their intents have been recognized by Fate Realization; they are on the path to enlightenment."
The Elder Steward of Qingyun Sect had never witnessed He Rongsheng fully manifesting his intent and was astonished to see him reach this remarkable level.
Too many people go through life without ever comprehending their own intent.
Too many people grasp their intent but fail to gain recognition from Earth Rules.
As a result, countless Walkers find that Fate Realization is where their journey ends.
For someone like He Rongsheng, who at such a young age has comprehended his own intent and gained recognition from Earth Rules, he would soon achieve Enlightenment in one fell swoop.
Such individuals are truly prodigies.
In the long history of cultivation, such individuals are few and far between. Since the generation of Lin Bai, only four exceptional women have emerged, all of whom have now become Grandmasters.
Lin Feng had merely grasped his own Indomitable Sword Intent but had not yet gained recognition from the earth. As a result, there was no ethereal power shimmering on the surface of his body.
These two undoubtedly showcased the strongest abilities of the younger generation, representing the pinnacle of their peers. They exchanged thousands of punches in mid-air, with fierce winds howling and radiant light surging.
From beginning to end, both relied solely on their own cultivation strength in battle, without depending on any magical artifacts. Their figures darted through the air at incredible speeds, dazzling to behold.
Lin Feng's formidable physique encountered a worthy opponent this time.
He Rongsheng's body was not as strong as Lin Feng's, but he compensated for his physical shortcomings with his own will and a cultivation level that surpassed Lin Feng's. He fought with such pride, effortlessly maneuvering like an immortal descended from the heavens.
Above the arena, the exact figures of the two were no longer visible. More and more afterimages appeared on the field. After a full incense stick's worth of time, with a thunderous roar echoing, both flew backward simultaneously.
This separation did not signify the end of their battle; rather, the true clash was just beginning.
He Rongsheng walked through the air slowly. With each step he took, it sounded like crashing waves. It was as if he was not walking in the sky above but treading upon massive waves.
"What kind of footwork is this? It makes one's heart tremble and feel suffocated," a Fate Realization Walker exclaimed in astonishment.
As He Rongsheng advanced step by step toward Lin Feng, the pressure intensified exponentially. By the end, the overwhelming force felt like layers of storms stacking upon one another, causing the defensive array above the arena to roar to life.
Each step he took was not merely a simple movement; it was an execution of the Azure Cloud Sword Technique. He Rongsheng transformed his body into a sword and unleashed the entire set of Azure Cloud Sword Technique in succession.
"Aren't you proud of your physical prowess? Today, I shall defeat you with my body."
He Rongsheng spoke calmly, exuding an air of confidence and pride.
Lin Feng bore an immense pressure, the sound of tearing fabric echoing around him. He pressed his lips tightly together and opened his eyes, activating the power of his Metallic Spiritual Root.
A brilliant, piercing red light appeared in Lin Feng's palm. Like He Rongsheng, he was adept at transformation.
At the same time, He Rongsheng took his fifth step, unleashing the fifth form of the Azure Cloud Sword Technique. The five forms of the Azure Cloud Sword Technique stacked upon each other, creating a howling intent to kill.
The murderous intent was overwhelming, manifesting as a sound of death. While the intent itself was formless and invisible, the sound it produced was tangible, instilling terror in those who heard it.
To ordinary people, it seemed like merely a simple sound of footsteps, yet why did it produce such an extraordinary noise? It was suffocating and unbearable, forcing them to activate their cultivation to resist it.
The sixth step, the seventh step.
The Azure Cloud Sword Technique consisted of seven forms, all now fully displayed. The killing intent surged forth like thousands of ferocious beasts roaring in unison.
"Disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect, pay attention! Watch how your senior brother wields the Azure Cloud Sword Technique!" Elder Steward of Qingyun Sect shouted loudly, pride evident in his voice.
This was indeed something to be proud of. He Rongsheng's ability to achieve this was entirely his own doing. Even Elder Steward of Qingyun Sect had not anticipated such remarkable potential in the Azure Cloud Sword Technique.
"Senior brother has integrated the Sword Technique into his body, merging it with his steps."
"Indeed. With every step he takes, he emanates the aura of the Sword Technique."
"The Sword Technique can be so subtle yet powerful. Senior brother is truly talented."
With Elder Steward of Qingyun Sect's guidance, the young disciples of Azure Cloud Sect began to see the brilliance in He Rongsheng's display. Each one admired him in silence.
Lin Feng sensed an unprecedented crisis; a sudden heaviness filled his chest. Looking down, he saw an immense force slicing through his flesh like a blade.
Lin Feng gathered his energy to resist, unable to suppress a stagger. Although he managed to evade the sudden surge of power, he still coughed up a mouthful of blood. His body had sustained damage.
"The Sword Technique hasn't even fully unfolded, yet Lin Feng's formidable physique has already been injured," Jiang Rufeng exclaimed.
Only someone like Jiang Rufeng, who had fought against Lin Feng, could truly understand the extent of Lin Feng's physical prowess. He had indeed reached a level where no magical artifact could harm him. However, today, just a few steps away from He Rongsheng, he began to falter.
Blood trickled from the corner of Lin Feng's mouth, and he stumbled slightly, but ultimately steadied himself without retreating. His expression remained calm, devoid of joy or sorrow. In his eyes, there was instead a glimmer of cold determination akin to that of a wounded wolf.
A drop of red in his palm finally unleashed its power.
He concentrated the anomaly into a single point.
Boom...
The anomaly erupted from that point, disrupting He Rongsheng's Sword Technique footwork. The phenomenon continued to expand, forming an invisible wall between them that hindered He Rongsheng and significantly slowed the dispersal of his Sword Technique.
"In terms of physical attacks, how could you possibly be my match?"
Lin Feng used the anomaly to strike at He Rongsheng's Sword Technique footwork and then infused a thread of Chaotic Energy into his Sword Point. His entire being transformed into a sword as he condensed his Indomitable Sword Intent and surged forward with an overwhelming momentum that aimed to pierce through the Arena's defensive formation.
This powerful impact countered the momentum of He Rongsheng's Sword Technique and struck him directly.
Bang...
He Rongsheng was hit hard and immediately sent flying. He crashed heavily against the protective barrier of the Arena, causing it to tremble violently as if the very ground were shaking.
As He Rongsheng regained his footing, he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve. A hint of surprise flickered across his face.
"Surprisingly, it's not just a physical body of one hundred thousand pounds."
He Rongsheng was confident that with his cultivation surpassing Lin Feng's, combined with his own will and the complete set of Azure Cloud Sword Technique, he could withstand Lin Feng's physical body of one hundred thousand pounds.
However, he still faced defeat, proving that at the moment of his physical body's foundation establishment, it exceeded the legendary limit of one hundred thousand pounds.
"But so what? Today, you can only fall at my hands."
He Rongsheng regained his proud demeanor and soared into the air once more, charging towards Lin Feng. (To be continued...)
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