In the night, the Red Flame Fruit glowed dimly, like a tuft of pulsating red flame, emitting compelling Spiritual Energy and a faint heat.
Rumor has it that the Red Flame Fruit is the best spiritual medicine for Martial Artists in the Rigid-Soft Realm, strengthening vital energy and refining skin and flesh. I wonder how effective it is...
Luo Feng looked at the Red Flame Fruit in his hand with anticipation and immediately swallowed it.
BOOM!
As the Red Flame Fruit fell into his stomach, a loud thunderous sound seemed to resonate within his body. A majestic heat was born in his abdomen, wantonly dominating, causing Luo Feng's body to instantaneously steam with hot sweat as he let out a long hiss.
Such strong and hot medicinal power!
His blood felt like boiling magma. From the side, Luo Feng's skin was faintly red, like a red-hot iron.
Luo Feng dared not delay. He promptly began to fully utilize his Martial Arts, refining the medicinal power within him and incorporating this terrifying strength into his blood and flesh.
For two consecutive days, Luo Feng stayed in the small courtyard. Except for when he was hungry and ate some prepared dry rations, he ceaselessly practiced Martial Arts. Fortunately, due to the effects of the Red Flame Fruit's medicinal power, he didn't feel tired.
「The morning of the third day.」
THUD THUD THUD...
In the courtyard, a figure was practicing punches. The ferocious and domineering force of the punches stirred a wind that blew the nearby leaves into a chaotic dance, shaking the treetops incessantly.
CRACKLING!
As he executed a crucial move of his Tiger Roar Fist, a thunderous vibration suddenly erupted from the figure's body, lasting for a long time. The force of his punch wind instantly intensified severalfold!
THUD!
The figure punched a huge rock beside him. With a crack, the man-sized rock was directly shattered by the horrifying punch power, scattering all over the ground.
"Bone Bursting Thunder Sound!"
A hint of joy flashed in Luo Feng's eyes. He hastily retracted his aura and closed his eyes to inspect his condition.
Within his body, in his once-dim kidney, two Meridian Wheels now glowed like brilliant suns, illuminating the organ. His Yuan Qi was abundant.
"Yuan Qi entering the kidney! Fifth Level Iron Bone Realm of the Meridian Wheel!"
Luo Feng opened his eyes, unable to restrain his excitement as he shouted.
Breaking through to the Fifth Level Iron Bone Realm of the Meridian Wheel was easier than Luo Feng had imagined.
The Red Flame Fruit is indeed the most suitable spiritual medicine for Rigid-Soft Realm Martial Artists. It actually allowed me to step straight into the Iron Bone Realm! Luo Feng was somewhat excited.
He had originally thought that the medicinal power of the Red Flame Fruit allowing him to break through to the peak of the Fourth Level Rigid-Soft Realm would be the limit. He hadn't expected to directly step into the Fifth Level Iron Bone Realm! This far exceeded his expectations.
Luo Feng guessed that this had something to do with the eighteen Meridian Wheels in his body.
Ever since he took the Tiger Power Tyrant Body Pill, Luo Feng had felt that his physique absorbed medicinal power more easily than ordinary people, and the effects were also better.
At the Fifth Level Iron Bone Realm of the Meridian Wheel, cultivating to the peak state is said to grant 'bronze skin and iron bones,' making one impervious to ordinary swords and blades! Let me try!
Luo Feng's eyes flashed. He grabbed the Tiger Soul Saber, exerted thirty percent of his strength, and forcefully slashed at his arm.
SWISH! The blade slid over his skin, leaving only a faint, whitish mark!
Luo Feng looked at the place where the blade had passed, smiled, and nodded. Not bad! This strike of mine, powerful enough to cleave rock, didn't even leave a scratch. My defensive power has increased by at least fifty percent!
After a brief moment of joy, Luo Feng gradually calmed down and analyzed his current strength.
In three days, Luo Feng had repeatedly practiced various Martial Arts. His Reheavy Saber Technique and Tiger Roar Fist had now reached Great Accomplishment, and his Leopard Fist even felt like it was about to surpass the Perfect Realm. His strength had greatly increased!
With my current strength, I could easily defeat Li Tianyang. And with the speed of the Teng Dragon's Step, I could even fight Li Heshan, the top genius of the Golden Sun class, but I'm not yet fully confident of victory.
Students of the Golden Sun class had far more cultivation resources than those of the Silver Moon class. They all cultivated middle-grade Yellow Level Martial Arts, reaching at least Small Success. Their strength was not to be underestimated.
Thinking of Li Tianyang, Luo Feng sneered and let the Meridian Wheel that had transformed into a wandering dragon within his body grow quiescent. His aura immediately returned to that of the late stage of the Fourth Level Rigid-Soft Realm.
This was another wonderful use Luo Feng had discovered while comprehending the Teng Dragon's Step over the past few days. The Teng Dragon's Step transformed the Meridian Wheel into a wandering dragon; as long as he let the wandering dragon remain quiescent, he could hide his cultivation level.
BANG BANG...
A knocking sound suddenly came from the door.
"Who is it?"
"Luo Feng, it's me."
Luo Feng recognized Bing Ruolan's voice and opened the courtyard gate.
Outside stood a figure in light blue. Bing Ruolan had her hands behind her back, dressed in a light blue gown. Her beautiful eyes sparkled, and she stood tall and graceful, like a lotus flower.
This girl is getting prettier and prettier...
Luo Feng glanced at Bing Ruolan and asked, "Ruolan, why are you here?"
Bing Ruolan's beautiful eyes looked at Luo Feng, her delicate, blushing face as tempting as a ripe apple. She laughed and said, "You wouldn't forget what day it is today, would you?"
"Hmm, what day is it?" Luo Feng frowned.
Bing Ruolan glanced at the slightly messy courtyard, her small mouth pursing slightly. "You're truly obsessed with cultivation! Today is the registration day for the Challenge King contest!"
Luo Feng was taken aback, then smiled bitterly. "I almost forgot."
These past few days, he had been cultivating day and night, completely losing track of time.
Bing Ruolan gave him an 'I-give-up-on-you' expression and urged, "Go wash up quickly, then we'll go together."
Luo Feng nodded, went back to his room to wash up, and then headed to the academy square with Bing Ruolan.
They walked side by side. Luo Feng, his cultivation stage enhanced, exuded a confident aura that drew attention. Bing Ruolan, naturally beautiful, formed a stunning picture with him, attracting many envious glances.
"Ruolan, your cultivation has approached the mid-stage of the Iron Bone Realm," Luo Feng remarked on the way, looking at Bing Ruolan carefully, a little surprised.
Bing Ruolan smiled and nodded. "I have to thank you for practicing the Tiger Roar Fist with me. But compared to me, your progress is even more exaggerated. It hasn't even been half a month, yet your cultivation has already reached the late stage of the Fourth Level Rigid-Soft Realm! I'm afraid even the geniuses of the Golden Sun class can't match your cultivation speed."
Late stage of the Fourth Level Rigid-Soft Realm...
Luo Feng chuckled and rubbed his nose.
If Bing Ruolan knew he was also at the Fifth Level Iron Bone Realm, what would her expression be?
The two arrived at the academy square, which was already packed with people. Outer courtyard students were there to register for the next day's Challenge King contest, and some inner courtyard students had come to watch the spectacle.
In the center of the academy square stood a giant copper cauldron, about thirty feet high.
Next to the copper cauldron were a few stone tables where several academy instructors sat, responsible for registration.
The registration process was very simple: after registering, those who could move the copper cauldron a distance of ten meters would qualify to participate.
Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan registered their names at a stone table and then waited nearby.
"Chen Shan!" a middle-aged instructor standing next to the copper cauldron shouted.
"Here!"
A young man with thick eyebrows and large eyes stepped forward. He walked up to the copper cauldron, spat into his palms, took a deep breath, and with a grunt, grabbed one leg of the cauldron. He slowly lifted it, his face reddening as he walked step by step towards the red line nearby.
BOOM!
After five steps, the young man's strength gave out. He stumbled, and the copper cauldron crashed to the ground with a loud thud.
"Six meters! Unqualified!" The middle-aged instructor shook his head coldly. The young man named Chen Shan stood up, his face gloomy, and sat down to rest nearby.
Luo Feng watched this scene without much surprise. This copper cauldron weighed about 2,500 kilograms. One needed at least the strength of the early stage of the Fourth Level Rigid-Soft Realm to lift it. Chen Shan, who had just broken through to the Fourth Level Rigid-Soft Realm, couldn't sustain it for ten meters.
"Lin XiaoXiao!"
As an instructor called out a name, Luo Feng's eyes narrowed slightly.
A slender figure walked out from the crowd. With captivating eyes that seemed to ripple with charm, she was incomparably beautiful—it was Lin XiaoXiao.
Lin XiaoXiao walked up to the copper cauldron and took a light breath. Her slender, jade-like hands grasped the copper cauldron. She lifted it slowly, seemingly without much effort, and carried it past the ten-meter red line.
"Qualified!"
Hearing the instructor's voice, a wave of cheers erupted from the surroundings.
Lin XiaoXiao's gaze was calm. She scanned the crowd and, upon seeing Luo Feng, her delicate eyebrows rose slightly, revealing a hint of arrogance.
Peak of the Fourth Level Rigid-Soft Realm. Not bad.
Luo Feng glanced at Lin XiaoXiao indifferently and then paid her no more attention.
Seeing Luo Feng's reaction, Lin XiaoXiao's pretty face turned cold, and she clenched her fists tightly within her sleeves. In one month, she had progressed rapidly from the early stage of the Fourth Level Rigid-Soft Realm to its peak. She had hoped to see a dejected expression on Luo Feng's face, but he seemed completely unfazed. This infuriated her.
"Junior Sister Lin, don't mind him. The Challenge King contest is tomorrow. He won't be laughing for long!" Li Tianyang, standing beside her, noticed Lin XiaoXiao's expression. He glanced at Luo Feng and sneered.
"Mm," Lin XiaoXiao nodded. The two of them turned and left.
Subsequently, dozens more individuals took the test, but only a dozen or so passed, most of whom were students from the Golden Sun class.
"Bing Ruolan!"
Hearing the instructor's voice, the surrounding students' gazes all turned towards Bing Ruolan.
Bing Ruolan remained composed. She smiled at Luo Feng, walked to the copper cauldron, and her slender, jade-like fingers gripped a carved pattern on it. She lifted it effortlessly and, with a few graceful movements, crossed the ten-meter distance, placing the cauldron on the other side of the red line.
"Qualified!" the middle-aged instructor announced loudly, looking at Bing Ruolan with appreciation.
"Look, everyone! The Jade Legs Fairy has actually broken through to the Fifth Level Iron Bone Realm!"
"Truly impressive! Among the Golden Sun class students, fewer than ten have broken through to the Iron Bone Realm. It seems her eleventh-place ranking last year greatly motivated her. She's clearly determined to secure a position among the top ten Challenge Kings this year!"
"She's so beautiful and so strong! If she were my girlfriend, I'd willingly die..."
"You, with your mid-stage Fourth Level Rigid-Soft Realm strength, dare to daydream? I heard that even Duanmu Yu expressed interest in Bing Ruolan and received no response. What makes you think you stand a chance?"
"Even Young Master Duanmu was rejected? Then I have no hope."
The wave of shouts from the crowd almost drowned Bing Ruolan. She turned gracefully, like a light blue butterfly, and walked to Luo Feng's side.
"Congratulations," Luo Feng smiled.
Bing Ruolan's bright eyes showed a hint of joy as she smiled softly. "Thank you."
WHOA!
Seeing Bing Ruolan smile at Luo Feng, the voices of the surrounding students surged even louder.
"Who is that guy? Why is the Jade Legs Fairy talking and laughing with him?"
"He's a Silver Moon class student. His name seems to be Luo Feng."
"Bah! A mere late-stage Fourth Level Rigid-Soft Realm brat! I challenge you to a duel! The Jade Legs Fairy is mine!"
Countless jealous and hostile gazes were directed at Luo Feng.
The middle-aged instructor glanced at the roster in his hand, gave Luo Feng a sympathetic look, and called out loudly, "Luo Feng!"
"I'll be right back," Luo Feng said with a faint smile, walking casually towards the copper cauldron.
"Let's see what this kid's got! It'd be best if he can't even lift the cauldron!"
A burst of derisive laughter came from the side. Many people hoped to see Luo Feng make a fool of himself.
Luo Feng didn't even look at them. He simply punched out.
DONG!
A deafening sound reverberated throughout the entire Purple Sun School. The 2,500-kilogram copper cauldron shot out like a meteor, flying past the red line. It traveled more than ten meters before crashing to the ground, sinking a meter deep and causing the square to tremble.
An eerie silence filled the surroundings.
The crowd stared, mouths agape, looking back and forth between Luo Feng and the giant cauldron now buried a meter deep in the ground, their eyes filled with fearful disbelief.
The middle-aged instructor was also severely startled. It took him a long moment to recover. He swallowed hard and then loudly declared, "Qualified!"