The tension in the arena was palpable, a thick, suffocating blanket of anticipation. The semi-finals had concluded, and the final match was set: Lin Feng versus Wang Long, the strongest disciple of the Wang Family, a formidable cultivator also at the Qi Condensation Realm Intermediate Stage, known for his unyielding defense and explosive strength.
Wang Long, a burly youth with a stern face and broad shoulders, stepped onto the stage. Unlike Hu Lei, there was no arrogance in his eyes, only a deep-seated determination and a hint of caution. He had witnessed Lin Feng's bizarre victories, and he knew this opponent was unlike any other. He carried no sword, relying solely on his powerful physique and a set of heavy gauntlets.
Lin Feng calmly walked to his side of the stage, his Black Panther Cloak billowing slightly. His gaze was unwavering, meeting Wang Long's with a quiet intensity. He knew this would be his toughest fight yet. Wang Long's strength was renowned, and his defense was said to be like iron.
"Let the final match begin!" the announcer's voice thundered, his excitement barely contained.
Wang Long didn't rush. He took a deep stance, his muscles tensing, a faint earthy yellow spiritual light shimmering around his body. This was the Wang Family's Earth-Shielding Art, a defensive technique that made his body incredibly resilient.
Lin Feng made the first move. He stomped his foot, activating Earth Manipulation (Basic). The ground beneath Wang Long rippled, small fissures appearing, attempting to disrupt his stable stance.
Wang Long grunted, his feet sinking slightly, but his stance remained firm. He was indeed rooted to the ground. "A petty trick!" he roared, then lunged forward, his speed surprising for his build, a heavy punch aimed directly at Lin Feng's chest. The air compressed before his fist, carrying immense force.
Lin Feng met the attack with his own Elemental Fusion: Wind-Fire Blade (Basic). A shimmering blade of wind and fire materialized, clashing with Wang Long's iron fist.
BOOM!
A concussive force erupted. Lin Feng felt a powerful recoil, the ground beneath his feet cracking. Wang Long's fist was incredibly strong, but the Wind-Fire Blade, though basic, managed to deflect the main force, searing his gauntlet with elemental energy.
[Elemental Fusion: Wind-Fire Blade (Basic) dealt (40) damage!] [Wang Long's Earth-Shielding Art reduced damage by 20%!]
Wang Long gritted his teeth. His gauntlet glowed, repairing itself slightly. "Interesting! You truly have some tricks!" He pressed the attack, unleashing a barrage of powerful punches, each strike carrying the weight of a mountain.
Lin Feng weaved and dodged, his Speed Boost working overtime. He was faster, but Wang Long's attacks were wide and powerful, forcing him to expend spiritual power to maintain evasion. He needed to find an opening, or better yet, extract something crucial.
He decided to go for a direct confrontation. As Wang Long threw another devastating punch, Lin Feng didn't dodge completely. He allowed the punch to graze his Flesh Reinforcement (Intermediate)-enhanced arm, absorbing part of the impact.
THUD!
Lin Feng staggered back a step, a dull ache spreading through his arm, but no serious injury.
[Flesh Reinforcement (Intermediate) activated. Damage reduced by 10%.] [Self-Healing (Basic) activated. Minor injury regenerating.]
In that split second of contact, Lin Feng's hand shot out, brushing against Wang Long's arm.
[Detected: Wang Long (Cultivation: Qi Condensation Realm Intermediate Stage). Can be extracted.] [Extraction suggestion: Physique (0.5), Strength (0.4), Earth-Shielding Art Comprehension (0.3), Body Tempering Essence (0.1).]
Body Tempering Essence! Lin Feng's eyes lit up. This was a rare and valuable attribute, directly related to physical cultivation. It could significantly enhance his own physique.
"Extract!" Lin Feng commanded mentally, pouring all his focus into it.
Wang Long roared in surprise, feeling a strange, deep-seated weakness wash over his body. His powerful physique, his very foundation, felt like it was being siphoned away. He stumbled, his eyes wide with fear.
[Extraction successful! Received: Physique (0.5), Strength (0.4), Earth-Shielding Art Comprehension (0.3), Body Tempering Essence (0.1).] [Physique attribute increased! Current: 5 -> 5.5] [Strength attribute increased! Current: 5 -> 5.4] [New attribute acquired: Body Tempering Essence (0.1) - Enhances physical body tempering effects.]
Lin Feng felt a surge of raw power, his muscles subtly clenching, his bones feeling denser. His physique and strength had genuinely increased! This was a direct, tangible boost.
Wang Long, however, was in disarray. His movements became sluggish, his punches lost their explosive power. He was confused and terrified by the inexplicable draining.
"What did you do, you monster?!" Wang Long gasped, fear finally overriding his determination.
Lin Feng didn't answer. He lunged again, this time with a purpose. He aimed for Wang Long's legs, using Earth Manipulation to create a sudden, sharp tremor, throwing Wang Long off balance. As Wang Long stumbled, Lin Feng's Bone Blade flashed, not for a fatal blow, but to disarm.
CLANG!
The Bone Blade struck Wang Long's gauntlet, sending a shockwave that forced his hand open. The heavy gauntlet clattered to the ground, leaving his fist exposed.
"I forfeit!" Wang Long screamed, his voice filled with terror. He had seen enough. This Lin Feng was not human; he was a demon who stole your very essence.
The announcer, utterly bewildered by the sudden turn of events, hesitated for a moment, then raised his hand, his voice strained. "Wang Long... forfeits! Lin Feng is the victor of the tournament!"
A deafening silence descended upon the arena, followed by a collective gasp, then a chaotic explosion of murmurs and shouts.
"He won! Lin Feng is the champion!" "Unbelievable! He defeated Wang Long!" "What kind of demonic art is that? He just... drained them!" "The wretch... he's a monster!"
On the main platform, the patriarchs of the Li and Wang families looked at Hu Tian with undisguised horror. This was no longer a matter of family prestige; this was a threat to the very order of Qingfeng Town.
Hu Tian sat motionless, his face pale, his eyes wide with a mixture of disbelief and consuming dread. His son had been humiliated, and now the strongest young talent of the Wang Family had been utterly crushed in the same inexplicable manner. Lin Feng was not just a threat; he was an unknown variable, a terrifying anomaly that could not be controlled.
Lin Feng stood in the center of the arena, the sole victor. He didn't raise his hands in triumph. He didn't gloat. He simply stood there, his dark cloak and calm demeanor a stark contrast to the chaotic energy of the crowd. His gaze swept over the stunned faces, then settled on the main platform. He met Hu Tian's terrified eyes, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk touching his lips.
[Host: Lin Feng] [Level: 3 (EXP: 300/300)] [Cultivation: Qi Condensation Realm (Intermediate Stage)] [Spiritual Power: 102.7/200] [Attributes:]
Strength: 5.4 (increased!)
Agility: 6.1
Physique: 5.5 (increased!)
Spirit: 7.1
Cultivation Talent: 0.3
Sword Technique Comprehension: 0.2
Stone Manipulation: 0.1
Earth Affinity: 0.05
Wind Blade Technique: 0.2
Fireball Spell: 0.2
Minor Healing Attribute: 0.05
Healing Aura: 0.03
Hu Family Bloodline: 0.01
Body Tempering Essence: 0.1 (new!)
Earth-Shielding Art Comprehension: 0.3 (new!) [Skills:]
Flesh Reinforcement (Intermediate): Reduces 10% physical damage.
Speed Boost (Basic): Increases movement and reaction speed by 10%.
Devouring Art (Basic): Absorbs spiritual energy from all things, converts it into spiritual power.
Earth Manipulation (Basic): Allows basic control over earth and stone elements.
Elemental Fusion: Wind-Fire Blade (Basic): A basic offensive spell combining wind and fire elements.
Self-Healing (Basic): Allows passive, slow regeneration of minor injuries. [Extracted Items:]
... (updated list of extracted attributes and skills) [Synthesized Items:]
... (updated list of synthesized items) [System Points: 0]
[Level Up! Host Level increased! Current Level: 4!] [Cultivation: Qi Condensation Realm (Late Stage)!]
A powerful surge of spiritual energy coursed through Lin Feng's body. He had broken through! From a wretch to Qi Condensation Realm Late Stage in just a few days, all thanks to the tournament and the Omni-Extraction System. His spiritual power capacity doubled to 400.
The announcer, having regained some composure, stepped forward. "The prize for the champion of the Annual Martial Arts Tournament is... a Mid-Grade Spiritual Weapon: The Azure Cloud Sword, and fifty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!"
Lin Feng merely nodded, accepting the prizes. He knew these were valuable, but the true prize was the power he had gained, the attributes he had extracted, and the fear he had instilled.
He had become the champion. But with this victory, he had also drawn the full attention of the powerful families. The quiet life he once lived was over. The storm was coming.