Feng Mo's fist shot forward, just inches from Feng Wuchen's face.
In the split-second before impact, Feng Wuchen slightly tilted his head, causing Feng Mo's punch to miss its mark.
"What?! Dodged!"
While the onlookers stared in disbelief, Feng Mo gritted his teeth and followed up with another sweeping punch, aiming where Feng Wuchen had dodged.
"Let's see you avoid this one!"
But, as if he had anticipated the strike, Feng Wuchen had already shifted his weight, flashing to the side and opening up a safe distance between them.
"What!"
Frustrated by two misses, Feng Mo's face flushed with anger. Humiliated, he unleashed a storm of fists and kicks on Feng Wuchen, each one fiercer than the last.
Feng Wuchen's movements were subtle and efficient—not flashy, but precise. Each dodge was timed perfectly to slip out of Feng Mo's reach, as if he were following a script.
Time passed, and the furious pace began to take its toll on Feng Mo, who was now panting heavily, his attacks growing sluggish. Yet, he hadn't even managed to brush Feng Wuchen's sleeve.
Observing this, Lu Qing frowned and looked intently at Feng Wuchen. With his level of expertise, he could easily see that their speed and agility weren't on the same level.
So this kid had even caught the attention of Yue Qingyin… Still, in battle, speed alone doesn't decide the winner. Real strength does.
Watching Feng Wuchen evade again, Feng Mo, grinding his teeth, sneered. "Aren't you supposed to be a sword cultivator? What's the point of all this running around? Face me head-on if you dare!"
"Oh? Draw my sword?" Feng Wuchen's eyes glinted with mockery. "You're hardly qualified."
"What did you say…"
Feng Mo clenched his fists, his whole body trembling in rage. Seven days earlier, Yue Qingyin had spoken to him the same way!
Yue Qingyin was the second genius of the Qingchen Sect, already at the Golden Body Realm—a level high enough to justify her disdain.
But this trash in front of him… What right did he have to look down on him?
Feng Wuchen raised a brow and smirked. "In any case, playing around with trash like you is a waste of time."
He extended his hand, and a brilliant sword—the Burning Sun Sword—materialized in his palm.
"A spiritual sword! How does he have one? Does he have a storage artifact on him?"
"Wow! A spiritual sword and a storage artifact! This kid must be loaded!"
As exclamations erupted around him, Feng Wuchen raised his sword, ready to strike.
Seeing this, Feng Mo's expression turned ecstatic. No matter how fast Feng Wuchen was, he was still at the Innate Realm—a lower level than Feng Mo's Control Qi Realm.
Feng Mo summoned his spiritual energy, which flared red around his fists, looking like they were engulfed in flames.
"Mid-level spiritual martial arts: Blazing Fist!"
As he executed the martial art, Feng Mo's true power revealed itself to the crowd, setting off a ripple of astonishment.
"Level three of the Control Qi Realm!"
"It's barely been any time since he entered the Control Qi Realm, yet he's already level three! The Heavenly Spirit Vein really is terrifying!"
Even Lin Cang, an elder, could not help but glance at Feng Changyun, impressed yet apprehensive at Feng Mo's talent.
The third level of Control Qi Realm, combined with the Blazing Fist, should be more than enough to handle an Innate Realm fighter—sword cultivator or not.
But as Feng Mo's fierce blow surged forward, Feng Wuchen didn't flinch. He lunged with his sword instead.
The crowd gasped. Feng Mo had awakened the Heavenly Spiritual Vein and was a level higher. Surely it was reckless for Feng Wuchen to face him head-on like this.
In an instant, the sword and fist clashed—and Feng Mo's fist was pierced clean through, Feng Wuchen's strike continuing straight for his throat.
Sword intent!
"No!"
Feng Mo scrambled back, summoning all his strength to shield his vitals.
Boom!
With a thunderous noise, dust billowed up around the arena. As it settled, a figure was sent hurtling to the edge, landing in a heap with blood trickling from his lips.
"That…that's Feng Mo!"
The crowd froze, stunned by the outcome.
"What… just happened? Did Feng Mo lose?"
"So they're right—sword cultivators are unmatched at the same level. He pierced the fist of a Control Qi Realm fighter. That's terrifying!"
But Feng Wuchen didn't stop. His body flickered and in a flash, his sword was already poised to strike Feng Mo again.
"Stop! You dare harm my son?"
At the sound of the voice, Feng Mo's panic-stricken face brightened.
"Father! Save me!"
Feng Changyun threw himself in front of Feng Mo to block the strike, but Feng Wuchen didn't hesitate.
"Are you looking for death?"
With a brutal thrust, the sword broke through Feng Changyun's defense and pierced his heart. The tip pressed against Feng Mo's forehead, blood dripping onto his nose.
Terrified, Feng Mo lost control and started to cry.
"Please…please don't kill me!"
With Feng Changyun dead by Feng Wuchen's sword, Feng Changgeng, the head of the Feng family, scowled, his face dark with anger.
"Feng Wuchen! Are you rebelling?"
"Me? Feng Changgeng, your audacity astounds me. Feng Changyun violated the life-and-death arena rules by intervening. Killing him is only fair!"
"You…you…!"
Just as Feng Changgeng was about to explode, Lu Qing stood up and floated onto the arena.
"Elder Lu!"
Lu Qing glanced at Feng Changgeng. "I need a moment with the young man, Master Feng. Will you allow it?"
Feng Changgeng clenched his jaw, his face pale. "Of course…of course."
Lu Qing placed his hand on Feng Wuchen's forehead. Feng Wuchen's eyes widened—he realized the elder was trying to examine his spiritual vein.
But the gap in their cultivation was too vast; he couldn't resist.
When Lu Qing spoke, his brow furrowed. "You have no spiritual vein?"
Feng Wuchen was taken aback, but then noticed that the Longyuan Sword Tower in his dantian had shrunk and hidden itself.
After a moment's pause, he replied, "That's right…I don't."
Lu Qing shook his head with a hint of regret. "Without a spiritual vein, even if you can absorb spiritual energy, you'll never reach the Golden Body Realm. You're not the one I'm looking for."
With a sigh, Lu Qing pulled a jade token from his robe and handed it to Feng Wuchen.
"Though I can't take you as my disciple, I'd still like to offer you an opportunity. On the fifteenth of next month, bring this token to the Qingchen Sect. Whatever fate has in store will be up to you."
"Elder Lu! Are you sure you don't want him?" Yue Qingyin's voice suddenly rang out.
Lu Qing gave a faint smile. "Miss Yue, I respect your choice. But if I don't accept him today, I won't regret it."
Yue Qingyin scoffed. "The man I take an interest in doesn't need to beg for a master. Just don't come crying later."
Lu Qing chuckled. "Miss Yue, I take your meaning well. Shall we depart?"
"Wait for me in Black Water City. I have some things to wrap up."
Lu Qing nodded, glancing around the arena. "Understood."