Chapter 35

The first three levels of the *Iron Wall Technique* are merely for building a foundation. Only by reaching the fourth level and above can one truly demonstrate its power.

This set of body-strengthening martial arts, once advanced to the fourth level, makes the entire body as strong as an iron wall, impervious to blades and spears, achieving a state of minor mastery.

In other words, with Xin Fei's level of attack, Zhao Feng could completely withstand it with his physical body alone.

A few ordinary martial artists of the fourth or fifth level would find it very difficult to truly injure him.

At the fourth level of the *Iron Wall Technique*, not only is the surface of the body strengthened, but the martial arts internal energy is also refined into the blood, flesh, and bones, significantly increasing strength, far surpassing those of the same level, and enhancing resistance to blades, swords, and martial arts internal energy.

Zhao Feng's current feeling was particularly evident.

Without using martial arts internal energy, he could feel the powerful strength contained in his muscles and bones with every breath and movement.

"I can now easily defeat a martial artist of the fourth level using only my physical strength, and even contend with a fifth-level martial artist."

Zhao Feng took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and carefully experienced the strength in his body.

At this moment, Zhao Feng truly understood the benefits of body-strengthening martial arts.

If he had been able to cultivate the *Iron Wall Technique* to the fourth level earlier, he could have calmly dealt with the attacks of the gray-robed martial artists and the others, rather than being in a desperate situation.

*Boom!*

Zhao Feng leaped out of the blood pool, consolidated for a few hours, and then jumped to near the cave entrance.

The cave entrance was blocked by collapsed rocks.

Through the gaps in the rocks, Zhao Feng could see the scene in the canyon.

"Still haven't left?"

Zhao Feng frowned, seeing the blue-eyed giant wolf still lying in the canyon, snoring.

He dared not move, only slightly moving some of the rocks.

*Roar!*

At this moment, the blue-eyed giant wolf roared, its powerful aura pressing down, accompanied by gusts of wind, echoing throughout the canyon.

Zhao Feng felt somewhat helpless and returned to the depths of the cave.

As a high-level fierce beast, the blue-eyed giant wolf had extraordinary senses. It would not be easy for Zhao Feng to sneak past it.

"There are only two days left before the final martial arts competition begins."

Zhao Feng, soaking in the blood pool, felt somewhat anxious.

Breaking through by force was definitely impossible. The strength of the blue-eyed giant wolf was comparable to that of a martial artist of the eighth level. Martial artists below the seventh level would only be instantly killed.

Every three levels of martial arts form a watershed.

Martial artists of the fourth to sixth levels are in the "Qi Accumulation Stage," while those of the seventh to eighth levels are in the "Qi Breaking Stage."

Zhao Feng might be able to challenge a martial artist of the sixth level, but it would be extremely difficult to challenge a Qi Breaking Stage martial master.

That blue-eyed giant wolf was equivalent to a Qi Breaking Stage martial master, at least as strong as an eighth-level martial artist. Even the elders of the Zhao clan might not be its match.

Since he couldn't go out, Zhao Feng had no choice but to stay and continue his cultivation.

He soaked in the spring pool, cultivating both the *Iron Wall Technique* and the *Lingdu Qi Technique*.

The power of the blood-colored spring liquid was truly miraculous and strong. Even though Zhao Feng's *Iron Wall Technique* had broken through to the fourth level, he still felt a trend of improvement, although it was much slower than before.

In the blink of an eye, two more days passed.

Zhao Feng's *Iron Wall Technique* had advanced a bit further.

During this time, he also consumed a 500-year-old blood ginseng and a 500-year-old blood bamboo shoot.

The "blood ginseng" can enhance martial arts internal energy and stabilize the mind.

After consuming the 500-year-old blood ginseng, Zhao Feng felt his mind become clear, and his martial arts internal energy became more refined and of higher quality.

With the help of the previous blood ginseng and spring liquid, his martial arts internal energy reached the peak of the fifth level, not inferior to Zhao Han.

The "blood bamboo shoot" had a more unique effect, nurturing the body and expelling toxins.

Zhao Feng had been soaking in the blood-colored spring liquid for a long time, consuming heavenly and earthly treasures, and his realm had rapidly advanced, leaving some hidden illnesses and toxins in his body.

After consuming the 500-year-old blood bamboo shoot, he expelled several times of black liquid from his body, feeling refreshed and his constitution transformed, with his cultivation subtly advancing.

At this moment, Zhao Feng's martial arts internal energy was comparable to the peak of the fifth level, his cultivation was close to the peak of the fifth level, and his *Iron Wall Technique* was also approaching the peak of the fourth level.

But he felt no joy at all.

"Today should be the day of the final martial arts competition."

Zhao Feng felt somewhat depressed and shook his head with a sigh.

He was still trapped in the cave and could not go out.

It seemed that the final martial arts competition of the clan was destined to be out of his reach...

At the same moment.

In Yuyang City, the Zhao clan.

The final martial arts competition of the clan was proceeding in an orderly manner.

In the inner circle of the Zhao clan, the elite disciples, who were rarely seen on a daily basis, all appeared one by one.

Ranking first, Zhao Linlong; ranking second, Zhao Feng; ranking third, Zhao Han...

One after another, the rising stars took the stage, pushing the final martial arts competition to a peak.

The clan's martial arts competition was in full swing.

Only a few people were secretly puzzled.

"Why hasn't he come?"

Zhao Yufei's beautiful eyes scanned the entire venue, but she did not see Zhao Feng's figure.

After nearly half a month, Zhao Yufei finally broke through to the fourth level of martial arts. This was partly due to the *Lingdu Qi Technique* and the assistance of some precious herbs...

On the challenge platform opposite, fifty chairs were arranged in five rows, with fifty inner circle disciples sitting on them.

These fifty chairs represented the fifty inner circle disciples' positions.

The owners of the first three chairs were ranked among the top three disciples of the entire clan, all of whom were at the fifth level of martial arts.

From their auras, Zhao Feng and Zhao Han had both recently broken through to the fifth level of martial arts.

As for the top-ranked "Zhao Linlong," he had his eyes closed the entire time, his depth unfathomable.

He did not even glance at the challenges and sparring matches on the field.

"Why hasn't the first-ranked outer circle disciple, Zhao Feng, come?"

"Yes, I heard that he defeated a fourth-level martial artist with only half a step in cultivation a few days ago."

Some of the Zhao clan disciples whispered among themselves.

Regarding Zhao Feng's situation, only a few of the higher-ups in the Zhao clan had noticed.

On the viewing platform.

"If he had come, he would have at least had the cultivation of the fourth level, and placing in the top five should not be a problem. But why..."

A white-bearded old man muttered to himself.

This white-bearded old man was the chief referee of the outer circle martial arts competition, who had once intervened to stop Zhao Tianjian from oppressing Zhao Feng.

Today, he was also one of the two chief referees of the final competition.

"Hmph, if he could appear, the sun would definitely rise in the west."

A hint of malice flashed in Zhao Tianjian's eyes, but he then felt puzzled: "But... why hasn't 'Gray Eagle,' who was responsible for the assassination plan, given a response after completing the task?"

...

In the dark depths of the Hengyun Tianlin cave.

Zhao Feng was still soaking in the blood pool, his last hope dashed.

Time slowly passed.

He confirmed that the final martial arts competition had already begun.

But the blue-eyed giant wolf in the canyon was still guarding its territory, and Zhao Feng did not dare to make any rash moves.

The only thing he could do now was to soak in the spring pool and quietly cultivate the *Iron Wall Technique* and the *Lingdu Qi Technique*.

In the blink of an eye, another day passed.

Zhao Feng's *Iron Wall Technique* slowly advanced to the peak of the fourth level.

His martial arts internal energy reached the limit of the fifth level, even approaching the sixth level.

Even the slowest-progressing martial arts realm was approaching the peak of the fifth level.

"The final martial arts competition has already been going on for a day."

Zhao Feng no longer had any thoughts or hopes in his heart.

Although the clan's martial arts competition was important, compared to his own life, he knew which was more important.

Besides, as long as he had enough strength, even if he did not participate in the clan's martial arts competition, he would not have to fear anything when he returned to the clan.

*Roar!*

A roar echoed from the canyon, growing louder as it approached.

*Hmm!*

Zhao Feng leaped out of the blood-colored spring pool.

That sound clearly came from the blue-eyed giant wolf outside.

"Let's go and see."

Zhao Feng used the *Piaolingdu* technique and leaped to the blocked cave entrance in a moment.

Through the gaps in the rocks, Zhao Feng saw the scene in the canyon.

At the other end of the canyon, about three to four miles away, several human figures appeared.

Humans!

Zhao Feng was initially delighted, but then his mood turned gloomy again.

High-level fierce beasts were terrifying, and ordinary people were not enough to fill their teeth. Unless the few people who came included a martial master.

Zhao Feng's left eye, from a distance of three to four miles, could clearly see the faces of those few people, even the moles on their faces and the texture of their skin.

There were three people, two men and one woman, all around seventeen or eighteen years old, the oldest being twenty.

At that age, it was almost impossible to have the realm of a martial master.

In Zhao Feng's memory, the elders of the Zhao clan were all in their seventies or eighties.

However, when the blue-eyed giant wolf faced these few people, it did not immediately attack, showing a sign of caution.

The two men and one woman were wearing uniform black-patterned green robes, indicating they were members of some organization.

From a distance of three to four miles, Zhao Feng could not hear their voices, as his ears were far less powerful than his left eye.

At this moment, the older youth at the front spoke calmly, "This beast actually understands human nature."

"It's not challenging."

The other young man said disdainfully.

"Let me handle it."

The last girl said hesitantly.

"Alright, Junior Sister Yuan, your combat skills are too poor. Now, you must take it down in one move."

The leading youth said.

...

If Zhao Feng could hear their conversation, he would be shocked beyond measure.

Then, he watched as the somewhat inexperienced girl walked towards the high-level fierce beast, the massive blue-eyed giant wolf.

*Roar!*

The blue-eyed giant wolf roared and pounced at the inexperienced girl.

Heaven!

Zhao Feng was stunned, his heart rate suddenly accelerating.

Seeing the delicate girl possibly losing her life to the blue-eyed giant wolf's mouth, Zhao Feng's left eye suddenly activated to its limit.

In his field of vision, the world's speed seemed to slow down by several dozen times.

"Break!"

In his field of vision, the inexperienced girl's figure danced gracefully, her hand slowly drawing a line. A strange green light condensed in her hand, transforming into a whirlwind of sharpness, following a mysterious trajectory, striking the blue-eyed giant wolf's head.

*Pfft!*

The blue-eyed giant wolf's skin, harder than steel, was cut open with deep gashes several feet long. Its head exploded instantly, emitting a piercing scream as it fell to the ground, dead.

*Boom!*

Dust and smoke rose, leaving only the corpse of the blue-eyed giant wolf lying in a pool of blood.

This scene left Zhao Feng stunned.

His left eye was still flickering.

In the dark space, the pale green spiral halo split into two, transforming into two shadows: one representing the blue-eyed giant wolf, the other representing the inexperienced girl.

The two shadows quickly approached, with the small inexperienced girl following a mysterious trajectory, as if merging with a greater force, her every move containing immense power, striking down the blue-eyed giant wolf in one blow.

Those scenes, especially the various subtleties of the inexperienced girl's moves, were repeatedly played out in the dark space, imprinted in his mind.

Zhao Feng's body was like a stone, his eyes closed, seemingly entering a mysterious realm, oblivious to the outside world.

He did not even know when the few people in the canyon left.

"Junior Sister Yuan, although your opponent was weak, your first combat performance was quite good."

The leading youth said with a hint of praise.

...

When Zhao Feng opened his eyes.

The canyon was empty, with only the corpse of the blue-eyed giant wolf remaining.

Everything that had happened seemed like a dream.

But if he activated his left eye, the dark space would repeatedly play out the entire process of the inexperienced girl killing the high-level fierce beast in one move.