Chapter 41

It's my turn again?

Zhao Feng sat in the third-ranked seat, stroking his chin.

Currently, only Zhao Feng and Zhao Linlong were ahead of him in the rankings.

To defeat Zhao Feng, he estimated it would take some effort, but he was ten times confident.

If he challenged the first-ranked Zhao Linlong, Zhao Feng would definitely expose his true cultivation and full strength.

Recently, his cultivation had progressed too rapidly. If he completely exposed his cultivation and strength, it would attract too much attention.

Zhao Feng still needed to hold back to guard against enemies like Zhao Tianjian.

Moreover, facing top martial arts, Zhao Feng did not have a sure win.

"I give up."

After weighing the pros and cons, Zhao Feng continued to forfeit.

His goal was to enter the top three and obtain top martial arts. Now that his goal was achieved, there was no need to risk his life.

Zhao Feng's forfeiture surprised many, but it wasn't too strange.

After all, with Zhao Feng's cultivation, being firmly in the top three was already an unexpectedly good result.

"I also give up."

Zhao Feng glanced at Zhao Feng with a deep meaning.

During the first round, he had watched Zhao Feng's battle with Zhao Han. The opponent's strength was only slightly above his own, perhaps even able to compete with Zhao Linlong.

The third and second places successively forfeited.

The first-ranked Zhao Linlong, believing he had no opponents, did not propose a challenge.

Thus, the second round of challenges ended hastily.

First place: Zhao Linlong, second place: Zhao Feng, third place: Zhao Feng, fourth place: Zhao Han, fifth place: Zhao Qin, sixth place: Zhao Yufei, seventh place: Zhao Qing...

The top seven were all martial artists, and the rankings were basically settled.

"The final round of challenges, each person has one last chance."

The referee announced.

After the second round, very few people challenged in the third round.

However, when it was the sixth-ranked Zhao Yufei's turn, there was a small turn of events.

"I challenge the fifth-ranked Zhao Qin."

Zhao Yufei's beautiful eyes were like translucent crystals, with a playful smile.

Her challenge surprised many.

"Alright."

Zhao Qin nodded and stepped onto the stage.

Soon, two beautiful girls faced each other on the challenge platform.

Both Zhao Qin and Zhao Yufei were more beautiful than ordinary girls, and more importantly, both had extraordinary talent.

As the two girls stepped onto the stage, many young men in the audience couldn't help but quicken their heartbeats.

One could imagine that the two girls were the dream lovers of countless young men in the Zhao clan.

Especially Zhao Yufei, who was younger, charming, and elegant, far surpassing the beauty of ordinary women.

Hmm!

The first-ranked Zhao Linlong's eyes lit up, attracted by Zhao Yufei.

"Jade Cloud Finger!"

"Butterfly Leaf Palm!"

The two girls shouted, their graceful figures intertwining in a beautiful dance, either flying or spinning.

Zhao Qin had always been the top girl in the Zhao clan.

Her cultivation was close to the peak of the fourth level, and she was older than Zhao Yufei, with deeper cultivation.

In comparison, Zhao Yufei was two years younger and had just broken through to the fourth level of martial arts not long ago.

However, unexpectedly, Zhao Yufei held her own against Zhao Qin for over ten moves.

Zhao Yufei's martial arts internal strength was graceful and agile, swift like a gust of wind, and she had a clear advantage in speed.

Zhao Feng understood that Zhao Yufei was also cultivating the "Lingdu Qi Jue," but her level of mastery was slightly lower than his. This also made up for the gap in cultivation between Zhao Yufei and Zhao Qin.

After twenty moves, Zhao Qin's expression gradually became serious, her martial arts internal strength pushed to the limit, and the advanced martial art "Jade Cloud Finger" was fully unleashed.

However, Zhao Yufei was unexpectedly difficult to deal with, light and composed, moving freely.

Thirty moves! Forty moves! ...

Zhao Yufei's elegance and grace increased over time, and the power of her martial arts gradually grew.

At the eightieth move, a sudden change occurred.

"Butterfly Leaf Dance!"

Zhao Yufei's palm technique's power greatly increased, her speed and strength reaching a new level.

Slap! Slap! Slap...

Zhao Yufei's dress fluttered, like a butterfly dancing in the air, her palm force and martial arts internal strength continuously stacking.

With three consecutive palms, Zhao Qin was shaken, her blood surging, and she retreated several steps, her face pale with shock: "You actually hid your strength!"

It turned out that in the previous exchanges, Zhao Yufei had held back, reserving her strength and martial arts internal strength.

Especially, she had also cultivated an advanced body-strengthening martial art, estimated to have about six to seven-tenths of the power of Zhao Feng's "Iron Wall Technique."

"I admit defeat."

After a few more moves, Zhao Qin, who was seriously injured, admitted defeat.

The many Zhao clan disciples in the audience couldn't help but look at Zhao Yufei with new eyes.

This girl was not only as beautiful as a celestial being, the first beauty of the Zhao clan, but also had outstanding talent and strength.

"Good!"

The first-ranked Zhao Linlong, rarely nodded in approval, his eyes lingering on the clear and beautiful Zhao Yufei, almost losing himself.

Zhao Feng, standing beside him, showed a hint of thought: "Could it be that Zhao Linlong actually..."

As the first-ranked, Zhao Linlong's brief loss of composure was noticed by some.

"Ha ha, it seems even heroes can't resist the allure of beauty."

Some of the elders on the viewing platform smiled brightly.

"Zhao Yufei's talent and potential are not inferior to Linlong; the two are a good match."

The clan head, Zhao Tiancang, clapped and laughed.

...

After defeating Zhao Qin, Zhao Yufei ranked fifth.

According to the rules, she could continue to challenge those ahead of her.

However, Zhao Yufei looked at the top four and found that each of them was far stronger than her, so she gave up.

Among them, she noticed Zhao Linlong's slightly intense gaze, which made her feel a bit strange.

Throughout the Zhao clan ranking competition, Zhao Linlong had always been above all, indifferent and calm, not caring about anyone.

Until he noticed Zhao Yufei, the coldness and arrogance in his eyes gradually melted, a situation he had never experienced in his seventeen years of life—yes, that heart-pounding feeling.

After Zhao Yufei's challenge, it was the fourth-ranked Zhao Han's turn.

Zhao Han's gaze swept over Zhao Feng, Zhao Feng, and Zhao Han, feeling somewhat helpless.

The top three, Zhao Linlong, he had no chance against.

Zhao Feng? He had tasted the bitterness, deeply understanding the terror of his opponent, whose true strength might even challenge Zhao Linlong.

As for Zhao Feng, he was flawless, and he could only fight to a draw, unable to shake his position.

"I give up."

Zhao Han felt helpless and regretful.

If he hadn't challenged Zhao Feng first, he could have at least secured the top three, and perhaps the fourth place would have been Zhao Feng.

"Forfeit."

Zhao Feng said as usual.

"I also give up."

Zhao Feng showed little interest.

"The competition ends here."

Zhao Linlong smiled faintly, glancing at the clear and beautiful Zhao Yufei nearby.

For some reason, the more he looked, the more he liked her.

Feeling his intense gaze, Zhao Yufei felt uncomfortable and instinctively avoided it.

"The clan martial arts meeting ends here. The rankings and rewards will be announced shortly..."

The referee announced.

A moment later, the rankings of the inner disciples were announced:

First place: Zhao Linlong

Second place: Zhao Feng

Third place: Zhao Feng

Fourth place: Zhao Han

Fifth place: Zhao Yufei

Sixth place: Zhao Qin

Seventh place: Zhao Qing

...

After the competition, those with higher rankings secretly looked forward to it.

According to past traditions, the top twenty, top ten, and top three of the clan martial arts meeting would receive additional rewards.

"The clan head will now announce the rewards."

The referee said.

Clan head!

The audience erupted in a wave of cheers.

On the viewing platform, a refined and dignified middle-aged man stood up, raising his hands slightly, emitting an invisible pressure.

He was the clan head, Zhao Tiancang!

Zhao Feng felt the clan head's aura approaching that of a high-level fierce beast in the Hengyun Tianlin, clearly a martial arts master above the seventh level.

Zhao Tiancang looked down from above, his gaze sweeping over the fifty inner disciples.

Especially when his gaze fell on Zhao Linlong, it was unusually gentle.

Many knew that Zhao Linlong was the clan head's adopted son.

"I will now announce the rewards: All inner disciples can enter the second floor of the Xuanwu Pavilion and choose one advanced martial art, and receive a three-hundred-year-old blood ginseng."

The rewards for inner disciples were basically consistent with rumors.

"The top twenty can choose up to two advanced martial arts and receive two three-hundred-year-old blood ginsengs."

"The top ten can choose two advanced martial arts and receive one five-hundred-year-old blood ginseng."

At this point, the clan head paused slightly.

Many inner disciples were somewhat delighted, as most were still at the martial apprentice level, and only a few came from wealthy families.

"The top three! Can choose one top martial art, two advanced martial arts, and receive one 'Yunxue Pill.'"

The clan head smiled.

Top martial art! Yunxue Pill!

The rewards for the top three far exceeded those of the previous Zhao clan disciples.

Zhao Feng couldn't help but show a delighted expression.

A top martial art was what he was eagerly awaiting.

The value of the Yunxue Pill exceeded that of a five-hundred-year-old blood ginseng, capable of enhancing a martial artist's cultivation.

Thus, the rewards for the clan martial arts meeting were announced.

The fifty Zhao clan disciples, led by the clan manager, went to the warehouse to collect their rewards.

On that day, Zhao Feng obtained a "Yunxue Pill."

As for the rewards of one top martial art and two advanced martial arts, Zhao Feng received a special token, allowing him to claim them from the "Xuanwu Pavilion" at any time.

"I heard that the first place would receive some special rewards. Why not this year?"

"Maybe they haven't been announced yet."

On the way back, Zhao Feng heard some discussions.

He ignored them and went home on his own.

"Brother Zhao Feng!"

A sweet and gentle girl's voice came, filled with joy.

Zhao Feng didn't need to turn around to know it was Zhao Yufei.

After moving into the inner circle, the two families became neighbors and got to know each other better. Especially after the trade of the "Iron Wall Technique," their relationship became even closer.

"Yufei, your performance was excellent."

Zhao Feng thought of Zhao Yufei's victory over Zhao Qin and couldn't help but praise her.

"Compared to Brother Zhao Feng, I'm far behind. But, Yufei is curious, why didn't you challenge Zhao Linlong?"

Zhao Yufei's clear eyes showed curiosity.

She was certain that Zhao Feng's "Iron Wall Technique" had reached the fourth level, even the peak of the fourth level, with defense and physical strength ranking first among inner disciples.

Combined with Zhao Feng's martial arts internal strength at the fifth level and the advanced techniques "Lingdu Qi Jue" and "Piaolingdu," he was fully qualified to challenge Zhao Linlong.

"Yufei overestimates me. There is still a gap between me and Zhao Linlong."

Zhao Feng shook his head, being very humble.

Clearly, among all the outer disciples, Zhao Yufei's estimation of his strength was closest to the truth.

The two, being of similar age, chatted and laughed, with few reservations.

In another corner of the challenge platform.

Zhao Linlong, dressed in a wide, golden robe, watched Zhao Feng and Zhao Yufei walk away together, his face darkening, feeling somewhat unnatural. His eyes flashed with a sharp look, and he muttered to himself: "That guy, his name is Zhao Feng, right?"