Chapter 8

Gale frowned, with his keen eyesight, he naturally wouldn’t make a mistake, but Luo Feng could actually fight to a draw with his son in the first round, which was indeed perplexing.

Of course, he had no way of knowing that Luo Feng had cultivated an extremely profound mental technique, the Ancient Reversal Technique, which could allow martial artists to absorb purer energy and more fully unleash the effects of their battle qi. Although Luo Feng had only broken through to the Ninth Stage of Primordial Qi a few days ago, he could match Javin without falling behind. This was his first time using this mental technique in actual combat, and he wasn’t yet very proficient.

After a few more exchanges, Javin, realizing he still couldn’t gain an advantage, snorted in anger. His punches were no longer simple basic moves but became more cunning, with a mix of real and feint attacks. This was a set of boxing techniques, not a very sophisticated martial skill, but it was enough to break the deadlock.

When Luo Feng’s parents died in the battle against magical beasts, he was only ten years old and hadn’t had the chance to learn battle qi and martial skills from them. Later, with the family’s decline, they couldn’t afford to hire a teacher, and the youth training camp only taught basic techniques, with martial skills not included in the free education. Therefore, what Luo Feng had learned were only basic moves. When Javin used his boxing techniques, it made Luo Feng a bit flustered.

Seeing this, Javin felt smug. "Heh, Luo Feng, even if your Primordial Qi can match mine, what does it matter? In terms of martial skills and experience, I still have the upper hand!"

His punches became even more fierce, and before long, Javin seized an opportunity and landed a punch on Luo Feng.

"Good, the defense is broken, now I’ll use that move!"

Just as Javin was about to act, the place where Luo Feng was hit emitted a more intense light. Javin’s punch felt like hitting a brick, hard and solid, and also like hitting a cushion, soft and yielding. This was probably the defense of Primordial Qi, but the effect of Luo Feng’s Primordial Qi defense was quite peculiar, both hard and soft, and its effect was very significant. Luo Feng only grunted, feeling a bit of pain, but he didn’t suffer much damage.

The judges, seeing this, were greatly surprised.

"Instant Defense!"

In the instant of being hit, quickly condensing battle qi to the point of impact, enhancing local defense, and greatly reducing the damage received—this was Instant Defense. Its effect was self-evident; even if a martial artist was in danger during a battle and hit by the enemy, they could still resolve the situation at the last moment and hold the line.

But this was a sophisticated technique that required good awareness, sharp reflexes, and quick energy condensation speed, plus long-term special training to master. Even those with a specialty in this area usually had to cultivate to the Magic Qi stage to effectively use Instant Defense in actual combat. And this young man named Luo Feng was only at the Ninth Stage of Primordial Qi.

Could it just be a fluke?

The Instant Defense neutralized the punch, and Luo Feng didn’t show any significant weaknesses. Javin held back, not using his prepared move, and instead continued to fight with the same boxing technique.

"Luo Feng, I don’t believe that at the Ninth Stage of Primordial Qi, you can use Instant Defense. It must have been a lucky shot. Next time I hit you, you’re dead!"

Although Luo Feng wasn’t injured, Javin, with his martial skill advantage, continued to control the situation, pressing him hard. Soon, he landed another punch.

But something strange happened again. The place where the punch landed emitted a strong light, and Javin’s punch was ineffective, with most of its killing power neutralized by the Instant Defense.

If once was a coincidence, twice was not so simple.

The beautiful female judge, who had been calm all along, showed a hint of surprise on her face.

"To be able to use Instant Defense at the Ninth Stage of Primordial Qi is quite remarkable. I couldn’t do it at this stage myself!"

However, no one knew that Luo Feng hadn’t practiced Instant Defense at all. This defensive effect was a feature of the Ancient Reversal Technique, called Super Body. When it sensed that the martial artist was being harmed, the defensive system of the Ancient Reversal Technique would automatically activate, condensing battle qi to the point of impact like a reflex. Therefore, Luo Feng didn’t need to be aware, predict, or react; it was all passively achieved. Moreover, when this Super Body developed to a certain stage, it could not only passively perform Instant Defense but also counterattack, making it very powerful.

"Damn, could this kid really know Instant Defense?"

The truth-ignorant Javin was now envious, jealous, and resentful. He knew very well how significant Instant Defense was.

The battle continued, and Luo Feng was hit by several more punches, but the Super Body kept activating, making Javin’s efforts futile.

With this excellent technique guarding the bottom line, Luo Feng’s mind gradually settled, and he became more focused on the battle.

Actually, Luo Feng’s foundation wasn’t bad. Although he hadn’t learned boxing techniques or other martial skills, his basic skills were solid. He had suddenly jumped from the Inner Qi stage to the Ninth Stage of Primordial Qi, and the sudden change in level made it hard for him to adapt to this level of combat. Javin became a good training partner.

Gradually, he caught on to the pattern of Javin’s boxing techniques, and the power driven by the Ancient Reversal Technique also entered a better state, becoming more fluid. The frequency of Luo Feng being hit decreased, and eventually, Javin couldn’t hit him at all.

Another advantage of the Ancient Reversal Technique—endurance—also began to show. Luo Feng’s Primordial Qi was continuous and inexhaustible, with no significant difference from the beginning of the battle, while Javin’s Primordial Qi started to wane, evident from the gradually dimming light around him.

With the shift in momentum, Javin began to feel the pressure. Each of Luo Feng’s punches became heavier, and even with the help of boxing techniques, Javin found it difficult to resist.

The change in the momentum was obvious, and the people outside the training ground noticed, starting to discuss.

"Who would have thought that Luo Feng would be so strong? His battle qi seems even stronger than Javin’s, and the punches don’t seem to hurt him much."

"What do you know? That’s called Instant Defense, a very sophisticated technique!"

"Luo Feng is young but has learned such a technique, which is quite impressive. It looks like the Luo family is rising."

"Javin is really unlucky. If it weren’t for Luo Feng, he would definitely get the official recommendation for advancement in Tianwei City."

"..."

When you become strong or show the potential to become strong, people’s attitudes change. Now, no one dared to discriminate against Luo Feng, and their comments were overwhelmingly in his favor.

Javin, already agitated, was further infuriated by these harsh words.

"Do you all think I, Javin, am destined to lose?"

"Bullshit, Luo Feng can only be beneath me. He can never be stronger than me. Now, I’ll show you who the real winner is!"

Javin’s moves suddenly changed. His right arm was raised high, slightly bent, and his fist loosened, fingers together. The light around his entire arm suddenly intensified, and the flowing Primordial Qi formed a flat blade-like shape, hissing. At first glance, his arm looked like a sharp long sword. Even ordinary people could see that the momentum and striking power of this move were far more impressive than the previous boxing techniques. The term "Battle Skill" popped into their minds.

Unlike ordinary martial skills that only had a form, Battle Skills were a more advanced type of martial skill. They could condense a large amount of a martial artist’s battle qi, delivering devastating attacks far beyond ordinary attacks.

Two martial artists with similar battle qi levels, if one mastered a Battle Skill and the other didn’t, it was like the former fighting with a weapon against an unarmed opponent, greatly increasing their chances of winning.

Battle Skills were much harder to master, and no one knew that Javin had already mastered one. This made the situation for Luo Feng, who had already turned the tide, suddenly very unfavorable.

With a sharp aura, Javin’s right arm, like a blade, slashed down in a circular arc.

White Rank Battle Skill—Arc Light Slash!

[Ranking of Battle Skills: White, Blue, Orange, Red, Purple, Silver, Gold, Black. White Rank is the lowest basic Battle Skill, with no sub-ranks. After Blue Rank, each rank is divided into Lowest, Lower, Middle, Upper, and Highest.]

Originally, Javin planned to force Luo Feng into a mistake with his boxing techniques and then use the Arc Light Slash to kill him. But now that the boxing techniques were ineffective, he had to compromise and use the Battle Skill forcefully.

Even the lowest basic Battle Skill was not to be underestimated. Javin had tested it and found it could cut through a large tree.

Instant Defense couldn’t block it. "Luo Feng, this slash of mine, even if it doesn’t kill you, will at least cripple you!"

"I want to see how much patience Qi Qi has. When you’re crippled, will she still be willing to follow you for life? Then, I will eventually take her away. This is the consequence of you competing with me for a woman and the official recommendation, hahaha!"

Gale’s lips curled into a smug smile. "Rog, it seems my son is still more outstanding. Although he couldn’t break through the defense and use the Arc Light Slash to directly kill Luo Feng, being able to cripple him will finish your Luo family."

Qi Qi also saw the killing power of the Arc Light Slash and Javin’s sinister intentions, exclaiming, "Young Master, quickly dodge!"

But it was no use. Javin, with a certain level of lightness skill, was clearly faster on his feet. As long as he clung to Luo Feng, this attack couldn’t be avoided.

Moreover, Luo Feng had no intention of dodging.

His right arm was also raised high, slightly bent, fist opened, fingers together.

This posture... How is this possible!

Everyone noticed that Luo Feng’s starting move was almost identical to Javin’s. Could it be... Arc Light Slash?

Javin was greatly shaken, but he quickly consoled himself, "Luo Feng must be bluffing, trying to scare me off!"

But the next moment, Javin realized he was wrong.

Luo Feng’s right arm also emitted a strong light, with Primordial Qi condensing into a flat, blade-like shape.

White Rank Battle Skill—Arc Light Slash!