Chapter 40

Longchen looked up and saw a strong and muscular man standing in the center of the platform, bowing to the crowd around him.

Longchen did not recognize the man, but he looked very young. As soon as he stepped onto the platform, the entire crowd erupted in cheers, indicating that he had a wide network of connections.

It was then that Longchen noticed that the entire square was also filled with people. The first half of the Lantern Festival was only open to the young nobles, providing an opportunity for young men and women to socialize.

The subsequent competition for the First Warrior had no restrictions and was completely open. At this moment, Longchen saw that many more people had gathered in the viewing stands where the Empress Dowager was seated, and among them, he spotted the shadow of the Marquis of the Wilderness.

These people were all middle-aged, but their bodies were brimming with vitality, all of them experts at the Blood Condensation stage. They also carried a faint aura of killing, clearly indicating that they were true warriors.

While Longchen was sizing up these people, another cheer suddenly erupted. A man leaped several feet and landed gracefully on the platform, his posture very elegant.

"It's actually Feng Yang," Shifeng said, looking at the man with some surprise.

"What, you know him?" Longchen asked.

"Yes, he's the same age as me. Two years ago, he joined the army, and at that time, he was only at the third level of Qi Gathering. Now he's at the eighth level," Shifeng explained.

To advance five minor stages in just two years was indeed impressive.

"It's not surprising. After joining the army, one often carries out missions, which are true life-and-death trials. Such a speed is normal," Longchen nodded, looking at the man.

"This Feng Yang is quite good. Although his cultivation is not high, the faint aura of killing he carries is not something those who grew up in honey pots can match," Longchen added.

As Longchen and Shifeng were talking, Feng Yang and his opponent had already started fighting. Indeed, as Longchen had predicted.

The previous opponent, although strong and at the same cultivation level as Feng Yang, was far inferior in real combat. In less than ten moves, he was sent flying off the platform by Feng Yang's palm.

"In martial arts, higher cultivation does not always mean stronger combat power. Sometimes, the spirit of pressing forward can make the opponent lose heart and confidence, greatly reducing their combat power.

Therefore, to go further in martial arts, one needs a heart dedicated to martial pursuits, to cut through thorns and brambles, and to never give up," Longchen patted Shifeng's shoulder and said.

"I know, I will. I can die, but I cannot yield," Shifeng nodded.

Longchen smiled slightly. Shifeng's talent was limited, and his cultivation path was bumpy, but if his resolve was strong enough, perhaps a miracle would still happen.

"Bang"

Feng Yang, after defeating three strong opponents, finally ran out of strength and was forced to admit defeat by a punch.

"Longchen, I'm going."

"Huh? So soon? Can you handle the continuous battles?" Longchen asked in surprise.

"I treat this competition as a form of cultivation. The result is not important; what matters is that I need to strengthen my resolve in martial arts," Shifeng smiled.

"Alright, Brother Shi, we'll cheer for you," the fat man said, giving Shifeng face. They were all looking forward to Shifeng's performance.

"Cheer up."

Longchen patted Shifeng's shoulder.

"Shifeng is here to learn."

With Shifeng's loud shout, the square erupted in a wave of cheers, clearly showing that Shifeng was well-known among the young generation in the capital.

The cheers of the fat man and others were drowned out by the sea of cheers, leaving them looking at each other in embarrassment.

Shifeng, with his dark complexion and deep demeanor, stood there like a mountain, unshakable.

His opponent was at the ninth level of Qi Gathering, but upon seeing Shifeng, he was momentarily stunned.

"Go ahead, I'll only use the strength of the ninth level of Qi Gathering," Shifeng smiled.

Hearing this, the man felt a surge of anger. With so many people watching, he couldn't back down.

"Hmph, who needs your mercy?"

The man coldly snorted, leaped forward, and punched Shifeng, but Shifeng ignored the punch.

"Is Shifeng being too arrogant?"

"Whoosh"

Just as everyone thought Shifeng was being arrogant, the man's second punch came swiftly, aiming for Shifeng's abdomen, the first punch being a feint.

"Slap"

A large hand intercepted the man's punch, making a dull sound. Shifeng grabbed the man's hand and exerted force.

"Go"

"Whoosh"

The crowd gasped as the man was sent flying several feet away, landing hard on the ground, face-first.

After landing, the man spat out the mud in his mouth, cursed a few times, and left, not even watching the rest of the competition.

"Brother Shi is awesome"

The fat man and others seized the opportunity to shout this slogan first, and with their calls, a wave of cheers followed.

Amidst the cheers, mixed with the shouts of many young girls, Longchen smiled. No wonder so many people liked to step onto the platform; it was the best way for males to attract females.

At this moment, Longchen suddenly sensed something and looked over to the other viewing stands, just in time to see Chu Yao's beautiful eyes staring at him.

Longchen smiled and winked, and Chu Yao's face suddenly turned red, and she quickly looked down, but her eyes were full of joy.

However, neither Longchen nor Chu Yao noticed that their slight actions were all seen by a pair of eyes.

Xia Changfeng's face turned pale, and he quietly asked the person next to him, "How did your investigation go? Did you find out his background?"

"Master, I have investigated. This person's cultivation is peculiar, and he never reveals his true strength. However, his real combat power does not exceed the early stage of Blood Condensation," the person whispered.

If Longchen were there, he would immediately recognize the person's voice as the one who pretended to be an assassin and attacked him when he went out.

"Hmph, that's good. Huang Shang, I want him dead tonight. Try not to reveal too much," Xia Changfeng coldly said.

Huang Shang, the scar-faced man and Xia Changfeng's personal guard, smiled cruelly and said, "Master, rest assured, he won't live through tonight."

"Bang"

It must be said that Shifeng, after entering the Blood Condensation stage, was invincible, defeating eighteen opponents in a row, causing the entire square to boil.

The last two opponents were also at the Blood Condensation stage, but their combat power was far inferior to Shifeng's.

After all, Shifeng had broken through to the Blood Condensation stage with Longchen's help, and his realm was much more solid than others, giving him a significant advantage.

When the last Blood Condensation stage opponent was defeated, and Shifeng called out three times with no one stepping up, the title of the First Warrior of Fengming for this year was officially his.

Amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd, Shifeng walked to the Empress Dowager, knelt down, and received a jade token from her, along with some encouraging words.

When Shifeng returned to the platform, the crowd became even more excited. Countless young girls rushed onto the platform, placing their flower garlands around Shifeng's neck.

Each flower garland was handmade by the girls and was a token of affection. When a girl saw a man she liked, she would offer him the garland, and if he accepted it, it meant he accepted her heart.

Each garland was embroidered with the girl's name, making it easy to find her. In the Fengming Empire, the more powerful a man was, the more wives and concubines he had. Therefore, most girls preferred to marry a man with many wives and concubines as a concubine rather than a mediocre man as a wife.

When Shifeng returned, his entire body was covered in flower garlands, with only his head visible, otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to walk.

"Haha, Shifeng, congratulations," Longchen laughed, seeing the comical sight.

"Wow, Shifeng, you're rich now," Monkey said enviously.

"What richness? Shifeng isn't a human trafficker. But, Brother Shi, you should sort these out and pick a few wives," the fat man laughed.

By giving Shifeng their flower garlands, the girls were indicating their willingness to marry him. As long as Shifeng nodded and paid the dowry, he could marry them, which was very convenient.

Shifeng's face turned red, "I owe everything to Longchen's help. How about we share these garlands?"

"Ha"

Everyone, including Longchen, burst out laughing. This was something only Shifeng could think of.

Seeing everyone laughing, Shifeng realized he had been silly, and everyone laughed even harder.

The Lantern Festival was supposed to end at this point, but just as everyone was about to leave, Xia Changfeng suddenly said,

"This competition was truly exciting and left us wanting more. I have a suggestion, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate."

The Empress Dowager frowned slightly. There had been enough events today, and she didn't want to add more, but Xia Changfeng was a guest, and she couldn't refuse him. "Prince Xia, please speak freely."

"To liven up the atmosphere, we can send a young man to compete with the heroes of Fengming, to see who is stronger," Xia Changfeng smiled.

Before the Empress Dowager could respond, Wei Cang interjected, "The Great Xia and Fengming are like one family. A small friendly competition should not be refused by the Empress Dowager, right?"

The Empress Dowager sighed. This was clearly a verbal trap. If she refused, she would offend Wei Cang.

"Then let's do as Master Wei suggests. Let's see the prowess of the men of the Great Xia. Who will step up?"

"Huang Shang, you go. Remember to hold back and not hurt the harmony," Xia Changfeng waved his hand.

"Yes"

Huang Shang leaped onto the platform like a large bird, landing gracefully.

"Huang Shang of the Great Xia, please grant me the honor of your guidance," Huang Shang bowed.

"Are you kidding? You look so old, yet you're pretending to be young. That's too much," Longchen gave Monkey a look, and the latter immediately understood, shouting loudly.

Huang Shang smiled, "I am nineteen years old, and I have an identity document to prove it. Everyone in the Great Xia Empire knows this."

Hearing this, the crowd calmed down. Some people just look older, which is normal.

"Master Longchen, I have heard much about you since I arrived in the capital. I admire you greatly. I wonder if I have the honor to spar with you," Huang Shang bowed to Longchen.

Huang Shang's words immediately drew everyone's attention, and the scene became as lively as a pot of boiling water.

"Longchen"

"Longchen"

"Longchen"

The cheers grew louder and more intense, making the blood boil, and countless eager eyes turned to Longchen.