C15 Lose Liang Meng

"Master, are you sure you don't need this?" Xiao Feng asked, referring to the Dao Crystal. Despite the Mountain Sea Sect's substantial wealth, such a hefty expense would still be a considerable burden for Lau Ruyan.

"Kid, I really couldn't care less about that amount of money. You still have much to learn about the sect's true wealth!" Lau Ruyan chuckled, giving him a pat on the head. "Focus on your cultivation. Living up to that divine-grade cultivation technique is what truly matters."

Xiao Feng nodded, his resolve to train hard bolstered by yet another reason.

Upon returning to his palace, before Xiao Feng could even begin his cultivation practice, he sensed a powerful presence nearing his abode.

Was it Hai Qingyu's supporter, Zhang Cheng, coming to cause trouble?

A sense of urgency gripped Xiao Feng. No, that couldn't be right. Lau Ruyan would never stand by and do nothing in such a case!

Xiao Feng rose and stepped outside, where he was met by a burly man with muscles to spare, exuding an intimidating aura.

Eternal Realm!

Xiao Feng recognized the man before him, Liang Meng, another suitor of Xianyu.

"So, you're Xianyu's fiancé?" Liang Meng's voice was as gruff as his demeanor.

Xiao Feng nodded. "What brings you here? To declare your love?"

Liang Meng shook his head, a scornful smile on his lips. "She's already engaged. I wouldn't declare love to her now. But if I kill you, Xianyu will be single again. Then it won't be too late to court her!"

Xiao Feng couldn't help but mentally commend him for his bizarre logic. Clearly, this man had traded brains for brawn. It seemed likely that he was just another pawn of Hai Qingyu.

"Interesting strategy. But how exactly do you plan to kill me?"

Liang Meng had clearly thought this through. "I challenge you to a duel in the life and death arena!"

The life and death arena, much like the one in the Cloud Soaring Sect, was where sect disciples settled their most serious disputes, often fatally. It was the only sanctioned place within the sect where killing was permitted. Xiao Feng's own unorthodox methods notwithstanding.

"Agreed."

Xiao Feng knew he was being manipulated, but as a matter of principle, he would never back down from a challenge.

This was in line with the unyielding Dao of the Spear that the armor had imparted to him!

The life-and-death arena was bustling with disciples from the sect, a sight rarely seen as the arena seldom opened. This occasion was even more special, as it was Liang Meng, one of the three super geniuses, who had personally requested it. It was an event not to be missed.

Xiao Feng stood on the platform with one hand casually resting behind his back, while he gestured to Liang Meng with the other, "Let's begin."

Such arrogance! That was the collective thought. How could he, merely at the Hong level, have the audacity to provoke Liang Meng, who was at the lofty Eternal level?

"As you wish!" Liang Meng bellowed as he charged forward. The crowd could hardly track his movements before he was already upon Xiao Feng, his fist hurtling towards Xiao Feng's face. A hit could mean death or grave injury for Xiao Feng.

Hai Qingyu couldn't help but smile. This was more like it!

"You're not even flustered?" Sima Yi and Lau Ruyan weren't on the scene, but they were closely following the fight.

"What's there to worry about? I've seen the kid's strength. He's not going to die."

"Are you confident he can take down Liang Meng?"

Lau Ruyan simply offered a mysterious smile in response.

Sima Yi couldn't help but express his envy, "You've really struck gold! First with Xianyu, and now this kid. I'm green with envy."

At that critical moment on the stage, as Liang Meng's fist neared Xiao Feng, Xiao Feng finally moved. He didn't evade; instead, he lifted his arm, intercepting Liang Meng's punch.

Liang Meng was brimming with confidence, but he suddenly sensed that something was amiss. His punch felt like it had struck a mountain, unable to advance even an inch. How could this be? Liang Meng prided himself on having the strongest physique in the entire sect, but he was oblivious to Xiao Feng's combat experience.

"He's actually outmatching Liang Meng in physical strength! And he's winning?!" Sima Yi was astounded. He had gathered from Lau Ruyan's demeanor that Xiao Feng was formidable, but this was beyond his expectations.

To defeat someone so self-assured in their own power, one must attack where they feel most invincible. Xiao Feng was about to turn Liang Meng's greatest strength into his downfall!

Xiao Feng, in a flash, launched a punch aimed directly at Liang Meng's face.

Liang Meng hastily raised his hand to block, only to be horrified to discover he couldn't withstand Xiao Feng's overwhelming power.

Like a cannonball, Liang Meng was blasted through the air.

Xiao Feng allowed no respite, pursuing him instantly. Before Liang Meng could even touch the ground, Xiao Feng unleashed a barrage of midair attacks.

His fists pummeled Liang Meng relentlessly, forcing him to muster his Spiritual Force to mitigate some of the impact.

Liang Meng crashed to the ground with a thud, then sprang back to his feet, demonstrating the resilience typical of Body Cultivators.

The crowd, however, could clearly see the mismatch in strength. Xiao Feng was utterly overpowering Liang Meng. Continuing the fight would spell certain death for Liang Meng.

"Xiao Feng!" Li Yan suddenly intervened, concerned for his last disciple, Liang Meng. "Could you spare his life? Consider it a personal favor owed to you."

"Master!"

"Silence!"

Xiao Feng regarded Li Yan with a mix of emotions. Li Yan was filled with regret; Xiao Feng could have been his disciple, but he had let him slip away.

Xiao Feng turned his gaze to Liang Meng, who still hadn't grasped that he'd been manipulated. His naivety was almost endearing...

"Leave. This isn't the place for your demise," Xiao Feng dismissed with a wave of his hand.

Liang Meng, defiant to the end, was forcibly dragged from the stage by Li Yan.

"Did that kid really just spare Liang Meng? That's unexpected!"

Even Lau Ruyan, alongside others, was taken aback. Mercy was not characteristic of Xiao Feng.

Having spared Liang Meng, Xiao Feng remained on the stage, his intentions unclear to the awestruck onlookers.

Xiao Feng's cold smile broke the tension. "Hai Qingyu! I'm well aware that you used Liang Meng, and Zhang Cheng too. But what kind of man only schemes from the shadows?"

With a thunderous stomp on the stage, he issued a challenge: "See this? This stage is set for you! Climb up here and face your fate!" Xiao Feng's declaration of war against Hai Qingyu resonated throughout the arena.

A wave of shock rippled through the crowd. Xiao Feng had just dominated Liang Meng with such force that it left the onlookers in awe. Hai Qingyu, although stronger than Liang Meng, was certainly not in a position to replicate such a crushing defeat!

Facing Xiao Feng now, who was cutting through his opponents like a hot knife through butter, would be tantamount to a death wish!

Silence hung in the air as no one stepped forward to respond.

Undeterred, Xiao Feng taunted openly, "Is our dear Hai Qingyu nothing but a coward? Or perhaps a sea turtle hiding in its shell? Well, this sea turtle better clean up because your daddy's going to make soup out of you one of these days!"

Sima Yi: "..."

Lau Ruyan: "..."

A mysterious voice pondered, "Does this count as being tyrannical?"

The armor, taken aback by Xiao Feng's eloquence, was a bit bewildered, "Probably, I suppose?"