Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Struggle for the Holy Son

Three days later, the Lingxiao Sect’s Saint Son selection tournament officially began.

Wang Dongxuan had successfully emerged from seclusion, her cultivation having advanced to the level of a six-star Martial Master. Over a thousand disciples of the Lingxiao Sect gathered at the martial arts arena to witness the emergence of the new Saint Son. All seven Peak Masters were present, with the only exception being the Sect Master, who remained in seclusion. As the Peak Master with the highest cultivation, the head of Spirit Sword Peak presided over the selection.

Seeing that the crowd had largely assembled, Yi Hong announced in a booming voice, "I hereby declare the Lingxiao Sect Saint Son selection tournament officially open!"

"The rules are quite simple: the six Chief Disciples may decide whether or not to challenge the incumbent Saint Son. If the challenger succeeds, they shall become the new Saint Son; if they fail, Hu Junfeng will retain the title."

"The disciple who emerges as the Saint Son will lead the seven Chief Disciples into the Chuyuan Secret Realm, located deep within the Sunset Forest, to compete for treasures against the four other major sects. Therefore, I urge you all to give it your absolute best!"

As soon as Yi Hong finished speaking, Hu Junfeng stepped onto the arena, gripping his Spirit Transformation Sword. He looked coldly at the six Chief Disciples below, a confident smile playing on his lips. He did not believe anyone would dare to challenge him, as he had long been the undisputed leader of the Lingxiao Sect’s younger generation.

Whispers immediately broke out among the crowd below.

"Senior Brother Hu is as handsome as ever!"

"It looks like the position of Saint Son will remain with Senior Brother Hu; he is truly the one everyone supports!"

"Senior Brother Hu has been undefeated since becoming Saint Son. The only time he stumbled was when Lu Xingchen played dirty."

"That was only because Senior Brother Hu was suppressing his cultivation. If he went all out, Lu Xingchen wouldn't stand a chance!"

"Senior Brother Hu, I love you! I want to have your babies!"

In a corner of the crowd, Xiao Yue gazed at Hu Junfeng with eyes full of adoration. *Look at that heroic bearing, that aura—this is the man I, Xiao Yue, should marry! Not that piece of trash, Lu Xingchen!*

*Unfortunately, despite all my efforts to curry favor, Senior Brother Hu hasn't shown me any interest, and instead confessed his feelings to Lin Wanqing. How dare that little slut reject him! Who does she think she is? She’s just as cheap as Lu Xingchen!*

"Is there anyone who wishes to come forward and challenge?" Yi Hong’s resonant voice echoed across the arena.

Everyone craned their necks in anticipation, eager to witness a great battle and see Hu Junfeng demonstrate his divine prowess.

"I will give it a try!" A handsome man stepped onto the stage.

It was Ning Feng, the Chief Disciple of Tongtian Peak.

Ning Feng said coldly, "Hu Junfeng, others may fear you, but I, Ning Feng, do not! I lost to you by a single move last year; this time, I will certainly wash away that humiliation!"

Hu Junfeng smiled indifferently. "Since that is the case, I shall offer you some pointers, Junior Brother Ning."

Ning Feng drew a long saber from his storage ring—a mid-grade Profound-tier spirit weapon—and his battle qi erupted instantly.

Gasps of surprise rose from the disciples below.

"A nine-star Martial Master!"

"It seems Senior Brother Ning has not wasted his time this past year!"

"If I recall correctly, Senior Brother Hu is also a nine-star Martial Master. In a battle between those of the same rank, it comes down to experience and foundation."

"This fight is getting more and more interesting!"

Standing beside Wang Dongxuan, Lu Xingchen chuckled, "Senior Sister Dongxuan, who do you think has the better chance of winning?"

Wang Dongxuan replied in a low voice, "I believe Hu Junfeng is still stronger. After all, he has been at the nine-star level for a long time, and his foundation is deeper than Ning Feng's. More importantly, he possesses the Spirit Transformation Sword and the 'Spirit Transformation Sword Manual,' which are a high-grade Profound-tier weapon and martial technique."

Lu Xingchen nodded slightly. "Let me see just how strong Hu Junfeng is when he goes all out!"

On the arena, Hu Junfeng was slightly surprised. "A nine-star Martial Master? Your progress is indeed significant!"

Ning Feng snorted. "Being the same rank, I might not necessarily lose to you!"

Hu Junfeng laughed lightly. "I wasn't finished. No matter how much you progress, you will only ever be a stepping stone for me. Strive for second place, boy!"

With that, Hu Junfeng ignited his battle qi and poured it into his Spirit Transformation Sword.

"A ten-star Martial Master!"

The disciples below immediately cried out in alarm.

Lu Xingchen was also surprised. *Hu Junfeng has actually raised his cultivation level so quickly; his speed is almost catching up to my own cheating methods. He is truly worthy of being the Lingxiao Sect’s Saint Son.*

Feeling the powerful battle qi radiating from Hu Junfeng, Ning Feng’s face darkened. He had trained desperately for a year, all to climb over this mountain in his heart, only to find that he was still one step behind.

However, having already stepped onto the arena, there was no turning back in disgrace; he had to fight.

Ning Feng said solemnly, "Cultivation level is not everything. Over the past year, I have gone out on many missions, gaining rich combat experience, and my mastery of martial arts has improved greatly. My Gale Saber Technique may not be weaker than your Spirit Transformation Sword Manual."

Hu Junfeng remained cool and collected. "Since you want to be beaten, I will grant your wish."

"The match begins!"

As soon as Yi Hong finished speaking, Ning Feng launched his strongest attack. He was clever; he knew the gap in cultivation meant his battle qi intensity and reserves were inferior to Hu Junfeng's. A war of attrition would be a dead end, so his only chance of victory was to stake everything on a single decisive blow.

"Gale Slash!"

Ning Feng gripped his saber with both hands, channeling all his battle qi into the blade, and swung it toward Hu Junfeng. In an instant, a dark green crescent of battle qi flew toward him.

Hu Junfeng did not stand idle, unleashing his "Splitting Light and Sweeping Shadow." Hundreds of battle qi flying swords materialized around him before darting toward Ning Feng.

Ning Feng's battle qi blade shattered one of the flying swords, but its own light dimmed slightly. As one flying sword after another collided with the blade, it grew thinner and thinner, finally shattering completely halfway between the two fighters.

Hu Junfeng’s remaining dozen or so flying swords continued toward Ning Feng with undiminished momentum. Ning Feng hurriedly raised his saber to defend, but three bloody gashes were carved into his body.

Hu Junfeng said arrogantly, "To be able to withstand my 'Splitting Light and Sweeping Shadow' without falling, you have some skill, Ning Feng. In that case, I will no longer hold back."

With that, hundreds of flying swords coalesced around him once more, but this time they did not launch individually. Instead, they merged into one, forming a single, massive flying sword.

Ning Feng, unwilling to give up, continued to use "Gale Slash." This time, however, his battle qi blade was pierced through by Hu Junfeng’s attack. The massive sword, having lost only a fraction of its power, thrust fiercely toward Ning Feng.

At that moment, the Spirit Sword Peak Master, Yi Hong, leaped into the air, blocking the path in front of Ning Feng and pushing out a hand to intercept the lethal blow.

"Ning Feng, you have lost!"

Ning Feng’s face was bitter as he nodded slightly and walked off the arena. He could feel the power of that strike; had Yi Hong not intervened, he would have been dead.

As Ning Feng stepped down, a thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd below.