Chapter 46 Winner Takes All

The afterglow of the Martial Arts Tournament's victory had not yet faded when Feng Ruqing felt a new undercurrent surging within her heart.

As the last ray of the setting sun fell upon her, she stood on the stone steps outside the venue, looking up at the towering memorial archway, waves of emotion churning in her chest.

At that very moment, a group of disciples from minor sects appeared aggressively in her field of vision, their eyes flashing with resentment and provocation.

Leading them was a middle-aged man in luxurious attire, clearly the sect master of some minor faction. He stared coldly at Feng Ruqing and said, word by word, "Feng Ruqing, although you won the championship of the Martial Arts Tournament, do you know how many shady hands are behind all this? Your victory is hardly honorable!"

Feng Ruqing slightly furrowed her brows, instantly guessing their intentions. These people were clearly being manipulated by the masterminds behind the scenes in an attempt to undermine her prestige.

She let out a cold smile, placed her hands behind her back, and said with unhurried composure, "Shady hands? The shady hands you speak of are probably yourselves. I, Feng Ruqing, conduct all my actions in broad daylight. Why should I fear the words of petty villains like you?"

Seeing her maintain such a calm attitude, the disciples of the minor sects could not help feeling a trace of apprehension, yet they still put on an arrogant facade.

A young disciple provoked her, "Feng Ruqing, don't think that winning the championship gives you the right to run amok in the martial arts world. Though we are minor sects, by joining forces, we can drive you right out of the pugilistic world!"

Feng Ruqing's gaze swept across the crowd, and that trace of icy smile sent a chill through everyone present.

She slowly took a step forward, her voice low and powerful: "Drive me out? You must be greatly overestimating yourselves. Are you people the elites of your respective sects? Do you think that mere numbers are enough to defeat me?"

Seeing this, the disciples of the minor sects grew even more arrogant, stepping forward one after another, attempting to overwhelm her with their numerical advantage.

Yet, Feng Ruqing stood as steady as a mountain, her sharp gaze seeming to pierce into the heart of each and every person.

Suddenly, she raised her head and proclaimed loudly, "In the martial arts world, righteousness prevails. If you have the guts, fight me! The victor is king, and the loser is cast out of the martial arts realm!"

This voice echoed through the venue like a thunderclap, instantly suppressing the arrogant momentum of the crowd.

The minor sect master's expression flickered slightly, hesitation gripping his heart, only to hear Feng Ruqing continue, "Today is the day for you to prove yourselves. If you dare not accept the challenge, it means you admit your inferiority!"

With that, Feng Ruqing turned around and walked back into the venue, leaving behind a group of minor sect disciples staring blankly at one another.

She pondered inwardly that today's confrontation was merely the beginning.

She knew the upcoming challenges would be even more severe, but she was fearless, for she held an unshakable conviction in her heart—justice would ultimately conquer evil.

Feng Ruqing stepped into the venue, and the crowd quickly parted, clearing a path for her. She walked straight to the duel stage and announced to everyone, "Today, I, Feng Ruqing, am right here to accept your challenges. Come on, prove your strength with your martial arts!"

As soon as her voice fell, the first disciple from a minor sect rushed onto the stage. Known within his sect for his fierce and powerful boxing techniques, he clenched his fists tightly, radiating an aggressive aura.

Feng Ruqing smiled faintly, her figure moving with the swiftness of lightning.

After just a few moves, that disciple was sent sprawling to the ground in utter disgrace.

Immediately following him, challenger after challenger who considered themselves highly skilled and possessed unique techniques rushed onto the stage. Yet, without exception, they were all easily defeated by Feng Ruqing.

The disciples of the minor sects turned pale, looking in terror at this rising star of the martial arts world.

Right at that moment, a sudden gust of cold wind swept past, and a mysterious expert clad in black appeared in the arena.

The moment he appeared, he exuded an indescribable killing intent, plunging the surroundings into an atmosphere of intense tension.

He launched a fierce attack the moment he arrived, and seeing this, Feng Ruqing quickly gathered her internal energy to respond.

Facing the fierce attack of the mysterious expert, Feng Ruqing's heart remained completely undisturbed.

In the very instant they exchanged blows, she had already seen through the subtle flaws in his moves—weaknesses that could only be discovered by someone with an exceptionally high comprehension of martial arts.

She sneered inwardly, thinking to herself, 'Do you think you can defeat me this way? I have already seen through everything about you.'

Thus, while she appeared to respond cautiously to every move, she was actually luring the mysterious expert into continuously exposing more flaws.

After the two of them fought fiercely for a long time, Feng Ruqing gradually gained the upper hand.

At this critical juncture, she suddenly stopped moving, stared coldly at her opponent, and asked with a hint of confusion in her tone, "An expert like you—why allow yourself to be used by the hidden manipulators? Is it really just for these meaningless disputes?"

The mysterious expert's expression shifted slightly, and for a moment, he gave no response.

Feng Ruqing's words seemed to stir ripples within his heart.

Just when everyone thought this would be the decisive moment, the mysterious expert abruptly withdrew his hands, turned, and left, dropping a single sentence that struck everyone's heart like a bolt of lightning: "Feng Ruqing, you are indeed an opponent worthy of respect."

The duel between Feng Ruqing and the mysterious expert entered its white-hot stage.

At this moment, every move and stance from both sides seemed to trace flashes of lightning through the air, too fast for the eye to follow.

On the duel stage, their figures intertwined and crossed, each strike kicking up a whirlwind.

The spectators below the stage were forced back step by step by the formidable internal energy. Tables and chairs around them were overturned by the invisible force, and wood shavings danced in the air as if they had been caught in a massive storm.

Feng Ruqing's face was grave, her palms moving like two nimble dragons as she wove freely through the mysterious expert's rain-like attacks.

Every move she made seemed to sketch mysterious runes in the air; these runes intertwined to form a powerful force, neutralizing the mysterious expert's onslaught one by one.

The mysterious expert, on the other hand, resembled a black panther from the depths of darkness. His moves were filled with wildness and explosive power, and every punch seemed capable of tearing space apart.

At that moment, Young Hero Murong's voice rang out from the back of the crowd. He shouted loudly, "Feng Ruqing, you will definitely defeat him! We are all here supporting you!" His voice pierced through the tense atmosphere of the scene like a warm spring breeze, striking straight at the chords of Feng Ruqing's heart.

Feeling this support, a surge of resolute strength welled up within Feng Ruqing, as if her friendship with Murong had grown even deeper at this crucial moment.

Feng Ruqing's figure swayed, and she suddenly altered her techniques, unleashing a rapid succession of attacks like a torrential downpour.

This assault was not only blindingly fast, but every single blow struck precisely at the mysterious expert's flaws, resembling a pre-arranged hunt.

Clearly not expecting her to change her moves so abruptly, the mysterious expert was momentarily caught off guard.

Feng Ruqing's offense enclosed him like a inescapable net, every strike landing accurately on his vital points.

The mysterious expert's expression grew increasingly grave; sweat gradually seeped from his forehead, and his breathing turned ragged.

Suddenly, the corners of Feng Ruqing's lips curled upward into a confident smile.

She halted her attack, stared coldly at her opponent, and said with a hint of resolute conviction, "You are indeed an expert, but have you ever considered whether a battle like this is truly worth it?" Her voice was like a sharp blade, piercing straight to the heart.

The mysterious expert's expression shifted subtly, as if struck to the core by that question.

The surrounding crowd held their breath in anticipation, the air seeming to freeze.

With that, he leaped off the duel stage and vanished into the crowd.

Feng Ruqing stood firm, watching him depart as complex emotions surged within her. She knew this battle was far from over, and her journey had only just begun.

The duel between Feng Ruqing and the mysterious expert reached its final climax.

Her figure moved like electricity, her palm force fierce, every strike carrying the momentum of a thunderbolt.

Though the mysterious expert possessed formidable martial arts, under Feng Ruqing's fierce offensive, he gradually revealed signs of defeat.

Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his breathing grew rapid.

Suddenly, seizing an opening, Feng Ruqing flashed forward and struck the mysterious expert squarely in the chest with a palm strike.

He let out a muffled groan, staggered back a few steps, and finally dropped to one knee as a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

Instead of pressing her advantage, Feng Ruqing stood with her hands behind her back, gazing at him with eyes like torches. "You have lost."

Her voice was clear, cold, and resolute, carrying an irresistible majesty.

The mysterious expert raised his head, looking at her with a complex gaze, before finally lowering his head and cupping his fists. "I admit defeat."

Seeing this, the onlookers from the minor sects fell into absolute silence, their earlier arrogance completely vanished.

They looked at one another in dismay; Feng Ruqing's formidable strength had thoroughly intimidated them.

A moment later, they scattered in all directions, fearing retribution from Feng Ruqing.

Feng Ruqing stood proudly on the duel stage, looking much like a triumphant queen.

The afterglow of the setting sun draped over her, plating her in a layer of golden radiance.

Her gaze swept across the surroundings, and a natural dominance welled up within her, making people hesitant to meet her eyes.

The people around her were filled with awe, as if gazing up at a deity.

"Today's events are only the beginning," Feng Ruqing's clear and resolute voice echoed in the air. "Hidden masterminds, I will surely drag you out into the light!"

She knew this victory was only temporary.

The hidden manipulators would not take this lying down; she still needed to visit the encampments of various sects to search for more clues.

She turned and stepped down from the duel stage, her figure gradually disappearing into the crowd.

Night fell, adorned with scattered stars.

A fine steed galloped furiously along a mountain path. Upon its back, Feng Ruqing wore black traveling attire, her gaze fixed resolutely ahead.

She knew that even more perilous challenges awaited her further down the road.

Suddenly, the horse let out a neigh and came to a halt. Feng Ruqing looked up to see a towering mountain gate appearing ahead, with three bold characters inscribed upon the plaque: "Xuantian Sect."

She dismounted, walked up to the mountain gate, and said to the gate-guarding disciples, "Please announce my presence. Tell them an old acquaintance has come to visit."

The guards looked her up and down. A short while later, one of them returned and spoke in a respectful tone, "Honored guest, please enter."

Feng Ruqing smiled faintly, stepped through the mountain gate, and thought to herself, "It seems this Xuantian Sect is far more complex than I imagined..." A gust of night wind blew past, carrying a faint trace of the scent of blood.