Chapter Three: Lu Qingfeng Is Nothing Special

At the forefront stood a towering young man, his eyes cold and sinister, lips curled in a mocking smile as he regarded Lu Qingyun with amusement. He was none other than Lu Qingfeng, son of Lu Zhanxiong and Lu Qingyun’s cousin.

Lu Qingfeng was a standout among the younger generation of the Lu family. At only eighteen, he had already reached the ninth level of the Body Tempering Realm, just a step away from breaking through to the Qi Gathering Realm and becoming a true powerhouse.

"Lu Qingyun, I thought you wouldn't dare to show up. So, even a good-for-nothing like you wants to join the fun?" Lu Qingfeng’s eyes brimmed with scorn as he looked at Lu Qingyun.

"Why? Am I not allowed to be here?" Lu Qingyun replied with a faint smile, unmoved.

"Hmph, you think you have the right to stand here?" Lu Qingfeng snorted, a hint of murderous intent flickering in his eyes.

"It's not for you to decide whether I belong here," Lu Qingyun retorted, meeting his gaze without the slightest fear.

"You…" Lu Qingfeng was at a loss for words, his face darkening.

"Enough, all of you, be silent!"

Suddenly, from the elevated platform, the steward elder’s angry shout cut through the tension, halting the argument.

"The family tournament is to be fought with restraint—no fatal injuries! Anyone who breaks this rule will be severely punished!"

The steward elder swept his gaze over the crowd below, his tone icy.

"Yes!" the crowd responded in unison, then each returned to their positions, preparing for the family tournament that was about to commence.

"The first round, elimination matches, begin now!"

With the elder’s command, the family tournament officially began.

…

"Lu Qingyun versus Lu Qingsong!"

Soon, it was Lu Qingyun’s turn to take the stage. His opponent was a lean young man named Lu Qingsong, who had reached the fifth level of the Body Tempering Realm.

"Lu Qingyun, you should just admit defeat. You’re no match for me." Lu Qingsong looked at Lu Qingyun with utter disdain. In his eyes, Lu Qingyun was nothing but a useless failure, not even worthy of being his opponent.

"If you want to fight, then fight! What's the point of all this nonsense?" Lu Qingyun laughed coldly, drawing the Azure Cloud Sword from his waist and pointing it at Lu Qingsong.

"You—" Lu Qingsong’s expression shifted; he hadn’t expected Lu Qingyun to draw his sword against him and was instantly enraged.

"Fine! You brought this upon yourself!" Lu Qingsong roared and, with a flash, charged straight at Lu Qingyun.

"Qingyun, be careful!" From below the stage, Lin Qingxue cried out in alarm, her eyes full of worry.

But Lu Qingyun seemed not to hear her. He stood unmoving, as if petrified with fear.

"Hmph, courting death!" Seeing this, Lu Qingsong sneered inwardly. He had thought Lu Qingyun might have some trick up his sleeve, but it was all just bravado.

"Fall before me!" Lu Qingsong bellowed, throwing a punch at Lu Qingyun with all his strength. The strike was fierce and unrestrained, a powerful gust trailing in its wake—enough, it seemed, to kill with a single blow.

"Qingyun!" Lin Qingxue gasped, shutting her eyes, unable to bear the sight of Lu Qingyun being struck down.

But the expected cry of agony never came. Instead, the clear ring of a sword echoed through the arena!

A streak of azure sword light flashed across the martial platform, illuminating the entire space in an instant. Like a bolt of lightning, swift as thunder, the sword light cleaved through Lu Qingsong’s punch, not losing momentum, and aimed straight for his throat.

"What?!" Lu Qingsong’s face changed drastically. He could never have imagined Lu Qingyun’s speed to be so great—he had no time to react!

"Azure Cloud Unleashed!"

Lu Qingyun’s low shout rang out as the Azure Cloud Sword in his hand trembled, the sword’s glow flaring like a blue ribbon, enveloping Lu Qingsong in an instant.

"Aaah!" Lu Qingsong screamed as the sword light sent him flying, slamming him hard onto the edge of the platform, blood gushing from his mouth—clearly grievously wounded.

Silence.

A deathly silence fell.

The entire martial arena was so quiet that even a pin drop could be heard. Everyone stared at the stage in stunned disbelief.

One move.

With just one move, Lu Qingyun had defeated Lu Qingsong, who was at the fifth level of Body Tempering.

How was this possible?! Only days ago, Lu Qingyun was thought to be a useless cripple, incapable of cultivation!

"When did this boy become so formidable?!"

"Could it be… he’s awakened his martial spirit, and a powerful one at that?!"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How could he possibly have awakened a martial spirit?!"

The crowd erupted into hushed, incredulous whispers, each person looking as if they had seen a ghost.

On the high platform, the Lu family’s patriarch, Lu Zhantian, was equally astonished. He could not have imagined that Lu Qingyun had hidden his strength so deeply.

"Good! Good! Good!" Lu Zhantian finally came to his senses, unable to contain his delight and pride, his voice booming with excitement.

"Hmph, it was nothing but a lucky strike—what’s there to be so pleased about?" Lu Zhanxiong’s face was ashen, his heart seething with jealousy and resentment. He hadn’t expected Lu Qingyun to awaken a martial spirit and dazzle everyone at the family tournament.

"No, this cannot continue!" A ruthless glint flashed in Lu Zhanxiong’s eyes; he resolved in secret that he would find a way to eliminate Lu Qingyun, or else disaster would surely follow.

On the stage, Lu Qingyun sheathed the Azure Cloud Sword and calmly scanned the crowd, his gaze finally settling on Lu Qingfeng.

"Your turn," Lu Qingyun said, looking at Lu Qingfeng. His tone was calm, yet brimming with unshakable confidence, as if discussing something trivial.

"You…" Lu Qingfeng’s face darkened, his anger boiling. He never expected Lu Qingyun to challenge him so openly in front of everyone—this was nothing short of an insult!

"Fine! Very well!" Lu Qingfeng let out a furious laugh, leaping onto the platform, his eyes cold and murderous.

"Lu Qingyun, since you’re so eager to die, don’t blame me for showing no mercy!"

Lu Qingfeng moved closer step by step, his killing intent intensifying with every stride.

"Qingfeng, stop!" Lu Zhantian’s expression changed; he quickly intervened. The tournament was supposed to be fought with restraint, but Lu Qingfeng was radiating murderous intent—he truly meant to kill Lu Qingyun!

But Lu Qingfeng acted as if he hadn’t heard, continuing to advance toward Lu Qingyun, his eyes full of bloodlust.

"Lu Qingfeng, don’t you dare!" Lu Zhantian roared, leaping to his feet. A powerful aura surged from him, pressing down on Lu Qingfeng.

"Hmph!" Lu Zhanxiong snorted coldly, unleashing his own aura to counter Lu Zhantian’s pressure.

"Big brother, let the young ones settle this among themselves. We elders shouldn’t interfere," Lu Zhanxiong said with a false smile, his eyes full of malice. He was only too eager for Lu Qingfeng to kill Lu Qingyun—one less rival for him.

"You…"