Luo Feng looked towards the arena.

Fang Li was already holding the Tiger Essence Saber¹, and his face turned red.

“Rise!”

All of Fang Li’s muscles tensed up as he roared. With a tiger’s momentum, he lifted the saber to slash the metal slab beside him.

The martial artists that spectated cheered.

On the contrary, Luo Feng shook his head.

Fang Li’s force was already at his limit, it was impossible for him to leave a one-foot mark on the metal slab with the Tiger Essence Saber.

“Ching!”

Sure enough, as soon as Fang Li raised the saber above his head, he staggered. The Tiger Essence Saber then fell from his hands, and stuck into the platform.

“Challenge failed!”

A middle-aged man in brocade clothing who sat behind the arena announced solemnly and placed the Tiger Essence Saber back on the desk.

“Another failure…” The crowd sighed.

Embarrassed, the red-faced Fang Li jumped off the arena quickly, then disappeared from everyone’s sight.

“Hehe, look. The Tiger Essence Saber weighs at least 11,020 pounds, which makes it extremely difficult to lift, let alone leave a one-foot mark on the metal slab with it!”

The saber-wielding teen chuckled. He later frowned when he saw Luo Feng walking toward the arena. “Hey, you’re not thinking of going up there, are you?”

“I fancy this saber, I’m taking it.”

‘I’m taking it!’

The saber-wielding teen was startled as he did not expect Luo Feng to be so mad. He sneered. “Don’t blame me for not reminding you. With that strength of yours, I’m afraid that you won’t be able to lift the Tiger Essence Saber at all, I suggest that you don’t go up there to embarrass yourself.”

“Never try, never know,” Luo Feng commented and continued walking toward the arena.

“Ungrateful! I’ll see how you’re going to wind up later!” The saber-wielding teen was slightly irritated.

He had the cultivation base of Strength Boundary’s later phase, which was a boundary above Luo Feng, yet he did not dare to go for the Tiger Essence Saber.

“I believe in him,” Bing Ruolan who had been quiet suddenly mentioned. Her graceful voice stopped the saber-wielder teen from mocking Luo Feng further as he was stunned.

Luo Feng went on the platform and was faced with another person who came up too.

He smiled bitterly when he looked up.

“What a coincidence…”

The person was Li Tianyang!

Li Tianyang noticed Luo Feng too. He strode to the center of the arena, then teased, “Hehe… Luo Feng, you want this Tiger Essence Saber too? What a pity, it belongs to me!”

“That might not be so,” Luo Feng made a plain statement, but his aura was not inferior to Li Tianyang’s at all.

“Eh? Two people went up at the same time, this is a first.”

“It seems like they know each other, I wonder who they are.”

“The person on the left is Li Tianyang, a genius from Purple Sun Institution who has the cultivation base of Iron Bone Boundary’s middle phase. I heard that his Harsh-trained Martial Art ‘Iron Wall Hill’ is already at Minor Success State, perhaps he’ll come up on top today, and acquire the Tiger Essence Saber! As for the person named Luo Feng, I don’t know him,” A martial artist who knew Li Tianyang said.

“Luo Feng only has the cultivation base of Strength Boundary’s middle phase, I don’t think he’s a reputable person. How bold of him to want the Tiger Essence Saber. If I were him, I would’ve never gone up there to humiliate myself.”

“Perhaps he really wants to show his incompetence…”

Waves of laughter could be heard from the crowd as they all thought highly of Li Tianyang, but scorned at Luo Feng.

“Hmph, arrogant! This Tiger Essence Saber belongs only to me.” Li Tianyang scoffed. Just as he reached his hand out for the Tiger Essence Saber, someone blocked him.

“Wait!”

Luo Feng stopped Li Tianyang and then commented, “Li Tianyang, don’t you know what first come, first served is? I came up first, so of course, I should attempt first.”

Li Tianyang’s strength was not to be underestimated at all. Luo Feng was worried that he would lose his chance if Li Tianyang were to really leave a one-foot mark on the metal slab with the Tiger Essence Saber.

“First come, first served? Hahahaha… What nonsense is that?! There’s only one principle in the world, which is to let our strengths speak for us, and that the strong will be honored!” Li Tianyang chuckled, then forced Luo Feng down with his strong momentum as he reached for the Tiger Essence Saber behind Luo Feng.

Luo Feng looked at him coldly.

Although Luo Feng’s strength was not on par with Li Tianyang’s, he was not afraid of him. With the speed of his Soaring Dragon Steps, Li Tianyang could not do anything to him.

“Young heroes, hold your horses.”

The moment when Luo Feng and Li Tianyang were ready to jump at each other’s throats, the brocade-robed middle-aged man stood up. As the man waved his palm, Luo Feng felt as if his limbs were cuffed and that the air around him became much denser.

“Divinity in martial arts! A master at Level Seven Meridian Cycle, Essence Boundary!” Luo Feng adjusted his breathing, then quickly freed himself from the horrific pressure. He looked at the brocade-robed middle-aged man in shock.

Li Tianyang’s face darkened, but he dared not act impetuously.

Although Li Tianyang’s strength was already in Iron Bone Boundary’s middle phase, it was not worth mentioning at all if he were up against a master at Level Seven, Essence Boundary.

Among the Nine Meridian Cycles, the first six levels were known as Body Toughening Channels, which were mainly for strengthening one’s body; the last three levels were known as Divine-Storing Boundaries, which allowed one to employ vitality in fights. The strength of a person in the former state was completely different from one in the latter state.

In fact, a top-notch master in Level Six, Heroic Boundary, could be defeated by a master in the early phase of Level Seven, Essence Boundary.

The brocade-robed middle-aged man walked to the center of the arena and smiled. “I’m Tianding Pavilion’s pavilion master, Ling Xiaotian. Young heroes, you’re fighting about the order, because you’re afraid of losing your chance if another person gets to it first. I have a suggestion, you’ll take turns to use the Tiger Essence Saber. If neither of you leaves a one-foot mark on the metal slab, that’s it, but if both of you do, the one who leaves a deeper mark will get the Tiger Essence Saber. What do you think?”

Ling Xiaotian looked at Luo Feng meaningfully after he stated his suggestion.

Based on Luo Feng’s cultivation base, Ling Xiaotian doubted that he could lift the Tiger Essence Saber.

That being said, Ling Xiaotian was a Level Seven master in Essence Boundary, he sensed the overflowing confidence from Luo Feng, hence he was curious.

Luo Feng pondered for a while, then nodded. “Alright.”

“Hmph, no matter what, this Tiger Essence Saber belongs to me!” Li Tianyang scoffed, then ran to the desk. “I’ll go first!”

Unbothered, Luo Feng simply waited beside.

His aim was to obtain the Tiger Essence Saber, not to have a dispute with Li Tianyang.

Upon seeing Luo Feng so calm, Ling Xiaotian became even more interested.

Li Tianyang asked Ling Xiaotian as he stood in front of the desk, “Can I use martial arts?”

“Go ahead.” Ling Xiaotian nodded.

Li Tianyang sneered, then looked at Luo Feng disdainfully before he shouted, “Iron Hill Wall!”

“Beng, beng…”

All of a sudden, Li Tianyang’s muscles expanded, so much so that his clothes had a number of rips. His muscles were like iron as they contained explosive powers.

“A Yellow Rank Middle Class Harsh-trained Martial Art, Iron Hill Wall. You actually cultivated it to Minor Success State at such a young age, not bad!” Ling Xiaotian nodded as he praised.

Li Tianyang smiled proudly. By grabbing the handle, he lifted the Tiger Essence Saber at once as if it was a piece of cake.

“Nice!”

The crowd cheered out loud as they looked forward to Li Tianyang’s performance.

“Luo Feng, try not to wet your pants later.” Li Tian approached the metal slab, then turned to laugh at Luo Feng.

Luo Feng smiled, but did not say a word.

‘Hmph, let’s see how long you’re going to act tough.’

Li Tianyang curled his lips. Then, he focused on the metal slab and slashed with the saber.

“Chi!” The Tiger Essence Saber was slashed into the metal slab, leaving a huge opening on it.

Ling Xiaotian was impressed when he walked over to take a look. He announced loudly, “One foot and seven inches! It’s longer than a foot.”

“Wow!”

The crowd applauded as they looked at Li Tianyang enviously, some of them even congratulated him as if he secured the treasure sword.

They were certain that Luo Feng who only had the cultivation base of Strength Boundary’s middle phase was unworthy of being Li Tianyang’s opponent.

There was no uncertainty on who would be the winner!

“Since you insisted on not taking my advice, let’s see how you’re going to get off the stage later.” The saber-wielding teen mumbled while looking at Luo Feng.

“Phew…” On the other hand, Li Tianyang was secretly relieved.

The Tiger Essence Saber was exceptionally heavy. Without his Harsh-trained Martial Art Iron Hill Wall, it would be impossible for him to leave such a deep mark.

“Luo Feng, it’s your turn! You better not escape now.” Li Tianyang provoked Luo Feng.

Luo Feng ignored him and walked toward the metal slab.

Ling Xiaotian was just about to retrieve the Tiger Essence Saber from the metal slab when Luo Feng stopped him. “Pavilion Master Ling, I’ll do it.”

‘You’ll do it?’

Ling Xiaotian was stunned.

Since the saber point was stuck in the metal slab, it would not be easy to pull the Tiger Essence Saber out.

As such, Ling Xiaotian was unsure if Luo Feng was extremely confident, or if he was up here on purpose to make a fool out of himself.

“He’s just putting up a show!” Li Tianyang mocked.

When Luo Feng was in front of the metal slab, he grabbed the handle and tested with 30% of his force. The Tiger Essence Saber shook a little, but was not pulled out.

“Haha, Luo Feng, I think you should give up now.” Li Tianyang burst out laughing.

Ling Xiaotian shook his head as well. Just as he was about to pull the saber out for Luo Feng, a crack was heard. Somehow, the parts where Luo Feng stood on cracked, and the Tiger Essence Saber was pulled out!

“Woosh!”

Subsequently, Luo Feng wielded the saber in the air. When the saber edge pierced the air, tiger roars were vaguely heard.

“Nice saber!” Luo Feng exclaimed.

With that, the crowd fell silent as they were completely dumbfounded.

The saber-wielding teen who was standing beside Bing Ruolan widened his mouth so wide that an egg could fit.

‘How is he so strong!’

Li Tianyang frowned, and his palms were sweating, but he still sneered. “What’s so great about that? You just managed to pull it out.”

“A young hero indeed! I admire you!” Ling Xiaotian laughed, and was eager to watch Luo Feng’s performance.

Luo Feng did not slash with the saber right away.

Since the Tiger Essence Saber weighed over 11,020 pounds, Luo Feng was not confident about defeating Li Tianyang even if he were to use all his force.

“I can perform martial arts, I wonder if this works…”

Luo Feng shut his eyes and pictured Tiger Roaring Fist in his mind. After a brief moment, he opened his eyes and slashed the Tiger Essence Saber at the metal slab.

“Boom!”

A deafening sound echoed above the arena, accompanied by dust and sand that filled the air.

“Tss…”

The crowd gasped the instant they got a clear picture of what happened in the arena.

Luo Feng was seen standing in the same spot with the Tiger Essence Saber, but the three feet tall metal slab had already been slashed into two. In addition, perhaps due to the enormous force, half of the arena sank!

Ling Xiaotian finally came back to his senses after a long while. He then announced out loud, “The mark is more than three feet, Luo Feng wins!”

1. Author likely made a typo here. We’ve corrected it for the context