Chapter Seventeen: Departing the Black Magic Forest

Liu Feng frowned slightly, ignoring the expressions of the two men. At this moment, Zhang Luoxue walked up to Liu Feng and his companions and said, “Everyone, my junior sister and I will be taking our leave. I hope we meet again someday.”

Fang Xiu chimed in, “Brother Liu Feng, if you ever visit the domain of Snow Pavilion, my senior sister and I will be sure to welcome you warmly.”

Liu Feng smiled gently. “Thank you, Sister Fang Xiu, for your kind offer. If I do find myself in Snow Pavilion’s territory, I’ll certainly seek you out.”

Zhang Luoxue glanced at Liu Feng, nodded slightly in farewell, and departed the Dark Demon Forest with Fang Xiu.

Watching Zhang Luoxue’s retreating figure, Liu Feng fell into deep thought.

Just then, Zhang Chen approached, clapped Liu Feng on the shoulder, and joked, “Stop staring—she’s already gone far.”

Liu Feng snapped back to reality and replied, “Tell me, Zhang Luoxue is so young, yet her cultivation is astonishing. How did she achieve such prowess?”

Zhang Chen was taken aback by Liu Feng’s question; he too couldn’t fathom why such a peerless beauty possessed such remarkable cultivation.

“Perhaps she had some fortuitous encounter, or maybe her sect nurtured her with great resources. Outsiders can never truly understand,” Zhang Ning interjected.

Liu Feng asked, “Mentor, does our academy have any talents like her?”

Zhang Ning answered, “There are a few, but they are exceedingly rare. Out of more than a thousand students, only a handful possess such extraordinary gifts.”

Zhang Chen stayed silent, clearly pondering the conversation.

“To think we encountered Iron-Horned Sheep this time—something has changed here. Let’s return now,” Zhang Ning said to the group.

With a slight nod, Liu Feng and his companions headed toward the forest’s edge. As they neared the exit, they heard shouts from the other students outside.

Rushing out, they saw more than ten Iron-Horned Sheep locked in fierce combat with the students.

Zhang Ning, witnessing the chaos, flicked his fingers, sending five streams of true energy sword aura whistling toward five of the Iron-Horned Sheep.

A series of muffled thuds followed, and the sheep struck by the sword aura dropped dead.

Liu Feng and his companions arrived just then.

Liu Feng was the first to act, unleashing a Splitting Sky Slash. Several blades of energy tore through the air with explosive force, striking one of the Iron-Horned Sheep.

A thunderous crash erupted as the blade energy collided with the sheep’s twin horns, causing the surrounding trees and leaves to tremble and rustle.

The Iron-Horned Sheep, seeing Liu Feng’s attack, braced itself, horns forward, charging at him.

Liu Feng dared not be careless. He clenched his fist, gathering its aura, and the massive shadow of his fist met the sheep’s horns head-on.

Both Liu Feng and the sheep took a step back, each locking eyes with the other, waiting for the next move.

Zhang Chen approached another Iron-Horned Sheep. In his palm, true energy surged like flowing water, as thick as an arm, streaming continuously as it crashed into the sheep. The force rippled through the air in waves.

The true energy water force collided with the sheep’s horns, scattering energy in all directions. Students with lower cultivation were forced to retreat.

Three other students with cultivation above the fifth tier launched attacks on another Iron-Horned Sheep. Energy burst forth, and many students jumped out of the battle circle.

Zhang Ning watched, refraining from joining the fray, letting Liu Feng and his companions battle the sheep—a perfect opportunity to gain practical combat experience.

Fortunately, these Iron-Horned Sheep were not particularly strong, and Liu Feng’s group barely managed to withstand their attacks.

After a quarter hour of battle, Liu Feng and his friends were exerting their full strength.

Liu Feng’s blade strikes were dazzling, each one following the next, slicing through the air with a sizzling sound. The sheep was forced to retreat, and Liu Feng seized the chance, racing forward and punching the sheep’s waist and belly with a massive fist aura.

With a resounding bang, the Iron-Horned Sheep was struck by the powerful force, sent flying five meters away, landing lifeless on the ground.

“Liu Feng usually doesn’t show off, but his strength is truly impressive.”

“Zhang Chen is formidable too. Both he and Liu Feng are new students this year, but who would have guessed they’re this strong?”

“This time, our Class One will outshine the others at the class competition.”

The crowd watched Liu Feng and his companions, murmuring with excitement.

Just then, Zhang Chen unleashed his most ferocious attack. His true energy water flow grew as thick as a bowl, surging relentlessly at the sheep. The Iron-Horned Sheep struggled to resist, but exhausted, it was driven back by the force.

Taking advantage of the sheep’s unsteady retreat, Zhang Chen darted to its side. He lifted his leg in a sweeping kick like a massive iron pillar, tearing through the air with a sonic boom and struck the sheep’s waist fiercely.

With a tremendous crash, the Iron-Horned Sheep was sent flying, smashing through a tree before its momentum stopped. It landed on the ground, struggled for a moment, then lay still.

The other three also dispatched their sheep, bringing the battle to an end.

“All right, this training session is over. Injured students, bandage your wounds and rest for a while. We’ll depart for the academy soon,” Zhang Ning instructed.

Everyone settled down; some brought out their food to restore their strength, while others gathered to discuss the gains and losses of the training.

Liu Feng sat down next to Zhang Chen and asked, “How did you fare this time?”

Zhang Chen replied, “Just collected a few spirit herbs and two spirit stones. The main benefit was fighting the Iron-Horned Sheep—gained practical combat experience.”

Liu Feng said, “Not bad. When we return, you can exchange them for cultivation materials. The spirit stones will help advance your cultivation as well.”

“And you? Your harvest must be greater than mine,” Zhang Chen said.

“Decent. I happened upon some spirit herbs and a few spirit stones,” Liu Feng responded.

The two talked for a while, then each took out their prepared food and began to eat. Afterward, they sat cross-legged to rest and rejuvenate.

“All students, rise. We’re heading back to the academy,” Zhang Ning called.

Everyone quickly stood and journeyed along the path they had come, returning to the academy without incident.

“Disperse now, everyone go rest,” Zhang Ning said.

The students headed off to their dormitories.

Liu Feng and Zhang Chen returned to their room, night already fallen.

After the exhausting training, Liu Feng went to bed early.

At dawn, the two attended class as usual. In the afternoon, Liu Feng went to the cultivation plaza to train.

Today’s session was different. Liu Feng took out a Fire Cloud Ganoderma and ate it in a few bites. Instantly, he felt a wave of heat burning within him, tempering his body and sharpening his spirit.

Calming his mind, Liu Feng focused inward, repeatedly circulating his cultivation technique. True energy coursed swiftly through his body, and after about an hour, he sensed he was on the verge of a breakthrough.

He reached into his storage pouch, withdrew a spirit stone, and placed it in his palm. Channeling his technique, he drew the stone’s spiritual energy into himself.

A surge of powerful energy flooded his body, merging with his own true energy, making it richer and denser.

With a mighty crash, Liu Feng felt his true energy break through a barrier, becoming stronger and flowing more smoothly. There was no doubt—he had advanced to the sixth tier of the Qi Condensation Realm.