Chapter 51: Plotting Revenge

Liu Feng gazed at the beautiful young woman on stage, a grave expression settling on his face. He had not expected her to possess such formidable strength. The others seated in the stands were equally stunned, their faces betraying shock and disbelief. Only the students of Class Two wore expressions of natural certainty, as though this outcome was inevitable.

Sun Hui’s face turned ugly; he hadn’t imagined that after just one exchange, he would already suffer a minor injury.

At that moment, Zhao Hui’s attack arrived in a flash—a green cord, glowing softly, shot forth to coil around Sun Hui. His face darkened, and he summoned a massive blade aura, its dazzling brilliance illuminating the arena. Gripping his blade with both hands, he swung fiercely forward, sending a surge of wild power crashing against the green cord.

The blade aura struck the cord but immediately became mired, as though trapped in a swamp. Sun Hui exerted himself several times, yet could not sever the cord; moreover, his own vital energy seemed ensnared, unable to escape.

Just then, Zhao Hui moved with sudden swiftness, appearing before Sun Hui in an instant. She extended her delicate palm and gently pressed it against Sun Hui’s body.

Suddenly, Sun Hui felt a vast and gentle force collide with him, and his body was flung more than three meters away, landing heavily on the ground.

Zhao Hui stood where she was, her expression calm and indifferent.

Sun Hui’s face flushed red as he quickly rose to his feet, murmuring, “I concede.”

He knew that even if he continued to compete, he would never be Zhao Hui’s match. Besides, she had already shown mercy; it was wise to accept defeat.

“Zhao Hui wins. Class Two gains one point,” Zhang Guang announced. “With the match between Class One and Class Two concluded, next up are the students from Class Three and Four. Please prepare yourselves.”

Upon hearing this, the contestants from Class Three and Four wore solemn looks.

“Zhao Hui truly is formidable—Sun Hui couldn’t withstand even three moves against her,” Zhao Yang remarked with a hint of admiration.

Liu Feng’s expression was equally serious. “Zhao Hui is indeed impressive. Even if we faced her, our chances of winning would be slim.”

“If I go up against her, I’m certain to lose. But you might be able to give her a run for her money,” Zhao Yang said after a moment’s thought.

Liu Feng said nothing more, focusing his attention on the ongoing duel atop the stage.

Meanwhile, the first contestants from Class Three and Four had already begun their match.

Their movements were swift as lightning, bodies shifting with flashes and leaving afterimages in their wake. They darted across the stage, each searching for an opening in the other’s defense before unleashing powerful strikes.

In this manner, they had exchanged hundreds of moves. As the bout wore on, their actions slowed and their attacks became less frequent.

A loud bang resounded. One of the fighters managed to stand, barely upright, while the other collapsed onto the stage. Four more matches followed in quick succession, each fiercely contested, with no easy victories secured in a few moves.

In the end, Class Three claimed victory in three matches, Class Four in two. Thus, the first day of competition concluded, and the students dispersed.

After dinner, Liu Feng exited the cafeteria and happened upon Zeng Lu.

“What did you think of the other classes’ strength in today’s matches?” Zeng Lu asked.

“They’re all quite strong—especially Zhao Hui from Class Two, Li Rui from Class Three, and Li Fei from Class Four. Each is a formidable opponent. I can’t be confident in defeating any of them,” Liu Feng replied, his tone earnest.

“I watched the matches as well. I have to admit, those few are among the best in the upper ranks of the Energy Gathering Realm,” Zeng Lu said, his expression equally serious.

“Let’s not dwell on this. Why don’t we take a stroll through the streets to relax a bit? You have another tense match tomorrow,” Zeng Lu said, patting Liu Feng’s shoulder.

Liu Feng nodded, and the two left the academy, heading for the bustling city streets.

Night had already fallen. The streets were ablaze with lights, shops lined both sides, and street vendors crowded the sidewalks. People thronged everywhere, coming and going without pause; in some places the crowds were so dense it was impossible to move.

Liu Feng and Zeng Lu walked and chatted, their spirits lifted.

Suddenly, someone dashed past them, racing north along the street.

A hoarse, elderly voice called out behind them, “Catch the thief! He’s taken all my property!”

Liu Feng turned toward the voice and saw an elderly man, his hair grey and white, looking anxious and distressed.

Without hesitation, Liu Feng ran after the fleeing figure, with Zeng Lu close behind.

The old man watched their retreating backs, his expression turning cold and sinister as he followed in the same direction.

Liu Feng pursued the man ahead, quickly leaving the bustling avenue and arriving at the edge of the street.

The fugitive slipped into a nearby grove of trees; Liu Feng and Zeng Lu followed.

Suddenly, deep within the grove, the man stopped and faced them, a cold smile on his lips as he stared at Liu Feng and Zeng Lu.

Liu Feng instantly sensed something was amiss and scanned his surroundings. From the depths of the grove, several more figures emerged.

The leader was a delicate-looking youth whose eyes burned with hatred as he fixed his gaze on Liu Feng.

“Do you remember me?” the youth sneered. “Last time, you meddled in my affairs on the street and injured me, humiliating me before everyone. I swore then that the next time I saw you, I’d make you suffer worse than death.”

Liu Feng recognized him immediately.

That time, he had been teamed up with Zhao Yang and the others. As they returned, they encountered this youth and his two companions harassing an innocent woman on the street. Outraged, they had beaten him and his friends.

He hadn’t expected the youth to bear such a grudge and devise this scheme to capture him.

“I advise you not to resist needlessly,” the youth said with malicious satisfaction, as if he already controlled the situation. “Otherwise, you’ll suffer even greater pain.”

Zeng Lu stepped forward, puzzled. “What’s going on? He seems to hate you deeply.”

Liu Feng recounted the events of that night, and Zeng Lu frowned slightly as he listened.

“Surround them—don’t let them escape!” the youth ordered his companions.

“Master, with me here, they won’t get away,” a hoarse voice declared. The elderly man who had called out for help entered the grove.

Liu Feng and Zeng Lu watched the old man approach, fully realizing it was all a ruse.

The youth’s followers drew their swords and advanced menacingly toward Liu Feng and Zeng Lu.

Liu Feng turned to Zeng Lu. “Brother Zeng, they’re after me. You should leave.”

Zeng Lu bristled. “Liu Feng, if you truly consider me a brother, don’t say such things.”

Liu Feng, seeing Zeng Lu’s expression, smiled. “Very well. Since you regard me as a brother, let us fight side by side tonight.”

“Indeed, your brotherly bond is touching. Then you can die together,” the youth said with a wave of his hand. Instantly, his followers brandished their swords and rushed at Liu Feng and Zeng Lu.