Chapter Eight: Danger

Liu Feng saw it was Yang Dong and frowned slightly; he had seen this person in the cafeteria before. At that time, Liu Feng, Zhang Chen, and two other roommates had gone to eat, and happened to run into Yang Dong, who tried to recruit them into his group.

Liu Feng and his companions had declined, and though Yang Dong seemed a little displeased, he hadn’t done anything about it then.

Now, it seemed Yang Dong was here to cause trouble for Liu Feng.

“I heard you’ve been cultivating at the academy for a year, while Liu Feng only just entered. Isn’t challenging him a bit unreasonable?” Zhang Chen said.

Yang Dong replied, “I’ve heard that during the assessment, you’d already reached the fourth stage of the Qi Gathering Realm—and perhaps you hid your true strength. I’m only at the fifth stage of Qi Gathering, so you’re not really at a disadvantage.”

Liu Feng responded, “Though our levels may be close, you’ve had guidance from instructors here, which is not something we self-taught students can compare with.”

Hearing their conversation, some other students gathered around.

“Yang Dong, you’re among the top ten in Class Two. How can you bully a new student who just enrolled?” said a student from Liu Feng’s Class One.

“But Yang Dong says their cultivation levels are similar, so there’s no harm in a match. Are you Class One people afraid of us in Class Two?” a Class Two student jeered.

“If you want a match, I’ll take you on instead. Don’t trouble the newcomers,” said a tall student from Class One.

“Zhang Yu, we’ve already fought three times, and neither of us won. So, today you want to stand up for them?” Yang Dong said, displeased.

“Yang Dong, since you and Zhang Yu are both among the top ten, that’s a match worth watching,” remarked a Class One student.

“Yang Dong’s clearly here for us. I’ll go meet him,” Zhang Chen said to Liu Feng.

Liu Feng reached out to stop him. “He’s named me. I’ll meet his challenge.”

Liu Feng knew Zhang Chen was acting out of concern, worried Liu Feng might not be Yang Dong’s match; it was well-intentioned. But since Yang Dong had singled him out, Liu Feng didn’t want Zhang Chen stepping in—whoever lost would be in trouble.

Earlier, Liu Feng hadn’t agreed to Yang Dong’s invitation simply to avoid unnecessary trouble, not out of fear. Since it was unavoidable, he would fight.

“Since you want a match, I’ll accept. But don’t trouble Zhang Chen anymore,” Liu Feng said.

“I agree. Either of you can fight me. Now that you’ve accepted, win or lose, I won’t trouble you again,” Yang Dong replied.

Without further words, both leapt onto the dueling platform.

“Now there’s a show to watch. Who will win, I wonder?”

“No need to ask—of course Yang Dong will win. He’s in our class’s top ten.”

“That’s not certain. Liu Feng isn’t easy to deal with either; he was second in this year’s assessment and has outstanding talent.”

Both classes began debating, each supporting their own.

Meanwhile, the match had begun.

Yang Dong launched a punch, whistling through the air with enough force to shatter stone, aiming for Liu Feng.

Liu Feng dodged aside, moving two meters away, and Yang Dong’s punch struck only air.

Yang Dong followed up instantly with a kick, true energy coursing through his leg, causing a sharp crack in the air as he aimed at where Liu Feng had dodged.

Feeling the immense power of the kick—like a giant sweeping a tree toward him—Liu Feng knew that if struck, his bones might break. He dared not be careless, pushed off with his feet, and leapt more than three meters high, evading the kick.

Before Liu Feng could land, Yang Dong stepped forward beneath him and swung his fists upward at Liu Feng’s feet.

Yang Dong’s fists glowed, clearly using most of his strength, determined to knock Liu Feng down in one blow.

The wind from the fists struck Liu Feng’s soles before the fists themselves arrived, making his feet tingle. The fists were about to land.

Liu Feng was startled, not expecting Yang Dong’s reaction to be so swift.

As his body descended toward Yang Dong’s fists, Liu Feng quickly pressed his left foot against his right, propelling himself higher and to the side, narrowly avoiding Yang Dong’s attack and landing lightly on the platform.

Though it seemed long, all this happened in a blink, and Liu Feng had already been in danger several times, breaking into a slight sweat.

“I think Yang Dong’s got this. Liu Feng only dodges, never daring to go head-to-head,” said a member of Yang Dong’s group in Class Two.

“Not necessarily. Maybe Liu Feng’s studying Yang Dong’s moves—once he’s familiar with them, he’ll counterattack,” argued a Class One student.

Zhang Yu said, “Yang Dong is very experienced, while Liu Feng seems untested. I think Liu Feng’s in danger.”

“Then Liu Feng’s going to lose to Yang Dong? Seeing that arrogant guy with his stern face every day annoys me,” said a Class One student angrily.

“Haha, looks like Class Two will win again,” a Class Two student rejoiced, as if victory was already his.

Such words drew angry glares from Class One.

On the platform, the fight was heating up.

Yang Dong swung his glowing fists, whistling through the air, causing the air to crack and pop. His body seemed covered by a demonic bull, hooves pounding, charging ferociously at Liu Feng.

Liu Feng, too, was fully engaged, his fists glowing, sending countless punches toward Yang Dong.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Each collision of their fists sent explosive sounds through the air, as if their blows shattered it.

When Liu Feng’s fists struck Yang Dong, it was as if hitting an ancient demon bull—not hurting him at all.

Though Liu Feng’s technique was remarkable, he had only reached the fourth stage of Qi Gathering, one stage lower than Yang Dong. Over time, his true energy was less abundant.

Yang Dong watched Liu Feng retreat under his blows and laughed loudly on the platform.

“I thought you’d be formidable, but you’re so weak—clearly I overestimated you,” Yang Dong said with disdain.

“Yang Dong’s about to win—look at Liu Feng, he keeps retreating,” said a Class Two student with pride.

“This isn’t good; Liu Feng is losing,” Class One students said anxiously.

Zhang Yu remarked, “Liu Feng’s true energy is depleted; defeat seems certain.”

At that moment, Yang Dong let out a roar and unleashed a punch with all his strength. His fist seemed to ignite, surging with overwhelming power, aimed at Liu Feng.

The force seemed to set the air aflame, producing a piercing sound.

Even before the fist arrived, Liu Feng’s clothes whipped loudly from the energy.

Liu Feng felt as if a volcano’s energy erupted toward him, irresistible and forceful.

Zhang Yu clenched his fists. “Looks like the outcome is near. Yang Dong will win.”

Everyone watched the platform in suspense, and even Class Two students began to cheer.