"Who would have thought that the top newcomer of this year would come from the Purple Sun School."

"Indeed. Who could have predicted Luo Feng being the dark horse? His strength unquestionably makes him the top newcomer!"

If only my boy could have half the talent of Luo Feng!

Once the rankings were announced, immediate murmuring arose among the spectators.

This year's Newcomer Championship has been overly dramatic.

The Purple Sun School, which everyone had originally overlooked, produced three students among the top four newcomers. Meanwhile, the heavily favored Wanluo School and Floating Snow School didn't make the cut.

"City Master Luo, congratulations! For your son to become the top newcomer at such a young age, he is bound to soar to great heights and become a dragon among men!"

In the spectator stands, many people congratulated Luotian and Yang Qing, hoping to build closer relationships.

"Oh, you're too kind..."

Luotian's face beamed with delight, and he responded by cupping his hands in thanks, looking as if he had grown ten years younger. When Luo Feng had declared he would be the top newcomer, Luotian had only considered it a joke and hadn't taken it to heart.

Now, it has become a reality!

Some people were already anticipating Luo Feng's future achievements, while others were plotting to nip his progress in the bud.

In a corner of the spectator stands, several gray-robed Martial Artists gathered. These individuals had bulging temples, and an occasional keen glint flashed through their eyes, like lightning piercing the void, making them intimidating to behold. It was clear they were all experts. The entire martial arts arena's attention was currently on the top four newcomers, so no one noticed these few individuals.

"Master, when do we make our move?" one of the gray-robed Martial Artists asked the leader, his words seething with murderous intent.

The leading gray-robed Martial Artist glanced toward the martial arts arena. When his eyes landed on Luo Feng, a cold glare flashed in his pupils, and he transmitted via sound, "Do not make your move yet. Wait until the Newcomer Championship concludes and the other Martial Artists leave before you act!"

The others nodded, their eyes filled with killing intent. One of them coldly said, "Who would have thought that in a minor Newcomer Championship in the small Flowing Cloud Region, someone would actually comprehend the Grand Momentum! This Luo Feng's potential is extraordinary. If he is allowed to mature, he will undoubtedly become a great enemy of our Blood Demon Sect!"

The leading gray-robed Martial Artist nodded and transmitted via sound, "Everyone else can be spared, but the top four newcomers must die! Especially Luo Feng! Whatever the cost, he must be eliminated!"

"Yes!"

The few gray-robed Martial Artists nodded and silently merged into the crowd, disappearing without a trace.

On the stage, He Qin sheathed her sword and smiled at Luo Feng, "Luo Feng, congratulations on becoming the top newcomer."

Luo Feng was a bit surprised by He Qin's attitude. He smiled faintly and said, "I hope we have a chance to compete again."

He Qin tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear and said with a charming smile, "Next time we spar, I won't lose to you."

Her light, melodious voice was like the tinkling of a spring. With her smile, as beautiful as a hundred flowers blooming, the usually cool He Qin seemed to possess more of a young maiden's vibrant beauty, like a celestial fairy amidst blossoms.

Luo Feng was momentarily lost in thought, then quickly regained his composure and smiled, "I'll be ready anytime."

After saying this, Luo Feng turned and walked down the high platform.

He Qin remained standing there, her beautiful eyes following Luo Feng's departing figure. A peculiar glint flickered within them, hinting at some unknown thoughts.

"Senior Brother Luo Feng, the duel just now was too spectacular!"

"Congratulations, Senior Brother, on becoming the top newcomer!"

Several students from the Purple Sun School clustered around him, looking at Luo Feng with worshipful gazes. The Purple Sun School had ranked last in the Newcomer Championship for three consecutive years and had always been ridiculed by the students of Wanluo School. Now that Luo Feng had become the top newcomer, they too felt a sense of pride.

"I'll go tell Senior Brother Yang Hong this news! He'll definitely be overjoyed!" one student exclaimed, then turned and ran towards the outskirts of the martial arts arena.

Luo Feng shook his head and smiled. Just then, a burst of hearty laughter rang out, and Hu Yidao strode over.

"Luo Feng, congratulations! You're now the one I'm striving to catch up to, so don't you dare slack off! I'll be looking to you for pointers on Saber Technique in the days to come!" Hu Yidao said with a loud laugh as he approached.

Luo Feng had a good impression of Hu Yidao from their few interactions. He nodded and said, "When I have the chance, I will definitely visit Snow Valley."

Hearing this, a suggestive smile appeared on Hu Yidao's face. He said, "Then it's settled! Our Floating Snow School has many beautiful female students. If they knew the top newcomer was visiting, they would definitely..."

Hu Yidao stopped mid-sentence, laughed sheepishly, and said, "Hehe, the Championship rewards are about to be distributed. I'll head over first."

Luo Feng was wondering about his abrupt stop when footsteps sounded, and Bing Ruolan approached, her delicate brows slightly furrowed. Xu Mei stood beside Bing Ruolan and winked at Luo Feng.

Luo Feng shook his head, a wry smile touching the corners of his mouth.

At this moment, the entire martial arts arena gradually quieted down. Unseen by many, Zhou Zhiyun, the Dean of Tianlan School, had already taken her place in the center of the martial arts arena.

Zhou Zhiyun wore a flowing, water-blue long dress. She was poised and graceful, possessing an unparalleled elegance. Her beautiful eyes swept across the spectator stands, and the surroundings immediately fell silent. With a slight smile, Zhou Zhiyun gently parted her vermilion lips and said, "The Newcomer Championship has come to a successful conclusion. Luo Feng, He Qin, Zi Yuan, and Bing Ruolan are this year's top four newcomers."

WHOOSH!

Countless gazes landed on the four of them, filled with envy, admiration, and a myriad of other emotions. The top four newcomers represented the highest honor of the four major Schools. No one could ignore this title.

Being the focus of everyone's attention, Luo Feng also felt a surge of excitement. A few months ago, he was still a struggling student in the Silver Moon class, not even possessing the qualifications to participate in the Newcomer Championship. To become the top newcomer, watched by a crowd of a hundred thousand—such a thing was beyond his wildest dreams. Yet now, it had become reality!

It feels so good to become stronger.

After the voices quieted, Zhou Zhiyun raised her fair hand, and four slender, exquisitely featured young women in simple dresses floated down to the center of the martial arts arena.

"Now, we will present the awards. Luo Feng, He Qin, Zi Yuan, Bing Ruolan, please come forward."

Zhou Zhiyun looked at Luo Feng and the others, smiling and nodding.

As soon as her voice fell, a wave of fervent discussion erupted from the spectator stands.

"I wonder what this year's rewards for the top four newcomers will be."

"Last year, He Qin's reward was the Profound Level Inferior Martial Art, Invisible Sword Technique. This year's rewards will surely be extraordinary as well."

Everyone's gaze fell upon the jade platters held by the four young women in simple dresses, their eyes burning like fire. Luo Feng looked at the jade platter in the first young woman's hands, a sense of anticipation stirring within him.

The four walked to the center of the martial arts arena. Zhou Zhiyun smiled and said, "You may unveil the red silk yourselves."

Luo Feng walked before the first young woman in a simple dress. The young woman, holding the jade platter, sized Luo Feng up with her lively eyes, a hint of curiosity in her gaze as she lightly pursed her lips. She was also a student of Tianlan School, around the same age as Luo Feng, but her Cultivation was only at the initial stage of the God Bravery Realm. In terms of strength, there was a world of difference between them.

Luo Feng took a deep breath and lifted the red silk. In the jade platter lay a Secret Manual for a Martial Art.

Condensation Yuan Technique, Upper Yellow Grade...

Luo Feng looked at the Secret Manual in his hand, his brow furrowing slightly.

A wave of surprised hisses also rose from the spectator stands. The prize for the top newcomer was merely an Upper Yellow Grade Cultivation Technique! This was indeed somewhat unbelievable.

Nearby, He Qin, Zi Yuan, and Bing Ruolan had also seen their respective prizes. He Qin's prize was a Secret Manual for a Profound Level Inferior Light Martial Art. Zi Yuan received a Secret Manual for a Peak Yellow Grade fist technique, while Bing Ruolan's prize was a low-grade fourth-rank pill called the Zhengang Pill. Each of their three prizes was a treasure that would make countless people green with envy.

He Qin did not take the Secret Manual from the jade platter. She looked sideways at Dean Zhou Zhiyun and asked, "Dean, could the prizes have been mistaken?" For the top newcomer's prize to be merely an Upper Yellow Grade Cultivation Manual was truly inconceivable.

"There is no mistake." Dean Zhou Zhiyun shook her head gently and smiled at Luo Feng, "Luo Feng, open the Secret Manual and take a look."

Luo Feng nodded, opened the Secret Manual, and his eyebrows involuntarily shot up. This Secret Manual was not for a Martial Art, but an auxiliary Cultivation Technique!

Condensation Yuan Technique: Auxiliary Cultivation Technique, Upper Yellow Grade.

This Cultivation Technique could help a Martial Artist temper their Yuan Qi, refine away impurities, and extract the essence of their Yuan Qi! It allowed Martial Artists below the Spiritual Rotation Realm to exert strength exceeding their own Cultivation level.

Reading the Cultivation Technique's description, Luo Feng took a deep breath.

Auxiliary Cultivation Techniques are extremely rare, and this Condensation Yuan Technique, which allows a Martial Artist to exert strength beyond their Cultivation level, is a true treasure among them! For Martial Artists below the Spiritual Rotation Realm, the Condensation Yuan Technique is an absolute dream treasure! Its value simply cannot be compared to that of a Profound Level Inferior Martial Art. I have eighteen Meridian Wheels in my body, making my strength far surpass that of Martial Artists at the same level. With this Condensation Yuan Technique, challenging those at higher cultivation levels will not be a problem in the future.

"Well? Are you satisfied?" Dean Zhou Zhiyun's voice startled Luo Feng out of his reverie.

Without looking at the rest of the Secret Manual's contents, Luo Feng put it away and nodded calmly.

Seeing Luo Feng's composed expression, Dean Zhou Zhiyun smiled faintly, a trace of admiration in her beautiful eyes.

After the rewards were distributed, Dean Zhou Zhiyun announced the end of the Newcomer Championship.

It was already approaching dusk. The setting sun lingered among the clouds, painting the entire Yunlan Peak in dreamlike hues. Hearing that the Newcomer Championship had ended, the Martial Artists in the audience reluctantly stood up, many still immersed in the thrilling duels they had witnessed.

"It's over so quickly..."

"Yes. This year's Newcomer Championship was so exciting, I completely lost track of time."

"This Newcomer Championship saw several dark horses emerge: 'Sky Heart Swordsman' Gu Yunfei, 'Chaotic Snow Blade' Hu Yidao, and Bing Ruolan. However, none of them could compare to Luo Feng."

"Indeed. Luo Feng made a name for himself in this one event. News of him will soon spread throughout the entire Flowing Cloud Region."

...

As people walked towards the exit of the martial arts arena, they discussed animatedly, with most conversations revolving around Luo Feng.

After receiving the Condensation Yuan Technique Secret Manual, Luo Feng walked directly towards where Luotian and Yang Qing were.

"Feng Er, congratulations on becoming the top newcomer!"

Luotian clapped Luo Feng on the shoulder and laughed heartily, while Yang Qing beside him also smiled.

Luo Feng rubbed his nose, glanced around, and asked, "Father, haven't Big Brother and the others arrived yet?"

Hearing this, Luotian frowned slightly and nodded. "Yes. Your mother and I also find it strange. We plan to head back along the road immediately to see if we can meet up with your Big Brother."

"Alright. Once you see Big Brother, send me a letter to let me know." Luo Feng was returning to the Purple Sun School, while Luotian and Yang Qing were heading back to Panlong City; they were not taking the same route.

As the two conversed, neither noticed that within the crowd, a dozen or so shadowy figures were slowly closing in on them...

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