Ever since Lin Feng successfully obtained the Huang-tier Lower-grade Martial Art Technique Breeze Formula as a reward from the System, he had immersed himself entirely in cultivation. Every day, as the morning mist began to clear, he would be practicing his breathing exercises in his courtyard, keeping at it relentlessly until night fell and the stars dotted the sky.
Under such rigorous training, Lin Feng's strength climbed higher and higher, shooting up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. In just a few short months, he broke through from the First Layer of Martial Disciple Realm to the Fifth Layer of Martial Disciple Realm. If word of such a cultivation speed were to get out, it would surely cause a massive sensation throughout Qingyun Town.
On this particular day, the sun shone brightly and a gentle breeze brushed against the face. Qingyun Town's annual martial arts tournament was held as scheduled. This tournament was one of the grandest events in Qingyun Town; whether fledgeling young Martial Disciples or experienced veteran experts, everyone would showcase their skills on this stage, competing for the championship throne that symbolized honor and strength.
Dressed in a set of black martial attire, Lin Feng stood with an upright posture at the edge of the square. His gaze was firm and fervent, locked tightly onto the huge ring erected in the center of the square. By now, the area surrounding the ring was already a sea of people, with cheers and applause rising one after another in a lively and bustling atmosphere.
With a crisp sound of a gong, the martial arts tournament officially kicked off. One Martial Disciple after another walked onto the ring with their heads held high, displaying their respective signature skills and engaging in fierce and wonderful duels.
Standing below the stage, Lin Feng quietly watched the matches. His gaze was focused and sharp, carefully analyzing every opponent's moves and flaws. He knew deep down that in a tournament like this, one needed not only formidable strength, but also a calm mind and accurate judgment.
Finally, it was Lin Feng's turn to take the stage. He took a deep breath and walked onto the ring with steady strides. His opponent was a burly, muscular man named Wang Hu. Wang Hu was an expert at the Sixth Layer of Martial Disciple Realm and was considered somewhat well-known in Qingyun Town. Seeing Lin Feng walk onto the ring, a flash of disdain crossed his eyes, and he scoffed, "Kid, with that scrawny look of yours, you dare challenge me? Hurry up and surrender to get off the stage, lest you humiliate yourself in front of everyone!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Feng did not show the slightest trace of anger on his face, merely saying indifferently, "Who wins and who loses remains to be seen. Make your move!"
Seeing that Lin Feng dared to look down on him so much, Wang Hu flew into a rage. With a loud roar, he swung his fists—each the size of a sandbag—and lunged at Lin Feng like a fierce beast. The force of his fists whistled, stirring up a fierce momentum.
Lin Feng, however, did not panic in the least. With a flash of his figure, he dodged Wang Hu's strike like a phantom. Seeing his attack miss, Wang Hu grew even more furious. He followed up with a flurry of fierce punches, attempting to drive Lin Feng into a desperate plight.
Yet, Lin Feng moved like willow catkin in the wind, nimbly dodging every single one of Wang Hu's attacks. His footwork was agile and versatile, and his figure drifted unpredictably, causing Wang Hu's attacks to miss repeatedly.
While dodging, Lin Feng was also carefully observing Wang Hu's moves. He discovered that although Wang Hu possessed formidable strength, his techniques were overly aggressive and riddled with flaws.
At last, Lin Feng seized a massive opening in Wang Hu's stance. He struck instantly, his right fist shooting out like lightning to land accurately on Wang Hu's ribs. Groaning in pain, Wang Hu involuntarily stumbled back a few paces.
Pressing his advantage, Lin Feng unleashed the Basic Fist Technique. His fist techniques were fierce and powerful yet possessed agile versatility. Every single punch embodied the fruits of his cultivation during this period, beating Wang Hu to the point where he could only parry and had no power to counterattack.
Finally, under Lin Feng's round of fierce attacks, Wang Hu could no longer hold on and was kicked off the ring by Lin Feng.
An uproar instantly broke out among the spectators below the stage. They had all originally written Lin Feng off, believing he wouldn't last more than a few exchanges under Wang Hu's powerful onslaught. Yet Lin Feng had defeated Wang Hu in such a clean and decisive manner, leaving them utterly shocked.
In the subsequent matches, Lin Feng relied on his outstanding martial skills and calm mind to fight his way through all obstacles. Every single one of his battles was won brilliantly, causing the spectators to look at him in a whole new light.
At last, Lin Feng successfully surged into the finals. His opponent in the finals was none other than Zhao Yu, the universally acknowledged pride of Qingyun Town's younger generation.
Zhao Yu was only twenty years old, yet he had already reached the cultivation base of the Eighth Layer of Martial Disciple Realm. Not only was his talent exceptional, but his family's martial arts heritage ran deep as well; in all previous martial arts tournaments, he had always easily claimed the championship.
When Lin Feng and Zhao Yu stood facing each other on the ring, the atmosphere across the entire square instantly turned tense. Everyone stared unblinkingly at the ring, anticipating the start of this peak showdown.
Zhao Yu looked Lin Feng up and down, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes. Clearly, he had not expected an unknown kid like Lin Feng to make it all the way to the finals. But soon, a confident smile returned to his face as he said, "Kid, you being able to reach this step really surprises me somewhat. Still, the championship of this tournament ultimately belongs to me."
Lin Feng smiled faintly and replied, "Then let's see the real deal with our fists!"
At the referee's command, the finals officially began. Zhao Yu made the first move; with a flash of his figure, he instantly appeared right in front of Lin Feng. His fist carried a formidable force as it slammed toward Lin Feng's chest.
Lin Feng felt a jolt in his heart, sensing the mighty power behind Zhao Yu's strike. Not daring to take it head-on, he hastily sidestepped to evade. Zhao Yu's attacks came down like a tempest of wind and rain, leaving Lin Feng with no choice but to continuously retreat and dodge while searching for an opening to counterattack.