Ascending the Tower!

The people on the first floor were generally not optimistic about Lu Feng challenging the guard.

Some sneered with cold sarcasm, others shook their heads helplessly, and a few remained indifferent.

Lu Feng paid no attention to their attitudes. His gaze sharpened as he turned his right hand into a palm and struck straight at the guard's chest.

Although this palm strike wasn't at full strength, the force of the palm wind startled the guard.

Without a word, the guard responded by throwing a full-power punch.

With a bang, it wasn't Lu Feng who flew backward, but the guard.

This sight not only left the first-floor crowd dumbfounded but also shocked the other guard.

As everyone was still stunned, the knocked-back guard slowly got up and spoke.

"Cough! Your palm technique is impressive. You may proceed to the second floor."

Lu Feng made a fist and tucked his fingers again. "My apologies."

With that, he stepped onto the stairs and ascended to the second floor.

But as soon as he reached the second floor, a look of confusion crossed Lu Feng's face.

The entire second floor held fewer than a hundred people—a stark contrast to the crowd on the first floor, like clouds compared to mud.

Still, anyone who could break through to the Martial Master Realm before the age of twenty was undoubtedly a martial prodigy.

Such geniuses were likely rare even across all of Baiyue County.

Lu Feng scanned the room and noticed that many were from noble families. They were easy to spot, adorned in gold and jade, instantly recognizable.

As he entered, the people on this floor turned their gazes toward him.

Just then, a tall, handsome man holding a folding fan let out a light exclamation. "Oh? I didn't expect someone else to make it to the second floor. Does anyone here know him?"

The second-floor crowd exchanged glances, then shook their heads, indicating they didn't recognize him.

The folding fan man sneered coldly, then strode over to Lu Feng and gave a casual salute.

"This Humble One is Zhou Taian of the Zhou Family in Baiyue County City. May I ask your name?"

Hearing that the man was from the Zhou Family, Lu Feng immediately thought of County Assistant Zhou Yongsi.

Though he held no fondness for the Zhou Family in his heart, he didn't let it show on his face. "This Humble One's surname is Lu, single name Feng."

"Oh, so you're Brother Lu Feng. Since you've made it to the second floor, we can consider ourselves peers here."

The man's words were technically correct, but Lu Feng had no desire to engage further.

He saluted again. "Brother Zhou flatters me. This Humble One was merely lucky."

With that, he turned and walked toward the stairs leading to the third floor.

Zhou Taian, seeing that Lu Feng paid him no heed, flashed a cold glint in his eyes and thought to himself, "Hmph! Arrogant brat. Just don't let me run into you in the Martial Examination, or I'll beat you crippled."

By now, Lu Feng had reached the entrance to the third-floor stairs, where two more guards stood.

These two were different—they wore armor. Though unarmed, they exuded an aura that warned others to keep their distance.

Seeing Lu Feng approach, one guard spoke. "You wish to go to the third floor?"

Lu Feng nodded. "Yes, I do."

"There are two ways to ascend to the third floor: one is to receive an invitation from Prefect Xu, and the other is to have reached the Seventh-rank Martial Master realm."

Lu Feng understood the meaning behind this gathering now.

This was an official event, designed to pre-screen promising candidates.

The rules for ascending floors were set with that purpose in mind.

Lu Feng then saluted the guard. "Then I'd like to try the second method."

The guard studied him carefully before replying. "Fine. If you can last ten rounds against me, you pass. But I'll warn you—fists and feet have no eyes. If you get hurt, don't come crying."

"This Humble One understands."

With that, the guard said no more and immediately assumed a combat stance.

The second-floor crowd was startled by Lu Feng's actions.

The man called Zhou Taian sneered contemptuously. "Heh, Brother Lu truly is a newborn calf unafraid of tigers. He just reached the second floor and already wants to challenge the third-floor guard. Is this bravery or sheer ignorance?"

The others also doubted Lu Feng. The third-floor guards were at the Ninth-Grade Martial Master realm.

For young men who had just stepped into the Martial Master Realm, let alone seasoned martial masters, lasting ten rounds against such guards was no easy feat.

After all, these two guards were Prefect Xu's personal protectors—not only powerful but also rich in combat experience.

Seeing Lu Feng's resolve, the guard raised his hand. "Then, please."

"My apologies."

The moment Lu Feng finished speaking, he dashed forward in a single stride. Before he could strike, the guard had already thrown a punch ahead of him.

Compared to the first-floor guard, the second-floor guard was indeed much stronger.

But Lu Feng's Martial Realm had also reached the Ninth-Grade Martial Master, and his personal strength far surpassed that of other martial masters at the same rank.

Facing the guard's punch, Lu Feng neither dodged nor yielded, meeting it with a palm strike.

"Bang!~"

A dull thud rang out as both retreated several steps, though the guard took a few more.

This scene instantly stunned the entire crowd; Zhou Taian's face turned pale with shock at Lu Feng's strength.

After that single exchange, the guard immediately deduced that Lu Feng was also a Ninth-Grade Martial Master. Though he knew Lu Feng was qualified to go to the third floor, a fighting spirit gleamed in the guard's eyes.

"I underestimated your strength just now, but that was only the first round. For the next nine rounds, I'll be going all out—be careful!"

With that, the guard leaped back in front of Lu Feng, then turned his fists into claws and struck at Lu Feng's face.

Seeing his opponent get serious, Lu Feng gave a faint smile. "Heh, good timing!"

As he spoke, he turned his hands into palms and continuously blocked the guard's attacks.

One attacking, one defending—they quickly exchanged ten rounds. But the guard's battle intent had only just ignited; he wasn't about to stop easily.

Suddenly, the guard let out a soft shout. "Eagle Claw Hand, Second Style: Mountain-Tearing River-Splitting!"

The next moment, the guard swung both hands at once. Those eagle-like claws shot forward, carrying terrifying Internal Force!

If struck by this attack, even a Ninth-Grade Martial Master would suffer severe injuries, or possibly die on the spot.

Seeing the guard use a Martial Skill, Lu Feng's face remained calm as ever.

"A Martial Skill? How interesting!"

As he spoke, he raised his hands and waved them rapidly, conjuring layers of arm shadows before him that looked like a giant net.

The guard's Eagle Claw Technique struck the net and was immediately trapped inside, unable to move an inch.

Such profound defensive palm techniques shocked the guard, and the onlookers were once again stunned by Lu Feng's palm work.

"This... how is this possible?! He blocked the guard's Martial Skill attack with just ordinary moves—could he already be a Grandmaster Realm Great Power?" a disciple from a Noble Family said in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Zhou Taian's expression grew even uglier. "Damn it! Why is this man so strong? Could this Young Master have misjudged him?!"

In response to readers' requests, a VIP membership ad-free feature is now available.

Click to view