Climbing the Tower!

Everyone on the first floor was doubtful that Lu Feng could defeat the guard.

Some sneered coldly, some shook their heads helplessly, and others remained indifferent.

Lu Feng paid no mind to their attitudes. His gaze sharpened, and he thrust his right palm straight at the guard's chest.

Though he hadn't used his full strength, the force of his palm strike still startled the guard.

Without a word, the guard responded by throwing a punch with all his might.

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

The sight left everyone on the first floor dumbstruck, and even the other guard looked shocked.

As the crowd stared in amazement, the guard who had been knocked away slowly got to his feet and spoke.

"Cough, cough! Your palm technique is impressive, sir. You may go up to the second floor!"

Lu Feng clasped his fists again. "I've offended you!"

With that, he stepped onto the stairs and made his way to the second floor.

But as soon as he reached it, a puzzled look appeared on his face.

There weren't even a hundred people on the entire second floor. Compared to the first floor, their numbers were as far apart as heaven and earth.

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

There probably weren't many prodigies like that in all of Baiyue County.

Lu Feng looked around and noticed that many of those present were children of Noble Families. They were easy to spot, since they were decked out in gold and jade.

As he entered the second floor, everyone there turned to look at him.

Just then, a handsome man with a tall, straight build and a folding fan in his hand exclaimed, "Huh?! I didn't expect anyone else to make it up to the second floor. Does anyone here know him?"

The people on the second floor looked at one another, then shook their heads, indicating that they didn't know him.

The fan-wielding man sneered. Then he strode over to Lu Feng and casually cupped his hands in greeting.

"I am Zhou Taian of the Zhou Family in Baiyue County City. May I ask your name?"

Hearing that the other man was from the Zhou Family reminded Lu Feng of County Assistant Zhou Yongsi.

Though he held no fondness for the Zhou Family, he didn't let it show. "My surname is Lu, and my given name is Feng."

"Oh, so you're Brother Lu Feng. Since you've made it to the second floor, I suppose we can call ourselves companions of the same generation."

There was nothing wrong with what he said, but Lu Feng had no desire to chat with him.

He clasped his hands. "You're too kind, Brother Zhou. I only made it up here by chance."

Then he headed for the stairs to the third floor.

Seeing that Lu Feng had paid him no heed, Zhou Taian's eyes flashed coldly. Hmph! Arrogant brat. Let's see what happens if I run into you at the Martial Examination. I'll beat you until you're crippled!

Lu Feng had reached the entrance to the third-floor stairs. Two guards stood there as well.

Unlike the others, these two wore armor. Though they carried no weapons, they gave off an unwelcoming air.

As Lu Feng approached, one of the guards asked, "Do you wish to go up to the third floor?"

Lu Feng nodded. "Yes."

"There are two ways to reach the third floor. First, receive an invitation from Prefect Xu. Second, reach the Seventh-rank Martial Master level."

After hearing that, Lu Feng understood the purpose of this Martial Examination gathering.

The gathering had been organized by the authorities to scout promising candidates ahead of time.

The rules for advancing to each floor served the same purpose.

Lu Feng clasped his hands toward the guard. "Then I'd like to try the second way."

The guard looked him over carefully, then said, "All right. You only need to hold out for ten exchanges against me to pass. But I must warn you: fists and feet have no eyes. If you get hurt, don't regret it."

"I understand."

The guard said no more and immediately assumed a fighting stance.

Lu Feng's actions startled everyone on the second floor, too.

But Zhou Taian merely sneered in disdain. "Heh. Brother Lu is a real young calf unafraid of the tiger—he's only just reached the second floor, and already he wants to challenge the guards upstairs. I wonder, is he bold or just ignorant?"

The others were also doubtful that Lu Feng could win, mainly because the guards on the third floor had reached the Ninth-Grade Martial Master level.

It would be difficult for not only young people like them, who had just entered the Martial Master Realm, but even seasoned Martial Masters to last ten exchanges against the guards.

After all, these two guards were Prefect Xu's personal bodyguards. They were not only powerful, but also extremely experienced in combat.

The guard gestured to Lu Feng. "Then, please."

"I've offended you!"

The moment Lu Feng spoke, he darted forward. Before he could launch an attack, the guard had already thrown a punch.

Compared with the guard on the first floor, this one was indeed much stronger.

But Lu Feng had reached the Ninth-Grade Martial Master level himself, and his strength far surpassed that of other Martial Masters at the same rank.

Facing the guard's punch, Lu Feng neither dodged nor retreated. He met it head-on with a palm strike.

"Bang!"

The dull impact sent both of them back several steps, though the guard took more steps than Lu Feng.

The sight stunned everyone. Zhou Taian was so shaken by Lu Feng's strength that his face went deathly pale.

After that first exchange, the guard immediately realized that Lu Feng was a Ninth-Grade Martial Master, too. He knew Lu Feng was qualified to proceed to the third floor, but a fighting spirit still flashed in his eyes.

"I underestimated your strength just now. But that was only the first exchange. I'll be giving it my all for the next nine, so be careful!"

With that, the guard leaped in front of Lu Feng again. His fists turned into claws, and he swiped straight at Lu Feng's face.

Seeing the guard get serious, Lu Feng smiled faintly. "Heh. Bring it on!"

He turned his hands into palms and repeatedly blocked the guard's attacks.

The two traded blows, one attacking and the other defending, and quickly completed ten exchanges. But the guard had only just gotten into the fight. How could he stop so easily?

The guard suddenly shouted, "Eagle Claw Hand, second form: Mountain-Tearing River-Splitting!"

The guard swung both hands. His eagle-claw-like hands shot through the air, brimming with terrifying Internal Force!

If that attack landed, even a Ninth-Grade Martial Master would be seriously injured, perhaps even killed on the spot.

Lu Feng remained perfectly calm as he watched the guard use a Martial Skill.

"A Martial Skill? That's interesting!"

As he spoke, he raised both hands and swept them quickly through the air. In an instant, layers of arm shadows appeared in front of him, forming what looked like a great net.

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

The profound defensive palm technique shocked the guard. The onlookers were just as stunned by Lu Feng's skill.

"This... How is this possible?! He blocked the guard's Martial Skill with nothing but ordinary moves. Could he already be a Great Power in the Grandmaster Realm?" one Noble Family disciple exclaimed in disbelief.

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

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