Huang Shang's Challenge

Long Chen looked up and saw a strong, muscular man standing in the center of the stage, cupping his fists towards the surrounding crowd.

Long Chen didn't recognize the man, but he looked very young. As soon as he stepped onto the stage, the entire crowd let out a cheer. It seemed he was quite popular.

It was then Long Chen noticed that the entire plaza was also filled with people. It turned out the first half of the Lantern Festival was only open to the young masters, providing an opportunity for young men and women to mingle.

The subsequent competition for the title of the strongest warrior, however, had no restrictions and was completely open. Long Chen saw that the Empress's viewing area had also gained many more people. Among them, he spotted the Marquis of the Savage Lands.

Most of these people were older, but their blood and energy surged powerfully. They were all experts of the Blood Condensation Realm, carrying a faint aura of killing intent, clearly true powerhouses.

Just as Long Chen was observing them, another shout of applause rang out. A man leaped forward, covering a distance of over ten feet, and landed gracefully on the stage with impressive elegance.

"It's Feng Yang!" Shi Feng exclaimed in surprise, looking at the man.

"What? You know him?" Long Chen asked.

"Yes, he's the same age as me. He joined the army two years ago. Back then, he was only at the Qi Gathering Triple Heaven, but now he's at the Qi Gathering Eighth Heaven."

Crossing five minor realms in just two years was indeed astonishing.

"It's nothing. After joining the army, they often carry out missions. That's true life-or-death training. This speed is normal," Long Chen nodded, looking at the man.

"This Feng Yang is quite good. Although his cultivation isn't high, that trace of killing intent he carries isn't something children raised in a hothouse can compare to."

While Long Chen and Shi Feng were talking, Feng Yang and the other man had already begun fighting. It was just as Long Chen had said.

The previous opponent, though appearing strong and having the same cultivation as Feng Yang, was far inferior in actual combat strength. In less than ten rounds, he was struck by Feng Yang and sent off the stage.

"In martial arts, higher cultivation doesn't always mean stronger combat power. Sometimes, that fearless spirit can strike fear into the opponent's heart, making them lose confidence and significantly reducing their combat effectiveness.

So, to go further in martial arts, one needs a heart dedicated to the Way, to overcome obstacles and never give up," Long Chen said, patting Shi Feng's shoulder.

"I know. I will. I can die, but I cannot surrender," Shi Feng nodded.

Long Chen smiled faintly. Shi Feng's talent was limited, and his cultivation path was arduous. However, if his Dao heart was firm enough, perhaps a miracle could still happen.

"Bang!"

Feng Yang defeated three strong opponents in a row before finally exhausting his strength and being forced to concede after being struck by a punch.

"Long Chen, I'm going up."

"Huh? So early? Can you handle the consecutive battles later?" Long Chen asked, somewhat surprised.

"I see this competition as a form of cultivation. The outcome isn't important. What matters is that I need to solidify my heart for martial arts," Shi Feng said with a smile.

"Alright, Brother Shi, we'll cheer you on here!" Fatty Yu said supportively. They were all looking forward to Shi Feng's performance.

"Go for it!"

Long Chen clapped Shi Feng on the shoulder.

"Shi Feng is here to learn!"

Following Shi Feng's loud shout, which echoed like thunder across the plaza, the entire crowd erupted in a tidal wave of cheers. It was clear that Shi Feng was quite famous among the younger generation in the imperial capital.

The shouts of Fatty Yu and the others were drowned out by the surging cheers, to the point where they couldn't even hear themselves. They exchanged awkward glances, feeling extremely embarrassed.

Shi Feng's face was dark, and his demeanor was profound. Standing there, he gave the impression of a towering mountain, unmovable.

Facing Shi Feng was an expert at the Qi Gathering Ninth Heaven. However, upon seeing Shi Feng, his heart tightened, and he was visibly intimidated.

"Make your move. I'll only use the strength of a Qi Gathering Ninth Heaven cultivator," Shi Feng said with a slight smile.

Hearing this, the opponent felt a surge of anger. With so many people watching from below, he couldn't back down.

"Hmph, who asked you to go easy?"

The man snorted, stomped his foot, and threw a punch at Shi Feng. However, Shi Feng seemed to ignore the attack.

"Isn't this Shi Feng too arrogant?"

"Whoosh!"

Just as everyone thought Shi Feng was being arrogant, the man attacking him launched his second punch, heading straight for Shi Feng's abdomen. The first move was actually a feint.

"Thwack!"

A large hand blocked the man's fist, emitting a dull thud. Shi Feng grabbed the man's hand and applied force.

"Go!"

"Whoosh!"

The crowd let out a gasp of surprise as the man was sent flying through the air, soaring several yards before crashing heavily onto the ground, landing face-first in the dirt.

After landing, the man spat out the mud in his mouth, cursed a few times, and turned to leave, not even bothering to watch the subsequent matches.

"Brother Shi is mighty!"

Fatty Yu and the others seized the opportunity and were the first to shout this slogan. Following their cries, a large wave of applause erupted.

This applause was mixed with the cheers of countless young girls. Long Chen smiled faintly, understanding why so many people enjoyed taking the stage – it was the best way for male creatures to attract females.

Just then, Long Chen sensed something and glanced towards another viewing area. He happened to see Chu Yao's beautiful eyes fixed on him.

Long Chen smiled and winked. Chu Yao's pretty face suddenly flushed, and she quickly lowered her head, though her eyes were filled with joy.

However, neither Long Chen nor Chu Yao noticed that their subtle interaction was completely observed by another pair of eyes.

Xia Changfeng's face turned ashen. He suddenly whispered to a person beside him, "Have you found out what you needed to? Did you uncover his background?"

"Replying to my master, this subordinate has investigated. This brat's cultivation is strange; he never reveals his true power, but his actual combat strength doesn't exceed the early stage of Blood Condensation," the person whispered back.

If Long Chen were here, he would immediately recognize the accent. It was the person who had impersonated an assassin and ambushed him when he left.

"Hmph, that's good. Huang Shang, I want him dead tonight. Try not to expose too many of your trump cards," Xia Changfeng snorted coldly.

The Huang Shang he spoke of was his personal bodyguard, the scarred man. A cruel smile appeared on Huang Shang's lips as he said, "Master, rest assured, he absolutely won't survive tonight."

"Bang"

It had to be said, Shi Feng, having entered the Blood Condensation Realm, was unstoppable. He defeated eighteen opponents consecutively, causing the entire crowd to erupt.

The final two opponents were also undeniably Blood Condensation Realm powerhouses, but their combat strength was significantly inferior to Shi Feng's.

After all, Shi Feng had broken through to the Blood Condensation Realm with Long Chen's help. His foundation was much more solid than others, giving him a huge advantage.

When the last Blood Condensation Realm expert was defeated, Shi Feng called out three times on the stage, but no one came up.

According to the rules of the martial competition, the title of the Phoenix Cry's Number One Warrior for this year had already fallen into Shi Feng's hands.

Amidst the fervent cheers of the entire crowd, Shi Feng walked to the Empress Dowager and knelt. The Empress Dowager bestowed a Jade Token upon Shi Feng and offered a few words of encouragement.

When Shi Feng returned to the stage, the entire crowd became even more boisterous. Countless young girls rushed onto the stage, placing their flower wreaths around Shi Feng's neck.

These flower wreaths were handmade by each girl and served as tokens of affection. When they saw a man they admired, they would present him with one. If the man accepted it, it signified his acceptance of the maiden's heart.

Each flower wreath was embroidered with the owner's maiden name for easy identification. In the Phoenix Cry Empire, the more powerful a man was, the more wives and concubines he typically had. Therefore, most young girls would rather marry a man with many wives and concubines as a concubine than marry an ordinary person as a main wife.

When Shi Feng returned, he was completely covered in flower wreaths, with only his head showing. Otherwise, he wouldn't even be able to walk.

"Haha, Shi Feng, congratulations!" Long Chen couldn't help but burst into laughter at the comical sight.

"Wow, Shi Feng, you're rich now!" Monkey said with envy.

"Rich in what? Shi Feng isn't a human trafficker. But Brother Shi, you'll have to sort through them properly when you get back. You should at least pick a few wives," Fatty Yu teased with a laugh.

When the young girls gave their flower wreaths to Shi Feng, it signified their willingness to marry him. As long as Shi Feng agreed and paid the betrothal gifts, he could marry them. It was very convenient.

Shi Feng's face couldn't help but blush. "Shi Feng's achievements today are all thanks to Long Chen's help. How about this, let's divide these flower wreaths?"

"Pfft"

Everyone, including Long Chen, spat out their drinks. Dividing those things? Only Shi Feng could come up with something like that.

Seeing everyone laughing, Shi Feng realized he had been foolish. The crowd couldn't help but roar with laughter.

Originally, the Lantern Festival for this year would end at this point. Just as everyone was preparing to disperse, Xia Changfeng suddenly said with a smile:

"This grand competition has been truly spectacular, leaving me wanting more. I have a suggestion, I wonder if I may speak it."

The Empress Dowager frowned slightly. There had already been enough events today, and she didn't want any more complications. However, Xia Changfeng was a guest, and she couldn't easily refuse him. "Prince Xia, please proceed."

"To liven things up for everyone, our side will also send a young person to have a sparring match with the young talents of Phoenix Cry. Let's see who is truly stronger," Xia Changfeng said with a smile.

Before the Empress Dowager could speak, Wei Cang interjected, "Great Xia and Phoenix Cry are like one family. A small friendly sparring match, I believe the Empress Dowager will not refuse, right?"

The Empress Dowager sighed. This was clearly putting her on the spot. If she refused, she would offend Wei Cang.

"Then, as Master suggests, let us witness the demeanor of Great Xia's men. I wonder who will take the stage."

"Huang Shang, you go. Remember to go easy and don't hurt the harmony," Xia Changfeng waved his hand.

"Yes."

Huang Shang's toes touched the ground, and he moved like a great bird, tracing an arc as he slowly landed on the stage.

"Huang Shang of Great Xia, I request guidance from the heroes of Phoenix Cry!" Huang Shang said, cupping his fists.

"Are you kidding me? You look that old, and you're still pretending to be young? Your skin is too thick!" Long Chen gave Monkey a look, and the latter immediately understood and shouted loudly.

Huang Shang smiled faintly. "Huang Shang is nineteen this year. I have identification documents to prove it. Everyone in the Great Xia Empire knows this."

Hearing Huang Shang's words, the entire crowd relaxed. Some people just looked older, which was normal.

"Young Master Long Chen, I, Huang Shang, have arrived in the imperial capital and my ears are filled with rumors about you. I am greatly admired. I wonder if I am qualified to spar with you," Huang Shang said, cupping his fists towards Long Chen.

Huang Shang's words immediately drew everyone's attention. The scene instantly became like a boiling pot of water.

"Long Chen!"

"Long Chen!"

"Long Chen!"

The shouts grew louder and louder, surging like a tide, making people's blood boil. Countless eager eyes turned towards Long Chen.