So Close

At first, the Immortals watching the battle favored Luo Feng, because he could easily use the first stage of the Yan Shen Armament, Phantom Sword Style.

The nine Golden Illusion Swords were incomparably sharp, battering Rong Jun until he had no chance to fight back.

But no one had expected Rong Jun to reveal Space Phantoms that had already reached the Nine Line Flow level.

"He's lost. Who would have thought Rong Jun had kept so much hidden!"

"Exactly. No wonder he dared to say his goal was to rank first in the universe!"

Luo Feng was strong, but Rong Jun was stronger.

Seeing the nine Phantom Bodies, Luo Feng looked shocked as well.

According to Babata, Chen Ao was at this level.

He himself, however, only had a deep comprehension of the Law of Gold. He had yet to cross the threshold of the Space Law.

"You've lost!"

The nine Phantom Bodies attacked together, each meeting one of the nine illusion swords.

Since they did not have to withstand the recoil, the nine Phantom Bodies easily shattered Luo Feng's nine Golden Illusion Swords.

"They're... they're actually this strong!"

This was Luo Feng's first time facing Space Phantoms head-on. He had never expected Phantom Bodies to be so powerful.

"Hahaha! Luo Feng, you're quite good, but if you don't have any more trump cards, you won't stand a chance!"

Rong Jun spoke excitedly.

Chen Ao had dealt him far too crushing a blow. Now that he could reclaim a little pride by beating Chen Ao's junior, he was genuinely happy.

It's a little low of me, but I'll just have to owe you an apology, Luo Feng!

Sword God, before long, I'll challenge you again. No matter how many times I lose, I'll be the one who wins in the end!

Rong Jun had already easily suppressed Luo Feng, and as the arena shrank, Luo Feng would not have the slightest chance.

Even if he stopped attacking now, Luo Feng was certain to lose.

"Rong Jun, don't underestimate me!"

Even in this situation, the fighting spirit in Luo Feng's eyes did not diminish in the slightest. Instead, he kept thinking.

Calm down. Calm down!

Suddenly, Luo Feng shouted.

"Converge!"

Like soldiers answering a summons, the nine illusion swords suddenly drew together, then condensed into one enormous Golden Illusion Sword!

"What!"

Rong Jun was horrified.

"That's impossible!"

"How could someone at Star Level use the Yan Shen Armament's second style!"

Condensing those nine small Golden Illusion Swords into one large Golden Illusion Sword was the foundation for using the Yan Shen Armament's second style, Sky Piercing Style.

"That can't be possible!"

"He's probably only barely managed to condense it. He shouldn't be able to actually use Sky Piercing Style!"

There was a vast difference between condensing a large Golden Illusion Sword and actually using Sky Piercing Style.

If he merely condensed it, its power might not be that great. But if...

"Sky Piercing Style!"

Sweat beaded on Luo Feng's forehead as he shouted.

The strain was immense. He could only barely execute Sky Piercing Style and was still far from controlling it at will.

"He really... he really used it!"

"The youngsters in this year's competition really are extraordinary!"

The Immortals all voiced their amazement.

"Luo Feng!"

"Luo Feng!"

The audience erupted once again. They had never expected Luo Feng to have another trump card.

The enormous Golden Illusion Sword thrust straight at Rong Jun's true body. Before the giant illusion sword, his Phantom Bodies seemed terribly fragile, unable to hold it back.

Boom!

Rong Jun's Earth-Splitting Blade collided violently with the enormous Golden Illusion Sword.

Pfft!

Rong Jun flew backward, coughing up mouthfuls of blood.

Luo Feng's face was equally pale. His spiritual power could no longer bear the strain.

The reason someone at Star Level could not use the second stage was not merely a matter of Law Comprehension. The main problem was insufficient spiritual power.

His Golden Horned Beast was at Universe Level, and only by relying on his stronger will could he barely launch a single attack.

If that one strike failed, he had no strength left to attack a second time.

Crack! Crack!

The enormous Golden Illusion Sword quickly broke apart. Luo Feng had expended so much spiritual power that he could not even recall the smaller Golden Illusion Swords it separated into.

"Ah, Luo Feng should have won."

"Yes. He was just that little bit short!"

Luo Feng was a spirit reader. Without spiritual power, his combat strength would plummet.

Though Rong Jun was severely wounded, he could still attack.

As the arena shrank, Rong Jun easily killed Luo Feng.

"To think even the Sword God's junior is this formidable!" Rong Jun looked at his mangled chest and could not help murmuring.

His victory had been sheer luck.

Soon, Luo Feng exited the Arena Competition.

"Third Brother, don't be discouraged. If not for that mishap, you would have won this match!"

"That's right, Third Brother. You're already very strong!"

Luo Feng gave a bitter smile. Did they think he could not accept defeat?

How could that be!

"First Brother, Second Brother, I'm fine! It's just that this battle made me realize my weaknesses!"

Luo Feng felt that if he could cross the threshold of the Space Origin Law, he would be able to win easily.

If his close-combat abilities had been decent, he could also have won at the end.

Unfortunately, there were no ifs.

Comprehending the Space Law isn't something I can do overnight. In that case, I'll improve my close-combat abilities first!

Just as in the original story, Luo Feng had seen the advantages of close combat through Rong Jun.

He felt that being well-rounded was better.

Moreover, Chen Ao was also a warrior, which gave him a little anticipation for the warrior's path.

Luo Feng went to find Chen Ao.

In the real world, Chen Ao was still sitting on the rock, as unchanging as ever. His legs seemed to have fused with it.

"Senior, I want to improve my close-combat abilities. Could you give me some guidance?"

Chen Ao looked at Luo Feng. "There's no need!"

Huh?

Luo Feng was puzzled. Wasn't being well-rounded better?

"You don't need to fight anyone to the death. What you need to do now is comprehend the power of laws. Even practicing with the Yan Shen Armament is only a way to help you understand that power!"

Chen Ao said.

"So rather than spending time on a warrior's path that won't help you much, you'd be better off spending more time comprehending the Space Law. Even one extra bit of comprehension will raise the upper limit of your strength by that much! The strong stay strong. Excelling in just one area is enough!"

Luo Feng remained silent, turning Chen Ao's words over in his mind.

Chen Ao's meaning was clear. Never mind following the warrior's path-even as a spirit reader, there was no need to spend time practicing unless it helped him gain a deeper understanding of laws.

Drawing a deep breath, Luo Feng soon said, "Senior, I understand. Wasting time just to win matches wouldn't be worth it!"

"As long as you understand! Although you're a Child of Fortune and can succeed no matter which path you take, that would undoubtedly cost you more time!"

Luo Feng's expression immediately darkened.

Can't you just talk normally? Why bring up this Child of Fortune business again!

This senior's fortune-teller streak must be some kind of disease.

"Ahem. Senior, in that case, I won't disturb you any longer. I hope to face you in the grand finals!"

With that, Luo Feng left immediately.

Although this senior was quite decent in every other respect, who could stand being called a Child of Fortune all the time?

"Young people have no patience!"

Still, Chen Ao knew that Luo Feng's progress would truly accelerate in the time ahead.

Once his Mosha Clan Clone took shape soon, Luo Feng would be able to cross the threshold of the Space Law.

"The only drawback is that the Mosha Clan can't practice the Nine Tribulations Secret Manual, so Luo Feng's comprehension of the Space Law probably won't surpass what it was in the original story!"

His comprehension of the Law of Gold surpassed that in the original story because the Nine Tribulations Secret Manual brought the Golden Horned Beast closer to the Law of Gold. The Mosha Clan, however, had no such advantage.