A Fortune Overnight
On the ring, the two had already resumed their fight.
Lu Shuang's Frost Sword gleamed with a chilling light, each strike carrying the killing intent to freeze everything.
Lu Feng wielded an ordinary third-tier longsword with remarkable fluidity and sharpness.
Two figures clashed repeatedly on the arena, their swords flashing and colliding in mid-air, producing a dense cacophony of metallic clangs.
Time passed little by little.
An hour later, that sweet voice finally rang out again.
I surrender!
Lu Shuang took a few steps back, her Frost Sword stuck in the arena, the stone bricks around the sword frozen with spiderweb-like cracks.
She gripped the sword hilt with both hands, her chest heaving violently, her forehead covered in fine beads of sweat.
She looked up at Lu Feng, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
How much internal Nei Jin do you actually possess?
Her voice carried a hint of resentment, but even more so, curiosity.
It should be noted that his Nei Jin is several times deeper and stronger than that of a typical martial artist who has Hua Jin Perfection. It is unimaginable how deep Lu Feng's internal Nei Jin is.
"My Nei Jin is almost depleted!"
In fact, the Five Elements Primordial Chaos Art was constantly circulating within Lu Feng's body, and he only consumed a small portion of his Nei Jin.
"Lu Feng, from the North City Demon-Slaying Bureau, wins!"
Song Xuanji's voice faded.
The entire venue fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a deafening roar.
"He won! He really won!"
"Lu Shuang has lost!"
"Where exactly did this monster Lu Feng come from? Does he still have any trump cards up his sleeve?"
"Who cares if he has any trump cards! All I want to know is if Fatty Jin is still alive!"
The discussion from the audience continued for a long time.
Amidst the commotion, Lu Feng returned to his seat. Seeing Lu Shuang admit defeat, Su Ying silently breathed a sigh of relief.
After the commotion subsided slightly, Song Xuanji spoke again, "Next, we will proceed with the Grandmaster- level competition."
In the battle for third place, Shen Qingwu faced Xiao Chaosheng from the South City Demon-Slaying Bureau.
Both were at the Late Grandmaster, but Shen Qingwu was clearly superior, with sharp and relentless attacks.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xiao Chaosheng was sent flying by a single palm strike and defeated.
"Shen Qingwu of the East City Demon-Slaying Bureau Division wins!"
"Next up is the Grandmaster- level final. Zhao Changgeng from the Headquarters Demon-Slaying Bureau will face Su Ying from the North City Demon-Slaying Bureau."
Su Ying stood up and walked towards the arena.
Lu Feng thought she would do what she had done in every match before, unleashing her purple lightning attack on her opponent as soon as she stepped onto the stage.
To everyone's surprise, Su Ying simply walked to the center of the arena and whispered something to Song Xuanji.
Song Xuanji nodded, then announced loudly, "Su Ying of the North City Demon-Slaying Bureau forfeits. Zhao Changgeng of the Headquarters Demon-Slaying Bureau wins!"
The audience erupted in uproar once again.
No one expected that after a whole day of competition, the final match would end in a forfeit.
Zhao Changgeng stood on the stage, expressionless as he sheathed his longsword.
Su Ying returned to her seat, and Lu Feng turned to look at her. "Senior sister, why is that?"
"You've already taken first place. If I were to take first place at the Grandmaster level as well, where would that leave the reputation of the Headquarters Demon-Slaying Bureau?"
Lu Feng was taken aback.
This was the first time he had ever seen someone give up a championship for the sake of saving face.
But then he thought about it again and understood.
Su Ying had previously stated that her goal in participating in the Grandmaster- level competition was only to be in the top three, and now she has firmly secured second place, thus achieving her objective.
As for the title of first place, it might actually bring her more unnecessary trouble.
"Besides, achieving this ranking was already unexpected," Su Ying added.
Lu Feng did not respond.
He couldn't tell whether Su Ying was genuinely indifferent or hiding something from him.
But since she had already made her decision, he wouldn't ask any more questions.
Song Xuanji stood in the center of the arena, looked around, and finally began to announce the final result.
"This Five-City Grand Competition competition has now come to an end!"
"First in the Hua Jin Realm, Lu Feng of the North City Demon-Slaying Bureau. Second, Lu Shuang of the Headquarters Demon-Slaying Bureau. Third, Jiang Han of the South City Demon-Slaying Bureau."
"Grandmaster level, first, Headquarters Demon-Slaying Bureau, Zhao Changgeng. Second, North City Demon-Slaying Bureau, Su Ying. Third, East City Demon-Slaying Bureau, Shen Qingwu."
He paused, glanced around the audience, and finally fixed his gaze on the contestants' seats:
"Now, please have the top three finishers from each arena come up to the stage to receive your rewards."
Lu Feng and the others walked onto the arena one by one.
Song Xuanji personally distributed the rewards to everyone.
Lu Feng took a jade box, inside which was a Void Tranquility Pill.
"Senior sister, I have no use for this pill!"
After obtaining the Void Tranquility Pill, Lu Feng gave it directly to Su Ying.
Su Ying accepted it without any hesitation.
Then Su Ying pulled Lu Feng away.
The two bypassed the square and headed straight for the betting booths.
Fatty Jin was still sitting in his original spot, but he no longer looked as spirited as he had a few days ago.
The table in front of him was piled high with ledgers and leftover Origin Crystal, and his fat face was scrunched up as if he were about to cry.
Su Ying placed the receipts on the table.
When Fatty Jin saw the numbers on the screen, the flesh on his face twitched visibly.
He swallowed hard, his lips trembling for a long time, and finally sighed resignedly, taking out a storage bag and placing it in front of Su Ying.
"One hundred and five thousand five hundred thousand, totaling five hundred and fifty thousand Low-Grade Origin Crystal. Please check."
Lu Feng waved his hand and put the storage bag into his pocket.
"Senior sister, have you ever heard of Bone-Tempering Sand?"
After leaving the square, Lu Feng suddenly spoke.
"Bone-Tempering Sand?"
Su Ying paused, turning her head to look at him.
"It depends on what you're buying it for. The market should have it. Let's go check out the Hundred Treasures Pavilion."
Lu Feng had only intended to give it a try, but he didn't expect Su Ying to be so decisive.
The two sent a brief message to Xiao Tianqi, then left the Demon-Slaying Bureau and headed towards the market.
The market town in Central Province was larger than any Lu Feng had ever seen.
A tall archway stood at the entrance of the market, its vermilion pillars engraved with array patterns, exuding a subtle but powerful aura.
Two Hua Jin masters at the Transformation Realm guarded the entrance, one on each side. Anyone entering had to hand over a Low-Grade Origin Crystal.
Lu Feng casually paid two coins and stepped into the market with Su Ying.
The interior of the market is even more spacious than it appears from the outside.
The long street paved with bluestone stretched straight out, lined with shops on both sides, their signs advertising all sorts of spiritual materials, weapons, and elixirs dazzling the eyes in the sunlight.
Martial artists came and went in an endless stream; even the weakest among them possessed Nei Jin, and those at the Hua Jin or Grandmaster were not uncommon.
The two had only taken a few steps when a disciple with the cultivation level of Ming Jin trotted up to them, bowing and scraping.
"Distinguished guests, is this your first time visiting Central Province Market? Would you like me to show you the way?"
"I've lived in this market for twenty years. I know everything about it—what shops sell what goods, which ones have bargains, and which ones are shady! Just three Origin Crystal!"
Lu Feng was somewhat tempted. His goal for this trip was clear, and if Xinzi knew the exact location of the Bone-Tempering Sand, it would save him a lot of time.
He glanced at Su Ying. Su Ying didn't even stop walking.
"No."
Lu Feng replied and quickly followed.
Nobuko didn't press the matter and turned to find her next target.