Chapter 255: The Duel
Chapter 255: The Duel
After frightening away the terrifying Devil Leader, the scholars gathered outside the Scholastic Palace gradually left. The injured scholars quickly received treatment.
Some scholars had their Spiritual Souls forcibly pulled into the air, nearly scattering their souls and turning them into mindless husks. Fortunately, after frightening away Blind Master, the great Devil Leader, their Spiritual Souls were freed. After reuniting with their bodies, though they still felt dizzy, they were ultimately unharmed.
After settling the Literary Sword Hall disciples around him, Jian Wushang came before Mu Feng. “Young Master Mu, are you alright?”
“I’m fine, thank you!”
Mu Feng, who had been lost in thought, quickly snapped back to reality. Seeing the bloodstains on Jian Wushang’s robe, he respectfully bowed. “From now on, please don’t call me Young Master Mu. Just call me Mu Feng. Brother Wushang, it’s fortunate you arrived in time this time. Otherwise, I would have already become a cold corpse! How is your injury? Is there any problem?”
Looking at Jian Wushang’s pale face, Mu Feng secretly counted himself lucky.
To detect potential dangers early, he had decisively projected his Spiritual Soul. Who would have thought that Blind Master, the terrifying Devil Leader, was lurking nearby?
“It’s nothing, just some disrupted qi and blood flow, but it’s fine now!”
Jian Wushang smiled, looking Mu Feng over from head to toe, then continued, “We only assisted. The one who truly helped you escape disaster was yourself. Brother Mu Feng, I never expected you not only to have a powerful body but also such an outstanding Spiritual Soul. You even managed to break free from Bi Luotian’s Seven Stars Soul-Sealing Lamp, making me feel ashamed in comparison!”
Jian Wushang genuinely admired Mu Feng’s strength.
As a rising star of the Literary Sword Hall, with four swords embroidered on his right sleeve, he was exceptionally powerful. After witnessing Mu Feng pass through the Eighteen Battle Puppets Restriction, though shocked by his strength, Jian Wushang had thought Mu Feng was slightly inferior to himself. However, after seeing Mu Feng use Soul Roar to break free from the Seven Stars Soul-Sealing Lamp, he began to doubt himself and was once again astonished by Mu Feng’s incredible power.
The Seven Stars Soul-Sealing Lamp, a demonic treasure, was notorious for its power, specifically attacking and Sealing enemies’ Spiritual Souls. If a Spiritual Soul was adrift outside the body, even a master at the Late Elite Realm would face only two outcomes when encountering Blind Master wielding the Seven Stars Soul-Sealing Lamp: either have their soul scattered on the spot or have it Sealed and captured.
As expected, Mu Feng was immediately Sealed and trapped by the black mist emitted from the Seven Stars Soul-Sealing Lamp upon contact. Yet, contrary to all expectations, he unleashed a terrifying soul impact and broke free. This bought precious time, allowing him to hold on until the other scholars arrived. An ordinary scholar would likely have had their Spiritual Soul Sealed and captured in an instant.
“That was just a minor trick, Brother Wushang. Come, let’s have a few drinks at Wangjiang Tower!”
Mu Feng smiled, inviting the powerful Jian Wushang.
“Alright, let’s go!”
Unable to decline such warm hospitality and seeing the smile on Mu Feng’s face, the usually aloof and solitary Jian Wushang hesitated for a moment but did not refuse.
The two walked away side by side, their steps light, moving faster and faster as they secretly competed in speed and endurance. Finally, they leaped together, jumping directly from the street to the high rooftop of Wangjiang Tower, their feet landing almost simultaneously on the suspended railing.
“Brother Wushang, impressive skills!”
“Hahaha, Brother Mu Feng, likewise!”
…
Across the pavilion on the rooftop, they smiled at each other, then gracefully sat on the stone chairs, feeling mutual admiration.
They had met on the Tiance Platform, competing in Policy Discourse to determine superiority. Then, they joined forces against the terrifying Blind Master, meeting and getting to know each other. After this contest, though they hadn’t fought directly, they held secret respect for each other.
In terms of scholarship, Jian Wushang admitted he was far from a match for Mu Feng, the Jianning First Scholar. In terms of strength, they were unexpectedly evenly matched, which was beyond his expectations. And this was only Mu Feng’s second day at the Scholastic Palace!
To possess such strength so soon after joining the Scholastic Palace—how could one not be astonished?
In Mu Feng, the usually proud Jian Wushang sensed a sharpness he had never encountered before, shocking him with Mu Feng’s incredible strength and potential.
“I, Mu Feng, grew up in poverty and experienced the harshness of the world. I don’t have many friends, but I have two sworn brothers who are true and loyal!”
Mu Feng paused, looking at Jian Wushang as he continued, “One is named Jing Hu, nicknamed Sky Splitting Tiger. True to his name, even in the Early Mortal Realm, he could tear tigers and leopards apart with his bare hands. He is brave and straightforward. My other brother is named Xing Jiu, the ninth personal disciple of our Mu Manor’s Punishment Elder. He is upright but clever, swift in exacting justice, not bound by rigid rules like other punishment disciples. These two brothers not only helped me but also possess admirable character. Brother Wushang, do you know what I find most admirable and memorable about you?”
“Oh, please tell me!” Jian Wushang’s eyes lit up.
With just a few words, Mu Feng had depicted the character of Sky Splitting Tiger and Xing Jiu, making one wonder what kind of people they were.
Birds of a feather flock together.
To become sworn brothers with someone as extraordinary as Mu Feng, they must be exceptional individuals indeed!
“At great heights, one feels the cold. A true master is inevitably proud and lonely. Brother Wushang, your pride is as formidable as your sword skills. Without you even drawing your sword, just sensing the restrained sword energy within you, I knew your mastery in sword arts far surpasses that of ordinary scholars.”
Mu Feng paused, then added, “However, what I truly admire is not your pride or your exceptional sword skills, but your honesty. On the Tiance Platform, you asked only one question, clarified what was most important, and stepped down without resorting to sophistry for the sake of winning. You only recognized reason, not personalities. Since ancient times, scholars meet through literature, warriors through strength. Only those who wholeheartedly pursue the Cultivation Peak truly understand the meaning of the phrase: as vast as heaven and earth, strength is the greatest.”
“Hahaha, well said, well said! As vast as heaven and earth, strength is the greatest!”
Jian Wushang laughed heartily, his gaze toward Mu Feng filled with both respect and a touch of warmth.
Mu Feng’s words had struck a chord within him.
At great heights, one feels the cold. A cultivator pursuing the peak of strength is destined to be lonely throughout life. Among the thousands of scholars in the Scholastic Palace, most only saw his aloofness and rare interactions with others. But few saw his determination and perseverance in abandoning all worldly affairs for the sake of cultivation!
“Full of knowledge and extraordinary insight, you are no ordinary fish in a pond! Mu Feng, your strength is truly something to look forward to!”
Jian Wushang’s eyes shone brightly as he looked at Mu Feng’s upright figure, his fighting spirit uncontrollably rising. He suddenly stood up, leaped, and landed on the pavilion’s roof. With a swift motion, he drew the sword hanging at his waist. “Come, Mu Feng, right here, let us battle three hundred rounds. Let me see just how strong you are!”
“Good!”
Mu Feng did not back down. He too leaped onto the pavilion, facing the imposing Jian Wushang with surging battle intent!