Chapter 231: Sharing the Spotlight?

"Impossible... How could this be?"

Xia Zhengtao, standing below the platform observing the duel, was utterly astounded. He couldn't fathom how among the yellow-tier students of the East Court, there could exist such a hidden talent!

A young swordsman who could rival the renowned Little Sword God, Li Bufan, actually existed!

Xia Zhengtao's disbelief was tinged with frustration. What were those responsible for admissions thinking? How could they classify such an extraordinary talent as a mere yellow-tier student!?

Bear in mind, if Li Bufan were to be among the chosen ten hidden talents, he would undeniably rank within the top three. Didn’t this imply that Ling Feng also harbored such exceptional talent?

"You're fast with your sword!"

With his right hand clutching his sword, Li Bufan pointed the blade diagonally towards the ground while his gaze stayed locked onto Ling Feng. His voice carried a chilling tone as he demanded, "I am Li Bufan. Who are you? State your name!"

"Ling Feng!"

"Good! Then I will join the East Court," Li Bufan stood with hands behind his back, proudly declaring. "However, before that, you and I shall finish this battle!"

"Indeed, that's my intention!"

Ling Feng fixed his gaze on the stoic figure, subtly assuming the Eight Direction Shatter Abyss sword technique bestowed upon him by Yan Cangtian.

Confronting Li Bufan, he had discerned that even mystical-tier sword techniques like the Blood Lotus Sword Song and the Flower-Transposing Jade-Burying Sword might prove inadequate.

"What a formidable opponent! He can actually match the chief!"

"Chief Ling Feng is someone who could effortlessly defeat even mystical-tier students!"

The other students exchanged glances, their eyes filled with profound awe.

"Brother Ling's strength is truly formidable!" Liu Yunfei struggled to swallow, having known Li Bufan's terror since childhood. He couldn't believe that after six years, Li Bufan had become an insurmountable mountain.

Similarly, Ling Feng's strength left him only able to look up in admiration.

As for Qin Wanwan, witnessing the clash between the two, her heart was in turmoil.

...

Buzz!

Li Bufan’s sword's edge trembled as he unleashed another powerful attack!

With a horizontal sweep, the sword blade struck eight times in a single stroke!

Eight sword blossoms burst forth instantly, resembling spirit serpents spitting venom as they aimed directly for Ling Feng's eight vital points!

"Li Bufan is truly formidable!"

Ling Feng's eyes blazed with intense brilliance as he executed the Boundless Sword Steps. Swiftly sidestepping, he flicked his wrist, countering with eight strikes in a single stroke.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Eight consecutive clashes of sword blades echoed and crimson and silver sword blossoms wildly collided, sparking tiny flames scattering in all directions.

Amidst flashes of lightning and sparks, the blades of the two geniuses clashed, creating a perilous situation!

In this lightning-fast exchange of swordsmanship, unless one possessed absolute confidence in themselves, a single misstep could lead to immediate bloodshed!

The spectators were dazzled; this hardly resembled a skirmish between yellow-tier students. Some might even mistake it for a duel between two high-cultivation sword masters.

"This kid surpassed my expectations! And his true qi can erupt so swiftly!"

Leng Jianfeng narrowed his eyes, fixated on the two currently duking it out. He couldn't help but ponder, "

Who exactly are you, young man?

"

"Excellent!" Although Jiang Xiaofan couldn't quite discern the speed of their swordplay, he couldn't contain his excitement and cheered wildly.

"Brilliant! They're amazing!"

"Such skillful swordsmanship, truly worthy of the chief!"

"And that newcomer is impressive too!"

The young spectators below erupted in cheers, deeply impressed by the dazzling sword duel before them. They couldn't help but marvel at what true swordsmanship looked like!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sounds of sword clashes echoed continuously, filling the air.

On the stage, figures darted about like phantoms, intermittently ablaze with crimson brilliance or dazzling with silver radiance!

The spectators had bewildered gazes. They had already lost count of the numerous exchanges between these two young prodigies.

A quarter of an hour passed, and then half an hour!

Yet, the duel between the two persisted without pause!

Leng Jianfeng furrowed his brow. He had already discerned that the difference between the two was minute, and that unless one of them killed the other, the battle would never conclude.

"

Sigh...

" Leng Jianfeng shook his head, exhaling deeply. A dazzling golden light emanated from his body as he swiftly darted into the fray.

Boom!

The ground erupted into a massive crater, with debris flying wildly in all directions.

In the next moment, everyone witnessed Leng Jianfeng, standing at the center of the stage, firmly gripping the blades of Ling Feng and Li Bufan with each hand, effectively immobilizing them both.

"Alright, that’s enough. If you continue, it'll be dark before we know it, and I still have classes to teach!"

With that, Leng Jianfeng gave a mighty shake of his hands, unleashing a tremendous force that forcefully sent Ling Feng and Li Bufan flying out of the arena.

The two of them stepped back several dozen paces before finally regaining their balance.

Li Bufan's gaze shifted to Leng Jianfeng, noting a slight tremble in his right hand and a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

It appeared that, at the crucial moment when Leng Jianfeng intercepted his sword strike, his own attack had made some damage.

However, what he failed to notice was the bloodstain on the back of Leng Jianfeng's left hand—a mark grazed by Ling Feng's Eradicator of Realms!

In strict terms, Ling Feng held a slight advantage in this final swordplay.

However, Leng Jianfeng chose not to dwell on these minor details, bringing the match to an even conclusion.

Observing the eager expressions of the students below, Leng Jianfeng scowled at them and grumbled, "Why are you all just standing there? Want to add another fifty laps?"

"No way!" The yellow-tier students below were terrified, hastily donning their six-hundred pound iron armor and scrambling around the martial arts square as if their lives depended on it.

"Not bad, kid," remarked Leng Jianfeng to Li Bufan, casting a sidelong glance at him. "Since your performance is decent enough, why don't you join them for the second training phase?"

Li Bufan nodded slightly, glancing briefly at Ling Feng before moving to the side without saying another word.

Indeed, he was a man of few words, as cold as ice!

"

Ehem!

"

Academician Xia Zhengtao waited impatiently on the sidelines until the match finally ended. Letting out a long sigh of relief, he said lightly, "Since my nephew Li Bufan is willing to stay in East Court, Instructor Leng, you'll have to take good care of him. I'll take my leave first since I have matters to attend to."

"Thank you, Academician Xia."

As Xia Zhengtao walked away, Leng Jianfeng made a mocking gesture towards his departing figure while muttering to himself, "Old stick-in-the-mud. You’re always so uptight!"

After venting his thoughts, Leng Jianfeng turned back and looked at Ling Feng and the others while smirking. "You lot, come with me!"

Retracting his Eradicator of Realms, Ling Feng reflected on the battle. Despite employing all his skills except the Heaven-Slaying Sword Technique, he found himself unable to gain any advantage against Li Bufan. It became evident that Li Bufan was indeed formidable.

Furthermore, this realization reinforced his understanding that on this expansive continent, geniuses were abundant like fish in a river, innumerable. Those who arrogantly believed themselves invincible, while remaining narrow-minded, were merely akin to frogs at the bottom of a well.

With such an abundance of geniuses, the path to becoming one who stands at the peak remained a daunting and lengthy journey!