Chapter Twenty-Two, Challenging Hu Junfeng

After a moment’s consideration, Lu Xingchen chose the Azure Cloud Wings.

Compared with offensive techniques, he preferred a trump card that could keep him alive.

Without Li Yan holding them back, the group’s return journey was much faster. In just one day and one night, they arrived back at the Soaring Heavens Sect.

As usual, Lu Xingchen spent his mornings refining pills and his afternoons hunting monsters for experience.

But the amount of experience required to level up was simply too great. Even after five days, he still had not advanced by a single level.

That day, Lu Xingchen was refining pills in the alchemy room when a sharp voice suddenly rang out across Little Bamboo Peak.

“Lu Xingchen, get out here!”

Hearing that voice, Lu Xingchen sensed that something was wrong.

Whoever could use battle aura to amplify his voice so that everyone on Little Bamboo Peak could hear it was certainly no weakling.

Yet Lu Xingchen had always treated everyone kindly during his time at the Soaring Heavens Sect. Apart from Xiao Yue, did he have any other enemies?

Judging by the voice, the newcomer was clearly a man.

Lu Xingchen stopped refining and said to Lin Qingzhu, “Peak Master, I’ll go take a look.”

Lin Qingzhu nodded slightly. “I’ll go with you. Although Hu Junfeng is the sect’s Holy Son, he cannot simply bully his fellow disciples.”

Only then did Lu Xingchen realize that the person who had come looking for trouble was none other than the Holy Son, Hu Junfeng.

It was probably because of his inheritance of the Shadow Sword Art.

The two of them arrived at the foot of the peak, and Lu Xingchen finally saw the legendary Hu Junfeng.

He wore blue robes and had a slender build, sharp brows, and bright, star-like eyes. Blue lotus patterns were embroidered across his robes, giving him an ethereal, almost immortal appearance.

Lu Xingchen held a certain amount of admiration for the Holy Son of the Soaring Heavens Sect.

There was only one reason for that: his formidable strength.

“Greetings, Senior Brother Hu Junfeng. May I ask why you have summoned me?” Lu Xingchen said.

Hu Junfeng replied coldly, “I just confessed my feelings to Junior Sister Wanqing, but she told me that she already had someone in her heart.”

“Coincidentally, you are the successor of the Shadow Sword Art. We were bound to fight sooner or later. Now you’ve even stolen Junior Sister Wanqing away from me. I think there’s no need to wait any longer. Let’s decide who is superior right now!”

Lu Xingchen was stunned.

No wonder Hu Junfeng had been so attentive toward Miss Wanqing. It turned out he had been trying to court her.

After spending all this time together, Lu Xingchen had already fallen for her. He had simply never pierced that final veil between them.

Since Lin Wanqing had now brought the matter into the open herself, how could he possibly back down?

Still, Lu Xingchen did not want to fight Hu Junfeng. His chances of winning were simply too low.

“Senior Brother Hu,” Lu Xingchen said in a low voice, “the feelings between Miss Wanqing and me developed naturally over a long period of time. Love has nothing to do with status or cultivation. Even if you defeat me, Miss Wanqing will not fall in love with you.”

Hu Junfeng snorted. “Feelings can be cultivated slowly. Once I drive away the obstacle that is you, Junior Sister Wanqing will certainly change her mind.”

“That isn’t fair,” Lu Xingchen said. “You’re three years older than I am, and your cultivation is far above mine. How am I supposed to fight you?”

“I know that,” Hu Junfeng replied calmly. “You are a four-star Martial Master, correct? I can suppress my cultivation to the four-star Martial Master level. We will fight at the same realm. If you lose, you will leave the Soaring Heavens Sect!”

Lu Xingchen’s heart stirred.

He was, after all, a transmigrator with a system backing him.

If they fought at the same level, why should he fear Hu Junfeng?

He could both confirm his relationship with Miss Wanqing and complete Fu Xin’s commission to improve the quality of the Shadow Sword.

With such a profitable bargain, why wouldn’t he accept?

Lu Xingchen nodded firmly. “Very well. I accept this battle! But if you lose, you are no longer allowed to harass Miss Wanqing.”

Hu Junfeng nodded slightly. “It’s a deal!”

Lu Xingchen then turned to Lin Qingzhu. “Peak Master, please bear witness for the two of us.”

Lin Qingzhu said solemnly, “Lu Xingchen, you must think this through carefully. Hu Junfeng is, after all, the Holy Son of the Soaring Heavens Sect. Even with his cultivation suppressed, his strength is not something an ordinary four-star Martial Master can match.”

Lu Xingchen chuckled. “My strength is not something an ordinary four-star Martial Master can match either. Peak Master, you may rest assured.”

Lin Qingzhu sighed softly and said nothing more.

The three of them walked together toward the arena.

Along the way, Lu Xingchen checked his system panel.

[Host: Lu Xingchen]

[Realm: Four-star Martial Master]

[Experience: 410/500]

[Exchange Points: 420]

[Talents: Eagle Eye (20), Heavy Strike (20), Berserk (16), Sword Edge (20), Jade Shatter (30)]

[Profession: First-Rank Alchemist (15/100)]

He still had twenty talent points remaining, and Lu Xingchen put them all into Berserk.

[Berserk (36): Critical hit rate increased by 70%; critical damage increased by 35%.]

With such a high critical hit rate, nearly every basic attack would land as a critical hit.

That would greatly improve his chances of defeating Hu Junfeng.

Hu Junfeng’s earlier shout had alerted every disciple on Little Bamboo Peak. As the three of them headed toward the arena, the news spread like wildfire.

A large crowd of Soaring Heavens Sect disciples poured into the arena, eager to watch the thrilling showdown.

“It’s Senior Brother Hu! I finally get to see him in person! He’s so handsome!”

“What’s the name of the person challenging Senior Brother Hu again? Lu something? I’ve never heard of him.”

“Lu Xingchen. He ranked tenth in the new disciple assessment, but every peak master refused to accept him. In the end, he went to Little Bamboo Peak.”

“A new disciple dares to challenge Senior Brother Hu? Is there something wrong with his head?”

Unsurprisingly, the audience’s opinions were overwhelmingly in Hu Junfeng’s favor.

Not only was Hu Junfeng tremendously powerful, he was also handsome. He was the face of the Soaring Heavens Sect and enjoyed immense prestige among the disciples.

Lu Xingchen and Hu Junfeng stepped onto the arena together.

Hearing the cheers and encouragement from the surrounding disciples, the corners of Hu Junfeng’s mouth curved upward.

That feeling of being surrounded by admirers had always been one of the forces driving him forward.

“Lu Xingchen, it seems everyone still favors me,” Hu Junfeng said smugly.

Lu Xingchen replied indifferently, “Once I beat you into the ground, they won’t be able to laugh anymore.”

“Hmph! What arrogance!”

Lin Qingzhu stood at the center of the arena and announced loudly, “Hu Junfeng must suppress his cultivation to the four-star Martial Master level. Surrendering counts as a loss, and falling from the arena also counts as a loss. This is only a contest of skill. No killing is permitted. Is that clear?”

“Understood!” the two men answered simultaneously.

Just then, Lin Wanqing, who had heard the news, rushed into the arena and shouted, “Wait!”

She hurried to Lu Xingchen and said nervously, “Dazhuang, have you lost your mind? He’s the Holy Son!”

Lu Xingchen chuckled. “Miss Wanqing, you have to have some confidence in me. For the sake of our future happiness together, I must defeat Hu Junfeng.”

At his words, Lin Wanqing’s pretty face flushed. “What are you talking about? I never agreed to that.”

Lu Xingchen smiled. “Then I’ll ask you now. If I defeat Hu Junfeng, will you become my girlfriend?”