Volume One: Turmoil in Yan and Yun Chapter Sixteen: The Sandstorm Ritual (Part Three)

The flowing aura, once solidified, becomes armor.

The art of Invincible Selflessness is to transform the domineering energy refined within oneself into a suit of armor. Not only does this greatly enhance one’s defense, but it also elevates the body’s overall state. In this state, speed, strength, and agility all reach new heights, causing one’s combat power to soar dramatically.

The problem is, the Overlord Spear relies on domineering energy, which in turn is drawn from vital energy. So whether it’s the earthy yellow of “Desperate Battle” or the golden hue of “Invincible Selflessness,” both are inevitably related to the color yellow.

But what was happening with Feng Yang?

That magnificent blood-red, like a ravenous demon, was fierce, solitary, and with a hint of seductive beauty.

“An evil cult technique!” The Third Elder sprang to his feet, exclaiming in disbelief.

His voice was not low, and many commoners on the stands heard him, stirring a wave of commotion.

The Grand Elder opened his eyes and glanced at the Third Elder, saying, “Even if it’s to let Feng Ling win, such means are rather disgraceful.”

The Third Elder was momentarily stunned.

Although they both sat among the elders, the Grand Elder’s strength, prestige, and authority were on an entirely different level from the Third Elder’s.

In his youth, the Grand Elder had been a formidable figure who could rival Feng Changkong.

But in recent years, the Grand Elder rarely involved himself in family affairs, otherwise the Third Elder’s little maneuvers, overt and covert, under the name of the Elder Council, could never have gone so smoothly.

So, why would the Grand Elder choose this moment to make his stance clear?

He was puzzled.

And beyond puzzled—uneasy.

He stole a glance at Feng Muyun, who said calmly, “Look again. Are you certain that’s an evil cult technique?”

The Third Elder’s heart sank. He put on an act, scrutinizing Feng Yang for a moment. “It does look similar.”

Feng Muyun said, “Look more carefully.”

The Third Elder was silent for several breaths. “It is not.”

Feng Muyun snorted coldly, then turned to Steward Fei. “Old Fei, I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble you with this matter.”

Steward Fei bowed slightly. “Disproving rumors by ourselves has little effect; when the time comes, we may need the Third Elder’s assistance as well.”

Feng Muyun looked at the Third Elder.

The Third Elder nodded repeatedly.

None of this affected the two on the stage.

Feng Yang knew perfectly well the source of his Overlord Spear; the Third Elder’s little schemes were beneath contempt. With his royal father on the dais, there was no way the Third Elder could pin such a thing on him.

Feng Ling exhaled softly. “I’m sorry.”

Feng Yang replied, “That’s not something you need to say.”

Feng Ling said, “Not just for what just happened, but for everything in the past as well.”

He was referring to how he had often mocked Feng Yang as a useless fool.

Feng Yang said, “It was never on my mind.”

Feng Ling replied, “You are magnanimous, Second Young Master. It’s normal that you don’t care, but since I was wrong, an apology is necessary.”

Feng Yang considered for a moment. “I accept your apology.”

The domineering energy waned with time, especially outside of combat.

The armor on both of them had thinned, the color of their skin faintly visible beneath.

Feng Yang thought that if he didn’t continue now, there was no point in maintaining Invincible Selflessness.

Feng Ling suddenly said seriously, “I, too, once waited with countless people of Northern Yan for the prince to return and rule.”

Feng Yang frowned. “Why not now?”

Feng Ling replied, “Because the prince’s heart is not with Northern Yan.”

He released Feng Yang’s Overlord Spear, drew the spear from outside the arena into his hand, and continued, “If he doesn’t care for the people of Northern Yan, then someone must.”

Feng Yang said with a hint of mockery, “And you think that someone is you?”

Feng Ling replied, “If you defeat me here, then I’ll believe it is you.”

With that, he used Fierce Tiger Strike once more.

Feng Yang chose Iron River Block.

A cold gleam flashed as his spear rose.

The ninth form of the Overlord Spear—Piercing the Clouds.

Feng Yang took a step back, the iron spear still horizontal before his chest.

When the iron spear was raised, it became a barrier.

A single man holds the pass—a single, unyielding stand.

After Piercing the Clouds came Falling Star Spear, then the Raging Wind Spear, and finally, Severing the Sands.

The single man was still the same man. Though cracks webbed the spear, and Feng Yang’s hands had begun to bleed, he endured it all.

He was pressed to the edge of the stage, on the verge of being forced out.

But Feng Ling stopped.

His face was flushed, the armor of Invincible Selflessness gone. Exhaustion made his hands tremble, and he panted heavily.

Feng Yang was gasping for breath as well.

With a harsh screech, one became two.

“I still don’t understand how you can string together different forms of the Overlord Spear at will, when the flow of vital energy for each is completely different.” Feng Ling’s gaze was complicated. “Is that the power of talent?”

Feng Yang said, “Those combinations you just used were first performed by Feng Yao against the Three-Stage Boy, and my brother used them against Jose last time. I didn’t expect you to remember them all.”

Learning from others’ experience is also a kind of talent.

Feng Qi and Feng Yang learned from books; Feng Ling learned from observation.

Once Feng Ling realized this, he felt some relief in his heart.

“I’ve lost.”

He said it calmly, without the slightest reluctance.

Yet Feng Yang was clearly at an absolute disadvantage—why would Feng Ling say such a thing?

“After Severing the Sands, I was completely spent. If you had used Fierce Tiger Strike then, I couldn’t have blocked it.” Feng Ling said, “Although I’ve recovered some strength while speaking, a loss is a loss. I won’t make excuses.”

Feng Yang thought the man before him wasn’t entirely without merit.

At the very least, he was honest enough.

“How do you know I could’ve counterattacked after taking so many blows?” Feng Yang asked. “To be honest, I’m exhausted too.”

It wasn’t entirely true.

At least, he had yet to release Invincible Selflessness.

Though the blood-red armor was faint, it hadn’t vanished.

Which meant he could still unleash another Overlord Spear.

Feng Ling chuckled softly, shook his head, and collapsed onto his back.

“No need. Though I don’t want to lose to you, my surname is Feng. I can afford to lose.”

...

The moment Feng Ling fell, Steward Fei and the Third Elder left the stands.

Resolving the issue was important, but there was no need to do it here. After all, many arenas on the drill ground had already begun their matches.

Besides, quite some time had passed since the Third Elder’s outburst. Word of mouth could have already spread far and wide. Clarifying it here would not only lack credibility but also have little effect.

To resolve this perfectly, it had to be left to the Pavilion of Tranquility.

In this world, there’s nothing they don’t know, nothing they dare not say. And so far, anything they’ve publicly declared has always been true. In terms of credibility, they are unmatched.

After they left, Feng Muyun said, “Grand Elder, what do you think?”

The Grand Elder did not answer. In the faint silence, his low snoring could be heard.

Feng Muyun touched his nose, thinking he’d just made a fool of himself.

“Patriarch, what did you mean by that?” the Second Elder asked.

Feng Muyun considered that the Second Elder, obsessed with martial arts, truly lacked experience in these matters. Such questions were to be expected.

“Qi’er is still fighting. When all this is over and we convene to discuss Feng Ling’s situation, I’ll explain it to you then. Is that acceptable?”

Though the Second Elder looked reluctant, he finally nodded. “Fine!”

...