Martial Dao: I Can Enhance My Talents

Chapter 287: Chapter 286: Fighting Chu Feng Again

As dusk settled, Chu Feng’s figure cast a long shadow in the setting sun outside Villa Thirty-Five of the True Inheritance Courtyard, radiating a suppressed chill.

He stood fixed before the closed gates, his icy gaze sweeping over them as if it could pierce through the wood and see the person within—the one he hated to the bone.

No knock, no announcement.

Chu Feng abruptly raised a hand. The immense Inner Qi in his body erupted, gathering in his palm with a violent aura, and he viciously slammed it into the gate!

BOOM!

With a tremendous crash, the sturdy gate shattered on impact. Wood splinters flew everywhere, revealing the frightened maids and servants inside the courtyard.

Qiu Lan, who was directing several others in sweeping the courtyard, trembled from the sudden shock.

Chu Feng strode into the courtyard. A heart-pounding, ruthless momentum radiated from him as his knife-like gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Qiu Lan.

"Where’s Fang Han? Tell him to get his ass out here and see me!"

Chu Feng’s voice was hoarse and low, thick with uncontrollable rage.

Qiu Lan suppressed the fear in her heart, took a step forward, and bowed. Her voice held a barely perceptible tremor.

"S-Senior Brother Chu, Senior Brother Fang... he went out a few days ago and has not yet returned."

"Not here?"

Chu Feng’s eyes sharpened. The momentum around him intensified abruptly, pressing down on Qiu Lan and the others like an invisible mountain.

THUMP... THUMP...

The maids and servants in the courtyard weren’t even Inner Qi Realm Martial Artists. How could they possibly withstand the pressure from a Celestial Pride True Inheritor?

Their legs instantly gave way, and one after another, they collapsed to the ground under the terrifying pressure. Their faces turned deathly pale as they struggled to breathe, their eyes filled with terror.

Qiu Lan had the highest cultivation, having reached the Ninth Grade Internal Qi Realm. But under the terrifying momentum of Chu Feng, who was at the Late Stage of Fifth Grade, she too was on the verge of collapsing, cold sweat beading on her forehead.

She clenched her teeth, barely managing to stay on her feet, but her face was already ashen.

Chu Feng looked at Fang Han’s subordinates before him. The thought of the humiliation Fang Han had dealt him made the pent-up rage in his chest feel as if it had found an outlet.

He did not retract his momentum. Instead, he intensified it, coldly watching Qiu Lan and the others struggle on the ground, as if this could somehow alleviate the hatred in his heart.

"Nephew Chu, why lower yourself to the level of servant disciples?"

Just then, a gentle voice sounded out.

Steward Zhou Heng of the True Inheritance Courtyard had appeared at the gate at some point. He frowned slightly as he took in the scene inside.

Chu Feng sensed an aura from Zhou Heng that was no weaker than his own. With a cold snort, he slowly retracted his projected momentum.

For Zhou Heng to be a Steward in a place like the True Inheritance Courtyard meant he was no simple character. Even a Celestial Pride True Inheritor like Chu Feng had to show him some respect.

"Since Fang Han isn’t here, I’ll be back another time!"

Chu Feng shot a cold glance at the collapsed Qiu Lan and the others, then flicked his sleeve, turned, and strode out of Villa Thirty-Five.

Zhou Heng watched Chu Feng’s departing figure and shook his head slightly. He glanced at the terrified group in the courtyard and instructed them.

"Clean up the courtyard."

With that, he also turned and left.

Only then did Qiu Lan and the others feel as if they had received a pardon. They struggled to their feet, their hearts still pounding with lingering fear, and gained a deeper understanding of Chu Feng’s tyranny.

After leaving Fang Han’s Villa, Chu Feng didn’t return to his own residence but headed straight for the plaza where the Overall Martial Arts Stele was located.

In the night-shrouded plaza, the White Jade Stele stood quietly, shimmering with a soft luster.

A few scattered disciples were there, either cultivating or observing the rankings.

Chu Feng ignored them and walked directly up to the stele, stopping before it.

His eyes were fixed on the name "Fang Han" in the ninth-ranked position, a savage glint flashing in his eyes.

BOOM!

Without much buildup, the Late Stage Fifth Grade Inner Qi in Chu Feng’s body erupted. It was purer and more immense than when he had fought Fang Han, and it faintly shimmered with a strange, blood-colored light.

He drew his sword swiftly and slashed at the Martial Arts Stele.

The sword wind was incomparably sharp, carrying a tragic and resolute intent as it slammed fiercely against the stele’s surface.

VMMMM—!

The entire Overall Martial Arts Stele erupted in brilliant light, vibrating intensely and emitting a deep, immense hum.

On the stele’s surface, Chu Feng’s name suddenly lit up, and the number representing his rank began to flicker!

Ten... nine!

As the light gradually faded, Chu Feng’s name came to rest in the "Ninth" position on the overall list, pushing Fang Han down to tenth!

"Ninth... Senior Brother Chu is back in ninth place!"

"His aura... it seems stronger. Could he have had some fortuitous encounter while he was away?"

"Senior Brother Chu is back at ninth. Now there’s going to be a good show!"

The disciples in the plaza who witnessed this erupted in an uproar. The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire Sect.

Everyone was astonished that Chu Feng had reclaimed his rank in such a short time. They all sensed that a battle between Chu Feng and Fang Han was now inevitable!

...

Two days later, a travel-worn Fang Han returned to the Qingxuan Sect.

Despite two consecutive days of travel, he felt little fatigue. On the contrary, under the terrifying boost of his one hundred and twenty-eight-fold Stepping Talent, his understanding of Wind and Cloud Escape had deepened considerably.

His Body Technique became smoother, and both his speed and concealment had improved.

However, the moment he stepped through the mountain gate, he keenly sensed that something was off.

The disciples he encountered along the way looked at him not just with their usual awe, but also with a hint of a complex, indescribable emotion—curiosity and anticipation.

Fang Han’s brow furrowed slightly. A flicker of doubt rose in his mind, but his expression remained unchanged as he walked with steady steps back to Villa Thirty-Five in the True Inheritance Courtyard.

The gate had already been repaired. As he stepped into the courtyard, Qiu Lan, who was directing the servants, immediately rushed over, her face a mixture of grievance and lingering fear.

"Senior Brother, you’re finally back!"

"What happened?" Fang Han asked in a deep voice.

Qiu Lan quickly recounted everything that had happened: how Chu Feng had barged into the courtyard the other day, suppressed everyone with his momentum, and subsequently reclaimed the ninth spot on the Overall Martial Arts Stele.

After hearing her out, a cold light flashed in Fang Han’s eyes and was gone in an instant.

He was furious at Chu Feng’s displaced anger and arrogance, but he wasn’t flustered by his rival’s rise in rank.

’No one I’ve surpassed has ever managed to truly catch up to me again.’

’Chu Feng might have improved since their last clash, but his own improvement would only be greater!’

At this moment, he noticed that Qiu Lan’s aura was different from before. It was much more solid; she had broken through the bottleneck of the Bone Refining Realm and reached the level of a Ninth Grade Martial Artist.

"You’ve broken through to Ninth Grade?" Fang Han asked, his tone softening slightly.

"I had a lucky breakthrough a few days ago, thanks to the Realm-Breaking Pill you gave me, Senior Brother," Qiu Lan replied respectfully, a hint of joy on her face.

Fang Han nodded slightly.

"Good. Now that you’ve broken through, you are qualified to become an Official Disciple of the Sect. I will apply for the status on your behalf."

At his words, Qiu Lan became so excited her pretty face flushed. She quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother! I will do my utmost to repay your great kindness!"

Becoming an Official Disciple meant receiving thirty Contribution Points for free each month. Not only could these be exchanged for various resources, but it also represented a change in status and provided an official channel to acquire Sect resources—something that was difficult to measure in terms of money.

Fang Han waved his hand dismissively, about to head to the Overall Martial Arts Stele to take back his rank.

’Anyone else would be fine, but being suppressed by Chu Feng... that really pissed him off.’

However, before he could even take a step, a cold shout filled with anger and challenge exploded from outside the courtyard like a clap of thunder.

"Fang Han! Get out here!"

It was Chu Feng’s voice!

Fang Han’s eyes turned cold. He spun around and strode toward the courtyard entrance.

Outside the gate, Chu Feng stood with his hands behind his back, his aura surging. His eagle-sharp eyes were locked on the approaching Fang Han.

Their gazes met in mid-air, and it was as if tangible sparks flew between them.

"Fang Han, you finally dare to show your face. I was starting to think you were going to hide in your shell like a turtle," Chu Feng’s voice was ice-cold.

Fang Han’s gaze swept over Chu Feng. He noticed his opponent’s aura was much stronger than it had been half a month ago. He must have had some fortuitous encounter during his trip.

He wasn’t surprised by this. Anyone who could be ranked on the Celestial Pride List would have their own share of fortune.

’That was true for him, and it was naturally true for Chu Feng as well.’

Meanwhile, Chu Feng also sensed a solid, mountain-like, and unfathomable aura from Fang Han. He felt a slight chill in his heart, astonished by the speed of Fang Han’s improvement.

But this surprise was immediately replaced by an even stronger confidence.

’The growth he’d achieved in the past half-month was far beyond what any ordinary person could imagine!’

"A defeated foe, yet you’re still so arrogant. Anyone who didn’t know better would think you won our last fight," Fang Han said coldly.

"You only won by a lucky move! Today, I will wash away my previous humiliation! Follow me to the battle stage! Don’t tell me you don’t dare?" Chu Feng’s face turned livid.

"A defeated foe. Why would I not dare? I accept your challenge," Fang Han’s voice was laced with ice.

"Good! See you on the battle stage!"

Chu Feng snorted coldly, turned, and headed toward the battle stage.

Fang Han followed with a calm and unhurried gait.

The sight of the two walking toward the battle stage, one after the other, immediately attracted countless gazes.

The news spread rapidly. The True Inheritance Courtyard, the Twelve Courtyards... large numbers of disciples heard the news and moved, flooding toward the battle stage like a tide.

Everyone had a premonition that this would be a clash of titans, far more intense than the last one!

On the battle stage, Fang Han and Chu Feng stood ten zhang apart, facing each other from a distance.

There was no need for idle chatter. Their hatred and battle intent had already reached a peak.

CLANG!

SHING!

The Flowing Wind Sword and the Red Patterned Sword were drawn at almost the same instant!

Chu Feng attacked first. Infused with Inner Qi, his Red Patterned Sword glowed with a crimson light and transformed into a blood-red rainbow.

His Sword Momentum was even more fierce and domineering than before, faintly carrying a bloody and sinister air.

He thrust straight for Fang Han’s throat.

His killing intent was naked from the very first move.

Fang Han’s eyes narrowed as he unleashed the Nine Swords of Sky Splitting.

Infused with Inner Qi, the Flowing Wind Sword radiated a cyan light as he struck out without dodging or evading.

Compared to half a month ago, his swordsmanship was more condensed and piercing.

His understanding of the "Sky Splitting" Realm was deeper. Wherever the sword light passed, the air emitted a faint tearing sound.

CLANG—!

The blood-red sword light and the condensed, deep-cyan Sword Qi collided like two meteors!

An ear-splitting shriek of metal scraping against metal exploded outward, and a visible ring-shaped shockwave spread out from the point where the two swords met.

The incredibly hard Cyan Gang Stone surface of the stage was carved with spiderweb-like cracks by the violent Qi Force. Stone chips flew and dust filled the air.

Amidst the surging waves of air, Fang Han’s figure was as steady as a boulder, his cyan robes whipping about.

The arm holding his sword was as steady as Mount Tai. The tip of the Flowing Wind Sword vibrated slightly, emitting a clear hum.

In contrast, Chu Feng’s face paled. His body stumbled back uncontrollably—STOMP, STOMP, STOMP—for three consecutive steps.

Each step left a clear footprint on the stage’s surface as he barely managed to disperse the immense, irresistible force.

The web between the thumb and forefinger of his sword hand was numb, and even the bloody light on his Red Patterned Sword had dimmed slightly.