However, there was an unexpected turn. Zhao Yufei still had a perfect streak.
On Zhao Yufei's eightieth match, she met Zhao Yue.
"Butterfly Palm!"
Zhao Yufei shouted as her jade-like hands burst out with immense strength.
Crack!
Zhao Yue's metal body was once again broken.
"Oh my god! It is chi again!"
No one had thought that there would be someone else who had understood Inner Strength apart from Zhao Feng.
"Interesting!" The main judge had a faint smile.
Zhao Feng's expression did not change when Zhao Yufei used inner strength. He had already seen the inner strength hiding inside Zhao Yufei's blood with his left eye.
That day when the coach was giving his lecture, many outer disciples had gained some insights, with Zhao Feng gaining the most. This was because he had the help of his left eye and had already trained the Air Pushing Breathing Technique to the peak of its third level. Therefore, Zhao Feng was the first one to form inner strength.
Zhao Yufei was later than him by half a month.
"It looks like first place is not decided yet." The crowd was now anticipating the clash between Zhao Feng and Zhao Yufei.
Finally, when Zhao Feng and Zhao Yufei won their ninetieth matches respectively, they met.
"Begin."
Although Zhao Yufei had inner strength, Zhao Feng did not fear her.
"I know there is still some difference between you and me… but I will not give up." Zhao Yufei's smile was like a flower opening.
"Angry Dragon Fist!" Zhao Feng started off with his peak level: middle ranked martial art.
The reason he could beat Zhao Yijian so badly wasn't just because of Inner Strength. It was because Angry Dragon Fist was already at the peak of middle-ranked martial arts and when used, its damage exceeded the damage dealt by high ranked martial arts trained to the low level.
Furthermore, Zhao Feng's Angry Dragon Fists was closing in on perfection.
If Angry Dragon Fists can reach perfection, it can easily win against Cold Flowing Sword trained to the high level, thought Zhao Feng.
Peh! Pah!…
The two exchanged blows.
As expected, Zhao Yufei wasn't as strong as Zhao Feng.
After all, Zhao Feng had a stronger foundation of inner strength and his speed was faster. Although Zhao Yufei had a high ranked speed skill, it wasn't faster than Zhao Feng's Lightly Floating Ferry.
Zhao Feng's attacks became faster and faster.
Zhao Yufei started to turn red as she felt her strength depleting.
Good chance!
Zhao Feng's left eye easily locked onto a flaw and his fist hit Zhao Yufei's shoulder.
"Thank you for going easy." Zhao Yufei's body shook as she flipped in midair and landed on the ground.
It was obvious that Zhao Feng's punch had been restrained, or else she would have ended up like Zhao Yijian.
"No problem," Zhao Feng smiled, he really liked Zhao Yufei's attitude.
After beating Zhao Yufei, there were no more opponents that were his match left. All his opponents admitted defeat.
"I give up!"
"I surrender!"
…….
Half an hour later Zhao Feng finally finished his one-hundredth battle, and with his score, easily attained the title of number one amongst the outer disciples.
Chapter 26 – Fourth Rank of the Martial Path
After winning one hundred matches, Zhao Feng's popularity had reached its peak.
"Zhao Feng! Zhao Feng…" The crowd cheered. Zhao Feng's rise caused many youths to worship him.
He had finally become the top outer disciple. The crowd gave way where Zhao Feng passed. Even Zhao Kun lowered his head.
"When did you provoke such a genius?" Zhao Gan looked queerly at his brother.
How would I know he would become so strong… Zhao Kun had the urge to cry.
As Zhao Feng slowly walked, his eyes scanned around.
At a certain point, he saw a girl clothed in white.
Zhao Xue bit her teeth and didn't have the courage to look Zhao Feng in the eye. Zhao Feng shook his head. Ever since they had entered the Zhao sect, they had walked different paths.
He didn't feel anything, all he wanted to do was reach the ninth rank of the Martial Path, maybe even the Holy martial rank, and then travel throughout the continent.
The ranking contest had reached the late stages, and first place was already confirmed. That was because no one else apart from Zhao Feng had won all their matches.
Soon, the final ranks were decided.
First place: Zhao Feng
Second place: Zhao Yufei
Third place: Zhao Yue
Fourth place: Zhao Gan
Only at the ninth rank did Zhao Yijian's name pop up. This was because Zhao Yijian had been seriously injured when facing Zhao Feng, meaning that he could not participate later on.
"First place!" Zhao Feng was slightly excited.
Two months ago, he had to pray that he could enter the tournament. As for first place, he had never even thought about it. This was all thanks to the mysterious eye.
Zhao Feng took a deep breath as he entered the dimension within his eye. The mysterious green glow inside kept spinning in circles. The glow had now extended from 1.25 meters to almost 1.33 meters.
Zhao Feng knew that as the green glow extended, the power of his left eye would increase.
In a corner in the Sky Martial Field...
"There are a few talented outer disciples this year. Especially Zhao Feng and Zhao Yufei, they have the potential to catch up Zhao Linlong." The one who spoke was a calm, beautiful girl. It was Zhao Qin, the fourth strongest inner disciple.
"Hehe, it's just small fights, nothing serious." The casual voice came from a black-robed youth next to her.
The black-robed youth stood shoulder to shoulder next to Zhao Qin and lazily glanced towards the Sky Martial Field's outer disciples.
I feel that Zhao Feng is not simple. When he first hid his Inner Strength, even I could not see it. Also, his speed skill can even be ranked top three within the inner disciples, Zhao Qin thought.
"Do you think they can threaten us? I only have one opponent, and that is Zhao Linlong!" the black-robed youth said.
"Zhao Chi, do not be overly arrogant. I have heard that Zhao Han, who is ranked third, has been in seclusion for the last couple of months," Zhao Qin smiled.
"Zhao Han? I think that he has a cousin called Zhao Yijian, no?" The black-robed youth looked playfully towards Zhao Feng.
Zhao Feng felt something and glanced over in a certain direction. In that corner stood one quiet girl and one lazy black-robed youth. The quiet girl Zhao Feng knew. It was Zhao Qin. As for the black-robed youth…
"Oh my god! It is Zhao Chi!"
"Zhao Chi! Second place of the inner disciples, right behind Zhao Linlong!" the crowd screamed.
Even some of the inner disciples showed fear as they looked towards Zhao Chi.
Zhao Feng and Zhao Chi's eyes crossed.
The moment Zhao Feng met Zhao Chi's eyes, he felt an unbearable pressure. Especially when his left eye locked onto Zhao Chi, he got the feeling that he was unbeatable.
Zhao Chi was neither fat nor slim, but the Inner Strength in him was spread evenly to each and every muscle.
The peak of the fourth rank! His strength is probably even stronger than Zhao Qin!, Zhao Feng accurately analyzed his strength.
"I heard that when Zhao Chi was a half-step martial artist, he beat a true martial artist. I did not think that he would show up to the outer disciple tournament."
From Zhao Qin's reaction, it was apparent that she thought Zhao Feng was critical. As for Zhao Chi, he placed more importance on Zhao Yufei.
Zhao Feng knew that, although he was the top outer disciple, there was still a huge gap between him and the inner disciples.
Apparently, every inner disciple had watched the outer disciples’ tournament at one point.
All except for one person! Zhao Linlong!
One of the four great geniuses of Sun Feather City!
"With my strength, I would not place well in the inner disciples…" Zhao Feng had a solemn face. All the inner disciples were treated as important by the sect. Right now, Zhao Feng could easily charge into the top ten for the inner disciples. There was still a chance for top five. Top three however…that was almost impossible.
The main tournament is half a month later. Should I aim for first place? Zhao Feng couldn't decide.
However, he soon made his decision:
Fight! He must fight!
He remembered the rewards from the sect! Only the top three disciples had the chance to learn peak ranked martial art skills.
Peak ranked martial art skills!
They were the highest ranked martial art skills in mundane knowledge! A set of peak ranked martial art skills could allow for one to cultivate to the ninth rank of the martial path. Only Holy ranked martial arts could allow for one to achieve the Holy Martial Path.
To survive in this world, one must have absolute strength. This means that the higher rank the skill was, the better.
First, or top three, Zhao Feng confirmed his goals as he strolled towards his home.
As he got home, he realized that there many people visiting. His father Zhao Tianyang was very busy. The lonely house was now full of people.
"Brother Tianyang, congratulations on having such a good son."
"Top outer disciple! He has also learned Inner Strength, it is obvious that he will receive attention from the higher level of the sect," the guests exclaimed as they saw Zhao Feng return. Zhao Feng furrowed his brow; he wasn't used to this.
These guests usually looked disdainfully towards his family, and their relationships weren't very good. Today, however, all of them came over.
Zhao Feng and his parents finally shooed them away.
"Inner Strength? Half-step martial artist? Feng'er, you have given your father such a big surprise!" Zhao Tianyang exclaimed red-faced.
Not everyone could enter the Sky Martial Field. For example, Zhao Tianyang could only watch on from far away. When they heard that their son won, they first thought that their hearing had gone bad.
"When did my son become so strong?" Zhao Tianyang felt a bit suspicious. He knew that his son wasn't that outstanding.
"Hehe, ever since I got struck by lightning, I have felt that it became easier to learn martial arts…" Zhao Feng explained half truthfully. His explanation was so-so.
The world was very large. Not every legend was born talented. One's path would also be affected by the things they met later on in life.
Furthermore, Zhao Feng's turning point in life was when he got struck by lightning.
After listening to this explanation, his parents were no longer suspicious.
The night on the same day-
Zhao Feng didn't sleep. Instead, he closed his eyes and thought about the process of the tournament. The memories appeared in his mind. Every scene was imprinted in his brain. These included the scenes when he was fighting Zhao Yue, Zhao Yijian, and Zhao Yufei.
Apart from this, he had also remembered how the main judge and Zhao Tianjian had moved. Obviously, their ranks far exceeded Zhao Feng, so he couldn't understand what he was seeing. Even so, Zhao Feng gained some insights.
Suddenly, Zhao Feng turned into a blur as he headed towards an open field.
He! He! …
Zhao Feng closed his eyes and displayed the Flaming Metal Fist and Angry Dragon Fist. Every move of his changed slightly as he thought about the fights with Zhao Yue, Zhao Yijian, and Zhao Yufei.
Hu~
Zhao Feng's moves became faster and faster, and then he poured Inner Strength into them. The 1.35m green glowing light crept forwards another step.
At the last moment, he remembered the pressure he felt when facing Zhao Tianjian.
Ta!
Zhao Feng shouted as the Inner Strength inside his body began to move slowly. Every palm he used had a thumping sound accompanying it.
Half an hour later, just as Zhao Feng was exhausted.
Hua~~~~~
Zhao Feng felt that his limbs and body were on fire. A warm feeling shivered throughout his entire body. At the same time, a thick layer of sweat and dirt was discharged from his body.
"I did it!" Zhao Feng eyes shone with excitement.
The green glow within his eye had now reached the 1.38m mark. At this moment, Zhao Feng had reached the fourth rank of the Martial Path.
He could feel the powerful strength coursing through his body with every breath. With just a thought, Inner Strength would flood out.
"My power has increased by about five hundred kilograms, and the power of my Inner Strength has at least doubled." Zhao Feng saw all the changes throughout his body with his left eye.
Chapter 27 – Challenge of the Xin Family
Every step of the Martial Path was hard. Once one reached the fourth rank, one had become a true Martial Artist. It was like a fish turning into a phoenix. A true Martial Artist would receive great treatment anywhere in Cloud County.
On this continent, how many Martial Learners were unable to enter this rank?
Becoming a Martial Artist had been his dream. Now, this goal had come true so quickly. Although he knew he was going to reach the fourth rank soon, it still happened faster than expected.
A few days before the tournament Zhao Feng had tried to reach the fourth rank. At that time, he felt that his foundation was not solid enough, it would have affected the later realms if he rushed, so he did not force himself to break through.
However, every match he fought against those top outer disciples, it helped solidify his foundation. However, just this point alone was not enough for him to reach the fourth rank.
"I have to go thank Zhao Yijian's father," Zhao Feng said mockingly.
Zhao Tianjian had murderous intentions towards him. Feeling the pressure of the sixth rank, it helped spur Zhao Feng's potential, allowing him to break through to the fourth rank.
Even his peak level Angry Dragon Fists had moved towards perfection. If Zhao Tianjian knew this, he would probably cough up blood.
"That Zhao Tianjian wants to kill me," Zhao Feng warned himself.
Due to this, Zhao Feng wanted to hide the fact that he had broken through to the fourth rank. He fully pushed the Hiding Air Technique to help him appear like he still had the cultivation of a peak third ranker. Zhao Feng seemed like he was a half-step Martial Artist, not a true Martial Artist.
After reaching the fourth rank, the first thing Zhao Feng did was to consolidate his foundation. For the past few months, his cultivation speed had been breakneck. After he solidified his foundation, he started to merge the insights he had gained. This time, he used his left eye and replayed his Angry Dragon Fists back and forth.
If my Angry Dragon Fists can reach the max level, then if I met even the high level of a high ranked martial skill, I can still beat it. Zhao Feng thought.
However, although Zhao Feng had gained some insights, it still was not enough for him to push Angry Dragon Fists to perfection. He had confidence that Angry Dragon Fists only needed a few more days to reach that level.
Before dawn, Zhao Feng turned into a blur and returned home. On the way, he used his left eye, and everything was as bright as day. His eye could see everything within ten km. If it was during daytime, it would at least double.
The left eye gave him an increase in reaction speed, vision, and mental energy.
Zhao Feng could not understand this mental energy either. Simply said, mind energy allowed for one's brain to not get tired, even after using it for a whole day.
The morning of the next day, Zhao Feng was still meditating on his bed and didn't sleep.
Because his left eye's ability had inc
reased, Zhao Feng felt that he was full of power even though he had not slept. This meant that Zhao Feng had more time to cultivate.
"Is this Zhao Feng's house?" A crisp knocking sound sounded out in the house.
"Who is it?" Zhao Shi went to open the door.
Outside stood a glamorously clothed middle-aged man with a few servants behind him. Even though they were servants, they still had strength of the second rank.
Zhao Feng felt that the man seemed familiar.
"Head manager!" Zhao Tianyang was shocked as he went to receive him. Zhao Feng realized that this person was the outer disciple's head manager.
The head manager held much power is his hands and was rarely seen. In terms of cultivation, he had already reached the sixth rank of the Martial Path and was stronger than Zhao Tianjian.
Zhao Tianyan quickly invited the head manager inside.
"Zhao Tianyang! It is your luck for having such a good son!" the head manager smiled.
"This youngster sees head manager." Zhao Feng walked out of his room and slightly bowed. At the same time, he fully pushed the Hiding Air Technique to its fullest so that the head manager would not see that he had broken through to the fourth rank.
"Not bad, not bad! I have seen your information. Not even fourteen years old and you have already formed Inner Strength, becoming a half-step Martial Artist. Zhao Linlong was only the same as you back then," the head manager praised.
After talking a bit, Zhao Feng asked, "Why has the manager come over?"
"Ah! I almost forgot what I was supposed to do." The manager coughed slightly, then resumed a serious expression. "Because of your performance, the sect has decided to help you cultivate fully. From now on, you can move to the inner disciples' area and have a monthly allowance of five hundred silver. Also, every martial art on the first floor of the Martial Arts Library will be open to you…"
Zhao Tianyang and Zhao Shi were very excited as they gave their thanks. Even Zhao Feng was slightly shocked. He didn't think that the sect would come to him this quickly.
A monthly allowance of five hundred silver was more than twenty times higher than his original amount. When he was at the first rank, he had a monthly allowance of ten silver. He received twenty silver at the second rank.
King of Gods - (A Chinese Novel Translation): Book 1 Page 15
