Chapter 045：Fighting

"Wu Xiao, it's Wu Xiao." The crowd stared in shock at the young man who had fallen down in front of them, and exclaimed in astonishment. 

Wu Xiao's strength was even stronger than Feng Gan's. He was quite famous in Yangzhou City. However, he was still kicked out by Lin Feng's one kick. This was the consequence of questioning Lin Feng. 

"Who is this guy? How presumptuous!" 

The gazes of all the people met, each trying to see who among them recognized this young man. They had no idea that there was such a genius in Yangzhou City. 

However, if everyone knew that this arrogant and domineering young man was the wretch who was expelled from the Lin family as rumored, what would they think? 

The other six people in the main hall were also intimidated by Lin Feng's tactics. This guy is really too reckless. 

"Is there anyone else who has any objections?" Lin Feng turned around and with his indifferent gaze swept through the crowd. This made the few people in the hall feel a slight chill on their skin and they dared not say anything more. 

"Ha ha." Qiu Lan smiled and then walked over to Lin Feng. She glanced at the crowd in the courtyard and finally her gaze fell on Feng Gan who had not yet left. 

"Feng Gan, there's still one spot available. You can take it." 

Feng Gan paused for a moment, glanced at Lin Feng beside Qi Lan, and then nodded: "OK." 

"Come with me." Qiu Lan said to Lin Feng and walked towards the back of the hall. 

Lin Feng didn't refuse either. After following Qiu Lan to the main hall, it turned out to be another small courtyard. There were several rooms here, elegant and unique, with a touch of tranquility, and it was actually a nice place. 

"Are you going to attend the martial arts competition just like this?" 

Standing in front of a stone table, Qiulan said to Lin Feng. 

Lin Feng's eyelashes quivered slightly. He looked at Qiulan thoughtfully and said, "What do you mean by this?" 

"If I'm not mistaken, you should have entered the Lingwu Realm by now, shouldn't you?" Qiu Lan smiled and looked at Lin Feng, saying, "At the age of sixteen, you've reached the Lingwu Realm. Your talent is quite remarkable. However, you wouldn't think that with the mere cultivation level you've attained after just entering the Lingwu Realm, you can contend with the Lin Clan and the City Lord's Mansion, would you?" 

Qiu Lan's eyes shone with a confident smile that conveyed a sense of being in complete control. She continued, "A useless member of the Lin family, yet you have reached the Lingwu realm at the age of sixteen and surpassed many so-called geniuses among the young. Lin Feng, I admit that many people have misjudged you. But you should know in your heart that there are quite a few people who want you dead now." 

Lin Feng looked at Qiu Lan in astonishment. This woman knew quite a lot of things. It seemed that Qiu Lan was not as simple as she appeared on the surface. She was just a young martial artist with extraordinary talent. 

"According to what you said, how should I act?" Lin Feng didn't press further. For many things, knowing in his heart was enough. 

"Would you mind waiting for a moment?" Qiu Lan smiled charmingly. This was quite different from her usual image. There was even a hint of charm. It has to be said that Qiu Lan was already pretty, and now with a hint of a girl-next-door's coy smile, there was indeed someone who found it endearing. However, her image and the fierce armor she wore were somewhat at odds. 

"Of course not." Lin Feng shook his head. 

Qiu Lan walked into a room. She didn't keep Lin Feng waiting for long and then she came out. However, there was something new in her hand, shining with silvery light in the sunlight. 

"Check if the size is suitable." 

Qiu Lan handed the object in her hand to Lin Feng. It was a silver-white mask, with only one pair of eyes and half of the face exposed. 

Lin Feng took the mask handed over by Qi Lan and put it on his face. It fit perfectly, neither too big nor too small. 

With the mask on, Lin Feng exuded an air of mystery all over. Dressed in white, he carried an ancient sword on his back. His exposed eyes were clear and had a touch of depth and tenacity, which made Qiu Lan almost lose her composure. 

"After this battle, there must be many women in Yangzhou who were charmed by you," Qiu Lan said with a teasing smile. However, she was not exaggerating at all. Everyone has a strong curiosity. Lin Feng was already handsome with his natural features, and now with the silver-white mask on his face, he undoubtedly added a touch of mystery to his handsome appearance. Coupled with his strength, he was capable of causing quite a stir in Yangzhou City. 

"Perhaps the Lin family members never imagined that Lin Feng, who was just expelled from the family, would compete in the martial arts contest to claim the dazzling glory that belongs to Lin Qian," thought Qi Lan in her heart. Of course, she firmly believed that the protagonist of this martial arts contest would not be Lin Qian, but neither would it be Lin Feng. 

...

In the early morning, the people of Yangzhou City became lively. Everyone gathered early on to a certain place in Yangzhou City, where the city lord lived. 

The residence of the lord of Yangzhou City, namely the Nalan family's estate, is located in the northern part of Yangzhou City. The imposing castle is majestic and powerful. The castle's gate is made of fine iron and is five meters high, presenting a magnificent sight. 

A broad avenue leads to the inner part of the castle. Today's residence of the lord of the city can be entered and exited freely. Because today is the martial contest day of Yangzhou City. This is one of the most sensational events in Yangzhou City every year. One can not only see the young and talented heroes of Yangzhou City, admire their powerful strength, but also see the important figures of several major families in Yangzhou City. 

At this moment, Lin Feng was also among these people. 

With a silver mask on his face, Lin Feng walked behind Qi Lan along with the other six people. The crowd made way for them and pointed at Lin Feng and the others, whispering among themselves. Their gazes betrayed envy. They knew that soon these eight people would appear on the combat stage of the martial arts competition, drawing the admiration of all, full of vigor and confidence. Moreover, if they could be appreciated by the Lord of the City, their future would be bright and they would surely enter the powerful realm of Spirit Martial Arts in the near future. 

"Even a mere city lord's residence is comparable to a palace in my previous life." Lin Feng gazed at this imposing castle and murmured to himself in his heart, "In the Nine Heavens Continent, human power is incredibly strong. Many people can effortlessly lift objects weighing millions of jin. The buildings they construct are naturally more magnificent. If placed in my previous life, they could even be called miracles." 

Entering the castle, one would find a completely different scene. The huge drill ground was vast and boundless, capable of easily accommodating ten thousand people. This was the place where the lord of the city usually trained his private troops. 

However, at this moment, on this huge drill ground there were five major battle platforms located in the center, forming a square shape. The four major battle platforms were positioned at the four corners, while in the middle, there was the highest main battle platform. 

Meanwhile, around the five main battle platforms, watch stands were erected in the four directions of northeast, northwest, southwest and southeast, each being higher than the battle platforms. These stands were prepared for the figures of the four major clans. 

The stands in the east, south and west directions were all filled with people. They were all from the Gu, Lin and Wen families respectively. At the front of these three families were eight young disciples who were all dressed in the same uniform and had an imposing presence. 

"Look, on the south stand are the Lin family members. The one sitting right in the middle is Lin Daoba. It seems that the rumors are indeed true. Lin Hai has been demoted and expelled from the Lin family along with his useless son." Many people noticed the direction of the Lin family and were chatting and discussing. Rumors about the Lin family had caused quite a stir in Yangzhou City. Now, they have indeed been confirmed. 

"That's Lin Qian. She's so beautiful. But she's a bit cold-hearted. I heard that she has reached the level of Lingwu Realm. At the age of sixteen, she's already at the Lingwu Realm. That's truly remarkable. If only she could become my woman, that would be wonderful." 

"Get out of here! You don't even want to bring me into this. If Lin's family hears this, it'll ruin you!" 

"Hey, just chatting casually. Look over there. The officials from the City Lord's Mansion have also arrived. They are City Lord Nalan Xiong and Princess Nalan Feng. Nalan Feng's beauty is no less than Lin Qian's, and her strength has also reached the Lingwu realm. It seems that there will be some good shows today." 

The crowd was chattering and discussing. At this moment, people from the Nalan family had also walked onto the viewing stand and taken their seats respectively. 

Nalan Xiongren was as his name suggested. He was tall and imposing in appearance, and one glance at him would make one realize that he was domineering and powerful. 

Looking around the crowd with his eyes, Nalan Xiong smiled at everyone and then said loudly: "Today, all of you can come to my Nalan Mansion for a gathering. I Nalan Xiong am very glad about this. But before I start, I must say that I will not tolerate any slander against me. Today is the martial arts competition day in Yangzhou City. If anyone dares to cause trouble, don't be polite to me Nalan Xiong." 

Everyone nodded in agreement. Here was the lord mayor's residence. Even if they wanted to cause trouble, they would have to have the ability to do so. 

"All right, I won't say any more nonsense. I know that none of you are here specifically to see me, an old man. So let's have the young and talented ones from Yangzhou City step onto the stage." After saying this, Nalan Xiong sat down and nodded to the other masters of the four families. Then, the young and talented ones from the four families who were at the front all raised their steps and walked towards the stage. 

Meanwhile, Qiu Lan, Lin Feng and others also made their way to the battle platform.