Chapter 082：Rising talent

The Inner Gate disciples standing on the stage of the Life and Death Arena all had cold expressions on their faces. Especially those who ranked among the top twenty. 

They all consider themselves as prodigies of the sect, rebellious and unruly. But now, Lin Feng, standing on the highest platform of life and death, spoke arrogantly, vowing to challenge any one of them with his own might. 

However, among them, many people were also wary of Lin Feng's strength. Especially those who ranked close to Lei Bo, Lin Feng's strength was very strong. He could defeat Lei Bo and was strong enough to pose a threat to them. 

What made them even more wary was that Lin Feng never released his Spirit Soul throughout the entire process. If his Spirit Soul were a sword, once it was released, his strength would surely skyrocket. At that time, it would indeed be even more terrifying. 

Therefore, for a moment, no one responded to Lin Feng's words. The space became silent. Only on the Death and Life Platform where Lin Feng was standing, there were occasional whistling sounds of swordsmanship, and the lingering echoes of the swordsmanship remained. 

"Wen Renyan, you said I'm a useless person, a lowly insect, someone who can easily kill me. You even asked me to kneel down and beg for mercy. Now, I'm giving you the chance to kill me. What are you doing there?" 

Lin Feng's gaze fell upon Wen Renyan. His calm voice stirred up waves of emotions in everyone's heart. 

Lin Feng, he won't stop arguing until he gets his point across. 

As soon as he opened his mouth, he actually challenged the strongest person in the Inner Gate, Wen Renyan, who ranked first. 

Wen Renyan, with a peak-level cultivation in Lingwu Domain, is comparable to Lei Bo in terms of cultivation level. However, no one would consider Lei Bo on par with Wen Renyan. Lei Bo doesn't even have the qualification to challenge Wen Renyan. They are on different levels altogether. One is in the celestial realm while the other is in the earthly realm. 

The level is comparable, but the strength may not be. Just like Lin Feng, he is only at the level of Second Stage of Spirit-Defence Realm. But who among those at the Second Stage of Spirit-Defence Realm dares to challenge him? Even Lei Bo, who is at the Third Stage of Spirit-Defence Realm, met his death at his hands. Even for the same realm level, the combat power can still be thousands of miles apart. 

Wen Renyan is like Lin Feng. He is a cultivator of the Spirit-Defender Realm at the third stage. In front of him, even those who are at the fourth stage of the Spirit-Defender Realm and are core disciples are vulnerable and easily defeated. Many people are afraid of him. 

"Overestimating one's own abilities. Do you think that killing Leibo will enable you to compete with me? Leibo, he doesn't even have the qualification to carry my shoes for me. In my eyes, he is no different from you. He is a waste of resources and a contemptible creature." 

Wen Renyan looked at Lin Feng disdainfully. This guy, relying on his mediocre talent, dares to provoke him. This is sheer suicidal behavior. Talent is talent and strength is strength. Now, in front of him, Lin Feng is still considered a nobody. 

"By saying so much nonsense, are you trying to show how excellent and powerful you are?" 

Lin Feng couldn't understand why Wen Renyan said that. He retorted sarcastically, "You don't need to be so dramatic. Since you are as powerful as you claim to be, I am just a bug and a useless thing in front of you. You could just step forward and crush me with your absolute power. Your strength would naturally be deeply rooted in people's hearts, and your authority would also be remembered. That's what I call being practical. But like now, you just stand there and make empty threats." 

"Making grand claims is something everyone can do. Before Lei Bo was killed by me, he too said that I was a loser and boasted about how powerful he was. But what happened then?" 

Lin Feng's words carried a hint of provocation, but what he said was indeed the truth. Talking big, who wouldn't do that? 

If Wen Renyan Dang killed Lin Feng with an overwhelming force, it would undoubtedly raise his image to an unprecedented height. 

However, Wen Renyan did not do so. He was arrogant and conceited. 

In his eyes, Lin Feng was like a tiny insect. Since he was just a tiny insect, why should he have to take action? All he needed was just one word to kill Lin Feng. In this way, wouldn't he be even more powerful? 

Looking at the people around him, Wen Renyan spoke with an arrogant tone. 

"Whoever of you decides to kill him, I'll give you a generous reward." 

Upon hearing Wen Renyan's words, many people's eyes suddenly shone with sharp brilliance. They all knew who Wen Renyan's master was. Even without Wen Renyan's explicit explanation, they could roughly guess what he meant by "rewarding heavily". 

Among the items that are most abundant in the store of the person named Wen Renyan, none is more abundant than the elixirs. And some of these elixirs have an extremely strong attraction for them. 

"I'll kill him," a figure stepped forward. This person was also very young, around seventeen or eighteen years old. His gaze was sharp, like a blade, and he exuded an aura of wild and fierce determination. 

"Wild Sword, Child's Hunting Knife." 

"It's him. This time Lin Feng is in danger." 

The crowd recognized this person at once. If we say that after the Butcher entered the core, among the two most famous people in the Inner Gate, apart from Wen Renyan, the other one must be Tong Shou of the Wild Saber. 

Although Tong Zhou's strength was ranked sixth among the warriors on the Stone Wall, and he was located between Wen Renyan and the one who was four ranks behind him, no one would doubt that Tong Zhou would surpass those five. 

Because, Tong Zhou's spiritual ability is that of a sword, a mighty sword. If he merely possessed the spiritual ability of a sword, Tong Zhou would still not be so outstanding. However, Tong Zhou is the only one among the Inner Gate disciples who has comprehended the concept of "Shi" (the essence of martial arts). His sword "Shi" is in direct confrontation with Lin Feng's "Shi" (the essence of martial arts) in terms of strength. 

Although Tong Zhou's understanding of the sword stance was not as strong as Lin Feng's understanding of the sword posture, there was still a certain gap. However, Tong Zhou's strength at the level of the Spirit Martial Realm Third Stage was sufficient to make up for this weakness. 

Tong Hou and Lin Feng are exactly in a mutually incompatible relationship. 

"All right, you go ahead. Don't kill him immediately. Let him have a breath left. Make him kneel before me and let him understand before he dies that he can't even defeat you. How much of a gap is there between him and me?" 

Wen Renyan began to speak in a soft voice. 

"Don't worry. I understand." 

Tong Hou gave a slight nod, then leaped up and reached the highest platform of the Arena of Life and Death. Standing opposite Lin Feng. 

With his hand stretched behind his back, Tong Hou took off the long knife wrapped in fabric on his back and slowly loosened it. He said with a smile, "I haven't used this knife for a long time. You, who died at his hands, should feel honored." 

"From what you mean, it seems you want a life-or-death battle, right?" 

Lin Feng asked calmly. 

"Did you think that I had time to play with you?" 

Tong Hou's gaze swept sideways at Lin Feng, domineering and fierce, like a sharp blade. 

The fabric was finally unfastened, revealing the ancient scabbard. Tsunghou caressed the scabbard, treating it as tenderly as if it were his own beloved. 

"Blade, powerful and domineering, unparalleled, is the most powerful among weapons. The Blade Spirit Soul is also the most powerful among the Spirit Soul of weapons." 

"I've only heard that the sword is the king of weapons. It was the first time I heard that the knife is the most powerful among them." 

Lin Feng questioned. 

"Know what? Sword, light and agile, lacking any sense of grandeur. How could it be compared with a knife? Today, I'll show you what a knife is and what the king of the battlefield is like." 

A thunderous dragon's roar rang out. The long sword was drawn from its sheath, revealing its imposing aura. The overwhelming and fierce momentum surged forth, as if it were a raging flood beast, intent on swallowing everything in its path. 

"Blade stance." 

Lin Feng's gaze narrowed slightly. No wonder this guy was so arrogant and domineering. It turns out that he has also grasped the concept of "势" (power). However, this sword momentum is a bit too weak. 

The surging sword energy roared out, and it seemed as if the sound of weapons colliding could be heard in the space. On the Death Strife Platform, the fierce and sharp gusts of wind raged on. The extremely hard platform was even scratched by this intangible force, leaving behind fine marks. 

"The sword and spear attacks are so terrifying." 

Many people near the Death and Life Platform were backing away. Standing beside them was too depressing. It was as if this sword and knife energy was about to descend upon them at any moment, tearing them to pieces. 

"However, Tong Zhou's martial arts style seems to be more domineering. After all, he is a strong warrior at the level of the third stage of the Spirit-Defying Realm. His cultivation level is higher than Lin Feng's. It seems that Lin Feng has met his nemesis this time." 

"Do you still think that a sword can match a knife in terms of sharpness?" 

Tong Hou looked at Lin Feng and said proudly. 

"Ignorance." 

Lin Feng did not respond to Tong Hou's words but instead sneered and said. 

"I'm ignorant? Well, then, I'll make you understand, who is ignorant?" 

After Tong Hou's words ended, the sword stance once again became frenzied. The domineering aura filled the stage of life and death, as if it were about to encircle the sword energy. 

"Spirit Soul, Tensho." 

Lin Feng gave a soft shout in his heart, and immediately, the sky and the earth changed color. 

The world turned grey. Everything around became extremely clear. Even every single trace of sword qi and blade qi was clearly captured by Lin Feng. 

And Lin Feng's eyes gradually became cold and heartless, as if they could penetrate everything and see into the deepest depths. 

"Among the weapons, the sword is the king. It is extremely dominant and powerful. In the presence of the sword, the sword is the only one that can submit to others." 

Tong Hou's footsteps stepped forward, and instantly the sky and the earth changed color. The terrifying swordsmanship, towering over heaven and earth. 

Tong Hou's body suddenly appeared in Lin Feng's vicinity. With an extremely domineering slash, he cut down from the air, his power reaching its peak, as if a huge mountain were pressing down on Lin Feng. 

"Cut off." 

Tong Hou shouted loudly, as if to create the universe anew. 

Lin Feng's eyes remained as calm as ever, with those cold and heartless pupils showing no trace of disturbance. He simply disregarded that overwhelming and unparalleled dominance. 

The intangible swordlight moved forward, following the weakest point of the sword's movement, moving extremely fast. 

"Boom." 

Nan Gong Ling's mind trembled. He stood up from his position. Tong Zhuo's attack had been dealt with. It was unstoppable and lightning-fast. The sword's momentum was constantly being destroyed. It could land on Lin Feng's body in an instant. But this guy didn't dodge. Instead, he countered with his sword. 

Although his sword was light and agile, its momentum was not as powerful as that of Chongshou's. The time it would take to break through the opponent's sword attack would surely be longer than that of Chongshou's. How could this strike succeed? Before the terrifying sword could reach the opponent, he had already been chopped in two by the knife. 

In this extremely brief moment, Nan Gong Ling's mind flashed through many thoughts. Could it be that this powerful rising young man was just killed off like this? 

Lin Feng is too impulsive. He should avoid the peak of his opponent's strength. 

Tong Hou also sneered. Originally, he didn't want to kill Lin Feng so easily. However, Lin Feng was determined to take his own life. He even wanted to strike first, thinking that he knew better than the latter. Didn't he realize that his swordsmanship was already overpowering his opponent's? His sword speed would definitely be faster than his opponent's. 

Ignorance! 

Tong Hou seemed to have witnessed Lin Feng being split into two pieces by this single blow. 

The crowd was also staring intently at this scene. At this moment, their breathing stopped. In their eyes, there was only that single cut and that single sword strike. 

Finally, the flashes of swords vanished, the swordsmen's breaths ceased, and everything came to an end. 

Tong Hou's sword was one foot above Lin Feng's head, and Lin Feng's sword was one foot beside Tong Hou's body. 

The bodies of the two of them were strangely still at this moment. 

A gentle breeze blew past, bringing a touch of coolness. Suddenly, someone coughed, breaking the terrifying silence. 

"Who? Who among them won in the end?" 

Someone spoke up and asked, "It's not clear who will win or lose. The flashes of the swords and the glint of the blades are simply too fast. They are moving so fast that their eyes can't keep up." 

Tong Hou's lips moved slightly, causing a jolt to run through one's heart. That rising prodigy, was he just killed by Tong Hou? 

"How did you manage to do that?" 

A voice came out of Tonghou's mouth, carrying an air of disbelief. 

At this moment, Lin Feng's body also moved and he said slowly. 

"Both the sword stance and the spear stance are stances, capable of assisting in battle and enhancing attacks. They are powerful and unstoppable. However, they are merely for assisting in battle. My sword is not for comparing stances with yours. It is for killing enemies." 

Lin Feng's body straightened up abruptly. Suddenly, an endless stream of blood gushed out from Tong Hou's waist, causing everyone's gazes to fix themselves there. 

"I understand." Tong Hou's voice trailed off, his eyes slowly closing, and his body slowly slumped down. 

With a loud bang, the crowd's heads were also buzzing. 

Tong Hou, defeated. Another genius has been slain by Lin Feng! 

"Really terrifying!" 

Looking at that figure, the crowd felt it was extremely enchanting. Lin Feng, rising to prominence with great force, could face God or Buddha with equal force. No one could stop his steps. His opponent was strong, but he was even stronger! 

"Whew..." Nan Gong Ling let out a long breath. She couldn't tell what kind of feeling was in her heart. 

Yun Hui Zong, another genius has fallen. It was merely to witness this guy's rise to power. 

This cost is rather too high. 

However, although he felt a bit sorry in his heart, Nan Gong Ling was actually relieved. From Lin Feng, he saw the arrogance and dominance of a superior being, and saw the figure of an unparalleled powerhouse. 

This kind of arrogance and this kind of recklessness, who can stand against it? 

He began to believe Lin Feng's words. If given enough time, even ten or a hundred Mo Ye's would not be comparable to him.