Shu Feng sent Mu Tianlong flying with a single slash, but Jiang Chao’s fist slammed into his long sword, shattering his Spiritual Power and knocking him back a dozen steps.

"Haha! Again!"

Shu Feng circulated his Sun and Moon Spiritual Power, and his minor injuries healed instantly. He unleashed a Great Sun Across the Sky, slashing toward Jiang Chao.

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Chao’s eyes as traces of gold materialized on his palms. He thrust them upward in a Vajra Tower stance, shattering the great sun-like Sword Qi.

Mu Tianlong seized the opportunity to step forward, his spear striking out like a venomous dragon. It was as fast as lightning, incomparably domineering—a single thrust capable of killing a Spirit Sect expert.

Shu Feng countered with a backhand slash, his Spiritual Power instantly stacking ten layers. His sword struck Mu Tianlong’s spear, and waves of power erupted, surging toward his opponent.

’This guy... he broke through!’

Mu Tianlong channeled his Spiritual Power, blocking the first nine layers of impact one by one. But the sudden surge of the tenth layer slammed viciously into him, sending him flying back several steps as he spat out a mouthful of blood. A look of utter shock flashed in his eyes.

"That’s right! Mu Tianlong, I have you two to thank for helping me sharpen my sword and take another step forward!" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Battle intent flared in Shu Feng’s eyes. Executing a profound Step Technique, he appeared before Mu Tianlong in an instant and slashed down with a Great Sun Across the Sky.

His terrifying physical constitution, which far surpassed that of an ordinary Human Race Spirit Sect Realm expert, allowed Shu Feng’s energy to recover far faster than a prodigy like Mu Tianlong.

Jiang Chao suddenly burst into action, activating his Vajra Aspect. His hands glowed with golden light as he struck viciously at Shu Feng’s back to relieve the pressure on Mu Tianlong.

"Hundred Refinements Steel Body!!"

Shu Feng neither dodged nor evaded. He furiously channeled his Spiritual Power, his body becoming as hard as steel, and continued his fierce slash toward Mu Tianlong.

DANG!!

Mu Tianlong barely managed a horizontal block with his spear. A terrifying sound exploded as ten layers of scorching, domineering Spiritual Power, like a great sun itself, surged from the spear’s shaft into his body. The force blasted his hands apart, and the long spear flew from his grasp.

BANG!!

At the same moment, Jiang Chao’s palms struck Shu Feng’s back, landing with the sound of metal striking metal.

Shu Feng spat out an arrow of blood that sprayed directly onto Mu Tianlong’s face, blinding him. Seizing the opportunity, Shu Feng stepped forward and slashed down with his sword.

A terrifying sword light flashed. Mu Tianlong’s body trembled slightly before dissolving into a wisp of smoke that scattered on the wind.

Having slain Mu Tianlong with one slash, Shu Feng laughed loudly, turned, and unleashed a Great Sun Across the Sky, slashing directly at Jiang Chao.

"Vajra Demon Suppression!!"

Jiang Chao’s gaze hardened. Channeling his Spiritual Power, he became like a demon-suppressing Vajra, his body glowing with golden light as he thrust his palm toward the great sun of sword energy.

BANG!!

The ten-layered Spiritual Power instantly exploded, sending Jiang Chao flying back over a dozen meters.

Shu Feng relentlessly slashed at Jiang Chao, unleashing one Great Sun Across the Sky after another.

Jiang Chao barely managed to block four slashes, but on the fifth, Shu Feng’s sword cut him in two, and he dissolved into a puff of smoke that scattered on the wind.

’That guy is a monster. He took a direct hit from my palm and is still perfectly fine... He’s a humanoid beast!’

As soon as Jiang Chao regained consciousness, he glanced in Shu Feng’s direction, his eyes flashing with unwillingness. His palm strike had been terrifyingly powerful; even an ordinary Human Race expert in the Spirit Sect Realm would have been severely injured. For Shu Feng to take the hit head-on, not only surviving but remaining full of vigor, was simply horrifying.

Mu Tianlong’s gaze also shifted to Shu Feng. He and Jiang Chao then exchanged a glance, and both gave a bitter smile.

Shu Feng remained alone in the deepest part of the Void Demon Nest until the competition ended.

Wisps of smoke rose as the entire Dream Realm collapsed. Shu Feng’s eyes snapped open.

"First place in the National High School Spiritual Martial Arts Competition goes to Shu Feng of Shuijing High School! Let’s give him a huge round of applause!!"

On the high platform of the Martial Arts Arena, an announcer clapped enthusiastically and boomed.

The entire Martial Arts Arena instantly erupted in a wave of synchronized applause.

Countless scorching gazes were locked onto Shu Feng.

The high officials and dignitaries from the Qianyuan Republic were already scheming, trying to find a way to win Shu Feng over and make him their son-in-law.

There was an ancient tradition of "snatching a son-in-law from the honor roll." Back then, scholars from the Lower Class who passed the imperial examinations were often snapped up by Noble Families to become their sons-in-law.

Likewise, in the modern era, marriage alliances remain an extremely effective tool. The top ten contestants in every National High School Spiritual Martial Arts Competition are hotly pursued by the Noble Families.

A look of excitement flashed in Song He’s eyes as he laughed heartily. "First place! Wonderful! Shuijing High School has finally dominated the National High School Spiritual Martial Arts Competition once again!!"

Shu Feng reaching first place would cause Shuijing High School’s reputation to soar. It could attract more geniuses, become even more famous, and create a virtuous cycle.

Fang Yao smiled sweetly. "Song He, Shu Feng used my slot for the Dragon Transformation Spirit Pool to undergo his transformation. That can be reimbursed, right?"

Song He was in high spirits and laughed loudly. "Of course! I’ll also reward you with another slot to use the Dragon Transformation Spirit Pool!"

Slots for the Dragon Transformation Spirit Pool were extremely precious; even Song He couldn’t hand them out arbitrarily. However, with Shu Feng’s monumental achievement, it was only natural for Fang Yao to receive a substantial reward as well.

Shuijing High School and the other top Extraordinary High Schools all encouraged their teachers to cultivate geniuses. When a student achieved great success, their mentor received a handsome reward. Of course, if the students failed to produce results, the schools would not reimburse their teachers’ investments.

"Second place, Mu Tianlong!!"

"Third place, Jiang Chao!!"

"..."

The announcer read out the names one by one, twenty names in total.

Over two thousand talented students had participated in this National High school Spiritual Martial Arts Competition, but only these twenty would receive generous rewards.

This was one of the few remaining narrow, difficult paths to success for the children of the Lower Class in the Qianyuan Republic.

Within the Qianyuan Republic, the best Cultivation Resources were all controlled by the Major Noble Families and Clans. If a child from the Lower Class wanted to rise up, they either had to pledge allegiance to one of these powerful families or fight for resources in major national events like the National High School Spiritual Martial Arts Competition.

The twenty talented students whose names were called all walked up to the high platform one by one.

Seated at the very peak of the high platform like an Emperor, Spirit Saint Wu Zhongchao slowly rose. With a majestic stride, he walked toward Shu Feng and the other nineteen geniuses.

"A fine performance! I hope that in the future, you will continue to kill Void Demons just as you did today. The future belongs to your generation."

Wu Zhongchao strode up to Shu Feng, patted him on the shoulder in praise, and handed him a certificate.

Shu Feng said, "Thank you, Spirit Saint!"

Wu Zhongchao smiled faintly, then moved to Mu Tianlong’s side. He offered a few words of encouragement as well and handed him his certificate.