In Hengmu's eyes, Bing Ruolan was merely an early-stage eighth Hell Realm Martial Artist. Luo Feng, though stronger, was only at the peak of the eighth Hell Realm. With his own cultivation at the ninth Heavenly Court Realm, Hengmu naturally wouldn't take a peak eighth Hell Realm Martial Artist seriously.

Bing Ruolan wanted to persuade Luo Feng to leave. Hengmu was a ninth Heavenly Court Realm Martial Artist; earlier, with just one blow, he had swiftly killed several nobility-level and quasi-nobility-level masters. His strength was unbelievably strong.

Yet, when she turned to look at Luo Feng, she didn't say a word.

From beginning to end, Luo Feng's expression remained unchanged while facing Hengmu.

This made Bing Ruolan recall her previous conversation with Luo Feng, and she wondered if he truly possessed the strength to fight a ninth Heavenly Court Realm Martial Artist.

Facing Hengmu's aggressive gaze, Luo Feng smiled faintly and retorted, "I entered this Secret Realm for the treasures inside. Since the gate is right before me, why should I run?"

"Courageous!"

Hengmu was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter. Looking at Luo Feng, he clapped his hands and said, "A pity your strength is insufficient, otherwise I would have liked to spar with you. I advise you to leave the Secret Realm as soon as possible to avoid losing your life."

"That may not necessarily be true," Luo Feng said, touching his nose, his gaze unwavering.

"It seems you're very confident in your strength." Hengmu frowned. He admired Luo Feng's courage, which was why he had offered kind advice. Unexpectedly, the other party was so oblivious to the situation, stirring a flicker of anger within him.

Luo Feng knew more words were useless; strength was the only true measure. He stated simply, "If you don't believe me, you can try."

Hearing this, a strange glint flashed in Hengmu's eyes. The other party clearly knew he was a ninth Heavenly Court Realm Martial Artist, yet he could utter such words so calmly. Where does his confidence come from? Hengmu wondered. Does he really think he can contend with me?

At this thought, Hengmu sneered inwardly, dismissing Luo Feng as merely an arrogant and overconfident fool. He snorted coldly, "Very well, I won't take advantage of you. If you can withstand one move from me, Hengmu, I will no longer trouble you."

"I accept!" Luo Feng nodded. They were like well water and river water, not interfering with each other, and he had no intention of fighting to the death. His opponent was a ninth Heavenly Court Realm Martial Artist. Even if he succeeded in killing him, it would undoubtedly come at a price.

HUM!

As he spoke, the smile vanished from Hengmu's face, replaced by a ferocious aura. His tall, powerful body seemed to swell in an instant, the ground beneath his feet creaking as if it could no longer bear his weight.

Luo Feng's aura also transformed dramatically. An astonishingly sharp presence converged in his eyes, as if Thunderbolts flashed around him. He became like an unsheathed treasured sword, its edge fully revealed.

"What a sharp aura! It's not affected by my own, and it even suppresses my spirit!"

Hengmu's expression shifted slightly. His sharp gaze shot towards Luo Feng as he laughed heartily. "So, you're Luo Feng, the top prodigy of the Flowing Cloud Region! I've heard you've comprehended Grand Momentum. Today, I'd like to experience it for myself!"

Having guessed Luo Feng's identity, fighting spirit surged in Hengmu's eyes. With a great shout, his clothes exploded with a CRACK! His figure soared, his fist carrying a vicious wind as it slammed towards Luo Feng.

BOOM!

A mountain-like fist intent erupted. The Gang Qi around Hengmu transformed into a terrifying tiger. Wherever it passed, the ground was torn apart by sharp shockwaves, the air crackled under the pressure, and the entire hall seemed to groan.

"So strong!" Bing Ruolan was shocked, her pretty face paling slightly as she nervously clenched her fists.

Even standing a hundred meters away, she felt somewhat breathless under the pressure of Hengmu's vigorous fist intent.

Just the aftershock of the fist intent is this powerful! The force of this punch could shatter a hundred-meter peak!

Luo Feng's hair and clothes billowed backward in the fist wind, rustling loudly, seeming as if they could be shredded by the force at any moment. Only his eyes grew even sharper than before.

CRACKLE!

A flash of lightning sparked in Luo Feng's eyes. His aura surged to its peak as he, too, threw a punch head-on.

RUMBLE!

Large fissures appeared in the air, like countless Thunderbolts cleaving the void, hurtling straight towards Hengmu.

CRACKLE! POP! BANG!

Their bodies collided, and the sound of Gang Qi exploding echoed hundreds of times in an instant. The radiant glow of the jade and stone throughout the hall seemed to dim, leaving only the intense flashes of detonating Gang Qi.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Amidst the violent impact, two figures shot out from the center.

"HAH!"

While still in mid-air, Hengmu executed a Thousand Pounds Drop. His body plummeted straight down, his feet smashing into the ground.

A Qi Dragon swirled around Luo Feng. With a light tap of his foot in the air, he landed gently on the ground.

"You let me win," Luo Feng said, steadying himself and looking up at Hengmu.

Hengmu stared at Luo Feng without a word, profound shock flickering in the depths of his eyes.

He cultivated Horizontal Practice Martial Arts and was known as 'Iron Man'. His physique was incredibly robust, his flesh and blood more tempered than refined steel. He had once fought a peak eighth Hell Realm expert, taking a direct hit without retreating an inch, a feat that had made him famous.

Seeing Luo Feng also use fists, I thought I could win easily, perhaps even kill him with one punch, Hengmu mused. Yet, we fought to a standstill. Even more terrifying, Luo Feng's physique is actually a notch stronger than mine! My right hand is still faintly numb.

Although he hadn't used his full strength, for Luo Feng, at the peak of the eighth Hell Realm, to withstand a punch containing eighty percent of his power was nothing short of a miracle.

"He actually has the strength to rival a ninth Heavenly Court Realm Martial Artist!"

Bing Ruolan stood to the side, her delicate hand covering her lips, her wide, beautiful eyes sparkling with profound surprise and joy.

Although she had been somewhat prepared mentally, witnessing Luo Feng directly confront a ninth Heavenly Court Realm Martial Artist still astonished her.

A moment later, Hengmu snapped out of his daze. He looked at Luo Feng and said, "Those who can comprehend Grand Momentum are indeed extraordinary. I, Hengmu, am a man of my word; I will not trouble you further. However, don't get complacent. Among the twelve Disciples of the Golden Palace, many have comprehended Sword Intent and Grand Momentum, yet even they are not invincible."

"I am naturally aware of that."

Luo Feng nodded. Both Grand Momentum and Sword Intent are, in essence, just auxiliary tools. A Martial Artist's true strength ultimately depends on their own Cultivation and Martial Arts realm. I don't have the confidence to kill Hengmu right now; that's the difference in our realms.

Neither of them had any intention of continuing the fight. Just as they were about to open the main gate and enter, Luo Feng suddenly glanced towards a passage on the other side. He frowned slightly but said nothing and continued forward.

"Wait, someone's coming!"

After taking a few steps, Hengmu abruptly stopped and looked back towards the direction Luo Feng had been observing. He said in a deep voice, "Friend, since you're here, why skulk in the shadows? Come out and show yourself."

"Someone?" Bing Ruolan was slightly startled. Only after Hengmu spoke did she sense that someone was indeed hidden in a shadowy passage over ten meters to their left.

Luo Feng wasn't surprised; he had sensed their presence earlier but had chosen not to point it out.

TAP, TAP...

Faint footsteps echoed from the shadows, and a tall, slender figure emerged.

"Xue Ren, it really is you!" Hengmu exclaimed under his breath, his brow furrowed as he looked at the newcomer.

Luo Feng narrowed his eyes, observing the figure.

This person was tall and slender, with a long face and thin eyebrows, completely enveloped in a black cloak. His small eyes glinted with a sinister, cold light, like those of a venomous snake—utterly frigid.

"Another ninth Heavenly Court Realm expert!" Luo Feng noted, raising an eyebrow as he sensed the newcomer's aura was comparable to Hengmu's.

Hengmu's expression turned grave. He said in a low voice, "Don't underestimate this person. Although he's also at the ninth Heavenly Court Realm, he's an existence feared even by mid-stage Martial Artists of that realm. He excels at assassination and fighting those stronger than himself! He once killed a peak eighth Hell Realm Martial Artist while only at the mid-stage of the eighth Hell Realm. That's why he's known as 'Blood Closer' Xue Ren!"

Luo Feng nodded. When Zi Yuan introduced the three powerful ninth Heavenly Court Realm Martial Artists, aside from 'Human Demon' Zhou Jianyi, the second most dangerous was this Xue Ren.

"Xue Ren, what are you doing hiding here? Are you perhaps looking to fight me?" Hengmu stared coldly at Xue Ren.

Upon entering the Secret Realm this time, the three formidable ninth Heavenly Court Realm experts all considered each other rivals. Seeing Xue Ren suddenly appear, Hengmu immediately began to gather his power.

The footsteps ceased. Xue Ren looked up at the three of them. Instantly, an invisible killing intent enveloped the entire hall, and the temperature plummeted.

"I came to this Secret Realm only for treasure; I have no desire to fight Hengmu, the renowned 'Iron Man'," Xue Ren said with a faint smile, though the icy aura surrounding him didn't lessen in the slightest.

Hengmu, likewise, had no desire to engage with this individual who exuded a chilling and eerie presence. He snorted, "That's for the best. Let's go in."

"Wait," Xue Ren said, gesturing for them to stop.

Hengmu's gaze darkened. "Are you going back on your word?" he asked coldly.

Xue Ren shook his head, his gaze falling upon Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan. "The great treasures of the Secret Realm belong to those who are capable. Hengmu, you naturally have the right to enter. However, these two... I'm afraid they are not qualified."

"Hmm?"

Luo Feng frowned slightly. I didn't expect him to suddenly turn his attention to me.

Bing Ruolan reacted swiftly, immediately drawing her sword and positioning herself beside Luo Feng. Watching Xue Ren, she covertly gathered her power, ready to unleash her strongest attack at any moment.

Xue Ren stood casually, paying them no heed whatsoever.

Seeing Xue Ren disparage Luo Feng, Hengmu couldn't help but shake his head slightly. "Xue Ren," he said, "he just fought me to a draw. If you underestimate him, you might lose your life."

"Oh? A draw?"

Xue Ren was greatly surprised. Luo Feng was clearly at the peak stage of the eighth Hell Realm, yet he had managed to fight Hengmu head-on without being at a disadvantage. This was truly incredible.

Could Hengmu be deceiving me? Xue Ren frowned, then quickly shook his head. Given Hengmu's personality, if it weren't true, he would likely die before admitting someone of lower Cultivation was his equal.

After a deep look at Luo Feng, Xue Ren nodded. "If that's the case, then he is indeed qualified."

Despite saying this, Xue Ren still harbored doubts. After all, for a Martial Artist at the peak of the eighth Hell Realm to contend with a ninth Heavenly Court Realm Martial Artist is, by common logic, virtually impossible.

"Let's mind our own business then. Let's go," Hengmu said, taking the lead towards the main gate.

Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan followed on his right, while Xue Ren walked on the left, his gaze frequently drifting to Luo Feng, his thoughts unreadable.

"Huh!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.