Dou Qi condensing into substance and flowing outside the body meant at least a Third-Rank Fighter's cultivation. Everyone in Dragon Mountain Town knew Chen Feng inherently lacked spiritual sensation, having cultivated for eight years without a trace of Dou Qi. How could he suddenly manifest Dou Qi externalization?

Chen Feng’s eyes blazed, his entire pupils seeming ready to spill forth flames. His figure flickered, ghost-like, appearing instantly before Gu Bo, his fingers shaping into a fist aimed directly at the opponent's chest.

"One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Style—Aragami!" Simultaneously, he roared, "Cyclone Power 5%!"

Gu Bo’s expression shifted. Without time to properly consider, he rapidly shook both hands, releasing dozens of small, earth-yellow spheres to block in front of him.

Instantaneous spellcasting was not something every established mage could achieve. Gu Bo’s natural talent was considered above average among the crowd, yet casting more than a dozen pseudo-First-Rank spells in such a short span was impossible for him alone. He relied on the magic implements equipped on his wrists to achieve this effect. As the foremost magical family in Dragon Mountain Town, possessing magic artifacts capable of instantaneous pseudo-First-Rank spellcasting was hardly surprising.

Pseudo-magic, as it was called, referred to spells that surpassed the scope of a lower rank but failed to reach the next. For instance, a pseudo-Third-Rank spell exceeded the boundary of a Second-Rank spell but did not qualify as a Third-Rank one.

For a magic artifact, merely protecting the user from magical harm was commendable; being able to release magic was even rarer. A magic artifact capable of releasing dozens of pseudo-First-Rank spells in an instant attested to its incredible value.

In truth, this magic artifact was called the "Azure Bracelet," the heirloom of the Lefu family. Though Gu Bo ranked seventh among his brothers, his magical talent was the best, and the Patriarch, his father Harry Lefu, had always treated him as the next family head. Thus, the most precious item in the clan naturally fell to his possession.

Chen Feng’s fist collided with the dozens of magical orbs, producing a "crackling" sound like popping beans. While pseudo-First-Rank magic dealt massive damage to ordinary people, it did not slow his fist by even a fraction.

The powerful fist, imbued with an unstoppable momentum, drove toward the opponent.

Gu Bo turned ashen with shock. Being able to shatter dozens of pseudo-First-Rank spells with one punch meant cultivation of at least a Third-Rank Fighter! When did Chen Feng, that simpleton, gain such power?

Regarding Chen Feng’s strength, Gu Bo likely understood it better than anyone. Because whenever he felt happy or unhappy, he would seek Chen Feng out to vent, deriving immense joy from seeing him weep afterward. Just moments ago, a magic sphere had struck Chen Feng’s back, knocking him unconscious. How could he become so formidable immediately upon waking?

Gu Bo suddenly felt an inexplicable fear creep into his heart. The magic artifact on his wrist flared again, and another earth-yellow magic shield materialized before him—the Earth Wall Aegis! A genuine First-Rank spell!

The energy for a magic artifact was supplied by two sources: cores from magical beasts, or the rare mineral "Topaz Magic Crystal." Gu Bo’s artifact was inlaid with the core of a Second-Rank magical beast, possessing abundant energy. If used for instantaneous casting, it could release ten First-Rank spells consecutively. An artifact with such potent capability was already considered supreme.

However, embedding a "Topaz Magic Crystal" within this artifact could double its capability, allowing the continuous release of twenty First-Rank spells! But the rarity of the Topaz Magic Crystal was comparable to the core of a Fifth-Rank magical beast; ordinary people could never find one.

Chen Feng’s punch struck the First-Rank spell, the Earth Wall Aegis. With a single "Bo" sound, it instantly collapsed. Yet, after being obstructed by dozens of pseudo-First-Rank spells and one First-Rank spell, the punch’s momentum had waned considerably.

Even this residual sliver of power was more than Gu Bo, a frail mage, could withstand. He contorted his face into a strange expression, leaning backward, flying back more than ten meters before crashing against a distant wall corner, kicking up a cloud of dust!

“Seventh Young Master, Seventh Young Master…”

Gu Bo’s two lackeys rushed over to help him up. He lay there, breathing shallowly, with a bowl-sized charred mark on his chest, resembling a burn from fire, the flesh blackened and rotting, emitting the smell of cooked meat.

“Such a powerful fist…” Gu Bo coughed, looking at Chen Feng ahead. “I don’t believe it…”

His eyes rolled back, and he fell unconscious.

The two lackeys’ faces filled with horror. Gu Bo was a Second-Rank Formal Mage, possessing the Lefu family’s inherited treasure, the "Azure Bracelet." To be knocked unconscious in this situation demonstrated that Chen Feng had suddenly become a master!

Seeing Chen Feng still standing motionless, the two men hoisted the unconscious Gu Bo and fled backward.

Third-Rank Fighter cultivation—good heavens, if they didn't run, would they wait to be beaten to death?

If Gu Bo had not been unconscious, upon seeing this, he wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry; his two lackeys showed absolutely no inclination to avenge him when faced with a stronger opponent…

Chen Feng only registered what had happened long after the trio had fled far away, standing frozen on the spot. Why had he just executed such an overbearing punch?

"Aragami?"

That was a technique from Kyo Kusanagi in The King of Fighters! Had he not only transmigrated his soul but also learned KOF techniques? He frantically checked the memories in his mind. There, the cultivation methods and secret manuals for Aragami lay neatly stored deep within his consciousness, as if they had spontaneously appeared.

“It seems my cultivation is still too low to manifest Kyo Kusanagi’s moves like Orochi Ignition, Serpent’s Thrash, or Mugen!” Chen Feng realized after a moment of thought.

It turned out that when Chen Feng was pinned beneath the giant rock, struggling for breath, his vision blurring, a rage like burning fire ignited within his chest and abdomen. Amidst the suffocation, a deafening boom resonated in his mind. The Dou Qi he had cultivated for six years suddenly began to spin in a specific pattern. A pale yellow layer of Dou Qi enveloped his arm, directly shattering the giant rock, and finally blasting Gu Bo away.

The chain reaction caused by the explosion during his time playing The King of Fighters had somehow mapped the techniques and cultivation methods of the KOF characters onto his mind. The body he possessed, Chen Feng Kayent, had cultivated Dou Qi since childhood. Though his cultivation was low, combined with KOF’s overwhelmingly powerful skills, he managed to knock Gu Bo unconscious with a single punch!

It was precisely because his cultivation was insufficient that he couldn't unleash higher-tier moves; hence, there was no memory in his mind of other KOF characters.

“Benimaru Nikaido’s Rolling Knee Drop, Elbow Blast; Robert Garcia’s Phoenix Cyclone Kick, Ryuuko Ranbu; Ryo Sakazaki’s Haohouhoken, Tenchi Hahouken; Iori Yagami’s Aoi Hana, Yasakani no Magatama; Orochi’s Mirror of Yata, Staff of Heaven, Shine… When will I be able to execute these ultimate skills? Just thinking about it is exhilarating!” Chen Feng was lost in the joy of possessing KOF skills, completely oblivious to the confused gazes of the onlookers.

With Gu Bo injured and gone, the magically formed "Earth Wall Enclosure" dissolved. Feliya stepped forward and gently tugged the arm of Chen Feng, who was still immersed in the world of The King of Fighters. Her voice was laced with excitement: “You can control your Dou Qi now?”

Chen Feng blinked. “Control Dou Qi?”

Feliya nodded, her face showing incredulity. “The Dou Qi fluctuation from your fist just now was so intense—did you… perhaps reach the level of a Third-Rank Fighter?”

Chen Feng knew that what just happened was merely utilizing the last remnants of the Dou Qi in his body to execute KOF techniques; it had nothing to do with Third-Rank Fighter status. He quickly shook his head. “No, I don’t know what happened just now!”

Feliya looked at him, clearly disbelieving. “If not, then Gu Bo…”

“He…” He couldn't easily reveal that he possessed KOF skills; otherwise, explaining his status as a transmigrator would be impossible. Chen Feng scratched his head, adopting a look of simple honesty. “Maybe he suddenly threw a fit and passed out…”

“…” Feliya was utterly speechless. Chen Feng hadn't seemed much different from normal moments ago, but now he seemed to have reverted to his usual idiotic state.

Seeing that Chen Feng was unwilling to speak, Feliya didn't press further. In reality, even if Chen Feng claimed to have Third-Rank strength, she probably wouldn't believe it. Chen Feng’s cultivation level was famous throughout Dragon Mountain Town—the Fifth Young Master of the Martial Family, cultivating Dou Qi for eight years, yet possessing no spiritual sensation. It was hard not to be famous! As for injuring Gu Bo, the exchange had been so swift, and Feliya had been enclosed by the earth-yellow "Earth Wall Enclosure," so she hadn't seen clearly.

Helping the injured Uncle Wen up, Feliya produced a healing pill and gave it to him. She then dabbed some dark-green salve on Chen Feng's swollen face. Although the pills from the Martial Family didn't heal as quickly as Light or Water element magic, their efficacy surpassed the most precious herbs Chen Feng had seen in his past life. Within mere minutes of taking the pill, Uncle Wen’s pale complexion gradually regained color, his broken ribs and hand bones began to knit, and he was able to walk independently. Chen Feng's face also rapidly deflated, returning to its usual gaunt appearance.

“Chen Feng, thank you for saving me just now, truly! Thank you for everything these past few days!” Feliya’s voice was sweet.

“Saving you?” Chen Feng paused, then immediately understood. Feliya was pure and beautiful, sought after by many, especially Gu Bo. Today, Gu Bo had relentlessly pursued her, and upon rejection, malicious intent had arisen, coincidentally witnessed by Chen Feng Kayent just before his revival, leading to the conflict.

“It was nothing, it’s what I should do!” Chen Feng glossed over it and started walking toward his family’s direction with Uncle Wen.

The surrounding architecture was entirely different from what he had seen before. It was neither the towering high-rises cast from concrete nor the classical look of 17th-century Europe. Instead, they resembled wide fortresses, standing silently on the ground. Walls of greyish-blue, massive stones stacked together, alongside towering trees that reached for the sky, created a magnificent and imposing scene bathed in sunlight.

All sorts of people moved along the road. Some wore dark grey robes, instantly identifiable as mages. However, these individuals seemed profoundly proud, walking with their heads held high, each one radiating an air of arrogance.

“Mages are a noble profession. Once recognized by the Mage Association and obtaining a mage certification, it proves that one's status has elevated to nobility!” Feliya remarked casually when she saw his confusion.

Chen Feng nodded and asked, “If becoming nobility is that simple, wouldn't everyone want to try for the Mage profession?”

Feliya let out a soft laugh. “Do you think becoming a mage is that easy to test for? The prerequisite for a person to become a mage is having elemental affinity. Out of a hundred people, it’s a good thing if one possesses this ability. Furthermore, even with affinity, if one cannot find a mage to act as a teacher, who would they learn from? Even if a teacher is found, without money, they can’t even afford the basic magical implements—how can they learn magic well?”

Chen Feng understood, nodding with a sense of half-comprehension.

Feliya noticed his look and cautiously inquired, “Did you… understand?”

Chen Feng knew she still regarded him as an idiot. He gave a wry smile and shook his head, saying, “I was struck by Gu Bo just now, and it seems my mind has cleared considerably. I’m different from my previous muddled state, so naturally, I can understand now!”

Feliya was about to question him further when a voice rang out ahead.

“Feliya!” A towering young man, around two meters tall, clad in silver-grey armor with a longsword strapped to his back, looked exceedingly spirited and robust. His brow bore a striking resemblance to Feliya’s.

“Brother, you’re back!” Feliya’s face lit up with excitement, and she threw herself into his arms.

This was Feliya’s biological elder brother, Ronchi Bart, a swordsman martial practitioner.

Ronchi affectionately patted Feliya’s head, his voice resonating like a struck bell. “Haven't seen you in two years, and you’ve grown so tall, and much prettier! I almost didn’t recognize you just now! Heh heh.”

Feliya’s pretty face flushed, and she glanced at the surrounding crowd, tugging his clothes. “Brother, keep your voice down!”

“Oh!” Ronchi scratched his head and chuckled dryly twice.

Feliya asked, “Brother, was the Magical Beast Mountain Range fun?”

“Fun?” Ronchi’s large eyes widened, almost bursting into laughter. “How can it be described like that? It’s not fun in the slightest; on the contrary, it’s extremely dangerous. I nearly died in there! But it’s because of that very danger that I managed to advance a rank and become a Fifth-Rank Swordsman (equivalent to a Fifth-Rank Fighter) in just two short years.” A clear sense of pride emerged in his words.

“What? Brother, you’re a Fifth-Rank Swordsman?” Feliya could hardly believe her ears. She jumped up excitedly, a complete contrast to her shyness moments ago about Ronchi’s loud voice.

“Yes!” Ronchi nodded. Only then did he notice the somewhat thin Chen Feng standing nearby and asked curiously, “And who is this…”

Feliya replied, “Oh, this is Chen Feng from the Kayent family!”

“Chen Feng?” Ronchi’s eyes narrowed. He took a large stride toward Chen Feng and swiftly brought his massive palm down, aiming straight for Chen Feng’s forehead.

Feliya’s expression changed drastically, and she cried out urgently, “Brother, don’t…”

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