The name Stanley, the chief guard of the Imperial Palace, was surely known to everyone; even though Vernon was furious about Stanley saving Chen Feng, he dared not act recklessly, controlling his airflow as he slowly descended from the air.
"Stanley, what is the meaning of this?" Vernon questioned.
"I am carrying out the Emperor's direct orders. You have no right to question me!" Stanley stated coldly, then, ignoring the enraged Vernon, he strode back towards the 'Rookie Inn' while holding Chen Feng.
"The Emperor's orders?" Vernon remained rooted to the spot, utterly perplexed. "Did His Majesty not just grant us permission to act as we see fit moments ago? Why then..."
After thinking it over fruitlessly for a long time, he shook his head and walked back as well.
Chen Feng's mind was hazy, his consciousness slightly blurred; the damage sustained this time might be even worse than before.
"Men? Hah, men simply do not value their lives!" Laitbul shook his head again. "Even the Seventh Prince is engaging in such folly. Isn't the Rookie Selection Trial supposed to be in teams of three? Why are there only four remaining here?"
"There are only these four!" Stanley’s voice resonated with unwavering certainty.
"Only four?" Laitbul expressed a note of strangeness.
Laitbul was the Chief Court Magus, but unlike Vernon, he was not obsessed with raw power. He spent his days researching magical principles and constantly cultivating. In truth, he was a genuine cultivator. It was this very nature that kept him from interfering in matters he deemed meaningless. If His Majesty hadn't specifically instructed him to cooperate with Elder Yi in treating these four individuals, he might not even have shown up.
Laitbul was a Level Nine Light Element Archmage, the most likely candidate to smoothly advance and become the Empire's second Grand Light Magus after Elder Yi. He himself had emerged from a previous Rookie Selection Trial, and through constant, arduous training, he had reached his current stature.
Precisely because he had come up through the Rookie Selection Trial, he understood the rules of the competition, which is why he was so confused about why only four people were involved in the final fight.
"One person challenged the team formed by the remaining three, causing this extent of injury!" Stanley stated plainly.
"One challenging four, and in the final confrontation at that—that truly is interesting. It seems the Seventh Prince, clad in Dragon Armor and wielding the Talisman Sword, truly possesses some of His Majesty Suomen's bearing from years ago!" Laitbul remarked with emotion. "However, for the Seventh Prince to defeat the remaining three alone is indeed no small feat."
"It wasn't the Seventh Prince doing the challenging; the Seventh Prince was part of the team of three!" Stanley corrected Laitbul's phrasing.
"Not the Seventh Prince? Could it be that among these youths, there is someone capable of defeating the Seventh Prince who holds the Talisman Sword and wears the Dragon Armor?" Laitbul looked at the figures lying on the ground, his face filled with disbelief.
He knew the power of the Dragon Armor and the Talisman Sword. For the Seventh Prince, who possessed a Mid-grade Saint Artifact, to enter the competition as part of a team, only to have the entire group severely injured by a single person, left him astonished.
Stanley nodded, pointed at Chen Feng, and said, "It was him, Iori Yagami!"
"Iori Yagami?" Laitbul searched his mind for a long moment, certain he had never heard the name before, before asking, "Looking at his frail appearance, how could he possibly defeat the Seventh Prince?" He circled Chen Feng twice, still struggling to believe what he had heard.
Seeing his reaction, a smile touched Stanley's stern face. "I didn't believe it at first either, but after witnessing it firsthand, I know it's true! This red-haired youth actually defeated the Seventh Prince, Alex, and Joseph single-handedly!"
Laitbul frowned. "Alex—is he the grandson of Cainhart, Commander of the Pterosaur Knights?"
"Yes! And the other is Joseph, who possesses Behemoth bloodline," Stanley confirmed.
"Ah..." Laitbul’s mouth fell open wide. He looked back at Chen Feng lying on the ground, his face a mask of sheer disbelief.
Defeating the Seventh Prince, armed with the Talisman Sword and clad in Dragon Armor, was astonishing enough; to think that this fellow had also beaten Cainhart's grandson and Joseph simultaneously was almost unimaginable!
"I heard... I heard that this young man named Alex managed to subdue a Level Four magical beast last year—he wasn't in this match, right? To defeat three people simultaneously is already incredible. If you add a Level Four magical beast on top of that, I wouldn't believe you if you told me until I was dead," Laitbul said, clutching at a sliver of hope.
"That Level Four magical beast, the Wild Boar Demon Bear, was torn to shreds by Iori Yagami; it died on the spot!" Stanley stated with an expressionless face.
"One person defeating the three strongest youths of the Imperial Capital, plus a Level Four magical beast—what kind of monster is this young man named Iori Yagami!" Laitbul stared blankly.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps echoed from outside, and Elder Yi’s voice filled the room before he even entered.
"The Seventh Prince is injured? Where is he? I need to treat him immediately!"
As soon as the words fell, the old man arrived before Stanley and Laitbul, catching sight of the four bloodied figures on the floor.
"The Seventh Prince... Ah! Why is this boy injured too?" Elder Yi exclaimed upon seeing Chen Feng. "Laitbul, quickly lift this boy over here; I need to treat him..."
"Elder Yi, the Seventh Prince's injuries are the most severe; you should treat him first!" Stanley said respectfully but firmly.
"Treat him?" Elder Yi glanced at the Seventh Prince, who lay motionless, perhaps not even breathing, and casually remarked, "He's not dead yet. Treat this boy first..."
"..." Laitbul and Stanley exchanged glances.
The two of them hastily moved Chen Feng forward, and Elder Yi's expression instantly turned grave. He gazed into the void and raised his staff high.
He was casting the Divine Descent Restoration Technique that Chen Feng had benefited from previously.
Once the spell was cast, an incomparably powerful magic enveloped Chen Feng, ceaselessly restoring his vitality. Elder Yi, utterly exhausted, turned to the remaining three and said, "Laitbul, you can handle the remaining three as you see fit!"
"..." Laitbul nearly gasped for air and quickly said, "Elder Yi, the Seventh Prince is critically injured; after such a strong impact followed by a penetrating wound, I fear... my abilities are limited..."
Though Laitbul spoke with restraint, anyone not a fool could understand: the Seventh Prince's injuries were truly too severe, and he doubted his restoration spells would be effective.
"No need for that. Just use that Level Six spell—Light Restoration, yes, that will suffice!" Elder Yi said impatiently.
"Light Restoration?" Laitbul paused. "But... the effect is vastly inferior to the Divine Descent Restoration Technique. I fear that once I finish casting it, the Seventh Prince will still have to lie in bed for half a month before fully recovering..."
Laitbul was speaking the truth. Light-element magic had healing and restorative properties, but if the injury was too severe, like the Seventh Prince's life-threatening condition, even a Level Six spell could not instantly restore him completely. The only magic capable of restoring someone to their original state, with added benefits, after a single cast was the Level Nine Light Element spell, Divine Descent Restoration Technique; he could think of no other.
Elder Yi waved his hand. "If he lies there for half a month, so be it! The palace is vast; are we worried about not having a place for him to rest? Alright, hurry up and start, or this little fellow might not be saved..."
"..." Laitbul and Stanley were speechless.
Laitbul and Stanley could not fathom why Elder Yi was prioritizing Chen Feng's treatment over the Seventh Prince, but neither dared to show any displeasure. Elder Yi was known for his eccentric behavior; who knew if he might erupt in anger...
Laitbul expended tremendous effort to rouse the Seventh Prince and the others. All three looked pale, and although they were miles away from full recovery, they could at least stand and walk on their own.
After treating the three, Laitbul wiped the cold sweat from his brow, forced down his slightly depleted body, and turned to speak to Elder Yi... only to find the old man gone.
"Where is Elder Yi?" Laitbul couldn't help but ask.
"That Iori Yagami woke up just now, and he led him out," Stanley replied, shrugging helplessly.
"What is the relationship between this Iori Yagami and Elder Yi?" Laitbul finally inquired!
........................................................................................
"What exactly is our relationship?" Chen Feng asked softly, staring at Elder Yi who was bustling about the laboratory.
"A cooperative one, of course," Elder Yi replied without lifting his head. "In short, you absolutely cannot die. If you die, where am I supposed to find more of these excellent medicinal ingredients?"
Chen Feng nodded. "Then give me the potions I requested."
Elder Yi stated, "I came to find you twice yesterday, but you weren't around. I prepared the potions long ago." He then handed over a large bundle of bottles. "These are seventeen potions for improving cultivation; I call them Energy Agents. These are forty potions that temporarily increase strength; I call them Berserk Agents... Don't look at me like that; they certainly make you quite berserk after ingestion!"
Chen Feng managed a rare smile. The Berserk Agents, combined with the Blood of Frenzy he manufactured himself, could perfectly trigger a rampage. Having forty bottles on hand was an invaluable asset.
Placing both sets of potions into his water flask, Chen Feng looked relaxed. He hadn't expected to be saved by Elder Yi after losing consciousness, and judging by his tone, it seemed to be the Emperor Suomen’s directive.
This fact was slightly perplexing to him. He had caused havoc at the competition venue and nearly killed the Seventh Prince (he now knew the Prince was alive). Could the Emperor truly be so indifferent, letting bygones be bygones?
Impossible. Emperor Suomen wouldn't let him off so easily. If he didn't kill him during the competition, what was his true objective?
Unable to figure it out after much thought, Chen Feng was about to take his leave when he heard someone shouting from outside.
"Iori Yagami!" As he walked out of the lab, he saw Stanley's imposing figure.
"His Majesty requires your immediate presence at the competition venue. The Rookie Tournament awards ceremony is about to begin!"
Chen Feng paused briefly. He hadn't expected Emperor Suomen to not only refrain from killing him but also summon him to the awards ceremony. Both actions hinted at something strange, but Chen Feng had no desire to ask. He simply nodded and followed Stanley towards the competition grounds.
The competition venue no longer resembled the chaos of the recent battle. The entire area was smoothly paved with uniform bluestone, which made Chen Feng marvel at the power of magic. To accomplish such a task in the short time since the fight ended was truly incredible.
Before he even stepped onto the competition stage from the resting room, the surrounding noise surged dramatically, cheers rising up continuously. Chen Feng was momentarily unaccustomed to it, but his expression quickly returned to normal.
"Iori Yagami, Iori Yagami..." The stands chanted Chen Feng’s name in unison, as if welcoming a victorious general.
Stanley, who had emerged from the resting room with him, nodded inwardly at Chen Feng's composed demeanor, thinking, This Iori Yagami looks barely fifteen or sixteen years old, yet he remains so composed amidst such roaring cheers. That level of self-possession alone is admirable!
As Chen Feng ascended the stage, the cheers grew even louder. Looking at the various teams already standing on the platform, he suddenly felt a peculiar sensation.
There were sixteen teams originally, but the one led by Long Xiao Qiang was absent. Fifteen teams now stood on stage, and every single one of them looked upon him with deep reverence.
Reverence? It sounded almost laughable, but upon reflection, it made sense.
When two people are nearly equal in ability or standing, they might feel jealousy or rivalry. But when the gap between two people becomes so vast that the other cannot even hope to catch up, that feeling transforms into admiration and respect!
It was like how you might be jealous of the vice-manager hired at the same time as you, but you certainly wouldn't be jealous of a national leader younger than yourself—this was the influence wrought by a disparity in capability.
Chen Feng had defeated the Seventh Prince, Joseph, and Alex single-handedly. His power was now beyond the reach of these youths, thus earning him respect rather than envy.
Understanding this, Chen Feng shook his head. In a world where strength reigns supreme, one must adhere to the law of the jungle where the strong rule. If his strength faltered, would he still garner such adoration?
Everything depended on strength!
Chen Feng clenched his fists silently, his eyes filled with determined resolve.
........................................................................................
After standing on the stage for a long time, listening to Emperor Suomen deliver a torrent of platitudes, the awards ceremony commenced.
Finally, Chen Feng and the other two were granted the right to select one Low-grade Saint Artifact from the Empire's armory. Judy was absent, and her whereabouts unknown. Angelisa stood silently beside Chen Feng, seemingly unmoved by these rewards.
It was only when Emperor Suomen finally announced that the champion team would receive fifty thousand gold coins per person, along with an estate for each member, and the privilege to study in the Imperial Archives for ten days, that Chen Feng felt a slight stirring of interest.
Studying in the Imperial Archives for ten days would offer an incalculable benefit to his cultivation progress. However, Chen Feng still could not discern Emperor Suomen's true intentions or what game he was playing.
Next, Emperor Suomen did something that further baffled Chen Feng: he imprisoned Vernon and Georgery, who had disrupted the competition, consigning them to eternal incarceration!
What was the purpose of such an action? Why do it this way? Chen Feng wrestled with the puzzle, unable to find an answer.
After the awards ceremony concluded, Chen Feng was not summoned by Emperor Suomen. Instead, Stanley escorted him to a mansion.
This residence was far inferior to Marshal Elvis's estate, but it still possessed courtyards, separate buildings, and covered an area of over a thousand square meters.
"This is the reward from His Majesty; from now on, this is your residence!" Stanley stated.
"Mine?" Chen Feng blinked, momentarily unable to process the information.
Stanley nodded. "This is His Majesty's arrangement. You defeated the three great masters alone; you deserve a dedicated residence!" Stanley said calmly.
Chen Feng grew increasingly confused by Emperor Suomen's arrangements, but even greater mysteries lay ahead.
Upon moving in, Emperor Suomen had arranged everything comprehensively, from servants to the steward. Moreover, that very afternoon, a contingent of soldiers clad in heavy armor arrived—all of them Level Eight Fighters or above. Their purpose was to serve as the protective guard for Chen Feng's new residence...
If it were just this, Chen Feng might not have been so wary, but Emperor Suomen also bestowed countless treasures, such as fine silks, brocades, and fine steeds, making Chen Feng seem no different from a general returning triumphantly from war...
Naturally, Chen Feng was not swayed by these material gifts. He remained inwardly vigilant, constantly contemplating what the Emperor truly intended to achieve.
........................................................................................
Night had fallen, and a sliver of a crescent moon hung in the sky.
Chen Feng sat cross-legged in the courtyard, his body furiously absorbing the ambient elements drifting through the world.
His muscles seemed to breathe, flexing and relaxing, appearing somewhat rugged and powerful beneath his tight clothing.
"Kaka..." The vortex of Qi energy, condensed into droplet form within his Dantian, converged entirely toward the center. Deep inside his Dantian, a shallow liquid vortex had formed.
Though this vortex was shallow, it continuously gathered the drifting droplets. This meant that once the Qi vortex condensed into a liquid droplet, it would join this central whirlpool, causing it to slowly expand.
"Hoo..." Chen Feng let out a long breath and stood up. "I have finally reached the cultivation level of a Level Nine Fighter!"
Although he had been severely injured during the battle earlier that day, the recovery provided by the Divine Descent Restoration Technique had clearly brought great benefits to his internal structure. After cultivating tonight, he had managed to break through the bottleneck of Level Eight Fighter and reach Level Nine.
"Might as well press the advantage and advance to the Fighter Master realm!" Chen Feng mused. "With the cultivation of a Fighter Master, the capacity of the internal Qi vortex will increase, so I won't have to constantly worry about running low on vortex energy when using moves!"
"However, before I can consume the Heavenly Dragon Yang Fruit to advance, I must first consolidate my current Level Nine cultivation. Otherwise, I fear my body won't be able to withstand that surge of power!" Chen Feng made up his mind. He sat down cross-legged, quietly regulating his condition to consolidate his recently advanced cultivation.
An hour later, Chen Feng opened his eyes again, a sharp gleam shooting from them, like two small light bulbs in the darkness.
"My Level Nine cultivation is somewhat consolidated now; I can begin consuming the Heavenly Dragon Yang Fruit to advance!" With a flip of his wrist, the "oddly shaped" Heavenly Dragon Yang Fruit instantly appeared in his hand.
Looking at its bizarre appearance, Chen Feng frowned slightly, but knowing it was merely a fruit, he suppressed the urge to gag, sliced it in half, and, holding his breath, swallowed one portion.
As soon as the Heavenly Dragon Yang Fruit entered his stomach, his abdomen felt as if it were on fire, and an incomparably pure energy surged wildly toward his Dantian.
Chen Feng dared not hesitate. He quickly closed his eyes, focusing his mind to absorb the energy released by the fruit.
This energy was remarkably similar to the vortex energy. When Chen Feng had waited at the bottom of the valley for it to mature, he had absorbed a large portion of his cultivation due to this similarity. Even though the direction of the vortex had reversed and its color had changed, its essence remained unaltered.
However, even half a Heavenly Dragon Yang Fruit contained an overwhelming amount of energy. Under the impact of this energy, fine beads of sweat began to form on Chen Feng's brow.
The energy rushed in like a flood, constantly battering the Qi vortex in his Dantian. Only now did Chen Feng realize that having too much energy was not always a good thing.
The Qi vortex in his Dantian was like a small pond, and the energy from the Heavenly Dragon Yang Fruit was like the Yellow River. The Yellow River flowing over the pond could fill it, but it could just as easily destroy the pond!
The current vortex seemed like a pond on the verge of collapse, trembling under the impact of the Heavenly Dragon Yang Fruit's incredibly tyrannical energy flow, threatening to shatter.
If the vortex collapsed, it would be far worse than merely losing his cultivation; the uncontrolled energy flow could potentially blast Chen Feng into pieces.
Forcing down the tremor in his Dantian's vortex energy, Chen Feng gritted his teeth, a fierce resolve surging through him. He controlled this powerful energy, shaping it into a flow, and drove it directly toward the vortex.
"Kaka..." A light sound echoed from within the Dantian. The energy flow that charged forward did not collapse the vortex; instead, it condensed into several liquid droplets that fell into the center of the vortex.
"So that's how it is," Chen Feng finally understood. "No wonder they say the Heavenly Dragon Yang Fruit can elevate a Level Nine Fighter directly to a Fighter Master. It uses a massive energy flow to forcibly compress all the Qi vortex energy within the Dantian into liquid form!"
"A Level Nine Fighter has already mastered the most rudimentary channeling of energy flow, so they naturally won't reject the newly added liquid energy; this allows for perfect fusion. When all the gaseous energy condenses into liquid, it signifies that the Fighter Master level has been reached!"
Understanding dawned, and relief washed over him. He then focused all his attention on controlling the energy flow to strike the Qi vortex within his Dantian.
PS: The final chapter is here. Today was another 13,000+ characters; my head is spinning and I can barely hold on, but I finished early today. I hope some friends who are still awake will see this...
Monthly tickets are still quite far from the top six. Brothers and sisters, this is the final push! Let's sprint for the 12,000 minimum I promised for next month, and for our shared passion for the King of Fighters, cast your monthly tickets with all your might!
One Monthly Pass counts as two—submit yours and let’s advance together! Thank you all so much!!
(To be continued. For the rest of the story, please log on to www**com for more chapters, support the author, and support legitimate reading!) .