Chapter Sixty: Frozen Stillness! Blazing Fury!

"Are you going to admit defeat yourself now, or will you wait until I beat you into submission?" Shen Lingfeng’s cold eyes swept over Luo Tian as he asked indifferently.

Naturally, he didn't truly expect Luo Tian to give up right now; this was a deliberate provocation. If this boy were to walk away at this moment, the reputation he had built up thus far would inevitably suffer. Moreover, the path of cultivation is long and arduous—without a heart of courage, one’s future achievements would surely be limited.

"If I encounter someone I can't defeat, I’ll admit defeat. As for the rest, that’s unnecessary," Luo Tian replied with an icy composure. In a flash, he understood Shen Lingfeng’s intentions and responded with sharp wit, refusing to show weakness.

How could this man be so stubborn? Tang Yueran clenched her teeth. Shen Lingfeng was by no means a gentle soul. Luo Tian’s head-on retort would surely lead to suffering in the coming fight, and as long as it wasn’t fatal, Elder Liu Neng would definitely not intervene.

"Senior Brother Luo’s words really have some spirit!"

"Even if you lose, you can't lose face. He’s a late-stage Qi Condensation cultivator, after all—he can’t just surrender at the slightest threat."

"That’s true, but what did Senior Brother Luo eat to advance so quickly? He’s already reached the seventh cycle of Qi Condensation!"

The low murmuring of the outer disciples buzzed incessantly, but it did not affect the two preparing to do battle on the stage.

With a command from the inner disciple acting as referee, Shen Lingfeng immediately launched forward, his feet pounding rapidly against the ground with a staccato "da-da-da," like war drums beating at the hearts of the onlookers.

Though Luo Tian’s words had shown disdain for Shen Lingfeng, he was keenly aware that this was a formidable opponent.

Sun Huangkun came from a common family and received little attention in the Divine Sun Sect, lacking access to many resources and information. But Shen Lingfeng was different. Even if he wasn’t the most favored scion, he was still an outstanding member of the Shen family, and undoubtedly received ample guidance and support.

To fight him would require utmost caution.

Fire elemental energy surged within Luo Tian, and under his full exertion, a purple glow shimmered around him, rippling like the sweltering air above sun-baked earth in midsummer.

"This Luo Tian is truly extraordinary, and it doesn’t seem he’s advanced solely by consuming some rare elixir," Tang Yu commented, for once showing a grave expression.

"He’s diligently cultivated body-forging techniques, giving him a solid foundation. Moreover, he can refine the fire energy from heaven and earth. If nothing unexpected happens, he’s a prodigy," Chen Qingshan replied, his face serious and his tone doubtful. "Yet someone like him receives no special treatment from the sect? I can’t imagine why."

"This time, things will be different," Tang Yu said, glancing at Elder Liu Neng, who was watching Luo Tian intently. "I wager that after this match, Elder Liu will call him over for a talk."

Shen Lingfeng, of course, noticed Luo Tian’s state. He was slightly surprised by Luo Tian’s cultivation speed and solid foundation, but soon sneered coldly. Within the deep purple energy that enveloped him, a subtle chill began to emanate.

What is this?

Liu Neng sensed a change in Shen Lingfeng’s aura and was immediately startled. This Shen family youth was truly remarkable—he had actually grasped the essence of true intent.

Luo Tian, unperturbed by the strange sensation, charged forward like a wild bull. Unlike Shen Lingfeng’s rapid assault, Luo Tian’s every step was steady and heavy, the sound echoing like a hammer striking a drum—slow, but each step resonating with power.

Bull’s Charge? Wild Ox Stomp?

Shen Lingfeng’s mind flashed through several body-forging techniques, but he dismissed them with a shake of his head. Against his overwhelming might, what use were such techniques?

A punch straight to the chest!

Seeing Shen Lingfeng’s straightforward attack, Luo Tian felt underestimated and was immediately roused to fight back. He raised his arm high and brought it down with force, like an ape slapping its palm.

"Pa!"

Although Shen Lingfeng’s fist was powerful, Luo Tian was no weaker, and since this was not a direct clash but rather a redirection, his move was effective.

But as Luo Tian’s palm made contact with Shen Lingfeng, a sudden chill pierced him, like an icy dagger stabbing from his palm into his arm.

What is this?

Luo Tian immediately sensed danger and leaped back several steps, putting distance between them. Fire elemental energy surged from his dantian into his arm, trying to expel the invading cold.

Shen Lingfeng, however, only watched Luo Tian retreat, making no move to pursue. A casual, mocking smile played on his lips, like a cat toying with a mouse before its death.

Seeing Luo Tian recoil as if stung, Tang Yueran blinked in confusion, then a look of shock crossed her lovely face.

Could it be that Shen Lingfeng has mastered a water element true intent?

Otherwise, purely in terms of force, Luo Tian shouldn’t have been pushed back so decisively.

"Qingshan, what do you think?" Tang Yu asked gravely, looking at Shen Lingfeng. "This fellow is formidable! At the end of this tournament, his status in the Shen family will rival Shen Lingfei’s!"

"It should be the Frost Condensation True Intent," Chen Qingshan replied, staring at Shen Lingfeng’s confident face, somewhat dazed.

The legendary Nine Great True Intents—had he actually grasped one of them?

Though he was loath to admit it, Chen Qingshan knew that when it came to perception, he was far inferior to Shen Lingfeng.

"Of the water attribute true intents, the simplest is the True Intent of Control. Once you reach the Yuan Dan Realm, regardless of the type, you can comprehend it," Tang Yu said, recalling what his elders had told him. "My grandfather once said that the path of cultivation is the path of transforming the body into energy, and upon reaching the Yuan Dan Realm, one naturally masters the attribute corresponding to their core."

"That’s obvious. Every elemental true intent has the basic form of control," Chen Qingshan retorted. "But honestly, Shen Lingfeng is impressive. Comprehending Frost Condensation True Intent at the late Qi Condensation stage means he’ll likely grasp two, maybe even three, true intents at the Yuan Dan Realm, given his talent."

"The Shen family may produce some wastrels, but Shen Lingfeng’s talent is undeniable," Tang Yu replied with a sour note of envy and resentment. "That scoundrel, clearly not just comprehending it, yet he still joins the tournament to disgust us—shameless! I may not be a saint myself, but I’d never stoop so low!"

"True," Chen Qingshan agreed. "To grasp even a sliver of true intent at Qi Condensation is enough to warrant the highest level of family support, with far more resources and guidance than now. For him to fight us for Qi Condensation Pills is truly hateful."

"How does it feel?" Shen Lingfeng’s lips curled into a mocking smile. "If you admit defeat now, it’s not too late. The Shen family is not to be trifled with!"

"So it’s all because of that Shen Lingbo, the good-for-nothing?" Luo Tian continued to expel the chilling energy with his elemental force, golden light flashing from his eyes into Shen Lingfeng’s body, but he refused to back down. "He tried to step on me, so I trampled him. If you want to step on me, I’ll do the same to you!"

"Hahaha!" Shen Lingfeng laughed wildly, then abruptly stopped. "How overconfident! At the late stage of Qi Condensation, refining elemental energy and comprehending elemental true intent creates a vast gulf in strength! An ant challenging an eagle—don’t you find yourself laughable?"

As Shen Lingfeng taunted him mercilessly, Luo Tian did not retort, instead replaying Shen Lingfeng’s attacks and words in his mind.

That instant of chilling cold...

And what Shen Lingfeng had just said about elemental true intent...

Golden light roamed through Shen Lingfeng’s body, but Luo Tian felt a trace of anxiety.

He found nothing unusual. Everything seemed perfectly normal.

"Hmph, do you think I’ll let you off just because you’re silent?" Shen Lingfeng, seeing Luo Tian ignore him, was inwardly triumphant, knowing that his Frost Condensation True Intent had overwhelmed his opponent. With his earlier frustrations dispelled, he saw no reason to waste time on this upstart who dared provoke the Shen family. Like an arrow, he shot forward.

Elder Liu Neng shook his head slightly. Why did the Seventh Prince’s recruit not admit defeat? Could he not see the situation?

Fire energy is already at a disadvantage against water, let alone when Shen Lingfeng has mastered Frost Condensation True Intent. The gap between them is even greater.

What’s the point in stubbornly enduring a hopeless struggle?

Luo Tian’s meridians were broad and resilient, and his energy flowed faster and in greater quantity than most. He had already driven out all the chilling water energy that had invaded his body.

As Shen Lingfeng attacked again, Luo Tian instinctively wanted to dodge. But at the last moment, he forced himself to hold his ground.

Divine Sight—activate!

Luo Tian assumed a defensive stance, golden light flickering in his eyes, determined to withstand Shen Lingfeng’s attack and observe the changes in his energy.

This fool—doesn’t he realize the difference in their strength? Tang Yueran stamped her foot in frustration. Fearlessness in the face of adversity is the mark of a true cultivator, but knowingly fighting a losing battle—is that not just foolishness?

"Brother Luo, just admit defeat," Zhao Yang pleaded inwardly, knowing Luo Tian’s pride but now wishing he would retreat wisely. Though he didn’t know why Shen Lingfeng held such an advantage, Luo Tian’s defeat was inevitable.

What point is there in struggling on?

"Bang!" Shen Lingfeng swung his arm, his fist striking at the side of Luo Tian’s head.

Luo Tian did not retreat, raising his arm to block.

Still resisting me?

With a cold sneer, Shen Lingfeng showed no hesitation, using his fists, palms, elbows, knees, legs—every part of his body as a weapon.

Though the tournament did not prohibit weapons, most did not use them. After all, the goal was not to kill, and fists and feet were enough.

The muscles on Luo Tian’s body trembled, not from pain or fear, but as he recalled the techniques for dispersing force he had learned from serpent beast monsters.

He could dodge if he wanted, but he knew that only by forcing Shen Lingfeng to go all out would the flow of his energy become clear.

If he kept evading, Shen Lingfeng would reserve some strength each time, making it even harder to analyze his energy with Divine Sight.

"What, acting as a punching bag to vent my anger?" Shen Lingfeng gloated inwardly, pleased to be punishing the one who had humiliated Shen Lingbo, and anticipating the recognition and resources his mastery of Frost Condensation True Intent would bring. "Since you won’t concede, I’ll beat you until you do!"

If either combatant lost the ability to fight, an inner disciple at the Vein Flow Realm would immediately stop the match. So, though the fight was one-sided, no one feared for Luo Tian’s life.

But to suffer such a beating—wouldn’t it be better to surrender and save face?

Li Yang, ever pragmatic, considered shouting for Luo Tian to give in, but he knew it would only embarrass Senior Brother Luo, so he kept silent, worrying quietly.

Luo Tian felt his limbs grow numb and cold, as if an ordinary man stood naked in the heart of winter’s snow. His movements became less fluid, and even his blood seemed sluggish.

Yet with his Divine Sight, Luo Tian could clearly see that whenever Shen Lingfeng’s energy reached his fists, a trace of spirit animated it. It was no longer merely refined energy, but akin to the real frost and chill of the natural world.

All things possess spirit, and once a cultivator comprehends an elemental true intent, their power is no longer lifeless.

What exactly had changed in Shen Lingfeng’s water energy to create this chill?

Water energy. Cold.

Luo Tian pondered the connection, then suddenly realized—why separate them? Cold is an aspect of water itself; the true intent is the manifestation of the element’s own qualities, not some independent force.

Though Shen Lingfeng’s smile seemed warm, Luo Tian felt a creeping chill, as if the man might turn to ice at any moment.

If he wanted to resist this chill...

Luo Tian’s fire energy roared within him, growing even more violent.

Temperature?

As this thought formed, the purple glow on Luo Tian’s body flickered like real flames, radiating palpable heat.

A gust of breath.

His fire energy remained unchanged in nature, yet somehow took on an indefinable quality.

The chill that had ravaged his body was now completely expelled. Instead, a wave of warmth suffused him, comforting rather than oppressive.

"Get back!" Luo Tian suddenly roared, his eyes blazing with fiery battle spirit. His fist lashed out like a dragon!

Elder Liu Neng rose abruptly from his seat upon the earthen pillar, his hoarse voice filled with disbelief and shock: "The True Intent of Blazing Heat?!"