The last person to be disqualified was Shang Jifeng, someone within the Serpent Fowl List’s top 100. He had always maintained a low profile. He spent most of his time cultivating and had little contact and very few disputes with anyone. At a glance, his cultivation level was peak first-stage Dragon Ascension Realm, but in truth, he had already reached mid first-stage.
Someone with his strength could easily challenge the Jiao Luan List. For some reason, he was here hiding his strength, as if he was afraid that someone would discover his secret. Due to a lack of information, Xiang Shaoyun did not dare to recruit him.
A look of astonishment flashed in Shang Jifeng’s eyes as he said, “You’re actually able to see my true strength? Your nine-star physique is indeed extraordinary. However, are you kicking me out after learning of my true strength because you are afraid that one day I will overshadow you?”
“It’s good to be confident, but it’s also important to have the strength to back the confidence,” said Xiang Shaoyun expressionlessly.
“You are absolutely right. I hereby challenge you to a duel. If you can defeat me, I will stay and lend you my hand. However, I have to make it clear that I do not have any contribution points to wager for the duel,” said Shang Jifeng with a carefree shrug.
His main goal was to witness how strong Xiang Shaoyun actually was. After he left his recent seclusion, he had heard of Xiang Shaoyun’s deeds over and over again, including Li Haonan’s defeat.
Of course, that was only one of the reasons he wanted to challenge Xiang Shaoyun. His other reason was that both of them were similarly special-recruits picked up by Xiao Wei. Xiao Wei had once praised Xiang Shaoyun before him. Since then, he had wanted to challenge Xiang Shaoyun.
“Forget it. I have no interest in you,” Xiang Shaoyun refused flatly.
He already had 10 recruits. Although they seemed slightly lacking when compared with Shang Jifeng, they were still decent recruits. The questions he had asked them might seem simple, but he was judging their souls with his filthless soul. Through their soul undulations, he was able to detect their lies.
And that was how he had selected the 10 recruits he had here. Of course, further observation was required to see if they were really truthful.
After a short thought, Shang Jifeng finally decided to speak his true thoughts, “Actually, both of us are special-recruits of Elder Xiao Wei. That is the reason for my challenge. Of course, if you insist on refusing the duel, I have nothing to say.”
Xiang Shaoyun smiled. “Ok. That is a decent reason. I accept your challenge, but we will fight in a different way.”
“How so?” Shang Jifeng asked.
“I can sense that you cultivate the power of wind. Let’s compete in speed. If I win, you will join the Overlord Legion and serve me. If I lose, I will give you 10 drops of dragon liquid. Of course, you can even snatch the Overlord title from me if you want,” said Xiang Shaoyun confidently.
Shang Jifeng roared with laughter and said, “Hahaha, very well. I accept.”
If they had to compete in terms of combat prowess, Shang Jifeng felt it could go both ways. But if it was a competition of speed, he was confident he had a 90 percent chance of winning.
After all, he was a wind cultivator who had also comprehended footwork intent. In fact, he was also known as the Wind of Destruction. Just his nickname made it clear his comprehension of the power of wind surpassed that of many others.
“Ok. Let’s do it outside,” said Xiang Shaoyun. He could see Shang Jifeng’s confidence, but he was filled with confidence as well. He wouldn’t have suggested such a method of competition otherwise.
The two headed toward a location within the academy with sparse people and selected a random mountain as their destination. The first to arrive would be the winner. After Shang Jifeng voiced his agreement, the two began.
Like two arrows let loose from a bow, the two shot forth at an astonishing speed. Initially, they were shoulder to shoulder. But as Shang Jifeng displayed his top speed, he started pulling away.
“Xiang Shaoyun, if this is the limit of your speed, that will be very disappointing of you,” said Shang Jifeng with a provocative tone before his entire person seemed to blend into the wind. His ethereal figure continued flying forward at a speed so fast his body blurred, leaving behind a trail of afterimages.
Xiang Shaoyun did not dare to hold back, and he quickly stirred the power of the yin devil wind within him. Using the Overlord’s Nine Nether Steps and footwork intent, he gave chase.
When Shang Jifeng sensed Xiang Shaoyun catching up to him, a look of astonishment covered his face as he thought, He has actually comprehended footwork intent? Well, it still isn’t possible for him to defeat me in speed.
All eight of his stars erupted with power at the same time as he used wondrous footwork to once again pull ahead of Xiang Shaoyun. His cultivation base was higher than Xiang Shaoyun, and he focused only on the power of wind. He had also perfected the first stage of footwork intent, and it worked alongside his high-level footwork technique. He believed that apart from Feng Xiaosha, nobody in Dragon Phoenix Academy could compete against him in terms of speed.
Looks like I need to use my real strength, thought Xiang Shaoyun when he saw Shang Jifeng approach the finish line. Lightning rippled out from his feet, increasing the strength of his legs as his speed went up another notch.
The lightning was a sign that he was pushing the Overlord’s Nine Nether Steps to his limit and enhancing the technique with lightning power to create a unique effect. However, he was only able to slightly shorten the distance between him and Shang Jifeng. At present, the two were moving at even speed. If he didn’t take his heavy armor off, catching up seemed impossible.
With victory in reach, Shang Jifeng’s face was full of smiles as he turned his head back and looked at Xiang Shaoyun with a toying look. “Xiang Shaoyun, your defeat is already certain.”
However, he had barely uttered those words when a change occurred with Xiang Shaoyun yet again. A pair of white energy wings sprouted from his back. With a gentle flap, his speed increased yet again.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
In a flash, Xiang Shaoyun caught up with Shang Jifeng. He then went ahead of Shang Jifeng, placing his foot on the mountain. Shang Jifeng, who was only a step behind, stared at Xiang Shaoyun blankly. Evidently, he had yet to recover from the shock of defeat.
“Thank you for taking it easy on me,” said Xiang Shaoyun with his hands cupped. One could say that he had to do all he could to win the race.
Inwardly, he lamented, I was still too careless. If I had taken the armor off at the start, the victory wouldn’t have been this close.
When Shang Jifeng recovered, he stepped toward Xiang Shaoyun and bowed in a straightforward manner, “Shang Jifeng greets the Overlord.”
