LIGHT NOVEL Chapter 176: Registration For Dragon and Phoenix Competition
Shen Ming wasn't the only one.
There were a few geniuses pursuing Ling Mieyu who didn't like the Feng Clan because of it.
Although the engagement between Feng Yun and Ling Mieyu had been canceled, they viewed the former engagement as if Feng Yun had already touched the prize they desired.
It was a petty reason, but a reason nonetheless!
Additionally, there were clans affiliated with the Mystic Flame Sect and Spirit Wind Palace, and due to conflicts between the Feng Clan and them, they harbored animosity.
Feng Clan's participants felt those hostile gazes and grew even more nervous.
After all, their enemies were numerous, and each of them had powerful backing far superior to their own.
"Don't worry too much about them. As long as I am here, I assure you that nobody can hurt you. Just focus on the competition and ignore those stares," Feng Chen said.
The mood of Feng Clan's participants immediately shifted.
( That's right, so what if they are from powerful clans? Is our clan weak? No! With Family Head here, what can they do? )
They quickly realized that while their opponents had their own support, they had the greatest and most formidable backing anyone could ask for.
Feng Chen smiled as he noticed their spirits lift.
At first glance, they seemed like prey walking straight into the tiger's mouth, an easy target for the predators lying in wait.
However, in this case, it was impossible to determine who was the hunter and who was the hunted.
The prey might prove to be far more formidable than anticipated, and the tiger could find itself struggling to swallow what it thought was an easy meal.
Many geniuses here believed they could defeat Feng Clan's participants, particularly Feng Yun, with ease.
Although Feng Yun's talents and achievements were known, many didn't fully believe in them.
Even if they did, they felt there was a difference between talent and actual strength.
Moreover, Feng Yun was only 18 years old, and many didn't think he would be that formidable.
After all, there is a big difference of 5 years between Feng Yun and the oldest participants allowed.
Even with talent, it isn't easy to close such a huge gap in cultivation time.
The grand stadium gates loomed ahead as the Feng Clan approached the registration area, where streams of participants from various clans were gathering.
The air buzzed with anticipation and tension as each participant prepared to prove themselves worthy of entering the prestigious Dragon and Phoenix Competition.
A massive board stood near the entrance, inscribed with the competition's requirements. The most notable rules caught everyone's attention:
"Minimum Cultivation Level: Core Formation Stage.
Maximum Age: 23 years."
The Feng Clan group moved forward to register.
A stern-looking official sat at the desk, a bone-measuring artifact in his hand.
The crystalline surface shimmered with faint light as it was pressed against each participant's forearm, glowing softly to verify their age.
Beside him, another official held a jade token that glowed faintly as it scanned each participant's cultivation level, confirming whether they met the minimum requirement of the Core Formation Stage.
"Mid-Level Core Formation Stage. Passed!"
"Next!"
The official shouted.
Feng Jianhong stepped forward, his expression calm but resolute as he placed his arm on the bone-measuring artifact.
The crystalline surface shimmered with a pale light, and the official's gaze sharpened as he observed the reading.
"Age: 21. Go and check your cultivation level! Next!"
The official said.
The crowd murmured softly, watching as Feng Jianhong moved to the next station where the jade token awaited to verify his cultivation level.
"What do you think his cultivation level will be?"
Someone whispered from the sidelines.
With Feng Jianhong going through the registration process, many were curious about his cultivation level and were paying close attention to him.
"Hard to say. The rise of the Feng Clan has been recent, but only Feng Yun and Feng Mei seem to have good talent. I haven't heard of any achievements from other geniuses of the Feng Clan."
Another replied skeptically.
"Exactly. I'd wager he's at most Mid Core Formation Stage."
A Peak Level Core Formation Stage participant said mockingly.
Advancing to the Core Formation Stage under age 23 was difficult, and Feng Jianhong was already 21.
Even the one who had mocked him had only recently broken through to the Peak Level Core Formation Stage just before the competition and was already 22.
That's why he didn't think some unknown member of the Feng Clan would do better than him, or even match his level. Your next chapter is on empire
Unlike Feng Jianhong, he at least had a few achievements under his belt and was somewhat famous.
Had he known it was Feng Yun, he might not have said those words, but he had never heard of Feng Jianhong and naturally looked down on him.
After all, any truly powerful genius would have already made a name for themselves. Even the most reclusive ones would have some reputation preceding them.
However, he had never heard of Feng Jianhong and assumed he wasn't that strong.
And many shared the same sentiment.
Feng Jianhong, however, paid no attention to those people and walked towards the place where the cultivation level was checked.
Feng Jianhong pressed his hand against the jade token, and the artifact flared with a radiant golden glow.
"T-This…"
The official's eyes widened in disbelief. He leaned forward, scrutinizing the glowing token as if doubting its accuracy.
"Wait a moment," he said, his voice tight with uncertainty.
"Can you please test again?"
Feng Jianhong raised an eyebrow but complied, placing his hand on the token once more.
The artifact flared again.
The official's hands trembled as he double-checked the readings, sweat beading on his forehead.
Finally, he straightened up, his voice shaky as he announced, "E-Early-Level Grand Qi Condensation Stage… P-Passed!"
The declaration echoed through the area, drawing gasps and murmurs from the surrounding crowd.
It was clear the official was as shocked as everyone else by the result.
The murmurs in the crowd immediately grew louder, tinged with surprise and disbelief.
"G-Grand Qi Condensation?"
The Peak Level Core Formation Stage participant, who had wagered that Feng Jianhong couldn't be higher than Mid-Level Core Formation Stage, stammered in disbelief.
"That's impossible! How could he be in the Grand Qi Condensation Realm?"
"Is there even a need for people to go through the selection process? He is already comparable to those geniuses from powerful sects."
"Damn! Feng Clan, not only has Feng Yun and Feng Mei, but even someone like him who is already in the Grand Qi Condensation Realm? I'm really envious!"
…
People were disbelieving to hear about Feng Jianhong's cultivation level.
One moment, they thought that Feng Jianhong was nobody and in the next, he turned out to be an absolute genius.
A 21 year old Grand Qi Condensation Realm expert!
Feng Jianhong stepped aside, his expression unchanged, though a glimmer of pride flickered in his eyes.
Next, it was Feng Liang's turn to have his cultivation level measured, and the crowd watched more intently than ever before.
( He couldn't also be in the Grand Qi Condensation Realm, right? )