Chapter 247: Conflict

On the mountain path, Zhou Yuan looked at Lu Feng, who stood before him with one hand behind his back, his eyes coldly fixed on Zhou Yuan. Zhou Yuan's brows furrowed slightly.

Though Lu Feng's gaze held no overt disdain, Zhou Yuan sensed an air of superiority, as if Lu Feng considered himself above everyone else, looking down on others.

This kind of look was even more irritating than overt scorn or contempt, for it implied that no matter what one did, Lu Feng still believed himself to be inherently nobler.

Therefore, facing Lu Feng, Zhou Yuan slowly began, "First, I have no grievance with you, and as for stepping on you, I have no interest..."

"Because I don't see stepping on you as anything remarkable."

"I don't typically seek trouble, so I hope trouble doesn't find me. But if someone presumptuously offers their head, I won't mind actually stepping on it."

"So, please move aside, okay?"

His eyes, fixed on Lu Feng, glinted with a subtle sharpness.

Lu Feng was momentarily stunned. He seemingly hadn't expected Zhou Yuan, far from showing fear or evasion, to instead confront him with such direct and sharp defiance.

"Heh..."

A shadow crept into Lu Feng's already cold eyes. He stared at Zhou Yuan, pondering for a moment before speaking, "...What gives you the delusion that you can speak to me like that?"

"Is it because you won against an inner mountain disciple in a Genesis Art competition?"

Lu Feng slowly stepped forward, stopping directly in front of Zhou Yuan, barely a foot separating them. Zhou Yuan's calm, youthful face was reflected in Lu Feng's cold eyes as he spoke softly, "Zhou Yuan, in that small place you came from, you might have been able to throw your weight around and enjoy your status as a favored son. But you truly need to understand where you are now..."

"This is the Saint Continent, the Cangxuan Sect..."

"The person standing before you is from the Lu family of Saint Continent. My Lu family is considered a prominent clan here on the Saint Continent... a level you probably aren't familiar with."

"One of my elders is an elder of Sword Cometh Peak in the Cangxuan Sect, and my cousin is a personal disciple of the Sword Cometh Peak Master..."

Lu Feng stared at Zhou Yuan with keen interest. Every word he uttered seemed to carry immense pressure; he clearly intended to convey that his background was far beyond anything the insignificant Zhou Yuan could compare to.

If an ordinary disciple were here and heard his words, they would likely feel some fear.

Unfortunately, Zhou Yuan's gaze remained calm and unruffled.

Seeing Zhou Yuan's stillness, Lu Feng seemed to believe he had intimidated him. He then subtly curled his lips into an almost imperceptible smirk, extended his hand, and lightly reached towards Zhou Yuan's face.

"So, please stay away from Hongyi, alright?"

His palm was seized by Zhou Yuan's hand just an inch from Zhou Yuan's face.

Zhou Yuan stared at Lu Feng, frowning slightly. "I originally thought that since you're called the top outer mountain disciple, you'd at least have some real capability. I didn't expect you to be so pathetic..."

"What did you say?" Lu Feng's eyes darkened.

Zhou Yuan held Lu Feng's hand, shaking his head. "If you, Lu Feng, had talked about your own abilities, I might have actually considered you someone significant. But instead, you're boasting about your background. So what if your Lu family is powerful? Can they control the Cangxuan Sect?"

"If they could, you wouldn't need to waste so many words with me; you'd have already kicked me out of the Cangxuan Sect."

"So, your so-called background has no effect on me."

Zhou Yuan looked at the cold-faced Lu Feng, a faint smirk slowly appearing on his lips. "Lu Feng, Gu Hongyi is simply practicing the Vanishing Art with me. If you can change her mind, then go talk to her."

"As for me, I've taken her tuition, and as long as she comes, I will teach her."

"And your thoughts are of no interest to me whatsoever."

"If you want to do something, just make your move directly. There's no need for these pretentious, repeated warnings. As for your background, if you can truly get them to deal with me, then by all means, go ahead..."

With each sentence Zhou Yuan uttered, Lu Feng's expression grew darker. By the time Zhou Yuan finished speaking, a storm was already brewing on Lu Feng's handsome face.

Zhou Yuan's utterly dismissive words made Lu Feng feel a deep sense of humiliation.

He couldn't believe how a kid with no background dared to speak to him like that!

"Originally, I didn't want to resort to the common methods of people like Zhu Feng or Zhu Yue to make you back off. But it seems you're the kind of person who won't shed tears until you see the coffin!"

"Zhou Yuan, since you wish to die, I shall grant your wish!" Lu Feng's eyes became chillingly cold. The next instant, a fierce and violent surge of Genesis Qi erupted from within him.

"Let's see what punishment I'll receive for beating you to death right here, today!"

The ground beneath his feet cracked at that very moment.

Lu Feng clenched his hand into a fist and punched, subtly distorting the air before him. Potent Genesis Qi surged like crashing thunder, his fist hurtling straight towards Zhou Yuan's chest.

Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly. His body instantly blurred, like a wisp of smoke, drifting backward.

Although Lu Feng's punch was ferocious, Zhou Yuan was prepared. With the Vanishing Art, he completely evaded the force of the blow.

However, some residual force still pierced through the space. Zhou Yuan opened his mouth, and a stream of golden Genesis Qi burst forth, deflecting the incoming force.

"Today, I'll make you realize that no matter how fast you run, you're nothing but a rabbit!" Lu Feng's face was grim. The next instant, he pushed off the ground, his speed surging dramatically as he lunged directly at Zhou Yuan.

Boom! Boom!

Violent Genesis Qi continuously erupted from his body, shaking the surrounding trees so violently they snapped in half.

Watching Lu Feng prepare to unleash his full power, Zhou Yuan also snorted coldly. The Genesis Qi within him erupted instantly; golden Genesis Qi surged from the crown of his head, subtly forming the shape of a colossal golden python.

"Lu Feng, stop right there!"

However, just as Lu Feng charged forward, a furious shout suddenly rang out. Then, a fiery red whip shadow descended from above, lashing fiercely towards Lu Feng.

The air was torn by the whip, and Lu Feng's figure paused, then drifted back.

He looked up to see Gu Hongyi on a nearby rock, her pretty face grim. The crimson long whip in her hand seemed to burn with flames, even melting the ground.

Gu Hongyi sternly declared, "Lu Feng, if you continue to pull these stunts behind my back, even if our families are on good terms, I will not let you off easily!"

Lu Feng frowned slightly and said indifferently, "Hongyi, this is merely a dispute between him and me."

"As his senior brother, it is my duty to teach Junior Brother Zhou Yuan how to conduct himself. Otherwise, with his personality, he will only cause more trouble in the future."

However, he shook his head, knowing that with Gu Hongyi's arrival, he couldn't do anything more to Zhou Yuan today. His Genesis Qi gradually receded, and he looked at Zhou Yuan with cold, ominous eyes, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Zhou Yuan, she can protect you for a moment, but not forever..."

"Since you're so defiant... then I'll have a good time playing with you. But be careful, don't let me play you to death..."

With those words, Lu Feng wasted no more breath and simply turned and walked away.

Zhou Yuan watched his retreating figure, his eyes narrowing slightly, a dangerous glint flickering within them. He murmured to himself.

"Lu Feng..."

"I wasn't joking with you either. If you truly insist on offering your head..."

"Then I really will step on it."