Gale, the First Form of the Nine Heavy Spears River

"Raging Wind Martial Hall discovers a super genius—private customization potion boosts physique by 99%!"

"Huaxia's new record is born! A 99% miracle—Raging Wind is on the verge of rising!"

"Four-level leap! Raging Wind Second Class Student Lin Zhen advances to First Class Student, sparking a private customization craze throughout the Base City."

Post after post appeared on Ice City's Martial Artist Forum, setting off a frenzy across the entire Base City and drawing countless people's attention.

Most of those posting were Raging Wind Martial Hall martial artists, spectators who had personally witnessed Lin Zhen's performance that day.

This was a sensational event. Many people even asked exactly what ratio Lin Zhen had used for his potion. If this method could be spread, it would be a tremendous blessing for the entire martial artist community. A 99% increase each time—how much overall strength would that add to martial artists?

But how could Lin Zhen possibly give them an answer? He only remembered his own data and had no way to match it for anyone else. He could only laugh it off, saying he had simply been lucky.

Still, the internet was not full of praise for Lin Zhen. There were also plenty of strange remarks.

For example, Ouyang Yu from Dragon Slayer Martial Hall posted under the name Meteor Shower.

"Although a 99% boost from Gene Serum is certainly impressive, in the end, it only helps a martial artist save some time. Three months? Half a year? Or a year? Lin Zhen's sudden jump in strength is too great, and it could easily make him swell with overconfidence. He might underestimate his enemies and charge recklessly into the Wilderness Area. Maybe this isn't a good thing at all—it could even get him killed. Only living martial artists have value. No matter how talented you are, once you're dead, you're useless. So, Lin Zhen, you should obediently stay at the martial hall and be your genius. As for me, I'm getting ready to enter the Wilderness Area."

That post actually won the approval of some people, mostly students from various martial halls, who furiously flamed Lin Zhen online.

Lin Zhen had come from the ranks of Second Class Students, yet his reputation was growing by the day. Those students were all proud and arrogant themselves, and soon many posts challenging Lin Zhen appeared online.

Naturally, Lin Zhen could not be bothered with them. Seeing that he did not respond, those people only became more brazen, claiming that Lin Zhen had merely gotten lucky with his huge improvement, that he would surely be a useless fool in actual combat, and that he would eventually fade into obscurity.

Of course, there was also a positive side. Students from every martial hall began training desperately, striving to take Gene Potion as soon as possible and surpass Lin Zhen.

After that, news continued to come in of people taking private customization potions, but none succeeded again.

Every martial artist harbored the desire to reach the peak, so Lin Zhen was not the only one who took private customization potions. But the success rate was truly chilling. No one managed another astonishing increase like Lin Zhen's. Instead, quite a few students with decent talent became ordinary after rashly taking private customization potions.

On the second day after Lin Zhen's breakthrough, Chen Jingchou of Changfeng Martial Arts Academy successfully took a private customization potion, increasing his physique by 79% and advancing to Level Seven Warrior.

On the third day after Lin Zhen's breakthrough, Lei Ming, a First Class Student from Dragon Slayer Martial Hall, successfully took a private customization potion, increasing his physique by 75% and advancing to Level Seven Warrior.

Though neither piece of news was anywhere near as shocking as Lin Zhen's 99% increase, they were still rare achievements for Ice City Base City. The people of Changfeng and Dragon Slayer were greatly encouraged, and they openly challenged Raging Wind Martial Hall and Lin Zhen online. Ouyang Yu in particular had become a steadfast Lin Hater.

Inside Dragon Slayer Martial Hall, Ouyang Yu had just finished writing another post trashing Lin Zhen and logged off when he received a call from Zhang Huai.

"It's time to meet with Lin Zhen and the others. It was your idea to have someone beat up Lin Zhen's father at my bar back then, so come with me."

"Brother Zhang, there won't be any danger, right?" Ouyang Yu had been knocked down by Lin Zhen's three punches that day. Though he had been drunk, Lin Zhen still left him somewhat fearful.

"Relax. I, Zhang Huai, was already going out to kill monsters when Lin Zhen was still just a little student. Even if he's making quite a name for himself now, he wouldn't dare act up in front of me. My title of Butcher isn't just for show. If I can't even protect you, I might as well quit the martial artist circle. Besides, the entire Blood Hand Squad will be going this time. Let's see what tricks those Raging Wind people can pull."

With Zhang Huai's assurance, Ouyang Yu immediately felt much more at ease. The Blood Hand Squad Zhang Huai belonged to was led by a Level Four War General. Lei Ming had also joined the Blood Hand Squad as an advanced student. With those people present, he had nothing to fear from Lin Zhen.

Riding in two Modified Off-Road Vehicles, the five members of Dragon Slayer Martial Hall's Blood Hand Squad, along with Ouyang Yu, headed straight for the place they had agreed to meet Lin Zhen and the others.

Inside Raging Wind Martial Hall, Zhao Liang stood with three martial artists outside the small training ground.

"Liangzi, Lin Zhen hasn't come out of the small training ground for three days. Isn't that guy training a little too hard?"

The speaker was Shi Lei, captain of the Demon Hunter Squad Zhao Liang belonged to. He was a Level Three War General skilled with a longsword and practiced Raging Wind Swordplay. He was a classic Raging Wind martial artist.

"Exactly. Training can be overdone, and no matter how hard he trains here, it can't compare to going out and hunting monsters. Liangzi, you should have a word with Lin Zhen later. Actual combat is what really matters. Flowers grown in a greenhouse can't mature."

This man was Gao Yan, a Level One War General and the squad's sniper.

A typical martial artist squad would have one or two martial artists using firearms. Long-range sniping was also an essential tactic. But those who used firearms basically had no chance of advancing to War God. Their main goal was to kill monsters and make money. Once they earned enough, many chose to quit and retire.

"Gao Yan is right. Lin Zhen's 99% increase was impressive, but he still hasn't proven his actual combat ability. Killing monsters and brawling in a bar are completely different things. Zhao Liang, you recommended Lin Zhen so strongly, so don't disappoint us. If he drags down the squad, I have no obligation to babysit children."

This man was Ye Tiancheng, a Level Two War General. He wielded dual swords and specialized in speed.

"Don't worry, you guys. I know Lin Zhen well. His combat awareness and mental will are both strong. If I didn't have some friendship with him, such a promising prospect probably wouldn't have fallen into our squad's hands. Just wait. The time is almost here. He should come out soon."

No one said anything more. They silently waited for the genius Lin Zhen Zhao Liang had spoken of to appear.

At that moment, Lin Zhen was at a critical juncture.

Having sealed himself inside the small training ground for three days, Lin Zhen had devoted all his energy to practicing spear techniques.

Nine Heavy Spears River was a set of ancient texts. No one knew how those texts had come into existence, but the techniques recorded within were exceptionally powerful.

In his previous life, Lin Zhen had bought the first volume. It mainly recorded the fundamentals of Spear Art, along with one ultimate move. It was precisely because of that move that martial artists could not directly learn the second volume. Without mastering the first, they simply could not connect to the second.

Lin Zhen had practiced continuously for three days. Over those three days, he had basically rediscovered the feeling of using a spear from his previous life.

What he lacked now was regaining mastery of the first spear technique he had once learned.

Soaked in sweat, Lin Zhen sat cross-legged on the ground. Mist rose from his body, while the Black Dragon Spear lay before him. His eyes were closed as he recalled the key points of the first spear technique.

"Nine Heavy Spears River is said to contain nine ultimate techniques: Gale, Rainstorm, Waterfall, Long River, Overturning River, Treading the Sea, Rending Sky, Falling Star, and Collapse. In my previous life, I learned Gale. Now, I need to master it again."

"I've already comprehended the essence of Gale. The only shortcoming is that this body is still a little weak. Although three days of hard training have brought my strength to the peak of Level Seven Warrior, it's still lacking a little."

"But that slight physical deficiency is nothing. It isn't a decisive factor. As long as I master Gale again, with this Spear Art and my exceptional Neural Reaction, I can handle a Level Nine Warrior. I might even be able to preserve my life against someone at the War General Initial Stage."

His mind replayed it all, recalling the insights of his previous life. Though Lin Zhen was indoors, a howling gale had already risen within his heart.

Smack!

With one hand, he lifted the hundred-and-fifty-pound Black Dragon Spear level with his chest. Lin Zhen slowly opened his eyes.

"Gale—a spear technique comprehended from the wind. When facing an enemy, it strikes like an invading gale: violent and fierce. It has remarkable effects against weaker opponents. With the longspear's unstoppable sharpness, short weapons have no way to resist. That is the advantage of a spear!"

Ha!

Lin Zhen felt that he had once again touched upon the true essence of Gale. He suddenly sprang up, his longspear trembling as it shot toward a soft dummy ten meters ahead.

The soft dummy was made from a new type of rubber and contained special materials that allowed it to automatically recover after being struck. It was the perfect training tool.

Lin Zhen flicked his longspear. The Black Dragon Spear traced an arc, an apparently ordinary thrust that suddenly changed!

Whoosh!

A gale rose from nowhere. A huge cluster of spear shadows flashed before him, surging and rolling forward like an exploding fireball in the night. Before the spear tip even touched the dummy's body, shallow pits appeared across its soft surface—injuries inflicted by the spear aura!

The wind rises!

The feeling from his previous life had returned!

"That's it. Returning to the peak, surpassing myself—it begins now!"