Crimson Blood Ginseng

Wang Yuan naturally heard the bet between Shi Long and Zhao Chuan.

Crimson Blood Ginseng and Bone Quenching Paste were both good things.

But his heart remained calm; instead, he sighed inwardly.

"Fighting purely with brute force won't do; I need to practice technique."

"I was a college student in my past life, after all. I need to use my brain."

Wang Yuan steadied himself and decided that the main purpose of this spar was to hone the newly learned Mountain Breaking Spear Technique.

He would try his best to restrain the terrifying strength granted by his Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone, focusing instead on the changes and responses within the spear forms.

"Please!"

"Please!"

The two men exchanged courtesies.

Then... the spar began.

Li Liang intended to show off in front of everyone and also harbored a desire to put Wang Yuan in his place.

As soon as he moved, he unleashed the exquisite moves of the Flowing Cloud Spear Technique.

His wrists flicked and spun, and his white wax wood spear seemed to come alive, transforming into ethereal and unpredictable flowing clouds. Sometimes it coiled like mist, sealing off all directions.

Other times, it was like a sudden storm, striking with lightning speed!

The spear tip sliced through the air, creating "chi chi" sounds as it enveloped Wang Yuan's vital points.

Wang Yuan strictly adhered to the three basic stances of the Mountain Breaking Spear Technique.

He used "Cloud Break" to counter direct thrusts, "Mountain Collapse" to block sweeps, and "Moon Lift" to neutralize subtle force.

However, he had deliberately restrained his strength and was also new to the technique.

His spearplay appeared rather stiff and clumsy. Under Li Liang's skilled and fluid offensive, which flowed like moving clouds and water, he was immediately put on the defensive, retreating step by step, barely able to parry.

"With just this level of skill, you dare to come to my Flowing Cloud Martial Hall to spar with spear techniques?"

"Truly, you don't know the immensity of heaven and earth!"

Seeing this, Li Liang's disdain grew. He taunted Wang Yuan, his spear attacks becoming even more fierce.

"Senior Brother Li is mighty!"

"Let him see the power of the Flowing Cloud Spear Technique!"

"Panshi Fist Academy should go back and practice their punches! Spear techniques aren't suited for you, haha."

The disciples of Flowing Cloud Martial Hall, seeing Li Liang's absolute advantage, cheered him on excitedly.

Zhao Ling'er even clapped her hands in applause, her gaze towards Li Liang filled with adoration.

"I knew Senior Brother Li would definitely defeat this ugly monster..."

However, Wang Yuan, who was at a disadvantage, showed no signs of dejection on his face. Instead, a hint of excitement could be faintly seen.

Because under the pressure of Li Liang's stormy offensive.

His mind was highly concentrated, his brain working at high speed, constantly recalling, verifying, and adjusting the key points taught by Zheng Shan.

Every block, every dodge, every counter-attack deepened his understanding of the Mountain Breaking Spear Technique.

It seemed even the white wax wood spear in his hand was becoming more comfortable to wield.

'So this move, 'Cloud Break,' isn't just about charging forward; it also requires footwork and a combination of reality and illusion...'

'For the 'Mountain Collapse' stance, the force shouldn't be too old; there should be room left to change moves at any time...'

'The subtle force of 'Moon Lift' is perfect for this moment!'

He was immersed in the world of the spear technique, completely ignoring the taunts from the outside.

In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged dozens of moves.

The ease and disdain on Li Liang's face gradually disappeared, replaced by a hint of surprise and solemnity.

He realized that although he still held the advantage on the surface, forcing Wang Yuan to retreat constantly.

The opponent's defense was becoming increasingly tight, and his counter-attacks could occasionally threaten him.

What shocked him even more was that after fighting for so long, the opponent's aura showed no signs of disturbance.

The strength transmitted through the spear shaft remained as powerful and steady as ever!

"Strange, how can this guy's Blood Essence be so long-lasting and vigorous?"

Li Liang was inwardly astonished.

However, after a few more exchanges.

Li Liang discovered with horror that he was actually struggling to suppress Wang Yuan.

The opponent's seemingly clumsy spearplay seemed to be growing rapidly in the midst of the battle.

Often, just as his old strength was exhausted and new strength had not yet arisen, Wang Yuan would find an opening to counter-attack, forcing him to retreat and defend.

"We can't keep dragging this out!"

Li Liang's eyes sharpened.

After all, he was a genius with Minor Accomplishment in spear techniques and possessed rich combat experience.

In another exchange, he keenly captured an extremely subtle pause and opening when Wang Yuan transitioned his spear technique.

"Now!"

Li Liang roared inwardly, his Blood Essence instantly erupting to its limit.

The killing move from the Flowing Cloud Spear Technique—"Cloud Dragon Appears"—was suddenly unleashed.

His spear seemed to accelerate like a phantom.

At an extremely tricky angle, it bypassed Wang Yuan's block and thrust directly at his undefended left shoulder.

This spear thrust was fast! Accurate! Ruthless!

It condensed all his cultivation from a Minor Accomplishment in Blood Change and the essence of his spear technique.

But the moment he thrust his spear...

Li Liang saw Wang Yuan pause slightly as if caught off guard, his spear not immediately returning to defend.

"He didn't react! It's over!"

A smile involuntarily crept onto Li Liang's lips.

He could already hear the cheers about to erupt from the Junior Brothers and Sisters behind him.

He was even contemplating how to gracefully withdraw his spear and say a few perfunctory words.

Meanwhile, Wang Yuan's momentary daze was not due to panic.

Instead, a thought flashed through his mind:

"Hmm? This guy's Flowing Cloud Spear Technique variations seem to be all he has. The way he exerts force, the combination of feints and real attacks, I've experienced them all."

"The purpose of this spar has been achieved."

"It's time to end this..."

Just as Li Liang was about to thrust his spear into the target and then smoothly withdraw it to declare victory.

He suddenly felt the atmosphere around him was off.

The expected cheers didn't come; instead, there was dead silence.

He tried to pull his spear back, but it felt like the tip was clamped tightly in iron pincers, unmoving!

He looked down in shock.

Wang Yuan, at some unknown point, had used his left hand to firmly grasp the tip of his white wax wood spear.

Those five fingers were like cast iron, unyielding no matter how much he exerted force.

"This... how is this possible?"

Li Liang's pupils constricted, his face filled with disbelief.

"Catching a weapon barehanded?"

"And during his full-power attack?"

"Is this guy really just a Martial Artist at the Blood Change stage?"

Wang Yuan looked up at the horrified Li Liang.

A brilliant smile appeared on his dark, clear face, his white teeth exceptionally striking:

"Yes, Senior Brother Li, it's time to end this."

Before his voice even faded, Wang Yuan's left hand, gripping the spear tip, suddenly exerted force.

"Crack!"

"Crack! Crack--!"

The hard white wax wood spear began to splinter from the tip, shattering inch by inch.

Splinters flew everywhere!

At the same time, Wang Yuan's spear, like a long-dormant enraged dragon, executed a simple, direct horizontal sweep.

"Bang!"

An irresistible, terrifying force struck. Li Liang felt a sharp pain in his waist.

He was hit like he'd been struck by a charging giant elephant, his feet leaving the ground as he was sent flying horizontally.

He crashed heavily onto the ground several meters away, rolling several times before stopping, covered in dust and looking utterly disheveled.

Even the half-broken spear shaft in his hand clattered to the side.

The entire training ground of the Flowing Cloud Martial Hall fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone stared, dumbfounded, at the dark, sturdy teenager standing in the center of the arena with his spear lowered, his breathing steady.

They then looked at Li Liang on the ground, struggling to get up but temporarily unable to due to the intense pain and shock.

"What?"

"Didn't Li Liang have the advantage just now?"

The smile on Head Instructor Zhao Chuan's face had long since frozen, his eyes filled with extreme shock and a hint of confusion.

"Senior Brother Li actually lost..."

Zhao Ling'er covered her mouth, her beautiful eyes wide, as if she had witnessed something incredible.

The disciples of the Flowing Cloud Martial Hall who had been cheering for Li Liang moments before were now frozen in place, unable to make a sound.

Shi Long stroked his chin and chuckled, extending a large hand to Zhao Chuan, who hadn't snapped out of his daze yet.

"Head Instructor Zhao, thank you for the match. I won't be polite and will take that Crimson Blood Ginseng!"

In the arena, Wang Yuan gently exhaled a breath of stale air, feeling the clearer spear technique insights in his mind, quite satisfied with the gains from this battle.

Strength, when it needs to be used, must be used.

One must learn to be adaptable!

Meanwhile, Zhao Chuan's face turned from pale to ashen, his chest heaving violently.

He felt a surge of frustration stuck in his throat, unable to go up or down.

But under everyone's watchful eyes, the bet had been made.

If his Flowing Cloud Martial Hall reneged, their reputation would be utterly ruined.

He gritted his teeth and squeezed out a few words almost from between his clenched jaws:

"...Give... him!"

A disciple beside him quickly ran into the inner hall and, after a short while, emerged holding an exquisite jade box, which he carefully handed to Zhao Chuan.

Zhao Chuan took the jade box, his fingers trembling slightly white from exertion. In the end, with immense reluctance, he shoved it into Shi Long's hand almost as if he were throwing it.

Shi Long didn't care how he felt.

He happily opened the jade box and took a look.

Inside lay a root that was entirely crimson, shaped like a small person, and exuded a rich aura of Blood Essence – it was undoubtedly the Crimson Blood Ginseng.

Shi Long closed the lid with satisfaction and casually stuffed it into Wang Yuan's arms, saying in a deep voice, "Junior Brother, take this!"

"This is the prize for your victory. Go back and replenish yourself!"