Crimson Blood Ginseng

Wang Yuan naturally heard the wager between Shi Long and Zhao Chuan as well.

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

Yet his heart remained still, and he even sighed inwardly.

"Fighting with brute force alone won't do. What I need to train is technique."

"I was a college student in my previous life, at the very least. I need to use my brain."

Wang Yuan steadied himself and decided that the main purpose of this spar was to temper the Mountain Breaking Spear Technique he had just learned.

He would restrain as much as possible the terrifying strength bestowed by Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone and focus on the variations and responses of his spear techniques.

"Please!"

"Please!"

The two exchanged polite courtesies.

Then... the spar began.

Li Liang intended to show off before the crowd, and he also wanted to give Wang Yuan a warning from the very start.

The moment he stepped up, he displayed the exquisite moves of the Flowing Cloud Spear Technique.

His wrist flickered, and the White Wax Wood spear seemed to come alive, transforming into streams of elusive, unfathomable flowing clouds—at times like mist curling around the air, sealing off all directions.

At other times, it was like a violent storm, stabbing out with lightning speed!

The spear tip tore through the air with sharp hissing sounds, shrouding the vital points around Wang Yuan's body.

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

He used Cloud Break against direct thrusts, Mountain Collapse to block sweeping strikes, and Moon Lift to dissolve skillful force.

But he deliberately held back his strength, and he had only just begun practicing.

His spear technique appeared rather raw and clumsy. Under Li Liang's practiced, fluid offensive, flowing like clouds and running water, he was immediately left trying to prop up the east wall while tearing down the west, retreating step by step and barely managing to defend himself.

"With this little skill, you dare come to our Flowing Cloud Martial Hall to spar with spears?"

"You truly don't know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth!"

Seeing this, Li Liang's disdain deepened. He mocked Wang Yuan aloud as the attacks of his spear grew increasingly fierce.

"Senior Brother Li is mighty!"

"Let him see how formidable the Flowing Cloud Spear Technique is!"

"Panshi Fist Academy should go back to practicing fists! Spear techniques don't suit you, haha!"

Seeing Li Liang hold an absolute advantage, the disciples of Flowing Cloud Martial Hall all shouted excitedly in support.

Zhao Ling'er clapped and cheered as well, her gaze toward Li Liang filled with admiration.

"I knew Senior Brother Li would defeat that ugly freak!"

Yet Wang Yuan, who was at a disadvantage, showed no frustration on his face. Instead, a faint trace of excitement appeared there.

Because beneath the pressure of Li Liang's storm-like offensive—

His mind became intensely focused, his thoughts racing as he continuously recalled, verified, and adjusted the key points Zheng Shan had taught him.

Every block, every dodge, every counterattack deepened his understanding of the Mountain Breaking Spear Technique.

Even the White Wax Wood spear in his hand seemed to be growing more and more obedient.

So this move, Cloud Break, isn't simply about charging forward with all your strength. It also needs footwork, blending substance and feint...

The force of Mountain Collapse can't be overcommitted. You need to leave yourself room to change moves at any time...

The skillful force of Moon Lift is perfect for this moment!

He immersed himself in the world of spear techniques, turning a deaf ear to the mockery around him.

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

The ease and disdain on Li Liang's face gradually vanished, replaced by surprise and gravity.

He discovered that although he still held the advantage and forced Wang Yuan to retreat continuously—

The other man's defense was becoming increasingly tight, and his counterattacks could occasionally threaten him as well.

What alarmed him even more was that, after fighting for so long, the other man's breathing had not shown the slightest sign of disorder.

The force transmitted through the spear shaft remained heavy and fierce!

"Strange. How can this guy's qi and blood be so deep and abundant?"

Li Liang was secretly shaken.

Yet after several more exchanges—

Li Liang discovered in horror that he was starting to lose his ability to suppress Wang Yuan.

That seemingly clumsy spear technique of Wang Yuan's appeared to be growing at breakneck speed in battle.

Time and again, when Li Liang's old strength had run out and his new strength had yet to arise, Wang Yuan found an opening to counterattack, forcing him to defend.

"I can't drag this out any longer!"

Li Liang's gaze sharpened.

After all, he was a genius whose spear technique had reached Minor Accomplishment, and he possessed abundant combat experience.

During another clash, he keenly caught an exceedingly slight moment of stiffness and weakness as Wang Yuan transitioned between spear forms.

"Now!"

Li Liang roared inwardly as the qi and blood within his body erupted to their limit.

The killing move of the Flowing Cloud Spear Technique—Cloud Dragon Appears—burst forth abruptly.

The spear in his hand suddenly accelerated like a phantom.

At an incredibly tricky angle, it slipped past Wang Yuan's blocking spear shaft and thrust straight at the opening by his left shoulder.

This spear strike was fast! Precise! Ruthless!

It contained all the cultivation of his First Blood Change Perfection and the essence of his spear technique.

But at the instant he thrust—

Li Liang saw Wang Yuan seem to freeze slightly after his weakness had been seized, his spear failing to return to defend at once.

"He didn't react in time. It's over!"

An involuntary smile had already curled onto Li Liang's lips.

He could practically hear the cheers about to erupt from his junior brothers and sisters behind him.

He was already considering how to smoothly withdraw his spear and say a few graceful words for the occasion.

On the other side, Wang Yuan's momentary distraction was not caused by panic.

Rather, a thought flashed through his mind:

Hm? It seems this guy's Flowing Cloud Spear Technique only has these variations. I've experienced the force techniques and the blend of substance and feint more or less thoroughly.

The purpose of this spar has already been achieved.

It's time to end this...

Just as Li Liang prepared to drive his spear into the target, then withdraw it with the momentum and declare victory—

He suddenly felt that the atmosphere around him was a little off.

The anticipated cheers did not erupt. Instead, there was dead silence.

He tried to pull back his spear, only to find that its tip seemed to have been clamped in iron pincers, utterly unmoving!

He lowered his head in astonishment.

Wang Yuan had somehow already gripped the tip of his thrusting White Wax Wood spear tightly in his left hand.

Those five fingers were like steel cast in iron. No matter how Li Liang exerted himself, he could not shake them in the slightest.

"How... is that possible?"

Li Liang's pupils contracted sharply, his face full of disbelief.

"Caught a blade barehanded?"

"And that was with him striking at full force?"

"Is he really a First Blood Change martial artist?"

Wang Yuan raised his head and looked at the horrified Li Liang.

A brilliant smile appeared on his dark, handsome face, making his white teeth especially conspicuous.

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

Before his words had faded, Wang Yuan's left hand, which gripped the spear tip, suddenly exerted force.

Crack!

Crack! Crack—!

That tough White Wax Wood spear began to shatter inch by inch from its tip.

Wood chips flew everywhere at once!

At the same time, the spear in Wang Yuan's right hand swept horizontally, like an enraged dragon that had lain dormant for ages.

Boom!

An irresistible, terrifying force struck him, and Li Liang only felt a sharp pain at his waist.

His whole body was like someone struck by a charging elephant. His feet left the ground, and he flew sideways.

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

Even the half of the spear shaft in his hand fell beside him with a clang.

The entire Training Ground of Flowing Cloud Martial Hall fell into dead silence.

Everyone stared dumbfounded at the dark, sturdy youth standing in the center with his spear withdrawn, his breathing steady.

Then they looked at Li Liang, struggling to get up from the ground but temporarily powerless due to pain and shock.

"What?"

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

The smile on Instructor Zhao Chuan's face had long since frozen. His eyes were filled with utter shock and a trace of bewilderment.

"Senior Brother Li actually lost..."

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

The disciples of Flowing Cloud Martial Hall who had been cheering for Li Liang moments earlier now stood blankly where they were, unable to make a sound.

Shi Long rubbed his chin, chuckled, and extended his large hand toward Zhao Chuan, who had yet to recover his senses.

"Instructor Zhao, you let me win. Then I won't stand on ceremony over that Crimson Blood Ginseng!"

In the arena, Wang Yuan gently exhaled a breath of stale air. Feeling the clearer insights into spear techniques within his mind, he was quite satisfied with what he had gained from this battle.

Strength still had to be used when it was time to use it.

People had to learn how to adapt!

Meanwhile, Zhao Chuan's face alternated between green and white, his chest heaving violently.

He felt as though a knot of stifling rage were lodged in his throat, unable to rise or fall.

But with so many eyes watching, the wager had already been made.

If Flowing Cloud Martial Hall reneged on its debt, its reputation would be thoroughly ruined.

He gritted his teeth and practically squeezed out a few words through them:

"...Bring it... to him!"

A disciple beside him hurried into the inner hall. Not long afterward, he emerged carrying an exquisite jade box and carefully handed it to Zhao Chuan.

Zhao Chuan accepted the jade box, his fingers turning slightly pale from the force of his grip. In the end, with extreme reluctance, he practically smashed it into Shi Long's hands.

Shi Long did not care about his mood.

With a cheerful grin, he opened the jade box and took a look.

Inside lay a ginseng herb, crimson all over and shaped like a little person, exuding a dense aura of qi and blood. It was undoubtedly Crimson Blood Ginseng.

Shi Long closed the lid in satisfaction and casually stuffed it into Wang Yuan's arms.

"Little Junior Brother, take it!"

"This is the prize you won. Go back and nourish yourself properly!"