Martial Immortal Trial and Spear Technique Intent

The moment the golden light struck, Chen Fan intended to block it with his True Gang, but he suddenly sensed no killing intent within the light. Instead, it carried a profound Martial Dao Intent. His heart stirred, and he retracted his True Gang, letting his hands hang by his sides. He concentrated, feeling the aura within the light—it was a sharp intent of traversing battlefields and shattering armies with a spear, as if he could see Zhao Lie in ancient times, holding a long spear and slaying enemy generals amidst countless soldiers.

"This is 'Flame Spear Intent.' It cannot be broken by brute force; it must be countered with one's own Martial Dao Intent," Zhao Lie's phantom spoke. "If you can only rely on brute strength to resist, then you are not a true successor of the Martial Path."

Chen Fan suddenly understood. His previous battles relied heavily on physical strength and True Gang bursts, but he had never delved deeply into the meaning of "Intent." At this moment, feeling the sharpness and heroism within the Flame Spear Intent, he couldn't help but recall his journey: from being insulted for lacking Spiritual Roots to receiving the Martial Venerable's inheritance; from Xiantian versus Foundation Establishment to a Martial Venerable slaying Nascent Souls... Every battle, every breakthrough, contained his obsession to "defy fate and ascend to immortality with a mortal body."

"This is my Martial Dao Intent!" Chen Fan roared in his heart. His Blood Essence suddenly boiled, and a faint red Bloodline Power flowed around him, gradually condensing into a blurry phantom. Within the phantom, a young man stood bare-handed, facing the mockery of immortal cultivators, the siege of fierce beasts, and the pursuit of his sect, yet he never retreated. He stepped forward through thorns, his fists breaking through countless obstacles, his eyes filled with the determination of "My fate is mine to control, not heaven's."

"Boom!"

The two Intents collided in mid-air. The golden Flame Spear Intent, like a long spear, thrust towards Chen Fan's Blood Essence Intent, as if to pierce it. Meanwhile, Chen Fan's Blood Essence Intent acted like an indestructible city wall, steadily blocking the spear's attack while carrying an unyielding will, slowly advancing forward.

"Hmm?" A flicker of surprise flashed in Zhao Lie's phantom's eyes. "A Martial Dao Intent centered around 'Defying Fate' is quite rare. Ordinary martial artists often use 'fierceness' or 'swiftness' as their intent, yet you can integrate your own experiences into your intent. This is the superior realm of 'Intent born from the heart.'"

As Chen Fan's Intent continued to advance, the sharpness within the Flame Spear Intent was gradually suppressed. Chen Fan could clearly feel his Blood Essence and Intent merging. The sense of loosening from the "Mortal Body Shackles" that remained after breaking through the Martial Venerable realm intensified—he seemed to have found the key to breaking through to the Martial Saint realm!

"But with only the intent of defying fate, it's not enough to withstand my Flame Spear Art," Zhao Lie's phantom said. As soon as he finished speaking, the Flame Spear Intent suddenly changed. The golden spear ignited with raging flames, and within the flames, countless spear shadows appeared, like thousands of spears attacking simultaneously, bombarding Chen Fan's Intent.

Chen Fan's expression shifted slightly. He could feel that this strike's intent now contained the destructive aura of "Flames of a Prairie Fire." If he were hit, his Blood Essence Intent might very well dissipate. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and the moves of "Sky Shattering Fist" flashed through his mind. He then recalled the fire-pattern runes he had seen on the mural earlier and suddenly had a bold idea—to integrate the intent of the fist technique and the fire runes into his Blood Essence Intent!

"Sky Shattering Fist? Burning River!"

Chen Fan shouted, and the young phantom within his Blood Essence Intent suddenly threw a punch. A faint golden flame ignited on his fist, carrying the ferocity of Sky Shattering Fist and the scorching power of the fire runes. This punch, seemingly simple, contained the intent of "Fist Shatters Mountains and Rivers, Fire Burns Rivers," and it slammed towards the myriad spear shadows of the Flame Spear Intent.

"Bang!"

The two Intents collided again. The golden spear shadows and the flaming fist intertwined, and the air vibrated with a series of roars. This time, Chen Fan's Intent was no longer passively defending but actively attacking. The flaming fist continuously shattered spear shadows, advancing step by step towards the core of the Flame Spear Intent.

A look of admiration flashed in Zhao Lie's phantom's eyes. "To be able to integrate multiple Intents during combat, your martial talent far exceeds my expectations. However, the essence of the Flame Spear Art lies in 'using the spear as an extension of the arm, man and spear as one.' You are accustomed to using your fists; if you cannot comprehend the truth of 'no spear is better than having a spear,' you will ultimately be unable to inherit my spear techniques."

Before he finished speaking, a golden long spear appeared in Zhao Lie's phantom's hand. He slowly raised the spear, pointing its tip at Chen Fan. "Watch closely. This is the first stance of the Flame Spear Art—'Prairie Fire.'"

The moment the spear thrust out, it was as if a sea of fire appeared in the stone chamber. Countless flames condensed into spear shadows, spreading outwards in all directions, yet converging at the farthest point, precisely aimed at Chen Fan's brow. This spear, seemingly effortless, contained the principle of "Freely Control, All Methods Return to One."

Chen Fan held his breath, his eyes flashing with understanding. He extended his right hand, palm facing upwards, circulating his Blood Essence and True Energy simultaneously. The faint golden True Energy enveloped the faint red Blood Essence, gradually condensing into an invisible "Qi and Blood Spear." He emulated Zhao Lie's movement, slowly raising his palm and thrusting it into the empty space ahead—there were no flashy moves, but it carried an intent similar to "Prairie Fire's" "Freely Control." The void seemed to split open, and faint golden airflow spread along the crack, then converged at a distant point.

"It's done!" Zhao Lie's phantom laughed heartily. "Although you have no spear, you have already grasped the essence of 'Spear in the Heart.' This is the core of the Flame Spear Art, a hundred times more important than mere techniques."

As Zhao Lie's words fell, the golden Flame Spear Intent gradually dissipated, and Chen Fan's Blood Essence Intent also retracted. He felt his Blood Essence and True Energy circulating more smoothly. The True Energy depleted from killing the Soul Devouring Snake not only fully recovered but even became more robust than before. The sense of loosening from the "Mortal Body Shackles" grew even stronger—as long as he could utilize the medicinal power of the Dragon Bone Flower, breaking through to the Martial Saint realm would be within reach.

"My inheritance is divided into two parts," Zhao Lie's phantom said, raising his hand and waving it. A golden light flew into Chen Fan's mind. "One part is the complete techniques and cultivation insights of the Flame Spear Art. The other part is my comprehension when I broke through to the Martial Saint realm. I hope it helps you break through your shackles as soon as possible."

Chen Fan closed his eyes, sensing the inheritance in his mind. The Flame Spear Art had seven stances, each containing a different intent: the "Freely Control" of "Prairie Fire," the "Unstoppable Advance" of "Formation Breaking," the "Sharp and Swift" of "Cloud Piercing"... The comprehension for breaking through to the Martial Saint realm emphasized "Qi and Blood Transforms into Gang, Flesh Body Becomes Saint"—the Martial Saint realm was not simply about increasing strength but about completely merging the flesh body with Blood Essence and True Energy, reaching the state where "Flesh Body is Magic Treasure, Qi and Blood is Divine Ability."

"Thank you for the inheritance, senior!" Chen Fan bowed deeply to Zhao Lie's phantom.

Zhao Lie's phantom waved his hand and looked towards Lin Xiaohu beside him, a gentle look in his eyes. "This child, though lacking astonishing talent, is meticulous. He could discover the fire-pattern runes in a crisis and comprehend Martial Dao Intent by observing. If he persists in cultivation in the future, he can also forge his own Martial Path."

He waved his hand, and a faint red light flew into Lin Xiaohu's body. "This is the 'Qi and Blood Condensation Art.' Although it is not a profound technique, it can help him condense Blood Essence faster and lay a solid foundation for his Martial Path."

Lin Xiaohu felt a surge of energy within him. His previously weak Blood Essence became more condensed, and the bottleneck he encountered while practicing basic fist techniques now showed signs of breaking. He quickly bowed to Zhao Lie's phantom. "Thank you, senior!"

Zhao Lie's phantom looked at the two, his eyes filled with relief. "Deep within the Dragon Burial Abyss lies my weapon, the 'Crimson Flame Spear.' If you can break through to the Martial Saint realm in the future, you can go and retrieve it. This place is not suitable for staying long; my residual soul is about to dissipate. You should take the Dragon Bone Flower and leave as soon as possible."

With that, Zhao Lie's phantom gradually became transparent and finally vanished completely. The purple light in the stone chamber also faded, leaving only the Dragon Bone Flower on the stone platform, still emitting a faint spiritual light.

Chen Fan walked to the stone platform and carefully picked the Dragon Bone Flower. The Dragon Bone Flower felt warm in his hand, and a pure medicinal power flowed into his body from his fingertips, echoing the insights from Zhao Lie's inheritance. The loosening of the "Mortal Body Shackles" reached its peak—he could clearly feel that as long as he returned to the Seven Stars Sect and utilized medicinal pills and the inheritance insights, he could attempt to break through to the Martial Saint realm within a month!

"Brother Fan, are we going back now?" Lin Xiaohu walked to Chen Fan's side, his eyes full of anticipation. He had just witnessed Chen Fan's intent duel with Zhao Lie and had a new understanding of the Martial Path, eager to return and cultivate immediately.

Chen Fan nodded. "We have obtained the inheritance here and the Dragon Bone Flower. Lingering longer might lead to unforeseen circumstances. Li Mo, how are your injuries? Can you travel?"

Li Mo and the disciples had already recovered and nodded in unison. "We are fine and can depart at any time."

The group returned along the path they came, encountering no more fierce beasts along the way—perhaps because Zhao Lie's residual soul had dispersed the fierce beasts in this area before vanishing. As they emerged from the Dragon Burial Abyss, dawn was breaking. Golden sunlight pierced through the dark miasma, falling on everyone and dispelling the fatigue of the night.

"After returning, I will enter seclusion to attempt to break through to the Martial Saint realm," Chen Fan said, looking at the Dragon Bone Flower in his hand, his eyes filled with determination. "Once I break through to the Martial Saint realm, if the Xianyun Sect dares to attack again, I will let them know that the power of the Martial Path is not to be underestimated by Spiritual Root cultivators!"

Lin Xiaohu nodded vigorously. "Brother Fan, I will also diligently cultivate the Qi and Blood Condensation Art, striving to help you as soon as possible!"

Li Mo looked at the two, his heart filled with emotion. He had initially believed that cultivation through Spiritual Roots was the correct path, but he never expected that Chen Fan and Lin Xiaohu, two mortals without Spiritual Roots, could travel so far on the Martial Path. Perhaps Chen Fan could truly break the shackles of "Spiritual Root Destiny" as he said and open a new path for mortals.

The group embarked on the journey back to the Seven Stars Sect. The sunlight stretched their shadows long, leaving firm footprints on the road leading to the pinnacle of the Martial Path. What they didn't know was that after learning of Chen Fan's trip to the Dragon Burial Abyss, the Xianyun Sect had not given up their pursuit. Instead, they had joined forces with two other sects hostile to the Seven Stars Sect and set a larger trap on the path leading back to the Seven Stars Sect. A new crisis was quietly awaiting them.