A Moment of Life and Death

The 5 minutes passed quickly.

Bai Zixi, who looked like a refined young master from a chaotic world, stood up and smiled faintly.

"Time's up, both of you, please take the stage."

Luo Yan immediately stood up, picking up 'Star Splitter'.

He seemed unusually nervous, to the point that the knuckles of his hand gripping the sword sheath turned white.

Luo Beichen noticed this detail and narrowed his eyes.

The two arrived at the stage simultaneously.

Bai Zixi looked at both of them and nodded, "Begin."

On the stage.

Neither of them rushed forward first.

They both created distance, observing their opponents.

Luo Yan activated 'Obstacle Breaking Dharma Eye', and specks of silver-white flickered around his crimson eyes.

Luo Beichen's condition was instantly laid bare.

His Qi and Blood were 268, and his Essence Energy was 154 units.

Clearly.

Luo Beichen had broken through again.

Now he was the same as himself.

Both were at 'Primary Level Three'.

And through this week's cultivation.

Luo Yan's Qi and Blood were now 426, and his Essence Energy was 178 units.

An improvement from when he had just broken through.

At this level.

The advantage of 'Observing Mountains and Seas' was gradually becoming apparent.

His Qi and Blood alone surpassed practitioners of other cultivation methods.

His Essence Energy was also deeper.

These were all 'advantages'.

Luo Yan blinked.

He stopped using his own 'Divine Treasure'.

Activating 'Obstacle Breaking Dharma Eye' continuously consumed Essence Energy.

The longer it was used, the greater the consumption.

So, after obtaining the opponent's basic information, Luo Yan stopped using it.

He then drew his long sword and threw the scabbard off the stage.

Luo Yan's gaze instantly became sharp.

"Here it comes!"

On the other side of the stage.

Luo Beichen immediately focused his attention.

At the same time, in his mind, he recalled what Gao Lin had told him that morning.

"Based on the information you provided, that student Luo Yan is a ruthless character, and he has experience killing people on the surface."

"Don't underestimate this experience."

"There's a big difference between having killed and not having killed."

"That wolf cub has seen blood, and he absolutely won't hesitate when he makes a move."

"It was right for you to choose a spear as your weapon."

"Weapons, an inch longer is an inch stronger."

"When firearms cannot be used, choosing longer weapons will give you an advantage."

"If my judgment is correct."

"At the start of the match, he will go all out while his stamina and Essence Energy are full."

"Moreover, he might choose a strategy of trading injuries for lives."

"You, who have never killed anyone, will hesitate when dealing with certain situations."

"What you need to do is to create as much distance as possible and deplete that kid's stamina and Essence Energy."

"Use the 'Dragon's Roam Step' I taught you to feint, lure out all his combat skills and Profound Techniques, and then..."

"It's your 'Underworld'!"

These words flashed through Luo Beichen's mind in an instant.

He made a decisive move, dragging his spear back.

But he didn't just retreat.

The spear sprang up, swift as lightning, and thrust towards Luo Yan's face!

Luo Yan didn't retreat; instead, he accelerated.

He merely tilted his head, watching the flat, sharp spearhead pass right by his eyes.

He didn't even blink.

He let the spear blade carve a bloody groove on his cheek.

Taking advantage of the opening, he lunged forward like a phantom.

He was suddenly beside Luo Beichen.

Luo Beichen quickly retracted his spear, holding the shaft upright.

At this moment, 'Star Splitter' transformed into a black lightning bolt.

In a brief instant, it swept across Luo Beichen's neck.

Sword Skill: Startling Thunder!

Clang!

The longsword struck the spear shaft, sending sparks flying.

Luo Beichen's hand went numb and pained, and he almost lost his grip on the spear.

He was knocked off balance by Luo Yan's sword strike, staggering three steps to the left before regaining his footing.

He broke out in a cold sweat.

Gao Lin's words flashed through his mind again.

"Remember, a true master learns to anticipate."

"Not just react to moves."

"Learn to analyze your opponent's psychology."

"Master their patterns of action."

"If you see an opponent with a sword today, they're likely using Di Zheng's 'Startling Thunder'."

"And given classmate Luo's temperament, once he has an opportunity to use a combat technique."

"He's unlikely to waste energy attacking your joints."

"He'll go straight for your neck or face."

"When he approaches you, don't think, immediately raise your spear to block."

Luo Beichen's heart pounded.

If not for Gao Lin's advice, that sword strike just now…

the outcome might have already been decided.

The venue was silent.

From Luo Yan's aggressive advance to Luo Beichen being forced back several steps, the entire process

took mere moments.

Yet, the danger within it was clear even to a layman.

If Luo Beichen's spear had been even slightly slower to raise, the Luo family's young master's head would likely be on the stage by now.

"Good!"

Someone cheered!

drawing the attention of the entire audience.

It was Colonel Liang Jian of the Surface Legion.

He bared his white teeth and declared loudly, "This is a fight to the death."

"Life and death are decided in an instant."

"That was exhilarating!"

On the other side of the spectator stands, the 'Conservative Faction' led by Lu Cheng was shrouded in a heavy atmosphere.

Especially the Minister of Education.

Lu Cheng had just told the person next to him that the students taught by Gao Lin were bound to win.

Yet, in less than a minute on stage.

Luo Beichen had nearly lost his head.

Lu Cheng's face suddenly felt hot.

He had a sense of his reputation being ruined.

On the stage.

Luo Yan didn't hear the Colonel's cheers, nor did he care about others' thoughts.

His attention was entirely focused on Luo Beichen.

Seeing his combat skill blocked, he wasn't discouraged.

With a few quick steps, 'Star Splitter' unleashed a fierce offensive.

He took the initiative to attack.

The stage rang with clangs and the continuous sound of metal clashing.

Luo Beichen was forced into a purely defensive position for a time.

Luo Beichen's expression was grim. He calmed himself and focused on defense.

At the same time, he recalled Gao Lin's instructions.

"That wolf cub has a ruthless nature."

"After 'Startling Thunder' fails, he will definitely take the initiative to attack."

"At this moment, don't do anything."

"Just focus on defending."

"Constant attacks will lead to mistakes. When he reveals an opening, that's when you counterattack!"

Clang, clang, clang, clang!

How many times had 'Star Splitter' and Luo Beichen's spear collided?

Sparks flew on the stage.

Luo Beichen noticed the hand Luo Yan used to grip his sword.

The knuckles were becoming paler and paler.

Finally.

After the sword and spear collided once more.

Luo Yan seemed to lose his grip slightly, the sword almost slipping from his grasp.

The opportunity had arrived!

Luo Beichen immediately unleashed a surge of Essence Energy.

He lunged forward.

His spear thrust towards Luo Yan's right foot.

Luo Yan quickly retracted his leg.

The spear tip plunged into the stage, embedding itself into the wooden planks below.

Luo Beichen spun around, using his shoulder to brace the spear.

He suddenly exerted force.

The spear seemed to lift a great mountain.

The spear tip suddenly shot upward.

Shattering board after board.

They were hurled towards Luo Yan.

This was a combat skill.

Spear Skill: Mountain Lift!

Luo Yan quickly wielded his sword to block.

Luo Beichen darted forward, thrusting his spear.

Luo Yan narrowly dodged to the side.

Luo Beichen changed his thrust to a sweep.

The spear whistled through the air, sweeping towards his opponent.

Luo Yan raised his long sword, preparing to block.

Luo Beichen's lips curved upwards, his hands gripping the gun handle.

Simultaneously, he twisted them in opposite directions.

The long spear made a 'kaka' sound, actually separating section by section.

Beneath the alloy gun handle, the true spear body, made of interwoven soft metal, was revealed!

So, when the long spear was blocked by 'Star Splitter', it didn't stop there.

The front half of the spear, under the effect of inertia, caused the now 'soft' spear body to whip out in a wide arc.

The spear tip pointed towards Luo Yan's throat.

This was another combat technique.

Spear Skill: Snake's Tongue Strike!