Martial Arts Examination Shows His Prowess

All right, we'll tie the college entrance examination and martial arts cultivation together more closely.

Three months of hellish training and review had transformed Fang Yan. His scores in the cultural subjects had soared, reaching the application standard for a martial arts university. In martial arts, his qi and blood had stabilized at 1.15, his Ice Heart Art had reached minor mastery, and both Straight Punch · Sword Shadow · Wind and Wind-Rending Sword: Fist had grown increasingly polished.

The college entrance examination arrived as scheduled, divided into two parts: the cultural examination and the Martial Arts Examination. The cultural examination was no longer difficult for Fang Yan, and he completed it with ease. The real main event was the Martial Arts Examination that followed.

The Martial Arts Examination was held inside a gigantic trial grounds and consisted of three parts: a basic strength test, a martial technique demonstration, and actual combat.

Fang Yan passed the first two tests smoothly. During the basic strength test, his qi and blood of 1.19 and his performance with the Ice Heart Art at minor mastery made the invigilating teachers nod repeatedly. In the martial technique demonstration, the fist technique he had fused with ice force earned an even higher score.

In the crucial actual combat, his opponent was a candidate who used a long spear. The candidate's spear technique was fierce, and he wielded the long spear like a dragon surging out of the sea, forcing Fang Yan back again and again.

"Can you do nothing but dodge?" his opponent mocked, the spear tip aimed straight at Fang Yan's throat.

Fang Yan's gaze sharpened. He realized that relying solely on fists and feet made it difficult to fight against a long weapon. He remembered Elder Chen once saying that a true martial artist should be proficient with multiple weapons.

Looks like it's time to learn a weapon technique.

He seized the instant when his opponent's old strength had just been exhausted and his new strength had yet to arise. Using Wind-Treading Steps, he circled to the opponent's side and punched the wrist holding the spear. His opponent cried out in pain, and the long spear slipped from his grasp. Fang Yan followed through, snatched up the spear, and held it in his hand.

Although he had never systematically studied spear techniques, his foundation was solid, and he was also proficient in sword techniques. He tried incorporating the techniques of Basic Sword Technique into spear techniques, then combined them with the ice force of the Ice Heart Art.

"Wind-Rending Sword: Spear!"

Fang Yan shouted softly. The long spear swept across, its tip wrapped in a layer of biting chill. With a howl that tore through the air, it struck toward his opponent.

His opponent's expression changed drastically. In his haste, he could only raise his arm to block. With a bang, he was sent flying backward, a thin layer of ice forming over his arm.

"I admit defeat!" his opponent said with difficulty.

Fang Yan won, but he knew full well that weapons were his weakness. After the Martial Arts Examination ended, he immediately went to find Elder Chen.

"Elder Chen, I want to learn spear techniques."

Elder Chen looked at him and smiled faintly. "It's good that you were able to realize this. On the path of martial arts, one shouldn't be confined to a single form."

He handed Fang Yan an ancient book and a black long spear. "This is Profound Ice Spear Technique, an intermediate spear technique of the Mystic Martial Pavilion. Its attributes complement your Ice Heart Art. This Ink Ice Spear was forged from thousand-year-old profound ice iron, so it can channel your ice force more effectively."

Fang Yan accepted the spear and ancient book, his heart surging with excitement. He could feel the Ink Ice Spear's icy chill as soon as it entered his hand, as if it resonated with the cold inner force within him.

"Thank you, Elder Chen!"

"Go on. Train hard. Your Outer Sect Disciple examination is coming up soon as well. This spear technique may become a great aid to you," Elder Chen said.

In the days that followed, Fang Yan grew even busier. He reviewed his cultural subjects during the day and cultivated Profound Ice Spear Technique at the Mystic Martial Pavilion at night. His progress was astonishing. In just half a month, he had trained the spear technique to the entry level.

On the day of the Outer Sect Disciple examination, Fang Yan walked into the examination grounds holding the Ink Ice Spear, full of confidence and vigor. This time, he not only intended to pass the examination—he also intended to let everyone see how much he had grown!