Spear God Tong Yuan

Zhao Yun and Ding Ling's first meeting was a pleasant one.

Both were courteous and composed, neither humble nor overbearing. Besides, they had already thought well of each other.

Thus, after an initial period of "getting acquainted," the two soon began chatting and laughing together.

To the Players, this scene practically shattered their worldview.

They simply could not understand it!

How had Ding Ling, who had only just arrived, become so familiar with Zhao Zilong, whom they had tried every possible way to curry favor with?!

"Comparisons really make people furious!"

They sighed.

"How much effort did we put in? In the end, all we got was a little goodwill from Zhao Zilong. But Ding Ling? This guy really deserves his reputation as a humanoid beast! He's terrifying!"

Especially when they saw Ding Ling enter the sect directly without even taking an assessment.

They were so shocked their eyes nearly popped out, and they almost spat blood!

Ding Ling followed Zhao Zilong and the others up the mountain.

There, he met Tong Yuan.

Several bamboo buildings stood scattered across the mountainside in an orderly arrangement.

Tong Yuan lived in the bamboo building at the center.

He was practicing his spear.

Ding Ling stood to one side with Zhao Zilong, Zhao Xiaoyu, and Zhao Bingxuan, waiting.

After a while.

Tong Yuan stopped and turned to look at Ding Ling.

Only then did Ding Ling truly get a clear look at Tong Yuan's appearance and build.

Ancient and unadorned, like a towering cypress;

Vigorous and powerful, like a wild horse tossing its mane!

His beard and hair were streaked with white, yet his face was ruddy, making him seem like an old immortal riding upon clouds!

When he stood holding a Spear, he resembled a Spear God standing tall amid the forest!

This was an unparalleled master whose Martial Dao had reached the divine!

Ding Ling hurriedly bowed to him.

Tong Yuan waved his hand and said brightly,

"We do not care for formalities here. There's no need for that in the future."

He had Ding Ling come closer and hold out his hand.

He wanted to feel Ding Ling's bones and assess his aptitude.

Ding Ling did not refuse.

After a long while.

Tong Yuan released his hand, his face filled with bewilderment, doubt, and incomprehension.

"According to what Pan Feng said, you possess Innate talent and can be called a Child of the Era. But why is your Root Bone so utterly ordinary?"

"..."

Ding Ling was speechless and could only say that he did not know either.

"This truly defies common sense."

Tong Yuan stroked his beard, his piercing eyes fixed on Ding Ling as though he wanted to see straight through him.

"I know Pan Feng well. He is certainly not one to speak recklessly. For him to praise you so highly in his letter and ask me to teach you a Breathing Method and spear techniques... considering our friendship, I can agree."

Joy appeared on Ding Ling's face.

"Don't celebrate too soon."

Tong Yuan smiled.

"Let me make this clear first. If you cannot master the martial arts I teach you, I will not allow you down the mountain. Unless you are willing to..."

He pointed at the Players at the foot of the mountain.

"Start by learning Pile Skill, just like them."

"No problem."

Ding Ling activated Max-Level Acting and said with complete confidence,

"I will certainly learn the Breathing Method and spear techniques you teach me, Senior."

"You are quite confident."

Tong Yuan laughed.

"But often, the more confident one is, the harder the blow they receive. I hope you can hold on through the coming days. Do not give up easily."

Naturally, Ding Ling agreed.

Zhao Yun watched from the side without speaking.

When Tong Yuan told Ding Ling to come find him again tomorrow, Zhao Yun finally pulled Ding Ling aside and said,

"Ding Ling, Master is easygoing enough, but he is extremely strict when teaching disciples! You must prepare yourself mentally."

At Ding Ling's request, Zhao Yun had changed how he addressed him, no longer calling him benefactor.

"Don't worry. I know what I'm getting into."

"There are a few more things I need to remind you of."

"Go ahead."

"Master's signature technique, the Spirit Phoenix Breathing Method, is truly difficult. I have practiced it for a long time, yet I still have not reached the Transformation Realm! And Master's supreme technique, the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Spear, is exceptionally difficult as well! Though I have already cultivated it to the Perfection Realm, I suffered greatly to learn it back then. It took many years before I finally succeeded."

Zhao Yun was being utterly sincere with Ding Ling.

He explained everything in great detail.

Ding Ling understood Zhao Yun's meaning and nodded from time to time to show that he would take heed.

Zhao Xiaoyu also occasionally chimed in from the side.

"Old Master said my second brother's talent is rare throughout all history. Yet even so, my second brother has spent more than ten years learning the Breathing Method and spear techniques. He still has not achieved great mastery or entered the Instinctive Realm! That shows just how difficult this Kung Fu Hustle is."

She paused, then comforted Ding Ling.

"Old Master is only strict when he teaches Kung Fu Hustle. Usually, he is very easy to talk to. Don't take it too much to heart. Study hard. I believe you will succeed!"

Clearly.

No one, including Zhao Xiaoyu and Zhao Yun, believed Ding Ling could learn Tong Yuan's signature techniques in a short time.

Except Zhao Bingxuan.

She had stayed in Yecheng.

She knew very well just how terrifying Ding Ling's record was.

She practically worshipped Ding Ling blindly.

The next day.

After breakfast, Zhao Yun brought Ding Ling, Zhao Xiaoyu, and Zhao Bingxuan to see Tong Yuan.

They were still before that same bamboo building.

This time, Tong Yuan appeared to be engaged in a special kind of cultivation.

He sat cross-legged atop a bamboo stalk, light as air, as though he might ascend as an immortal at any moment.

With every breath.

Streams of white vapor shot from his nostrils.

Ding Ling was greatly startled.

Zhao Yun explained in a low voice,

"This is the outward manifestation of the Spirit Phoenix Breathing Method when it reaches the Transformation Realm."

"This is far too astonishing."

Ding Ling was shaken.

He had watched plenty of Martial Arts World and immortal fantasy films filled with people leaping across rooftops and flying through the air.

Yet none of that could compare to the soul-stirring shock of seeing it with his own eyes in "reality."

Besides.

This was the Three Kingdoms World, not the Martial Arts World!!

"Yes. Master's martial arts have reached the divine. I wonder when I will ever reach his realm."

Zhao Yun was full of envy.

Huff!

Tong Yuan exhaled a breath of stale air. Suddenly, he stretched out his body and leaped more than ten meters through the air, drifting lightly like a gust of wind until he landed before Ding Ling.

Creak!

The bamboo he had been sitting on creaked, bounced back and forth a few times, then became straight as a sword once more.

"Show me your spear technique."

Tong Yuan's brows were like swords, and his eyes flashed like lightning as he looked at Ding Ling.

Clearly, he had entered teaching mode at that moment.

Though it had come suddenly, Ding Ling had long been prepared thanks to Zhao Yun's reminder. Upon hearing this, he immediately shook out a Spear.

Zhao Yun had lent this Spear to Ding Ling.

Ding Ling had only brought a Great Halberd up the mountain and had no Spear.

And just as Zhao Yun had said, Tong Yuan had indeed asked him to demonstrate his spear technique.

Ding Ling did not hesitate.

The Advanced Spear Technique flashed through the air like starlight, thrusting out five points of light in rapid succession. Strands of force pierced the air, stirring up small swirling gusts where he stood.

After a while.

Ding Ling withdrew his Spear and stood still, cupping his fist toward Tong Yuan.

Tong Yuan nodded. His tense expression eased slightly as he stroked his beard and said approvingly,

"You have built a solid foundation in spear techniques. It seems we can skip the basics. Next, I will teach you the Spirit Snake Spear Technique. This is a true martial art beyond Advanced Spear Technique. Watch carefully!"