When Facing Jiang Qiu, Be Like Lame Wolf Sees Mountain Tiger

Crack—

In the deepest silence, it sounded as though green bamboo had snapped.

Xie Kuang's raised brow twitched violently. His already-formed thrusting stance seemed to be knocked off course in an instant by a ten-thousand-pound boulder. If he and his spear were a water projectile shooting forth, then the spear shaft Jiang Qiu suddenly swept up was the massive rock breaking the water!

The instant the spear shafts collided, a torrent of Subtle Force like a mountain dam bursting came crashing in, smashing apart the grip between his hands.

It was like casually grabbing an iron rod, only to let go from the heat and realize too late that he had grabbed the wrong end of a fire poker!

Tap.

Survival instinct forced Xie Kuang to release his grip. In an instant, the spear that had lunged like a wolf slipped free of the force enveloping it. With a crack, it shattered and exploded into fragments, like a black ice lotus blooming in his pupils.

Tap! Tap tap tap.

The headless spear tip sliced through the black cloth at Jiang Qiu's left ribs before falling to the ground. A rain of black fragments struck his body and scattered across the tiles.

A cold gust blew his hair aside. The double-edged spearhead was already lying across the bridge of his nose, its cold gleam blinding. The chill pierced through every thought churning in his mind. His hairs stood on end, and the light in his eyes scattered.

Dead silence.

Everyone's faces froze at that sight. Wu Shan's right pupil widened like a black bead.

"Impossible. No, impossible." Xie Kuang let his hands fall and drew back his extended left foot, his mouth twitching. "This is impossible!"

His narrow eye sockets were stretched wide by his eyeballs, blood vessels pulsing like sinews.

He had lost. He had lost in the very first exchange!

Facing Jiang Qiu was even worse than when Wang Guanjia had beaten him bloody!

I clearly have such outstanding martial talent, so much Martial Spirit Incense to temper my body, and I can already handle Wang Guanjia with ease—yet Jiang Qiu shattered even my spear shaft!

Is my talent really that poor?!

The moment the thought fell, he heard a mirror shatter in his heart.

"The winner is Jiang Qiu. If anyone refuses to accept this, step forward and challenge him!" From everyone's perspective, Wu Shan seemed to stand tall behind Jiang Qiu. His two-meter-tall frame crushed all noise, his chest booming like a drum. "Since no one dares to step up, from this month onward, Jiang Qiu will be Field No. 8's first Outstanding Student, entitled to two portions of Martial Spirit Incense each month.

If anyone objects, apply for a challenge!"

At those words, the crowd finally snapped out of their daze, their widened eyes slowly regaining focus as they murmured blankly, "Brother Xie actually lost?"

"This wasn't just an ordinary loss. In a single exchange, even his spear shaft was shattered."

"With that kind of strength, Jiang Qiu must have fully comprehended Subtle Force. He can perform—Spear Shaft Shatters Armor!"

"That means... he might really have the potential to stand shoulder to shoulder with Li Juefeng?!"

Scattered gazes gathered upon Jiang Qiu like fireflies converging around a lamp. His sturdy, spear-holding body stood like a monument, making most people's chests tighten and tremble.

Hu Yeye, seated on the bench at the back, stared in shock, her lips parting with a tap.

Wang Guanjia, standing to the side with his spear, suddenly loosened his fist, then clenched it again as he looked at Jiang Qiu, his gaze sharpening.

One week. Just one week.

From first learning the Last Twelve Moves of the Ancient Martial Arts Spear Technique to completely comprehending and applying Subtle Force—Spear Shaft Shatters Armor!

The first time we fought, he already used Spear Tip Pierces Armor, something I still haven't comprehended myself. Every day we sparred, I thought that one more day of practice could narrow the gap, or that receiving Martial Spirit Incense would let me reclaim my former glory!

Who would have thought I was chasing a soaring dragon while running after a tiger, like a monkey meeting the Buddha!

What right do I have to talk about talent or pride in front of him?

If he had resources like Li Juefeng's, he might already have had a chance to reach the top of No.8 Middle School today. Why would he be in the same class and training field as me!

At the moment his fist clenched tightest, Wang Guanjia let out a heavy breath from his chest, and his heartbeat dropped with a thud. "Fine. I can't compare to Li Juefeng, whose father is a department head, and I can't compare to Jiang Qiu from the Slum Area.

At least I got one portion of Martial Spirit Incense in the first month. Once I develop Copper Skin, I'll beat Xie Kuang up. I won't fight over any titles."

His fist slowly relaxed, but Liu Zili's remained clenched. The youth reflected in her eyes was like the tip of a spear breaking into view.

Even though No.8 Middle School's century-long history spoke of many ordinary students rising to prominence, those stories had been lost amid destruction and rebuilding time and again.

Those from the Slum Area were descendants of the lower class. They had no money for Medicinal Bath Resources, could not afford to temper their bodies, and had no connections to learn spear techniques in advance.

In recent years, the greatest hope for lower-class students at school had merely been becoming Outstanding Students. Those fortunate enough to enter Northwest Martial Arts University could be counted on one hand.

There were still legends of lower-class people making names for themselves in other Outer City districts, but at No.8 Middle School, closest to the Outer City wall, no such tale had ever been heard.

If No.8 Middle School were to have a legend from the lower class, it would surely be the future Jiang Qiu!

"Now, we will distribute the Martial Spirit Incense."

At the announcement, most people's thoughts were abruptly dragged away. Jiang Qiu turned to look at Wu Shan as well.

Click, click, click.

Thick fingers turned the combination lock on the safe. With a crack, the latch sprang loose. As the lid opened, a bluish glow reflected from within.

Inside, eight vials were embedded in black foam. Each was no longer than an index finger and thinner than a pinky.

Yet these were the official martial arts resources they had longed for—Martial Spirit Incense!

With two taps, Wu Shan took out two vials of Martial Spirit Incense. A trace of complicated emotion brewed in his right eye as he stared at Jiang Qiu. After a brief silence, he said, "The ingredients used to make Martial Spirit Incense are extremely rare, and the process is highly complex. Even now, when large numbers of secret realms have already been brought under control, production still cannot be increased.

Precious resources flow from the Inner City to the Outer City. By the time they reach Field No. 8, there are only eight portions. It is impossible to provide for everyone."

"So make the most of the Martial Spirit Incense you receive. Don't waste it!"

The cold voice and the vial sank into Jiang Qiu's left palm together. His racing heartbeat forced out the pent-up gloom of many days, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. "Thank you, Teacher Xie!"

He had never expected Xie Kuang to be the one challenging him in the end, sparing him from openly offending Wu Shan again.

With his own straitened circumstances, he could finally try this priceless Martial Spirit Incense—the finest body-tempering medicinal bath resource before advancing to martial artist!

"Hmph."

Watching Jiang Qiu's face bloom with delight, Wu Shan looked away toward Xie Kuang, who stood alone where he was. A glimmer of cold light seemed to drift within his clouded right eye.

He had once been beaten bloody on the platform by Wang Guanjia, leaving cracks in his state of mind. Today, those cracks had finally shattered completely.

Unlike Wang Guanjia, even after being trampled into the ground by Li Juefeng, he had persevered until now and become an Outstanding Student again. Even when his Wooden Spear had been shattered during the Proficiency Test, he had immediately comprehended Spear Tip Pierces Armor and angrily challenged Jiang Qiu to spar.

After this utter defeat, Xie Kuang would see Jiang Qiu as a Lame Wolf Sees Mountain Tiger. There was little chance for him to rise again.

He might not even make it through the college entrance examination.

But who could have expected Jiang Qiu to actually comprehend Spear Shaft Shatters Armor?!

Wu Shan let out a long breath and casually reached for another vial, his voice booming like thunder. "Those whose names were just called, come over!"

The clattering footsteps stirred up hushed discussion. After lining up to receive their Martial Spirit Incense, the Outstanding Students, who had originally been gathered together, scattered like a mirror shattered by a spear thrust.

Only two or three students remained around Xie Kuang, while four or five drifted toward Wang Guanjia. Some of the rest frowned as they studied Jiang Qiu's expression, wanting to approach but unable to speak.

Clack.

Wu Shan shut the safe. "Some of you are receiving Martial Spirit Incense for the first time. Don't say I didn't warn you: its effects are best the first time you use it, so when using it for a medicinal bath, absorb as much of it as possible.

"If you miss that chance, it'll be a loss for life—one that a hundred portions of Martial Spirit Incense couldn't make up for."