Hunyuan Spirit Serpent

"The spear's fighting style, when facing blades and swords, is to break the skillful with the heavy, striking first then thrusting."

As soon as spear techniques were mentioned, Song Xue's bashfulness in front of her beloved vanished, replaced by a cool solemnity.

With that, she parted her feet slightly, her wrists giving a light tremor, and her long spear rose in response.

Her movements were swift as the wind, her white robes like snow; her spear thrust out like a dragon across the sky, its red tassel blazing like fire.

Her moves weren't complex, just a flick, a thrust, extremely simple, yet extremely sharp.

"First, strike the blade or sword with the spear. The spear is long and heavy. In a fight between equals, if the opponent dares to meet the blow head-on, they will suffer a hidden loss... After one strike, their momentum will inevitably slow. Seize this gap to thrust!"

Swish!

The red tassel cut through the air, the spear thrusting like a dragon.

Qi Yu nodded, "Azure Serpent Entwining Kill can increase the spear shaft's power, while White Serpent Throat Seal can enhance the speed of the spear thrust."

Song Xue said, "That's right, the essence of our Spirit Serpent Martial Hall is all within this spear. The killing technique flows from the arm to the spear, simply a matter of transmitting force section by section, channeling the body's heat into the spear shaft...

However, before grasping this, the spear is the spear, and the arm is the arm. Only by practicing diligently, striving to reach the realm of unity between man and spear, making the spear an extension of one's own limbs, can the full power of the spear be unleashed."

Her expression turned solemn as she said, "Even if the world is full of Yao Beasts, with their fangs and claws, we wield spears in our hands. This spear... is our fangs, our claws!"

Saying that, she once again drew her spear, and shouted, "Young Master Qi, watch closely."

Huo! Huo! Huo Huo!!

The spear swung left and right, thrusting and striking, a truly beautiful display.

"Left and right flower-picking, to break shields!"

After a brief pause, she explained, "Though the shield is large, it ultimately has gaps. Continuous thrusts to the left and right will tire the defender, exposing an opening. A single thrust can kill!"

After speaking, she suddenly leaped back, her delicate body agile. The spear shaft coiled like an earth dragon, flipping from bottom to top before violently thrusting down like lightning.

Whoosh~~

"Descending Spear, Reverse Hand, to break staffs. When a staff is about to gather momentum, it must be swung. When facing an opponent, one only needs to block its momentum, then follow with a lift, a wrap, and then a thrust..."

Chii!!

Immediately after, the spear moved with her body, and a crisp sound exploded in mid-air.

"White Ox Turns Corner, breaking the heavy with the skillful, specifically countering heavy maces, iron hammers, and other short weapons.

These weapons possess great power and momentum, with no way to recover. Even if one can bring their weapon back, it will be sluggish.

We can use the spear's weight to suppress the lightness of blades and swords; we can also use the spear's skill to break the heaviness of maces and hammers."

Her gaze suddenly sharpened. She moved like the wind, her skirt fluttering. The spear tip trembled like a snake's tongue, the red tassel spun like a large crimson wheel, feinting and striking, drawing the opponent in without attacking...

"The head of a long saber is heavy and its rotation is inflexible. It should be broken with a feigned thrust. Use a fake move to lure the enemy, trick them into attacking first, then block and thrust..."

Chii!!

Another ripping sound, like tearing silk.

Young Lady Song patiently taught, and after explaining, she retracted her spear and stood still, her black hair gently blowing in the wind. She said softly, "Though others can teach you spear practice, ultimately, you must figure it out yourself. Young Master Qi, you practice first, I... I need to go out for a bit."

Qi Yu nodded.

Young Lady Song walked out quickly.

It was almost noon, and she had to go to the mess hall to see what was being cooked today. If she had time, she would ask the head chef to bring out some good ingredients to specially prepare a few stir-fried dishes for Qi Yu.

Oh, right, she remembered her father still had half a jar of "Deep Sea Brew."

Even in the scorching summer heat, "Deep Sea Brew" could emit a cold aura, with wisps of icy breath swirling above it, truly extraordinary.

At this time, her father, who usually wouldn't bear to open it, would only use a wine ladle to scoop out a pot during festivals or when something joyous happened, then sit under the bright moon, savoring it slowly and reminiscing about the past.

This "Deep Sea Brew" wasn't bought; it seemed to be a gift from one of her father's close junior disciples.

About twenty years ago, her father left the Sect and came to Wei Mountain County. But just a few years ago, he reconnected with several close friends from the Sect, and that junior disciple was one of them.

When her father mentioned that junior disciple, his tone was always exceptionally affectionate and nostalgic.

Young Master Qi seemed to like drinking too...

Young Lady Song was preparing to "borrow from the old man." Today, no matter what, she had to scoop out a pot from that half-jar for her beloved to taste.

In the courtyard...

Qi Yu stood leaning on his spear, his eyes closed, recalling the pointers Song Xue had just given him.

He understood it all in his mind, but his hands wouldn't cooperate.

He decided to approach the problem from a different angle.

With a slight movement of his thoughts, his status panel appeared.

[Qi Yu]
[Realm: Eighth Rank Blood Burst]
[Combat Power: 48.8~73.5]

[Skill Points: 32]

[Hunyuan Contending Force (32/36)]

[Spirit Serpent Killing Technique - Two Forms (5/16)]

Without hesitation, he clicked the "+" after "[Hunyuan Contending Force (32/36)]" four times.

In an instant, the muscles and flesh deep within his body, which had never been trained before, trembled simultaneously, bringing a sense of comfort like that experienced after countless trials. The four bizarre divine demon postures were now perfectly ingrained in his mind, seamlessly integrated into every limb and bone.

His combat power value suddenly changed, from "48.8~73.5" to "50~80".

This was nothing...

What was wondrous was that the moment [Hunyuan Contending Force] reached perfection, Qi Yu felt a clear, refreshing sensation in his mind. When he gripped his spear again... the movements and stances before him appeared riddled with flaws, full of loopholes.

A strong desire for improvement surged from the depths of his heart.

He seemed to see a path leading to a more advanced spear technique.

But this improvement required a target.

He calmed his mind and looked at "[Spirit Serpent Killing Technique - Two Forms (5/16)]", then began adding points one by one.

Each point invested felt like months of arduous training. The heat within his body grew more agile, and his feel for the spear became one with his flesh and blood...

As he continued adding points, it suddenly got stuck...

The "+" sign disappeared.

Qi Yu took out an old booklet wrapped in brocade from his embrace.

Uncle Song had given it to him.

He naturally kept it close.

It contained the original diagram of the Fundamental Killing Technique and the comprehension method for Penetrating Force.

After flipping through it, the "+" sign reappeared.

"Adding points" required a foundation of "theoretical possibility". Without a complete inheritance, it was difficult to deduce it from scratch, hence the "+" sign's disappearance.

Song Xue was incredibly proficient in [Spirit Serpent Killing Technique - Two Forms].

Although he knew her deep affection, this panel was Qi Yu's greatest secret. He had no intention of letting anyone discover it, not even those close to him...

So, after adding points to "[Spirit Serpent Killing Technique - Two Forms (5/16)]" until it reached "[Spirit Serpent Killing Technique - Two Forms (10/16)]", he temporarily stopped, planning to add more later.

His combat power changed again, from "50~80" to "50~89"...

This improvement stemmed not only from the subtle control over his internal heat but also from a profound understanding of the essence of the spear path, and his own proficiency with the spear.

After adding the points, he resumed practicing his spear.

As he practiced...

He felt his original spear technique style being corrected by some strange power. On the surface, there seemed to be no change, but deep down, it was like a complete transformation. The flow of power became more unpredictable, and his movements more agile and cunning...

This was not reflected in his combat power but was a change in his fighting style.

Fighting style is not reflected in combat power because it exists in the mind – it's a method of using techniques and power.

Being exquisitely skillful is strength; crude but effective skill is also strength...

He continued to practice freely, following this feeling.

As his practice deepened, the profound mysteries of [Hunyuan Contending Force] silently merged into his spear techniques. Since the former had reached perfection, and all the forms within the [Spirit Serpent Spear Technique] could find their roots in [Hunyuan Contending Force], the fusion process was natural and smooth.

Before long...

The information on his panel changed again.

From "[Spirit Serpent Killing Technique - Two Forms (10/16)]" to "[Hunyuan Spirit Serpent Killing Technique - Two Forms (10/16)]".

His combat power remained unchanged, and his moves were the same. When the young man raised his spear, there was nothing particularly remarkable about him, but... it was as if a terrifying, venomous snake was truly hidden within the great spear he held.

It concealed its ferocity, invisibly devouring its victims, drawing blood... and sealing the throat.