"This guy really wasn't simple. He'd taken one of my punches and didn't look hurt at all. His body must be incredibly resilient, too." Lin Hao marveled inwardly.
In only a few exchanges, the two had left the teams and spectators watching from below completely dumbfounded.
"Duan Yue is the top genius at Longcheng Martial University. He's been honing his body since he was a child, day in and day out without ever stopping. His strength today is well deserved." Han Bantian, Principal of Shancheng Martial University, smiled as he commented.
"Exactly. Our captain hasn't even shown one percent of his strength yet. I don't think that Lin Hao will last much longer," the Shancheng Martial University team members chimed in.
Han Bantian shook his head. "Those few exchanges were enough to show that Lin Hao's ability is certainly no worse than Duan Yue's. His physical strength is every bit as good, too." The principals had seen it clearly: after taking a spear strike from Duan Yue, Lin Hao had quickly recovered and counterattacked. That wasn't something talent alone could make up for.
"Brother Lin, you're impressive. It's been a long time since I've had such a satisfying fight. Thanks to you, I can finally let loose today. Be careful from here on, Brother Lin."
As soon as he finished speaking, an obscure, hard-to-fathom aura suddenly appeared around Duan Yue. Centered on him, it surged rapidly across the entire competition platform. The aura continued to grow stronger, and under its influence, even the arena platform—one that Golden-ranked martial artists couldn't break—began to crack apart.
All the Wu University principals stood up in astonishment. Even Fang Wei and Jiang Tianhai looked excited.
"That kid really is a freak," Fang Wei said with a laugh. "Lin Hao's in trouble now."
Jiang Tianhai was just as surprised. "I never thought Duan Yue would comprehend an Intent. And if I'm not mistaken, it's Battle Intent. It's probably already reached the third level." He felt a deep sense of regret for Lin Hao. Martial artists who had comprehended an Intent were on a completely different level from ordinary martial artists.
"Damn, what kind of monster has Longcheng Martial University produced?"
"Looks like Longcheng Martial University will win the Hundred Schools League again this year."
The principals of the various Wu Universities watched with envy. Meanwhile, in Jiangnan Martial University's team area, a girl in a white dress looked excited.
The Shancheng Martial University team members stared blankly at Duan Yue on the platform.
"What's that aura?"
"Holy crap, Great God Lin looks like he's in danger."
"Can a person really reach that level?"
Jiang Weiwei watched Lin Hao with deep concern. Honestly, she was already very satisfied that Shancheng Martial University had made it to the semifinals. She recalled that Lin Hao's original goal had been to reach the round of sixteen, but he'd led the team to the semifinals with ease. She was more than content. She only hoped Lin Hao wouldn't push himself and get hurt for her and the school.
Duan Yue's aura finally stopped surging. Lin Hao sensed it: a third-level Intent. He couldn't help admiring Duan Yue's talent. The three levels of aura Lin Hao possessed came built into the Thunder Prison Nine Spears granted by the system. Though Lin Hao had also comprehended an Intent himself, he'd still had a bit of a cheat. Duan Yue, on the other hand, had grasped it all by himself, bit by bit.
The referee on the platform waved his hand, and a protective barrier appeared around the competition platform. He, too, was amazed that Duan Yue had comprehended an Intent. The aura's eruption could affect the team members and spectators below, so out of caution, he hurriedly put up a protective barrier.
"Brother Duan, you've really surprised me," Lin Hao said, unable to hold back his praise. As soon as he finished speaking, black lightning surged around him. His entire body was wrapped in a dense web of black lightning. He pushed the Martial Art Thunder Prison Instant Space Flash to its limit and appeared in front of Duan Yue in an instant. A punch carrying a powerful aura of lightning blasted toward Duan Yue, its black-lightning-charged wind rushing straight for his face.
Duan Yue's eyes were slightly closed, his expression unusually calm. He simply raised a hand and blocked Lin Hao's attack. Lin Hao didn't dare let his guard down. He unleashed Thunder Prison Instant Space Flash several more times, attacking Duan Yue from different angles. But Duan Yue had already reached a state of perfect clarity. Every one of Lin Hao's attacks was as clear as day to him. He blocked each one with ease, without even using the Po Jun Spear.
The spectators below were utterly dumbfounded, not a sound to be heard. The principals of the various Wu Universities sighed in admiration. As expected of a genius who had comprehended an Intent. Ordinary movement techniques and attacks could no longer do him any harm.
Seeing that he couldn't break through, Lin Hao quickly withdrew from the fight. But Duan Yue didn't give him time to think. The moment Lin Hao retreated, he rose and charged forward. He didn't even use his spear. The Po Jun Spear was stuck in the platform as he threw a punch at Lin Hao's face.
"So fast!" The punch was more than twice as fast as before. Lin Hao hurriedly raised both arms to block, but it was too late. The punch, imbued with Battle Intent, slammed into his arms. Lin Hao felt as if a truck had hit him. A tremendous force surged from his arms through his entire body, sending him flying straight backward and crashing hard onto the platform. Duan Yue gave him no chance to recover, instantly following up with another punch. Lin Hao reacted quickly, activating Thunder Prison Instant Space Flash in a flash and barely dodging the blow.
Damn, that hurt like hell. Lin Hao cursed inwardly. If he hadn't been protected by Black Thunder, that punch would probably have broken both his arms.
Lin Hao kept a safe distance from Duan Yue. It seemed that neither Thunder Prison Shakes the Eight Desolations nor Endless Thunder Prison could hurt him.
The two stopped. Duan Yue beckoned, and the Po Jun Spear returned to his hand. "Brother Lin, be careful. My next move might hurt you." Duan Yue thought highly of his junior, who was only at the Bronze High-rank, and couldn't help warning him.
Lin Hao gave a bitter smile. Looks like he couldn't keep his newly comprehended spear technique hidden.
"Heh, Brother Duan, you're impressive. Since you're using a spear, I'll use one, too." With that, Lin Hao beckoned. A black spear etched with lightning patterns appeared in his hand. Duan Yue wasn't the only one taken aback; everyone present froze.
Wasn't Lin Hao an Ability User? How could he use a spear? Before anyone could react, Lin Hao closed his eyes, too. An aura almost identical to Duan Yue's began to emanate from him. The Thunder Prison Sky Splitting Spear in his hand started to tremble slightly, and the platform beneath his feet began to crack apart.
The aura kept rising until it matched Duan Yue's, then stopped.
Everyone stared at the scene with their mouths agape. Jiang Tianhai and Fang Wei shot to their feet. Damn, Lin Hao had comprehended an Intent, too.
Spear Intent, at the third level!
The auras of the two Intents clashed in the arena, sending sand and stones flying.
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