Duan Yue's Trump Card

"This guy is no pushover—taking my punch without a scratch. His body's toughness is impressive too." Lin Hao marveled inwardly.

A few exchanges on the stage left the teammates and spectators below utterly dumbfounded.

"Duan Yue is Longcheng Martial University's top genius. He's been tempering his bones and muscles since childhood, day in and day out without pause. His current strength is well-deserved." Principal Han Bantian of Shancheng Martial University commented with a smile.

"That's right—the captain hasn't even used one percent of his strength yet. I bet that Lin Hao won't last much longer." The Shancheng Martial University team members chimed in.

Han Bantian shook his head after hearing that. "From those few exchanges alone, it's clear Lin Hao's level is no lower than Duan Yue's. His physical resilience is in no way inferior." The principals saw it clearly: after taking Duan Yue's spear strike, Lin Hao adjusted swiftly and even counterattacked—that wasn't something talent alone could make up for.

"Brother Lin, fine skills. I, Duan Yue, haven't had a good, hearty fight in a long time. Thanks to you, Brother Lin, I can finally cut loose today. Now, Brother Lin, watch yourself."

As he spoke, an obscure, hard-to-read aura suddenly emerged around Duan Yue. Centered on him, it surged across the entire competition stage, growing stronger by the moment. Even the stage—normally unbreakable by Gold-rank warriors—began to crack rapidly under its influence.

At that, all the martial university principals shot to their feet in shock. Even Fang Wei and Jiang Tianhai's eyes burned with excitement and thrill.

"That kid's a real monster." Fang Wei chuckled. "Lin Hao's in for trouble now."

Jiang Tianhai was equally taken aback. "I never expected Duan Yue to have comprehended an Intent. And if I'm not mistaken, it's Battle Intent—likely already at the third level." He then felt a deep regret for Lin Hao. A warrior who had comprehended Intent was worlds apart from an ordinary one.

"Damn, what kind of freak did Longcheng Martial University produce?"

"Looks like this year's Hundred Schools League champion is Longcheng's again."

Envy filled the eyes of the other principals. In Jiangnan Martial University's waiting area, a girl in a white dress had a glint of excitement in her eyes.

The Shancheng Martial University team stared blankly at Duan Yue on stage.

"What kind of pressure is that?"

"Whoa, Great God Lin seems to be in danger."

"Is this a realm humans can reach?"

Jiang Weiwei watched Lin Hao with deep worry. Honestly, she was already more than satisfied that Shancheng Martial University had made it to the semifinals. Remembering their original goal of the top sixteen, and how Lin Hao had led the team here without breaking a sweat, she felt content. She just hoped Lin Hao wouldn't push himself too hard and get hurt for her sake or the school's.

Duan Yue's aura finally stopped surging. Lin Hao assessed it—third-level Intent. He had to admit Duan Yue was a genius. Lin Hao's own third-level aura came from the Thunder Prison Nine Spears gifted by the system; though he'd comprehended the Intent himself, it was still cheating. Duan Yue, on the other hand, had figured it out bit by bit on his own.

The Referee on stage waved a hand, and a protective barrier appeared over the competition stage. He, too, was amazed that Duan Yue had grasped Intent. The eruption of this aura could easily affect the teammates and spectators below, so he quickly set up a barrier as a precaution.

"Brother Duan, you've truly surprised me." Lin Hao couldn't help but praise. As he spoke, black lightning surged around him, his entire body wrapped in dense arcs. He pushed his Martial Art, Thunder Prison Instant Space Flash, to its limit, appearing before Duan Yue in an instant. A punch, carrying a powerful thunderous aura, blasted toward Duan Yue, the wind of the strike laced with Black Lightning hurtling at his face.

Duan Yue's eyes were half-closed, his expression eerily calm. He simply raised a palm and blocked Lin Hao's attack. Lin Hao didn't dare be careless; he unleashed Thunder Prison Instant Space Flash several times in quick succession, attacking Duan Yue from different angles. But Duan Yue had reached a state of serene clarity. Every move Lin Hao made was perfectly clear to him. Lin Hao's strikes were all easily deflected, and Duan Yue hadn't even used the Po Jun Spear.

The audience below was stunned into silence. The principals sighed in admiration—this was the mark of a genius who had comprehended Intent. Ordinary footwork and attacks were useless against him.

Seeing his prolonged assault fail, Lin Hao quickly retreated out of striking range. But Duan Yue wouldn't give him time to think; he surged forward the moment Lin Hao pulled back. He didn't even use his spear—the Po Jun Spear was left planted in the stage. A fist flew straight at Lin Hao's face.

"So fast!" The speed of that punch was more than double what it had been. Lin Hao hurriedly raised his arms to block, but it was too late. The fist, laden with Battle Intent, slammed heavily into his forearms. Lin Hao felt as if he'd been hit by a truck—a massive force surged through his arms into his whole body, sending him flying backward to crash hard onto the stage. Duan Yue didn't give him a chance; he closed in instantly with another punch. Lin Hao reacted quickly, triggering Thunder Prison Instant Space Flash just in time to barely dodge the blow.

Damn, that hurts like hell. Lin Hao cursed inwardly. If not for his Black Lightning shielding him, that last punch would've snapped both his arms.

Lin Hao kept a safe distance from Duan Yue. It was clear that neither Thunder Prison Shakes the Eight Desolations nor Endless Thunder Prison could harm him now.

The two stood still. Duan Yue beckoned with a hand, and the Po Jun Spear flew back into his grip. "Brother Lin, be careful. My next move might hurt you." Duan Yue had a high regard for this Bronze High-rank junior and couldn't help but warn him.

Lin Hao gave a bitter smile. It looked like his newly comprehended spear technique couldn't stay hidden.

"Heh, Brother Duan, excellent skill. Since you're using a spear, I, Lin Hao, will use one too." With that, Lin Hao beckoned, and a pitch-black spear etched with lightning patterns appeared in his hand. Not just Duan Yue, but everyone present froze in shock.

Wasn't Lin Hao an Ability User? How could he wield a spear? Before anyone could react, Lin Hao closed his eyes. An aura nearly identical to Duan Yue's began radiating from him. The Thunder Prison Sky Splitting Spear in his hand trembled slightly, and the stage floor beneath his feet started cracking rapidly.

The aura swelled until it matched Duan Yue's, then stopped.

Everyone's jaws dropped at the sight. Jiang Tianhai and Fang Wei shot to their feet. Damn it—Lin Hao had comprehended Intent too.

Spear Intent, third-level Spear Intent!

The two Intent auras clashed in the arena, kicking up sand and stones.