In the front courtyard of Frost King's Manor, Xiao Mo had suppressed his cultivation to the peak of the Qi Refining Stage. He held a wooden spear in one hand, his body lowered slightly, and thrust it forward in a plain, unadorned motion that nevertheless stirred a hidden gust of wind.
The young man across from him, Bai Qi, felt his heart tighten. He sprang backward, toes touching the ground, while turning his wrist and drawing a wooden spear from his side.
As soon as his feet were steady, he twisted his waist and swung his arm, turning the momentum into a counterthrust. His spearpoint met Xiao Mo's head-on.
The two wooden spears clashed in an instant. Their shadows crossed, and the sound of rushing air rang out without pause.
Bai Qi's spearwork was nimble, full of feints, but Xiao Mo stood as firm as a rock. Every block and deflection was perfectly timed, and he gradually took control of the fight.
After a dozen exchanges, Bai Qi's breathing grew uneven, and a momentary hesitation crept into his attacks.
Xiao Mo's gaze sharpened. In an instant, he seized the opening.
His right hand abruptly slid to the end of the shaft. With a flex of his arm and wrist, he flicked it upward. The spearpoint shuddered and traced a short, vicious arc, smacking against the inside of Bai Qi's spear hand.
Bai Qi gave a muffled grunt of pain. His fingers loosened instinctively, and the wooden spear slipped from his grasp, clattering onto the ground with a dull thud.
Before the sound had even faded, the cold glint of Xiao Mo's spearpoint was already at Bai Qi's throat, stopping half an inch away.
"Prince, your spearwork is transcendent. I'm deeply impressed."
Bai Qi stepped back and saluted with clasped hands.