Three-Stage Low-Grade Spear Technique! Spear Force!

Even among the freshmen who had already broken through to become Martial Artists, quite a few were left scrambling under the Murloc Warrior's savage attacks due to their lack of combat experience or weak resolve.

Very few could last more than three moves, and none had endured beyond ten exchanges.

Sighs and murmurs from the stands rose from time to time.

Only once the student numbers entered the top hundred did the situation gradually begin to improve.

More and more Martial Artists stepped forward, and their mindsets were much steadier. They lasted noticeably longer, and the occasional impressive counterattack could be seen.

But there still seemed to be an insurmountable gap between them and defeating the Murloc Warrior.

"Next, Qin Yan!"

At last, it was Qin Yan's turn.

He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the instinctive fear rising within him.

Then he stepped forward and entered the passage leading to the arena.

The passage was brightly lit, with a dazzling variety of weapons hanging along the walls on both sides.

Qin Yan's gaze swept over them before finally settling on a bright silver spear.

He reached out, took it down, and gripped it in his hand.

The instant his hand closed around the shaft, a strange sensation surged into his heart.

This standard-issue spear no longer seemed like cold metal, but an extension of his arm.

Its weight, balance, and length all felt perfectly right.

A smooth sense of control, as natural as moving his own limbs, arose within him.

"So this is the effect of the Third-Stage Spear Technique?"

Qin Yan was both startled and delighted.

Ever since his breakthrough, he had lacked a suitable place and opportunity to practice, leaving his awareness of his spear technique's actual progress somewhat vague.

But now, with the spear in hand, that feeling of being connected through flesh and blood, of his intent flowing seamlessly into it, was incomparably clear!

It was as though dormant power had been awakened in an instant!

That powerful sense of control gave him a degree of confidence in the coming battle that he had never possessed before.

With a slight flick of his wrist, the spearhead traced a faint silver arc through the air and let out a soft hum.

He walked steadily out of the passage and stepped into the arena below, beneath countless watching eyes.

A fishy stench-laden wind struck him head-on. In the distance, the ferocious Murloc Warrior had locked its cold blue eyes onto him.

Its bloodthirsty aura was entirely undisguised.

Fear tried to flood his heart again like a tide, and Qin Yan could even hear his own heartbeat pounding like a drum.

"I can't be afraid! I have to perform well!

"This is my only chance!"

He forced himself to stare into those inhuman eyes. "My own Martial Path... I absolutely cannot lose my nerve before the battle even begins!"

He recalled Dean Su Zhiming's words—"Magic Martial University does not pity the weak!"

He recalled his countless days and nights of bitter training, and the 91 Skill Points invested on the System Panel...

When he raised his head again, the panic in his eyes had already faded.

In its place was a resolve as steadfast as stone.

He held the spear in one hand, its tip angled toward the ground.

His entire aura changed, as though he were a young spear god!

"The match begins!"

The Murloc Warrior let out a roar and launched its signature brutal charge once more, its Sea Halberd aimed straight at Qin Yan!

Scattered discussion arose from the stands.

"Huh? That junior... doesn't seem to be a Martial Artist yet?"

"His Blood Qi fluctuation is a little strange. It seems like he's stuck at the limit."

"A non-Martial Artist against a First-Rank Fishman?

"Isn't that just serving himself up on a platter?

"If he lasts three moves, he'll already be impressive."

"He's probably going to get instantly defeated again."

Even Su Zhiming and several nearby instructors on the main platform shook their heads slightly.

Su Zhiming had already prepared himself to intervene and rescue him at any moment.

In their eyes, the outcome of a non-Martial Artist facing a ferocious Murloc Warrior was practically predetermined.

Yet facing the charging fishman warrior, Qin Yan advanced instead of retreating, the spear in his hand snapping up like a coiled venomous snake!

A glint of cold light struck the side of the thrusting Sea Halberd with flawless precision!

"Clang—!"

The sound of clashing weapons exploded!

A scene that left everyone dumbfounded unfolded—Qin Yan's spear did not fly from his grip, nor was he blasted away as expected.

After the collision, both Qin Yan and the fishman warrior staggered back three steps with a "thud, thud, thud."

They were evenly matched!

Su Zhiming slowly lowered his previously raised hand, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes.

Then, an almost imperceptible curve touched his lips. "His force is perfectly controlled, released and withdrawn at will... Third Stage Spear Technique?

This kid is interesting."

In the spectator stands, quite a few sharp-eyed instructors also saw what was happening.

"That spear strike was already no weaker than a Martial Artist's!"

"That's right. To withstand a First-Rank Fishman Warrior head-on while not yet a Martial Artist—this kid's spear technique must have reached the Third Stage."

"This little fellow's talent in the Spear Path is extraordinary!"

"The 120% Blood Qi strength boost granted by a Three-Stage Low-Grade Spear Technique makes this match worth watching."

"..."

Within the arena, that direct clash had thoroughly settled Qin Yan's nerves.

The fishman warrior's strength might have been violent, but it was not impossible to contend with!

His confidence soaring, Qin Yan's gaze grew ever sharper.

He no longer defended passively and instead charged forward with his spear!

The spear in his hand seemed to come alive, transforming into streaks of silver lightning—at times like a nimble serpent leaving its burrow, tricky and vicious;

at times like a torrential downpour, dense and unceasing; at other times like a rainbow piercing the sun, overwhelmingly powerful!

He was completely immersed in this exhilarating rhythm of battle. His fear of the fishman warrior's appearance had long been tossed beyond the clouds.

His eyes held only his opponent, and his heart held only spear technique!

His understanding of Third Stage Spear Technique (17%) rapidly digested and fused through real combat.

Its use became increasingly practiced and fierce!

For a time, spear shadows crisscrossed.

He actually fought the ferocious fishman warrior to a standstill, trading blow for blow!

"Clang!"

Another fierce collision rang out.

Qin Yan used the force to retreat half a step and regulate his breathing.

The fishman warrior, however, seemed to have been thoroughly enraged and let out a wild roar.

Then it charged again.

The Sea Halberd thrust forward, without any flourish, yet brimming with force!

At that instant, Qin Yan's gaze sharpened, and his entire aura abruptly condensed!

His waist and hips sank slightly, while his legs rooted firmly to the ground like the gnarled roots of an ancient tree.

Power rose from the ground, passed through his waist, and reached his arms and wrists—legs, waist, and arms united as one, twisting into a surging force!

"Break!"

He exhaled with a shout, and the spear in his hand shot forth like an enraged dragon emerging from the sea, thrusting straight ahead with unstoppable momentum!

At the spear tip, an incomparably condensed, immensely penetrating invisible force suddenly erupted—the Spear Force that only Third-Stage Spear Technique could produce!

"Crack! Buzz—!"

Along with a crisp snap and a piercing metallic tremor.

The fishman warrior felt a strange, spiral force travel through the halberd shaft.

Pain tore through the web of its hand, and it could no longer grip the Sea Halberd. The weapon flew from its grasp.

It hit the ground with a clatter!

The fishman warrior's massive body continued lunging forward from inertia, leaving it momentarily stiff and completely exposed!

"Perfect!"

How could Qin Yan possibly miss such an excellent opportunity?

His footwork flashed forward like a ghost, instantly closing the distance!

His spear transformed into seven cold stars, stabbing out in an incredibly swift succession!