Spearmanship itself was difficult to master.
That was an indisputable fact.
To reach the Greater Achievement Realm required not only talent, but also long-term perseverance. Only then did one have a chance of attaining such a realm.
Li Xiongshan understood this all too well. They often saw combat. Things were manageable in the present world, but once they entered the Void Battlefield, with rules interfering and enemies clashing at close range, spearmanship performed far better on the battlefield than weapons such as sabers and swords.
Greater Achievement saber technique could take on a hundred men, while Greater Achievement spearmanship could take on three hundred!
Liu Shan's saber technique had long since reached Greater Achievement, and he possessed extensive battlefield experience. Yet at the same realm, he had been beaten down by Su Bei from beginning to end. That alone was enough to explain everything!
Even so, those in the military with Greater Achievement spearmanship were still as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns, treasured like precious jewels in every division.
For most people, Mastery Realm was already sufficient for the battlefield.
So when he saw that Su Bei's spearmanship had reached Greater Achievement, he was already extremely satisfied!
An army was easy to find; a fierce general was hard to come by!
He was not even twenty yet, his physical limit was nearly 3,000 KG, and his spearmanship had already reached Greater Achievement. If he trained for a few more years and his strength rose further, Li Xiongshan did not dare imagine what he would become.
Old Li had truly never fought such a wealthy battle before!
But he had not expected Su Bei to have another trick up his sleeve.
Could his fist technique have reached Greater Achievement too?
"Since that's the case, let's not trouble another person for the same matter." Li Xiongshan looked at Liu Shan. "What realm is your fist technique at?"
Liu Shan answered, "I've been fairly diligent these past years. Minor Achievement Realm."
That was not exactly a lie.
Fist technique was more of a means for him when fighting barehanded. He had never paid much attention to it. Most of his foundation had been built back when he was a Quasi-Martial Artist. He could only say that he had practiced it, but never seriously.
Still, martial realms depended on talent to begin with. Minor Achievement fist technique was already more than respectable; one might not find even one person among a hundred who had achieved it.
"That's not bad either."
Li Xiongshan nodded. His expectations for Su Bei were high, but Greater Achievement spearmanship had probably already consumed most of his time. It would be impressive enough if his fist technique had reached Greater Achievement, though it was likely only a little beyond Minor Achievement.
That way, even if he lost, it would not look too bad.
As for Perfection, Li Xiongshan had not even considered it. Above Perfection was the Intent Realm, the seed of a grandmaster, enough to establish a school and found a sect!
The two men clasped their fists once more and faced each other.
"Brother Liu, excuse me."
Su Bei sighed inwardly. If Liu Shan had Greater Achievement fist technique, he could still put on an act. But Minor Achievement...
Wasn't that Zhang Feiyu's level?
"I'm the one who should ask forgiveness," Liu Shan said. He admitted that Su Bei had some skill with the spear, but fist techniques were different. Fists struck flesh. Even with equal strength, after undergoing three Secret Treasury Gate transformations, his overall physical qualities far surpassed Su Bei's!
He could understand a young man wanting to show off, but Su Bei was still too impatient.
This round, the advantage is mine!
The air fell silent.
The next instant.
Su Bei and Liu Shan moved at the same time. The distance of several dozen meters vanished in the blink of an eye.
Bang!
Then, in the very next second, Liu Shan's body flew backward like a cannonball.
As he hung in midair, a bewildered expression appeared on his face, his mind full of question marks. Wait, how did I get sent flying?
I haven't even thrown a punch yet!
"I was careless. Again!"
He tapped lightly against the ground, using the rebound to charge at Su Bei even faster, his figure ghostlike!
His fists were heavy as mountains. Even if a mountain range stood before him, he seemed capable of smashing straight through it!
But the gap between Minor Achievement Realm and Perfection Realm was like a heavenly chasm. Liu Shan's unstoppable punch was filled with openings in Su Bei's eyes, like a child throwing a fist.
With a casual flick of his hand, without the slightest flourish, Su Bei deflected Liu Shan's unstoppable punch sideways through one of its openings. Then his right fist shot out, Qi Force surging like a violently erupting volcano!
Bang!
Liu Shan's body flew backward again under that tremendous force.
He landed steadily and had not suffered any real injuries, only some slight pain. But his heart was already riddled with holes.
The entire scene fell silent.
When an expert made a move, one could immediately tell whether he had the goods.
Everyone present had excellent eyesight. There had still been some back-and-forth with the spear, but this fistfight was plainly a complete and utter crushing!
"Little Zhang, you go up too."
Fu Hongtao of the Martial Artists Association wore a solemn expression, with a trace of barely perceptible disbelief deep in his eyes. "Remember, don't hurt Su Bei."
"Yes!"
The martial artist behind him said nothing more. His Greater Achievement fist technique had already made him eager for battle. Stomping his foot, he pounced toward Su Bei like a tiger descending the mountain, his fists whipping like giant serpents lashing their tails and blasting apart the air!
"Good!"
Su Bei let out a thunderous roar. The aura around him rose with the wind, vast and majestic. With crackling pops, the muscles and bones throughout his body rang in unison. He seemed to have been forcibly stretched several inches taller, imposing and heroic!
His fists blazed like radiant suns, perfectly harmonious as if formed by nature itself, as they struck toward the oncoming opponent!
Bang bang bang!
Within a few breaths, the two exchanged dozens of blows in rapid succession. Fist shadows filled the air, every strike landing on flesh. Gales howled as Qi Force swept up waves of air, sending the dust and sand from the ground flying!
Liu Shan stepped forward and entered the battle as well. Six fists collided amid the dust cloud, Qi Force crashing and dissipating as wave after wave of air spread outward!
In only a dozen or so breaths, the three had exchanged nearly a hundred punches!
Su Bei's momentum only grew stronger. The saying that two fists could not beat four hands did not apply to him. After figuring out their punching patterns, he became increasingly at ease. The two men might have been experienced veterans, but before data, that meant nothing!
Bang!
Bang!
Two explosive booms rang out. Air currents blew through the dust, and the two men flew backward like cannonballs.
Both still wore expressions of utter disbelief.
In just over a dozen breaths, the two had been defeated together. From beginning to end, they had not even managed to cause Su Bei much trouble!
After landing, Liu Shan glanced at the guy beside him. For some reason, he felt much better.
At least he was no longer the only one who had been shattered. How wonderful.
The expressions of the people around them shifted from confusion, to understanding, to numbness.
By now, they truly did not know what to say.
"That's enough," Li Xiongshan said.
Then he turned to Su Bei. "Xiaobei, what realm is your fist technique at?"
At Li Xiongshan's question, everyone's eyes gathered on Su Bei. There was a saying that gazes could generate energy, and at that moment, Su Bei felt it.
"Commander, my fist technique fortunately broke through to Greater Achievement some days ago."
"Now, it is at the Perfection Realm."
Even those who had already guessed it could not help sucking in a cold breath, their hearts shaking violently!
The Perfection Realm!
That was practically the seed of a grandmaster!
It was said that in the later stages of cultivation, opening certain Secret Treasury Gates required specific martial realms!
That was why the Perfection martial realm was also known as the seed of a grandmaster. Those who attained it had hope of stepping into the pinnacle of martial arts. No matter where they were, they were top geniuses cultivated as key prospects!
"Good, good, good! Hahahaha! Excellent!"
Li Xiongshan laughed heartily. "Xiaobei, what kind of commander are you calling me? Just call me Uncle Xiong!"
His heart felt incomparably satisfied!
"Yes, Uncle Xiong!" Su Bei immediately seized the opportunity and answered.
"Good! Hey, you... forget it, I'll personally take you to enlist!"
Li Xiongshan grabbed Su Bei and headed outside, as though afraid someone would snatch him away. "That longbow of yours looks like it can still be repaired. I'll take you to get it fixed. The craftsmen in our division are quite skilled!"
"If you have any other difficulties, tell Uncle Xiong!"
"Uncle Xiong will definitely solve them for you!"
Only then did Su Bei understand why Chen Wansheng had repeatedly told him to make sure he displayed his fist technique realm.
Was the Perfection martial realm really worth this much?
"If I have any difficulties, I'll definitely come to you!"
This...
Everyone could not help looking at Li Xiongshan, cursing his shameless face inwardly. Yet envy and jealousy filled their hearts in equal measure.
A physical limit of 3,000 KG, Greater Achievement spearmanship, Fist Technique Perfection, and especially at such a young age... this kind of talent had actually been snatched away by that old bastard!
Wang Ming and Fu Hongtao in particular—why could they not have held out a little longer just now?!
Wang Ming stepped forward, grabbed Li Xiongshan, and pulled him aside.
"Old Li, I'm begging you, brother. I'll kneel for you. Give this person to our Martial Department."
"If that won't work, could you process his discharge instead? Please?"
"You're doing too well, and it hurts my heart!"
"Get lost!"
Li Xiongshan laughed and cursed, "Can you go back on something that was already agreed upon?!"
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