Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Spear Accomplishment

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, another half a month had passed. There were only about eight months left until the Daoist Examination.

Chu Lingguang traveled back and forth between Liu Family Gully and the Martial Arts Hall every day. The lesson from Guo Wei half a month ago had restored his confidence, and he resolutely continued practicing the Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques.

Although his forms had already reached Perfection, as he practiced them day after day, that single-minded, unwavering attitude seemed to perfectly match his current state.

Gradually, Chu Lingguang finally felt a sense of Qi Sensitivity merge with the Long Spear as he brandished it. It was as if, just as Guo Wei had said, he could successfully form the Spear Form if he could just make the Long Spear feel his breath.

“HYA!”

After finishing breakfast at the Martial Arts Hall and packing enough dry rations for lunch, Chu Lingguang mounted his Little Red Horse and galloped toward Cyan Cloud Mountain.

His attention was now focused on his Riding Skill, Spear Technique, and the Tidal Breathing Technique. The patch of woods behind Liu Family Gully had been all but destroyed by him and Hei Hu, so he needed a new training ground. Cyan Cloud Mountain was the perfect place.

This wasn’t Chu Lingguang’s first time training on Cyan Cloud Mountain. He navigated the familiar path with ease, heading to the area behind the mountain. A small path here led to the summit and the mountain fortress of Big Saber Hong.

However, the fortress had since been razed by the Government Office, and Big Saber Hong’s whereabouts were unknown. Chu Lingguang had no intention of going up to look, wanting to avoid any trouble.

He stuck to practicing with his Lance in the woods on the back of the mountain.

The Little Red Horse carried him as he weaved through the trees. He used his Long Spear to strike down targeted branches. He no longer tried to pierce through a thigh-thick tree with a single thrust or slice it in half. Instead, he focused on executing a precise thrust while on the move, knocking down a target leaf or a slender twig.

The smaller the target, the greater the difficulty.

Guo Wei had said that if he could strike a falling leaf with a thrust from horseback, then this Kung Fu would earn him an A Class grade in the Daoist Examination. It would be a significant bonus.

Just then, Chu Lingguang spotted a green caterpillar on a tree ahead. He urged his Little Red Horse into a full-speed charge and thrust his spear. The tip missed the caterpillar, but the force of inertia drove the spearhead deep into the tree trunk, crushing the insect.

“My aim is off, and I couldn’t control my strength.”

Chu Lingguang shook his head.

’Spear Technique must have killing power, but it also requires the ability to stop on a dime. On the battlefield, a careless mistake could injure an ally. Mastering the Kung Fu of pulling one’s punches not only prevents such situations but is also a formidable skill in itself.’

“Master Guo’s disciple is also practicing his Spear Technique?”

Suddenly, a voice came from behind him.

“Hall Master Li.”

Chu Lingguang was startled and quickly turned to see Li Yishan. He was climbing down from a cliff face, apparently following a Medicine Gatherer’s path back to the fortress.

’But the fortress was already destroyed by the Government Office. What is Li Yishan going back there for?’

“Half a month ago, Liu Quan defeated me on Wine Street. I remember you were there.”

Li Yishan walked toward Chu Lingguang.

Chu Lingguang nodded and dismounted. It would be rude to look down on Li Yishan from horseback.

“How does your Spear Technique compare to Liu Quan’s?”

Li Yishan asked.

Chu Lingguang thought about it seriously before shaking his head. “I’m not as good as him.”

Li Yishan raised the long saber in his hand and said, “I’ve recently had a breakthrough in my Saber Technique. I’m preparing to challenge Liu Quan to a rematch in a few days. Before that, I’d like to practice with you.”

“Uh…”

“I won’t hurt you. And if I succeed in defeating Liu Quan, I’ll agree to waive the monthly stipend for any shop on Wine Street you choose.”

Li Yishan said seriously.

“I’ve also had some new insights into my Spear Technique recently. Since Hall Master Li doesn’t mind, let’s have a match.”

Chu Lingguang replied after a moment of thought.

’I don’t need to waive the monthly stipend for anyone, but if Li Yishan can defeat Liu Quan after today’s battle, then Li Yishan will owe me a favor. Besides, I also want to see for myself just how big the gap is between my Spear Technique and Liu Quan’s.’

“Please.”

Li Yishan moved to a clear, open space.

He was worried the dense trees would hinder Chu Lingguang’s Long Spear. After all, a Long Spear was not as nimble or convenient to wield in the woods as a long saber.

Chu Lingguang tied up his Little Red Horse, vibrated the Long Spear in his hand, and said, “Please, guide me!”

WHOOSH!

Li Yishan didn’t hold back. His long saber left its sheath as he employed a Body Technique, rushing swiftly toward Chu Lingguang. Just like before, he wanted to close the distance and use a flurry of slashes to render the Long Spear useless.

However, Chu Lingguang also knew that the Long Spear’s advantage lay in its long-range sweeps. If he let an opponent with a short weapon get in close, the Long Spear would be as good as useless.

So, as Li Yishan charged, he used the Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques, executing a Cyan Dragon Emerges from Water Linked Spear aimed at both of Li Yishan’s shoulders.

Li Yishan unleashed a series of slashes with his long saber, trying to bat Chu Lingguang’s Long Spear aside and chop down the middle.

Unfortunately for him, while Chu Lingguang hadn’t yet achieved a Formed state with his Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques, his execution of the forms was flawless. For the moment, Li Yishan’s Saber Technique couldn’t break through this layer of defense, let alone get in close for a flurry of slashes.

Chu Lingguang wasn’t overthinking it. He had only one thought in his mind: ’Don’t let Li Yishan break through my defense and get close.’

He switched freely between the Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques, truly bringing out the Long Spear’s advantage. As the fight went on, he was able to take a step forward with each move, forcing Li Yishan back.

’Damn it.’

Li Yishan cursed inwardly. Chu Lingguang’s Long Spear couldn’t knock his long saber aside like Liu Quan’s could, but the seamless flow of techniques covering him had surprisingly forced him onto the defensive.

’If this stalemate continues, unless Chu Lingguang’s Qi Blood runs out first, I won’t even be able to break through his Spear Technique forms in the end, let alone overcome Liu Quan’s Skillful Force.’

The more Li Yishan thought about it, the angrier he became. He switched from a one-handed to a two-handed grip on his saber, intending to use his advantage in Qi Blood to disrupt Chu Lingguang’s Spear Technique.

SCREEE!

A piercing Sword Cry rang out.

The saber’s edge hacked against the shaft of the Long Spear.

Chu Lingguang felt the Long Spear tremble violently, and both his arms vibrated along with it. In that instant, his body couldn’t help but start vibrating as well, and he unconsciously managed to dissipate the concussive force.

WHOOSH!

He switched techniques, executing a Flower Dance Spear that swept toward Li Yishan’s face.

Seeing this familiar Spear Technique, Li Yishan felt a surge of anger. He couldn’t stop himself from channeling his Qi Blood Power and bringing his two-handed saber down in a series of consecutive chops.

Li Yishan broke through Chu Lingguang’s Flower Dance Spear. The Long Spear shuddered violently, and Li Yishan, who had been forced to retreat step by step, now counterattacked.

Chu Lingguang’s eyes were fixed on Li Yishan’s form. He could clearly see the saber’s edge cutting into the Long Spear. The weapon felt as if it would fly from his grasp, and the image of the vibrating shaft magnified in his mind.

Chu Lingguang reached out and grasped it.

THUMP-THUMP-THUMP!

In that instant, the frequency of the Long Spear’s vibrations seemed to match his own heartbeat. Chu Lingguang realized the Long Spear was responding to him.

’Formed Spear Technique!’

Those three words appeared in his mind.

Seeing Li Yishan rapidly closing in, he pulled the Long Spear back. As he retreated, he spun the spear around his neck several times. The instant he caught the butt of the spear, he executed a Clouds Parting and Sun Shining, bringing it straight down on Li Yishan.

Li Yishan was stunned. Chu Lingguang’s downward smash carried the rumbling sound of thunder. His Frontal Stabbing Saber Technique quickly shifted to a defensive posture. Watching the spear chop straight down, he felt an inescapable sensation, as if he couldn’t dodge. The sheer power within the Spear Technique forced him to channel all his Qi Blood and swing his two-handed saber upward with all his might.

CRACK!

Li Yishan couldn’t hold. The long saber was forced down from above his head to his chest. The shaft of Chu Lingguang’s spear slapped onto his shoulder, and his body uncontrollably buckled forward into a half-kneeling position.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep