Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Perseverance

THUD!

As his foot landed, a Power of Penetration surged down from above.

The soreness in his arm vanished, and Chu Lingguang gripped the Long Spear tightly. A look of delight crossed his face. The Heaven and Earth Technique could indeed counter the second level of Skillful Force.

Not only did he break free from that clinging, coiling force, but the ache in his arm was also completely drained away.

Without these two disadvantages, Liu Quan’s offense and defense were riddled with openings in Chu Lingguang’s eyes.

His Perfection-level Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques could completely suppress him.

First, a Flower Dance Spear dazzled Liu Quan, then a Linked Spear forced him to stumble back, his own Spear Technique falling into disarray.

BOOM!

Chu Lingguang seized the opportunity.

His spear swept out again and again, aiming for Liu Quan’s chest.

Although he couldn’t borrow strength like Da Wu, by using his full Qi Power combined with the Form Realm of his Spear Technique, he could still unleash his weapon’s maximum might.

Everyone was stunned.

This was especially true for Guo Wei, Leader Ma, and Tie Zhennan. The others might not have realized that Liu Quan had just successfully used the second level of Skillful Force, but the three of them saw it clearly.

And yet, Chu Lingguang had actually withstood that power.

Keep in mind, even Da Wang hadn’t gained an advantage against it. How could Chu Lingguang possibly endure it?

“Impossible!”

Liu Quan’s expression changed drastically.

He desperately tried to grip his Long Spear, steady his rhythm, and block every one of Chu Lingguang’s sweeps, but the more he rushed, the more chaotic his movements became.

In the end, he couldn’t even properly apply the first level of Skillful Force. The resonance between his Qi Blood and his Long Spear was shattered.

“HAAAH!”

Chu Lingguang let out a mighty roar.

He swept his spear down with all his might.

CLANG!

Liu Quan raised his spear to block, but a surging power, accompanied by a wave of Skillful Force, transmitted from Chu Lingguang’s Long Spear. His hands went numb, and the Long Spear was knocked from his grasp.

His expression turned savage as he tried with all his might to snatch his spear back, but a cold glint of light shot toward his throat. Terrified, he froze in place.

CLATTER!

He could only watch as his Long Spear fell, striking the ground with a crisp sound.

Tie Zhennan closed his eyes.

He activated his Breathing Technique to control his emotions.

Liu Quan had lost.

Moreover, within a dozen or so exchanges, Chu Lingguang had easily broken through his defenses and defeated him in an overwhelming fashion. Not only had he dropped his spear, but he had also nearly lost his life.

On a real battlefield, Chu Lingguang’s spear would have pierced Liu Quan’s throat, and he would have been decapitated.

All this time, Tie Zhennan had held high hopes for Liu Quan, believing he could suppress all of Guo Wei’s disciples at the Martial Arts Examination. But in this one duel at the Weiyuan Escort Agency, he had been utterly defeated.

Liu Quan’s face was pale.

Seeing Tie Zhennan close his eyes, unable to bear the sight, and then looking at the shocked expressions on everyone else’s faces, he felt like crying.

But the spearhead aimed at his throat, which sent a chill through his entire body, made him instinctively take a step back.

“Junior Brother, you won.”

After a long moment, Hei Hu said in disbelief.

Defeating Liu Quan in a dozen or so exchanges was something neither he nor Guo Wei would have ever dared to imagine.

“Nice!”

Da Wang and Xiao Wang clapped and cheered.

Da Wu and Xiao Wu whispered to each other, the solemn look in their eyes as they watched Chu Lingguang turning to one of apprehension. Leader Ma, sitting in front, also wore an unprecedentedly grave expression.

Tie Zhennan opened his eyes and rose from his chair. He looked at Guo Wei and cupped his hands. “Master Guo, you’ve taken on a fine disciple.”

“The same to you.”

Guo Wei stood and returned the gesture.

Tie Zhennan said no more and walked toward the entrance of the Escort Agency. Jin Shan hurried to follow. Liu Quan picked up his Long Spear, gritted his teeth, and said, “We’ll settle this at the Martial Arts Examination!”

With that, he ran off without looking back.

He had wanted to outshine Chu Lingguang and win some face for himself and Tie Zhennan, but instead, he had suffered a crushing defeat and lost all face. One can only imagine his state of mind.

“Junior Brother, you’re amazing.”

Hei Hu said excitedly.

“Chu, how did you manage to neutralize Liu Quan’s Skillful Force just now?”

Da Wang pressed.

The two brothers circled around Chu Lingguang.

“I don’t know. I was just trying to press the attack and throw his Spear Technique into chaos.”

Chu Lingguang shook his head.

He couldn’t even tell Guo Wei about the Heaven and Earth Technique for now.

“Perfect Techniques and Formed Spear Technique. I never expected that combining the two would help you neutralize the second level of Skillful Force. However, you were facing a Liu Quan who hadn’t yet mastered the Form Realm of Spear Technique. If Da Wang had mastered the second level, you would have been no match for him.”

Guo Wei said slowly. He was beyond thrilled that Chu Lingguang had defeated Liu Quan in just a dozen or so exchanges. One could imagine his joy as a master. But he wanted to save this joy to share properly with Chu Lingguang back at the Martial Arts Hall.

“You’re right, Master.”

Chu Lingguang deeply agreed.

’Master Guo truly didn’t deceive me. Formed Spear Technique is the foundation for Great Success in Spear Technique. Although Skillful Force can be used with any weapon, its power is greatly diminished in spear fighting without the Form Realm. During our initial clash, when we were both using the first level of Skillful Force, I knew Master Guo hadn’t lied. Back then, Liu Quan had already started to panic when he saw his own weapon get knocked away. Once he realized the second level of Skillful Force couldn’t affect me, he completely lost his composure, allowing me to easily break through. That’s why he was defeated in just over a dozen exchanges.’

“After he goes back this time, he’s definitely going to train bitterly in Formed Spear Technique. The next time we run into him, we’ll be in trouble,” Da Wang lamented.

They couldn’t ignore Liu Quan’s second-level Skillful Force. Once he mastered the Form Realm of Spear Technique, Chu Lingguang might still be able to handle him, but the two brothers certainly wouldn’t.

“Master Guo, would it be possible to impart the secret of Perfect Techniques to my disciples? I am willing to trade a Qi Blood Pill or silver taels for it,” Leader Ma said with cupped hands.

He had truly had his eyes opened today.

Now that his attempt to steal the technique had failed, he could only ask Guo Wei to name a price. Besides, Kung Fu bought with money was far inferior to that which was genuinely taught, but he had no other choice.

“Haha, if you were asking me to teach your disciples Lance and Mounted Archery, perhaps I could offer some pointers. But there is no secret to Perfect Techniques. I can’t teach it,” Guo Wei shook his head.

“I can trade the Continuous Slash Saber Technique for it,” Leader Ma said, gritting his teeth.

Guo Wei was taken aback, then explained, “Leader Ma, you misunderstand. There really is no secret to Perfect Techniques. The fact that Lin Guang was able to cultivate his Spear Technique to the point of Perfection has little to do with me. He has gotten to where he is today through sheer perseverance.”

Guo Wei attributed Chu Lingguang’s Perfection Realm to his day-in, day-out focus on cultivating a single Kung Fu.

He began telling Leader Ma about how Chu Lingguang had cultivated the Iron Mountain Fist before becoming his disciple, and then recounted, one by one, all the foolish mistakes Chu Lingguang had made while practicing Heavenward Force, the Iron Mountain Saber Technique, and the Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques.

After listening, Da Wang and Xiao Wang couldn’t help but agree. They had trained with Chu Lingguang for two months, and he was famous for his slow aptitude. His success today was indeed due to his perseverance.

Da Wang, in particular, was thoroughly convinced of this.

He was still holding a grudge that Chu Lingguang hadn’t been able to teach him the Hundred-step Piercing Willow.

They didn’t know the secret of the Favor Points and attributed everything to Chu Lingguang’s tireless, day-and-night dedication to cultivating a single Kung Fu.

Hearing this, the disciples of the Escort Agency looked at Chu Lingguang with less jealousy and more admiration.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep