Chapter 245: Advancing to the Top Three
Faced with Li Hanjiang’s attack, Lin Qi also chose to respond with speed.
SWISH SWISH!!
He effortlessly swung the heavy Black Great Spear, its shaft instantly transforming into a streak of meteors as he unleashed the Meteor Spear Technique, aiming to envelop Li Hanjiang.
The two launched their attacks, one after the other, moving so fast that only afterimages remained.
CLANG!!
In the span of a breath, the two had already clashed. Their spears collided, sending a shower of sparks into the air.
Li Hanjiang executed the Snowflake Spear Technique with the blue-silver Long Spear in his hand. The spear’s afterimages were endless, fluttering like snowflakes as they thrust toward different parts of Lin Qi’s body from all directions.
An invisible Power surged from his body, pouring into the Long Spear.
CLANG CLANG!!
Lin Qi swung his Black Great Spear like a meteor streaking across the sky, and in an instant, the two were locked in a fierce exchange.
The long spears clashed, their sharp edges meeting. Sparks flew with a series of clangs, and he parried every one of Li Hanjiang’s thrusts.
At the same time, Lin Qi felt an invisible Power travel up the spear’s shaft, cold as Cold Ice dozens of degrees below zero.
It instantly pierced his blood vessels, muscles, and his body’s Great Tendons.
It made his breath catch in his throat, as if he were paralyzed. His arms grew sore and numb, severely hampering the speed of his swings.
’His opponent’s Spear Technique isn’t bad,’ Lin Qi thought.
The Snowflake Spear Technique condensed a unique Power—Floating Snow Power!
It created the illusion of being frozen solid, while its Power simultaneously worked to destroy the opponent’s internal organs.
If an opponent’s defense and counter-attack slowed even for a moment, they would be pierced through the heart by one swift strike of his spear, ending the battle.
And the more advanced the Spear Technique, the stronger one’s mastery over the Power.
His opponent, Li Hanjiang, was just like that. Lin Qi could feel it from their brief exchange. His Spear Technique had not only broken through to Tier Three, but his Realm was also on par with his own.
No wonder he was able to defeat Wei Peng. His talent was truly extraordinary.
CLANG CLANG!!
Their long spears clashed. Li Hanjiang flicked the tip of his spear upward, precisely parrying Lin Qi’s strike with the grace of a plum blossom standing proud in the snow.
At the same time, a Power like a thousand sharp needles traveled up the shaft of the spear.
It broke through his own defensive Power, striking his arms and causing a sharp, needle-like pain that made them go numb.
’This guy, Lin Qi, is truly extraordinary. His control over Power is incredible.’ Li Hanjiang’s expression grew solemn. He knew instantly that he was facing a formidable opponent.
’Defeating Lin Qi won’t be easy. This is going to be a tough fight.’
...
In the leadership section of the stands.
Among the many leaders from Nether Sea Martial Academy, a middle-aged man in blue martial arts attire, sporting a full beard, nodded from time to time as he watched the fight in the arena.
"That boy, Hanjiang, is truly incredible. He has completely grasped the essence of the Snowflake Spear Technique. His use of it has reached Perfection."
"This Spear Technique is practically tailor-made for him. It’s fluid and light, like drifting snow."
"He pursues the pinnacle of speed. At our Nether Sea—no, in this entire generation of new students—no one is faster than him."
"Not even Tan Pei’er is necessarily faster than him!"
"Speed is power. When speed reaches its peak, it can inflict greater damage. That’s how Wei Peng was defeated," a leader said with a smile.
"This Lin Qi isn’t slow, but he has a fatal flaw. He clearly excels at frontal assaults, yet he’s using the Meteor Spear Technique. And he chose a heavy Big Gun, which will severely hamper his speed."
"This fatal mistake will most likely lead to his defeat," another leader chimed in with his assessment.
The man in blue smiled, but said humbly, "The fight isn’t over yet. It’s too early to draw conclusions."
’But deep down, he was already certain that Li Hanjiang would be the one to claim victory in the end.’
Beyond his Qi and Blood Value and Spear Technique, Li Hanjiang also possessed considerable Combat Talent, often allowing him to defeat stronger opponents.
’Lin Qi is merely on par with Li Hanjiang, which means Lin Qi is doomed to lose.’
’He felt reassured. No matter how he analyzed it, Li Hanjiang’s victory was assured. The advantage was theirs.’
Not far away, in the Azure Sky Martial Arts Academy’s section, Wu Yueze, the Vice Dean of the First Institute, frowned.
"What is Lin Qi doing?"
"He cultivates the Vajra Tiger Evolution Technique; his strength and speed are balanced, far surpassing an ordinary person. If he would just use the Mountain Splitting Spear Technique for a frontal assault, there’s no way Li Hanjiang could block it."
"So why is he using the Meteor Spear Technique? Does he really intend to beat Li Hanjiang at his own game?"
The purple-robed Vice Dean of the Ninth Institute added, "I think that’s likely the case."
"If he succeeds, he’ll look brilliant, but if he fails, the risk isn’t worth the reward. He’s still too young, after all."
Just then, Dean Liu with Big Ears spoke slowly:
"Don’t be so anxious. We have to have faith in Lin Qi."
"I’m sure he has a surprise in store for us."
...
From the audience stands,
Before the eyes of every spectator, two figures—one black, one blue—weaved and clashed continuously amidst the ruins.
"They’re too fast! The speed of those two is just insane!"
"Lin Qi and Li Hanjiang are so powerful! Are they really the same age as us?"
"My eyes can barely keep up with their battle. This is a true clash of titans! Whoever wins will be the strongest spear-wielder among the freshmen."
The crowd buzzed with discussion, marveling at the power of the two combatants.
...
In the Azure Sky Sixth Institute’s spectator section, Jiangtao, Guan Mountain, and the others couldn’t help but start to feel nervous.
This was the first time they had seen an opponent who was an even match for Lin Qi.
Previously, against Huo Wanyang, Lin Qi had simply crushed him with overwhelming force, but this time was different.
"Brother Qi will win!"
As his best brother, Jiangtao remained full of confidence in Lin Qi.
He could sometimes guess what his friend was thinking. Lin Qi’s goal was nothing less than the championship; that hadn’t changed, even when facing opponents like Tan Pei’er or Han Zhen.
...
「In the ruined arena.」
SWISH SWISH SWISH!!
CLANG CLANG!!
Li Hanjiang and Lin Qi’s Big Guns collided once more, the violent impact forcing them both back several steps.
"Lin Qi, it’s time to end this!"
"Your biggest mistake was choosing a heavy Big Gun."
Li Hanjiang spoke confidently, his body beginning to gather power, preparing to end the fight.
Lin Qi took a few steps back to steady himself, a smirk playing on his lips. "Is that right? I don’t think so."
"But I do think you’re right about one thing. This battle should be over!"
’In this fight against Li Hanjiang, I’ve finally, completely mastered the Little Divine Power.’
’I can unleash it at any moment, so yes, this match should be over.’
’Li Hanjiang is skilled, but just like Huo Wanyang, unless he’s strong enough to completely overwhelm me...’
’...the one who wins in the end will be me.’
*Huuu...*
Li Hanjiang’s whole demeanor shifted. After taking a slow breath, he began gathering his power again, and the aura around him transformed completely.
He controlled every muscle in his body, revving them up like an engine running at full throttle. Every component was activated.
He started by making his leg muscles explode with power. As he swung his spear, he vanished from his spot in the next instant, his Spear Technique a wild dance.
His speed erupted, pushed to its absolute limit. His combat philosophy was simple: speed is Attack Power.
As long as his speed was fast enough, the Long Spear in his hands could unleash unparalleled might.
Faster, faster, faster!!
He screamed inwardly, a mantra to push his speed to the absolute limit. In that moment, he seemed to become a single snowflake, weaving freely through Space.
His Great Tendons contracted, releasing a highly condensed stream of Power. The movement of his spear stirred the very air around him.
In an instant, fueled by his Power, the speed of his Long Spear skyrocketed, creating innumerable afterimages.
This thrust was his true, all-out attack. He would end this battle with his strongest Killing Technique.
The third Killing Technique of the Snowflake Spear Technique—Floating Snow!
In an instant, Li Hanjiang appeared before Lin Qi, killing intent surging to envelop him. The sky full of spear afterimages was like countless snowflakes, and every single thrust seemed real.
At the same moment, the muscles all over Lin Qi’s body hummed as he finished gathering power. His spine straightened, vertebra by vertebra, like a great dragon rising. The twelve major tendons of his body bulged, visible on the surface of his skin.
Veins bulged, like horned dragons slithering over his arms.
In an instant, his strength erupted. Power exploded from his entire body like a volcano, muscles swelling and Power surging forth, all of it highly condensed under his control.
Lin Qi’s consciousness precisely controlled the flow of every single sliver of power.
He drove power from his waist and hips, rotating his upper body and pouring immense Power into the Black Great Spear.
The spear’s shaft thrummed. In the next moment, Lin Qi thrust the Black Great Spear forward with unstoppable momentum, carrying enough force to sunder mountains as it shot toward Li Hanjiang.
The third Killing Technique of the Mountain Splitting Spear Technique—Mountain Splitting!
This was also the first time Lin Qi had used this third Killing Technique with his full power in actual combat after mastering it.
BOOM!!
The air in the path of the spear tip was violently compressed.
WHOOSH!!
The force and friction created a visible white ring in the air, which then shot forward.
*FWOOSH~*
In that instant, the two figures, one blue and one black, collided violently in mid-air.
The spectators craned their necks in unison, unable to look away. The battle had reached its fever pitch.
Victory or defeat would be decided by this single exchange.
Lin Qi’s gaze was electric as he took in the sky full of spear phantoms.
Relying on instinct, he found the perfect point and thrust straight forward.
*WHOOSH~*
CLANG!!
Amidst the storm of spear phantoms, their Big Guns clashed once more. Raw force and refined Power collided head-on!!
Li Hanjiang trembled as a terrifying power surged through his body.
It made his body instantly stiffen, his movements slowing in an instant. At the same time, that Power was like a steel awl piercing his skin, a rampaging Power that annihilated everything in its path.
His Floating Snow Strength was completely unable to withstand this impact.
He was horrified. ’My third Killing Technique... my all-out attack... it didn’t hold up?’
’It was as if Lin Qi’s strength had massively increased out of nowhere.’
He felt the fierce wind from the collision on his face, like a thousand blades slicing at his skin. The sharp spear tip broke through the defense of his Floating Snow Killing Technique to deliver the fatal blow.
Ripples spread through the air. It was a tyrannical thrust, one capable of Mountain Collapse and Mountain Splitting, one that could break through any obstacle.
*PFFT—*
The sound of a spear tip piercing flesh echoed as blood sprayed into the air. Excruciating pain flooded out from his chest.
A sweet taste filled Li Hanjiang’s throat as blood trickled from his lips.
The blue-silver Long Spear in his hand grazed Lin Qi’s face, leaving a bloody mark.
Li Hanjiang’s knees bent, but he did not kneel. He looked up at Lin Qi and asked:
"So this is your true strength?"
"I lost fair and square."
After speaking, he turned to Void, dissipating into the air.
The battle ended. Li Hanjiang was defeated, Lin Qi was the victor!
With his dominant victory over Li Hanjiang, he advanced to the semifinals, securing a spot in the top three!
...