Chapter 52: The Second Killing Move - Mountain-Crushing Slash!
Red Realm Arena
"Puff~"
"Haha, die!"
Liang Kai laughed wildly as he swung his long sword. His swordsmanship was fierce and lightning-fast, sword light flashing as it pierced through his opponent's chest in a split second.
[Swift Sword, congratulations on your victory!]
[Points +3]
[Points: 269]
"Too weak, simply too weak!"
Liang Kai shook his head. He had delicate facial features and a sharp temperament.
Liang Kai was a native of Bailu City, currently a senior in high school, and a top-tier genius at Songbai High School.
Nicknamed the "Swift Sword," he practiced the extremely fast *Shadow-Chasing Sword Technique*.
"Bullying weak opponents is always thrilling, and bullying them continuously is always a thrill. Let's queue up for another match. I have to admit, my luck is really good today."
"Tomorrow's exchange match will just be a chance to bully the opponents from Tianhai No. 2 High School to relax a bit."
Muttering to himself, Liang Kai chose to start matchmaking again.
A moment later, his figure was teleported to the silver-white arena, and his opponent materialized across from him.
The opponent was dressed entirely in black, wore a black mask, and wielded a large black spear, exuding a mysterious aura.
Liang Kai chuckled, "Yang Jian, watch my Swift Sword chop you to pieces."
[3, 2, 1...]
[Arena match begins!]
"Whoosh~"
As the smart female voice in the air faded, Liang Kai's figure moved and vanished from the spot. The long sword in his hand gleamed with a cold light, filled with murderous intent.
He enveloped his opponent from all directions, aiming to secure a kill in a single instant.
At the same time, "Yang Jian" also made his move.
...
One minute later.
"Clang, clang~"
On the arena, two figures swung their respective weapons, the silver long sword and the black large spear continuously intersecting and colliding.
In the air, silver and black afterimages collided repeatedly, generating sparks everywhere.
Lin Qi felt quite pleased; he had finally been matched against an expert this time.
He didn't like bullying weak opponents. Although bullying weaker foes was somewhat enjoyable, it didn't do much to improve his spear techniques.
He much preferred experts, as experts could help his spearwork progress.
And this opponent was indeed an expert. True to his nickname, he was a swift swordsman—his body moved like the wind, and his sword was like lightning.
Also practicing the *Shadow-Chasing Sword Technique*, his strength was far superior to Lu Xiang from High School No. 1, and his swordsmanship was already approaching the Second Tier.
"Clang~"
Following another collision between the two, Liang Kai's figure rapidly retreated several steps before steadying himself.
His arms were left tingling and numb, and a sweet taste rose in his throat.
Liang Kai's expression turned ugly. "Damn it, I let my guard down. This guy is a master."
"I don't think I can beat him!"
"No choice, all out!"
With that, he erupted violently, moving like lightning and unleashing a sky-full of sword shadows charged with lethal intent.
Gathering all his strength in his arms and surging his vital energy, he thrust his sword dozens of times in rapid succession at an incredible speed.
The sword shadows shrouded Lin Qi like a torrential rain, leaving him nowhere to hide.
Ultimate Move—Shadow-Chasing Rain of Swords!
Simultaneously, Lin Qi brandished his black spear, exerting force through his arms and causing the long spear to spin fiercely.
Just as the distance between them closed to less than a meter, the spear thrust forward abruptly.
*Mountain-Crushing Spear Technique*—Spinning Breach!
"Clang, clang~~"
In a split second, the two collided. The spear tip vibrated, flashing with cold light as it met the countless sword shadows.
A slight smile curved the corner of Lin Qi's mouth. The black spear pierced forward in a straight line, tearing through the air and suddenly clearing a path.
"Screech~"
Like thunder rising from the silence, the long spear sliced through the air in an instant, breaking through all obstacles and piercing straight through Liang Kai's throat.
"How is this possible!"
Incredulity painted Liang Kai's face as his eyes grew hazy and he dissolved into nothingness.
[Yang Jian, congratulations on your victory!]
[Points +3]
[Total Points: 237]
...
In his personal space, Lin Qi shook his head. Although his previous opponent was an expert, he hadn't put much pressure on him.
Below the Second Tier, it was practically impossible for anyone to defeat him. Only breaking through to the Second Tier could bring him pressure.
Liang Kai's swordsmanship had not yet reached the Second Tier, allowing Lin Qi to easily find a flaw, break it with a single spear strike, and eliminate him.
"Continue matching!"
"I hope a real expert shows up!"
...
Meanwhile, in the personal space.
"Hiss~"
Liang Kai rubbed his head, his brow furrowed in a deep frown.
"How did he do that?"
"That move easily shattered my swordsmanship. Could it be that in just a fraction of a second, he discovered the flaw in my ultimate move?"
"How is that even possible?"
He shook his head vigorously, preferring to believe that his opponent, "Yang Jian," had simply gotten lucky.
He exited the Red Realm Arena and stepped out of the virtual pod.
"What's wrong, Kai? Why is your expression so grim?"
Nearby, a tall man with exceptionally broad shoulders and a square face asked as he sipped his milk tea.
"It's nothing, just lost to an expert a moment ago."
"Never mind, let's call it a day. Tomorrow we're up against Tianhai No. 2 High School anyway," Liang Kai said, shaking his head.
"Speaking of the exchange match, I heard that Tianhai No. 2 High School is practically at the bottom of the key high schools in Tianhai City. Facing them is basically a dimensional-reduction strike."
"Of course, that's not the main point. The main point is that even though I'm stronger than you, I was assigned to the tenth spot. Winning will at least be somewhat entertaining, though."
The tall man grumbled unhappily.
Liang Kai chuckled. "Who told you your academic scores and vital energy levels are both lower than mine?"
"No matter how strong your technique is, it only accounts for 30%."
"Heh, during this mid-term evaluation, I'm definitely going to surpass you. I have at least the strength of the 7th rank."
"Bang!"
The tall man forcefully tossed his empty milk tea cup, which accurately landed inside the trash can.
...
October 31, 2045 of the Martial Era, the last day of October, sunny.
Tianhai No. 2 High School, Martial Arts Room.
"Hoo~"
Dressed in a white martial arts uniform, Lin Qi raised his long spear, holding it level with his shoulders.
As the adage of spear arts goes: The spear thrusts in a straight line, and holding it requires four levels of stability.
Spear arts demand steadiness and precision; even the slightest deviation can lead to defeat in battle.
If one lacks stability, flaws will be exposed. Qiu杰 was a prime negative example.
"Swish, swish~"
The next moment, Lin Qi brandished his long spear. The spear tip vibrated, drawing circles before contracting and thrusting out again.
The rear hand blocks, the front hand grabs; the spear shaft never leaves the waist, and the thrusting spear aims its power in a single straight line.
Countless spear thrusts were executed in a single instant. Lin Qi's entire body exhibited a stunning harmony; his feet were rooted like rock-solid foundations as he continuously blocked, grabbed, and thrust.
The long spear traced a subtle straight line, converging on a single pinpoint.
"I've mastered the first ultimate move, and I've already got a clue for the second one. I'm just a hair away."
With this thought, he abruptly shifted his spear technique from the *Basic Spear Technique* to the *Mountain-Crushing Spear Technique*.
"Puff~"
"Screech~"
The large spear swept through the air, accompanied by the whistling sound of rushing wind.
Leaping into the air!
Blocking horizontally!
Charging forward!
Sweeping backward!
He continuously executed the four forms of the spear technique, linking them smoothly while searching for their integration point.
Lin Qi's brain and body operated at high speed simultaneously. While his body executed the spear arts, his mind continuously simulated and dismantled every move of the *Mountain-Crushing Spear Technique*.
"Swish, swish~"
After practicing for who knows how long, Lin Qi's eyes suddenly lit up as if a sharp gleam had flashed across them.
The spear technique in his hands changed abruptly. He exerted sudden force through his arms, gripping the long spear tightly as power infused into it.
His legs rooted firmly into the ground, and his waist sank to store energy. The moment his power reached its peak, it erupted instantly.
The spear momentum was as unstoppable as a thunderbolt, and the spear tip slammed down with the might of Mount Tai, as if it could shatter mountains and break the earth.
*Mountain-Crushing Spear Technique* Ultimate Move—Mountain-Splitting Strike!
"Bang!"
The long spear heavily smashed onto the mat, producing a thunderous roar and kicking up a cloud of dust.
[You have mastered the second ultimate move of the *Mountain-Crushing Spear Technique*, Spear Technique +3%]
[Spear Technique: First Tier 96% → 99%]
...
"Hoo~"
Lin Qi withdrew his spear, the corners of his mouth curving upward.
"Very good, I've finally mastered the second ultimate move, and my spear technique realm has also reached 99% of the First Tier, leaving me just a single step away from the Second Tier."
"I just need to familiarize myself with it a bit more, and I'll be even more confident for tonight's exchange match."
Thinking this, Lin Qi continued practicing the newly mastered second ultimate move to build his muscle memory.