Chapter 287
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Chapter 287: The Skills of the Spear Saint
The cat demon swiftly ascended the stairs. She was not the fastest among those climbing, with two individuals ahead of her. Among them, a young man moved with exceptional speed, his feet blurring to the point where his leg movements became almost indiscernible. At first glance, his motion resembled less of a sprint and more like a large bird gliding close to the ground.
“Such graceful skills,” Zhao Hu couldn’t help but admire. “Not only is this person agile, but incredibly swift. Truly a talented youth.”
Although Zhao Hu was seeking someone to inherit the “Birds Adoring the Phoenix Spear” technique, he recognized that if the candidate was too exceptional, passing on the technique would not be problematic.
Qiao Mu observed the person’s steps, deep in contemplation. While ordinary observers could not discern the details of the movements, he could see them with remarkable clarity and found them strangely familiar. The opponent’s lightness skill was unmistakably the world’s finest technique: Heavenly Dragon Eight Steps.
The individual appeared to be a young man in his twenties, yet his mastery of the Heavenly Dragon Eight Steps was sufficiently advanced to capture Qiao Mu’s attention.
“Could he be from the Wuji Association?” Qiao Mu pondered.
Heavenly Dragon Eight Steps was a supremely challenging lightness skill, renowned for its extreme difficulty. Qiao Mu had previously encountered Wu Qiankun, and even he—considered the top martial artist just below Martial Saint—had not fully mastered Heavenly Dragon Eight Steps, instead utilizing the “Ex-human Transformation” technique. This young man’s exceptional lightness skill suggested he was far from ordinary.
At this point, Impermanent Demon Cat had already reached the midpoint of the mountain path. Before her stood a massive man over two meters tall, featuring a distinctive leopard-like head and circular eyes. This robust individual, a half-demon from Xishan Village, was broad and powerful, with his unusual leopard-headed appearance immediately noticeable.
The renowned Spear Saint of the past was known for his compassion and hailed from the Southwest Province. He had even adopted a group of half-demons led by “Qing Li”. Although the Spear Saint had passed away, some half-demons continued to reside in Xishan Village alongside the Zhao family members.
“Among Spear Saint’s disciples, there are indeed some powerful and strong half-demons,” the leopard-headed giant spoke in a deep, resonant voice. “His technique ‘Birds Adoring the Phoenix Spear’ requires at least two thousand pounds of strength to perform.”
“So the second test is about physical strength—”
Before completing his statement, the leopard-headed man suddenly felt dizzy. He found himself unable to break free from the Grim Reaper’s grip, whose hands clamped his wrists like unyielding iron. Despite his towering two-meter frame and bulging muscles, the massive half-demon gradually succumbed to the slender Grim Reaper’s strength, unable to resist.
Ultimately, he sat heavily on the ground, panting before slowly rising.
“Why are you in such a hurry?” the burly man with a leopard-patterned headband asked, his eyes wide.
“I said this is a test of skill, not a test against me,” he continued, gesturing toward several enormous rocks positioned along the mountain path, shrugging helplessly.
“In this challenge, all you need to do is lift this massive 2,000-pound rock to pass. I’m not asking you to compete with me. Forget it, little girl, you don’t need to lift it, just proceed.”
The leopard-headed giant appeared resigned. Two thousand pounds far exceeded the physical capabilities of a fourth-rank martial artist. Those capable of lifting such weight would either possess exceptional talent, have consumed rare treasures, or have mastered advanced martial arts through prolonged, dedicated training.
As a half-demon, he inherited demon race bloodlines, naturally possessing strength far beyond human physical limitations. The young girl’s strength clearly surpassed his own, making the outcome seemingly predetermined.
“Is she also a half-demon? Inheriting demon race bloodlines? I wonder which powerful demon’s descendant she is, so formidable,” the leopard-headed man mused, shaking his head.
Zhao Hu looked back at Qiao Mu thoughtfully. “The Zhou family is full of hidden talents,” he sighed. “Although this young girl is strong, as a half-demon, she may not be suitable for mastering the ‘Birds Adoring the Phoenix Spear’ and developing internal strength, right?”
In this world, most half-demons struggle to practice human martial arts techniques due to fundamental differences in body structure and meridians, which impede internal strength cultivation. Half-demons typically possess significantly greater physical strength than ordinary humans, while human martial artists might be less strong but can unleash internal strength.
Martial artists can project their internal strength through the air, creating more destructive force. However, once depleted, internal strength requires extensive meditation and rest to recover. Muscle strength, conversely, provides greater endurance and faster recuperation.
Qiao Mu, leveraging the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method, could multiply his internal strength, repeatedly overwhelming opponents.
“You’re mistaken, she is not a half-demon,” Qiao Mu remarked casually while perusing a small booklet—a thoughtful gift from Zhao Hu.
The booklet contained the martial arts wisdom of the Spear Saint’s later years. It briefly chronicled the Spear Saint’s life, highlighting his unparalleled mastery of the long spear and a move called ‘Hundred Birds Facing the Phoenix’ that rendered him unbeatable in his prime. By forty, his spear skills had reached their zenith, establishing him as the world’s preeminent martial artist.
However, just two years after achieving global recognition, he encountered the Earth Sword Immortal. Defeated by the Heavenly Slashing Swordsmanship, the Spear Saint did not despair but instead viewed the Earth Sword Immortal as a formidable rival.
After meditating atop Western Mountain for a decade, he created a new killing move, “Jingwei Fills the Sea,” inspired by the Earth Sword Immortal’s technique.
The Spear Saint’s notes revealed profound respect: “Although Earth Sword Immortal may seem unconventional, he is truly a person of high moral character. His Heavenly Slashing Swordsmanship is about cutting off all retreat, with one sword strike making me invincible, focusing all my energy and spirit into that singular moment.”
His ultimate move, “Jingwei Filling the Sea,” was inspired by the mythical narrative of persistent determination, symbolizing unwavering commitment even until death.
The Spear Saint’s reflections traced his remarkable journey: From being invincible in the mortal realm at forty to suffering a tragic defeat at forty-two, and then facing near-fatal challenges during the Inhuman War at forty-five.
His writings acknowledged the vast, limitless nature of cultivation, recognizing that human effort, no matter how monumental, could scarcely make an impact in such an expansive realm.
After a decade of solitary meditation on West Mountain, he mastered “Jingwei Fills the Sea”—yet still could not surpass the peak swordsmanship of Earth Sword Immortal.
Despite this, he remained steadfast in his commitment, prepared to fight to the death in an upcoming confrontation with Martial Saint and other outstanding heroes.
This manuscript was not a secret martial arts manual but a profound personal testament—first narrating the Spear Saint’s life story, then detailing his martial arts exploration and philosophical insights.
Reading the text, Qiao Mu found himself genuinely admiring the Spear Saint. This martial artist had faced extraordinary challenges, experiencing political interference and the shadow of more celebrated contemporaries like Earth Sword Immortal and Martial Saint.
Despite being briefly crowned “the best in the world”—a title lasting merely two years—the Spear Saint was ultimately overshadowed. In public perception, his martial arts leadership seemed less credible, and he was increasingly remembered as the “second best in the world.”
After reaching the pinnacle of martial prowess and becoming invincible in his era, Spear Saint suffered three catastrophic defeats.
Earth Sword Immortal experienced one loss, while the inhuman Yu Shan endured two.
Following a decade of meditation and developing the lethal technique “Jingwei Fills the Sea,” he encountered a Martial Saint who had been cultivating the Martial Saint Spiritual Technique for ten years.
Instead of mounting a comeback, he perished instantly.
Truly a moment of profound regret.
“If Spear Saint had been born in this modern martial arts era, I believe he would have achieved even more remarkable feats,” Qiao Mu mused softly.
Leafing through the small booklet in his hand, he casually skimmed the martial arts insights concluding the text.
At that moment, Zhao Hu had already guided them to the summit of West Mountain.
The mountaintop presented a relatively level open space, previously serving as the training ground for the legendary Spear Saint.
On one side of the training area, a large rock stood adorned with intricate carved patterns.
Qiao Mu studied the stone sculpture carefully, which depicted a bird carrying a stone while soaring towards the ocean.
“Is this the Jingwei Filling the Sea illustration? The claim that Spear Saint humbly learned stone carving from the Earth Sword Immortal in his later years is indeed true.”
Qiao Mu chuckled silently to himself.
Ultimately, the Spear Saint possessed a magnanimous spirit. Despite being a supreme martial artist, he could set aside his pride after a crushing defeat and become a student of the Earth Sword Immortal.
He remained unafraid of potential ridicule by future generations, even documenting the experience.
Ding ding ding.
At that instant, a Zhao family member rang the bronze bell atop the mountain, drawing Qiao Mu’s attention from the booklet.
Upon turning back, he observed that Anchang had already successfully navigated three trials and reached the mountaintop.
Alongside her, Wu Rulong and a young man with a black ponytail had also arrived at the peak.
Surveying the scene, everyone exuded an exceptional aura, clearly not ordinary individuals.
“Now that three individuals have reached the summit, it is natural to conduct another competition to determine who will obtain the secret technique,” Zhao Hu cleared his throat and announced.
Thus, at the martial arts arena atop the mountain named after Spear Saint, Anchang and Wu Rulong positioned themselves facing each other from a distance.
The young man with the ponytail stood quietly behind the crowd, waiting without uttering a word.
“It’s your moment, Ryu,” Wu Qiankun’s eyes sharpened.
In an instant, Wu Rulong sprang into motion.
Spinning dynamically, he pivoted his waist, energetically maneuvering the spear into his hand and thrusting forward.
The spear’s tip gleamed like a cold star, piercing sharply with a whistling sound that shot out like a dragon.
A fierce energy spread with the long spear, exploding in the air and condensing into a dragon-shaped shadow.
He struck decisively and ruthlessly, aiming directly for the unpredictable throat.
Before the spear could reach its target, the grand momentum had already captured the attention of the Zhao family elders observing the battle.
Wu Rulong, acknowledged as the top spear martial arts talent by the Martial Saint, had thereby earned entry into the seventy-two wise men.
Clan leader Zhao Hu stroked his short beard and exclaimed, “Although young in age, his spear technique is already perfected.”
“With just one spear thrust, he has concentrated all his strength into a single strike, surpassing a normal full-powered attack. Has he mastered an advanced martial skill at such a young age?”
His thrust merely pierced through empty space, creating a thunderous explosion with sand and dust swirling.
The elusive opponent had vanished without a trace.
Wu Rulong stood motionless with his spear, appearing somewhat bewildered.
In the next moment, a hand suddenly emerged from the shadow beneath his feet, seized his ankle, and pulled forcefully.
With a resounding bang, Wu Rulong tumbled forward, creating a shallow pit in the martial arts arena, covered in dirt and looking completely transformed from his previous fierce demeanor.
“This is called sparring–” he attempted to speak, eyes wide, but was dragged by an overwhelming force, causing him to fall flat with limbs spread, his head striking the ground. He remained unable to rise, the long spear slipping from his grasp.
Instantaneously, the Grim Reaper emerged from the shadow, retrieved Wu Rulong’s spear, forcefully bent it, and secured one of Wu Rulong’s hands behind his back while he lay prone.
“Hmm… Is it over now?” Zhao Hu and the other Zhao clan members exchanged uncertain glances.
Though the Grim Reaper’s ability to vanish into shadows was clearly not traditional martial arts, but seemingly a monstrous power, their strength disparity was evident. The young girl had effortlessly rendered Wu Rulong nearly defenseless.
Victory remained victory, defeat was defeat.
“One match remains, we can only rely on the young man with the green ponytail,” Zhao Hu, now recognizing the Grim Reaper’s supernatural identity, furrowed his brow slightly, reluctant to surrender the “Birds Adoring the Phoenix Spear”.
Despite all three passing the assessment, Wu Rulong appeared the most suitable heir to the spear skills.
Among Spear Saint’s disciples, this half-demon Zhao Hu cared little for racial differences, simply hoping to find a pure-blood human descendant capable of developing internal strength.
“Hmm? Where is that young man with impressive lightness skills and a ponytail we saw earlier?” Zhao Hu scanned the crowd but could not locate him.
Meanwhile, Wu Qiankun standing nearby released a soft sigh.
“Wu Rulong, you remain fundamentally weak.”
Wu Rulong, still pinned down, attempted to respond but could not articulate his thoughts.
In the Wuji Association, the principle was straightforward: strength commanded respect, with victory determined by any means necessary.
Wu Qiankun rose and approached Zhao Hu step by step, his expression progressively darkening.
He had initially intended to follow the rules and show some respect to the Spear Saint’s descendant.
But with Wu Rulong’s plan now failed, he would not passively allow the “Birds Adoring the Phoenix Spear” to slip away.
“I thought I could honor the former Spear Saint. Now it seems I was naive, having wasted my efforts.”
He twisted his neck, joints crackling like frying beans, his body subtly expanding, even his facial features transforming.
“I am weary of this game of testing the weak.”
Wu Qiankun’s towering three-meter tall figure loomed before Zhao Hu, his shadow entirely engulfing the elderly man.
Lowering his eyelids, he gazed down at the small figure in front of him:
“Now, it is the strong who shall act.”
