Chapter 222: Beating Lu Xun (Part 1)

In Hongtian Academy, if anyone knew the most about spear techniques, it was definitely him.

He had been practicing the spear since he was old enough to understand, day after day, year after year, long since merging this weapon into his life and blood.

Yet even so, he was still a million miles away from spear intent.

He had always thought that such a state was nothing but an ethereal legend, unattainable in this lifetime. Never in his dreams did he imagine... he would see it in a teenager only a little over ten years old!

Although the spear intent he had condensed was only the most primitive, simplest prototype, still far from true mastery, it was like a seedling—given enough time, it would surely grow strong and become a towering tree!

How did he do it?

Earlier, he had felt that Mo Xiao’s forfeiting without even a match was an insult to the Wang family spear technique, making him lose face. Now he realized that once this move was unleashed, any Wang family spear or spear technique master was nothing but trash!

A move imbued with spear intent—no other technique could possibly withstand it.

Even... if he himself suddenly encountered it, he would be unable to resist!

If this Zheng Yang’s cultivation were close to his, he could kill him with a single spear thrust!

Could it be... that the move Father learned is this one?

His heart jolted, and Wang Chao suddenly remembered something.

His father, Wang Chong, had recently spent a fortune to apprentice himself and learn a spear technique. These days, he had been in seclusion, trying to comprehend spear intent. Wang Chao had always wondered what spear technique could be worth that much money. Seeing Zheng Yang’s move, he finally understood...

If it really was this move, not to mention three million gold coins, even ten million, twenty million—bankrupting the family—would be worth it!

Earlier, the steward had mentioned that the person teaching his father the spear technique seemed to be an alchemist. Wang Chao hadn’t paid it any mind. But now, seeing President Ouyang and the others arrive in person, saying they wanted to watch Alchemist Zhang’s match... Could it be this very Teacher Zhang Xuan?

His body swayed, and he felt like vomiting blood.

Teacher Zhang has a half-teacher relationship with me. He has already taught me this spear technique. From now on, when I see him, I’ll have to call him Grandmaster, or... Grandpa!

Shaking his head, he was about to dismiss this ridiculous thought when he heard a dignified voice, and then saw his father stride over.

The teacher evaluation was so sensational that even Wang Chong couldn’t resist coming to watch.

Grandmaster? Grandpa?

His face turned pale, and Wang Chao cried.

Not only him, but the audience below was also dead silent.

The so-called insiders were even more dumbfounded, their faces twisted in disbelief.

Although he hadn’t recognized it as spear intent, seeing Zheng Yang break the Coiling Dragon Hand with a single spear thrust, he knew that Zheng Yang had definitely reached that level!

A sixteen- or seventeen-year-old student comprehending the true meaning of a weapon?

How could there be such an outrageous thing in the world?

And how terrifying must the teacher who taught him this spear technique be?

It seems Mo Xiao didn’t forfeit to let his friend win, but because he really couldn’t withstand it!

Yeah, this move—not even a Martial Artist 3rd Layer, even a Martial Artist 4th Layer, could block it.

Such a powerful move—was it really taught by Teacher Zhang?

Teacher Zhang... not only is his movement technique, leg technique, and fist technique formidable, but his spear technique is also this strong?

All the students stood frozen in place.

He’s improved again in just a few days!

On the side, Mo Xiao’s body also trembled. He looked at Zhang Xuan again, an irrepressible longing and yearning in his eyes.

Only one voice echoed in his heart...

I must become his disciple!

...

Damn it!

His Coiling Dragon Hand broken by Zheng Yang’s spear, Lu Xun felt a tightness in his chest, his face twisted with ferocity. He roared and was about to deal with the somewhat exhausted Zheng Yang when he heard a dull sound—Liu Yang’s fist came hurtling at him from not far away.

At the same time, Wang Ying appeared like a ghost nearby and launched a flying kick.

Swoosh!

The fist and kick, accompanied by the sound of tearing air, sent a chill through him before they even reached him.

Although these two moves were not as powerful as the earlier spear thrust, they were not to be underestimated. If hit, even with his tough physique, he would likely suffer minor injuries.

Hmph!

His face darkened, and his body swayed like a butterfly weaving through flowers, retreating two steps.

Martial technique [Butterfly Steps]: ethereal and light, a butterfly flitting among blossoms!

Dodging the fist and kick, he was about to counterattack when he felt a chill all over, as if plunged into an ice cave.

Then, before his eyes, a girl of breathtaking beauty appeared, and a flawless jade hand reached toward his chest.

His pupils contracted. Though tense, Lu Xun was, after all, a peak Acupoint Opening Realm expert, battle-hardened. He flipped his hands, forming a seal-like shape, and met the attack.

Martial technique [Temple-Overturning Seal]: with a flip of the hand, overturn a temple, shaking heaven and earth!

Boom!

The Temple-Overturning Seal collided with the opponent’s palm.

Zhao Ya’s body trembled, and she flew backward.

She was only at the peak of the Strength Accumulation Realm, a far cry from Lu Xun’s Acupoint Opening Realm peak.

However, Lu Xun didn’t fare well either. The true qi surging from Zhao Ya’s palm carried a pure yin extreme cold, making his whole body shiver. He retreated three more steps, still feeling bone-chilling cold.

Moreover, a stream of icy true qi had invaded his meridians, difficult to expel in a short time.

Five people, six attacks—Lu Xun only managed to block one, retreating eleven steps.

The surrounding crowd was dumbfounded, utterly speechless.

This was Teacher Lu Xun, the top star teacher of Hongtian Academy. His cultivation might not dominate the academy, but among those at the same Acupoint Opening Realm, defeating him was nearly impossible.

Yet here he was, forced back repeatedly by a few little brats at Martial Artist 2nd Layer and Martial Artist 5th Layer. If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, they would never have believed it.

Is this their combined attack formation?

Zhang Xuan had known that Zhao Ya and the others were secretly practicing combined attacks, but he had never seen them perform before. Now watching, he frowned slightly.

Good, I’ll admit, I underestimated you. Together, you do have the right to challenge me!

Regulating his breath, Lu Xun saw that he had been forced to use one powerful move after another and kept retreating at the hands of a few juniors. He no longer showed any disdain; instead, his expression was grave.

We have the right, I think so too. Teacher Lu, look, we’ve sparred with you, and that should count as getting back at Teacher Zhang. How about we call it a draw and stop here, to avoid both sides getting hurt...

Yuan Tao said with a grin, walking forward as he spoke.

A draw? Lu Xun snorted coldly. Your attacks are novel, and the first time you used them, they caught me off guard. But now that they’re all exposed to me, they’re useless...

He was right.

Although the five of them had strong attacks, they lacked follow-up techniques to sustain them. They were essentially one-trick ponies, effective against peers or ordinary experts, but not against a teacher with the potential to become a master teacher like Lu Xun.

After all, in terms of insight and understanding of martial techniques, the five were far inferior.

You’re right. How about this... I’ll discuss with them, and we’ll concede?

Yuan Tao’s face was full of hesitation. He stepped forward again, and when he was only a few steps away from Lu Xun, his brows shot up, and he charged.

Hmph, again?

After Kong Jie’s incident, Lu Xun had been keeping an eye on this guy. Seeing him charge again, he snorted coldly.

The first time you rammed me, I wasn’t prepared and retreated two steps, losing out. The second time, I easily blocked it with the Coiling Dragon Hand. And now you still haven’t learned your lesson, trying a third time...

You underestimate me too much!

A cold glint flashed in his eyes. Instead of dodging, he raised his hand to deflect the charging force. But before they made contact, Yuan Tao suddenly stopped, spread his arms, and lunged in for a hug.

The sudden change of move was so fast that Lu Xun never expected it.

And even if he had, he wouldn’t have believed it—who runs over to hug someone in a fight?

Crack!

In an instant, the fat youth had him completely locked in an embrace, his hands clasped tightly together.

You...

A teacher being hugged by a student—Lu Xun’s face twisted in anger. He twisted his body and slammed into the fat youth.

Thud!

A dull sound.

The force of this collision was no less than a punch from him. Even an ordinary Acupoint Opening Realm expert would likely spit blood. But the fat youth hugging him only shuddered, his locked arms not loosening in the slightest.

Such a powerful impact, and he actually took it head-on!

What formidable defense... Lu Xun’s pupils contracted.

Now, even a fool would realize that this fat youth’s strength wasn’t in charging, but in... defense!

He had overlooked that earlier.

Move quickly!

Locking Lu Xun in his embrace, Yuan Tao let out a long roar.

Whoosh!

Before the shout had even ended, a spear came whistling in, thrusting straight at him.

Damn it!

Seeing the spear coming fiercely, knowing that if he were hit, he would be injured, Lu Xun roared and stomped hard on the ground.

A powerful force acted on the ground, lifting him and Yuan Tao three feet into the air, dodging the lethal strike.

Get down!

But though he dodged the spear, he couldn’t avoid Liu Yang’s fist. With a cold snort, the Heavenly Dao Fist Technique descended from the air, landing squarely on his back.

Pfft!

He spat out a mouthful of blood.

If this continues, I might really fall into the hands of these juniors...

Spitting blood, Lu Xun’s brows twitched wildly, nearly mad.

If he couldn’t break free from this fat youth, being held like this, he might really lose today!

These five students, though young and low in cultivation, practiced such bizarre martial techniques. Every move, if it hit, was hard for even him to withstand.

Let go!

With a furious roar, his right elbow smashed fiercely into Yuan Tao behind him.

This strike used his full ten percent strength. With his physique and power, it could pierce through steel in an instant.

Thud!

The powerful elbow landed on Yuan Tao’s chest.

Pfft!

Yuan Tao’s face flushed red.

But despite the intense pain, he still didn’t let go. It was as if his whole body had become a giant chain, locking the opponent firmly, refusing to release even unto death!

You...

Not expecting that even such a powerful elbow wouldn’t make him let go, Lu Xun was both furious and bewildered.

This guy wasn’t sparring—he was fighting for his life!

In that moment of distraction, a foot slammed into his chest.

At the same time, a pair of flawless jade hands also came down.

Thud! Thud!

Two crisp sounds. Lu Xun’s chest tightened, and he flew backward.