High Martial Arts: Grinding for the Supreme Talent

Chapter 52: Chapter 52: The Second Killing Technique—Mountain-Shattering Slash

Red Realm Arena

PSHH~

”Haha, die!”

Liang Kai cackled, brandishing his longsword. His swordsmanship was ruthless, fast as lightning. With a flash of his blade, he pierced his opponent’s chest in an instant.

[Fast Sword, congratulations on your victory!]

[Points +3]

[Points: 269]

”Too easy, too easy!”

Liang Kai shook his head. He had refined features and a sharp aura.

Liang Kai, a native of Bailu City, was a third-year high school student and the top genius of Songbai Middle School.

His nickname was ”Fast Sword,” and he practiced the incredibly fast Swift Shadow Swordsmanship.

’Stomping noobs never gets old. I’ll match with another one. Gotta say, my luck is really good today.’

’The exchange tournament is tomorrow. I’ll just beat up on the opponents from Tianhai No. 2 Middle School to relax.’

After muttering to himself, Liang Kai chose to start matching again.

A moment later, his figure teleported to a silver-white arena. His opponent appeared across from him.

The opponent was dressed all in black, wore a black mask, and held a Black Great Spear, exuding a mysterious aura.

Liang Kai chuckled. ”Yang Jian, watch my Fast Sword chop you to pieces.”

[3, 2, 1...]

[Match Start!]

SWOOSH~

The moment the automated female voice faded, Liang Kai vanished, his longsword gleaming with cold, murderous intent as he closed in from all sides, aiming for an instant kill.

At the same time, ”Yang Jian” also moved.

...

「One minute later」

CLANG CLANG~

In the arena, two figures each brandished their weapons. The Silver Longsword and the Black Great Spear continuously intertwined and clashed.

The air was filled with silver and black afterimages, constantly colliding and creating showers of sparks.

’Lin Qi was quite pleased; he had finally been matched with an expert.’

’He didn’t like stomping noobs. While satisfying, it did little to improve his Spear Technique.’

’He much preferred experts—they could help his Spear Technique advance.’

’And this opponent was an expert. His skills lived up to his nickname, Fast Sword. His movements were like the wind, his blade like lightning.’

’He used the same Swift Shadow Swordsmanship, but he was far stronger than Lv Xiang from No. 1 Middle School. His Swordsmanship was approaching Tier Two.’

CLANG~

The two clashed again, and Liang Kai was forced back several steps before he could stabilize himself.

His arms were numb from the impact, and he tasted sweetness in his throat.

Liang Kai’s expression soured. ”Fuck, I was careless. This guy’s an expert.”

’I don’t think I can beat him!’

’I’ll go all out!’

With that, he exploded with power. Moving like lightning, he brandished his sword, filling the air with a storm of phantasmal blades as his killing intent surged.

He focused all his strength into his arms, his Qi and Blood surging, and thrust out dozens of times in an instant with incredible speed.

The sword images rained down on Lin Qi like a torrential downpour, leaving him no room to dodge.

Killing Technique—Rapid Shadow Torrential Rain!

At the same time, Lin Qi also brandished his Black Great Spear. Power flowing through his arm, the long spear began to spin rapidly.

Just as they were less than a meter apart, the long spear shot forward.

Mountain Shattering Spear Technique—Vortex Break!

CLANG CLANG~~

In that instant, they clashed. The spear tip vibrated, gleaming with a cold light as it collided with countless sword images.

The corner of Lin Qi’s mouth curled up slightly. His Black Great Spear thrust out in a perfectly straight line, piercing through the air, and suddenly, a clear path opened up.

SHHNK~

Like a thunderclap from a silent sky, the long spear sliced through the air in an instant, broke through all obstructions, and pierced Liang Kai’s throat.

”How is that possible!”

Disbelief filled Liang Kai’s face as his dazed eyes faded into the Void.

[Yang Jian, congratulations on your victory!]

[Points +3]

[Total Points: 237]

...

In his personal Space, Lin Qi shook his head. His last opponent was an expert, but he hadn’t felt much pressure.

’Below Tier Two, it’s almost impossible for anyone to beat me. Only someone who has broken through to Tier Two can put pressure on me.’

Liang Kai’s Swordsmanship Realm had not broken through to Tier Two. Lin Qi easily found a flaw, broke through with a single spear thrust, and killed him.

”Match again!”

”Hopefully, I’ll get an expert!”

...

「Meanwhile, in another personal Space」

HISS~

Liang Kai rubbed his head, his brows tightly furrowed.

’How did he do that?’

’That move... he broke my Swordsmanship so easily. Could he really have found the flaw in my Killing Technique in that brief instant?’

’How is that possible?’

He shook his head forcefully, preferring to believe that his opponent, ”Yang Jian,” had just gotten lucky.

He exited the Red Realm Arena and stepped out of his Virtual Cabin.

”What’s wrong, Kai? You look awful.”

A tall, broad-shouldered man with a square jaw standing nearby asked while sipping milk tea.

”It’s nothing. I just lost to an expert.”

”Forget it. That’s enough for today. We have the match against Tianhai No. 2 Middle School tomorrow anyway,” Liang Kai said, shaking his head.

”Speaking of the exchange tournament, I heard that even among the key high schools in Celestial Sea City, Tianhai No. 2 is at the bottom. Us fighting them will be a total curb-stomp.”

”But that’s not the point. The point is, I’m obviously stronger than you, but I got ranked tenth. There’s no fun in winning from that spot.”

The tall man rattled off a string of complaints.

Liang Kai laughed. ”Well, who told you to have worse academic scores and a lower Qi and Blood Value than me?”

”No matter how strong your Skill is, it only counts for 30%.”

”Heh, I’ll definitely surpass you in the midterm evaluations this time. I’m at least strong enough to be ranked 7th.”

THUD!

The tall man forcefully tossed his empty milk tea cup, and it landed perfectly in the trash can.

...

「Martial Arts Calendar Year 2045, October 31st. The last day of October. Clear skies.」

「Tianhai No. 2 Middle School, Martial Arts Room」

HAAH~

Lin Qi, dressed in a white Martial Arts Uniform, lifted his long spear until it was level with his shoulder.

As the spear arts say: Thrust in a line, hold with four points of balance.

The Spear Technique pursues stability and precision. The slightest deviation can lead to defeat in battle.

If you’re not stable, you reveal flaws. Qiu Jie was a prime example of what not to do.

SWISH SWISH~

The next moment, Lin Qi brandished his long spear. The tip vibrated, drew a circle, retracted, and then thrust out again.

His rear hand blocked, his front hand guided, the shaft never leaving his waist as the force of his thrust traveled in a straight line to the spearhead.

In a single instant, the long spear thrust out countless times. Lin Qi’s entire body displayed astonishing harmony. His feet were rooted to the ground, steady as a Pan Stone, as he executed a continuous series of blocks, guides, and thrusts.

The long spear formed a near-perfect line, striking a single point.

’I’ve already learned the first Killing Technique. I have some ideas for the second one, too. I’m almost there.’

With this thought, he abruptly switched his Spear Technique, changing from Basic Spear Skill to the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique.

VWOOM~

SHHNK~

The Big Gun swung, slicing through the air with a whistling sound.

Sky Jumping!

Horizontal Block!

Rapid Advance!

Return Sweep!

He continuously executed the four spear forms, his transitions seamless, searching for a point of fusion between them.

Lin Qi’s mind and body operated at high speed. As his body performed the Spear Technique, his mind was constantly simulating and deconstructing every move of the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique.

SWISH SWISH~

After practicing for an unknown amount of time, Lin Qi’s eyes suddenly lit up, as if a brilliant light flashed within them.

The Spear Technique in his hands abruptly changed. He put sudden force into his arms, tightening his grip on the long spear as he poured power into it.

His legs were firmly rooted to the ground, and he sank his waist to gather power. When that power reached its peak, he unleashed it in an instant.

The momentum of the spear was like a mighty thunderbolt. The tip came crashing down with the weight of a mountain, as if it could shatter peaks and sunder the earth.

Mountain Shattering Spear Technique’s Killing Technique—Mountain-Shattering Slash!

BANG!

The long spear slammed heavily onto the soft mat, letting out a huge sound and kicking up a cloud of dust.

[You have learned the second Killing Technique of the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique. Spear Technique +3%]

[Spear Technique: Tier One 96%→99%]

...

HAAH~

Lin Qi withdrew his spear, the corners of his mouth turning up.

’Excellent. I’ve finally mastered the second Killing Technique, and my Spear Technique Realm has risen to Tier One 99%. I’m just one step away from Tier Two.’

’Let me practice it a bit more. Now I’m even more confident about the exchange tournament tonight.’

Thinking this, Lin Qi continued to practice the second Killing Technique he had just learned.

...