Are you joking?

"New Martial?" Liao Yu reacted quickly.

Lu Yuan didn't respond, merely offering a slight smile. Liao Yu, however, became completely serious.

No wonder this young man dared to test my spear, he thought. It turns out he has a defensive New Martial transplant. In that case, there's really no need for me to hold back.

At this thought, a cold glint flashed in Liao Yu's eyes. The long spear in his hand danced, a dense white Light of Vigor flaring on his arms and the weapon. Instantly, with a flick of his wrists, he unleashed hundreds, perhaps thousands, of thrusts at Lu Yuan. The long spear tore through the air, emitting a barrage of sharp, low whistles as it conjured a storm of illusory spear shadows that rained down.

Lu Yuan didn't dodge, remaining in place. He watched as the ordinary fabric of his shirt shredded like snowflakes under Liao Yu's spear technique, tearing apart, revealing the almost perfectly sculpted muscles beneath. Countless tiny red dots continuously appeared on his chest, only to vanish and reappear in rapid succession.

Initially, Lu Yuan felt nothing, but gradually a pricking pain began to surface.

At one point, PFFT—

The skin on a spot pierced dozens, even hundreds, of times by the spear tip finally broke, and a single drop of blood seeped out.

Cold weapons certainly have their merits, Lu Yuan mused. Such ordinary strength and unremarkable Vigor can actually injure me. If it were fists or kicks, this would be impossible...

Lu Yuan blinked, then took a light breath. Instantly, his body seemed to swell slightly. Nine blood-red lines snaked across his chest, coiling like a dragon. Golden Martial God Strength erupted, and in less than half a breath, his entire body was bathed in a brilliant golden hue.

The next second, the sound of Liao Yu's spear striking Lu Yuan instantly changed to—

DING! DING! DANG! DANG!

It sounded like bullets ricocheting off a steel plate.

Liao Yu, mid-thrust, felt his hands tremble. His spear strikes slowed, and a look of profound shock and disbelief spread across his face. His voice cracked, high and distorted with shock, "Heavenly Domination Extravagance... Amitabha Gold Coat..."

"You're... a Pure Martial?!"

By now, Lu Yuan could see the Experience Points for several Transverse Martial Arts on his [Fighter] panel—like [Amitabha Gold Coat] (Lv3), [Heavenly Domination Extravagance] (Lv2), and [Jiasa Power] (Lv2)—rapidly increasing. His eyes lit up instantly with unexpected delight.

So, he stepped forward, actively meeting Liao Yu's spear assault. "Mr. Liao, your spear technique is good, but unfortunately, your strength is a bit too soft. It's lacking something..."

Liao Yu snapped out of his brief shock and daze. Hearing Lu Yuan's words, he gritted his teeth, and the Light of Vigor surrounding him intensified severalfold. He roared, "Bloody Battle!"

BOOM!

If Liao Yu's previous spear technique was a tempest, now it was a raging tsunami! Within the vast Martial Arts Hall, the only sound was the whistle of the spear cleaving the air. The dense spear shadows before Liao Yu coalesced into a surging black tide, engulfing most of Lu Yuan's body. Only occasional flashes of golden light and the incessant DINGING and DANGING sounds testified to Lu Yuan's presence.

Beneath Liao Yu's clothes, the muscles in his arms bulged, veins popping. Sweat poured down his face and back, his features contorted with effort. He had forgotten this was merely a simple spar to test the spear. Only one thought remained in his mind: Break his defense! Break his defense...

CLANG!

A sharp, clear sound rang out. The sky full of spear shadows vanished, and the incessant DINGING and DANGING ceased.

Liao Yu, spear in hand, froze. After a moment of shock, joy and hope gradually dawned on his face. Did I... Did I break his defense?

However, the next second, he froze.

He saw Lu Yuan, bare-chested, enveloped in a faint golden light. Nine blood-red patterns coiled on his chest, his body utterly unscathed. Lu Yuan raised his right hand, his index and middle fingers casually pinching the tip of Liao Yu's spear. Shaking his head with a sigh, disappointment etched on his face, he said, "Mr. Liao, your spear technique doesn't seem forged in the crucible of battlefield combat. It looks more like a theatrical performance... Is Mr. Liao just here to play around?"

"Er..." Liao Yu remained stunned for several seconds.

Then, an immense wave of humiliation and fury washed over his face.

"Shut up!" Liao Yu roared.

Lu Yuan calmly released his grip, allowing Liao Yu to retract the spear. Lu Yuan's eyes were bright, a hint of anticipation within them. Liao Yu's furious barrage had caused the Experience Points for his Transverse Martial Arts to skyrocket, increasing by dozens to hundreds of points for each.

Forget everything else, just for his help in my training, this Liao Yu is worth keeping around, Lu Yuan thought. And it seems my deliberate taunts have provoked him into using some kind of hidden trump card.

SHHH— Liao Yu drew a long, deep breath, like a whale sounding. He retracted his spear, switched to a reverse, one-handed grip, and aimed it at Lu Yuan as if preparing to throw it.

WHOOSH— Ripples of True Intention emanated from him, swiftly coalescing above his head into the vague phantom of an armored warrior. A grim and desperate aura began to emanate from Liao Yu himself.

At that instant, Lu Yuan felt a sharp pain in his brow, as if targeted by something incredibly keen. Even the expressions of Red Bear and Peregrine Falcon, watching from the side, changed slightly.

Yet Lu Yuan showed no sign of nervousness; instead, the light in his eyes grew even brighter. Afraid that Liao Yu might recover from his rage and abort this ultimate move, Lu Yuan decided to fan the flames further, laughing loudly, "That's a nice move, Mr. Liao! It looks a bit like a circus act..."

"Die!" Bloodshot, Liao Yu roared. His shoulder twitched, and for an instant, the hand holding the spear seemed to disappear.

Immediately after, it felt as if something had violently exploded within the spacious Martial Arts Hall, shattering an invisible barrier. No one could discern the spear's trajectory through the air; they only heard a deafening DRONE. An incredibly dense and heavy pressure erupted, spreading rapidly, as if a monstrous tidal wave had suddenly descended, weighing heavily on everyone's heart.

The instant Liao Yu unleashed the thrust, his mind cleared. He realized he had just used the ultimate killing strike of his family's spear art. And he had used it against someone of incredibly distinguished status. His face changed dramatically. But before his panic could fully set in, his expression froze.

Before him stood a tall, straight young man, his hands clasped together, firmly trapping the spear against his chest. The spear's shaft still hummed and vibrated intensely. The young man had plowed two deep furrows, seven or eight meters long, into the floor, dislodging a large swathe of stone tiles.

And behind him...

A colossal Elephantman True Intention, fifteen meters tall and resembling a black Demon Mountain, hovered there, continuously radiating a terrifying pressure, as if entire mountain ranges were crashing down.

THUD. Liao Yu, his strength utterly depleted, collapsed to his knees under this terrifying pressure. He stared blankly at the scene before him, a scene that far exceeded his comprehension. His Adam's apple bobbed; he wanted to speak, but no words came out.

In the seemingly frozen air, a voice slowly resonated.

"What's this move called?"

Liao Yu, dazed, slowly turned his head. He saw the young man standing beneath the towering Elephantman True Intention, his face lifted. His eyes were blazing, an inexplicable brilliance dancing on his handsome features.

Liao Yu subconsciously replied, "All... All In."

Not good, Lu Yuan thought. He slowly closed his hand around the spear shaft held in his palms, narrowed his eyes, and said, word by word, "It should be called... First Strike!"

"I will learn this move from you, Mr. Liao."

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