121: Yan Chen went into seclusion

The aftermath of the Hidden Dragon Banquet continued to simmer in Jiuqu Prefecture City.

The "draw" against Chen Linsheng had become a thorn deeply embedded in the heart of Yan Chen, the Young Hall Master of the Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall.

Three days after the banquet, a piece of news spread like wildfire through the city's major martial arts halls, noble families, and even the teahouses and taverns on every street corner—

Yan Chen, the Young Hall Master of the Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall, had entered the martial arts hall's Forbidden Ground, the "Earth Fire Cave," yesterday for seclusion. He swore not to emerge until he reached the Jiaojin Realm, Middle Stage.

The day he emerged would be the time of the Martial Examination. At that time, he vowed to seize the top spot in the Martial Examination and wash away the shame of the Hidden Dragon Banquet!

The "Earth Fire Cave" was one of the Foundations of the Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall. Located deep beneath the prefecture city, it channeled the fiery Qi of the earth's veins, making it blazing and violent. Ordinary Martial Artists who entered would have to leave within moments; otherwise, their Meridians would be incinerated. Yet Yan Chen intended to Breakthrough in such a desperate place. His firm determination and ruthless will were staggering.

"Have you heard? Young Hall Master Yan is really pushing himself this time! The Earth Fire Cave... is that even a place for humans?"

"Supposedly, before entering, he swore publicly that he would completely defeat Chen Linsheng at the Martial Examination and take the top spot, or else he would cripple half of his own cultivation!"

"That ruthless? It seems being repelled by Chen Linsheng at the Hidden Dragon Banquet truly wounded his pride."

"It's no wonder. A dignified Jiaojin Realm Genius being repelled in public by someone in the Flesh Refining Realm—who could swallow that?"

"Now there's a good show coming! The fight for the top spot in the Martial Examination will likely be ten times more brutal than in previous years!"

Public opinion snowballed. Busybodies painted the rivalry between Chen Linsheng and Yan Chen as the ultimate showdown between a "grassroots dark horse comeback" and an "established Genius defending his glory," adding countless topics for conversation and anticipation for the upcoming Martial Examination.

The city's major gambling dens had even opened betting pools on the final rankings of the two in the Martial Examination. The odds fluctuated constantly, attracting countless bettors.

Yang Wei Martial Arts Hall Branch, corner of the Drill Ground.

Chen Linsheng held a Solid Iron Long Spear, its tip glinting with a cold, sharp light in the morning sun. He had just finished a round of practicing the Startled Swan Spear Technique. His breathing was steady, and there was no sweat on his brow.

He had already learned of the news regarding Yan Chen's seclusion yesterday.

Lei Hao had rushed over to tell him, fuming with indignation afterward: "That kid just knows how to create gimmicks! Brother Chen, don't mind him; just follow your own pace!"

Chen Linsheng had only nodded at the time, not saying much.

Now, standing alone on the Drill Ground, his mind was exceptionally clear.

The gap in Realm still existed and might even widen.

Yan Chen was already in the Flood Dragon Tendon Realm, Initial Stage. If he truly broke through to the Middle Stage in an extreme environment like the Earth Fire Cave, the power of his Blazing Sun True Energy, the abundance of his blood and Qi, and his control over the power of fire would all jump to a new level. By then, his own strategy of using his Perfection Foundation and powerful Physical Body to clash head-on would likely become even more difficult.

"I cannot place my hopes on my opponent standing still," Chen Linsheng thought silently, his gaze growing more focused. "I must push my own advantages to their absolute limit."

What were his advantages?

It was the abundant Foundation and powerful Physical Body forged by the Hunyuan True Body, which far surpassed those of the same level and could even contend across Realms.

It was the powerful recovery and blood-purifying ability brought by the Minor Achievement of the Jade Marrow Guiding Technique.

It was the water control and underwater advantage granted by the Aptitude for Water, Perfection.

It was the extraordinary perception and insight brought by Tracking Perfection.

It was the Crane Ape Illusory Wind Steps, which fused the essence of the White Crane Wind and Cloud Song and the Spirit Monkey Hundred Changes.

And... the offensive technique that was about to reach Perfection!

Chen Linsheng flicked his wrist, and the longspear sliced through the air, letting out a clear, sharp ring.

He closed his eyes, his mind and spirit completely sinking into the Solid Iron Long Spear that had accompanied him for so long, sinking into that set of Startled Swan Spear Technique Moves he had practiced thousands of times.

The spear technique Moves were already familiar to the point of being second nature.

But the Realm of Perfection could not be achieved through mere familiarity.

What was needed was "spirit" and "intent"—the union of spear and man, and the complete understanding of the martial Dao intent contained within the spear technique, merging it into every inch of flesh and every breath.

The Startled Swan Spear Technique emphasized "a glimpse of a startled swan, covering a thousand miles in an instant." Its essence lay in extreme speed, precise piercing, and that elusive, unpredictable, and agile trajectory, like a startled swan skimming across water.

Chen Linsheng recalled his battle with Yan Chen.

The opponent's Blazing Sun True Energy was scorching and violent, covering a wide area and suppressing others with sheer force. Although his own spear technique was fast, it was still hindered within the invisible cage formed by the opponent's burning Qi.

"Fast is not enough. I need to be faster, more cunning, more unpredictable. And I need... a piercing power that can break through all obstacles!"

In his mind, various methods of applying force emerged: the triple-burst strength of Layered Waves, the spiral penetration of Python Dragon Strength, the sharp airflow induced by the White Crane Wind and Cloud Song, and even the solid Foundation of the Hunyuan Palm...

Could he perfectly integrate these forces into his spear technique? Not as simple additions, but as a seamless whole, becoming a part of the spear technique itself?

Chen Linsheng began to try.

He no longer pursued complete routines but repeatedly practiced the most basic thrusts, stabs, points, parries, and sweeps.

With every spear thrust, his blood and Qi vibrated according to the Layered Waves method, and the triple hidden strength compressed into a spiral just as it was about to be released from the spear tip.

The spear's shaft trembled, faintly emitting a low Dragon's roar; that was the Python Dragon Strength conducting and gathering momentum within the spear.

The trajectory of the spear was no longer just straight lines or arcs; it incorporated the agile transitions of the Crane Ape Illusory Wind Steps. The spear tip quivered, creating points of cold starlight with unpredictable paths.

More importantly, it was the intent.

He poured his desire to "break," his understanding of "penetration," and his pursuit of "swiftness" entirely into the spear.

He imagined that before the spear tip was Yan Chen's scorching and heavy Blazing Sun True Energy Qi shield, the layers of Sky-Burning Palm Shadows, and the even tougher Protective Aura of a Jiaojin Realm Martial Artist.

What he wanted was to break it all with a single spear strike!

As the sun rose and the moon set, that spear-wielding figure on the Drill Ground seemed tireless.

Shi Poyue, Di Moyu, Liu Ruyan, and the others watched from afar, their eyes filled with wonder and admiration.

"Junior Brother's spear technique... is becoming more and more terrifying," Shi Poyue whispered. "The Moves are clearly the same, but the feeling is completely different."

Di Moyu's gaze was sharp: "He is fusing forces, searching for his own Spear Intent. If he succeeds, his spear technique will surely reach the Transcendent level."

Liu Ruyan's beautiful eyes shimmered: "The news of Yan Chen's seclusion didn't make him anxious; instead, it stirred an even stronger fighting spirit in him. This Heart-Nature is truly rare."