Zhang City stroked his scruffy chin, organizing his thoughts.
He then took a white Training Lance from the wall, which was covered with weapons like sabers, spears, swords, and staves.
"Lin Qi, you’ve now mastered the three Black Iron Level Spear Techniques. You’ve grasped their essence and understood them completely."
"Practicing them further won’t significantly improve your Spear Technique Realm."
"You need to learn a new Spear Technique Secret Manual."
"Secret Manuals are categorized by their level of sophistication, from lowest to highest: Black Iron, Bronze, silver, and Golden Metal."
"With each level, the sophistication of the techniques and the methods for exerting power progressively increase."
"Take Bronze Level Secret Manuals, for example. They don’t just feature more sophisticated techniques; they also involve the application of the body’s Power, something every Martial Artist must master."
Lin Qi nodded. ’So it really does involve using the body’s Power.’
Yesterday, during his fight against Lone Wolf, he had felt something strange about the man’s Saber Technique. When their weapons clashed, a peculiar Power had accompanied the Miao Blade’s strike.
It had numbed his arm, causing his speed to drop in an instant.
SWISH! SWISH!
The tip of the spear quivered as Zhang City swung the Long Spear through the air, speaking as he did so:
"When you break through to the Second Realm, the body’s Great Tendons undergo Refinement. Combined with the cultivation of powerful muscles, your muscles and tendons can exert force."
"Power is generated at the very instant you exert that force."
"The stronger your physical constitution, the more clearly you can feel the Power within your body."
"Once generated, this Power is scattered and disordered, like a current of water."
"We need to learn how to control it, and that’s where Fist Techniques become important."
"Fist Techniques allow us to grasp this force, but only Bronze Level Secret Manuals can teach us how to release this Power through a weapon."
"You use Power to enhance the might of your techniques."
"Black Iron Level Secret Manuals have a very crude grasp of Power. Only the three great Killing Techniques touch upon it slightly."
SWOOSH! SWOOSH!!
Zhang City swung the Long Spear. Its shaft vibrated violently, emitting a low humming sound.
The spear tip trembled madly, letting out a sharp whistle.
PFFT—
He could even hear a deep sound, like something being torn.
Standing a short distance away, Lin Qi, with his keen Perception, watched the Spear Technique. He felt as if he could sense a force being released from the Long Spear.
It exploded into the air with a bang. ’This must be the Power Zhang City was talking about.’
He could imagine that if the Long Spear struck a human body, the Power would pass through the flesh and destroy the organs within.
"When your mastery of Power reaches a profound level, you can release it upon contact, tearing muscles and destroying an opponent’s internal organs, killing them in a single blow,"
Zhang City concluded.
Lin Qi’s eyes lit up as he watched. ’If I knew this kind of Spear Technique, my fight against Lone Wolf yesterday might not have been so difficult.’
"Whew..."
Zhang City stopped, placed the spear back on the wall, and continued,
"There are far more Bronze Secret Manuals than Black Iron Secret Manuals, and their styles are much more diverse."
"I know you’ve practiced all three Spear Techniques, but you must choose a first Bronze Secret Manual that suits you."
"For example, since you’re best at the fierce and domineering style of the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique, you should choose a Bronze Secret Manual with a similar style."
"Choose carefully. After all, the Secret Manuals aren’t cheap, and there are no refunds."
"I understand!"
"Thank you, Teacher!"
Lin Qi thanked him sincerely. After hearing Zhang City’s explanation, he now had a general idea of how to choose a Spear Technique Secret Manual.
A few minutes later, as he watched Lin Qi’s departing figure,
Zhang City found himself quite curious about which Spear Technique Secret Manual Lin Qi would choose.
Several Five Stars Spear Technique Secret Manuals, all with a fierce and domineering style, came to his mind.
...
That evening, in Room B126 of the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo, all was dark.
"Taozi, happy birthday!"
Inside the Martial Arts Room, a creamy white birthday cake sat on a table, its candles lit.
Lin Qi said with a smile to Jiangtao.
"Happy birthday, big bro!"
POP!!
The beautiful Jiang Miaoyin, standing beside him, set off a red party popper. Colorful scraps of paper shot into the air as the room’s lights instantly flickered on.
Jiangtao was so moved his eyes turned red, and tears nearly fell.
"Brother Qi, Amiao, thank you!"
"Of course we have to celebrate your 18th birthday properly," Lin Qi said with a laugh.
After making a wish, Jiangtao blew out the candles and began to cut the cake.
The three of them quickly finished the large, 20-inch, creamy white cake on the table.
Before leaving, Lin Qi gave him his present: a large white box.
Soon, only Jiangtao and Jiang Miaoyin were left in the Martial Arts Room. After cleaning up, the two began their cultivation.
Jiangtao opened the gift box. Inside were two pairs of black, hollow rings.
"They’re 10-jin Gravity Rings!" Jiangtao recognized them instantly.
He took them out and put one on each arm and leg. They were a pretty good fit.
’Not bad!’
He moved around a bit and didn’t feel much of an effect.
He then picked up the Battle Saber he had bought and began practicing his Saber Technique.
「Half an hour later.」
"Hah..."
Jiangtao stopped, panting heavily. His face was etched with fatigue, and sweat poured down like rain, soaking his Martial Arts Uniform.
His arms and legs wouldn’t stop trembling, and a sore, aching sensation flooded his mind.
’So tired!’
He picked up an energy drink and began to chug it.
Looking at the Gravity Rings on his arms, he was horrified. He hadn’t felt them at first, when his stamina was high.
But now that he was tired, his arms and legs felt heavy and sore, trembling uncontrollably.
He could barely even hold his saber steady.
This was far more exhausting than his usual cultivation.
He wasn’t even sure if he could make it to the end.
Even if he lasted a few days, he wasn’t sure if he could keep it up long-term.
’Brother Qi has been cultivating with these things on the whole time. If he can endure it, so can I.’
’I can’t drag him down. I have to catch up to him.’
Jiangtao gritted his teeth, got back up, and continued to cultivate.
Two hours later, he was lying in a Rehabilitation Pod, relaxing his muscles and recovering from his physical exhaustion. He himself didn’t want to move a single inch.
’I really don’t know how Brother Qi manages to keep this up,’ Jiangtao thought wearily.
...
Martial Arts Room B123
After returning from Jiangtao’s Martial Arts Room, Lin Qi thought to himself, ’In a little while, I’ll be turning 18, too. I’ll officially be an adult.’
Then he thought about Jiangtao. He had given his own Gravity Rings to him as a birthday present.
There wasn’t a big difference in their builds, so the Gravity Rings would work well enough for him.
As for himself, he needed to buy a heavier set of Gravity Rings.
"Little Chan, open the Red Dome House!"
"Yes, Master!"
Light and shadow reconverged, and the projection of Little Blue-robed Xiaochan appeared. She raised a delicate, jade-like hand.
A large, green screen was projected.
BOOM!!
A familiar explosion of red flames, accompanied by melodious music, signaled that the Red Dome House had opened.
A vast array of items and resources appeared before his eyes.
Lin Qi’s goal for the day was clear: to buy a new Spear Technique Secret Manual and a Body Technique Secret Manual.
’With the panel, I can quickly filter for the Spear Technique that suits me best.’
He first entered the [Secret Manuals] module.
He opened the search filter: [Secret Manuals] → [Bronze Level] → [Spear Technique]
He clicked confirm, and the page quickly refreshed, displaying a long list of Spear Technique Secret Manuals.
["Liaoyuan Spear Technique", Type: Spear Technique Secret Manual, Rating: ★★★★★, Price: 3,000,000 Xia Country Coins, Note: Red Dome]
...
["Meteor Spear Technique", Type: Spear Technique Secret Manual, Rating: ★★★★★, Price: 3,000,000 Xia Country Coins, Note: Black Brilliance *1.5]
...
["Vajra Spear Technique", Type: Spear Technique Secret Manual, Rating: ★★★★★, Price: 3,000,000 Xia Country Coins, Note: Chongming *1.5]
...
["Long Sky Spear Technique", Type: Secret Manual, Rating: ★★★★, Price: 2,000,000 Xia Country Coins, Note: Red Dome]
...
["Iron Blood Spear Technique", Type: Secret Manual, Rating: ★★★, Price: 1,000,000 Xia Country Coins, Note: Red Dome]
...