C2 Practicing Spear

Upon laying eyes on the long spear, Xiao Feng found himself rooted to the spot, as if something about it was calling out to him.

"Draw it out!" came the commanding voice of the armor once more.

Step by trembling step, Xiao Feng approached the spear. As he stood before it, his entire body shook under its immense pressure.

With quivering hands, Xiao Feng grasped the spear. Strangely, the moment he touched it, the oppressive aura withdrew, and he effortlessly drew it from its resting place.

As the spear came free, a vision flashed through Xiao Feng's mind.

A man wielding the spear fought fiercely, slaying his enemies amidst a field of severed limbs and shattered swords. But as their numbers grew, he found himself overwhelmed.

On the brink of defeat, the man uttered a phrase, and a violent light burst forth from the spear. His armor shattered, and his stature grew immensely.

With a single thrust of his spear, he vanquished all his foes, then planted the weapon firmly into the ground, standing tall even in death.

"At last... it has been found..." the armor murmured to itself, "You shall be our successor!"

Coming back to his senses, Xiao Feng examined the spear in his hand, inscribed with two characters — Overlord.

"Senior, this..." Xiao Feng began, hesitantly.

"This is a separate realm where time flows differently from the outside world; there's no need for concern. The spear you hold is known as Overlord, the very opportunity I spoke of. With Overlord in your grasp, you will be unbound by karma and fearless in the face of evil!"

"Come, learn the way of the spear with me."

"Yes, Senior!"

Xiao Feng was ecstatic, recognizing the magnitude of the opportunity before him.

Yet, there was something else on his mind. Tentatively, he inquired, "Senior, about that man..."

The armor, seeming reluctant to delve into explanations, said, "You will come to understand in time. For now, take up the spear!"

Xiao Feng, taking the hint, refrained from further questions and lifted the spear.

The armor continued, "The spear is unlike the sword. It embodies the ultimate Yang and rigidity, symbolizing the most domineering force in the world! Wielding the spear brings great pressure upon oneself. Therefore, to master the spear, your body must be robust enough to withstand its power!"

As they conversed, the armor-clad figure led Xiao Feng to the seaside, where the fierce ocean winds whipped up towering waves.

"I want you to battle the tides here. Once you can use your spear to drive back the waves, you'll be free to leave," the figure commanded.

...Three months later.

Once more, the waves surged toward him. Xiao Feng gripped the Overlord Spear firmly, his gaze icy as he faced the oncoming swell. In the moment before the waves could crash over him, Xiao Feng thrust out his spear.

The Overlord Spear shot out like a dragon, halting the waves in their tracks, yet they refused to recede.

Clutching the spear, Xiao Feng's mind was flooded with visions of that man. With a thunderous cry, he summoned newfound strength into his spear and lunged forward!

At last, the waves yielded to the spear's power, retreating as they collided with those following, breaking apart.

"Senior! I've done it!" Xiao Feng exclaimed joyfully.

"Well done!" The voice of the armor echoed as Xiao Feng found himself back in his room, the dawn yet to break.

By this reckoning, a year in that miniature world equated to merely a single day in the real world!

"Procure some top-grade Spirit Stones for my recovery," he requested.

As the voice faded away, Xiao Feng gazed at the Overlord Spear in his hand, feeling as if ages had passed.

The following day.

A servant from the Cloud Soaring Sect approached Xiao Feng's door. "Senior Brother Xiao, Elder Li Yan from the Mountain Sea Sect has arrived."

The Mountain Sea Sect!

The Mountain Sea Sect was a superior sect to the Cloud Soaring Sect and other minor sects. What business did they have here?

With curiosity, Xiao Feng accompanied the servant to the grand hall of the Cloud Soaring Sect's main peak, where all the elders were soon to gather.

"Xiao Feng, I'm here to notify you that your spot to join the Mountain Sea Sect has been revoked," announced the visitor.

Subordinate sects like the Cloud Soaring Sect could send their elite disciples to the Mountain Sea Sect for guidance from the most esteemed elders.

Li Yan's words were unsparing. A cultivator who had lost all his power, now considered useless, would no longer receive the Mountain Sea Sect's compassion.

"Elder Li, I..." Xiao Feng began, eager to explain his restored powers, but Li Yan cut him off abruptly.

"Xiao Feng, I'm sorry, but your spot has been given to Bai Xue from the Spiritual Treasure Sect. The Great Competition in Purvavideha, which happens once every ten years, is about to start. We need someone to represent our sect with distinction. Therefore, please hand over your Mountain and Sea Token."

Despite his desire to explain, Xiao Feng was too ashamed to do so. He nodded, retrieved the Mountain Sea Order, and handed back the token that signified his status to Li Yan.

"I'll take my leave now," Li Yan said, bowing slightly to Qing Yutang. "I must visit the Spiritual Treasure Sect as well."

After Li Yan departed, Qing Yutang gestured dismissively, "Xiao Feng, you may leave now. Try not to dwell on this too much."

Yet, just then, the Second Elder intervened, "Perhaps it's better to wait before leaving."

Qing Yutang's brow creased. He was well aware of the whispers circulating within the Cloud Soaring Sect lately.

"What are you up to, Fengbo Zi?" he challenged.

The Second Elder rose and respectfully addressed Qing Yutang, "It's common knowledge that Xiao Feng has lost all his cultivation. Now that he's been forsaken by the Mountain Sea Sect, I believe we must reassess the candidacy for the Sect Master's successor."

"The Second Elder speaks wisely. The role of Sect Master is not to be taken lightly!" The Third Elder agreed, clearly siding with the Second Elder.

Qing Yutang retorted furiously, "Are you ignorant of the immense contributions Xiao Feng has made to our Cloud Soaring Sect? Our dominance over other sects and our status as one of the mightiest under the Mountain Sea Sect are all thanks to Xiao Feng's efforts!"

"That was when the Mountain Sea Sect favored him! But now that they've discarded him," the Second Elder pressed aggressively, showing no sign of backing down, "we refuse to accept a man without cultivation as the heir to our sect!"

Qing Yutang felt the sting of those words deeply.

"To disregard his past service simply because he has no cultivation now would be no better than the behavior of beasts!"

Xiao Feng remained silent, his gaze icy as he observed the assembly of elders.

"My disciple, Dong You, has reached the pinnacle of the Dao Initiation realm and is on the cusp of breaking through to the Desolate Nine Territory. How could he not be a worthy successor?"

"Absolutely, the Second Elder makes a compelling point. Xiao Feng's achievements won't be forgotten, but the role of successor to our sect is a critical matter and must be entrusted to someone of formidable strength!" The Fifth Elder also aligned himself with the Second Elder's perspective.

It's like when a wall falls, everyone rushes to push it over!

The great elder, also revered as the master in the World of Go, heaved a deep sigh and stood up to leave, choosing to distance himself from the fray.

Sensing victory, the Second Elder let out a cold laugh, "If you disagree, then let's have Xiao Feng and my disciple Dong You battle in three days. If he can still emerge victorious, I will forever drop this issue!"

How could Xiao Feng, a man devoid of cultivation, possibly defeat Dong You?! Even with the best physicians, it would be impossible for him to fully recover in just three days!

The Second Elder is shamelessly exploiting the situation!

Qing Yutang was about to object, but Xiao Feng suddenly spoke up, fixing the Second Elder with a taunting smile, "Fine! Three days it is. In three days, I will face Dong You in the life-and-death arena!"

The life-and-death arena!

Once entered, it's a duel to the bitter end!

"No!" Qing Yutang exclaimed in protest.

Yet Xiao Feng's unwavering confidence only served to enrage the Second Elder further, "No! If you're so sure of yourself, why wait three days? Let's settle this now!"

"Feng Paozi! Have you lost your mind?!" Qing Yutang rebuked, his anger palpable.

Still, Xiao Feng merely smiled and nodded in agreement, "It's settled then."