C11 Fearless(2)

"Though I may lag behind those extraordinary Qi Refining cultivators in terms of speed, I'm confident that I can match them in both the quantity and quality of Yuan Qi if given the same amount of time."

Reflecting on this, Zhang Heng couldn't help but criticize himself, "The problem is my insatiable dantian. What would be enough Yuan Qi for others to advance a small step, might not even result in a half-step increase for me."

Two mornings later, Zhang Heng, seated in a meditative pose, opened his eyes, his face brimming with contentment.

"Not bad at all. In just two days and one night, I've made significant gains."

"I had only recently reached the peak of the first grade in Qi Refining. Though I haven't made another breakthrough, I can already faintly sense the presence of the complete first grade of Qi Refining."

"It seems that reaching the complete first grade of Qi Refining is just around the corner."

He nonchalantly consumed a bottle of Qi Replenishing Pills and then retrieved the Overlord Spear technique.

"My time in Silverflow Canyon may have been brief, but the lessons learned from real combat have been invaluable."

"Will I gain new insights upon revisiting the visualization of the technique?"

As Zhang Heng delved into the Overlord Spear's visualization...

He exclaimed in surprise, "So this technique is named 'Fearless.' It suggests a total absence of prohibitions, doesn't it?"

Zhang Heng scrutinized the newly emerged golden script on the jade booklet with narrowed eyes.

A fresh discovery soon captivated his attention.

"Here lies a new Spear Strike."

"It must be the second technique of the Overlord Spear."

"This second technique is distinctly different from the first; it lacks the first's unstoppable force."

"Yet, it possesses a meticulousness, an impenetrable and watertight defense."

Zhang Heng integrated the Spike Force, Whirlwind Force, and Tremor Force he had previously mastered into this new spear technique. However, his efforts only resulted in a few sparse white marks on the stone wall, not even achieving Small Completion.

After half a day of further practice, having executed 2,500 strikes, he still couldn't pinpoint the essential elements of the technique.

Zhang Heng had no choice but to practice the first move, "Fearless."

With the real-world combat experience gained in Silverflow Canyon, Zhang Heng's technique became more skilled, more ferocious, and incredibly precise.

Yet, he didn't achieve another breakthrough, remaining at the level of Great Completion.

"Well, in that case, it's time to head back," he decided.

"I need to deliver the Demonic Night Lotus seeds to Lee Qi."

"And replace my broken iron spear."

"Not to mention, I should trade all the useless items I have for Qi Refining Pills."

With that, Zhang Heng stepped out of the secret cave.

On his return journey, just outside the mountain pass, he overheard a hushed conversation.

"Did you hear? The Taoist Pu died two days ago."

"Good riddance. A man who committed such unrelenting evil deserved to die long ago. His death now is a mercy from the heavens."

"Wasn't he a retainer for the Viceroy's son in Lanta? Who would dare to kill him?"

"They say he met his end at the outskirts of Silverflow Canyon, in a secluded clearing within the ancient pine forest."

"The scene had signs of a battle with demonic beasts and a human brave, likely over some precious treasure."

Zhang Heng, with an impassive face, left the discussion behind and made his way directly to the academy, musing to himself, "A retainer for the Viceroy's son in Lanta? What of it?"

"Try to steal from me and kill me? Even if you're the retainer of the highest deity, I won't hesitate to strike you down."

"Employing such a person as a retainer suggests that the Viceroy's son in Lanta is no saint either."

Upon his arrival at the academy,

Zhang Heng immediately sensed something amiss from the odd looks he received from those around his dwelling.

Approaching the small cabin, the sense of unease intensified.

He had intended to hand over the five Demonic Night Lotus seeds to Lee Qi.

Instead, he discovered Lee Qi's cabin empty, with belongings strewn about, and a gaping, fresh hole in one of the walls.

Bloodstains marred the floor.

The cabin's sole chair was shattered, as if by a tremendous force.

On the central wooden table, two palm-sized bloodstains stood out starkly.

Zhang Heng scrutinized the scene and discerned two bloody imprints that appeared to have been left by a pair of hands. However, the hands had been so violently crushed and mangled that their original form was nearly unrecognizable.

"There's been a struggle here," Zhang Heng surmised, scanning the small cabin. "Where has Lee Qi gone?"

Stepping out of the cabin, Zhang Heng noticed that all eyes were inadvertently drawn to the same spot.

This place, once belonging to Senior Brother Luo, was supposed to have been transferred to Zhang Heng.

The cabin had been securely locked before Zhang Heng departed.

But now, the wooden door was ajar and unlocked.

With a flick of his spear, Zhang Heng gently nudged the door open.

Inside, he found three individuals.

At the center of the room sat a young man.

With his hair neatly tied back and donned in a flowing white robe, he lounged on the room's sole chair with an air of nonchalance.

He tilted his chin upward slightly, idly fluttering a folding fan in his hand.

The fan, inscribed with the phrase "Endless Elegance of Wind and Moon," accentuated the young man's graceful demeanor.

The second figure was Senior Brother Luo.

His bald head gleaming, Senior Brother Luo's complexion was healthy and flushed. He stood proudly behind the young man in white, exuding an air of confidence and invulnerability.

The third person lay prostrate on the ground, his body marred with injuries, his face smeared with blood, and one arm grotesquely twisted. His hands looked as though they had been repeatedly trampled, their fingers grotesquely deformed.

The young man was standing on this person's head.

Upon noticing Zhang Heng, the young man's face broke into a warm, welcoming smile.

With a gentle sway of his fan, he said, "You've finally returned. I've been waiting for you for two days and six hours."

Zhang Heng paid no attention to the young man; his gaze was fixed on the figure beneath the youth's foot.

Despite the blood masking his features, Zhang Heng recognized him at a glance—it was Lee Qi.

Hearing the young man's voice, Lee Qi looked up to see Zhang Heng and desperately attempted to speak.

As Lee Qi opened his mouth, Zhang Heng could see that only a few teeth remained.

"Hurry..."

Lee Qi tried to urge Zhang Heng to leave quickly, but he was unable to articulate his words clearly.

There was no time for further explanation.

The seated youth suddenly flicked his right hand, and the folding fan snapped shut. The handle was thrust into Lee Qi's mouth, twisting and dislodging all of his remaining teeth.

Blood began to seep slowly from Lee Qi's mouth.

Zhang Heng's eyes narrowed with menace.

"Who are you?"

The youth didn't reply; instead, he regarded the bloodied folding fan with regret and sighed, "Such a shame to ruin a fine fan—a masterpiece from Teacher Liu at the academy."

He then looked up at Zhang Heng with a nonchalant air. "So, you're Zhang Heng?"

"As a newcomer, you may have some skills, but you've been stirring up trouble and oppressing your peers. Such deplorable conduct is a stain on our academy's reputation!"

"I won't dwell on the rest, but you seized the Vitality Pill from a fellow newcomer. When my brother bravely stood up for him, you responded by inflicting grievous injuries..."

Zhang Heng felt a surge of stifling anger.

"Since when did it become a story of me taking a Vitality Pill from a newcomer?"

"And when did your oppressive brother turn into a paragon of virtue?"

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Zhang Heng scanned the surroundings, only to find that the newcomers avoided making eye contact with him. It was as if they had conveniently forgotten that their ability to reclaim the Qi Replenishing Pills was solely thanks to Zhang Heng.

Zhang Heng wasn't incensed by the newcomers' behavior. Self-preservation is a common response, and he hadn't returned the Qi Replenishing Pills expecting any gratitude—it was a simple gesture on his part.

But upon seeing Lee Qi lying in a pool of blood, Zhang Heng's eyes grew chillingly cold.

A frigid aura of deadly intent began to emanate from within him.

Lee Qi was Zhang Heng's only trustworthy friend, brother, and ally. Yet someone had brutally injured Lee Qi and trampled him underfoot.

And they had the audacity to humiliate and torment him right before Zhang Heng's eyes.

"Bullying your peers and stealing pills—how do you explain yourself?" The youth in white asked Zhang Heng with a serene smile.

"To hell with your explanations!" Zhang Heng, seething with rage, brandished his spear and aimed it directly at the composed young man.

He thrust his spear forward with a roar that echoed like thunder.

This was the Fearless, the first technique of the Overlord Spear, now mastered to the level of Great Completion.