High Martial Arts: Grinding for the Supreme Talent

Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Defeating Li Zhou, Advancing to Bright Moon

BOOM!!

A huge crash suddenly echoed across the vast, quiet arena as two red pillars of light appeared.

Two black figures emerged from within them.

[Handle: Battle Axe Bear]

[Handle: Yang Jian]

Both figures started when they saw each other’s handles.

Li Zhou, clad in a black and red combat suit and wielding a sharp war axe, was exceptionally burly. He stood over two meters tall, nearly two-point-one.

He exuded a terrifying, oppressive aura, like a ravenous giant bear.

He looked at the masked Lin Qi across from him, who was holding a black great spear, and grinned.

”Bro, looks like we’re fated to meet. We actually got matched again.”

”But this time it’s my promotion match. Sorry, but you’re going to lose to me again.”

Beneath his mask, Lin Qi’s expression turned strange.

He hadn’t expected to be matched with Li Zhou again.

Over the past few days, he had been matched against many of his classmates, most notably Zhu Yuqi, Qi Yuelin, and Yu Jing.

The only ones left were Jiangtao and the grade’s number one, Li Zhou.

Just as Li Zhou had said, he had indeed been matched against him two months ago and lost miserably.

Being hacked to death in just a few axe strikes had left a deep impression on him.

Now, to be matched with him again in a promotion match... it truly was fate.

A sharp glint seemed to flash in Lin Qi’s eyes!

’But this time, the outcome will be completely different.’

’Everything is falling into place. I’ll defeat Li Zhou and complete my promotion.’

[Promotion match preparing to start!]

[3... 2... 1...]

[Promotion match has officially begun!]

The robotic female voice in the air announced emotionlessly!

BOOM!!

”ROAR!”

With a great roar, Li Zhou charged like a giant bear, his strides long and fast as he swung his war axe.

The war axe in his hands seemed to carry the power of a wild gale, containing immense force as it chopped down toward Lin Qi.

Gale Axe Technique—Heavy Slash Technique!

SWOOSH!

At the same time, Lin Qi also burst into motion, lunging forward like a cheetah in a reckless charge!

He abruptly twirled the great spear in his hand, infusing it with tyrannical power before executing an upward thrust.

His movements were wide and powerful, his imposing aura spreading out like crashing waves.

In terms of presence, he was not at all inferior to Li Zhou.

The two quickly clashed in the arena.

BANG!!

The war axe and the great spear collided in mid-air, unleashing a howling gale as the air cracked.

A powerful shockwave spread out from the point of impact.

The moment they collided, Li Zhou’s expression changed drastically. He felt an immense force travel up his war axe and into his body, numbing his arms.

He was knocked back several steps by the tremendous force before he could stop.

Across from him, Lin Qi fared similarly, retreating several steps before planting his feet to brace himself.

He shook out his arms, pushing through the stinging pain to press his attack, and once again stepped forward to thrust his great spear.

Across from him, Li Zhou’s face was grim. In their last battle, in a direct confrontation, he had completely suppressed Yang Jian.

’How much time has passed? And now he can actually match me blow for blow.’

’No wonder he’s my opponent for the promotion match. He really is a formidable enemy.’

”Interesting!”

”Defeating an opponent this strong is the only way to feel a sense of accomplishment!”

Li Zhou grinned, his blood boiling. He erupted with an even stronger aura and charged again, swinging his war axe.

His strength was tyrannical, his axe technique as fierce as raging waves crashing against a reef.

Wherever the axe blade passed, the air itself seemed to tear, letting out a sharp whistle like a roaring gale!

Wind Sweeping Away the Clouds!

Lin Qi swung his great spear, explosively unleashing the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique. Fierce power erupted continuously from his spine, pouring into the long spear.

Beng Ci!

CLANG! CLANG!

Both of their attack styles were fierce and domineering, and with little difference in their strength, they began a head-on clash, their war axe and great spear hammering against each other.

BANG! BANG!!

For a moment, the air cracked, fierce winds howled, and sparks flew everywhere.

Putting forth all their strength, they exchanged several powerful blows in the shortest span of time.

The more Li Zhou fought, the more shocked he became!

The force traveled up his war axe, leaving his arms numb, even swollen and aching. Facing what felt like Lin Qi’s continuous, ferocious assault, he was starting to find it unbearable.

’What’s with this Yang Jian? His strength is actually even greater than mine?’

Li Zhou’s mind was full of questions. He couldn’t believe he was already at a disadvantage in a direct confrontation.

’He’s around one-point-nine meters tall, a whole size smaller than me, yet he’s actually stronger? Unbelievable!’

BANG!

The air vibrated as the war axe and the black great spear clashed fiercely once more, and both men were simultaneously knocked back.

TAP! TAP!!

Li Zhou stabilized himself, took a deep breath, and unleashed his power without hesitation.

’In that case, I’ll end this with my third killing technique.’

With that thought, he stomped his feet hard on the ground. Power surged up from his legs and into his arms as he abruptly swung his war axe, a tremendous force galloping forth.

WHOOSH!

As the axe blade chopped out, a fierce wind howled, and an immense power erupted.

The third killing technique—Gale of Extinction!

This was Li Zhou’s fatal blow, concentrating all his strength and aura into a single chop. It carried the momentum to sweep through a thousand soldiers.

At the same time, Lin Qi abruptly changed his spear technique.

”It’s time to end this!”

His aura changed completely. The fierce, powerful presence receded as he abruptly pushed off the ground. Power exploded upward from his feet, and his entire body shot out like a bolt of lightning, transforming into a phantom.

He exerted force with his entire body. Endless power surged from his spine into his limbs, and his Qi Blood churned violently.

Gripping the spear with one hand, his muscles tensed and then exploded with power like a volcanic eruption.

Veins bulged on his skin as his blood began to flow at a frantic pace.

His body erupted with ultimate speed as the long spear in his hand shot forward in a perfectly straight and precise thrust.

The shaft of the spear seemed to disappear, leaving behind only a blurry afterimage, like a startled swan flashing past.

The third killing technique of the Drip Water Spear Skill—Startled Swan Flash!

SWOOSH!

PFFT!

It was a spear thrust of ultimate speed, as fast as lightning.

Li Zhou only saw a flash of bright light, and an intense killing intent enveloped him.

’So fast!’

He screamed frantically in his mind. Veins bulged on his arms like wrapped steel cables, and his Qi Blood surged as he tried to make his own killing technique just a little bit faster.

A black line flashed past, and Li Zhou felt a chilling killing intent.

Before his war axe could even fall, a cold glint appeared. The spear shot out like a dragon, its tip already upon him!

PUFF!

The long spear pierced his chest, sending blood spraying. The entire motion was executed in one smooth breath.

”This is... the Drip Water Spear Skill?”

Intense pain erupted from his chest, and Li Zhou’s expression was one of utter disbelief.

He was completely stunned. He looked at Lin Qi as he dissolved into nothingness and vanished into the air.

...

Li Zhou materialized in his personal space.

He clutched his chest, his brow furrowed.

He replayed the killing technique in his mind.

’That was the third killing technique of the Drip Water Spear Skill—Startled Swan Flash!’

He was absolutely certain. He had faced this killing technique before, but it hadn’t been as strong as Yang Jian’s.

Yang Jian not only possessed greater strength, but he had also mastered two spear techniques to the point of perfection. His third killing technique was completely unstoppable.

’I was completely outmatched!’

After a moment of thought, Li Zhou had no choice but to dejectedly face reality: he was no match for Yang Jian at all.

Then, a new question popped into his head.

’Who on earth is Yang Jian?’

Suddenly, a face appeared in his mind—a cold and handsome face.

’Could it be him?’

Then he shook his head forcefully, telling himself he was overthinking it, and buried the suspicion deep in his heart.

He snapped back to his senses!

’I have to keep queuing for matches. I can’t let this delay my promotion to the Bright Moon Rank.’

With that thought, he chose to queue for another match.

...

On Lin Qi’s end, he watched Li Zhou dissipate before his eyes.

The space around him shifted, and he returned to his personal space.

He let out a breath and looked at the black great spear in his hand.

’I didn’t expect the Startled Swan Flash to be this powerful in actual combat.’

Lin Qi felt a pleasant surprise. He had only recently perfected the Startled Swan Flash, and today was the first time he had used it in a real fight. It was a killing technique with a completely different style from the Rock-Bursting Drill.

He looked at his status panel, feeling pleased in both body and mind!

’I’ve finally defeated Li Zhou.’

Li Zhou, the man who had firmly held the number one spot at No. 2 Middle School for two and a half years, hailed as the strongest student in the school’s history.

Now, just like Yu Jing, he too had been defeated by him.

Now, he, Lin Qi, was the strongest in his grade in all of Tianhai No. 2 Middle School!!

...