Chapter 123: Chapter 122: Junior Brother Jiang Qiu, Truly Born for the Spear

"Spear Technique Refining is about the ultimate application of Spirit Charm. None of it can be wasted; it must all be directed to the right places to unleash a high-intensity Spear Skill."

As Zhai Song slowly retracted his spear, he casually fanned the drifting ash from his collar. His gaze turned to Jiang Qiu. "Come on. First, pick the Spear Skill you’re most comfortable with and give it a try. Weapon Skill Fusion requires the most painstaking effort. Some techniques, for some people, never come together in an entire lifetime. Even the simplest Spear Skill can take two or three years to master.

So you don’t need to be in too much of a hurry. I’ll familiarize you with the refining process first.

However, I can’t guide you too much. This is a path you must walk yourself, lest you be led astray."

"Alright."

Jiang Qiu took a deep breath, walked to Zhai Song’s side with his spear at the ready, and focused his intent. An instant later, all the Qi Blood in his body, wrapped in Fiery Flame Spirit Charm, surged to the tip of his spear.

BOOM—

A Flaming Cyan Dragon, letting out a Dragon’s Roar, erupted from a storm of fire. It slammed into the ceiling, sending out shockwaves of heat and lingering flames.

Zhai Song was inwardly shaken. He took a deep breath, his gaze deepening. ’So this is Junior Brother Jiang Qiu’s self-created Tier Two Spear Skill, "Furious Dragon Ascending to Heaven"?’

The records stated that Jiang Qiu had made a name for himself in Gao Yuan City with his self-created skill, "Furious Dragon Ascending to Heaven." It was clearly no exaggeration.

The essence of the Spear Dao within it was impressive, and his control over Spirit Charm far surpassed that of many students at his level. The crucial point was that he had comprehended such a skill during his Martial Arts Foundation Establishment stage.

’If he doesn’t possess a Martial Arts Talent, then this junior brother of mine is truly a natural-born spear prodigy!’

As his thoughts turned, a sharp light gathered in his tiger-like eyes, and his expression grew serious. "Junior Brother, your skill focuses on explosive power. Why not try to converge the Fiery Flame Spirit Charm to a single point, rather than scattering it like a Gale?"

"Alright."

Jiang Qiu agreed. After gathering his power for a moment, he furrowed his brow.

With a BOOM, a Flaming Cyan Dragon shot skyward. The overflowing storm of fire was a degree more focused.

[Weapon Skill Fusion drill practiced once]

[Furious Dragon Ascending to Heaven]

[1/1000]

"Not bad. I can tell it’s different from the first time you unleashed it—more focused, more suited to you. This is the process of Weapon Skill Fusion," Zhai Song said with his hands behind his back, his frame like an iron tower. "This process is not simple, so talented students will try their best to obtain the Flame Spirit Melting Fragrance. That item can increase efficiency quite effectively.

Normally, the greatest reward for taking first place in the Spirit Fusion Test is the right to choose your instructor. But for you, Junior Brother, it’ll surely be different. I’ll apply for the Flame Spirit Melting Fragrance on your behalf.

That way, you’ll improve even faster.

Alright, keep going..."

Under Zhai Song’s guidance, Jiang Qiu unleashed "Furious Dragon Ascending to Heaven" again and again. Each Flaming Cyan Dragon seemed to draw the sweat from his body, which instantly evaporated and rose into the air.

[Weapon Skill Fusion drill practiced once]

[Weapon Skill Fusion drill practiced once]

[...]

A day passed in the blink of an eye. Jiang Qiu was bent at the waist, his back hunched, with sweat dripping from his chin and steam rising from his head. "HUFF... HUFF... HUFF... HUFF..."

The consumption of Qi Blood was like an air pump; a few exertions and his heart was pounding like a drum. His absorption and circulation of the Fiery Flame Spirit Charm had also become extremely slow.

At first, he could manage fifteen or sixteen repetitions, but after that, he had to rest for several hours before he could manage just a few more.

’Completing the Spear Technique Refining for "Furious Dragon Ascending to Heaven" is no simple task. It’s going to take a very long time of practice...’

BUZZ~

Suddenly, a Spirit Rhinoceros Dragon Roar from the tip of his spear broke Jiang Qiu’s train of thought. He looked toward it, gasping for breath.

The tiny Dragon Spirit residing in his spear, Chuyuan, seemed as vibrant as if it had just bathed in lava. The patterns of its nascent Dragon Scales were now indented, creating a shadowed outline.

Every time he used "Furious Dragon Ascending to Heaven," it would leap about wildly, but it could never break free. Lacking a physical form, it was invisible to everyone.

Jiang Qiu had a faint feeling that the moment he completed the Spear Technique Refining, it would transform into a true Spear Spirit and leap out to strike down his foes.

’But for now, it’s only as thick as my little finger...’

"From now on, Junior Brother, just keep training in this direction. I can’t guide you too much further. After all, now that you’re at the university, progress in Martial Arts relies more on your own comprehension," Zhai Song said, patting Jiang Qiu’s sweaty right shoulder with an encouraging smile. "Tomorrow, I need to work on my own Spear Skill project, so find a spot you like and practice on your own.

Or, you could take a day or two off to rest and wander around the campus. Sometimes, interesting things pop up at the small market on campus.

If there’s anything you’re not familiar with, you can ask An Ling. If you run into trouble, come find me."

Jiang Qiu’s heart felt unburdened. "Alright."

The day’s training ended. He returned alone to his personal disciple apartment, ordered Demon Beast Meat for dinner, took a hot bath, and lay on the large bed to review the day’s gains.

[Furious Dragon Ascending to Heaven]

[23/1000]

’Weapon Skill Fusion requires long-term practice. To improve quickly, I’ll have to take first place in the academy’s Spirit Fusion Test in two days. Then, I can wait for Senior Brother Zhai Song to apply for the Flame Spirit Melting Fragrance.’

’However, the Spirit Fusion Test is restricted to students below the Bright Soul Realm, so I won’t have to face any of the peerless geniuses who’ve been at the academy for years.’

’Besides, several of the peerless geniuses from the provincial capitals in my year were eaten by Demon King Chen. Taking first place shouldn’t be too difficult...’

DING~

He casually pulled the phone out of his pocket.

[Liu Zili: Jiang Qiu, are you back?]

[Liu Zili: Instructor Shangguan took me to get my Jade Sinews tested. She said I’m special—my Martial Arts progress might have been slow, but when it comes to refining, I have the equivalent of Ninth Rank potential! (so happy) (so happy)]

Since arriving at Northwest Martial University yesterday, Liu Zili had started messaging him more and more often, talking about how nice Shangguan Yue was to her, and about the things she saw and heard in the Refining Academy.

A slight smile touched Jiang Qiu’s lips as his fingers tapped on the screen.

[Jiang Qiu: That’s amazing. Ninth Rank Jade Sinews have very high potential.]

[Liu Zili: Mmmhmm, I’ve already started learning the most basic principles of refining with my Senior Sister. She’s amazing...]

In the bedroom of Unit 17 next door, the intermittent sound of fingertips tapping on a screen could be heard. Liu Zili lay on her stomach on the bed, pursing her pink lips. Words seemed to tumble from her thoughts, her almond-shaped eyes watching as they appeared on the screen and quickly formed a short line.

In her mind, the events of her first meeting with her Senior Sister today bubbled up like boiling water. She typed them out in a rush, wanting to share everything at once.

After all, she was finally at Northwest Martial University, the school of her dreams. She’d even been accepted into the highly selective Refining Academy, become the personal disciple of the youngest genius instructor there, and met an incredible Senior Sister.

’It’s only natural that I have so much to say, but...’

’This is too wordy. He probably doesn’t want to listen to me ramble on...’

Muttering, she shook her short hair away from her cheeks, then held down her thumb to delete the text. She started over, typing, "My Senior Sister was in the middle of refining a very difficult type of Spirit Charm Su Fragrance."

She paused for a few seconds, her slender brows furrowed, before her fingers started tapping out the next sentence...

’I worked so hard to achieve my transformation in the pools of the Celestial Xin Hall. I finally gained a sliver of potential, a chance at a future completely different from my past, and I want to tell him everything at once.’

’I long to shed my identity as a girl from the Outer City’s Shantytown, to hold out my dress and catch the brilliant light that shines down from the streetlamps above.’

’I want, even after getting into the Martial Arts University and helping my parents move into the Inner City, to keep striving for something as distant yet brilliant as Polaris...’

Her mind a tangle of conflicting thoughts, Liu Zili sent another message, edited and re-edited until it was as concise as possible. They chatted like this for a while longer, until she finally initiated the "Good night," and received the same in return.

THUMP.

She buried her head in the pink and white quilt, her cheeks burning peach-red. ’Although I’m only just starting to learn about Su Fragrance refining, and my Senior Sister is a little strange, her techniques are so practiced. And just like my instructor, she said my talent is extremely high.

I just need to get used to things and learn from her from the very beginning. Once I pass the Low Level... oh no, the Middle Level refining certification.

Then I’ll be able to help Jiang Qiu.’

SIZZLE~

From the shadows behind the curtain, a small, purplish-black spider head peeked out. Its eight tiny, firefly-like green eyes blinked, reflecting the petite figure of the girl in pink pajamas buried in the white quilt.