I Cultivate in a Government Office

Chapter 102: Chapter 85: A Surprising Duel

However, to the alarm of every spectator—including Yang Wenqing himself—Wu Qianjun capitalized on the excruciating pain and impact of the sword wound. He launched into a furious spin, swinging his ’Immovable’ shield with even greater ferocity. Harnessing the full force of his rotation, he slammed it down like a sledgehammer toward Yang Wenqing, who was momentarily stunned after having just dispatched his flying sword!

He was trading injury for injury! A life for a life!

This was the most terrifying thing about the warriors who survived the battlefields of the Northern Border Frontline. They had long since come to see pain, and even severe injuries, as just another part of battle. As long as they still drew breath, they could launch a fatal counterattack!

Yang Wenqing’s expression shifted slightly. He retreated rapidly while frantically channeling the Golden Light Body Protection Spell.

BOOM!!!

The shield slammed viciously into the curtain of light created by the Golden Light Body Protection Spell. Yang Wenqing was thrown backward as if he’d taken a heavy blow, the qi and blood roiling inside him. The instant he regained his footing, the Spirit Gathering bracelet on his wrist flashed urgently. As his right hand quickly formed a Dharma Seal, another Golden Light Body Protection Spell materialized.

The two men came to a standstill on opposite sides of the arena, separated by over ten meters.

Wu Qianjun had already used a ’Healing Spell’ rune paper to barely stabilize his wound. The ground before him was stained red, but he still stood as straight as a pine tree. His left hand held his shield, steady as a mountain, while his right still gripped his ’Armorbreaker’ long saber, its tip pointed at Yang Wenqing.

Far from dimming due to his injury, his eyes now blazed like a newly lit fire.

Yang Wenqing’s face was a little pale. His Spiritual Qi was rapidly recovering with the help of the Spirit Gathering Array. He recalled his Cyan Blade shortsword, concealing it once more, and watched his opponent warily—a man who seemed to know nothing of pain.

The battle was far from over. With his blood and his will, Wu Qianjun was showing everyone present what it meant to be a warrior from the Northern Border Frontline.

In the stands, the professional smile had long vanished from Director Qiming’s face, replaced by an expression of deep thought. His gaze was locked on the young figure in the arena.

He recalled the cultivation talent mentioned in Yang Wenqing’s file, then subconsciously glanced at Director Qin, seated beside him in the guest of honor section.

Director Qin remained seated, his expression calm. Only his fingers tapped intermittently on the armrest. He stared at the arena with a profound gaze, as if enjoying a rather interesting performance.

At that moment, Zhang Qiming suddenly seemed to understand something. The contemplative look on his face gradually faded, replaced by a wry smile. He didn’t seem discouraged, however. He then leaned over and began to speak quietly with Director Qin.

Back in the arena, the tide of battle had already shifted.

Wu Qianjun’s right arm was injured, and his movements were inevitably affected. Although his aura was still imposing, the suffocating pressure he had been exuding had weakened.

As for Yang Wenqing, after regaining his footing, he immediately changed his strategy.

He was no longer just passively dodging. Instead, he created even more distance between himself and Wu Qianjun. His left hand flew through a series of seals as one Anti-Demon Spell after another formed and shot out from in front of him!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Even without being channeled into a bullet, the explosive power of the Anti-Demon Spell’s flames was still considerable.

An unending series of fiery explosions blossomed across the arena. Scorching flames and violent shockwaves filled the space around Wu Qianjun.

Wu Qianjun could only swing his ’Immovable’ shield to block the fireballs coming at him head-on while relying on his extensive battlefield experience to dodge within a limited area. He tried several times to force his way through the fiery blockade and close the distance, but Yang Wenqing always managed to adjust his position in time. All the while, the casting frequency of his Anti-Demon Spells never slackened—in fact, it was getting even faster!

From the stands, it looked as if Yang Wenqing’s figure was constantly moving, like a tireless long-range turret, frantically pouring on the firepower. Wu Qianjun, on the other hand, was like a fierce tiger trapped in a net of fire. Though still ferocious, he could never truly threaten his opponent and was instead having his Spiritual Qi constantly drained.

In the stands, many of their watching colleagues, especially the senior sergeants with actual combat experience, couldn’t help but gasp. The gloating expressions on their faces had long since vanished, replaced by sheer shock.

"This... this is just insane..."

"If it were me up there, I’d be out of Spiritual Qi after just eight Anti-Demon Spells!"

"And if you factor in his marksmanship... My god, just thinking about it makes my skin crawl."

"No wonder Vice Director Gao dared to put him in the arena against Wu Qianjun in a battle of attrition..."

Some even began to think that if the rumors were true, letting Yang Wenqing skip the promotion assessment would actually be a good thing for all of Qianjiao County.

Wang Jianchao and Wang Ren exchanged a look, both seeing the profound shock in the other’s eyes.

Vice Director Gao remained standing at the edge of the arena, his face still calm. He scanned his surroundings again, taking in all the astonishment, dawning realization, and apprehension on everyone’s faces.

In the arena, Wu Qianjun’s situation was growing increasingly dire. The wound on his right arm had split open again from the strenuous movement, soaking his sleeve with fresh blood. The high frequency of blocking and dodging was consuming immense energy. The Spiritual Qi replenished by the Qi Gathering Pill simply couldn’t keep pace with the drain caused by Yang Wenqing’s torrential barrage of Anti-Demon Spells.

Even more troubling, his meridians were beginning to ache faintly from continuously consuming Qi Gathering Pills and forcibly circulating his Spiritual Qi—a precursor to damaging his very foundation!

A ferocious glint flashed in his eyes. He gritted his teeth, took another half-step back, and his left hand shot into his leather pouch like a bolt of lightning. This time, he pulled out two Qi Gathering Pills and shoved them into his mouth without a second glance!

As the pills entered his stomach, an even more violent medicinal power erupted, forcibly squeezing his meridians and Qi Sea. It brought a tearing pain, but it also forcibly raised his aura another notch.