Chapter 541 - 184: Showcasing Strength (3)

CLANG!

The spear tip slammed into his palm, letting out a deafening ring of metal.

Ma Guoliang’s expression changed drastically when he saw Yang Jing catch his full-power thrust bare-handed. His eyes filled with utter disbelief.

He subconsciously tried to yank the spear back, veins bulging on his arm as Inner Qi poured ceaselessly into the shaft.

But the greatspear felt as if it were locked in an iron vise, refusing to budge an inch.

Alarmed, Ma Guoliang once again channeled his Inner Qi and yanked the spear with all his might!

The moment his strength reached its peak, Yang Jing suddenly let go.

An immense reactive force surged back instantly. Caught completely off guard, Ma Guoliang was thrown off balance, staggering back several steps and nearly collapsing.

Ma Guoliang steadied his staggering form and looked up at Yang Jing, his face a mask of disbelief.

His pupils shrank, and the fingers gripping the spear shaft trembled slightly.

’We just exchanged dozens of blows. Yang Jing was strong, but I had him suppressed the whole time. How could his power have exploded to this degree in the span of a single breath?’

The hand that had seized his spear tip possessed astonishing power, as if it were not made of flesh and blood, but of Profound Iron.

’Could it be... Yang Jing was hiding his strength the whole time? Was his passive defense just a way to test me?’

The thought exploded in his mind like a clap of thunder, throwing his heart into disarray.

Meanwhile, Ma Guoliang wasn’t the only one in shock.

「Below the arena stage.」

Chu Yunhai, Bai Ziyu, and Lu Shaohua stood side by side. Their previously composed expressions turned solemn when they saw the flash of overwhelming power from Yang Jing’s last move.

All three were top experts among the Xuanzhen Sect’s younger generation and had long since cultivated two True Skills to the Peak of the Qi Eating Realm. They were all too familiar with the overwhelming aura produced by fusing two different types of Inner Qi.

Although the aura now erupting from Yang Jing hadn’t reached the Peak of Qi Eating, he clearly had the foundation to contend with those who had. How could they not be astonished?

「On the secondary platform.」

Si Jiawen’s tense expression suddenly relaxed. The anxiety gripping her heart vanished, and a flash of unconcealable joy lit up her eyes.

She had just been secretly worrying that if Yang Jing truly lost to Ma Guoliang, it would not only be a problem for Yang Jing himself, but the entire Lingxi Lineage would lose face.

But the strength Yang Jing was now displaying had clearly exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Si Jiawen stared intently at Yang Jing’s figure, utterly astonished.

’I never would have thought Yang Jing was hiding this much strength! Judging by the intensity of this aura, he’s clearly broken through to the Qi Eating Realm with a second martial art!’

...

「On the high platform.」

The upper echelons of the Xuanzhen Sect were no longer as calm and unconcerned as before.

Yang Jing’s sudden burst of power brought expressions of surprise to the faces of these Pill Realm masters, men who had seen and weathered every storm imaginable.

Breaking through to the Qi Eating Realm was already difficult. Many disciples in the sect trained bitterly for years, even decades, yet could hardly touch the threshold.

To break through to the Qi Eating Realm with two separate martial arts was even more difficult; a feat that required not only astonishing talent, but also unyielding willpower.

Although there were some senior experts in the sect who could cultivate two or even more martial arts to the Qi Eating Realm, that was the result of spending decades slowly honing and building upon their foundations.

But how long had it been since Yang Jing broke through to the Qi Eating Realm?

In just a few short months, he had actually managed to push a second martial art to the Qi Eating Realm. This speed and talent were truly beyond their expectations.

Right now, the expression on Peak Master Zhenyue Qin Gang’s face was a sight to behold.

He sat straight on the high platform, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. If one looked closely, they would find his expression was a bit stiff.

He finally understood why Peak Master Lingxi Bai Bing had taken the initiative to make a bet with him.

’Back then, I was secretly gloating, thinking Bai Bing was being too arrogant and that I was getting a massive bargain on a benefit delivered right to my door.’

’But thinking about it now, what bargain? I clearly fell into Bai Bing’s trap!’

’Yang Jing has now broken through to the Qi Eating Realm with two martial arts. Even if neither is at its peak, his combat strength is enough to be considered top-tier among the younger generation. Cracking the top five shouldn’t be an issue, let alone a measly top eight.’

Remembering how he had already lost a priceless Bone Jade Pill to Bai Bing for underestimating Yang Jing, he knew the promised Heart Inquiry Pill was as good as gone.

Qin Gang felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if his heart were bleeding.

He secretly gritted his teeth. ’No matter what, I can never make this kind of bet with Bai Bing again!’

...

「On the arena stage.」

Ma Guoliang was still reeling from the shock of Yang Jing’s explosive increase in strength, his expression dazed. For a moment, he couldn’t even react.

The hand gripping his spear trembled, his mind in utter chaos. He had never imagined the situation would be so completely overturned.

But Yang Jing did not stop. Since he had already revealed his strength, there was no reason to hide it any longer.

His eyes narrowed, and the Inner Qi around his body surged like a tide. He clenched his fists tightly, and his formidable Inner Qi became almost tangible, wrapping around them layer by layer. A faint shimmer of light flickered over his knuckles.

Before Ma Guoliang could fully recover his senses, Yang Jing pushed off, his body darting forward like a bolt of lightning. He smashed a fierce punch against the greatspear Ma Guoliang held horizontally in front of him.

BANG!

A deep, thunderous sound echoed across the arena stage. The jet-black greatspear was actually bent into a shocking arc by this single punch.

Fortunately, the spear shaft was forged from refined iron mixed with resilient wood, making it extremely flexible. In just an instant, it snapped back to its original shape with a humming vibration.