Chapter 415 - 151: Another Victory, Advancement
But Yang Jing was something else. Not only had he met the attacks head-on, but he had also firmly gained the upper hand. This was simply beyond his comprehension.
How could Li Mao know that Yang Jing’s daring to clash so forcefully stemmed from absolute confidence? This confidence came from three sources.
First was his absolute faith in the Mid-grade True Skill, the Mountain-Breaking Seal.
The technique’s offensive power was extremely strong, comparable to a Top-grade True Skill. When he channeled it with his Inner Strength, the force gathered in his fists was enough to clash head-on with ordinary weapons.
Second was the Indestructible True Skill he cultivated. He had already practiced this Top-grade True Skill to the Huajin Realm, and he was just one step away from the Peak of Transformation.
His body had been tempered until it was as hard as iron, to the point where ordinary swords and blades could barely leave a scratch. This was the most important reason he dared to meet the rod head-on.
Third, Li Mao’s weapon was a rod, not a sharper sword or blade.
Had it been a sharp blade, he might have dodged its edge, but against an Iron Rod, he had no such reservations.
Of course, even against the sharpness of a sword or blade, his current physical fortitude meant he wouldn’t necessarily be injured.
The two clashed again. Fist-shadows flickered and the wind howled from the rod’s swings. A continuous, ringing sound of metal on metal immediately echoed across the Cyan Qilin Platform.
Yang Jing was still only using eighty percent of his strength. He hadn’t even used his Raging Wave Body Technique.
’He knew full well that if he combined his Body Technique with his fist arts, he could defeat Li Mao within three moves, even while only using eighty percent of his power.’
’But he didn’t. He wanted to use this battle to further hone his Mountain-Breaking Seal, polishing the transition between his stances and Inner Strength until it was even more fluid.’
’And Li Mao, with his tricky moves, fierce power, and Iron Rod, was the perfect whetstone.’
After ten exchanges, Li Mao felt his qi and blood roiling. His organs felt as if they’d been pounded by a heavy hammer. A metallic, sweet taste rose in his throat, and his arms were so sore and numb he could barely hold the Iron Rod.
He looked up and saw that Yang Jing’s expression was still calm and composed, his breathing even. There was even a faint smile on his lips. It was obvious he was holding back, not using his full strength at all.
The moment he realized this, Li Mao’s heart sank.
’He knew that continuing to fight would only be asking for humiliation. He might even be severely injured by Yang Jing, a loss that would far outweigh any potential gain.’
So, the instant their fist and rod collided again, Li Mao used the rebound force to leap backward, landing steadily on the edge of the Cyan Qilin Platform. He shouted, "I surrender!"
His surrender was crisp and decisive, without a hint of hesitation. He had clearly made up his mind.
Yang Jing stared at him, looking for all the world like a man afraid he’d suffer a loss if he waited even a second longer. He was momentarily stunned, then shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
’He had been hoping to hone his skills for a few more moves, but he hadn’t expected Li Mao to be so decisive and surrender just like that.’
Seeing this, even though he still wanted to use the exchange to further polish the moves of his Mountain-Breaking Seal, Yang Jing had no choice but to drop the idea since his opponent had clearly surrendered.
He immediately cupped his fist in his hand in a salute to Li Mao and said calmly, "Thank you for the match."
Li Mao returned the salute, his gaze toward Yang Jing full of unconcealed apprehension.
The mountain-collapsing force from when their fist and rod had clashed still made his arm tingle faintly.
’My own specialty is strength,’ he thought to himself. ’Otherwise, I wouldn’t have chosen a weapon style like the rod, which relies on broad, sweeping movements and using brute force to overcome finesse.’
’And yet, in a direct clash with Yang Jing, I was utterly crushed, without even a chance to fight back.’
’Moreover, I have a nagging feeling that Yang Jing didn’t use his full strength during our exchange at all.’
’Those seemingly ferocious fists seemed to be holding something back. The transitions between his moves were calm and unhurried, a far cry from an all-out effort.’
’If Yang Jing had really used his full strength, he probably could have beaten me to a pulp!’
At this thought, a chill suddenly ran down Li Mao’s spine, and cold sweat trickled down his back.
’I have a feeling,’ he thought, ’that this unknown Inner Sect Disciple from Lingxi Peak probably has strength that touches the threshold of the top three in the Cyan Qilin Battle.’
’Of course, that was without factoring in the two acknowledged monsters, Gao Yang and Xu Ziqiang.’
But even so, it was enough to leave Li Mao deeply shaken.
’This year’s Cyan Qilin Battle is far more exciting than I imagined.’
...
Below the Cyan Qilin Platform, a clamor of shouts had long since erupted, rising and falling in waves.
"Yang Jing! Yang Jing!"
"Lingxi Peak is badass! Senior Brother Yang is a beast! Taking on an Iron Rod with his bare hands—his physical strength is just ridiculous!"
"He’s made it to the top nine! Senior Brother Yang is mighty! He’s brought honor to our Lingxi Peak!"
The waves of cheers and shouts grew louder and louder. At first, it was just the Outer and Inner Sect Disciples from Lingxi Peak, but their enthusiasm soon swept up many of the disciples who had been watching indifferently, and they couldn’t help but start shouting along.
Just then, the Main Peak Steward strode onto the Cyan Qilin Platform. His gaze swept over the roaring crowd as he announced in a clear voice, "The seventh match: Yang Jing of Lingxi Peak is the victor!"
As his voice fell, the cheers from below the platform grew even louder.
Yang Jing cupped his fists toward the audience below, gave a nod to Li Mao, and then turned to walk off the Cyan Qilin Platform.
Li Mao also let out a breath of relief. Gripping his still-numb arm, he quickly followed.
Among the spectators, the discussions about Yang Jing barely paused.
"Who would have thought a newcomer in his first Cyan Qilin Battle would fight his way into the top nine!"
"I thought he was just here to fill a spot, but now I see how poor my judgment was!"
"I think this Yang Jing might have a shot at the top three. Yuwen Mingjue and Zhao Chong are strong, but this guy is no pushover either!"