CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39: A DIFFERENT WAY TO IMPROVE

The next evening came quickly.

Zhang Lingfeng participated in this week’s second ranking competition.

Before the competition, Zhang Lingfeng checked his panel information.

Name: Zhang Lingfeng

Life Chart: Coast Along

Profession: Entry Level Martial Artist

Combat Power: 15.80011

Coasting Along Value: 70

Basic Spear Skill Thirteen Forms: Perfection (21/100)

Tidal Breathing Method: Entry Level (76/100)

Abilities: All-weather Breathing and Exhaling Ability, increase strength by 200 kg at any arm level, faster than others

With the All-weather Breathing and Exhaling Ability, continuously strengthening the five Qi Sensitivities within him, Zhang Lingfeng’s combat power is constantly undergoing subtle changes at every moment.

In last night’s ranking competition, due to Xiao Zhi’s appearance, he suddenly gained 62 Coasting Along Value points. Today, with continued relaxed cultivation and the added boost from Teng Qingshan’s game account, Zhang Lingfeng instantly gained 8 Coasting Along Value points, totaling 70 points.

"A bottle of Nutrient Liquid, if I buy it in my name, would cost at least 170,000. Entering the Elite Class, I earned a 100,000 bonus. Last night’s participation in the ranking competition earned me another 10,000 bonus. Now I’m still short of 60,000."

"If I want to earn more bonuses to buy Nutrient Liquid for Qingqing early, I need to change my strategy during the ranking competition."

"I cannot let the Star Realm System detect my strength, otherwise the chances of consecutive wins will become very slim."

Zhang Lingfeng muttered to himself.

Yesterday, he suddenly matched with an Inner Ring City Martial Dao student with a combat power of 17.0, precisely because he unleashed his faster-than-others ability.

The Star Realm System perceived his strength as far surpassing the standard combat power value.

Otherwise, he could have won a few more matches.

To earn more bonuses.

Thus, looking at the 70 Coasting Along Value points, Zhang Lingfeng decided to add them in batches. He first added 20 Coasting Along Value points to his Basic Spear Skills.

Coasting Along Value: 50

Basic Spear Skill Thirteen Forms: Perfection (41/100)

Combat Power: 16.5

Zhang Lingfeng felt a completely new insight in his mastery of the Basic Spear Skill Thirteen Forms.

Third Layer Skillful Strength can be elicited through spear technique.

Generally, when spear technique is cultivated to a palpable state, continued cultivation can lead to the elicitment of the First Layer of Skillful Strength, followed by the Second Layer and then the Third Layer.

Previously, Zhang Lingfeng had already elicited the First Layer of Skillful Strength, Bounce, through the Basic Spear Skills value changes.

Now, with the Basic Spear Skills value perfected to 41%, Zhang Lingfeng vaguely felt he’d already awakened the Second Layer of Skillful Strength, Bind.

Otherwise, the combat power wouldn’t have suddenly reached 16.5.

At this moment, Zhang Lingfeng also completed the match.

"It’s you again."

Surprisingly, his opponent this time was actually the same Inner Ring City Martial Dao student, Lin Quanlong, from yesterday.

Just like yesterday, his combat power remained at 17.0.

But yesterday, Zhang Lingfeng’s combat power was 15.7, whereas now it’s 16.5, and the Star Realm System hasn’t detected the change in Zhang Lingfeng’s strength.

"Running into him again means he won’t win a single match today."

Hu Siqin remarked.

"This is going to be fun. You’ve been playing my game account all day; I doubt you’ll gain any advantage in the ranking competition tonight, especially since you encountered the same person from last night."

Teng Qingshan was also in the live broadcast room.

Yang Liru, Hong Lixin, and Ma Yong, while seemingly uninterested in intervening in Zhang Lingfeng’s cultivation, were actually keeping an eye on his competition status and joined the live broadcast room.

"Tough luck for you."

Lin Quanlong wore an apologetic expression as he swiftly covered Zhang Lingfeng with his Saber Technique.

Though he won last night’s duel with Zhang Lingfeng, it was a rather frustrating victory. Today was a perfect chance to redeem himself and see if he could end the fight in a few moves.

"Buzz!"

Zhang Lingfeng remained calm. As he saw Lin Quanlong’s saber technique covering him, he swiftly thrust his spear, unleashing the power of his perfected Basic Spear Skills.

Two forces of Skillful Strength collided.

The long spear and the large saber were equally matched.

Lin Quanlong was slightly taken aback, quickly shifting the force of Skillful Strength. The Second Layer, Bind, burst forth as he attempted to entangle Zhang Lingfeng’s spear technique, rapidly breaking through Zhang Lingfeng’s spear defenses, and finish the battle with one slash.

But just then, a sense of pull was released from Zhang Lingfeng’s spear technique.

The saber and spear techniques of the two intertwined, neither willing to let the other slip away.

"This..."

Yang Liru and others’ expressions shifted. As Elemental Martial Artists with combat power exceeding 30.0, they immediately recognized that Zhang Lingfeng had comprehended the Second Layer of Skillful Strength, Bind!

This happened within just one night; how did Zhang Lingfeng manage it?

Mind you, Zhang Lingfeng barely trained the entire day.

"Whoosh!"

At this moment, the arm strength advantage and superior speed erupted simultaneously. The long spear, intertwined with Lin Quanlong’s longsword, suddenly broke free and stabbed Lin Quanlong’s throat, swiftly ending the battle.

The figures of both faded out of the live broadcast room.

Zhang Lingfeng proceeded to his second matchup, while Lin Quanlong disappeared from the Star Realm, still in shock from Zhang Lingfeng’s thrust when he returned to the real world.

As an Inner Ring City Martial Dao student, not only did he lose to an Outer Ring City Martial Dao student, but also to one with a combat power seemingly inferior to his own.

This event would undoubtedly spread in school, and soon he would become the laughingstock.

"Zhang Lingfeng won."

"The Second Layer of Skillful Strength, he has grasped it."

"How... how did he accomplish this? Is it really due to innate talent or awakened potential?"

...

Those familiar with Zhang Lingfeng were stupefied.

Even Yang Liru and others couldn’t figure it out.

Teng Qingshan and others were utterly stunned.

"All day, he clearly hadn’t been training. How did he suddenly grasp the Second Layer of Skillful Strength? How did he manage it? Is his talent really surpassing everyone else’s?"

Teng Qingshan clenched his fists.

Given the current trend, Zhang Lingfeng would soon surpass him and might even become the first Elemental Martial Artist among senior high Martial Dao students.

In the midst of matching, Zhang Lingfeng once again checked his panel information, then added another twenty Coasting Along Value points to his Basic Spear Skills.

Coasting Along Value: 30

Basic Spear Skill Thirteen Forms: Perfection (61/100)

Combat Power: 17.0

Zhang Lingfeng felt a renewed shift in his mastery and understanding of the Basic Spear Skill Thirteen Forms. Unseen, the Second Layer of Skillful Strength also became more solid and reliable.

In a haze, the Third Layer of Skillful Strength, Permeate, also felt within reach.

This loophole-exploiting conduct in the Star Realm System had Zhang Lingfeng thoroughly excited.

Soon, Zhang Lingfeng matched with a new opponent.

It was someone called Long Ze, with a combat power of 17.2, a Martial Dao student from First Middle School.

"It’s Senior Long!"

Hu Siqin exclaimed.

As a First Middle School Martial Dao student, Long Ze’s reputation was second only to his brother Hu Bin in First Middle School, and he had earned a recommendation for Divine Martial University.

Moreover, he was a sophomore Martial Dao student.

"16.4?"

Long Ze frowned.

Zhang Lingfeng’s combat power as verified by the Star Realm System was only 16.4, yet he’d matched with him, who had a 17.2 combat power.

"Tough luck, come on!"

Thinking that the Star Realm System sometimes had glitches, he assumed this match was accidental, leading to Zhang Lingfeng matching with him.

He drew his longsword and slashed towards Zhang Lingfeng’s throat.