Xiao Lin had no idea what the so-called mental techniques in those fantasy novels before his transmigration were all about. In this world, however, a mental technique was essentially a method of circulating spiritual energy. By using the incantations of a mental technique, one could guide a stream of spiritual energy to flow through the meridians and acupoints of the body in a specific pattern and sequence, thereby generating special abilities such as speeding up cultivation, enhancing combat power, and increasing spiritual energy reserves.

As for the exact principles behind this, I can only say that those who know, know.

In any case, in that instant earlier, Xiao Lin felt that the stream of spiritual energy circulating through his meridians and acupoints according to the incantation of "Beat Up Anyone Who Disagrees" suddenly formed a mysterious connection with the Kui Ox mark on his right forearm.

Could it be that the Kui Ox mark is about to unleash its power and save my life?

Everything happened in the blink of an eye. As Xiao Lin watched the long spear approaching to strike him down, this thought flashed through his mind.

But in the next moment, the heat emanating from his right forearm vanished.

What was I expecting?

Xiao Lin chuckled self-deprecatingly, deciding to completely give up on doing nothing.

How can you play when the opponent is using protagonist-level cheats?

However, as the saying goes, when the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a way; even a sow can climb a tree.

Just as the spear tip was less than a meter away from Xiao Lin, he suddenly felt the scene of the masked man performing the Ultimate Invincible World-Dominating Thunder Sword in his mind become clear.

And he suddenly felt as if something had been added to his mind.

Almost instinctively, he raised his Liuhan, as if his muscles had memorized the movement, and unleashed a strike.

The sword was enveloped in a sky full of thunder.

...

...

What kind of feeling does thunder give people?

Fear? Fury?

Anyway, the feeling thunder gave Xiao Lin was summed up in one word—pain.

Pain! It was excruciating!

Such a massive bolt of lightning striking directly on you!

It wasn't just a tingling numbness from an electric shock; it was pain that pierced through to the soul.

Xiao Lin even felt several times that he was about to be cooked by the electricity.

Perhaps because of this experience, his move, the Thunder Strike of the Ultimate Invincible World-Dominating Thunder Sword, appeared extremely violent, carrying a determination to destroy everything.

In the next moment, the Drizzle Pear Blossom Spear collided with the Thunder Strike of the Ultimate Invincible World-Dominating Thunder Sword.

A dramatic shockwave accompanied by a strong surge of spiritual energy spread out, pushing Lu Xingqiu and the others back seven or eight meters.

"Boom!"

Thunder, wrapped in spiritual energy, raged and roared, creating a deafening sound, and in an instant, dust and smoke filled the air.

However, the dust quickly dissipated.

The scene in the martial arts arena reappeared before everyone's eyes—Xiao Lin stood with his sword, the blade pointing forward, and where it pointed was Gu Ziying, with Gu Qingqing shielded behind her and the pale green long spear stuck in the ground not far away.

Looking at Gu Ziying standing in front, Xiao Lin let out a long breath.

Earlier, he had inexplicably entered that mystical state, relying entirely on instinct to strike, unable to control his strength. If Gu Ziying hadn't intervened, he might have seriously injured Gu Qingqing.

That's why it's better to have elders around during sparring.

"Even though Qingqing acted again, which was indeed against the rules, you didn't have to go for the kill, did you?" Gu Ziying looked at the Liuhan in Xiao Lin's hand and shook her head with a light smile.

Hearing this, Xiao Lin was just about to explain when he suddenly felt a wave of dizziness and exhaustion wash over him, causing him to fall backward.

...only to be caught by a gentle spiritual energy.

"Hehe, that spear from Gu Qingqing just now wasn't a simple probe, was it? Open your mouth." Leng Youxue appeared beside Xiao Lin, flicking a pill into his mouth. "If my senior disciple hadn't held back, he would have been in danger."

Lu Xingqiu, Ning Yunmiao, and Yu Qiaoxi, who quickly gathered around, nodded in agreement.

...Meanwhile, poor Luo, hiding in the shadows, was just about to rush over when Leng Youxue's spiritual energy pressed him back, leaving him to lament, "Senior Brother! My Senior Brother! Don't get hurt! If anything happens to you, I'll kill them all! Kill them all!"

Gu Ziying, who was initially teasing Xiao Lin, was about to habitually refute Leng Youxue's words when she suddenly heard crying behind her. She immediately turned around, "What's wrong? Qingqing, where are you hurt?"

"I'm sorry, Master... I embarrassed you..." Gu Qingqing sobbed, her shoulders trembling, clearly heartbroken.

"You silly child..." Gu Ziying watched this scene, a flash of heartache in her eyes, and immediately raised her hands to pull Gu Qingqing into her embrace.

It's worth noting that Gu Ziying has a very good figure, and perhaps out of too much concern for Gu Qingqing, she hugged her tightly, even pressing the latter's head against her chest.

So...

"Waaaah, Master, I... mmm mmm mmm!"

Ouch...

Under the effect of the pill, Xiao Lin quickly recovered from his state of spiritual energy depletion and, seeing this classic scene, couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.

Then he glanced at Leng Youxue beside him, lamenting that he would probably never have such an opportunity in his lifetime.

But he hadn't lamented for long before Leng Youxue shot him a cold glare, prompting him to quickly avert his gaze and look up at the sky.

[How strange, why did it suddenly feel a bit chilly just now...]

Standing beside Xiao Lin, Ning Yunmiao looked around in confusion.

"Silly child, you've already done very well. You... hmm? What's wrong?" Perhaps feeling she had hugged enough, Gu Ziying released Gu Qingqing and was about to continue speaking when she noticed the latter's flushed face and asked in confusion.

"No, nothing... nothing..." Gu Qingqing, her little face still streaked with tears, quickly waved her hand in embarrassment, but she had completely stopped crying.

"In any case, what I want to say is, Qingqing, you've done well enough." Gu Ziying didn't press further, placing a hand on Gu Qingqing's shoulder and speaking earnestly, "You don't need to blame yourself."

"But... but... I couldn't even defeat Daoist Xiao..." Gu Qingqing mumbled.

"Trust me, Qingqing, that strike from him just now, no one in the Core Formation Realm could withstand it."

"Huh?"

Perhaps because she was too caught up in the moment, Gu Qingqing hadn't realized how powerful Xiao Lin's strike was until Gu Ziying pointed it out.

So strong... it felt like it could match the full force of a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator... No, it seemed even stronger... Could a Core Formation Realm cultivator really unleash such an attack?

Thinking of this, Gu Qingqing couldn't help but look at Xiao Lin and ask, "Daoist Xiao, what was that sword move just now?"

"Uh..."

Having roughly understood the situation and prepared to watch the show, Xiao Lin was caught off guard by the question and stood there dumbfounded, instinctively replying, "Thunder... Thunder Strike."

He was too embarrassed to say the full name of the Ultimate Invincible World-Dominating Thunder Sword.

Sorry, masked man senior.