Chapter 322: Chapter 277 Siege
Standing atop the arena, this was how it felt.
Li Ang looked around. Illusory soft lights rose on all four sides of the arena, blurring the view of the outside world. It was a mosaic-like sensation.
On the other side of the arena, Gao Xiangming, seeing Li Ang looking around, couldn’t help but draw a deep breath and said solemnly, "I practice Magic Skill, at the Initial Stage of Rain Listening, and I know thirty-six Spells. I am most adept in Ice Cold and Ice Split..."
Li Ang turned his head in confusion and glanced at the other man. Neither of them were Martial Artists or Sword Masters, so there was no need to announce their weapons before battle. What was he doing, announcing his background like that?
"Oh, got it," Li Ang replied indifferently and continued to observe the Arena Restriction.
Got it? Gao Xiangming was first taken aback, then, realizing the implication, couldn’t help but feel irritated. Even if Li Ang was the focus of the Academic Palace, he himself was an elite, a talent who had stood out from millions of Haotian believers. The books he had read and the effort he had put in were certainly not much less than Li Ang’s. To be treated with such contempt was truly arrogant. It was... infuriating.
Fine then. I shall let you witness the intricacies of one of Taihao Mountain’s Magic Skills, Gao Xiangming pursed his lips slightly, his mind already imagining how he would cast Spells and effortlessly toy with and defeat his opponent. His name, Gao Xiangming, would become famous in all nations. The students of Taihao Mountain would be astonished by his growth, and the teachers would feel extremely gratified. Those who usually doubted and looked down on him would have to acknowledge Gao Xiangming’s excellence.
BUZZ. BUZZ—
The preparatory sound of the Arena Restriction disrupted Gao Xiangming’s daydreams. He came back to his senses, raised his hands to his chest, crossed his fingers, and formed a strange Magic Formula.
Li Ang, meanwhile, held a Short Spear and channeled Spiritual Power into it, casually spinning it.
CLICK.
The sound of mechanisms moving came from the middle of the Short Spear, its body extending to both sides to become a long spear.
「 」
"A Triangular Spear?"
In the spectator stands, Prince Yue, Li Hui, rubbed his smooth chin. As a senior student, both his grades and conduct were outstanding. If it weren’t for the limitations of his princely status, he probably would have received an Academic Palace Patrol Token. Naturally, he had the authority to check the Forging Workshop’s inventory and knew the principle behind the Triangular Spear.
"Bringing no other Telekinesis Control Devices or talismans, Risheng seems very confident. That Gao Xiangming will probably lose very quickly."
Li Hui glanced at the puzzled expressions of the others and explained, "Risheng primarily studies Mind Study and talismanic study. These two Dao Paths have broad applicability, but in combat between peers in the Rain Listening Realm, they face certain limitations. The preparation time for a talisman is too long. Even if successfully activated, there’s a delay before the effects manifest, making it easy for an opponent to exploit that weakness. Telekinesis, on the other hand, is significantly weakened when facing opponents with high mobility and defense. Therefore, Risheng is doing the same as some of the garrison’s Telekinesis Masters: using Mind in place of martial skills. Heart Level, Square, Rock, Coiling Finger... When these Mind Study techniques are used well, one can exert the strength of a Postnatal Martial Artist. Coupled with the Triangular Spear, he has even more room to maneuver on the arena than with pure Telekinesis."
After speaking, Li Hui paused and added, "Of course, the garrison’s strategy of replacing martial skills with Mind is more common before the Middle Rank of the Rain Listening Realm. After that, as opponents develop more counters, it’s not as effective."
Before he could finish speaking, the third signal sounded in the arena, announcing the start of the match.
Now is the moment! Gao Xiangming’s eyes suddenly widened as he circulated his Qi Sea, releasing Spiritual Power.
"Ice Cold Technique!"
From beneath his feet, the rainwater on the arena’s surface froze into ice. Clearly defined frost, like tree branches, rapidly extended towards Li Ang.
Li Ang stamped on the ground, condensing Telekinesis into a circular shape around his body, utilizing the technique known as Square to scrutinize the surrounding changes in Spiritual Power. Square is the most basic skill in Mind Study, involving the release of Telekinesis to sense the surrounding environment. It is also the most important prerequisite for the Mind Silk Surgery Technique. Having performed Mind Silk Surgery countless times, this skill had become instinct for Li Ang. With a mere thought, his Telekinesis covered a five-meter radius around him, scanning for the slightest fluctuations in Spiritual Power.
He found it. From his blind spot, the frosty chill was spreading from both sides. Gao Xiangming had employed a feint; whether Li Ang retreated or moved left or right, he would step onto the ice and be instantly bound by the Ice Cold Technique. A good plan, indeed. Too bad I never intended to retreat.
Li Ang released Telekinesis, covering his soles with the Rock technique, and stepped onto the ice layer ahead. His Telekinesis-covered feet did not freeze. On the contrary, Li Ang took several rapid steps, closing the distance and thrusting out with his spear.
The thrust was too sudden and swift. Gao Xiangming could only hastily change his move, quickly using Frozen Air to solidify the rain into a finger-thick ice shield before him.
THUD!
The Triangular Spear plunged deeply into the ice shield, stopping just half a meter from Gao Xiangming’s brow. Cold sweat soaked Gao Xiangming’s back. He retreated several steps while desperately releasing Spiritual Power, attempting to reinforce the ice shield and freeze the Triangular Spear within it.
CRACKLE—
The sound of water vapor freezing was incessant. The entire spearhead was clamped by thick ice. Frost quickly spread along the shaft of the spear, even showing signs of extending towards Li Ang’s palm.
Very clever. He knew right away I was substituting Mind for martial skills and tried to disable my weapon first. If this drags into a close-quarters fight and I’m without a weapon, I’ll be trapped by the terrain created by his Ice Cold Technique. Li Ang’s mind raced, calculating all possibilities. He finally chose to step back half a step, retracting his right hand as if drawing a bow, layering dense Telekinesis upon it. Then, he punched out.
His fist, imbued with the Rock technique, struck the bottom of the Triangular Spear like a battering ram.
BOOM!
Under the immense force, the Triangular Spear broke free from its icy prison and shot out, its tip aimed at Gao Xiangming’s forehead. Caught off guard, Gao Xiangming barely managed to twist his head aside. Still, the spear’s tip pierced his temple, and his neck jerked.
The Arena Restriction burst forth with red light, protecting Gao Xiangming from further harm. Meanwhile, the light screens around the arena slowly lowered as the announcer’s booming voice declared the winner of the match.
"The victor, Li Ang from the Academic Palace!"
Li Ang listened to the various noises outside the arena, shook his head, and picked up the Triangular Spear lodged in the surface ice. With a casual flick, he shook off the remaining frost. He didn’t look at the dispirited Gao Xiangming, who stood frozen in place. Instead, he looked beyond his opponent, his gaze meeting Bian Chenpei’s among the Taihao Mountain contingent in the distant spectator stands.
Bian Chenpei smiled faintly, raising his index finger and slowly drawing it across his own neck. The implication was clear: *you’re marked*. The competition had only just begun.