Chapter 160: Spear Soars Like a Dragon

At that moment, the air around the two of them seemed to solidify, so heavy it made one feel suffocated.

Yu Tianyun's eyes were wide and round, gripping his long spear tightly, the powerful aura emanating from his body like a volcano about to erupt. Yang Ruolin was no less; her delicate face now bore a look of determination, and the spear in her hand trembled slightly, as if eager to charge into battle.

Finally, a sharp glint flashed in his gaze, and he launched the first attack. He shouted, "Watch the spear!"

The sound rang like a great bell, a flash of cold light appeared instantly, then the spear flew like a dragon, carrying a howling, fierce wind, striking toward Yang Ruolin like lightning.

Yang Ruolin reacted swiftly, sidestepping in a flash, her spear sweeping out in response, counterattacking Yu Tianyun.

Yu Tianyun did not retreat; relying entirely on his body's instinct, he swung downward, the spear crashing onto Yang Ruolin like a mountain pressing down.

Yang Ruolin, unafraid of danger, instantly changed her move, turning the sweeping strike into an upward diagonal thrust in the blink of an eye.

"Clang!" The fierce metallic clash rang deafeningly, echoing throughout the Training Ground.

Yet they did not pause for a moment; in an instant they launched another round of attacks.

Yu Tianyun moved his body with his spear, the spear's motion like a raging storm, wave after wave, continuously assaulting Yang Ruolin. Choosing a head‑on clash, spear tip against spear tip, their techniques mirrored each other. After all, they were taught by the same master, their spear skills evenly matched, and in such a short time it was impossible to find a flaw. For a while, spear shadows crisscrossed across the Training Ground, their figures flashing like lightning, dazzling to watch. In the blink of an eye they exchanged hundreds of moves; their battle grew ever more intense, sweat pouring down like rain, yet it did not dampen their soaring fighting spirit.

Yu Tianyun had only one thought in his mind: to defeat Yang Ruolin and prove the results of his recent training. Yang Ruolin also made a silent vow, determined to let Yu Tianyun see her own strength.

Yu Tianyun's growth speed was astonishingly fast, so fast that she felt a bit ashamed; having practiced spear techniques since childhood, she was overtaken by Yu Tianyun within just a month. This made her happy for her fiancé, yet also left her feeling unwilling.

After an unknown amount of time, both of their stamina waned, yet neither intended to stop. Yu Tianyun spotted an opening, suddenly turned, and thrust the long spear at Yang Ruolin from a cunning angle—a surprise counter‑spear move.

Yang Ruolin was startled, instinctively stepping back a few paces; although she narrowly avoided the attack, her sleeve was still slashed by the spear tip.

That retreat, while evading the strike, also sealed her defeat; her momentum had been broken.

Yu Tianyun seized the momentum and pressed the attack; within three or five exchanges, Yang Ruolin fell into a desperate, retreating situation, and finally Yu Tianyun's spear tip rested steadily a half‑inch from her forehead.

Yang Ruolin breathed heavily, her eyes full of unwillingness, yet she could not deny defeat, biting her lip as she said, "I lost."

Yu Tianyun sheathed the spear and stood, a calm smile on the face: "Ruolin, you are already very impressive."

Yang Ruolin gave him a withering glance, coquettishly retorting, "Cut the act; you win, so you must be smug."

Yu Tianyun shook his head, speaking earnestly: "My rapid progress isn't because my spear talent surpasses yours, but because my cultivation is higher, my physique and spirit power stronger; thus the learning speed of these Basic Spear Method techniques is naturally swift. It's a matter of a solid foundation. As your cultivation continues to rise, your spear technique will inevitably advance dramatically."

Yang Ruolin pondered, then after a moment lightly nodded: "Perhaps you're right, but I won't give up; next time I'll definitely beat you."

Yu Tianyun smiled: "Fine, I'll be watching."

In truth, he did not believe Yang Ruolin could surpass him; her current spear technique bottleneck lay in the limits of her cultivation, as well as her physical and spirit deficiencies, whereas Yu Tianyun faced no such constraints and could already begin studying the next, more profound stage of spear technique. The gap between them would only widen.

Just as Yu Tianyun was about to ask when he could redeem the reward, a steady, powerful voice sounded, causing him a hint of helplessness.

"Tianyun, you're right; cultivation is crucial for improving spear technique. But Ruolin, your foundation is solid; with time and refined cultivation you will surely ascend further. Tianyun, you must not become arrogant; the path of spear technique is endless," said Yang Wudi, strolling over with a satisfied gaze, addressing the two.

Yu Tianyun and Yang Ruolin replied in unison, "Yes, Grandfather."

Yang Wudi continued, "Today's sparring gave you both something to gain; return and summarize well. Tomorrow we'll train elsewhere, and Tianyun should learn the true Yang Clan spear technique—Soul-breaking Spear Technique!"

Both felt a stir within, and Yu Tianyun's heart brimmed with anticipation; the Soul-breaking Spear Technique was precisely his ultimate goal for this visit.

After bowing to each other, the two walked side by side out of the Training Ground.

Halfway there, Yu Tianyun suddenly halted, blocking Yang Ruolin's path, a knowing smile on his face as he said, "Ruolin, did you forget something you were supposed to say?"

Yang Ruolin blinked slightly, feigning a clueless, innocent look, and said, "What did you say? I can't recall!"

"Hmph, then I'll help you remember," Yu Tianyun pretended to reach out to embrace her.

Yang Ruolin, frightened, quickly stepped back, her pretty face flushing, coquettishly saying, "I… I remembered."

Yu Tianyun crossed his arms, a smug grin on his face as he looked at her.

Yang Ruolin, cheeks reddening, whispered in a voice as thin as a mosquito, "Unless you can surpass me in spear technique someday, I will…"

She fell silent, adding, "Then I'll agree to that…" Yu Tianyun burst into laughter, "That's about right; you must keep your word—don't lock the door tonight!"

Yang Ruolin stamped her foot, "Got it, you're so impatient." With that, she turned and ran off.

Yu Tianyun watched her retreating figure, smiling broadly, his heart even more eager for the night to come.

…

After returning to his room, Yu Tianyun gazed at the increasingly plump, graceful, beautiful Bai Chenxiang, and couldn't help recalling the few remaining immortal herbs in his possession, pondering silently:

"Xiangxiang is now twelve, about the same age as Zhu Qing, and her talent is also strong; she's already cultivated to level 28, so this talent warrants an immortal herb, and there happens to be one that suits her. Ruolin's talent is likewise outstanding; just past sixteen she reached level 38, also deserving an immortal herb. She too should receive one. However, the herb best for her is the Ink‑jade Divine Bamboo, but that's already given to Grandfather Sword, and there is another suitable one that was originally prepared for Xiangxiang. What should I do?"

Bai Chenxiang and Yang Ruolin's talents were not inferior to those of the Slake few who hadn't taken immortal herbs; Yu Tianyun naturally wanted to allocate herbs to them. Yet he only had three left: a earth‑type Earth Dragon Golden Melon, a metal‑type Geng Gold Fruit, and an ice‑type Ice Soul‑Chilling Herb.

The immortal herb he had originally prepared for Bai Chenxiang was the Geng Gold Fruit; although its attribute isn't a perfect match, it can boost her attack and defense, exactly what she lacks.

Now, it is clear that Yang Ruolin is a better fit for this herb; she wields a weapon‑type martial soul—the Soul‑breaking Spear, and with this herb's aid, it is highly likely to evolve her martial soul's grade.

"It seems I'll give the Ice Soul‑Chilling Herb to Xiangxiang," Yu Tianyun decided.

This herb called Ice Soul‑Chilling Herb can grant a Soul Master ice attribute; essentially any Soul Master except fire can absorb it.

Of course, ice‑type Soul Masters gain the best effect; it not only enhances ice quality but also greatly increases the chance of martial soul evolution, and the absorption is relatively easy.

Soul Masters of other attributes would endure considerable pain upon absorption, so Yu Tianyun plans to wait a year or two before letting Bai Chenxiang absorb it; by then she'll be in her thirties level, making absorption relatively easier.

Once Bai Chenxiang gains the ice attribute, she can attach all subsequent soul rings as ice‑type martial soul rings, and Yu Tianyun knows that in the Heaven Soul Empire's Dragon City ten thousand years from now, there exist countless millennia‑old mysterious ice cores, whose effect rivals that of an immortal herb, possibly allowing Bai Chenxiang to evolve into ultimate ice.

That place is probably located in the northern provinces of the Tian Dou Empire; when the time comes, he'll spend some time searching. With his strong spirit power, Yu Tianyun believes it won't be hard to find.

With this allocation, the only immortal herb left in Yu Tianyun's hand is the Earth Dragon Golden Melon. If none of his companions have earth attribute, he plans to take it himself.

Although his martial soul also lacks earth attribute, his affinity for all elements is high, so absorption should pose little issue, and gaining a few levels of soul power is worthwhile.

As for his Mountain Dragon King soul bone, it is also earth‑type, but its grade is too high; the Earth Dragon Golden Melon would certainly have little effect.

"Sigh, after all this it seems I haven't gained much; I obtained a Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng and the Soul‑breaking Spear Technique, but I've lost three immortal herbs—(Yoxiang Qiluo Immortal Product, Ice Soul‑Chilling Herb, Geng Gold Fruit)," Yu Tianyun muttered inwardly.

"Tianyun, what are you thinking?" Bai Chenxiang glided gracefully, approached, and asked as she watched Yu Tianyun frowning in thought.

"Nothing much, just thinking about what gift to prepare for you after you break through to Soul Elder," Yu Tianyun wrapped his arms around Bai Chenxiang, saying gently.

"Tianyun," Bai Chenxiang whispered, leaning in Yu Tianyun's arms, "no matter what you give me, I'll be happy."

Yu Tianyun smiled faintly, gently stroking her light‑purple hair, and said, "Xiangxiang, I will definitely make you stronger."

Meanwhile, Yang Ruolin ran back to her room, her heart pounding. She sat on the bedside, recalling Yu Tianyun's words, a blush spreading across her face, yet she couldn't help feeling a bit of anticipation. She wrestled with herself over whether to lock the door. In the end, she bit her lip and left the door unlocked.

Night fell silently; Yu Tianyun looked at the flushed, already deep‑asleep Bai Chenxiang beside him, rose gently to tuck her blanket, then tiptoed out of the room toward Yang Ruolin's chamber.

His mood was also a bit anticipatory; when he reached Yang Ruolin's door, he found the door was indeed unlocked. He gently pushed it open and saw Yang Ruolin sitting on the edge of the bed, her hands anxiously twisting the hem of her clothes.

Yu Tianyun walked into the room and gently closed the door.

In the room, Yang Ruolin looked up at him, her face full of shyness, but then pretended to be angry: "What are you doing here?"

Yu Tianyun smiled and walked closer to her: "What do you say?"

Their gazes met, and an ambiguous atmosphere spread through the air. Yang Ruolin's face grew even redder, Yu Tianyun slowly extended his hand, grasped Yang Ruolin's hand, and she trembled slightly but did not pull away.

"Ruolin, I…" Yu Tianyun's voice was low and resonant.

Yang Ruolin bit her lip, lowered her head and dared not look directly at his gaze.

Yu Tianyun gently lifted her chin, making her look straight into his eyes, and then slowly leaned in…

(End of chapter)