Chapter 26: Lin Qi

The examiner stood nearly one meter ninety tall, of medium build but muscular, his robust muscles straining against the combat suit.

His speed was swift, his steps steady and powerful; in moments he closed the distance to Lin Qi and swung his spear to launch the first attack.

His spear thrust forward like lightning, piercing the air with immense penetration.

The spearhead glinted with cold light, closing in instantly.

Lin Qi raised an eyebrow—he recognized at once that the opponent was using the third technique of the Mountain-Crushing Spear Art: Crush-Thrust!

“Did the system detect during my earlier use of the Mountain-Crushing Spear Art that I specialize in spear techniques?”

“So the examiner was programmed to use spear techniques too?”

Lin Qi silently speculated—this was almost certainly it.

“Perfect—I want to test my own Mountain-Crushing Spear Art.”

As the distance narrowed, Lin Qi’s spear shot forward in an instant.

His feet exploded in power, his body lunging forward, arm muscles bulging, veins rising as strength surged.

Both hands gripped the spear tightly and unleashed force in a single instant—the spear shot out like a dragon.

Crush-Thrust!

He unleashed the same technique, its momentum fierce, aiming to meet force with force.

“Whoosh~”

Wind howled as both spears clashed in midair.

“Clang~”

Metal struck metal, sparks flying, force transmitting through spear and arm—real, tangible sensation.

Lin Qi’s face remained expressionless; he shifted his stance, using the recoil to flip his wrist and continue his spear art.

His spear technique shifted, delivering rapid, consecutive thrusts as light as plucking clouds.

Pluck-Cloud!

His mind raced; the twelve spear techniques surfaced, each matched to different combat scenarios.

“Clang clang clang~~”

The examiner countered with Pluck-Cloud; their spears flashed like lightning, colliding repeatedly.

Each impact sent out bursts of sparks.

Spear shadows danced, yet Lin Qi’s eyes grew ever more excited, his spear techniques accelerating further.

Fast, fast, fast!

Thrilling!

He reveled in the spear clashes, the transmission of force, the execution and rivalry of the techniques.

No psychological burden—only the need to unleash every spear technique he knew; the feeling was deeply satisfying.

His body and mind expanded, strength flowing through every corner.

Soon, Lin Qi noticed the examiner’s movements growing rigid.

“Clang~”

Lin Qi swung his spear; they clashed again.

“Time to end this!”

In that instant, Lin Qi’s eyes flashed—he unleashed all his power, force exploding segment by segment along his spine, his body like a compressed spring.

His spear shot out like a ruthless bolt of lightning, piercing the air.

Advance quickly!

The examiner couldn’t react in time, thrusting his spear defensively.

He could only watch helplessly as Lin Qi’s spear plunged into his chest like a ferocious beast.

“Puff~”

The spear pierced his chest, blood spraying onto Lin Qi’s face.

【You performed spear techniques for the first time. Mountain-Crushing Spear Art proficiency increased. Spear Art +1%】

【You used body movement in combat for the first time. Body Movement +2%】

【Spear Art: First Stage 77% → 78%】

【Body Movement: First Stage 68% → 70%】

…

Lin Qi retracted his spear, silently absorbing the feeling of the battle, mind sharply focused, muscles taut.

It was nothing like his usual training—this was nearly real combat.

His first real battle had already elevated his spear art slightly.

【Battle over. Congratulations, “Yang Jian,” you have won!】

【Current test progress (1/3)】

An electronic voice echoed through the sky.

“Progress is only 1/3—meaning I must win two more battles to pass the human-machine test.”

Lin Qi stared at the screen and instantly understood the rules.

“Continue the challenge!”

Without hesitation, he selected “Continue Challenge!”

“Ding!”

Moments later, another examiner appeared, clad in white combat gear; as the battle began, he surged forward like a whirlwind.

His speed increased further, his spear swinging with swift, lethal precision.

“It’s the Drop-Water Spear Art!”

Lin Qi recognized the technique, stepped forward, and swung his black great-spear with overwhelming momentum, beginning his second battle!

Compared to the first, his movements grew smoother and more refined.

…

Twenty minutes later

“Clang clang~~”

On the vast arena floor, two figures—one in black, one in white—swung their great-spears in fierce collision.

Silver and black spears danced, shadows flashing, sparks flying. Lin Qi swung his black great-spear freely, executing the Mountain-Crushing Spear Art, technique after technique, seamless and fluid.

His momentum was mighty, fierce, and dominant—fully embodying the style of the Mountain-Crushing Spear Art.

The examiner swung his spear, forming a defensive circle to block the onslaught.

“Even the Rock-Solid Spear Art can’t hold against me—die!”

Lin Qi erupted in power; his spear hummed, blood qi surging like a river flowing through his body.

Muscles swelled, waist and abdomen powering the strike, force channeling into his arms, his grip tightening as he thrust the spear forward.

Crush-Thrust!

A violent thrust shot out like lightning, shattering the defensive circle and piercing the examiner’s throat in an instant.

“Puff~”

One strike—fatal!

!

The examiner’s figure dissolved into nothingness.

【Through intense combat, Mountain-Crushing Spear Art proficiency increased. Spear Art +2%】

【Spear Art: First Stage 78% → 80%】

…

【Examiner defeated. Congratulations, “Yang Jian,” you have won.】

【Current test progress (3/3)】

【Congratulations! You have passed the human-machine test!】

The empty arena echoed with an electronic female voice.

Lin Qi exhaled, his eyes bright, showing not a trace of fatigue.

“Thrilling!”

Lin Qi felt only exhilaration—he had unleashed every spear technique he had ever learned.

In battle, facing unfamiliar techniques like Drop-Water Spear Art and Rock-Solid Spear Art, he saw new dimensions of spear art.

His proficiency deepened, and in combat, he never felt fatigue—it was addictive.

【“Yang Jian,” matchmaking mode activated!】

【Start matchmaking? Yes/No】

Lin Qi stared at the interface, lost in thought.

“I’ve experienced human-machine combat—while it allows autonomous spear techniques and attacks, it’s too rigid, lacking flexibility.”

“To pass, you only need to defeat three opponents with decent spear foundations.”

“But opponents who are real humans? Completely different.”

“Anyone who can enter the Red Arena isn’t ordinary.”

“Still, win or lose, my growth will be immense.”

Lin Qi clicked “Yes!”

Match confirmation initiated.

【Matching begins. Both parties’ Qi and blood values are 6.0.】

【Hide true appearance: Yes/No?】

Lin Qi raised an eyebrow, surprised—could one conceal one’s face?

The interface switched, revealing several masks of varying shapes and colors: handsome, eerie, beautiful…

Since that was possible, there was no need to hesitate; Lin Qi selected a sleek black mask.

Now clad entirely in black, his demeanor cold and stern, the mask made him appear as if facing an abyss.

Three minutes later, Lin Qi opened his eyes, and a figure materialized across from him.

He was a tall male, clad in a red combat suit, wielding a long sword.

His features were ordinary, dotted with a few acne scars, and he sported thick, curly hair.

Above his head, a nickname appeared: 【My Great Sword】(Elite)

“Yang Jian?”

“Newbie?”

The curly-haired male spoke, glanced at Lin Qi, and sneered.

“I love crushing newbies, brother. Let my Great Sword give you special attention.”

Under his mask, Lin Qi remained silent, raising his black great spear.

He glanced at his own interface and noticed a slight change in the information.

Nickname: 【Yang Jian】(Newbie)

After the nickname appeared the word “Newbie,” followed by a small annotation.

【Newbie】: Competitor who has passed the AI test and has no more than ten matches.

【Elite】: Competitor with over ten wins in the arena.

…

So that’s how it worked—Lin Qi understood instantly.

“Looks like I got lucky—my first opponent isn’t weak.”

“Elite—has won at least ten matches. Compared to me, a novice, his strength is undoubtedly great. He’s likely the strongest challenger I’ve faced so far.”

【Battle about to begin!】

【3, 2, 1…】

【Arena combat begins!】

As the timer ended, the AI voice announced loudly—the battle had officially begun!

…

(End of Chapter)