Chapter 12: Departure, Wilderness Zone

The logistics staff of Jixian Home were extremely efficient; by noon the next day a group delivered a long wooden crate, tall enough to be over a person high, and a silver suitcase to Zhou Yang.

Zhou Yang moved the two boxes into the underground training hall.

He first opened the long wooden crate, and inside lay a completely black, forest‑cold Long Spear whose tip glittered with specks of starlight.

In the crate's corner were scattered a few palm‑length throwing knives, a full set of combat attire, a combat backpack, a watch, and other gear.

To purchase these items, Zhou Yang not only exhausted the 20 million startup funds provided by Jixian Wuguan, but also added over 10 million of his own cash.

There's no way around it; the gear a Warrior uses is just too expensive!

That single 6th‑tier Xingkong Long Spear alone costs 25 million, a 5th‑tier combat suit another 18 million, six 7th‑tier throwing knives 18 million, plus assorted odds and ends; the total full price approaches 70 million!

Had he not borrowed his father Zhou Yong's contribution‑point account to get a half‑price discount, he could never afford so many items!

"Hoo!"

Leaving home, Zhou Yang and his father took Jixian Wuguan's official car and soon arrived at the most bustling district of Jiangnan Base City's downtown.

He immediately got a massive eye‑roll in response: "My own dad, isn't it my duty to worry? How could you be so unreliable!"

This afternoon he kept trying repeatedly, yet he could not fully master the footwork.

The good days ended quickly; Luo Feng the kid found his Martial Artist Squad and set out for the Wilderness Zone on August 28, leaving Zhou Yang to return to his solitary research.

"Alright, come quickly!"

In the center of this area, a towering skyscraper of 88 floors rose up.

Nevertheless, it's reputed to be the hardest spear technique on Earth, and he wasn't in a hurry, continuously grinding it.

Zhou Yong, waiting over there, mumbled vaguely, "What are you worried about? This kid is already almost stronger than his dad; I might even need him to protect me."

Zhou Yang smacked his lips and kept looking backward.

At that moment Zhou Yong was already waiting downstairs, fully armed as well.

"Whoa, son, you look so dashing in that gear—half my style!"

Zhou Yang sighed, rubbed his hands, and carefully took out the thin black book.

"A secret manual worth a hundred million! In my two lifetimes I've never spent this much!"

And after mastering the sixth‑level spear technique, there's even a sliver of a chance to comprehend a Domain!

To think that within the boundless Universe, one can grasp a Domain at the Planet Level—truly worthy of being called a genius.

After fingerprint verification, the silver suitcase opened automatically, revealing a jet‑black book about a finger's thickness in his view.

"According to this Secret Technique, you practice footwork before the spear; let me give it a try first!"

"Ancient teachings say— a spear draws a single line; its ultimate condensation and burst are the hallmark of the Long Spear weapon."

"'Dragon Soaring' contains fifteen footwork styles; once refined, they better mobilize the body's power, allowing the spear to move like a snake against an opponent, limbs swift, striking flesh with the spear, pressing the shaft deep, forming a circle as a Nascent Soul, splitting forms into use, rapid successive strikes, ultimately achieving a state where hardness and softness harmonize, offense and defense applied together."

"Reading more ancient martial texts such as 'Arm Record' and 'Emei Spear Method' helps quicker comprehension of the 'Apocalypse' spear technique."

Zhou Yang waited in silence, and soon the opportunity he hoped for arrived.

During this period, Zhou Yang immersed himself in studying the 'Apocalypse' spear technique, hardly leaving his room each day.

He then began to flip through it silently.

On the early morning of September 5, Zhou Yang dressed early in his full gear.

Beside the book lay a matching learning CD.

His mother Wang Shumei was quietly checking the supplies he needed to carry, reminding him to stay safe.

"Yangyang, be sure to stay safe out there, listen to your dad and Uncle Liu, and don't try to be reckless!"

He nodded earnestly, smiling, "Don't worry, Mom, I'll be careful!"

A shout came from downstairs—Zhou Yong's voice.

Since self‑cultivation began, this was his first time systematically grasping the spear and body technique cultivation system, and his mind instantly felt enlightened.

This surpasses the earlier 'Nine‑Layer Thunder Blade' a bit.

"Spear training prioritizes footwork; the footwork paired with my spear method, 'Dragon Soaring', is also the finest Earth‑level body‑movement manual."

"'Apocalypse' is divided into six levels; after mastering each level, an extra hidden force can be released during power output, each hidden force doubling the strength. Stacked across six levels, the maximum can unleash seven times the body's power!"

The introduction on the first page stirred Zhou Yang's spirit.

Each level mastered adds another double of power without reducing the original output.

However, due to a lack of combat practice, his progress gradually slowed.

"By the way, the manual says that reading more ancient texts like 'Arm Record' and 'Emei Spear Method' helps faster comprehension of the 'Apocalypse' spear technique?"

Truly the strongest attacking spear on Earth!

Seeing Zhou Yang descend, Zhou Yong grinned broadly and gave him a thumbs‑up.

"Clack!"

Time passed, the scorching summer faded, yet the autumn heat remained fierce.

He wore combat trousers below, alloy short boots on his feet, a combat vest on top, a retractable Warrior‑specific backpack on his back, six 7th‑tier throwing knives on his weapon belt, and gripped a jet‑black, heavy Xingkong Long Spear in his hand, looking several degrees more heroic than usual.

According to the manual, when this footwork moves, it isn't just the legs stepping according to the form; the whole body must generate power, poised to unleash at any moment, ready to strike or block instantly.

He took a deep breath, set the equipment‑filled wooden box aside, then carefully opened the other silver suitcase.

Zhou Yang responded, re‑checked his gear, then grabbed the Long Spear and left the room.

Seeing Wang Shumei's slightly reddened eyes, Zhou Yang felt moved.

The more he looked, the brighter his eyes became.

He closed the book, stood up, and went to the center of the training hall.

"Son, are you ready?"

Only when he had a slight insight would he arrange to spar and verify with Luo Feng in the Jixian Hall's training hall.

"The spear, king of all weapons!"

In this "Apocalypse" manual, besides containing a set of accompanying guiding techniques, it mainly introduces fifteen footwork forms and, in spear technique, twenty‑one thrust methods and eleven slash methods.

Beside him, Wang Shumei lightly slapped him, then quickly stepped forward, smoothing the collar folds of Zhou Yang's combat uniform, and, with worry in her eyes, admonished:

"We still need a lot of real‑combat testing to better grasp the fighting techniques described in the manual; when are Dad and the others going to the Wilderness Zone?"

This undoubtedly requires extremely strong coordination and reaction ability.

"The 'Apocalypse' I created is the strongest attacking spear on Earth today!"

For a full afternoon, Zhou Yang huddled in the underground training hall, reading the spear technique "Apocalypse" that cost 100 million.

Having such a combat prodigy as a humanoid sparring partner, his progress was rather rapid.

"This Hong, truly lives up to being the most perceptive person on Earth besides Luo Feng!"

"After attaining the Sixth Form, there remains a sliver of chance to comprehend a power unique to oneself; I call it—Domain!"

"Likewise, footwork is the foundation of spear technique. Without footwork, one cannot establish stance."

He silently recalled the footwork described in the manual, and stepped forward in a strange posture.

However, the first attempt ended in failure.

On the building, two huge English letters flashed with dazzling light—HR!

Here is the famed HR Alliance at the Branch of the Alliance in Jiangnan Base City!

"Let's go, son, and meet the captain and the others!"

(End of chapter)