Yu Jingqiu conversed with Mo Yangyu for quite some time, until the sky gradually darkened. Mo Yangyu, still brimming with joy and excitement, tightly held onto Yu Jingqiu, her future daughter-in-law, chatting endlessly—she was simply too delighted today. Eventually, Yu Jingqiu had to make up an excuse to leave and hurriedly seek out Dongbo Xueying.
According to her estimate, it had already been four hours since they departed from the Xuehuo Palace.
“Senior Brother Xueying probably can’t hold on much longer,” Yu Jingqiu murmured to herself. With a subtle mental probe, she sensed Dongbo Xueying’s aura emanating from the training grounds of Xueshi Castle, which startled her. “Senior Brother Xueying is still practicing spear techniques?”
She quickly made her way there.
Whoosh!
Her figure flickered like an illusion, and in the blink of an eye, she had arrived at the entrance of the training courtyard.
At this moment, Dongbo Xueying’s movements weren’t particularly fast, yet the might of his spearplay surged powerfully. Boom! Boom! Boom! All the power was concentrated within a ten-meter radius around him, causing countless spatial fissures to appear. Occasionally, his spear transformed into hundreds of illusions, even distorting space with its gravitational pull. In short, that ten-meter radius had become a zone of utter devastation.
“He’s been practicing spear techniques for four hours already, and he can still persist? Doesn’t he feel pain?” Yu Jingqiu couldn’t believe it. “Yesterday, he could barely control himself from the pain.”
Yu Jingqiu stood aside, watching without interrupting.
Half an hour passed, then an hour…
The sky continued to darken.
“Brother! Brother!” Qing Shi’s call echoed across nearly half of Xueshi Castle. Soon enough, Qing Shi arrived at the training ground. After so many years, he had clearly matured a great deal. However, having advanced to the rank of Named Magus, he still appeared youthful, his eyes even more captivating than before. Dongbo Xueying had once remarked that his younger brother could make a living purely off his looks, and indeed, it was no exaggeration.
“Brother, tomorrow’s your wedding day, and you’re still practicing spear techniques? You haven’t even spent much time with Jingqiu—ah, I should say ‘sister-in-law’ now,” Qing Shi said with a smile as he walked in.
“Don’t interrupt your brother just yet,” Yu Jingqiu interjected.
“Okay,” Qing Shi immediately complied.
Yu Jingqiu continued watching, astonished beyond belief. Yesterday, Dongbo Xueying had barely managed four hours before needing to retreat to his room. Yet today, he had persisted even longer?
…
The pain was indeed intense, so much so that it made it difficult for him to think clearly and coherently.
But at this moment, he didn’t need to think!
He simply followed his instincts, unleashing his spear techniques purely from the heart.
“Faster, faster, even faster isn’t enough—only faster will do!” Dongbo Xueying’s spear transformed into hundreds of illusions, furiously stabbing forward with each strike carrying the ultimate piercing force. Yet now, this “Ultimate Piercing” had clearly begun to incorporate the mysteries of earth, fire, water, and wind. All for a single purpose—to make this move even faster!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
“The power is too weak, too weak! It needs to be stronger, more violent!” Dongbo Xueying shifted his spearplay, both hands thrusting simultaneously with furious intensity, pushing the technique to its absolute peak. For a moment, as his spear techniques flowed, he simultaneously utilized both the “Starlight Essence” and the “Ultimate Piercing Essence.”
His spear swept horizontally, as if cleaving the heavens and earth in two.
His spear twisted and turned like dragons and snakes surging forth.
Completely immersed in his spearplay, the effects of pain seemed to diminish greatly. However, as time passed, the pain grew increasingly severe, forcing Dongbo Xueying to finally stop.
“Phew… phew… phew…” Dongbo Xueying’s forehead was drenched in sweat. He saw Qing Shi at the door, and at the sight of his younger brother, a spontaneous smile spread across his face. “Qing Shi is back.”
“Brother,” Qing Shi immediately ran over. “You sure are in a good mood. Tomorrow is your wedding day, and you’re still practicing spear techniques until nightfall. Someone came earlier to call us for dinner. Let’s eat together.”
“Not tonight,” Dongbo Xueying smiled. “Jingqiu and I still have something to discuss.”
“Oh, then I won’t disturb the two of you,” Qing Shi chuckled.
Dongbo Xueying nodded and approached Jingqiu, taking her hand as they departed.
Soon, the two entered a room.
The door closed behind them.
Immediately, Dongbo Xueying’s face turned deathly pale, sweat pouring from his body. He grinned wryly. “That was close… almost collapsed in front of Qing Shi.”
“Senior Brother Xueying, you’ve endured for five and a half hours today,” Yu Jingqiu exclaimed in amazement. “That’s far superior to yesterday.”
“It’s because I was practicing spear techniques,” Dongbo Xueying replied.
“Practicing spear techniques?” Yu Jingqiu asked in surprise.
“Practicing spear techniques is distinct from comprehending the natural world, and also differs from the way you magi study spells,” Dongbo Xueying elaborated. “To grasp the essence of nature, one must deduce its mysteries, discard falsehoods, and refine the truth through repeated practice—progressing from the first realm to the second, third, and ultimately to the stage of condensing the divine heart avatar. As for you magi delving into spell models, the process is even more intricate—requiring immense dedication to research.”
“Mm,” Yu Jingqiu nodded.
The natural world itself was intricate. Only those with powerful souls could grasp it; ordinary humans found it extremely difficult to even scratch the surface, let alone reach the “Myriad Things Realm.”
“Practicing spear techniques requires only the pursuit of perfection in the art. I don’t need to spend much energy deducing the essence—I just need the spear techniques to improve,” Dongbo Xueying said. “As for the essence, it’s merely a byproduct of pursuing the spear techniques.”
“Senior Brother Xueying, are you implying…” Yu Jingqiu was slightly bewildered. “You’re not cultivating your essence, but solely focusing on spear techniques?”
“Improving spear techniques is itself a form of advancement. It doesn’t conflict with enhancing one’s essence,” Dongbo Xueying replied.
In truth, today’s practice had deeply shaken Dongbo Xueying.
In the past, he hadn’t experienced the torment of pain, so he hadn’t felt it. But this time, under the torment of pain, he couldn’t afford to spend much effort contemplating essence or anything else. And yet, this led Dongbo Xueying to pursue spear techniques in a purer, less disturbed way than ever before.
He had always pursued spear techniques before, but every time he improved, he would think: was this the right way? He could instantly consider countless issues, rapidly refine his spear techniques, and choose a “better path” for himself. But was that path truly better?
But this time!
He didn’t have the capacity to think deeply or contemplate essence all at once.
He could only rely on instinct.
“I actually combined the Starlight Essence and the Ultimate Piercing Essence, blending parts of their mysteries together?” Dongbo Xueying was astonished. “In the past, I would never have dared to mix these two essences—it would have been sheer recklessness. Yet this time, I did it, and it seems the power of my spear techniques improved, even if just slightly?”
“Perhaps this is a different path altogether?” Dongbo Xueying pondered.
“Who cares!”
“I’ve merely a century or two remaining. Why hesitate? Cultivating spear arts should bring me joy! As for essence—it’s merely a byproduct.” Dongbo Xueying chuckled. Back in the Chiyun Mountain realm, he’d lacked ancestral guidance, relying solely on instinct. Even when rebuked by Master Sikong Yang, he’d persevered—ultimately grasping the embryonic form of the Ultimate Piercing Essence.
*(Note: “雏形” translated as “embryonic form” to convey its raw, unrefined state while preserving the mystical tone of Fantasy prose. Sikong Yang’s name follows pinyin convention as “Sikong” is the surname.)*
“That’s exactly how it should be!”
Dongbo Xueying was resolute.
“Ever since I mastered the three second-tier essences, I’ve been dazzled by their power, always thinking about making them stronger.” Dongbo Xueying sighed. “But I forgot that what I’ve always pursued is spear techniques! The essence exists to serve the spear techniques. The spear techniques are the main focus! Pursue the spear techniques, and whatever essence emerges, let it be.”
“As long as my spear techniques grow stronger, I am progressing!”
This couldn’t entirely be blamed on Dongbo Xueying.
The Ultimate Piercing Essence, the Illusory Realm Essence, and the Starlight Essence were simply too powerful. They had made Dongbo Xueying feel omnipotent, even leading him to believe that no one in the mortal world could threaten his life anymore. Yet this recent ambush had struck him like a thunderclap, truly awakening him and reminding him of his lifelong pursuit—spear techniques.
Actually, in recent years, whether it was fighting against demon dens or exploring land and sea day and night, he had never stopped to think.
“Mastering the spear demands no excessive deliberation. It also places less burden upon my heart’s strength. I can train five to six hours each day. With time, I shall grow more accustomed to the agony, and my practice may even extend further,” Dongbo Xueying gave a slight nod. Though bearing the curse of Witch’s Venom, the ability to hone his spear arts daily still filled him with profound delight. When lost in the dance of the spear, the torment seemed to fade, and the realm of spear techniques became utterly intoxicating.
…
The next morning,
Xueshi Castle was already adorned with lanterns and decorations. From early morning, extraordinary beings began arriving one after another. Even great ships arrived, carrying extraordinary beings from all over, coming to celebrate. Today was the wedding day of the legendary Dongbo Xueying.
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