Chapter 21: Spear Training Routine
Chapter 21: Spear Training Routine
Lin Qi stared at his bank account balance of ¥13,000 and sighed.
He’d never had more than ¥3,000 to his name in his entire life. This was the first time he’d ever owned such a large sum.
“It’s been over a decade since I’ve even seen ten thousand yuan,” he muttered.
Of that ¥13,000, ¥3,000 came from his sparring gig. The remaining ¥10,000 was his scholarship.
“My scholarship finally came through!”
Across from him, Jiang Tao grinned too. While ¥30,000 wasn’t life-changing for him, it was still a significant amount.
Though he’d secured a million Xia Kingdom yuan through the Genius Loan program, that money wasn’t all for his own use. He had a younger sister to support—purchasing resources early to build a solid foundation for her martial arts training consumed a large portion of his funds. Every penny mattered.
Lin Qi understood this well.
“After dinner, let’s hit the supermarket. We need to restock on resources,” Lin Qi suggested.
To prepare for the upcoming quiz, he’d bought large quantities of Physical Energy Capsules and Vital Energy Elixirs. Within a week, they’d been completely used up.
“Perfect. I need to resupply too. Let’s go together.”
“Oh, and Qi-ge,” Jiang Tao added, pointing at Lin Qi’s smartphone, “you really should get a new phone. The screen’s practically shattered.”
Lin Qi looked at his outdated device—his father Lin Zhen’s old phone. The screen was spiderwebbed with cracks, and the case had long since faded. He’d never been able to bring himself to replace it.
“Yeah, it’s time for an upgrade,” Lin Qi agreed.
……
Ten minutes later
Crimson Firmament Martial Arts Supermarket
Standing in the elixirs aisle, Lin Qi grabbed box after box of Physical Energy Capsules.
“My body’s growing at an incredible rate, and my training load increases daily,” he thought. “To maintain this progress, I need sufficient nutrition—more capsules and elixirs to boost my vital energy.”
With that, he grabbed twenty boxes of Physical Energy Capsules and moved to the Vital Energy Elixir shelf.
“Before, I could only afford two bottles of Vital Energy Elixir a month. Now, I can manage one per day.”
He grabbed an entire row of ten bottles and dropped them into his cart. After picking up a few other supplies, he headed to the checkout counter.
“Beep!”
“Total: ¥7,826.”
“Payment successful.”
The transaction drained over half his balance.
“If I could become a contracted genius at Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion, even an 20% discount would save me a fortune,” he mused as he packed his purchases, waiting for Jiang Tao by the store’s cool air-conditioned entrance.
Minutes later, Jiang Tao emerged, his backpack bulging to the seams.
“Uh… got a bit carried away,” he laughed awkwardly. “Besides my own supplies, I bought a lot for Miaoyin.”
“My family used to be dirt poor. To fund my martial arts training, my sister sacrificed everything—even her nutrition suffered.”
“Now that I can afford it, I need to help her build a proper foundation.”
Jiang Tao scratched his head, his sheepish grin revealing years of pent-up guilt.
Lin Qi nodded. Jiang Tao’s parents had died young. Even with government aid and part-time jobs, survival had been a struggle. Supporting two martial artists was impossible.
Jiang Tao’s younger sister, Jiang Miaoyin, had sacrificed her future so her brother could train. The result? Jiang Tao’s resources had come at the cost of his sister’s malnourishment, leaving her vital energy weak and her martial arts performance at the bottom of the class.
Lin Qi had no doubt that most of Jiang Tao’s million-yuan loan would go toward repaying that debt to his sister.
“Let’s go get you a new phone.”
“Alright.”
They headed to a nearby electronics store and emerged shortly thereafter.
Lin Qi now held a sleek black smartphone, its surface gleaming under the lights.
“Qi-ge, you could’ve at least bought something over ¥1,000. ¥500 phones are pretty low-end,” Jiang Tao grumbled.
“I’ll make do. My funds are tight right now. I’ll upgrade after the national college entrance exam.”
“And what about you? You’re still using a secondhand ¥600 phone.”
Lin Qi casually transferred files while speaking.
“Heh, guilty as charged.”
Loaded with purchases, the two headed back to campus.
……
Afternoon – Martial Arts Class
“I know some of you have hired private martial artists stronger than me,” Zhang Cheng announced, his muscular frame towering over the classroom. “You’re free to train at your personal academies instead.”
With that, several students—including the top three in class rankings, Li Zhou, Qi Yuelin, and Yu Jing—grabbed their bags and left.
Within moments, over a dozen students had departed, mostly from the top ten. It fit the stereotype: wealthy backgrounds meant fewer struggles in martial arts.
“As for the rest of you,” Zhang Cheng continued, “train freely. Let me see what you’re made of.”
The remaining thirty-odd students scattered, each finding their own space to practice.
Dressed in martial arts robes, Lin Qi retrieved a pack of Physical Energy Capsules from his bag, popped three into his mouth, then downed a Vital Energy Elixir.
Looking around, he chose not to join the weapon drills like the others. Instead, he began practicing fist techniques.
“Hoo—hoo!”
His footwork was solid, his energy rooted in the dantian. Powerful yet unshakable, like an ancient oak.
Stillness and motion intertwined—still as a crouching tiger, swift as a prowling cat.
“Pengpengpeng!!”
Crackling sounds erupted with each tiger-claw strike, his fists radiating force through his fingertips.
He immersed himself completely, his body heating like burning flame, vital energy surging endlessly.
In his mind, the principles of Tiger Form Fist surfaced:
【Through practicing Tiger Form Fist, you’ve gained new insights into fist techniques. Your bodily control improves. Fist Techniques +1%】
【Fist Techniques: Tier 1 91% → 93%】
……
Lin Qi halted his form, sweat steaming from his body. Once warmed up, he retrieved his training spear.
“Swish-swish!”
The spear danced, executing the Fundamental Spear Manual. With a flick of his wrist, the spearhead bloomed like a flower.
“Improving fist techniques really does accelerate spear techniques. It’s twice as effective.”
“Training with weapons also burns more energy than barehanded drills.”
Minutes later, drenched in sweat, he paused to drink water before resuming his practice of the Mountain-Shattering Spear Method.
“Rise, pierce the clouds, stab like collapsing stone…”
“A spear must never leave the body. The body hides behind the spear. Use the root to move the tip.”
“Whether waist or shoulder, power flows from root to tip. When wielding a spear, switch between root and tip like a python coiling around its prey. Adapt swiftly.”
“Train slowly, filling the body like an air pump. Let the spear techniques twist and spiral, merging man and weapon as one…”
Zhang Cheng’s thunderous voice echoed through the training hall.
Lin Qi moved his spear while listening, his understanding deepening. His technique became smoother, more fluid.
“Tier 1 spear techniques are all about proficiency. There’s no great mystery—just practice.”
“As you practice more, your skill naturally improves.”
After speaking, Zhang Cheng glanced at Lin Qi.
Those words had clearly been aimed at him.
“Swish-swish~”
“Peng!”
Lin Qi continued his Mountain-Shattering Spear Method, his thoughts aligning with Zhang Cheng’s philosophy. Practice was the only path forward.
Each repetition increased his skill:
【Guided by Teacher Zhang Cheng, your understanding of spear techniques deepens. Spear Techniques +1%】
【Spear Techniques: Tier 1 70% → 71%】
……
In the distance, Yang Lei’s spear movements faltered.
“Why does Teacher Zhang keep helping Lin Qi? What am I missing?” he fumed silently.
……
9:30 PM
Lin Qi and Jiang Tao walked home together.
Both lived in Rongshan Residential District—a sprawling, infamous slum in Tianhai City. Lin Qi’s apartment was in Building 4, while Jiang Tao lived in Building 3. Normally, Lin Qi wouldn’t wait—Jiang Tao always needed to care for his sister.
“Qi-ge, see you tomorrow!”
“Yeah.”
They parted at the street corner, each heading home.
……
Apartment 301
Lin Qi stepped through his front door, greeted by a rare gust of cool air.
In the living room, a standing air conditioner hummed, blowing refreshing cold wind.
“The AC arrived!”
His parents, Lin Zhen and Fang Huiyi, lounged on the worn sofa, enjoying the coolness.
Lin Qi smiled. For the first time in years, their home felt comfortable.
(End of Chapter)
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