Chapter 42: Spear God Tong Yuan

The first meeting between Zhao Yun and Ding Ling was very pleasant.

Both parties were courteous and respectful, neither arrogant nor humble, and they already had a favorable impression of each other.

Therefore, after the initial ’adaptation’, the two quickly found themselves laughing and chatting.

This scene, from the perspective of the players, nearly shattered their preconceived notions.

They couldn’t make sense of it!

How did Ding Ling, who just arrived, become so familiar with Zhao Zilong, whom they had tried every means to ingratiate themselves with?!

"Comparing oneself to others can really anger you!"

They sighed.

"How much effort have we spent? Only to earn a slight favor from Zhao Zilong. But Ding Ling? This guy is truly a human-shaped beast as others say! It’s frightening!"

Especially when they saw Ding Ling enter without an assessment.

They were even more shocked, nearly spitting blood in disbelief!

...

Ding Ling followed Zhao Zilong and the others up the mountain.

He met Tong Yuan.

Scattered across the mountain were several bamboo houses.

Tong Yuan lived in the central bamboo house.

He was practicing with his spear.

Ding Ling stood to the side with Zhao Zilong, Zhao Xiaoyiu, and Zhao Bingxuan, waiting.

After a while.

Tong Yuan stopped, turned around, and glanced at Ding Ling.

At this moment, Ding Ling clearly saw Tong Yuan’s appearance and figure.

Ancient like a towering cypress;

Vigorous like a wild horse with flowing mane!

With grizzled hair and beard, a face ruddy, like an old immortal stepping on clouds!

Standing with a long spear in hand, like a Spear God towering in the forest!

This was a peerless master of the Martial Dao!

Ding Ling quickly saluted him.

Tong Yuan waved his hand and said loudly:

"We do not practice customary etiquette here. No need for this anymore in the future."

He asked Ding Ling to come closer and to stretch out his hand.

He wanted to assess Ding Ling’s bone structure.

Ding Ling did not refuse.

After a long time.

Tong Yuan released his hand, his face filled with bewilderment and doubt:

"According to Pan Feng, you have exceptional talent, almost the child of this era. But why is your bone so ordinary?"

"..."

Ding Ling was speechless, only able to say he didn’t know.

"This is truly against logic."

Tong Yuan stroked his beard, his eyes bright and piercing as he stared at Ding Ling, as if trying to see through him:

"I know Pan Feng well, he’s definitely not someone who speaks thoughtlessly. He praised you highly in his letter and requested that I teach you Breathing Technique and Spear Technique. Out of regard for my friendship with him, I can agree."

Ding Ling showed a joyful expression.

"Don’t get too happy too soon."

Tong Yuan smiled and said:

"Let me say this first: if you can’t master the martial arts I teach you at a proficient level, I won’t let you descend the mountain. Unless you’re willing to..."

He pointed to the players at the foot of the mountain:

"Learn from the Pile Skill like them."

"No problem."

Ding Ling confidently replied, activating full-level acting:

"I will definitely learn the Breathing Technique and Spear Technique taught by the senior."

"Quite confident indeed."

Tong Yuan chuckled:

"However, the more confident one is, often the greater the setbacks. I hope you can endure the upcoming period. Don’t give up lightly."

Ding Ling naturally agreed.

Zhao Yun was watching from the side, not speaking.

When Tong Yuan asked Ding Ling to visit him again the next day, Zhao Yun finally pulled Ding Ling aside and said:

"Ding Ling, although the master is easy-going, he is extremely strict when teaching disciples! You need to be mentally prepared."

Due to Ding Ling’s request, Zhao Yun began calling Ding Ling by name, no longer addressing him as benefactor.

"Don’t worry. I know my limits."

"I also need to remind you of a few things."

"Go ahead."

"The master’s specialty: Spiritual Phoenix Breathing Technique is really difficult. I’ve been practicing it for a long time, but I still haven’t reached the Transformation Realm! Also, the master’s signature supreme skill, ’Hundred Birds Phoenix Spear’, is particularly hard! I’ve already practiced to a successful completion. But when I learned this spear technique, it was extremely tough, and it took a long time before I finally succeeded."

Zhao Yun spoke wholeheartedly to Ding Ling.

Saying everything in detail.

Ding Ling understood Zhao Yun’s meaning, occasionally nodding to indicate he would pay attention.

Zhao Xiaoyiu also occasionally chimed in:

"The master said my second brother’s talent is rare through the ages. But even so, my second brother has been learning Breathing Technique and Spear Technique for over ten years. To this day, he hasn’t achieved Great Success into Innate Ability! It shows the difficulty of these skills."

She paused, comforting Ding Ling:

"The master is only strict when teaching skills. He’s usually very easy to talk to. You mustn’t take it too hard. Study well, I’m sure you will succeed!"

It’s obvious.

Including Zhao Xiaoyiu and Zhao Yun, no one believed Ding Ling could master Tong Yuan’s specialty in a short time.

Except for Zhao Bingxuan.

She had stayed in Ye City.

Clearly aware of Ding Ling’s terrifying accomplishments.

She held a nearly blind admiration for Ding Ling.

...

The next day.

Zhao Yun took Ding Ling, Zhao Xiaoyiu, and Zhao Bingxuan to visit Tong Yuan after breakfast.

Still in front of that bamboo house.

This time, however, Tong Yuan seemed to be engaging in some special practice.

He was sitting cross-legged on a bamboo stalk, floating gently, as if ready to ascend like an immortal at any moment.

With each breath.

White mist spouted from his nostrils.

Ding Ling was astounded.

Zhao Yun explained in a low voice:

"This is the external manifestation of the Spiritual Phoenix Breathing Technique reaching the Transformation Realm."

"This is incredible."

Ding Ling was stunned.

Despite having seen many martial arts and xianxia films with high-flying characters.

It still paled compared to witnessing it in ’real life’ with his own eyes.

Moreover.

This is the Three Kingdoms World! Not the Martial World!

"Indeed. The master’s martial arts are divine. I wonder when I will reach his level."

Zhao Yun was envious.

- Whoosh!

Tong Yuan exhaled a deep breath, suddenly his body expanded, leaping over ten feet, floating away like the wind, and landed before Ding Ling.

- Creak!

The bamboo he was sitting on squeaked, bounced a few times, then straightened like a sword.

"Show me your spear technique."

Tong Yuan’s eyebrows were sharp as swords, his gaze electric as he looked at Ding Ling.

At that moment, he was clearly in teaching mode.

Although unexpected, Ding Ling was prepared following Zhao Yun’s advice, immediately shaking a long spear.

This long spear was borrowed from Zhao Yun.

Ding Ling only brought a halberd up the mountain, lacking a spear.

And as Zhao Yun foretold, Tong Yuan required him to demonstrate his spear technique.

Ding Ling didn’t hesitate.

High-tier Spear Technique burst like starlight in the void, vigorously shooting out five star points consecutively, with vigorous qi splitting the air, forming small swirling blasts at the spot.

After a moment.

Ding Ling retracted his spear and stood, bowing towards Tong Yuan.

Tong Yuan nodded, his tense face relaxed slightly, stroking his beard affirmingly:

"Your spear technique foundation is solid. It seems we can skip the basics. I’ll teach you a Spiritual Snake Spear Technique next. It surpasses high-tier spear technique as true martial arts. Pay attention!"