After Ding Ling returned from hunting, Zhao Bingxuan and Zhao Xiaoyiu immediately came to help with the barbecue.
After eating and drinking their fill.
At the request of Tong Yuan and the others, Ding Ling began to demonstrate what he had learned on the mountain.
From halberd technique, spear technique, shield attack technique, to body technique, palm technique, fist technique, and then to Spirit Crane Spear Technique, Hundred Birds Phoenix Spear Technique...
Various martial arts masterpieces, transformations at will, offensive and defensive techniques in harmony!
Mysterious to an unbelievable realm.
Tong Yuan and his group watched in amazement! Feeling ashamed of their own skills!
"In just a few days, you have learned everything Iâve mastered in my life! And youâve mastered it better than I have!"
Tong Yuanâs gaze towards Ding Ling grew increasingly satisfied.
At this moment, he completely regarded Ding Ling as a future Martial God. After accepting this, he was no longer depressed, instead feeling that it was normal for a Martial God like Ding Ling to learn martial arts skills to such an extent.
After all, he is a divine being among martial artists!
Once Ding Ling finished demonstrating.
Tong Yuan asked Zhao Yun to spar with Ding Ling.
Ding Lingâs eyes lit up.
His path of the War God requires competing with strong opponents from different planes, and Zhao Yun definitely meets the criteria.
Zhao Yun quickly waved his hand, reluctantly saying:
"I canât compare to Brother Ding, letâs not spar."
Baffled by Ding Lingâs speed of learning martial arts, Zhao Yunâs mental imbalance left him lacking confidence to compete with Ding Ling.
"Just give it a try."
Seeing Ding Lingâs eagerness, Tong Yuan went along with it, saying:
"Zhao Yun, youâve been on the mountain for too long; itâs time to compete with your peers, so as not to regard yourself as invincible and underestimate the heroes of the world."
"..."
Zhao Yun was speechless.
A few days ago, he was somewhat elevated by the praise of the âalien,â feeling rather conceited.
Although still steady, deep down he held the confidence that his master was the worldâs number one, and he was the second.
With Ding Lingâs arrival.
This confidence was shattered; he no longer had the courage to spar with Ding Ling, knowing that if they faced off, he would surely lose.
But since the master said so.
He had no choice but to gather his spirits, rise up, grip his long spear, and stand opposite Ding Ling.
"To avoid injuring each other, use wooden sticks for sparring."
Tong Yuan instructed Zhao Xiaoyiu to fetch two light wooden sticks from the house, resembling white rods.
Ding Ling and Zhao Yun each took one.
Once both were standing again.
At Tong Yuanâs command âBegin,â both simultaneously struck at each other with Hundred Birds Phoenix Spear Technique.
Both of their Hundred Birds Phoenix Spear techniques were extremely swift!
Clang!
Clang clang clang!
Each thrust faster than the last, piercing the void as if igniting fireworks. To the naked eyes of Zhao Xiaoyiu and Zhao Bingxuan, the spear tips were imperceptible, only seeing starlight dazzling the sky, with crackling and bursting sounds cutting through the air!
The two fought fast against fast!
In just a moment, they exchanged over ten rounds!
In the void, the pattern of Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix could faintly be seen flashing by!
The two white rods transformed into divine spears, manifesting infinite power.
Boom!
But with each collision, Zhao Yun felt as if struck by lightning.
He found his strength far inferior to Ding Ling. Whenever struck by the white rod, it felt like being hit by a thousand-pound hammer, suffocating and suppressing the urge to vomit blood.
Bam bam bam!
Another dozen rounds of clashes! Three collisions in between.
Zhao Yun could no longer endure, shouting loudly, leaping out of the battle circle, raising his hand:
"Stop, stop, I admit defeat!"
"Donât want to give it another try?"
Ding Ling felt somewhat unsatisfied.
Zhao Yun understood, his eye twitching twice, decisively shaking his head:
"No more sparring! I already said I couldnât be your match. This further confirms my words; in terms of technique and strength, I cannot compare to you. If not for you holding back, I fear I would have been knocked over early on!"
Tong Yuan deeply agreed.
He also noted that Ding Lingâs Hundred Birds Phoenix Spear wasnât fully unleashed. If it were, with strength unleashed, Zhao Yun holding off ten rounds would be questionable.
Ultimately.
Currently, Zhao Yun hasnât fully matured; if he did, holding off the present Ding Ling for hundreds of rounds would likely be feasible.
But once Zhao Yun grows, Ding Ling would have grown to what extent?
At that time, Zhao Yun surely wonât be a match.
Zhao Yun evidently understood, showing full submission to Ding Ling.
[Path of the War God Progress:
1: Defeat more than 20 strong opponents from different planes: 4/20.]
Undoubtedly.
The defeat of Zhao Yun was counted.
"Alright."
Tong Yuan no longer forced Zhao Yun, stroking his beard with a smile:
"Zhao Yun is my most outstanding closed-door disciple. But unexpectedly, in my late years, I encountered a peerless talent like Ding Ling. Heaven is truly kind to me."
He paused, asking:
"Ding Ling, what are your plans for the future?"
"I plan to learn more martial arts and improve myself."
Ding Ling replied very naturally, assertively, decisively.
"Oh?"
Tong Yuan smiled, stroking his beard:
"Youâre already so strong, yet not satisfied?"
"Learning has no limits. I am still far inferior to seniors like you. How can I say I am strong?"
"..."
Zhao Yun was a bit speechless.
Ding Ling was already advancing towards his masterâs level! How high is his aspiration and confidence?
When can he have such confidence and aspiration?
"Hahaha..."
Tong Yuan wasnât offended; instead, he was very pleased with Ding Lingâs confident yet modest attitude:
"You think this way. Itâs worth passing all Iâve learned in my life to you. Itâs worth believing you will become a future Martial God!"
Tong Yuan paused, saying:
"I have an old friend, currently serving as an official in Luoyang. If you wish to continue learning martial arts, why not visit him?"
He had Zhao Yun bring pen, ink, paper, and inkstone.
Spreading the paper, he wrote a letter, stamped it, folded it, and handed it to Ding Ling with a hearty laugh:
"Take my letter to see him. He will surely teach you martial arts."
Ding Ling quickly accepted, rising to pay respects as gratitude.
Tong Yuan waved his hand, saying,
"No need for formality with me. What I anticipate most now is whether you can achieve the Land Martial God Realm! Whether you can emulate the legends of Chiyou and Yellow Emperor from the ancient era!"
"Chiyou, Yellow Emperor?"
Ding Ling was momentarily surprised.
These two were ancient great gods!
That Tong Yuan placed him on par with the gods, showing how highly he valued him.
Ding Lingâs heart stirred with gratitude towards Tong Yuan, expressing thanks multiple times.
Tong Yuan insistently dismissed the need for formalities.
Only then did Ding Ling relax a bit.
"Rest a night. Tomorrow take Zilong and the others down the mountain."
Tong Yuan said with a smile:
"Zilongâs martial arts have reached the peak realm of a first-class General! To further break through, battlefield experience or frequent encounters with masters are needed, let him go with you to Luoyang for exposure."
He looked at Zhao Yun:
"Zilong, what do you think?"
"Following masterâs orders!"
Zhao Yun responded respectfully.
"Good, good, good."
Tong Yuan clapped his hands in praise:
"This life is worthwhile. Witnessing the rise of such talented successors..."