This time Zhang Lingfeng was matched with a middle-aged uncle with a combat power of 13.2.
The middle-aged uncle was leaning on a cane.
His name was Xu Gang.
He was once an Elemental Martial Artist, participated in battles on the front lines, and helped Elemental Martial Artists fight during the last invasion of Catfish Demons in the outer city.
He participated in the ranking competition not for the prize money, but because he couldn't stay idle.
Seeing that he matched with a high school martial arts student, he smiled and said, "Young man, don't be fooled by my cane, my specialty is also spear technique."
Xu Gang raised his cane.
His problematic leg was made with steel bones, considered to be a mechanical leg. Due to some unknown issue, the mechanical leg had aged a bit, making movement not as convenient as before.
"Junior greets the old hero."
Zhang Lingfeng respectfully said.
Humans admire martial power and respect the strong who fight for humanity.
Xu Gang transitioned from an Elemental Martial Artist to an Entry-Level Martial Artist, with a combat power value of only 13.2 mainly due to injuries on the front lines.
Otherwise, with his age, he could strive for several more years.
"I don't count as a hero, come, let's spar a few rounds."
Xu Gang beckoned.
The cane in his hand was his weapon.
"Alright!"
Zhang Lingfeng didn't hesitate, and once again demonstrated the Basic Spear Skill Thirteen Forms, using the move "Cyan Dragon Emerges from Water Linked Spear" on Xu Gang.
He had the advantage of arm strength.
And his spear technique had reached the Mortal Realm.
His combat power was also above Xu Gang's.
In terms of power collision, Xu Gang couldn't gain an advantage, but having been an Elemental Martial Artist, he was knowledgeable and seasoned in combat, even though his combat power wasn't as strong as Zhang Lingfeng's, he could continuously block Zhang Lingfeng's spear technique.
Moreover, during the swipes and swings of the cane, it seemed to contain higher-level spear technique power.
"Young man, your spear technique is well-trained, reaching Great Mastery Level."
"Very good, let's continue!"
"The spear technique I honed on the front lines is called Fire God Spear, an intermediate-level spear technique."
"Since we're fated to meet today, I'll point out a few moves for you."
"Follow my rhythm and strike properly!"
"Hey, what are you doing?"
"I said follow my rhythm and strike!"
"I'm teaching you Fire God Spear."
"Hey, you rascal."
"Bang!"
Seeing Zhang Lingfeng's solid spear technique, Xu Gang intended to guide him through a few moves, deliberately slowing down the rhythm, hoping Zhang Lingfeng could see the trajectory of his spear technique clearly.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Lingfeng's spear technique became faster and faster, forcing him to exert all his strength, using the cane to knock Zhang Lingfeng's long spear away, and then another leg blew Zhang Lingfeng's mind away.
"This young man, why so impatient?"
Watching Zhang Lingfeng's consciousness disappear before him, Xu Gang felt somewhat speechless.
The reason he was passionate about participating in ranking competitions at such an age was to pass on his experience and insights to young people, hoping to assist them in cultivation.
Basically, all the young people matched with him would follow his rhythm, thankful every time, treating him as a mentor.
Meeting someone like Zhang Lingfeng, eager to differentiate and shake him off immediately, was a first for Xu Gang.
Feeling frustrated, he entered the next ranking match.
Zhang Lingfeng, coming out from the Star Realm, saw his Coasting Along Value change from none to 9.
It seemed that Xu Gang indeed possessed genuine skills, offering vital assistance in cultivation.
Thus, he added 9 points to Basic Spear Technique.
The panel information changed again.
Name: Zhang Lingfeng
Life Chart: Coasting Along
Profession: Entry-Level Martial Artist
Combat Power: 13.41029
Coasting Along Value: None
Basic Spear Skill Thirteen Forms: Great Success (11/100)
Tidal Breathing Method: Entry Level (41/100)
Ability: All-weather Breathing and Exhaling Ability, Arm Power can increase by 200 kilograms at any level
The next day.
Zhang Lingfeng went to Ninth High School again.
Yang Liru had already returned from the Great Radiation Zone.
The classmates surrounded her, wanting to hear her explain what happened in the Great Radiation Zone.
Yang Liru then shared several videos in the class group.
The video content was all about the scenes of Elemental Martial Artists battling Catfish Demons.
Allowing people to understand the power of Elemental Martial Artists and the terrifying nature of Catfish Demons through the videos, several scenes were very bloody, but people growing up in such an environment had long become accustomed.
"Zhang Lingfeng, congratulations on your combat power reaching 13.3. If your combat power reaches 15.0 and you can awaken six Qi Sensitivities, you can apply for Divine Martial University. Of course, before that, I hope you awaken three Qi Sensitivities early and increase your combat power to 14.0 so that you can enter the elite class for cultivation and receive more survival resources support."
Yang Liru encouraged.
"Congratulations, Zhang Lingfeng."
Wu Weiwei congratulated.
Through diligent cultivation, she trained her swordsmanship to the Mortal Realm last night, and her combat power reached 12.9.
Originally thinking she had a chance to compete with Zhang Lingfeng, but after Zhang Lingfeng participated in the ranking competition last night, his spear technique leveled up from minor success to great success, and his combat power increased from 13.0 to 13.3.
"Congratulations!"
...
The crowd applauded.
"Thank you, Teacher Yang, thank you, classmates, I will try my best!"
Zhang Lingfeng thanked.
Yang Liru frowned, feeling Zhang Lingfeng's response was like saying we'll see when the time comes, relying on his talent and not taking cultivation seriously.
"I have something to say to you after this class ends."
Yang Liru reminded.
"Okay."
Zhang Lingfeng was curious.
After a while, the cultivation class ended.
"After examination, the school determined your extraordinary talent. To ensure you don't get neglected, they specifically invited a teacher to guide you in cultivating breathing techniques."
"This teacher is not simple. If it weren't for the Fish Demon disturbance in the Great Radiation Zone, he wouldn't be here on assignment for support, and perhaps you wouldn't see him otherwise."
Yang Liru advised.
Zhang Lingfeng was surprised that the school actually arranged a teacher just for him.
Moreover, the teacher was waiting in a private Cultivation Room.
"Teacher Ma, this is Zhang Lingfeng."
Yang Liru introduced.
"Hello, Teacher Ma."
On the way, Yang Liru had already introduced Zhang Lingfeng to Teacher Ma, whose name was Ma Yong, with a combat power of 35.0, and he specialized in guiding the cultivation of breathing techniques.
He opened several training classes in the Inner Ring City.
"Alright, leave this to me!"
Ma Yong ushered Yang Liru out. Being a personal teacher who makes a living from teaching breathing technique cultivation, the teaching videos Ma Yong posts on the Star Realm and the internet usually require payment.
Although invited this time without charging money, he didn't want his teaching content to be easily leaked.
Yang Liru understood Ma Yong's meaning and exited tactfully.
"Sit down, and show me two circulations of the Tidal Breathing Method according to the way your teacher taught you."
Ma Yong instructed Zhang Lingfeng to sit on a mat and perform breathing and exhaling.
He sat on a chair, crossed his legs, and took a sip of coffee.
In this era of material scarcity and harsh survival environment, coffee was an extremely luxurious beverage, indicating that the school did not dare to neglect him.
However, Zhang Lingfeng looked at the bracelet time and said, "Wait another five minutes, class time isn't up yet."
Never arriving early nor leaving late was the hard-won insight Zhang Lingfeng gained.
Yang Liru brought him over immediately after her class, and now there were five minutes until the next class's start time, Zhang Lingfeng was determined not to start cultivation before the class officially begins, otherwise today he's not getting any Coasting Along Value.
(Thanks to the anonymous benefactor for the reward of 10,000 Qidian Coins, and thanks to the daily monthly ticket from Human God Legend! Please support with monthly tickets and recommendation votes!)