The Nine Strikes Mountain Piercing Spear Technique roared to life. His spear thrust forward in a blur, erupting with Piercing Fang, the first skill.
Dongxu Ning's hand lifted.
She touched the tip of the spear with one finger.
The spear shook.
Meng Bai's breath caught.
The crowd gasped.
The spear did not stop. It pushed forward, but slower now, as if moving through thick syrup.
Dongxu Ning smiled faintly. Her voice was calm, yet carried through the entire arena.
"Your strength is good. Your control is lacking. Show me more."
Meng Bai felt a thrill of excitement rise within him.
He shifted into the second strike.
The arena held its breath.
The true battle had begun.
Meng Bai and Dongxu Ning stared at one another across the wide, polished stone platform. The crowd leaned forward as if pulled by invisible threads. Even the wind around the arena grew still.
