A Dramatic Sparring Match

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Only two of the Death Blades remained. With a swift motion, Lin Yongming swung his Thunder Blade, releasing a nearly one-meter-long blue energy slash that shattered the purple blades and shot toward Bibi Dong.

"First Spirit Ability, Thunder Slash!"

Bibi Dong, who had just finished releasing her Death Blades, had planned to close the distance and press her advantage.

However, she hadn't expected Lin Yongming's counterattack to come so quickly. Caught off guard, she could only use her Eight Spider Lances, infused with spirit power, to block the attack.

With a loud bang, the force from the attack pushed Bibi Dong back a step.

"His reflexes are impressive. It's as if Lin Yongming can see Dong'er's attacks and calmly dismantles them one by one," Qian Xunji observed, watching Lin Yongming effortlessly neutralize Bibi Dong's attacks.

Moreover, Lin Yongming always struck the center of the blades, which piqued Qian Xunji's interest in the so-called "wave energy" Lin Yongming had mentioned.

"Indeed, Your Excellency. With the Holy Maiden and Lin Yongming, the Spirit Hall is sure to win this year's Continental Elite Spirit Master Tournament," Elder Ju chimed in, his tone slightly flattering.

"This also means the Spirit Hall has a bright future. With Lin Yongming assisting the Holy Maiden, they will dominate their generation," Elder Ju added.

"Let's hope so. The future belongs to the young. It's fortunate that Dong'er insisted on recruiting him, or I might have let such a talent slip away," Qian Xunji nodded in satisfaction.

On the battlefield, as Bibi Dong stepped back, Lin Yongming leaped into the air, delivering a powerful downward slash aimed at Bibi Dong.

With Lin Yongming's nearly 1.9-meter-tall frame and explosive strength, the 1.7-meter-tall Bibi Dong seemed almost delicate in comparison. To onlookers, it appeared as though Lin Yongming was giving it his all.

Seeing Lin Yongming's determined expression as he lunged at her, Bibi Dong was momentarily stunned.

"Is he really going all out?" Bibi Dong thought, feeling a bit indignant.

However, she knew that her smaller stature put her at a disadvantage in terms of raw strength. So, instead of meeting Lin Yongming head-on, she sidestepped, allowing his attack to miss.

"Well done!"

"Second Spirit Ability, Death Ray!" Bibi Dong, slightly annoyed, seized the opportunity to counterattack while Lin Yongming was off-balance.

"Block!" Lin Yongming raised his blade to deflect the attack.

As the energy shield from the block shattered, Lin Yongming feigned weakness and took a few steps back.

"Xiao Ming isn't this weak, is he? Oh… I see," Lan Yinhuang muttered, her initial concern fading as she glanced at Qian Xunji and realized Lin Yongming was intentionally holding back.

Bibi Dong, however, saw an opening and pressed her advantage.

Her Eight Spider Lances struck at Lin Yongming from all angles, but he deftly parried each attack.

The two of them exchanged blows at an increasingly rapid pace, the clash of their spirit powers sending shockwaves across the field.

Unable to gain the upper hand, Bibi Dong grew impatient and decided to unleash her next move.

"Third Spirit Ability, Death Web Bind!"

A deep purple web shot from her hands, expanding as it flew toward Lin Yongming. The web was accompanied by a toxic purple mist, enveloping him as it spread to a diameter of three meters.

"Be careful! My web is poisonous!" Bibi Dong warned, though she couldn't hide her concern as the web closed in on Lin Yongming.

"Thunder Slash!" Lin Yongming cleaved the web in two, replying, "No worries. If you can poison, you can also cure."

Seeing her web split apart, Bibi Dong didn't hold back and launched two more webs.

Lin Yongming managed to cut through one, but the second web ensnared him, wrapping around his body like a mummy.

The web tightened around his muscles, and the toxic mist began to seep into his skin.

"My poison is quite potent. Will he be okay?" Bibi Dong thought, about to release the web when she felt a surge of spirit power from Lin Yongming.

The web shattered slightly, and the poison had no effect on Lin Yongming, thanks to his immunity gained from the Ice and Fire Body Tempering.

"This move again. I should've expected it," Bibi Dong pouted, recalling their first battle when Lin Yongming had used Wave Burst to break free from her web.

The Wave Burst created a powerful gust of wind, lifting the hem of Bibi Dong's skirt and ruffling Lin Yongming's hair.

"Death Blades!" Despite her thoughts, Bibi Dong didn't hesitate to attack again, this time releasing sixteen deep purple blades toward Lin Yongming.

"Asura Thunder Slash!"

An enlarged version of the Thunder Slash, nearly three meters tall, shot toward Bibi Dong. It not only neutralized her Death Blades but also had enough power left to strike her.

"Huh?" Bibi Dong was momentarily stunned but quickly activated her fourth spirit ring.

"Thorn Spider Armor!" Her armor thickened, providing a strong defensive boost.

Boom…

The impact forced Bibi Dong back two steps, though she wasn't seriously injured. She looked down to see a shallow mark on her armor, thanks to the Death Blades having weakened the Asura Thunder Slash.

This wasn't Lin Yongming's full power, as he hadn't even used the Wave Imprint enhancement after his Wave Burst.

Bibi Dong, however, was now fully engaged, her spirit power surging as she charged at Lin Yongming with incredible speed.

Despite her delicate appearance, Bibi Dong was tough inside, and her competitive spirit was now fully ignited.

"Elder Ju, it seems you underestimated Lin Yongming. Dong'er was the first to use her fourth spirit ring, even though she has two more levels of spirit power than him. Lin Yongming, with his ten-thousand-year spirit ring and external spirit bone, is far more powerful than he appears," Qian Xunji remarked.

"Your Excellency, I believe the Holy Maiden's martial soul is of a higher tier. With her defensive spirit ability, Lin Yongming might not be able to break through," Elder Ju replied respectfully.

"Let's keep watching. Their battle has already reached the level of a Spirit King. If they unleash their fifth spirit abilities, even a Spirit Emperor might struggle to keep up," Qian Xunji said, his eyes fixed on the fight.

"My lady, don't take this so seriously. I can't keep up," Lin Yongming thought, feeling a bit overwhelmed by Bibi Dong's intensity.

Bibi Dong's long legs, infused with spirit power, kicked toward Lin Yongming.

Lin Yongming initially considered slashing at her leg but quickly dismissed the idea. Instead, he grabbed her calf with his hand.

After neutralizing her momentum, he pinned her leg against his side and used the hilt of his Thunder Blade to strike at her.

Bibi Dong instinctively raised her arms to block, but the force of the blow caused her to lose her balance.

"Ah…!"

With her right leg trapped and only her left leg supporting her, Bibi Dong fell backward, pulling Lin Yongming down with her.

Thud…

Bibi Dong's back hit the ground, and Lin Yongming, pulled by her, ended up on top of her.

Fortunately, Lin Yongming was taller, so his lips only brushed her forehead.

"Ouch!" Lin Yongming winced as Bibi Dong's Thorn Spider Armor pricked his chest.

Bibi Dong, on the other hand, was momentarily stunned by Lin Yongming's close proximity. His masculine scent made her cheeks flush, and she felt her body go limp, her breath brushing against his neck.

"I knew it! She's just trying to take advantage of my Xiao Ming," Lan Yinhuang muttered, her lips pursed in jealousy.

"Sorry, Holy Maiden," Lin Yongming quickly apologized, getting up from Bibi Dong.

"It's fine," Bibi Dong replied softly, standing up as well.

"Oh no! You're hurt. Let me check. The thorns on my armor are poisonous," Bibi Dong said, noticing the small holes in Lin Yongming's shirt. She stepped forward to examine his chest, her spirit abilities deactivating.

"Don't move. I'll heal him!" Lan Yinhuang, seeing Bibi Dong's hands on Lin Yongming, quickly intervened, pushing Bibi Dong's hand away.

Lan Yinhuang summoned her Blue Silver Grass, and a green light filled with life energy enveloped Lin Yongming.

"Uh…" Bibi Dong smiled awkwardly.

"Teacher, I've tested Lin Yongming's combat abilities. Even though his eyes are closed, he has no issues," Bibi Dong reported to Qian Xunji.

"Good. That's enough. I've seen what I needed to see," Qian Xunji said, his tone slightly displeased as he turned and walked back into the hall.

Despite it being an accident, Qian Xunji couldn't help feeling a bit annoyed that his beloved disciple had been pinned down.

"Once his injuries are healed, come inside," Qian Xunji's voice echoed from the hall.

"Yes, Teacher!" Bibi Dong called out.

"Lan Yin, is Xiao Ming okay? Let me check if he's been poisoned. My death poison is highly corrosive and can drain life force," Bibi Dong said, approaching Lin Yongming and Lan Yinhuang.

"It's just a little poison. My healing can easily remove it," Lan Yinhuang replied confidently.

"Are you sure? Blue Silver Grass isn't known for its healing abilities. This is about Xiao Ming's safety. We can't be careless," Bibi Dong said skeptically.

"Hmph! What do you know? Even without my healing, your poison wouldn't harm Xiao Ming. His body is incredibly resilient," Lan Yinhuang retorted with a hint of disdain.

"Uh…" Bibi Dong blushed, recalling the earlier incident. "This has nothing to do with physical resilience. Poison is poison."

"Let me make this clear: Xiao Ming is taken. Don't get any ideas," Lan Yinhuang declared.

"What are you talking about? I just wanted to help him detoxify," Bibi Dong said, flustered.

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. Are you trying to steal Xiao Ming from me? You've already taken advantage of him today," Lan Yinhuang said, eyeing Bibi Dong suspiciously.

"What nonsense! I don't like him. Hmph!" Bibi Dong's face turned red as she turned away.

"You were waiting for us at the entrance this morning."

"I've heard that women with your body type are more fertile. Are you planning to have a baby with Xiao Ming?" Lan Yinhuang teased.

"You…! You're shameless! No wonder you didn't let Xiao Ming go even though he's only twelve. Ugh!" Bibi Dong stammered, clearly flustered.

"Ahem!" The green light around Lin Yongming faded, and Lan Yinhuang immediately softened her tone.

"Xiao Ming, are you okay? Are you still hurt? Do you feel any effects of the poison?" Lan Yinhuang asked gently, holding Lin Yongming's arm.

"You…!" Bibi Dong was stunned by Lan Yinhuang's sudden change in demeanor.

"Ah Yin, I'm fine. But what's going on between you two?" Lin Yongming asked.

"Nothing. The Holy Maiden just wanted to check your chest for poison," Lan Yinhuang replied.

"I see. Holy Maiden, I'm fine. Did I hurt you when I fell on you?" Lin Yongming asked.

"I had my Thorn Spider Armor on, so I'm fine," Bibi Dong said softly, though her cheeks were still slightly red.

"That's good," Lin Yongming nodded.

"In that case, let's go inside. Teacher is waiting," Bibi Dong said, trying to regain her composure.

"Alright."

Bibi Dong led the way, with Lin Yongming and Lan Yinhuang following her into the hall.

"Teacher!" Bibi Dong greeted Qian Xunji, her expression calm once more.

"We pay our respects to the Supreme Pontiff!" Lin Yongming and Lan Yinhuang bowed slightly this time, without kneeling.

"Are you two alright?" Qian Xunji asked with a hint of authority.

"We're fine. Thank you, Supreme Pontiff," Lin Yongming replied.

"Good. I observed your battle with Dong'er. Your so-called wave energy is quite impressive. It's like an additional spirit ability for you. Being blind doesn't hinder you; it enhances your strength."

"If I'm not mistaken, your wave energy allows you to predict the trajectory of attacks, giving you an edge in combat," Qian Xunji praised.

"Your Excellency is wise. You've discerned everything about me after just one encounter," Lin Yongming replied formally.

"Very well. You've proven your abilities to me. As per our agreement, after the Continental Elite Spirit Master Tournament, I will award you the Purple Record Medal."

"Thank you, Supreme Pontiff!"

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 225 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 150 power stones I will publish the next chapter.