The five minutes passed quickly, and Bai Zixi, the suave president of the student council who resembled a dashing gentleman from a bygone era, rose with a smile. "Time's up, gentlemen, please ascend to the platform."
Ethan immediately stood up, gripping 'Star Splitter.' His hand on the scabbard turned white with tension, betraying his nerves. Bryce noticed this detail and narrowed his eyes. Both contestants approached the stage simultaneously.
Bai Zixi observed the two and nodded, "Begin."
On the platform, neither rushed forward. Instead, they maintained their distance, each observing the other. Ethan activated his 'Barrier-Breaking Eye,' and flickers of silver-white danced around his crimson pupils. Bryce's condition was laid bare before him—268 in vitality and 154 in Yuan Force. Clearly, Bryce had made a breakthrough and was now at the 'Primary Third Layer,' just like Ethan.
Through the week's cultivation, Ethan's own vitality had reached 426, with Yuan Force at 178—improvements since his recent breakthrough. At this level, the advantages of "Contemplating the Mountains and Seas" began to emerge, surpassing other cultivation methods in vitality and the depth of Yuan Force.
Ethan blinked, ceasing the use of his 'Divine Hiding' to stop the continuous drain of Yuan Force. Having obtained the necessary information about his opponent, he withdrew the longsword and tossed the scabbard aside. His gaze sharpened.
"Here I come!"
Across the platform, Bryce braced himself, recalling Master Gao Lin's morning advice. "The Ethan you're facing is a tough character with experience in killing. Never underestimate that. He's seen blood and won't hesitate when it comes to action. Picking a spear as your weapon was wise—one inch longer, one inch stronger. Without firearms, long weapons hold the advantage."
"If I'm not mistaken, he'll launch a full-force attack while his energy and Yuan Force are at their peak, possibly even risking injury for a kill. You, having never killed, will hesitate. Your task is to maintain distance, exhaust his energy and Yuan Force. Use the 'Dragon Step' I taught you to bait out his techniques and mystic arts. Once he's spent, the world is yours!"
These words flashed through Bryce's mind as he made a split-second decision to retreat, dragging his spear back. But instead of retreating blindly, he thrust the spear forward with lightning speed towards Ethan's face!
Ethan, instead of dodging, accelerated. He merely tilted his head, letting the flat, sharp blade of the spear graze past his cheek, drawing a line of blood. Seizing the moment, he closed the distance with a burst of speed, appearing beside Bryce like a specter.
Bryce quickly retracted his spear, holding it vertically. At that moment, 'Star Splitter' became a streak of black lightning, slashing past Bryce's neck.
Clang! The sword struck the spear shaft, sending sparks flying. Bryce's grip on the spear weakened from the shock, and Ethan's strike threw him off balance. He staggered back three steps before regaining his footing, breaking out in a cold sweat.
The audience fell silent. From Ethan's initial charge to Bryce's forced retreat, it all happened in a fleeting moment. Even laymen could sense the danger—if Bryce had been a fraction slower, his head might have been severed.
"Excellent!" someone shouted, drawing the crowd's attention. It was Colonel Liang Jian of the Surface Corps. His teeth gleamed as he declared, "This is what a fight to the death is about—a moment's life or death. Thrilling!"
On the other side, the 'Conservative Faction' led by Minister Lu Cheng was tense, especially the minister himself. He had just boasted about Gao Lin's assured victory, only for Bryce to nearly lose his head within the first minute. Lu Cheng felt his face burning with embarrassment, as if his reputation was at stake.
On the platform, Ethan was oblivious to the colonel's cheers and the thoughts of others. His focus was entirely on Bryce. Unfazed by his blocked technique, he lunged forward again, 'Star Splitter' unleashing a fierce offensive. The sound of metal clashing echoed as Bryce was forced to defend.
Bryce's face darkened as he concentrated on defense, recalling Gao Lin's guidance. "That wolf cub is ruthless. After 'Thunderclap' fails, he will attack aggressively. Just focus on defense. When he shows an opening, that's your chance to counter!"
Clang after clang, 'Star Splitter' and Bryce's spear collided countless times, sparks flying on the platform. Bryce noticed Ethan's increasingly pale grip on the sword. Finally, after another collision, Ethan's hold on 'Star Splitter' seemed to falter. The opportunity had come!
Bryce's Yuan Force surged as he lunged forward, the spear aiming for Ethan's right foot. Ethan quickly retreated, and the spear's tip pierced the platform, embedding into the wood below. Bryce spun around, using his shoulder to push the spear, and with a sudden burst of force, the spear, like lifting a mountain, shot upwards, shattering the wooden planks and sending them hurtling towards Ethan.
This was a combat technique—Spear Technique: Mountain Lift!
Ethan swiftly raised his sword to block, but Bryce charged forward, thrusting his spear. Ethan narrowly sidestepped, and Bryce switched from thrusting to sweeping. The spear whipped through the air, aiming for Ethan, who raised 'Star Splitter' to block. Bryce's lips curled into a smirk as he twisted his hands in opposite directions, and the spear made a 'click-click' sound as it separated into sections. Beneath the alloy shaft lay a true spear made of flexible metal strips!
As the spear was blocked by 'Star Splitter,' it didn't stop there. The inertia caused the now 'soft' spear to whip out in a large arc, its tip aiming for Ethan's throat. This was another combat technique—Spear Technique: Serpent's Tongue!