The tester stood nearly 1.9 meters tall, his frame average yet powerful, with sturdy muscles straining against his combat suit.

He was fast, his steps steady and powerful. Within moments, he closed in on Lin Qi, swinging his Long Spear to launch the first attack.

The Long Spear in his hand shot out like a bolt of lightning, piercing the air with immense penetration power.

The tip of the spear glinted coldly, closing the distance in an instant.

Lin Qi’s brow twitched. He recognized it at a glance—his opponent was using the third technique of the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique: Beng Ci!

’Could it be that it detected I was using a spear technique when I just demonstrated the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique?’

’So the tester that appeared also uses a spear technique?’

Lin Qi guessed to himself, feeling he was probably right.

’Perfect timing. I also want to test out my Mountain Shattering Spear Technique.’

As the distance between them closed, the Long Spear in Lin Qi’s hand shot out in the same instant.

He exploded off his feet, his body lunging forward. The muscles in his arms bulged as veins popped, and power surged through him.

He gripped the Long Spear tightly with both hands and unleashed his strength in an instant. The spear struck like a dragon.

Beng Ci!

He unleashed the very same technique, its momentum ferocious as he met the attack head-on.

WHOOSH~

The wind howled as their Long Spears clashed mid-air.

CLANG~

A metallic clang rang out as the Long Spears collided, sending sparks flying. The force traveled up the spear shafts and into their arms—the sensation was completely real.

Lin Qi’s expression remained neutral. He shifted his footing, using the rebound force to flip his wrist and continue his Spear Technique.

His Spear Technique shifted, and he delivered a series of rapid thrusts, as light and nimble as plucking clouds from the sky.

Cloud Picking!

His mind raced as the twelve spear techniques flashed through his thoughts, each suited for a different scenario.

CLANG CLANG CLANG~~

The tester opposite him also executed Cloud Picking. Their Long Spears clashed in mid-air like flashes of lightning.

Every clash sent a shower of sparks into the air.

Amidst the flurry of spear-afterimages, Lin Qi’s eyes grew brighter with excitement, his Spear Technique becoming even more swift.

Faster, faster, faster!

Exhilarating!

He was reveling in the clash of Long Spears, the transfer of force, the contest of skill and execution.

With no psychological burden, he could simply unleash every Spear Technique he knew. The feeling was incredibly liberating.

His mind and body felt unburdened, and power flowed to every corner of his being.

After a short while, Lin Qi suddenly noticed the tester’s movements becoming rigid.

CLANG~

Lin Qi swung his spear, and they clashed once more.

’It’s time to end this!’

In that instant, Lin Qi’s eyes flashed. He suddenly unleashed his power, which erupted from his spine like a compressed spring.

The Long Spear in his hand became a vicious bolt of lightning, tearing through the air.

Rapid Advance!

The tester couldn’t react in time and could only offer a passive thrust in return.

It could only watch helplessly as Lin Qi’s Long Spear plunged into its chest like a ferocious beast.

PFFT~

The Long Spear pierced its chest. Blood sprayed out, splashing across Lin Qi’s face.

[First time executing a Spear Technique. Mountain Shattering Spear Technique proficiency has increased. Spear Technique +1%]

[First time using Body Technique in actual combat. Body Technique +2%]

[Spear Technique: Tier One 77%→78%]

[Body Technique: Tier One 68%→70%]

...

Lin Qi withdrew his spear, silently reliving the sensations of the battle. His mind was still highly focused, his muscles taut.

It felt completely different from his usual training. This was a battle that felt almost real.

And this first taste of real combat had increased his Spear Technique proficiency by a sliver.

[Battle Over. Congratulations, ’Yang Jian,’ on your victory!]

[Current Test Progress (1/3)]

An electronic voice echoed from the sky.

’The progress is only 1/3, which means I still have to fight two more matches to pass the AI test.’

Lin Qi looked at the screen and instantly understood the rules.

"Continue challenge!"

Without hesitation, he chose to continue!

BEEP!

A moment later, a tester in a white combat suit materialized. The instant the fight began, it charged forward like a whirlwind.

It was even faster, wielding its Long Spear with swift, vicious movements.

’It’s the Drip Water Spear Skill!’

Lin Qi recognized the technique. He immediately charged forward, his Black Great Spear swinging with immense power, and began the second battle!

Compared to the first battle, his movements had become more proficient and fluid.

...

「20 minutes later.」

CLANG CLANG~~

On the wide floor of the arena, two figures—one in black, one in white—clashed violently, their Big Guns a blur of motion.

Silver light and black steel blurred together, spear-afterimages flickered, and a shower of sparks flew with every impact.

Lin Qi brandished his Black Great Spear with wild abandon, executing the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique. His techniques flowed one into the next, seamless and incredibly fluid.

His momentum was overwhelming, his attacks fierce and domineering. He had perfectly embodied the style of the Mountain Shattering Spear Technique.

The tester on the other side wielded its Long Spear, forming a defensive perimeter to block his attacks.

’Even the Rock Gun Skill can’t block my attacks. Die!’

Lin Qi suddenly exploded with power. The shaft of his spear hummed as his Qi and Blood surged like a great river through his body.

His muscles swelled as he powered the strike from his core. Force flooded into his arms, and with a powerful grip, he thrust his Long Spear forward.

Beng Ci!

The devastating thrust shot out like lightning, shattering the defensive perimeter and instantly piercing the tester’s throat.

PFFT~

A one-hit kill!

The tester’s figure dissolved into the Void.

[Through fierce battle with an opponent, proficiency in Mountain Shattering Spear Technique has increased. Spear Technique +2%]

[Spear Technique: Tier One 78%→80%]

...

[Tester Eliminated. Congratulations, ’Yang Jian,’ on your victory.]

[Current Test Progress (3/3)]

[Congratulations on passing the AI test!]

An electronic female voice echoed across the empty arena.

Lin Qi exhaled, his eyes bright and full of energy, showing no trace of fatigue.

"Exhilarating!"

Lin Qi felt nothing but exhilaration. He had been able to unleash every Spear Technique he had ever learned.

In battle, facing the unfamiliar Drip Water Spear Skill and Rock Gun Skill, he had been exposed to entirely new styles of Spear Technique.

It had deepened his proficiency, and the fact that he never felt tired during combat was dangerously addictive.

[’Yang Jian,’ Matchmaking Mode has been unlocked!]

[Begin Matchmaking? Yes / No]

Lin Qi looked at the data that appeared on the panel and fell into thought.

’I’ve already experienced the AI. Although it can execute spear techniques and initiate attacks on its own, it’s too rigid and can’t use the techniques flexibly.’

’Anyone with a decent foundation in Spear Technique could defeat three of them in a row.’

’But an actual human opponent will be completely different.’

’The people who can enter the Red Realm Arena right now are no ordinary people.’

’But regardless of whether I win or lose, the improvement for me will be huge.’

Lin Qi clicked "Yes!"

He confirmed to begin matchmaking.

[Matchmaking initiated. Qi and Blood Value for both combatants set to 6.0.]

[Conceal Identity? Yes / No]

Lin Qi raised an eyebrow, surprised. ’I can hide my face?’

The panel switched, displaying several masks of various shapes and colors: some handsome, some bizarre, some beautiful...

Since that was an option, there was no reason to hesitate. Lin Qi chose a handsome black mask.

Now he was dressed entirely in black. His aura was cold and severe, and looking at his mask was like staring into the Abyss.

Three minutes later, Lin Qi opened his eyes. A figure had materialized out of thin air across from him.

He was a tall young man in a red combat suit, carrying a Longsword.

His features were plain, dotted with a few pimples, and he had a thick head of curly hair.

Above his opponent’s head floated a nickname: [My Great Sword] (Elite).

"Yang Jian?"

"A newbie?"

The curly-haired man spoke, glancing at Lin Qi before smirking disdainfully.

"I love nothing more than beating up on newbies. Bro, let my Great Sword give you a warm welcome."

Beneath his mask, Lin Qi remained silent, raising the Black Great Spear in his hand.

He glanced at his own panel and noticed a small change to his information.

Nickname: [Yang Jian] (Newbie)

The word "Newbie" had been added after his nickname, followed by a small line of text.

[Newbie]: A competitor who has passed the AI test and has participated in fewer than 10 matched battles.

[Elite]: A competitor with more than 10 victories in the matched arena.

...

’So that’s how it works.’ Lin Qi understood immediately.

’Looks like my luck isn’t bad. The first opponent I’m matched with isn’t weak.’

’Elite, at least ten wins. Compared to a newcomer like me, his strength is definitely high. This could be the strongest challenge I’ve faced so far.’

[Battle commencing soon!]

[3, 2, 1...]

[Arena Battle Start!]

As Time expired, a synthetic voice boomed through the air, announcing the official start of the battle!

...