Grinding Cultivation Toward Martial Saint-Chapter 1404 - 244: Jiang Ning Takes Action, Securing Second Place!
"This is troublesome!" His heart sank, and his five fingers gripping the spear tightened further.
"Many thanks to the King for the gift of the sword!" Zhang Ming loudly expressed his gratitude.
Swish—
He raised one hand to grasp the scabbard, the other on the hilt, and with a slight exertion, the long blade slid out with a sound.
Thud!
Zhang Ming then tossed the scabbard onto the ground.
The scabbard plunged into the soil like a sharp blade, embedding itself a full foot and three inches deep.
"Brother Wang, I am ready!" Zhang Ming reversed his grip on the sword and clasped his fists in salute.
"I am ready too!" Wang Jiadi said, holding the spear in both hands.
As the words fell.
Zhang Ming’s figure moved.
Like a gust of breeze passing by, it stirred no dust at all.
Yet at this moment, Wang Jiadi’s pupils contracted sharply.
"So fast!!"
Only one thought occupied his mind, and he hurriedly raised his spear to block.
Clang!!
A resounding crash shook Wang Jiadi all over, causing the soil underfoot to instantly collapse.
Just then.
Zhang Ming, in mid-air, swung his sword horizontally once more.
Clang!!
Wang Jiadi swiftly positioned his spear vertically to defend.
His whole body trembled again, and his feet slightly lifted from the ground.
He suddenly sank downwards, his legs like roots, driven forcefully into the soil.
Clang clang clang!!!
Zhang Ming’s sword strikes came faster and faster, countless flashes of sword light enveloping Wang Jiadi.
In everyone’s eyes, each strike appeared light and powerless.
Yet observing Wang Jiadi’s bodily reactions made it clear that each seemingly light swing was as heavy as a mountain.
With every sword strike, even when Wang Jiadi parried with his weapon, his whole body was struck with immense force.
If not for his legs anchored into the ground, Wang Jiadi would have been cleaved away by now, losing his balance.
After watching for a while, Jiang Ning discerned the outcome between the two.
As far as he knew, Wang Jiadi’s strongest skill was his boxing.
It was Wang Hong’s renowned boxing technique, the Four Imperial Heavenly Boxing.
But currently, as the two engaged with weapons, Wang Jiadi had no opportunity to use his boxing technique.
And in close combat, his spear technique had no chance to shine.
Being pressed by Zhang Ming like this, Wang Jiadi couldn’t even counterattack.
Clearly, Wang Jiadi fought against Zhang Ming using his weaknesses against Zhang Ming’s strengths.
Their abilities already had a noticeable gap, and the comprehensive suppression of Wang Jiadi’s tactics made him unable to fully showcase his skills.
In less than the time for half a cup of tea.
Zhang Ming’s eyes sparkled, and his long sword suddenly accelerated again, like a wisp of smoke passing by.
Then Zhang Ming withdrew.
Wang Jiadi touched his neck, feeling a slight sting in his throat.
He looked down at his fingers, seeing faint traces of blood on the fingertips.
He then glanced at the ground, a few strands of hair slowly drifting down.
Seeing this, a wry smile appeared on his face.
He knew that this outcome was Zhang Ming showing mercy.
With Zhang Ming’s strength, had he not held back, that last strike would have aimed straight at his head.
Given the hardness of the cervical vertebrae, although Zhang Ming’s strike wouldn’t have severed his head, it would have caused serious injuries.
In a life-or-death struggle, being severely wounded, Zhang Ming could kill him with little more effort.
Thus, the result was completely revealed at this moment.
"I lost!" Wang Jiadi slowly spoke.
"You’ve conceded!" Zhang Ming clasped his fists, still holding the sword.
...
Meanwhile.
All around the training ground, discussions began to rise.
"Spectacular, truly spectacular!!"
"Indeed! The match between Wan Jianyi and Master Mingxin had no suspense, but unexpectedly, Zhang Ming displayed such strength, his performance is no less than Wan Jianyi and Master Mingxin!"
"True! Wang Jiadi is a distant nephew of the King; the two Wang families are related by marriage. Wang Jiadi personally trained by the King, inheriting all his teachings, yet Zhang Ming easily defeated him, ending the battle smoothly. Who would have thought!"
"Indeed! Who could have foreseen that Zhang Ming was so strong? Now there’s something worth watching."
"Exactly!! Up next is the most exciting competition for the position of Martial Champion, Second Place, and Third Place. Only Jiang Ning from Dongling County hasn’t participated yet; we wonder if he will fall outside the top ranks, below the Martial Graduate category."
"Previously I thought not, since Jiang Ning has been shining brightly these two years! But looking at today’s matches, there’s a possibility. Wan Jianyi and Mingxin rank higher than him on the Heavenly List, and Zhang Ming, though previously ranked only eighteenth, now seems far stronger than that!"
"..."
-----------------
On the other side.
Wang Hong looked at Wang Jiadi indifferently, with no expression on his face.
"Next, Jiang Ning will fight Zhang Ming, Wan Jianyi will fight Mingxin, and the losers will duel here to determine the Third Place in the Martial Examination."
"The winners will compete to determine the Martial Champion and the runner-up; do you four have any objections?"
Wang Hong’s voice echoed throughout the school grounds, ringing in Jiang Ning’s ears.
"No objections!" Wan Jianyi replied calmly.
"No objections!"
"..."
The four of them spoke in succession.
"Good!" Wang Hong nodded.
"First match, Jiang Ning versus Zhang Ming! The winner will rank first in the top three and be awarded the Martial Degree." Wang Hong shouted.
He then said, "Please, both of you, step into the arena!"
As his words fell.
Jiang Ning walked towards the center of the school grounds.
Meanwhile, Wang Jiadi wore a bitter smile.
As they passed each other, Wang Jiadi stopped and his voice rang in Jiang Ning’s ear.
"Sorry! Today I failed to let Brother Jiang witness the Four Imperial Heavenly Boxing!"
"Then we’ll wait for another day! Brother Wang’s defeat today doesn’t mean defeat forever! Keep surpassing yourself, and one day Brother Wang will see the clear skies!" Jiang Ning comforted him.
"Good!" Wang Jiadi looked at Jiang Ning and nodded heavily.
Afterwards, Jiang Ning arrived at the center of the school grounds.
At this moment, Zhang Ming still held onto his long knife, the tip slanted towards the ground, the blade bright as snow.
"Honor Zhang, do you want to change your weapon?" Wang Hong’s voice rang out.
"No need!" Zhang Ming replied.
Wang Hong then looked at Jiang Ning: "Honor Jiang, do you need a weapon?"
"Your Highness, I also need a knife!" Jiang Ning replied.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ming’s eyes brightened, seemingly exploding with sharpness.
At this moment.
A long knife appeared in Wang Hong’s right hand.
He slightly bent his right arm again, then pushed forward.
Boom!!
The air in front surged like waves, and the spreading white air waves were like torrents.
The previous scene reappeared.
Witnessing the long knife striking like thunder.
Jiang Ning raised his hand and the long knife seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, landing straight in his hand.
Just like Zhang Ming earlier.
On the other side.
Wan Jianyi, Mingxin, and others were staring intently at this scene.
They were all very curious about what kind of power Jiang Ning possessed.
From previous weightlifting and foot shooting events, it was hard to discern Jiang Ning’s background and strength.
But this stage is different.
In a duel, it’s difficult to hide one’s true strength.
Just like Zhang Ming and Wang Jiadi’s match-up.
Before the duel, no one could see the gap between them was actually so large.
Zhang Ming’s ranking on the Heavenly List was not as high as Wang Jiadi’s, yet his strength far surpassed Wang Jiadi’s.
At this stage, they believed that Zhang Ming’s strength could reveal Jiang Ning’s strength.
And seeing this scene, Wang Jiadi’s eyes tightened once more.
Just now, Zhang Ming had effortlessly caught the long knife launched by Wang Hong, creating immense pressure for him.
After the duel, it turned out Zhang Ming’s strength far exceeded his own.
Now Jiang Ning was performing similarly.
Just from this scene, he knew Jiang Ning’s reputation was well-deserved, and his strength was likely far above his own.
"Please!" Zhang Ming saluted with his knife.
Jiang Ning also drew his long knife and inserted the sheath into the ground.
"Please!" he similarly saluted with cupped hands.
At this moment, all eyes were focused on the two of them.
If victorious, one ranks first among the top three, is awarded the Martial Degree, and becomes one of the three most dazzling figures in this Martial Arts Examination, with the lowest honor being the runner-up, making one’s name known across the land.
If defeated, one would have to fight again to compete for the honor of Third Place in the Martial Examination.
One victory and one defeat, the difference could not be greater.
At this moment, Zhang Ming was also highly excited.
He thought of himself as not as strong as Wan Jianyi and Mingxin.
Originally, when participating in this Martial Arts Examination, he never hoped to rank in the top two, and would be satisfied with gaining Third Place in the Martial Examination.
But now, he only needs to defeat Jiang Ning, without competing against Wan Jianyi and Mingxin, to achieve the honor of the runner-up.
This far exceeded his expectations.
