Chapter 100: Chapter 100
As the dust of Ethan’s punch hung in the air, a realization struck Sam with a jolt—if not for his body’s instinctive reaction, forged over countless battles, he might have been pierced through by that very blow.
"I was too careless," he muttered bitterly, "I nearly tumbled down Kain’s path..."
His heart hammered. This was no ordinary strike.
A physical cultivator devoid of spiritual techniques, yet delivering what seemed like heavenly martial arts force? Could it be the mysterious power of essence and blood, a special art?
Sam’s mind reeled in horror. The power and strength behind the punch was terrifying.
Snapping back to control, he stretched out his palm and retrieved the spear from Allen’s side, still pulsating with residual spiritual energy.
Sam was a spearman in the truest sense, embodying the complete spear art with precise, devastating skills and spear intent far exceeding Allen’s crude techniques.
With a sharp cry, he shouted, "Open!" The spear surged as metal spiritual energy burst forth, launching an intense spear intent skyward and dispersing in vibrant waves across the arena.
Gasps echoed from the audience. Spectators whispered surprise and awe.
"I hear Sam’s spear mastery is leagues ahead of Allen’s—his spear intent is complete, and is so strong in the Void Amalgamation Realm that Ordinary Cultivators in the early stage of the Void Amalgamation Realm are no match for him!"
"The battle intensifies. Can Ethan’s surprises continue?"
"I’m rooting for Ethan to push through!"
Most disciples from surrounding observation decks were too weak to fully comprehend the nuances.
They had seen Ethan’s previous blow, but dismissed it as a lucky strike. Hardly anyone grasped the true danger, save for the peak masters and elders who watched with hawkish eyes.
"What was that punch earlier? The power within... That blood-red glow? I’ve never witnessed anything like it," remarked Adyr, his fingers gripping the armrests harshly as he finally shed his contempt for Ethan and regarded him as a hazardous rival.
"His fists are strange—Sam cannot block with his body. He must keep his distance and use his spear and spiritual techniques to counter Ethan and avoid him."
Adyr’s voice dropped low, filled with urgency. He hoped his disciple would heed the warning.
"This... blood-colored light—release of essence and blood power. Only ancient, incomplete texts reference such a technique—but it is real. Someone has mastered it..."
"The essence and blood power differs from spiritual energy," Althea, beside him, whispered in admiration.
"It comes from within, depending on the flesh and blood, yet can be controlled and unleashed like spiritual energy. Incredible!"
Even Edwin, powerful and calm, couldn’t help but inwardly marvel at Ethan’s strength.
"That blood glow denotes mastery over complete body cultivation. That punch had power enough to easily kill a Void Amalgamation Cultivator. Ethan’s no longer pretending to be weak. He’s a force to be reckoned with."
Althea recalled the punch, admiration sparking internally.
On the competition stage, Ethan and Sam faced off, nearly three feet apart.
Sam understood he could not meet Ethan up close.
Instead, he conceived a strategy: leverage his superior spear skills and spiritual techniques from a distance to overwhelm Ethan.
"No... no," whispered Sam’s thoughts with grim resolve. "Beyond defeating him—I want him destroyed. If possible, killed outright."
No matter the rules, Sam knew his status in the Void shade peak afforded him immunity to harsh punishments. A fatal accident during competition would result in a term of imprisonment at worst.
Ethan noticed Sam’s tactical retreat and the tightening grip on his spear.
"You don’t want me near you?" Ethan asked, voice calm.
"Do you have the ability to avoid me?"
Ethan smiled faintly, the sound drifting faintly, carried by the space between them.
In mere breaths he closed the gap.
Sam thrust, boiling with lethal intent. Had it been any other, holes would have decorated their skins.
"Sky crashing Spear Spirit, Condense!" Sam cried, pulling back to create distance, his spear blazed with glowing golden spirit intent.
Energy hummed taut like a bowstring, forming a golden aura around the spear.
"The next strike will cut you down, Ethan!" Sam warned fiercely.
The spear launched forward with deadly precision.
Ethan spun swiftly, avoiding the spear’s jab.
He countered immediately with a punch.
Sam intercepted, arms sweeping in defense.
The clash rang loud—a crisp "dang" resonating through the arena.
Sam staggered, stepping back; his spear buzzed ominously.
"Is that power an ordinary punch from Ethan or something more?" whispers swirled.
"Impossible! What power could be stored in a simple punch?"
Their whispers were cut short as Ethan struck again—this time faster than before.
Even Sam’s eyes scrambled to keep pace, his mental energy flaring to catch the movement’s trajectory.
Yet he failed to avoid the blow.
"So fast!" murmured the crowd.
Instinctively, Sam cast the "Continental Turtle Shield," a powerful spiritual technique emanating golden energy that condenses into a turtle shell over his chest.
Ethan’s punch crashed on the shield’s surface, sending cracks spider-webbing outward.
With a retch, Sam spat blood.
Even protected, Ethan’s punch inflicted considerable internal injury.
Sam steadied himself, his spear digging into the ground for support.
With grit, he repelled the pain and tightened his grip.
"Ethan! This is your end!"
Sam’s voice surged as he summoned the gilded Spiral Spear," his signature spiritual technique.
A glow blossomed at the spear’s tip, enveloping it in golden light.
Spear intent and spirit power entwined, forming a mighty golden dragon silhouette—roaring with wild energy.
From the viewing platform, spectators gasped.
"Look—the gilded spiral spear, Sam’s unique art! He has slain numerous early stage Void Amalgamation Realm cultivators with it!"
The clash between these two titans drew every breath and eye, none daring to look away. The battlefield had transformed into a crucible where spiritual energy, essence, blood, and martial will clashed with relentless fire.
A/N:
Extra Chapters
100 power stones - 1 Extra Chapters
200 power stones - 2 Extra Chapters
Capsule - 1 Extra Chapters
Massage Chair - 3 Extra Chapters
Luxury Car - 5 Extra Chapters
Magic Castle - 15 Extra Chapters