48 Entering the last trial. (1/2)
After the two left the emerald volcanoes, Jing Yimu did not fly them directly towards the next trial, his eagerness dampened slightly after his previous failure. What he chose to do instead, was to continue training Li Yang while they were traveling. He had just gifted Li Yang a new spear, so he wanted to make sure that Li Yang managed to become a bit more proficient with the spear before they took on the next trial.
”Little Yang, you are holding the spear wrong. When you are trying to stab like that, you must put more strength into the arm that is supporting the base of the spear, only then can you pierce forth with all your strength.”
Jing Yimu stood behind Li Yang and held onto his arms, helping him position them properly on the spear. He was not someone who used a spear to fight, but he had lived for countless years already, he had far more experience than most. Of course, even while they were training, Jing Yimu made sure that they were constantly on the move, only taking a break whenever the poisonous rain would appear. He also continued to teach Li Yang what he knew about the fire element, as well as how to use it while fighting.
”This spear is perfectly suited for channeling fire Qi, but you must still find a way to channel it that suits you. Do you want to let all the Qi blaze fiercely, producing continuously explosive attacks? Or do you want to let the Qi circulate within the spear, gathering heat and energy to decimate everything that touches the tip of the spear?”
Learning how to use one's element efficiently was often far more important than the amount of Qi one had. Even if one had a large amount of Qi, it would mean nothing if they were unable to use it efficiently, wasting it with every attack or movement. Of course, Li Yang already knew how to use his elements efficiently, but as long as Jing Yimu was watching, he played the part of a diligent disciple.
”A spear can do more than just stab, it can also smash, block and slice. You need to find a style that suits you, one that does not focus on simply one aspect of the spear. If your spear-play focuses on only a single aspect, you can easily be suppressed when faced with someone who is adept at countering that one aspect.”
Jing Yimu even demonstrated several different ways to use the spear, slowing down his attacks to a level where he felt that Li Yang would be able to see and memorize them properly. Whenever he was teaching Li Yang, he felt countless years younger, so he did not mind repeating his moves as many times as Li Yang asked.
”This spear is best suited for fire Qi, but you mustn't forget that you also have ice Qi. If you can use your fire Qi for attacks, and then your ice Qi for defense, you will have a great advantage over others in your future fights.”
Despite being made for fire Qi, the spear could still hold ice Qi. Ice was far sturdier and suited for defense than fire was, so if Li Yang managed to master both, he would have perfect defense and perfect attack. It was only after the two had walked for half a month that Jing Yimu stopped their training, a solemn expression on his face as he looked into the distance.
”Alright, we will have to cut the training short now. Look, that mountain is the location of the next trial. You will face an endless battle within it, so always keep a talisman ready to escape.”
Their surroundings were no longer as lush and green as they used to be. The ground was dry and dusty, with barely any grass growing as far as the eye could see. Instead of grass, there were several jagged pieces of metal growing up from the ground, looking like claws trying to grasp the heaven's. In the distance ahead of them stood a tall mountain that was a silvery gray in color, looking like a sword that pierced towards the heavens. That was their goal, the site of Bai Yawen's trial.
Li Yang's expression turned solemn as he stared at the mountain, a fire slowly burning within his chest as he thought about how close he was. Jing Yimu rubbed his interspatial ring, pulling out a crimson robe that was large enough to cover all of Li Yang.
”This armor will help protect you. You will be unable channel your Qi into it during the trial, but it is still sturdy enough to block quite a few attacks.”
Jing Yimu quickly had Li Yang put on the robe. The robe was a bit too large for him, but once he put some Qi into the robe, it shrank to a size that fit him perfectly. Li Yang could tell that the robe was made using the hair and blood of a strong Demonic beast, but he could not tell exactly what type of Demonic beast. He quickly gave Jing Yimu a bow.
”Thank you, Master Yimu. I will not disappoint you.”
Jing Yimu's lips curved into a smile after hearing Li Yang's words. He let out a slight sigh, reaching out and straightening Li Yang's back, giving him a few pats on the head.
”Don't worry about that, just focus on getting out alive.”
Jing Yimu no longer wasted any time after talking, grabbing Li Yang and flying towards the mountain at full speed. He was certain they would get attacked the moment he got within range, so he had to move fast and enter the trial before anything could happen. As they approached the mountain, the metallic outcroppings started to tremble, as if they were trying to break out from the ground.
Jing Yimu's eyes narrowed slightly upon seeing the outcroppings tremble. He activated his Qi, an ocean of deep crimson flames appearing in the air above him. With a thought of his mind, the ocean of fire sank to the ground, drowning the land in flames, the metallic outcroppings starting to slowly melt under the intense heat that would melt even the hardest metal. Jing Yimu flew towards a small cave at the bottom of the mountain, an array activating the moment he entered the cave.
His hand suddenly felt lighter, and he didn't even need to look to realize that Li Yang had vanished, pulled away from him by an array. Jing Yimu had expected this, so he was not surprised, his mind quickly focusing on the trial he was about to face.
While Jing Yimu put his mind onto the trial ahead of him, Li Yang found himself standing in a cave. The walls around him, even the ground beneath him, were made out of a strange type of metal, thin and short spikes growing out in some places. A white orb floated in the air above him, lighting up the entire cave. Li Yang swept the cave with his vision, a slight smile appearing on his face.