Dong dong!
The long spear struck a nearby pillar, instantly leaving three half-inch-deep pits on it!
"...!!"
Zhang Hex was stunned, his eyes wide in disbelief as he looked at Ding Ling.
Cheng Huan laughed with increasing delight:
"No wonder it's Ding Ling! Such a genius, so incredible! Good, good, good! This is great! You've really made me proud!"
In order to have Zhang Hex teach Ding Ling spear techniques, Cheng Huan had recently praised Ding Ling to the skies in front of Zhang Hex, almost saying he was unmatched in heaven and earth!
Zhang Hex's face was full of skepticism, almost openly suggesting that he thought Cheng Huan was boasting.
Now, with Ding Ling quickly mastering the initial-tier spear technique, Zhang Hex's calm demeanor disappeared, making Cheng Huan extremely pleased, feeling that Ding Ling greatly increased his prestige!
Gao Lan shared the same thought.
Although he wasn't as exaggerated as Cheng Huan, he also helped a lot, making Zhang Hex feel at one point that Gao Lan had changed and fallen, joining in on the praise!
Gao Lan naturally understood Zhang Hex's expression, initially feeling aggrieved and worried that Ding Ling wouldn't quickly learn the spear technique, which would only cement Zhang Hex's opinions of him, leaving him without a defense.
Fortunately, to Gao Lan's great relief and thrill, Ding Ling turned out to be impressively talented in spear techniques too!
Now let's see how Zhang Hex could say anything against him?
"I've said long ago that he's exceptionally gifted."
Gao Lan couldn't help but feign a 'sigh' on the side:
"You didn't believe it. Do you now believe there are true geniuses in this world?"
"..."
Zhang Hex was at a loss for words.
Since childhood, he was one of the top geniuses within the clan, and even in all of Jizhou!
Especially in spear and staff techniques, no one could surpass him!
Yet now, he suddenly encountered someone with talent that outmatched his by a hundredfold? A thousandfold? Ten thousandfold?
How could Zhang Hex not lose composure and be shocked?
It took him two years to build a foundation for the initial-tier spear technique back then!
And how long did it take Ding Ling?
Not even a quarter of an hour!!
This was too monstrous!
"Are you sure you haven't encountered similar initial-tier spear techniques before?"
Zhang Hex deeply doubted that Ding Ling was playing him, his expression changing rapidly.
Gao Lan glanced over and knew what Zhang Hex was thinking. After working together for so long, he understood Zhang Hex's temperament and quickly said:
"Brother Zhang, if you don't believe it, you can teach him the middle-tier, high-tier spear techniques, or even the Zhang Family's ancestral Five Tigers Soul-breaking Spear Technique!"
Zhang Hex's face darkened. The Five-Tiger Soul-Devouring Spear was a family secret; how could it be taught to outsiders casually?
Unless Ding Ling signed an indenture contract with the Zhang Family, otherwise, it would be impossible.
He didn't say this out loud; after all, if Ding Ling was truly a genius, how could he sell himself to the Zhang Family?
With suspicion, he proceeded to explain the middle-tier spear technique to Ding Ling once more.
After two demonstrations,
Ding Ling slightly closed his eyes,
and in the library, a book on 'middle-tier spear techniques' was condensed.
A moment later,
[Middle-tier Spear Technique Full Level]
[Strength +0.2]
[Agility +0.3]
[Physique +0.2]
Ding Ling instantly mastered the middle-tier spear technique!
His strength, agility, and physique all improved.
The hefty spear in his hands felt ever lighter!
Ding Ling had a feeling that he was now considered a strong presence among second-class generals!
How long had it been? And he'd already progressed this quickly!
If this power could really be taken back to the real world, then this 'mythical' world was simply paradise!
"Demonstrate it once."
Zhang Hex looked at Ding Ling with bright eyes.
Ding Ling didn't hesitate either. Spear out like a dragon, clang clang clang! The spear tip sometimes darted like a poisonous dragon, sometimes coiled like a python, as the spear pointed at a wooden pillar beside it, clang clang clang!
This time, he instantly created four shining stars, leaving four small pits on the wooden pillar.
And the depth seemed even greater than last time!
"...!!"
Zhang Hex was stunned.
Cheng Huan clapped and laughed.
Gao Lan sighed in admiration.
"Again!"
Zhang Hex taught the high-tier spear technique once more.
During the instruction of the spear technique, Zhang Hex probed several times and confirmed that Ding Ling indeed didn't know or understand the high-tier spear technique!
'If he can quickly learn this high-tier spear technique as well, it would mean he's truly an unparalleled genius!'
Zhang Hex taught it twice as usual.
Ding Ling closed his eyes once more.
Afterward, the book on high-tier spear techniques successfully condensed in the library.
Instantly...
[High-tier Spear Technique Full Level]
[Strength +0.3]
[Agility +0.5]
[Physique +0.3]
Various secrets and essences of the high-tier spear technique seemed to merge into Ding Ling's very bones, making this spear technique a part of his instinct.
Without needing Zhang Hex's cue, he displayed the spear technique again.
Clang clang clang!
The spear moved like lightning, transforming into a meteor moving back and forth in the void, clang clang! In just an instant, five pits were left on the wooden pillar!
And they were nearly an inch deep!
Compared to the beginning, the combat power in the spear technique was virtually doubled!
"You!"
Zhang Hex's eyes widened incredibly, and his lips trembled slightly; it was unclear if it was due to amazement, bewilderment, or overwhelming shock.
"So strong."
Gao Lan looked at Ding Ling as if looking at a rising war god:
"If there's ever a war god in this world, it is definitely you, Ding Ling!"
"Indeed."
Cheng Huan felt pride as well:
"It's my honor to have discovered Ding Ling among so many newcomers. It's something I'll boast about my whole life."
He looked at Ding Ling solemnly:
"Ding Ling, your talents are extraordinary, and your future is unlimited, but remember not to become too arrogant and offend influential people, so as not to ruin your future! Before achieving great success, you must stay grounded."
"Ding Ling will definitely remember the General's words!"
Ding Ling humbly replied with clasped fists.
"That's very good."
Cheng Huan felt more at ease.
Gao Lan also nodded secretly, knowing plenty of geniuses had met untimely ends due to offending others.
Ding Ling's prowess was amazing!
He hoped Ding Ling wouldn't falter, curious to see how far Ding Ling could go.
After all, they did share a bit of a 'mentor-student bond,' and Ding Ling, once successful, might lend a hand someday!
Zhang Hex, though proud and somewhat arrogant, felt chastened by Ding Ling's repeated demonstrations, re-evaluating his perceptions of Cheng Huan and Gao Lan.
For the first time, he openly acknowledged their keen insight, realizing he had been too narrow-minded.
"However…"
Zhang Hex shifted the topic:
"While I can't teach Ding Ling the Five-Tiger Soul-Devouring Spear, I can offer a Water and Fire Dragon Capturing Staff Technique that I happened upon to him."
"Really?"
Cheng Huan was delighted and thanked Zhang Hex on behalf of Ding Ling.
Zhang Hex raised his hand:
"No need to thank me yet. There are conditions."
"Don't hesitate to say it."
Ding Ling said.
"Good."
Zhang Hex nodded:
"I'll be straightforward. I know you made a bet with Gao Lan. I too will bet with you: if you can master this Water and Fire Dragon Capturing Staff Technique in a short time, I'll give you the complete guide for free…"