After finishing his explanation, Wu Tianxiong walked over to the weapon rack beside him and picked up an alloy training staff.
Although the course was called Beginner Spear Technique, students actually practiced with staffs instead of real spears.
The reason was simple.
At the beginner level, spear techniques and staff techniques shared the same foundation. In martial arts, there was a saying:
"The spear can be used like a staff, and the staff can be used like a spear."
The principles behind most long weapons were remarkably similar.
Whether it was a spear, staff, halberd, mace, lance, or trident, their basic movements, body mechanics, and spiritual energy circulation all followed comparable paths.
Once someone mastered one long weapon, learning another became significantly easier.
Wu Tianxiong held the alloy staff upright beside him.
His back straightened, his feet planted firmly on the ground, and a powerful aura instantly spread throughout the classroom.
"Watch carefully!"
The moment he shouted, the alloy staff came alive in his hands.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
The long staff sliced through the air with astonishing speed.
Every thrust was crisp.
Every sweep was smooth.
Every movement flowed naturally into the next.
Although Wu Tianxiong possessed tremendous physical strength, he deliberately restrained both his power and his spiritual energy.
Otherwise, a single careless strike could have shattered half the classroom.
The Beginner Spear Technique emphasized proper form, precise footwork, and efficient spiritual energy circulation rather than brute force.
The surrounding trainees watched with bright eyes.
Many were visibly excited.
Some unconsciously tightened their grip on their own training staffs.
To them, Wu Tianxiong's demonstration was nothing short of spectacular.
However...
Zhao Mu saw something entirely different.
As he quietly observed every movement, he mentally evaluated the instructor's technique.
Around seventy percent mastery.
Skilled... but far from perfect.
Several flaws appeared during the transitions between techniques.
Most people couldn't notice them.
But Zhao Mu could.
With the assistance of the Demon Clown and his mastery analysis, those imperfections stood out clearly.
At this pace...
Three days.
Three days will be enough for me to completely master this course.
After completing the demonstration, Wu Tianxiong rested the training staff on his shoulder.
"You've all seen the complete Beginner Spear Technique."
"Now practice on your own."
"If you encounter any problems, ask me immediately."
The classroom was enormous.
Its open training space was large enough to fit an entire basketball court with plenty of room to spare.
Dozens of trainees immediately walked toward the weapon racks, picked up training staffs, and spread out across the room.
They activated the instructional programs on their electronic wristbands before beginning to imitate the demonstrated movements.
Several trainees approached Zhao Mu with hopeful expressions.
"Zhao Mu..."
"Would you like to practice together?"
"If we discuss the techniques with each other, we'll improve much faster."
Zhao Mu smiled warmly.
"Of course."
The few trainees immediately beamed with excitement.
By now, Zhao Mu had become one of the most respected newcomers in Qingfeng Camp.
Not only was he powerful, but he never acted arrogantly.
Unlike some talented people, he was always willing to share his experience with others.
Walking toward an open area, Zhao Mu picked up an alloy training staff.
At the same time, he silently issued a command.
"Demon Clown."
"Activate training mode."
"Practice target—Beginner Spear Technique."
Instantly, the invisible Demon Clown appeared beside him.
Only Zhao Mu could see it.
The clown flipped over the display board in its hands.
Beginner Spear Technique
Elementary Battle Technique
Proficiency: 0
Before attending today's class, Zhao Mu had already studied the manual several times.
Without wasting another second, he began practicing.
Whoosh!
The training staff shot forward like a dragon leaving its cave.
His foundation in the Heavenly Halberd Technique immediately revealed its advantages.
Although spears and halberds differed in appearance, their core principles overlapped considerably.
As a result, Zhao Mu learned the Beginner Spear Technique at an astonishing pace.
After completing the routine once, he glanced at his proficiency.
Proficiency +10
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"There are still flaws."
"The circulation of spiritual energy during several transitions isn't smooth enough."
"The timing also needs adjustment."
After quickly identifying the weak points, Zhao Mu immediately began practicing again.
The second attempt was noticeably smoother.
His movements became more natural.
His spiritual energy flowed without interruption.
When he finished, the proficiency display changed once more.
Proficiency +15
Meanwhile, most trainees nearby were still struggling to memorize the sequence of movements.
Some even confused thrusts with sweeps.
Compared to them...
Zhao Mu already looked like someone who had practiced the spear for years.
Several classmates couldn't help staring.
"Zhao Mu..."
"Your spear technique already looks incredible."
"Is it because you practiced the halberd before?"
Zhao Mu nodded.
"That's one reason."
"The Beginner Halberd Technique and Beginner Spear Technique share many fundamental principles."
"The movement patterns are very similar."
"Even the methods of circulating spiritual energy overlap considerably."
"So learning one makes the other much easier."
As he spoke, Zhao Mu patiently corrected everyone's mistakes one by one.
He explained where to place their feet.
How to relax their wrists.
How to coordinate breathing with spiritual energy.
The trainees listened attentively.
Not far away, Wu Tianxiong glanced over briefly before looking elsewhere.
He wasn't particularly surprised.
Many students who enrolled in the spear course already possessed experience with long weapons.
After all, the spear remained the most common battlefield weapon.
It wasn't unusual for someone with a halberd or staff background to adapt quickly.
Wu Tianxiong continued walking around the classroom.
Whenever he noticed mistakes, he immediately stepped forward to offer guidance.
Zhao Mu, however, never asked a single question.
He simply continued practicing.
Occasionally, he even paused to help nearby trainees correct their posture before returning to his own training.
Time passed quickly.
Two hours disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Most trainees eventually stopped to catch their breath.
Some collapsed onto the floor.
Others sat cross-legged to recover their spiritual energy.
Only Zhao Mu remained different.
After meditating for barely ten minutes, he stood up again and resumed practicing.
His proficiency climbed rapidly.
20...
28...
35...
Finally—
40 Proficiency.
At this level, Zhao Mu had already exceeded the graduation standard for the Beginner Spear Technique.
Yet...
He had no intention of stopping.
Since I'm already here...
I might as well master it completely.
At that moment, Wu Tianxiong happened to look in Zhao Mu's direction.
His pupils suddenly contracted.
From the crowd of trainees, Zhao Mu stood out like a crane among chickens.
His thrusts were perfectly aligned.
Every transition flowed seamlessly.
His movements were decisive and free of hesitation.
It didn't resemble someone who had just begun learning today.
Instead...
It looked like the work of a veteran who had practiced the spear for many years.
Wu Tianxiong frowned.
He immediately activated his electronic wristband and searched the class roster.
A moment later...
He found Zhao Mu's profile.
His expression froze.
New Recruit.
Entered Qingfeng Camp this year.
Wu Tianxiong was genuinely stunned.
That meant Zhao Mu had awakened spiritual energy barely a month ago.
He was a complete beginner.
Yet his control over both technique and spiritual energy already surpassed many experienced trainees.
"How..."
"How is this even possible?"
Wu Tianxiong stared fixedly at Zhao Mu.
If the Qingfeng Camp records weren't absolutely reliable, he would have suspected Zhao Mu was an Intermediate Camp trainee disguised as a newcomer.
Just then, movement at the edge of his vision caught his attention.
Two familiar figures were walking toward Zhao Mu.
Ge Tianxing.
Fei Wujie.
Both came from the Intermediate Camp.
Originally, one specialized in swordsmanship while the other wielded a crutch weapon.
Only recently had they switched to learning spear techniques after battlefield experience convinced them of the spear's superior versatility.
Every Intermediate Camp trainee possessed exceptional talent.
Among every ten Primary Camp trainees, only one could successfully advance.
Wu Tianxiong immediately remembered the earlier conflict between Zhao Mu and Ge Tianxing.
His brows furrowed.
Without saying anything, he quietly walked toward them.
Meanwhile, Ge Tianxing approached Zhao Mu carrying a training staff on his shoulder.
A smile appeared on his face.
Unfortunately...
The cold gleam hidden in his eyes completely betrayed his true intentions.
"Junior Brother..."
"I heard your spear technique is impressive."
"Come."
"Let your Senior Brother give you a few pointers."
Zhao Mu slowly stopped practicing.
His expression became calm.
His eyes turned cold.
"We're still in class."
"Are you planning to start trouble here?"
Standing behind Ge Tianxing, Fei Wujie immediately raised both hands with an innocent grin.
"Don't look at me."
"I'm only here to watch."
He chuckled.
"Besides..."
"Senior Brother Ge only wants to guide his junior."
"That's a good thing."
"You should appreciate his kindness."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)