Chapter 95: Instructional Combat

Chapter 95: Instructional Combat

Wu Ling was the right-hand man of the deceased Third Prince and the one who shot at Cang Cheng during the Exchange Competition. Cang Cheng disabled his limbs on the spot using a burst gun.

Now, Wu Ling has been imprisoned by the military for involvement in a weapon leak, with a sentence of 200 years.

And at this moment, the one challenging Cang Cheng is Wu Xun, who turns out to be Wu Ling's younger brother.

This is getting interesting.

"If my brother Wu Ling faced off against Cang Cheng, wouldn't he have won for sure?"

"Wu Xun is the brother of the traitor Wu Ling... Is he trying to avenge his brother on Cang Cheng?"

"No way? I heard Wu Xun has a bad relationship with the Wu family!"

"Did Cang Cheng really accept the challenge? Is Wu Xun going to pull any punches?"

"Can Cang Cheng really handle this?"

……

The new Spirit Rune Masters whispered and craned their necks, their eyes darting between Cang Cheng and Wu Xun.

Their faces full of curiosity, they were practically ready to settle in with some snacks and watch the show.

Fu Huai's anger was almost materializing. "Silence!"

The Spirit Rune Masters obediently closed their mouths.

"Everyone, head to Training Field 1. Stay quiet, or you'll run five laps around the training ground."

Upon hearing this, the group immediately covered their mouths with their hands.

Run five laps around the training ground…

If punished, with their generally poor stamina, these Spirit Rune Masters would surely die from exhaustion!

The group quietly made their way to the training ground. After Fu Huai input commands into the panel, the space folding device on the training ground divided the space into two parts—a challenge arena similar to the Canglan World stadium, and a stepped spectator area surrounding the arena.

The Spirit Rune Masters took their seats, and both Cang Cheng and Wu Xun arrived at the challenge arena.

As the referee, Fu Huai announced the challenge rules.

"This challenge may only be fought using Spirit Runes. Both sides will use the same five Spirit Runes.

A hit to the opponent's neck, heart, or temple will score 3 points, while hits to other areas will score 1 point.

At the end of the match, the one with the most points wins.

If one side can't continue or surrenders, the other side wins.

Do not injure the opponent fatally; if an accident occurs, I will intervene."

With that, Fu Huai bowed to Cang Cheng. "Go easy on him, Cang Cheng."

"Don't worry, I'm a lover of peace."

Cang Cheng grinned confidently.

Fu Huai couldn’t believe it.

The weapons that appeared during the Sunset Star Campaign were anything but peaceful.

Fu Huai glanced away and announced, "3... 2... 1... Challenge begins!"

Just like in the virtual Canglan World, the transparent barrier on the challenge field disappeared into light particles in the air.

Without hesitation, Wu Xun pulled out a C-grade Wind Blade Spirit Rune and channeled his Mental energy into it.

The Spirit Rune activated, and the Mental energy materialized!

A 15cm-long Wind Blade materialized half a meter from Cang Cheng.

Murmurs spread among the crowd:

"Wu Xun can already condense wind blades at a distance? My wind blades only appear 20-30cm away from me."

"The length is impressive too. My wind blade is only 3cm; it's not even long enough to slice vegetables."

"Spirit Runes are really difficult..."

"Wu Xun is definitely going to score this point!"

...

Cang Cheng deliberately used his rune a half-beat slower than Wu Xun. His slender fingers injected Mental energy into the Spirit Rune, causing it to shatter and dissolve into fluorescent blue light points.

In an instant, a 30cm-long Wind Blade formed, meeting Wu Xun’s smaller one head-on.

When the blades clashed, Wu Xun’s smaller Wind Blade vanished like it had never existed.

With a swift 'swoosh,' the larger Wind Blade slashed across Wu Xun’s neck like a bolt of lightning.

A clear, shallow cut appeared on his neck.

If Cang Cheng hadn't controlled the force, Wu Xun's head would have been gone.

!

It took Wu Xun a moment to register the pain, his hand instinctively flying to his neck.

It was really blood.

Wu Xun’s pupils shrank suddenly.

Cang Cheng’s wind blade, how could it be so fast and so strong?

"Something just swooshed past my eyes?"

"Wu Xun couldn’t react at all."

"Even General Fu might not have reacted in time."

"Is that really the Spirit Runes used by Cang Cheng?"

"Cang Cheng is terrifyingly strong."

The entire arena erupted in shock.

The person who had just unleashed a deadly wind blade was actually the useless vase they had looked down upon all this time?

They had dismissed Cang Cheng as someone just here to enhance his reputation, but this wind blade proved them spectacularly wrong.

Cang Cheng still had a smile in his eyes and brows.

He explained, "The same Wind Blade runes, when used by different Spirit Runes Masters, yield different effects. Some wind blades are short and fast but lack attack power."

As he spoke, Cang Cheng casually waved his hand, and a small wind blade about 2cm in size instantly appeared at Wu Xun's feet.

The small wind blade seemed harmless, but when it hit the ground, it let out a deafening 'screech.' The special metal floor bore a noticeable dent!

"Other wind blades prioritize wide coverage, but at the cost of their attack power."

As soon as he finished speaking, a giant wind blade half a meter wide instantly formed. The massive wind blade flew toward the wall, seemingly ready to tear it apart, but it barely left a mark on the paint.

"Of course, if you're strong enough, you can have both. Additionally, wind blades made using the Cang Stone Spirit Runes board have even higher destructive power."

Cang Cheng explained patiently and meticulously.

"As the fastest-forming basic Spirit Runes, I hope everyone here can master the wind blades to the extent that you can freely control their size and location."

The arena fell silent.

On the challenge field, Wu Xun's mouth was wide open. He blinked hard, then blinked again.

What did he just see?

Did Cang Cheng really just cast the Spirit Runes without a board?

Wasn't this the no-carrier Spirit Rune drawing technique?

Now, in the entire Canglan Star Region, apart from ANKEN, was there actually someone else who could use this highly difficult drawing method?

And it was… the never-favored Cang Cheng?

Moreover, Cang Cheng's wind blades were effortlessly controlled, with their size and strength perfectly adjusted. His mastery of Spirit Runes was truly comparable to ANKEN!

No, could it be that the prince was…!

The Spirit Runes Masters nearby were also dumbfounded.

Cang Cheng… no, Instructor Cang was so strong!

How had they dared to underestimate Instructor Cang? With just one wind blade, he could have cut down all of them.

The rumors of the delicate Fifth Prince couldn't have been further from the truth.

Were they still in time to start behaving more humbly?

The Spirit Runes Masters shivered in fear.

Cang Cheng knew that his use of the Blade of Wind had subverted many people's opinions of him, and he had done it intentionally.

The Canglan Star Region was facing a huge danger, and there was no time to wait for the young warriors to fully develop. It was necessary to achieve the maximum training effect in the shortest time.

Therefore, although this challenge was said to be a sparring, Cang Cheng had defined it as instructional teaching from the beginning.

Since it was instructional teaching, there was no need to hide anything.

Cang Cheng would teach all the basic Level B and Level C Spirit Runes, and those who could meet the requirements within the stipulated time would continue to learn Level A Spirit Runes. Mastering just one Level A Spirit Rune would be enough to go into battle.

Those who couldn't meet the requirements would be assigned to the support Spirit Rune division, drawing Level B and C Spirit Runes for battle use.

Cang Cheng asked Wu Xun, "Do you have any more questions about the Blade of Wind?"

Wu Xun snapped out of his shock.

He suddenly realized that this smiling prince exuded a natural air of authority, not overpowering but unmistakably that of a leader.

Unlike the sharp intensity of a General, Cang Cheng's presence was equally inscrutable.

No wonder no one ever doubted him. Truly... unsettling.

Wu Xun reined in the slightest bit of pride in his heart and spoke with utmost respect, "I would like to know, is the carrier-free rune drawing method difficult to learn?"

Cang Cheng smiled, "Not difficult. Once you have a certain level of control over your mental energy, you can use carrier-free rune drawing."

Cang Cheng concentrated his energy, and fluorescent blue magic patterns appeared out of thin air.

They transformed in the air, from simple suns, moons, and stars to more complex animals, and finally, turned into a lifelike dragon.

Such a sight amazed everyone present.

"Wow! Can mental energy really do such things? That's amazing!"

"I focused! I focused! And all I got was air!"

"I feel like the first 21 years of my education were a joke."

...

A few Spirit Rune Masters attempted to draw using their mental energy, but despite their efforts, nothing materialized.

"The essence of carrier-free rune drawing is to complete the energy loop relying solely on mental energy without the aid of a Spirit Rune board. Once you have mastered a Level C Spirit Rune to perfection, you can try carrier-free rune drawing.

The advantage of carrier-free rune drawing is its unexpectedness and convenience, but the downside is that it consumes much more mental energy than using a Spirit Rune board.

In dangerous situations, use it only when necessary."

As he spoke, Cang Cheng suddenly looked at Fu Huai, whose face clearly read 'Spirit Runes can be used like this?'

Fu Huai felt a sense of unease. He straightened up. "Is there something you need, Prince Cang Cheng?"

"I remember General Fu's mental energy is A-, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"A-level mental energy can be used to activate several Spirit Runes. Since General Fu is already here, why not take the opportunity to learn more?"

Fu Huai hesitated.

"Come on, General Fu!"

"That's right, let's all learn together, and soon you'll be adept in both Spirit and Martial arts!"

"If you don't join us, could it be that you're afraid your progress might be overshadowed by ours?"

……

Fu Huai clenched his fists but kept his expression composed. "Alright, since you put it that way, I'll accept."

For the next two hours, Cang Cheng demonstrated the key techniques for using several Level C Spirit Runes right on the spot, guiding the Spirit Rune Masters to find the element they were most comfortable with and to practice it diligently.

The session flew by, and under Cang Cheng’s guidance, the Spirit Rune Masters significantly improved their control over the runes.

Fu Huai, who had never touched a Spirit Rune before, successfully used an Earth element transformation spell, though the result looked more like a mud golem, and it wasn’t exactly a beauty.

Surprisingly, Wu Xun had already begun to master the Wind Blade rune without a medium, able to condense a wisp of wind from thin air. However, as soon as he did, he collapsed from exhaustion and had to recover with two vials of potion.

After the lesson, Wu Xun sought out Cang Cheng.

"Instructor Cang Cheng, thank you for your guidance today, and thank you for punishing Wu Ling during the Exchange Competition."

Wu Xun bowed to Cang Cheng.

Though Wu Xun and Wu Ling were half-brothers, their relationship was poor. Previously, with the support of the third prince and having awakened as a Spirit Warrior, Wu Ling had been highly valued in the family.

But now, with the significant rise in the status of Spirit Rune Masters due to ANKEN—or rather, Cang Cheng—and with Wu Ling imprisoned, Wu Xun had gained unprecedented resources and familial favor.

Wu Xun knew he owed his newfound status to Cang Cheng, so he came to thank him.

Cang Cheng: "No need to thank me, I just did what I could."

As Wu Xun stood up, still not fully recovered, his vision darkened and he fell backward.

Kindly, Cang Cheng caught him.

And just at that moment, Hilmeth, who had come to pick Cang Cheng up after work, saw the scene.

The cold general's frosty aura spread around him, his beautiful blue eyes seemingly frozen over, cold and distant.

"Tsk... What’s the general doing here?"

"Why do I suddenly feel cold?"

"The general's expression... looks like he’s ready to cut someone down."

……

Naturally, Cang Cheng sensed his boyfriend's displeasure.

After helping Wu Xun to the side, he quickly ran over to Hilmeth.

His dark eyes mirrored Hilmeth’s form, and the joy within them was impossible to conceal.

He stood on his tiptoes and tilted his head, kissing Hilmeth's cheek in front of everyone.

"No more cold shoulder, and no irrational jealousy."

Hilmeth smiled, clearly pleased.

He also, in front of the Spirit Rune Masters who hadn't left yet, gently brushed the stray hairs from Cang Cheng's face and gave him a soft kiss on the lips.

"Hmm. Here to pick you up after work."

"You're the best, my love. Let's go home together."

Cang Cheng intertwined his fingers with Hilmeth's, their hands tightly joined.

They vanished from view.

Those left behind stood frozen in place.

?

Did I just see that?

Cang Cheng and the general kissed in public and left hand-in-hand?

They're actually in a romantic relationship?

The ice-cold general from Ice Mountain is in love?!

And his partner is none other than Cang Cheng, the newly appointed acting governing assistant of the emerging star domain?

They are actually real!