Chapter 60: The Eight Extremes Spear Technique
Looking at Chen Fan's sincere and confident eyes, Zhang Ren instantly sobered up.
Indeed! For most people, mastering either spear or blade techniques was already a remarkable achievement.
Take himself for example—he considered his spear skills decent, but his blade techniques were only good enough to instruct beginners, far from matching true masters.
But this kid in front of him was no ordinary person. He had grasped the fundamentals of Tai Chi in less than a day, something others needed weeks to achieve.
In three days, he'd likely master Tai Chi Fist too.
With such talent... could simultaneously learning two completely different weapons actually work?
Zhang Ren cleared his throat. "Chen Fan, are you truly decided? Remember—mastering two weapons is far harder than two martial arts styles."
"Uncle Zhang, I'll try. If it doesn't work out, I'll drop one," Chen Fan replied with a smile.
"Very well." Zhang Ren's brow furrowed. That casual "I'll try" felt hauntingly familiar.
Chen Fan's heart raced. While others feared confusion, his martial arts panel prevented such worries. Different techniques could stack—who'd refuse extra advantages?
"Uncle Zhang, do weapon skills also start with basics? After mastering fundamentals, can I learn advanced forms?" Chen Fan's eyes gleamed, thinking of the "Meteor Arrow Manual."
Zhang Ren shot him a look that screamed Are you stupid?
"Of course basics come first." His voice turned stern. "Spear fundamentals include blocking, catching, thrusting, slashing, crushing, and stabbing. Blade basics involve slashing, chopping, thrusting, lifting, and wiping. Master these before true techniques."
"I understand." Chen Fan nodded. "But I'm curious—what are the real techniques called after mastering these?"
"You want... their names?" Zhang Ren blinked.
Chen Fan nodded eagerly.
Zhang Ren studied him. Had this been Wang Ping asking, he'd have scolded the boy for wanting to run before walking. But this was Chen Fan...
"The blade technique is Tai Chi Sabre," he said coldly. "The spear art... Eight Extremes Spear Technique."
Chen Fan's eyes widened. Tai Chi Sabre sounded standard, but Eight Extremes Spear Technique? Now that radiated power!
Seeing Zhang Ren's reluctant expression, Chen Fan realized—this was his mentor's treasured secret.
"Follow me." Zhang Ren strode forward, sighing inwardly. Ten years ago, he'd never have considered teaching even Tai Chi Fist, let alone this...
But times changed. Chen Guodou's life-saving grace and years of kindness demanded repayment. If Chen Fan could learn it, he'd eventually reveal everything.
Just... not yet.
Returning to the storage room, Chen Fan's gaze lingered on the 200-pound draw weight bow. He'd planned to train [Basic Archery] after boosting his strength, but that could wait.
"Try this." Zhang Ren tossed a wooden spear—two meters long with sharp tip and red tassels.
Chen Fan hefted it. "Uncle Zhang, this feels too light."
"Light?" Zhang Ren snorted. "That's ten pounds! Drawing a hundred-pound bow doesn't mean you can wield long weapons easily."
Chen Fan hesitated, then insisted: "My strength increased again overnight. Please give me something heavier."
Truthfully, lighter weapons would slow his [Basic Spear Technique] progression.
"How heavy?"
"Twenty pounds."
Ordinary people needed years to wield ten-pound spears naturally. With 35 strength points—triple an average man's—twenty pounds was ideal.
Zhang Ren retrieved a dark iron spear from the rack and threw it.
Chen Fan's hand sank instantly—double the previous weight, easily twenty pounds. The three-meter shaft gleamed coldly, its razor tip glinting dangerously.
"We start with spear today." Zhang Ren glanced at nearby blade racks, doubting Chen Fan would last through blade training afterward.
Outside, Chen Guodou and others gaped at the iron spear in Chen Fan's hands.
"Xiao Fan's learning spear too?!" Gao Yang stammered.
"Seems so."
"But his archery's godlike! Why bother?"
"More skills never hurt," someone countered. "What if arrows run out? Then you grab a spear!"
"Ancient archers were melee experts too," another added. "Xiao Fan's thinking ahead."
Nearby, Wang Ping groaned: "Brother Fan learning spear? Might as well dig our graves!"
"He's eliminating weaknesses," Zhao Feng observed. "Archers can't fight empty-handed when enemies close in."
"His archery's already peak, yet he keeps learning..." Someone sighed. "We need to train harder."
"Especially with Gu Village's people arriving tomorrow. That Gu Ze sounds tough."
Silently, the group felt crushing pressure settle on their shoulders.
(End of Chapter)
