Martial Immortality: Starting with the Spirit Beast Scroll

Chapter 387: Chapter 358: Small Spell-casting Competition (Part 1)

The honest-looking disciple had barely finished speaking when someone shot back, "Zhao Lin is definitely incredible in a real fight since he’s a Martial Cultivator. But Elder Wu said this meet is only for comparing Magic, no martial arts allowed."

"I’m putting my money on the third-years, Dou Wu and Gong Huaipeng. They’ve both mastered two spells to the Minor Achievement Level, and with an extra year of cultivation, they’re a cut above the rest."

The honest-looking disciple wasn’t about to back down. "Zhao Lin’s Ice Blade Skill is also at the Minor Achievement Level. The proficiency is the same, and they can’t compare to the combat experience of a Martial Cultivator..."

Before he could finish, another disciple jumped into the debate, "Don’t forget Lin Chaoran! He’s a genius with an Earth Spirit Root, and his Spirit Sword Skill is at the Minor Achievement Level, too. He’s not necessarily any weaker than the guys you’re talking about."

The disciples’ argument grew so heated they looked like they were about to square off and settle it with a duel.

Just then, Elders Wu Chuanqi and Nie Kui arrived together.

The disciples fell silent in an instant.

"Everyone..."

Elder Nie cleared his throat and said in a deep voice, "As I have said before, on the path of cultivation, one’s cultivation level is the torso and one’s techniques are the limbs. You cannot do without either."

"The sect’s grand competition is approaching, so we at the Spirit Dao Institute are holding a small meet to test everyone’s skills. I expect you all to give it your utmost effort."

Hearing this, many of the disciples grew tense.

While the Supervising Elders didn’t teach skills, they held the power of oversight. After a disciple completed three years at the Spirit Dao Institute, the supervisors would leave comments on the Body Stone. If a disciple performed poorly and they wrote a bad review or two, it would greatly affect their future assignments.

"First-year disciples, don’t just stand there and watch the show. You must study what you see and learn to apply it," Elder Nie added.

In contrast to the stern-faced Elder Nie, Elder Wu was much more amicable. He smiled and said, "Just dueling with Magic gets a little boring. Let’s start with three small competitions."

"These won’t be part of the official assessment. Anyone who wants to can participate. Think of it as a warm-up before the main event. The first-place winner will receive a bottle of Nourishing Essence Pills."

He paused, then continued, "The three competitions are: a Divine Movement Race, an Illusion Array Escape, and a Marksmanship Trial."

The disciples hadn’t expected this part of the program and burst out with curious questions. "Elder, what kind of Magic do the three competitions test?"

"The Divine Movement Race, is it about who runs fastest?"

"Is the Marksmanship Trial a test of Magic accuracy?"

"The Illusion Array Escape, do we enter an Illusion Array?"

Letting the disciples guess for a moment, Elder Wu said with a broad smile, "You’re all pretty much on the mark. The Divine Movement Race, as its name suggests, is a test of the Divine Movement Skill. We’ll see who reaches the finish line first."

"For the Illusion Array Escape, you’ll enter an Illusion Array. We’ll see who can see through the phantoms and break free the fastest."

"As for the Marksmanship Trial, it’s similar to an archery competition in the mortal realm, except you’ll be using Magic instead of bows and arrows."

With that, he beckoned towards the side of the field. "We’ll start with the Divine Movement Race. Those who are interested can enter the field."

"The rules are simple. Two white lines are drawn on the ground. You run from one end to the other. The first to arrive wins."

"Remember, you may only use the Divine Movement Skill to enhance your Body Technique. No martial arts, talismans, or other methods are allowed."

After Elder Wu finished speaking, a few attendant disciples walked into the field and drew two conspicuous white lines on the ground.

The two white lines were about a hundred zhang apart, with a flag planted next to each one.

’The Cultivation Realm’s hundred-meter dash?’

A smile touched Zhao Lin’s lips. It was a shame he couldn’t participate; otherwise, he doubted anyone here would be his match.

’Compared to those rogue cultivators from the last mission, Sheng Jinlong, Tao Huang, and the others... my top speed is faster than an expert-level Divine Movement Skill, just a bit shy of the Grand Achievement stage.’

Among the disciples present, those who had cultivated the Divine Movement Skill to Minor Achievement were few and far between. Winning wouldn’t be a problem for him.

"Senior Brother Zhao, are you participating?"

Tong Mu asked Zhao Lin.

"I’d like to, but the rules don’t allow it."

Zhao Lin smiled faintly and asked in return, "Junior Tong wants to participate, doesn’t he?"

Seeing that his thoughts had been read, Tong Mu blushed. "Senior Brother, do you think I should?"

"Of course you should!"

Zhao Lin said with certainty. "The Divine Movement Skill is a non-elemental Magic. It works by channeling Spiritual Power into your legs to increase your running speed."

How fast you run depends only partly on the Magic; your physical condition matters just as much.

Tong Mu was born on the vast grasslands. He spent his years chasing cattle and sheep and evading wild beasts, so he was an excellent runner. In that respect, he was definitely ahead of most of the other disciples.

"Okay, I’ll go up there then!"

Encouraged, Tong Mu’s confidence surged, and he started to walk onto the field.

"Wait."

Zhao Lin stopped him and asked, "How are you planning to run?"

"How am I planning to run?"

Tong Mu was taken aback. "Just... run from a standing start? How else would I run?"

"The hundred-zhang dash will be over in a few breaths. Victory will be decided by the smallest margin, so the start is crucial. I have a way to give you an edge right from the beginning."

Zhao Lin recalled the crouch start from his past life. He bent down, placed his hands on the ground, put one leg forward in a half-squat, and knelt with the other leg behind him. Looking back at Tong Mu, he said, "Here, try doing this."

"This will make me run faster?"

Dubious, Tong Mu bent down and copied Zhao Lin’s posture.

Zhu Cong and Li Sancai looked at the two curiously, not understanding why such a strange posture would help with running.

Tong Mu tried pushing off with his leg and said in pleasant surprise, "It really works! I can put more power into it!"

"Hands slightly wider than your shoulders. Your feet should be about a foot and a half apart."

Zhao Lin helped Tong Mu correct his posture and instructed, "When the race starts, push off the ground with your hands, swing them back forcefully, lean your body forward, and give yourself the greatest possible acceleration..."

Though Tong Mu only half-understood the explanation, after a bit of practice, he quickly got the hang of it.

By now, more than twenty disciples had walked into the field, standing scattered near the white line.

"It’s about to start. Go on."

Zhao Lin listened intently for a moment, then pointed to a disciple in the field with his hands behind his back and an arrogant expression. "See that guy? His name is Zong Song. He’s cultivated the Divine Movement Skill to Minor Achievement. He’s your strongest opponent."

"When you get on the field, go stand next to him."

Tong Mu asked in confusion, "Senior Brother, he runs fast. Why should I stand next to him?"

Zhao Lin patiently explained, "You’ve mastered a better starting stance, so you’ll definitely burst out in front. But his mastery of the Divine Movement Skill is higher than yours, so he’ll catch up in the second half."

"So remember, when you notice him catching up, move to block him! But you can only do it once. Afterwards, you can claim it was unintentional. A second time would be deliberate."

In a proper sprint, runners have their own lanes, so they can’t interfere with each other. But since there were no lanes drawn here, one could reasonably exploit the rules.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, his opponent wouldn’t dare to push or bump him.

"Okay, I’ll listen to Senior Brother."

Tong Mu understood. He jogged onto the field and came to a stop beside Zong Song.

Zong Song glanced sideways at Tong Mu, curled his lip dismissively, and repeatedly formed the hand seals for the Divine Movement Skill’s Spell, preparing for the competition.

"Anyone else want to join?"

Elder Wu asked twice. Seeing no one else come forward, he said, "No one is to cast any spells before I say ’start,’ or you will be disqualified."

"Alright, everyone, get ready!"

Hearing this, Tong Mu squatted down, assuming the crouch start position.

His action immediately drew everyone’s attention.

"What’s he doing? Why is he kneeling?"

"I don’t get it. Doesn’t he have to stand up to run anyway? Why waste the effort?"

"Heh heh, a grassland barbarian indeed. He probably wants to run on all fours..."

Elder Wu also glanced at Tong Mu, frowning slightly. In a deep voice, he called out, "Three, two, one... Start!"

The moment his voice fell, the disciples shot off.

More than twenty people surged forward together, forming hand seals as shouts of "Divine Movement Skill!" rose one after another.

Just then, a figure shot out from the pack. WHOOSH! He was gone.

The watching disciples were all stunned. ’Who’s that fast?’ they thought.

Looking closely, they saw it was a young man with large hands and feet and a flushed face.

Tong Mu’s feet pounded against the ground. He took off at a blistering pace, and empowered by the Divine Movement Skill, his speed continued to climb as his body straightened from its forward lean.

He left everyone else in the dust.

Everyone’s jaws dropped, leaving them frozen like statues.