The Heavy Staff Form was powerful, but it lacked the flexibility to keep up with Chen Meng's speed.
In an instant, a flurry of thoughts rushed through Lin Ye's mind.
[Staff Form Switching: Flower Staff Form!]
The style of the long staff in his hands changed in an instant.
It was no longer about heavy, powerful strikes. Instead, it became a whirlwind, weaving a dense web of afterimages.
DING DING DANG DANG!
The dense series of clashes rang out like a torrential downpour, blending into a single, continuous sound.
Lin Ye's figure weaved and dodged through the blur of spear thrusts. With unbelievable speed and frequency, the long staff in his hands precisely met the tip of every one of Chen Meng's strikes.
He had completely abandoned offense, pouring all his energy into defense.
A watertight defense!
Not a single opening!
Everyone was dumbstruck.
If their earlier clash had showcased Lin Ye's astonishing power, then what he was displaying now was a level of Staff Skill and reaction speed that was beyond their comprehension.
Even though anyone with eyes could see that their instructor, Chen Meng, was holding back the entire Pacific Ocean, they knew that none of them could perform at Lin Ye's level.
"This... Is this fucking Basic Staff Skill?"
"How can his staff move so fast? It's like a windmill!"
A smile touched the corner of Chen Meng's mouth.
It confirmed his suspicion.
'Judging by the way this kid wields his staff, he must have reached the Unity Realm.'
Time passed, second by second.
The one-minute limit had long been passed.
[Ding! Urgent Mission "Fight or Die" has been completed!]
[You have obtained: EXP +150, Skill Points +1!]
[New mechanic unlocked: Soul Furnace!]
The system notifications rang in his mind, but Lin Ye didn't dare let his focus waver for an instant.
He could feel Chen Meng's assault growing even more relentless.
"Your defense is good."
Chen Meng's voice rang out again, this time holding a hint of genuine approval.
"However, it's too conventional. Too easy to predict."
The moment he finished speaking, the intensity of Chen Meng's spear surged once more.
The long spear in his hand was no longer just fast; it now had a rhythm.
A terrifying, heart-pounding rhythm of life and death!
At times it was a torrential downpour; at others, a gentle spring breeze brushing against a willow; and then, it became the insidious, fatal strike of a viper.
A perfect union of fast and slow, hard and soft!
In an instant, Lin Ye's defensive perimeter was torn open!
HISS!
The wind from the spear tip grazed his cheek, leaving a searing pain in its wake.
Cold sweat broke out on Lin Ye's forehead.
He knew he couldn't keep up.
Chen Meng had only turned up the heat slightly, and already Lin Ye couldn't take it.
This wasn't a gap that talent and hard training could bridge overnight.
'What should I do?'
'A direct clash means death.'
'Hunkering down to defend also means death.'
'Since I'm dead either way...'
'Then I'll have to find a way to survive amidst the chaos!'
[Staff Form: Chaos Staff Form!]
To everyone's astonishment, Lin Ye's previously meticulous Staff Skill instantly fell apart.
His staff movements became completely patternless, defying all logic.
One moment it was a downward strike to the head, the next a sneak attack from behind. He even used the butt of his staff to jab at Chen Meng's ankle!
It was the kind of fighting you'd see in a street brawl!
And yet, this seemingly ridiculous style of fighting caused a slight hitch in Chen Meng's otherwise fluid and graceful spear work.
He couldn't predict Lin Ye's next move.
He was also shocked by Lin Ye's Staff Skill, which, despite looking like a tangled mess, was brutally effective.
In the instant that this slight hesitation appeared.
Lin Ye seized the opportunity. With a fierce roar, he swung his staff from an impossible angle, smashing it down on the right wrist Chen Meng used to hold his spear.
The attack was completely unexpected.
Chen Meng's expression changed subtly.
He had no time to change his form and could only drop his wrist, using the spear's shaft to block the blow.
CLANG!
Another deafening crash!
Chen Meng was actually forced back half a step by the blow!
Although Lin Ye still hadn't broken through his guard, this was the first time Chen Meng had been forced to retreat since the fight began!
The entire arena was dead silent.
Everyone was frozen in place, as if struck by a Body Fixing Skill.
'Did he win?'
No.
By forcing Chen Meng back, Lin Ye had overexerted himself and left a huge opening.
This time, Chen Meng did not hold back.
He released the butt of the spear with his left hand, which then shot out like lightning to grip the middle of the shaft, instantly shortening his weapon.
A flick of his wrist.
A silver glint, there and gone in a flash.
Lin Ye's vision blurred, and a cold chill was already pressed against his throat.
The tip of the spear was perfectly steady, not a millimeter off.
The victor had been decided.
Lin Ye was drenched in sweat, which fell like rain.
Facing a Martial Artist of this caliber made Lin Ye tremble, even if they were technically in the same realm.
'The pressure is immense!'
But the gains were equally enormous.
Lin Ye retracted his long staff and gave Chen Meng a deeply respectful bow.
"Thank you for your guidance, Instructor!"
Chen Meng slowly withdrew the long spear.
The suffocating, murderous aura that had filled the air vanished with it.
He once again became that stern and unsmiling class instructor.
"Who taught you that Staff Skill?"
Chen Meng asked in a deep voice.
He couldn't fathom how the standard-issue "Basic Staff Skill" of the Federation could produce such results.
Especially that last chaotic flurry—it was completely unpredictable, unlike anything he had ever seen.
"Sir, I just figured it out on my own."
'I can't very well say my Goblin System taught me, can I?'
Chen Meng gave Lin Ye a deep look and didn't press the issue.
On the path of martial arts, everyone has their own fortuitous encounters and secrets.
The gifted are always a little different.
"Not bad. Keep up the good work."
For the students who knew his personality, those simple words were the highest form of praise.
He turned, his gaze sweeping over the whole arena, his voice regaining its usual authority.
"Did you all see that?"
"There are no shortcuts on the path of martial arts, only constant, arduous refinement!"
"But by the same token, there is no fixed formula! True masters dare to break convention and forge their own path!"
"Lin Ye, today, has taught all of you a lesson!"
"Class dismissed!"
With that, Chen Meng's body dissolved into motes of light as he logged out of the Virtual Space.
As soon as he left, the frozen atmosphere in the arena thawed and instantly erupted into chaos.
Countless pairs of eyes shot toward Lin Ye, filled with curiosity, awe, and a desire to understand.
"Ah Ye, you were fucking awesome today!"
"This is the first time I've ever seen Mr. Chen praise someone!"
Li Jun was the first to rush over, excitedly nudging Lin Ye with his elbow.
"Dude, when did you get so incredible? You've been holding out on us!"
Lin Ye just smiled and didn't explain.
His entire attention was immersed in his system panel.
[Host: Lin Ye]
[Race: Goblin]
[Level: LV2 (162/400)]
[BOSS Mechanics: Healing out of combat (White), Soul Furnace (Green)]
[Current Phase: P1, Remaining Phases Locked]
[Free Attribute Points: 1]
[Skill Points: 2]
'150 EXP and 1 skill point from a single fight!'
'Just as I thought. Facing someone stronger than me yields way more experience than just training by myself.'
'It seems fighting powerful opponents is the fastest way for a Boss to level up!'
His gaze finally landed on the new mechanic.