I Can Control Resources

Chapter 317: Chapter 264: A King’s Contempt

On the screen...

Shen Ning’Er thrust her spear, a seemingly ordinary attack.

She didn’t use a domain.

Nor did she use her Spiritual Power.

If one had to describe the feeling of that thrust in a single word... it would be ’fast’!

In fact, it was unbelievably fast!

The spear shot out.

Like a dragon bursting from the sea!

The rosy glow that had been flickering in the mist suddenly froze. Then, a splash of fresh blood flew out, spattering on the ground.

"A hit?!" The members of the Dragon List special task force stared with wide eyes.

It wasn’t that Shen Ning’Er’s spear thrust was weak.

It was just... too strange.

It was as if Shen Ning’Er knew exactly where Cheng Cai was going to move and thrust her spear in anticipation, landing a perfect hit.

"..." Zhang Hongying was also stunned for a moment.

She knew Shen Ning’Er’s fighting style. It was precisely because she knew that she found this so odd. Normally, Shen Ning’Er would manifest her energy the moment a fight began.

That was the standard practice of the Military Department.

Never underestimate an opponent.

But today, Shen Ning’Er was displaying a kind of...

Contempt!

...

Huashan Ancient Sect.

Cheng Cai’s figure tumbled out of the mist and fell onto the arena platform. Directly under his armpit was a thumb-sized, bleeding hole, dripping with fresh blood.

"H-How is that possible?!" He stared at Shen Ning’Er.

His eyes were filled with disbelief. Only he and his master, Sect Leader Hua of the Huashan Ancient Sect, knew about the weakness under his arm.

Was it a coincidence?

Or was Shen Ning’Er’s gaze so sharp that he had nowhere to hide?

Of course, that wasn’t important. What was most important was that he had watched many videos of Shen Ning’Er’s fights.

Shen Ning’Er’s fighting style was domineering!

Her power, speed, and techniques were all considered perfect.

But it was definitely not like this, where she purely pursued speed.

’Why would Shen Ning’Er suddenly change her fighting style, and why does it perfectly counter me?!’

Cheng Cai couldn’t understand it. He was certain this was the first time he had ever met and fought Shen Ning’Er...

’She saw through my weakness in our very first exchange, decisively changed her style, and landed a spear strike right on my exposed armpit?!’

’Is that even possible?’

In fact, it wasn’t just Cheng Cai who found it impossible; Sect Leader Hua and the two Elders, who had just sat back down in their chairs, also found it impossible.

They were shocked once again.

And this time, the shock...

...was no less than when Gao Neng had just defeated Qu Ran.

After all, Sect Leader Hua knew very well that while Cheng Cai’s third form did indeed have a weakness, it was so small it was almost negligible.

Under normal circumstances, it would be extremely difficult for an opponent of the same rank to discover it.

Otherwise, Cheng Cai wouldn’t have been named the head disciple of the Huashan Ancient Sect, nor would he have achieved tenth place and an S-rank evaluation on the Dragon List.

But now?

His defense was broken in a single exchange?!

And with a strike that hit his weakness directly!

This completely exceeded Sect Leader Hua’s expectations.

The two Huashan Elders also felt like they could only look to the heavens in speechless despair.

"What is going on today?! Are Qu Ran and Cheng Cai both cursed?" the two Elders lamented. It was too bizarre. Gao Neng had seen through Qu Ran’s issue at a glance and immediately provoked him.

And now Shen Ning’Er was doing the same, exploiting a weakness right from the start. How were they supposed to fight this?

’Is Cheng Cai going to follow in Qu Ran’s footsteps?’

"..."

The crowd of reporters was also deathly silent.

But soon, they erupted into an uproar. The reason was... none of them really knew what had just happened, but it felt incredibly powerful!

So freakin’ strong!

She knocked Cheng Cai to the ground with a single spear thrust!

"Sister Ning’Er, you’re amazing! One more thrust, finish him off!" Fang Tangtang yelled at just the right moment. She was genuinely happy for Shen Ning’Er, as if she had won the victory herself.

As for Gao Neng,

he wasn’t surprised in the slightest.

’With Shen Ning’Er’s strength, and with prior knowledge of the weakness in Cheng Cai’s techniques, there was no way this challenge match could have any surprises, right?’

So, he felt it was about time for the next match to start.

"Fang Tangtang!" Gao Neng shot a look at Fang Tangtang. His meaning was obvious: ’It’s your turn to perform, what are you still doing playing cheerleader?’

"Go, Sister Ning’Er! You have to crush him!" Fang Tangtang’s eyes were sparkling. She hadn’t heard Gao Neng at all. Right now, her gaze was fixed solely on Shen Ning’Er.

"..."

’As expected, Fang Tangtang is so unreliable!’

There was nothing to be done...

He would just have to wait for Shen Ning’Er to finish her fight.

’Then again,’ he thought, ’that spear thrust from Shen Ning’Er just now was really fast.’

’Could I make a thrust that fast?’

The answer was...

There was a chance!

’Once I reach the sixth rank, I’ll have a chance!’

While he was thinking this, Shen Ning’Er, on the arena platform, raised her right hand and crooked her finger at Cheng Cai. Though she didn’t speak, her meaning was clear.

"Come on!"

"..." Cheng Cai gritted his teeth.

’I don’t believe it!’

’I refuse to believe Shen Ning’Er could see through my weakness at a glance. It has to be a coincidence. I have to calm down. I absolutely cannot lose my composure.’

Then, he moved again.

And this time, he moved with extreme caution.

On the platform, the rosy glow reappeared.

Mist swirled around him.

In terms of speed alone, Cheng Cai was even faster and steadier than before.

’Calm down, I must stay calm!’

’Step by step!’

’Look for the right opportunity!’

’Strike!’

Clear Wind Thirteen Forms, First Form!

A rosy glow appeared behind Shen Ning’Er.

Shen Ning’Er dodged.

Then, she crooked her finger again.

Cheng Cai ignored her, frantically repeating in his mind: ’My mind is like still water, my mind is like still water, my mind is like still water...’