"Since Grandpa asked me to teach you, I'll teach you properly. You're not allowed to slack off for the next few days," Qian Renxue said, crossing her arms. She slowly raised her right hand and hooked a finger at Lin Yu. "Come on, release your spirit and attack me. Let me see your combat basics."
"I won't release my spirit, and I'll suppress my spirit power to the same level as yours."
"Your task is to attack with everything you've got. If you can land a hit on me—even once—I'll reward you with a lollipop."
Lin Yu rolled his eyes. "Seriously? Sister Xue'er, you think I'm still a two-year-old brat? A lollipop counts as a reward?"
"Then what do you want?"
Lin Yu thought for a moment, then grinned mischievously. "Got it! If I manage to do it, then when today's training ends, you'll give me a massage. Knead my shoulders, rub my legs, loosen up my muscles and all that."
"Tch, you really know how to ask for things." Qian Renxue was speechless.
Still, she agreed readily, because in her view, Lin Yu had no chance of succeeding. "Fine! But you won't be able to do it."
"Well then, let's find out." Lin Yu shrugged.
Without further words, he activated his Martial Soul.
Behind him appeared the striking and handsome Angel Spirit with six wings in six different colors, representing seven elements. It looked grand and majestic.
Qian Renxue's phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly. "An Angel? What kind of Angel Martial Soul is that?"
"I call it the Elemental Angel!"
"Elemental Angel? Interesting. Bring it on."
A fighting spirit instantly surged in Lin Yu's chest. This was his first real combat since becoming a Spirit Master.
Even though Qian Renxue wasn't using her Martial Soul and had suppressed her spirit power to match his, Lin Yu knew she wouldn't be easy to deal with.
After all, when it came to combat fundamentals and experience—he was still a total rookie.
He charged at Qian Renxue and threw a straight punch with his left arm!
"Heh." Qian Renxue smirked and easily sidestepped the blow.
Lin Yu immediately swung his right arm in a hook.
Qian Renxue calmly raised her arm and blocked the punch.
Lin Yu quickly lifted his knee to try and land a knee strike, but Qian Renxue deflected it effortlessly again.
No matter how Lin Yu attacked—punches, kicks—Qian Renxue seemed to anticipate everything. He couldn't land a single hit.
"Your attacks have too many unnecessary movements. They're not clean or sharp. There's no rhythm, no flow. Most of the time, you're just flailing around with no structure or strategy!" Qian Renxue critiqued calmly as she effortlessly dodged and blocked, fully in control.
"So this is the difference in combat ability..."
For the first time, Lin Yu deeply understood the huge gap that battle experience could create.
Bang!
"Ugh!"
Qian Renxue finally struck back, landing a punch that sent Lin Yu staggering five meters back.
"Kid, in a battle between Spirit Masters, brute strength alone won't cut it. You have to use your brain."
"Before attacking, you need to plan your moves. After your first punch, what should your second, third, and fourth moves be? What sequence? What follow-ups?"
"Only with that kind of planning will your offensive become fierce, rhythmic, structured, and fluid. It'll also be much cleaner and sharper."
"Those with strong combat intuition can even make predictions. For example, if your first move is a left hook, you should anticipate how your opponent might block it—and then plan how to follow up based on that."
"At the same time, you need to stay focused and observant. Only then can you pick up on your opponent's subtle movements and anticipate their intentions."
"Like if they're clearly preparing to lift their left leg for a kick, you'll be able to respond in advance."
"Or if they're about to release a spirit ability. Got it, Lin Yu?"
Qian Renxue's lesson was packed with practical advice. Lin Yu absorbed it all, quietly processing and reflecting on her words.
After a short pause, Lin Yu's fighting spirit reignited. He shouted, "Again!"
Bang!
Lin Yu exploded forward in a sudden burst of speed, launching another attack at Qian Renxue.
This time, his moves were completely different—far more aggressive, polished, and composed than before.
"This kid… how is he improving so fast? Could he be a natural-born combat genius?" Qian Renxue was genuinely stunned.
Explaining something was one thing—understanding and applying it was another.
Everyone knows the theory.
But not everyone can truly grasp it.
What she explained wasn't difficult to understand. But how far one could actually go with it—how strong one could become—depended on countless days and nights of sweat, relentless fighting, constant practice, and steady accumulation of experience.
And yet Lin Yu, in this very moment, was displaying a talent that surpassed an ordinary Spirit Master's month of hard training!
"This Lin Yu is a total monster!"
Qian Renxue was full of admiration, though with her seven years of combat experience, this level still wasn't enough to threaten her.
She struck again, kicking Lin Yu into the air.
Bang!
"Absolutely no praise—can't let this brat get too cocky!" Qian Renxue thought to herself seriously. Outwardly, she said with a straight face, "Heh, not bad. You're making some progress."
"But with this level, thinking you can land a hit on me and earn a massage? Not a chance."
"Go ahead and use your spirit skill."
Qian Renxue was full of confidence, still convinced she had Lin Yu completely under control.
However, Lin Yu wore an even more confident smile. "Eh, Sister Xue'er, maybe you should consider releasing your Martial Soul. If I use my spirit skill, you're guaranteed to lose."
"Such arrogance. You really think just using your spirit skill means you can hit me? Even if your first skill is some kind of self-enhancing ability, with your current combat experience, it's still impossible to hurt me," Qian Renxue replied with a dismissive look.
"All right, just don't forget our bet," Lin Yu said with a grin.
"My first spirit skill is basically a cheat code in the early stages. With you not releasing your Martial Soul and suppressing your spirit power—even with seven years of combat experience—it'll be hard for you to avoid getting hit."
A single yellow spirit ring slowly rose beneath his feet.
"First Spirit Skill: Elemental Control!"
Seven types of ultimate elemental energy surged around Lin Yu as he entered his strongest state, his elemental control power enhanced by 100%.
He switched to fire as his primary element.
Then, slowly lifting both hands, he raised his index fingers, shaping them like pistols and pointing at Qian Renxue.
"Fire Control: Finger Gun!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Lin Yu's index fingers fired off rapid-fire bursts like machine guns, launching a barrage of high-compression, high-intensity fire bullets made of pure ultimate flame.
He unleashed a sweeping rain of fire in Qian Renxue's direction.
"This is your first spirit skill? Doesn't look like much."
Qian Renxue broke into a sprint, weaving through the bullets, rapidly closing the distance between them.
"Your speed's decent, and the power isn't bad either… but you still can't hit me!"