Chapter 60

### Third Floor of the Starry Sky Tower, Tropical Rainforest Environment

In the dark and humid rainforest, vines grew wildly. Xu Jingming, holding two shields like a phantom, dashed through the forest. Large tigers, equally swift and agile, roared and pounced at him, coordinating naturally.

*Pang!*

While dodging, Xu Jingming smashed one of the tigers' heads with his shield, causing it to stagger and roll before getting back up.

"Body like fire, with a thought, it erupts."

"The shield techniques taught by Master are geared towards control, making enemies like pawns. They are meant to be used with the body like water realm," Xu Jingming thought. "I am different from Master. Although I have reached the third stage and my evolution technique has broken through, my body is like thunder and fire, erupting with a single thought. Therefore, my spear techniques, shield techniques, and footwork should all suit my style."

"My shield techniques should not be about control, but about eruption! Ultimate eruption!"

"Eruption!"

Xu Jingming's eyes were faintly red, charging recklessly through the forest. A single strike from his shield sent a large tiger flying, and a jab from the edge of the shield made the tiger spit blood and suffer severe injuries. Clearly, after breaking through his evolution technique, his physical attributes were no less than those of the large tigers, and his skills were even more superior.

As long as the Tiger King didn't intervene, the tiger pack's attack was excellent practice.

"Eight Extremes, Tiger Pounce!" Xu Jingming exerted force with his feet, taking two steps and blurring his figure. The two shields were like giant tiger claws, colliding head-on with a pouncing tiger.

*Pang!!*

The two shields met the large tiger, and Xu Jingming was firmly rooted to the spot, his feet sinking to the knee. The large tiger was thrown backward, landing with blood foaming from its mouth and nose, twitching slightly but otherwise motionless.

"The force of the Eight Extremes Tiger Pounce is smooth, but the other moves still feel a bit awkward," Xu Jingming thought, glancing at his personal combat stats. His shield techniques and footwork were still at 99% of the second stage, clearly not recognized by the virtual world system as having reached the third stage.

"The third-stage spear techniques can erupt at will, with each move and form flowing smoothly. But the shield techniques... only one move is somewhat smooth," Xu Jingming said to himself. "I need more practice."

"If the shield techniques can also break through, my control over my body will be even more perfect." Xu Jingming understood this and continued to battle the tiger pack, which also attacked him with all their might.

******

### Morning, Family Courtyard

Xu Jingming practiced the *Heavenly Python Evolution Technique* in the courtyard. In reality, he practiced three times a day, with at least an hour between each session, which was still quite easy.

*Whoosh.* After one round of practice, Xu Jingming's body was flushed red, steam rising, his blood and qi boiling, and his muscles and bones deeply vibrating. The natural heat waves he emitted surged powerfully around him.

Li Miaomiao, eating a bun, watched and couldn't help but say, "Jingming, when you practice the evolution technique, your whole body turns red, and I can feel the heat waves from a few meters away. When I practice, there's no such effect."

"When you reach the advanced stage of the evolution technique, there will be effects," Xu Jingming said. He felt as if there was a large furnace inside him, the surging heat deeply affecting his entire body.

"I'm still at the beginner stage, far from that," Li Miaomiao sighed. "By the way, in the first round of the Fire Seed Cup, our opponent is Team 22, the Thousand Sails Team. Have you looked at their team data? What do you think?"

"The Thousand Sails Team only has Hao Fan, who was once a national team member. The other members are civilian players, and they don't even have an archer," Xu Jingming said. "With such a team configuration, ranking 22nd is quite remarkable."

Li Miaomiao nodded.

"They are an excellent team, and those civilian players are quite rare. But they don't pose a threat to us."

"That's good," Li Miaomiao responded.

...

### A Rural Courtyard

"Brother, the main tournament starts tonight," a burly young man said. "Our opponent is the Pear Wood Team. Can we win?"

"Qianyun."

A middle-aged man, resembling an old farmer, smiled. "The competition is not just about winning. It's about discovering your shortcomings and becoming stronger! The virtual world has only been open for a little over a month. Currently, professional players like me and Xu Jingming still have an advantage. But in the long run, those with talent like you have a brighter future."

"Brother, you were once in the world's top eight, you have talent too," the young man said.

"Haha, your talent is even higher," the middle-aged man, Hao Fan, laughed. "Regardless, we must admit that the Pear Wood Team has Wang Yi, one of the top three archers in the country, and four protectors: Xu Jingming, Heng Fang, Yang Qingshuo, and Liu Chongyuan. Overall, their team is stronger than ours. Approach the match with a learning mindset, and a mindset to discover your shortcomings. Enjoy the competition."

"Wait for the next tournament, that's when you will become famous nationwide, and even worldwide." Hao Fan looked at his brother with anticipation. After retiring, he returned to his hometown and started teaching disciples. Among his hometown disciples, his brother Hao Qianyun had the most potential, even more than he did as a former national team member.

"Okay," Hao Qianyun nodded.

******

### The Fire Seed Cup Main Tournament, September 2nd, 00:00

In the official live stream room, there was a host and two guests.

"The opening match of the Fire Seed Cup is between the Liu Hai Elderly Team and the Changnan Team," the host, Liu Xin, smiled. "Let's interview the two teams first."

The six members of the Liu Hai Elderly Team and the six members of the Changnan Team stood to the side.

"First, let's talk to the Liu Hai Elderly Team," the host, Liu Xin, walked over and asked with a smile, "Liu Hai, do you have anything to say to your opponents?"

Liu Hai smiled at his five companions.

Dai Tongda, with a small braid and the highest looks, smiled and said, "Changnan Team, we won't go easy on you! If you want to face Master Liu Hai, you have to get through us four first."

"You should respect the elderly," the oldest, Zhou Fan, chuckled.

"The best way to respect is to eliminate you," the bald captain of the Changnan Team, Liu Bo, said.

...

### Moments Later, Snowfield Battlefield

"Stop shooting, stop shooting," Liu Bo, covered in blood, shouted, "Can you give me a one-on-one chance?"

His four teammates had been shot dead, leaving only him.

"Old Zhou, your archery is remarkable, you can definitely compete with the top ten archers," Dai Tongda smiled. The elderly archer, Zhou Fan, laughed heartily, "Zhou Yi's rapid archery was taught by me!"

"Fine, you get a one-on-one chance," the burly and fierce Xu Hong from the elderly team said.

Xu Hong was even more burly and heavier than his son, Xu Jingming.

"Good!"

Liu Bo, with a fierce look, charged forward, thinking, "No matter what, I have to kill one! Otherwise, it's too pitiful to not get a single kill."

Liu Bo, holding two axes, ran through the snow, each step causing the ground to tremble.

"Kill!" Liu Bo charged at Xu Hong.

He was relieved, finally not having to worry about the terrifying arrows!

"Roar~"

Xu Hong let out a low roar, his eyes like tiger eyes. The *Fierce Tiger Evolution Technique* he practiced allowed him to burst with terrifying power in two steps, his two shields striking out! This was a move he had practiced for forty years! His entire life was dedicated to mastering this move!

This pounce, no one can stop!

Even if the sky falls, I will pounce through it!

Eight Extremes! Tiger Pounce!

*Pang!!!*

Under the shield's impact, Liu Bo's dual axes felt the terrifying force, and he involuntarily left the ground, flying backward.

*Whoosh!* A flying knife pierced Liu Bo's neck as he flew backward.

Dai Tongda, holding the flying knife, laughed from the side, "Kid, let me tell you a lesson: in a competition, don't trust your opponent."

The Changnan Team, all defeated!