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Chapter 78

The essence of spear arts lay in thrusting, which brought out its ultimate potential. Slashing was only used when the skill or circumstances did not allow for a thrust, and techniques like spinning or pressing could also be integrated into thrusting.

The most formidable spear wielder that Sword Emperor Yeon Mu-Hyuk had faced was the Sky Dragon Spear Ak Jin. Ak Jin was the last opponent he had defeated during his dueling spree back then.

The principles behind the Ak Family Spear Art and the Yang Family Spear Art differ fundamentally, but they both prioritize thrusting.

The Yang Family Spear Art was ever-changing, and it was a martial art that was unparalleled in combat once it gained momentum. In contrast, the Ak Family Spear Art was all about continuously pressing the opponent, never giving them a chance to regain their footing. Galano’s Spear Art, Maelstrom, was similar to the Ak Family Spear Art.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The shaft of Leonard’s harpoon moved dazzlingly, striking the lower part of the opponent\'s harpoon to disperse the momentum of his thrust. This defensive maneuver was known as the Dispersing Spear in the Yang Family Six Harmonies Eight Mothers Spear Art.

This technique was typically used to break the opponent’s combo right before they managed to execute it. This intricate series of transformations was why it was called the Pear Blossom Spear Art, and it was the essence of the Yang Family Spear Art.

Galano, having almost no experience fighting against spear masters of equal or greater skill, was overwhelmed. His sparring with his brother Dentuso had been just that, sparring, and both of them used Maelstrom, making it hard for them to catch the other off guard despite the gap in their skill levels.

Galano desperately tried to regain control, but Leonard countered his harpoon with Revolving Spear, leaving a nick on his neck. It was a superficial wound, but had it been an inch deeper, it would have severed his carotid artery.

Galano shuddered, realizing he had just brushed against death. Losing control in a situation where he was already on the defensive was fatal.

As the harpoons’ tips clashed and locked together, both men simultaneously kicked at each other. Galano threw a low kick at Leonard’s ankle, much like a chopping axe.

Reading the kick, Leonard stepped on Galano’s shin and, lifting his other leg, struck him in the side with his knee. Not going full force, he didn’t break any bones or cause internal bleeding, but he did knock the wind out of his opponent.

“Kugh!”

Galano did well by tightening his abdominal muscles to minimize the impact, but he was still outmatched. Leonard, having firmly established his dominance, anticipated several moves ahead.

If I push like this for just five more seconds, I could pierce his heart.

However, Leonard had no intention of killing him. If Galano was defeated without being able to fully display his abilities, this entire duel would have been meaningless. Thus, Leonard deliberately slowed down his momentum to give Galano a chance to catch his breath and fight with all his might.

“Haah!”

Galano thrust his harpoon with all his might, pulling the surrounding air into a vortex.

Maelstrom—by creating a vortex, this spear art increased the destructive power of the thrust and repelled any force interfering in its path. If anyone carelessly touched the spear shaft, they would be caught in its rotational force and have their vital points pierced.

It’s a spear art that relies on rotational force, huh?

Among the various forms of force, the rotational force, fundamental to martial arts, was extremely powerful and difficult to master. Unlike penetration force, which thrust internal force into the opponent, rotational force relied on external force; it drew in power from outside the body, making it explosively powerful.

Leonard was impressed by Galano’s consistent form.

It’s said that mastering one skill allows the user to overpower ten thousand different techniques.

With that thought, Leonard calmly thrust his harpoon.

The only flaws are the imperfect moves and technique.

Maelstrom’s thrust collided with the Yang Family Six Harmonies Eight Mothers Spear Art’s thrust.

Block—spinning the spear in an outward rotation to diminish the vortex’s rotation; Pin—accurately pressing down in the opening formed due to the weakened rotational force; Pierce—piercing the vortex that had lost its axis in one swift move.

The most fundamental spear techniques transitioned seamlessly into one smooth flow, piercing through the eye of the storm like flowing water.

Clang—!

Galano staggered back four steps, blood spurting from the hand that held the harpoon. The shaft, unable to fully absorb the shock, vibrated violently, sending ripples through his bones and muscles.

If Leonard had used aura, the impact would have caused severe internal injuries. Despair overwhelmed Galano as he realized just how vast the gap between them was as spearmen.

At that moment, Leonard said, “Your supporting foot is weak. Plant it deeper.”

“What—!?”

Without waiting for a response, Leonard thrust his harpoon again. Galano instinctively stepped back, narrowly avoiding the blade, and planted his front foot into the ground. Simultaneously, a second vortex formed.

Galano’s Maelstrom First Form clashed again with Leonard’s Block-Pin-Pierce combination.

Clang—!

Galano was pushed back three steps this time, but his eyes still burned with determination despite losing the exchange. He couldn’t help it, as this time he had been pushed three steps, not four; it was an undeniable sign of progress.

After stagnating for eight years, he was finally making progress.

“Loosen your grip on the harpoon shaft by half. Apply full power only at the moment of rotation. Also, have firm control on your fingers as well, not just your wrist and elbow.”

“...”

Galano gave no response. As though in a trance, he followed Leonard’s advice, loosening his grip and extending his focus from his wrist to his fingertips.

With that, their third clash ensued.

Clang—!

Galano retreated two steps and wiped the blood off the harpoon shaft. Bleeding and pain were irrelevant; if the shaft became slippery, his grip would weaken.

Leonard, observing his concentration, spoke with satisfaction, “Don\'t use rotational force only for attacking. Deflect incoming impacts with rotation as well. Rotational force isn\'t just about amplifying power. It\'s also capable of dissipating it.”

Block and Pin, which Leonard had used to neutralize Maelstrom’s rotation, used the same principle. Inward rotation gathered force, but outward rotation dispersed it. Without mastering both inward and outward rotational forces, Galano’s Maelstrom would remain second-rate.

Clang—! Finally, Galano managed to stop at just being pushed back one step. He managed to dissipate the recoil of the clash with outward rotation, his hand not bleeding this time.

Each time their thrusts clashed, and each time Leonard offered a piece of advice, Galano improved.

The rate of his growth was so unbelievable that those eight years of stagnation seemed like a lie, a nightmare from which Galano had finally woken up. For him, this kind of thrill was more intoxicating than any drug. His eyes pleaded with Leonard to teach him more.

“Hmm. To follow me to the very last step, you must enter the state of Intent,” Leonard explained. However, ignoring the desperate gaze of his opponent, he lowered his harpoon.

“Intent?”

“It’s basically the requirement to reach the Transcendence Tier. Your technique has reached its peak with the advice I just gave you. Now, you have to level up to grow stronger.”

It was impossible for the current Galano. When one reaches the Ninth or Tenth Degree External Force Tier, the wall of the upper dantian starts to crumble.

However, breaking that wall was another matter entirely. Even Bradley, the banneret and second-in-command of the Order of the Fledgling Dragon, was only at the level of unleashing massive sword energies with the power of his upper dantian.

Galano, who hadn’t even reached the Tenth Degree External Force Tier and had wasted eight years, was far from capable of achieving that.

“...I see.”

Accepting the explanation, Galano lowered his harpoon. Leonard had just put an end to his eight years of idle wandering, a grace he could never repay.

The shock still reverberated through his arm, but the tingling pain was overwhelmed by a sense of accomplishment many times stronger.

Leonard, waiting patiently for Galano to process his emotions, finally spoke, “Did you see a new path?”

At first, Galano made no response. Instead, he set aside his harpoon and bowed deeply. Unlike before, he was now treating his opponent with respect.

“I deeply thank you for your teachings. I was indeed a frog in a well, unaware of the vast ocean.”

“Are you afraid of the sea?” Leonard went on.

“I was.”

“Are you afraid of tomorrow?”

“I was.”

“And now?”

Galano closed his eyes for a few moments before opening them wide with determination. “I am still afraid, but I shall not be afraid forever!”

“Good.” Leonard nodded in approval, acknowledging the man who had done nothing but run away until now. “If you’d had said you weren\'t afraid, I would have left you here. Courage is not about fearing nothing, but about facing your fears without giving up.”

Leonard then stepped aside, making way for Frances, who had been watching their duel. Understanding Leonard’s intention, she walked forward.

Galano looked awkwardly at her, clearly embarrassed. Breaking his shell in the duel with Leonard had made him realize how shamefully he had been running away.

However, Frances saw that Galano’s demeanor had returned to what it used to be long ago and smiled brightly.

“Uncle Galano.”

“Frances.”

Calling each other’s name instantly dispelled the awkwardness, and the captain of the recently reformed Aquamarine carried on speaking to Galano, the Whale Hunter.

“Just as my father recruited Uncle Dentuso himself, I want to recruit you into my team, Uncle Galano. I’ll ask one last time. Will you come on board Aquamarine? What do you say?”

At Frances\'s bold invitation, Galano burst into laughter. “Hahaha! That’s an offer hard to refuse.”

“If we didn’t have any old ties, I would have left you behind already. I\'m asking again because of Leonard. If you’d kept those lifeless fish eyes, there wouldn’t have been a second chance.”

“I know that well. Good thing I have no mirror in here. I wouldn’t want to know how awful I looked.”

With a self-deprecating smile, Galano took a few steps forward and bowed before Frances. No longer just a familiar uncle, he now greeted the captain as an adventurer. Placing the harpoon at his feet, he extended his hands without meeting Frances\' eyes.

“I am the Rank B adventurer of Bermuda, Whale Hunter Galano. I swear by the sea that I will not waver upon the waves nor turn back before the storm.”

Frances clasped his hands and responded, “I am Frances, the captain of the Rank A expedition team, Aquamarine. I accept your vow, adventurer Galano. In the name of my father, Njord Ler von Okeanos, I promise not to lose our way in the face of the approaching waves and storms.”

Though it was an old custom almost forgotten within the Atlantis Maritime Alliance, they were earnest. It was because both Njord and Dentuso had performed this ceremony upon joining the Aquamarine Expedition Team.

After exchanging vows, Galano and Frances smiled and nodded at each other before returning to their normal, casual manner.

“Oh, by the way, Frances?”

“Yes?”

“Why did you introduce Aquamarine as a Rank A expedition team? I recall Aquamarine being demoted to Rank B after the incident.”

Galano most probably knew nothing about the staked duel that had taken place the day before. Either he had been hammered or the news from Bermuda had not yet reached this remote slum.

“I’ll explain that when we get back to the ship! First, let’s wake those big guys up! You won’t get to see them for a while once we return to Aquamarine.”

“Sounds good. Just wait for me a bit longer. It won’t take long since they’ll manage well even without me.”

That was the moment that Galano, a Ninth Degree External Force Tier adventurer, inscribed his name on the roster of the Aquamarine Expedition Team.

Now, with the sisters, Vivian and Ninian, as well as Galano, they had three members. Including Marianne and Leonard, their combat force increased to five. They didn’t know how many more members they needed, but it was clear that their current numbers weren’t enough.

A spiritualist, an archer, two swordsmen, and a spearman—their current lineup desperately needed a mage.

Hmm, it would be great if we could bring Esther in.

Though a high-rank spiritualist had great versatility, finding a class more adept at improvising than a mage was difficult. They needed at least a Class 5 or Class 6 Mage. That was the requirement for Aquamarine’s next member.