Teng Qingshan had been concentrating deeply these past few days. He realized— Because the shaft of the Samsara Spear lacked a blade, the force exerted when cleaving with the shaft was significantly diminished!

The same 1.6 million jin of strength, when used to cleave with the shaft versus thrusting with the tip, resulted in a vast difference in power. Before acquiring the ‘Ninth Form,’ although Teng Qingshan vaguely grasped an idea, he hadn't quite figured it out.

But upon obtaining the stone carving for this Ninth Form, as comprehension dawned, Teng Qingshan’s confusion quickly vanished. The spear tip was formidable!

All strength concentrated at a single point, yielding maximum penetration. But what about the spear shaft?

The shaft had its own advantages. While it couldn't concentrate force onto a single point, the shaft’s flexibility allowed Teng Qingshan to unleash a force akin to ‘Striking the Ox Through the Mountain’!

A spear tip couldn't execute this kind of delivery, but the shaft was perfectly suited for it. After much experimentation and contemplation.

He finally created the fifth move—Cleaving Mountain! “I knew it, Heaven is fair!

This Six-Legged Sabre Cicada has strong physical defense, two pairs of wings, and six sabre-like legs. As I suspected, its internal organs aren't particularly robust.

This vibrating force must have injured it,” Teng Qingshan felt even more confident about defeating the Six-Legged Sabre Cicada now. “Roar~~” With an angry low growl, the Six-Legged Sabre Cicada swiftly flew above Teng Qingshan, swinging all six long legs to attack him!

Under the flurry of the six sabre-legs, the upper half of the great tree Teng Qingshan stood upon was instantly shredded into fragments, some pulverized into dust by the Cicada’s wings. The six long legs attacked Teng Qingshan simultaneously from all directions.

“Clever enough to discover… the weakness of this move so quickly,” Teng Qingshan revealed a slight smile. The Cleaving Mountain move did have a flaw.

When Teng Qingshan first created ‘Poison Dragon Drill,’ every execution resulted in a momentary loss of control. Of course, the current ‘Poison Dragon Drill’ was flawless.

However, ‘Cleaving Mountain’ required a process of gathering momentum; in rapid combat, there was simply no time to charge up this move. Furthermore, against the Six-Legged Sabre Cicada, it could utilize all six sabre-legs to attack from every direction.

When Teng Qingshan cleaved with the Samsara Spear, he could only intercept one leg; the other five could instantly inflict severe wounds upon him! That was the weakness!

“Haha, Six-Legged Sabre Cicada, you are doomed to lose today.” Teng Qingshan leaped down towards the ground, while the Cicada swooped down, its six long legs rapidly closing in for the kill. Teng Qingshan twisted his right hand, rotating the Samsara Spear into the ‘Primordial Chaos’ stance.

Clang clang clang~~~ A series of clashing sounds made the surrounding earth tremble, trees disintegrated into powder, and a dense haze of dust filled the air. Through the swirling dust, Teng Qingshan, seeming clad in battle armor, flickered swiftly to evade, while the Six-Legged Sabre Cicada’s six long legs smashed down in unison, causing the ground to heave and crack, sending large amounts of rubble flying outwards like hidden projectiles.

Many fragments struck Teng Qingshan. The subtle vibrations on Teng Qingshan’s outer layer of Protective True Energy battle armor effortlessly deflected the impact.

“Before, I always felt the Six-Legged Sabre Cicada was stronger. Now it seems its strength is about the same as mine currently.” After a brief exchange, Teng Qingshan finally confirmed the Cicada’s power completely!

Its explosive physical force was likely around 1.6 million jin as well. If it utilized the turbulence from its two pairs of wings during a dive, its attacking power would be further increased.

“The Six-Legged Sabre Cicada has wings above its body; if I execute ‘Cleaving Mountain’ from above, the wings will obstruct it.” “If I strike the sabre-legs, they are hard and can transmit the vibration, enough to injure the Cicada. However, due to the obstruction of the legs, it will only result in light injuries for the Cicada.” Teng Qingshan understood in his heart that for the ‘Cleaving Mountain’ move to truly succeed, it needed to strike the Cicada’s body directly, without the interference of wings.

…… “Yo~~~” A high, excited cry rang out. The Azure Luan hovered high in the sky, its wings gently flapping.

Li Jun, dressed in white furs like a fairy, stood on the Luan’s back, gazing down at the battle between Teng Qingshan and the Six-Legged Sabre Cicada! …… At this moment, the sky was just beginning to brighten.

Dust billowed, and trees toppled one after another. Teng Qingshan scaled the cliff face, stepping upwards several times, before pushing off forcefully!

“Rumble~~” A large pit was gouged out of the cliff wall, and Teng Qingshan shot towards the Six-Legged Sabre Cicada like an arrow released from a bow. The Cicada roared, its six sabre-legs surrounding him again.

“Clang!” Teng Qingshan knocked aside one long leg; the sharp spikes on the leg scraped across him, but Teng Qingshan used the leg to spring further, propelling himself toward the Cicada’s abdomen. Once in close range, Teng Qingshan knew he could win!

Buzz~~ The two pairs of wings flapped, and the Cicada ascended rapidly. Simultaneously, its six long legs shot out like lightning, either retracting or slashing down, forming an inescapable net.

After a continuous barrage of clashes, Teng Qingshan was still shaken off. Teng Qingshan jammed his right foot into the cliff face, anchoring himself almost vertically against the wall, observing the Six-Legged Sabre Cicada hovering in mid-air.

“With six legs, it’s hard even to get close,” Teng Qingshan admitted, rubbing his temples slightly. The Cicada circled in the air; it too had realized how terrifying this human had become.

So far, it hadn’t injured Teng Qingshan, yet it had already sustained minor wounds! Now, in terms of sheer strength, Teng Qingshan was no weaker than it, and in terms of offensive techniques, Teng Qingshan was equally formidable!

It, too, pondered how to defeat the human before it! Both man and beast found the other incredibly difficult to handle.

And far away in the air, Li Jun, standing on the Azure Luan, watched with bated breath. …… “It seems I must use my strongest move,” Teng Qingshan realized that continuing this stalemate was just wasting time; he decided to deploy his ultimate technique.

Teng Qingshan extended his left hand. “Hiss hiss~~” Threads of Protective True Energy twisted and gathered in his palm, coalescing into a sphere, which then submerged back into his body.

“Now that I’ve reached the late stage of Protective True Energy, I can unleash this move.” Teng Qingshan pushed off the cliff face, soaring upward more than ten zhang, then drove off forcefully! Cracking the cliff wall, he shot directly towards the Six-Legged Sabre Cicada at the same height!

“Roar~~” The Cicada’s eyes faintly glowed crimson; its beastly pride forbade retreat. It violently flapped its two pairs of wings, leveraging the powerful thrust to swing its six giant scythe-like legs toward Teng Qingshan, tearing visible air blades from the atmosphere.

Teng Qingshan’s eyes were razor-sharp. He swiftly spun the Samsara Spear in his hand.

A stream of earth-yellow light rapidly gathered at the spear tip. Driven by the rotational force, this light also compressed as it spun.

When it reached the very tip, it transformed into a tiny earth-yellow pinpoint of light. Internal martial energy compressed into a single point—no one could doubt its destructive potential.

“Hah~~” As the True Energy rotated, Teng Qingshan gripped the shaft with both arms and gave a violent shake, causing the Samsara Spear shaft itself to spin. The tremendously potent force, combined with the condensed pinpoint of True Energy, converged at one location!

“Hiss hiss~~” At the spear tip, the concentrated point of True Energy combined with immense penetrating power, twisting space itself. The Six-Legged Sabre Cicada seemed to sense the danger and simultaneously blocked with all six legs!

“BOOM!!!” Space violently exploded! It sounded like heavenly thunder roaring in one's ears!

The strongest move of the Five Elements Spear of Xing Yi—Crimson Tiger’s Roar! The terrifying explosive force instantly blew apart the six blocking legs, a silver streak flashed past, and the Samsara Spear tip pierced directly into the Cicada’s abdomen.

Without the protection of wings, the single layer of scale armor was utterly incapable of blocking the spear tip. With a mere ‘hiss,’ the Samsara Spear plunged into the abdomen!

Beneath the scales was muscle layer, vastly weaker—a hundredfold, even a thousandfold less defensive. Halfway through the insertion, Teng Qingshan immediately pulled back.

“Whoosh!” Teng Qingshan stomped on the Cicada’s abdomen, gave a mighty push, and plunged downwards. Green blood sprayed out from the wound on the Six-Legged Sabre Cicada’s belly.

Teng Qingshan landed on the ground, while the muscles in the Cicada’s abdomen twitched, quickly stopping the bleeding. “You lost!” Teng Qingshan stood on the ground.

The Six-Legged Sabre Cicada also descended, its giant eyes on its triangular head fixed intently on Teng Qingshan. It knew that if Teng Qingshan hadn't held back, it would already be dead!

If Teng Qingshan had thrust the Samsara Spear deeper, channeling the Internal Martial Energy inside to explode, it would have been killed. “Roar~~” The Six-Legged Sabre Cicada let out a low growl.

“Crimson Tiger’s Roar, just as I predicted,” Teng Qingshan rejoiced inwardly. Before cultivating Internal True Energy, Teng Qingshan’s strongest move was ‘Crimson Tiger’s Roar,’ not ‘Poison Dragon Drill.’ Back at the walls of Yanjiang City, facing the opposing armies, Teng Qingshan used ‘Crimson Tiger’s Roar’ to utterly atomize a Void Core realm expert.

The Crimson Tiger’s Roar relied on the combination of Innate True Essence and physical strength. On the great plains, with Internal True Energy at the mid-stage, since Internal True Energy and Innate True Essence could not coexist, the Crimson Tiger’s Roar utilized physical strength plus Innate True Essence, yielding an explosive power of about one million jin.

However, Poison Dragon Drill used physical strength plus True Energy, making its power slightly superior! Internal True Energy was peculiar; only upon reaching the late stage could it condense into battle armor.

In the early stages, it manifested as flowing light, and in the mid-stage, it only formed rings. The Crimson Tiger’s Roar required extremely stringent conditions!

It demanded that energy gather at the spearhead, then spin and stack to condense into a single point. This level of control surpassed even the condensation required for ‘Battle Armor’!

In the early and middle stages of True Energy, this level of precision was impossible. But upon reaching the late stage, the True Energy transformed, allowing the easy formation of battle armor, which was simpler to control than ‘Innate True Essence.’ Naturally, this move could then be employed!

The base power of the True Energy was 800,000 jin, but the True Energy combining with the body allowed Teng Qingshan’s arms to unleash an additional 1.6 million jin of force. In other words—this ‘Crimson Tiger’s Roar’ could unleash 2.4 million jin of power!

Completely surpassing the destructive capability of ‘Poison Dragon Drill.’ “However, this move consumes True Energy drastically!” Teng Qingshan sighed inwardly. Its immense power came with a terrifying expenditure.

In his past life, Teng Qingshan’s strongest boxing technique was Tiger Cannon Fist! Now, his strongest piercing spear technique was the ‘Crimson Tiger’s Roar.’ Of course, the ‘Cleaving Mountain’ move was also potent, capable of achieving victory in one strike against beings with strong defenses but weak internal organs!

As for Poison Dragon Drill, it consumed very little Internal True Energy, allowing for prolonged use. ‘Shadow Following’ provided ceaseless momentum, while ‘Primordial Chaos’ offered the strongest defense.

Teng Qingshan’s five spear forms each possessed distinct advantages and disadvantages. “Fortunately, I had this move, otherwise, defeating this Six-Legged Sabre Cicada would have been truly difficult.” Teng Qingshan let out a faint smile.

“Brother Teng!” Li Jun’s voice called out. The Azure Luan swooped down from the sky, landing on the ground.

Li Jun leaped off the Luan’s back and ran over excitedly. “Brother Teng, you won.” “Xiao Jun, please ask it again if it is willing to follow me,” Teng Qingshan said.

Since its earlier refusal, and now that he was stronger than it, with Li Jun mediating, there was hope. “Roar~~ Roar roar~~” Li Jun looked at the Six-Legged Sabre Cicada.

The Cicada hesitated for a moment, looked at Teng Qingshan, and then let out a series of low growls. Li Jun frowned, then immediately barked out questions again.

They conversed like this for quite a while. “Brother Teng,” Li Jun turned back to him.

“What is it?” Teng Qingshan sensed something was amiss. Li Jun looked helpless.

“This Six-Legged Sabre Cicada is truly stubborn, Brother Teng. No matter what I say, it refuses to agree; it’s very arrogant.” “The sabre techniques it uses with its six legs carry a flavor of the Metal Dao.

I have now created the first form of the Metal Dao Fist; if it watches me frequently, it will benefit its comprehension and evolution into a Void Realm beast.” Teng Qingshan remarked; this was why the Azure Luan had followed him initially. “I told it.” Li Jun shook her head.

“I also told it that Brother Teng, your progress is so amazing; you will surely reach the Void Realm. Following us would benefit it.

But this Six-Legged Sabre Cicada simply refuses to bow its head.” “Hmm?” Teng Qingshan looked at the Cicada. The Cicada also stared at Teng Qingshan; man and beast gazed at each other.

Teng Qingshan subtly perceived a hint of mockery in the Cicada’s eyes, so he smiled. “Xiao Jun, ask it again.

I doubt it could be that stubbornly foolish.” Li Jun nodded and turned back to inquire. “Hmm?” Hearing the Cicada’s reply, a look of surprise appeared on Li Jun’s face.

“What did it say?” Teng Qingshan asked. “Brother Teng, it asked what that last move was that defeated it.

Your strength was comparable to mine; how did you suddenly become so powerful?” Li Jun inquired. Clearly, the Cicada was unwilling to accept defeat, feeling that the gap between them was minimal.

How did he win? Teng Qingshan smiled faintly.

“Tell it that this is the spear technique I created myself.” After Li Jun relayed the message, the Cicada pondered for a moment upon hearing the answer. “Roar~~ Roar~~” The Cicada let out a series of low growls.

“It says you are not much stronger than it, and it could easily escape by flapping its wings. It refuses to submit to you,” Li Jun interpreted.

Teng Qingshan frowned. The Cicada continued to roar, and Li Jun continued to explain: “It says that although it won't submit to you… your progress is indeed great.

The first time, you and the other human together were no match for it. The second time, you could defend against its attacks.

The third time, you defeated it.” “Moreover, you only pierced its scales but didn’t kill it, so the Six-Legged Sabre Cicada agrees to follow you for ten years, as repayment for your mercy just now. If you can help it raise its power within those ten years, it will continue to follow; if not, it will leave.

If you agree, it stays; otherwise, it goes.” After finishing, Li Jun looked at Teng Qingshan. “It really won’t release the hawk until it sees the rabbit,” Teng Qingshan chuckled.

“Tell it that I will make it follow me forever.” Li Jun smiled and relayed the message. “Roar~~” The Six-Legged Sabre Cicada roared back.

“Brother Teng, it says it also hopes you can help it become a Void Realm Divine Beast,” Li Jun smiled. Thus, the beast ‘Six-Legged Sabre Cicada’ became the third demon beast accompanying Teng Qingshan.