How did GJ manage to hold his own against H7G's inner power at Mt. Hua II?

[Ken Cheng]

At the conclusion of his duel with his teacher North Beggar Hung 7 Gung at the Second Mt. Hua Sword Tournament, Gwok Jing was able to meet Hung 7 Gung's Hong Lung 18 Palms head on with his own Hong Lung 18 Palms. Teacher and student were at a stalemate that was broken only after West Poison Au Yeung Fung attacked them both and forced them to break off the duel to deal with him.

At the Second Mt. Hua Sword Tournament, Gwok Jing's inner power was not yet at Greats level. How was he able to to stalemate his teacher in an extended inner power battle?

[pannonian]

Before the three contests for Huang Rong's hand on Peach Blossom Island, Guo Jing managed to hold his ground against the full power of Ouyang Feng's Toad Stance, but only for an instant and whilst feeling turned inside out. At Huashan 2, Guo Jing held his ground against Hong Qigong's Proud Dragon Repents, for somewhat longer, but also in an ultimately losing position. It wasn't a stalemate as Hong Qigong initiated the drawing down of power, similarly to how Zhang Wuji drew down power against the three Du monks, until both sides could stand down. Only after both sides drew down did Ouyang Feng appear, attracted by Hong Qigong's and Huang Yaoshi's joking conceding of the Number One title to each other.

[Western Eccentric]

Before the three contests for Huang Rong's hand on Peach Blossom Island, Guo Jing managed to hold his ground against the full power of Ouyang Feng's Toad Stance, but only for an instant and whilst feeling turned inside out. At Huashan 2, Guo Jing held his ground against Hong Qigong's Proud Dragon Repents, for somewhat longer, but also in an ultimately losing position. It wasn't a stalemate as Hong Qigong initiated the drawing down of power, similarly to how Zhang Wuji drew down power against the three Du monks, until both sides could stand down. Only after both sides drew down did Ouyang Feng appear, attracted by Hong Qigong's and Huang Yaoshi's joking conceding of the Number One title to each other.

Yeeeep 1st H7Q hit with "full power" but when GJ met his palm he slowly "reduce" his power perhaps similar with YG vs JLFW at Chongyang Palace which YG could "hold own" JLFW incredible force for a while..