Eternal Life: I Have the Favor System-Chapter 121 - 118: Attitude (Part 2)

His Golden Bull Fist might have taken first place in the Fist Technique category, but it couldn’t overshadow the brilliance of Chu Lingguang’s Spear Technique.

CRACK!

Chu Lingguang’s long spear struck Yan Chengdu’s shoulder and arm repeatedly. He executed the Wild Horse Leaping Over the Stream Middle Level Spear, and Yan Chengdu crossed his fists to block.

BOOM!

Chu Lingguang smashed down with his spear.

Yan Chengdu dropped to one knee, his expression ferocious. As his hands shot out to grab the long spear, it slithered away like a spiritual snake. The next thing he knew, the spear tip was aimed at the space between his eyebrows.

The crowd saw Yan Chengdu kneeling on one knee in the sand, his hands grasping at empty air. Chu Lingguang’s long spear had shot through the gap between his crossed arms, its tip pointed directly at his brow.

The victor was decided.

Yan Chengdu had lost.

His Ultimate Killing Saber Technique, under the relentless assault of Chu Lingguang’s spear, had been rendered useless. In the end, his long saber was even sent flying, and he was smashed to one knee with the spear pointed at his brow.

In this battle, both of them had used all their strength.

Chu Lingguang knew he couldn’t withstand Yan Chengdu’s Ultimate Killing Saber Technique. So, from the very start of the duel, he used his Spear Technique to seize the initiative, completely suppressing Yan Chengdu and giving him no chance to unleash his ultimate skill. At the same time, he was prepared to take the hit and retreat from the sand at any moment to concede defeat.

In this clash, Chu Lingguang wanted to win. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

But he was aware of the gap in their strength. More than anything, he wanted to do his best so that Guo Wei would know he had fought for him.

His desire to win wasn’t overwhelming.

Because of this, his suppressive spear blockade was extremely steady, and his Heart Guarding Skill gave him a distinct advantage.

Yan Chengdu, on the other hand, was suppressed by Chu Lingguang from the beginning. Although he knew he shouldn’t be impatient, his resolve wavered several times as he failed to break through Chu Lingguang’s "Seeing the Bright Moon" defense.

This was especially true when the negative comments from the crowd reached him. The gap between their Heart Guarding Skills became obvious. Although Yan Chengdu later noticed Chu Lingguang’s Qi Power was waning, it was Chu Lingguang’s calm mind that allowed him to discover the secret to the third level of Skillful Force at the critical moment.

This was thanks to the evolution of Chu Lingguang’s sensory system, as well as his exceptional Heart Guarding Skill, which allowed him to observe the smallest details amidst the chaos and find his own breakthrough.

In the end, he used this to turn the tide and throw Yan Chengdu’s Saber Technique into disarray.

But defeating Yan Chengdu was nowhere near that easy.

The key to victory was when Yan Chengdu let go of his saber. Chu Lingguang seized the rare opportunity and sent the long saber flying.

At that moment, Yan Chengdu was like a panicked tiger that had been defanged and declawed. Without his long weapon, Chu Lingguang’s Spear Technique quickly found every opening. Within ten exchanges of being disarmed, Yan Chengdu’s defense collapsed like a landslide, and Chu Lingguang’s long spear was locked on his brow.

The scene was silent at first.

Then the crowd erupted, and voices flew from every direction.

Chu Lingguang pulled back his long spear and cupped his fist at Yan Chengdu. "You let me win."

At that moment, it all felt like a dream, something unreal. Not only had he defeated Yan Chengdu, he had even sent his long saber flying. Most importantly, from start to finish, he had never given Yan Chengdu a single chance to use his Ultimate Killing Saber Technique.

He had ultimately won by relying on the third level of Skillful Force and his Heart Guarding Skill. It was a strange and thrilling victory.

Yan Chengdu’s face was beet red as he stood up. He stared at the long saber behind Chu Lingguang, stuck in the sand and still quivering. He felt like he couldn’t breathe.

Losing to Chu Lingguang wasn’t what he couldn’t accept.

What truly made him break down was the feeling that he hadn’t even used his full strength. From start to finish, it felt like a ray of dawn was guiding him, and just as he was about to grasp it, Chu Lingguang had shattered it with his spear.

He was incredibly frustrated, on the verge of losing his mind, but under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he could only force it down. It was a kind of agony that no ordinary person could understand.

"This concludes the Martial Arts Examination. You two may go and rest. In a short while, the list of successful candidates and their rankings will be announced."

Feng Junyi said, rising to his feet.

The clash between Chu Lingguang and Yan Chengdu hadn’t looked particularly dangerous, but he could see that Chu Lingguang had been stretched taut like a string from beginning to end. If that string had snapped, Chu Lingguang’s defeat would have been irreversible.

In the end, Chu Lingguang had created a miracle.

He had achieved victory while avoiding a life-or-death battle with Yan Chengdu.

Even when compared to all previous Martial Arts Examinations, Chu Lingguang’s performance had been absolutely explosive.

"Yes."

Chu Lingguang bowed slightly, picked up his spear, and walked out of the sand pit. He was met with endless cheers and laughter. As he finally relaxed, a wave of joy washed over him, and a smile spread across his face.

"Junior Brother, you’re number one on the list!"

Hei Hu threw his arms around Chu Lingguang.

"Our youngest brother actually beat Yan Chengdu! When Eldest Brother finds out, he’ll be absolutely floored."

Wang Chao added excitedly.

"Master, just now I..."

Chu Lingguang faced Guo Wei. He had challenged Yan Chengdu against his master’s wishes, which could be seen as disobeying his teachings.

"You did very well."

Guo Wei said, squeezing both of Chu Lingguang’s arms.

Yesterday, to prevent Chu Lingguang from being endangered against Yan Chengdu today, he had deliberately trained him until his arm muscles were damaged. He never expected Chu Lingguang to fully recover overnight.

His arms were full and flush with blood, and his strength was astounding. It was truly unexpected.

"Congratulations, Master Guo."

"Master Guo, you’ve taken on a fine disciple."

"Congratulations in advance to Master Guo on achieving the rank of Grandmaster."

...

Leader Ma and the masters from the other counties all came forward to offer their congratulations.

Nie Maocheng of Fishing Town forced a smile as he followed the group of masters to offer his congratulations.

Tie Zhennan left quietly with Jin Shan.

"Big Brother."

Yan Chengdu came before Yan Zhen, his face flushed red.

BANG!

Yan Zhen said nothing, striking Yan Chengdu’s back several times.

PFFT!

Yan Chengdu sprayed a mouthful of blood.

The deep red on his face quickly faded, and his breathing smoothed out.

"If you kept holding that in, you would have given yourself an internal injury."

Yan Zhen warned him.

He could tell at a glance that Yan Chengdu’s loss had been incredibly frustrating, causing his Qi Blood to stagnate. If it wasn’t cleared, at best his meridians would be blocked and he wouldn’t be able to advance in strength. At worst, he could have suffocated from holding it in.

"I can’t accept this."

Yan Chengdu said through gritted teeth.

"What is there to not accept? You didn’t lose unfairly. If you fought Chu Lingguang again right now, in your current state, you still wouldn’t be his opponent."

Yan Zhen snorted coldly.

"Big Brother, I..."

Yan Chengdu was shocked, not expecting Yan Zhen to see him this way.

"You not only lost to Chu Lingguang in Heart Guarding Skill, but your Saber Technique and Skillful Force are also weaker than his. Your only advantage was the power of our Yan Family’s Ultimate Killing Saber Technique. If you were like him and had never been exposed to it, do you think you could have won?"

Yan Zhen said, hitting the nail on the head.

"This..."

Yan Chengdu looked ashamed.

’Didn’t I lose to Chu Lingguang even though I had mastered the Ultimate Killing Saber Technique?’

"Victory and defeat are common occurrences in battle. You will face him again in the future."

Yan Zhen reminded him.

"I understand."

Yan Chengdu nodded.

"Come with me to pay a visit to Guo Wei."

Yan Zhen then led Yan Chengdu over to Guo Wei.

Seeing Yan Zhen’s extraordinary presence, with Yan Chengdu following meekly behind him, the crowd couldn’t help but part to make way.

’What are Yan Zhen and Yan Chengdu doing here?’

’Are they here to issue another challenge?’

"Congratulations, Master Guo, on taking such a fine disciple. Young Master Chu’s Spear Technique today has truly opened my brother’s and my eyes!"

Who would have thought that Yan Zhen would say this with a smile, cupping his fist.

After speaking, he glanced at Yan Chengdu.

Yan Chengdu understood Yan Zhen’s meaning and immediately cupped his fist toward Guo Wei and Chu Lingguang, adding, "Master Guo’s Spear Technique is unparalleled. Having seen it today, I know its reputation is well-deserved. I am thoroughly convinced by my defeat at Chu Lingguang’s hands."

A sharp glint appeared in Guo Wei’s eyes.

Outsiders always assumed that disciples from Noble Families were arrogant, overbearing, and troublemakers. They didn’t realize that true Noble Family disciples were like Yan Zhen and Yan Chengdu—unfazed by honor or disgrace, able to turn shame into courage.

"You two young masters praise him too much," Guo Wei said, clasping his hands in return. "Chu Lingguang’s victory today involved a great deal of luck. If Young Master Yan had seized the initiative and suppressed him with his Ultimate Killing Saber Technique, the top spot on the list would have undoubtedly belonged to him."

"One only gets one chance. Chengdu’s loss was not unfair. I brought him here not only to congratulate Master Guo’s disciple on taking the top spot, but also to thank Master Guo on behalf of my second brother. If Master Guo hadn’t made Big Saber Hong release him that day, my second brother might have already met his end.

My two brothers and I will never forget Master Guo’s life-saving grace for the rest of our lives!"

As he spoke, Yan Zhen bowed deeply to Guo Wei.

Yan Chengdu, at his side, also lowered his head and gave Guo Wei a full ninety-degree bow.

Gao Qingxiong then came before Guo Wei with more than a dozen chests of gifts.