Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint-Chapter 77 - 73: Calculation

The disciples of the Songfeng Martial Arts Hall erupted in an instant, their shouts deafening.

Challenging a Transmutation Force master! Regardless of victory or defeat, Gao Sheng’s name would resound throughout Gaolin.

If he won, his fame would be unparalleled. If he lost, challenging a Transmutation Force master as a Dark Force user was still a glorious defeat!

It was a perfect way to make a name for himself, with no downside whatsoever!

Qu Yaohui, the senior disciple of the Songfeng Martial Arts Hall, watched Gao Sheng’s wild arrogance on full display. He then looked at Chen Qing, whose aura was as deep and still as an abyss, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes. He whispered, "Master, Junior Brother Gao... isn’t he being too reckless? Chen Qing is a Transmutation Force master, after all..."

The smile on Shi Wenshan’s face deepened. He glanced at the witness, Wu Peng, who was seated not far away, then turned his gaze back to Gao Sheng and Chen Qing on the platform. A crafty, calculating glint sparkled in his eyes.

"It’s fine. Gao Sheng is exceptionally talented. After failing to break through to the Transmutation Force realm, his foundation has only grown stronger. He needs a ’whetstone’ of sufficient quality to sharpen his edge and stimulate his potential. This Chen Qing, a newly advanced Transmutation Force master, has an unstable foundation. His application of Power is bound to be unrefined, making him the perfect whetstone. Besides..."

He lowered his voice, a hint of certainty in his tone. "Chief Wu is watching from the side. At the critical moment, he will surely intervene to protect Gao Sheng and won’t let Chen Qing deliver a killing blow. In this match, Gao Sheng has already defeated two opponents; his momentum is at its absolute peak..."

Shi Wenshan’s words made Qu Yaohui breathe a sigh of relief.

If Chief Wu was there to ensure his safety, then there shouldn’t be a problem.

After all, he was a master at the Great Success in Transmutation Force Realm.

Many in the crowd seemed to have discerned Shi Wenshan’s intention, and they couldn’t help but furrow their brows.

For Gao Sheng, fighting a Transmutation Force master was a win-win situation.

All eyes focused on Chen Qing.

The disciples of the Zhou Institute watched him nervously.

Chen Qing slowly rose to his feet.

His movements were calm, showing no sign of enraged frenzy, nor any nervousness about getting on the platform.

He brushed off non-existent dust from his clothes and looked calmly at the high-spirited Gao Sheng on the platform.

"As you wish."

Chen Qing’s voice was even and emotionless.

He began to walk, heading toward the platform at an unhurried pace.

His steady, mountain-like demeanor stood in stark contrast to Gao Sheng’s manic energy.

Watching Chen Qing ascend the platform, Wu Peng’s brow furrowed imperceptibly before smoothing out again.

He had received Shi Wenshan’s hint.

If Chen Qing truly were to win, he was confident that his sharp eyes and quick reflexes would be enough to stop him from delivering a fatal blow at the critical moment.

Chen Qing stepped onto the platform and stood opposite Gao Sheng.

"Chen Qing, from the Zhou Institute."

Chen Qing cupped his fist, his voice still calm.

"Hahaha!"

A sharp glint appeared in Gao Sheng’s eyes. "Today, I’ll see for myself the methods of a Transmutation Force master."

Before his words had even faded, Gao Sheng lunged forward like a Mad Tiger released from its cage.

He pushed his Mountain-Breaking Hand to its absolute limit. His palms turned as red as branding irons, veins bulging like earthworms, as a series of CRACKLING POPS rang out from his sinews and bones.

A scorching wave of air, wrapped in a powerful gust, aimed straight for Chen Qing’s chest.

This fist—*Thunder Listening Valley*—was a full-power attack. He wanted to use the most savage display possible, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, to tear this so-called new ’Transmutation Force’ master to shreds.

’Today, I, Gao Sheng, will challenge someone above my realm and make you, this new Transmutation Force master, my stepping stone!’

Facing this ferocious Fist Force, powerful enough to shatter the internal organs of a master at Great Success in Dark Force, Chen Qing’s eyes remained perfectly calm.

He didn’t even assume a full fighting stance. He simply took a seemingly casual half-step forward, raised his right arm with fingers slightly spread, and met the attack with the most basic move of Long Arm Fist, *Spiritual Ape Asks the Way*.

The movement was slow, fluid, and utterly mundane, like using a feather duster to sweep a couch.

"You’re courting death!"

’He’s being so arrogant!’ Gao Sheng was ecstatic. His internal Dark Force surged like boiling oil, and his muscles and bones tensed like iron. He swore to shatter that flimsy palm, bone and all, into dust.

The instant before the fist and palm were about to connect!

Something changed in a flash!

From within Chen Qing’s seemingly slow and gentle arm, his sinews and bones suddenly let out a series of deep rumbles, like muffled thunder rolling through a valley.

The great tendons snapped taut, the joints grinding! An irresistible, perfectly fluid, and terrifying Power rose from his heels, was propelled vertebra by vertebra up the great dragon of his spine, and erupted ferociously from the edge of his palm.

BOOM!

Gao Sheng felt as if he had been struck head-on by an invisible, immense hammer.

The Power of his *Thunder Listening Valley*, condensed to its absolute limit, was crushed the instant it touched the other’s palm. It was like rotten wood striking fine steel, obliterated effortlessly by a Power that was purer, more condensed, and far vaster.

In this clash of brute force against brute force, the Power he was so proud of was as fragile as paper-mâché before Chen Qing.

PTOO!

Blood sprayed from Gao Sheng’s mouth like an arrow as he flew backward uncontrollably, like a kite with a snapped string.

However, Chen Qing’s movements were as smooth as flowing water, without the slightest pause.

In that life-or-death instant, as Gao Sheng flew backward, his defenses wide open, his old force spent and new force yet to be generated—a point where one would normally pull back or defend in a spar—

a cold glint flashed in Chen Qing’s eyes!

He slid forward half a step like a phantom, the bluestone tile beneath his foot cracking silently. The fingers of the same right hand that had just sent Gao Sheng flying suddenly converged in a flash, forming a chisel.

The originally fierce and peerless Power instantly transformed at his fingertips into a sinister, treacherous Spiral Dark Force with extreme Penetration Power!

The transformation of Power was faster than the naked eye could follow, as if he had practiced it a thousand times, precisely predicting Gao Sheng’s trajectory and posture as he flew back.

The Long Arm Fist’s killing move: *White Ape Hangs the Seal*!

On the surface, the move looked like a block or a parry, but in reality, upon contact, the Dark Force at the fingertips would pierce like a Poison Needle, utterly sinister and vicious.

The target was the spot on Gao Sheng’s back, right behind the heart, which was completely exposed and defenseless as he flew backward—the seam between his third vertebrae, the nexus of the central spinal tendon.

"STOP!!!"

Wu Peng’s roar was like a sudden clap of thunder! He had been on high alert, and the moment Gao Sheng was sent flying, he had detected the fatal killing intent in Chen Qing’s sliding step and chisel-hand. His scalp prickled in an instant.

He pushed off with his feet, the bluestone paver exploding with a BANG! as his body shot out like a bolt from a powerful crossbow. Fingers spread wide, he clawed straight for Chen Qing’s shoulder blade, intending to stop him.

But it was too late.

Chen Qing’s fingertips, like a red-hot steel awl carrying a spiraling, venomous Dark Force, struck with unparalleled precision upon the seam of Gao Sheng’s third vertebra.

The Power met no resistance as it penetrated his body!

CRACK! CRACK-CRACK!

A series of horrifying, scalp-numbing snaps, like dry kindling being broken inch by inch, echoed clearly across the entire grounds.

A chill ran through everyone’s heart.

It was the sound of vertebrae shattering and the central spinal tendon being severed to pieces.

Gao Sheng’s body suddenly stiffened in mid-air, as if pinned there by an invisible, giant nail.

The shock on his face was instantly devoured by boundless agony and despair.

THUD!

He slammed heavily onto the platform like a boneless heap, his body twisted at a bizarre angle. His limbs twitched uncontrollably, and only his head could still move slightly, his eyes filled with utter ruin and terror.

The central spinal tendon, completely severed!

It was exactly what had happened to Qin Lie.

The entire arena fell deathly silent!

Time seemed to freeze.

The disciples of the Songfeng Martial Arts Hall stood stunned.

Shi Wenshan’s "genial" smile completely froze over and shattered, leaving only shock and fury.

The whetstone he had planned for his disciple had instantly become his beloved student’s execution block.

Wu Peng’s figure had just landed on the edge of the platform, his outstretched hand frozen in mid-air. His face was ashen, his eyes churning with rage and a flicker of indescribable dread.

He was fast, but Chen Qing’s killing intent and calculations were faster!

He had underestimated the viciousness and decisiveness of this newly advanced Transmutation Force master!

Chen Qing slowly retracted his fingers, as if merely brushing away a speck of dust.

He didn’t even glance at Gao Sheng twitching like a maggot on the ground. His calm gaze swept over Shi Wenshan, whose face was so dark it looked like it could drip water, before finally landing on the grim-faced Wu Peng. His voice was flat and emotionless.

"Fists and feet have no eyes. In a sparring match, life and death are left to fate. Wouldn’t you agree, Chief Wu?"

The sunlight shone on his calm face, but it reflected not a single trace of warmth.

A bone-chilling cold permeated the entire General Selection Platform.