Eternal Life: I Have the Favor System-Chapter 102: Channeling Power
Guo Wei’s expression was grim.
As a seasoned master, he could tell that Yan Chengdu’s last strike was a burst of pure Qi Power, unlike Chu Lingguang who used Borrowing Strength.
Normally, Chu Lingguang’s Qi Power should be greater than Yan Chengdu’s.
If Yan Chengdu could split the wooden stake with one strike, Chu Lingguang should be able to do the same. But Yan Chengdu’s recent strike was both fast and precise. He didn’t just channel his Qi Power; he unleashed the full might of his Saber Technique.
This showed that...
Yan Chengdu had practiced a Skill similar to Borrowing Strength, and his Saber Technique was no ordinary style.
The abundant resources of a Noble Family Disciple were on full display.
Even Guo Wei wouldn’t dare claim he was stronger than the old masters who served the Noble Families.
Now, with both Yan Chengdu and Chu Lingguang having scored full marks in the first two rounds of the saber competition and tied for first place, the top spot would clearly have to be decided by a duel of Saber Techniques.
Guo Wei was extremely worried about Chu Lingguang at this moment.
It wasn’t that he was worried about Chu Lingguang failing to get first place. He was afraid Chu Lingguang would be injured by Yan Chengdu. After all, the Yan Family Saber Technique was far superior to the Iron Mountain Saber Technique, and Yan Chengdu had also learned a Power Transfer Method. If Chu Lingguang was careless for even a moment during their saber duel, his defense could be broken. If a vital point was struck, the consequences would be unimaginable.
He couldn’t help but look toward Chu Lingguang.
Chu Lingguang and Yan Chengdu were staring each other down. That dazzling strike from Yan Chengdu just now had truly startled him. His opponent’s Saber Technique was both fast and powerful. Chu Lingguang felt that if he used his Spear Technique, he might be able to defend against it.
But if they were clashing with Saber Techniques...
’Not only are Yan Chengdu’s Saber Technique and Martial Arts stronger, but his command and mastery of the long saber also seem to surpass my own. If every strike is as fast and precise as that last one, I probably can’t last a hundred rounds.’
Yan Chengdu withdrew his gaze, gave Chu Lingguang a slight smile, and walked out of the sand pit to rest in the area arranged by the attendants.
Chu Lingguang also smiled and nodded. Only after looking away did he realize Guo Wei had been watching him the whole time.
"Master."
Chu Lingguang felt that Guo Wei had something to say to him.
"In a moment, if you feel you can’t hold on, don’t force it. If you’re in danger, just surrender immediately."
Guo Wei said hesitantly.
He felt that no matter what, he had to let Chu Lingguang and Yan Chengdu fight. He couldn’t hide Chu Lingguang away just because he was worried something might happen. Doing so would negatively affect Chu Lingguang’s Martial Arts Heart Realm and turn him into a sheltered flower.
But this was the Martial Arts Examination. For a master to instruct his disciple to surrender if faced with danger was a rare occurrence. What master didn’t care about their reputation? If one’s own disciple was beaten into surrendering during the Martial Arts Examination, it would become a stain on the master’s name.
It could affect his chances of being named a Grandmaster.
Leader Ma and Master Yan, who were standing to the side, were both very surprised.
Recalling Yan Chengdu’s earlier strike, they both understood Guo Wei’s intentions. They looked at Chu Lingguang with envy. For a master to cherish his disciple so much that he would ruin his own reputation to protect him was an incredibly rare thing.
Leader Ma admitted to himself that he could not be as magnanimous as Guo Wei.
Even in an ordinary sparring match, if a disciple of his were to surrender, he would fly into a rage—let alone during the Martial Arts Examination.
Chu Lingguang, however, was stunned.
The Great Yuan Dynasty placed great importance on respecting one’s master and their teachings.
It was common for disciples to lay down their lives for their masters, but rare for a master to be willing to sacrifice everything for a disciple.
He understood Guo Wei’s meaning.
His master was mainly worried he would be injured by Yan Chengdu. He wanted him to lose decisively when they fought later, rather than struggling desperately and ending up in danger.
"I understand."
Chu Lingguang said with a nod.
「3:45 PM.」
In the second trial, the saber competition, all examinees had completed the first and second rounds.
Chu Lingguang and Yan Chengdu were temporarily tied for first place.
Lin Longde was temporarily in second.
Ji Hu and the others followed.
The examiners whispered amongst themselves.
The crowd waited for the examiners to make the final arrangements.
Finally, a Military Officer stood up and announced, "In the second trial, the saber competition, the rankings for all examinees have been determined, with the exception of Chu Lingguang and Yan Chengdu. Now, we will have these two enter the third round of the saber competition: a duel of Saber Techniques!"
"Alright!"
The crowd erupted.
When two tigers fight, one is bound to be injured.
Whether it was the examinees or the onlookers, they were all eager to see Chu Lingguang and Yan Chengdu fight to the death.
"Examinees Yan Chengdu and Chu Lingguang, begin the test!"
Chu Lingguang and Yan Chengdu rose at the same time and walked toward the sand pit.
In the arena, the two separated, standing five meters apart.
"Ready, begin!"
The examiner announced impatiently.
"SWOOSH!"
Yan Chengdu was the first to draw his saber.
Like a lone wolf, he pounced toward Chu Lingguang.
A cold glint of light flashed.
He brought his saber down in a two-handed diagonal slash.
Chu Lingguang was on high alert, having made all necessary preparations, but faced with Yan Chengdu’s sudden strike, he was still thrown into disarray.
"CLANG!"
The moment his long saber blocked the blow, Chu Lingguang felt a surge of Power wash over him. It felt as if both his arms were about to explode.
The second level of Skillful Force: Entwine and Enter.
The moment Yan Chengdu attacked, he used this power to its absolute limit.
Chu Lingguang also activated this power, but facing such a fast strike, he failed to gain any advantage and was knocked back two steps.
Yan Chengdu pressed his advantage.
Taking second place in the Qiao Pass trial was a humiliation for him.
In this Saber Technique trial, he wanted a quick victory to display the strength befitting a Noble Family Disciple.
"SWOOSH!"
Chu Lingguang saw that Yan Chengdu’s Saber Technique was powerful and direct, with no flashy moves. He was being forced back by a combination of a knack for utilizing Qi Blood and the ’Speed’ principle.
With such a ferocious assault, Chu Lingguang worried that he wouldn’t even last fifty rounds, let alone a hundred.
"CLANG!"
He channeled his Qi Blood, rotated his wrist, and used Borrowing Strength to meet Yan Chengdu’s strike head-on.
Chu Lingguang was once again knocked back.
’This is bad,’ he thought. ’This guy is too fast. Even though I know how to use Borrowing Strength, I don’t have enough time to build up more power.’
He only had time to twist his wrist twice before Yan Chengdu pressed forward, shattering all his techniques with a single strike and sending him reeling.
After a few more exchanges like this, Chu Lingguang worried that he wouldn’t even need to surrender. Soon enough, Yan Chengdu would send his long saber flying and hold a blade to his neck.
That was no different from surrendering.
"How many more of these can you take?"
Yan Chengdu was as fierce as a wolf and a tiger.
He slashed at Chu Lingguang once more.
Chu Lingguang held his saber with both hands and used Skillful Force, trying to deflect Yan Chengdu’s long saber, but he failed. He retreated again, his footing already unsteady.
Yan Chengdu seized the opportunity.
He brought his saber down with a two-handed power cleave.
This strike was just like the one that had split the wooden stake. Its key was the application of power and speed. Chu Lingguang couldn’t dodge; he could only block. At the critical moment, his wrist flipped continuously, and his long saber danced, spinning three times.
"CRASH!"
The long sabers collided.
Chu Lingguang’s body slid backward. If he retreated any further, he would be out of the sand pit, which was the same as losing.
