Eternal Life: I Have the Favor System-Chapter 73: Moves

Provoked by Liu Quan, Da Wang switched his usual Long Spear for a Life-taking Long Saber and launched a fierce assault. Sensing danger, Liu Quan used his Spear Technique with all his might, trying to keep Da Wang at a distance and maintain his Long Spear’s advantage.

CLANG!

Da Wang wielded the saber in one hand. He had long since mastered Skillful Force and could apply it just as freely to his Saber Technique as he did his Spear Technique.

His Qi Blood resonated with the long saber. Wielding it with a continuous flurry of slashes and leveraging his superior footwork, he steadily pressed forward. Liu Quan immediately felt immense pressure. Da Wang’s Saber Technique was too fast. While his own Spear Technique could hold, Da Wang’s relentless assault forced him to retreat continuously. If he was cornered, his Long Spear would lose its reach advantage.

He couldn’t let that happen.

BOOM!

At this thought, Liu Quan surged his Qi Blood and executed a Linked Spear technique, pushing his Skillful Force to its absolute limit. He hadn’t achieved the Form Realm in his Spear Technique, but he had cultivated the second layer of power within Skillful Force.

The first layer was Deflection and Vibration.

The second layer was Entanglement and Penetration.

The third layer was Seizure and Permeation.

As the names implied, Deflection and Vibration could knock aside an enemy’s weapon and numb their arm.

The second layer, Entanglement and Penetration, could trap an opponent’s weapon and send a surge of Qi Blood Power into their body, causing a certain amount of damage.

Back at the blacksmith’s shop, Boss Zhuang had used this second layer of Skillful Force. If not for Chu Lingguang’s Heaven and Earth technique, which allowed him to channel that power into the ground, he would have not only been injured but also completely suppressed by Boss Zhuang, unable to fight back.

Guo Wei had demonstrated all three layers of Skillful Force to Chu Lingguang.

Chu Lingguang was eager to see the true extent of Liu Quan’s strength, so he watched intently. When Liu Quan used the first layer of Skillful Force against Da Wang’s long saber, it was clear he couldn’t overcome him.

This was because Da Wang had also mastered the first layer of Skillful Force. Compounded by the fact that Liu Quan hadn’t reached the Form Realm in his Spear Technique, the power of the first layer was clearly insufficient.

But when Liu Quan used the second layer—Entanglement and Penetration—Da Wang felt his long saber being wrenched from his grasp. A suction-like force from Liu Quan’s Long Spear clung tightly to his blade. A stinging pain shot up his arm, disrupting his Saber Technique and making him desperate to break free.

Liu Quan seized the opportunity to turn the tables. He went from being steadily beaten back to stabilizing his stance, and then launched a fierce counterattack, forcing Da Wang onto the defensive.

Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu could scarcely believe it. Liu Quan had been training for less time than them, so how was he this terrifyingly strong? Was talent really that important?

Tie Zhennan beamed. The reason Liu Quan was where he was today was entirely due to his meticulous guidance and the monthly supply of Qi Blood Pills he provided for nourishment.

The usually calm Guo Wei’s expression grew solemn. He could naturally tell that Liu Quan had already mastered the second layer of Skillful Force. He had stressed the importance of the Formed Spear Technique, but if a person could cultivate Skillful Force to its peak, they could also unleash terrifying power.

Others might train arduously for years and still fail to master the first layer of Skillful Force. Yet, in just one short year, Liu Quan had already mastered the second. One could only imagine his future achievements.

ARGH!

Da Wang roared in fury.

He switched to a two-handed grip on his saber. Ignoring his shoulder injury and enduring the pain as the wound tore open, he finally broke through Liu Quan’s offensive and once again forced him into a steady retreat.

CLANG!

Da Wang’s saber struck Liu Quan’s Long Spear. He applied the first layer of Skillful Force, knocking Liu Quan’s spear aside. Seizing the opening, Da Wang delivered three consecutive slashes, successfully closing the distance and placing his blade against Liu Quan’s neck.

It had been a total of ninety-two rounds.

Da Wang’s expression was fierce. His left shoulder wound had torn open, and fresh blood dripped from his armpit. He looked at Liu Quan with wary respect. ’If this guy hadn’t provoked me earlier,’ he thought, ’and I had fought him with my Long Spear, he might have lasted over a hundred rounds against me.’

There were still four months until the Daoist Examination. It was impossible to know how much stronger Liu Quan would become, but Da Wang already considered him his number one rival.

"Wang, your Saber Technique is excellent."

Liu Quan cupped his hands in a salute and then returned to stand behind Tie Zhennan. Although he hadn’t lasted a hundred rounds, the outcome of the fight had exceeded his expectations. He was quite satisfied with his performance.

Tie Zhennan also looked at him with an appreciative expression.

Everyone present was astonished by Liu Quan’s strength. Even Da Wu and Xiao Wu, who were about to take the Provincial Examination, felt that Liu Quan would be a very difficult opponent.

Neither of them had expected Liu Quan to have already developed the second layer of Skillful Force. Perhaps he had broken through during the two months he sparred with them, and they had been kept completely in the dark.

If Liu Quan passed the Daoist Examination and then participated in the Provincial Examination the following year, they would face him in the assessment. The Liu Quan of that time would be even stronger than he was today; it wasn’t impossible that he could surpass them both with his natural talent.

Therefore, after seeing Liu Quan’s strength, Leader Ma and the other four all realized the gravity of the situation.

"Chu, please."

Da Wu adjusted his mindset and stepped forward, long saber in hand. Now, only he and Chu Lingguang had yet to spar.

"Brother Da Wu, please!"

Chu Lingguang was still inwardly processing the shock of Liu Quan’s performance. ’Comparisons are the thief of joy,’ he thought. Liu Quan’s talent made him uneasy.

SWOOSH!

Da Wu struck first, wanting to end the fight quickly.

Chu Lingguang hurriedly defended with a Cyan Dragon Emerges from Water Linked Spear. ’No matter what happens with Liu Quan in the future, I have to last forty rounds in this fight against Da Wu. Otherwise, I won’t be able to face Guo Wei.’

Chu Lingguang had already cultivated the Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques to the level of Perfection.

His forms were impenetrable.

A single Linked Spear technique continuously threatened Da Wu’s shoulders and chest, swiftly halting his advance. Da Wu wasn’t surprised. Even if Chu Lingguang’s aptitude was poor, under Guo Wei’s tutelage, it would be impossible for him to defeat him in an instant.

’However, I have no doubt I can defeat him within forty rounds,’ he thought. ’After all, someone as talented as Hei Hu only lasted thirty-five rounds against Xiao Wu. Thirty rounds should be more than enough for Chu.’

However, as time went on, Da Wu’s mindset began to change. It was one thing for Chu Lingguang’s Cyan Dragon Emerges from Water Linked Spear to be impenetrable, but even his subsequent techniques reached the same level. The way he wielded his Long Spear gave him the imposing air of one man holding a pass against ten thousand.

He switched freely between the Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques, his defense so tight that Da Wu couldn’t find any opening in his forms.

It seemed the only path left to him was to use his superior Qi Blood and Skillful Force to break the stalemate. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

ARGH!

Da Wu couldn’t stand it any longer. Seeing that they had already reached the thirtieth round, he immediately switched to a two-handed grip, surged his Qi Blood, and brought his saber down on Chu Lingguang with all his might.

BOOM!

Chu Lingguang stood his ground as if against a raging torrent, his Long Spear dancing as each move targeted Da Wu’s vital spots. At that moment, the power of the Form Realm manifested. The two streams of Skillful Force met between saber and spear. Chu Lingguang’s Long Spear trembled, and though it seemed on the verge of being deflected by Da Wu’s power, he always managed to hold on at the critical moment. Leveraging the advantage of his Perfect Techniques, he consistently prevented Da Wu from breaking through his Spear Technique.

Slowly, the number of rounds they’d fought reached forty.

Da Wu’s expression was savage. A sharp Sword Sound echoed throughout the Escort Agency as the Qi Blood Power on his long saber seemed ready to burst forth. He put his full strength into a slash aimed at Chu Lingguang’s Long Spear.

Guo Wei held his breath, his heart in his throat. The power of Da Wu’s strike was astonishing. ’I’m afraid Chu Lingguang won’t be able to parry this,’ he thought.