Eternal Life: I Have the Favor System-Chapter 118 - 117: The Contention

Guo Wei shook his head.

Seeing what had happened to Da Wang, he didn’t support Chu Lingguang facing off against Yan Chengdu.

Yan Chengdu hadn’t been able to defeat Chu Lingguang in their saber duel. In this final round of free-for-all combat to decide the top rank, he would surely go all out to avenge his previous shame.

Chu Lingguang frowned; he knew what Guo Wei meant.

It was obvious that facing Yan Chengdu again would put him in a very dangerous position. If he put himself in harm’s way just to stand up for Guo Wei, getting injured would only make Guo Wei feel worse.

Chu Lingguang knew he couldn’t take such a risk just for some self-satisfaction. That wouldn’t be repaying a debt of gratitude, nor would it be giving back; it would be like plunging a knife into Guo Wei’s heart.

But Chu Lingguang’s eyes were filled with fighting spirit.

Yesterday, his Turtle Breath Technique had resonated with heaven and earth, and it seemed his senses had been imperceptibly enhanced. During his earlier fight with Lin Longde, he clearly noticed that Lin Longde’s Spear Technique was much slower than it had been a couple of days ago.

It wasn’t that his own strength had increased, nor that Lin Longde’s Spear Technique had slowed.

Rather, his sight and hearing had evolved. The world before him was now rendered in minute detail, and everything seemed a step slower than before.

His ability to easily defeat Lin Longde and break through that cold glint of light was mainly thanks to the evolution of his sensory system. It made the flaws in Lin Longde’s Life-taking Linked Spear traceable and its speed appear slower to Chu Lingguang, allowing him to shatter it in a single blow.

’Lin Longde probably still has no idea why he lost.’

"Young Master Yan, I ask for your guidance!"

With this in mind, Chu Lingguang turned to Yan Chengdu and cupped his fist.

He remembered Guo Wei’s advice: *do your best, know when to advance and retreat.*

’I’m challenging Yan Chengdu just to do my part, not with a do-or-die determination to defeat him. If danger comes and I can’t resist, I’ll back down when I have to and lose if I must. I won’t let Guo Wei worry or feel burdened.’

’The key to this battle is knowing when to advance and retreat.’

"Please!"

Yan Chengdu replied with a smile.

He had been hoping Chu Lingguang would challenge him.

Even if he took the top spot, it would feel tasteless if he didn’t personally defeat Chu Lingguang. It would be as uncomfortable as having a thorn stuck in his throat.

As a Noble Family Disciple, he would not allow a Lower-class Youth to outshine him, not even once.

"Good."

Feng Junyi’s expression was one of great delight.

As the chief examiner, he had witnessed the strength of both Yan Chengdu and Chu Lingguang. No matter who won the top rank, he could report a successful outcome.

He hoped to see the unique drive of the younger generation. Regardless of Chu Lingguang’s motives, daring to challenge Yan Chengdu showed a rare and valuable quality.

Later, regardless of victory or defeat, Feng Junyi would recommend Chu Lingguang to the Court.

"Sigh."

Off to the side, Guo Wei let out a soft sigh.

Things having come to this, he could only hope that Chu Lingguang and Yan Chengdu would know when to stop.

"Examinees Yan Chengdu and Chu Lingguang, let the test begin!"

The sandy ground became wide and empty.

Chu Lingguang and Yan Chengdu stood opposite each other, both poised and ready, waiting for the examiner’s final signal.

The weapon in Chu Lingguang’s hands was, once again, the silver Long Spear.

Spear Technique was his strongest Kung Fu. Although he had gained an advantage over Yan Chengdu with his Continuous Slash Saber Technique last time, executing that fifth slash had completely drained his Qi Blood.

He had only managed to tie for first place last time because he had successfully bluffed Yan Chengdu.

If he continued to fight Yan Chengdu with a Saber Technique, and Yan Chengdu managed to withstand his Continuous Slash Saber Technique, another strike from Yan Chengdu’s saber would turn him into a lamb for the slaughter. He would be severely wounded, just like Da Wang. At best, he’d be left with a chronic internal injury; at worst, he’d die on the spot.

Therefore, using his Spear Technique against Yan Chengdu was the safer option.

Yan Chengdu, without any suspense, chose a Golden Edge Saber.

The Ultimate Killing Saber Technique was his trump card. Last time, when he tied with Chu Lingguang in the saber duel, outsiders thought he only got first place because the Yan Family had pulled some strings.

Now, he would use his Saber Technique to avenge that shame and show everyone just how strong he, Yan Chengdu, truly was.

"Begin!"

The examiner struck a gong to signal the start.

WHOOSH!

Having assumed his stance, Chu Lingguang was the first to attack.

He unleashed the Cyan Dragon Emerges from Water Linked Spear, thrusting repeatedly at Yan Chengdu’s upper body with maximum speed. Chu Lingguang had already experienced the Yan Family’s Ultimate Killing Saber Technique, and the memory still filled him with lingering fear.

’I can’t be careless.’ Chu Lingguang had only one thought. ’I must use my Spear Technique to suppress Yan Chengdu from a distance, seize the initiative, and press him relentlessly. I can’t give him any opportunity to use his Ultimate Killing Saber Technique.’

’Otherwise, once his Spear Technique is broken by the Yan Family’s Ultimate Killing Saber Technique, I’ll be defeated within a few moves and likely injured.’

’The key to this battle is knowing when to advance and retreat.’

’The moment the momentum of my Spear Technique wanes and Yan Chengdu starts blocking easily, I’ll create distance. When his Ultimate Killing Saber Technique comes for me, I’ll use the Heaven and Earth skill to deflect its force while leaving the sandy ground, conceding victory to him.’

’That way, I’ll have done my part for Guo Wei while also ensuring my own safety.’

With these thoughts in mind, Chu Lingguang, whose Heart Guarding Skill had always been exceptional, found his Spear Technique becoming steadier than ever. His moves flowed together seamlessly, watertight, with no openings visible to the naked eye.

From Yan Chengdu’s perspective...

Chu Lingguang’s Spear Technique was like Lin Longde’s Life-taking Linked Spear, but his technique had somehow achieved the level of the Shadow-Following Form.

CLANG!

He was being assaulted by a torrential storm of attacks.

His Saber Technique had lost the initiative; all he could do was defend.

He hadn’t expected the ever-cautious Chu Lingguang to change tactics and proactively overwhelm him with his Spear Technique. This was completely different from Chu Lingguang’s previous performance and the intelligence he’d received yesterday.