Chapter 116: Chapter 116: Challenge

With the force of a whirlwind, Chu Lingguang swiftly defeated Ji Hu and Chai Yaolong in an overwhelming display of power.

Both of them were in the top ten of the overall rankings.

Now, having faced Chu Lingguang in the group stage, both had been defeated. Although their rankings were still in the top ten, they had already lost the right to challenge Chu Lingguang again.

The new contenders for the top ten, seeing how weak the two of them were, would probably be scrambling to challenge them.

Chu Lingguang took first place in his group.

Already second in the overall rankings, his position was now as solid as a mountain after this battle. Even if a dark horse fought their way into the top ten from the free combat event, they wouldn’t dare challenge him.

He was destined to have a match with Yan Chengdu.

Leaving the sandy arena,

Chu Lingguang returned to the contestant preparation area and quietly began practicing his Breathing Technique, waiting for the examiner to sound the gong for the next round.

「An hour later.」

“Contestants Yan Chengdu, Wang Liankun…”

Chu Lingguang heard the familiar names.

Outside the arena, Leader Ma, who was sitting with Guo Wei, couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh.

Da Wang was in the same group as Yan Chengdu. He was fated to not get first place. His overall rank was tenth, and while that was still in the top ten, his position was now precarious.

Wang Liankun looked at Yan Chengdu, remembering Chu Lingguang’s never-say-die fighting spirit. He unleashed his Continuous Slash Saber Technique and attacked Yan Chengdu.

Yan Chengdu had previously struggled against the Continuous Slash Saber Technique. He had already discerned that Chu Lingguang’s version came from the Weiyuan Escort Agency, so for Da Wang to use this Saber Technique against him felt like a provocation.

SHIING!

So he didn’t hold back.

He struck out with a single move: the Heaven-Swallowing Technique.

BANG!

Da Wang’s long saber was knocked from his hand. A wave of Saber Force slammed into his chest, sending him flying backward. He crashed through the guardrail and lay on the ground, unable to get up for a long while.

“Brother!”

“Liankun!”

Xiao Wang and Leader Ma cried out in alarm at the same time.

The examiner had the medical officers enter the arena and carry Da Wang out. Blood streamed from the webbing between the thumb and forefinger of both his hands. There was no wound on his chest, but it felt as if something was blocking his breath. His face was flushed red, and he appeared to be suffocating.

“The rules of the Martial Arts Examination are to stop when a point is made! Yan Chengdu, your attack was too vicious!”

Xiao Wang’s eyes were practically splitting with rage.

“My apologies. I thought his Saber Technique was as formidable as Chu Lingguang’s. I didn’t expect…”

Yan Chengdu said with an apologetic expression.

“You…”

Leader Ma and the others were at a loss for words, completely powerless against Yan Chengdu.

Da Wang’s injuries were severe; he wouldn’t be able to hold onto his top-ten spot.

Thanks to the large venue, multiple matches were held simultaneously.

The ten other contenders with the potential to break into the top ten quickly emerged.

The top three in the overall rankings.

First, Yan Chengdu.

Second, Chu Lingguang.

Third, Lin Longde.

The ten challengers ignored these three. Instead, without exception, they all issued challenges to the Noble Family Disciples like Ji Hu, Chai Yaolong, and Shi Guangzhong.

Some knew they were no match, but they just wanted to test their skills against a Noble Family Disciple.

Others felt that Ji Hu and Chai Yaolong were nothing special. If Chu Lingguang, who came from a Humble Family, could defeat them both, then perhaps they could too.

Unfortunately, while free combat ability could be unpredictable, everyone in the top ten of the overall rankings had a solid foundation. Their journey to the top had involved no element of luck.

In the end, a contestant ranked twelfth overall replaced Da Wang, entering the top ten. The other nine challengers all failed.

The top ten, in order, were Yan Chengdu, Chu Lingguang, Lin Longde, Ji Hu, Shi Guangzhong, Chai Yaolong, and four others.

Feng Junyi stood up and announced, “This is the final round of this year’s Martial Arts Examination, to determine the top three. You ten may freely choose your opponents.”

The ten contestants stood in a line.

Yan Chengdu smiled as he looked at the other nine.

Chu Lingguang stood quietly to the side, saying nothing. He had just defeated Ji Hu and Chai Yaolong one after another, and his strength was clear for all to see. He figured that aside from Lin Longde and Yan Chengdu, no one else would dare challenge him.

“Lin, I request your guidance.”

Ji Hu gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and cupped his fists toward Lin Longde. Having lost to Chu Lingguang, his only path to the top three was by defeating Lin Longde. As for Yan Chengdu, he didn’t even dare to think about challenging him.

“Please.”

Lin Longde brandished his Life-taking Linked Spear and charged at Ji Hu. His Spear Technique was ferocious; Chu Lingguang had experienced it firsthand and had nearly lost to him. Ji Hu knew how powerful he was and didn’t dare to be arrogant, fighting with all his might from the start. Unfortunately, he was ultimately defeated by Lin Longde.

The remaining few exchanged glances. The Martial Arts Examination’s rules were strict; trying to wear someone down with successive battles was impossible. Anyone else who wanted to challenge Lin Longde would have to defeat Ji Hu first.

Shi Guangzhong looked hesitant. He had originally been determined to make it into the top three, but he had run into these two, Chu Lingguang and Lin Longde.

Now that Ji Hu had lost to Lin Longde, his only path to the top three was to challenge Chu Lingguang. But Ji Hu and Chai Yaolong had just been defeated by him in succession during the group stage. They had essentially challenged Chu Lingguang one after another and had gained no advantage.

At this moment, Chu Lingguang’s Qi and Blood had returned to their peak. He feared that challenging him would only bring humiliation upon himself. In the end, Shi Guangzhong sighed to himself and decided to accept his current rank.

The other contestants felt the same.

They didn’t dare to dream of reaching the top three.

Feng Junyi seemed to have expected this. He turned to Chu Lingguang, Yan Chengdu, and Lin Longde and said, “The top three have been decided. It will be you three. Now, I ask you, are you satisfied with your current rankings?”

“I’m not satisfied.”

Lin Longde was the first to speak.

“Who do you wish to challenge?”

Feng Junyi smiled. This was exactly the kind of drive he wanted to see from Lin Longde.

“Chu Lingguang.”

Lin Longde said directly.

He had almost beaten Chu Lingguang in Spear Technique, a fact that had been nagging at him ever since. He might not have confidence against Yan Chengdu’s Ultimate Killing Saber Technique, but against Chu Lingguang, Lin Longde felt completely sure of himself.

“Chu Lingguang, do you accept his challenge?”

Feng Junyi looked at Chu Lingguang.

Chu Lingguang knew that refusing would be the same as admitting defeat, so he said, “Lin, I ask for your guidance!”

WHOOSH!

Having learned from their last encounter, Lin Longde attacked Chu Lingguang with his fastest offense, using his Life-taking Linked Spear. It seemed he had been preparing for this battle for days. His spear moved like a dragon, a continuous flurry of blocks and strikes, seemingly giving Chu Lingguang no opportunity to react.

Chu Lingguang parried with the Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques, his mind completely unperturbed by Lin Longde’s intimidating aura. As they reached a stalemate, Chu Lingguang perceived a glint of cold light in Lin Longde’s spear forms. Following that light, he thrust forward, unleashing the second level of his Skillful Force. He used his Heaven and Earth power to disperse Lin Longde’s momentum, his own long spear surging forward like an unexpected force. It broke through the glint of light, and the spearhead came to rest on Lin Longde’s shoulder.

Lin Longde felt as if he’d been struck by lightning. Chu Lingguang had used the very same Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques, but today, his eyes seemed sharper than ever. He had crushed his opponent’s killing move at its weakest point, turning the tables with a single thrust.

Last time, it had been a narrow victory.

This time, it was a decisive win.

“Lin Longde, do you want to challenge Yan Chengdu?”

Feng Junyi asked.

Crestfallen, Lin Longde instinctively shook his head. He felt as though Chu Lingguang’s Spear Technique now possessed a new, special quality.

“Chu Lingguang, do you dare to challenge Yan Chengdu?”

Feng Junyi then asked Chu Lingguang.

Chu Lingguang detected the underlying tone. Feng Junyi’s “do you dare” was clearly a provocation, as if he was afraid Chu Lingguang would chicken out.

He looked over at Guo Wei outside the arena.

Guo Wei saw the medical officers help Da Wang spit out the congealed blood, allowing him to finally breathe again. He instinctively shook his head at Chu Lingguang.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep