Chapter 75: Chapter 75: The Decisive Bout

Favors: None

Staff Technique: (40-100)

Tidal Breathing Technique (170-300)

Turtle Breath Technique (61-500)

Heaven and Earth Technique (102-1000)

Skillful Force (57-150)

(Remaining Lifespan: 89)

Chu Lingguang saw that ever since he had grasped the fundamental technique of the Heaven and Earth Technique and developed an affinity for the ground, this Kung Fu’s value had surpassed one hundred.

Although his Qi Blood was severely depleted, he felt he could transfer as much external force as possible into the ground. ’If I can just eat a full meal and recover my Qi Blood,’ he thought, ’I might just be able to defeat Liu Quan.’

Guo Wei was astonished.

Chu Lingguang had always been calm and composed, possessing a tenacious will. He wasn’t impulsive like Hei Hu. ’Could he actually be confident he can defeat Liu Quan?’

“Alright. We’ll have the match after lunch, once you’ve both recovered your Qi Blood.”

Guo Wei nodded.

He didn’t want to damage Chu Lingguang’s confidence, and he held high expectations for him. He also wanted to see for himself just how wide the gap was between Chu Lingguang and Liu Quan.

Even if Chu Lingguang lost, Guo Wei would be able to see exactly where he fell short. Afterward, he could devise a tailored training plan for him. This would also help prepare Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu, in case they ran into Liu Quan during the combat portion of the Daoist Examination.

Before, he had only hoped that Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu could make the list.

But after today, he wanted to see which of them—Chu Lingguang or Liu Quan—could go further.

“Fine. Let them rest for a bit.”

Since Guo Wei had agreed, Tie Zhennan naturally had no objections. After all, Liu Quan had already mastered the second level of Skillful Force. From any angle, Liu Quan’s chances of winning were far greater than Chu Lingguang’s.

“Prepare some extra meat to help them recover their Qi Blood faster.”

Leader Ma ordered.

“Yes, sir!”

Xiao Wang nodded and ran to inform the kitchen.

The onlookers, who loved a good spectacle, couldn’t wait for Chu Lingguang and Liu Quan to fight it out to the bitter end.

“Hei Hu, go buy a pair of shoes for Lin Guang. Pick out a good pair.”

Guo Wei tossed Hei Hu a piece of broken silver. After asking for Chu Lingguang’s shoe size, Hei Hu ran out of the Escort Agency with mixed feelings and returned from the street with a new pair of boots.

“Take this.”

Tie Zhennan called Liu Quan over to a corner and gave him a Qi Blood Pill.

“Thank you, Master.”

Liu Quan swallowed it immediately, using his Breathing Technique to absorb the effects of the Qi Blood Pill.

Guo Wei frowned.

He had only used a few of the Qi Blood Pills that Yang Shaorong had given him, saving the rest for Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu. He didn’t have them on him now, though. Besides, he always carefully controlled their use, as taking too many could lead to dependency.

But Chu Lingguang’s Qi Blood was now severely depleted; it would be best if he had a Qi Blood Pill to take.

“Leader Ma…”

Guo Wei had no choice but to ask Leader Ma for one, promising to pay him back later and explaining the gravity of the situation. Leader Ma looked troubled. Qi Blood Pills were precious, each one costing over a hundred taels of silver. Hardly anyone in the Escort Agency could afford them. When traveling, they relied mainly on medicinal tea to replenish their Qi Blood.

Even as the agency leader, he couldn’t bear to use a Qi Blood Pill himself.

Guo Wei had to settle for the next best thing. He personally brewed some medicinal tea for Chu Lingguang at the agency, carefully measuring the ingredients himself. When Hei Hu returned with the boots, he had Chu Lingguang drink a large bowl of it.

As the medicinal tea entered his system, Chu Lingguang used the Tidal Breathing Technique to absorb its potency. Although it wasn’t as effective as a Qi Blood Pill, his Qi Blood still recovered a fair amount.

After finishing lunch a short while later, Chu Lingguang again used the Tidal Breathing Technique to digest the meat. While everyone else was taking their afternoon nap, Guo Wei seized the opportunity to brew another large bowl of medicinal tea for him.

Chu Lingguang drank it down and finally felt his Qi Blood return to its peak state.

His gauze-wrapped hands gripped the silver Long Spear that was leaning against the door. Just as he opened the door, he saw Liu Quan step out of the guest room across the hall. Their eyes met.

The Qi Blood Pill had not only restored Liu Quan’s Qi Power but had actually increased his strength. He now had a ruddy complexion and was brimming with energy, showing all the signs of an impending breakthrough.

CLANG!

Liu Quan, holding his spear in one hand, struck its shaft against the ground. As if on signal, everyone in the Escort Agency gathered, and in no time, the courtyard was filled with people.

Leader Ma, Guo Wei, and Tie Zhennan took their seats.

Chu Lingguang and Liu Quan walked to the center of the courtyard together.

“Please!”

Liu Quan said, clasping his hands in a salute.

Chu Lingguang returned the salute, then took his stance, waiting for Liu Quan to attack.

Guo Wei had warned him that while attacking first could provide an advantage, it was risky. Since Liu Quan had mastered the second level of Skillful Force, if Chu Lingguang failed to quickly break through his defense, Liu Quan would easily disrupt his rhythm and cause a swift defeat.

WHOOSH!

Liu Quan took the initiative to attack.

Tie Zhennan had also instructed him that Chu Lingguang’s specialty was defense. The best strategy was to bait Chu Lingguang into attacking, find an opening in his offense, and then use the second level of Skillful Force to secure a quick victory.

Liu Quan was obedient. His initial attack consisted of only a few feints, intentionally creating an opening in his Spear Technique to bait Chu Lingguang into a close-range thrust.

BOOM!

Chu Lingguang didn’t overthink it. He swung his Long Spear, blocking all of Liu Quan’s attacks. Seeing the trap Liu Quan was laying, he lunged forward. Capitalizing on the advantage of his Perfect Techniques, he unleashed the Cyan Dragon Emerges from Water Linked Spear, aiming to overwhelm Liu Quan’s upper body.

Liu Quan was secretly delighted, thinking Chu Lingguang had fallen into his trap. But when he moved to parry, he was shocked to find that Chu Lingguang’s offense was as watertight as his defense. He was forced completely on the back foot, unable to even think about using the second level of Skillful Force to trap Chu Lingguang’s Long Spear.

CLANG!

Sticking to his own rhythm, Chu Lingguang relentlessly attacked Liu Quan. He knew Liu Quan was trying to bait him into a close-range attack, hoping to find an opening and end the match in a single move with his second-level Skillful Force.

But the opening in Liu Quan’s stance was now plain to see, and Chu Lingguang had no intention of missing the opportunity. If Liu Quan failed to defend, victory would be his.

TAP! TAP! TAP!

Liu Quan was forced back step by step. He hadn’t expected to be suppressed by Chu Lingguang right from the start. Out of options, he swung his spear with all his might, combining his powerful Qi Blood with the first level of Skillful Force to smash his Long Spear directly against Chu Lingguang’s.

CLANGGG!

A surge of Skillful Force transferred over from Liu Quan’s Long Spear.

Chu Lingguang synchronized his breathing with the vibrations of his Long Spear, allowing his Qi Blood to resonate with it. He had already cultivated his Spear Technique to the Form Realm. So, even though he had only mastered the first level of Skillful Force, when their spears collided, it was Liu Quan’s weapon that was knocked away.

The power of the Form Realm was truly demonstrated in that instant.

Chu Lingguang seized this rare opportunity, unleashing his Linked Spear technique to strike at three vital points on Liu Quan’s torso. Liu Quan was forced back repeatedly. Just as it seemed he could no longer hold on, he finally found an opening to unleash the second level of Skillful Force.

CLANG!

Their Long Spears collided once more.

Chu Lingguang felt a pulling force latch onto his Long Spear, as if Liu Quan were entangling it. At the same time, another wave of power traveled up the shaft, making his arm ache and his grip falter.

Chu Lingguang knew this was the “Entangle” and “Penetrate” of the second-level Skillful Force.

’If I can just withstand this power from Liu Quan, defeating him will be a simple matter.’

It all depended on whether his Heaven and Earth Technique could divert that power into the ground. He could only brace himself and take a step forward.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep