Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1282 - 667: Slandering with Malicious Lies

Resembling a man in his thirties, he possessed a placid countenance and donned a simple grey robe.

"Bai Xin, it is an honor to receive your guidance."

The man offered a cupped fist salute, his voice resonating with a deep power.

"Bai Xin? Is that the one who received a bye in the first round?"

Tian Kun's eyes flickered with recognition.

"I've heard he spends most of his time tempering himself outside the Sect and rarely returns," Liu Qingshan remarked, clenching his fists.

"Peak Earth Palace Realm... A step above Dai Hongmao, perhaps..."

Without further ado, Bai Xin drew a completely crimson Spirit Sword, his movements economical.

The immediate drawing of the sword caused the temperature within the arena to seemingly soar.

"Red Flame Sword Technique: Heaven Burning!"

Bai Xin's sword intent surged like a vibrant rainbow, crimson Sword Qi coalescing into a fiery net that descended upon Ling Xiao.

The formidable pressure emanating from a Peak Earth Palace Realm cultivator was fully unleashed, causing those with lesser Cultivation on the sidelines to hastily retreat.

"So powerful!"

Liang Yu exclaimed in awe.

"The sheer force of this strike already approaches the Earth Palace Realm!"

Gu Sheng observed Bai Xin's attacking stance, then silently closed his eyes.

He could already envision the outcome of the fight.

Indeed, confronted by the overwhelming deluge of the fire net, Ling Xiao merely elevated his right fist and delivered a powerful punch.

"Bang!"

With a muffled impact, the fiery net was effortlessly rent asunder.

Before Bai Xin could even initiate a follow-up move, the residual force of the punch struck him directly in the chest.

A profound silence once again enveloped the entire arena.

"I accept your concession."

Ling Xiao maintained his nonchalant demeanor, his expression as unbothered as if he had merely brushed away an insect.

Bai Xin struggled to rise, a trickle of blood escaping the corner of his mouth.

He gazed intently at Ling Xiao, cupped his fists once more, and expressed,

"Thank you for holding back."

Dai Hongmao stood at the periphery of the arena, the fan crafted from wood in his hand quivering slightly.

As the second strongest within the team, ranking just below Bai Xin, he had intended to make a significant impression during the selection. However, now...

"Are you still going to step up?"

Liu Qingshan inquired softly.

Dai Hongmao drew a deep breath.

"Yes! Even if I face defeat, I must do so with dignity!"

He then leaped onto the platform, and with a swift 'whoosh,' his wooden fan unfurled.

"Fellow Daoist Ling Xiao, please impart your teachings upon me!"

"That's Senior Brother Dai's Thousand Leaf Flying Flower technique!"

Several Disciples recognized the formidable skill.

Dai Hongmao channeled his entire Spiritual Power into the wooden fan. The fan's surface instantly expanded to a width of nearly ten feet, unleashing countless leaf-shaped Spiritual Power Blades that assaulted Ling Xiao like a tempestuous, sky-obscuring storm.

Ling Xiao remained stationary with his hands clasped behind his back, his form effortlessly evading the onslaught of leaf blades; not a single one managed to graze the edge of his robe.

"Your speed is not insignificant."

Ling Xiao offered his assessment.

"Unfortunately..."

He abruptly ceased his evasive movements and lightly tapped the empty air with his right index finger.

"Snap!"

A sharp cracking sound echoed as all the hurtling leaf blades detonated simultaneously. Dai Hongmao, fan and all, was violently propelled backward, colliding heavily near the platform's edge.

"I concede..."

Dai Hongmao uttered with evident bitterness, laboriously rising to offer a salute.

Ling Xiao had now secured three consecutive victories!

As per the established rules, this dictated that Gu Sheng's team had earned three additional qualification slots; the top six individuals would now secure entry into the Qinghe Holy Land!

"That's incredible!"

Liang Yu leaped up in sheer elation.

"We can all make it into the Holy Land!"

"Senior Brother Ling Xiao is simply too formidable!"

The other Disciples erupted in cheers, their gazes fixed upon Ling Xiao with profound admiration.

Even the Cultivators positioned lower on the rankings could not refrain from cheering for Ling Xiao.

In this world where might reigns supreme, raw strength serves as the ultimate credential.

Gu Sheng, however, quietly withdrew to the fringes of the assembly, his eyes inadvertently drifting towards the Holy Land Disciples positioned high above.

Wang Chenyu was observed bowing his head, engaged in hushed conversation with individuals nearby, a chilling smile gracing his features.

"Something feels amiss..." Gu Sheng's heart constricted with unease.

"What are these Holy Land Disciples scheming?"

He resolved to maintain an even lower profile during the forthcoming melee, allowing Ling Xiao to command the collective attention.

Upon the Qinghe Holy Land's designated dueling platform, Ling Xiao stood poised, his hands clasped behind his back, his robe rippling as if caught in a phantom wind.

His gaze, sharp as lightning, swept across the assembled crowd below, a subtle smile playing upon the corners of his lips.

"Who else dares to challenge?"

Ling Xiao's voice, though not amplified, clearly penetrated the ears of every individual present.

The Cultivators gathered below exchanged uncertain glances; none ventured to offer a response.

Mere moments prior, four separate challengers had ascended the platform successively, only to be unceremoniously blasted off by Ling Xiao with a singular, decisive move, without exception.

That immense pressure surged forward like a ferocious tiger descending upon a herd of sheep, utterly unstoppable.

"I'll take the stage!"

A powerfully built man bounded onto the platform; it was none other than the moderately renowned Body Cultivation master, Zhao Tieshan.

Ling Xiao did not even bother to raise his eyelids.

"Proceed."

Zhao Tieshan bellowed, his entire physique gaining a bronze luster as his fists rained down upon Ling Xiao's face like mighty hammers.

This explosive assault carried the force of a thousand jun; even the surrounding air fractured with sonic booms.

"Too sluggish."

Ling Xiao uttered a soft sigh. With a mere blur of his form, he appeared behind Zhao Tieshan, his palm making a gentle contact with the man's back.

"Boom!"

Zhao Tieshan was propelled off the platform, impacting the ground with a heavy thud that churned up a significant amount of dust.

A profound silence descended upon the assembled audience.

"The fifth combatant,"

Ling Xiao announced the count with composed indifference, his gaze sweeping towards the sole two remaining contenders below – Tian Kun and Qing Shan.

Their countenances were etched with despair.

Having been considered frontrunners for this very selection, they now found themselves struggling to draw breath under Ling Xiao's overwhelming might.

Tian Kun gnashed his teeth in frustration.

"Enough, I will go next!"

He leaped onto the elevated stage, revealing a long saber that gleamed with a cold, sharp radiance in his grasp.

The blade quivered, emitting a resonant hum akin to a dragon's cry.

"The Tian Family's Broken Wave Saber technique, I await your guidance!"

Tian Kun declared in a resonant tone, his Spiritual Power erupting outward in waves, clearly indicating he was deploying his full strength.

Only then did Ling Xiao direct a proper look at him, offering a slight nod.

"Finally, a worthy opponent."

Even before the words fully registered, Tian Kun had transformed into a streak of motion; the saber's light sliced towards Ling Xiao's neck like a celestial ribbon.

The strike was as swift as a lightning bolt; the spectators perceived only a momentary blur before the blade's edge had advanced to within three inches of Ling Xiao's throat.

"Clang!"

The sharp, metallic reverberation echoed throughout the entire arena.

Ling Xiao, employing merely two fingers, intercepted the unstoppable saber-strike, bringing it to an absolute halt.

Tian Kun's pupils contracted violently; before he could even contemplate altering his assault, a seemingly effortless palm strike landed squarely on his chest.

"Pfft—"

Tian Kun expelled a mouthful of blood, sent careening backward to crash with considerable force at the platform's periphery.