Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1283 - 667: Slander

"One move."

Ling Xiao retracted his palm, a shake of his head the only response.

"Next."

Liu Qingshan’s complexion was ashen, yet he had no alternative but to proceed.

As he ascended the stage, a pair of obsidian short halberds materialized within his grasp.

"The Liu family’s Twin Flood Dragon Halberds, I present—"

"No need for introductions."

Ling Xiao cut him off.

"It’s all the same."

Fury ignited within Liu Qingshan. His twin halberds crossed, carving a luminous cross-shape through the air as his spiritual power surged like a tempest. This assault embodied the culmination of his life's effort, its sheer force even gouging fissures into the stage's surface.

At long last, Ling Xiao stirred.

He clenched his right fist, unfurling a straightforward, unadorned punch.

"Boom!"

The impact between fist and halberd erupted, unleashing a powerful wave of air. Liu Qingshan felt an unstoppable force crash into him, his halberds ripped from his grasp, his entire body propelled backward. He slammed against the edge of the stage’s protective formation, sliding down its surface.

"The sixth opponent."

Ling Xiao flexed his wrist, turning to descend from the platform.

"Wait a moment!"

The examiner's voice suddenly rang out. He was an elder, his white hair and beard framing a face etched with a complex mixture of emotions.

"Ling Xiao, your consecutive victories now stand at six. By the rules, these six spots are yours. However..."

His gaze fell upon the fallen figures of Tian Kun and Liu Qingshan, his eyes conveying a sense of pity.

"Might we afford them a final chance?"

Ling Xiao halted his movement, a raised eyebrow his only immediate reaction.

"Oh?"

The examiner cleared his throat softly.

"I have resolved to enact a temporary alteration to the regulations. The final available spot shall be decided through a duel between Tian Kun and Liu Qingshan. Do you consent to this arrangement?"

The assembled crowd erupted into a cacophony of sound.

For the cultivators who had been eliminated, a profound despair settled in, particularly for formidable contenders like Jiang Dashan, who was among the top contestants. He clenched his fists with palpable intensity.

Bai Xin offered a rueful smile, murmuring to himself.

"Twenty-nine years old... another three years and I’ll be beyond the age limit..."

His gaze remained fixed upon the stage, his eyes alight with unyielding regret.

Ling Xiao surveyed the examiner’s earnest countenance, then cast his eyes over the multitude of spectators before letting out a laugh.

"Very well, I shall grant the Holy Land this courtesy."

With practiced grace, he stepped off the stage, making his way toward Gu Sheng, who had been patiently waiting.

"A shame, really. I had intended to claim every single spot."

Ling Xiao's thoughts, transmitted telepathically, carried a discernible note of disappointment.

Gu Sheng chuckled, clapping him firmly on the shoulder.

"Don't get too full of yourself, young one. Be wary of being sidelined once you arrive at the Holy Land."

"What is there to fear?"

Ling Xiao remained unperturbed.

"Let’s focus on securing some cultivation resources while the opportunity arises."

A shared glance of understanding passed between the two, drawing the attention of several nearby Holy Land disciples.

One of them spoke in a hushed tone.

"Senior Brother Wang, if Ling Xiao truly joins our ranks, in the future, he might possess considerable..."

The young man addressed as Senior Brother Wang, possessing a handsome visage, offered a mysterious smile upon hearing this.

"I have my own schemes."

His gaze lingered intently on the stage, where Tian Kun and Liu Qingshan had risen once more, now positioned opposite each other.

"We thank the examiner for his magnanimity!"

Tian Kun and Liu Qingshan bowed in unison towards the elder, a spark of renewed hope igniting in their eyes.

The examiner gave a subtle nod.

"Commence."

Tian Kun wiped a smear of blood from the corner of his mouth, gripping his longsword horizontally.

"Liu Qingshan, today, only one of us will remain standing!"

"Precisely what I desire!"

Liu Qingshan retrieved his twin halberds, his eyes blazing with martial fervor. The duo launched into action simultaneously, their weapons colliding instantly. Unlike Ling Xiao’s decisive conquest, this encounter ignited into a fierce, high-octane battle from its very inception.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The sharp percussion of metal on metal was akin to a relentless deluge. Tian Kun’s swordsmanship was both audacious and expansive, each stroke imbued with the power to cleave mountains. Liu Qingshan’s twin halberds moved with the fluidity of flood dragons emerging from the abyss, exhibiting mastery in both attack and defense. In the span of a few breaths, ten exchanges had transpired, leaving both combatants bearing fresh wounds, yet fueling their resolve with increasing intensity.

"Exhilarating!"

Tian Kun roared with delight, his sword’s momentum undergoing a sudden transformation, shifting from a rigid to a yielding style. The blade weaved around Liu Qingshan’s halberds like liquid silk. Caught off guard, Liu Qingshan’s right halberd was knocked aside, exposing his chest. Seizing the opening, Tian Kun channeled his full spiritual power into his left fist, delivering a powerful blow to his opponent’s abdomen.

"Bang!"

With a muffled impact, Liu Qingshan expelled a mouthful of fresh blood, stumbling back several paces. Yet, gritting his teeth, he held his ground, crossing his twin halberds protectively before his chest.

"It is not yet finished!"

He bellowed, and his twin halberds suddenly launched from his hands, hurtling directly towards Tian Kun.

Tian Kun, in shock, raised his sword hurriedly to intercept.

With two metallic clashes, the halberd blades narrowly missed his cheek, leaving behind twin trails of blood.

Before Tian Kun could even regain his footing, Liu Qingshan surged forward, his fists and feet raining down blows.

"These two men..."

From their vantage point below the stage, Liang Yu turned to Gu Sheng.

"Who do you predict will emerge victorious?"

Gu Sheng stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"It’s an even match, really. We’ll just have to see who breaks first."

High on the stage, both Tian Kun and Liu Qingshan were pushed to their absolute limits, yet neither showed any inclination to concede defeat.

Their intense contest, stretching through countless exchanges, had scarred the very ground beneath them.

A pale blue spiritual energy began to coalesce around Tian Kun’s fist, and a self-assured, icy smirk touched the edges of his lips.

"Liu Qingshan, your path ends here!"

Tian Kun bellowed, moving with the speed of lightning as he launched a direct assault toward the exposed region of Liu Qingshan’s abdomen.

Liu Qingshan stumbled backward, a flicker of apparent panic crossing his features, yet concealed from Tian Kun’s view, a cold spark ignited within his eyes.

His muscles strained visibly beneath his tattered garments, and his skin took on an unusual, dark golden hue.

"Boom——!"

A heavy, thudding sound of flesh meeting flesh reverberated, followed by a concussive explosion.

Billowing dust erupted skyward, engulfing the entire combat arena.

Among the spectators, Liang Yu and the others had already risen to their feet, poised for a cheer.

"Liu Qingshan is finished!"

Liang Yu exclaimed, striking the railing with excitement.

"Tian Kun’s strike alone is capable of shattering Xuan Iron!"

Gu Sheng, however, remained seated, his fingers lightly drumming against the armrest.

"Not necessarily."

"What do you mean, ‘not necessarily’?"

Liang Yu turned his head, a scowl on his face.

"Gu Sheng, surely you don’t believe Liu Qingshan can still—"

His statement was cut short as a spurt of blood shot from the dissipating dust cloud, accompanied by a resounding crash.

A powerful gust of wind swept through, dispersing the thick mist and revealing a scene that left every onlooker utterly astonished—

Tian Kun lay sprawled on his back near the stage’s edge, his chest conspicuously caved in, blood pooling at the corners of his mouth.

Liu Qingshan, despite his torn attire and numerous wounds, stood firm, his body radiating an imposing physical power.

"This... this is impossible!"

Liang Yu cried out in disbelief.

Liu Qingshan began his slow descent from the stage, his steps leaving faint impressions on the bluestone floor.

As he passed Gu Sheng, he offered a subtle nod, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.

"Did Gu Sheng foresee this all along?"

Liang Yu questioned, his voice laced with incredulity.

Gu Sheng’s gaze was contemplative.

"A Body Refiner’s muscle structure differs from that of ordinary individuals. Liu Qingshan intentionally displayed weakness, luring Tian Kun into launching his strongest attack at his abdomen—which is, in fact, the most robust part of his body after rigorous training."

A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd.

The disciples who had previously been content with merely securing a spot now regarded Liu Qingshan with profound admiration and awe.

"He concealed his strength exceptionally well..."

Someone whispered.

At this juncture, a stout figure pushed through the throng—it was Wang Yun, currently ranked eighth.

He approached Senior Brother Ling with a wide grin.

"Senior Brother Ling, it is thanks to your invaluable guidance that I was fortunate enough to secure a position! I pledge my unwavering loyalty to you henceforth!"

Senior Brother Ling placed a hand on Wang Yun’s shoulder, a look of satisfaction on his face, basking in the envious gazes surrounding them.

Just as the tension began to dissipate, the test proctor stepped onto the stage, his voice ringing out clearly.

"The second bout of the third round has officially concluded! This year’s Qinghe Holy Land disciple recruitment tournament is—"

"Wait!"

A sharp, cold shout interrupted the announcement.

The crowd parted spontaneously, making way for a young man adorned in the distinctive attire of a Qinghe Holy Land disciple. He strode forward, a jade pendant clinking at his waist.

Upon recognizing this figure, Ling Xiao’s expression shifted dramatically, his fists clenching involuntarily.

"Wang Chenyu!"

Ling Xiao ground out the name through gritted teeth.

Wang Chenyu didn't spare Ling Xiao a single glance. He proceeded directly to the examiner, offering a formal salute with clasped fists.

"Martial Uncle, this year’s tournament has devolved into a farce. Particularly the array assessment in the second round; clear instances of cheating occurred, yet no investigation has been initiated."

The examiner's brow furrowed.

"Chenyu, what exactly are you implying?"

Wang Chenyu pivoted, his finger pointing accusingly at Gu Sheng.

"This individual’s array mastery is mediocre, yet he secured first place in the second round. Furthermore, in this third round, he skillfully avoided direct confrontation and never revealed his true capabilities! I strongly suspect he employed some illicit means to gain an unfair advantage!"

A collective gasp arose from the entire assembly.

Gu Sheng’s countenance remained impassive, though a subtle coldness began to creep into his gaze.

"You are speaking utter falsehoods!"

Liang Yu was the first to react, stepping forward indignantly.

"Gu Sheng’s prowess is evident for all to witness!"