Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1288 - 669: Stop

"You, step forward!"

The young man, Wang Yun, turned deathly pale, his legs beginning to tremble uncontrollably.

"I... I..."

Gu Sheng approached Wang Yun, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Go on. If you can't win, just surrender. No one will hold it against you."

"But... but..."

Wang Yun's voice shook, his eyes filled with palpable fear.

"No 'buts'."

Gu Sheng lowered his voice, speaking with measured calm.

"The Holy Land is currently seething with anger; someone needs to be the outlet for their rage. Don't worry, surrendering carries no shame."

Finally, Wang Yun nodded with great difficulty, his steps heavy as he dragged himself toward the arena.

Zhuang Feichen was already on the platform, arms crossed, his gaze radiating disdain.

"What are you stalling for? Hurry up and face your demise!"

Wang Yun shivered from head to toe, nearly stumbling on the steps, which elicited a wave of laughter from the Holy Land disciples below.

"Look, another clueless fool!"

"Brother Zhuang, finish him in a single strike!"

"Let him comprehend the repercussions of offending the Holy Land!"

Wang Yun kept his head bowed, his hands clenched into fists, the sharp points of his nails digging deeply into his palms without him even noticing the pain.

He stood trembling opposite Zhuang Feichen, lacking the courage to even lift his gaze and meet his opponent's eyes.

"Begin!"

The examiner issued the command.

A cruel smile twisted Zhuang Feichen's lips as he suddenly unleashed his full might. The formidable pressure of his spiritual power surged towards Wang Yun like a relentless tsunami, causing the very air on the stage to feel frozen.

"Pfft—"

Wang Yun coughed out a mouthful of blood, as if struck by a bolt of lightning. He staggered back several paces, barely preventing himself from tumbling off the platform.

"Hahaha!"

Zhuang Feichen erupted in hearty laughter.

"I haven't even attacked, and you're already spitting blood? Are all cultivators from the outside world this frail?"

The Holy Land disciples below roared with laughter, their earlier dejection completely vanishing. They desperately needed this victory to salvage their pride, even if it meant triumphing over a pathetic weakling incapable of retaliation.

Wang Yun managed to regain his balance, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes clouded with utter despair. He knew that enduring even a single attack from Zhuang Feichen was impossible; to continue would only lead to further humiliation.

On the martial platform, Wang Yun slowly elevated his right hand, palm facing outward, executing a standard gesture for surrender. His movements were cautious, as though he feared provoking Zhuang Feichen, who was already poised to attack.

"I surrender."

Wang Yun's voice, though not loud, clearly echoed throughout the entire arena.

Zhuang Feichen, who had adopted an aggressive stance with spiritual power swirling around him, faltered upon hearing the declaration, nearly suffering a backlash from his own surging power.

"What did you say?"

His eyes widened in sheer disbelief.

"Wang Yun surrenders. This match is concluded."

The examiner announced impassively, swiftly moving towards Wang Yun to assess his condition.

"This is outrageous!"

Zhuang Feichen bellowed, veins pulsating on his forehead.

"He didn't even put up a fight!"

The surrounding Holy Land disciples also erupted in protest.

"Isn't this excessively cowardly?"

"Surrendering before any combat even begins, what kind of cultivator does that make him?"

"Could it be that Wang Yun is simply afraid?"

Facing the crowd's barrage of doubts, Wang Yun calmly wiped away the blood from his lip.

"Brother Zhuang possesses profound cultivation. The overwhelming aura he released moments ago has already inflicted internal injuries upon me. To continue would only result in more severe harm. According to Holy Land regulations, surrendering due to injury is permissible."

The examiner, after a brief examination, nodded in confirmation.

"Indeed, there are indications of internal injury. The surrender is valid."

Zhuang Feichen trembled with incandescent rage, never anticipating that his own intimidation tactic would become the justification for his opponent's surrender.

He clenched his teeth, fixing Wang Yun with a glare so intense it seemed capable of spitting fire.

"Fine, very well!"

Zhuang Feichen forced the words out between gritted teeth.

"Wang Yun, you'd best remember me!"

Feigning ignorance, Wang Yun lowered his head and swiftly descended from the platform. He understood that while this maneuver lacked honor, it was undoubtedly the most prudent course of action. Zhuang Feichen's cultivation resided at the pinnacle of the Earth Palace stage, while he had only recently entered the early stages; a direct confrontation would inevitably result in defeat.

"Clever."

A cool voice emanated from his side. Wang Yun turned his head to find Ling Xiao standing with his arms crossed, a flicker of approval in his eyes.

Wang Yun offered a weak smile.

"Senior Brother Ling, you jest. This was merely an act born of desperation."

Ling Xiao shook his head.

"He who discerns when to yield and when to persevere is a true warrior. That brutish Zhuang Feichen will never grasp such a principle."

As a figure swiftly moved past them, Wang Yun’s eyes instantly brightened.

"Gu Sheng!"

Gu Sheng halted his steps. After a brief glance at Wang Yun’s pallid countenance, he retrieved a pill with a verdant luminescence from his sleeve and casually tossed it in his direction.

"A third-grade Spirit Pill, for recuperation."

Wang Yun’s hands instinctively reached out and caught the pill. Upon sensing the potent, pure spiritual power it contained, his eyes widened in astonishment.

"This... this is far too valuable!"

"It holds no use for me," Gu Sheng stated nonchalantly, continuing his forward momentum.

Wang Yun understood Gu Sheng's words to be the absolute truth; for an individual of Gu Sheng's caliber, a mere third-grade Spirit Pill offered negligible benefit. However, for Wang Yun himself, this single pill was sufficient to mend his internal injuries within half a day, rendering it incredibly precious.

"Thank you, Gu Sheng!" Wang Yun offered a profound bow in the direction of Gu Sheng's retreating back.

This precise moment was observed by Zhuang Feichen. His gaze hardened with malice as he approached Junior Brother Ke Yucheng, who was poised to ascend the combat platform. He spoke in a hushed tone.

"Junior Brother Ke, when you confront Gu Sheng shortly, do not afford him any opportunity to concede. Defeat him mercilessly for me!"

Ke Yucheng arched an eyebrow, a hint of annoyance surfacing. "Brother Zhuang, are you instructing me on how to perform my duties?"

"You!" Zhuang Feichen bristled, forcing himself to suppress his rising anger. "I am merely offering a reminder; that fellow is exceptionally sly."

Ke Yucheng let out a soft snort. "Rest assured, I shall make him understand that against true power, any pretense of cunning is utterly futile."

With those words, he dismissed Zhuang Feichen’s presence and confidently strode towards the stage. Once positioned on the platform, Ke Yucheng stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Though he made no conscious effort to exert his pressure, the innate aura of a cultivator at the peak of the Earth Palace realm naturally emanated, causing a sense of suffocation among the numerous disciples of lower cultivation levels gathered below.