Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 1290 - 670: My God

"Esteemed Examiner, the disciple was merely..."

A cold sweat slicked Ke Yucheng's forehead, his sword's tip quivering infinitesimally.

Seizing the opening, Gu Sheng executed a three-step retreat, his robes billowing as he deftly masked the sharp glint in his eyes.

His original strategy was to provoke Ke Yucheng into a full-powered assault, then feign a grievous wound to concede defeat. However, the examiner's sudden intervention disrupted his plans.

Now, with the rabid Ke Yucheng momentarily cowed, Gu Sheng found himself uncertain how to conclude the encounter.

"Sparring, a mere touch is sufficient," the examiner's voice cut through the air, his gaze piercing like lightning.

"Another transgression, and your qualification shall be rescinded!"

A ripple of murmurs instantly spread through the assembled spectators.

Ling Xiao stroked his chin, a low whisper directed at his companions.

"Gu Sheng's fortune is considerable; had that sword landed a moment ago..."

"Nonsense!" Wang Yun clenched his fists tightly.

"It was clearly Ke Yucheng employing a foul tactic! The examiner witnessed it all!"

Xu Guangzhi narrowed his eyes. "I doubt it was mere luck. Have you not observed the examiner's peculiar attention towards Gu Sheng? What Qinghe Holy Land is most lacking is..."

Before his words could fully form, the dynamics on the stage underwent a dramatic shift.

Ke Yucheng suddenly unleashed his fury, the Sword Qi shimmering with an emerald hue on his Spirit Sword, erupting three feet into the air and manifesting nine sword shadows that danced ominously.

"Gu Sheng! If I don't cripple you today, I'll write my surname in reverse!"

These nine spectral blades hissed like vipers, obliterating any potential path of escape for Gu Sheng.

Gasps of astonishment echoed from the crowd below, while the examiner's brow furrowed, though he refrained from intervening further – this assault, at least, was deemed legitimate.

Gu Sheng's pupils contracted sharply.

He could have easily evaded the killing blow, but with the examiner's watchful eye glinting from the periphery, he altered his course.

He deliberately slowed his movements, allowing the Sword Qi to carve a bloody gash across his left shoulder.

"Hiss—" Gu Sheng stumbled backward, his right hand instinctively going to the wound, crimson blood trickling between his fingers.

Although the injury appeared grave, he secretly channeled True Qi to shield his meridians, confining the pain to a manageable level.

Witnessing this, Ke Yucheng's elation surged, and he pressed his attack with renewed ferocity.

A torrent of sword lights descended like a deluge, compelling Gu Sheng into a desperate retreat. His emerald robe was rent in seven or eight places, each wound oozing blood with picturesque precision, yet none proved fatal.

"Why isn't Gu Sheng retaliating!"

Junior disciples within the throng cried out in agitated tones.

Wang Yun stomped his foot in exasperation.

"What do you comprehend! Ke Yucheng wields the Nine Revolutions Green Blade Technique; attempting a counterstrike is tantamount to seeking death!"

Xu Guangzhi suddenly let out a soft exclamation.

"Observe Gu Sheng's retreat trajectory..."

On the stage, Gu Sheng's movements, though appearing desperate, were meticulously orchestrated.

By harnessing the momentum generated from Ke Yucheng's relentless sword thrusts, he subtly maneuvered himself closer to the stage's precipice.

Each time he neared a state of being cornered, he intentionally exposed a momentary weakness, luring Ke Yucheng into altering his attack pattern, thus perpetuating the cycle.

After thirty exchanges, beads of sweat began to bead on Ke Yucheng's brow.

The prolonged engagement felt increasingly bizarre; while he could inflict wounds upon Gu Sheng with every strike, the latter consistently evaded critical damage, proving as elusive as an unkillable cockroach.

"A blatant charade!"

Ke Yucheng abruptly shifted his strategy, the aura of his sword darkening to a deep crimson.

"Savor my Blood Evil Sword!"

The attack was insidious, targeting Gu Sheng's throat directly.

A fleeting gleam ignited in Gu Sheng's eyes – this was the precise moment he had awaited!

Feigning a surge of panic, he raised his sword to parry, yet secretly siphoned off thirty percent of his power.

"Clang!"

The Green Jade Sword slipped from his grasp, executing an elegant arc through the air.

Gu Sheng seized the opportunity, expelling a mouthful of dark, stagnant blood.

With a drawn-out 'ah,' he spurted a mist of blood, hurtling backward.

"Oh no!"

Ke Yucheng's realization dawned belatedly.

It was then he registered that Gu Sheng's trajectory carried him directly towards the stage's edge, perfectly positioning him to evade any subsequent lethal assaults!

"Attempting to flee?"

Ke Yucheng's visage contorted in rage. He struck the ground with his toes, sending cracks spiderwebbing across the stage's green bricks.

He lunged at Gu Sheng, his Spirit Sword aimed squarely at the opponent's Dantian.

"Surrender your cultivation to me!"

In a flash, as Gu Sheng hurtled through the air, a subtle smile graced his lips.

With his right hand, he covertly formed a mudra, forcing his True Qi to surge in reverse through his meridians, abruptly altering his downward trajectory.

"Pfft!"

Ke Yucheng's blade found only Gu Sheng's left arm, the impact propelling Gu Sheng with augmented speed towards the stage's perimeter.

The crowd below witnessed only a blood-splattered silhouette streaking across the sky, followed by—

"Bang!"

With a heavy thud, Gu Sheng landed on the blue stone ground outside the designated stage area, the boundary clearly crossed.

"The match concludes now!" the examiner declared, his voice tinged with a clear note of admiration.

"Gu Sheng is out of bounds. Ke Yucheng is the victor!"

A significant buzz erupted from the assembled audience.

Ling Xiao brought his fist down on the table, his expression one of sheer approval. "Magnificent! To think he could even alter his trajectory while spitting blood!"

Wang Yun's countenance shifted abruptly. "Watch yourself!"

Ignoring the established rules, Ke Yucheng leaped from the stage, his sword pointed directly at Gu Sheng's midsection. "You thought you could escape? Not so fast!"

"Perish!"

Ke Yucheng let out a chilling sneer, his Spirit Sword igniting with dark Spiritual Power as it plunged toward Gu Sheng's abdomen.

"Halt!"

The examiner's shout thundered, and he erupted onto the stage, his fury palpable. He could hardly believe someone would dare to execute such a fatal maneuver during the Qinghe Holy Land's preliminary assessment.

Gu Sheng, falling from the sky, his eyes were only half-open, his breathing as faint as a guttering candle flame. His chest was a mask of crimson, and a ghastly, bone-deep gash on his left arm was horrifyingly visible.

"Hahaha, Gu Sheng, your ultimate defeat has arrived!" Wang Yuchen bellowed from below the stage, his fist pumping the air, malevolence gleaming in his eyes. "Let him meet his end! Let him never rise again!"

"Ke Yucheng!" Ling Xiao's eyes blazed, an almost visible surge of malevolent Qi swirling around him. "Should Gu Sheng meet any unfortunate fate, I shall ensure your life becomes a living hell!"

On the stage, sensing the examiner's overwhelming aura bearing down on him, Ke Yucheng was caught between terror and savage exhilaration, yet his Spirit Sword became even more ferocious. The black Spiritual Power was nearly solid, a hair's breadth from Gu Sheng's abdomen.

In this dire, nail-biting instant—

Gu Sheng, whose eyes had remained shut, suddenly flung them open!