Free Web NovelChapter 469: Chapter 208: Bold Aspirations, Triple Champion Scholar
Qi Shiwei asked.
Chu Lingguang didn’t mince words. "I want to defeat Yan," he said frankly. "If possible, I’d also like to become a Triple Champion Scholar and bring glory to my master’s name, but that’s incredibly difficult. I can’t guarantee what I’ll achieve, but just as Lin said, no matter what, there has to be at least one Chu among the Military Scholars."
"Well said! A man is born into this world; how can he resign himself to living under others? That’s right. Chen Jin and I have held back for three years, all for the next Martial Arts Examination. We plan to go straight to the Palace Examination and return with the title of Military Scholar."
Emperor Yue Xuan said excitedly.
"Be a hero in life and a noble spirit in death. Even if I, Chen Jin, can’t surpass Yan Zhen, I will still make my mark on the imperial court."
Chen Jin vowed.
"To serve the emperor in his worldly affairs, and win a name that lasts a lifetime and beyond. My Gao family is also in need of a Military Scholar."
Gao Yimu declared, his blood pumping with excitement.
"A time will come to ride the long wind and cleave the waves; I’ll hoist my sail and cross the sea’s expanse. Gentlemen, I’ll see you at the Palace Examination!"
Yan Chengdu chimed in excitedly.
"For ten years I’ve honed a single blade, its frosty edge yet untested. Today I present it to you all; who dares say there is injustice? When we meet in the Martial Arts Examination, don’t any of you hold back."
Yu Jiaxin’s voice rang with conviction.
Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu were deeply inspired. The two martial brothers exchanged a glance, then raised their cups and declared in unison, "Us too!"
"Same for all of us!"
Emperor Yue Xuan, Chen Jin, and the others echoed in agreement.
The group clinked their cups again and drained the potent liquor in a single gulp.
The alcohol loosened their tongues, and they all spoke their true ambitions for the world. Chen Jin, Emperor Yue Xuan, Gao Yimu, and Yu Jiaxin all planned to wait three years before taking the Martial Arts Examination.
Considering that Chu Lingguang, Yan Chengdu, Qi Shiwei, Hei Hu, and Lin Longde were all participating in the upcoming Provincial Examination, the group split into two sides to spar after they finished their drinks.
It was a rare gathering, so no one held back.
Hei Hu was the weakest of the group, but spurred on by the idea of Yan Zhen becoming a Triple Champion Scholar, he took the initiative to challenge Chen Jin. He was defeated in less than thirty rounds. He then challenged Emperor Yue Xuan, but the latter had already spotted Hei Hu’s flaws and defeated him within twenty-five rounds.
Hei Hu’s confidence was shattered. To save face, he challenged Wang Chao to a fight. Wang Chao noticed Hei Hu’s poor state of mind and sent for Guo Wei to come and watch. Wang Chao employed a series of moves that blurred the line between feint and attack, and as a result, Hei Hu spent another night practicing his Pile Skill.
Then, Chu Lingguang sparred with Emperor Yue Xuan and the others. Everyone knew he was the strongest, so they had no intention of fighting him one-on-one. Emperor Yue Xuan and Chen Jin attacked first, but after just twenty rounds, they were on the verge of defeat. Gao Yimu and Yu Jiaxin quickly joined in. Even against the four of them, Chu Lingguang’s Perfection-level Spear Technique formed an impenetrable defense. He then began to use Potential Energy Superposition, breaking their formation and picking them off one by one. Just as they were about to be utterly defeated, Qi Shiwei and Lin Longde also entered the fray.
Chu Lingguang felt the pressure mount. He immediately unleashed a triple Potential Energy Superposition, augmented by the power of his Qi Sea Perfection. With a single sweep of his spear, he sent the weapons flying from the hands of Qi Shiwei, Gao Yimu, and Yu Jiaxin.
Shock written all over his face, Yan Chengdu executed his Ultimate Killing Saber Technique and decisively joined the fight. But Chu Lingguang, with his powerful Perception Power, spotted a flaw in the Saber Technique instantly. He defeated Yan Chengdu with a single thrust, then followed up with a continuous sweep of his spear, imbued with triple Potential Energy, knocking the weapons from everyone else’s hands.
They were all dumbstruck.
The three of them—Lin Longde, Yan Chengdu, and Qi Shiwei—were now wondering if they should also wait three years before taking the Martial Arts Examination.
They had arrived with their arms around each other’s shoulders, full of laughter and cheer, even bringing gifts to show their respect for Guo Wei. But they left crestfallen, a bitter taste in their mouths.
They had long known Chu Lingguang’s strength surpassed them all, but they never imagined the gap was so immense. Even when they joined forces, they were still no match for him.
The power of the Qi Sea Perfection realm, his Primitive Power, a six-layered Dharma Aspect, and a triple Potential Energy Superposition—after that fierce onslaught, the martial resolve of both Chen Jin and Emperor Yue Xuan began to waver.
But what would they think if they knew Chu Lingguang hadn’t even used his full power? He had held back his Flesh and Blood Divine Abilities, his Spear Intent Power, the ’Slow’ aspect of his Potential Energy, and even his Elixir Field Power.
Emperor Yue Xuan, Chen Jin, and Yan Chengdu were all martial arts prodigies backed by abundant resources. Although their strength had advanced by leaps and bounds over the past year, their Qi Sea Power had only reached the Minor Achievement level. The most talented among them, Chen Jin, had only just awakened his True Dragon Power and opened his fourth-layer Dharma Aspect.
Relying on nothing more than his Qi Sea Perfection Level power and his Primitive Power, Chu Lingguang could already sweep them all aside. With a triple Potential Energy Superposition, he could defeat them all in just a few moves of his spear.
Two packets of Heart-Devouring Powder, three months of cultivation in the Trial Ground, and a bottle of Bone Marrow Cleansing Liquid. Unknowingly, Chu Lingguang had already left many of his peers in the dust. His goal was no longer to contend with the likes of Chen Jin, but to challenge Yan Zhen himself.
He had already killed several experts at the Qi Sea Perfection realm, gained experience in close-quarters combat, and even mastered methods for ambushing enemies from afar. He was no longer the naive young man from Liu Family Gully.
He knew both when to hide his strength and when to reveal his edge.
He wanted to bring glory to his master and repay his kindness, but he also wanted to distinguish himself and win acclaim in his own right.
’A man is born into this world; how can he resign himself to living under others?’
’Be a hero in life and a noble spirit in death.’
’To serve the emperor in his worldly affairs, and win a name that lasts a lifetime and beyond.’
’A time will come to ride the long wind and cleave the waves; I’ll hoist my sail and cross the sea’s expanse.’
’For ten years I’ve honed a single blade, its frosty edge yet untested. Today I present it to you all; who dares say there is injustice?’
Chu Lingguang mused to himself.
