Eternal Life: I Have the Favor System

The dozen spear afterimages seemed to strike the arm all at once, yet they failed to break through its defense. Chu Lingguang felt as if his Spear Technique had been completely nullified.

However, Zhuoyi let out a muffled grunt and couldn’t help but hasten his retreat. The instant his hand made contact with Chu Lingguang’s Long Spear, the pain in his veins crescendoed, as if something had bitten him.

’Has this guy really comprehended the True Meaning of Spear Technique? His True Intent is like an upgraded version of the third layer of Skillful Force; it can invisibly transfer that Penetration Power into an opponent’s body. If I make contact with his Long Spear, that penetrating force will reach its absolute peak, and an ordinary Qi Blood defense won’t be able to block it at all?’

Zhuoyi thought in shock.

’Impossible. How could such a bizarre True Intent for a Spear Technique exist?’

’Could it be another layer of power from the Flying Leaf Lotus Spear?’

’I’ll test it again!’

The more Zhuoyi thought, the more puzzled he became.

Seeing Chu Lingguang’s rapid, continuous thrusts, he gathered the power in his veins. He raised his hand to block again, and like a wall, it effortlessly stopped Chu Lingguang’s thrusting Long Spear.

Chu Lingguang saw his Long Spear come to a dead stop against Zhuoyi’s arm.

But a clearly visible current of air swirled around the surface of Zhuoyi’s arm, like a tangible Protective Gang Shield, preventing his Long Spear from advancing even an inch. He even felt a pulling sensation, as if the spear were being drawn in.

’Incredible,’ he thought.

Yet he couldn’t stop himself from pushing the Long Spear forward.

And as he pushed,

Chu Lingguang saw distinct channels materialize across Zhuoyi’s arm. He instinctively realized that Zhuoyi had activated his third-layer Dharma Aspect.

He felt he was being taken more seriously than ever before.

For such an expert to activate his third-layer Dharma Aspect against him was surely a sign of acknowledgment and encouragement. For some reason, Chu Lingguang felt as though the spear he thrust forward wanted to pierce one of the vessels that had appeared.

The feeling was incredibly strong.

Chu Lingguang couldn’t control it at all.

"ROOOOAR!"

The next moment, a deafening Dragon’s Roar and Elephant’s Wail erupted from Zhuoyi’s body, startling many of the people inside the inn.

Zhuoyi quickly backed out of Chu Lingguang’s attack range, hiding his arm behind his back. He couldn’t help but flex his fingers; in that last instant, he felt as though Chu Lingguang’s Long Spear was about to gouge out his flesh and rupture the veins within.

That intangible, body-penetrating power had forced him to resist with his full Dragon Elephant Power, and he had still suffered for it.

Zhuoyi realized that if he continued to fight Chu Lingguang bare-handed, Chu Lingguang would sooner or later rupture one of his veins.

He had intercepted every thrust, yet the attacks somehow bypassed his physical defenses, and the pain in his veins just grew more intense. The feeling made Zhuoyi want to curse.

He was now certain that this was absolutely the True Intent of Chu Lingguang’s Spear Technique, not an effect from one of the other layers of the Flying Leaf Lotus Spear.

He knew the Flying Leaf Lotus Spear was an Advanced Spear Skill.

It was just as renowned as the Xuanming Spear Technique.

But he had never heard of any of the six layers of the Flying Leaf Lotus Spear being able to covertly injure an opponent’s veins.

After all, his body hadn’t even touched Chu Lingguang’s Long Spear at first. He had remained within the reach of the thrusts, but even as those twelve spear images grew faster and faster, Zhuoyi knew the power in his own body could easily defend against them.

Even a direct hit to his arm couldn’t break his defense.

But this other power within Chu Lingguang’s Spear Technique seemed to break through all his defenses, rushing straight for his veins—even his internal organs.

Zhuoyi again recalled the drumming sound he’d perceived from upstairs while Chu Lingguang was practicing his thrusts over and over. It was as if the drumming was resounding in his own heart.

Even when he calmed himself and focused his mind, he couldn’t block out the sound.

That was penetration.

An evolved version of the third layer of Skillful Force—it could easily pierce anyone’s defenses and injure their insides, even from a distance!

The thought startled Zhuoyi.

’If the True Intent of Chu Lingguang’s Spear Technique is this terrifying, anyone caught off guard by it in a real fight would be in for a nasty fall.’

Even if you were prepared for it, the power could still pierce your defenses. At least, Zhuoyi had already tried; both his Qi Blood Power and Dragon Elephant Power had only weakened the Attack Power, not blocked it completely.

Of course, on the long road of cultivation, there were surely people who could handle this ability of Chu Lingguang’s. But Zhuoyi knew he wasn’t one of them.

"Mr. Zhuo."

Chu Lingguang looked at Zhuoyi anxiously. Zhuoyi had just leaped backward like a startled frog. ’Did I disappoint him? My constant attacks couldn’t break his defense, and he could nullify my power just by lifting a hand. Did he get tired of it?’

"That’s enough for today!"

Zhuoyi said.

"Oh, alright. Thank you, Mr. Zhuo."

Chu Lingguang nodded, watching as Zhuoyi went back into the inn.

He glanced at the Lightning Spear in his hand. ’I still need more practice,’ he thought.

"It’s getting late. Go get some rest. I’ll practice with you again tomorrow."

Zhuoyi heard the drumming sound again and couldn’t resist calling down from his balcony. The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them.

"Okay! Thank you, Mr. Zhuo."

Overjoyed, Chu Lingguang hurried back into the inn and asked an attendant to heat a bucket of water for him. He was going to soak in a hot bath.

「Early the next morning.」

After washing up, the attendant brought Chu Lingguang his meal. Once he finished eating, he went out to the rear courtyard to continue practicing his repetitive spear thrusts, figuring Zhuoyi would be along to guide him shortly.

As soon as Chu Lingguang started practicing his thrusts in the morning, the drumming sound began to pound uncontrollably in Zhuoyi’s mind. By circulating his Dantian Power, he could block the mundane sound.

But his mind was already in turmoil.

After a moment, the drumming returned. It seemed the only way to get rid of the sound was to leave the inn and put some distance between himself and Chu Lingguang.

But he had promised Chu Lingguang.

Chu Lingguang had woken up so early, obviously waiting for him.

At this point, Zhuoyi wished he could send Chu Lingguang to the Trial Ground immediately, but the escort wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow.

He wouldn’t be able to hand Chu Lingguang over until tomorrow morning or noon.

"Chu Lingguang."

But just as he was debating whether to just knock Chu Lingguang out, a familiar voice drifted up from downstairs.

"Miss Du!"

Chu Lingguang’s face lit up. The newcomer was Du Juan.

Beside Du Juan stood a towering young man, nearly as large as Samba. The moment Chu Lingguang saw him, he felt a crushing aura bear down on him.

"Juan, you and Wushuang are finally here."

Zhuoyi leaped down from the upper floor. He’d never been so desperate to see Du Juan and Du Wushuang.

"Zhuo, my adoptive father has given me permission to trade a few moves with Chu Lingguang before he enters the Trial Ground,"

Du Wushuang said.

"Good, I agree," Zhuoyi said instantly. "Chu Lingguang, you can practice with Wushuang. He’s about the same age as Yan Zhen and is the adopted son of Mr. Du."

"Du Wushuang, my father said to keep it to a friendly spar. You can’t get carried away,"

Du Juan warned.

"I know, you don’t have to keep reminding me."

With that, Du Wushuang charged at Chu Lingguang like a wild beast. He was also a saber expert. His long saber was wrapped in animal hide, which burst apart the instant he swung it down, as if a brilliant, sharp aura was erupting from the blade itself.