Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

”The rules are as follows.”

The examiner waved his robe, and nine dragon-carved stone pillars rose around the stage.

”The third round consists of three matches.

The first match is an individual battle, with three spots available; the second match is a wheel battle, with spots randomly allocated, up to six; the third match is a melee, where everyone competes for the last spot.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Ling Xiao had already raised his hand high.

”Senior! How many spots can be seized in the second match at most?”

”Six.”

The examiner gave him a meaningful look.

”Provided you have the strength.”

Ling Xiao’s lips curved into a dangerous arc, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

This answer caused the surrounding cultivators’ faces to change dramatically, and several Holy Land disciples sneered again and again.

”Six? Such big talk!”

”A mere Loose Cultivator dreaming of monopolizing the spots?”

”If you can take six, I’ll stand on my head and eat crap!”

This last provocation came from a Holy Land disciple with a face full of horizontal meat.

Ling Xiao was unfazed, instead smiling and making a throat-slitting gesture at him.

”Remember what you said.”

The examiner cleared his throat lightly, suppressing the commotion.

”In the first individual battle, choose your own opponent, the winner advances. Start now!”

Cultivators from the other two squares immediately took action, unanimously casting their gaze toward Xu Guangzhi.

This ”soft target” barely squeezed into the top three in the second round.

”I choose him!”

”No, I saw him first!”

”Mr. Xu, please teach us!”

Xu Guangzhi was so angry that his face turned livid, veins bulging on his forehead.

He was, after all, a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, when had he ever been so looked down upon?

”You!”

He suddenly pointed at one of the smaller cultivators.

”Get up here!”

The cultivator didn’t expect Xu Guangzhi to choose him, and his face turned pale instantly.

But with everyone watching, he could only muster the courage to leap onto the stage.

The others quickly selected their opponents as well.

Ling Xiao stretched his wrists and walked straight toward a burly man in black holding a Nine-Ring Great Saber.

”You’ll do.”

Ling Xiao grinned.

”I hope you can give me a warm-up.”

The burly man in black snorted coldly.

”Arrogant!”

But still followed Ling Xiao to the designated stage.

In the blink of an eye, only three people were left without choosing.

Gu Sheng, a scholarly young man holding a wooden fan, and an elderly man with grayed hair and beard.

The young man looked to be in his early twenties, wearing a long green robe fluttering lightly in the wind, holding the wooden fan lightly, appearing harmless.

Being able to rank second in the second round Array assessment, he was definitely not ordinary.

Soon, the third round of the match began, and nine cultivators who stood out from each square stood on the Central Square, surrounded by spectators that were several times more numerous than in the previous two rounds.

”Everyone, the rules for this round are as follows.”

The presiding elder’s voice was like a great bell, echoing over the square.

”The nine of you will freely form into four groups, with two facing off in each, leaving one out.

The one left out will compete against the other contestants after all matches are over.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the nine contestants began to scrutinize each other.

Gu Sheng stood at the edge of the crowd, his gaze under the black robe as calm as water, yet secretly observing the strengths and weaknesses of everyone’s aura.

His gaze briefly met Ling Xiao’s, and both read fighting intent in each other’s eyes, but tacitly looked away.

”What a pity, can’t choose within the same group.”

Ling Xiao grinned, revealing his trademark tiger teeth.

”Otherwise, I’d really want to experience your fists now.”

Gu Sheng didn’t answer, merely nodded slightly.

He knew Ling Xiao was referring to the matter of him surpassing him in the second round ranking.

This seemingly carefree young man was prouder than anyone else at heart.

The choice fell to Gu Sheng.

His gaze swept over the remaining people and finally rested on the scholar who looked the youngest.

The scholar, clad in a green robe and holding a wooden fan, had a fair complexion and was looking at everyone with a smile.

”I’ll choose him.”

Gu Sheng pointed at the scholar, his voice indifferent.

The scholar was momentarily stunned, then cupped his hands.

”I am Dai Hongmao, nice to meet you.”

Ling Xiao whistled.

”Good eye, Gu, picking a soft target.”

Though the smile on Dai Hongmao’s face remained unchanged, his eyes carried a cold glint.

The groupings were quickly completed.

Ling Xiao flexed his wrist and strode to the center of the arena.

”I’ll take the first match!”

His gaze finally settled on a burly figure.

”Jiang Dashan, right? I heard you’re the runner-up in some square? Come play with me.”

Jiang Dashan’s face darkened, carrying a great saber as he leaped onto the platform.

”Arrogant brat! I’ve been at the Nascent Soul Peak for three years, and you dare to underestimate me?”

Ling Xiao placed one hand on his hip and beckoned with the other.

”Enough talk, I’ll give you three moves.”

”Courting death!”

Jiang Dashan roared, his spiritual power surging, igniting a crimson flame on his saber as he charged at Ling Xiao.

The spectators held their breath. Jiang Dashan’s Saber Qi was astonishing; even cultivators of the same rank wouldn’t dare take it head-on.

Yet Ling Xiao stood motionless until the blade was within three feet of his head, then suddenly extended two fingers.

”Clang!”

The crisp sound of metal clashing echoed through the arena.

Ling Xiao astonishingly caught that powerful saber with just two fingers!

”Is that all?”

Ling Xiao sneered, twisting his fingers lightly.

With a ”snap”, the steel-forged saber broke!

Jiang Dashan widened his eyes, too slow to react, as Ling Xiao’s foot slammed into his chest.

The kick seemed casual, but contained terrifying power, sending Jiang Dashan flying off the platform.

The crowd was silent for a moment, then erupted into thunderous cheers.

”Ling Xiao! Ling Xiao!”

The cultivators supporting him shouted wildly.

Other square’s cultivators looked grim, especially Qinghe Holy Land’s disciples.

They glanced at each other, clearly shocked by the unexpected strength of this unknown figure.

”Hmph, it’s just a Nascent Soul Peak defeat.”

A Qinghe Holy Land disciple feigned composure.

”When Senior Brother Wang makes a move, let’s see how arrogant he can be!”

Mentioning ”Wang Chenyu”, Qinghe Holy Land’s disciples regained their pride.

The genius at the half-step Earth Palace Realm was their biggest confidence.

Ling Xiao jumped off the platform, winking as he passed Gu Sheng.

”It’s your turn.”

Gu Sheng did not respond, but his gaze grew more solemn.

Ling Xiao’s displayed strength was beyond his expectations, the simple-looking kick involved extremely precise spiritual power control.

Next up was Tian Kun, another square’s first-place winner.

He had a stern expression, dressed in black, and upon entering the stage, didn’t bother with pleasantries, sending his opponent flying with a palm.

The unlucky third-place contestant had no chance to react, spewing blood as he flew off the arena.

”Boring.”

Tian Kun coldly dropped two words, turning off the platform.

Thus, four people had completed their matches.

Among the remaining five, Gu Sheng and Liang Yu had yet to take the stage.

Dai Hongmao tidied his robe, walking slowly to the center of the arena.

His face still bore a gentle smile, but exuded a hint of chill.

”Mr. Gu, please.”

Dai Hongmao bowed respectfully.

Gu Sheng silently stepped onto the platform, pulling a blue longsword from his Void Ring.

The sword was something he casually picked up at a ruin; though a Xuan Rank Spiritual Artifact, its clear origin wouldn’t expose his identity.

”Let’s begin.”

Gu Sheng said indifferently.

Dai Hongmao’s smile suddenly vanished, revealing fierce eyes.

”I’m honored to learn from you, Mr. Gu!”

His wooden fan suddenly spread open, the runes on it lighting up, shooting dozens of sharp beams at Gu Sheng!

The audience exclaimed.

Where was the scholar here?

This was clearly a ruthless character!

Gu Sheng was well-prepared, drawing a circular arc with the blue longsword, a spiritual power-formed barrier blocking most of the beams.

Yet several breached his defense, grazing his robe and leaving scorched marks.

”Interesting.”

Gu Sheng thought to himself.

Dai Hongmao’s strength was far greater than it appeared, at least at the late-stage Nascent Soul.

Seeing his sneak attack fail, Dai Hongmao immediately changed tactics.

The wooden fan closed, transforming into a short sword, his figure closing in on Gu Sheng, aiming straight for the throat!

Gu Sheng intended to launch a punch, using force to break through technique.

But just as his fist clenched, he realized it was unwise—his Fist Skill was too distinctive, easily revealing his identity to anyone observant.

In a flash of insight, Gu Sheng switched from fist to palm, simultaneously secretly using a secret technique to suppress his aura to mid-stage Nascent Soul.

The blue longsword emanated spiritual power, clashing directly with the wooden fan-turned-short sword!