Scripture of Days Past

”For my first attack, I’m going to kick you in the butt!”

As soon as Jiang Longyu’s words landed, Chu Qiguang felt a fierce gust of wind sweep over him. A leg appeared behind him, seemingly out of thin air.

This was the very same kick that Jiang Longyu had used to send all of his opponents flying off the platform so far, but Chu Qiguang managed to evade it by falling forward as if he had stumbled. At the same time, he reached out and grabbed Jiang Longyu’s ankle.

A hint of surprise appeared on Jiang Longyu’s face. He sprang back with ease nb to evade Chu Qiguang’s grab, then smiled and praised, ”Not bad! It wasn’t the most graceful move in the world, but you are the first one so far to evade my kick.”

***

What the hell’s wrong with you? Chu Qiguang grumbled telepathically. Why did you make me fall over before he even hit me?

The symptoms of his condition were already beginning to flare up, but he discovered that seeing as he didn’t have to control his body, he was able to focus solely on enduring the symptoms, and he was able to resist the effects better than normal.

I lost my balance because I forgot I don’t have a tail anymore, Qiao Zhi explained. It’s alright, I’ll get used to it soon.

You better hurry up! Chu Qiguang urged. I’m not going to be able to hold back for long.

***

On the platform, Jiang Longyu sprang toward Chu Qiguang once again, leaving a trail of afterimages in his wake before abruptly vanishing out of sight.

The reason why his kicks were so difficult to evade was because he was able to use his extraordinary speed to instantly step into his opponent’s blind spot. This created a disconcerting visual effect where he would abruptly vanish from his opponent’s field of view, following which he would lash out from the opponent’s blind spot.

Jiang Longyu’s foot was about to make contact with Chu Qiguang’s leg, yet Chu Qiguang still seemed completely oblivious to where he was, and a triumphant grin appeared on his face upon seeing this.

All Jiang Longyu had to do was exert a bit of force through his foot, and he would be able to snap Chu Qiguang’s leg into two. However, before he could do so, Chu Qiguang suddenly fell onto all fours, then sprang forward even faster than he would’ve been able to move standing on two legs.

Jiang Longyu was rather taken aback to see this.

”You’re pretty fast. Let’s see who’s faster out of the two of us!”

***

It feels much more natural on all fours, Qiao Zhi mused.

Hurry up! Chu Qiguang yelled while doing his best to stave off the symptoms of his condition. You need to end this soon, or I won’t be able to resist the urge to beat him to death!

It’s alright, I’m getting there, Qiao Zhi promised.

***

Chu Qiguang was springing up and down like a wild cat, while Jiang Longyu was chasing him all over the platform, and it seemed like he was completely on the back foot.

Jiang Longyu was in a dominant position, but he was unable to land a clean blow, and he was becoming more and more frustrated by the second. All the while, the spectators and the other examinees were booing incessantly.

”Stand still, Chu Qiguang! You’re a coward!”

”What the hell am I even watching right now?”

”Just surrender! You’re a disgrace!”

This was exactly what the three examiners were expecting to see. Up to this point, Chu Qiguang had been able to defeat his opponents purely thanks to his superior strength and physical constitution, but up against Jiang Longyu, he had no chance.

”This is what happens when you rely excessively on pills,” Wu Liangxu harrumphed. ”He’s not even able to use his own strength properly.”

”Indeed,” Shang Ziyan agreed. ”Jiang Longyu is clearly the far superior martial artist. I’d say he’s completely unmatched among third state martial artists.”

Meanwhile, Hao Xiangtong was also watching the unfolding battle with an anxious look on her face.

”This is only to be expected,” Hao Yongtai sighed, feeling very thankful that he was going to be able to at least reprise some of his losses. ”Brother Chu should surrender before he gets injured.”

Right at this moment, Chu Qiguang suddenly stopped running, and he lashed out with a kick of his own. His right leg clashed against Jiang Longyu’s with tremendous force, and the impact was so powerful that large cracks had appeared over the surface of the platform beneath their feet.

Jiang Longyu’s brows furrowed slightly as he took a few steps back and sneered, ”So you’re finally going to stand your ground?”

***

Can you do this or not?! Chu Qiguang yelled.

He was rapidly approaching his wit’s end.

The symptoms were becoming more and more painful to endure, and he snapped, I’m telling you right now; if you don’t end this soon, then Jiang Longyu is going to die!

I’m ready. Looks like it’ll be up to me to save his sorry life then, Qiao Zhi chuckled.

***

On the platform, Chu Qiguang sneered, ”I’ve already seen through all of your tricks.”

Jiang Longyu harrumphed coldly as he launched himself at Chu Qiguang, then aimed a kick at his midsection.

As opposed to running away, Chu Qiguang sprang forward to meet Jiang Longyu, then retaliated with a kick of his own.

Their legs clashed violently once again. From Jiang Longyu’s perspective, it was as if Chu Qiguang had transformed into a completely different person. Not only was Chu Qiguang suddenly able to keep up with his speed, it seemed like he was able to predict all of his attacks and react in advance, and this only made him even more frustrated.

Right as he was about to throw another kick, Chu Qiguang stepped onto his knee to stop him. He let loose a thunderous roar as he threw an almighty punch at Chu Qiguang, and this was the first time he had used his fists in the past two days of battles.

However, Chu Qiguang was completely unfazed, and he retaliated with a punch of his own.

A resounding boom rang out as their fists clashed, and both of them were sent flying back by the impact.

As they retreated over the hardwood platform, a string of loud cracks rang out, and the platform seemed to only just barely be holding itself together.

”Why have you pretended to be a clueless fool this entire time when you clearly know how to fight?” Jiang Longyu asked in a cold voice.

”Why would I reveal any of my techniques if I don’t have to?” Chu Qiguang sneered. ”My opponents have all been utter trash, so I can simply crush them without using any proper techniques.”