158: Five Organs Nourishing Yuan Gong

On the viewing platform, Eunuch Cao fiddled with his prayer beads, his narrow eyes squinting slightly: "Interesting... these two share quite a deep fate."

Ling Feng's expression was calm, but his gaze was locked onto the arena.

Deputy Commander Tie Hanshan leaned forward slightly, showing an interested expression.

"Group A, first match, Yan Chen versus Chen Linsheng, both of you take the stage!" Judge Li called out loudly.

Yan Chen leaped onto the arena. His dark red martial attire moved without wind, and the red-gold True Energy around him rose slowly. It was no longer as wild and outward-releasing as before, but condensed three inches from his body like a layer of flowing flame armor. The temperature was restrained, but its power was even greater than before.

Chen Linsheng walked onto the stage slowly with steady steps. Every step he took seemed to merge with the arena, carrying a heavy and mountain-like aura.

The two stood ten zhang apart.

"Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall, Yan Chen." Yan Chen cupped his fists, his voice deep and thick.

"Yangwei Martial Arts Hall, Chen Linsheng." Chen Linsheng returned the gesture, his gaze calm.

Their eyes met, and Battle Intent rose silently.

The invigilator took a deep breath, raised his right hand high, and suddenly swung it down:

"Start!"

Before the words had even faded, Yan Chen moved!

No roar, no wild surge. He took a step forward, his body flowing like lava. It didn't look fast, but he crossed the five-zhang distance in an instant! He pushed his right palm forward, the red-gold True Energy in his palm condensing and compressing into a palm print of flame as solid as substance, silently striking toward Chen Linsheng's chest!

With this palm, the temperature was completely restrained, and all power was concentrated into a single point, without the slightest waste.

A sharp light flashed in Chen Linsheng's eyes. He neither retreated nor dodged. He raised his left palm, and pale-gold energy flowed as a miniature phantom of a mountain faintly appeared in his palm—Mountain Suppressing Seal · Suppressing the Mountain!

"Bang!"

When the palms met, they only produced a dull thud, like striking leather!

No air waves were visible, but the force was transmitted underground. The bluestone beneath their feet cracked simultaneously, the cracks spreading like a spiderweb for three zhang!

Yan Chen felt a vast and heavy force, as if carrying an ancient mountain, surging from the opponent's palm. His Condensed Fire Palm Strength was like a clay ox entering the sea, being neutralized and swallowed layer by layer!

He was shocked but did not panic. His left palm followed immediately, the palm strike like a blade, slashing diagonally toward Chen Linsheng's right shoulder!

Chen Linsheng met it with his right palm, still using the "Suppressing the Mountain" seal, steady and heavy.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged over ten moves!

There were no earth-shattering explosions or brilliant light effects, only the most simple and condensed palm strikes clashing. Every strike contained inner force without any air waves leaking out, yet the arena vibrated continuously, and the sound of the bluestone ground cracking was incessant!

The entire audience was silent. Everyone held their breath, staring intently at the stage.

Yan Chen's palm techniques became increasingly refined. The red-gold True Energy surged within his body, and his five viscera faintly resonated, producing a low thunderous sound. Every palm strike carried an indestructible intent of sharp gold—that was the visceral power tempered by the Five Viscera Absorbing Essence Art!

Chen Linsheng responded to all changes with the "Suppressing the Mountain" seal. No matter how the opponent's attacks surged like a tide, he remained as steady as a rock. The mountain phantom flowed in his palm, suppressing and neutralizing all heat and sharpness. Occasionally, he would counter with a palm strike, forcing Yan Chen to defend, repeatedly breaking his rhythm.

Twenty moves! Thirty moves!

Fine sweat appeared on Yan Chen's forehead, and his breathing began to grow heavy.

Chen Linsheng's breath remained steady, and his eyes grew brighter.

His perception from Tracking Perfection clearly captured every tiny change in the circulation of the other's blood and Qi—Yan Chen's Five Viscera Absorbing Essence Art indeed hadn't perfectly fused with the Blazing Sun True Energy. There was still a slight sluggishness between the visceral power and the True Energy. Whenever the palm stance shifted or the force exploded, that sluggishness would amplify for a moment.

Right now!

On the forty-third move, Yan Chen struck with both palms. A move called "Golden Flame Piercing the Sun" was boldly unleashed. The red-gold palm print was like a blazing sun falling to the earth, with overwhelming power!

Chen Linsheng neither dodged nor avoided. His feet stepped firmly on the ground, and the pale-gold energy around him suddenly surged. The mountain phantom in his right palm solidified further as he met the strike with a seal!

Mountain Suppressing Seal · Suppressing the Mountain—Full Power!

"Boom—!"

This time, the air waves finally exploded!

A ball of light interwoven with red-gold and pale-gold erupted between their palms. Yan Chen felt an indescribable, heavy force surging like a tidal wave. His Golden Flame Palm Strength, condensed to the limit, was actually forced back and shattered!

"Stomp, stomp, stomp—"

He retreated seven steps, each step leaving a deep footprint on the bluestone. A trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. His blood and Qi were churning, and the resonance of his five viscera was interrupted, causing bursts of sharp pain.

Chen Linsheng's body swayed slightly. He stabilized after retreating three steps, his expression normal.

The winner was clear.

Yan Chen stabilized himself and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. He looked at Chen Linsheng, his eyes showing no resentment, only realization and relief.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his churning blood and Qi, and cupped his fists: "Brother Chen's palm power is vast and heavy, and your seal technique is like a mountain. Yan Chen... has lost."

His voice was calm and spread throughout the venue.

Silence.

Then, an uproar broke out!

"Just like that... he admitted defeat?"

"Only forty-three moves! Yan Chen actually took the initiative to admit defeat!"

"What kind of palm technique is that of Chen Linsheng's? I've never seen such heavy energy!"

In the Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall area, the Disciples had complex expressions, but no one made a fuss. Hall Master Yan Lieyang sat still, but a flash of relief crossed his eyes.

On the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall side, Lei Hao and the others were stunned at first, then burst into earth-shattering cheers!

Chen Linsheng withdrew his palm and cupped his hands in return: "Brother Yan was modest. Your Golden Flame Palm Strength is refined and pure, having progressed several steps since the Drill Ground. In time, you will surely become a great talent."

Yan Chen shook his head, took out a leather book bound with red-gold silk thread from his robes, stepped forward two steps, and presented it with both hands.

"This is the Complete Manual of the Five Viscera Absorbing Essence Art. I accept my loss; please take it, Brother Chen."

Chen Linsheng was shocked inwardly but remained calm on the surface as he took it with both hands: "Thank you."

Yan Chen took a step back and gave him a deep look: "This Cultivation Technique has been in our Blazing Sun Martial Arts Hall's collection for a hundred years, but it has always been difficult to perfectly fuse with the Blazing Sun True Energy. I hope that in Brother Chen's hands, it can radiate its true brilliance."

Having said that, he spoke no more, turned, leaped off the arena, and returned to his team.

The invigilator was stunned for a moment before calling out loudly: "Group A, first match, Chen Linsheng wins!"

The cheers rang out again.

Chen Linsheng carefully put away the Five Viscera Absorbing Essence Art and leaped off the arena. His fingertips touched the leather book, which felt warm and slightly cool. His heart was filled with joy, but he kept it restrained.

The Five Viscera Absorbing Essence Art... finally have it.

But he was in no hurry to read it. Instead, he composed himself and looked at the arena.

The Competition was still continuing.

In the following battles, Chen Linsheng steadily advanced with the "Suppressing the Mountain" seal, winning two matches in a row and easily advancing to the top four.

Among the top four, besides him, there were Mu Qingxue, Han Tie, and Yu Linfeng.

In the semi-final draw, it was Chen Linsheng versus Han Tie, and Mu Qingxue versus Yu Linfeng.

In the battle with Han Tie, Chen Linsheng did not use the Mountain Suppressing Seal. He only used the Hunyuan Palm combined with Python Dragon Strength. Within thirty moves, he suppressed the opponent with his vast Foundation, forcing Han Tie's saber technique to be difficult to execute, eventually leading him to admit defeat.

In the other match, Mu Qingxue defeated Yu Linfeng in three sword strikes. Her ice-blue Sword Qi was like a cold moon's frost. Although Yu Linfeng's folding fan defense was clever, it was hard to withstand the Clear Sword Heart Realm. Finally, the fan's surface was pierced by Sword Qi, and he helplessly admitted defeat.

The final battle: Chen Linsheng versus Mu Qingxue.

On the arena, the two stood facing each other.

Mu Qingxue's slender hand rested on her sword, her gaze cold: "Young Hero Chen, please."

Chen Linsheng cupped his hands: "Miss Mu, please."

The invigilator waved his hand and ordered: "Start!"

Mu Qingxue did not unsheathe her sword. She pointed a finger, and ice-blue Sword Qi shot through the air, aimed straight for Chen Linsheng's brow.

Chen Linsheng struck out with his left palm using the "Suppressing the Mountain" seal. A mountain phantom appeared and shattered the Sword Qi.

Mu Qingxue's figure was ethereal, like the shadow of a crane over a cold pond. Her sword fingers pointed repeatedly, and seven streaks of Sword Qi attacked Chen Linsheng's major acupoints.

Chen Linsheng used the Crane Ape Illusory Wind Steps, weaving through the gaps in the Sword Qi while gathering strength in his right palm, looking for an opportunity to counterattack.

After ten moves, Mu Qingxue suddenly stopped, and her long sword unsheathed with a "clink"!

The Cold Ripple Sword shone brilliantly, and ice-blue Sword Qi soared into the sky!

"Autumn Water Cold Light Sword · Ice Age."

She chanted softly, and the sword tip slowly traced a perfect arc.

In an instant, the temperature on the arena plummeted, and countless fine ice crystals condensed in the air! An ice-blue Sword Astral, three zhang wide and as solid as substance, slowly pressed toward Chen Linsheng like a moving glacier!

Wherever the Sword Astral passed, white frost condensed on the ground, and the air froze!

This sword strike had already exceeded the scope of the Flood Dragon Tendon Realm, Initial Stage, and faintly touched the threshold of the Middle Stage!

Chen Linsheng's pupils constricted slightly.

He could feel that with this strike, Mu Qingxue had gone all out without reservation.

If he exploded with full power, using the Mountain Suppressing Seal combined with Jiaojin Realm blood and Qi and the spiral penetration of Python Dragon Strength, he might be able to clash head-on. But in that case, he would inevitably expose all his trump cards, and it would be hard to avoid a mutual injury.

And his plan had never been to fight for first place.

In a flash, Chen Linsheng made a decision.

He struck out with both palms, pushing the "Suppressing the Mountain" seal to its limit. The pale-gold mountain phantom became as solid as reality and crashed into the ice-blue Sword Astral!

"Boom—!"

The loud noise was deafening, and air waves tumbled!

The ball of light interwoven with pale-gold and ice-blue exploded. Chen Linsheng groaned and retreated ten steps. Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, and the web between his thumb and index finger on his right palm split, with blood flowing out.

The mountain phantom shattered, and the ice-blue Sword Astral also dimmed and dissipated.

Mu Qingxue stood with her sword, her breath slightly disordered and her face a shade paler, yet she still stood steadily.

She looked at Chen Linsheng, a flash of doubt in her eyes—in the clash just now, she clearly felt that Chen Linsheng's palm power had been restrained by thirty percent at the last moment.

Chen Linsheng stabilized himself, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and cupped his hands: "Miss Mu's sword technique is divine. Chen... admits defeat."

His voice was calm, but it left the entire audience stunned.

"Admitted defeat? Chen Linsheng actually admitted defeat!"

"That strike just now was clearly a draw! He still had strength left!"

"Could it be that his injuries haven't healed?"

On the viewing platform, Ling Feng's brow furrowed slightly as he looked at Chen Linsheng thoughtfully.

Eunuch Cao's finger fiddling with the prayer beads paused. His narrow eyes squinted, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips.

Deputy Commander Tie Hanshan said slowly: "This boy... knows how to hide his edge."

On the arena, Mu Qingxue sheathed her sword. After a moment of silence, she said: "Young Hero Chen's palm power is vast; you did not use your full strength. Thank you for yielding."

Chen Linsheng said frankly: "Miss Mu's sword Dao Realm is superior. Chen is sincerely convinced."

The invigilator called out loudly: "Final battle, Mu Qingxue wins! The first place of this Martial Examination is—Mu Qingxue of the Qiushui Sword Sect! Second place, Chen Linsheng of the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall!"

Cheers surged like a tide.

Chen Linsheng leaped off the arena, his heart completely calm.

Second place... just as he intended.