Chapter 473 A Powerhouse on Borrowed Time

Seeing Chu Ling take down three Sixth-Rank martial artists in one go, the Star-Sea Fishing Alliance warriors’ expressions turned rather grim.

Was their foundation really so shallow compared to the Rong tribe’s?

Of the three Sixth-Ranks, one came from Furious Tide Fishing Village, one from Returning Fishery Village, and one from Seaview Fishing Village.

The remaining five Sixth-Ranks exchanged glances and retreated one after another, watching Chu Ling warily. None dared to make another move lightly.

Chu Ling did not press her advantage. Instead, she immediately withdrew her power and quietly watched the five, her gaze indifferent.

“Her Spirit has fallen. I doubt it’ll recover anytime soon, and that will affect her cultivation speed.”

“Besides that, there should be other forms of backlash. Otherwise, the Reverse-Yang Meridian-Penetrating Art wouldn’t be a Second-Rate Internal Technique. It would at least be among the very best First-Rate techniques.”

Yang Ling pondered.

“Hahaha! So it’s the Reverse-Yang Meridian-Penetrating Art. It seems the Heavenly Might King has an heir after all.”

Hua Jinsong burst out laughing.

In an instant, every martial artist turned to look at Hua Jinsong, curiosity in their eyes.

“So she really has mastered the Heavenly Might King’s secret art,” Zhao Zheng murmured.

Qin Kunlun, Hua Zhuo, Jie Shu, He Tongchen, Zhao Yingying, and the other Sixth-Rank prodigies of Zhao State had all heard of the Reverse-Yang Meridian-Penetrating Art’s fearsome reputation, thanks to their distinguished backgrounds. They looked astonished, then seemed to understand.

But most of the other Sixth-Ranks, even veterans like Pei Ran and Li Ruhai, had never heard of the Reverse-Yang Meridian-Penetrating Art. Their expressions were blank.

“There’s no shame in losing to the Reverse-Yang Meridian-Penetrating Art.”

“This art trades away future years of life in exchange for immense strength over a short period.”

“Rather than calling it a Second-Rate Internal Technique, it would be more accurate to call it a poison.”

“Using this method also brings various consequences in the short term. The most obvious are a decline in talent and slower cultivation.”

Hua Jinsong looked at the three defeated fishing-village disciples and spoke with a faint smile.

The three wiped the blood from the corners of their mouths, stunned, yet also somewhat relieved.

So that was the nature of this unorthodox art. Their defeat was no disgrace.

“Trading away years of life... That art is far too sinister. Isn’t the point of practicing martial arts to live a little longer?”

The martial artists from every side looked at Chu Ling with complicated expressions.

Setting everything else aside, once someone reached Fifth-Rank, they could live to at least a hundred and fifty or sixty without illness or pain.

In fact, it was only on the day they passed away that their Vital Qi would utterly weaken, and their flesh, blood, and meridians would decay!

“Senior, I haven’t broken any rules by using this art, have I?”

Chu Ling remained calm and met Hua Jinsong’s gaze without being servile or overbearing.

“You haven’t. It’s your choice. But I’ll still remind you: you mustn’t use this art too often.”

“Otherwise, if you damage your foundation, your future prospects will likely be bleak.”

Hua Jinsong smiled faintly.

Yang Ling understood. So she was a powerhouse on borrowed time.

He became quietly wary. This was a method he could never touch. It completely burned through one’s potential, and the price of repaying that debt later was far too high.

“I only care about the present. I’ll deal with the future when it comes. If I reach Fourth-Rank one day, I’ll naturally be able to make up for some of what I’ve lost.”

“If I can reach Third-Rank, I’ll be able to make up for most of it.”

“And if I reach Second-Rank...”

Chu Ling paused slightly, a trace of faint arrogance appearing in her eyes.

“Then the Reverse-Yang Meridian-Penetrating Art will be no weaker than any First-Rate Internal Technique in this age!”

Her words struck like a heavy hammer, making the martial artists present gasp sharply.

Did that mean the art had no drawbacks once its user reached Second-Rank? Could it be used without paying a price?

Yang Ling noticed Zhao Zheng’s expression grow even more grave. He had probably guessed the reason.

“No wonder Zhao Zheng is so serious, even without any definite news confirming whether the Heavenly Might King has reached Second-Rank.

“With a secret art like this, if the Heavenly Might King reaches Second-Rank... he’ll undoubtedly rank among the very best of his level.”

Just how terrifying would the destructive power and deterrence of a top-tier Second-Rank Human Immortal be?

Yang Ling clicked his tongue inwardly.

“Indeed, the Reverse-Yang Meridian-Penetrating Art is extraordinary. If its various drawbacks can be offset, then it truly is no weaker than a First-Rate Internal Technique.”

Hua Jinsong gave a slight nod, then looked over the five remaining fishing-village disciples.

“She has the Reverse-Yang Meridian-Penetrating Art. Even if the five of you join forces, you won’t be able to defeat her.”

The five exchanged looks, then turned toward their respective Fourth-Ranks.

“The youngsters are very interested in the Golden Dragon Treasure Fish. Let them have another try,” River Elder said with a faint smile. “Since the Reverse-Yang Meridian-Penetrating Art costs her years of life, the girl can’t keep using it forever.”

Hua Jinsong said no more.

The five fishing-village disciples exchanged glances and once again joined forces to attack Chu Ling.

Seeing them approach, Chu Ling activated all three of her internal techniques. With Agility exceeding five hundred points, she moved as fast as lightning.

In just two moves, she defeated two more fishing-village disciples.

Seeing this, the remaining three Sixth-Ranks conceded without another word.

There was no way they could win. There was no point in stubbornly fighting and getting themselves hurt.

Now only Yang Ling and Chu Ling remained in the arena, bringing the contest back to a showdown between Zhao State and the Rong tribe.

The Star-Sea Fishing Alliance disciples were deeply displeased, but there was nothing they could do.

Every Sixth-Rank on the Rong tribe’s side wore a smile, as if they could already see Chu Ling winning.

“Chief Constable Yang, the Golden Dragon Treasure Fish is certainly valuable, but it’s not as if you absolutely have to eat it,” Zhao Zheng said.

River Elder glanced at him. “Why are you interfering in their business?”

Faced with a Fourth-Rank Grandmaster’s rebuke, Zhao Zheng gave an awkward smile and fell silent.

His status as Prince Pingrong gave him no advantage in a situation like this.

“It looks like Chief Constable Yang is going to take a loss this time,” Qin Kunlun murmured.

At his words, the others wore curious expressions. Sixth-Ranks like Zhao Yan secretly showed a trace of anticipation in their eyes.

“I offered to team up with you earlier, but you insisted on sitting back and watching.”

Chu Ling looked at Yang Ling, her voice indifferent.

“What you’re doing isn’t clever. It’s stupid. You always think other people can’t see what you’re planning.

“In reality, your little schemes are as clear as day to them. They simply can’t be bothered to call you out.”

“If you’d agreed to team up with me just now, I would have let you leave with your dignity intact.”

“But now...”

Chu Ling activated all three internal techniques, and her figure disappeared from where she stood once more!

Star-Chasing Moon-Pursuit! Frost-Cloud Palm!

Her hands swept out, leaving afterimage upon afterimage.

At that moment, her Strength surged past four hundred points, and her Agility did as well!

“Too late!”

Chu Ling had already appeared in front of Yang Ling. In her field of vision, everything had slowed to a crawl.

Everyone else moved like snails.

Whatever they were doing, every movement was completely locked in her sights and under her control!

Seeing the expression on his face, Chu Ling’s lips curved slightly upward.

With such an overwhelming advantage in speed, her opponent couldn’t do anything at all.

Just then, Yang Ling suddenly raised a hand and picked his nose.

Chu Ling’s pupils contracted sharply.

Then she saw him give her an utterly infuriating smile.

The next second, Chu Ling felt the world spin. She had no idea what had happened.

By the time she came to her senses, she was sprawled on the ground, arms and legs akimbo.

A dark, sooty footprint was stamped across her chest.