Seventy Is the Prime Age for Striving

As the steward presiding over the match announced the names, two old men leaped onto the arena at the same time.

One was Li Ping'an, while the other was an old man with graying temples.

This old man was none other than Zeng Xing.

He was no longer young either, already sixty-five, with a head full of salt-and-pepper hair.

Yet he still looked quite spirited. He was tall and burly, and faintly visible beneath his clothes were bulging muscles, clearly the result of frequent exercise.

In comparison, Li Ping'an appeared far frailer.

Over this period, his realm had soared wildly and his cultivation had advanced. The whole man looked much more energetic as well.

But Li Ping'an's age was there for all to see.

He normally paid little attention to his appearance, leaving himself disheveled and grimy. At a glance, he looked like nothing more than a slovenly old man.

"Hahaha, there should be no suspense in this match."

The moment Li Ping'an stepped onto the arena, waves of laughter erupted from the crowd.

Li Ping'an was the oldest of all the menial disciples participating in this competition.

Thus, he drew the most attention.

Everyone was curious what surprise this old man would bring them on the arena!

"I wonder what belief is keeping this old man stubbornly hanging on in the sect."

"Maybe it's that Holy Maiden he met once sixty years ago!"

"This guy really is devoted. For the Holy Maiden, he's still getting onstage to fight people at his age!"

"I'm really curious whether Zeng Xing will punch him to death in one blow."

"Hey, that's hard to say. Didn't Zeng Xing get injured some time ago?"

"So what if he was injured? Just his size alone is enough to keep this old man firmly beneath him."

"That's true."

The area below the arena was filled with noisy mockery. Only the disciples of the Waste Hall silently cheered Li Ping'an on.

"The arena match officially begins!"

With the steward's announcement, the duel between the two officially began.

"Brother Li, will our agreement be honored?"

Once the match began, Zeng Xing did not rush to attack Li Ping'an. Instead, he clasped his hands in a courteous salute and spoke.

As for which promise he meant, it was naturally the matter of Li Ping'an voluntarily surrendering.

He had fully expected Li Ping'an to nod and admit defeat, because in his eyes, this was a meaningless match.

Yet Li Ping'an clasped his hands and returned the salute.

"Brother Zeng, sorry, but I still want to give it a try."

At those words, Zeng Xing's expression darkened. This old fool truly did not know what was good for him.

He had merely been injured and did not want to exert himself in a fight. Did this man really think Zeng Xing could not beat him?

"Fine, fine, fine."

Zeng Xing's tone was no longer courteous as he said,

"Since you want to fight, then come!"

With that, Zeng Xing let out a furious roar. Spiritual power suddenly burst from his entire body, and his aura became even more powerful and terrifying.

He strode toward Li Ping'an in great steps.

Though he was already an old man in his sixties, once he charged, he still carried immense force.

Like a fierce tiger descending the mountain.

Zeng Xing knew clearly that this battle had to be settled quickly!

Ideally, he would send Li Ping'an flying with a single move, using the simplest and most efficient method!

Only then would he avoid aggravating his injuries.

As Zeng Xing charged forward, everyone thought Li Ping'an would be sent flying in one blow.

Yet Li Ping'an merely shifted lightly to the side, effortlessly evading Zeng Xing's punch.

What?

This old man was actually so nimble!

Everyone stared dumbfoundedly. None of them had expected Li Ping'an to evade the move so easily.

Zeng Xing was slightly surprised as well, but his momentum did not diminish. He immediately swung a backhanded punch at Li Ping'an's stomach.

He put all his strength into this punch, determined to land it.

Yet with a dull bang, Li Ping'an lowered his elbow slightly and easily blocked the punch.

What!

Zeng Xing was stunned. Li Ping'an had actually caught that punch!

As the two officially exchanged blows, Zeng Xing could feel that Li Ping'an's strength was terrifyingly great. He was nothing like the frail old man with one foot in the grave that he appeared to be.

Damn it, this old man had actually concealed his cultivation!

Zeng Xing panicked at once.

Judging from that exchange of strength, he knew Li Ping'an's current power was even above his own. And with his injuries, he was even less of a match for Li Ping'an.

No! I cannot lose!

In his panic, Zeng Xing's attacks became fiercer as he tried to defeat Li Ping'an through an explosive burst in an instant.

Yet he threw several punches in succession, all of which Li Ping'an lightly evaded or blocked.

Then Li Ping'an feinted, dodged Zeng Xing's punch, and drove a fist into Zeng Xing's chest.

With a dull bang, Zeng Xing was sent flying. He staggered back dozens of steps before barely stopping at the edge of the arena.

What!

Old Li had actually knocked Zeng Xing back with one punch!

How was that possible!

Everyone below the arena stared in stunned disbelief at the sight.

They had thought this would be a one-sided crushing match with no suspense, yet Old Li was actually such a capable fighter.

But he truly looked so old!

"Could this guy have taken some aphrodisiac?"

A wave of speculation and hushed whispers rose from below.

Yet stormy waves had already surged in Zeng Xing's heart.

Li Ping'an's strength was far above his own. He might truly lose here today.

Would he be eliminated from the sect and expelled from the mountain gate?

No, absolutely not!

Zeng Xing was unwilling to accept it. He had cultivated bitterly in the sect for so many years and had already reached the late stage of Body Tempering. He was on the verge of entering the Qi Refining Realm.

He was about to become a true cultivator and increase his lifespan. He could not give up.

Gritting his teeth, he recalled the Qi-Blood Pill Wang Steward had specifically come to give him that morning.

After taking this pill, it could temporarily bolster one's qi and blood, strengthening one's power.

However, the side effects after taking a Qi-Blood Pill were obvious.

Once the Qi-Blood Pill's effect faded, the user's qi and blood would decline. It was a pill that ruined one's foundation.

At first, when Wang Steward had brought the Qi-Blood Pill to him, Zeng Xing had dismissed it with disdain.

He was at the eighth level of Body Tempering. What problem could there be in dealing with an old man more than ten years his senior?

Even if he had some hidden injuries now, surely old Li Ping'an could not stir up any waves.

But now, he had to use it.

Zeng Xing looked at the Qi-Blood Pill in his hand, hesitated slightly, then swallowed it in one gulp.

After taking the pill, Zeng Xing felt the power of qi and blood within him begin to boil and surge wildly.

His weakened body suddenly became invigorated.

"Li Ping'an, to think you forced me to take a Qi-Blood Pill. It seems I truly underestimated you!"

Zeng Xing roared furiously, his eyes filled with rage.

The damage to his body caused by taking the Qi-Blood Pill was irreversible!

It was all that damned Li Ping'an's fault. He was clearly just trash, yet he had to cling stubbornly to that so-called great path of cultivation and compete with him.

Today, he would make Li Ping'an pay for his stubbornness!