The moment Overseer Chen's hand dropped, signaling the start of the match, the tension in the courtyard snapped like a tightened bowstring.
Li Fengxia moved first.
A blur of sharp motion.A gust of wind.A flicker of killing intent.
He closed the distance with terrifying speed—the speed of a genuine Qi Gathering Fourth Layer, mid-stage cultivator.
Gasps rippled across the arena.
"He's fast—!""Faster than Hong Feng!""He's not holding back at all!"
Li Fengxia struck with a precise, spear-like jab aimed straight at Lian Hong's throat.
Fast.Efficient.Ruthless.
This was a real attack.Not a test.Not a spar.A strike meant to eliminate competition early.
But Lian Hong's eyes remained calm.
Cold.Focused.Unmoved.
〈Shadowstep Phantom Movement〉—activation.
His feet slid across the stone surface like a phantom passing through mist.He tilted his head just a hair's breadth—
And the lethal strike tore through empty air.
Li Fengxia's brows twitched.
He didn't pause.
"Good reflexes," he said coldly. "Let's test how long they last."
He spun, pivoted, and launched a sweeping kick toward Lian Hong's ribs.
The kick whistled like a blade cutting wind.
Lian Hong stepped backward, redirecting his weight in a fluid arc.
To the crowd, it seemed like he dissolved, reappearing a step away from danger.
Li Fengxia smirked.
"You're slippery. But evasion isn't victory."
He lunged again, faster than before.
His strikes came in rapid succession—
THRUSTSWEEPELBOWUPPER PALM
A storm of attacks.Impossibly fast.Precise enough to hit a fly mid-air.
Even outer disciples watching from the side shivered.
"Is Li Fengxia trying to kill him?!""He's using full force!""No servant disciple can handle this pressure!"
But Lian Hong did not crumble.
His mind—enhanced by Predator's Intuition and Battlefield Awareness—saw everything.
Every angle.Every weakness.Every opening.
Time slowed.
He moved through the chaos like water weaving between rocks.
Not retreating.Not overwhelmed.Just waiting.
Waiting for the perfect moment.
Li Fengxia launched a heavy punch toward Lian Hong's temple—
Lian Hong parried with a single fingertip.
A flick of qi.A redirection of force.A precise deflection.
Li Fengxia's eyes widened.
"What—?"
Lian Hong spoke quietly:
"You rely on brute technique."
Li Fengxia snarled.
"And you rely on luck!"
He roared and gathered qi into his arm.
A thin layer of spiritual energy wrapped around his fist like shimmering flame.
"Aura Strike!"One of the rare skills outer disciples could learn.
Zhou Shan screamed from the edge of the arena:
"Lian Hong! DODGE! If that hits you—YOU'LL DIE!"
Even Overseer Chen tensed.
Elder Lin narrowed his eyes with interest from the platform above.
Lian Hong did not dodge.
He stepped forward.
Directly into the strike.
A collective gasp ripped through the spectators.
"Is he insane?!""Why is he not dodging?!""He'll be crippled—!"
Li Fengxia grinned viciously.
"Die—!"
Lian Hong moved.
He shifted his weight, sliding along the edge of the incoming strike like a leaf carried by wind.
Then he raised his hand—two fingers extended.
And tapped Li Fengxia's wrist.
Not with full force.Not even with refined qi.
Just—
Perfect.Precise.Absolute technique.
CRACK.
Li Fengxia screamed as his Aura Strike collapsed, his arm jerking out of alignment.
His body twisted from the unexpected force, momentarily defenseless.
Lian Hong did not miss the opportunity.
He stepped in.
His right fist drew back, qi swirling like a silent storm.
Li Fengxia's eyes widened with genuine fear for the first time.
"Wait—!"
BOOOOOOM!
The fist landed square in Li Fengxia's solar plexus.
The impact echoed through the courtyard like thunder.
Li Fengxia folded around the blow, air blasting from his lungs.
His feet left the ground.His body flew backward—
—and he crashed onto the stone tiles, skidding several meters before coming to a complete stop.
Silence.
Crushing, breathless silence.
Then—
[Ding!Critical Strike Achieved.][Technique Proficiency Increased:〈Crimson Meridian Breathing〉 +5%〈Shadowstep Phantom Movement〉 +4%]
Lian Hong exhaled softly and lowered his fist.
He didn't even look winded.
On the raised platform
Elder Lin rose to his feet.
A rare spark of joy flashed in his eyes.
"Marvelous… absolutely marvelous!" he exclaimed."This child possesses a battle instinct unheard of among servants."
Overseer Chen bowed.
"Should we halt the trial and summon higher elders?"
"Not yet," Elder Lin said slowly. "Let him continue. I want to see how high this boy's limit is."
His gaze sharpened.
"And if he has one at all."
Back in the arena
Li Fengxia gasped, struggling for air.
He pushed himself onto one knee—then collapsed again.
He could no longer stand.
The overseer stepped forward, voice steady yet tense:
"Winner—Lian Hong."
The courtyard erupted.
"No way—!""He beat Li Fengxia too!""That was a Fourth Layer mid-stage elite!""He's not human. He's not human…"
Zhou Shan rolled on the ground sobbing.
"This is my best friend! MY BEST FRIEND!"
Lian Hong stood quietly, eyes steady.
He felt none of the noise.
None of the awe.
In that moment, he felt only clarity.
He was climbing faster than the heavens had ever allowed.
But in the shadows of the inner courtyard—
A pair of cold, murderous eyes watched him.
Wei Changbai whispered:
"…Your life ends soon."