The elite training grounds emptied rapidly after the Challenge Board updated.
But the tension remained heavy—like a blade pressing against the back of every disciple's neck.
Tomorrow morning, at dawn—
Chi Yao vs. Lian Hong.No rules.Fight until incapacitation.
Most disciples whispered as they walked away:
"Chi Yao will go all out.""He's humiliated and furious. He'll try to cripple Lian Hong.""The newcomer won't survive.""He doesn't even have time to recover!"
Others shook their heads:
"No… that guy is different. He might survive.""Or he might kill Chi Yao instead."
Zhou Shan clung to Lian Hong's sleeve like a dying man.
"Bro… please… PLEASE reconsider. Chi Yao breaks bones for breakfast. He collects ribs like they're stamps…"
Lian Hong didn't respond.
He wasn't thinking about Chi Yao's fists—
He was analyzing Chi Yao's patterns, posture, breathing, lag in weight shifts, weaknesses.
He leaves his right side open.Overcommits his shoulder on heavy punches.Telegraphs his footwork.Predictable rhythm…
Defeating him wasn't the problem.
The problem was—
what would happen after.
Because once he crushed Chi Yao, the entire elite group—and the forces behind them—would treat him as a real threat.
That meant more killing attempts.More interference.More predators from the Inner Sect.
Exactly as he wanted.
A Quiet Invitation
As Lian Hong turned to leave, Xu Jian approached from the shadows.
His presence was calm—but beneath the calm lay a sharpness like winter frost.
Zhou Shan immediately hid behind a rock.
"AHH—IT'S THE FOOTWORK MONSTER—!!"
Xu Jian ignored him and spoke to Lian Hong.
"You should not fight Chi Yao tomorrow," Xu Jian said quietly."He truly means to cripple you."
Lian Hong raised an eyebrow.
"And you think I can't stop him?"
Xu Jian smiled faintly.
"That's not the issue.Even if you can defeat him—if you win too beautifully,the other geniuses will attack you harder."
He looked Lian Hong in the eyes.
"Do you understand?This isn't about Chi Yao.This is about everyone above him."
Lian Hong answered calmly:
"Then I'll defeat them too."
Xu Jian exhaled softly, almost amused.
"You remind me of someone."
Lian Hong tilted his head.
"Who?"
Xu Jian walked past him, voice carried by the wind.
"Someone who no longer exists."
He paused.
"Be careful tomorrow."
Then he vanished.
Like a shadow fading into dusk.
Rank 1 Watches From Afar
At the far edge of the training grounds, Mu Yanting stood atop a stone pillar, his eyes closed as he meditated.
But he felt everything.
He felt Chi Yao's boiling rage.He felt Xu Jian's growing interest.He felt the masked man's killing intent from yesterday.
And he felt—
Lian Hong's steady, unshakable determination.
He opened his eyes.
"He will rise," Mu Yanting murmured."But whether he rises straight…or breaks halfway…"
A faint gleam flickered across his pupils.
"…depends on tomorrow."
He continued meditating, but his focus sharpened.
Tomorrow, he would watch personally.
Night Falls – System Awakening
Back at the silent outer courtyard, Lian Hong sat in lotus position beneath the same ancient pine tree.
The night wind was cold, but his mind was sharper than ever.
Zhou Shan paced frantically around him.
"Bro, I've prepared bandages, pain pills, qi-recovery soup, and a funeral plan—just in case—"
Lian Hong opened one eye.
"No funeral."
Zhou Shan cried on the inside.
"You say that now…"
But before he could finish worrying, Lian Hong's system glowed brightly.
[Side Mission: Defeat Chi Yao]Reward Conditions:– Predictive Combat Awakening– Partial Meridian Strengthening– Shadowstep Fragment: Triple Afterimage]
Then a new line appeared:
[Chi Yao intends to use lethal force tomorrow.Unlocking adaptive countermeasure…]
[NEW PASSIVE: Bloodline Instinct (Dormant) – Stage 0]
Lian Hong's breath hitched.
A bloodline…?Dormant?
The system continued:
[Bloodline Activation Conditions:– Lethal combat– Extreme killing intent– Critical life endangerment]
Zhou Shan saw the faint red glow around Lian Hong's hands.
"Bro… are you becoming a demon!?? Should I fetch holy water!??"
Lian Hong ignored him.
The glow faded.
But inside his veins—
something oldand powerfuland violent
shifted.
Like a beast opening a single eye.
He exhaled slowly.
Tonight would be restless.
But it would also bring clarity.
"Tomorrow," Lian Hong whispered,"Chi Yao will learn fear."
Meanwhile – Dark Movements
Far across the sect, Chi Yao stood in a training cave, punching stone pillars until they cracked.
His breath was ragged.His fists were bloody.His eyes were feral.
"Tomorrow… I'll crush that servant…"
But he wasn't alone.
Someone else stood in the corner.
A middle-aged man with a scarred jawline and a faint smile.
His presence was hidden, but powerful.
"Chi Yao," he said softly."You know the rules.You cannot kill him."
Chi Yao sneered.
"I can cripple him."
The man smiled.
"Good.That is exactly what we want."
His eyes glinted.
"The higher he rises,the harder we must push him down."
He stepped forward.
"And if he somehow survives you…"
He paused.
"…we have others ready."
Chi Yao's grin widened.
"Good."
Even Deeper in the Mountains
The masked Inner Sect assassin knelt before the young master with the jade flute.
The young master was leaning against a cliff railing, watching the moon.
"Tomorrow," he said casually,"the outer sect might get a little noisy."
The assassin bowed.
"Shall I interfere?"
"No."The young master's smile was cold.
"Let the child struggle.The more desperate he becomes—the more interesting he will be."
He raised the flute to his lips.
"When he is ripe…"
He smiled.
"…I'll pluck him myself."
Lian Hong Opens His Eyes
Midnight passed.The moon dipped.Wind rustled the pine branches.
Lian Hong finally opened his eyes.
A faint shard of crimson light flickered in his pupils.
His breathing was steady.His qi circulated smoothly.His muscles felt light, deadly, ready.
Tomorrow morning—
Chi Yao would attack him with everything.
And he would attack back.
Lian Hong stood.
Zhou Shan trembled.
"Bro… you look… scarier… did you break through??"
Lian Hong looked at the horizon.
"No."
He stretched his fingers.
"I simply prepared."
He turned and walked toward his room to rest.
Tomorrowwould be the first real killing match.
And the first real steptoward the top.