Dawn broke with a sharp, icy wind.
As the first ray of sunlight touched the elite training plateau, disciples began gathering in a tight circle around the central combat ring.
Today was different.
Today carried the smell of blood.
Voices whispered urgently through the crowd:
"It's happening…""Chi Yao's challenge…""Fight until incapacitation!""He's going to kill the newcomer…""No elders are watching—only the elite instructors!""This could get ugly."
Dozens rushed to secure good spots.Some climbed pillars.Others sat cross-legged, qi flowing as they sharpened their senses.
Everyone knew—
A storm was coming.
Lian Hong Arrives
He walked onto the plateau with steady steps, black robe lightly swaying.
His expression was calm, colder than usual.
Zhou Shan followed behind, shaking violently.
"Bro… bro… bro… I've packed bandages, crushed qi pellets, emergency soup, and if things go bad, I'll drag you and run—"
Lian Hong glanced at him.
"You won't need to."
Zhou Shan sobbed internally.
"I really hope you're right…"
But the crowd parted when Lian Hong approached the ring, like water pushed aside by a rising blade.
The moment he stepped onto the stone platform, whispers grew louder.
"He's early…""He doesn't look scared at all.""Either he's insane or terrifying.""No… look at his breathing. It's steady. Too steady."
In the distance, Xu Jian watched quietly.Mu Yanting stood with arms crossed.Their focus sharpened.
The masked Inner Sect assassin wasn't present—but his absence felt even more ominous.
Chi Yao Arrives
A sudden shockwave burst at the edge of the platform as Chi Yao landed, cracking three stone tiles under his feet.
He was shirtless, muscles bulging like steel cables wrapped in skin, fists wrapped tightly in cloth soaked with medicine.
His eyes were full of killing intent.
No restraint.No fear.No hesitation.
Zhou Shan nearly fainted.
"He looks like he ate ten spirit bulls for breakfast—!!"
Chi Yao pointed at Lian Hong.
"You're dead today."
Lian Hong answered simply:
"You talk too much."
Chi Yao's face twisted with fury.
Instructor Wei Feng Speaks
Wei Feng stepped forward as the official overseer.
But unlike usual assessment matches—he brought no healing talismansand no boundary barriers.
Only his silent, cold presence.
He looked at both fighters.
"Challenge terms:No weapons.No rules.Fight until incapacitation."
He paused.
"No complaints."
Neither man spoke.
Wei Feng raised his hand.
"Begin."
Chi Yao Charges
Chi Yao moved first.
He didn't test the waters.
He didn't probe.
He unleashed a killing punch at full power.
BOOM—!!
The sound shockwave blasted through the ring.
Some disciples staggered backward.
Zhou Shan screamed:
"BRO MOVE—!!"
But Lian Hong didn't retreat.
He stepped forward.
Just one step.
Chi Yao's eyes widened for a split second.
He's not dodging—!?
Lian Hong's fist met Chi Yao's directly.
CRACK—!!
Stone tiles exploded beneath their feet.
A wave of qi rippled outward as dust shot into the air.
The crowd gasped:
"He matched Chi Yao head-on!?""Is he insane!?""No one takes Chi Yao's full punch!""That impact was monstrous!"
The dust cleared—
Chi Yao's arm trembled.
Lian Hong's did not.
Chi Yao rolled his shoulder, rage burning.
"You think you can trade blows with ME?!"
Lian Hong answered flatly:
"I already did."
Second Exchange – Brutality Unleashed
Chi Yao roared and attacked again.
This time he used both fists—a barrage of heavy strikes like hammers smashing the air.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.
Shockwaves cracked the ground in spiderweb patterns.
But Lian Hong was no longer there.
Shadowstep.
His body blurred—one afterimage—another—and another.
Three streaks of motion shimmered around Chi Yao.
The crowd screamed:
"He unlocked Triple Afterimage!?""That's impossible for his level!""How fast is he!?""He's evolving mid-battle!"
Chi Yao's eyes darted wildly.
"COME OUT AND FIGHT ME COWARD—!!"
Lian Hong appeared behind him.
And whispered:
"Too slow."
THUD—!!
A palm struck Chi Yao's spine with precise force.
Not enough to break—but enough to rattle bone and shake organs.
Chi Yao stumbled forward, coughing.
Chi Yao Goes Berserk
His rage exploded.
Blood qi surged violently around him like a crimson flame.
"YOU LITTLE BASTARD—!!"
He crushed his fists together.
His killing intent filled the ring.
"That's his berserk state!""He'll go for lethal damage now!""He's lost control!"
Zhou Shan cried:
"BRO RUN—THAT'S NOT FOOTWORK ANYMORE THAT'S A SPIRIT BEAST—!!"
Chi Yao launched forward with monstrous speed.
His fist flew toward Lian Hong's throat.
A killing strike.
Lian Hong's eyes sharpened.
At that instant—
For the first time—
the dormant bloodline stirred.
A faint crimson shimmer flickered under his skin.
His vision sharpened.
Time slowed.
He saw everything.Every muscle contraction.Every breath.Every inch of trajectory.
Predictive instinct.
Lian Hong stepped sideways—just one inch.
Chi Yao's killing blow cut through empty air.
And Lian Hong's counterattack slammed into Chi Yao's jaw.
BA—KRAK!!
Teeth flew.Blood sprayed.Chi Yao reeled backward violently.
The crowd gasped.
"He broke Chi Yao's jaw!""And he didn't even use full power!""This is terrifying!"
Chi Yao's Last Attempt
Staggering, bleeding, dizzy—
Chi Yao's eyes were full of pure hatred.
"I AM… RANK 7…!!YOU CAN'T…!!"
He swung wildly.
Lian Hong grabbed his wrist—
twisted—
and smashed a knee into Chi Yao's ribs.
CRUNCH—!!
Chi Yao collapsed onto one knee.
Lian Hong placed one hand on his back.
A silent pressure.
"You lost."
Chi Yao roared.
"I HAVEN'T—!!"
Lian Hong pushed him down.
Face-first.
THUD—!!
Chi Yao went limp.
The ring fell silent.
Instructor Wei Feng Declares the Result
Wei Feng stepped forward.
Examined Chi Yao.
Then raised his hand.
"Winner—Lian Hong."
The plateau exploded with shouts.
"He won!!""He defeated Chi Yao head-on!!""That was no fluke—he dominated him!""This newcomer is too monstrous!"
Even Xu Jian's eyes widened for a moment.
Mu Yanting's expression turned colder, deeper.
"He's not a normal talent," he muttered.
But danger wasn't over.
Because at the edge of the crowd—
the cloaked middle-aged man from last night watched with narrowed eyes.
He whispered to himself:
"So he survived Chi Yao."
He turned to leave.
"Then we move to Phase Three."
Meanwhile, high above the mountains…
The young master with the jade flute finished listening to the news.
He smiled, amused.
"He killed Chi Yao's spirit."
He played a single cold note.
"Good.Struggle harder, little flame."
His eyes glinted with predatory interest.
"Because in six days…you belong to me."