The sun rose slowly over the Azure Spirit Sect, its light stretching across the elite training plateau like molten gold.
But today, the warmth of dawn did nothing to soften the air.
It felt cold.Sharp.Electric.
Tension hung between the mountains like tightly pulled bowstrings.
Disciples flooded the plateau—climbing stone pillars, hanging off railings, sitting on rooftops.
Everyone knew:
Rank 1 vs. The Newcomer.Mu Yanting vs. Lian Hong.A battle that only happens once every few years.
Rumors exploded through the crowd:
"He crushed Chi Yao yesterday!""Mu Yanting personally summoned him!""This is going to shake the entire outer sect!""Whoever wins may become the next core disciple candidate!"
Even the elders were aware of this duel—
though they pretended not to be watching.
Lian Hong Arrives
He stepped into the arena with silent footsteps.
Three afterimages flickered behind him—his new movement technique still settling into his body.
Whispers erupted instantly:
"He already improved overnight!?""His footwork… it's different!""He feels heavier… and lighter at the same time…""His aura… sharper…"
Zhou Shan clung to the nearest stone pillar.
"BRO I'M HAVING A HEART ATTACK EVERY TEN SECONDS—!!"
Lian Hong stood calmly at the center of the stone ring.
Breathing even.Expression unreadable.
Waiting.
Steps Approach
A gust of wind swept across the plateau.
Not strong—but heavy.
It carried weight.Intent.Dominance.
The disciples went silent instantly.
Then—
Mu Yanting stepped onto the platform.
He wasn't flashy.He didn't explode with qi or killing intent.
He simply walked.
And that was enough.
Just his presence distorted the air.
His aura didn't flare—it condensed.
Like a blade that never needed to be unsheathed.
The crowd lowered their voices:
"That aura…""It feels like standing in front of a storm…""He's far beyond the others…""There's a reason he's Rank 1."
Zhou Shan whispered:
"Bro… please don't die…"
Mu Yanting Speaks
He stopped five meters from Lian Hong.
Two predators, standing across from each other.Neither blinking.Neither budging.
Mu Yanting studied him quietly.
Then said, voice low and calm:
"You improved overnight."
Lian Hong answered:
"So did you."
Mu Yanting actually smiled.
"A newcomer who speaks to me as an equal… rare."
He placed his hand on the wooden training sword at his waist.
"But tomorrow, you face Xu Jian.And six days from now, the masked killer."
He narrowed his eyes.
"So today—I will determine whether you are worthy of surviving them."
Lian Hong raised his chin slightly.
"Then judge me."
Instructor Wei Feng Announces the Match
Wei Feng stepped onto the platform.
Unlike yesterday, he brought high-grade healing talismans and an emergency qi orb.
The gesture alone meant one thing:
This fight could be lethal.
He spoke loudly:
"Mu Yanting.Lian Hong."
"Evaluation duel.Rules: Limited strikes.No weapons.No lethal force—unless the opponent attempts it first."
The crowd heard the message clearly.
This fight was allowed to get ugly.
Wei Feng raised his hand.
"Begin."
THE BATTLE BEGINSMu Yanting Moves First
Not with a charge.
Not with a feint.
He simply—
disappeared.
The air rippled.
Several disciples gasped.
"What speed—!!""He moved without overt qi release!""That's a high-level body technique!"
Lian Hong's pupils contracted.
Fast.
He used Shadowstep Mirage Form—three afterimages shot outward—
but Mu Yanting ignored all three.
His fist slammed toward Lian Hong's jaw with perfect timing.
Lian Hong raised his arm to block—
CRACK—!!
The shockwave shattered the ground beneath them.
Lian Hong slid back half a step.His arm stung from the impact.
Mu Yanting raised an eyebrow.
"You blocked that?"
Lian Hong shook out his arm.
"You telegraphed your hip rotation."
Mu Yanting exhaled softly.
"Good."
Lian Hong Attacks
He stepped forward—
and the three afterimages reappeared.
One angled left.One angled right.One dashed straight.
Mu Yanting's eyes flashed.
He pivoted—
and his elbow cut through one afterimage.His backfist dispersed the second.He stomped the ground and shattered the third.
But Lian Hong wasn't in any of them.
He dropped low—
and aimed a sweeping kick at Mu Yanting's legs.
Mu Yanting reacted instantly.
His foot came down—
BANG—!!
He stopped Lian Hong's kick with sheer force.
The ground cracked like a spiderweb.
The crowd roared:
"He countered all three afterimages AND the real strike!?""His reflexes are insane!""Is Mu Yanting even human!?"
Zhou Shan was crying:
"BRO—THIS ISN'T A FIGHT THIS IS A NIGHTMARE—!!"
Mu Yanting's Pressure Increases
Mu Yanting's expression hardened.
"So this is your limit?"
Lian Hong didn't answer.
Mu Yanting stepped forward.
Just one step.
The wind pressure alone forced Lian Hong backward.
He felt the weight.
Like standing in front of a falling mountain.
Mu Yanting swung again—
a downward strike that could break stone.
Lian Hong moved.
Shadowstep Mirage Form erupted—footwork layered, deceptive, shifting.
He avoided the blow by a hair—
BOOOOM—!!
The ground exploded behind him.
Chunks of stone flew into the air.
Some disciples screamed.
"HE DESTROYED THE PLATFORM WITH A TRAINING SWORD—!!""What terrifying power!!""This is Rank 1…!"
Lian Hong's Counterattack
Lian Hong surged forward.
Body moving before thought.Bloodline instincts whispering.Prediction lines flashing in his mind.
He struck—
a palm to Mu Yanting's ribs.
THUD—!!
A perfect blow.
The crowd gasped:
"He hit him!""Did he break through!?""Mu Yanting is open—!!"
But—
Mu Yanting didn't move.
He didn't even flinch.
He looked down at Lian Hong's hand.
"That almost stung."
Zhou Shan fainted.
Mu Yanting Strikes Back
In the next instant—
Mu Yanting vanished again.
Lian Hong's instincts screamed.
He dodged left—
just as Mu Yanting's fist grazed his cheek.
Blood sprayed.
His head snapped back.
The next blow aimed at his chest—
Lian Hong twisted—barely avoided it—but the shockwave still sent him flying.
He skidded across the stone, boots grinding sparks.
Mu Yanting stood tall.
Unrushed.Unpressured.
"You're impressive," Mu Yanting said."But there's a gap."
He raised his hand.
"Show me if you can close it."
Lian Hong wiped blood from his lip.
Then stood.
"No."
Mu Yanting tilted his head.
"No?"
Lian Hong's voice was calm.
"I won't close the gap."
He spread his stance.
"I'll break it."
The crowd erupted.
Mu Yanting's smile widened slightly.
"Then come."
Lian Hong Activates His Hidden Power
The system chimed.
[Bloodline Instinct Resonance: 2% → 4%][Reflexes boosted][Predictive timing enhanced]
A faint crimson shimmer appeared under his skin.
Mu Yanting's eyes sharpened.
"So the rumors were true."
He tightened his grip.
"You really do have something special."
Lian Hong lowered his center of gravity.
The air trembled.
The crowd leaned forward.
The mountains seemed to fall silent.