The arena fell silent.
All eyes were fixed on the platform.
Jiang Chen… versus Jiang Ming.
A rematch no one expected so soon.
---
Jiang Ming stepped forward, his aura surging violently. Unlike before, there was no arrogance in his eyes now—only cold determination.
"You got lucky before," he said, his voice low. "But this time… I'll crush you completely."
Jiang Chen stood calmly, his hands behind his back.
"Then try."
---
"Begin!"
Elder Zhao's voice rang out.
---
Jiang Ming moved instantly.
Faster than before.
Stronger than before.
His qi surged through his body as he unleashed his full power—Body Tempering Layer 3 at its peak.
His fist tore through the air, aimed directly at Jiang Chen's chest.
But—
Jiang Chen vanished.
---
"What—?!"
Gasps erupted.
A blur appeared behind Jiang Ming.
**Shadow Step.**
Jiang Chen's movements were silent, precise—like a ghost slipping through space.
Jiang Ming barely had time to react before—
*Bang!*
A palm strike landed on his back.
Jiang Ming stumbled forward, shock flashing across his face.
"Too slow," Jiang Chen said calmly.
---
The crowd erupted.
"That movement…!"
"When did he learn that?!"
"Impossible!"
---
Jiang Ming roared, spinning around with a furious kick.
Jiang Chen stepped aside effortlessly.
Another punch.
Another miss.
Another counter.
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
Each exchange was one-sided.
Not in raw strength—
But in control.
In precision.
In skill.
---
Jiang Ming's breathing grew heavier.
His attacks became erratic.
Desperate.
"Stand still and fight me!" he shouted.
Jiang Chen shook his head slightly.
"You still don't understand."
---
He stepped forward.
This time—
He attacked.
---
Jiang Ming's eyes widened.
Jiang Chen's speed—
Had increased again.
---
Their fists collided—
But this time—
Jiang Chen didn't retreat.
His qi condensed.
Focused.
Compressed into a single point.
---
**Primordial Strike.**
---
*BOOM!*
The impact exploded across the platform.
A shockwave spread outward.
Jiang Ming's expression froze.
Then—
*Crack.*
A sharp sound echoed.
His arm bent unnaturally.
His body lifted off the ground—
And was sent flying backward.
---
He crashed heavily onto the edge of the arena.
Dust rose.
Silence followed.
---
Jiang Ming tried to stand—
But collapsed immediately.
His face pale.
His arm trembling uncontrollably.
Defeated.
---
Elder Zhao's voice broke the silence.
"…Winner."
A pause.
---
"Jiang Chen."
---
The arena erupted.
"No way…!"
"That wasn't even close!"
"He completely dominated him!"
---
Jiang Chen stood at the center of the platform.
Calm.
Unmoved.
As if the outcome had always been inevitable.
---
The system panel appeared.
---
**[Victory Recorded]**
**[Primordial Points +40]**
**[Technique Mastery Increased]**
---
Jiang Chen's gaze shifted.
Toward the higher platform.
Toward the one person who hadn't reacted like the others.
---
Jiang Feng.
---
Their eyes met again.
This time—
Jiang Feng's expression was no longer amused.
It was serious.
Evaluating.
---
"…Interesting," Jiang Feng murmured.
---
Jiang Chen stepped off the platform.
Ignoring the noise.
Ignoring the stares.
---
But deep inside—
He knew.
---
This was only the beginning.
---
Stronger opponents were coming.
Real battles.
Real danger.
---
And for the first time—
He felt it.
Excitement.