The next day, I returned to the Arena with determination burning in my chest.
I wasn't aiming for the rankings just yet. My goal for now was simple—fight, earn spirit stones, and test my growing strength.
I scanned the challenge board and found several open duels posted by disciples close to my level. Most were within the third to fifth minor stages of Body Tempering.
One name caught my eye: Guo Liang, fourth minor stage of Body Tempering.
His posted challenge:
Wager: 10 Spirit Stones. Open to any challenger within the fourth minor stage.
I smirked.
Perfect.
I approached the registration desk and submitted my acceptance.
An hour later, I stood on one of the smaller dueling platforms across from Guo Liang—a sturdy-looking disciple with sharp eyes and a confident grin.
"So you're the one who picked up my challenge?" Guo Liang cracked his knuckles. "Don't blame me if you leave here with broken bones."
I grinned back. "We'll see who's walking away."
The elder presiding over the duel signaled the start.
Guo Liang charged in with solid footwork, his fists sharp and aggressive. His technique was refined—he wasn't a sloppy fighter.
But I wasn't the same person who first walked into this sect.
We traded blows, each strike rattling our bones, but I slowly gained the advantage with my honed physical strength and the Crimson Fang Fist technique I had been practicing diligently.
I feinted left, then smashed my fist into his ribs from the right. Guo Liang staggered, clutching his side.
Seizing the opening, I unleashed another strike to his shoulder, sending him sprawling across the platform.
The elder raised his hand. "Victory! Chen Yu wins!"
The crowd roared as I collected my reward: ten spirit stones.
Guo Liang sat up, wincing, but gave me a respectful nod before leaving the stage.
One fight down… let's see if I can push my luck.
Not long after, I took on another challenge—this time against Meng Fei, another fourth minor stage disciple.
Meng Fei was fast.
From the very first exchange, I realized his speed and footwork were sharper than Guo Liang's. His attacks came in quick bursts, aiming to wear me down with precision strikes.
I barely managed to block a rapid kick aimed at my ribs, but his fist followed up and clipped my shoulder hard.
He's good. I can't drag this out.
I focused my strength into the Crimson Fang Fist, waiting for a chance.
When Meng Fei overcommitted with a punch, I twisted my body, absorbing the blow to my side and countered with a crushing uppercut to his chin.
He stumbled.
I surged forward and landed a decisive strike to his chest, sending him crashing onto his back.
"Victory! Chen Yu wins!"
The crowd erupted again, but this time I winced as I touched my side. A deep bruise throbbed beneath my ribs, and my shoulder was aching from Meng Fei's earlier strikes.
I had won—but not unscathed.
Meng Fei sat up and smiled through a bloodied lip. "Good fight. Next time, I'll be ready for that counter."
I smiled back. "I'll be waiting."
We clasped wrists briefly—a warrior's acknowledgment.
As I stepped off the stage with another ten spirit stones in hand, the pain flaring through my body reminded me that the path of the Arena was not without its costs.
But this was exactly what I wanted.
With each fight, I grow stronger.