The next rounds moved quickly.
My second opponent was a disciple named Shen Tao, a cocky eighth-layer fighter who thought overwhelming force would secure his victory.
He was wrong.
Within minutes, I used the explosiveness of the Crimson Fang Fist to break his defense and send him flying from the stage.
The third round was much the same.
A seventh-layer disciple named Bo Liang rushed me with a spear technique, but his attacks lacked stability. I weaved through his strikes and ended the fight with a clean blow to his side, knocking him unconscious.
I advanced steadily.
But as I rested, the crowd's attention was captured by another battle.
It was Jiang Mu's turn.
His opponent was Wei Long, a rare ninth-layer disciple known for his defensive style. Many thought this would be a close fight.
But it wasn't.
---
The two fighters faced each other in the center of the Arena.
Wei Long's stance was solid, his breathing calm. "I've heard you're the favorite. Let's see if you deserve it."
Jiang Mu smirked, his hands folded behind his back. "I don't need to prove anything to you."
The elder's signal came. "Begin!"
Wei Long immediately stepped forward, his fists covered in a glowing defensive aura.
His technique focused on hardening his skin like steel, making it almost impossible to break through.
But Jiang Mu didn't flinch.
With a lazy movement, he drew a short saber from his waist.
The blade gleamed coldly.
Wei Long's eyes narrowed. "A weapon? You're already admitting you can't win bare-handed?"
Jiang Mu's response was a single, elegant slash.
It was impossibly fast.
Wei Long barely had time to block. The force of the strike pushed him back two steps, cracks forming in his defensive aura.
His eyes widened. "What?!"
Jiang Mu's next step was like a blur.
Slash after slash rained down with frightening precision, each one faster and sharper than the last.
Within moments, Wei Long's defenses crumbled.
With a final upward sweep, Jiang Mu sent his opponent's weapon flying and pressed the blade lightly against his neck.
> "I don't like wasting time."
The elder raised his hand. "Winner, Jiang Mu!"
The crowd buzzed with excitement, but there was a trace of fear in their cheers.
Jiang Mu's gaze swept over the audience until it settled on me.
His lips curled into a smirk.
Our fight was inevitable.