The competition was reaching its climax.
Only a handful of disciples remained.
As I stepped onto the arena platform for my next match, I finally faced what everyone had been waiting for—an opponent at the ninth layer of Body Tempering.
His name was Lu Fan, and he was one of the top contenders, known for his brutal, overwhelming strength.
The crowd was buzzing.
"That's Chen Yu, right? The one who's been dominating the lower layers?"
"Yeah, but this time he's facing Lu Fan. There's no way he's winning now."
I tightened my fists, ignoring their whispers.
Lu Fan grinned as he cracked his knuckles. "You've done well to get this far, but this is where your luck ends. I'll make sure you leave the stage on a stretcher."
I met his gaze calmly. "We'll see."
The elder overseeing the fight raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Lu Fan charged like a raging bull, his footsteps shaking the arena.
His punches were like hammers, each swing carrying bone-crushing force.
I evaded narrowly, my body honed from countless battles with beasts. His strikes grazed me, each one reminding me how much stronger he was.
I couldn't match his raw power.
But I didn't need to.
I focused my breathing and circulated the Void Qi Sutra, drawing in a thin thread of qi to reinforce my body.
The Crimson Fang Fist exploded forward, clashing against Lu Fan's iron-like arms.
The impact rattled me to the core, but I didn't stop.
I weaved between his attacks, aiming for his ribs, his joints, his weak points.
Lu Fan growled in frustration. "Stop dodging and fight me head-on!"
"Why would I do that?" I smirked, my fists glowing faintly with qi.
Strike after strike chipped away at his stamina.
His movements slowed.
And then—
I saw my chance.
I ducked under his wild swing and drove my fist into his side with all my might, a Crimson Fang Fist bursting with my gathered power.
His body lifted off the ground and crashed across the stage.
Silence gripped the arena.
Lu Fan groaned, unable to rise.
The elder's voice echoed loudly.
"Winner, Chen Yu!"
The crowd erupted.
I was panting, my arms trembling from the clash, but I had won.
As I left the stage, I could feel Jiang Mu's gaze following me, sharp and cold.
> "It won't be long now," I whispered to myself.
"Our fight is coming."