Our fists clashed again, the echo of each strike thunderous in the arena.
Sweat dripped from my brow, but my focus never wavered.
Jiang Mu narrowed his eyes. "You're still standing? Let's end this."
His qi surged violently, his muscles tightening as he unleashed a barrage of rapid strikes. I blocked as best I could, but his speed was monstrous—each blow rattled my arms and forced me backward.
"Why keep struggling, Chen Yu?" Jiang Mu sneered, pressing the assault. "You've come far, but this is where your path ends."
I gritted my teeth, ignoring the growing ache in my bones.
No. It doesn't end here.
I steadied my stance and focused, channeling the power of the Crimson Fang Fist—not just its form, but its core: the ferocity, the bite, the endless hunger to push forward.
I sidestepped his next attack and landed a solid punch to his ribs, forcing him to stumble.
The crowd roared.
I didn't stop.
My fists became a storm, weaving in the rhythm of the Void Qi Sutra, my qi flowing smoother and faster with each strike.
Jiang Mu roared in frustration and lashed out with a brutal kick.
I caught his leg.
His eyes widened.
I slammed my fist into his chest, sending him skidding backward across the platform.
He coughed violently, blood dripping from his lip, but his smirk quickly returned. "You've got some bite after all."
"I told you—you've been underestimating me."
He steadied himself, qi crackling violently around him. "Fine. Let's see if you can handle this."
Jiang Mu's fists glowed with a deep crimson light as he unleashed his trump card—a high-grade body refining technique known as Crimson Bone Burst. His speed and strength surged as he dashed toward me, his power now fully unleashed.
His fist tore through the air, aiming to end the fight.
I poured everything into my defense, my arms bracing for the impact—but even then, the sheer force shattered my stance and knocked me off my feet.
Pain shot through my body.
But I forced myself up.
Jiang Mu's breathing was heavy. His technique had clearly cost him a great deal of energy.
I steadied myself, blood dripping from my mouth, and charged one last time, channeling Crimson Fang Fist and the sharpened flow of Void Qi Sutra.
This would decide it.
Our final blows collided.
A shockwave ripped through the arena.
For a moment, time seemed to freeze.
Then Jiang Mu was sent flying, his body slamming into the ground.
Silence.
Then—
"Victory: Chen Yu!" the elder's voice rang out.
The crowd erupted in cheers and whispers.
I stood there, breathing heavily, bruised but victorious.
Jiang Mu lay unconscious, his arrogance shattered along with his pride.
Li Shen rushed to my side, grinning. "You did it!"
I smiled faintly. "Yeah… but I need to get stronger."
Because this was only the beginning.