"You're right. I didn't go all out."
Rowan finally broke his silence, his voice calm but firm.
"And yes… I lost to Princess Aurelia Silvermoon on purpose."
The words landed like a stone dropped into still water.
The atmosphere in the living room instantly grew heavy. Thor's expression darkened, Hong frowned deeply, and Luo Feng stared at Rowan in confusion.
"Why?" Thor's voice carried a hint of anger. "Do you understand how important that match was? Do you know what it means to represent Earth's warriors?"
Rowan turned to face them fully. His expression sharpened, seriousness replacing all hesitation.
"It's precisely because I understand its importance… that I made that choice."
He walked over to the table and pulled out a data projection from his storage space. The holographic tournament bracket unfolded in midair, dense with names, matchups, and progression paths.
"Look here."
He pointed to a specific branch of the bracket.
"If I had defeated Aurelia, my next opponent would have been… this person."
The three leaned in.
The name on the display froze them in place.
Rong Jun.
Hong's voice turned grave. "The Savage… Rong Jun?"
Thor's anger faded instantly, replaced by caution. "That guy is trouble."
Luo Feng frowned. "Is he really that strong?"
Hong nodded slowly.
"Rong Jun comes from the Savage Star Domain. He's the greatest prodigy of his generation among the Savage Clan. Their race is born with terrifying physical strength, and he stands at the very peak of it. It's said he could tear steel apart with his bare hands at ten years old. By twenty, he had already grasped the essence of the Law of Strength."
Thor added, "And their fighting style is brutal. They don't fear pain, and they don't fear death. Every battle is a fight to the finish. Rong Jun embodies that style completely. That's why they call him the 'Mad Savage.'"
Rowan nodded.
"That's exactly why. Rong Jun's strength is above mine. If we fought head-on, even if I gave everything, my chances of winning wouldn't exceed thirty percent. And even if I somehow won, the cost would be devastating. I'd be in no condition to continue in later rounds."
He traced the bracket further down.
"Look at the path ahead. If I kept winning, I would eventually face Adrian the Sword Demon from the Milky Way, and Carlos of the Machine Race, known as the Iron Will. Each opponent is stronger than the last. If I exhausted myself against Rong Jun, I wouldn't stand a chance afterward."
Hong studied the projection carefully. Understanding gradually replaced his earlier doubt.
"So you chose to stop here… to avoid him."
"Not just that," Rowan continued. "Don't forget who we're representing. The Black Dragon Mountain Empire. What was their expectation of us?"
He paused, letting the question sink in.
"Even though I lost, my performance secured me a ranking around the top eighty. That result alone is enough to satisfy the Empire's expectations."
Thor leaned back, thinking it through.
"So instead of risking everything, you chose to secure a stable position?"
"Exactly."
Rowan nodded.
"And now, Aurelia will face Rong Jun instead. No matter how it plays out, it benefits us. If she loses, Rong Jun advances and continues to expend energy. If she wins, she'll pay a heavy price in the process."
Hong let out a quiet breath.
"From a tactical standpoint… it makes sense."
Then he looked at Rowan again, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"But your performance was a little too convincing. Even we couldn't tell."
Rowan gave a wry smile.
"If it wasn't convincing, how could I fool her? Aurelia isn't someone you can deceive easily. And to be honest… I wasn't entirely acting. She really is strong. Beating her would have cost me dearly."
Luo Feng nodded thoughtfully.
"So you chose a defeat that still carried value. You showcased your strength while avoiding future threats."
"That's one way to put it."
Rowan didn't deny it.
"I know it may disappoint you. But from a strategic perspective, it was the optimal decision."
Thor scratched his head, sighing.
"I thought you really went all out. But… yeah, when you put it like that, it makes sense. Rong Jun is not someone you want to deal with lightly."
Hong shifted the conversation.
"What about the rest of us? What are our matchups?"
Rowan adjusted the projection.
"Hong, your first opponent is Aisla, the Frost Mage from the Blue Crystal System. She specializes in ice-based laws. She's strong, but with your experience, you should have the upper hand."
Hong nodded calmly.
"I've heard of her. A tough opponent, but manageable."
"Thor, your opponent is Cybertron of the Machine Race, known as the Thunder Mech."
Thor rolled his shoulders, a grin forming.
"Machines, huh? Let's see whether their thunder is stronger than mine."
Rowan smiled faintly before turning to Luo Feng.
"And you… your opponent is Merle, a Mentalist from the Milky Way. Not overwhelmingly powerful, but her mental attacks are dangerous. Be careful."
Luo Feng nodded.
"I understand. I'm confident in my mental defenses, but I won't underestimate her."
The four of them gathered around the projection, analyzing every detail. The tension in the room gradually dissolved, replaced by focused discussion and strategic planning.
Then suddenly, Hong pointed at another section.
"Wait. If everything goes well… I might face Rong Jun in the third round."
The room fell silent.
Rowan quickly recalculated the possible outcomes and gave a slow nod.
"That's correct. If Aurelia loses to him and you keep advancing… you'll meet him."
Instead of fear, a spark of excitement ignited in Hong's eyes.
"Interesting."
Thor looked at him, already guessing his thoughts.
"You're not thinking…"
"I am."
Hong stood and walked toward the window, gazing into the vast starfield.
"Rong Jun. A prodigy of the Savage Clan. A master of the Law of Strength. I want to see for myself… just how strong he really is."
Rowan frowned slightly.
"He's not an easy opponent. His fighting style is extremely aggressive, and his physical strength is overwhelming."
"I know."
Hong cut him off, calm but resolute.
"But that's exactly why he's worth facing. In all my years of training, I've rarely encountered a true powerhouse. Whether I win or lose, a battle like that is invaluable."
Thor stood up immediately.
"Well said! That's the spirit of a warrior!"
Luo Feng nodded in agreement.
"And with your strength, it's not like victory is impossible."
Hearing their support, Rowan felt something stir within him.
His earlier decision had been logical. Calculated. Safe.
But Hong's words reminded him of something deeper. The essence of a warrior was not just survival or strategy, but the pursuit of strength and the courage to face the unknown.
"Alright."
Rowan stood as well.
"If you're determined, then we'll support you fully. But we need a solid plan."
Hong turned back, a confident smile on his face.
"Don't worry. He's strong, but not invincible. The Savage Clan relies heavily on brute strength. Their technique tends to lack refinement. That's where I have the advantage."
"Exactly," Thor added. "Your mastery of the Earth and Gravity Laws is already at a high level. And your combat awareness is the best among us."
"And you excel in endurance," Luo Feng said. "If you can drag him into a prolonged fight, your chances improve significantly."
Rowan thought for a moment.
"Then we gather as much data as possible. Study his past battles. Identify patterns, weaknesses, habits. We'll build a strategy tailored specifically against him."
Hong nodded.
"Know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."
The four of them sat down again, diving into detailed analysis. Rowan pulled up Rong Jun's full profile, including combat records and footage.
"Rong Jun. Age twenty-five. The number one prodigy of the Savage Star Domain."
"Started training at five. Reached warrior level at ten, general level at fifteen, war god at twenty. At twenty-three, he comprehended the Law of Strength. The clan leader called him a once-in-a-millennium genius."
Hong exhaled softly.
"That growth rate is incredible. But given their race, it's not entirely surprising."
Thor watched the combat footage, frowning.
"He fights like a beast. No finesse, just overwhelming force. But… his fundamentals are terrifyingly solid."
On the screen, Rong Jun's towering figure dominated the battlefield. Nearly three meters tall, muscles coiled like steel cables, every strike carried explosive power capable of ending fights instantly.
Luo Feng analyzed carefully.
"His use of the Law of Strength is unique. Instead of refining technique, he merges it completely with his raw physique. It's a very direct, very dangerous style."
Hong observed closely.
"His offense is overwhelming, but his defense is comparatively weaker. And his approach lacks variation."
"That's our opening," Rowan said.
"Your style is steady and adaptive. If you control the battlefield and avoid direct clashes, your chances increase significantly."
After a long discussion, they finally formed a complete strategy.
The core idea was simple. Avoid head-on confrontation. Use mobility, control, and endurance to wear Rong Jun down.
"Alright. That's the plan."
Hong nodded in satisfaction.
"The rest depends on execution."
Thor suddenly remembered something.
"If you win, that's huge for the Black Dragon Mountain Empire too."
Rowan agreed.
"The Savage Star Domain has always had friction with them. Defeating their top genius here would greatly boost the Empire's reputation."
"And it would prove Earth's strength as well," Luo Feng added.
Hong stretched lazily.
"Enough for today. Get some rest. Tomorrow, we fight."
"Yeah!" Thor grinned. "Let's show them what we're made of."
The next day.
Morning light filtered through the energy dome, illuminating the arena once more. The echoes of yesterday's battle still lingered in the crowd's discussions, but today promised even more.
Inside the preparation room, Hong sat cross-legged on the floor, perfectly still.
He looked like a mountain.
Unmoving. Unshakable.
A faint pulse of the Earth Law resonated around him, as if the very room breathed in rhythm with his presence.
"How are you feeling?" Rowan asked.
After yesterday's match, he found himself paying even closer attention to his teammates.
Hong slowly opened his eyes. Determination burned within them.
"Better than ever."
He stood, calm and composed.
"I studied Aisla's combat footage last night. I understand her now."