The platform felt smaller now.
Not because it had changed—
But because only four people remained.
Lin Feng stood still, his breathing steady, his body relaxed but ready. Across from him, Su Yao's presence was as calm as ever. To his left and right, the remaining two fighters stood with quiet focus.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
But the pressure—
Was heavier than before.
This wasn't the first round anymore.
This was where things started to matter.
The older man's voice came again, calm and absolute.
"Continue."
No countdown.
No structure.
Just that one word.
And immediately—
Everything shifted.
One of the remaining fighters moved first.
Not toward Lin Feng.
Toward the other.
They clashed instantly.
Leaving—
Lin Feng.
And Su Yao.
Facing each other.
A brief silence passed between them.
Lin Feng exhaled slowly.
"…Guess it's us."
Su Yao didn't respond immediately.
She simply looked at him.
Calm.
Focused.
Then—
"You've improved."
Lin Feng smirked.
"…You say that like you expected less."
"I did."
Blunt.
Honest.
Lin Feng chuckled.
"…Fair enough."
No more words.
Because none were needed.
She moved first.
Not fast.
Not slow.
Just—
Precise.
Her sword didn't flash wildly.
Didn't cut through the air with dramatic force.
It moved—
Exactly where it needed to be.
Lin Feng stepped in.
Not backing away.
He shifted his body slightly—
Avoiding the blade by inches.
Close.
Too close.
But intentional.
He moved inside her range.
A fist aimed straight for her center.
She adjusted instantly.
The flat of her blade met his strike—
Redirecting it.
Not blocking.
Not clashing.
Guiding.
Lin Feng's eyes sharpened.
"…Yeah."
"She's different."
They separated slightly.
Then moved again.
Faster this time.
Her strikes came in controlled sequences.
Not random.
Not overwhelming.
Calculated.
Each one limiting his movement.
Forcing him into positions.
Lin Feng adapted quickly.
His movements became tighter.
Less wasted motion.
More intent.
But even then—
He felt it.
She was still in control.
Not dominating.
But leading.
"…Alright," he thought.
"Let's change that."
He stepped forward again.
This time—
More aggressive.
He didn't wait for her to dictate.
He forced the pace.
Closing the gap instantly.
Their distance collapsed.
Too close for extended sword movement.
Now—
It was his space.
He struck.
Fast.
Direct.
She responded.
Equally fast.
But this time—
Their movements collided more directly.
Force met force.
Control met control.
The platform beneath them trembled slightly.
But neither gave ground.
A brief lock.
A moment of pure pressure.
Then—
They broke apart again.
Lin Feng's smile widened.
"…Now we're talking."
Su Yao's expression didn't change.
But her eyes—
Sharpened.
"You're adapting faster than expected."
Lin Feng rolled his shoulders slightly.
"Yeah, I get that a lot."
She stepped forward again.
And this time—
Her aura shifted.
Not explosive.
Not overwhelming.
But deeper.
Sharper.
Like a blade finally leaving its sheath.
Lin Feng felt it instantly.
"…So you weren't serious before."
"No."
Simple.
Honest.
And then—
She moved.
Faster than before.
Her blade cut through the air—
Not wildly—
But perfectly.
Lin Feng reacted—
Just in time.
Barely avoiding the first strike.
The second came immediately after.
No pause.
No gap.
He blocked—
But the force pushed him back.
A step.
Then another.
"…Okay."
His eyes lit up.
"This is it."
He planted his foot.
Stopped retreating.
And stepped forward again.
Into the pressure.
Into the danger.
Because this—
Was what he wanted.
Their movements blurred.
Not from speed alone—
But from precision.
Every strike had meaning.
Every step had purpose.
No wasted motion.
No hesitation.
The distance between them—
Constantly shifting.
Neither gaining full control.
Neither losing completely.
But the balance—
Was fragile.
And both of them knew it.
Across the platform—
The other fight ended.
But no one paid attention.
Because this—
Was the real match.
The real focus.
The real decision.
Lin Feng stepped in again—
And this time—
He pushed harder.
More force.
More intent.
Forcing her to respond.
Forcing her to adjust.
Forcing her—
To take him seriously.
Cliffhanger
Their attacks collided again—
Stronger.
Sharper.
Closer than before.
And for the first time—
A small shift appeared.
Not in Lin Feng.
But in Su Yao.
Just a fraction.
Just a moment.
But enough—
To show—
This fight…
Was no longer one-sided.
And the next exchange—
Would decide everything.