The arena had yet to calm down.
Jiang Chen's overwhelming victory over Jiang Ming still echoed in the minds of every disciple present. What was once disbelief had now turned into caution… even fear.
But the assessment did not stop.
---
Elder Zhao raised his hand.
"The next match begins immediately."
His gaze swept across the crowd before landing on another name.
"Jiang Lei… versus Jiang Xuan."
---
The battles continued one after another.
Techniques clashed.
Qi surged.
Some fights were intense, others one-sided.
But gradually—
The weaker disciples were eliminated.
Only the stronger ones remained.
---
Jiang Chen stood quietly at the edge of the arena, watching.
Learning.
Analyzing.
Every movement, every technique, every flaw.
"This one relies too much on brute force…"
"That one lacks endurance…"
His eyes were calm, calculating.
To others, these matches were tests.
To him—
They were opportunities.
---
Soon—
Another name was called.
"Jiang Chen… step forward."
---
The crowd stirred again.
"He's up again!"
"Who is it this time?"
---
Elder Zhao glanced down.
Then spoke.
"Jiang Chen… versus Jiang Lei."
---
A tall, broad-shouldered youth stepped onto the platform.
His presence was completely different from Jiang Ming.
Stable.
Heavy.
Like a mountain.
---
"Jiang Lei…"
"He's already at Body Tempering Layer 4!"
"This won't be easy…"
---
Jiang Lei cracked his knuckles, his gaze steady.
"I've watched your fight," he said calmly. "You're fast. Precise."
A pause.
"But against absolute strength…"
He stepped forward, the stone beneath his feet slightly cracking.
"…those tricks won't work."
---
Jiang Chen walked onto the platform.
Unhurried.
Unbothered.
---
"Begin."
---
Jiang Lei attacked first.
No probing.
No hesitation.
His fist came down like a hammer, carrying overwhelming force.
---
Jiang Chen moved.
**Shadow Step.**
His figure blurred—
But this time—
Jiang Lei reacted.
---
*BOOM!*
His fist smashed into the ground where Jiang Chen had just been.
The platform trembled.
Cracks spread.
---
"So you can dodge," Jiang Lei said.
Then—
He smiled faintly.
---
"Let's see how long that lasts."
---
He stepped forward again.
Faster than expected.
Each step carried weight.
Each attack covered a wide area.
---
Jiang Chen's eyes narrowed.
"…He's controlling the battlefield."
Jiang Lei wasn't just strong—
He was smart.
He was limiting Jiang Chen's movement space.
---
Another attack came.
Jiang Chen dodged—
Barely.
The edge of the strike brushed his sleeve, tearing it apart.
---
The crowd gasped.
"That almost hit!"
---
Jiang Chen retreated slightly.
For the first time—
He was being pressured.
---
Jiang Lei didn't let up.
Punch.
Kick.
Palm strike.
Each one heavier than the last.
---
Jiang Chen's movements became tighter.
More precise.
Less room to maneuver.
---
*Think.*
Speed alone wouldn't win this.
---
Jiang Chen exhaled slowly.
His qi began to gather.
Not scattered—
Focused.
Compressed.
---
Jiang Lei noticed.
"Oh?"
He charged forward.
"Trying something?"
---
Jiang Chen didn't move.
Not yet.
---
The distance closed.
Ten steps.
Five steps.
Three—
---
Jiang Lei's fist roared forward.
---
At that exact moment—
Jiang Chen moved.
---
Not backward.
Forward.
---
A single step.
Perfect timing.
---
His body twisted slightly—
Avoiding the full force—
And his palm shot out.
---
**Primordial Strike.**
---
*BOOM!*
The impact exploded between them.
But—
This time—
Jiang Lei didn't fly back.
---
He held his ground.
His arm trembled.
But his feet remained planted.
---
The platform beneath them shattered.
---
For a moment—
They stood locked in place.
Power against power.
---
Then—
Jiang Lei grinned.
---
"…Good."
---
His aura surged.
Stronger.
Heavier.
More oppressive.
---
"Now this is a real fight."
---
Jiang Chen's eyes sharpened.
A faint smile appeared.
---
"…Finally."