The atmosphere in the arena had shifted once more. Xian Di's previous victories had created a ripple of uncertainty, but his next challenges would not be so easily dismissed. He had already defeated strong opponents, but now, he would face cultivators whose strength far exceeded his own. The elders watched closely, knowing that the real test was about to begin.
"Xian Di," the elder called out, his voice steady. "Your next opponent will be Tang Wei."
Tang Wei stepped forward, his fists already glowing with Qi, crackling like distant thunder. At Qi Refinement Stage 4 (Mid), he was far stronger than Xian Di, his attacks fueled by a deep reserve of elemental power. His aggressive fighting style had overwhelmed many before, and he looked confident that it would do so again.
"You're out of your depth," Tang Wei sneered, his fists pulsing with heat. "You think you can beat me? You won't last long."
Xian Di remained silent, his spear held loosely in his hand, his expression cold and calm.
The elder gave the signal, and Tang Wei wasted no time. His feet slammed into the ground as he shot forward, his fists blazing with fiery Qi. He moved with a speed and aggression that far exceeded Xian Di's previous opponents, his strikes aimed to overwhelm.
Xian Di deflected the first punch with his spear, but the force of it shook his arm. The impact sent a shockwave through the ground, the heat from Tang Wei's Qi searing the air. Xian Di stepped back, his movements careful, calculating. He couldn't afford to take Tang Wei head-on.
Tang Wei pressed the attack, his fists moving in rapid succession, each strike laced with elemental Qi. Flames surged with every punch, creating an oppressive heat that surrounded Xian Di. He dodged and deflected, his spear moving swiftly to block the attacks, but the raw power of Tang Wei's strikes forced him back step by step.
A particularly powerful punch landed against Xian Di's spear, the force of it sending him skidding across the arena floor. The crowd gasped, murmurs spreading as they saw the pressure Tang Wei was putting on him.
"You can't keep running," Tang Wei taunted, flames licking up his arms. "Fight back, or I'll burn you alive!"
Xian Di's gaze remained cold, unshaken by the power on display. He could feel the strain, the heat pressing against his skin, but his mind was focused. He knew that meeting Tang Wei's brute strength directly would be foolish. He had to rely on precision, on exploiting the gaps in his opponent's overwhelming offense.
Tang Wei launched himself at Xian Di again, his fists trailing fire as he unleashed a barrage of punches. This time, Xian Di didn't retreat. He ducked low, slipping beneath one of Tang Wei's wild swings, his spear snapping up to meet the next attack. The spear's tip caught the edge of Tang Wei's wrist, deflecting the strike and leaving a narrow opening.
Xian Di capitalized instantly. He surged forward, his body moving with an eerie calm as he spun his spear in a tight arc. The spear's point struck Tang Wei's side, just below his ribs, the force of the blow disrupting his Qi flow.
Tang Wei growled in pain, but he recovered quickly, spinning with another fiery punch aimed at Xian Di's head. But Xian Di had already moved, his body slipping through the attack with the precision of someone who could sense every shift in the space around him. He stepped around Tang Wei, his spear thrusting forward again, this time landing a blow to his shoulder.
The crowd murmured in disbelief as they watched Tang Wei stumble, his body steaming from the fire he had summoned. He lashed out with another punch, but Xian Di was gone again, moving like a shadow in the wind.
The duel stretched on, the heat from Tang Wei's Qi scorching the ground as his attacks grew more desperate. But Xian Di remained untouchable, his movements swift and precise. Finally, after a particularly wild swing, Xian Di struck.
With a single, clean thrust, his spear stopped just short of Tang Wei's chest, the tip humming with concentrated energy. Tang Wei froze, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he realized he had lost.
The victory over Tang Wei had come at a cost. Xian Di could feel the strain in his muscles, the heat still lingering on his skin. But there was no time to rest. The elder's voice rang out once more.
"Xian Di, your next opponent will be Tang Lin."
The crowd fell into a hushed silence. Tang Lin was a different kind of opponent, his power unmatched by anyone who had fought so far. At Qi Refinement Stage 4 (Peak), he was a towering figure, his muscles rippling beneath his robes. He wielded a massive battle axe, the blade of which gleamed ominously as he stepped into the arena.
Tang Lin didn't speak. He didn't need to. His reputation alone was enough to send a ripple of tension through the crowd.
Xian Di's expression remained unreadable as he tightened his grip on the spear. This fight would be the most dangerous yet.
As soon as the signal was given, Tang Lin charged forward, his battle axe swinging with enough force to cleave the ground beneath it. The blade sliced through the air with a heavy, metallic hum, the sheer weight of it shaking the arena as it came down toward Xian Di.
Xian Di leapt back, his spear darting up to deflect the strike, but the force of the blow was immense. The shock of it reverberated up his arms, sending him sliding across the ground. Tang Lin pressed the advantage, his attacks relentless. Each swing of the axe created a gust of wind, the power behind it enough to shatter stone.
For the first time, Xian Di was on the defensive. He moved with calculated precision, dodging and parrying as the massive axe cut through the air around him. But Tang Lin's strength was overwhelming, and every clash between their weapons sent a shockwave through the arena.
"You can't run forever!" Tang Lin growled, his voice deep and menacing. He brought the axe down again, the blade crashing into the ground where Xian Di had stood moments before.
Xian Di slipped to the side, his spear striking out to test Tang Lin's defenses. But the man's strength was formidable, and even when Xian Di's strikes landed, they seemed to do little to slow him down. Tang Lin's Qi surged with every swing, his raw power making each attack dangerous.
Xian Di's breathing grew more controlled, his focus narrowing as he began to adapt to the pattern of Tang Lin's attacks. He couldn't match the man's strength, but strength alone wasn't enough to win.
Tang Lin raised his axe for another swing, and in that moment, Xian Di moved.
His body blurred as he slipped beneath the strike, his spear darting forward to pierce Tang Lin's exposed side. The blow was precise, aimed at disrupting his Qi flow. Tang Lin grunted, his movements slowing as the spear found its mark.
But it wasn't over. Tang Lin roared, his Qi flaring as he swung his axe in a wide arc, forcing Xian Di to leap back. The crowd watched in stunned silence as the two fighters clashed again, the ground beneath them cracking from the force of their attacks.
Xian Di's spear struck out again and again, each thrust aimed at Tang Lin's weak points. His movements were calm, controlled, his awareness of the space around him guiding every strike. Finally, after a long and grueling battle, Xian Di found the opening he had been waiting for.
With a swift, fluid motion, his spear slipped past Tang Lin's defenses, the tip stopping just short of his throat.
Tang Lin froze, his breath heavy, his body trembling from the strain of the fight. He had been defeated.
Xian Di lowered his spear, stepping back as Tang Lin slumped to the ground, defeated. The crowd remained silent, unable to process what they had just witnessed. Xian Di had fought two powerful opponents, both stronger than him, and had emerged victorious.
The elder stepped forward, his gaze heavy as he addressed the crowd.
"The final match will be between Xian Di and Tang Yong in 15 minutes."
A ripple of shock passed through the crowd. Tang Yong, the most feared of the Tang family's younger generation, stood at Qi Refinement Stage 5 (Early). His name alone carried weight, his victories numerous, his power unrivaled.
Tang Yong stepped into the arena, his expression cold as he looked at Xian Di. "This ends with me," he said, his voice low and filled with menace.
Xian Di said nothing, his grip tightening on his spear, and started meditating.