The morning air was crisp as Long Haochen stepped into the village square, his body brimming with newfound strength. The final round of the Qinghe Village Martial Trials was about to begin.
The crowd had already gathered, murmuring in anticipation. The weaker competitors had been eliminated, leaving only the top four fighters: Long Haochen, Bai Jiang, Li Xueyan, and Fang Tiancheng.
Haochen's fight against Wei Rong had left an impression, but Bai Jiang remained the undisputed favorite. He hadn't struggled in any of his matches. Every opponent he faced had been defeated within moments, some not even landing a single hit.
Elder Li stood on the platform, his sharp gaze surveying the remaining competitors. "The final round will determine the strongest among you. Each of you has shown skill, but only one can be named the champion of these trials."
The elder turned toward the waiting fighters. "The first match of the final round: Long Haochen versus Bai Jiang."
A hush fell over the crowd.
Haochen stepped onto the stone platform, his heart steady. Across from him, Bai Jiang ascended with the same casual confidence he had displayed the day before.
Bai Jiang smirked. "I told you to rest, but you didn't, did you?"
Haochen met his gaze. "I didn't need to."
Elder Li raised his hand. "Begin!"
The moment the words left his mouth, Bai Jiang moved. He was fast—faster than any opponent Haochen had faced before. His body flickered, closing the distance in an instant as his fist shot forward.
Haochen vanished with Void Step, but Bai Jiang predicted it. He twisted mid-strike, his leg sweeping out in a sharp kick.
Haochen barely dodged in time. Bai Jiang's attacks were precise—too precise.
Haochen countered with Void Burst, unleashing a concentrated blast of energy. But Bai Jiang simply smirked and sidestepped, letting the attack pass by harmlessly.
"Too slow."
He lunged forward again, his palm glowing with spiritual energy. Haochen instinctively raised his arm to block, but the impact sent a shockwave through his bones. He slid back, his feet digging into the stone platform.
The crowd gasped.
Bai Jiang was overpowering him.
Haochen exhaled, steadying his stance. His Qi Refinement 3rd Stage breakthrough had increased his strength, but Bai Jiang was still stronger. If he fought head-on, he would lose.
But Bai Jiang was too confident. He assumed he was faster, stronger—and that made him predictable.
Haochen narrowed his eyes. "Let's see how confident you are when you can't even see the attack."
He shifted his stance. Void Step.
Bai Jiang moved immediately, anticipating the technique. He turned, aiming another strike—
But Haochen didn't appear where expected.
Instead, he materialized above him.
A golden arc of energy slashed downward—his new technique, Void Rend.
Bai Jiang's eyes widened as the attack struck his shoulder, cutting through his defenses and sending him staggering back.
For the first time, Bai Jiang's smirk vanished. He touched his wound, a thin line of blood staining his fingers.
Silence fell over the arena.
Then Bai Jiang laughed. "Interesting. Looks like I really do need to take this seriously."
He clenched his fists, and suddenly, his aura surged. His cultivation flared—a full step above Haochen's.
Qi Refinement, 4th Stage.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Bai Jiang had been holding back.
Haochen felt the pressure increase. Bai Jiang wasn't just confident—he was genuinely stronger.
Bai Jiang grinned. "Now, let's try this again."
He vanished.
Haochen barely had time to react before a fist struck his ribs. Pain flared through his body as he was sent skidding across the platform.
Bai Jiang didn't stop. He was already closing in for another attack.
Haochen forced himself to move, activating Void Step at the last second. He appeared behind Bai Jiang and slashed again with Void Rend, but Bai Jiang spun around mid-air, blocking the attack with his forearm.
A shockwave rippled across the platform as their attacks clashed.
Bai Jiang didn't just react fast—he adapted instantly.
Haochen knew he couldn't win in a drawn-out battle. He needed to end this now.
He took a deep breath, focusing all of his remaining energy.
If Void Step let him move faster—if Void Burst let him strike harder—
Then what if he combined them?
He vanished again, but this time, his energy surged mid-movement.
He reappeared in front of Bai Jiang—
And Void Rend exploded outward at full force.
The impact was devastating. Bai Jiang's body was launched across the arena, slamming into the ground.
Dust settled.
Haochen stood in the center of the platform, breathing heavily.
The referee hesitated, then raised his hand. "Winner: Long Haochen!"
For a moment, there was silence.
Then—the crowd erupted.
People who had doubted Haochen before were now cheering. His name spread through the village like wildfire.
But Haochen wasn't celebrating.
He looked down at Bai Jiang, who was staring up at the sky, his lips curled into a smirk despite his loss.
Bai Jiang met his gaze. "You got me. But don't think this is the end. Next time, I'll crush you."
Haochen didn't reply.
This wasn't the end—it was only the beginning.
Elder Li stepped forward. "The final match will be held shortly. Long Haochen will face either Li Xueyan or Fang Tiancheng for the championship."
Haochen stepped off the platform. He had won—but the true test was still ahead.
And he would be ready.