The air was thick with tension as Wu Li and his opponent, Wu Qiang, faced each other. The courtyard was deathly silent, all eyes on the two warriors. Wu Li gripped his sword, steadying his breath, while Wu Qiang shifted his stance slightly, preparing to utilize his superior speed.
Wu Li's mind raced. He's faster than me... I need to stay grounded, focus on stability, and strike when I see an opening. If I allow him to control the pace, I'll lose.
On the other side, Wu Qiang smirked. He's steady, but predictable. I can outmaneuver him—he won't be able to keep up with my speed. He surged forward, his body a blur as he circled around Wu Li, slashing at him from the side.
Wu Li parried the blow but felt the impact reverberate through his sword arm. He's fast, but I've prepared for this. As long as I control my movements, I can endure.
Wu Qiang capitalized on his agility, darting around Wu Li, striking from different angles. He aimed to wear down his opponent's defenses. Wu Li, however, remained rooted, using his technique to increase the strength and stability of his sword, deflecting the onslaught with precision.
The crowd watched in silent awe, their gazes flicking between the two fighters. Each move was a calculated gamble, each strike filled with intent.
Wu Zheng narrowed his eyes as he observed the duel. Wu Li is trying to keep his opponent at a distance, relying on his stability. If he succeeded in doing this , he will win.
Elder Wu Fan stroked his chin, his eyes following Wu Li's movements. "That boy has potential," he murmured, speaking to the elder next to him. "But he's playing a dangerous game. His foundation is solid, but he's leaving too much room for Qiang to dictate the flow."
Wu Li was patient, his breathing steady despite the rapid exchanges. He's getting cocky. He thinks his speed gives him the upper hand, but I can sense it—he's rushing.
Then it happened. Wu Qiang, seeing Wu Li's defenses holding, decided to gamble on a finishing blow. He overcommitted to a powerful horizontal slash, his form slightly overextended. Wu Li's sharp eyes caught the mistake instantly.
There it is, Wu Li thought, his heart pounding. He pivoted swiftly, lowering his center of gravity, and lashed out with a precision strike aimed at Wu Qiang's exposed side. The sword hit its mark.
The crowd gasped as Wu Qiang stumbled back, clutching his side, his eyes wide in shock. He had lost control for just a moment, but it was all Wu Li needed to turn the tide.
Wu Qiang, now off-balance, tried to recover, but it was too late. Wu Li followed up with another calculated strike, disarming his opponent with a clean sweep of his sword. Wu Qiang's weapon flew from his hand, clattering to the ground. The fight was over.
For a moment, there was silence, as if the entire courtyard held its breath. Then the crowd erupted in cheers, the tension breaking into wild excitement.
"That was brilliant!" someone in the crowd exclaimed. "Wu Li's patience won him the match!"
Another voice followed, filled with admiration. "He saw the mistake in an instant! Incredible precision!"
Even the elders were impressed. Elder Wu Fan nodded approvingly. "He's earned this victory. Such precision—rare for someone at his stage."
Wu Rui remained calm, though a glimmer of acknowledgment shone in his eyes. He spoke up, his voice cutting through the crowd's cheers. "Both fighters displayed exceptional skill. Wu Li's precision and Wu Qiang's agility were commendable."
Wu Li stood tall, though his breathing was heavy. I did it, he thought, pride swelling in his chest. I managed to turn the tide at the right moment.
Wu Qiang, now weaponless, clenched his fists. I miscalculated… I got reckless. I let my confidence get the better of me. Despite his defeat, he gave a respectful nod toward Wu Li before stepping back.
As the crowd's excitement began to die down, Wu Rui's voice rose again. "Next up," he announced, "Wu Zheng will face Wu Ping!"
A hush fell over the courtyard once more as all eyes turned to the two fighters. Wu Zheng calmly stepped into the arena, his sharp gaze locking with Wu Ping's. The two stared each other down, sizing up their opponent.
The tension rose again as they prepared for battle. The crowd waited with bated breath, eager to witness the next duel.