He says about himself through bruising: he was defeated but has it not stopped him from standing up at dawn and hitting the ground? Every part of his body aches but he is tough for what he has in terms of determination.
Mei Feng crossed her arms, locking sharp eyes on him as he approached. "You look like you went through a stampede," she said flatly.
"Feels worse," Bai Cheng said, moving his shoulders and making a face. "But I'm not here to look good."
A small smile appeared on Mei Feng's face. "Good. Let's see if you're here to learn."
She motioned to the circular platform. The runes flared to life once more, the same cold mist swirling upward. The familiar forms of his Doppelgängers began to emerge. This time, their movements were sharper, their presence more menacing.
"They're stronger," Mei Feng warned. "Faster. Smarter. If you're expecting an easy fight, you're in for another beating."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Bai Cheng muttered, stepping onto the platform.
The Battle Begins Bai Cheng dodged a heavy kick and twisted to block another punch to his ribs. The hit numbed his arm, but he gritted his teeth and fought on.
"Already on the defensive?" one of the Doppelgängers sneered, its voice full of mockery.
"Not for long," Bai Cheng said, dodging away from another strike.
He circled now, moving slowly, his eyes scanning for openings. Every move they made seemed to be his own—familiar yet somehow distinct, like viewing a warped reflection in a cracked mirror.
"They're me," Bai Cheng thought, squinting. "Which means they have my strengths—but also my weaknesses."
Playing the Weaknesses
A Doppelgänger lunged in his direction, its fist intended to meet squarely with his chest. He sidestepped; and noticed briefly how far it overextended before it recovered.
"They're fast," he mutters, dodging again. "But they always overcommit, just as I do."
He pretended to attack the other, making one of them come closer. Bai Cheng turned his body, aiming a sharp elbow to its side. The illusion flickered, its crack showing in its form before it turned into mist.
"Got one!" Bai Cheng exclaimed with a grin on his face.
"Don't get ahead of yourself!" Mei Feng shouted from the sidelines. "The rest won't go down so easily!"
The other Doppelgangers adapted quickly, their attacks better synchronized, and more relentless. One pretended a high move, and the other swept in low, sending Bai Cheng jumping backward. He managed to evade a kicking blow by a hair, and stumbled, as the platform's edge closed in too close.
"Think, Bai Cheng! Stop reacting and take hold of this fight!"
Bai Cheng thought quickly, working his way through all the skills Mei Feng and Gerald taught him. Of them was special—Shadow Step, that sneaky movement skill combining surprise with speed.
"Fine," Bai Cheng said softly, moving to a different position. "Let's see if this works."
Briefly closed his eyes, focusing to breathe in and on what the energy around and inside was now. The next time he felt the Doppelgängers attack, he moved, not in which way they thought he should. He started staggering to space, so his steps were not particularly steady, and fluid but smooth, hard to even keep in line.
The first Doppelgänger paused for a moment—and that was Bai Cheng's mistake. He ducked low and hit its chest with his palm. The illusion broke into mist. The second copy charged at him, its fist aimed at his head. Bai Cheng turned to the side, without thinking, and kicked back, which hit the Doppelgänger hard, so it was knocked down before it vanished.
"Impressive," Mei Feng said quietly, watching closely. "He's getting better."
The last Doppelgänger was more careful, its eyes narrowing as it copied Bai Cheng's new unpredictability.
The two moved in a circle around each other, with tension in the air.
The Final Strike
Bai Cheng pretended to step forward, watching as the Doppelgänger changed its weight in response. He smiled slightly.
"You're quick," he said, his voice calm even though he was tired. "But I'm faster."
He disappeared.
The Doppelganger blinked as it widened its eyes in shock at feeling Bai Cheng arrive at his back. The prearranged hit at the back made the illusion of misting apart. The moment the runes faded off the platform, Bai Cheng thudded onto his knees, panting.
Sweat beads on his face and his body screams, but the heart is proud.
Flicker of Pride
Mei Feng stepped forward, her expression both approving and judging thoughtfully. "Not bad," she said, reaching out to help him to his feet.
Bai Cheng took her hand, wincing as he stood up. "Just 'not bad'? I won them all!" Mei Feng smiled slyly. "And yet, here you are, catching your breath while they would be prepared for another battle."
He frowned, but a small smile began to creep up on his face. "Okay. What now?
"More training," she said. "Shadow Step is not ready for you yet. To master it, you have to move faster, hit harder, and think better." "Bring it on," Bai Cheng said with his eyes brimming full of determination.
With the rising sun shining golden light upon the training grounds, something new in him rose, too: a deep understanding of himself and the power he was just unlocking.