As dawn broke over the sect, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and anticipation. News of the life-and-death duel between Lin Tian and Qiu Heng had spread like wildfire, drawing nearly every outer disciple to the training grounds. They whispered amongst themselves, speculating on who would emerge victorious. Some spoke with confidence of Qiu Heng's ruthless power, while others murmured about Lin Tian's surprising rise to Qi Refining.
Lin Tian stood at the edge of the training ground, his gaze steady and his expression calm. Internally, however, he was assessing every possibility, every move Qiu Heng might make. He reminded himself of the strength and cultivation level he had gained in the Celestial Realm, how the phantom had perfected his Shadow Step and Shadow Blade techniques, bringing them near perfection. But he also knew he had to keep this knowledge hidden—one misstep, one reckless display of his true strength, and he could attract unwanted attention from both allies and enemies within the sect.
"Lin Tian!" a familiar voice called out. He turned to see Elder Yu, the sect elder overseeing the duel, approach him. "Remember, this is a life-and-death duel. There will be no intervention, no mercy." Elder Yu's gaze was sharp, assessing Lin Tian. "Are you prepared for this?"
Lin Tian nodded firmly. "I am, Elder. I understand the stakes."
Elder Yu nodded approvingly, though a glint of worry flashed in his eyes. "Then may fortune favor the worthy."
The crowd stirred as Qiu Heng entered the training ground, his appearance loud and menacing. Dressed in a dark robe embroidered with the emblem of his clan, he radiated a violent aura. His expression was one of sheer confidence, though there was a darkness behind his eyes that Lin Tian did not miss.
"So, you finally showed up, Lin Tian," Qiu Heng sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "I almost thought you'd flee like a coward. But it's better this way—I'll take great pleasure in watching you beg for mercy before I crush you."
Lin Tian met his gaze calmly. "I don't beg," he replied, his tone cold and resolute. "And you won't get the chance to see it."
Qiu Heng's face twisted with rage, but before he could respond, Elder Yu raised his hand, his voice booming across the training ground. "As agreed, this is a life-and-death duel. The rules are simple: no interference from anyone, and the duel only ends when one of you is no longer standing." He looked between Lin Tian and Qiu Heng, his expression grave. "Let the match begin!"
The moment Elder Yu's hand dropped, Qiu Heng surged forward, his fist crackling with dark energy. Without hesitation, he unleashed a flurry of attacks, each one swift and brutal, aiming directly at Lin Tian's vital points.
Lin Tian sidestepped gracefully, his perfected Shadow Step allowing him to evade Qiu Heng's strikes with minimal effort. To the onlookers, it appeared as though he was gliding, his form flickering in and out of view as he moved with an almost ethereal agility.
"Stay still!" Qiu Heng snarled, frustration creeping into his voice. He intensified his attacks, his strikes becoming wilder, each one more forceful than the last.
Lin Tian's eyes narrowed, and with a swift movement, he countered with his Shadow Blade technique. His blade moved like a phantom, leaving an afterimage that struck with precision. Qiu Heng barely managed to block the attack, his expression flickering with surprise.
"How did you—" Qiu Heng began, but Lin Tian didn't give him the chance to finish. He pressed forward, his blade flashing as he unleashed a series of calculated strikes. Each movement was precise, his attacks flowing like water, seamless and unrelenting.
The crowd gasped as they watched Lin Tian hold his own against Qiu Heng, whose cultivation was supposedly higher. Whispers of admiration and disbelief rippled through the disciples, some of whom had dismissed Lin Tian as a weakling. But now, watching him move with such grace and control, they were forced to reconsider.
Qiu Heng's anger flared, his face contorting with rage. He hadn't expected Lin Tian to be this skilled, to match him blow for blow. Realizing that he couldn't win with sheer strength alone, he activated the forbidden technique Shen Liang had given him—the Corrosive Qi Technique. Dark, malicious energy began to seep from his hands, his aura growing even more intense and menacing.
Lin Tian instantly sensed the change, the vile energy pressing against him like a thick fog. His instincts screamed at him to be cautious, to avoid direct contact with the dark Qi. He tightened his grip on his weapon, his eyes never leaving Qiu Heng.
"Impressed?" Qiu Heng sneered, his lips twisting into a wicked smile. "This is a technique you could never hope to match, a power you will never possess!" With a roar, he charged at Lin Tian, his fists glowing with the dark Qi that threatened to invade and corrode anything it touched.
Lin Tian dodged swiftly, his movements even sharper now. He could feel the malicious energy radiating off Qiu Heng's attacks, the poison laced within each strike. He knew that even a slight touch would harm his meridians, possibly crippling him.
Qiu Heng continued his relentless assault, his frustration growing as Lin Tian evaded each attack with ease. He roared in anger, his dark Qi swirling around him like a storm, his attacks becoming more reckless. "Why won't you just die, Lin Tian?!"
Lin Tian smirked, his voice calm and unyielding. "Because I'm not as weak as you think, Qiu Heng."
With that, Lin Tian leaped back, creating distance between them. In a flash, he activated his Shadow Blade technique, his blade gleaming with a faint hint of wind force—a skill he had honed to near perfection in the Celestial Realm. Moving swiftly, he launched a flurry of attacks, his blade leaving behind afterimages that struck from every angle, overwhelming Qiu Heng.
Qiu Heng's eyes widened in panic as he struggled to block the barrage. His movements grew sluggish, his stamina waning under the pressure of Lin Tian's relentless strikes. For the first time, doubt flickered across his face, a realization dawning on him—Lin Tian was stronger than he'd anticipated, far stronger.
But desperation sparked a new fury within Qiu Heng. Gritting his teeth, he activated the Blood-Burning Mantra, his body igniting with dark flames that crackled with dangerous power. His aura surged, his Qi spiking to an unnatural level as he sacrificed a portion of his potential for temporary strength.
The crowd gasped as they felt the intensity of Qiu Heng's aura. Lin Tian's gaze hardened, recognizing the danger before him. The Blood-Burning Mantra was a forbidden technique, one that allowed cultivators to reach beyond their limits at the cost of their future. Qiu Heng was clearly willing to sacrifice anything for this duel, even his own cultivation.
With a snarl, Qiu Heng lunged at Lin Tian, his movements wild and frenzied. His fists burned with dark flames as he unleashed a devastating series of attacks, each one more powerful than the last.
Lin Tian steeled himself, his heart pounding as he dodged and parried, his focus unwavering. But he could feel the pressure mounting, the dark flames licking dangerously close. He realized that Qiu Heng had truly committed everything to this battle, and he would have to meet that determination with his own.
The two clashed repeatedly, their blows echoing across the training ground as sparks flew. Lin Tian's Shadow Blade moved with precision, each strike calculated and deadly, while Qiu Heng's attacks grew more reckless, his dark Qi flaring with each move.
But Lin Tian could sense that Qiu Heng's strength was beginning to wane. The toll of the Blood-Burning Mantra was apparent—his attacks were growing slower, his movements less controlled. Sensing his opportunity, Lin Tian tightened his grip, his gaze sharp and focused.
He moved with a sudden burst of speed, his perfected Shadow Step allowing him to evade Qiu Heng's final, desperate strike. In a fluid motion, he brought his blade down, striking with all the precision and power he had honed in the Celestial Realm.
But just as his blade was about to make contact, a sinister smile crossed Qiu Heng's face. In a last, defiant act, he gathered his remaining dark Qi, preparing to unleash a devastating attack.
Lin Tian's eyes widened, realizing that Qiu Heng was willing to take both of them down if it meant victory.
The ground shook as the two forces collided, and the onlookers gasped, their breath held in anticipation of what was to come next.