Han Yi’s fist slammed into his side.
An elbow hit the shoulder a heartbeat later.
A knee drove into his stomach right after.
Lightning scattered from Lei Feng’s body as he stumbled.
The crowd erupted:
"He got him!"
"That combo was fast!"
Lei Feng wiped a line of blood from his lip. "No choice, then."
Behind him, the Lightning Wolf howled, electricity wrapping around him like armor.
BOOM.
Lei Feng vanished in a burst of thunder.
He wasn’t running—he was teleporting short distances with lightning.
Han Yi barely dodged the first strike, rolling as Lei Feng reappeared behind him. But the second came instantly—
A lightning-charged punch struck Han Yi’s ribs.
Han Yi gasped.
A third blow followed—an electric kick smashing into his side.
He was sent flying across the ring.
His Shadow Panther spirit roared and wrapped shadows around him to soften the landing.
Han Yi coughed and forced himself up again, panting. "This... is fun."
Lei Feng smirked. "Same."
Both lowered their stances.
Both spirits roared, lightning and shadows rising.
They charged.
The final exchange became a blur—punches, kicks, lightning arcs, shadow trails, each clash louder and heavier than the last.
Then—
A single, heavy thud echoed.
Dust drifted down.
Han Yi was on one knee, breathing hard, unable to stand.
Lei Feng stood above him, shaking, electricity flickering weakly across his arms—but still standing.
Tian Lei raised his hand.
"Winner: Lei Feng!"
The arena exploded with cheers.
Lei Feng took the lead with one point.
Han Yi’s panther spirit faded as he exhaled, disappointment and respect mixed in his eyes. He pushed himself up and nodded.
"Good fight."
Lei Feng grinned tiredly. "Next time, don’t hold back."
Han Yi stepped off the stage, still catching his breath. His ribs hurt, but he didn’t complain. Losing by a small margin only made him more determined.
On the other side, Lei Feng walked back to his group. His legs were unsteady from the strain, and sparks flickered around him like they were about to go out at any moment. Even so, he looked satisfied.
Tian Lei looked at both of them. "Rest up. There are still more matches today."
Han Yi sat down on a bench, closing his eyes for a moment. I need to get faster... and hit harder, he thought. His Shadow Panther spirit appeared beside him for a second, giving a soft growl before fading. It wasn’t unhappy—just reminding him that they still had room to grow.
Lei Feng drank some water, shaking his hands to get feeling back into them. "That guy is crazy strong..." he muttered. "If he actually went all out, I would’ve lost."
A few disciples nearby whispered among themselves.
"Did you see that fight?"
"Yeah, Han Yi almost turned it around."
"Lei Feng barely stayed standing!"
Both fighters heard the comments, but neither reacted.
Tian Lei called for the next match to prepare.
Han Yi took one last deep breath. He looked at the ring again, eyes steady.
Next time, I win.
Mu Chen stepped forward calmly, cold mist forming around his feet.
Yue Shanshan cracked her neck lightly, her twin swords making a soft metallic sound.
Both entered the arena.
Tian Lei glanced between them. "Begin."
Mu Chen lifted his hand, and a thin layer of frost spread across the tiles beneath him.
The Frost Heron spirit appeared behind him—tall, elegant, wings made of shimmering ice.
Across from him, Yue Shanshan drew both her swords in one smooth motion.
Her Silver Hawk spirit formed behind her, sharp-eyed and tense.
Tian Lei gave a small wave. "Begin."
Yue Shanshan moved first.
She dashed forward, her speed boosted by the Silver Hawk’s cry.
Her first sword strike came down like a flash.
CLANG!
Mu Chen blocked it with an arm coated in thick ice. Frost burst outward.
Her second sword followed instantly.
He stepped back, but the blade still cut his sleeve—close enough to make sparks fly.
The crowd reacted in shock.
"She’s so fast!"
"He almost didn’t dodge that!"
Mu Chen’s calm expression didn’t change, but his eyes sharpened.
Cold air gathered around him.
He lifted his hand.
Ice Wing Shield.
A large, solid wing of ice formed in front of him.
Yue Shanshan’s next attacks slammed into it—
TING! TING! TING!
Cracks spread quickly, but the shield held.
Mu Chen stepped forward and tapped his foot.
Sharp ice erupted from the ground.
Ice Bloom.
Yue Shanshan reacted instantly—jumping back, spinning once in the air, and landing lightly.
A small smirk touched her lips.
"Not bad."
Mu Chen said nothing. His calm never changed.
Then he attacked.
The Frost Heron spread its wings, and Mu Chen moved—smooth, fast, and controlled.
Frost spread behind every step.
He lifted his hand and released a narrow blast of cold light.
Yue Shanshan crossed her swords to stop it.
The force pushed her back a step.
She barely regained her footing before Mu Chen was already in front of her.
His palm shot toward her.
She blocked with one sword, but the impact still forced her backward.
Her eyes sharpened.
"Fine. My turn."
The Silver Hawk screamed behind her.
She moved again—faster than before.
Her swords blurred into silver arcs.
CLANG.
CLANG.
CLANG.
CLANG.
Each strike chipped away at Mu Chen’s frost armor.
But Mu Chen remained steady.
He lifted both hands.
Cold energy burst out from him like a wave.
Frozen Domain.
The temperature dropped instantly.
Frost crawled over the entire ring.
Yue Shanshan’s steps slowed. Only slightly, but enough.
Mu Chen stepped in and struck.
His palm slammed into her shoulder.
BANG!
She slid back several steps, boots screeching across the frozen tiles.
Her arm shook from the impact.
The crowd shouted in excitement.
"Mu Chen’s domain is strong!"
"She can’t move as fast now!"
But Yue Shanshan smiled.
"Who said I need the ground?"
She stabbed one sword downward.
BOOM.
The force launched her into the air.
The Silver Hawk shot up behind her, lifting her higher.
Then she dove down—straight at Mu Chen—like a falling star.
Both swords aimed at him.
Mu Chen looked up, focused.
The Frost Heron spread its wings.
Ice Wing Barrier.
A wall of ice rose in front of him.
Yue Shanshan tore through it instantly.
Ice exploded around her.