The arena roared like a living beast.
Voices overlapped—cheers, insults, bets being shouted across rows of spectators. The air was thick with excitement, tension, and the metallic scent of blood that never quite left the stone pit.
Lin Feng stepped into the center.
Calm.
Steady.
Alive.
Across from him, his opponent rolled his shoulders slowly, muscles shifting like coiled steel beneath scarred skin. The man's presence alone carried weight—an unmistakable pressure that told everyone watching exactly what level he stood at.
Core Condensation.
A real one.
Not someone holding back.
Not someone restrained by sect rules.
A killer.
The Crowd's Judgment
"Look at that kid!"
"He's dead."
"No way he lasts ten seconds!"
"Five!"
Coins exchanged hands rapidly.
No one bet on Lin Feng.
Not a single person.
The Opponent Speaks
The man spat to the side and smirked.
"You're new."
Lin Feng nodded casually.
"Yeah."
The man cracked his knuckles, the sound sharp even through the noise.
"Then I'll make this quick."
Lin Feng tilted his head slightly.
"…People keep saying that."
The Bell Rings
A loud metallic clang echoed through the arena.
The signal.
The fight began.
First Clash
The man moved first.
Fast.
Faster than anyone Lin Feng had faced outside Xue Mei.
The ground cracked beneath his step as he lunged forward, fist drawn back with explosive force.
Lin Feng didn't dodge immediately.
He watched.
Measured.
Calculated.
This is different…
The pressure.
The intent.
This wasn't a test.
This was survival.
Impact
The punch came.
Violent.
Direct.
Lin Feng raised his arm just in time—
BOOM!
The force exploded through his body.
His feet slid back across the arena floor, carving deep lines into the stone.
The crowd roared.
"He blocked it?!"
"No way!"
Pain and Excitement
Lin Feng shook his arm slightly.
It hurt.
A lot.
But—
His grin widened.
"…Now we're talking."
Inside him, the Titan Core pulsed strongly, reacting to the pressure, the challenge.
His body adapted.
Faster.
Sharper.
Stronger.
Counterattack
Lin Feng vanished.
Titan Step.
He reappeared to the side instantly and threw a punch toward the man's ribs.
But—
The man reacted.
Fast.
Too fast.
He twisted his body and blocked.
CRACK!
The impact echoed, but neither side gave way.
Equal Ground
They separated.
For a brief moment—
Silence fell in the arena.
Then—
The crowd erupted.
"This kid is insane!"
"He's actually keeping up!"
"Who is he?!"
Rising Intensity
The man's expression changed.
No longer relaxed.
No longer amused.
Now—
Interested.
"…Alright."
"You're not trash."
Lin Feng smirked.
"Thanks. I try."
Real Fight Begins
The man's aura surged.
Stronger.
He stepped forward again—
This time faster.
Sharper.
Deadlier.
A barrage of strikes followed.
Punches.
Elbows.
Kicks.
Each one aimed to break, crush, destroy.
Lin Feng met them head-on.
Blocking.
Dodging.
Countering.
Each exchange sent shockwaves across the arena floor.
Stone cracked.
Dust rose.
The fight escalated rapidly.
Learning Mid-Fight
Lin Feng's eyes sharpened.
He was learning.
Every movement.
Every pattern.
Every slight hesitation.
He favors his right side…
His left guard drops slightly after a heavy strike…
Got it.
Turning Point
The man threw a heavy right punch.
Lin Feng blocked—
But this time—
He didn't retreat.
He stepped in.
Inside the attack.
And struck.
Direct Hit
His fist slammed into the man's side.
BOOM!
The impact echoed loudly.
The man's body shifted slightly—
Just slightly.
But enough.
The crowd gasped.
"He hit him!"
Momentum Shift
Lin Feng didn't stop.
Another strike followed.
And another.
Each one precise.
Calculated.
Building momentum.
The man gritted his teeth.
For the first time—
He was being pushed back.
The Crowd Goes Wild
"WHAT IS HAPPENING?!"
"He's winning!"
"No—he's actually winning!"
The arena exploded with excitement.
The Opponent Gets Serious
Suddenly—
The man roared.
His aura flared violently, pushing Lin Feng back with sheer force.
"ENOUGH!"
The ground beneath him cracked as power surged through his body.
"This ends now!"
Final Exchange Begins
Lin Feng steadied himself.
His breathing slowed.
His focus sharpened.
This is it.
The man charged.
Everything behind a single strike.
Lin Feng didn't move.
Didn't dodge.
He waited.
Timing it.
Perfectly.
The Deciding Moment
At the last second—
Lin Feng stepped forward.
Not back.
Forward.
His fist shot out.
All his strength.
All his momentum.
All his precision.
Focused into one strike.
Victory
BOOOOOOM!!!
The collision echoed like thunder.
Then—
Silence.
The man froze.
His eyes widened slightly.
Then—
His body collapsed.
He hit the ground.
Hard.
Unmoving.
Aftermath
For a moment—
The entire arena was silent.
Then—
It exploded.
"HE WON!!!"
"WHAT?!"
"WHO IS THIS GUY?!"
Lin Feng Stands Alone
Lin Feng stood in the center.
Breathing slightly heavier.
But still standing.
Still strong.
He looked down at his opponent.
"…Not bad."
A Step Forward
Inside him, the Titan Core pulsed again.
Stronger.
Satisfied.
A quiet awareness formed in his mind—
Core Condensation opponent defeated.
Progress… 1.
Lin Feng smiled.
"Two more to go."
Recognition Begins
The announcer's voice echoed loudly:
"WINNER—LIN FENG!!!"
This time—
The crowd remembered his name.
They shouted it.
Cheered it.
Repeated it.
"LIN FENG!"
"LIN FENG!"
"LIN FENG!"
Cliffhanger
As Lin Feng turned to leave the arena—
He felt it.
A gaze.
Sharp.
Heavy.
Watching him.
From above.
He looked up slightly.
In one of the private viewing areas—
A figure stood in the shadows.
Unclear.
Silent.
Dangerous.
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Guess the real ones are watching now."