The moment Lin Xuan stepped forward, Zhao Tian's gaze sharpened slightly as he observed him more carefully. It didn't take long for him to notice the difference. The aura, the posture, even the way Lin Xuan carried himself had changed completely.
"…You broke through," Zhao Tian said, his tone no longer casual. His eyes lingered for a moment before narrowing slightly. "Fourth layer… and at the peak."
Lin Xuan didn't stop. His steps were steady as he closed the distance, as if the pressure in the air no longer affected him in the slightest. There was no excitement on his face, no pride—just calm focus.
"Something like that," he replied.
Zhao Tian let out a quiet breath and shook his head faintly. "You jumped two layers just from that spring," he said, almost amused. "Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds?"
Lin Xuan stopped a few steps away and looked at him. "Does it change anything?"
Zhao Tian met his gaze for a second before a faint smile appeared. "No," he admitted. "Strength is still strength. But don't misunderstand it either."
Lin Xuan tilted his head slightly. "Then explain it to me."
Zhao Tian's smile faded just a little. "A stronger body doesn't mean you've reached my level."
Lin Xuan let out a soft chuckle, the sound low and unbothered. "You'll have to prove that."
The next moment, he moved.
His foot pressed into the ground, and the stone beneath him cracked as he surged forward. There was no hesitation this time, no testing. His fist came straight toward Zhao Tian, heavy and direct, carrying a density that distorted the air slightly around it.
Zhao Tian reacted instantly, raising his hand as invisible force gathered in front of him. "Let's see how much you've improved," he said.
Their attacks collided with a deep, compressed sound that spread outward through the valley. It wasn't loud, but it was heavy, like something solid crashing into something equally unyielding. The ground beneath them fractured again, cracks spreading outward while dust lifted into the air.
This time, Zhao Tian was pushed back.
It wasn't a large distance, but it was clear. His foot slid slightly before he stabilized himself, and for a brief moment, he simply stood there as if confirming what had just happened.
"…That's more than I expected," he muttered, glancing at his hand before looking back up.
Lin Xuan lowered his fist slowly, his breathing steady. "You expected less?"
Zhao Tian let out a quiet laugh, though it carried a hint of seriousness now. "I expected improvement," he said. "Just not this kind."
He rolled his wrist once, loosening the tension before looking at Lin Xuan again. "But don't let it get to your head."
Lin Xuan stepped forward again without hesitation. "Then stop talking," he said calmly, "and show me."
Zhao Tian's expression stilled, and for a brief moment, the faint amusement in his eyes disappeared completely. "Alright," he said.
He moved instantly.
His figure blurred as he closed the distance, appearing in front of Lin Xuan in the next moment. His palm descended toward Lin Xuan's chest, and this time the invisible force around it was far more concentrated, compressed into a single point.
Lin Xuan didn't dodge. Instead, he shifted his body and drove his shoulder forward again, meeting the attack head-on.
The impact echoed deeply as both forces collided, sending a tremor through the ground beneath them. Dust rose once more, swirling briefly around their feet.
Zhao Tian frowned slightly as he stepped back. "You really don't know how to fight properly," he said, though there was less mockery in his voice now. "Who uses their shoulder like that?"
Lin Xuan rolled his shoulder once, testing it before replying. "Someone who doesn't need fancy moves."
Zhao Tian stared at him for a moment, then let out a short laugh. "Fair enough."
The tone between them shifted again, becoming quieter but heavier. It was no longer casual testing. Both of them understood that clearly now.
Lin Xuan moved first again.
This time, his body flowed more naturally, every step grounded and precise. His fist cut through the air with controlled force, faster and cleaner than before.
Zhao Tian raised his hand to block, but the moment their attacks met, the force traveled through his arm, tearing his sleeve slightly and pushing him back a full step.
That step changed everything.
Zhao Tian looked down briefly at the torn fabric, then lifted his gaze again, his expression completely serious now.
"…Alright," he said slowly. "Now I understand."
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow slightly. "About what?"
"That you're not someone I can ignore anymore," Zhao Tian replied.
Lin Xuan smiled faintly. "Took you long enough."
Zhao Tian shook his head slightly, though there was no amusement left this time. "No," he said. "I just needed confirmation."
As he spoke, the air around him began to change again. This time, it didn't simply compress—it twisted, becoming heavier and sharper, as if the space itself was being pulled inward.
The pressure spread outward, pressing down on everything in the area.
The ground beneath Lin Xuan's feet cracked deeper.
He felt it immediately.
This was no longer just a casual use of force. This was something closer to Zhao Tian's true strength.
"…So this is it," Lin Xuan said quietly, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Zhao Tian looked at him, calm but focused. "You've done well to reach this point," he said. "But this is where the difference shows."
Lin Xuan clenched his fist slowly, feeling the dense strength within his body respond against the pressure. His muscles tightened, his stance lowering slightly as he adjusted without stepping back.
"Then show me," he said.
Zhao Tian's gaze sharpened.
"I will."