The arena fell into a heavy silence.
Dozens of Inner Sect disciples surrounded the cracked stone platform, their eyes fixed on the two figures standing opposite each other. The earlier match had already been brutal—but now, the tension in the air had turned sharper.
Because this wasn't just a duel.
It was a statement.
Liu Feng stood at the center of the arena, his aura flaring with arrogant confidence. As a member of the Black Fang faction, he had already built a reputation within the Inner Sect for his aggressive fighting style and ruthless attitude.
And now—
He had found his next target.
Lin Ye.
Liu Feng smirked, rolling his shoulders as he stared at Lin Ye.
"You've got guts," he said. "I'll give you that."
Lin Ye yawned slightly.
"…Thanks."
The casual response drew a few quiet laughs from the crowd.
Liu Feng's smile twitched.
"You won't be laughing in a minute."
Lin Ye tilted his head.
"Are you done talking?"
The air grew colder instantly.
Liu Feng's expression hardened.
"…You'll regret that attitude."
Without warning—
He moved.
His speed was fast—far faster than Han Luo's. In a single step, he crossed half the arena, his fist tearing through the air toward Lin Ye's chest with explosive force.
Lin Ye didn't move.
Not immediately.
He watched.
Measured.
Then—
Blood Shadow Step.
His figure flickered out of existence.
Liu Feng's punch struck nothing but air.
"…What—"
Before he could react—
Lin Ye reappeared behind him.
THUD.
A clean strike landed against Liu Feng's back, forcing him forward two steps.
The crowd stirred.
"He's faster than Liu Feng…"
"Again with that movement technique…"
Liu Feng spun around instantly, his aura flaring stronger as irritation flashed across his face.
"…Cheap trick."
Lin Ye shrugged.
"You missed."
Liu Feng's eyes narrowed.
"Let's see how long you can keep dodging."
This time—
He didn't rush blindly.
His movements slowed, becoming more controlled as he began circling Lin Ye. Spiritual energy gathered around his body, strengthening his stance and sharpening his attacks.
Lin Ye mirrored the movement, his steps light and relaxed.
Inside his body—
The demonic bloodline stirred.
The system flickered faintly.
[Combat Mode Active]
Lin Ye smirked slightly.
"…Here we go."
Liu Feng attacked again.
This time his strikes came in rapid succession—punches, elbows, and kicks flowing together in a relentless barrage. Each attack carried enough force to crack the stone floor if it landed.
Lin Ye moved through them smoothly.
Dodging.
Shifting.
Countering.
Their movements blurred across the arena as the exchange intensified.
But slowly—
The difference became clear.
Liu Feng was aggressive.
Powerful.
But predictable.
Lin Ye, on the other hand—
Was adapting.
Every strike Liu Feng threw revealed something.
A pattern.
A rhythm.
And Lin Ye learned.
Fast.
Too fast.
Gu Chen, watching from the side, narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…He's reading him."
Zhao Tian nodded once.
"He's already figured out the timing."
Back in the arena, Liu Feng's attacks grew heavier, frustration creeping into his movements as more of his strikes missed.
"Stop running!"
Lin Ye slipped past another punch effortlessly.
"I'm not running."
Then—
He stepped in.
For the first time in the fight—
Lin Ye attacked directly.
His fist shot forward, striking Liu Feng's guard with sharp precision.
BANG.
The impact echoed across the arena.
Liu Feng staggered half a step.
His eyes widened slightly.
"…Strong."
Lin Ye smiled faintly.
"You're just noticing?"
The crowd grew quieter.
Because the balance of the fight—
Was shifting.
Liu Feng roared and unleashed his full strength, his aura flaring violently as he charged again.
His attacks became faster.
Heavier.
More desperate.
But Lin Ye didn't retreat.
He matched him.
Strike for strike.
Movement for movement.
The sound of their blows echoed continuously across the arena as cracks spread further across the stone floor.
Then—
Lin Ye saw it.
A flaw.
A momentary gap in Liu Feng's defense after an overextended punch.
Without hesitation—
He moved.
Blood Shadow Step.
He vanished—
Then reappeared directly in front of Liu Feng.
Too close to dodge.
Too fast to block.
Lin Ye's fist drove forward.
BOOM.
The impact landed squarely against Liu Feng's chest.
The force sent him flying backward across the arena, crashing into the stone floor with a heavy thud.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Dust slowly settled as Liu Feng struggled to breathe, his body refusing to rise.
Lin Ye stood calmly at the center of the arena, lowering his hand.
"…That enough?"
No one answered immediately.
Because the result was clear.
Liu Feng—
Had lost.
The crowd erupted into whispers.
"He defeated Liu Feng…"
"That was too fast…"
"Black Fang won't like this…"
Gu Chen exhaled quietly.
"…Clean victory."
Zhao Tian's gaze remained fixed on Lin Ye.
"…And he didn't even go all out."
Above the arena, Su Qingyue watched silently.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Because she noticed something others didn't.
During the fight—
For just a brief moment—
Lin Ye's eyes had flickered red.
The demonic bloodline was getting closer.
Back in the arena, Lin Ye stretched his shoulders lightly.
"…Next?"
No one stepped forward.
Even the more confident inner disciples hesitated.
Because now—
It wasn't just rumors anymore.
Lin Ye turned to leave the arena casually.
But as he passed by Liu Feng—
A cold voice echoed from the edge of the crowd.
"…This isn't over."
Lin Ye glanced sideways.
Wu Shan stood there, his expression calm but his eyes cold.
Lin Ye smirked.
"Looking forward to it."
Wu Shan didn't respond.
But the message was clear.
This was just the beginning.
As Lin Ye stepped out of the arena, the system flickered once more.
[Victory Achieved]
[Bloodline Awakening: 87%]
Lin Ye's smile deepened slightly.
"…Getting closer."
And the closer he got—
The more dangerous everything would become.