The arena did not calm after Li Shen stepped down. Instead, it grew louder, filled with rising whispers and restless energy. The earlier excitement had shifted into something else, shock, doubt, and caution. Wang Jie was not weak. He had been one of the strongest among the new outer disciples, someone expected to dominate the rankings. Yet he had been defeated in a single strike, without resistance, without struggle. That single moment changed everything.
Li Shen returned to his position as if nothing had happened. His breathing remained steady, his expression calm, but the gazes around him had completely changed. No one looked at him lightly anymore. Some stared with disbelief, others with wariness. A few… with hostility.
Zhao Feng walked over, shaking his head slightly with a faint smirk. He glanced at Li Shen and said quietly that the move had been brutal. Li Shen didn't respond. There was nothing to say. The result spoke for itself.
Above the arena, among the older disciples watching from the elevated stands, a subtle shift occurred. Those who had been watching casually were now paying closer attention. One figure in particular stood out, a tall young man dressed in dark robes, his presence calm yet heavy. Unlike the others, his aura was completely different. It was stable, controlled, and far beyond the Body Refinement Realm.
Li Shen felt it clearly.
This man had stepped into the Qi Gathering Realm.
Their eyes met briefly. A faint smile appeared on the man's lips before he looked away, as if he had already seen enough.
Within Li Shen, Dao's voice echoed faintly, telling him to ignore the man. He was not a concern yet. Li Shen didn't respond, but he did not forget.
Back on the arena floor, the battles continued, though no longer with the same recklessness as before. Fewer disciples rushed forward. More observed. More hesitated. The earlier chaos had settled into something sharper and more calculated.
Zhao Feng stepped closer again, lowering his voice as he remarked that Li Shen had made himself a target. Li Shen replied calmly that he already knew. Zhao Feng gave a faint grin, clearly amused, before stepping back into the crowd.
It didn't take long.
Another voice rang out across the arena, calling Li Shen's name in challenge.
The crowd parted once more as a new opponent stepped forward. This one carried himself differently. His stance was steady, his gaze focused, and his presence far more controlled than the others before him. He was also at the Peak Ninth Stage of Body Refinement but unlike Wang Jie, there was no arrogance in him.
Only precision.
Li Shen stepped forward without hesitation, returning to the center of the platform.
The moment he stopped, the opponent attacked.
His movements were fast and fluid, not a single strike but a continuous sequence. Fist, elbow, palm and each aimed at precise points, leaving little room to counter. It was a refined fighting style, clearly practiced and honed.
Li Shen's eyes narrowed slightly.
This one was better but not enough to move him.
He shifted his body with minimal movement, letting the first strike pass. The second brushed past him, barely missing. When the third came...
He caught it.
His hand closed around the opponent's wrist mid-motion, stopping the entire sequence instantly. The man's expression changed, surprise flashing across his face.
Li Shen stepped forward.
His shoulder drove into the man's chest with controlled force.
A sharp impact echoed.
The opponent's body lifted off the ground and was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the stone floor.
Silence fell again.
Shorter this time because now, they were beginning to expect it.
The elder's voice rang out, declaring Li Shen the winner once more. Li Shen unclenched his fist and stepped back, his movements calm and efficient. There was no wasted effort, no unnecessary action.
As he turned to leave the platform, a new pressure descended upon the arena.
It wasn't overwhelming but it was undeniable.
Li Shen stopped.
Slowly, he turned.
The man from the stands had stepped down.
The Qi Gathering Realm disciple now stood at the edge of the platform, his presence alone enough to quiet the entire arena. Even the elder did not interrupt.
The man spoke calmly, saying that Li Shen had shown enough, and now it was time to see how far that strength truly went.
Li Shen studied him carefully.
This was different.
If the others were nothing more than sparks, this man was a steady flame more controlled, dangerous, and far more refined.
Li Shen asked for his name.
The man smiled faintly before replying.
"Lin Xuan."
The name spread through the crowd instantly. Whispers rose again, but this time they carried tension.
He was part of the top-ranked outer disciple.
Part of the strongest among them.
And he had stepped forward.
Zhao Feng's expression shifted slightly from the side, realizing the situation had escalated far beyond normal.
Li Shen remained still.
Inside, Dao's voice surfaced once more, this time with faint interest. This, it said, was worth observing.
Li Shen's eyes sharpened.
For the first time since entering the arena
He felt real pressure.
Lin Xuan stepped forward slowly, his aura expanding with quiet authority. His Qi moved naturally, flowing around him with stability and control. This was the true difference between realms. Not just strength
But mastery.
He spoke calmly, saying he would not kill Li Shen, but he would not hold back.
The air grew tense.
Li Shen exhaled slowly, steadying himself.
Then,
He stepped forward.
The distance between them closed.
The arena fell completely silent.
Two figures stood facing each other.
One remained at the Ninth Stage of Body Refinement, but with a foundation far beyond ordinary limits.
The other had already stepped into the Qi Gathering Realm.
The first true wall.
Li Shen's gaze remained unwavering as he spoke a single word.
"Come."