Bai Fengyun swallowed hard, casting a nervous, trembling glance toward Chi Yongqiu and Ke Minglang. Though he had been swept up in the heat of the moment and stepped forward, it didn't mean he had lost his mind.

  "What are you looking at us for? The heavy hitters always come out last. You go up first and warm him up," Ke Minglang said, wearing a face that screamed, 'I definitely wouldn't throw you under the bus.'

  "Exactly. Heroes always make an entrance at the final moment," Chi Yongqiu added, his expression a perfect mirror of Ke Minglang’s.

  "I..."

  Bai Fengyun wanted to cry, but seeing the eager, hopeful gazes of the freshmen behind him, he gritted his teeth and stepped into the clearing.

  "Welcome to your funeral," Mo Hei rumbled. A beast-like roar erupted from his chest as he lunged forward like a bolt of lightning, his massive frame turning into a blur as he closed the distance to Bai Fengyun.

  BOOM!

  Bai Fengyun crossed his arms, barely managing to block Mo Hei’s heavy punch.

  "Brave-rank Skill: Beast Strength!"

  A cruel grin spread across Mo Hei’s face. A ring of Brave-rank Sigils flared to life around his arm, glowing with raw power.

  CRASH!

  The force of the impact sent Bai Fengyun flying. He tumbled through the air and slammed into the ground, a trail of fresh crimson blood leaking from the corner of his mouth to stain the earth.

  A one-hit KO!

  The power of a second-year was terrifying. As the temporary leader of the freshmen, Bai Fengyun’s strength was respected by most of his peers. Yet, a man representing their peak was swatted aside like an insect.

  Terror began to ripple through the freshman ranks.

  "We should just give them the points..." "Damn it, I knew we shouldn't have crossed them. Now our points are as good as gone." "No! We don't accept this duel!"

  The fair-weather students began to wail. They couldn't stomach losing thirty percent of their points for the entire year. That represented a massive cut to their cultivation resources.

  "Quiet! The fight isn't over yet!" Chi Yongqiu roared, his voice cutting through the panic like a blade.

  His shout snapped the waverers out of their trance. Most freshmen realized there was no turning back now—they had already crossed the line.

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  "Well done, Mo Hei. Mo Bai, you're up. End this quickly," Ghostface sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. To him, these freshmen were nothing more than ants to be stepped on.

  "The agility type... you want him, or should I?" Ke Minglang glanced at Chi Yongqiu, asking casually.

  "You take this one. I’ll do the cleanup," Chi Yongqiu said with absolute confidence.

  "No problem." Ke Minglang strode into the clearing, tilting his head. "Don't bother waiting. Let’s go."

  "As you wish."

  Mo Bai’s voice was thin and airy, but his speed was blistering. A flicker of movement left an afterimage in his place as his real body materialized behind Ke Minglang.

  CLANG!

  A dagger slid from Mo Bai’s sleeve, aimed straight for the small of Ke Minglang’s back. But with a lightning-fast draw, Ke Minglang parried the strike perfectly.

  The unexpected counter-force sent Mo Bai’s dagger spinning through the air. The sharp blade whistled as it flew before thudding deep into the ground.

  "How is your strength this high?!"

  Mo Bai was staggered back by the sheer force of the parry. The raw power left him off-balance for a split second—and that was all it took. Ke Minglang’s blade was already resting against his pale neck.

  "Checkmate," Ke Minglang said coldly, sheathing his blade.

  The power of the [Flame Great-Saber] from Kael’s shop wasn't just in its burning effect; it provided a massive boost to raw physical attack power. That was how Ke Minglang had overwhelmed Mo Bai’s defense and ended the fight in a single move.

  "No... impossible. Even if my build isn't focused on strength, a freshman shouldn't be able to overpower me like that!" Mo Bai hissed, unable to accept that he had lost so cleanly to a freshman who hadn't even passed his Brave-rank Trial.

  "Enough, Mo Bai. Get back. I’ll handle this," Ghostface spat, stepping forward.

  "Yes, sir." Mo Bai gritted his teeth, shooting Ke Minglang a venomous look before retreating.

  Seeing Ke Minglang win so decisively reignited the spark of hope in the freshmen. They clenched their fists, eyes glued to the center of the plaza.

  "Don't think that a lucky win against Mo Bai changes anything," Ghostface said slowly.

  "Oh, I agree," Chi Yongqiu said with a chuckle, stepping forward to meet Ghostface’s gaze. "I’ll save my celebrating for after I beat you."

  "Arrogance," Ghostface scoffed.

  "Try me," Chi Yongqiu replied, showing not a hint of nerves.

  Internally, however, Chi Yongqiu was focused. He knew Ke Minglang had only won because Mo Bai underestimated him and the power of his weapon. Ghostface wouldn't make that mistake.

  Looks like I’ll have to burn a pill, Chi Yongqiu thought.

  Fortunately, he had kept one for emergencies: a [Lesser Haste Pill]. In a fight against bullies, there was no such thing as "fair play"—only winning.

  As he reached for his knight sword, he covertly slipped the pill into his mouth. It dissolved instantly, sending a surge of warmth through his limbs.

  "Then stay down!" Ghostface lunged. The ground let out a muffled thud as he accelerated.

  To the observers, Ghostface was a blur.

  "So fast!" everyone gasped.

  His speed was at least thirty percent faster than the agility-focused Mo Bai. At that moment, no one believed Chi Yongqiu had a chance. How could a freshman without a Brave-rank Sigil defeat a top-tier second-year?

  "How's this for arrogance, freshman?" Ghostface mocked, his hand already on his hilt, confident that his blade would be at Chi Yongqiu’s throat in the next heartbeat.

  "I’ll admit... you are fast."

  The pill’s effect kicked in. Chi Yongqiu’s perception slowed as his own speed surged to match Ghostface’s.

  SHING!

  Ghostface’s draw-and-slash technique was blindingly fast—three times faster than a normal strike. Against anyone else, even another Brave-rank, this would have been a lethal, fight-ending blow.

  But Chi Yongqiu’s movements were perfectly in sync. His knight sword intercepted the strike at the most awkward angle possible, locking Ghostface’s blade in place.

  "Now... let me show you the Twin-Blade Style I’ve been working on."