Mu Chen charged like a boulder unleashed from a mountain, feet cracking stone with every step, golden Qi flaring from his arms like twin warhammers. Lian Ho flanked to the left, needles orbiting him like vultures circling a corpse.
> "Elder Yan was filth," Mu Chen roared. "You—his failure!"
Shadow's eyes narrowed. Pain still throbbed in his left shoulder, where Lian Ho's earlier needle had struck. His arm trembled faintly. But his stance never shifted.
> "If I fall here," Shadow thought, "I lose everything."
> "So I won't."
Mu Chen struck first—**Thunder Bone Strike**, a close-range technique that condensed force into a single, bone-shaking blow.
Shadow dodged just in time—the strike cracked the stone platform beneath his feet. A second blow followed—missed by a breath.
But the third came from behind.
> *Zzzzt!*
Lian Ho's needles surged, slicing across Shadow's back, ripping clean lines through his robes and scoring bloody cuts.
> "Come on, cripple," Lian Ho sneered. "Defy me like your master did."
Shadow spun with precision—**Pulse One** shot out, catching Lian across the arm.
He flinched back, surprised.
> "He's fast."
But Mu Chen didn't give pause—his fist swept sideways like a hammer-blow. Shadow ducked under it and tried to counter—
Only to feel a deep tremor in his core.
> "Still not fully healed…"
Mu Chen noticed the hesitation and grinned wide.
> "Tired already? Come, little worm!"
He lunged again.
This time, Shadow didn't dodge.
He caught Mu Chen's punch with the flat of his blade.
The force rocked him back, heels digging into the stone—but he **held**.
And in that instant, he stepped into the punch—**point blank.**
> "Pulse Two."
Mu Chen's eyes widened.
Shadow's sword hissed forward, striking across his chest—not deep, but enough to tear muscle and break balance. Blood flew from Mu Chen's lips as he stumbled back.
> "You—!"
Before he could recover, Lian Ho dashed in from behind, his fingers glowing with Qi.
> "Needle Flurry!"
Ten projectiles launched toward Shadow's spine.
Shadow dropped to a crouch, spun, and deflected seven—but three needles struck—one on his thigh, one across the ribs, one near his collarbone.
> "Gh—!"
Pain exploded across his body.
> "Can't hold out long like this…"
Mu Chen rallied, eyes red. His chest bled freely, but he didn't care.
> "Die like your master should've!"
Shadow stood.
Shaking.
Blood dripped from his wounds. His robe was tattered. But his eyes held steady fire.
> "Say his name again," he said softly.
Mu Chen blinked.
> "What?"
> "Say it."
Lian Ho frowned.
> "Ignore the drama—just finish—"
> "Say his name."
The arena quieted, even amidst the storm.
Shadow reached to his dantian.
> "One use."
> "No more."
He let go.
> *THRUM.*
A low hum echoed from his blade.
The sound of thunder whispered beneath the platform.
Shadow stepped forward once.
**Thunder Slash – Reduced Form.**
He didn't shout.
Didn't flare his aura.
He simply moved.
A line of light crossed the field.
Mu Chen tried to raise his guard—but the blade was already through.
A shallow but brutal cut tore across his chest. His Qi ruptured, his legs buckled.
He hit the ground with a thud, unconscious.
Lian Ho gasped, too late.
Shadow turned to him.
Face cold.
> "You wanted to see what Elder Yan taught me?"
> "Watch closely."
Lian Ho backed up, raising a last volley of needles—desperate.
Shadow dashed forward—fast, brutal, no flourish.
He caught Lian's wrist mid-cast, twisted it violently—**SNAP!**
The boy screamed, dropping his arm, staggering.
Shadow's blade touched his neck.
> "Go."
> "Or next time… you leave in pieces."
Lian Ho gritted his teeth.
Shaking, he stepped backward.
And walked off the platform.
Disqualified.
---
Cheers erupted from the crowd above.
The judge raised his hand.
> "Mu Chen—unconscious. Lian Ho—disqualified."
> "Two down."
Shadow returned to the edge of the platform. Breathing heavy. Body burning.
But not broken.
Not this time.
> "This is for you, Master," he whispered. "One fight at a time."
---