The break between the second and third rounds was shorter, the atmosphere charged with even greater intensity. Less than half the initial participants remained. The weak had been culled, leaving only those with genuine skill, luck, or, like Zhao Feng, significant resources. The casual chatter died down, replaced by focused observation and hushed strategic discussions between allies.
Mo Liangye found his usual spot, ignoring the wary glances now directed his way after his brutal dismantling of Ma Hong. He closed his eyes, not meditating, but replaying his previous fight, analyzing Ma Hong's mistakes and, more importantly, his own execution. "The elbow strike was effective, leveraging the Seed's stability. The follow-up was… sufficient, perhaps overly aggressive, drawing unnecessary attention. Control must be maintained."
He felt the subtle thrum of the Sprouted Seed within him, a constant source of quiet power, a hidden wellspring of resilience. It didn't significantly boost his Qi output, but the way it reinforced his body, stabilized his stance, and perhaps even sharpened his senses was becoming more apparent to him, even if others only saw efficient technique.
The call came for the third-round draw. The remaining disciples gathered, their numbers significantly thinned. Mo Liangye drew his token: Number 18. He scanned the board. His opponent: Number 55 – Liu Chen.
Mo Liangye recalled the name. Liu Chen wasn't exceptionally strong or fast, but he was known for his 'Misty Steps' technique, an evasive footwork style that created confusing afterimages, making him difficult to pin down. "Illusionary footwork?" Mo Liangye mused. "Annoying, but likely just rapid, unpredictable movements designed to confuse the eye. Focus on the core Qi signature, not the phantoms." Another test, this time of his perception and reaction speed.
While waiting for his match, he watched the other platforms. Wang Hu faced a disciple skilled in binding techniques. The disciple tried desperately to immobilize Wang Hu with Qi ropes, but Wang Hu simply roared, flexed his muscles, and shattered the ethereal bindings with sheer force before closing the distance and ending the fight with a single, devastating punch. Raw power still reigned supreme for him.
Li Mei's opponent was faster than her previous ones, leading to a dazzling display of high-speed clashes. For a moment, it seemed her opponent might keep up, but Li Mei suddenly changed tactics, using feints and unpredictable angles to slip past his guard and land several precise strikes on vital points, forcing a yield. Her adaptability was impressive.
Zhao Feng also fought again. His opponent was a reasonably skilled disciple, and for a while, Zhao Feng seemed pressured. But just as the opponent launched a powerful attack, a faint shimmer emanated from the pendant on Zhao Feng's neck, absorbing a significant portion of the blow. Zhao Feng seized the moment of surprise, retaliating with a resource-fueled Qi blast that knocked his opponent off the platform. He preened, patting the pendant. "The defensive artifact… activated. So, it has limits, likely can only take so many hits or drains Qi. Useful information."
"Round Three, Match 4! Platform Five! Disciple Number 18, Mo Liangye, versus Disciple Number 55, Liu Chen!"
Mo Liangye walked onto the platform. Liu Chen, a thin disciple with shifty eyes, gave him a nervous smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He had clearly seen Mo Liangye's previous match.
"Begin!"
Liu Chen immediately activated his 'Misty Steps'. His figure blurred, splitting into three or four hazy afterimages that flickered around the platform, making it difficult to determine his true location. He didn't attack, clearly intending to confuse and frustrate Mo Liangye, perhaps waiting for an opening or trying to drain his opponent's mental focus.
Mo Liangye stood still in the center of the platform, his eyes calm, scanning the flickering images. He didn't try to chase the phantoms. Instead, he closed his eyes for a brief second, extending his senses, focusing not on what he saw, but on the subtle disturbances in the air, the faint Qi signature that anchored the real Liu Chen. The Sprouted Seed seemed to subtly enhance this perception, allowing him to filter the visual noise more easily.
"There," he pinpointed the source – slightly to his left, preparing a probe.
As Liu Chen's real form darted forward from the mist of afterimages, thrusting his wooden sword towards Mo Liangye's side, Mo Liangye moved. He didn't try to match the evasive footwork. He simply took one precise step back and pivoted, letting the thrust pass harmlessly. Simultaneously, his own sword lashed out – not at the retreating Liu Chen, but at the spot where Liu Chen would land after his evasive maneuver.
Liu Chen materialized exactly where Mo Liangye's sword was heading. Surprised by the accurate prediction, he hastily tried to block, but his stance was awkward, his momentum broken.
Clack!
Mo Liangye's sword struck Liu Chen's blocking sword with solid force – Late Stage Qi power focused into the blow. Liu Chen's sword arm went numb from the impact, his weapon almost flying from his grasp.
Before Liu Chen could recover or employ his Misty Steps again, Mo Liangye pressed the advantage. He flowed forward, his movements direct and efficient. A swift kick knocked Liu Chen's sword away. Another precise palm strike, again subtly augmented by the Seed's stability making the impact feel heavier than it looked, struck Liu Chen's chest.
Liu Chen gasped, stumbling back towards the edge of the platform, his Qi circulation disrupted. He saw Mo Liangye advancing calmly, sword lowered but eyes promising more pain. Panic flared in Liu Chen's eyes.
"I... I yield!" he choked out, raising his hands.
Mo Liangye stopped instantly, his expression unchanging. He gave a slight nod to the deacon.
"Mo Liangye wins!"
Another swift, efficient victory, though less brutal than the last. The crowd murmured again. This Mo Liangye wasn't just ruthless; he was perceptive and adaptable, easily seeing through Liu Chen's famed technique. He was becoming a true dark horse. The elders on the high platform exchanged a few quiet words, their gazes lingering on Mo Liangye as he walked off the stage.
He had advanced to the fourth round – the quarter-finals. Only eight participants remained out of the hundreds who started. His reputation was shifting. Disciples no longer whispered about his past 'genius' or current 'luck'; they spoke with wary respect or outright fear. They gave him a wide berth as he returned to his observation spot.
The deacons prepared for the final draw of the day – the pairings for the quarter-finals. The tension was thick enough to cut. The remaining eight were all strong contenders in their own right.
Mo Liangye watched impassively as the lots were drawn and announced. Li Mei vs. Disciple Zhang (a steady, defensive fighter). Zhao Feng vs. Disciple Wu (moderately strong, but unlikely to overcome Zhao's resources). Disciple Qian vs. Disciple Sun (two relatively unknown but solid fighters).
And finally...
"Quarter-final Match 4! Disciple Number 18, Mo Liangye, versus Disciple Number 7, Wang Hu!"
A collective gasp went through the crowd, followed by excited buzzing. The dark horse versus the powerhouse. The silent, efficient strategist versus the indomitable brute force. This was the clash many had been anticipating.
Wang Hu, standing across the field, turned his stoic gaze towards Mo Liangye. There was no animosity, only a serious challenge in his eyes. He gave a slow, deliberate nod.
Zhao Feng, visibly relieved he hadn't drawn Mo Liangye, now looked ecstatic, whispering eagerly to his remaining lackey, clearly anticipating Wang Hu crushing the disciple who had humiliated Ma Hong.
Mo Liangye met Wang Hu's gaze, his own expression unreadable. He gave a barely perceptible nod in return. Inside, however, his mind was already racing, analyzing.
"Wang Hu. Peak Late Stage Qi Refining, possibly touching the threshold of Foundation Establishment in raw physical power. Immense strength, high stamina, surprisingly resilient. Head-on confrontation is suicide, even with the Seed's reinforcement."
"His weakness? Relative lack of finesse, predictability in his power moves. Can I exploit that? Use speed? Feints? Tire him out? He ignored a glancing blow before… perhaps his pain tolerance is high, but cumulative damage might work."
"This will be a true test. It will force me to use more Qi, perhaps reveal more skill than I intended. But defeating him is necessary to reach the Top 5. And the rewards for reaching the semi-finals are significantly higher…"
The pairings were set. The quarter-finals would begin after a longer noon break. Mo Liangye turned away, finding a secluded spot to sit and meditate, not just to recover Qi, but to meticulously plan his strategy against the strongest opponent he had faced yet in this life. The hunt was escalating.