The hall buzzed with anticipation. The match everyone had been waiting for had finally arrived. Han Jue, the quiet and composed fighter, stood up, his expression calm and unreadable. His match had been drawn.
"Match Five: Han Jue vs Yao Wen."
The name of the Yao clan youth stirred the crowd. Yao Wen was known for his wild temperament and unmatched aggression in battle. As the son of a prominent Blood Opening cultivator, Yao Wen's strength was considerable. The people expected a one-sided fight in his favor. After all, Han Jue was just a peak-stage Body Tempering cultivator, a realm considered below the likes of Yao Wen, who was a early-stage Blood Opening martial artist.
Yao Wen himself wore a smirk as he looked across at Han Jue. "I'm sure I'll enjoy this," he said with a mocking tone, cracking his knuckles. His body radiated raw energy, each movement full of vigor and aggression.
The Duel Begins
As the bell rang, the arena lit up with energy. Yao Wen moved first, charging at Han Jue with the speed of a predator. His fist came down like a hammer, aiming to crush his opponent in one blow.
Han Jue remained unfazed. He sidestepped with effortless precision, allowing the fist to pass harmlessly by him. Yao Wen growled in frustration, swinging again and again, each strike faster and more powerful than the last. But Han Jue evaded every single one, his movements flowing like water around Yao Wen's raw aggression.
"Come on, is that all you've got?" Yao Wen taunted, swinging a wild roundhouse punch.
Han Jue's calm eyes tracked the movement. He didn't dodge this time—he met the attack head-on with his own counter. His palm struck Yao Wen's forearm, redirecting the force with a practiced motion. There was no wasted energy, no flourish, just the cold efficiency of a master of the martial arts.
Yao Wen's expression faltered for a brief second, but his anger flared. "You're good at dodging, but let's see how well you handle this!" He surged forward, summoning his full spiritual energy. His entire body flared with power as he delivered a crushing blow toward Han Jue's chest.
The Revelation
But Han Jue remained calm. His hands moved with a precision that betrayed his true strength. He wasn't just a peak-stage Body Tempering cultivator—he was, in fact, an early-stage Blood Opening martial artist, a fact hidden beneath his unassuming exterior.
As Yao Wen closed in, Han Jue's body moved with newfound speed. He parried Yao Wen's strike with a fluid motion, using his opponent's own force against him. In a split second, Han Jue grabbed Yao Wen's wrist and twisted it, sending a shockwave of pain through the Yao clan youth's arm.
Yao Wen's eyes widened in shock. "Wait... you're a—"
Before he could finish his thought, Han Jue's fist slammed into his side. The force of the blow took the air from Yao Wen's lungs, and he staggered back, his energy momentarily destabilized. It was only then that he realized his mistake—he had underestimated Han Jue.
The Turning Point
Han Jue's eyes narrowed. This was it—the moment he had been waiting for. Yao Wen's confidence had turned into arrogance, and now he was vulnerable. The wild strikes, the lack of control—this was where Han Jue could make his move.
Yao Wen, enraged and desperate, gathered all his remaining strength for one last attack. He let out a battle cry and surged forward with a flurry of punches, each one aiming to overwhelm Han Jue. But Han Jue had already studied his opponent. He had been observing every move, every slight hesitation.
In the blink of an eye, Han Jue ducked under a wild swing, his foot sweeping out to trip Yao Wen. As Yao Wen stumbled, Han Jue's fist shot forward, connecting with his midsection. The blow was calculated, precise, and filled with the force of his full Blood Opening power.
Yao Wen's eyes widened, his body going limp as the air was knocked from his lungs. He fell to the ground with a heavy thud, unable to get back up.
Victory
Han Jue stood over Yao Wen's fallen form, his breathing steady, his heart calm. The audience was silent. They had been expecting a quick and brutal defeat of Han Jue, but instead, it had been Yao Wen who had been overwhelmed.
"Winner: Han Jue."
The declaration echoed through the arena. Han Jue bowed respectfully, his face betraying nothing but quiet satisfaction. The fight had been simple, even if Yao Wen had made it complicated with his unchecked aggression.
As Han Jue turned to leave the arena, he heard whispers spread throughout the crowd. His true strength had been revealed at the most critical moment. He was no longer just a peak-stage Body Tempering cultivator in their eyes. He was a force to be reckoned with.
But Han Jue wasn't done yet. This victory was just another step. His eyes, ever so calm, looked toward the horizon. He had no intention of stopping here. There was much more to come.