The instant the elder lowered his hand...
"Begin!"
The stone arena fell silent.
Neither fighter moved.
A cool breeze drifted across the platform.
Yun Wanhe narrowed his eyes beneath the morning sun.
’Strange... I still can’t sense his cultivation. Either he’s using a concealment technique... Or...’
His expression became serious.
’He’s stronger than me.’
Across from him...
The cloaked figure simply stood there with one hand behind his back.
Relaxed.
Completely at ease.
Yun Wanhe made the first move.
BOOM!
The stone beneath his feet exploded.
He shot forward like an arrow.
His fist tore through the air.
The spectators gasped.
"So fast!"
"He’s not holding back!"
The old man stroked his beard proudly.
"Good. Finish it quickly."
Yun Wanhe’s fist arrived in front of the stranger’s face.
Then...
The cloaked figure tilted his head.
Just enough.
The punch missed by less than an inch.
Yun Wanhe’s pupils contracted.
’He dodged...’
Before he could react...
A finger lightly tapped his wrist.
Tap.
It wasn’t painful.
But the force behind it completely redirected his arm.
His balance broke.
The cloaked figure gently shoved his shoulder.
Yun Wanhe stumbled several steps before regaining his footing.
The entire valley became quiet.
"...He..."
"...He completely neutralized that?"
One elder slowly lowered his teacup.
"What exquisite control..."
Yun Wanhe steadied his breathing.
’Interesting.’
His smile slowly returned.
"So... You’re actually worthy."
He disappeared once again.
This time...
He attacked relentlessly.
Left.
Right.
Palm strike.
Kick.
Elbow.
A flurry of blows filled the arena.
The spectators could barely follow the movements.
Only afterimages remained.
Yet...
The cloaked stranger moved even less than before.
One small step.
A slight turn.
A raised forearm.
A shift of his shoulders.
Every single attack missed.
Not because Yun Wanhe lacked speed.
But because his opponent always seemed to be exactly where the attack wasn’t.
"...Impossible..."
One disciple swallowed.
"He’s reading everything..."
Even the old man frowned.
"...No... He’s predicting everything."
Yun Wanhe jumped backward.
Sweat rolled down his forehead.
’No... He’s playing with me.’
He took a deep breath.
Fine.
No more holding back.
Qi erupted around his body.
The pressure spread across the arena.
"Mountain Splitting Palm!"
He thrust both palms forward.
A massive wave of condensed Qi surged toward the cloaked figure.
The stone beneath the attack cracked apart.
The spectators leaned forward.
"That’s a strong technique!"
The old man nodded.
"Let’s see how you answer that."
The cloaked figure finally moved.
He raised one hand.
Then...
He casually swiped downward.
Like brushing dust off a table.
Whoosh.
The incoming Qi wave...
Split cleanly in half.
The two halves flew harmlessly around him before dispersing into the air.
No one spoke.
Yun Wanhe froze.
’He... split my technique?’
The cloaked figure sighed softly.
"My turn."
He vanished.
Yun Wanhe’s instincts screamed.
He spun around.
Too slow.
Thump.
A palm landed lightly against his chest.
It looked gentle.
Almost lazy.
Then...
BOOOOOOM!
The air exploded.
Yun Wanhe shot backward across the arena.
He bounced once.
Twice.
Three times.
Before barely managing to stop himself at the arena’s edge.
His entire arm was numb.
His ribs ached.
He stared at the stranger in disbelief.
’One palm... Just one...’
The cloaked figure smiled beneath the bamboo hat.
"Get up. I know you can continue."
Yun Wanhe gritted his teeth.
"I’m... Not done!"
He roared.
His aura exploded once more.
Every ounce of Qi surged through his meridians.
He charged.
Faster than before.
Stronger than before.
This time...
He threw everything he had into one final strike.
The cloaked figure nodded.
"Better."
Then...
He punched.
No flashy technique.
No cultivation art.
Just...
A single perfectly timed punch.
BOOM!
The two fists collided.
For a brief instant...
Silence.
Then...
A shockwave erupted across the valley.
Trees bent violently.
Dust covered the arena.
Several disciples were forced to shield their eyes.
When the dust settled...
Everyone looked toward the center.
Yun Wanhe was on one knee.
Panting heavily.
His fist trembled uncontrollably.
Across from him...
The cloaked figure hadn’t moved an inch.
"...I..."
Yun Wanhe looked up.
"...Lost..."
The elder immediately announced,
"Winner... Traveler."
The valley erupted into applause.
"Incredible!"
"I’ve never seen Yun Wanhe overwhelmed in his fights!"
"Who is he?"
The old man himself looked stunned.
"...That control... That foundation... Who in the world..."
The cloaked figure calmly walked toward the prize pedestal.
Upon it rested a beautifully carved wooden box.
He opened it.
Inside...
Several shimmering Qi Stones glowed with dense spiritual energy.
The entire valley could feel the purity contained within them.
The stranger picked up the box.
Then...
Reached toward his bamboo hat.
He removed it.
Next...
The gray cloak.
It slipped from his shoulders.
Golden hair shimmered beneath the sunlight.
Green eyes calmly swept across the stunned crowd.
A handsome smile appeared.
"Shen Tian?!"
Yun Wanhe’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"No... No way..."
The old man blinked.
Then blinked again.
His eyes lit up.
"So it’s you!"
He burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! I knew it! I knew someone that young couldn’t be that terrifying unless it was you!"
Before anyone could react...
The old man strode over.
Completely ignored Yun Wanhe.
Grabbed Shen Tian by both shoulders.
"Hahaha! You little monster! What are they feeding you? This cultivation... This control... I’ve lived for decades... And I’ve never seen someone your age fight so beautifully!"
Shen Tian smiled politely.
"Senior, you’re too kind."
"Too kind?!"
The old man waved his hands dramatically.
"Nonsense!"
He pointed at Yun Wanhe.
"Look at him! My disciple fights like he’s trying to split mountains!"
Then he pointed at Shen Tian.
"And look at you! Not a single wasted movement! Perfect footwork! Perfect timing! Perfect Qi control!"
He smacked Yun Wanhe on the back of the head.
Bonk!
"Ow!"
"You!"
The old man glared.
"Watch him! Learn something! I should’ve begged for Shen Tian as my disciple!"
Yun Wanhe looked utterly dumbfounded.
"Master!"
"What?!"
"You’re praising the guy who beat me!"
"Of course I am! He earned it!"
The old man folded his arms.
"You? You’ve got talent."
He pointed toward Shen Tian again.
"Him? That’s someone above talent."
Several elders laughed.
"He’s right. I’ve never seen anyone dismantle an opponent so cleanly."
"The young man never once lost control."
"Every movement had purpose."
"Magnificent."
One elder slowly nodded.
"His foundation... Is flawless."
Another added,
"And to think he’s already reached the Domain Initiation Realm..."
A wave of disbelief spread through the younger disciples.
"So that’s the aura we heard about..."
"He’s already surpassed us by an entire realm..."
"How old is he?"
"I don’t even want to compare anymore..."
Yun Wanhe silently clenched his fists.
Inside...
His frustration boiled.
’I trained all night...’
’I dominated every match...’
’I was supposed to win...’
’Those Qi Stones...’
He watched Shen Tian casually holding the prize.
The system notification suddenly appeared before Shen Tian alone.
[Ding!]
[You have intercepted Yun Wanhe’s destined opportunity.]
[Qi Stone opportunity successfully stolen.]
[Yun Wanhe has lost 8,000 Fate Value.]
[Current Fate Value: 66,000]
[Reward increased due to target’s improved cultivation.]
[You have been given a boost in cultivation permanently.]
Xu Ning’s voice echoed in Shen Tian’s mind.
[Congratulations, Host. Just as predicted. The stronger Yun Wanhe becomes, the greater the rewards for stealing his opportunities.]
Shen Tian’s smile widened ever so slightly.
’Worth it.’
Yun Wanhe stared at the Qi Stones one last time before looking at Shen Tian.
The person standing at the end of a great opportunity...
Was Shen Tian.
’I HATE HIM!’
(Author’s Note: IMPORTANT!)
SEND POWESTONES!!!
ALL SUPER GIFTS (Magic Castle, Space Ship, Golden Gachapon) = MORE ChapterS!

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