The leader of the Foundation Establishment cultivators stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the scene. He turned to his two companions.

"Zhou Ling, Yang Ming, stand back," he commanded. "I'll handle this myself."

The stocky woman, Zhou Ling, frowned but nodded. "Fine, Deng Long. Just don't take too long. We have other disciples to... educate."

"Hah! These little ones aren't even worth our time." The thin man did an exaggerated bow, a mocking grin on his face. "We’ll leave them to you, Brother Deng." With that, he took several steps back, crossing his arms as he prepared to enjoy the show.

Kai's eyes narrowed as he focused on Deng Long. Without the system, he couldn't get a clear read on the power difference between them. Still, he'd read enough cultivation novels to know that even an early Foundation Establishment cultivator could easily take on multiple Qi Refining disciples.

Guess it's time to see if that holds true here, Kai thought, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

Suddenly, Liu Wei stepped up beside him, his hands gripping two plain-looking daggers. "Master," he whispered, "how can I help?"

Kai glanced at his follower. He's only at Qi Refining Stage 3. Against a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he doesn't stand a chance.

"Stay back, Liu Wei," Kai murmured. "This fight is out of your league."

Deng Long cracked his knuckles. "You know what? Forget about fancy qi techniques. I'm going to beat that smile off your face the old-fashioned way."

Good, he's underestimating me, Kai thought. That's the only chance I have. And no, not a chance to win - just a chance to survive. I'd be an idiot to think I could actually beat him.

In a blur of motion, Deng Long vanished from sight. Kai's eyes widened as a fist materialized inches from his face. He activated Swift Wind Step, barely managing to dodge backwards. Even the aftereffect of the missed blow was enough to send Kai skidding back several feet.

Liu Wei, seeing his master in danger, also activated Swift Wind Step. He appeared behind Deng Long, slashing with his daggers towards his neck. But the Foundation Establishment cultivator simply twisted, avoiding the attack without even looking.

"Brave," Deng Long sneered, "but foolish." He backhanded Liu Wei, sending him tumbling across the room.

As Kai steadied himself, his mind raced. This guy is way too OP. There's no way I can beat him at this stage. I need a strategy, fast.

Taking a deep breath, Kai forced himself to calm down and think rationally. Okay, game plan: fight evasively, keep my distance, and don't get hit. One solid blow and it's lights out.

His eyes fell on Zhi-Zhi, who was peeking out from behind a table. In anime, teamwork is always looked upon favorably in these kinds of trials. Even in a xianxia world, surely righteous sects care about that sort of thing.

"Zhi-Zhi!" Kai called out. "I need you to be my shield!"

The spirit tortoise, who was now somehow cowering behind a pillar, poked his head out of his shell. "What? No way! I don’t like being used as a meat shield!"

But as Zhi-Zhi saw the look in Kai’s eyes, his expression softened. "Oh, alright. But only because you're my favorite disciple!"

Zhi-Zhi retreated into his shell, which then shot towards Kai like a cannonball. Kai caught it with his left hand and moved it around, testing how heavy it felt.

Let's see just how impenetrable this shield really is.

Deng Long shook his head, turning back to Kai with an amused expression. "You're a slippery one, aren't you? But hiding behind a turtle shell won't save you."

"Tortoise!" came Zhi-Zhi's muffled voice from inside the shell.

Ignoring the spirit beast's protest, Kai called out to Sun Jun and Lu Chen. "Hey, you two! How about some support? Unless you want to face this guy alone?"

Sun Jun, who had managed to get to his feet, brushed dirt from his robes with a scowl. "Support? I'm usually the one being supported. But... since you helped me, I suppose I can make an exception this time."

Lu Chen simply nodded and took up position on Kai's other side. The three of them faced Deng Long, looking like they were in some kind of anime showdown.

Seeing this, Zhou Ling stepped forward and began manipulating qi. The ground beneath them started to shake.

"Don't think you can use numbers against-" she began, but was cut off as Deng Long's fist slammed into her back, sending her crashing to the floor.

"What did I tell you about getting involved?" Deng Long growled, standing over her.

Zhou Ling groaned weakly. "Sorry, boss. Won't happen again."

Deng Long turned back to Kai, Sun Jun, and Lu Chen, a predatory grin spreading across his face. "I can take all three of you brats with one hand tied behind my back." His gaze fell on Zhi-Zhi's shell in Kai's hand. "And when I'm done, I think I'll make some turtle soup."

"I told you, I’m a tortoise!" Zhi-Zhi's voice rang out from within the shell.

Deng Long laughed. "Tortoise soup it is, then!"

With that, he dashed forward, his fist aimed directly at Kai's face. Kai raised Zhi-Zhi's shell just in time, deflecting the blow. The impact sent shockwaves through Kai's arm, but the shell held firm.

Deng Long’s eyes widened in surprise. He had clearly expected the shell to shatter on impact.

Now's our chance! Kai thought.

In that moment of surprise, Kai, Sun Jun, and Lu Chen launched a coordinated counterattack.

A qi dagger materialized in Kai's right hand, stabbing towards Deng Long's head. Sun Jun's fist, wreathed in flames, aimed for the Foundation Establishment cultivator's right side. From the left, Lu Chen sent a spike of water qi hurtling towards their opponent.

For a split second, Deng Long's eyes widened. Then a smirk played across his lips as lightning qi crackled over his skin. In the blink of an eye, he vanished, leaving the three attacks to collide harmlessly where he had been standing.

"Where did he-" Lu Chen started to say, but was cut off as Deng Long reappeared behind him. A lightning-enhanced kick sent the young cultivator flying across the room. He slammed into the wall and crumpled to the ground.

One blow was enough to knock him out cold.

Damn, he's fast! Kai thought, his mind racing. We need to stick together or he'll pick us off one by one.

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But before Kai could warn Sun Jun, Deng Long had already appeared behind the hot-headed young master. Sun Jun spun around, his fists blazing with fire qi as he roared a challenge.

What an idiot! Kai thought, watching in horror. You can't outpower a Foundation Establishment cultivator!

The clash was over in an instant. Sun Jun's flaming fists met Deng Long's lightning-charged punch, and the young master went flying. He hit the ground hard, his body twitching as sparks of electricity danced over his skin.

Deng Long landed lightly on his feet, turning to face Kai with a predatory grin. "Looks like it's just you and me now, kid. Ready to get on your knees and beg for mercy?"

Kai's mind was working overtime. Why isn't this trial over yet? We showed courage, teamwork... what else do they want? Unless... unless this isn't a trial at all.

A cold feeling settled in Kai's stomach as he considered the possibility that this might be real. He pushed the thought aside, focusing on the immediate threat.

Deng Long burst forward, his fist crackling with lightning as it hurtled towards Kai. Kai brought up Zhi-Zhi's shell, bracing for impact. The punch connected with a thunderous boom. The shell once again held firm, but the force of the blow sent Kai flying across the room.

He managed to land on his feet, but the impact had knocked the wind out of him. This shell is amazing, but I can't take too many hits like that.

Before Kai could catch his breath, Deng Long appeared at his left side. Kai started to raise the shell to defend, but Deng Long vanished again, reappearing on Kai's right.

Crap! I can't get the shield there in time!

In desperation, Kai activated Iron Skin. A metallic sheen spread over his body just as Deng Long's lightning-enhanced fist connected.

What happened next surprised everyone, Kai most of all.

Instead of Kai being sent flying, it was Deng Long who was suddenly airborne, as if he'd been hit by an uppercut to the jaw. He sailed through the air, a look of utter shock on his face.

Kai blinked, then a grin spread across his face as he realized what had happened. No way! Did Iron Rebound actually activate? That 5% chance actually came through!

Not wasting the opportunity, Kai quickly conjured a qi dagger and hurled it at Deng Long, aiming for his neck. But even caught off guard, the Foundation Establishment cultivator's reflexes were impressive. He twisted in midair, his fist striking the side of the qi dagger and deflecting it.

Deng Long landed on his feet, a look of anger and grudging respect on his face. He touched his jaw, then spat a mouthful of blood onto the floor.

"Impressive," he growled, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. "A Qi Refining cultivator actually made me bleed." His eyes narrowed dangerously. "But now... now you're going to die, boy."

Kai barely had time to register the threat before Deng Long was upon him. A hand closed around his throat, lifting him off the ground. Kai found himself staring into Deng Long's cold eyes, his feet dangling uselessly in the air.

This... this can't be how it ends, Kai thought, his mind racing even as he struggled to breathe. There has to be a way out of this. Think!

Zhi-Zhi's shell clattered to the ground as Kai's grip loosened. The spirit tortoise emerged, his eyes wide with fear and determination.

"Unhand my disciple, you brute!" Zhi-Zhi cried out. He began to gather qi, preparing to unleash his most powerful technique. "Behold the might of the Celestial Tortoise! Heavenly Shell Cannon!"

A blast of golden energy shot from Zhi-Zhi's mouth, hurtling towards Deng Long. But the Foundation Establishment cultivator simply lashed out with his foot, catching Zhi-Zhi mid-attack. The spirit tortoise went flying across the room, his shell bouncing off the walls.

Deng Long turned his attention back to Kai, his grip tightening. "You're no hero, boy," he snarled. "Just another corpse."

With a cruel smile, Deng Long began to squeeze. As Kai struggled to breathe, his vision starting to darken at the edges, a part of his mind remained calm and analytical as the Mental Fortitude skill took effect.

If this is real, I'm about to die. If it's a trial, it's gone way too far. Either way, I need to do something drastic.

Suddenly, a blur of motion caught Kai's fading vision. Liu Wei appeared behind Deng Long and with a scream, he plunged his dagger into Deng Long's back.

The blade barely pierced Deng Long's qi-reinforced skin, but the unexpected attack made him loosen his grip on Kai's throat and turn his head. "You little-"

Kai gasped for air, his mind clearing just enough to seize the opportunity. With the last of his strength, he focused his qi into his right hand. A small, dense ball of qi began to form, growing more compact and intense with each passing second.

Deng Long, distracted by Liu Wei, didn't notice the gathering energy until it was too late. He turned back to Kai just as the qi ball was completed.

Kai didn't hesitate. With all the force he could muster, he slammed the condensed ball of qi directly into Deng Long's face.

The explosion was deafening. A blinding flash of light filled the room, accompanied by a shockwave that sent everyone still conscious staggering backwards.

When the light faded and the dust settled, Kai found himself on the ground, coughing and gasping for air. His entire body ached, and his right hand felt like it was on fire.

Blinking to clear his vision, Kai looked up to see Deng Long stumbling backwards, his hands covering his face.

When Deng Long lowered his hands, a big, round bruise covered the middle of his face. His nose looked broken, blood dripping from it. The skin around the bruise was red and puffy.

"You... you little bastards!" he yelled. His voice sounded funny because of his hurt nose. "I'll kill you both!"

Kai tried to move, to defend himself, but his body wouldn't respond. He'd put everything he had into that last attack, and now he had nothing left.

So this is it, Kai thought, a strange calm settling over him. Either I pass this trial, or I respawn.

Suddenly, Deng Long vanished from sight. Kai's eyes widened but before he could react, he felt a presence behind him.

A strong hand gripped his head.

Oh shi-

There was a sharp crack.

And everything went dark.