"Crack!" A sharp snap echoed from Song Qing’s wrist.

Humiliation surged through him. He’d planned to dominate Tang Yan with speed and power, turning this into a showcase of his combat prowess. Instead, it had spiraled into a farce.

Summoning a breath of true energy for another attack, he found Tang Yan already upon him.

*Boom! Boom! Boom!* The two clashed fiercely.

Calling it a clash was generous—it was Tang Yan’s one-man show.

Under Tang Yan’s relentless, fluid assault, Song Qing—renowned for his combat experience—could barely parry, his disadvantage glaring.

*Boom!* As Tang Yan unleashed Thousand Mountains Fist mid-flurry, the crowd’s hearts jolted.

“Moves and techniques in perfect sync! Could it be… the Heart of Combat?” Mo Bin shot up from his seat, stunned by the seamless blend of Tang Yan’s strikes and martial arts.

*Heart of Combat?*

The city lords’ eyes flickered with awe.

It demanded not just prodigious talent but a rare alignment of timing, place, and circumstance to awaken.

What had Tang Yan been through to grasp something like this?

*Boom!* Song Qing, battered by Tang Yan’s onslaught, finally buckled. A kick sent him flying, crashing hard onto the stage.

“You’ve lost,” Tang Yan said evenly, holding back from further strikes.

Though reluctance lingered in Song Qing’s eyes, he knew defeat was certain. Struggling to his feet, he rasped, “You’re strong. But one day, I’ll surpass you.”

Tang Yan’s gaze flickered with surprise. To maintain such drive after a loss was no small feat.

“I’ll be waiting,” he replied, tossing the words over his shoulder as he stepped off the stage.

The ten matches wrapped up quickly. The organizers handed each contestant a low-tier second-rank pill to restore true energy, urging them to prep for the next round.

Tang Yan eyed the pill but didn’t take it. Instead, he pulled out his own stash, shared one with Lin Dongxue, and headed to the rest area to recover.

An hour later, a resonant bell tolled—time for the next round.

Though billed as a lottery, it wasn’t entirely random. The Four Young Masters drew separately from the other six to avoid early clashes and preserve talent.

Besides the Four Young Masters, the remaining six were Fang City’s Wan Fei and Chen Yang, Qing City’s Sun Long and Chen Qingzhi, and Cloud City’s Tang Yan and Lin Dongxue.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Everyone—save the Four Young Masters—wondered who among these six would claim a top-five spot.

Eyes turned to Tang Yan with a mix of curiosity and unease. If he won, Fang City might weep over their losses.

With almost no one betting on Tang Yan to win—including Fang Wentian—tens of thousands of gamblers silently prayed for his quick exit.

After the draw, Tang Yan landed number five, Lin Dongxue number one.

Mo Bin cleared his throat, drawing all attention. With a warm smile, he said, “Every participant in the Eastern Domain Competition is a standout from our region.

“To reach the top ten is to stand among the elite.

“The Azure Dragon Academy values not just strength but potential and character.

“So, in the coming fights, don’t hold back or feel pressured. Even if you don’t rank high, there’s still a chance for exceptional admission.”

The crowd buzzed with excitement. Mo Bin’s words promised a showcase of skills, making the next battles even more thrilling.

“Number one contestants, take the stage!” the red-robed elder bellowed.

Lin Dongxue rose from her seat.

From Qing City’s side, Sun Long stood with a broad grin.

*Whew—* Fang Wentian exhaled quietly. Good—not Tang Yan this time.

In this ten-to-five round, only one of the five matches wouldn’t pit a contestant against a Young Master. Tang Yan had missed that slot—his massive bets were now Fang City’s to claim.

Those who’d wagered on Sun Long cheered. To them, their stakes had already doubled.

“Miss, must we fight? How about tea and flowers instead? Far more meaningful than brawling,” Sun Long said, his heart fluttering at Lin Dongxue’s beauty.

“Lin lass, take Sun Gongzi up on it!” someone shouted from below, sparking laughter.

As a city lord’s daughter, Lin Dongxue was quick-witted. “If Young Master Sun surrenders now, I’ll bring Tang Yan along for tea later,” she replied coolly.

Sun Long’s temper flared. “Since Miss Lin insists on a fight, don’t blame me for showing no mercy,” he said icily.

“Match—begin!” the red-robed elder commanded.

Lin Dongxue’s mind raced back to Tang Yan’s pre-match advice: *“Sun Long’s got strong overall combat ability and might be hiding his true strength. Avoid his edge, play to your strengths.*

*You’re outmatched in raw power. Your edge is technique and speed. Use them—even if he’s fourth-rank, you’ve got a fighting chance.*

*Get in close fast, stifle him so he can’t unleash his strength.”*

After days with Tang Yan, Lin Dongxue trusted his words implicitly.

The match kicked off. Her peak third-rank Mysterious Stage power erupted, and she darted forward with precise footwork, closing in on Sun Long.

With a sharp cry, she threw a swift punch at his face.

Sun Long smirked, meeting it with a casual fist.

Just as their strikes neared collision, Lin Dongxue bent her knee, dropping low. Her punch’s path held steady, but its target shifted downward.

Tang Yan’s eyes lit up. *This girl’s a natural—coming up with a move like that?*

Lin Xiao stared, baffled. *When did my daughter get so crafty with her attacks?*

“Not bad,” Mo Bin murmured with a smile. Lin Dongxue’s foundation was strong, her strikes cunning and fierce—a rare talent for a young woman.

Sun Long hadn’t expected the sudden shift. Caught off guard, he sighed inwardly, dropping his restraint. A fresh surge of power burst forth, redirecting his strike to block her.

The crowd froze as Sun Long’s new aura hit.

*Fourth-rank Mysterious Stage!*

Someone couldn’t hold back a shout.

Those betting on Sun Long beamed—their confidence soared. Cheers for him swelled across the plaza.

“Miss Lin, surrender. Tea beats fighting any day,” Sun Long prodded again.

Lin Dongxue’s eyes flickered. Months ago, such a gap would’ve rattled her. But after training with a freak like Tang Yan, small rank differences weren’t dealbreakers anymore.

Sun Long’s fourth-rank strength was daunting, but she’d braced for it. Cool-headed, she pressed on.

After the first clash, she didn’t pause. Sweeping a leg out, she launched her second attack.

As minutes ticked by, Sun Long’s supporters frowned, doubt creeping in.

A quarter-hour had passed, yet Lin Dongxue held the reins. Sun Long hadn’t found a single opening to strike back!