Qin Yu pressed his attack, his claw strikes growing ever more ferocious.

Yang Jing gritted his teeth. He rapidly circulated his Dantian Inner Strength and unleashed the Stone-Splitting Stance of the Mountain-Shattering Fist with all his might. His fist whistled through the air as it smashed toward Qin Yu’s face.

The punch concentrated all his Inner Strength. The very air seemed to compress in its path.

But Qin Yu neither dodged nor evaded. Forming his right hand into a fist, he met the attack head-on.

BOOM!

This collision was even more violent. Yang Jing was thrown back once more, his feet cracking the wooden floorboards beneath him. Qin Yu, however, only swayed slightly before pressing his advantage again.

The gap between them was simply too great.

’I know it’s not that the Mountain-Shattering Fist is inferior to the Celestial Eagle Claw,’ Yang Jing thought. ’It’s that my Inner Strength hasn’t reached the Peak of Dark Energy. In fact, I’m still a long way off.’

’The only reason I can even clash with a master at the Peak of Dark Energy is because of my breakthrough in the Surging Waves Leg Technique, which boosted my Inner Strength.’

’Unless I can also get my Surging Waves Leg Technique to the Dark Energy realm, there’s no way I can overpower Qin Yu.’

Compared to Qin Yu, who had steeped himself in the Celestial Eagle Claw for over a decade, Yang Jing’s control and depth of power were both a step behind.

’If I just rely on the Mountain-Shattering Fist for head-on clashes, I won’t last much longer.’

However, Yang Jing noticed that Qin Yu, an expert in the Celestial Eagle Claw, was also incredibly fast—far more agile than Shen Lie, who specialized in the Mountain-Breaking Fist. ’My Surging Waves Leg Technique might not be enough to shake him.’

’If Qin Yu can even come close to matching my speed, my defeat is certain!’

Yang Jing’s gaze hardened. As he watched Qin Yu lunge at him again, his right hand clenched subconsciously, knuckles turning white.

The shadow of Qin Yu’s claws was upon him, carrying a biting force. Yang Jing threw himself sideways, dodging the strike by a hair’s breadth. At the same time, his right fist scraped past Qin Yu’s ribs, forcing his opponent to pull back slightly.

But it was only a momentary respite. Qin Yu immediately changed his attack, striking out with both claws like two black bolts of lightning, completely sealing off Yang Jing’s retreat.

Yang Jing felt the force of the attack on both sides like cutting blades. Qin Yu’s claws had sealed off all his exits. The shadows of the claws wove an inescapable net before his eyes, pressing in with the sharp sound of tearing air.

In the nick of time, he suddenly dropped his waist and shoulders. His legs crossed like twisted ropes as he kicked off the floorboards. His body abruptly dropped by half, and he slid across the ground at an impossible angle. It was the "Tumbling Flower in the Waves" from his Surging Waves Leg Technique!

RIP!

Qin Yu’s twin claws raked across Yang Jing’s back, tearing open the fabric on his shoulder.

Yang Jing used the momentum from his slide to spin to his feet. He immediately followed through with a sweeping kick, whistling with power, aimed at the back of Qin Yu’s knees.

Qin Yu tapped his foot and shot upward like a falcon, easily dodging the sweep. He landed ten feet away, an amused look in his eyes. "So you’ve finally decided to bring out this Body Technique!"

As Yang Jing landed, he twisted his body, condensing the unyielding power of the Mountain-Shattering Fist into his right fist while his left palm guarded his chest. His breathing was slightly ragged.

’He knew Qin Yu must have done his research. After he’d used the Surging Waves Leg Technique to defeat Shen Lie yesterday, it was bound to be exposed. His opponent had clearly done his homework.’

"Take this!"

Yang Jing no longer hesitated. With a flicker, he initiated the Surging Waves Leg Technique. He moved like a lone skiff on a raging sea—his movements seemed erratic, but they concealed a deadly purpose.

He would use his footwork to slide ten feet away, evading Qin Yu’s cunning claw strikes, only to abruptly reverse course. The force of his Mountain-Shattering Fist would then explode like a crack of thunder, forcing Qin Yu to meet it head-on.

The sound of fist and claw colliding echoed across the arena.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Each impact made the very air tremble.

Yang Jing’s Mountain-Shattering Fist was known for its raw power. Now, combined with the swiftness of the Surging Waves Leg Technique, it was a blend of hard and soft. For a moment, he actually seemed evenly matched with Qin Yu.

A flicker of admiration crossed Qin Yu’s eyes. His Celestial Eagle Claw attacks grew even more ferocious. The shadows of his claws danced, at times swooping like a hawk on its prey—fast and heavy—and at others, striking like an eagle’s beak—vicious and precise.

His speed truly was far greater than Shen Lie’s. Every time Yang Jing used the Surging Waves Leg Technique to create distance, Qin Yu would close it in just a few steps, the threat of his claws constantly locked onto Yang Jing.

CRACK!

After another direct clash, Yang Jing felt a spiraling force surge up his arm, throwing his qi and blood into turmoil. His right arm grew numb. He couldn’t stop himself from stumbling back two steps as a trickle of blood escaped the corner of his mouth.

’He knew this was the result of pushing his Inner Strength too hard.’

’Qin Yu’s Inner Strength wasn’t just profound; it carried a strange, twisting power that disrupted his own energy flow with every impact.’

Yang Jing took a deep breath. His Surging Waves Leg Technique shifted, and his figure moved like a phantom to circle behind Qin Yu. He feinted with his left fist, then put every ounce of his strength into his right, aiming straight for the center of his opponent’s back.

But it was as if Qin Yu had eyes in the back of his head. He spun abruptly, crossing his claws to block.

CLANG! Fist met claw. Yang Jing was thrown back again, this time a full five steps. A dull, unbearable pain radiated from his chest, and the metallic tang of blood once again filled his throat.

"Not bad. The fact that you’ve lasted this long against me proves your training in that Body Technique wasn’t wasted. You would’ve lost long ago otherwise." Qin Yu pressed forward, the threat of his claws a constant shadow. "But this much skill alone is not enough!"

Yang Jing gritted his teeth, wiped the blood from his mouth, and charged forward once more.

The swiftness of his Surging Waves Leg Technique and the ferocity of his Mountain-Shattering Fist intertwined. He was like a tireless cheetah; despite his injuries, the intensity of his attacks never waned.

However, Qin Yu’s claw technique was far too seasoned and vicious. He could always evade Yang Jing’s killing blows by a hair’s breadth, while simultaneously retaliating with a cunning strike of his own.

After several dozen exchanges, Yang Jing’s breathing grew heavy. His Inner Strength was draining away like water through a broken dam. His arms trembled from the constant impacts, affecting his ability to even throw a punch.

His movements gradually slowed, the agility of his Surging Waves Leg Technique diminishing. In contrast, Qin Yu’s claw strikes grew more dense, forcing him back again and again into one perilous situation after another.

Another claw strike grazed his shoulder, drawing a spray of blood. Yang Jing staggered back into the ring ropes, the knots digging painfully into his back.

He looked up at Qin Yu, blood steadily trickling from the corners of his mouth. He had given it his all, yet he was still being utterly suppressed. This was the gap in their strength—cruel and undeniable.

Yang Jing steadied himself against the ropes, his chest heaving violently. Every breath brought a sharp sting of pain. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

He looked into Qin Yu’s sharp eyes and could clearly feel the power coiled within his opponent’s body. It was an Inner Strength not yet fully unleashed, a volcano waiting to erupt and completely consume him.

In that moment, a realization flashed through Yang Jing’s mind. ’This is enough.’

’From the Mountain-Shattering Fist to the Surging Waves Leg Technique, and even combining the two, I’ve used every trick I have. My Inner Strength is as drained as an empty cistern, and my arm is so numb I can barely make a fist.’

’And Qin Yu? His breathing is still steady, and the vicious precision of his claw technique hasn’t lessened one bit. He’s clearly still holding back.’

’The difference in our strength is too great. If I keep this up, I’ll just end up exhausted and covered in injuries.’

’More importantly, there are other matches to come. I can’t afford to burn through all my strength here. That would be foolish.’

"I admit defeat."

The three words left his mouth, and Yang Jing himself was surprised at how calm his voice was.

He unclenched his fist. The knuckles, white from the strain, slowly relaxed, as if a great weight had been lifted from them.

’There’s no shame in admitting defeat when you’ve already given it your all.’

’After all, he’d only recently entered the Dark Energy realm. Lasting this long against Qin Yu had already exceeded his own expectations.’

’Rejuvenation Pills can restore my qi and blood, and Qi Storage Pills can replenish my Inner Strength. If I meditate for an hour, I can get back into reasonably good shape.’

’Fighting on for a moment of reckless bravery would be truly foolish.’

Qin Yu froze for a moment at his words, then retracted his claws. A look of undisguised admiration flashed in his eyes. "A smart one, I see."

He glanced down at Xu Guangwei, who was still healing off-stage, and snorted. "Unlike certain hotheads who have to be beaten to a pulp before they’ll admit defeat. A wise man knows when to yield and when to stand firm. That kind of character is more valuable than any martial skill."

Yang Jing didn’t reply. He simply offered a cupped-fist salute and turned to walk off the stage.

His steps were unsteady, but his back was ramrod straight.

The wind blew across his sweat-soaked shirt, bringing a chill that cleared his mind.

’Admitting defeat isn’t the end. It’s so you can come back stronger next time.’

Qin Yu nodded and watched Yang Jing’s departing back thoughtfully. ’He felt there was more to this kid than met the eye, and that their paths would likely cross again in the future.’