Sun Ningxiang’s brow was slightly furrowed as she walked over from the direction of Arena Three.

Her father had been talking about Lin Yue nonstop these past few days. His words were filled with praise, saying the boy had outstanding talent, a limitless future, and was the disciple most likely to bring honor to the Martial Arts Hall in this year’s tournament—someone who could support the hall in the future...

But in her eyes, while Junior Brother Lin Yue was indeed talented, he was too young and hot-headed. He was arrogant toward his fellow disciples and held himself in too high regard, lacking a steady composure.

Sun Ningxiang shook her head to herself. Her pace quickened unconsciously, and before she knew it, she had arrived at Arena Seven.

Her gaze swept over the area inside the railings, and she suddenly stopped. There, below the arena, was a familiar figure. Who else could it be but Yang Jing?

Sun Ningxiang raised an eyebrow.

This Junior Brother Yang Jing was always silent and withdrawn at the Martial Arts Hall. He did nothing but practice his fists, so she had rarely paid him any mind in the past. Yet now, he had actually made it to the top four.

But on second thought, she understood.

Yang Jing was a Dark Energy Martial Artist, after all. Most of his opponents in the earlier rounds were at the Bright Energy stage. While there were other Dark Energy opponents, they were few, and he might not have run into any. It was reasonable that he had made it this far.

’But...’ Her gaze fell upon the other three people in the enclosure.

Shen Lie’s presence was heavy and composed. Qian Feng’s eyes were cunning. Chen Wu radiated a fierce courage. Which one of them wasn’t a long-famous Dark Energy expert?

Shen Lie, in particular, was said to have an extremely deep understanding of the Mountain-Breaking Fist. Every punch and kick carried the might of Mountain-Shattering Stone-Splitting. Eldest Brother Xu Hong had briefly clashed with him and had been at a disadvantage. If they had continued fighting, he likely wouldn’t have been his match.

Sun Ningxiang sighed softly.

Yang Jing had only just broken through to the Dark Energy Realm not long ago. His Inner Strength was still shallow, placing him at the bottom rung among Dark Energy Martial Artists.

In the upcoming semi-finals, it would be difficult for him to win, no matter who he faced.

’Junior Brother Yang Jing is probably going to be eliminated.’

As she thought this, she found herself, for some unknown reason, feeling a little nervous for him.

Though this Junior Brother Yang Jing spoke little, he had a very steady disposition. He was never seen slacking off during practice and was known in the Martial Arts Hall as a remarkably diligent disciple. Compared to Lin Yue’s flamboyance, he was certainly easier on the eyes.

The Court had placed many chairs around the tournament grounds for the various dignitaries and aristocrats in attendance to watch.

Sun Ningxiang found a chair not far from the arena and sat down, deciding to wait there for a while.

Once Yang Jing lost his match, she’d call him over to go back to her father’s side with her. It would spare him the embarrassment of being left alone after a defeat.

Inside the enclosure, a middle-aged man in an Official’s uniform walked onto the stage, ready to announce the match-ups. Sun Ningxiang’s gaze fell on Yang Jing. Seeing his usual calm and placid expression, she felt a new, indescribable emotion stir within her.

’Perhaps he knows this is his limit, too.’

...

Beside Arena Eight, Xu Hong was contemplating his next match when he happened to look up and spot Sun Ningxiang not far away.

A smile immediately spread across his face, and he raised a hand to greet her. "Ning Xiang, what are you doing here? Did you come to watch my match?"

He called out twice, but he saw that Sun Ningxiang’s gaze was fixed past him, in the direction of Arena Seven. Her eyes held a focused look; she clearly hadn’t heard him.

Xu Hong followed her line of sight and happened to see Yang Jing standing below the arena, regulating his breathing. So, she was watching Arena Seven.

Xu Hong’s hand froze mid-air. He paused, then somewhat unnaturally brought it back down, his fingertips unconsciously brushing against his sleeve.

He watched Sun Ningxiang’s slightly forward-leaning posture, her tightly pressed lips, and her occasionally furrowed brow. It was obvious all her attention was on the events at Arena Seven.

Xu Hong shook his head helplessly, a hint of brotherly indulgence in his eyes. "That girl."

...

「Arena Seven.」

The middle-aged man in the Official’s uniform stood in the center of the stage. He flipped the roster in his hand to a dog-eared page and announced in a deep voice, "Fourth round, first match of the semi-finals: Yang Jing of Sun’s Martial Arts Hall versus Qian Feng of Lieyang Martial Arts Hall."

Hearing this, Yang Jing slowly rose to his feet.

His back was ramrod straight. Though his eyes held a degree of seriousness, there was not a trace of cowardice in them.

’So what if he’s a Dark Energy expert?’

’I’m in the Dark Energy Realm myself. In terms of realm, we’re on equal footing.’

He clenched his fists, drying the thin layer of sweat on his palms. The calluses on his knuckles brushed against the rough fabric of his clothes, bringing a familiar sense of reassurance.

This was his first time facing a Dark Energy opponent in the tournament. It was also, in the truest sense, his first head-on battle with a Martial Artist of the same realm.

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t nervous. After all, his opponent had been immersed in the Dark Energy Realm for many years; his methods were bound to be shrewd and experienced.

But mixed in with that tension was a greater sense of excitement, of power waiting to be unleashed.

He had practiced his Mountain-Shattering Fist to a state of proficiency, and he still had his trump card, the Raging Wave Kick, which he had yet to reveal. He was confident about this fight.

’I can finally see what it’s like to fight another Dark Energy user.’

Yang Jing recited this in his mind as he stepped onto the stage with steady feet.

Each step he took seemed to accumulate power. Dark Energy circulated slowly within his Dantian, spreading silently along his meridians to every corner of his body.

He came to a stop opposite Qian Feng, his gaze calm yet sharp, like a newly unsheathed sword revealing its edge for the first time.

Qian Feng had also ascended the stage. Seeing Yang Jing’s composed expression, devoid of any panic, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

But on second thought, he figured his opponent was probably just putting on a brave face.

’He’s just a greenhorn who recently broke into the Dark Energy Realm. Even if he has some skill, can he really overcome a hurdle like me?’

He breathed an inward sigh of relief, the corner of his lip curling into a confident smile.

Compared to Shen Lie’s dominance and Chen Wu’s ferocity, Yang Jing was undoubtedly the easiest to deal with.

’First, I’ll take this match and win easily against Yang Jing. Then I’ll compete for first place. It would be best if Shen Lie and Chen Wu wore each other out. My chances of winning would be much greater.’