The air over the Outer Sect training grounds trembled as the second phase of the competition began. The preliminary rounds had narrowed the field, but now the real challenge demanded not just skill, but strategy, adaptability, and the ability to read the terrain as if it were alive. The remaining teams were divided into three clusters, each assigned a distinct section of the valley. Bridges, platforms, and Qi-laden traps now required rapid calculation and cooperation; misstep here could mean instant elimination.
Lu Mao's team huddled briefly, sweat-drenched and exhausted but eyes bright with focus. Yan Mei's presence was steady, a quiet counterpoint to Bao Fu's energy and Chen Yuan's calculated intensity.
"We've survived the initial waves," Lu Mao said, flexing his fingers. "Now we face true competition. Zhang Wei's team will be hunting us. Other teams will try to take shortcuts, sabotage, or ambush. Stay sharp."
Yan Mei's gaze flicked toward the nearest platform cluster. "Trap density increases exponentially beyond this point. We move fast, or we get trapped."
The horn blared again, signaling the start. The teams surged forward. Lu Mao's group split fluidly: Bao Fu on the rear to absorb any frontal clashes, Chen Yuan moving to flank potential ambushers, Yan Mei scanning for hidden energy signatures, and Lu Mao in the center, letting Wind Fist and Shadow Steps guide his movements.
They encountered the first rival cluster, three teams notorious for cunning and sabotage. One team specialized in deceptive terrain, hiding traps that could collapse under weight or explode with errant Qi. Another relied on overwhelming numbers and quick strikes. The third combined agility and stealth, aiming to isolate a single target and disable them.
Lu Mao assessed the teams in a heartbeat. He signaled subtly with his hand, and Yan Mei nodded, dropping silently to neutralize a hidden Qi mine while Chen Yuan leapt across a swaying bridge, delivering a precise strike that unbalanced one of the larger enemies. Bao Fu barreled into two more, sending them sprawling into a pit trap, while Lu Mao's fists flowed like lightning, Wind Fist guiding each strike with precise power.
The clash became a storm of motion: fists collided with bodies, platforms groaned, and Qi surged around them like storm winds. Shadow Steps allowed Lu Mao to dodge an aerial strike; Phantom Veil let Chen Yuan slip past a collapsing platform just as the opposing team tried to corner him. Yan Mei's attacks were surgical, no unnecessary movements, just subtle disruptions that unbalanced entire formations.
"Not bad," Lu Mao muttered, wiping sweat from his brow as the rival teams retreated or fell behind. "But the real threat is coming."
They hadn't gone far when Zhang Wei's team appeared again. Seven seniors spread across the field, forming a semi-circle around the next bridge cluster. Their movements were synchronized; their intent unmistakable: stop Lu Mao's team at all costs.
Zhang Wei smirked. "Still alive, huh? Lucky kid. Let's see how long that lasts."
Lu Mao's jaw tightened. "We don't rely on luck. We move together."
The collision was instantaneous. Zhang Wei charged one side, his second-in-command lunging from above, while others attempted to flank Bao Fu and Chen Yuan. Wind Fist struck first, Lu Mao's fist colliding with the incoming senior's attack midair, redirecting momentum and forcing him back. Shadow Steps guided his footwork across unstable ground, letting him strike with both speed and stability.
Chen Yuan darted forward, Phantom Veil allowing him to vanish briefly, then reappear behind Zhang Wei's flank. Bao Fu intercepted two others with brute force, crashing into them and destabilizing their formation. Yan Mei moved like a shadow, striking unseen with Qi pulses, subtly manipulating the battlefield's energy to hinder the seniors' balance.
Zhang Wei's arrogance faltered. "Impossible…" he hissed, as the coordinated movement of Lu Mao's team dismantled their strategy piece by piece.
A high platform swayed violently under the chaos. One of Zhang Wei's team tried to corner Lu Mao, only to be intercepted midair by a combination of Phantom Veil and Wind Fist. The senior slammed into a collapsing bridge, barely hanging on as Lu Mao pivoted past him, fists striking in a seamless flow.
The crowd gasped as Lu Mao's team advanced with fluid precision, their coordination allowing them to bypass traps, neutralize attacks, and continue their advance without significant loss. The combination of brute force, precision strikes, stealth, and observation made them a machine of survival and offense.
As the rounds progressed, rival teams attempted trickery, teams collapsing platforms behind Lu Mao's team, launching traps to block their path, or feinting retreats to lure them into ambushes. Yet each move was met with calculated countermeasures: Shadow Steps guided silent retreats or repositioning, Phantom Veil enabled subtle evasions, Wind Fist allowed immediate counterattacks, and Yan Mei's keen perception prevented hidden pitfalls from catching them unawares.
Midway through the field, they faced a team specializing in elemental Qi manipulation. Flames burst from the ground, wind currents knocked competitors off balance, and bursts of force projected toward anyone stepping onto certain tiles. The team hesitated, assessing the trap.
Lu Mao's eyes flared golden. "Coordination. Timing. Focus on openings."
Chen Yuan mirrored him, advancing to counter elemental bursts with subtle Qi alignment. Bao Fu bulldozed toward a collapsing platform to create a safe passage, while Yan Mei glided along the edge, redirecting wind currents and dampening flames with focused Qi pulses.
The elemental team struck in waves, but each attack was deflected, redirected, or absorbed. Lu Mao's fists became extensions of instinct, Wind Fist flowing naturally, each strike timed to neutralize both threat and terrain hazard. The elemental team was forced into retreat, leaving the path open.
The final stretch approached—a treacherous cluster of swaying rope bridges over churning streams, narrow stone platforms lined with spikes, and sudden Qi bursts from hidden sources. Rival teams still lingering attempted desperate attacks, trying to knock them into the water or disorient them.
Lu Mao signaled a full coordinated advance. Shadow Steps guided silent, confident movements across the swaying ropes; Phantom Veil allowed unpredictable shifts; Bao Fu and Chen Yuan countered every ambush; Yan Mei neutralized hidden bursts before they could harm the team.
They surged forward, reaching the center platform, the final checkpoint. The horn blared, signaling completion of this segment. They had survived, not just by skill, but through teamwork, observation, and the perfect timing of each movement.
Breathless but triumphant, Lu Mao flexed his fists. The golden glow in his eyes reflected both exhaustion and the surge of potential Qi from surviving the trial. Yan Mei's expression remained unreadable, but a subtle nod indicated approval. Bao Fu collapsed with a grin, while Chen Yuan allowed himself a rare smile.
Zhang Wei's team arrived moments later, scattered and humiliated, their arrogance replaced by visible frustration. "This isn't over," Zhang Wei spat. "We'll see who wins in the next round."
The crowd erupted into cheers, acknowledging the dominance of Lu Mao's team and the strategic dismantling of rival teams. The competition had concluded. Five winning teams, cultivation pills, clan manuals, and the outside world mission were still up for grabs.
Lu Mao exhaled, settling his Qi. "We've proven our strength."
Yan Mei's eyes glimmered.
The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the battlefield. The remaining teams regrouped, strategies forming in hushed whispers. The real battle the battle for power, skill, and honor was only just beginning.