Alex took a deep breath, surprised to find his heart racing with exhilaration as he carefully eyed the now glaring Zeng, earlier cocky smile forgotten as he began circling Alex, feet softly brushing the lush green grass, his hand slowly coalescing an Earth Qi technique Alex instantly recognized.

“One punch, Ruidian. That’s all it will take.”

Find Weakness Skillcheck made!

Alex grinned, countless lessons with his former caravan nightguard instructors flashing across his mind as he noted all the pressure points he could strike to send his opponent reeling. So many fragile bones and ligaments around the face and throat that could send even the strongest Bronze slipping so quickly into death. So too, he could sense the flaws in Zeng’s stance, how easy a side-kick to Zeng’s knee would send the man crashing to the ground, screaming with a broken patella when Alex struck so fast that the man wouldn’t realize his peril until two hundred pounds was already straining a knee joint hyper-extended and bending the wrong way.

But Alex did none of that, only now appreciating that he had lost an excellent training opportunity when Panheu had been so captivated by the space bending applications of Silver Wing that the sparring with the girls had become an impromptu training session and Alex had no real chance to test himself at all.

Tier 2 Gold strength. Absolutely monstrous. His body was now so filled with potency that he risked catastrophic destruction if he didn’t spend some time pairing inhuman power with control. Just one reason why he was joining this competition, the same reason as his girls. So that System recognized skill increases would proxy for growing mastery of himself and the inconceivable power flowing through him. Power that, if he wasn’t very careful, could kill the man even now shrieking as Alex made use of the barest fraction of his power.

Alex gazed down at the man who had moved so slowly, so awkwardly, that it had been nothing to step back and gently guide the suddenly off-balanced opponent further forward, clasping wrist and elbow with the gentlest of touches as he eased the man now tripping over Alex’s leg sweep as Alex gently brought him to the ground.

Alex frowned, noting the horrified looks being sent his way, and calmly rose.

“Do you concede?”

“Of course he concedes!” Screamed the wujen, clearly his kin. “You shattered his ankles! What kind of monster are you?”

Alex frowned, heightened senses instantly taking in the awful ruins of the man’s lower legs. Whatever Bronze body hardening techniques were in play had been utterly destroyed by a basic leg sweep made without Alex channeling Golden Swan or any other Qi attack at all. Alex’s had effortlessly taken his foe’s balance, and had shattered countless bones in the man’s lower legs and feet while doing so.

Zeng was at least a Bronze Rank 4, 35 Strength. An achievement only a small handful in a 100,000 might ever achieve. And Alex had torn through him like rice paper.

Because the cultivator had been Bronze, and Alex’s physique, at least, was Gold.

Alex forced himself not to flinch, conscience pierced with the man’s desperate sobs.

“This one thanks you for the pointers, and apologizes for catching you so off guard.”

“You did that on purpose, so you wouldn’t have to compete with him!” One of the nearby Ogres hissed.

Alex just gazed at the man after calmly claiming the token Zeng desperately thrust into his hand.

“Here, take it, you monster! Now please, get me to a healing pagoda. I beg you!”

Alex turned to the horrified-looking wujen. “I’m guessing that’s your cue?”

The man glared at Alex in helpless fury before rushing to his brother’s side.

Of course he realized his mistake. He had been so focused on not shattering the man’s wrist and elbow that he hadn’t been paying enough attention to his leg sweep, even using just a tiny fraction of the power he recalled sparring with Hao Chan and Yinzi with, constantly, just days ago.

Before all three of them had been so utterly transformed.

The Silver Giant who had run the copper bell glared at Alex for long moments. “How the hell did you do that?”

Alex grinned. “I learned leg-sweeps from the best. Even if I’m a bit specialized, all I need is one attack to take my opponent out, right?”

Hao Chan blinked, quickly snapping out of her horrified daze to glare Alex’s way. “That’s the extent of your repertoire? Use some odd Ruidian strength gem to shatter an honest cultivator’s ankles?” Hao Chan crossed her arms with a dissatisfied pout, and Alex found he wasn’t the only one captivated by the magnificent sight before him. “I’m afraid that’s not going to cut it, boy. I need a well-rounded champion. A true cultivator. Not a fluke of a win!”

Alex’s expression became one of exaggerated horror, before he quickly lowered his head. “But I can fight for you, my lady!”

The Silver who had rung the bell turned his chad-tier rugged jawline and disapproving scowl at the two remaining Bronze Ogres who took one look, bowed their heads, and carefully carted off their still sobbing acquaintance along with the wujen glaring daggers of hate Alex’s way. “I think the lady has made it clear she wishes for a real cultivator to be her champion. So unless you think you have a chance against an actual Silver… I suggest you count yourself lucky and leave.” The giant flashed a hard smile. “No doubt any number of trade caravans would enjoy the services of a muscular thug like yourself. Now go.”

Alex’s eyes widened. He turned to Hao Chan. “My lady?”

She furrowed her brow in thought, before smiling at the Silver Giant. “If you’re willing to prove yourself against a Silver, then I’ll know you’re worth every copper feather you’re charging me as bodyguard and porter, and I will continue to let you serve me, and fight for my honor. Assuming the Silver Giant here agrees.”

The giant flashed a cold smile. “Su Nong at your service. And I would love to prove myself against this Ruidian trash. Fair warning, I won’t be holding back.”

Alex met the man’s hard grin with his own. The man furrowed his brow in confusion for just a minute before he felt a talisman tap the challenger one he held, so like the one Panheu now claimed. “We fight to submission or a ten second pin. If you’re too injured to fight, it’s over.”

The man blanched, glaring at Alex as he snapped the hand holding his now translucent token back. “How did you… the Silver shook his head and scowled. “That’s acceptable. The fight begins...”

His fist arced out in a powerful right hook radiating razor sharp Metal Qi. “Now!”

But Alex was already grinning and leaning back, content to test himself against a Silver’s killing intent, leaning back or stepping aside at just the right moment to avoid an increasingly incensed Su Nong’s powerful hooks, jabs, and crosses. He didn’t bother with kicks, and with arms now covered in Metal Qi radiating deadly sharpness, Alex supposed he didn’t need to.

The growing audience’s excited murmurs soon turned to an increasingly tense hush as guarded blows meant to take out Alex without leaving Su Nong overextended continued to miss their intended target by just the tiniest fraction of an inch. The Silver’s caution soon turned to growing frustration with how effortlessly Alex weaved past the man’s blows. And Alex was almost certain that his mocking smile wasn’t helping the man keep his cool either.

“What the hell’s wrong with you? You’re a Silver! He’s a Ruidian! Pound him to dust!” Roared one of the spectators, several others murmuring similar sentiments, if a bit more respectfully.

Yet poor Nong’s blows, no matter the advantages of constant training and an impressive Rank 1 Silver Strength and high Bronze Quickness gave him, could never quite connect. It was as if he was fighting against spiritual currents deflecting his blows every bit as much as a smirking Ruidian who was forever just out of reach. Especially not when careful disciplined focus morphed into wild-eyed fury as the man roared and charged, all thoughts of guarding himself vanishing as he did absolutely everything he could to smash Alex to the ground.

Yet somehow it was him that found himself crashing to the loamy soil, his right arm hyper-extended as Alex calmly pivoted around Nong’s back, knee against the now prone man’s shoulder, wrist twisted to the breaking point as Alex gave the appearance of masterfully using leverage and positioning to lock the man’s arm, as opposed to simply using his strength.

“Do you surrender?”

The hot-eyed Nong’s eyes widened with apoplectic fury. “You set me up. You little piece of donkey excrement, you’re ruining my chances of… enough! I yield, I yield!”

In the blink of an eye, Alex was off the Silver Giant, even helping him back to his feet. Before his friendly smile hardened, calmly presenting his hand. “Talisman.”

Su Nong ground his teeth, before forcing a smile. “Well played, Ruidian. To think you have it within you to best even a newly forged Silver like myself.” He eyed Alex’s belt pouch. “But I see you now have two talismans, and you only need one to compete.” The ruggedly handsome Silver flashed his best smile. “What’s say I help you lock in a sweet profit for your exploits, and buy your Silver taliman off you?” He held up a small pouch. “Ten gold crowns.”

Alex held back a smirk, instead favoring Hao Chan with guileless eyes once more. “My lady, the competition here is truly invigorating, and the cultivators are such good sports! And you’ve been complaining of boredom of late. I know, how about you compete with me? It will be fun!”

Completely ignoring the now spluttering Silver, Alex tossed Hao Chan the double sigiled Silver talisman.

She tapped her chin with it thoughtfully, before flashing a wide smile. “You know what? That does sound like fun.” She dipped her head with a regal air, as if she wasn’t conscious of the dozens of spectators looking on. “You have indeed proven yourself worthy of serving as my champion, and I would be pleased to have you escort me to the Contender’s seats. But fair warning, if I meet you in the ring, I will not take it easy on you.”

Alex chuckled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way… queen of my heart.”

Surprised, hungry glances locked helplessly on Alex’s cocky smile as he lead the girl of all their dreams through the contender’s arch, winking at a smirking servitor as one Bronze cultivator caught another’s gaze.

“They were playing us the whole time. They set those two hotheads up!”

The other snorted and nodded, as did a number of spectators, though their looks were more admiring than outraged. “I think they did do just that. Of course, should we meet them in the ring...”

The two exchanged meaningful glances. “We concede immediately. Getting our ankles shattered to kindling just isn’t worth it.”

“So, how do you feel, hero?” Hao Chan softly teased as a hushed servitor led them down a spacious vaulted corridor decorated with gilded wood paneling and ink carvings of proud looking men and women that were clearly former arena champions.

Alex smirked. “Surprised.”

Hao Chan solemnly nodded, mirthful smile gone. “He was a Rank 1 Silver in Strength, and his Vitality was a half-step between Silver and Bronze.”

Alex’s eyes widened. His girl winked. “Qi Perception Skills, thanks to you. And to think, just days ago I was a Bronze and would have been forced to fight for my life if that man had taken me as a serious threat.”

Alex smirked. “Actually, no, not with your Silver Swan skills. You still would have destroyed him.”

“Probably,” she agreed with a smile, before tension tightened her features. “Alex, Jidihu’s contacts made it clear that this competition will be holding some of the fiercest fights to be found anywhere. Donfang Hong’s offering prizes undreamed of, and has opened this competition to everyone far and wide. We’ll be encountering far more than local Silvers hoping to one day break through to the second Rank. We’ll be encountering entire teams comprised of foreign champions eager to make alliances and win themselves incredible bounties.” She shook her head and spoke softly, for all that there was no one around save the single servitor leading them through an underground servant’s tunnel very much like the ones he and Qirin had explored what now felt like a lifetime ago. “Something I could only have dreamed of, before forming a Silver core now spinning so fast is screams in my soul.”

Alex gave her hand a comforting squeeze. “It’s alright. WiFu made it clear. We hone our skills, get ever better at channeling and directing the flow of Qi. That will stabilize us and allow me to safely ascend and, maybe, give you and Yinzi the insights you need to stabilize yourselves into Gold.”

Hao Chan paled. “And that’s exactly what we’ll be facing, Alex. Gold.”

She caught his grip when he stumbled, feeling a sudden cold chill, mind flashing back to all the times one of those monsters had come so very close to killing him. And considering how careful he’d now have to be with forging any protective barriers he never dare get close to…

“And the fights will get very serious by the end, hero of my heart, as the chosen scions not just of city state administrators, kings and crown princesses do battle with their champions for the sake of Jade prizes multiple seers claim were derived from the gods themselves.”

Alex chuckled. “Good thing I’m not here for any tainted prizes, then.”

Hao Chan gave an exasperated chuckle. “No, you’re just here for the mastermind behind it all.”

Alex smirked. “A territory usurping predatory asshole, maybe.

Her eyes grew haunted. “Alex, be careful. We were lucky dealing with first round tumbleweeds who might be the envy of students at any school, but won’t make it past the second round of a competition like this!”

Alex dipped his head. “I know,” he said, swallowing the anxious lump in his throat.

“We’ll be dealing with Golds who might, or might not, get an order to take care of any upstarts to their plans,” Hao Chan whispered, eyes growing haunted.

Alex squeezed his hand. “If that’s the case...”

Hao Chan shook her head, slowing her pace, allowing the hurried looking servitor to grow more distant. “No, my love. I will fight. You and my kung-fu sister’s patron made it clear if we’re to survive, we have to hone ourselves in battle against killing intent, and far better a controlled arena where people might be intending to kill us than an actual battlefield where enemies can swarm and they most certainly will be after our heads.”

Alex clenched his jaw then sighed. “And that’s the only reason why I’m pushing for you both to do this. But from what Jidihu’s contacts gleaned...”

“The first few rounds will cater to the Strongest Bronze and newly forged Silvers, so everyone’s clan favorites get a chance to show off and the locals feel like they were given a fair shake. Not to mention Dongfang Hong gets his pick of scores of strong young candidates to fill the school ranks. But after that? Things get serious.” Her eyes grew haunted. “Very serious. At least that’s what Jidihu fears.”

Alex nodded, squeezing her hand in reassurance as they took their time catching up to the impatient-looking servant waving his hand at a spacious looking inner chamber filled with cloth mats, cots, comfortable chairs, even several tables with go and the local equivalent of chess boards, as well as pitchers of tea and water. Alex noted over a dozen men and women gazing intently at Hao Chan and himself, with a coolly smiling proctor wearing school robes and, of course, a crimson sash, though Alex saw no sign of killing intent, just a Silver employee of the school who was in Dongfang Hong’s pocket, as pretty much everyone still here was, and was now just doing his job.

Alex suppressed the surge in his gut, merely dipping his head politely as the servitor bowed and quickly hurried off.

The proctor, a middle-aged man with the bearing of a soldier and no particular malice in his aura, dipped his head. “Greetings, contenders, You may call me Peng Dan. You’re all free to take your ease, rest, and seek nourishment here, and you’re all expected not to challenge or otherwise strike at each other in these chambers. Doing so is grounds for immediate disqualification from the competition. Understood?”

Alex and Hao Chan exchanged glances and nodded.

“Good. And don’t worry, none of you will be fighting each other. At least not today. Your competitors are the ones in other stalls.” He flashed a humorless smile. “Of course, if one of you is actually the offspring of a royal clan, you’re free to rest in between matches with your family in your private seats, if you have no desire to mingle with the rest of us.” The proctor waved a hand to several barred windows “Though you’re all certainly welcome to enjoy a front row seat to the fights, or study potential opponents. Any questions?”

“Will someone call our number?” Hao Chan asked, gesturing toward the numbered sticks they had received along with their talismans.

The man nodded. “Hopefully they match the numbers the servant gave you. If not, you’ll use the one he gave you instead.” He frowned thoughtfully, looking at Hao Chan. “And you’re number just got called, child. I’d get up there, if I were you.” He then yanked a bell pull and a servant immediately came to the door.

Peng Dan nodded at the man. “Follow him, girl. You’ll be fine.”

She nodded, clasping Alex’s hand as they proceeded back out the chamber and back into the servant’s tunnels.

The Silver proctor behind them cleared his throat. “You’re to wait here, boy.”

Alex turned back and smiled. “Not a chance in hell.”

The man’s eyes widened, favoring Alex with a fierce scowl, before he suddenly blanched and paled. “Sure, boy. Do what you like. It’s on you if you miss your fight, though.”

Alex forced himself to smile politely. “You’re going to tell me they don’t announce the numbers, for the sake of the rich lords and ladies in the stands?”

Peng snorted. “Of course they do.”

“Then we’re good.” Alex dipped his head. “Thank you for your time,” he said, because there really was no need to make fresh enemies, no matter how it infuriated him, the very thought of leaving Hao Chan alone in any stranger’s care in these horrific corridors that had already doomed so many. Fortunately, they had booth been ready in case anyone did try to separate them, even under the most innocuous and reasonable of pretexts.

The squeeze Hao Chan gave him made it clear she understood and appreciated his concerns, and Alex couldn’t have said ‘I love you’ any louder than he did with his heartfelt smile.

Before he turned his gaze to the harried looking servant as the wound through lonely corridors that quickly connected to the very ones he had last traveled with Liqin. The very thought of anyone trying to ambush them or hurt Hao Chan filled him with a killing rage.

But there was no one, save for a handful of harried looking servants, probably a skeleton crew Dongfang Hong was desperate to get back up to operational capacity. Fortunately, all their guide showed when they took turns Alex didn’t recognize at all was worry that quickly turned to relief when he ushered them up a final set of stairs leading to actual arena sands, and Alex and Hao Chan caught sight of a massive half-dome filled with spectators, just like in Alex’s favorite movies.

An officious looking man frowned at seeing them both, before pressing a crystal talisman to his head. “Excellent timing! You’re both here. I assume you’re familiar with the rules?”

Alex forced a smile. “Actually, no.”

The man puffed his cheeks before giving a curt explanation. “No need to tap talismans, though that’s your choice. Your matches will be announced. You’re all fighting until submission, incapacitation, or surrender. If your opponent has you in a three point pin for more than a count of ten, that’s also an automatic forfeiture. This is the first day, so the matches are unarmed, and there will be no Qi attacks. It is a display of physical prowess and martial skills only. If any of you manages to kill the other, that’s immediate disqualification, all winnings forfeited! Do you understand?”

Alex and Hao Chan exchanged looks, only then noting the hard-eyed pair of men standing across from them, taking their time getting a good look at what was obviously their competition. “It’s a chance for the precious offspring of all the lords and ladies above to see some action and impress their clans without having to embarrass themselves,” the closest one said with a smirk.

This earned a glare from the official. “Shou, you’re taking on the girl. And you’d best remember the rules of conduct when grappling with female cultivators!”

Alex glared at the smirking giant, realizing that the man was, in fact, a powerful Silver. For all that the first day was supposedly easier fights, it was clear that the truly talented would be expected to mow their way through unknowns like himself and Hao Chan. And Alex was fine with that, since victory would progress him forward, no matter the plans of any organizer trying to curry favor with the elites. Still, the look Shou was giving Hao Chan…

The man smirked, but dipped his head. “Of course I’ll be the height of courtesy,” Shou declared to the official.

The second man cracked his fists together, giving Alex an evil glare. “Best you keep your focus on me, boy.” He smirked up at the crowd. “We wouldn’t want to bore the audience too quickly with your ugly defeat, now would we?”

Alex refused to let himself be baited, calmly walking toward the leftmost of three rings inscribed upon the ground, as did his opponent, kitted as he was in a white cultivation uniform that looked both sturdy and otherwise completely unremarkable, for all that Alex could easily sense the Silver tier protective wards surrounding it plain as day.

Alex smirked at the man, not bothered by what he understood to be cheating, or stacking the odds, at all. If anything, he welcomed the chance to hone his skills that much more against the near seven foot giant of a man.

The official then bowed and made his way off the field as another announcer dressed in black and white robes with a crimson sash stepped forward, using Qi projection to assure that his voice could be heard by everyone. “Lords and ladies, distinguished cultivators, and honored guests of the academy. Welcome to the first bout of the day! Our first six contenders will now show us whether or not they have what it takes to bring honor to the most prestigious academy in all of CuiJing Province! Honored contestants… begin!”

“My name is Fung. Remember it, worm, for I’m the last man you’ll ever face!” Declared the giant smacking his fists together, sneering Alex’s way.

Quickness check failed! You have been caught by surprise!

A stunned Alex ignored the furious throbbing in his chest, gazing at the smirking Silver Giant laughing at him as he tumbled through the air.

You have been struck by Adderstrike! You have failed to detect this internal Qi technique! You are unable to spot elemental signature!

Draconic blood and Tier 2 Gold Vitality significantly mitigates damage.

Prismatic Bones remain fully intact!

The crown gasped in surprise at how quickly and utterly Alex had been slammed from the ring. Even Hao Chan turned his way with a surprise gasp, which almost cost her everything.

“Look out!” He screamed to his girl in his mind even as he allowed himself to crash to the ground, turning what would have been a crippling fall for a mortal into a controlled tumble and springing back to his feet.

He ignored the shock look Fung was sending his way, his eyes only on Hao Chan as she stumbled back with an oof when her opponent slammed his fist into her hip. Right before the man’s eyes widened with surprise when Hao Chan rolled with the blow, clamping his arm while doing so, and using her exquisitely powerful legs to send him catapulting through the air.

“You have til the count of five to get back in the ring, Ruidian, otherwise you forfeit!” The ringmaster shouted, glaring at Alex who’s cheeks flushed, feeling like a fool yet feeling fiercely proud of his girl as she sprang back to her feet, traded hard smiles with him, and was all cold killing eye when her own opponent scrabbled upright and charged her.

But Alex could spend no more time worrying about her when an increasingly incredulous Fung roared and charged Alex the moment he dared step back in the large chalked demarcation of their dueling ring.

And Alex couldn’t deny that his heart was racing with excitement even as he braced himself for explosive pain, desperate to see if he could learn to spot and counter the Internal Qi techniques with his own elevated Golden Swan technique.

Much to his dismay, it was far harder than it looked.

You have failed to counter Internal Qi techniques! Multiple strikes have caused you 2 medium wounds.

Find Weakness skillcheck made: You sense the weakness in your opponent’s stance!

Soul Sight skillcheck failed! (You sense five lives lived free of exceptional virtue or sin.)

You have failed to counter Internal Qi techniques!

Alex groaned and forced himself to his feet yet again, amused to find himself actually feeling dizzy and spitting out blood as Fung gazed at him with slackjawed disbelief and the crowd either roared with excitement, or outrage.

“No. There is no way you should be standing. I’ve killed greater Spirit Beasts with those blows!”

Alex chuckled softly as the announcer winced. “Careful. You don’t want to give away that you’re actually using Qi techniques on the first day. That should get you disqualified.”

The man paled, clenching his jaw. “You know nothing! I dare you to accuse me of cycling any elemental Qi at all!”

Alex smirked, shaking out his aching wrists as the crown grew restless, demanding they fight once more as they continued circling each other. “Now I know how it feels from the other side.”

The man blanched. “No. There is no way you could understand the threat I pose to you!”

Alex rolled his eyes. “Sure. Keep telling yourself that. Now where were we? I believe you have some more pointers to show me, kungfu brother.”

His opponent glared at Alex for several long seconds before cracking a hard smile. “You’re a good sport, Ruidian. And a hell of a lot tougher than you look. It’s good that I’m not underestimating you.”

Alex smirked. “It is. Now less talking. More fighting.”

He then embraced an exercise in pain, discipline, and perseverance that only paid off once, when he actually managed to embrace Silver Wing in time to not just parry the attack, but to bend space itself around the blow, Fung’s eyes actually widening when his over-extended arm was half a foot past Alex, his whole body wrenched and off balance.

Yet before anyone could hiss or cry foul, though all Alex saw was either confusion, surprise, or boredom, he had already stepped back, declining to take advantage of his opening.

He glared at the announcer, daring the man to say anything about his Qi infused counter after Alex had been forced to counter a full score of Adderstrikes.

The man flushed, wisely not saying a word.

Alex turned back to Fung. “Shall we?”

He then frowned, catching the man’s sudden stumble belatedly realizing that Fung had, in fact, completely drained his Qi reserves in an attempt to bring Alex down and was now paying the price for it.

The clearly exhausted man gazed at Alex for long seconds, slammed down his token, and left the arena without saying a word.

Alex was surprised to find himself feeling embarrassed as the whole crowd went silent before his eyes turned to the one other fight that mattered to him, feeling anxiety and excitement in equal measure as a beaming Hao Chan taunted her opponent with a dancers grace, once coming so close to being snatched up by massive hands eager to break and rend that it was all Alex could do to hold himself back, knowing he dare not interfere, before hollering with excitement and relief, along with half the crowd, it seemed, when his beloved chose that moment to whip her her legs under the lumbering giant so desperately roaring and chasing her, sending the poor brute crashing to the ground.

She flowed into a bow for the appreciative audience, her back to the glaring giant now snarling and struggling back to his feet… before she whipped about so fast the man didn’t even have time to blink before the sound of his jaw cracking against her heel could be heard throughout the arena as the man’s eyes rolled to the back of his head and he crashed to the ground, spurting blood from the ragged remains of his now mangled face.

And if the crowd was momentarily shocked by the splash of crimson, their roars only intensified as their new favorite goddess of the ring favored them all with her warmest smile, not even glancing at the comatose giant two men in yellow robes were quickly placing between a bamboo stretcher before hurrying off.

The third fight was still ongoing, so Hao Chan turned to trade congratulatory bows with Alex, flashing a wicked grin.

“Nothing’s quite so sweet as the taste of victory, hey, hero?”

Alex smirked. “Speak for yourself! I got pummeled half to death by my favorite technique!”

Hao Chan’s eyes widened. “And Golden Swan couldn’t counter it?”

Alex grinned. “One time out of twenty. Why do you think Adderstrike is Best Strike?”

Even if its strength was speed and a momentary burst of power, it was extremely draining, and quickly, for any warrior who hadn’t developed insane Qi Pool like he had. And the man had been a deadly combination of Silver Tier 1 Strength, Quickness, and Adderstrike. But what imipressed Alex the most was that the man had been savvy enough not only to try to take Alex out as fast and hard as he could, but to leave immediately when he was tapped, before he risked serious injury against an opponent who hadn’t shattered before his blows.

Alex shook his head. He couldn’t help but wonder just how far Fung would have risen in the ranks, if he hadn’t had the misfortune to be put against Alex in the very first round.