The balance did not last.
It broke.
The moment the pressure shifted-
The man moved first.
Fast.
A heavy strike came down.
Xu Tian reacted.
Their arms collided.
A deep impact echoed across the arena.
This time-
The force pushed Xu Tian back.
One step.
Then another.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
The difference was clear.
The man stepped forward again.
No hesitation.
No pause.
Another strike followed.
Then another.
Each one heavier.
Each one faster.
Xu Tian adjusted.
Step.
Turn.
Redirect.
But the pressure increased.
"…He's not holding back anymore," Xu Tian thought.
The man's attacks came continuously.
No gaps.
No wasted movement.
Each strike forced Xu Tian to respond immediately.
The space around him shrank.
The edge of the arena was getting closer.
Xu Tian's eyes sharpened.
"…Too direct."
The pattern was clear.
Strong.
Overwhelming.
But still lacking refinement.
Xu Tian shifted.
He stepped forward.
Into the attack.
Their strikes collided.
A sharp impact echoed.
The force spread outward.
The man paused-
Just slightly.
Xu Tian moved first.
A precise counter.
The impact landed.
The man staggered half a step.
But only half.
Not enough.
The man's expression hardened.
"…You're still standing."
Xu Tian didn't answer.
The man roared.
Then-
His presence surged again.
Stronger than before.
The air around him distorted.
The pressure grew heavier.
Xu Tian felt it clearly.
"…So this is your full strength."
The next attack came.
Faster.
Sharper.
Xu Tian reacted.
Blocked.
But this time-
The impact forced him back again.
Two steps.
His arm felt the weight.
Not pain.
But strain.
The man pressed forward.
Relentless.
Another strike.
Then another.
Xu Tian moved.
Avoided one.
Blocked another.
But the third-
Connected.
A solid hit to his side.
Xu Tian's body shifted.
He stepped back again.
Three steps this time.
The crowd reacted loudly.
The difference widened.
Xu Tian steadied himself.
His breathing remained controlled.
But his focus deepened.
"…Good."
The pressure was real now.
The man didn't stop.
He closed the distance again.
His attacks came faster.
More aggressive.
Xu Tian adjusted.
His movements became tighter.
More precise.
Each motion calculated.
But the margin was shrinking.
The next exchange came.
Their strikes collided again.
Harder.
Sharper.
The force spread outward.
Xu Tian held his ground.
But only barely.
The man pushed again.
Another strike.
Xu Tian blocked.
But his stance shifted.
Just slightly.
The man saw it.
"…You're slowing down."
Xu Tian didn't respond.
But inside-
The energy moved.
Faster.
Clearer.
Closer to the edge.
The next attack came.
Xu Tian stepped forward.
Not back.
Their strikes collided again.
A louder impact echoed.
This time-
Xu Tian didn't move.
He held.
The man's eyes narrowed.
Then-
He pushed harder.
Another strike.
Then another.
Each one heavier.
Xu Tian blocked.
Redirected.
But the pressure increased.
The crowd leaned forward.
Watching closely.
Xu Tian's eyes sharpened.
"…Not enough."
The energy inside him surged.
Not outward.
Inward.
Condensing.
Aligning.
The next moment-
He moved.
Faster.
Cleaner.
His strike landed.
The man staggered back.
One step.
Then two.
The crowd reacted.
Xu Tian didn't stop.
He pressed forward.
Another strike.
Then another.
The man blocked.
But his stance shifted again.
The balance changed.
For a moment-
Xu Tian had control.
But-
The man roared.
His presence exploded outward.
Stronger than before.
The pressure returned.
Heavier.
More oppressive.
Xu Tian felt it immediately.
"…Still not finished."
The man attacked again.
Faster.
Stronger.
Xu Tian reacted.
But this time-
He was forced back.
One step.
Then another.
The difference returned.
The crowd grew louder.
The tension peaked.
Xu Tian steadied himself.
His breathing slowed.
His focus sharpened completely.
Because now-
He could feel it.
That edge again.
Closer than before.
The next strike came.
Xu Tian stepped forward.
Their attacks collided.
A massive impact echoed across the arena.
The force spread outward.
Dust rose.
The ground cracked.
This time-
Both of them slid back.
Equal.
For the first time.
Silence fell.
The man looked at him.
Serious.
Focused.
"…Now this is a fight."
Xu Tian didn't respond.
But his eyes sharpened.
Because this time-
He was no longer being pushed.
He was standing equal.
And the next moment-
Would decide everything.