The shift did not slow.
It accelerated.
The moment Xu Tian took control-
He didn't let go.
The man he had just struck staggered back.
Two steps.
Unstable.
That was enough.
Xu Tian moved.
Closing the distance instantly.
His next strike landed cleanly.
A direct impact.
The man's body bent slightly.
Then he was forced back again.
This time-
He didn't recover immediately.
The formation broke.
Not slightly.
Completely.
"…One down," Xu Tian thought.
The others reacted.
Faster.
More aggressive.
The man on the left attacked.
A sharp strike.
Xu Tian turned.
Blocked.
Redirected.
Then-
Countered.
The impact landed.
The man's stance shifted.
Xu Tian stepped forward again.
Not giving space.
Another strike.
Then another.
The man tried to block.
But his balance was already unstable.
He was pushed back.
One step.
Then another.
The pressure built.
The third attacker moved.
Trying to interrupt.
Xu Tian felt it.
He turned sharply.
His arm rose.
Blocked.
The impact landed.
Heavy.
But Xu Tian didn't retreat.
He stepped into it.
His counter came immediately.
Fast.
Precise.
The strike landed against the attacker's chest.
A dull sound echoed.
The man staggered back.
His breathing broke.
"…Two losing control."
Xu Tian moved again.
The fourth attacker came from behind.
Xu Tian didn't turn fully.
He shifted slightly.
Avoided.
Then struck backward.
The impact connected.
The man stumbled.
Not far.
But enough.
The rhythm was gone.
Completely gone.
The front man stepped forward again.
Faster.
Stronger.
Trying to regain control.
"Hold him!" he said.
But it was too late.
Xu Tian had already taken the flow.
The next exchange came.
The man attacked.
Xu Tian stepped forward.
Their arms collided.
A sharp impact echoed.
But this time-
The difference was clear.
The man's stance broke.
Xu Tian's did not.
Xu Tian moved.
Another strike.
Then another.
The man blocked.
But each impact pushed him back.
Step by step.
The narrow path filled with movement.
Dust.
Sound.
Force.
Xu Tian didn't stop.
He pressed forward.
Relentless.
The man's expression changed.
"…How?"
Xu Tian didn't answer.
Because the answer didn't matter.
Only the result did.
The man attacked again.
Desperate now.
Faster.
Less controlled.
Xu Tian stepped inside it.
His strike landed.
Clean.
The man staggered back.
Three steps.
Then-
He stopped.
Barely steady.
Silence fell for a brief moment.
The others hesitated.
That hesitation-
Was everything.
Xu Tian moved.
His next strike landed on the nearest opponent.
The man couldn't react in time.
He was pushed back hard.
His footing broke.
He nearly fell.
Xu Tian turned again.
The third attacker tried to strike.
Xu Tian blocked.
Then countered.
The impact sent him back.
The formation-
No longer existed.
Now it was four individuals.
Uncoordinated.
Unstable.
Xu Tian stepped forward.
Slow.
Controlled.
The pressure reversed.
"…Now you understand," he thought.
The front man exhaled sharply.
His breathing uneven now.
His gaze locked onto Xu Tian.
"…We underestimated you."
Xu Tian didn't deny it.
He didn't respond at all.
The silence was enough.
The man hesitated.
Just slightly.
Then stepped back.
One step.
Then another.
The others followed.
Not running.
But no longer advancing.
The intent had changed.
The fight-
Was over.
Xu Tian didn't chase.
He didn't need to.
He stood there.
Watching.
Until they stopped completely.
"…This isn't finished," the front man said.
Xu Tian's voice remained calm.
"It doesn't need to be."
The man's eyes narrowed.
Then he turned.
The others followed.
They left.
Without looking back.
The narrow path grew quiet again.
The tension faded slowly.
Xu Tian remained still for a moment longer.
Listening.
Feeling.
Making sure.
Then-
He relaxed slightly.
The energy inside him settled.
Calm.
Controlled.
Stronger.
He adjusted the children in his arms.
The boy still slept.
Unaware of everything.
The girl looked up at him briefly.
Then relaxed again.
Xu Tian looked ahead.
The path forward remained the same.
Narrow.
Uncertain.
But now-
Clear.
Because this place had tested him.
And he had answered.
Without hesitation.
Without retreat.
Xu Tian stepped forward again.
Continuing down the path.
Because now-
There was no reason to stop.