The Enemy creature did not rush.
It watched.
Every movement.
Every shift.
Xu Tian stood still.
But his focus sharpened further.
"…It's different."
Not like the others.
Not driven by instinct alone.
This one-
Observed.
The creature stepped forward.
Slow.
Measured.
Its glowing eyes locked onto him.
Then-
It moved.
Fast.
A direct strike.
Xu Tian reacted.
Their arms collided.
A sharp impact echoed.
The force pushed outward.
This time-
Xu Tian stepped back.
One step.
The difference was clear.
The creature didn't stop.
It followed immediately.
Another strike.
Then another.
Each one sharper.
More precise.
Xu Tian adjusted.
Block.
Turn.
Redirect.
But the pressure increased.
"…It's learning mid-fight."
The next attack came.
Xu Tian stepped forward.
Into it.
Their strikes collided.
A stronger impact echoed.
Xu Tian held his ground.
This time-
He didn't move.
The creature paused.
Just slightly.
Then adjusted.
Its next movement changed.
Different angle.
Different timing.
Xu Tian reacted-
Late.
The strike brushed past him.
His sleeve tore slightly.
Not deep.
But close.
Too close.
"…Faster adaptation."
Xu Tian's eyes narrowed.
The energy inside him moved.
Clear.
Responsive.
He stepped forward.
This time-
He attacked first.
A direct strike.
The creature reacted.
Blocked.
But its stance shifted.
Xu Tian saw it.
And pressed forward.
Another strike.
Then another.
The creature stepped back.
One step.
Then two.
Its movements tightened.
More defensive.
Xu Tian didn't stop.
He closed the distance.
The creature countered.
Fast.
Precise.
Xu Tian turned.
Blocked.
Then-
Countered.
The impact landed.
A crack formed across the creature's arm.
But it didn't retreat.
Instead-
It adjusted.
Its stance lowered.
Its movements changed again.
"…It's improving."
The next exchange came.
Faster.
Sharper.
More controlled.
Xu Tian moved.
Step.
Turn.
Block.
Counter.
But the margin was smaller now.
Each mistake-
More dangerous.
The creature attacked again.
A sequence.
Two strikes.
Then a third-
That changed direction mid-motion.
Xu Tian reacted.
Barely.
The impact hit his shoulder.
Not clean.
But enough.
His body shifted.
Half a step.
The difference returned.
The creature pressed forward.
Relentless.
Xu Tian steadied himself.
His breathing slowed.
His focus deepened.
"…Good."
This was what he needed.
Not predictable.
Not controlled.
Real pressure.
The energy inside him surged.
Not outward.
Inward.
Condensing.
Aligning.
The next attack came.
Xu Tian stepped forward.
Not back.
Their strikes collided.
A loud impact echoed.
This time-
Xu Tian didn't move.
The creature paused.
Its eyes flickered.
Just slightly.
Xu Tian saw it.
"…You're not perfect."
He moved.
Faster.
Cleaner.
His strike landed.
The creature staggered back.
One step.
Then another.
Cracks spread further across its body.
Xu Tian pressed forward.
Another strike.
Then another.
The creature blocked.
But its stance weakened.
The balance shifted.
For the first time-
Clearly.
Xu Tian controlled the flow.
The creature reacted.
Trying to adjust again.
But slower now.
Xu Tian didn't give it time.
He stepped in.
Closing the distance completely.
His next strike-
Landed cleanly.
A deep crack spread across the creature's core.
It froze.
For a moment.
Its body stiffened.
Then-
It moved again.
Desperate.
Unstable.
Its final attack came.
Fast.
But not controlled.
Xu Tian stepped inside it.
His movement precise.
His strike-
Final.
The impact echoed sharply.
The creature's body shattered.
Breaking apart.
Falling to the ground.
Silence returned.
The wind passed.
Cold.
Sharp.
Xu Tian stood still.
Watching.
"…So even that can be overcome."
He exhaled slowly.
The energy inside him settled.
Stronger.
Clearer.
More stable.
He adjusted the children in his arms.
The boy remained asleep.
The girl's grip relaxed slightly.
Xu Tian looked ahead.
The open land stretched further.
Uncertain.
Dangerous.
But now-
He understood something new.
Not just strength mattered.
But adaptation.
And if his enemies could learn-
Then he would learn faster.
Xu Tian stepped forward again.
Without hesitation.
Because this world-
Would not wait for him to be ready.