The arena had become unrecognizable.
Cracks spread like spiderwebs across the ground. The sky above remained fractured, dark clouds swirling around the point where the Enforcer had descended.
And at the center of it all—
Stood a being no one could ignore.
The Enforcer.
His presence alone distorted the air. Every breath felt heavy, every movement slowed under the crushing pressure he radiated.
Yet…
They still stepped forward.
Jiang Chen.
Lin Xue.
Zhou Yan.
Chen Yu.
Han Wei.
And several others within the Top 30.
For the first time—
Rivals stood side by side.
"This is insane…" Chen Yu muttered, fists tightening. "We're really doing this?"
Han Wei smirked.
"What? You scared?"
Chen Yu snorted.
"Only of losing before I get stronger."
Zhou Yan's voice cut through the tension.
"Focus."
His eyes never left the Enforcer.
"One mistake… and we die."
Lin Xue raised her hand slowly.
Frost began to spread again—but this time, it wasn't uncontrolled.
It was directed.
Contained.
"I'll restrict his movement," she said calmly.
"Don't try to overpower him. We create openings."
Jiang Chen glanced at her.
A brief nod.
So this is what it means… to fight with others.
The system pulsed:
[Team Combat Mode Active]
[Allied Units Detected: 7]
[Combat Efficiency Bonus Applied]
The Enforcer watched them.
Unmoved.
Unimpressed.
"Cooperation detected," he said flatly.
"Threat level… slightly increased."
Then—
He stepped forward.
The ground shattered.
"NOW!" Zhou Yan shouted.
They moved.
Lin Xue struck first.
Her hands swept outward—
Frost Domain — Partial Manifestation!
Ice surged across the battlefield, locking onto the Enforcer's legs, slowing his movement—if only slightly.
Han Wei followed.
A burst of explosive qi detonated from his fists as he charged head-on.
"Let's see you handle THIS!"
BOOM!
The Enforcer raised one hand.
Blocked.
Effortlessly.
Han Wei's eyes widened.
"…You've got to be kidding me—"
Zhou Yan appeared beside him instantly.
"Move!"
A precise strike aimed at the Enforcer's arm joint—
Clang!
It landed—
But barely left a mark.
Chen Yu roared, joining in.
His fists slammed into the Enforcer's side with raw force.
The arena trembled.
But the Enforcer didn't move.
"…Insufficient," he said.
And then—
He retaliated.
A single wave of dark energy exploded outward.
BOOM!!!
Everyone was blown back.
Chen Yu crashed hard into the ground.
Han Wei skidded across the arena.
Lin Xue's domain shattered instantly.
Jiang Chen barely held his ground, golden qi flaring wildly.
This gap…
It's too big.
The system pulsed violently:
[Allied Combat Ineffective]
[Damage Output: Insufficient]
[Survival Probability: 8%]
Zhou Yan stood again, breathing heavier now.
"…We can't win like this."
Lin Xue wiped blood from her lip.
"…No. But we can stall."
Jiang Chen's eyes sharpened.
Stall…?
"For what?" Chen Yu shouted.
No one answered.
But above—
Someone moved.
Luo Tian stepped forward.
For the first time—
He descended.
The moment his feet touched the arena—
The air changed.
Not heavier.
Sharper.
More controlled.
Even the Enforcer paused.
"…New entity detected," he said.
Luo Tian's gaze was calm.
Unshaken.
"You've made enough noise," he said quietly.
Jiang Chen's eyes narrowed.
So he finally steps in…
The system reacted instantly:
[Primary Rival Engaged: Luo Tian]
[Threat Level: Unknown]
Luo Tian didn't look at Jiang Chen.
Not yet.
His eyes were on the Enforcer.
"You don't belong here," Luo Tian said.
The Enforcer tilted his head slightly.
"Obstacle detected."
And then—
They moved.
BOOM!!!
Their clash tore through the arena like a natural disaster.
Shockwaves exploded outward, forcing everyone else back.
Jiang Chen's eyes widened.
This level…
This is completely different.
Luo Tian's movements were flawless.
No wasted energy.
No unnecessary motion.
Every strike…
Perfect.
The Enforcer countered with overwhelming force—
But for the first time—
He was being pushed back.
"…Impossible," Zhou Yan whispered.
Lin Xue's eyes locked onto the battlefield.
"…No."
"…That's Luo Tian's true strength."
Jiang Chen clenched his fists.
Golden qi flickering violently.
So this is the gap between us…
The system pulsed again:
[Extreme Combat Observation Mode Active]
[Learning Opportunity: High-Level Techniques]
Jiang Chen forced himself to watch.
To analyze.
To understand.
Because this fight—
Was no longer just about survival.
It was a glimpse…
Of what he needed to surpass.
Another explosion shook the arena.
Luo Tian stood firm.
The Enforcer stepped back—
For the first time.
Silence fell.
Then—
The Enforcer spoke.
"…New priority target identified."
His gaze shifted.
From Luo Tian…
To Jiang Chen.
"…Primary anomaly confirmed."
Jiang Chen's heart pounded.
Me…?
The system screamed:
[CRITICAL THREAT LOCKED]
Luo Tian's eyes flickered slightly.
"…So that's your goal."
The Enforcer raised his hand.
Dark energy gathered—
Denser than before.
More dangerous.
"Then I will eliminate you first."
The arena trembled.
Jiang Chen stepped forward.
Golden qi rising.
This time—
Not backing down.
Not hesitating.
"Then try."