The room pulsed with residual energy as Kai steadied himself, his breath ragged but his Qi no longer blocked. His meridians, once constricted and lifeless, now surged with power, as if a dam had finally broken.
The masked figure, his own Qi partially drained, narrowed his eyes. "You…" His voice, smooth and devoid of emotion, carried a hint of irritation. He had meant to extract this boy's essence—but instead, the boy had turned the tables on him.
Kai clenched his fists. I've gotten stronger, but he's still a full level above me… I can't win with raw power.
The masked figure moved first.
A flicker of motion—then he was gone.
Kai's instincts screamed. Right!
He barely dodged as a palm strike tore through the air beside his head.
He's fast!
Before Kai could fully react, the figure's knee shot forward, aiming straight for his ribs.
Kai braced, bringing up his arms—
Impact!
The force sent him skidding back, boots dragging against the wooden floor. The pain jolted through his body, but—he was still standing.
Kai exhaled. I can keep up. My Qi isn't blocked anymore.
The masked figure didn't give him time to recover.
He moved again.
This time, his fingers curled into a claw, striking forward in a technique meant to rupture internal organs with a single touch.
Kai had no time to think—
Eclipsing Palm!
His body moved instinctively, his palm meeting the attack directly.
Boom!
A shockwave rippled through the air as the two forces clashed.
The masked figure staggered slightly, his own force redirected back at him.
His eyes flickered with momentary surprise. This brat…
Kai took the opening—Flowing Shadow Step activated.
He slipped behind the masked figure in an instant, his movement almost unconscious.
A palm strike—aimed at the figure's exposed ribs.
But the masked figure twisted unnaturally mid-air, his leg snapping back in a counter-kick.
Kai barely dodged, the force of the movement sent him off balance.
A mistake.
The masked figure capitalized immediately.
A low sweep kick—Kai's legs were taken out from under him.
Before he hit the ground—
A hand clamped onto his throat.
The masked figure lifted Kai off the floor with one arm, his grip like iron.
Kai gasped, struggling as his feet dangled inches above the ground.
"You are still weak," the figure murmured.
Kai gritted his teeth. His vision blurred, his lungs burned. His Qi surged instinctively, searching for a way out.
The moment of desperation—was when the answer came.
His body reacted.
The Flowing Shadow Step activated again, but this time he let the motion guide him.
Instead of resisting, he flowed with the movement.
His body twisted unnaturally, slipping free of the iron grip.
The masked figure's fingers closed around empty air.
Kai spun mid-fall and lashed out—Eclipsing Palm!
The moment his hand met the masked figure's chest—
Boom!
The force of the redirected energy blasted outward, sending the masked figure flying back.
He crashed against the far wall.
Silence.
Then—a slow chuckle.
The masked figure rose smoothly, dusting off his robe. "That technique of yours…" He tilted his head. "Interesting."
Kai took a deep breath, his stance shifting slightly. He had landed a solid hit—but it still wasn't enough.
He was stronger than before, but his opponent was still on another level.
The masked figure blurred forward once more, moving faster than before. His footwork was precise, his attacks relentless—a predator closing in for the kill.
Kai barely had time to react before a palm strike slammed toward his chest.
Too fast!
Flowing Shadow Step!
Kai twisted, shifting his weight at the last second. The strike barely missed, grazing his robes instead of piercing his torso.
But the masked figure was already adjusting, pivoting mid-motion—
A low sweeping kick aimed for Kai's legs.
Kai leaped back—but not far enough.
The kick clipped his ankle, throwing him off balance.
His opponent capitalized immediately, flickering behind him like a wraith.
Kai barely turned—
A knife-hand strike shot toward his throat.
Kai's instincts screamed—No time to dodge!
Eclipsing Palm!
Kai threw up his arm in desperation—redirecting the force at the last second.
The impact sent him skidding back, but the redirected energy made the masked figure recoil slightly as well.
Kai coughed, gripping his ribs. Damn… even with my counters, I can't keep up with his speed!
The masked figure stared at him coldly, as if assessing his prey's last moments.
"You fight well for your level," he admitted. "But you can't win."
Kai's mind raced. He knew the truth—his enemy was stronger, faster, and more experienced.
How do I beat someone faster than me?
Then it struck him.
Speed was this man's greatest weapon.
What if I used it against him?
Kai's eyes flickered toward the broken remnants of the wardrobe.
He had an idea.
He just needed an opening.