The square was silent.
No one dared move.
Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
The defeated commander still lay on the cracked stone ground, struggling to sit up. Her earlier arrogance had vanished, replaced by shock and frustration.
But no one was looking at her anymore.
All eyes were on the old man.
Elder Han.
His presence was different.
Not loud.
Not explosive.
But heavy.
Like a mountain that didn't need to move to crush you.
The system panel flickered into existence.
[DING!]
Peak Commander detected.
Name: Elder Han
Origin: Capital Hunter Division
Threat Level: Critical
Survival probability:
Direct clash — 37%
I smiled faintly.
"Better odds than before," I muttered.
Elder Han stepped forward slowly.
Each step felt deliberate.
Measured.
Like he was weighing the ground itself.
"You grow quickly," he said calmly.
"Too quickly."
I didn't respond.
"There are only two kinds of people who rise this fast," he continued.
"Geniuses… and disasters."
He stopped ten meters away.
"Which one are you?"
I met his gaze.
"That depends," I said.
"On who's asking."
The corner of his lips twitched.
Not quite a smile.
The system pulsed.
[DING!]
Capital Trial Phase: Final Test.
Victory rewards:
– Major reputation surge
– System evolution progress +15%
– Unique skill unlock chance
Failure consequences:
– Capital hostility increased
– City authority destabilized
I stepped forward.
"Are we talking," I asked,
"or fighting?"
Elder Han raised his hand.
The air around him warped.
"Fighting," he said.
He moved.
Faster than expected.
My eyes barely tracked him before his palm appeared in front of my chest.
Impact.
The ground shattered.
I was thrown backward, sliding across the square.
Pain flared through my ribs.
Real damage.
Real pressure.
The system chimed.
[DING!]
Peak Commander impact detected.
Adaptive Growth Overdrive activated.
Power increasing…
I stood slowly.
Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth.
I wiped it away.
Then smiled.
"Good," I said.
Elder Han's eyes sharpened.
"You're smiling?"
I vanished.
Shadow Step.
I reappeared behind him, fist already swinging.
He turned.
Too fast.
Our blows collided.
Shockwaves tore across the square.
Stone cracked.
Buildings trembled.
The two other hunters stepped back instinctively.
This was beyond their level.
Elder Han's strikes were precise.
No wasted movement.
No wild swings.
Every attack aimed at a vital point.
I dodged.
Blocked.
Countered.
But each exchange pushed me harder.
Faster.
Stronger.
The system pulsed repeatedly.
[DING!]
High-pressure combat detected.
Growth acceleration active.
Power +6
Power +9
Power +12
Heat surged through my body.
My aura thickened.
Elder Han's eyes narrowed.
"You really do grow mid-battle," he murmured.
He raised his hand.
Energy gathered around it.
Dense.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
"This ends now," he said.
The system flashed red.
[DING!]
Lethal attack detected.
Peak Commander finishing strike.
Extreme Domination condition available.
Success probability: 39%
Accept risk?
I smiled.
"Yes."
Elder Han's palm descended.
The air screamed.
I stepped forward.
Not back.
Forward.
Our attacks collided.
The square exploded.
Dust and debris filled the air.
Silence followed.
When the dust settled—
Elder Han had taken three steps back.
His sleeve was torn.
Blood dripped from his knuckles.
For the first time—
He looked surprised.
I stood across from him.
Breathing heavily.
But still standing.
The system chimed.
[DING!]
Extreme Domination successful.
Power surge complete.
Power +28.
My aura flared.
Stronger.
Sharper.
Closer to the next threshold.
Elder Han studied me quietly.
Then—
He lowered his hand.
The pressure vanished.
The square fell silent again.
"Enough," he said.
The two other hunters blinked in confusion.
"Elder?" the woman asked.
He shook his head.
"This one isn't a disaster," he said.
His eyes met mine.
"He's a storm."
He turned away.
"The trial is complete."
The system pulsed.
[DING!]
Capital Trial: Passed.
Rewards granted.
Reputation surge: Massive.
System evolution progress: +15%.
External hostility reduced.
I exhaled slowly.
So that was their test.
Elder Han paused before leaving the square.
"Zhang Wei," he said without turning,
"the capital won't ignore you forever."
"I'm counting on it," I replied.
He chuckled softly.
"Good answer."
Then the three hunters walked away.
The square slowly filled again.
Citizens peeked out from alleys.
Cultivators returned to the streets.
Kang Yu approached, eyes wide.
"You… forced Elder Han back," he said.
"Not back," I replied.
"Just enough."
The system pulsed one last time.
[DING!]
Major external trial completed.
Blackstone status: Recognized territory.
Next Arc Initiated:
Regional Conquest Phase.
Primary Objective:
Expand influence beyond city borders.
Reward potential:
Legendary.
I looked toward the distant horizon.
Beyond the walls.
Beyond Blackstone.
A bigger battlefield waited.
And this time—
The capital knew my name.