The moment the older man spoke—
The entire hall stilled.
Not gradually.
Not subtly.
Instantly.
Every conversation stopped.
Every movement slowed.
Every presence—
Focused.
Lin Feng didn't move.
Didn't speak.
But his attention sharpened.
"…So this is where it changes."
The man at the center took a single step forward.
Calm.
Unhurried.
But the weight of that step—
Pressed across the entire room.
"Balance," he said,
"is not maintained by words alone."
No one interrupted.
No one questioned.
"It requires proof."
A brief pause.
"And tonight…"
His gaze swept across the hall.
"…we will have it."
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Proof of what?"
The answer came immediately.
"Strength."
A subtle shift passed through the room.
Not excitement.
Not fear.
But expectation.
Then—
The space at the center of the hall changed.
What had seemed like ordinary stone—
Moved.
Lines formed.
Patterns lit faintly beneath the surface.
A circular platform revealed itself.
Not an arena.
But close enough.
Lin Feng smirked.
"…So we're back to this."
Beside him, the man in shadows spoke quietly.
"Not the same."
Lin Feng didn't look at him.
"…I can tell."
Because this wasn't for entertainment.
This was—
A statement.
The older man continued.
"Each faction will present one representative."
A pause.
"No deaths."
Another pause.
Longer.
"Unless necessary."
That last part—
Carried weight.
Lin Feng let out a small breath.
"…Yeah, that sounds about right."
Movement began.
Slow.
Deliberate.
From different parts of the hall—
Figures stepped forward.
Each one chosen.
Each one strong.
Lin Feng watched closely.
One moved like a blade—sharp, precise.
Another carried heavy presence—solid, unshakable.
Another—
Calm.
Too calm.
Different styles.
Different strengths.
But all of them—
Dangerous.
Then—
A familiar figure moved.
Su Yao.
She stepped forward without hesitation.
Without announcement.
And the moment she did—
The atmosphere shifted.
Even the other chosen representatives—
Reacted.
Slightly.
But enough.
Lin Feng's eyes followed her.
"…She's participating."
"Of course she is," the man beside him said.
Lin Feng smirked.
"…Now I'm interested."
Then—
He felt it.
Attention.
From multiple directions.
Not casual.
Not passive.
Focused.
On him.
"…Don't tell me."
The man beside him chuckled softly.
"They're waiting."
"For what?"
"For you."
Lin Feng exhaled slowly.
"…Figures."
Across the hall—
The middle-aged man who brought him here—
Looked at him.
Not commanding.
Not forcing.
Just—
Expecting.
Lin Feng rolled his shoulders slightly.
"…Yeah, alright."
And then—
He stepped forward.
No announcement.
No hesitation.
Just movement.
And the moment he did—
The room acknowledged it.
Not loudly.
But clearly.
"…There it is," someone muttered.
Lin Feng walked toward the platform.
Each step steady.
Each step confident.
Not because he had to.
But because he wanted to.
He stopped at the edge of the circle.
Looking at the others.
Measuring.
Su Yao stood across from him.
Their eyes met.
No words.
But this time—
There was something more.
Not just curiosity.
Expectation.
Lin Feng smiled slightly.
"…Guess we're doing this."
The older man at the center raised his hand slightly.
"Begin."
No countdown.
No signal.
Just—
That.
The moment it ended—
Movement exploded.
Not all at once.
But fast.
Two clashed immediately.
A third moved to intercept another.
And Lin Feng—
Didn't wait.
He stepped forward.
Direct.
Toward the nearest opponent.
A man with a steady stance and focused eyes.
They met in the center.
No words.
Just intent.
The man struck first.
A clean, controlled attack.
Lin Feng met it head-on.
Their fists collided—
A deep, contained impact.
Not loud.
But heavy.
Both of them held for a split second.
Testing.
Measuring.
Then—
They broke apart.
Lin Feng's smile widened.
"…Good."
Because this—
Felt different.
Better.
Real.
Around them—
Other clashes erupted.
But Lin Feng's focus narrowed.
To this one fight.
This one opponent.
And across the platform—
Su Yao moved as well.
Effortless.
Precise.
Already pressing her opponent back.
Lin Feng noticed.
Just briefly.
"…She's serious."
Then—
His opponent attacked again.
Faster.
Stronger.
And this time—
Lin Feng didn't just meet it.
He pushed back.
Harder.
The platform trembled slightly beneath the force.
Control.
Power.
Intent.
Everything sharpened.
Cliffhanger
As the fights intensified—
The air in the hall changed again.
Not from the fighters.
But from above.
A presence.
Watching.
Stronger than all of them.
Lin Feng felt it.
Just for a moment.
His eyes flicked upward slightly.
"…So even this isn't the top."
And for the first time—
He realized—
This fight wasn't just about proving strength.
It was about being seen.
By something far beyond the room.
And that—
Changed everything.