The moment the man moved, the air tightened.
Not like before.
Sharper.
Focused.
Xu Tian's eyes locked onto him.
Everything slowed.
The man's movement was clean.
Efficient.
No wasted motion.
He closed the distance instantly.
Xu Tian shifted.
The first strike passed close.
Too close.
"…Faster," he thought.
The second came immediately.
No pause.
Xu Tian stepped back this time.
The force behind the strike brushed past him.
The air distorted.
Not just strength.
Technique.
Xu Tian narrowed his eyes.
"…So this is a real cultivator."
The man didn't speak.
He pressed forward.
Each movement calculated.
Each strike aimed.
Xu Tian adjusted.
Step.
Turn.
Avoid.
But this time, it wasn't easy.
The pressure didn't let him relax.
The man changed direction mid-strike.
Xu Tian reacted late.
The impact hit his side.
Not full.
But enough.
He slid back a step.
The ground held.
But the difference was clear.
Xu Tian steadied himself.
"…Better," he said quietly.
The man stopped for a brief moment.
Studying him.
"…You can take a hit," he said.
Xu Tian didn't respond.
His focus sharpened.
The energy inside him moved again.
Not sudden.
Not wild.
It settled.
Clear.
Controlled.
Xu Tian stepped forward.
This time, he didn't wait.
He closed the distance.
Fast.
The man reacted.
Their strikes met.
A sharp sound echoed.
Neither moved.
For a moment.
Then both stepped back.
The air between them grew tense.
The people watching stayed far away.
Silent.
Xu Tian exhaled slowly.
"…Not impossible," he thought.
The man's expression had changed.
No longer calm.
More serious.
"…You improved," he said.
Xu Tian didn't answer.
He stepped forward again.
This time, his movement was smoother.
More precise.
The man attacked.
Xu Tian didn't retreat.
He moved into it.
His arm struck.
The energy followed.
The impact landed.
The man's body shifted slightly.
Not pushed back.
But affected.
His eyes flickered.
That was enough.
Xu Tian pressed forward.
Again.
And again.
The pressure shifted.
No longer one-sided.
The man adjusted.
Blocking.
Redirecting.
But he was no longer in control.
Xu Tian's movements grew sharper.
Faster.
Each step more certain.
The energy inside him flowed naturally now.
Not forced.
Not unstable.
His next strike landed cleanly.
The man stepped back.
One step.
Then another.
Silence fell again.
Both stood still.
Watching each other.
The difference was clear now.
Xu Tian lowered his arm slightly.
"…You're not the only one who can improve," he said.
The man didn't smile this time.
He understood.
The balance had changed.
And the fight was no longer in his favor.