The corridor had long since returned to silence.
No more whispers.
No more footsteps gathering outside.
After Chen Yu's departure, the earlier tension seemed to have settled—at least on the surface. Those who had come to watch or test had already learned enough. No one wanted to act rashly anymore.
But Lin Chen knew better.
Silence did not mean safety.
It only meant—
Something stronger was preparing.
Inside the room, he stood near the window, his gaze lowered slightly as he focused inward. The faint flow of energy within his body had grown steadier after the last enhancement. Each movement felt more precise, more controlled, as though his body was gradually catching up to the power he had forced into it.
But even so…
It wasn't enough.
Not for someone like Chen Yu.
Lin Chen had felt it clearly.
That calm presence.
That quiet certainty.
Unlike Zhao Kun, unlike Liu Feng, even unlike the three who attacked together—Chen Yu carried no excess emotion. No wasted movement. No visible flaw.
That kind of opponent was the most dangerous.
Because they didn't need to prove anything.
They simply acted.
A faint sound broke the stillness.
Footsteps.
Only one person.
Slow.
Steady.
No hesitation.
Lin Chen opened his eyes.
Right on time.
The figure stopped at the doorway.
Chen Yu.
Just as before, his expression was calm, almost indifferent. But this time, there was no pause, no observation from afar. He stepped inside without invitation, as if the outcome had already been decided.
"You've improved again," he said, his gaze briefly scanning Lin Chen before settling.
It wasn't a question.
It was a statement.
Lin Chen didn't deny it.
"And you came back anyway," he replied.
Chen Yu's lips curved slightly—not quite a smile, but close. "If someone grows too fast," he said, "it's either an opportunity…"
"Or a problem."
The air grew heavier.
Neither of them moved immediately.
But the tension between them had already formed.
Clear.
Sharp.
Inevitable.
Chen Yu took another step forward.
"This won't be like before," he said calmly. "I won't hold back."
Lin Chen's gaze steadied.
"Good."
No more words were needed.
Chen Yu moved first.
There was no warning.
No visible buildup.
One moment he stood still—
The next, he was already in front of Lin Chen.
Fast.
Not just fast—
Precise.
His strike came in a straight line, clean and controlled, carrying none of the wasted force Zhao Kun had shown. It wasn't overwhelming at first glance—but the deeper pressure behind it was undeniable.
Lin Chen reacted instantly.
He raised his arm to block, shifting his stance to absorb the impact.
The moment their arms collided—
A sharp force traveled through his body.
Stronger.
Far stronger than before.
His feet slid slightly against the ground, the pressure forcing him back half a step.
Chen Yu didn't stop.
His second attack followed immediately, angled differently, aimed to break Lin Chen's balance rather than overpower him directly.
This time, Lin Chen stepped back.
Not retreat—
Adjustment.
He narrowly avoided the strike, but the speed left little room for counterattack.
Chen Yu pressed forward.
Step by step.
No rush.
No pause.
Each movement connected smoothly into the next, forming a continuous chain of pressure. There were no openings, no unnecessary risks.
This was control.
Complete control.
Lin Chen's expression finally changed slightly.
Not fear.
But focus.
Extreme focus.
He began to respond—not by matching force with force, but by reading the rhythm. His movements grew tighter, more efficient, each action aimed at reducing the pressure rather than breaking it outright.
But even so—
He was still being pushed back.
Another exchange.
Another impact.
This time, the force broke through part of his guard, striking his shoulder. Pain spread instantly, sharp and real.
Lin Chen's breathing deepened.
This was different.
Completely different.
For the first time since his rebirth—
He was at a disadvantage.
"You're strong," Chen Yu said calmly as he advanced. "But not enough."
No arrogance.
Just fact.
Lin Chen didn't respond.
Because he knew it too.
At least—
For now.
Another strike came.
Faster.
Sharper.
This one aimed to end the exchange.
In that instant—
Lin Chen made a decision.
Instead of retreating, he stepped forward.
Directly into the attack.
Chen Yu's eyes flickered—just slightly.
Unexpected.
But not enough to stop him.
Their attacks collided.
A heavy impact echoed.
But this time—
Something changed.
Lin Chen didn't get pushed back.
Instead, he held his ground.
Barely.
But enough.
Inside his body, that familiar surge began to rise again.
Hot.
Intense.
On the edge.
His limits—
Were being reached.
And just beyond that—
Something else waited.
Chen Yu noticed it immediately.
"You're forcing it," he said.
Lin Chen's lips curved faintly.
"Of course."
Another exchange.
Faster.
Harder.
The pressure increased again, but this time, Lin Chen didn't retreat as easily. His movements, though still slightly behind, began to catch up. His perception sharpened further, his reactions tightening with every second.
He was adapting.
In real time.
That alone was abnormal.
Chen Yu's gaze grew more focused.
"Interesting."
For the first time—
He increased his speed.
The difference was immediate.
The pressure doubled.
Lin Chen's body trembled slightly under the force, his guard nearly breaking under a rapid sequence of strikes.
One hit slipped through.
Then another.
Pain spread.
But—
He didn't fall.
Instead, he endured.
Because he could feel it clearly now.
That boundary.
Right there.
Just one step away.
His breath slowed.
His focus sharpened to a single point.
And then—
He acted.
Inside—
A silent command.
Upgrade.
The response came instantly.
A surge of power erupted from within, stronger than before, flowing through every part of his body. His muscles tightened, his bones stabilized, and the chaotic pressure he had been enduring suddenly… aligned.
Everything clicked.
At that exact moment—
Chen Yu's next strike arrived.
Fast.
Decisive.
But this time—
Lin Chen moved first.
His arm rose, intercepting the attack cleanly. The impact rang out—but the difference was clear.
He didn't move.
Not even a step.
Chen Yu's eyes narrowed.
Because this time—
Lin Chen was no longer on the defensive.