The deeper region of the forest was different.
It was no longer just dense—it felt heavy.
The air itself seemed to carry pressure, pressing faintly against the body with every breath. Even the sounds of beasts had become scarce, replaced by an unnatural silence that hinted at something far more dangerous lurking within.
Lin Chen walked forward steadily.
After defeating the five disciples, his resources had increased significantly. The faint accumulation within his body continued to grow, stabilizing his strength further.
But he didn't relax.
Because he knew—
That presence from before was still there.
And it was getting closer.
A faint rustle echoed ahead.
Not hurried.
Not concealed.
Just a natural movement, as if the one approaching had no intention of hiding at all.
Lin Chen stopped.
His gaze lifted.
A figure stepped out from between the trees.
Tall. Calm. Composed.
His robe was darker than most outer sect disciples, and his aura carried a weight that immediately distinguished him from everyone Lin Chen had met so far.
Not like the five.
Not even like Han Wei.
This was something else.
"So you're Lin Chen."
The man's voice was calm, almost indifferent.
But his eyes were sharp.
Observing.
Evaluating.
Lin Chen looked at him without speaking.
The man took a few steps forward, his movements unhurried.
"I've heard about you," he continued. "Beating Han Wei… taking down multiple opponents at once."
A faint pause.
"Not bad."
There was no praise in his tone.
Only acknowledgment.
"Name," Lin Chen said.
The man stopped.
Then gave a slight smile.
"Zhou Yan."
The name alone carried weight.
Even in silence, it felt different.
Lin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.
He didn't know the details—
But he understood immediately.
This was someone from a higher circle.
Someone who stood above the outer sect elites.
Zhou Yan's gaze shifted briefly to Lin Chen's hand, where faint traces of energy from recent battles still lingered.
"You've gathered quite a bit," he said.
Then, calmly—
"Leave it."
Silence.
Lin Chen didn't move.
"No."
The answer came just as simply as before.
Zhou Yan didn't react immediately.
Instead, he looked at Lin Chen for a few seconds longer, as if confirming something.
Then he nodded slightly.
"Good."
The word fell lightly.
Then—
He moved.
No warning.
But unlike the others—
There was no explosive speed.
No overwhelming momentum.
Just a single step.
And yet—
The distance between them vanished instantly.
Lin Chen's eyes sharpened.
He raised his arm to block—
Impact.
A dull, heavy force struck him.
Not violent.
Not chaotic.
But absolute.
His body was pushed back.
One step.
Then another.
Before he stabilized.
A faint shock passed through him.
This was different.
Zhou Yan didn't follow up immediately.
He simply stood there, watching.
"Your reaction is good," he said calmly. "But your foundation…"
A slight pause.
"…is lacking."
Lin Chen exhaled slowly.
No anger.
No denial.
Because it was true.
But—
That didn't matter.
He stepped forward.
This time—
He attacked first.
His movement was fast, direct, carrying the momentum he had built through countless fights.
The strike aimed straight for Zhou Yan's center.
Clean.
Precise.
Zhou Yan raised his hand.
Blocked.
Effortlessly.
The impact landed—
But the result—
Didn't change anything.
Zhou Yan didn't move.
Not even slightly.
Lin Chen's eyes narrowed.
This wasn't a gap in strength.
This was a gap in level.
Zhou Yan countered.
A simple motion.
But the moment it came—
Lin Chen felt it.
Danger.
He shifted instantly.
Barely avoiding the strike.
Even so—
A faint shockwave brushed past him, cutting through the air with a sharp pressure.
If that had landed—
Lin Chen didn't finish the thought.
He moved again.
Faster.
More aggressive.
If he couldn't match directly—
He would break the rhythm.
The next exchange intensified instantly.
Lin Chen increased his speed, chaining attacks together, forcing pressure, trying to disrupt Zhou Yan's control.
But—
It didn't work.
Zhou Yan's movements remained steady.
Minimal.
Precise.
Every block was exact.
Every counter calculated.
There was no wasted motion.
No openings.
For the first time since entering the trial—
Lin Chen felt it clearly.
Suppression.
Complete.
A strike slipped through.
Then another.
Pain spread across his body.
His breathing grew heavier.
But his eyes—
Remained calm.
Because he understood.
This was the next wall.
And walls—
Were meant to be broken.
A faint smile appeared.
Zhou Yan noticed.
"…You're still thinking about fighting back?"
Lin Chen stepped forward.
"Yes."
The answer was simple.
But unwavering.
The next moment—
He released everything.
Not restraint.
Not caution.
But intent.
His movements sharpened.
His aura condensed.
His control—
Reached its limit.
He charged.
The collision that followed—
Was violent.
For the first time—
Zhou Yan took half a step back.
Silence fell.
Zhou Yan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Interesting."
This time—
He moved again.
But now—
There was a faint change.
A slight increase in force.
A slight shift in intent.
The real fight—
Was beginning.