The arena gates opened with a metallic groan, and Lin Hao stepped inside. Dust clung to the air as the silence grew heavy. Rows of spectators watched from raised seats, while officers and instructors observed from a separate command platform above.
He took his position calmly, eyes fixed forward.
Across the field, an instructor gave the signal. "Release the beast."
A gate creaked open on the far side. From the shadows emerged a muscular, quadruped creature. Its limbs moved with eerie silence, and scales overlapped its body in plates of dull silver-blue. Its yellow eyes gleamed—not with instinct, but with awareness.
Moon-Fanged Vorax.
A Level 1 beast, officially.
Yet Lin Hao's instincts flared.
Something wasn't right.
Even the officers above straightened in their seats.
Colonel Zhao furrowed his brow. "That thing's hiding its aura."
Another instructor narrowed his eyes. "It shouldn't be able to do that... not at Level 1."
Down below, Lin Hao shifted slightly, lowering his stance. His breathing slowed.
The Vorax prowled forward, then lunged.
Lin Hao met it mid-charge with Burst Step, appearing at its flank and delivering a sharp Shoulder Strike. A thud rang out—solid, clean.
But the beast didn't fall.
Instead, it twisted and released a roar that rippled through the air, and then—
Its true aura exploded outward.
A crushing wave of pressure radiated from the beast, and its body surged with vitality. Scales thickened. Muscles bulged. Its eyes burned red.
"Level 2," one officer muttered above.
"Instructor! Stop the match!" another barked.
But Lin Hao's voice rang out: "Don't."
Blood ran from a gash on his shoulder, but his stance was firm. His eyes were steady.
The Vorax struck again, claws flashing. Lin Hao dodged with Ghost Shift, countered with a Whirlwind Kick, only to be flung back by the sheer weight of the beast's body.
He crashed into the wall, spit blood, and pushed himself upright.
Another strike came. He blocked it with his forearm, skin tearing, bones creaking.
His vision blurred.
Then—
A break.
A pulse surged from deep within. Muscles tightened. Bones vibrated. A wall inside him shattered like glass.
And the world shifted.
Power flooded his limbs. Every breath came with clarity. Every nerve screamed with kinetic focus.
Iron Body—Stage 2.
The Vorax charged for the final blow.
But Lin Hao was already moving.
His body blurred—Burst Step activated to its peak, his fist glowing faintly with golden energy. He twisted midair, coiling his spine, channeling strength from foot to fist.
Heaven-Crushing Phoenix Ascent.
His uppercut met the beast's jaw with a crack like thunder. The impact launched the Vorax several meters into the air before it slammed into the arena wall and slid to the ground, unconscious.
Silence reigned.
Then, murmurs erupted.
One officer finally stood. "Did he just... break through during the fight?"
Colonel Zhao crossed his arms. "He not only broke through—he kept his composure against a Level 2 beast without a flicker of panic."
Another instructor nodded. "Promising. Very promising."
Lin Hao stood in the center of the arena, chest heaving, blood dripping—but his eyes were sharp, and his presence unmistakable.