The Blood Valley was eerily silent the morning after Liang Feng's battle with the assassins. The crimson mist that clung to the jagged peaks seemed to whisper, as if the valley itself acknowledged the rise of a new predator. Liang Feng stood atop a ridge, stretching his wounded muscles, Blood Qi flickering faintly across his skin. The wounds from last night had begun to heal, accelerated by the essence he had absorbed from his enemies.
"Good morning," Master Shen's voice broke the silence. The old man's eyes glimmered with an unusual intensity. "You survived beasts, humans, and poison. But strength is a ladder, and those below are only the first step. Today, you face your first rival cultivator. Unlike the assassins, this one will not fight with blind fury. He will calculate, exploit weaknesses, and strike at the exact moment your guard falters."
Liang Feng's eyes narrowed. He had trained for battle all his life, but cultivators… they were different. Their power was precise, measured, and terrifying. "Who is he?" he asked, fingers tightening around his dagger.
"A young cultivator named Han Yue," Master Shen replied. "He belongs to a minor warlord clan. Skilled, fast, and ruthless. He has been sent to test you. Survival is the only lesson you can take from this encounter. Remember, the Blood Qi is strong, but intelligence and technique often outweigh raw strength."
Liang Feng felt a flicker of excitement. Finally, a real challenge. He had killed beasts and humans before, but a cultivator would test the limits of his power—and of his mind.
The valley shivered as a figure appeared from the mist below. Han Yue moved with unnatural grace, every step measured, his eyes cold and calculating. His blade glimmered with a faint aura, the energy of cultivated Qi swirling like smoke around it. Liang Feng could sense the power radiating from the young man. This was no ordinary foe.
Without a word, Han Yue lunged. The strike was fast, almost imperceptible, aimed directly at Liang Feng's heart. Liang Feng barely twisted aside, feeling the wind of the blade brush past him. His Blood Qi flared instinctively, a crimson storm surrounding him, deflecting the attack and slicing through the mist like a wave of fire.
"You're fast," Han Yue said, smirking, circling him like a predator. "But raw power alone won't save you."
Liang Feng gritted his teeth, letting the Blood Qi flow through his body with precision, enhancing his senses and reflexes. "Then I'll show you raw power!" he shouted, charging. His dagger blazed red with Qi as he struck, but Han Yue sidestepped with unnatural agility, countering with a precise slash that cut through Liang Feng's shoulder. Blood sprayed, and pain shot through him, but he roared and struck again, his blade fueled by the Blood Qi, slicing deep into Han Yue's side.
The cultivator stumbled but recovered quickly, his eyes flashing with anger and respect. "Not bad… but predictable." He lunged again, combining speed and technique, forcing Liang Feng to retreat across the rocky terrain. Each strike was a lesson in precision, each block a test of his control.
Liang Feng's chest burned with pain, blood flowing freely from his wounds, yet his Blood Qi responded. Every drop of blood spilled strengthened him, integrating with his Qi, sharpening his reflexes and power. The red aura around him flared like a raging sun.
"You've grown strong quickly," Han Yue admitted, circling, eyes cold and calculating. "But strength alone won't carry you."
Liang Feng's mind raced. He understood now that this battle was not just about killing—it was about reading his opponent, predicting movements, and exploiting openings. Blood Qi was power, yes—but strategy would determine victory.
Suddenly, Han Yue feinted, creating an opening. Liang Feng countered instinctively, using the momentum of his Blood Qi to twist, block, and strike simultaneously. The clash of steel rang through the valley, sparks flying, blood spraying. Pain and adrenaline merged into a singular focus. He could feel his Blood Qi resonating with the life essence around him—the valley itself seemed alive, feeding his power, guiding his strikes.
With a final, savage roar, Liang Feng unleashed the full force of his Blood Qi. The crimson aura surged violently, blades of energy slicing through the air. Han Yue's eyes widened as the strike connected, cutting across his chest. The cultivator fell back, blood spraying, his aura faltering.
Liang Feng stumbled forward, chest heaving, wounds screaming, but the fire inside him roared. Han Yue glared, but there was respect in his eyes. "You… are not an ordinary boy," he spat, wiping blood from his mouth. "You may survive this valley… but the world beyond… it will be far crueler."
Liang Feng's red-glowing eyes met his. "Then I will grow stronger. I will not falter. Blood will answer blood, and I will rise beyond anyone who stands in my way!"
Master Shen stepped forward from the ridge, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Well done. You have faced your first cultivator and survived. Not just with power, but with cunning and control. Remember this feeling. Every opponent you face will be stronger, faster, and deadlier. But tonight… you have taken the first step toward becoming more than mortal."
Liang Feng lowered his dagger, surveying the valley below. The fight had left him battered, bleeding, yet alive—and hungrier than ever. This was only the beginning. The world beyond Blood Valley was vast, merciless, and filled with enemies who would kill without hesitation. But he had tasted real battle, real power… and he was ready for more.
The Rival Emerges had tested him—and Liang Feng had survived. But the valley whispered a warning: true challenges were yet to come, and only blood, pain, and relentless cultivation could carve a path to power.