The next day—
After attending his classes, Lu Tianming went to have lunch with Xiao Ling. Compared to the previous day, the atmosphere was quiet and peaceful, allowing them to eat without disturbance.
Once he finished his meal, Lu Tianming did not linger and headed straight for the playground.
When he arrived, Tie Xiong was already there, waiting.
"Oh? You came earlier than yesterday. Good." Tie Xiong said, looking at him with a faint smile.
"It couldn't be helped," Lu Tianming replied with a slightly embarrassed smile. "I was too excited and came early. But I don't think I'm too early."
"Hm." Tie Xiong nodded after hearing this. "Since you're here, let's head to the place I mentioned yesterday."
His expression turned serious.
"Alright. I'm ready, Senior Brother." Lu Tianming responded, his gaze firm as he clenched his fists.
"Good. Follow me—and try to keep up."
As soon as the words fell, Tie Xiong suddenly rushed forward.
At first, Lu Tianming was momentarily confused by his actions. However, he quickly reacted, realizing this was likely a test—a test of his endurance and resolve.
Without hesitation, he burst into a sprint, chasing after Tie Xiong and refusing to fall behind.
While running, Tie Xiong glanced back and noticed Lu Tianming rapidly closing the distance. A faint smile flashed across his face as he slightly increased his speed, instantly widening the gap.
Refusing to fall behind, Lu Tianming clenched his teeth and also accelerated.
Time and again, just as he was about to catch up, Tie Xiong would speed up once more, forcing Lu Tianming to lag behind again. The gap never grew too large, yet it never truly closed either.
They soon passed through the academy's main gate and headed toward a secluded alley.
Completely focused on chasing Tie Xiong, Lu Tianming failed to notice something unusual—there were no people around. The bustling noise of the academy had long since vanished, replaced by an eerie silence.
Still, Tie Xiong did not slow down. He led Lu Tianming deeper into the alley, straight toward what appeared to be a dead end.
A tall wall soon rose before them.
Tie Xiong came to a sudden stop.
Lu Tianming hurriedly halted as well, bending slightly as he gasped for breath.
"Senior… Brother," he asked between ragged breaths, "have we reached our destination?"
"Yes," Tie Xiong replied calmly. "We've arrived."
"Huh… finally…" Lu Tianming let out a long breath of relief. But when he lifted his head, his expression froze.
They were standing at the dead end of a narrow alley.
However, before Lu Tianming could ask why they had come to this dead end, a sudden, heavy punch slammed into his lower abdomen.
"Guh—!"
His breath was knocked out instantly. His body folded forward as a sharp pain exploded through him, forcing a groan from his throat. He clutched his stomach, struggling to remain standing.
It was difficult to lift his head—but he already knew who had attacked him.
"Heh… how naïve can you be, Junior Brother?"
Tie Xiong's voice sounded above him, carrying a cold, mocking tone Lu Tianming had never heard before.
With great effort, Lu Tianming raised his head.
Tie Xiong was smiling—but it was no longer the warm, casual smile he was familiar with. What replaced it was something twisted and cruel.
"Why…?" Lu Tianming asked hoarsely. "Why did you attack me?"
His mind was in chaos. In his memories, Tie Xiong had always been a good senior—patient, friendly, even dependable. Someone like him shouldn't be capable of this.
So why?
"Haha, why?" Tie Xiong laughed softly, as if amused by the question. Then, with that same cruel smile, he answered,
"Isn't it obvious? Fine, I'll tell you."
His eyes narrowed.
"It's because I'm jealous of you—of your talent."
"Just because of that?" Lu Tianming asked, disbelief filling his voice.
He found it difficult to accept. His talent was far from extraordinary—certainly not something worthy of such hostility. Yet the one standing before him was the very senior brother he had trusted.
Tie Xiong's expression darkened.
"Just because of that?" he repeated, his voice turning sharp. "Do you think that reason isn't enough?"
His smile vanished, replaced by barely restrained fury.
"For me, it was more than enough."
His eyes burned with bitterness.
"Can you even imagine how hard I trained? How many years I spent cultivating just to gain the elders' recognition?" His voice trembled with suppressed rage. "And you… you had barely entered the academy when you already caught their attention."
Lu Tianming's pupils contracted.
"Unfair?" Tie Xiong let out a cold laugh. "Tell me, isn't that unfair?"
He took a slow step forward.
"I struggled for years, yet only received a sliver of acknowledgment. But you—someone who hasn't even trained for a full year—were already viewed differently."
His voice grew colder.
"They even considered making you the heir to their legacy."
Tie Xiong's lips curled into a mocking smile.
"How laughable."
Lu Tianming's mind reeled.
"What… what are you talking about?" he asked, stunned.
Countless thoughts flashed through his head.
How does he know anything about this?
Did he discover my secret?
No… that's impossible…
The mysterious encounter during his Martial Soul Awakening was something he had never revealed to anyone. Not Xiao Ling, not the teachers—no one.
Then how?
For a brief moment, unease crept into his heart.
Tie Xiong, however, only sneered.
"Oh? So, you truly don't know." His voice carried naked contempt. "But it doesn't matter."
His gaze turned icy.
"There's no need to explain anything to someone who's about to die."
With that, Tie Xiong suddenly lashed out with a kick.
Lu Tianming's instincts screamed. Though his body still ached from the earlier strike, the short rest had allowed him to recover slightly. He rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack.
But the alley was too narrow.
"Bang!"
His shoulder collided heavily with the wall.
A sharp pain shot through his body.
Lu Tianming couldn't suppress a groan.
"Oh? You dodged that one." Tie Xiong sneered. "Let's see if you can dodge this."
Before Lu Tianming could fully steady himself, Tie Xiong's leg swept forward once more, carrying far greater force than before.
This time, there was no room to evade.
Lu Tianming's eyes tightened. Acting purely on instinct, he crossed both arms in front of his chest.
Thump!
The kick struck with heavy force, landing squarely against his guard.
A sharp jolt surged through his arms, the impact forcing him several steps backward.
"Argh—!"
Pain shot through his limbs, causing his entire body to tremble. His muscles screamed in protest, yet he barely managed to remain standing.
This was his first time facing such overwhelming pressure.
His thoughts were in disarray.
There was no strategy, no countermeasure — only raw survival instinct. Defend. Endure. Find an opening to escape.
But escape…
Lu Tianming's gaze flickered across the narrow alley.
The walls loomed like a cage.
Against someone vastly stronger — older, more experienced, and possessing far greater soul power — even defending felt like a losing battle.
How long can I endure this…?
That question quietly surfaced in his mind.
And the answer…
Did not seem optimistic.
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