The round of sixteen marked a significant shift in the competition's atmosphere. The remaining competitors were the cream of the Outer Sect crop, mostly Level 6 or 7, with established reputations and signature techniques. The crowds were larger, the supervising Elders watched more intently, and the stakes felt considerably higher.

  Kai drew his opponent: Zhao Feng. A collective murmur went through the nearby spectators. Zhao Feng was widely considered one of the top five Outer Sect disciples, seeded highly in the competition. He was Qi Condensation Level 7, renowned for his family's 'Swift Wind Sword Art', a technique emphasizing blinding speed and relentless attacks. He was favored to reach at least the semi-finals, if not the finals themselves. Facing him now was seen by many as the end of Kai's surprising run.

  Zhao Feng strode onto Arena 1, the main arena directly in front of the Elders' pavilion. He carried himself with an air of quiet confidence, his hand resting on the hilt of a sleek, well-maintained steel sword – a significant step up from the wooden practice weapons most outer disciples used. His eyes, sharp and focused, assessed Kai with cool detachment. He clearly recognized Kai but showed no sign of underestimation, likely having observed Kai's efficient, if unorthodox, victories.

  Kai met his gaze calmly, walking to the center of the platform. His carbon fiber bokken remained sheathed for now. He gave a standard salute. "Disciple Kai greets Senior Brother Zhao."

  Zhao Feng returned the salute curtly. "Zhao Feng. Let this be a good match."

  The supervising Elder, a stern-faced man from the Disciplinary Hall, signaled the start. "Begin!"

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  Instantly, Zhao Feng blurred into motion. His reputation for speed was well-earned. He didn't charge wildly but flowed forward, his steel sword unsheathed in a silver flash, becoming a series of rapid thrusts and slashes aimed at Kai’s vital points. The air whistled with the speed of his blade. It was like facing a whirlwind of steel.

  Kai immediately activated the Combat Assistance Module. [10 Points deducted. Balance: 20]. Even with the module enhancing his reflexes and predicting attack vectors, keeping up was difficult. Zhao Feng's Level 7 cultivation fueled his speed, making his blade significantly faster than anything Kai had faced before.

  Kai was forced onto the defensive immediately. He drew his own 'wooden' sword, the carbon fiber's lightness proving crucial. He couldn't match Zhao Feng's offensive speed blow-for-blow, so he focused on evasion and parrying, using his 'high-grip boots' for rapid directional changes and the bokken's resilience to deflect the incoming steel blade. Sparks flew – metaphorical ones generated by Qi, and likely tiny physical ones as the incredibly hard carbon fiber met steel – shocking Zhao Feng slightly that the 'wood' didn't splinter.

  Clang! Clang! Whizz! Tap!

  Kai gave ground steadily, using the minimum Qi necessary for defense, relying on the module's guidance, his gear's subtle advantages, and his Level 6 Qi reserves. He could feel the impacts jarring his arm despite the bokken's dampening, and the sheer pressure of Zhao Feng's relentless assault was immense. The crowd watched intently, most assuming Kai was simply delaying the inevitable.

  Zhao Feng pressed his advantage, his movements becoming even faster, trying to overwhelm Kai before he could adapt. He executed a signature move – the 'Triple Wind Slash' – three blindingly fast diagonal cuts aimed at Kai's neck and torso.

  The Combat Module flashed urgent warnings. Direct parrying was risky, evasion difficult in the sequence. Kai made a split-second decision. He couldn't win a direct contest of speed and swordsmanship against this opponent. He needed to disrupt the flow, change the nature of the fight. This was his first real test, and it required stepping beyond conventional tactics.