What Jin Yu saw stunned him into silence.
Before him stood a massive building, illuminated by a glowing blue crystal that bathed the space in an eerie, mystical light.
A towering spectator stand stretched high above, packed with valiant men of all shapes and sizes. Their faces burned with excitement as they roared and cheered, their voices merging into a thunderous, heart-pounding chorus.
At the center of it all was a colossal fighting platform, carved from a strange, dark stone that looked unbreakable. The sheer hardness of it sent a chill down Jin Yu’s spine.
In the platform, two warriors clashed with bone-shaking force, their strikes splitting the air like thunder.
One was a towering giant, his massive frame packed with thick, boulder-like muscles. His skin was darkened from years of battle, rough and scarred, each faded mark a testament to countless wars.
A jagged scar ran from his left temple down his cheek, twisting his already fearsome expression into something monstrous. His wild, sweat-soaked hair hung in thick locks, swaying with every movement. With each breath, his broad chest rose and fell like a caged beast preparing to pounce. He fought like a war god, his fists crashing down like iron clubs, each blow capable of breaking bones and shattering defenses.
His opponent was his stark opposite. Lean but deadly, he moved with the fluid grace of a serpent, his muscles coiled and precise. Long,black hair, tied into a high ponytail, followed behind him with every dodge and counter. His deep, black eyes gleamed coldly under the eerie blue light, tracking his enemy with unnerving focus.
A fresh wound carved across his collarbone, staining his tattered robes with crimson, yet he remained unshaken. Where the brute wielded raw power, he was a blade—swift, calculating, and merciless. Every strike was measured, every movement precise, dancing on the razor's edge between life and death.
The brute let out a roar and swung his meaty fist like a hammer. The air trembled as his knuckles connected with the lean man's ribs—a sickening crack echoed through the hall. The impact sent the lean fighter skidding backward, his boots screeching against the stone. He staggered, his breathing sharp, but his expression didn’t waver. Instead, he smirked, wiping the blood from the corner of his lips.
Then he struck back.
Like a shadow, he darted forward, ducking under another incoming punch. His knee shot up—BAM!—burying itself deep into the brute’s abdomen. The giant let out a pained grunt, spit flying from his lips, but before he could react, a sharp elbow smashed against the side of his head. His body lurched sideways, his vision momentarily blurring.
But he didn’t go down.
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Instead, he growled, his massive arm snapping out like a whip. He grabbed the lean fighter by the waist and lifted him clean off the ground. Muscles flexed, veins bulged, and with an earth-shaking BOOM!, he slammed the man onto the stone platform like a ragdoll.
The crowd erupted.
Jin Yu winced as he heard the impact—a gruesome mix of crunching bones and the heavy slap of flesh against rock. The lean fighter coughed violently, spitting blood onto the ground, but his eyes burned with a dangerous glint.
With gritted teeth, he gripped the brute’s wrist and twisted his body, using the momentum to break free. Then, with the grace of a striking viper, he spun and drove his heel straight into the brute’s temple.
The force sent the larger man reeling. His massive frame swayed, but he steadied himself, grinning through bloodied teeth.
This wasn’t just a fight.
This was war.
Jin Yu’s heart pounded in his chest as he watched, completely absorbed. He had never seen such raw, brutal combat before. Every strike was meant to maim, every movement calculated to destroy. their movements raw and unrestrained.
Their fists—heavy and ruthless—collided against flesh and bone with devastating force.
Blow after blow, they struck, kicked, and slammed each other into the unforgiving stone, and threw each other across the stage, their bodies crashing against the black rock with heavy, gut-wrenching thuds.each impact echoing like a war drum.
Thud!
Thud!
Each successful strike sent the crowd into a frenzy. The cheers grew louder, shaking the entire building like an earthquake. The sheer energy in the room was suffocating.
Jin Yu’s heart pounded wildly in his chest. He winced at every bone-crushing hit, his skin prickling with chills as if he could feel the blows himself. This wasn’t like the refined combat he had read about—this was wild, unforgiving, a fight where brute strength ruled.
If I took a single hit of that… would I even survive?
Yet, despite the lingering fear, something else stirred deep within him. As he watched with bated breath, an unexpected thrill coursed through his veins.
The sheer power, the merciless force of the fighters—it was overwhelming, intoxicating.
Before he realized it, he had moved forward, drawn to the iron chain bridge that connected the stands to the stage. His hands gripped the railing as he leaned in, eyes gleaming with excitement.
Such brute force. Such ferocity!
His blood boiled with excitement.
"First time here?"
A light voice snapped him out of his daze.
Annoyed at the interruption, he turned to see a young man, probably in his early twenties, with a seemingly honest expression. His muscular build was hard to ignore—his skin, firm and toned, gleamed faintly under the eerie blue light.
“Yes.” Jin Yu replied, his gaze lingering on the man with suspicion.
' the world taught me to be wary of honest looking people, they'll deceive you before you even realize '
“Lu Yucheng,” the young man introduced himself before shifting his attention back to the fight.
“Jin Yu.” Jin Yu gave a curt reply and turned back as well. He wasn’t about to let some stranger ruin his moment.
Lu Yucheng hummed in acknowledgment, then suddenly froze. His body stiffened before he whipped his head back to Jin Yu.
“Wait, what?!”
Jin Yu frowned at the sudden reaction. “What?”
His irritation grew when he saw the man’s bewildered expression. What’s wrong with this guy? Why does he keep distracting me?
“You’re surnamed Jin? And even Yu?! Wait, you’re Jin Yu—as in the young master of the Jin family?!”
Jin Yu’s glare darkened. What’s with this fool?
“So what? Am I such a big deal that you have to act like you’ve seen a ghost?” he snapped, his patience wearing thin.
“Whoa, whoa, calm down. That’s not it…” Lu Yucheng trailed off, his expression shifting. His eyes narrowed slightly as he took a step closer.
Jin Yu tensed immediately. What does this guy want? I haven’t even provoked him before.
Noticing Jin Yu’s caution, Lu Yucheng chuckled. “Relax, I heard about your little show in the market this afternoon. You were pretty good.” He smirked, his innocent smile not fooling Jin Yu one bit.
“Oh, I see.” Jin Yu remained on guard, his glare unwavering.
For a moment, neither of them spoke, their eyes locked in a silent standoff. The tension between them thickened, as if one wrong move would set off a fight.
Then, without warning, something shifted.....