The arena had not yet calmed.Even after Tang Mo’s victory—The energy refused to settle.---Because everyone knew what came next.---The final match.---Two names.---Tang Mo.---And—Lin Xue.---The moment the name was announced, the atmosphere shifted again.Not explosive like before—But heavy.Anticipative.---Tang Mo stood at the edge of the arena platform.Her breathing had mostly stabilized.But her body—Still hurt.---Her ribs ached faintly.Her arm felt heavier than usual.Her legs carried the weight of every clash from the previous fight.---“…Yeah, this is going to be rough.”---Beside her, Qin Yue spoke quietly,“You shouldn’t push yourself if you’re too injured.”---Tang Mo glanced at her.Then smirked.---“…If I stop now, what was the point of everything before?”---Qin Yue didn’t argue.Because she already knew the answer.---Tang Mo stepped forward.---Across the arena—Lin Xue was already there.---Calm.Composed.Untouched.---Not a single sign of

---Chapter 43: Final ExchangeThe arena fell silent.Not a whisper. Not a breath.Every eye was locked onto the two figures still standing.Tang Mo’s chest rose and fell unevenly. Sweat clung to her skin, her limbs heavy, her ribs screaming with every inhale. The fight had already pushed her past her limits.But her eyes remained sharp.Unyielding.Across from her, Lin Xue stood just as still.No longer untouchable.No longer distant.For the first time since the tournament began, her breathing had lost its perfect rhythm.That alone said everything.Tang Mo wiped the corner of her lips with the back of her hand and let out a slow breath.“So… this is the last one.”Lin Xue studied her quietly.Then gave a faint nod.“Yes.”No arrogance. No mockery.Just acknowledgment.They both understood.There would be no second exchange after this.One move would decide everything.From the stands, Qin Yue’s fingers tightened unconsciously.“...She can’t take another clean hit.”Lu Chang didn’t

Chapter 45: Quiet RipplesThe arena didn’t empty immediately.Even as the formal announcement ended, clusters of students lingered, voices lowered but urgent, replaying every moment of the final match as if repetition would somehow make it easier to understand.Tang Mo winning was one thing.How she won—That was something else entirely.---“Did you see that last exchange?”“She shouldn’t have had the stamina for it…”“It’s not just stamina. Her control changed mid-fight.”“That teacher… something’s wrong with him.”---Speculation spread faster than fact.And like all things in the academy—It didn’t take long to reach the wrong ears.---By the time Tang Mo was escorted off the arena platform, her legs felt like they no longer belonged to her.The healer at her side didn’t let go this time.“Enough,” the woman said calmly. “You’ve pushed your body past a safe threshold. Any more strain and you’ll tear your meridians.”Tang Mo let out a quiet breath.“…Feels like they already tore.”

Chapter 47: Terms of AdvancementMorning came too quickly.The academy had a way of moving on as if nothing unusual had happened, but the looks said otherwise.As Lu Chang stepped onto the main path, conversations dimmed for just a second before continuing in hushed tones. Not open respect. Not yet.But no one laughed.That alone was new.---Tang Mo walked on his right, slower than usual but upright. Her injuries were real, but her posture hadn’t changed. Chin slightly raised. Eyes forward.Qin Yue walked on his left, calm as ever, her steps quiet, her presence colder than the morning air.They didn’t speak.They didn’t need to.---At the end of the stone path stood a tall, simple building.No decorations.No grand display.Just a carved plaque above the entrance:Administrative Hall---Tang Mo clicked her tongue softly.“…So it’s real.”Qin Yue’s gaze lingered on the doorway.“…It always was.”---A junior attendant spotted them immediately and straightened.“You’ve been called,”