"Second match, contestants with the 'B' draw: Qin Yu, winner of the Fourth Arena, against Yang Jing, winner of the Seventh Arena. Take the stage!"
The Silver Armored Officer's voice had barely faded.
It's him.
Yang Jing's heart tightened. He drew a deep breath and strode toward the main arena.
The sun had baked the bluestone ground scorching hot. His steps remained steady, but his mind was already racing.
Qin Yu had reached the arena ahead of him. Dressed in black martial attire, he stood straight as a pine, radiating authority without a trace of anger.
He made no unnecessary movements, merely watching Yang Jing approach. Yet a barely perceptible sharpness lurked in his eyes, like a hawk that had fixed on its prey.
Yang Jing leaped onto the platform, and his gaze met Qin Yu's. Their invisible auras collided in midair, stirring faint ripples.
He cupped his hands in greeting, his expression solemn, not daring to relax in the slightest.
Qin Yu was a core disciple of the Zhenwei Martial Arts School, a man the school's master had personally acknowledged as "the foremost disciple of the Zhenwei Martial Arts School."
The information his master had given him was perfectly clear. Qin Yu specialized in the Heavenly Eagle Claw, a vicious, unpredictable claw technique backed by powerful fingers. He had defeated three peak Hidden Strength martial artists in succession and was among the favorites to take first place in this Ranking Battle.
On the way here, Sun Yong had specifically warned him, "Qin Yu's claws aren't just fast. They conceal an insidious force that can obstruct your meridians if you're struck. Be very careful."
The information about Qin Yu surfaced in Yang Jing's mind, making him all the more wary.
He could vaguely sense that Qin Yu's aura was even