"Now reading the numbers. First match: Number Thirty-Seven, Lin Taichu, versus Number Forty-Six, Li Feng!"
Hearing his number, Lin Taichu tightened his grip on the trident and stepped onto the arena. His opponent, Li Feng, was already standing there—a thin, wiry man holding two Short Blades. His sharp eyes were fixed on Lin Taichu.
"I heard you were formidable. You beat Miss Wang easily yesterday, but today, let's see whether you can beat me," Li Feng said provocatively.
Lin Taichu said nothing, merely readying himself for battle. The bailiff shouted, "Begin!" and Li Feng moved at once. He was astonishingly fast, nearly reaching Lin Taichu in an instant as both Short Blades stabbed toward his chest.
Lin Taichu quickly dodged to the side, avoiding the attack as his trident swept horizontally toward Li Feng's waist.
Li Feng reacted swiftly, arching backward to evade the trident. Then he pushed off the ground with both feet and charged at Lin Taichu again, his Short Blades flashing in a series of tricky attacks.
Lin Taichu did not dare let his guard down. He focused completely on defending himself, his trident weaving up and down to block Li Feng's attacks.
Li Feng was too fast, even faster than Li Mo had been. Lin Taichu could only barely keep up with his rhythm and had no chance to counterattack.
After more than a dozen exchanges, Lin Taichu was already beginning to struggle, sweat beading on his forehead. He knew this could not continue. He had to find a way to break Li Feng's speed advantage.
He recalled a technique he had used against sea beasts in Atlantis and deliberately slowed his movements, exposing an opening.
Li Feng took the bait, thinking Lin Taichu was running out of stamina. He accelerated, stabbing one of his Short