Reincarnation of the Celestial Bastard

Chapter 26: Facing Zhao Ren

The arena was buzzing with anticipation. The crowd eagerly awaited the next match, knowing it would be one of the most intense battles of the tournament. Li Tian stood on the edge of the platform, eyes scanning the sea of spectators. His heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of excitement and nervousness settling in. He had been through many battles, but this one felt different. His opponent, Zhao Ren, was known throughout the great families as a true prodigy of strength and combat skill.

Zhao Ren stepped into the ring, his presence commanding attention. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his muscles rippling beneath his robe. His gaze locked onto Li Tian, cold and calculating. This was not an opponent to be taken lightly.

The two fighters exchanged nods of acknowledgment before the match began. There were no words of taunting or banter; both knew the seriousness of the battle ahead. The referee raised his hand, signaling the start of the match, and immediately, Zhao Ren surged forward like a bull, his fist drawn back for a powerful strike.

Li Tian barely had time to react as Zhao Ren's fist came crashing down toward him. He dodged to the side, but even so, the sheer force of Zhao Ren's punch created a gust of wind that brushed against his cheek. This wasn't going to be an easy fight.

Zhao Ren wasted no time, pressing his advantage with a barrage of powerful punches and kicks. His attacks were relentless, each strike filled with the raw power that had earned him his fearsome reputation. Li Tian blocked as best as he could, but with every hit, he felt his arms growing numb from the force.

Zhao Ren was stronger, that much was clear. But Li Tian had faced stronger opponents before. It wasn't just about raw strength—he had skill, technique, and a sharp mind. As Zhao Ren threw another punch, Li Tian parried, using the momentum to spin around and deliver a swift kick to Zhao Ren's ribs.

The crowd cheered, but Zhao Ren barely flinched. Instead, he grinned, as if enjoying the challenge. "Not bad, Li Tian. But you're going to have to do better than that."

Li Tian smirked, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. "Don't worry, I will."

The fight continued, and it became clear that Zhao Ren wasn't just a brute. He was a master of martial arts, his movements precise and controlled. Every strike was calculated, designed to wear Li Tian down. But Li Tian was no pushover. He danced around Zhao Ren's attacks, looking for openings and chipping away at his defenses.

After several minutes of trading blows, Li Tian began to feel the strain. His body was growing tired, and Zhao Ren's relentless assault was taking its toll. But he couldn't give up now. He had come too far to back down.

Drawing on the power he had gained from his system rewards, Li Tian focused his energy, using his cultivation techniques to amplify his speed and agility. He needed to be faster, more elusive. Zhao Ren was strong, but if he couldn't hit his target, that strength would mean nothing.

With a burst of speed, Li Tian dodged another punch and countered with a powerful strike to Zhao Ren's midsection. This time, Zhao Ren grunted in pain, stumbling back. It was a small victory, but it was enough to give Li Tian confidence. He pressed his advantage, launching a flurry of attacks, each one aimed at exploiting Zhao Ren's brief moment of vulnerability.

For a moment, it seemed like Li Tian might gain the upper hand. His strikes were landing, and Zhao Ren's defenses were weakening. But just as he thought he might have the fight in control, Zhao Ren unleashed a devastating counterattack. With a roar, he charged forward, slamming his fist into Li Tian's chest with enough force to knock the wind out of him.

Li Tian flew backward, crashing into the arena floor with a thud. The crowd gasped, and for a moment, everything went silent. Pain shot through Li Tian's body, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand. His vision blurred, but he could see Zhao Ren walking toward him, fists clenched and ready to finish the fight.

"Get up, Li Tian," Zhao Ren growled. "You're not done yet, are you?"

Li Tian staggered to his feet, clutching his chest. "Not... yet."

Zhao Ren smiled, impressed by his determination. But there was no mercy in his eyes. He raised his fist again, preparing for the final blow.

Just as Zhao Ren charged, Li Tian focused all his remaining energy into one final technique. He didn't have the strength to match Zhao Ren blow for blow, but he could use his opponent's strength against him. As Zhao Ren's fist came crashing down, Li Tian sidestepped at the last moment, using the momentum to grab Zhao Ren's arm and twist it behind him.

With a grunt of effort, Li Tian slammed Zhao Ren into the ground, pinning him with all the force he could muster. The crowd erupted into cheers as Li Tian stood victorious, panting and bruised but still standing.

Zhao Ren groaned beneath him, his face pressed into the dirt. "You got me," he admitted, his voice muffled. "I didn't think you had that in you."

Li Tian released him, stepping back and offering a hand. "You're strong, Zhao Ren. I just got lucky."

Zhao Ren took the offered hand, standing up with a grunt. "Luck or not, you won. I'll see you in the finals."

Li Tian nodded, though his body screamed in exhaustion. The tournament wasn't over yet.