Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Defeating the cultivators
He launched another attack, but Tyler's movements became sharper, faster. He was fighting as if his life depended on it—because in a way, it did. He needed this victory, not just for the prize, but to reclaim his self-respect.
With each punch, Tyler landed critical strikes, using every ounce of his energy efficiently. His opponent, now frustrated, tried to overpower him, but Tyler's keen instincts kept him in control. He ducked under a sweeping punch, then countered with a powerful kick that sent the Core Formation cultivator crashing to the ground.
The crowd erupted in cheers and disbelief as Tyler stood over his fallen opponent, his chest heaving. He had won the first match.
Aric, watching from a distance with Amanda, smirked. "He's smarter than I thought, using this challenge system to level the playing field."
Amanda looked at Aric curiously. "Do you think he'll keep winning?"
Aric chuckled. "Maybe. But even if he does, it won't matter in the end. I've got more plans for him."
Tyler's next opponent was a Nascent Soul cultivator, and the crowd went wild with excitement. This time, Tyler knew the challenge would be much tougher. The Nascent Soul fighter, a woman with sharp eyes and an aura of fiery energy, stepped into the ring with confidence.
"You're bold, boy, but boldness alone won't save you," she said, suppressing her cultivation to the Qi Refining Realm.
Tyler smiled grimly. "I don't need saving. Let's begin."
The fight was fierce. Unlike his first opponent, the Nascent Soul cultivator was highly skilled, even when her power was suppressed. She moved with deadly grace, her strikes carrying immense precision. Tyler found himself dodging and weaving, barely able to keep up.
The crowd was on the edge of their seats, watching as Tyler fought with everything he had. His mind raced, looking for any opening, any chance to turn the fight in his favor. The Nascent Soul cultivator swung her fiery fist toward him, and at the last moment, Tyler ducked, using the momentum to deliver a powerful blow to her side.
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The crowd erupted again as the woman staggered, her expression twisting in shock. "You're better than I expected," she admitted, wiping blood from her lip.
"I've got more to prove," Tyler said, his voice hoarse from exhaustion but filled with determination.
With a final burst of energy, Tyler unleashed his strongest technique—a Qi-infused strike he had been perfecting for years. His fist connected with the Nascent Soul cultivator's chest, and the impact sent her sprawling to the ground. The crowd went wild as the referee declared Tyler the winner once again.
As Tyler stood, battered but victorious, his heart pounded with relief and pride. He had done it. Against all odds, he had won two consecutive fights against much stronger opponents.
But the final match loomed. Tyler's last opponent was none other than a Spirit Severing Realm cultivator, a towering man with a cold expression. He stepped into the ring, his presence radiating raw power.
Tyler swallowed hard, knowing this would be his toughest challenge yet. But he couldn't back down now.
"Spirit Severing... I'll never win this on my own. But I'll challenge him like the others," Tyler thought, his nerves steeling. "Fight me in the Qi Refining Realm," he declared once more.
The Spirit Severing cultivator laughed darkly, his voice like gravel. "You think you can take me down, boy? Fine, I'll play your game. But this will be your last mistake."
The crowd held its breath as the fight began. Tyler, already worn from the previous matches, could barely keep up with his opponent's sheer speed and strength. Every hit felt like a hammer blow, and Tyler found himself on the defensive, struggling just to stay upright.
But even in the face of overwhelming odds, Tyler refused to give up. He fought with every ounce of strength, using every trick and tactic he had learned over the years. His opponent mocked him, taunting him with every failed attack.
"You're nothing," the Spirit Severing cultivator sneered. "You should have stayed down."
Tyler, bloodied but defiant, spat back. "I'll never stay down."
With a desperate surge of energy, Tyler charged forward, unleashing his most powerful strike yet. The impact connected, sending his opponent stumbling. But it wasn't enough. The Spirit Severing cultivator caught Tyler's next punch, twisting his arm painfully.
"You've fought well, boy," the man said coldly, "but this is the end."
Watching from a distance, Aric leaned back, amused. "Let's see how this ends for him."
Amanda glanced at him. "He's fought so hard... do you think he'll survive?"
Aric's smile didn't fade. "Surviving is one thing. Winning... well, that's another story."
Tyler stood there, battered and bruised, his heart pounding in his chest. His entire body ached, and the Spirit Severing cultivator loomed over him, smug in his certainty that Tyler would soon fall. The crowd, once roaring, had fallen to an anxious hush. Even the air around them seemed to tighten with tension.
"You should have stayed down, boy," the Spirit Severing cultivator sneered, tightening his grip on Tyler's arm. His eyes gleamed with malice. "This fight is over."
But in Tyler's mind, something snapped. A fierce determination surged through him, igniting a fire deep within. He had been pushed to the edge, humiliated, rejected, and now—now was the time to turn it all around. He wasn't going to lose. Not here. Not now.
With a sharp cry, Tyler twisted his body, using the momentum to wrench his arm free from the Spirit Severing cultivator's iron grip. Pain shot through his shoulder, but he gritted his teeth and pushed forward. He leapt back, creating distance between them.
His opponent raised an eyebrow, smirking at Tyler's resilience. "Still fighting? How pointless."
But Tyler wasn't backing down. He centered himself, tapping into his Qi, pulling every ounce of energy he had left into his core. His breath steadied, and his gaze sharpened. The Spirit Severing cultivator may have been stronger, faster, but Tyler had one thing that his opponent did not: the sheer, unrelenting will to survive.
The Spirit Severing cultivator lunged forward, a blur of motion as his fist glowed with spiritual energy. "I'll end this now!" he roared, his voice echoing in the arena. He struck down, aiming a crushing blow at Tyler's chest.
Tyler barely managed to sidestep the attack, the force of the strike grazing his side, sending him skidding across the ground. The crowd gasped as the ground cracked beneath the cultivator's fist, dust and debris flying everywhere. The sheer power was overwhelming.
But Tyler didn't let the fear take root. He spun on his heel, lunging forward with newfound resolve. His movements were precise, calculated. He darted under the Spirit Severing cultivator's arm, throwing a quick jab to the man's ribs. His fist connected, and though the impact was light, it was enough to stagger his opponent for a moment.
"Not bad," the Spirit Severing cultivator admitted, his voice laced with annoyance. "But not good enough." He swept his leg out, trying to trip Tyler, but Tyler had already anticipated the move. He jumped back, creating more distance between them.
"I'm not done yet!" Tyler yelled, his voice filled with raw determination. He summoned all his Qi, channeling it through his body, feeling the energy surge through his veins. He took a deep breath, steadying himself as he prepared for his next move.
The Spirit Severing cultivator's eyes narrowed. "You think you can beat me? Even at this level, you're nothing!" He charged at Tyler again, his fists blazing with spiritual energy.
But this time, Tyler was ready. He ducked low, avoiding the first strike, then dodged to the side as the second came crashing down. The crowd watched in awe as Tyler moved with surprising speed and precision, his movements almost too fast to follow.
Tyler clenched his fists, his knuckles white. He couldn't afford to make a single mistake. His heart pounded, his vision narrowed to his opponent, blocking out everything else. He could feel the weight of every eye in the arena on him, but he focused only on the fight.
As the Spirit Severing cultivator lunged forward again, Tyler made his move. He stepped forward, his fist glowing with concentrated Qi. "Take this!" he shouted, pouring all his strength into the punch.
His fist collided with the Spirit Severing cultivator's chest, and for a split second, time seemed to freeze. The energy surged between them, a blinding light erupting from the impact point. The crowd gasped in unison, their voices drowned out by the deafening sound of the clash.
The Spirit Severing cultivator's eyes widened in shock as he staggered back, clutching his chest. "Impossible…" he muttered, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "How…?"
But Tyler didn't stop. He followed up with a powerful kick to the cultivator's ribs, sending him sprawling across the ground. Tyler panted, his body trembling from the exertion, but he pressed on. He couldn't let up now. Not when he was so close to victory.
The Spirit Severing cultivator struggled to rise, but Tyler was already upon him. He grabbed the cultivator by the collar, lifting him to his feet. "I told you… I'm not staying down," Tyler growled, his voice low and filled with fury.
With a final surge of energy, Tyler unleashed his finishing move. He channeled all of his remaining Qi into his fist, a brilliant glow enveloping his hand. "This is the end!" he roared, driving his fist into the Spirit Severing cultivator's chest.
The impact was devastating. The Spirit Severing cultivator's body jerked violently as the energy coursed through him, and then—he collapsed. The arena fell silent as Tyler stood over his fallen opponent, his chest heaving, sweat dripping from his brow.
The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices filling the arena with thunderous applause. Tyler had done the impossible. He had won.