Only Dustin truly understood the sudden shift in the battle.
By all traditional wisdom, he shouldn't have been competent to stand against Joshua. His cultivation base was lower, his internal energy weaker, and his martial techniques inferior. Nonetheless, after connecting the Life and Death Beads and enhancing his first-rank technique, Dustin's foundation had undergone a qualitative transformation—elevating him beyond a mere second-rank practitioner, perhaps stronger than even a true second-grade martial artist.
This allowed him to face Joshua head-on, his inner energy no longer far beneath the adversary.
Yet what made Dustin truly destructive was something far more terrifying—the polar Qi he now controlled. Life and death are intertwined. The energy of life could nourish, restore, and even regenerate vitality, while the Qi of death corrupted, ruptured, and directly attacked the lifeline.
Dustin's innermost energy now fluctuated between these two extremes at will. To others, this was illogical.
Thus, when Joshua's seemingly formidable Iron Eagle Claw clashed against Dustin's clenched fist, the result was surprising—Joshua's five fingers fractured like brittle twigs, unable to withstand the backlash.
Physical injury often leads to internal damage. But Dustin's new power worked in reverse—targeting the lifeline directly, and letting the injury manifest outwardly as broken bones and torn flesh.
"Bang!"
With a thundering step, Dustin surged forward, dust exploding underfoot. His fists resembled those of an enraged bull—unyielding, brutal, unbeatable.
Joshua's broken hand rendered him defenseless. Panic and disbelief twisted his features as he stumbled backward, incapable of steadying himself.
"Get lost!"
Dustin roared and unleashed a brutal kick. His foot hit Joshua's chest like a battering ram. Joshua's body shot through the air, crashing to the ground like a kite severed from its string.
Crack!
Another sharp snap echoed. Two more ribs were destroyed under the force. Joshua lay sprawled, gasping, eyes wide in fright. Just yesterday, he'd led a group of lackeys to humiliate Dustin. Now, everything had changed.
The martial arts field fell into stunned silence, broken only by the lingering, pitiful cries of Joshua and his companions.
"Am I seeing things?" a student muttered, voice trembling.
"Did Dustin take down Juan, Amari, and Joshua Zhang... single-handedly?"
Murmurs rippled through the onlookers, disbelief etched on every face.
Juan's arm was twisted grotesquely, bones dislocated, and meridians damaged beyond repair.
Amari had three ribs fractured and lay unconscious on the floor.
Joshua fared even worse—five fingers broken, ribs cracked, unable to stand.
These three were known tyrants, accustomed to beating others to assert superiority. But today, before the eyes of dozens of Martial Hall students, they had been utterly humiliated. And the man who'd accomplished it? The very "outcast" they'd mocked and beaten just yesterday.
"You bastard! Do you dare touch me? You're dead!" Joshua barked, his voice warped by anger and pain.
Dustin's gaze pointed, a cold light flickering in his eyes. "Stubborn to the end, are you?" His tone carried contempt as he stepped forward, lifting his leg and driving his foot ruthlessly onto Joshua's chest again.
"You dare compare yourself to me?" Joshua gasped bitterly. "I'll make you pay for this! No matter what!"
"Threatening me?" Dustin scoffed, his voice like ice. Without hesitation, he raised his foot once more, stomping down on Joshua's left wrist. Another sickening crack echoed. Joshua's wrist shattered.
The searing pain dominated Joshua. His eyes rolled back as he lost consciousness on the spot.
Dustin took a deep breath, his expression calm. He knew the consequences of what he'd done. Joshua, arrogant and privileged, wouldn't let this humiliation go unpunished. But Dustin felt no fear.
Strength ruled the Martial Hall. As long as he progressed fast enough, someone would eventually take notice. Even the Zhang family wouldn't dare act carelessly in the Martial Hall—or more importantly, the force behind it—stood in his corner.
After all, everyone in Xandoria Country knew who truly supported the Martial Halls: Salmoris Gate, one of the prestigious sects In this land, they were an unquestioned hegemon. Not even the mighty Zhang family would risk angering them.
As Dustin left the field, many of the Martial Hall students still stared at his back as if witnessing a ghost.
"Impossible… Joshua Zhang is a fourth-stage body refinement martial artist, with hardened muscles and bones. Dustin was only at the second stage, wasn't he?"
"Didn't he just defeat Joshua Zhang… in two moves?"
Disbelief and shock buzzed like static through the crowd.
...
The Martial Hall grounds were vast, with each student assigned their residence. By the time Dustin returned to his room, much of the excitement in his heart had settled.
Defeating Joshua Zhang is one thing, he thought, sitting cross-legged. But I can't afford to be complacent.
He remembered something else—Joshua Zhang had an elder brother, Jude Zhang, a student in the Intermediate Class of the Martial Hall.
In Martial Hall, students were divided into three tiers:
Junior Class: Ages ten to thirteen, generally first to fourth stage body refinement.
Intermediate Class: Ages fourteen to sixteen, with most at the fifth stage and above.
Senior Class: Ages seventeen to eighteen, limited to those who've achieved at least the eighth stage of body refinement.
At thirteen, Dustin was barely holding onto his place. His previous cultivation speed wouldn't have allowed him to hit the fifth stage before fourteen—a certain path to failure and displacement.
In three months, the annual assessment begins. If I don't reach the fifth stage by then, not only will my parents' sacrifices be in vain, I'll be cast out!
That evening, Dustin made a quiet vow: Reach the Fifth Stage within three months. No matter the cost.
The days blurred together as Dustin sank into cultivation, isolating himself completely. He stored up dry rations and water, refusing all distractions. He knew Jude Zhang yearned for revenge but also understood the Martial Hall enforced one unbreakable rule—no trespassing in students' quarters.
That rule existed for a reason.
Long ago, an influential family in Novaridge City broke this rule. The young master, having lost a duel, led men to interrupt his competitor's cultivation, resulting in the unfortunate student suffering Qi deviation and perishing.
Within three days, that once-prosperous family vanished overnight—erased by the wrath of the Martial Hall.
During his closed-door training, Dustin felt profound changes flowing through his body. As he inhaled and exhaled, his Qi naturally cycled between the polar forces of life and death. His physique toughened, refined, elevated to a level he'd never imagined.
By the second day, he broke through to the third stage. Soon after, his bones and muscles hardened, inching him toward the fourth.
Five days passed. Dustin opened his eyes—his cultivation had advanced once more.
Fourth Stage Body Refinement.
However, something was off. Even with his enhanced first-rank technique, progress slowed noticeably. The technique's foundation was shallow—it could no longer keep pace with his potential.
Time to change.
He recalled the Martial Hall's rule: Students who reached the fourth stage could access the Book Collection Pavilion and select a second-rank technique.
Today, that was his goal.
As Dustin stepped out of his room, a sharp voice pierced the air.
"Well, well… the pariah finally shows himself."
Dustin turned, finding a young man in luxurious golden robes glaring at him, malevolence in his gaze.
Another beast barking?
Dustin frowned. He didn't recognize the young man, but clearly, the hostility was deliberate.
"You've got a foul mouth," Dustin replied coolly. "Who's the real beast here?"
The golden-robed young man's face darkened. "You dare insult me?!"
"Why not? You called me a pariah first. You think being born with a silver spoon makes you superior?"
Murderous intent exploded in the man's eyes. "You've got guts. But the bolder you are, the quicker you die."
Dustin narrowed his eyes. Currently, he recognized him—Jude Zhang, Joshua Zhang's older brother. His inner energy surged faintly, and Dustin instantly sensed it.
Seventh Stage Body Refinement. Pure, vigorous Qi. Dangerous.
Around them, more students gathered, whispering as they watched.
"That's Jude Zhang! A seventh-stage martial artist!"
"Seventh-stage disciples can enter the Pavilion to choose third-rank techniques. Amazing!"
"But Dustin... he's doomed. He may have beaten Joshua, but Jude is on another level!"
Jude's expression twisted into a sneer.
"You crippled my brother. Today, I'll return the favor—limb for limb, rib for rib."
His inner energy flared, murderous intent rolling off him like a tide.
Dustin's face remained calm, but his eyes sharpened. Seventh stage. No doubt dangerous—but Dustin had one card others didn't.
He could strike straight at the lifeline.
And he would, if necessary.