Shaurya and An Ning ready to strike. They were a breath away.
So close that both could feel the heat of the other's body, the turbulence of aura colliding before fists even moved.
Both clenched their right fists.
Muscles tightened. Veins bulged. Bones screamed.
And then—
They thrust forward at the same time.
BOOOOOOM—!!
Their fists collided head-on.
The air between them detonated.
A violent shockwave erupted outward, ripping across the battlefield in a perfect circle. The ground beneath their feet collapsed instantly, stone exploding outward as a deep crater formed around them. Dust blasted into the air like a rising wall.
For a brief moment—
Nothing could be seen.
Then—
From within the dust—
Shaurya burst out first.
His teeth were clenched, eyes sharp, golden pupils burning. He roared and swung his left fist in a savage arc toward An Ning's head.
An Ning raised his arm and blocked.
The impact echoed like metal striking stone.
Before Shaurya could pull back—
