The next morning, the Stellar Martial Academy buzzed like a kicked hive.
Every corridor, every training yard, every dining hall—whispers followed the same name.
"Lian Yu."
"The Scarred Ghost."
"He beat fifteen seniors. No Qi. Just body."
"Kai said it took seconds."
"Gorak tapped out."
"Lirael flew ten feet."
Instructors heard.
Higher years heard.
Even the headmaster's office got reports.
"Who is this boy?"
"Zero talent on the orb."
"Yet defeats Core Condensation students?"
"Find him."
But Lian was already gone.
Back in his hidden tunnel under the city, he sat cross-legged on cold stone.
Body aching from the fights—bruises blooming, small cuts stinging.
But inside, the spark exploded.
Qi surged.
The fights—life and death pressure—cracked something open.
Foundation Realm.
Layer 2.
Then 3.
Energy rushed through new meridians.
Skin hardened more.
Muscles denser.
Senses sharper.
He breathed deep.
Felt the change.
Then Layer 4.
The pressure from Gorak's heavy fists.
Layer 5—from Lirael's blades forcing perfect dodges.
Each victory pushed him.
He opened void eyes.
Calm.
The breakthrough settled.
Layer 6 now.
Mid-Foundation.
Stronger than most street fighters.
Still no external Qi.
But body like iron.
He stood.
No time to rest.
The pull was stronger.
He went back that evening.
Same wall.
Same blind spot.
Dropped into the gardens.
The outer yard lit again.
This time, more students.
Twenty-five.
Word had spread.
They waited.
Not laughing now.
Serious faces.
Higher years mixed in.
Core Condensation Middle and Late.
Even one Peak.
They saw him walk out of shadows.
No surprise.
They knew what he wanted.
The circle formed quick.
No mockery.
Respect in eyes.
Some fear.
A human senior—tall, Circuit Awakening Peak—stepped first.
"Ready?"
Lian nodded once.
They began.
Hard from the start.
No holding back.
The senior used full Qi—bursts in punches, speed enhanced.
Lian met him.
Flowed.
Dodged.
Countered.
Harder than last night.
Took hits—blocked most, absorbed some.
Ribs screamed.
But he adapted.
Found openings.
Struck nerves.
Broke rhythm.
Won.
Barely.
Ten seconds this time.
Breakthrough.
Layer 7.
Qi flooded hotter.
Next—a Korrak girl, stocky, tail whip with Qi spikes.
She charged low.
Lian jumped—used her momentum against her.
Slammed elbow to back.
Won.
Layer 8.
Sweat poured now.
Breath harder.
Next three came together—team test.
Veyari, Threnn, human.
Coordinated.
Four arms, claws, energy blasts.
Lian danced in the storm.
Dodged.
Weaved.
Struck weak points fast.
One down.
Two.
Three.
Fifteen seconds.
Body screamed.
But victorious.
Layer 9.
Peak Foundation.
Almost Circuit Awakening.
Skin like armor.
Strength surged.
The circle tightened.
Higher students now.
Core Condensation Late.
One after another.
Each fight brutal.
He bled from lip.
Bruise on cheek.
Burn from Qi graze.
But adapted.
Learned mid-fight.
Copied their flows.
Turned against them.
Won.
Each victory—small breakthrough pulse.
Consolidated power.
The crowd grew silent.
Watching the scarred boy in rags dismantle talented fighters.
One by one.
Then the last.
The fastest.
A Threnn elite—older student, known as Blitz.
Circuit Awakening Peak, speed specialty.
Furry, lean, ears flat back.
Claws extended—Qi coated, glowing white.
Eyes locked on Lian.
"You're good," Blitz said. Voice quick. "But speed is king."
The circle widened.
Gave room.
Lian nodded.
Ready.
Blitz vanished.
Blur.
First strike—claw to shoulder.
Lian blocked late.
Cut opened—blood flowed.
Pain sharp.
He spun—missed.
Blitz already behind.
Kick to ribs.
Lian flew five feet.
Landed rolling.
Up fast.
But Blitz everywhere.
Claws slashing.
Lian dodged—barely.
Predicted patterns.
But too slow.
One hit.
Two.
Three.
Cuts on arms.
Chest.
Thigh.
Blood soaked clothes.
He couldn't touch Blitz.
Not once.
Fists swung air.
Kicks missed by hairs.
Blitz laughed quick.
"You learn fast. But not fast enough."
Another blur.
Claw rake across back.
Lian staggered.
Fell to knee.
Breath ragged.
Body screaming.
Crowd silent.
He looked up.
Void eyes puzzled.
Not angry.
Confused.
How?
So fast.
No opening.
He learned as he bled.
Watched motion trails.
Predicted blur paths.
But body couldn't keep up.
Peak Foundation—not enough.
Blitz stopped in front.
Claw at Lian's throat.
"Yield."
Lian stared.
Blood dripped.
He nodded once.
Slow.
Defeat.
First time.
Blitz lowered claw.
Respect in eyes.
"You're a monster. With real talent… you'd be scary."
Lian stood slow.
Body shaking.
Cuts deep.
But mind racing.
He learned more in loss than wins.
Speed.
Prediction.
Timing.
He turned.
Walked to shadows.
Crowd parted silent.
No laughs.
No pity.
Awe.
He slipped over wall.
Into night.
Blood trail behind.
But the spark burned brightest yet.
I need more.
Speed.
Everything.
The loss puzzled him.
But fueled him.
He would come back.
Stronger.
Faster.
Unstoppable.
The academy watched him go.
The legend grew deeper.
The Scarred Ghost had fallen once.
But he would rise.
Higher.