Not far from Graham Sterling’s quiet courtyard stood Dongli’s highest authority—the People’s Council.A bit farther was Dongli University, the nation’s top academic institution.

  Evan followed Tyler Hayes into the university’s combat hall.

  The instructor in charge immediately greeted Tyler warmly and led them inside.

  The interior was filled with massive arenas forged from super?alloy.Since it was still morning, only a few students were training—most arenas were empty.

  Tyler called out toward a student warming up nearby:

  “Zach!”

  The young man turned, spotted Tyler, and jogged over.

  “Dad.”

  Evan blinked.He studied the young man—about twenty, tall, sturdy, honest?looking…and indeed, he resembled Tyler.

  Tyler introduced him proudly:

  “This is my son, Zach Hayes.Chrysalis?tier.He has absorbed three Tier?2 extracts.Ranked #1 in the mid?year Dongli University combat tournament.”

  Then he turned to Evan.

  “Evan, you don’t need to challenge every Chrysalis?tier in Dongli.If you can defeat Zach, I’ll persuade Chairman Sterling to seriously consider your proposal.”

  He then introduced Evan to his son.

  Zach extended his hand politely.“Nice to meet you. Please go easy on me.”

  Evan shook his hand.“Nice to meet you too, Zach. Please don’t hit me too hard.”

  Tyler waved.“Warm up first, then get on the arena. I’m stepping out for a smoke.”

  He left with the instructor.

  Evan asked,“Zach, are you warmed up?”

  Zach nodded.

  “Then let’s go straight to the arena.”

  Zach hesitated for a moment, then agreed.

  They stepped onto the nearest arena—immediately drawing attention.

  “Look, it’s Zach! He’s fighting someone!”

  “Zach is unbeatable!”

  “Who’s that guy? Never seen him. Is he from our school?”

  “No idea. Maybe a guest sparring partner? Zach’s dad brought him.”

  “Whoever he is… he’s really handsome.”A few female students stared at Evan with sparkling eyes.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Zach was a campus star.Him stepping onto the arena always drew a crowd.

  “Go Zach!”

  Cheers echoed from below.

  Evan asked,“Ready?”

  Zach nodded.“Begin.”

  Outside the combat hall, Tyler lit a cigarette and chatted with the instructor.

  He had barely taken two puffs when Evan walked out.

  Tyler blinked.“…Why are you out here?”

  “It’s over,” Evan said.

  “It’s over?” Tyler froze.

  A commotion erupted inside the hall.

  Thinking something had gone wrong, Tyler and the instructor rushed in.

  Students crowded around an arena, whispering in disbelief.

  Zach sat on the arena floor, dazed, eyes unfocused.A shallow wound on his chest was still bleeding—yet he didn’t seem to feel it.

  Tyler leapt onto the arena and checked his son’s injuries.He exhaled in relief—just a superficial wound.

  “What happened?” the instructor asked the students.

  Someone answered,“Zach… Zach was defeated in one move!”

  “One move?”The instructor was stunned—he knew Zach’s strength well.

  Tyler grabbed his son and asked the instructor,“Can you pull up the arena footage?”

  “Yes, right away!”

  They went to the monitoring room.

  Soon, the footage played.

  Tyler and the instructor watched every frame carefully.

  The moment the fight began—

  Evan dashed forward with explosive speed,closing the distance instantly.

  Zach reacted quickly, activating his strongest defensive skill.

  But Evan’s single finger strike pierced through it effortlesslyand stopped just short of Zach’s heart—leaving only a shallow wound.

  If Evan hadn’t held back,that strike would’ve pierced straight through.

  It truly was one strike to decide victory.

  Or rather—

  one strike to decide life or death.

  Tyler and the instructor exchanged a look—both seeing shock in the other’s eyes.

  Evan’s strength was terrifying.

  And Zach hadn’t even forced him to use his full power.

  Zach finally regained his senses.Still dazed, he looked at his father.

  “Dad… am I too weak, or is he too strong?”

  Tyler suddenly regretted using his own son to test Evan.

  Outside the combat hall, Evan replayed the fight in his mind.

  Dongli University’s #1 Chrysalis?tier was… this weak?

  Was Zach too weak?

  Or was he simply too strong?

  He hadn’t even needed to use Raging Myriad Tides.

  After absorbing the Undying Salamander extractand the mutated crocodile extract,his strength had skyrocketed.

  Not only did he gain two powerful skills—his physique had undergone massive enhancement.

  Strength, speed, durability—all far beyond what he had in Blackrock City.

  Especially the mutated crocodile extract—its boost was far greater than a normal Tier?2 S?grade extract.

  And he hadn’t even fully digested it yet.

  Strength was the most cost?effective attribute for Evan.More strength meant:

  Ant Strength amplified even further

  Needle Strike became exponentially more lethal

  His burst?combo reached terrifying levels

  He had used this combo to one?shot Gao Long and Li Gaojie—both strong Chrysalis?tier evolvers.

  Zach should’ve been stronger than them.

  But Evan now was far stronger than the Evan back then.

  So the result was still—

  One strike.

  “Turns out…at Chrysalis?tier, I’m already unmatched.”

  Evan felt a surge of pride—but quickly reminded himself not to get arrogant.

  There were always stronger people out there.

  Who knew what monsters Rovan had at Chrysalis?tier?

  His plan remained unchanged:

  Fully digest the mutated crocodile extract

  Absorb his third extract

  Gain another powerful skill

  Ensure absolute victory

  Only then would he feel secure.

  One strike.

  A campus champion defeated.

  And a nation’s leaders watching from the shadows.

  Evan has proven he’s not just confident—

  he’s qualified.

  Readers—

  who will Dongli send next to test him…

  and how far will Evan push his limits before the Judgment Battle?