Chapter 12: Defying the Odds

A hush fell over the gathered disciples as Wu Tian squared off against Liu Heng and Zhang Wei. The dirt beneath their feet bore the marks of countless duels, but none had ever seen a fight like this—a janitor challenging two Qi Refining Realm disciples.

Liu Heng smirked, rolling his shoulders. "Since you're so eager to be humiliated, I'll let you have the first move."

Wu Tian took a slow breath, grounding himself. His body was still adjusting to The Second Gate—Rooted Bones, but he could feel the newfound resilience coursing through him. He stepped forward, his eyes locked onto his opponents. He wasn't going to run. He wasn't going to cower. He would stand his ground.

Zhang Wei scoffed. "He's frozen. Typical."

Liu Heng lunged first, his fist cutting through the air. But just as it was about to connect, Wu Tian shifted. His movements were subtle, precise. His foot dug into the dirt, his stance firm like an unmovable pillar. Rooted.

Liu Heng's punch glanced off Wu Tian's forearm, sending a shock up his arm, but it didn't break him.

The crowd murmured. He should have been sent flying.

Liu Heng's smirk disappeared. "Hmph, lucky block."

Zhang Wei wasted no time. He aimed a sweeping kick at Wu Tian's ribs, fast and brutal. Wu Tian barely twisted in time, absorbing the blow with his hardened bones. Pain lanced through his side, but he remained standing.

The murmurs grew louder.

Something was different about him.

Wu Tian exhaled. He could take their blows. That meant he had a chance.

His counterattack was swift. He stepped into Zhang Wei's guard, launching a sharp punch toward his gut. Zhang Wei barely twisted in time, but Wu Tian followed through, delivering a second, sharper blow to his ribs. The impact was solid, a testament to his growing strength.

Zhang Wei gritted his teeth and stumbled back.

"You little—"

Liu Heng, now angry, attacked without hesitation. Wu Tian met him head-on, their strikes colliding in bursts of force. Liu Heng's Qi-infused fists crashed against Wu Tian's hardened body, but he endured.

For the first time, Liu Heng hesitated.

Wu Tian smirked. He was no longer a victim.

The Turning Point

Liu Heng roared, channeling his Qi. His next punch came with full force, the energy crackling along his knuckles. Wu Tian's instincts screamed at him—move!

But he didn't.

Instead, he planted his feet, braced his arms, and met the attack head-on.

The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the courtyard. Dust and dirt scattered, the spectators gasping. But when the dust settled—

Wu Tian was still standing.

Liu Heng staggered back, his face twisted in disbelief. "Impossible…"

Wu Tian wiped blood from his lip and stepped forward. "My turn."

Before Liu Heng could react, Wu Tian struck—a precise, explosive punch straight into his chest. The sheer force sent Liu Heng skidding backward, his eyes wide with shock.

The onlookers were stunned into silence.

Zhang Wei helped Liu Heng to his feet, his expression unreadable. "This… isn't over."

Wu Tian rolled his shoulders, his stance unshaken. "Then come back when you're ready."

The crowd erupted. A janitor had just stood against two Qi Refining disciples—and walked away victorious.

Wu Tian had defied the odds.

And he was just getting started.