His gaze swept over the few people inside the enclosure, and then he announced, "Next is the ranking match for second and third place: Qin Yu versus Zhou Zhiqiang! Take the stage!"

As his voice fell, a commotion immediately erupted in the spectator stands.

The clash between Qin Yu’s viciousness and Zhou Zhiqiang’s raw power was also highly anticipated. Especially after the harrowing moment that morning, no one knew if Qin Yu would pull another devious move.

Qin Yu stood up from the rest area. His face was calm, betraying little emotion, but his eyes remained as sharp as an eagle’s. He gently rubbed his fingertips at his side, as if already brewing an attack with his Celestial Eagle Claw.

He walked slowly toward the fighting stage, his steps light, yet carrying an intangible sense of pressure.

Zhou Zhiqiang also stood up, took a deep breath, and flexed his wrists.

The earlier ease on his face was gone, replaced by utter seriousness and even a faint, barely perceptible trace of nervousness.

As he walked to the stage, his eyes couldn’t help but dart toward Qin Yu out of the corner of his vision. In his mind, he replayed Qin Yu’s vicious claw strike over and over. Even Li Mengchao had almost been taken down by that move. ’If a move like that were aimed at me...’

Zhou Zhiqiang subconsciously clamped his legs together, a chill running through his groin. He became fully alert, resolved to protect his vital areas no matter what.

The two ascended the stage one after another, taking their positions on opposite sides.

Qin Yu crouched slightly, his hands formed into claws, their tips glowing with a cold white light. The aura of his Celestial Eagle Claw technique silently spread out as his gaze locked onto Zhou Zhiqiang, searching for the perfect moment to strike.

Zhou Zhiqiang, on the other hand, sank into a low stance, his fists clenched and muscles bulging. He circulated his Inner Strength to its absolute peak, his eyes glued to Qin Yu’s hands. He even softened his breathing, terrified of missing the slightest movement.

"Begin!" the Silver Armor Captain commanded, then turned and walked off the stage, leaving it entirely to the two of them.

Qin Yu was the first to move. His figure shot forward like a phantom, his right claw tearing through the air as it went straight for Zhou Zhiqiang’s face, the wind it generated sharp and fierce.

Zhou Zhiqiang dared not hesitate. He blocked with his left arm while simultaneously throwing a right punch imbued with dense Inner Strength, forcing Qin Yu to pull back his claw to parry.

BAM!

Fist and claw collided, and a shockwave rippled outward.

Zhou Zhiqiang felt his arm go numb and he staggered slightly. Qin Yu was also knocked back half a step, a flash of surprise in his eyes.

’This Zhou Zhiqiang’s punches are even heavier and more powerful than I expected.’

In an instant, the two were locked in combat.

Qin Yu’s Celestial Eagle Claw was nimble and ruthless, striking like a coiling serpent, always aiming for openings. His figure flickered unpredictably across the stage, constantly launching attacks from unbelievable angles.

Zhou Zhiqiang’s Heavy Fist technique, however, was incomparably fierce. Each punch carried the force to shatter stone, the wind from his blows howling. He was trying to overwhelm skill with brute force, forcing Qin Yu into a head-on clash.

For the first few dozen exchanges, they were evenly matched, trading blows back and forth.

But Zhou Zhiqiang remained on edge, constantly worried that Qin Yu would suddenly use a dirty trick. This made his movements hesitant and restricted; he was spending more energy on defense than on offense.

Especially when Qin Yu’s claw attacks neared his lower body, he would subconsciously pull back his own attacks to defend, missing several prime opportunities to counter.

Qin Yu, ever so perceptive, immediately noticed Zhou Zhiqiang’s apprehension. The corner of his mouth curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smirk.

He began to move with even greater agility, his claws repeatedly feinting toward Zhou Zhiqiang’s vital points. He deliberately aimed for the lower body several times, forcing Zhou Zhiqiang to retreat again and again, his form slowly falling into disarray.

Another twenty moves passed before Qin Yu seized an opening created by Zhou Zhiqiang’s defensive retreat. His left claw shot out like a bolt of lightning.

RIP!

With a rip, it tore through Zhou Zhiqiang’s sleeve, the claw tips leaving three bloody gashes on his right arm so deep they reached the bone.

Zhou Zhiqiang grunted in pain and took two steps back. Staring at the wound on his arm, his expression grew even uglier.

He knew he was at a disadvantage. What made his heart tighten even more was that Qin Yu’s gaze was growing colder, as if he were calculating the best place to land the next blow.

’If this goes on, there’s no telling if he’ll use that same vicious trick on me...’

Zhou Zhiqiang gritted his teeth. ’Third place is still a solid finish over fifth. There’s no need to take this risk.’

"I surrender!" Zhou Zhiqiang shouted, retreating several steps with exceptional decisiveness.

The words barely out of his mouth, he turned without another glance at Qin Yu and strode quickly off the stage. Blood was still seeping from the wound on his right arm, staining half his sleeve crimson.

Qin Yu retracted his claws and stood still, watching Zhou Zhiqiang’s departing back. A flicker of complex emotion crossed his eyes before they returned to their usual calm.

The Silver Armor Captain stepped onto the stage, glanced at Qin Yu, and shook his head slightly. Then he announced, "Qin Yu is the winner, taking second place in this training ground trial. Zhou Zhiqiang takes third place."

A round of applause came from the spectator stands. Although there were lingering resentments about Qin Yu’s methods, no one had any major objections to the result.

The Captain paused, then turned his gaze to Yang Jing and Zhou Tong inside the enclosure. He announced in a clear voice, "The final match! Yang Jing versus Zhou Tong, take the stage! This will decide fourth and fifth place!"