Damn There's a stats monster

A ruthless determination flashed in Lin Han's eyes.

The empty card slot was perfect for inserting a skill card.

[Card Name: Shadow Strike]

[Type: Skill · Illusion]

[Rarity: Rare]

[Energy Level: ?????? (Tier 6)]

[Attributes]

[Agility +5]

[Active Skill: Consumes soul power to instantly teleport to the shadow of a designated target and deliver a swift strike, dealing physical damage based on the user's agility stat. Has a chance to inflict the 'Stun' effect.]

[Description: Beware your shadow.]

This card, though not the rarest, excelled in its lightning-fast activation—perfect for ambushes!

Now was the moment!

While Liu Yuan was still distracted, fiddling with her phone!

How dare she ignore me!

How dare she act so smug!

Lin Han's figure blurred abruptly.

"Whoosh!"

A faint sound of displaced air whispered through the arena.

He vanished like a ghost, reappearing behind Liu Yuan in the next instant!

The distance between them closed in a flash.

At the same time, a dagger-shaped equipment card materialized silently in his grip, its sharp edge aimed straight at Liu Yuan's unprotected back.

His movements were a blur of speed, his eyes burning with the desperate hunger for victory.

If this strike landed—if it triggered the 'Stun' effect—he would win.

Liu Yuan seemed utterly unaware of the danger behind her, her fingers still tapping lazily on her screen.

[Iris: Brother, I feel a bit drowsy. Is this a sign of soul power depletion?]

The commentator's voice skyrocketed in disbelief. "Lin Han—he's activated Shadow Strike! His target… is Liu Yuan herself!"

His words were practically prophetic, anticipating Lin Han's move the moment he saw his subtle shift. "Liu Yuan appears completely defenseless! Her 'Black Knight' stands idle at the far end of the arena—too distant, and far too slow to intercept!"

Yet even as he spoke, Lin Han's attack was already in motion. "Lin Han's speed is terrifying! Shadow Strike is renowned for its instant activation, and paired with his agility, this strike is near-instantaneous! The dagger is—it's about to connect!"

In one corner of the spectator stands, Su Qi's brow furrowed sharply, but he remained still, watching silently.

Back on the arena, Lin Han's vision narrowed to Liu Yuan's seemingly vulnerable back.

Closer!

Almost there!

Victory was within reach!

One hit, one stun, and it would all be over.

His family's status, future resources—

His lips twitched, unable to suppress a smirk.

But just as the dagger's edge was about to pierce Liu Yuan—

Everything changed.

Liu Yuan didn't even turn around.

She merely tilted lazily to the left.

Her movement looked slow, almost careless.

Time seemed to freeze.

Lin Han's triumphant grin stiffened.

His pupils contracted violently, as if witnessing the impossible.

His attack had been dodged.

And the dagger that should have grazed past her—was now caught.

Not deflected. Not knocked away.

But seized, the razor-sharp blade pinched firmly between slender, pale fingers.

The contrast between her delicate hand and the cold, unyielding metal was surreal.

Yet this very hand acted like an unbreakable iron clamp, rendering his dagger utterly immobile!

How did she react so quickly?

Wasn’t she just playing on her phone?

And how… how could she directly intercept an attack enhanced by a sixth-tier skill with nothing but her bare hand?!

What kind of monstrous reflexes and strength would that require?!

The clamor from the audience below the arena came to an abrupt halt.

Every pair of eyes widened, every mouth hung open, staring at the unbelievable scene unfolding in the ring.

One moment, they had been on the verge of erupting in fury over Lin Han’s underhanded tactics—the next, they were struck speechless by Liu Yuan’s effortless yet earth-shattering counter.

Even the commentator’s voice caught in his throat. He had just been hyping up Lin Han’s lightning-fast ambush and Liu Yuan’s precarious situation, only for… this to happen?

Finally, Liu Yuan reluctantly lifted her gaze from her phone screen.

Her brows furrowed slightly, a faint trace of irritation flashing across her face at the interruption.

With a twist of her wrist—the same hand gripping the dagger’s blade—she abruptly shifted her stance, as if preparing to flip Lin Han over her shoulder using the weapon as leverage.

Lin Han realized her intent and instinctively tried to yank the dagger free.

But the slender fingers clutching the blade didn’t budge an inch.

He strained with all his might, muscles trembling, yet the dagger might as well have been fused into her grasp.

Lin Han’s face cycled from red to pale, then from pale to ashen.

An overwhelming, brute force surged through the dagger—pure, unstoppable, defying any technique to counter it.

“No—!”

His panicked shout came too late.

The next instant, his body was wrenched off balance, hurled through the air by the terrifying force transmitted through the blade.

“Whoosh—!”

Wind roared in his ears as the scenery blurred past.

He had zero control over his own trajectory.

“Thud!”

A heavy, dull impact.

Lin Han’s back slammed into the arena’s invisible energy barrier at the edge.

The barrier rippled violently, its glow flickering erratically from the collision.

Agony exploded through his body—his organs felt scrambled, his bones on the verge of shattering. He barely held back a mouthful of blood.

The commentator finally found his voice again: “Unbelievable! Contestant Liu Yuan… she—she just single-handedly flung Lin Han, who had launched a high-tier ambush skill, straight across the arena! That strength… those reflexes… absolutely terrifying!”

Meanwhile, Liu Yuan glanced down at her palm.

A faint white mark from the dagger’s edge marred her skin—just a shallow scratch.

Extremely high defense, resistant to blades and weapons… pretty standard for a dragon’s traits, right?

Her gaze shifted to the dagger still clutched in her hand, its blade gleaming coldly under the lights.

Then, she turned her eyes toward Lin Han, who was slumped at the edge of the ring, staring at her in sheer horror.

With a casual flick of her wrist—

“Swish!”