The moment he took off, even without using Phantom Step, his body shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.
The speed surpassed his previous Phantom Step back when he was only a Nine-Star Upper Elite.
With the boots enhancing his movement, even monsters famed for speed, like Poison Elvis, would never be able to touch him again.
When he activated Phantom Step, the effect was even more shocking.
Four afterimages flickered in the darkness like wandering ghosts, appearing and vanishing unpredictably.
His movements became lighter, faster, and far more elusive than before.
If his previous speed was like walking, then the God's Boots turned it into riding a bicycle.
Adding Phantom Step was like mounting a roaring sports car, pushing his speed to an entirely different level.
With his current speed, Ryan was confident. Even if he faced an Upper Exalt, he could retreat unharmed. Perhaps he could not defeat such an opponent yet, but escaping would no longer be a problem.
Still, Ryan was not satisfied.
One day remained before his agreement with Li Mingtian.
In that single day, he intended to hunt even more monsters, gain more levels, and seize greater treasures.
Gripping the Remnant Shadow Sword, Ryan's lips curved into a confident smile as he pressed deeper into the Forest of Death.
***
One day later, the Li Clan's martial arena was packed to the brim.
Cultivation was like rowing upstream; stop advancing, and you inevitably fall behind.
Warriors constantly sought progress, either through seclusion to raise their cultivation or through martial practice to sharpen their combat power.
Occasionally, they would come to the martial arena to test themselves in real combat, but such visits were usually limited. Too much focus on combat risked stagnation in cultivation.
However, today was different.
The long-awaited duel between the underdog who made too much progress in the recent days had drawn everyone out. Elders, disciples, servants—young and old alike—abandoned their routines and gathered around the arena, eager to witness the clash.
An hour before the match, the arena was already surrounded by a sea of people.
Most were firmly on Li Mingtian's side.
After all, he had been the Li Clan's unrivaled genius for years.
Ryan, though rising rapidly, still had very few supporters. Apart from his father, Li Gengxin, only Li Xue stood there with unwavering faith, her small fists clenched tightly in encouragement. The others who were there just to appease the Clan Head.
On the arena platform, Li Fanghua stood beside Li Mingtian and sneered dismissively. In her eyes, Ryan was already a corpse.
Li Mingtian, however, shook his head slowly.
He had arrived early, fully prepared, and not because of arrogance. Quite the opposite.
From the moment he agreed to this match, he had treated Ryan as a genuine threat. The day before, he had reviewed everything he knew, rested carefully, and came to the arena early to steady his state of mind.
"There's something about Li Wei," Li Mingtian said calmly. "I can't explain it clearly, but he gives me a very dangerous feeling. He possesses advanced martial arts, and I can't say with confidence that I'll win."
His eyes burned with anticipation as he stood in the arena. This was not condescension. It was excitement. For the first time in years, Li Mingtian felt that this battle might truly test him.
"Brother Mingtian, you're really being too modest," Li Fanghua said with a pout, her tone full of disdain. "Your cultivation has advanced even more to the next level, these past few days. You're already a two-star Upper Elite now. Li Wei is nothing more than an Elite. How could he possibly be your opponent?"
She paused for a moment, then turned to Li Mingtian with a suddenly serious expression.
Her voice dropped, carrying a sharp edge of resentment. "Brother Mingtian, no matter how much respect you have for Li Wei, there is one thing you cannot forget. He killed my brother. That hatred cannot be shared under the same sky. You must kill him in the arena today. Otherwise, how can my brother rest in peace? If Li Wei isn't killed today, then I… I might never acknowledge you again."
Li Mingtian was stunned.
He fell silent for a long moment before letting out a long sigh, as if something heavy had finally settled in his heart. "Fine," he said slowly, his voice firming up. "I promise you. As long as I defeat Li Wei, I will not show mercy. I will strike decisively and end it in the arena."
As Li Fanghua had said, no matter how much he respected Ryan's talent or felt wary of him, the two of them were ultimately enemies in the arena today.
Li Fanghua was his future partner, and Li Meiran was his late brother-in-law.
How could he possibly stand on Ryan's side? As these thoughts passed through his mind, a trace of cold determination flickered in Li Mingtian's eyes.
Far away, on the elevated platform reserved for the clan head and elders, the atmosphere was far heavier.
Li Gengxin sat at the center, expression calm but eyes deep with thought.
Around him were several elders, quietly discussing the upcoming duel. Among them, only two figures remained conspicuously silent.
One was Li Gengxin himself, and the other was the Seventh Elder, Li Feiying, whose gaze was filled with barely concealed hostility, as though he wished nothing more than to see Ryan die on the arena.
After a long silence, the Seventh Elder finally spoke, his tone slow and probing. "Clan Head, according to your earlier words, this duel will proceed without interference, regardless of the outcome. Even if Li Wei is killed… You will not step in?"
"That is correct," Li Gengxin replied evenly. "If my son loses, then it means his skills are inferior. He will have no one to blame but himself. However, I believe he will win."
The Seventh Elder let out a cold chuckle. "Confidence is one thing, but blind faith is another. Mingtian is already in the Upper Elite realm. How could Li Wei possibly compare? I only hope that when Li Wei is defeated, the clan head won't regret this decision."
Li Gengxin's eyes narrowed slightly, but he did not respond immediately.
At this moment, an elder seated close to the Seventh Elder spoke up, feigning casual concern. "Clan Head, I haven't seen Li Wei these past few days. Do you know where he has gone?"
"I don't," Li Gengxin answered honestly. "He only told me he was tempering his strength in preparation for today's battle. He didn't say where he will leave for."
The elder's eyes flickered as he continued, his tone cautious yet suggestive. "The duel is approaching, yet Li Wei still hasn't appeared. Could it be that he…"
Before he could finish, another elder chimed in. "Yes, there's still less than an hour left. Li Wei hasn't even shown his face. There's a real chance he's fled in fear."
The Seventh Elder snorted coldly, fixing Li Gengxin with a sharp gaze. "Or perhaps the clan head already knew that his son would lose, so he arranged for him to escape in advance?"
That sentence struck like a blade.
Li Gengxin stood up abruptly, anger flashing across his face. "Seventh Elder, I respect you for your seniority, but time and time again, you aren't controlling your tongue at all. I will no longer tolerate such slander. If you continue speaking recklessly, don't blame me for challenging you for a life and death battle, after the duel!"
A warrior's reputation was sacred. To imply cowardice or deceit was no small insult. The surrounding elders quickly sensed the tension and rushed to mediate.
"Clan Head, please calm yourself."
"Yes, Seventh Elder was only speaking thoughtlessly."
"Everyone knows your character. How could Li Wei possibly flee?"
"Perhaps the young master is simply delayed. There is still time."
Seeing the situation de-escalate, the Seventh Elder finally stood up and clasped his hands, offering a perfunctory salute. "My words were ill-considered. I meant no offense, Clan Head. I was merely anxious due to Li Wei's absence."
Li Gengxin snorted coldly and sat back down. "Since my son agreed to this duel, he will not flee. When the time comes, he will appear."