The Saiyan In The Cultivation World.

The second round ended, and after a brief five-minute respite for recovery, the stages began to shift once more. With 25 stages remaining, the math was simple: not every stage could pair up. This meant that one stage and its occupant would advance directly to the fourth round without needing another fight.

The lucky individual? None other than the loli who had been sneaking glances at me throughout the tournament. She earned the free pass, bypassing the third round entirely while we prepared to face our next opponents.

My stage merged with another, now occupied by a young man who looked to be around 23 years old. He stood tall, his dark skin contrasting with the fairer tones more commonly seen in this part of the world.

Fun fact: in this world, just like on Earth, skin tones vary greatly. While lighter skin tones were more prevalent in regions with less sunlight, darker tones thrived in areas bathed in intense sunlight, serving as a natural adaptation for survival.

Darker skin provides better protection against sunburn and skin cancers, while also optimizing Vitamin D absorption in harsher climates. This natural evolution created distinct traits; those with darker skin often possessed stronger physiques, while lighter-skinned individuals tended to have a greater affinity for Qi cultivation.

As for eye shapes and features? Just like on Earth, there was great diversity. In regions where conditions required people to squint often, such as bright, open deserts or snowy expanses, narrower eyes evolved as a natural adaptation to protect against glare. This gave rise to eye shapes similar to those seen in certain Asian populations back on Earth.

Of course, this world had its share of conflict tied to these differences. Long ago, the world was split in half by a race war that raged for centuries. However, over time, as civilizations grew and societies matured, the tensions eased, giving way to a relatively peaceful coexistence.

As of today, light-skinned individuals make up the majority and are considered the most "well-balanced" in terms of physical strength and Qi cultivation aptitude. Darker-skinned populations, were renowned for their physical prowess, while fairer-skinned populations excelled in their connection to the Qi path.

Of course, in regions where lighter skin tones were predominant, fairness was often idolized as the pinnacle of beauty. In contrast, among populations with darker skin tones, physical form and the figure of a woman were celebrated as the ultimate markers of allure and grace.

But that's a discussion for another day, as we've clearly veered off course here. Let's get back to the matter at hand, the young man standing before me.

***

The young man standing before me was no ordinary participant. He had reached Level 10 Qi Refinement, the peak of his realm, and cultivated the 9 Heavens Fiendgod Cultivation Art, a body cultivation technique that gifted its cultivator an unmatched physical body. His mastery had reached the second stage of this profound art, granting him immense physical resilience and an unparalleled recovery speed.

This combination made him one of the top contenders in the tournament, a figure others might fear or respect. Yet, as he stepped onto the stage, his demeanor held no arrogance, only the quiet confidence of someone who understood his strength.

"Unlike the others, I have no interest in just jumping off... I mean you no disrespect, Prince, but I will win this tournament," Shi Bin said, his tone resolute and his gaze unwavering as he looked me in the eye. There was no fear in his voice, only a steadfast determination that was refreshing compared to the usual groveling and sycophancy I encountered.

I leaned back slightly, resting my chin on my hand as I sized him up. His confidence was genuine, not born of arrogance but of certainty in his abilities. That made him intriguing. This wasn't someone who would crumble under pressure or give up at the sight of overwhelming odds.

Placing my hands on the armrests, I slowly pushed myself up from the chair. Every motion was deliberate, each shift of muscle sending sharp pangs of pain through my body. I winced but didn't falter. The moment felt heavy, and charged, as the subtle sounds of the arena quieted. My actions drew the attention of everyone nearby; with the matches yet to begin, idle gazes naturally wandered.

The sight of me rising from my wheelchair, an act both unexpected, seemed to captivate them. Whispers spread through the crowd, their curiosity and confusion feeding the charged atmosphere.

"He is getting up, look like we're going to see what makes him so talented." one voice speculated.

"He is just a kid, how strong could he be?" another muttered, their tone a mix of awe and unease.

"I like your spirit," I said with a smile, brushing aside the agony my body screamed at me to acknowledge. I had yet to recover fully from the backlash of my incomplete transformation, but this moment wasn't about pain, it was about something far more primal, far more satisfying.

Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself, the act alone enough to push back the burning in my limbs and the dull ache in my core. I forced clarity into my thoughts, severing any connection to the physical suffering that sought to pull me down.

"This is going to be my first real battle," I said, the grin spreading across my face a mixture of anticipation and exhilaration. "A fight where I'll put my heart and soul into it... Let's dance."

I flexed my fingers, rolling my shoulders as my energy adjusted, settling into a controlled storm within me. My instincts sharpened, the thrill of combat pushing every other thought to the edges of my consciousness.

Haki? No. It would be limited heavily to only focus on one intent. Where was the thrill, the meaning, if I started with an advantage that felt almost unfair? This battle wasn't about overwhelming him. This was about pushing myself, testing my limits, and breaking past them. Only when I fought as though my back were against the wall, only when I tore through my weaknesses with raw grit and determination, could I be truly satisfied with myself?

Remember, I was only at Level 1 Body Tempering, yet my combat power rivaled that of someone at Level 3 Qi Refinement. That gap was impressive for someone at my level, but Shi Bin stood at Level 10 Qi Refinement, a tier where he could annihilate most Level 3 Qi Refinement cultivators with a casual flick of his wrist.

"Start!" the referee called out, and the air seemed to ignite with tension.

The moment those words were uttered, I vanished.

Shi Bin's pupils shrank in shock as he scanned the stage, unable to sense or follow my movements. His gaze darted around wildly, his Qi flaring to extend his senses, but I was gone from his perception, completely erased from sight.