With a devastating strike like a raging dragon breaching the sea, Joe obliterated the spot where Andrew had just been standing. The ringโs foundation exploded, leaving a gaping hole beneath the floorboards.
However, Andrew vanished in a blur. He dodged again and again, his speed suddenly soaring.
โMr. Driscoll, whatโs the matter? Didnโt you take your protein shake today?โ Andrew taunted, his voice light and teasing.
Joeโs face darkened as he gave chase relentlessly.
Their fight had already reached a level where even the spectators could barely track their movements, and every exchange was a blur of speed and power.
Waves of violent energy rippled across the ring, so intense that even those watching below felt their breath catch from the sheer pressure.
Garyโs mouth hung open in disbelief. โIs this what peak martial arts looks like? This is unreal! Mr. Driscollโs insane. Heโs like one of those legendary fighters you only see in old-school movies! But Andrew is holding his ground too! He hasnโt gone down at all!โ
Liliana snapped, glaring at him. โShut up, Gary! Joe is the strongest, and Andrew is about to get pummeled into the floor!โ
Andrew spun back around, palms clashing directly with Joeโs in a brutal impact. Both fighters were knocked back a step, but they instantly lunged forward again like two bloodthirsty gladiators.
Joeโs footwork shifted subtly. He threw a right feint, but his center of gravity suddenly swung left, delivering a vicious, surprise strike aimed straight at Andrewโs ribs.
Caught off guard, Andrewโs shirt ripped at the side as blood streaked across his left torso. That was the ruthlessness of the external energy shield. Even without full contact, the sheer force could still cut like a blade.
Lauren let out a sharp gasp, heart pounding with panic.
Shiloh finally dropped her casual attitude, her expression turning serious. โRelax. Donโt underestimate Andrew. He still hasnโt gone all-out yet.โ
Meanwhile, Liliana, Gary, and the other lapdogs were all cheering and celebrating like a home team scoring big.
High in the stands, Walterโs lips curled in satisfaction. This was exactly the kind of dominance expected from the Driscoll familyโs prized prodigy.
Yet, Joeโs face only grew darker, his expression colder. This was not the outcome he wanted.
With his strength and pride, Andrew should have already collapsed. But instead, the man still had enough energy to evade and counter.
It was a direct insult to Joeโs confidence.
โEnough. Stay still!โ Joe growled low, suddenly erupting into a storm of strikes.
A rapid barrage of blows closed in around Andrew, sealing off every escape route.
Then came a leaping pounce.
Joe descended from above with both fists aimed square at Andrewโs head, the crushing force behind it enough to shatter concrete.
However, Andrewโs face remained eerily calm. Even with death bearing down, his expression was as serene as still water. Inside his body, a second seal continued to suppress his power.
Nonetheless, this fight was exactly what he needed to not only defeat Joe but also use Joeโs attacks as a hammer to crack through that second seal.
So, he did not need to go full throttle just yet.
With one step back, Andrew tilted his head, letting Joeโs crushing palm slam into his chest instead.
A splash of blood burst from his mouth, but his face did not even register pain, only a strange flicker of satisfaction.
That blow had done itโit had loosened the seal even further.
Grabbing Joeโs wrist with one hand, Andrew yanked it down.
Joe sneered, the scorn on his face quick but sharp. โYouโre already injured, and you still want to wrestle? How delusional can you be?โ
He raised his other hand like a cleaver, slicing it toward Andrewโs neck with lethal intent.
Andrew simply smiled.
A loud bang sounded as he struck Joeโs wrist with a brutal counter of his own, a move called Blooming Iron Tree. It was a straight-up pain bomb to the nerves.
Joe did not flinch, proving to have an iron will.
Ignoring the searing pain, he kept driving his hand toward Andrewโs throat.
Andrew snorted coldly and did not even dodge. He let Joeโs hand grab his neck, but in the same motion, he clamped his own fingers around Joeโs throat as well.
And just like that, both men gripped each other by the most vulnerable spot, neither backing down, locked in a savage deadlock.
First, they exchanged explosive kicks beneath their feet, advancing and retreating dozens of times. Then, they applied force with their wrists, each trying to crush the otherโs throat.
However, whenever this happened, both would simultaneously twist their bodies, forcibly dragging the other person to constantly change positions to dispel the force.