I completely agree. MC is definitely showing progress, but only in brute strength and explosiveness, not in technique or strategic thinking. In a way, it seems that the MC before Qi knew how to fight better than the MC now. Like, the fight against the 12 PHs was cool and it's understandable that he had such a hard time, but I feel that if he fought better and thought more it would have been a lot easier; and to be honest, it's ridiculous that against 6 havoc disciples he only has three options: flee, divine help or spend 20 Qi. As for the fight against the Demon Executing Squad, I think the "defeat" was reasonable, the guys were strong individually, had perfect teamwork, used items as if using water and at the end of the fight had techniques that were more about the power of the Heavens and Karma than themselves.