Ishin applauded from the ground floor of the Golden Arena, joining the thunderous noise of the crowd. Bo stood victorious at the center of the stage, lifting his head to meet the cheers of the thousands filling the arena. It was the first time Ishin had ever seen the senior disciple bask in the adoration.

  Ishin was genuinely happy for Bo, knowing how important it was for him to reach the quarter-finals. He had finally overcome the barrier that stopped him the year before. But still... Ishin glanced at Lei’s limp form.

  Both had displayed incredible feats of strength. In truth, Ishin wasn’t sure he could have defeated either of them. Fate had simply arranged for them to fight each other. It could just as easily have been him in that ring, or Rhee.

  Half a dozen Righteous Mantle Sect servants ran onto the stage. Two went to Bo, offering support as they escorted the victor off. The other four worked together to carry Lei’s large form away.

  Ishin met up with Bo as he was gently helped down from the stage. At first, one of the servants tried to stop him, but Bo quickly intervened, explaining that Ishin was a friend.

  “Congratulations on your victory. How are you feeling?”

  “Relieved,” Bo replied with a strained smile. “But my stomach is killing me.”

  “He needs to see the sect’s healers,” one of the servants said respectfully. “With all due respect, Competitor Ro Ishin, please move aside.”

  Ishin obliged but continued to follow as Bo was led toward a small door at the side of the arena floor. He didn’t care about the rest of the matches that day. The only one of real note was Chu Winxi’s, up next—and everyone knew she would win.

  The room Bo was taken to was a permanent recovery bay, with private rooms for delicate treatment, storage rooms for medicinal supplies, and an entire recovery bay lined with beds for the wounded. Servants in Righteous Mantle livery moved about, while the sect’s disciples tended to the injured personally, distinguished only by their more traditional cultivation robes. Ishin found it even more impressive than the Eight Oaths Resolve School’s infirmary.

  Bo was led into a private room, the door closing immediately behind him. The same servant stayed outside, standing guard like a sentinel.

  “He needs to be examined by one of our sect’s disciples in private,” the servant told Ishin politely but firmly.

  “Oh, of course. My apologies.”

  Ishin turned and spotted the group carrying Lei. From here, he could see the deep gash on the right side of Lei’s head, where Bo had struck him with his shield to end the fight. Ishin started toward them but stopped as he saw them carry Lei into another private room.

  “We can’t do anything here.”

  Ishin turned to find Rhee standing only a few feet away. Her face was serious, though not concerned.

  “Walk with me.”

  Realizing there was nothing else he could do, he followed Rhee as she left the recovery bay. Instead of returning to their balcony as he expected, they exited the Central Combat Hall and stepped into the late evening streets of the city.

  The quiet noise of the hall’s passageways gave way to the loud commotion of Central Square. Vendors shouted over the hundreds of conversations, trying to catch the attention of the crowd. Red, green, blue, orange, and purple paper lanterns floated over the city traffic around the Combat Hall, their movement creating only the barest sense of order.

  Rhee gestured for Ishin to follow her down a quieter street. He obeyed silently. It took them fifteen minutes to reach a calmer part of the Eastern Quarter, where Ishin could finally hear himself think.

  “I always hate how busy Central Square gets during the tournament,” Rhee said. “For a whole week, you can’t travel through it without spending an hour pressing through sweaty, smelly people.”

  “I’ve never seen anything like it,” Ishin admitted. “Back home, we had festivals, but even during the Last Sun Festival it was never that packed.”

  “That’s what happens when a quarter of a million people try to fit within a few city blocks,” Rhee explained. “I hate it—but Bo loves it.”

  That surprised Ishin. “Bo? Really?”

  Rhee led them down a southern bend in the road. “Oh yes. You’d never guess it from his stoic demeanor, but he loves watching people. I asked him once. He said he enjoyed seeing what everyone did. I don’t get it, but it makes him happy.”

  “Speaking of Bo,” Ishin said, trying to steer the conversation, “were you surprised he won?”

  Rhee was silent for a moment. Ishin moved beside her instead of trailing behind.

  “I thought he would,” she admitted at last. “Lei had never beaten him in sparring. I know anything can happen in a real fight, but...”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “You figured the outcome would be the same.”

  “Yes.” She paused, thinking. “Still, Lei fought better than I’ve ever seen. When he punched Bo in the stomach, I thought he might actually win.”

  “I did too.” Ishin gave a hollow laugh. “Honestly, I was worried Bo might die.” He remembered how easily Lei had killed Lan Chen with a single punch.

  “Bo’s Iron Temple technique is formidable. It uses a lot of qi but makes his body as tough as iron.”

  “He’s strong,” Ishin said quietly. “If I face him in the semi-finals... I don’t know if I can beat him.”

  “You’ll make it,” Rhee replied. Ishin gave her a questioning look. “After defeating Lu Jun, you’ve earned the elixir my grandfather promised.”

  At the mention of Lu Jun, Ishin remembered his earlier fight. It hadn’t been as hard as he expected.

  Rhee’s eyes flicked to his stomach, and Ishin knew she was assessing his chakra.

  “With that elixir, you should just barely reach the fourth layer. I studied the bracket. Your next opponent is Laing Ru from the Verdant Leaf Sect. She’s only at the third layer of the Initial Realm. Honestly, I’m surprised she made it this far. You’ll win.”

  If Rhee was that certain, Ishin wouldn’t argue. She hadn’t been wrong yet.

  “Who’s your next opponent?” he asked. He wasn’t as familiar with the bracket—a failing, he knew.

  “Li Wei, from the Three Blessed Petals School. He’s skilled, but it shouldn’t be an issue.”

  “That easy?”

  Rhee shrugged. “He’s at the third layer. I know his techniques. No, neither of us need to worry. I’m actually concerned about Bo.”

  “Because he’ll fight Chu Winxi next?” Even Ishin knew that much.

  “Yes. She’s at the fourth layer too. Even with the elixir, Bo won’t reach the fifth.”

  “He won’t?”

  Rhee shook her head. “He’ll reach the peak of the fourth layer, but I don’t think he can push beyond that. Even if he could, it wouldn’t guarantee his victory over her.”

  Ishin remembered Chu Winxi’s matches so far. They had all been one-sided. Her grace with the sword and her wood techniques—conjuring leaves as sharp as blades—were deadly.

  And Bo was already injured.

  He didn’t know how quickly the Righteous Mantle disciples could heal him, but Bo was still expected to fight tomorrow.

  Especially now that there were only four matches left.

  “What about you?” Ishin asked quietly.

  “Me?”

  “Will you reach the fifth layer with the elixir?” He thought about Dong Zhi. At this rate, if her predictions proved right, she’d face him in the semi-finals. Could she win without the fifth layer?

  “I... will,” she said quietly.

  “That’s great!” If she reached the fifth layer, she might make it all the way to the finals.

  “It is.”

  But Ishin’s smile faded. Why doesn’t she seem happy?

  He caught her looking back at the Central Combat Hall, its Yellow Dome outlined against the setting sun.

  Is she conflicted about being recruited by a sect?

  Ishin knew Rhee wanted to leave the city, to escape her family’s plans. If she reached the finals—or won outright—she’d likely be invited to any sect she wanted.

  He felt a strange mix of emotions at the thought. She was probably hoping for the Crimson Abyss Sect. It made sense. Joining such a renowned Grand Sect would guarantee her the freedom to choose her own Immortal Path.

  He wanted that too. He needed that power to find the Hidden Ring—and his clan.

  But the truth was, only one of them might get that chance.

  Either way, it would separate them.

  As Ishin looked at the dark-haired prodigy of the Zhu Clan, that possibility bothered him.

  The rest of their journey back to the school was quiet and contemplative, each lost in thought. When they arrived, they were greeted by Master Zhu Qing. Rhee’s mother was a powerful Adept Realm cultivator. Ishin thought she looked strikingly like her daughter, sharing the same sharp chin and nose. Like Rhee, one of her chakras had the darkness aspect—the other was life-aspected.

  “Mother,” Rhee greeted her, skipping the bow.

  “Master Zhu.” Ishin bowed properly.

  A pleasant smile crossed Master Zhu Qing’s face. “Congratulations to both of you. Three of our disciples have reached the quarter-finals. Our school’s reputation will only grow. The Grand Master is very pleased.” She looked at Rhee. “So am I.”

  “Thank you, Mother,” Rhee said, voice warm with emotion.

  “You’ve brought honor to us—to your father and me, and to our whole clan.” Her expression softened with pride. “You’ll make an excellent Grand Master one day.”

  Ishin glanced at Rhee. Outwardly she stayed composed, but he caught the subtle shift in her tone.

  “Thank you, Mother.”

  “Now come. You both have rewards to receive. The Grand Master is eager to present them.”

  Ten minutes later, they stood in the Grand Master’s office. The elderly man opened a blue and orange box on his desk. Inside were three glass vials with different colored liquids, each matching a qi aspect: darkness, lightning, and metal.

  Grand Master Yusheng picked up the vial with the black fluid first and offered it to Rhee. “For you, Disciple Zhu Rhee.”

  She accepted it gently. “Thank you, Grand Master.”

  He smiled before retrieving the bright blue vial. “For you, Disciple Ro Ishin.”

  Ishin took the elixir with gratitude. “Thank you, Grand Master.”

  Grand Master Yusheng closed the box, the final vial still inside, and handed it to Master Zhu Qing. “Please deliver this to Disciple Wan Bo.”

  Rhee’s mother secured the box. “I will see to it.”

  “Good.” The Grand Master turned back to Rhee and Ishin. “You both have done well. At this rate, I expect you’ll each reach the semi-finals. Hopefully, all three of you will.”

  Ishin heard the doubt beneath the words. Bo’s path wasn’t guaranteed.

  “We will not disappoint you, Grand Master,” Rhee said, bowing.

  Ishin quickly mirrored her. “We won’t.”

  The Grand Master nodded, pleased. “That’s what I like to hear. Now return to your rooms. Enjoy your rewards. Cultivate thoroughly. By tomorrow morning, I expect you both to have reached a new layer.”