Spear Shore.

  Ishin couldn’t believe his ears. The organization responsible for his mother’s death hailed from the same city that might contain clues about his clan.

  The Heavens had a funny way of making their intentions clear.

  Keeping them hidden beside his thighs, Ishin clenched his fists in both excitement and frustration. He now certainly knew his path, but lacked the power to bring it to fruition.

  He was helpless. Again.

  “Thank you for telling me, Grand Master.” It was an effort to keep his tone reserved.

  Knowing eyes studied him. “Remember my warning, Disciple.”

  “I will.”

  Grand Master Yusheng took another sip of his tea. “Regardless of what you decide, the karma between us has been settled.” He returned the cup to his desk. “I would like to discuss a different matter with you now.”

  The school head opened a drawer and retrieved a small piece of jade from within, holding it between two fingers. “Have you ever seen this before?”

  It can’t just be a piece of jade.

  Even the Daihu Tribe possessed fragments of the rare stone.

  “I don’t believe so.”

  The Grand Master set it down on the desk, allowing Ishin to see its circular shape and a familiar triangular hole in its center. “I thought not. This is a jade tael. I trust in your short time within the city you’ve become accustomed to the empire’s currency?”

  Ishin’s eyes were fixed on the beautiful polished green coin. “I am.”

  How much is it worth?

  “Then you know the relative value of copper, silver, and gold taels. Each one is worth twenty times more than the last. Most commoners only deal in bronze and silver. The more affluent deal with gold—and this.” He tapped the coin. “A jade tael is worth twenty gold taels. A value I hope you can appreciate.”

  Ishin could. With that single coin, he could purchase almost three Rupture Wailing Storm Pills. Surely, it would take him to the fifth layer of the Initial Realm.

  “I will give you this coin in exchange for letting the school study your technique. Does that sound fair?”

  The Pale Azure Lightning Force Strike.

  Ishin’s eyes met the Grand Master’s. Even though he couldn’t see it, Ishin knew that hunger lurked within the elderly man.

  He really wants my technique. But why?

  Ishin knew the Pale Azure Lightning Force Strike was undoubtedly powerful. He’d seen the carnage it could yield. Still, the Eight Oaths Resolve School was a massive institution. Surely it had other techniques that could compare. It certainly possessed other lightning-aspected techniques. So why was the Grand Master putting in so much effort to learn his?

  Is it possible a jade tael is the normal value of an Initial Realm technique?

  No, that was unlikely. Otherwise, it meant Master Guoqiang had effectively given him twenty gold taels when he provided Ishin with the Indigo Sky Bolt technique. There was something else going on here, and Ishin didn’t like that he couldn’t understand it.

  He thought about it more, but his head began to ache in its inebriated state. Rhee’s warning returned to him, providing some focus. If even she didn’t think he should give the technique to her own grandfather, then there was only one choice.

  “I truly appreciate your offer, Grand Master. But like I said before, the technique is not mine to share.”

  “Are you certain?” Ishin detected a trace of irritation in the question, but he remained firm.

  “I’m afraid so.”

  Grand Master Yusheng placed a finger atop the coin and slid it back toward himself. “Very well.”

  Ishin thought the conversation over and was eager to return to his bed, cramped as it was. But then the Grand Master continued.

  “Another word of caution.” His words were firm, ruthless—no doubt reflecting his irritation at Ishin’s rejection. “Remember your position tomorrow. You’ve accomplished a lot, but everyone has limits. It’s wise to recognize your own.”

  It took Ishin a moment to understand what he was referring to, but then it became clear.

  He wants me to lose tomorrow.

  In truth, Ishin shouldn’t have been surprised. He was a nobody from what was considered an insignificant region of the empire. Sure, he was a talented nobody who had come far, but compared to Rhee, he was nothing. It would no doubt embarrass Rhee’s clan—and especially the Grand Master—if their chosen prodigy were defeated in front of the whole city by someone like him.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Someone like him.

  Ishin felt his inner beast stir at the insult. He hated being threatened. Even worse, disrespected.

  “I’m sure the best martial will win tomorrow,” Ishin grated out.

  The Grand Master took a moment before replying. “I won’t deny that you’ve guaranteed a promising future for yourself. Even if you came in second, the Notable Sects will still try to recruit you. It is a great achievement.”

  Would the Crimson Abyss Sect still want me though?

  Ishin was no longer aiming for just one of the Notable Sects. Internally, he realized how absurd that was.

  “Disciple Rhee will no doubt be recruited by the Righteous Mantle Sect,” Grand Master Yusheng continued. “She’ll be granted a position within their outer sect and, upon reaching the Adept Realm, be promoted to their inner sect. Then she will make her way back to the school, like her mother before her. Even if she somehow comes in second place, this path will not change.”

  He still doesn’t know that Rhee doesn’t want that path.

  Ishin remained quiet, not wanting to accidentally convey his thoughts.

  “However, her ascent through the sect ranks will be further accelerated. The prize offered to the champion will ease her cultivation.”

  Ishin frowned at that. The prize.

  He had been so focused on drawing the attention of the sects that he’d forgotten about the actual reward for the tournament champion. In his wine-addled state, it took a moment to recall.

  Eventually, he remembered that Lady Kurai Xue had promised a superior-grade storage ring and a medium-grade cultivation pill. Having experienced the benefits of a low-grade pill, Ishin assumed that a medium-grade one would likely take him not just to the fifth layer, but probably even the sixth. He understood why the Grand Master wanted Rhee to have them.

  “Grand Master, Disciple Rhee is talented. Furthermore, her cultivation is greater than my own. There is a very good chance that she will win.”

  “I expect her to,” Grand Master Yusheng replied. He began to rhythmically tap his fingers against his desk.

  Yet still the old man studied Ishin as if he were dangerous. Ishin didn’t entirely understand why.

  “You’ve done much for our school’s prestige, Disciple Ro Ishin. You deserve recognition for your efforts.”

  Ishin bowed his head in subservience. “You honor me, Grand Master, and have already offered me valuable information.”

  Before Ishin could continue, Grand Master Yusheng held up a hand. “Nevertheless, I can offer you more.”

  More?

  “Should you fail to win tomorrow, I will speak with the elder from the Crimson Abyss Sect and recommend he recruit you. More than likely, the sect will only recruit a single representative. Our city is not significant enough for them to bother with more recruits.”

  Ishin’s brow furrowed. Why would he do that?

  The Grand Master continued. “I will share with their representative that Disciple Rhee already intends to join the Righteous Mantle Sect. As the runner-up, you’ll naturally be the most promising candidate to recruit.” The next word was emphasized. “If I vouch for you.” The Grand Master steepled his fingers together. “Otherwise, perhaps they’ll still try to recruit Dong Jing from the Red Burning Comet School. He is at the fifth layer of the Initial Realm, while you are only at the fourth, after all.”

  Now Ishin understood. He’s trying to bribe me to lose.

  He still didn’t understand why—but he didn’t like it. Does he have so little faith in Rhee’s abilities?

  Throughout all their sparring matches, Ishin had never managed to defeat Rhee. In truth, he expected her to win tomorrow. But then he thought more carefully about the Grand Master’s words and their implications.

  He’s going to try to dissuade the Crimson Abyss elder from recruiting Rhee—while recommending me in her stead.

  It all made sense now, and Ishin viewed the Grand Master with far more wariness than before.

  He knew about Rhee’s hopes to escape. This bribe wasn’t just about assuring her victory—it was about keeping her from being taken away by one of the most powerful sects in the empire.

  Ishin felt foolish for not realizing it sooner. Rhee probably had no idea that her grandfather had caught on to her intent. Most likely, the old fox had already ensured that none of the other Notable Sects would try to recruit her. But the arrival of the Crimson Abyss Sect was something he hadn’t foreseen—and couldn’t control.

  “That is very generous of you,” Ishin replied, realizing he’d been silent for some time.

  Grand Master Yusheng took another sip of tea. “Think about it, young disciple. If you truly desire power, then the Crimson Abyss Sect is your best path forward.”

  And of course now he knows why I want power.

  A valuable lesson—don’t share information with those you don’t trust.

  Setting his cup down, the Grand Master said, “Sleep on it. I’ll know your answer tomorrow when the fight ends.”

  Ishin stood and offered a slow bow. “Thank you, Grand Master.”

  When he finally made it back to his quarters, he was unable to rest.

  “Are you excited?” Lei asked Ishin.

  The two were situated alone in an antechamber behind the walls of the Golden Arena floor. For the final fight, he and Rhee had been sent to separate chambers on opposite sides of the arena, each allowed only one guest. Grand Master Yusheng had joined Rhee—no doubt offering her advice. Ishin had chosen Lei.

  “Ready as I’ll ever be,” Ishin replied, completing a leg stretch.

  He still didn’t know what to think about the offer from last night. Worse, he hadn’t told Rhee that her grandfather knew about her plans to leave.

  Does this really change anything?

  Ishin had wanted to join the Crimson Abyss Sect—and now, it seemed he had a good chance regardless of whether he won or lost.

  “Are you okay?” Lei asked with concern. “You look very serious.”

  “Just strategizing.”

  A Righteous Mantle servant entered the antechamber. “Elder Song is about to begin,” she said. “Get ready.”

  Ishin thanked the servant and grabbed his spear before heading to the door.

  “Fight true,” Lei beamed. “Victory or defeat doesn’t matter if you have a good fight with a friend.”

  Surprisingly, Ishin felt his soul resonate with those words.

  A good fight with a friend.

  The doors swung open wide as the light of the Golden Arena cascaded around him.