Before Ishin and Rhee could continue their banter, Elder Song appeared beside them as if she had materialized from thin air. Her movement had been so silent that Ishin hadn’t noticed her at all until she emerged within his periphery.

  He suppressed his startlement, quickly straightening his posture as both he and Rhee turned to face the elder with a respectful bow.

  “Well fought, both of you,” Elder Song said with genuine warmth. Her discerning gaze settled on Rhee’s injured shoulder. “Are you able to continue to the award presentation?”

  “I am, Elder,” Rhee replied without hesitation.

  Ishin couldn’t help but glance at the wound himself. Her arm still hung limp at her side, but Rhee displayed no outward signs of pain or discomfort.

  Impressive composure.

  Elder Song gave a satisfied nod. “Excellent. I’ll inform Lady Kurai.” Then, turning to Ishin, she added with a cryptic smile, “Proceed back to your antechamber. I expect you’ll have visitors soon.”

  Though puzzled by her final remark, Ishin gave a polite bow and dutifully exited the stage. He didn’t slow his steps until he reached the archway to his designated room.

  Waiting for him was Lei, his grin so wide it nearly split his face. “You almost had her!”

  Shaking his head, Ishin let out a soft chuckle. “Not really. It felt one-sided.”

  “You say that, but when your lightning bolt struck her, I thought it was over! And when you overpowered that massive shadow fist—it was incredible!”

  Ishin leaned his spear gently against the archway. “Thank you, Lei.” He truly appreciated his friend’s enthusiasm. “But Rhee’s shadows overwhelmed me. Every time I countered one technique, another came right after it. I’ll need some new tricks if we fight again.”

  Lei clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder. “That’s the spirit!” His eyes flicked toward the stage. “Look! It’s starting.”

  “The award presentation?” Ishin asked, turning to look.

  “Everything! Just watch.”

  Ishin followed his gaze.

  Elder Song had left the stage, leaving Rhee standing alone in the center, facing the towering balcony where the City Lady sat. All around them, the vast arena buzzed with murmurs and excitement as the crowd of tens of thousands waited in anticipation.

  Then, from high above, a single beam of golden light descended upon Rhee, illuminating her while the rest of the arena dimmed into shadow.

  A technique of darkness and light? Ishin wondered, eyes narrowing.

  A regal voice echoed across the arena—clear, feminine, and commanding. Ishin recognized it immediately. He had heard it once before—on the day a blade of darkness had stabbed into the city.

  “Congratulations, Zhu Rhee of the Eight Oaths Resolve School,” the voice proclaimed. “You have fought well and distinguished yourself among your peers.”

  Descending from the balcony in a radiant column of gold was a stunning woman dressed in flowing white and gold robes, intricately patterned with floral designs. Her presence was ethereal—her aura a brilliant halo that shimmered with divine light.

  City Lady Kurai Xue looked to be in her late twenties, her features youthful yet composed. Her hair was woven into elaborate braids that framed her heart-shaped face with elegance and grace.

  Rhee bowed deeply—so deeply that Ishin winced, certain the motion must have aggravated her wounded shoulder.

  “Rise,” Lady Kurai said gently.

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  Rhee obeyed, but kept her gaze respectfully lowered.

  The City Lady lifted her hand, and two small items shimmered into existence in the air between them, wrapped in golden light.

  “In recognition of Zhu Rhee’s accomplishments, I hereby bestow upon her the title of Champion of the 173rd Exhibition Tournament. Let her name be inscribed in the official record for all time.”

  A hush settled over the arena as respectful applause began. Ishin joined in, glancing at Lei, who clapped as well—surprisingly restrained for once.

  Then Ishin felt it—an invisible breeze brushing over his hands, muffling the sound of his clapping. It was the same subtle, elegant suppression that had been active across the entire arena. A delicate, but complete, demonstration of power and control.

  City Lady Kurai continued, her voice unwavering.

  “Zhu Rhee will also receive the promised gifts: one superior-grade storage ring—” the aura around one of the floating items shifted from gold to orange, “—and a medium-grade pill of darkness qi.”

  The second item’s glow changed from gold to deep blue.

  A path toward the Adept Realm.

  “May she use both to further her Immortal Path.”

  The items floated gently into Rhee’s hands as the golden light faded. Light returned to the rest of the Golden Arena.

  A moment later, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause.

  Ishin cheered along with them, Lei’s enthusiastic voice booming beside him. He couldn’t see Rhee’s face clearly from this distance, but he didn’t need to—he could imagine the quiet pride she must have been feeling. Likely repressing a smile, though she had every right to show it.

  Unlike before, Lady Kurai allowed the applause to continue naturally, letting it swell and settle over several long minutes.

  Then her voice rang out again, silencing the crowd with ease.

  “Now then…”

  Lei leaned in and whispered, “Here comes the best part.”

  Ishin arched a brow, but before he could ask, Lady Kurai continued.

  “Are there any among our esteemed guests who wish to speak and honor our champion?”

  A brief, anticipatory silence followed. But Ishin recognized the cue—an invitation for the sect elders to speak. A moment later, a deep baritone voice echoed through the arena, magically amplified like the City Lady’s.

  “Congratulations, Zhu Rhee. You have fought well and demonstrated the soul of a true martial.”

  Though Ishin couldn’t see the speaker from his antechamber, he recognized the formality in the words. It had to be one of the elders from the Notable Sects.

  “I, Elder Cho of the Radiant Spear Sect, invite you to join our sect as an outer disciple. Come and foster your warrior spirit with us.”

  Rhee bowed toward the speaker, but to Ishin’s surprise, she said nothing in return.

  Another elder spoke, this time with a rasping, older voice.

  “You have shown impressive flexibility and adaptability—traits that will serve you well on your Immortal Path. I, Elder Parva of the Sea Farer Sect, offer you a position within our sect.”

  Again, Rhee bowed in silence.

  The third voice was female—refined, clear, and measured. “I, Elder Rea of the Righteous Mantle Sect, invite you to join us, as your ancestors did before you. Continue serving your city with us as you nurture your talent.”

  As with the others, Rhee offered a respectful bow.

  She won’t join that sect, Ishin thought. Not after everything her grandfather did.

  Despite whatever machinations had been attempted behind the scenes, none of the Notable Sects had been dissuaded from vying for Rhee’s membership. Ishin felt a deep sense of relief. She was still free to choose her own path—just as she’d wanted.

  But there was one more sect left. And it was the one that mattered most.

  “Not bad,” called a bemused male voice. “You’ve demonstrated sufficient talent throughout this tournament.”

  Compared to the others, this elder’s tone was more casual—more genuine.

  “I am Elder Zhou of the Crimson Abyss Sect. If you truly wish to prove yourself, then you are welcome to join us.”

  There it was.

  Everything Rhee had worked for—her ambitions, her training, her unshakable will—it had all led to this moment.

  Not even her grandfather could stand in the way now. A Grand Sect had extended its hand.

  Ishin already knew what her answer would be.

  After bowing once more, Rhee finally spoke, her voice strengthened and projected through technique.

  “I appreciate the generous offers of all the esteemed sect elders present. With the utmost respect to all, and under the noble gaze of the City Lady, I, Zhu Rhee, officially accept Elder Zhou’s invitation to join the Crimson Abyss Sect and promise to serve the sect well.”

  The arena erupted.

  Thunderous applause shook the very stones of the stands.

  Ishin cheered as loudly as anyone, caught in the tide of shared celebration. Whatever came next in his own journey—whatever path he would walk—today wasn’t about that.

  Today was about Rhee.

  She had done it.