“I can’t wait to see who’ll be on the team next year,” Lei said between gulps of his dark, cinnamon-scented beer. Despite the noise of the celebration, his voice boomed loud enough to cut through the music and conversation. “I bet Nie Hai and Ouyang Xue will be on it.”

  “Long Coi too,” Bo added evenly. In contrast to Lei’s overflowing pint, the veteran disciple calmly sipped from a small porcelain cup of herbal tea, the steam curling faintly in the warm banquet air.

  Ishin ignored his untouched cup of apple wine, fingers lightly tracing the rim. “Neither of you plan to join the tournament again?” He’d assumed the team rosters usually stayed the same from year to year, barring age or injury.

  Bo shook his head, smiling. “I’ll be twenty-one next year.” The glint in his eyes carried no regret. “Besides, I received a letter from the Righteous Mantle Sect and the Radiant Spear Sect. Both asked to meet with me tomorrow.”

  “Congratulations!” Lei bellowed, slapping the table. “Two offers! Well done!”

  “They invited you to join their sects?” Ishin asked, raising his voice above the festive din.

  “Not officially,” Bo clarified. “But—”

  “But this is how it works,” Lei cut in, slapping Bo on the back with enough force to spill a bit of his tea. “If an elder is impressed, they’ll request a meeting later. That’s when the recruiting happens.” He flashed a broad grin. “You’ve made it, Brother Bo! The Radiant Spear Sect wants you!”

  Bo chuckled despite the tea now soaking his sleeve. “I’m honored to be noticed.”

  “That’s incredible,” Ishin added, managing a genuine smile. “Congrats.”

  But even as he said it, his thoughts drifted—back to the stage, back to Rhee standing in golden light as sects vied for her.

  “So only the champion gets offers made in public?” he asked.

  “That’s right,” Bo said. “It’d be too time-consuming otherwise. Not to mention humiliating for those who wouldn’t get offers. They only pick a few each year.”

  “And the rest get contacted privately?” Ishin asked, though he was already piecing it together.

  Lei laughed knowingly. “Don’t worry, friend! Most don’t hear back until the next day or two. You’ll get offers—guaranteed!” He turned to Bo with a mock scowl. “Our esteemed senior just drew attention faster than the rest of us.”

  Bo offered a modest shrug. “They’ll reach out to you both soon.”

  Ishin nodded, absorbing the information. It made sense now—why veteran disciples didn’t usually return. If they impressed enough, they were offered a path forward. But still, something gnawed at him.

  Why Bo before me? I made it to the finals. He didn’t.

  He was happy for Bo—truly. Just as he had been for Rhee. But that pride didn’t quite drown out the sting of comparison.

  Is the Grand Master behind this? No… that doesn’t make sense. He wanted me to lose, and I did. Unless… he could tell I wasn’t trying to.

  Could he? Grand Master Yusheng was a Merit Realm cultivator. Perhaps he could see things Ishin couldn't comprehend.

  Ishin took a slow sip of the apple wine, the taste sharp and sweet on his tongue.

  Maybe I’m overthinking it. It’s only been a few hours. And Bo hasn’t officially received offers either.

  He glanced at his friend, who was laughing without a hint of concern.

  A sudden shift in the energy of the room pulled Ishin’s attention. A servant was weaving her way through the crowd, sprinting directly toward the central dais where Rhee sat with her family.

  “Who’s that?” Ishin asked, leaning forward.

  Lei squinted. “Looks like one of the school’s servants. Strange that she’s being so… frantic.”

  “Unless something’s wrong,” Bo murmured, his expression tightening.

  The three of them watched as the servant reached the head table, leaning in to whisper urgently. Grand Master Yusheng’s reaction was immediate—he rose with a sharp motion. Rhee began to stand too, but the Grand Master spoke quickly, and she sat again, her expression unreadable.

  After another brief exchange with Rhee’s parents, the trio—Grand Master Yusheng, Master Ning, and Master Qing—departed swiftly, following the servant out of the hall.

  By then, most of the guests had taken notice, and a curious hush swept over the crowd. A clear path formed through the parting guests as the leaders exited.

  “I wonder how she’s feeling, being left behind like that,” Ishin said quietly, watching Rhee from across the room.

  “Should we go up there?” Lei asked.

  “We shouldn’t,” Bo said firmly. “If they return and find us there without permission, the Grand Master may not take it kindly.”

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  “Does she look upset?” Lei asked.

  Ishin narrowed his eyes, but from their distance, he could barely make out more than her silhouette. “I can’t tell.”

  The moment stretched, but the tension in the room began to ebb. The music picked back up. Conversations resumed.

  “Probably someone important made a demand of the school,” Bo theorized. “Otherwise, I can’t imagine the Grand Master would leave Rhee’s celebration like this.”

  It made sense. There had been no tremors, no blasts—no outward signs of danger. Ishin briefly considered using his third eye to sense for powerful presences nearby… but surrounded by so many people, the flood of qi would be overwhelming.

  The three friends speculated quietly, trading guesses. One of Lei’s turned out to be correct when, minutes later, two servants reentered the banquet hall.

  One approached Rhee, speaking softly before escorting her away.

  The second servant made his way directly toward Ishin, Bo, and Lei.

  “Pardon the interruption,” the young man said with a polite bow. “The Grand Master has requested your presence in the Eleventh Reception Hall. If you’d please follow me.”

  “Now this is exciting,” Lei said, draining the rest of his beer in a single gulp. “Let’s go.”

  They followed the servant through a series of winding corridors, lanternlight casting their shadows long across the wooden walls. Eventually, they arrived at a large, warmly lit reception hall. Rows of lanterns illuminated a polished ashwood table capable of seating two dozen. Only five people sat at it now.

  On one side: Rhee, her parents, and Grand Master Yusheng.

  Opposite them sat a man who radiated pressure.

  Even without speaking, the man’s presence filled the room. It wasn’t suffocating, but it was impossible to ignore. The very air around him felt dense, the silence hanging like a drawn blade.

  He appeared to be in his early thirties, with shoulder-length, oil-dark hair and a crimson-trimmed robe of black silk. A faintly bemused smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

  Beside him, Grand Master Yusheng looked stony but composed. Masters Ning and Qing stood further back, both visibly anxious. And Rhee… Rhee looked almost relieved, though her expression remained carefully guarded.

  As the trio stepped inside, both the Grand Master and the mysterious man turned toward them.

  “Apologies for their delay, Honored Elder,” Grand Master Yusheng said respectfully. “These are the remaining members of our school’s tournament team.”

  He must be from the Crimson Abyss Sect.

  The robes, the reverence—it all lined up. Bo had described them before, but Ishin hadn’t expected to meet one so soon.

  When the elder spoke, his voice was lazy and indifferent. “It’s of no real concern.” His eyes moved over them, dull yet piercing. Ishin flinched as he felt the weight of the man’s third eye settle briefly upon him, like a shadow passing overhead.

  He thought to open his own third eye in return—but quickly reconsidered. The last time he had done so with his mother, her suppressed Merit Realm cultivation had nearly blinded him. This man was likely beyond that level. Whatever lay beneath his calm exterior, Ishin knew he wouldn’t survive looking directly at it.

  “Take a seat,” Grand Master Yusheng ordered.

  They obeyed without hesitation, Ishin sliding into the seat beside Rhee. She greeted them with only a small smile.

  “Pardon the intrusion,” Elder Zhou said after they’d settled. “I know you were celebrating her achievement, but time is short.”

  “We are honored to host an Elder of the Crimson Abyss Sect,” Grand Master Yusheng said, his voice like a bell tolling in the hall. “Please tell us how we might assist you.”

  Ishin saw Rhee fidget, her thumb pressing against her palm beneath the table.

  The elder’s thin smile returned. “I appreciate it. In that case, I’ll be direct.” He turned his attention to the team. “I am Elder Zhou of the Crimson Abyss Sect. I know who all of you are. You performed admirably.”

  He didn’t pause for acknowledgment.

  “On to business. I’ve been traveling the province for the last three months in search of recruits for my sect. I’ve found three so far, but my quota is six. I’d like to fill that quota with you.”

  Ishin’s breath caught.

  “Honored Elder,” Grand Master Yusheng began carefully, “if you require three disciples, I humbly recommend Ro Ishin, Hou Lei, and Wan Bo. Their martial spirits align more closely with your sect’s ethos.”

  Under the table, Ishin saw Rhee clench her fists.

  He’s trying to block her.

  It made sense. But Ishin found it strange. A Grand Sect recruiting all three of them? If power was the sole metric, why not go after Chu Winxi or Dong Jing?

  “You know our sect’s ideals?” Elder Zhou asked, raising an eyebrow.

  The Grand Master hesitated. “I am… somewhat familiar. I do not claim deep knowledge, only enough to offer what guidance I can.”

  “Your words are noted. Regardless, I made my invitation to the champion publicly, before the entire city. I will not retract it.”

  There was faint amusement in his tone.

  “Of course not, Honored Elder,” Grand Master Yusheng said, defeated.

  “My offer stands,” Elder Zhou continued. “And time is short. I leave the day after next. Which of you will join me?”

  The disciples looked at each other, processing the magnitude of the offer.

  Rhee seemed relieved. Lei looked ecstatic. Bo’s expression tightened, conflicted.

  “I will gladly follow you, Elder,” Lei said first, fists pressed together in a formal salute.

  Elder Zhou nodded. “Any others?”

  Rhee looked to her family, then said clearly, “I still wish to join your sect, Honored Elder.”

  “Glad to hear it.” He turned to the last two.

  “I am honored by your consideration, Elder,” Ishin said. “I will follow my comrades to your sect.”

  Bo alone remained.

  “I too am honored, Elder,” he said, voice calm. “But I believe my Immortal Path lies with the Radiant Spear Sect. They have also extended interest. With the greatest respect, I must decline.”

  He bowed his head three times to the table in silent respect.

  “You know where your Immortal Path leads,” Elder Zhou said. “There’s no shame in that. Besides, now I have six.”

  He rose smoothly from his chair. The room stood in unison.

  “I appreciate your time, Grand Master. Your school has produced noteworthy disciples.”

  “You honor us,” the Grand Master replied with reverence.

  Elder Zhou turned to the new recruits. “We leave at noon, the day after next. Prepare yourselves and meet outside the Kurai Estate.” He lifted a hand. “Now—hold out your arms.”

  Ishin, Rhee, and Lei did as instructed. Zhou’s ring shimmered with a faint glow, and with a flick of his fingers, three bundles of black and crimson robes materialized in the air, gently landing in each of their arms.

  Crimson Abyss Sect robes.

  “Wear those when you arrive,” Elder Zhou said. “Let the whole city know—you’re with us now.”