The city had outgrown its original purpose.
What was once built to host a tournament now struggled to contain it.
Every street was filled, every open space occupied. Vendors lined the edges of the main roads, voices rising over one another as they tried to catch attention. Soul masters moved in groups, some disciplined, others chaotic, their auras clashing subtly in the air.
It wasn't just crowded.
It was alive.
Different elements could be felt without even focusing. Flames flickering in passing, wind shifting unnaturally between buildings, moisture gathering faintly where water-attributed soul masters stood together.
And beneath all of that—
competition.
It hadn't even started yet, but it was already there.
Tianshui entered without stopping.
They didn't announce themselves, didn't slow their pace, didn't adjust to the chaos around them.
They simply moved through it.
Naturally.
At the center, Lin Huang walked with a mask covering the upper half of his face. It didn't hide him completely, but it blurred recognition just enough.
Not for safety.
Just convenience.
Around him, the group moved without formation, yet somehow remained perfectly in sync.
That alone was enough to draw attention.
But not the only reason.
"…Tianshui?"
A voice from the side.
"They look different…"
Then another, lower.
"…Since when do they have a man?"
That spread faster than anything else.
Eyes shifted.
Not aggressively.
But curiously.
Some skeptical.
Some openly judging.
Wu Ming didn't even try to ignore it.
Wu Ming: They're louder than usual.
Xu Tianzhen glanced around, amused.
Xu Tianzhen: They're confused.
Wu Feng snorted softly.
Wu Feng: Let them be.
Qiu'er didn't bother turning.
Qiu'er: It's not our problem.
They kept walking.
Ahead, more academies gathered near the main plaza, each group clearly separated by identity.
One of them stood out immediately.
Flames moved unnaturally around their formation, heat distorting the air slightly even without active release.
Huo Wu stood at the front, her presence sharp, her posture confident.
Nearby, another group carried a completely different atmosphere.
Wind flowed around them, not violently, but constantly, as if the air itself favored their movement.
At the center—
Feng Xiaotian.
Relaxed.
But focused.
A predator disguised as ease.
Not far from them, a heavier presence anchored another team.
Their movements were slower, but grounded, every step carrying weight.
Huyan Lin stood like a wall among them.
Solid.
Unmoving.
And further ahead—
lightning flickered faintly.
Sharp.
Controlled.
Yu Tianxin.
Even without releasing power, the tension around him was obvious.
Different academies.
Different paths.
All gathered in one place.
Ning Tian's gaze moved across them calmly, analyzing without lingering.
Ning Tian: Their foundations are still separated by element.
Su Mei nodded slightly.
Su Mei: It's inefficient long-term.
Bi Ji's eyes softened just a little.
Bi Ji: But stable.
Lin Huang didn't comment.
He didn't need to.
He had already seen it.
Then—
a shift.
Small.
But immediate.
From the side, a group from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy came into view.
Their steps slowed.
Not by command.
By instinct.
Because they had seen something they shouldn't have.
Dugu YanYe Lingling
Walking with Tianshui.
Not as guests.
Not as visitors.
As part of the group.
Confusion hit first.
Then disbelief.
One of the academy members stepped forward slightly, unable to hold back.
"Hei—wait, that's…"
"They're with Tianshui?"
"That doesn't make sense."
The reaction spread quickly through their side.
But Tianshui didn't slow.
Didn't acknowledge it.
Didn't even look.
Dugu Yan's expression didn't change.
Ye Lingling remained calm as always.
As if nothing about it needed explanation.
Behind them, whispers continued.
But they were already being left behind.
Xu Tianzhen let out a quiet breath.
Xu Tianzhen: That never gets old.
Wu Ming smirked.
Wu Ming: You enjoy that too much.
Xu Tianzhen: Obviously.
Lin Huang kept walking.
Unbothered.
The mask hid part of his expression, but not the ease in his posture.
As if none of this—
mattered.
Ahead, the main arena rose into view.
Massive.
Dominating everything around it.
The closer they got, the denser the crowd became, the louder the noise, the heavier the pressure in the air.
And yet—
within the group—
everything remained calm.
Stable.
As if they were walking through something that had nothing to do with them.
Lin Huang's gaze lifted briefly.
Not toward the arena.
Beyond it.
For just a moment—
something deeper stirred.
Then—
it was gone.
Lin Huang: It's almost time.
No one asked what he meant.
They didn't need to.
Because whatever was coming—
was already in motion.
The crowd kept moving.
People passed by constantly, voices rising and falling, different academies gathering in small groups while others moved toward the arena.
Among them, one group stood slightly off to the side.
Not isolated.
Just… watching.
Ma Hongjun leaned forward a little, eyes scanning the crowd with far more interest than necessary.
Ma Hongjun: There are way more pretty girls here than I expected.
Oscar glanced in the same direction.
Oscar: That's the whole point of a tournament like this.
Ma Hongjun didn't deny it.
If anything, he looked more focused.
Ma Hongjun: Over there.
He pointed.
Naturally.
No urgency.
The others followed his gaze.
And that was how they saw them.
Tianshui.
Not because they stood out immediately.
But because they didn't try to.
A group moving through the crowd without rushing, without stopping, without drawing attention on purpose.
And yet—
they were noticeable.
Dai Mubai narrowed his eyes slightly.
Dai Mubai: That's Tianshui.
Ning Rongrong tilted her head.
Ning Rongrong: They changed.
It wasn't just the number of members.
Or their lineup.
It was something harder to describe.
They didn't linger on it.
At least not yet.
Ma Hongjun blinked.
Ma Hongjun: Wait… why is there a guy with them?
That—
caught attention faster than anything else.
Oscar leaned forward a bit.
Oscar: Since when does Tianshui allow that?
No one answered.
Because no one knew.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't speak.
Her eyes stayed on the group a moment longer than the others.
Not on all of them.
Just one.
She didn't know why.
Then—
she looked away.
Xiao Wu crossed her arms lightly.
Xiao Wu: They look confident.
Simple observation.
But accurate.
They didn't look tense.
Didn't look excited.
Didn't look like they were trying to prove anything.
That alone made them different.
At the front, Tang San kept watching.
Not the whole group.
Just one person.
The one wearing a mask.
Something about him felt familiar.
Not strong.
Not overwhelming.
Just…
familiar.
Tang San frowned slightly.
Trying to place it.
It didn't make sense.
He had never met someone like that.
And yet—
Tang San: …
He didn't say it out loud.
Because he couldn't explain it.
Beside him, someone else had noticed something different.
Tang Ya.
Her attention wasn't on the mask.
Or the face.
It was quieter than that.
Tang Ya: He…
She hesitated.
Oscar glanced at her.
Oscar: What?
Tang Ya shook her head slightly.
Tang Ya: Nothing.
A small pause.
Then—
Tang Ya: He cultivates something similar.
That caught Tang San's attention immediately.
Tang San: Similar?
Tang Ya nodded faintly.
Tang Ya: Just a little.
Not the same.
Not identical.
But enough to notice.
Tang San didn't respond.
His gaze remained on Lin Huang for a moment longer.
Then—
the group kept moving.
And they disappeared into the crowd.
Just like that.
No interaction.
No confrontation.
Nothing.
Ma Hongjun exhaled.
Ma Hongjun: Shame.
Oscar smirked slightly.
Oscar: Focus.
Dai Mubai folded his arms.
Dai Mubai: Doesn't matter.
A brief pause.
Dai Mubai: We'll meet them in the tournament anyway.
That—
settled it.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't comment.
But she didn't disagree.
Tang San finally looked away.
Calm.
Focused again.
Tang San: They'll be strong.
No exaggeration.
No doubt.
Just a simple conclusion.
And for now—
that was enough.
The distance had already grown.
Not physically.
The crowd still moved around them the same way, voices still overlapping, people still passing by without noticing much beyond their own concerns.
But the moment had passed.
Tianshui had already moved ahead.
Far enough that the group behind them was no longer within easy view.
Lin Huang didn't turn back.
He didn't need to.
He had already noticed them.
And now—
they were no longer relevant to his immediate attention.
Lin Huang: First generation.
His voice was calm.
Casual.
As if stating something obvious.
Ning Tian glanced at him.
Ning Tian: What?
Lin Huang: Shrek.
A small pause.
Lin Huang: The first Seven Devils.
That caught their attention.
Not because of the name.
But because of how he said it.
Xu Tianzhen tilted her head slightly.
Xu Tianzhen: You know them?
Lin Huang: Not really.
A short pause.
Lin Huang: But I know what they become.
That was enough.
No one asked further.
Because they understood.
That kind of statement didn't come from guesswork.
Su Mei's gaze shifted slightly.
Su Mei: Then that explains it.
Bi Ji nodded faintly.
Bi Ji: The similarity.
Lin Huang: Same root.
A brief pause.
Lin Huang: Just a different path.
That answered the question Tang Ya hadn't fully voiced.
And then—
it ended.
The conversation moved on naturally.
As if that topic had already served its purpose.
They continued walking.
The flow of people shifted again around them, more participants gathering closer to the arena.
Then—
Lin Huang's gaze moved briefly to the side.
Just a glance.
Nothing more.
Qiu'er noticed immediately.
Qiu'er: What are you looking at?
Lin Huang didn't slow.
Lin Huang: She developed quite well.
A small pause.
Lin Huang: Even this early.
Wu Ming didn't hesitate.
Wu Ming: You say that too easily.
Xu Tianzhen smirked slightly.
Xu Tianzhen: Should we be concerned?
Qiu'er didn't look at him.
Qiu'er: Keep walking.
Lin Huang didn't argue.
Didn't look again.
It had already passed.
Then—
he spoke again.
Lin Huang: You're focusing on the wrong thing.
A small pause.
Lin Huang: Look over there.
His gaze shifted forward.
Lin Huang: Your ancestors.
That—
changed the tone.
Subtly.
Su Mei and Bi Ji exchanged a glance.
They understood immediately.
He wasn't just pointing something out.
He was avoiding the previous topic.
Their eyes returned to him.
Quiet.
Slightly amused.
Lin Huang caught it.
Just for a moment.
A brief look.
Clear enough.
Don't say anything.
Neither of them did.
Ma Xiaotao looked ahead, her attention now properly drawn.
Ma Xiaotao: So that's where it comes from…
A short pause.
Ma Xiaotao: And the evil fire?
Lin Huang answered without hesitation.
Lin Huang: It's simple.
A small pause.
Lin Huang: You don't suppress it.
Lin Huang: You exhaust it.
The group listened.
Then—
his tone shifted.
Too casual.
Too familiar.
Lin Huang: Short relationships.
Lin Huang: No attachment.
Lin Huang: They leave before they can't handle it anymore.
A brief silence.
Then—
Lin Huang added:
Lin Huang: In short…
A small pause.
Lin Huang: You're just too strong in bed.
Silence.
Complete.
Ye Guyi stopped for half a step.
Ye Guyi
Ye Guyi: …That tone.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Ye Guyi: That's how you talk when you're with them.
Xu Tianzhen blinked.
Xu Tianzhen: Wait.
Tang Ya leaned forward slightly.
Tang Ya: So this is how you talk when we're not around?
Wu Ming narrowed her eyes.
Wu Ming: You've been hiding this?
Lin Huang didn't respond immediately.
But internally—
Lin Huang: …Why did I say that like I was talking to them?
A very small pause.
Lin Huang: …This is not going to end well.
Too late.
Xu Tianzhen crossed her arms.
Xu Tianzhen: Go on.
Wu Feng cracked her knuckles lightly.
Wu Feng: Finish it.
Lin Huang didn't back down.
Lin Huang: Honestly, it sounds like a dream.
A small pause.
Lin Huang: And a perfect excuse for a royal-level harem.
That did it.
Wu Ming: You really don't learn.
Qiu'er: You want to die?
Xu Tianzhen: You're saying this in front of all of us.
Tang Ya blinked.
Tang Ya: …Wait.
A small pause.
Tang Ya: You said something like this before.
Xu Tianzhen's eyes lit up.
Xu Tianzhen: Right.
Wu Ming smirked.
Wu Ming: Dragon Knight.
Tang Ya: Swan Knight.
Ye Guyi: Don't—
Too late.
The reactions had already started.
Wu Feng: You really have a pattern.
Qiu'er didn't speak.
But the look she gave him said enough.
Wu Ming stepped forward slightly.
Wu Ming: And who created a dual cultivation method that works better with multiple wives?
Lin Huang answered without hesitation.
Lin Huang: That was coincidence.
A small pause.
Lin Huang: Mostly.
Xu Tianzhen snorted.
Xu Tianzhen: Convenient.
Lin Huang: And it's only natural.
A brief pause.
Lin Huang: A prince has responsibilities.
That didn't help.
Not even a little.
Then—
a softer voice.
Ning Tian.
Ning Tian: …Ancestor.
Her gaze rested in the distance, though the group was no longer visible.
A small pause.
Ning Tian: Am I prettier than her?
Lin Huang looked at her.
Then answered.
Lin Huang: If I were good at choosing—
A small pause.
Lin Huang: I'd only have one wife.
For a moment—
silence.
Then—
laughter.
Wu Ming: That explains a lot.
Xu Tianzhen: So you admit it.
Qiu'er: That's not helping you.
Ning Tian's lips pressed together slightly.
A small pout.
Her expression clearly visible.
She looked away.
Ning Tian: That's not an answer.
Lin Huang noticed.
Immediately.
Without a word, he reached out and pulled her closer.
An arm around her.
Natural.
Effortless.
Ning Tian didn't resist.
She leaned into him, a little more than usual, her hands tightening slightly as she hid part of her face.
The reaction came instantly.
Wu Ming: Of course.
Xu Tianzhen: There it is again.
Wu Feng folded her arms.
Wu Feng: After getting permanent attribute buffs, you're still complaining?
Su Mei smiled faintly.
Su Mei: You're the most spoiled one here.
Bi Ji didn't speak.
But her gaze lingered, soft and knowing.
Ning Tian buried her face slightly more, clearly embarrassed now.
But she didn't let go.
And Lin Huang—
didn't move his arm away.
They kept walking.
As if nothing had happened.
Even though—
everything had.
The distance had already widened.
The crowd continued to flow around them, voices overlapping, footsteps blending into a constant rhythm, but whatever moment had connected them to the group behind had already passed.
Lin Huang didn't look back.
He didn't need to.
Lin Huang: First generation.
His tone was calm, almost casual.
Ning Tian glanced at him.
Ning Tian: First generation of what?
Lin Huang: Shrek.
A brief pause.
Lin Huang: The first Seven Devils.
That was enough to draw attention.
Xu Tianzhen tilted her head slightly.
Xu Tianzhen: You know them?
Lin Huang: Not personally.
A small pause.
Lin Huang: But I know what they become.
That ended the curiosity.
No one pressed further.
Su Mei's gaze shifted slightly, thoughtful.
Bi Ji followed quietly.
Bi Ji: That explains the similarity earlier.
Lin Huang nodded faintly.
Lin Huang: Same origin.
A short pause.
Lin Huang: Different paths.
The topic faded as naturally as it had appeared.
They kept walking.
Then—
Lin Huang's gaze shifted briefly to the side.
Just a glance.
Nothing more.
Qiu'er noticed immediately.
Qiu'er: What are you looking at?
Lin Huang didn't slow.
Lin Huang: She developed quite well.
A small pause.
Lin Huang: Even this early.
Wu Ming reacted instantly.
Wu Ming: You really don't hold back.
Xu Tianzhen smirked.
Xu Tianzhen: Should we be concerned?
Qiu'er didn't turn.
Qiu'er: Keep walking.
Nearby, a quiet laugh slipped out.
Shui Yue'er covered her mouth slightly, clearly amused.
Meng Hongchen glanced sideways, her tone light.
Meng Hongchen: So this is what he notices first.
Ling Luochen said nothing.
But the brief look she gave him carried quiet judgment.
Lin Huang didn't argue.
He didn't look again.
The moment passed.
Then—
he spoke again.
Lin Huang: You're focusing on the wrong thing.
A small pause.
Lin Huang: Look ahead.
His gaze moved forward.
Lin Huang: Your ancestors.
That shifted the tone.
Not abruptly.
But clearly.
Su Mei and Bi Ji exchanged a glance.
They understood immediately.
He was changing the subject.
Avoiding.
Their eyes returned to him, calm, faintly amused.
Lin Huang caught it.
A brief look.
Clear enough.
Don't say anything.
Neither of them did.
Ma Xiaotao had already turned her attention forward.
Ma Xiaotao: So that's where it comes from.
A short pause.
Ma Xiaotao: And the evil fire?
Lin Huang answered without hesitation.
Lin Huang: It's simple.
A brief pause.
Lin Huang: You don't suppress it.
Lin Huang: You exhaust it.
They listened.
Lin Huang continued, tone steady.
Lin Huang: Short relationships.
Lin Huang: No attachment.
Lin Huang: They leave before it becomes a problem.
He didn't stop there.
Lin Huang: He usually went out to deal with it.
A small pause.
Lin Huang: Brothels made it easier.
A few reactions followed.
Not loud.
But present.
Wu Feng frowned slightly.
Xu Tianzhen blinked once.
Shui Yue'er almost laughed again.
Lin Huang continued as if it were nothing.
Lin Huang: Hongjun especially.
Lin Huang: He needed it more often.
That drew a clearer reaction.
Wu Ming raised an eyebrow.
Wu Ming: Of course he did.
Then—
Lin Huang added, just as casually:
Lin Huang: Mubai went with him sometimes.
That—
shifted it.
Immediately.
A few of them looked at each other.
Xu Tianzhen let out a quiet breath.
Wu Feng looked away.
Qiu'er's expression didn't change.
But her silence spoke enough.
Then—
Xu Jiujiu spoke.
Xu Jiujiu: I see.
A small pause.
Xu Jiujiu: The Dai family's virtues truly last ten thousand years.
That landed perfectly.
For a moment—
silence.
Then—
reactions.
Wu Ming let out a short laugh.
Xu Tianzhen covered her mouth.
Shui Yue'er didn't even try to hide hers.
Meng Hongchen smiled faintly.
Even Ling Luochen's gaze shifted slightly.
Lin Huang paused for a fraction of a second.
"…That was unnecessary."
The moment had already escalated.
And yet—
he didn't stop.
Lin Huang: In short—
A small pause.
Lin Huang: You're just too strong in bed.
Silence.
Complete.
Ye Guyi froze.
Ye Guyi
Her eyes narrowed immediately.
Ye Guyi: …That tone.
A brief pause.
Ye Guyi: That's how you talk when you're with them.
Xu Tianzhen blinked.
Xu Tianzhen: Wait.
Tang Ya leaned forward slightly.
Tang Ya: So this is how you talk when we're not around?
Wu Ming narrowed her eyes.
Wu Ming: You've been hiding this?
Shui Yue'er laughed openly now.
Shui Yue'er: This explains so much.
Meng Hongchen shook her head slightly.
Meng Hongchen: I was wondering.
Ling Luochen didn't speak.
But her silence felt heavier now.
Lin Huang didn't answer immediately.
But internally—
"…Why did I continue?"
"…This is not going to end well."
Too late.
Xu Tianzhen crossed her arms.
Xu Tianzhen: Go on.
Wu Feng's gaze sharpened.
Wu Feng: Finish what you started.
Lin Huang exhaled lightly.
Lin Huang: Honestly, it sounds like a dream.
A small pause.
Lin Huang: And a perfect excuse for a royal-level harem.
That was the breaking point.
Wu Ming: You really don't learn.
Qiu'er: You're asking for trouble.
Xu Tianzhen: You're saying this in front of all of us.
Tang Ya blinked.
Tang Ya: …Wait.
A small pause.
Tang Ya: You said something like this before.
Xu Tianzhen's eyes lit up.
Xu Tianzhen: Right.
Wu Ming smirked.
Wu Ming: Dragon Knight.
Tang Ya: Swan Knight.
Ye Guyi: Don't—
Too late.
Wu Feng: You really have a pattern.
Qiu'er didn't speak.
But her gaze was enough.
Wu Ming stepped forward slightly.
Wu Ming: And who created a dual cultivation method that works better with multiple wives?
Lin Huang answered without hesitation.
Lin Huang: That was coincidence.
A small pause.
Lin Huang: Mostly.
Xu Tianzhen let out a quiet laugh.
Xu Tianzhen: Convenient.
Lin Huang: And it's only natural.
A brief pause.
Lin Huang: A prince has responsibilities.
That didn't help.
Not even a little.
He stopped.
Just slightly.
Then—
Lin Huang: Anyway.
Smooth.
Too smooth.
Su Mei's eyes curved slightly.
Bi Ji's gaze lingered on him, warm and knowing.
They both understood.
He was escaping.
Again.
Then—
a softer voice.
Ning Tian.
Ning Tian: …Ancestor.
Her gaze lingered ahead, though the group was long gone.
Her lips pressed together.
A faint pout forming.
Ning Tian: Am I prettier than her?
That shifted everything again.
Lin Huang looked at her.
Then answered.
Lin Huang: If I were good at choosing—
A small pause.
Lin Huang: I'd only have one wife.
Silence.
Then—
laughter.
Wu Ming: That explains everything.
Xu Tianzhen: So you admit it.
Qiu'er: That didn't help you at all.
Shui Yue'er laughed again.
Meng Hongchen smirked faintly.
Ning Tian's cheeks flushed.
Her expression changed immediately.
She looked away, lips puffed slightly, clearly dissatisfied.
Ning Tian: That's not an answer.
Lin Huang noticed.
Immediately.
Without hesitation, he pulled her closer.
An arm wrapping around her naturally.
Ning Tian leaned into him without resistance.
Her hands tightening slightly as she hid part of her face against him.
The reaction came just as fast.
Wu Ming: Of course.
Xu Tianzhen: There it is again.
Wu Feng folded her arms.
Wu Feng: You're way too spoiled.
Shui Yue'er nodded quickly.
Shui Yue'er: Completely.
Meng Hongchen added quietly.
Meng Hongchen: And she still complains.
Su Mei smiled softly.
Bi Ji didn't speak.
But her gaze lingered.
Warm.
Understanding.
And beneath that—
unspoken thoughts surfaced quietly.
She really is treated like a treasure.
And yet…
she still acts like this.
Ning Tian buried her face a little deeper.
Clearly embarrassed now.
But she didn't let go.
And Lin Huang—
didn't move his arm away.
They kept walking.
As if nothing had happened.
Even though—
the atmosphere had changed just enough to make everything feel a little lighter.
The noise of the city didn't fade.
It stayed behind them, constant, layered, alive.
But the further they moved, the less it mattered.
The entrance to the arena complex stood ahead, massive and imposing, drawing in every participant and spectator alike. Groups gathered near designated areas, some already seated, others preparing, adjusting, watching.
Tension built naturally.
Not forced.
Not loud.
Just present.
Tianshui didn't rush.
They entered the area the same way they had walked through the city.
Calm.
Unhurried.
As if nothing here required urgency.
That alone drew attention.
Not loudly.
But enough.
A few glances lingered longer than before.
Some recognized the uniform.
Others recognized the faces.
And some—
recognized the names.
Shui Yue'er stretched lightly, looking around with clear interest.
Shui Yue'er: It's bigger than I expected.
Meng Hongchen glanced across the different groups.
Meng Hongchen: More crowded too.
Ling Luochen remained quiet, her gaze already settling on the arena itself.
Focused.
Xu Tianzhen exhaled softly.
Xu Tianzhen: Finally.
Wu Ming rolled her shoulders slightly.
Wu Ming: Took long enough.
Qiu'er didn't comment.
But her eyes had already sharpened.
The shift was subtle.
From movement—
to readiness.
Nearby, other academies had begun to settle into their own spaces.
Some were loud.
Others controlled.
Some watched openly.
Others pretended not to.
Tianshui didn't claim space.
They didn't need to.
Where they stood—
became theirs.
Lin Huang remained at the center of it all, his posture unchanged, his presence as steady as before.
The mask still covered part of his face, hiding whatever expression might have been there.
But not the calm.
Never the calm.
Then—
his gaze shifted.
Not outward.
Inward.
Just for a moment.
The world around him didn't change.
But something else did.
Far beyond the arena.
Far beyond the city.
A different space stirred.
Faintly.
Like something that had been waiting.
Not asleep.
Just… unfinished.
Lin Huang didn't stop walking.
Didn't close his eyes.
Didn't show anything.
But he felt it.
A slight pull.
A quiet response.
As if something was reacting to his presence from a place no one else could reach.
"Not yet."
The thought passed quietly.
Controlled.
It wasn't time.
Not here.
Not like this.
The arena remained in front of him.
The crowd moved.
Voices rose and fell.
Reality stayed exactly where it was.
And yet—
beneath it—
something else had already begun.
Lin Huang's gaze returned to the present.
Just as naturally as it had left.
Wu Feng glanced at him briefly.
Wu Feng: You're thinking again.
Lin Huang: Always.
Xu Tianzhen smirked slightly.
Xu Tianzhen: That's usually when things go wrong.
Lin Huang: Or right.
Wu Ming let out a short breath.
Wu Ming: That doesn't help.
A faint reaction passed through the group.
Small.
Natural.
The tension didn't disappear.
But it shifted.
Less sharp.
More focused.
Ning Tian had already calmed down, though she still stayed closer than usual.
Not as obviously as before.
But enough.
Su Mei noticed.
Of course she did.
Bi Ji noticed too.
Neither commented.
Some things didn't need to be said.
Ahead, an official voice began calling out names.
Announcements.
Order.
Structure.
The tournament was beginning to take shape.
Groups started moving.
Positions were assigned.
Participants gathered.
The energy in the air changed again.
Not chaotic anymore.
Directed.
Purposeful.
Qiu'er stepped slightly forward.
Qiu'er: Looks like it's starting.
Wu Ming cracked her neck lightly.
Wu Ming: About time.
Xu Tianzhen glanced at Lin Huang.
Xu Tianzhen: Are you actually going to participate?
Lin Huang: If needed.
That answer was simple.
But it carried weight.
No one questioned it.
Because they already understood.
He didn't need to.
Not unless he chose to.
The arena doors opened further.
The path ahead became clear.
And without hesitation—
Tianshui moved.
Together.
Not as a formation.
Not as a display.
Just—
forward.
And somewhere far beyond what anyone present could perceive—
something answered.
Quietly.
Waiting.
The arena roared to life.
Not all at once.
It built.
Voices rising in waves, reactions spreading from one section to another as the first matches were announced. Different academies moved into position, some confident, others tense, all trying to maintain composure under the weight of attention.
Names were called.
Battles were arranged.
The tournament had begun.
Tianshui remained still.
Watching.
Observing.
They didn't rush forward.
Didn't react to every announcement.
They waited.
Shui Yue'er leaned slightly to the side, trying to get a better view.
Shui Yue'er: That's the first match?
Meng Hongchen followed her gaze.
Meng Hongchen: Looks like it.
Wu Ming folded her arms.
Wu Ming: Too slow.
Xu Tianzhen tilted her head slightly.
Xu Tianzhen: It's just the beginning.
Qiu'er didn't speak.
Her focus remained on the arena.
Sharp.
Unwavering.
Nearby, other academies had already started reacting.
Some discussed strategies.
Others watched their potential opponents closely.
And some—
watched Tianshui.
Carefully.
Lin Huang stood among them, unmoving, his attention seemingly fixed on the matches ahead.
But that wasn't where his focus truly was.
Not entirely.
The first clash began.
Soul power flared.
Movement exploded across the arena, attacks colliding, techniques unfolding one after another.
The crowd reacted immediately.
Excitement surged.
Shouts echoed.
Energy filled the space.
And yet—
to him—
it was distant.
Not irrelevant.
Just… secondary.
Because far beyond the arena—
something had already started to respond.
Not violently.
Not yet.
But undeniably.
Within him—
a space that did not belong to this world stirred.
The ground there remained incomplete.
The sky undefined.
Everything suspended between existence and formation.
And now—
it reacted.
Energy gathered.
Not drawn from outside.
Not forced.
It condensed naturally, as if something within that world had decided to move.
A slow pulse spread outward.
Then another.
The space trembled faintly.
Not collapsing.
Not unstable.
Just… awakening.
Lin Huang didn't move.
Didn't react outwardly.
But he felt it.
Clearly.
"So it begins."
Back in the arena, the battle intensified.
Attacks collided harder.
Movements became faster.
The crowd grew louder.
But none of it reached him the same way anymore.
Because within that other space—
something new had appeared.
Faint at first.
Barely visible.
Then—
clearer.
A point.
Small.
Condensed.
Not just energy.
Something more.
It didn't move.
It didn't expand.
It simply existed.
And its presence alone—
changed everything around it.
The space responded.
The air grew heavier.
The ground stabilized.
The undefined began to take form.
And above—
something shifted.
The sky—
if it could be called that—
darkened.
Not with clouds.
Not yet.
But with pressure.
As if something beyond it had noticed.
Back in the arena—
Wu Feng frowned slightly.
Wu Feng: Did you feel that?
Xu Tianzhen glanced around.
Xu Tianzhen: Feel what?
Wu Feng hesitated.
Then shook her head.
Wu Feng: Nothing.
It passed too quickly.
Too subtly.
No one else reacted.
Except—
Lin Huang.
His gaze remained forward.
But his awareness had already split.
One part standing in the arena.
The other—
deep within that forming world.
Watching.
Waiting.
The point of energy pulsed again.
Stronger this time.
More defined.
And with it—
the pressure above deepened.
Something was coming.
Not immediately.
But inevitably.
Lin Huang's eyes narrowed just slightly.
Not in concern.
In recognition.
"This won't stay quiet."
The battle in the arena reached its peak.
A final clash.
A decisive strike.
The first match ended.
Cheers erupted.
The next names were already being called.
Everything continued.
Unaware.
Unchanged.
And yet—
somewhere beyond all of it—
a world had taken its first real step toward existence.
And something far above—
had begun to look back.