The Empire Warriors Tournament was now only two days away.
And Cang Yue City—already vast, already alive—had transformed into something else entirely.
A storm of people.
From every corner of the Da Cang Empire, warriors flooded in like rivers converging into a single ocean. Dust rose from the roads outside the capital as caravans arrived one after another—some carrying lone cultivators wrapped in silence, others transporting entire sects draped in banners and pride.
Voices clashed in the air.
Steel clinked.
Auras pulsed.
Power gathered.
And beneath it all—
anticipation.
Lin Shuan walked through the crowd in silence.
White robes. Frost mask. Calm steps.
But his eyes missed nothing.
Groups of warriors moved in clusters—some disciplined like trained armies, others loud and arrogant, boasting their strength openly. Merchants shouted offers, selling weapons, pills, armor, charms—anything that might give an edge in the coming battles.
Even the air felt heavier.
Charged.
Dangerous.
As he passed through a crowded intersection, two men nearby spoke in hushed but excited tones.
"I heard something big this time…"
"Big? It's always big."
"No, I mean bigger. The Yu Long Sect is sending disciples."
Lin Shuan's steps slowed.
Just slightly.
"…Yu Long Sect?" the second man repeated.
"Yes. The strongest sect in the entire Da Cang Empire. Their inner disciples are monsters. If they're participating…"
"…then this tournament won't be normal."
The second man swallowed.
"And I heard—other empires are sending people too."
That caused a pause.
"…Other empires?"
"…Yeah."
A nervous laugh.
"This might turn into something far beyond just a tournament."
Lin Shuan had already moved past them.
But his mind…
was no longer calm.
Yu Long Sect.
The name echoed like thunder in his chest.
His fingers curled slightly.
A flicker of something dark passed through his eyes.
"…Yu Long Sect…"
His blood stirred.
Not excitement.
Not fear.
Something deeper.
Something unresolved.
Inside the pendant, Tian Wuchen noticed.
But for once—
he said nothing.
—
High above the city…
On a rooftop kissed by cold wind…
She stood.
Crimson robes flowing like living flame under the pale sky.
The Empire Protector.
Her presence alone bent the air.
Below her, several armored imperial soldiers knelt, heads lowered, not daring to meet her gaze.
Her voice came calm.
But absolute.
"Dispose of the bodies."
No hesitation.
"Yes, Protector."
"Yin Feng and his men are to be erased. No records. No traces."
A pause.
Then—
"Find the boy."
Her eyes sharpened slightly.
"White robes. Masked."
"Bring him to me."
Silence.
Then unified response—
"Yes!"
The soldiers vanished instantly.
Like shadows dissolving into the city.
The crimson girl remained.
Her gaze drifted.
Toward the horizon.
"…That face…"
A faint crease formed between her brows.
"…Why does it feel familiar?"
No answer came.
Only wind.
—
Two days passed.
And the day finally arrived.
The Empire Warriors Tournament.
From early morning, Cang Yue City roared like a living beast.
Crowds surged toward one destination—
The Imperial Arena.
A colossal structure rising from the heart of the capital, built from ancient stone and reinforced with formations. Its size alone was overwhelming—capable of holding over ten thousand seated spectators, with countless more standing along its layered walls.
Today—
every space was filled.
People poured in endlessly.
Vendors lined the outer gates, selling sweets, meat skewers, tea, fruits—laughing as their earnings multiplied with each passing hour.
"This is the best day of the year!"
"Fresh honey cakes! Strengthen your spirit before battle!"
"Lucky talismans! Don't enter the arena without one!"
The noise was overwhelming.
Exciting.
Electric.
Inside the arena, waves of voices rose and fell like thunder.
At the center stood the grand battle stage.
Massive. Circular. Unyielding.
Above it, elevated on a platform—
a royal seat.
And on that seat…
sat her.
The Empire Protector.
Crimson robes draped elegantly as she leaned slightly into the armrest, her posture relaxed yet commanding absolute authority.
As if the entire arena belonged to her.
In front of the royal platform were arranged special seats—
reserved.
For sect leaders. Clan heads. High-ranking warriors.
The true powers.
—
Among the crowd…
a sixteen-year-old boy in white robes walked silently.
Lin Shuan.
Mask on.
Presence hidden.
He chose the far back.
Not out of fear.
But control.
From here—
he could see everything.
Without being seen.
—
Soon, an elderly man stepped onto the stage.
His long beard swayed gently as he raised his hand.
Slowly—
the noise began to fade.
Not instantly.
But gradually.
Until silence spread.
Thousands of eyes turned toward him.
He began—
"Warriors of the Da Cang Empire…"
His voice was deep.
Carrying effortlessly across the arena.
"Today marks the beginning of a gathering unlike any before."
A pause.
"From distant mountains to imperial cities… from lone wanderers to sect disciples… all of you have come here with one purpose."
"To prove yourselves."
"To rise."
"To carve your names into the future of this empire."
Murmurs stirred.
He continued—
"This tournament is not merely a competition of strength."
"It is a trial of will."
"A measure of survival."
"A stage where the weak are eliminated… and the strong ascend."
His eyes swept across the arena.
Sharp.
Judging.
"You will face opponents stronger than you."
"You will face fear."
"You may face death."
The word echoed.
Heavy.
"But…"
His voice rose.
"…those who endure… those who adapt… those who fight beyond their limits—"
"—will stand above all others."
Applause erupted.
Cheers.
Energy surged again.
He raised his hand once more.
"And now—"
He turned slightly.
"…under the authority of the empire…"
"…in the absence of His Majesty the Emperor—"
The arena quieted again.
"…this tournament shall be overseen by—"
A pause.
Tension.
"—the Empire Protector."
Silence.
Complete.
Absolute.
Then—
like a wave breaking—
whispers exploded.
"…Empire Protector?!"
"She's here?!"
"I heard she's ruthless…"
"They say she kills without hesitation…"
"She's never even seen in public—"
"Why is she overseeing this?!"
Fear spread.
Genuine fear.
Even among strong warriors.
—
Lin Shuan stood still.
Listening.
Absorbing.
His grip tightened slightly.
"…So it's her…"
Yes.
He knew.
Better than anyone here.
What kind of "Protector" she truly was.
—
Then—
she stood.
The crimson figure rose from the royal seat.
Instantly—
the entire arena fell silent again.
Her gaze swept across the crowd.
Cold.
Sharp.
Unforgiving.
And then—
it stopped.
At the very back.
On one boy.
White robes.
Mask.
Lin Shuan.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"…That boy…"
A flicker.
Recognition?
"…Why does he feel…"
"…familiar?"
Lin Shuan felt it.
That gaze.
Heavy.
Piercing.
For a brief moment—
his instincts screamed.
Danger.
He lowered his head slightly.
Breaking the line of sight.
The pressure faded.
But not completely.
—
Elsewhere—
in the front reserved seating—
a boy in brown clothes stood on his chair, looking around wildly.
"Where is he…?"
"Where did he go…?"
He scanned the crowd like a lost child.
Lin Shuan noticed him.
Paused.
Then walked forward.
Reaching him, he spoke calmly—
"Looking for someone?"
The brown-clothed boy waved his hand dismissively.
"Yeah yeah—my friend—don't bother me—"
Lin Shuan stepped closer.
Pulled his mask down slightly.
Just enough.
The boy froze.
Eyes widening.
"…Lin—"
Before he could shout—
Lin Shuan covered his mouth instantly.
"Quiet."
The boy blinked rapidly.
Shock.
Excitement.
Confusion.
Lin Shuan whispered—
"My name here is Shuan Hao."
"Call me that."
The boy nodded rapidly.
Lin Shuan released him.
He gasped slightly.
"Are you serious? What's with the mask? And the name change?!"
Lin Shuan replied calmly—
"…It's complicated."
The boy stared.
Then grinned.
"Of course it is."
He crossed his arms.
"So you're joining too?"
Lin Shuan nodded.
"Yes."
The boy laughed.
"Good! Then you won't lose too badly."
Lin Shuan gave him a flat look.
"…You're still the same."
The boy shrugged proudly.
"Zu Lin never changes."
A beat.
Then he leaned closer.
"I'll register your name."
Without waiting—
he jumped down and rushed off toward the registration area.
Lin Shuan watched him go.
A faint, rare softness touched his expression.
Familiar faces.
In an unfamiliar storm.
—
Above—
the crimson girl still watched.
Her gaze lingering.
"…Shuan Hao…"
She repeated silently.
But something deep inside her whispered—
That name was false.
And the truth—
was far more dangerous.
—
The arena roared once more as registrations continued.
Battles would begin soon.
Warriors stretched.
Weapons gleamed.
Tension thickened.
And standing among thousands—
Lin Shuan remained still.
Silent.
But within him—
storms were already rising.