Chapter 741 – "Stories of the Great Old Ones"
The room was still quiet after Alex's explanation about the eggs and the laws he'd used to make them. The women around the bed were clearly intrigued but also trying to make sense of what they'd just heard.
That was when Yu Mei shifted slightly, her gaze moving from Alex to the others.
"I think you all deserve to know exactly how he got those laws," she began, her voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of respect for the man beside her.
She sat a little straighter, hands folded in her lap, and looked around the group. "They didn't come from training manuals or sect inheritance. Every law he wields — except one — was taken from something far beyond our world."
Mei Lian frowned faintly. "Beyond our world?"
Yu Mei nodded. "From beings called Great Old Ones. They aren't gods, they aren't mortals… they're something else entirely. Ancient, alien, and stronger than anything we measure power by here. If one of them were to wake and remain on this planet for even a few moments, the damage would begin immediately."
She let her words settle before continuing. "The one that gave him the Law of Ice, for example — Rhan Tegoth — was so powerful that just the weakening of its seal nearly threw the entire world into an ice age. Oceans freezing solid, the air turning into a blade that could kill in minutes."
Shui Yun's eyes widened slightly. "And he fought that?"
"He didn't just fight it," Yu Mei said, her tone steady. "He killed it. And when he did, the Law of Ice became his."
She then explained how each Great Old One carried its own law — and how Alex had hunted and killed sixteen of them, gaining sixteen laws. "The seventeenth," she added, "is the Law of Mana — one he created himself. That's his strongest, the core of all his magic and power. It makes every other law he wields far stronger than it would be alone."
Ru Yan tilted her head. "Created? As in… not taken from anything?"
"Yes," Yu Mei confirmed. "He built it from nothing — and that's something no ordinary cultivator could even dream of doing. Even one law is more than most can bear without going insane. The weight of it alone would break their minds. But Alex…" She glanced at him with a faint smile. "…manages seventeen."
The sisters exchanged looks, each reading the same mixture of awe and disbelief in the others' faces.
Yu Mei went on to explain what Alex had told her: the danger of the Great Old Ones, how their mere presence could drive the weak-minded insane even from a thousand kilometers away, and how their awakening could warp the climate, topple mountains, or destroy continents — without them ever meaning to.
"And yet," she finished softly, "he hunts them. One by one. Because if he doesn't… no one else can."
Silence followed her words, the weight of them pressing on everyone present.
Jin Rou's hand absently stroked her belly as she looked at Alex. "So these beasts you've placed inside me… they carry your laws too?"
Alex met her gaze evenly. "Some of them do."
No one doubted him. Not anymore.
Ru Yan was the first to break the quiet. "Yu Mei… what are they like? These Great Old Ones. You've seen Alex talk about them, but… what's their character? Their nature?"
Yu Mei's eyes lowered for a moment, as though she were weighing how much to say. When she looked up again, her expression was steady.
"They're not like us," she said. "They don't think in the way humans, beasts, or even gods do. They don't have morals in the way we understand them. No good, no evil — just… power. In their world, the only rule is that the strong do as they please and the weak are nothing but prey."
Shui Yun frowned slightly. "So they're all cruel?"
"Not exactly," Yu Mei replied. "Cruelty implies intent — that they mean to hurt others. Most of them… don't care enough to even be cruel. We're beneath their notice. Their minds are focused on things far beyond us. The problem is that just by existing, their presence poisons the world. It warps reality around them, drives people insane, twists landscapes. They can destroy without ever trying to."
Yan Zhi crossed her arms, her voice quiet. "That sounds worse than if they were simply trying to kill us."
Yu Mei nodded. "It is. You can reason with someone who has a goal. You can't reason with a storm, or a volcano, or an ocean wave. That's what they're like — forces of nature, but with intelligence and the ability to move as they please."
Fei Xue's gaze turned to Alex. "And you've killed sixteen of them?"
Alex's voice was calm, matter-of-fact. "Sixteen. Every one of them sealed on this planet long before I arrived. Sealed… and furious."
Yu Mei added softly, "That's the other danger — they've been trapped for centuries, maybe millennia. That kind of rage doesn't fade. It grows. And when the seal breaks, all of that fury floods out with them. If Alex can't destroy them instantly, the damage they do in even a few minutes could last for centuries."
The women exchanged quiet looks, the weight of Yu Mei's words settling over them. It wasn't fear exactly — more a deep awareness that the man before them wasn't simply strong. He was doing something no one else could, fighting enemies that weren't even truly enemies — just living disasters waiting to happen.
Jin Rou broke the silence with a small, almost awed voice. "And you… hunt them alone."
Alex simply said, "Yes."
Chapter 742 – "The First Hatching"
Jin Rou stirred where she sat beside Alex, her hand instinctively moving to her rounded belly. A strange, warm pulse radiated from deep within her, unlike anything she'd felt before. Her eyes widened slightly as realization struck.
"One of them…" she whispered. "It's hatching."
The others immediately turned toward her, but she barely noticed them. Her focus was inward, on the soft, steady rhythm moving within her womb. The sensation was not pain — not even discomfort — but something richer, deeper. It was a fullness that seemed to thrum with life, each beat sending a ripple of warmth through her body.
Then it began to move.
She drew in a slow breath as the newly-born creature stirred inside her, nudging gently along the walls of her womb. Her thighs shifted instinctively, but not in distress — every motion brought a wave of satisfaction, as if her body was rewarding her for carrying it.
Alex, seated beside her, rested a steadying hand on her back. "Breathe. Let it come naturally."
Jin Rou nodded faintly, her lips parting as another pulse of warmth flowed through her. She bore down slightly, guiding the little life toward the path out. Her breathing deepened, the movement within her drawing lower, pressing toward her entrance.
And then, with a slow, sinuous motion, it began to emerge.
Her head tilted back slightly as it slipped free of her body, the sensation a strange blend of release and completion that sent a shiver down her spine. She looked down just in time to see it sliding the rest of the way out — a small, smooth-bodied serpent no longer than her forearm.
Its scales were a pale cream, patterned with soft gray markings, the shape and colors reminiscent of a pale ball python. Its body glistened faintly, the newborn sheen catching the light as it coiled gently on the bedding.
The little snake lifted its head, flicking a delicate pink tongue toward her before turning its attention to Alex.
Jin Rou's expression softened, her voice hushed. "It's beautiful."
The creature slithered closer, its movements unhurried, almost curious — and there was already a faint thread of connection humming between it and its tamer.
The little snake paused on the bedding for only a moment before it began to move again — slowly, deliberately — toward Jin Rou. Its smooth body glided over her thigh, across the curve of her hip, and up her stomach.
She watched with quiet fascination, feeling its warmth as it climbed higher. When it reached her chest, it lifted its head briefly, meeting her gaze with unblinking, intelligent eyes.
Then it continued its ascent, sliding over her collarbone until it came to rest against the side of her neck. With practiced ease — as though it had always known this role — it coiled gently around her throat and shoulder, its body neither tight nor heavy, but secure. The small, pale head nestled just beneath her jaw, close enough for her to feel the faint brush of its breath.
Alex's voice was calm but certain. "It's your guardian now. It will stay close, watch over you, and strike at anything that threatens you."
Jin Rou's hand rose slowly, her fingers brushing over the smooth, cool scales. The connection between them pulsed stronger — an unspoken understanding passing from master to beast and back again.
From across the room, Shui Yun's brow furrowed slightly. "Wait… look at the aura around it."
The others turned their attention to the serpent, and as they focused, the truth became clear. Its presence was steady and powerful, far beyond what a newborn should possess.
Mei Lian's eyes widened. "That's… not possible. Its cultivation… it's higher than level 8."
Ru Yan, who had the keenest sense for such things, exhaled slowly. "No. It's level 9."
The room fell into a brief silence, the weight of that statement settling over everyone. A newborn guardian beast, hatched less than a minute ago, was already standing at a realm beyond most seasoned cultivators.
Jin Rou stroked the snake again, her lips curling into a quiet, satisfied smile. "Then it's worthy of being mine."
The pale serpent shifted slightly, lifting its head from its resting place beneath Jin Rou's jaw. Its tongue flicked once, tasting the air, before its gaze locked on her face with a stillness that felt almost human.
Through the thread of connection binding them, Jin Rou felt its thoughts — not in words, but in pure intent. Absolute devotion. Willingness to fight, to protect, to kill, or to die if she so commanded. There was no hesitation, no fear, no self-preservation apart from her will.
Ru Yan shivered slightly. "It's… offering everything."
Alex gave a single nod. "That's the nature of a true guardian born from me. Its loyalty is absolute. If Jin Rou told it to give its life, it wouldn't hesitate."
The little snake seemed to sense his words, tightening its coil around her neck just enough to be felt — not constricting, but affirming its presence. Its head rose higher, bringing its eyes level with hers.
Jin Rou's expression softened. She lifted her hand and ran a single finger from the top of its head down between its eyes, over the smooth curve of its scales. The snake closed its eyes briefly at her touch, leaning into it with quiet acceptance.
Her voice was calm, but her tone carried authority. "Then from this moment… you are mine. My servant, my guardian, my companion."
The serpent gave a slow, deliberate nod — or something close to it — before settling once more at her neck, its body relaxing but its awareness still sharp.
The others watched silently, the significance of the bond clear. This was no ordinary beast tamer's pet. This was a level 9 guardian born from Alex's own essence, bound so completely to Jin Rou that it would sooner die than defy her.
Jin Rou stroked the snake's head one last time before glancing down at her still-rounded belly. The satisfaction of carrying so many eggs was still there, but now a more practical thought came to mind.
She sighed softly and looked up at Alex. "Cover it for me."
His brow lifted slightly. "Cover it?"
"Yes," she said, her tone matter-of-fact. "If my parents see this… they'll ask questions. And explaining it all will be difficult and tiring. I'd rather avoid it entirely."
The other women exchanged glances, some hiding small smirks at her bluntness.
Alex gave a slight nod. "Very well."
He lifted one hand and let a faint shimmer of mana gather in his palm. Threads of golden light drifted from his fingers, weaving into a translucent veil that spread over her midsection. As it settled, the swelling began to diminish before their eyes — not disappearing entirely, but reshaping until it looked no different from her natural, flat form.
Jin Rou looked down, running her hand over the spot where the curve had been. "Feels the same."
"It is," Alex said evenly. "I didn't remove anything. The eggs are still there. This is just a visual and tactile illusion. To anyone else, you'll look normal."
"Perfect," she murmured, leaning back slightly, her snake shifting to adjust around her neck.
Shui Yun chuckled softly. "Smart move. I can already imagine the questions if you walked into the main hall like that."
Jin Rou only smiled faintly. "Exactly why I asked him first."
As Jin Rou adjusted her robe, the snake nestled comfortably around her neck, some of the other women exchanged glances. There was a certain curiosity in their eyes — one that clearly wasn't about the serpent or the eggs.
Finally, Mei Lian tilted her head toward Alex with a faint, sly smile. "Jin Rou… earlier, you mentioned something about his… 'flower petals.'"
That got Shui Yun's attention immediately. "Flower petals?"
Jin Rou's lips curved slightly, her voice casual. "Mhm. You'll see what I mean."
Fei Xue's brow arched, and the others instinctively turned their attention toward Alex. There was no shame in their gaze — only open curiosity.
Ru Yan leaned forward slightly. "Can you… show us?"
Alex's eyes flicked from one face to the next, then down to Jin Rou, who gave the smallest of nods.
Without a word, he reached down and loosened his clothing. The women leaned in unconsciously, their focus entirely on the movement of his hands.
When he pulled the fabric aside, they saw his shaft — thick and smooth, pale like the rest of his skin. At first, it looked normal enough… until the skin around the head began to shift.
A faint ripple passed over it, and then, with an almost organic motion, the outer layer began to peel back in symmetrical sections. Four soft, fleshy "petals" folded outward, each revealing more of the vivid interior within.
What emerged was a long, pinkish-red shaft, glistening faintly under the light — the inner flesh supple yet firm, the exposed head subtly flared like the bloom of some exotic flower in full display.
The sisters all drew in a breath, their eyes widening.
"…That's what you meant," Shui Yun murmured.
Jin Rou simply smiled, stroking the serpent at her neck. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
Chapter 743 – "Petals and Secrets"
Alex let the women take in the sight for a moment longer before speaking, his tone calm and matter-of-fact. "It's not a natural change. I used magic to make it this way."
Shui Yun tilted her head. "So it's… a transformation?"
He gave a single nod. "Exactly. A shaping spell — tied into the magic of life. I can alter the form and function at will."
Ru Yan's lips curved faintly. "And here I thought you were just full of surprises. Turns out you choose to be surprising."
Alex smirked slightly before adding, "Watch."
With a faint ripple along the shaft, the fleshy petals folded inward again, the pinkish-red core disappearing beneath smooth, pale skin until it was once more in its original state. The transition was seamless, leaving no trace of the flower-like form.
The women exchanged glances, some still visibly intrigued, others smirking quietly as if filing the image away for later.
"Alright," Alex said evenly, adjusting his clothes back into place. "That's enough for now."
They began to gather their garments, pulling on robes and fastening belts. Jin Rou adjusted the position of her serpent guardian, the pale coils settling neatly against her neck as though it had always been there.
One by one, the women finished dressing, their earlier curiosity giving way to the calm, composed air they wore outside the privacy of this room.
When all was in order, Alex gave a short nod toward the door. "Shall we?"
The group moved together, the air between them holding a quiet mix of satisfaction, curiosity, and unspoken plans for later.
Chapter 744 – "The Guardian Revealed"
A sharp knock sounded at the door. The women exchanged quick glances before Shui Yun moved to open it.
Standing there were none other than Sect Master Tian and Lady Xia. Both carried the composed, dignified bearing of leaders, but their presence still seemed to fill the doorway.
"Father. Mother," the sisters greeted almost in unison, stepping aside to let them in.
Sect Master Tian's gaze swept the room briefly before he spoke, his tone direct. "There will be a nine-on-nine match soon. All of you need to prepare."
Lady Xia nodded in agreement, but her eyes had already settled on Jin Rou — or more specifically, the pale serpent coiled loosely around her neck. Her expression shifted instantly from calm to startled.
Sect Master Tian noticed it too, his brows rising slightly. "That… is a guardian beast?"
They stepped closer, sensing its aura — and both froze.
"This can't be right…" Lady Xia murmured, her eyes narrowing in disbelief. "Its cultivation… level 9."
Sect Master Tian's eyes widened a fraction. "Level 9? That's above even us at peak level 8…"
The little snake flicked its tongue once, sensing their scrutiny but showing no sign of fear. Instead, it tightened its gentle coil around Jin Rou's neck, almost possessively.
Jin Rou lifted a hand to stroke its head, her voice calm and steady. "Alex was the one who got it for me."
Their gazes turned toward Alex instantly — Sect Master Tian's sharp and assessing, Lady Xia's tinged with a mix of surprise and curiosity.
Alex met their eyes without a word, his expression as unreadable as ever behind the mask.
Sect Master Tian and Lady Xia exchanged a brief glance, but neither pressed Jin Rou or Alex for more details. Whatever the origins of the serpent were, they could tell it wasn't a topic that needed to be pulled apart now.
Instead, Lady Xia's gaze lingered on Alex, her expression softening slightly. "There's no need for you to wear that mask anymore."
Alex tilted his head faintly. "Why?"
Sect Master Tian's tone was matter-of-fact. "Your face is already known. The jade recordings from the last matches have been circulating… passed from hand to hand across the sect. Everyone's seen you by now."
Alex was silent for a moment, his gaze shifting between the two. Then, with a quiet sigh, he reached up and unhooked the straps behind his head.
The mask came away, revealing his face fully to them — calm, composed, and without a trace of concern at having it seen.
Lady Xia studied him for a breath longer, then gave the faintest of nods, as though confirming something to herself.
Sect Master Tian's eyes didn't waver, but his voice was even. "Good. Now, we can focus on what's ahead."
Sect Master Tian clasped his hands behind his back, his tone all business. "The nine-on-nine match will be held tomorrow morning in the main arena. Each team will—"
He suddenly stopped mid-sentence, blinking. "Wait… why am I explaining this?"
Everyone looked at him.
He gestured vaguely toward Alex and the pale serpent coiled around Jin Rou's neck. "You could walk out there, point at them, and they'd probably surrender before the fight even started. The strongest competitor they have is peak level 8. You—" he waved at Alex "—are clearly beyond that. And this snake…" His eyes narrowed slightly at it. "…is level 9. Level. Nine. The thing could probably clear the field by itself while Alex has tea."
Lady Xia gave a small laugh, covering her mouth with her hand. "Darling, perhaps the match is just a formality now."
Fei Xue smirked. "We could just send the snake and let Alex sit in the stands."
Jin Rou's serpent flicked its tongue as if it understood, earning a ripple of laughter from the sisters.
Sect Master Tian exhaled, looking almost deflated. "I was going to give a rousing speech about strategy and teamwork, but honestly…" He shook his head. "…it feels pointless. There's no drama if the other side doesn't even have a chance."
Alex leaned back slightly, his voice calm as ever. "Then don't worry. I'll make it quick."
"That's what worries me," Sect Master Tian muttered. "You'll probably really make it quick."
The room filled with light laughter, the tension gone as quickly as it had come.
The next morning, the arena grounds buzzed with noise. Cultivators from every continent filled the stands, banners waving, voices rising in anticipation. The scent of fresh tea and roasted street food drifted through the air, mixing with the faint tang of dust kicked up from the fighting stage.
A massive scoreboard floated in the air above the central ring, runes shifting to display the current rankings.
Western Continent
Heavenly Sect – 190Azure Spirit Sect – 10Iron Fist Sect – 60Golden Root Sect – 10White Lotus Sect – 10
Northern Continent
Blood Moon Sect – 180Savage Fang Hall – 80Ghostfire Abyss Sect – 90Thousand Fangs Pavilion – 120Shadow Claw Sect – 140
Southern Continent
Frost Moon Palace – 170Radiant Sun Palace – 100Serpent Song Sect – 30Sky Feather Hall – 20Ocean Soul Sect – 60
Eastern Continent
Emerald Jade Sect – 170Scarlet Halberd Sect – 20Nine Waves Sect – 40Fallen Star Sect – 130Heaven's Edge Sect – 50
Central Continent
Celestial Dragon Sect – 180Immortal Flame Pavilion – 180Heavenly Phoenix Hall – 170True Void Sect – 150Mountain Sea Sect – 140
The murmurs in the crowd rose as each sect's name appeared, spectators sizing up which ones had the highest chance to claim victory.
In the waiting area, Sect Master Tian gave a final glance at the rankings before looking at Alex. "See? This is why I didn't bother with strategy yesterday. The highest level fighter on any of those teams is peak 8th level. You—" he gestured vaguely at Alex "—and that snake—" he gestured again at the pale guardian around Jin Rou's neck "—are beyond that entirely. The only suspense today will be whether you win in three minutes or two."
Jin Rou smirked, stroking the serpent's head as it flicked its tongue lazily. "Maybe we should let them have five minutes. Just to make it sporting."
Alex's voice was calm. "We'll see."
Chapter 745 – "The First Match"
The crowd's energy sharpened as the head judge, robed in gold-trimmed black, stepped forward onto the platform. A small crystal sphere floated before him, glowing faintly with shifting colors.
"By the rules of the tournament," his voice boomed across the arena, "the next match will be determined at random."
With a wave of his hand, the crystal sphere spun faster, light flickering through dozens of sect names suspended inside. The murmurs in the stands rose as names flashed in and out of sight.
The sphere slowed… and the first name locked into place.
Mountain Sea Sect.
Cheers erupted from a section of the stands, their supporters waving banners painted with jagged peaks and curling waves.
The sphere spun again, the tension building — then stopped.
Emerald Jade Sect.
The other side of the arena burst into applause, emerald-green flags snapping in the wind as the sect's disciples stood, their leader giving a sharp nod.
The head judge raised a hand for silence. "Mountain Sea Sect will face Emerald Jade Sect in the next nine-on-nine match! Competitors, take your positions."
Both teams began moving toward the central stage, their robes marking their allegiances — the deep blue and silver of Mountain Sea Sect on one side, the brilliant green and gold of Emerald Jade Sect on the other.
From the waiting area, Alex watched the two groups with a faintly detached expression. The serpent around Jin Rou's neck flicked its tongue, almost as if tasting the excitement in the air.
The two teams faced each other across the wide arena floor, the air thick with anticipation.
At the judge's signal, nine shimmering barriers rose along the edge of the stage, sealing the combatants inside.
Mountain Sea Sect struck first — three of their frontliners surged forward, their palms unleashing tidal surges of water infused with crushing earth mana. The ground beneath the Emerald Jade Sect disciples rippled like a living wave, threatening to sweep them off their feet.
But the Emerald Jade Sect had come prepared. Their vanguard shifted in perfect unison, emerald light flaring as jade-imbued swords met the oncoming tide. The clang of blade against condensed water echoed through the arena, the jade energy slicing the waves into harmless spray.
From the back lines, an Emerald Jade cultivator launched a volley of jade shards, each one humming with piercing force. Mountain Sea Sect's defensive pair quickly raised stone walls in response, the shards shattering into harmless green dust against the barriers.
The clash became a rhythm — Mountain Sea's sweeping, powerful strikes against Emerald Jade's precise counters. Earth spikes erupted, jade shields formed, and the air crackled with colliding elemental energies.
After several minutes of back-and-forth, the balance tipped. An Emerald Jade swordmaster slipped through a gap in Mountain Sea's defense, disarming their lead fighter with a single, flowing strike. The momentum shifted instantly, and the green-and-gold side pressed forward like a rising tide.
One by one, Mountain Sea's fighters fell back or were forced to yield until the last was knocked from the stage.
The judge's voice rang out above the cheers. "Victory — Emerald Jade Sect!"
The green banners in the crowd waved wildly as the winners bowed and withdrew from the stage, their expressions calm but clearly satisfied.
Back in the waiting area, Alex and the women were entirely unfazed by the outcome.
"That was normal," Mei Lian said, adjusting her sleeve.
"Very normal," Ru Yan added with a small shrug.
Alex gave the faintest nod. "Expected, really."
Up in the amphitheater, Sect Master Tian and Lady Xia exchanged a look, both letting out quiet sighs. They had already known their group's standards were on a different scale entirely — hearing Alex and the women speak as though the Emerald Jade Sect's clean win was nothing only confirmed it.
Sect Master Tian's sigh must have been audible, because one of the other sect leaders turned his head. "Sect Master Tian, is something wrong?"
Lady Xia answered first, a faint smile in place. "Nothing at all."
"Mm. Nothing," Sect Master Tian echoed, settling back into his seat.
The other leaders exchanged glances but didn't press further.
On the stage below, the judge returned to the center, the crystal sphere hovering at his side once more.
"The next match," his voice rang out, "will be between—"
The sphere spun, colors blurring into one another before the first name locked into place.
Heavenly Phoenix Hall.
Banners of crimson and gold rose in the stands, their supporters cheering loudly.
The sphere spun again, slowing until the second name appeared.
Blood Moon Sect.
A ripple of darker, sharper cheers rose from the opposite side of the arena, the air around their section seeming to carry a faint, chilling edge.
The judge raised his hand. "Heavenly Phoenix Hall versus Blood Moon Sect — prepare to take the stage."
The two teams strode onto the stage, the barriers sealing them in once more.
Heavenly Phoenix Hall's fighters were radiant in crimson and gold, their auras blazing with heat. The moment the judge signaled the start, their formation flared — three phoenix-shaped bursts of flame soared into the air, diving toward the Blood Moon Sect with a roar of heat.
But the Blood Moon Sect moved as one. A wave of cold, crimson mist rolled outward from their front line, swallowing the flames before they could land. When the mist cleared, the phoenixes were gone, replaced by a swarm of blood-red blades spinning in a deadly arc.
Heavenly Phoenix Hall countered with sweeping kicks and spear thrusts wreathed in fire, each blow ringing against the crimson blades — but the relentless mist sapped their strength with every breath.
Then the Blood Moon Sect's vanguard struck. Shadows twisted around their feet, pulling their opponents off balance, and in the blink of an eye, three Phoenix Hall fighters were thrown clear of the stage.
The rest fought hard, but the tide had turned. The Blood Moon Sect pressed forward with suffocating precision, cutting down the Hall's remaining resistance until the last fighter yielded.
The judge's voice carried above the roar of the crowd. "Victory — Blood Moon Sect!"
The crimson-and-black side of the arena erupted in cheers, their leader giving a cold, sharp smile before leading the team off the stage.
The Blood Moon Sect's cheers were still fading when the head judge returned to the center of the stage, the crystal sphere hovering at his side once more.
"Next match," his voice boomed, "will be—"
The sphere spun, its colors shifting in a blur until the first name locked into place.
Heavenly Sect.
The Western Continent supporters burst into applause, the sect's disciples standing proudly in their white-and-gold robes.
The sphere spun again, slowing until the second name appeared.
Immortal Flame Pavilion.
From the Central Continent's section, a wave of fiery red banners rose, their edges embroidered with flickering patterns that seemed almost alive.
The judge lifted a hand. "Heavenly Sect versus Immortal Flame Pavilion — take your positions."
The two teams stepped forward, their movements sharp and confident. In the waiting area, Sect Master Tian glanced toward Alex and the women. "Now this one might be interesting… though I still doubt it will be close."
Alex's reply was simple. "We'll see."
On the arena floor, the Immortal Flame Pavilion disciples gathered briefly before stepping into formation. One of them — a tall man with a long crimson scarf — glanced toward their sect leader in the stands.
"Sect Master," he called up quietly, "what's the plan? They have eight confirmed level 8 cultivators… and one whose level we can't sense at all."
Up in the Immortal Flame Pavilion's section, their Sect Master leaned forward, eyes narrowing at the Heavenly Sect's lineup. "And what about us?"
The scarfed disciple answered without hesitation. "Six at level 8… and three at level 7."
A ripple of unease passed through the Pavilion's team. That imbalance in raw cultivation was nothing to dismiss — especially when one of the Heavenly Sect's fighters seemed to be masking their level entirely.
The Sect Master's lips pressed into a thin line. "You'll have to fight carefully. Target their weaker ones first and force the unknown one to act. If you let them control the pace, this will be over quickly."
The disciples nodded sharply, tightening their grips on weapons and staves as the judge signaled for them to take their positions.
Across from them, the Heavenly Sect fighters stood calm and composed, their formation solid — and that ninth fighter, the "unknown," was smiling faintly as though he already knew how the fight would end.