The arena was still smoldering when the Emperor raised his hand once more.
"Today's matches are postponed," he declared, his voice calm but absolute. "They will resume tomorrow at dawn."
No one objected.
Not the sects. Not the families. Not the crowd.
Too much had happened. Too many lines had been crossed. The air itself felt too heavy to breathe.
The formation screens dimmed. The banners lowered. And the crowd began to disperse, murmuring like a tide of rumors.
In the Ember Sect's private pavilion
Simon stood with arms folded, his gaze distant. Jana sat beside him, sipping tea like nothing had happened. Jalen had assured them their daughter would be all right, and they believed him. But they were still her parents—so they wouldn't feel at ease until she opened her eyes.
Sect Master Riven and Elder Shia approached.
"I must admit," Riven said, "I didn't expect this."
Simon raised an eyebrow. "Which part?"
"Your breakthrough," Riven replied. "The last time we spoke just a few months ago, you were still Early Moon Realm. Now…"
"Imperial," Simon said simply.
Elder Shia exhaled. "Did the Flare Family stumble upon a secret the rest of us don't know? First your daughter, now you.
"Or perhaps it has something to do with that boy who rescued my pupil."
Jana smiled faintly. "You're not wrong."
Shia didn't press. But her mind was already racing. And so was Riven's.
Moments later, Ridge entered the room and bowed low.
"Lord Simon. Lady Jana. Clan Master Riven. Elder Shia. The Patriarch of the Hewitt Family and his right hand from the Vernon Continent request an audience with Jalen."
Simon and Jana exchanged a glance.
They had dug into Jalen's few months ago. They knew he was from the Hewitt Family. A servant's son. A boy who, not long ago, had been recorded at the Ruby Realm.
They hadn't known whether to laugh or cry.
Because now—he was a monster.
From Ruby Realm to Peak Enlightened in the short space of time he arrived on the Ruona Continent. And now, Early Star.
What was the point of cultivating for centuries?
Still, knowing Jalen as they did, they suspected the truth: he had hidden his level from his own family. To avoid attention. To avoid being used.
If Rana hadn't been in danger, he wouldn't have revealed anything at all.
"Let them in," Jalen said as he exited the room.
Ridge bowed and left.
"Is my disciple all right? May I see her?" Elder Shia asked.
"Of course," Jalen replied. Then he turned to Simon and Jana. "You two as well."
None of them hesitated. They rushed into the room where Rana lay sleeping peacefully.
__
Some minutes later
Ronald Hewitt and Silver Hewitt entered a room Jalen had Ridge prepare for the meeting. Jalen was already seated in a meditative position, like some old master.
The two patriarchs of Vernon's most powerful family stood in silence, unsure how to begin.
Jalen broke it.
"Is my father okay?"
Ronald nodded. "The last time we saw him, he was in good health. He went to the Illume Family… defeated Varec Illume, fought off several elders, and ended in a draw with their patriarch. To avoid dragging our family into a political dilemma, he left."
"I see." Jalen's voice was quiet. "I figured that would happen eventually."
Silver stepped forward. "You're the Shade, aren't you?" He could no longer hold back his suspicion.
Jalen didn't deny it. "That's what you call me."
The two old masters stiffened.
"I see," Ronald said slowly. "Now it all makes sense. Jaquan's sudden recovery. His strength—Peak Diamond. That was you."
"If you already figured that out," Jalen said, "then why did you come here?"
"You're from our Hewitt Family," Ronald replied. "Of course we had to show up."
Jalen smirked. "Is it because I'm stronger than you now—or because of my connection to the Flare Family?"
Neither man answered.
"For a long while," Jalen continued, "I've always been stronger. You just didn't know it."
Silver opened his mouth, but Jalen cut him off.
"I know how the family treated me. But don't worry—I don't hold grudges. In a way, I couldn't be who I am without the family. And for that… I'm grateful. If there's ever a future issue, let me know. I'll be there."
Ronald smiled faintly. "Thank you. We won't waste your time any longer."
Jalen bowed respectfully. Though he was stronger, these men were centuries older than him. They were still his elders. in the cultivation world however, realms are greater than age.
Ronald and Silver turned and left—quietly, respectfully.
And for the first time in decades, they left not as masters of their domain…
…but as men who had just met something far greater.
__
Later that evening
Outside, the sky had deepened into velvet dusk. Inside, the soft glow of spirit lamps cast golden light across the room where Rana rested.
Jalen sat beside her, arms folded, gaze distant.
"How much longer are you going to pretend you're asleep?"
"I see nothing escapes you," Rana said, sitting up, her face burning red.
Earlier, when she regained consciousness, her mother had informed her—gleefully—about how Jalen had kissed her in front of the entire stadium. And how she was now officially his fiancée.
Now she didn't know how to face him.
"Why are your cheeks red?" Jalen asked, glancing at her. "Are you still running a fever?"
"No, that's not it."
He tried to figure out what was wrong with her, but to him, she was just being odd. So he didn't press further.
"Don't use that technique again," he said, serious now. "Not until you reach the Spirit fusion Realm. Do you understand?"
Rana nodded, her expression sobering. "I understand."
"With that said…" He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small, sealed jade box. "While I was away, I found something. A flame marrow crystal—refined from the heart of a volcanic beast. It should strengthen your flaming physique and, if your foundation holds, help you break through to the Gold Realm."
Her eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Yes. But first finish this tournament."
She nodded again, but her excitement was barely contained.
Jalen stood, stretching slightly.
"Oh, and if you lose," he added, "I'll pretend I don't know you."
"You—!" Rana rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
"Are you going to stay until the tournament is over?" she asked, quieter now. "Or are you going to disappear again?"
He paused at the door, then looked back over his shoulder.
"Silly flame brain," he said. "I came here to see you win a tournament. Of course I'm staying until it's over."
Rana smiled.
"Good."
And with that, Jalen stepped out into the night, the door closing softly behind him.
The corridor was quiet, lit only by the soft glow of spirit lanterns. Outside, the Ember Sect compound had settled into a tense calm.
He walked slowly, hands in his sleeves, gaze distant.
He could feel it.
The shift.
The eyes.
The weight of attention.