"What is it?"
"I was coming from the supply pavilion," Xu Wen said, keeping his voice low. "Took a shortcut past the Crimson Sun guest quarters. Their outer disciples were talking, thinking no one was listening. They're not even trying to hide it."
"Hide what?"
"The collusion." Xu Wen's face was grim. "Crimson Sun and Void Whisper. They had a private meeting last night, after the banquet. Their elders agreed on a strategy for the exhibition matches."
Lin Tian's senses went quiet, focusing. "Go on."
"They're not trying to win every match. They're trying to break one person." Xu Wen met his eyes.
"You. They've decided you're the key. The Vanguard. The one who binds your two strongest rising talents together. They think if they can publicly dismantle you, shatter your calm, and force you to lose control, the heart of Azure Snow's team falls apart. Your points crater. Your morale breaks. They get the priority entry, and they walk into the rift while you're picking up the pieces."
