Silence.
The thunderclouds that loomed above moments ago had scattered. In their place, a serene light broke through, as though the heavens themselves had acknowledged the victor.
Shadow stood in the center of a shattered arena, a crater of broken stone and molten dust radiating from his feet. Lightning crackled faintly around his blood-drenched body, steam rising from his skin where the final burst of Thunder Slash had scorched even his robes. His chest rose and fell shallowly, blood streaking his cheeks, arms, and chest, his face pale and bruised but composed.
Jinhai's headless corpse lay behind him, already dissolving into ash under the residual backlash of demonic energy. The Chains of Hell had been reduced to fragments, twitching like dying beasts, their evil presence slowly evaporating into nothingness.
Shadow's sword clattered to the ground, the sound echoing like a final chime in a funeral.
But he remained standing.
Barely.
From the now-freed formation's edge, a blur of golden robes shot forward.
"Stand aside!" a voice rang like a bell, clear and commanding.
A tall, lean elder landed beside Shadow, his very presence pressing down on the arena with weighty spiritual pressure. His eyes were sharp as blades, and his aura roared with the authority of a figure long accustomed to power.
"Core Elder Huoran has arrived!" a disciple cried.
Gasps filled the arena. Even some inner sect members straightened at the sight of him.
Elder Huoran immediately assessed Shadow's condition, then flicked his hand. A glowing jade pill wrapped in a golden flame floated up.
"Hold still, boy," he murmured, guiding the pill into Shadow's mouth. With a flick of his fingers, he activated the pill's essence.
A warm current surged through Shadow's broken frame. Torn veins mended, ruptured organs calmed, and blood loss slowed. His breathing steadied, though consciousness still teetered on the edge.
Without delay, Huoran turned toward the wreckage.
"You three, too," he said with brisk authority.
Liang Chen, Mei Rong, and Xun Tai were struggling to rise, visibly battered. With practiced efficiency, Huoran tossed three more healing pills, each pulsing with energy attuned to their unique attributes.
"Take them. You've earned it."
The three caught the pills and bowed their heads slightly, no arrogance, only weariness and respect.
No one looked at Shadow with disdain. Not anymore.
---
Then, from above, the Sect Master descended.
His robes were deep violet embroidered with silver thread that shimmered under the daylight. His long black hair billowed in the wind, and his eyes, sharp and ancient, glimmered with both approval and concern.
He landed beside Elder Huoran and gazed across the silent arena. The barrier was shattered. The air still hummed with the echoes of destruction. But all eyes turned toward him, hanging onto his every word.
"Today," the Sect Master began, voice imbued with power, "we witnessed something that will be recorded in the annals of our sect."
He let his voice carry across the breathless disciples.
"Not simply the rise of strength… but the rise of will. The unshakable spirit of one who has endured loss, pain, and humiliation."
His eyes found Shadow, still barely conscious but standing.
"A disciple without a clan. Without noble blood. With no backing, no prestige, and yet—he stood alone against all odds. And he prevailed."
The silence broke into murmurs.
"He's the one who killed the demonic cultivator!"
"Shadow really won? That impossible fight?"
"A mortal-born… achieved this?"
The Sect Master raised a hand and the murmurs stilled instantly.
"For this, Shadow of the Verdant Moon Sect—"
He paused, letting the moment hold weight.
"—you are hereby declared the **First Rank Outer Disciple** of this generation's tournament."
Cheers exploded, deafening. Elders clapped, inner sect members nodded in respect, and outer sect disciples hollered in disbelief and admiration.
The Sect Master wasn't done.
"As reward, you shall receive: One High-Grade Wood Element Martial Skill. Two hundred fifty lower-grade spirit stones. And a **Lower Grade Barrier Breaking Pill.**"
The last announcement stunned even the elders.
"That pill…" one whispered. "It's reserved for the inner sect's most promising…"
"Unheard of… for an outer disciple."
The Sect Master then smiled.
"And finally, by my decree—Shadow shall be transferred to the **Inner Sect** of the Verdant Moon Sect. Effective immediately."
Gasps.
Even Liang Chen's confident mask faltered. Mei Rong arched a brow in approval. Xun Tai gave the faintest smirk.
Shadow bowed deeply, blood dripping from his jaw. "I thank the Sect Master… and the Verdant Moon Sect."
---
After the ceremony, Elder Huoran took charge. He led Shadow and the finalists away from the arena, through a private path lined with lush spirit trees and guarded by armored inner sect cultivators.
Disciples parted as they passed, whispering in awe and confusion.
"That's him… the one who killed Jinhai."
"He's going to the inner sect. They gave him a token."
"I heard he doesn't even have a family… how is this possible?"
As they approached a secluded stone gate, Huoran gestured to a narrow, elegant path bordered by glowing lanterns and gentle waterfalls. At the end stood a modest, two-story manor built from spirit jade stone and darkwood tiles. Vines climbed its columns, and a serene courtyard with a bamboo grove lay at its heart.
"This is your new residence," Huoran said.
Shadow blinked slowly, his mind fogged with pain and exhaustion.
"My… residence?"
"New inner sect disciples are assigned a housing unit in the Jade Wind Pavilion area. Yours is here. Consider it both reward and responsibility."
He stepped closer and handed Shadow a silver token engraved with the mark of the Inner Sect and his name.
"This is your proof of status. Do not lose it. From now on, you are an inner sect disciple. The expectations—and dangers—only grow from here."
Shadow clutched the token with shaking fingers. "Thank you… Elder."
Huoran nodded once. "Rest. I'll send a physician shortly. The sect will watch you closely now. Make sure you give them something worth watching."
Shadow managed a tired smile. "I intend to."
---
Inside the house, Shadow found a small bed already prepared. A basin of warm water, clean robes, and a writing desk awaited him. On a nearby wall, a simple carving of the sect's emblem brought a faint comfort.
He stepped toward the bed, each movement dragging. The soft floor muffled his footsteps.
He collapsed onto the mattress, the scent of fresh linen and bamboo filling his nose.
"I made it," he whispered.
Then he passed out.
---
Outside, as the sun dipped toward the horizon, Elder Huoran stood on the pavilion's roof, watching the horizon.
He didn't turn as another elder approached.
"Do you think the boy will survive what's coming?"
Huoran narrowed his eyes.
"If he doesn't… then no one will."