"Zane Frost." Julian's voice echoed across the courtyard, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "What a surprise to see you out of confinement so soon."
Zane turned slowly, meeting Julian's gaze with newfound steadiness. "Julian. How are your injuries healing?"
"Nothing serious," Julian shrugged, stepping closer. "Why are you here? I thought your punishment would last longer." His eyes were cold despite his pleasant tone.
Liam sensed the tension crackling between them. He glanced at Zane, concerned by the unexpected composure he displayed. Before he could intervene, a beam of blue energy materialized before them, solidifying into the imposing figure of Sect Leader Master Han.
"What brings you to the main hall, Liam?" Master Han asked without preamble, his sharp eyes immediately fixing on Zane.
Liam bowed respectfully. "Sect Leader, I believe Zane has truly repented during his time in the Blood Prison. I request that you consider revoking the remainder of his punishment."
Julian's eyes widened in genuine surprise. He quickly knelt before the Sect Leader. "Master, I too wish to plead for Zane's release. My injuries are completely healed, and if he has truly repented, shouldn't we show mercy?"
Zane watched Julian's performance with detached interest. The act was flawless—the concerned fellow disciple, magnanimous in forgiveness. In his past life, he had been fooled completely. Now, he saw every calculated gesture for what it was.
Master Han frowned at Julian. "Even after he hurt you, you still defend him? Your kindness exceeds your wisdom, Julian."
"He hurt me, yes," Julian admitted, lowering his eyes. "But I understand why. Zane feared being neglected when everyone paid attention to me instead of him. He doesn't want to share the good companionship he has built here." He looked up, his expression earnest. "Now that I am your pupil, Master Han, we are family. And family forgives."
Zane let out a soft sigh, accompanied by a subtle smirk that only Julian noticed.
Zhao stepped forward. "Julian's heart is too gentle. If it were me, I would ask you to punish Zane more severely. Such attacks cannot be taken lightly."
"I agree," Soren nodded solemnly. "Fighting amongst ourselves is one of our sect's most serious taboos."
Master Han raised his hand for silence, then fixed his gaze on Zane. "Have you truly repented, Zane Frost?"
"I thank you for the punishment, Sect Leader," Zane replied calmly. "It gave me time to think clearly. My eyes are open now."
Zhao smiled with satisfaction. "I'm glad to hear it. Now, you should formally apologize to Julian in front of everyone."
"Yes," Soren agreed. "We need to see your sincerity."
Disciples gathered around them began to whisper among themselves. Some voices rose above the murmurs: "Make him apologize!" "Show respect to Brother Julian!"
Zane looked around at the expectant faces, then back to Julian's perfectly crafted expression of humble forgiveness. Ten years ago, he would have bowed his head and muttered an apology, desperate to be accepted again.
But not this time.
"What I did wrong," Zane said clearly, his voice carrying across the courtyard, "was sticking my nose where it didn't belong. I should have sat back and watched gifted individuals get trampled under Julian's feet." He glanced pointedly at Julian, whose mask slipped for just a moment.
Liam stared at him in shock. "Zane, how can you say such things? After we spoke on your behalf?"
He ignored him, facing Master Han directly. "I've been in this sect for years, doing all the grunt work. You have never fulfilled your duties as a mentor. Instead, you've enabled your favorites to bully and target those less fortunate."
"How dare you be so disrespectful!" Zhao erupted. "After everything the sect has done for you! You ungrateful—"
"How dare you!" Master Han's words came charged with energy that pushed Zane back several steps. Behind him, Julian's lips curled into a satisfied smirk.
"Do you forget the huge favor the previous Sect Leader did for you?" Master Han continued, his face flushed with anger. "He found you half-dead in the mountains and taught you everything you know! Why do you harbor such grudges against us?"
Zane steadied himself, unflinching. "Everything I've done has been for this sect. If I owe my life to anyone, it's to the previous Sect Leader—not to those who have twisted his legacy."
Master Han gasped, his anger visibly building. As his hand began to glow with gathering energy, Julian quickly seized the opportunity.
He knelt beside Zane, clutching his arm. "Please forgive him, Master! He's still confused from his punishment. He doesn't mean these things!"
While appearing to comfort him, Julian leaned close to Zane's ear. "What game are you playing?" he whispered.
Zane turned slightly, his lips barely moving. "I know what you're doing in the forbidden area, Julian. The darkness you're gathering. The lives you'll destroy."
Julian's face remained a picture of concern, but his grip on Zane's arm tightened painfully. "You know nothing," he whispered back.
Then, with a subtlety that no one else could detect, Julian channeled dark energy through his fingertips into Zane's meridians. Just as he had done in Zane's previous life, he manipulated the energy to rebound against himself.
A burst of dark power erupted between them, seemingly emanating from Zane and striking Julian in the chest. Julian cried out dramatically, falling backward.
"Zane!" Liam shouted in disbelief.
Without hesitation, Master Han unleashed a powerful strike directly at Zane. A blade of pure energy sliced through the air, cutting across his shoulder and sending him sprawling to the ground.
Blood soaked through his robe, but Zane felt strangely calm. He had expected this—had known it would come. This time, at least, the blow wasn't lethal.
"Your actions have sealed your fate," Master Han declared, standing over him. "You leave me no choice but to expel you from the Phoenix Sect permanently."
Zane struggled to his feet, one hand pressed against his bleeding shoulder. The disciples around them had fallen into stunned silence.
"Your strike has cut all my ties with this sect," he stated, his voice steady despite the pain. "And with you, Han."
The courtyard erupted into shocked murmurs. No one had ever addressed the Sect Leader by name without his title—it was the ultimate disrespect.