Novels by Sally Edwards

The Colosseum of the Heavens quaked with excitement as the elimination rounds dwindled. From one hundred contestants, fewer than twenty remained. Each name heard moved the people in awe or fear across the martial world.Among them, standing with calm resolve was Kai Lin.The crowd had begun to chant his name in whispers. Just a startling contrast to the jeers of earlier rounds.“Is he really from Azure Cloud Sect?”“No one ever heard of him before, how did he defeat Feng Zhi?”“He doesn’t fight like an ordinary disciple… his movements are too refined, too calculated.”On the Azure Cloud platform, Li Shen’s eyes burned with growing hatred. Every victory of Kai’s was a nail in the coffin of his superiority. Meanwhile, Zhao sat stiffly, forced to hide the anger raging inside. His every scheme was failing before thousands of witnesses.But neither’s venom compared to what was about to arrive.………….The announcer’s voice boomed, heavy with dramatic cadence.“Next round: Kai Lin of Azure

The Colosseum of the Heavens roared with voices like a standing storm. Tens of thousands filled its stone terraces with their banners fluttering like waves in the wind. At the center moved the massive arena. It was a battlefield of crushed granite, glowing inscriptions, and qi-forged wards that hummed with lethal energy.Azure Cloud Sect’s disciples stood in formation under their banner. Li Shen walked in admiration as his name was shouted by sycophants from rival sects. In contrast, when Kai Lin stepped forward, a ripple of mockery swept the stands.“There he is! The sect’s charity case!”“Azure Cloud sent a cripple? This is a disgrace!”“He’ll be the first to fall!”Kai’s face remained unreadable, though inside his heart was a steel flame. His System chimed in his ear, its cold clarity drowning out the scorn.“System Analysis: Host reputation is 12/100 Quest Objective: Light the Banner – Overwhelm opponents in Round 1.Additional Analysis: Rivals underestimating host grants tactic

Azure Cloud Sect buzzed with a fervor it hadn’t felt in years. The great gong in the main square tolled. Its sound rolled across mountains and valleys. Disciples rushed from training halls and dormitories as curiosity sparked in their eyes. The Sect Master had announced an event of significance.The Azure Cloud Sect would send a delegation to the Regional Martial Tournament, where the finest geniuses of the realm gathered to test skill, honor, and the destiny they carry itself.Whispers spread across the sect very fast.“This is the chance for Azure Cloud Sect to regain its prestige!”“They say disciples from Crimson Star Valley and Thunderblade Hall will be there. Monsters in human skin…”“Only the chosen inner elites stand a chance. It’s not for the likes of us.”In the pavilion of elders, Zhao leaned on his staff with his lips curling into a satisfied smirk.“This is our opportunity,” he purred to Elder Li, whose eyes glinted with ambition. “The Regional Martial Tournament is wher

The valley was still scarred from battle. Broken earth, shattered trees, and the blood of beasts stained the soil where the Ascendant Path had claimed victory. The disciples marched back to Azure Cloud Sect with heads held high, carrying not just the spoils of battle but the pride of survival.Word spread like a virus going through the entire Azure Sect. By the time they reached the sect gates, whispers already filled the air.“Kai Lin’s guild defeated the Iron Fang Beasts?”“Impossible. Those monsters wiped out entire hunting squads before.”“Yet they say he slew the Alpha himself with one strike…”Disciples gathered in groups in trembling voices between disbelief and awe. For years Kai had been mocked as trash, but now, his name dances on every tongue.Inside the guild hall, Kai stood at the head of his people. The once humble chamber now buzzed with energy. Disciples who had fought with him stood straight with bright eyes. It was as if their confidence was reborn. New faces crowded

he dawn mist clung to the mountains like a shroud. Beneath the rough cliffs, the Ascendant Path guild gathered and their breaths formed pale clouds in the cold air. Each disciple carried worn swords, patched armor, and nerves that trembled with anticipation.At the front stood Kai Lin. His face was calm. His black robes fluttered in the wind and his eyes fixed on the rugged valley ahead. The lair of the Iron Fang Beasts.A mission. That’s what the Sect had called it. But Kai knew better.The system pulsed in his mind, “System Alert!Analysis complete. Mission Type: Beast Subjugation. Hidden Modifier: Sabotage detected. Orchestrator: Elder Zhao Tianren.Estimated Beast Strength: Tier 3–4. Higher than normal assignment.Host survival Rate without intervention is twelve percent”“ Override required! New Sub-Mission unlocked: Lead the Hunt.Objective: Host must ensure the survival of guild members.Reward: Leadership Skill Expansion, +800 EXP, Unlock: Ascendant Formation Technique.”Kai

The moon hung low over Azure Cloud Sect. It casted rough shadows across the Elder Pavilion. Inside of it were incense smoke curling upwards and filling the chamber with a heavy reek of sandalwood.Two men sat across a lacquered table. One was Elder Zhao. His sharp face was half-hidden in the dark. His eyes gleamed with sharp calculations. The other was broader in build with graying temples. It's Elder Li, the father of Li Shen of Azure Cloud’s so-called golden genius. His expression was cold and his voice was measured. Yet there was poison in every word that came from his lips.“Your failure grows more obvious with each passing day, Zhao,” Elder Li said flatly. “The boy you despise should have been nothing. Yet now he commands a following. Even the outer disciples whisper his name.”Zhao’s lip curled. “Kai Lin is nothing but a lucky worm. Without the Sect’s negligence, he would have been discarded long ago. But luck breeds arrogance and arrogance can be crushed.”Elder Li narrowed hi