The moment Oasis stepped away from the gigantic battlefield, and Lukan was escorted toward the infirmary, the crushing tension that had blanketed the Grand Sanctuary finally loosened its grip.Amon Pecunia made his presence felt as he hovered above as if he was not all this time, his presence commanding instant attention.His voice echoed clearly as he made his announcement.“The final duel will take place at midnight,” Amon declared. “This is to allow the finalists sufficient time to rest and recover.”A brief pause followed before he continued.“In the meantime, once the battlefield has been fully restored, the audience will be entertained.Performers have already been arranged—singers, renowned flute players, guzheng masters, poets, bards, and skalds.”With that, Amon moved towards the upper gallery, and the invisible dam holding the crowd’s restraint finally burst.The Grand Sanctuary erupted into sound.Voices surged like a tidal wave—excitement, speculation, disbelief, and antic

The way Eclipse spoke was calm and measured, his tone carrying a courtesy that stood in stark contrast to the harshness Mokai and Bolton had displayed earlier.There was no arrogance in his voice, no attempt to dominate—only dignity and authority earned rather than enforced.“Mmh,” Venak thought inwardly, his posture relaxing just a fraction. “This… this is how people should speak to one another.We were not even given the chance to greet or introduce ourselves because of these people.”With a smooth, disciplined motion, Venak stepped forward and brought his hands together, one fist resting atop the other, bowing slightly from the neck.The gesture was formal, restrained, and precise—an etiquette refined through years of discipline rather than subservience.Daku mirrored the motion immediately, his movements quiet and exact.Delvan hesitated for only a heartbeat before imitating them.Though still young, his body copied Venak’s bearing almost perfectly—back straight, gaze lowered just

Just after Oasis exited the infirmary and stepped into the long corridor beyond, his footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor.The air here was cooler, laced with faint medicinal scents and residual mana from countless treatments conducted within these halls.He had only taken a few steps when he sensed it.Ahead of him stood three disciples, positioned deliberately along the corridor as if they had been waiting.Their backs were straight, their stances disciplined yet tense.Each of them wore robes embroidered with a distinct sigil—an orchid in full bloom, its petals edged with thorn-like patterns.The insignia of the Oblivion Orchid Sect.Their eyes immediately locked onto Oasis the moment he emerged, and though they tried to maintain composure, it was evident.Caution. Wariness. And beneath it all—fear.Their gazes followed his every movement, shoulders slightly stiff, breathing measured.It was clear they were not merely passing by.They had been stationed themselves her

“Young Master,” Venak said aloud, stepping forward half a pace as his fist pressed firmly into his palm.His posture was straight, his head lowered just enough to convey absolute respect without servility.Daku followed immediately, mirroring the gesture with disciplined precision.The two stood like loyal shadows beside Oasis, their auras restrained yet steady, making it unmistakably clear that they were not merely attendants, but men who would stake their lives without hesitation.The subtle shift did not go unnoticed.Even amidst the flowing melody and blooming illusion below, the moment carried weight.“Something that is known by few across the Kingdom, and all it took was one glance to tell that was a domain,” Eclipse thought to himself.“He really is something else. And from up close, his aura is reserved—as if it isn’t even there.No forced intimidation, no oppressive presence. Yet one can tell that what stands before us is a little monster.A cheerful little monster, waitin

“And also—” Zenon continued, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable weight, “what of those who were lingering behind the mountains?You said you had already dealt with them. Have you truly dealt with it, City Lord Welvard?”The hall fell quiet.Welvard straightened slightly, his expression firm.“Those ones were given until noon to vacate my territory,” he replied. “They had already left well before noon arrived.”Zenon nodded once, approving.“Good. It’s better to account for any variables that might hinder our plans. We don’t need inconveniences—especially unnecessary ones.”His gaze shifted subtly. “And who was handling the interrogation of the one I captured?”“Oh, that would be me,” Joy answered without hesitation.“Good.” Zenon’s eyes sharpened. “From what I understand, these enemies came from his region.Did he state whether there were more still stationed there?”“No,” Joy replied. “All who were present here are the only ones directly involved.His region is now under the