The black token lay in Sawyer's palm, its silver crescent catching the faint light filtering through the trees.Nobody spoke.The captured disciple remained on one knee, breathing heavily after the brief struggle. His clothes were torn at the shoulder, and one hand remained pressed against his bruised arm.Wang kept his spear pointed at him. "Start talking."The disciple looked up.His eyes were cold."I have nothing to say."Wang took a step forward."Really?"Sawyer raised a hand."Wang.""But—""Let him breathe."Wang reluctantly lowered the spear, though he remained close enough to strike.Chi studied the captured disciple carefully.He didn't look like someone who had expected to be caught.He looked like someone who had expected to die.Sawyer crouched in front of him."Your name."The disciple hesitated."Ronan.""Ronan," Sawyer repeated. "Who sent you?"Ronan looked away."You already know."Sawyer held up the black token."Cassian Cain."Ronan's jaw tightened.He said nothing

The mountain fell silent when the final battle ended.For the first time since the Elite Trial began, there were no challengers rushing toward one another, no weapons crashing against stone, and no disciples shouting for victory.Only twenty-five disciples remained.Twenty-five out of the fifty who had entered the trial.The others had been eliminated through combat, endurance, failed objectives, or simple exhaustion.The examiner stood at the center of the battlefield with a scroll in his hands.His expression was solemn as he looked across the surviving disciples."Twenty-five."His voice echoed across the mountain."Half of those who entered have been eliminated."Several disciples looked around.Some had bruises covering their faces.Others were leaning against weapons for support.A few had completely exhausted their spiritual energy.Yet among those twenty-five stood three familiar figures.Sawyer.Wang.Chi.They were tired.They were bruised.But they were standing.Wang leane

The beast moved first.There was no warning.One moment the Black Fang stood beneath the trees, its golden eyes fixed on the three disciples.The next, it vanished."Move!"Sawyer's voice cracked through the clearing.Wang threw himself sideways.BOOM!The beast slammed into the ground where he had been standing.Earth exploded beneath its claws.Wang rolled across the dirt and immediately rose."That thing is fast!"Chi had already moved toward the opposite side of the clearing.Sawyer's eyes remained fixed on the beast."Don't attack yet."Wang stared at him."Are you serious?""Yes."The Black Fang slowly lifted its head.Its enormous body was covered in thick black fur, but Sawyer noticed the muscles beneath its hide.The beast wasn't simply strong.It was built for explosive movement.Its front legs were slightly longer than its rear legs, giving it incredible acceleration.Its horns curved backward.Its claws were long enough to tear through stone.And most importantly...It nev

The previous trial had given Sawyer's name weight.This one gave it a price.By the following morning, the story had spread through nearly every corner of the beast territory. Someone had put a bounty on Sawyer. Nobody knew exactly how much had been offered, but the number grew with every retelling, and so did the number of disciples suddenly interested in finding him.Sawyer heard the first rumor while collecting water from a narrow stream. Two disciples standing farther downstream noticed him, exchanged a glance, and immediately lowered their voices."That's him.""The one with the bounty?""Don't stare."Sawyer filled his container without looking at them. He had heard enough.When he returned to Wang and Chi, Wang was sharpening the tip of his spear. Sawyer placed the water beside their supplies and said calmly, "We're moving."Wang looked up. "Why?""People are beginning to look for us."Chi's expression tightened. "Because of the token?""Because of me."Wang's hand stopped movi

The man was waiting beneath the dead tree.Sawyer noticed him before the man noticed Sawyer.He stood alone at the edge of the forest, partially concealed by the darkness. His clothes were torn, his face carried several fresh cuts, and one hand remained pressed against his ribs.He wasn't here to fight.Sawyer stopped.Behind him, Wang immediately reached for his spear.Chi stepped closer.The stranger raised both hands."I didn't come to attack you."Sawyer studied him."Then why are you here?"The man hesitated."Because I think Cassian Cain is going to kill me."Wang's expression hardened."Another one of his followers."The stranger looked at him."Yes."Sawyer didn't lower his weapon."What do you want?""Protection."The answer came quickly.The man swallowed."I can give you information."Sawyer remained silent."I know what Cassian is planning."Wang scoffed."And you expect us to believe you?""I don't expect you to trust me."The stranger looked directly at Sawyer."I'm aski