Hu Khan lowered his head."I should have. My duty was to but... I couldn't bring myself to have the blood of these people on my hands. You can call it guilty conscience or empathy. I don't care." He clenched his fists." I was once a servant too and I know how it feels to be given such hope. I've served this sect for years. I've watched innocent servants beaten and done horrible things."He looked up to Thaddeus "But when I saw those people following you... I couldn't bring myself to destroy the only hope they'd found."He smiled bitterly."Maybe I'm a coward or a traitor but I couldn't do it."Thaddeus looked at him quietly."No. You're not. A coward would've reported me the first night... You didn't." He ended with a smile.In that moment, a blue screen materialized inside his vision.[ANALYSIS COMPLETE] [HOST-ALIGNED ASSET: HU KHAN]Target has completed psychological adaptation.Restriction: Asset cannot knowingly deceive, betray, or act with hostile intent toward the Host.Pena

Everyone knew what the Inner Disciple Selection meant. It wasn't simply a competition.It was an event where high born disciples and cultivators from every region fought for a spot of prestige among powerful mages. Servants were only allowed near the ring to haul away bloodied bodies or scrub blood stains off the stone platforms.Old Gable angrily turned to Hu Khan." Are you insane?! You are the cause of this." Old Gable shouted, his voice breaking with panic. "If the Elders catch a servant entering the tournament, they will execute every single one of us in this room! Why are you doing this? Did the Elders send you here to test our loyalty?"Hu Khan looked shocked but before he could reply, Thaddeus stepped in. " This is purely my decision. I am telling you this not to seek permission, but so you may see with your own eyes what the prophecy promised. The laws forbid my participation but in two days, you will all watch a servant stand on their stage."He continued, looking them in th

That night, the visitors rushed through the courtyards where the advancing competitors resided, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious fighter. To their surprise, he was nowhere to be found.They searched the guest quarters, the training grounds, and even the meditation halls, but no one had seen a man wearing a black wooden mask."That's impossible," one disciple muttered. "We all left the preparation camp together.""Or did he leave the sect?" another wondered.Rumors began to spread among them like wildfire.Some claimed the Shadow Warrior was a wandering cultivator who preferred solitude. Others insisted he was the secret disciple of a reclusive elder. A few even whispered that he was a ghost who appeared only when summoned to fight.Meanwhile that same night, beneath the sect, in the underground chamber, Thaddeus quietly removed the wooden mask and set it on the table.Benjamin looked at him, smiling while the others stared at him in admiration, only Hu khan wasn't present.

Behind his wooden mask, Thaddeus allowed himself the faintest smile.Ever since the word of the Shadow Warrior had spread, he knew countless disciples would be watching the preparation camp, hoping to uncover his identity.And arriving early would have meant running straight into their trap, giving them enough time to probe him, corner him, or force a fight behind closed doors, something he had no intention of allowing. So, he had waited until the very last second and teleported into the camp moments before he was summoned, using his Shadow Teleportation technique.Suddenly, the announcer's voice echoed, jolting Thaddeus out of his thoughts." Begin!" The two cultivators stared at each other for a moment without making a move.Chi Zolang's palms grew sweaty as he stared at the masked warrior before him, tightening his grip on his sword. Even his breathing became fast as well." Bold of you to show up," he finally said, his voice loud enough for the lower stands to hear, then twirled

Thaddeus slowly sighed.The light in the room seemed to draw toward him, reflecting off his clear, dark pupils.He knew his friend was trying to save him but this is a path he has to venture on.It was his fate and the price of the life the system had given him. He simply has no choice in it." Please, listen to me, Rael.. we can't risk anything happening to you." Benjamin pleaded while the others watched." We can flee! If you use your full power, we could break past the gates tonight and run to a faraway clan. We can make plans from there!" Benjamin explained, looking at the faces of others for support.Thaddeus smiled at his friend."It makes no difference. Whether I appear or not, Vokah would continue to hunt us till the end but do not be afraid. Let him set his traps." Thaddeus said. "The stage tomorrow will not belong to Kai Tian. It will belong to us. "Benjamin looked defeated and pained, knowing he would be unable to change Rael's mind.Thaddeus noticed and placed a hand on h