Thaddeus's eyes narrowed as he recognized that energy.Everyone watched as Vance's sword began to glow with a deep blue light."The Kozak family's Sun-Splitting Art!" Someone in the crowd screamed and the arena erupted."The Sun-Splitting Art!""That's a bloodline technique!""Vance actually mastered it!"Vance smiled proudly, seeing the reactions."This is the technique passed down to me from the Crestwood Grand High Warlord." He swung his sword and a massive round-shaped blade of spiritual energy tore through the air.BOOM!Thaddeus instinctively jumped backward and the attack smashed into the ground where he had been standing, sending pieces of stone flying everywhere.The arena trembled at the impact.Thaddeus landed several meters away while his eyes remained fixed on Vance.His expression turned cold beneath the mask as he watched Vance perform the technique.He felt a slight trace of anger at the sight.It wasn't a Kozak family technique at all but a variation of his Iron Sword

Thaddeus slowly lowered his hand. He couldn't bring himself to do it.There had to be a loophole.At the thought, the system flashed again.[ WARNING. ][ FAILURE TO COMPLETE PENALTY WILL RESULT IN CONSEQUENCES. ]He stared at the words.There had to be another way. He thought and immediately tried to activate his Shadow Teleportation to leave but nothing happened.Thaddeus's expression changed.He tried again, channeling his qi but the same result.He tried a third time and a sharp pain suddenly pierced through his head."Ah!"Thaddeus staggered and grabbed his forehead as the pain came without warning. It felt as if thousands of needles were being driven into his skull at once.His vision became blurry and the arena around him began to spin.He clenched his teeth and tried to endure it but the pain only grew stronger.He nearly fell."What is this..." He took a deep breath and forced himself to remain standing.Then the system panel appeared again.[ PENALTY IN EFFECT. ][ HOST CAN

" That was Rael! I know that face... He’s the brat who bathes the horses and takes care of their dung in the Third House!" Another noble pointed out." What?" A lady beside him shrieked, covering her mouth to display her irritation."He cheated! He had to have cheated! He doesn't deserve the honour of the tournament!... " another noble roared furiously, his hand on the hilt of a sword he had never once drawn in a real fight." Yes! He should be executed for this!..." The panic continued to spread among them as they couldn't swallow the fact that someone beneath them had just defeated a Twelfth Realm genius and won the tournament.It wasn't just anger but a growing terror disguised as rage. If a boy who swept stables could shatter a Twelfth Realm genius in broad daylight, then the common belief that power must be inherited through precious bloodlines, bought with rare ancestral pills, and cultivated through royal lineages were nothing more than expensive lies.For most of them, that n

Someone in the crowd suddenly shouted. “The Tournament Protection Law? What does that mean?”The administrator raised his voice, still breathing heavily.“ Yes. According to the ancient laws governing the Inner Disciple Selection, once the champion has been officially determined, no contestant, elder, clan, or sect must harm the champion because he shall be protected by the Heavenly Covenant."Then he looked at the elders.“ This law was established under the Heavenly Covenant and the tournament's protective array is bound to it. This shouldn't be strange to you" he said, staring directly at the high Elders.Murmurs spread through the spectators."But he hasn't even received his honor yet!" Someone shouted from the crowd.The administrator shook his head."That does not matter."He pointed toward the tournament records."The moment the final match ended, the tournament's ancient laws recognized the Shadow Warrior as the victor." His gaze became serious."And now that his identity h

Thaddeus gave her a reassuring smile.“I'm fine, Iris. You don't have to worry about me.”Iris slowly pulled away from his chest and looked up at his face.She smiled and gently rubbed his face.“Promise me you'll be careful.”Thaddeus gently caught her trembling hands, pulling them away from his face to hold them in his own.“I will.”Iris beamed into a smile and lowered her voice.“You're now in the den of your enemies, Rael. More people will want you dead now that they know who you are. The elders may not be able to touch you for a while, but that doesn't mean they won't find another way.”" I know." Thaddeus's expression became slightly serious. He understood exactly what she meant.“I'll be careful.”Iris stared at him for a moment before finally relaxing.“ So what do you plan on doing now? With this new life of yours...”Thaddeus breathed and glanced toward the closed door.“For now, I'll stay here and make use of the opportunity I've been given before my protection expires.”I