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Chapter 274: He is not

Relief surged through Valeria as she took in the scene before her. Lucavion, though battered and bloodied, was alive. The sight of his smirk—irritating as it was—brought an unexpected sense of comfort. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, her chest loosening as the worst of her fears dissolved.

"Haaah…" A soft, almost involuntary sound escaped her lips as she stepped further into the room. Her shoulders slumped slightly, the tension she had carried since seeing Elder Xue melting away.

Lucavion's gaze shifted to her, his dark eyes gleaming with that infuriating mixture of amusement and awareness. His smirk deepened, as if her presence was exactly what he'd been waiting for.

"You're here," he said casually, his tone light despite the blood staining his clothes. "A bit late, though."

Valeria's eyes narrowed, her moment of relief giving way to exasperation. "Late?" she echoed, her voice sharpening. "You're standing there looking like you just crawled out of a warzone, and the first thing you say is that I'm late?"

He shrugged—or tried to. The motion sent a faint wince across his face, though he quickly masked it with another smirk. "Timing is everything, Valeria. But don't worry. I managed to keep myself alive until you arrived."

She let out an incredulous huff, crossing her arms. "Barely," she muttered, her eyes flicking to his injured arm. "What happened here? Did Xue do this?"

Lucavion's smirk softened slightly, his expression momentarily shadowed. "She tried," he admitted, his tone quieter. "But I don't go down that easily."

Valeria's heart twisted at his words, the gravity of what could have happened pressing against her. She took another step closer, her gaze darting over his injuries. "And what if she had succeeded?" she asked, her voice firm but laced with a hint of something more—something raw. "What then, Lucavion? Do you think this tournament, your games, would've been worth it?"

His smirk faded entirely, replaced by a fleeting seriousness that caught her off guard. "It would've been," he said simply, his eyes meeting hers. "If it meant exposing the truth."

Her breath caught at his words, the weight of his conviction striking her. She wanted to argue, to tell him how reckless he was being, but something about the quiet resolve in his voice stopped her.

Instead, she sighed, shaking her head. "You're impossible," she muttered, stepping closer still. "Sit down. Let me look at that arm before you decide to go and provoke someone else."

Lucavion chuckled softly, the sound low and warm. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you're worried about me, Valeria."

She rolled her eyes, her fingers already reaching for his arm. "Stop talking and sit," she ordered, her tone brooking no argument.

Valeria knelt beside Lucavion, her movements brisk and precise as she inspected the angle of his dislocated arm. The faint, unnatural swelling around his shoulder made her wince inwardly, though she refused to let it show. Her hands moved instinctively, brushing aside the torn edges of his sleeve to get a clearer view.

"This is going to hurt," she said flatly, glancing up at him.

Lucavion's smirk returned, faint but defiant. "You don't need to warn me. I've been through worse."

Her lips thinned, irritation flickering in her eyes. "That doesn't make it any less foolish. Hold still."

Without waiting for a response, Valeria placed her hands firmly around his shoulder and forearm, steadying him as she prepared to reset the joint. Her grip was strong yet careful, her touch surprisingly gentle for someone so exasperated.

Lucavion didn't flinch, though she caught the brief tightening of his jaw as she applied pressure. A sharp pop echoed through the room as his shoulder slipped back into place, followed by his faint hiss of pain. She didn't comment, letting the silence stretch as she wrapped his arm in a makeshift sling using a strip of cloth she retrieved from her satchel.

"Doesn't suit you, you know," he said after a moment, his voice softer but still teasing.

"What doesn't suit me?" she asked, her hands deftly securing the knot.

"Worrying." His smirk lingered, but there was a warmth behind it now, a subtle shift that softened his usual mockery. "You're much better at being angry with me."

Valeria paused, her gaze flicking up to meet his. "Someone has to be worried about you," she said simply. "Since you clearly don't care about yourself."

He chuckled, the sound rough but genuine. "Careful, Valeria. Keep that up, and I might start thinking you like me."

Her expression darkened, but the faintest hint of color rose to her cheeks. "Don't mistake pity for fondness, Lucavion," she shot back, tying off the sling with a firm tug that made him wince again.

"Ouch," he said with mock indignation, though his grin didn't waver. "You really know how to hurt a guy."

Valeria straightened, brushing her hands off as she stepped back. "You make it too easy," she muttered. "Now, are you going to tell me why Xue came after you, or am I supposed to guess?"

Lucavion leaned back against the bench, his expression sobering as his eyes flickered with something more serious. "She didn't appreciate the truths I shared in the arena," he said. "Or the ones I hinted at."

"You mean the ones that have half the crowd questioning the Cloud Heavens Sect's morality?" Valeria's voice carried a mix of disbelief and irritation. "You're provoking an entire sect, Lucavion. Do you even realize the danger you're in?"

He tilted his head, his gaze locking onto hers. "I know exactly what I'm doing, Valeria. And it's worth it."

His conviction, steady and unyielding, left her momentarily speechless. She studied him, searching for any trace of hesitation or doubt, but found none. It was maddening. Infuriating. And yet…

"I don't know what to do with you," she admitted quietly, more to herself.

Lucavion shook his head slowly, the faint remnants of his smirk softening into something more reflective. "I can deal with this on my own," he said, his voice carrying a quiet confidence. "No matter what happens, Valeria, I'll never regret crossing blades with people like them."

His words hung in the air, heavy with conviction. For a moment, Valeria couldn't respond, her thoughts spiraling as she tried to make sense of him. There was no hesitation in his tone, no flicker of doubt. It wasn't arrogance, not entirely—it was something deeper.

"You say that like it's a choice you're proud of," she said finally, her voice low. "But why? Why push yourself this far? The Cloud Heavens Sect… sure, they're corrupt. I see that now. But is that really enough? Is hating them the reason you're willing to risk everything?"

Lucavion's gaze met hers, and for a brief moment, she saw something raw in his expression—something vulnerable beneath the layers of confidence and mockery. But it was gone just as quickly, replaced by the calm determination that seemed to define him.

Lucavion leaned back slightly, his uninjured arm resting on the bench behind him as his eyes held Valeria's. The faintest smile ghosted his lips, not quite a smirk, but not entirely soft either. "Do you really need a reason to do something good?" he asked, his voice low and measured, a question that seemed to hang in the space between them. "Does every good deed have to come with an explanation?"

Valeria blinked, caught off guard by the simplicity of his argument. For a moment, she hesitated, her thoughts tangling as she searched for the right words. "No," she said finally, her tone firm. "No, it doesn't. Not if the person doing it is… good-natured."

She paused, her gaze narrowing slightly. "But you, Lucavion? You're not like that."

His lips twitched, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. "Not like what?"

"You know exactly what I mean," she retorted, crossing her arms. "You're not some selfless hero running around trying to save the world. You're calculating, infuriating, and reckless. So don't stand there and pretend you're doing this out of some inherent sense of righteousness."

Lucavion chuckled softly, shaking his head as he looked away. "I don't know what kind of person you think I am, Valeria," he said, his tone casual but evasive. "But you're right—I'm not that."

Her eyes narrowed further, her jaw tightening as frustration bubbled just beneath the surface. "Then what kind of person are you?" she pressed. "Because nothing you've said—nothing you've done—makes any sense."

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he tilted his head, as if contemplating her words, though the faint smirk on his lips suggested he wasn't going to give her what she wanted. "Does it really matter?" he said finally, his voice light. "What I am? What I'm not? In the end, the Cloud Heavens Sect needed to be challenged, and I'm the one who decided to do it. That's all there is to it."

Valeria's fingers curled tightly around her arms, the calm resolve in his tone only fueling her irritation. She wanted to argue, to push him further, but something in his expression—a subtle shift, a quiet warning—told her it would be futile.

"Infuriating," she muttered under her breath, turning away slightly as she tried to steady her thoughts. She knew him well enough by now to recognize when he was shutting her out. Whatever his reasons were, whatever drove him to put himself on the line like this, he wasn't going to share them. Not now.

Lucavion's gaze lingered on her for a moment, unreadable. "Maybe I am," he said softly, almost as if to himself.

Valeria glanced back at him, her frustration giving way to a quiet resolve. She didn't understand him—not fully—but for now, she had to accept that she wouldn't get the answers she wanted.

"Fine," she said after a long pause, her tone edged with reluctant resignation. "But don't think this conversation is over."

Chapter 275: Implications

The Silver Flame Sect's grand hall was bathed in the warm glow of flickering mana-fueled torches, their flames dancing against the carved redwood walls. At the head of the chamber, seated on an ornately decorated chair of molten steel and obsidian, was the Sect Master, Vaelin Drakov, the Patriarch of the Silver Flame Sect.

His sharp features, framed by streaks of silver running through his fiery-red hair, exuded an air of calm authority. Despite his usual serene demeanor, Vaelin's presence alone could command a room, his piercing gaze silencing even the most unruly of voices.

As he reviewed reports from the outer branches, a sudden knock echoed through the chamber doors.

"Enter," Vaelin called, his deep voice steady.

A disciple stepped forward, bowing low before extending a scroll bound with Kael's personal insignia—a blazing silver flame. "Sect Master, a letter from Elder Kael. It is marked urgent."

Vaelin's brows furrowed slightly as he gestured for the disciple to approach. Taking the scroll, he dismissed the young man with a curt nod and unrolled it with practiced ease. His crimson eyes scanned the elegant script, his expression unchanging—until he reached the crux of the message.

The revelation struck like a thunderclap.

His eyes narrowed sharply, the warm glow of the hall seeming to dim under the weight of his realization. The hand holding the letter tightened imperceptibly, his knuckles whitening. Though Vaelin was a man who had faced countless atrocities in his decades of leadership—slaughtered clans, betrayed allies, and horrors that defied comprehension—the contents of this letter cut deeper.

The Cloud Heavens Sect's practices—poisoning disciples of other sects, manipulating tournaments, and cultivating their strength through unspeakable means—were laid bare. And worse, their secrets were exposed in a public forum by a single individual, Lucavion.

The implications were staggering.

Vaelin's mind moved with the precision of a blade. This wasn't just a revelation of the Cloud Heavens Sect's depravity; it was a weapon. If these accusations could be proven, it would shatter their reputation, destabilize their influence, and leave them vulnerable to retaliation. But if mishandled, it could backfire, leading to retaliation from the Cloud Heavens Sect against the Silver Flame Sect—or worse, uniting neutral sects in their defense.

Calm but deliberate, Vaelin rose from his seat, the scroll rolling shut in his hands. "Summon the elders," he said, his tone quiet but firm.

The disciple at the door hesitated for only a moment before bowing deeply. "At once, Sect Master."

Moments later, the grand hall filled with the murmurs of the gathered elders. Each elder bore the mark of their sect's flames on their robes, their expressions shifting to unease as they sensed the weight of their Patriarch's mood. Vaelin stood at the head of the table, his gaze sweeping over them with an intensity that stilled their whispers.

"Elder Kael's letter," he began, holding the scroll aloft, "details actions taken by the Cloud Heavens Sect that go beyond the bounds of rivalry or sect competition. Poisoning competitors, coercing innocents, and—" he paused, his voice hardening as he spoke the final words—"stealing strength from orphans and the defenseless to fuel their cultivation."

A ripple of shock passed through the elders, their carefully schooled expressions faltering. Some exchanged glances, their disbelief mingling with outrage.

Vaelin's voice cut through their murmurs like a blade. "Understand the gravity of this moment. If these claims are true, the Cloud Heavens Sect has not only committed heinous crimes but also jeopardized the balance between sects. Their actions could incite chaos among cultivators and commoners alike."

One elder, an older man with streaks of white in his beard, stepped forward. "Sect Master, are we certain of the letter's validity? Elder Kael is many things, but this claim… it is beyond anything we have dealt with."

Vaelin's eyes bore into the elder, silencing him with a single look. "Kael is pragmatic. He would not risk this unless he was certain. Whether we believe it or not is irrelevant. What matters is whether others will—and how we respond."

Another elder, a woman known for her fiery temperament, spoke up. "The Cloud Heavens Sect is our sworn enemy. If this truth comes to light, it will cripple them. Shall we not strike while they are vulnerable?"

Vaelin raised a hand, commanding silence. "We are not reckless opportunists," he said, his tone measured but firm. "This must be handled with precision. If the evidence is insufficient, it will only strengthen their position and expose us to retribution."

Vaelin's gaze swept across the assembled elders, his expression a calm mask hiding the storm of thoughts within. He held the room's attention with a commanding silence before speaking again, his voice cutting through the tension like a honed blade.

"This matter is to be handled with utmost urgency," he began, his tone steady but firm. "First, send a message to our branch in Mistveil City. Instruct them to contact the Crimson Hollow Sect. If I recall correctly, they hold the second or third largest influence over the city, and they are among our allies."

An elder, seated near the end of the table, leaned forward, her brow furrowed. "Shall we inform them of the full extent of this revelation?"

Vaelin shook his head slightly. "Yes. Inform them about this releavtion but keep this confidential. Those women are decisive, they will most likely cut the evidence and get rid of the practices in this city after receiving the news. Therefore, rather than looking for immediate evidence, look more into the possible routes to understand the structure of their web."

The elder nodded, making a quick note on a scroll.

Vaelin's gaze turned toward another elder, this one younger and dressed in the robes of a field commander. "Dispatch three senior disciples to investigate immediately. They are to leave today. Their task will be to corroborate the details in Elder Kael's report and uncover any supporting evidence. Ensure they are prepared for potential resistance."

A ripple of acknowledgment passed through the room. The urgency in Vaelin's voice left no room for hesitation.

One of the more cautious elders spoke up, his voice tentative. "And should the disciples encounter opposition from the Cloud Heavens Sect?"

Vaelin's crimson eyes flicked toward the cautious elder, his expression sharpening like tempered steel. "If they encounter opposition from the Cloud Heavens Sect, they are to engage only if provoked. They may defend themselves and challenge disciples, but they must not escalate the conflict unnecessarily. This is an investigation, not a war."

The room fell silent, the weight of his words settling over the gathered elders. Vaelin leaned forward slightly, his hands resting firmly on the obsidian table as his tone grew colder.

"When it comes to other sects, forceful investigation is strictly prohibited. We are not their overlords. Instead, our disciples must act with discretion and discernment. Identify our allies and distinguish them from potential enemies. The Crimson Hollow Sect, for instance, may move swiftly to cut ties to any implicated practices. We must ensure they remain allies, not push them into hostility through carelessness."

The elder nodded slowly, his earlier hesitation giving way to understanding. "And if those sects appear complicit?"

Vaelin straightened, his gaze icy but measured. "If complicity is suspected, do not confront them directly. Record their actions and report back. Any rash moves will endanger our position and weaken our leverage. We will deal with complicity when we have the full picture."

Another elder, one with a weathered face and a reputation for strategy, stepped forward. "Sect Master, regarding the senior disciples, shall we send any specific resources with them to ensure their success?"

Vaelin's lips pressed into a thin line as he considered. "Provide them with shadow tokens to aid in concealment and a single message orb to ensure direct communication with the council. Beyond that, they are to rely on their skills. Over-preparation will draw attention."

The elder bowed in acknowledgment, and Vaelin turned to the room once more.

"Finally, request an audience with Duke Alderon Ryne and the Southern Martial Alliance. They must be informed of these developments. However," his gaze swept over the room, "we will not urge them to act just yet. Simply ensure this matter is planted in their minds. A reminder that such practices exist, and that action may eventually be required."

The fiery-tempered elder from before frowned slightly. "Sect Master, wouldn't a more direct approach galvanize them into aiding us?"

Vaelin's gaze cooled, his tone dropping to a dangerous calm. "Galvanize them, yes—but into what? If we push too hard, we risk exposing our hand before the right moment. Let the Cloud Heavens Sect reveal their weakness first. Then, and only then, will we have the justification to rally others to our side."

The elder inclined her head, conceding his point.

"This opportunity is ripe," Vaelin continued, his voice resonant with quiet authority, "but it must be cultivated carefully. Overreach will turn opportunity into disaster. Do not forget: the Cloud Heavens Sect is cunning, and their desperation may lead them to act irrationally. For now, we watch, we gather, and we prepare."

A quiet murmur of agreement spread through the room. The gathered elders rose in unison, bowing deeply to their Patriarch.

"As you command, Sect Master."

As the room began to empty, Vaelin remained seated, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames of the torches. His thoughts churned, each one sharper and more calculated than the last.

The Crimson Hollow Sect, the Southern Martial Alliance, and the Duke were all pieces on the board. The Cloud Heavens Sect had sown their own seeds of destruction, and the Silver Flame Sect would ensure those seeds bloomed into ruin.

Vaelin's lips curled into the faintest hint of a smile, cold and deliberate. "You may play the shadows, Little Hern….." he murmured to himself, "but I will be the fire that will burn your shadows out."

Chapter 275: Implications

The Silver Flame Sect's grand hall was bathed in the warm glow of flickering mana-fueled torches, their flames dancing against the carved redwood walls. At the head of the chamber, seated on an ornately decorated chair of molten steel and obsidian, was the Sect Master, Vaelin Drakov, the Patriarch of the Silver Flame Sect.

His sharp features, framed by streaks of silver running through his fiery-red hair, exuded an air of calm authority. Despite his usual serene demeanor, Vaelin's presence alone could command a room, his piercing gaze silencing even the most unruly of voices.

As he reviewed reports from the outer branches, a sudden knock echoed through the chamber doors.

"Enter," Vaelin called, his deep voice steady.

A disciple stepped forward, bowing low before extending a scroll bound with Kael's personal insignia—a blazing silver flame. "Sect Master, a letter from Elder Kael. It is marked urgent."

Vaelin's brows furrowed slightly as he gestured for the disciple to approach. Taking the scroll, he dismissed the young man with a curt nod and unrolled it with practiced ease. His crimson eyes scanned the elegant script, his expression unchanging—until he reached the crux of the message.

The revelation struck like a thunderclap.

His eyes narrowed sharply, the warm glow of the hall seeming to dim under the weight of his realization. The hand holding the letter tightened imperceptibly, his knuckles whitening. Though Vaelin was a man who had faced countless atrocities in his decades of leadership—slaughtered clans, betrayed allies, and horrors that defied comprehension—the contents of this letter cut deeper.

The Cloud Heavens Sect's practices—poisoning disciples of other sects, manipulating tournaments, and cultivating their strength through unspeakable means—were laid bare. And worse, their secrets were exposed in a public forum by a single individual, Lucavion.

The implications were staggering.

Vaelin's mind moved with the precision of a blade. This wasn't just a revelation of the Cloud Heavens Sect's depravity; it was a weapon. If these accusations could be proven, it would shatter their reputation, destabilize their influence, and leave them vulnerable to retaliation. But if mishandled, it could backfire, leading to retaliation from the Cloud Heavens Sect against the Silver Flame Sect—or worse, uniting neutral sects in their defense.

Calm but deliberate, Vaelin rose from his seat, the scroll rolling shut in his hands. "Summon the elders," he said, his tone quiet but firm.

The disciple at the door hesitated for only a moment before bowing deeply. "At once, Sect Master."

Moments later, the grand hall filled with the murmurs of the gathered elders. Each elder bore the mark of their sect's flames on their robes, their expressions shifting to unease as they sensed the weight of their Patriarch's mood. Vaelin stood at the head of the table, his gaze sweeping over them with an intensity that stilled their whispers.

"Elder Kael's letter," he began, holding the scroll aloft, "details actions taken by the Cloud Heavens Sect that go beyond the bounds of rivalry or sect competition. Poisoning competitors, coercing innocents, and—" he paused, his voice hardening as he spoke the final words—"stealing strength from orphans and the defenseless to fuel their cultivation."

A ripple of shock passed through the elders, their carefully schooled expressions faltering. Some exchanged glances, their disbelief mingling with outrage.

Vaelin's voice cut through their murmurs like a blade. "Understand the gravity of this moment. If these claims are true, the Cloud Heavens Sect has not only committed heinous crimes but also jeopardized the balance between sects. Their actions could incite chaos among cultivators and commoners alike."

One elder, an older man with streaks of white in his beard, stepped forward. "Sect Master, are we certain of the letter's validity? Elder Kael is many things, but this claim… it is beyond anything we have dealt with."

Vaelin's eyes bore into the elder, silencing him with a single look. "Kael is pragmatic. He would not risk this unless he was certain. Whether we believe it or not is irrelevant. What matters is whether others will—and how we respond."

Another elder, a woman known for her fiery temperament, spoke up. "The Cloud Heavens Sect is our sworn enemy. If this truth comes to light, it will cripple them. Shall we not strike while they are vulnerable?"

Vaelin raised a hand, commanding silence. "We are not reckless opportunists," he said, his tone measured but firm. "This must be handled with precision. If the evidence is insufficient, it will only strengthen their position and expose us to retribution."

Vaelin's gaze swept across the assembled elders, his expression a calm mask hiding the storm of thoughts within. He held the room's attention with a commanding silence before speaking again, his voice cutting through the tension like a honed blade.

"This matter is to be handled with utmost urgency," he began, his tone steady but firm. "First, send a message to our branch in Mistveil City. Instruct them to contact the Crimson Hollow Sect. If I recall correctly, they hold the second or third largest influence over the city, and they are among our allies."

An elder, seated near the end of the table, leaned forward, her brow furrowed. "Shall we inform them of the full extent of this revelation?"

Vaelin shook his head slightly. "Yes. Inform them about this releavtion but keep this confidential. Those women are decisive, they will most likely cut the evidence and get rid of the practices in this city after receiving the news. Therefore, rather than looking for immediate evidence, look more into the possible routes to understand the structure of their web."

The elder nodded, making a quick note on a scroll.

Vaelin's gaze turned toward another elder, this one younger and dressed in the robes of a field commander. "Dispatch three senior disciples to investigate immediately. They are to leave today. Their task will be to corroborate the details in Elder Kael's report and uncover any supporting evidence. Ensure they are prepared for potential resistance."

A ripple of acknowledgment passed through the room. The urgency in Vaelin's voice left no room for hesitation.

One of the more cautious elders spoke up, his voice tentative. "And should the disciples encounter opposition from the Cloud Heavens Sect?"

Vaelin's crimson eyes flicked toward the cautious elder, his expression sharpening like tempered steel. "If they encounter opposition from the Cloud Heavens Sect, they are to engage only if provoked. They may defend themselves and challenge disciples, but they must not escalate the conflict unnecessarily. This is an investigation, not a war."

The room fell silent, the weight of his words settling over the gathered elders. Vaelin leaned forward slightly, his hands resting firmly on the obsidian table as his tone grew colder.

"When it comes to other sects, forceful investigation is strictly prohibited. We are not their overlords. Instead, our disciples must act with discretion and discernment. Identify our allies and distinguish them from potential enemies. The Crimson Hollow Sect, for instance, may move swiftly to cut ties to any implicated practices. We must ensure they remain allies, not push them into hostility through carelessness."

The elder nodded slowly, his earlier hesitation giving way to understanding. "And if those sects appear complicit?"

Vaelin straightened, his gaze icy but measured. "If complicity is suspected, do not confront them directly. Record their actions and report back. Any rash moves will endanger our position and weaken our leverage. We will deal with complicity when we have the full picture."

Another elder, one with a weathered face and a reputation for strategy, stepped forward. "Sect Master, regarding the senior disciples, shall we send any specific resources with them to ensure their success?"

Vaelin's lips pressed into a thin line as he considered. "Provide them with shadow tokens to aid in concealment and a single message orb to ensure direct communication with the council. Beyond that, they are to rely on their skills. Over-preparation will draw attention."

The elder bowed in acknowledgment, and Vaelin turned to the room once more.

"Finally, request an audience with Duke Alderon Ryne and the Southern Martial Alliance. They must be informed of these developments. However," his gaze swept over the room, "we will not urge them to act just yet. Simply ensure this matter is planted in their minds. A reminder that such practices exist, and that action may eventually be required."

The fiery-tempered elder from before frowned slightly. "Sect Master, wouldn't a more direct approach galvanize them into aiding us?"

Vaelin's gaze cooled, his tone dropping to a dangerous calm. "Galvanize them, yes—but into what? If we push too hard, we risk exposing our hand before the right moment. Let the Cloud Heavens Sect reveal their weakness first. Then, and only then, will we have the justification to rally others to our side."

The elder inclined her head, conceding his point.

"This opportunity is ripe," Vaelin continued, his voice resonant with quiet authority, "but it must be cultivated carefully. Overreach will turn opportunity into disaster. Do not forget: the Cloud Heavens Sect is cunning, and their desperation may lead them to act irrationally. For now, we watch, we gather, and we prepare."

A quiet murmur of agreement spread through the room. The gathered elders rose in unison, bowing deeply to their Patriarch.

"As you command, Sect Master."

As the room began to empty, Vaelin remained seated, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames of the torches. His thoughts churned, each one sharper and more calculated than the last.

The Crimson Hollow Sect, the Southern Martial Alliance, and the Duke were all pieces on the board. The Cloud Heavens Sect had sown their own seeds of destruction, and the Silver Flame Sect would ensure those seeds bloomed into ruin.

Vaelin's lips curled into the faintest hint of a smile, cold and deliberate. "You may play the shadows, Little Hern….." he murmured to himself, "but I will be the fire that will burn your shadows out."