"Have you heard?"
"Heard what? If you're talking about the various rising stars during the martial battle, how could I not know? The clashes were epic. I can't wait for tomorrow's duels to start."
"What nonsense are you saying? I'm not talking about the martial battle at all."
Disciples poured out of the summit ground in twos and threes, their voices filling the night with scattered chatter.
They replayed the most exhilarating moments, debating who fought best, which sects showed brilliance, and which ones crumbled under pressure.
Normally, the martial contest was the heart of the summit—where geniuses rose and sect reputations were forged in blood and spirit.
But this year was different. Something else had seized the crowd's attention.
"The martial battle was incredible, yes," one girl said with a teasing smile, "but that isn't the story on everyone's lips."
"Then what are you talking about?" The thin, handsome boy beside her furrowed his brow in confusion.
