A month had passed since Leon had begun refining the residence's formations, and word of his skill had quietly spread through the capital. Tonight, he walked alongside Kai into the grand hall of the Afro Hall, the central continent's most revered organization. The building itself was a testament to centuries of cultivation mastery — towering pillars carved with intricate arrays, banners depicting generations of Hall Masters, and a faint scent of high quality tea and wine that flowed through the hall's many floors. Even Princes tread carefully here, for the Hall answered only to the Throne, and the current Master wielded influence that surpassed most noble houses. Leon felt the weight of the place pressing on him, but he kept his composure, knowing this banquet could shape the first true perception of him among the city's elite.
"This is no ordinary banquet," Kai explained as they approached the massive doors of the Afro Hall. "It only occurs every six months, bringing together the finest talents in the capital — cultivators, alchemists, formation masters, and more. Tonight, only those who walk the path of cultivation are permitted inside, to ensure no harm comes to ordinary citizens." The doors swung open, revealing a grand chamber filled with dozens of cultivators already gathered, their auras mingling in a subtle, electric hum. Kai glanced at Leon, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You're not a stranger to these events, but the stakes are higher tonight. Stay close, observe carefully, and remember — appearances matter as much as skill." Leon nodded, feeling the pulse of energy in the hall and the quiet tension that hinted at rivalries waiting to ignite.
Kai led Leon up a sweeping staircase to the third-floor balcony, reserved for the children of nobles without formal titles. As they stepped onto the polished platform, Kai's presence drew attention — the son of a General, he was treated with respect despite lacking a formal position in court. Heads turned, and nods and polite waves followed him as he passed. Leon, by contrast, remained quietly observant, absorbing the nuances of the hall and its occupants. Taking their seats, he watched as more cultivators filed in — each aura telling a story, each movement hinting at skill or status. Even from this balcony, Leon could sense the subtle hierarchies forming, the rivalries simmering just beneath the surface, and he knew tonight would be more than a simple gathering.
Two hours later, the murmurs of the hall fell into a hush as the Manager of the Afro Hall stepped onto the stage. Instantly, every eye turned toward him — even the nobles on the balcony ceased their quiet conversations, captivated by his presence. His aura radiated authority, and when he spoke, his voice rolled like thunder through the chamber. "The banquet begins!" he declared, every word resonating against the walls and vibrating through the floor beneath them. Before anyone could react further, he vanished from the stage in a swirl of spiritual energy, only to reappear moments later at the head seat, calm and composed, his mere presence commanding reverence from all who remained in the hall.
Throughout the night, Leon watched with keen interest as various contests and demonstrations took place on the main stage. Scholars exchanged sonnets and debated philosophy, their words sharp with wit and knowledge. Alchemists showcased the delicate brewing of elixirs, the fumes glowing faintly as they worked their art. Formation practitioners demonstrated small arrays, weaving light and energy into intricate patterns. Though impressive, Leon noted that most of these displays were limited in power — they were all lower-level cultivators, testing skill without risking serious harm.
As the evening progressed, a subtle shift in the hall caught Leon's attention. One by one, the lanterns adorning the noble balconies glowed blue, their soft light signaling the start of the noble challenges. The murmurs quieted, replaced by a palpable tension as the elite cultivators prepared to step forward. This was the true test of the banquet — the stage where power, strategy, and reputation collided. Leon felt the air thicken with energy, knowing that what came next would be far beyond anything he had faced so far.
From the blue glow of the lanterns, a clear, confident voice rang through the hall. "Huang Lin of the Bai Clan challenges Kai Ava to a friendly match." The crowd stirred immediately. Huang Lin was not just any cultivator — he was the son of Prime Minister Bai Lin and a known supporter of Jan Ava, Kai's own second brother. Whispers spread like wildfire through the balconies and floors below, many assuming that this challenge was no coincidence. Even here, among the elite, politics played its quiet games.
Leon leaned toward Kai, his tone low and certain. "This isn't random. Your brother put him up to it — to humiliate you in front of everyone." But Kai only gave a faint smile, his calm betraying none of the irritation Leon expected. "Let him," he said, rising to his feet. "I've made progress these past weeks. It's time I see where I stand." With that, he stepped toward the stage, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. Leon watched him go, the weight of the hall's eyes following Kai like an unseen tide.
The two young men stood on the stage beneath the dazzling lanterns of Afro Hall. The crowd's murmur dimmed to a tense silence as Kai drew his sword, its blade reflecting streaks of silver light from above. Across from him, Huang Lin raised his fan, which shimmered faintly with spiritual energy — elegant, but dangerous.
The moment the Hall Manager gestured, both moved at once. Kai's sword sang through the air, leaving arcs of light like falling stars. Huang parried with precision, his fan deflecting the sword's edge while his feet glided gracefully across the stage. For several exchanges, they were evenly matched, the clash of metal and spiritual force filling the vast hall with thunderous echoes.
Then Kai's sword intent flickered to life — thin streaks of pure will slicing through the air, humming with suppressed power. The crowd gasped. Flickers of Sword Intent were proof of enlightenment, a sign of one standing at the threshold of the next realm. Even nobles from the upper balconies leaned forward in surprise.
But Huang Lin's expression darkened. The smile he had worn disappeared, replaced by cold calculation. "You've improved," he sneered, slipping his fan into his sleeve. "But let's see how long that confidence lasts."
Without warning, he flung a talisman — its glow instantly expanding, runes twisting violently in midair. The heat of it warped the stage, and cultivators on the lower floor instinctively backed away. Leon, standing at the edge of the balcony, recognized the danger instantly — that was no ordinary talisman. It carried the energy of a Bodiless Realm cultivator, far too strong for a duel.
Before the Hall Manager could react, Leon's hand moved. Lines of light formed between his fingers, drawing a complex sigil that pulsed like a living heart. In a flash, a translucent barrier wrapped around the explosion, swallowing the blast before it could erupt. The floor trembled, but the hall remained intact.
Huang Lin, seeing the explosion fade, lunged forward, sword flashing to take advantage of what he thought was confusion. But Leon was faster. He leapt from the balcony, fist wreathed in spiritual light, and met Huang's charge head-on. The impact cracked the stage like thunder — Huang was thrown backward, crashing into the marble wall and collapsing amid the rubble.
The entire hall froze. The array symbols still flickered faintly in the air behind Leon, who landed beside Kai, calm and steady. His robes were singed, his eyes sharp and unyielding.
For a long moment, no one spoke. Then the Hall Manager rose from his seat, his gaze lingering on Leon with visible intrigue. "A formation cultivator and a physical one, both," he said, his deep voice echoing through the chamber. "Now that is… rare."
Kai exhaled heavily, sheathing his sword. "You didn't have to step in like that."
Leon replied quietly, "If I hadn't, there would be nothing left of this stage — or of you."
The hall erupted in murmurs."Who is that steward?""He blocked a Bodiless talisman!""Impossible…"
Kai didn't linger once the whispers began to swell. The hall was still thick with tension — nobles murmuring, officials exchanging uneasy glances — but he turned on his heel without another word. Leon followed silently, their footsteps echoing down the polished corridor as attendants and cultivators alike made way for them.
They stepped out into the night air, the soft glow of spirit lanterns trailing behind. Neither spoke on the walk home. The cheers, the stares, the gasps — all of it still hung in the air like an aftertaste. But both knew the cost of what had just happened. They hadn't merely defeated the Prime Minister's son; they had humiliated him in front of every major power in the capital.
When they reached the gates of Kai's residence, Leon broke the silence first. "He would've killed you if that talisman went off unchecked."
Kai nodded, his expression unreadable. "And now his father will want someone to blame."
He glanced toward the city's inner district, where the lights of the Prime Minister's mansion burned faintly through the night fog. "It's best we stay in tomorrow," he said at last. "No need to stir the hornet's nest. If a summons comes — and it will — I'll face it then."
Leon agreed with a quiet nod. Inside, servants hurried to greet them, their eyes wide with unspoken questions, but Kai waved them off. "No guests. No visitors," he ordered calmly. "We wait."
As the doors closed behind them, a tense stillness settled over the residence. Outside, the capital continued its restless hum — word of the duel already spreading like wildfire through every noble hall and tavern. By morning, the entire city would know that the son of General Ava and his mysterious steward had stolen the night… and offended one of the highest families in the empire.