As Lin Yao exited the valley, bruised but alive, he was greeted by a familiar sneer.
Yuan Ling stepped forward, his tiger soul glowing fiercely. "You got lucky today. Don't think this changes anything. I'll surpass you, and when I do, you'll regret ever stepping into the sect."
Lin Yao met his gaze, calm but sharp. "Then I'll be waiting. Don't disappoint me."
The two locked eyes, and in that instant, the first threads of rivalry — and destiny — wove themselves into the fabric of the sect's future.
Above them, the sky shimmered slightly. A distant plane stirred. Somewhere, unseen forces watched. The Primordial Chaos had been awakened… and the world had taken notice.