Feng Shen's voice rang out across the arena, cutting through the noise.
"Phase Two has concluded."
The screens dimmed, locking the rankings in place. Team 211 sat right at the top, their time glowing far too brightly to ignore.
"There will be a one-hour break before Phase Three begins," Feng Shen continued evenly.
"Phase Three: Individual Combat Tournament."
"Elimination format."
"Prepare yourselves."
A ripple passed through the crowd.
Individual combat.
This was where luck stopped mattering.
"Students, return to your academy rest points," Feng Shen finished. "Phase Three will begin on schedule."
The arena slowly loosened. Teams began to disperse, some excited, some silent, some visibly tense.
As Jin and the others walked toward Starfall Tenth's rest area, the mood shifted.
Zhao Chen rolled his shoulders. "So… solo fights next."
They could feel it.
Phase Two had been shocking—but Phase Three was different.
Everyone watching now knew Jin's name.
Everyone would be paying attention.
As they reached Starfall Tenth Academy's rest area, Jin slowed his steps.
Someone was already standing there.
Five students in Starfall First Academy uniforms. They weren't blocking the path deliberately, just lingering in a way that made it clear they were waiting.
Zhao Chen noticed first and frowned. "They're from First."
Jin stopped. The others followed his lead.
The student at the front stepped forward. He wasn't aggressive about it—just casual, like this was normal for him.
"You're Wei Jin, right?" he asked.
Jin nodded. "Yes."
The student looked him over once, then glanced briefly at the others behind him. "Didn't expect Starfall Tenth to rank first in Phase Two."
There was no mockery in his tone. Just a statement.
Zhao Chen bristled anyway. "What do you want?"
The student smiled lightly. "Relax. Nothing like that."
He looked back at Jin. "Phase Three is individual combat. No teams. No coordination."
Jin understood what he meant.
"Alright," Jin said. "I know."
That answer seemed to surprise him a little.
The student hesitated, then said, "People will be watching you now. That's all."
From the side, another group approached—Radiant Sky Institute this time. Fewer people, but they carried themselves differently. Quieter. Observant.
One of them spoke. "You cleared Stonefang fast."
Jin turned to him. "Yes."
There was a short pause.
Then the Radiant Sky student nodded. "Good luck."
That was it.
No threats. No declarations.
The Starfall First student stepped aside. "See you in Phase Three."
They left.
Only after they were gone did Sun Wei finally let out the breath he'd been holding. "That felt… uncomfortable."
Liang Xu nodded. "They weren't friendly."
"They weren't hostile either," Qiao Ning said softly.
Zhao Chen looked at Jin. "They're sizing you up."
Jin didn't deny it.
"They should," he said simply. "That's what Phase Three is for."
He sat down, closed his eyes, and leaned back.
Around them, the arena noise continued—students talking, instructors calling out names, screens shifting as preparations were made.
They hadn't even finished settling in when a staff member approached.
He wore an organizer's badge, not an academy uniform. Middle-aged. Calm expression. The kind of person people didn't question because he belonged.
"Wei Jin," he said, stopping a short distance away.
Jin looked up. "Yes?"
"Walk with me for a moment."
It wasn't phrased as an order, but it wasn't really a request either.
Zhao Chen stood immediately. "Is there a problem?"
The man smiled faintly. "No rules being broken. Just a brief conversation."
Jin raised a hand. "It's fine."
They walked a little away from the rest area, far enough that voices blended into the background noise.
The man stopped.
"You caused a stir today," he said mildly.
Jin waited.
"Phase Three is meant to highlight individual excellence," the man continued. "Certain academies have invested heavily in this event. Sponsors. Future placements. Public image."
Jin finally spoke. "I followed the rules."
"Of course you did." The man nodded. "That isn't the issue."
He turned slightly, eyes scanning the arena. "But attention is a limited resource. When it goes somewhere unexpected, people become… unhappy."
Jin's gaze hardened just a little. "What are you suggesting?"
The man met his eyes. "Withdraw from Phase Three."
There it was.
"Say you're injured. Fatigued. It won't affect your ranking."
Jin shook his head once. "No."
The man didn't react immediately.
"Think carefully," he said after a moment. "Starfall Tenth is not protected the way others are. Mistakes happen in individual combat. Accidents."
Jin looked at him steadily. "Is that a threat?"
The man smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "It's advice."
A long pause.
Then Jin said, "I'll be participating."
The smile faded.
"Very well," the man said quietly. "Just remember—talent alone doesn't decide outcomes."
He turned and walked away, disappearing back into the flow of staff and students.
Jin stood there for a few seconds longer, then returned to his team.
Zhao Chen noticed immediately. "What was that about?"
Jin sat down and picked up his spear, checking the grip. "Someone thinks I shouldn't fight."
Sun Wei frowned. "Because of the rankings?"
"Yes."
Liang Xu's expression darkened. "That's messed up."
Qiao Ning looked at him carefully. "Are you okay?"
Jin nodded. "More than okay."
He looked toward the arena floor, where the individual combat stage was being assembled.
"If they're trying this already," he said, voice calm, "then Phase Three is going to be interesting."
Not long after, another figure approached Starfall Tenth's rest area.
This one looked different.
Older. Straight-backed. His badge carried an official seal instead of event markings.
He stopped in front of Teacher Han Qiu.
"Excuse me," he said politely. "Are you Teacher Han?"
Han Qiu nodded, cautious. "Yes."
"I'm Liu Wenhai," the man said. "Provincial Association oversight."
Han Qiu's expression shifted immediately. "Is something wrong?"
"I'm looking for Wei Jin."
That caught Han Qiu off guard. He glanced toward the students. "Jin?"
"I'll need to speak with him directly," Liu Wenhai said. "Nothing disciplinary."
Han Qiu hesitated for half a second, then nodded. "I'll take you to him."
They walked over.
Jin was mid-conversation with Zhao Chen and the others when he noticed them approaching.
Before Liu Wenhai could speak, Zhao Chen stepped forward instinctively.
"If you're here to tell him to withdraw, he's not doing it," Chen said bluntly.
Liang Xu moved half a step closer to Jin, shield still strapped to his arm.
Sun Wei frowned. "He didn't break any rules."
Liu Wenhai blinked, genuinely confused. "Withdraw?"
Han Qiu turned sharply. "What are you talking about?"
Zhao Chen explained quickly, voice tight, about the earlier conversation with the event staff member.
Han Qiu's face darkened with every word.
When Chen finished, Han Qiu looked straight at Liu Wenhai. "Is this why you're here?"
"No," Liu Wenhai said immediately. "I wasn't informed of anything like that."
Han Qiu exhaled slowly, clearly angry now, but he waved it off. "We'll deal with that later."
He turned to Jin. "He's from the provincial association. This isn't an event official."
Liu Wenhai nodded once and looked at Jin. "Wei Jin, I need you to come with me."
The team stiffened again.
Jin didn't move right away. He looked at Han Qiu.
Han Qiu met his eyes and nodded. "Go. Listen to what he has to say."
Jin stood. "Alright."
"I'll also be stepping away for a bit," Han Qiu added, already turning. "There are some people I need to talk to."
That alone told Jin enough.
He followed Liu Wenhai through the internal corridors of the arena building. The noise from the stands faded as they moved deeper inside.
They stopped in front of a plain door. No markings. No nameplate.
Liu Wenhai gestured toward it.
"Go in," he said. "Someone wants to meet you."
Jin reached for the handle.
And stepped inside.