Ishin and Rhee managed to make it back to the Eight Oaths Resolve School after an hour of threading through the streets of Yellow Dome City. At first, the roads had been packed with pedestrians rushing home, but with each block, the crowds thinned. By the time they reached the school itself, the streets were empty and the afternoon sun hidden behind the central Yellow Dome. A master in the blue and orange robes of the school stood guard at the front gate and hurried the duo inside upon recognizing Rhee.

  “Thank you, Master Nabi,” Rhee offered as she pulled Ishin in with her.

  Once within the school’s walls, she finally released his arm. “I need to speak with my parents and the Grand Master,” she explained quickly. “Meet at the courtyard tomorrow morning like usual?”

  Ishin furrowed his brows. “Sure, but is everything alright?” He gestured vaguely to the west. “Shouldn’t we talk about the giant sword?”

  “I don’t know any more than you,” Rhee admitted. “That’s what I need to speak with my family about. If I learn anything, I’ll share it with the team in the morning.”

  Despite his disappointment, Ishin understood. “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

  Rhee gave a quick nod and immediately left.

  Alone, with nothing else to do, Ishin made his way to the dining hall. He was relieved to see the servants still working and the usual food prepared. After eating a quick meal alone, he returned to his quarters and spent the remainder of the evening cultivating.

  “Good morning,” Lei greeted as he approached.

  It was the next morning, and Ishin had arrived early at their usual courtyard. He had just completed a squat circuit and was nearly finished with his spear stances when his teammate arrived.

  “Morning, Lei,” Ishin replied, finishing the final stance. “Did you hear about the sword that appeared over the city yesterday?”

  For once, Lei wasn’t smiling. “I did. Those of us with minor injuries were told to leave the infirmary and head home. My parents told me about it. My mother was out shopping when it happened.”

  Ishin rested his spear against the ground. A thin sheen of sweat clung to his skin from the warmup. “Is she alright?”

  Lei smiled. “She is, thank you for asking. It scared her, but she’s fine.” He stared off into the west. “I wish I could’ve seen it.” His eyes widened as he turned to Ishin. “Did you?”

  “I did,” Ishin answered. “All three of us were near the Southern Quarter when it happened.”

  He thought back to the moment the mass of shadows formed a colossal black sword—and how it smashed into the Western Quarter.

  “It was something.”

  “You’re so lucky!” Lei complained with his usual energy. “I wish I could’ve seen it! The Heavens must hate me.”

  Ishin blinked. “I’m sorry you didn’t get to see it?”

  “Tell me about it!” Lei pressed. “I heard people’s shadows flew into the sky to form the sword! Is that true? Did yours make it up there?”

  “It did…” Were only people outside affected?

  “That is incredible!” Lei began pacing in excitement. “Imagine the power of whoever did that. Could it have been Lady Kurai Xue?”

  “Unlikely,” Rhee answered as she approached from the courtyard’s entrance. Both team members immediately bowed to their captain.

  “Did you learn anything from the Grand Master last night?” Ishin asked.

  Rhee shook her head. “No. He didn’t know who was responsible either, but he did tell me that whoever it was must have been at least in the Venerable Realm. Probably even the Exalted Realm.”

  Lei let out a long whistle.

  Venerable Realm… Ishin had heard of that stage beyond the Merit Realm, but only in stories. Even the Chief of the Daihu Tribe and his mother had only reached the Merit Realm. There were many tales of ancient heroes in the Nine Striped Hills who had reached the Venerable Realm, but none currently living.

  Then there was the Exalted Realm. Only the first chiefs of the original sixteen tribes of the Nine Striped Hills were said to have reached the Exalted Realm. All had been the personal disciples of the Golden Tiger Monarch and had been responsible for shaping the entire region. Such power was unimaginable.

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  The way Rhee said it… makes it sound like Exalted Realm cultivators still exist here. The empire was even more formidable than he’d realized.

  “Are there many Exalted Realm cultivators in Yellow Dome City?”

  Lei immediately burst out laughing. Rhee’s reaction was more composed, though clearly amused.

  Ishin’s cheeks flushed. “Was that a silly question?”

  “Not at all,” Rhee said, hiding her smile behind a hand. “You’re from the Nine Striped Hills, so it’s understandable.” She collected herself while Lei’s laughter faded into soft chuckles.

  “There is currently only one Venerable Realm cultivator in Yellow Dome City—the Sect Master of the Righteous Mantle Sect. The previous city lord was also at that realm, but Lady Kurai Xue is still said to be in the Merit Realm.”

  That left one conclusion. “So the Righteous Mantle Sect Master created that black sword yesterday?”

  To his surprise, Rhee shook her head. “My grandfather said it wasn’t her. He’s known her for decades and is sure she isn’t capable of such a technique.”

  “Not surprised,” Lei added. “If she could do something like that, the whole city would know.”

  “Then who?” Ishin asked.

  “A visitor,” Rhee replied.

  Her answer prompted a round of speculation. The most likely theory they came up with was that a sect master from one of the other Notable Sects had come to the city for the tournament. Rhee and Lei didn’t know which sect, but such visits weren’t unheard of, only rare. Lei floated the idea that a member of the Aru Clan—the Great Noble Clan ruling over the West Falcon Province—might be in attendance, but Rhee found that unlikely.

  Their discussion ended when Bo arrived. After checking on how Bo’s family had fared during the chaos—fortunately, they were fine—the group spent nearly an hour talking about the mysterious sword instead of training.

  Eventually, they broke into pairs and began sparring.

  “We have to decide on two formations,” Rhee explained.

  The four sat in a circle on the courtyard’s dirt floor. They’d been sparring for over three hours, all drenched in sweat and grime. One of Lei’s sleeves had even torn open.

  “Two?” Lei asked, gulping the recovery remedy from his skin.

  “Two,” Rhee confirmed. “Historically, the first round of the tournament has used one of two formats—team against team or team against a powerful solo opponent. Each requires a different strategy.”

  “Last year,” Bo added, “we fought against another team.” He rubbed his chin. “So this year, it might be a solo opponent.”

  “We can’t assume that,” Rhee countered. “You’re probably right, but we need to prepare for both to avoid being caught off guard.”

  “What do you suggest, Rhee?” Lei asked, still smiling.

  She turned to Bo. “Last year, your team split up and fought separate opponents, right?”

  Bo nodded. “It worked well. Other than the two rival martial schools, most teams can’t match us one-on-one. Once someone won their fight, they’d go help another.”

  “Let’s use the same approach,” Rhee said. “Bo, if there’s an opponent using a longer weapon like a spear, bow, or lance, you’ll handle them. Your shields offer the best protection.”

  “Agreed,” Bo said.

  “What if we get matched against another martial school?” Ishin interjected. “Do we use the same plan?”

  “That won’t happen,” Bo assured. “The Righteous Mantle Sect separates the three schools in the first round to ensure that the best fighters advance to the individual fights. It makes for a better spectacle.”

  That sounds wrong… but I suppose that's the way the world works.

  “What do you mean the Righteous Mantle Sect separates them?” Ishin asked.

  Rhee answered this time. “The Righteous Mantle Sect oversees the tournament.” She waved it off. “Don’t worry about that. Back to planning—if the enemy team has a sword cultivator, Ishin, you’ll handle them.”

  Ishin nodded. “Makes sense. My spear has better reach.”

  “Exactly. Lei and I will adapt to the other two opponents as needed. If there’s a third weapon user, I’ll fight them.”

  Lei leaned back on one arm. “All good, but what about the other scenario?”

  Rhee drew a circle in the dirt with four triangles on one side, all pointing inward.

  “If we face a single opponent, they’ll likely be in the Adept Realm, so we’ll need to be more careful. We won’t win through brute strength, but together we can overwhelm them.”

  As Rhee spoke, Ishin realized why she’d been chosen as Team Captain.

  “I’ll trap the opponent using my Twisting Shadow Snare. Even if they’re at the Adept Realm, it’ll take them a few seconds to break free.”

  That must be the tendril technique she used to bind enemies with their shadows.

  “Lei, rush them using your Flowing Red Current technique and strike with your spiked knuckles.”

  Lei clapped his fists together. “Sounds great!”

  “Bo, be up front to shield him in case they retaliate. Ishin, use your lightning technique from range.”

  Ishin blinked. “You don’t want me to use my spear?”

  “Not at first,” Rhee clarified. “If we can defeat them from a distance, let’s do that. If they break free, then join in.”

  He pressed a finger to his lips. Her logic makes sense. It’s strange… thinking like a team instead of being alone.

  They spent the next half hour planning different tactics for a range of possible encounters. Ishin mostly listened, asking questions when needed. The more he heard, the more impressed he became.

  Rhee tapped the dirt diagram, now littered with lines and symbols. “Are we all in agreement?”

  A chorus of affirmations answered her.

  The Exhibition Tournament would begin in four days. Ishin had been unsure before—but now, he felt confident they could win.