The morning after the tournament found Huǒ Pànguó standing before the throne room, where his father was located. He was currently in discussions with the elders over the results of the tournament. Huǒ Pànguó couldn’t hear what was being said. However, there was little else they could discuss. He was certain they were disappointed and angry with the way things turned out.

That damn Jian Wu… just who is he?!

As the eldest son of a powerful and prestigious clan, there were significant expectations placed upon him. Winning the tournament would not only maintain the family’s reputation but also demonstrate his capability to lead and excel. His failure to secure victory would be seen by many as a reflection of his inadequacy and might be perceived as a loss of face for the entire clan.

There was also the clan’s reputation to consider. The Phoenix Clan hosted this tournament, which drew participants and spectators from across the continent. Powerful clans, sects, and entire nations took part. A victory by the clan’s eldest son would further elevate the clan’s prestige and standing in the cultivation world. Consequently, his defeat could be construed as a sign of weakness and vulnerability, which would damage the clan’s reputation.

To top it all off, Huǒ Pànguó had his own personal ambitions. He wanted his father’s acknowledgement. His father had never looked his way, never once told him he’d done a good job. The man only ever concerned himself with his younger sister, Huǒ Yulie, which was galling. He was the first born, the eldest, which normally meant he had to maintain the position as the strongest and most respected among them, but that honor did not belong to him. It belonged to the youngest among them.

The doors suddenly opened and several elders walked out. They paid him no mind as they spoke in hushed tones, and he made a point to remain unobtrusive so he could listen in.

“I can’t believe Huǒ Yulie lost.”

“Hmm. It really is a shame.”

“That young man, Jian Wu, he has disgraced us.”

“Indeed. How could we give him the Phoenix Ascension Armor…?”

“We have no choice. It’s unfortunate, but…”

Everyone was talking about the tournament. Of course they were. It was the greatest upset the clan had ever received. This was the first time in the past several hundred years that they had lost.

Huǒ Pànguó waited for several more minutes, just to ensure no one else would be coming out, then entered the room. His father was sitting on his throne, same as always. He paid no attention Huǒ Pànguó as he entered, walked up to the throne, and knelt.

“Father.”

“… What do you want?”

Huǒ Pànguó swallowed at his father’s cold voice but pressed on. He bowed his head.

“I wanted to offer my most sincere apologies. I let you down during the tournament and allowed Jian Wu to defeat me. I’m sorry.”

A thick silence wore on. Huǒ Pànguó clenched his hands as he waited for his father to say something, anything.

Finally…

“I do not know why you feel the need to apologize. I have never expected anything from you.”

Huǒ Pànguó bit the inside of his mouth hard enough to taste iron. His father had always been like this. Always, always, always. He never paid attention to Huǒ Pànguó or any of his siblings aside from one. No matter how much he strived to improve, no matter how hard he trained or what he accomplished, his father never cared. That cold apathy never failed to penetrate the deepest depths of his heart.

“I.. see…”

“Is that all? If so, you can leave now.”

“Very well… Father.”

Huǒ Pànguó stood up, turned around, and walked out of the throne room. As he did, he clenched his hands into fists. Huǒ Yulie and her older brother had always been a thorn in his hand.

One day, I’ll prove to you that I’m much more worthy than her. Just you wait, Father.

***

It was the day after the tournament, and Wu Jian was taking part in a massive parade. Most of his thoughts were not on the parade, however, but on a conversation he had last night with Wu Meiying. She had informed him of something after hours of excitedly talking about his performance that made him wary. While he should be fine during the parade itself, he would need to remain vigilant once he entered the Realm of Sacred Flames.

The sun-kissed day shimmered with an air of excitement. The vibrant streets of the capital, Heavenly Chengshi, were lined with a multitude of cheering spectators, their voices merging into a cacophonous chorus of support for the cultivators who had proven their mettle. Banners and flags from sects and nations fluttered in the gentle breeze. Most of them were from the Xia Dynasty, but there were also flags for each nation that had a finalist placed within the top ten.

At the forefront of the parade, a group of magnificent horses draped in ornate phoenix-feathered saddles led the way. Their hooves struck a rhythm against the cobblestone streets, resonating like the heartbeat of the city itself. Adorned with phoenix symbols, the horses symbolized the triumphant victory of the Phoenix Clan and their honored guest… none other than Wu Jian himself.

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Behind them came the top ten finalists, including Wu Jian himself, who had donned a resplendent robe tailor-made to him for the occasion. The black and red shimmered in the light as he rode in a carriage that resembled a moving palace. With him were Huǒ Yulie and Huǒ Pànguó in the second and third spots respectively. The carriage they rode upon was intricately carved with phoenix motifs, embodying both elegance and power. The crowd’s cheers grew louder as they passed. He smiled even though they couldn’t see it and waved, which caused them to cheer louder.

“Master, can Youmei come out now?”

“Not right now. I need you to stay hidden.”

“Mrrrr. But Youmei is booooored.”

Wu Jian’s smile became pained. “Just be patient.”

Each finalist after the top three followed in their own uniquely adorned carriage, their sect and clan colors on proud display. It was a breathtaking spectacle, a veritable parade of the cultivation world’s youngest and brightest. The participants’ faces radiated a mix of pride, accomplishment, and the exhilaration of victory as they waved at the adoring crowd.

Huǒ Yulie looked at the crowd as she waved, then murmured to herself. “I never ere joined in such a sprightly gathering. 'Tis of wondrous nature.”

“I keep forgetting you didn’t get out much until recently,” Wu Jian said.

“Sire forbade mine mingling with others. Even mine own elder brother scarce had glimpse of me.”

Marching bands and performers wove through the procession, their captivating melodies and vibrant dances infusing the atmosphere with energy and life. Acrobat executed gravity-defying stunts, while colorful floats depicted scenes from ancient legends and cultivation myths. The streets had come alive.

Sect masters, clan leaders, and dignitaries watched from elegant viewing platforms. Wu Jian saw the sect masters for the Heavenly Sword Sect and Supreme Ocean Palace, though he didn’t see Zhou Xie’e anywhere. Curious. Behind the Heavenly Sword Sect’s sect master was Wu Meiying still in her veil and Zhe Fēnglì. The presence of these illustrious figures testified the importance of this tournament. Each contingent showcased their unique style, their clothing and banners reflecting the individual cultivation techniques and philosophies.

As the parade wove its way through the city, it passed under archways adorned with phoenix feathers and blossoming flowers, symbolizing renewal and rebirth. The crowd’s enthusiasm was contagious as if the fervor of the tournament had melded into the city.

The parade reached its climax, ending at the edge of the city, at a magnificent structure known simply as the Flame Sanctum. It rose grandly before the participants and the gathered crowd. The Flame Sanctum exuded an air of mystique and power. The exterior was adorned with intricate carvings of phoenixes in various states of flight, their wings outstretched in graceful arcs that seemed to echo the very flames they represented. Carvings were layered with glistening gold leaves, each feather catching the sunlight and reflecting it in dazzling patterns that danced along the structure’s surface.

Standing at the apex, a towering dome situated behind him, Huǒ Huangdi surveyed the contestants as they disembarked and made their way up a flight of stairs. With him were the sect masters of the Three Celestial Sects--sans Divine Moon Hall’s sect master who had never made an appearance.

“You ten have proven yourselves extremely capable and do your sects and nations honor. This world reveres the strong. It rewards the talented. Thus are you ten to be rewarded with entrance into the Realm of Sacred Flames, but before that, let us present our rewards to the top three finalists. Huǒ Pànguó, step forward.”

Huǒ Pànguó came forward, his face impassive, but his eyes expressing dissatisfaction. He knelt before his father, who snapped his fingers. A clan elder came forward bearing a box. He opened it to reveal the contents, ten pills resting on a soft pillow made of phoenix down. The elder closed the box and gave it to Huǒ Huangdi, who, in turn, presented it to Huǒ Pànguó.

“Thank you… Sect Master.”

Sect Master? Not Father?

Wu Jian said nothing of his confusion as Huǒ Pànguó, stood up and stepped back into line.

“Huǒ Yulie, step forward.”

Huǒ Yulie stepped out of the line and knelt before her father. Her veil fluttered in the breeze as an elder came forward. He held nothing in his hand, but the ring on his finger glowed and, quite suddenly, a brilliant sword appeared.

The Sword of Rebirth, a revered artifact of the Phoenix Clan, possessed a visual allure that befit its name. Crafted with the skill of master artisan, this sword encapsulated the essence of renewal and rejuvenation. Its design was a harmonious blend of elegance and strength, reflecting the duality of life and death inherent in the concept of rebirth.

The blade itself was characterized by its fluid curvature, reminiscent of a gentle arch of a phoenix’s wings in flight. Wu Jian heard tell that it had been forged from a unique alloy infused with phoenix feathers and tempered with flames of the Lord Phoenix himself. The blade exhibited a brilliant combination of fiery hues.

“You already have a sword given to you by Lord Phoenix himself. However, this one is every bit as powerful as the one you have now. Use it well.”

“Yes, Sect Master.”

After accepting the sword, Huǒ Yulie stepped back and stood beside Wu Jian once more.

A moment of silence passed. A pained look crossed Huǒ Huangdi’s face.

“Jian Wu… come forth.”

Wu Jian followed the example set by the two before him and knelt. The same elder stepped forward, summoning a set of armor. It was truly a sight to behold. Its appearance alone justified its status as the grand prize in this tournament. Crafted with exquisite artistry and imbued with the essence of the phoenix, this armor stood as a symbol of not only power but the enduring spirit of rebirth.

The armor’s design seamlessly blended beauty and strength, evoking the image of a phoenix emerging from the flames in all its resplendent glory. Its material appeared to be a fusion of celestial metals and phoenix feathers, resulting in a mesmerizing display of colors that shifted and changed as the light danced off the polished surface. Just looking at it, Wu Jian could tell that it possessed powerful abilities, as befitting high-grade heaven ranked spiritual armor.

“You have overcome all obstacles and given us a most magnificent show. This armor is yours by right. Wear it with pride.”

“Yes, Lord Huangdi.”

Not sect master. He was not Wu Jian’s sect master. There was a protocol that needed to be followed.

He was about to step back, but at that moment, Zhe Dāozhe stepped forward and placed a hand upon his shoulder. The entire crowd had already grown silent. However, it felt like they had begun holding their breath.

“I heard a many great things about you from my son, but even I did not expect the performance you gave us. I was extremely impressed. Your use of the greatsword is truly inspiring, and your Heavenly Tribulation is something I doubt I’ll ever see again for as long as I live. It’s a bit against protocol to do this now, but I would be honored if you joined the Heavenly Sword Sect.”

His words caused those in the audience to begin talking all at once. Huǒ Huangdi looked like he swallowed a lemon with the way his face puckered up. However, Wu Jian paid attention to none of that. He caught sight of Wu Meiying standing behind Zhe Dāozhe. She nodded once.

He bowed his head to the sect master. “The Shang Kingdom and Heavenly Sword Sect have long been allies. It would be my honor to join your sect.”