The sun lingered above the horizon, its golden light spilling across the vast stadium. Long shadows stretched across the repaired battlefield, which only hours ago had been torn apart by ferocious battles. Now, the arena gleamed under the evening sky, its surface smooth once again, as though countless clashes of steel and spirit had never occurred.

The stands were filled to the brim; every spectator had risen to their feet. Anticipation hung in the air like a storm waiting to break.

At the center of the battlefield stood King Tian Long, his posture regal, his gaze sharp yet warm. Behind him, the referee waited in silence, hands folded respectfully. A deep laugh rolled from the king's chest, booming across the stadium.

"The tournament is over," King Tian Long declared, his voice carrying authority and joy alike. "I would like to congratulate the Sanatan Flame Sect for winning the Sect-Clan Tournament! Please welcome the Sect Master of Sanatan Flame Sect — Shaurya!"

The crowd erupted. Applause thundered like rolling waves, whistles and cheers shaking the very air. From the grand VIP room, Shaurya appeared. Descending gracefully onto the battlefield, his steps were light, his presence commanding. His bright smile shone like the evening sun, his aura calm yet overwhelming.

He raised his hand and waved, receiving the roar of the audience. Then, with a heartfelt gesture, he pressed his palms together in prayer and bowed deeply before the crowd. His voice, though unspoken, radiated gratitude.

Finally, he stopped before King Tian Long, bowing respectfully.

The king laughed again, his hearty voice ringing. He placed a firm hand on Shaurya's shoulder. "I knew it from the beginning that your sect would win. But even I did not expect you to completely dominate the tournament."

With a subtle nod to the referee, the king stepped back. The referee immediately raised his voice, clear and ceremonial:

"By the grace of His Majesty, King Tian Long of this kingdom, we announce the Sanatan Flame Sect as the strongest sect of this kingdom in power!"

The announcement shook the stadium. Shaurya's face lit up with joy; laughter spilled from his lips. "Thank you, King Tian Long. I am grateful."

The king's own laughter followed. "Now, it is time for the rewards."

With a snap of his fingers, two young maidens descended gracefully, each holding a plate draped with a red cloth. They bowed low before the king, standing beside him with reverence.

Smiling, King Tian Long removed the first cloth, revealing a golden storage ring that glittered beneath the dying rays of sunlight. He lifted it carefully and handed it to Shaurya.

"Here," the king declared. "Ten thousand spiritual stones."

Shaurya accepted the ring without hesitation, but with a flick of his wrist, he tossed it casually toward Lin Shu. She caught it gracefully, her eyes sparkling with pride.

Then the king turned to the second plate, whisking away the crimson cloth with deliberate motion. Gasps echoed through the stands as the treasure beneath was revealed: a golden token, its surface engraved with the image of a dark sword. Its aura was heavy, mysterious, ancient.

King Tian Long raised the token with his spiritual energy, holding it high for all to see. His voice thundered across the stadium:

"This is the key to enter Shadow Blade — An Ning's Secret Realm, the legacy of a Nirvana Realm Level Nine powerhouse!"

A hush fell over the crowd, followed by cries of awe. Shaurya's eyes widened in shock, his breath catching in his throat.

The king extended the token toward him. "Now, this key is yours. The secret realm shall open in one month. Its entrance will manifest within the Grand Beast Canyon. The journey itself will take at least two weeks."

Shaurya received the key reverently, staring at it as though it were both destiny and challenge. A grin spread across his face. He clenched the token in his palm and laughed loudly.

"Fine… Thank you, King Tian Long. I will make sure to claim all treasures from that secret realm."

The king chuckled, eyes twinkling. "I wish you luck. But be cautious. You will not be the only one to enter. Cultivators from neighboring kingdoms — sects, clans, and even lone wanderers — will gather there. Who knows what enemies you will face?"

Shaurya patted his chest boldly. "Don't worry. The only ones who should worry are those who will face us."

The king's laughter echoed through the sky. "I knew you would say something like this. Very well, I leave it to you. Have fun."

With a wave of his hand, the king ascended into the air, his majestic figure disappearing into the heavens. Li Dong cast a sharp, lingering glance at Shaurya before following behind the king.

Soon after, Zia Han, accompanied by Xia Xu, approached. Zia Han bowed low. "Congratulations, Leader Shaurya."

Shaurya returned the gesture with equal respect. "Thank you, Leader Han."

Then, as if struck by sudden realization, Shaurya's brows lifted. His gaze dropped to the golden key in his hand. With a warm smile, he extended it toward Zia Han using his spiritual energy.

"Here, take this, Leader Han."

Zia Han and Xia Xu froze in disbelief. Even Lin Shu and the other elders, who had just arrived, stared wide-eyed.

Zia Han stammered. "L-Leader Shaurya… are you joking? How can I accept this? Your sect earned it through hard work. You deserve this."

Shaurya laughed, his voice light and genuine. "Don't worry. Leader Han, take this as a token of our friendship."

Lin Shu stepped forward, her tone sharp with surprise. "Shaurya? Are you really giving such a precious key away?"

Shaurya winked at her mischievously. "Yeah… because…"

From his storage ring, he drew another golden key, identical to the first. Gasps tore through the group.

Elder Wu's voice trembled. "Th-This… another key?! Master, where did you obtain this?"

Shaurya smirked, confidence in every line of his face. "I've had it for a long time." He turned toward Zia Han, voice firm. "As you see, Leader Han, I already possess the key to the secret realm. So you can accept this one."

Still stunned, Zia Han slowly accepted the token with trembling hands. His eyes glistened as he bowed deeply. "Leader Shaurya, you have done yet another great favor for me and my sect. I do not know how, but I will repay you one day."

Shaurya waved off the gratitude with a laugh. "No need. After all, you are my only sect leader friend."

A single tear slipped down Zia Han's cheek. He wiped it away and nodded solemnly.

Shaurya turned, his robes fluttering in the breeze. "Okay… I am leaving first. We will meet again in the secret realm."

They exchanged bows, a promise of both rivalry and camaraderie sealed between them.

High above, the massive ship known as the Dark Pearl descended, its shadow covering the stadium. The crowd gaped in awe at its sheer size. Shaurya, with his sect, boarded the ship.

On deck, disciples chatted excitedly. Shaurya stretched his neck, gazing at the horizon.

Wang Tian smirked. "So, Shadow Blade — An Ning. Only a Nirvana Realm cultivator. What's so special about him? In my prime, I was far above him."

Luo Chen burst into laughter. "But you're not in your prime now. He could crush you."

Wang Tian scoffed. "Tsch. He's dead, and I'm alive. So who's superior?"

Laughter erupted among the elders.

But Elder Liya's expression grew thoughtful. "Don't you think… this name, An Ning… Shadow Blade… sounds familiar?"

Wang Tian crossed his arms, frowning. "I don't think so."

Then Sheng Lu clapped his hands. "I remember it!"

Everyone turned sharply toward him. Even Shaurya, standing at the ship's edge with hands in pockets, hurried over.

"What do you remember? Do you know him?"

Sheng Lu nodded firmly. "Yes. I know him."

Wang Tian and Elder Liya exchanged glances of surprise.

"Your Majesty," Sheng Lu said, turning to Wang Tian, "have you forgotten An Ning? When you first reached Nirvana Realm and began rising in fame as the Ghost Emperor, an arrogant brat challenged you. You defeated him easily. But after that, he kept chasing you, challenging you again and again."

Realization struck. Wang Tian and Elder Liya's eyes widened.

"Yes…" Elder Liya murmured. "I remember now."

Wang Tian nodded slowly. "So do I."

Luo Chen tilted his head. "So you know him?"

Wang Tian pressed a hand to his forehead, sighing. "More than know him… At first, I didn't even remember his name. But yes, that brat was a headache. He was the prodigy of his hometown, full of pride. When I shattered his arrogance, he cried and ran away. But a month later, he came back to challenge me again. I ignored him at first… but he never gave up. So I fought him again — and defeated him again."

"And how many times did you defeat him?" Luo Chen asked curiously.

Wang Tian thought, but Sheng Lu answered first. "Seven hundred eighty-five times."

Gasps echoed. Even Shaurya's jaw dropped.

"No way!" Shaurya exclaimed. "He fought you 785 times, annoyed you endlessly, and you still didn't kill him?"

Wang Tian grimaced. "I hate to admit it, but he was just an arrogant idiot who couldn't accept defeat. Still, I respected his will. No matter how many times I beat him, he never gave up. He always trained harder and came back."

Elder Liya nodded solemnly. "He even challenged me six or seven times. Always defeated, but his will was unshakable. He fought until unconsciousness, until his body gave up."

Everyone listened in awe.

Shaurya's eyes gleamed. "Whoa… He must have been a great warrior."

Wang Tian nodded with reluctant respect. "Yeah. He never even introduced himself properly. Just fight, fight, fight…."

Sheng Lu added, "He also helped me with some cases. A good man. Your Majesty even gave him a sword once, when his own broke in battle against you. A sky-level, high-grade weapon — the Shadow Blade. That's how he earned the name."

"But what happened to him?" Shaurya asked.

Elder Wu stepped forward, voice grave. "I know. After the disappearance of the Ghost Emperor and Fairy Empress, Shadow Blade roamed alone, battling countless cultivators. He plundered both their palaces and hid the treasures somewhere unknown. Hunted, cornered, and in his final breath, he created a secret realm — sealing all treasures and perhaps even his inheritance within."

Wang Tian and Elder Liya exchanged shocked looks.

"What an idiot," Wang Tian muttered. "Why do so much?"

Elder Liya sighed. "I understand him. He admired you. But why keep my treasures as well?"

Sheng Lu smirked. "Probably because you're His Majesty's cousin. Closest family member."

Wang Tian scoffed, flustered. "Who told you she's my closest family member?"

Elder Liya laughed. "Of course I am. Why would he need a sister when he had someone more important?"

Wang Tian stammered, face twisted. "No… I… tch. Whatever."

The ship rang with laughter. Elder Liya's warm smile glowed like sunlight. Shaurya, watching their sibling-like banter, smiled softly.

He turned back to the edge of the ship, inhaling deeply. It's good to have a family, he thought.

Lin Shu, noticing his quiet demeanor, stepped beside him. "What are you thinking?"

He glanced at her, startled.

She tilted her head. "Are you sad? What happened?"

Shaurya's eyes widened before he smiled. "Nothing."

"Sure?" she asked, blinking.

"Yeah," he assured, smiling warmly.

She nodded and smiled back. "That's great." With that, she walked toward Elder Liya.

Shaurya watched her, then his sect, and his heart swelled. Exactly. There is no point in just being a sect. Now… I also have a family. My sect. My Lin Shu.

A calm smile spread across his lips.

Then, a translucent window appeared before him — the System.

> You look good when you smile.

"Oh, Systu," he muttered. "When are you planning to give rewards? I completed the mission."

> Now… Ding… Congratulations, Host, for completing the mission: Dominate the Sect-Clan Tournament.

Rewards:

1. 200 Dharma Points

2. Rare Pill Recipes — Healing Pill, Body Strengthening Pill, Nirvana Pill

3. Mastery of Immortal Fire — full control over the immortal flame

Shaurya burst into laughter. "Now this is what we call rewards!"

He raised his hand. A sapphire flame bloomed in his palm, then twisted, transforming into a miniature dragon, then into a tiny figure of himself. The figure smirked, then dissolved back into fire. Shaurya clenched his fist, extinguishing it.

"Now I've grown stronger. Perfect."

Turning to his sect, he raised his voice. "Okay! Listen carefully, all of you. Two weeks' rest in the sect. After that, our next stop — An Ning's Secret Realm!"

The disciples roared in excitement, their cheers shaking the skies.

By dawn, the Dark Pearl descended upon the Sanatan Flame Sect. The gates opened, and guards Hee La and Hee Ta greeted them warmly.

Disciples disembarked, stretching and yawning, exhaustion mixing with joy. Laughter filled the air as they headed to their rooms.

Muo Qian spotted her mother and ran into her arms. "Mother!"

Muo Xia embraced her tightly. "I cooked many different dishes for all of you!"

The disciples' hungry cheers rose, louder than battle cries. Muo Qian, Su Quan, and Jun Hua followed her mother eagerly, already retelling tales of the tournament.

The elders dispersed — some rushing toward the dining hall, others chatting and laughing. Elder Liya ran with uncontained excitement, Elder Wan chasing after her like a frustrated parent. Elder Wu and Elder Jian walked side by side, lost in quiet discussion.

Lin Shu and Shaurya walked at the rear. His hands rested in his pockets, his stride relaxed.

"So," Lin Shu said with a gentle smile, "a little rest before another big adventure."

Shaurya nodded, smiling.

Then she stopped, turned, and extended her hand toward him. Tilting her head with a playful smile, she said softly, "Let's go. Before everything finishes."

Shaurya froze, caught off guard by the warmth in her expression. He closed his eyes, lowering his head as a blush spread across his face. A warm smile curved his lips. Slowly, he extended his hand and clasped hers, their fingers entwining.

Laughter and chatter surrounded them, the sect alive with joy. Peace, warmth, and the promise of new adventures filled the air.

One journey had ended. Another, far greater, was already waiting.

Far away, beyond the kingdom's borders, the night sky was not peaceful. Deep within the wilderness of the Grand Beast Canyon, where mountains clawed the heavens and mist rolled endlessly, the earth trembled faintly. A dark fissure cracked open upon an ancient stone altar hidden within the canyon's heart. Faint sword-qi leaked out, sharp enough to slice through rock, and with it came whispers of a man long gone.

The aura of Shadow Blade — An Ning stirred once again.

At the same time, in distant kingdoms, sects and clans were already preparing their champions. Ruthless families polished their blades, and lone cultivators whispered of opportunity and blood. Everyone's eyes turned toward the secret realm that would soon open.

For some, it was hope.

For others, it was destiny.

For most, it was nothing but a battlefield of greed.

And for Shaurya and the Sanatan Flame Sect, it would be another adventure to test not just their strength — but their bond as a family.

The stage is seeting.

The shadow of An Ning's legacy awaited.

The journey… continues.

To Be Continued...

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.