For a moment, his eyes flickered as he struggled fiercely with himself.
In the end, he considered Shen Yi's unfathomable strength, along with what little concern he still had for the Holy Land's rules and his own duties.
He took a deep breath and forced down his churning blood and humiliation. When he spoke, his voice was hoarse, each word seemingly squeezed through clenched teeth.
"Fine... Very well!"
"Your strength is extraordinary. I have no grounds to complain about my defeat."
He paused, glanced at Shen Yi, then at the Authority Holders watching with eager eyes, and gritted his teeth.
"A wager is a wager. I'll honor it."
"Every Authority Holder who passed today's initial test may follow a Guide into the Holy Land's outer waiting area and take part in the next round of selection."
The anxious Authority Holders froze for a moment, then broke into delighted exclamations they could barely contain.
It was only the outer waiting area, still far from the heart of the Immortal Sacred Land. But compared with being turned away outright, it was a world of difference.
Many looked at Shen Yi with newfound gratitude and awe.
Shen Yi showed little pleasure at the news. Still composed, he merely gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, as though securing their entry into the Holy Land had been incidental, not his main purpose.
Xilos quietly breathed a little easier. At least they had cleared this hurdle.
But she knew the real trouble had probably only just begun.
Shen Yi had humiliated a commander of Cangwu Hall in public, displayed terrifying strength, and mentioned the Hall Master.
Word of all this would reach the Holy Land's inner ranks as quickly as possible.
They could hardly expect a peaceful welcome now.
Sure enough, after making his announcement, the