Safe Return to Heaven Dou City

On the fifteenth day, Heaven Dou City.

The convoy slowly approached from the end of the Imperial Road, its banners hanging low as the wheels rolled over the Bluestone Slabs with a dull, steady rumble.

The fifteen-day journey from Spirit City to Heaven Dou City had passed without incident, as though the entire continent had deliberately maintained a certain silence.

Xiao Yun rode ahead, his gaze sweeping over the distant city towers.

The sunlight was just right, spilling over the walls of the ancient city that had stood for myriad years and casting them in mottled gold. He narrowed his eyes slightly, knowing full well that this peace was merely an illusion before the storm. Though the tournament had ended, the team had returned safely to the Heaven Dou Empire, and the pressure from Spirit Hall had temporarily faded, Spirit Hall's oppressive presence still hung over them like a sharp sword above their heads. It would not truly disappear.

"Friend Xiao."

Meng Shenji's voice came from beside him.

The Heaven Dou Royal Academy committee member urged his horse forward to ride alongside him. His graying beard and hair fluttered in the wind, but he looked far more relaxed than he had when they departed.

"This time, it was entirely thanks to Friend Xiao's leadership. Otherwise, the Imperial Fighting Team could never have come this far." Meng Shenji cupped his hands, his tone sincere. "I have taught for decades and seen countless geniuses, yet I have never encountered anyone like Friend Xiao."

Xiao Yun shook his head with a smile. "You flatter me, Committee Member. Yu Tianheng and the others were already uncut jade. I merely polished them a little."

"How could such polishing be overlooked?" Meng Shenji sighed. "Without Friend Xiao's pills and training methods, even uncut jade would be