The entire arena fell silent.
The bell's lingering echoes had yet to fade, but the roaring voices of tens of thousands seemed to be choked off by an invisible giant hand, turning into a silence that made one's heart tremble.
Fa Ma's invitation was like an imperial decree from on high, drawing every bit of light and shadow between heaven and earth toward the seat of honor on the highest Stone Platform.
Awe, curiosity, scrutiny, anticipation... countless complicated gazes all turned toward the black-robed figure that had remained utterly still from beginning to end.
Even the young alchemists who had just finished competing and were still immersed in their joy and sorrow now held their breath, looking up in unison.
They wanted to know, too.
In the eyes of this mysterious figure, whom even the president admitted he could not compare to, just how good were these imperial prodigies?
At the very front of the contestants' line,
Xiao Yan, using the alias "Yan Xiao," slowly straightened his back.
The humiliation of being ignored earlier had now transformed into another kind of proud anticipation.
He didn't care what anyone else thought.
He only wanted to hear how this man would judge him.
He had seized first place with undisputed skill. That honor was enough to let him hold his head high before anyone.
Beneath the gazes of the crowd,
the figure sitting quietly finally moved.
Slowly, he rose from the sandalwood chair that symbolized the highest authority of judgment.
It was the simplest of movements, yet it seemed to pluck the heartstrings of everyone present.
The shadow beneath his bamboo hat shifted slightly.
An invisible pressure, as if capable of piercing the soul, descended from the high platform, slowly sweeping over the young, anxious faces below.
It wasn't the pressure of