Hundred Sects Tournament · Golden Core (10)

At the other end of the floating platform, a peculiar silence shrouded the Nangong Clan's seats. The clamor from the distant arena drifted over, yet seemed cut off by an invisible barrier, making the atmosphere here all the more heavy.

Nangong Miao sat upright in a sandalwood chair, motionless save for the star patterns on his broad sleeves, which stirred gently with the faintest circulation of spiritual energy. He did not turn around. His voice was quiet, but reached Nangong Ye, who stood behind him, clearly and steadily. "Did you see it?"

Nangong Ye's gaze followed the blue-robed figure on the arena as she slowly eased out of her stance. The blood on her shoulder grew increasingly stark as the spiritual light faded.

His silence lasted a little longer than expected. His throat bobbed before he answered softly, "An intricate setup and swift responses. Her attainment in formations... is no lower than mine."

"More than that." Nangong Miao's forefinger tapped almost imperceptibly against the armrest. "The literary Dao is a great Dao, just like the sword Dao. From its foundations, countless paths can develop. How far one ultimately travels depends on the choices one makes, and on one's character."

He paused briefly. When he spoke again, his pace slowed, each word seeming to carry weight. "And this young woman is exceptionally 'greedy.'"

"Formations, talismans, Spirit Painting, Heavenly Scripture Ink Intent..."

He slowly voiced those terms, finally drawing his gaze away from the arena to rest on the empty space before him. The corner of his mouth seemed to lift ever so slightly, but the smile did not reach his eyes. Instead, it carried a cold, almost appraising edge.

"The mid Golden Core realm? Heh. Quite the mid Golden Core realm."

Nangong Ye keenly caught that rare, complicated note of irony