Rumble-
At dusk, as the final thunderous crash erupted over Three Rivers Crossing, the contest for the top three drew to a close.
Wei Wuyi stood on the platform in black robes, the relief of having a worthy successor in his eyes.
The Seven Martial Dao Heroes seated nearby wore looks of disbelief, finally understanding why Wei Wuyi had held this Heroes' Gathering:
Discussing the selection of the next alliance leader had not been a pretext to summon everyone, but neither was he choosing from among them. He had seized this opportunity to let them see Snow Eagle Ridge's heir!
On the yellow-earth grounds, now a scene of devastation, a young man at least six feet three inches tall stood with his hair disheveled, drenched in blood and sweat, panting like an ox. Yet his knotted shoulders and back remained imposing, like a blood-soaked God of War on the battlefield.
The young man's name was Wei Yin. This was the first time his name had appeared, but tomorrow it would spread north and south of the great river. As the final act, he had even stolen the limelight from Xie Jinhuan, who had opened the event.
In this bloody contest, most participants had finished with one win and one loss. Even Huo Zhonghu, the Snow Eagle Ridge favorite everyone had expected to claim the championship, had only fought four bouts.
Xie Jinhuan had already stood alone at the top, but just then, Wei Yin had emerged from behind the Dragon Sacrifice Platform as Wei Wuyi's Close-Door Disciple. With nothing but his fists, he had defeated everyone remaining who had yet to enter the arena, including a direct disciple of Fengshan Valley and an old sect leader whose techniques had reached consummate mastery—eleven people in all.
Wei Yin had not fallen.