After a few hours, Lin Shu finally put down the books, rubbing his eyes as he thought, "I've read about every single team and rogue fighter in the arena. Most of the teams are manageable, even with their numbers, but three stand out as real threats—their synergy, strategy, and individual strength make them a problem."
Yanqi looked at Lin Shu, Aoyan, and Kai, noticing they had all finished reading. "So, what did you three find?" he asked.
Lin Shu spoke first. "Most of the teams, even with their numbers, have too many weak members to stand against us. But there are three that worry me."
"And who are they?" Yanqi prompted.
Lin Shu continued, "The Phantom Gaze, the Rogue Prism, and the Verdant Coil."
Yanqi nodded, encouraging him to continue.
"The Phantom Gaze consists of Cen Gu, Chao Leng, Duo Lie, E Xun, Gai Biao, and Heng Zai. Their agent is Ao Ci, a ranked two cultivator who owns several shops in Gloomvale and finances the team with his own wealth. They have no sect or clan affiliation.
"The Rogue Prism's members are Kui Shou, Nian Ju, Pei Zan, Qi Ang, and Wei Teng. Their agent is Jia Nong, also a rank two cultivator, who runs a mercenary agency in the city. The arena serves both as an income source and training ground for his men.
"The Verdant Coil has Yo Zun, Zang Mian, Zo Niu, Bao Shan, Cui Ya, Die Yi, and Fei Lu. Their agent is Xiang Pu, a cultivator affiliated with the Xiang Clan. Their team consists of outer disciples, as the Xiang Clan is known for using outside talent rather than relying solely on bloodline. They've been building this reputation over the past few years. Their techniques and coordination can counter us due to our smaller numbers. The other two teams have this advantage as well; their teams are complete."
Yanqi smiled. "Exactly. That's why I want Rampage and Zephyr on our team. Those two will bring our team's potential to its fullest."
Aoyan frowned slightly, thinking aloud. "But how do you plan to recruit them? They've refused not just us but every agent that's approached them."
Yanqi looked at her with a calm expression. "What is the purpose of an agent, Aoyan?"
"Well… to finance the fighters, manage them, and train them," she answered carefully.
Yanqi nodded. "Exactly. Everyone thinks they need an agent to advance faster, become stronger, and gain popularity. That's why agents are constantly approached by talented fighters. But now, let's say that someone can succeed without one do you think agents will want future fighters to go rogue and fight alone or create their own teams of course not they don't want anyone to think they aren't needed that's just bad for business.so if someone like that appears they give him offers if he resists them, threats pressure will fall on him like a mountain if you think the agents of the arena cannot mess with your matches to punish you then you don't know anything the arena rules aren't just put by the arenas master after all there are investors here that want their rules of course the reason nothing gets out of hand is because of the arena's master but he will turn a blind eye to someone like rampage or zephyr since they don't have any background that can save them, that's why when they face the pressure and danger I can lead them to us I'll help them, save them I don't need to get their trust right away i can get their agreement first then reach a level of trust that can help me build this team even more."
"You three have free time now—to study the books further or to train. I'll keep the list updated, and I'll also introduce you to someone you can trust for information. Hiring a private informant is better than relying on an organization—they're expensive, and you three don't need that level yet. Stay away from the Serpents and their organizations for now."
Aoyan and Kai nodded in agreement. Lin Shu nodded too, but inside, he ignored Yanqi's warning. It was simple: the person Yanqi was introducing them to was likely an acquaintance, meaning everything Lin Shu asked would end up back with Yanqi. Lin Shu had no intention of letting anyone know the full scope of his inquiries.
Yanqi stretched his arms as he said, "You three can go train or rest for now."
Lin Shu nodded. "I'll rest for now."
Kai, exhausted from hours of training and reading, quickly agreed. Aoyan glanced at Lin Shu, conflicted for a mere second before nodding as well. Yanqi waved them off.
As Kai and Lin Shu left, Aoyan remained standing in place, her expression unreadable. Yanqi frowned slightly. "Are you okay, Aoyan?"
"I'm fine…" she said as she stood up. Then, almost too quickly, "I forgot to tell those two something." She walked out before he could question her further.
Lin Shu and Kai walked down the arena halls, planning to split off soon. Lin Shu intended to ditch Kai and take care of his own business.
Suddenly—
"Li! Kai! Wait!"
Both turned. Aoyan was running toward them, breathless. Kai glanced at Lin Shu, then back at her as she reached them. Lin Shu's neutral gaze met hers from behind his plain steel mask. Kai's burned and twisted face drew the usual mixture of pity and disgust from passersby, though he ignored it all.
Lin Shu asked, "What's the matter? Did Elder Yanqi call us back?"
Aoyan shook her head quickly. "No, I just…"
She looked around at the crowded hall. "Can we talk somewhere else? Too many people here."
Lin Shu, curious, nodded. Kai followed.
They walked out of the arena and into a quiet, empty alley. Lin Shu stopped first.
"So," he said, "what did you want to talk about?"
Aoyan took a small breath. "Consider this… repayment. For helping me the other time. When those Chi clansmen attacked me."
Lin Shu blinked, surprised but silent.
"You two wanted to know about the flight path, right? When Master mentioned it?"
He nodded—this time a faint, genuine smile crept onto his face.
Aoyan continued, "I'll tell you what Master told me. About the paths. There are many—flight, strength, celerity , light, flame… Paths represent your level of mastery and comprehension of something. For example, flight, or strength, pill refinement, weapon forging… even intelligence with it's path being the path of insight, which has to do with mental abilities."
She spoke quietly but clearly.
"Elemental affinities strengthen your techniques depending on the element. Paths, however, let you push a technique beyond its limits by grasping its essence. That's how high-ranked techniques are created.
"If you have a good level in a path, you can use a technique to its fullest and even elevate its rank. For example, Master once raised a mid-tier flame technique into a high-tier one. It took years, but he did it.
"Paths and elements both increase power—but paths are far more valuable. Unlike affinities, they aren't something you're born with. They're earned."
She finished speaking.
Lin Shu absorbed every word, engraving them into his mind. This knowledge… priceless. And he didn't have to pay Yanqi for it.
Kai spoke before he could. "There must be ranks for these paths, right?"
Aoyan nodded. "There are. I only know three—Quasi-Adept, Adept, and Master."
Kai nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Aoyan. Really. But wouldn't Elder Yanqi be mad you told us this?"
"He doesn't need to know," she said, crossing her arms. "So stay quiet. Don't make me regret paying you back."
Lin Shu stared at her through his mask, his eyes shining faintly like he had just found a golden goose.
"So protecting her all those times wasn't for nothing… Maybe I can get even more out of her if I play this right."
He said aloud smiling, "Thank you. But you should go—Elder Yanqi might worry and start looking for you."
Aoyan smiled. "Thank you too." Then she hurried off.
Lin Shu and Kai continued walking, Kai chattering nonstop.
But when they left—
A figure descended from above without a sound, red hair glowing in the dim light: Yanqi.
He looked in the direction Aoyan had run. Instead of anger, disappointment, or suspicion, he simply sighed quietly.
"I guess she sees them as her friends now… Maybe she can move past everything with those two. They're not bad kids after all."
He vanished again.
As Aoyan walked to her lodging,she felt good about herself .
Kai and Li both smiled,Li the person who never smiles nor does his tone ever change.
She remembered his eyes behind the mask—truly smiling, for the first time in years of knowing him.
"I guess getting something for free meant a lot to them. Kai… his life hasn't been kind. And Li… probably the same."
She was happy she could pay them back since ever she came to know how lucky she was to have her master and mother. she started to see how hard it is to get anything when you don't have anyone who will give it to you.