For several seconds—
nothing moved.
The entire Imperial Arena had fallen into complete silence.
Not ordinary silence—
but the kind born after witnessing something the human mind could barely comprehend.
White frost covered everything.
The shattered battlefield.
The broken stone pillars.
The walls.
The sky above.
Even the drifting wind itself seemed frozen.
At the center of that frozen destruction—
two massive ice structures stood motionless.
Inside them—
Yan Lie.
Hei Luo.
Their bodies remained trapped beneath layers of absolute frost, frozen in the exact moment before death.
No movement.
No breathing.
No spiritual fluctuations.
Nothing.
The spectators stared with pale faces.
Some trembling.
Some unable to speak.
Some unable to even understand what they had just witnessed.
Because moments ago—
those two had stood at the peak of the younger generation.
Yan Lie.
The terrifying genius of Yu Long Sect.
Hei Luo.
The monstrous warrior of Yue Sha Empire.
And now—
they stood frozen like lifeless statues before the entire empire.
Crack.
A tiny sound echoed.
Then another.
CRRRRRRRRKKKKKK—
Thin fractures spread slowly across the ice.
The crowd instinctively held their breath.
Would they break free?
Would the battle continue?
Would those monsters survive?
But then—
the truth appeared.
The ice shattered completely.
BOOOOOOM!!
Countless fragments exploded outward like white crystal rain across the battlefield.
And inside—
there was nothing.
No bodies.
No flesh.
No blood.
No bones.
Nothing remained.
Their existence—
had vanished.
Yan Lie—
the once-famous warrior of Yu Long Sect—
was gone.
Hei Luo—
the hidden blade of Yue Sha Empire—
had disappeared from the world completely.
Only two glowing Energy Crystals remained on the frozen ground.
The entire arena became deathly silent.
Then—
Lin Shuan stepped forward.
Slowly.
Calmly.
His white robes fluttered faintly amidst the cold wind. Blood still stained parts of his body from the brutal battle earlier, but his expression remained completely emotionless.
Silver lightning flickered weakly around him.
His white eyes slowly returned to normal.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Every movement echoed heavily within the silent arena.
He reached the place where Yan Lie and Hei Luo had disappeared.
Looked down silently.
Then—
he bent slightly.
And picked up the two Energy Crystals.
The moment he touched them—
many Yue Sha Empire warriors instinctively stepped backward.
Fear had appeared.
Real fear.
Because now—
they finally understood.
The white-robed young man before them—
was not simply powerful.
He was terrifying.
Lin Shuan slowly turned.
His gaze landed upon the remaining Yue Sha Empire warriors standing near Zu Lin and Qin Yue.
The coldness in his eyes made their breathing stop momentarily.
One masked cultivator unconsciously trembled.
Another gripped his weapon tighter.
But no one dared move forward anymore.
Because the sight of Yan Lie and Hei Luo disappearing completely beneath that frost—
had destroyed their courage.
Even the spectators could feel it.
The balance of the entire tournament—
had changed.
Forever.
Silver lightning suddenly flickered more violently around Lin Shuan's body.
But then—
his expression changed slightly.
The world around him blurred.
A strange ringing sound exploded inside his head.
SUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN—
His vision shook violently.
Pain spread through his mind.
The Frost Divine Heart had consumed enormous amounts of energy.
Too much.
Far too much for a Three-Star Energy Core cultivator.
His body had already crossed its limits.
Lin Shuan's footsteps became unstable.
The crowd gasped.
"He's collapsing!"
"His condition—!"
Before he could fall—
someone caught him.
Mo Xiao Lan.
The cold-faced genius supported Lin Shuan's body immediately.
His own frost aura still trembled faintly from earlier.
Even now—
he could still feel the terrifying pressure of the Frost Divine Heart lingering inside his meridians.
He looked at Lin Shuan quietly.
Complex emotions appeared in his eyes.
Shock.
Confusion.
Respect.
And something deeper.
Something difficult to describe.
"…don't move," Mo Xiao Lan said quietly.
Lin Shuan tried to remain conscious.
But the ringing inside his head worsened.
Darkness slowly began swallowing his vision.
Meanwhile—
the remaining Yue Sha Empire warriors no longer resisted.
Because at that moment—
heavy footsteps echoed throughout the arena.
Imperial soldiers had arrived.
Hundreds of them.
Fully armored.
Weapons drawn.
Killing intent filling the battlefield.
The commander of the imperial guards stepped forward coldly.
"Capture them."
The remaining Yue Sha Empire warriors immediately became pale.
Some attempted escape—
but the moment they moved—
dozens of spears surrounded them instantly.
Others dropped their weapons silently.
Because everyone understood now.
Their operation—
had failed.
Completely.
Chains of spiritual iron locked around their wrists as imperial soldiers dragged them away under countless gazes.
The spectators watched silently.
No cheers.
No celebration.
Because what had happened today—
was far beyond a normal tournament.
It was the beginning of something larger.
Something dangerous.
Something hidden beneath the surface of the empire itself.
High above—
the Empire Protector remained silent.
But inwardly—
her heart had not calmed even slightly.
Lin Shuan.
That name kept echoing endlessly inside her mind.
Meanwhile—
the mysterious old man in white robes stood quietly within the audience.
His aged eyes remained fixed on Lin Shuan.
And slowly—
a smile appeared on his face.
A proud smile.
A relieved smile.
Almost emotional.
Because unlike everyone else—
he knew.
He knew exactly who that boy was.
He remembered the child who once sat alone while others mocked him.
The boy who could not cultivate.
The boy abandoned by hope.
The boy everyone avoided because they believed he had no future.
And now—
that same boy had stood before the empire…
…and erased two monsters from existence.
The old man lowered his gaze slightly.
Then softly muttered to himself—
"…Clan Leader…"
His voice trembled faintly.
"…your son is finally moving forward…"
His eyes became moist.
"…he has finally created a place for himself…"
"…within this empire."
His memories drifted backward unconsciously.
One year.
Only one year.
From a powerless Nine-Star Luo Initiate—
to a terrifying Three-Star Energy Core cultivator capable of shaking the empire's younger generation.
Such growth…
was monstrous.
Even terrifying.
And yet—
the old man felt only pride.
Because the child who had once suffered alone—
was finally beginning to rise.
Meanwhile—
below the arena—
Mo Xiao Lan, Qin Yue, and Zu Lin carefully supported Lin Shuan's unconscious body together.
Zu Lin looked exhausted but excited at the same time.
"We actually survived…"
Qin Yue laughed weakly.
"…barely."
Blood still stained his clothes, yet his eyes remained bright.
The announcer stepped forward slowly.
Ancient symbols appeared across the sky once more.
Then—
his voice echoed across the entire Imperial Arena.
"The Empire Warriors Tournament…"
A pause.
"…has concluded."
The crowd became silent instantly.
Then—
the final rankings appeared.
1st — Shuan Hao.
2nd — Mo Xiao Lan.
3rd — Qin Yue.
4th — Zu Lin.
And then—
nothing.
No fifth name.
Because almost no one remained alive.
Out of countless participants—
only a handful had endured until the end.
The arena fell silent for several seconds.
Then—
the crowd exploded.
Cheers erupted like thunder.
"SHUAN HAO!!"
"THE WHITE-ROBED MONSTER!"
"He defeated Hei Luo and Yan Lie!"
"That frost power… what WAS that?!"
"He's terrifying!"
The entire empire had witnessed it.
A new monster had risen.
And no one would forget today.
But amidst the endless cheers—
the truly powerful experts remained silent.
Because unlike ordinary spectators—
they understood.
This was not the end.
The death of Yan Lie alone—
would shake Yu Long Sect violently.
And Yue Sha Empire would never ignore Hei Luo's disappearance.
War.
Conflict.
Retribution.
Something dangerous was already approaching silently.
And at the center of it—
stood Lin Shuan.
Then—
a crimson figure descended from the imperial platform.
The Empire Protector.
The moment she appeared—
the entire arena instinctively quieted.
Her red robes fluttered lightly as she landed before the exhausted group.
Her eyes immediately moved toward Lin Shuan.
For a brief moment—
the coldness within them softened.
"Take him," she said quietly.
"To the palace."
Mo Xiao Lan, Qin Yue, and Zu Lin instantly lowered their heads respectfully.
"Yes, Protector."
None of them questioned her.
Because everyone could already tell—
her attitude toward Lin Shuan was different.
Very different.
Together—
they carried him away from the shattered battlefield.
Toward the imperial palace.
Toward the place where only the highest authorities of the empire were allowed to enter.
As they disappeared—
the discussions throughout the arena only intensified further.
No one noticed—
the old man in white robes had already vanished silently from the crowd.
Like he had never existed there at all.
The imperial palace remained quiet beneath the evening sky.
Unlike the chaos of the arena—
this place felt distant.
Untouchable.
Sacred.
Golden lanterns illuminated the long halls as palace guards silently stepped aside for the approaching group.
Zu Lin swallowed nervously.
"…why does this place feel scarier than the tournament…"
Qin Yue laughed softly.
"…because one wrong word here can get us executed."
Mo Xiao Lan remained silent.
But inwardly—
even he felt uneasy.
Eventually—
they reached a large chamber deep within the palace.
The Empire Protector herself opened the doors.
"Lay him there."
Her voice remained calm.
The three carefully placed Lin Shuan upon the massive bed inside the chamber.
Only then did they notice—
this room clearly belonged to the Empire Protector herself.
Everything carried traces of her presence.
Red silk curtains.
Ancient spiritual formations.
Faint fragrance lingering in the air.
Zu Lin's face instantly became strange.
Qin Yue immediately elbowed him hard before he could speak nonsense.
The three stood respectfully with lowered heads.
The Empire Protector turned toward them quietly.
"You have all performed well."
Her gaze swept across Mo Xiao Lan, Qin Yue, and Zu Lin.
"The rewards promised by the empire will be given to you."
With a wave of her sleeve—
three jade containers appeared.
Inside them—
rare techniques.
High-grade spirit herbs.
And some rare stones for cultivation.
Resources powerful enough to make even major sects jealous.
Zu Lin's eyes nearly popped out.
Qin Yue inhaled sharply.
Even Mo Xiao Lan became slightly stunned.
But before they could react—
the Empire Protector continued.
"You may rest within the palace until your injuries recover."
A pause.
"Afterward…"
Her eyes sharpened slightly.
"You may continue your journeys."
Then—
her next words shook them deeply.
"In the future…"
"…you three may become commanders of the Eastern, Northern, and Western Gates."
The room became silent.
Those positions—
were among the highest military authorities within the empire.
To even be considered—
was unbelievable.
The three immediately bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Protector!"
The Empire Protector nodded once.
Then—
her gaze moved back toward Lin Shuan.
"…leave."
The meaning was clear.
The three quickly exited the chamber.
The moment the doors closed behind them—
Zu Lin released a massive breath.
"WE'RE ALIVE!"
Qin Yue burst into laughter.
Even Mo Xiao Lan's cold face relaxed slightly.
For the first time since the tournament began—
they finally allowed themselves to feel joy.
But inside the chamber—
everything became quiet again.
The Empire Protector stood silently beside the bed.
Her gaze remained fixed upon Lin Shuan's unconscious face.
Blood stained his robes.
Countless injuries covered his body.
And yet—
even now—
he looked strangely peaceful.
Slowly—
her expression changed.
The coldness disappeared.
Emotion replaced it.
Deep emotion.
Her eyes gradually became moist.
And then—
a memory surfaced.
A distant memory from years ago.
A grand celebration.
Countless people gathered beneath bright lanterns and music.
At the center—
a newborn child rested quietly within a cradle.
Unlike other babies—
he did not cry.
He simply watched the world silently with calm eyes.
And among the crowd—
a little girl in red clothes stood nervously.
Only six or seven years old.
She slowly walked forward while everyone else celebrated.
Then—
she reached out.
And held the baby's tiny hand.
The baby stared at her blankly.
The little girl smiled brightly.
"When you grow up…"
She spoke softly.
"…we'll stay together forever."
The baby suddenly laughed.
And the little girl laughed too.
Back in the present—
the Empire Protector smiled faintly through tear-filled eyes.
"…Lin Shuan…"
She slowly sat beside him on the bed.
Then—
gently held his hand.
"…now…"
"…we'll stay together…"
"…forever."
Her voice trembled softly.
"You want to hide your identity…"
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"…then fine."
"The world will know you by this identity instead."
"And so will I."
Her fingers tightened slightly around his hand.
"You've already begun your revenge…"
Her eyes darkened faintly.
"But those people…"
"…are far stronger than you think."
Pain flickered across her expression.
"You cannot face them alone."
A long silence followed.
Then—
she leaned slightly closer.
"…I'll stand beside you."
"…always."
"But even that…"
"…won't be enough against them."
Fear existed within her eyes now.
Real fear.
Because she understood better than anyone—
what kind of enemies waited ahead.
Then suddenly—
another memory surfaced.
Her face instantly reddened.
She remembered the lake.
The moment Lin Shuan had entered her bathing pool.
The shameless kiss.
Her cheeks became crimson immediately.
"…you bastard…"
SMACK!!
She suddenly slapped the unconscious Lin Shuan across the face.
Lin Shuan groaned weakly even while unconscious.
The Empire Protector froze.
Then quickly looked away with embarrassment.
"…serves you right."
But moments later—
her expression softened again.
Carefully—
she placed her hand against his chest.
Warm crimson Luo Essence slowly flowed into his injured body.
Healing him gently.
Nourishing his damaged meridians.
Outside the palace—
the empire had already begun discussing only one name.
Shuan Hao.
The white-robed monster.
The warrior who erased Yue Sha Empire's hidden geniuses.
The young man who froze an entire arena.
The one who killed Yan Lie and Hei Luo.
But among the truly powerful—
the mood was far more serious.
Because they understood something others did not.
This victory—
was not the end.
It was only the beginning.
And what would come next—
would be far more dangerous than anyone imagined.