The knock on the door the following morning was punctual. Kyrian opened his eyes to the soft light filtering through the tall window.
"Co in."
i Li entered, her face showing a sowhat resigned expression.
"Good morning. This ti... it’s an invitation."
Kyrian sat up on the bed, waiting.
"It’s Bai Zhu," she explained.
"He made a friendship. His new ’friend,’ the son of a marquis, is celebrating his birthday tonight. And, apparently, all the young disciples of external forces present in the capital for the auction were invited."
"Bai Zhu was personally approached and invited all of us. He says it’s an opportunity to ’exchange ideas and tips’ before the competitive events."
There was value in that.
"Who else will be there?" he asked, his voice still a little hoarse with sleep.
"According to Bai Zhu, all the main 4° level forces and even 3° level ones sent their disciples to the Empire. Probably the Empire’s nobles and disciples from the Cloud Academy."
That decided the matter. The chance to closely observe the famous principal disciple with that so-called Special Physique, or other talents of the empire, was tempting to all young people from other forces.
"I’ll be ready by evening," Kyrian said, standing up.
The day passed with intentional quiet. Kyrian spent most of the ti in his room, in light ditation.
Downstairs, in the residence, the energy was one of expectation, even Li Fen seed a little more present.
When the shadows began to stretch and the light of the clouds turned a deep gray.
Kyrian donned his crimson robe of the Main Branch. The heavy fabric settled perfectly over his shoulders, a mantle of unmistakable authority and identity.
He also tied his black hair back simply, no longer hiding his face, his crimson eyes glowing like embers in the dimness of the room.
As he went downstairs, he found the other five already gathered in the hall. All were wearing their formal Blood Court attire, each denoting their branch, but unified by the scarlet tone of the main branch.
Bai Zhu looked swollen with pride, Yan Ling wore a calm smile, Kai seed uncomfortable with the idea of going but resigned, and Li Fen had the sa aloof, statue-like presence as always. Finally, i Li, who emanated a cold beauty and elegance.
As they stepped out onto the street, a sight awaited them.
A spacious carriage, pulled by two deer-like beasts with silver hides and antlers that glowed with faint runes.
The vehicle was less opulent than the duke’s, but clearly expensive and tasteful.
i Li cast a questioning look at Bai Zhu.
"The carriage is...?"
Bai Zhu puffed out his chest, his smile widening.
"Tao’s. My new friend, the marquis’s son. I talked about our force, where we co from, and he was impressed! He said it would be an honor to receive the Blood Court and sent the carriage to pick us up. Convenient, right?"
Kyrian assessed the carriage and the impassive coachman, a servant of the marquis’s house.
Without comnting, he moved toward the carriage. The interior was spacious, with dark velvet seats.
Kyrian sat on the central bench, flanked by Yan Ling on his right and i Li on his left. Bai Zhu, Kai, and Li Fen took the opposite bench. The door closed, and the carriage departed with a gentle sway.
The journey was not long, but it noticeably moved away from the comrcial district, heading toward an area of lordly estates slightly less luxurious than the duke’s, but no less impressive.
The marquis’s mansion, when it ca into view, was a spectacle of light. Lanterns hung from trees and balconies, soft music and lively voices spilling through the open gates.
Carriages of all styles lined the street, each unloading young cultivators dressed in the colors and symbols of their sects and clans.
It was a parade of youthful power, a buzz of competitive energy masked by laughter and greetings.
When their carriage stopped at the entrance of the place, one of the many house guards opened the door with a bow.
The presence of the vehicle and the coachman was enough, there were no questions or identity checks.
They disembarked directly into the lantern-lit inner courtyard, bypassing the line outside and the hubbub of those guests.
They had barely set foot on the polished stone when a jovial roar echoed.
"BAI ZHU!"
A young man, as large and muscular as Bai Zhu, but wrapped in a blue satin robe with intricate golden patterns, ran toward him.
His face was lit by an open smile. He stopped with a thud in front of Bai Zhu and delivered a monuntal slap to his shoulder that echoed like a muffled thunderclap.
"You ca!"
Bai Zhu did not even flinch. His own smile, more genuine than Kyrian had ever seen, appeared as he returned the blow with equal vigor and then clasped the young man’s hand in greeting.
"Of course I would co, Tao!"
It was then that Tao, the birthday celebrant, seed to notice the others. His lively, intelligent eyes swept quickly over the group, lingering for a mont longer on the crimson robes and inevitably on Kyrian’s scarlet eyes.
He showed no fear or doubt, only a certain curiosity and assessnt. He already knew Kyrian was leading the others from Bai Zhu’s words.
"Welco! It is an honor to have the presence of the Blood Court in my ho," he said, his voice powerful but cordial.
"I’m Tao. Follow , let’s escape this commotion at the entrance."
Bai Zhu quickly introduced the nas, and Tao nodded to each one, committing them to mory. He led them through a side corridor, skirting the main reception and entering directly into the party hall.
The hall was vast, its ceiling supported by tall marble columns. Dozens of elegant tables were arranged, most still empty.
At the center of the imnse space, however, a circular structure of light stone drew the eye, raised about half a ter off the ground.
An arena. With fifteen ters in diater, its edges were smooth and its surface marked with subtle runes. Kyrian observed it with renewed interest. A place to "exchange ideas," indeed.
"The other guests from sects and external forces are still arriving," Tao comnted, following Kyrian’s gaze.
"The first to arrive were the locals." He shrugged, not seeming to care much about the nobles already gathered in the hall.
"Sit, relax. The food and the fun will begin soon."
He guided them to a well-positioned table, with a good view of the arena and the main entrance, before being pulled away by another noble calling him.
Kyrian, i Li, Yan Ling, Kai, and Li Fen settled in. Bai Zhu stood for a mont, exchanging one last smile with Tao before joining them.
Kyrian let his eyes roam the hall. He recognized the styles of clothing and the postures. All of them scread young nobles of the Cloud Empire.
No external sect emblem was yet visible. They were apparently among the first outsiders to enter, a privilege granted by Bai Zhu’s boisterous friendship.
Kyrian sat down, his gaze fixed on the empty arena, waiting for the real fun, so to speak, to begin.
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