The celebration across the Sanatan Flame Sect continued long after the administrator ships disappeared beyond the clouds.
Disciples still shouted excitedly across the mountain grounds while damaged sections of the training arena were already being repaired under Elder Wu's direction. Several younger disciples carried broken monument fragments proudly through the sect like trophies won from battle.
One outer disciple had somehow already carved:
"STRUCK DOWN BY MASTER SHAURYA"
onto a large black stone fragment.
Elder Jian Fan confiscated it immediately.
Meanwhile—
The atmosphere near the ruined central platform had gradually become quieter.
The elders remained gathered near Shaurya while the mountain winds swept softly through the drifting evening mist. The orange sect banners above fluttered calmly beneath the fading sunlight.
And standing nearby—
King Tian Long had still not left.
That alone was enough to make the elders attentive.
