The challenge hung in the warm air of the pavilion, cutting through the heavy scent of spirit-carp and vintage wine like a sudden mountain frost.
Hundreds of eyes darted between the two young titans: Wu Junjie, the aggressive, blooded hound of the City Lord's direct line, and Shen Yu, the serene, untouchable Golden Paragon.
Wu Shan made no move to interfere. Inwardly, he was praising his son's flawless timing.
This was a perfect political play, it offered a chance to gauge exactly what depth of martial heritage this "Golden Paragon" truly possessed, while simultaneously deflating the boy's ballooning reputation among the common folks through a calculated public humiliation.
Shen Yu looked up, taking in the vibrant, arrogant, and youthful energy radiating from the young man. Looking at that fierce, unbroken spirit, a flicker of genuine nostalgia touched his mind, echoing from his past life.
