On one side of the arena stood Lin Yi. Calm. Still. Unshaken. On the other side, the A-Rank Arcane Swordsman stepped forward. His name was Shen Ryu, and the moment he moved, a faint hum of spiritual energy gathered around him, not explosive like Tang Yue's radiant force, but controlled and refined, like a blade kept perfectly sheathed until the moment it was needed.
His gaze met Lin Yi's. "…So this is the man who defeated Tang Yue without taking a single step back." His voice was calm, yet carried clearly across the arena. The crowd quieted as Shen Ryu's presence drew a different kind of attention.
He took another step forward, stopping at a measured distance. His hand remained on his sword, but he did not draw it. Instead, he bowed his head slightly. A warrior's courtesy.
"Lin Yi." A pause. "…Your strength is worthy of respect." The words carried no flattery, only acknowledgment. "I, Shen Ryu… will not insult you with carelessness."
The crowd reacted immediately.
"That guy…"
