As they left the Punishment Hall, the tension did not fade completely, because everyone understood that this was only the beginning of something larger, and while Wang Lei exhaled in relief, Li Hao's gaze remained focused ahead, calm but unwavering.
"This isn't over," he said quietly.
Because Zhao Kun would not remain silent.
And when he responded—
The conflict would escalate.
Inside Li Hao, his newly evolved flame flickered softly, carrying both heat and cold.
Power had grown.
And so had the stakes.