The sun had only begun its descent beyond the towering walls of the Capital City when the winds of gossip turned into a storm of revelation.
A storm named Kent.
It began with one jade slip.
A disciple from the outer section of the Royal Academy had secretly recorded the battle—Kent standing alone on his golden Storm God Chariot, raining down arrows upon dozens of Hua family disciples.
Within the hour, that jade slip was copied a hundred times.
Within two hours, it had reached every teahouse, cultivation tavern, and merchant corner of the city.
By nightfall, it became legend.
In the elegant Emerald Pavilion, where nobles drank spirit wine and discussed cultivation arts, a young man slammed a jade slip onto the table.
"You must see this!" he cried, eyes wide.
A dozen nobles gathered around, placing their hands on the slip. Their spiritual senses flared—and then froze in place.
