Iron Sky Sect — Inner Valley, Evening
Kaelen's victory still echoed through the sect.
Taro Lin remained unconscious, his pride shattered.
Whispers flowed from courtyard to training hall.
But Kaelen?
He was already walking away from it.
Reunion in the Shared Courtyard
The moment he returned to their shared courtyard,
the girls stopped their individual training.
One by one, they stepped into the open, surrounding him—
not to question him.
Not to congratulate him.
Just to see him.
His transformation had become clearer now, up close:
His aura no longer flowed — it pressed
His body didn't just carry power — it radiated precision
His eyes weren't merely beautiful — they commanded
And yet—
when he saw them, he softened.
Just slightly.
Aria Speaks First
"You didn't tell us you'd reached Soul Manifest."
Kaelen shrugged lightly.
"Didn't think it mattered. Not until I used it."
"It mattered," Mira muttered.
Selina stepped forward, almost timidly.
"You said you'd come back stronger."
"You… did."
He looked around at all of them — truly looked.
"You've all changed too."
"You're stronger. More refined."
Valessia nodded.
"But they still see us as tools. Decorations."
Kaelen's jaw tightened.
"Let them."
"When we win that duel… they'll choke on their pride."
System Notification — Global Sect Duel Info Updated
[Participants: 1,728 Sects Registered]
[Iron Sky Quota: 6 Main Combatants, 3 Alternates]
[Event Begins: 18 Days]
[Known Rival Sects: Sky-Gale Pavilion, Burning Lotus Sect, Obsidian Fang School]
[Reward for Top 3 Placement: Access to Dimensional Ascension Gate | Legacy Scroll Keys | Sovereign-Grade Elixirs]
POV: Elders' Chamber, That Same Night
Elder Suzan paced slowly.
"He's not like the others."
"His pressure… it's unnatural. Purified. Violent. Divine."
Elder Jin-Rho responded sharply.
"It's too late to control him."
"We ignored him. Now we can only watch."
Rival Factions React
Across the continent, spies delivered their reports.
"A boy with Sovereign pressure. Soul Manifest. Surrounded by top-tier females."
"A dominator with no bloodline?"
"What's his lineage?"
"Unknown."
"Watch him."
Final Moments — The Courtyard Again
That night, the courtyard was quiet.
The moon glowed gently.
Kaelen sat alone by the central flame basin.
And one by one, the girls joined him.
No words.
Just warmth.
Just presence.
Each one sat closer than before.
And Kaelen, unaware of what this truly meant, simply whispered to the stars:
"I won't let you be overlooked again."
"Any of you."