The moon hung high over Ocean City as Hei Long stepped into the secluded grove behind the arena—a place untouched by sect politics and tournament chaos.
Dressed in ceremonial black with silver thread running like rivers down his sleeves, he carried nothing but a small ring carved from spirit jade, cold and ancient.
No fireworks. No fanfare.
Just him and the promise he was finally ready to make.
Lan Yinyin was already waiting.
Back straight, eyes sharp, dressed like a divine empress accidentally wandered into a romance drama. She looked at him with that same impossible expression: curious, guarded, dangerous.
"You came," she said, as if she'd already prepared for ten different outcomes.
"I always planned to," Hei Long replied simply. "I just needed to finish crushing the last remnants of hesitation."
"So what is this? Confession number five? A duel in disguise?"
"No. This time, I'm not running, stalling, or pretending."
He stepped closer.
