Chapter 696 – "Three Days in Silk"
The sun was dipping low when Alex rose from his place among them. His movement was unhurried, but the shift in the air was immediate — the steady, commanding aura that always seemed to gather around him in his male form now filled the chamber again.
"Get dressed," he said quietly, though there was no edge to the words.
The sisters moved without protest, reaching for the robes and silks they had left scattered across the floor. The rustle of fabric and the soft sound of belts tightening filled the room. Fei Xue tied her sash in precise folds, Ling Hua smoothed her robe until it fell in perfect lines, Mei Lian brushed out her hair before letting it fall freely over her shoulders.
Ru Yan's water-blue sleeves trailed along the floor as she moved, Shui Yun adjusted the folds at her chest with a quick, practiced tug, Yan Zhi secured her collar loosely, and Jin Rou finished last, tugging her hair tie into place. Yu Mei dressed in calm, deliberate motions, her gaze never straying far from Alex.
When they were done, they didn't leave.
None of them wanted to.
The great chamber — with its high ceiling painted in drifting cloud illusions, its soft spirit-silk carpets, its warm, balanced air — had become something more than a room. It was a sanctuary.
They stayed there the rest of the evening, talking in low voices, sipping tea Airi had sent before departing, sometimes leaning against Alex or sitting in companionable silence. The outside world, with its looming tournament and political games, seemed far away.
And when night fell, they didn't go to separate quarters. They simply gathered on the great bed again — not for what had happened before, but for closeness.
One day passed.
Then another.
On the third day, the air in the room seemed different. The ambient mana had taken on the faint scent of their combined auras, a lingering echo of the bonding they had gone through. Each sister's presence felt stronger, more aligned. Even their movements had a subtle synchronicity now, a shared rhythm that hadn't been there before.
Alex noticed it without comment, watching them move together as they dressed again for the day. He knew the three days had done more than rest their bodies — it had welded them together in a way training alone could never achieve.
When Yu Mei finally spoke, it was with a faint smile. "We could walk out there right now, and I think they'd all feel it before they saw us."
Fei Xue's lips curved faintly. "Then let them."
Just as they were finishing their tea on the third morning, a sharp knock sounded at the great double doors.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Yu Mei? Fei Xue? All of you?" It was Sect Master Tian's voice, edged with curiosity. "It's been three days. What happened in there?"
Another voice followed — calm but with a faint note of suspicion. Lady Xia. "Are you all well? You've barely left this room since you arrived."
There was a pause, then a heavier knock.
"Alex?" This time it was Zhen Yu, sounding faintly annoyed. "What did you do?"
Ren Bo's deeper tone joined in. "If something's wrong, you should tell us."
Inside the chamber, the sisters exchanged glances. None of them moved to answer immediately. Ru Yan set her cup down very carefully. Shui Yun pressed her lips together to hide a smile.
Fei Xue muttered under her breath, "They wouldn't understand…"
Ling Hua's expression didn't change, but her eyes were faintly amused. "Better not tell them exactly what happened."
Alex just leaned back on the cushions, entirely unbothered.
It was Yu Mei who finally stood and approached the door. She slid it open just enough to meet their expectant gazes — Sect Master Tian, Lady Xia, Zhen Yu, and Ren Bo all standing there.
"We're fine," she said calmly. "We just… asked Alex to be in his female form for a while."
For a moment, there was silence.
Then it hit them.
Sect Master Tian blinked. "What—"
Zhen Yu stepped forward. "Wait—"
Ren Bo's brows shot up. "You can—"
All three shouted at once.
"WHAT?! YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR GENDER?!"
The sound echoed through the hall—
—or it would have, if Alex hadn't lazily flicked his fingers, erecting a sound barrier around the doorway so not a whisper escaped beyond the estate's walls.
Inside, he raised an eyebrow at Yu Mei. "You could've worded that more gently."
Yu Mei smiled faintly. "Where's the fun in that?"
The sound barrier shimmered softly as Alex finally rose from the cushions, his long black hair brushing over the shoulders of his hanfu. His voice was calm, as if discussing something mundane.
"My real gender," he said evenly, "is male. But… I can change my gender using magic."
Sect Master Tian blinked slowly, still trying to process. "Change… as in completely?"
Yu Mei, standing beside him, folded her arms with a faint smirk. "Show them."
Alex hesitated, one brow lifting. "Are you sure? You remember the reaction last time."
"I'm sure," Yu Mei replied without missing a beat. "They need to see it."
For a moment, his gaze swept over all four of them — Sect Master Tian, Lady Xia, Zhen Yu, and Ren Bo — measuring their curiosity against his own reluctance. Then he exhaled, let the faintest pulse of mana roll from his core, and his form began to shift.
The change was smooth, seamless. His frame softened, waist narrowing, hips rounding slightly. His chest swelled into perfect, full curves that pushed gently against the front of his hanfu. His face became a flawless balance of sharp and soft — high cheekbones, smooth skin, lips with a natural, inviting curve — framed by the same long, black waterfall of hair.
When the glow faded, the woman standing before them wasn't just beautiful. She was breathtaking.
The four of them went utterly still.
Sect Master Tian's eyes widened slightly, his jaw tightening as if he'd just seen an immortal step from a painting.
Zhen Yu forgot to blink.
Ren Bo's mouth opened slightly in shock.
All three of them were married men. But in this moment, they stood rooted in place, caught between disbelief and silent awe.
Lady Xia's gaze narrowed, and without breaking eye contact with her husband, she shifted her foot — and stepped hard on Sect Master Tian's.
He winced but didn't move otherwise, still staring.
Yu Mei's lips curved, clearly enjoying the sight. "I told you," she murmured, "it's something you have to see to believe."
Alex just folded his arms lightly beneath the swell of his chest, his black eyes calm, waiting for someone to speak.
No one did — at least, not for a long moment.
Chapter 697 – "Brothers Wouldn't Know What to Think"
The tension in the air lingered even after the shock began to fade. Sect Master Tian had recovered his composure — mostly — though his gaze still flickered now and then toward Alex's transformed figure. Lady Xia, standing beside him with folded arms, was clearly watching for any repeat offense from her husband's eyes.
Alex let out a quiet breath and, with a smooth pulse of mana, began to change back. The curves softened into muscle, his chest flattened beneath the hanfu, his waist broadened slightly. In seconds, the male form they knew best stood before them again — tall, broad-shouldered, his long black hair framing the sharper lines of his face.
Zhen Yu exhaled like he'd been holding it in the whole time. "That… was dangerous."
Ren Bo rubbed the back of his neck, still looking unsettled. "If Hao Lin or Qin Wu saw that…"
Yu Mei tilted her head. "Saw what?" she asked, feigning innocence.
Zhen Yu gave her a flat look. "That female form of his."
Ren Bo nodded in agreement. "If our brothers saw it, they'd probably end up… confused about their sexual preferences for the rest of their lives."
Fei Xue covered her mouth to hide a laugh. Mei Lian failed to hide hers entirely. Shui Yun actually snorted.
Yu Mei smirked and glanced at Alex. "Well, if it makes them question themselves, maybe that's just part of your… charm."
Alex raised a brow, his tone dry. "That's one kind of chaos I don't plan to start."
Lady Xia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Then perhaps we'll make sure your brothers are not in the room next time this happens."
Sect Master Tian's expression was unreadable… though the faintest twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed his amusement.
The teasing faded into a quieter hum of conversation. Sect Master Tian glanced around the chamber, his gaze lingering on the sisters — all looking healthier, sharper, and more composed than when they'd first arrived. Whatever they'd done during these three days, it was clear their strength had only grown.
He folded his arms. "In any case, we can't linger here much longer. The Central Continent tournament events will begin in eleven days."
The room stilled slightly at the reminder.
Lady Xia's tone softened, though her eyes were still sharp. "That means you have a week and a half to refine your coordination. Once the events start, every major sect on the continent will be watching."
Ru Yan leaned back against the cushions. "Plenty of time to prepare."
Fei Xue's lips curved faintly. "And to make sure we enter the arena as one."
Yu Mei nodded, her gaze sliding briefly toward Alex. "We will."
Sect Master Tian gave a single approving nod, though his eyes said he would be watching closely. "Good. I'll arrange for the training grounds here to be cleared for your use. Until then, focus on honing your unity — you're representing the Heavenly Sect."
Alex leaned back slightly, his gaze still steady on Sect Master Tian. "What about the previous competitions? Which sects usually participate?"
The Sect Master considered for a moment before answering. "The selection process might not have changed much. It's mostly the same as the previous tournaments — the sects that have participated for generations will likely do so again."
Lady Xia nodded in agreement. "Their roots in the Central Continent run deep. Some of them have seats on the tournament council itself. It's not a matter of power alone, but of influence and tradition."
Sect Master Tian's voice was certain. "The twenty-five sects that participated last time are likely to remain the same this year."
Alex's brow lifted slightly. "So we'll be facing the same established powers."
"Exactly," Sect Master Tian replied. "They know the terrain, they know the politics, and they won't hesitate to use both to their advantage. That's why I'm telling you — these next eleven days are not just about honing your strength. They're about understanding your opponents before you ever step onto the stage."
Fei Xue's expression sharpened. "Then we'll learn everything we can."
Yu Mei's voice was calm, but there was steel under it. "And we'll show them something they've never seen before."
Chapter 698 – "Five Continents, Twenty-Five Names"
The meeting room was quiet except for the sound of the door closing behind them. The sunlight streaming through the lattice windows painted soft patterns across the floor. Sect Master Tian sat at the head of the table, hands folded, his expression even.
"These are the sects you'll be facing in the Central Continent tournament," he began. "The names will be familiar to anyone who's studied past competitions. They haven't changed in five hundred years — not once."
Alex sat opposite him, posture straight, eyes steady. His breathing was slow, even. He didn't speak, didn't nod, didn't even shift in his seat. He simply listened, the calm in his expression making it impossible to tell what he thought.
Sect Master Tian's gaze swept the room before he began the rundown.
Western Continent – Our home, stable but predictable.
Heavenly Sect – "Us. You know our standing."Azure Spirit Sect – "Wind and water cultivators, graceful but lacking battlefield experience."Iron Fist Sect – "Earth and body cultivators; sturdy, but inflexible."Golden Root Sect – "Wood and life techniques; their strength is in support."White Lotus Sect – "Healers. Their disciples are quick to yield when pressed."
Northern Continent – The wild lands of demons and beasts.
Blood Moon Sect – "Demon cultivators, ferocity unmatched."Savage Fang Hall – "Ancient beast tamers; their spirit beasts are vicious."Ghostfire Abyss Sect – "Demonic flame masters who attack the soul as much as the body."Thousand Fangs Pavilion – "Beast masters who move as a coordinated pack."Shadow Claw Sect – "Assassins. If they can hide, they will."
Southern Continent – Diverse, unpredictable.
Radiant Sun Palace – "Fire and light, proud and disciplined."Serpent Song Sect – "Poison and charm arts; they excel in attrition."Sky Feather Hall – "Aerial combat experts; dangerous if given room to maneuver."Ocean Soul Sect – "Masters of water terrain control."Frost Moon Palace – "An all-women ice sect. They reject men, and their disdain is not subtle. Their techniques are cold in every sense of the word."
Eastern Continent – Politically unstable, constantly shifting powers.
Emerald Jade Sect – "A merger of fallen empires; aggressive and ambitious."Scarlet Halberd Sect – "Warlords with heavy weapons."Nine Waves Sect – "Water and wind on a grand scale; expect battlefield-wide attacks."Fallen Star Sect – "Exiles who thrive on unpredictability."Heaven's Edge Sect – "Sword cultivators who carved their way to power in record time."
Central Continent – Strongest overall; most consistent winners.
Celestial Dragon Sect – "Dragon-blooded spear and fist cultivators; no clear weaknesses."Immortal Flame Pavilion – "Fire cultivators with artifact support; their attacks burn through defenses."Heavenly Phoenix Hall – "Masters of healing and sustained battle; their recovery rate is infuriating."True Void Sect – "Space and void manipulation; extremely dangerous in close and mid-range."Mountain Sea Sect – "Earth and water defensive specialists; they grind opponents down."
"They will send their best," Sect Master Tian finished. "Nine disciples from each sect, all under a hundred years old. Most will be sixth or seventh realm… and a few will have reached the eighth."
He studied Alex for a reaction.
But Alex's expression didn't change. His gaze remained steady, his posture relaxed, his breathing quiet. He didn't interrupt once, didn't ask a question, didn't even raise a brow.
Only when the silence stretched did he finally speak — in the same calm tone. "Understood."
Sect Master Tian exhaled slowly. "Good. Then we'll start your preparation tomorrow."
As Sect Master Tian's words faded, Lady Xia leaned forward slightly, her eyes fixed on Alex.
"There's one more thing," she said. "You should wear a mask during the tournament."
Alex tilted his head just slightly. "Why?"
"Because," she answered without hesitation, "your face will attract too much attention. And not just from your opponents — from the crowds, the elders, even the tournament officials. The moment they see you, they'll remember you. That's not always an advantage."
Her tone softened, though her gaze didn't waver. "You are… the most handsome man I have ever met."
That statement seemed to hang in the air for a moment.
Then, as if on cue, Yu Mei's lips curved in agreement. "She's right. And that's not even mentioning your female form."
Fei Xue nodded. "We've all seen it. The most beautiful woman we've ever seen."
Mei Lian gave a faint smile. "Male or female, you stand out too much. Everyone will notice."
Ru Yan's voice was calm but firm. "In the middle of a tournament, that kind of attention is dangerous."
Shui Yun crossed her arms. "Unless you want to distract half the arena… wear the mask."
Even Yan Zhi and Jin Rou, who usually kept their opinions short, both gave small nods of agreement.
Alex's expression didn't change, but his eyes moved slowly over each of them in turn. "…Understood."
Sect Master Tian gave a faint grunt of approval. "Good. Then we'll prepare one that's worthy of the Heavenly Sect's leader."
Before Sect Master Tian could say more about arranging a mask, Alex reached calmly into his dimensional storage. The air shimmered faintly as the storage opened — a personal space he had crafted himself by weaving the core of the Mana Law together with the Law of Space.
From within, he withdrew a single object.
A mask.
It was utterly smooth, without the faintest seam or carving. Completely black, the surface absorbed light rather than reflected it, giving it an almost void-like presence. It covered his entire face from the brow to the chin, yet left his hair, neck, and the rest of him untouched.
When he held it in one hand, it seemed deceptively simple — but the subtle pulse of mana inside it told anyone sensitive enough that it was far from ordinary.
"I already have one," Alex said quietly.
Yu Mei leaned forward slightly, studying it. "You made that yourself?"
He gave a faint nod.
Fei Xue's eyes narrowed. "No markings at all… it hides everything but your presence."
Ru Yan smirked. "Fitting. The most handsome man in the world, hiding behind something as plain as this."
Lady Xia's gaze lingered on the mask a moment longer before she gave a single approving nod. "Then use it. It will do exactly what I hoped."
Without another word, Alex set the mask back into his storage.
Chapter 699 – "The Five to Watch"
The morning air in the estate's strategy hall was cool, scented faintly with tea and the lacquer of the old wooden table. Sect Master Tian stood at the head, hands clasped behind his back, eyes sharp as he surveyed Alex and the sisters gathered before him. Lady Xia sat to his right, silent but attentive, her gaze steady on Alex.
"This tournament will bring together the same twenty-five sects we discussed yesterday," Tian began, his voice measured. "But there are always those who stand above the rest. The ones who shape the bracket and decide the pace of the matches. You will need to know their names, because sooner or later, you will cross paths with them."
He began listing them without hesitation.
"The strongest in the Western Continent is obvious — our Heavenly Sect. That's us. None in the West can match our strength. In the last hundred years, the other four sects from our continent have never made it past the second round. Their results are irrelevant to us."
Alex listened in complete silence, his posture calm and unchanging. His dark eyes didn't wander; they stayed fixed on Sect Master Tian, his breathing even.
"In the Northern Continent, the most dangerous is the Blood Moon Sect. A demon cultivation sect with a history of extreme combat ferocity and the use of forbidden techniques that most would never dare attempt. They are unpredictable, and their disciples thrive in chaos. In the last tournament, one of their 8th level prodigies eliminated two Central Continent fighters before being stopped."
His tone shifted slightly as he moved on. "The Southern Continent's greatest threat is the Frost Moon Palace. They are an all-women sect of ice cultivators. They reject men entirely and do not hide their disdain. Their unity in battle is absolute, and their techniques are as cold and unyielding as the glaciers they train upon. They are dangerous not only for their power, but because their teamwork leaves almost no opening."
He gave a slight pause before the next name. "From the East, the one to watch is the Emerald Jade Sect. A newer force, but aggressive, forged from the merger of two fallen empires' elites. They are famous for their dual cultivation methods, which allow their disciples to strengthen one another in ways few can counter. Many underestimate them because of their short history, and that is a mistake."
Finally, his gaze hardened just slightly. "And from the Central Continent, the most consistent and perhaps the most balanced — the Celestial Dragon Sect. Led by dragon-blooded cultivators, their physical and elemental balance is unmatched. They have no clear weakness. Every generation, they produce multiple fighters capable of reaching the final stages."
Lady Xia's fingers drummed lightly on the table. "Between these five, you will see nearly every style and philosophy of combat in the tournament. They are the pillars of their continents."
Tian inclined his head. "Each sect will field around three to four 8th level fighters, save for the Central Continent. They will have five, possibly six. But…" He glanced at Alex now, his voice dropping slightly, "judging from what I've seen of you, that number should not concern us."
There was a small ripple of amusement in the sisters' eyes. They remembered well the brief spar from months ago — Sect Master Tian himself, an 8th level veteran, defeated by Alex with almost no effort.
Tian seemed to share the memory. "If you can defeat me so easily, you can end a match against any of them just as quickly. The key will be not to waste time. The longer a fight drags on, the more chances they'll have to work together against you."
Alex's expression didn't change, but there was a faint glint in his eyes — not arrogance, but quiet certainty.
"I understand," he said simply.
Lady Xia studied him for a moment before nodding once. "Then it's settled. You will face them head-on when the time comes. And if possible, end it before they can realize what they're up against."
Tian stepped back from the table. "Good. We begin training this afternoon. You'll work both individually and as a team. If you can break the rhythm of these five sects, the rest will be little more than a formality."
Alex didn't need to be told twice.
As Sect Master Tian finished naming the five most dangerous sects, his gaze swept over the women seated to Alex's left and right. Yu Mei, Fei Xue, Ling Hua, Mei Lian, Ru Yan, Shui Yun, Yan Zhi, Jin Rou — eight sisters of the Heavenly Sect, eight prodigies who now carried themselves with the composure of veterans.
"All eight of you," he said slowly, "are at the eighth level now — the Eternal Throne Realm. You've reached it faster than any generation before you."
Lady Xia's eyes narrowed slightly, though not in suspicion — in measured assessment. "And your foundations… they're beyond what any genius in this tournament can match. Ten times stronger, at least."
The statement was not flattery, and everyone present knew it. The sisters didn't deny the truth. Each of them had gained their breakthrough through dual cultivation with Alex, the union of his unmatched energy and their own talent producing results no elixir or treasure could replicate.
Fei Xue's expression remained calm, but her eyes gleamed faintly at the memory of her own breakthrough. Ling Hua's hands rested lightly in her lap, posture composed. Mei Lian allowed herself a small smile, while Ru Yan's gaze held quiet certainty. Shui Yun's lips quirked, Yan Zhi's fire-bright eyes flickered, and Jin Rou — the most reserved of them — simply met the Sect Master's gaze without a word.
Tian nodded to himself. "With such a foundation, even among those rare 8th level prodigies in the other sects, you will not be equals — you will be their superiors. That will matter when the match turns into a contest of endurance."
Lady Xia's tone was firm. "But do not think that strength alone will carry you. The Central Continent's best will still fight as though their lives depend on it. You must be ready to match that."
Alex glanced at the eight women, then back at the Sect Master. His voice was even. "They will be ready."
Tian allowed a faint, approving smile. "I believe they will."
Sect Master Tian's voice was steady as he finished laying out his instructions. "During the tournament, be careful. Don't underestimate anyone. Even the weaker sects can—"
He stopped mid-sentence. His eyes swept over the eight sisters again — Yu Mei, Fei Xue, Ling Hua, Mei Lian, Ru Yan, Shui Yun, Yan Zhi, Jin Rou — all at the 8th level now, their auras calm but heavy with power. Then his gaze shifted to Alex, who was leaning back in his seat with the same unshakable composure he'd had since the meeting began.
There was a pause. He exhaled quietly.
"…Actually, I'm not sure why I'm even saying this."
Lady Xia gave him a sideways look. "You've realized it too."
"Yes," Tian said, rubbing his temple. "Their current strength is probably several times greater than the 'geniuses' the Central Continent will send. And Alex…" He shook his head slowly. "If he decides to finish a match in one strike, it'll be over before the spectators blink."
Shui Yun grinned, leaning toward Yan Zhi. "So basically, he's telling us to be careful even though we don't have to."
Yan Zhi smirked. "I think he just wants to sound responsible."
Fei Xue's lips curved faintly. "We'll still be careful. But I doubt it will be necessary."
Tian sighed, though the corners of his mouth twitched. "Fine. I'll keep saying it anyway, just so I can tell myself I did my job."
Alex didn't comment, but the look in his eyes said exactly what everyone in the room was thinking — it really wouldn't be a problem.
Chapter 700 – "The Rules of the Arena"
The strategy hall was quiet again, the tension from the earlier discussion fading into an attentive stillness as Sect Master Tian straightened his posture. His tone shifted to one of formality, the kind used for delivering instructions that would decide a sect's fate.
"Now that you know who the main threats are, it's time you understand the structure of the tournament."
His gaze swept over the group, making sure he had everyone's attention — not that there was any risk of them missing a word.
"There will be two types of competitions," he began. "The first is the 1 vs. 1 battles. The second is the group battle — nine against nine. In both cases, the matchups are decided completely at random. You won't know who you'll be facing until just before the fight."
He raised one finger. "A 1 vs. 1 victory earns ten points."
Then a second finger. "A loss in a 1 vs. 1 match is also worth ten points. This is not about elimination — it's about total score."
His hand flattened against the table. "The group battle is worth fifty points for a win, fifty points for a loss. Each sect starts the tournament with one hundred accumulated points."
Shui Yun tilted her head, brows knitting. "So… no one loses points, no matter what?"
"That's right," Tian confirmed. "The system is designed to measure overall performance, not to remove competitors. Every sect will participate in multiple matches of each type, and your score at the end will determine your final standing."
Ling Hua's lips curved faintly. "Random draws mean we could end up fighting the same strong sect more than once."
Lady Xia nodded. "Yes. That's why the point totals can be misleading — a sect that faces mostly weaker opponents can appear stronger on paper. You'll have to make each match decisive."
Alex's calm voice broke the steady rhythm of the explanation. "What happens in a 1 vs. 1 if the other person dies?"
The Sect Master didn't even blink. "The match is recorded as a loss for the dead competitor, and their sect will substitute another fighter for future matches. That fighter, however, cannot be replaced again if they also fall."
Alex's eyes narrowed slightly. "And in a 9 vs. 9 fight?"
"The same rule applies," Tian replied. "If someone dies in the team battle, the sect can send in a substitute in later matches. But once they're gone, they're gone. The roster cannot exceed nine active fighters at any given time."
Yan Zhi leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "So if someone loses too many fighters early, their later matches are crippled."
"Exactly," Tian said. "That's why even though you cannot lose points, a weakened roster will struggle to win matches and accumulate victories. The matches may be random, but strong rosters tend to remain strong — and weak ones become weaker as the tournament goes on."
Ru Yan's voice was steady. "So survival matters as much as victory."
Lady Xia's gaze flicked toward Alex for a moment. "And with your… habits, you should keep that in mind."
Alex didn't answer, but there was the faintest curl at the corner of his lips.
As the discussion of rules wound down, the air in the hall settled into a quieter rhythm. The sisters exchanged glances, the earlier strategic talk still fresh in their minds.
Yu Mei rose from her seat, her gaze shifting toward Alex before she turned to the others. "I'll be going into the city with Alex."
Her voice was calm, almost matter-of-fact, but the implication was clear — she wanted time alone with him.
Fei Xue studied her for a moment before giving a single approving nod. "Go. If anyone should accompany him, it's you."
Ling Hua's lips curved faintly. "She's right. You met him when he was a child, long before the rest of us. That bond counts for something."
Mei Lian smiled softly. "Besides, you know him better than anyone."
Ru Yan gave a small nod of agreement. Shui Yun smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Just don't get lost in the marketplace."
Yan Zhi's eyes glimmered with amusement. "Or come back with half the city staring after you two."
Jin Rou giggled. "Too late for that. With his face, that'll happen no matter what."
Alex remained silent through it all, his calm, unreadable gaze meeting Yu Mei's for a moment before he simply said, "All right."
Sect Master Tian and Lady Xia exchanged a knowing look but said nothing.