"Next match, Bai Yegui Versus Shi Gaolin!"
The moment the pairing was announced, the Hungry Ghost Path's section of the stadium changed.
It wasn't the same loud bloodthirst as the Asura stands, nor the excited animalistic baying of the Wild Beast disciples.
Instead, it became tighter and sharper, like a room full of starving men watching two bowls of food and knowing only one could be eaten.
Because this wasn't just a match, this was Hungry Ghost Hall versus Hungry Ghost Hall.
And worse… this was the Hall's favorite disciple going against the Hall's unwanted miracle.
Shi Gaolin stepped onto the stage first, halberd resting across one shoulder, muscles packed and steady, expression calm enough that an outsider might think he was merely about to spar.
Across from him, Bai Yegui walked out with the same quiet stillness he always carried, eyes like deep cold water, expression unreadable, and his aura restrained in a way that made it feel more dangerous, not less.
