Chapter 224: Cloud Empire (44)

The last applause still reverberated through the upper stands when Kyrian and Mei Li stood up.

The crowd began to move in slow and disordered waves, nobles commenting on the results in small groups, young cultivators discussing the formations with animation.

Qing Lanyue had disappeared without fanfare, and the thirteen finalists were being led to a reserved area where they would receive their prizes and formal recognition.

Kyrian did not wait for the end of the ceremony. He stood up unhurriedly, adjusted the crimson robe, and nodded to Mei Li.

She understood immediately. The two descended the exclusive internal staircases, passing by the guards who bowed upon seeing Duke Rong’s pendant hanging around Kyrian’s neck.

The VIP corridor was silent, illuminated only by jade lanterns that emitted a cold and constant light. Neither of them spoke during the descent.

The rented carriage was already waiting for them exactly where they had left it, the coachman impassive, reins in hand, as if time had not passed. They climbed in. The door closed with a soft click. The vehicle departed, swaying lightly as it crossed the wide streets of the central district.

The interior of the carriage was silent. Kyrian looked through the narrow window. The lights of the capital were beginning to turn on against the cloudy sky that darkened rapidly.

Spiritual lanterns floated in organized rows, illuminating wide avenues, circular plazas, and towers that seemed to touch the lowest clouds.

Cultivators ran between districts in graceful lines, carrying crates of goods or simply moving toward nighttime appointments.

Mei Li broke the silence first, her voice low and thoughtful.

“So, you’re thinking about learning formations as well?”

Kyrian continued looking out the window for a few more seconds before answering, his voice calm and almost distant.

“I believe I should give it a chance, if I have talent, it will be useful.”

She smiled faintly, approving.

“Independence. Right? It’s a path that… suits you.”

The rest of the trip was silent. The carriage went around the Fifth District, passed over the floating bridge above the artificial river, and finally arrived at the gate of the Crimson Lotus Residence.

The defensive formations recognized Mei Li’s blood Qi, and the gate opened automatically. The inner courtyard was illuminated by soft red lanterns. The smell of grilled meat and herbs already lingered in the air, someone had started dinner.

Bai Zhu was the first to appear, stepping out of the main hall with a roasted beast leg in hand, sauce dripping down his chin.

“Leader! Mei Li! You took forever! The food is almost cold!”

Yan Ling appeared right behind him, expression curious.

“How was the tournament?”

Yan Ling finished the question looking directly at Mei Li, but her eyes quickly shifted to Kyrian, as if expecting him to answer first.

Kyrian, however, merely nodded and sat down at the long table without saying anything. He picked up a cup of medicinal wine and began to drink slowly, eyes fixed on the plate that Bai Zhu placed in front of him.

Mei Li smiled, excited, and began to recount.

“It was impressive. The first phase was a giant peak Rank 3 barrier assembled by Qing Lanyue herself in less than a minute. There were twelve real exits, but they were camouflaged with false lines. Whoever touched the wrong one suffered a spiritual explosion. Seventy percent were eliminated right there.”

“Seventy percent?” Bai Zhu widened his eyes, chewing a huge rib.

Mei Li continued, gesturing with her hands.

“The second phase was to deliver three random formation plates and two hours to assemble three formations, keeping all of them active.”

Yan Ling leaned forward, fascinated.

“And the final phase?”

Mei Li shone.

“Two hours to observe an ancient jade plate with seven thousand runes. Without touching, without copying. Afterward, assemble a formation based on what they understood. I looked at that gigantic plate for two hours and understood absolutely nothing. I truly don’t know what goes through the minds of those formation creators.”

“The winner was someone called Master Ming, an independent cultivator.”

The group continued talking while they ate.

Dinner ended late. When the group dispersed to their rooms, Kyrian climbed the stairs in silence.

Kyrian entered the room, closed the door with a soft click, and stood still for a moment, looking at the dark emptiness of the chamber. The gray light of the eternal clouds filtered through the tall windows, casting long shadows on the polished wooden floor. He did not light any lantern, after all, he did not need them to see.

He walked to the bed and sat on the edge, still dressed in the crimson robe. His mind automatically returned to the tournament.

The ancient jade plate was still engraved in his memory, like a perfect image, all the thousands of lines like a living map of flows and intentions. He had them in perfect remembrance, but he did not fully understand them yet. He needed to learn more about formations to use such information that he had engraved in his mind.

Kyrian instinctively touched the mark on his hand, the one left by the core of the natural formations. The mark pulsed lightly, as if responding to his thought. But there was no natural formation nearby at the moment, he could feel it.

He lay down, still dressed, and closed his eyes. It did not take long for him to fall asleep. Sleep came quickly and without dreams, the body resting, the mind archiving everything he had seen at the tournament.

The next day, he woke up early.

The gray light was already passing through the windows, but no knock came at the door. No cheerful call from Mei Li. The room was silent.

Kyrian sat up in bed. It was strange, he had already grown accustomed to her morning ritual. But today there was nothing important scheduled. No tournament, no invitation, no urgent mission. The Coliseum would only reopen tomorrow.

He then decided to stay at the Crimson Lotus Residence.

Although he was not tired, he knew that the next day would be intense. It’s better to remain in the best possible condition. Rest, stabilize the mind. He did not leave the room during most of the day.

He spent the morning meditating in cultivation position, although he could not cultivate like the others, it helped his mind think better, at least that was what Kyrian thought. Afterward, he remained seated by the window, looking at the capital outside without truly seeing.

The day passed quickly.

When night arrived, Kyrian lay down early. He slept peacefully, without dreams, body and mind ready.

The next day, he woke to a firm knock at the door.

He opened his eyes immediately. The gray light was already stronger, the day had arrived.

“Enter.”

Mei Li opened the door, already dressed in a light combat robe, expression excited.

“Leader. Today is the day. The Coliseum reopens at noon.”

Kyrian stood up quickly.

“Hmm. Go.”

He left the room without further words.

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