Azmodeus remained silent, his expression carefully neutral. He had expected this, or sothing like it. The tournant had been more than a competition—it had been a stage, a proving ground. And he had proven himself, not just to the crowd but to those who truly mattered.
Lady Ming's gaze remained fixed on him. "You are no ordinary competitor, Azmodeus. We know this. And while you may have your reasons for concealing the full extent of your abilities, I would advise you to tread carefully. There are those who would see your rise as a threat."
Azmodeus t her gaze evenly. "A threat is only dangerous if it is misunderstood. My intentions are not to disrupt, but to ascend."
A faint smile played at the corner of her lips, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Spoken like soone who understands the ga. But rember, Azmodeus: even the most skilled players can be outmaneuvered if they are not vigilant."
He inclined his head slightly. "I will keep that in mind."
Anna, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke up. "So, what does this an? Are we being... recruited or sothing?"
The Elders exchanged glances, their expressions inscrutable. Finally, Lady Ming spoke again.
"It ans you have caught our attention. And with that attention cos opportunity—but also responsibility. We will be watching you closely, both within and beyond the confines of this tournant."
Azmodeus nodded. "Understood."
---
As they left the Hall of Reflection, Anna let out a low whistle. "Well, that was... intense. What do you think they're planning?"
Azmodeus's expression was thoughtful. "They see us as assets. Valuable pieces on their board. But their interest is a double-edged sword. It opens doors, but it also puts us under scrutiny."
Anna frowned. "And you're okay with that?"
He glanced at her, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "I didn't co this far to shy away from attention. Let them watch. It will only make the events to co all the more satisfying."
She shook her head, though there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"Perhaps. But you're still here, aren't you?"
She rolled her eyes but didn't argue. There was no point. Azmodeus's confidence was unshakable, and while it could be infuriating, it was also one of the reasons she trusted him so implicitly. Discover more stories at m,v l'e-
---
The aftermath of their victory was a whirlwind of celebration and tension. While many of the other competitors congratulated them—so genuinely, others through gritted teeth—there were also whispers of resentnt and jealousy. Assfol, in particular, seed unable to let go of his defeat. Azmodeus caught sight of him several tis, his expression dark and brooding, his eyes filled with barely contained anger.
It didn't concern him. Assfol was a minor obstacle, one that had already been overco. The real challenges lay ahead, in the unseen machinations of the Elders, the ambitions of those higher up in the Eternal Jade Immortal Realm Hierarchy, and the ever-looming shadow of the Nine Evil Yin Immortal Realm.
But as he stood at the edge of the arena, gazing out at the setting sun, he felt a strange sense of calm. This was what he had been working toward—not just the tournant, but the opportunities, the power, and the potential for maximized benefits. It was all within his grasp now, waiting for him to claim it.
And he would. Because he was Azmodeus, and failure was not an option.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the world in shades of gold and crimson, he turned to Anna, Zara, and Nova, his voice quiet but filled with incredulous mystique.
"This is just the beginning."
"Mhmm!"
The days passed by like a swift spring dream following the events of the Duo Tournant. Thanks to said tournant, Azmodeus's reputation had skyrocketed, not just in the hearts of the students, but also among the more notable figures of the Eternal Jade Faction. One of the most important of those figures was Ming Chao, who was also the younger sister of the secret infamous traitor of the Eternal Jade Heavens Immortal Realm.
With Anna's Master-disciple relationship with the younger Eternal Jade Sect brother, the Vice Headmaster's ambiguous status, and the two mischievous girls, everything was beginning to co together. He wasn't particularly proud about scheming against so many unsuspecting won, but to obtain all the benefits before he leaves for the perilous Lands Unknown, this was necessary.
'It truly is nothing personal,' thought Azmodeus as he happily chatted away with those who referred to him as their 'friend'. In this life, he knew what it ant to truly have friends, as all he has ever pursued were benefits. And that aspect of him was likely never to change, no matter how many years and higher realms change their seasons.
With that sort of mindset, Azmodeus blended into the group of three devastatingly gorgeous school Belles, and allowed for months to pass by. During that ti, he managed to et Anna's master twice, Zara's father, the Headmaster three tis, and attain a degree of status that made him an eyesore in the eyes of many. His progress with Nova, on the other hand, was virtually unmoving. In fact, her father's identity was still a complete mystery to him…
Azmodeus had no idea what the Immortal Lord even looked like, let alone what cultivation realm he was at. And after asking around for a while following his breakthrough into the Immortal Emperor Realm, he learned that no one else seed to know what he looked like either. None even knew of his na. He was rely seen as the high and mighty illustrious master of the Eternal Jade Heavens Immortal Realm, with even his own daughter unable to pinpoint his na or exact appearance. Though that didn't an Nova had a low opinion of her father, as it was actually quite the opposite.
Yet the whole situation remained especially odd… And it itched at the back of Azmodeus's mind for the longest while…
However, with the upcoming Immortal Realm Power Gathering starting in a few days, he had more important things to worry about. As this would be a eting that gathered together all the topmost experts in the world, from all corners of the Immortal Realm, it would surely make for the perfect opportunity that the Nine Evil Yin Immortal could use to make his entrance.
And considering that Azmodeus had beco an Honorary Elder of the Eternal Jade Sect, he was also one of the experts to receive an invitation to this rather auspicious gathering of the Immortal Realm pinnacle masters… Who knows? He might even encounter the elusive Immortal Lord at the Gathering… Only ti will tell…
...
Reviews
All reviews (0)