Chapter 114 - The Braggart's Bluff and the Quiet Challenger

I stood at the edge of the crowd, watching Violet Miller with her gaggle of friends. They huddled together like exotic birds, all designer clothes and practiced laughter. Even here, surrounded by strangers awaiting a martial arts duel, Violet managed to create her own exclusive social bubble.

She caught my eye and smirked, whispering something that made her friends turn and stare. I could practically read their thoughts—there stood Seraphina Sterling's pathetic ex-husband, the man who'd endured three years of humiliation before being tossed aside.

"Poor thing," one of her friends stage-whispered loud enough for me to hear. "Still hanging around like a stray dog."

I ignored them, focusing instead on the qi-rich environment of Water Dragon Cave. The natural energy here was fascinating, collecting in swirling pools above the hot springs. I was mentally mapping these energy currents when Violet broke away from her group and approached me.