Silent Night

When the second stage of the competition finally ended, Helbram promptly announced that all seven factions were to return to their respective faction houses. He also informed everyone that the final round of the competition would take place the following day, urging all the participants to be ready. But he deliberately withheld any detail about what the last event would be.

This uncertainty left the young adventurers confused and speculating wildly among themselves.

After the announcement, Helbram departed without gathering the faction masters. So, together with their Elders and the young adventurers, each faction master personally led their group back.

All the while, the tense battle between Finn, Tiffanya, and Hyon became the hot topic on everyone's lips.

They spoke in hushed voices about how Finn had humiliated Tiffanya so completely. No one could believe that the Nine Ice Family's most gifted heir—a Noble Clan prodigy—had been so thoroughly degraded by a boy from an Ordinary Clan. And everyone was certain that once the Seven Great Faction Games concluded, word of this spectacle would spread far and wide, inflaming the Nine Ice Family's wrath.

Yet just as obvious to all was the fact that their clan would have no way to take revenge on Finn or his Azure Wood Family. If he were just a typical Adventurer, perhaps he wouldn't have been killed outright, but he would certainly have faced severe punishment. But Finn wasn't ordinary—not even close.

He was an alchemist bearing the legendary Blue-Green Alchemy Flame, and his alchemy talent alone was enough to render him untouchable.

It was clear to everyone that when this competition ended, the Royal Clan would stop at nothing to win Finn's favor and secure his loyalty. They would shield him from any threat and leverage his skills to further strengthen the Sacred Dragon Kingdom itself.

Because if they could bolster their Adventurers' overall power, they wouldn't need to fear invasion from neighboring kingdom ever again. Instead, they could be the ones launching conquests—expanding their territory and their might.

As these possibilities sank in, the other young Adventurers couldn't help but feel a deep envy toward Finn. They understood, with heavy certainty, that he was already stepping into a world forever beyond their reach—a world they would never be part of.

But envy would change nothing. In the end, they were just ordinary Adventurers who would have to rely on their own power if they ever hoped to be recognized. They didn't have an legendary alchemy flame, so all they could do was forge ahead, striving to grow stronger.

--

Before long, the seven factions returned to their faction houses. The Cloud Soaring Sect gathered together in the main hall, every member present.

No one dared to speak or even shift too loudly. Four of the Soaring Seven watched Noah and Marcus in solemn silence, waiting for them to begin.

Lore and Ashe were both deep in thought, still mulling over everything that had happened in the last match. Finn alone sat there with a faint, almost serene smile.

The battle had lifted something heavy from his chest. He felt lighter—clearer.

He didn't care about Tiffanya's humiliation. She might be a girl, but her heart was rotten, her nature is cruel. As far as he knew, she had played no small part in the deaths of Azure Wood Family members. He would never feel even a flicker of pity for her.

"The second round of the Seven Great Faction Games has concluded," Noah began, smiling warmly. His eyes swept over the Soaring Seven. "And Elder Marcus and I are truly proud of all of you. Even if only one pair won their match, each of you gave everything you had. As your Sect Master, I want you to know the entire Cloud Soaring Sect takes great pride in you."

He paused, letting the words sink in before continuing.

"When this competition is over, each of you will receive a reward. Moreover, I will grant you all permission to return to your clans temporarily."

Those simple words sent a ripple of joy through the Soaring Seven.

Since the day they'd joined the Cloud Soaring Sect to begin their training, not one of them had been allowed to return home. That was the rule—no young core member could visit their clan again unless the family was in mortal danger.

To hear they could finally return, even briefly, felt like a dream.

Yet amid the happiness, Lore's eyes still flickered with uncertainty. He didn't know if he had the courage to face the elders of the Lightning Wind Family. There was every chance the question of succession would come up—the question of who would inherit the clan leadership. And he still wasn't ready to compete with his cousin Azur.

Finn, on the other hand, was genuinely pleased. He was already imagining seeing his family again, curious how much stronger the Azure Wood Family had become. With all the resources he'd secretly sent back, he was sure there were now at least two or three Profound Rank adventurers among them.

Beyond this news, Noah also shared their current standing. Combining the scores of the first and second round, the Cloud Soaring Sect remained in fourth place.

First place belonged to the Immortal Sword Pavilion.

Second had shifted to the Alchemist Association.

Third was now Ancient Darkness Island, after suffering two consecutive defeats.

The Burning Heaven Sect was still last, trailed by the Ice Feather Sect and the Soul Puppet Sect.

Even though they hadn't moved up, no one looked disappointed. Compared to past tournaments—where they were always dead last—this was already a huge triumph. All of them knew they owed it to Finn.

Even if no one said it aloud, the admiration in their eyes was unmistakable. Without him, they'd still be mired at the bottom.

Sensing that the moment needed something more, Noah and Marcus decided to hold a small celebration. Noah brought out good wine, sparking a warm atmosphere that even Finn joined in. Ezekias, Lore, and Leo were flushed with excitement. The girls sat quietly, eating and listening to the boys' laughter.

--

Late into the night, the celebration ended.

Adventurers had strong resistance to alcohol, so few were drunk. One by one, the Soaring Seven retired to their rooms to rest.

But Finn didn't rest.

Returning to his room, he didn't bother to close the door. Instead, he sat cross-legged on his soft bed, closed his eyes, and calmly began meditating.

He reached out with his senses, drawing in the soulforce around him.

A gentle lightness filled his body.

To his quiet surprise, he found that tonight, his training felt smoother than ever.

Perhaps it was because he'd finally released some of his long-held hatred. That resentment had been a heavy chain around his heart, blocking him from advancing. Now, with some of it burned away, his absorption of natural energy flowed more freely.

Still, there was no sign of a breakthrough yet.

But he didn't mind.

Strength was a long process.

He was young.

He had time.

Calm, peaceful, he continued to meditate—until he suddenly opened his eyes.

A chill flickered across his face.

Something was wrong.

Marcus' presence had disappeared.

Finn had always been vigilant—he kept track of every aura in the building, every heartbeat and breath, ready to detect danger. But this was the first time Marcus' presence had simply vanished in the dead of night.

His senses were sharper than most. He could track even subtle auras, unless someone made a concerted effort to hide. And Marcus was far stronger than him—if the old man wished to disappear, Finn had no way to stop it.

But as he listened, wary and tense, he sensed something worse.

Seven unfamiliar auras were approaching the faction house.

All of them…Profound Rank adventurers.

And one was a terrifying 6th Level Profound Rank.

Though they tried to conceal themselves, they couldn't escape Finn's perception.

He lay down, pretending to sleep, and used his Concealing Ring to cloak his own aura.

Whatever was happening, he needed to see it play out before he acted.

Why hadn't Noah intervened?

Why had Marcus vanished at this precise moment?

He didn't know.

But his instincts were screaming danger.

Then—

He felt one of the intruders slip into Juvia's room.

He heard her startled scream—and then, abruptly, silence. Her aura winked out.

Panic and confusion erupted.

Ezekias's voice rang out from the hall:

"Who's there?!"

"Forgive us, children," came a man's calm reply. "We're only following orders."

"Take them," another voice said flatly. "I'll handle the last one."

"Who are you? What do you think you're—AAHH!" Lore's shout cut off as his aura vanished too.

One by one, Finn felt each of his companions' presences blink out—until even Ashe was gone.

The door to his room creaked open.

Finn sat up on the bed but kept his back turned to whoever had entered.

He was about to speak—when a faint, familiar scent reached his nose.

His expression went cold.

A Rank 7 Potion.

And not just any potion.

It's a sleeping potion.