“I hereby announce the champion of Mount Longhu’s Third Spirit-Sealing Memorial Ceremony... Lu Ye!”
The host onstage announced the winner with great enthusiasm. A smattering of applause rose from the audience, where expressions varied. Some even cast hostile looks at the last person standing onstage.
“This was rigged, no question!”
“The Celestial Masters’ Mansion would stoop to something this shady?”
“Isn’t it obvious? We never saw him use a single spell, then somehow he wins out of nowhere. Do you believe that?”
“I bet they set up this whole tournament just to make that bastard look good!” the speaker ground out through clenched teeth.
Below the stage, people whispered among themselves, glancing around in case anyone from the Celestial Masters’ Mansion overheard.
Lu Ye stood smiling in the middle of the ring, but inside he was ecstatic. “Ha! I can finally learn Thunder Magic!”
He had come up the mountain at ten and spent ten years honing his skills. At last, his dream was about to come true. Lu Ye grinned so broadly he could barely contain himself.
At the front mountain, in the Celestial Masters’ Mansion:
“Lu Ye, though your talent is exceptional, your Daoist heart is unstable. As of today, Mount Longhu expels you. I have already issued a public announcement. From now on, your actions have nothing whatsoever to do with our sect.”
“But if I learn that you cause trouble and commit evil, I will personally... kill you!” The Old Celestial Master’s robe stirred though there was no wind. His voice was calm, yet brimming with murderous intent.
With that, he turned and left, leaving Lu Ye kneeling alone on the ground.
Lu Ye bit his lip so hard that a thin streak of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.
He bowed heavily to the ground three times. His throat dry, fists clenched, Lu Ye said, “This disciple... will obey your command!”
