The Endless Promise

75. Heart's Determination

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The final stage of the tournament had drawn a sea of spectators, crowding the stone and wooden seats that circled the arena, and the air pulsed with anticipation, the crowd's colorful silks and embroidered robes a blur of vibrant hues.

Flags bearing the sect's Moon and Swallow emblem fluttered in the mountain wind, and excited murmurs rippled through the gathered crowd, as whispered bets and wagers flew around, all trying to determine who might win.

"I'm definitely betting on Xu Weiyan! Ten pieces of gold!"

"Hao! I'll bet on her as well! Thirty gold pieces!"

"Hmph! Who won't bet on her?" One rolled his eyes. "The returns aren't much because everyone is betting on her!"

"How about Xu Haoyuan?" Another asked.

"You might get lucky, but do remember that he only got in because there weren't up to ten finalists!"

"Good Point! I'll bet on Xu Min! Six Gold pieces!"

"No matter what, Xu Haoyuan is still stronger than him! I'll bet Ten Gold pieces on Xu Haoyuan.....!"

It went on and on.

Also, there were a few more new and prominent faces, which heightened the wave of endless whispers...

"Now even the Head of Yunchi Sect is present?!" One pointed to Lord Ju, who sat beside Sect Leader Xu in the Central raised seats, and whose face bore a sour look.

On Sect Leader Xu's other side was an individual in all white robes and a white veiled hat, shrouding him from sight.

"Do you suppose it's another Sect Leader?!"

"Who knows? But those two behind them are the Qingcheng Sect and Jingwei Sect Leaders!"

"Hmm. So many prominent faces..."

The Yunchi Sect was second most powerful, while the Qingcheng and Jingwei Sects were fourth and fifth respectively.

It simply didn't make any sense that so many powerful outsiders were here to watch the Yueyan Sect's 'Junior' tournament!

And then there were the glaringly absent faces...

Lord Zhang didn't dare show his face, Zhang Cheng, or whatever his family name was, still lay too ill to attend, Xu Linhua stayed with him, not daring to show her face either, and more than half of the Xu Elders were absent as well.

The brutal reveal of all Zhang Furen's past actions had indeed affected a lot of individuals!

Meanwhile, at the heart of the Arena, the ten Junior finalists milled around.

Luoyin stood with the other six, Xu Haoyuan stood apart, and the remaining two stood together.

One of them eyed Luoyin. "Yo, someone really believes he's a disciple because he stepped onto this stage."

"Heh! Zhang Luoyin, this stage is a duel." His companion put in. "No more tricks or traps! Today we'll see just what you're capable of!"

"Oh no! I hope I don't pick one of you!" Luoyin replied, fully intending to pick one of them, and he hid a smile when they laughed.

Of the ten finalists, everyone already knew what he was 'capable of', except these foolish two... They were his way out of participating seriously, as the others might be insulted if he lost too easily.

Besides, he had greater worries, and he cocked his head as a sound filtered into his ears.

'Aiya, is something odd destined for every tournament stage?' He wondered on a sigh.