Chapter 326: The Board of Sixteen

Chapter 326: Chapter 326: The Board of Sixteen

The roar of the crowd faded into expectant silence.

Grand Marshal Vane stood at the center of the arena, his blood-platinum armor gleaming under the setting sun.

He raised his hand, and the golden crystal array above the stage began to spin.

The projection hummed.

Lines of light carved through the air, forming the tournament bracket.

Damon leaned forward in the dugout.

Ariel pressed against his shoulder, her eyes fixed on the glowing display. Mio and Mia flanked him on either side. Selene stood behind them, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

The array locked.

The brackets solidified.

Grand Marshal Vane’s voice rang out across the arena.

"The Top 16 matches for Day 2 have been determined!"

The crowd held its breath.

The first matchup appeared in golden script.

Match 1: Azure Dragon Sect vs. Thousand Poison Pavilion

Ariel’s eyes widened.

"Poison users. That’s going to be annoying."

Mio cracked her neck.

"I can shoot them from range before they get close."

Mia smiled.

"Or I can slit their throats in the shadows."

Damon didn’t respond.

He was already looking at the rest of the bracket.

Match 2: White Tiger Sect vs. Thunder Fortress

Match 3: Black Tortoise Sect vs. Sky Sword Manor

Match 4: Vermilion Bird Sect vs. Glacial Palace

Match 5: Nameless Sect (Kael) vs. Mirage Pavilion

Match 6: Crimson Eclipse Sect vs. Wind Whisperers

Match 7: Royal Solaris Academy vs. Shadow Moon Pavilion

Match 8: Side-Bracket Qualifiers

Damon’s eyes traced the lines.

’If we win the morning match, we face the winner of White Tiger vs. Thunder Fortress in the afternoon Quarterfinals.’

He looked at the opposite side of the bracket.

Crimson Eclipse was positioned on the far end.

Kai’s path was clear.

If Crimson Eclipse won their morning match, they would face the winner of Royal Academy vs. Shadow Moon Pavilion in the Quarterfinals.

Then the Semifinals on Day 3.

Against Damon.

’He’s coming for me. And the bracket is giving him exactly what he wants.’

Selene stepped closer, her voice low.

"Kai is on the opposite side. He won’t face anyone dangerous until the Semifinals."

Damon nodded.

"I know."

Ariel looked up at him.

"Are you worried?"

Damon smiled.

"No. I’m counting on it."

The crowd began to murmur as they studied the bracket.

Whispers spread through the stands.

"Azure Dragon vs. Thousand Poison... that’s going to be messy."

"White Tiger vs. Thunder Fortress... I’m betting on the beast."

"Did you see Crimson Eclipse’s match? They’re going to slaughter the Wind Whisperers."

Damon ignored them.

He was already planning.

’Thousand Poison Pavilion uses toxic mist and corrosive techniques. Ariel’s water can neutralize airborne toxins. Mio can pick them off from range. Mia can assassinate their key fighters before they deploy their poison.’

He turned to his team.

"Listen up."

They gathered around him.

"Thousand Poison Pavilion is dangerous because of their area-of-effect toxins. But they have a weakness."

Mio raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"They need time to deploy their poison. If we hit them fast and hard, they won’t have a chance to set up."

Ariel nodded.

"I can flood the arena with water. It will dilute their toxins and give us cover."

Mia smiled.

"And I can move through the shadows while they’re distracted."

Flare cracked her knuckles.

"Or I can just burn everything."

Damon shook his head.

"Save your flames for later. We need to conserve energy for the Quarterfinals."

Flare pouted.

"Fine."

Grand Marshal Vane raised his hand again.

"Competitors are reminded that a curfew is now in effect across the noble hotel district. All participants are barred from leaving their residences until dawn. Violators will be disqualified and their sects expelled from the tournament."

The crowd groaned.

Damon’s eyes narrowed.

’Convenient. A curfew that keeps us locked in our hotels while the Eclipse Cult moves freely.’

He looked at Lumina. The weight of the announcement settled between them like a lead shroud.

She met his gaze. Her pale blue eyes held no warmth, only cold recognition.

Her expression was grim. The mask of the perfect princess had slipped, revealing the warrior beneath.

She knew. The curfew was a cage, and they were the birds trapped inside.

They both knew. This was no accident, no simple tournament regulation.

The curfew wasn’t about fairness. It was about isolating them from allies and information.

It was about control. The Eclipse Cult wanted them contained, predictable, easy to target.

Grand Marshal Vane’s voice boomed across the arena, shattering the heavy silence.

"The arena will open at dawn. The first match will begin at sunrise. Prepare yourselves."

He vanished in a flash of light.

The crowd began to disperse.

Damon turned to his team.

"Let’s go."

They marched out of the arena, their footsteps echoing across the stone floor.

The streets of Solaris City were bathed in the golden glow of lanterns.

Citizens lined the thoroughfare, their eyes wide with excitement.

"Azure Dragon Sect! Azure Dragon Sect!"

"They’re the ones who defeated Iron Mountain!"

"Look at their women! They’re beautiful!"

Damon walked at the front of the group, his expression calm.

Ariel walked beside him, her hand in his.

Mio and Mia flanked them.

Selene, Seraphina, Flare, Alena, and Lumina followed behind.

Neko sat on Damon’s shoulder, her tail flicking.

The whispers followed them.

"Did you see the water mage? She destroyed Iron Mountain!"

"The twins are terrifying. I heard they can kill you before you blink."

"The red-haired one looks like she’s about to explode."

Damon smiled.

’Let them talk.’

They reached the Sky-Sovereign Hotel.

The manager bowed as they entered.

"Welcome back, honored guests. Your penthouse has been prepared."

Damon nodded.

"Thank you."

They ascended in the elevator.

The doors opened to the penthouse suite.

The room was spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.

Damon walked to the window and stared out at the night sky.

Ariel approached him.

"What are you thinking?"

Damon didn’t turn.

"I’m thinking about tomorrow. About the tournament. About Kai."

Ariel stepped closer.

"You’re not worried, are you?"

Damon smiled.

"No. I’m just planning."

He turned to face her.

"Tomorrow, we take the first step toward victory."

Ariel smiled.

"And after that?"

Damon’s eyes gleamed.

"After that, we take everything."