Chapter 327: Back to the Hotel

Chapter 327: Chapter 327: Back to the Hotel

The streets of Solaris City had transformed into a roaring river of bodies.

Thousands lined the path from the Great Solaris Arena to the Sky-Sovereign Hotel. Torches and lanterns swung overhead, casting dancing shadows across the cobblestones.

"ARIEL! ARIEL! ARIEL!"

The chant started small, a handful of voices near the arena gates. But it spread like wildfire, consuming the crowd until the entire district shook with her name.

Ariel blushed crimson.

"D-Damon... they’re..."

"Enjoy it," Damon said, squeezing her hand. "You earned it."

Mio bounced on her heels.

"Seven to zero! Seven to zero! You’re a legend!"

Mia smiled softly.

"The entire city knows your name now."

Selene walked with measured steps, her frosty gaze scanning the rooftops. "The commoners are fickle. Today they cheer. Tomorrow they forget."

Flare snorted.

"Let them cheer. She deserves it."

Alena watched the crowd with analytical eyes. "The spiritual energy density in this district has increased threefold since the tournament began. The convergence is affecting the civilians."

Lumina stayed silent, her disguise firmly in place.

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

"Master, they’re throwing flowers."

Damon looked up. Petals rained down from balconies above.

Pink. White. Red.

A woman leaned over a railing and screamed.

"THE WATER PRINCESS! SHE’S REAL!"

Ariel’s blush deepened.

Damon pulled her closer.

"Keep walking."

They reached the Sky-Sovereign Hotel.

The manager stood at the entrance, flanked by a dozen attendants.

He dropped to his knees.

"Honored guests of the Azure Dragon Sect! This humble servant welcomes you!"

The crowd behind them roared.

The manager pressed his forehead to the ground.

"The Sky-Sovereign Hotel offers you its deepest gratitude. Tonight, all accommodations are complimentary. A spirit feast has been prepared in your honor, along with the rarest wines from the Eastern Continent’s cellars."

Damon looked down at the groveling man.

"Rise."

The manager scrambled to his feet.

"Thank you, honored sir! Please, follow me!"

He led them through the lobby.

The interior was packed with nobles and merchants, all craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the Azure Dragon Sect.

"There she is! The one who swept Iron Mountain!"

"Her cultivation must be at the Heavenly Spirit Realm!"

"Look at her trident! It’s a legendary artifact!"

Damon ignored them.

He guided Ariel toward the elevator.

The doors slid shut, cutting off the noise.

A moment of silence.

Then Mio exploded.

"HOLY SHIT! DID YOU SEE THAT? THE ENTIRE CITY IS OBSESSED WITH YOU!"

Ariel covered her face.

"Please stop..."

Mia laughed.

"Never. You’re a celebrity now."

The elevator ascended.

The doors opened to the penthouse floor.

Damon stepped out first.

The corridor was empty.

He reached the penthouse doors and pressed his palm against the wood.

The locking mechanism clicked.

He pushed the doors open.

The penthouse stretched before them, bathed in the soft glow of crystal lamps.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city.

Plush sofas surrounded a low table.

A massive bed dominated the far wall.

Damon stepped inside.

"Come in."

The women filed in.

He closed the doors behind them.

The heavy oak sealed shut with a solid thunk.

Damon raised his hand. Golden runes flared across the walls, the ceiling, the floor.

Privacy formations hummed with golden light. Sound barriers shimmered like invisible glass.

Spiritual detection wards pulsed across every surface, ensuring complete isolation.

All active. Damon turned, his gaze sweeping across the room.

The women collapsed onto the sofas in a cascade of exhausted limbs and silken robes.

Ariel fell onto the largest couch, her body sinking deep into the plush cushions. She let out a long, weary sigh, her eyes fluttering closed.

"I’m so tired..." Her voice was barely a whisper.

Mio flopped beside her, landing with an undignified bounce. She propped herself up on one elbow, grinning.

"You’re tired? You fought seven people! Seven! And won!" She shook her head in disbelief.

Mia sat down gracefully, smoothing her robes before crossing her legs. She offered Ariel a warm, genuine smile.

"You were amazing, Ariel. Truly."

Ariel blushed.

"Thank you..."

Mio grabbed her arm.

"Seven to zero! Do you understand how insane that is? You swept an entire sect!"

Mia nodded.

"The crowd was chanting your name. The entire city knows who you are now."

Ariel buried her face in her hands.

"Stop..."

Mio and Mia exchanged glances.

Then they grabbed Ariel and lifted her into the air.

"W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

"CELEBRATING!"

They spun her around the room.

"ARIEL! ARIEL! ARIEL!"

Ariel laughed, her protests drowned by their enthusiasm.

"PUT ME DOWN!"

"NEVER!"

They carried her to Damon and dropped her into his arms.

Ariel crashed against his chest.

She looked up at him, her face bright red.

Damon smiled.

"You did well today."

Ariel’s blush deepened.

"I... I just did what you taught me."

"No. You did more than that."

He kissed her forehead.

She melted against him.

Mio and Mia cheered.

"SO CUTE!"

"TRUE LOVE!"

Ariel buried her face in Damon’s chest.

"Stop..."

Damon held her close.

The laughter faded.

The room grew quiet.

Flare leaned back in her chair, her eyes fixed on the ceiling.

"Kai wasn’t just fighting today."

The words hung in the air.

Damon looked at her.

"What do you mean?"

Flare’s gaze didn’t move.

"He was feeding. That demonic core inside him is eating human souls."

The temperature dropped.

Selene’s voice cut through the silence.

"She’s right."

Damon turned to her.

Selene’s expression was grim.

"The Reventon family has clearly allied with the Eclipse Cult’s outer faction. Those flesh-grafts Kai displayed are forbidden techniques. They require living sacrifices to maintain."

Mio’s smile vanished.

"Living sacrifices?"

Selene nodded.

"Kai didn’t just kill those Earth Fang disciples. He consumed their spiritual essence. Every death feeds his core, making him stronger."

Mia’s eyes narrowed.

"Then tomorrow..."

"Tomorrow, he’ll be even more dangerous."

Flare sat up.

"I’ve seen demonic cores before. They burn through the host’s lifespan. Kai might have years, or he might have days. But he’s already dead. He just doesn’t know it yet."

Alena spoke quietly.

"The Eclipse Cult doesn’t care about his survival. They’re using him as a weapon."

Lumina’s voice was cold.

"They’re using all of us."

Damon looked at her.

"What do you mean?"

Lumina met his gaze.

"The tournament is a stage. The Eclipse Cult wants to eliminate the strongest sects in one stroke. Kai is their blade, but he’s not their only weapon."

Damon’s eyes narrowed.

"Then we’ll break their blade tomorrow."

He looked at his women.

"All of them."