The third round of the Ranking Tournament was supposed to be simple.
Zhao Lingxi's opponent was a disciple named Wen Hao. Earth Root. Steady but predictable. Bai Xuelan's notes described him as "competent, unambitious, likely to forfeit early." An easy win before the quarterfinals, where the real threats waited.
What none of them expected was the person sitting in Wen Hao's preparation area, speaking to him in low tones with a hand resting on his shoulder like an old friend.
Elder Zhao Chenguang. Zhao Lingxi's uncle.
Lan Yue noticed first. She grabbed Bai Xuelan's arm. "Why is a Zhao family elder talking to Lingxi's opponent?"
Bai Xuelan's eyes narrowed behind her glasses. She did not answer right away. That alone made Lan Yue's stomach drop.
