"You dismantled ocean-binding chains without knowing the release sequence. That's an impressive trick," Archsage Solarian said calmly. "Tell me… who taught you?"
He ignored the Dragon Kings.
Ignored Vexar.
His gaze rested solely on Rowan Mercer.
Breaking even a fragment of those restraints through independent means suggested something dangerous. Either Rowan had a powerful lineage, or someone powerful stood behind him.
Solarian needed to know which.
Rowan gave a shallow bow.
"You flatter me. I don't have a master. I'm a drifter. I study odd disciplines, tinker with formations, and get lucky sometimes. That's all."
He took two careful steps backward, positioning himself behind the others.
A deliberate retreat.
A show of weakness.
Rowan had never intended to openly challenge Archsage Solarian today.
That became impossible the moment Solarian revealed himself above Chentang Pass.
Anyone who witnessed that either became bound… or silenced.
Rowan would never accept a control seal.
So opposition had been unavoidable.
But opposing someone did not mean provoking them unnecessarily.
Rowan had already confirmed something critical.
This was not Solarian's true body.
It was an external manifestation, anchored through a powerful artifact.
Destroying it now would achieve little.
Worse, it would expose how dangerous Rowan truly was.
And right now, secrecy mattered more than pride.
So Rowan maintained a simple persona.
A clever specialist.
Poor in direct combat.
Useful only for technical problems.
The kind of person Solarian would overlook later.
Solarian studied him for several seconds.
Then his eyes shifted.
To Vexar.
Exactly as Rowan had hoped.
Vexar nearly twitched.
He knew better than anyone that Rowan was anything but weak.
He had seen Rowan devour heavenly lightning.
He had watched him restore a shattered soul.
He had just witnessed him tear apart ancient restraints.
But Vexar also understood the game.
He stepped forward, subtly placing himself between Rowan and Solarian.
Then he pointed his lightning whip.
"Release my father," Vexar said coldly. "Or everything you've done—past and present—goes straight to the Council."
Solarian smiled faintly.
"You should think carefully, Junior Brother."
His tone was calm.
"I kill your father instantly. You expose me. The worst I suffer is confinement for a few decades."
His eyes hardened.
"You, however, lose what little standing you still possess."
For a moment, doubt flickered across Vexar's face.
Rowan's voice slipped into his mind.
He doesn't want this public.
If he did, he would've brought an army.
Vexar inhaled.
Straightened.
"You won't kill him," Vexar said.
Solarian's smile thinned.
"Bold claim."
"Because if this becomes public," Vexar continued, "you lose control of the Jade Sanctum. You lose influence. And every plan you've built collapses."
Silence.
The air tightened.
Veins bulged faintly at Solarian's temple.
Then he snorted.
"Fine."
He flicked his sleeve.
"I won't pursue your involvement with the Dragon Kings. And I'll allow the two reincarnated brats to pass their trials."
His eyes narrowed.
"But your father stays with me."
Vexar's fists clenched.
Solarian leaned closer.
"Choose carefully."
The standoff remained.
Unbroken.