Elder Meng adjusted his purple sleeves with stiff, jerky movements, his gaze deliberately avoiding the center of the ring where Su Rou’s blood still soaked the white grit. He picked up a fresh brass sounding rod, tapped the edge of the judging desk to draw attention, and cleared his throat into the amplifying array.
"In accordance with Section Nine, Clause Four of the Martial Charter," Meng spoke, his voice flat, dry, and thoroughly devoid of warmth. "Following the disqualification of Candidate Su Rou for carrying unauthorized implements, the outcome of the final round is settled by operational forfeiture."
He turned his body toward the arena floor, his eyes skimming over Ye Chen's gray tunic without pausing on the young man's face.
"Candidate Ye Chen of the Ruined Peak is officially de
