Next to Rowan sat a young man, Evan Hartman, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, his expression cold and stern. He looked at Rowan with adoring eyes, though he hid it well, and smiled gently.
He whispered, “Rowan, Joseph should have no trouble advancing.”
Rowan scoffed. “Of course I know that, but I still want to piss off Matthew… and those two pathetic suck-ups, Gabriel and Riker.”
Evan chuckled helplessly. “We’re here to witness the trial, not stir up trouble. You’re a girl, after all. Maybe tone it down just a little?”
Rowan rolled her eyes. “Why should I? What, girls can’t speak their minds now? Everyone keeps saying I’m born of winter’s essence, cold inside and out. Well, screw that. I’ll show the world they’re full of crap. I am blazing hot through and through. Anyone who messes with me? I’ll burn them alive!”
Evan shook his head with an adoring look in his eyes. Whenever they argued, he always gave in. After all, Rowan was the girl of his dreams.
The second round of trials, which was also the final one, was not done in bulk like the previous matches. Instead of all candidates fighting at once, the five matchups were held one at a time.
Currently, they were on the fourth bout.
Zachary and Joseph, the fifth pair, were next in line.
Rowan glanced around, her gaze sweeping to the back of the hall. I hope this Zachary guy’s got something decent up his sleeve. If he gets wrecked the moment he steps up, I’ll be so embarrassed.
She muttered while scanning the crowd and soon spotted Zachary in a far-back corner.
Right in front of him was someone holding golden needles, working on acupuncture points on Zachary’s body. Even though she could only see his side profile, she squinted in surprise.
Still watching her closely, Evan asked, “What is it?”
Rowan narrowed her eyes, studying Andrew’s profile, then looked away, unsure. “Nothing. Just thought I saw someone familiar. But it’s probably my imagination. That annoying gay vanished ages ago, and he’s probably dead in a ditch by now.”
At that moment, the fourth bout ended. Alex announced the four winners of the previous rounds.
Each would now register their identities and officially be welcomed as Jerome’s inner disciples.
From here on, the road to glory was wide open.
Meanwhile, Andrew had just helped Zachary unlock a series of key acupoints, giving his martial power a serious boost. With the last needle removed, he glanced toward the four winners and could not help but smirk.
All four came from top-tier factions, either one of Gabo Creek’s three major guilds or a noble family from Goldridge.
So much for a “public trial” that welcomed all talents. What a joke.
Clearly, the corrupted Alex had been pulling strings from the shadows. Too bad for him, he could rig other matches, but not this one.
Andrew’s eyes turned cold as he patted Zachary on the shoulder. “Go. The first place is yours.”
At the far end of the hall, Alex sneered and announced, “Let the final match begin!”
At once, the entire hall shifted focus to the two men stepping into the arena.
Chapter 1831 +25 BONUS
Joseph, of the Yeager family in Goldridge, needed no introduction.
Among all of Jerome’s outer disciples, he was widely recognized as the strongest, an undeniable genius. This round was supposed to be his easy win, his final step into the inner circle.
Across from him stood Zachary, face determined, hailing from Gabo Creek. Not many people knew who he was, but from his presence alone, he was clearly no pushover.
Matthew sat proudly, smiling with ease. There was no suspense in his mind that his son Joseph would not only win but would also be the star of the entire trial.
Many others in the crowd agreed.
Only Rowan seemed distracted, looking around instead of watching the stage.
Evan frowned and asked, “Rowan, what are you even looking at? You’ve been zoning out this whole time.”
Rowan snapped, “Mind your own business. Just keep watching the show. I swear, that guy over there looks super familiar. But the jerk won’t turn this way, and it’s driving me insane!”
Evan offered, “Want me to send someone to bring him over?”
Rowan looked appalled. “Don’t bother. You’ll probably just fetch me another drooling fanboy.”
Soon, two heavy footsteps echoed in the grand hall.
Zachary and Joseph moved at the same time, and the final trial had officially begun.
Chapter 1832