The ceremony ended in celebration—for everyone but him.
Golden Crown Sect elders personally descended, inviting Xu Mei and other prodigies.
"Phoenix fire… unparalleled," one elder said. "You will stand above all."
Xu Mei hesitated.
Her gaze searched through the crowd until it found Li Hao.
She broke free and ran to him, ignoring the stunned looks.
"I'll wait for you," she whispered, holding him tightly. "No matter how long it takes."
Li Hao remained silent.
Not because he had nothing to say—but because the world had already decided he was nothing.
The flying ship rose.
Flames faded into the sky.
And with it… a piece of his world left.
That night, the Li Family manor felt colder than ever.
"Our young master is finished," someone muttered.
Li Hao stood alone in the courtyard.
Above him, the sky stretched endlessly.
For the first time in his life, he felt… rejected by heaven itself.
But deep within his chest—something stirred.
Faint.
Unnoticed.
As if something had awakened… without permission.