A middle-aged man in plain grey robes emerged from the trees. He held no weapon in his hands, but a narrow sword hung beneath his cloak. His hair had begun to grey at the temples, and his face carried the weathered look of someone who spent more time travelling than staying inside a sect compound. He bowed politely and introduced himself as Han Shuren, a registered observer attached to the Martial Alliance. He admitted that he had watched the tournament and had followed Qiao Zhi after receiving instructions to record the names of unusual young cultivators participating in the event.
"You could have introduced yourself earlier," Qiao Zhi said.
