The advanced class's monthly ranking challenge proceeded as usual inside the Martial Arts Dojo.
This time, however, the atmosphere was subtly different from before.
Many people's gazes drifted toward a particular corner—the spot where Xu Wuyi usually stood, which was now empty.
Zeng Bonan, Hu Haobo, and the others took their turns on the stage, sparring and competing for the rankings below first place.
The fights were still intense, with Qi and Blood surging and the ceaseless sound of colliding fists and feet, but it always felt like something was missing.
It wasn't until all the challenges were over and the rankings mostly settled that Teacher Zhou Yun slowly walked to the center of the training floor. She scanned the room, her voice ringing out clearly throughout the entire Martial Arts Dojo:
