Ethan marched out of the primary gates of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion, his heavy black cloak billowing in the wind as he made his way down the winding mountain path toward the frontier town.
He didn't expect the chaos that awaited him.
The moment his boots hit the dusty main street, the entire bustling market district ground to an absolute halt. The official results of the examination had already been posted on the town's public broadcast boards via spiritual transmission. The news had spread like wildfire: the violent, unstoppable young promise of the frontier had completely humiliated the arrogant foreign elites, shattering their corrupt systems to seize the absolute top rank.
For the first time in decades, the frontier didn't have to swallow its pride and feel humiliated by the wealthy core clans.
"Look! It's Ethan! Ethan Brightsword is back!" said an old blacksmith, dropping his heavy iron hammer with a loud *clang* as he rushed to the front of his shop.
