The Fire Spirit Divine Stallion slowly stepped into the arena, leaving burning hoofprints with every step.

With each step it took, ripples of red-gold spread across the ground. Its eyes glowed like flowing lava, and when its gaze swept over Leon and the others, a scorching and ancient aura suddenly filled the air.

"Please have the challengers kneel on one knee and prepare to receive the blessing of the Fire Spirit Divine Stallion."

The voice of the divine stallion tribe's judge echoed. Unlike before, Leon could sense a weightier solemnity in the tone this time.

Safina blinked at Leon and muttered, "This ceremony is almost as exaggerated as when our king ascended the throne..."

Though she grumbled, she still knelt on one knee, and Leon and Jesti, the other challengers, followed suit.

And so, one by one, the challengers knelt in order from left to right—Jesti, Leon, and Safina—lining up perfectly.