Wang Tong and Karl's feeling was shared among the audience. They came into the arena already with prejudice against the covert Mastery sects, and Han Linu's defeat seemed to have lent credence towards their bias.
Head lowered, Han Linu walked off the stage; it was an embarrassing fight indeed. He was quickly surrounded by his fellow sect members and was bombarded with questions. The sect members were well aware of Han Linu's strength, and they had never thought that he would be trounced. One thing they were certain was that Han Linu's defeat was not because of a slip-up, but rather due to the extraordinary opponent.
The outcome of the match had taken the wind out of the Lunar Mastery's sail, as the members of the sect plodded out of the arena, faces reddened with anger and shame. Should their opponent be any famous fighter, such as Patroclus or Michaux, the defeat would be much less humiliating.
