The ascent into Tier Three after the unseen second tier. Lavender mist curls through a jade stairwell that opens toward a ritual chamber.

The ranking platform before the duel ring, where names and remaining years are displayed for all prisoners to see.

Warden Cao Rin steps onto the official platform to announce the ritual duel rules.

The pagoda assigns Mei her opponent using glowing glyphs on the floor.

Zhen Kuang enters the duel ring, physically overwhelming and contemptuous.

Cao Rin completes the rule declaration as the duel seal traps Mei and Zhen together.

Before engaging, Mei clinically assesses her weakness and the duel's problem.

Mei walks toward Zhen instead of backing away, confusing and amusing him.

Mei makes brief contact with Zhen's wrist, disguising diagnosis as weakness.

Mei reads Zhen's next three techniques from bodily signs before he strikes.

Zhen launches the first predicted technique, and Mei chooses a controlled injury over a fatal dodge.

Mei endures the shoulder wound while Zhen realizes she is not simply fleeing.

Mei notices the exact flaw beneath Zhen's chestplate as he prepares his finishing body strike.

Mei steps even closer, baiting Zhen into committing the third technique fully.

Zhen's third technique opens the hidden weakness, and Mei strikes beneath the chestplate.

Cao Rin records the duel result, and the obelisk adjusts sentence years.

The prisoners' view of Mei changes from weak target to dangerous unknown.

Mei retreats to a carved jade screen and binds her wounded shoulder with stolen cloth.

Mei peeks through the carved screen and sees Han Yue speaking to a frightened prisoner.

Han tells the frightened prisoner he intends to kill Mei on Tier Five so she can never testify.

Han explains the practical reason: Mei is a witness whose testimony matters only if she survives too long.

Han leaves, and Mei sees his name rise on the ranking obelisk faster than expected.