Chapter 64: The bar was already sky-high

The host raised his arm, voice echoing through the vibrant arena.

“The First Match of the Succession Contest begins now!

Representing the Raijū Clan — Kano Raijin!

And from the Sylph Clan — Sora Veylen!”

Cheers erupted across the crowd as the two fighters stepped into the central stone ring.

Kano Raijin stood tall and broad-shouldered, his short, spiked hair like the aftermath of a lightning strike. His posture was grounded and explosive — his fists wrapped in black cloth, feet bare, stance loose but dangerous.

Sora Veylen, slender and composed, moved like a whisper. Dressed in a sleeveless high-collared tunic, her movements were graceful — she radiated calm like a breeze before a storm.

The crowd buzzed with whispers from different corners of the arena…

“That’s Kano Raijin, the Thunder Fist of the Raijū Clan… I heard he shattered a boulder in half during his trial.”

“He’s their youngest champion in a century — just 19 and already a master of shockstep footwork.”

“And Sora… the Wind Dancer… I thought she didn’t participate in contests anymore?”

“She doesn’t. But rumor is, she’s here on direct orders from their elder matron. She once defeated an entire squad of mercenaries without a single visible strike.”

“Speed versus power. This will be a storm.”

The two stepped into the ring and bowed low — not just to each other, but to the elders and the crowd.

A beat of silence.

Then — the roar of applause surged like a wave through the arena. The tension was electric.

The host raised his hand.

“Begin!”

The moment the host’s hand dropped and the word “Begin!” echoed through the stadium, Kano Raijin burst forward like a thunderclap.

The stone beneath his feet cracked as he lunged — a blur of power.

Sora Veylen didn’t flinch. She stepped sideways, barely shifting weight, her body bending like wind around a tree. Kano’s fist grazed the edge of her robe as she slipped past and sent a flicking kick toward his ribs.

Kano twisted, blocked with his forearm, and countered with a low sweep.

Sora jumped, her toes tapping off his shoulder midair as she flipped and landed gracefully behind him.

The crowd gasped, some rose to their feet.

“She’s floating like she’s not even touching the ground—!””Kano’s not holding back though. That’s a kill-speed jab!”

Kano growled, adjusted his stance — shifting into a grounded, wide-footed pose.

“Here comes Raijū’s famous Thunder Form,” whispered an elder from the front row.

Kano began launching a barrage — left jab, right palm, elbow, spinning backfist — all aimed to limit her movement.

Sora parried, ducked, dodged. Her hands moved like silk threads through the air, brushing each strike off its line by mere centimeters.

But one punch slipped through — a solid right hook caught her shoulder, spinning her back.

The crowd gasped.

Clarissa, arms crossed beside the elders, leaned in slightly.Daniel gripped the edge of his seat.Hope and Asher sat wide-eyed, barely blinking.”Woah,” Asher whispered, “that guy’s like a bull!”

Sora staggered, but only for a breath. She slid backward on one foot, exhaled, and narrowed her eyes.

She moved her fingers in a spiraling gesture.

“That’s it!””The Sylph Clan’s Airfold Method!”

Kano came in again, fists like falling hammers.But this time, Sora bent backward, dodging a punch by inches. Then, in a single liquid movement, she pivoted on her heel, let her body follow, and struck out with a blindingly fast spinning kick—

A hidden strike — her heel clipping the back of his head.

Kano stumbled.

He turned fast, gritted his teeth, and let out a shout as he slammed his foot down — shockwave-style stomp.

Dust rose. His knees flexed. His whole body coiled.

“Raijū’s Secret — the Surge Fang Elbow!”

He launched himself forward — faster than before — and crashed into Sora, elbow aiming for her collarbone. It connected.

Sora crumpled — the crowd fell silent.

But only for a moment.

In the swirl of dust, Sora rolled, used the momentum to spring herself back, flipping onto her feet.

She was bruised — but her eyes were fierce now.

She whispered something. Raised one hand in front, the other behind her back. Her fingers pointed sideways, palm facing down.

“Wait—””That stance… that’s forbidden outside of the Sylph inner court—”

Then — she moved.

A flurry of impossible angles — her body twisted, folded, shifted. Every strike she threw bent around Kano’s guard.

Palm strike to his ribs.Chop to the back of his neck.Spinning back kick to his thigh.

Final move — she stepped forward, bent low, pivoted under his arm, and launched her elbow into Kano’s solar plexus from beneath.

He staggered. His body locked. Breath gone.

Sora spun out — graceful again — and stood poised, breathing steady.

Kano collapsed to one knee.

The host waited.

Kano raised a hand. “Yield.”

A wave of sound rolled across the arena.

“WINNER — SORA VEYLEN of the SYLPH CLAN!”

The crowd exploded.Cheers. Whistles. Shocked murmurs.

“I didn’t think she’d make it back after that elbow…””Did you see that stance? She’s been hiding it for years.”

Hope stood up and clapped hard. “That was awesome!”

Miles, watching silently from below, nodded once — impressed.

Clarissa didn’t clap, but her lips curled into a small smile.

Sora bowed once to the crowd, then to the elders.

**The first match was over — and the bar was already sky-high.

Host announces the lunch break.

The courtyard beside the main hall had been arranged with shaded tables for the guests, and Miles soon found his family seated under a canopy of flowering vines, enjoying the cool mountain breeze as lunch was being served.

As soon as Asher spotted Miles walking over, he jumped up from his seat, nearly knocking over a glass of juice.

“Big brooo!” he beamed, eyes sparkling. “That first match was so cool! That guy spun in the air like a leaf!”

Hope clapped her hands. “And then BOOM! Did you see how they rolled on the floor? It was like a movie!”

Miles chuckled and ruffled both their heads gently. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

Daniel leaned back slightly in his seat, arms crossed thoughtfully. “Their techniques were impressive. Fluid, deliberate. They’ve clearly been training for this for years.”

Elena looked more reserved. She poured a glass of water and set it down for Miles as he sat. “Son… will you be alright out there? This isn’t just a schoolyard spar, is it?”

Miles met her eyes and smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Mom. Just think of this as another part of our vacation. Enjoy the mountain air, the scenery… and let me handle the arena.”

Elena didn’t press further. She knew that tone. She had seen it before — a calmness that came not from arrogance, but from confidence built in fire. She quietly nodded, but her hands stayed tightly clasped in her lap.

“Let’s eat before it gets cold,” Miles said with a soft grin, lifting the cover of one of the dishes.

Moments later, Clarissa

approached, her hair tied up in a simple knot, no formal robes — just a soft sky-blue tunic. She walked with her usual grace, a spark of mischief in her smile.

“Lunch without me? That’s a crime in this clan.”

Asher and Hope lit up instantly. “Sister Clarissa!””You look pretty!” said Hope

Clarissa raised a brow as she pulled up a chair. “Really,? And who are you supporting in the second match?”

“Big brooo of course!” both twins yelled together.

Clarissa laughed softly and turned to Miles. “Well, your fan club is growing fast.”

The table shared a warm, brief laugh as the meal continued — platters of mountain-grilled meats, steamed buns filled with rare herbs, and cool bowls of marinated lotus root filled the air with fragrant, fresh aromas.

As lunch came to a close, Miles rose first.

“I should go. They’ll be calling for the next match soon.”

Elena stood too, brushing off her hands. “Be careful, Miles.”

Daniel gave a nod. “Do your best.”

Hope and Asher ran over, wrapping him in a quick hug. “Win, big bro!”

Clarissa stood just behind him and adjusted the edge of his robe casually. “Go show them why they picked you.”

Miles gave a simple nod, his eyes calm as ever.

“I’ll be back soon.”

He turned and walked away toward the arena court, his figure growing smaller in the sunlight, while the crowd behind him began to stir again — waiting for the next clash of power and skill.

The host’s voice boomed across the arena as the lunch break ended.”Welcome back, everyone! After an electrifying first match, we now begin the second showdown of the day!”

The crowd began to settle again, murmurs growing louder with anticipation.

“Now entering the stage from the Kraken Clan — the Iron Wave Disciple, Kaien Shuro!”

A tall, broad-shouldered young man with sea-green robes and short jet-black hair walked calmly to the center of the arena. His arms were covered in faint tribal tattoos of crashing waves, and he moved like someone with a lifetime of control in his limbs. Confidence radiated from his stride.

People whispered from the stands:

“He’s the second disciple of the Sea Hammer Dojo, right?”

“I heard he once held back a river current with bare hands during a flood.”

“Kraken techniques are brutal. Hope his opponent’s ready.”

“And his challenger — representing the Phoenix Clan, their Young Master… MILES!”

The moment Miles stepped out into the light, the atmosphere shifted.

He wore the traditional crimson-lined martial robe of the Phoenix clan, yet carried himself with the quiet intensity of someone long used to blood and battle. His eyes didn’t scan the crowd, nor did they seek recognition.

He was focused. Grounded.Every step he took echoed differently.

The audience murmured instantly.

“Who’s that?””I heard he’s the one Lady Clarissa picked.””So that’s the future Patriarch…?””But he looks like an outsider…”

Miles didn’t react to any of it. He simply walked to the center of the ring.

At the edge of the stands, his family had returned to their seats. Hope and Asher leaned over the rail, eyes wide with awe.

Asher tugged Daniel’s sleeve. “Big bro’s going to fight now!”Hope whispered, “He looks different today… like serious-serious.”

Daniel nodded, a quiet pride blooming in his chest.Elena clasped her hands, trying to stay calm.

Clarissa had returned to her seat among the elders, calm and composed — but her gaze was fixed sharply on Miles, evaluating.

In the ring, Kaien Shuro stepped forward.

He bowed. “Kraken Clan’s Kaien. Let’s have a good match.”

Miles nodded and bowed in return, his tone cool and steady.”You’ll remember me soon enough.”

Kaien blinked at the response. “…That voice. Wait, do I know—”

“Begin!“The host’s shout sliced the tension like a blade.

And just like that—both fighters moved.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep