Emberlight City awoke to the sound of ceremonial drums.
From the tallest watchtower to the smallest alley, excitement buzzed in the air. It was the first day of the Emberlight Youth Tournament, a prestigious event held every five years to uncover hidden talents among the city's younger generation.
Banners waved, fireworks cracked in the sky, and sect scouts arrived from distant territories.
Kael stood silently on a rooftop, watching the crowds below. His hood covered most of his face. No one would notice him here.
Perfect, he thought. I can use the chaos to train outside the city unnoticed.
He turned to leave—until a voice called out.
"Kael of the Lin Family," a city official barked from below. "You are summoned by decree to participate in the Emberlight Tournament as a representative of your clan!"
Kael paused.
What?
He hadn't signed up. He didn't want attention. But it wasn't a request—it was an order.
At the Lin Estate
The elders were already gathered. Lin Xue stood behind her father, her eyes flickering with confusion. She had protested Kael's forced inclusion—but was overruled.
"His victory over Jin Rui caused quite the stir," said Elder Wu. "The city believes he may possess talent we have failed to detect."
"He's not ready," Lin Xue replied quietly.
"Then let him fail publicly," another elder smirked. "That will end the speculation once and for all."
Lin Mei clutched Kael's sleeve when he returned.
"You don't have to do this, brother Kael," she whispered.
Kael gave her a soft smile. "It's alright. I won't lose."
"But... everyone will be watching."
"I've been preparing for this moment for years. I just didn't know it would come so soon."
At the Arena
The tournament grounds buzzed with energy. Dozens of participants stood in uniform rows—some from noble clans, others from rogue sects. Among them, cloaked in icy elegance, was Yue Qingyue.
She scanned the line and spotted Kael—calm, unimpressive, eyes half-closed as if disinterested.
Still pretending, she thought, amused.
"Contestant Kael," a city official called, "your opponent in the first round is Duan Feng of the Tiger Claw Sect."
The crowd murmured.
Duan Feng was seventeen, built like a boulder, and already in the 4th Layer of Body Tempering.
"A cripple versus a beast?" someone snorted. "This'll be over in seconds."
Kael walked to the center calmly. Lin Xue watched from the stands, biting her lip.
The Duel Begins
Duan Feng attacked instantly—a roar, a leap, a punch aimed to flatten Kael's chest.
But Kael wasn't there.
He sidestepped, barely moving. The crowd blinked. Duan swung again, faster this time—but Kael weaved under the blow, tapped Duan's wrist, twisted it—
CRACK.
Duan screamed, dropping to one knee. Kael's palm landed on his chest with a soft thud.
Duan collapsed, gasping.
Silence.
The judge hesitated, then shouted, "Winner: Kael of the Lin Family!"
The arena exploded into noise.
"How… how is that possible?"
"Did he use a technique? I didn't see any Qi!"
"Impossible!"
Lin Xue's eyes widened. Even Yue Qingyue's expression flickered.
That movement… it wasn't random. It was mastered.
Later That Evening
Kael returned to the Lin estate alone. He avoided the main gate and climbed over the outer wall to avoid the crowd.
In his courtyard, he sat again under the moonlight. Sweat rolled down his back—not from exertion, but restraint.
He had used just enough to win. No more. No one could detect the Void Ember Veins unless he truly unleashed them.
But next round… I may not have a choice.
Elsewhere
In a dark chamber inside the Flamecloud Pavilion, a noble with a golden robe slammed his cup down.
"That brat again!" he spat. "Now they'll start thinking he's worth something!"
His son, Wei Zhen, stood nearby, arms crossed.
"Let me crush him in the next round," he said coldly. "Then Lin Xue will be mine."
The noble grinned. "Excellent. End this farce once and for all."
Meanwhile
Yue Qingyue sat in her tent, eyes closed, replaying Kael's fight in her mind.
"He's hiding something. No energy signature. No known technique. But that control… it was perfect."
She smiled.
"For someone so quiet, he makes a lot of noise.