Thunder Martial Hall - Main Arena
The interior of Thunder Martial Hall was impressive—designed like a modern gladiatorial arena with tiered seating surrounding a circular combat platform approximately one hundred meters in diameter. Massive screens hung from the ceiling, ready to broadcast the match to every corner of the facility.
The seats were already filling rapidly. Students from various martial halls. Curious civilians. Professional streamers with their hovering camera drones. Even some off-duty warriors attracted by the promotional hype.
Vaelor's clone followed Kieran through the main entrance, his enhanced senses immediately cataloging everything relevant: exits, structural weak points, the power levels of everyone present, potential threats.
Nothing concerning, he assessed. Highest cultivation present is maybe Tier 5. No one who could pose actual danger.
"Quite the turnout," the clone observed mildly.
"Wang knows how to create spectacle," Kieran replied, her voice tight with controlled frustration. "This isn't just about forcing me to surrender—he wants to make an example. Show everyone what happens when smaller halls try to resist Thunder's expansion."
They made their way toward the front row where seats had been reserved. As they walked, the clone noticed multiple cameras tracking his movement. Several streamers were already providing commentary.
"—that's the representative from Crimsonpeak Martial Hall. Unknown identity. Very young, possibly still a student—"
"—those golden eyes are striking. Is that a bloodline trait or cultivation effect?—"
"—check out the comment section, everyone's asking who he is—"
The clone tuned out the noise, focusing instead on the combat platform where preparations were underway.
Near the front row, he spotted the purple-haired girl from the parking lot—Luo Xi, his enhanced memory recalled from their brief eye contact. She sat with her energetic friend, both watching the proceedings with interest.
Luo Xi's gaze found him again, her spiritual perception clearly tracking the controlled fluctuations of his mental power. Her expression showed curiosity mixed with analytical assessment.
Another spiritual-type cultivator, the clone noted. Rare to encounter one randomly. Her development is decent—probably Tier 2 or 3. But nowhere near the main body's level.
He filed the information away and continued to the reserved seating.
"Kieran"
Kieran turned at the familiar voice, surprise crossing her features. "President? Raina, Lyanna, Stone—what are you all doing here?"
Scarlet Ashcroft sat in the front row, looking effortlessly elegant in a white high-slit dress with a black coat draped over her shoulders. Her crimson eyes gleamed with amusement as she smiled at Kieran's shock.
"We're all guild members," Scarlet said smoothly. "Did you think I'd let you handle this alone? Thunder Martial Hall is nothing special. No need to worry about causing me trouble."
Beside her, Raina—the short-haired woman with boundless energy—grinned widely. "Besides, the president already knew about your situation. We came to offer moral support!"
"And to watch," added Lyanna, the quiet woman with lavender hair. Her violet robes and ornate staff marked her as a caster-type.
A massive figure in stone armor sat silently at the end of the row—Stone, the Tier 3 Guardian. His helmet concealed his features completely, but his presence radiated solid, immovable strength.
Scarlet's gaze shifted to Vaelor, her crimson eyes approving of him "Dont Let us down, Vaelor"
"Just watch the match."
Before the conversation could continue, a change in the arena drew everyone's attention.
The massive overhead screens flickered to life, displaying an elderly man descending gracefully onto the combat platform. He wore a white traditional martial robe, his white hair and beard giving him an air of distinguished wisdom despite his clearly advanced age.
"It's Director Huo!" someone in the crowd exclaimed.
"Huo Thornwick? From Ironpeak Martial Hall?"
"I heard he retired years ago. Why is he here?"
"He must be officiating the match. That's... actually quite prestigious for what should be a minor hall dispute."
Murmurs rippled through the audience as people recognized the legendary figure.
Huo Thornwick stood at the center of the platform, hands clasped behind his back, radiating the calm authority of someone who'd spent decades mastering martial cultivation. His eyes—sharp despite his age—swept across the assembled crowd before he spoke.
"There are quite a few spectators today." His voice, though not particularly loud, carried perfectly to every corner of the arena through subtle spiritual manipulation. "I appreciate everyone's interest."
The crowd quieted immediately, giving him respectful attention.
"Normally, I would not involve myself in disputes between martial halls," Huo continued, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "However, I have personal connections to both Thunder Martial Hall's former director and Crimsonpeak Martial Hall's previous leadership. The matter between these two institutions stems from old grievances that have festered for too long."
He gestured broadly, encompassing the entire arena.
"Since we are martial artists, let us resolve this dispute through martial means. Strength will decide the outcome today. The losing party should accept defeat with grace and without complaint."
His gaze turned toward where Wang Thornbeak stood in Thunder Hall's designated area, then shifted to where Kieran sat with Vaelor.
"Director Wang. Director Ashford. Do you both accept these terms?"
The screens split, showing both parties clearly.
Wang Thornbeak—a corpulent man in expensive but gaudy clothing—smiled with false magnanimity. "Of course, Director Huo. Today, we fight with honor to settle old debts. If Crimsonpeak's representative wins, I'll never mention the weapons debt again."
His smile turned predatory. "But when my champion wins, Crimsonpeak Martial Hall becomes part of Thunder Martial Hall, and Director Ashford will surrender her family's Heaven-Splitting Spear technique as originally agreed."
Kieran's jaw tightened, but she nodded. "Accepted."
Huo Thornwick's expression remained neutral, though something in his eyes suggested he found Wang's terms distasteful. "Then let the challenge commence. Thunder Martial Hall's champion, please take the platform."
Movement from Thunder's side drew everyone's attention.
A young man—probably nineteen or twenty—walked onto the combat platform with aggressive confidence. He was tall, muscular, with a shaved head and multiple tattoos covering his arms and neck. His eyes held the cold calculation of someone who'd killed before.
"Liam Glade!" Wang's voice boomed through speakers, clearly having prepared this announcement. "Age nineteen! A-Rank talent! Rare profession: Storm Ravager! Just registered as a Tier 2 Warrior three days ago!"
The crowd reacted with impressed murmurs. Nineteen years old and already Tier 2 with rare profession—that was genuinely impressive by normal standards.
Liam stood at the center of the platform, cracking his knuckles as electricity crackled faintly across his skin. His cultivation aura radiated outward—solid Tier 2 power, approximately LV11 based on the clone's analysis.
"Come on then!" Liam shouted toward Crimsonpeak's seating area, his voice carrying aggressive challenge. "Send out whoever you've got! Let's get this over with so I can go collect my rewards!"
Arrogant laughter rippled through Thunder Hall's section. Several of Wang's other students jeered and taunted, clearly expecting easy victory.
In the stands, two young men sat together watching the proceedings.
"That's Liam Glade," one said, his voice carrying obvious concern. "He was in Class S at the academy. Known for brutal fighting style—several classmates ended up hospitalized after sparring with him."
His companion nodded grimly. "Whoever Crimsonpeak sends is going to get destroyed. Liam doesn't hold back. The poor bastard will be lucky to avoid permanent injury."
They continued discussing Liam's reputation and fighting record, completely unaware of what was about to unfold.
Near the front row, Scarlet leaned toward Kieran with a slight smile. "Is your representative actually going to fight? Or are you planning to forfeit?"
"He'll fight," Kieran said, though uncertainty colored her voice. She glanced at Vaelor. "Unless you've changed your mind? Liam is Tier 2 with rare profession. If you're not confident—"
"I'm confident," the clone interrupted mildly. He stood, straightening his casual athletic wear. "Excuse me. I'll return shortly."
Stone watched him stand with obvious interest. "He's really going up there? How old is he?"
"Seventeen," Kieran replied.
"SEVENTEEN?!" Stone's voice cracked with disbelief. "And you're sending him against a nineteen-year-old Tier 2 rare profession warrior?!"
"Kieran, I respect your judgment, but this seems... unwise. If he's injured badly, it could affect his future development."
"Just watch," Kieran said, though her hands clenched nervously. "Vaelor isn't what he appears to be. Its that why the guild leader gave him the SSS level contract."
The clone walked calmly toward the platform stairs, hands in his jacket pockets, his posture relaxed to the point of seeming disinterested.
The crowd's noise gradually diminished as people noticed him approaching. The cameras all turned to track his movement, streamers providing rapid commentary.
"—that's Crimsonpeak's representative? He looks like a high school student—"
"—so young, and those eyes are really striking up close—"
"—wait, is that really who they're sending against Liam Glade? That seems like a mismatch—"
The clone ascended the stairs and stepped onto the combat platform. He stopped approximately twenty meters from Liam, removed his hands from his pockets, and studied his opponent with clinical detachment.
Liam stared at Vaelor with growing disbelief, then burst into mocking laughter. "THIS is Crimsonpeak's champion? A pretty-boy high school kid?"
He turned toward Wang's seating area, spreading his arms dramatically. "Director Wang! Is this a joke? Did they seriously send a teenager to fight me?"
Wang's amplified laughter boomed through the arena. "It appears Crimsonpeak Martial Hall couldn't find anyone willing to face you, Liam! They've resorted to sending children! How embarrassing!"