Chapter 30: The First Exchange

Lin Xuan eased his weight into Cloud Step.

Plain Steel held neutral at the ready. The face he showed the Arena was calm. Inside, a slow heat had begun to climb the line of his ribs.

Lei Yan recovered his stance across the polished stone. His shoulders had dropped a fraction since the last exchange. He had spent four exchanges believing one fight, and the fight he was now in was a different one. The adjustment showed in the way his weight rocked twice on the balls of his feet before it found its place.

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