A chilling gleam covered his sword, enveloping the arena in a dazzling light. Ling Yichen breathed in deeply, then swung his sword.
One move. There was a muffled hum, then Liu Yucheng was thrown high up into the air and fell down heavily in the fighting ring. He looked at Ling Yichen fearfully and tried to stand up, but he eventually crumpled to the ground in a dead faint.
Blood was running down both of Ling Yichen’s arms; even the hilt of the sword was soaked through. Blood flowers bloomed on the ground below him, but he stood tall and unflinching with a look of determination on his handsome face.
“For the second match, Nan Xia Country wins.” The sound of the referee’s voice was soon drowned out by a huge wave of cheers.
Ling Yichen’s elegant demeanor not only attracted the young girls from Nan Xia Country there, but even the young girls from other countries. They looked at Ling Yichen admiringly, deep affection in their gazes.
Ling Yichen slowly walked out of the fighting ring. His steps were heavy, as if he was using all the remaining energy in his body with every step.
“Yichen!” Ling Chuxi rushed forward to support Ling Yichen.
“I’m fine. The rest depends on you.” Ling Yichen looked at Ling Chuxi, his voice hoarse with exhaustion.
“Brother Ling, I apologize for what I had said earlier,” Xiao Tianying said solemnly to Ling Yichen. The scene in the fighting ring earlier had inspired an unexplainable admiration in Xiao Tianying who had been arrogant since young.
Ling Yichen did not say a word and just nodded his head calmly.
Xiao Tianying could see that Ling Yichen had pride, but it was completely different from his own arrogance. Ling Yichen’s pride ran deep in his bones, and was seen in his principles and virtues.
“Final match! Dong Xin Country’s Xiao Tianying versus Nan Xia Country’s Ling Chuxi.” The voice of the referee sounded, and the both of them walked towards the fighting ring at the same time.
The crowd could not contain their excitement. This was the match that would determine the champion of this year’s assessment competition!
“I will defeat you fair and square in this match, and then everyone will know who is truly the strongest among the five great vassal countries,” Xiao Tianying declared with an arrogance that could reach the heavens.
He gazed off into the distance and murmured, “Grandfather, after this competition, you will also see who is truly the strongest, and the future hope of the Xiao Family.”
“Is that your goal?” Ling Chuxi looked at Xiao Tianying in disdain.
Xiao Tianying was startled. ‘Was being number one among the strongest of the Five Great Vassal Countries not a great target?’ He was perplexed as he stared at Ling Chuxi. ‘Could it be that Ding Lin Country was her true target?’ If Ling Chuxi heard Xiao Tianying’s train of thought, she would have laughed loudly. Ding Lin Country? No way, her target was so much higher than that.
Instantly, Xiao Tianying’s arrogance which could reach the heavens dropped a little. Regardless of whether Grandfather’s judgment was right or wrong, his arrogance was much worse than hers. The indifference and disdain in her eyes was true pride. He had already lost to her in terms of mentality.
Xiao Tianying forcefully put aside the distracting thoughts in his heart, and started to form a finger gesture.
Ling Chuxi had fought with Xiao Tianfan a few times, so the Turning Cloud Gesture of the Xiao Family was no secret to her. There was no point in him trying to hide it.
An invisible force started surging around Xiao Tianying’s body. It was like the ocean waves rolling forward, and advancing wave upon wave. The waves were stacked layer upon layer, growing increasingly higher.