Chương 364: Chapter 310: Forge and Flame

~~~ Gan Nanfeng's fight comes and goes without much fanfare. Her opponent, the Young Master of the Leaning Tree Sect, is an exceedingly gifted youth, but he is not Gan Nanfeng's match. The difference between someone who is a member of the Four Great Sects and someone who is not is simply too much. Gan Nanfeng burns through his defenses and defeats him, revealing her cultivation to be at the Fourth Level of the Earth.

It is not a bad fight, but compared to Xiao Shuang's display of power, it is simply underwhelming, leading to a muted response from the audience. The next two fights suffer from similar fates. The representatives from the Four Great Sects easily claim victory over those who are not. Among the two, Fan Bingbing's match is somewhat notable for managing to be even shorter than Xiao Shuang's match.

However, the ones who step into the ring for the fifth match are disciples of the Eternal Flame Clan and the Infinite Mountain Sect. Ten Zichun vs. Wen Ruibo. Ten Zicchun does his best to keep calm as he enters the ring. Once upon a time, he thought people like Bei Hong were tall, but then he traveled to the Storm Dragon Empire and saw the likes of General Nie Dan.

While Wen Ruibo has yet to reach the height required to loom over everything while sitting, Ten Zichun still has to tilt his head back to look at his face. The Infinite Mountain Sect, it seems, has an unreasonable number of unreasonably tall people. His opponent offers him a short bow as the tournament official signals them to begin. There are no words exchanged. No taunts of any kind. An earthen fist is heading for his face an instant later. Ten Zicchun's Qi rises to match his opponent's.

The item disguising his cultivation is broken, revealing his level to the audience. Earth Realm, Level Four. The same level as his opponent. Bringing his hands together, Ten Zichun manifests a huge wall of flame in front of his enemy. The heat is such that many members of the audience would be greatly inconvenienced by it if not for the several protective barriers around the white square they are fighting on.

However, his opponent simply runs through the flames like a rampaging behemoth, his body now completely covered in armor made of solid rock. Even his eyes cannot be seen. His fist slams into Ten Zichun's gut. It's a heavy blow. Ten Zichun manages to step back in time to lessen the force of the impact, yet the punch still makes his eyes bulge out and his guts tremble. Ten Zichun feels the force of Wen Ruibo's soul in the attack, speaking with far more clarity than words ever could.

'I will win.' The second punch comes for his head. Ten Zichun raises his hand and aims a powerful blast of fire to the sky. It propels his body just in time for him to doge. A second blast pushes his body to Wen Ruibo's side, where he unleashes a powerful gout of flame. [Roaring Forge] Wen Ruibo walks through it. Of the Four Great Sects, none can surpass the Infinite Mountain Sect in sheer physical might.

Ten Zichun thought those words were mere boasts, but after seeing Chen Guo and now Wen Ruibo, he knows there was no lie. The Infinite Mountain Sect raises their disciples into unstoppable forces. Wen Ruibo slams his earth-covered hands down. Were the ring made of lesser material, it would have shattered. If not for the barriers, some audience members would have been blown off their seats by the ensuing shockwave. As it is, the people of Imperial Cloud City only feel a slight tremor.

It is a common occurrence during the tournament. Ten Zichun unleashes another blast of fire, but Wen Ruibo pushes through with a sudden burst of speed and grabs his wrist. A yelp leaves Ten Zichun's mouth as he's yanked and slammed into the ground. Though in pain, the disciple of the Eternal Flame Clan quickly rolls out of the way to avoid the incoming stomp. Wen Ruibo does not let go of him. The earth around Wen Ruibo's arm thickens and grows to cover Ten Zhichun's wrist, chaining the two together.

Ten Zhichun's eyes grow wide as he realizes what just happened. He cannot escape now. Ten Zichun dodges the punch and the low kick that follows. However, a pull from Wen Ruibo makes him lose his balance, leaving him wide open for the fist that slams into his chest. Spit and blood are pushed out of his mouth, and he feels a few of his ribs cracking. Despite that, he grins. He feels the puzzlement in his foe's Qi replaced by realization as the fire around him rises.

Yes, Wen Ruibo is physically stronger than him, but what does that matter here? This is not an arm-wrestling match. It is a battle between cultivators. And he's not a brawler. He's a blacksmith. The fire roars around them, blinding some members of the audience. Realizing what is happening, Wen Ruibo pushes his offense, landing blow upon blow on Ten Zhichun's body. Each one rattles his bones and makes his brain bounce inside his skull. However, Ten Zichun does not back away.

He answers every blow with one of his own. The armor of earth around Wen Ruibo protects his body and hurts Ten Zichun's fist, but Ten Zichun does not aim to hurt Wen Ruibo's body. He is aiming at the armor. After all, what is earth but waste and minerals ready to be refined? What is fire but a blacksmith's best tool? The fire roars in his hand and takes the shape of the tool most familiar to him. [Hammer of the Sun] Ten Zichun strikes the armor, then strikes again and again, sparks shining each time.

Wen Ruibo's blows become faster. His aura has a hint of anger and desperation. Even so, Ten Zichun does not stop. He sees the earth for what it is, untapped potential that requires molding. Nothing shall keep him from his task. Hammer and fist compete to see who will give out first. Sound and light fill the arena in a maddening frenzy. When it stops, two people stand in the center of the ring. One is an unmoving block of metal.

The other is more bruise than person, yet he raises his hammer into the sky, causing the crowd to erupt in cheers. He is Ten Zichun of the Eternal Flame Clan. One day, he will be Ten Zichun, Imperial Blacksmith of the Storm Dragon Empire. Today, he's the victor. ~~~"Do you want to go to him?" Lu Mei asks him after they see Ten Zichun's unconscious body being taken away. The exhaustion of the fight caught up to him shortly after he was declared the winner. This novel is published on a different platform.

Support the original author by finding the official source.

"There is no need to," Liu Jin says.

"The healers of the Eternal Flame Clan will see to him. Ni Cai is among them. He has gotten much better."

"You say that so confidently despite looking so worried," Lu Mei teases him.

"Do I look worried?" Liu Jin asks, tilting his head.

"You look as blank-faced as ever," Feng Zhi says from the side where he sits with Yi Jiao.

"Hush, cousin. Your inability to read expressions is not something you should be sharing with others," Lu Mei chides him.

"My Jin is very expressive." Is he? Liu Jin tilts his head as he considers it. Old Jiang once told him something about that.

"Maybe," he admits, "And maybe I am a little worried, but that's just because my heart and my mind are not always in agreement." The fight between Wen Ruibo and Ten Zichun has been the most violent thus far, with both fighters suffering many injuries. If that is what can be expected of future fights, it is no wonder Lord Feng Shang requested more supplies from the Medical Pavilion last time. Ten Zichun does not only need to be healed. He needs to be in fighting shape by tomorrow.

The crowd's cheers can be heard all the way to the waiting room as members of the Endlessly Raging Valley and the Divine Frozen Palace fight. One of them will be Ten Zichun's opponent, and unfortunately for Ten Zichun, the member of the Endlessly Raging Valley claims a considerably easier victory than his, though still not as quick as Xiao Shuang's. However, there is no need to worry about supplies this time. Through Elder Xue, the Medical Pavilion is fully under Lord Feng Gui's control.

Ten Zichun will receive the best possible care and be given the finest medicines and elixirs. By tomorrow, he will be able to step into the ring once more. Even so, part of Liu Jin still wishes he was the one treating him. Judging by the smile Lu Mei gives him, she knows it too.

"You always worry far too much," Lu Mei says, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"I suppose," Liu Jin says as the next fight begins. It is between a Disciple of the Infinite Mountain Sect and someone from the Yellow Forest.

"Your match is coming up soon, isn't it?"

"It is," Lu Mei says.

"Are you worried about me too?"

"I rarely have to be," Liu Jin says, wrapping his arm around her waist.

"She might be a friend of Xiao Shuang, so try not to hurt her too badly." Lu Mei's smile grows predatory.

"No promises." ~~~"Lu Mei of the Eternal Flame Clan vs. Kong Yaqi of the Divine Frozen Palace!" The announcement is met with immediate cheers from the audience, which only grow in volume as the two contestants step into the ring. It is not only because they are about to witness another duel between members of the Four Great Sects. No, the reason is far simpler. Both contestants are beautiful.

"Look! Look! It's a disciple of the Divine Frozen Palace! They are just as beautiful as the rumors say!"

"You can't even see her face!"

"That disciple of the Eternal Flame Clan! She's Lord Feng Shang's illegitimate daughter!"

"She's so beautiful! Even more than the women of the Divine Frozen Palace!"

"They say she's the lover of the Emperor of the Storm Dragon Empire!" Lu Mei preens a little at the praise. The reputation of the Divine Frozen Palace as having the most beautiful women of all the lands is quite a bit overblown in her opinion. It'd be ridiculous if she was considered inferior to someone hiding her face behind a veil.

Still, there is no denying many people came to watch the tournament exclusively because it is one of the few opportunities in which someone can freely lay eyes on the women of the Divine Frozen Palace. People are so very foolish. The girl whose Qi brims with hostile intent towards her is no exception.

"I wonder," Lu Mei says, smiling as she brings a finger under her chin.

"Whatever did I do to be looked at with such hostility?" Many things, obviously, but having specifics would be nice.

"You are an enemy of Sister Xiao," Kong Yaqi of the Divine Frozen Palace says, her aura rising with her voice. Curiously, the air does not become colder, but it does feel more humid.

"I will make you pay for your ill deeds!"

"Oh, is that what this is about?" Lu Mei smiles mockingly. The expression comes naturally to her.

"Does that woman need you to fight her battles for her? How shameful. No wonder the Emperor does not consider keeping her at his side worthwhile."

"How dare you?!" Kong Yaqi yells. It is good she is easily angered because the brief flash of harmful intent coming from the Divine Frozen Palaces's box reminds Lu Mei that there are only so many negative things she can say about Xiao Shuang here without potentially drawing the ire of three Emperors. Some people are far too lucky.

"Do my words offend you? I'll gladly educate you about the truth of them," Lu Mei promises. Kong Yaqi's rises, and the bracelet in her hand, likely the item hiding her cultivation, shatters. Earth Realm, Level 4. The humidity in the ring grows in intensity, and droplets of water materialize in the air, gathering on top of Kong Yaqi as she raises her hands. [Raging River Dragon] The technique bursts forth as a torrent of water in the shape of a fierce dragon.

It roars as it speeds toward Lu Mei [Crimson Gale - Honored Guard] A whirlwind rages around Lu Mei. It twists the water and tears apart the dragon before rising into the skies and crashing into the barrier. The shockwave scatters the particles of water throughout the ring. The sun makes them shine prettily as they fall around Lu Mei. Adorned by the remains of her opponent's technique, she smiles and does a perfect curtsey. The audience applauds and cheers, admiring her showmanship.

Upon seeing something like that, most people would fly into a rage. Unfortunately, Kong Yaqi manages to restrain herself. Her Qi brims hostility, but she's containing it. Harnessing it. It is a pity, but Lu Mei supposes she cannot expect a representative of the Divine Frozen Palace to be too easily manipulated. Besides, it wouldn't be any fun if she was. Water swirls around Kong Yaqi before launching forward as a barrage of projectiles.

Their speed is far superior to the water dragon, yet Lu Mei easily weaves between them. Wind wraps around her body, aiding her movement and making it seem like she's almost floating between her opponent's attacks. Lu Mei brings her arm down in a graceful arc. [Red Curtain] The deadly blade of wind speeds toward Kong Yaqi, but this time, it is her who stops Lu Mei's attack by summoning forth a torrent of water in front of her.

Waters covers the body of the Disciple of the Divine Frozen Palace as she dashes forth, attacking Lu Mei with punches and kicks, whose speed and accuracy increase with every breath. [Dance of the River] It is almost like she is dancing, Lu Mei muses as Kong Yai comes at her with precise and graceful strikes. Her whole body moves with the fluidity of water, and the element flows from her hands like whips to strike at Lu Mei. Outwardly, Lu Mei keeps the same amused smile as she sends wind blades at her opponent.

Inwardly, she's frowning. The feeling amidst the audience is changing. Her opponent is gaining momentum, dodging her attacks and coming at her with the fierceness of a raging river. This won't do. An explosion of gold rocks the arena. The audience and her opponent gasp as gold flames surround Lu Mei's body. The heat is such that the water around Kong Yaqi immediately evaporates, ceasing her attack. The bracelet hiding Lu Mei's cultivation breaks due to the raw might of the Eternal Flame. Earth Realm, Level 6.

Smiling, Lu Mei meets Kong Yaqi's eyes through the girl's veil and takes aim. [Eternal Flame Burst] It is not the strongest technique of the Eternal Flame, but it does not need to be. The flame envelops Kong Yaqi's body, forcing the girl to put all her power into the defense. However, it does not matter. The golden flame devours all. When the fire fades, Kong Yaqi lies fainted on the ring. The girl has some injuries, but Lu Mei held back just enough to avoid doing any serious damage.

"The Winner! Lu Mei of the Eternal Flame!" The audience explodes in cheers!

"The Eternal Flame! That was the Eternal Flame!"

"Without a doubt, she's Lord Feng Shang's daughter!" Lu Mei smiles and waves at her adoring public, only momentarily stopping when her eyes catch sight of the recording crystal. She imagines that Xiao Shuang is meeting her gaze on the other end of it and smirks. She could have defeated Kong Yaqi without using the Eternal Flame or revealing her cultivation, but doing it that way would have made the fight look far closer than it needed to be. It wouldn't do to let the audience think that girl was her equal.

Still, knowing she could not match Xiao Shuang's stunt leaves Lu Mei with mixed feelings. The girl might be her friend, but… Lu Mei has not come here to lose to her. ~~~ Most in the Eternal Flame Clan's waiting room cheer for Lu Mei's win. Pan Qiu does not. His mind can only think of how mere eight matches remain until it is his turn to enter the ring. When the tournament began, his plan had been to secure his participation in the third stage while avoiding any and all unnecessary risks.

Only then would he do his best to put up a performance that would not shame the Eternal Flame Clan. That should have been enough to satisfy everyone's expectations. As always, the Heavens laugh at him. The proof of it is written in the tournament bracket. Pan Qiu vs Chen Guo. ~~~