Wang Tian and Luo Chen sat in the front row, their eyes wide with shock and awe, still processing the intensity of the battle they had just witnessed. The sunlight glinted off the polished stone of the arena, casting elongated shadows across the battlefield that still bore faint cracks from the clash of sword and dagger, though the damage had already been partially repaired. Sheng Lu, seated beside Wang Tian, let out a low whistle.
"Whoa... what a battle," he murmured, his eyes fixed on Xia Coco as she was helped off the battlefield, her aura faint but indomitable. "Xia Coco, right? She possesses an incredibly strong warrior’s will."
Lu Fang, sitting quietly on Sheng Lu’s other side, nodded, his expression grave. "Indeed. After that slash on her face... losing one eye... I never thought she could actually win."
Wang Tian exhaled slowly, leaning back against his seat. "You can’t predict the result until the result is out," he said with measured calm. Luo Chen nodded in agreement, her gaze still locked on the scene unfolding below.
Meanwhile, in the VIP room, Shaurya smiled quietly, observing the audience’s reaction. "This," he said, his voice calm but tinged with satisfaction, "is what people pay to witness. First Muo Qian, and now Xia Coco. Absolute cinema."
Lin Shu, sitting beside him, followed his gaze with a soft expression. "She lost her eye... was injured badly... yet she pushed past her limits—for her sect and for her love," she said, her voice gentle but firm.
Shaurya turned to her, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "The power of emotions," he remarked softly, "is the greatest power of all."
She nodded, their gazes drifting back to the battlefield. Zia Bailey carefully carried Xia Coco in his arms, stepping off the arena with measured caution. She was barely conscious, her blue aura flickering faintly as she leaned against him for support.
From the side, Zia Han, the sect master of Howling Abyss Sect, appeared with Xia Xu, an elderly woman whose eyes widened at the sight of her granddaughter. Zia Han’s expression flickered between concern and disbelief as he approached.
"Bailey," he called softly, "hand her over to me."
Xia Xu’s voice trembled with emotion as she reached for Xia Coco, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "Please... if you can heal my granddaughter, I will give you anything within my power," she whispered, her voice choked with desperation.
Shaurya descended gracefully before them, Elder Wan at his side, their presence calm and resolute. Zia Han’s eyes widened in surprise. "Sect Leader Shaurya..." he managed, his tone cautious.
Shaurya inclined his head slightly, a warm, confident smile on his lips. "Sect Leader Han. If you don’t mind, I would like to help," he said politely, his aura radiating quiet strength.
Zia Han blinked in shock, clearly unprepared for the offer. Xia Xu hugged Xia Coco tightly, tears streaming down her wrinkled cheeks. Shaurya smiled softly, exuding reassurance. "Don’t worry, ma’am. Sect Leader Han is my friend. It’s my pleasure to help him."
Zia Han bowed deeply in gratitude. "I will be forever grateful, Sect Leader Shaurya," he said sincerely.
Elder Wan stepped forward, producing a small, luminous blue pill from his pouch. He knelt beside Xia Coco, placing one hand upon her forehead, green energy radiating gently from his palm. Xia Coco’s body began to glow faintly as the pill melted on her tongue.
"Eat this pill," Elder Wan instructed softly.
She obeyed, the pill dissolving instantly. Her eyes closed as a blue light enveloped her body, spreading outward in waves that mended torn flesh and cauterized wounds. The onlookers’ jaws dropped in awe as Xia Coco’s injuries began to vanish—her torn cheek, the missing eye, and the deep gashes all knitting themselves together as though untouched by battle.
Seconds later, her eyes snapped open, clear and brilliant. Shock and amazement filled the faces of Zia Han, Zia Bailey, Xia Xu, and even Xia Coco herself. Zia Xu embraced her granddaughter tightly, her tears soaking Xia Coco’s robes. "My granddaughter... you’ve scared me to death!"
Xia Coco smiled faintly, her voice soft but strong. "Don’t worry, grandmother. I am strong."
Zia Bailey knelt before Shaurya, his voice choked with emotion. "Thank you. Thank you for helping us."
Shaurya laughed lightly, waving a hand dismissively. "Like I said, it’s nothing. Fortunately, her injuries were recent and not irreparable. Had there been a delay, even I might not have been able to help. Her wounds are healed, but her broken bones remain weak. Make sure she rests."
Zia Han continued to bow and thank him, but Shaurya shook his hand with a polite smile. "We are leaving now. Best of luck in your remaining battles." With that, he and Elder Wan departed, leaving the Howling Abyss Sect members in awe and deep gratitude. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn noveⅼfire.net
Zia Bailey turned to Xia Coco gently. "Go with grandpa and Elder Xu. Rest a bit," he urged. She nodded silently, following them as they exited the arena.
The referee, after drinking water, floated into the air, his voice ringing clear across the stadium. "I hope everyone is enjoying themselves! Now... let’s head to Round Three!"
From the repaired battlefield, a black-haired youth stepped forward from the Howling Abyss Sect, gripping a dagger tightly in his right hand. Across from him, the sword-wielding combatant from Round One reappeared, a devilish grin curving his lips as he drew his blade.
The dagger wielder ground his teeth, eyes flashing with determination. "I will not forgive you for what you did to my friend," he growled, referring to the bulky man who had suffered so severely in Round One.
The sword-wielding youth met him head-on. Sparks erupted as their blades clashed in a violent shower of steel. The sword-wielding boy pressed forward with precision, spinning and striking in calculated arcs. A clean horizontal slash tore through the dagger wielder’s wrist, blood spraying into the air. A follow-up knee strike slammed into his abdomen, doubling him over in agony. He coughed blood, flipping to the ground as the sword-wielder’s back kick sent him skidding backward.
Laughing coldly, the swordsman taunted, "You wanted revenge for your friend? I’ve made sure your condition mirrors his—hahaha!"
The dagger wielder, refusing to yield, crawled for his weapon, retrieving it with his left hand despite the injury. Sparks of lightning danced along the blade as he launched a relentless assault, only to be countered effortlessly by the swordsman’s red-aura-infused strikes. Crimson energy flashed across the arena as the sword shattered the dagger and sent its wielder flying from the battlefield, blood trailing from his chest.
Spectators gasped, some in shock, others in wild exhilaration. The Jade Phoenix Sect now led the match with a score of 2-1. Howling Abyss disciples hurried to assist their wounded comrade. Zia Bailey clenched his fists, anger flashing in his eyes, but a violet-haired boy gently placed a hand on his shoulder, restraining him. Bailey nodded reluctantly, concern etched on his face.
The referee’s voice boomed again, calling the next round. Two figures stepped forward: the violet-haired youth from Howling Abyss Sect, and a hefty opponent wielding a massive hammer. Dust rose as the first blows struck the ground, resonating with the sheer force of their attacks.
The violet-haired boy spun mid-air, evading crushing strikes and countering with his spear. The battle escalated rapidly: hammer against spear, grey aura clashing with violet. The massive fighter’s raw power threatened to overwhelm, yet the violet-haired youth moved with strategic precision, dodging, spinning, and thrusting.
A final exchange sent both combatants outside the arena, exhausted and bloody, marking the tournament’s first draw. The crowd erupted in cheers, awed by the display of skill, endurance, and courage.
The score remained 2-1, the final round set to decide the ultimate victor. The referee signaled for the next fighters to step forward.
Zia Bailey approached, taking a deep breath as he prepared to face Zheng Han. Green aura radiated from Zheng Han as both warriors entered the battlefield. The sun glinted off the cracked stone floor, dust rising with every movement.
Their fists collided in a storm of shockwaves, energy radiating outward like crashing waves. Bailey’s blue aura flared violently, mixing with Zheng Han’s green, the resulting collision shattering the arena floor beneath them. Dust and light engulfed the battlefield, shielding the audience as the two titans clashed with unrelenting force.
When the haze settled, both stood panting, battered, yet unwavering. Zia Bailey’s fist rested near Zheng Han’s cheek, drawing a thin line of blood, while Zheng Han struck at Bailey’s abdomen, forcing him to stagger backward.
"Come on," Zheng Han taunted, "you’re the grandson of your sect’s leader. I thought you were strong... but that girl, your lover, she’s stronger than you."
Bailey clenched his fists until the skin tore, ignoring the blood and pain. His mind flooded with memories of Xia Coco’s bravery, her unwavering spirit, and the sacrifices she had made. Her words echoed in his mind: I am Xia Coco. I will fulfill my duty.
Rising to his full height, aura blazing like a storm, he whispered through gritted teeth, "That’s right. It’s my duty. I carry more weight than anyone. I will not let anyone down. I will win."
With a deafening roar, he dashed forward, the ground cracking beneath him like thunder. Blue lightning enveloped his fist as he collided with Zheng Han’s green aura. Shockwaves radiated across the arena, tearing up stone and scattering debris.
When the dust finally settled, the audience’s eyes widened in stunned silence. Zia Bailey had left a cut across Zheng Han’s cheek, yet Zheng Han gripped Bailey’s hair and hurled him outside the battlefield. The Howling Abyss Sect members rushed to his aid, rushing to support their fallen warrior.
The referee’s voice rang out, echoing across the arena: "Match... match is over! Jade Phoenix Sect wins, 3-1! They qualify for the finals and will face the Sanatan Flame Sect!"
A deep silence blanketed the stadium, broken only by the eruptions of cheering as spectators celebrated the victory. The Howling Abyss Sect gathered around their injured, but unbroken, comrades, determination and pride mixing with the sting of defeat.
Xia Coco’s arms trembled as she held Zia Bailey close, her tears soaking his robes. The rhythmic, shallow breaths of exhaustion escaped him as he slowly stirred, still weighed down by the toll of battle. Around them, the arena hummed with the distant murmurs of spectators, the dust from previous clashes still hanging in the warm afternoon air, catching the light like tiny motes of gold.
Zia Han knelt beside them, his voice trembling with urgency and concern. "My grandson, Bailey... open your eyes. Bailey!"
For a long, tense moment, only silence answered him. Then, with a faint flutter of lids, Zia Bailey’s eyes opened. His voice, barely audible, carried both shame and exhaustion. "Sorry... I failed you all."
Xia Coco tightened her embrace, her blue aura faintly flickering in the aftermath of the battle. "Don’t blame yourself," she whispered softly, her lips brushing his temple. "You did what you could. I am happy that nothing happened to you."
Zia Han placed a weathered hand on Bailey’s forehead, his eyes filled with a mixture of pride and relief. "Bailey, my dear grandson, you fought well. Cheer up."
With careful gentleness, Xia Coco helped him to his feet. Her hands guided him as they stepped away from the battlefield, leaving behind the echoes of conflict and the lingering scent of ozone and scorched stone.
Shaurya, observing the scene from his vantage point, let out a long, low sigh. "I never thought they would fight this hard," he murmured, his gaze reflective. "I really underestimated them."
Lin Shu, seated beside him, nodded in agreement, her calm eyes watching the interactions below. "Yeah... I also thought it would be a one-sided battle. But the Howling Abyss Sect gave a truly formidable fight."
Shaurya leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes briefly as if savoring the quiet after the storm. "Now... we are going to face the Jade Phoenix Sect in the finals," he said, his voice low but certain, a quiet tension threading through it.
Meanwhile, Zheng Han stepped out from the battlefield, his robes darkened by blood and sweat. He wiped the crimson streak from his cheek, his movements deliberate and composed. Then, with a casual glance, he turned his gaze toward the stands.
Xiao Rui rose from his seat simultaneously, their eyes locking across the crowd. Fury burned in Xiao Rui’s gaze, a palpable intensity that seemed to radiate outward, drawing the attention of everyone in the vicinity. Zheng Han’s lips curved into a subtle, knowing smile, a spark of calculated anticipation glinting in his eyes.
The referee’s voice boomed through the arena, a mixture of excitement and authority reverberating over the cheering crowd. "The semi-finals end here!"
The announcement was met with a wave of exhilaration. The spectators rose to their feet, their voices echoing like thunder across the coliseum. "Tomorrow," the referee continued, "the grand day arrives! The much-awaited finals—between the two strongest sects of our kingdom: Sanatan Flame Sect versus Jade Phoenix Sect!"
The audience erupted into deafening cheers, banners fluttering in the warm breeze, their colors vibrant against the sunlit coliseum. Flags of the Sanatan Flame Sect (orange flag with a golden chakra imprinted) and Jade Phoenix Sect (black flag with crimson pheonix imprinted)snapped in the wind, a vivid visual representation of the coming clash.
Far above, in the royal chambers, King Tian Long rose from his seat, laughter rumbling from deep within his chest, a rare sound of unrestrained anticipation. Li Dong, seated nearby, allowed a small smile to touch his lips. "Tomorrow is going to be... an interesting day," he remarked, his voice calm but threaded with intrigue.
The camera of the mind lingered on the arena once more, capturing a moment suspended in time. Xiao Rui and Zheng Han stood at opposite ends of the battlefield, their gazes locked in a deadly silent promise. The air between them seemed to crackle with unspoken threats, the heat of competition radiating outward, touching every observer with its electric tension.
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the coliseum floor, the remnants of the day’s battles etched into the ground. Dust swirled faintly in the warm light, a reminder of the struggles fought and the storms yet to come.
Tomorrow would decide everything—the final clash between the Sanatan Flame Sect and the Jade Phoenix Sect. The stage was set. The warriors rested, prepared, yet their spirits thrummed with the anticipation of the ultimate battle.
Xiao Rui’s eyes did not waver from Zheng Han’s. Zheng Han’s smirk deepened slightly, the green aura of his strength still lingering faintly in the air. Death stares met across the coliseum, a silent promise that tomorrow, the arena would witness the fiercest clash the tournament had ever seen.
To be continued.......