The issue regarding “cultivation experience” was temporarily resolved with the help of Li Yang. The elimination tournament continued, but due to the shock caused by Li Xiu, the next few matches would probably seem dull.
In the martial arts arena, at Liu family’s resting area.
A new round of the competition had already begun, although it had nothing to do with them—it was a battle between two smaller clans. Their clan leaders were maintaining order from the high platform, while here at the rest area, to prevent unexpected incidents, there was certainly someone who could speak loudly and assert authority.
Usually, one such person was enough, but this year seemed somewhat unusual. There were two elders present, along with two unidentified men who appeared to be guest elders.
They gave off an impression of having ulterior motives, although it was hard to speculate exactly what they might be planning.
Putting that aside, due to Li Xiu’s incident, the atmosphere at this small resting area was far from pleasant.
How should one put it? Perhaps it was due to wounded pride.
Li Xiu, regarded as a nobody, was not as famous as Li Tan. He was neither a prodigy nor an average person, but rather a completely obscure nobody.
Liu Zhengyi, although born from a concubine, actually lost to someone like him, making it hard for their lofty pride to accept.
“What exactly happened?” a boy with a stern expression demanded.
Liu Zhengyi, the one responsible for the situation, was currently bowing his head in fear, trembling as he answered, “It was an accident! If I get another chance, I definitely won’t lose!”
“Are you sure?”
The boy’s cold tone didn’t waver, his gaze filled with doubt and obvious dissatisfaction.
Without hesitation, Liu Zhengyi quickly replied, “I’m sure!”
“Fine, then I’ll give you another chance. If you lose again, go back to where you came from and be a servant for life.”
“Understood!”
Although Liu Zhengyi was sitting down, he looked like he might kneel at any moment.
“You go rest over there. After the first round, prove yourself.”
“Yes!”
Liu Zhengyi retreated to a corner.
Beside the boy, a woman dressed somewhat provocatively suddenly spoke up, “Do you really think it was just an accident that he never fought before?”
The boy frowned, “What do you mean?”
The woman turned her head to look at Li Xiu, who was sitting cross-legged at the Li family’s resting area, and slowly said, “You must have noticed too, right? That guy Li Xiu clearly handled Liu Zhengyi with ease.”
“Hmph, I naturally understand, but—”
“Because of that?”
“What else could it be?”
The woman fell silent.
The boy also turned his gaze toward the Li family’s resting area, though his attention wasn’t on Li Xiu but on Li Tan.
“Did you hear?”
“Hear what?”
“The one who transformed Li Xiu was Li Tan.”
“That useless Li Tan?”
“He can’t really be called useless anymore. We need to take him seriously. Pay attention later.”
“Got it. Should we inform the elders?”
“No need.”
“Understood.”
The battle between the two smaller clans had already concluded and, after a brief rest, the next match quickly began. This time it was Liu clan versus a smaller clan. Naturally, the outcome was a foregone conclusion—Lin clan’s status as the top of the three major clans was beyond question.
Time flew by in this cycle of “battles, rest, battles,” until the sun had clearly arced across the sky, when something Li Tan had been anticipating finally happened.
“Next match: Li Jiaying of the Li clan versus…” Finally, Jiaying’s turn had come, and Li Tan ended his meditation.
The referee continued announcing Jiaying’s opponent.
“Lin Cui of the Lin clan!”
Li Tan was instantly stunned, as was Li Hantian, while Li Yang’s eyes widened the most.
They had drawn Lin Cui directly—this was like fighting a boss right out of the newbie village. Their luck couldn’t have been worse.
“Jiaying, just forfeit this match.”
Li Hantian seriously advised.
“It’s Lin Cui, big sister…” Li Jiaying lowered her head in thought before answering after a pause, “No, I want to fight.”
Li Hantian furrowed his brows, “It’s not that I don’t want you to fight, but it’s completely pointless. Going up now would just waste energy. Better to save your strength for the second round of the elimination tournament, where you can choose your opponent freely and it’ll be much easier.”
“Jiying understands, but I still want to go up!”
Jiaying looked serious, clearly not joking.
Worried, Li Yang pulled Jiaying into his arms, “Jiying, you don’t have to force yourself.”
“I’m not forcing myself at all,” she replied. “What Li Hantian said is true. This is purely a matter of luck. No one would blame you for not fighting, especially since your opponent is Lin Cui.”
“But…” “Listen to me, Jiaying.”
“Waa…” As Jiaying hesitated, Li Tan, who had been silent for a while, suddenly spoke up, “Uncle, if Jiaying wants to fight, let her. It’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
“Li Tan, are you joking?”
Li Hantian asked in dissatisfaction.
Li Tan replied calmly, “I’m not joking. You just haven’t realized the true significance of this match.”
“What do you mean?”
Li Hantian asked disdainfully.
Li Tan answered expressionlessly, “Those who always regard the weak as their opponents will never become strong.”
Li Hantian seemed to connect something to this statement and suddenly froze, no longer opposing Jiaying’s participation.
“Tan’er is right. I suppose I was being overly protective as a junior,” Li Yang sighed.
Li Tan, no longer serious, grinned, “Don’t worry, Uncle. Lin Cui knows how to control her strength and won’t hurt Jiaying.”
Li Yang’s face showed a smile, but suddenly he gave Li Tan a sharp rap on the head, affectionately scolding him, “You’ve gotten bold, daring to lecture me now.”
Li Tan didn’t dodge, letting the hit land solidly, and rubbed his forehead in mock complaint, “What are you talking about? I was clearly showing concern for you!”
The tense atmosphere eased immediately.
Jiaying stepped onto the arena with a cheerful mood. She was much shorter than Lin Cui, and under the grand setting, she looked especially small, as if a breeze could blow her away, standing out in stark contrast to the surroundings.
Lin Cui was clearly surprised that Jiaying had come up, muttering in annoyance, “What is Li Tan doing? Why didn’t he let Jiaying rest properly for the second elimination round?”
“Giggle, it was Jiaying’s own choice, it has nothing to do with big brother.”
Jiaying’s soft voice came from the other side.
Lin Cui sighed helplessly, “This is so reckless. At least it’s me. What would happen if it were someone else?”
“Don’t underestimate Jiaying, big sister.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll fight you seriously, Jiaying.”
“Promise then,” Jiaying’s face lit up with a bright smile.
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