It was the third day of the martial arts contest and the remaining contestants are only 16 individuals. Without suspense, the four 5th-rank Spirit realm participants were among the remaining ones.

Yang Zenke, Xiao Hua, and Han Sen were also among the remaining participants, while the rest of their team had failed to reach the top 16.

The most surprising thing of all, the fifth princess was also among the top 16 and her cultivation level had unimaginably reached the peak-stage of the 4th-rank Knight Crusader! Although it was not much compared to the other remaining participants, her sword techniques and skill were higher than most of them.

The emperor also explained in a jovial tone the reason why Princess Sylvia managed to increase her cultivation level with such an absurd speed. She had actually consumed a 9th-rank spiritual fruit which immediately created a chance for her breakthrough.

Everyone exclaimed at the princess' luck to have actually eaten such a precious spiritual fruit and even some of the patriarchs sighed in jealousy. They could not be blamed though. After all, it was a 9th-rank spiritual fruit. Something at that level was extremely hard to find and could not even be bought using True Crystals.

There was only one battle platform left in the venue and the crowd became noticeably larger than two days ago. Many guests from outside of Beltran City came to spectate the event and they also wanted to see the best fighters of their Silver Wing Empire's younger generation.

Jiu Shen was seated on the same spot together with his people. On his sides were Long Meili and his senior disciple Lu Sulan. Sitting on his lap was the adorable little girl, Ice. The little girl was sucking on a bottle that was filled with milk. Her expression was that of delight as she closed her eyes while enjoying her bottle of milk.

Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.

Ah~

Ice licked her lips after letting out a satisfied sound.

"Stinky human, I like this one. Can I have three of this everyday? Meow." Ice said as she looked at the bottle of milk in her hand with her big round eyes.

Jiu Shen rubbed her head gently and nodded his head at her. "Mn." He replied softly.

Ice giggled happily after getting his approval.

"Everyone! It is the third day of the martial arts contest and all of us will see the top 16 youths of our Silver Wing Empire battle among themselves to prove who among them is worthy to be crowned as the top youth of the generation! The top 8 contestants will also receive a reward depending on their ranks and as to what kind of rewards it will be, I cannot divulge it now. Without further ado, I will now call the first contestants to come up on stage! Princess Sylvia and Young Master Xue Tong, please go to the battle platform!" The overseer announced in a loud voice. His words immediately stirred the excitement of the crowd and when he called the first contestants, everyone clapped their hands exaggeratedly.

Xue Tong was the son of the Xue Family's supreme elder, Xue Yangkun. He was a waste and a bully just a few months ago, but he suddenly became one of the youths of the Silver Wing Empire. As for how he had increased his strength in such a short amount of time, no one had any idea aside from Jiu Shen.

Jiu Shen knew that Xue Tong's strength had increased tremendously after he managed to cultivate the Undying Corpse Sect's Nightmare Corpse Mantra. It was an evil technique that needs more than a hundred human sacrifices in order to achieve a breakthrough and it was this very technique that helped Xue Tong increase his cultivation level in such a short amount of time.

It was unknown how many lives were lost just to make the once trash Xue Tong into what he is right now.

Xue Tong was wearing a set of purple and black robes with the insignia of their Xue Family on his back. A grim-looking sickle can be seen strapped behind his back. It was scary to look at and some women from the crowd even flinched at the sight of it.

"What kind of weapon is that? It looks too unsightly and insidious! Will he use that to fight with Her Highness?"

"We don't have to worry about that. Her Highness is already at the peak-stage of the 4th-rank Knight Crusader and her strength is on par with Young Master Xue Tong's level. Besides, there are a few imperial guards below the battle platform who would immediately rescue anyone from impending doom."

"You might be right, but this kind of weapon is too much to be used in a contest like this. I wonder if His Majesty would allow Xue Tong to fight Her Highness using it."

Princess Sylvia wore a nervous look when she saw the malicious-looking weapon behind Xue Tong. She might have increased her cultivation level by a lot, but her battle experience was nothing much compared to the other participants, so she was anxious to see such a scary weapon. She could not help but glance at the emperor, but she only received his fierce glare.

"There is no rule that restricted anyone in using any kind of weapon, so this is not against the rules. Proceed with the battle." Emperor Elyk said in a dignified tone.

Xue Tong secretly heaved a sigh of relief upon getting the emperor's approval. He then bowed at Princess Sylvia with a smile on his face. "Your Highness, you don't have to worry about this weapon. It only looks scary, but it's just similar to any ordinary sickle." He chuckled, but his voice sounded eerily calm which made Princess Sylvia feel that something was wrong. However, she could not pinpoint where her nervousness came from.

"Xue Tong, you don't need to speak so much nonsense. Take out that ugly weapon and fight with me!" Princess Sylvia uttered as she put on a brave front. She did not want the others to see her anxiousness, so she could only fake a calm look.

Xue Tong was raging inside his heart. He liked this little demoness since they were young and he had also courted her many times. However, Sylvia was a violent woman and she always beat him up with the help of others. He resented her for rejecting him, but he could not do anything about it back then because there was the behemoth Silveria Imperial Family protecting her.

But things are different now... He had the backing of the Undying Corpse Sect and the much stronger Xue Family! And the thing that excited him the most was the news of Elder Ming's successful breakthrough! He was now an individual that surpassed the realms of mortals! And the time when their Xue Family takes over the throne was drawing closer. In fact, they would immediately act after the martial arts contest!

It was the best opportunity to destroy the Silveria Imperial Family and their loyal subordinates in one go!

'Little bitch, let's see how long you can keep up that arrogant look on your face! I will fuck you in front of your father and brothers, then I will kill them after fucking you!' Xue Tong laughed manically in his heart. His pair of onyx eyes radiated with a vicious glow.