Beiming Chu's fist collided with Liu Mengdi's sword and the latter was thrown five meters away because of the impact from their clash, while Beiming Chu stood rooted on his spot.

The difference in their power was clear to see and if this continues, Liu Mengdi was bound to lose the fight.

"Where is father? Why did he suddenly disappear this morning? Had he gone back to the Liu Family's headquarters? But he should have at least told me before he left..." Liu Mengdi's mind was too preoccupied at the moment to offer a fierce battle against Beiming Chu.

And in no less than a few moves, Beiming Chu was finally able to hit his chest with a nasty jab.

Bang!

Liu Mengdi groaned as he clutched his chest and he spat several mouthfuls of blood. He could hardly breathe from the strong impact brought by Beiming Chu's punch. It was too powerful that it rocked his internal organs into disarray and if Beiming Chu had not been lenient, he would have been severely injured. 'Goddammit! This guy is too strong!'

"Brother Liu, you are not in your best condition to fight with me. I hope that we can fight again when you are already in your peak condition." Beiming Chu muttered as he stared at the man who was violently coughing his guts out.

Cough! Cough! Cough!

Liu Mengdi grasped his chest as he breathed with great difficulty. He could not even offer a reply to Beiming Chu's words, so he could only stare at him wordlessly.

After seeing that Liu Mengdi could no longer fight, the overseer announced Beiming Chu's victory.

"Woahh! Good job, Young Master!"

"That's our young master!"

The Beiming Family's people immediately cheered in unison after their young master won the fight.

At this moment, only four fighters were left from the initial thousands. They are Prince Dante Silveria, Yang Zenke, Xue Tong, and Beiming Chu.

"Alright, the next round will be held tomorrow morning! For the four participants, make sure that none of you are late!" The overseer announced.

It was almost night time once again and everyone discussed the battles this morning. It was very lively and the crowd was very excited about the next round of the competition.

"Who do you think would rank as first in this competition?"

"Who else? Of course, it's His Highness, Dante Silveria! He is the strongest young disciple of our Silver Wing Empire!"

Long Meili went near to Jiu Shen and whispered to his ears. "Master, do you still want me to return with the kids back to the store?"

Jiu Shen took a quick glance at her and shook his head. "No, but I want you to do something tonight."

Long Meili furrowed her eyebrows as she asked. "What is it, master?"

Jiu Shen stared at the distant figure of Liu Mengdi who looked rather desolate at the moment. "I want you to protect that kid secretly. Make sure that nothing bad happens to him and bring him back to me if he is going to be attacked tonight."

Long Meili followed her master's line of sight and she saw the lonesome silhouette of Liu Mengdi who was walking away with heavy steps.

"I understand." She replied.

"Good. Tell Lu Sulan to protect our disciples tonight." Jiu Shen added.

Long Meili nodded her head to express her aacknowledgment She then walked towards Lu Sulan.

Jiu Shen walked with his people back to their lodgings, but he suddenly discovered the emperor and his entourage. He could sense the urgency behind the emperor's stiff smile.

"Wine Master Jiu, I'd like to discuss something important with you. Do you have time?" Emperor Elyk said as he smiled at Jiu Shen.

Jiu Shen was silent for a moment. He already knew what the emperor wanted to discuss with him and he initially wanted to stay out of it, but after seeing Liu Mengdi's performance, he changed his mind.

Jiu Shen nodded his head calmly at the emperor as he said. "Sure. Follow me to my room. Let's talk there."

***

Inside Jiu Shen's room.

The emperor and Jiu Shen were seated opposite each other. Both men were deep in their thoughts.

"Wine Master Jiu, I can sense that Xue Family is about to strike our Silveria Imperial Family. I think they will attack us after the competition. I would not care about them, but the incoming fight against them is bound to cause too much bloodshed. Many of my Silver Wing Empire's citizens would certainly perish. I hope that you could bring away Dante and Sylvia with you." Emperor Elyk said as he looked at Jiu Shen with a hint of pleading.

Jiu Shen nodded his head calmly at his words. "Sure, but can your Silveria Imperial Family handle both the Undying Corpse Sect and the Xue Family alone?" He asked.

Emperor Elyk's expression hardened as he pondered deeply, but he still nodded his head with certainty. "I won't hide it from you, Wine Master Jiu. I have awakened my father who had sealed himself in a crystal coffin for almost a hundred years. His strength is at the very peak of the 9th-rank Saint and he is already standing at the precipice of immortality. With the help of my father, we should be able to destroy their rebel army."

Jiu Shen felt slightly surprised upon hearing this. The Silveria Imperial Family actually had a treasure like the crystal coffin?

This crystal coffin was a treasure that could seal someone's life energy, slowing down the aging process of whoever is laid inside the coffin. Depending on the quality of the crystal coffin, it could seal someone for thousands of years, but his body would only age by a few years. This was mostly used by dying experts who still had some lingering attachment to the world they were living in.

"Elyk, your father might be strong, but is he strong enough to fight against someone at the Nascent God Realm?" Jiu Shen asked.

"Nascent God Realm?" Emperor Elyk furrowed his eyebrows at this alien word.

"Listen closely, Elyk. I don't want to make this long. After a 9th-rank Saint expert survives their tribulation lightning, they would break through to the Nascent God Realm."