Mo Cheng sat still, staring at the crowd ahead, desperately searching with his eyes to pinpoint Li Meirong's whereabouts. No matter where he looked, he found no trace of her. The girl had simply vanished into thin air!

His brother shook his head at him. "You should just let her go. Sister Meirong made herself abundantly clear to us. You do not hold a special place in her heart."

"This makes no sense." Mo Cheng rubbed his temple, turning back to assess the crowd once again with a forlorn glance. "I'm the one she should care for the most. We are the same, she and I."

Mo Cheng's frustration was reaching an all time high. He desperately wished Li Meirong would simply listen to him. There was so much he wanted to talk to her about, but he wasn't sure she'd understand.

He furiously stomped his foot on the ground and stated further, "Sister Meirong is being deceived by that wretched man Zhu Qingyue. He manipulates her into doing his bidding. His evil influence is clear… look how cruel Sister Meirong turned out to be!"

"Brother…" said Mo Jing, sitting by Mo Cheng's side as he stared at him with a distressed and conflicted look upon his face.

His brave older brother was the Mo family's shining star, as well as the sect's youngest genius. It hadn't surprised Mo Jing in the least that his brother had become so famous, since he possessed a lightning vein, the strongest and rarest of all foundations. But it wasn't only Mo Cheng's profound spiritual foundation that made Mo Jing admire his brother.

Ever since they were young children, Mo Jing had always looked up to his older brother, long before Mo Cheng had risen to fame.

With his natural aptitude for martial arts, Mo Cheng had stood out among his peers since the time of their youth. His cultivation had also progressed at an incredible speed as well. In short, he had always been impressive in every way. He had been the man others came to in their time of need, providing solutions that others had not been able to find on their own. He was always giving a helping hand to anybody who had sought his aid.

For his meritorious deeds, Mo Cheng's name had become incredibly famous in the continent within a few short years, his noble reputation likewise preceded him.

Yet sometimes, Mo Jing simply wasn't able to understand what his genius older brother could possibly be thinking. Every so often, Mo Cheng's words sounded like the ravings of a madman.

As soon as Mo Jing was about to persuade Mo Cheng to stop thinking about Li Meirong and her new love interest, his older brother jumped to his feet.

"She will begin her match shortly, so she must be near the arena grounds." said Mo Cheng with a determined look on his face, diving straight into the swallowing mass of the crowd.

Mo Jing sighed deeply as his shoulders slumped forward. He reluctantly followed his brother a few steps behind.

Mo Cheng had no time to listen to his little brother's concerns. He rushed through the all-consuming crowd of cultivators. His thoughts were currently jumbled in chaotic disarray, and he almost collided with several individuals as he squeezed in through the masses.

Earlier during the day, Mo Cheng had easily won against all of his own opponents. With a broadsword in his hands, his dashing figure had soared across the arena and enticed the crowds into a loud roar as he vanquished one foe after another.

Not long after, Shu Qianqian's turn had arrived. In spite of her injuries, she had showcased a formidable set of skills, preserving a place for herself in the second stage of the tournament.

As soon as Shu Qianqian's final match for the day had ended, Mo Cheng had ushered her to return to their residence. He wanted her to rest some more, and to avoid any potential encounters with Li Meirong.

Luckily, Shu Qianqian had listened to his request and obediently went back home.

Mo Cheng couldn't understand why Shu Qianqian, the one girl who was the most magnanimous and virtuous in his harem, had always acted spitefully towards Li Meirong.

The matter between the two females had made his plans become a lot more complicated. He originally thought Li Meirong should be his main wife, but her extreme stubbornness had derailed these well-laid plans.

As he kept striding forward, Mo Cheng narrowed his deep-set eyes, recalling Li Meirong's hateful words.

"Atrocious…" Mo Cheng whispered under his breath, his steps slowing down as he neared the arena. 'For the female lead to side with the villain, how ridiculous is this situation?!' he vehemently thought.

"Sister Meirong is already inside the boundary of the arena's array!"

Mo Jing's voice suddenly called out behind Mo Cheng as he came to stand beside his brother and pointed a finger towards the center of the arena's grand stage.

Beyond them was the prestigious arena, surrounded by a powerful spiritual array which blocks the opponents from fleeing the stage the moment they enter it. It was a structure with an elevated stage, hedged by rows of shouting people.

Li Meirong had already entered the arena, and was in the midst of battle. Not a trace of sweat nor a hair out of place could be seen on her. She possessed a regal countenance, and carried herself with poise and grace.

Mo Cheng followed his younger brother's gaze, taking in the impressive display of a blade dance which Li Meirong had elegantly performed. His jaw dropped, surprise slackening the muscles.