The people sprung up from their seats with thundering claps resonating in the arena.

Huo Ying and co immediately sprung up from their seats with their claps resounding and cheering for Bingchen who was quite surprised to see them cheer for him.

​​

"Way to go!" Huo Li yelled over their voices, drawing their attention to her tiny voice, they soon took their seats back when Huo Qiang realised they were being too dramatic and all eyes are on them so he signalled them to take their seats back.

"Your people are quite energetic," Sect leader Zhou remarked in an attempt to cover the immense shame he is feeling at the moment and the urge to hurl his folding fan at his son who he deems as a good for nothing son.

"You can't blame them, this is their first time in such contest," she responded but when she faced her front, the corner of her eyes caught the fourth prince staring at Huo Lan, she arched her brow in confusion as this is not the first time she has seen him stealing glances at her, on the other hand, Huo Lan is not reciprocating his stares which means she doesn't know him.

{Why does he seem so interested in her and the flame sect?}

She thought to herself.

"The winner of this round is the flame sect, the next round is between the flame sect and the wind sect," Master Li Jie announced, this time the people become over-excited, the real competition is now beginning to the four main sects and the emperor.

The emperor glanced at the sect leader of the wind sect, warning him that his sect had better win this round cos he can't afford to allow the flame sect to become heroes in the heart of the people again.

In turn, he nodded at Meng Hui who caught his signal so she walked up to the ring, in the hearts of the people, Meng Hui is the perfect match for Bohai, an elegant and skilful female martial artist just like she always painted herself in their face.

But as soon as she entered the ring, Bingchen turned to leave the ring, she frowned at his action.

"Are you scared?" she yelled loud enough for those outside the ring to hear, Bingchen turned to face her with a smirk at the corner of his lips.

"Scared? you are just not my match," he responded then climbed down the ring, she clenched her fist tightly at the insult in embarrassment since others outside the ring hears his remark, he soon got to where his peers are seated.

"What are you doing?" Huo Ying queried as he took his seat.

"I don't want to fight a boring contest," he responded, she rolled her eyes at him then turned to Huo Qiang who glared disapprovingly at Bingchen, one thing he always keeps in mind is to respect his opponent and never underestimate unless he is being underestimated and needs to put them in their place.

Huo Ying got an idea.

"Huo Lian, why don't you go up?" she suggested to Huo Lian who was taken aback by her sudden inclusion, Huo Ying wanted to use this chance to show Huo Lian that she is not being excluded or undermined.

"Yes Huo Lian, you should go up," Huo Mei chimed in, she was going to refuse but since Huo Mei also wants it, she decided to accept it.

"Hm," she hummed then made her way to the ring.

"The third guardian of the flame sect, Huo Lian," she introduced.

"Meng Hui," she merely introduced.

Then they both prepared to fight.

Both started fighting using the martial art from their sects, Huo Lian was attacking fiercely and erratically but Meng Hui was composed and swift in dodging and delivering her attacks, everyone watched with deep concentration while holding their breath.

Bohai, on the other hand, watched the battle with a serene expression unlike the others from his sect, he and Meng Hui are training partners so he knows her ability deeply and he can already tell the outcome of the battle.

They have been fighting for minutes when Huo Lian was finally exhausted and her attacks became slower and Meng Hui who had been looking for an opening to land her final strike finally found her chance.

Just as Huo Lian used her ghost movement which allows her to move speedily without being seen clearly, Meng Hui calmly stood in the middle while Huo Lian went around her.

She shut her eyes then inhaled deeply, she blocked every other sound from her ear and focused on the wind.

"Got you," she smirked then she suddenly kicked into the air just as Huo Lian got to her front, the kick sent Huo Lian flying but she quickly balanced herself however Meng Hui was faster, she somersaulted before she could stand straight, they exchanged few moves, this time Huo Lian was slow and weak in defending thus, Meng Hui aimed her sword at her neck in no time.

"You lost," she declared with a smug smile on her lip.

Sect leader Lin raised his chin in pride then glanced at sect madam Huo hoping to see a bitter expression on her face but it was the opposite.

Huo Lian returned to her seat with her body almost exploding out of anger from the shame of losing, as soon as she took her seat, Huo Mei held her hand to console her but she pushed her hand away then glared at Huo Ying with her eyes teary.

"Huo Lian, you don't have to feel bad, one lost fight won't cause the sect to lose," Huo Ying tried to console not knowing she made it worse as Huo Lian faintly smiled in response then turned away.

Apologetic, Huo Ying lowered her head but felt a touch on her hand, she looked up to see Huo Qiang smiling, he leaned towards her then whispered.

"It is not your fault she lost, don't let her make you feel guilty," then he pulled away, widening his smile.

She smiled faintly then nodded in response.

After Meng Hui and Huo Lian's fight, few sects competed with her including the talisman sect and she managed to defeat them all, she had just won against one of the minor sects when the result was announced.

"The next round is between the wind sect and the thunder sect," master Li Jie announced.

They cheered aloud as Biyu walked into the ring, with a stoic expression and stiff mannerism, everyone knows her for her stiffness as someone who never smiles or socialises.

"Yun Biyu," she introduced for formality then they began fighting, just like Huo Lian, her attacks were fierce but composed, she made Meng Hui start defending from the start.

Meng Hui already swore to defeat her in the worst way if they end up competing especially because of the remark she made a while ago.

Both swords kept clashing as they leapt into the air and landed on the ground, thunder streaks kept coming out of her sword every time she activated new skills that no one has ever seen but Meng Hui wasn't lagging behind either.

However, she soon started getting fatigued and her attacks became slower, unlike Huo Lian, Biyu keeps attacking fiercely but she doesn't seem to get tired and her attacks weren't getting slower so Meng Hui was finding it hard to keep up.

She had just defended an attack when Biyu leapt into the air then she twisted her body as she landed upside down with her palm reaching for Meng Hui who quickly blocked her attack with her sword but Biyu kept pressing down hard and her knees were almost giving way but she was determined to never lose to Biyu thus she gathered her blue Qi then hit the hand holding her sword to resist.

Biyu then did the same, channelling her purple Qi into her other palm, this time, Meng Hui could no longer hold on, her knees were almost touching the ground and she could see it when she lowered her eyes, she knows how much it would kill her if Biyu succeeds in bringing her to her knees.

Whilst everyone from the wind sect was watching with concern on their faces, Tang Fan clenched his fist as his heart couldn't take seeing her struggle so much and he knows just how prideful she is.

"Will you surrender or do I need to bring your knees to the ground?" Biyu questioned in an attempt to give her a choice, not that she has a personal grudge against Meng Hui but she has always hated her guts.

"Never," she hissed back then gathered all her strength to push Biyu back as much as she could then she somersaulted backwards but Biyu dashed towards her, they exchanged few hand strikes before Biyu landed a hit on her chest which made her vomit blood because of how much energy she just used to fend her off, she then pointed her sword at her neck while she was still in pain.

The crowd sprung up from their seat then cheered for Biyu whose face is still stoic despite her win.

Meng Hui with the corner of her mouth bloodied glared at Biyu as she dug her nails into her palm.