"Why are you apologizing? We were meant to fight each other at some point, don't worry. Just do your best.", Jian Li said.

Jian Chen walked past them and looked into the sky, staring at the lightning. He felt the sudden urge to rush forward and battle for himself.

Meng Liang raised his hands, signalling to the contestants that the clouds above them had dissipated.

The arena was filled with an eerie silence for the contestants as Meng Liang stepped onto the stage. All sounds other than Meng Liang's voice were muffled for everyone on the stage.

"All of you, remember that this is your time to shine! You have all improved from the first half of the tournament! Now, show us what you have!

Only those that can prove themselves can continue to the finals!"

The audience became silent in anticipation.

"Let's get started! The first of the four matches for the first round will be between Zhang Yi and Jian Li!"

The audience cheered loudly as Meng Liang announced the fighters for the other three matches.

Jian Li was getting ready when she suddenly felt a strange presence, almost like an itch in her right shoulder. She could feel the presence pressing against her, trying to enter her mind.

Instinctively, Jian Li knew that she should not let this stranger in. But she couldn't find the strength to resist either. It felt like there was an invisible force trying to press on her back.

Suddenly, a voice came out of nowhere.

"Are you afraid, little girl?"

This was the voice of a man she knew.

"Cor?", Jian Li asked, looking around the arena nervously.

"Jian Li, are you alright?" Liu asked, a concerned expression on his face.

The voice continued to speak to her softly in her head.

"I am here. I will always be here for you, no matter what happens. Not even the real heavenly will can stop me if I desire it to. Not even this fake one…"

Jian Li felt the presence fading from her mind, the feeling of pressure and exhaustion vanishing.

She took a deep breath, calming herself down.

Cor could show up at any time and anywhere, whenever he wanted to. However, she had no choice but to accept it since there was no stopping it.

Jian Li had a troubled look on her face as she stared into space before nodding repeatedly.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just got a sudden headache. That's all.", she said.

She tried to sound convincing, but Liu could tell that she was lying.

"Is everything alright?"

Jian Li nodded, still looking at Liu with a troubled look on her face.

"I'm fine. Just a temporary headache is all.", Jian Li lied again.

"Don't worry. I'm sure it'll go away when our match starts.", Zhang Yi said, trying to reassure her.

He glanced over to Jian Chen, who was still looking up towards the clouds. Jian Chen seemed to be in deep thought.

They were both nervous and they both knew that only one could move on to the next round. But they needed to remain calm to have the best chance of winning.

After some time, a glowing beam of light shone from Jian Li and Zhang Yi as the rest of the contestants made their way off the stage.

"Now then, the two of you have been chosen by the heavens to battle."

Everyone turned to look at Meng Liang as he spoke.

"The first match will begin in a moment. Please wait for my command!", Meng Liang said, his voice echoing throughout the arena and creating an aura of tension.

The arena was filled with a thick oppressive silence for the two fighters as the cheers of the audience were suppressed.

A blinding light shot up from the centre of the stage, illuminating the area as the audience watched in anticipation.

Zhang Yi and Jian Li were the last ones left on the stage before Meng Liang stepped forward, raising his hands in the air. He then began to speak.

"All of you know that the two of them have been chosen by the heavens. No other contestant can interfere with this match. However, there is one rule that applies to all of you."

Meng Liang's voice caused a wave of murmuring to spread throughout the arena.

"Each participant must defeat one another for any of them to progress to their next match. If either contestant is defeated in this round, they will be eliminated from the tournament."

The atmosphere grew tenser as the contestants waited for Meng Liang to continue speaking.

Zhang Yi and Jian Li had already fought together earlier. But now they faced each other alone, with no one else to help or guide them.

"The heavenly will has chosen the two of you! Let the second half of the Banmian tournament begin!"

As Meng Liang's words rang out, the light above them faded away and they could see each other clearly again.

Zhang Yi smiled, his face full of confidence and determination.

Jian Li also stood upright proudly as she gave him a small salute.

"Good luck."

Zhang Yi returned the gesture with a nod as he moved forward, his movements swift and powerful.

He clenched his fists as he closed in on Jian Li, who was waiting for him patiently.

As soon as the two fighters were close, Zhang Yi launched himself into the air, launching a punch toward Jian Li.

The attack was fast and powerful, with perfect timing.

But Jian Li simply leaned backwards, avoiding the punch with ease. Zhang Yi's attack was quick but Jian Li was faster.

Zhang Yi quickly launched himself forwards, aiming for another attack.