"Handsome?"

"Yeah."

"That's as good of an answer as any," Xue Yueliang giggled.

Li Hua looked ashamed, asking, "Am I being too superficial?"

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with that," Xue Yueliang comforted, "Honestly, I was wondering what you saw in him, even I will admit he's handsome."

"Right," Li Hua replied, invigorated, "Do you think-"

"Nope," Xue Yueliang cut off. "Life of a queen would be too restrictive for a free-spirit like you."

"I could change," Li Hua grumped, "I could be more mature."

"And you wouldn't change for me?" Xue Yueliang pouted.

"Seriously though, you're great and shouldn't change for anyone. There's a reason Hei Yu likes you so much."

Earlier, he had been in her arms, enjoying her company while completely disregarding her. Partly because he was upset with her, but mostly because he liked her. His being fond of her also paid a part in their friendship.

"Aww, you're right. I would never want to be someone Hei Yu doesn't adore." She petted him vigorously, her hand running through his smooth fur.

Smiling at this scene, Xue Yueliang said something that caused a chill to seep through Li Hua: "If he changes you, I will kill him."

The moment around them froze, but Xue Yueliang did not take back her words, and Li Hua did not accept them, causing an odd silence.

"I've been meaning to ask," Xue Yueliang asked, changing the subject, "How come you or Sun Wei did not challenge the Mao Ya?"

From how competitive they were earlier, it was odd that they left each other alone.

"In exchange for letting us come here, my sect promised to leave the first place alone if it belonged to Mao Ya, the Hidden Ocean Sect might have cut a similar deal." Li Hua answered, dissipating the chill she felt earlier.

"What if it belonged to someone else, like the Princess?" Xue Yueliang asked, noticing the odd detail.

"Then we can do whatever we want."

Even this is rigged against her.

"That is depressing."

I don't understand why she bothers to get their acceptance.

"Why? Does the princess mean a lot to you?"

"Of course, she's someone I admire."

Xue Yueliang smiled, raising her hand to pat Hei Yu, resting in Li Hua's arms, but he turned away, rejecting her touch. Though she appeared bitter from the rejection, her smile was still sweet, as if a person was preoccupying her thoughts.

Wait, what-

Thinking of it, every time she mentioned the princess of this kingdom, Lei Jian's expression changed; she thought it was because he didn't like her being compared unfavourably to Shi Ling, but, "Could it be -"

Before she could address the misgivings she had, she was interrupted by a man with an unruly bearing, and possessive eyes.

"Lady Yueliang, you were amazing in battle; I'm in awe."

"Sun Wei, I thought you got scared off by Xiang Qingge." Li Hua answered, not hiding the disdain she felt. "You may not know this, but my Liang'er doesn't hang out with close-minded people."

"Your Liang'er? What happened to that surnamed Lei? Could it be you're jealous I'm giving attention to someone else?"

"Heh. I would prefer the attention of a dog."

"I guess you could pet them." Xue Yueliang laughed, finding the chance to join the conversation centred around her.

"You may not know this Lady Yuueliang, but Li Hua is known for being coarse and not behaving like a lady. I don't think she's the best choice of company."

"Who I keep company is no one's business but mine." Xue Yueliang answered, her words coming with a severe chill, but her tone warmed as she continued, "Besides if we're stuck on old conventions, I wouldn't be able to kill people who displease me."

"But lady, you didn't kill anyone; it was that beast you keep company; your hands are very much clean. It was funny how he painted her as innocent in his mind, but she didn't mind. It was this same contempt that allowed her to continue getting her way.

"I can kill anyone who displeases you in your stead; you would never have to get in harm's way."

He gave her another one over, finding the men's garment she wore irritating, as he retrieved a dress from his storage ring, handing it to her, "Why don't you wear this?" The dress was bright gold, shimmering underneath the pale light of the Yin Flame, with magic stones that bedazzled the dress, making it appear magnificent.

Looking at it, Xue Yueliang couldn't help but flinch, wondering what he was thinking. Though the dress looked exquisite, it did not suit her, the gold was too warm of colour, clashing against her skin tone, and it was very much overdressing for any occasion short of her wedding.

"Hahaha!"

Unlike the silent Xue Yueliang, Li Hua burst out laughing, Pointing at the dress as tears came out of her eyes, "Is this your version of a proposal?"

Sun Wei's expression darkened, but before he could retort, she continued, "Why don't you give it to your not victim; maybe she will appreciate the gesture."

Her outburst made Xue Yueliang recall Zhong Xi, and her gaze flitted toward her; she was silent, looking at the ground below her as if it was the most intriguing thing she had ever seen. Regardless of how much she continued to feign ignorance, she could not block out the mocking gazes that landed on her, and tears formed at the edge of her eyes.

"She's right; I can't steal a newly-wedded woman's husband-"

"Only newly-wed?" Li Hua interjected, shocked, only to be waved off, "But I can make an exception."

She smiled as if thinking about a fantasy man, "He would have to be someone that's number one."

Sun Wei frowned, deep in thought, weighing the options in his mind before smiling, "I understand; why don't you keep this dress for the meantime."

Receiving the dress, Xue Yueliang stored it promptly, then looked at Li Hua, awaiting her outburst.

"Did- Did you just promise..?"

"Yes." Li Hua could not finish her question, so Xue Yueliang answered without waiting.

"But why? He's not a good person."

"I don't think he will win."

You could only challenge a person once, and Xue Yueliang did not know Mao Ya's capabilities or powers, but he knew hers. Every advantage she could get was crucial; she needed that first place; the Ethereal Soul Jade had to be hers.

"What if? You can't sign your life away like that!"

Li Hua appeared more worried about her than when everyone thought she was dead in the arena.

"I trust my judgement," Xue Yueliang smiled, using her words against her, "Besides," she shrugged, "I could always kill him if he wins."

"Kill? But... the promise?"

Xue Yueliang was frustrated at Li Hua's confusion, "I don't understand how that is surprising. It was a false promise from the beginning."

At this moment, a faint crack sounded in Li Hua's mind, showing the image of her master teaching her the virtues of cultivators, "A cultivators promise is a cultivators bond, lying, and cheating will harm your Dao's heart; stay away from any falsehood."

"Hehe," Li Hua laughed, scratching her head, "I forgot lying was an option."

"Do you not lie?" Xue Yueliang asked, her eyes widened.

"Well, my master taught me that lying will weaken my conviction as a cultivator and-"

"Never?" Xue Yueliang repeated, still stunned, to which Li Hua shook her head.

"Wow, that's impressive. Does that mean your master knows you prefer the Xiuqi Kingdom over your sect?"

"Yup."

"I always thought you were gutsy, but I couldn't imagine you were this fearless."

Worried her shock earlier might have lowered her spirit, she added, "You're amazing. I could never do that."

"Thanks," Li Hua smiled, then regained her usual composure, pouting, "But you wouldn't lie to me, right?" "Of course not; you're my friend."

Xue Yueliang answered, placing her hand on her shoulder, brightening Li Hua's expression.

"Then, do you-" The same voice interrupted Li Hua's question, booming around the hall, capturing everyone's attention; he held a cutlass in his hand, carelessly dangling to his side, as he stared daggers at the person ranked first, the prince of this nation, and the leader of the palace guards - Third Prince Mao Ya.

"Mao Ya, I think you've gotten too used to your ranking. How about handing it over?"

A small smile appeared on his face, watching as Sun Wei raised the edge of his blade slowly, pointing it at him, "Do you think a crook like you has what it takes?"

His response drew praise from the crowd within and out of the colosseum,

"Haah, a person likes him thinks he can defeat our prince." A person laughed.

"Fighting is beneath the prince's status." A girl sneered.

"I can't wait until that smirk is wiped out of his face." Another commented.

The public support he had was unsettling to her; although the prince didn't see it as such, she already regarded him as an enemy. The best time to get rid of an enemy is when they are isolated, alone and with no one to mourn their death. The death of a monarch and a homeless orphan will not be treated the same; it would be best if she could make him lose support.

"Well, why don't we see?" Sun Wei retorted, ignoring the crowd's jeers.

"Sure."

This time the words sounded from right opposite him, startling Sun Wei, but he quickly composed himself.

"Cheap trick."

Though it wasn't noticeable, the ashes of a used talisman in his hand trailed off into the ground. Mao Ya smiled, not caring that he noticed; all that mattered was the crowd's opinion and the belief in his invincibility.

"Be bitter all you wish, doesn't change the fact I'm superior to you."

Sun Wei elected to ignore him, going for an attack, as his blade aimed for his throat, not showing another of the carelessness he had before, focussing as if he was his mortal enemy. Mao Ya's sword appeared in a flash, protecting himself as he took a step back.

The prince wielded a heavy sword, deflecting his Sun Wei's blow, and rushed wind sounded as he went on the offensive. Sun Wei crouched, avoiding a fatal attack on his head. Without missing a beat, the cutlass swiped at Mao Ya's legs, only managing to cut the edge of his robe.

They exchanged blows a few times, probing each other's depth but to no avail. Any increase in their offensive power was matched, and neither knew the other's limit. In the cultivation world, it was never good to show your depth as you never knew who was patiently planning, making a trap designed just for you, but they could only worry about the future after making it past the present.

"Don't you think we've done this for long enough?!" Sun Wei exclaimed, frustrated that much had not happened after battling for a while.

"Are they finally going to show their depths?" Xue Yueliang asked; she had been watching intently, but neither showed their skills or techniques, only relying on their cultivation.

"They have a good reason not to," Li Hua replied, "Especially with you eyeing them like a hawk."

Xue Yueliang side-eyed before returning her attention to the match.

"What? You want to kill whoever wins."

"Nope, I only want first place if Mao Ya wins."

Xue Yueliang corrected, watching Sun Wei raise his sword as he yelled, "Oceanic Strike!"

The phantom of an ocean wave appeared behind him, crushing onto Mao Ya like the tidal waves, pushing him back words, leaving him soaked as he coughed. Mao Ya snapped his fingers, instantly drying his clothes, leaving only his hair dripping water.

Seriously? Xue Yueliang was surprised he would waste his energy cleaning off his clothes while in an intense battle.

"Earthern split!" Mao Ya exclaimed, not giving people the time to notice his peculiar actions, as the earth beneath Sun Wei split. He lost his footing, but even with his quick reactions, a heavy sword already landed on his back, tumbling him forward.

"Earthern Encase!" The ground where Sun Wei landed rose, restraining him, and another strike landed on his chest.

"Did you think you could win? The earth you walk on is mine to control." Mao Ya mocked as his attack crushed a few of Sun Wei's ribs.

Sun Wei winced, but his expression of pain was quickly swapped for one of anger, "Why would I not? Ocean's Fury!"

A giant cyclone formed with Sun Wei as its centre water vapours and mist appeared out of thin air, surrounding him as the wind whirled around, pushing debris around and breaking the earth that locked him down.

Mao Ya stabbed his sword to the ground, his long hair flapping behind him, "Earthern Encase!"

This time the technique wrapped the earth around his feet, allowing him to stabilise himself while raising his sword. Alas, his quickwitted action was a step too slow as Sun Wei appeared in front of him. As his sword was not fully pulled out yet, he could not defend himself properly, causing the full attack to land on his forearm.

A deep gash formed, showing the ivory bone that hid behind his flesh, and his face paled, but looking at the ragged breath of Sun Wei, he regained his composure.

"Let's see if you can raise the sword now." Sun Wei's cold voice sounded, but his body was hidden among the tycoon, making it hard to pinpoint where his voice came from.

"I don't have to." Mao Ya replied; the heavy sword in his hand disappeared, and a plain dagger replaced it.

A flash of wind passed by, and Mao Ya disappeared into the tycoon.