Gui Yidao and Cheng Shifei exchanged blows, blood splattered across the ground. The battle was so fierce that even if one of them emerged victorious, they would be too injured to defend their position.
While Gui Yidao and Cheng Shifei were fighting, Qiu Sushui of the Hundred Flowers Sect ascended the stage and challenged Lin Junyi.
In less than a moment, Qiu Sushui was soundly defeated.
The number of eliminated participants increased to five.
As the sun began to set, the fierce battle between Gui Yidao and Cheng Shifei finally concluded, with Gui Yidao securing a hard-won victory.
With Gui Yidao's win, the second day of the复赛 (fùsài - semifinals/qualifiers) came to an end.
The injured were taken to Chengwényuàn by the Lin family for treatment. Gui Yidao's condition was serious; a fractured left arm would not heal in a day or two. Although he had defeated Cheng Shifei, his chances of becoming the Martial Arts Alliance Leader had vanished.
Since he was no longer in contention for the Martial Arts Alliance Leader position, the hostility towards him lessened slightly. Mu Xiaoxiao returned to Chengwényuàn with Lin Yuzhi. She did not seek out the so-called Fengying; whether it was him or not was unimportant to her.
Mu Xiaoxiao's absence brought Nan Shiying a sense of relief. The girl, who previously only knew how to charge headfirst, had finally learned to think for herself.
Nan Shiying had not disguised herself on this trip. Although she was the Regent's Consort, martial artists rarely ventured into the capital. Furthermore, her reputation had been far less than Nan Yuan'er's previously. Due to limitations in information dissemination, news originating from the capital always carried a time lag.
Moreover, even within the capital, she seldom went out in women's attire. Nan Shiying believed the possibility of her being recognized was almost zero. She had just not anticipated that Mu Xiaoxiao would run off to Fengyu City without a word.
As for Gui Yidao.
Now that his true colors were revealed, there was nothing more to worry about.
Nan Shiying ceased her thoughts, clearing her mind of all杂念 (zániàn -杂念 - miscellaneous thoughts), and drifted into slumber.
She needed to conserve her strength for the second battle of the复赛 tomorrow.
The next day, at the arena.
Mu Xiaoxiao rose early, refusing Lin Yuzhi's company, and made her way to the venue to secure a spot closest to the擂台 (lèitái -擂台 - arena/stage).
Lin Junyi, Gu Sanmen, and Gui Yidao were once again on the arena.
Situ Wuer silently ascended the number three arena, facing Gui Yidao, whose hand was already disabled.
"Brother Gui, please step down!"
Situ Wuer did not wish to fight Gui Yidao. However, he felt it was somewhat inappropriate for a Japanese person to be guarding an arena. He had come to ask him to step down.
Gui Yidao remained silent and drew the short blade at his waist.
Situ Wuer sighed softly.
"My apologies!"
Situ Wuer produced his nine-section whip.
Wei Ruyun looked around, then positioned himself before Gu Sanmen.
"Hu~"
A clamor erupted from the spectators.
For Wei Ruyun to possess such cultivation at his age was considered a once-in-a-century genius. However, his opponent, Gu Sanmen, was a peerless master who had long stepped into the realm of 'dēng táng rù shì' (登堂入室 - entering the hall and room, a metaphor for achieving mastery) and was already taking a step towards an even higher realm. The outcome of their confrontation was self-evident.
Wei Ruyun had not come to challenge for the position of Martial Arts Alliance Leader. With the formidable presence of Gu Sanmen, he naturally harbored no such ambitions. However, he could not bear to forfeit without a fight. At the very least, he wanted to observe and feel the gap between himself and Gu Sanmen, how vast it was.
"Senior Gu, junior Wei Ruyun, I humbly request your guidance."
Wei Ruyun was not here to challenge but to seek guidance. He clasped his hands and bowed to Gu Sanmen, his attitude respectful and his posture humble.
Gu Sanmen curled his lips into a somewhat awkward and strange smile. He was not an inherently sinister person, but a battle in his youth had damaged his facial nerves, making expressions difficult. This often led others to misunderstand him, and over time, he ceased making unnecessary expressions.
"Very well, proceed!"
"Thank you, Senior!"
Ignoring Gu Sanmen's unnerving smile, Wei Ruyun attacked first.
The two exchanged blows, fighting for a considerable time.
Could this Wei Ruyun be even more formidable than He Cangling?
A flicker of doubt crossed the minds of the spectators. Comparing their bouts with the other two arenas, they slowly began to discern a pattern.
It seemed Gu Sanmen was actually guiding Wei Ruyun, offering him pointers.
'Wèi zhāo' (喂招) refers to offering guidance.
Despite his stern appearance, Gu Sanmen possessed an unexpectedly gentle temperament.
While there were no flashing blades or bloodshed here, on the number three arena, Gui Yidao was already covered in blood. Situ Wuer was shaken by the determination and resilience in his eyes, unable to comprehend why Gui Yidao was fighting so desperately.
Even if he defeated Situ Wuer, what then?
He was already so injured that even Wei Ruyun, let alone Gu Sanmen, could easily defeat him.
Was it worth it?
Situ Wuer did not understand. Could the so-called reverence for the Emperor of Japan drive a person to such lengths?
Situ Wuer did not press on. He chose to jump off the arena, forfeiting his participation.
"Brother Gui, is there something wrong with Linyuan?"
Situ Wuer turned and asked him from below the arena.
"No!"
Gui Yidao replied.
There was nothing wrong with Linyuan.
"Then why are you... " Situ Wuer hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.
Gui Yidao moved his lips, but ultimately did not answer.
Situ Wuer sighed and cupped his hands towards him, "Although I do not agree with your faith, I still genuinely admire your persistence, Brother Gui. I hope we will not become enemies in the future."
Situ Wuer's surrender was sudden. He turned and left after speaking.
Just as he had arrived.
No one knew where he came from, and now, no one could know where he was going.
...
With Situ Wuer eliminated, nine participants remained.
Jian Wuming, who had been inactive until now, approached Lin Junyi and stepped onto the arena.
Lin Junyi's ability to overpower Kou Zhenhai at such a young age indicated extraordinary skill. Jian Wuming's origins were unknown, and he had not displayed any overwhelming prowess during the previous melee. It would be difficult to defeat Lin Junyi.
Jian Wuming, holding his sword, looked at Lin Junyi and suddenly asked, "Aren't you going to remove the gravity rings from your wrists and ankles?"
Lin Junyi considered for a moment, then cupped his hands towards Jian Wuming, "Thank you for the reminder, Brother Wuming. I shall remove them now."
"Boom! Boom~"
The spectators heard several loud thuds. Seeing the gravity rings that were thrown to the ground, their eyes widened in astonishment. If they were not mistaken, the gravity rings had directly gouged out several pits in the arena.
Yesterday, Lin Junyi had fought Kou Zhenhai while wearing these things?
Terrifying!
Horrifying!
Judging by this, he might be able to contend with Gu Sanmen.
What kind of monstrous talent had the Lin family produced?