Naturally, there was no answer to Ling Yichen's question. In the remaining time before the tournament, the three of them sparred. During these sparring sessions, the three of them were constantly improving, finding their own weaknesses and learning the others' strengths.
At night, Lan Xinyu was so dead tired that she would fall asleep the moment she lay on the bed. However, she was extraordinarily fulfilled and happy. Such a feeling was one that she had never experienced before.
In the past, she was constantly surrounded by compliments, as well as envious and worshipful gazes. Also, Shu Yuanfeng and Pei Qianqian never spoke to her sarcastically or provoked her without holding back as Ling Chuxi did. Ling Chuxi's attitude made her realize her own weaknesses and she became even more determined to improve. She even had a clearer direction of her future now!
In the Lan Manor of White Stone City.
Master Lan held a letter in his hand with a gratified smile on his face. The pointed edges of Xinyu, this child, was finally slowly being polished away. He had been very worried in the past, worried that Lan Xinyu could not go far. Now, he could finally put down this heavy burden in his heart.
...
On the day of the tournament, Shi Qu Town was extraordinarily boisterous. Although it was small, it had abundant natural resources and thus was a flourishing town. In the center of the town, a fighting ring had been set up and behind it was a viewing platform. There were five seats, for Shi Qu Town's town head and Master Lan, as well as for the first elders from the Ling, Qin, and Luo families.
The area below the fighting ring had long been filled with people who had come to watch the show. Besides the people from the three families, almost everyone in the town had gathered. It was so packed that it was as if there were three inner layers and three outer layers, almost as if even water could not pass through.
After a drumbeat ended, the town head stood up, briefly explaining the rules and rewards of the tournament. After that, it was Master Lan's turn to speak and he dropped a bomb on everyone. He promised that the Lan family would work together with the final winning family on a longterm basis. And for business related matters, they would received a discount of 10%!
When they heard this announcement, the first elders of the Qin and Luo families were both surprised and filled with joy. They were smiling so hard that their mouths almost fell off. Such good fortune had just landed in their laps. The Ling family's first elder was also excited. He knew that this gesture was the Lan family's way of showing good intent towards their Ling family! And this was all because of Chuxi!
Ling Chuxi watched the Qin and the Luo families' first elders' buffoonery from the bottom of the ring and sneered in her heart. These two families were really funny. They even felt like they had gained such a great fortune. She looked up at Master Lan with a knowing smile on her face.
'Master Lan, we've received your favour again, and it's even such a big favour this time. You truly are a cunning old fox, shamelessly strenghtening our relationship.'
The first match of the tournament was Ling Yichen from the Ling family against Qin Deqing from the Qin family. Without any suspense, Qin Deqing lost, and very thoroughly at that. Seeing this, the Qin family's first elder did not look too good. He knew that Ling Yichen's cultivation was out of the ordinary, but why did it seem to be stronger than before?!
This time, Qin Deqing did not even have the energy to drag things out as per his goal, and immediately lost instead. But, no matter. There were two more matches. As long as the other two matches were won, then it would be fine.
Such was the beautiful dream of the Qin family's first elder. However, could things really be so simple?
The second match was Ling Chuxi against Qin Mengping of the Qin family.
It was truly an instant-kill match!
With Ling Chuxi's stunning move, really just a single move, she sent Qin Mengping flying, kicking him out of the fighting ring!
Qin Mengping's defeat was even faster and more direct!
Ling Chuxi put the Luo Chen Sword away and walked out of the fighting ring with a relaxed expression, waiting for the next match.
Such an outcome was one that many had not even imagined! The people of Shi Qu Town were staring at the proud and happy young maiden walking out of the ring in astonishment. That was Ling Chuxi? So strong and so beautiful. It was touching to watch her! Their excitement was about to boil over.