664: To Challenge or Be Challenged

To Challenge or Be Challenged

His presence was undeniable as he was in a special viewing seat, separated from the others. And with everyone quiet now, they waited for him to speak.  1

"Welcome everyone! This is the first tournament between sects in the history of Red Lotus! They are without a doubt all names that you have heard of, each of them have power worthy of their name. But in this clash of powers, we are here to find out just which of them is the strongest! Please, let it begin!"

He raised his hands up and not a second later, the coliseum erupted in cheers. 

With such excitement in the air, even Ming Yue felt roused. How long had it been since she had been part of the crowds, watching with anticipation?

As the emperor returned to his seat, the forty groups all stepped off the arena, each going to their designated spot outside. Then the announcer came forward, standing in the middle before talking. 

"The tournament will have just one stage and it is quite a fun one! If there is someone out there wanting to challenge someone else, they are free to do so! Of course, if someone wishes to be challenged, all they have to do is step up here! And the one that stands above them all shall be decided by the people! Now I have said all that needs to be said, who will be first?!" 

Following his words, someone immediately stepped up and all eyes were on them. 

Walking onto the arena was a woman wearing a flowing dress that was soft pink in color. Each step she took was light and gentle, holding her hands together on her waist. Her black hair was tied into two buns and she had round eyes along with a button nose. Among other words, cute was the best way to describe her appearance. 

But there was no weapon on her, no sword by her side or large sleeves that hid her hands. 

Arriving at the center of the stage, she looked around before pointing at someone, another woman in fact. 

"I, Tao Hua, of Five Harmony Palace wish to challenge you, Yong Ci!"

Ming Yue looked over to this Yong Ci, feeling slightly intrigued. 

"I will accept!"

A sharp tone answered back as the challenged walked forward, 

Unlike the cute aura that Tao Hua exuded, her opponent was the complete opposite. She had quite a rough appearance, wearing a tight black uniform along with two swords. Both blades had no sword guard and the pommel was ring shaped. 

Yong Ci seemed more like an assassin, pulling her face mask down. 

She had only one eye for a long scar ran down the other. There was another one as well, cutting through her lips. 

"Yong Ci of the Phantom Mountain Manor."

Standing face to face, she was taller than her opponent, a head taller in fact. 

Then the announcer spoke. 

"Before we begin, is there a reason why you chose to challenge her?" they asked.

Tao Hua smiled and answered. 

"I had heard of your exploits, learning of a cool beauty best known for hunting beasts of all sizes. I just wanted to see your strength for myself."

"Is that so?! Do you have anything to say to this?" 

The announcer turned towards Yong Ci, who spoke just two words. 

"I see."

That was all she said and the announcer quickly moved on.

"Er, alright then! At the sound of the drum, the match will start!"

They ran off, leaving the arena and running to where a pair of drums laid. There was a man at the ready with drumsticks, raising both of them up. 

The two fighters stepped away, standing at a distance. While Tao Hua was motionless, Yong Ci tossed her swords up before catching them in the ring pommels. With just two fingers through each sword, she started to spin them around, gaining speed with each passing second. 

And then, the drummer swing down, making one single hit that echoed throughout the coliseum. 

Almost immediately, Tao Hua ran forward. She suddenly thrust her hand out and a long pink sash floated off her shoulders and flew off. Her opponent was prepared for it though. 

Still spinning both swords, Yong Ci leaped up, throwing one of her swords at her opponent. The sword spun in the air being sinking into the ground beside the pink dressed cultivator. 

"You missed!" Tao Hua shouted. 

Lifting her hand up, the pink sash followed, chasing after Yong Ci. But her opponent still had another sword and with it, she struck the sash, cutting it to shreds. 

Yong Ci descended, landing by her other sword and grabbing it. Her hand whipped around, swinging across at her opponent. But it was countered as Tao Hua used her other hand, sending out the other end of the sash and knocking the sword away. 

The both of them jumped back, staring at each other after that initial exchange. 

Even the crowd was silent before suddenly erupting in cheers. All but Ming Yue were clapping and shouting, cheering for one or the other. 

"Hm, a cloth sash for a weapon? How does that work?" she wondered. 

While she had seen her fair share of strange weapons, a sash was a new one for her. 

"What sort of techniques come from this?" 

The cultivator watched the fight carefully, studying both of them. 

Both Tao Hua and Yong Ci fought intensely. With the spinning blades, the black clad woman controlled them expertly, throwing them and striking when the opportunity came. Slowly, she began to corner Tao Hua, striking at her feet and cutting at the sash. 

But Tao Hua fought back, trying to break out of it. 

She suddenly spun, grabbing the sash on both sides. Suddenly, they whipped around, releasing a burst of power. Yong Ci brought her swords up, blocking the strike but was thrown back as a result.

Noticing the sudden change, the black clad woman, lowered herself while gripping both swords by the ring pommel. This time, she sprinted forward, aiming to end to the fight. Both swords were thrown forward, striking Tao Hua at her feet. 

Lookinig at the swords, she thrust her hands towards the swords and her pink sash extended, wrapping around them. Pulling towards her, the swords were lifted out of the ground and out of the corner of her eye, she saw them spark just a bit. 

Suddenly, the swords crackled as Yong Ci reached Tao Hua, grabbing the swords tightly. 

Circling her energy, lightning coursed through her body and into the swords. In an instant, they traveled through the sash and struck Tao Hua, who couldn't even scream. 

But she stayed conscious and the sash slipped off from the swords before striking Yong Ci who was completely open. They slammed into her stomach, knocking her back before wrapping around her body, leaving only her head uncovered. 

Tao Hua breathed heavily, kicking the ringed swords away while looking at Yong Ci. She didn't struggle to break free at all, looking at her in the eyes. 

"It is my loss."

After hearing her say that, Tao Hua's sash unwrapped from her body and the both of them let out a breath. 

The announcer suddenly ran out, announcing the victor of the match. 

"Oh, she won. It was a risky gamble in the end but to think cloth could be used like that, interesting."

Just as the two left, another person stepped forward, looking towards the Eternal Blade Sect. 

"I am Bi Yu of the Heaven Sword School! I wish to challenge the strongest disciple of the Eternal Blade Sect!"

Their voice was loud and strong, certainly filled with confidence and perhaps a bit arrogant as well. 

Ming Yue immediately looked at the Eternal Blade Sect, curious to see who they would send out. As luck would have it, Rou'er stepped forward.

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