Path Of The Lilies

Wei Cheng looked at his sister as he didn"t understand her words. On a daily basis, Wei Yin would never show any expression as if she truly didn"t feel anything. She acted as they told her, just like a perfect doll. It made it hard for them to know what was inside this girl"s mind as she never asked them for anything.

Nothing at all.

She did her training as they asked, she practiced as instructed, and she didn"t seem to have any attachment to anything. Even to her deceased mother, Wei Yin didn"t show any emotion on her cold face. 

"I"ll be taking a walk."

"Take care."

As he walked out of the residence, Wei Cheng just loitered around the area. There were a lot of guards from Wei Family because he is the oldest son and Chen Zi Quan was staying here. A lot of soldiers were sent to ensure their safety here.

"Young Master Wei, do you need…"

"No need to accompany me. I"m just taking a breath of fresh air," Wei Cheng waved his hand to reject the guard"s suggestion.

He wandered on the street without any clear direction. The size of the city was not that big, so it was not weird to see a lot of people around him. His eyes landed on a man clad in black hood not far from him.

"Someone suspicious?"

Wei Cheng frowned when the man came closer to him. He was about to prepare for a fight when the man raised his hand, showing them empty.

"No need to be so overly suspicious will you?"

The voice was unfamiliar, but it clearly belonged to a man. His eyes scrutinized the hand. It might be dark, but Eon Energy Master has a keener sense, so he could see that the size of the hand was large and kind of rough.

It looked like someone from the Barbarian Kingdom.

"What do you want from me?" Wei Cheng asked.

"I have been watching you for some time," the man said. "I just think that the rules of how the Imperial Family has to be the strongest one is truly a nuisance. They always have better talent compared to other people, but talent is not everything. It"s entirely possible to become stronger even when you have less talent."

Wei Cheng"s eyes narrowed. Everyone who has designs against the imperial family would be seen as a traitor. He has been avoiding it from his youth because his father was also someone loyal. It was natural for him to follow after his father"s path without questioning it so much.

However, it was indeed true because he had seen for himself how the Barbarian Kingdom"s people fought. Most of them were in the rank 1 section because not many of them could reach rank 2. Those at rank 2 were already eliminated before because they couldn"t stand a chance against the other geniuses.

"Are you trying to rope me in?" Wei Cheng asked in a low tone.

The man just waved his hand. "Nah, that"s not going to happen. I"m just going to give you an offer."

"What kind of offer?"

"You"re not stupid, so I"m sure you know what our kingdom wants, right?" the man lowered his hand and took out a stone. He shoved it to the front. "If you"re ever interested in cooperating with us, crush this stone and someone from our rank will come over to meet with you."

Wei Cheng looked at the stone for a few seconds before taking it. As soon as he took it, the man turned around and left without waiting for Wei Cheng"s answer. Clenching the stone, he calmed his feelings before keeping it away.

Soon afterwards, Wei Cheng returned back to the residence, acting as if nothing happened.

…

The next day, the quarter final for the Arena Battle started. The four children that left took the lot to determine their opponents.

Qi Huan took the lot with red color at the end. He looked to the side and noticed that Cao Ren had also taken the same one.

"Well, well, this is going to be an interesting fight."

"You"re right," Qi Huan chuckled. He kept the lot away as he noticed that Lu Wan was staring at the blue color and glared at Chen Zi Quan, who also got the same one. It seemed that the second fight wouldn"t end too well.

"The red one will fight first. Those who got blue color, please get off the stage."

Qi Huan readied his sword even before the fight started. Usually, he would be fine with only summoning it right after the battle had started, but he knew better than anyone that Cao Ren"s skill relied on his speed. If he lost in the duel of speed, it would be his end immediately.

"Getting prepared, are you?" Cao Ren looked at the sword with interest. "But it"s a futile one."

"Begin!"

The moment the teacher said begin, Cao Ren dashed forward. His sword danced on the air as it made thrusting movements to Qi Huan"s direction. Countless blades appeared before the young man as he struggled to fend them off.

From the stand, Ye Jiao"s expression was solemn as she watched their bout. It didn"t seem like things would end so peacefully from the way the two of them crossed their swords. The insane speed that Cao Ren showed had far surpa.s.sed any other fight before.

"Left, right, up, left, left, right, middle…"

Inside his mind, Qi Huan calmly calculated the movements of the rapid sword attack before him. He blocked them all using his sword as he watched them increase in pace even further as time pa.s.sed by.

Cao Ren was truly the fast type of swordsman.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Sound of blade clas.h.i.+ng continued to fill the arena. Even the onlookers were unable to follow their speed anymore. It was truly a contest of power and concentration because whoever failed to concentrate would surely lose.

Clang! Slas.h.!.+

The sound that they have been waiting for was heard. At the same time, one of the two people jumped to the back as blood flowed from the location of the wound.

"That"s a shallow one," Cao Ren murmured. He looked at Qi Huan, who was standing in front of him with his left arm bled. His sword was barely able to break the young man"s defense and the moment he reached the man"s arm, Qi Huan had jumped to the back.

"You"re really good, Prince Cao Ren."

"It"s nothing but a sword play," Cao Ren replied. "Are you ready for the next round?"

"I think I already have enough. Trying to match your speed is too hard," Qi Huan refused. He raised his right arm. "I surrender."

Waah!

The crowd broke out in noise when they heard Qi Huan declared his loss. They have been hoping to see another fierce battle, but it didn"t seem that they would be lucky enough today.

"I"m sure that you can still go on, so why?" Cao Ren arched his eyebrows.

Qi Huan smiled. "It"s already good enough for me to have this battle. Even if I push forward, I doubt that I can get away unscathed. Afterwards, I won"t be able to have the strength to fight for the final."

"Ah, final."

"Please excuse me, Prince Cao Ren."

Cao Ren nodded. "Likewise, Prince Qi Huan. Many thanks for your consideration."

"Don"t be so conceited. I didn"t do it for you but for myself," Qi Huan responded as he waved his hand.

Even though that was what Qi Huan said, Cao Ren knew that Qi Huan held back for him. After all, the one who would get the advantage if this fight ended early was him because it meant he could prepare for a good fight in the final.

Cao Ren moved his gaze to the stand. He smiled at Chen Zi Quan. "I"ll be waiting for you."