Hundreds of kilometers from Gao Ling City lies another vast city located at the center of the Empire. But if anyone comparing the Gao Ling City and this city will be just comparing a hill and the mountain. Build in similar fashion to Gao Ling City, this city stood proud at the heart of the empire signifies its unity and strength. This is where the heart of the empire resides despite being the lowest Empire of the Profound Sky Continent. The Blue Wind Imperial City.
The city was full with people and cultivators apart. The city was so vast that horses and carriage were an absolute and common requirement for non-cultivators to travel. In the Imperial City, flying was restricted to avoid any unwanted issues. In the Imperial City, Sky Profound Realm cultivators were common level existence and often treated like nobles due to their strength. But Peak Sky Profound Realms were rare. Only those early levels were common enough.
In the central area lies the imperial palace where the ruler or the emperor of the palace resides. This place also houses the imperial family which host the bloodline of the Cang family. This is where all administration management are handled to govern the empire. Currently, rumors have been circulating that the emperor is currently ill and cannot resumes his ruling for much longer. The current emperor was considered kind and always thinking about the kingdom but the people were concern about the new emperor later in the future. Despite they know about the squabbles between the two princes. They were still concern about their methods.
In the heart of the palace, a middle age man stood on the veranda overlooking the vast city from the central palace. His features were considered handsome as well as emits the aura of nobility which signifies a high ranking member in the society. He also wore a golden robe which only the imperial family can wear. The same as the third Prince Cang Shuo, this man had their signature fuschia hair color which only applies to the The Blue Wind Imperial family possessed. This middle age man was none other than the crown prince of the Blue Wind Empire, Cang Lin.
Suddenly, the door to his room was opened and his attendant walk calmly into the room before closing the door and lock it up. Prince Cang Lin didn't even fazed indicate the attendant in front of him is the person he trusted the most. Cang Lin turned around before he spoke. "What is the matter?"
The attendant bow down to him before he spoke. "Crown prince, we have received reports from our scouts that the third prince, Cang Shuo is dead."
Cang Lin widen his eyes before regaining his composure. But the attendant can see his excitement but he immediately masked it. "How did that happen?"
"From our reports, the crown prince was accompanying the Burning Heaven Clan young master, Fen JueCheng in search for a rumored treasured cave in the Wasteland of Death. However, we did found several bodies of his and the third prince's guards dead on the nearby mountain. The rest were currently unknown. Probably being devoured by those white masked beast or demonic beast. However, the bodies we found were dried as if their energy was sucked from them."
Cang Lin immediately went on a shock as those guards of them by no means weak. "Who in the world had the capabilities to defeat them? Any survivors?"
"One of our informant in the clan says that the young master of the Burning Heaven Clan lived to tell the tale and he had all of his Sky Profound Realm attendants returned with him but lost all of his lower level attendants. From our informant, it seems that they met with the Princess herself. Young master Fen wanted her and she rebelled against him and the third prince. Her current location is unknown." The attendant spoke. As a precaution method, Cang Lin had spies placed in the Burning Heaven Clan to monitor their movement. The surviving attendants had to tell the tale as warning to others but unaware that the tales were being spread as a result.
"Cang Yue, she was there? That girl, I let her be as she was harmless as an ant but now she caused more trouble than I expected." Cang Lin gritted his teeth as his sister was slowly growing up. If this keeps up, she will soon rebelled against him as well.
"Hnn, the third prince was obliterated on the spot by her companion. Morever, she seemed to travel with a male and a female companion. From what I've heard, their names were Yun Che and a female cultivator name Retsu. Reports also indicate that Yun Che emerged from the cave probably gained something from the cave."
"Yun Che and Retsu. Wait, you don't mean the two cultivators that liberate the New Moon City from the control of the seven sects? They're her backings?" Cang Lin widen his eyes as he remembered about the news he heard about the matters of New Moon City. Moreover, his sister ran over there to escape the marriage proposal between her and that Burning Heaven Clan young master. Moreover, he failed to exert his own marriage proposal for her to the Xiao Clan due to his third brother. More importantly, she found herself a powerful backing. The backing that managed to annihilated the seven sects governing the city. If she managed to return to the Imperial City, she would instantly overthrow the other princes and push him out of the line. Who cares if he is the next in line? His father knew about his scheme with the Xiao Clan but he is too ill to think about it.
"It seems she found herself quite a backing. Now, she's became a thorn to us. With that bastard Cang Shuo is dead, my ascendance to the throne was inevitable but it will not work if my father is still alive and Cang Yue also knew my scheme. I want you to create a contract for my sister's head and sent it to the dark guild. We can't risk her returning to the kingdom with her backing."
"If her backing can defeat a Sky Profound Realm, it means their cultivation probably surpassed them. Moreover, we're creating a contract to kill the Imperial Princess? Even the Burning Heaven Clan is interested with them being alive. Probably wanting that secret he gained from that cave."
"Not her, create a contract to kill her backings and make sure there aren't any witnesses. You know what I mean. Also, keep our matter a secret from the Burning Heaven Clan. We can't have them know about our involvement."
"I see, but that kind of contract will sure to fetch a price." The attendant nodded in understanding.
"I don't care, just name the price and get it done. If the dark guild failed, looks like I have to proceed with the plan."
"Sire, you don't mean…"
Cang Lin clenches his fist before turning to his attendant. "Yeah, that plan. If I can't get the throne right now. I have to resort to use that plan to deal with that whore of a sister of mine and take this throne by force. With that brother of mine dead, I will force all of his influences under me. Then, we will proceed with the plan. With or without Cang Yue."
Back to the selection, cheering among the crowd were heard across the arena as Yun Che won his battle with Mu Jiu. As he defeated two strongest sect of the northern and southern half of the empire, he was steadily building his reputation as the strongest beneath Emperor Profound Realm. The crowds were slowly memorizing his name but most of still calls him 'Hawk Eyes'. Wonder how they got that name? Be in coincidence or not. After this, he will permanently establish the title the strongest swordsman using the sword villa as a jumping pad. Under the name Dracule Mihawk, he can cause as much trouble as he wants without linking it back to his true self.
As he walks from the arena, he saw the sect master of the Heavenly Thunderfire Fortress was eyeing him intently from their seating area. It seems that whether he was either bearing killing intent or amazement in his eyes was unknown to him but now that he saw him. He never noticed him before but he finally recognizes this middle age man is Mu Tianbei through the system's facial recognition. From its database, this man that will chase him all over the secret realm during the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament on but rather than killing him here, he rather waited for him in the realm so he could wish dying in Jasmine's hand was better than dying in his hands.
What happens in Yun Che's head was unknown to Mu Tianbei. It was enough he defeated their elder but to be a craftsman as well. If he were to join their sect, imagine the possibilities. Then, he heard one of his escorting disciple spoke. "Incredible, he defeated the strongest elders from the northern and our southern half of the empire without even drawing his sword. Is he going to defeat his last opponent with similar manners?"
Another one replied "I don't know, did you see how flawless his reactions were? He avoided those thunderfire sword strikes without an effort."
"Not to mention that he parried all those empowered strikes and emerged unscathed. If the opponents were remaining the same, he'll be facing that elder from the Heavenly Sword Villa."
"He defeated the strongest underneath the four sect and now he's going to defeat the strongest sect of the Empire?"
"I thought the Frozen Cloud Asgard is the strongest?"
"I don't know, that sect only filled with women and only has one throne so far. The Heavenly Sword Villa has one as well. But the Asgard's Monarch is stronger than the villa's. We can assume that those two stand on equal with one another. However, that villa has the backing of Heavenly Mighty Sword Region."
"The legendary sacred ground?!? Damn, he'll be challenging that sect already. This Hawk Eyes really moves up in an instant. After this, we'll be witnessing the battle between swordsmen."
"Damn, I wish I could see that sword in action. Rumors already spread that sword is at least an Emperor stage sword."
"Emperor stage?!? Only the sects from the outer empire had those things. If that thing really is an Emperor Stage sword…."
"I bet the whole arena will have eyes of greed."
"But it's only a rumor right?"
"Who knows….."
Yun Che was back on his seat before keeping calm once more. He admit staying calm like Mihawk was pretty boring and rather be himself for a change. He'll let the others speculating the hell out of them but if he were to reveal the grade of his sword Yoru, he'll be unleashing a massive amount of chaos later in the arena as Yoru is not a throne or overlord sword. It was a Monarch level sword. Moreover, it was up-gradable as long as he had sufficient materials. A sword that can level up is a sword that will drive even the sacred grounds crazy. It might be powerless and not a Zanpakuto but it is strong enough to counter even the most powerful sword in the world. This is why he wanted to establish the title of the Strongest Swordsman in the World so he had the power to protect his creations.
Now that's over, his attention was shifted back to Li Yue. He tried using the system's interface to scan her but the system needed facial recognition to discover her identity. So he has to see her face as he never actually met anyone from the Frozen Cloud Asgard aside from Xia Qingyue. Even her master back then he didn't bother to meet. All he knew was Li Yue can be anyone from the Frozen Cloud Asgard. Maybe one of the six other fairies or even Little Fairy's sister, It's possible as she was quite close with them and had a lot of cultivation materials gained from him. She could empower any one of them to the peak before coming here. The speculation was quite logic as they are from the woman only sect and that inheritance was perfect. Give it to other potential females and a Monarch will soon birth from the Asgard itself.
But, Cang Yue's cultivation was more important. He couldn't care less about the Asgard unless he had ties with them.
Jasmine was observing from his inner world suddenly spoke "Why are so keen on knowing that woman?"
"Jasmine, how long have you been there?" Yun Che was a little shock. She has to stop doing that or his heart might explode from the shock.
"From the beginning, you idiot. I was observing the whole thing with Mizu and Kaze. These two are really handful." Jasmine suddenly spoke as she softly caresses the sleeping heads of Mizu and Kaze on her lap. She even had Ryu curling on her neck. She developed a close bond with Jasmine for the past few days.
"Well, it's like taking care of little sisters. Anyway, I felt I known her from somewhere but I don't know how. All I know is that woman is form the Frozen Cloud Asgard based on her cold elemental energy."
Jasmine nodded in understanding. "I see, so you felt her energy somewhere."
"Kind of, probably in a city or somewhere. I am pretty forgetful about these things."
"You didn't memorize her energy?" She spoke in an annoyed tone. If he memorize it, it will not turn to this. She was a little curious that Li Yue knew his Table Hopper technique.
Yun Che rolled his eyes as he heard her. He's a man and those things aren't that important to him. Or was it? "I didn't and why should I do that?"
"I thought you were interested in those kind of things."
Yun Che suddenly sweat dropped at her remarks. "I am interested but not that interested. You make sound like a creep."
"That's because you are one."
"You…. You have a grudge with me or something?"
"Hmph, I don't know what you are talking about. By the way, I hope we finish the tournament soon. I am also interested in the Legacy of the Moon Empress. It might be a mortal realm art but I am somehow interested in that thing."
"Hold your horses, toots. I am getting there." Realizing she dodges the subject again as usual. He sighs before focusing back on the tournament.
The match proceeds on usual without any interruption but the impact of it was less than expected. It seems that people are more interested in his match along with that woman. Not only they were lone rangers but these two were the only ones showing the best display of powers so far. Moreover, none of them went all out unlike the other elders. They defeated their opponent with least amount of effort especially Yun Che. These two also shows that same strength makes a lot of difference between them and the others.
When the other opponents were done and their final opponent was set. It was the final match of the semifinal which is the battle between Li Yue and someone from a well-known clan. In fact, this clan is quite unknown to him but judging from the crowd's reaction. It was rather loud.
The announcer of the match finally announced "Fellow guests and cultivators, we are now proceeding with the final match of the semi-final selection match of the Moon Empress selection tournament, we will welcome again our Mysterious Fairy Li Yue into the stage where she will face one of the great clans of the Blue Wind Empire. Please welcome, elder Zhang Yu of the Zhang Clan."
When Li Yue was back on stage, the crowds cheered for her as she faced the Zhang Clan elder this time. However, Zhang Yu was equipping himself with a sword as well as shield and his body was donned with a full set of armor. Making him looked like a Chinese style knight compared to Chinese cultivator. When Yun Che saw this, he started to saw Li Yue maybe had slim chance of winning the match.
Li Yue stood on the stage as her robes was fluttering in the air facing Elder Zhang Yu exposing her slender body underneath it. He might be an elder but he wasn't like the other elders which is full of arrogance and naivety. If he was then those things can cause him great lost. He had to resort of going all out fighting his opponents even if his opponent is a woman. But instead of showing off, the elder cupped his hands before raising his shield and sword as he faced Li Yue. "This elder had the honors of clashing against the Mysterious Fairy Li Yue. Now, I will not talk much as I wanted that spot to enter the tomb. I hope Fairy Li Yue will respect my wish."
Li Yue also cupped her hands before rearranging her hood and drawing her sword. "The honor is mine. But I too wish to enter the tomb."
"Then, let me witness the powers and capabilities of the Mysterious Fairy Li Yue. If I were to admit, I rather face you than facing that monster swordsman over there." The old elder Zhang Yu shifted his eyes towards Yun Che. He admitted that he was a bit fearful the moment he saw him defeated two strongest factions underneath the four clans with minimal amount of effort. Even if they are not supreme elders, they were still stronger. Even if he faced Li Yue that defeated the elder of the Burning Heaven Clan. He felt like he rather face her than him.
As she heard that, Li Yue once more divert her eyes towards Yun Che. She admitted that she was interested in him the moment he entered the tournament as a solo cultivator. Moreover, she did assume he was from a clan or sect but after hearing his name. She never heard of such name exist before. She was watching him from the beginning while assessing him. She might as well try to learn something if she had faced him later. However, not only she couldn't find any weakness. She also couldn't find any openings. If she were to faced him in the selection or tomb. She rather avoided him rather than clashing into him. Especially if he decided to use that black sword if his.
Back to her battle with Zhang Yu, she had to choose her moves carefully as she didn't want to use anything that expose her on the spot. Moreover, she watched his fight from before as Zhang Yu was more on tiring his opponents using defensive state attacking and defending. When the opponent was tired, then he goes for the kill. However, she wasn't as powerful as Mihawk. She couldn't push him out of the arena on the spot as he was defended by a heavy suit of armor. Coupled by his strength, he was immovable as Mount Tai. But, it was no harm going all out with her martial arts capabilities but she must hide her Frozen Cloud Arts. She had her own share of trouble in masking her Frozen Cloud Aura as she channels it into her arms and sword. However, Yun Che's sharingan was able to pick up her energy movement and channeling of her Frozen elemental arts in her body. She used them to add some power to her strikes as she slowly ganking towards Zhang Yu.
The battle had begun as two opponents clashing with each other. As expected Li Yue's attacks were being nullified and blocked by the shield used by Zhang Yu. From the system, Yun Che can see the heavy equipment used by the knight-like elder was merely Spirit Profound Realm equipment but even that equipment will cause some trouble against her especially that profound shield.
The elder smiled as he managed to block another attack from her. However, he was a little puzzled that the fairy did not used any of her profound skill and merely using a simple attacks and more of a direct approach.
Zhang Yu raised his shield before he spoke "Fairy Li Yue, If you continue to do this, you might lose before the battle is even begun. I recommend using your profound skill. You might put some dent in the armor for a change."
Li Yue was gaining distance as none of her attacks are working. Even after empowering them, it was not enough to even move him. She kept quiet as she spoke in her heart. "Damn, this elder is as hard as a rock. How in the world am I going to defeat him? Am I going to use my profound arts? No…no… Too risky. I can't risk the sect knowing about my involvement."
Then, Li Yue suddenly had an idea. It might be dumb but at least it will work. From what she can see, the equipment might be heavy but the elder's movement seems to be sluggish when he strikes. She decided her theory by striking at him once more.
"Fairy Li Yue, I told you this will not work…." However, Li Yue using the shield as a jumping point and immediately jumped to his back before empowering her strikes. She immediately struck the waist of the elder and she was right. As a result, the elder tumbled to the ground before slowly getting back up.
Retsu was observing the battle with her eagle vision before she spoke "Looks like she found that elder's weakness."
Seeing Retsu was able to see his weakness early, Cang Yue was impressed. But, knowing Retsu. She might as well use that demonic black energy ball of hers to destroy him. "Sister Retsu. You mean that elder can be defeated?"
Retsu replied "Why can't he? He used a heavy suit of armor which require him to exert all his weight into his feet so he would focus on defending. However, a heavy armor would have weaknesses in the waist area as that would be lightest area protected and to ensure lighter movement. He can guard his front but can't guard his back."
"So, she used his weakness against him." Mio continued her sentence.
Retsu nodded before continued "Because of that heavy armor, he can't even fly. Even if he can, the movement will be hindered and that woman will use it against him. The elder use absolute defense but it cost most of his mobility. That's why he was tiring his opponent. Plus, he can't even turn his body quick enough to react."
Mio's eye shifted back to the battle as she suddenly spoke. "If he faced Danna-sama, I think that he would sliced off the armor clean using a haki coated dagger or blast him using his sword. But, if he do that the crowd will have too much excitement for one day."
Kon went up to Cang Yue's shoulder to see clearer. As he saw the crowd's reaction, he sighs again. "*Sigh, we didn't even get to the final battle and he's already cause so much excitement. What will happen if he use all of his powers? Lucky bastard. Perks for being overpowered I guess."
Back to the battle, Zhang Yu slowly went back up and started to glare his opponent. "You… Looks like you're quicker than you thought. But it's not enough to defeat me." Zhang Yu immediately empowered his fist before ganking towards her. Sensing the immediately danger, Li Yue immediately jumped in the air avoiding the empowered fist. The fist suddenly exploded engulfing the part where she stood just now. Sky Profound Realm attacks are quite lethal once they did it.
Li Yue floated in the air overseeing the destruction capabilities of that profound art. She made a mental note not to attack him directly. Seeing the opportunity, she immediately uses her speed to gain advantage as she ganks him once more. Emerged from the clouded smoke she immediately going for the kill on his neck. As expected Zhang Yu, immediately raised his shield to block it. However, Li Yue made another jump to the back again in an attempt to strike him.
"Oh no you don't!!" Zhang Yu realized her move before slowly empowered his fist with his profound arts again before striking the ground underneath him. But, he made a fatal mistake destroying the solid ground below him thus losing his footing. Li Yue immediately jumped to side avoiding his arts. Seeing her within range, he immediately cooked up another attack before ganking on her once more. This time he empowered his sword before swung it towards her.
Sensing the strike was imminent, Li Yue started to concentrate once more before….
SWOOSSHH
Her body suddenly turned blurry before it travels some distance towards Zhang Yu's right side. He was shocked as his sword strike was evaded thoroughly as her body turned blurry. Zhang Yu was shock again as he witness the same move use by her to evade the Burning Heaven Clan's elder in her previous match. "There it is again… How it the world she accomplished that?"
Seeing Zhang Yu was stunned, she immediately went into his side before entering his safe zone. Before he could react, her sword was already touching the crook of his neck before he even realized it. Dripping his blood slowly to the ground.
"It's over…" Li Yue suddenly spoke with a cold voice.
The elder of the Zhang Clan dropped his sword and shield as he growl. "Grr, *sigh… My mistake, I was keen on beating you I forget my own weakness. Looks like I lost the match today I, Zhang Yu concede."
With that, the crowds went wild as Li Yue scored her second victory for today. She managed to defeat Zhang Yu, the elder with the heavy armor. He was considered the hardest one to defeat. Even with profound arts, he can still hold his ground. That's how he defeated his previous opponent. He use his shield to guard every attack and that armor of his protected him. Moreover, she defeated the famous Zhang Clan or the clan of knights. Famous for the use of their heavy armor. Who wouldn't have thought that she discovered a weakness in their battles. Knights usually watched each other's back but suffered an error when fighting alone. Looks the battle today proves them of that.
Cang Yue saw the same movement once more before she spoke with excitement. "Incredible, how did she do that? She immediately avoided that strike before it even reaches her. I know its not as avoiding it with haki but seeing her avoiding it by blurring her body is impressive."
Retsu widen her eyes before eyeing on the woman intently. Kon shifted his head towards Retsu when he saw her behaving strangely."Yoo, Nee-san? You're okay?"
Retsu didn't reply him but merely spoke "So, I was right."
He asked again. "Nee-san?"
"I noticed it before but I thought it was merely tricks but seeing it for the second time confirms it. I am sure Yuu-kun noticed it as well."
"Retsu-chan, what do you mean?" Mio asked her.
"Her technique just now. It's one of Yuu-kun's techniques taught to me back then. He called it 'Table Hopper.' It's an evasion technique that concentrates the adrenaline rush in your body to instantly gaining speed and reaction for a short amount of time but only works if you use it on the very last minute. Her technique may not be perfect but it was enough to identify it."
Cang Yue remembered that technique and she immediately spoke. "Yun Che taught you that technique?"
"Along with another…."
It wasn't long before Mio can guess. "Let me guess, that friend of yours. Chu Yuechan isn't it?"
Retsu pulls a deep breath before explaining "Hnn, after making friends with her. He decided to train me to develop my skills as a soul cultivator and Sister Yuechan at that time was curious. Despite she's on bad terms with Yuu-kun at that time. She was able to learn it with me. It didn't require haki but needed strong amount of concentration to use it. Thus, making only the three of us able to use the Table Hopper technique. Now that someone else has cultivated them."
Kon suddenly spoke "It means that Sis Yuechan taught someone else that technique."
"But, she will not divulge any of our skills to anyone unless…."
"She had someone close to teach it to." Mio replied.
Cang Yue raised her hand in a cute manner. "A family member? Or her disciple?"
But Retsu remembered Chu YueChan never spoke of her family before. Probably she assume her being a loner like her as well. "I don't know. We just have to wait and see. Besides, Yuu-kun probably noticed it before I do."
With Li Yue's win, the final sixteen participants were set before as the remaining participants will fight for the final eight spots. He didn't care about the others but only focus on his match against the Heavenly Sword Villa. However, the moment he saw Li Yue's final opponent, he was struck of a slight feeling of Déjà vu as he saw the name of the clan was pretty much the same with the crackpot elder he slaughtered a few months ago using Zabimaru.
"Wu Clan? Looks like that clan of that crackpot old fool is participating as well. As expected from the clan had the support of the sacred grounds. Hope that Li Yue can defeat the elder of that clan. If not, I might take the mantle of the butcher inside that tomb." He slowly spoke in his heart.
"You have a beef with that clan?" Jasmine suddenly spoke once more.
"Sort of, remember that Wu Nie and his little grandson back then?"
"The one you killed using your bankai back then? What about him?"
"He tried to harm Retsu though. He did tried using the sect masters back then to squeeze the Hado #1 Thrust from her. I still remember how greedy he looked when Retsu cast that technique." He remembered something like a blast from the past.
"Yeah, I remembered. Only those ants ended up being blown apart by that gigai of hers and that old man was being stabbed by you."
"Looks like they are here again. Well, shame I couldn't be their opponent again. Hope that Li Yue can beat the living hell out of him."
Jasmine shook her head before speaking. "I don't know, she nearly lost in the previous round. From what I can see, she was trying to held back her Frozen Cloud Arts. It's a good thing she was able to pull a swift win just now. If it wasn't for your 'Table Hopper' technique, I was thinking that she'll expose herself in the selection."
Yun Che went into thinking before replying. "I am sure she had her reasons. Judging from the execution and energy consumption, she had to expend a lot of it to use the Table Hopper just now. So you can say, she just learned them, recently."
"Yeah, but how long she can keep this up? If she continued doing this. She might not last long enough in the tomb. She barely won against that old fart just now. Moreover, she's panting a lot after the battle just now. She probably can use it one more time before it depleted all her profound strength."
"That's why concentration is needed. When learning table hopper, you need to calculate your distance before reacting. More distance eats up a lot of physical and mental energy faster for a first timer. When you perfected that technique, you won't need to expend a lot of energy. That's why Retsu didn't feel that tired compared when she executed it for the first time."
"Even with that, she might not last with more than one elder ganking on her. She'll be eaten up by them before she even know it." Jasmine spoke before went quiet once more. Her words caused Yun Che to think for a moment. Maybe he can watch her back in the tomb later. Not because of her being a woman. Its because of Little Fairy.
The semifinal round finally concluded as the final eight battle will soon commence. Seeing that everyone is eager to proceed with the battles. The other clans requested that the final round will commence as there are only eight battles left instead of leaving a gap between days. However, the rest of the participants needed some time to recuperate. The city lord supports their proposal of continuing the final round after two hours. He expect the event will be concluded before sun-down and having the final eight gathering in his palace tonight as a celebration feast. This is also the moment he could see those two, if they managed to attain it. The other fifteen remaining participants including Yun Che took this time to recuperate as well as regain their energy to fight for the final round.
"The tournament will be halt for two hours to give some time to the participants to recuperate. We have prepared special courtyards behind the arena for the participants to use for meditation. Bear in mind that only participants are allowed in there." As the announcement was spoke. Growls of frustation were heard as the match was halted for a moment but the audience can could only complied. The other clan members did the same but some of them chose to recuperate on their zone instead.
Li Yue took this time to slip away from the crowd to the courtyard zone. Due to her being famous instantly, the crowds never stopped looking at her as she entered the participant only section near the arena. She saw some of other participants also recuperating there as she was looking for an empty courtyard in the arena. The courtyards were prepared by the city lord to ensure the final participants of any tournament can meditate peacefully without having the sound of the crowds disturb them. She sat in one of the prepared courtyard slowly recuperating herself. Slowly pulling out a pill, she immediately threw it in her mouth to recuperate her energy. Knowing that she was alone. She suddenly spoke "Never expected using that move twice will expend my energy this much. Even after eating the pill, I don't think I can use more of that technique."
Suddenly a manly voice started sounded in the air. "If you keep this this up, you'll lose before you even know it."
Li Yue suddenly turned her head towards the source of the voice before her eyes met him. He was the one everyone was talking about. The swordsman with the black sword behind his back. She didn't even noticed him sitting on the tree branch behind her. As she watched him closely with widening eyes, she didn't even recognize the outfit he wore as that kind of outfit was strange enough in her eyes. However, she felt a slight fear as soon as she met the gaze of his yellow eyes.
She immediately stood up before holding her guard up before she spoke. "Dracule Mihawk. When do you get here? I thought I was alone."
Yun Che saw her before leaping to the ground with hands in his pockets. "I came here just to kill some time. By the way, it's interesting to see someone with a frost aura. I thought they wouldn't join.
Li Yue was getting uncomfortable as she spoke. "What do you mean?"
Yun Che observe her eyes before speaking with a calm tone. "To see a disciple of the Frozen Cloud Asgard is here."
"You…how did you know?" Then, she divert her eyes towards her surrounding checking whether another pair of eyes and ears eavesdropping on them.
Seeing her acting like that, he sighs before spoke "Don't worry, I cast a barrier to prevent our conversation from leaking out. As for how I know… I am quite aware the changes of elemental energy in your body. The moment I detected the frost aura in your body. That's how I know that the fact you're one of them."
Li Yue widen her eyes on his capabilities and concluded that this Mihawk in front of her is not only a monster but not a simple man as well. He could easily figure her out even if she disguised it perfectly. She continued to keep her guard up before slowly spoke in her heart. "Is it that obvious? I am sure I hid it so well even the others won't detect it."
Seeing her here, he decided to ask "Why didn't your sect send anyone to participate? This selection was known throughout the empire as once in a lifetime event. Even the hidden clans wouldn't hesitate to attend this event. I am sure the strongest sect in the empire bound to enter as well…"
Li Yue hissed at him before she spoke "Chee, why should I tell you? Are you going to divulge my secrets to others?"
Seeing her on defensive, he shook his head. "I have absolutely no interest in your secret whatsoever. Like I say, I am here to kill some time."
"And your method of killing time is here talking with me?" She spoke while widening her eyes. Its a first someone kills their time for doing something trivial.
"Indeed I am… You don't have to worry about me. I am not tied to those clans or sects. I am just a lone wandering cultivator. I wouldn't cast the barrier if I wanted you to be discovered."
Hearing his reasons, she spoke in a cold tone. "Hmph, even if we wanted to, our sect possessed no capabilities of sending Peak Sky Profound Realm elders. We did have one but we didn't have another. All of them merely high level Sky Profound Realm practitioner. We didn't even possessed the qualification to enter. The only reason we are the strongest because we have a throne as our sect master. This is a common knowledge." She answered him. People didn't even bother if they didn't enter. They don't even have another Sky Profound Realm practitioner aside from the leader of the seven fairies Chu YueChan.
Yun Che acted like he was a sage that discard himself from the world as he spoke. "I never actually bother with the matters of the world. But here you are…"
Li Yue still had her guard up as she spoke "I recently had some help in breaking through to the peak Sky Profound Realm. However, if this were known. The sect will never let me go and turned me into their valuable asset just like the other one. So I left the sect in secret, without anyone's knowledge in hoping I might gain something from the tomb."
"You know entering this tomb is a one-way entry, right? The moment you get out as the survivor of that tomb, you'll be hunted down by the other clans. With or without anything from the tomb."
"I am aware…The secret of the tomb is enough to tempted everyone. Even you. I admit that if I were to face you somewhere in the tomb or the arena, I wouldn't stand a chance even with my Frozen Cloud Arts."
"True but my sword only harm others if I wish it. A sword is only a tool intended to harm the master's enemy. You are not. By the way, but I am not entering this selection for myself." Yun Che slowly turned around leaving on her own towards the exit. He got what he came for. He didn't see her face entirely but her silver eyes bare similarities with Little Fairy. It doesn't take even a second for him to figure it out.
Li Yue went quiet seeing him leaving the courtyard. Suddenly, she spoke with hesitation. "Dracule Mihawk, you'll be facing the Heavenly Sword Villa. They're the strongest sect after us. The elder is not some pushover like your previous opponents and he is also another swordsman. Take it as an advice from a lone cultivator to another."
Without looking at her, he stopped walking as he spoke "Same goes from you. I faced one of the Wu clan cultivator before. They will do whatever it takes to enter that tomb. Even so far of using their trump cards. Don't let them eat something. That's all." After he spoke, he immediately disappeared from Li Yue's field of vision. She admired him for not asking more of her in fear that he'll figure her out. At least she knew that the monstrous swordsman will not harm her if they met in the tomb.