As soon as Xi Hai declared the start of the tournament, he immediately disappeared. Xi Haohuan was the son of the 3rd elder, having been trained and supplied cultivation resources since young, he progressed fast in cultivation . Xi Haohuan was very well known to use his earth element concentrated on offense rather than the common use of defense, making his fighting style tricky to counter and predict. Xi Cheng, a fire elemental user, would strive to use this to his advantage.
Xi Cheng decided to make the first move. As he stepped forward, flames surrounding his feet as it spread in a circle around the arena. Xi Haohuan, eyeing the approaching flames, stomps his foot on the ground. Using his Earth Qi Mantra, the ground launched him into the air, avoiding the incoming flame that passed him to hit the barrier separating the arena and audience. Whilst in the air, Xi Haohuan conjured earth spikes as he launched them in Xi Chengs direction.
As the flames cleared, three projectiles pierced through the remnant smoke shooting in Xi Chengs direction. Gathering flames at his feet, he kicks towards the earth projectiles as it sends a slash of flames meeting the earth spikes, which exploded on impact.
Xi Haohuan landed back on the arena after the dust rested. Coming into Xi Chengs view, he lunged at him, forming a earth spear in his right hand and throws it at him. As the spear leaves his hand, two earth daggers appear in each of his hand as he crosses his arms. Seeing Xi Haohuans incoming attack, Xi Cheng gathered flames around his fists as his right fist punches forward, meeting the spear and shattering it. Following directly behind, Xi Haohuan slashed down in a X formation. Taking back his right fist, Xi Cheng gathers flames on his right foot as it shoots up in a crescent kick to create distance.
Xi Huohuan retreated, manipulating the ground under Xi Cheng to lift up. Catching Xi Cheng off balance as his kick was still in motion, Xi Cheng is sent flying into the air. Xi Haohuan watches Xi Cheng as he closes his eyes. Brown aura begins to gather around him, revealing his Earth Stage Qi. Opening his eyes again, he shouts in his head.
'World Serpents Onslaught!'
Earth gathered infront of him as a Serpent formed moving in Xi Chengs Direction. Having a width of 3 meters, it consumed a lot of qi.
"This is your defeat" Xi Haohuan said as he watched the World Serpent close in on Xi Cheng.
Xi Cheng watched as the Serpent grew closer. Unlike Earth Stage cultivators, Origin Stage Qi cultivators couldn't physically manifest qi around them to manipulate at will. This leads to slower execution of skills and moves. Xi Cheng quickly circulated the Rebirth of Flames Art. Fearing it would take too long to fully execute his move, Xi Cheng used the move early, risking damage to his qi paths.
"It won't be that easy!" Xi Chang exclaimed.
'Blazing Sun!'
A huge ball of flames bursted fourth, gathering natural energy as it went further, expanding in size. It moved forward, colliding with the World Serpent, the mass of flames scattered in all directions, giving way to the Serpent which pushed through the cloud of smoke seemingly unharmed.
Landing again, Xi Chengs face became ugly as he witnessed this scene. He attempted to circulate his qi but wasn't able to.
'Damn It!'
Pulling out a sword from his spatial ring, Xi Cheng attempted to meet the Serpent. He raised his sword, gathering what little qi he could and injecting it into his qi sword, causing it to glow of embers. Xi Cheng prepared to slash down until he felt two blades around his neck.
"As I said" Xi Haohuan said with no emotion detected in his voice.
The 2nd elder appeared, immediately dispersing the Qi in the sword and in the Serpent, causing it to collapse.
"Xi Haohuan wins". Xi Hai said as he announced to the crowd. Xi Haohuan withdrew the qi supporting the dual daggers causing them to collapse. Xi Cheng then fell to one knee.
Xi Haohuan nonchalantly walked off the Arena, taking a peak in Xi Meiyings direction to gauge her reaction. But as he caught sight of the veiled beauty once more, he realized she wasn't paying any attention, talking with a person on a lower platform. Xi Haohuan followed her eyes as she gazed at Xi Heji. Xi Haohuan snorted at the scene, refocusing his attention to the elder viewing rooms. Close to Xi Fengges room was the room of the 3rd elder, Xi Heng, smiling at the gaze of his son, feeling very proud of his performance.
Xi Haohuan continued walking until he reached his seat.
"That was great senior brother! Xi Chang didn't even last a minute!"
Xi Haohuan raised his hand to silence his junior brothers spouting early, as praises for his fight wouldn't cease to stop had he let him continue on his rant. Xi Haohuan gazed at Xi Heji again, thinking to himself.
Outer elders appeared around Xi Cheng to take him out of the arena to treat for any damage his stunt move and overstrain may have caused to his qi paths.
The patriarch then announced the start of the second draw, as his hand reached into the black container. The patriarchs face changed slightly as he viewed the first stone. He drew once again, pulling out a second one. He then raised his head.
"For the second battle of the Inner circle tournament"
Xi Heji and Xi Meiying as well as the other participating inner circle disciples focused their attention on him.
"Xi Meiying vs Xi Haitao"
Almost immediately after the patriarch announced the participants, Xi Haitao stood up.
"I refuse this battle"
The patriarch cringed, although expecting this outcome.
"Very well, then we'll draw for another participant"
He set his stone aside and reached for another.
"Xi Meiying vs Xi Lixin"
"I reject!"
***
"Xi Meiying vs Xi Junfeng"
"I reject as well!"
***
"Xi Meiying vs Xi Quanfan"
"I would like to reject!"
***
"Xi Meiying vs Xi Shuchang"
"I'm also refusing this battle"
***
By the end of the 7th drawing, the patriarch was growing tried. He reached once more and drew again.
"Xi Meiying vs Xi Lingyun"
Xi Lingyun, whose was seated right next to Xi Heji, turned to face Xi Meiying on the upper platform.
"I don't so suppose how so many men cower at the chance to fight a beauty like you. I'll gladly accept this battle."
Although the patriarch was happy someone mustered the courage even if they came up with some bulls**t reasons, as he didn't want to continue this cycle of drawing. Though he too also felt it was wise to reject the battle.
The patriarch nodded to him.
"Please enter the arena"
Xi Meiying smiled at Xi Heji as she walked off of her platform. It had been years since Xi Heji had seen Xi Meiying fight, so he was excited to see to just what degree she improved herself to.
As Xi Meiying jumped down, lightly gliding down like a fairy, Xi Lingyun reached out his hand to assist her descent. Finding no movement from Xi Meiying pure hand to receive his, he made a movement forward to grab it. Thinking of feeling her skin that appeared so soft, Xi Lingyun was inwardly excited. He would have never thought that she would do anything crazy in-front of so many people.
Xi Meiying noticed his action, and although her facial expression didn't change, she felt an immense feeling of disgust take over her. Hardly anyone except Xi Heji and Xi Jiaying ever touched her. Even Xi Heji's grandfather rarely came into contact with her more than necessary.
*Slap!*
As Xi Meiying landed, she slapped Xi Lingyuns hand away with her hand coated with a layer of ice. She felt extreme disgust at the thought of coming into contact with such a person.
Xi Lingyuns face changed as he witnessed Xi Meiyings action.
'You would reject my advances for a mortal human with no talent in cultivation!?'
When Xi Meiying defended Xi Heji's removal of the Inner circle, many thought she did so out of repayment for Xi Heji's mother taking her in. As Xi Meiying doesn't make herself known, much like Xi Heji, nobody knew of their true relationship to each other.
As they were walking to the stage right beside each other, contrary to Xi Meiyings wishes, acting as if nothing happened, Xi Lingyun whispered to Xi Meiying.
"When your little husband fights, I'll make sure to give him a good beating in with you in min-"
Before Xi Lingyun could finish, Xi Meiying turned and slapped him. This time, across his face. Even though she wasn't using full force, he was sent flying, stumbling back and crashing into a table full of quick recovery pills for severely injured disciples.
A blue light shone in Xi Meiyings eyes as she looked down at Xi Lingyun before continuing forward.
Xi Lingyun looked at Xi Meiying ascending the steps to the arena as he wiped a trace of blood from the side of his mouth. Although feeling his head ring, Xi Lingyun got up and continued walking as if nothing happened. The 2nd elder, Xi Hai, appeared before him to make sure he was okay and still able to fight.
"I'm fine Elder Hai, it is nothing major, I'll shall still participate in this fight."
He looked towards Xi Meiying who was already standing in the arena. He cursed under his breath.
"I'll get you for that one bit*h". Xi Lingyun said as he walked across from her. As he only heard rumors of her prowess and wasn't there to witness it personally, Xi Lingyun never believed in the rumors glorifying her immense strength. He thought she would be a challenge, but nothing more.
Xi Meiying eyed him as he walked up the stairs with his face contorted in anger. She could've easily knocked him unconscious, but why did she not? What's the fun in that? No, no, no, he can't get off that lightly. She'll make sure he won't be able to meet her eyes again.
Thinking of the horrendous things she was about to do to him, she smiled. Albeit this smile wasn't the same one that could charm millions, instead, if Xi Heji saw this smile, it would have the opposite effect.
Some time later, the 2nd elder appeared in between them.
"The second battle of the Inner circle tournament begins now!".
*A/N: anyone have any guesses as to why she actually wears a veil?👀