"Listen Shin, strength is very important, but it's not everything" Ming Jian looked serious.
"Eh? It's not? I don't believe it. If you have strength, you can do anything" Shin replied.
"Oh? Then, if I one day you were to face an opponent stronger than you, would you give up because you cannot win the stronger one?"
Huff ! Huff ! Huff ! Shin was gasping remembering an old conversation with his father. He looked up to the spectator region and smiled at his dad to which Ming Jian responded with a solemn nod.
Right now, I'm tired with such strenuous fight and need to conserve energy, where as it's quite opposite to Tai Xun. Strength is not everything at least when we both are warriors. There is no proper skills, so I can dodge or take some light blows while trying to analyze my opponent.
"What are you doing idiot? Look at your situation. It's not time to be childish. Quit it" Tai Xun was serious and quite angry. Good, let's stall some time while I try to recover.
"I want to know where my limits are" Shin was aggressive too.
'True, he could even defeat warrior in eight level, but wanting to defeat me? Dreams' Tai Xun was irked. He pounced on Shin who was a head smaller than him. Shin ran forward while falling down and dodged it.
Still, after some time Shin could not dodge many attacks while trying to be as nimble as possible. The damage he caused Tai Xun was also slowly accumulating as he saw the opponent decrease some speed but an increase in the furry of attacks.
Ming Shin had huge bruises all over the body and his face swelled too, but there was still a gleam in his eyes which shall never go down.
"Shin, I don't want to hurt you more. Madman, you can barely hold yourself. Why do you fight so desperately" Tai Xun was aggrieved and helpless.
"Nnooo c-caan dwoo cough cough" Ming Shin was trembling all over and there was no spot without a bump. Tai Xun charged forward again while shin wanted to trip his leg and land a decisive blow.
Gwuooohh, move damn it, my legs can't move. Shin tried to call every ounce of his will power to keep himself going. Tai Xun just cracked his palm on Shin's neck and that was the the last straw which broke the camel. He fainted on the spot and Tai Xun also fell soft and gasped looking at him 'Crazy bastard !! I can't believe I had to win a level six warrior so desperately'.
Ming Rui had a sour nose and tears were falling like pearls trying to rush to the stadium. While Shin was taken to a nearby place to get treated, Ming Rui immediately ordered the low level healing cream to be applied.
"Lady Ming Rui, I was ordered to deliver this special healing cream to you by Miss Ye" Ba Shou made his way in to the place. Ming Rui hesitated but looking at her son's condition she accepted it " I thank Miss Ye for being so generous ".
"En, I shall take my leave then" Ba Shou paced out. Ming Rui immediately undone Shin's robes and bawled out looking at the purple body. A hand was placed on her shoulder comforting her 'Rui, our son is growing to be a splendid man".
"Not a bad seed, but unfortunately" Ping Lao clucked while looking at Miss Ye. "Hmph, what a pointless fight. I guess that's the crude way barbarians fight" Ye Ling retorted with some guilt in her voice.
"Sending the healing cream in a timely manner to Ming Rui is creating some good will now, is it?" Rin Meihun smirked. "What do you mean young master? The boy was valiant and it was just a mere appreciation" Aunt Shu coldly replied.
"Fufufu, well looks like the other teams also had their victors" Ping Lao interjected timely.
Both the Zhang brothers were also selected in the eleven and finally an announcement was made "Congratulations young heroes for a brilliant contest and martial might. We hope you get stronger and ascend to greater heights and become the pillars of Henji".
The crowd cheered wildly for these eleven winners and their families were congratulated and heaped with food and drinks trying to make relations. Many of the families with beautiful girls are teaming up to draw up an engagement with these families before anyone else.
"Hahahaha, that's my son for you !! But I have to give it, Ming Shin was spectacular. No doubt he can definitely win after five years" Tai Peng was proud while comforting Ming Jian. For some reason, Tai Peng can scare everyone with his might and status but Ming Jian gives off a total different feeling.
This man shouldn't be made enemies of. Anyway, earlier An An was telling me about the bay kiss. This should be considered after the event seriously.
"Mm, thank you Chief Tai Peng. Congratulations on your son getting selected" Ming Jian politely nodded and headed off seeing Ming Rui run to the stadium.
"Congratulation to you Mu Shen, looks like both of your sons did it" Everyone congratulated.
Mu Shen was also radiating with joy. Only he knows what is it to be a village with the lowest strength. Though Juuko was as good as ever, Pitu showed much changes in the last ten years in various trades and sharing aspects.
The whole place was teeming with joy and seethed in huge feasts and happiness.
Deep in the jungle, a place very far from the villages, "Grandma Kui !!, Grandma Kui !!, there's a weird movement by all the surrounding beasts. They seem to be going deeper...to that zone" a young man seemed exasperated to report an urgent news.
Up ahead, an old lady who looked fairly young with not much wrinkles but depicting the vicissitudes of life opened her eyes " After all, something has happened since the past few days. Send 50 men to the perimeter and keep track of them. Food reserves shall not be consumed lavishly for few days" ordered.
"Yes !!" the young man replied with vigor and ran off to his duty.
Grandma Kui was looking towards the east " Is it because of some huge convoy spotted a few days back which caused this unrest?" murmured thoughtfully.
Deep within the jungle, hundreds of monsters beasts ranging from level -1 all the way to level-3 were huddled together both with fear and respect. In the faint darkness, a pair of eyes opened like a torch cowering the animals to tremble at their feet.
Rin Meihun returned back to his place and was reviewing the parcel " Splendid, these level 2 armors and weapons made of grey ore are very sturdy. With these, there's more assurance to the plan".
"It is but only three more years young master" Ping Lao was looking forward to it while the former was pensive.
"Is Aunt Shu aware of these?"
"No, young master. We were very careful with it and explained them as some delicacies and clothing personally sent by the clan lord" Ping Lao assured.
"So best, the Ye clan better not involve themselves in this" the former remarked with a glint in his eyes.
"Fufu, worry not young master. the Ye clan is only interested in the medical resources" the crafty weasel said in a certain tone.
Ming Shin's wounds were healing rapidly as the bumps were gone by night. But the purple bruise marks and some pain still remained, as Ming Rui can see him wincing in pain even in sleep.
Earlier Tai Xue along with her brother, the Bai siblings, Zhang siblings, Meng Kai and Du Baoji came to visit Shin. After seeing his situation, everyone gave a mouthful to Tai Xun, especially Tai Xue by dragging his ear.
Tai Xun was also aggrieved " You guys only think about him? Did you see how madly he fought? what is the need for him to be so eager?"
Zhang brothers also tagged along "That's right. Senior brother Xun was also helpless. Ming Shin should have quit it to avoid these injuries" while flattering the former.
Tai Xue glared at them while Meng Kai was clenching her fist to beat these idiot siblings which made the three boys shut up honestly.
Meng Kai was also sad " I hope brother Shin can recover enough to participate in tomorrow's medical assessment". Only Ming Rui was thoughtful.
After everyone left, late in the night there seemed to be a visitor.
Ming Rui was vigilant despite being sleepy "Who's there?"