Inside the arena of the Skysplitter, the crowd's cheers were deafening. Fu Shi sat quietly, her gaze fixed on the tense match unfolding on the stage. Beside her, Stelle was nibbling on a skewer of honey-coated chicken.
Regarding the duel between Yanqing and Luka, Fu Shi had already predicted the outcome in her mind. She commented calmly, "Luka can see through Yanqing's attack pattern, but he can't withstand that power. The difference in physical strength is too big, he won't last long."
Then, Fu Shi's eyes wandered toward the spectator stands. She spotted Kiana☆, Sirin, March 7th sitting together, but there was no sign of Fu Lin.
Fu Shi frowned slightly, disappointment flickering in her eyes. She muttered under her breath, "Why hasn't Fu Lin come yet? It'll be my turn soon."
Then she suddenly paused in surprise.
"Wait, why isn't Mei☆ here either? Don't tell me she gave up on the match? And Elysia seems to be missing too..."
Just then, someone gently poked her elbow.
Stelle, with half a honey-coated chicken skewer. in her mouth, spoke with a muffled voice, "Mom, are you looking for Mom Mei☆? Elysia came to see me this morning. She said Mei Mom's withdrawn from today's match."
"Withdrawn? But she told me just yesterday she wanted to fight me for the championship!"
A dull heaviness settled in Fu Shi's head, a creeping unease climbing up her spine. But before she could think further, the arena suddenly erupted with thunderous cheers.
On stage, Luka, who had been pushed into a corner by Yanqing, abruptly shifted his stance. His clenched, iron-wrapped fist flared with scorching heat as he launched a straight punch forward, unstoppable as a battering ram.
Yanqing, who had been pressing his attack, narrowed his pupils and sidestepped in an instant. The wind from the punch lifted his bangs, the tips of his hair faintly singed by the heat.
Stunned for just a heartbeat, Yanqing immediately twisted his waist, his counterpunch cutting through the air with a sharp whistle.
Luka gritted his teeth and turned his head, his own punch brushing lightly past Yanqing's cheek, then his strength gave out, and he collapsed forward.
Yanqing reacted quickly, catching him by the chest. As their eyes met, a faint smile tugged at Yanqing's lips. He raised Luka's arm high into the air, and the audience roared again like a tidal wave.
But in that moment, Yanqing lifting Luka's arm added a touch of unexpected charm, drawing a knowing smile from Jing Yuan in the stands.
Meanwhile, in an inn room elsewhere, Fu Lin lay weakly in Elysia's embrace.
Her fingers gently brushed through his loose hair, twirling a strand around her knuckle before letting it slide free, leaving a soft, ticklish warmth.
Elysia looked down at Fu Lin in her arms, her lips curved in a sweet smile, her voice floating lightly in the air, "By the looks of it, Fu Shi should be on stage by now, hmm? Mei☆, do you think if she knew how well we're 'taking care' of Fu Lin right now, she'd abandon her match and rush back?"
Mei☆'s fingertips traced over the faint pink marks on Fu Lin's neck. At Elysia's teasing words, her eyes softened with deeper amusement.
"Mmm~... Even if she did, it's already too late. Ahh~ Fu Lin... you're so warm~" Fu Lin's throat moved as he tried to speak, but before he could, his lips were sealed by something sweet and soft, a "milk candy." Only faint sounds escaped between them.
Elysia leaned in closer, her warm breath brushing against his flushed ear, her voice silky and tender, "Shhh~ Don't talk. Just stay with us... that's all that matters~"
Fu Lin's vision blurred. The warmth at his back pressed and kneaded gently, and two soft presences seemed to wrap him completely.
For a moment, the heat inside him surged even higher, melting into that soft, enveloping warmth.
Sensing something, Mei☆ bit her lip lightly, her cheeks flushing as she glanced at him with a faint, teasing smile.
Elysia murmured playfully, "Oh my, now I'm starting to get a little excited myself~ Mei☆, hurry up~"
Fu Lin, still unable to speak, could only react instinctively, his body betraying his thoughts.
Time passed quietly, by the end of a single incense stick's burn, Fu Lin's hand rested gently on Mei☆'s waist. The heat radiating from him spread like a living thing, flowing between their closely pressed skin.
The dizziness and feverishness clouding his mind slowly faded, replaced by a calm, steady rhythm of breath.
Pop~
Mei☆, still faintly flushed, moved aside slightly to make room for Elysia, her gaze soft and filled with post-tranquil tenderness.
Three cannon blasts thundered across the arena, signaling the end of the break, Round Two had begun.
Stelle shook Fu Shi's shoulder eagerly, her voice brimming with excitement, "Mom, don't zone out! It's your turn to shine!"
Fu Shi snapped back to focus and leapt onto the stage. Opposite her, Yanqing was already waiting, his form even more striking in his fitted battle attire.
When he saw her, Yanqing bowed deeply, his tone respectful but his eyes burning with excitement, "The last time we crossed swords at Cloudford Port, I've been waiting for this rematch. Today, as the defender, I will fight with all I have. Miss Fu Shi, please do the same!"
Clang,
His sword sang as it left its sheath, the tip angled toward the ground, the tassel trembling in the breeze. The fighting spirit in his eyes burned brighter than the sunlight.
Seeing his eager stance, the heaviness between Fu Shi's brows eased. A faint smile curved her lips.
"Very well, then come. Don't disappoint me."
"Gladly!" With a shout, Yanqing struck. Several flying swords burst forth like streaks of silver lightning, slicing through the air toward her.
Fu Shi turned her wrist, the moment her sword met her palm, a sharp gleam cut through the sunlight. Each incoming blade was struck aside with precise timing.
Then the real duel began, a flurry of strikes and counters, the clash of blades ringing endlessly, the arena igniting with energy.
"Yanqing! Yanqing! Yanqing!!"
"Lady Herrscher of Sentience! Lady Herrscher of Sentience is unmatched!!"
The stands were alive with shouting, arms raised high, the chorus of voices swelling like a storm.
Jing Yuan chuckled softly, his fingers idly tracing the air as his gaze lingered on the crossing sword lights below.
Neither of the fighters seemed affected by the noise.
Yanqing's battle spirit surged suddenly, and with a flick of his wrist, the fallen swords around him lifted once more, spinning like azure butterflies, closing in from every direction.
Fu Shi, as if expecting this, didn't dodge. She drew her sword in a half-circle before her chest, an arc of crimson sword energy burst forth.
Hum,
The flying swords collided with the wave of energy and trembled midair, unable to move an inch forward. Fu Shi looked at Yanqing, a trace of surprise in her eyes, her lips curling slightly,
"It's only been a short time since our last match, yet your progress is remarkable. Your talent truly is terrifying. If you weren't Ma Feima's counterpart, I'd be tempted to take you as my disciple."
"Miss Fu Shi, don't mention him again!"
The young man's face flushed red, his teeth clenched as he pushed his sword to its limit.
Two of the flying blades broke through her energy barrier, striking from both sides, while he himself leapt forward, sword raised high, cutting down from above with the force of a falling star.
At the very instant his blade was about to reach her, Fu Shi spun, her sword twisting in her palm, she deftly knocked aside both incoming blades and simultaneously caught Yanqing's main sword in a bind.
Their wrists locked, blades pressing tight, the air around them twisting from the force. The shriek of metal against metal rang sharp and bright.
Yanqing suddenly twisted his waist, springing back, his eyes flashing with fierce determination.
Gripping his sword tightly, he shouted with resolve that cut through the noise, "I still have one more strike left!"