149 Untitled (2/2)
”Yes,” Meng Fuyao agreed as she squatted on the bench and rolled up her sleeves. ”If one comes, I'll destroy one. If two comes, I'll destroy a pair!”
…
The True Martial Arts Meet took place, and the competition was split into four rounds. The preliminary round would decide on 40 people to be sent to the second round, which would then narrow the number of contestants down to 20 for the third round. The last round involved drawing lots to decide on one's opponent until a ranking could be formed.
As there were many people in round one, the competition was held in the Qingyuan Monastery in Shang Mountain, at the western side of Pandu City. The subsequent second and third rounds would be held at the quadrangle in Sky Street. Lastly, the final round would be held at the Heaven Demon Palace.
Only using 1/3 of her abilities, Meng Fuyao successfully passed the first two rounds, similar to the elite wielders sent by various nations. The Yan couple were not in the same group as her, so they did not get to compete, but Meng Fuyao did look at their fight. Indeed, their skills had improved tremendously, and their inner energy was peculiar. When they exhibited their sword stances, there were not only sounds of thunder but also a thin layer of smoke. Yet she did not know what skill that was.
Meanwhile, Meng Fuyao had become very famous in these two rounds. Martial arts wielders used to place their attention on famous people like Gu Lingfeng, Guo Pingrong, Xuanyuan Yun, Ya Lanzhu, Yun Hen and Yan Jingchen, but now they would especially take a look at Meng Fuyao.
But Meng Fuyao intentionally hid her true abilities. In the second round, she did moderately well, ranking 17th or 18th out of everyone. Everyone just felt that this young Wuji General was pretty decent and had relatively great skills at her age. Other than some sharp-eyed ones, most would not have placed her on the same rank as the famous ones, much less associated her with the Champion title.
The third round would commence three days after the second. As Meng Fuyao left the competition area, she heard some noble ladies who were watching the Meet whisper excitedly, ”We must see the last round…”
”Yes, but it will be in the palace. How do we get an invitation?”
”Just think of a way, it's such a rare opportunity. Other than this time, when will we ever be able to see him?”
”I heard that he didn't have the time to come over but somehow, he accepted the invitation in the end. The True Martial Arts Meet had invited many royals from various nations to be the referee, such as the past King of Taiyuan and the Head of the Fufeng Clan. But he has never attended…”
”Ah, no way, no way, I need to rush back to think of a way. My relative knows Princess Royal, and I have to pester her to help me plead for an entry…”
”Wait for me, I want to go too…”
As they left, Meng Fuyao shook her head as she tilted her nose towards the sky. Chasing after idols was really a habit that transcended time. She wondered which amazing character could have caused these budding teenage girls to be so infatuated with.
In this round, she was not in the same group as Yun Hen and Ya Lanzhu. As she was about to find them, someone called her from behind. ”Fuyao,” said the person.
Meng Fuyao stopped in her tracks and sucked in a deep breath.
'Why is it that once you start hating a person, even the person's voice sounds so unbearable?' she thought.
She summoned upon her inner energy as a defense measure before turning back. Twitching an eyebrow, she asked, ”Sect Master Yan, your Junior Brother has finally conveyed my message to you?”
Standing before a willow tree, Yan Jingchen was still warm and friendly, and handsome and tall. Only his face looked slightly ashen and thinner than before. There was a slightly refreshing aura, but compared to Yun Hen's innate aura and cool temperament, Yan Jingchen felt less natural. That did not undermine the fact that he was still an outstanding man. The figure underneath the tree had the looks of a charming man who casually leaned on a tree with a horse in hand, prompting girls on the street to look twice.
There was a hidden sense of unbearable pain in his eyes as he stared at Meng Fuyao. Though this girl standing in front of him was dressed as a man, she still stood upright and confident. She had pride but was not prideful, and her aura was extraordinary. If she was a hidden piece of jade when she concealed her true appearance back then, now the dust had been cleared, revealing a magnificent radiance that illuminated the seas and mountains in all directions.
When he breathed, he felt pain in his organs. This was Fuyao, once his Fuyao, but he had wrongly let her go. That mistake hurt him every day like sharp daggers stabbing into him, and time after time he would regret having despised her. Why did he tell her that he was going to marry Pei Yuan? If he had kept mum, maybe things would have turned out differently… He bashed himself the moment he said that line. He still did not fully understand Fuyao and did not understand that in her strong and resilient heart, she had undying pride within her. So, one line meant an eternal mistake.
However… Maybe there would be a chance… If talking could no longer compensate for his misdeed, he was not afraid of trying other methods…
Curling his fingers into his sweaty palms, he smiled warmly and said, ”Fuyao, my Junior Brother is young and ignorant, and I have punished him for offending you. As for the competition, let's not talk about it. No matter what, I would not attack you…”
”But I would,” replied Meng Fuyao emotionlessly. ”Since you're willing to step back and restrain your disciples, then fine, I will not wipe out the Mystical Essence Sect. As for you, I will see you on the battle stage.”
She was about to turn and leave. Behind her, Yan Jingchen asked bitterly, ”Fuyao, do you really hate me so much that you're not even willing to talk to me in person?”