Chapter 141: Semi-finals

"Yongrui, are you there?" The woman's voice asked from behind the doorway.

I recognize that voice. Shi Meili? What is she doing here?

The moment I stood up from where I was seated, Yang Mei Mei and Wu Yan glared at me for a split second and then reverted back to their former expression as they enjoyed the delectable late breakfast we're having. Hmph, they are probably underestimating me, thinking that I wouldn't notice the shift in their faces.

"Excuse me one second." I addressed the others before I walked towards the doorway. All the while, I was wondering why Shi Meili would visit me when we just saw each other a few minutes ago during the joint extermination party.

Did she have something to tell me? Or maybe, has she finally decided to go with me to Tang Shelter? I mean, I know she would go with me but that doesn't mean she can't change her mind at the last minute... wait— maybe she came here because she changed her mind. No, that shouldn't be the case. Her voice didn't sound like she's going to relay some bad news, not at all.

Since I couldn't let my mind go through countless scenarios— that would just tire me out, I think— I decided to just open the door and not think about anything else. And just as I expected, there she was.

"H-hi," Shi Meili stammered as her face reddened.  The redness on her face spread all over her face until it reached the tip of her ears, making her appear like a fairy rather than a person.

After blinking her eyes twice, she held her breath and pulled out something from her storage ring. "I worked so hard to get this... this is for you." She said.

"Um~ thanks,"  I muttered as I extended my hand. But before I could receive it, she dropped it in front of me and ran away without looking back. Fortunately, my reflexes were speedy enough to enable me to catch the falling 'present' from Shi Meili.

All this time, I was looking straight at Shi Meili's prepossessing face, mesmerized by her beauty. That's why I didn't even notice what she gave me until the last moment when she left. Honestly, she was so small before and now she's fully grown up. I mean, in the past, she was just like a baby fox, always following me around, trying to impress me. She was really talented so it wasn't that hard for me to notice her. But the only thing was, I never really called out to her in the past. In fact, I think I was dead set on ignoring her before... yeah, I was so stupid that I just focused on trying to get stronger and stronger.

Gah~ if only I wasn't stupid back then. I wouldn't have missed my chance. I would've had experienced a life of romance before I died.

When Shi Meili was already a few hundred meters away, that's when I realized that the  "present" that she gave me was actually the high-grade set of armor that their party won during the joint extermination. A brief feeling of bliss swept me as I stared at the armor with its intricate gold carvings and pure white appearance. It was truly befitting of the name high-grade armor. I must say, none of my high-grade armors looked as well-made as this. Even though they have higher stats, they don't look half as good as the white and gold armor that I got from Shi Meili.

But that feeling of happiness came to a halt when I realized that I didn't deserve the armor. Sure she wholeheartedly gave it to me, but what would my party members feel if they see me wearing it. That's why I decided to keep it in my storage ring, for now, hoping that I could use it in the near future. Nevertheless, I kept on getting the itch to try it on right now since it really looked sophisticated.

I closed the door and headed back to the table where Liu Zhi and the others were expecting me to return. For a good few seconds, they stared at me from head to toe, wondering if I were any different from a few seconds ago. "She just gave me something, that's all." I said, hoping that their suspicions would get cleared.

"Mmm... " Blade's eyes narrowed as he intently stared at me even harder than before. "It doesn't seem like she gave you an item. Perhaps, she gave you the mark of her lips? Or am I looking too into this?"

"A k-k-kiss?!" Wu Yan and Yang Mei Mei exclaimed as they slammed the table with their small fists.

"N-no it was a— " I panicked as I tried to come up with a reasonable excuse. But before I did so, Blade and Liu Zhi burst out laughing as if they were just messing with Wu Yan and Yang Mei Mei.

I guess, they really were messing with them. There's no doubt about it.

"Are you ready for the semi-finals, Yong Rui?" Liu Zhi asked, spontaneously changing the subject just so the girls wouldn't feel any more humiliated.

"This is the fifth time you asked me that." I calmly said, chewing on a mouthful of chicken that I quickly put in my mouth. Liu Zhi should learn a thing or two from me. When it comes to changing the topic, the most effective way is to fill your mouth with food so no one would bother prying you into answering more questions. And also, it helps with the atmosphere as well. I mean, I genuinely am enjoying the meal right now so my appearance probably matches my feelings.

When breakfast was over, our group decided to head towards the Coliseum where the Red Sea Tournament is being held. Compared to before, Liu Zhi and the others seemed more nervous than before. They were totally shaking in their boots every time they took a step forward.

"Why are you more nervous than I am?" I asked since I couldn't take it anymore.

"We know you're strong, Yong Rui, but your opponents are a realm higher than you. I mean, technically, they're two realms higher than you since they're on the peak Immortal Realm. if you were to fight with them, I think the two of you would be evenly matched." Liu Zhi lengthily explained.

"So, why does that make you nervous? Shouldn't you feel relieved that I can go head to head with them?"

"But it was clear you overextended yourself while we were in the joint extermination earlier. Who knows, maybe you're just putting up a farce right now but deep inside, your Qi Energy is already depleted." Blade continued, totally agreeing with Liu Zhi's statement.

"Yes, Yong Rui. We don't want to worry about you but we can't help it." Wu Yan said. "Do well on your semi-finals match, okay?"

"Leave it to me. I didn't survive the outside world for five years just so I'd be defeated in a semi-finals match. Besides, my opponent is someone who's got a rotten personality so— where am I going with my words again?"  Somehow, the subject of my opponent's rotten personality just came out of my mouth of nowhere.

"That's rich coming from a King Realm. Didn't expect that my opponent would stoop that low." I heard a voice from behind my group.

A sweet-smelling fragrant wafted in the air as I managed to catch a glimpse of the woman behind me. Just as I thought, the person behind me was Zeng Meihui or whatever her name is. Although her name was the epitome of beauty and wisdom, her personality is as rotten as a corpse of a dead beast. I know because I've seen how she fought in the previous matches. She was merciless, and her way of fighting is unacceptable.

Enough about her personality. When it comes to her appearance, she was a real beauty. Just like her name, she's probably the epitome of wisdom nd beauty as well. If only her personality was just as good. She has pink hair and pink eyes, and her figure could rival that of Xiang Xiaoqing's. I've heard a few spectators talking about them and from what I could gather, she's in the top three of the most beautiful and graceful women in the area.

"Oh, you're here, didn't expect that my opponent would be eavesdropping in my group's conversation," I said with a smirk. "I look forward to exchanging fists with you." I said, cupping my hands.

"Exchanging fists? How primitive. I don't even have to raise my hand to defeat you. Didn't you know, I'm known as the Hundred Poison Lady. You don't stand a chance against me." She continued as a malevolent aura enveloped her entire being.

"Hundred Poison Lady? Isn't she an old woman? Did you do something to revert your age and your cultivation lady as well? What happened to you?" I sarcastically asked, fully knowing what her relationship is with the original 'Hundred Poison Lady'

"Wha— how dare you call my mom an old woman!" She retaliated, gritting her teeth towards me. "Whatever, just look forward to your one-sided beating later."