Everyone stared blankly at the ceiling. Their minds are still in that picture earlier of Cheng Sheng trembling in pain.
For one to go through life and death… and it's just because of a cultivation technique… it was also forced on you… they thought and closed their eyes, not daring to imagine it. Everyone was there in the past and heard Cheng Sheng's scream in pain when he was caught. That painful scream caught their attention but who knows how long Cheng Sheng was in agony and finally can't help but cry out?
That time, everyone's sadness was replaced with joy because that cultivation technique that Xie Lan only told them as 'special' made Cheng Sheng increase his cultivation which became comparable to theirs. But, little did they know that their beloved Cheng-shidi actually brushed with death just to obtain the cultivation that is comparable to theirs.
They know Cheng Sheng's personality. Albeit he is a scum, he values his life more than anything else. Next to his life, he values comfort. So, how can Cheng Sheng ask for this actually devious technique that asks for his life and takes away all his comfort?!
"I… I think I'm going to lose it!" Feng Mo said as he abruptly rose from his seat. He is talking about his sanity. "I can't bear to see Cheng-shidi like this! He should be hopping about like a rabbit and should be as lively as a monkey! How can he… earlier…" he pressed his lips tight.
Everyone nodded in agreement. The Cheng Sheng they know is lively and always dig pits for them all to jump into. He shouldn't look frail like what they saw earlier. No wonder Chen Jing, Sun Rong and Fei Lin didn't tell them earlier. They don't want them to feel disheartened because of Cheng Sheng's condition.
Yet, Xie Lan is also right with what he did. They, the Xinfaxian Sect and Chen Han, have the right to know about Cheng Sheng's condition, as they are also his family. And even if they would die this truth now, they can't hide it forever.
Everyone had a sleepless night. Maybe because it was due to this that Fei Yin gathered them all and told them that he will take Cheng Sheng inside Bai Tan's space, which is a special space, for now. Everyone agreed, as they also wish for Cheng Sheng to be better as soon as possible. But, they didn't expect to hear what Fei Yin said next.
"I won't hide it from you all, since you have the right to know." Fei Yin spoke with a heavy voice.
Everyone's heart thudded nervously and they subconsciously gulped down their saliva. A cold sweat trickled down the side of their faces. Cheng Sheng's current condition is already the worst. Could there be any worse than this?! They thought in horror.
"Sheng said that he expected to remain conscious so he can still instruct everyone what to do with the spirit servants in case you would capture one alive." Fei Yin spoke. "He also expected to remain conscious since he could be updated with the events. But, as you all saw earlier, he is conscious, yet is unable to make a proper conversation due to his condition." He told them as his fists clenched on his side.
Everyone fell silent. Chen Han's expression is extremely ugly. If only he could, he would transfer all the pain that Cheng Sheng feels to him. His younger brother… his younger brother that he cared for the most all these years…
"I didn't tell you this to make you feel worse." Fei Yin spoke as if guessing their thoughts. "If Sheng could, he would have already stopped me from appearing before any of you to keep me from telling you this." He told them.
"Yin-er…" Fei Lin sighed.
"Even I, his lover, is worried for him. But – " Fei Yin pressed his lips tight. " – I believe in him. He isn't this frail as you think." He glared at them.
They all fell silent.
Fei Yin didn't bother speaking more since Cheng Sheng needs him by his side now. "If Sheng passes me a message to send to you, I'll have xiao Bao deliver it to you all." He spoke. "Also, send him a message for any update about the enemies." He added and then left to go to Bai Tan's space where Cheng Sheng is.
Everyone looked at each other, don't know how to speak. They all silently returned to their rooms covered in gloom and their hearts are filled with distress.
…
The next day, the Xinfaxian Sect and the Youxiwang Sect obviously looked depressed. Although they tried to hide it, the bags under their eyes couldn't cover it up even with the help of magic pills or healing creams. Qian Tian really felt distressed for You Rou so he bought her with many rouge to at least cheer her up.
The first team to win in the group battles are the five-member team of the Tuanhui Sect, which is the only team full of women. Hui Na, Hui Qu and Hui Lu claimed the victory with their two fellow female disciples. Their opponent who lost can't help but spit out a 'vixen' word but immediately shut up. They felt bitter in their hearts because these women are too fierce!
The Xinfaxian Sect and the Youxiwang Sect are about to sigh, can't feel enthusiasm in watching the matches but they can't find anything to distract themselves with. But, they didn't know that a surprise is waiting for them in the next match!
"The next match is a team of three people from two different sects!" the host announced after he read the names on the nameplate. Although there was a smile on his face, it was a twisted smile and held a complicated gaze as he read the names written down again, as if he was just mistaken earlier.
Yet, the truth is glaring at him! It was really these three people!
"Since it is a three-person team, and we have four three-person team, this three-person team – the challengers, will pick from the box another three-person team." The host explained. "Now, without further ado, let us all welcome – " he spoke.
"Hm? Chen Han." Li Tian called when he suddenly remembered something.
"Yes?" Chen Han answered absent-mindedly.
"Doesn't your sect have a participant for the single battles?" Li Tian asked. "Senior Sun Yi's and senior Wu Yuan's son…" he muttered and his next words were stuck on his throat when he saw the one he was talking about now is climbing on the stage.
"Wu Lian – " Chen Han spoke, and his voice overlapped with the host's voice.
"Wu Lian of the Youxiwang Sect – " the host spoke as he called the names. " – Sun Yan of the Shanliangde Sect – " he spoke.
Sun Yi's brow twitched. "… Lian-er?" he muttered as his eyes widened in shock when he heard that his adoptive son's name is together with his nephew's name.
" – and Fei Luo of the Shanliangde Sect." the host finished.
"… Shanliangde Sect…" Sun Yi muttered in a daze. "Wait! Lian-er is in a group battle?! Why?! When?!" he asked in shock.
The others who are about to ask Sun Yi about this. "…" well, he looked shocked, too.
Wu Yuan who saw his beloved's cute shocked face. "…" Yiyi, you just noticed? It's been a week already… he thought, feeling helpless inside. But, his affection towards his beloved increased again. His Yiyi is really cute like this.
Wu Lian who can read his adoptive father's thoughts despite Wu Yuan's expressionless face. "…" well, we're just too alike despite we're not blood-related. He thought and heaved a sigh when he felt his chest is stuffy after being fed dog food (no. It was just him feeding himself with dog food).
Chen Wu almost spat out a mouthful of blood when he found this out. He has been busy devising tactics with his younger brothers that he didn't notice Wu Lian actually still hadn't had his match! He really thought that Wu Lian already was finished with his match last week! If even he, Chen Wu, didn't notice this, how can Chen Su and Chen Yu would?
Chen Su's expression is blank as he looked at Wu Yuan while Chen Yu hid behind his elder brothers, shaking in fright. How did this happen?!?!
"G – ge?!" Fei Huo cried out in shock. Even he didn't notice that Fei Luo still hadn't had his match yet! He was training with Xi Bing for their double battle last week!
Xi He sneered while Sun Ri covered her mouth. No one knows whether she is sympathizing with Sun Yan or actually is grinning, enjoying this drama.
Actually, it isn't a big deal for these big sects to collaborate. Well, now.. But before, it was really a big deal since each sect is competing against each other. So, how did this happen? How did these three promising lads of this generation end up in a team?