Chapter 54: Finals

Chapter 54: Finals

Next to the amalgamated arena were the finalists for the Qi Refinement Tournament each of their eyes locked onto the two disciples battling fiercely upon the large stage.

Out of the initial top 10 contestants that were tasked with defending their ranking from the start of the Tournament, only one had been replaced by this time.

Alright, alright! Stop waving that thing! I concede!

A male disciple stumbled backwards out of the range of the vicious currents of air seeking to entrap him in a perilous grip. Dozens of fine cuts could be found marring many portions of his body from the blade like wind gusts, ruining his Outer Sect robe.

Fortunately for him, none of the small wounds seemed deep enough to leave lasting damage, as only the winners were given the gratuitous privilege of the rejuvenation of their physical conditions. The losers either had to take care of themselves, or front the Merit Points for emergency treatment.

Blood dripped with each step as he dolefully left the arena, the sound of cheers and boos following his backside relentlessly on his way towards the exit.

Although uninjured, the winner of the elimination match didnt look too much better.

Her breathing began to even out with every second she showered underneath the prismatic light raining down from Elder Griseldas five sets of hands, however, her skin still continued to maintain an unhealthy pale tint, in spite of the revitalizing rays.

Michail seemed unfazed but Victor, on the other hand, shook his head.

Underneath the audiences ruckus, Victor spoke to Michail, A bit excessive to be using a Mystic Artifact so liberally, dont you think?

Michail kept silent, his focus uninterrupted.

Sure, she won, Victor continued uncaringly, but her Soul Force is nearly spent. She looks like shes struggling to stand.

Giving up, Michail exhaled agitatedly and gave Victor a side eye. Are you criticizing her methods? Or are you jealous because you cant afford one yourself?

Mystic Artifacts were not in short supply within the Sect, but they were incredibly expensive, much more so than Black Tier Martial Techniques. Possessing a Low Grade Mystic Artifact was the equivalent of having the prowess of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, albeit a very limited one. It was even possible for a practitioner to utilize elemental abilities reserved for Earth Tier and above Martial Techniques.

However, as they were impermanent apparatuses and the Soul Force exhaustion after each use was considerable for the average practitioner, it was rare for an Outer Sect Disciple under the Foundation Establishment realm to put aside their cultivation necessities in order to purchase something so expensive and fleeting.

Victor coughed softly before defending himself. Neither! Im just making conversation. Look, shes made it to the Finals, so clearly it's worked out for her so far. Leaning closer to Michail, his voice lowered to a whisper as the winning disciple they were discussing stepped off the arena towards where they were standing. All Im saying is, Im glad that shes tapped herself out before having to fight us. Dealing with a Mystic Artifact is such a pain in the ass.

A large part of him was ecstatic that the sole Mystic Artifact user was more or less debilitated. And the smaller part was hoping that none of the others were hiding something similarly frustrating up their sleeves.

If not, he had a genuine shot of ranking within the final four! The Semifinals!

He glanced at Michail and shook his head, he didnt want to think about his chances of defeating him. It would be safer if they didnt have to fight until later.

Other than him Victor thought as his gaze slid along the other competitors, stopping for a moment on one especially tall youth that he had no confidence in facing.

But right when he was secretly praying not to get prematurely matched with either of those two, the multiple voices of Elder Griselda crushed Victors spirits and sent Michail into a fit of slightly sympathetic, but mostly amused laughter.

Contestants Cathal and Victor Byrne, please come to the arena.

The second level of the Stadium.

Glancing at the stage, Auslen snacked on a slice of melon and sat back in his seat with Vincent sitting to his left. To his right, Liliane was fanning herself while continuing her speech with a comforting tone.

Dont be too upset. Its not all bad, being disallowed from leaving the Sect. Your parents know whats best for you. If they forbid you both from leaving the Sect, then Im sure its purely because they wish to ensure your well-being.

At the same time Liliane thought as she raised her lace fan subtly glancing at the posse of armored cultivators guarding their perimeter in the stands. Im not sure how much danger these two could possibly get themselves into with such an exaggerated bubble of protection. If Irene was serious when she hinted before leaving that each of these guards were Foundation Establishment cultivators, then they could probably fend off at least a few Lesser Demons with such a party.

I know, Senior Sister, Auslen said as his golden eyes fell slightly with a moping sigh. Though, his downcast expression was nothing in comparison to Nathaniels, whose whole bottom lip was jutted out in a dramatic pout as he watched the arena in depressive silence.Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)

Auslen paid no regard to the young mans antics and re-placed his full attention back on the arena.

The results of the next several matches that took place over the course of about thirty minutes were as to be expected.

Michail and Cathal advanced smoothly, so smoothly that their fights looked to be mere formalities.

Auslen found a few of the other bouts interesting to watch, as they were much more turbulent than the ones before. However, he could have done without the horrendous looking wounds being dealt.

The competition was becoming drastically more intense, along with the injuries, as few of the finalists were willing to give up if they could help it.

Swiping aside the strands of hair being blown into his face, Auslen glanced up at the sky to see the sun had disappeared from view, casting a shadowy blanket within the Outer Sect Stadium. And at some point, countless crystals that were scattered generously throughout the venue had lit up, providing copious orbs of bright white illumination that extended from the fifth level all the way to the arena..

Now, there were only three competitors remaining.

Contestants Michail Nikolaou and Beatrice Hildrow, please come to the arena.

Auslen watched as Michail marched up onto the stage, along with the young woman who looked deathly pale. She seemed to be barely standing as she hobbled onto the arena.

I wont persuade you to surrender, Michail said with a small frown. I understand your perseverance, since you were able to walk onto this stage despite your heavy Soul Force strain. However, I have to remind you that if you continue to use that Mystic Artifact, your injuries will not be something that can be dealt with so simply.

Eyes drooping and breath shaky, Beatrice was so exhausted that she couldnt even build up the energy to reply. Her right hand trembled slightly, and the silver fan fell open. Flickering light danced along its surface.

Up to you then. Michail stopped trying to warn her. His sword and shield appeared in his grasp a moment later, already sufficiently prepared for dealing with her methods. He lacked a Mystic Artifact himself, so he could only work a little harder to end things before she suffered irrevocable damage to her soul.

Suddenly, a gentle voice rang from above.

Please, stay your hand, Junior Disciple.

Michail subconsciously glanced up to see a yellow-robed figure falling from the sky.

It was a slim young woman that looked to be within her mid twenties. She was holding onto a black and yellow paper umbrella, intricate patterns and glyphs shining across its smooth surface.

The hand not holding onto the umbrellas silver handle grabbed her flapping layered robes, riding the wind until she gracefully landed next to the arena.

Neither Elder Griselda, nor the referee Elder commented on her abrupt appearance. Cathal, who was the only other person within the arena grounds, didnt show much of a reaction to the Inner Sect Disciples arrival.

Her temperament was delicate as her beautiful face revealed a grateful smile towards Michail before turning to Beatrice, who was gaping at her in stunned awe.

Beatrice, how do you feel about the Shifting Wind

Yes, Beatrices croaked whisper was out of her shivering lips before the Inner Sect Disciple could finish.

Yes, She spoke again, more energetically this time, knowing exactly what was being asked of her. Tears welled up in her sagging eyes, and in her relief, her consciousness slipped from her with a quickness, sending her collapsing face first.

The Inner Sect Disciple from the Shifting Wind Peak shook her head with amused exasperation, and her body blurred into motion, catching Beatrice before she could make contact with the metal floor.

Standing with Beatrice in her left arm, the woman turned to the Elder and respectfully said, Beatrice will be conceding this match.

With the refereeing Elders nod, the Inner Sect Disciple raised her umbrella once more. Light bloomed from its open canopy before she was lifted off the ground. Her ascent was swift as wind revolved around her and Beatrices figures. Before long, their figures had disappeared from the Outer Sect Stadium.

Contestants Michail Nikolaou and Cathal, please come to the arena for the final match of the Qi Refinement Tournament.