CHAPTER 644: CHAPTER 136: SET UP

The first night’s matches ended quickly without any surprises.

To the astonishment of "Turtle Blade," the previously favored "Divine Shield" was defeated.

"It seems the Flame Emperor’s strength is higher than we imagined," Turtle Blade and Liu Qingqing also finished their match.

The matches were predictable, and after three rounds,

The winners were "Flame Emperor," "Liu Dao," and "Shuanglong."

"Congratulations to the three advancing teams, please proceed to the rest area. Next, we invite the Second Young Master to draw the lucky teams for tomorrow night’s semifinals," Kong Fei announced the match results.

Since there are three advancing teams, Tianyidong will draw one team for a bye, which will directly enter the finals, while the other two teams will compete tomorrow night.

This draw is crucial as fighting an additional match means spending a great amount of physical strength, and the team with a bye can conserve their strength.

As time ticked by, the outside draw result was still not announced.

The three advancing teams occupied different areas in the player’s rest zone.

Shuanglong’s two members were meditating with closed eyes, not conversing with any side.

"The result is out," Kong Fei walked in, and after casting another unwilling glance at "Flame Emperor," he stated: "Flame Emperor, you have advanced directly. Tomorrow night’s match will be Liu Dao against Shuanglong."

The matchup Kong Fei had hoped for was the encounter between "Flame Emperor" and "Shuanglong." These two dark horse teams, both from Zone 9, would be ideal to have them fight each other.

Unfortunately, tonight, for some unknown reason, the Second Young Master insisted on doing the drawing himself. It turned out to be the Flame Emperor’s good luck to have gotten a bye.

"What doggone good luck, but fine, you get to live one more day," Liu Qingqing let out a string of shrill laughter.

In Liu Qingqing’s previous match, since she faced a subordinate team of Dark Night Pavilion, she won effortlessly, hardly expending any energy.

However, apparently, the Flame Emperor has also managed to preserve their strength quite well.

Tomorrow night’s match will have Liu Dao up against Shuanglong.

Thus, the Flame Emperor is essentially getting a bye.

"Great, we can rest tomorrow night, and then watch Liu Dao and Shuanglong fight to the death," Emperor was very pleased.

Fighting one more round means needing more time for recovery. Now that Liu Dao and Shuanglong are facing off, both groups have formidable strength; tomorrow’s match is bound to be fierce. No matter who wins, the next night’s final will be much easier for the Flame Emperor."

By this time, both Shuanglong and Liu Dao had received the drawing results.

"Long Shui, Master should be very happy with the draw. Tomorrow night, we’ll do our best to deplete Liu Dao’s strength. That way, Miss Yun has a great chance of winning against Liu Dao the day after tomorrow," Long Tu was a straightforward man.

Their master had made clear earlier: they needed not only to allow Miss Yun to take her revenge personally but also to help clear away obstacles.

The current arrangement was undoubtedly the best.

However, Long Shui couldn’t quite summon a smile.

Why does everything have to revolve around that woman? She didn’t want to grant her wishes.

But... the master had given orders, what else could she do?

"Are you Shuanglong?" Knowing the drawing result, "Liu Dao" came over early to greet "Shuanglong."

"Please give us your guidance tomorrow night," in a departure from her usual demeanor, Liu Qingqing actually reached out her hand and greeted Long Shui.

Long Shui remained calm and composed as she shook her hand.

During the handshake, Long Shui’s expression shifted slightly, then quickly returned to normal.

"I have matters to attend to. Head back to the base first; I’ll return shortly," Long Shui said and separated from Long Tu after leaving the arena.

Long Shui turned into a secluded tea house, where a person was already seated.

"Why have you asked to meet me? What’s the matter?" Long Shui was on her guard.

Earlier in the resting room, Liu Qingqing had passed by her and secretly slipped her a letter, which instructed her to meet here at this tea house.

Long Shui and Liu Qingqing didn’t have much of a relationship, so she was unsure of her intentions.

This was something she should have reported to her master, but as if possessed, Long Shui had not informed Long Tu.

"Let’s not beat around the bush; I called you here to discuss tomorrow’s competition," Liu Qingqing had watched "Shuanglong’s" match today.

"If it’s about the competition, we have nothing to discuss," Long Shui retorted and turned to leave.

"You didn’t come for the monthly competition championship," Liu Qingqing’s words made Long Shui stop in her tracks.

"What a joke, everyone who participates in the monthly competition is aiming for the championship, we’re no exception," Long Shui still refused to admit it.

"If that was really the case, you wouldn’t be here. You know very well that my calling you here has everything to do with tomorrow’s competition. I want to win, and so I must win easily tomorrow night," Liu Qingqing was astute and had long noticed that Long Shui harbored intense animosity towards the Flame Emperor.

Though she didn’t know specifically who Long Shui was targeting, it was clear that Long Shui didn’t want the Flame Emperor to win either.

"I can let you win, but I have one condition—in return for letting you win tomorrow night, you will kill Yan on the arena the day after tomorrow," Long Shui stated decisively.

"You hate Yan that much?" seeing the look of resentment on Long Shui’s face, Liu Qingqing understood.

So it was Yan, but regardless of which one, Liu Qingqing had no intention of letting any of the Flame Emperor’s representatives live through the match the day after tomorrow.

"Flame Emperor," after tomorrow night, you’re doomed!

Early the next morning, Yun Sheng and Donghuang Lingling received an urgent notice from the arena.

Long Shui from "Shuanglong" had been attacked by an unknown assailant last night, sustaining injuries that rendered him unable to participate in the competition.

For a pairs competition, both members must participate; if any one person is injured and withdraws, they automatically forfeit their positions.

As such, the semi-finals that were originally scheduled had to be canceled, but tickets for the match had already sold out. After consultation, the arena decided to push forward the final match to one day earlier.

"Isn’t all of this a bit too coincidental? I’d bet anything that this has to do with Liu Qingqing, and that Dark Night Pavilion has bribed Shuanglong," Donghuang Lingling was puzzled—why did the injury happen last night of all times?

But suspicion was just that, with no actual evidence to connect Long Shui’s injuries with Liu Dao.

Back at Ye Beiming’s base, Long Shui was full of guilt, her arm wrapped in layers of bandages.

"Master, I’ve disappointed you, regarding tonight’s match..." The person who "attacked" Long Shui last night hadn’t been found.

"Getting injured wasn’t your intention; just focus on healing peacefully," Ye Beiming contemplated as he gazed at Long Shui’s hand.

Seeing that her master did not blame her but rather, showed concern for her injury brought joy to Long Shui’s heart.

"However... if you can’t even handle a few small assassins, then what use is there keeping you by my side? Long Huo, from today onwards, reassign Long Shui. There is no need for her to serve by my side anymore," Ye Beiming’s words chilled Long Shui to the core.