Finals

"Finally, after tomorrow, the competition will be over. At least I am now guaranteed a spot to go into the palace's library. I don't have to worry about the agility manual anymore."

Someone knocked on her door.

"Xiao Ling are you still awake?" said Jing Zheng

"Hm, Elder Brothers? Why are you visiting me so late at night?"

"We came here to warn you about tomorrow's match," said Jing Cheng.

"The Crown Prince will not be an easy opponent. In fact, you're more likely to lose than win."

"Wow, way to encourage your little sister guys."

"We're just being honest," Jing Zheng replied. "Although he's only 14, his martial arts is scary."

"There's only one word that can be used to describe him: a monster."

"Monster?"

"Yeah, Zheng and I fought against him before, and both of us lost."

"What?!"

"Of course, it was 1Vs.1 but even if Cheng and I fought together, we would have only been able to tie against him at best."

"That's hard to believe."

"It's the truth. He specializes in sword arts so you're better at close combat. Don't try to fight him with a sword."

"Mhm, He's brutal. If you don't think you can win, forfeit because he will definitely injure you once he makes a move."

"Understood. Thanks for the advice."

"You're welcome, Xiao Ling. Rest now so you have the energy to fight tomorrow."

"Mhm, good night Elder Brothers."

"Good night."

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As Jing Ling prepared to enter the platform, Huan Ying sunk up from behind.

"Are you prepared Chen Xie?"

'Jeez, why do you always have to show up out of nowhere?"

"Your guard was down." Huan Ying shrugged. "So Chen Xie are you ready? Or should I say, Jing Ling?"

"As I thought, you know who I am."

"Xiao Bao told me about you."

"Xiao Bao?"

"Yes, she told me about the commotion you caused during your potential testing as well as your identity after your match against each other."

"I see. Then why did you choose me last round?"

"I want to know how strong you are."

"Why does it matter to you how strong I am?"

"I want to see if you'll be of any use to me."

"If I'll be of any use? That's very high and mighty of you. What makes you think I will help you?" Jing Ling asked with an annoyed look.

Huan Ying didn't reply and walked away.

"Bastard. Who does he think he is acting all haughty like he's better than everyone else. Just you wait! I'll smash your face in." Jing Ling fumed.

"Welcome to the finale of our annual Summer Youth Competition! Today's match is between Chen Xie and Huan Ying. I wish both of you the best of luck. You may begin!"

Jing Ling gave Huan Ying a death glare.

"If you're not going to attack I will do the honors then."

Jing Ling closed her eyes and charged.

"Haughty and demanding? You're really dislikable, aren't you?" Jing Ling said as she threw a punch.

He caught her fist but Jing Ling landed a kick to his face.

"Not bad..." Huan Ying spits out a mouth full of blood.

"Hmph, I'm just getting started," Jing Ling said before attacking again.

Huan Ying also punched at Jing Ling but isn't able to land a blow. Instead, he is getting beat up.

If he caught her fists she would headbutt him or knee his abdomen. He's surprised she hasn't tried to attack his jewels yet.

"Tsk, it's like I'm fighting a beast," thought Huan Ying. "I need to use my sword, her close combat is too good."

He sent an energy blade towards Jing Ling and used this chance to unsheathe his sword.

"Damn." Jing Ling was forced to draw her sword and was now getting pushed back.

"Your swordplay is shabby."

"Hmph. I could say the same for your close combat."

"Yes, I may not be as good as you in close combat but now that I have drawn my sword you stand no chance."

"In your dreams. I only need to use my ultimate attack and you'll be finished."

"Oh?" Huan Ying raised an eyebrow.

"You don't believe me? How about we do this then? We both unleash our strongest attack and whoever breaks the other's attack wins."

"Deal."

The two ceased their attacks and moved back.

"What's going on? Why have they stopped fighting?"

"Hey look! They're both releasing an insane amount of energy!"

"Looks like they plan on ending it at this with their strongest attacks."

"Who do you think will win?"

"The Crown Prince of course. He's been training longer than the little lady."

"No way. The little Missy is a genius. When have you ever seen a 12-year-old violet mortal?"

The crowd was split between the two but Jing Ling and Huan Ying weren't paying attention.

There was a golden sword slowly materializing above Huan Ying while a pitch black fist appeared about Jing Ling's head.

"Piercing Fists!"

"Heaven's Blade!"

The blade and fist collided, creating a massive force, shattering the protective barrier around the arena and injuring some of the audience members.

"Hey! Are you alright?"

"Yeah. What happened? Who won?"

"I don't know..."

"Grandmaster Tian. Call the physicians to heal the injured!"

"Yes, right away Majesty."

As the dust surrounding the platform cleared, everyone in the audience held their breath.

The heaven's blade was snapped into two by Jing Ling's piercing fists and the Crown Prince is now as pale as a ghost.

"Huff, huff. See... I told you I would win..." Jing Ling panted.

"..." Huan Ying didn't want to admit defeat but he couldn't go back on his word. "Grandmaster Tian! I admit defeat!."

It took Grandmaster Tian a few minutes before he responded. "Win...Winner, Chen Xie!"

The crowd cheered and chanted Jind Ling's name.

"...WHOA. Father, did I hear that correctly? XIAO LING WON?!" Jing Cheng shouted.

Master Jing Jun couldn't believe it himself. His precious daughter who has been sick since birth has just won the Summer Youth Competition. He began to cry tears of happiness.

"... I didn't know you could cry, Father." teased Jing Zheng

"Shut up you brats, go down there and get your sister. She must be exhausted after using that move."

Just as Master Jing Jun predicted, Jing Ling could barely stand anymore and she felt her body fall forward but instead of landing on the ground, she found herself held in strong arms.

Huan Ying saw Jing Lin's unstable figure and couldn't just let her fall to the ground so he caught her. He was surprised at how soft and frail Jing Ling's body was even though she could hold up against him in a fight.

As he looked down at her, Jing Ling looked up, intending to thank him but their faces came close to each other and she blushed and she looked away.

"HEY, GET YOUR HANDS OFF OUR SISTER!" Jing Cheng shouted.

The Jing brothers didn't expect to see the Crown Prince embracing his sister and his manly sister blushing like a delicate maiden when they arrived to pick her up.

"Thank you..." Jing Ling whispered before slowly heading to her brothers.

Seeing how weak Jing Ling was, Jing Zheng ran up to her and swept her up and carried her away princess style while Jing Cheng glared at Huang Ying before following them.