Semi-Finals

"Greetings ladies and gentleman," said Grandmaster Tian. "Once again I congratulate the four of you for getting this far in the competition but now it is time to determine who is the strongest. Since there is only four of you left, we decided to let you pick your own opponents. Who you wish to fight?"

"Chen Xie" three voices simultaneously announced.

"?!" Jing Ling was confused. "Since when did I become so popular?"

"My, my. Chen Xie can't fight all of you. Is anyone willing to pick someone else?"

"..."

They looked at each other but no one backed down.

"Erm. Then Chen Xie, is there anyone you wish to go up against?"

"It doesn't matter who I am up against. In the end, I will win anyway."

"WHOA"

The crowd went wild with excitement while the three of them had sour expressions on their faces."

"I guess there's no other choice. We shall draw lots. Whoever gets the stick with a red tip will become Chen Xie's opponent and the other two will fight each other. Any objections?"

Grandmaster Tian took our three sticks and held them in front of them.

"Then come here and take one."

"Hmph, you better pray that I am not your opponent little girl. I'll crush you for being cocky" said Zou Delan said as he reached his hand out.

"Fufufu, I can't wait to ruin that pretty face of yours," Hao Guiying taunted.

"..." Huan Ying didn't say anything and took the remaining stick.

"On a count of 3, you will all reveal your stick. Ready? 1,2,3!"

"HAHAHA, you're about to get annihilated, little girl."

"Tsk. I won't get to torture the slut now."

"Now that the matches have been set, Let's begin. Round one: Huan Ying Vs. Hao Guiying.

Jing Ling and Zou Delan left the platform but watched the match from the sidelines.

"It's an honor to fight against you, your Highness. Kyaa. You're so handsome. I would love it if you could take me as your concubine, I am confident I can serve you well.

"You're repulsive."

"Why? I'm confident in my looks and body! Look at these curves and voluptuous body. Other men are always fawning over me and complimenting me."

"How are you any different from those women in brothels?"

"YOU! How dare you?!"

Hao Guiying no longer tried to look innocent. Her body shook from anger and she glared at him.

"Just shut up and attack. I'll give you three chances."

Hao Guiying took out a whip line with spikes and swung it Huan Ying but he easily caught it with his hand pulled the whip out of her hand.

"One."

"TSK"

She ran towards Huan Ying and continuously threw knives at him as she circled around him.

Using his newly acquired whip, Huan Ying easily deflected all the knives.

"Two. Now you have one more chance."

"YOU... I WILL KILL YOU!"

Hao Guiying suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood into her hand and released all the energy she had in her dantian into her hand. Her hand began to expand and talons extended from her fingertips.

"CRIMSON CLAW"

She aimed at the spot Huan Ying was standing at but Huan Ying calmly watched the attack.

"Hidden Slash"

Two blades made from energy sliced through the claw.

"AAUGH!"

Hao Guiying's arm returned back to normal but there were now two long cuts running up her arm. Blood oozed out from her wounds.

"Is this all you've got? What a disappointment. Stop wasting my time and leave."

"Shut Up. I'm not done with you yet bastard."

"Please, you can't even stand anymore."

"Winner, Huan Ying."

"What? Grandmaster Tian I can still fight!"

"You've used all the energy in your dantian. You can't continue anymore."

"But..."

"Guiying, stop, you've lost."

"Grandfather! I haven't given up yet!"

"ENOUGH. You're ruining An Academy's name and making an embarrassment of yourself. Now get back here!"

"Yes..."

Huan Ying and Hao Guiying left the platform and Grandmaster Tian resumed control.

"Ahem. Round two: Chen Xie Vs. Zou Delan."

"Finally! I was getting bored watching the last battle. I hope you will be able to relieve me of my boredom, Xiao Xie"

"We are not that close. Please refrain from calling me so intimately."

"Che. You're a stick in the mud and cocky? Well, forget it."

Zou Delan transformed himself into a half bear half human hybrid without warning.

"Oh? What is this?"

"An ability everyone in Monster Academy is taught. It allows us to transform into any beast that we've devoured."

"I see. So I just need to treat this match as if I'm fighting a bear."

"Hmph, it won't be so easy!"

Zou Delan went down on all fours and charged at Jing Ling, It really looked like a bear is attacking her but to everyone's surprise Jing Ling drew her sword and closed her eyes.

"Tsk, giving up already? I guess you're all talk."

Zou Delan bore his teeth, aiming to rip apart Jing Ling's arm. However, Jing Ling easily dodged and sliced his cheek open.

"No way, did she just dodge and attack with her eyes closed?" thought Zou Delan.

"Hm? I only got your cheek? I was aiming for your arm..."

"I don't believe it. How can you attack with your eyes closed? That has to be a fluke!"

Zou Delan created earth spikes above Jing Ling's head and dropped them.

"Boom" The platform near Jing Ling crumbled.

"Yes! She should be finished.."

" Are you sure?"

The dust settled and Jing Ling walked out of the circle of spikes impaled into the ground."

"You..."

"I had high hopes that you would be strong but I would honestly rather fight with Xiao Bao again than with you. This is so boring."

Jing Ling sheathed her sword and chopped Zou Delan's neck, knocking him unconscious.

"As a violet mortal, he's too weak," though Jing Ling. "To think a week ago I was freaking out, thinking I would lose if I were to fight against him."

"Winner, Chen Xie." Grandmaster Tian announced. "Huang Ying and Chen Xie will both be moving on to the finals."

As Jing Ling was walking off the platform she ran into Huan Ying.

"I look forward to our match tomorrow Jing Ling... I hope you don't let me down," he whispered into her ears.

"?! How did you..."

Before Jing Ling could finish he had disappeared.