Sea Power

Cao Zheng was looking at the two items like they were already his.

Both prizes were extremely well suited for him and his cultivation as if the emperor had prepared them just for him.

Li Mengli wasn't looking at the prizes. She turned around and, when she saw Ye Mo staring at the prizes, she shook her head.

Even if you want the prizes that badly, I can't let you get them, Li Ming thought to herself I'd rather leave you with nothing if it would save your life.

Bang!

At that moment, Cao Zhengchun descended from the sky like a bolt of lightning. Four scrolls appeared in his hand.

"Each of you, draw one scroll to decide on the order of battle," He ordered. "There are four scrolls here, two with a painting on them and two empty ones. The contestants with matching scrolls will face each other in the semifinals." 

The four nodded and had no objections. Even if Li Mengli had to face Cao Zheng, there was nothing she could do about it.