21. Lapis Lazuli

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His long white hair fluttered in the wind along with his robe making him look ethereal. Yu Zeng took a deep breath and nervously looked at the figure in front of him. Wow! His hair looks so soft and untangled though the wind is blowing it. I wonder what shampoo he uses or the wind just loves him.

"Greetings grandmaster!" Both Wei Shun and Yu Zeng said.

Zhou Zhihao just nodded at them.

Why do we always bump into the grandmaster? Yu Zeng thought. He tried to calm himself. If I can run away and take Wei Shun with me, I would.

"Just continue and think that I'm not here." Zhou Zhihao said with a nonchalant expression on his face. Zhou Zhihao walked away from them and went close to the blooming flowers.

How can we ah. Yu Zeng looked at the child in front of him and took a deep breath.

"Okay, grandmaster." Yu Zeng and Wei Shun said in unison. They looked at the grandmaster who seemed busy looking at the flowers before they started practicing cultivation.

Wei Shun easily summoned a fire dragon, though not so majestic unlike in his match with Fan Chun but it was large. Yu Zeng tried to quelched it using a water snake but Wei Shun's fire dragon easily avoided it.

"Well done!" Yu Zeng smiled brightly. This child is getting better with each passing day ah. They continued fighting and didn't notice the time before a deep and icy voice interrupted them.

"Shall we go now?"

Both of them turned to the owner of the voice.

The grandmaster is still here! Yu Zeng who was about to summon a water snake dispersed the water particles in his hand and nodded.

.

.

.

.

.

I wonder where did Yu Zeng go? Heng Guiying looked around and glanced at Ai Jin who was talking to Dong Fang. Don't think too highly of yourself, Dong Fang. Just because two pretty female disciples are sitting close to you. Yu Zeng will surely sit next to me. Heng Guiying smiled and looked at the space next to him.

There were already many disciples on the tournament grounds. They were excited to witness the match and to know the winners.

"Good luck with your match today, Dong Fang." Ai Jin sweetly smiled at him. Dong Fang just ignored her and looked around.

Just how many times does she have to tell him that? Mei Shu who was sitting next to Dong Fang coldly looked at the stadium. Ai Jin should stop smiling like that to my Dong Fang.

Dong Fang was about to stand and find another seat when he heard some disciples gasped and looked in a certain direction. His heart sank when he saw Yu Zeng walking close behind the grandmaster.

That's why I didn't see you because you are with him? Do you like strong men? Dong Fang retracted his gaze and sat again.

Mei Shu coldly looked at Yu Zeng who walked towards the tournament grounds. Yu Zeng, are you flirting with the grandmaster? You are really targetting handsome men.

Yu Zeng gripped Wei Shun's small hand tightly. Every step he took felt heavier with all the strange stares he was getting. He immediately spotted the protagonist and villain and decided to walk in their direction.

"Yu Zeng, Wei Shun! I prepared empty seats for you." Heng Guiying immediately motioned to Yu Zeng.

"Thank you Guiying!" Yu Zeng smiled widely. This friend of mine is so thoughtful ah. He sat next to the protagonist.

"Did the grandmaster punish you?" Ai Jin hurriedly asked Yu Zeng. Her voice was loud enough for the other disciples who were sitting close to them to hear.

"Ah... no. We just met by chance while Wei Shun and I were cultivating." Yu Zeng said and smiled awkwardly.

By chance? or more likely you set it up? Mei Shu glanced at Yu Zeng then diverted his attention back to the stadium where the grandmaster was now standing.

"Good day everyone! Today, the second match will commence and we will witness two matches." Zhou Zhihao loudly announced.

"The first match will be Ai Jin from East sect against Wei Shun from West sect."

Ai Jin and Wei Shun walked towards the stadium. The child suddenly remembered the majestic fire phoenix Ai Jin summoned during her match with Bo Chang and couldn't help but worry. I can do this. This is to make my big brother Yu Zeng proud.

"You can still back out from this match Wei Shun." Ai Jin looked at the child in front of her with a worried expression on her face.

"I will do my best big sister." Wei Shun said with determination in his voice.

Ai Jin nodded and smiled sweetly. I already warned you. I should end this match quickly.

With the loud sound of the gong, Ai Jin immediately summoned a large phoenix and attacked Wei Shun who easily avoided it. Ai Jin was surprised at how quick Wei Shun was.

She threw some fireballs at him but Wei Shun was able to dodge them as well.

Wei Shun threw two fire blades at her, she was able to avoid one but wasn't able to dodge the other one causing the sleeve of her robe to get torn and a cut on his delicate skin.

"I'm sorry big sister." Wei Shun sadly looked at the blood dripping from her wound.

You should be. "It's alright Wei Shun. This is a match. You should do your best." Ai Jin tried to stand. I won't go easy on you. She summoned three fire phoenixes and threw them at once at Wei Shun. The child tried to avoid it but he lost balance and fell to the stadium.

"The winner of this match is Ai Jin." Zhou Zhihao said.

A loud cheer could be heard around. Ai Jin ran towards the child.

"Are you okay?" She extended her hand towards the child who was lying on the ground.

"Yes, big sister. Thank you." Wei Shun accepted it and stood. He felt sad about his loss. Big sister worries about me. She is beautiful inside and out.

Although Wei Shun's leg was injured he forced himself to stand and went back to his seat. He felt Yu Zeng looking at him but Wei Shun was scared to look at Yu Zeng directly. I'm scared that big brother will treat me coldly again.

Yu Zeng saw some bloodstains on Wei Shun's robe. He also noticed that the child seemed to be in pain every time he walked. "Is your leg injured Wei Shun?" Yu Zeng worriedly looked at the child.

Wei Shun slightly nodded and was surprised when Yu Zeng summoned his element and healed his leg. After a while, he looked at the stadium and saw the grandmaster looking in his direction.

"The second match will be Dong Fang from South Sect against Yu Zeng from East Sect." Zhou Zhihao said with a nonchalant expression on his face.

Yu Zeng almost fainted upon hearing his name, as well as his opponent's name. He tried to calm himself and walked towards the stadium but his heart was beating loudly in his chest. I can do this! Why does it have to be the villain?

They heard the sound of the gong. Dong Fang just stood at the center of the stadium doing nothing.

Is he waiting for me to attack first? Yu Zeng prepared himself. He summoned a water snake and threw it towards Dong Fang which he easily deflected.

Yu Zeng was expecting a counterattack from him but Dong Fang was just standing still.

What is he doing? Yu Zeng nervously looked around and sweat was slowly dripping from his forehead.

There was a pregnant silence around and each disciple who was watching the match was waiting for what would happen next.

Yu Zeng summoned another water snake but the villain easily deflected it with a fireball.

Yu Zeng tried to use the same attack he used with Mei Shu but Dong Fang seemed unaffected.

This is crazy! Why am I doing all the attacks ah? Yu Zeng concentrated and summoned a large water snake but before it could reach Dong Fang, it evaporated in midair and a blue flame appeared in Dong Fang's hands. Its color was like the deep part of the ocean with white and golden streaks. Yu Zeng was so entranced and it reminded him of a gem he once saw, a lapis lazuli. Everyone was amazed by it. It was their first time to see such color and thought the blue flame only existed in legends.

This also happened in the book. I'm finished. Yu Zeng took a step back while preparing for Dong Fang's attack.

With a speed like lightning, Dong Fang appeared in front of Yu Zeng scaring the living daylights out of him.

"I told you I will not be hard on you, right?" Dong Fang smiled at Yu Zeng.

"..." Yu Zeng looked at the face of the villain and noticed how perfect his smile was but he felt a touch on his shoulder that brought him back to reality. He felt dizzy and the heat was slowly spreading throughout his body. The last thing he saw was the hand of the villain on his shoulder and his smile.

After the count of five, Yu Zeng didn't stir and his eyes were still closed. Zhou Zhihao glanced at the figure lying on the cold ground before announcing the winner.

"The winner for this match is Dong Fang from South Sect."

There was a loud cheer on the tournament grounds. Two disciples were about to carry Yu Zeng when Dong Fang scooped him up and carried him in a princess carry style.

Most of the disciples were shocked and their eyes widened. Heng Guiying's expression darkened. Mei Shu who was sitting couldn't help but glare at them.

(... to be continued.)

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...reviews are welcome! 😊

Author's Notes:

Why do we always bump into the grandmaster? Yu Zeng thought. He tried to calm himself.

Author: I also wonder why. (^^♪

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Spoiler for the next chapter:

Ai Jin stood at the center of the stadium facing Dong Fang. Both Yu Zeng and Heng Guiying were worried about the match for Dong Fang might hurt their precious Ai Jin.

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