I Was Forced To Marry The Phoenix Empress-Chapter 132: Securing the Spot

"Uhm...I think you should go and talk to her," Yi Chen suggested when he saw Feng Min making her way back to her stand.

"It’s alright. It’s something she has to get used to eventually," Feng Ning answered firmly.

Shedding blood either accidentally or deliberately was only natural in the path they had chosen.

’I’m not too sure about that...’ Yi Chen thought to himself. Noticing the firmness in her tone, though, he didn’t suggest it again.

He felt that this was still psychologically too much for a thirteen-year-old girl, and if he were in her place, then he would definitely not be in a mentally good place.

A few more matches later, the first round of Feng Min’s batch was finally over, and the subsequent winners were made to compete against each other in the next round.

’She really looks unfazed...’ Yi Chen thought as he saw Feng Min blocking and striking her opponent intensely. Just the next second, she impaled the dagger, which was attached to the folding fan’s head, directly onto her opponent’s thighs.

AAAGH!

As the man screeched in pain, she pulled her dagger out and kicked him out of the arena within the blink of an eye.

By now, it had become obvious to the crowd and even her batch members that the first of the eight spots was most likely going to be taken by Feng Min.

Their prediction came out to be true as just half an hour later, all the matches of the first batch were over with Feng Min’s victory.

After a cheerful celebration filled with applause and fireworks, Feng Min was made to sit on one of eight seats that were specially created on a raised red coloured platform beside the arena in the space where the audience was sitting.

Her expression remained confident yet composed as she witnessed the next set of matches. However, if one looked at her closely, they would notice a tinge of boredom evident in her eyes.

’Just when will all these matches be finished...’ She sighed internally and continued watching the following matches with droopy eyes.

Match after match went by like this, and it was finally the fifth batch’s turn. At the exact same moment, the previously droopy eyes of Feng Min widened with surprise and elation.

"Qin Yao! Brother Qin Yao!" she exclaimed energetically while waving her hand up from her clearly visible seat.

"Y-yes..." Qin Yao awkwardly raised his hand and waved back at her in an embarrassed manner.

He had already noticed her earlier when she was the first one to win one of the eight spots. However, not wanting to attract unwanted attention from the crowd, he had decided not to catch her attention for now.

However, this plan fell apart the moment Feng Min energetically waved her hands towards him, as the very next moment, dozens of gazes were directed towards him, making him feel a warm sensation on his face.

"You got this! Quickly beat everyone up, and then we can chat in the remaining period!"

Clearly unbeknownst to what was going through Qin Yao’s mind at the moment, Feng Min responded in high spirits.

There was a lot she wanted to talk to Qin Yao. From congratulating him on breaking through to the third level to discussing how he had spent his time in the following days...there were just innumerable questions that kept popping up in her head.

As for Qin Yao, the moment he heard Feng Min’s words, the awkward smile on his face turned strained because of the piercing gazes that were directed towards him by his batch members.

Yi Chen and Feng Ning, who were clearly able to witness this reaction, started chuckling the very next instant.

"Your sister’s quite lively, I must say..." Yi Chen commented as he brought his laughter under control.

Feng Ning, who was still giggling, nodded at his words and said while covering her face, "W-well, she just has a habit of wearing her heart on her sleeves for people she’s close with."

"I can clearly see that," Yi Chen responded in amusement as she turned back towards the arena.

The first round soon began, and after four matches, it was finally Qin Yao’s turn. His opponent was a swordsman, so in terms of reach, he was clearly at an advantage.

However, Yi Chen, who was still a little worried, carefully analysed the opponent’s stance and the way he held his word before finally nodding in relief.

’Yes, he won’t pose a problem,’

Meanwhile, the two opponents were greeting each other in the arena.

"Oi Kid, if you give up the moment the gong sounds, I won’t break your leg, how about it?" The swordsman asked provokingly.

Overconfidence clearly exuded from his being, and it was obvious that he didn’t take Qin Yao seriously.

"Also, a word of advice from your senior: Don’t bother with Lady Feng Min. I don’t know how a nobody like you got to know her, but with your little height and childlike appearance, you really have no hope with her. I’m pretty sure eventually she’ll be taken by a strong and muscular man like me, haha!"

The swordsman snickered shamelessly while licking his lips. It was clear that the thought running through his mind right now was anything but pleasant.

"A toad lusting after a swan," Qin Yao snorted the next moment and said, "It seems like the intense training has affected your eyesight. Otherwise, with that face of yours, would Senior Brother even dare to make such claims?"

’This piece of shit!’ the swordsman gritted his teeth in anger.

However, with the Supervising Elder observing them closely, he didn’t dare to take action now.

’Just wait, you brat! I’ll make sure to crush that mouth of yours today,’ he snorted while seething in anger and walked back to his position.

Their names were soon called out, and after the final confirmation, the gong was sounded.

Gong!

The moment the sound echoed in the arena, the swordsman figure rushed towards Qin Yao, not giving him even a single second to adjust his state of mind.

Somewhat expecting such a thing to happen, Qin Yao immediately used his spear’s shaft to block the incoming sword strike, which was aimed at his neck.

TING!

The strike made his robes ruffle and eardrums tremble, but not being consumed by the momentum, Qin Yao immediately retaliated.

Using the point of contact as a pivot, he rotated his spear the very next instant and, with added momentum, struck the man’s jaws with the flat end of the shaft.

A sensation of bones crushing travelled to his hands, but totally unbothered by it, Qin Yao sent a furious kick straight at the man’s chest, which sent him flying a few meters back.

Like a kite with its string cut, his body flew a distance before slamming straight into the arena.

"Argh...!"

The swordsman groaned in pain, only to hold his breath and freeze when he felt a cold sensation on his neck.

The tip of the spear was firmly pressed on his throat.

"Winner Qin Yao!" the Supervising Elder declared, seeing the turn of events.

Hearing this, Qin Yao put away his spear and said while glaring at the swordsman.

"I’d better not catch you saying her name again with that mouth because next time, it won’t just be the jaw that I’ll be breaking,"

With a snort, Qin Yao turned around and soon made his way down the arena.

"Wooohooo! You did it!" Feng Min, who had no idea about this little exchange, energetically cheered for Qin Yao as he reached his stand.

By then, a tinge of red had formed on his cheeks.

"Good match," Yi Chen nodded after witnessing it completely. He was no longer worried about Qin Yao.

Although he had fought with several men during his travels, all of them were much older than him.

Therefore, this was his first time watching cultivators who were not even adults fighting. It was because of this reason that he had become worried about both Feng Min and Qin Yao during the initial stages.

But thanks to what Yi Chen had witnessed today. This subtle misconception, which was fuelled by his earthly beliefs, had disappeared by now.

’Seeing how ruthless these two can be when required, I’ll always be on guard even in front of younger opponents.’ Yi Chen thought to himself.

"Indeed, Junior Brother Qin’s spearmanship has improved considerably."

Feng Ning nodded with a smile as she saw her sister cheering Qin Yao with all her heart.

Meanwhile, the members of the fifth batch had realised by now that Qin Yao, despite his harmless appearance, couldn’t be underestimated.

However, even with that knowledge, they couldn’t win against him in the future matches that followed, and eventually, the fifth spot was secured by Qin Yao.

"Congratulations, Brother Qin!" Feng Min rushed from her seat and said while firmly pressing his shoulders.

"T-Thank you,"

Although embarrassed, Qin Yao forced himself to raise his head to look into Feng Min’s eyes.

When his eyes finally met hers, a sudden tinge of comfort welled in his heart, and the smile on his face brightened.

Feng Min, who clearly noticed this visible change, felt her heart flutter that very moment. Not wanting Qin Yao to see her expression, which was about to turn flushed, she quickly said.

"L-Let’s go and have a seat first! We have a lot to talk about," She immediately turned around and rushed back to her seat.

Qin Yao didn’t find her actions unnatural and just went to his seat as the next knockout matches for the sixth batch began without further ado.