[Place: Twilight Moon sect, Central Region, Central Ring]

The two practitioners did not move or released their Heavenly energy immediately. They stood at the same place.

“ I hope this battle will not cause any grievance between us. ”, Lieyan Shinji said.

“ Of course not. This is just a friendly competition. But I hope brother Shinji won't go easy on me because of that. ”, Lieyan Hudie said indifferently.

Anyone could see that they already knew they are going to be selected. That is exactly the reason Lieyan Hudie said ‘friendly competition’ , even though participating in this Selection Tournament is probably a dream for other practitioners of the same age.

“But of course!!” as Shinji replied, both of them released their Heavenly energy simultaneously. In an instant the atmosphere of surrounding the arena became heavy. Shinji stretched out both his arms and summoned a long staff. It was about three meters long and there were multiple small blades attached to it on its both ends.

“That's the ‘Red Brahma Staff’ of the Lieyan family!! So they gave it to the fourth young master. ” A practitioner exclaimed. ”

“ Well isn't that obvious? I mean he is the last young master of the Lieyan family. ”

“Well that's true as well!”

“… ”

As Shinji held the staff in his hands, a light blue aura covered it. A cold pressure surrounded the arena. But Lieyan Hudie remained unfazed.

She also summoned a golden whip about five meters long. Her purple aura swiftly engulfed her whip along with her body. It also radiated a cold pressure but this was different from Shinji's staff. It was a soul piercing pressure that could send chills through anyone's spine.

“Wait is that the ‘Soul Stealing Whip’ ? They even gave this to the young mistress?!!”

“… ”

Both of them looked at each other. Shinji's figure flashed. He suddenly appeared right in front of Hudie and thrusted his staff. Hudie jumped sideways and dodged the attack. She countered it with a whiplash. But Shinji deflected the the attack.

Bang!

Shinji instantly used the opening and rushed at Hudie. He jumped as he moved his stuff vertically to attack Hudie from above. Hudie seemed rather calm. She immediately backflipped and landed almost hundred meters away.

Rumble!

The staff struck the ground causing the arena to shudder. Multiple cracks appeared on the ground. Hudie didn't give him a chance to attack again. She held her whip high and started bombarding him with attacks after attacks. Shinji was unable to dodge the attacks. He rotated his stuff like a hurricane as he blocked the rain of attacks.

Bang! 

Bang!

Boom!

Bang!

….

Each time their attacks collided a giant burst of Heavenly energy spread through the air. After around fifty exchanges , “Ahh!! ”Shinji shouted and waved his staff in a giant arc. The staff hit the whip and deflected it causing it to go out of control. He finally found an opening in Hudie's defense. He didn't waste any time as his heavenly energy instantly surged up. A giant Heavenly formation formed around his staff. Azure colored Heavenly energy started wildly swirling as a giant energy ball engulfed his staff.

Whoosh!!

Shinji's body disappeared and instantly appeared behind defenseless Hudie. But unexpectedly Hudie still remained calm.

“ ‘Thousand Thunder Strike’!! ” Shinji muttered under his breath. The azure colored Heavenly energy exploded . Thunder started swirling around the staff as Shinji thrusted the Staff forward

Zizitztztzizz!

With an enormous burst Shinji's staff struck Hudie from the back as thunder ramified from it.

“Looks like it's settled!! ” Ling exclaimed while looking at the arena.

“Hmmmm….. I wouldn't be so sure!” Yulong replied.

“Huh? ” Ling was confused. It was clear that Hudie took a perfect hit of that terrifying attack. Although Ling didn't know much about cultivation when it came to fighting. But still he was sure that no matter what, if a same level opponent was attacked by that then there was no way he/she could get away with only light injuries.

“Just watch. ” Yan Murong said gently.

The arena became visible again. Shinji was still holding the same attack posture. But everyone was shocked. Hudie was not lying on the ground as everyone expected. Instead The stuff clearly went through Hudie's body. 

‘He attacked her with such visciousness’ everyone thought while being shocked.

But suddenly Shinji knelt on the ground breathing heavily. Blood came out from the corner of his lips. And Hudie's body disappeared into thin air as Hudie appeared again at Shinji's position. Everyone was stupefied. Even the elders were slightly surprised.

“What…..just happened?” Ling couldn't help but ask. 

“ Fifth young mistress Lieyan Hudie cultivates a rare type of Heavenly Martial technique. The name of the technique is ‘Seven Echoes Of Soul’. It is a Soul attribute technique and it is said that if someone can cultivate it to the fourth stage he/she can invade one's mind… even if the opponent is two stages higher in cultivation. Although Lieyan Hudie hasn't cultivated the fourth stage…. She had already mastered the first two stages. And looking at this right now I think she has already half mastery over third stage as well. ”

“In other words she has already invaded Lieyan Shinji's soul. ” Yan Murong explained. Ling was shocked. It's not that he has never heard of Soul techniques but they are extremely rare and hard to cultivate.

‘To think she had such capabilities ’ Ling thought.

Shinji was stunned but immediately he understood what was going on. He turned around and looked at Hudie. He bit his tounge to regain composer. Blood filled his mouth as he said, 

“To think your Soul abilities has gone to such extent!! I really underestimated you. But if this is the best you can do then there's no chance for you to win!!”

Hudie turned to look at him. She slightly squinted her eyes and gave him a mocking smile, “Senior brother is right. After all you have always looked up to your goal and that is why you have become so much strong. But you know sometimes….YOU....SHOULD...LOOK BENEATH YOU!! ” as she said those words, she lifted her right hand and opened her palm. A large ball of purple energy started floating above her palm. A formation appeared on the ground right where Lieyan Shinji was standing. The formation shone with white light as a pillar of energy rose from it and surrounded Shinji.

When Shinji looked down at the formation his pupils contracted to the size of pins. His face lost its color as if his soul was about to be sucked up from his body.

“ ‘Palm of the Seven Echoes’!!” Hudie muttered as the formation started glowing even brighter. The energy ball above her palm became even bigger.

Lieyan Shinji started struggling to break the pillar of energy but he was unable to move his body. His soul was already captured by Hudie.

“You should give up brother! If I use this technique…you soul will be severely damaged. And there's no point to fight like this where there is nothing to gain. ” Hudie said coldly.

Lieyan Shinji looked down for few moments before he withdrew his sword and aura. He finally looked at Hudie with complicated eyes,

“ I.....accept….. defeat. ” Shinji said in a low voice.

“Fourth young master Lieyan Shinji has admitted defeat. The winner of the fourth round is fifth young mistress Lieyan Hudie. ” Zhou Hufeng declared.

“Holy shit!! No wonder she is called the ‘Soul Stealing Princess’!! ”

“Agreed. She is not only beautiful enough to capture hearts… she can also capture people's soul!!”

“ ….. ”

“Her soul technique is terrific!! ” Grand elder Zhou Lie  couldn't help but praise her.

Lieyan Hudie turned and started leaving the ring. 

“Don't think that you are all better than me just because you won this time. This will be the only time you ever defeated me.” Lieyan Shinji said in a determined voice. This defeat was way beyond humiliation. He was forced to admit defeat instead of fighting till the end. This battle would leave a deep wound in anyone's heart. But Shinji was different. He  had the mindset of a warrior. He knew that he was defeated because he was weak. And that's why this battle motivated him to gain more power. 

Hudie smiled but didn't say anything as she left the ring.

Far in a distance from the stage, Zhou Shangchen was fiercely looking at Ling. He was standing alone. Suddenly Wing Chun came with a piece of paper in his hand. It looked like a contract. He knelt on the floor and gave it to Zhou Shangchen. Zhou Shangchen looked at the paper. His eyes squinted as his lips curled up into a sinister smile. 

“Very good!! Very very good! With this that trash is….. Hehehehe!” He muttered in a low voice and started laughing maniacally. 

After leaving the stage Lieyan Hudie saw Murong and Yulong. She thought something before she started walking towards them.

Ling and others were engaged in a conversation. They saw Hudie approaching them.

Hudie came right in front of Yan Murong and stopped. She looked at her and said gently ,

“The last battle is between you and Zhou Shangchen. Are you confident in winning?”

She knew Murong since childhood and she was probably the only one with whom she would star a conversation. Other than her, Lieyan Hudie never spared anyone a single glance or never talked with anyone either.

“I won't tell you I am hundred percent sure but I know I have a chance to win…. My servant Ling... kind of helped me to form up a plan. Although he has no cultivation… his intelligence and scheming ability is probably better than any one of us. ” Murong replied but after that she realized that she has said more than necessary. She bit her lips as she felt guilty. Ling was also stunned but didn't say anything. It's true that he had told her a plan to defeat Shangchen. That was one of the reasons that he went to Murong's residence for last seven days. Even though everyone else was told not to enter her residence. Even her maids were told not to come for seven days. Only Ling was allowed because he helped Murong to develope a plan. And also improved her Cultivation by using the ‘Nine Stage Heaven Demonic Manipulation’ . He modified the flow of energy circulation in her Heavenly veins and even rearranged the path in which Heavenly energy flowed in her body. As for the results of doing so, Yan Murong felt different than before but Ling said that she would be able to realise it when she would battle Zhou Shangchen. But he also specifically requested Yan Murong not to tell his secret to anyone else. 

Lieyan Hudie as well as the others looked surprised. Everyone's head turned towards Ling. Hudie looked at Ling as she asked him,

“You are Lieyan Ling right? Can you tell me just what plan did you make? ” 

Ling bowed as sweat beads formed on his forehead and said in a panicky,

“…… This.. this servant doesn't dare to give my young mistress any plan. She was the on who thought of this. I just did some minor modifications. As for the plan….young mistress can explain it better than me. ”

“Hmmm.. then what's the plan sister Murong? ” Hudie asked with a hint of suspicion in her eyes.

“This…. You will be able to see when the match starts right? So just wait till then. ” Yan Murong replied hurriedly.

“Hmm… very well then. You better win but you must not force yourself. We have already been selected so there's no need to endanger yourself in a small battle like this. ” Hudie said in a concerned voice.

Murong gave a small smile as she said, “You don't need to worry sister Hudie. ” Hudie gave a small nod. Then she glanced at Xiao Shun and Xiao Meiyan as she asked, “And they are?”

“ Greetings young mistress Hudie, I am Xiao Shun from the Xiao clan. And this is my daughter Xiao Meiyan. ” Xiao Shun said unhurriedly.

“Xiao clan? The one who serves the Imperial family?”

Hudie asked.

“That's right” Murong explained.

“Oh!! It's an honor to meet you sir. I hope you are enjoying this event.” Hudie said respectfully as she bowed lightly.

“Hahah! You don't have to be so courteous. I am not on duty right now. ” Xiao Shun said.

“Hmm…then if you will excuse me. I still have another battle so I should get going. ” Hudie said as she turned to leave. Before leaving she glanced at Ling once again.

“Sob! Sob! ”

Murong turned to look at Yulong.

“… Now what happened?”

“She didn't even say hello to me!!! Sob! Sob” Yulong said.

“… ” Murong didn't look at him anymore.

After the stage was fixed, the match between Lieyan Hudie and Alex Heart started. But before the match could even begun, Alex Heart admitted defeat. He was already scared out of his wits when Hudie defeated Shinji like that. As such, Lieyan Hudie was selected as the fourth representative of the Moon Tournament.

After that to select the last tournament, the loser of the first four matches were suppose to fight in a four way battle. But since Shu Chengen was grievously injured. The battle happened among the rest of the competitors. And as expected, Lieyan Shinji crushed both of his opponent within one minute. And he became the fifth representative for the Moon Tournament.

After all the battles were over, the battle that everyone was waiting for was about to start.

“Before the last battle between second young mistress Yan Murong and first young master Zhou Shangchen, all the five representatives are to enter the arena. ” Zhou Hufeng shouted.

“We will be off then! ” Yan Murong said as she and Yulong went to the arena.

All the five representatives entered the arena and bowed their heads.

“Kneel!” sect master Lieyan Zhixin ordered. They all knelt on the ground bowing their heads.

Lieyan Zhixin stood up and said solemnly in a heavy voice, “ The five of you are the stars that will carry our sect's future. Moon Tournament decides the ranking of the sects in our continent. But that's not the important thing. The most important thing is that the top three sects are granted the chance to enter the ‘Sistine Heaven Sacred Field’ for whole two years to prepare the young generation for the ‘Blaze Sun Tournament’. They are allowed to send their top hundred desciples to it. In the ‘Sistine Heaven Sacred Field’, the heavenly energy is the richest in our entire continent. So if a Cultivator is able to enter it… his/her cultivation speed will increase significantly. If a cultivator can increase his/her cultivation by two stages in normal conditions.. then that same cultivator who is inside the ‘The Sistine Heaven Sacred Field’ will be able to increase his/her cultivation by whole one realm.  ”

“This is the greatest opportunity one can have in their lives. Except this, the five representatives will be given a lot more valuable treasures. Out sect has never been able to rank in the top three except one time. This year, it is your responsibility to bring glory and fame to our sect . With that said, I officially announce you five to be the representatives for our Twilight Moon sect. Zhou Hufeng give them the ‘Grass Moon Pallets’. ”

“After receiving it, Yan Murong and Zhou Shangchen will remain here for their last match which will decide the leader of your team. ” Zhou Lie declared.

“We thank Sect master and the elders to think us worthy of carrying such responsibility. We Will not let any of you down.” Zhou Shangchen said.

“We thank the sect master and elders for giving us such an opportunity. We will definitely fulfill our responsibility. ” Yan Murong said.

“…..”

“…”

Others also swore similar oaths and slowly stood up. They received their share of ‘Grass Moon Pallet’ and left the arena. Only Yan Murong and Zhou Shangchen were standing on the opposite sides of the arena.

—————————

*Note: Stages and Realms are two different things. Stages are sub realms that exist within  cultivation Realms. 

Author's note: (Ling is the mc right? Then where the f*ck is he??When will he do something??). Thank you for reading.