Several days passed, during which Bai Yunsheng and Li Yuhua continued to study the "Unification of Two Hearts" technique and cultivate together.
The book containing this dual cultivation technique also contained various techniques that could be used both in combat and in everyday life.
For example, various fire techniques for Bai Yunsheng, who wielded Yang energy, or ice techniques for Li Yuhua, who possessed Yin energy.
As it turned out, these weren't so much fire and ice techniques, but martial arts techniques such as the Fire Fist and Ice Sword.
On the final day, they emerged above ground and, while searching for other tournament participants, managed to collect four bracelets to advance to the second stage.
As bells rang throughout the area, signaling the end of the second stage, the martial arts tournament participants were teleported to the real world, and those eliminated from the trial left the arena.
— Hmm... So, 18 people have passed... Honestly, I expected at least 30... — one of the elders sighed, looking at the results of the second stage.
The others supported him, but Luo Shengli only chuckled to himself, thinking that at least no one had died.
— Congratulations to everyone on passing the second stage of the martial arts tournament. Before the third stage begins, we will take a short break. During this time, the elders will agree on the scores, and you can rest! — the old man's voice rang out, and the 18 who had passed the test began to disperse. The spectators did the same.
As the participants walked toward the rest area, Bai Yunsheng headed toward the elders and the organizers.
— Excuse me, but the participants are not permitted in this room. Please leave immediately!— one of the guards stopped him as Bai Yunsheng reached the elders' room. The elders' gazes immediately turned to him.
— I would like to withdraw from the tournament! — Bai Yunsheng ignored him and walked past them, approaching the elders.
Everyone was surprised by his choice and, after a brief pause, asked cautiously.
— May I ask why you want to do this? — asked an elder with red hair and burgundy eyes.
— I'm too lazy! — Bai Yunsheng replied curtly and left, leaving everyone perplexed. Several elders were infuriated by his impudence, a few chuckled quietly, the red-haired old man chuckled, and only Luo Shengli frowned as he watched him go.
As Bai Yunsheng strolled down the corridor, a young man, also one of the participants, passed by and also walked toward the elders.
"Hmm? I've seen him somewhere... Oh well, whatever!" — flashed through his mind, and he left the rest area, leaving the arena.
"In the novel, Yan Pantu will stage a coup during the tournament's third round, when no one expects it."
"Of course, I could tell Lei Jiangxue about this so she could prevent this incident, but I have no proof of his guilt, and no matter how much she hates that idiot, without proof, it's like accusing an innocent man of something he didn't do!"
"Besides, it's not like I care how many people die! I'm not some kind of regression hero trying to prevent a terrible future! It's none of my business!" — Bai Yunsheng thought to himself as he passed the restroom.
Feeling someone's gaze on him, he turned around and saw his wife staring at him with an unreadable gaze.
— Are you leaving? — she asked quietly, meeting his eyes.
Bai Yunsheng shrugged and sighed.
— I only entered the tournament in the first place because you asked me to. Now I'm too lazy and don't see the point in continuing! — he replied lazily, leaning toward her.
Lei Jiangxue's nose caught a strange scent, and with a slight purse of her lips, she sighed and looked up at him, her usual coldness laced with a hint of tenderness. Her hand rose to caress his cheek, and for a moment they stood there, gazing into each other's eyes.
A few seconds later, Bai Yunsheng hugged her and sighed.
— Are you mad at me? — he asked.
"But you promised..." Lei Jiangxue replied indifferently, reminding him of his promise not to cheat on her. Her husband merely hugged her and kissed her forehead.
— I know... And I will do this until the very end... — he replied evenly, his hand rising to caress her head.
Lei Jiangxue tensed slightly, but after a few seconds, she relaxed and hugged him back, burying her face in his neck.
— Asshole... — her voice was muffled by his skin.
— Ice wife... — he replied, stroking her head.
They stood like that for several minutes in a silent embrace, and after a few minutes, they pulled away.
— What are you going to do now? — Lei Jiangxue asked, looking at him, to which Bai Yunsheng quietly replied.
— I need to decide something before it causes unnecessary trouble! — he said and began to leave.
Lei Jiangxue watched her husband leaving and turned around, about to return to the VIP room, but she was called out.
— Keep a closer eye on Yan Pantu and be carefull Soon everything will be upside down here...
Lei Jiangxue turned around sharply, but only to see her husband gone. After a moment's thought, she frowned and snapped her finger.
A man in a black shirt with a white belt, white pants, and white hair tied back emerged from the shadows. He wore a mask and held a long sword in his hand.
— Yes, my lady... — he said in a quiet voice and knelt before her.
— Check out Yan Pantu and find out what he's up to! — Lei Jiangxue commanded and headed for the VIP room.
The unknown man nodded and disappeared into the darkness.
***
Meanwhile, Li Yuhua was looking around for Bai Yunsheng. She wanted to be closer to him, especially after they became Dao partners.
Turning the corner, she bumped into Zhou Yulong, who was walking with Yao Ren, Zhang Yong, and Qin Li-Na.
— Sister, there you are! — the boy said and smiled.
Li Yuhua looked at him indifferently and nodded.
— It seems you've made some friends... — she replied lazily, looking at the girls.
Zhou Yulong chuckled and introduced his friends.
— Yes, that's right! This is Yao Ren — he and I went through the second stage together, and these two are Qin Li-Na and Zhang Yong. We met during the stage. They somehow managed to attract the attention of all the spirit beasts in the area, and we became friends while trying to escape!
While Zhou Yulong explained, Li Yuhua ignored everything. She was only interested in Bai Yusheng's location.
She glanced at the girls and nodded.
— Li Yuhua... — she introduced herself briefly
— Qin Li-Na... — the short-haired girl replied, bowing, raising her hands in greeting.
— And I'm Zhang Yong! — said the golden-haired girl, smiling broadly.
Li Yuhua looked at Yao Ren and nodded.
— We meet again... — she said quietly, looking at him, who smiled nervously.
— You know each other? — Zhou Yulong asked, looking at the two of them, causing Yao Ren to gulp.
— Yes... We met in the first stage, and I almost died, and Lady Yuhua saved me.
— It's not like I planned to save you... Besides, you wouldn't have actually died there, you were just lucky I was there! — Li Yuhua said lazily, crossing her arms over her chest.
Just as they were about to continue their conversation, the bell rang, signaling the continuation of the martial arts tournament.
***
All the participants had gathered in the arena, and the spectators were all seated. Luo Shengli stepped into the center of the arena and announced the start of the third stage.
— So, the break is over, which means the tournament continues!
— The third stage is one-on-one combat. This is where your skills, talents, strategic acumen, and so on will be put to the test! The fights will take place in a special formation and will last until one of the opponents surrenders or dies. If a participant dies, they are eliminated from the tournament and will be reborn in the real world, so it's just like the first stage. If you're unsure of your strength, you can surrender before the fight, and then the other participant will automatically win!
While Luo Shengli was explaining, the order of battles appeared on the screen, and there were no two people there.
— As you can see, there will only be 16 people competing. Unfortunately, two people withdrew during the break!
After these words, the spectators began to shout in irritation, but quickly calmed down.
— First participants: Fan Zheng and Wu Desheng, please enter the arena.
Fan Zheng and a young man with brown hair and dark eyes stepped into the center.
— You are free to use any tactics you deem necessary; you can kill if you wish. You will still be resurrected in the real world! Victory will also be counted if your opponent admits defeat. As I said! — Luo Shengli explained and left the field, jumping onto the stands.
The two men's gazes met, and Fan Zheng drew his sword and took a stance. A man named Wu Desheng drew his daggers and also took a stance.
— So, since everyone is ready, I declare the first fight of the third stage of the martial arts tournament to begin. Let's begin!
After Luo Shengli announced the start, Fan Zheng and Wu Desheng immediately rushed toward each other, crossing their weapons...
To be continued...