Dark Horse

Shi Li did not care about his appearance at the moment as he knew that he had gone too far this time. Although he might be able to reach the healers in time and heal the large wound on Shi Daoliang's back, it might impede his cultivation due to the fact that Shi Li might become his internal demon.

Internal demons were not rare in the novels Shi Li had read in his previous life, he had a feeling that internal demons also existed in this world. "Please tell me you're alright Daoliang!"

Cough! Cough!

As he continued to run towards the healers, he heard a soft cough from his right, making him feel startled a bit before feeling joy. Shi Daoliang was conscious!

"Are you okay Daoliang? Does it hurt?" Shi Li did not hesitate to ask this question while running, making sure to not let Daoliang experience stiff movements.

"Heh." Shi Daoliang softly chuckled as he dangled under Shi Li's grasp, coughing out a few drops of blood from his mouth. Weakly, he replied, "I-I'm fine...that attack though...could you teach me?"

"Sure, I'll teach you." Shi Li did not hesitate to agree with Shi Daoliang's wishes. Although it was not his strongest derived technique, he still injured Shi Daoliang severely anyway.

Not long after, Shi Li reached the healers of the Shi clan and gave Shi Daoliang to them, letting them do what they have to do. After watching a few minutes of Shi Daoliang's treatment, Shi Li said a few words of farewell to Shi Daoliang before heading back to the center stage of the clan arena.

Just as he entered the center stage of the clan arena, he noticed that the spectators were cheering loudly. He knew that when the spectators were cheering loudly, it meant that the duel was over.

He ran for a bit before getting a glimpse of the dueling platform, where he saw Shi Shisi looking down at the kneeling Shi Huaqiang whose palms had cross marks that trickled a small amount of blood.

Shi Huaqiang could not help but look at Shi Shisi and lightly chuckled. "Fighting against Big Brother Shi Shisi, I have no regrets at this point. You have widened my horizons."

At this moment, Shi Shisi went closer to Shi Huaqiang and helped her stand up before carrying her to the healers where Shi Daoliang was being healed. "You did your best. Strive harder, I know that that isn't your limit."

Hearing these words come from Shi Shisi's mouth, Shi Huaqiang could not help but shed a few tears as she bitterly smiled. "Un."

Although she knew she did her best, she still could not help but feel bitter than she could not do anything to Shi Shisi. 'I must grow stronger, strong enough to fight in the Tri-clan Tournament.' This loss did not dampen her feelings, but instead motivated her to strive even harder.

While Shi Shisi carried Shi Huaqiang to the healer, Shi Shisi could not help but look at the surroundings, coincidentally meeting eye to eye with Shi Li.

Shi Li nodded faintly at Shi Shisi, telling him that he should carry Shi Huaqiang first to the healers before doing anything else. Shi Shisi nodded back not long after.

Afterwards, Shi Li sat down on the ground near the dueling platform as he meditated in order to calm his emotions. Of course, he knew that he would be fighting Shi Shisi at the round after this, and he had to give it his all against someone who had cultivated assiduously for a long time

Contrary to what he felt, the spectators felt that Shi Li had already done enough to gain the attention of the whole clan. Even his father at the highest seat of the clan arena could not help but feel proud at the progress of his son. Some people had already called him the Dark Horse, just like how Shi Ziyun was called the Purple Phantom. As to why they called him that was because of how much he has hidden from the other clan members. They thought that Shi Li being a playboy was a facade to his current strength.

Who knew that this moniker would eventually be known throughout Xiuzhen Planet.

...

Thankfully, Shi Xingtai was benevolent enough to give the two remaining participants an ample time of rest in order to regain their lost strength. Not only that, he used this time to look at the two.

He took a short glance at Shi Shisi as he has been the winner of the previous tournaments of the previous 5 years or so already, allowing Shi Xingtai to have somewhat detailed knowledge on him.

When he looked at Shi Li, his eyes could not help but glisten. His performance to Shi Xingtai's eyes was just surprising since he only knew Shi Li as his brother's son that used all of his time to play with women.

Not only that, he was also the centerpiece of the clan to counterattack against the Huang clan's schemes. Even Shi Li himself agreed to help with their plans!

After all of that, Shi Xingtai could not help but look at Shi Li in a new light. He looked at him as a dependable clan member, one that would not go back on his words.

Shi Xingtai allowed the two to rest for 15 minutes before clapping his hand in order to notify the two that the finals was about the start. Shi Li and Shi Shisi did not frown upon this method of notification, instead shrugging it off and nodding as they looked at each other.

Seeing that the two did not complain made Shi Xingtai smile a bit as he announced, "And so, we are now at the final round of the tournament! The final duel shall now be between Shi Li and Shi Shisi! Who shall win between the two of them and occupy the rank of champion?"

While Shi Xingtai was talking, Shi Li and Shi Shisi leisurely walked towards the dueling platform and positioned themselves on two opposite ends, looking at each other with a smile.

"I knew that my hunch was right. Ever since I noticed you in the first test, you were bound to surprise me." Shi Shisi could not help but laugh.

Shi Li laughed as well. "Well, let's finish the tournament with a bang! After this, let's go to my courtyard and celebrate until we faint!"

"Hehe! I won't say no to that!"

After saying those words, Shi Li grabbed Sundering Flame from his back and gripped its hilt tightly with both hands. As for Shi Shisi, he gripped on his sword tightly, waiting to make the first move.

This was now the final fight, the final fight that would determine the leader out of all the clan members at the Martial Novice stage. Who would win? Who would lose?

The air was tense, yet Shi Xingtai did not hesitate to shout out, "Let the finals..."

"Commence!"