WEAPON SELLER IN THE WORLD OF MAGIC

Roughly about half an hour later, Ai Qing was in the middle of chatting with Yang Zenchao. The latter was trying to help her by stating all the things he analyzed from Mark's battles so far.

From the moment the semifinals are concluded, they were discussing how to beat him. With little more than two hours till their battle, they felt it is enough.

"No matter what kind of tricks we prepared, you had to keep your distance close to him. Only that way, you would have a chance to defeat him."

"I don't know… I'm still not confident even after all that…" Ai Qing let out a deep sigh, fearing that all of this battle analysis is useless in front of absolute strength.

According to Yang Zenchao, she can win if she strikes his vital points above the chest, i.e. neck where he believed that the armor will be at its weakest.

Since neither of them had ever heard of a battle armor set that includes an item to specifically protect one's neck, Yang Zenchao put his hopes on an assumption that it is nothing but a cloth that is attached to the headgear and the torso armor. There was no other explanation that came to his mind.

Seeing that his love interest is still not confident, Yang Zenchao decided to pull out his trump card.

"Here…" He took a pair of golden bracers from his storage ring. "These are healing bracers. Not in a semi-divine category but still the platinum ones will help you out. They constantly absorb natural energy from the surroundings and heal your injuries automatically."

"Really? You would give these to me?" Ai Qing was taken aback. She wasn't a dumb girl to think that this handsome fellow was gifting her because he is generous.

However, they were too precious to ignore. Not to mention, Yang Zenchao is also perfect husband material in many ways.

So, for her, there was no reason to reject the presents.

Yang Zenchao was even happier to see that she appreciates his help. Now that the battle strategies were finished, he wanted to have a casual chat with her. "Say, Ai Qing… do you have… Hmm?"

It was at that moment the door was suddenly opened and an unexpected guest followed the Wuji Sect's Patriarch into the room, taking the both of them by surprise.

Both of them quickly stood up on their feet and greeted them by cupping their fists and bowing.

Soon, a number of instant one-time use skill scrolls, semi-divine grade armor set, a couple of semi-divine artifacts, one which even includes a flute that summons a random 7-circle/8-circle beast king to do the user's bidding,

"This… Your Highness… Why?" Ai Qing was speechless as she stared at the items. She was overwhelmed by the presents given by the fourth prince.

In response, the fourth prince let out a smile, "let's just say that I want you to try your best to defeat your opponent. If you accomplish the task, I will let you keep one of the artifacts and the remaining skill scrolls with you."

Ai Qing fell silent for a while, taking her time to digest the reality before her. On the other hand, Yang Zenchao's eyes were fixed on the gauntlets. With their handle stretching about a foot in length, he knew for sure that his golden bracers would come in the way. So, they would have to be removed.

Considering the fact that they were of lower grade, it makes sense for them to be replaced too. It's just that he just gave it to her as a present and if she replaces it, he would understand it but still feel sad.

But, to his surprise, Ai Qing took everything except for the gauntlets that can store her ether energy for later use. Even the fourth prince and her sect master were surprised.

"Ai Qing, what were you doing?" Lai Peng, the Patriarch of the Wuji sect wasn't pleased by her act of not accepting all the items generously lent by the fourth prince.

In response, Ai Qing showed the golden bracers and said, "This is given by someone special to me. I can't take it off when such an important match is coming up."

Lai Peng frowned upon hearing her words while Qin Zhi took a glance at Yang Zenchao and waved his hand, "alright. No worries. I hope that the remaining will be enough to finish off your opponent."

"Believe me. They are more than enough, Your Highness." As Ai Qing assured them of her win, the fourth prince nodded and bid goodbye before collecting the gauntlets and leaving the place. Her sect master also followed the suit.

She then looked at the man standing beside her and asked him whether they should form a new battle strategy, one that involves the items given by Qin Zhi.

Yan Zenchao came out of his daze and nodded with a smile. "Alright…"

Little more than 75 minutes later;

After taking a short nap, Ai Qing woke up with a fresh mindset. Both of them then left the room.

While parting their ways on the way, Yang Zenchao said to her, "Let's meet at the white lake once this is over. I have something to say to you."

As if she knows what it is about, Ai Qing let out a beautiful smile, "I can't wait to hear it."

"Now, go and win…"

Yang Zenchao left for the stands while Ai Qing left for the participants' section where the other three were already waiting.

After a while, the Proctor entered the field and announced the battle for 3rd position.

Mark calmly walked toward the battle platform. Ai Qing appeared to be even more confident as she made her way.

Unlike during the semifinals, Mark didn't speak a word and just waited for the whistle. Ai Qing, on the other hand, was fully equipped with armor and artifacts. She tightly gripped her sword to launch an attack as soon as the proctor gives the signal to start.

*60 seconds left* *30 seconds left* *10 seconds left* *5 seconds left* *3, 2, 1…*

*phweeee*

The whistle was blown and Ai Qing let out a battle roar, charging forward at her peak speed. At the VIP Box, the guests saw Lan Ju raising his hand and unleashing a protective barrier around Song Yue, confusing them a little bit.

However, soon, Emperor Qin's confusion is cleared as he saw Mark simply raise his index finger and point at the empty air.

"Gravity dome…"

All of a sudden, enormous pressure descended into the surroundings.

Ai Qing suddenly collapsed onto her knees midway before falling on her stomach.

And it's not just her. Everyone in the 1 km surroundings except for Mark, Lan Ju, and Song Yue collapsed to the ground/floor beneath them without even knowing what struck them.

"What the…" The Patriarch of the Wuji sect, the imperial princes and Emperor of the Kun Empire, Grand elders of several sects, and even the experts from Void Temple, everyone was stuck in their seats, not being able to raise their hand too.

Amid the gazes of thousands of people, Mark then calmly started walking toward her with a smile on his face. It appeared so evil that Ai Qing's eyes shook in fear.

Upon reaching her, he took out a platinum-grade sword, which belonged to Zi Ling, and pointed its tip just an inch away from the back of her neck as he crouched down. "It's not personal, Ai Qing. This is purely business. So, don't hold any grudge toward me in hell, okay?"

Ai Qing was frozen in fear and she couldn't even talk as she was already trying her best to raise her head. She felt like she is going to die for real.

It was then the Patriarch of the Wuji sect, Lai Peng roared, "No, don't. We admit defeat…"

The Proctor took this chance to announce the result but Mark cut him off speaking directly to Lai Peng, "Sorry but my opponent here is still not unconscious. You can't make a decision for her."

Without wasting any more time, he looked back at the woman lying on the floor and swung down the sword with all the strength he has. "Adios, Ai Qing."

With no armor protecting her delicate neck and her ether energy also being suppressed in the process, the sword made a clean cut, separating her head from the body.

"No…" "No…"

Two screams echoed in the stadium, one that belonged to her Patriarch and the other belonging to Yang Zenchao who loves her.

Looking at Mark's actions, Qin Zhi's entire body shivered for a moment and his eyes widened as he mumbled, "This fellow is fearless and ruthless."