After the intense battle, Li Xiuwen and Mu Rong Jian didn't pay attention to the cheers from the crowd. They calmly left the arena and headed back to the inn, as if the fierce fight had been nothing but an ordinary affair.
Upon reaching their private room, Mu Rong Jian slowly sheathed his sword. His eyes were filled with admiration and curiosity.
"Your Qi Chain technique… is truly astonishing," Mu Rong Jian said. "I never imagined that Qi could be used to absorb the poison and energy of an opponent in such a way."
Li Xiuwen didn't reply immediately. He washed the dust from his hands before sitting down on a chair in a relaxed manner.
"Every technique has a destructive and a creative side," Li Xiuwen replied in a level voice. "But more importantly… you should never be careless when fighting an enemy weaker than yourself."
Mu Rong Jian understood what Li Xiuwen was trying to say. He nodded, feeling a touch of shame.
"I accept your advice," Mu Rong Jian said. "I think I was overly confident in my own sword art, which nearly caused me to fall to Liu Ming."
"There is no need for regret," Li Xiuwen said, looking at Mu Rong Jian. "This battle was your most important lesson."
"And you… what stage is your technique at?" Mu Rong Jian asked with curiosity.
Li Xiuwen smiled faintly before replying in a voice that surprised Mu Rong Jian.
"My Demon Blood Shackles technique has only reached the Second Stage," Li Xiuwen said. "Absorbing my opponent's poison and power is the most important part of my technique, because it will allow me to grow stronger and stronger."
Mu Rong Jian was utterly shocked. He never thought that such a fearsome technique was only in its second stage.
"If you were to reach the Ninth Stage… just how strong would you be?" Mu Rong Jian muttered to himself.
"That is a matter for the future," Li Xiuwen replied calmly. "But what is most important right now is preparing for the next round."
Just then, a knock came from the door. The man who opened it was the large fighter who had joined the first round. He was one of the contestants Li Xiuwen and Mu Rong Jian had saved from the chaos.
"I apologize for the interruption, sirs," the large man said respectfully. "But I wanted to bring you a message from the organizers that the second round of the tournament will begin in three days."
"The second round… is it a team battle?" Mu Rong Jian asked directly.
"Yes," the large man replied. "The teams must have at least two members and no more than five."
"And do we need to form a team with you?" Mu Rong Jian asked, curious.
"No," the large man replied. "But if you wish to join our team… we would be honored."
"Thank you for the offer," Mu Rong Jian said with a smile. "But the two of us will be enough for this tournament."
The large man said no more. He bowed to the two of them before leaving the room.
When the door closed, Mu Rong Jian turned to look at Li Xiuwen with eyes full of determination.
"What should we do next?" Mu Rong Jian asked.
"We will rest and prepare to the fullest," Li Xiuwen replied simply. "And in these three days… we will gather information on all our rival teams."
Li Xiuwen showed no hostility to anyone, but his words were filled with an undeniable confidence. Mu Rong Jian nodded in understanding. He knew well that this alliance with Li Xiuwen was not just a collaboration for victory, but a truly exciting and challenging adventure.