Teacher by day, Farmer by passion-Chapter 48: Mastermind Mei’er.

Ace, after ensuring everything was in order with the spirit beast feeds, turned to Lily. "Alright, looks like everything is set. I’ll be heading back now."

Lily, still holding a bundle of freshly harvested Spirit Rice, furrowed her brows. "Master, before you go, I have a suggestion."

Ace tilted his head. "What is it?"

She wiped her hands on her apron and gestured to the vast farmlands stretching behind her. "You have over 3 million Gold Credits now, Master. But what are you actually going to be using them for? Your spirit animals have reached their maximum potential and there’s nothing left for you to invest in."

Ace blinked. "Huh? Wait, since when did the gold credits reach that high?"

Lily crossed her arms and nodded. "I’ve been working day and night after all. So, instead of hoarding Gold Credits like a dragon on a pile of treasure, why not start stockpiling farm products? You never know when high-grade ingredients or Spirit Crops could come in handy. Or maybe—oh, I don’t know—invest in something useful? Equipment, cultivation resources, rare seeds?"

Ace rubbed his chin as he surveyed the flourishing fields, considering her words. "You might be right, but I don’t really have time to think about this right now. The tournament is still ongoing."

Lily sighed, exasperated. "Fine, fine. But at least don’t let your wealth sit there doing nothing. Even if you don’t need it now, storing resources will always be a wise move."

Ace gave her a lazy salute. "Noted, Chief Farmer Lily."

Lily rolled her eyes but smiled. "Go win the tournament, Master."

With that, Ace exited the system space, his vision shifting back to reality. He stepped out of the washroom, stretching his arms as he walked through the bustling crowd, making his way back to his seat.

The atmosphere in the arena was electrifying. Spectators cheered, roared, and placed bets, the excitement thick enough to taste.

Down in the arena, the first round had concluded. At the center of the battlefield stood a lone figure: a young woman in sleek silver robes, her long obsidian hair flowing as she exhaled steadily.

Her sword, shimmering with residual energy, was still humming from her final strike. Around her, defeated contestants lay sprawled across the stage, some groaning, others unconscious.

The dust settled as the announcer’s voice boomed.

"And the victor of the first round—Lady Flow, a major Silver Rank!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, some chanting her name, others lamenting their lost bets.

Ace leaned forward, his eyes narrowing with interest. "Damn. That was flashy."

As the first victor left the stage, the next match began. Fighters poured in, battles ignited like wildfire, and one after another, victors emerged. Some fights were explosive, with combatants clashing in bursts of Qi and skill, while others ended in an instant, a single well-placed strike deciding the outcome.

The rounds continued, the tension mounting with each passing moment. And then—

"Contestant Liu Mei, step onto the stage!"

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Ace’s posture straightened slightly. He had been waiting for this.

Liu Mei stood up, dusted off her robe, and walked toward the battlefield with the ease of someone heading to a picnic.

The moment had arrived.

The referee’s voice echoed across the arena.

"Begin!"

In an instant, three Silver Rank fighters moved, their eyes locked onto Liu Mei like wolves surrounding their prey.

The Warrior Rank contestants didn’t interfere. Why would they? It was better for the Silver Ranks to clash among themselves, leaving the weaker fighters a chance to slip by unnoticed.

A Silver Rank fighter with a thick scar across his jaw smirked.

"Lady, don’t blame us for what happens next. You crossed the Young Master—this is just consequences catching up to you."

Liu Mei didn’t reply. She wasn’t interested in responding. Her eyes flickered as she scanned her surroundings, mind already processing the battlefield like a chessboard.

Then they attacked.

The first fighter lunged forward, his blade crackling with energy.

"Lightning Six Slash!"

His sword found its mark—but not on Liu Mei. Instead, it struck a Warrior Rank contestant who had been standing nearby. The unfortunate warrior staggered back, eyes wide in shock.

Just a step away, Liu Mei stood untouched, a playful giggle escaping her lips. "Oops! That was close."

The Silver Rank fighter’s face twisted in frustration. Gritting his teeth, he wrenched his sword free and charged again, his two allies flanking him.

Steel flashed. The three struck with precision, their blades carving through the air, yet—

Slash! Another Warrior Rank collapsed.

Crack! A pained grunt echoed as yet another fighter took a blow meant for Liu Mei.

The Warriors realized too late—they weren’t just spectators in this battle. They were the victims.

"Damn it! She’s using us as shields!" one of them cried out, staggering back.

Panic spread like wildfire. The remaining Warrior Rank contestants scrambled, trying to escape to the edges of the arena, away from the deadly crossfire.

But Liu Mei followed them—slowly, methodically—her presence like a shadow that refused to be shaken off.

Every step she took sent another opponent into a frenzy, their frantic dodging only leading them into the path of another misplaced strike.

She didn’t need to attack. The battlefield was doing the work for her.

Hope of escape dwindled. The Silver Ranks, now desperate, realized that their own hands had done more damage to the Warriors than the girl they were supposed to be fighting.

Their attacks never hit her—but they hit someone.

One of them gritted his teeth. "Tch! Stop playing around! Surround her again!"

The moment they stepped forward, Liu Mei moved too—this time, her smirk widening.

From the sidelines, one of the Warrior Rank contestants finally pieced it together. His eyes widened in horror as he watched the chaos unfold.

"They’re making it look like they’re fighting each other while picking us off one by one!" he shouted, voice laced with fury. "They think we’re fools!"

Another Warrior Rank fighter, already seething from the earlier attacks, clenched his fists. "Show them we’re not to be messed with!"

A battle cry erupted as the Warriors, who had been playing it safe, charged forward.

The Silver Rank trio felt their stomachs drop.

"Wait! This isn’t what it looks like—" one of them started, but it was too late.

The Warriors weren’t listening. The moment for explanations had passed.

The Silver Ranks, once predators, now found themselves swarmed from all sides.

Even the other Silver Rank contestants, who had been idly waiting for the fight to thin out, joined the assault.

Liu Mei took a step back, watching the battlefield explode into chaos.

Then, with a light chuckle, she murmured, "That was easier than I thought."