Meng Qing

At the University Championship quarterfinals, the matches were reaching their most intense stage. The thunderous cheers of the crowd echoed throughout the massive arena as the commentators worked tirelessly to keep up with the exhilarating battles. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and tension, as each team fought desperately for a place in the semifinals.

The second match between Black Sea University and Beast Emperor University had begun. Black Sea University belonged to the Meng Sacred Clan, and all three members of their team hailed from the Meng Family. Meanwhile, Beast Emperor University was controlled by the Guan Sacred Clan, with Han Tian, Guan Suyue, and a mysterious masked woman with a moon-shaped mask representing them. Her enigmatic aura and alluring presence made her stand out among the competitors.

The match followed a one-on-one elimination format a team would be eliminated once all three members lost. However, this battle ended in an absolute massacre. Han Tian alone effortlessly defeated all three members of Black Sea University without breaking a sweat. The match concluded in record time, leaving the audience stunned.

The third match featured Celestial Divine University against Mist Blade University. Celestial Divine University operated independently, unaffiliated with any major power, and its team consisted of Ye Feng, Li Juan, and Guang Xueyi, the daughter of Guang Limei. Meanwhile, Mist Blade University was backed by the Ouyang Emperor Clan.

This battle was much more competitive, but in the end, Celestial Divine University emerged victorious, eliminating Mist Blade University from the tournament.

The fourth match was between Starfall University and Azure Sky University, which was affiliated with the Bai Emperor Clan. Every member of Azure Sky University's team was from the Bai Family.

The moment the match was announced, there was an odd silence from the audience. Some spectators even got up to buy food or take a break, showing zero interest in Starfall University. Many in the crowd saw them as insignificant nobodies, believing there was no way they could challenge a team from an Emperor Clan.

At that moment, Gu Long smiled as he stepped forward, accompanied by Lin Feng, Lin Yao, Meng Lin, and Lin Yuntian. He turned to his students and asked,

"Meng Lin, do you think you can handle all three of them on your own?"

Meng Lin stood up, her gaze determined as she responded, "I won't disappoint you, Headmaster."

Without hesitation, she leaped onto the stage, summoning her majestic azure phoenix, whose body shimmered like living flames. As she unfurled her wings, she spoke calmly,

"Please, do your best."

BOOM!

Before the Bai Clan's students could even react, Meng Lin lunged forward at lightning speed, unleashing a surge of blue flames that engulfed her first opponent. His beast companion had no chance to react before he was blasted off the stage in a single strike.

Meng Lin casually brushed the ashes off her sleeve before coldly stating, "Who's next? Or would you both like to come at me together?"

Her mocking tone infuriated the remaining two Bai Clan students, prompting them to charge onto the stage simultaneously. However, it made no difference Meng Lin annihilated them just as effortlessly as she had the first.

The commentator's voice rang out in astonishment,

"Incredible! Meng Lin has completely dominated her opponents yet again! We haven't even seen the other two members of Starfall University compete yet!"

Up in the VIP lounge, Gu Tian gazed down at the matches uninterested. The results of this round were already determined no matter how strong the other teams were, none of them stood a chance against Wu Shuang. Whether it was one-on-one or even a team battle, no one could stop him.

As the competition continued, Gu Mo suddenly spoke,

"It's time. Let's go."

Guang Yue and Gu Tian nodded before the void split open, and the three of them vanished instantly, leaving the tournament behind. There was no longer any reason for them to stay and watch.

Deep within the northernmost part of Bai Bamboo City, an opulent mansion stood tall the residence of the Meng Clan, one of the Ten Sacred Clans. Hidden deep within this grand estate was a sealed chamber, locked away with formidable binding formations. Inside, a silver-haired woman sat hunched over, writing with a trembling hand. Thick chains bound her body, and sharp spikes pierced through her skin, restricting her every movement. Despite her frail condition, her aura remained serene and unwavering.

She let out a soft sigh and raised her gaze toward the void. "It's been a long time… my husband."

At that moment, the void split apart, and a man emerged in silence. His jet-black hair cascaded down his back, and his handsome features carried a cold, unshakable demeanor. Time itself had not left a single mark upon him. Yet, as he gazed at her, his eyes filled with warmth and sorrow.

"It has been a long time, indeed… You've aged quite a bit, Meng Qing."

A gentle smile touched Meng Qing's lips. Though her body was weak and battered, her eyes still shone brightly. "Perhaps… because love is blind," she whispered, her gaze lingering upon Gu Mo as if she wanted to engrave his face into her soul.

Gu Mo let out a heavy sigh, reaching into his spatial ring and pulling out a bottle of wine. He uncorked it and smirked.

"This is Thunderstorm Wine your favorite. I brought it for you."

Meng Qing's eyes welled with tears as she stared at the bottle. "Even in my final moments… you're still here. I can hardly believe it."

Gu Mo said nothing. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her delicate frame, holding her tightly.

"A dream, huh… my little fool?"

He chuckled softly. "Then I'll turn it into reality. Back then, you protected me… Now, it's my turn to protect you."

BOOOOM!

A terrifying wave of pressure erupted, shaking the entire mansion. Over seventy emperor-level auras shot into the sky, their power crackling through the air. A cold voice echoed from above.

"It's been a long time, you filthy beggar."

The voice belonged to Meng Han, the current patriarch of the Meng Clan. Behind him stood a force of emperors, their killing intent palpable.

Gu Mo laughed softly, all the while removing every restraint that bound Meng Qing before lifting her into his arms.

"You call me a beggar?" His golden eyes gleamed with disdain. "And yet you sold your own sister like a commodity. You fools."

BOOOOM!

Meng Han smirked, his murderous aura intensifying. "So, you've ascended to Emperor level... and not just any emperor a Peak Emperor at that."

He paused for a moment before his tone turned ice-cold.

"But this is where you die."

At Meng Han's command, countless auras surged forward, sealing every escape route. The sheer concentration of emperor-level warriors warped the very fabric of space, causing reality itself to twist and tremble.

Gu Mo gazed at them calmly before letting out a deep sigh.

"You'd be better off staying in bed and dreaming instead."

He tightened his hold on Meng Qing, and in the next instant, a wave of dark energy erupted from his body, engulfing everything in an abyss of endless darkness.