Chapter 94: Strength Pressing

"Not bad—but to think you could challenge a Martial King with just that? What a ludicrous fantasy!"

Young Master He sneered, his smile laced with malice. Pale blue energy surged forth, coalescing into a massive fist that thundered toward Gu Qingli's chest with crushing force.

The momentum was overwhelming—decisive and ruthless.

Gu Qingli narrowed her eyes, unflinching and undaunted.

Her snow-white hand clenched into a fist, emerald energy surging with dense and refined power, wrapped in a veil of shimmering silver soul force. Combined, the aura rivaled that of the pale blue energy bearing down on her.

Without flinching or dodging, Gu Qingli met the attack head-on, her fist striking with explosive force.

A deafening boom split the air as both energies collided in a cataclysmic blast.

Below the stage, the crowd held their breath, eyes wide with disbelief. Though most believed Gu Qingli stood no chance against Young Master He, such a titanic clash stirred an involuntary surge of anticipation.

When the energies dispersed, both combatants remained standing—but Young Master He had staggered back several steps, his face awash in unbridled shock.

His stunned expression revealed he could scarcely believe what had just transpired.

"H-How\... how is this possible?!"

"Damn! That was savage!"

The young heirs and noble daughters below were dumbstruck, completely caught off guard.

"You're actually an alchemist!"

Young Master He's gaze sharpened with newfound gravity as he glared at Gu Qingli.

As a Martial King, he instantly discerned the source of her power—why her punch had been able to force him back.

The audience, less knowledgeable, had not understood—until his words shattered the silence, igniting a storm of astonishment.

"An alchemist? No way! Gu Qingli is an alchemist?!"

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

On the Divine Ancient Continent, alchemists held an exalted and untouchable status. No one dared offend one lightly.

"The Gu Clan treated an alchemist like a worthless disgrace for all these years? They must have been blind!"

Some could not help but voice their incredulity.

Li Ke'er's eyes widened in shock—Gu Qingli was actually an alchemist!

The youths below were scions of Loulan City's great clans and knew well that, though still called the foremost family, the Gu Clan had waned in strength.

Its heritage remained, but in recent years, no new prodigies had emerged.

Had things continued this way, the Gu Clan would surely have lost its title.

Yet now, in this generation, Gu Qingli had not only emerged as a peerless talent—she was even an alchemist.

Li Ke'er clenched her fists tightly, her gaze dark and venomous as it fixed on the stage. Gu Qingli had become a dire threat to the Li family.

"Don't think I'll go easy on you just because you're an alchemist!"

Young Master He snarled, face twisted with humiliation beneath the awestruck gazes surrounding him.

Pale blue energy began to rise across his entire form, forming a colossal sphere of swirling power. The aura it exuded drew every gaze to him.

But within the heart of that terrifying force, Gu Qingli stood unfazed, even a spark of excitement flickering in her eyes.

Soul energy truly was formidable—enough to bridge the chasm between a nine-star Great Warrior and a one-star Martial King.

The Phoenixfire Technique began to circulate within her. The rich, emerald aura surrounding her thickened dramatically—layer upon layer, so intense it began shifting toward a shade of blue.