Chapter 96 Getting Worse

Thus, even the stone surface of the arena had begun to fracture, fine cracks spiderwebbing across its expanse.

Even the officials from the City Lord's Manor were visibly astonished. Though the stone was not of the most precious variety, it was nonetheless remarkably resilient.

Fortunately, the damage was limited to shallow fissures, and the structure remained largely intact.

Young Master He fixed his gaze upon Gu Qingli, his eyes burning with intensity.

Gu Qingli, by contrast, appeared composed and serene, though a closer look revealed a glint of caution and gravity beneath her calm facade.

Though he had sustained some injuries, he was still a One-Star Martial King—a threat not to be taken lightly.

"Ah!"

This time, Young Master He held nothing back. Both fists surged with pale blue energy as he launched himself toward Gu Qingli.

Her eyes narrowed, and instead of meeting the blow head-on, she swiftly evaded. In raw power, a Martial King naturally held the advantage, especially when striking with full force. She would not foolishly clash with him at his peak.

Her footwork was elusive and spectral, her figure flickering with impossible speed as she dodged one of his punches. With a graceful sweep of her jade-like hand, she unleashed a concentrated burst of emerald energy.

It was not enough to disperse his fist, but it did manage to slow its momentum—just enough for her to slip past what would have otherwise been a devastating strike.

In a flash, she reappeared at Young Master He's other side, her position already shifted.

His face darkened. He hadn't expected such agility from this accursed girl. Still, as a Martial King, he quickly regained composure. A faint blue energy shield shimmered to life around him, this time clearly more refined and formidable than the last.

He had learned from his earlier humiliation—and now, he was prepared to fight in earnest.

A glint of murderous intent flashed through his eyes. In his hand appeared a slender, razor-sharp dagger, gleaming with lethal brilliance.

A chilling aura swept across the stage—Gu Qingli immediately sensed mortal danger.

This blade was no ordinary weapon. A foreboding sense of crisis surged through her chest.

Gasps erupted from the crowd below. Everyone knew the rules of the Youth Arena established by the City Lord's Manor—no weapons were to be drawn.

After all, injuries were tolerable in a spar between young cultivators, but killing was strictly forbidden. Blades had no conscience.

Thus, Young Master He had flagrantly violated the City Lord's decree.

"Ah!"

Several young women cried out, unable to bear the thought of Gu Qingli's blood staining the arena in the next instant.

Li Ke'er, meanwhile, allowed a cold smile to curl her lips as she watched Gu Qingli's petite figure engulfed by a storm of pale blue energy.

Gu Qingli...

You dared stand in the way of the Li family. Then you'd best perish here and now.

"Qingli!"

Gu Qingche's voice rang out in a desperate cry. Wounded as he was, he still tried to rush to her aid, ignoring the pain that wracked his body.

But at the very heart of the storm, Gu Qingli remained calm. From the moment that blade had appeared, she knew she was no match for him.

Yet she had no intention of yielding.

In her hand, she clutched the final card her master had entrusted to her—ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice.

"Impudent cur—how dare you!"

A thunderous voice boomed across the grand hall. Though aged, it carried an overwhelming majesty, silencing all with its sheer authority.

Every young cultivator in the hall stiffened where they stood, their bodies gripped by an invisible pressure, unable to move so much as a finger.

A blinding flash of light tore through the air like lightning.

Boom!

A tremendous crash followed, echoing in every ear. When the stunned crowd finally regained their senses, they saw only one figure remaining upon the now-silent stage—Gu Qingli.