Chapter 109: Peerless Beauty

The moment Gu Qingli entered the arena, every gaze within was instantly drawn to her.

Amidst the burning curiosity and hushed astonishment of the crowd, she stood composed and serene. Though her youthful face still bore the faint traces of inexperience, her demeanor was poised and dignified. The powerful aura emanating from her petite frame radiated a transcendent brilliance that rendered her peerlessly captivating, even among so many eyes.

A brief stillness descended upon the onlookers as all attention fixed upon the young girl.

A soft, delicate smile played upon her snow-white cheeks, still tinged with the innocence of youth. Her phoenix-like eyes, bright as the stars themselves, glimmered like the purest beacon in the world, so radiant that one could scarcely look away.

Slender and graceful, her small figure held within it a boundless and formidable strength.

On the other side, Vice-Captain Qi watched Gu Qingli with a cold, predatory gaze. A cruel smile flickered across his lips. He knew the strength of every member in the Snow Tiger Group like the back of his hand—thus he had confidently proposed this duel.

Yet to think they would send this impudent girl in their stead?

Truly, the Snow Tiger Group must have been scraping the bottom of the barrel.

All the better. He despised this wretched girl with a loathing that gnawed at his heart. Today, he would ensure she never walked away again.

"Xiao Li! You're here!"

The members of the Snow Tiger Group quickly gathered around her. Sun Jie looked at Gu Qingli, guilt shadowing his face.

Gu Zhan was among them as well. Given the importance of the day, he had come early to find Sun Jie and join the group—he couldn't rest easy otherwise.

He had planned that if Xiao Li found herself outmatched, Sun Jie could step in. Rules or no rules, nothing mattered more than his daughter's safety.

"Uncle Sun? Father? No wonder I couldn't find you this morning—you came here together," Gu Qingli remarked with a playful arch of her brow and a smile tugging at her lips.

She knew her father's heart was filled with worry.

"Haha! Once again, it's you saving us," Sun Jie laughed heartily, clapping her shoulder with his broad palm. "Just give it your all—do whatever you must. With me here, no harm will come to you."

Gu Qingli bared her gleaming white teeth in response.

"Don't worry. I'll make Vice-Captain Qi rue the day he made this challenge."

Her voice was steady and resolute. A flicker of murderous intent flashed in her narrowed eyes.

"Good! Like father, like daughter!" someone exclaimed. "Xiao Li, today the Snow Tiger Group stands firmly behind you. Even if you cut that old bastard down, Uncle Sun will take the blame!"

Gu Zhan sighed quietly, concern lingering in his eyes as he looked at Gu Qingli.

"Xiao Li, I won't say much. Just take care of yourself."

"Got it, Dad!"

By now, the square was seething with noise, and as the appointed time neared, the excitement surged like a rising tide.

Gu Qingli casually swept her gaze over the spectator stands, which were already packed with heads. And soon, a familiar face emerged from the crowd—

Shao Yan.

At that moment, he sat in front of the dais, clad in the formal robes of the Mercenary Guildmaster. His expression was solemn and dignified, radiating a natural authority that demanded reverence.

He gave her a near-imperceptible nod, and a gentle smile flickered in his eyes—his silent greeting.

Gu Qingli had not expected Shao Yan to attend in person. Was even the Guildmaster here to witness the spectacle?

She glanced around but did not see any sign of Shao Lan. That boy was still his usual withdrawn self, reluctant to venture outdoors. She made a mental note to try coaxing him out after the duel.

"With the Guildmaster presiding over this duel, I trust that should anything endanger Xiao Li, he will not stand idly by," Sun Jie whispered to Gu Qingli and Gu Zhan.