Chapter 113 Dazzling

Gu Qingli had only just ascended to the rank of Nine-Star Grand Warrior.

Yet, she faced Vice-Captain Qi with unwavering confidence, having previously confronted Martial Kings on two separate occasions—the first through poison, the second by seizing the element of surprise.

Vice-Captain Qi let out a sinister grin as a surge of azure battle energy exploded from his body, his overwhelming aura crashing toward Gu Qingli with ruthless intensity.

From the very first move, he unleashed a killing blow—utterly merciless.

Gu Qingli's expression grew solemn, a rare seriousness settling across her face.

In the past, her victories had hinged on clever stratagems. This time, Vice-Captain Qi would afford her no such opportunity.

To him, Gu Qingli was clearly no match in strength—yet that only fueled his desire to crush her utterly.

"Whoa!"

Gasps of astonishment rippled through the crowd as Vice-Captain Qi's ferocity sent a chill down every spine.

"Hmph!"

With a cold snort, Gu Qingli's delicate frame was suddenly enveloped in a thick swirl of emerald energy.

Shockingly, her spiritual aura bore an almost identical hue to Qi's—so similar that only the most discerning eye could detect a difference.

It was a testament: her power rivaled his.

Such a prodigious gift was rare across the entirety of the Ancient God Continent.

"A genius, are you? Then I'll see to it this genius dies young!"

Jealousy and spite flared in Vice-Captain Qi's eyes, his teeth clenched with bitter hatred.

"Sigh... Even if the Sixth Miss of the Gu family is a prodigy, she's still so young. Skill may match, but experience? That's a chasm too wide to cross."

Most of the onlookers still doubted Gu Qingli's chances.

Mercenaries lived by the blade, tempered through countless brushes with death. In their eyes, she was a hothouse flower—delicate, untested.

As they murmured, the two similarly-colored energies collided in mid-air.

A thunderous explosion erupted.

Waves of green force surged outward like a storm tide—Gu Qingli staggered back five full steps before steadying herself, while Vice-Captain Qi was forced back three.

His eyes narrowed into icy slits, murderous intent flaring violently within.

"Not bad for a little girl."

Even as the words left his mouth, he lunged again without pause, not giving her a breath's respite.

Gu Qingli let out a cold laugh, her clear voice cutting through the air like crystal.

"Is that all you've got?"

She charged forward to meet him head-on.

The aura surrounding Vice-Captain Qi darkened further, shifting toward a pale blue. At the heart of his surging power, the emerald began to shimmer with hints of cobalt.

He was nearing the absolute peak of the Grand Warrior realm—just a step away from ascending to Martial King.

It was no wonder he stood as a paragon among Loulan's mercenary elite—each strike laced with lethal intent, his ferocity enough to freeze blood in its veins.

Thick green energy gathered at his fists, slicing through the air with deadly force as he aimed straight for Gu Qingli's face.

He moved with astonishing speed, a tiger in full pounce.

Gu Qingli swiftly retreated, and in the next instant, her emerald aura shimmered with threads of silver—soulforce interwoven with spiritual might. She struck with immense pressure, a direct blow aimed at Qi's charging form.

A sudden sense of danger surged within Vice-Captain Qi. He veered sharply aside.

Her soul-infused attack dispersed the energy surrounding him in an instant.

And so, the battle began—fierce, fast-paced, the clash of two equals.

The crowd collectively held its breath, eyes wide with awe. The scene unfolded too quickly for the naked eye to follow, a dazzling blur of motion and power.

Vice-Captain Qi's expression darkened. Gone was the contempt in his gaze.

This wretched girl… was far stronger than he had imagined.