Chapter 117 Death Struggle

"Brother Shao, rest assured, our friendship spans many years. Though my troublesome boy may be unrefined, he will undoubtedly take good care of Lan'er."

Sikong Aofeng offered these words of comfort.

"In that case, I am much obliged, Brother Sikong."

"However, the Sixth Miss of the Gu family is truly extraordinary; it's no wonder you have taken a liking to this young girl. Though she is but a child, she is remarkably formidable. To be frank with you, Brother Shao, not long ago, that boy nearly met his demise at someone's hands!"

At these words, Sikong Aofeng's expression darkened considerably.

As a dominant force in Loulan City, he could hardly fathom that under his own watchful eye, someone dared to plot against his beloved son's life.

His gaze fell upon the small girl in the arena who had so thoroughly outmaneuvered Vice-Captain Qi, and he sighed inwardly.

"What? Such things happen even in Loulan City?"

Shao Yan's voice brimmed with astonishment.

"Ah Ran and Zhong Yi are still young and were deceived into leaving the city. Their assailant was a Martial King—they stood no chance."

Shao Yan's concern was evident; he held a certain fondness for Sikong Ran, whose arrogant and rebellious spirit was the exact opposite of his own foolish disciple.

His eyes instinctively shifted to Sikong Ran and He Zhong Yi, both flushed and seemingly unharmed.

"How did they manage to escape?"

"Ah Ran said it was the Sixth Miss of the Gu family, Gu Qingli, who saved them."

Shao Yan's mouth parted slightly in surprise as he glanced toward Gu Qingli, ethereal in her flowing white dress.

"That's why I hold this child in such high regard. I hadn't expected, Brother Shao, that you would recognize her talent before I did."

Sikong Aofeng chuckled softly.

As the two exchanged these low words, Gu Qingli's duel with Vice-Captain Qi was nearing its climax.

Qi refused to concede easily and fought with desperate tenacity, but the toll on his strength was mounting inexorably. The burly man was drenched in cold sweat, his eyes bloodshot.

Gu Qingli's Phoenix Fire Technique absorbed power at a far swifter rate than Qi's own, and though her energy consumption was also rapid, the technique ensured her depletion was far less severe.

"Still unwilling to yield?"

Gu Qingli's visage turned to ice.

She harbored no intention of sparing Vice-Captain Qi—or the Battle Wolf Corps lurking behind him. The Battle Wolf Corps were merciless in retaliation, and with a scoundrel like Qi leading them, danger lurked for her father left behind in Loulan City.

Gu Qingli was unwilling to take such risks. Once she entered the Fengyun Sacred Academy to begin her trials, she might be unable to return to Loulan City for quite some time.

This was part of her reason for seeking good relations with the City Lord's mansion and Shao Yan, though mutual respect bound them; Gu Qingli would never stoop to bargaining with a tiger on unfavorable terms.

Idiots like Guo Lin were rare indeed.

"You insolent girl! You think I will admit defeat? Hear me well—it is impossible!"

Fiery murderous intent erupted from Vice-Captain Qi's eyes as he lunged at Gu Qingli like a raging tiger.

Gu Qingli remained vigilant, undeterred by her prior advantage. Qi charged forward recklessly, wielding his blood-red greatsword across his chest.

In his eyes blazed a reckless resolve, as if embracing a mutual destruction.

Having survived countless battles, Qi knew the bitter depths of ruthlessness and was unafraid of death.

Thus, under the watchful eyes of all, his bloodstained greatsword emitted a fierce, surging killing aura, glowing ever more intensely with a crimson radiance.