It must have been the icy gleam in Gu Qingli's eyes that drained all color from Gu Qinglin's face, leaving her as pale as snow.
In the past, she would have remained indifferent.
After all, she was the sole Spirit Illusionist of her generation in the Gu family, cherished and pampered. Even if she truly had killed Gu Qingli, the family would likely have turned a blind eye.
But now, everything had changed.
Gu Qingli's sudden rise signified that Gu Qinglin would inevitably be cast aside.
The gap in talent was simply too vast—one was a Spirit Illusionist cultivated through elixirs and external aid; the other, a prodigy who had reached the rank of Nine-Star Martial Warrior through her own strength—and was even an alchemist.
The Gu family, unless wholly blinded, would know where to place their hopes.
"So what if I was in the wrong? Had Gu Qinglin not sought me out first, I wouldn't have bothered plotting against you. Our Li family does not fear the Gu family—hmph!"
Li Ke'er cast a proud, disdainful glance at Gu Qingli, surrounded protectively by the members of her clan.
"As for that man, he bears not the slightest connection to me. Whether he lives or dies is none of my concern."
With that, Li Ke'er led the Li family entourage out of the Youth Martial Hall. Though contemptuous looks followed her from all directions, no one dared voice their displeasure aloud.
Gu Qingli's gaze remained cold as frost.
"We'll settle this at the Youth Tournament."
With a frigid declaration, she turned her attention to Gu Qinglin—who received no such courtesy. Striding forward, Gu Qingli raised her hand and delivered a resounding slap across her face.
Caught off guard, Gu Qinglin tumbled to the floor, stunned, eyes wide as she stared up at Gu Qingli in disbelief.
"The reckoning between us will not be so easily resolved. Let's go."
Without sparing her another glance, Gu Qingli and Gu Qingche turned and walked out of the great hall.
"Mi—Miss Qinglin… what should we do now?"
The branch family girl who had relayed the earlier messages was already white as a sheet. Though she'd always been Gu Qinglin's little follower, she had no idea today's events would unfold this way.
"What are you afraid of! The family head has always doted on me—he would never truly punish me!"
Gu Qinglin forced herself to appear calm, yet her tightly clenched fists betrayed her rising panic.
"Hah! Gu Qinglin… the Gu family must be cursed to have produced a woman like you. You still believe you'll be forgiven for this?"
Sikong Ran's mocking laughter was sharp as a blade.
"You'd best hurry back and see whether you'll be expelled from the family instead."
"Let's go!"
Gu Qinglin shot him a venomous glare and hastily made her way toward the Gu residence.
After her departure, Sikong Ran swept his frosty gaze over the vast hall, filled with the sons and daughters of Loulan's noble houses.
"Remember this well—all of you. Should any of you dare provoke the Sixth Miss of the Gu family again, you'll be making an enemy of me, Sikong Ran."
His voice rang out like thunder, echoing through every corner of the hall. The deadly chill in his tone sent shivers down every spine.
Many were inwardly bewildered—when had the young master of the City Lord's Mansion become so close to the Gu family's sixth daughter?
Once, Sikong Ran had been notorious for showing respect to no one in Loulan City. And yet now, his unwavering defense of Gu Qingli spoke volumes.
"Young Master, what shall we do with these people? Take them back to the City Lord's Mansion, or…"
Sikong Ran's narrow, sharp eyes narrowed further with disdain.
"They dared to lay a hand on my Xiaoli? Let them die. Handle it however you see fit—just make sure I won't have to explain anything to her later."
That "Xiaoli" slipped from his lips with casual intimacy, as if it had long been second nature.