In just a few breaths, the vast arena was already filled with hundreds of young contenders.
The platform was indeed immense—compared to the one Gu Qingli had seen at the Mercenary Guild, it was like comparing a mighty mountain to a mere hill.
As soon as Gu Qingli landed on the stage, she drew considerable attention. Many eyes turned toward her—wary, yet tinged with curiosity.
Some had witnessed her defeat a Martial King, while others were seeing her for the first time. But her name was already well-known: once derided as useless for nearly a decade, she had risen in a single, stunning ascent—her talent extraordinary, her resolve terrifying.
Though the center of attention, Gu Qingli stood with perfect composure. Her phoenix-like eyes narrowed, sharp as blades, their gleam radiant as starlight.
Clad in a simple white dress, she looked petite and graceful, exuding the vibrant spirit and ethereal charm of a young maiden.
Only now did many recall with astonishment that this formidable girl—whom they had come to dread—was but twelve years old.
Yet her calm, unflinching presence commanded such gravity that it rendered her age irrelevant. Even without a single superfluous movement or expression, she remained the indisputable focus of the crowd.
"So this is the Sixth Miss of the Gu family, Gu Qingli? She's not quite what I imagined."
Many young scions from other clans had remained in secluded cultivation, so it wasn't uncommon that some had never seen her before.
"What's different?" someone asked, intrigued.
"I assumed a girl with such patience and power would look... well—"
He struggled to find the right words for a long moment.
"—certainly not this stunning!"
Clearly lacking tact, he didn't even consider that Gu Qingli, standing so close, could hear every word.
Though her expression remained serene, the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.
Was she really that intimidating?
Just then, Li Ke'er arrived with the rest of the Li family, drawing considerable attention—after all, the Lis were one of the major powers in Loulan City.
Despite her recent disgrace for conspiring with Gu Qinglin to harm Gu Qingli, Li Ke'er was still a prominent figure. Nearly everyone recognized her.
Even those who looked down on her wouldn't dare show it openly—Li family's strength was not to be underestimated.
"Oh? Has the Gu family run out of talent? Only Gu Qingli and Gu Qingche to represent them?" Li Ke'er mocked, surrounded by a dozen young followers, both male and female, all showing her great deference—and a healthy dose of hostility toward the Gu family.
She used to keep up a façade of grace and kindness, but ever since her plot was exposed, she seemed to have abandoned all pretense. Now, the mere sight of Gu Qingli seemed to provoke a vicious glare, as though she'd bite her if given the chance.
"Li Ke'er, you've become quite the venomous shrew," Sikong Ran said coldly, stepping protectively in front of Gu Qingli. He, too, had noticed that Li Ke'er had dropped all semblance of civility since the incident, her hatred for Gu Qingli laid bare and unbearable to watch.
His obvious intent to shield Gu Qingli only enraged Li Ke'er further—her eyes flared with fury.
In the past, she had treated Sikong Ran with the utmost charm, sweetly calling him "Young Master Sikong."
She had always believed he was the only one in Loulan City worthy of her. To now see him doting on Gu Qingli and glaring coldly at herself—it was unbearable.
"Oh, the Sixth Miss of the Gu family certainly has her methods. Even the young master of the City Lord's estate follows her every command," Li Ke'er spat, eyes filled with poisonous jealousy.
Especially when faced with Gu Qingli's matchless beauty and unflappable demeanor—even in the face of such provocation, she didn't so much as lift an eyelid. That calm indifference drove Li Ke'er nearly mad.
But Gu Qingli wasn't ignoring her out of laziness. Dealing with a rabid dog like Li Ke'er only made it bark louder. Best let her howl into the wind and exhaust herself.
"That's right," Sikong Ran said cheerfully. "I gladly follow Xiaoli's every word. What of it? As for following you? Please, I wouldn't stoop so low."
His biting sarcasm, coupled with his curled lip of disdain, nearly sent Li Ke'er into apoplexy.
Around them, the scions of minor families wisely kept their mouths shut. The tension was thick with gunpowder—they had no desire to get caught in the blast.
"Gu Qingli, do you only know how to hide behind a man?" Li Ke'er sneered, eyes gleaming like a viper's.
At last, a smile bloomed on Gu Qingli's elegant face as she replied with a lilt of mockery, "Yes, I do hide behind a man. So what? If you have the skill, feel free to hide too. Or is this a case of sour grapes?"
With that, she linked arms with Sikong Ran, flashing a sweet, provocative smile at Li Ke'er.
Li Ke'er was livid, pointing wordlessly at Gu Qingli, so enraged that she couldn't even speak.
No one, however, noticed Sikong Ran's ears turning a vivid shade of red.
"As for our so-called 'lack of numbers,'" Gu Qingli said with proud defiance, "you needn't worry. Even if only Qingche and I stand for the Gu family, our strength far surpasses yours."
Her gaze met Li Ke'er's without flinching. "Quality over quantity—is that not a lesson your family patriarch ever taught you?"
As she spoke, her eyes swept deliberately toward the Li family's viewing platform.
At Martial King level, one's senses were razor-sharp. Despite the distance, the Li patriarch heard every word clearly.
His face darkened as he clenched his fists, venomous intent burning in his eyes.
This insolent girl must not be allowed to live. If she survived, she would surely become the Li family's greatest threat.
That intuition struck the Li patriarch like a warning bell.
"Well, well, Gu Qingli. You certainly have confidence," Li Ke'er said, laughing coldly, the sound void of any charm—only chilling malice remained.
Around her, people subtly stepped back. Once admired for her beauty and sweetness, her now twisted features repulsed them.
"Very well. All contestants have now entered the stage," the host declared at just the right moment. "I now officially announce the beginning of the competition. When fewer than fifty contestants remain, the first round shall end!"
All around, the Li family's disciples were already glaring daggers at Gu Qingli—their killing intent palpable. The clash between them was about to ignite.