"Xiao Li, do not act rashly. I am unscathed; I willingly engaged in a friendly sparring match."
Gu Qingche's face bore the gentle smile he often wore, yet the elegant visage was marred by bruises and swelling.
"Qingche, you've been beaten so badly—how can you say you're alright? Gu Qingli, Qingche has always been kind to you; surely you owe him vengeance!"
Gu Qinglin glared fiercely at the group of youths not far off.
Gu Qingli's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze icy and unwavering.
These young men appeared utterly unfamiliar, evidently strangers to Loulan City's clans.
"Heh, the so-called greatest clan of Loulan City—this new generation is truly disappointing. It seems the city's decline is inevitable," sneered the leader among them, a slender man in his twenties.
Clad in a golden robe embroidered with exquisite patterns, he radiated noble arrogance, yet his cold, haughty eyes repelled sympathy.
Yet when his gaze fell upon Gu Qingli, he was momentarily taken aback, struck by the breathtaking beauty of the maiden, whose crystalline phoenix-like eyes glinted with sharp scrutiny, quickening his heartbeat.
The youth's brazen words roused anger among the assembled scions of Loulan's prominent families; yet lacking strength, they dared not voice their resentment aloud.
"What are you to speak so boldly in Loulan City? Qingche is but a boy compared to you!" Gu Qinglin retorted sharply, glancing at Gu Qingli as if awaiting her to respond.
"Hahaha! Setting that aside, there are plenty of beauties in Loulan City, each more alluring than the last. Why not come with me instead?" leered another youth behind the man in gold, his lecherous gaze roving over Gu Qinglin, then Li Ke'er, before settling on Gu Qingli.
Gu Qinglin was spirited and defiant; Li Ke'er, enchanting and beguiling; yet the latter—Gu Qingli—was unquestionably the epitome of ethereal beauty.
Gu Qingche's expression darkened, unable to match them in strength, yet furious that such men would leer at his sister.
"You scoundrels!"
His gentle eyes widened with rage, fixed intently on the group as his face flushed crimson, a spurt of blood escaping his lips.
The group burst into mocking laughter.
"Boy, don't be foolish. With your pitiful strength, you're merely a joke," they jeered.
Gu Qingli gently set Gu Qingche down, her delicate face icy as a chilling aura of lethal intent emanated from her.
"That little girl is quite the beauty. What's her relation to this weakling? She'd be better off with our leader—far superior to this useless brat."
A man behind the one in gold leered at Gu Qingli, his words dripping with insolence.
Gu Qingli sneered, her left hand flickering as a fierce surge of deep azure battle energy burst forth.
The young man was no match for her; horrified, he realized a mere girl could wield such power.
Fortunately, the man in the golden robe possessed formidable strength himself and with a swift motion dispelled the azure energy.