"Hahaha, a young warrior barely in his teens pitted against a King-tier warrior in his twenties—who, pray tell, is truly the prodigy here?"
Gu Qingli's words were sharp and cutting, drawing every gaze in the vicinity firmly upon her.
The petite maiden stood amidst the crowd, a radiant smile gracing her delicate features.
Her phoenix-shaped eyes sparkled like stars, shimmering with unwavering confidence, while her crimson lips curved in joyous laughter, as though reveling in the audacity of her own words.
Even surrounded by throngs, she shone with such distinction and allure that all eyes inevitably settled upon the smiling figure.
Within Gu Qinglin's gaze flickered a fierce, maddening envy, her very being consumed by the blazing jealousy ignited by Gu Qingli's dazzling presence.
"And may I inquire—Young Master He, from which noble house do you hail?"
Gu Qingli's tone was laced with playful mockery as she fixed him with a teasing glance.
The young men's faces darkened; they exchanged wary looks.
By now, it was clear to all this affair was no mere coincidence—someone must be orchestrating events behind the scenes.
Suspicious eyes turned toward Li Ke'er.
Among the gathered scions of Loulan's illustrious clans, the longstanding feud between the Li and Gu families was well known.
"Today's incident seems directed at the Gu family, but it remains uncertain whether the target is Gu Qingche or Gu Qingli."
"Without doubt, it is Gu Qingli. What was once a near-certain victory for the younger generation has been thrown into doubt by this unexpected dark horse. Such doubt is only natural."
Indeed, Gu Qingli's reputation in Loulan City was now ubiquitous—from once being deemed a worthless failure to now hailed as a transcendent genius, the transformation was staggering.
Amid the whispered speculations, Li Ke'er's countenance grew increasingly sullen.
Yet, to preserve her usual facade of grace, she feigned ignorance, though her eyes concealed an icy darkness, like a glacier in midwinter, silently vowing, Gu Qingli, do not grow complacent; your moment of reckoning will soon come.
Don't blame me—this is all Gu Qinglin's doing.
"What on earth is going on, Xiao Lin?" Gu Qingche pondered the day's bewildering events—summoned inexplicably by Gu Qinglin, assaulted, and then ordered to call Gu Qingli.
The more he reflected, the deeper the suspicion gnawed at him.
"I don't know," Gu Qinglin replied, her expression faltering slightly.
The crowd's eyes gleamed with intrigue; many had already sensed the complexity beneath today's happenings.
Opposite Gu Qingli, the young man surnamed He now struggled to maintain his composure, surprised by the keen intellect and sharp tongue of such a young girl.
Barely moments after her arrival, her incisive words had laid bare the essence of the matter.
"You insolent brat! Stop spouting alarmist nonsense. Do you dare to spar with our Young Master? If not, then keep your reckless tongue in check!"
From behind him, another youth sprang forward, his face contorted in malice, glaring at Gu Qingli like a snarling jester.
"Dare, do I not?"
Gu Qingli stood tall and proud, her expression frosty and unyielding.
"Xiao Li! You—"
Gu Qingche's face paled dramatically, his injuries draining the color from his cheeks. He could not fathom why Xiao Li would insist on a contest, fully aware of the trap laid before her.