Xiao Jietian and the others exchanged glances upon hearing the man's arrogant proclamation.
Poor fool. He has no idea what's coming.
The young man strutting onto the stage was named Bei Qu.
A tragic name. And soon, a tragic fate.
Zi Yan, stepping onto the stone platform, cast a single indifferent glance at Su Qian upon hearing his warning. Then she turned and stood facing her opponent.
Bei Qu looked at the delicate, doll-like girl before him and grinned.
"Little sister," he said, his tone dripping with condescension, "I'll go easy on you. Don't go crying back to your mother afterward, alright?"
He noticed the strange looks from the surrounding crowd but misinterpreted them entirely. They're just jealous of my luck, he thought. His laughter rang out, loud and smug.
Xiao Jietian closed his eyes.
He brought this upon himself.
"Old man," Zi Yan's voice cut through the air, crisp and impatient. Her small hands clenched into fists, knuckles cracking. "Can we start already?"
Her tone was curt. Her expression was annoyed.
That comment about her mother had struck a nerve.
The other elders on the high platform struggled to suppress their laughter. Su Qian shook his head, helpless.
"The match begins. Remember—absolutely no killing."
"I know! You don't have to keep saying it! It's annoying!"
Zi Yan rolled her eyes dramatically, flicking her twin pigtails behind her shoulders. "I'll only use one move. Whether he walks away lightly injured or crippled… that depends on his luck."
"Arrogant brat!" Bei Qu's face flushed with rage. "Don't think that just because you're a child, I'll hold back!"
His voice turned icy, his Dou Qi flaring to life.
Zi Yan's brow furrowed. Impatience flickered across her features.
She lifted her small foot.
And stomped.
BOOM—!
A massive crack split the stone platform, racing toward him like a serpent of destruction. The ground ruptured beneath his feet, and a violent burst of energy erupted upward.
Bei Qu's eyes widened. The threat screamed through every instinct.
He threw up a hasty Dou Qi armor, wrapping himself in layers of protective energy.
It shattered on contact.
The force struck him squarely between the legs.
He launched into the air like a discarded puppet, soaring high above the arena.
"AHHHHHHH—!!!"
A scream unlike any other—raw, anguished, utterly devastated—tore through the plaza.
He crashed back to earth, curling into himself like a boiled shrimp, both hands desperately clutching between his thighs. Blood seeped through his fingers. A bloody, mangled mess.
The entire arena fell silent.
Every male present instinctively squeezed their legs together.
A collective chill swept through the crowd.
Those who knew Zi Yan's identity offered a silent, three-second prayer for the fallen fool.
Of all people to provoke…
Of all things to say…
Now look at him. From "he" to "she." From virile youth to… something else entirely.
Xiao Jietian sighed quietly. If only this world had an Eastern Depot—he'd be a prime candidate for their performances.
But truly, he had brought this upon himself. Mentioning her mother? That was practically begging for retribution.
Su Qian and the other elders stared at the scene, their eyelids twitching uncontrollably.
"…This match," Su Qian finally announced, his voice strained, "Zi Yan wins."
At the sound of her name, the truth finally dawned on those who hadn't known.
Zi Yan.
The one who had held first place on the Strong Ranking for years.
The tragedy sprawled on the ground suddenly forgot his pain. His eyes, wide and blank, stared up at the little girl who had just unmade him.
This… this little girl… was that Zi Yan?
The combined shock of revelation and excruciating agony proved too much.
He fainted.
The Alchemy Department's medical team rushed forward, hastily administering a止血 pill before carrying him away.
Zi Yan leaped—not walked, leaped—directly from the stage toward the high platform where Xiao Jietian stood.
He caught her effortlessly, setting her down gently.
"That was ruthless," he remarked, pinching her plump, baby-soft cheek.
Cute little lolis. Hearts black as coal.
"He deserved it." She swatted his hand away, huffing. "And anyway, I was getting angry for you too. I heard he had bad intentions toward Xun'er before—even said he'd defeat you one day and take her away."
She twirled a strand of light purple hair around her finger, her tone deliberately casual.
"You owe me one now."
Xiao Jietian chuckled. "Alright, I owe you one. Have you finished your pills?"
Over the past few months, Zi Yan had visited him frequently, bringing piles of medicinal ingredients for him to refine. Just last week, he had processed a large batch for her. In exchange, he kept whatever rare ingredients he needed.
"Not yet. I'll come find you when I do." She popped a pill into her mouth, chewing contentedly. "But you owe me now. No backing out."
"Of course. Come find me anytime."
Xiao Jietian's gaze drifted back to the arena, where Lin Xiuya had just taken the stage. His tone was unhurried, indifferent.
Refining pills for her took little time anyway.
"Senior Sister Xun'er," Han Yue murmured softly, her gaze lingering on the pair, "are Senior Sister Zi Yan and Junior Brother… very close?"
She and Xun'er had been quietly observing the exchange.
"Yes, quite close." Xun'er smiled gently. "Zi Yan often visits Pan Gate, and Big Brother Xiao Jietian frequently refines medicinal ingredients for her."
There was warmth in her voice. She had grown fond of this fierce yet adorable girl, almost like a younger sister.
"There's no match left for me today anyway." Zi Yan stretched lazily. "Watching these chickens peck at each other is boring. I'm going to go play."
With a casual wave to Xiao Jietian and Xun'er, she vanished from the plaza.
"I never expected Gate Master Xiao Jietian to be so well-acquainted with Senior Sister Zi Yan."
A light, amiable voice sounded from behind.
Xiao Jietian turned.
Lin Xiuya stood there, accompanied by several Wolf Fang members. His demeanor was courteous, but his expression betrayed a certain… hesitance.
"Not bad," Xiao Jietian replied evenly.
He caught the flicker of hesitation in Lin Xiuya's eyes. A faint smile curved his lips.
"Does Senior Lin have something he wishes to say?"
Lin Xiuya chuckled awkwardly. "It's nothing major, really. I merely wished to ask… if you could put in a good word for me with Senior Sister Zi Yan."
He paused, then pressed his fists together in a respectful salute.
"If I am to face her, I don't mind losing. I simply ask that she… not make it too humiliating."
He hesitated. Then, almost imperceptibly, a medicinal ingredient slipped from his sleeve into Xiao Jietian's palm.
"And Gate Master Xiao… I would also request your leniency, should we meet."
Xiao Jietian glanced at the ingredient in his hand.
"Senior Lin is far too courteous." His tone was smooth, accommodating. "When I see Zi Yan, I will certainly speak well of you."
Lin Xiuya exhaled, the tension in his shoulders visibly relaxing. He cupped his fists once more, then departed swiftly.
Xun'er tilted her head, puzzled.
"Big Brother Xiao Jietian… why does Lin Xiuya seem so afraid of Zi Yan? He's ranked second on the Strong Ranking."
Xiao Jietian glanced at Han Yue.
She understood the cue and leaned in, lowering her voice.
"In previous years," she whispered, "Senior Sister Zi Yan's opponents were always… thoroughly beaten. Then, in the last Strong Ranking Tournament, Senior Lin drew her as his opponent."
She paused.
"He didn't fight. He conceded immediately."
Xun'er blinked.
"And Senior Sister Zi Yan… she hadn't gotten to hit anyone. She was quite upset about it." Han Yue's voice dropped even lower. "For a while afterward, she kept appearing near him, trying to find an opportunity to spar. Senior Lin didn't dare show his face in the arena for an entire month."
Xun'er stared.
Then, very slowly, a smile crept across her lips.
So that's how it is.