Chu Chensheng's eyes widened in shock at the glimmering silver light—he was not alone. The crowd, too, was collectively stunned; none among them had ever seen battle aura or spiritual energy manifest in silver before.
Qingfeng ceased his pursuit of Gu Qingli, instead succumbing to a fit of violent sneezing under the horrified gazes of the onlookers.
With a heavy thud, the great beast collapsed, his pitiful sneezes echoing through the field. A misty sheen of helplessness clouded his massive eyes.
"What… what did you do to Qingfeng?"
Chu Chensheng had nimbly evaded the silver streak, but upon landing and seeing his contracted beast brought down without a fight, his handsome face darkened to a stormy black. Such humiliation was unprecedented.
Gu Qingli wiped the cold sweat from her forehead with her small hand. If not for her quick reflexes, she would have surely lost that round.
More troubling still was that while Chu Chensheng seemed composed as ever, she knew her internal energy was nearly depleted.
She closed her palm, recalling the silver needles to her hand, and lifted her chin with a sly smirk. "Just like its master—arrogant and reckless. Of course it needed a little lesson. So? Will you concede now? Say the word 'sister' and I might consider accepting your defeat."
Though his expression was dark, Chu Chensheng did not lash out in anger. Instead, he seemed deep in thought.
Gu Qingli gave a subtle nod. For all his arrogance, the boy had commendable composure.
At the edge of the field, Dongfang Kunlun couldn't suppress the satisfied smile tugging at his lips. Once again, he felt he'd truly discovered a hidden gem.
"You used poison! And hidden weapons! Such disgraceful tactics!"
The black-clad guards, faces clouded with indignation, rushed to defend their young master.
"Oh? And who decided that wasn't allowed? Was I supposed to just stand there and let it bite me? In battle, any tactic that secures victory is a good one. Black cat or white cat—as long as it catches mice, it's a good cat."
Gu Qingli batted her lashes and flashed an innocent, saccharine smile—utterly incongruent with the girl who had just poisoned a magical beast.
It was the first time many in the crowd had heard such logic. And strangely, when they thought it through… it did make a certain kind of sense.
The black-clad guards were still bristling with indignation, ready to argue further.
But Chu Chensheng lifted a hand to halt them, his narrow eyes fixed intently on Gu Qingli's confident, cherubic little face. Then, unexpectedly, he laughed.
"Well, well… Gu Qingli, was it? I'll remember that name."
"Goodness, and here I thought I was still too young to leave a lasting impression on a man."
Gu Qingli grinned broadly, her expression all innocence and solemnity as she spoke with perfect seriousness.
"Pfft!"
Who could possibly hold back laughter at the sight of such a charming five-year-old uttering words so absurdly mature?
"Ahem!"
Chu Chensheng's fair face flushed slightly. Was this little girl truly only five? She was indeed his nemesis.
"I've lost. The core of the Green Wolf is yours."
Though proud, Chu Chensheng was no sore loser. He accepted defeat with dignity, and even a faint smile flickered in his dark eyes.
Gu Qingli raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.
She'd thought someone raised with such privilege would be the type to renege.
"Sister, I concede."
Chu Chensheng's voice was steady, without bitterness. He bore no resentment. Though he knew Gu Qingli's strength didn't quite match his own, she had rendered him powerless all the same—and that, too, was a form of true skill.
"Very well. Since you're so sincere, I'll accept."
Gu Qingli's wide eyes sparkled as she blinked. "Antidote," she said simply, tossing him a rough little wooden vial.
Chu Chensheng caught it deftly. As he glanced down at the crude bottle in his hand, he noticed a crookedly carved character—璃—on its surface. His lips twitched with amusement.
With a flick of his fingers, a green light shimmered, and Qingfeng vanished into the depths of his contract ring. Chu Chensheng then turned respectfully to Dongfang Kunlun, bowing with a cupped fist. "Master Kunlun, if you ever have the chance, please visit my father at Wanxing Valley. He speaks often of his old friend."
Dongfang Kunlun finally stepped forward with the poise of a scholar, smiling warmly. "Send him my regards. I'll be sure to visit when time permits."
"Miss Gu, until we meet again. I look forward to our next encounter. I swear, next time, I'll defeat you."
Chu Chensheng gave her a bright smile, eyes gleaming with newfound fervor.
"Aiya, no no! Boys and girls shouldn't get too close!"
Gu Qingli shook her head so vigorously it looked like a little rattle drum.
Laughter erupted all around at her adorably serious expression. Even Dongfang Kunlun couldn't help but pinch her soft little cheek and laugh heartily.
Chu Chensheng's eye twitched. After casting one final, lingering glance at Gu Qingli, he turned and led his black-clad entourage swiftly into the forest, vanishing from sight.