Many people had come to watch the martial arts contest, filling all three floors of the Four Seas Tower.
These spectators were not ordinary folk, everyone here had a title to their name in Yunzhou, as well as their descendants and young relatives.
The wait staff of the restaurant bustled among the crowd, accepting bets from the onlookers and selling expensive teas and liquors, creating a lively scene.
Sun Haoran and the other two witnesses of the contest were seated in places of highest honor on the east side of the restaurant.
At that moment, a middle-aged man sitting with one leg crossed over the other struck up a conversation, "Master Sun, why go to such great lengths to wipe out the Liao Family?"
This man was Duan Pei from the Thunderclap Martial Arts Hall, deliberately bringing up the matter to attract a flood of gazes.
As the saying goes, those in the same trade are often enemies. The two martial arts halls overlapped in business, so naturally, their relationship wasn't very good.
Sun Haoran didn't take the bait, "It's just a grudge between the younger generation; it has nothing to do with my Haoran Pavilion."
"Heh," Duan Pei gave a smile that was not quite a smile, "Of course, it has nothing to do with you. You are a revered elder of the martial faction, indeed not the type to do such things. Let's have tea~"
Having said that, he lifted his teacup and took a sip.
Sun Haoran also used the act of bowing his head to drink tea to hide the chill in his eyes.
~~~~~~~~
Before the fight began, both parties handed over their stakes to the witnesses.
On Lu Yao's side was the deed to the boxing gym and the license to operate; whereas Gu Li took out a sandalwood box with the pungent odor of preservative spices, what was inside was self-evident.
Upon seeing this box, the two sisters became agitated once again.
Lu Yao quickly advised, "Don't get angry, you must keep a calm mind~ don't let it cloud your judgment."
Liao Ya closed her eyes and focused her spirit, regaining composure after a moment. When she opened her eyes, they were still, though somewhat fierce.
Lu Yao looked at Liao Qe, the girl had been sulking with heavy breathing and red eyes.
"I was little when father passed away, and these past years I've only occasionally seen him in dreams, almost forgetting his face, just remembering his hands were large and warm... I hate it so much! How could they do this!"
Liao Ya stroked her sister's back, saying, "Liao Qe, I know you're hurting, but the more you feel this way, the more you need to contain your anger! Losing control of your emotions will surely affect our strength. We must win the next battle cleanly and beautifully, father is watching us!"
Liao Qe wiped away her tears and nodded firmly, "I understand, sister."
After saying so, she gave a resentful glare across the room.
The needle-using foreigner was keenly aware and felt the girl's murderous gaze, turning his head to look back.
When the blue-eyed blond foreigner saw the sisters, he radiated intense malice, as if a gourmet had seen a delicious meal! His pupils turned blood-red in an instant, and two fangs grew out!
Lu Yao exclaimed in surprise, "WTF!? A vampire!?"
"In Western Countries, Demonic Humans coexist, and that's how it is. You should have seen plenty overseas, shouldn't you?"
As Liao Ya spoke, she cast an odd glance at Lu Yao, then held back further words. In truth, having spent time together, the sisters had already noticed some strange aspects about their junior brother.
Lu Yao stiffened momentarily. He did not want to deceive the two women, but explaining his origins was complicated. Fortunately, at this moment, the restaurant's clock struck twelve, signaling the time had arrived!
According to the hierarchy, competitors would take the stage from high to low realms, so Liao Ya picked up the Great Lance and stepped onto the platform!
~~~~~~~
It was not often that martial masters engaged in life-and-death duels, so the watching crowd couldn't help but cheer and shout.
The girl stood tall and graceful, holding the lance in one hand, diagonally pointed towards the ground.
Her opponent, wielding the Butterfly Twin Blades, was Gu Li. Seeing his opponent's Great Lance, he felt confident: Sure enough, this woman's kung fu is meant for battlefield killing, and I can counter it!
The injected drug had already taken effect, and Gu Li felt he had inexhaustible energy! He launched the first attack, moving around Liao Ya in a leisurely yet rapid manner, as if he were wearing roller shoes.
Liao Ya remained still as a bronze bell, indifferent to her opponent's circling.
By now, the arena was filled with the dizzying figures of Gu Li, too fast for ordinary people to track his movements.
With the Butterfly Twin Blades hidden behind him, Gu Li provocatively said, "Master Liao, this time I've prepared a generous gift for the Liao Family Fist. The martial artist your sister is about to fight has failed at Organ Refining, but they can still exert the strength of the Organ Refining Realm for a few breaths. It will be no problem to kill that delicate little girl~"
Liao Ya's bright almond-shaped eyes were as calm as ancient wells, her fair complexion showing no sign of change.
Gu Li continued to circle, looking for openings, as he added, "As for your junior brother, I've arranged for a fighter from the opium den. Although he's of a lower realm, he's taken plenty of lives and will surely take good care of him~"
Upon hearing these words, Liao Ya's eyebrows, slender as willow leaves, twitched imperceptibly.
A gleam flashed in Gu Li's eyes as he instantly grasped his opponent's weakness. His speed increased exponentially, vanishing from the retinas of ordinary spectacles, leaving most spectators aimlessly searching.
A voice murmured, "Such fast movements! The Liao Family girl is in danger!"
Gu Li turned into a shadow, swooping behind Liao Ya, his face showing pleasure, for with her long weapon advantage lost at close range, she was already halfway to defeat.