Chapter 43: The Ruthless Trump Card

“Tenth Sister!” Someone from the Lu family cried out in alarm.

Gu Weiyu glanced over and caught the black-clad youth from earlier glaring at Gu Qingyun on the arena with a hostile gaze. Her heart skipped a beat, and she grew wary.

“Number Six, Gu Qingyun, wins!” Elder Lian announced.

Lu Shiniang lay flat on the ground, stunned. She… had lost? She’d only wanted to feign weakness to trick her opponent, but that Gu family boy hadn’t played by the rules at all, catching her completely off guard.

Gu Qingyun, oblivious to Lu Shiniang’s regret, descended the arena in high spirits and returned to his seat. He was delighted; although he was often used as a punching bag by his eleventh sister, the benefits were indeed obvious!

“Twelfth Brother, not bad at all!” Gu Qingsong got up and gave him a punch on the shoulder, then slung an arm around him as they sat down together.

“My turn!” Gu Qinghu stood up when his number, Fifteen, was called.

“Eighth Brother, go for it!” Gu Weiyu cheered along with everyone else.

Gu Qinghu waved his hand nonchalantly at them, heading toward the arena with graceful composure.

The first round quickly drew to a close. From Gu Thirteen onward, all the way to the new arrivals of the main family, Gu Fifteen and Gu Sixteen, the Gu family’s younger generation were eliminated without suspense.

Even Seventh Brother Gu Qingxing and Tenth Brother Gu Qinglin suffered crushing defeats against strong opponents and were eliminated as well.

In the end, nine members from the Gu family advanced to the next round, while the Lian and Lu families each had eight, and the Yun family, the fewest, had only seven.

At the main seat, the Yun family head shook his head helplessly upon hearing the results.

Elder Lian stepped forward and announced the thirty-two names that had advanced, then continued, “Next, we begin the second round. Numbers One, Nineteen, and Sixty-Three will serve as arena leaders. The rest may freely choose which arena to challenge; upon a successful challenge, the winner becomes the new arena leader! Each person has three chances to challenge. The first eight to defend their arena ten times will advance to the finals!”

Gu Weiyu was briefly stunned. She was an arena leader already?

“Would the three arena leaders please step onto the stage!” Elder Lian’s voice rang out.

Gu Weiyu stood, noticing her fourth sister rising as well. With a smile, she asked, “Fourth Sister, could you be Number Nineteen?”

Gu Weilan nodded impassively and was first to stride toward the arena, with Gu Weiyu quickly following.

Elsewhere, Lu Qingfeng, fifth son of the Lu family, also rose and headed confidently to his arena.

Just as Gu Weiyu found her footing on the stage, a girl in red leapt up after her.

Gu Weiyu glanced at the two other vacant arenas, then blinked at the girl in red.

“I am Lian Wu!” the red-clad girl announced cheerfully, cupping her fists in greeting.

“I am Gu Eleven,” Gu Weiyu replied, returning the gesture.

Lian Wu’s expression grew serious. “I’m starting now!”

Without hesitation, she launched her attack—Fireball Spell!

So, this sister was impulsive! Gu Weiyu smiled slightly and casually cast her own Fireball Spell.

The two fireballs collided midair and vanished into nothing.

“Take this!” Gu Weiyu called out, using Gale Step to close in on Lian Wu.

Vine Bind! Fireball Spell! Heaven’s Net!

Gu Weiyu’s spells came in rapid succession, and Lian Wu, who had started off composed, soon found herself in a flustered scramble.

“Aah!” Unable to dodge in time, Lian Wu was caught squarely in Gu Weiyu’s Heaven’s Net, and crashed hard to the ground.

“Lian Wu, do you concede?” Gu Weiyu stood over her, looking down.

A bitter smile appeared on Lian Wu’s face. She’d thought she’d picked an easy opponent, but reality proved otherwise.

“I concede,” Lian Wu said weakly.

With a wave of her hand, Gu Weiyu retrieved the Heaven’s Net from Lian Wu, then smiled brightly at those below the arena. “Next!”

Those who had been eager to challenge Gu Weiyu now hesitated. They’d all assumed she’d only advanced by luck, but after seeing her so deftly defeat Lian Wu, they couldn’t help but reconsider.

Of course, there were still those undeterred by her display.

Seeing no immediate challengers, Gu Weiyu turned her attention to the neighboring arenas, watching Gu Weilan and Lu Qingfeng.

“Fourth Sister is incredible!” Gu Weiyu thought. Every challenger who faced Gu Weilan was dispatched in less than three moves; some were even sent tumbling off the stage with a single sword strike.

She watched with fascination until a sudden gust swept past her face, and a cool, clear voice sounded, “I am Lu Jiu, here to challenge you!”

Gu Weiyu turned to see a youth in blue robes standing before her, his gaze fixed.

She returned the gesture. “I am Gu Eleven. Please!”

Without another word, Lu Jiu raised his sword and attacked.

Gu Weiyu’s expression grew grave—this youth was much stronger than Lian Wu!

She instinctively used Gale Step to put some distance between them, seizing the chance to hurl a Fireball Spell at him.

Lu Jiu didn’t even spare the fireball a glance; with a twist of his foot, he dodged effortlessly, then altered his sword stance and attacked again.

Seeing that evasion was futile, Gu Weiyu hurriedly drew the wooden sword gifted by her great-grandfather, blocking Lu Jiu’s descending blade.

Whatever this wooden sword was made of, it withstood Lu Jiu’s fierce blow without so much as a scratch, though Gu Weiyu’s hand went numb from the impact.

“Watch the sword!” Lu Jiu barked, his next attack coming even faster.

Gu Weiyu retreated several steps, but Lu Jiu gave her no respite, his sword raining down in a flurry. The clash of his blade and her wooden sword rang out in sharp, rapid succession.

This couldn’t go on! Gu Weiyu knew her strength lay in ranged attacks; forced into close combat like this, she had no advantage at all.

Dragon Dance of Fire!

She widened the gap between them once more, seizing the chance to unleash her powerful technique.

A great red fire dragon formed instantly, surging toward the sword-wielding Lu Jiu. Dressed in blue, he was soon ensnared by the fiery beast.

Heaven’s Net!

While Lu Jiu was bound by the fire dragon, Gu Weiyu unleashed another big move.

“Break! Break! Break!” Like a trapped beast, Lu Jiu roared again and again, his sword lashing out in a frenzy.

Gu Weiyu’s fire dragon faltered, and the Heaven’s Net was soon shredded by his wild strikes.

She hadn’t expected Lu Jiu to be so troublesome!

Gu Weiyu frowned. If only she could use lightning spells!

With another heavy blow, Lu Jiu’s sword scattered the fire dragon. A faint smile appeared on his face as he looked across the arena at Gu Weiyu, eyes burning.

If you have any more tricks, use them now!

Gu Weiyu instantly understood his meaning. Gritting her teeth, she summoned three pale red talismans into her palm.

Infusing them with spiritual power, she hurled the three talismans at Lu Jiu.

Mid-air, each talisman transformed into a fire dragon even larger than the one she’d conjured before, all three howling as they bore down on Lu Jiu.

Lu Jiu’s face, previously full of challenge, turned ashen. One fire dragon had been enough trouble; now three at once!

“I concede!” Lu Jiu’s voice rang out on the arena, bitter with reluctance. “Ah, I concede—ah—!”