The gong echoed through the arena, signaling the start of the match. Xue Tuzi and Ci Hua squared off, their stances sharp and poised for battle. A sly grin spread across Ci Hua's face as he tilted his head, his gaze trailing up and down Xue Tuzi with unrestrained want. "It pains me to bruise such a beautiful flower," he purred, his tone dripping with mockery and desire.
Xue Tuzi groaned inwardly, his patience already wearing thin. Rolling his eyes, he muttered under his breath, "Great, another creep." Without missing a beat, the two clashed.
Xue Tuzi's movements were lightning-quick, his agility unmatched as he darted around Ci Hua, narrowly avoiding each strike. Yet, despite his speed and precision, his punches failed to land on their mark. Ci Hua, for his part, seemed almost amused, parrying Xue Tuzi's attacks with a single hand. While his other hand held a delicate flower, the petals trembling lightly with each shift of his movements.
Laughter spilled from Ci Hua's lips, rich and unbothered, as though he were toying with a plaything. "Ah, such grace," he mused, his eyes alight with mischief and hunger. The closer he closed the distance between them, the more his senses seemed consumed by the sweet, floral scent radiating from Xue Tuzi—a fragrance so intoxicating it could unnerve even the steeliest of men.
In the stands, Shudu watched with a storm brewing behind his eyes. His arms were crossed, one finger tapping rhythmically against his bicep as if keeping time with the blows exchanged below. Xue Laohu, ever keen to stir the pot, leaned in closer and smirked. "My, are you worried?" he teased, his voice sing-song and light.
Shudu scoffed, feigning indifference as he turned his head away. Yet, despite himself, his gaze betrayed him, remaining firmly fixed on the arena—and on Xue Tuzi.
Back on the battlefield, Ci Hua leaned in dangerously close, his voice a sultry whisper in Xue Tuzi's ear. "I've admired you for so long," he murmured, his breath warm against Xue Tuzi's skin. With a sudden burst of movement, he attempted a palm strike aimed straight at his opponent's chest, but Xue Tuzi was quicker. He dodged effortlessly, leaving Ci Hua's strike to connect with empty air.
"You're as strong as you are beautiful," Ci Hua crooned, retreating a few steps and licking his lips, his predatory eyes fixed intently on Xue Tuzi. A wicked smile tugged at his mouth as he plucked a petal from the flower he held, pressing it to his lips in a mock kiss before blowing it toward Xue Tuzi.
His expression twisted into one of pure disgust. He swatted the petal aside with a sharp motion, glaring daggers at his opponent.
"Yes," Ci Hua sighed, his voice rising with unrestrained fervor. "You're perfect—an ice beauty that I must melt!" With a guttural scream, he lunged forward, his movements wild yet calculated. The two fighters collided again, exchanging blow after blow in a dazzling flurry of speed and power, their strikes reverberating through the arena.
The tension reached its boiling point as Xue Tuzi, his patience utterly spent, decided to put an end to the absurdity. With a sharp tug, he pulled the ribbon from his hair, letting it cascade down in a silken wave that caught the light like liquid moonlight. The loose strands framed his face, amplifying the fierce determination burning in his eyes. With a flick of his wrist, he cracked the ribbon against the ground like a whip, the sound splitting the air like thunder.
"I have a proposition," Ci Hua said smoothly, his voice as soft as silk. His lips lingered against the delicate petals of the flower he held, brushing them as though savoring their texture. His eyes glinted with mischief, his smile serpentine.
"Not interested," Xue Tuzi shot back, his tone cold and razor-sharp. Without hesitation, he snapped his wrist, the crack of his whip splitting the air like thunder. The lash came dangerously close to Ci Hua, who narrowly evaded the strike, his movements effortless and fluid, like water slipping through fingers.
Unfazed, Ci Hua's grin only widened. He plucked a thorn from the flower's stem with calculated precision and, with a flick of his wrist, sent it hurtling toward Xue Tuzi. The thorn struck its mark, piercing his neck with startling accuracy. Xue Tuzi winced, his hand flying up to pull the sharp barb free. A single bead of blood trickled down his neck, sliding over his collarbone and disappearing beneath his garments.
"I believe you have no other choice but to accept it," Ci Hua chuckled, his laughter low and dangerous, like the rumble of a storm on the horizon. His eyes gleamed as they remained locked on Xue Tuzi, who staggered slightly. A haze clouded Xue Tuzi's vision, his surroundings swimming as he clutched at his head in an effort to shake off the growing disorientation. A faint cough escaped his lips, the sound weak and strained.
Ci Hua began pacing toward him, his steps deliberate and unhurried. "If I win…" he began, his hands clasped casually behind his back, his tone deceptively calm. "You will become mine and serve as my dual cultivation partner." His words dripped with menace, a sinister edge curling the corners of his mouth into a twisted smile. "But if you win…" He exhaled slowly, waving his hand dismissively, his gaze flickering with disdain as he watched Xue Tuzi struggle to stay upright. "I shall provide you with the antidote to the poison now coursing through your veins."
Xue Tuzi gasped, his breath shallow, his legs trembling beneath him as he fought to remain standing. His hazy eyes narrowed in determination. "I guess I have no other choice," he managed through clenched teeth. Summoning what strength he had left, he flicked his wrist, sending another whip lash arcing through the air toward Ci Hua.
From the stands, Shudu's fury was obvious. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and his voice came out as a low growl. "Scum," he spat, his sharp eyes blazing with anger. "He's using poison to subdue him."
Elder Zhiwu, seated nearby, allowed a faint smirk to play on his face. His expression was one of quiet satisfaction, his pride in his disciple evident. All of his students were masters of both medicine and poison—it was only natural, after all, that Ci Hua would employ such tactics to ensure his victory. Yet, across from him, Xue Laohu appeared completely unconcerned. He lounged lazily, his fan resting in his hand as he waved it languidly back and forth, a crooked smile gracing his face.
"Aren't you worried?" Shudu growled, his voice filled with restrained rage as his gaze bore into Xue Laohu.
"Not at all," Xue Laohu replied breezily, tilting his head slightly, the fan continuing its rhythmic motion. A teasing glint danced in his eyes as he elbowed Shudu lightly. "Are you worried?"
Elder Zhiwu's brow furrowed slightly, his nose twitching in irritation. This arrogant fool… he thought darkly, his smirk faltering for a brief moment. We'll see how boastful he is after my disciple defeats his.
Shudu, however, was far from amused. His crimson eye brimmed with concern, their glow brighter now, betraying his deep-seated worry. "That flower," he said, his voice trembling with urgency, "is called Last Embrace. It's one of the most fatal flowers in existence." He exhaled sharply, still appalled by Xue Laohu's infuriating nonchalance. "Even a demon like myself, versed in poisons, would struggle to withstand its effects."
But his warnings fell on deaf ears. Xue Laohu leaned casually against the railings, his body relaxed as though he were watching a friendly sparring match rather than a fight to the death. His arms flailed lazily in exaggerated gestures, as if mocking the intensity of the battle below.
In the arena, Xue Tuzi's strikes with the whip had grown erratic, his once-fluid movements reduced to clumsy, desperate attempts to defend himself. His vision blurred further with each passing second, making it impossible to track Ci Hua's movements. Ci Hua took full advantage of his faltering opponent, delivering several precise blows to Xue Tuzi's chest, each one landing with a dull thud that echoed through the arena.
Shudu's anger simmered dangerously close to the surface as he glanced back at Xue Laohu. "He's losing," Shudu snarled, his voice trembling with both fury and desperation. Still, Xue Laohu remained unbothered, his lips curling into a wider smile as he spoke, "Relax."
But Shudu couldn't shake the gnawing feeling in his chest. Xue Tuzi was faltering, his strength waning.
The system hadn't chimed once, and with the raw power of the protagonist, there was no way Xue Tuzi was going to lose to a third-rate chump. Not now. Not ever. Xue Laohu thought to himself sitting confidently, his arms crossed over his chest, nodding his head with smug certainty. "My disciple will win," he declared, his voice steady and full of pride.
Elder Zhiwu, however, had grown tired of Xue Laohu's unwavering confidence. His sharp eyes darted toward the man, and with a derisive click of his tongue, he sneered, "Tch. Your disciple is lucky if he manages to keep his life by the end of this fight." His tone dripped with mockery, the condescension almost obvious.
Xue Laohu's grin only widened, flashing his teeth in a wolfish display. "Your disciple has to use underhanded tricks just to keep up with mine," he fired back, his voice laced with disdain.
"Keep up with your disciple? Please!" Elder Zhiwu's laughter boomed through the stands, his arrogance unabashed. "Your disciple can barely stand, and yet you still believe he'll be victorious?" He shook his head in disbelief, his tone ringing with superiority.
But Xue Laohu didn't falter. His smile remained firmly in place, his confidence unshaken. "Yeah," he said calmly, his eyes glinting with certainty. "Just you watch."
In the arena, Ci Hua wasn't done employing his crooked methods. With a flourish, he pulled a small pouch from the folds of his robe and ripped it open, tossing its contents directly at Xue Tuzi. A thick, choking powder exploded into the air, creating a dense miasma that clung to the battlefield. The noxious cloud wrapped itself around Xue Tuzi like a smothering shroud, making it nearly impossible to breathe.
Xue Tuzi gasped, his breath hitching painfully as his lungs rebelled against the poisoned air. He fell to his knees, clutching at his chest as violent coughs wracked his body. His stomach twisted, forcing him to expel bile from his lips. The ground beneath him was soon stained with blood and vomit as his body fought desperately to keep going.
In the stands, Jiao Jiao, the tiny Gu worm, became alarmed. The creature's many legs twitched in agitation, and before anyone could stop him, he darted from the stands, his intent clear: to come to Xue Tuzi's aid. But Xue Laohu's hand shot out like lightning, snatching the Gu worm mid-air. "You can't intervene," he said coolly, his head resting against his hand as though the situation were of no concern. His tone was measured, even indifferent. "If you do, A-Tuzi will be disqualified—and become that man's wife."
Jiao Jiao let out an angry screech, its bulbous eyes narrowing in defiance. The thought of its beloved mama bound to someone like Ci Hua sent him into a writhing frenzy. It screeched again, calling out desperately to Xue Tuzi, but there was no response.
Meanwhile, Shudu's rage had reached its boiling point. With a thunderous slam, his fist struck the pillar beside him, the impact shaking their entire seating area. Xiao Zongzi squeaked in alarm and darted beneath the seats, fearing her master's wrath might bring the whole structure down. A long crack splintered up the pillar, a visual testament to Shudu's barely-contained fury.
Back in the arena, Xue Tuzi was still struggling, his breaths coming in labored, painful gasps. His coughing grew louder and more violent, his hand trembling as he pressed it against his chest. Blood splattered across the ground as he fought against the poison overtaking his body.
Ci Hua, having wrapped a scarf around his face to shield himself from the miasma, approached Xue Tuzi with slow, deliberate steps. He crouched behind the fallen beauty, leaning in close, his breath ghosting over Xue Tuzi's ear. "Give up," he whispered, his voice smooth and sinister. "And I shall provide you with the antidote." His laughter was soft but menacing, a dark promise laced within the sound.
"I do hate to see my potential partner in so much pain," Ci Hua continued, brushing his fingers lightly through Xue Tuzi's hair. His touch lingered, his hand trailing down the side of Xue Tuzi's face and resting at the crook of his neck. Leaning closer, his voice dropped into a whisper brimming with desire. "What do you say?"
For a moment, it seemed as though Xue Tuzi might yield. But then, a sly smile curled across his lips. In a flash, he struck, driving a hidden needle into Ci Hua's mouth. The sharp tip pierced his tongue, blood spilling instantly as Ci Hua recoiled with a strangled scream.
"How—how is this possible?!" Ci Hua gasped, falling to his knees as the poisonous miasma began to seep into his own lungs. His breaths turned shallow and erratic, his body convulsing as the toxin took hold.
Xue Tuzi sneered, rising to his feet with a newfound steadiness. "I've been fighting alongside a certain poisonous insect for so long," he began, his tone sharp and biting, "that I've grown accustomed to toxins like this."
Ci Hua scrambled to retrieve a small vial hidden within his sleeve, his hand shaking as he fumbled with it. But before he could lift it, Xue Tuzi's foot came down, crushing the bottle beneath his heel. Glass and liquid splintered outward as Ci Hua's eyes widened in panic.
"YOU FOOL!" Ci Hua screamed, his voice shrill with desperation. "Without the antidote, we're both dead! Do you have any idea what you've done?!"
Xue Tuzi only laughed—a low, maniacal sound that sent shivers through the spectators. He grabbed Ci Hua by the hair, forcing his head back. The once-gentle doe eyes of Xue Tuzi had sharpened into something feral, wild, and unrelenting. "Do you honestly believe I have any use for such an antidote?" His voice was ice, his words as cold and cutting as steel.
With a single, decisive motion, Xue Tuzi hurled Ci Hua out of the ring. The man's body hit the ground with a thud, his defeat absolute. The crowd erupted into chaos, but Xue Tuzi stumbled, his gaze icy and unyielding as he surveyed the carnage he had left behind.
Loud, thunderous cheers erupted from Xue Laohu, his laughter booming above the noise of the crowd. "That's my disciple!" he declared proudly, rubbing a finger against his nose with a cocky grin. With exaggerated flair, he waved his folding fan back and forth, basking in the glory of Xue Tuzi's victory. However, his celebratory antics came to an abrupt halt when Xue Tuzi staggered, his knees buckling before collapsing onto the arena floor.
The commotion in the stands quieted instantly, tension crackling through the air like a lightning strike. Shudu shot to his feet, his muscles coiled and ready to leap from the stands to the arena below. But before he could make a move, his sharp eyes caught sight of something small darting across the arena—a blur of legs and determination. Jiao Jiao, the little Gu worm, was already on the move, scuttling at breakneck speed toward Xue Tuzi.
The tiny creature slipped beneath Xue Tuzi's robes with practiced precision, wiggling its way to his chest. Once nestled against his heart, Jiao Jiao latched onto Xue Tuzi's skin, his small, needle-like mouth piercing through flesh to begin extracting the venom. His diligence was unwavering, his bulbous eyes glimmering with focus as he worked tirelessly to save him.
Elder Zhiwu, displeased and humiliated, wasted no time rushing to his defeated disciple's side. His billowing robes cut through the air as he glided across the arena with an ethereal swiftness. His sharp features were twisted in anger and concern, his hands clenched tightly as he closed the distance to Ci Hua's crumpled form.
Meanwhile, Xue Tuzi's consciousness began to stir. He felt something soft and warm pressing against his chest, its rhythmic movements comforting and familiar. His eyelids fluttered open, his gaze hazy and unfocused at first. But as his vision cleared, he was met with the sight of his little Gu worm, Jiao Jiao, diligently working to remove the poisonous toxins from his body.
A soft smile spread across Xue Tuzi's face, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. His trembling hand lifted to cradle Jiao Jiao gently, his fingers brushing against the creature's tiny, wriggling body. "Xiao Jiao" he murmured, his voice hoarse but filled with gratitude.
Jiao Jiao let out a faint squeak, its small body pressing closer to Xue Tuzi as it continued its life-saving task. Xue Tuzi's grip tightened ever so slightly, pulling the tiny creature into a tender embrace.