Era of Magic and Martial Arts

Chapter 410 - 394: Gratitude and Repayment

Below the stage, the audience’s emotions were like ignited flames, scorching and tense.

Cuicui’s hands clenched into fists, knuckles turning white from exertion, worry clouding her brows like dark clouds, her eyes full of concern for Feng Yuhuai.

Zhang Liyou’s eyes were wide open, as if trying to take in the entire ring. Her fists also clenched unconsciously, with each heartbeat accompanying the tremor at her fingertips.

Feng Ju’s face was as stiff as iron, his mechanical-like fists making a faint yet piercing creaking sound from the excessive force.

In his heart, the beautiful fantasy he once had—the Filial Daughter triumphing in the competition, surrounded by waves of applause—was now like fragile bubbles, teetering on the brink of being shattered under Tian Xiaohai’s fists, ready to vanish without a trace at any moment.

In contrast, Feng Mu appeared exceptionally calm and composed, a gentle yet determined smile lingering at the corners of his mouth, a testament to his unconditional trust and support for his sister.

It was as if, no matter how difficult the road ahead might be, he would always be her most solid pillar of support, protecting her "completely."

Atop the podium, Zuo Bai was dressed in an immaculate white suit. Each crease in the suit seemed meticulously sculpted, exuding a refined and noble aura, resembling an elegant young master from the Upper City, with a unique fragrance of cologne wafting in the air.

He had a smile on his face, eyes deep and sharp. The glasses shimmered with a mysterious light under the sun, capturing every subtle expression of Feng Yuhuai, every breath she took, as if observed under a microscope.

[Neural Reaction Speed B]

[Muscle Strength C]

[Body Flexibility S]

[....]

Lines of detected numerical evaluations appeared on his lenses, while more values were still being calculated or awaiting a more intuitive observational method.

In Zuo Bai’s eyes was a rational and calmness of a scientist, as if everything was under his control, even time seemed to slow down under his gaze.

His fingers gently stroking the black framed glasses, transmitting a specific frequency signal through invisible electromagnetic waves.

In the sewer shaft beneath the girls’ dormitory, a previously deactivated phone suddenly lit up, its screen glowing like a firefly in the darkness, glaringly bright.

A sturdy, figure clad in ragged pajamas—a humanoid monster—slowly extended its arm covered in keratinous scales, abruptly grabbing the phone.

The image displayed on the screen instantly captured its full attention—it was that thrilling moment on the ring where Feng Yuhuai was driven to the brink.

Yet, even in distress, she maintained her lovely and beautiful appearance, a resilience and beauty that instantly captivated the monster’s eyes.

Around the phone, a group of similarly distorted and hideous monsters quickly gathered, jostling and crowding together, their eyes fixed intently on the screen.

Sibilant, monstrous sounds emanated from their mouths, as if from the abyss of hell, containing complex and chaotic emotions.

Anger burned fiercely in their hearts, causing their eyes to turn bloodshot and red;

Excitement, like galloping wild horses, rushed wildly inside, making their limbs tremble involuntarily;

Jealousy, like the hiss of a venomous snake, spiraled and ravaged in their hearts, gnawing at their deformed souls.

They intertwined with each other, forming a strong emotional torrent, roaring angrily in the dark sewers, eventually uttering indistinct human-like syllables:

"Oh, mother! Descendant, her!" (ps: We want attention, to replace her!)

Bang—

A shadow of a fist dropped intensely, blood splattering.

Feng Yuhuai’s body, like a leaf blown by a violent wind, was lifted off but strangely traced a semicircle in mid-air, landing back on the ring, standing firmly.

Their eyes met, Tian Xiaohai’s expression turned slightly grim. He shook his fist, the blood on it sprinkling carelessly on the stage.

Feng Yuhuai’s chest was a faint blush, the red ribbon tying her ponytail at the back of her head came loose from the flailing hair, unraveling into messy strands, which her slender fingers gently wrapped around her fingertips, one loop after another, as if narrating her current mindset.

The sweet smile that she usually wore was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a face as cold as winter.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, the tender aura of the past completely gone, replaced by a piercing harshness.

Her long hair, once smooth as ink, was now wildly dancing, like an enraged serpent, swirling freely in the wind.

She seemed transformed, her whole body exuding a chilling aura, causing Tian Xiaohai’s expression to grow grave.

Below the stage, Feng Mu’s expression remained unchanged, only his lips curled into a small smirk as he murmured to himself:

"My foolish Imoto, under the spotlight, you truly refuse to lose, even at the cost of exposing a part of your true self. Most wear a [Mask] to hide themselves, but you wear a [Mask] to enjoy the spotlight.

Your shortsightedness concerns me, brother fears you may not reach the end!"

He then sighed lightly, his gaze slightly shifting to Tian Xiaohai, a look of satisfaction appearing on his face:

"On the contrary, Tian Tao’s son has shown real courage and ferocity, not disappointing me. When the time comes for him to enter the Second Prison, he can definitely be cultivated well."

Indeed, upon the stage was Tian Xiaohai, the very son left behind by Tian Tao.

In the distance, Cuicui continued to hold her breath and focus on the battle on stage. At that moment, she let out a deep sigh, but immediately showed a slightly stunned expression:

"Yuhuai hasn’t lost yet, but her face seems a bit scary, not quite the Yuhuai I usually know."

Zhang Liyou’s eyes were wide, locked onto the red thread wrapped around Feng Yuhuai’s fingertips, her voice slightly trembling:

"Cuicui, have you ever thought that Yuhuai’s sweetness might just be a disguise, and this current appearance could be her real self?"

Feng Ju threw a heavy punch, excitement filling his face, the lines on his forehead becoming more pronounced with his elation.

The icy look on the Filial Daughter’s face is something he has never seen before.

However, there wasn’t a trace of surprise or worry in his eyes, only deep acknowledgment and expectation.

To Feng Ju, the obedient behavior of his daughter was indeed a blessing, but a fiercer demeanor undoubtedly provided her with an extra layer of protective armor.

Only with this, in a world full of competition and challenges, could she go further and climb higher.

Tian Xiaohai focused intently on the red thread in Feng Yuhuai’s hand, a slight furrow in his brow, moments of doubt arising:

"Could it be that this red thread pulled her back onto the stage? How is this thread so resilient?"

He shook his head, pushing aside those irrelevant distractions, forcing himself to concentrate.

He spoke in a deep voice:

"Your skills truly astonish me, and if it were yesterday, I might have admitted defeat. After all, the current ranking already satisfies me greatly, but today, it’s different.

Today, there is someone of great importance in the audience to me, I must win!"

His voice was firm and powerful, carrying a determination that allowed no deviation.

Below the stage, Feng Mu paused slightly, suddenly realizing the benefactor Tian Xiaohai mentioned might very well be himself.

An involuntary curve appeared at the corners of his mouth, his heart feeling exceedingly gratified:

"Not bad, Tian Xiaohai is a child who understands gratitude, Tian Tao, oh Tian Tao, who would’ve thought you could educate your son so well, hmm, excellent, you can rest in peace in the afterlife...."