The Mirror of Startling Beauty: Her courtiers are everywhere

The fist tore through the air, emitting a muffled whistling sound, and struck the face of the dark-clad figure.

"You weren't exactly lucky to meet me."

Tang Xixue's low voice was as soft as a sigh under the moon.

The figure flickered almost imperceptibly.

The Marquis of Nevernight felt a sudden blur before his eyes. The figure in black robes, like a ghost under the moon or a phantom in the water, slipped past him at an incredible angle and speed through the tiny gaps in his violent punches, leaving only a faint afterimage.

Before he could even see how the other person moved, he felt a slightly cool, icy touch on the back of his neck.

"Smack."

The jade-ribbed folding fan closed with a soft, crisp sound.

Then, his massive, mountain-like body suddenly lost all its strength and collapsed with a crash!

Like a solitary peak stripped of its foundation, it crashed heavily onto the cold, hard bluestone table, producing a muffled thud and stirring up fine dust.

The entire venue was deathly silent.

All the arrogant shouts, vicious curses, and excited roars from the stands seemed to be instantly strangled by an invisible giant hand.

Countless eyes stared wide-eyed, filled with disbelief and horror, fixed on the black figure on the stage who remained spotless, not even a single strand of hair disheveled.

Tang Xixue lowered her eyes, glanced indifferently at the unconscious champion at her feet, then turned to look at the stunned arbitrator.

"I won."

The voice came through the cold, silver-threaded mask, clear and detached.

The arbitrator jolted suddenly, his Adam's apple bobbing violently several times before he finally managed to squeeze out a hoarse declaration from his dry throat:

"Number nine...number nine wins!"

After a brief period of absolute silence, the arena erupted with a roar ten times louder than before.

"Did he cheat?!"

"I couldn't even see how he made his move!"

"The Marquis of Nevernight is the ace of the Asura Platform! How could he be taken down in one move by such a... pretty boy?"

"Aaaaah—my entire fortune! I've bet it all on the Lord of Nightless City!"

All sorts of voices mingled together into a boiling wave.

Meanwhile, Mu Liang and Fu Yi stood frozen in place below the stage.

Mu Liang's fingertips unconsciously tightened, gripping the edge of the dark fabric.

Just a moment ago—

The agility His Highness displayed sent a chill down his spine, captivating even a man who had undergone rigorous training since childhood and was immersed in the art of assassination and stealth for many years.

It could even be described as... breathtakingly stunning!

He knew that his prince had practiced martial arts since childhood, and that Emperor Shengchen Tang Xiye had taken him under his wing and personally taught him.

Moreover, Her Highness once mentioned when she was young that she had an extremely mysterious master whom she praised as "unparalleled in heaven and earth".

However, within the deep palace, His Highness was always protected so tightly that he never had the chance to witness her take action.

During those long five years, no matter how great the danger or how close she was to life or death, the transmigrated woman who occupied her body never revealed a single martial art.

He had always thought that His Highness might be unable to protect himself due to his physical limitations.

Little did he know, it wasn't that His Highness couldn't, but that those time-traveling women simply didn't know how!

"Excellent! Young Master has won!"

Fuyi finally came to her senses, lowered her voice and cheered, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the arena, filled with undisguised admiration and excitement.

Apart from the two of them being genuinely overjoyed, the gamblers on the lower level of the Shura Platform were on the verge of mental collapse.

"That brat who popped out of nowhere! He made me lose everything, down to my underwear!"

"This is fucking weird!"

"The Marquis of Nevernight is so useless! That brat actually showed mercy and didn't take his life..."

What was initially thought to be a sure-fire, guaranteed win, was instantly turned upside down.

The uproar and angry shouts from the audience almost seemed to break through the ground and reach the human world.

When the Undying Marquis slowly woke up, he was being roughly dragged off the stage.

He blinked blankly, and the fleeting moment before he lost consciousness suddenly became clear.

That ghostly, mysterious figure, that cool touch on the back of my neck...

He turned his head sharply, looking at the slender figure still standing on the stage, seemingly unaffected, with a mixture of fear and apprehension.

"Master, who is that kid down there? Should we have Shiyin investigate? The Marquis of Nevernight was actually taken down in one move..."

The guard Qian Su leaned against the carved window of the elegant pavilion, his tone revealing barely suppressed excitement.

In the elegant pavilion where the battle was being observed, a cold figure slowly raised his eyes upon hearing this.

"Are you very free?"

Bei Chenji's voice was icy cold, devoid of any emotion.

"It's just one win, what's so remarkable about that? Perhaps he'll fall in the next one. People of no value are not worth my time."

"The King of Beichen is truly heartless."

A figure leaned lazily against the window.

She wore a layered dark pink robe, covered by a flowing, ethereal silk gauze outer robe, with dazzling peach blossoms embroidered in gold thread, which were still eye-catching even in the dim light.

She was born with a pair of captivating peach blossom eyes, the corners of which droop slightly, giving off a slightly intoxicated and dreamy vibe. When she smiled, her eyes sparkled, and she was naturally charming and alluring.

"I find that young man quite pleasing to the eye. It would be a pity if he died."

"When the flowers bloom," Bei Chenji scoffed, "this Shura Terrace is not a place for you to show mercy to women. If you want to seek pleasure, turn right, to the fourth basement level, the Radiant Flower Terrace."

"Oh dear, Prince Beichen, you've misunderstood me."

When Hua Rongshi wore her crystal-tasseled veil, the corners of her lips seemed to curve slightly, and the natural, captivating fragrance of peach blossoms emanating from her seemed to intensify.

Even when he was just leaning back lazily, he exuded a captivating and enchanting charm that permeated the soul.

"I am a respectable man. Besides, with my beautiful face, if I really went to Zhaohuatai, would I be the one choosing them, or would they choose me? No matter how you look at it, I would be the one who suffers."

"You peacock," Bei Chenji said expressionlessly, "have some shame."

"Next match, number nine will defend his title!"

The hoarse voice of the arbitrator below rang out again.

Soon, a new challenger leaped onto the stage, charging aggressively towards Tang Xixue.

However, before Bei Chenji could finish his cup of tea, the announcement came from below: "Number nine has won."

His hand holding the cup paused almost imperceptibly.

"Number nine wins!"

"Number Nine!"

"Number nine again!"

From the moment the young man in black stepped onto the stage, no matter how fierce the opponent was, none of them could withstand a single move. They were all easily knocked unconscious and defeated cleanly and decisively.

"This young man's movement technique... is truly impressive."

Hua Rong played with the warm, smooth peach blossom jade pendant in her hand, her interest growing stronger.

"Looks familiar."

"Yes, yes, yes! I knew he was no ordinary person!" Qian Su echoed excitedly.

Bei Chenji finally got up, walked to the window, and looked down at the arena below.

The young man in black stood quietly in the center of the platform, surrounded by a frosty and cold aura that was completely out of place in this filthy place, yet it was so powerful that it could not be ignored and could be imprinted on one's heart at a glance.

It's clear that they weren't the only ones to notice this "dark horse."