"Bai Wei! Go for it! Show her how powerful you are!"

"Just be straightforward, just kick it out!"

A few of Bai Wei's supporters shouted sporadically, but most watched in silence. They sensed that this would not be a simple contest.

"Little Grass, don't be afraid of her! Hide! Use the method Sister Su An taught you, go around her!" Chen Xiaocao encouraged herself in her heart.

Chen Xiaocao took a deep breath, her small chest heaving violently. She glanced at Su Tang, who stood calmly not far away, and Su Tang gave her a barely perceptible nod.

That nod gave Chen Xiaocao boundless courage.

She straightened her back, which was slightly hunched from fear, and walked with heavy steps into the circular fighting ring drawn with white lime.

Bai Wei was already waiting inside the circle. She leisurely stretched her wrists and ankles, the joints making a crisp "crackling" sound. She watched Chen Xiaocao approach step by step, as if watching a little rabbit that had fallen into a trap and was trembling with fear.

"Chen Xiaocao," Bai Wei's voice carried a hint of feigned concern, not too loud, not too soft, just loud enough for those around to hear, "it's not too late for you to admit defeat. You know, in a fighting arena, fists and kicks can be unpredictable. What if I 'accidentally' hurt you? After all, we're still comrades from the same battalion, don't you think?"

It sounded like well-intentioned, but the threat and mockery in the tone were obvious to everyone.

Chen Xiaocao pursed her lips and remained silent. She knew that whatever she said would be wrong.

"What? Not saying anything? Are you scared out of your wits, or do you think your sister Su An can protect you?" Bai Wei's smile gradually turned cold. "I advise you to think carefully. Some people are not worth following. Following the wrong person will come at a price."

She was making veiled criticisms, and every word she said was meant for Su Tang.

Su Tang stood offstage, expressionless, as if she hadn't heard a thing.

But Gao Kai, who was standing next to her, was so angry that his temples were throbbing.

"That wicked woman!" he spat out through gritted teeth.

"beep--!"

Lei Kuan's whistle rang out just in time, interrupting Bai Wei's words.

"The competition begins!"

The moment the whistle fell, Bai Wei's smile vanished completely, replaced by an undisguised excitement.

She didn't rush in and kill Chen Xiaocao as everyone expected.

She moved.

Her body moved like a nimble cheetah, circling Chen Xiaocao at high speed. Her steps were light and rhythmic, constantly changing direction, searching for an opening.

Startled by the sudden sense of oppression, Chen Xiaocao retreated repeatedly. She desperately tried to recall the sliding steps and dodging techniques that Su Tang had taught her, but her small body appeared extremely clumsy and flustered within the circle.

"Is that all you've got?"

Bai Wei's voice suddenly rang out from her left.

Chen Xiaocao was startled and quickly dodged to the right.

Snap!

A crisp sound.

Bai Wei's chop, neither too light nor too heavy, landed precisely on Chen Xiaocao's left arm.

It didn't hurt much, but the numbness it caused made Chen Xiaocao lose all feeling in her entire left arm instantly.

"The reaction was too slow."

Bai Wei's icy voice came from the right again.

Before Chen Xiaocao could react, she was lightly kicked in the back of her right knee.

Thump!

She involuntarily knelt on one knee on the ground.

...