Legend of the Divine Archer

A nearby group nodded, their eyes fixed on the screen. "Gu Zhun's been incredible throughout this trial. I didn't expect Meng Xiao to have such a hard time keeping up. But look at her—she's not backing down!"

The conversations ranged from strategic analysis to personal opinions. "Meng Xiao's movements are so fluid, almost like she's dancing. But Gu Zhun's strength and endurance are something else entirely. He's giving her a run for her money."

Another spectator, leaning forward in their seat, added, "I heard that Gu Zhun's family has been preparing him for this moment for years. It's no surprise he's so formidable. But Meng Xiao's got that edge with her bloodline. It's fascinating to see how the two are balancing each other out."

The buzz of conversation grew as the fight reached its climax. Cheers erupted with each powerful strike and narrow escape. "Look at that counter! Meng Xiao's been waiting for the perfect moment to strike, and she's finally got it!"

"Gu Zhun's taking a lot of hits, but he's still standing. His resilience is incredible. I've never seen anyone take that much punishment and keep fighting."

As the battle continued, the focus of the crowd's chatter began to shift subtly. Whispers of the recent changes in the city started to blend with the commentary on the fight. "Have you heard about the evacuation plans? There's been so much activity around the transportation arrays. Something big must be happening."

"Yeah, I noticed that too. It's not like Pine City to have such a commotion behind the scenes. Do you think it's connected to the trials?"

The conversation turned back to the arena as the fight intensified. "Meng Xiao's just unleashed a flurry of attacks. Gu Zhun's on the defensive now. She might actually pull ahead!"

A spectator, visibly anxious, spoke up, "I hope everything's okay outside. The city's been so quiet lately. It's like something's brewing, and we're just here watching the trials while everything else is falling apart."

"Don't worry," another replied, trying to sound reassuring. "The trials are almost over. Once the winners are decided, we'll know more about what's going on."

As Meng Xiao and Gu Zhun continued their fierce contest, the crowd's focus was split between the thrilling spectacle on the screen and the growing unease about the city's situation. Cheers and gasps filled the arena, but a layer of tension hung in the air, reflecting the uncertainty and concern that had begun to pervade Pine City.

--

In the dimly lit labyrinth, Meng Xiao and Gu Zhun clashed with a ferocity that filled the air with bloodlust. Every strike and counterstrike echoed through the narrow stone corridors, each one a hightling the desperation and determination of the combatants. The stakes were high, and both knew that victory here meant more than just prestige—it was a matter of survival and proving their worth.

Gu Zhun was finding the fight more difficult than he had anticipated. Meng Xiao, the so-called weakest member of the elite group, was far from an easy opponent. She moved with a grace and precision that made her difficult to hit, on top of thay her strikes were sharp and unrelenting. It frustrated him to no end.

He had traded everything for this sliver of power—his loyalty, his morals, his very soul—but it was still not enough.

'This can't be happening,' Gu Zhun thought as he struggled to keep up with Meng Xiao's relentless assault. His snow tiger bloodline roared within him and its spectral form materialized around him. It was a great beast of white and silver color, with an aura that was as fierce as it was powerful.

But even with the strength of the snow tiger, his offense was provinginadequate against Meng Xiao's evasion skill.

Her movements were fluid, as she danced around his attacks with ease. Gu Zhun gritted his teeth, feeling the strain on his body as he pushed himself to the limits of his abilities. He had come too far to fail now, sacrificed too much to be defeated here. But the truth was becoming clear—he was losing.

Desperation clawed at him, and in that moment, he knew what he had to do. He hadn't come this far to lose honorably; he would win by any means necessary.

As they clashed again, Gu Zhun subtly reached into his robe and activated a small, hidden talisman—a relic given to him by the mysterious force that had supported him in this trial. The talisman was a forbidden item, that could temporarily disrupt the flow of an opponent's bloodline, weakening them just enough to tip the scales in his favor.

He pressed the talisman to his chest, and a faint pulse of dark energy rippled outwards, invisible to Meng Xiao but potent enough to do its work. Instantly, Meng Xiao faltered, her movements slowing just a fraction, her strikes losing some of their precision.

Gu Zhun smirked, feeling the power shift in his favor. The snow tiger within him roared louder, as Meng Xiao's aura dimmed. He pressed the advantage, attacking with renewed ferocity. Each of his strikes now landed with more force, pushing Meng Xiao back, her defense weakening under the sudden onslaught.

'What's happening?' Meng Xiao thought, confusion flashing in her eyes as she struggled to keep up. She felt her bloodline weakening, her body growing heavier with each passing second. It was as if something was sapping her strength, draining her energy. But there was no time to ponder it—Gu Zhun was pressing the attack, and she was barely holding on.

Gu Zhun's smirk widened as he saw the doubt in her eyes. He knew she was realizing that something was wrong, but it was too late for her to do anything about it. He moved swiftly, landing a powerful blow to her midsection that sent her crashing to the ground.

Meng Xiao gasped, the wind knocked out of her as she hit the cold stone floor. She tried to get up, but her limbs felt like lead. She looked up at Gu Zhun, who was standing over her, his expression a mix of triumph and malice.

"You fought well, Meng Xiao," Gu Zhun said with false sincerity. "But in the end, power is all that matters."

Meng Xiao's eyes narrowed with anger and frustration boiling within her. She knew something wasn't right, but there was nothing she could do. Her strength was gone.

Gu Zhun raised his hand, gathering the last of his energy for a final, decisive blow. The snow tiger's form reared up behind him, its fangs bared and claws ready to strike. He was going to end this, once and for all.

But just as he was about to deliver the finishing blow, Meng Xiao caught a glimpse of something in his hand—a faint glow of dark energy, the talisman that had been his secret weapon. Realization dawned on her, but it was too late. Gu Zhun's fist connected with her chest, and everything went black.

When Meng Xiao awoke, she was lying on the cold stone floor, her body aching and her strength still drained. Gu Zhun was gone, the victor of their battle. She cursed under her breath, knowing she had been cheated, but there was nothing she could do now.

The labyrinth had fallen silent, the echoes of their battle fading away into the darkness. Gu Zhun had won, a hollow triumph built on deceit.

As he exited the labyrinth, Gu Zhun couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. He had done whatever it took to win, and now he was one step closer to achieving his goals.

--

As the outcome of the fierce battle between Meng Xiao and Gu Zhun became clear, the atmosphere in the arena was charged with a mix of shock, disbelief, and anger. The screens that had broadcasted the intense fight now displayed the final moments, replaying Gu Zhun's decisive strike again and again.

Whispers and murmurs spread through the crowd like wildfire, each spectator processing what had just unfolded.

In the stands, people began to voice their opinions, the initial excitement and admiration for the contestants now giving way to heated debates.

"I can't believe Gu Zhun won!" someone exclaimed, disbelief coloring their voice. "Meng Xiao was clearly the better fighter! She had him on the ropes until... something changed."

"It didn't feel right," another person agreed. "Did you see how she suddenly lost her edge? It was like her strength just... vanished."

"Yeah, something definitely felt off," a third voice chimed in, nodding vigorously. "Gu Zhun was struggling the entire time, and then out of nowhere, he turns the tide? It doesn't add up."

Nearby, a group of older cultivators discussed the match with more experienced eyes.

"That was no ordinary fight," one of them said, his tone grave. "I've seen enough battles to know when something unnatural is at play. Gu Zhun used something— You could see it in the way Meng Xiao faltered."

"Indeed," another elder responded, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "It's not uncommon for desperate individuals to resort to forbidden means when they know they can't win fairly. But to do so in a trial like this... it's disgraceful."

The debates continued, with some defending Gu Zhun's actions as necessary to secure victory in a life-or-death situation, while others condemned him for using underhanded tactics. The crowd was divided, with some praising Gu Zhun's cunning and determination, while others were outraged at what they perceived as blatant cheating.

In one corner of the arena, a group of Meng Xiao's supporters were visibly upset, their faces red with anger.

"Gu Zhun's a coward!" one of them shouted. "He couldn't beat Meng Xiao fair and square, so he resorted to trickery. That's not how a true cultivator should fight!"

"Agreed," another added, shaking his head in disgust. "Meng Xiao deserved to win. She was the better fighter from the start. Gu Zhun's victory is hollow—everyone knows it."

But not everyone shared this sentiment. Some voices rose in defense of Gu Zhun, pointing out the harsh realities of the world they lived in.

"Life isn't fair," a middle-aged man said with a shrug. "In the end, Gu Zhun did what he had to do to win. You think the world cares about honor in a fight for survival? No, it cares about results. And he got the result he wanted."

"Exactly," a woman beside him agreed. "Gu Zhun outsmarted Meng Xiao. If you're not smart enough to see through your opponent's tricks, then you deserve to lose. This trial isn't about who's the most honorable; it's about who can survive and come out on top."

The argument between the two sides grew more heated, with neither willing to back down. Meanwhile, in a private box overlooking the arena, representatives of the elite families and various powerful factions watched the events unfold with keen interest.

The City Lord, his face etched with a deep frown, spoke first. "Gu Zhun may have won, but his methods are concerning. If he's willing to resort to such tactics now, what will he be capable of in the future?"

Nie Li, seated nearby, waved a dismissive hand. "These trials are not for the faint of heart. Gu Zhun used what he had at his disposal. The world is harsh, and the strong must survive by any means necessary."

"But at what cost?" the City Lord countered. "If our future leaders are willing to throw away their integrity for a quick victory, what does that say about our society? We cannot condone this behavior, especially when the consequences could affect everyone in Pine City."

"I agree," a third voice, belonging to a stern-looking elder, interjected. "This was not a true victory. Gu Zhun's actions have tainted the outcome. We must investigate this further—such conduct cannot go unchecked."

As the discussion in the private box continued, the arena buzzed with speculation. People wondered what would happen next. Would Gu Zhun face consequences for his actions, or would his victory stand, however dubious it might be?

In the days to come, the outcome of this battle would be discussed and debated endlessly. Gu Zhun's name would be remembered, but not for the reasons he had hoped. He had won the trial, but in doing so, he had lost something far more valuable—.the respect and trust of many who had once seen him as a promising young talent