Liu Jiayu's eyes curved beautifully as she aimed the Blood Sucking Parasol at Li Meirong. "Don't worry sister, I know how to control my weapon. I promise, it won't kill you."

After all, even if Li Meirong were to coincidentally perish, Liu Jiayu could easily justify the death as a mere accident of an overconfident apprentice disciple. Thus, she would not be blamed for harming or killing her junior sister in battle.

"What a generous lady you are." Li Meirong answered politely with a subtle smile. Her dark eyes held a subtle trace of mockery as they peered at Liu Jiayu.

Liu Jiayu tightened her grip on the parasol's petite handle, pursing her lips in irritation. She couldn't wait to wipe out that conceited look off of this trashy junior's face.

The Armament Division's Grandmaster silently watched Liu Jiayu's display from the tower, keeping his thoughts to himself. He conjured a staff and struck the floor with it, signalling for the match to start. 

In response, a disciple approached the gong drum and struck it with a mallet. The sound was deep, reverberating around the arena. 

"Begin!"

As soon as the match commenced, whatever shred of courtesy Li Meirong had shown earlier instantly vanished. Her eyes cruelly swept across the stage, a glint of interest shining from the dark depths of her pupils, as she caught the quivering shape of the former gallant Wei Qi, who was swinging his axes in preparation against any oncoming attack. 

"One." Li Meirong slowly began to count. She remained unmoving and appeared to be completely at ease, her spiritual blade remained sheathed at her hip.

Liu Jiayu let out a peal of scornful laughter as she revealed a handful of sharp needles in her hand. This trash girl was apparently too dumb to condense her spiritual energy for protection. Therefore, if Li Meirong were to die, it would be because of her own sheer stupidity!

"Two," Li Meirong casually kept counting. "Three"

The crowd watched in horror as Liu Jiayu unleashed her needles across the stage, directly at her opponent.

The needles pierced through Li Meirong's clothes, embedding themselves into her flesh.

Yet Li Meirong kept her leisurely manner, standing carefree and unmoving. Her bright blue robe was blinding in the sunlight, yet not a drop of blood could be seen upon it.

"Four," Li Meirong coldly continued to count. 

Liu Jiayu stared aghast at the arrogant girl before her who did not know the meaning of fear. 

"How is this possible?" whispered Liu Jiayu. She immediately grabbed double the needles from before, flinging them with an intense force driven by the surge of her profound qi. 

The needles flew out in every direction, but as they came to pierce Li Meirong's flesh once more, a strange event occurred. The needles were deflected and changed direction, piercing Wei Qi who huddled in the back corner.

"Five. Six. Seven." The corners of Li Meirong's lips drew into a vicious arc.

Wei Qi raised a shaking hand to his cheekbone as he felt the graze of one of the needles slice across his face. Fresh blood coated his fingertips as he drew them back.

"Stop. Miss Liu, please stop. I resign!" Wei Qi frantically called out, throwing his battle axes to the ground. He waved his hand, hoping for the judges to notice and cease the fight.

However, neither the judges, nor Liu Jiayu, paid him any heed. 

Liu Jiayu narrowed her sharp eyes and carefully assessed Li Meirong. Despite being stabbed in the forehead, chest, and stomach, she hadn't flinched nor taken a single step back. 

The unmoving Li Meirong was pierced by over a hundred needles. It was impossible for her to avoid bleeding, even if the god of luck himself was on her side! 

The needles Liu Jiayu launched weren't just regular needles. They were deadly instruments infused with a paralyzing poison and a spiritual essence that drew blood from its victims. 

She had worked very hard to forge those needles, and specifically created them as a complimenting addition to the Blood Sucking Parasol. 

The needles craved the taste of blood, seeking it out and drinking it like leeches, much like the parasol.

Li Meirong sneered, "Eight. Nine… Are you going to fight or are you planning to keep tossing your toys around?" 

"Just you wait!" Liu Jiayu gritted her teeth and finally invoked the parasol's terrible power. 

A bolt of grey smoke emitted from the tip of the parasol, but instead of seeping into Li Meirong's wounds, it redirected to the back corner of the stage.

"S-ssstop… resign..."

The agonizing words of a dying man drawing his last breath could be heard as Wei Qi's blood was absorbed into the parasol. 

Wei Qi stood stiffly, unable to move due to the paralyzing poison contained within the needles. Only his wide, terrified eyes were able to reflect the horror he was feeling at that exact moment, as the last essence of his life was leached away.

The parasol's white embroidery took on a deep crimson shade with Wei Qi's blood.

What was once a man had been turned into a dehydrated and mummified figure. The robust disciple of the Sword Bearer's division was shrivelled into a pile of skin and bones.

Liu Jiayu turned back to stare accusingly at Li Meirong. "What have you done?"

"Senior Sister, whatever do you mean? Wasn't it your weapon that murdered the disciple, Wei Qi? Why are you blaming the innocent?" Li Meirong asked deliberately.

"That's not possible! I aimed my parasol at you!" Liu Jiayu snapped, emphasizing each syllable. 

Liu Jiayu gradually stepped away from Wei Qi's corpse, still aiming the Blood Sucking Parasol at Li Meirong, yet the damned thing refused to work against the wretched girl.

Li Meirong drew an excited breath and unsheathed her blade. "Nevermind that. I suppose it's my turn now. Stay in place, would you?"