My disciple was murdered! I will take vengeance upon whoever killed him! Even if they're an infant! That child is going to die for her crimes!", Zhang Zi shouted.
The arena went quiet for a moment as the audience held their breath.
Jian Li felt her blood boiling as she looked at him, ready to defend herself should any attempt at attack come.
She wasn't about to back down, even if her opponent was much more powerful than her.
Zhang Zi's expression was full of fury. He lifted his staff again as he slowly approached Jian Li, staring daggers at her.
"I am warning you, do not do something you might regret later.", Meng Liang said as he stood in front of Jian Li like a shield.
Zhang Zi pointed his broken staff at Jian Li again, his lips curled into a sinister smile as he glared at her.
"Let's go then! I'll take a life for a life!" Zhang Zi shouted, brandishing his staff threateningly.
Jian Li's expression hardened and she clenched her fist, readying herself to strike him if he tried to harm her.
Meng Liang quickly glanced over at her with a grim face.
"So be it.", he said.
With that, he raised his finger and pointed at Zhang Yi.
Zhang Yi was about to shout a warning to the old man with him but he never had the chance.
Before Zhang Yi knew what happened, a flash of brilliant blue lightning exploded outwards, throwing the old man back and causing a massive blast.
Everyone gasped as the arena was starting to get evacuated.
The old man had just vanished.
Now a huge four-legged black beast stood where before had only been an elderly man.
The creature looked at Jian Li and snarled, revealing rows of jagged fangs.
There was no doubt this creature was of great demonic nature as its eyes shone a deep purple.
It wore an ominous red cape which billowed in the cold breeze, giving the appearance of fire.
"You want to try your best to hurt a child?"
There was a bright blue light beside Meng Liang as two men abruptly stepped forward, each carrying swords. Their expressions were dark as they stared straight at the demonic being in front of them.
They both raised their weapons as Zhang Zi laughed.
"Oh? Two more? You must think yourselves mighty. How unfortunate. Because I shall take the souls of all of you!", he shouted as he and the black beast took several steps forwards.
The arena went deathly muted, many cultivators were trying to leave as soon as possible without drawing attention. Meanwhile, the confident ones stayed rooted to the spot as the fight unfolded.
Both of the warriors charged forward at once, each one aiming to take advantage of any opening to end the conflict swiftly.
The beast lunged forward and caught one of the men with its long fingers and squeezed, sending the cultivator flying through the air with tremendous speed.
He landed heavily dozens of meters away and rolled several times until finally getting up, dazed.
The other man managed to land a slash at the monster and the blade sliced clean through its left arm.
The monster growled at the pain, letting loose a barrage of golden bolts which hit several audience members and caused a number of them to fly off, landing wounded several dozen meters away.
"We're leaving. Now!", He Yu yelled at Jian Li, trying to drag her out.
The old man who had turned into a black beast suddenly turned to look at He Yu, narrowing his eyes viciously. "Why do you insist on protecting that child?!", he spat.
"That little brat is going to suffer a miserable death! She's doomed to a painful and slow demise!"
Meng Liang's brows knit together.
"He Yu, return to the sect with the disciples and await further instructions there.", he said.
He Yu nodded solemnly.
"I will."
At that point one of Meng Liang's men stepped forward, wielding his sword in his left hand. The blade gleamed brightly as it reflected the light from the sky above.
His eyes glowed as he stared at the dark creature and he took several steps forwards, brandishing his sword.
"So be it!", he said.
In an instant he leapt forward, aiming to deliver a killing blow to the demonic beast.
The monster roared and launched a wave of golden bolts from its mouth. They struck the cultivator's sword, shattering the weapon completely.
With that the warrior staggered back, falling to the ground. Blood seeped from a deep wound on his side.
Zhang Zi laughed wickedly.
"So be it you say? I can see you're not the kind of person that would run away when things get difficult!"
The man stared at him, his expression furious as she glared at Zhang Zi.
"You're not even worth killing! Just go back to where you came from!", Zhang Zi shouted angrily as he raised his staff again and aimed at him.
The man suddenly gave a malicious grin as he raised his right arm, pointing a finger at Zhang Zi.
As if on cue, there was an explosion of white light, the force of it throwing Zhang Zi back several dozen meters.
"You shouldn't underestimate the True Sword Sect.", the other man beside Meng Liang said. "I'm afraid your group is going to suffer defeat today."
"So be it!", Zhang Zi snarled, lifting his staff again as he charged towards Meng Liang and his men.
"You want to fight? Let's see how tough you really are!"
"I'm telling you, your group is going to suffer severe casualties in this battle! If you think you can beat us then come and fight us! Show us your power!", the man said arrogantly.
The arena echoed their words as they faced each other.
Both sides prepared for the next clash of blades to erupt between them.
"Oh? Well, then I won't disappoint you!", Zhang Zi smirked.
----------
People were leaving the arena in fear as large groups of cultivators entered it.
Some of the cultivators appeared to be from the True Sword Sect, clad in black robes and wearing black armour underneath.
Jian Li understood the gravity of the situation as the sounds clashing behind her grew in intensity.
"Master... I'm so sorry."
Jian Li's voice quivered as she looked at He Yu. Tears began to stream down her face and she bit her lip hard.
"This...this isn't what was supposed to happen... What's going on?"
Her master sighed softly, shaking her head.
"Let's get back to the sect, Li. We're going to handle this."