The Binding Thread

Shi Qiu locked onto Jia Meng's position, forcing him into the blind spot of Wu Siwu's five-pronged vision.

He took advantage of the gap to launch an attack. His palms formed a seal, and he shouted in a low voice, "Hundred Refinements Pierces the Heart!"

A crimson beam shot out in an instant, piercing through Shi Qiu and flying straight toward Wu Siwu's heart.

However, the talisman Wu Siwu had placed beforehand activated once more, blocking the beam before him.

The blood that had been controlled burst apart, but the attack did not end. Jia Meng formed another hand seal. "Crimson Blood Burst—Crimson Bind!"

The scattered blood on the ground suddenly moved, forming a ring that trapped Wu Siwu within it. The ring then rapidly split into two and tightened, one clamping down on Wu Siwu's ankles while the other bound his arms.

Wu Siwu's arms had not been injured, yet they were tightly bound by ropes formed from blood.

Just as the second ring was about to tighten around his neck, he swiftly raised both hands and grabbed it. Although he had the protection of the talisman he had prepared, his neck was still a vital area, and he instinctively raised his hands to defend himself. However, that movement also allowed one of his arms to be restrained.

"Crimson Blood Burst—Crimson Blood Strike!" Jia Meng seized the opening and summoned a massive warhammer formed from blood. With one strike, he sent Wu Siwu flying. The shockwave from the hammer blow made everyone watching around them feel their blood churn.

Wu Siwu's body drew an arc through the air before crashing violently into a stone pillar used to support the hall. His entire body was embedded in the wall beside it.

Jia Meng's strike was as fierce as thunder, shaking the hearts of everyone in the arena.

Yet when the dust settled, Wu Siwu's figure slid down from the wall. He brushed the dust from his shoulder, a defiant smile hanging on his lips.

There was no frustration from defeat in his eyes. Instead, they shone with high fighting spirit.

Jia Meng's strike had looked devastating, but it had not actually caused Wu Siwu any real injury.

The host froze for a moment before immediately announcing, "The match is over. Wu Siwu has been knocked out of bounds. Jia Meng wins!"

The result came as a surprise to everyone. They had thought the match would be a tense and evenly matched battle, but they had not expected it to end this way.

Still, they understood that this was a competition, and the result could not be changed.

When the host called for the others to come up and challenge them again, the arena fell into a brief silence.

No one was willing to stand up at that moment, because they all knew that whether it was Wu Siwu or Jia Meng, neither was an opponent they could easily defeat.

The spectacle of the young people's competition ended there. The crowd gradually returned to the main hall to continue enjoying the banquet.

Yet everyone understood that today's competition marked the rise of two prodigies, especially Jia Meng.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Jia Meng and Wu Siwu did not return to the main hall with the others. Instead, they were led by their respective clan elders to an elegant treatment room in a quieter courtyard.

The treatment room stood in a secluded corner of the estate, surrounded by lush bamboo groves. A gentle breeze stirred the bamboo leaves, making them rustle softly, as though nature itself were whispering.

Sunlight filtered through the sparse bamboo leaves, casting mottled patches of light across the ground. A faint herbal fragrance lingered in the room, calming the mind.

Neither of them had suffered any serious injuries, but to ensure everything was fine, the clan elders insisted that they undergo an examination.

After all, their clan's prodigies were the family's pride and hope. No mishap could be allowed.

Wu Siwu followed behind Jia Meng. His eyes shone like stars, filled with curiosity.

He stared intently at Jia Meng's back, seemingly wanting to see through every corner of his heart.

Jia Meng sensed Wu Siwu's gaze but did not turn around. He merely let out a soft sigh, his face showing a trace of helplessness.

Inside the treatment room, a young girl was already waiting.

Her name was Jia Ruo, a prodigy capable of using restorative techniques to heal others.

Her soft black hair fell over her shoulders, while her large, watery eyes flickered with intelligence.

When she saw the two arrive, she nodded slightly in greeting.

Jia Ruo had watched the entire battle between them.

She silently assessed their injuries. Wu Siwu looked badly wounded, but he might only have suffered some minor internal damage. Jia Meng, meanwhile, had likely expended a great deal of blood in his final move, "Crimson Blood Burst—Crimson Blood Strike," leaving him somewhat depleted.

Therefore, Jia Ruo decided to treat Jia Meng first, since his condition seemed more serious.

She closed her eyes, formed a seal with her hands, and activated her restorative technique. However, her brows gradually furrowed.

"Hm?"

Jia Ruo was secretly puzzled.

Jia Meng had clearly used the Crimson Blood Burst repeatedly during the battle. By all logic, he should have shown signs of blood depletion, yet her restorative technique could not detect even the slightest weakness that needed healing.

Jia Meng's body was surprisingly healthy, as though he had never experienced that battle at all.

"The restorative technique is complete." Jia Ruo opened her eyes and looked at Jia Meng, her gaze filled with confusion and incomprehension.

Jia Meng smiled faintly, as though he had expected this all along, and thanked Jia Ruo. "Thank you."

"Ah, it's nothing, it's nothing."

Jia Ruo shook her head. Although she was full of doubts, she maintained a dignified manner and proceeded to treat Wu Siwu.

However, the same thing happened again. Wu Siwu also seemed completely unharmed, his body equally healthy and intact.

Wu Siwu naturally expressed his thanks to Jia Ruo as well.

The elders of the Jia Meng Family were delighted and hurriedly said that they would reward Jia Ruo for her treatment.

But Jia Ruo quickly waved her hands, saying that she had not done anything of substance and did not dare accept such a reward.

Just then, Wu Siwu suddenly interjected, "No need to be polite with them. These rich young masters have plenty of money. I still have to pay for my treatment myself."

He pointed at Jia Meng and said to Jia Ruo.

Jia Meng was startled, then could not help laughing. "Haha, one thing is one thing. Didn't you just damage a Black Spirit Flower? At worst, I'll treat you to a meal."

Wu Siwu refused to let it go. He widened his eyes at Jia Meng and said provocatively, "Fine, I'm definitely going to get my money's worth. Jia Ruo, you come too and help me eat him broke."

Jia Ruo looked at the two of them somewhat awkwardly. She pursed her lips and said aggrievedly, "But I don't like sweet food."

Jia Meng laughed, quickly explaining, "No problem, just order whatever you want. It's my treat anyway—consider it medical expenses."

However, Wu Siwu remained dissatisfied. He snorted and said, "Who talks like that? One thing is one thing. The medical expenses can't be short, and you still have to treat us to a meal."