My mom is waiting for treatment, and you're summoning me to be a hero?

Ye An did not rush to make a move after entering the arena.

She stood on the other side of the ring, looking Mianmian up and down.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

There was no kindness in that smile, only a condescending scrutiny.

"You're Mianmian? It's really impressive that you've fought your way up this far."

She spoke, but her voice was soft.

Mianmian blinked but did not respond.

Ye An slowly walked around the edge of the arena, looking her up and down as he went.

His gaze held scrutiny, inquiry, and a hint of disdain.

"Whose family are you? The Olev family? Or the Howard family? You can't be some businessman's pet, can you?"

Mianmian tilted her head and looked at her, as if she didn't quite understand what she was asking.

She paused, then smiled even more meaningfully.

"Do you know what they're saying about you?"

Ye An pointed to the stands.

"You said you bought this homeless orphan from some backwater, and that some small family picked him up and trained him to be a thug."

Ye An continued, his voice growing increasingly shrill:

"So what if someone like you, with no background and no surname, wins the competition? What do you think it will change? After the competition, you'll still have to go back to being your slave, won't you? Do you think anyone will take you seriously?"

Mianmian's brows furrowed.

Something was changing in those big, dark eyes.

A hint of displeasure gradually appeared in his eyes.

Ye An saw it and was overjoyed.

Just as her father had said, these children who were bought are most afraid of others mentioning their identity.

Once we disrupt her mindset, the rest of the battle will be easier.

Without further hesitation, she thrust out both daggers simultaneously!

Two daggers shot out like venomous snakes, aiming straight for Mianmian's shoulder and ribs!

It was faster than ever before, and power was poured into the blade, making it flash with silver light!

Mianmian stepped back and dodged.

Ye An pursued relentlessly.

The dagger struck again and again, each strike swift and ruthless.

Her moves were indeed far superior to those of the previous children.

It is ever-changing, deceptive, and difficult to guard against.

But she didn't stop talking.

"What about your parents? Were they also bought as slaves?"

Mianmian dodged the attack.

"Did they sell you for money? Or are you already dead?"

Mianmian dodged another knife.

Ye An's smile grew wider and wider.

She noticed that Mianmian's movements were a bit chaotic, and her steps were not as composed as before.

Although I was still able to dodge, I was clearly being verbally disturbed.

She intensified her offensive.

"Mianmian? Ha, you don't even have a surname. Is your reward for winning the competition a family bestowal of a surname? Hahaha."

"Do you know what the children in our Marcus family eat and use from a young age? Do you know how much we spend on tutors every day?"

"And you? What gives you the right to stand here?"

"You're just a bastard with no parents! You really think you can beat me?!"

The dagger stabbed even faster.

In the stands, the Marcus family members stood up excitedly and applauded wildly.

Their young lady has the upper hand!

That strange little girl has no choice but to hide!

On the other platform, Lin Mo's eyes turned completely cold.

He secretly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and slowly stood up.

Yin Xue glanced at him but didn't say anything.

But she knew that Lin Mo was about to make his move.

What competition, what rules, what the Marcus family—they're about to reunite inside the Black Sword.

Even Otem was pondering how to use his status as the second prince to handle the Marcus family's affairs after the death of their children.

Lin Mo's hand tightened on the sword hilt, just as he was about to draw his sword...

On the stage, Mianmian suddenly stopped.

She stopped backing away.

She stood in the center of the arena, letting Ye An's dagger graz the hem of her clothes.

She looked up, and something flickered in her large, dark eyes.

Ye An was startled by this sudden change, and his offensive faltered.

She saw tears welling up in Mianmian's eyes.

She smiled.

"Why are you crying? Did I touch a nerve? You know you're an orphan..."

Mianmian spoke.

That was the first time she spoke.

The voice was very soft and gentle, each word uttered one by one, like a child who had just learned to speak.

"My...name...is...Lin...Mianmian..."

The words came out of her mouth with a sob in them.

But every word was so clear, so forceful.

"I have... a father..."

Tears streamed down her face, but she didn't wipe them away; she just looked at Ye An.

"His name is... Lin Mo."

The entire room fell silent.

On the platform, Lin Mo's hand froze on the hilt of his sword.

He looked at the small figure on the stage, at the tears streaming down her face, at the few words she uttered with all her might—

He was stunned.

Something inside me was struck.

In that instant, he remembered the first time he met Mianmian.

It was just a tiny, pinkish-white, soft spider that had just hatched.

Eight eyes stared at him, bewildered.

Later, she followed him, fighting her way through, never complaining, never backing down.

He had always thought she was just a combat partner, a mutated beast king with special abilities.

But from when did he stop being her master, her partner, and... her father?

Lin Mo's throat tightened slightly.

On the ring, Mianmian's tears were still flowing.

But her eyes have changed.

Those eyes no longer held confusion or bewilderment, only unwavering determination.

She raised her hand.

A bolt of lightning exploded from her palm!

This was the first skill she used in the entire match.

Pure, dazzling azure lightning!

It was purer, more concentrated, and more irrational than the lightning Dick had unleashed before!

Lightning tore through the air and headed straight for Ye An!

Ye An's pupils suddenly contracted.

She retreated desperately, crossing two daggers in front of her in an attempt to block, but it was no use.

The lightning shattered the two enchanted daggers.

It shattered her battle aura shield and struck her in the chest!

boom--!

Ye An was sent flying backward, crashing hard into the railing at the edge of the arena!

The railing shattered, and she tumbled off the ring, crashing heavily to the ground, where she lay motionless.

The entire venue was deathly silent.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the small figure in the pink dress on the stage.

Looking at the remaining sparks of electricity still crackling in the air, my mind went blank.

Ye An...lost?

The eldest daughter of the Marcus family, a genius at the age of fourteen and level twenty, lost?

Defeated in one move by a girl who looks seven or eight years old?

The referee's mouth dropped open, and he stood there stunned for several seconds before he reacted. He raised his hand, his voice trembling:

"The winner...the winner is—contestant Mian—"

"Wait!!"

A loud shout erupted from the stands!

A middle-aged man dressed in fine clothes suddenly stood up, his face ashen and his eyes filled with rage.

He pointed at Mianmian on the stage, his voice sharp and distorted:

"You little bastard! You dare to cheat! Do you really think the Marcus family is easy to mess with!?"