C30 Rank Three Versus Rank Six

"Fine! You arrogant little Cat-man, since you refuse to believe me, I'll just have to show you!"

Qingyou's serene and poised demeanor had thoroughly riled up the pride of the Bear-man Patriarch.

It had been ages since he'd encountered a Rank Six opponent, and yet this young Cat-man girl dared to underestimate his strength. That was something he simply couldn't stand for.

With a determined gait, the Bear-man Patriarch stepped out the door alongside Qingyou and her companions.

"Saintess!"

The Cat-man Warriors waiting outside quickly bowed in respect as Qingyou emerged.

"Stay here. The Bear-man Patriarch and I will return shortly."

Qingyou nodded, then gave her instructions.

"Being the Saintess, you might want to give further orders for what comes next, as I can't promise you'll return without a scratch," the Bear-man Patriarch remarked with a light huff.

"Saintess? What's going on?"

The accompanying Cat-man Warriors were taken aback by his comment.

What were they about to do? And how could there be a risk of injury?

"It's merely a friendly match; there's nothing to worry about," Qingyou reassured them with a gentle wave of her hand.

"That Cat-man girl is going to spar with the Patriarch? Has she lost her mind?"

"The Patriarch is a Rank Six Warrior. She'll be flattened with a single blow!"

"A mere Cat-man challenging our mighty Bear-man Warrior? I could take her down myself, no need for the Patriarch to lift a finger!"

The surrounding Bear-men, overhearing the news, buzzed with excitement.

Since the dawn of the Beastmen races, there had never been a sparring match between a Cat-man and a Bear-man.

Looking at them, the Bear-man Patriarch towered over three meters tall, his muscles swelling like a veritable mountain of flesh, while Qingyou barely reached half his height. Side by side, the stark contrast in their appearances was undeniable.

It was like comparing a fully grown bodybuilder to a toddler—the disparity was simply too vast!

"Saintess... please consider this carefully."

The Cat-man Warrior's voice was tinged with anxiety. To them, the gap in strength was as vast as the sky is from the earth—an utterly impossible challenge.

Moreover, Qingyou carried the weight of the entire Cat-man Clan's hopes for ascension. Any mishap here could plunge the Cat-man Clan into chaos.

"The great God of Flames will watch over me; there's no need for further words."

Qingyou shook her head with unwavering conviction.

Realizing they couldn't sway her, the Cat-man Warriors reluctantly turned to Lillian, hoping she could keep a watchful eye on Qingyou.

Lillian readily agreed.

Her faith in the God of Flames was unshakable, but as a Rank Three Mage facing a Rank Six Warrior with no one to guard her, could Qingyou truly demonstrate her worth to the Bear-man Patriarch through her own strength?

Lillian had her doubts, but she was prepared for any eventuality. Should Qingyou encounter any danger, Lillian was resolved to intervene at a moment's notice.

Unnoticed by all, a spark the size of a grain of rice drifted from the wine-laden cart, settling on the hem of Qingyou's skirt...

"If you're set on this course, then follow me."

The Bear-man Patriarch, recognizing Qingyou's resolve to engage in battle, refrained from further comment.

He led Qingyou and Lillian away from the tribe and into the neighboring forest.

The Cat-man Clan warriors remained by the two carts, while a number of Bear-man Clan warriors also emerged, eager to witness the unfolding spectacle.