[Masked encounter]

Zhi Ruo entered the arena, her steps imbued with a delicate grace that seemed incongruous for someone about to engage in combat. The softness in her footfalls contrasted sharply with the anticipation that hung in the air, as if she carried a secret that defied the expectations of those watching.

A gentle, almost malleable smile graced Zhi Ruo's face, its softness belying the intensity of the situation. However, her eyes held an unsettling quality, devoid of any discernible light. Staring into them felt as though one was peering into the pit of the abyss, an abyss that held secrets and depths that remained concealed from prying eyes.

In stark contrast to Zhi Ruo's serene presence, the masked man bounded into the arena, seemingly intoxicated by the pulsating energy of the crowd. With arms outstretched, he embraced the cheers that reverberated around him, reveling in the cacophony of sound. His gaze danced from one corner of the venue to another, absorbing the kaleidoscope of colorful l