《Starforce Warriors》


 Chapter 1: Moonlight Treasure Box

    Chapter 1: Moonlight Treasure Box In the year 2522, in Liuhe Base City, one of the northwest cities of the Great Xia Republic in the Asian region.


    "Have I really been transported five hundred years into the future?" muttered Li Xiaofei in surprise, looking around the rusty cage he found himself locked in. He was bewildered by the unfamiliar surroundings. Outside the cage, dozens of headless corpses lay scattered in pools of blood. Several fierce-looking thugs in black uniforms skillfully lifted each headless corpse and tossed it into a grinding machine nearby that reverberated loudly.


    The air was thick with the stench of blood. The horrifying scene made Li Xiaofei feel nauseous, almost suffocating him. What startled him even more was that those freshly ground up corpses were wearing white uniforms identical to his own, and seemed to belong to the same organization as himself.


    The sounds of explosions and roars continued to echo in the distance. An unfair martial arts contest was fiercely underway.


    The combatants were a man and a woman. The woman had a cold and elegant face, with waist-length hair tied into a single ponytail. She wore a black tactical vest, shorts, and a pair of jackboots, with large areas of her snowy white skin exposed. Standing close to 1.8 meters tall, she had a very well-proportioned body.


    The man''s attire was identical to Li Xiaofei''s, and his feet were shackled. His arms were like black iron, exuding explosive visual impact.


    As the man and woman moved, their skin lit up with a faint glow. The speed and power they unleashed were like those of legendary martial arts masters.


    Boom!


    A thunderous explosion echoed through the area. The cold and elegant woman suddenly executed some kind of special martial technique.


    Her fist glowed with dazzling white light and radiated a bone-chilling coldness that instantly froze her opponent''s arms in place. Her right hand mimicked the shape of a crane¡¯s beak as she delivered a punch that blasted her opponent''s head off.


    Bones and blood flew in all directions as the headless corpse collapsed with a thud. Witnessing the gory scene made Li Xiaofei''s scalp tingle.


    Another one was killed...hmm? Wait, another?


    He was feeling quite dizzy at that moment.


    "She won!"


    "The formidable power of Dugu Jue¡¯s Ice Crane Killing Fist is indeed unmatched."


    "The renowned Iron Arm Dragon, Fang Sheng, was actually defeated by Dugu Jue within ten moves."


    The thirty or so fierce thugs from the Blackblood Gang who were watching nearby cheered and complimented the woman. However, there was no trace of excitement on her face.


    "Fang Sheng, at the second stage of the Qi Refining Realm, inheritor of the Great Xia Republic''s ancient martial art Iron Arm Fist... You have quite the reputation, but your combat skills are so weak! You''ve disappointed me greatly."


    As the daughter of the leader of the largest gang in the slums, the Blackblood Gang, she had undergone a new martial surgery a month ago. She had the rune bone of a star beast, the Ice Crane, implanted into her body and gained the freezing power of the Ice Crane. Since then, she had been searching for true martial arts masters to challenge.


    Unfortunately, all she found were disappointing wastrels. The ancient martial arts of the Great Xia Republic were truly in decline. As she contemplated the rise of the era of new martial arts, Dugu Jue slowly raised her head and looked at Li Xiaofei.


    "Li Xiaofei, also known as the Undead True Dragon, the last-ranked Hall Master of the Cloudy Sky Gang at the first stage of the Qi Refining Realm."


    Dugu Jue assessed him for a moment and suddenly said, "You''re quite handsome. As the number one handsome man in the Cloudy Sky Gang, I can''t bear to kill you. How about this, I''ll give you a chance to live, but you must become my male slave, assist me in dual cultivation, and practice martial arts together. Are you willing to do that?"


    Li Xiaofei''s heart skipped a beat.


    Dual... cultivation?[1]


    He carefully glanced at Dugu Jue. Indeed, she was beautiful, with a voluptuous figure and a cold and elegant demeanor, which ignited his desire to conquer her. But she was too violent, it was too much for him to handle.


    Leaving aside everything else, wouldn''t a single squeeze of her thighs be enough to crush a boulder? Wouldn¡¯t being a male slave whose work was to assist in dual cultivation ultimately lead to a fate worse than death?


    While he hesitated, a sound suddenly rang out.


    Ring ring!


    The jarring sound of a phone ringing filled the air. Dugu Jue¡¯s brows furrowed as she took the light-core phone from her trusted subordinate.


    Her expression changed slightly as she heard the voice on the other end. Her tone was no longer as icy as she replied, "Alright, father, understood... I''ll arrange it immediately." Then, she hung up the phone.


    "Pretty boy, you can''t escape. I''ll deal with you when I get back." She looked at Li Xiaofei again, with a cold smile, and added, "I''ll chop you up if you don''t submit to me."


    She then left hurriedly with a few trusted subordinates.


    Clang!


    The cage door was locked once again. Li Xiaofei breathed a sigh of relief, his heart still pounding with fear. He had narrowly escaped disaster, for now.


    However, it was only a temporary reprieve. Outside the cage, the body of the Iron Arm Dragon, Fang Sheng, was dragged away by the gang members.


    A martial artist at the Second Qi Stage of the Qi Refining Realm was crushed by the grinding machine like a dead pig and turned into pulp.


    The gory scene sent shivers down Li Xiaofei''s spine. He became increasingly aware that he might end up sharing the same fate if he couldn''t find a way to escape. His first priority was to figure out what was going on.


    Li Xiaofei took a series of deep breaths, forcing himself to stay calm. Then, he closed his eyes and attempted to access his current body¡¯s memories.


    A flood of information rushed in like a torrent in the next moment and Li Xiaofei''s expression began to change.


    It turned out that this was Earth five hundred years into the future. It had long since become a post-apocalyptic world due to the invasion of star beasts.


    The law and order of civilization had collapsed amid centuries of war and slaughter between humans and beasts. The fall of cities had caused the population to sharply decline.


    The desperate launch of nuclear bombs only led to a nuclear winter instead of completely eradicating the star beasts. sea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fortunately, in these darkest and most brutal of years, hundreds of so-called Saints emerged worldwide. These Saints studied the star beasts and developed the Starforce Martial Arts System, spreading it across the world.


    Later, they united to establish the highest authority on Earth, the Star Council. In the darkest of times, the Star Council guided humanity to establish base cities, resist the star beasts, and fight for their survival.


    Over the centuries, a new order was established from the ashes of the old world. The country where Li Xiaofei found himself was called the Great Xia Republic.


    It was one of the six administrative regions in the Asian region under the highest authority of the Star Council.


    The country''s borders were vast and had a population exceeding one billion. There were a total of ninety-one base cities in the Great Xia Republic. Liuhe City was one of the thirty-seven lower-tier base cities.


    In the era of the apocalypse, where personal strength was infinitely magnified, the power of the country itself undoubtedly occupied a dominant position. But the existence of martial arts families and gangs was inevitable.


    Liuhe Base City was no exception. Within the city there were five major martial arts families: Du, Qi, Mu, Ye, and Zhou. There were also a total of thirty-six registered big and small gangs and syndicates.


    The Cloudy Sky Gang to which Li Xiaofei belonged was one of them. The Cloudy Sky Gang was named after an idiom meaning "virtue as exalted as the clouds in the sky."[2]


    The day before, the Cloudy Sky Gang had been the target of a sudden attack from another large slum faction, the Blackblood Gang. Caught off guard, the Cloudy Sky Gang had suffered a devastating defeat. Many of their members had then been captured.


    Among them was Li Xiaofei, one of the six Hall Masters of the Cloudy Sky Gang. But, the Li Xiaofei of five hundred years ago had crossed over to this era and inhabited the body of the same name.


    As for the reason for the crossover? It was downright ridiculous. Just ten minutes ago, Li Xiaofei was still in August 22, 2022.


    At that time, he was the president of the Southern Martial Arts Society and he was practicing kicks with a junior sister in the classroom. At the climax of their sparring, a fat and clumsy husky suddenly appeared out of thin air and, without saying a word, handed him a Moonlight Treasure Box.[3]


    "You are the chosen, the only one."


    "Young man, the martial legacy of the Great Xia Republic in five hundred years will be entrusted to you."


    Surprisingly, the dog spoke Mandarin. Can you imagine Li Xiaofei''s expression and feelings at that moment?


    But in the next moment, a rainbow-colored spacetime passage emerged from the Moonlight Treasure Box and sucked him in. When he opened his eyes again, he was in a chaotic world five hundred years in the future.


    Oh right, what happened to my Moonlight Treasure Box?


    Suddenly, the Moonlight Treasure Box appeared out of thin air in his hand.


    It... was actually hidden inside my body all along?


    Li Xiaofei was greatly surprised. At that moment, a crack opened in the dark clouds, and a beam of moonlight shone down and landed on the box.


    Then, an incredible thing happened.


    1. it usually refers to cultivating through sex and it¡¯s related to Daoist sexual practices. ?


    2. The original here is Ò屡ÔÆÌì, an idiom coined in the ¡°Book of Song: Biography of Xie Lingyun¡± by Shen Yue, a historian of Southern Song. ?


    3. This is a reference to the Chinese movie A Chinese Odyssey: Part 1¡ªPandora''s Box. The box is something that allows the user to travel in time. The original translation of the term Ô¹ⱦºÐ in this movie is ¡°Pandora¡¯s Box,¡± but we have chosen to be more accurate to the original because the term Ô¹ⱦºÐ here has nothing to do with either the literal or the figurative meaning of the term ¡°Pandora¡¯s Box.¡± ?

 Chapter 2: Secret Time Pavilion

    Chapter 2: Secret Time Pavilion An anomaly appeared under the moonlight as the Moonlight Treasure Box began to give off a faint rainbow-colored glow.


    "Woof."


    A clear, loud, icy, mechanical female voice suddenly sounded from the Moonlight Treasure Box.


    "Activation successful."


    "Scanning host..."


    "Binding to host."


    "Unable to traverse spacetime as the host¡¯s energy is too low."


    "Searching for functions that can be activated..."


    "The activatable function is Secret Time Pavilion."


    Right after the voice stopped speaking, something weird happened.


    Li Xiaofei''s vision blurred, and he found himself in a magnificent and immense white temple. The walls, floor, pillars, and dome of the temple were all pristine white and emitted a soft and sacred aura. Apart from that, there was nothing else. It was incredibly quiet.


    "What''s going on?" Li Xiaofei exclaimed, startled.


    Soon he realized that he seemed to have activated some sort of special ability. Could this mysterious white temple in front of him be the so-called Secret Time Pavilion? Could it be that the function of the Moonlight Treasure Box was not just limited to spacetime transportation? It was different from what was depicted in movies.


    Surveying the surroundings, Li Xiaofei tentatively asked, "Where am I?"


    Sure enough, the icy mechanical female voice once again emanated from the Moonlight Treasure Box. "This is the Secret Time Pavilion. It is an extradimensional training space created by this treasure box. By entering it, you can gain an additional thirty days of time."


    Li Xiaofei pressed, "What do you mean by additional time?"


    The female voice replied, "In simple terms, it means that the thirty days spent by the host in the Secret Time Pavilion will not affect the progression of the timeline in the real world."


    Holy cow!


    Li Xiaofei was shocked by this answer. In other words, if he entered the Secret Time Pavilion at a certain point in time and spent thirty days inside, time in the real world would remain unchanged. It was just like the "save progress" button in a game. This special ability was truly incredible. One could definitely achieve many unimaginable tricks by using the Secret Time Pavilion.


    "Can the Secret Time Pavilion function be used indefinitely?" Li Xiaofei asked again.


    "No, at the current stage, there is a cooldown period of three days," replied the female voice.


    Okay, so there''s a cooldown. But it''s much shorter than I imagined.


    As he looked at the Moonlight Treasure Box in his hand, Li Xiaofei had a strong premonition that he wouldn¡¯t be able to go back to five hundred years ago, but it was not a big deal. Since he was here anyway, he might as well make the most of it. Sea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After all, for a martial arts fanatic like him, the 9-9-6 grind [1]after graduation could not compare to the chaotic world before him where he could practice martial arts. Now with a special ability at his disposal, Li Xiaofei''s heart gradually filled with excitement.


    However, the premise of everything is to survive first. I can stay in this Secret Time Pavilion for thirty days, and no time will pass in the real world. These thirty days are crucial for solving the deadlock. Let''s try practicing first and see what this era''s so-called starforce is all about.


    Li Xiaofei''s mind stirred as he absorbed the Moonlight Treasure Box back into his body, then slowly closed his eyes. He began to organize his memories.


    According to the official martial arts cultivation system guide compiled and published by the Great Xia Republic, Starforce Cultivation could be divided into nine major realms: the Qi Refining Realm, Limit Breaking Realm, Acupoint Opening Realm, Meridian Expanding Realm, Five Spirits Realm, Golden Body Realm, Dao Union Realm, Divine Realm, and Transcendence Realm.


    The Li Xiaofei in this world, after seven years of cultivation, had cultivated a vortex of starforce in his core. He was at the first stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    One cultivated qi through a breathing technique. The tip of the tongue should touch the palate, and sweet-tasting saliva will be produced under the tongue. Then, one should start breathing with a specific rhythm. At the same time, one should imagine that one is taking in a large mouthful of pure water into the lungs with each inhalation, washing the lungs like washing rice. Then, one should exhale as if expelling dirty water.


    Rinse and repeat.


    This was called the Clear Spring Breathing Technique, a very common basic breathing technique passed down among the gangs of the slums.


    Li Xiaofei quickly entered a state of meditation. He focused his entire being inward, and found a faint golden qi vortex slowly rotating in his dantian. It was the hallmark of the first stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    The faint golden vortex rotated slightly like a nebula. It emanated faint and intangible wisps of qi that dispersed slowly into his limbs and bones. The qi was nourishing his flesh, organs, and bones, strengthening his body.


    As time passed, the faint golden vortex seemed to slowly grow larger, strand by strand. But soon, Li Xiaofei opened his eyes and started pondering.


    The good news is that it''s indeed possible to cultivate inner qi in this era. The bad news is that cultivation is too slow.


    Cultivating starforce qi is like cultivating internal strength five hundred years ago, it requires a lot of gradual effort. It¡¯s not something that can be rushed overnight.


    At this rate, there''s no way I could break through to the second stage of the Qi Refining Realm even if I had thirty months, let alone thirty days. And even if I do, it won¡¯t do me much good."


    Just now, the Iron Arm Dragon, Fang Sheng, was at the second stage and had mastered the ancient Iron Arm Fist. Even so, Dugu Jue killed him with a single punch. It looks like I still need to find a way to expedite this process. Come out quickly, Moonlight Treasure Box!


    The female voice echoed in his ear right on cue. "It is suggested that the host activate the Secret Time Pavilion special lottery function. The host can draw random martial arts from a long span of time across three thousand dimensions to enhance their strength."


    "We can actually draw martial arts like in a gacha game?" Li Xiaofei was overjoyed and said, "Why didn''t you mention this before?"


    "This is an additional compensation for the host..." The female voice stopped abruptly, as if realizing something, and fell silent.


    "Hmm? Compensation?" asked Li Xiaofei, realizing something was wrong.


    He immediately asked, "Why compensate me? Tell me, are you that stupid dog that suddenly appeared? Did you mistake me for someone else?"


    The female voice refused to answer and said, "Please, host, start drawing martial arts."


    A blue vortex suddenly appeared in the air. Li Xiaofei hesitated for a moment, then reached into the vortex.


    Ding.


    "The host has drawn the Mighty Vajra Fist."


    "This martial art belongs to the Jin Yong martial arts dimension, and is one of the seventy-two ultimate skills of the Shaolin Temple, used by the characters Xuansheng from the Shaolin Temple and the Mahacakra Jiu Mozhi (False)."[2]


    1. The 9-9-6 working hour system is a work schedule practiced illegally by many companies in China. It derives its name from the requirement that employees work from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, 6 days per week. ?


    2. The characters and facts in this paragraph belong to Jin Yong¡¯s famous novel Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils. Xuansheng is one of the monks at the Shaolin Temple; Xuansheng (ÐþÉú) is not a name per se, but a Buddhist monk name. Jiu Mozhi, also known as Mahacakra (´ó݆Ã÷Íõ, Great Wheel Wisdom King) is a Tibetan monk who claims to use the Shaolin martial arts but is actually just mimicking them. ?

 Chapter 3: The God Of Death Is Unleashed

    Chapter 3: The God Of Death Is Unleashed When the blue vortex disappeared, Li Xiaofei held a martial arts manual in his hand.


    Jin Yong martial arts dimension? The Mighty Vajra Fist? Xuan Sheng from the Shaolin Temple and the Mahacakra Jiu Mozhi?


    This felt familiar to him. In the plot of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, Mahacakra Jiu Mozhi used the Lesser Formless Art to unleash the Mighty Vajra Fist, defeating Xuansheng, an eminent monk of the Shaolin Temple, who was also skilled in the Mighty Vajra Fist.


    The Secret Time Pavilion can actually extract fictitious martial arts from martial arts novels? Doesn''t this mean that there will be opportunities in the future to extract higher-level martial arts like Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, Nine Yang Divine Art, Nine Yin Manual, and Parting Sorrow Palm? It can even extract martial arts from other high martial arts novel dimensions? That¡¯s fantastic!


    Li Xiaofei grinned. For a martial arts enthusiast who once dreamed of wielding a sword and roaming the world, this was even more exhilarating than taking the virginity of a goddess. However, he was uncertain about the power of these martial arts techniques from martial arts novels in the real world.


    Li Xiaofei calmed down and opened the manual. The ten-word description of the fist technique caught his eye.


    The strength of the vajra is dominant, unstoppable and invincible.


    These ten words summarized the characteristics and power of the Mighty Vajra Fist.


    The manual consisted of ten pages and included illustrations of the fist techniques, explanations of the moves, ways to control his strength, and combinations of techniques. There were a total of four techniques, Vajra Thunderous Strike, Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow, Threefold Divine Strength, and Vajra Wrathful Mountain Split. Each technique had several variations.


    While the illustrations were simple, the annotations for practice were quite complex. If it were anyone else, it would probably take them many days just to understand it.


    But Li Xiaofei only needed to read it once to grasp the basics. He had once been obsessed with traditional martial arts and had extensively read and studied them, so his theoretical foundation was very solid. Secondly, he had extraordinary insight.


    The Li Xiaofei of five hundred years ago had been obsessed with ancient martial arts. In order to obtain a true ancient martial arts legacy, he had paid his respects to a hundred and nine traditional martial arts masters in succession.


    Except for the one who had been exposed as a fraud after refusing to acknowledge Li Xiaofei¡¯s abilities, the other one hundred and eight masters had all praised his insight and believed him to be a once-in-a-lifetime martial arts genius.


    Fifteen days passed in the blink of an eye.


    Strange. I don''t feel hunger or fatigue even though I¡¯m not eating, drinking, or resting.


    But Li Xiaofei had mastered the basics of the first technique, the Vajra Thunderous Strike. In truth, the variations of this technique weren''t difficult for him. The challenging part had been the minutiae of power generation and the rhythm of internal force circulation.


    Li Xiaofei didn''t understand the Shaolin internal force. However, he was at the first stage of the Qi Refining Realm. He had starforce, which was similar to internal force.


    In Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, Jiu Mozhi was able to use the Mighty Vajra Fist in spite of not being a Shaolin monk himself by using the Lesser Formless Art. Not only that, but he was able to defeat Xuansheng even though the latter had immersed himself in the fist technique for decades. Based on the same logic, Li Xiaofei could also try to use starforce to unleash the Mighty Vajra Fist.


    "Let''s test the power of this move first," said Li Xiaofei. He closed his eyes, carefully recalling the profundity of the first move, then circulated starforce in his dantian. A faint golden light flickered around his fists. It was a sign of starforce being released.


    He threw a punch. Then, he suddenly moved like lightning, instantly advancing ten meters and delivered a punch with fierce momentum. The instant forward movement and high punching power were the two main features of the Vajra Thunderous Strike.


    Boom!


    The sonic boom sounded like thunder as a visible trace appeared in the air where his fist had struck, creating a ten-meter-long vacuum. The air surged and rolled like giant waves.


    "My goodness, is this really the power of my fist?!" exclaimed Li Xiaofei as he trembled with excitement. "This is the kind of kung fu you only see in martial arts novels, right? I finally mastered it!"


    He was ecstatic. Five hundred years ago, he had practiced obsessively, but all he had ever obtained was the ability to smash a few thin wooden boards. He couldn''t cultivate the qi described in martial arts novels, nor could he perform extraordinary feats like walking on walls.


    But just now, the Vajra Thunderous Strike opened a path of martial arts that didn''t exist for him five hundred years ago.


    When he thought about it, Li Xiaofei was one hundred percent sure that the punch he had just thrown was powerful enough to match the strike of someone at the third stage. It could definitely kill the Iron Arm Dragon, Fang Sheng, in an instant. It also meant that he now had the capital to fight against Dugu Jue.


    "The martial arts from the world of martial arts novels, combined with the starforce of this era, are simply astonishing."


    "I''ve only just mastered the first technique of the Mighty Vajra Fist, and I already have the strength to fight against Dugu Jue."


    "If I master all four moves, wouldn''t I be invincible in the slums?" Li Xiaofei exclaimed joyfully.


    The time traveler is indeed blessed with the protagonist''s luck. There¡¯s still fifteen days left before I hit the limit.


    Li Xiaofei suppressed his excitement. He dared not slack off in the slightest as he continued to practice the Vajra Thunderous Strike tirelessly.


    As the saying goes, a single brilliant move can conquer all, but greed leads to failure. He firmly believed that as long as he thoroughly mastered this first technique to perfection within a short period, he could completely defeat Dugu Jue. He could practice the other three slowly later on.


    Another fifteen days went by. Li Xiaofei finally mastered the Vajra Thunderous Strike and the Secret Time Pavilion''s time limit finally arrived.


    The white space began to shine faintly as the scenery began to blur like flowing water. But his eyes cleared in the next moment.


    Li Xiaofei was back in the real world. He looked up and glanced out of the cage.


    The members of the Blackblood Gang were still dealing with the bodies, while a few leaders were chatting and laughing around a bonfire.


    The real world was indeed still at the moment just before he had entered the Secret Time Pavilion thirty days ago. Yet, the experiences, consciousness, and strength gained from training in the Secret Time Pavilion had all truly become his abilities. Sea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    What he was feeling now was truly miraculous. Li Xiaofei looked up at the crescent moon in the sky. Then he closed his eyes, seemingly sensing something.


    It was said that Vajrapani was a guardian deity in Vajrayana [1], symbolizing the luminous power to subdue heretics and defeat evil spirits. The manual also pointed out that practicing the Mighty Vajra Fist could strengthen the will and spirit.


    Although he had only mastered the first technique of the fist art, Li Xiaofei clearly felt that, under the blessing of the fist''s spirit, his consciousness was bright and clear. He swept away all cowardice in his heart and felt a powerful confidence to vanquish demons.


    At that moment, he had completely fused with his new body. He accepted his memories and inherited the power. Naturally, he also had to bear the karma.


    Those dismembered, cold corpses were once comrades of the original owner of his body. Li Xiaofei felt anger and sadness in his heart. The murderous intent toward Dugu Jue in his heart burned like a fierce flame.


    I can only resolve this karma by avenging them personally and killing Dugu Jue.


    So he changed his mind. Instead of breaking out of the cage with the Vajra Thunderous Strike, he chose to wait.


    Time passed quickly. The white mist rose and the early morning haze lingered in the air as a new day dawned.


    As the eastern sky was tinted by pale light, Dugu Jue finally returned to the base. She had also brought a new batch of captives. There were over twenty of them, all young women, some of whom were petite and still underage. They were all from the slums.


    Their clothes were tattered, tears streamed down their faces, and their expressions were filled with fear and dread. They were tethered together like cattle, escorted by the members of the Blackblood Gang, and brought to the compound.


    "Please, let me go, I have a one-year-old child at home, he will surely starve to death if I don''t return."


    "Uwaahh... Dad, Mom, where are you? Please come and save me, I''m so scared!"


    The young women pleaded and cried out, their voices filled with desperation. But all they received in return were punches and kicks. The fate of these impoverished women was sealed from the moment they were captured by the Blackblood Gang. They were destined to be sold like cheap goods to brothels that were like hell on earth. There, they would perish amid endless torture and humiliation.


    "Hurry up and train them properly... the buyers are eager to pick up their goods," said Dugu Jue, indifferent to the pitiful pleas of these unfortunate girls despite being a woman herself.


    Her fair face was filled with indifference as she sternly instructed a middle-aged, sturdy man with short red hair beside her, "I want them to completely forget their past and obediently follow orders by tomorrow."


    "Yes, yes, yes," replied the middle-aged man hastily. "Rest assured, Hall Master Dugu Jue."


    His name was Gongsun Yun, also known as Fiery Palm. He was a martial artist at the second stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    Despite being a Hall Master in the Blackblood Gang like Dugu Jue, his strength was far inferior. His nodding and bowing made him look like a spineless dog.


    "Gentlemen, please spare my daughter''s life. She''s just barely a month old... I beg of you, don''t kill her. I''ll do anything," pleaded a young woman holding a baby, forcing a smile as she bared her ample chest. If disregarding her honor and pleasing the Blackblood Gang members meant that she could save her daughter, she was willing to resort to these primitive means.


    Dugu Jue frowned disapprovingly and asked, "Why did you bring a child here?"


    Gongsun Yun was taken aback and hastily responded, saying, "I''ll take care of the brat right away..." He immediately drew his long sword and swung it down at the baby.


    The young woman let out a heart-wrenching scream. "No, please!!!!"


    Just as the baby was about to be struck by the blade, an explosion rocked the base.


    1. Vajrayana is a form of esoteric Buddhism. ?

 Chapter 4: The Invincible Divine Fist

    Chapter 4: The Invincible Divine Fist Boom!


    It was like a furious god had suddenly roared as the explosion rang out. Caught off guard by the thunderous noise, the Blackblood Gang¡¯s thugs were shaken, their eardrums buzzing. The black iron cage suddenly shattered, causing shards of iron to shoot everywhere.


    A figure dashed forward like lightning and punched the saber in Gongsun Yun''s hand.


    The power of the punch was terrifying. Gongsun Yun didn''t even have time to react; he only felt his arm lighten. The saber shattered, and half of his arm was also pulverized by the force of the punch, turning into a mist of blood. It was so fast that Gongsun Yun didn¡¯t even have time to feel pain before the arm was gone.


    An iron-like hand suddenly gripped his neck, lifting him up. The person holding him by the throat was none other than his prisoner, Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei stared at Gongsun Yun like a raging beast. His eyes were like burning flames and his aura was as terrifying as a demon¡¯s. His gaze was as sharp as a steel blade as he asked slowly, "You¡¯d even kill a baby? Are you still human?"


    Gongsun Yun felt as if he was being stared at by a god of death from hell. Trembling, he pleaded, "Have mercy... I..."


    "You heartless scum, you deserve to be torn apart by a thousand cuts! Die!" said Li Xiaofei with a voice that was as cold as eternal frost.


    He twisted Gongsun Yun''s head.


    Crack.


    His head turned 180 degrees, and Fiery Palm Gongsun Yun, a martial artist at the second stage of the Qi Refining Realm, thudded to the ground like a dead dog.


    Everything happened in the blink of an eye. The members of the Blackblood Gang only realized what had happened when Gongsun Yun fell. They saw Li Xiaofei standing there, his killing intent surging like an overflowing dam and his aura rising like flames in a furnace.


    For a moment, the thugs were all terrified and subconsciously took a step back, their legs weak with fear. None of them dared to approach.


    Li Xiaofei walked over, revealing a bright smile for the baby girl. Strangely, the baby suddenly stopped crying. The little one looked curiously up at Li Xiaofei with eyes as pure and clear as black pearls and suddenly let out a mischievous and joyful laugh. Softness instantly welled up in Li Xiaofei''s heart.


    "Thank you, thank you..." The young woman cried tears of joy. She held her child tightly, as if she was embracing the whole world.


    Li Xiaofei turned to the nearby Dugu Jue and started to approach her step by step. The flames in his eyes reignited, and a terrifying killing intent started to radiate from him.


    "Interesting," said Dugu Jue as she stuck out her pale pink tongue and licked her crimson lips. "Oh? It seems like you''ve broken through a little under the pressure of death? Excellent, you¡¯ll be a wonderful cultivation vessel... Come here, kneel, and lick my boots."


    Li Xiaofei gently formed a fist, and raised his middle finger. He beckoned with his finger and said, "You bitch, come here and meet your death."


    Bitch?


    Dugu Jue¡¯s smile froze, and she could hardly believe her ears. No one had ever dared to call her that word. Never!


    "What did you just say?" asked Dugu Jue icily.


    Li Xiaofei contemptuously gestured with his finger and replied, "I said: You bitch, come here and meet your death."


    Dugu Jue''s eyes suddenly turned ferocious. It almost seemed as if sinister flames were rapidly burning in her black pupils.


    "You stupid little pretty boy, do you think you¡¯re some hot shit with your trash ancient martial arts? I''m going to personally break your limbs and cut off your nose and ears. I want you to see with your own eyes how I turn your body into ice. I¡¯ll¡ª"


    Before she could finish, Li Xiaofei shouted, "Shut the fuck up and cut the nonsense."


    He darted forward at an insane speed. His figure resembled lightning as he used the first technique of the Mighty Vajra Fist, the Vajra Thunderous Strike. At that moment, he was as fast as lightning and as powerful as a vajra.


    He closed in on Dugu Jue like thunder on the heels of lightning. A faint golden light emanated from his fist as he raised it to throw a punch.


    Boom!


    His fist caused an air current so strong it was practically visible.


    "Hmm?" In spite of her rage, Dugu Jue could sense the danger. Li Xiaofei¡¯s speed and power had exceeded her expectations.


    This kid is already at the third stage?


    Dugu Jue immediately realized she had been careless, but she was also a master at the third stage, so she could react to his attack.


    The three qi vortices within her body accelerated wildly. Her left hand rose forward and formed a beast''s claw, while her right hand mimicked a crane¡¯s beak as it hid beneath her left elbow.


    The Ice Crane bone implanted in the palm of her right fist generated a silent and invisible freezing power as it was stimulated by starforce and condensed within her palm.


    "Ice Crane Annihilation!" shouted Dugu Jue. At the moment their fists were about to collide, the right hand hidden beneath Dugu Jue''s left elbow suddenly burst out like a crane''s beak.


    This was the killing technique of the Ice Crane Killing Fist. She was confident in her strike because it was a genuine new martial technique that was incomparable to those outdated ancient martial arts.


    Boom!


    Their fists collided in a deafening roar as shockwaves visibly spread wildly. The force of the golden fist and the silver freezing air collided frantically with each other. Sea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Crack!


    The sound of bones fracturing echoed as blood and bone fragments were sent spraying through the air.


    The confidence on Du Guque''s face turned into astonishment, then fear. The overwhelming and irresistible divine power surged forth like a tide, instantly disintegrating the freezing power of her technique. It shattered the crane beak pose of her right hand and blasted her right forearm into smithereens.


    "Aaahh!!!" Dugu Jue was sent flying backward with a piercing scream. Her fiery and alluring figure crashed heavily to the ground, and she coughed out blood like a fountain.


    "It''s impossible! You''re clearly just at the first stage, how can you counter my Ice Crane Annihilation?" Her face was filled with incredulous anger. "What... what kind of martial art is that?!"


    Li Xiaofei glanced at his right fist and saw that his skin was now covered by a thin layer of frost. The power of the Vajra did not allow the freezing power of the Ice Crane to harm him at all.


    Li Xiaofei slowly approached the wounded Dugu Jue. He put one foot on her beautiful and noble head without the slightest pity.


    "What kind of martial art?" Li Xiaofei looked down at her and said, "Of course, it''s ancient martial arts."


    The Mighty Vajra Fist was a martial art that appeared five hundred years ago in wuxia novels. It could be described as the epitome of ancient martial arts.


    "What? That''s impossible, absolutely impossible." Dugu Jue was stunned, unable to believe it. "The ancient martial arts heritage of the Great Xia has long been in decline. Even the so-called true legacy is not even worth mentioning. How could it break my new-age Ice Crane Annihilation?"


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly as he said with a hint of disdain, "The ancient martial arts of the Great Xia are peerless. How could someone like you, with such a narrow vision, understand?"


    As a hardcore fan of martial arts novels, Li Xiaofei felt a burning anger inside him every time Dugu Jue belittled ancient martial arts. Because according to his memories, the country that was now the Great Xia Republic used to be China 500 years ago.


    Li Xiaofei always considered himself a descendant of Yan and Huang[1], so he naturally felt a deep connection to the ancient martial arts of the Great Xia Republic.


    Li Xiaofei felt a sense of satisfaction when he saw Dugu Jue¡¯s unwilling expression.


    His chuuni syndrome [2] kicked in, and his qi surged as he said, "To die under the ancient martial arts of the Great Xia is the good fortune of a few lifetimes."


    Dugu Jue struggled violently at those words and shouted, "Good fortune?! You want to kill me? Do you know who I am?!"


    1. Mythical ethnic groups of ancient China said to descend from the Flame Emperor (Yandi) and the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi), legendary emperors of China that are considered deities in Chinese folk religion. By calling himself a ¡°descendant of Yan and Huang,¡± Li Xiaofei essentially says he is Chinese and proud of it. ?


    2. A Japanese colloquial term typically used to describe early teens who have grandiose delusions, who desperately want to stand out, and who have convinced themselves that they have hidden knowledge or secret powers. ?

 Chapter 5: Little Aunt Is Not My Biological Aunt

    Chapter 5: Little Aunt Is Not My Biological Aunt Li Xiaofei asked, "Who are you?"


    Dugu Jue sneered, "Heh, I am¡ª"


    Crack.


    Li Xiaofei stomped on her neck, breaking it cleanly before she could finish her sentence.


    "Sorry, you look a bit frightening. I suddenly lost interest in knowing," he said calmly.


    The Vajra¡¯s mercy lay in the complete eradication of evil. There was no possibility of reconciliation between them. No matter who she was, she had to be killed, even if she were a deity. Deal with it first, talk later.


    The voluptuous woman under his foot fell still as her beautiful face gradually lost its vitality. Dugu Jue''s eyes still held a look of disbelief in her final moments, as if she couldn''t believe she had died like that.


    Li Xiaofei lifted his foot and sighed in exasperation. Everyone else who traveled through time often encountered a beautiful woman in the beginning that they cherished and wooed into their arms. On the other hand, he had met a beautiful woman only to cruelly dispatch her.


    If he was starting his journey by killing a woman, it seemed like a recipe for a lifetime of solitude. However, personally ending the life of this blood-soaked demoness was also a way to resolve his predecessor¡¯s grudge. Now, he had actually killed a person.


    It was the first time he had killed someone in both his lifetimes. But for some reason, Li Xiaofei didn''t feel any discomfort. Instead, he felt an unprecedented clarity of mind. He realized he truly enjoyed this era of swift retribution and vengeance.


    However, the thugs of the Blackblood Gang around him were terrified. Their faces were ashen and their legs were trembling. Who could have imagined that the once-invincible Dugu Jue couldn''t withstand even a single punch from Li Xiaofei? How had this useless hall master of the Cloudy Sky Gang suddenly become so powerful?


    "A bunch of nobodies without even a line of dialogue, you''re not worthy to die by my Mighty Vajra Fist. Get lost!" said Li Xiaofei. His disdain was evident as he looked at the enforcers. They were nothing more than ants to him.


    "Run for it!"


    "Let''s get out of here!"


    The Blackblood Gang''s thugs, now leaderless and terrified out of their wits, turned and fled. They all wished they had been born with more legs to run faster.


    Li Xiaofei did not pursue them. Instead, he casually picked up a machete from the ground and walked toward the group of young women who had been bound together.


    Swish, swish.


    The blade gleamed as it sliced through the ropes.


    ¡°Everyone, you''re safe now.¡± Li Xiaofei threw the machete aside and smiled confidently as he continued, ¡°You can go home now. Oh, and there''s no need to think about repaying me with your bodies. My name is¡ª¡±


    However, before Li Xiaofei could finish, the ragged girls fled the nightmarish camp at lightning speed. Once they heard they were free to go, they didn¡¯t care about anything else.


    The young woman with the baby was the only one to thank him before also running away as soon as she could.


    Li Xiaofei stood there, speechless.


    The women here are so rude.


    He remained in place, sensing something carefully, and suddenly, a trace of unexpected joy appeared on his face.


    "Hmm? I''ve actually made a breakthrough... I''ve advanced to the second stage of the Qi Refining Realm."


    He could clearly sense a second qi vortex forming in his dantian. He had managed to break through just by practicing the first technique of the Mighty Vajra Fist and fighting once. It seemed that the Mighty Vajra Fist not only enhanced his combat power but also benefited his starforce cultivation.


    Li Xiaofei smiled contentedly before walking over to search Dugu Jue''s corpse. He had to admit, the female villain had an impressive figure. As he touched her, he couldn''t help but notice the elasticity and smoothness of her skin. Shamefully, the phrase "eat it while it¡¯s hot" flashed through his mind.


    "Pervert!" He cursed himself and forcibly extinguished the disturbing thought.


    He retrieved a phone and six titanium throwing knives from Dugu Jue¡¯s body. He also found a phone, along with a set of wire-reinforced soft armor, a crossbow, several water and food ration tickets, and a few VIP cards for an entertainment center on Gongsun Yun''s corpse.


    "Huh? What''s this?" Li Xiaofei suddenly noticed a silver speck about the size of a button. He picked it up and recognized it as a bone fragment. It emitted a faint chill in his hand.


    "Hmm?" He immediately realized what it was and muttered, "Could this be the special bone of the Ice Crane?"


    It was said that inside certain special star beasts, there was a bone containing the source of their power, known as an Inscribed Treasure Bone, which held the innate mysteries of that species.


    The New Martial Arts faction had modeled many combat techniques after these treasure bones. Some even transplanted these bones into their own bodies, using this shortcut to directly master powerful combat skills.


    Inscribed Treasure Bones were very valuable. After a moment of thought, Li Xiaofei decided to keep the Ice Crane Treasure Bone.


    He scanned his surroundings. The Blackblood Gang base appeared to be converted from a dilapidated large parking lot. There were four or five modified heavy motorcycles scattered here and there, but nothing else of significant value.


    Li Xiaofei carefully searched the area again, finding no trace of guns or other explosive weapons. But to his pleasant surprise, he found the phone belonging to the original owner of his body.


    The phone already had twenty or thirty missed calls. Additionally, there were many unread messages on an instant messaging app similar to WeChat, the Flying Pigeon Post, all from a contact named Little Jie.


    Brother, come back quickly! The Blackblood Gang¡¯s thugs came to our neighborhood and started smashing things. Little Aunt has been taken away.


    The first message that caught Li Xiaofei''s eye made his heart skip a beat. Suddenly, a torrent of memories surged to the forefront of his mind.


    Little Aunt was not his biological aunt. She was a blind woman who was not yet twenty-seven. She relied on her prodigious bone-setting techniques to eke out a living in this chaotic, filthy place. She took care of several orphans in the area. Li Xiaofei was one of them.


    Without Little Aunt, the former Li Xiaofei might have frozen to death as an infant under a bridge during that cold winter. To the former Li Xiaofei, Little Aunt was the most beautiful, noble, and pure woman in the world. She wasn''t related to him by blood, but she was more than family. He was willing to do anything for her. Sea??h the N?vel(F)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei had joined the slum gang for one sole purpose: to better protect his aunt. The former Li Xiaofei''s feelings for her were so strong that they profoundly influenced the current Li Xiaofei.


    Little Aunt must not be harmed!


    Li Xiaofei righted a fallen modified heavy motorcycle without a second thought, revved the engine to the max, and roared off into the dawn. The exhaust pipe spat out sparks, leaving a fleeting trail of flames in the chaotic and filthy ruins. His handsome face with sharp features, sword-like eyebrows, and starry eyes was reflected in the rearview mirror.


    ***


    In the northwestern area of the slums, a cold wind blew through the Guang¡¯an neighborhood. Dust swirled around an old low-rise building, a relic from centuries past that looked like an ancient ruin. The hundred or so residents of the neighborhood had been herded together like livestock in the dilapidated central square.


    Several Blackblood Gang thugs, armed with crossbows, stood menacingly nearby. The dry air was thick with the stench of blood as the mangled bodies of a dozen people littered the ground. The desperate cries of young women struggling could still be heard.

 Chapter 6: I’m Back

    Chapter 6: I¡¯m Back Over thirty thugs of the Blackblood Gang were ransacking the area amidst the cries. They were loading the looted valuables, along with barrels of pure water drawn from a well in the courtyard, into the cargo hold of a heavy tracked truck.


    Water was the source of life. Drinkable pure water was more precious than oil, especially in this age where resources were limited.


    Yang Hengkong, the Fourth Hall Master of the Blackblood Gang, known as the Stone Shattering Palm, sat ostentatiously at a makeshift dining table. He ripped the raw meat in his hands into strips before shoving them into his mouth, chewing voraciously. His hands and mouth were covered in fresh blood. The sight left the poor residents trembling in fear. Yet, Yang Hengkong continued to eat with great relish.


    ¡°Luo Li, my patience is limited, and I don''t have time for your sentimental, childish games,¡± he said casually, taking a towel from a subordinate and wiping the blood from the corners of his mouth. ¡°I see potential in you, which is why I''m giving you this chance. But your current performance is disappointing.¡± S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the distance, a young man with a nose ring trembled at his words and stammered, ¡°Y-yes, Master Yang, I understand what I need to do.¡±


    Luo Li¡¯s face was fair, and he wore black studded leather armor over his bare chest. His black pants were stained with blood. He stood beside a young woman with long black hair who was tied to a wooden stake that was surrounded by piles of dry wood. She appeared to be around twenty-five or twenty-six years old. Her clothes were loose and old, but the tight ropes accentuated her graceful figure, particularly her slender waist and prominent chest.


    Her face, once exceedingly beautiful and delicate, was marred by a scar stretching from her left temple to her right cheek. It resembled a blue-red centipede crawling across her porcelain skin. This scar transformed her once flawless face into something resembling a fearsome demon. However, her most terrifying feature was her eyes. Her pupils were completely white and devoid of irises. They were like deep, misty white abysses radiating an eerie aura. She was a disfigured, blind woman.


    She was the one the community referred to as Little Aunt. Luo Li''s eyes flashed with cruelty as he tossed a burning torch onto the pile of wood. The dry wood ignited instantly. The flames began to spread slowly, their searing heat growing ever more intense.


    "Luo Li, have you gone mad? Are you really going to burn Little Aunt to death?"


    "Don''t forget, Little Aunt saved your life."


    "You heartless beast! Have you lost all sense of humanity?"


    Someone from the trembling crowd of poor people finally couldn''t bear it anymore. Several people rushed out, disregarding everything in an attempt to extinguish the fire and save the woman.


    Swish, swish, swish.


    Crossbow bolts whizzed through the air as the Blackblood Gang''s thugs immediately shot without hesitation. Several of the people rushing ahead screamed as bolts pierced through them.


    A ten-year-old girl was struggling to crawl forward on the ground. Thin and dark-skinned, her eyes were a striking black and white. A titanium bolt had pierced through her thigh, almost pinning her to the ground.


    But the girl seemed oblivious to the pain, as she crawled forward. She cried out desperately, "Luo Li, quickly put out the fire! Brother Xiaofei treats you as his best friend and takes care of you the most. If you dare to harm Little Aunt, Brother Xiaofei won''t let you off when he comes back."


    When he heard the name ¡°Brother Xiaofei¡±, a tinge of resentment flashed in Luo Li''s eyes. "Li Xiaofei?" he sneered triumphantly. "Give up hope. Your Brother Xiaofei will never return."


    Why had the Cloudy Sky Gang suffered such a disastrous defeat at the hands of the Blackblood Gang? They had had a traitor among them. Who was the traitor? It was Luo Li.


    He and Li Xiaofei were both orphans who had grown up in the Guang''an neighborhood and joined gangs. They worked hard and fought together. But why, in the end, did the foolish and naive Li Xiaofei always have people who liked him wherever he went? Why did he become the hall master of the Cloudy Sky Gang? While he, who was smarter, more ruthless, and worked harder, couldn''t earn the recognition of those around him, and instead had to obey that waste?


    Yes, Li Xiaofei took good care of him on a regular basis. But so what? In Luo Li''s eyes, these so-called caring gestures were nothing but pity.


    "Little Aunt, if you hand over the prescriptions and bone-setting techniques, I''ll put out the fire immediately," said Luo Li, looking at the blind woman surrounded by flames. "If you delay any longer, regret will come too late once you''re engulfed by the flames."


    The blind woman remained silent, her snow-white pupils seemingly looking through Luo Li as they emitted a strange aura. Luo Li suddenly felt a strange palpitation in his heart. He grabbed the hair of the little girl crawling towards him and dragged her over, pressing a shining dagger against her slender neck.


    "Little Aunt, perhaps you''re not afraid of death, but do you want Little Jie to die in front of you?" Luo Li said viciously.


    The blind woman sighed and seemed like she was about to say something, when...


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The deep rumbling of an engine sounded like rolling thunder suddenly approached from afar. Before anyone could react¡ª


    Boom!


    The entrance gate of the neighborhood shattered as if it had been struck by a siege hammer. Fragments sprayed everywhere as the gate flew open. The few Blackblood Gang¡¯s thugs guarding the gate were caught off guard and sent flying by the impact. A heavy-duty motorcycle roared into the neighborhood like a flying black dragon.


    Vroom!


    The motorcycle zoomed past the thugs.


    Screech.


    An emergency brake was skillfully applied as the rider performed a graceful rear-wheel whip. The flying dirt and stones instantly scattered and extinguished the burning firewood.


    A tall and handsome young man jumped off the motorcycle. Cold light flashed in his hand as he cut the hemp rope on the pillar. The woman slipped free, and the young man reached out to catch her slender waist, pulling her into his arms. It was none other than Li Xiaofei.


    "You scoundrels, you''re all going to die!" Li Xiaofei roared like an enraged lion.

 Chapter 7: Let Me Grant Your Wish

    Chapter 7: Let Me Grant Your Wish ¡°Li Xiaofei, you... you''re still alive?¡± Luo Li was drenched in cold sweat, his face filled with shock and disbelief.


    Li Xiaofei ignored him and immediately checked the wound on Little Jie¡¯s leg. The titanium bolt had pierced through her slender thigh, and her frantic struggling had torn the wound open even further. It looked ghastly and the little girl¡¯s face was ashen from pain. She was on the verge of passing out.


    ¡°Little Aunt...¡± Li Xiaofei instinctively called out.


    Before he could finish, Little Aunt was gently exploring Little Jie¡¯s wound with her hands. They were beautiful hands, clean and slender, with delicate fingers like white jade. They possessed a magical quality. A few gentle taps and Little Jie¡¯s bleeding stopped while the pain vanished.


    ¡°She¡¯ll be fine after a few days of rest,¡± Little Aunt said softly. Her voice was cool and clear, with a touch of crispness. It sounded like pearls rolling on a jade plate.


    Li Xiaofei breathed a sigh of relief. Despite being blind, Little Aunt had managed to support him and Little Jie in the slums for so many years because of her miraculous skills in treating external injuries and setting bones. Many of the small-time thugs in the slums would come to Little Aunt for treatment after getting hurt in fights since they couldn¡¯t afford the high costs of hospitals. But her medical skills and prescriptions for treating external injuries had caught the eye of the traitorous Luo Li, who saw them as a means to curry favor with his new masters, leading to the current situation.


    Since Little Aunt was now safe, Li Xiaofei turned his gaze to Luo Li and the others, his eyes filled with murderous rage.


    ¡°Heh heh heh, I wondered who it could be,¡± said Yang Hengkong, the Stone Shattering Palm, as he wiped the blood from his hands and slowly stood up. He sneered, ¡°So it¡¯s just a wandering ghost from the Cloudy Sky Gang who¡¯s come back to court death.¡±


    Li Xiaofei glanced at the innocent corpses of the slum residents strewn across the ground. As the saying went, "When you have a sharp weapon, the intent to kill arises." He would show no mercy since he had the power of the Mighty Vajra Fist, and the ability to sweep away evil.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to die today,¡± Li Xiaofei declared, his eyes locking onto Yang Hengkong.


    ¡°What? Hahahaha!¡± Yang Hengkong laughed as if he¡¯d heard the most ridiculous joke in the world. His laughter was filled with scorn. Holding his belly, he said, ¡°You, a mere waste, dare to boast so grandly?¡±


    Luo Li also laughed. "Hall Master Yang ranks third in the Blackblood Gang with his third stage. He has the inscription bone of the star beast, the Burrowing Beast King, and the secret technique Stone Shattering Palm. He is eleventh on the slum¡¯s Combat Rankings. You, a mere waste at the bottom of Cloudy Sky Gang who¡¯s not even qualified to be on the list, think you can challenge Hall Master Yang? Ridiculous!"


    Li Xiaofei did not want to waste words. He channeled his starforce, preparing the Mighty Vajra Fist. Just then, a phone rang.


    Yang Hengkong took out his phone and answered it. But once he listened for a moment, his previously indifferent expression turned to one of shock and disbelief. He looked at Li Xiaofei, eyes wide with astonishment. ¡°You... you killed Dugu Jue?¡±


    The Ice Crane, Dugu Jue, a practitioner of the New Martial Arts, Ice Crane Killing Fist, was the second-ranked hall master of the Blackblood Gang and ninth on the slum¡¯s Combat Rankings. Luo Li trembled as the smile on his face froze. He could hardly believe what he had just heard.


    The Blackblood Gang¡¯s henchmen fell silent like ducks who had suddenly been caught by the neck. Their eyes turned to Li Xiaofei, filled with disbelief.


    Li Xiaofei said calmly, ¡°That waste couldn¡¯t even take one punch from me.¡±


    A trace of panic appeared in Yang Hengkong¡¯s expression. Dugu Jue was unquestionably stronger than him, and she had been killed by Li Xiaofei. It did not matter what had made Li Xiaofei stronger, but one thing was now clear, Yang Hengkong was no match for him.


    ¡°Brother, I, Yang Hengkong, admit defeat today,¡± he said. Yang Hengkong had not spent years fighting in the slums without honing his ability to adapt and survive. ¡°I concede. We will return all the goods and pure water. What do you say?¡±


    Li Xiaofei looked scornfully at him as he sneered without replying.


    Yang Hengkong continued, "According to our gang''s old rules, I''ll add another 1,000 star coins as compensation for the deceased''s families."


    Li Xiaofei shook his head.


    Yang Hengkong gritted his teeth and made another concession. "Brother, to be honest with you, this whole ordeal against the Guang¡¯an neighborhood was instigated by this scoundrel, Luo Li. He wanted to take your place. I''ll hand him over to you; you can deal with him as you see fit. Let''s end this matter here. What do you say?"


    Luo Li''s face changed drastically. He would be doomed if he fell into Li Xiaofei''s hands.


    "Hall Master Yang, don''t be deceived! This Li Xiaofei is just at the first stage. You could kill him with a single palm strike," Luo Li pleaded desperately. "Besides, I''ve already joined the Blackblood Gang. I''m your brother now..."


    Smack.


    Yang Hengkong slapped Luo Li, knocking him to the ground. "A treacherous scum like you dares to call yourself my brother?"


    Luo Li lay on the ground, clutching his swollen face in disbelief. His eyes flashed with a venomous look, but he dared not voice his anger.


    How did things turn out this way? It¡¯s over. Completely over.


    Li Xiaofei looked at him and said, "Is this the big brother you carefully chose? Do you think he really cares for you?"


    Yang Hengkong looked embarrassed as he defended himself. "Why would I protect such a traitorous scoundrel? Li Xiaofei, are you satisfied now? Can we leave?"


    "No."


    Li Xiaofei shook his head, and said, "I said, you must die today."


    Anger flashed in Yang Hengkong''s eyes. "Li Xiaofei, it''s better to be lenient whenever possible; don''t go too far..." He couldn''t save any more face and spoke harshly, "I, Yang Hengkong, am not afraid of trouble. The Blackblood Gang is not something anyone can provoke. Do you believe that if I give the order, a volley of arrows will only leave a few of these lowly people alive?"


    "I don''t believe you," Li Xiaofei said.


    Swish.


    Li Xiaofei made his move in a flash. He was like a lightning bolt as he shot toward Yang Hengkong. He delivered the Vajra Thunderous Strike as soon as he was within two meters of his opponent. He moved like a vajra, his fist like rolling thunder as a faint golden glow enveloped his fist. The terrifying sound of the air being torn apart was deafening.


    Yang Hengkong couldn''t dodge in time. Desperately gathering his strength, his palms also emitted an orange glow, resembling two stone slabs as he slammed them out forcefully.


    "Great Stone Shattering Palm... ahhhh!," he roared in anger, but in the next instant, his voice turned into a scream of agony.


    Boom!


    The air was filled with blood mist as Yang Hengkong''s arms were turned to bloody pulp. Blood sprayed everywhere as his body crashed heavily on the ground ten meters away. Blood poured from his seven orifices and he died instantly.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s punch had not only shattered his arms but also turned his internal organs to mush. Li Xiaofei straightened calmly. Though Yang Hengkong was also in the third stage, his strength was far inferior to Dugu Jue''s, making him utterly defenseless.


    A chorus of uncontrollable gasps erupted around them. The Blackblood Gang''s thugs were terrified out of their wits. They had seen skilled fighters in the slums, but this was the frist time they¡¯d witnessed someone like Li Xiaofei, who could obliterate a Third Qi Realm expert with a single punch.


    Luo Li was even more shocked and unable to articulate his astonishment. Li Xiaofei''s strength far exceeded his memory and understanding. The Li Xiaofei he remembered definitely didn''t possess such terrifying combat power. That punch alone was enough to rank him in the top ten of the Liuhe Base City''s slum Combat Rankings.


    How did he become so powerful?


    Li Xiaofei turned to Luo Li and said, "Do you have anything else to say?"


    "I... I''m sorry. I deserve to die," Luo Li slowly got to his feet, gritting his teeth. "I was blinded by greed, made a terrible mistake, and betrayed the Cloudy Sky Gang. My sins are unforgivable. I''m sorry to the gang, to the neighbors in the community. You can kill me."


    Of course, he didn''t really want to die. He was gambling. He was betting on that hint of compassion in Li Xiaofei''s character because he knew Li Xiaofei too well. Li Xiaofei was always like this; he was innocent, with a nearly foolish kindness.


    Every time Luo Li had made a mistake in the past, as long as he used this excuse, Li Xiaofei would always forgive him. After all, they had grown up together. It had never failed him.


    "It''s my fault, I''ll take responsibility. Brother Xiaofei, go ahead, I don''t blame you. Let me repay this mistake with my blood. After I die, there''s no need to bury me. Just throw me into the landfill and let the wild dogs gnaw on my body. But you can harvest my organs and sell them to compensate for the losses of the people in the community. I have no regrets, other than the regret that I didn''t have the chance to repay your past kindness..." He looked at Li Xiaofei with a face full of guilt as he passionately declared his sins.


    Li Xiaofei sighed. "If I had known today, why bother in the first place?"


    Luo Li was suddenly overjoyed. Whenever Li Xiaofei said this, it meant that things could be resolved easily.


    Little Jie was also anxious beside him.


    Brother Xiaofei is great in every way. It''s just that he is too soft-hearted, and gets deceived and used by Luo Li time and time again.


    But before Luo Li could celebrate. Li Xiaofei said earnestly, "Alright, since you believe you deserve to die, I''ll grant your wish."


    Huh?


    Luo Li''s joy came to an abrupt halt as astonishment appeared on his face.


    Grant my wish?


    "Wait, I..." He wanted to say something else.


    Boom!


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s fist went right through Luo Li¡¯s head. It was like a pillar had slammed into the latter¡¯s head.


    "I can¡¯t look at the hypocrisy on your face for even another second," said Li Xiaofei as he slowly withdrew his fist and flicked the blood off it.


    Plap.


    Luo Li''s headless body fell to the ground, blood gushing out like a spring as a pool formed on the soil. The small square fell silent instantly as the thugs of the Blackblood Gang trembled in fear.


    Li Xiaofei scanned the area and said, "Go back and tell the leaders of the Blackblood Gang that each deceased from Guang¡¯an neighborhood will receive a settlement of 2000 star coins, to be delivered within three days. If even one star coin is missing, I will personally come to collect it... Now, get lost."


    The terrified thugs scattered like birds and beasts, not daring to wield their weapons against the stronger opponent.


    At that moment, dawn broke. A ray of golden sunlight pierced through the thick leaden clouds like a divine sword to illuminate the earth. The residents of the neighborhood saw the golden sunlight falling on Li Xiaofei, as if he were draped in a layer of gold, making this young man appear even taller and more imposing.


    ***


    Half an hour later, Little Jie was fast asleep on a bed. Her injuries were not light. After receiving treatment from Little Aunt, she still needed rest and nutrition. The room was on the sixth floor, spacious but sparsely furnished. It was Li Xiaofei''s home.


    The dilapidated streets around the neighborhood were covered in yellow sand that had been kicked up by the wind. Since water was in short supply, there was a pervasive sense of desolation and decay everywhere. There was hardly any greenery or vegetation around.


    The atmosphere in the devastated Guang¡¯an neighborhood was somewhat subdued. The only sound was the faint echoes of the cries of the relatives of the deceased. Fortunately, the belongings, food, and water that had been plundered by the Blackblood Gang had been returned to their rightful owners. Otherwise, the lives of the poor would have been even more difficult.


    Li Xiaofei lay bare-chested on the bed in his room. A pair of delicate hands, as white as jade, moved along his body, using a special technique to massage him. The originally cold hands now seemed to be burning with flames. It was a bit itchy and a little hot. Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but squirm especially when the massage continued downwards towards his lower abdomen.


    "Don''t move." Little Aunt said, "You forced yourself to practice martial arts and caused hidden injuries to accumulate in your body. I''m helping you heal."


    Huh?


    Li Xiaofei was stunned.


    When did I get these hidden injuries? S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 8: Leveling Up

    Chapter 8: Leveling Up "Where did you learn this set of martial arts?" Little Aunt asked softly.


    Li Xiaofei had prepared his answer a while ago and replied, "I found a martial arts manual on a corpse outside the sewage plant. He seemed like a skilled martial artist from out of town, but he was severely injured and ended up dying in the slums. The body was already decomposing by the time I found it."


    People died in the slums every day when they met hidden dangers in this chaotic place. Some unfortunate martial artists, who had fallen into dire straits, would tragically meet their end in such a fashion. It was rare, but his explanation was plausible.


    Little Aunt didn''t inquire further since she wasn''t a very curious person to begin with. She continued to massage him. Her tender and fair hands were like exquisite works of art, softly pressing on Li Xiaofei''s bare muscles. The pressure was neither light nor heavy, and it felt very comfortable.


    "This set of martial arts is extraordinary. It¡¯s probably a powerful true ancient martial arts legacy from a certain lineage." Little Aunt''s magical hands pressed down on either side of Li Xiaofei''s spine, as she said lightly, "Your level of starforce cultivation is insufficient, and practicing forcibly injured your muscles and membranes. If you continue like this, you''ll harm your internal organs."


    A faint heat was emanating from her palms and fingers. It seemed to be some kind of energy that permeated through Li Xiaofei''s muscles, blood vessels, and marrow through his pores.


    "Is it that bad?" Li Xiaofei was startled, "Little Aunt, I''ve finally obtained a set of true legacy-level martial arts... I want to continue practicing."


    In the original work of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, mastering the seventy-two stances of the Shaolin Temple required profound Buddhist cultivation. Xiao Yuanshan and Mu Rongbo were both top martial arts masters, but they had nearly played themselves to death by forcibly practicing the seventy-two stances. Even the powerful Mahacakra Jiu Mozhi, who had used the Minor Subtraction skill to activate the seventy-two stances, encountered problems. He had ultimately been forced to disperse his cultivation to save his life. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Could it be that this bug also appeared in me? Surely, I can''t go and cultivate Buddhism again just to practice martial arts.


    Little Aunt''s fair and tender fingers pressed down on Li Xiaofei''s body for a while before she turned to soak her hands in a black ceramic jar filled with medicinal water. Then, she continued massaging using her hands soaked in the medicinal water.


    She repeated this process until Li Xiaofei''s skin was red and his pores were dilated. He felt incredibly comfortable. This was Little Aunt''s unique way of treating injuries. It used a secret medicinal water and unique massage technique. Li Xiaofei had been on the receiving end of this treatment several times before. The previous Li Xiaofei¡¯s tough skin and strong recovery ability was likely due to this set of techniques that Little Aunt used on him.


    "Don''t worry," Little Aunt said lightly. "A massage can temporarily alleviate the hidden injuries after each practice session."


    Li Xiaofei was overjoyed at the news. He could enjoy a massage while healing, so life seemed quite good.


    Huh? Wait a minute, how does Little Aunt, a blind recluse, know so much?


    But then Little Aunt continued, "However, massage is not the ultimate solution. If you want to completely master this martial art, you need to find a way to enhance your starforce cultivation and advance into the Limit Breaking Realm. Once you have a powerful starforce to nurture your body, you should be able to bear the burden of the martial art."


    Li Xiaofei listened thoughtfully as Little Aunt finished the massage. She said, "Also, you killed two hall masters of the Blackblood Gang. They won''t let it go easily. You should take the time to recover and think about how to deal with the trouble ahead," she said.


    She tidied up the bottles and jars in the room before leaving. She seemed like a fairy with her graceful figure and ethereal steps. Her figure would have easily attracted millions of followers with just a few photos of her back five hundred years ago. She definitely would have been an internet celebrity. The only pity was her face that had been marred by disfigurement. There must be a story behind Little Aunt''s appearance.


    The door closed with a bang, and Li Xiaofei dressed himself. He walked to the window, looking over the desolate neighborhood from the sixth floor as he began to think.


    Two things were absolutely necessary to deal with the Blackblood Gang: strength and influence. He knew that there were two methods for martial artists to increase their starforce level. One was through breathing techniques, and the other was by using substances such as reagents and star cores.


    The former had a low cost but was slow. Its efficiency would remain low unless one mastered high-level breathing techniques. On the other hand, the latter offered speed but came with a high cost.


    Starforce Reagents were synthetic substances produced by some technology companies. They delivered energy into the martial artist''s body through ingestion, rapidly increasing starforce cultivation. Conversely, star cores were natural energy crystals found inside star beasts. Obtaining them required hunting star beasts, and the energy they provided was relatively primitive. He would also need the special instruments needed to absorb the energy from star cores.


    Whether it was Starforce Reagents, star cores, or star core absorption devices, they were far beyond the monetary capacity of ordinary martial artists in the slums.


    "The Mighty Vajra Fist is a combat technique, not a heart technique. The reason I advanced to the second stage was because my previous self had enough accumulation and broke through the shackles in battle. That won¡¯t work every time. I need to find a breathing technique of a higher level than the Clear Spring Breathing Technique to quickly increase my starforce level. At the same time, I also need to figure out a way to obtain Starforce Reagents, star cores, and training instruments. I must try both ways as both are equally important."


    Li Xiaofei had a plan in mind. In 2022, he loved Chinese martial arts, valued chivalry, and dreamed of traveling the world with a sword. Many of his words and actions, which imitated the hero in books, were jokingly referred to as chuuni syndrome by his friends. They always said he lived in martial arts novels. It was an era that was incompatible with him. But now... Li Xiaofei liked this world. Since he had come to an era where everyone practiced martial arts, he wanted to fulfill his martial arts dream and experience being a hero.


    Shouldering mountains and crossing seas; soaring through the sky and traveling the world with a sword to seek justice and revenge. Not pretending and not fearing. Drawing his sword in anger against injustice! Standing at the pinnacle of martial arts, slaying star beasts, and protecting the people of the nation with a proud laugh. This, perhaps, was the true meaning of transmigration.


    Moreover, resources were scarce in the current world, and it was a dog-eat-dog world where only the strong survived. He wanted to, and needed to, become stronger to protect himself and his loved ones. The more Li Xiaofei thought about it, the more excited he became. The blood in his chest started to burn, and his spirit started to soar.


    He quietly called out to the Moonlight Treasure Box in his heart. If he could draw internal cultivation techniques like the Innate Art or the Nine Yang Divine Art from the Time Pavilion of the Jin Yong martial arts world, perhaps he could replace breathing techniques to cultivate starforce. He didn''t know what the effect would be.


    But the response from the Moonlight Treasure Box killed his idea of cheating.


    "Sorry, the chance to draw martial arts techniques is not fixed. It depends on meeting certain conditions." A voice sounded.


    "What conditions?" asked Li Xiaofei.


    "You''ll know when the time comes," the voice replied.


    "Oh, come on. This is no different from not saying anything at all. By the way, why can you answer questions during the day? Don''t you need moonlight to function?" Li Xiaofei asked curiously again.


    The Moonlight Treasure Box replied, "One minute of charging provides six hours of battery life."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless. It sounded pretty impressive. But the Moonlight Treasure Box''s function was limited to the Time Pavilion for now. The next time it could be activated was... 62 hours later.


    Li Xiaofei abandoned the idea of extracting internal cultivation techniques.


    "I can''t cheat, I''ll have to figure out a way in the real world. I wonder if the Blackblood Gang has any higher-level breathing techniques or cultivation resources. If they do, I can snatch them for myself. After all, from what I remember, these slum gangs are all bloodsuckers who prey on the weak, so robbing them is like robbing the rich to help the poor.¡±


    Li Xiaofei smiled contentedly as he settled on his goal. ¡°Let''s set a small goal first, to become invincible in the slums."


    At that moment, he heard someone outside of his room.


    Knock, knock, knock!


    Someone was urgently knocking on the door.

 Chapter 9: Changes In The Gang

    Chapter 9: Changes In The Gang ¡°Come in,¡± Li Xiaofei said, looking towards the door.


    A chubby boy rushed in hurriedly. ¡°Brother Xiaofei, something terrible has happened!¡±


    The chubby boy''s name was Yang Cheng. He had been one of Li Xiaofei¡¯s trusted confidants in the Cloudy Sky Gang.


    ¡°Calm down and explain. What happened?¡± asked Li Xiaofei.


    ¡°The old president is severely injured and can barely hold on. Hurry, we need to go to headquarters. The old president... he¡¯s holding on with his last breath, waiting for you to return and take over as president,¡± replied Yang Cheng.


    ¡°What?¡± Li Xiaofei was shocked.


    The slums of Liuhua Base City were home to seven major gangs: the Cloudy Sky Gang, the Blackblood Gang, the Moon Manor Gang, the Sewage Plant Gang, the Little Knife Gang, the Thunderfire Gang, and the Dragon Fang Gang.


    Li Xiaofei belonged to the Cloudy Sky Gang, which had six main halls and over a hundred members. They were ranked second to last among the seven gangs, since they were only slightly larger than the Dragon Fang Gang, which was mainly composed of undocumented adventurers.


    However, thanks to the old president Zhong Yuanshan, a master at the peak of the fifth stage and the second most powerful figure in the slums, the Cloudy Sky Gang''s overall strength ranked third among the seven gangs.


    It was no exaggeration to say that Zhong Yuanshan, also known as the Swift Sword, single-handedly supported the entire Cloudy Sky Gang. Without him, the gang was likely to disband. Zhong Yuanshan was an upright person, a rare kind-hearted leader in the slums. But more importantly, he was Li Xiaofei¡¯s mentor.


    The previous Li Xiaofei had risen from a powerless, impoverished youth to become one of the six Hall Masters of Cloudy Sky Gang all due to Zhong Yuanshan¡¯s dedicated mentorship. But this benefactor of his had been gravely injured?


    ¡°What happened?¡± Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart sank, and he hurriedly asked, ¡°Who injured the old president?¡±


    ¡°It was Dugu Que from the Blackblood Gang. He challenged the old president this morning and defeated him with three strikes in the ring,¡± Yang Cheng quickly explained.


    Dugu Que? The son of Blackblood Gang¡¯s leader, Dugu Yilong?


    That didn¡¯t make sense. According to this body''s memories, that guy was a wastrel who indulged in all sorts of vices from a young age and constantly caused trouble. Rumor had it that he hadn¡¯t even started cultivating starforce. But that supposed wastrel had defeated Zhong Yuanshan, the second most powerful figure in the slums, with just three strikes in the ring?


    ¡°It''s unbelievable, but everyone saw it with their own eyes,¡± Yang Cheng said, his face showing the same disbelief. It was like he had seen a ghost. ¡°Dugu Que has suddenly become a master, and he sent the old president flying with just three strikes. Before leaving, Dugu Que declared that we must surrender unconditionally within three days, or he would exterminate us.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you notify me earlier?¡± asked Li Xiaofei.


    ¡°We couldn¡¯t reach you...¡± replied Yang Cheng.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to headquarters,¡± Li Xiaofei said, immediately putting on his clothes. He couldn¡¯t ignore the debt of gratitude that he owed to his current body¡¯s mentor.


    The heavy motorcycle roared to life under his hands in the courtyard. Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t wait any longer and sped off.


    Yang Cheng stood there, stunned, waving his arms frantically. ¡°Hall Master, I haven¡¯t gotten on the bike yet! I haven¡¯t gotten on!¡± He panted heavily as he chased after him.


    ***


    At the same time, at the headquarters of the Cloudy Sky Gang.


    The headquarters had been converted from an abandoned elementary school, making it a notable landmark in the slums. It was usually bustling with people, but now it was eerily quiet. The front yard housed a training ground, an office hall, an armory, and a parking lot. The backyard served as the private residence of the old president Zhong Yuanshan and his family.


    Cries could be heard from the inner room. Inside, the old president Zhong Yuanshan lay on a large bed, his face as pale as gold leaf and his breathing weak. His eldest daughter Zhong Ling, his adopted son Zhong Yang, the gang''s First Hall Master Zhong Yuanbo, and several Cloudy Sky Gang leaders were all gathered around the bed, their faces full of concern.


    ¡°Father, if there''s anything you need to say, say it now,¡± Zhong Yang, the adopted son, urged, showing little sign of grief. ¡°The gang can''t be leaderless for even a day.¡±


    ¡°Wait... Wait for Xiaofei to return,¡± Zhong Yuanshan barely managed to whisper as he clung to life. His eyes remained fixed on the door, waiting for the young man he had chosen.


    ¡°Father, are you really planning to hand the gang over to that outsider?¡± Zhong Yang cried out in exasperation. ¡°I am your son, how can you do this to me?¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Zhong Yuanshan roared weakly. ¡°He is your senior brother, and will be your future brother-in-law. Who said he¡¯s an outsider?! Cough cough cough.¡± His rage at his useless son caused a fit of coughing, exacerbating his injuries and causing him to spit out a mouthful of blood that stained the bed sheets.


    ¡°Little Yang, can you please be quiet and let father rest for a while?¡± his daughter, Zhong Ling, urgently pleaded.


    First Hall Master Zhong Yuanbo also chimed in, ¡°Yes, Little Yang, what are you saying? Apologize and let the president rest. Everything will be discussed when Hall Master Li Xiaofei returns.¡± He gave Zhong Yang a meaningful look.


    Understanding the signal, Zhong Yang quickly said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Father, I was wrong.¡±


    Zhong Yuanshan''s heaving chest gradually calmed when he heard that. ¡°I¡¯m doing this for your own good. You don''t have the ability to support this gang.¡±


    Zhong Yang grew impatient. He glanced at the other leaders in the room and said, ¡°Alright, my father needs to rest. Everyone, please leave and wait outside.¡± The leaders exchanged looks, sighed collectively, and then turned to leave.


    Bang. Sea?ch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The door closed behind them. Zhong Yuanshan¡¯s face showed a hint of helplessness as he slowly looked at his eldest daughter, Zhong Ling, and gently raised his hand to caress her hair.


    This old man, who had spent half his life navigating the complexities of the slums in Liuhe Base City, was most worried about his daughter. He had sent Zhong Ling out of the slums to the civilian district since she was a child to be educated in the rule-of-law district. She had lived a life of comfort and was ignorant of how harsh reality could be. Without his protection, she could easily fall into a dire situation.


    Looking at his daughter with a kind expression, Zhong Yuanshan solemnly instructed, ¡°Little Ling, I fear I won¡¯t make it through today. From now on, Li Xiaofei is your fiance. Once you graduate, you must marry him immediately. Do you understand?¡±


    Zhong Ling, feeling wronged, replied, ¡°Father, I¡¯ve always seen Li Xiaofei as a brother. I... I don''t have feelings for him.¡±


    Zhong Yuanshan shook his head weakly, ¡°I know about the friends you¡¯ve made, but they are unreliable... Trust me, I won¡¯t lead you astray.¡±


    Zhong Ling pouted, choosing to remain silent in defiance.


    Zhong Yuanshan continued, ¡°I¡¯ve arranged everything. When Li Xiaofei returns, I will transfer the position of gang president to him. At that time...¡±


    But before he could finish his sentence...


    Splash.


    A steel blade was thrust into Zhong Yuanshan¡¯s chest.

 Chapter 10: A Changed Man

    Chapter 10: A Changed Man "Since you''re so stubborn, I''ll send you off early, you old bastard. You won''t be waiting for that little bastard Li Xiaofei to come back," snarled Zhong Yuanbo, the First Hall Master, his face twisted in a vicious sneer as he held the steel sword. Sea??h the Novel?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Ah..." Zhong Ling wanted to scream, but Zhong Yang swiftly covered her mouth.


    "If you don''t want to die, slut, you should be quiet."


    The sixteen-year-old boy had a venomous expression as he threatened his sister. Zhong Ling was just a pampered schoolgirl and had never witnessed such a bloody scene. She completely lost her composure, trembling with fear as tears streamed down her face.


    Zhong Yuanshan''s limbs convulsed, his eyes wide with anger, until he finally breathed his last. His body lay on the bed, eyes refusing to close even in death. Blood slowly soaked through the sheets. The second most skilled fighter in the slums never imagined that his beloved youngest son and his most loyal nephew would conspire against him. Unfortunately, Zhong Yuanshan couldn¡¯t wait for Li Xiaofei, the successor he had chosen, in his final moments.


    "Rest assured, sister, I won''t kill you," Zhong Yang sneered. "I''ll keep you alive to be presented to the young master of the Blackblood Gang in three days. You should obediently serve him, and your brother''s position as the head of the gang will be secure. Don''t utter a single word about anything else. Say one more word, and I''ll have someone beat you to death. Understand?" Zhong Yang threatened his sister viciously.


    Zhong Ling''s heart trembled. It dawned on her that her brother had likely been in cahoots with the Blackblood Gang for a long time. It was all a premeditated conspiracy. It was over. Everything was over. Even Li Xiaofei¡¯s return wouldn''t be enough to salvage anything. She collapsed, paralyzed with terror, on the ground. She could only choose to cooperate obediently. The room fell silent.


    After a moment, Zhong Yang and Zhong Yuanbo walked into the courtyard with sorrowful expressions.


    Zhong Yang spoke loudly as he faced the other leaders of the gang. "My father has passed away. But he passed the position of president to me before his death. I will be calling the shots from now on. My father also told me that Li Xiaofei harbored rebellious intentions and that we need to swiftly clean the gang of him."


    "I testify that everything Yang said is true." The First Hall Master, Zhong Yuanbo, also chimed in.


    At the same time, he released the oppressive aura of his own third stage strength as he scanned the crowd. The leaders exchanged glances. Those with sharper minds had already vaguely understood what was happening. But no one dared to speak in the face of the dominant hall master. Zhong Yang nodded in satisfaction, as did Zhong Yuanbo. The latter looked at Zhong Yang as if he were looking at an exemplary puppet.


    ***


    Boom!


    The engine roared. Li Xiaofei¡¯s heavy motorcycle roared as he charged into the courtyard. He saw the already set-up white mourning hall at a glance, and his heart trembled.


    This isn''t good. Has my master already departed?


    "Li Xiaofei, where the hell have you been? You didn''t answer your damn phone, and you¡¯re only back now?" Zhong Yang burst out of the mourning hall, taking the lead in confronting Li Xiaofei as he started swearing at him.


    Li Xiaofei ignored him and strode into the mourning hall. He saw his master, the former second strongest of the slums, Zhong Yuanshan, now dressed in funeral clothes. His face was pale as he lay quietly in the white jade coffin. His eyes were forever closed.


    A nineteen-year-old girl knelt in front of the coffin. The girl had snow-white skin and picturesque features. Her appearance was exceptionally delicate and beautiful. Her slender figure gave her a rare beauty among the women of the slums.


    She wore a full set of white mourning clothes. Tears soaked through the fabric, making her look even more pitiful. She was none other than Zhong Yuanshan''s eldest daughter, Zhong Ling.


    Zhong Ling looked up, tears welling in her eyes as she glanced at Li Xiaofei. She wanted to speak, but she hesitated. Li Xiaofei nodded to her. He knelt in front of the white stone coffin, offering incense and wine, and solemnly knocked his head on the ground three times.


    "Master, rest assured, I will definitely kill Dugu Que and avenge you," he said solemnly. One should return one¡¯s favors when one is indebted. The debt of killing one''s master must be repaid.


    "Avenge him? Just you?" Zhong Yang''s arrogant and icy laughter rang out, "Li Xiaofei, who do you think you are? Do you think you''re qualified to boast in this mourning hall?


    Li Xiaofei slowly stood up and bowed respectfully to the elderly person sleeping in the coffin.


    He turned and asked calmly, "When will the funeral of the former president be held?"


    "None of your damn business," Zhong Yang said, not hiding his arrogance, "This old man is my father, not yours. I''ll bury him whenever I want..."


    But before he could finish his sentence...


    Smack.


    Li Xiaofei slapped him. Caught off guard, Zhong Yang spun clockwise in place from the force of the blow. Blood flowed from his mouth and nose.


    "You... How dare you hit me?" He was stunned as he looked at Li Xiaofei in disbelief.


    "This slap is to teach you that it''s disrespectful and indecent to use foul language and show disrespect in the mourning hall while your father''s body is still warm," Li Xiaofei said calmly.


    Zhong Yang fumed, "Who the hell do you think you are? You''re just a dog raised by my Zhong family..."


    Smack.


    Li Xiaofei backhanded him with another slap, sending Zhong Yang spinning counterclockwise.


    "This slap is to teach you to respect your senior brother," Li Xiaofei said calmly, "If you dare to curse one more time, I''ll break your mouth."


    Zhong Yang froze as he finally felt fear. He covered his face, looking at Li Xiaofei with a mix of shock and anger.


    What''s going on? Li Xiaofei seems like a different person. In the past, he wouldn''t retaliate even if he was cursed at, let alone hit back.


    "Li Xiaofei, you''re too arrogant and domineering." A bald middle-aged man walked into the mourning hall and accused, "The former president hasn''t even been laid to rest, and you''re laying hands on his most beloved adopted son in the mourning hall. Do you still regard me as the head of this hall?"


    Li Xiaofei furrowed his brow. His previous memories told him that this man was Zhong Yuanbo. He was the nephew of the former president, a third stage cultivator, and the First Hall Master of the Cloudy Sky Gang. He was also an ambitious person.


    The former president had been able to restrain him while he had been alive, but as soon as the former president died, he couldn''t wait to cause trouble.


    "What''s wrong with disciplining a junior brother as a senior brother?" said Li Xiaofei, countering his words. He was Zhong Yuanshan''s disciple, so he could be considered Zhong Yang''s senior brother.


    "Even if you''re a senior brother, you shouldn''t resort to violence in the mourning hall. Little Yang is the child your master painstakingly raised," Zhong Yuanbo sneered coldly, not mincing his words, "I see you clearly intend to rebel after seeing the president''s death... Guards!"


    Footsteps echoed. Thirty or forty elite swordsmen, who had long since been waiting, appeared both inside and outside the mourning hall. The blades gleamed and the air turned chilly.


    Li Xiaofei''s expression remained unchanged. To be honest, he was surprised at how quickly he had adapted to this dog-eat-dog world. When he first crossed over, scenes like this might have made his legs weak. But now? He couldn''t be intimidated anymore.


    Zhong Yang became arrogant again when the situation turned against Li Xiaofei.


    "Li Xiaofei, you didn''t expect this, did you? We were prepared long ago." He gloated, laughing heartily, "Haha, now kneel and beg for my forgiveness, otherwise, I''ll let you die a miserable death under these blades."


    "Kneel now," Zhong Yuanbo also shouted sternly.


    Clang clang clang.


    More than thirty swordsmen raised their swords to point at Li Xiaofei. Cold light flashed in the grand mourning hall, and the air was filled with a menacing aura.

 Chapter 11: Why Did You Have To Force Me

    Chapter 11: Why Did You Have To Force Me On the side, Zhong Ling was suddenly trembling with fear at this unexpected change. She was like a tender seedling in a greenhouse. She had been too sheltered by Zhong Yuanshan. She rarely dealt with gang-related matters and had never encountered such a scene, so she was completely at a loss.


    "You guys really can''t wait," Li Xiaofei sighed as he calmly said, "I''ll give you a chance. Put away your swords. We¡¯ll first handle the former president''s funeral properly, and discuss the rest later.¡±


    "Puit," Zhong Yang spat to the side. "Give us a chance? But I don''t want to give you a chance today."


    Zhong Yuanbo also sneered, "No one can save you today, I''m going to clean the house for the Cloudy Sky Gang... Kill him."


    Swish swish swish.


    Four swords glinted in the morning air as they flew at Li Xiaofei. He didn¡¯t even glance at them as he threw a punch.


    Boom!


    His Qi surged. The swords were repelled by an invisible force and sent flying back.


    "Ahhh!" Four swordsmen were struck by the blades and fell screaming.


    Huh?


    Zhong Yuanbo had been confident, but his expression slightly changed. That punch had been of the second stage at the very minimum.


    ¡°Li Xiaofei broke through to the Second Qi Realm? Well, it¡¯s still just the second stage. The situation is still under control,¡± Zhong Yuanbo muttered to himself.


    He sneered coldly, "Heh, no wonder you dare to be so arrogant. You''ve been hiding your true strength. Well, it seems like I¡¯ll have to personally kill you."


    He stepped forward. His starforce circulated, forming a faint silver glow on his body. The third stage put Zhong Yuanbo as one of the top experts in the slums. As he circulated his starforce, the air around Zhong Yuanbo''s body formed swirling vortices that caused visible distortions. A faint pressure permeated the surroundings.


    "I really didn''t want to disturb the president''s spirit in heaven," Li Xiaofei''s face showed a hint of helplessness as he sighed. "But... you foolish waste, why did you have to force me?"


    Li Xiaofei no longer hesitated and immediately attacked with the Vajra Thunderous Strike. His body was like lightning and his punch sounded like thunder. In an instant, his fist was buried in Zhong Yuanbo''s abdomen.


    Crack.


    The latter didn''t even react. His starforce vortex was shattered, and he curled up like a shrimp as he fell to his knees. The room instantly quieted as everyone started in dumbfounded amazement.


    "Ahhhh!" Zhong Yuanbo spat out stomach acid. He let out an unbelievable howl from the depths of his throat as he knelt, "You... how... can you... be so strong?"


    That punch had been too terrifying. He hadn¡¯t been able to dodge or even defend against it.


    How is this the second stage?! He¡¯s probably at no less than the fourth stage!


    "My first principle in life is that I¡¯ll kill whoever tries to kill me," Li Xiaofei said as he grabbed Zhong Yuanbo''s head and dragged him to the coffin. He forced him to bow by pressing his head down. "My master has just passed, but as his nephew, you are hastily causing trouble and showing no filial piety."


    "As a Hall Master of the Cloudy Sky Gang, you only think of power struggles at this critical moment of life and death, harming the interests of the gang and showing no loyalty. Someone as disloyal and unfilial as you wanting to kill me deserves to be wiped out with one punch. But you are my master''s nephew, so for the sake of my master''s spirit in heaven..." Li Xiaofei paused slightly, seemingly contemplating how to handle the situation.


    Zhong Yuanbo had been extremely frightened, but when he heard this, he felt a sudden relief. It seemed like he might survive.


    Li Xiaofei, although you¡¯ve gotten stronger, you''re still the same foolish and soft-hearted person. If you spare me today, I''ll find an opportunity to obliterate you completely in the future.


    But Li Xiaofei continued, "... I''ll leave you with an intact corpse."


    Zhong Yuanbo''s pupils suddenly contracted. He was shocked by the decision. Shouldn''t he have been forgiven after all that buildup?


    "No no no, Master Li!" Zhong Yuanbo panicked, pleading hurriedly, "I was wrong. I shouldn''t have schemed against you or contested for the position of president."


    Zhong Yuanbo desperately begged, "You''ll be the president of the Cloudy Sky Gang from now on. Spare me, and I''ll be your dog."


    "The position of president?" Li Xiaofei shook his head. "I''m not interested in that."


    "This is just a misunderstanding, it''s all a misunderstanding..." Zhong Yuanbo said.


    "It''s not a misunderstanding," Li Xiaofei said, "But even if I''m not interested in it, you can''t snatch it. Moreover, I don''t like dogs."


    Crack.


    Li Xiaofei snapped his neck with a quick twist of his wrist and Zhong Yuanbo¡¯s body fell limp in front of the coffin. Li Xiaofei wouldn''t give a ruthless and cunning conspirator like him a chance to turn the tables. Killing him was the most convenient option. Then, he looked at the swordsmen around him.


    "Aren''t you going to back off?" asked Li Xiaofei as his gaze swept over them like a blade. "Do you want to force me to slaughter my own brothers?"


    The swordsmen looked at each other in fear. When they glanced at the four motionless bodies on the ground and the hall master with his broken neck, they chose to retreat.


    The smile on Zhong Yang''s face had gradually turned into fear. Even Zhong Yuanbo, who was at the third stage, had been so easily defeated. The swordsmen he had arranged for were nothing but amateurs. What should he do now?


    "Come here and kneel," Li Xiaofei said, pointing at the coffin.


    Thump.


    Trembling with fear, Zhong Yang obediently approached the coffin and knelt.


    "Brother-in-law, please don''t kill me," he pleaded, shaking with fear.


    "What did you just call me?" Li Xiaofei furrowed his brow slightly.


    "My father left a will before he died, stating that Zhong Ling will marry you after she graduates. From now on, she''s your fiance..." Zhong Yang smiled obsequiously, quickly trying to please Li Xiaofei. "Hehe, brother-in-law, we''re family now. You wouldn''t kill me, would you?"


    Oh? There''s such a will? Sea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei looked at Zhong Ling. At that moment, she happened to meet his eyes for a moment before quickly lowering her gaze. That one instant was all Li Xiaofei needed to sense the resentment, fear, and resistance in Zhong Ling''s eyes. There was no shyness or joy. He instantly understood her feelings towards him.


    Smack.


    He slapped Zhong Yang across the face. "My teacher never said such words. You remembered it wrong,"


    Zhong Ling abruptly lifted her head upon hearing this, her expression astonished.

 Chapter 12: Tiger Roar Breathing Technique

    Chapter 12: Tiger Roar Breathing Technique Zhong Yang''s eyes sparkled with grievance. "I didn''t remember anything wrong, my father really said..."


    Smack.


    Li Xiaofei slapped him again. "I''m telling you, you remembered wrong."


    But even though his face had swollen to the point where it resembled a pig, Zhong Yang still didn''t understand. But he dared not insist anymore. "Yes yes yes, I remembered wrong, my father didn''t say that."


    "Very good, don''t believe rumors and don''t spread rumors," replied Li Xiaofei as he nodded satisfactorily. "Miss Zhong Ling is a pure and virtuous young lady of noble character. I''m not worthy, and my teacher would never betroth his beloved daughter to a ruffian like me."


    It was only now that Zhong Yang realized what was going on.


    What a bootlicker. He had truly licked to the depths of the sky.


    Li Xiaofei continued, "From now on, this matter is never to be mentioned again."


    This surprised Zhong Ling even more. She was confident in her own beauty. She had always felt like a fragrant white lotus that grew out of the stinking mud of the slums. The flower rose from the mud but was not tainted, washed in the clear stream but did not become demonic.


    Zhong Ling looked down on everything about the slums. There was no place for Li Xiaofei nor the slums in her future plans. She only wanted to leave and become someone who walked in the sunlight.


    Yes, Li Xiaofei had once cared for Zhong Ling. But so what? She simply couldn''t look at such a narrow-minded person. However, for some reason, Zhong Ling''s mood became complicated when Li Xiaofei casually dissolved the engagement. Li Xiaofei''s thunderous methods in dealing with Zhong Yang also gave her a huge shock.


    Zhong Ling had to admit that this young man seemed different from what she remembered. But what of it? In the end, he was just a gangster from the slums. He wasn¡¯t worthy of her.


    Zhong Ling breathed out gently. "Thank you, Brother Xiaofei."


    "Well, rest assured, I will always be my master''s disciple. Since you¡¯re willing to call me brother, I will protect you no matter what happens in the future," Li Xiaofei said lightly. This was also the only way to repay his master.


    Zhong Ling nodded and looked at Zhong Yang, who was quietly pleading for mercy. But she ultimately did not reveal the true cause of her father''s death. The direct culprit, Zhong Yuanbo, was already dead, and since Zhong Yang was still her younger brother, she began to soften a bit. Secondly, in Zhong Ling''s view, even though Li Xiaofei had become stronger, he was not a match for the terrifying new rising genius of the Blackblood Gang, Dugu Que.


    She would have to find a solution herself to resolve the deadlock. If all else failed, she would have to seek help from those senior brothers at school with influential backgrounds.


    "The priority now is to arrange the master''s funeral," Li Xiaofei said lightly.


    He didn''t try to guess Zhong Ling''s thoughts. The girl was indeed very beautiful, and his previous self had been attracted to her. But five hundred years ago in 2022, Li Xiaofei had understood that being a lapdog didn''t lead to a good end.


    Moreover, for Li Xiaofei, who harbored a martial arts dream, martial arts were the eternal pursuit. Women were just embellishments on the martial arts path. They could be there or not; it didn''t matter.


    The reason Zhong Yuanshan had left a command in his will for Zhong Ling to marry him was simply an attempt to protect his daughter. In Li Xiaofei''s view, he would have fulfilled Zhong Yuanshan''s wish as long as he took good care of Zhong Ling, and whether she married him or not didn''t matter.


    After stabilizing the situation, Li Xiaofei walked out of the mourning hall and coincidentally met the panting Yang Cheng.


    "Brother Fei, I didn''t get on the motorcycle just now, I..." Yang Cheng gasped. His tongue was hanging out as he bent over. He felt like his lungs were about to explode.


    "Next time, move faster," Li Xiaofei interrupted calmly, "Summon the heads of the gang for a meeting."


    "Yes." Poor Yang Cheng was still gasping for breath as he ran off to make arrangements.


    The impromptu meeting was quickly convened. When Li Xiaofei truly understood the current situation of the Cloudy Sky Gang, he couldn''t help but be surprised. The situation was even worse than he had imagined.


    The Cloudy Sky Gang had lost three hall masters, including Fang Sheng, and nearly a hundred members in the surprise attack by the Blackblood Gang last night. The deaths of Zhong Yuanshan and Zhong Yuanbo had reduced the highest ranks of the Cloudy Sky Gang to Li Xiaofei and another hall master named Chu Yuntian. It was clear to anyone with eyes that the Cloudy Sky Gang was finished. The monkeys were scattering when the tree fell.


    In just half a day, half of the gang''s members had deserted. Now, there were fewer than fifty members left. Apart from a few loyal old members, the rest were all watching and ready to flee at any moment. Li Xiaofei''s display of formidable combat ability had naturally cemented him as the backbone of the gang. Eyes filled with hope all turned to him in the meeting room.


    "I''ll only make three points," Li Xiaofei began. "Firstly, everyone should stick to their roles and not interfere with others. Secondly, I''ll handle the threat from the Blackblood Gang myself. Thirdly, anyone who wants to leave the gang can do so anytime, but don''t blame me for being merciless with my fists if you dare embezzle the gang''s assets before leaving. Fourthly, from now on, I will call the shots in the Cloudy Sky Gang. Fifthly..." Li Xiaofei paused.


    The audience was puzzled.


    Didn''t he say there were only three points?


    Finally, Li Xiaofei scanned the crowd and concluded by saying, "That''s all I have to say. Who supports it, and who opposes it?"


    No one dared to speak.


    Third Hall Master Chu Yuntian took the lead in seconding. "The former President has long wanted to pass the position to you. Since you¡¯re willing to step forward to turn the tide, we''ll follow your lead."


    No one else had any objections.


    "Very well," Li Xiaofei nodded in satisfaction. "No need to rush, everyone. Let''s wait until we''ve overcome the crisis before officially electing the president."


    There were no further objections from the crowd. Consequently, Li Xiaofei legally obtained the highest authority key of the Cloudy Sky Gang. He chose to enter President Zhong Yuanshan''s office first.


    The office was spacious, with amenities like a small training room, a tea table, a calligraphy desk, and most importantly, a Starry Sky Third Generation non-portable heavy-duty light-core computer. That was Li Xiaofei''s target.


    The computer occupied five square meters of space. It looked like a virtual cockpit from 2022. Five and a half metal arms arced over the back of the cockpit, resembling arms, as four light blue, coin-sized cursor dots hung at a thirty-degree angle from the cockpit.


    This light-core computer was the most valuable asset of the Cloudy Sky Gang. Normally, only President Zhong Yuanshan was allowed to use this light-core computer. Li Xiaofei quickly sat in the cockpit, activated the light-core computer, entered the password, and successfully started it up.


    "Please verify iris." The computer prompt appeared.


    The central metal arm moved in front of Li Xiaofei, shimmering with a faint silver light. He leaned forward slightly, eyes widened, to meet the cursor. A beam of light scanned his eye.


    "Iris verification passed, respected Operator Number Two, good afternoon," the light-core computer announced, all functions activated.


    The other four cursor dots immediately started to pulse with energy as a pale silver, futuristic 250-centimeter screen appeared before him. It was only then that Li Xiaofei felt the weight of five hundred years of technological innovation. The slums had reminded him of the chaos of old Shanghai in the early 20th century.


    The reason Li Xiaofei had full access to the light-core computer was because Zhong Yuanshan had set it up before his death. Only the two of them had known about this secret. Zhong Yuanshan had nurtured Li Xiaofei quite fondly; however, he had said that Li Xiaofei could only use this light-core computer when he became the president of the Cloudy Sky Gang. Today, the conditions had been met. Decades of accumulated wealth, various confidential files, channels, and more were stored in this light-core computer.


    The Cloudy Sky Gang had stood in the slums for more than thirty years. They owned quite a few fixed assets and a certain amount of legitimate deposits. After browsing through the computer, Li Xiaofei gained a clearer understanding of the current situation of the Cloudy Sky Gang. But he didn''t touch the money. A gentleman loves money, but only takes it rightfully.


    Soon, a specially marked doubly encrypted folder appeared on the screen. Zhong Yuanshan had specifically prepared the file for Li Xiaofei before his death. Li Xiaofei entered the password Zhong Yuanshan had mentioned before, along with iris verification, and successfully opened it.


    Inside were three video files named ¡°Tiger Roar Breathing Technique¡±, ¡°Gale Sword Technique¡±, and ¡°Gale Steps¡±. They were all martial arts manuals.


    Li Xiaofei was thrilled at the sight. What he lacked most now was a breathing technique for practicing starforce. LIttle Aunt said that he could only fully control the Mighty Vajra Fist by quickly improving his Starforce Level. He eagerly opened the video for the Tiger Roar Breathing Technique. Sea??h the N?vel(F)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 13: Starforce Reagent

    Chapter 13: Starforce Reagent "Lips sealed, tongue against palate, breathe solely through the nostrils. When exerting force, a tiger''s roar emerges, forming a complete Qi sphere." A beautiful virtual female figure began to explain.


    The Tiger Roar Breathing Technique was a cultivation method of the ancient martial arts lineage of Great Xia. Its founder was Dong Wanchuan, a semi-saint figure from three hundred years ago. Dong Wanchuan was said to be a descendant of the Great Xia''s Xingyi Clan.


    He was extraordinarily talented, and stood out in history. After the invasion of star beasts, he rose rapidly and was said to have saved millions of people from their fangs and claws. However, even the great eventually fell on the battlefield.


    In a massive battle in the year 2245, he perished alongside a Grade Six star beast, the Thunder Axe Beast, to protect tens of millions of people in Lanfu Base City. Dong Wanchuan had left behind many martial arts inheritance methods, but most of them were lost due to the war. Only a few were passed down through generations.


    However, since they were incompatible with the rapidly developing Starforce Martial Arts System, they were gradually eliminated. This Tiger Roar Breathing Technique, which was considered a marginal skill in Dong Wanchuan''s inheritance, was only passed down because it was suitable for beginner cultivation.


    However, even so, in an era where aristocratic families controlled core martial arts techniques, Third Grade techniques like the Tiger Roar Breathing Technique were rare in small city slums like Liuhe Base City. It was likely that Zhang Yuanshan had to pay a price to obtain such a complete breathing technique. After all, one had to reach the second stage to cultivate a Third Grade technique.


    Li Xiaofei had broken through to the second stage in his battle, which met the conditions perfectly. After watching the Tiger Roar Breathing Technique video, Li Xiaofei also browsed through the videos of the Gale Sword Technique and Gale Steps.


    The former was Zhang Yuanshan''s signature sword technique, a Fourth Grade sword technique. The latter was a footwork secret technique, a Fourth Grade body technique. Zhang Yuanshan had established his reputation as the second master in the slums with these two great combat skills.


    After watching the three videos, Li Xiaofei began to think aloud. "I only have three days. Counting the thirty days in the Secret Time Pavilion, it''s only thirty-three days. I should focus on the Tiger Roar Breathing Technique. As long as I raise my Starforce Level, I can control the Mighty Vajra Fist. The combat power provided by the Gale Sword Technique and Gale Steps is far inferior compared to the Mighty Vajra Fist."


    Zhang Yuanshan appeared on the screen and smiled kindly. "Child, if you¡¯re watching this video, it means that I¡¯m dead. I have always regarded you as my own child. Although you lack insight and are often laughed at for being silly, I know very well that you have excellent physical talent, with a superb physique for martial arts practice.¡±


    He continued, ¡°So I have been patiently building your foundation over the years and not taught you higher grade combat skills and mental techniques. Now, your foundation is almost complete. You should have also obtained the Tiger Roar Breathing Technique, the sword technique and footwork I left behind now. But in addition, I have prepared a gift for you; it''s in the No. 2 safe. Make good use of what I have prepared for you, improve your strength, protect the Cloudy Sky Gang, and take care of Xiao Ling. And protect yourself too. Remember, no matter what happens, always maintain the true nature of a martial artist from the Great Xia Republic. Be a good person."


    The video ended as Zhang Yuanshan waved at him with a smile.


    "Master!" Li Xiaofei felt touched. He went to the No. 2 safe and opened it.


    "This is... Starforce Reagent?" Li Xiaofei was greatly surprised.


    He took out four test tube-like glass bottles from the safe. Each had a light blue liquid inside. These were pure third-generation Starforce Reagents. Swallowing Starforce Reagents and refining the energy within it could quickly increase one''s Starforce cultivation. This was a rare treasure for cultivation in the slums. Each bottle was worth a fortune. Li Xiaofei never imagined that Zhang Yuanshan had prepared such an unbelievable gift for him.


    A parent¡¯s love for their children created far-sighted plans indeed. Zhang Yuanshan treated Li Xiaofei as if he were his own son. It was truly thoughtful and considerate.


    "Master, I¡¯ll remember your last wishes. Don''t worry, I will definitely fulfill them." Li Xiaofei silently vowed in his heart.


    There was no time to waste. Li Xiaofei began his cultivation immediately. The Tiger Roar Breathing Technique simulated the breathing method of a fierce tiger. One had to store inner Qi in his dantian between breaths. Breathing with the sound of inner Qi in his dantian allowed him to impact his vocal cords and trigger resonance in the abdomen, chest, and mouth. It was the resonance of the three cavities!


    This relaxed the abdomen to the maximum extent, producing a round, loud, and profound roar. The explanation in the video was very detailed, as if an old professor were presenting a scientific paper. This modern approach was much easier to understand than ancient manuals like the Mighty Vajra Fist. Li Xiaofei quickly mastered this breathing method and threads of Starforcer Qi started to circulate within his body.


    The Starforce Qi gathered in his dantian under Li Xiaofei''s meticulous control, driving the vocal cords to resonate in the three cavities. As he cultivated, the sound of a tiger''s roar echoed out between breaths. The resonance of the three cavities also strengthened his organs, muscles, blood, and bones.


    As time passed, Li Xiaofei grew increasingly immersed in cultivation. The sound of tiger roars continued to echo in the office. It was as if a magnificent tiger were imprisoned within.


    ***


    In the top-secret training room at the headquarters of the Blackblood Gang,.


    Dugu Que, who stood at a height of one hundred and ninety centimeters, slashed down continuously.


    Sizzle.


    Visible blue electric currents flowed over his bare, muscular arms. When he swung his blade, the electric currents formed a blade aura that extended four to five meters. The blade flashed and four half-meter steel columns silently split apart. The cut surfaces were as smooth as mirrors.


    "My starforce circulation is smooth... It seems I¡¯ve finally reached the pinnacle of the sixth stage." Dugu Que''s face revealed a satisfied smile. "Now, I can finally challenge the number one on the slums'' Combat Rankings, Wu Potian." S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He gulped down a bottle of expensive Starforce Reagent and his entire body received a tremendous energy boost. Dugu Que looked down at his body. He had implanted inscription bones of a speed-type Grade One star beast, the Lightning Mantis, in his arms and legs. It had allowed him to master the powerful new martial technique, Electric Light Blade.


    This was the new martial way. One surgery could quickly elevate someone to new levels of strength. The traditional Great Xia martial lineage, which required long and arduous cultivation as well as vast resources, had truly become outdated and obsolete. However, there were still many stubborn traditionalists in the country who clung to their old ways.


    "The dusty old things that have been eliminated by the times, no matter how brilliant they once were, should be discarded." A hint of disdain appeared on Dugu Que''s face. "It all starts from the slums."


    Bang.


    He stepped out of the secret chamber.


    "Welcome back, Young Master."


    "Welcome back, Young President."


    Hundreds of black-uniformed warriors immediately bowed their heads in an awe-inspiring welcome.


    "Hahaha, my son, you''ve come out of seclusion early. Have you already had a breakthrough?" A middle-aged man who was two meters tall and sturdy as a tower walked over with a laugh.


    He was the President of the Blackblood Gang, Dugu Yilong. He was ranked third on the Combat Rankings of the slums in Liuhe Base City.

 Chapter 14: Martial God Arena

    Chapter 14: Martial God Arena "Prepare the Martial God Arena for me." Dugu Que stepped out of the secret chamber, brimming with confidence. "I have completely assimilated all the Lightning Mantis¡¯ inscriptions in my body and mastered the Electric Light Blade. The so-called experts in the slums should all tremble at my feet."


    "Hahaha, excellent, splendid." Dugu Yilong laughed heartily. "My son has been dormant for ten years, but is destined to make a sensational debut with the demeanor of a saint."


    Dugu Que said calmly, "Attaining saintliness has always been my lifelong wish."


    Dugu Yilong¡¯s spirits soared. He laughed heartily, "The slums... no, the entire city of Liuhe will not be able to contain your boundless future, son. You are destined to soar into the heavens. Rest assured, father will spare no effort to pave the way for you. This Martial God Arena battle will be held in grand style for you."


    Dugu Que nodded in satisfaction and asked, "How are the reactions from the other gangs?"


    "Dugu Manor, Moon Manor Gang, and the Little Knife Gang have all expressed their submission and are willing to acknowledge our Blackblood Gang as their leader. The Thunderfire Gang has been retreating silently ever since you defeated General Manager Chen Wenxian. As for the Cloudy Sky Gang..." A hint of hatred flashed across Dugu Yilong''s face as he continued, "President Zhong Yuanshan is dead, and the current spokesperson is called Li Xiaofei. I am going to personally take action to capture this Li Xiaofei and make him pay for his crimes."


    "Hmm?" Dugu Que inquired, "What happened?"


    Gritting his teeth, Dugu Yilong replied, "Your sister, as well as the Hall Master, Yang Hengkong, were both harmed by this little bastard."


    Dugu Que was taken aback. "I''ve heard of him before. He''s ranked sixth in the Cloudy Sky Gang and is only at the first stage. He¡¯s just a worthless figure who relied on connections to rise. How could he be a match for my sister and Hall Master Yang?"


    "I haven''t figured it out either. It seems like this kid suddenly had an epiphany and mastered a strangely powerful and domineering martial art from somewhere. Here, take a look at the video..." Dugu Yilong handed over his phone.


    It was playing a clip that had captured the moment when Li Xiaofei defeated Dugu Jue.


    "Hmm, interesting," Dugu Que commented after watching it briefly. "This martial art seems quite powerful... Father, let''s not kill him for now. Send someone to deliver an invitation to the Martial God Arena in three days."


    He didn''t really care much about his sister''s death. She was just an unfinished experiment, plus she was insane. It was not surprising to him that she had been beaten to death.


    Dugu Yilong was somewhat surprised. "My son, do you think this person is qualified to fight you?"


    "Heh, even the number one on the slums'' Combat Rankings, Wu Potian of the Dragon Fang Gang, is just a nobody in my eyes. What''s a little Li Xiaofei?" Dugu Que chuckled lightly. "Didn''t he boast about us paying resettlement fees for the poor in the Guang¡¯an neighborhood? Let him come and take it in three days. Since we have a main course for the Martial God Arena, adding a dessert afterward should make it even better."


    ***


    The next day at Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters, the ear-piercing roar of a tiger kept coming out of Li Xiaofei¡¯s mouth as he trained in the president''s office. He had quickly gotten the hang of the Tiger Roar Breathing Technique. The tiger¡¯s roar had a kind of cleansing effect on his body, impurities were expelled from his pores. His physique was rapidly strengthening.


    Li Xiaofei felt that the second Qi vortex in his dantian had become complete and robust in less than a day of practice. He had reached the pinnacle of the second stage, and breaking through to the third stage was just around the corner.


    His speed had far exceeded his imagination. The Third Grade breathing technique was indeed hundreds of times stronger than the common Clear Spring Breathing Technique. Li Xiaofei could clearly feel his starforce density increasing at a visible rate. He decided to take advantage of his momentum to open the third Qi vortex in his dantian. However, several attempts ended in failure.


    "Hmm? Is this the legendary bottleneck?" Li Xiaofei pondered.


    In the end, he hadn''t accumulated enough time. It had only been a few days since he had advanced from the first stage to the second stage. Trying to break through to the third stage in one go was indeed a bit impatient of him.


    But not breaking through to the third stage was not an option. A major battle was imminent. The Blackblood Gang¡¯s retaliation strike was coming, and it would surely be very dangerous. He had to quickly grow stronger in order to have a better chance.


    Li Xiaofei took out a bottle of Starforce Reagent. A faint floral scent wafted out when he opened the bottle. Li Xiaofei raised the glass bottle and drank its contents in one gulp. The cool blue liquid turned into a hot energy as it entered his throat, seeped into his organs, and spread to his limbs and bones.


    Li Xiaofei immediately activated the Tiger Roar Breathing Technique. The thunderous roar of the tiger rang out as the scorching energy inside his body was directed to and vibrated with his muscles, bones, and organs.


    The resonance of the three cavities transformed the energy into the Starforce Qi that he possessed. A few minutes later, Li Xiaofei felt that his Starforce Qi had become extremely vigorous and quickly converged in his dantian.


    Boom!


    A silent roar echoed in his head as the third Qi vortex finally formed. He had broken through to the third stage. Li Xiaofei suddenly felt lighter and all his senses felt significantly sharper. He also felt like his vitality had grown significantly. Each realm was divided into ten stages. One could enhance their physique, increase strength, invigorate blood and Qi, and strengthen the body''s resilience at every stage.


    A satisfied smile appeared on Li Xiaofei''s face. He senses that he had only consumed about a third of the Starforce Reagent during this breakthrough. The remaining two-thirds could still be absorbed and assimilated.


    "When I absorb all the medicinal energy, I should be able to stabilize at the peak of the third stage," Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the incredible effectiveness of Starforce Reagents. No wonder it was so expensive.


    Li Xiaofei was about to continue his cultivation when...


    Knock, knock, knock.


    "President, it''s bad news. The Blackblood Gang has sent people over," Yang Cheng spoke from behind the door.


    Li Xiaofei frowned, reluctantly putting an end to this cultivation session.


    ***


    A moment later, at the conference hall.


    "An invitation?" Li Xiaofei looked at the invitation in his hand. "The Martial God Arena Battle?"


    "Our young master will challenge Wu Potian of the Dragon Fang Gang at the Slum¡¯s Memorial Square in two days to commemorate the anniversary. We will be setting up the Martial God Arena according to the rules of various gangs and syndicates," the envoy from the Blackblood Gang said like a proud black swan holding its head high. "Please make sure to be there on time. Don''t underestimate us." sea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The others from the Cloudy Sky Gang relaxed a bit. It turned out to be an invitation to watch, not an immediate confrontation.


    "I will be there on time," Li Xiaofei replied promptly and decisively. The Martial God Arena sounded good.


    It''s just the right stage for me to make a name for myself.


    The envoy from the Blackblood Gang sneered contemptuously. "You know your place. Let me warn you, don''t try to escape, or you won''t be able to bear the consequences."


    Li Xiaofei nodded, then suddenly asked without warning, "May I know your surname, sir?"


    "Why do you ask?" The envoy disdainfully looked down at Li Xiaofei. "Trying to establish connections? Heh, don''t bother. My surname is Zhang..."


    But before he could finish his sentence...


    Smack.


    A slap landed heavily on his face like a hammer.

 Chapter 15: Not Easy

    Chapter 15: Not Easy Caught off guard, the envoy was sent flying four or five meters away.


    "Why do you have to be surnamed Zhang?" Li Xiaofei took out a handkerchief, wiped his hands, and said indifferently, "I''ve always hated people surnamed Zhang the most."


    The envoy was stunned.


    This guy clearly wanted to hit me but still meticulously found a reason.


    "Just wait, your death will be in two days." The envoy nursed his face as he angrily spat out a threat and left.


    Li Xiaofei looked at Chu Tiankuo and other Cloudy Sky Gang experts and said, "Ask the brothers to pay attention to safety for the next two days. If the Blackblood Gang causes trouble, don''t insist on defending territory. Staying alive is the most important thing."


    Many experts from the Cloudy Sky Gang breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. Gratitude shone in their eyes when they looked at Li Xiaofei. He obviously had no intention of using them as cannon fodder in a deadly battle.


    Third Hall Master Chu Tiankuo hesitated and said, "If we lose our territory and assets, the gang won''t be able to sustain itself, and everyone will starve to death."


    "No worries, I''ve got everything under control," Li Xiaofei said. He added, "By the way, have someone keep an eye on Guang¡¯an neighborhood. If there''s any movement, notify me immediately."


    He turned and walked back to the office to continue his closed-door cultivation.


    ***


    Two days later, at Memorial Square.


    The Martial God Arena battle was about to begin. The executive members of the seven major societies in the slums all arrived, such as the top brass of the Cloudy Sky Gang, the Blackblood Gang, the Moon Manor Gang, the Sewage Plant Gang, the Little Knife Gang, the Thunderfire Gang, and the Dragon Fang Gang.


    The leaders of the Moon Manor Gang, the Sewage Plant Gang, and the Little Knife Gang had long fallen under Dugu Que¡¯s control and chose to submit and be absorbed by the Blackblood Gang.


    At this moment, the former leaders of the Moon Manor Gang, Hong Jiusheng, the Sewage Plant Gang, Xie Jing, and the Little Knife Gang, Zhuang Huiyuan, had all exchanged their faction attire for the Blackblood Gang''s black uniforms. They led their respective subordinates and stood behind Dugu Yilong. The three of them had blank expressions, so it was unclear what they were thinking.


    "Haha, Manager Chen, have your injuries healed?" Dugu Yilong confidently glanced at Chen Wenxian, the general manager of the Thunderfire Gang, and said, "If you really can''t stand, don''t force yourself. Find a wheelchair to sit down on."


    "There¡¯s no need for you to worry. I''m standing very steadily now," replied Chen Wenxian. He glanced at his left leg, which had been fitted with a mechanical prosthesis.


    His eyes revealed a hint of resentment. Three days ago, his left leg was cut off by Dugu Que''s sword. For a martial artist, this injury was equivalent to cutting off his path of cultivation.


    Dugu Yilong grew even more pleased and said, "My son said that you''ll be eradicated if you don''t submit within three days. Manager Chen, there''s less than two hours left until the final deadline. Have you considered the hundreds of brothers from the Thunderfire Gang who rely on you for a living?"


    Chen Wenxian said calmly, "Two hours is enough time for many things to happen. Why are you so anxious, Dugu Yilong?"


    "Hmph, I guess you won¡¯t cry until you see the coffin." Dugu Yilong said coldly, "Since you''re so stubborn, don''t blame me for being ruthless when the time comes."


    Just then, the crowd stirred as the members of the Dragon Fang Gang arrived. They were led by an elderly man who looked to be around sixty years old and was about 173 centimeters tall. He looked rather emaciated, with sunken temples and a goatee. It was difficult for anyone to associate his long face with the top-ranked fighter on the slum¡¯s Combat Rankings.


    But he was Wu Potian. He had held the top position on the slum Combat Rankings for ten years. He was surrounded by around twenty mask-wearing elite members of the Dragon Fang Gang. The Dragon Fang Gang was a somewhat special gang in the slums. Most of its members were undocumented residents. These so-called undocumented residents were mostly fugitives who had violated the law or had criminal records. They couldn¡¯t legally operate in the normal areas of the base city and could only huddle together in the lawless slums for shelter.


    As such, they generally possessed considerable strength. Therefore, although the Dragon Fang Gang had fewer members, they were rather powerful.


    "Haha, Brother Wu, you''ve finally arrived." Chen Wenxian''s eyes lit up as he took the initiative to greet Wu Potian with his subordinates. "Today, even if my Thunderfire Gang is torn to shreds, we will fight side by side with your Dragon Fang Gang."


    "Don''t worry, Uncle Chen, my father will definitely win today." A young man wearing a fierce-looking mask laughed as he spoke. Wu Tengkong, the son of Wu Potian, had full confidence in his father''s strength.


    Chen Wenxian smiled and said, "A greenhorn like you isn''t afraid of the tiger. Well done... By the way, Brother Wu, what are the odds of winning today?"


    "You''ll only know after the fight," Wu Potian smiled back.


    The elites of the Dragon Fang Gang and the Thunderfire Gang stood together, exuding a certain momentum. It turned out the two societies had secretly formed an alliance two days ago, mutually supporting each other and banding together against the Blackblood Gang.


    However, the members of other societies all stood aside in unison, keeping their distance. They didn¡¯t want to be mistaken for having close ties with the Dragon Fang Gang by the Blackblood Gang.


    "Hmph," Wu Tengkong muttered softly, "a bunch of sycophants."


    It was only days ago that countless people would vie to flatter his father wherever he went. But now, they avoided him like snakes and scorpions.


    "Stay calm," Wu Potian said calmly.


    He was already over sixty years old and had seen too much in his life. His mind was tempered to remain calm amid the storm. In the end, it was still strength that mattered.


    "Hmm?" Wu Potian suddenly shifted in surprise.


    "Dad, what''s wrong?" Wu Tengkong asked.


    "Do you know that young man over there?" asked Wu Potian, pointing into the crowd. sea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Wu Tengkong followed his father¡¯s finger and saw a group of only eight or nine people standing opposite them. A tall, handsome young man, about seventeen or eighteen years old, stood at the forefront. He had sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, and a clear and sharp gaze. He was a rare handsome figure in the slums.


    Upon closer inspection, Wu Tengkong exclaimed in surprise, "Hmm? Isn''t this someone from the Cloudy Sky Gang? I think their leader, that little guy, was called Li Xiaofei. I heard Zhong Yuanshan chose him as a disciple and also as his prospective son-in-law. However, this guy is all talk and no action. He¡¯s been mediocre despite years of cultivation and is still at the first stage without any special skills. Now that Zhong Yuanshan is dead, the Cloudy Sky Gang is completely finished."


    Wu Potian shook his head and said, ¡°What you said is wrong. This Li Xiaofei is hiding something.¡±

 Chapter 16: Beyond One’s Ability

    Chapter 16: Beyond One¡¯s Ability "Not simple?" Wu Tengkong examined him carefully for a few moments and said doubtfully, "Other than being handsome, there was nothing different about him."


    Wu Potian shook his head and did not speak further. He could not put his finger on it himself; however, his keen intuition from years of ancient martial arts training told him that this young man had a vaguely dangerous aura.


    At that moment, as if through telepathy, Li Xiaofei also looked toward the Dragon Fang Gang. Their gazes met, and they each nodded slightly in acknowledgment without saying anything further.


    Li Xiaofei withdrew his gaze and secretly marveled. The number one on the Combat Rankings indeed was worthy of his name. He had been carefully observing these so-called slum overlords. Renowned figures like Xie Jing, Hong Jiusheng, Zhuang Huiyuan, and Chen Wenxian seemed very ordinary to him. Even Dugu Yilong, the president of the Blackblood Gang, seemed just so-so.


    However, the president of the Dragon Fang Gang, Wu Potian, gave Li Xiaofei a very unique impression. It was as if he were a flame in the dark night or a sharp sword hidden in decaying wood. That aged body radiated a unique threat that words could not describe.


    "I wonder what the other main character of today''s battle, Dugu Que, will be like?


    He had not been idle in the past three days. He had reached the peak of the third stage by practicing the more advanced Tiger Roar Breathing Technique and judicious use of a bottle of Starforce Reagent. At that moment, the three Qi vortex was spinning rapidly within his dantian. Threads of Starforce were continuously nourishing his limbs, bones, marrow, and organs. He had yet to use his second chance to open the Secret Time Pavilion.


    As the saying went, "Know thyself, know thy enemy, a hundred battles, a hundred victories." He wanted to first see Dugu Que¡¯s capabilities before deciding how to maximize the use of those thirty days. The duel was about to start, so why hadn''t Dugu Que appeared yet?


    Just then, he felt a gaze full of hostility and hatred turn on him. Li Xiaofei turned to see the messenger surnamed Zhang who he had beaten two days ago. He was standing behind Dugu Yilong, glaring at Li Xiaofei.


    "Hey, what a coincidence, it¡¯s nice seeing you again," Li Xiaofei greeted nonchalantly. sea??h the novelF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hmph, this time next year will be your death anniversary," Zhang Zihan said through gritted teeth. "You are doomed to die today."


    Li Xiaofei shrugged. "Not necessarily. What if your whole family ends up dead instead?"


    At that moment, Dugu Yilong also glanced at Li Xiaofei and hatefully said, "Anyone from the Cloudy Sky Gang who kneels and surrenders can live, but not you. I swear, you will die a horrible death today."


    Li Xiaofei replied lightly, "Didn''t I just kill your perverted daughter? Why are you so petty?"


    Everyone who heard him gasped. How could he say such words so confidently? Dugu Yilong was so enraged he nearly choked on his breath.


    "I changed my mind," Dugu Yilong said, his eyes almost bulging with rage. "Because of your words, everyone in the Cloudy Sky Gang must die. They will all be buried with you."


    Zhong Yang, Zhong Ling, and Chu Yuntian from the Cloudy Sky Gang paled.


    Zhong Ling quickly tugged on Li Xiaofei''s arm and complained, "Can''t you say a little less?"


    Zhong Yang added, "Yes, brother-in-law, be careful what you say. Disasters come from the mouth."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless as he looked at the two of them. The hatred of killing one''s father was irreconcilable. Yet, they did not think of revenge in the face of their enemy and did not even dare to utter a harsh word. His master, a hero all his life, had raised such disappointing children.


    "Don''t worry," he said calmly. "I''ll take full responsibility for all the consequences."


    Zhong Ling shook her head in disappointment.


    He¡¯s still pretending to be tough at a time like this. My father had made a mistake in choosing such an ignorant and arrogant person as his successor.


    "I need to make a phone call," she said, taking out her phone and walking away to make a call.


    When she returned, Zhong Ling couldn''t help but say to Li Xiaofei again, "Don''t say anything reckless in a while. I''ve already contacted a powerful person outside. He will come to help us. As long as he¡¯s here, the Blackblood Gang won''t dare do anything to us."


    Li Xiaofei simply looked at her silently.


    If you really had such connections, your father wouldn''t have had to die.


    At this time, three to four thousand people had already gathered in the slum¡¯s Memorial Square. Many curious slum residents had also come to watch. After all, the Martial God Arena was a major event in the martial arts-loving slum. Even if they were hungry, many people were willing to come and see the spectacle.


    Time passed, and there were less than twenty minutes until ten o''clock. Suddenly, a commotion arose among the crowd. Forty Blackblood Gang martial artists in black uniforms, wearing sunglasses and carrying titanium tactical batons, were rudely parting the crowd to create a passageway.


    A large black luxury SUV, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight, slowly drove up with an imposing aura. Li Xiaofei''s eyes immediately lit up with excitement.


    What a car! It seemed destined for him. He wanted to drive it. After all, what man wouldn''t want to drive a car like that?


    "Wow, it''s a Flying Dragon Executive Off-Road Vehicle."


    "Am I dreaming? How could such a high-end car appear in the slum?"


    "Only the management of the five major families can afford such a vehicle."


    "That doesn''t make sense. Why would someone from the five major families care about a slum''s Arena Battle?"


    "Look, it¡¯s the emblem of the Ye family on the car." Exclamations of surprise echoed through the crowd.


    The five major martial arts families of Liuhe Base City were the Du, Qi, Mu, Ye, and Zhou families. They had dominated Liuhe Base City for nearly a century, with countless clansmen, retainers, and disciples. They controlled many key departments in both the underworld and the official sectors. Even the city mayor and the military commander had to show them respect.


    In simple terms, the five major families were the overlords of Liuhe Base City. Even the usually calm Thunderfire Gang General Manager Chen Wenxian''s expression changed slightly at this sight. Wu Potian, the president of the Dragon Fang Gang, also furrowed his brows.


    Why would members of the five major families come to watch the Martial God Arena battle in the slum? The atmosphere felt tense and unstable. The car stopped, and the door opened. Countless eyes focused like spotlights on the car door.


    A tall, robust young man over 190 centimeters tall stepped out of the first car. He was dressed in an expensive black combat outfit. The other main character of today''s battle, Dugu Que, looked heroic and imposing. His grand entrance was stunning, and the noise of the crowd rose to another level.


    A gang member from the slum had actually stepped out of a car belonging to one of the five major families?

 Chapter 17: The Battle Begins

    Chapter 17: The Battle Begins "Haha, my son has finally arrived." Dugu Yilong laughed heartily as he quickly stepped forward.


    This entrance was far grander than he had imagined. He was certain that the luxury car from the Ye family had deeply imprinted his son''s entrance in the minds of countless slum residents.


    "Father, this is Mr. Ye Xiang, the general manager of Yongxing Hotel," Dugu Que introduced a middle-aged man in a traditional Chinese outfit who had just stepped out of the luxury car.


    Yongxing Hotel was a property of the Ye family, one of the five major families. The position of general manager meant that Ye Xiang was at least a mid-level core member of the Ye family.


    Dugu Yilong was suddenly alarmed and immediately greeted him respectfully, "Mr. Ye, it is an honor to have you here."


    Despite being the overlord of the slum, he had to be careful in how he addressed a mid-level core member of one of the five major families.


    "Master Dugu, there''s no need to be formal. Your son and I are friends," Ye Xiang was of medium build with short hair and no beard. He smiled politely. "I was invited to host this arena battle and to bear firsthand witness to young Dugu ascending to the top of the slum''s Combat Rankings."


    Dugu Yilong was overjoyed.


    Isn''t this a sure win?


    He seized the opportunity and immediately announced Ye Xiang''s identity to everyone in the square.


    The Ye family?!


    The experts from the other major gangs all paled. The Thunderfire Gang General Manager Chen Wenxian''s face darkened, seemingly weighing his options. But a blade-like sharpness flashed through the eyes of Wu Potian, the president of the Dragon Fang Gang.


    "You are going to host the battle?" Wu Tengkong couldn''t help but loudly protest. "How can an outsider host the Martial God Arena battle in the slum? This is against the rules."


    "Rules?" Ye Xiang looked at the young man. There was a hint of mockery about his polite smile as he said calmly, "The words of the Ye family are the rules."


    Wu Tengkong shouted indignantly, "You were invited by Dugu Que. How can you be the host? Who knows if you will be biased?"


    Ye Xiang''s face suddenly turned cold, and a glint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes as he said coldly, "If I understand correctly, you, a lowly mutt, are questioning the Ye family?"


    "So what if I am questioning..." Wu Tengkong was young and hot-headed and continued to shout.


    "Stand down." Wu Potian reacted quickly, pulling his son back. He slightly cupped his hands and said calmly, "In that case, we will trouble Manager Ye."


    Ye Xiang sneered, "It¡¯s good that you know your place."


    Li Xiaofei frowned tightly.


    Are all members of the five major families this domineering? Just a small hotel manager can scare the big shots of the slum badly.


    This was Li Xiaofei''s first encounter with someone from outside the slum, and his impression of the Ye family, one of the five major families, was extremely poor.


    At the same time, Li Xiaofei realized for the first time that the so-called slum powers were really just at the bottom of Liuhe Base City. The five major families were the true movers and shakers of the city. It seemed that being a king in the slum was a mere frog in a well. One had to broaden their horizons to become a true powerhouse. Li Xiaofei now had a new perspective on the slums.


    Soon, it was time for the Martial God Arena battle.


    "The Martial God Arena battle begins, both sides, please take the stage," Ye Xiang''s voice rang out.


    The Starforce amplifier ensured that the thousands gathered at Memorial Square heard him clearly. Wu Potian shrugged, allowing the strong wind to carry his black cloak away as he stepped onto the ten-meter-high steel arena.


    The Martial God Arena battle was a traditional way for slum gangs to resolve disputes. It represented the sacred honor of martial artists. As the number one on the Combat Rankings, Wu Potian had experienced ninety-nine battles of various sizes since his debut and had won all ninety-nine. Today¡¯s battle would be his one hundredth. As he ascended the steps, it was as if a king of the battlefield was inspecting his domain.


    In the eyes of many martial artists in the slum, this skinny old man was the invincible God of War of the slum. Countless admiring gazes focused on Wu Potian.


    And then...


    Boom!


    Dugu Que sprang into the air like a giant mantis, covering twenty meters in an instant before landing heavily on the arena. The massive Martial God Arena, forged from 999 black steel pillars, seemed to tremble at that moment. The two masters faced each other.


    "Old man, savor this feeling in the Martial God Arena," Dugu Que sneered. "You won''t have another chance. Today, in your hundredth battle, I will personally shatter your honor. After this fight, there will be no more Wu Potian and no more Dragon Fang Gang in the slum." Dugu Que grinned, staring at Wu Potian like a vicious jackal eyeing its prey.


    Swish!


    The sound of something cutting through the air suddenly rang out. Wu Potian made his move without any unnecessary words. His body seemed to transform into a breeze, crossing ten meters in an instant to appear before Dugu Que. A crimson cold gleam appeared in Wu Potian''s right hand as he slashed at Dugu Que¡¯s neck.


    "Haha, good timing!" Dugu Que laughed wildly as a curved blade popped out from the light armor on his arm. He slashed his blade horizontally.


    Clang!


    The sound of metal striking metal filled the air as sparks flew and the two figures passed each other. Dugu Que looked at his titanium curved blade to see a pea-sized notch in it.


    He then glanced at the crimson short sword in Wu Potian''s hand and smirked, "Is that the Dragon Fang Sword? The treasured weapon of the Dragon Fang Gang? A weapon rumored to be forged from the teeth of an Earth Dragon. It is indeed sharp, but it will soon be mine."


    Wu Potian remained silent. The strong wind blew through his loose, pale red robe, outlining his bony frame. Wu Potian looked like a frail, small man compared to the 1.9 meter tall Dugu Que. Yet, the aura he exuded was not to be underestimated. His seemingly aged and cloudy eyes watched his opponent like a hawk on the hunt.


    Swish!


    In the next instant, Wu Potian attacked again. He was just as quick as before. Most of the crowd could barely catch sight of his movements. Li Xiaofei squinted slightly as surprise rose in his heart.


    Is that some kind of movement technique?


    The number one on the slum''s Combat Rankings truly had some impressive skills. Just this set of movement techniques alone could secure an unbeatable position.


    Ding ding ding.


    The sound of metal clashing rapidly filled the air as the sword and blade met and disengaged. The two masters were now engaged in close combat, and the battle quickly reached a fever pitch.


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 Chapter 18: Do You Still Have The Balls?

    Chapter 18: Do You Still Have The Balls? Wu Potian had extensive combat experience and relied on his extremely fast movement technique to launch continuous attacks. Meanwhile, Dugu Que remained as stationary as a rock in a raging stream, meeting each attack with his curved blade. One was quick, the other steady. They had exchanged nearly a hundred blows within a few minutes.


    Li Xiaofei watched in awe, utterly mesmerized. This was undoubtedly the most spectacular fight he had witnessed since arriving in this era. It provided him with tremendous inspiration.


    After several hundred exchanges, Wu Potian began to fall into a disadvantage. His continuous use of a movement technique similar to instant steps clearly consumed a lot of starforce. Moreover, since he was old and physically declining, his vitality was not as robust as Dugu Que''s. Since he couldn¡¯t defeat his opponent quickly, his starforce consumption was immense, and his speed gradually decreased. sea??h the N?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile, Dugu Que repeatedly used the transplanted starforce technique, the Electric Light Blade. Electric currents surged, and the blade''s force was unmatched. Wu Potian was forced to retreat repeatedly. If not for the treasured Dragon Fang Sword in his hand that countered the electricity, he might have already been defeated.


    "Old fool, you''re too weak," laughed Dugu Que as he began to go on the offensive and aggressively pressed forward.


    The blade''s light slashed wildly. Wu Potian tried his best to dodge but was under immense pressure. Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth as he was forced to retreat towards the edge of the arena.


    Dugu Que''s frenzied attacks were accompanied by mocking laughter. "This is the so-called Great Xia martial lineage you keep clinging to? It''s truly worthless... The number one expert of the slum? Trash, you disappoint me greatly."


    Dugu Yilong laughed heartily below the arena. "Hahaha! My son is invincible. Today is your time to make a name for yourself. Don¡¯t hold back. Kill the old dog."


    The other Blackblood Gang experts cheered as their morale soared. Meanwhile, the members of the Dragon Fang Gang looked worried, holding their breath. Wu Tengkong looked particularly anxious as he almost gnashed his teeth to pieces.


    Li Xiaofei noticed some subtleties in the fight. At the beginning of the battle, Wu Potian had intended to end it quickly, using his best techniques right away. However, it had not worked. When he lost the rhythm, his situation had quickly become precarious. Yet, for some reason, Li Xiaofei had a feeling that Wu Potian had another trick up his sleeve.


    Just then, an unexpected change occurred in the arena. A strange, crackling sound erupted from within Wu Potian''s body, like popping beans. His previously sluggish movements suddenly changed as he turned into a blur in three steps. He had moved so quickly that the naked eye couldn¡¯t track him.


    "What?" Dugu Que was shocked. He only saw a flash before a cold gleam was at his throat. The Dragon Fang Sword was pressed against his neck. A millimeter further, and it would pierce his throat.


    "Great Xia martial technique, Three Steps Cicada Catch," Wu Potian asked coldly, "Now, do you understand the profundity of Great Xia martial lineage, young one?"


    Dugu Que opened his mouth to speak several times but remained silent, his face ashen. The crowed erupted around the arena. He had lost. Despite having the upper hand, Dugu Que had lost. The members of the Blackblood Gang stood in stunned silence, while the Dragon Fang Gang warriors cheered joyfully.


    Many martial artists in the slum couldn''t help but feel a deep sense of respect. After so many years, the first hundred-victory champion of the Martial God Arena had been born, Wu Potian of the Dragon Fang Gang. He truly deserved to be number one on the Combat Rankings. From now on, the name Wu Potian would become a living legend in the slum.


    "I won''t kill you today," Wu Potian withdrew his short sword and said, "But remember this, the Great Xia martial lineage is a treasure left by our ancestors. Without it, someone like you would have long become star beast dung. Don''t think that a few so-called high-tech modifications can create true strength. You have a long way to go."


    He turned and walked off the arena. Dugu Que was a troublemaker, but he was close to the Ye family, so he couldn''t be killed. Killing him would bring disaster to the Dragon Fang Gang.


    Suddenly¡ª


    "Father, watch out..." Wu Tengkong''s shout echoed from below the arena.


    But it was too late. A grappling hook attached to a steel chain pierced through Wu Potian''s chest from behind.


    Crack.


    Three bloodstained claw blades sprang open and dug into Wu Potian''s chest. Dugu Que was holding the other end of the long black chain.


    "Hahahahaha..." Dugu Que laughed maniacally. "You seem to have forgotten, the duel isn''t over yet, old man. You were too careless!"


    He viciously yanked the chain back.


    Squelch.


    The blades sliced through Wu Potian''s sternum. He fell to the ground, his internal organs shredded by the claws. He had died instantly.


    "Father!" Wu Tengkong went berserk as he charged toward the arena.


    "No, Little Wu, leave the green hills and you''ll have wood to burn another day," The Thunderfire Gang General Manager Chen Wenxian grabbed Wu Tengkong desperately. "Today''s plan has failed. This arena battle was a trap. The Blackblood Gang intends to exterminate us. Get the brothers out of here."


    "Uncle Chen, even if we leave, we can''t abandon my father''s body... huh?" Wu Tengkong''s words were cut short as his body suddenly stiffened.


    Looking down, he saw the blood-drenched tip of a sword protruding through his chest. Chen Wenxian was holding the long sword.


    Wu Tengkong gasped in disbelief, "Uncle Chen, you... why?"


    Chen Wenxian''s expression twisted into a sinister grin as he said, "I''m sorry, Little Wu. Your father lost, so it''s all over. I''ll take your head as my offering."


    He swiftly withdrew the sword and beheaded Wu Tengkong in a swift blow. Cries of shock and anger erupted nearby as the Thunderfire Gang members launched a surprise attack. The Dragon Fang Gang experts were caught off guard and fell one by one.


    "Hahaha, everything is under my control. Kill them all," Dugu Que shouted from the arena. "Don''t let a single Dragon Fang Gang member escape. Exterminate them."


    Xie Jing, Zhuang Huiyuan, and Hong Jiusheng led their followers into the fray without any hesitation. The Dragon Fang Gang was finished. This faction that had ruled the slum for over sixty years was eradicated within moments and the Blackblood Gang achieved a complete victory.


    Corpses littered the ground. Dugu Que stood on the arena, one foot on Wu Potian''s body, surveying the area like a new king overlooking his domain. No one dared to meet his gaze as all heads stayed bowed. Finally, Dugu Que''s gaze fell on Li Xiaofei.


    "You little bastard, didn''t you boast about making my Blackblood Gang pay compensation to some lowly commoners?" Dugu Que sneered from his elevated position. "Do you still have the balls to demand it now?"


    In that instant, Zhong Ling, Zhong Yang, and Chu Yuntian, along with the other Cloudy Sky Gang experts, paled in fear. The worst-case scenario was about to unfold.

 Chapter 19: One Punch One Kill

    Chapter 19: One Punch One Kill Li Xiaofei didn''t answer Dugu Que''s mocking question. He was deep in his own thoughts. The rapid sequence of events had left him reeling. Before he could react, Wu Potian and his son had been brutally killed, and the Dragon Fang Gang had been completely annihilated.


    Despite Wu Potian being a seasoned veteran, he had made a fatal error on the arena, leaving himself open to an ambush. Then Chen Wenxian of the Thunderfire Gang, who had originally been allied with the Dragon Fang Gang, chose to betray them at the last moment, orchestrating the downfall of the Dragon Fang Gang members. Who would believe this wasn''t premeditated?


    Conspiracy. Betrayal. Massacre. This was the true nature of the martial world. It was a raw and bloody world. It didn¡¯t matter even if you stood at the peak of the Combat Rankings. One misstep and you become a decaying corpse in the gutter.


    The series of events taught Li Xiaofei a profound lesson.


    There can be no mercy for your enemies in the martial world. Mercy to your enemies is cruelty to yourself.


    The blood in the air stimulated Li Xiaofei''s nerves. His body began to tremble slightly as he took in a deep breath.


    Zhong Ling saw the trembling and felt a pang of bitterness. She was even more disappointed in Li Xiaofei. He had spoken so confidently about taking responsibility for everything earlier, but now, his boasting seemed pathetic and disgraceful.


    But she didn''t know that Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t trembling from fear, but excitement. This was the martial world he had anticipated. A stormy and bloody world. Li Xiaofei disregarded the countless pitying gazes and slowly walked out of the crowd.


    "So this is the Martial God Arena." The young man raised his head, looking at the figure standing on the bodies of the fallen on the arena, and sneered. "So this is the most sacred and honorable dueling arena in Liuhe Base City''s slum for the past century."


    He seemed to have encountered the most ridiculous thing in the world as he started laughing. He laughed so hard that tears almost came out. Some of the martial artists from the slum lowered their heads. That chain hook had not only killed Wu Potian but also destroyed the century-old honor of the Martial God Arena battles in the slum.


    "What does a first stage trash like you know?" Dugu Que''s expression changed slightly as he spoke coldly. "Life and death are up to fate on the Martial God Arena. Anything is possible until the referee declares the final outcome. Wu Potian didn''t even understand this and deserved to die. Why accuse me of a sneak attack?"


    At this moment, Ye Xiang, the host, also spoke up, "Indeed, the battle was not over, so it doesn''t count as a sneak attack."


    "Sneak attack?" Li Xiaofei laughed, "Hahaha, did I accuse you of a sneak attack? No, I didn''t. Why are you feeling guilty?"


    Dugu Que and Ye Xiang were both stunned, a feeling of being played surging in their hearts.


    "What do you mean?" Dugu Que asked coldly.


    Li Xiaofei stopped laughing and said clearly, "I mean... you are a damn bastard. A scum of the lowest order."


    The crowd was in an uproar as they looked at Li Xiaofei in disbelief.


    Is he crazy? He still dares to curse openly in such a dire situation?


    "You little bastard, how dare you insult our young master? You''re courting death." Hong Jiusheng, the former leader of the Moon Manor Gang, was eager to prove himself.


    He seized the opportunity and attacked. His titanium staff swung like a dragon, tearing through the air as it smashed towards Li Xiaofei.


    "First one..." Li Xiaofei channeled his starforce and struck with the first technique of the Mighty Vajra Fist, the Vajra Thunderous Strike.


    His fist met the titanium staff head on. Hong Jiusheng felt an indescribable, overwhelming force. The titanium staff was knocked out of his control, flying back and smashing into his own head.


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    Hong Jiusheng¡¯s massive head was forced into his own chest.


    "Trash like this dares to come out and support the wicked?"


    Li Xiaofei casually withdrew his fist, blowing off the dust from his knuckles.


    The crowd was stunned.


    What just happened?


    Hong Jiusheng was famous for his fourth stage Starforce Cultivation. His ferocious Thirty-Six Paths of Wind and Thunder staff technique had dominated the slum¡¯s Combat Rankings at fifth place for twelve years. Countless martial artists had met their end under Hong Jiusheng¡¯s staff. Yet, Li Xiaofei had killed him with just a casual punch.


    For a moment, there was dead silence.


    Dugu Yilong was the first to react, shouting angrily, "Kill him!"


    Xie Jing, Chen Wenxian, and Zhuang Huiyuan exchanged glances, hesitating. Although they had submitted to the Blackblood Gang, Li Xiaofei''s display of strength made them uneasy.


    Dugu Yilong roared furiously and shouted, "What are you waiting for? Attack! Defy me, and I''ll kill you all."


    Now Xie Jing and the others did not dare hesitate.


    "Attack," they commanded, leading their followers in a charge towards Li Xiaofei. A variety of machetes, iron rods, spears, chainsaw swords, and long axes were all aimed at Li Xiaofei.


    "Hahahaha, good!" Li Xiaofei laughed wildly. He strode forward instead of retreating. "Today, I will start a massacre and cleanse the slum of trash like you."


    He struck again with the Mighty Vajra Fist''s first technique, Vajra Thunderous Strike.


    Boom!


    One punch swept up four or five Blackblood Gang martial artists who were too slow to dodge. They exploded into a mist of blood on the spot. Li Xiaofei¡¯s advance was like a tiger trampling through a flock of sheep. He was unstoppable.


    Boom!


    The next fist caused limbs and broken arms to fly, bones to shatter, and flesh to explode.


    "Kill."


    Li Xiaofei showed no mercy. Most of the gang members in the slum were scum and parasites. The mid to high-level members of gangs like the Blackblood Gang were the worst of the worst. Today, he intended to kill until he was satisfied with the newer and brighter world.


    "Second one." Li Xiaofei locked onto his next target.


    Boom!


    He moved like lightning as he punched Xie Jing in the chest. The slum gang leader''s body exploded into two pieces.


    "Third one." Li Xiaofei''s fist paved the way as he headed straight for Zhuang Huiyuan of the Little Knife Gang.


    "Don''t come near me!"


    Zhuang Huiyuan was a hardened killer, but he turned to run, terrified by the god-like Li Xiaofei. But there was no escape. Li Xiaofei closed the distance in an instant, delivering a punch that struck Zhuang Huiyuan''s back.


    "Ugh." Zhuang Huiyuan''s fourth stage Starforce level was shattered, and he spat blood, flying seven or eight meters before crashing into the crowd. His organs were pulped as he died.


    "Fourth one." Li Xiaofei relentlessly pursued Chen Wenxian of the Thunderfire Gang. He wanted to eradicate the gang leaders who had poisoned the slum. The fourth punch disintegrated a furious and terrified Chen Wenxian into a rain of blood.


    In the blink of an eye, Li Xiaofei''s divine fists had brought down four notorious gang leaders who had dominated the slum for decades. No one could withstand even a single blow from him. In a mere twenty or thirty seconds, there was no one standing within ten meters of Li Xiaofei. No one dared to approach.


    The Blackblood Gang martial artists trembled in fear as they retreated. Li Xiaofei stepped over blood and bones as he walked slowly towards the Martial God Arena. He bared his white teeth in a ferocious grin as he raised his middle finger at Dugu Que. He crooked his finger, beckoning his opponent.


    "Come here and die," he said calmly.


    At that moment, the world seemed to change color as the sun and moon lost their light. Only the young man stood tall in the center of the arena.

 Chapter 20: The Insane Increase In Strength

    Chapter 20: The Insane Increase In Strength Everyone was stunned. Who could have imagined that a fiend like Li Xiaofei would emerge in the face of the Blackblood Gang''s seemingly assured victory? Four of the seven leaders of the major slum gangs had already fallen to his fists. The terrifying scene made many wonder if Li Xiaofei was a star beast in human skin. He had been too fierce and brutal.


    The Blackblood Gang had schemed painstakingly to unify the slum and annex the other gangs. They had also been poised on the precipice of victory. But now, Xie Jing, Chen Wenxian, and the others were dead, and the Blackblood Gang''s hard-won gains had been shattered by someone else.


    Zhong Yang, Zhong Ling, Chu Yuntian, and the other Cloudy Sky Gang members were struggling to believe their eyes. They vaguely understood that Li Xiaofei had become stronger, but they hadn''t anticipated this level of strength. He had killed the leaders of four major gangs with just his fists in less than a few seconds. The other martial artists who fell under his iron fists were too numerous to count. He was invincible.


    Zhong Yang''s legs went weak. He now realized how absurd his plan to deal with Li Xiaofei at the mourning hall had been. Zhong Ling was deeply shaken as well when she realized she had underestimated Li Xiaofei.


    But so what? Being brave and skilled in combat is the behavior of a brute. It will never truly solve problems. He might have killed the four big leaders, but can he kill Dugu Que? Can he kill Ye Xiang from one of the five major families? In the end, it would still be a mess without a solution.


    She cast a resentful glance at Li Xiaofei standing in the arena, quickly took out her phone, and dialed a familiar number again, whispering a prompt.


    Meanwhile, Ye Xiang, from the rule-of-law district, was also shocked by what he had just witnessed. The young man in front of him had a terrifying killing intent and ruthless methods. The slum was indeed filled with lowly, filthy savages. Four black-suited bodyguards immediately surrounded Ye Xiang, protecting him carefully.


    On the other side, Dugu Yilong of the Blackblood Gang was so enraged that his eyes seemed to shoot fire. His chest was heaving violently; yet, he lacked the courage to personally step in. Although he had held the third spot on the slum''s Combat Rankings for decades, he doubted he could withstand two punches from the current Li Xiaofei.


    Where did this little brat learn such a terrifying technique?


    "My son, kill him," Dugu Yilong shouted toward the arena. "This little bastard is so ruthless at such a young age that he must not be allowed to escape. Kill him and rid the world of his menace."


    Thud.


    Dugu Que kicked Wu Potian''s corpse to the side.


    "Interesting." He said, eyeing Li Xiaofei up and down. "I originally intended to make you a side dish after the main course, but it seems you want to be the main dish."


    "Too much talk," Li Xiaofei replied, "Are you going to fight or not?"


    Dugu Que sneered, "I admit, you now have the qualifications to fight me. But... heh, how much Starforce Qi do you have left after that little display?"


    "None of your business." Li Xiaofei sprang forward with a Vajra Thunderous Strike. Man like a vajra, fist like thunder. Sea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom!


    The air seemed to explode as the force of his punch surged like a dragon. Dugu Que laughed loudly, throwing a punch with his right fist. Under the influence of the Lightning Mantis Inscribed Treasure Bone, his right arm was shrouded in dense, visible blue lightning.


    Boom!


    Their fists collided violently. Dark blue lightning and pale golden fist energy erupted wildly. Li Xiaofei was knocked back seven meters, stumbling another seven or eight steps before regaining his balance. His right arm''s sleeve was torn and charred. His arm felt a little numb as little electric shocks seemed to course through it. In contrast, Dugu Que stood motionless. The disparity was evident.


    Dugu Que casually shook his right hand and mocked, "So this bizarre martial technique you rely on is useless against me."


    Li Xiaofei remained silent, calculating the gap between himself and Dugu Que. The distance between the third stage and the sixth stage was indeed vast. His third stage Starforce could empower the first technique of the Mighty Vajra Fist to the point where he could crush fourth stage martial artists. He could even contend with those at the fifth stage. But he was suppressed against a sixth stage opponent.


    Dugu Que started laughing, "I''ve understood your martial technique. Although it''s only one move, it''s indeed powerful and has rare cross-stage combat capabilities. But unfortunately, you haven¡¯t reached beyond the third stage. Your technique is strong, but you are too weak. Defeating me with this martial technique is impossible. Moreover, you consumed a lot of Starforce Qi killing Xie Jing, Zhuang Huiyuan, Chen Wenxian, and Hong Jiusheng. I guess you have less than one-tenth of your Starforce Qi left in your dantian. How many more times can you use that martial technique in your current state?"


    Dugu Que''s smile grew wider, confident of his absolute advantage. Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei remained silent.


    "You have no chance of winning today''s battle," Dugu Que said, slowly advancing towards Li Xiaofei. "Hand over the manual for that martial technique, and I''ll make your death quick."


    Li Xiaofei stared back at him and grinned. "You want the martial technique manual?"


    He raised his middle finger. "You minor villain, you''re greedier than I, the protagonist. But... I''m afraid you won''t live to take it."


    At the same time, he silently summoned the Moonlight Treasure Box in his heart.


    Treasure Box, open the Secret Time Pavilion for me.


    In the next instant, his surroundings changed.


    ***


    The Secret Time Pavilion was still the same grand, quiet, and brightly lit colossal hall. The moment Li Xiaofei appeared, he vigorously shook his fist. Pretending to be cool came with a price. His arm was very sore from Dugu Que''s electric punch.


    However, the small price was worth it. Experiencing Dugu Que''s strength firsthand allowed Li Xiaofei to more effectively plan his training for the next thirty days. He needed to reach the peak of the fourth stage and master at least two of the other three techniques of the Mighty Vajra Fist. If he could do that, he would be able to defeat Dugu Que.


    No time to waste.


    Li Xiaofei immediately began his training. He took out the second bottle of Starforce Reagent and gulped it down. Then he sat cross-legged, using the Tiger Roar Breathing Technique to refine the Reagent¡¯s energy. The hall echoed with the roar of a mighty tiger.


    Time flew by. In an instant, ten days had passed and a delighted smile appeared on Li Xiaofei''s face.


    "I''ve broken through. The Starforce Reagent is used up much faster in the Secret Time Pavilion. Therefore, the increase in Starforce Qi is also much faster than the outside world."


    When he looked inward, he could see his dantian. Four visible starforce vortices spun like small tornadoes. He had broken through to the fourth stage! It had only taken him ten days to reach the fourth stage. It had taken quite a lot of energy to go from the third stage to the fourth stage. The breakthrough alone had consumed the entire second bottle of Starforce Reagent. But Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t hesitate to drink the third bottle and continue his training.


    Another five days passed. The energy of the third Starforce Reagent brought him to the peak of the fourth stage. He decided to capitalize on his momentum and drank the fourth bottle of Starforce Reagent. In another five days, it happened.


    Boom!


    A powerful aura erupted from Li Xiaofei and his face lit up with joy. The fifth starforce vortex had finally appeared in his dantian. He had reached the fifth stage. He had successfully reached the fifth stage with twenty days and three bottles of Starforce Reagent.


    "This body''s bone structure and potential is even more terrifying than I imagined," muttered Li Xiaofei.


    No wonder Zhong Yuanshan had mentioned in his video that this body was an unparalleled martial arts prodigy. It was just that the previous Li Xiaofei had insufficient mental strength, was inherently dull, and lacked understanding, so his cultivation progress had been slow.


    Zhong Yuanshan had to spend nearly ten years building a foundation for him bit by bit. It was like a supercar with unparalleled hardware but a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine as its core. How could it ever achieve high speed?


    But now, the absolute understanding that he brought to the table was like giving the supercar a matching supercharged engine. He had become a martial arts genius.


    Based on previous tests, just mastering the Vajra Thunderous Strike and the fifth stage would be enough to battle Dugu Que. However, to ensure a hundred percent certainty, I still need to master a second technique.


    Li Xiaofei temporarily set aside his Starforce Cultivation and began to focus on mastering the second technique of the Mighty Vajra Fist, the Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow.


    Time passed as Li Xiaofei trained diligently. On the twenty-first day, he became familiar with the movements of the Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow. By the twenty-fifth day, he had mastered the Qi circulation methods of the technique. On the thirtieth day, he finally comprehended all the secrets and variations of the Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow and integrated it with the first technique, Vajra Thunderous Strike.


    The essence of this technique lay in the instantaneous high-frequency vibration of energy, which had terrifying immediate destructive force. The technique¡¯s lethality was five times that of the Vajra Thunderous Strike. At that moment, the thirty-day time limit in the Secret Time Pavilion had finally reached its end.


    Li Xiaofei had also adjusted his state to its peak.


    "Time to kill Dugu Que," he murmured, filled with anticipation.

 Chapter 21: My Enemies Are Gone

    Chapter 21: My Enemies Are Gone When he returned from the Secret Time Pavilion, Li Xiaofei felt his body brimming with power once again. As expected, not a single second had passed in the real world.


    Dugu Que, oblivious to the change, continued their previous conversation, "You said I won''t live to take it? But, your life is in the palm of my hand, little bastard."


    He stretched his five fingers out, moving them slowly. Blue electricity arced between his fingertips, radiating a powerful aura.


    "Don''t say I didn''t give you a chance. Kneel, bow your head, admit your mistake, and beg me," Dugu Que pointed at Zhong Ling, Zhong Yang, and others below the arena. "Then I won''t kill them."


    Li Xiaofei looked at him as if he were an idiot and raised his middle finger.


    "You... just apologize," Zhong Ling was terrified and couldn''t help but blurt out, "You''ve killed so many people and your hands are covered in blood. Isn''t it right to apologize?"


    She was stalling for time, waiting for the so-called big person she had called to arrive. Li Xiaofei looked at her in astonishment.


    Zhong Ling slowly lowered her head under his piercing gaze, but still tried to argue, "What else can we do? It''s all your fault for being brave but foolish enough to land us in this situation."


    "Kneel down, kneel quickly," Zhong Yang couldn''t wait any longer and shouted, "Li Xiaofei, you bastard, kneel now. How will you face my father if I die?"


    He smiled up at Dugu Que and added, "Young Master Dugu, didn''t we make a deal? I would find a way to deal with Zhong Yuanshan, that old dog, and then hand Zhong Ling over to you to do as you please. Everything was going according to plan until Li Xiaofei ruined it... Don''t kill me, I will personally strip this bitch naked and hold her down for you to enjoy..."


    Li Xiaofei''s body jolted when he heard Zhong Yang''s words. "You killed my master?"


    He stared at Zhong Yang, struggling to comprehend.


    Zhong Yang gritted his teeth and replied, "So what if I did? That old man deserved to die. He insisted on passing the position of president to you. What about me?"


    Li Xiaofei nodded. "You will soon find out exactly what you are worth." He turned to Dugu Que and said, "I originally planned to take my time dealing with you and show off a bit, but I¡¯m in no mood for that now. Time to send you on your way."


    He activated his Starforce.


    Dugu Que sneered, "If you wish for a quick death, I will oblige."


    However, Ye Xiang suddenly interjected, "Don''t kill him. Capture him alive."


    This important figure from the Ye family, one of the five major families, had a hint of eagerness in his eyes as he looked at Li Xiaofei. Clearly, he was also interested in the Mighty Vajra Fist. A technique that allowed a third stage martial artist to easily crush fourth stage opponents was a treasure even if it was just a single technique.


    Dugu Que said, "Fine, I''ll break his limbs, crush his neck, and leave him just a breath away from death."


    Zzzzzzzt.


    Blue lightning crackled around his arm. Dugu Que¡¯s killing intent locked on the young man opposite him as he threw a punch. Opposite him, Li Xiaofei threw a punch as well. Pale golden Starforce enveloped his fist like a layer of golden flames.


    It was the Vajra Earth-shaking Blow, the second technique of the Mighty Vajra Fist. Now that he had reached the fifth stage in Starforce Cultivation, the power of this technique could instantly kill any sixth stage opponent.


    Boom!


    Their fists collided in an instant.


    Dugu Que sneered, "I told you, you''re still far from..."


    But before he could finish his sentence, a strange vibrating force surged from Li Xiaofei''s fist.


    Buzz.


    A high-frequency vibration rang out. Dugu Que barely had time to react before he felt his right shoulder lighten. His right arm vanished as blood sprayed into the air. He was so shocked that he didn''t even feel pain at first.


    "I... you..." Dugu Que looked bewildered, his mind blank for a second or two.


    Li Xiaofei didn''t give him time to react. "Trash, you''re not even worth a single hit."


    He threw a second Vajra Earth-shaking Blow. The vibration contained within the punch was unstoppable. His fist struck Dugu Que squarely in the chest. The impact pierced through his black armor, pulverizing his internal organs and bones.


    Thud.


    Dugu Que fell heavily to the ground. "I... I''m not willing to accept this..."


    Blood gushed from his mouth and nose. His head fell to the side, and he was dead.


    The fight had ended in a flash. By the time everyone realized what had occurred, Dugu Que was already dead. Silence engulfed every corner of the entire Memorial Square like a graveyard at midnight.


    After a long moment¡ª


    "My son..." Dugu Yilong cried out in despair.


    He couldn''t believe that his highly-cherished son had died like he had been plucked from the earth like a weed.


    "You little bastard, how dare you kill my son?" Dugu Yilong''s eyes were bloodshot in fury.


    Li Xiaofei responded calmly, "Your son could ambush and kill others, but others can''t kill him?"


    "Little bastard, give me back my son''s life," Dugu Yilong screamed madly as he leaped toward the arena.


    "If you''re so attached to him, go accompany him," Li Xiaofei''s killing intent did not wane as he raised his fist. Pale golden energy surged like a dragon, causing an explosion in the air.


    Boom!


    Dugu Yilong''s body exploded in mid-air. This ambitious gang leader, who had dominated the slum for decades, dissolved into a magnificent blood mist as he vanished from the world. The sudden turn of events surpassed everyone''s expectations. Not a single leader of the seven major slum gangs were still among the living anymore.


    Li Xiaofei stood in the Martial God Arena like he was the center of the world. His clothes rustled in the wind as the arena fell deathly silent again. The martial artists from the various gangs were in shock. The Dugu father and son, who had been the main characters a moment ago, were now corpses. Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei, who had been an overlooked member of the Cloudy Sky Gang, had made a stunning impact.


    A new king of the slum had emerged with unprecedented dominance. He seemed like a true demon king. Who could challenge his iron fist?


    Zhong Ling stared blankly at the young figure in the arena. Her breath came in rapid gasps as she tried to believe what she was seeing. Beside her, Zhong Yang was terrified as he fought the instinctive urge to flee.


    "Who wins, who loses?" Li Xiaofei looked at the host, Ye Xiang calmly. "Now, please, as the host, tell me."


    Ye Xiang shivered, instinctively taking a few steps back. "You..."


    Ye Xiang initially wanted to declare that Li Xiaofei had broken the rules. But when he met Li Xiaofei''s gaze, the words stayed stuck in his throat. These slum dwellers were indeed savage butchers. Reasoning with them was pointless.


    Ye Xiang remained silent and subtly signaled the four bodyguards around him.


    "Trying to leave?" asked Li Xiaofei as he leaped off the arena, blocking Zhong Yang''s path. "Did you really kill my master?"


    His tone was calm and devoid of anger. But Zhong Yang felt immense fear. His legs felt like noodles as they shook uncontrollably. He had only revealed the secret earlier because he felt Dugu Que was dominating and wanted to survive.


    Zhong Yang forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, saying, "Brother-in-law, I..."


    Li Xiaofei interrupted him, "I asked you, did you kill my master?"


    "No, no, I was just talking nonsense earlier. It was Zhong Yuanbo who killed my father..." replied Zhong Yang, trying to explain.


    Li Xiaofei turned to Zhong Ling and said, "You tell me."


    Zhong Ling felt like a beast was staring at her. The boy in front of her seemed like a different person as his pressure landed on her. She didn''t dare to hide anything and recounted everything that happened that day in detail. After listening, Li Xiaofei slapped her across the face.


    Smack.


    Zhong Ling clutched her face, disbelief written in her eyes. No one had ever dared to hit her before.


    "That slap was on behalf of your father," Li Xiaofei said coldly.


    Zhong Ling couldn''t meet his gaze and slowly lowered her head. Li Xiaofei then turned his attention to Zhong Yang.


    Zhong Yang''s smile was uglier than if he had been crying as he pleaded, "Brother-in-law, I was forced, please let me explain..."


    Crack.


    The sound of a neck snapping echoed in the air as Zhong Yang''s pleas were abruptly silenced.


    "Go explain yourself to my master," Li Xiaofei said calmly, holding Zhong Yang''s lifeless body by the neck.


    At that moment¡ª


    Swish.


    Li Xiaofei heard the barely noticeable sound of something cutting through the air. An arrow shot towards the back of Li Xiaofei''s head like a cold star in the dark night. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 22: The Peach Blossom Eyes Uncle

    Chapter 22: The Peach Blossom Eyes Uncle Li Xiaofei unleashed a punch without turning around. The Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow sent a dragon-like column of vibrating fist energy to envelop the special short arrow. It slowed as if it was caught in a swamp, eventually shattering into metal fragments half a meter away from Li Xiaofei before falling to the ground.


    Simultaneously¡ª


    Swish, swish, swish.


    A series of thin, whistling sounds filled the air. Four black-suited bodyguards standing by the luxury SUV aimed barrel-shaped weapons at Li Xiaofei and started pulling the trigger. Countless deadly projectiles indiscriminately blanketed the area around him. This was beyond what mere physical strength could counter.


    Li Xiaofei grabbed Zhong Ling and rolled to the side. He quickly hurled Zhong Yang''s corpse at the barrage of projectiles.


    Thud, thud, thud.


    Zhong Yang''s body was instantly riddled with arrows. Taking advantage of the brief moment, Li Xiaofei rolled away with Zhong Ling in his arms. Zhong Ling, disoriented, was overwhelmed by the spinning world and the indescribable masculine scent that filled her nose.


    She screamed instinctively, "What are you doing? Let go of me!"


    "Shut up," Li Xiaofei snapped impatiently. Zhong Ling was light and soft as a pillow. She exuded a subtle, enticing fragrance. He held her tightly and kept moving. He slid behind a stone wall in the nick of time.


    Thud, thud, thud.


    Thirty to forty special Qi-breaking arrows struck the stone wall, their fletching vibrating with a buzzing sound.


    "Hide here and don''t come out," Li Xiaofei instructed Zhong Ling before dashing out.


    It was only then that Zhong Ling understood what was happening, and she cowered behind the stone wall, trembling with fear.


    Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei charged forward like a mad bull. He scooped up two corpses from the ground, swinging them like a shield to deflect most of the special arrows. It only took him five seconds to close the distance to the four black-suited bodyguards.


    Boom!


    He unleashed a punch. One of the bodyguards, also at the fifth stage, raised his arm to block. But how could he withstand the force of Li Xiaofei''s dragon-like strength?


    Crack.


    The bodyguard''s arm snapped, bending into a V shape. His massive body was sent flying and he crashed into the SUV, denting the hood. Blood gushed from his orifices; he was beyond saving.


    Bang, bang, bang.


    The other three bodyguards were swiftly dealt with almost at the same time. Li Xiaofei stood there, panting heavily. His right shoulder had three dark red patches as blood started to soak through his clothes. He had been hit by arrows.


    He glanced at the black-suited bodyguard embedded in the SUV''s hood. The bodyguard''s black suit had remained intact despite the impact. It was clearly some kind of highly protective combat suit. The weapon in the guard''s hand resembled a nail gun from the 2020s, which was not classified as a firearm. It didn''t violate the Great Xia Republic''s strict gun control laws, yet it still posed a significant threat.


    This reminded Li Xiaofei that mastering only martial techniques wouldn''t be enough in the martial art-focused future; it would be best to also master a movement technique or be equipped with powerful armor. Li Xiaofei turned to look at Ye Xiang.


    Ye Xiang, terrified, instinctively said, "I am a member of one of the five major families..."


    Boom!


    Li Xiaofei moved like lightning, unleashing a powerful punch as he shouted, "Die!"


    It didn''t matter if it was one of the five major families or the seven major gangs. If they wanted to kill him, they had to be prepared for a counterattack. The force of his punch created a visible shockwave in the air, resembling a fierce dragon that instantly engulfed Ye Xiang.


    Boom!


    The energy exploded. The turbulent air began to settle, and the dust cleared. Against all odds, Ye Xiang was unharmed. A mysterious figure had appeared in front of him.


    "Good thing I arrived in time." The newcomer said as he slowly retracted his hand and dissipated the remnants of the punch''s force. "Impressive. That punch had the power of a peak sixth stage at minimum."


    Li Xiaofei''s eyes narrowed slightly. This man appeared to be around thirty. He was tall and muscular, wearing a simple black tracksuit. His dense, short-cropped hair and square face gave him a righteous look, but his almond-shaped eyes exuded a roguish charm.


    This guy was strong. Li Xiaofei sensed an even greater threat from him than from Dugu Que or Wu Potian.


    Seventh stage?


    Perhaps even higher. He restrained his impulse to attack.


    "Didn''t expect to find such a talented ancient martial arts youth in the slum." The man with the peach blossom eyes looked Li Xiaofei up and down. "Kid, tell uncle, how old are you?"


    Li Xiaofei said, "Eighteen."


    "Really?" The man stroked his chin in surprise and asked, "Eighteen centimeters?"


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    What the hell... Is this master a pervert?


    "Move aside," Li Xiaofei said coldly.


    "Tsk tsk tsk, so young and impetuous." The man sighed. "Do you know what the consequences will be if you really kill him? The Ye family will never let you go."


    Li Xiaofei responded indifferently, "As if they would let me go if I don''t kill him now?"


    "Of course they will," the man said. "Because I can protect you."


    Li Xiaofei sneered, "I don''t believe you."


    Ye Xiang¡¯s eyes were bloodshot. He gritted his teeth as he spat out, "Little bastard, you should start praying now. The Ye family will never let you go. You, your friends, everyone you know, will all die."


    Li Xiaofei gave him a look and said, "Whatever."


    "In that case..." The man with peach blossom eyes looked a bit embarrassed. He stepped aside and said, "Go ahead, kid, kill him."


    Ye Xiang was horrified and quickly said, "Principal Chen, don''t joke like that."


    The man sneered, "Who''s joking? What do you rely on in the martial world? Reputation! If you don''t give me the respect I¡¯m worthy of, why should I protect you?"


    When he saw the murderous intent in Li Xiaofei''s eyes, Ye Xiang hurriedly said, "Principal Chen, no, I''ll give... whatever respect you want, I''ll give it to you, just save me."


    The man with peach blossom eyes finally looked satisfied. "In that case, don''t mess with my little brother Eighteen from now on."


    Li Xiaofei was once again rendered speechless.


    Eighteen centimeters, my ass. Your whole family is eighteen centimeters. Are we really not getting past this lame joke?


    Ye Xiang resentfully asked, "Principal Chen, are you really protecting this little basta- guy? Is he your friend?"


    The man replied confidently, "Not yet, but he definitely will be in the future." Sea??h the Novel?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ye Xiang''s expression shifted multiple times, unwilling to accept it. He asked, "Why?"


    The man said confidently, "Because he''s eighteen, of course."


    Ye Xiang was also struck speechless. It seemed one had to lower their head under the eaves.


    He nodded reluctantly, "Fine, I promise not to trouble this little bastard from now on."


    The man patted Ye Xiang on the shoulder, satisfied. "That''s better. Hurry along, or you''ll miss dinner."


    Ye Xiang turned and left, not even glancing at the bodies of the bodyguards who had died for him. Li Xiaofei watched Ye Xiang''s retreating figure as he felt the urge to attack.


    "Don''t chase him. You really can''t kill him." The man stood in his way and said seriously, "It''s not just because he''s from one of the five major families. Even if he were just a dog of one of the families, you can''t touch him unless you want all your friends and family to die with you."


    "Oh. Alright." Li Xiaofei complied readily.


    "Eh?" The man was taken aback. "Why did you suddenly... uh... suddenly..."


    "Suddenly become so easy to persuade?" Li Xiaofei completed his question.


    "Yeah, yeah." The man nodded. "After all, you were acting like you were ready to go down together just a second ago."


    Li Xiaofei admitted, "Just putting on a show. Given the situation, the effect of showing off would be greatly diminished if I backed down immediately."


    It was now the man¡¯s turn to be speechless.


    Turns out, I''m just a tool.


    "Let me introduce myself." The man with the peach blossom eyes straightened as he said, "I¡¯m Chen Fei, the youngest and most handsome principal in the history of Red Flag High School, and winner of the Most Popular Teacher Among Female Students award for ten consecutive years."


    Red Flag High School? Principal?


    Li Xiaofei was quite surprised. A school with such a name was clearly a public institution. It must have the backing of the Great Xia Republic¡¯s government. No wonder he dared to threaten Ye Xiang. Of course, his own strength also played a significant role.


    "Young man, I see that you have an extraordinary aura, clear brows, and remarkable bones. You''re a once-in-a-million martial arts prodigy." Chen Fei smiled at him. "How about it, are you interested in attending my Red Flag High School?"

 Chapter 23: You Actually Know Something

    Chapter 23: You Actually Know Something Join a school? I had already had enough in my past life. Did I travel five hundred years into the future to get an education? I came to become a great hero.


    Li Xiaofei replied instantly, "Not interested."


    But when he spoke, he suddenly felt a swelling and tingling sensation at the wound on his right shoulder. When he glanced down, he saw that the area hit by the short arrow had turned black and purple, with blood oozing out like pus.


    Chen Fei seemed to just notice it and exclaimed, "Oh? That looks like neurotoxic alanine poison. It''s already in your bloodstream."


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback. "Poison?"


    "Yes, it''s one of the Ye family''s exclusive deadly poisons. It can kill a ten-ton star beast and is very hard to remove with starforce. You''re in trouble," Chen Fei said dramatically.


    Li Xiaofei gave him a glance and asked, "Really? So how can I detoxify it?"


    Chen Fei replied, "You need to wash it with 95 percent pure Furnace Stone Cleanser and then have a top expert like me use Starforce Qi to cleanse your body, focusing on your right shoulder. Do this repeatedly, and you''ll recover in a month."


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment. He had heard of Furnace Stone Cleanser. Its price was comparable to Starforce Reagents and it was a limited strategic resource that was very hard to obtain. Skeptical, he secretly circulated his Starforce Qi to cleanse the wound on his left shoulder. To his surprise, the tingling and swelling sensation slightly lessened.


    "How about this, Brother Eighteen? If you join my Red Flag High School combat team, I''ll take care of healing and detoxifying you," Chen Fei said enthusiastically, his peach blossom eyes twinkling.


    Li Xiaofei felt a chill run down his back.


    This guy is too enthusiastic. Is he attracted to my looks and planning to lure me into the school before slowly taking advantage of me?


    "Not interested.¡± He repeated.


    Chen Fei couldn''t understand why Li Xiaofei was so against going to school. He patiently tried to persuade him, "Brother Eighteen, now''s not the time to be stubborn. Your life is at stake... huh?"


    His peach blossom eyes widened in disbelief as he saw the inky black pus rapidly draining from Li Xiaofei''s right shoulder wound. The wound''s color was turning healthy at a visible rate.


    Impossible!


    Chen Fei leaned in closer and asked, "Do you have an antidote?"


    "No," replied Li Xiaofei who had instinctively stepped back in disgust.


    He didn''t have an antidote, but it was clear that this so-called neurotoxin could be removed by his Starforce Qi. There was no need to worry anymore.


    Chen Fei''s eyes lit up even more, his excitement growing. He said, "You have immunity to all poisons? Wow, such a martial arts prodigy. Staying in the slum really is a waste. Don''t you want to fully unleash your talents and become a true warrior? Come to our school. I can guarantee that you''ll join the school team in the first year. Think about the great honor of participating in the city league. You might even join the city team and eventually the national team before becoming a highly sought-after Starforce General." He tried to persuade him earnestly.


    At that moment, the sound of engines roared in the distance. Three silver hover cars skidded to a stop and a few young people jumped out of the cars. The tall, blond leader with a handsome face scanned the scene, his pupils contracting at the sight of the bodies scattered everywhere. His gaze finally landed on Zhong Ling.


    "Junior Sister Zhong," he said worriedly, "Are you alright? I came as soon as I got your message."


    "Senior Zhou, you finally came." Zhong Ling''s eyes lit up like she had finally seen her savior, and she ran towards him.


    "Junior Sister Zhong, did anyone hurt you?" Sea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This place is really filthy. Can people actually live here?"


    "Is this where you live, Junior Sister Zhong?"


    "It stinks! Let''s get out of here quickly."


    "Who was bothering you, Senior Sister Zhong? Tell us, and we''ll help you get even."


    The young people, all classmates of Zhong Ling, chattered noisily.


    Zhong Ling finally relaxed at the sight of so many familiar faces. "Thank you, everyone, I''m fine."


    She recounted what had happened and then pointed at Li Xiaofei, saying something to the blond young man leading the group.


    The blond young man walked over and looked Li Xiaofei over for a moment. He said, "Hello, I''m Zhou Yiyou, Zhong Ling''s senior. Thank you for stepping in to help just now."


    Li Xiaofei frowned slightly.


    What right does he have to thank me?


    But since they were Zhong Ling''s classmates, he nodded back politely.


    "Thank you for your efforts," Zhou Yiyou continued, "We''ll take Junior Sister Zhong back to school."


    Li Xiaofei frowned again. He looked at Zhong Ling and asked, "Do you want to go back to school?"


    Zhong Ling raised her head and said, "Brother Xiaofei, thank you for risking everything to save me. I know you care about me and like me, but..."


    She looked a bit guilty and lowered her head slightly. Then she lifted her head again to meet his gaze, speaking seriously, "But we are from different worlds. It''s impossible for us to be together. I hope you can forget about me soon."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless inside. She was a typical self-centered girl. The only reason he had hesitated was because he wasn''t sure if the school could protect her. After all, he had promised his master to keep her safe. He thought for a moment and looked at Chen Fei for an answer.


    "She goes to Qishen Academy, a well-known elite school in the rule-of-law district that¡¯s under the Qi family''s protection. The Ye family wouldn''t easily mess with students from Qishen Academy. Plus, she''ll be very safe with my guarantee," Chen Fei explained understandingly.


    Li Xiaofei felt reassured as he looked back at Zhong Ling and said, "You know my number. Contact me if you need anything."


    The other students looked at Li Xiaofei in contempt and slight mockery.


    A toad wants to eat swan meat? A small gang enforcer from the slum dares to covet the beautiful flower of a prestigious high school?


    "We''ll take good care of Junior Sister Zhong. You don''t need to worry," Zhou Yiyou said sternly. "In the future, please understand your place and avoid contacting her to prevent unnecessary trouble."


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and said, "Okay."


    If nothing happened, he didn''t want to be entangled with Zhong Ling anyway.


    Zhou Yiyou nodded in satisfaction. "I''m glad to see you understand. Let me give you some advice. Once in a gang, always in a gang. It''s almost impossible to get out and clean up your life. It''s better for you to find a woman here in the slum, marry her, and live a simple life. That''s the best choice for you."


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t be bothered to argue with someone like him and replied, "Alright."


    Zhou Yiyou seemed pleased with this response. The students got back into their cars, and the sports cars roared away. Li Xiaofei breathed a sigh of relief. Zhong Ling''s issue was temporarily resolved, and he could focus on other things. Like... looting bodies.


    First, he secured Wu Potian''s Dragon Fang Sword. Then he turned and started searching the bodies of the Dugu father and son, moving from one corpse to another. Much to his delight, he found four intact Third Grade Starforce Reagents. His depleted supply of Starforce Reagents was now replenished.


    Additionally, he discovered four fingernail-sized bone fragments shining in Dugu Ques remains. They were the Lightning Mantis''s inscribed treasure bones. These were even more valuable than Starforce Reagents.


    He also found several intact manuals, including the incredible speed technique Blink Step and the ancient martial secret technique Three Steps Cicada Catch, which allowed for a sudden burst of absolute speed. There were also various other valuables that amounted to quite a fortune. Li Xiaofei grinned from ear to ear. He had struck gold.


    Chen Fei¡¯s eyelid twitched as he watched Li Xiaofei methodically loot the battlefield.


    "What are you planning to do next?" he asked, moving closer.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at the man with the peach blossom eyes, feeling annoyed. "Why are you still pestering me?"


    "Because I''m very interested in you," Chen Fei said with a wide, ingratiating smile. "Come on, tell me, Little Eighteen, what are you planning to do next?"


    Li Xiaofei stared at Chen Fei''s face. He hesitated for a moment. When he decided he probably couldn''t beat this guy, he suppressed his urge to hit him. "I plan to unify the entire slum," he declared, wiping the blood from his hands and straightening. "I want to free this lawless place from the gang''s oppression and end the exploitation of ordinary people."


    This was also his master Zhong Yuanshan''s greatest wish before he died.


    "And then?" Chen Fei asked.


    "Become stronger," Li Xiaofei said.


    "How will you become stronger?" Chen Fei pressed.


    "By cultivating," Li Xiaofei replied.


    Chen Fei laughed and asked, "Do you think you can become strong by shutting yourself away to train?"

 Chapter 24: Put Out The Fire

    Chapter 24: Put Out The Fire Li Xiaofei thought carefully and said, "I can''t."


    Five hundred years ago, many masters emphasized the four essential elements while learning traditional martial arts. They were wealth, companions, method, and location. It meant that a martial artist needed money, like-minded people, a training method, and a beneficial location for cultivation to achieve success. If they lacked any of these four elements, becoming a top master was impossible.


    But he had the Moonlight Treasure Box, which could extract martial arts techniques from the wuxia world. This covered the method. Unifying the slum and integrating the gangs could provide some wealth. But companions? He had killed all the top fighters in the slum, leaving no one to interact with. Location? The slum didn''t seem like a good place for cultivation.


    "Come on, join our Red Flag High School," said Chen Fei, extending his enthusiastic invitation again. "Even though you''re a bit older than the average student, I can make special arrangements. At school, there are classmates, teachers, martial arts techniques, cultivation resources, and protection. I can''t think of a reason for you to refuse."


    Li Xiaofei began to seriously consider it.


    Chen Fei added, "Aren''t you infatuated with that girl named Zhong Ling? You¡¯ll also need to improve yourself to win her. School can change your destiny, help you rise from the slum, and become a legitimate citizen under the sun."


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and said, "Since you are so sincere in your invitation, I will reluctantly agree."


    Chen Fei was overjoyed.


    This kid truly lived up to being eighteen centimeters; his weakness was indeed beauty.


    But then Li Xiaofei added, "But... I have one condition."


    Chen Fei said, "You want me to help you get that girl, Zhong Ling? As long as you train well..."


    Li Xiaofei interrupted, "I hope the elementary and middle schools in the rule-of-law district can accept children from the slum and provide them with educational opportunities."


    Chen Fei was taken aback as he fell silent. Li Xiaofei just watched him quietly. After a while, Chen Fei sighed.


    "Can''t do it?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Chen Fei shook his head. "No, it can be done."


    "Then why did you sigh?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Chen Fei said with feeling, "I originally thought you were a ruthless scoundrel, but it turns out you have the heart of a Bodhisattva who wishes to help the world."


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Even though you''re complimenting me, I still have to tell you that there is no future between us."


    Chen Fei''s peach blossom eyes blinked questioningly. Li Xiaofei got up and walked towards Chu Yuntian, the Third Hall Master of the Cloudy Sky Gang, who was helplessly standing off to the side.


    "Old Chu, spread the word that I want to be the only boss in this slum," Li Xiaofei said. "From today on, I will decide everything in the slum. I will set the rules, and anyone who disobeys will be killed."


    Chu Yuntian nodded quickly, "Yes, President, I''ll get on it right away."


    Li Xiaofei nodded, and Chu Yuntian immediately set off to carry out the order.


    Chen Fei came over and reminded him, "Uniting the slum is a good thing, but being the boss isn''t easy. As the leader, you¡¯ll have to take care of your subordinates'' daily needs..."


    Li Xiaofei looked at him as if he were an idiot and said, "Their daily needs are none of my business."


    Chen Fei was puzzled and shocked.


    "I''m only interested in being the boss, not their dad," Li Xiaofei said confidently. "I just want them to follow my rules. How they make a living is their own problem."


    Chen Fei looked at Li Xiaofei for a long time before giving him a thumbs up. "Well said, Brother Eighteen. You''ve hit the nail on the head."


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Thanks for the compliment."


    Chen Fei added, "Oh, there''s one more thing I need to remind you of."


    Li Xiaofei looked at him.


    Chen Fei said, "The martial technique you¡¯ve mastered is incredibly powerful. It must be the true legacy of some ancient martial arts master. Remember the saying, an innocent man treasuring a jade ring becomes a criminal. Be careful, or others might come after it."


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Then you''ll have to work harder."


    Chen Fei asked, puzzled, "Work harder on what?"


    Li Xiaofei said matter-of-factly, "Since I''m becoming a student at Red Flag High School, don''t you have to work hard to protect me?"


    Chen Fei was speechless.


    How could he say something so shameless with such ease?


    Chen Fei continued, "There''s another thing I need to remind you of."


    Li Xiaofei asked, "Why can''t you say everything at once?"


    Chen Fei said, "The fact that the Ye family members appeared here is no coincidence. If I''m not mistaken, someone has set their sights on the slum and wants to take over. If you want to unify the slum, you must be prepared for the coming storm."


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Can''t you help me with this?"


    Chen Fei smiled, "I can''t help you with that. It¡¯s your slum¡¯s issues, so you''ll have to handle it yourself.¡± He got up, dusted himself off, and walked away. "Report to school in three days."


    ***


    A joyous atmosphere permeated the air in Guang¡¯an neighborhood because the residents had received their settlement fees. 2000 star coins was a significant amount for a small family in the slum.


    In his room, Li Xiaofei lay obediently on the bed, wearing only underwear. His blind aunt''s delicate and beautiful hands pressed unevenly on his well-built muscles. Her hands were like works of art and seemed to have a strange magic about them. Li Xiaofei felt as though the muscles being massaged were on fire; it was an extremely comfortable sensation.


    "You''re going to school?" His blind aunt asked.


    Li Xiaofei nodded, "Yes"


    Li Xiaofei shared his plans with his beloved aunt. "I want to create opportunities for Little Jie and the children in our community to go to school. That way, maybe some of them will come back and establish a school in the slum when they graduate. The children here can then afford education, like those in the rule-of-law district, where they can train, study, and take control of their destinies instead of following in their parents'' footsteps and rolling in the dirty mud, fighting, and eventually joining gangs to sell their lives cheaply. Little Aunt, what do you think?"


    The blind woman listened silently for a long moment before she slowly said, "You are very good."


    Li Xiaofei immediately brightened. Perhaps he had been influenced by his predecessor''s memories, but being praised by his aunt thrilled him more than defeating Dugu Que.


    "Little Aunt, when I make it out and earn a lot of money, I''ll find the best doctors and the most expensive medicines to heal the scars on your face," said Li Xiaofei as he began to dream about the future. sea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The blind woman smiled silently and said, "Good, I look forward to that day."


    Li Xiaofei laughed again. For some reason, being alone with his aunt brought him a rare sense of peace and tranquility. He always felt comfortable around her. The blind woman¡¯s hands, dipped in a secret medicinal liquid, continued to press on Li Xiaofei''s body.


    These actions were very physically demanding. Unknowingly, a fine layer of sweat appeared on her forehead, like tiny pearls reflecting the colorful light of the setting sun. The internal injuries Li Xiaofei sustained from forcibly using the Mighty Vajra Fist were gradually healed.


    Drip, drip.


    The crystal-clear sweat dripped onto Li Xiaofei''s back. The massage finally stopped after a full hour.


    Little Jie hobbled in and said, "Little Aunt, Brother, dinner''s ready."


    Dinner was simple. Each person had a cup of clear water and a bowl of mixed nutrient porridge. There was also a small plate of green vegetables and a dish of blackish dried meat. This was already the level of a wealthy family in the slums.


    In an era of extreme scarcity of grains and vegetables, many poor people considered themselves above the standard if they could drink a serving of industrially synthesized mixed nutrient porridge each day. People died daily from hunger, exhaustion, thirst, and disease in the slum. Scenes of life and death played out constantly. Survival was genuinely tough.


    ***


    At the same time, the streets of the rule-of-law Gold Terrace District were wide, orderly, and clean. As the night fell, the neon lights on both sides of the street flickered magnificently, making it look like a paradise compared to the slum.


    Ye Xiang''s face was as dark as the night sky in the manager''s office of Yongxing Hotel. Dugu Que was dead, and the slum plan had collapsed. He was deeply anxious as he tried to figure out he could explain this to his superiors.


    Ding dong.


    His beautiful secretary pushed in a dinner cart. The cart was laden with fruits, clear water, meat, and oil-splashed noodles. It was a sumptuous feast.


    "Mr. Ye, are you in a bad mood today?" The secretary smiled charmingly and said, "Why not have a bite to eat first?"


    "Come here," commanded Ye Xiang. He grabbed the secretary''s delicate hair and forced her head down. "I''m burning up right now. Put out the fire for me."

 Chapter 25: You Guys Are Pathetically Weak

    Chapter 25: You Guys Are Pathetically Weak Strange sounds echoed in the office. Thirty seconds later, the secretary stood up, coughing violently. She licked her lips and swallowed before pouting, "You made me choke, Mr. Ye... What happened? Maybe I can help you think of a solution."


    Ye Xiang sighed in satisfaction, buckled his belt, and recounted the day''s events.


    "You want to take over the slum, huh?" The secretary smiled lightly. "That''s easy. Li Xiaofei killed Dugu Que, which means he''s more valuable than Dugu Que. As long as we control Li Xiaofei, we can still complete the slum plan."


    Ye Xiang''s eyes lit up, but he shook his head. "That little bastard is extremely murderous and hard to control, not to mention that lunatic Chen wants to protect him."


    The secretary wiped the corners of her mouth with a tissue and giggled, "This is too simple to solve. Everyone has weaknesses. Li Xiaofei, a thug from the slum who prides himself on loyalty above all, is actually easy to deal with. For example, we could capture his friends and family. If he doesn¡¯t comply, we can just kill a few. If we mix threats and incentives, he¡¯ll eventually obey. If he truly can''t be controlled, then put a bounty on his head and kill him. We can always find another agent to control the slum."


    She continued to analyze the situation, "That lunatic Chen is even easier to handle. Mr. Ye, you only promised not to trouble him yourself. You can''t guarantee that other members of the Ye family won''t. Do things discreetly, and he won''t even notice."


    Ye Xiang''s eyes brightened and said, "That makes sense. Let''s do it." He immediately called the hotel''s security manager and gave him detailed instructions.


    ***


    Three days later.


    The weather was clear with a gentle breeze when Li Xiaofei arrived at Red Flag High School¡¯s gate as agreed. The school spanned sixty thousand square meters, with reinforced concrete buildings that had stood for a hundred and thirty years. They showed their age as the elements wore away at them.


    "Hey, who are you? Are you sneaking around here looking for someone?" asked an elderly man wearing a security uniform and reading glasses as he stepped out of the guardroom.


    "I''m looking for Principal Chen Fei," Li Xiaofei said as he walked closer. "He asked me to come here today to complete enrollment procedures."


    "You are Li Xiaofei?" The old man put on his reading glasses, looked Li Xiaofei up and down, nodded, and said, "Principal Chen took the school battle team talents out for field training today, but he mentioned you before he left. Follow me."


    He led Li Xiaofei into the school. The campus grounds were all paved with concrete, with hardly any greenery in sight. In fact, the entirety of Liuhe Base City was like this due to severe water shortages; vegetation was nearly nonexistent. The air was dry and dusty.


    "What''s your last name, sir?" Li Xiaofei asked casually.


    "My last name is Qin." The old guard replied without looking back. "You can call me Grandpa Qin."


    "Grandpa Qin, when will Principal Chen be back?" asked Li Xiaofei.


    "He left the city yesterday afternoon, so he probably won''t return until tomorrow morning," replied Grandpa Qin.


    "That long? Isn''t it said that the outskirts are full of star beasts and very dangerous?" Li Xiaofei continued asking questions.


    "The Liuhe Base City High School War God League will begin in half a month. If they want to achieve good results, the battle team must undergo trials and venture into truly dangerous environments to stimulate their potential."


    "High School War God League?"


    "Yes, it''s a city-level league that a total of thirty-two teams participate in. The resources the school receives depend entirely on the team''s performance in the league."


    "How did our school''s team perform?"


    "First place." sea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "So strong?"


    "From the bottom."


    "Uh..." Li Xiaofei didn''t know how to respond.


    So Red Flag High School was this bad?


    It seemed like Chen Fei had tricked him.


    "Why don''t I see other students around the campus?" He changed the topic.


    Grandpa Qin said, "Students from Qishen Academy came to challenge today, so everyone went to watch."


    Qishen Academy? The name sounded familiar. After a moment of thought, Li Xiaofei remembered it was the elite school where Zhong Ling studied. "Grandpa Qin, can we go and watch too?" He was slightly interested.


    But Grandpa Qin shook his head and said, "No, you have to complete the enrollment procedures first. Only then will you be officially recognized as a student of Red Flag High School and allowed to watch."


    Li Xiaofei quickly got his student ID, light-core laptop, school uniform, and other daily necessities as he followed Grandpa Qin. The student ID had an embedded chip that served as a meal card, access card, dorm key, and shopping card for the school store. It could also be used as an ID outside the school, allowing Li Xiaofei to move legally beyond the slum.


    "Grandpa, aren''t you the security guard? Why are you handling enrollment procedures?" Li Xiaofei asked curiously after changing into his school uniform.


    Grandpa Qin removed his security badge and replaced it with another one, saying, "Let me formally introduce myself. I¡¯m Qin Dewei, Dean of Red Flag High School."


    Li Xiaofei looked at the Dean badge glinting on Grandpa Qin''s chest and fell into deep thought. Something didn''t seem right. The feeling that he''d been duped grew stronger.


    "Grandpa, have I been tricked?" he asked sincerely.


    Grandpa Qin replied just as sincerely, "It seems so."


    "Can I still drop out now?"


    "Heh, once you''ve enrolled, you''re one of us for life, no matter if you¡¯re alive or dead."


    "Grandpa, cut me some slack."


    "Impossible. Chen Fei worked hard to bring in a student. If you run away on my watch, I''d become the school''s biggest disgrace."


    "Grandpa, how many students does our school have?" Li Xiaofei asked, eagerly wanting to know.


    "Our school covers sixty thousand acres and has fifty classrooms, including four large light-core computer rooms and four level-three biology dissection labs..." Grandpa Qin ignored his question and started introducing the school to him.


    "Grandpa, my question was, how many students do we have?" Li Xiaofei asked again.


    "Oh, right. There are also two level-three national standard training grounds, three hundred and fifty-one student dormitories, and four cafeterias."


    "Grandpa, do you need a hearing aid? I''m asking how many students we have."


    "Sigh, you still don''t get it? If we had many students, would I be working this hard to dodge your question?"


    "Damn..." Li Xiaofei was surprised.


    "Swearing in front of the Dean will get you demerits."


    "Sorry."


    "No problem. Let''s go, didn''t you want to watch the challenge match?"


    "Okay... So how many students are there exactly?"


    "Counting you, sixty-one."


    "Damn, that few?"


    "Swearing again? This time, I''m really deducting points."


    "Sorry."


    They were soon at the southern training ground. The training ground was vast and well-equipped, with half of it covered in concrete and the other half in special hardened rubber, with various training apparatuses placed in different zones. Although the facilities appeared aged, they were well-maintained.


    At the center of the concrete section was a sunken circular arena with descending concrete steps that formed twenty-one tiers of seating for spectators.


    At that moment, students from two groups were seated on the southern and northern steps. On the southern side, there were fifty-two students wearing Red Flag High School''s black and white cotton uniforms. On the northern side, there were nine fully equipped students dressed in all-white specialized battle attire. These were clearly the elites from Qishen Academy.


    Among them was a familiar face. Zhou Yiyou, the handsome young man who had taken Zhong Ling away that day, was leading the Qishen Academy team. However, there was a battle going on in the fifty-meter-diameter arena in the center.


    "Go, Senior Sister Wang!"


    "Come on, you can do it!"


    The students from Red Flag High School were shouting themselves hoarse as they cheered for their representative. But the situation in the arena was grim. Wang Yuting, who was representing Red Flag High School, was being toyed with like a cat with a mouse by her younger opponent. Starforce flames flickered and burst as explosive sounds echoed from the arena.


    Bang.


    Wang Yuting fell heavily to the ground with a dull thud and couldn''t get up again.


    Across from her, Qishen Academy''s Qi Yiqian looked disdainful, "Is this the strength of Red Flag High School''s substitute team? Haha, it''s really too weak. Pathetic. You¡¯re all laughably weak."

 Chapter 26: It Only Takes One Punch To Defeat You

    Chapter 26: It Only Takes One Punch To Defeat You The loudly cheering students had fallen silent. The challenge exchange match had a total of ten rounds. It was currently the fourth round and Red Flag High School had lost all the previous rounds. Even more embarrassingly, the representatives from Red Flag High School didn¡¯t even last more than ten seconds in the first three rounds.


    In the fourth round, Wang Yuting had managed to hold on for three minutes. But it was clear to everyone that her opponent had been holding back on purpose.


    Is the skill gap so wide?


    The students of Red Flag High School fell into a deathly silence. On the other hand, the students of Qishen Academy were laughing and cheering.


    "Junior Sister Qi is only a freshman this year, and she easily defeated a senior from Red Flag High School."


    "No wonder Red Flag High School is always at the bottom in the High School War God League. They don''t deserve to win with this level of education."


    "This is the difference in skill. Even dogs wouldn''t attend Red Flag High School."


    The students of Qishen Academy, dressed in expensive battle attire, deliberately spoke loudly to mock their opponents. While the students of Red Flag High School were flushing with anger, they had no way to refute in the face of such a vast gap in skill.


    In the arena, Qi Yiqian''s face was full of undisguised pride and smugness.


    "I only joined Qishen Academy three months ago, and I can already trample over your senior students. I heard rumors that this worthless opponent is even a substitute for your school''s battle team. What''s your name again? Wang Yuting? Even the janitor at our school is stronger than you. Get lost and stop embarrassing yourself here."


    She looked at her struggling opponent as she taunted Wang Yuting. Red Flag High School''s representative Wang Yuting wasn''t seriously injured but was so angered that she spat out a mouthful of blood.


    "Is there anyone else?" Qi Yiqian raised her hand and pointed at the seating area on the south steps as she shouted arrogantly, "A bunch of useless trash, stop wasting time." S~ea??h the Novel?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She was so conceited, she didn''t even consider anyone else. The students of Red Flag High School remained silent with pained expressions. It wasn¡¯t that they were afraid to fight, nor were they afraid of getting hurt. They were afraid of losing.


    Embarrassment was one thing, but the key issue was that losing this routine challenge exchange match would result in Red Flag High School receiving even fewer resources from the Education Department. For a moment, the arena was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.


    At that moment, Zhou Yiyou, the leader of Qishen Academy, stood up. He had a superior smile on his face as he arrogantly said, "Since no one dares to fight, just admit defeat. Honestly, fighting an exchange match with trash like you is a complete waste of tim-"


    "Who says no one dares to fight?" Li Xiaofei leaped forward from behind the crowd. He landed in the arena with a boom and said, "I''ll fight."


    Now that he had joined Red Flag High School, he felt a sense of collective honor. He was naturally chivalrous and eager to right wrongs; Li Xiaofei had never been a selfish person. So, he decided to step up.


    "You?" Qi Yiqian glanced at him. "Pretty boy, you look handsome, but let''s see if you can take a beating."


    She made her move without hesitation as the dirt under her feet exploded like splashing water. In the next instant, Qi Yiqian was above Li Xiaofei''s head. Her long leg gleamed with a silver light, slicing down viciously like a giant ax.


    In response to her attack, Li Xiaofei casually swung his palm.


    Smack.


    Qi Yiqian performed a 3,300-degree spin and a 720-degree backflip in the air as she was sent flying.


    Bang.


    Her delicate body hit the ground heavily, and she fainted on the spot.


    "Is that all?" Li Xiaofei said calmly, "How dare you come to Red Flag High School and show off with this level of skill?"


    He looked at the students of Qishen Academy sitting on the steps and beckoned with his fingers. "Come on, next person."


    After a brief moment of disbelief, the south stand erupted in a wave of cheers.


    "Great, well done!"


    "Haha, beautiful!"


    The students of Red Flag High School were overjoyed and lost in excitement.


    Of course, some students asked their classmates in confusion, "Who is this handsome senior? Why haven''t I seen him before?"


    On the other side, the students of Qishen Academy were both shocked and furious.


    "How dare he hit so hard?"


    "Senior Sister Qi is a girl! How could he humiliate her like that?"


    "Unforgivable."


    "Get him."


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.


    Three Qishen Academy students simultaneously jumped into the arena. One of them ran over to help the slowly awakening Qi Yiqian and took her away. The other two stared daggers at Li Xiaofei. The students of Red Flag High School were instantly unhappy.


    One of them said, "Shameless, are you going to break the rules of the exchange match and fight two against one?"


    The two Qishen Academy students exchanged glances.


    "Junior Brother Yue, you step back, I''ll handle this madman."


    "Senior Brother Chang, there''s no need to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut, let me do it."


    Neither of them wanted to back down as they both stepped forward in unison.


    Li Xiaofei beckoned with his finger again and said, "No need to fight over it, I''m in a hurry, so both of you can come at me together."


    "Arrogant, who do you think you are that we''re worth teaming up against you?"


    "Trash, you''re overestimating yourself."


    The two sneered in unison.


    "Fools." Li Xiaofei sneered coldly, making the first move.


    He surged forward with the Vajra Thunderous Strike. A faint golden light enveloped his fist, and its air pressure surged out like a furious dragon before his punch even landed.


    Junior Brother Yue cried out in alarm as he channeled his starforce to defend with all his might, but he was instantly sent flying. Senior Brother Chang was stronger than his junior brother, so his entire body glowed with a faint blue light. He crossed his arms in front of him to form a blue light shield to withstand the strike.


    Boom.


    But the blue light shield shattered instantly when Li Xiaofei¡¯s fist landed on it.


    "Ughhh!¡± Chang Xuezhang spewed blood from his mouth as his body flew backward uncontrollably. He landed in a heap.


    Li Xiaofei slowly retracted his fist.


    "Too weak. Pathetic. You¡¯re laughably weak." He taunted them with their own words as he continued, "Having an exchange match with trash like you is a pure waste of time."


    The students of Red Flag High School were stunned.


    Where did this hero come from?


    The cheers that exploded out of the students was like a volcano erupting. They cheered, jumped, and screamed in delight. The sensation was simply too exhilarating.


    On the other hand, the students of Qishen Academy were shocked and angry. They couldn¡¯t believe what had just happened. But the holographic projection hovering above the arena repeatedly played back the slow-motion footage of the fight. It had only taken one punch to defeat two Qishen Academy students. The elegance of that punch left everyone amazed.


    Even Grandpa Qin, the gatekeeper, had a different glint in his eyes. He murmured, "Looks like Little Chen found a real ancient martial arts genius this time."


    At that moment...


    "It''s you?" Zhou Yiyou suddenly shouted, "You are that lowly person from the slum?"


    He finally recognized Li Xiaofei. The handsome boy in the Red Flag High School uniform turned out to be the same humble lapdog from the slums.


    "What? Just recognized me?" Li Xiaofei looked up as he crooked his finger at Zhou Yiyou, "Come, let me see if your strength matches your high and mighty arrogance from before." Li Xiaofei held grudges well.


    Zhou Yiyou was taken aback at first, but he then sneered, "It seems you didn''t heed my warning."


    A lowly slum dweller with an ignorant obsession is dreaming of reaching for a delicate flower from the academy. Instead of staying quietly in the slums, he foolishly believed that attending school would erase his gangster past and make him an honorable person? How idiotic.


    Zhou Yiyou moved, landing lightly in the arena like a breeze.


    "Red Flag High School is really desperate if they¡¯re accepting slum trash due to lack of students." He looked at Li Xiaofei in disdain, his confident expression radiating a powerful aura. "The ones who fought you earlier were just our academy''s first-year students. They were just looking for some fun... But since you want to step up the game, I''ll show you the real power of a senior from a top-tier high school in the rule-of-law district. I''ll let you understand what despair truly means."


    Li Xiaofei smiled and said, "One punch is all it would take to defeat you. I¡¯ll admit defeat if it takes more than one."

 Chapter 27: It Really Only Took A Single Punch

    Chapter 27: It Really Only Took A Single Punch Zhou Yiyou¡¯s face betrayed his disdain.


    ¡°What? Are you resentful because I took away Junior Sister Zhong?¡± He laughed coldly, ¡°The weak are pitifully deluded.¡±


    He unleashed his Starforce Qi. Qishen Academy was renowned as a New Martial Arts school, so Zhou Yiyou was naturally a New Martial Arts practitioner. He had implanted various bio-batteries and electric pumps in his body. These devices allowed him to store and unleash the Starforce Qi accumulated during regular cultivation at a high intensity during combat.


    At this moment, a fiery aura of pale red energy circulated around him, emanating a radiant light like flames. Seven visible fiery qi vortexes appeared around his body, resembling tornadoes that connected him to the heavens and the earth. It was the seventh stage.


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of awe.


    So, this was the strength of students from the top high schools in the rule-of-law district?


    The most powerful figures in the slums, even those who dominated their territories, were only at the sixth stage. Wu Potian had forged a legend in the Martial God Arena of the slums at the sixth stage. But his level couldn¡¯t even match a high school student.


    The slums were truly a stagnant backwater that was incapable of nurturing any significant talents. In this light, accepting Chen Fei¡¯s invitation to leave and attend school was undoubtedly the right decision.


    However... Why is Zhong Ling, who also attends Qishen Academy, such a weakling?


    Various thoughts flashed through Li Xiaofei''s mind. But he quickly focused on the battle and also began to circulate his own Starforce Qi. A faint golden glow enveloped his body. Each cultivator would manifest different colors of starforce after awakening due to their unique physique. At the Qi Refining Realm, the color of one¡¯s Starforce Qi didn''t signify any special power. But once they reached the Limit Breaking Realm, it was a different story.


    "Heh, fifth stage?" Zhou Yiyou sneered, "It is indeed rare for a slum-dwelling vermin to reach the fifth stage, but..."


    He positioned his arms to his sides, fists clenched, then slowly raised them up. His pale red Starforce Qi gathered at his fists and transformed into giant fists. At first glance, it looked as if he were wearing massive boxing gloves.


    Zhou Yiyou continued, "But, the fifth stage is still far from enough in front of me."


    Zhou Yiyou threw his head back in a laugh as he said, "Little vermin, since you''re so arrogant with just that one martial technique, I''ll defeat you with my martial technique and completely shatter your pride... Blazing Ascension Punch!"


    He raised his left fist and drew back his right.


    Boom!


    Zhou Yiyou''s right fist shot out like a spear, and a crimson giant fist tore through the atmosphere as if it was splitting the air apart.


    "It''s Senior Zhou''s killing move."


    "That''s the new martial technique he acquired from the Inscribed Treasure Bone of the Flame-backed Turtle Dragon Beast."


    "He''s definitely going to win."


    The students of Qishen Academy couldn''t wait to cheer. However, a hint of excitement appeared on Li Xiaofei''s face.


    As expected of a senior from Qishen Academy.


    This punch surpassed Wu Potian and was the strongest punch he had seen since coming to this world. Li Xiaofei stood his ground, his arms drawing arcs to the sides. His left fist swept past his right, and when his right fist reached his waist, it suddenly shot forward.


    A golden light erupted. It was the Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow! His punch was like a hammer capable of shaking the heavens.


    Boom!


    The clash of their punches exploded in midair, shattering the air with a continuous, deafening roar. It was a pure collision of fists.


    Boom!


    A terrifying explosion erupted, like two artillery shells colliding and detonating, releasing a horrifying amount of energy.


    But the outcome had been decided in an instant. Zhou Yiyou''s body flew uncontrollably backward, slamming into the stone wall of the arena and leaving a large, human-shaped dent.


    Li Xiaofei was pushed back five steps but stood firm. The air around him gradually slowed and the dust that had been stirred up slowly settled. The arena became so quiet that one could hear the rapid breathing of the onlookers.


    Crack.


    The sound of the stone wall cracking echoed as Zhou Yiyou''s body, along with fragments of stone, fell to the ground. He knelt on one knee, slowly raising his head with his face full of disbelief.


    One punch. It really only took one punch to beat Zhou Yiyou. Despite not holding back at all, Zhou Yiyou had been defeated by Li Xiaofei''s fist.


    "You... ugh!" He opened his mouth to speak, but a mouthful of blood abruptly spewed out.


    Li Xiaofei dusted off his school uniform and said, "Your so-called pride is rather fragile, no?"


    Zhou Yiyou struggled to stand as he shouted angrily, "I haven''t lost yet. I can still fight."


    Li Xiaofei simply raised his fist and unleashed another punch. The force of the punch roared like a dragon. A visible column of fiery energy brushed past Zhou Yiyou''s temple as it slammed into the stone wall of the arena.


    The punch left a massive three-meter-diameter indentation on the stone wall. There was half-meter-wide hole that went half a meter deep at the center of the indentation, with a fist-shaped imprint at its base.


    The power of this punch was even more terrifying than the last. Zhou Yiyou''s pupils contracted sharply as he stood frozen. It was only then that he realized that his opponent had held back earlier. Otherwise, he would have been severely injured or worse. A collective gasp of shock echoed inside and outside the arena.


    That kind of strength Could that really be a punch thrown by a student?


    Li Xiaofei looked towards the other seating area and calmly said, "Is there anyone else who is dissatisfied? Come down and fight."


    This time, it was the students from Qishen Academy who felt a mix of anger and frustration. Even their strongest, Zhou Yiyou, had been defeated in one punch, so there was no need to mention the others. They looked at each other in uncertainty. In the end, no one stepped forward.


    Li Xiaofei said coolly, "If no one dares to fight, then just admit defeat. Don''t waste my time."


    "You dare humiliate us?" A tall girl jumped down and shouted, "I''ll fight you. Do you think you¡¯re a big deal now just because you won a few matches? Why are you so arrogantly humiliating us?"


    Li Xiaofei didn''t waste any words to reply and threw another punch. The force of the punch instantly blasted the tall girl away. She lay in a heap on the ground, unable to get up.


    "I''m just treating you the way you treated others," Li Xiaofei said, looking at the angry tall girl and the other students from Qishen Academy. "Did you think about the possibility that you might meet someone stronger when you arrogantly humiliated Red Flag High School? If you want to preserve your dignity, show others the respect they deserve when you''re strong."


    The tall girl was stunned into silence. The students from Qishen Academy stood there, both ashamed and furious.


    "Anyone else?" Li Xiaofei asked, looking at them. "If you won''t admit defeat, then come down and fight."


    He had shown restraint in every blow he had inflicted today. After all, his opponents were students. Though they were arrogant and condescending, they were not the bloodthirsty killers from the slums. A lesson would more than suffice.


    "We admit defeat," Zhou Yiyou said bitterly as he climbed to his feet. He gritted his teeth and continued, "This time, Red Flag High School won the exchange challenge, but..."


    Zhou Yiyou glared at Li Xiaofei, his jaw clenched. "But don''t get too complacent. Let me tell you the truth, the ones who came today are just freshmen from Qishen Academy, and even I am just an alternate on the school team. The real talents of Qishen Academy are beyond your imagination. The humiliation you inflicted today won''t be forgotten. In the High School War God League, Qishen Academy will make Red Flag High School pay dearly." S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He and his group then left in disgrace.


    "Haha, we won, we really won."


    "We actually beat Qishen Academy."


    "This feels amazing, winning feels so good."


    The arena erupted with cheers like a volcanic explosion.


    Some of the more emotional young female students at Red Flag High School were moved to tears. After being oppressed and humiliated for so long, even a small victory in an exchange challenge felt hard-won.


    Li Xiaofei was very pleased with the atmosphere. After showing off, it was only right to have some applause. Just as he was about to deliver a few well-prepared lines...


    A loud shout came from the distant playground, "Principal Chen and the others are back!"


    The students who had been cheering suddenly ran off in every direction. Li Xiaofei stood there, bewildered.


    "Really?"


    He felt a bit lost in the wind.


    Damn. Didn''t they say that Chen the Bandit would be back tomorrow? Why did he come back early? Could something have happened?

 Chapter 28: Please Guide Me In The Future, Everyone

    Chapter 28: Please Guide Me In The Future, Everyone An incident had occurred. The news quickly spread throughout the school.


    The school battle team had encountered a grade three star beast that had crossed regions during the field training outside the city. The captain, Yan Chiyu, had been seriously injured while protecting his teammates. Therefore, the field training ended prematurely. This news was absolutely devastating for Red Flag High School. Yan Chiyu was the top genius of Red Flag High School. She was the only student at the tenth stage.


    Most high school battle teams were composed of five members. They had two main fighters, one medic, one weapons specialist, and one beastmaster. Yan Chiyu was one of the main fighters for Red Flag High School. She was also the only hope for Red Flag High School to make a breakthrough in the Liuhe Base City War God League. But she had fallen just before the opening of the league.


    Ding ding ding!


    The class bell rang and the students returned to their respective classrooms.


    "It''s over, it''s over."


    "When it rains, it pours."


    "I heard that Senior Sister Yan got injured saving Bai Qiqi."


    "That freshman who joined six months ago that specialized in beast mastery?"


    "There''s no other way. With Senior Sister Yan''s personality, she would never ignore a classmate in danger."


    "That''s right. Never abandoning your classmates in any situation is the first principle of Red Flag High School."


    "Sigh, what do we do now? Our primary fighter is injured, and the league''s prospects look bleak."


    "I wonder if Senior Fang Buyi, the secondary fighter, can hold up."


    "Senior Fang is at the eighth stage, so he should be able to, right?"


    "What do you know? The battle teams of those noble high schools have monstrous primary fighters at the Limit Breaking Realm." Sea??h the novelF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Well, isn''t there still that freakish freshman?"


    "Fist King Li Xiaofei?"


    "Fist King?"


    "It''s a new nickname. With such powerful fists, what else would you call him if not Fist King?"


    "True, he instantly defeated the seventh stage Zhou Yiyou with one punch. What realm do you think Fist King is at?"


    "Isn''t he at the fifth stage?"


    "Idiot, can someone at the fifth stage punch with such terrifying force? He''s definitely holding back his true strength."


    "Regardless, I can bet that Senior Fist King definitely qualifies for the battle team."


    "Do you even need to say that? If he could perfectly fill the gap left by Senior Sister Yan, that would be great."


    "Although Fist King is strong, Senior Sister Yan is not that easy to replace."


    "That''s right. Her strength was not the only reason Senior Sister Yan became the core of Red Flag High School''s battle team."


    The students had no motivation to study or cultivate until the afternoon self-study period as they whispered and chatted at their desks. They were worried about the results of the War God League, about the fate of their school and their own futures.


    ***


    At the same time, the principal''s office was quite crowded. Li Xiaofei was also present.


    "From now on, Li Xiaofei will be a member of the school battle team, serving as the substitute for the primary fighter," announced Chen Fei.


    He solemnly handed a set of special battle attire, which exemplified the school battle team, to Li Xiaofei. At the same time, Li Xiaofei''s student light-core information was reset. Grandpa Qin, the gatekeeper and dean, was also in the office along with three grade directors. Of course, the other eleven members of the school battle team were also present.


    Chen Fei introduced each team member to Li Xiaofei one by one. Captain Yan Chiyu, with her left leg bandaged, sat in a wheelchair. She was a seventeen-year-old girl with a head of thick, boyishly cropped hair. She wore a gold circular earring on her right ear, had willow-leaf eyebrows, and large, round eyes with slightly upturned corners.


    This type of eye shape often gave an impression of sharpness and intimidation. Her nose was straight and prominent, and her lips were long but not thin. They seemed slightly pale due to her injury. As she sat straight in the wheelchair, she seemed rather slender, with an estimated height of around 1.7 meters.


    When Chen Fei introduced her, Yan Chiyu scrutinized Li Xiaofei with a harsh, critical gaze. Whether it was an illusion or not, Li Xiaofei couldn''t shake the feeling that this heroic and spirited female captain looked at him with a deep sense of hostility. The team''s secondary fighter, Fang Buyi, was a robust 1.8 meters tall, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, and always wore a confident and cheerful smile on his face.


    The substitute primary fighter, Zhuge Long, was a thin and delicate-looking young boy at the seventh stage who smiled shyly at Li Xiaofei. The main healer was Ren Dong, a little girl with a big head, naturally light yellow hair, big eyes, and freckles on her face, giving her a look straight out of a Japanese manga.


    The substitute healer, Nan Tianxing, was a muscular man who was as big as a bear and hefted a specially designed large storage box on his back. His 2.1-meter-tall body almost blocked the ceiling light, casting a shadow on the ground. He seemed to be pondering some century-old problem, muttering to himself under his breath.


    The main beastmaster, Liu Xiao, was a tall, skinny boy with thick eyebrows. The substitute beastmaster, Bai Qiqi, was slender and looked as delicate as a porcelain doll. Her skin was astonishingly white, almost like she had albinism. At that moment, her face was filled with regret and shame. Yan Chiyu had been injured by the grade three star beast, the Earth-Splitting Green Lizard, while saving her. Bai Qiqi felt guilty, so her eyes were red and filled with tears, making her look even more charming and lovely.


    The main weapons specialist, Bai Longfei, was handsome and tall, the kind of guy who was a heartthrob at first sight. He was rather popular at Red Flag High School. The substitute weapons specialist, Du Heng, was a taciturn and dark-skinned young man. The boys and girls all looked at Li Xiaofei, sizing him up curiously.


    "Welcome to the school battle team." The secondary fighter, Fang Buyi, greeted him enthusiastically, "I heard about your achievements in the arena, well done."


    The other team members also greeted Li Xiaofei one after another. Only Yan Chiyu sat in her wheelchair, saying nothing.


    Li Xiaofei didn''t mind and smiled as he responded to everyone, "Please guide me in the future, everyone."


    He was not stingy with his kindness towards his own people. The other members of the team all breathed a sigh of relief when they realized that the rumored Fist King was rather approachable. They had feared encountering a genius who, despite being extraordinarily powerful, was arrogant and uncooperative. Such an individual, though strong in personal combat, could undermine the team''s overall effectiveness.


    Chen Fei also smiled in satisfaction as he said, "According to school regulations, you should start from the first year of high school, but considering you¡¯re a bit old, we''ll put you in the third-year class."


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but complain inwardly.


    This damn principal, he had been so obsequious when recruiting me. Now that he has me, he¡¯s complaining about my age.


    Chen Fei continued, "You¡¯ve been running rampant outside for too long and never received a formal systematic education. This won''t do. Here''s the schedule I''ve set for you. Starting tomorrow, follow the timetable and attend classes. Try to make up all the basic classes before the High School War God League starts."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    Good grief. After complaining about my age, now it¡¯s my educational background.


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned silent as he looked at his densely packed schedule on the learning light-core pad.


    I must have lost my mind to agree to come to school.


    "In addition to that, you also need to participate in the team¡¯s joint training," Chen Fei continued. "Little Yan¡¯s injury is severe and she needs three months to fully recover. As the substitute primary fighter, you need to integrate into the team as quickly as possible and be ready to step in immediately if needed."


    Unable to bear it any longer, Li Xiaofei said, "What do you take me for? A workhorse or a programmer on a tight deadline? Do I not deserve some rest?"


    Chen Fei replied as if everything was perfectly reasonable, "This is all for your own good."


    Li Xiaofei was rendered speechless again. He wanted to argue further, but Chen Fei chased him out of the office.


    Outside, the sun was shining brightly.


    "Li, let me show you around the campus," said Fang Buyi, the vice-captain, immediately extending an olive branch.


    "Thank you," Li Xiaofei replied.


    He was also curious to find out how the current high schools managed to balance learning and cultivation, and what the combined curriculum entailed.


    "Let''s all go together," Ren Dong, the manga-like healer, said excitedly.


    The other team members silently followed along. Getting to know each other and building camaraderie was part of the team''s daily training regimen.


    ***


    In the principal''s office.


    "Principal, I oppose Li Xiaofei joining the battle team," Yan Chiyu said, her head held, eyes resolute, and expression stubborn. "As for the reason, Principal, you should know it well."


    "Red Flag High School has no other choice," Chen Fei replied with a bitter smile. "To be honest, I visited every district in the base city this entire recruitment season, and in the end, I only managed to deceive- ah, recruit him as a student."


    "Actually... I think Li Xiaofei is quite good," Grandpa Qin, the gatekeeper, said with a cheerful smile. "Besides, Little Yan, you don''t want Red Flag High School to be delisted by the Education Department, do you?"

 Chapter 29: The Conflict Between New Martial And Old Martial Arts

    Chapter 29: The Conflict Between New Martial And Old Martial Arts In the corridor.


    As Fang Buyi walked, he introduced the school to Li Xiaofei.


    "Our school has a total of three grades, which have one class each. The first-year class has ten students, the second-year class has twenty-one students, and including you, the third-year class has thirty students. We only have a few students because our performance in the High School War God League in recent years has been poor, making it difficult to attract new students. Furthermore, since the old principal insisted on making Great Xia martial lineage the main teaching content, even fewer people were willing to come to our school."


    Li Xiaofei curiously asked, "The Great Xia martial lineage is our national treasure with a long history. Why are so many people unwilling to cultivate it?"


    Ren Dong jumped around eagerly with his mushroom-like head and answered, "Let me explain, let me explain, I know this one... It¡¯s because many of the Great Xia martial lineage''s techniques and combat skills had lost their core inheritance. Moreover, it required high cultivation aptitude, took a long time to train, and wasn''t easy to master quickly. Many people didn''t have the patience for gradual practice. On the other hand, the new martial arts faction only needed some minimally invasive surgery to implant the Inscribed Treasure Bone of star beasts to quickly enhance their combat strength and master star beast techniques..."


    Li Xiaofei seemed to be deep in thought. It sounded a bit like the conflict between the Sword Sect and the Qi Sect of the Huashan Clan. [1]


    He had witnessed the techniques of the new martial arts faction. Dugu Que had undergone new martial surgery and had implanted the Inscribed Treasure Bone of a star beast in his body. But even a wastrel from a slum gang like him could obtain the combat ability of the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    Who wouldn''t like to take shortcuts?


    Fang Buyi quickly stopped Ren Dong''s analysis. "What if Li Xiaofei decides to drop out after hearing your introduction to our school?"


    He hastily added, "Actually, the advantage of the Great Xia martial lineage lies in its steady and profound progress. Once you get through the initial accumulation period, the path ahead is smooth, and the heights you can reach are beyond what new martial arts can ever achieve."


    The primary weapons specialist Bai Longfei also chimed in, "Senior Brother Fang is absolutely right. Many ancient martial arts seniors have said that the new martial surgery disrupts the body''s integrity, and it''s like drinking poison to quench thirst. Although it can rapidly increase strength in the early stages, it comes at the cost of damaging the innate human body. Once you undergo new martial surgery, it essentially cuts off the path to becoming a Saint in the future."


    "Y-yes... the G-G-Great Xia martial lineage... was once very... g-glorious," stuttered the substitute beastmaster Bai Qiqi. She was quite self-conscious, but she was trying to find opportunities to speak and integrate into the team. However, her face turned beet red as soon as she finished speaking.


    Fang Buyi said emotionally, "Ancient martial arts masters emerged one after another in the first hundred years after the cataclysm, battling the star beasts and defending the lands of the Great Xia and the descendants of the Chinese. The world''s first Saint was an ancient martial arts cultivator from the Great Xia, Taiyi. Over the following centuries, dozens more ancient martial arts Saints rose and made immense sacrifices and contributions for the Great Xia and the survival of the entire human race."


    "Indeed, thirty-six ancient martial arts Saints from the Great Xia have fallen in the wars against star beasts in the past five hundred years. There are countless Sub-Saints and other powerful ancient martial artists. Humanity might have already gone extinct without the efforts of these sages." The primary beastmaster, Liu Xiao, lamented.


    "It''s a pity that many people are gradually forgetting the contributions of these pioneers nowadays and are abandoning their roots to pursue new martial arts." Even the usually reticent substitute weapons specialist Du Heng couldn''t help but interject. "I don''t understand what the leaders are thinking by implementing new martial arts policies nationwide."


    "If this continues, who knows how many traditional ancient martial arts schools will close down while all our resources get diverted to new martial arts projects," The substitute main fighter Zhuge Long looked worried as he spoke.


    Li Xiaofei remained silent. He could tell that his team members were staunch supporters of ancient martial arts. He also started to understand that the future of the ancient martial arts faction seemed bleak.


    "By the way, what are the main classes taught at the school?" asked Li Xiaofei, deciding to change the subject.


    Fang Buyi kept walking as he replied, "Our school is quite unique. The main classes are linguistics, Starforce Cultivation, combat techniques, herbalism, biology, weapons courses, and a few elective life sciences."


    According to Fang Buyi, although the nations of the past no longer existed in the world, the classification of languages hadn''t changed much in five hundred years. Languages such as Chinese, English, Spanish, and Portuguese, along with some smaller languages, were still prevalent.


    Language skills were quite important for communication in the virtual world of light cores, making it one of the regular classes. Starforce Cultivation and combat technique classes were exactly what their names implied. Herbalism primarily involved memorizing and identifying the medicinal properties of various wild plants, as well as learning the quickest and most primitive methods to prepare medicine for healing and detoxification.


    Biology mainly focused on the study of star beasts. The principle of not being defeated in a hundred battles if one knew themselves and their enemy applied here. Understanding star beasts was crucial to combating them. The weapons class covered the use of various weapons. The class mostly focused on cold weapons, but also covered firearms. Even schools aligned with the new martial arts faction primarily trained in cold weapons.


    This approach stemmed from centuries of experience that humanity had gathered during the long wars against star beasts. Conventional firearms had a hard time dealing fatal blows to star beasts and were too resource-intensive. On the other hand, cold weapons made of special metals offered greater lethality when used with combat techniques. They were also more convenient to carry and consumed fewer resources.


    "Most of the coursework could be completed via light cores. Although we are a school of the ancient martial arts faction, it doesn''t mean we are completely cut off from modern conveniences," Fang Buyi said, stopping in front of the door to the light core mainframe room.


    He pointed at the various pieces of equipment inside and explained, "We are no different from other schools in other aspects apart from sticking to the Great Xia martial lineage in terms of techniques and combat skills. The principal even strongly advocates using technology to solve some of the challenges encountered during cultivation and encourages us to master various firearms... The principal is actually very progressive."


    Li Xiaofei nodded noncommittally. He vaguely sensed that Chen Fei, the principal, was significantly respected by his team members.


    "Let me take over the introduction," Ren Dong, the freckled little girl with the large head, piped up. She enthusiastically pulled Li Xiaofei into the mainframe room and began teaching him how to use the light core mainframe.


    At Red Flag High School, every student received a portable mini light core, which was equivalent to the cell phones everyone in the slums used but with far more advanced functions. However, to fully utilize all the functions of the light core, it had to be connected to the mainframe. Users could connect across cities using the light core mainframe, which allowed various functions such as social networking, learning, shopping, virtual weapon experiences, and power armor experiences.


    After a brief experience, Li Xiaofei was greatly astonished.


    This was what the future high-tech era should look like.


    Entering the light network through the light core mainframe was almost like stepping into a second world.


    Metaverse?!


    The word suddenly popped into Li Xiaofei''s mind. He felt a bit bewildered. The level of civilization represented by light core technology was evidently far beyond other aspects of this era.


    Is this really the natural result of the development of social productivity?


    After experiencing the light network, Li Xiaofei followed the school team members to various places, including the cafeteria, dormitory, martial arts training ground, meditation room, shooting range, and the power armor warehouse.


    Li Xiaofei had been the most interested in power armor. This exoskeleton-like powered armor could enhance a martial artist''s combat power ten times over. Unfortunately, the power armor had a minimum cultivation requirement, and only those at the Limit Breaking Realm or higher were eligible to wear it. Li Xiaofei had to abandon his idea of experiencing it firsthand and decided to explore it in the virtual world later when he had the chance.


    The team members were very enthusiastic and introduced everything to Li Xiaofei.


    "You''ll share a dorm with Bai Longfei from now on," Fang Buyi said finally. "This guy has a good personality; he''s outgoing and hospitable; and most importantly, he''s quite wealthy. He''s the only rich guy on the team, so if you need anything, don''t hesitate to take advantage of him."


    Bai Longfei was speechless upon hearing that.


    So, in the eyes of my teammates, I''m just a big fool.


    But he was naturally optimistic and magnanimous. He extended his hand and said, "Li Xiaofei, we''ll be roommates from now on. I must say, you and I are the pinnacle of looks in the entire school team. Before you arrived, I stood alone at the peak of Red Flag High School''s beauty standards. I was undefeated and lonely. Now, I finally have a roommate who can match my handsome appearance."


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t know how to reply.


    Good grief. This shameless guy really has a lot of my style from five hundred years ago.


    "I might not be able to stay in the school dormitory," Li Xiaofei said as he shook hands with Bai Longfei. His expression was a little troubled.


    "What?" Sea??h the N?vel(F)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Why?"


    Everyone was very surprised.


    1. This refers to the conflict between the Sword Sect and the Qi Sect of the Huashan Clan written in the Chinese novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer by Jin Yong. ?

 Chapter 30: Be My Dog

    Chapter 30: Be My Dog Red Flag High School was a boarding school. There were no day students. The members of the school team were required to eat and live together to increase their rapport and enhance the team''s combat effectiveness. Therefore, everyone was very surprised that Li Xiaofei was not staying on campus.


    "You probably all heard that I come from the slums in the city," Li Xiaofei said calmly. "If I live on campus, I cannot guarantee the safety of my family back home."


    "Is the slum really that chaotic?" Fang Buyi asked instinctively.


    For many students from the rule-of-law district, the various chaos in the slums only existed in rumors. Since they had never truly experienced it, imagining the brutality and bloodshed there was more akin to an emperor imagining a beggar as merely someone who couldn''t afford meat.


    Moreover, the slums were very isolated places. People used mobile phones and watched television but couldn''t access the light-network, so they were very out of touch with the times.


    Li Xiaofei replied modestly, "Whether it''s chaotic or not is secondary. The main thing is that I accidentally killed all the leaders of the six major gangs in the slum three days ago."


    Everyone was shocked.


    Good grief, so you were just showing off. Accidentally killed six gang leaders?


    "Brother, if you''re worried about retaliation, why not bring your family to live here?" Fang Buyi suggested.


    Bai Longfei generously said, "Yeah, I have a house near the school that''s been empty. You can live there for free, as long as you practice with me regularly."


    "Moving... moving out would be great," siad Bai Qiqi, stuttering.


    Li Xiaofei felt the warmth of his classmates'' kindness, but awkwardly said, "Well... in the last two days, I accidentally became the leader of all the gangs in the slum, so I can''t leave there for now."


    Everyone was shocked by his words again.


    Good grief. Another accident? We have no grudges against you, so why do you keep showing off in front of us? Sea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Do you want to be the overlord of the slums?" Ren Dong asked curiously.


    "Overlord? I''m not interested," Li Xiaofei smiled. "You haven''t lived in the slums, so you don''t understand the ecology there. The gangs are like vampires who feed off the blood of the people living there. They were parasitizing the flesh and blood of more than 30,000 impoverished people. So I killed those bloodthirsty gang leaders and restructured the gangs. I want to completely change the slums and turn the gangs into legitimate organizations that can truly protect the people living there."


    The way everyone looked at Li Xiaofei changed immediately.


    Li Xiaofei added, "Once the situation in the slums is sorted out, I''ll be able to stay at school long-term."


    The school day had ended as his tour of the school ended, so Li Xiaofei bid farewell to everyone and turned to leave.


    Fang Buyi and the others stood at the entrance of the school building, watching his receding figure with admiration in their eyes. Since they had never been to the slums, they sensed a unique quality in Li Xiaofei that they themselves lacked.


    A faint humming sound was heard as Yan Chiyu, sitting in a maglev wheelchair, appeared before everyone.


    "Just a simple introduction to the school took a whole hour?" She glanced at the team members and said flatly, "The league is about to start. Don''t you know that time is precious now?"


    The team members immediately understood what was going on. For certain reasons, Yan Chiyu had a strong aversion to the slums, and especially gang members from the slums. So, it was inevitable that she would be prejudiced against Li Xiaofei.


    They had originally thought Yan Chiyu would firmly oppose Li Xiaofei joining the school team, but now it seemed like she had already come to a compromise with the principal. This compromise seemed to have happened rather quickly.


    "Boss, what did the school doctor say about your injury?" Bai Longfei had a cheeky grin on his handsome face. "I''ve already contacted the miracle doctor Lu Zhanyuan. He can arrive before nine tonight. Your leg will definitely recover within half a month with his help."


    Yan Chiyu glanced at him. "Get lost and go train."


    Bai Longfei quickly made his escape. The others also hurried to the training ground.


    Suddenly, Yan Chiyu said, "Fang, stay behind."


    Fang Buyi froze and turned around with a forced smile on his face. "Boss, I want to train too."


    Yan Chiyu looked toward the school gate and slowly said, "Tell me, what did he say?"


    Fang Buyi breathed a sigh of relief and recounted Li Xiaofei''s words and actions without any exaggeration or omissions.


    "Boss, actually, Li Xiaofei is quite a good person¡ª" Fang Buyi tried to say something positive.


    Yan Chiyu interrupted him flatly, "Go train."


    "Oh." Fang Buyi hesitated but quickly turned to leave.


    Sitting in her wheelchair, Yan Chiyu looked in the direction of the school gate, her brows slightly furrowed.


    "Can someone from such a filthy place really be an exception? I don''t believe it. One day, I will reveal your hypocrisy," she murmured, a cold smile playing on her lips.


    ***


    In the slums, the streets were dilapidated, with dust swirling in the air.


    It really is like two different worlds.


    Li Xiaofei looked around his surroundings. It felt like he had entered another world. It had been three days, so he could now open the Secret Time Pavilion of the Moonlight Treasure Box at any time for cultivation.


    Today''s gains were quite good. The atmosphere at the school was very welcoming. Training together with those companions would certainly feel amazing.


    Li Xiaofei was a bit excited about it. Just as he was thinking, three figures suddenly appeared in front of him. They stood side by side, blocking the way.


    "You are Li Xiaofei?"


    The burly man in the middle had a full beard and long hair. His red beast armor was covered in slash marks from blades. The other two were a young man and a young woman.


    Li Xiaofei looked at them with some surprise. He hadn''t expected anyone in the slums to dare block his path.


    "Our boss wants to meet you." The bearded warrior said.


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and asked, "Who is your boss?"


    The bearded warrior replied, "You''ll know when you meet him."


    Li Xiaofei said, "But I don''t feel like going right now."


    The bearded warrior responded, "When our boss wants to see someone, he sees them without fail."


    "Oh?" Li Xiaofei smiled. "No one dares to speak to me like that in the slums of Liuhe Base City. No one can force me to do something I don''t want to do, so why do you think you can?"


    The bearded warrior replied seriously, "Because the three of us are at the eighth stage of Qi Refining Realm, and we each carry a sword that has killed sixteen other eighth stage masters. Is that enough?"


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and said seriously, "That''s enough."


    The young silver-haired warrior on the right sneered and said, "Tsk tsk, didn''t you say no one can force you?"


    Li Xiaofei looked carefully at the silver-haired man, and smiled warmly. "Isn''t it delightful to have friends come from afar? I just want to befriend your boss. It''s not considered forcing."


    The young female warrior on the left also let out a derisive snort.


    Moments later...


    Li Xiaofei was brought to a specially modified armored RV. The side door of the RV had been propped open and a camping awning had been set up. There was an alloy table and a folding chair underneath it.


    A fair-skinned, bald, fat man was eating a steak with a knife and fork as oil dripped from his mouth. He looked like a massive mountain of flesh as he sat on the folding chair. He didn¡¯t even glance at Li Xiaofei as he savored his steak.


    Li Xiaofei wasn''t in a hurry. He carefully examined the armored RV behind the fat man. He didn''t recognize the model of the RV, but he found it very cool. The light green camouflage paint, titanium steel body, and additional armor that seemed capable of withstanding an impact from a giant horned rhinoceros, along with the numerous battle scars, indicated that it was not just for show but had often ventured into the wilderness outside the city.


    This was the equipment of a wilderness adventurer. The four people in front of him were likely part of a wilderness adventurer team. Teams like this hunted star beasts in the wild, but also took on bounty missions within the city.


    "You are Li Xiaofei?" The bald fat man finally finished eating and started picking at his teeth. ¡°Give up the slum. From now on, it will be under our control. You should also stop going to school and stay behind to be my dog."

 Chapter 31: Hopeless

    Chapter 31: Hopeless Li Xiaofei''s expression remained unchanged. Reluctantly, he tore his gaze away from the armored RV and praised, "This vehicle is impressive."


    The silver-haired warrior sneered, "Don''t even dream about it. You couldn''t afford such a war vehicle even if you were a dog for a lifetime."


    The red-haired female warrior also sneered, "Then again, even if it were given to you, scum like you couldn''t afford to maintain it."


    "There''s no need to give it to me," Li Xiaofei said with a cheerful smile. "We''re just passing acquaintances. How could I accept such an expensive gift?"


    "You lowly scum, at least you have some self-awareness," the silver-haired warrior laughed mockingly.


    But before he finished, a fist the size of a large cooking pot had already slammed heavily into the silver-haired warrior''s chest. It was the first move of the Great Strength Vajra Fist, the Vajra Thunderous Strike


    The move emphasized speed and powerful force, allowing for a rapid closing of distance. Li Xiaofei had struck without any warning, and no one had time to react.


    Boom!


    The force of the punch sounded like an explosion.


    "You..." The silver-haired warrior was stunned, then immediately roared in anger. He never imagined that Li Xiaofei would dare to launch a sneak attack.


    Fortunately, the red beast armor he wore blocked 30 percent of the force, and his battle-hardened instincts managed to dissipate another 30 percent. Still, the remainder of the blow injured him so severely that he spat out blood.


    "I''ll kill you, I will..." The fury in the silver-haired warrior''s heart was almost enough to burn the void itself. However, what greeted him was Li Xiaofei''s second punch.


    Crack, crack, crack.


    A series of bone-cracking sounds echoed in the air, and the anger in the silver-haired warrior''s eyes instantly turned to despair. He clearly felt a strange, oscillating force that bypassed his beast armor and shattered his chest, back, and spine. Blood spewed from every orifice.


    "There''s really no need to gift it," Li Xiaofei bared his teeth in a grin. "If I kill all of you, won''t this vehicle become mine?"


    It was only then that the bearded warrior and the red-haired female warrior realized what had happened. sea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Third Brother!"


    Both of them attacked simultaneously. They were both battle-hardened veterans who had danced on the edge of a knife. Their combat experience was undeniable, yet today, they had been outwitted by a boy from the slums.


    Blades flashed as cold as the harshest winter ice. The thrust of the slender sword resembled plum blossoms blooming in the cold as both of them struck with lethal intent.


    Shhh! Shhh! Shhh!


    Blades and sword light danced. Li Xiaofei¡¯s clothes were quickly dyed red as the two eighth stage Qi Refining Realm experts coordinated skillfully to put him in a dire situation. Li Xiaofei could only rely on the marvel of the Great Strength Vajra Fist to contend against an eighth stage opponent while he was in the fifth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. However, he immediately found himself at a disadvantage against two eighth stage experts and teetered on the edge of danger.


    Fortunately, the Great Strength Vajra Fist was incredibly powerful, especially the powerful vibration of the second move. The bearded warrior and the red-haired female also did not dare to confront Li Xiaofei''s reckless, death-defying fighting style head-on.


    The battle fell into a temporary stalemate, but at this rate, Li Xiaofei would sooner or later be exhausted to death.


    On the other side, the fair-skinned, bald fat man was cradling the silver-haired man in his arms and carefully examined him.


    "He''s beyond saving," he said with a hint of sorrow in his eyes. "All his bones are shattered."


    Today had truly been a disaster. They thought that dealing with a small punk from the slums would be a piece of cake with their combined strength, equipment, and experience. But they had been careless, and had lost the third brother among their sworn siblings.


    "Second Brother, Fourth Sister, fall back." The bald, white fat man said coldly, "I want to tear this little bastard apart with my own hands."


    The bearded man and the red-haired female warrior''s figures flickered as they withdrew from the battle. They moved in unison to flank Li Xiaofei, effectively cutting off any escape routes.


    When they saw their leader''s expression, the two looked at Li Xiaofei with a hint of pity and sympathy. They knew all too well how cruel and terrifying their boss'' methods were. Even the toughest man would be brutally reduced to giblets in his hands.


    Li Xiaofei straightened as he panted. He took off his blood-soaked school uniform and tossed it aside with a flourish. His muscular, tanned body was crisscrossed with more than twenty wounds. Though none of them had reached the bone, they were all oozing blood.


    He didn''t choose to run away because he knew he couldn''t escape. His opponents'' movement techniques were far superior to his own. He took a moment to quickly adjust the roiling starforce within his body and restore his strength.


    The bald, fat man emanated a violent aura as he approached. His massive, obese frame exuded a dangerous energy that almost felt suffocating. He was an absolutely terrifying opponent. He was so terrifying that, at that moment, Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t suppress the fear that arose. He almost felt like he couldn¡¯t throw a punch at this monster of a man.


    "I will tear you apart piece by piece, and shove your head up your ass." The bald, fat man said, enunciating each word clearly. "I''ll make sure you see it happen..."


    Li Xiaofei suddenly spoke, "Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, may I ask your esteemed surname?"


    The bald, fat man was taken aback and instinctively replied, "Surname Jia..."


    Li Xiaofei continued, "And which stage of the Qi Refining Realm are you at now?"


    "Ninth..." the bald, fat man finally realized what was happening and roared furiously, "You little bastard, you¡¯re looking for death..."


    "Thank you," Li Xiaofei said as he gathered all the Starforce Qi in his body and threw a punch. He used the second move of the Great Strength Vajra Fist, the Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow. The most powerful punch he had currently mastered.


    The force of the punch burst through the air, creating a visible vacuum in the void. The turbulent air roared like a pale golden dragon, twisting and writhing as it surged towards the fat man.


    The power of this punch caused the expressions on the bearded warrior and the red-haired female warrior to change slightly. They both knew that if Li Xiaofei had enough time to gather his strength and unleash such a punch, they wouldn''t be able to withstand it if they were fighting him alone.


    But the fat man was different. He stood there like a mountain of flesh, his white fat jiggling as he took the punch head-on.


    He''s not even dodging or defending?


    Li Xiaofei was overjoyed as the force of the Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow poured out wildly.


    Let''s see if this punch will turn you into a pile of mush or not.


    Whoosh.


    The fat on the man¡¯s body rippled wildly as the terrifying aftershock of the punch erupted from Li Xiaofei''s fist. But in the next moment, Li Xiaofei''s expression changed drastically.


    As the fat on the man''s body kept trembling, Li Xiaofei''s force was somehow dissipated. It felt as if he had punched a rubber surface covered in soapy water.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Li Xiaofei threw several more punches in quick succession. The fat on the man''s body trembled even more violently, absorbing and dissipating all the force.


    Damn it! What kind of technique is this? Sticky Shirt Eighteen Falls? Or perhaps Borrowing Force to Counter Force?


    "What a weak and pitiful waste." The fat man sneered, a sadistic smile appearing on his face. His massive hand, which was as large as a giant fan, swung down at Li Xiaofei.


    The air let out a thunderous boom as the hand passed through it. It was so immensely powerful that Li Xiaofei was knocked out of the shock of his punch failing. His first instinct was to counterattack, so he threw a punch straight at the incoming hand.


    Boom!


    HIs fist met the giant palm of the fat man. The deafening explosion sounded like a heavy artillery shell detonating.


    "Heh, your strength is far from enough, you worthless trash.¡± The fat man sneered disdainfully, his massive palm gripping Li Xiaofei''s hand.


    Li Xiaofei struggled with all his might. Despite his natural strength and the power of the Vajra Fist, he couldn''t break free from the man''s grip.


    The fat man looked down at him with a cruel smile. "My technique is called Giant Force Divine Armor. The Starforce Qi of the ninth stage grants the absolute power of the tenth stage..."


    As he spoke, his fingers began to slowly tighten around Li Xiaofei''s hand. Li Xiaofei''s hand immediately deformed as the faint sound of bones cracking rang in the air.


    "I will crush your fist piece by piece, then your arm, and your limbs... I''ll crush every inch of your bones." The fat man said, eager to see the look of despair and pleading in Li Xiaofei''s eyes.


    However, Li Xiaofei merely grinned back at him. "See you in thirty days."

 Chapter 32: The Counter Of The Great Strength Vajra

    Chapter 32: The Counter Of The Great Strength Vajra In the Secret Time Pavilion, the grand and majestic white temple.


    Li Xiaofei''s figure suddenly appeared cross-legged on the white floor. He was panting heavily.


    "Absolute strength within the ninth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, combined with fat that can dissipate shock forces... He¡¯s truly a monster."


    Li Xiaofei felt a frisson of fear as he thought about the encounter with the bald, fat man. The incident had been like a calamity from the heavens. He had been walking peacefully down the street, humming a tune and daydreaming about eating hot pot, when he was suddenly ambushed by robbers.


    At first, he had wanted to resolve things peacefully. But he quickly realized from the behavior of the bald, fat man and his group that this was a fight to the death. So he had taken the risk without hesitation, killing the silver-haired warrior first to silence him. The ensuing battle had allowed him to gauge the levels of the remaining three.


    Now that he was in the Secret Time Pavilion, the most important task was to figure out how to use these thirty days to train and turn the situation around.


    First and foremost, he needed to raise the level of his Starforce Qi. Li Xiaofei took out his light-core phone and found that it indeed worked in the Secret Time Pavilion. He quickly found the study materials that Principal Chen had specially prepared for him. Principal Chen had recommended the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique for him.


    This was a fourth-grade breathing technique, which was one level higher than the Tiger Roar Breathing Technique that Li Xiaofei had previously practiced. Thankfully, the minimum required cultivation level was the fifth stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    Li Xiaofei opened the materials and began reading without hesitation. He quickly grasped the principles with his astonishing comprehension. He took out one of the bottles of Starforce Reagent he had taken from Dugu Que, drank it, and immediately started practicing the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique.


    The basic principles of breathing techniques were similar. The main differences lay in the rhythm and rate of breathing, how one moved their qi, and the coordination between different muscle groups during breathing.


    Inhale as the heavens, exhale as the earth. Starforce circulates between heaven and earth, and wind and thunder are born.


    Draw the thunder from the nine heavens to temper the flesh, the lightning to refine the bones, and the thunder of wind and clouds to purify the blood!


    Thunder sounds from the throat and reverses downwards, which drives one to breathe heaven and earth. It then flourishes within the five organs and resounds in the world of the dantian.


    This is the essence of Wind and Thunder Breathing.


    The study materials explained everything clearly. Much like the Tiger Roar Breathing Technique, the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique was also a core technique of the Great Xia¡¯s martial lineage. It used sound to move starforce to vibrate the body. This would temper the flesh and enhance one¡¯s starforce.


    Li Xiaofei quickly grasped the basics of the technique. Faint sounds of wind and thunder emanated from his throat with each breath. But it was not enough. The wind and thunder from his throat needed to enter his chest cavity, his abdomen, and finally his dantian. He needed resonance in all three cavities to truly master this breathing technique.


    Three days passed in the blink of an eye as Li Xiaofei absorbed the medicinal energy of the Starforce Reagent. Meanwhile, the numerous wounds on his body had completely healed, and the scabs had already fallen off.


    His body had a unique ability, superior healing. It was somewhat reminiscent of the innate hardened body in the movie Kung Fu Hustle starring Stephen Chow [1].


    He didn¡¯t get hungry or tired in the Secret Time Pavilion. Finally, Li Xiaofei''s relentless effort paid off as he mastered the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique. He didn¡¯t pause as he immediately began using the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique to elevate his Starforce Level.


    Wind and thunder naturally emerged with each breath. As they resounded in the Secret Time Pavilion, threads of Starforce Qi emanated from Li Xiaofei''s body, eventually forming five slowly rotating distinct golden vortices around him. The thunderous sound, like the ebb and flow of tides, kept echoing from within him.


    Ten days later, the golden vortices around Li Xiaofei had increased to six. He had reached the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. But he didn¡¯t stop. He drank a second bottle of Starforce Reagent and continued his cultivation.


    Another ten days later, he consumed a third bottle of Starforce Reagent. Each breakthrough to a new stage in the Qi Refining Realm required increasingly more energy. One bottle of third-generation pure Starforce Reagent was no longer enough to satisfy his needs.


    Finally, the seventh golden vortex slowly took shape, solidified, and grew stronger. He had reached the seventh stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    At this point, Li Xiaofei slowly opened his eyes and said, "At the fifth stage, I could use the Great Strength Vajra Fist to crush someone at the seventh stage. So, at the seventh stage, I should be strong enough to deal with that bald, fat man. The next seven days can be spent mastering the third move of the Great Strength Vajra Fist, Threefold Divine Strength."


    He adjusted his training plan. In the blink of an eye, seven more days passed and Li Xiaofei mastered Threefold Divine Strength. Threefold Divine Strength was a special technique of the Great Strength Vajra Fist that burned one¡¯s blood to increase strength. Onefold could boost his strength five times over. Threefold meant a full fifteen times the power. How terrifying would a fifteen times boost be with Li Xiaofei''s innate strength as a foundation? Sea??h the N??elFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "It''s time to go show off," he laughed. It was perfect for testing on the bald, fat man.


    ***


    "See you in thirty days?" The bald, fat man was taken aback as he asked, "What do you mean?"


    But his expression changed slightly as the fist he was about to crush suddenly pulsed with strength. The resistance he faced had suddenly doubled.


    "Hello there, we meet again," Li Xiaofei grinned up at him. "Surprised?"


    The fat man was momentarily stunned but quickly dismissed Li Xiaofei''s strange words. A cruel smile appeared on his fat face as he said, "So, you were actually holding back a bit... heh, but it''s still not enough, you little bastard."


    He quickly exerted more force. The absolutely invincible physical strength of the ninth stage of the Qi Refining Realm burst out once again.


    Li Xiaofei sneered and activated Threefold Divine Strength. He used the first fold and his quintupled strength erupted. The fist that was being crushed slowly began to push outward, forcing the fat man''s grip open bit by bit.


    "What?!" The fat man was shocked.


    What is going on? How can this little bastard suddenly unleash such immense strength?


    He did not dare not hold back any longer as he mustered all his strength, trying to crush Li Xiaofei''s fist again.


    "The tables have turned now, you fat bastard," Li Xiaofei smiled coldly.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t let up either. He quickly used the second fold of the Threefold Divine Strength. He was now ten times stronger. His five fingers slowly forced the fat man¡¯s grip completely open.


    "You... Impossible! How are you so strong?!" The fat man was utterly shocked as undisguised horror appeared on his pudgy face.


    Li Xiaofei''s fingers suddenly clamped down on the fat man''s hand. Their fingers intertwined tightly, like the clasp of the closest lovers. Then, he exerted his strength once again.


    Crack, crack.


    The sound of bones breaking echoed.


    "Ahhh, my hand..." The bald, fat man screamed like a pig being slaughtered. His fingers were instantly crushed as his hand turned into pulp.


    Boom!


    "Die!"


    The fat man desperately swung his left fist, aiming for Li Xiaofei''s head. Li Xiaofei also countered with his left fist, using the second fold of the Threefold Divine Strength, combined with the shock force of Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow.


    Poof.


    The bald, fat man''s left fist, along with his left arm was pulverized instantly. Blood splattered everywhere.


    "My arm, ahhh..." He screamed like a pig being slaughtered.


    Boom!


    Li Xiaofei threw another punch, blasting the fat man''s head into pieces and abruptly cutting off the screams. The mountainous body fell to the ground with a heavy thud.


    Li Xiaofei turned to look at the other two. The bearded warrior and the red-haired female warrior stared at him as if they had seen a ghost.


    1. A chinese movie named Kung Fu Hustle that came out in 2004. It was directed and starred by Stephen Chow, a Hong Kong Celebrity. ?

 Chapter 33: Little Aunt’s Skills

    Chapter 33: Little Aunt¡¯s Skills What just happened? Why is the boss, who had the absolute upper hand just a second ago, now a lifeless corpse?


    "What exactly... happened?" The bearded warrior''s body trembled.


    "Why are his wounds..." The red-haired female warrior noticed that the numerous wounds on Li Xiaofei''s body had somehow healed.


    Their immense shock and fear prevented them from escaping immediately. And Li Xiaofei, adept at seizing opportunities in battle, certainly wouldn¡¯t let this chance slip by.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s first punch killed the bearded warrior, while the second severely injured the red-haired female warrior.


    "Do you want to die, or do you want to live a fate worse than death?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    The red-haired female warrior gritted her teeth and sneered, "With my big brothers dead, living alone means nothing to me. Go ahead."


    "Heh," Li Xiaofei chuckled, "A true iron-willed woman, indeed."


    The red-haired female warrior''s face showed disdain.


    Li Xiaofei chuckled again, "But, in this slum, being a woman is an original sin."


    The red-haired female warrior''s expression changed slightly. Deeply hidden fear flashed through her dark eyes.


    Li Xiaofei continued calmly, "You should know what kind of place the slum is. As a woman, you must be well aware of what would happen if you fell into the hands of gang members."


    The red-haired female warrior started to tremble. The slums were a lawless and chaotic place, so depravity had no limit. When she was a high and mighty eighth stage warrior, she had nothing to fear. But as a captive...


    That eighth stage status would instead become the perfect catalyst for the most heinous acts. Those lowly, filthy, despicable scum would certainly inflict the worst evils upon her. Especially since the devilish young man before her was now the king of the slums. Sea?ch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You... shameless," she trembled as she spoke.


    Li Xiaofei sneered, "Those who provoke me first are the despicable ones. When you arrogantly demanded that I become your dog, you should have been prepared for the possibility of being killed in turn."


    The red-haired female warrior ultimately succumbed.


    "If I... agree to your terms," she shivered, "will you give me a quick death?"


    "Of course," Li Xiaofei nodded with satisfaction. "Now, tell me, who sent you to deal with me?"


    The red-haired female warrior replied, "Someone posted a bounty on you on the darknet using the light-network. We just accepted the mission."


    Li Xiaofei pressed, "Who posted the bounty?"


    The red-haired female warrior shook her head, "That, I don''t know. The darknet doesn''t reveal the true information of the employer."


    "What is the bounty''s content?" He asked further.


    The red-haired female warrior said, "Capture you, subdue you, and use you to take over the slums. If you don''t cooperate, kill you."


    Li Xiaofei pondered for a moment.


    The prime suspect, of course, is Ye Xiang. That old dog can¡¯t be left alive. I need to find a way to eliminate him to prevent him from continuing his sneaky tactics from the shadows.


    "Who else is in your group?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    The red-haired female warrior looked grief-stricken as she replied, "We¡¯ve been four siblings for six years. We always moved together on every mission."


    Li Xiaofei was now reassured. He then asked about the control permissions, keys, license, and other related items for the armored RV. Soon, he had completely mastered how to operate the modified armored RV. He also obtained the light-network vault accounts and passwords of the four. This effectively meant he had taken possession of all the assets belonging to the group.


    "You''ve been very cooperative," Li Xiaofei said with satisfaction. "So I won''t torture you. I''ll give you a quick death."


    He pressed his hand against the woman''s chest, releasing a bit of starforce to shatter her heart. The four-member adventurer team had been completely wiped out by Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei packed up the canopy tent and other camping equipment, then rumbled away in the armored RV, humming a tune as he drove back to Guang¡¯an neighborhood.


    Returning home, he opened the door to be greeted by a strong herbal aroma.


    "You''re back?" His blind Little Aunt called out from the inner room. "Take a medicinal bath first, then I''ll give you a massage."


    "Got it," Li Xiaofei replied.


    In no time, he stripped down to nothing. After all, Little Aunt was blind and couldn''t see anything, so he felt no shame.


    Splash.


    He jumped into the medicinal tub. Immediately, the stimulating medicinal water caused his skin to tingle and burn, but he was already used to it. Every month Little Aunt would prepare a special medicinal bath for him, claiming it could drive away fatigue, strengthen the body, and even promote growth.


    Water was a scarce resource in this era. Even drinking water was hard to come by, so gathering enough water to fill a tub was a significant challenge. Moreover, due to the water shortage, wild vegetation in the city was nearly nonexistent. They had to rely on adventurers outside the city to gather enough herbs, which was also very difficult.


    A tub of medicinal water was a true luxury. Yet, Little Aunt always managed to prepare it on time every month. However, these challenges were now a thing of the past. After Li Xiaofei''s meteoric rise in the Martial God Arena and the Cloudy Sky Society''s unification of the slums, procuring water and herbs was as simple as giving a command.


    He soaked in the medicinal water for a full hour until the burning sensation subsided. Then, he lay naked on the bed. The post-bath massage, performed while fully nude, was very important. Fortunately, Little Aunt was blind.


    Footsteps approached. His aunt entered, and her cool, delicate hands, as beautiful as pieces of art, found their way precisely to the third vertebra on Li Xiaofei''s back. Due to the angles required for some massage techniques, his aunt had to straddle him. Massaging was a physically demanding task.


    Drip, drip.


    Beads of crystal-clear sweat, carrying a faint feminine fragrance, fell onto Li Xiaofei''s back.


    "You got into a fight again today?" Little Aunt¡¯s voice was always calm and pleasant, like rare pearls rolling and colliding on a jade plate, a sound both soothing and melodious.


    Li Xiaofei recounted his encounter with the bald, fat man and his group of four, omitting the existence of the Secret Time Pavilion. He only mentioned that he was forced to use the third move of an unnamed fist technique to turn the tables and win.


    "This fist technique is powerful and domineering. It imposes a great load on the body," Little Aunt said as she massaged and sensed the state of his body. "But this destructive load can actually stimulate the full potential of the medicinal bath. It seems like it''s not entirely a bad thing."


    "Really?" Li Xiaofei''s eyes lit up. "Then I''ll go find more people to fight."


    Little Aunt seemed not to hear him as she said calmly, "If it weren''t for me helping you with these massages each time, you would have long since collapsed and become paralyzed."


    Li Xiaofei immediately lay back down. "Then never mind."


    After a pause, he added, "Mainly because I don''t want Little Aunt to be so exhausted."


    His blind aunt said nothing, maintaining her original rhythm as she continued to massage him.


    "There''s a big shot outside who wants to take over the slums," she suddenly said, reminding him.


    Li Xiaofei nodded and said, "I had a similar feeling. Principal Chen also mentioned it before... But aside from the filth and chaos, what does this place offer? There''s no point in taking it over."


    The rise of Dugu Que from the Blackblood Gang was clearly the result of external cultivation. Someone evidently wanted to use the Dugu father and son to unify the chaotic slums to achieve a certain goal.


    However, this plan had been disrupted by Li Xiaofei''s unexpected intervention. That had led to the ambush this evening. The red-haired female warrior had been clear, the person offering the bounty on the darknet wanted to use Li Xiaofei to control the slums.


    It¡¯s strange. The slums have always been a filthy, chaotic, and impoverished place. It never attracted the interest of any big figures. It has always been the playground of slum gangs who fought for their little territories. Why did it suddenly become so desirable?


    Since he couldn¡¯t figure it out, Li Xiaofei decided not to dwell on it. When the boat reaches the bridgehead, it will naturally straighten out. When the car reaches the mountain, there will be a way.


    The massage lasted a full two hours. By the end, his aunt was out of breath and covered in sweat. The loose white shirt and gray trousers she had been wearing were now wet and clung tightly to her skin, outlining her nearly perfect figure.


    Li Xiaofei, who had a deep-seated aversion to gambling and drugs, only glanced at her briefly before feeling parched and dry-mouthed.

 Chapter 34: Cleaning Up

    Chapter 34: Cleaning Up His aunt''s figure was simply too stunning, beautiful, and all too tempting. Whether it was her chest, her abdomen, her astonishing waist-to-hip ratio, or her long, sleek legs...


    Li Xiaofei thought that even photoshop of five hundred years ago couldn¡¯t produce such a perfect shape. If one didn''t look at her face, his aunt would undoubtedly be the most beautiful woman in the world.


    "Why are you staring at me?" His aunt suddenly asked.


    "Ah, this... I..." Li Xiaofei was startled.


    How did she know I was staring? Can she see?


    Fortunately, at that moment, Little Jie¡¯s voice rang out from outside.


    "I''m back!" The little girl''s voice was filled with undisguised happiness.


    She had gone to school to register, along with six other school-age children from Guang¡¯an neighborhood. Their admission to school was one of the conditions Li Xiaofei had agreed upon with Principal Chen Fei of Red Flag High School. Chen Fei had secured seven spots for them at Red Flag Middle School without entrance exams, getting these children into the school.


    "How was your first day at school?" Li Xiaofei asked quickly.


    "Very happy." Little Jie¡¯s small, dark face beamed with joy and happiness. "I made a lot of friends and learned a lot of new things. Thank you, Brother Xiaofei."


    Li Xiaofei, still avoiding his aunt''s gaze, asked, "What did you learn?"


    "Teacher Zhang taught me the Lighting Breath Technique and the Ninth Set of Radio Calisthenics for middle school students." Little Jie set down her school bag and wiped the sweat from her forehead. "We also learned other things like literacy, pinyin, biology, chemistry, and physics... Even though I don¡¯t understand a lot of it, I will study hard."


    Her small, dark face was full of happiness and anticipation. These seven children carried a heavy responsibility. It was only if they performed well and stood out, earning the school''s recognition, that more children from the slums would have a chance to attend school.


    Li Xiaofei gently patted her head and asked, "Did anyone at school bully you?"


    Little Jie shook her head vigorously. "No, everyone was very nice to us."


    "That''s good. If anyone bullies you, tell Brother Xiaofei, and I''ll take care of it," Li Xiaofei said with a smile.


    Children who came from the slums were often wild, unaccustomed to rules, poor, wore ragged clothes, and ate poorly. It''s easy for them to feel inferior and out of place, which could lead to bullying at school. It was Li Xiaofei''s only concern.


    "Mm-hmm," Little Jie nodded seriously, "If I can''t handle it myself, I will definitely ask Brother Xiaofei for help."


    She set down her school bag and ran to the kitchen. "I''m going to cook now!" Sea??h the N?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After a while, dinner was served. The table had meat soup, oat noodles, a plate of pickles, and plain water. It looked simple, but it was much more bountiful than before.


    Even though Li Xiaofei was now the undisputed king of the slums, he didn''t immediately indulge in luxury. There was an old saying.


    It''s easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality.


    Li Xiaofei believed he should maintain a spirit of hard work and perseverance, and not let indulgence ruin his Dao heart. When dinner concluded, Li Xiaofei headed to the headquarters of the Cloudy Sky Gang, which was bustling with activity.


    Tomorrow was the seventh day after Zhong Yuanshan passed. According to the old customs of the slums, burial was only to take place after the seventh day. Due to the scarcity of land, cremation was common.


    The elders of the Cloudy Sky Gang were busy preparing for the burial ceremony scheduled for the next day. Zhong Ling, Zhong Yuanshan''s daughter, was not present; it was said she was still at school. Thanks to Li Xiaofei''s rise, Zhong Yuanshan posthumously enjoyed the honor of being recognized as the martial alliance leader of the slums. Many notable figures were vying to pay their respects.


    Li Xiaofei''s arrival naturally drew attention from all sides, but he did not meet with anyone.Only the old members of the Cloudy Sky Gang, such as Chu Yuntian and Yang Cheng, were present in the meeting room.


    "Young Master Fei, the seven major gangs have been reorganized. Aside from a few troublemakers, most are willing to accept your leadership," Chu Yuntian said, handing over a list.


    The names of the troublemakers were marked in red. Although Li Xiaofei had earned unparalleled fame in the Martial God Arena, some people were inherently stubborn. They were unwilling to accept Li Xiaofei and would rather die than submit.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at the list. He picked up a pen, crossed out a name, Lu Feiqing, and tossed the list back. "Aside from this person, kill all the other troublemakers."


    Lu Feiqing was a loner with a strange temperament but no evil deeds. The other troublemakers, however, had blood on their hands, and killing them would be akin to ridding the area of scum. Li Xiaofei had no mercy for these thoroughly wicked gang members. He didn¡¯t have time to deal with them personally. Besides, as the king of the slums, such minor tasks could be delegated to others.


    "Brother Xiaofei, there''s a big problem right now." The chubby Yang Cheng hesitated but then mustered the courage to speak. "You forbade the brothers from collecting protection fees in the various districts, banned drugs entirely, and stopped the trafficking of organs and people. Many of the gang members have lost their sources of income and can''t support their families. Your reputation can keep them in line for now, but it will become an issue in the future."


    Only Yang Cheng, who had the closest relationship with Li Xiaofei, dared to voice such concerns.


    "Organize hunting parties to go outside the city and hunt star beasts for money," Li Xiaofei suggested.


    Cutting off someone''s source of income was akin to killing their parents. By banning the old, bloody trades in the slums, he had essentially cut off the gang members'' financial lifeline. While he wasn''t afraid of these street rats rebelling, he couldn''t just kill them all either. After all, his mentor Zhong Yuanshan''s dying wish, and his own goal in unifying the slum gangs, was to improve the area, not to turn it into a bloodbath.


    "What? Is such a thing possible?"


    "We... can go out and hunt star beasts?"


    "Brother Xiaofei, you''re not joking with us, are you?"


    The elders of the Cloudy Sky Gang were suddenly excited. If they could leave the slums and make a living hunting star beasts, they wouldn¡¯t want to remain as petty bullies in their own community.


    Yang Cheng quickly reminded Li Xiaofei, "Boss, people from the slums can''t get permits to leave the city."


    Li Xiaofei replied, "I''ll find a way to handle that."


    After a moment, he continued, "In the meantime, before we get the permits, let''s start a big cleanup. Have those idle thugs properly clean up and repair the slums."


    A big cleanup? Everyone was taken aback. What was the boss up to now?


    Li Xiaofei didn''t offer further explanation. He made the arrangements and turned to leave. Everyone in the meeting room exchanged puzzled looks.


    "Ahhh, I get it now," the chubby Yang Cheng slapped his thigh, suddenly enlightened.


    Chu Yuntian asked curiously, "What do you understand?"


    Yang Cheng excitedly explained, saying, "I remember Brother Xiaofei saying, ¡®if you can''t clean your own house, how can you clean the world?¡¯. So, Brother Xiaofei must be using this seemingly trivial task to test everyone. He¡¯ll see who performs well, who is the most loyal, who has the patience, and who is the most enthusiastic. Then, when we get the permits, those people will be prioritized and will follow Brother Xiaofei in doing big things."


    Everyone suddenly understood. The thought of being able to follow ''Brother Xiaofei'' in doing great things filled their eyes with eagerness.


    ***


    At the same time, on the way back to Guang¡¯an neighborhood.


    "After all, this is my territory now. Seeing it so filthy every day affects my mood," Li Xiaofei muttered to himself. "Since these thugs are so full of energy and have nothing to do, they might as well start by being sanitation workers."


    Protecting the environment is everyone''s responsibility.


    ***


    The next day, the sky was overcast. Li Xiaofei sent a text to Principal Chen, requesting half a day off to handle Zhong Yuanshan''s funeral.


    At nine in the morning, raindrops began to fall from the sky. Li Xiaofei checked the time and frowned slightly. "Let''s wait a little longer."


    Half an hour later, a large black SUV slowly approached, and Zhong Ling stepped out. She had finally come to attend her father''s funeral.


    "Why did you humiliate Senior Zhou Yiyou like that? Don''t you think you went too far?" The first thing she said upon seeing Li Xiaofei was an accusatory question.

 Chapter 35: Giving Out Martial Arts Manual For Free

    Chapter 35: Giving Out Martial Arts Manual For Free She was referring to the incident that had occurred during the exchange challenge at Red Flag High School yesterday. It was clear that Zhou Yiyou had recounted his experience to Zhong Ling after returning, but it was still up in the air how much he had exaggerated.


    Li Xiaofei said calmly, "It was just a simple sparring match. How is that my fault if his skills were inferior?"


    Zhong Ling frowned. She looked like she wanted to say more, but in the end, she held back. However, the few students from Qishen Academy who had accompanied her glared angrily at Li Xiaofei.


    Zhong Yuanshan''s funeral proceeded smoothly as the entire event went as planned. After the ceremony ended, Zhong Ling knelt before the memorial tablet, her head bowed, for a long time.


    She had encountered many hardships in a short period. The flower in the greenhouse had finally seen the storm, and her mindset had begun to change. Li Xiaofei stood beside her, not saying a word.


    In truth, he was influenced by his predecessor and didn''t dislike Zhong Ling. The girl wasn''t inherently bad. But because she had been overly protected, her temperament was too soft. She hadn''t seen the darkness in people''s hearts, so she was naive and unable to distinguish between good and bad people.


    Letting her experience some of society''s harsh realities was a good thing. After all, he couldn''t protect her for a lifetime. Zhong Ling knelt before her father''s memorial tablet, bowing respectfully. In the silence, tears fell like rain.


    After a long time, she stood up and wiped away her tears.


    Zhong Ling turned to Li Xiaofei, and said coldly, "I want the money that belongs to me."


    Surprised, Li Xiaofei asked, "Didn''t I already transfer your living expenses for this month?"


    Zhong Ling lifted her chin, her delicate face full of indifference. She replied, "I mean, all of it."


    Li Xiaofei frowned and asked again, "All of it?" Sea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhong Ling sneered, "Don''t tell me that my father, after so many years as the head of the gang, didn''t save any money. Since you took over the Cloudy Sky Gang, give me all the money that belongs to me."


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and said, "Master did leave you a substantial amount of money, but I can''t transfer it all to you at once."


    Zhong Ling demanded, "What do you mean?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "It''s a large sum of money, and you might not be able to handle it. I''ll keep it safe for you."


    "You want to embezzle my money, don''t you?" Zhong Ling sneered angrily. "What right do you have to keep it for me? Who are you to me?"


    Li Xiaofei said calmly, "I''m Master''s disciple. You should call me brother."


    Zhong Ling gritted her teeth and said, "I didn''t see your wolfish ambitions in the past and foolishly treated you as a brother. But now I see clearly. I won''t call you brother from now on. So, please give me all my money back."


    Li Xiaofei realized that Zhong Ling had been influenced and misled by someone with ulterior motives. It seemed someone Zhong Ling trusted was coveting the money in secret. He imagined that if he handed over all of Zhong Yuanshan''s money to the naive Zhong Ling, she would likely be swindled out of it within days. This was no different from the old scams of centuries past.


    "I will transfer your money to you monthly, just as Master did when he was alive," Li Xiaofei said calmly. "You won''t get a penny more. Give up on that idea."


    Zhong Ling trembled with anger. "You despicable thief! I''ll sue you!"


    Li Xiaofei responded calmly, "Sue me for what? I have Master''s will. Do you think you can win?"


    In her fury, Zhong Ling raised her hand and was going to slap him.


    Piak.


    Li Xiaofei caught her wrist.


    "Did you really think you could slap me?" He stared coldly at Zhong Ling. "The Cloudy Sky Gang has changed. Believe it or not, all I need is one word to have your memorial tablet placed next to your father''s within half an hour."


    Zhong Ling was stunned. Fear finally appeared in the young girl''s eyes. She belatedly realized that the boy in front of her was no longer the obedient, doting follower he once was. He was now the blood-stained king of the slums.


    "I... I don''t believe you''d dare kill me," she said stubbornly.


    "Heh, finally showing some courage," Li Xiaofei sneered. "But it''s misplaced. If you want to reclaim your money, the right way is to become strong and defeat me, not by relying on your father''s shadow or our past sentiments to create a scene here."


    He let go of her hand.


    "I will defeat you," Zhong Ling shouted. "I will personally defeat you! I''ve already applied to switch my studies to martial arts at the academy. One day, you''ll pay for your actions and words today."


    Now Li Xiaofei finally solved a puzzle that had been bothering him. The reason Zhong Ling was so weak was that she had been specializing in literary studies at Qishen Academy.


    "Li Xiaofei, we students of Qishen Academy will never let you off if you treat Junior Sister Zhong like this."


    "You''re making an enemy of our entire academy."


    "Just wait, you''ll regret this."


    The other students from Qishen Academy surrounded Zhong Ling protectively, angrily spouting threats at Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at Chu Yuntian and said calmly, "If these idiots aren''t gone in thirty seconds, give our unruly guests a proper lesson."


    "Yes, President," replied Chu Yuntian, waving his hand. A group of thuggish gang members immediately surrounded them. Though their combat abilities were individually lacking, their sheer numbers were enough to intimidate anyone.


    "We''re leaving," Zhong Ling said hatefully as she quickly pulled her classmates away.


    Li Xiaofei sighed softly as he watched the black SUV fade into the distance.


    Chu Tiankuo walked over and offered some comfort, "One day, she''ll understand your intentions and realize who truly cares for her."


    He was an experienced elder and could easily see through Li Xiaofei''s well-intentioned actions.


    "Hopefully," Li Xiaofei said quietly.


    Li Xiaofei took out the paper versions of Tiger Roar Breathing Technique, Gale Sword Technique, Gale Steps, Blink Step, and several other techniques, and handed them to Chu Yuntian.


    He said, "Make copies and distribute them."


    Chu Yuntian was stunned and asked, "Distribute to whom?"


    Li Xiaofei replied with a smile, "Anyone in the slums, regardless of age or gender. If they want to learn, give it to them."


    Chu Yuntian''s eyes widened in shock.


    Distributing martial arts manuals for free?


    This was unprecedented. In the past, gang leaders treated techniques like treasures, guarding them jealously and rarely allowing even their closest confidants to learn them. But Li Xiaofei was making them completely public.


    Isn''t he afraid that those who mastered these techniques would challenge him?


    ***


    Moments later, Zhong Ling and her companions arrived outside the slums. Zhou Yiyou and a dozen others were waiting in eight hover SUVs.


    "How did it go, Zhong Ling?" Zhou Yiyou hurriedly approached her. "Did you get the money?"


    Zhong Ling shook her head and recounted what had happened earlier. A wave of disappointment surged through Zhou Yiyou''s heart.


    "That Li Xiaofei is truly a beast in human clothing with malicious intent." He said through gritted teeth. "What he''s doing is clearly an attempt to usurp your inheritance. He''s using your father''s lingering influence as a cover for now, but he plans to bleed you slowly. He wants to use this money to control and humiliate you. Junior Sister Zhong, you should sue this beast. I can help you find a lawyer."


    Zhong Ling felt a stirring in her heart, but ultimately shook her head.


    "No, I will become strong and reclaim everything that belongs to me with my own hands." She said firmly.


    Zhou Yiyou said anxiously, "Who knows how long that will take? We can use other methods..."


    Zhong Ling interrupted, "I have already decided."


    The recent upheavals and experiences in her life had allowed the once naive girl to develop some awareness. People had to rely on themselves. She vowed to herself that one day, she would personally defeat Li Xiaofei.

 Chapter 36: Let’s Go Have Fun In The Light Core Room

    Chapter 36: Let¡¯s Go Have Fun In The Light Core Room The skies had begun to clear in the afternoon. Li Xiaofei arrived at Red Flag High School on time to report back and cancel his leave of absence. Then, he attended classes diligently.


    Principal Chen Fei had painstakingly arranged many basic classes for him. Although Li Xiaofei felt like it was a bit of a waste of time that could be spent on cultivating his strength, he still studied earnestly.


    The second class in the afternoon was the school''s martial arts special training for the battle team. The team was fully assembled, except for the captain, Yan Chiyu, who was hospitalized due to injuries. To everyone''s surprise, the instructor for the martial arts class was... Grandpa Qin from the gatehouse?!


    When he saw Grandpa Qin take three big steps followed by a small hop up to the podium, Li Xiaofei felt a line of sweat form on his forehead.


    This guy is also a gatekeeper, dean, and a martial arts instructor... Are there any other identities I don''t know about?


    At that moment, Bai Longfei leaned over to Li Xiaofei and whispered, "Surprised? I was too when I attended his class for the first time... Let me tell you a secret, Mr. Qin might not be entirely normal up here."


    The handsome boy pointed to his head and continued whispering, "They say Mr. Qin suffered some trauma in the past, so his mental state isn''t very stable. He has severe personality disorder. At different times and places, he believes he''s the gatekeeper, doctor, teacher, dean, janitor, school security guard, driver, and the top expert of Red Flag High School... he switches between these identities."


    Li Xiaofei was rendered speechless.


    Is this a joke?


    Though Grandpa Qin had switched between being the gatekeeper and the dean, he had always seemed quite normal. Li Xiaofei thought he was just a multi-talented individual holding multiple roles.


    Turns out he''s actually mentally unstable? Is this really Red Flag High School? It looks like I¡¯ve fallen into a real pit here.


    "Ahem, there may be some new team members who don''t know me," Grandpa Qin cleared his throat. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Invincible Qin, and I am the special training martial arts instructor for the school battle team."


    Li Xiaofei was surprised and speechless at the same time.


    What the heck? Wasn''t he Qin Dewei? When did he become Invincible Qin? Even his name changes with his identities. He really does seem to be seriously ill.


    "Before we start the lesson, let''s check your recent cultivation progress," Teacher Qin quickly slipped into his new role and pointed at the starforce meter set up beside the training ground. "Line up and test your starforce levels one by one."


    Li Xiaofei''s eyes lit up. This was a perfect opportunity to understand his teammates'' strength. He had been extremely interested in the so-called High School War God League since he had joined Red Flag High School. Constant battles with numerous geniuses and strong opponents were the best way to improve his skills.


    Li Xiaofei had a strong desire to become stronger. He hoped to advance as far as possible in the league with his teammates.


    "I''ll go first." The big-headed loli, Ren Dong, eagerly bounced forward.


    As the main medic of the school battle team, she had a strong competitive spirit. She reached out with her chubby, white hand to grasp the handle of the starforce meter, and started channeling her internal energy.


    Buzz.


    The starforce meter projected seven pale green vortices of energy above her. She was at the seventh stage. These seven vortices were complete and full, meaning she was the peak of the seventh stage and just a step away from reaching the eighth stage.


    "Not bad, you''ve made progress," said Grandpa Qin as he nodded in satisfaction.


    "Yay," Ren Dong made a victory gesture, clearly very pleased with her result.


    Everyone tested their starforce levels one after another. The second main combatant, Fang Buyi, was at the eighth stage, and the substitute main combatant, Zhuge Long, was at the peak of the seventh stage. The substitute medic, Nan Tianxing, was at the mid-seventh stage.


    Beastmasters Liu Xiao and Bai Qiqi were both at the mid-seventh stage. The weapons specialist, Bai Longfei, was at the eighth stage. The substitute weapons specialist, Du Heng, was at the seventh stage.


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but sigh internally. If this was their overall strength, it''s no wonder they were at the bottom in the High School War God League. Zhou Yiyou, who was at the high-seventh stage, would be more than sufficient to be a main team member at Red Flag High School, but at Qishen Academy, he could barely make it as a substitute.


    "Li Xiaofei, your turn," Grandpa Qin''s gaze fell on Li Xiaofei.


    The other team members also focused on him. They had heard about his impressive performance yesterday, but it was rumored that his actual cultivation level was only at the surprising fifth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. That didn¡¯t seem possible.


    Li Xiaofei slowly walked over. He had no intention of hiding his strength. He grasped the handle of the starforce meter and channeled his starforce to its fullest.


    Buzz.


    Golden energy vortices started to form above the meter, growing denser and brighter until seven distinct vortices, representing the seventh stage, fully manifested. The onlookers gasped. This confirmed the rumors, but seeing it in person was still shocking.


    Li Xiaofei didn''t stop there. He continued to channel his starforce until an eighth golden vortex began to form faintly, indicating he was on the verge of breaking through to the eighth stage.


    Grandpa Qin raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Remarkable progress," he said.


    Li Xiaofei let go of the handle and looked at his teammates, all of whom were staring at him with newfound respect and admiration. The High School War God League suddenly seemed more promising.


    Buzz.


    Seven pale golden vortices stayed spinning in the air. It indicated he was at mid-seventh stage.


    "Wow, you really did hide your strength yesterday." The big-headed loli, Ren Dong, exclaimed.


    "Goodness, seventh stage, and you said you didn''t know martial arts?" Bai Longfei also breathed a sigh of relief.


    This made sense. A seventh stage Li Xiaofei defeating Zhou Yiyou at the same stage was reasonable. A fifth stage Li Xiaofei defeating Zhou Yiyou at the seventh stage seemed impossible. However, barely noticeable shock flashed deep in the pupils behind Grandpa Qin''s glasses. He observed Li Xiaofei closely, studying him from head to toe.


    "Have you switched your qi refining method to the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique?" Grandpa Qin asked.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Yes. Tigers follow the wind, dragons follow the clouds, and when wind and clouds meet, thunder is born."


    Grandpa Qin felt a sharp pang of astonishment.


    This kid had only received the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique yesterday, and he¡¯s already cultivated it to such a level within one night. If that''s not a prodigy, then what is?


    However, Grandpa Qin remained calm and composed on the surface, saying lightly, "Not bad, just passable. You''re barely keeping up with the progress... Alright, everyone has made progress, so no punishments today. Let''s continue with the class."


    The main focus of the martial arts class was to guide the team members on their combat techniques. Red Flag High School specialized in ancient martial arts, so the team members practiced the true legacies of the Great Xia martial lineage.


    At this point, Grandpa Qin''s prowess became evident. He was proficient in all the team members'' ancient martial arts techniques and could provide precise, effective guidance. His instructions often hit the mark perfectly, resolving all the issues the team members faced in their cultivation.


    "Mr. Qin, what about me?" Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but ask, "Can you give me some guidance too?"


    Grandpa Qin glanced at him and said calmly, "I don''t know your martial art technique. Practice on your own." Sea??h the N?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei was speechless at his answer.


    "Then teach me a new combat technique," said Li Xiaofei as he tried to push his luck.


    Grandpa Qin glanced at him again and said, "You¡¯re biting off more than you can chew."


    That made sense. He could only continue practicing the Great Strength Vajra Fist on his own. The core principles of this fist technique were difficult to observe with the naked eye, so he didn''t have to worry about leaking its secrets.


    The class passed quickly. Right before class ended, Grandpa Qin took out a bunch of silver USB-like devices.


    "These are super account keys for the light-network, issued by the Education Department. They are completely anonymous. You can each take one and use them to rank up. As per the old rules, if your points are insufficient before the High School War God League starts, you''ll be disqualified from participating."


    The team members cheered enthusiastically. Only students participating in the High School War God League could obtain these special super account keys. Unlike regular light-network mainframe accounts, super accounts could unlock more light-network features, such as virtual reality scenarios. They would feel like they were transported to another world.


    "Let''s go, let''s hit the light-core mainframe room and have some fun."


    "Finally, the day has come."


    "No more talking, let''s rank up all night. Whoever scores the lowest calls the others grandpa."


    The team members cheered, grabbed their keys, and eagerly rushed to the light-core mainframe room.


    Li Xiaofei, however, stayed behind. He looked a little shifty.


    "Is there something you need?" Grandpa Qin asked.

 Chapter 37: Your Grandpa

    Chapter 37: Your Grandpa Li Xiaofei smiled like an innocent little white flower and said, "Respected Teacher Qin, I would like a pass to go hunting in the wilds outside the base city. Can you help me with that?"


    "You want to go outside the city?" Grandpa Qin asked, puzzled. "There''s no need to rush. The school battle team has plenty of opportunities for field practice. Besides, now that you have a super account, you can experience the sensation of fighting star beasts in the wilderness through the light-network mainframe."


    Li Xiaofei''s smile grew even more innocent.


    "I''m trying to find a legitimate way for the brothers in the slums to make a living," he explained.


    "Gang members from the slums?" Grandpa Qin frowned. "Letting them go outside the city to hunt star beasts? That''s difficult. The government imposes strict restrictions on gang members from the slums, and there''s no precedent for this."


    "That''s tough," Li Xiaofei muttered.


    He murmured to himself, "I heard that as long as a reputable person from the rule-of-law district is willing to provide a guarantee, it''s possible to get a pass to leave the city. I guess you and Principal Chen don''t have enough clout. I''ll have to think of another way and look for other respectable individuals."


    Grandpa Qin felt a sudden sense of crisis. This couldn''t happen. They had finally managed to attract a prodigious talent in ancient martial arts, and a hope for Red Flag High School''s revival. What if someone else lured him away with such a small benefit?


    "Wait a moment, I said it''s difficult, not impossible," Grandpa Qin reconsidered, thinking of Li Xiaofei''s test results and his terrifying cultivation speed. He instantly made a decision that went against the school''s regulations.


    He thumped his chest as he assured Li Xiaofei, "Here''s the deal, if you can use the super account to reach 500 points on the base city''s high school ranking, I''ll get you a group pass. How does that sound?"


    "Deal," Li Xiaofei grinned like a fox that had successfully stolen a chicken.


    "Teacher, I''m off to earn those points," he said, leaving happily now that his goal was achieved.


    ***


    In the light-core mainframe room.


    The other team members were already immersed in the virtual light-network world like teenagers addicted to the internet.


    Li Xiaofei approached Station 2. The light-core mainframe looked like a virtual cockpit. He inserted the super account key. The cockpit adjusted the size and the curvature of the backrest based on his body type, allowing him to settle into the optimal half-reclined position.


    Li Xiaofei lay down and braced his feet against the pedals.


    Zizz, zizz.


    A faint metallic buzzing sounded as twenty-four tentacle-like star energy neural bundles automatically extended. Each of the pale silver neural bundles ended in a black, sucker-like mouth. These mouths resembled leeches as they gently adhered to his feet, thighs, waist, abdomen, arms, wrists, palms, and neck.


    Li Xiaofei shivered slightly from the cold touch, but he remained composed. He knew this was necessary for a fully immersive experience in the light-network. The neural connections would ensure that his every movement and sensation in the virtual world felt real. With everything in place, Li Xiaofei took a deep breath and mentally prepared himself for the challenge ahead.


    In the blink of an eye, the virtual world began to envelop his senses, drawing him into the realm where he would earn those crucial 500 points. Simultaneously, mechanical arms extended from the left and right sides of the cockpit, bringing forward two hemispheres that resembled two halves of a motorcycle helmet. These halves encased Li Xiaofei''s head, fitting snugly and comfortably without any uncomfortable heat or claustrophobia.


    "Mainframe startup initiated. Please close your eyes. Starting up... Please close your eyes."


    "Startup complete. Please open your eyes. Welcome to the world of light-network, created by the Saints of the Star Council."


    Li Xiaofei slowly opened his eyes, and a vast and vibrant world unfolded before him, teeming with endless possibilities and challenges. The environment was a perfect blend of reality and imagination, every detail meticulously crafted to provide the most immersive experience possible. Li Xiaofei felt a rush of excitement as he prepared to dive into this virtual realm, determined to earn the points he needed.


    He felt a wave of astonishment wash over him.


    "So this is the light-network virtual world?"


    He was in a lush meadow surrounded by a sea of clouds. The meadow, roughly a hundred square meters in size and perfectly circular, was encircled by rolling white clouds. A gentle breeze blew, and the air was incredibly fresh, filling him with a sense of peace and tranquility. Sea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Everything felt remarkably real, as if he had stepped into an entirely authentic world.


    "What you see before you is your initial virtual base," the electronic voice of the light-core began to explain. "Every light-network user is assigned an initial virtual base by the system."


    The base could be modified through in-game purchases. The currency system in the light-network world was linked to the real world. As long as you had enough financial resources, you could expand the size of your initial virtual base and transform it into a palace, island, mountain range, or anything else your heart desired.


    Amazing!


    Li Xiaofei stood on the meadow, examining his body. His appearance was exactly the same as in the real world. Following the mechanical prompts, Li Xiaofei quickly completed the steps of face customization, disguise, changing outfits, and choosing a weapon, finalizing the creation of his super account.


    His avatar became a tall warrior in black combat attire, wearing a silver cicada mask.


    "Please name your avatar," the mechanical voice rang out.


    Li Xiaofei stopped for a moment to think about the name. His identity in the light-network world was crucial, so he needed to think of a name that was cool, impressive, and memorable, something that others would never forget.


    "Monkey King," he said.


    "Sorry, this name is already taken," replied the system.


    Huh?


    Li Xiaofei tried again, "Undying Asura."


    "Sorry, this name is already taken."


    Damn.


    "Supreme Demon Emperor."


    "Sorry, this name is already taken."


    "Vacuum War God."


    "Sorry, this name is already taken."


    "Strongest Man in the light-network."


    "Sorry, this name is already taken."


    Li Xiaofei racked his brain, coming up with several names he liked, only to find they were all taken.


    Frustrated, he blurted out, "Your grandpa..."


    Before he could finish his sentence, the mechanical voice chimed in, "This name is available. Registering... Registration complete."


    Li Xiaofei was shocked and thought to himself.


    What the heck!?! No way.


    "Welcome new user, Your Grandpa, to the light-network world. The Star Council wishes you a legendary new beginning here."


    "Detected that the account, Your Grandpa, is registered for the Great Xia Republic''s Liuhe Base City High School War God League sequence. Would you like to start the ranking challenge immediately?" asked the system.


    "Start."


    "Would you like to enable the spectator mode to broadcast your ranking process?"


    "Do not enable."


    "Understood."


    A humming blue, oval-shaped portal appeared and Li Xiaofei resignedly stepped into it.


    ***


    Boom!


    Li Xiaofei punched and killed a swooping Snow Winged Eagle in an icy, snow-covered landscape. Blood and feathers flew into the air, and the enormous eagle that had a wingspan over two meters disintegrated into dust.


    "It''s truly hard to believe that such a real sensation is just a virtual landscape in the network world," Li Xiaofei said as he lowered his fist.


    He could hear the howl of the cold wind and see the pure white snow. His sense of touch, smell, and taste all felt exactly like in the real world. Li Xiaofei had even tried eating a handful of snow. The cold snow had melted in his mouth, and the sensation of the icy water flowing down his throat and into his stomach was so real, it was indistinguishable from the real world.


    "Unbelievable," he muttered, marveling at the realism of the virtual world.


    As someone who had traveled from 500 years in the past to this world, Li Xiaofei was truly awed by this virtual technology. He was in the first-level trial of the rankings, the Stormy Snow Mountain. Killing the star beasts known as Snow Winged Eagle here would earn him ranking points.


    In less than ten minutes, Li Xiaofei had effortlessly killed twenty-one Snow Winged Eagles, earning 21 ranking points.


    "This first-level trial is no longer challenging for me," he said. He reached out to light-core, saying, "I request transportation to the second-level trial."


    "User, Your Grandpa, is being evaluated for the first-level trial..."


    "Congratulations, your performance in the first-level trial has been rated as Transcendent."


    "Permission granted to transport to the second-level trial."


    After a series of electronic prompts, a blue portal appeared before Li Xiaofei. When he stepped through it, he found himself in the second-level trial, the Dark Wind Forest. Several pairs of red eyes began to glow ominously in the dark forest.

 Chapter 38: Everyone Was Shocked

    Chapter 38: Everyone Was Shocked The battle erupted immediately. This time, Li Xiaofei faced a first grade star beast, the Blood-Eyed Dense Wolf. This was an extremely rare pack-hunting canine star beast, known for its organization and discipline. It was known to prefer overwhelming enemies with sheer numbers.


    It was worth mentioning that killing a single Blood-Eyed Dense Wolf awarded 10 points. This fact thrilled Li Xiaofei.


    "I¡¯m going to kill all of you!"


    Li Xiaofei executed the Great Strength Vajra Fist and blood spattered everywhere. The Blood-Eyed Dense Wolves were blasted into smithereens one after another.


    He felt his blood boiling, his fighting spirit soaring.


    "Hahaha, be shattered under my divine fist. But they¡¯re too weak, it''s not satisfying enough."


    Li Xiaofei''s manic laughter echoed in the Dark Wind Forest as he fell victim to his severe chuni syndrome again.


    ***


    "Phew, this Dark Wind Forest is just too terrifying," Ren Dong sighed.


    Pale blue data streams flickered as the big-headed loli, Ren Dong, appeared in her initial virtual base. A few seconds earlier, she had been torn apart by a wolf pack in the second-level trial, Dark Wind Forest, forcing her to end the trial. She had even lost 2 percent of her ranking points.


    "I only lasted six minutes this time. As expected, it''s really tough to clear a second-level trial at the seventh stage of the Qi Refining Realm," said Ren Dong S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She clenched her small, fair fist, encouraging herself. In the trial, dying meant she had to wait for an hour before continuing the trial. Ren Dong immediately opened the rankings. Just then, a message from the world channel sounded in her virtual base.


    "Congratulations to Liuhe Base City user, Your Grandpa, for clearing the high school ranking''s first-level trial, Stormy Snow Mountain, in nine minutes and eleven seconds, receiving a Transcendent rating."


    Ren Dong was momentarily taken aback. Passing the first-level trial in just nine minutes and eleven seconds? The short clear time was one thing, but receiving a Transcendent rating was simply astonishing.


    A short clear time alone didn''t guarantee a Transcendent rating. Instead, the light-core host evaluated all aspects of the user''s performance during the trial, deeming the challenger to possess exceptional potential before awarding the highest rating.


    A high school student with a Transcendent rating was undoubtedly a genius among geniuses. Ren Dong couldn''t help but feel a surge of frustration, clenching her small fists tightly. Geniuses were truly infuriating creatures. Their existence seemed to highlight just how ordinary and mediocre you were. And to think that this person even chose a ridiculous name like Your Grandpa.


    How casual could they be?


    However, in less than ten minutes, the world channel''s broadcast message sounded again.


    "Congratulations to Liuhe Base City user, Your Grandpa, for completing the high school ranking''s second-level trial, Dark Wind Forest, in seven minutes and twenty-one seconds, receiving a Transcendent rating."


    Ren Dong was completely stunned when she heard the broadcast message.


    A second-level trial, and it was a Transcendent rating again?


    Even more astonishing was that they had cleared it in just seven minutes and twenty-one seconds, which was even faster than the first-level trial, Stormy Snow Mountain.


    Was this... a joke?


    ***


    At Qishen Academy, in the Noble Student Apartments.


    A young man with a shaved head and phoenix eyes yawned widely.


    "These points trials are so boring," he muttered.


    He had just cleared the third-level trial, the Desolate Graveyard, and found it too easy. He was about to log off when...


    "Congratulations to Liuhe Base City user, Your Grandpa, for completing the high school ranking''s third-level trial, Desolate Graveyard, in five minutes and twenty seconds, receiving a Transcendent rating."


    The lazy expression on the young man''s face instantly froze. He thought he had misheard.


    Five minutes and twenty seconds for a Transcendent rating? The light-core system must be malfunctioning.


    He looked at his own score and muttered, "Ten minutes and forty seconds, Upper Limit rating."


    This score, which would make many high school students in Liuhe Base City look up in awe, now felt like it was mocking him for his arrogance and ignorance.


    Who is it? Who exactly is this person achieving a Transcendent rating in five minutes and twenty seconds?


    The young man with phoenix eyes immediately thought of several top genius high school students in the city. It had to be one of them.


    He vowed fiercely to himself. "I, Yun Qi, am also a top genius in the high school rankings of Liuhe Base City. I¡¯m not inferior to anyone else."


    He was gripped by a new sense of urgency. The lazy and proud expression on his face quickly vanished. He immediately re-entered the light-core virtual world as he started to grind for more points.


    ***


    At Nanshan High School.


    "Three consecutive Transcendent ratings?"


    In the top independent training room, known as the Peak of Nanshan, the number one genius, Zhou Yunong, also saw the world broadcast from the light-core system.


    "And it''s someone from Liuhe Base City. Heh, interesting. It seems this year''s High School War God League won''t be so boring after all. I can''t wait to face him."


    His eyes burned with intense anticipation.


    ***


    At Hongye High School.


    The young and beautiful principal, Xiao Hongye, slowly put down her mobile light-core device.


    Three Transcendent ratings in less than half an hour. If nothing unexpected happens, this Your Grandpa user will be a strong contender for the top three in the solo combat mode of this War God League. If only I could find out who this person really is.


    Her long, slender legs, clad in black silk, crossed and pressed against each other as she gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her pearly white teeth lightly bit her crimson lip as she pondered.


    Xiao Hongye was famously known as a strong woman. Her greatest talent was poaching. She would spare no expense to lure geniuses from other schools to Hongye High School. After all, she had sworn to make Hongye High School the top institution in Liuhe Base City.


    Now, she was interested in this user named Your Grandpa. A woman''s intuition told her that Your Grandpa was likely a newcomer. These sudden rising stars were the best to poach. She decided to take action.


    ***


    At the Ye Family, Duxing High School, the top-ranked noble school in Liuhe Base City. In the Principal''s office.


    Dean Ye Xinyu was holding the preliminary investigation report as he said. "I''ve already asked around; this Your Grandpa is not a student of Duxing High School, nor of any of the other affiliated schools,"


    Behind the desk, the silver-haired principal, Ye Xilan, furrowed his brows slightly. As the principal who had overseen Duxing High School for thirty years, Ye Xilan held absolute authority within the school.


    After a moment of thought, he said, "Then find a way to investigate. We must uncover this person''s true identity."


    A high school genius who could achieve three Transcendent ratings within thirty minutes was always worth paying attention to.


    "How should we proceed once we find out?" Dean Ye Xinyu asked.


    Ye Xilan''s face was stern as he replied, "If we can poach him, spare no expense to make him our student. If we can''t, then give him special attention. If necessary, using some unconventional means is not out of the question. We absolutely cannot allow anyone to threaten our path to a three-time championship."


    "Understood," Ye Xinyu responded, standing up to salute before leaving.


    ***


    The Starry Sky Hotel was a chain enterprise under the Star Council. It had locations in base cities around the world. It was a hotel, but also served as a branch outpost for the Star Council.


    The highest-ranking official stationed in Liuhe Base City was an Inspector named Li Zhoumin. Despite being highly respected, he was a thirty-year-old middle-aged man.


    Li Zhoumin kept a low profile. He resided in the hotel, rarely making public appearances. He seldom involved himself in government affairs or the matters of the five major martial arts families. He was almost like a transparent person.


    He also had ten Inspectors under him, all of whom were outsiders. They also rarely interacted with local forces. Their sole responsibility was to patrol the jurisdiction, preventing severe violations of Earth''s highest law, the Star Charter, such as mental pollution and human-beast collusion.


    However, there were rare exceptions, like today. Inspector Li Zhoumin had been alerted.


    "A little guy like this caught the attention of the Star Network Monitoring System?"


    He held a glass of red wine as he lazily watched the large screen. "His martial technique is ancient and crude, yet his fighting spirit burns intensely. Quite interesting indeed."


    The screen was showing the footage of Li Xiaofei clearing the trial.


    "Three Transcendent ratings, and using an ancient martial arts style... It''s worth paying attention to. Perhaps this is my opportunity."


    Li Zhoumin finished his glass of wine and operated his light-core device. He issued a command with the highest level of authority.

 Chapter 39: It’s Actually You?

    Chapter 39: It¡¯s Actually You? In less than an hour, the achievements of the user Your Grandpa spread like wildfire through Liuhe Base City''s high school community. Everyone had now heard of a genius who had achieved three consecutive Transcendent ratings, and they all wanted to know who this genius was.


    The schools that had high hopes of winning various championships in the High School War God League used every available channel to frantically dig for information about the user Your Grandpa. The phone lines at the Liuhe Base City''s Education Department were almost completely overwhelmed.


    "I''m sorry, but the information of super account students is confidential."


    "Principal Li, it''s not that I don''t want to help, but I really don''t have the authority to look it up."


    "Director Du, I apologize, but I really can''t help you this time."


    "The confidentiality level of Your Grandpa''s identity was raised to Class A just three minutes ago. Only our director has the authority to access it."


    "Sorry, Your Grandpa''s identity cannot be queried."


    Both those making the calls and those answering them wanted to curse.


    This damn student. Of all the names to choose, why did you choose the name, Your Grandpa?


    Every time they mentioned the name, it felt like they were swearing, making the conversations incredibly awkward for everyone involved.


    In the Director''s office, Education Director Gao Changlin simply turned off his light-core device. Although the relentless barrage of calls was annoying him, he couldn''t suppress his excitement.


    The birth of a genius always brought countless honors. No matter which high school this genius belonged to, it would be an achievement for the city''s Education Department as long as he was in Liuhe Base City.


    For Gao Changlin, it was like a pie falling from the sky.


    Gao Changlin connected to an internal line and said, "Assign someone to monitor the rankings and keep an eye on Your Grandpa''s points. Report any changes to me immediately."


    The most important thing in an era ravaged by star beasts were powerful individuals. Where did these powerful individuals come from? They were born from the youths in schools. The Great Xia Republic''s government placed immense importance on education, as did the major martial arts families and clans.


    There were dozens to hundreds of public and private schools in every base city across the country, all competing fiercely to produce martial arts powerhouses for the Great Xia Republic. As a result, schools, especially prestigious ones, held extremely high social status. The principals of these prestigious schools were like celebrities wherever they went, as they were openly respected and admired. Even the influential figures of the era deferred to them.


    But producing genius students was an absolute prerequisite if one wanted to become a prestigious school. They had to achieve dazzling results in the various levels of the War God League.


    The Great Xia Republic''s School War God League, ranging from elementary, middle, and high school to university, had a history of three hundred and fifteen years. This was not unique to the Great Xia Republic. Different countries in various administrative regions under the Star Council also followed the same pattern. There were numerous domestic leagues, international leagues, and global leagues...


    These competitions had a long history. They were well-established and comprehensive.


    These rigorous and selective competitions allowed humanity to cultivate one star martial arts powerhouse after another. Some of these powerhouses had even gone on to reach the Saint level. This was how humanity had managed to carve out a space for survival on a planet ravaged by star beasts.


    It was no exaggeration to say that the education sector was crucial to the survival of humanity. As such, a Director of Education like Gao Changlin would always take the emergence of a genius high school student seriously.


    ***


    At the same time, Li Xiaofei was completely unaware of everything happening in the outside world.


    Shortly after completing the third-level trial, he discovered that he had already earned the 500 points he needed for his agreement with Grandpa Qin, so he ended his frantic grind for points in the light-core device.


    When he exited the mainframe, Li Xiaofei glanced at the other cockpits. The other members of his team were still immersed in the light-network world, looking every bit like internet-addicted teenagers.


    "Although the light-network can simulate reality perfectly, it can only help with combat experience and enhance one¡¯s technique proficiency. It cannot improve Starforce Cultivation," muttered Li Xiaofei. "Improving one''s realm still depends on breathing techniques. So, it''s important to distinguish between the virtual and the real world and not become addicted to it."


    Li Xiaofei was very calm. The first thing he did was carefully assess his physical state. The intense fighting in the light-network virtual world, besides causing slight mental fatigue, did not bring any physical overexertion.


    In other words, the virtual world hones one''s spirit? Sea??h the novelF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "School is over. I''ll go home and ask Little Aunt for a massage."


    However, Li Xiaofei was startled when he stepped out of the mainframe room. Principal Chen Fei and the multi-personality Grandpa Qin were squatting at the door like two guard dogs, their eyes red and expressions somewhat ferocious.


    What had happened?


    "Principal, Mr. Qin, what are you...?" he asked cautiously.


    "Sigh, I''m so envious," Chen Fei lamented. "There''s another super genius out there."


    "I''m so envious it hurts," he added, sounding genuinely pained.


    Gatekeeper Grandpa Qin also gritted his teeth and said, "Why can''t the super genius be one of mine?"


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    Could this school have even one normal teacher?


    "Well... you two can keep being envious. My aunt is calling me home for dinner."


    Li Xiaofei cautiously sidestepped the two red-eyed men. After taking a few steps, he suddenly remembered something and turned back.


    "Oh, right, Mr. Qin, I fulfilled my promise. Make sure to get my city exit pass ready for me."


    With that, he quickly left.


    "Pass?" Grandpa Qin scratched his messy hair, as he recalled their previous agreement.


    Wait, this kid already got 500 points on the ranking? That couldn''t be right. It¡¯s barely been any time.


    He opened his light-core device to check the rankings for the High School War God League. Although the identity information of super account holders was confidential, their ranking points were publicly displayed in real-time for anyone to see.


    There was only one person with over 500 points on the ranking. It was none other than the storm-stirring user called Your Grandpa. When he scrolled further down, Li Xiaofei''s name was nowhere in the top ten.


    "Heh, getting 500 points isn''t that easy. That brat dared to brag about completing the agreement and even tried to trick me... wait, what?" Grandpa Qin muttered to himself before he suddenly realized something.


    A look of disbelief appeared on his face as he slowly turned to Chen Fei. The principal was staring intently at the light-core screen. The two men exchanged glances, seeing the shock and doubt in each other''s eyes. Suddenly, they both let out excited shrieks like groundhogs discovering a cookie.

 Chapter 40: A Storm Was Stirring On The Forum

    Chapter 40: A Storm Was Stirring On The Forum So this kid was the user Your Grandpa all along?!


    The two bigwigs of Red Flag High School looked at each other, feeling as if they were dreaming.


    "I thought I was already overestimating him, but I never expected..." Grandpa Qin murmured like he was stuck in a dream.


    Chen Fei jumped three feet into the air in excitement. "Haha, I told you, didn''t I?! I told you this kid was something special! Hahahaha, I''ve really struck gold this time!"


    Both of them felt like they had found a lottery ticket in a trash heap and accidentally won a billion dollars. It was unreal.


    "We''re going to make it big this year," Grandpa Qin began to dream aloud. "If we''re lucky, we can compete for the city league championship in solo combat mode. The Education Department''s reward would be a godsend for our high school."


    The amount of funding, resources, and influence a school could receive from the Education Department was determined by the students'' achievements in various competitions. But the most prestigious achievements were undoubtedly in the War God League.


    Chen Fei pumped his fist as he tried to contain his excitement. "This kid is a rough gem, but it might be a little premature to say he can compete for the solo combat mode championship. After all, the ranking for the War God League has only been open for three hours, and the geniuses from various prestigious schools have yet to truly exert their strength... We need to stay calm."


    "Calm my foot!" Grandpa Qin gritted his teeth and said fiercely, "Old Chen, we should go all out this time."


    Chen Fei was taken aback for a moment. Then his eyes also burned with intense fire.


    "Are you serious?" he asked.


    Grandpa Qin nodded solemnly. "We can''t delay any longer."


    Chen Fei asked, "So... we really go all out?"


    "We have no choice. You''ve been running around for years, enduring scorn and humiliation, bowing and scraping just to secure some resources. You''ve almost exhausted all the goodwill from the past," Grandpa Qin replied. "We''ve endured so much for so long that many people have forgotten what a formidable person you were back then, Chen Fei... Even still, the resources we could secure are still limited."


    He added, "Besides, Yan Chiyu will be going to university next year. Bai Longfei, Ren Dong, Fang Buyi, Zhuge Long, and Bai Qiqi who just enrolled half a year ago, are the most talented students we''ve managed to recruit. If we add Li Xiaofei to the mix... Old Chen, this might be our last chance."


    The more Grandpa Qin spoke, the more excited he became.


    Chen Fei remained silent for a while, and then murmured, "Yes, our last chance. If we don''t go all out now, we''ll grow old, and no one will remember the old days... Let''s do it then. Let''s put all our resources into this High School War God League and bet everything on it."


    ***


    Li Xiaofei went home. He sought out his aunt for a massage, ate dinner, and cultivated. He also checked in on the daily activities of the Cloudy Sky Gang.


    The next day, he went back to school. As soon as he reached the school gate, he was stopped by Grandpa Qin, who was on duty as the gatekeeper.


    "Here," Grandpa Qin said, shoving a special green metal card into Li Xiaofei''s hand. It was a special hunting pass for leaving the city.


    "So soon?" Li Xiaofei was surprised. "Is this fake?"


    Insulted, Grandpa Qin snapped angrily at him, "If you don''t want it, give it back." Sea??h the n??el Fire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hehe, just kidding, just kidding." Li Xiaofei carefully tucked the pass away. He gave Grandpa Qin a thumbs up and said, "My big brother Qin from Red Flag High School has many connections and tricks up his sleeves."


    "Show some respect," Grandpa Qin scolded before adding, "Principal Chen has something to discuss with you. Come with me."


    "What is it?"


    "You''ll find out when we get there."


    ***


    A moment later, in the principal''s office.


    "That''s right, it''s me. I am the user named Your Grandpa,''" Li Xiaofei admitted straightforwardly. "Is there a problem?"


    The last bit of doubt in Principal Chen Fei and the split-personality teacher''s minds vanished completely.


    "Does anyone else know about your identity?" Chen Fei asked.


    Li Xiaofei shook his head and said, "I haven''t had the chance to tell anyone."


    "Good," Chen Fei cautioned, "Remember, from now on, if anyone asks, you must keep this matter absolutely confidential."


    Li Xiaofei paused, then realized something and asked, "Should I keep a low profile?"


    After all, a tall tree catches the wind.


    "No need," Grandpa Qin said. "Be as arrogant as you like in the light-network virtual world. Don''t hide your strength. But you must keep a low profile and be discreet in the real world. We''ll be playing on a grand scale together."


    "Got it," Li Xiaofei agreed readily. He understood the importance of the advice and knew it was for his own good.


    "Go back to class," Chen Fei smiled at him.


    Li Xiaofei bowed before leaving.


    "He¡¯s a good kid," Chen Fei said after the door closed behind Li Xiaofei.


    "Yes, strong but not arrogant. He doesn¡¯t let his talent make him rebellious. He doesn''t have the bad habits that many geniuses have, like being unmanageable. He even knows to respect his teachers... Old Chen, is someone like this really our student? Feels like happiness came too suddenly, right? It feels unreal," Grandpa Qin replied.


    "Yeah."


    "Then let me pinch you."


    "Ow, that hurts. Be gentle."


    "Now you know that it''s not a dream."


    "Your Grandpa... Stop fooling around. Let''s get ready to distribute the resources."


    "Alright, let¡¯s start the plan."


    The two hadn''t had such a carefree moment in a long time. It felt like they were back fighting side by side in their youth.


    Very soon, all the students at Red Flag High School were swept into a frenzy. The usually stingy school had suddenly started distributing Starforce Reagents. This was a big deal. While it might not be much at the noble high schools, even the members of the school battle team had never enjoyed such benefits at the impoverished Red Flag High School.


    This time, every single student received at least one vial of Starforce Reagent. Of course, the members of the school battle team received more. But no one felt it was unfair. Many students at Red Flag High School were just grateful for the opportunity to attend and learn martial arts. They were all happy and grateful for the resources.


    "Long live the Principal!" Someone shouted in the courtyard as the joyous atmosphere spilled over.


    Chen Fei watched them rejoice from the balcony of the office building, unable to contain his surging emotions.


    What wonderful children they were. They could have had better educational opportunities.


    Unfortunately, the aristocratic families monopolized martial techniques and combat skills, as well as cultivation resources. The best conditions were only enjoyed by a select few. This was completely contrary to the government''s original intention of universal education and cultivation.


    If it weren''t for the government''s immense expenditure and relentless efforts to establish public schools in every base city, providing compulsory education and maximizing the opportunity for school-age children to learn and cultivate, the country would have fallen into the hands of those aristocratic families long ago.


    Those martial arts families had risen during special times and had once made significant contributions to protecting the country. But they were now a cancer that drained the nation''s blood. If this continued, the future of the country and the hope of the nation would be doomed.


    In the mainframe room, Li Xiaofei received four vials of the Life No. 1 brand third-generation pure Starforce Reagent. He didn''t rush to use them. Instead, he was planning on using them after entering the Secret Time Pavilion.


    Li Xiaofei lay down in the mainframe cockpit and entered the light-network virtual world. After reaching 500 ranking points, his interest in the virtual scene trials had somewhat waned. He wanted to experience combat while wearing power armor. However, his starforce level was still below the Limit Breaking Realm, so the system restricted him from unlocking this feature.


    Li Xiaofei discovered that many functions in the light-network virtual world required spending money. Even the lowest-grade Worker Ant Gen 1 power armor had an experience fee of 1,000 star coins per hour, which was quite expensive.


    Of course, one could also make money in the light-network virtual world. You could earn income through martial arts competitions, live streaming, teaching, selling products, and research and invention, among other ways. Since the virtual light-network felt so real, even some indescribable activities could be experienced and completed within it. This far surpassed the internet ecosystem from 500 years ago.


    Since Li Xiaofei''s account was a high school super account, it was not fully capable of civil conduct. So, many paid functions were age-restricted.


    It seems I need to quickly grow stronger to fully experience the wonders of the light-network virtual world.


    Li Xiaofei dismissed distractions and continued to work hard to gain more points. When he checked the high school ranking, he saw that more than twenty people had surpassed his score. The top ten contestants had already exceeded 1000 points.


    Correspondingly, there were many strange posts on the leaderboard forum, all related to Your Grandpa. When Li Xiaofei saw them, he was completely stunned.

 Chapter 41: One Thought Supergod

    Chapter 41: One Thought Supergod Genius? Just a flash in the pan.


    Your Grandpa has been exposed and has fallen out of the top ten on the leaderboard.


    Your Grandpa? No, he''s just a real grandson, hahaha.


    Disperse, everyone. He''s just another has-been.


    Exclusive: Your Grandpa used cheats to achieve three Transcendent ratings and has now been banned by the authorities.


    I can testify that Your Grandpa suddenly disappeared and has been offline since 6:10 PM yesterday, right after completing the third-level trial scene, Desolate Graveyard. It seems something happened to him.


    No wonder.


    Hehe, vanishing for an entire night at such a crucial time for point climbing can only be explained by a ban.


    There were tens of thousands of posts, mostly filled with rumors and slander. Li Xiaofei carefully read through the posts. He discovered that the most active account in slandering him was called One Thought Supergod. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This person was also a participant in the High School War God League. His real name was Du Yiding, hailing from the Du family, one of the five major martial arts families. He seemed to love flaunting his wealth online. He had crafted an image of being straightforward and bold, saying whatever came to his mind and offending anyone he wished. Additionally, he had a peculiar hobby of throwing money around. He often held lotteries on the forum, attracting a considerable number of fans.


    Besides, Du Yiding was also a powerful genius high school student. He attended Lanling High School, which was ranked second in the city. He had placed sixth in the solo mode and second in the team mode in the previous War God League, giving him plenty of reasons to be arrogant.


    Since there was a celebrity participant like him fanning the flames, more and more forum users joined in mocking Your Grandpa. This wave of slander spread like a plague. Of course, there were also posts supporting Your Grandpa.


    A bunch of jealous dogs, laughable.


    In the absence of an official announcement from the light-network authorities, these jealous anons are here spreading rumors about doping and banning. Your mothers are dead.


    Yeah, if it was really because of cheating, the authorities would have already made an announcement.


    So many rumor posts made me realize one thing: Your Grandpa is probably a newcomer, and a newcomer from an ordinary high school at that, which is why these jealous dogs dare to attack so brazenly.


    That makes sense, I support Your Grandpa.


    However, such posts were rare and were just a few scattered responses. As soon as they were posted, they were quickly drowned out by the sea of other posts.


    Li Xiaofei watched for a while, feeling bewildered. Five hundred years had passed, humanity was struggling to survive on Earth, and yet some people were still this idle.


    I had just casually gained some points, so how did I suddenly become a public enemy?


    He didn''t even know this One Thought Supergod, yet the guy was attacking him like a mad dog. However, he finally understood why Principal Chen Fei had advised him not to reveal his account identity. Negative fame was still fame. He now had a bit of a following.


    If I were to activate Spectator Mode and start a livestream... Maybe I could even make some money?


    Li Xiaofei hesitated for a moment but dismissed the thought. His Great Strength Vajra Fist was too distinctive and easy to recognize. If he started a livestream, Your Grandpa''s identity would quickly be exposed. It was better to continue climbing the rankings in private mode.


    ***


    At the Ancient Desert City, a level-four trial in the high school ranking trial.


    Li Xiaofei''s figure appeared on the ten-meter-high ancient stone walls of the city. This was a city that had been abandoned for thousands of years. The ancient city was filled with weathered stone walls, collapsed palaces, streets buried in yellow sand, and bones rolling in the wind. The dry air felt like flames burning his respiratory tract.


    Hiss!


    A monster covered in yellow-brown sand crystals burst out of the sand. It was a Sand Scorpion, a second-level star beast. The Sand Scorpion was a terrifying predator that lurked in desert environments. The yellow-brown sand crystals on its body formed a natural armor that could withstand heavy blows, while its tail stinger moved as fast as lightning and was capable of piercing a meter-thick stone wall in an instant.


    Li Xiaofei did not dare be careless.


    Boom!


    The Vajra Thunderous Strike sounded as Li Xiaofei''s fist, enveloped in a pale golden glow and carrying enough power to instantly kill an eighth stage cultivator, sank into the Sand Scorpion''s abdomen.


    Hiss.


    The Sand Scorpion roared in anger as it was sent flying. A look of surprise appeared on Li Xiaofei''s face when he realized his punch hadn''t killed the Sand Scorpion. The sand crystal layer on the beast''s body had acted like armor. Although pieces of it had shattered and fallen off, it had absorbed most of the punch''s force.


    The Sand Scorpion''s massive body crashed into the yellow sand below the city wall, rolling a few times before charging at Li Xiaofei again. Its raised tail was like a drawn bowstring.


    Li Xiaofei took a deep breath and used the second move of the Great Strength Vajra Fist, the Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow.


    600£¬700£¬800......


    Boom!


    A miraculous vibrating force instantly erupted from his punch.


    Bang!


    Blood splattered everywhere. The deadly stinger of the Sand Scorpion didn''t even have a chance to strike as its massive body was blown apart into chunks.


    Just like that, Li Xiaofei earned fifty points effortlessly. The higher the level of the star beast, the more points he gained from killing it. At that moment, more Sand Scorpions emerged from the yellow sand, surrounding Li Xiaofei. Li Xiaofei grew excited. After all, combat was the best whetstone for the strong.


    He bounded onto the ancient city wall, gaining the high ground, and began battling the swarming Sand Scorpions. As he repeatedly executed the Great Strength Vajra Fist, Li Xiaofei''s understanding and mastery of the martial technique kept growing deeper. The strength of his punches also steadily increased with his insights.


    He quickly grew completely immersed in combat. One giant Sand Scorpion after another was killed, transforming into points on Li Xiaofei''s leaderboard score.


    600, 700, 800...


    His points began to skyrocket. In less than half an hour, he broke through the 1500 point barrier, re-entering the top ten of the high school ranking trial¡¯s leaderboard.


    Li Xiaofei''s understanding of the first three moves of the Great Strength Vajra Fist had finally reached a state of perfection. Now, each move contained subtle, yet profound principles of martial arts. But he still lacked the fourth move, so the entire set of techniques felt incomplete and not entirely harmonious.


    Why don¡¯t I take this opportunity to try and cultivate the fourth move, the Vajra Wrathful Mountain Split, during battle?


    Suddenly¡ª


    Whoosh!


    A yellow flash of lightning streaked by as Li Xiaofei''s body suddenly stiffened. A thumb-sized blood hole appeared at the center of his forehead and a trickle of blood slowly flowed down his cheek.


    "Is that... the Scorpion King?!" exclaimed Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei saw a gigantic Sand Scorpion that was over six meters long. The monstrous creature looked like it had been forged from gold as it silently appeared twenty meters away. Its stinger, which was as sharp as a divine needle, was dripping with blood.


    Li Xiaofei unwillingly disappeared from the Ancient Desert City. In the next instant, he was back at his initial virtual base, sitting cross-legged on the grassy cloud. His face was full of unwillingness.


    He had failed. This was the first time he experienced the feeling of failure in battle. If that had been reality, he would have been dead.


    That Golden Scorpion King must be a second grade star beast. Even a first stage Limit Breaking Realm cultivator might not be its match.


    He calmly analyzed his performance and concluded that the maximum power of the first three moves of the Great Strength Vajra Fist was still insufficient to contend against a second grade star beast. Likewise, it would also be difficult to compete against a Limit Breaking Realm cultivator. This realization made Li Xiaofei cautious.


    There are always mountains beyond mountains, and people beyond people.


    He couldn''t afford to become arrogant because of his recent achievements. He needed to quickly master the fourth move of the Great Strength Vajra Fist, the Vajra Wrathful Mountain Split.


    After weighing his options, Li Xiaofei decided to start training right there on the grassy cloud in his virtual base.


    Training in the light-network virtual world had one significant advantage, the user''s energy, spirit, and focus were all adjusted to their theoretical best states, making the training of martial techniques highly effective. This was somewhat similar to the benefits of the Secret Time Pavilion.


    Li Xiaofei quickly immersed himself in his martial arts practice. Meanwhile, he was unaware that the ranking trial¡¯s forum was in an uproar once again.

 Chapter 42: Pushing Harder

    Chapter 42: Pushing Harder His points have stopped increasing.


    The spectator netizens, who had been closely monitoring the rankings, noticed that Your Grandpa''s rocket-like ascent through the ranks had finally come to a halt at 1500 points. He ultimately stabilized at 10th place on the high school trial ranking.


    The system also did not announce Your Grandpa''s final rating for the level-four trial.


    What was going on?


    Logically, with a continuous gain of a thousand points, clearing the Ancient Desert City trial should have been more than enough.


    The netizens were puzzled. At that moment, someone made a new discovery.


    Latest news, Your Grandpa has exited the level-four trial, Ancient Desert City.


    The system shows that he was killed.


    Dead?


    He actually died in the trial.


    Many veteran forum members, familiar with the point-earning process, were baffled.


    How could he have died after achieving 1000 points?


    This situation was very rare. When the netizens looked at the other people on the leaderboard, some had earned 500 points in the Ancient Desert City and cleared it with an Upper Limit rating.


    So what exactly had happened?


    At that moment, One Thought Supergod appeared again and casually dropped a bombshell.


    Just received insider information that the light-network monitoring system, the Divine Sword, detected abnormal fluctuations in the level-four trial where Your Grandpa was.


    This one sentence stirred up a storm.


    What does that mean?


    Isn''t it obvious?


    Supergod is implying that Your Grandpa was cheating.


    Cheating? I''ve never heard of anyone being able to cheat in the trial rankings.


    That''s because you''re just an ignorant commoner. In fact, many scions of noble families cheat.


    I just spent 100 star coins to consult with the official customer service. They confirmed that Your Grandpa did experience abnormal fluctuations during the level-four trial scene.


    It''s confirmed.


    I thought he was a genius, but he''s just a cheater.


    The forum''s sentiment quickly turned overwhelmingly negative. The furious netizens seemed determined to nail Your Grandpa to the pillar of shame.


    ***


    In Yongxing Hotel. Ye Xiang, having just vented his frustration on his secretary, still looked somewhat irritable.


    Two days had passed. The adventurer team that had taken up the darknet bounty had vanished. Despite being the employer, he had contacted them dozens of times through the darknet''s private channels, but there had been no response.


    "Did they take the money and run? That shouldn''t be the case. The darknet has its own rules. No, the team is also a well-known adventurer squad; they wouldn''t do something as foolish as offending both the darknet and the Ye family. Moreover, the remaining payment is still in the darknet''s monitored account. They can''t access it without completing the task. So why is there no news? Unless..."


    Ye Xiang suddenly considered a possibility.


    Could it be that this adventurer team was counter-killed by that slum rat?


    The thought sent a chill down Ye Xiang''s spine, running from his tailbone to the top of his head. He had witnessed the brutality and filth of the slum dwellers and had seen the ferocity of that demon, Li Xiaofei.


    Could that little brat''s strength have grown so rapidly? No, I have to increase the bounty and eliminate this pest as soon as possible. Sea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ye Xiang took out a high-security private light-core device, connected to the darknet, and began editing a new bounty notice.


    Target: Li Xiaofei, Cloudy Sky Gang, slum area of Liuhe Base City.


    Task: Elimination.


    Reward: 200,000 star coins.


    Deadline: As soon as possible, permanently valid.


    After editing the content, he posted it immediately. This time, he decided on physical annihilation, abandoning his secretary''s suggestion to try to recruit Li Xiaofei.


    ***


    At the same time, at the Starry Sky Hotel, a faint smile crossed Inspector Li Zhoumin¡¯s face.


    "Interesting. This kid actually triggered the hidden mechanism in the level-four trial, Ancient Desert City, and brought out the Golden Scorpion King... This is the first time in the history of Liuhe Base City."


    He laughed happily. "It seems I''ll have to keep a close eye on this little fellow in the future."


    A genius martial artist emerging in the base city he oversaw was undoubtedly a significant achievement for the Inspector. If it was properly handled, the long-term rewards could be beyond imagination.


    "It''s just a pity that the Golden Scorpion King is too powerful. A Qi Refining Realm martial artist cannot contend with it. This kid will be stuck in this level-four trial for quite some time."


    ***


    In Light-Network World, at the Initial Virtual Base.


    Li Xiaofei looked down at his fist. He had finally mastered the last move of the Great Strength Vajra Fist. He suddenly struck out with the Vajra Thunderous Strike, Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow, Threefold Divine Strength and Vajra Wrathful Mountain Split.


    The four major moves seamlessly connected, each move flowing into the next. The complete force and essence of the Vajra finally fully manifested in Li Xiaofei''s body.


    A faint golden glow enveloped him. As he transitioned between moves, it was as if a fierce Vajra deity was gazing upon the mortal world. Suddenly, a sharp pain coursed through him. Blood seeped from Li Xiaofei''s muscles and pores. The light-network system determined that the virtual body couldn''t withstand the power of the Great Strength Vajra Fist, causing damage to his simulated body.


    However, it was not a significant problem. In the virtual world of the light-network, even death could be reversed. A mere muscle tear was trivial.


    "Light-core, repair," said Li Xiaofei, commanding the system.


    The electronic voice of the light-core responded, "Respected super account user, as you wish. The cost of this repair is 500 star coins, which has been deducted from your private account."


    A faint light flashed. Li Xiaofei''s body was restored to its theoretically optimal state.


    He continued his training. He repeated the cycle of his punches until the end of the school day. When his reminder alert went off, Li Xiaofei promptly exited the light-network virtual world. When he calculated, he realized that repairing his virtual body had cost a total of 4,000 star coins. For a boy from the slums like Li Xiaofei, this was a considerable sum. But he didn''t feel the slightest regret.


    Spending 4,000 star coins to achieve complete mastery of the four moves of the Great Strength Vajra Fist was absolutely worth it. The training memories and insights gained in the light-network world would translate to his real body. If he spent a little more time practicing in the light-network world, he would fully master the Great Strength Vajra Fist in reality.


    Li Xiaofei stepped out of the light-core mainframe room and glanced around. Fang Buyi and the other members of the school battle team were still fervently training and climbing the rankings.


    This was the final push to prepare for the upcoming High School War God League. The saying, sharpening your sword before battle, even if it¡¯s last-minute, still gives an edge held true.


    Improving the level of one¡¯s starforce qi was a gradual process that required long-term persistence and dedication. Short-term intensive training wouldn''t significantly enhance combat power.


    For Fang Buyi and the others, honing their combat techniques was clearly the better choice. The light-network virtual world could adjust the user''s physical state to its theoretically perfect condition, achieving twice the result with half the effort compared to the real world. Thus, their obsession with online training was understandable and reasonable.


    But Li Xiaofei had to head back home, so he could get a massage from his aunt and have dinner as a family of three. For Li Xiaofei, who was determined to become a strong person in this era, cultivation was undoubtedly important, but so was spending time with his family.


    The small two-bedroom apartment in the slums was his home now. The scarred blind woman and the skinny little girl were his family. However, he didn¡¯t expect that some unwelcome and malevolent guests were already waiting for him on his way home.

 Chapter 43: 100% Accuracy

    Chapter 43: 100% Accuracy The slum and the rule-of-law district were entirely different worlds. There was a saying, ¡®If I had never seen the light, I might have accepted the darkness¡¯. This perfectly described the slum.


    No one who left the slum never wanted to return. Zhong Ling was a typical example. Once she had witnessed the cleanliness and order of the rule-of-law district, she never wanted to endure the filth and chaos of the slum again. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Moreover, the officials of the base city essentially turned a blind eye to the slum. As long as nothing crossed their bottom line, very few people cared about what happened there. What constituted crossing the bottom line? Murder definitely didn''t count.


    But Li Xiaofei was an exception. When he stepped out of the slum and into the rule-of-law district, it felt like he had crossed hundreds of years, from the light-core technology era back to the age of electricity and computers. Perhaps this was one of the reasons Li Xiaofei liked staying in the slum? At least here, there were traces of the atmosphere from 500 years ago.


    However, the slum had actually become much cleaner and tidier over the last few days. The sweeping cleanup campaign had removed many dirty and smelly garbage piles, filled in numerous filthy mud pits, and cleaned up the excrement on the streets. Even the public toilets, which were previously too dirty to use, had become much cleaner.


    Li Xiaofei''s brow suddenly furrowed. The alley ahead was very quiet. There were no pedestrians, but he scented strangers and stopped in his tracks.


    "Hehe, you''re quite alert for a little guy." A soft laugh echoed. A tall woman with a flaming red Mohawk hairstyle sauntered out from around the corner.


    She wore a tight red leather suit, and her smokey eye makeup didn¡¯t hide her striking features. Red high heels and red leather pants accentuated her fiery figure. She was skillfully flicking a butterfly in one hand. It was clear she was an adventurer, and one who had taken up the darknet bounty.


    Li Xiaofei instantly understood her intentions.


    "I heard the White Pig siblings met their end at your hands," said the woman.


    The woman in red leather sauntered closer to Li Xiaofei, her movements like those of a graceful hunting leopardess. She radiated a captivating yet dangerous aura.


    White Pig must be referring to that bald, fat guy.


    "Are you alone?" Li Xiaofei assessed the woman''s strength silently. "Why don''t you have all your people come out?"


    "Hehe, you''re young, but you talk big."


    The woman in red leather whistled, and about a dozen adventurers clad in light metal armor closed in from both sides of the alley, wielding gleaming knives, swords, axes, and other weapons, blocking Li Xiaofei''s way in the alley. A few were even perched on the walls, aiming crossbows at him.


    "You''re here to kill me?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "What do you think? Here to play with you?" The woman in red leather giggled.


    Li Xiaofei glanced around and said, "Can we discuss something?"


    The woman in red leather laughed, "No negotiations."


    Li Xiaofei sighed, "Not even a little leeway?"


    "None." The woman replied, still smiling. "You''re young and have some skill. If you were given enough time, you might really grow strong. But unfortunately, the one who placed the bounty only wants you dead. We''re here for the money, so today, you must die. No negotiations."


    "You misunderstood," Li Xiaofei said. "I wasn''t talking about that."


    "Then what is it?" the woman asked curiously.


    "It''s..." Li Xiaofei grinned.


    In the next instant, Li Xiaofei moved like lightning, closing in on the woman in red leather. He threw a Vajra Thunderous Strike at her. The force of the punch was like a dragon.


    The woman in red leather chuckled as her left hand formed a claw to catch Li Xiaofei''s fist. Her right hand swung the butterfly knife towards his neck. "Kid, we know all about you. This bit of strength won''t hurt me¡ª"


    Before she could finish her sentence, a strange energy exploded from Li Xiaofei''s caught fist. He had changed moves. He was now using the Vajra Wrathful Mountain Split, the fourth move of the Great Strength Vajra Fist. One punch was capable of shattering mountains.


    The terrifying tearing force instantly pulverized the woman¡¯s left hand and arm. Blood splattered everywhere, and she was torn into seven or eight pieces.


    The poor woman in red leather, a master at the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, and an experienced wild adventurer, had been careful in her approach. However, her lack of information had been a fatal miscalculation, and she became a wisp of a ghost under Li Xiaofei''s newly mastered fourth move of the Great Strength Vajra Fist.


    Even in death, her beautifully smoky eyes held a look of disbelief. She was shocked by the boy''s decisiveness in combat. She was also shocked by his terrifying strength, which far surpassed what the intelligence had suggested and what his age implied.


    "Why can''t we just have a proper conversation?" Li Xiaofei sighed. "I really don''t want to kill anyone."


    Then he struck decisively.


    Boom!


    His starforce qi fully erupted, his entire body shimmering with golden light. Li Xiaofei used the dashing effect of the Vajra Thunderous Strike to instantly cover the ten-meter distance between him and the other assailants. He fought like a tiger among sheep as his punches mercilessly killed seven or eight of them within seconds.


    Sss! Sss! Sss!


    Crossbow bolts sliced sharply through the air as the adventurers on the walls fired armor-piercing bolts at Li Xaiofei. Fortunately, his reflexes had been honed during the level-four trial, the Ancient Desert City, where he had fought against Sand Scorpions and learned to evade their elusive stinger attacks. The training allowed Li Xiaofei to avoid most of the arrows.


    Whoosh.


    He raised his hand and hurled a throwing knife at the first adventurer on the left wall.


    "Ah!"


    A scream rang out as the knife buried itself in the thigh of the fourth adventurer on the right wall. He fell with a cry of pain.


    Damn.


    Li Xiaofei cursed inwardly. This was ridiculous. Even though he had the surname Li, why did his throwing knives always miss the mark by so much? Refusing to accept his inadequacy, he continued to throw his knives. He threw all the knives he had taken from Dugu Jue.


    More screams were heard. Several more adventurers who were aiming crossbow bolts at him were hit in the thighs and fell.


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    Every throw missed its intended target. And I was aiming for their throats. Why did they all end up in their thighs?


    However, something even stranger occurred. Although his throwing knives never hit the person he aimed for, they always managed to hit someone else.


    A 100% miss rate? Uh... In a way, this could be considered a perfect hit rate, couldn¡¯t it?


    These thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, but he didn¡¯t stop moving. Fifty-nine seconds later, the alley was filled with mutilated bodies. The assassins were all buried under his fists.


    These adventurers, who accepted darknet bounties and dared to kill within the base city, were not good people. Moreover, they were here to kill him, so Li Xiaofei felt no need to show any mercy.


    At that moment, footsteps approached.


    "Brother Xiaofei..."


    The chubby Yang Cheng arrived, panting heavily, with his loyal henchmen in tow. The chubby boy was stunned as he eyed the alley full of corpses.


    He hesitated. "Brother, am I late again?"


    "What do you think?" Li Xiaofei replied, exasperated. "Hurry up and clean up the bodies."


    "Yes, yes," the chubby boy said with a fawning smile.


    He turned around towards the others, his spine instantly straightened like an unyielding spear as a look of authority befitting a boss appeared on his face. "What are you all standing around for? Clean up the battlefield! No hoarding, hand everything over, or I''ll personally skin the lot of you."


    Then he turned back around, nodding and bowing to Li Xiaofei with a sycophantic smile, "Brother Xiaofei, did I do it right?"


    Li Xiaofei sighed in response.


    This guy...Everyone else is starving in the slum. So how did he become so fat? It turns out he has a natural talent as a bootlicker.


    The cleanup was soon complete. The woman in red leather had been carrying two vials of Starforce Reagent, which naturally became Li Xiaofei''s spoils. Other valuable items were temporarily stored in the Cloudy Sky Gang''s warehouse.


    "Pretty lucky. Just spent some star coins in the light-core world, and someone delivered more to me... Much appreciated," Li Xiaofei said happily.


    ***


    "I''m back," Li Xiaofei called as he arrived at his front door and pushed it open.


    "Little Aunt, I got into another fight today, please help me with a massage... Hmm?"


    His words abruptly stopped as Li Xiaofei''s heart sank instantly. Both his aunt and Little Jie were gagged, while their hands and feet were bound. They also had remote-controlled blade collars around their necks.


    A stranger sat in the living room chair, smiling as he held up the blade collar remote in his hand to show Li Xiaofei.

 Chapter 44: Let’s Play A Game

    Chapter 44: Let¡¯s Play A Game In an instant, Li Xiaofei extinguished any trace of hope. He knew that the slightest twitch would be enough to send the blades in the collars right through his aunt and Little Jie''s heads.


    The thin stranger looked to be in his twenties, with neatly parted black hair and a fair complexion. He was dressed in a casual suit and wore gold-rimmed glasses, giving him a scholarly appearance.


    "Who are you?" Li Xiaofei asked. "What do you want?"


    "Don''t be nervous." The stranger adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and smiled gently. "Rest assured, my services come at a high price. I never kill for free, and the bounty doesn¡¯t include them, so they are unharmed."


    He pointed to the sofa beside Li Xiaofei as if he were the host. "Please, sit."


    Li Xiaofei slowly sat down.


    "Do you know how much you''re worth now?" The young man continued, speaking with a touch of emotion. "Someone on the darknet has placed a bounty of 200,000 star coins on your head... Hehe, it¡¯s the highest bounty ever in the slum¡¯s history."


    Li Xiaofei gasped.


    Who would be so willing to spend that much money? If I had more than one life, I might consider beheading himself to claim the bounty. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He tried to think if he had offended any significant figures. If he had...Ye Xiang definitely counted as one. It seemed he needed to think of a way to quickly eliminate that old dog.


    Clang.


    The scholarly young man tossed a sharp short sword onto the coffee table.


    "Let''s play a game. You stab yourself once, and I''ll release these two women. How about that?" He said with a sincere expression.


    Li Xiaofei picked up the short sword without hesitation.


    Shlick.


    The blade sank into his left shoulder, and blood started gushing out.


    The young man clearly didn''t expect Li Xiaofei to be so decisive.


    "Are all the people in the slums as ruthless as you?" He asked in surprise.


    Li Xiaofei didn''t answer, instead he replied with a question of his own, "Can you tell me your name?"


    "What? Planning to survive and then get revenge on me?" The young man with gold-rimmed glasses sneered. "Knowing my real name won''t do you any good. In our circle, people call me Ghost Scholar. Remember that nickname, so that you can at least know who killed you when you¡¯re in the afterlife."


    "Alright, I''ve got it," Li Xiaofei nodded earnestly. "Didn''t you just say that if I stabbed myself once, you''d let them go?"


    A mocking smile appeared on Ghost Scholar''s lips. He shrugged and said, "Sorry, you acted too quickly and scared me. I''ve changed my mind. Now you have to stab yourself twice before I let them go."


    Shlick.


    Li Xiaofei picked up the short sword again without a word and stabbed himself in the right thigh.


    Ghost Scholar frowned and said, "Who told you to stab your right thigh? That doesn''t count. I get to choose the spot."


    Li Xiaofei replied in a low voice, "Fine."


    Ghost Scholar looked Li Xiaofei up and down before saying, "Stab your left thigh."


    Shlick.


    Li Xiaofei stabbed his left thigh.


    Ghost Scholar frowned again, saying, "You hesitated. That doesn''t count... do it again. This time, stab your left abdomen, and do it hard."


    Shlick.


    Li Xiaofei stabbed down. His clothes were now dyed red. His face turned pale, and a fine layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.


    "Ahhh, this is amusing," Ghost Scholar laughed heartily. "I haven''t encountered something this entertaining in a long time... It''s so touching. Someone is actually willing to mutilate themselves for two worthless women. Hahaha, it''s so much fun."


    Li Xiaofei''s lips were pale as he asked, "Now, will you release them?"


    "Hahaha, of course..." Ghost Scholar clapped happily. ¡°...not."


    Li Xiaofei''s anger flared as he asked hotly, "Is this the credibility of a well-known adventurer?"


    Ghost Scholar laughed even harder."Credibility? You''re talking to me about credibility? Hahaha, you¡¯re killing me."


    He stood up and looked down at Li Xiaofei with a mocking expression. He said, "I''ve changed my mind. Hahaha, stab yourself one more time... in the left shoulder. You can choose to believe me or not, but if you don''t, I''ll kill these two women."


    Li Xiaofei picked up the short sword and stabbed his left shoulder. Blood loss and intense pain made his entire body tremble. He might be seated on the sofa, but he looked as if he could fall over at any moment.


    "Tsk tsk tsk, when I say you''re stupid, you really are stupid," Ghost Scholar mocked, "Your obedience made this game boring. If I kill these two women now, you''ll be really angry, won''t you?"


    Fire blazed in Li Xiaofei''s eyes. Ghost Scholar, however, laughed triumphantly.


    "The anger of the weak is meaningless." He picked up the blood-stained short sword from the coffee table and said, "Thanks for cooperating with my game. As a reward, I''ll be merciful and let you watch these two women get their throats slit before I send you on your way..."


    "You said they weren''t the targets of the bounty," Li Xiaofei shouted.


    "Did I say that?" Ghost Scholar feigned surprise. "Even if I did, so what? Who said that people outside the bounty target can''t be killed?"


    Li Xiaofei shouted angrily, "Didn''t you say you don''t kill for free?"


    "Oh, I lied to you," Ghost Scholar smirked. "I told you, this is a game, and I hold the final say in the rules."


    Li Xiaofei shouted, "I''ll kill you..."


    He struggled to rise and attack. But his body was riddled with wounds and he was suffering from severe blood loss, so his body only wobbled before collapsing back onto the sofa.


    Ghost Scholar laughed heartily, "You idiot, you can''t even fight an ant right now. How do you plan to take me on? You¡ª"with another swift motion


    Before he could finish his sentence, red light flashed. Ghost Scholar felt a sudden chill at his right wrist. But before the hand holding the remote control could hit the ground, it was caught by a bloodied hand.


    For a moment, Ghost Scholar''s mind went blank. Then, as he saw the mocking smile dawning on Li Xiaofei''s face, he realized he had been tricked. The little brat from the slums hadn''t lost his combat ability. He had been acting all this time. Everything before, including the appearance of weakness, was all an act.


    Ding ding.


    The Dragon Fang Sword sliced through the air, cutting through the blade collars around his blind aunt and Little Jie''s necks, causing them to fall off.


    Li Xiaofei finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    As expected of the Dragon Fang Gang''s treasured weapon, it was incredibly sharp, cutting through hair with ease.


    He cut the ropes binding the two women''s hands and feet with another swift motion.


    "Brother Xiaofei," Little Jie cried, rushing into his arms.


    "Don''t cry," Li Xiaofei said. "I''ll deal with the trouble. You take Little Aunt and leave quickly."


    The little girl reacted quickly, turning to help the blind woman. But his aunt reacted even faster. She swiftly walked up to him and accurately struck several points on Li Xiaofei''s wounds at lightning speed. The previously bleeding wounds instantly closed.


    Li Xiaofei turned to face Ghost Scholar. He was covered in blood, but he bared his white teeth in a grin.


    "Let''s play a game."

 Chapter 45: You’re Playing Me?

    Chapter 45: You¡¯re Playing Me? Ghost Scholar did not immediately flee despite losing a hand. He was at the peak of the ninth stage of the Qi Refining Realm and confident in his strength. Moreover, he didn''t believe that Li Xiaofei, who was covered in wounds and had lost so much blood, could defeat him.


    "You little brat, I''m going to crush you." Ghost Scholar snarled, taking the initiative to attack.


    Dark starforce flames ignited on his left leg as he executed a sidekick. He was using Black Fiend Leg! This was no weak ancient martial arts technique, but a true ancient martial arts leg technique. His leg moved like the wind, carrying the power of the Black Fiend.


    In response, Li Xiaofei threw a punch.


    Boom!


    The force rippled through the air.


    "Ahhh..." Ghost Scholar''s scream echoed in the room.


    His left shin snapped, bending at a horrific ninety-degree angle as the broken bone pierced through his skin. Li Xiaofei stepped forward and threw another punch.


    Crack. sea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ghost Scholar fell heavily to the ground as his right leg was also shattered. But at that moment, Ghost Scholar suddenly raised his left hand.


    Whoosh.


    A hidden dart shot out of Ghost Scholar''s sleeve and toward Li Xiaofei''s throat. Seasoned adventurers always had a last-resort counterattack.


    The White Pig siblings, the woman in red leather, and the others had been unlucky, since they had been blasted apart by Li Xiaofei instantly and never had the chance to use their tricks. But Ghost Scholar got that chance.


    Li Xiaofei raised his arm to block.


    Thud.


    The rusty dart embedded itself in Li Xiaofei''s forearm.


    "Hehe, you''re dead. The dart is poisoned..." Ghost Scholar laughed hoarsely.


    Li Xiaofei, unfazed, stepped forward and stomped on Ghost Scholar''s thighs.


    Crack. Crack.


    He ground Ghost Scholar''s legs into a pulp.


    "Ahhhh..." Ghost Scholar screamed like a pig being slaughtered. "You... you should be dead by now. The poison should have sealed your throat and drained your starforce. Why..."


    Li Xiaofei pulled the dart from his forearm and tossed it aside.


    "Aren''t you the one who likes to play games?" He dropped the short sword in front of Ghost Scholar. "Stab yourself once, and I''ll let you leave alive. How about that?"


    Ghost Scholar, his face contorted in pain, gritted his teeth. He asked, "Why should I believe you?"


    "Because I''m the one making the rules now," Li Xiaofei said, his eyes filled with killing intent.


    Ghost Scholar sneered, "I don''t trust you. Even if I stab myself, you won''t let me go."


    "If you''re so smart... then die," Li Xiaofei said, raising his fist.


    "Wait," Ghost Scholar''s face changed drastically. Trembling, he picked up the short sword with his left hand. He wanted to live.


    Losing his right hand and both legs wasn''t a huge problem. Prosthetics technology was advanced enough that he could become a normal person again with surgery. But without his life, everything would be lost.


    "Fine, I hope you keep your word," Ghost Scholar gritted his teeth and stabbed his left shoulder with the short sword. Blood gushed out.


    "Is this enough now?" he asked, his voice trembling.


    Li Xiaofei shook his head. "You hesitated. It doesn''t count. Do it again."


    "Are you messing with me?" Ghost Scholar shouted in fury.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Didn''t you enjoy playing games? This was your rule earlier, wasn''t it? What? Don''t you find it fun anymore?"


    Ghost Scholar said, "What will it take for you to let me go? Name your terms."


    Li Xiaofei sneered.


    "Let you go?" The cold killing intent in his eyes almost overflowed. "If you had just ambushed me, I might have given you a quick death. But you crossed the line by targeting the people I care about the most. So, I won''t kill you quickly. I want to show you what cruelty means and make those who threaten my loved ones understand the price they must pay."


    Every dragon has a reverse scale; touch it, and it brings wrath. Li Xiaofei stomped down, breaking Ghost Scholar''s left arm before making a call. Soon, Chu Yuntian hurried over with the elite members of the Cloudy Sky Gang.


    "Hang this guy in Memorial Square," Li Xiaofei said calmly. "Let him suffer from the elements. Don''t let him die easily. Record a video and post it on the light-network. Let everyone know that this is what they''ll face if they dare cause trouble in the slum."


    "Yes," Chu Yuntian responded loudly, his heart trembling.


    Recently, some fools had gradually forgotten the bloody and terrifying massacre that had taken place at the Martial God Arena because their boss always had a friendly smile and never put on airs. They had forgotten that the usually smiling boy could turn into a ruthless killing machine when angered.


    "Three days ago, I was ambushed on Water Plant Road. An hour ago, I encountered another ambush in Stinky Water Alley. Now, this guy managed to infiltrate my home easily and kidnapped my aunt and Little Jie. To be honest, I''m very dissatisfied. Very, very dissatisfied. Is the slum a public toilet? Can anyone come and go as they please? Aren''t you all supposed to be the fiercest people in the slum? If you can''t stop the adventurers from outside, can''t you at least get the word out beforehand?"


    Li Xiaofei looked at Chu Yuntian and the others, his tone more severe than ever before.


    "Boss, we were wrong."


    "Please give us another chance."


    "Boss, punish me."


    The martial artists of the Cloudy Sky Gang hung their heads in shame.


    Li Xiaofei waved his hand and replied, "What I want to see is action."


    Chu Yuntian and the others repeatedly assured him that they would do better before leaving with the completely crippled Ghost Scholar.


    At that moment, Li Xiaofei felt his limbs go weak.


    "Little Aunt, I..."


    He avoided Little Jie''s support, his body going limp as he collapsed into the arms of his blind aunt.


    ***


    When Li Xiaofei woke up, it was already 1 am in the morning. Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating his body.


    He turned his head to see his aunt keeping a vigil by the bedside. She was breathing gently as her head rested on the edge of the bed, fast asleep. The bright moonlight shone on her long, dense eyelashes, making them shimmer slightly.


    Her neck, with skin like creamy white jade, seemed to emit a faint silver glow under the moonlight. Her slender shoulders rose and fell slightly with her breathing, graceful and enchanting.


    Li Xiaofei slowly sat up. His wounds were bandaged, and he no longer felt pain. Instead, he only felt a faint tingling sensation. He knew that this was because Little Aunt had already treated his wounds. Little Aunt''s method of physical healing was truly difficult to explain with science.


    Li Xiaofei got out of bed, trying to stretch his limbs and move around a bit. Apart from the weakness in his arms and legs due to blood loss, he felt fine. It seemed he could continue going to school tomorrow.


    After thinking for a moment, he composed a message about the day''s events and sent it to Principal Chen Fei.


    What about the promised protection?


    If the principal didn''t fulfill his promise after Li Xiaofei had been repeatedly attacked, it would be unacceptable.


    Once he was done, Li Xiaofei suddenly sensed something. He turned and saw that Little Aunt was already awake. She was facing him as if she could see him. In the moonlight, her white, pupil-less eyes seemed to glow like two small moons.

 Chapter 46: The Five Spirit Vow

    Chapter 46: The Five Spirit Vow "You''re awake?" asked Little Aunt.


    Li Xiaofei said, "I''m fine now, Little Aunt. You should go to sleep."


    Little Aunt replied, "You should have left immediately today."


    She meant that the moment he saw them being threatened, Li Xiaofei should have turned around and left right away. If he hadn''t been there, he wouldn''t have been threatened. Then, they could have slowly figured out a plan instead of foolishly stabbing himself so many times.


    Li Xiaofei blurted out, "Even if I had to take a hundred stabs, I wouldn''t let you and Little Jie suffer any risk."


    Little Aunt stiffened as she stood there, bathed in the moonlight. It seemed like she had been reminded of someone or something. But she quickly regained her composure.


    "Go to bed," she said.


    Li Xiaofei instantly got back into bed. Little Aunt, bathed in the moonlight, straddled him. Her delicate, fair fingers pressed against his chest, and she used a set of techniques that she had never performed before as she started pressing different points on Li Xiaofei''s body.


    Gradually, a hint of surprise appeared on Li Xiaofei''s face. If he wasn''t mistaken...


    Is Little Aunt pressing acupoints?


    Li Xiaofei hadn''t heard much about acupoint theory since he had crossed over. In his previous life, Li Xiaofei had apprenticed himself to learn various skills, so he was well-versed in meridian and acupoint theories of the I Ching [1].


    The martial arts of his era were intricately linked to the theory of acupoints. However, the new martial arts and ancient martial arts of the current era had nothing to do with acupoints. Li Xiaofei had thought that the concept of acupoints had been lost in this era. He never expected that Little Aunt could skillfully press acupoints.


    Did she master the acupoint theory?


    Crack. Crack.


    Li Xiaofei''s bones emitted a slight cracking sound as a strange warmth radiated from Little Aunt''s fingertips. It penetrated various acupoints in Li Xiaofei''s body and then dispersed throughout his entire system.


    "You lost a lot of blood today. This technique can stimulate the regeneration of qi and blood. Eat more meat in the next few days," said Little Aunt with a voice that was cold yet indescribably pleasant.


    "Okay, I will eat more," replied Li Xiaofei, nodding obediently.


    Who would have thought that the president, who was a fierce killer outside, would be as docile as a lamb in front of the blind woman?


    "Don''t be so impulsive in the future."


    "Okay."


    "It might be best if you don''t come back for the next few days."


    "What?"


    "The bounty on the darknet hasn''t been withdrawn. Adventurers will still come. You''ll be safer at school."


    "No." Li Xiaofei refused, and Little Aunt said no more. He carefully asked, "How about I take you and Little Jie out of the slum? We can rent a place near the school, where it''s safe and convenient."


    Little Aunt gently shook her head. Li Xiaofei didn''t insist. No matter what happened over the years, Little Aunt had never taken a step out of the slum.


    Li Xiaofei then asked, "Little Aunt, how can your eyes be cured?"


    Little Aunt replied faintly, "They can''t be cured."


    "How is that possible?" Li Xiaofei didn''t believe it, he said, "Modern medicine is so advanced that they can regenerate limbs and cure cancer. There must be a way to restore your eyesight." Sea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The problem with my eyes isn''t something that medicine can fix," Little Aunt said casually.


    "Then how can it be cured?" This time, Li Xiaofei was determined to get to the bottom of it.


    Little Aunt didn''t answer. The room fell silent. Only the sound of Little Aunt''s hands pressing various acupoints on Li Xiaofei''s thighs filled the air. Her movements were swift and sure, causing crisp snapping sounds from Li Xiaofei¡¯s body. He was then turned over as Little Aunt started focusing on his back. This massage continued for a full hour. By the end, Little Aunt was sweating profusely, and she was panting.


    Snap.


    Finally, Little Aunt pressed heavily on the Changqiang acupoint located just below the tailbone. In that instant, an electric jolt coursed through Li Xiaofei, causing him to cry out involuntarily.


    Little Aunt got off him and leaned against the wall to stand. Her arms were trembling slightly. It was obvious that this massage technique consumed a lot of energy.


    After her breathing steadied, Little Aunt suddenly said, "If you cultivate to the Five Spirits Realm, there might be hope to cure my eyes."


    After the Qi Refining Realm was Limit Breaking Realm, Acupoint Opening Realm, Meridian Expanding Realm, and finally, Five Spirits Realm!


    The Five Spirits Realm was the fifth major realm in the path of cultivation. Those who reached this realm were considered the strongest of the strong. At the very least, there wasn''t anyone of that level in Liuhe Base City.


    Among hundreds of thousands of star martial artists, it was rare to find even one person who could reach the Five Spirits Realm. Li Xiaofei didn''t think much about it.


    "I will definitely reach the Five Spirits Realm within three years and cure your eyes, Little Aunt," said Li Xiaofei, vowing to the lamp and the moonlight.


    The sincerity of a young heart was painfully earnest.


    "Good," Little Aunt smiled and walked towards the door. "I will wait for you."


    The door closed behind her. Li Xiaofei clenched his fist in the moonlight. He felt very happy because he finally knew the way to cure Little Aunt''s eyes. All he had to do was cultivate diligently. Thankfully, the cooldown period for the Secret Time Pavilion had ended.


    "Treasure Box, activate the Secret Time Pavilion," said Li Xiaofei, commanding the box.


    In the next instant, he found himself standing in the white, sacred hall. He took out the Starforce Reagents he had obtained from the red-armored woman.


    "Wow, it''s a fourth-generation reagent," Li Xiaofei remarked as he read the label on the vial.


    The fourth-generation reagent was purer than the third-generation reagent. It contained more energy, was more expensive, and had better effects. He gulped down the Starforce Reagent without hesitation and began to cultivate using the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique.


    Wind arose and thunder rumbled as they started to weave together. Unusual phenomena began to manifest in the Secret Time Pavilion.


    In the blink of an eye, ten days had gone by. Li Xiaofei''s injuries had completely healed with the potent energy of the fourth-generation Starforce Reagent, and he had finally touched the threshold of the eighth stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    He immediately consumed the second bottle of the reagent and the powerful medicinal energy spread throughout his body. Li Xiaofei kept operating the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique, striving to absorb and refine the energy of the potion.


    Five more days passed.


    Boom.


    There was a silent vibration within his body and the eighth starforce vortex formed in his dantian. He finally reached the eighth stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    A hint of a smile appeared on Li Xiaofei''s face. His luck had been good recently, since he had been able to obtain Starforce Reagents consistently. When he used them in conjunction with the Secret Time Pavilion, his cultivation kept steadily advancing.


    "The higher the realm, the slower the progress. In the future, I will need even more Starforce Reagents to level up," murmured Li Xiaofei to himself.


    He felt the flow of starforce within his body and gained some insights. Now that his starforce level had reached the eighth stage, he could better withstand the formidable power of the Great Strength Vajra Fist.


    Feeling inspired, Li Xiaofei practiced the technique on the spot. Indeed, he immediately sensed changes in his martial technique as he gradually grew more proficient. Each move and stance increasingly embodied the essence of the Vajra.


    As he practiced, he fell deeper and deeper into the technique, as he sensed the technique gradually evolving.


    Suddenly¡ª


    "Woof. Host, the Great Strength Vajra Fist has been cultivated to perfection. You can now draw a new technique. Would you like to draw it now?"


    The voice of the Moonlight Treasure Box echoed in Li Xiaofei''s mind.


    1. The I Ching or Yi Jing, usually translated Book of Changes or Classic of Changes, is an ancient Chinese divination text that is among the oldest of the Chinese classics. The I Ching was originally a divination manual in the Western Zhou period. ?

 Chapter 47: Graceful Step of the Waves

    Chapter 47: Graceful Step of the Waves A new technique?


    Li Xiaofei was stunned for a moment before being overwhelmed with joy. He had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. He had once asked the Moonlight Treasure Box how to draw a new technique, but he hadn¡¯t received an answer. Now, the mystery was solved. It turned out that he needed to fully cultivate the previously drawn technique before drawing a new one.


    "Draw," he said without hesitation.


    A water-blue spatial vortex appeared in front of Li Xiaofei. He immediately reached in and felt around. After a moment of searching, his fingers closed around a scroll. He excitedly drew out a light blue scroll. There were five large words on it¡ª


    Graceful Step of the Waves.


    Li Xiaofei was stunned, then he screamed, "Holy crap!"


    It¡¯s actually Graceful Step of the Waves.


    "Woof, the host has randomly drawn Graceful Step of the Waves. This technique comes from the Jin Yong martial arts universe, specifically from the Xiaoyao Sect. It is a top-tier lightness skill, famously used by Duan Yu, the prince of Dali," the voice explained.


    Jackpot!


    Li Xiaofei was so excited that he wanted to do a split on the spot. As a super martial arts fan, one of the techniques he had always dreamed of mastering was the Graceful Step of the Waves. Back in the day, Duan Yu, a bookish character with no self-defense skills, had managed to charm women and escape death repeatedly all thanks to this technique.


    In the Jin Yong martial arts universe, there were two peerless lightness skills that didn''t require profound cultivation to master. One of them was Graceful Step of the Waves. The other, naturally, was Wei Xiaobao''s Godly Transience.


    If Li Xiaofei had to choose one of these top-tier lightness techniques, he would choose Graceful Step of the Waves without hesitation. Why? Because Graceful Step of the Waves had another miraculous feature, it could cultivate internal strength.


    The original description went like this.


    As Duan Yu stepped through the sixty-four hexagrams of the Zhouyi, his internal breath also naturally circulated once through his body. Thus, with each cycle, his internal strength increased.


    Graceful Step of the Waves was a rare technique that cultivated internal strength through movement.


    With this technique, I can remain undefeated even if I¡¯m facing powerful enemies or have been surrounded. Even if I can''t win, no one will be able to stop me from escaping.


    Li Xiaofei was growing increasingly delighted. He immediately opened the scroll and began to cultivate. The name Graceful Step of the Waves was derived from the I Ching, based on the 64 hexagrams. Cultivators needed to follow a specific sequence, stepping through the hexagrams in order to advance. sea??h the N?vel(F)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was not difficult at all for Li Xiaofei. One of the one hundred and nine masters he had apprenticed under 500 years ago was an elder of Eight Trigram Palm. Although the practical effects of the techniques taught by this master were lackluster, his theoretical knowledge was solid.


    Li Xiaofei had a thorough understanding of the I Ching and the Eight Trigrams. He studied the scroll carefully, gradually gaining enlightenment. Then, he began his cultivation by stepping through the hexagrams and following the various routes described in the scroll. Cultivating brought him joy.


    Three days passed in this manner. Finally, Li Xiaofei managed to master the entire set of steps, albeit with some stumbling. He clearly felt the starforce qi within him increase slightly every time he completed a cycle according to the hexagrams, leaving him feeling refreshed and his body in peak condition. The Graceful Step of the Waves truly lived up to its reputation for cultivating internal strength through movement.


    Li Xiaofei was completely absorbed in it. He devoted all his time to cultivating Graceful Step of the Waves. The sixty-four hexagrams translated into sixty-four distinct steps, but the order of the steps was not fixed. When one cultivated to a highly proficient level, they could arrange and combine the steps as they wished to produce different effects.


    One had to adapt to the situation, especially when facing an enemy. The skillful use of the technique relied entirely on the mind. Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t even realize when the thirty-day limit in the Secret Time Pavilion passed and he was returned to his room. The clock on the wall showed 2:31 AM. He fell into a deep sleep as he flopped onto his bed.


    The next day, the sun was shining brightly. Li Xiaofei woke up early and practiced the Graceful Step of the Waves several times in his room. An hour later, Little Jie called him into the living room, and they had breakfast together. Afterward, Li Xiaofei went to the headquarters of the Cloudy Sky Gang. It had changed a lot and was now extremely grand. The place was bustling with people coming and going.


    Li Xiaofei gathered all the mid-level members and unleashed a tirade of insults. The scolding left hundreds of fierce men trembling, their legs cramping in fear. Everyone knew that if the president lost his temper, none of them would last more than ten minutes against him.


    After venting his frustration, Li Xiaofei felt much better. He then began to lay out the defense plan for the slum. Roadblocks, permit checks, early warnings, traps, surveillance...


    Everything was arranged. The entire Guang''an neighborhood was fortified to be impenetrable. This way, the safety of Little Aunt and the others would be somewhat assured. Although the gang members in the slum had not reached any heights in cultivation, they were extremely ruthless and would use any underhanded tactics they could think of.


    Even if they couldn''t stop all the adventurers, they could at least send warnings and prepare in advance.


    Plop.


    Everyone was shocked when Li Xiaofei tossed a long, green metal card onto the table. Yang Cheng, Chu Yuntian, and the others stared at it with their hearts pounding wildly.


    "A pass?"


    "Is this... a group pass to hunt star beasts outside the city?"


    "I must be seeing things."


    The gang members trembled as they exclaimed in surprise. People from the slums were always discriminated against. The seven former presidents of the slums, despite their harsh treatment of their own people, couldn''t get a pass even when they humbly tried to curry favor with the big shots from the rule-of-law district.


    Yet, Li Xiaofei had managed to obtain one in this short period. And it was a special group pass that allowed fifty people to go outside. What did this mean? It meant a golden opportunity for making money.


    In this world, much of the wealth one could earn was tied to star beasts. Star beasts forced humanity to retreat into base cities, but they also brought new strength and the seeds of a new civilization. Hunting star beasts was an incredibly lucrative industry.


    There were many who dreamed of becoming star beast hunters in the slum. But unfortunately, they had never been able to leave the city. As a result, they resorted to drug trafficking and extortion, establishing a grim ecosystem where everyone got hurt but everyone could scrape by day after day.


    This pass gave them renewed hope of becoming true martial artists, of becoming men who wouldn''t be cursed behind their backs by their neighbors.


    "The first batch can only have fifty people. How you select them is up to you," Li Xiaofei said calmly. "I have only three requirements for you all."


    "First, all harvests must be brought back to the slum, sold, and distributed collectively. More work, more gain; less work, less gain. Second, significant contributions will be heavily rewarded. Third, those who try to cheat or slack off will be kicked out of the team."


    He took a deep breath. "Fourth, those who hoard their hunting gains will be severely punished. Fifth, those who harm their teammates will be killed. Sixth, those who collude with outsiders and betray their teammates will be killed without mercy. Seventh..."


    Everyone was stunned.


    Didn''t he say there were only three points? This was nearly ten already.


    Only Yang Cheng, Chu Yuntian, and the other veterans were used to it. They had long noticed that the president''s math wasn''t very good, especially during meetings.


    The meeting ended quickly. But the slum leaders took careful notes, trying to fully grasp the president''s intentions out of fear of misunderstanding something. They began discussing among themselves.


    Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei checked the time and headed to school. He planned to use Graceful Step of the Waves to challenge the Golden Scorpion King and test the results of his cultivation.

 Chapter 48: Supergod

    Chapter 48: Supergod "Come with me for a moment."


    As soon as Li Xiaofei arrived at the school gate, Grandpa Qin, the guard, blocked his way. As expected. Li Xiaofei was taken to the principal''s office.


    "Huh?" Li Xiaofei looked at Chen Fei in surprise and said, "Principal, why do you have dark circles under your eyes?"


    Chen Fei glared at him. "Isn''t it all because of you?"


    "Because of me?" Li Xiaofei quickly realized what he meant and said, "Could it be that you were so anxious about not being able to fulfill your promise to protect the students that you stayed up all night and got dark circles?"


    Chen Fei''s peach blossom eyes widened. "When have I ever failed to keep my word? I dealt with a few people last night and had the bounty against you on the darknet removed."


    "Really?" Li Xiaofei was shocked and asked, "Principal... do you really have that much power?"


    Chen Fei smiled smugly, his peach blossom eyes narrowing and making him look even more flamboyant. He said, "In the future, you''ll see that my power is beyond your imagination."


    What are you, a can of Rep Ball?


    "Principal, you will always be my principal," Li Xiaofei said earnestly. "Can you tell me who issued the bounty?"


    "I don''t know that," replied Chen Fei, shaking his head. "The darknet has its own set of rules. The identity of the one who posted the bounty is never revealed. Otherwise, who would dare to post bounties on it?"


    "That''s really a pity," Li Xiaofei said ruefully.


    "Make good use of your time to cultivate. The High School War God League will start soon," Chen Fei flamboyantly gestured toward the door.


    Li Xiaofei turned to leave. At the door, he turned back and said, "Thank you."


    "Go cultivate," Chen Fei waved his hand casually with a hint of impatience.


    Li Xiaofei left joyfully.


    Grandpa Qin looked at the rogue principal and said, "You really went all out for this kid to use up your last bit of goodwill."


    Chen Fei stroked his chin and said calmly, "Goodwill doesn''t accrue interest if you hold on to it. It only fades away. It''s better to use it up sooner."


    ***


    "Today is a good day..." Li Xiaofei hummed happily as he arrived at the light core mainframe room.


    As expected. Fang Buyi, Bai Longfei, and the other teammates were still indulging in their online surfing habits. Li Xiaofei turned on his mainframe and inserted his personal light core, entering the virtual world of the light network game.


    Before officially starting his challenge, he checked the base city news. A piece of news that was neither too big nor too small, caught his attention¡ª


    Ye Xiang, General Manager of Yongxing Hotel, was attacked by bandits at 3 a.m. He was seriously injured, and was sent to the ICU by a friend...


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but feel a chill down his spine. When he thought back to the principal''s dark circles, he vaguely understood something.


    Goodness. This principal is really something. He truly steps up when there''s trouble.


    Li Xiaofei decided to make the most of his time and give it his all to repay the good principal. As usual, he checked the ranking points leaderboard.


    What the hell?


    His 1500 points had dropped him out of the top 30 on the leaderboard.


    Damn, the leaderboard was getting this competitive now?


    Li Xiaofei looked closely and he found that the person at the top of the leaderboard was none other than One Thought Supergod, who had targeted him at every turn. He had amassed 4678 points, a full 1000 points more than the second place called Gentle Drink Family Slayer.


    Li Xiaofei opened the forum. As expected, there was another new controversy.


    Exclusive Scoop: For reasons well-known, Your Grandpa will lose the qualifications to challenge high-level trials above level four.


    The post was made by One Thought Supergod. It was a short statement, but full of implications. Instantly, it caused an uproar among many netizens.


    Supergod is being subtle, but I see the four words: caught cheating.


    If it really was cheating, why was Your Grandpa only disqualified from higher trials and not banned outright?


    I''ve been saying it all along, Your Grandpa comes from a powerful background.


    I can''t believe even the Education Department compromised.


    Only a big shot like One Thought Supergod would dare to expose such societal corruption.


    Protest!


    Your Grandpa get out of the High School War God League.


    The entire forum was in an uproar. Li Xiaofei felt like he had been bitten by a dog while walking peacefully down the street. He couldn''t tolerate it any longer.


    Hey, One Thought Supergod, if I can enter a level five trial, will you call me daddy?


    Li Xiaofei decided to take the fight right to him. The post caused an immediate uproar. Previously, no matter how intense the rumors got, the person at the center of it all, Your Grandpa, had always remained mysterious and never responded directly.


    Now, he had arrived with a blazing fighting spirit. The forum''s spectators were instantly excited and One Thought Supergod responded almost immediately.


    Do you dare to make a bet with me?


    He publicly tagged Li Xiaofei¡¯s account.


    What are we betting?


    Li Xiaofei responded in a post. sea??h the novelF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If you can enter a level five trial, I''ll transfer 100,000 star coins to your light core account. But if you can''t, you have to publicly reveal your identity and call me Grandpa three times while kneeling. Do you dare?


    One Thought Supergod was quite bold.


    Li Xiaofei was puzzled.


    Where did this guy get his confidence from to be so sure that I can¡¯t enter the level five trial?


    Get ready to transfer the money.


    Li Xiaofei posted, agreeing without hesitation. Only a fool wouldn''t take free money.


    Get ready to call me Grandpa, I will expose your true cheating self in front of everyone.


    One Thought Supergod retorted with his own post.


    Li Xiaofei left the forum and entered the level four trial, the Ancient Desert City. He intended to challenge the Golden Scorpion King using Graceful Step of the Waves.


    ***


    "Hehe, that kid finally couldn''t hold back." The young man with short black hair smirked.


    He had a look of smug satisfaction on his face as he lounged in a detached villa in the core residential area of the base city.


    "Kid, you probably don''t even know that the abnormal energy fluctuations in your Ancient Desert City trial haven''t settled yet. I''ve already inquired about it. No matter who it is, it''s impossible to clear the level in this situation. Hehe."


    He was none other than One Thought Supergod himself.


    ***


    In the Ancient Desert City. Li Xiaofei employed Graceful Step of the Waves as he fought dozens of Sand Scorpions.


    To be precise, he was using these star beasts to cultivate his footwork. The last time he had been besieged by the Sand Scorpions, Li Xiaofei had struggled and gotten injured. But things were entirely different this time around.


    As Li Xiaofei became more adept at using Graceful Step of the Waves, he toyed with the Sand Scorpions, evading their attacks effortlessly. Even the lightning-fast scorpion tails couldn''t touch him.


    Half an hour later.


    "It''s about time," Li Xiaofei muttered to himself.


    Li Xiaofei realized that the group of Sand Scorpions could no longer challenge him or help him further refine his footwork. He then started killing them one by one.


    In the next instant¡ª


    Hiss.


    A strange, soft sound echoed.


    The Golden Sand Scorpion King appeared again. It seemed like an intelligent assassin, and the moment Li Xiaofei stopped moving, the scorpion''s tail shot out. A streak of crimson lightning tore through the void, aiming for the center of Li Xiaofei''s forehead.


    "Gui Mei, Wu Wang [1]," murmured Li Xiaofei, his feet stepping on the hexagrams.


    His figure moved like a phantom, leaving behind a series of afterimages. The crimson tail needle pierced through his afterimage. Li Xiaofei did not stop as he continued to step on the hexagrams. He fully activated Graceful Step of the Waves, moving like a swift wind and leaving behind a trail of fleeting afterimages.


    Hiss hiss hiss.


    The Golden Scorpion King''s tail needle continued to thrust out. It possessed an agility that belied its massive size as it moved at impressive speeds. The long tail behind it seemed like a sentient venomous snake, leaving trails of crimson lightning in the air and piercing through the afterimages left by Li Xiaofei.


    The pressure exerted by the Golden Scorpion King far exceeded that of the group of scorpions from before. Li Xiaofei pushed his Graceful Step of the Waves to the limit. The immense pressure caused the mastery of his footwork to soar rapidly.


    Time flew by. At some point, Li Xiaofei began to feel the pressure easing. The crimson lightning-like tail needle could no longer keep up with his pace. He could now swiftly move within ten meters of the Golden Scorpion King.


    After some more time, Li Xiaofei could weave around the Golden Scorpion King effortlessly as if he was strolling through a garden. He was now easily toying with it.


    "It''s time to end this," said Li Xiaofei.


    Finally, he unleashed the Threefold Divine Strength with full force, delivering dozens of punches with the Vajra Wrathful Mountain Split, shattering the Golden Scorpion King into pieces.


    "Congratulations, user Your Grandpa, for successfully killing the hidden boss star beast, the Golden Scorpion King, in two hours and thirty-five minutes, and clearing the level four plus trial, the Ancient Desert City with a Supergod rating." The light core''s electronic voice announced.


    1. Name of the different hexagram. ?

 Chapter 49: Pay Up

    Chapter 49: Pay Up Finally, he had cleared the level. Li Xiaofei let out a long breath. He had also cultivated Graceful Step of the Waves to perfection.


    This meant his ability to protect himself had greatly increased. Now, his chances of escaping would be significantly higher if he encountered martial artists at the Limit Breaking Realm and couldn¡¯t defeat them.


    "Unexpectedly, killing the Golden Scorpion King earned me a Supergod Rating," Li Xiaofei mused. "This should be higher than the Transcendent Rating, right? However, aside from the honor, was there any other substantial reward for achieving such a high rating?"


    The light core''s electronic voice provided the answer.


    "You will receive a Supergod Rating badge. Wearing this badge entitles you to a permanent 2% discount on weapon purchases from the light network''s official store."


    Li Xiaofei was overjoyed. He had yet to experience shopping on the light core since he lacked funds. But as someone who had experienced shopping on major e-commerce websites like Taibai, , and Pingdoodoo five hundred years ago, he naturally understood the significance of a permanent 2 percent discount. He had struck gold.


    "Would you like to make this rating public?" the light network''s electronic voice asked.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t hesitate. "Make it public."


    The principal had mentioned that he could flaunt his achievements on the light network. Li Xiaofei also felt like there was no need to hide his capabilities.


    "Initiate transmission to the next level trial," Li Xiaofei added. He was ready to continue climbing the ranks.


    ***


    At the Starry Sky Hotel.


    Inspector Li Zhoumin was lying on the sofa and drinking milk. Suddenly, a faint blue light flickered by his ear as some information was transmitted. Shock suddenly crossed his face.


    "So soon?"


    He sprang up like a carp leaping from the water and accessed the light network control system.


    After a quick search, he confirmed the information.


    "The Golden Sand Scorpion King has been killed. Li Xiaofei... is no ordinary genius."


    If the other top talents in Liuhe Base City are once-in-a-decade geniuses, or even once-in-twenty or thirty years, then Li Xiaofei is undoubtedly a once-in-a-century genius.


    Hehe, but someone like me who lounges around all day encountered this genius. I''m going to hit it big. I must protect this kid; he''s my ticket to promotion and wealth in the future.


    Let me first adjust the permissions and increase the security level to prevent others from discovering him. Next, I need to figure out a way to meet this kid. Let''s establish a good relationship first.


    ***


    The ranking points forum was in an uproar.


    Your Grandpa''s ranking points are skyrocketing.


    In less than an hour, his points have increased from 1500 to 3000.


    This rate of increase is astonishing.


    This meant that Your Grandpa has slain at least 60 Sand Scorpions. Sand Scorpions, the notoriously tough beasts.


    Everyone who had taken a biology class knew how difficult Sand Scorpions were to deal with. Their thick skin and their ferocious stingers made them formidable opponents.


    For most people, killing four or five Sand Scorpions was the limit. Even those geniuses who had cleared Ancient Desert City typically only killed around ten, which was the standard for clearing the level.


    Currently, the top-ranked One Thought Supergod had killed 20 Sand Scorpions in two hours, achieving an Upper Limit Rating, which was already considered rare.


    Everyone following the progress was shocked by Your Grandpa''s efficiency in killing Sand Scorpions. In no time, Your Grandpa''s points reached 4500, placing him second on the leaderboard. The first place was still held by One Thought Supergod, whose points had climbed to 5200.


    At this rate, Your Grandpa will be back to first place in no time.


    Wait, no, his points aren''t moving.


    Huh? Really? After reaching 4500, they suddenly stopped.


    What''s going on?


    Could it be that he was killed by the Sand Scorpions?


    No, the query shows that he''s still in the Ancient Desert City.


    Is he stuck in there?


    Doesn''t this just confirm what One Thought Supergod said, that Your Grandpa''s level four scene has issues and he can never clear it?


    One Thought Supergod was right.


    The forum was abuzz with speculation. With less than ten days until the High School War God League started, the ranking points forum was highly active, and countless people were following the developments closely.


    Half an hour passed. Then an hour. An hour and a half.


    As time ticked by, One Thought Supergod''s points had climbed to 5500. Meanwhile, Your Grandpa''s points seemed to have been frozen at 4500, not increasing by even a single point.


    At this point, everyone was convinced that Your Grandpa had indeed been punished by the system and was permanently stuck in the level four trial. There was no other explanation.


    Your Grandpa, come out and honor the bet.


    Hurry up and show yourself.


    Damn, can''t play fair, huh?


    Trash, showing your true colors now?


    We need to unite and file a complaint with the Education Department. Your Grandpa should be disqualified from the competition and stripped of his super account.


    I''ve already started an official poll, everyone go vote.


    The forum was in an uproar. At that moment, One Thought Supergod also made an appearance. He posted a screenshot of the leaderboard, tagging Li Xiaofei, and added a two-word caption¡ª


    Hehe.


    Another ten minutes passed. Your Grandpa still hadn''t shown up.


    One Thought Supergod tagged him again and posted.


    Can''t handle it, can you?


    The forum users were relentless in their mockery. Everyone felt they had exposed a despicable cheater and wanted to nail him to the pillar of shame.


    Just then¡ª


    The light network''s official system announced on the global channel. "Congratulations to user Your Grandpa for successfully killing the hidden boss star beast, the Golden Scorpion King, in two hours and thirty-five minutes, and clearing the level four plus trial Ancient Desert City with a Supergod Rating."


    Instantly, the forum fell silent. Everyone was stunned. For a full three minutes, no new posts appeared on the forum. Everyone was trying to process the announcement.


    A hidden boss?


    What was that?


    The Golden Scorpion King?


    Has anyone ever heard of such a star beast in Ancient Desert City?


    What is a level four plus trial?


    Supergod Rating?


    I know about that. But the issue is, Liuhe Base City has never had a high school genius achieve a Supergod Rating before?


    So he really... I''m crying.


    So, it''s because Your Grandpa performed so insanely well in Ancient Desert City that he triggered a hidden mechanism and drew out the Golden Scorpion King? Which is why it took him so long to clear the level?


    The last time he suddenly went offline, he must have been defeated by the Golden Scorpion King.


    But how much time has passed since then? He came back and successfully cleared it. He even earned a Supergod Rating.


    A true boss, this is a real boss.


    I remember an old saying: Some people score 100 because that''s their limit, while others score 100 because the maximum score is only 100.


    I suspect you''re throwing shade at One Thought Supergod.


    Look, the leaderboard has changed again.


    My God, 8000 points?


    Your Grandpa''s points have skyrocketed to 8000?


    He directly parachuted to the top of the leaderboard.


    The forum erupted with a flood of new posts. Your Grandpa''s reputation did a complete 180. The frenzy of mockery turned into fervent praise as posts began singing his accolades. This kind of reversal was the most stimulating for everyone''s emotions.


    I apologize to Your Grandpa, I was narrow-minded, seeing the world from the bottom of a well, and didn''t understand the world of a true boss. I even thought he was cheating...


    I apologize too...


    I''m sorry.


    Sorry.


    The forum was instantly flooded with apology posts.


    Only the bet post made by One Thought Supergod remained pinned at the top. The forum users swarmed into the post and built a comment tower as they furiously tagged One Thought Supergod, with only two words in each comment¡ª


    Pay up.


    Pay up.


    Pay up.


    Sea?ch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 50: I Cant Find A Way To Comfort You

    Chapter 50: I Can''t Find A Way To Comfort You One Thought Supergod appeared. He posted.


    I¡¯m willing to admit my defeat. I haven''t been able to contact Your Grandpa, but once I do, I''ll definitely pay up. No need for more words, I just have one thing to say: He''s amazing!


    He was completely convinced. At the same time, in a detached villa, a young man with short black hair had a look of utter defeat on his face and sighed deeply.


    "Hidden boss, level four plus trial, Supergod Rating... What kind of monster have I provoked? Uncle De, when was the last time someone got a Supergod Rating?" he asked.


    The old butler, Uncle De, had neatly combed silver hair and a limp. He answered objectively, "I don''t know."


    "Is there anything you don''t know, Uncle De?" The young man with short black hair asked.


    Uncle De replied slowly, "Some people are naturally low key and choose to hide their system ratings, making it impossible for outsiders to know."


    The young man lay down on his back and said, "Uncle De, am I really not as good as Your Grandpa?"


    "Currently... the answer is obvious." Uncle De replied, "Young master, why do you subject yourself to such humiliation?"


    "Ah, really, can''t you comfort me a bit?" the young man complained. Sea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Uncle De thought for a moment and said, "I''m sorry, young master, but in this case, I really can''t find a way to comfort you."


    The young man was speechless.


    "Is my talent really that ordinary?" He asked again, unwilling to accept it.


    Uncle De nodded, "Mediocre."


    The young man was left speechless once more. He felt a wave of fatigue wash over him. He had been able to enjoy all rare resources to his heart''s content for so many years by relying on his family''s wealth.


    Starforce Reagents, Star Cores Crystals, starforce meters, advanced breathing techniques, top-tier battle skills... And the guidance of various renowned teachers.


    Compared to his peers, he had a significant advantage right from the beginning. But in the end, he still couldn''t stand out among the high school students in Liuhe Base City. Even before Your Grandpa emerged, there were others like Yun Qi and Zhou Yunong who could consistently overshadow him.


    "Uncle De, should I consider undergoing the new martial arts surgery?" He rubbed his face and asked.


    Uncle De''s face turned solemn. "Undergoing the new martial arts surgery would sever your path to ancient martial arts. Haven''t you always loved the ancient martial arts?"


    "But ancient martial arts don''t like me." The young man said dejectedly. "Uncle De, be honest, is there any future for me in cultivating ancient martial arts?"


    "I have always been honest," Uncle De countered, then added, "This time, too. No, there isn''t."


    "Then tell my mother that I agree to undergo the new martial arts surgery." The young man gritted his teeth. "As long as I can become strong, I''m not afraid of any cost. What I fear is going through endless hardship only to never become powerful."


    Uncle De nodded and said, "It so happens that an exchange delegation from Jiepeng is in the city at the moment. The deputy head, Uchida Mori, is a renowned professor in the field of new martial arts transplantation. He has mastered the perfect transplantation technology of the second-level new martial art, Frost Demon Hand. This new martial art has a 99 percent compatibility with you, young master, and also offers significant expansion potential."


    "Jiepeng?" The young man frowned. "What brings the delegation from that treacherous country here? They must be up to no good."


    Jiepeng was a maritime nation on the border of the Great Xia Republic, which had nearly been destroyed during the initial disaster. It had survived only because of support from the Great Xia Republic, which helped it preserve its remnants. At one point, it emulated the Great Xia Republic in everything, heavily promoting ancient martial arts.


    However, as ancient martial arts declined, Jiepeng turned to the West and started embracing new martial arts. In recent years, Jiepeng''s power had grown significantly, and its influence had increased. It had become a voracious wolf outside Great Xia Republic''s borders, constantly making demands and occasionally causing trouble.


    Uncle De said calmly, "Uchida Mori is a friendly figure and a skilled surgeon. This exchange delegation aims to promote new martial arts transformation technology. Many people are scrambling to book appointments with him."


    "Then arrange it." The young man said as he lay back down. "Make it him, and the sooner, the better."


    This was his last year of high school. This time, no matter the cost, he was determined to win gloriously and stand above everyone else.


    ***


    Boom!


    A pale golden punch obliterated a four-meter-long crocodile beast like a river bursting its banks.


    "Congratulations, user Your Grandpa, for successfully clearing the level five trial Maze of Caverns in 45 minutes and 21 seconds, earning a Transcendent Rating." The light core''s electronic voice announced.


    In the dim cavern, Li Xiaofei slowly let his arm drop. Clearing the level five trial had been very easy. Unfortunately, there was no hidden boss this time. After killing forty Iron Armored Crocodiles, he had earned a total of 4000 points. Li Xiaofei''s total points reached 12,000.


    At that moment¡ª


    "Important reminder!"


    "User Your Grandpa, after successfully clearing the five major trial scenes, the system will now activate Challenge Mode for you."


    Li Xiaofei was delighted when the light core''s electronic voice sounded.


    Challenge Mode!


    This was a feature he had been looking forward to for a long time. Fighting star beasts could improve his strength, but only by sparring with people could he truly understand his own weaknesses.


    He was especially looking forward to meeting those renowned geniuses. It was only by fighting them that he could gauge his current standing among the high school students in Liuhe Base City. However, considering the time, it was almost time for school to let out. Li Xiaofei decided to temporarily exit the trial.


    When he arrived at the initial base in the light core virtual world, he discovered that his system inbox was already full. There were also dozens of missed call requests.


    Li Xiaofei browsed through the messages. Most of the private messages were from people wanting to add him as a friend. There were also a few messages from some heavyweight figures.


    For instance, a recruiter from a prestigious high school expressed their willingness to offer him a high price to enroll. There were also offers from advertising agencies, live streaming guilds, and similar organizations, offering astronomical sums to sign contracts with Li Xiaofei...


    He ignored these messages outright. The most valuable message came from One Thought Supergod. This person was indeed trustworthy, transferring 100,000 star coins to Your Grandpa''s account without a word.


    This type of transfer through the light core was very convenient and did not expose any personal information, making it very safe. Li Xiaofei felt quite pleased when he saw the balance of 100,000 in his account. This was the first substantial sum he had earned on the Light Network. Now that he had made money, he needed to spend it.


    Li Xiaofei unhesitatingly opened the light network official store. Just like the websites from his previous life, it had various categories of goods, dazzling and overwhelming.


    The only difference was that food, fresh water, fruits, vegetables, and other such goods were extremely scarce, with limited variety, and almost all of them were exorbitantly priced.


    A pack of ten soft bread slices was priced at 300 star coins. A 250 ml bottle of natural mineral water cost 500 star coins. The most outrageous was an organic, non-polluted tomato weighing 400 grams, marked at a staggering 1000 star coins. Other vegetables and fruits were also outrageously priced.


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback. Although he knew that survival resources like food and water were scarce in this era, he hadn''t expected it to be this extreme.


    In contrast, there was a vast array of weapons, battle suits, starforce reagents, star cores, starforce meters, and other cultivation materials. The brands were numerous, and the quantities were abundant, allowing for a wide range of choices.


    Of course, the prices varied, but they weren''t as outrageous as those of food and water. Li Xiaofei browsed through the selections and soon had a target in mind.

 Chapter 51: The Wish Of Mastering The Three Weapons

    Chapter 51: The Wish Of Mastering The Three Weapons It¡¯s time to start shopping! After all, I get a permanent 2% discount on weapon purchases with the Supergod Rating badge. Even though I¡¯m spending money, I''m still getting a deal.


    Li Xiaofei first bought Little Aunt a set of medical equipment worth 1000 star coins and two sets of sturdy and durable inner and outer clothing. Then, he bought a complete set of study supplies and clothing for Little Jie and the other six students from the slum. Only then did he start treating himself.


    He first spent 2000 star coins on a titanium silk mesh undershirt. Then, he spent 3000 star coins on a set of 3rd Gen Soft Steel black sportswear, which included protective coverings made from the hide of a Grade One star beast, the Steel-Skinned Great Horned Rhino at critical spots such as the shoulders, elbows, chest, back, crotch, knees, and ankles. This outfit was reputed to be resistant to blades and impervious to fire and water. The two were definitely worth 5000 star coins.


    Next, he bought four tubes of Starlight brand grade four high-purity Starforce Reagents, costing him 60,000 star coins.


    He had originally wanted to buy some star core crystals to experience their energy. However, while star core crystals naturally contained more energy, they couldn''t be directly absorbed by the human body for cultivation. He would need a specialized starforce cultivation device to extract their energy.


    The latter was very expensive and beyond what Li Xiaofei could afford at the moment. So, he had to abandon that idea. Suddenly, as he was scrolling through the market, a set of power gloves named Flame Spitter caught Li Xiaofei''s attention.


    They were bronze in color, resembling Ganos'' Unlimited Gauntlet but more refined in design. The core that the glove used was the standard miniature starforce-driven power system, which could increase combat effectiveness by 20 percent.


    He thought that it matched the Great Strength Vajra Fist very well, so he checked the price.


    20,000 star coins... next time for sure.


    Li Xiaofei decided against buying it for now. The need to spend money seemed endless. He always needed more to become truly powerful. However, he indeed needed to consider what weapon to use in the future. Using a sword looked cool. Using a saber was very imposing. A spear could pierce through anything. He had trained with all three weapons five hundred years ago and liked them all.


    But back then, all the masters had said that martial arts required focus. One couldn''t be greedy and learn too many things at once. While swords, sabers, and spears were easy to pick up, achieving mastery required countless hours and effort. A person''s energy was always limited.


    The saying, ¡®if you try to grasp too much, you can''t chew it all¡¯, was an absolute truth for martial artists of any era. However, things were different now.


    I have the Secret Time Pavilion.


    He had more time than others. Sword, saber, spear. He wanted to train with all three, and he aimed to master all three. With that in mind, Li Xiaofei made his decision. He spent 500 star coins to buy a sword, a saber, and a spear. They were all made of ordinary steel and were intended for training purposes.


    In the current era¡¯s skewed price system, all three together were worth less than a single tomato. After the spending spree, he had nearly spent all the 100,000 star coins he had just received. Since the purchases were made anonymously, there was no worry about being exposed.


    He exited the light network virtual world, ready to head home. The mainframe room was very quiet. Fang Buyi, Bai Longfei, and the other team members were still lying in their pods, fully immersed in their battles.


    It had been days, and they showed no signs of coming offline. Li Xiaofei even felt a bit worried, wondering if they might end up like the internet-addicted youths from five hundred years ago and accidentally die from exhaustion.


    Just then, the door was pushed open. Captain Yan Chiyu, leaning on a crutch, walked in. Her usually cold and stunning face was adorned with a rare bright smile. The school doctor had told her that her injury was healing well, and she was finally allowed to enter the light core virtual world to compete in the ranking points leaderboard.


    Li Xiaofei was slightly taken aback at Yan Chiyu¡¯s smile. This beautiful young captain was famously serious, usually wearing a stern expression and radiating a powerful aura. However, she revealed a sweet side when she smiled, exuding a different kind of youthful vitality.


    At the same moment, Yan Chiyu noticed Li Xiaofei staring at her. Her smile instantly fell away as she suddenly became cold as ice, but still beautiful as a peach blossom. She snorted lightly, moved to her exclusive mainframe pod, and entered the light core virtual world.


    Li Xiaofei was a bit baffled.


    Why does this woman always seem hostile towards me? Could it be that she naturally dislikes good-looking guys?


    Li Xiaofei shrugged indifferently. Then he left.


    ***


    Time passed day by day. Li Xiaofei continued his routine, commuting between school and the slum, living a simple yet fulfilling life. No new bounties had appeared since Ye Xiang¡¯s visit to the ICU, and there were no further ambushes from adventurers targeting Li Xiaofei.


    This indirectly confirmed that Ye Xiang was indeed the one behind the bounties. Li Xiaofei was not about to let this go. He secretly resolved to take down that old dog. Leaving Ye Xiang alive was a ticking time bomb for him, his aunt, and others.


    Additionally, Li Xiaofei became increasingly wary of the Ye family. Ye Xiang was a member of the Ye family''s management. Now that he was severely injured and sent to the ICU, it was inevitable that some members of the domineering Ye family would harbor resentment. Furthermore, Li Xiaofei suspected that some of the events might have involved other members of the Ye family. In this era of the survival of the fittest, being cautious was never a mistake. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Three days later, Li Xiaofei''s online purchases still hadn''t arrived; however, the slum welcomed a great harvest. The hunting adventure team had finally returned.


    Despite being the slum gang''s first organized wilderness hunt, the results were quite promising. Though they had lacked experience, the team had killed thirty-seven star beasts, collected twelve types of medicinal herbs weighing approximately 155 kgs in total, and gathered twenty or so kinds of valuable or useful plant roots and fruits, amounting to about 2.7 tons.


    Additionally, they brought back a truckload of other star beast materials like bones and hides. These were all hard currencies. They could be exchanged in the rule-of-law district for mixed nutrient porridge, medicines, and cultivation resources, significantly benefiting the slum.


    This was an excellent start. Of course, it did not come without a price. The hunting team had suffered significant losses. Nine people had perished in the wilderness and their bodies were not even fully recovered. Six were severely injured and disabled. Almost everyone else was wounded.


    The families of the deceased wept bitterly. History had repeatedly shown that if a family lost its primary breadwinner in the slum, which was like a gutter, it lost its means of survival. It was like the sky had fallen. But just when they were in despair, Li Xiaofei appeared.

 Chapter 52: Traitor?

    Chapter 52: Traitor? The newly appointed leader of the slum, accompanied by the mid and high-level members of the Cloudy Sky Gang, brought star coins, food stamps, water tickets, and porridge tickets to visit and console the families.


    "I established the rules long ago. The gang will ensure that those who die for the gang will never have to worry about those they leave behind," Li Xiaofei declared in front of everyone. "I, Li Xiaofei, will keep my word. From now on, the parents of these nine brothers are the parents of the entire gang, and their children are the children of the gang. Anyone who dares to bully or exploit them will be opposing me, Li Xiaofei."


    "Thank you, president."


    "My son... did not die in vain."


    "Our slum has welcomed a righteous leader."


    The elderly and women were grateful beyond words. The children looked at Li Xiaofei with reverent eyes. Even the former members of the Blackblood Gang looked gratified. After all, people''s hearts were made of flesh. Many of Li Xiaofei''s initiatives after taking charge had obviously been planned for the benefit of the entire slum.


    They were not fools. They naturally understood the benefits of following such a leader. The slum did not believe in tears but believed in its leader. The gang''s ethos had long been ingrained in the blood of every slum martial artist. There was a set system of rules in the slum. When you ascended to the pinnacle of the gang hierarchy following these rules, everyone would submit to you.


    Yang Cheng and Chu Yuntian exchanged glances, feeling a surge of excitement. The president''s skill in winning people''s hearts was truly remarkable. As long as he could keep his promises, the slum would eventually become a united, unbreakable force under his leadership.


    As his right-hand men, their futures were limitless and even more prestigious than those of Dugu Yilong and Wu Potian before them. Sure enough, Li Xiaofei entrusted the authority to distribute resources and sell the spoils to the two of them, solidifying their positions as second-in-commands in the slum.


    The second hunting expedition outside the city was put into motion. Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner. The slum was quietly revitalizing.


    Li Xiaofei entered the Secret Time Pavilion once again. Since he didn¡¯t have the Starforce Reagents to replenish his energy and had to rely solely on his breathing technique, he failed to reach the Ninth Stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    However, he grew even more proficient at combining the Great Strength Vajra Fist and Graceful Step of the Waves. Additionally, he mastered the Gale Sword Technique left by Zhong Yuanshan, and Wu Potian''s Great Xia martial lineage''s ultimate technique, the Three Steps Cicada Catch. Li Xiaofei''s growth rate was beyond normal comprehension.


    Two days later, Li Xiaofei''s online purchases finally arrived. The light network''s virtual world, created by the supreme Star Council, ensured unparalleled security. Even though One Thought Supergod did not know Li Xiaofei''s real identity, he could still transfer the funds securely. Similarly, online shopping would not expose one''s real identity or address.


    Li Xiaofei collected his purchases, feeling elated. When he returned home, he immediately handed them to his aunt.


    "Thank you," Little Aunt said calmly. "Don''t spend money recklessly in the future."


    But Li Xiaofei noticed a gentle smile at the corner of her mouth. Little Aunt was always a reserved person and rarely showed her emotions. She hadn¡¯t shown any expression even when she had been tied to the stake by Luo Li. So that faint smile was enough to indicate she was in a very good mood.


    On the other hand, Little Jie and the others were ecstatic, screaming with excitement when they received their gifts.


    "Thank you, Brother Xiaofei."


    "Thank you, president."


    "We will study hard."


    The children''s eyes were filled with hope for a better future. Li Xiaofei felt a strong sense of accomplishment. This sense of fulfillment was even more intense than when he had killed Dugu Que, Bai Zhu, and Ghost Scholar. The duty of a martial artist is to protect, not to kill.


    Li Xiaofei started wearing a titanium silk vest and black sportswear to school. He would change into his school uniform upon arrival and switch back to his other clothes when he returned home.


    In the blink of an eye, the opening ceremony of the High School War God League had arrived. This was a significant event for Liuhe Base City.


    Celebrities would be in attendance. It was said that even the city chief, the military garrison commander, and the heads of the five major families would attend. The official light network tv channel of Liuhe City, Channel One, had dispatched its most skilled broadcasting team to live-stream the entire draw and schedule arrangement process to ensure transparency and fairness.


    The principal, Chen Fei, took Yan Chiyu to attend the opening ceremony. Li Xiaofei and the other team members naturally stayed at school to continue their preparations. Unfortunately, Red Flag High School, a failing school with the worst track record and on the verge of losing its accreditation, had no status and was only granted two attendance slots.


    ***


    Half a day later. The principal, Chen Fei, and Yan Chiyu returned. Both of them wore gloomy expressions. Yan Chiyu went straight to the mainframe room and began training intensely, while Chen Fei trashed his office in a fit of rage. The students could feel the principal''s anger.


    What had happened?


    Everyone was curious but too afraid to ask the two involved. However, it didn''t take long for someone to find some clues.


    "Everyone, check this out online..."


    Wang Yuting posted a video link in the school group chat. In the video, at the opening ceremony of the High School War God League, representatives from the other thirty-one high schools had their own designated seats. Only Red Flag High School was left out.


    Principal Chen Fei and student representative Yan Chiyu were standing at the back of the venue, ignored like unwanted nuisances. It was a blatant humiliation.


    There were various opinions in the comment section below the video. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Red Flag High School is so pitiful.


    Does this mean they''ve already been preemptively stripped of their accreditation?


    The Education Department must really despise Red Flag High School to do something like this.


    Setting that aside, the female student representative from Red Flag is really beautiful¡ªso cold, elegant, and striking.


    Don''t you know who she is? That''s the famous Yan Chiyu.


    Who''s Yan Chiyu?


    She was once the brightest ancient martial arts prodigy in Liuhe City. Three years ago, when she graduated from middle school, all the top twenty high schools in the city were scrambling to recruit her.


    Then why did she choose the poor and weak Red Flag High School?


    No one knows the reason.


    So now her brilliance has faded, and she can only stand at the back of the venue like a lackey.


    Countless people were discussing and lamenting the plight of Red Flag High School on the Light Network. They also expressed regret over the fall of a once-great prodigy.


    To the students of Red Flag High School, these discussions felt like gleaming, cold knives stabbing deeply into their hearts. They were all students painstakingly nurtured by Chen Fei. They considered the principal their father and the school their second home.


    When they saw the person they respected most and the place they cherished being publicly humiliated, the young boys and girls were infuriated.


    Why? Why would the Education Department do something so unfair?


    Some students couldn''t help but leave comments questioning the Education Department on its official website. At that time, a rumor began circulating online.


    Actually, Red Flag High School''s seats were taken at the last minute.


    I heard the same. It''s because two members of the Jiepeng exchange delegation suddenly wanted to attend the opening ceremony, so the Education Department gave Red Flag High School''s seats to the Jiepeng people.


    Is that true?


    Even if Red Flag High School is not doing well, why should the Jiepeng dogs take seats meant for us Great Xia¡¯s people?"


    Are the people in the Education Department traitors?


    The news caused an uproar.

 Chapter 53: Blatant Challenge

    Chapter 53: Blatant Challenge In recent years, Jipeng¡¯s national strength had grown exponentially, so it had shifted from its previous submissive stance and was starting to eye Great Xia Republic''s territory and resources covetously. Numerous frictions had occurred between the two countries, especially in the southeastern coastal regions where several wars had broken out.


    Although the two countries had since signed a peace treaty and the situation was temporarily stable, public hostility was inevitable. In this context, the Education Department of Liuhe Base City making such a decision caused an uproar among netizens, who had initially mocked Red Flag High School. They quickly flooded the Education Department''s website, launching a barrage of criticisms.


    Soon, Luo Changhe, the Deputy Director of the Education Department responsible for the opening ceremony, accepted an interview with tv reporters.


    "It''s Red Flag High School''s own fault for not being competent enough," Deputy Director Luo said with a pained expression as he faced the camera. "They failed to secure their own seats."


    This statement left viewers of the live broadcast bewildered.


    How was this suddenly Red Flag High School''s fault? Weren''t they the victims?


    Deputy Director Luo Changhe explained helplessly, "There were two high school students in the Jiepeng delegation who wanted to attend the opening ceremony at the last minute. They followed the Great Xia¡¯s martial lineage tradition and challenged the Red Flag High School representatives. However, Yan Chiyu from Red Flag High School did not dare to accept the challenge, thus failing to secure their seats. We at the Education Department are deeply saddened by this, but we were powerless."


    This explanation sparked an uproar among all parties. So, that was the hidden truth behind the incident. It seemed the Education Department couldn''t be blamed. The fault lay with Red Flag High School for being so incompetent.


    If they couldn''t even secure their own seats, what right did such a useless school have to exist? They were a disgrace to the martial artists of Great Xia.


    Enraged netizens swarmed Red Flag High School''s website, spewing insults. The flood of criticism quickly overwhelmed Red Flag High School. The students were dumbfounded, since they had never imagined such an outcome.


    Chen Fei and Yan Chiyu became the primary targets of the online vitriol in the light network world. Even though Red Flag High School''s students tried their best to defend them, their voices were quickly drowned out in the overwhelming tide of public opinion.


    At this point, an official announcement from the Education Department caught many people''s attention. The two Jiepeng high school students had obtained exchange student status, allowing them to participate in the High School War God League, and they had already been granted their super accounts.


    The news did not provoke much anger. Such situations had precedents, since exchange students and visiting scholars occasionally participated in various domestic competitions.


    Soon, the names of the super accounts for these two Jiepeng high school students were uncovered. Their names were Tsukiha Yaiba and Mizutani Hikaru.


    They''re currently in the trials, accumulating points.


    Their speed is incredible.


    They''ve reached 4000 points in just an hour?


    Damn, and they both got Transcendent Ratings?


    Is the system broken?


    Their points are still climbing, and both have already entered the top twenty on the leaderboard.


    Three hours in, and they''re both in the top ten.


    They''ve cleared the level 5 trial.


    This is bad, they''re both in the top five now.


    Oh no, they''re already in the top three...


    The forum was buzzing with real-time updates on the two Jiepeng high school students'' progress. At first, people were just watching for entertainment. But they gradually fell silent. The two Jiepeng high school students were accumulating points at an unbelievable speed.


    In just six short hours, they had entered the top three of the ranking points leaderboard. The previous geniuses of Liuhe Base City, including Yunong Feelings, One Thought Supergod, and Rain Pavilion Resident, were all surpassed by these two Jiepeng high school students.


    Only the mysterious prodigy Your Grandpa remained at the top of the leaderboard. The outcome was unacceptable to many. Two outsiders had come and stolen the show?


    If it weren''t for the sudden emergence of Your Grandpa, it would have meant that the entire high school population of Liuhe Base City would have been trampled underfoot by these two foreigners.


    Everyone, don''t panic. High points don''t necessarily mean strong capabilities.


    That''s right, maybe they have some secret technique for quickly killing star beasts.


    They''ve already cleared the level 5 trial and can now activate Challenge Mode.


    Someone has already issued a challenge.


    Dragonheart, ranked sixteenth on the leaderboard, has issued a public challenge to Mizutani Hikaru.


    Dragonheart was the twelfth place finisher in last year''s High School War God League''s individual competition and is very powerful. It''s said he''s made even more progress this year.


    It''s a public challenge, broadcast live to the entire network.


    Everyone, hurry and watch.


    The news spread, and people rushed into the livestream room. Netizens hoped that the high school students from Liuhe Base City could use Challenge Mode to fiercely suppress the arrogance of the Jiepeng students and regain some face.


    However, they were disappointed. Jiepeng high school student Mizutani Hikaru defeated Dragonheart with a single move. In the live broadcast room, the audience''s hearts sank as Dragonheart''s body disintegrated into blue data streams.


    The victorious Mizutani Hikaru shook her head in disappointment. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Great Xia martial lineage, you have no successors," she sighed.


    Mizutani Hikaru was a girl¡ªa beautiful young woman with a stern demeanor and a tall, slender figure.


    "I¡¯d like to challenge all high school students in Liuhe Base City," Mizutani Hikaru declared arrogantly. "Come on, show me your courage. Be the warrior who dares to challenge the demon king and let me trample each of you Great Xia weaklings under my feet."


    Her words ignited the anger of the livestream viewers. This was a blatant challenge to the dignity of the people of the Great Xia Republic.


    "I''ll defeat you."


    A bald-headed teenager appeared in the live stream. He had a robust physique, a youthful face, but incredibly developed muscles. Standing at nearly two meters tall, he resembled a powerful bronze tower, exuding an overwhelming presence.


    It''s Bronze Arhat Zhang Chao.


    He¡¯s a genius from Hongye High School, known for cultivating the true legacy of the martial art Golden Bell Shield. His body can withstand sword and knife strikes. He ranked eighth in last year''s High School War God League individual competition.


    Zhang Chao is renowned for his super strong defense and is one of the top three tanks.


    But that Jiepeng girl is ranked third on the leaderboard.


    You don''t understand. The points from the trials don''t necessarily reflect actual combat ability. In a one-on-one fight, combat experience matters more. Humans possess greater combat intelligence than star beasts.


    So, Zhang Chao has a chance?


    Absolutely.


    The livestream chat was flooded with comments. In the end, the chat was flooded with a single phrase.


    Defend our nation''s honor.


    The scene was incredibly grand but this grandeur lasted only thirty seconds. Bronze Arhat Zhang Chao¡¯s defense was broken through by Mizutani Hikaru in three moves and was instantly defeated, disintegrating into a stream of blue data and disappearing from the live stream.


    Next, several renowned high school geniuses from Liuhe Base City stepped up to challenge her. But all were defeated within ten moves.


    "I didn''t expect Great Xia martial arts to be so weak," Mizutani Hikaru sneered in the livestream. "Are there any decent martial artists among Liuhe Base City''s high schoolers? Or are you all just a bunch of weaklings and invalids?"


    She continued to mock them relentlessly.

 Chapter 54: Let Me Try

    Chapter 54: Let Me Try Li Xiaofei was still making his way through the trials. He had reached the level nine trial, the Scorching Island. He endured wave after wave of frenzied attacks from a multitude of ocean star beasts. Various bizarre star beasts kept crawling out of the sea to fight Li Xiaofei. Each time, he could last no more than an hour before being overwhelmed.


    My combat skills have been honed to a high level of proficiency, and my combat experience has improved significantly, but I still can''t break through this level. The only factor limiting my combat ability is my starforce level. It is insufficient.


    Now that I¡¯ve reached the eighth stage, the rate of starforce qi improvement has slowed down. The higher the cultivation, the slower the progress. This is a fundamental principle of martial arts. I must not be impatient.


    I¡¯ll use Starforce Reagents to fully enhance my starforce level. The goal is to reach the ninth stage of the Qi Refining Realm before the War God League begins.


    Li Xiaofei decided to set a goal for himself as he exited the trial.


    As usual, Li Xiaofei took a stroll through the ranking points forum. But he was quickly shocked by what he saw. He learned that Red Flag High School had been humiliated at the opening ceremony and then further insulted by Deputy Director Luo Changhe of the Education Department.


    Now, Red Flag High School had become a public enemy who was condemned by everyone. Then he saw the news about the live challenge.


    Jiepeng? Based on geography, weren''t they the same people who were doing well five hundred years ago? The star beast outbreak had hit the oceans the hardest. Could such an island nation still exist?


    Li Xiaofei quickly found the link to the livestream and clicked in. He was instantly gripped by a sensation of weightlessness. In the next moment, he found himself in a gigantic stadium.


    The livestream set by Mizutani Hikaru was configured like a stadium, with stands capable of seating a hundred thousand people. The central arena was a circular platform with a diameter of a hundred meters, illuminated by white beams of light.


    Everything appeared as realistic as the real world. The stands were already packed with a dense crowd. But the arena was utterly silent.


    On the stage, Mizutani Hikaru, clad in a white samurai outfit, stood proudly. She had just defeated Peak Clouds, who ranked fifth in last year''s High School War God League. It had only taken her five moves.


    This marked Mizutani Hikaru''s twenty-first victory. No one had been able to pose a threat to her. The crowd in the stands, who had been cheering wildly, fell into a prolonged silence.


    Everyone felt stifled and angry but powerless. The star students had been defeated too miserably.


    Who can defeat her? Who can restore the honor of Liuhe Base City''s high school students? S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    On the stage, the young Mizutani Hikaru, though small in stature, seemed like an invincible demon king, bringing immense despair to all the spectators. This was a huge disgrace for the people of the Great Xia Republic. If no one could defeat Mizutani Hikaru, the reputation of Liuhe Base City''s high schools would be utterly tarnished.


    Where are the top geniuses from the noble high schools? Why are they not here yet?


    Everyone was getting anxious.


    "Is there no one left to challenge me?" Mizutani Hikaru''s voice was clear but incredibly arrogant. "Not one of you can put up a fight. It''s bad enough that Great Xia''s high school students are so weak, but you don¡¯t even have the guts to step up?"


    The audience was about to explode with anger but no one dared to step forward. Without the certainty of victory, losing would only add to Mizutani Hikaru''s streak and fame.


    Mizutani Hikaru shook her head disdainfully. Her expression was cold and arrogant as she sneered at the 100,000 viewers in the livestream. "Heh... Who would have thought that there isn''t a single high school student in the vast Liuhe Base City who can make me exert myself? The Great Xia Republic... is truly without anyone worthy."


    Before Mizutani Hikaru could keep going, a voice interrupted.


    "I''ll give it a try."


    Someone had issued a challenge. Mizutani Hikaru''s eyes flashed coldly as she unhesitatingly accepted.


    A glimmer of light flickered and a figure appeared on the stage. It was a tall warrior in black combat attire, wearing a silver cicada mask.


    Who is this person?


    The audience in the livestream were puzzled, exchanging bewildered looks. Every powerful high school student was well-known and familiar to the public. Even the students ranked in the twenties or thirties were recognizable.


    Yet, no one knew this black-clad, silver-masked warrior or his background.


    "What''s your name?" Mizutani Hikaru asked, a hint of caution flashing across her expression. She felt a vague sense of danger from this black-clad, silver-masked warrior.


    "You don''t deserve to know." The black-clad, silver-masked warrior responded domineeringly.


    He was, of course, Li Xiaofei. This was his avatar in the light network virtual world. He chose to remain anonymous for this challenge.


    "Arrogant." Mizutani Hikaru sneered. "So, the high school students of Great Xia are only skilled in talking... Draw your weapon."


    "I don''t need a weapon to kill you," replied Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei placed his left hand behind his back and raised his right hand, beckoning with his fingers. "Great Xia is a land of courtesy and hospitality. We don''t hold grudges against barbarians from small countries. As the saying goes, a guest from afar is to be treated with respect. I''ll let you have the first three moves."


    The livestream audience erupted in an uproar.


    How arrogant!


    This black-clad, silver-masked warrior had the most brazen attitude among all the high school challengers. It felt exhilarating. But they hoped he truly had the strength to back it up. Otherwise, he would just make a fool of himself and bring disgrace to them all. For the moment, no one dared to cheer recklessly.


    On the stage, Mizutani Hikaru frowned slightly. She gripped her straight blade in a reverse grip and advanced with small steps. When the distance between them closed to within five meters, she suddenly drew her blade.


    Clang.


    The straight blade flashed out of its sheath. She used one of her three ultimate moves, the Iaido Break Slash [1].


    The dazzling strike shot toward him like a streak of lightning. The spectators only saw a blinding flash. Many were instantly alarmed and their hearts raced. Bronze Arhat Zhang Chao, one of the top three tanks, had been defeated instantly by this move.


    When the blade light reached him, the black-clad, silver-masked warrior shifted his feet slightly. He seemed to move like a phantom, gracefully dodging the slash as if he were a startled swan.


    Whoosh!


    Mizutani Hikaru immediately followed with her second strike. She raised her hand, and the straight blade slashed upwards. It was another of her three ultimate moves, the Demon Wheel Slash.


    Three crescent-shaped arcs of blade light flew out from her blade. The white blade light spun like a demon''s wheel, tracing unpredictable arcs in the air as they slashed toward Li Xiaofei from different angles in a deadly encirclement.


    Li Xiaofei countered by using Graceful Step of the Waves. He left a series of afterimages in his wake, casually and elegantly evading the slashes as if he were taking a leisurely stroll.


    "Good!"


    A shout echoed from the stands, and a large Good word floated across the screen in the form of a comment. That single word was like a boulder crashing into a calm lake, stirring up waves of excitement.


    The spectators in the stands finally saw a glimmer of hope and immediately erupted into wild cheers and encouragement.


    "Defend our nation''s honor!"


    "Defend our nation''s honor!"


    "Defend our nation''s honor!"


    The unified chants reverberated through every inch of the arena, transforming into a flood of comments that swept across the livestream screen. The atmosphere reached an unprecedented high.


    Mizutani Hikaru was astonished when her first two strikes missed. These were her ultimate moves, yet her opponent had effortlessly evaded them with mere footwork. She understood that she was facing a truly formidable adversary. Without hesitation, her expression turned serious as she fully activated her starforce. She unleashed her third ultimate technique, the Falling Star Slash, with all her might.


    Mizutani Hikaru leaped into the sky like a bird, reaching an astonishing height. Her starforce spread out like wings, resembling countless stars scattered across the heavens. At the apex of her flight, she slashed down with a single blade.


    The scene was like a thousand stars shattering. Every falling star was a deadly blade. The arena was almost entirely covered. It was like a meteor shower as the blade slashed downward.


    The technique made the spectators inside and outside the livestream shudder.


    How can anyone dodge this?


    Countless eyes focused on Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei moved gracefully and quickly using Graceful Step of the Waves. He was like a celestial being, gliding like a swan and twisting like a dragon. He left a trail of afterimages as he effortlessly danced through the falling blade lights. He resembled a mysterious dancer moving freely among the flowers.


    The blade lights fell, carving deep gouges into the arena''s surface. Li Xiaofei''s figure suddenly came to a stop, standing amidst the wreckage. Not a single scratch marked his body. The countless blade lights hadn''t even torn his clothing.


    "How is this possible?" Mizutani Hikaru landed and fell to one knee. She looked up, her eyes filled with shock and disbelief.


    "Three moves have passed," Li Xiaofei said calmly as he looked at her. "Now, watch as I kill you with one move."


    1. Laid¨­, abbreviated iai, is a Japanese martial art that emphasizes being aware and capable of quickly drawing the sword and responding to sudden attacks. ?

 Chapter 55: He Is Your Grandpa

    Chapter 55: He Is Your Grandpa Defeat me with one move?


    Mizutani Hikaru sneered, "I admit, your footwork is indeed impressive, but if you think you can defeat me with just that, you''re dreaming. I''ll make you understand..."


    Li Xiaofei moved before she could finish speaking. This time, he was faster and more graceful than before. He was even harder to catch, just like a wisp of wind and cloud. You were already ensnared from the moment you felt the chill of the wind or the mist of the cloud.


    Mizutani Hikaru''s straight sword only moved slightly.


    In the next moment, a single finger shattered her throat.


    "Uhhh..."


    Mizutani Hikaru''s body froze. She looked shocked and confused.


    Clang.


    The sound of her straight sword falling to the ground echoed in the massive stadium. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The eyes of every spectator widened. They had anticipated something, but the immense pressure Mizutani Hikaru had previously exerted made them hesitant to believe it. They feared rejoicing too early, only to face another twist.


    "You... who are you, really?" asked Mizutani Hikaru as her figure began to blur and fade.


    Li Xiaofei casually blew on his middle finger and said, "I am... your worst nightmare." S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Anger suddenly flared in Mizutani Hikaru''s eyes.


    The audacity of this Great Xia man!


    But in the next instant, her form disintegrated into a stream of data and vanished.


    Silence. It was still deathly silent, as if a century had passed.


    Boom!


    The livestream erupted like a volcano. In the stands, a hundred thousand spectators leapt from their seats. Strangers embraced each other in abandon. Some men and women, catching each other''s eyes, even started kissing passionately. There were screams, roars, howls...


    All kinds of sounds mixed together. It was like a flood breaking through a gorge, or molten lava bursting through the crust of the earth. In the end, everything turned into a meaningless yet emotionally charged cacophony, radiating from the livestream room throughout the entire Liuhe Base City light-network.


    That word was¡ª


    Awesome!


    After a few minutes of exhilaration, the audience realized something else. The mysterious genius in black had already left. The cheers gradually subsided. The people in the stands looked at each other as they realized they hadn¡¯t managed to find out the hero''s identity.


    Only a member of Liuhe Base City''s high school community, participating in the High School War God League, could pass the default review of the light-network system and issue a challenge in this livestream room. But who exactly was it? There wasn¡¯t a single clue.


    No, that wasn¡¯t entirely true. There was actually a clue.


    ¡°He... he said he was Your Grandpa.¡±


    In the stands, a clever guy suddenly realized, shouting loudly.


    A bearded man next to him wasn''t pleased. ¡°Your Grandpa? Why are you insulting people?¡±


    ¡°No, I mean, he said he was Your Grandpa. He¡¯s Your Grandpa.¡±


    The first guy, blushing, tried to explain.


    Someone nearby caught on and slapped his thigh. ¡°Yes, yes, he''s Your Grandpa. Really, he''s Your Grandpa.¡±


    ¡°Ah, right, he¡¯s Your Grandpa.¡±


    ¡°Really, he¡¯s Your Grandpa.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that, it¡¯s actually Your Grandpa.¡±


    The surrounding crowd also realized, excitedly blurting out the same thing. The bearded man was confused.


    Could it really be that this person was his grandpa?


    ***


    Shocking! A man in black did this to a beautiful girl in the ring!


    Your Grandpa shows up.


    The mysterious Your Grandpa finally reveals his true face.


    We won.


    Arrogant Jiepeng defeated by Your Grandpa.


    Your Grandpa will always be Your Grandpa.


    Eye-catching headlines and posts spread like wildfire across the light-network forums. One post, titled Your Grandpa, Our Hero, became the most popular. The video''s creator, known as Little White Dragon in the Waves, was a professional video editor and a new streamer.


    He first edited clips of Mizutani Hikaru¡¯s twenty-one consecutive victories in the livestream, showing her trampling over Great Xia¡¯s high school students. The music was somber, exuding a sense of depression and frustration.


    "Great Xia has no one."


    "Great Xia''s martial lineage is vulnerable."


    "Sick men of Great Xia."


    These condescending words from Mizutani Hikaru were heavily edited and replayed. Each word felt like a sharp, cold knife stabbing into the hearts of the viewers, pushing their emotions to the peak.


    In the next moment, Your Grandpa appeared.


    "Great Xia is a nation of etiquette."


    "A guest should be treated with respect; I will let you have three moves."


    "Watch me defeat you with one move."


    These stirring lines were already enough to ignite passion. When it was edited in with the final moments¡ªYour Grandpa''s graceful, dragon-like movements in slow motion, and his effortless strike shattering Mizutani Hikaru''s throat¡ªthe video set everyone''s emotions ablaze.


    What is a hero? This is. A brief, stunning appearance that turns the tide.


    Everyone who watched the video felt their blood boil, wanting to shout to the heavens. At the end of the video, Little White Dragon in the Waves concluded with a calm and soothing message.


    "This is our hero, Your Grandpa. A figure who appeared when we needed him the most, reminding us of the strength and pride of Great Xia. Let us remember this moment, not just for the victory, but for the spirit that lies within us all."


    He said¡ª


    "I don''t know the true identity of Your Grandpa. Nor have I ever had any contact with him. I once suspected him of cheating in the trials... I even harbored secret jealousy, and hatred towards his achievements on the ranking points leaderboard. Much like some conceited high school students, I maliciously hoped he would soon fall from the top and blend in with the masses."


    "But after this battle, I have become his ardent supporter. Not because of his formidable strength. Not because of the overwhelming praise he has received. But because he stood up without hesitation when Liuhe Base City''s high school community needed him the most."


    "Finally, I also want to extend applause and respect to Zhang Chao, Dragonheart, and the other twenty-one students. In the arena, there will always be winners and losers, but what is indisputable is the fighting spirit of a warrior and the courage to defend the honor of our compatriots."


    "I have no doubt that if the city walls were to break and star beasts invaded, they would transform into the bravest warriors and fight to the death to protect this city! Salute to the warriors!"


    These words, though plain, carried a fervor that was profoundly moving.


    The video spread wildly and eventually went viral. Major forums, video sites, and even official tv stations shared it. In the end, many prominent streamers played the full video during their broadcasts, expressing their respect for Your Grandpa, the twenty-one fighters, and the video creator, Little White Dragon in the Waves.


    Public opinion quickly shifted regarding Zhang Chao, Dragonheart, and the other defeated fighters. Initially, they were seen as a disgrace for losing to Mizutani Hikaru. Now, everyone praised their courage in standing up to a formidable opponent.


    The change left Zhang Chao, Dragonheart, and the others bewildered. They had expected to be targets of public criticism but instead found themselves hailed as heroes. The transformation bolstered their warrior spirit.


    Of course, the burning question on everyone''s mind now was¡ª


    Who exactly is Your Grandpa?

 Chapter 56: I Want To Join Red Flag High School

    Chapter 56: I Want To Join Red Flag High School In the wake of the explosive popularity, netizens transformed into detectives.


    Some analyzed Your Grandpa based on his attire. Others scrutinized his accent and examined his physique. Of course, the most reliable method was to analyze his martial arts techniques. But despite numerous analyses, no one could come up with a definitive answer. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    None of the well-known high school geniuses had a combat style or martial arts lineage that matched what Your Grandpa displayed in battle. The only certainty was that Your Grandpa was undoubtedly a practitioner of ancient martial arts¡ªa successor of the Great Xia martial lineage.


    Many elders and enthusiasts of ancient martial arts were overjoyed. For years, more and more high school students had chosen new martial arts, and more schools had begun teaching these new methods. The once-glorious Great Xia martial lineage had seen fewer practitioners and was facing the looming threat of a broken heritage.


    A simple example highlighted this issue. In last year''s High School War God League, only three of the top thirty students in the individual battles were ancient martial artists, and they had all ranked near the bottom. The new martial arts had dominated the top ranks of the league for fifteen consecutive years. This was a worrying trend.


    If this continued, in another thirty or fifty years, wouldn''t everyone only know the new martial arts and forget the Great Xia martial lineage? Many people hoped that Your Grandpa''s sudden rise could show young students the allure of ancient martial arts and inspire them to inherit the legacy of the Saints. The Great Xia martial lineage was truly timeless.


    Your Grandpa quickly became a sensation as various forces promoted him. In stark contrast, Red Flag High School, often seen as a negative example, was inevitably dragged into the spotlight for criticism once again.


    Red Flag High School, get out of Liuhe.


    This underperforming high school rose to the top of the trending searches once again. The students of Red Flag High School were furious. They knew what was going on. Senior Yan Chiyu''s injuries had not fully healed, which prevented her from engaging in intense combat. If she had fought out of a sense of rivalry, her injuries might have worsened, delaying her return and affecting more matches in the High School War God League.


    Even the janitors at Red Flag High School knew that Yan Chiyu''s biggest hope this year was to secure a good ranking for the school in the upcoming league, regardless of the cost. So, she had to endure. She would wait until her injuries were fully healed and then make a strong comeback.


    Many students took to the internet to defend Yan Chiyu. Some even provided proof of her injuries but it was all in vain. How many students were there in Red Flag High School? How could they compete with hundreds of thousands of netizens? Even if they stopped eating, drinking, sleeping, and attending classes to post rebuttals every second of the day, it was meaningless. They were quickly drowned out by the overwhelming criticism.


    "Aren''t you supposed to be cultivating?" asked Yan Chiyu, appearing in front of everyone. Her expression was very calm, as if nothing had happened. Everyone looked at her, their faces filled with concern.


    "Keep a clear mind, and the sky falling won''t faze you," Yan Chiyu said calmly. "Cultivating ancient martial arts primarily requires a stable mind."


    Her gaze was stern as she pinned everyone with a reprimanding look. "If you can''t handle this little disturbance, how will you withstand the daily grind and challenges on the path of martial arts?"


    She commanded great respect among the students. They all hung their heads in shame.


    "Go and cultivate," Yan Chiyu said calmly. "Prove everything with your strength."


    So, everyone returned to their classrooms and redoubled their efforts in cultivation.


    In the distance, Principal Chen Fei and Grandpa Qin watched the scene unfold, smiles spreading across their faces. They were delighted. Yan Chiyu was undoubtedly a genius. Whether in dealing with people or in cultivation talent, she was among the top tier in Liuhe Base City. Having such a student was an honor for Red Flag High School and a source of pride for its teachers.


    These days, Chen Fei and Grandpa Qin often shared secret smiles. They had brought a boy from the slums, who turned out to be a genius among geniuses. Now, everyone outside was praising Your Grandpa while criticizing Red Flag High School. If the news got out that Your Grandpa was a student of Red Flag High School, the thought of shock on everyone''s faces alone was amusing.


    However, they knew this was a time to be discreet. Li Xiaofei''s challenge to Mizutani Hikaru had clearly been to defend Red Flag High School''s honor. Since he hadn''t revealed his identity, Chen Fei and Grandpa Qin naturally wouldn''t expose it themselves. They eagerly anticipated the day when the truth would come out and wondered how many people would be mortified.


    What a moment that would be!


    ***


    In the city, at the state guesthouse, in the foreign guests'' building.


    "So, the light-network super account of that monster is called Your Grandpa." A busty, black-haired girl said as she set down her portable light core. Her white teeth bit into her plump, red lips in frustration. She was Mizutani Hikaru. That was her appearance in real life.


    Next to her stood a tall, heroic, and elegant girl who said calmly, "Geniuses always have some strange hobbies. Your defeat this time was not undeserved. I reviewed the match ten times, and the more I analyzed it, the more terrifying this person seemed. Even I cannot guarantee victory in a match."


    The girl that spoke was Tsukiha Yaiba, currently ranked second on the ranking points leaderboard and even stronger than Mizutani Hikaru.


    "No way?" Mizutani Hikaru exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise. Tsukiha Yaiba was one of the top 100 high school students in the Jiepeng Empire. She had achieved the rank without undergoing new martial arts surgery, which made her incredibly impressive.


    Top prestigious schools across the empire were eager to recruit her, offering extremely generous conditions such as full scholarships, SS-grade cultivation resources, the choice of esteemed mentors, and the use of expensive individual cultivation pods. Any request she had could be met. She was the absolute superstar among high school students.


    However, despite the enthusiastic recruitment efforts, Tsukiha Yaiba ignored them all. For some unknown reason, she was most interested in the Great Xia martial lineage. That was why she had joined the Sanshang Group''s medical exchange team and braved the perilous sea journey to the Great Xia Republic. She had been eager to compete with the geniuses of Great Xia martial arts.


    Mizutani Hikaru was a huge fan of Tsukiha Yaiba. She believed her idol could easily dominate the high school scene in Liuhe Base City. But to her surprise, they encountered a formidable opponent soon after arriving.


    "The imperial media said that the Great Xia martial lineage had declined and was no longer as glorious as it once was. How is it that we''ve already encountered someone even you can''t defeat in just two days? Is this the true face of Great Xia?" said Mizutani Hikaru as her large eyes filled with surprise.


    A bead of sweat appeared on Tsukiha Yaiba''s forehead. "Idiot," she retorted, "I just said I''m not confident of guaranteeing victory."


    "Not being able to guarantee victory means there''s a chance of losing," Mizutani Hikaru argued convincingly.


    Tsukiha Yaiba was speechless.


    Just then¡ª


    There was a knock on the door.


    "Come in."


    The door opened, and an elderly man with silver hair walked in.


    "Mr. Kuramaki."


    The two girls stood up and respectfully greeted him. Kuramaki Kazuki, the deputy head of the medical exchange team, was also a senior figure in the Sanshang Group, one of the empire''s top ten financial conglomerates. Known for his diligence and tact, he always had a friendly, smiling demeanor.


    "Young ladies, your request to attend a high school in Great Xia has been arranged," Kuramaki Kazuki said kindly, bowing and handing over a paper list with both hands. "You can choose from any of the high schools listed here."


    Tsukiha Yaiba took the list and glanced through it. They were all top high schools in Liuhe Base City, and they could enroll at any time.


    "Why isn''t Red Flag High School on the list?" she asked.


    Kuramaki Kazuki''s smile froze. "Miss Tsukiha, you want to attend Red Flag High School?" He asked, astonished.

 Chapter 57: Carry

    Chapter 57: Carry Tsukiha Yaiba nodded and said, "If possible, I would like to choose Red Flag High School."


    She remembered that stunning short-hared girl. Although the girl had refused her challenge at the opening ceremony of the High School War God League, Tsukiha Yaiba clearly felt that the girl named Yan Chiyu was incredibly powerful and was a worthy opponent for her.


    "Sis, Red Flag High School seems to be getting scolded because of us," Mizutani Hikaru hesitated. "I looked into that school. It''s very weak and always at the bottom of the rankings. It''s even rumored that the Great Xia Education Department is about to revoke its status. It doesn''t match your caliber at all."


    Tsukiha Yaiba replied calmly, "That''s because I haven''t joined."


    "Eh?" Mizutani Hikaru seemed to understand. "Sis, are you planning to elevate Red Flag High School?"


    "Won¡¯t it be fun?" Tsukiha Yaiba smiled. "Doesn''t turning a bottom-ranked, dilapidated high school into the dominant force in Liuhe Base City sound like an interesting game?"


    Mizutani Hikaru immediately jumped up. "Fun, fun! This will really highlight your talent as one of the top hundred geniuses in the Jiepeng Empire."


    Her enthusiastic jumping caused quite a bit of turbulence in her chest. Tsukiha Yaiba glanced at her, then looked down at her own...


    A smaller size is actually fine. At least it wouldn¡¯t be a hindrance during combat.


    ¡°I understand,¡± Kuramaki Kazuki smiled confidently. ¡°Miss Tsukiha, your idea is very interesting. I will send someone to contact Red Flag High School. Given the right approach, I am sure they will not refuse someone of your caliber.¡±


    One day later.


    ¡°Apologies, Miss Tsukiha. Red Flag High School has rejected your enrollment application and refused any further communication,¡± Kuramaki Kazuki said awkwardly, feeling embarrassed. He had been rebuffed.


    ¡°No need to blame yourself, Mr. Kuramaki,¡± Tsukiha Yaiba said calmly. ¡°This is understandable. Currently, the atmosphere between our empire and the Great Xia Republic is quite tense. Many people in Great Xia refuse to acknowledge their own shortcomings. They envy and resent the prosperity of our empire, and thus harbor hostility towards us. It¡¯s really short-sighted.¡±


    The busty Mizutani Hikaru chimed in, ¡°Yes, Great Xia people are really unfriendly.¡±


    Kuramaki Kazuki added, ¡°However, I have contacted the second-to-last ranked school, Quanye High School, which also follows the ancient martial arts style. After negotiating some terms, they are willing to accept your application and even offer two spots on their school battle team.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s proceed with that,¡± Tsukiha Yaiba said, nodding in satisfaction. Quanye High School was also a good choice. She would just crush Red Flag High School into the dust.


    ¡°By the way, Mr. Kuramaki, have you found out the true identity of Your Grandpa?¡± Mizutani Hikaru asked expectantly.


    Kuramaki Kazuki shook his head and replied, ¡°Since this student triggered a hidden level, he caught the attention of some members of the Star Council, and his confidentiality level has been increased. It¡¯s impossible to find out through the light-network. We¡¯ll have to investigate slowly in real life.¡±


    ¡°That makes it difficult,¡± Mizutani Hikaru said, a bit disappointed.


    Kuramaki Kazuki smiled and said, ¡°There¡¯s an old saying in Great Xia, talent, like pregnancy, will eventually show. This high school student¡¯s strength is too extraordinary; it will become apparent sooner or later.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll leave it to you, Mr. Kuramaki,¡± Tsukiha Yaiba said. ¡°This person is qualified to be my retainer. I might consider recruiting him.¡±


    ***


    Time passed, and the official start of the High School War God League drew ever closer. Li Xiaofei was cultivating the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique in the Secret Time Pavilion with every precious moment.


    Golden mist swirled around him like a nebula. He had consumed and refined all the fourth-generation high-purity Starforce Reagents he had purchased online. The effects were truly remarkable. At this moment, the ninth vortex in his dantian was nearly full, bringing him to the peak of the ninth stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    He had also mastered several techniques such as the Great Strength Vajra Fist, Graceful Step of the Waves, Three Steps Cicada Catch, and the Gale Sword Technique. He aso hadn¡¯t neglected his ranking on the leaderboard as he continued to grind his way through the trials.


    Currently, he had accumulated an astonishing 45,000 points and was firmly suppressing every other genius and prodigy. His competitors were being driven into deep despair. Everything was set to optimal condition.


    On this day, the weather was beautiful with clear skies and bright sunshine. Season 251 of the High School War God League in the Great Xia Republic had finally begun.


    Each base city was a separate competition zone, with Liuhe Base City being one such zone. There were a total of thirty-two high schools, and the competition followed a home-and-away double match system. The Education Department''s contracted tv stations, video websites, and live streaming platforms would broadcast every match in real time throughout the long league season. Participating schools would then receive a certain percentage of the broadcasting revenue.


    Moreover, each match offered various fixed team and individual victory rewards. This was one of the primary sources of teaching resources for the high schools and the reason they were so dedicated to the War God League.


    Red Flag High School''s first-round opponent was Qingye High School. Last year, Qingye had ranked twenty-first overall in the league. While not a top-tier team, they were still ranked significantly higher than Red Flag High School, making them a formidable opponent. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At two o''clock in the afternoon, the signal for the start of the match sounded.


    Beep, Beep, Beep!


    A green bus carrying Qingye High School''s battle team slowly drove into the Red Flag High School campus. Chen Fei, along with some teachers and student representatives, came out to greet them.


    "Oh, old Chen, you¡¯re still kicking, huh?" Wei Dayong, the principal of Qingye High School, greeted Chen Fei with an exaggerated smile. He had a history with Chen Fei and wasted no time in taunting him. "I heard your school has been in some big trouble recently?"


    Chen Fei responded calmly, "Just a minor issue."


    "Haha, almost losing your accreditation is just a minor issue?" Wei Dayong mocked mercilessly. "I think you should stop misleading these kids and shut down this broken school. Come join us at Qingye High School. We could use a janitor for the men''s restroom."


    "Your school¡¯s men''s restroom probably doesn''t need cleaning," Chen Fei countered without hesitation. "With your foul mouth, you could clean it all by yourself."


    Wei Dayong''s smile froze and said, "Just don¡¯t come crying after you lose."


    Chen Fei sneered, "I¡¯m just worried that our kids might not know their own strength and end up making your little pups cry."


    "Hahahaha," Wei Dayong laughed as if he had heard the funniest joke. "You¡¯re still living in the past and dreaming away."


    At that moment, other members of Qingye High School began to step off the bus. Among them was a tall, thin, fair-skinned boy with an air of arrogance.


    "What bad luck." He sneered. "I can''t believe our first match in the league is against such a trashy school. It''s a complete waste of time."


    "This match is a foregone conclusion, just a formality."


    "There''s nothing to be proud of in winning this."


    "Just think of it as a game."


    The other students laughed and joked, treating the event as if they were on a leisurely trip rather than competing in a league match. They didn¡¯t regard Red Flag High School as a serious opponent at all, which infuriated the teachers and student representatives of Red Flag High School.


    Wang Yuting, a substitute on the school team, couldn''t help but retort, "We will defeat you today."


    "Huh? Hahaha." The Qingye High School team members burst into laughter, their voices filled with disdain and mockery.


    The students from Red Flag High School clenched their fists tightly. Being mocked in their own school was a bitter humiliation. Each one felt a burning anger inside.

 Chapter 58: Little White Dragon In The Waves

    Chapter 58: Little White Dragon In The Waves The Qingye High School team was directed to the guest locker room to prepare. Meanwhile, the Red Flag High School battle team was also making their final pre-match preparations. The opening match was crucial, and both teams were eager to secure a victory to start the league on a high note. The atmosphere on campus grew increasingly tense.


    ***


    Beep, Beep, Beep.


    A dilapidated blue van stopped at the gate of Red Flag High School. A fair-skinned young man stepped out. He was the creator of the viral Your Grandpa video and a contracted streamer for the Longya Live Streaming platform.


    Longya Live Stream was a national live streaming platform and a strategic partner of the Liuhe Base City Education Department. The Longya Group had spent a fortune acquiring the broadcasting rights for the league matches. However, only the matches between top-tier high schools received priority coverage and the best streaming resources. Matches involving weaker teams like Red Flag High School had low viewership and little commercial value, so Longya often assigned these matches to their contracted junior streamers for practice.


    Little White Dragon in the Waves was one such junior streamer. He had just entered the industry and had barely secured a contract with Longya, thanks to the viral Your Grandpa video. He was a newbie among newbies.


    "I will become a nationwide superstar streamer," Little White Dragon in the Waves shouted passionately at the school gate.


    His sweet assistant in black stockings echoed with a spirited chest bump, "Nationwide superstar!"


    But just a second after making their bold declaration, the assistant''s demeanor shifted as she slumped, looking pitiful. "Boss, but we can''t even afford food right now... I''m hungry."


    Little White Dragon in the Waves immediately deflated.


    The profit from the viral video did bring in some money, but he spent it all on a sixth-hand van, a complete set of third-hand streaming equipment, hired an assistant, and bought two sets of hosting attire. Not only did he spend all his earnings, but he also ended up owing the bank 30,000 star coins. They didn¡¯t even have money for food. The assistant had only been with Little White Dragon in the Waves for three days but she had already missed nine meals.


    He comforted his teary-eyed assistant, "It''s okay, just hang in there a bit longer. Red Flag High School should have a reception meal for us."


    "Reception meal?" The assistant''s eyes lit up, and she couldn''t help but drool a little.


    Shen Yan, Little White Dragon in the Waves, spoke earnestly, "Little You, our career is just starting. Things will get better. The darkness before dawn is the hardest, but we must stay strong."


    The assistant nodded repeatedly.


    "Come, shout with me. Strong, strong, strong..." Shen Yan raised his arm and shouted.


    The assistant, pumped up, echoed, "Strong, strong... strong strong strong..."


    "What are you barking about?" A grumpy old man stormed furiously out of the guardhouse. "I''ve tolerated you long enough."


    Shen Yan and his assistant were shocked and did not know what to say. After some explanation, the small-time streamer, Little White Dragon in the Waves, Shen Yan and his assistant in black stockings were finally allowed into Red Flag High School. They even managed to get a reception meal.


    When he saw the two of them devour their food like starving wolves, Grandpa Qin couldn''t help but wonder.


    Do streamers really live such miserable lives nowadays? Are these two really the designated match streamers assigned by the Education Department and Longya Group? Can they be frauds?


    Fortunately, the two immediately went to the Red Flag High School sports hall after their meal, unloading various broadcasting equipment from their van and efficiently setting it up. Their professionalism finally reassured Grandpa Qin. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Soon after, Shen Yan received the lineup for both teams from the event organizers. He quickly started his livestream to build up excitement before the match.


    "Hello, everyone, welcome to Little White Dragon in the Waves livestream. Today, we will be broadcasting the first round of the High School War God League, featuring a match between Red Flag High School and Qingye High School..."


    There were only about three to four hundred viewers in the livestream room. Shen Yan''s heart sank at the low attendance. Despite the low turnout, Shen Yan remained dedicated, interacting enthusiastically with the viewers alongside his cute assistant, hoping her black stockings might draw in some viewers. After all, there''s never a shortage of LSP [1] in this world.


    "Viewers, we have the lineup for both teams," Shen Yan announced.


    "The visiting team, Qingye High School, has five main players. The main fighter Gao Shen, Lu Zhen, medic Shen Qingqing, beastmaster He Ye, and weapons specialist Zhou Peng. This is the same lineup as last year..."


    "That''s right. According to the information Little You gathered, Qingye High School ranked twenty-first overall in last year''s league, eleven places higher than Red Flag High School." Notably, their main fighter and captain, Gao Shen, is already at the ninth stage of the Qi Refining Realm and is nicknamed Swift Blade. His performances in the S249 and S250 seasons were quite impressive, making him one of the star players. In contrast, Red Flag High School has had a streak of bad luck recently."


    "Oh? Boss, are you referring to the cowardice incident at the opening ceremony?" asked his assistant.


    Shen Yen replied, "Yes, when faced with the Jie Peng students'' provocation, they didn''t dare to fight back, shaming Great Xia''s martial artists and becoming the target of everyone''s scorn. To make matters worse, their key player, Yan Chiyu, has been sidelined due to an injury sustained half a month ago."


    "Yan Chiyu is the heart and soul of Red Flag High School''s battle team and their only star player. Her absence casts a shadow over Red Flag High School''s prospects in the league. Red Flag High School''s starting lineup includes main fighters Fang Buyi and Li Xiaofei, medic Ren Dong, beastmaster Liu Xiao, and weapons specialist Bai Longfei..."


    "Li Xiaofei is a new name. It seems he is Yan Chiyu''s replacement. Using a newcomer to replace the team soul? That''s a puzzling move."


    "According to the information, Li Xiaofei is nicknamed Fist King at Red Flag High School. He recently defeated Zhou Yiyou, a substitute for Qishen Academy''s battle team. He might be the strongest player Red Flag High School has to offer," said Little You.


    "Huh? How do you know so much, Little You?" asked Shen Yen.


    "Following you around, boss, and starving nine times in three days... I have to make an effort somehow, right?" replied Little You.


    The banter and detailed commentary aimed to engage the audience and make the pre-match buildup more interesting, despite the initial low viewership. The banter between Shen Yan and his assistant was akin to a comedy duo, with one teasing and the other responding. This lively interaction gradually drew more viewers into the livestream.


    Moreover, the assistant''s looks were genuinely appealing. Her sweet, baby-faced charm, combined with her long, sexy legs in black stockings and a curvaceous figure, attracted a lot of fans. The atmosphere was slowly but surely building up.


    As the countdown continued, it finally reached the moment for the teams to appear. The broadcast temporarily switched from the virtual livestream room to the real-world event at Red Flag High School''s sports hall. The camera showed the players and coaches from both teams in their respective seating areas.


    The teachers and students from Red Flag High School were in the higher stands, along with the student representatives from Qingye High School, to cheer on their team.


    According to tradition, the competition was divided into individual battles and team battles. The individual mode consisted of five best of one matches, and the team mode had three matches, adopting a best-of-three format, where the team that won two out of three matches would be victorious.


    The individual battles were up first, featuring 1v1 matches between the main fighters, beastmasters, medics, and weapons specialists from each side. Under the supervision of impartial officials from the Education Department, professional technicians conducted the final checks and adjustments on the light core mainframe to ensure there were no oversights or possibilities for cheating. The competition officially began.


    Shen Yan, now with a slightly larger audience, provided live commentary. "Ladies and gentlemen, the individual battles are about to commence. We are moments away from witnessing the skill and strategy of these young warriors. Stay tuned!"


    1. aka Lustful Staring People ?

 Chapter 59: First Match Of The League

    Chapter 59: First Match Of The League In the southern preparation area of the arena, which belonged to the home team Red Flag High School, Principal Chen Fei was giving the final pep talk before the match.


    ¡°The first match is the individual battle for the main fighter position,¡± said Principal Chen Fei, his usually playful eyes uncharacteristically serious. ¡°This season is our last chance, and this match is our opening game in Season 251. We must secure a victory, no mistakes allowed, so...¡±


    His eyes shifted between Li Xiaofei and Fang Buyi, weighing his options. The other substitute, Zhuge Long, was completely overlooked. Zhuge Long, however, took it in stride, knowing that he still needed more training to be ready.


    ¡°Principal, let me take this one,¡± Fang Buyi volunteered at the critical moment, stepping forward to shoulder the responsibility. ¡°The first match is indeed crucial and should be handled by someone with experience.¡±


    But Chen Fei hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. ¡°This time, Li Xiaofei will take the first match.¡±


    He made an unexpected decision. Fang Buyi was stunned, and surprise was evident on everyone else¡¯s faces as well. While it was true that Li Xiaofei, known as the Fist King, had defeated Zhou Yiyou, it was still an unusual choice.


    ¡°Principal, are you sure?¡± Fang Buyi asked, still in disbelief.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure,¡± replied Chen Fei, confirming his decision. ¡°Li Xiaofei, you¡¯re up. Show them what you¡¯ve got.¡±


    Li Xiaofei, who had only reached the seventh stage of the Qi Refining Realm, lacked experience in league battles, and hadn¡¯t even seemed particularly keen on ranking up in the trials recently. His ranking points had not even made it into the top hundred. Could he handle it?


    Chen Fei''s decision to have him lead seemed questionable to many.


    Only Yan Chiyu remained calm. Despite her unexplained animosity towards Li Xiaofei, her instincts told her that this freshman had what it took. The principal¡¯s choice surely had a special reason behind it.


    Fang Buyi hesitated for a moment and looked at Li Xiaofei. Finally, he smacked Li Xiaofei on the shoulder and said, ¡°Go for it. The first battle is yours. Show them the spirit of Red Flag High School.¡±


    Since the principal had made his decision, as the interim captain, Fang Buyi knew that the best course of action was to support his teammate rather than question the choice.


    ¡°Go for it.¡±


    ¡°Good luck, Brother Xiaofei!¡± cheered the big-headed loli Ren Dong and the shy Bai Qiqi.


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t let us good-looking people down,¡± Bai Longfei added with heartfelt seriousness.


    The other team members also cheered on Li Xiaofei, filling him with a warm sense of camaraderie.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± said the slum king, taking the match key and striding confidently toward the light core mainframe. ¡°I will win this battle.¡±


    His declaration prompted a wave of mocking laughter from the waiting area of Qingye High School.


    ***


    In the livestream room.


    "Dear viewers, the countdown to the first individual match has begun. Both contestants have entered the light core mainframe pods and are undergoing pre-match data scans and adjustments."


    "Red Flag High School''s first contestant is the newcomer Li Xiaofei. According to what we know, this player is at the seventh stage of the Qi Refining Realm, with outstanding martial techniques in fist fighting, earning him the title of Fist King. On the other hand, Qingye High School''s first contestant is their captain and star player, Gao Shen, also known as Swift Blade, at the ninth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. As the countdown progresses, the final betting results are in. 97 percent of viewers believe Gao Shen will win... It seems the outcome of this match is already decided."


    "The biggest question now is how many moves Li Xiaofei can withstand against Gao Shen. I''m starting to feel a bit sorry for this Red Flag High School rookie. It seems Red Flag High School is essentially conceding the first match. Oh? Could this be an ancient strategy akin to Tian Ji''s Horse Racing?[1]"


    Streamer Shen Yan and his assistant were well-prepared, diving right into the match with bold predictions and enthusiastically guiding and stirring the viewers'' emotions.


    ***


    A dilapidated modern cityscape unfolded in the light-network world. The wind howled violently, stirring up clouds of dust. Collapsed buildings, abandoned buses, and the rustling of plastic bags and torn newspapers filled the scene...


    Li Xiaofei''s figure appeared in a beam of light as he was deposited in a derelict parking lot filled with wrecked cars. The light-network system was incredibly powerful, scanning every aspect of the contestants'' data to generate the most accurate real-time parameters, creating a virtual environment and avatar that matched the real-life participant perfectly. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei''s appearance, cultivation level, and actual combat strength were indistinguishable from reality. He curiously observed his surroundings. It was just like the ranking trials. Everything felt incredibly real, like a completely authentic world.


    Whoosh!


    A sudden movement caught his attention. A beam of light descended from the sky, and Gao Shen, with a Yanling long sword at his waist, appeared before him. The two stood thirty meters apart, locking eyes. The scene immediately drew the attention of countless viewers in the livestream.


    Streamer Shen Yan seized the opportunity to analyze, saying, "The system randomly selected the Ruined City map this time. This steel jungle environment is very favorable for speed and agility-focused players. As far as I know, Gao Shen from Qingye High School is precisely that type of player."


    The sweet assistant in black stockings added, "Conversely, Li Xiaofei from Red Flag High School excels in martial arts techniques with wide, powerful moves. This type of environment is very disadvantageous for him."


    Both reached the same conclusion¡ª


    Li Xiaofei was in danger.


    ***


    On the battlefield.


    "Kid, just surrender," Gao Shen said first, his tone indifferent. "I can give you a dignified exit."


    Li Xiaofei shook his head and replied, "Let''s let our skills do the talking."


    Gao Shen suddenly erupted in inexplicable rage, cursing, "Ungrateful wretch! You really are trash picked from the garbage heap by Chen Fei, completely ungrateful."


    "If I remember correctly..." Li Xiaofei tilted his head. "This is the War God League match site, not a place for street brawls. Please watch your mouth. Respecting your opponent is also respecting yourself."


    "Respect? Haha, do you deserve it?" Gao Shen threw his head back in a laugh and sneered, "You filthy Red Flag High School trash have shamed all Liuhe Base City high school students. You deserve to be trampled into the ground."


    Li Xiaofei was furious. All participants were professional students, and the league should be conducted with professionalism. There should be limits to trash talk. Starting with direct personal attacks was highly unprofessional.


    Since that''s the case... Then I''ll send you on your way early.


    Li Xiaofei stopped talking. He channeled his starforce qi and charged toward his opponent. To avoid revealing his Your Grandpa alias too early, Li Xiaofei refrained from using Graceful Step of the Waves.


    Opposite him, Gao Shen''s face twisted into a mocking sneer.


    This seventh stage loser who¡¯s been discarded by Red Flag High School as an inferior choice dares to charge at me? How foolish!


    Gao Shen stood his ground, with his long sword at his waist. He channeled his starforce qi, and a dark red glow enveloped his body. The energy of the ninth stage coursed through him, activating the four Inscribed Treasure Bones of the Windwing Sparrow embedded in his shoulders and ribs. This produced a nebula-like phenomenon, and the faint image of a giant red sparrow appeared behind him.


    The Windwing Sparrow, a Grade One star beast, was known for its speed. When its Inscribed Treasure Bones were implanted, they not only greatly increased the martial artist''s speed but also allowed them to fly for short distances.


    Thirty meters... Twenty meters... Fifteen meters...


    The distance between them rapidly closed. Gao Shen''s smile grew wider. He gripped the hilt of his sword in a reverse hold.


    As a recipient of the Windwing Sparrow Inscribed Treasure Bone, Gao Shen had an exceptional mastery of distance and speed. He had already devised his battle plan in his mind. Once Li Xiaofei got within eight meters, Gao Shen would unleash his Swift Blade at maximum speed and decapitate him.


    In the face of absolute speed, all martial techniques and maneuvers were meaningless.


    Twelve meters... Ten meters... Nine meters...


    Gao Shen''s eyes turned cold as he prepared to draw his sword. But just then, an unexpected situation occurred.


    1. Tian Ji¡¯s Horse Racing is a story in one of the greatest Chinese literatures Records of the Grand Historian. ?

 Chapter 60: This Man Is Incredibly Fast

    Chapter 60: This Man Is Incredibly Fast Out of nowhere, Li Xiaofei''s speed suddenly and inexplicably surged. He unleashed the true legacy of the Great Xia martial lineage as the Three Steps Cicada Catch reappeared in the mortal world.


    In the past, Wu Potian, despite being at an absolute disadvantage, had used this very technique¡¯s sudden burst of speed to defeat the arrogant Dugu Que during the Martial God Arena battles in the slums. Now, Li Xiaofei''s cultivation was several stages higher than Wu Potian''s. Once he executed this true legacy of ancient martial footwork, his speed almost surpassed human reaction limits.


    Whoosh.


    In three swift steps, Li Xiaofei''s figure transformed into a streak of light.


    "What?" Gao Shen was astonished. Li Xiaofei''s sudden acceleration had disrupted his battle plan.


    Boom!


    Li Xiaofei closed the distance in an instant; the unexpected burst of speed threw Gao Shen off balance and shattered his carefully laid plans.


    Li Xiaofei launched his fist, using the Great Strength Vajra Fist.


    Vajra Thunderous Strike!


    A pale golden fist light burst through the air like a dragon''s roar. Gao Shen had no time to retreat. There was no way to dodge. He was left with only one option¡ª To take the hit head-on. But he wasn¡¯t worried.


    Speed? So what? I am a true ninth stage warrior, two stages higher than this Red Flag High School trash. How can his punch harm me...


    BOOM!


    The impact was immediate and forceful. Gao Shen had been brimming with confidence until he felt the devastating power of Li Xiaofei''s punch.


    It was like a blood-colored firework had just exploded as Gao Shen vanished. The battle was over. Everything happened in the blink of an eye. No one, inside or outside the livestream, had the time to react.


    ¡°What... what just happened?¡± Host Shen Yan was so shocked that his jaw almost dropped.


    The assistant, looking both cute and confused, said, ¡°Boss, if my eyes aren¡¯t playing tricks on me and I¡¯m not hallucinating from hunger...Gao Shen seemed to have been one-shotted?¡±


    Both their expressions were extremely exaggerated. The livestream audience was completely bewildered.


    What just happened?


    I just joined, and the battle is over?


    That was too fast.


    Is there a replay?


    ???


    Huge question marks filled the screen as viewers spammed the chat. Even those who had come just for the assistant''s looks were startled by what had occurred on the battlefield.


    The teachers and students from both schools were equally stunned.


    ¡°Holy shit...¡± Fang Buyi, who always prided himself on his composed demeanor, couldn¡¯t help but curse.


    ¡°Oh my gosh, did we just...win?¡± Big-headed loli Ren Dong blinked, trying to find answers in the expressions of those around her.


    ¡°W-w-we... w-won... we really, really won,¡± Bai Qiqi stuttered, her excitement amplifying her speech impediment.


    ¡°My goodness, I thought his looks being on par with mine was already a miracle, but his strength matches mine too... Indeed, we handsome people are heaven¡¯s favorites,¡± Bai Longfei muttered, not missing a chance to praise himself.


    It was unbelievably fast. If you ignored the time spent on trash talk, the actual battle from the moment Li Xiaofei charged to the end lasted only seven seconds. The fight was over in under seven seconds. The man was just that fast.


    ¡°Fist King! Fist King! Fist King!¡±


    The stands erupted as Red Flag High School¡¯s teachers and students cheered wildly. They chanted Li Xiaofei''s nickname in unison. The roaring waves of sound were like a torrential flood, almost lifting the roof off the venue.


    On the other side, the teachers and students of Qingye High School were all shocked. Their faces were pale and their expressions grim, as they stared in speechless disbelief.


    That was Gao Shen. Gao Shen, the top expert of their school team. The unfathomable Gao Shen. And yet, he didn¡¯t even last seven seconds.


    Qingye High School''s second main fighter, Lu Zhen, instinctively glanced at the substitute fighter, Yue Ning, beside him. Their eyes met, and both shivered with dread. If they had been the ones facing Li Xiaofei, they doubted they could even last three seconds, let alone seven.


    "Where did Red Flag High School find such a monster?"


    "He blew Senior Gao Shen away with just a single punch."


    "So this is the guy replacing Yan Chiyu?"


    "What kind of martial technique was that?"


    The members of Qingye High School¡¯s team whispered among themselves, unable to contain their fear and astonishment.


    Principal Wei Dayong was utterly unable to accept the outcome. Everyone wanted to secure a victory in the first match of the league. That was why he had chosen their strongest, Gao Shen. And yet...


    He had thought victory was in his grasp. Who would have expected such a brutal, overpowering defeat? A ruthless, destructive battle.


    When he saw the defeated Gao Shen walk down from the light core mainframe pod, looking utterly dejected, Principal Wei Dayong felt a pang of concern. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Our top genius, could this loss have scarred him psychologically?


    He hurried over.


    "It''s my fault as the principal for not doing my job properly and not gathering accurate information on Li Xiaofei. That''s why you were caught off guard in this battle. Gao Shen, don''t lose heart. In terms of true strength, he¡¯s definitely not your equal."


    Wei Dayong did his best to comfort him.


    "Don''t worry, Principal. I¡¯m not so easily defeated," Gao Shen said with a bitter smile. He just felt like he had overestimated himself. Maybe Red Flag High School wasn''t as weak as he had imagined.


    At the same time, in the livestream, host Shen Yan had already started the post-match interview with the victor, Li Xiaofei, as per tradition.


    "Hello, Li Xiaofei," Shen Yan enthusiastically congratulated him, "Congratulations on winning the match."


    The assistant stood nearby, drooling a little as she gazed at Li Xiaofei, with her thoughts racing.


    Oh my god, he''s so handsome.


    Shen Yan, following protocol, asked, "Can you describe your current feelings in one word?"


    Li Xiaofei replied coolly, "Bored."


    "Uh... if I understand correctly, you''re saying that the battle with Qingye High School''s star player, Gao Shen, was boring for you?" Shen Yan was thrilled.


    He didn¡¯t hesitate to dig deeper, understanding the dynamics of generating viewership. After all, he hadn¡¯t hired a busty, long-legged assistant for nothing. So, he wasn¡¯t going to miss this chance to stir things up for more views.


    "Oh, so his name is Gao Shen?" Li Xiaofei responded nonchalantly.


    Shen Yan''s excitement only grew with the response.


    Yes, that¡¯s the tone. Keep going. Be even more arrogant.


    "Gao Shen is a star player in the league," Shen Yan pressed, "Are you saying you didn''t even remember his name?"


    "He¡¯s not worth remembering," replied Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t hold back in the interview. After all, he had to return Gao Shen¡¯s earlier remarks. President Li had always been one to hold grudges.


    Shen Yan was overjoyed for the third time.


    The flow and the topic¡ªisn''t this exactly what I needed?


    He continued to probe, "Li Xiaofei, you have quite a personality. So, what kind of opponent do you think is worthy of you remembering their name?"


    Li Xiaofei thought seriously for a moment and replied, "At the very least, someone who can survive four of my punches. Unfortunately, I haven''t met one yet. I hope the other star players in the league aren¡¯t just for show."


    The livestream chat exploded with comments that densely filled the screen. Many viewers had never seen such an arrogant student before.


    Idiot, he¡¯s acting up just because he won one match.


    This rookie is too cocky. He won¡¯t last long.


    Pride comes before a fall.


    Gao Shen is just a third-rate star player in the league. The true top-tier star players could crush this Li Xiaofei with one finger!


    Haha, interesting. You don¡¯t see such arrogant young people often.


    Yeah, now I¡¯m suddenly looking forward to the next matches.


    The comments varied widely, but most viewers were highly critical of Li Xiaofei¡¯s arrogance and didn¡¯t hold back their disdain.


    At that moment, the second individual battle began.

 Chapter 61: The Ancient Self Sacrifice Technique

    Chapter 61: The Ancient Self Sacrifice Technique The second match was a duel between medics. There was no surprise in the selection of participants. Red Flag High School sent out their main medic, Ren Dong. Qingye High School''s contestant was also a female student, named Shen Qingqing.


    There was a relatively high proportion of female medics. Both of these contestants were beautiful young women. They each used their match keys to enter the light core virtual battlefield. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The medic profession had its unique characteristics. It didn¡¯t focus on close combat but rather on understanding various mutated plants under starforce radiation. They mastered the properties of different toxins and medicines interacting with each other, allowing them to concoct various potions to heal or poison their opponents. Therefore, a medic''s individual battle differed greatly from that of a main fighter.


    Both parties could choose between a Wen Battle [1] or a Wu Battle [2].


    A Wen Battle involved each medic gathering materials from the virtual battlefield to prepare poisons from different plants. They would then consume the poison made by their opponent and attempt to detoxify it before succumbing to the poison. The first to successfully detoxify themselves would win. If both managed to detoxify themselves, the one who did so first would win. If both succumbed to the poison, the one who died last would win.


    In a Wu Battle, things were more straightforward and direct. Both sides would use the vegetation in the battlefield to create various poisonous weapons and manipulate some toxic plants to set traps. The only victory condition was to kill the opponent.


    Ren Dong and Shen Qingqing chose a Wen Battle.


    In the livestream.


    "Red umbrellas, white stems, after eating we all lie down..."


    Big-headed loli Ren Dong, with a small bamboo basket on her back, skipped and hummed a tune as she moved through the dense forest. She picked some bright red mushrooms, dark gray green plants, and serrated leaves. She also set traps to catch some poisonous insects.


    Finally, she happily sat by a small river and began mashing all these poisonous items together, like pounding garlic, until she had a lump of dark green paste.


    "It¡¯s done," said Ren Dong. Her big eyes turned into crescents as she smiled. She leaned in and sniffed the paste lightly, showing a satisfied expression on her face. Then, she dipped her finger into the paste, bringing it to her mouth to taste it.


    ¡°Ugh!¡±


    Ren Dong''s expression suddenly froze. Foam started coming out of her mouth and nose.


    Thud.


    The big-headed loli convulsed and collapsed backward. Instantly, the livestream erupted.


    WHAT THE HECK?!???


    A barrage of question marks flooded the screen, representing the 3,671 viewers¡¯ collective bewilderment.


    Did she mess up?


    Did she poison herself?


    Even Li Xiaofei, watching from the preparation area, was stunned. Ren Dong was their main medic.


    Can she really be this careless?


    In the livestream, commentators Shen Yan and Little You were momentarily speechless when faced with such an unprecedented situation. They didn¡¯t know what to say. This was just absurd. But in the next moment, something even more absurd happened.


    In the broadcast, what looked like the stiffened body of Ren Dong suddenly sprang up in a perfect kip-up. She grinned mischievously at the camera, and then went back to enthusiastically working on her dark green paste.


    Wait, what?


    A collective WTF feeling washed over everyone watching. They had been pranked. Red Flag High School''s contestants all seemed a bit off. The first one was arrogant, while the second one was playful.


    Where did they find these oddballs?


    About a quarter of an hour later, the two beautiful medics met at the agreed-upon location. Without any unnecessary words, they each took the carefully prepared poison from the other and swallowed it without hesitation.


    The toxins quickly took effect. Ren Dong sat cross-legged, her face twitching as she seemed to channel her energy to resist the poison. Shen Qingqing, on the other hand, displayed a more professional approach. She confidently took out various detoxifying plants she had prepared and began chewing them in large mouthfuls.


    In a short time, she consumed a significant amount of green plants. But as she chewed, Shen Qingqing''s face suddenly froze.


    Thud.


    She collapsed backward, her figure turning into a stream of data light and disappearing from the spot. At that moment, Ren Dong stood up with a mischievous grin and flashed a victory sign at the camera. She had won.


    ¡°Red Flag High School wins the second individual battle. Pre-match predictions heavily favored Qingye High School, but now they have yet to secure a single victory. Unexpectedly, the underdog Red Flag High School has secured two consecutive wins.¡±


    ¡°Many viewers are commenting, saying they didn¡¯t understand how Ren Dong from Red Flag High School won. You see, during the final poisoning phase, she didn¡¯t take any antidote at all, while Shen Qingqing, who seemed well-prepared with plenty of detoxifying herbs, was the first to succumb to the poison. In fact, this is a very rare and ancient Great Xia medical technique. The self-sacrifice technique. Do you remember when Ren Dong tested the poison she made and almost succumbed to it? Everyone thought that was due to her carelessness. But it wasn¡¯t. She was using herself as a test subject for the poison.¡±


    ¡°When she personally experienced the poison''s effects, she added certain non-toxic herbs to develop it into a poison that would actually interact badly with the antidote! So, when Shen Qingqing took the antidote, she fell into a trap, accelerating the poison¡¯s effect. Had she not taken any antidote, she would have lasted longer. As for Ren Dong, the residual toxins from her self-testing helped neutralize part of Shen Qingqing¡¯s poison, allowing her to endure longer. Of course, this kind of extreme method is very dangerous. Students who have not undergone professional training should never attempt it rashly.¡±


    In the livestream, the host, Shen Yan, also known as Little White Dragon in the Waves, quickly provided a professional and detailed explanation, clarifying the audience''s confusion.


    The viewers were impressed.


    Self-sacrifice technique? Is there really such a path for medics?


    The commentator is quite professional.


    He really knows his stuff.


    So that''s how it is. The commentator''s knowledge is very comprehensive.


    The audiences had a collective moment of realization. Li Xiaofei still found it a bit hard to believe. He glanced at Grandpa Qin questioningly. The latter nodded seriously, confirming the explanation.


    Wow. There really is a self-sacrifice technique.


    Li Xiaofei suddenly saw the big-headed loli Ren Dong in a new light. She looked cute and innocent, but she was using some seriously clever tactics.


    The teachers and students of Red Flag High School in the stands erupted in deafening cheers once again, celebrating their hero. Ren Dong returned to a hero''s welcome.


    "Well done."


    "Nicely done."


    Her teammates swarmed her with congratulations. Meanwhile, Qingye High School''s preparation area fell into a cold, icy silence.


    The third round was next, a duel between beastmasters. This was Li Xiaofei''s first time witnessing a beastmaster duel. Red Flag High School''s beastmaster, Liu Xiao, and Qingye High School''s beastmaster, He Ye, entered the light core and were transported to the system''s randomly chosen map, the Disordered Research Facility.


    1. referring to a literary battle ?


    2. referring to a martial battle ?

 Chapter 62: You Really Know How To Flaunt

    Chapter 62: You Really Know How To Flaunt This setting was intriguing. It was an underground research facility that had lost control.


    The facility, that had once been used for various scientific studies on star beasts, had become a deathtrap due to a staff member''s mistake. The star beasts had broken free from their cages, killed all the researchers, and would attack any humans they encountered.


    The duel rules for this map were pre-set. The two contestants needed to stay alive while using the resources available in the research facility to capture the escaped star beasts and lock them back in their cages. The contestant who managed to cage the most star beasts within the allotted time would win.


    This time, Qingye High School''s beastmaster, He Ye, demonstrated superior skills. He Ye managed to cage six star beasts within half an hour, two more than Red Flag High School''s beastmaster, Liu Xiao. Qingye High School finally pulled one back.


    However, the mood in Qingye High School¡¯s preparation area and among their students was far from celebratory. They were still trailing one to two. The situation was not looking good. The fourth match was the duel between the weapons mechanics.


    ¡°Haha, finally it¡¯s my turn,¡± said Bai Longfei, eagerly taking the match key and walking towards the central light core mainframe. As he left, he winked at Li Xiaofei, signaling for President Li to watch closely.


    Li Xiaofei''s interest was piqued. To be honest, after cramming various basic knowledge into his head recently, he finally had some understanding of the role of each profession in the school battle team. But the league matches gave him a new level of insight.


    The previous medic duel and beastmaster duel had left Li Xiaofei feeling like his eyes had been opened to new experiences. He could clearly see that the structure of these matches had deep significance. For over a hundred years, human warriors, whether hunting and clearing nearby areas or going deep into the wilderness to eliminate threats, adopted this five-person team approach according to the guidelines set by the Star Council.


    This kind of small team combat, involving different professions working together, was highly efficient and didn¡¯t trigger beast swarms. Thus, each high school battle team was trained and tested according to this standard.


    As Bai Longfei prepared for his turn, Li Xiaofei was eager to see how the weapons mechanic would perform in this crucial fourth round. Five teammates, four professions. It was only by working closely together that they could achieve synergy where the whole was greater than the sum of its parts.


    Li Xiaofei focused intently, eager to see the duel between weapons specialists. Chen Fei and the others were confident in Bai Longfei. This cocky guy was at the eighth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, second only to Yan Chiyu in terms of combat power within the Red Flag High School team. Moreover, Bai Longfei had a natural talent for weapons and mechanics. His achievements in this area even surpassed his personal combat skills. Thus, he was considered one of Red Flag High School¡¯s aces.


    In addition, his tall stature, handsome looks, and wealth made him very popular not only within the school but also somewhat known outside. On the other hand, Qingye High School¡¯s weapons specialist was named Zhou Peng. He was an ordinary-looking, average-height boy.


    Then, they both entered the light core mainframe. The system began randomly selecting a weapons specialist battle map.


    ¡°Oh? This time, the system randomly selected the Wang Mazi¡¯s Blacksmith Shop map. This map is one of the three smallest scenes in the high school league¡¯s map pool.¡±


    As the match started, Shen Yan immediately began his commentary.


    Bai Longfei and Zhou Peng appeared in a small smithy of just fifty square meters.


    "We can see the walls of the blacksmith shop are covered with broken swords and blades," Shen Yan commented.


    "Yes, both students need to quickly light the forge and start repairing these broken weapons. The contestant who repairs the most weapons in thirty minutes wins."


    "Undoubtedly, this scenario is very favorable for Bai Longfei from Red Flag High School. Since Red Flag High School consistently adheres to ancient martial cultivation, Bai Longfei''s primary focus as a weapons specialist is the repair of cold weapons."


    "Qingye High School, being a proponent of the new martial arts, trained their weapons specialist Zhou Peng to be more skilled in the repair of firearms. Repairing cold weapons presents a significant challenge for him."


    Shen Yan and his assistant were quick to explain the duel¡¯s intricacies. Li Xiaofei also understood. Unlike the main fighter duels, which were focused on direct combat, the other professions'' contests seemed much more refined. Li Xiaofei now had a better understanding of the War God League''s rules.


    There were thousands of map scenes in the light network virtual world. When entering a specific match, the light core system would randomly assign a map based on the participants'' professions.


    This particular map, Wang Mazi¡¯s Blacksmith Shop, was said to replicate the famous workshop of blacksmith Wang Mazi [1] from ancient China, eight hundred years ago. The small size of this map only made it suitable for weapons specialist duels.


    For Zhou Peng, who was proficient in firearm repairs, being assigned such a map was just bad luck. But luck was also part of the competition. However, this scenario was perfect for Bai Longfei, giving him a significant advantage. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Haha, I humbly accept this victory in advance,¡± Bai Longfei laughed as he tore off his outer clothing, revealing his sculpted upper body muscles.


    Even Li Xiaofei had to admit, this guy was well-built. His well-defined pectoral muscles, distinct abs, bright shoulder and arm lines, and broad chest and back formed the classic v-shaped physique of an attractive man.


    At the same time, Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but acknowledge how much of a show-off Bai Longfei was.


    Damn it, even smithing had to involve flaunting his muscles.


    Li Xiaofei was at a loss for words. The sound of hammering iron filled the air in the livestream. Both contestants had lit their respective forges and began the process of reforging the weapons.


    Bai Longfei''s expertise in this area was clearly superior. He wielded a 55 kg hammer with ease, each swing creating elegant arcs. Combined with his well-defined muscles, the entire scene had a peculiar beauty to it.


    Every strike sent a shower of sparks into the air. What was a simple act of smithing became a dazzling and captivating performance under Bai Longfei''s hands.


    Many female viewers flooded into the livestream.


    He''s so handsome.


    Those muscles... I want to squeeze them.


    Ah, young bodies, I can handle that.


    The comments started to become increasingly inappropriate. The match had no suspense. After thirty minutes, Bai Longfei emerged victorious, having repaired ten more swords and blades than his opponent. The score was now three to one. Red Flag High School had secured the victory.


    The fifth round had yet to begin, but Red Flag High School had already secured the victory in the individual mode of Season 251 of the High School War God League¡¯s opening match.


    The arena erupted in cheers and screams. The teachers and students of Red Flag High School roared with all their might, releasing their pent-up emotions. They had endured so much during this period¡ªonline abuse, rumors, and constant humiliation.


    The resounding victory in the individual mode finally gave them an outlet to vent their grievances. The overwhelming waves of cheers nearly blew the roof off.


    "Who would have thought? Though they are ranked twenty-first, Qingye High School swallowed defeat in the individual mode."


    "It''s over. The final main fighter match no longer matters."


    "Let''s congratulate Red Flag High School; they performed better."


    "Especially Li Xiaofei, who fought in the first match and took down Qingye High School''s star player, Gao Shen, with one punch, setting a strong tone and stunning Qingye High School."


    "Yes, Qingye High School was too complacent and proud. After losing the first match, they fell into disarray."


    "Indeed, the main credit goes to Li Xiaofei."


    1. Founded in the eighth year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1651 AD), the Beijing kitchen knife brand Wang Mazi has long been dedicated to the research of kitchen knives. It is a national high-tech enterprise specializing in the development and design of kitchen knives, intelligent manufacturing, marketing, and providing technical services. ?

 Chapter 63: I Believe In You

    Chapter 63: I Believe In You Little White Dragon in the Waves, Shen Yan, and his assistant were interacting with the audience in the livestream. Meanwhile, the chat was becoming more active. Some viewers who had originally come to watch the excitement were now genuinely captivated by the match.


    In the final match, Fang Buyi took the stage and defeated Qingye High School¡¯s second main fighter, Lu Zhen with a burst of energy. It was the cherry on top for their performance in the individual mode.


    It was four to one, and Red Flag High School had achieved a decisive victory. The entire event venue turned into a sea of joy. Every student from Red Flag High School was shouting with excitement. The long league had just begun, and a resounding victory was undoubtedly the best reward.


    In a corner, the main beastmaster Liu Xiao hung his head, looking dejected. He knew that his position as a main player was no longer secure. The newcomer Bai Qiqi, despite her stutter and seemingly fragile appearance, was a highly talented beastmaster and was highly regarded by the principal, dean, and class advisor. It was only a matter of time before she replaced him. Liu Xiao had been mentally prepared for this eventuality.


    Originally, he had hoped to secure a few more victories for Red Flag High School in the final matches, striving for honor. But he didn¡¯t expect that today¡¯s only defeat would come from his own performance.


    If I hadn''t lost, it would have been five to zero today. It would¡¯ve been a perfect score... It''s all my fault.


    Liu Xiao clenched his fists, tormented by his thoughts. At that moment, someone gently patted his shoulder. He turned his head and saw the eyes of the team soul, Yan Chiyu.


    "I''ve lost before too," Yan Chiyu said softly.


    Liu Xiao looked down and said, "But..."


    "Win it back next time," Yan Chiyu interrupted.


    Liu Xiao felt a wave of emotion. While everyone else was basking in victory, the captain still noticed and cared about his feelings.


    "Thank you, Captain," Liu Xiao said with a soft smile.


    "I believe in you." Yan Chiyu held out a small vial. "Here, take this."


    It was a bottle of Starforce Reagent.


    ¡°No, I...¡± Liu Xiao was startled and quickly refused. He felt he had no right to share the cultivation resources prepared for the team''s soul.


    But Yan Chiyu forcefully placed the Starforce Reagent into his hand. ¡°It no longer has any effect on me.¡±


    Liu Xiao was stunned. That statement carried a lot of information. The third-generation Starforce Reagent was only ineffective for martial artists who had reached the Limit Breaking Realm.


    Which meant...


    His face lit up with joy. ¡°Captain, you...¡±


    Yan Chiyu nodded subtly, a hint of a smile on her lips as she held a finger to her lips. ¡°Shh.¡±


    Liu Xiao nodded repeatedly. This was undoubtedly monumental news. If the captain had indeed advanced to the Limit Breaking Realm, Red Flag High School''s main fighter lineup would significantly strengthen with the Fist King Li Xiaofei, giving them a fighting chance against the upper-middle-tier teams.


    Clutching the Starforce Reagent tightly, Liu Xiao suddenly thought of something and said, "Captain, our school has limited cultivation resources. Why not give this Starforce Reagent to Little Qi? She has more talent, while I¡ª"


    Yan Chiyu''s stern gaze stopped him mid-sentence. She said, "To become stronger, you must first believe in yourself."


    She looked into Liu Xiao''s eyes and said, "I believe in you. Do you believe in yourself?"


    Liu Xiao was taken aback as Yan Chiyu turned and walked away. After a few seconds of silence, the eyes of the main beastmaster of Red Flag High School shone with a new light.


    "Captain, I will not let you down," he said through gritted teeth.


    ***


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, the individual mode matches have concluded. Next up, we have the team matches. Unlike individual mode, team mode relies much more on coordination among teammates. While star players play a significant role, the true determinant of victory is the entire team¡¯s cooperation and synergy.¡±


    ¡°Qingye High School is eager to redeem themselves in the team mode. As the twenty-first-ranked high school last season, they have the confidence to do so.¡±


    ¡°However, Red Flag High School''s performance today has exceeded expectations. We are just ten minutes away from the first team mode battle. Now, we¡¯ll take a short commercial break...¡±


    In the livestream, Little White Dragon in the Waves, Shen Yan, was in control, and his mood was excellent. The number of viewers in the livestream had grown from a few hundred at the beginning to over five thousand, and it was still slowly increasing.


    What did this mean? It meant that the livestream was doing exceptionally well. Shen Yan was certain that the increase in viewers was due to Red Flag High School¡¯s unexpected performance. Not only had they won, but they had done so in a highly unconventional manner. The arrogant and unbeatable Li Xiaofei, the mischievous Ren Dong who got under everyone¡¯s skin, and the dazzling Bai Longfei who made viewers'' heads spin with his skills... These three had the potential to become stars.


    As the dedicated host for all of Red Flag High School¡¯s matches, if these three became famous, so would he. After all, many of today''s top streamers were made famous by their association with star players and teams.


    Starting today, I¡¯m going to be a Red Flag High School fanboy!


    Shen Yan unconsciously positioned himself anew. Meanwhile, he was paying more attention to Li Xiaofei. There was something oddly familiar about him, as if Shen Yan had seen him somewhere before.


    A moment later, the first team mode match finally began. Shen Yan got excited, launching into his commentary with fervor.


    "As expected, Red Flag High School is fielding their strongest lineup. Main fighters Li Xiaofei and Fang Buyi, beastmaster Liu Xiao, medic Ren Dong, and weapons specialist Bai Longfei."


    "Qingye High School hasn''t changed their lineup either. Main fighters Gao Shen and Lu Zhen, beastmaster He Ye, medic Shen Qingqing, and weapons specialist Zhou Peng."


    "Both teams have entered the light core mainframe pods. The system is now randomly selecting the map... and the map is the Blizzard Polar Region! Oh my, this is a high-difficulty map with a 90 percent difficulty rating. There have been instances where both teams froze to death during the survival phase before even engaging in combat..."


    "The light core transmission is complete. Qingye High School''s team has been transported to the southern polar region. Red Flag High School''s team has been transported to the northern polar region..."


    "Data shows that the temperature in this polar scene is as low as minus forty degrees. The team members, who are only wearing thin sportswear, will be risking frostbite if they''re not careful! For the time being, they need to prioritize survival. Then they must craft armor and weapons, establish temporary shelters, and strategize. If they want to find the enemy, they must first defeat the surrounding star beasts!"


    "Who will win? The final data from the livestream''s victory prediction shows that 57 percent of viewers believe Qingye High School will win, while 43 percent think Red Flag High School will prevail..." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Red Flag High School has earned growing support with their performance... Good luck to them."


    "Oh, dear! Li Xiaofei is in trouble. His drop point is near the lair of a Polar Explosive Bear! Such bad luck. Oh no, the Grade One star beast has already spotted him."


    ***


    In the Blizzard Polar Region.


    This match was set in extreme cold weather, where the icy wind cut like a knife. Li Xiaofei was only wearing a thin tracksuit. He had to circulate his starforce qi to resist the pervasive cold.


    He looked around. All he could see was a vast expanse of white. The snow around him was over a meter thick. In the distance, glaciers rose and fell like towering mountains. His teammates were not nearby.


    According to team battle rules, team members were randomly transported to different parts of their own area. This area wouldn''t contain enemy team members but was still fraught with various types of dangers. Most of these dangers came from star beasts or mutated plants.


    Just like now...


    "Rawrrrr!" A soul-shaking roar rang out.


    Amidst the blinding snowstorm, a towering white bear that was six meters tall charged towards Li Xiaofei like a gust of wind. It was the Polar Explosive Bear, a Grade One star beast. A nightmare for Qi Refining Realm martial artists.


    Most Qi Refining Realm martial artists without weapons would find it nearly impossible to break through the Polar Explosive Bear''s fur and withstand the overwhelming force of its swipes.


    It''s over.


    Those were the only two words that came to mind for the viewers watching the scene.


    The arrogant newcomer who had performed exceptionally in individual mode seemed destined to become the first casualty in team mode.

 Chapter 64: Too Arrogant

    Chapter 64: Too Arrogant No one, except for Li Xiaofei himself, believed he could escape from the claws of a Polar Explosive Bear in this extreme environment. When the towering white bear charged towards him, instead of fear, he felt anger.


    "Damn it, you scared me!" exclaimed Li Xiaofei.


    He didn''t retreat but advanced, charging toward the bear in turn. Then he threw a punch, using the second and third moves of the Great Strength Vajra Fist simultaneously.


    The Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow erupted with three times the force under the power of the Threefold Divine Strength.


    Boom!


    A pale golden beam of fist energy shot through the air.


    Bang.


    The white giant bear let out a miserable cry as it was blasted away, flying backward even faster than it had charged.


    What?!


    The audience watching this scene could hardly believe their eyes. But Li Xiaofei was still charging forward. He leaped onto the Polar Explosive Bear¡¯s back, and began pummeling it with a flurry of punches.


    Bam! Bam! Bam!


    At first, the unfortunate Polar Explosive Bear struggled. But after a few seconds, it lay completely still.


    ¡°Whew... whew... whew...¡±


    Li Xiaofei panted heavily. These star beasts were indeed tough and durable. Relying solely on his fists to take it down had drained him significantly. Then, he took a couple of minutes to rest.


    Zap.


    Li Xiaofei used his bare hands to tear and strip away the thick white fur from the Polar Explosive Bear along its wounds, obtaining a large amount of bear hide. The bear hide was an excellent material for keeping warm.


    He tore off a portion of the bear hide, turned it inside out with the white fur facing inwards, and wrapped it around himself. He immediately felt a surge of warmth, and then he searched through the bear¡¯s carcass.


    Sure enough, there¡¯s an Inscribed Treasure Bone.


    He found a white bone fragment the size of a child¡¯s fist, as translucent as jade and emitting a faint glow, with some complex yet patterned natural engravings on it. The Inscribed Treasure Bone was a star beast¡¯s source of power.


    Li Xiaofei pocketed the Inscribed Treasure Bone. He could let weapons specialist Bai Longfei craft even more powerful weapons with this treasure bone when they met later. He also found a fist-sized pure white crystal nucleus in the bear¡¯s head, sparkling with a faint glow. He could clearly feel the powerful energy contained within the multifaceted diamond.


    Star Cores were the energy crystals within star beasts. They differed from Inscribed Treasure Bones. They were less rare than Inscribed Treasure Bones. Only a few individuals in a star beast species developed Inscribed Treasure Bones, much like inheriting ancient bloodlines. However, every star beast had a Star Core. Star Cores stored the energy accumulated by star beasts. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Human martial artists could use specialized absorption devices to extract energy from Star Cores, filter out impurities, purify negative energy, and ultimately absorb and refine it within their bodies to enhance their strength.


    In team competitions like this one, Star Cores were also valuable strategic resources. The starforce qi consumed during battles could be replenished using Star Cores. To put it in a simpler analogy... They were like mana potions in MOBA games [1] of Li Xiaofei¡¯s previous life.


    ¡°Didn''t expect to get such a big harvest right after entering the match,¡± Li Xiaofei muttered as he also cut some fresh bear meat from the Polar Explosive Bear''s body, which could be used to satiate hunger and replenish energy. Then, he eagerly continued on his way.


    According to the pre-battle plan, the team members were to regroup within half an hour. They would then protect the beastmaster, medic, and weapons specialist as they crafted various medicines, weapons, and armor, established a camp, and cleared the surrounding wandering star beasts...


    They aimed to arm themselves in the shortest possible time. Then, they would move to eliminate the opponent. The only criterion for winning the team mode was total annihilation of the enemy team.


    "Incredible, what kind of strength is this?" Host Shen Yan murmured in amazement. "Li Xiaofei from Red Flag High School killed an adult Polar Explosive Bear head on. It seems we underestimated him. This is at least the combat power of a tenth stage martial artist. We need to reassess the strength of the Red Flag High School battle team. Li Xiaofei¡¯s combat ability alone could elevate this bottom-tier team by three or four levels."


    The black-silk-clad assistant clasped her hands to her chest, starry-eyed. "The key is... he''s so cool and handsome."


    Shen Yan was speechless.


    "Little You, control yourself. Isn''t your boss handsome too?" Shen Yan couldn''t help but retort.


    Little You immediately responded, "If you can clear my overdue salary today, you''ll be the handsomest man in the world."


    The livestream audience burst into laughter. For many, watching the match today had been well worth it. The Red Flag High School battle team had three highly entertaining oddballs, and the two streamers in the livestream were witty and insightful, making viewers want to stay in this stream.


    Besides, the match itself was genuinely exciting. Even the director was savvy as he kept most of the broadcast focused on Li Xiaofei. However, gradually, people started to feel something was off.


    "What¡¯s going on? Li Xiaofei is heading directly towards Qingye High School''s area. Is he planning to take on the entire enemy team by himself?"


    Shen Yan pulled up the map of the Blizzard Polar Region on the side. Li Xiaofei¡¯s path was indeed heading straight towards Qingye High School¡¯s area. At the same time, the Qingye High School team had already regrouped. They had set up a temporary camp in the snowstorm and were beginning to work together to hunt the wandering star beasts, and collect wood, ore, and other resources to craft armor and weapons.


    At that moment, Qingye High School demonstrated their true tactical proficiency as the 21st ranked team from the previous season. Their coordination was exceptionally smooth. Their main fighters Gao Shen and Lu Zhen were more than capable of handling most star beasts. When they encountered peak-level star beasts, they slowly wore them down using tactics like luring, setting traps, poisoning, or kiting.


    The entire body of a star beast was valuable. Beast hides could be used to make garments that provided warmth and added defense. Beast bones could be fashioned into weapons and beast meat could satiate hunger. Inscribed Treasure Bones could enhance weapon power. Star Cores could help team members quickly replenish their depleted starforce qi.


    Once fully armed, the team could then seek out the enemy squad and strategize to annihilate them completely. This was the most mainstream strategy in team mode.


    Why didn¡¯t they charge directly? Firstly, the distance between the two teams was significant. Even if they rushed towards the opposing area right from the start, it would still take at least an hour.


    Imagine a scenario where you¡¯ve spent an hour traveling non-stop. When you finally arrive at the opponent¡¯s area, exhausted and out of breath, you find that they¡¯ve already built a temporary camp, crafted weapons and armor, and set up various poisons and traps... All that awaits you was burial in despair.


    Moreover, the natural conditions were extremely severe in a harsh environment like the Blizzard Polar Region. The minus forty-degree cold was a significant challenge for Qi Refining Realm warriors.


    If they didn¡¯t prepare protective gear quickly, they could freeze to death, resulting in non-combat casualties.


    "So, Li Xiaofei''s tactic is too reckless, with no chance of success," concluded commentator Shen Yan.


    "What a shame." The assistant sighed deeply, trying to put a positive spin on it. "But this does match Li Xiaofei¡¯s character. After all, young people are fearless. If they don¡¯t have that fiery spirit, can they still be called young?"


    She paused and then added, "Besides, Li Xiaofei is so cool and handsome."


    Shen Yan was speechless again. At this point, the livestream chat was flooded with comments.


    He''s too arrogant; he''ll soon be put in his place.


    He has some skill, but not much. This is a team mode, and a brainless person will become a burden, dragging the whole team down.


    A hero in individual mode, a culprit in team mode.


    Red Flag High School is going to regret this.


    Many viewers were gloating. Some of them were Qingye High School supporters. Others were just LSPs. After all, the constant drooling over the screen by the assistant had indeed made many viewers envious of Li Xiaofei.


    1. Multiplayer Online Battle Arena games ?

 Chapter 65: Unstoppable

    Chapter 65: Unstoppable On the battlefield, Li Xiaofei, clad in bear hide, moved swiftly. The snowstorm was so blinding that he could only rely on his instincts to navigate. He didn¡¯t know how long he had been walking. Finally, he saw human figures ahead.


    "Great, finally going to meet up with my teammates." He sighed in relief before shouting excitedly, "I''m here, over here... How''s the camp setup going?"


    Swift Blade Gao Shen froze when he heard the shout. He saw the bouncing figure in the snow in the distance and a look of disbelief crossed his face. He recognized Li Xiaofei from Red Flag High School.


    So soon? Has Red Flag High School gone mad? Did they adopt a fast RUSH tactic in such a harsh and cold competition setting like the Blizzard Polar Region? Isn''t this a recipe for total annihilation?


    Out of an abundance of caution, Gao Shen sent a discreet signal. Soon, the rest of the Qingye High School team received the signal and took their pre-determined tactical positions, forming a faint semi-circle.


    Li Xiaofei remained oblivious. He walked through the snow, shouting, ¡°Is everyone here?¡±


    Gao Shen¡¯s expression was serious.


    This is too arrogant. It¡¯s a blatant provocation. Meeting us and immediately asking if everyone is here? Is he planning to take us all out in one go?


    ¡°We''re all here,¡± Gao Shen said, gesturing for his teammates to get ready, keeping his voice calm. ¡°Are your people here yet?¡±


    ¡°Our people? Aren''t you... hmm?¡± asked Li Xiaofei.


    At that point, Li Xiaofei finally sensed something was off. The voice didn¡¯t seem right and the tone was also very off. Moreover... As he got closer, the snowstorm no longer blurred his vision. He shaded his eyes with his hand and took a closer look.


    What the...? Why are these Qingye High School people here? Where are my teammates? Where are Fang Buyi, Bai Longfei, and the others? Could it be that Qingye High School had shamelessly used a rapid RUSH tactic and taken out all my teammates during my absence?


    It''s my fault. It''s all my fault for walking too slowly and wasting time. Now my team is annihilated. What should I do? I should fight them.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s blood heated up as he tore off the bear hide and launched a solo charge.


    "I¡¯ll send you all to hell!" He roared, "I¡¯ll avenge my teammates!"


    In the crucial moment, he couldn''t afford to conserve his starforce qi any longer. He used all of his starforce qi to accelerate madly, like an arrow shot from a bow. He was in front of Gao Shen in an instant.


    Opposite him, the Qingye High School team members were stunned.


    Avenge his teammates? Where are his teammates? How did they die?


    "Kill."


    Gao Shen made his move. His starforce qi surged, activating the Windwing Sparrow Inscribed Treasure Bone within him and granting him unparalleled speed. A giant crimson sparrow phantom appeared behind him. His beast bone blade was unsheathed with a flash. The blade''s light slashed out like a dazzling river of stars.


    At the same time, Lu Zhen swiftly cut in from the right flank. He had a spear made with beast bone in his hand that was piercing through the air, scattering points of cold starlight.


    Whoosh whoosh.


    It was soon followed by the sound of arrows flying through the air. Weapons specialist Zhou Peng, holding a hastily crafted longbow made from beast bones and tendons, shot arrows coated with deadly poison. Three arrows flew out simultaneously, forming a triangular pattern. They completely locked down Li Xiaofei¡¯s escape routes.


    Medic Shen Qingqing, holding a blowpipe, gently blew out a cloud of dark green mist that started to drift toward Li Xiaofei¡¯s position. Meanwhile, beastmaster He Ye silently released two Polar Ice Snakes from his pant leg. The snakes blended into the snow, slithering towards Li Xiaofei. Four professions, attacking in unison. Their coordination was impeccable.


    He''s done for. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei is finished.


    This is what happens when you show off.


    Even if he can take down Gao Shen and Lu Zhen head on, he can''t escape the calculations of the other three. As long as it isn''t close combat, the beastmaster, weapons specialist, and medic can defeat him given enough time. It doesn¡¯t matter even if they¡¯re in a different realm.


    Facing five opponents alone, there''s no chance of victory.


    In an instant, the livestream chat was flooded with frantic comments.


    On the battlefield, Li Xiaofei suddenly skidded to a stop.


    In the next instant¡ª


    He used the Great Xia martial lineage''s true legacy, the Three Steps Cicada Catch.


    Whoosh.


    His figure turned into a flash of light. Li Xiaofei dodged Gao Shen''s blade like lightning and threw a Vajra Thunderous Strike at Lu Zhen, who was attacking from the right flank.


    Boom!


    Caught off guard, Lu Zhen, at the eighth stage of Qi Refining Realm, was completely obliterated along with his spear. Blood rained down.


    Thud.


    An arrow pierced Li Xiaofei''s back, but he seemed unfazed. His body was far tougher than ordinary people. Only Gao Shen, the strongest on the field, could pose a lethal threat to him. Though Zhou Peng''s arrows were poisoned, they couldn''t kill him instantly. So Li Xiaofei endured the arrow to buy the time and space to kill Lu Zhen.


    Since his first strike was successful, Li Xiaofei used the Three Steps Cicada Catch again. Accelerating abruptly again, he dodged Gao Shen¡¯s pursuing blade again for the second time. He appeared in front of weapons specialist Zhou Peng like a flash of lightning, and threw another punch.


    "What?!" exclaimed Zhou Peng who was horrified.


    Li Xiaofei was too fast for him to react, and the fist loomed larger and larger in his vision. The weapons specialist from Qingye High School had his head smashed to pieces by a single punch, dissolving into a swirl of data and disappearing from the battlefield.


    Li Xiaofei executed the Three Steps Cicada Catch for the third time without hesitation. This time, he successfully killed medic Shen Qingqing and his next target was beastmaster He Ye.


    "Retreat!" Gao Shen shouted, his eyes wide with rage.


    In the presence of someone known for speed like himself, Li Xiaofei had just used even greater speed to swiftly kill three of his teammates. It was a great humiliation.


    If beastmaster He Ye were killed next, both Gao Shen and the entirety of Qingye High School would be firmly nailed to the pillar of shame for Season 251. They would all become stepping stones for Li Xiaofei. They would become mere background figures in Li Xiaofei''s moment of glory.


    He Ye, thinking clearly, understood this perfectly. He immediately retreated as quickly as he could. Gao Shen took a deep breath, fully unleashing the power of the Inscribed Treasure Bone within him. He had activated his secret technique. The starforce qi emitting from Gao Shen¡¯s back transformed into a pair of crimson sparrow wings as his speed doubled. The distance between him and Li Xiaofei quickly shortened.


    But just then, Li Xiaofei suddenly turned around using the Three Steps Cicada Catch. He had abandoned his intentions to catch He Ye. He accelerated to his top speed and threw a punch at the charging Gao Shen.


    Damn, it was a trap!


    These were the only words that flashed through Gao Shen¡¯s mind.


    Boom!


    The two figures collided heavily as blood sprayed everywhere. Li Xiaofei stumbled and crashed to the ground, covered in blood. Gao Shen''s bone knife was embedded in his left shoulder. The bone arrow in his back had pierced through his chest from the impact. He looked terribly battered but the price was worth it.


    He had killed the strongest member of the Qingye High School team, Gao Shen, in a head-on collision using the most powerful move of the Great Strength Vajra Fist, the Vajra Wrathful Mountain Split.


    In a clash of extreme speeds, Gao Shen''s speed-oriented, assassin-like fighting style was no match for the sheer power of Li Xiaofei¡¯s strength-based approach.


    "Heh heh heh..." Li Xiaofei grinned, leaving bloody footprints with each step as he walked towards He Ye in the distance.


    He Ye stood frozen, as if his soul had been drained. Despite being the second-in-command of the Qingye High School team, he was still just a high school student. He had never encountered such a brutal scene.


    When he saw Li Xiaofei approaching like a god of death, He Ye completely forgot to run. He stood there, dumbfounded, as Li Xiaofei walked closer and closer.


    ***


    ¡°Hey? What¡¯s going on?¡± In the Red Flag High School''s area, Bai Longfei frowned as he looked at the snowstorm outside their temporary camp. ¡°Why hasn¡¯t Li Xiaofei come to regroup yet? Could something have happened?¡±


    ¡°With his strength, it shouldn¡¯t be possible,¡± said the mischievous loli, Ren Dong, also showing some concern.


    The probability of unexpected incidents was higher in team matches. Non-combat casualties were common. It was only in this way that team members could develop the ability to handle unexpected situations. After all, hunting star beasts in the wild wasn¡¯t as straightforward as competing in the light core virtual world. Anything could happen, and a single mistake could lead to being buried in the wilderness.


    Under normal circumstances, even if Li Xiaofei was moving slowly, he should have reached the rendezvous point by now. It was already an hour past the expected time. His absence likely meant something had happened. This was undoubtedly a huge blow to the Red Flag High School team.


    "It seems we can only adopt a defensive strategy for this battle," Fang Buyi decisively said. "We''ll set up traps and poisonous fog around the camp and hope to hold out for as long as possible."


    The four team members looked grim. Losing Li Xiaofei was a massive setback. Their chances of winning this round had plummeted to less than 10 percent.


    But just as they were about to take action...


    "This match is over. Congratulations to the Red Flag High School team for securing the final victory."


    The light core system''s verdict echoed from the sky.

 Chapter 66: Tone It Down A Bit

    Chapter 66: Tone It Down A Bit What?!


    Fang Buyi, Bai Longfei, Liu Xiao, and Ren Dong were dumbfounded. They could hardly believe their ears.


    We won? How did we win?


    They had no idea what had happened. One moment they were worried about the match, and the next moment they had already won.


    Could it be?


    The four of them looked at each other, instantly considering one possibility. But it was too absurd. This was the Blizzard Polar Region map. This was the least likely map for a RUSH tactic.


    How did Li Xiaofei single-handedly annihilate the entire Qingye High School team?


    As they stood there, bewildered, a transmission beam descended from the sky. The four were then transported away by the light core system.


    ***


    Meanwhile, the competition arena had transformed into a sea of frenzied cheers.


    "Fist King!"


    "Fist King!"


    On the stands, the students and teachers of Red Flag High School were shouting themselves hoarse. Their voices were strained and their throats were bloody, but they didn¡¯t care. What had just happened in the match was more unbelievable than any reality. Li Xiaofei had annihilated the entire opponent team single-handedly. He had secured a pentakill. A pentakill!


    This was a feat worthy of being immortalized in the season¡¯s highlight reel. Even the most ardent Red Flag High School fans wouldn''t have dared to dream of such an outcome. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At that moment, they felt as if they were in a dream.


    Is that boy who single-handedly defeated five opponents really a student of Red Flag High School?


    In stark contrast, the supporters from Qingye High School were utterly silent. Their seating area was dead quiet. The young Qingye students had blank expressions on their faces. They looked at the replay on the central screen in the arena, then at their companions. Their minds were completely blank. Their vocal cords seemed frozen solid.


    This was not the outcome they had hoped for. Even the most pessimistic among them hadn¡¯t imagined such a scenario. Achieving a pentakill in the High School War God League was already a monumental feat. But to do it alone, one against five, was nearly impossible.


    The students of Qingye High School had never thought that such a humiliating defeat would happen to their own team.


    In the arena, Qingye High School principal Wei Dayong stood there, stupefied. The teachers and other substitute players beside him were in shock. After being crushed in individual mode, they desperately needed to save their honor in team mode. But they suffered an even greater humiliation in the first match of the BO3 series. It was a one-sided massacre.


    The Qingye High School team, who had built a camp and crafted armor and weapons, had been utterly destroyed by a single, unarmed opponent from Red Flag High School.


    This wasn¡¯t a matter of tactics. Nor was it a matter of courage. It was simply a case of being outclassed. The gap in strength was like an insurmountable chasm.


    With two more matches to go, what should we do?


    As the principal, Wei Dayong was at a complete loss. The match had not only shattered the confidence of the team members but also deeply affected the main commander, Wei Dayong.


    In this critical moment, he knew he had to hold firm. Clearing his throat, he took the initiative to step forward, meeting the dejected faces of Gao Shen and the others as they returned to the waiting area.


    "Don''t be discouraged. You didn''t do anything wrong. Victory and defeat are common for a warrior. Hold your heads up," said Wei Dayong, hugging each of his students one by one.


    Facing their downcast eyes, he gritted his teeth and said, "We still have two more matches. I believe in you. You must prove yourselves. If you lose your fighting spirit now, you will indeed be forever nailed to the pillar of shame."


    He mustered a smile and said, "Even if we lose the remaining two matches, don''t worry too much. The other side clearly has a monstrous prodigy. What you need to do is to prove your courage in the last two opportunities."


    In the southern preparation area, Li Xiaofei was being lifted and tossed into the air by his excited teammates. The usually boisterous peach blossom eyes principal, who had witnessed the entire match, now had a surprisingly serene demeanor. He wore a smile and was more composed than ever. Grandpa Qin, the gatekeeper, wiped his glasses and also smiled gently.


    Standing beside the two teachers, Yan Chiyu watched with a calm expression as Li Xiaofei was thrown into the air repeatedly. However, the other team members were far from calm. When Li Xiaofei had showcased his absolute strength in the first individual match, they began to imagine that Red Flag High School might win the team mode. But they had not expected the victory to come so easily.


    Single handedly annihilating the whole team. Such feats were once only witnessed when prodigies from top noble high schools faced the lowest-ranked teams in the league. But this time, Red Flag High School had become the protagonist of the miracle.


    "Hey, that''s enough... Damn, I''m afraid of heights!" Li Xiaofei shouted, "Put me down!"


    It took a while for Bai Longfei and the others to relent. As the vice-captain, Fang Buyi stood on the outskirts of the crowd, smiling. But as he smiled, his eyes suddenly became a bit moist. He turned to look beside him. Yan Chiyu was quietly watching beside him. When he saw the calm expression on her beautiful face, Fang Buyi was overwhelmed with emotion and couldn''t help but wipe away his tears.


    He had fought side by side with Yan Chiyu for the past two years. Only he knew what kind of pressure the once absolute genius, who had once captured the attention of the entire Liuhe Base City, had been enduring all these years. She had carried the weight of Red Flag High School''s progress alone. She had only been able to move slowly with this burden. The once stunningly beautiful face, which had captivated countless people, was not incapable of smiling, nor was it always cold and unfeeling.


    She had once smiled like others her age, singing and skipping through the campus, letting the breeze play with her long black hair, and eagerly joining her classmates in games.


    The Yan Chiyu of the past, with long hair down to her waist, had been ethereal. She was also a sweet and gentle girl. But then, why had her long hair become short, and her smiling face turn into ice?


    It was through Red Flag High School''s repeated league failures, the school¡¯s declining ranking, the departure of old friends transferring to other schools, and the resignation of once-respected teachers... She had been transformed into who she was now.


    Fang Buyi knew clearly how fervent and passionate Yan Chiyu¡¯s desire was to win the league for Red Flag High School. But this fervor and passion had seemed like a lone struggle over the past two years. One person couldn¡¯t support an entire team. This was Yan Chiyu¡¯s greatest sorrow. Fang Buyi had once pushed himself to his limits in cultivation. However, his talent was ultimately limited, and he couldn¡¯t truly help Yan Chiyu. But now, everything was different. They had Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei had arrived. Li Xiaofei had proven himself with just this one match. He proved he was worthy of fighting alongside the most outstanding genius of Red Flag High School. With Li Xiaofei, Yan Chiyu no longer had to fight alone. Red Flag High School finally had some glimmer of hope.


    Fang Buyi wiped away his tears and began to laugh loudly. Everyone looked at him.


    Li Xiaofei walked over and patted his shoulder. "Though my performance just now was indeed incredible, Old Fang, your laughter is a bit too exaggerated and over the top. Tone it down a bit."


    "You brat," replied Fang Buyi, punching him heavily on the shoulder.


    He called the team members to temporarily suppress their excitement and not get too carried away, preparing for the next two matches. But in truth, the next two team matches were no contest.


    Despite Principal Wei Dayong''s efforts to encourage morale, it was in vain. Gao Shen and the other youths were, after all, just high school students. Being wiped out by Li Xiaofei¡¯s pentakill had completely shattered their mental state.


    Red Flag High School won the following two matches effortlessly. The first round of Season 251 concluded with a decisive victory for Red Flag High School .

 Chapter 67: Becoming A Star Student

    Chapter 67: Becoming A Star Student All of Red Flag High School was immersed in celebration. In the post-match data evaluation, Li Xiaofei was undoubtedly named the MVP of the entire match. This was his first award.


    "Let''s congratulate Li Xiaofei," Shen Yan announced in the livestream, once again interviewing him.


    "We just received the latest data from the event organizers. Your victory over Gao Shen was the first individual mode win in Season 251 in Liuhe Base City. And your pentakill in team mode was also the first team mode victory to finish across all rounds. Both matches were the fastest. Li Xiaofei, you truly are the fastest guy in the city. How do you feel about this?"


    Shen Yan was excited as he spoke. Li Xiaofei glanced at him in mild speechlessness.


    You''re the fastest person in the city, not me.


    "Li Xiaofei, you might not know, but setting such a record comes with a special reward," added the assistant.


    Li Xiaofei''s eyes lit up as he asked, "What special reward?"


    "The decision is made by the Education Department." The assistant replied, leaning in so close that the microphone was almost in Li Xiaofei''s mouth. She continued, "In the first team mode match, you adopted a theoretically impossible quick RUSH tactic, single-handedly taking down all five members of Qingye High School''s team. What was your reasoning behind making that choice?"


    Li Xiaofei''s mouth twitched.


    Reasoning? I was lost.


    But of course, he couldn''t admit something so embarrassing.


    "The opponents were too weak," Li Xiaofei said flatly. "I was in a hurry."


    "In a hurry... for a date?" The assistant asked impulsively.


    Li Xiaofei looked at her, feeling exasperated. "To go home and eat."


    In an instant, the livestream chat was flooded with comments of 666. [1]


    This act is refreshingly unique.


    But I''ll only give you 82 points; the rest I''ll give you as 666.


    I think the Qingye High School folks are about to cry.


    This Li Xiaofei is such a show-off.


    Just because he got a pentakill, he''s acting all high and mighty.


    Just because? Then why don''t you go 1v5 and get a pentakill? Stop with the cheap talk.


    The livestream chat was filled with arguments from various viewers. At that point, the number of viewers had reached thirteen thousand. It was nearly fifty times more than at the start of the broadcast. The growth rate was astonishing.


    Shen Yan''s grin was almost splitting his face. He knew that the surge in viewers was primarily due to Li Xiaofei''s godlike pentakill in the team mode match. He could foresee that Li Xiaofei would undoubtedly become the hottest topic of this round of the league. He was strong and able to show off; such a person was a natural-born magnet for attention.


    Shen Yan continued, "With this victory, Red Flag High School has made a significant statement. Li Xiaofei, your performance has undoubtedly set a new benchmark. What are your thoughts on the upcoming matches?"


    Li Xiaofei, still maintaining his composed demeanor, replied, "We''ll continue to do our best. Each match is a new challenge, and we''re ready to face them head on."


    The assistant, still holding the microphone close, added, "Any final words for your growing fanbase?"


    Li Xiaofei looked directly at the camera, "Thank you for your support. Keep watching; we''re just getting started."


    Securing the broadcasting rights for Red Flag High School¡¯s season matches turned out to be a lucky stroke for Shen Yan. After more interviews with the winning team members, the broadcast finally concluded.


    The Qingye High School team boarded their bus, preparing to return home.


    Chen Fei stopped Wei Dayong and said with a sly smile,"Old Wei, your face doesn''t look too good. Did you not rest well this afternoon?"


    Wei Dayong knew this scoundrel was here to return the mockery he received at noon. But he couldn''t find a reason to retaliate because Qingye High School had lost too miserably this time.


    "You got lucky by recruiting a genius," Wei Dayong bitterly acknowledged, "It¡¯s my loss this time but don''t celebrate too early. That kid is too arrogant and high-profile. He''ll run into trouble sooner or later."


    Chen Fei, still smiling, replied, "Just admit it, are you envious or not?"


    "Envious? Hell yes, I''m envious," Wei Dayong said through gritted teeth, "I''ll go back and poach him, no matter the cost. I''ll dig that kid out of Red Flag High School and destroy your foundation."


    Chen Fei¡¯s eyes nearly closed in satisfaction, "I¡¯m afraid you won''t be able to move him."


    Wei Dayong sneered, "If Qingye High School can''t poach him, those top noble academies certainly can. When they start offering terms, it¡¯s insane. Just worry that your little genius might not resist the temptation, like Xiong Zhigang back in the day."


    Chen Fei''s smile instantly disappeared. "Get lost! Next time we meet, we¡¯ll crush you."


    Wei Dayong laughed maliciously, "That kid¡¯s physical talents are outstanding. Practicing ancient martial arts is a waste. He should switch to new martial arts. With the right inscribed treasure bone transplant, he could easily break into the Limit Breaking Realm."


    He boarded the bus. As he watched Qingye High School¡¯s convoy leave, Chen Fei fell into deep thought. Wei Dayong¡¯s words, though unpleasant, served as a reminder. It looked like some preparations needed to be made in advance.


    ***


    As the sun set, all sixteen matches of Season 251 of the High School War God League in Liuhe Base City had concluded, and both the individual and team rankings were released. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the team rankings, the pre-season favorites¡ªDuxing High School, Lanling High School, and Qishen Academy¡ªunsurprisingly secured the top three spots with undefeated records. Duxing High School took the first place due to finishing their battles in the shortest time.


    These top noble high schools'' performances were expected, but what truly shocked the community was the rise of Red Flag High School. Previously regarded as a laughingstock, this underdog team emerged in fourth place on the team leaderboard. They had also achieved an undefeated record in team mode, only ranking fourth due to longer battle durations.


    The surprising performance prompted many to review the replays of Red Flag High School¡¯s matches, and they were thoroughly astonished by what they saw.


    Li Xiaofei! He had been an unknown high school student, but now, he had emerged as a dark horse, capturing everyone''s attention. A pentakill. A one-vs-five pentakill. The entire battle process was intense and exhilarating.


    Many people watched the pentakill highlight reel repeatedly, becoming more amazed each time they viewed it. It was truly a display of raw power and domination. The members of Qingye High School didn''t make any fatal mistakes throughout the fight. Their reactions were swift, and their responses were executed to the best of their abilities. But they were still completely overpowered by Li Xiaofei, who had relied solely on his formidable personal strength, without any tricks or strategies. The battle was intense, exciting, and wild.


    As a result, posts and videos about Li Xiaofei''s battle spread like wildfire across major forums and live streaming sites as they were replayed over and over again. The excitement grew even more when the official individual mode ranking was released, showing Li Xiaofei at the top. He had defeated his opponents in the shortest amount of time.


    The meteoric rise and dominant performance left a lasting impression on everyone, making Li Xiaofei the most talked-about figure in the High School War God League. At the same time, Li Xiaofei was awarded two prestigious accolades by the light core system for the first round of the league. He won Best Individual Mode Participant and Most Valuable Team Mode Participant.


    The official highlights of Li Xiaofei''s impressive performance were compiled and repeatedly broadcast on major forums and websites. Li Xiaofei skyrocketed to fame. He went from an unknown to a star student in just one round of competition. More and more people began to pay attention to him.


    As fans and curious onlookers dug deeper, various details of Li Xiaofei''s performance in this round of competition were unearthed and endlessly discussed.


    This included his interviews. Strong and arrogant. These two words summed up people''s initial impression of him. Such a distinctive personality was sure to generate discussion. Those who liked him were head over heels and those who disliked him wanted him gone. But at that moment, Li Xiaofei had already returned to the slums.


    He lay comfortably on his bed, enjoying his aunt''s massage. After the intense competition, nothing relieved his stress better than his aunt''s soothing touch. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.


    ¡°President, something''s happened.¡± The voice of his trusted confidant, Yang Cheng, came from outside.


    1. Phonetically the same as the character Áï (li¨±) that means ''proficient'' or ''smooth,'' 666 is the universal online compliment for a task well done in games, an argument well-articulated on online forums, or a sentiment accurately described in the comment section. ?

 Chapter 68: Buying Up Lands

    Chapter 68: Buying Up Lands Li Xiaofei hesitated for a moment. His aunt, however, got up from his side and said, "Handle the gang matters first. I''ll give you a massage later tonight."


    "Alright," replied Li Xiaofei before he got up and dressed.


    "What''s going on?" He asked as he headed downstairs, "Take your time and explain."


    Yang Cheng, the plump and quick-witted young man, knew better than to bother him without good reason.


    "President, some outsiders came into our territory this afternoon. They''ve been contacting various neighborhoods and offering high prices to buy land." Yang Cheng explained.


    Buying up land in the slums at a high price?


    Something wasn''t right. The slums had always been a place no one cared about for so many years. It wasn''t just about the high price; even if the land was sold for dirt cheap, no one would be willing to take it.


    "Have you investigated it?" Li Xiaofei asked, "Who are these people?"


    Yang Cheng lowered his voice. "They are from one of the five major families, the Ye family."


    Hmm?


    Li Xiaofei felt a stir in his heart.


    Damn, it¡¯s that persistent Ye family again.


    "Why are they buying up the land?" Li Xiaofei asked again.


    Yang Cheng shook his head and said, "On the surface, they say they want to develop real estate here and build high-end residential areas, but we don¡¯t actually know their real purpose yet."


    Develop real estate? Nonsense.


    The land in the slums was the dirtiest and most chaotic place in Liuhe Base City, with terrible supporting facilities around it.


    Who will buy houses at a place where even birds won¡¯t poop? There must be a conspiracy behind this.


    Yang Cheng said with some concern, "President, these people are offering very high prices, and some people have already succumbed to the temptation and sold their land. I¡¯m worried that if they continue to buy up the land, it will be detrimental to the Cloudy Sky Gang and to your grand ambitions."


    Li Xiaofei gave this fat man a surprised look.


    What grand ambitions do I have? How come I don¡¯t even know about it?


    However, the fact that the Ye family was coming to the slums to buy land already sounded suspicious.


    "How many people have sold?" Li Xiaofei asked again.


    Yang Cheng quickly handed over a list and said, "President, the people on this list have all sold their land."


    Li Xiaofei glanced at it and a cold smile appeared on his face. They were all stubborn and obstinate remnants of the six major gangs of the past. These guys refused to progress and were unwilling to embrace the reforms in the slums. They were always thinking about protection fees and engaging in despicable violent activities. Them selling their land was actually a good thing.


    Li Xiaofei made up his mind. "Spread the word. Anyone who sells their land is no longer part of the slums. They have one day to get out, or they shouldn''t blame me for being ruthless."


    These people were troublemakers, and this was the perfect excuse to drive them out.


    Yang Cheng patted his chest confidently. "Don''t worry, President. It won''t even take a day, I''ll make sure they all disappear within an hour. But what about the people from the Ye family?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Keep an eye on them, but don''t confront them directly."


    After all, the Ye family was one of the five major families and couldn¡¯t be provoked for the moment. As they talked, they reached downstairs. Li Xiaofei got on his modified motorcycle, kicked the engine into gear and sped towards the headquarters.


    Yang Cheng was stunned and hurried to catch up. "President, I haven¡¯t gotten on the bike yet!" he panted as he chased after him.


    ***


    The headquarters of the Cloudy Sky Gang was bustling and prosperous compared to the days of Zhong Yuanshan. The shops in the area had increased in number, and the streets were spacious and clean. The foul garbage piles that used to be everywhere had been cleaned up. Although it couldn''t compare to the rule-of-law district, it was vastly improved from its former stench-ridden state. These improvements were all thanks to Li Xiaofei''s various reform measures.


    First, the extensive and widespread public release of martial arts manuals had significantly enhanced the skills of the original gang experts. Moreover, the lower-level individuals who previously had no chance or qualification for cultivation now had the opportunity to cultivate.


    This gained him more loyal followers. The slums had nearly ten thousand inhabitants, including some promising individuals with decent potential. Yang Cheng and Chu Yuntian had screened and selected these promising individuals as disciples of the Cloudy Sky Gang. They bowed to video recordings of Li Xiaofei and pledged their allegiance.


    Whenever they saw Li Xiaofei, they would call him Boss. Recognizing him as their boss was equivalent to recognizing him as their master and godfather. From that moment on, their lives belonged to President Li. This was the rule for all registered gangs in the entire base city. They represented the future of the Cloudy Sky Gang and the future of the slums.


    Furthermore, the slum¡¯s hunting team had finally stabilized their hunts. This meant a continuous influx of external resources, like a blood transfusion, into the slums. The injection of these external resources brought new vitality to the slums, which had previously been trapped in a harsh cycle within their own ecological chain.


    In addition, Li Xiaofei had strictly enforced the cancellation of various protection fees and the prohibition of drug trafficking, organ trafficking, and gambling. These measures had significantly improved the social atmosphere of the slums day by day.


    Now, Li Xiaofei held immense authority in the slums. Many people saw him as a savior. The good days they were experiencing were beyond what anyone could have imagined during the era of the seven major gangs. Therefore, when Li Xiaofei rode his motorcycle to the entrance of the Cloudy Sky Gang, countless people scrambled to greet him. Their respectful faces were full of smiles. It wasn¡¯t out of fear but genuine admiration.


    "Boss."


    "Hello, Boss."


    Even the teenagers practicing martial arts in the courtyard stood at attention in unison. Li Xiaofei smiled and nodded back at them. In the distance, he could hear the roar of engines. A camouflage-armored van was leading six off-road trucks toward the Cloudy Sky Gang''s courtyard amidst the cheers of the crowd.


    "The hunting team is back."


    "They¡¯ve brought good stuff again."


    "Move aside, don¡¯t block the way."


    Excited crowds gathered from all directions. The daily return of the hunting team was like a grand festival for the people of the slums. It was a reason to celebrate. The lead vehicle was a trophy Li Xiaofei had taken from the adventurer White Pig who had ambushed him. Since he had no immediate use for it, he had handed it over to the hunting team. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "President." Chu Yuntian excitedly jumped down from the armored van''s passenger seat. "This time, it¡¯s another great harvest."


    "Were there any casualties?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Chu Yuntian''s face darkened. "Yes... but it''s much better than before."


    Li Xiaofei sighed inwardly. There was no avoiding it. This was the apocalypse.


    While the interior of the base city might seem as if it was filled with peace and prosperity and not much different from the year 2022, it was a completely different world outside the towering steel walls.

 Chapter 69: Important Discovery

    Chapter 69: Important Discovery Even inside the base city, the shortage of survival resources meant that items like food, water, and medicine not only required money to purchase but also various tickets.


    In the slums, water had to be exchanged with water tickets. Water in the slums had previously been controlled by the Sewage Plant Gang, one of the seven major gangs. Except for neighborhoods like Guang''an, which had their own sweet water wells, other residents had to endure exorbitant water prices and other costs to get water.


    Drinking water was always scarce within the base city. Many people in the slums had never taken a bath in their entire lives. Even in the rule-of-law district, many people resorted to washing their bodies and clothes sparingly.


    In addition to the water issue, food was also in short supply. Most people in the slums had never tasted meat or vegetables, nor had they ever eaten white flour. They subsisted on cheap mixed nutrition porridge, a paste-like substance made from various so-called nutritional ingredients, produced by specialized companies. It had no taste but could fill their stomachs and keep them alive.


    In the past, the monopoly on mixed nutrition porridge was held by the other six major gangs besides the Sewage Plant Gang. The lives of the lower-class people in the slums were very miserable. Even the people in the rule-of-law district were not much better off. In contrast, the members of the five major families indulged in luxury, without any worries about food or clothing. But all of this was built on the exploitation and oppression of the lower-class people.


    The government had been committed to eliminating poverty and achieving social equity for many years. Unfortunately, the influence of the martial arts families and gangs had developed to such an extent over the years that they occupied important positions and industries in many places, making it difficult for the government to exert any control.


    In comparison, the efforts and achievements of the Great Xia Republic government in this regard were among the best in the world. In many countries in other administrative regions, ordinary people truly lived in dire straits.


    "Give a proper burial to our fallen brothers and take good care of their families." President Li solemnly gave another important order, "Anyone who dares to deceive me in this matter, I will send him to meet the old president and repent face to face... I mean what I say."


    Everyone was in awe.


    "President, there is another matter that needs to be reported to you alone." Chu Yuntian approached and said in a low voice.


    "Come to my office, "said Li Xiaofei as he walked toward the small building. It seemed like there was something important.


    ***


    In the office, Chu Yuntian could no longer contain his excitement. "President, we discovered a clean water source in the wilderness."


    "What?" Li Xiaofei was shocked.


    A clean water source! These four words were enough to drive countless people in the base city crazy.


    "Are you sure?" asked Li Xiaofei, finding it hard to believe.


    How could the slum''s hunting team, an amateur group, discover a clean water source that so many professional exploration teams and survey groups in the wilderness had failed to find? Moreover, the slum''s hunting team only explored the outskirts, an area that should have been thoroughly explored by now.


    "It''s absolutely true." Chu Yuntian''s excitement was palpable. "It''s a newly opened spring, hidden deep within a cave. I stumbled upon it while chasing a Cloud Chaser Rabbit... Here, take a look."


    He handed over a small vial filled with crystal-clear water. Li Xiaofei examined the vial, his heart racing. If this water source was indeed clean and abundant, it could change everything for the slums and potentially for the entire base city. The implications were enormous, from improving living conditions to gaining significant leverage over other factions.


    "We need to secure this location immediately," Li Xiaofei said, his mind already racing with plans. "This could be the key to our future."


    Chu Yuntian nodded vigorously. "I''ve already stationed some of our best fighters to guard it. No one outside our team knows about it yet."


    "Good," Li Xiaofei replied, his expression serious. "We must keep this a secret until we fully understand its potential and can protect it properly. Inform only the most trusted members of our team. This could be the breakthrough we''ve been waiting for."


    Chu Yuntian carefully took out a bottle, half-filled with clear water. Li Xiaofei took it, opened the cap, and sniffed it. The smell was normal.


    "I''ve already tested it," Chu Yuntian assured. "I let some small animals drink it, used a water quality tester, and even drank a bit myself. It''s absolutely clean, with no pollution."


    "How much water is there?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Chu Yuntian''s face lit up. "The spring is in a stone pit, and it''s constantly producing underground water. There''s quite a bit of it. If we have a covert transportation route, it would be enough to supply the entire slum."


    "That much?" Li Xiaofei was stunned.


    Chu Yuntian continued, "I''ve observed it carefully. This spring appeared recently, which is why it hasn''t been discovered by others yet. President, we must act quickly. If someone else finds it, we might not be able to compete."


    Li Xiaofei fell into deep thought.


    From Chu Yuntian''s description, the spring had a considerable and continuous flow of water. This could be a tremendous asset. Transporting this pure water to the base city could earn us a fortune. But the problem is, do the slums have the capacity to handle this?


    A great person once said that if there is a 20 percent profit, capital will become restless; if there is a 50 percent profit, capital will take risks; if there is a 100 percent profit, capital will dare to risk being hanged; if there is a 300 percent profit, capital will trample all human laws.


    Once this news got out, the five major families would definitely be tempted. At that point, what could the slums use to compete with them? The slums were no match in terms of power, resources, connections, and hard strength. Just a few Limit Breaking Realm experts could easily crush the slums.


    "Old Chu, tomorrow morning, you need to select a group of loyal and reliable brothers, lead the convoy out, and bring back as much clean water as possible to store. Then, I will donate this clean water source directly to the base city government," said Li Xiaofe. He had made his decision.


    "Donate it to the government?" asked Chu Yuntian as he felt a pang of pain. But after calming down, he immediately realized that this was the best choice.


    One must not be too greedy. Otherwise, it could lead to a disastrous end. Once the news of the water source was exposed, the slums wouldn''t be able to protect such a valuable resource. If it was donated to the government, they could receive some tangible benefits in return. Over the years, the government had been very fair, especially in rewarding those who first discovered and donated important resources.


    "Alright, President, I''ll get ready right away." Chu Yuntian turned and left excitedly.


    Li Xiaofei rubbed his temples.


    These matters are truly troublesome. Being a boss is really tiring. In comparison, being a student is much easier.


    Li Xiaofei took out his portable light core, intending to call the principal. But after some thought, he decided it would be better to discuss it in person the next morning. If the call was intercepted, it could lead to big trouble.


    After handling various affairs of the Cloudy Sky Gang, Li Xiaofei eagerly rode his heavy motorcycle back to Guang''an neighborhood. As soon as he entered his apartment, the aroma of food greeted him.


    "Brother Xiaofei, you''re back," Little Jie said with a smile, setting the table. "Dinner is ready."


    There were four dishes and a soup on the dining table. There was meat, vegetables, and even a bottle of fruit juice.


    "So lavish?" Li Xiaofei asked casually, "Is today a special occasion?"


    Little Jie smiled happily and said, "It''s to celebrate you being named the most valuable student in the first round of the league. This is a big event! Little Aunt and I prepared this together. Are you happy?"


    "You already knew?" Li Xiaofei asked, smiling as he sat down.


    Little Jie looked at him admiringly, "Of course, our school organized a watch party. Many classmates watched the match of Red Flag High School... Brother Xiaofei, you were so cool."


    Li Xiaofei patted the little girl''s head and said, "Study well, and you''ll be even cooler in the future."


    Perhaps it was due to the improved nutrition recently, but this once thin and dark little girl had gained some weight. Her cheeks had filled out, making her face round and cute. Her once sparse, light yellow hair had become black, shiny, and smooth. Although her skin was still dark, she now had a lovely and delicate appearance. Compared to a month ago, she exuded a healthy and confident aura.


    "I will definitely study hard," Little Jie said, taking out a USB drive as if it were a treasure. "This is a video I downloaded of you, Brother Xiaofei..."


    Li Xiaofei was puzzled. He didn''t remember making any personal videos. After a while, Little Aunt finished preparing the herbs, washed her hands, and came to the dining room. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Little Jie plugged the USB drive into the TV. The old-fashioned 4K LCD TV started playing a highlight reel of Li Xiaofei''s brilliant performances in the first round of the competition.


    Whew.


    Li Xiaofei breathed a sigh of relief. So it was that kind of video. The food at home always tasted exceptionally good. Li Xiaofei noticed that his aunt was also watching, or you could say, facing the video intently. For some reason, he enjoyed showing off in front of her, like a child excelling in school hoping for parental praise.


    After the video ended, his aunt didn''t say anything. Li Xiaofei then guided Little Jie in practicing cultivation breathing techniques before heading to bed. The next morning, just as he arrived at school, he received some incredibly good news.

 Chapter 70: The Decision Of A Genius

    Chapter 70: The Decision Of A Genius "League rewards?" Li Xiaofei exclaimed in surprise, "Have they come through already?"


    In the principal''s office, Principal Chen Fei, known for his peach blossom eyes and roguish demeanor, laughed heartily. "This is a national league, and the Education Department moves quickly. Our Red Flag High School made a stunning debut this time, winning multiple awards and receiving abundant resources."


    As he spoke, Grandpa Qin, the doorman, had already brought out the prizes. There were Starforce Reagents, followed by star cores and a matching starforce absorption device. There were also ten tanned Polar Explosive Bear¡¯s hides.


    "The star beasts you hunted during the match determine the corresponding rewards from the Education Department. These Polar Explosive Bear¡¯s hides can be used to create high-defense armor. They''re exceptionally good materials," Principal Chen Fei explained.


    It was only then that Li Xiaofei realized now that such benefits existed. In the future, he could selectively hunt more star beasts. This was clearly a special policy for league participants. Ordinary people could only obtain these items by spending a lot of money or by risking their lives to hunt star beasts in the wilderness.


    In addition to these rewards, there were also basic monetary prizes.


    "In the first round of the league, you won the Most Valuable Student Award, the Fastest Battle Conclusion Award, and the Five-Kill Reward... You will receive a total of 5000 star coins in cash, along with a fruit voucher, a cooked vegetable voucher, and a flour voucher. Each of these can be used to purchase one kilogram of their respective items at the Starry Sky Supermarket under the Starry Sky Hotel," Grandpa Qin explained as he handed all the rewards to Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei beamed with joy. He had yet to eat fruit, fresh vegetables, or much white flour since he had arrived. These items couldn''t even be bought with money, only ration tickets. Now, he could finally satisfy his cravings.


    "Actually, these valuable commodity tickets can be exchanged for Starforce Reagents or star coins, which are highly valuable. You should carefully consider how to use them," Principal Chen Fei advised.


    Li Xiaofei put away the three tickets and said, "Don''t worry about it."


    Principal Chen Fei was so annoyed that he gritted his teeth.


    "Did Old Fang and Little Bai get any rewards?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "They all did, and they¡¯ve already been distributed," Grandpa Qin replied. "Team rewards are essential. Even the school received a large amount of cultivation resources and food and water supplies because of your outstanding performance. Now you understand why all the high schools are so keen on participating in the league, right?"


    Li Xiaofei nodded. "I get it now."


    It was now clear that the various levels of leagues had become a way to distribute resources. This high-intensity positive competition allowed limited resources to be allocated in the most optimal way to those who could maximize their use. It was similar to the college entrance examination five hundred years ago. Despite various flaws, it was the fairest selection method for most people.


    The league system in Great Xia covered all grades from elementary, middle school, high school, and university. There were also city teams, provincial teams, and even national teams. While he was catching up on basic courses, Li Xiaofei had learned some historical and cultural knowledge. Nowadays, many international disputes were resolved through martial arts competitions.


    ¡°Speaking of drinking water...¡± Li Xiaofei carefully chose his words and shared the news about the slum hunting team discovering a clean water source.


    "I want to ask for your help in contacting the authorities to donate this water source to the country." He explained his plan.


    Chen Fei and Grandpa Qin exchanged glances, seeing the shock and joy in each other''s eyes. Li Xiaofei was so young, but he had made the optimal choice in the face of temptation and greed from a huge fortune without any persuasion. This slum youth was far more mature than they had imagined.


    "Alright," Chen Fei said, patting his chest in assurance. "Leave this matter to me. I will make sure you get the best possible return." Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Thank you, Principal," Li Xiaofei said, overjoyed.


    After a moment, he took out the Inscribed Treasure Bones collected from the star beasts and said, "These items are useless to me. I want to exchange them for some cultivation resources from the school."


    The Inscribed Treasure Bones were valuable. Even the bones from Grade One star beasts were highly sought after in the market. The Inscribed Treasure Bones Li Xiaofei took out were trophies he¡¯d extracted from the bodies of Dugu Que, Dugu Jue, White Pig, and others.


    However, Li Xiaofei had no desire to undergo transplantation surgery. Coming from the year 2022, he was a staunch supporter of ancient martial arts and had a natural aversion to surgery. The thought of implanting the bones of other creatures into his body seemed insane and risky.


    After much consideration, Li Xiaofei had decided to sell the Inscribed Treasure Bones and exchange them for other useful cultivation resources.


    "A wise decision," Chen Fei and Grandpa Qin said in unison.


    They were both practitioners of the Great Xia martial lineage and staunch opponents of Inscribed Treasure Bone transplantation surgery. This stance was not due to being stuck in the past or being closed-minded but because those surgeries were not yet fully perfected.


    Some martial artists with insufficient mental strength did indeed gain powerful combat techniques shortly after transplanting the Inscribed Treasure Bones. However, they were eventually eroded by the primal force of the star beasts within the Inscribed Treasure Bones. In the end, they transformed into irrational star beasts themselves.


    More than one Saint of the Great Xia martial lineage believed that the proper utilization of Inscribed Treasure Bones was not through direct transplantation but through imitation and emulation. Of course, these debates still had no clear resolution within the academic community. Given the immense pressure from star beast invasions, countries had gradually lifted the restrictions on Inscribed Treasure Bone transplantation surgeries. After all, these surgeries could quickly produce a large number of powerful martial artists, aiding humanity in better combating star beasts and alleviating survival pressures.


    Li Xiaofei''s decision to sell the Inscribed Treasure Bones greatly relieved and pleased both Chen Fei and Grandpa Qin. They had been worried that Li Xiaofei might succumb to the temptation of great power and blindly pursue transplantation surgery. Now, they were reassured.


    The two older men looked at each other after Li Xiaofei left the office, both filled with deep emotions.


    "Why did you go to the slums that day?" Grandpa Qin asked.


    Chen Fei pondered for a moment, then smiled. "Just following a hunch, I guess. Sometimes, we find the brightest gems in the roughest places. I was originally going to Jianye Road Second Middle School to try and invite the genius middle school student, Gu Haochen, to join Red Flag High School..."


    "Haha," Grandpa Qin chuckled. "I remember Gu Haochen rejected you twelve times already."


    "Yes, but as long as there was a glimmer of hope, I still wanted to try," Chen Fei said calmly.


    Only the two men in the office understood the hardships behind their calm demeanor.


    Grandpa Qin teased, "You call harassment a try?"


    Chen Fei, knowing his friend''s nature, wasn''t offended. Instead, he laughed, "So I was rejected again that day and was almost beaten by Gu''s father. I was in a bad mood, so I wandered around aimlessly and ended up in the slums. That''s where I saw that kid sparring with Dugu Que. When I saw him, I was overjoyed. I immediately recognized that this kid was a once-in-a-lifetime ancient martial arts genius. So I managed to bring him in with a little trickery."


    "Good thing you went to the slums that day," Grandpa Qin said with a laugh. "Maybe I should thank Gu Haochen''s father?"


    Both of them burst into hearty laughter. Being fortunate enough to discover a genius like Li Xiaofei was nothing short of a miracle. As Li Xiaofei continued to reveal his brilliance, both men felt as though they were living in a dream.


    Is this really the kind of success Red Flag High School can experience?


    They didn''t say much more, but they understood each other''s thoughts perfectly.


    They would nurture Li Xiaofei at any cost. They would use their last bit of effort, resources, and energy to polish this rough gem into a precious jewel. Of course, they also had Yan Chiyu in mind.

 Chapter 71: Pressed Under

    Chapter 71: Pressed Under The rewards from the Education Department were undoubtedly a godsend for Li Xiaofei. He had run out of Starforce Reagents, and the ones awarded by the Education Department were of the fourth-generation purity, which were precisely the kind he needed. This level of professionalism in the official rewards was truly commendable, since each reward seemed highly targeted.


    "Hello, senior."


    "Senior, you''re my idol."


    "Senior, can we go on a date after school?"


    "I know a great beast fighting arena..."


    Students across campus greeted Li Xiaofei with respect. Some bold female students even extended date invitations. After all, who wouldn''t be attracted to someone so handsome, strong, and prominent? Li Xiaofei responded gracefully, smiling at each greeting.


    He followed the schedule arranged by Chen Fei the entire morning, catching up on various basic subjects such as language, history, biology, and physics. At noon, Li Xiaofei had lunch in the school cafeteria. The first class in the afternoon was a martial arts practical training session for the school battle team.


    Grandpa Qin Dewei then transformed into Invincible Qin, the special teacher. The routine started with checking everyone''s cultivation progress, followed by guidance on their techniques and battle moves. This time, Li Xiaofei received personal instruction from Invincible Qin, focusing mainly on the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique.


    Li Xiaofei had thought that his mastery of the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique was already perfect. However, under Invincible Qin''s guidance, he experienced a sudden enlightenment. Many subtleties he had never realized before were revealed one by one.


    "Do not underestimate the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique," Invincible Qin said sternly. "It is the best foundational technique prepared by the school for you at the Qi Refining Realm. It lays the most solid foundation, and you will understand its benefits when you aim to break through to the Limit Breaking Realm."


    These words were directed at Li Xiaofei, but also at Fang Buyi, Bai Longfei, Bai Qiqi, Ren Dong, and the others. Li Xiaofei finally realized how wonderful it was to have a master guiding his cultivation. During the class, Li Xiaofei made tremendous progress in his understanding of the breathing technique.


    After class, Li Xiaofei took a short break. Then it was time for the daily routine of climbing the ranks in the light core virtual world rankings. Li Xiaofei logged into the light-network, entered the virtual world, and as usual, browsed the leaderboard forum.


    As expected, discussion threads about the performance of prestigious schools in the first round of the War God League dominated over 80 percent of the daily new posts. There was also a significant amount of discussion about him.


    One of the hottest threads, pinned by the official site, was titled The Strongest Rising Star. It had over a billion views and more than three hundred thousand replies, making it a recent high-quality post on the forum. The one that posted it was an old acquaintance¡ªLittle White Dragon in the Waves.


    Li Xiaofei clicked in and took a quick look. Sure enough, it discussed the ranking of the most surprising dark horses in the first round of Season 251. The top of the list was dominated by his name.


    "Heh, this Little White Dragon has quite an eye," Li Xiaofei praised.


    He glanced at the names ranked behind him. Second was Tsukiha Yaiba. Third was Gu Haochen. Fourth was Mizutani Hikaru.


    "Hmm?" Li Xiaofei was taken aback.


    What was going on? How did those two Jiepeng girls end up participating in the league? The Jiepeng medical exchange team was supposed to be temporary, so how did these two girls, who came with the team, manage to qualify for the league? Have they become exchange students?


    The Jiepeng Empire had been vigorously promoting new martial arts, and its national power was on the rise. Many genius students from Jiepeng preferred to go to North America or Europe for exchange studies because those places were considered havens of new martial arts. Yet these two Jiepeng girls had come to a remote and relatively low-tier base city like Liuhe in Great Xia for an exchange program.


    Are they out of their minds, or is there another motive?


    Li Xiaofei learned from the post that these two Jiepeng girls were now attending Quanye High School and had joined the school''s battle team. As a result, Quanye High School had skyrocketed to fifth place in the recently concluded first round of the league, trailing only behind Duxing, Lanling, Qishen, and Red Flag High School.


    In terms of individual performance, Tsukiha Yaiba had also achieved a pentakill, but it was in a team battle, which was slightly less impressive compared to Li Xiaofei''s one-versus-five pentakill. Hence, she was ranked behind Li Xiaofei.


    Mizutani Hikaru was ranked fourth on the individual leaderboard. The third spot was held by Gu Haochen from Hongye High School. Li Xiaofei noticed that Gu Haochen was only a first-year student who had just joined Hongye High School this semester.


    He had secured one quadra kill and two triple kills in three team battles in the league matches between Hongye High School and Mushroom Street High School, which ranked fifteenth last season. The newcomer¡¯s performance was indeed impressive. If not for the two pentakills above him, he would have been the biggest dark horse of this round.


    "What a young swordsman!" Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but praise him after watching the video. Gu Haochen''s swordsmanship was extraordinary and almost supernatural. No wonder many forum users called Gu Haochen, the Little Sword Immortal.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at his own nickname...


    "Who the hell gave me the nickname Fist King? It sounds so crude, like a bandit..." Li Xiaofei felt a bit envious of others'' nicknames.


    "If I practiced swordsmanship, I would definitely be stronger than him."


    He could only comfort himself with this kind of self-assurance.


    The dark horse rankings also featured other newly emerged talents in the season, such as Mu Feixue from Municipal Government Affiliated First High School, Yan Chu from Qishen Academy, and Xie Zhiren from Petroleum First High School. Of course, these were merely dark horses.


    Many well-known geniuses, such as Zhou Yunong from Nanshan High School, Ye Keran from Duxing High School, and Du Ziteng from Qishen Academy, continued to shine brightly in this round. These seasoned veterans didn''t exert their full strength in the first round but took a more measured approach. After all, the season lasted a full year. The one who had the last laugh would be the true king.


    After skimming through the forum, Li Xiaofei entered the trials to continue improving his rank. After the first round of the league, Li Xiaofei had become increasingly aware of the benefits of the trials for enhancing his combat skills. It was the perfect place to accumulate battle experience.


    Four hours later, he cleared the tenth-level trial, the Hellfire Arena. He still held the top spot on the ranking points leaderboard with an astonishing 98,000 points, making it a daunting challenge for any pursuers. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ***


    "This Your Grandpa must be cheating, right?"


    In the embassy district, within a heavily guarded standalone villa, Mizutani Hikaru leaped out of the light core mainframe, feeling frustrated. "I scored 24,000 points in an afternoon, yet he still crushed me."


    On the other side, Tsukiha Yaiba was calmly wiping her katana. This genius from the Jiepeng Empire became more serious at her friend''s anger.


    "Don''t let the leaderboard blind your eyes and heart. The ranking points are designed to encourage students to train in the trials, but the purpose of training in those trials is not to chase points but to increase combat experience and improve practical fighting skills," she said slowly.


    "But it''s so annoying to be constantly outdone by a Great Xia person," Mizutani Hikaru huffed.


    Tsukiha Yaiba replied calmly, "It''s just a leaderboard; it doesn''t mean much. Great Xia people can only find some sense of honor in trivial matters. The decline of Great Xia''s national power is an undeniable fact. Why bother with minor gains and losses for now?"


    Mizutani Hikaru rubbed her chest and said, "But wouldn''t it be great to knock Your Grandpa off the top spot?"


    Tsukiha Yaiba sighed and replied, "I suspect Your Grandpa has mastered some technique to quickly clear trials by using body movements to maximize points. His actual combat ability might not be as strong. Otherwise, why didn''t he shine in the first round of the league?"


    "That''s true," replied Mizutani Hikaru, nodding thoughtfully.


    She had already instructed her retainers to carefully analyze and compare the combat styles and data of all the high school students from the first round of the league. There were only a few students who excelled in body movements similar to Your Grandpa, but none were as impressive. Their performances in the league were also quite average.


    "Points on the leaderboard don''t mean much," Tsukiha Yaiba continued. "On the other hand, Red Flag High School''s Fist King Li Xiaofei and Hongye High School''s Little Sword Immortal Gu Haochen are worth watching out for, especially the former... I have a feeling that he is very dangerous."


    "Dangerous?" Mizutani Hikaru was surprised. It was the first time she heard such an assessment from Tsukiha Yaiba.


    "Yes, very dangerous," Tsukiha Yaiba reiterated. "His skills and presence on the battlefield suggest he has a lot more potential than what we''ve seen so far. We need to be cautious around him."

 Chapter 72: A VIP

    Chapter 72: A VIP "He has a crazed, murderous aura, similar to the Saints of the Great Xia martial lineage from years ago." A glint of excitement appeared in Tsukiha Yaiba''s eyes. "If we can subdue him as a servant, it would be worth the trip to Great Xia, even if we fail in our other objectives."


    Mizutani Hikaru''s eyes lit up, eager to try. "Sister Tsukiha, why don''t I go test him for you?"


    "Be careful not to get yourself in trouble," Tsukiha Yaiba warned, not entirely trusting her impulsive friend.


    "So what if I do?" Mizutani Hikaru''s eyes narrowed with anticipation. "He''s very handsome, after all. I wouldn''t be at a loss. I''d prefer to have some fun with someone I find appealing rather than returning home and dealing with those old men."


    A cold gleam flashed through Tsukiha Yaiba''s eyes as she looked at the sword in her hand.


    Can it cut through enemies and also the rigid customs of my empire?


    She resumed sharpening her blade with renewed determination.


    ***


    The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day, and Li Xiaofei logged out of the light core mainframe. It was time to go home for dinner. As soon as he stepped out of the mainframe room, Grandpa Qin Dewei blocked his way.


    "Let''s go," Grandpa Qin said succinctly.


    "Where to?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "You''ll know when we get there," replied Grandpa Qin.


    When they got downstairs, Principal Chen Fei was already waiting in the car.


    "No time to explain, get in," Chen Fei beckoned him urgently.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t know how to respond. The car left Red Flag High School and sped toward the city center. Half an hour later, the car stopped at the entrance of the city government compound. This was Li Xiaofei¡¯s first time visiting a government office since his transmigration.


    Fully armed star martial artists stood guard at the gate. There was also a squad of power armor soldiers patrolling the area. Li Xiaofei''s eyes lit up. His gaze fixed firmly on the patrol squad as they passed by the car.


    Power armor was one of humanity''s greatest technological inventions, second only to power mechs. It was a formidable weapon against star beasts. The earliest power armor sets were created by the Saints of the Star Council.


    The two-meter-tall power armor gleamed with a faint gray metallic sheen, and the chest plate bore the scarlet graffiti of the Longya Group. It relied on the starforce qi of the armor master to activate the engine, ultimately using electricity to drive the mechanical skeleton and generate kinetic energy. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At first glance, it resembled the full-body armor of ancient generals. The exoskeleton covered the armor master¡¯s entire body, emitting a faint noise with each movement. It could enhance the wearer¡¯s attack power five times over. It also featured a lightweight energy shield and metal plates as dual defense mechanisms.


    Power armor was also equipped with various types of powered chainsaw swords, chainsaw knives, and thermal weapons with significant ammunition capacity. This meant that the armor master needed to have a high level of personal cultivation. The minimum requirement for an armor master was the Limit Breaking Realm. Only adults who reached that minimum cultivation level could apply for a license. Once they obtained a license, they would then be qualified to operate power armor.


    A Limit Breaking Realm armor master equipped with power armor could single-handedly take on Grade Three star beasts. They could also contend with masters in the Acupoint Opening Realm who were not wearing armor.


    Li Xiaofei watched the power armor patrol squad leave with a mix of envy and admiration. Five hundred years ago, most men''s two main interests were beautiful women and cars. Nowadays, those interests had shifted to beautiful women and power armor. It was evident that men were truly consistent creatures. They always liked eighteen-year-olds and always liked machinery.


    "Do you like it?" Chen Fei smiled.


    Li Xiaofei nodded.


    Chen Fei raised an eyebrow and said, "Then work hard on your cultivation. Once you reach the Limit Breaking Realm, I''ll help you apply for a driving test in advance. Maybe you can get your armor master qualification before entering university. Impressing girls would be a piece of cake."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    Is this really how you educate people? I''m going to be led astray by you sooner or later.


    "Do you mean it?" asked Li Xiaofei/


    "Absolutely," replied Chen Fei.


    At that moment, the two like-minded men reached an agreement.


    The guards at the government compound carefully checked the vehicle and their electronic IDs before letting them in. Grandpa Qin then drove to the parking lot to wait. Chen Fei led Li Xiaofei to the office of the city leader, where they waited outside.


    "We''re here to see the city leader?" Li Xiaofei asked in surprise.


    Chen Fei replied, "In order to get the most benefits from donating the clean water source, you need to meet him."


    The long corridor was lined with rows of people of all kinds who were sitting and waiting. Every so often, someone would be called into the office. The scene reminded Li Xiaofei of the bustling queues at popular restaurants from five hundred years ago.


    Time passed, and soon an hour had gone by. Chen Fei''s expression gradually grew impatient. Just then, a young man who looked like a secretary came out and said, "Principal Chen, Li Xiaofei, City Leader Tan will see you now. Please follow me."


    In the office, a stern-looking middle-aged man in a Chinese tunic suit was busy handling a mountain of electronic documents on his desk.


    He looked somewhat peculiar. Though his face looked like he was in his thirties or forties, half of his hair had turned a striking silver. This was a clear sign of overwork and stress. He was Tan Zhenwei, the city leader of Liuhe Base City.


    ¡°Principal Chen, please sit down,¡± Tan Zhenwei smiled apologetically at the peach-blossom-eyed man and the young boy who had entered. ¡°I apologize for the wait. I¡¯ve been incredibly busy here.¡±


    Chen Fei''s expression softened slightly at the pile of electronic documents on the desk. He walked over to the window and said calmly, ¡°There¡¯s no Principal Chen here, just a struggling headmaster from a bottom-ranked high school.¡±


    The young secretary glanced at Chen Fei, puzzled as to why this seemingly insignificant principal dared to speak so casually to the city leader. But the latter remained unfazed and even smiled back.


    Curiosity aside, the secretary understood proper protocol and quietly left, closing the door behind him. Tan Zhenwei''s gaze briefly lingered on Li Xiaofei. He had already reviewed this young man''s background.


    A figure who rose from the gang factions had ended the chaos caused by the seven major gangs in the slums and become the sole leader of the slums in Liuhe Base City. Under his governance, the slums, often referred to as the shadow where the light of law does not shine, had experienced unprecedented peace for the first time in a century.


    Moreover, this young man had been the most outstanding student in Season 251¡¯s first round. As the saying goes, one can see the whole from observing a part. The boy¡¯s character was fully evident; he was an excellent prospect. However, these achievements alone were not enough for the busy Tan Zhenwei to personally meet him.


    The only reason Tan Zhenwei wanted to see this boy was because Principal Chen had chosen him. Moreover, as Tan Zhenwei knew, Qin Dewei, whose talents had been mostly wasted due to mental illness, also agreed with Principal Chen''s choice.


    The last person to receive such treatment was Yan Chiyu. However, Yan Chiyu''s development had clearly not met expectations. SInce they had already wasted an opportunity on Yan Chiyu, the fact that both Principal Chen and Qin Dewei were still willing to trust in Li Xiaofei showed just how highly they regarded him. This piqued Tan Zhenwei''s curiosity.


    At first glance...


    Hmm, indeed full of vigor.


    What was even more remarkable was that the young man had an ancient aura about him. However, Tan Zhenwei only nodded at Li Xiaofei without any intention of conversing with him.


    Li Xiaofei remained silent.


    Tan Zhenwei walked over to stand beside Chen Fei and asked in a low voice, "Still not considering coming back?"


    Chen Fei snorted coldly.


    Tan Zhenwei smiled helplessly. "Alright, being a principal and educating people is also a contribution to the country... The conditions you proposed have all been approved in the government meeting."


    "Thank you." Chen Fei nodded.


    Tan Zhenwei said, "There''s no need for thanks between us."


    Chen Fei snorted again, seemingly unwilling to say more. Li Xiaofei watched, feeling very puzzled.


    This was the city leader, after all. In any part of the world, the city leader of a base city wielded significant power. Although Liuhe Base City was a low-level base city, the status of its city leader was still very high. This middle-aged man with half-white hair was easily in the top two hundred in the entire power hierarchy of the Great Xia nation.


    He was undoubtedly one of the elite at the top of the pyramid. Yet, Principal Chen, who was just a small school principal, dared to be this cold toward such a significant figure? It also seemed like they knew each other well.


    Hmm, there must be some secrets here. Should I leave? Knowing too much could get me silenced.


    Li Xiaofei looked around aimlessly. At that moment, footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the door.


    "You can''t go in. The city leader is meeting an important guest. Hey?! You really can''t go in..."


    The secretary''s helpless and urgent voice rang out from behind the door.


    Bang.


    The office door was abruptly yanked open.

 Chapter 73: A Rebellious Girl

    Chapter 73: A Rebellious Girl Li Xiaofei was very surprised. He had thought that Chen Fei blowing his beard and glaring at the city leader was already quite bold. He never expected that someone would dare smash the door of the city leader''s office.


    Who is this courageous subordinate?


    Li Xiaofei looked toward the door. A short-haired girl in ultra-short hot pants and a crop top storming in.


    She put her hands on her hips and angrily said, "Tan Zhenwei, do you keep your word or not?"


    The girl was tall and slender. Her black, tight, crop top and black ultra-short hot pants accentuated her personality. The small black fabric pieces clung tightly to her chest and hips, clearly outlining her not-so-full but appropriately developed curves for her age.


    Her exposed skin was as white as fine porcelain and her long legs were perfect in both shape and proportion. She had an oval face with stunning features. However, her short hair was dyed pink. Her purple lipstick and dark eyeshadow gave her a somewhat rebellious look.


    Is this the non-mainstream style five hundred years in the future?


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but take a few more glances. Tan Zhenwei''s face immediately showed a trace of helplessness.


    "Little Ying, Daddy is working," he said with a wry smile. "Can you... give me some face?"


    The girl called Little Ying didn''t give him any courtesy at all.


    "Give you face? Why don''t you give An Junru face?" The girl cupped her hands around her mouth like a megaphone and shouted, "You promised An Junru that you would eat on time, not work overtime, and not stay up late... It''s already half an hour past your off time. I checked with the restaurant, and not only did you skip dinner, but you also skipped lunch... I am very angry now!" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tan Zhenwei glanced at Chen Fei and explained with a bitter smile, "My daughter is poorly disciplined, so please forgive her."


    Chen Fei said nothing.


    Tan Zhenwei turned to the girl and said, "Daddy is entertaining important guests¡ª"


    "I don''t care who you''re entertaining or how important your business is." The girl rudely interrupted, making a non-negotiable demand, "Now, go immediately to the restaurant. I want to watch you finish your dinner."


    Tan Zhenwei placed his hand on his forehead in exasperation.


    Chen Fei said expressionlessly, "I''ll be leaving now."


    He then signaled Li Xiaofei with a look. The two of them walked towards the door.


    "Huh?" The fierce-looking girl suddenly exclaimed. She stared at Li Xiaofei, scrutinizing him closely. "You... you''re that Fist King, aren''t you?"


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t say anything.


    "Haha, it''s you, definitely you." The girl''s face lit up with excitement. "I didn''t expect to see you here. I''m a fan, I really like you... Can I get an autograph?"


    She pulled out a pen from who-knows-where and pointed to her chest. "Sign here."


    Li Xiaofei instinctively glanced at the city leader.


    What should I do, sir? Sign or not?


    Tan Zhenwei looked somewhat helpless. "Little Ying, stop messing around... Alright, I admit I was wrong. I''ll go to the cafeteria with you. Just stop causing trouble."


    "Uncle, who are you?" The girl gave Tan Zhenwei a sidelong glance. "Eat if you want, or don''t eat if you don''t want to. Who wants to accompany you to eat? Step aside if you have nothing better to do and stop getting in the way of my fangirling."


    Tan Zhenwei was speechless.


    This troublesome daughter.


    But he had no choice. He had brought this upon himself. His dedication to work left him little time to accompany or discipline his daughter, resulting in an extended and pronounced rebellious phase. He felt a deep sense of guilt, so he had never spoken harshly to her. He could manage the lives of millions in this large base city, but he couldn''t manage his own daughter.


    Even as he was ridiculed by his daughter, Tan Zhenwei patiently smiled. "Don''t make a fuss."


    "Brother Xiaofei, is this your first time at the government offices? Don''t be in a hurry to leave. Come on, I''ll show you around."


    Little Ying took Li Xiaofei''s arm. Li Xiaofei struggled a bit, but Little Ying just held on tighter, causing his upper arm to press firmly against her chest


    When he felt an incredible softness, Li Xiaofei froze. He was afraid that the city leader might misunderstand if he kept struggling and think he was taking advantage of his daughter.


    "Sorry to trouble you, Li Xiaofei," Tan Zhenwei suddenly said. This was the first time he had spoken directly to Li Xiaofei.


    "Oh," Li Xiaofei replied expressionlessly.


    As such, he was dragged out of the office by the unruly girl like a poor boy being abducted.


    Chen Fei frowned and said, "Hey, we''re familiar with each other, but you need to manage your daughter. Don''t let her waste Little Eighteen''s time."


    "Eighteen?" Tan Zhenwei looked puzzled.


    Chen Fei said nothing more. He left the office and found Grandpa Qin in the parking lot.


    "Where''s Li Xiaofei?" Grandpa Qin looked around.


    "He''s been caught by the Tan family''s little girl."


    Chen Fei got into the car. "Let''s go back. That kid can find his way home."


    "Hey, you''re quite relaxed about this," said Grandpa Qin. He thought for a moment and realized there wasn''t much to worry about either. So, he started his old, battered car. The engine roared and smoked as they left the city government compound.


    ***


    At the City Government Compound, in the Rear Courtyard.


    "Where are you taking me?" Li Xiaofei reluctantly withdrew his arm.


    He had no desire to deal with a spoiled official''s daughter and didn''t believe for a second that she was truly his fan. A rebellious girl, oblivious to the hardships of common folk, was not worth his time. If it weren''t for the strict security with guards stationed every ten steps and patrols of power armor squads, Li Xiaofei would not have been so compliant.


    "Anywhere you like! What do you enjoy?" Tan Qingying asked excitedly. "I can make it happen for you."


    Li Xiaofei looked at her and said, "Right now, I just want to go home and eat."


    "Eat?" Tan Qingying''s eyes lit up, automatically filtering out the rest of his words. She excitedly said, "I know a place with really delicious food. How about I take you there?"


    How delicious could it be?


    Li Xiaofei suddenly became interested. As someone from 2022, what kind of delicacies hadn''t he tasted? However, ever since being abruptly transported to this post-apocalyptic world five hundred years in the future by that dumb dog, he''d been living a monk-like life for months, and his taste buds were crying out for flavor.


    He missed bubble tea, crayfish, Da Yao[1], Xiaolongkan[2], Tan Duck Blood, Xianhezhuang, Maotou Gushi, and Banu. Following this official''s daughter to indulge his taste buds and stomach sounded like a good idea. Plus, Li Xiaofei was curious to see what high society in this world was like. So he accepted Tan Qingying''s invitation.


    "Great!" The rebellious girl was as excited as a child with a lollipop. "Wait here for me; I''ll be right back... Don''t leave, promise you won''t leave."


    She ran into the office building. Li Xiaofei thought for a moment, took out his old phone, and sent his aunt a voice message saying he would be home late today.


    Ten minutes later, Tan Qingying emerged excitedly with two helmets, having changed into tight black leather clothes, high tactical boots. When she saw that Li Xiaofei was still there, her eyes visibly lit up with genuine happiness.


    "Here, there''s no men''s helmet, so you''ll have to make do with mine for now," said Tan Qingying. She stuck out her tongue and handed Li Xiaofei a helmet with a super macho pink graffiti design.


    Li Xiaofei looked at it and sighed.


    The helmet even had two fluffy bunny ears. At least it fits well.


    "Are we riding a bike?" Li Xiaofei asked after putting on the helmet.


    "Don''t worry, I''m a great driver." Tan Qingying laughed proudly at the sight of Li Xiaofei wearing the pink helmet with bunny ears.


    As soon as she finished speaking, a young bodyguard in a black suit wheeled over a large, heavily modified death metal motorcycle.


    "Get on," said Tan Qingying, expertly jumping onto the bike.


    One had to admit that her figure was truly perfect. A slender waist, long legs, and an exquisite waist-to-hip curve. When it was combined with her already well-developed chest, the young rebellious daughter of the city leader looked like a budding rose in the sunset. The hints of charm exuding from her youthful appearance gave her an astonishingly pure and captivating allure, reminiscent of a first love.


    The moment she straddled the bike and smiled back at Li Xiaofei was enough to outshine any motorcycle goddess from his previous life''s TrickTock.


    Li Xiaofei put on his helmet and jumped onto the bike, placing his hands on the motorcycle''s rear rack.


    "Hug my waist," Tan Qingying corrected. "It''s not safe otherwise."


    Li Xiaofei didn''t hesitate and wrapped his arms tightly around her slim waist. A faint warmth seeped through the thin leather jacket, and he caught a whiff of a subtle, pleasant fragrance.


    1. A Chinese soda brand. ?


    2. A hotpot shop in China ?

 Chapter 74: Old Chens Offal Shop

    Chapter 74: Old Chen''s Offal Shop "Hold on tight, here we go!" Tan Qingying laughed and twisted the throttle.


    The heavy motorcycle¡¯s engine roared as it shot forward like a bullet from a gun, accompanied by the sound of a sonic boom. A feeling of freedom swept over both youngsters.


    Li Xiaofei was an avid motorcycle enthusiast five hundred years ago. Every hero dreams of riding a horse and wielding a sword across the land, and in the era of steel and concrete jungles, a motorcycle was the steed of choice for modern-day knights seeking unbridled freedom.


    In the hopeless and frustrating times of the past, Li Xiaofei would often ride his motorcycle through the mountains, clearing his mind as he imagined himself as a hero riding through the grand martial world. Thus, Li Xiaofei was also an excellent rider.


    From his somewhat professional perspective, Tan Qingying''s riding skills were not just impressive, they were professional. She was on par with the best motorcycle riders of his previous life.


    The oversized, heavily modified bike responded to her control like a gentle mare as she wove through the relatively empty streets. Li Xiaofei could feel the faint warmth of her body through the leather jacket. She was fully immersed in her ride, and didn¡¯t say a word. It was like she was performing a sacred task.


    They rode through the main streets and into narrow alleys. The bike''s speed gradually decreased until it finally stopped in an old-fashioned neighborhood. Li Xiaofei jumped off the bike and carefully looked around.


    The area wasn''t filled with neon lights like the bustling districts, nor was it as dilapidated as the slums. The red brick walls and low buildings were clean and tidy, exuding a strong sense of historical charm. Thin wisps of smoke rose from various parts of the orderly streets, and the air was filled with the aroma of different foods, giving the entire neighborhood a peaceful, homely atmosphere.


    This surprised Li Xiaofei. He had expected the rebellious girl to take him to some high-end private restaurant, club, or members-only bar. Instead, she had brought him to a place full of life and warmth.


    "This is the Mudfoot District, home to the families of workers from the Brightness Power Armor Assembly Plant. It may not have any high-rise buildings, but it has plenty of authentic local cuisine. I''ll take you to a famous century-old tripe shop," Tan Qingying said as she jumped off the bike.


    She removed her helmet and then took off her... pink wig? Her shoulder-length black hair cascaded down like a waterfall. When she turned, the girl¡¯s pure and beautiful face that lacked any artificial adornment radiated a genuine smile as fresh and natural as a lotus emerging from clear water.


    Wow.


    Li Xiaofei was stunned. At that moment, it felt like an electric shock. Although Tan Qingying was indeed pure and beautiful, President Li had seen and experienced the ways of the world in his past life. He shouldn''t have been so easily thrown off by a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl.


    The main issue was the stark contrast. He had initially thought she was a rebellious, non-mainstream girl. But the moment she removed her wig, she transformed dramatically into a pure, first-love goddess with long, straight black hair.


    The visual impact of this transformation truly shocked Li Xiaofei.


    How do I describe it?


    It was reminiscent of the movie King of Comedy[1] from 500 years ago, where the character Liu Piaopiao, played by Cecilia Cheung, revealed her pure and sweet charm after removing her heavy makeup, leaving a profound impression on the audience.


    At one time, Cecilia Cheung, who played Liu Piaopiao, was the dream girl of countless young men. This also explained why those transformation videos on TrickTock five hundred years ago had gone viral. The before-and-after contrast was immense.


    "Huh? Idol, what are you spacing out for?" Tan Qingying waved her hands in front of Li Xiaofei''s eyes. "Don''t you like it here?"


    Li Xiaofei snapped back to reality.


    "It''s alright." He responded coolly. After all, maintaining his cool demeanor was necessary.


    "Come on, I''ll take you to eat something delicious," Tan Qingying said, grabbing Li Xiaofei''s hand.


    She was evidently very familiar with this neighborhood. She pulled Li Xiaofei along, leading him into a narrow alley. After walking for a few dozen meters, the narrow path suddenly opened up.


    They found themselves on a bustling food street filled with the aroma of various dishes. They arrived at a small shop with a yellow signboard and red characters that read Old Chen''s Offal Shop.


    "Uncle Chen," Tan Qingying called out warmly as she walked in.


    "Little Ying, you''re here again?" An elderly man with snow-white hair who was wearing an apron responded with a kind smile. "I knew you''d come today. Your usual spot is saved for you."


    "Thank you, Uncle Chen," she replied.


    Tan Qingying pulled Li Xiaofei to a small two-person table at the back and loudly said, "The usual three dishes... make it double this time... Idol, can you handle spicy food?"


    Li Xiaofei nodded.


    She called out loudly, "Extra spicy."


    "Got it," Uncle Chen smiled back.


    Soon, two bowls of offal soup with a layer of red chili oil, a plate of braised offal, and a plate of homemade aspic were served. The aroma was irresistible.


    Uncle Chen glanced at Li Xiaofei and jokingly asked Tan Qingying, "Is this your boyfriend?"


    Tan Qingying smiled sweetly and replied, "Not yet."


    Uncle Chen nodded with a smile and went back to his work.


    Tan Qingying picked up her chopsticks and enthusiastically said, "This old shop has been around for many years and their braised star beast meat is excellent. My mom used to bring me here often... Idol, you should try it."


    Li Xiaofei took a sip of the offal soup. It was spicy and fragrant.


    "Not bad," he said, his appetite immediately piqued.


    The braised offal was tender and flavorful, while the aspic was cool, salty, and delicious. These were indeed rare delicacies in this era.


    President Li was genuinely impressed. "Who would have thought that there''d be such hidden culinary gems in the base city?"


    "The common folk have true culinary delights," Tan Qingying said, beaming. "Most of the shops on this street use the simplest and cheapest ingredients to cook the best dishes. For example, Old Chen''s offal shop gets all its ingredients from the nearby star beast slaughterhouse. They¡¯re the parts that no one wants¡ªoffal and scraps. Most people can''t cook them well, but Uncle Chen''s flavors are the most authentic, with no gamey taste."


    As they spoke, the shop had filled up with people. The air was thick with steam and the buzz of conversation. Li Xiaofei felt a sense of nostalgia. It was as if he was back in a hole-in-the-wall restaurant on an unnamed street five hundred years ago.


    "Really nice," he said sincerely.


    "Hehe, I knew you¡¯d like it because you came from the slums. You must enjoy this kind of atmosphere and environment," Tan Qingying said proudly. The girl spoke very candidly.


    Li Xiaofei smiled and, recalling Uncle Chen''s earlier comment, curiously asked, "You''ve never brought anyone else here before?"


    Tan Qingying nodded. "My other friends don¡¯t like this kind of place. They think it¡¯s low-class and beneath them... I don¡¯t want to bring them here either. They don¡¯t fit in with the vibe here."


    Li Xiaofei nearly choked on his soup.


    Did she just call her own friends bad company so openly? Is this rebellious girl pretending to be naive?


    "You look great like this," Li Xiaofei said curiously. "Why did you wear that wig in the government compound?"


    "To fit in," Tan Qingying replied as she gasped from the spiciness.


    "Fit in?" Li Xiaofei asked. "With those... uh, bad company friends you mentioned?"


    "Yeah," Tan Qingying said. "Nobody else wants to hang out with me."


    After a pause, she added, "And also to annoy my dad."


    She put down her bowl and rested her chin in her hands. "My dad gets so busy that sometimes I don''t see him for weeks. I don''t like being alone, so I find friends to hang out with."


    Li Xiaofei asked casually, "What about your mom?"


    Tan Qingying replied, "She passed away ten years ago."


    Li Xiaofei''s chopsticks trembled in his hand.


    1. A movie directed by Stephen Chow, Lee Lik-chi and released on February 13, 1999 (Hong Kong). ?


    Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 75: She’s An Excellent Girl

    Chapter 75: She¡¯s An Excellent Girl Li Xiaofei suddenly understood why Tan Qingying spoke and behaved in the way she did. However, he didn''t ask further since it was her private matter.


    But Tan Qingying seemed eager to talk. She continued in a low voice, "My mom passed away ten years ago. When she died, my dad was so busy with work that he didn''t make it in time to see her one last time..."


    Li Xiaofei understood even more now. No wonder the relationship between father and daughter was so strained. This kind of situation was common even five hundred years ago. Children left behind by workaholic parents had a tough time.


    Tan Qingying went on, "At first, I resented him and hated him, but then one day I found him crying like a child in front of my mom''s photo. I forgave him because sometimes he has to bear the lives and safety of four million people. He really has no choice."


    Li Xiaofei looked at her in surprise. This was the second time he realized that Tan Qingying wasn''t as spoiled and rebellious as she appeared.


    Tan Qingying smiled and said, "Even though I forgave him, I still have to keep an eye on him. My dad is a notorious workaholic. He promised my mom he''d eat on time, not stay up late, and not overwork... but he often fails to keep those promises."


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but ask, "Did your mom... pass away from an illness?"


    In this era, even cancer could be conquered. Many martial arts experts had greatly extended lifespans with universal cultivation. Saint-level powerhouses could live over three hundred years. It was surprising for the city leader''s wife, who would have had access to the best medical care, to pass away so early. It must have been some kind of accident.


    "My mom died of radiation sickness," Tan Qingying said. "She worked at the Thor Research Institute and was involved in many advanced star beast dissections and research. During one experiment, she was exposed to radiation from a King Grade star beast''s corpse and got infected..."


    Li Xiaofei understood. He had learned about this in his basic biology courses. Many high-grade star beast corpses emitted strong radiation. King Grade star beast corpses were the worst, with radiation levels reaching up to 20,000 roentgens.


    Warriors who weren¡¯t strong enough and didn¡¯t have special protective gear faced extreme danger when dealing with untreated King Grade star beast corpses. This type of radiation was different from nuclear radiation. Current human technology couldn''t cure it.


    Many human pioneers and great researchers sacrificed themselves throughout history to unravel the secrets of star beasts and help humanity gain powerful abilities. They achieved significant results. Developments like power armor, power mechs, and powered chainsaw weapons were built on this scientific foundation. Many potent techniques and combat skills had also stemmed from this field of study. But humanity paid a great price for these advancements.


    The ninth Saint of the Great Xia Republic, Madam Yuqin, also died in her prime due to starforce radiation from her research. This type of radiation was one of the reasons resources were so scarce for humans. Many water sources and plants in the wild were not directly consumable by humans. Similarly, much of star beast meat couldn''t be consumed due to this radiation.


    Fortunately, the Star Council had developed techniques to purify these resources. However, the costs were high. Overall, the star beast invasion brought immense disaster to humanity. It was not just the slaughter, the invasion had infiltrated every aspect of life.


    "Idol, do you think I was being very bratty when I yelled at him in the office?" Tan Qingying asked, looking up.


    Li Xiaofei''s greatest virtue was his honesty, so he immediately denied it. "How could that be? I thought it was very cute."


    Tan Qingying wrinkled her delicate, upturned nose. "Hmph, insincere."


    Li Xiaofei smiled but said nothing.


    Tan Qingying didn''t throw a tantrum; instead, she explained, "Actually, I was imitating the way my mom used to talk to him. It''s the only way he''ll listen. Otherwise, he''s incredibly stubborn and works nonstop as if he''s trying to work himself to death."


    Li Xiaofei looked at the girl in front of him and suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for her. Problematic children usually had problematic parents. Whatever the issue, it probably wasn''t the child''s fault to begin with.


    Tan Qingying seemed to feel much better after she had explained herself. She looked at Li Xiaofei and said, "This is the first time in the last ten years someone has accompanied me here to eat. The last time was ten years ago, when my mom was still alive."


    Li Xiaofei said, "If you can''t find anyone to accompany you to this shop, you can call me."


    Tan Qingying asked, "What about other shops? Would that be okay?"


    Li Xiaofei leaned back strategically and said, "It depends. I''m actually quite busy."


    Tan Qingying laughed again. "I get it, President Li. After all, you''re managing so many gang members, and a lot of people depend on you for their livelihood."


    Li Xiaofei was surprised. "You know about that?"


    Tan Qingying said, "I''ve read your file at least ten times."


    "File?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Tan Qingying replied, "What else? Do you think just anyone can casually meet my dad? Your entire background and behavior were thoroughly investigated before you came to the City Government Compound."


    Li Xiaofei suddenly understood. It made sense.


    Tan Qingying mischievously squinted her eyes and said, "I also know that the girl you like is named Zhong Ling, your master''s daughter. But it seems she doesn''t really like you."


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but laugh. He didn''t argue because the previous owner of his body did indeed have a deep affection for Zhong Ling. It was logical that the government staff would uncover this information. However, his reaction seemed to have given Tan Qingying the wrong impression.


    "Don''t be mad." She quickly explained. "Honestly, a wonderful guy like you, she''s really blind if she doesn''t like you. There are many prettier girls who would fight over you. She''ll regret it sooner or later."


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but laugh. It was a poor attempt at comfort, but coming from a top-tier rich girl like Tan Qingying, it was surprisingly persuasive.


    He casually smiled and said, "To each their own."


    After drinking a few more sips of the offal soup, he felt much more refreshed.


    He continued, "Actually, everyone has the freedom to like someone and the freedom not to. I''m not a star coin; it''s impossible for everyone to love me. If she doesn''t like me, that''s normal. As long as she''s happy, it''s fine."


    Tan Qingying was stunned for a moment. "Idol, you''re so carefree." S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei smiled and began to speed up, devouring the few remaining pieces of braised offal.


    "Hey, slow down! I haven''t had enough yet," Tan Qingying said anxiously.


    The two of them started eating rapidly as their chopsticks flew. Before long, the bowls and plates were clean.


    "Ugh... how annoying, you took most of it," Tan Qingying said, her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. Her mouth was full of braised meat.


    Li Xiaofei laughed proudly, "You were too slow."


    They laughed and joked in a very relaxed atmosphere. It didn''t feel like they had just met; it felt more like they had been childhood friends for years. At that point, the shop was getting busier. Then, a group of four or five high school boys, dressed in uniforms, noisily walked in.


    "Old Eight, is this the super tasty place you were talking about?"


    "It''s too small, looks like a dog''s nest, and there''s no seating."


    "We can''t stand and eat, can we?"


    "Let''s find somewhere else, this place is a letdown."


    "It''s so dirty and shabby, even dogs wouldn''t eat here... Hey, look over there... Damn, guys, check out that table. Wow, that girl is stunning."


    One of the boys noticed Tan Qingying sitting at the far table.

 Chapter 76: Be Sensible, Sit Back Down

    Chapter 76: Be Sensible, Sit Back Down When they saw that there were no seats available, the unruly teenagers, who were already dissatisfied with the environment, were about to leave.


    But just then, one of them caught sight of Tan Qingying sitting in the farthest corner. His eyes widened instantly. Tan Qingying¡¯s youthful beauty stood out like a luminous pearl in the darkness amidst the swirling mist and the bustling noise of the shop. A few high school students were instantly mesmerized.


    "Who is that girl? She looks unfamiliar."


    "She must be from a nearby residential area; otherwise, why would she be in such a cheap little shop?"


    "Tsk tsk tsk, she¡¯s like a fairy."


    "Let¡¯s go and chat her up."


    "No, don''t be so direct. We need to approach her indirectly."


    "How do we approach indirectly?"


    "Watch me."


    The leading teenager, with dyed blond hair, was actually quite good-looking, though his demeanor was rather roguish. He winked at his companions and confidently walked over.


    He didn''t go directly to Tan Qingying''s table. Instead, he went to an adjacent table with an elderly couple quietly having their meal.


    Bam!


    The blond teenager slapped the old man on the back of the head.


    "Old geezer, don¡¯t you have any sense? Can¡¯t you see that I¡¯ve arrived? Get out of here, quickly," He said rudely.


    The old man, who was eating, was caught off guard and nearly fell face-first into his soup bowl.


    Across from him, his wife stood up and said angrily, "This is unreasonable! How can you just hit people?"


    A group of unruly teenagers quickly surrounded them.


    "Get out of here, or do you want to be hit too, old hag?" The blond teenager threatened as he brandished a knife with a mocking smile.


    The old woman wanted to say something, but her husband quickly stopped her. He hurriedly packed up their unfinished food, and vacated their seats, pulling his wife towards the door.


    As they left, the old woman wiped her tears, heartbroken, "How could they just hit people like that? You¡¯ve just had brain surgery too... Are you okay? Are you dizzy?"


    The people in the shop sighed as they watched. There were no influential figures in this working-class neighborhood, just hardworking factory workers. No one dared to stand up against these delinquent high school students.


    "Owner, take our order. Bring out the most expensive dishes," The blond teenager said arrogantly as he sat down. "If it''s not all served within five minutes, we¡¯ll trash your place."


    He turned his head to look at Tan Qingying. They could now see Tan Qingying''s face and Li Xiaofei''s back. The blond teenager was excited to see the stunning girl looking right at him. Surely, she had been attracted by his bravado.


    He grinned smugly and said pretentiously, "Girl, why are you looking at me?"


    Tan Qingying stood up and said, "I have something to say to you." She pointed towards the door. "Let''s go outside."


    His companions immediately looked at him with admiration. Sure enough, he had easily caught the girl''s attention.


    Elated, the blond teenager chuckled and said, "Whatever you have to say, just say it here in front of my brothers. Don¡¯t be shy; you''re not the first girl to be charmed by Brother Tao."


    Tan Qingying smiled sweetly and said, "There are too many people here; it''s not convenient."


    Her smile left him momentarily dazed. The girl in front of him was extraordinarily beautiful. He felt like he would be willing to drink her bathwater if it meant being close to her. He followed Tan Qingying in a daze as she walked towards the outside of the small shop.


    Li Xiaofei sighed.


    Damn, art truly imitates life. Scenes of hooligans harassing beautiful women in restaurants are common in novels and TV shows because these situations happen all too often. Even after five hundred years, I still encountered it myself.


    Of course, it was also a testament to the fact that the city leader''s daughter, Tan Qingying, was extraordinarily beautiful, which significantly increased the likelihood of being harassed by thugs.


    Li Xiaofei stood up, ready to follow them outside.


    "Hey, buddy, don''t get up, sit back down."


    "This doesn''t concern you, don''t be unwise."


    "Your girl is great, but now she''s my big brother''s."


    "Haha, she might even be ours in the future."


    The other delinquents blocked Li Xiaofei.


    One of them, a tall, chubby guy with a big head, placed his hand on Li Xiaofei''s shoulder and said with a mocking smile, "Be sensible, sit back down and don''t be shameless."


    Li Xiaofei replied seriously, "If I don''t go out now, it will be too late."


    "And what if it''s too late?" The tall guy asked.


    Before he could finish his sentence¡ª


    "Ahhh!"


    A piercing scream like a slaughtered pig rang out from outside the shop.


    Everyone instinctively turned to look. They saw the blond teenager lying on the ground, his head split open and blood spilling everywhere. Tan Qingying, the city leader''s daughter, was repeatedly smashing a brick down on his head.


    As she hit him, she cursed, "Like hitting others on the head, do you? Like hitting heads, do you? I''ll show you what it''s like to hit others on the head..."


    The scene of the beautiful girl delivering such violent blows was both brutal and mesmerizing.


    Li Xiaofei shrugged and said, "You see... that''s what happens."


    The delinquents stood stunned for a moment before reacting.


    "Damn... that bitch hit Brother Tao."


    "Get her."


    "Don''t let her escape."


    They were about to rush out to help. But a figure blocked their path like an indestructible wall.


    "Sit down. Stay where you are." Li Xiaofei stopped them. "Be sensible, sit back down and don''t be shameless. My friend isn¡¯t done yet, and you¡¯re not allowed to interfere." S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You¡¯re looking for death."


    Enraged, the tall guy threw a punch at Li Xiaofei. He was at the fourth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Li Xiaofei easily caught his fist with his hand, then pressed his wrist downward.


    "Ahhh..." The tall guy screamed in agony, dropping to his knees. "My hand, it hurts, it hurts! Let go, it''s broken, it''s broken."


    "Damn it."


    "You bastard, how dare you hurt people?"


    "You''re tired of living, aren''t you?"


    The other delinquents immediately rushed to attack. Two of them even drew short knives and daggers as they swung at Li Xiaofei. Li Xiaofei stood his ground, casually striking out with his hands. Slaps and screams rang out as the delinquents clutched their wrists and collapsed. The difference in their abilities was immense.


    Li Xiaofei rendered them powerless with a simple tap on their wrists, leaving them kneeling on the ground, too afraid to get up. He had exercised careful restraint in his actions. Unlike in the slums, where he would often resort to lethal force, this was a rule-of-law district.


    Killing someone here would cause a lot of trouble. Moreover, a big fight could damage Uncle Chen''s restaurant. Why had Tan Qingying lured the yellow-haired Tao outside to beat him up? She clearly didn''t want to destroy this century-old establishment.


    Since he had subdued the delinquents, Li Xiaofei sat back down. He sipped his soup while watching the city leader''s daughter brutally thrash the blond teenager outside.


    As he watched, he smiled.


    "How about that?" Li Xiaofei looked at the pale delinquents and asked with a cheerful grin, "Isn''t this girl something special?"

 Chapter 77: Don’t Run If You Have Balls

    Chapter 77: Don¡¯t Run If You Have Balls The delinquents felt worse than if they had eaten dirt. They finally understood that their sneaky conversation had been overheard by Li Xiaofei all along. He had known everything.


    The diners in the restaurant were equally stunned by the rapid turn of events. They glanced outside.


    Oh, the fight was still going on.


    Then they looked inside.


    Oh, the fight here was already over.


    The young man and young woman had already caught the attention of some patrons when they were eating earlier. The reason was simple. The man was too handsome, and the woman was too beautiful. Their demeanors were exceptionally refined. Moreover, they had spoken to Uncle Chen, the owner, very politely.


    Many diners had reminisced about their youth and sighed as they watched the idyllic scene. But they never expected that such a well-mannered pair would act so decisively and ruthlessly when they fought. Many people realized that these two must have significant backgrounds.


    After a while, Tan Qingying tossed aside the broken brick and returned to the shop.


    She saw the delinquents kneeling on the ground, glanced at the undamaged tables and chairs, and then looked at Li Xiaofei leisurely sipping his soup. Her mood brightened instantly.


    It wasn''t just because Li Xiaofei had intervened without hesitation. He clearly understood her well. The shop had remained intact and the troublemakers were dealt with. The so-called God of Death from the slums had shown remarkable delicacy and consideration.


    Delighted, she only gave each delinquent a hard slap on the back of the head before shouting, "Get lost."


    The delinquents looked at Li Xiaofei in fear and uncertainty. Li Xiaofei elegantly gestured for them to comply.


    Whoosh.


    The delinquents scrambled to escape.


    "You slut, you little bastard, you''re in big trouble now."


    At the door, the tall, chubby guy turned back and said, "Do you know who we are? We''re students of Longteng High School. Our big brother Xing Yuantao is a famous star student in the High School War God League and the junior hall master of the Xuanshan Dojo. Just you wait."


    Tan Qingying looked at Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei smiled at the tall, chubby guy and said, "Then tell your big brother to hurry over. I need to finish my meal and go to sleep."


    The chubby guy spat on the ground, "You filthy couple."


    With that, they all ran off.


    Li Xiaofei turned back to find Tan Qingying glaring at him, her cheeks puffed up in anger. "You did that on purpose."


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned but quickly understood. "I meant that I need to sleep after eating, not that we... It¡¯s a misunderstanding."


    Tan Qingying rolled her eyes at him. "Are we really going to stay and wait?"


    Li Xiaofei nodded. "These delinquents are like stubborn leeches. If we don¡¯t deal with them harshly now, they¡¯ll keep coming back to trouble Uncle Chen if they can¡¯t get to us. So, my suggestion is to wait and handle this thoroughly."


    Tan Qingying''s eyes sparkled brighter as she looked at Li Xiaofei. Her usual friends wouldn''t think this far ahead. They rarely considered the well-being of people like Uncle Chen. Li Xiaofei displayed a maturity and sense of responsibility she hadn''t seen in her peers. At that point, the other diners in the shop also understood the situation.


    "Young man, take your girlfriend and leave quickly."


    "They mentioned Xing Yuantao. He''s a top player on Longteng High School¡¯s team. He¡¯s very tough and domineering."


    "Yes, I''ve heard of him too. He''s said to be a leader at Xuanshan Dojo, with hundreds of followers under him."


    "Discretion is the better part of valor."


    The diners began to try and persuade him to leave. Li Xiaofei smiled reassuringly as he pulled out his phone to do some research online. Xuanshan Dojo was a legally registered martial arts school in Liuhe Base City. Though it was called a martial arts school, it was actually a gang, similar to the Cloudy Sky Gang.


    The difference was that Xuanshan Dojo operated within the rule-of-law district, presenting itself as a legitimate business that sustained itself by teaching students and other legal enterprises. It wasn¡¯t a large gang, but it was a force to be reckoned with within a few kilometers.


    When he was done with his research, Li Xiaofei felt more confident about the situation. No wonder these high schoolers had such a delinquent vibe and seemed eager to pull out knives and threaten people. They were all part of the underworld. It seemed that Xuanshan Dojo wasn''t much better.


    Especially in the martial arts world, gangs, no matter where they are, are always the same. Even the most seemingly legitimate gangs are always sources of disorder.


    Li Xiaofei walked to the entrance of the shop and waited. Tan Qingying, being the city leader¡¯s daughter, wasn¡¯t afraid of such confrontations. She found the night''s events quite thrilling and was excitedly looking forward to the arrival of Xing Yuantao and his members.


    A commotion started less than ten minutes later. A group of young thugs surged in from the end of the alley. Each one was on a skateboard, wielding knives, swords, and batons. Admittedly, they had quite a presence. When they rode in on skateboards and brandished weapons, they looked like sword-flying warriors with a unique style.


    The diners in the shop fell silent. A few who were timid didn''t dare stay to watch the excitement any longer. They quickly settled their bills and tried to leave.


    "Nobody leaves!" Tao, now with a bandage wrapped around his blond hair, roared angrily, "Everyone stays put. Anyone who disrespects me will get it today."


    The diners who had stood up reluctantly sat back down. Uncle Chen, the shop owner, stood at the door, looking helpless.


    The thugs parted to create a path. A tall, pale youth in a red and yellow school uniform skateboarded forward. His long black hair fell over his left eye, giving him a scholarly yet delicate appearance. However, a closer look revealed the coldness and cynicism in his gaze.


    It was Xing Yuantao, the star student of Longteng High School.


    "Who hit my brothers?" he asked coldly.


    Li Xiaofei took a few steps forward. "Any problem with that?" S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xing Yuantao glanced at Li Xiaofei, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. He exclaimed, "It''s you?!"


    Li Xiaofei chuckled and replied, "You recognize me?"


    Well, that was unexpected. Despite being the most valuable player in the first round of the league, a super genius who single-handedly took down five opponents, and a trending topic multiple times, no one had recognized him during the earlier commotion.


    For someone who loved to show off, Li Xiaofei had been feeling quite stifled. Finally, someone with some awareness had appeared.


    "So, it''s the Fist King Li Xiaofei," Xing Yuantao said, a spark of excitement igniting in his eyes. "No wonder you dared to cause trouble here. I''ve been wanting to meet you after the first round of the league. I didn''t expect it would be in such a setting."


    Li Xiaofei shrugged nonchalantly. "Fate works in mysterious ways. So, how do you want to handle this?"


    Xing Yuantao''s demeanor shifted slightly, the playful yet dangerous gleam in his eyes growing stronger. "I''ve been itching for a good fight. Let''s settle this outside. Your skill against mine. If you win, we leave. If I win, you and the girl owe us a favor."


    Li Xiaofei smiled, glancing at Tan Qingying who nodded with a mischievous smile. "Deal. Let''s go."


    The tension in the air thickened as the two groups prepared for the showdown.

 Chapter 78: Pleased To Meet The President

    Chapter 78: Pleased To Meet The President Li Xiaofei laughed as he beckoned with his finger, "What are you waiting for? Come at me."


    Xing Yuantao seemed eager but suddenly paused, shaking his head.


    "No, I can''t." He said regretfully. "The next round of the league has Longteng High School facing Red Flag High School. If I injure you now and people find out, they''ll think I''m afraid of you and tried to sabotage you before the match."


    "Oh?" Li Xiaofei said, surprised. "I didn''t expect you to have principles."


    Xing Yuantao''s eyes burned with intensity, his expression revealing a touch of madness. "Taunting me won''t work, Li Xiaofei. I''ll make you understand what death feels like in our match."


    Li Xiaofei felt a bit frustrated. Finally, someone recognized him, but instead of acknowledging his prowess, he was threatening to kill him in the match. These young people really needed some lessons in respect.


    "Brother, are we just going to let this go?" Tao couldn''t help but say. "That bitch almost smashed my head open. Are we just going to let it slide? Where''s the face for us brothers, and for Xuanshan Dojo?"


    Xing Yuantao smiled lightly. "The matters of Xuanshan Dojo will naturally be handled by Hall Master Bu," he said, stepping back and falling silent.


    "Haha, indeed, leave matters of the street to me."


    A towering, muscular man, standing two meters tall, slowly emerged from the crowd. Unlike the delicate yet intense Xing Yuantao, this man exuded the violent aura of a raging bear that was ready to devour anyone. His presence cast a shadow on the ground, dimming the evening lights.


    He was Bu Feiying, one of the five hall masters of Xuanshan Dojo. He also happened to be the person in charge of this area.


    "Kid, you attacked members of Xuanshan Dojo. You need to give us an explanation," said Bu Feiying. He directed a ferocious gaze at Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei smiled but remained silent.


    "What explanation do you want?" Tan Qingying couldn''t hold back. She stepped forward and said loudly, "I¡¯m the one who hit them. If you¡¯re not satisfied, then draw your line. A small dojo like Xuanshan Dojo dares to blatantly bully people? Do you believe I will call the police right now and have your entire gang dismantled by tomorrow?"


    This was the true aura of the city leader''s daughter.


    "Call the police?" Bu Feiying stared greedily at Tan Qingying for a few moments. He sneered, "Little girl, it seems you don''t understand how the world works. But don''t worry, you will after tonight." S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Then he looked at Li Xiaofei.


    "Kid, whichever hand hit my brothers, cut it off." He stated imperiously, "And leave your girl here. Then you can live."


    Li Xiaofei sighed. At that moment, a voice as cold as ice and blood came from the side.


    "Who do you think you are to dare speak to our president like that?"


    Everyone turned towards the voice. A tall middle-aged man was slowly walking toward them.


    He wore simple black cloth clothes and cloth shoes, with a sword strapped to his back. His short hair was messy, and his thick black eyebrows were shaped like blades.


    The man exuded a strange aura. His cultivation level wasn''t high, but he seemed like a demon emerging from a pile of filthy corpses. While others didn''t sense anything special, Bu Feiying''s face suddenly changed.


    The slums! This middle-aged man is definitely from the slums. The aura of the slums on him is incredibly strong.


    To many people in the rule-of-law district, the slums were a hopeless, filthy forbidden zone. It was a dark shadow untouched by the light of law. Chaos and disorder, killing and bloodshed, everything and anything happened within that shadow. Even the major gangs of the rule-of-law district didn¡¯t want to extend their influence into the slums. They avoided making enemies with the gangs from the slums at all costs.


    "Who are you?" asked Bu Feiying as his expression grew solemn.


    The middle-aged man walked forward slowly and replied, "Chu Yuntian, Hall Master of Cloudy Sky Gang from the slums."


    "Hall Master Chu?" exclaimed Bu Feiying as his heart sank.


    He had vaguely heard about some recent changes in the slums. It was rumored that an extremely ruthless individual had emerged and killed all the major leaders of the seven major gangs. This man had then unified the seven stars under him. Only the Cloudy Sky Gang remained dominant, becoming the true giant in the slums. This Chu Yuntian was also said to be favored by the ruthless president and held significant power.


    Although the gangs in the slums had few experts and rarely interacted with the outside world, Bu Feiying did not want to make enemies with these wild madmen. They might not be very powerful, but they were utterly ruthless. None of them feared death. Offending them was like being infested with bone-eating maggots. Their underhanded tactics, poison, and limitless means were impossible to guard against.


    "Hall Master Chu, there might be some misunderstanding between us," said Bu Feiying, forcing a smile. "I have no personal history with your gang''s president, so how could there be¡ª"


    Before he could finish speaking, the middle-aged man stepped in front of Li Xiaofei and bowed respectfully. "Chu Yuntian pays his respects to the president. I apologize for being late."


    He gestured sharply, and they were quickly surrounded by hundreds of young martial artists in black outfits. Each one looked like a predatory wolf in the night. Their eyes glowed with a murderous light, and they wielded swords, knives, and crossbows. They moved with precision, quickly encircling the dozens of Xuanshan Dojo members.


    "The Hunting Team greets the president."


    "The Riot Team greets the president."


    "The Cleaning Team greets the president."


    One by one, the leaders loudly saluted Li Xiaofei. The situation was suddenly reversed. Bu Feiying''s expression froze instantly while Xing Yuantao''s face showed immense shock. The blond thug and his group were equally stunned. The diners inside and outside the shop were frightened by the abrupt turn of events.


    Li Xiaofei was caught between crying and laughing. He hadn¡¯t wanted to cause trouble in the rule-of-law district. So, he had secretly sent a message to Chu Yuntian a few minutes earlier, asking if he knew anyone from the underground who could confront the Xuanshan Dojo without escalating things.


    After all, his public identity was that of a student, and he was accompanied by the city leader''s daughter. Making a big scene wouldn''t be appropriate. Who knew that Chu Yuntian''s understanding of the word ¡®confront¡¯ would involve bringing an armed squad straight into the rule-of-law district. These people were indeed lawless.


    "Are you the Hall Master of Xuanshan Dojo?" Chu Yuntian turned aggressively to Bu Feiying. "What¡¯s this? Is Xuanshan Dojo declaring war on Cloudy Sky Gang? A mere Hall Master dares to lead a group to attack our president?"

 Chapter 79: It’s Not All Killing In The Martial World

    Chapter 79: It¡¯s Not All Killing In The Martial World Bu Feiying''s heart skipped a beat. This was bad. In the underworld, face and respect were paramount. Especially for the leaders of gangs, their reputation was more important than their lives.


    Xuanshan Dojo might be a dominant force in this neighborhood, but it couldn¡¯t compare to the slums. If they offended these ruthless slum-dwellers today, Xuanshan Dojo wouldn¡¯t be able to continue operating here.


    "Misunderstanding, it¡¯s all a misunderstanding." Reacting quickly, he forced a smile and stepped forward, saying, "My subordinates were being foolish and disturbed President Li¡¯s enjoyment. I came with my brothers to apologize."


    "Apologize?" Chu Yuntian sneered. "Your way of apologizing is certainly unique."


    Slap.


    Bu Feiying slapped the still-stunned blond teenager, Tao, knocking him to the ground. "You fool, apologize to President Li immediately. Do you want to die?" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tao was stunned as blood started to seep from under the bandage on his head again. But as a street-smart thug, he knew who he could provoke and who he couldn¡¯t.


    "Sorry, President Li, I''m worthless." Tao knelt in front of Li Xiaofei. "I was blind and offended you and your lady. I deserve to die, I deserve to die..."


    As he spoke, he slapped himself hard on the face repeatedly.


    Lady?


    Li Xiaofei glanced at Tan Qingying. He noticed that she was watching the scene with shining eyes, thoroughly enjoying the excitement of having a larger group overpower a smaller one.


    This was all novel and thrilling for Tan Qingying. She had only seen such gang conflicts in movies before. She hadn''t expected to encounter it in real life. It was both fun and stimulating.


    "Now you know there are always people stronger than you, right?" Li Xiaofei waved his hand dismissively. "Go back to school and study well. If I see you causing trouble again, I''ll kill your entire family."


    "Never again, never again," replied Tao, trembling in fear.


    When a gang leader said they''ll kill your entire family, they meant it.


    "Get lost," Li Xiaofei said, not wanting to waste any more words.


    He had stayed to solve the problem, not to escalate it. Since Chu Yuntian and his men had caused such a stir, Tao and his gang wouldn¡¯t dare show their faces here again.


    As for the thugs from Xuanshan Dojo? They had no idea who they had crossed. Tan Qingying was the real threat here. Offending the city leader¡¯s daughter meant Xuanshan Dojo wouldn¡¯t escape unscathed.


    Bu Feiying and his men felt like they had been granted a pardon, so they quickly retreated. However, Xing Yuantao remained standing stubbornly.


    He stared at Li Xiaofei defiantly. "Others may fear you, but I do not."


    Li Xiaofei chuckled and said, "What do you mean?"


    Xing Yuantao replied, "I won¡¯t hold back in the War God League. When I said I would kill you, I meant it."


    "You bastard, looking for death."


    "Let''s kill this kid."


    The martial artists from Cloudy Sky Gang were enraged.


    Threatening our president right in front of us?


    A few impulsive ones were ready to draw their weapons.


    "Stand down," Li Xiaofei ordered. He looked at Xing Yuantao and asked, "Do you think you''re brave?"


    Xing Yuantao gritted his teeth and remained silent.


    Li Xiaofei continued, "Do you think you''re different from others, with your integrity and clear conscience?"


    Xing Yuantao''s face flushed red. "I am different. I pursue the dignity of martial arts and the honor of a warrior."


    Li Xiaofei sneered, "You can leave."


    Xing Yuantao shouted, "Do you look down on me?"


    The smile on Li Xiaofei''s face gradually faded.


    "Why should I respect you? Because you let your classmates use your name to bully others? Because you led people to harass an old man running his business without knowing the facts? Because you claim to be upright yet stood by as Bu Feiying wanted to cut off my hand? Or is it... because you''re good-looking?"


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly and added, "Even if it were about looks, you''re not better looking than me."


    Pfft.


    Tan Qingying burst into laughter. She had never seen such a narcissistic gang leader.


    Xing Yuantao''s face turned as pale as paper, and he staggered back three or four steps, almost losing his balance. Li Xiaofei''s words had pierced right through his defenses and exposed his true thoughts. All of Xing Yuantao''s little schemes had been seen through.


    Really, what young man wouldn''t be attracted to someone as pure and beautiful as Tan Qingying? Xing Yuantao had never once looked at Tan Qingying or spoken to her as he maintained an air of righteousness and projected an image of staying on the high moral ground.


    Why? Wasn''t it all to win Tan Qingying''s admiration? Xing Yuantao had been captivated by her from the moment he arrived. His plan wasn''t entirely wrong. His grand entrance and main character aura might have indeed been attractive for an average girl. But unfortunately for him, he had encountered Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei''s performance tonight had outshone him in every way. Xing Yuantao''s earlier attempt to save face by making threats was his last desperate struggle. In the end, Li Xiaofei''s few words had completely exposed him, leaving him humiliated.


    "Still not leaving?" Chu Yuntian shouted, "Do you really think we slum-dwellers won''t kill you?"


    Xing Yuantao stumbled away.


    "President, should we go and flatten Xuanshan Dojo?" Chu Yuntian asked.


    Smack.


    Li Xiaofei slapped him on the back of the head.


    "Flatten your head! Get back and go to sleep. No more random killing and fighting. We are civilized people now. Read more books, watch the news, play fewer games, and get more sleep," said Li Xiaofei, scolding him angrily.


    Creating such a big commotion had exposed his identity as the president of Cloudy Sky Gang. Now, certain people on the internet would probably have a field day. Chu Yuntian assumed that the president was angry because he had interrupted his time with the girl. He quickly led his men away in a hurry.


    The street soon returned to its usual calm. No police appeared during the entire incident. No one had called them. In this era of widespread cultivation, most people knew how to handle themselves in such situations. Scenes like this were common, and as long as no one was seriously injured or killed, the police would not get involved.


    Li Xiaofei walked to the entrance of Old Chen''s Offal Shop with an apologetic expression, "I''m sorry, Uncle Chen, for interrupting your business. I''ll cover any losses you had tonight."


    Uncle Chen quickly waved his hands and said, "No need, no need."


    The old man smiled kindly and said, "Thank you, Little Li, for dealing with the troublemakers. I don¡¯t believe those brats will dare come back and cause trouble again."


    Li Xiaofei then turned to the diners and apologized, saying, "Sorry for the disturbance, everyone. Tonight''s bill is on me. Eat as much as you want, it''s all covered."


    He then scanned the payment code and transferred 2,000 star coins to the shop''s account. For a small shop like this, running on a modest budget, 2,000 star coins were almost a day''s revenue. Uncle Chen tried to refuse.


    Li Xiaofei said, "Uncle, your cooking is so good that I almost swallowed my tongue today. You must accept this money. Consider it an advance payment since I''ll be coming here often... You wouldn''t mind that, would you?"


    "Of course, you''re always welcome," Uncle Chen said, seeing no way to refuse any further.


    The commotion had taken over half an hour. Li Xiaofei turned his head and saw Tan Qingying smiling at him.


    "Big shot, you sure know how to put on a show," she teased.


    Li Xiaofei smiled slightly, he said, "The martial world isn¡¯t just about fighting; it''s also about understanding human relationships. Pay attention."


    Tan Qingying asked cutely, "What do you mean?"


    Li Xiaofei explained with a smile, "If I didn''t handle it this way, next time we come to this shop, the regulars would remember those thugs and associate me with them. They¡¯d avoid me, and the lively atmosphere you like would be gone. What''s the point then?"


    "Really?" Tan Qingying''s smile was like a white lily blooming in a quiet valley. It was tranquil and enchanting. She didn''t know why, but hearing Li Xiaofei''s explanation made her smile uncontrollably.

 Chapter 80: Friend

    Chapter 80: Friend As the evening lights began to shine, Li Xiaofei checked his portable light core. It was already 7:30 PM.


    He said, "It''s getting late. We should head back."


    He had spent so much time out with the city leader''s daughter that any further delay might actually prompt the police to come looking for them.


    "Alright," Tan Qingying said, somewhat reluctantly.


    They walked to the alley entrance, and she mounted her motorcycle, asking, "Do you want me to give you a ride?"


    Li Xiaofei was about to say something when she cut him off, "No refusing."


    Li Xiaofei said, "Then why did you ask?"


    Tan Qingying''s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled and said, "Get on."


    Li Xiaofei looked at the heavily modified motorcycle and suddenly felt an urge to give it a try. He asked, "How about I ride?"


    Tan Qingying, surprised, asked, "You can ride?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Yes."


    Tan Qingying was even more surprised, asking, "You like motorcycles too?"


    Li Xiaofei said, "More than like, I''m obsessed."


    Jingle.


    Tan Qingying unhesitatingly tossed the keys over and said, "What are you waiting for? Let''s go."


    The motorcycle engine roared to life at the mouth of the alley. In the next instant, it sped off swiftly. Tan Qingying sat behind, confidently wrapping her arms around Li Xiaofei''s waist. The girl''s cheerful laughter trailed behind them like the sound of silver bells. Soon, they reached the entrance to the slums.


    Tan Qingying jumped off the bike and said, "I didn''t expect that, idol, your riding skills are pretty good."


    Li Xiaofei replied honestly, "Still a bit behind yours."


    Tan Qingying proudly raised her chin and said, "I had professional training... How about I teach you?"


    "Sure," Li Xiaofei agreed without hesitation.


    It was already 8 PM, and the sky was completely dark. Tan Qingying showed no intention of leaving as they kept finding various topics to continue the conversation.


    Li Xiaofei chatted with her for a bit longer, but finally, he couldn''t help but say, "It''s getting late. You should head home. It''s not safe for a girl to walk alone at night. Let me take you back."


    Tan Qingying smiled and pointed behind her. Li Xiaofei turned to look. About a hundred meters away, a gray rugged off-road vehicle had appeared by the roadside.


    Next to it stood a tall, thin man. He wore a black tailcoat suit and an odd wide-brimmed hat, as if he were about to attend a classical ball. He leaned casually against the car door, smoking a cigarette.


    The glowing cigarette tip flickered in the dim light, intermittently revealing and concealing his face. But in that brief moment, Li Xiaofei felt a chill spread throughout his body, as if he were being watched by an extremely dangerous predator.


    A master. No, a strong one. An unprecedentedly terrifying strong one.


    Li Xiaofei felt every hair on his body stand on end. No wonder City Leader Tan Zhenwei was so confident in letting his daughter roam freely. He had arranged for a powerful protector to watch over her. That was fitting for a top-tier official''s child.


    Li Xiaofei took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, and handed the keys back.


    "Well then... see you." He smiled and started walking towards the slums.


    Tan Qingying watched his back, a smile forming on her face. Although it was her first meeting with Li Xiaofei, for some reason, she felt as if they had known each other for a long time.


    "Hey," she suddenly called out loudly.


    Li Xiaofei turned to look at her.


    "We... are friends now, right?" she asked with a smile.


    It only took Li Xiaofei a second to answer, but for Tan Qingying, it felt like an eternity. She looked into Li Xiaofei''s eyes and took a quiet deep breath.


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and said, "I don''t have many friends. You can be one."


    "Yay!" Tan Qingying jumped up in joy.


    She laughed as she walked up to Li Xiaofei and extended her hand. "Hand it over."


    "What?" Li Xiaofei asked, confused.


    "The light core," Tan Qingying huffed. "Didn''t we agree to meet at Uncle Chen''s shop for a meal sometime? Yet you didn''t even give me your number... Hmph, no sincerity at all."


    Li Xiaofei suddenly understood. He laughed helplessly and took out his portable light core. Tan Qingying smiled, dimples appearing on her cheeks. She dialed her own number from his device. Then she took out her own mini light core and saved the incoming call.


    Finally, she handed his light core back to him. "That''s better. Don''t ignore my calls."


    She didn¡¯t wait for Li Xiaofei to respond as she turned away. She mounted her motorcycle, and disappeared down the street. The tall, thin man standing by the roadside silently put out his cigarette and drove away.


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t shake the feeling that the man had smiled at him just before getting into his car. It was a smile filled with ambiguous meaning.


    ***


    The crescent moon hung in the sky like a hook. Li Xiaofei sat in the center of the living room, breathing slowly. His current cultivation had reached the peak of the ninth stage.


    As his cultivation increased, he vaguely sensed that the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique seemed to be falling behind.


    "Of course, the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique is a foundational breathing technique. It would be significantly less effective for high-stage cultivation," he mused.


    But then he shook his head and said, "No, my thinking is wrong."


    Invincible Qin had mentioned that the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique was a technique specially chosen by Chen Fei for his students.


    Li Xiaofei hadn''t grasped the deeper meaning of this statement before. But after seeing Chen Fei standing on equal footing with City Leader Tan Zhenwei today, Li Xiaofei realized that the peach-eyed principal was anything but simple.


    So how could this technique be ordinary if the not-so-simple peach-eyed principal had painstakingly chosen it?


    Perhaps all the students at Red Flag High School haven''t truly understood the value of the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique?


    He closed his eyes and began to recall Invincible Qin¡¯s words during today''s martial arts special training class. Some explanations he had previously overlooked gradually resurfaced in his mind.


    Li Xiaofei''s body moved naturally as he followed his train of thought. He gradually entered a profound state, as if he had entered a new realm. He finally discovered the true essence of the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique.


    His breathing became slower. It felt as though his entire body was being refined with each breath. This time, he no longer sought to complete a full breathing cycle in the shortest time possible. Instead, he did the opposite.


    Slow. Slow down. Follow the rhythm, embody the intent of wind and thunder. But constantly slow the pace, slower and slower... S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Moonlight fell over his entire body like frost as Li Xiaofei''s breathing grew slower. Gradually, he felt a profound stillness within himself. It was almost like he could hear his own heartbeat, and the sound of blood flowing through his veins. He could even feel every pore on his body contracting and expanding with his breaths.


    It felt as though all his hairs were swaying with each contraction and expansion. Gradually, Li Xiaofei''s breathing slowed to one breath every thirty seconds. Then one breath every minute. Then one breath every three minutes. His breathing kept slowing, but his physical state improved more and more. This defied science. It didn''t conform to biology.


    Li Xiaofei vaguely sensed that he seemed to be locking all the starforce qi within his body, preventing any energy from leaking out. At the same time, he felt as though he were absorbing external energy through his pores and expelling the impurities from his body.


    Amazing! Could this be the profound essence of the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique when cultivated to its deepest level?


    Li Xiaofei was both surprised and delighted. He confirmed multiple times that in this state, his body was indeed unharmed. His cultivation speed was now exponentially more efficient.


    "So that''s it," muttered to himself.


    A smile appeared on Li Xiaofei''s face.


    A gentle breeze brushes the hills, thunder shakes the nine provinces. The Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique can be both slow and fast. The subtlety of its use lies in the heart. But there is great power within this alternation of speed.

 Chapter 81: It Must Be Legal

    Chapter 81: It Must Be Legal Li Xiaofei felt a significant increase in his cultivation without using Starforce Reagents. When the horizon began to lighten with the first signs of dawn in the distance, Li Xiaofei felt invigorated despite having cultivated all night.


    According to the official cultivation guide of the Great Xia, the Qi Refining Realm is divided into ten stages. Forming ten vortices in the dantian allows one to break through to the Limit Breaking Realm. What is the Limit Breaking Realm? It involves breaking the shackles within the body. These shackles are an abstract realm of limitations. They are also shackles of cultivation. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei didn''t plan to contemplate the Limit Breaking Realm just yet. However, a question suddenly arose in his mind.


    Why must it be ten stages? If it''s possible to cultivate ten vortices in the dantian, could it be possible to cultivate eleven, twelve, or even twenty or thirty?


    This thought opened a new door to an unexplored world. Li Xiaofei felt it was essential to investigate this further.


    Thump, thump, thump.


    A knock on the door.


    "Brother, breakfast is ready."


    Little Jie''s voice came from outside the door.


    Soon, the three of them were seated at the dining table, where clear water, meat and vegetable soup, and thin pancakes were served. This was considered a luxurious breakfast in the slums. His aunt still didn''t talk much. Little Jie, on the other hand, chattered away, sharing amusing stories from school. Li Xiaofei occasionally chimed in with a few comments.


    At that moment, time seemed to slow down. This might seem boring for an average seventeen or eighteen-year-old. But for Li Xiaofei, a soul from five hundred years ago, the simplicity of this life was a rare and cherished pleasure. It was warm and sweet, a kind of enjoyment he seldom experienced.


    After breakfast, his aunt washed the dishes as Li Xiaofei and Little Jie headed out to school. Little Jie was joined by six other children from the slums. Usually, Li Xiaofei walked to school. But today, when he reached downstairs, he saw the black modified motorcycle, and he felt a sudden urge.


    Vroom.


    In the next moment, Li Xiaofei roared off on the modified motorcycle. He felt the wind rushing past him as he sped along.


    This bike needs more modifications.


    The difference from Tan Qingying''s high-end heavy motorcycle last night and this trophy he had seized from a branch of the Blackblood Gang was starkly evident. It was like switching from driving a Mercedes to riding a senior citizen''s scooter. Or like having just dated a celebrity and then being set up with the unattractive girl next door.


    "When I have the money, I need to get a better motorcycle," muttered Li Xiaofei, silently planning.


    He only needed a quarter of his usual commute time to arrive at school. When he walked through the gates, he realized that the students of Red Flag High School were already doing their morning exercises.


    Boys and girls were sweating and working hard on the vast playground. The scene gave him a strong sense of connection. He had gone through the same routine in his senior year of high school, five hundred years ago. Up earlier than the chickens, to bed later than the dogs.


    Ah, the beautiful yet painful student days.


    Li Xiaofei parked his motorcycle on campus and couldn''t help but reflect.


    Who would have thought that after traveling five hundred years into the future, I''d still have to go to school and study English, biology, and physics? I still can''t escape the college entrance exam. Is the end of the universe really the college entrance exam?


    But seeing his classmates so dedicated to both their studies and cultivation inspired him.


    What are you waiting for? Get to work.


    Li Xiaofei joined the students on the playground and began his cultivation.


    "That''s Senior Li."


    "Senior Li is also joining the morning exercises."


    "If even Senior Li is working this hard, how can we waste our time?"


    Many students felt immensely encouraged when they saw Li Xiaofei cultivating with them. What kind of pressure would one feel if those stronger than them were working harder than them? When morning exercises ended, Li Xiaofei''s busy day began anew. He didn¡¯t finish his cultural theory classes until the afternoon.


    During the martial arts special training class, he found Grandpa Qin, who wore a badge labeled Invincible Qin, and asked his question.


    "Ten vortices are the physical limit for many people." In his Invincible Qin persona, Grandpa Qin lived up to his reputation and directly answered, "Therefore, ten stages are the upper limit for many in the Qi Refining Realm."


    Li Xiaofei pondered deeply.


    He asked, "So, if the body can withstand it, is it possible to have eleven, twelve, or even twenty stages?"


    Grandpa Qin nodded and said, "Theoretically, yes."


    Li Xiaofei then inquired, "Are there any special benefits to having higher stages in the Qi Refining Realm?"


    Grandpa Qin replied, "Theoretically, the stronger the foundation, the easier it is to break through to higher realms."


    Li Xiaofei asked, "Only theoretically?"


    "Because almost no one has tried that direction," Grandpa Qin explained.


    Li Xiaofei''s eyes lit up and asked, "Almost no one means there are a few, right?"


    Grandpa Qin hesitated for a moment, then said, "Such attempts are very dangerous. As far as I know, two people have tried it, but one died, and the other was left half-crippled."


    Li Xiaofei gasped.


    Should he give it a try?


    He was undecided.


    Better to take it slow and see how things develop. I haven''t reached the tenth stage yet, so there''s no rush to decide.


    After the martial arts special training class, he spent the rest of the day surfing the net in the light core mainframe room. When he entered the light core virtual world, he checked the leaderboard forum as usual. One piece of news immediately caught his attention.


    Breaking news: The registered gang Xuanshan Dojo, which had been operating in the Brightness Power Armor Assembly Plant area, was raided and shut down by the police last night. It was revealed that Xuanshan Dojo had been using its school facade to conduct numerous illegal activities, including star beast smuggling, drug trafficking, organ trafficking, and organizing prostitution...


    Damn.


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback. He had expected that Bu Feiying and his gang would face repercussions for speaking so disrespectfully to the city leader''s daughter and would likely face reprisal from law enforcement. But he hadn''t anticipated such a swift and decisive response from the authorities.


    The crimes listed in the news were all serious offenses. Once these charges were proven, no one could save them. A registered, legitimate gang with decades of history had been dismantled overnight.


    Bu Feiying and the gang leader of Xuanshan Dojo, whom Li Xiaofei hadn''t even seen, probably still didn''t realize that the catastrophe that had befallen them had been triggered by a reckless underling, Tao, who had harassed someone untouchable.


    Li Xiaofei watched the news video, feeling a shiver of unease. The government was indeed formidable. When it moved, it struck like lightning. This served as a reminder for him.


    Cloudy Sky Gang had to reform and correct its ways. It had to shed the bad habits of the old slum gangs. They needed to conduct legal business seriously and pursue sustainable development through lawful means. If one of their less perceptive members provoked a significant figure, they could all be doomed.


    Li Xiaofei browsed the forum for a while longer. He noticed that no one mentioned the events that transpired at Old Chen''s Offal Shop last night. His grand display seemed to have made no splash on the internet. It seemed he had overthought things. He exited the forum and entered the high school league''s trials to continue earning points.


    The next few days passed quickly. Li Xiaofei entered the Secret Time Pavilion once again. After consuming all the fourth-generation Starforce Reagents awarded by the Education Department, he finally broke through his bottleneck and entered the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    Li Xiaofei sensed the ten vortices in his dantian and smiled with satisfaction.


    "I¡¯ve finally reached the tenth stage. After more than a month since my transmigration, I''ve reached the highest level of the officially recognized Qi Refining Realm," said Li Xiaofei.


    This was a small step on the path to becoming a strong practitioner. Yet, it was a significant milestone for many students just starting their journey.


    Soon, the second round of Season 251 reignited. This time, Red Flag High School had to travel to challenge Longteng High School, which had ranked ninth overall last season. Unlike Qingye High School, Longteng High School was truly a top-tier school. The Longteng school team was also known to be a strong team.


    "Red Flag High School is nothing worth mentioning. The so-called Fist King Li Xiaofei is just a product of media hype," said Xing Yuantao, a member of the Longteng school team, during an interview.


    "I will personally shatter the myth of Li Xiaofei being a dark horse." Xing Yuantao issued his challenge to the camera.

 Chapter 82: Small Tricks

    Chapter 82: Small Tricks The sky was cloudy on September 15th, and the first hint of autumn had appeared in the air. The bus from Red Flag High School slowly arrived at the gate of Longteng High School.


    The bus had a capacity of fifty people. Besides the staff and the members of the school team, thirty outstanding students had also been selected to serve as the cheering squad. They were brought along to support the school team in their away game. However, the gatekeeper at Longteng High School did not open the gate immediately.


    Beep beep beep.


    Grandpa Qin, the driver, couldn''t help but honk the horn. Four tall security guards in armor emerged from the security office.


    "No honking at the school gate," the head guard said coldly. "Do it again, and we won''t be polite."


    "We''re here for the league match," Grandpa Qin shouted out of the window.


    The head guard pretended to check his light core. "It¡¯s not time yet."


    "That''s nonsense," Grandpa Qin fumed. "My driving skills are top-notch, my fuel efficiency is good, and I never break the rules. We''re right on time."


    The head guard said indifferently, "Maybe your light core time is wrong."


    "Are you picking a fight on purpose?" Grandpa Qin''s temper was rising.


    However, the head guard ignored him and led his men back to the security office. Grandpa Qin was about to lose it and drive the bus through the gate.


    Principal Chen quickly stopped him, "Old Qin, it''s not worth it..."


    After all, repairing a damaged bus would cost money.


    Yan Chiyu also spoke up, "This is a despicable trick to anger us and mess with our team''s mindset. Grandpa Qin, don''t be so rash and spread bad emotions to the team."


    Surprisingly, Grandpa Qin listened to Yan Chiyu. He calmed down immediately. So the group had no choice but to sit in the bus and wait. Who knew they would end up waiting for a whole hour? Finally, a vice principal from Longteng High School appeared, smiling.


    "Oh dear, i¡±m so sorry, the security office got the time wrong and delayed your preparation." The vice principal repeatedly apologized and ordered the gate to be opened.


    The bus, spewing black exhaust, slowly drove into the campus. Everyone on the bus held their breath, stifling their anger. The campus of Longteng High School was incredibly luxurious and grand. It was much larger than Red Flag High School. It boasted elegantly designed dedicated buildings for teaching, cultivation, networking, dormitories, and dining. The athletic facilities were comprehensive.


    In comparison, Red Flag High School''s campus looked like a rural vegetable garden. However, the students on the bus had no interest in admiring the modern and upscale campus. The members of the school team also wore grim expressions. The bus finally reached its parking spot.


    "Oh, Old Chen, long time no see." The vice principal greeted Chen Fei with a smile as he got off the bus.


    He immediately grasped Chen Fei''s hand with a look of deep apology, saying, "Our reception was poorly handled this time. I''m here to apologize."


    By this time, Chen Fei had regained his composure. He glared and said, "Cut the crap and take us to the locker room."


    Talking was pointless now. Preparing for the match was the priority.


    The vice principal slapped his forehead and said awkwardly, "Oh, what bad luck. The door to the visitor''s locker room is broken and hasn''t been fixed yet."


    Chen Fei¡¯s peach blossom eyes narrowed as he asked, "What do you mean?"


    The vice principal smiled apologetically. "Please wait on the bus for a bit longer. As soon as the door is fixed, I''ll let you know right away."


    "You..." Chen Fei was truly furious. "I will complain to the Education Department and the league committee about you."


    "Don''t be so angry, it''s bad for your health." The vice principal said with a smile. "Besides, Old Chen, this isn''t your first time participating in the league. You know that complaints don''t work, right? Your bottom-ranked team complaining about us, a top-ten team? Isn''t that just asking for humiliation?"


    Chen Fei looked at the smiling face of the vice principal. He really wanted to punch him. But when he thought about the students, he held back.


    Yan Chiyu limped off the bus and said calmly, "Principal, waiting a bit longer is fine."


    She turned to the vice principal of Longteng High School. "A so-called strong team ranked ninth last season, using such despicable tactics against us, how shameful."


    The vice principal chuckled and replied, "Being weak is a sin. Whatever you say is meaningless."


    Yan Chiyu suddenly laughed and said, "In today''s match, your pride, along with your despicable behavior, will be thoroughly crushed."


    She turned to her teammates.


    "Adjust your state of mind, don''t let these clownish tricks ruin your focus," Yan Chiyu said as her gaze swept across Fang Buyi and the others. "What does it tell you when a top ten high school from last season starts using such despicable tricks against us?"


    Her voice suddenly rose, "It tells you they are afraid. Our performance in the first round was so good that they felt threatened... For us, this is an honor. So, bury your anger in your hearts, unleash it in the battle, and crush them. That''s the best revenge."


    "Yes, Captain."


    "Captain, I''m fired up."


    "Longteng High School, nothing special."


    "I-I-I... We w-w-will... win."


    The team members roared loudly. All the negative emotions in their hearts transformed into intense fighting spirit. Yan Chiyu said no more.


    The vice principal of Longteng High School still had a sneer on his face.


    No wonder she was once the genius sought after by all the high schools in Liuhe Base City. She¡¯s become the soul of the Red Flag High School team. She calmed the restless students in just a few words. What a pity. Such a genius, yet she chose Red Flag High School and wasted over two years of her time. She missed the best period to enhance her strength, and her future achievements would be limited.


    "I''ll go and get them to fix the door quickly." The vice principal said with a laugh, turning to leave.


    Thus, the group from Red Flag High School was left waiting outside the event venue. There was no reception. Not even a place to sit, let alone any refreshments.


    Two more hours passed like this. The vice principal reappeared, still with a faint smile on his face. "Everyone, thank you for waiting. The match is about to start, but the locker room door is still not fixed. We can''t keep you waiting any longer. Please follow me to the arena."


    At that point, Chen Fei was no longer as angry.


    "Let''s go." He said, waving his hand and leading the students into Longteng High School''s event venue.


    They walked down a long corridor into the arena. The moment they stepped out of the corridor, they were met with overwhelming boos. The enormous arena, capable of holding ten thousand people, was brightly lit. The stands were filled with Longteng High School students and some of their parents. The deafening boos pierced the eardrums of Li Xiaofei and his teammates.


    "Look, the trash from Red Flag High School is here."


    "A bunch of cowards. Letting them step into this sacred Longteng arena is a desecration."


    "Go back to sucking milk."


    "Haha..." sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Various insults and provocations rained down from the stands like a torrential flood. The away crowd was full of hostility towards Red Flag High School. This was the devil''s home ground of Longteng High School. The Longteng Stadium.

 Chapter 83: One Move

    Chapter 83: One Move "Hello, viewers and friends, this is your host Little White Dragon in the Waves, broadcasting live from Longteng High School''s main arena. We are bringing you the second round of Season 251 of the High School War God League, featuring Longteng High School versus Red Flag High School!"


    In the live stream, host Shen Yan was warming up the audience. This time, his assistant, Little You, wore white stockings paired with a white schoolgirl outfit and a blue wig. She looked both adorable and cute, but she remained silent. It was like she was lethargic due to hunger and didn¡¯t have the energy to speak. Thus, she only seemed responsible for silently acting cute.


    "We received feedback from the on-site staff that Red Flag High School had some technical difficulties, which delayed their warm-up. Now, they have finally arrived! Leading the way is Li Xiaofei, the main player for Red Flag High School. The MVP of the first round of the league seems to be very angry."


    "No wonder, Longteng Stadium is known as the devil''s home ground for a reason. The crowd is extremely hostile to the visiting team. Viewers in the live stream might not hear it, but I can clearly hear the curses and see people throwing objects from the stands!" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Little White Dragon in the Waves described the scene objectively.


    He, too, felt a pang of frustration. As the regular broadcaster for Red Flag High School, he had also been treated unfairly over the past few hours. There was no water or hospitality meals. Even the broadcasting position was at the farthest corner. It was far less comfortable than the last match at Red Flag High School''s rundown stadium.


    However, due to Red Flag High School''s outstanding performance in the last game and since Longteng High School was an established strong team, the excitement for this match was high. Many media outlets were on-site to cover the match, so there were twenty to thirty commentators and broadcasters present. Most were bigger names than Shen Yan.


    Placed in the most isolated broadcasting position, Shen Yan wished he could use the head of Longteng High School''s principal as a chamber pot. Naturally, he wouldn''t say anything favorable about Longteng High School.


    ***


    In the arena, the staff had already set up the light core mainframes. The teams from both schools were fifty meters apart, making their final preparations in their respective zones. Just like the first round of the league, the solo matches would take place first.


    "Today''s first match is crucial," Chen Fei said, his gaze sweeping over the two main players of the school team. "We need to do our utmost to win this match, so..."


    Li Xiaofei stepped forward and volunteered, "Principal, let me take the first match."


    However, Chen Fei''s eyes ultimately settled on Fang Buyi.


    "Fang Buyi will take this match," he decided.


    Li Xiaofei was left speechless.


    Damn. Does Chen Fei have a passive skill that makes him ignore whoever volunteers first?


    In the first round, Fang Buyi had volunteered, only to be replaced by this stubborn principal with Li Xiaofei. Now, when Li Xiaofei volunteered, the principal chose Fang Buyi instead.


    "Go for it, Old Fang."


    "Good luck."


    "Senior Fang, give it your all."


    The members of the school team all cheered for Fang Buyi.


    As the second main player of Red Flag High School, Fang Buyi had always been seen as a reliable older brother. He was cheerful, generous, and always willing to help. No matter who needed his assistance, he never turned them down. He often acted like a protective mother hen, shielding every member of the school team under his wings.


    He wasn¡¯t particularly strong, but he had diligently fought in the High School War God League for two years with the cultivation of the eighth stage without much acclaim. But no matter what difficulties he faced, he never complained or backed down. So Fang Buyi was beloved by every student at Red Flag High School. The teachers also valued him highly.


    "Go for it," Li Xiaofei said, giving Fang Buyi a light high-five.


    On the stands behind the preparation area, dozens of Red Flag High School students who had come along with the team shouted themselves hoarse, loudly cheering for Fang Buyi.


    Yan Chiyu walked up to Fang Buyi. She gently straightened his school uniform and said, "Good luck."


    Fang Buyi smiled. He turned and strode towards the light core mainframe. At the same time, Longteng High School''s first-round player was revealed.


    "The match-up for the first round of solo mode has been announced. The home team is sending out their star student, Zheng Shou. It seems they are determined to win this first match."


    "Zheng Shou, nicknamed Beast, is eighteen years old, stands at 2.1 meters tall, weighs 140 kilograms, and has a cultivation level of the tenth stage. He has undergone the new martial arts surgery, with six First Grade peak star beast Gray-Haired Bear Ape¡¯s Inscribed Treasure Bones implanted in his body, making him renowned for his immense strength."


    "This guy is an unstoppable beast."


    "Indeed, in last season''s league, he won 18 MVPs in victories and 12 MVPs in defeats..."


    "Red Flag High School''s first-round player is Fang Buyi."


    "Fang Buyi, eighteen years old, stands at 1.83 meters tall, weighs 84 kilograms, and has a cultivation level of the eighth stage. Last season, he participated in 61 matches, winning 8. His solo mode win rate in his career is less than 14%."


    "The data comparison between the two is not even in the same league."


    "Fang Buyi is bound to lose."


    In the Media Section, almost all the commentators favored Zheng Shou.


    Even Shen Yan, who was typically unyielding, admitted, "This is an asymmetrical match, with a huge disparity in strength between the two players. We hope Fang Buyi can showcase his skills, display his level, and maintain his dignity..."


    The match officially began. The system randomly selected the map, the Ancient Roman Colosseum. A giant arena made of white stone appeared on the big screen. It was a scene repaired and enlarged by the light core system.


    The teleportation lights flashed. Fang Buyi and Zheng Shou simultaneously appeared in the arena. Fang Buyi chose the most durable leather armor, and his weapon was a slender sword suitable for thrusting. Zheng Shou, on the other hand, didn''t choose any of the system''s armor. He was bare-chested, showcasing his massive muscles.


    "One move," Zheng Shou taunted, beckoning Fang Buyi with his hand.


    Fang Buyi''s face remained calm, not losing his composure from his opponent''s contemptuous provocation. He knew he was at a significant disadvantage. Therefore, he needed to be patient, stay calm, and try to find a fleeting opportunity, no matter how slim the chances were.


    "The match has begun."


    "The Ancient Roman Colosseum map is highly disadvantageous for Fang Buyi. He''s like a fish in a barrel, with no chance to dodge or create distance... It seems even the system''s random algorithm is favoring Longteng High School. After all, this is Longteng High School''s home ground."


    "Fang Buyi chose a rapier, capable of instant bursts and piercing through defenses. It''s a smart choice... He''s moving. Fang Buyi''s footwork is clever, and his speed is impressive. He isn''t rushing to attack but circling around Zheng Shou, looking for an opening."


    "Zheng Shou remains motionless. The star student of Longteng High School doesn''t even bother to take a stance, leaving himself open. But Fang Buyi dares not attack easily. He knows he has only one chance."


    "The audience is booing. Fang Buyi remains unmoved... Wait, Zheng Shou is moving. He''s attacking..."


    "One move, true to his nickname. He has caught Fang Buyi with just a light punch... The disparity between them is too great. Fang Buyi is severely injured, pinned under Zheng Shou''s foot..."


    The commentators and media were in an uproar.


    In the arena, Fang Buyi was on the ground, heavily injured and coughing up blood.


    Zheng Shou pressed his foot on Fang Buyi''s chest, looking down at him. "You''re so weak. Why do you even bother to come out and embarrass yourself?"

 Chapter 84: Trickster

    Chapter 84: Trickster Fang Buyi breathed heavily. Crimson blood sprayed from his mouth and nose with each breath. In the light core virtual world, everything felt as real as the physical world. Pain and the body''s reactions to injury were simulated with complete accuracy.


    The intense pain almost made Fang Buyi lose control of his body. The injuries were too severe. The punch from Zheng Shou, though seemingly light, was beyond his ability to withstand. Before the fight began, Fang Buyi had thought that he could accept a loss if he could land a single strike on his opponent. But it really took only one punch. Fang Buyi''s confidence began to crumble.


    "Admit defeat and say three times that you''re weak, and I''ll give you a quick end," Zheng Shou sneered, intending to humiliate Fang Buyi further.


    "Fine, I''ll say it," Fang Buyi gritted his teeth. "You are weak, you are weak, you are weak..."


    Then, he immediately plunged his rapier into his own heart. He chose to die by his own hand rather than endure further humiliation. His body dissolved into a stream of data, vanishing from the arena.


    Zheng Shou didn''t have time to stop him and spat angrily, "Bastard."


    In the next moment, a deafening cheer erupted in the arena. The Longteng High School students and the spectators who came to watch the match went wild, cheering loudly.


    Unlike the modest home environment of Red Flag High School, Longteng High School''s matches attracted a large number of paying spectators from outside the school. Teams ranked high in the league had a well-developed commercial appeal. Various commentators were also fervently praising Zheng Shou, the Beast as the atmosphere in the venue reached a fever pitch.


    As the designated commentator for Red Flag High School, Shen Yan said helplessly in the livestream, "Fang Buyi adopted the most suitable strategy, chose the most effective weapon, and showed the greatest courage... Unfortunately, the difference in strength was too great. He lost, but Zheng Shou humiliating his opponent like that was truly disgraceful."


    In the livestream, many viewers who saw Fang Buyi being trampled began to curse as well. Most people still despised such bullying behavior. However, a flood of new viewers quickly joined, hurling insults at Shen Yan.


    If you lose and you deserve to be stepped on.


    Red Flag High School chickened out at the opening ceremony, lost their spot, and let Jiepeng strut around. Don''t they deserve to be stepped on?


    These trash from Red Flag High School should feel honored to be trampled by Senior Zheng Shou.


    What kind of trash commentator is this? Does he even know how to commentate?


    Brothers, let''s team up and report him.


    Judging by their comments, it was clear who these new viewers were. At first, Shen Yan tried to respond patiently. But he soon realized that this group wouldn''t listen no matter how he defended himself or explained. They weren''t interested in debating; they were only interested in spewing insults and curses. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Damn...


    Shen Yan was furious and started cursing directly in the livestream.


    "Do you even know what martial spirit is? The country invests heavily in education resources to cultivate martial artists with a sense of chivalry and the spirit to defend the nation, not a bunch of bullies who humiliate others just because they''re stronger."


    "Who is this Zheng Shou you all are praising? Do you expect this kind of person to protect you against the fangs and claws of star beasts? Stop living off dog food and do something worthwhile. I''m putting it out here today, if this kind of atmosphere continues, Longteng High School will definitely fall!"


    Filled with pent-up anger, Little White Dragon in the Waves Shen Yan transformed into Little Raging Dragon. He started an unrestrained rant, engaging in a fierce verbal battle with the trolls in the live stream. This could be considered a broadcast accident. But somehow, someone took screenshots of the live stream and posted them on the leaderboard forum.


    Shocking! Official Host Rages at Viewers.


    This Host Really Knows How to Curse.


    Betting His Streaming Career on a Rant.


    He Curses, I Support.


    Various posts flooded the ranking points forum, spreading like a virus to other major forums and video sites. As a result, Shen Yan''s livestream started gaining a massive influx of viewers. He was still cursing when his assistant softly tugged at him.


    "Don''t pull me! Even if I lose this hosting job today, I¡¯m gonna... huh?"


    Shen Yan was stunned as he followed his assistant¡¯s finger to the viewership number. His livestream actually had fifty-six thousand people. He instinctively rubbed his eyes. There was no mistake, it was really fifty-six thousand. Shen Yan suddenly felt a bit parched.


    Clearing his throat, he said, "What I was saying earlier was actually to convey an important message. Cursing is wrong, cursing is very bad... Many new viewers might not know me. I''m usually a very kind person and never use foul language¡ª"


    Before he could finish his sentence.


    666...


    If I hadn''t heard you cursing Longteng High School for five minutes straight, I might have believed you.


    Gentleman Li Xiaofei, never curses, Little White Dragon.


    This host is such a trickster.


    The live chat was flooded with comments. Many new viewers found this host extremely entertaining.


    This is interesting.


    Worth watching.


    And what''s up with the big-chested assistant in white stockings who looks like she can barely stand?


    Adorable, but not saying a word.


    She occasionally cast a resentful glance at Shen Yan.


    She looked like she was malnourished or something.


    This combination was odd yet entertaining, like an addictive poison, and it was very captivating.


    As the number of viewers continued to increase, Shen Yan could hardly believe that his outburst had attracted even more viewers.


    At that moment, the second match of solo mode was about to begin. Red Flag High School''s beastmaster Liu Xiao was set to face Longteng High School''s beastmaster Guan Guan. Both participants received their special keys from the match officials and entered their respective light core mainframes.


    In the next instant, the light core system randomly selected the map, Miaojiang Hidden Valley. That was a high-difficulty map for the beastmaster solo mode. There were over a hundred different types of star beasts in the valley, including some formidable Grade Two star beasts.


    The two contestants were placed at the southern and northern ends of the valley, three kilometers apart. Since they had chosen combat mode, they needed to find and successfully tame star beasts as quickly as possible. They then had to control these star beasts to traverse the valley, avoiding the territories of the Grade Two star beasts, and advance toward the center of the valley.


    The ultimate goal was to defeat the opponent. Since he had lost to Qingye High School''s beastmaster He Ye in the first round, Liu Xiao was determined to do his utmost to win back honor for Red Flag High School and prove himself. He advanced swiftly through the valley, exerting great effort to tame an adult Green Monkey.


    "Got it," said Liu Xiao, overjoyed.


    An adult Green Monkey was a top Grade One star beast with decent combat strength. He brought the star beast Green Monkey to the center of the valley. But when he saw what awaited him, his heart sank.


    Longteng High School''s beastmaster Guan Guan was lazily lying on a stone platform covered with soft reeds. Six Green Monkeys surrounded Guan Guan like servants.


    "Ah, you''re here." Guan Guan stretched lazily. "Too slow, I got bored and took a nap."


    Liu Xiao''s face turned pale. Gritting his teeth, he commanded his tamed beast to charge forward. In just a few breaths, the poor Green Monkey was torn apart by its own kind. Liu Xiao was also shredded. The immense gap between them left him no chance to resist.


    "How boring," yawned Guan Guan.


    Standing in the lush valley, he looked up, knowing that all the broadcasting cameras were focused on him.


    Guan Guan smiled faintly and said, "Fighting such trash is really a waste of my nap time."


    With that, the match ended. In Longteng Stadium, the crowd erupted in cheers like a volcanic explosion.


    "So strong."


    "No wonder they''re ranked ninth in the league last season."


    "Classmate Guan Guan is also a star student from last season, ranked seventeenth among the Top Twenty High School Beastmasters by the media. His individual stats are impressive, and Red Flag High School''s Liu Xiao was no match for him, collapsing at the first touch."


    "Although many media outlets had high hopes for Red Flag High School before the match, expecting them to continue their dark horse run, it appears now that they are nothing but pretenders."


    In the media section, various commentators continuously analyzed the match.


    Shen Yan also let out a helpless sigh in his livestream. The ideal was grand but reality was harsh.


    He tried to salvage the stream, saying, "I can only say, never judge Red Flag High School before Li Xiaofei steps into the arena."


    All hopes were now pinned on Li Xiaofei.

 Chapter 85: Didn’t Think Of That, Did You?

    Chapter 85: Didn¡¯t Think Of That, Did You? In fact, Red Flag High School was now in a very disadvantageous position. Two crushing defeats in a row had severely dented everyone''s confidence. Next up were Ren Dong and Bai Longfei, who were also easily defeated by Longteng High School''s medic Feng Yuzhen and weapons specialist Jia Yiyu.


    Longteng High School showcased their depth as a strong team who had been ranked ninth last season. The cheers in the stadium were deafening, almost breaking through the ceiling. The home team''s supporters were wildly celebrating.


    In contrast, the few spectators supporting the visiting team felt like a small dinghy in a stormy ocean, seemingly on the verge of capsizing at any moment. In the visiting team''s preparation area, Fang Buyi and the others wore heavy, dejected expressions. It wasn''t that they lacked effort. The gap in strength between the teams was simply too great.


    Zheng Shou and Guan Guan were both at the tenth stage. Feng Yuzhen and Jia Yiyu were slightly weaker but still at the ninth stage. Even Longteng High School''s weakest beastmaster substitute, Liu Ye, and medic substitute, Chang Tao, were at the eighth stage.


    Moreover, they had all mastered new martial arts techniques and had Inscribed Treasure Bones from star beasts implanted in them. This was a real gap in strength. It wasn''t something that could be bridged by sheer willpower.


    Now, all hopes were pinned on Li Xiaofei. As the main player of the school team, he would participate in the final match. The team members silently watched him, saying nothing. But their eyes were filled with hope. He turned and walked toward the arena without a word.


    "Oh oh oh, Red Flag High School''s ace is entering the arena."


    "The Fist King Li Xiaofei, the MVP of the first round of the league, can he win a round for Red Flag High School?"


    "Longteng High School has sent out their second main player, Xing Yuantao."


    "Xing Yuantao, eighteen years old, 1.84 meters tall, weighing 75 kilograms, with peak ninth stage cultivation. Last season, he ranked thirty-fourth in the individual mode, which is quite impressive, even surpassing Qingye High School''s star player Swift Blade Gao Shen."


    "The match has begun."


    Commentators from all sides got to work. The match was the highlight of today''s solo mode. So the commentators were very excited. But the most excited of them all was Little White Dragon in the Waves Shen Yan.


    "Li Xiaofei is finally on the field," he exclaimed, clenching his fist. "He will definitely win, definitely."


    The chat was going wild in the livestream, which now had over seventy thousand viewers. The betting segment of the live stream had already concluded. 73 percent believed that Xing Yuantao would win. Only 27 percent thought that Li Xiaofei would come out on top.


    The livestream quickly showed the battlefield. The system had randomly chosen the map again, and it was the Ancient Roman Colosseum. The same map as the first match. Two beams of light descended from the sky. Li Xiaofei and Xing Yuantao''s figures appeared on the battlefield. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Didn''t expect this, did you?" Xing Yuantao licked his lips excitedly. "Li Xiaofei, we meet again so soon."


    Li Xiaofei responded dryly, "Are you an idiot? You were the one who said this round of the league would be between our two high schools. What¡¯s so unexpected about this? Could you use your brain a bit when you''re delivering your lines?"


    Xing Yuantao''s expression stiffened. Then his eyes turned violent. Tall and slender with a handsome yet world-weary look, he was the type that girls found very attractive.


    "I said I would tear you apart with my own hands," Xing Yuantao growled, gritting his teeth. "You''ll pay dearly for your actions that day."


    Li Xiaofei sneered and gestured, saying, "One move."


    "One move?" Xing Yuantao laughed loudly. "Haha, are you trying to imitate Senior Zheng Shou? Do you think this posturing can save face for Red Flag High School? Unfortunately, you could never imagine..."


    At that point, Xing Yuantao suddenly released his starforce qi. Dense, azure starforce vortices appeared around him. One, two, three, four, five... Eight, nine, ten! Ten! A total of ten starforce vortices. He was at the tenth stage.


    The scene caused the entire stadium to erupt in thunderous cheers. Countless home team supporters in the stands shouted frantically. Originally, they were slightly worried that Xing Yuantao might not be a match for the Fist King Li Xiaofei. But now, that sliver of concern was completely gone.


    "My God, it''s the tenth stage. Xing Yuantao has actually advanced to the tenth stage."


    "Incredible."


    "The event committee previously reported his level as ninth stage. He must have recently broken through."


    "Longteng High School has gained another tenth stage member."


    "This is the strength of prestigious schools."


    "Red Flag High School''s last hope is shattered."


    In the media section, the commentators burst into exclamations. In the visitor''s preparation area, Fang Buyi, Bai Longfei, and the others were stunned.


    How could this be? Another tenth stage opponent?


    They had held onto a sliver of hope. But now it seemed like everything was over. No matter how strong Li Xiaofei was, he couldn''t bridge this absolute realm difference. All the school team members'' hearts sank.


    The same sense of loss, frustration, and powerless despair they had experienced in previous league seasons washed over them again. Except for Yan Chiyu. She stood quietly, her expression very calm. The four consecutive losses were within her expectations.


    From the beginning, Yan Chiyu had a clear understanding of Red Flag High School''s overall strength. Losing the individual matches was inevitable. However, for some reason, despite her antagonism towards Li Xiaofei, she still had complete confidence in this boy.


    He can win.


    "Come on." She shouted loudly.


    The other team members looked at their captain in surprise.


    Yan Chiyu continued to shout, "Come on, come on, come on!"


    She stood there, shouting loudly amidst the overwhelming cheers of the home team''s supporters. Even though her cheers were completely drowned out by the almost ceiling-shaking roar of the crowd and could not be heard far. Even though Li Xiaofei, immersed in the light core virtual world, couldn''t hear her voice. She still shouted loudly. She was stubborn and persistent.


    Fang Buyi seemed to understand the captain''s intention.


    Yes. If even his teammates stopped supporting Li Xiaofei and began to doubt him, who else would support him?


    At that critical time, Li Xiaofei was representing Red Flag High School, their entire school team, in facing a formidable opponent. At that moment, they should cheer him on, not doubt him. Otherwise, when the battle was over, whether in victory or defeat, Li Xiaofei would not see his teammates¡¯ support when he reviewed the match video. How disappointed would that be?


    Fang Buyi joined in the chant, "Come on, Li Xiaofei!"


    One by one, the other team members followed, "Come on, Li Xiaofei!"


    The entire Red Flag High School team were united in their cheers, their voices filled with determination and support for their teammate.


    "Come on!" Fang Buyi also shouted loudly.


    Bai Longfei felt his stagnant blood boiling again. Disregarding his image, he twisted his face in a furious roar, "Come on, come on, come on..."


    "C-c-c... Come on!" Bai Qiqi stuttered angrily.


    "Come on!"


    "Come on!"


    Ren Dong, Liu Xiao, Du Heng, Zhuge Long, Nan Tianxing also chanted. The school team members shouted at the top of their lungs, tearing their throats in the process. The scene reached the eyes of the visiting team''s students in the stands.


    They had been trembling under the pressure of the home team''s supporters, but they suddenly felt inspired. They were no longer afraid.


    "Come on!"


    "Come on!"


    They howled like a pack of enraged wolves.

 Chapter 86: Tenth Stage, Nothing More

    Chapter 86: Tenth Stage, Nothing More The scene was keenly captured by the broadcast.


    Some commentators laughed, "Haha, Red Flag High School is really amusing, still playing the whole hot-blooded card at this point."


    Others remarked, "Even if their skills are inferior, at least in this moment, Red Flag High School is united."


    But Little White Dragon in the Waves Shen Yan didn''t say a word. He simply clenched his fists tightly, staring intently at the broadcast screen. He seemed even more nervous than the members of Red Flag High School''s team. The scene had an inexplicable humor to it. A commentator not commentating and fully immersed in watching the game. Many people in the livestream burst out laughing on the spot.


    ***


    In the light core virtual world, on the battlefield.


    "Li Xiaofei, you didn''t expect this, did you? I''ve already reached the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm," Xing Yuantao boasted with a triumphant laugh. "This is Longteng High School. Everyone here is filled with a sense of urgency, and spares no effort to improve their cultivation. As a member of the school team, I dare not relax even for a moment."


    He sneered at Li Xiaofei, "This is the foundation of Longteng High School. And you? What about your Red Flag High School? What do you have? A mediocre reputation? Scarce resources? Or outstanding students?"


    Li Xiaofei remained silent.


    Xing Yuantao thought he was scared. "Hahaha, don''t randomly imitate others, especially someone as exceptional as Senior Zheng Shou."


    He continued, becoming more complacent. "Because you don''t deserve it. One move? Are you saying you want to kill me with one move? Haha, do you still dare to say such things now?"


    "Are you done showing off?" Li Xiaofei suddenly spoke.


    "Huh?" Xing Yuantao was taken aback.


    Li Xiaofei grinned and said, "If you''re done, then it''s my turn."


    Li Xiaofei was a blur as he used the Three Steps Cicada Catch. It was three times faster than when he fought against Swift Blade Gao Shen. Xing Yuantao only saw Li Xiaofei vanish before him. In the next moment, Li Xiaofei''s Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow was already buried into his abdomen.


    Boom!


    The immense power was like a mountain flood, devouring everything in its path. Xing Yuantao''s protective starforce qi was instantly shattered.


    "Gah..."


    He immediately curled up like a cooked shrimp.


    "What are you showing off for when you¡¯re this weak?" asked Li Xiaofei, looking down at him.


    In that instant, he unleashed all the latent energy in his fist.


    Bang.


    Xing Yuantao''s body exploded, turning into a mist of blood and bone fragments. Then, it transformed into shimmering streams of data and disappeared into the air.


    "Tenth stage, nothing more," said Li Xiaofei, slowly retracting his fist.


    His mastery of the Great Strength Vajra Fist had reached perfection. Not only had he brought the technique¡¯s power to the utmost level, but he could also control the force of his punches, making them light or heavy, present or absent at will.


    He had trained the martial technique, characterized by its extreme hardness, to a level that combined both hardness and softness. He had indeed reached the pinnacle of his training.


    He took out a white handkerchief and gently wiped his fist as if it had been dirtied by the mere act of striking Xing Yuantao. He slowly raised his head to look at countless cameras. He opened his mouth... But he didn''t utter any words of rebuttal or mockery. Instead, he simply smiled silently. Then, he teleported away from the battlefield.


    ***


    If the Longteng Stadium had been a boiling volcano a moment before, it was now an iceberg. Tens of thousands of people were frozen in place as they stared. It was as if the scene from a movie had been suddenly paused.


    Xing Yuantao stumbled out of the light core mainframe cockpit. His mind was still in a state of shock, unable to understand what had just happened.


    I lost. How did I lose?


    He had just barely advanced to the tenth stage. The moment that was supposed to belong to his glory had turned into a public humiliation. He turned his head to look. The light core mainframe cockpit behind him slowly opened.


    Li Xiaofei walked out gracefully. He stood outside the cockpit, smiling and surveying his surroundings. The round stadium was now completely silent. Li Xiaofei smiled and cupped his ears with his hands.


    Where were the sounds? The proud and arrogant, the noisy and cursing sounds? Come on! Continue, don''t stop. Continue.


    This simple gesture had an enormous effect on the audience. It was like he had tossed a match into a barrel of oil.


    Boom!


    The crowds of Longteng Stadium instantly burst out in fury. Countless spectators jumped up from their seats and cursed furiously like enraged roosters. A deluge of boos flooded toward the boy standing in the center of the arena, who was holding a hand to his ear. Numerous objects were hurled at him like raindrops.


    Some of the more radical fans even tried to jump down from the ten-meter-high platform to fight Li Xiaofei. Fortunately, the event security responded quickly, immediately activating a magnetic shield to block the crowd.


    Xing Yuantao, who was on the scene, felt blood rush to his head. His ears were buzzing. Instinctively, he dashed forward to fight Li Xiaofei to the death... But the referee on site stopped him.


    Li Xiaofei smiled as he looked around the stands. He shrugged at the cameras and made a silly face. Then he walked leisurely toward the visiting team''s preparation area.


    "Ahhhh..."


    Ren Dong, the big-headed lolita, was the first to rush out with open arms. She jumped up and clung to Li Xiaofei''s right shoulder like a koala. The other team members also screamed as they ran over.


    "We won!"


    "Haha, you won, you really did it!"


    "This is so satisfying, how did you do it?!"


    "From now on, I¡¯m going to call you Senior Li!"


    "Damn, you really know how to show off. As a fellow good-looking person, you''re putting a lot of pressure on me."


    The members of the Red Flag High School team lifted Li Xiaofei and tossed him into the air.


    "Damn it!" Li Xiaofei flailed his arms and legs. "I told you I''m afraid of heights!"


    "Hahaha... "


    His response was met with laughter. On one side, Yan Chiyu stood quietly, a pure smile gradually spreading across his face. Principal Chen Fei and Grandpa Qin exchanged glances, holding back their laughter.


    Ever since they found out that Li Xiaofei was the top-ranked demon king Your Grandpa on the leaderboard, nothing about this boy''s actions surprised them anymore. The only discomfort was that holding in their laughter really strained their abdominal muscles.


    On the other side, the members of the Longteng High School team didn''t look so good in the home team''s preparation area. No one comforted Xing Yuantao upon his return.


    "Foolish." Zheng Shou reprimanded harshly.


    Xing Yuantao opened his mouth but eventually lowered his head. Any excuse was meaningless in the face of failure.


    Zheng Shou continued his merciless scolding. "In battle, you must always be one hundred percent vigilant against any opponent. Once you make a move, you must give it your all without holding back. You were foolish enough to try to scare your opponent by revealing your ten vortices? If that method worked, we might as well just compare our realms every time and skip the fight."


    "I''m sorry, Senior Zheng. I was wrong." Even someone as proud as Xing Yuantao admitted his mistake immediately when facing the school''s top star.


    "Your main battle position on the school team is suspended for a week," Zheng Shou declared.


    Xing Yuantao did not dare to argue.


    "In the upcoming team battle, I will not tolerate any mistakes," Zheng Shou¡¯s eyes were filled with unwavering determination. "Zero casualties. Sweep that group of trash."


    "Yes."


    "Sweep that group of trash."


    The anger in every team member''s heart ignited. Zheng Shou glanced toward the visiting team''s preparation area.


    At that moment, Li Xiaofei also looked in their direction and their gazes met. A cold smile appeared on Zheng Shou''s face as he drew his hand over his throat.


    S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 87: Sky City

    Chapter 87: Sky City The scene was captured by many broadcast cameras.


    "Li Xiaofei has angered Longteng''s ''Beast.''"


    "Zheng Shou is provoking Li Xiaofei."


    "As many seasoned viewers know, the wrath of the Beast is terrifying. Red Flag High School will face a massacre in the team battle."


    Most commentators became excited. Li Xiaofei''s stunning punch had embarrassed the commentators who had confidently predicted his defeat. Now, they were eager to regain some credibility. Their words increasingly belittled Li Xiaofei.


    They desperately hoped that the Beast Zheng Shou would prove them right with a dominant and ruthless performance, showing that Li Xiaofei could not carry Red Flag High School on his own. Meanwhile, in the livestream of Little White Dragon in the Waves, Shen Yan was so excited that he started dancing.


    "Haha, did you see that? I told you, Li Xiaofei could win. Remember this, never judge Red Flag High School until Li Xiaofei has entered the fray. Hahaha, so what if you''re at the tenth stage? You still got knocked out by the Fist King! The upcoming team battle will be exciting. Longteng High School indeed has the absolute advantage, but what if Li Xiaofei creates another miracle?"


    Shen Yan openly expressed his hopes. He had completely let go of any reservations. As the official streamer for Red Flag High School, he decided to firmly stand by their side. The best way to do that was to become a staunch supporter of Li Xiaofei. Of course, he had benefited from Li Xiaofei''s popularity. Praising Li Xiaofei unreservedly always brought in viewers. Wasn''t that the true essence of live streaming?


    ***


    The team mode officially began. Red Flag High School fielded a lineup of main fighter Li Xiaofei, Fang Buyi, beastmaster Liu Xiao, weapons specialist Bai Longfei, and medic Ren Dong.


    On the other hand, Longteng High School''s lineup had the main fighter Zheng Shou, Xing Yuantao, beastmaster Guan Guan, medic Feng Yuzhen, and weapons specialist Jia Yiyu. This was a terrifying lineup. It was the absolute main force of Longteng High School.


    "Only ruthless destruction can make those weaklings understand the foundation of an old strong school," Zheng Shou said as he entered the light core mainframe cockpit.


    Buzzing sounds filled the air as the ten light core mainframe cockpits started simultaneously. Countdowns began on the large screens inside and outside the stadium. The light core system randomly selected a competition map and a grand yet dilapidated ancient city appeared on the screens.


    "It''s Sky City!"


    "One of the five legendary maps in team mode, Sky City."


    "Oh oh oh, I didn''t expect such a classic map."


    "The setting of Sky City is fascinating. It¡¯s located at the peak of the Holy Mountain, with a diameter of fifty kilometers, and is divided into three main areas, the outer city, the inner city, and the citadel. It is filled with numerous buildings, spacious streets, and is an incredibly magnificent ancient metropolis."


    "In the official setting, Sky City originally housed three million sky people. The sky people were a powerful martial civilization and are said to have once ruled an entire world. Thus, Sky City was once extremely prosperous. But later, plague and the appearance of monsters wiped out the inhabitants, turning it into a ghost city. The city is rich in resources. The various treasures left by the ancient residents are hidden within."


    "There are also numerous star beasts and mutated plants... This is a city of hell. This map tests the comprehensive qualities of the team members. The light core system has begun teleporting... The visiting team, Red Flag High School, has been teleported to the western district. The eastern district has become the home ground for the host team, Longteng High School. The match has officially started."


    The passionate voices of various commentators echoed through the venue and in the livestreams.


    ***


    A beam of light descended on the battlefield. Li Xiaofei appeared on a street overgrown with wild grass. The air was fresh, but he was surrounded by dilapidated ancient buildings that had vines climbing up their walls. The stone slabs on the ground, weathered by thousands of years, had wild grass growing from the cracks that nearly covered the main road. He jumped onto a four-story building and looked around.


    He could glimpse a lost civilization''s twilight. The desolate ancient city appeared both grand and forlorn under the setting sun. The ancient city was very quiet, with no sign of birds or the sound of insects. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He strained his eyes to look further since he couldn''t see where his teammates were. The distant ancient buildings looked like a labyrinth of jungles, hidden among overly wild vegetation. The ancient city was too vast.


    I need to find my teammates.


    Last time, he had inadvertently shown off and had been privately lectured by the principal. In team mode, victory relies on the strength of the team. Personal heroism was not the way to go. So this time, he needed to show a more team-oriented approach.


    Li Xiaofei looked up at the sky, feeling confident. He muttered, "This time, I definitely won''t get lost."


    After all, the sun was up there. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. He leaped across the ancient rooftops, heading towards the center of their designated area. The ancient city was relatively well-preserved, with clear district divisions. Most of the houses were intact. Even the wooden window lattices and door panels were still hanging on the doors and windows.


    Huh? What''s that?


    Ahead, a faintly glowing object among the wild grass caught Li Xiaofei''s attention.


    Gold?


    The old-fashioned thinking from five hundred years ago stopped Li Xiaofei in his tracks. He carefully parted the grass. A cross-legged mummified corpse was sitting beneath the wild grass. The faint golden glow was emanating from the corpse.


    Li Xiaofei examined the mummy carefully. It was relatively well-preserved with its black skin and vaguely recognizable facial features. It seemed to be a human. The corpse wore a rusted phoenix-winged helmet. However, its head had been split open along with the helmet by a battle ax.


    It wore a scale armor made of some strange stone fragments that was held together by well-tanned beast hides. A long sword hung at its waist. A foldable giant broadsword was strapped to its back. Both the sword and the broadsword were well-preserved. Additionally, there was a leather pouch placed to the left of the corpse.


    Li Xiaofei opened the pouch. Inside were some golden ancient coins and six porcelain bottles. Two blue, four red. Li Xiaofei first drew out the long sword and it glittered with a cold light. It seemed to be forged from some unknown metal.


    "A fine sword," muttered Li Xiaofei.


    He gripped the sword and infused it with starforce qi. The blade glowed with a golden light. The edge of the sword emitted a sharp aura. He then casually swung the sword.


    Shing.


    All the wild grass within ten meters in front of him fluttered to the ground. Li Xiaofei was stunned.


    What kind of sword is this?


    It had at least doubled the enhancement of starforce qi, which was incredible. He unfastened the foldable broadsword from the back of the mummified corpse. After a brief examination, he pressed a mechanism.


    Click.


    The broadsword extended, locking into place. The blade, 1.7 meters long and 50 centimeters wide, emitted an intimidating aura. This broadsword was also made of a similar unknown metal and provided an astonishing enhancement to starforce qi.

 Chapter 88: Burning Flames

    Chapter 88: Burning Flames It''s a pity that I can''t bring this sword and broadsword back to the real world. But using them in this competition will greatly enhance my strength.


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but love them. He pocketed the golden ancient coins inscribed with mystical patterns. The red bottles contained some kind of pills that emitted a faint fragrance. The blue bottles held some powder, with an unknown purpose. Li Xiaofei put away the sword, broadsword, porcelain bottles, and even stripped the relatively intact armor from the mummified corpse.


    "Senior, I am Li Xiaofei. I apologize for disturbing you and taking your belongings for temporary use. If you''re angry... well, you can come and fight me, Li Xiaofei."


    Li Xiaofei bowed to the corpse, then quickly turned and left.


    ***


    "Li Xiaofei''s luck is incredible."


    "It''s him. He effortlessly encountered a golden resource point, obtaining two Vibranium weapons, a certain amount of Sky Coins, Life Extension Pills, and Armor Repair Powder... "


    "This is great news for the Red Flag High School team. Let''s shift our focus to the Longteng High School team... What?"


    "Oh my God! This is insane. Longteng High School has adopted a lightning RUSH tactic. They¡¯ve completely abandoned gathering resources. Each member is rushing from their drop point straight to Red Flag High School''s resource area."


    "In this map, it takes at least half an hour to rush from the initial drop point to the enemy''s gathering area. During this half hour, not only will they deplete a large amount of starforce qi, but they also risk being attacked by star beasts."


    "When they finally reach the destination after all that hardship, what awaits them might be a fully armed enemy team. But Longteng High School has still chosen to RUSH without hesitation."


    "It seems they''ve been infuriated by Li Xiaofei and are determined to crush Red Flag High School using the most extreme means. Let''s see what the Red Flag High School team members are doing. They''re still on their way to the rendezvous point, without much defense. Red Flag High School is in big trouble... "


    Commentators watching the scenes on their screens couldn''t help but exclaim in surprise. Meanwhile, the home team''s supporters in the stands were filled with anticipation and excitement.


    "Tear them apart."


    "Teach that bastard Li Xiaofei a lesson and show them that Longteng High School is invincible."


    "Kill!"


    The crowd in the stands surged with waves of people.


    Little White Dragon in the Waves Shen Yan nervously pinched his thigh, muttering, "Be careful, things are about to go wrong... "


    ***


    Li Xiaofei was also hurrying. He had encountered two more mummies emitting a faint blue glow on his way. Like the previous golden mummy, they each had some resources. Li Xiaofei accepted them without hesitation.


    Finally, after twenty minutes, he arrived at the rendezvous point. The rendezvous points were generally fixed. Each map had a limited number of suitable rendezvous areas. Every high school team would study all the system maps and develop plans. These tactics were continuously improved and refined during long pre-match preparations.


    Red Flag High School had naturally conducted research and devised corresponding strategies for classic competition maps like Sky City. The designated rendezvous point was the front plaza of a temple. The terrain was open and flat.


    Since the Sky Temple was at their back, they could retreat into the temple if they encountered an enemy attack and couldn''t withstand it. The temple''s winding corridors and complex terrain were advantageous for either fighting the enemy or escaping.


    Whoosh.


    Li Xiaofei landed in the center of the front plaza.


    Huh? Where is everyone?


    The plaza was empty, with not a single teammate in sight.


    Did Fang and the others run into trouble?


    Li Xiaofei jumped onto a ten-meter-tall statue, scanning the surroundings. Fang Buyi, Ren Dong, Liu Xiao, and Bai Longfei were nowhere to be seen. Li Xiaofei pondered, wondering if he had arrived too quickly.


    Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly heard clear footsteps coming from the Sky Temple. Li Xiaofei turned his head to look. His pupils instantly contracted.


    The person who slowly walked out from the dark shadows within the temple was not any of his Red Flag High School teammates. It was Zheng Shou, the Beast. This burly, muscular youth seemed like a ferocious and terrifying doomsday bear.


    "Are you looking for someone?" asked Zheng Shou with his lips curled into a cruel smile.


    Li Xiaofei''s heart sank.


    How did the Longteng team get here so fast? A RUSH tactic? If that''s the case, then my teammates...


    "Heh." A light chuckle came from Feng Yuzhen, the medic of the Longteng team, who appeared atop the temple.


    The girl in the red athletic leather jacket had the delicate features typical of her age but she also had a ruthlessness that was unusual for her age. She looked down at Li Xiaofei, her eyes filled with undisguised murderous intent. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She gestured lightly and a vine as thick as a python uncoiled from the dense green vines at the top of the temple. The long vine left the figure hanging in mid-air.


    Drip, drip.


    Thick, red blood dripped down. The person wrapped in the vine was Ren Dong, the medic of the Red Flag High School team. The big-headed girl¡¯s limbs had been pierced through by the vines, rendering her incapable of fighting. Blood flowed from the wounds, staining the green vines a crimson red.


    She struggled to open her eyes, saw a blurry Li Xiaofei. Her breathing became rapid, and she used the last of her strength to say, "Run... quickly..."


    In that instant, Li Xiaofei felt a surge of blood rush to his head. But just as he took a step forward.


    Bang.


    The vine suddenly jerked. Ren Dong''s body was torn apart into a rain of blood. She transformed into a stream of data light and disappeared.


    "That''s the first," Zheng Shou, the Beast, said calmly.


    ROAR..


    A deafening beast''s roar echoed as a Lion-Head Python revealed itself from the right side of the plaza. This terrifying Grade One star beast was sixteen meters long, with the head of a lion and the body of a python, it was like a crudely made chimera.


    A lazy-looking young man in a yellow tracksuit was standing on its head. His delicate features resembled those of a girl, and his slightly wavy long hair gave him a look straight out of a Japanese manga. Guan Guan, the chief beastmaster of the Longteng team, was also a star student who had reached the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. The Lion-Head Python under his feet opened its massive jaws. In its mouth was another figure.


    It was Liu Xiao, the beastmaster of Red Flag High School. The sharp teeth of the Lion-Head Python had mercilessly pierced through Liu Xiao''s waist and chest. But he was not yet dead.


    He looked at Li Xiaofei with difficulty, his lips moving, but no sound came out. He wanted to say sorry but couldn''t utter the words when it mattered most. Since the league had started, Liu Xiao, as the main beastmaster of the school team, had become the team''s biggest weakness.


    Even in their first-round victory, he had been the only blemish on Red Flag High School''s moment of glory. But he had once again become a tool for the enemy to attack Li Xiaofei''s morale.


    Crunch, crunch.


    The Lion-Head Python''s jaws opened and closed, slowly chewing Liu Xiao''s body. Blood splattered. The data light surged, scattered, and disappeared.


    Li Xiaofei''s eyes began to burn in fury.

 Chapter 89: It’s Your Turn

    Chapter 89: It¡¯s Your Turn ¡°You look good when you¡¯re angry,¡± Zheng Shou, the Beast, laughed and said, ¡°But please don¡¯t rush. This is just the beginning.¡±


    Click, clack.


    Footsteps echoed from the other side of the plaza. A young man with a cross-shaped scar over his left eyebrow slowly emerged from behind a stone wall. He was dragging a bloody, mutilated body.


    ¡°Your teammates are as weak as quails.¡± The scarred youth threw the bloody body down the steps and said indifferently, ¡°I only used three moves, and he was defeated... Let me introduce myself. I¡¯m Jia Yiyu, the chief weapons specialist of Longteng High School.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart sank. The bloody, mutilated figure¡ªwho else could it be but Bai Longfei? His limbs were completely broken and bent at horrifying angles. His chest was caved in. It was impossible to tell how many bones were shattered. Bai Longfei couldn¡¯t even choose to die if he wanted to.


    ¡°You¡¯re here...¡± Bai Longfei struggled to lift his head and said, ¡°Damn it, letting you see me in such an ugly state. How will I ever compete with you for the title of Red Flag High School¡¯s most handsome guy?¡±


    Li Xiaofei quickly stepped forward to try and help.


    ¡°Stay back.¡± Bai Longfei immediately stopped him. ¡°Can you check if my hairstyle is messed up?¡±


    Li Xiaofei was puzzled. Bai Longfei tried to blow away his blood-soaked bangs, but they didn¡¯t move.


    ¡°Damn it, my hairstyle is really messed up,¡± Bai Longfei said angrily. ¡°Those Longteng bastards have no sense of aesthetics. I¡¯ll remember you all.¡±


    He bit off his own tongue.


    ¡°Mmph, see you in the next round,¡± he said, his voice garbled.


    Bai Longfei had a proud and defiant expression on his face as he transformed into a stream of data light and disappeared.


    Jia Yiyu said indifferently, ¡°Oh, noted. Next time, I¡¯ll remember to cut off your tongue too.¡±


    Li Xiaofei clenched his fists, a pale golden flame igniting around his body. The immense anger and killing intent inside him had begun to boil over. At that moment, the members of Longteng High School still had no idea what kind of monster they had provoked.


    Zheng Shou, continued to smile faintly and said, ¡°Alright, there¡¯s one last gift. I think you¡¯ve already guessed it...¡±


    The last member of the Longteng team, Xing Yuantao, dragged the severely injured and half-conscious Fang Buyi by the hair, leaving a long trail of blood on the ground.


    ¡°Want to see your teammate?¡± Xing Yuantao asked as he slapped Fang Buyi hard, forcing him to wake up. ¡°Red Flag trash, do you think Li Xiaofei can still take on all five of us this time?¡± S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fang Buyi struggled to open his swollen eyelids. He looked at Li Xiaofei. His eyes held a glimmer of hope but there was more worry and regret.


    Ten minutes ago, when the Longteng team appeared, Fang Buyi knew this match was lost. But when he was gravely injured and captured, Fang Buyi''s heart calmed down.


    He began to ponder a question.


    As a member of the Red Flag High School team, were they too weak? So weak that they couldn''t provide the slightest bit of help to Li Xiaofei and instead became his biggest burden. Did they still have the right to stay in the school team? Was this persistence a mistake?


    Was this the same as the past two years, when they repeatedly dragged Yan Chiyu down despite their utmost efforts? The final result was still so disheartening. Fang Buyi didn''t speak. His eyes were full of apology. Xing Yuantao grabbed his neck and slowly twisted.


    Fang Buyi''s neck was broken with a long crunch. As the system registered his death, his form dissolved into a stream of data light and disappeared.


    "The first stage of the show is over." Zheng Shou looked down at Li Xiaofei from above and asked, "How do you feel? Are you satisfied?"


    Li Xiaofei stared at him. The flames of anger in his eyes could melt metal. He took off the pouch from his back. He threw the long sword and broadsword to the ground. Then, he slowly clenched his fists.


    At that moment, Li Xiaofei resembled a beast on the brink of losing control, ready to devour anyone in its path. Zheng Shou was completely unconcerned. He leisurely walked down from the stone steps of the temple.


    A dark gray starforce flame swirled around his body like an illusory, flickering light, manifesting behind him as a crimson-eyed fierce ape roaring at the sky. It was the peak-level Grade One star beast, the Gray-Haired Bear Ape. This phenomenon appeared when he exerted his full strength after undergoing a new weapon transplant surgery.


    "The second stage of the show will be concluded by me personally," said Zheng Shou.


    He slowly moved his arms, releasing tremendous pressure. Even the air around him distorted with visible ripples under the intense starforce of his tenth stage cultivation.


    "You excel in martial techniques, don''t you? How convenient, so do I," Zheng Shou taunted as he steadily approached the cornered Li Xiaofei.


    "One punch. Just one punch! Let my final punch put an end to your laughable underdog myth. Then garbage schools like yours will understand that being trampled into the mud is your only fate. Return to the bottom of the league where you belong."


    Zheng Shou paused briefly and retracted his right arm. His fist tightened like an arrow as his body grew as taut as a drawn bow. Behind him, the apparition of the Gray-Haired Bear Ape roared, mirroring his punch. The terrifying sound of explosive force surged forth like a breaking dam.


    Opposite him, Li Xiaofei remained silent. He simply threw his own punch using the Vajra Wrathful Mountain Split paired with Threefold Divine Strength. The power of his punch tripled. No frills, just a straightforward, powerful punch. The air between them crackled and shattered as the two titanic forces collided.


    BOOM!


    In that moment, the broadcast screen showed only two figures. Or rather, two fists. One fist carried the destructive force of a bursting dam, while the other shimmered with a simple, unassuming, faint golden light. The two opposing forces seemed to travel through centuries before finally clashing.


    But the expected explosive roar of clashing energies did not occur. The simple golden fist effortlessly pierced through the dark gray, apocalyptic fist like the dawn light through the darkness.


    A look of disbelief and shock appeared on Zheng Shou''s face. He saw his right fist, right arm, and the entire right side of his body vanish in an instant. It was as if that part of his flesh and bone had never belonged to him.


    The strongest star student of Longteng High School stood there with only the left side of his body remaining. He didn¡¯t even have time to utter a sound as he turned into a stream of data light and disappeared. It was an instant kill!


    But this was not the end. The golden fist''s residual energy did not diminish, continuing to surge forward from the point where Zheng Shou had vanished.


    Boom!


    The stone wall of the temple was blasted open, leaving a one-meter diameter black hole.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    Explosions echoed from the depths of the temple. The punch continued to pierce through layers of stone walls and rows of stone pillars.


    What kind of terrifying punch is this?


    The other four members of the Longteng team had no time to react; everything was over in an instant.


    Li Xiaofei slowly retracted his fist. His shirt had been shattered by the immense power of the punch. His bare, muscular chest was covered in a fine layer of blood droplets from the immense strain. The sight was both horrifying and awe-inspiring.


    He looked at the remaining four members of the Longteng team, his voice as cold as the depths of hell itself.


    "Now it''s your turn," Li Xiaofei said.

 Chapter 90: A Tooth For A Tooth

    Chapter 90: A Tooth For A Tooth There was sudden silence inside and outside the arena. The once-boisterous Longteng Stadium was deathly quiet, as if a blazing fire had been doused with a bucket of ice water. Tens of thousands of spectators stood like ice sculptures in a cold wind, their expressions frozen in time. In the preparation area, the main coach and substitute members of the Longteng High School team were at a loss, their faces blank with bewilderment.


    The vice-principal, who had once blocked the Red Flag School team from their precious three-hour warm-up time, opened his mouth several times but couldn''t make a sound.


    Similarly, the Red Flag High School team members were in disbelief. They had been ready to endure a humiliating defeat before the punch. Despair had been burning their unwilling hearts like a wildfire. But the sudden turn of events brought unexpected joy.


    Bai Qiqi, Zhuge Long, Nan Tianxing, and Du Heng rubbed their eyes. Chen Fei and Grandpa Qin exchanged glances. Even though they had known Li Xiaofei''s strength was at least equal to Zheng Shou''s, they hadn''t anticipated that his rage would allow him to win so easily.


    Yan Chiyu''s beautiful eyes shone brightly. She clasped her hands into fists, her eyes sparkling like stars in the dark night.


    "Zheng Shou lost."


    "He couldn''t even withstand a single punch from Li Xiaofei."


    "Look at the slow-motion replay. There were no fancy moves. This was a head-on clash of martial techniques. Longteng High School''s star student Zheng Shou lost completely."


    "My God, Li Xiaofei..."


    "Where did this monster come from, and why is he so strong?"


    "Red Flag High School struck gold."


    In that instant, countless commentators screamed wildly, as if they had been victims of an ancient and painful prank. Some die-hard Longteng High School supporters among the commentators looked as if they were mourning.


    "Li Xiaofei defeated Zheng Shou, but his strength is depleted... We still have a chance." S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Yes, everyone look closely. Li Xiaofei''s punch was too much for his body to endure; he''s suffering from severe internal injuries. That''s right, he''s at the end of his rope."


    "Longteng High School not only has Zheng Shou, but also Guan Guan, who is a tenth stage genius beastmaster. And there''s Feng Yuzhen, Jia Yiyu, and Xing Yuantao¡ªthey are all star students. Charge, team up, kill Li Xiaofei!"


    Longteng supporters and commentators roared frantically.


    Meanwhile, in the live stream of Little White Dragon in the Waves, Shen Yan was dancing wildly in a display of visceral vindication.


    "What did I say?! What have I always said?! Never judge the Red Flag High School team until Li Xiaofei has taken the stage! You can always trust Li Xiaofei! Always trust him!"


    He howled like a madman, disregarding any semblance of composure. He was a very happy madman at that very moment.


    ***


    On the battlefield, Li Xiaofei looked at the young man with the cross-shaped scar over his left eyebrow.


    "Jia Yiyu, is it?" asked Li Xiaofei.


    He sprang forward without warning, using the Great Xia martial lineage technique, the Three Steps Cicada Catch. In his shock, Jia Yiyu only saw a blur, and Li Xiaofei was already so close that their faces were almost touching.


    Jia Yiyu instinctively tried to retreat. But Li Xiaofei''s palm, which was enhanced threefold, had already landed on his shoulder. In an instant, it felt as if a mountain had landed on his shoulder. He couldn''t move at all.


    Crack, crack, crack, crack.


    Four bone-breaking sounds rang out. Jia Yiyu''s arms and legs were instantly broken, twisted at ninety-degree angles. He fell to the ground, his face contorted in pain. Li Xiaofei stomped heavily on his chest, breaking his ribs. It was the same injury Jia Yiyu had inflicted on Bai Longfei. Now, Li Xiaofei returned it to him.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.


    Countless vines twisted through the air like green poisonous snakes as they tried to entangle Li Xiaofei.


    Feng Yuzhen, the medic of the Longteng team, was making her move. Beastmaster Guan Guan and the other main fighter at the tenth stage, Xing Yuantao were also leaping forward. One had to admit, the discipline and skill of the powerhouse school team were indeed impressive.


    The shock of their top fighter, Zheng Shou, being instantly defeated left the Longteng team in a brief state of mental blankness. But once they recovered, they immediately chose the best course of action. They had to team up.


    Feng Yuzhen used her secret technique to strengthen and control the surrounding vines as they enveloped Li Xiaofei. It served the dual purpose of blocking his vision while restricting his movements. Perhaps her teammates could then take advantage of an opening.


    Xing Yuantao unhesitatingly activated his strongest combat technique. Guan Guan whistled, and his Lion-Head Python charged fearlessly forward. Guan Guan himself took out a beast fang dagger as he moved like a ghost. He approached Li Xiaofei at high speed, looking for any possible weakness to deliver a fatal blow.


    Li Xiaofei threw a punch. The immense strength instantly disintegrated the approaching green vines like boiling water melting snow. The same punch also dissolved the force of Xing Yuantao''s full-power attack.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s hand shot out like lightning and grabbed Xing Yuantao by the neck. He didn¡¯t hesitate to slowly twist.


    Crack.


    Xing Yuantao¡¯s neck was broken just like Fang Buyi''s. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Li Xiaofei was using their own methods against them.


    At that moment, the star beast Lion-Head Python finally reached him. Its massive jaws opened, attempting to swallow Li Xiaofei whole.


    "Die."


    Li Xiaofei swung his left arm, backhanding the star beast.


    Boom!


    Blood rained down everywhere as the enormous lion head was blasted into chunks of flesh.


    "Now!" Guan Guan, who had been flickering like a ghost searching for an opportunity, saw his moment.


    His figure suddenly created an afterimage in the air as he flashed forward at a speed that surpassed the reaction speed of a tenth stage martial artist. He reappeared on Li Xiaofei''s right side as the beast fang dagger in his hand aimed for Li Xiaofei''s carotid artery. It was perfectly timed. A slight smile of satisfaction appeared on Guan Guan''s lips.


    He was a beastmaster who followed the path of an assassin. Not only was he excellent at controlling beasts, but his movement techniques and assassination skills were also among the best of his peers.


    Though he shared the tenth stage status with the others, Guan Guan''s status and fame in the Longteng team were not as high as Zheng Shou''s, because he preferred to be low key and often won through intelligence rather than overt displays of strength.


    However, he did not fear Zheng Shou at all if it came to a one-on-one fight. This ghostly, deadly strike was his proof. But Li Xiaofei''s reaction took him by surprise. Li Xiaofei released Xing Yuantao''s body with his right hand and raised his arm to block.


    Thud.


    The white beast fang dagger stabbed directly through Li Xiaofei''s forearm. At the same time, Guan Guan felt a sudden coldness in his chest. He looked down in disbelief. A long beast fang was now deeply embedded in his heart.


    It was... the fang of the Lion-Head Python. At some point, Li Xiaofei had broken it off. As Guan Guan''s beast fang dagger pierced Li Xiaofei''s forearm, the Lion-Head Python''s fang in Li Xiaofei''s left hand simultaneously pierced Guan Guan''s heart.


    "You... "


    Guan Guan''s life force quickly dissipated. The Lion-Head Python had used this fang to pierce through Liu Xiao''s body and chew him to pieces. And now, this same fang had pierced through his own body. Truly an eye for an eye.


    In the final moments before he turned into a stream of data light and disappeared, Guan Guan was overwhelmed by a wave of fear. Prideful as he was, not only had he been killed, but he had been killed in such a symbolic manner.


    How vast is the gap between Li Xiaofei and me?!


    Covered in blood, Li Xiaofei slowly turned around to face the last surviving member of the Longteng team. Medic Feng Yuzhen''s face instantly turned pale with fear.

 Chapter 91: Listen To My Story

    Chapter 91: Listen To My Story As the star of Longteng High School, Feng Yuzhen had enjoyed countless flowers and applause. She was beautiful, gifted, and possessed great combat strength. Her emotional intelligence was also high. She was almost as popular at school as Zheng Shou.


    Feng Yuzhen had not become a member of the battle team of Longteng High School, a school with a long history of excellence, using luck. She had earned her spot by virtue of her strength. Even Zheng Shou treated her with kindness and respect.


    She fought beside her teammates, enjoying countless honors and enduring many difficult moments. Feng Yuzhen felt that her heart had grown very strong. But at that moment, uncontrollable fear gripped her heart like the claws of a nightmare.


    She suppressed the fear, took a deep breath, and gritted her teeth. "Come on, don''t expect me to admit defeat. Longteng High School has never..."


    Li Xiaofei did not listen to her nonsense as he picked up a broken vine from the ground. The green vine, stained with blood, was like a sharp weapon in his hand. As a medic, Feng Yuzhen could never be a match for Li Xiaofei. The green vine pierced her body in one move.


    Li Xiaofei flicked his wrist.


    Bang.


    Feng Yuzhen''s body was torn apart by the thrashing vine. This was also the way Ren Dong, the medic from Red Flag High School, had died. Data streams flickered. All the bodies disappeared.


    Only Li Xiaofei remained on the battlefield. He gently pulled the beast fang dagger from his arm and casually tossed it aside. The weapon was a makeshift creation by Guan Guan, crudely made from a beast''s tooth.


    Li Xiaofei stood there without smiling, roaring, or showing off. It was as if he was deep in thought. It wasn''t until the final system verdict arrived that his figure transformed into a stream of data and left the light core virtual battlefield.


    When he emerged from the light core main cockpit, Longteng Stadium was as silent as a midnight graveyard. Countless eyes and cameras were focused on him. Li Xiaofei stood still, glancing around the stands. It was as if he had suddenly come back to his senses.


    "Oh, sorry, did I disappoint you all?" He laughed.


    Then, he cupped his hands around his ears.


    "Is everyone satisfied now?" asked Li Xiaofei.


    The young man smiled radiantly at the crowd. Such provocative words and actions easily ignited the anger of the home team¡¯s audience. They instantly turned into furious, red-eyed bulls.


    In no time, a deafening wave of boos formed a terrifying whirlpool of sound in the circular stadium. Miscellaneous objects were thrown towards the field like raindrops, but they were blocked by the energy shield.


    Li Xiaofei shrugged as he casually walked towards the Red Flag High School preparation area. Everyone looked at him as if he were a monster. Fang Buyi, Bai Longfei, Ren Dong, and Liu Xiao all had complex expressions on their faces. They were ashamed yet excited; they didn¡¯t know how to face their teammate who had turned the tide.


    Li Xiaofei opened his arms and said, "What? I avenged you all, and I don''t even get a hug?"


    Bai Longfei was the first to react. He came up and bumped shoulders with Li Xiaofei, then leaned in and said, "You better not tell anyone how ugly I looked when I got beaten."


    Li Xiaofei said, "You must be missing a few screws. It was a live broadcast, everyone saw it."


    Bai Longfei wailed, raising his hands to the sky, "My reputation is ruined!"


    Fang Buyi and the others also started laughing. One by one, they came up to hug Li Xiaofei.


    Ren Dong jumped up and clung to Li Xiaofei''s neck like a koala. "Why are you so strong?"


    Fang Buyi said, "Xiaofei, I''m sorry, we dragged you down."


    Liu Xiao, with his head deeply bowed, said, "I think I''m no longer fit to be part of the team. I want to quit."


    Fang Buyi sighed and said, "I feel the same way. I don''t deserve to stay..."


    Everyone was shocked by these words. Li Xiaofei could roughly guess how they felt at that moment. If he were in their place, he might feel the same way.


    "First of all, we are teammates," Li Xiaofei said solemnly. "It was my duty and responsibility to avenge you."


    "Secondly, if you feel you''re not strong enough, then train harder in cultivation," He looked very serious. "Maybe you feel like you can¡¯t hold your head high after the shame of being crushed in such a match. But think about me. Do you know what I have been through and why I became this strong?"


    Everyone looked at him in confusion.


    Li Xiaofei''s tone grew solemn. "You should know that I come from the slums. But do you truly understand what a slum is? Have any of you ever been there or lived there?"


    Fang Buyi, Liu Xiao, and the others looked at each other and shook their heads.


    Li Xiaofei continued, "I was an abandoned baby. From the moment I cried out upon entering this world in the winter of 2504, when the white cold mist shrouded the earth, I had to exert all my strength just to survive."


    Everyone was shocked. It was the first time they had heard Li Xiaofei talk about his background.


    "I called the kind-hearted person who took me in Little Aunt. At that time, she was no more than a child herself, not even ten years old. She was blind and lived a precarious life in the slum."


    Sympathy appeared in their eyes. Even in a rule-of-law district, it would be incredibly difficult for a blind girl to raise a baby.


    "I drank waste water, and ate grass roots and tree bark. I felt the pain of waste water nearly destroying my intestines, and the despair of my stomach bloating as if I was pregnant after eating clay. I once went three days and nights without eating anything, thinking I would die..."


    "I fought desperately with others over a small spoonful of spoiled mixed nutrient porridge. I collected rainwater using every bottle and jar I could find... I lay among a pile of corpses for dozens of hours hoping to scavenge some edible scraps after everyone left......"


    "I suffered my worst injury to protect Little Aunt and my sister, when my stomach was slashed open and my intestines started spilling out. At the age of eight, I joined a gang, wielding a small piece of metal, fighting those ruthless thugs because the gang gave out one-tenth of a box of mixed nutrient porridge every day. I would take it home, add some water, and feed Little Aunt and my sister so we could survive... Just staying alive took everything the three of us had. Do you wonder why I am so strong? The reason is simple. You cultivate to get stronger. But I cultivated to stay alive." sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei spoke slowly, his tone calm and even. But every word struck Fang Buyi and the others like a shockwave.

 Chapter 92: Reigniting The Fighting Spirit

    Chapter 92: Reigniting The Fighting Spirit For the first time, Fang Buyi and the others realized that just staying alive was already a tremendous struggle for some people. They had often lamented about how impoverished their own lives were. They had complained about the unfairness of fate, wondering why, out of so many people, they were neither wealthy nor exceptionally talented.


    Often, they could only bow their heads to hide their feelings of inferiority. As the lowest rung of society in the rule-of-law district, life for them was filled with difficulties and misfortunes. They had taken pride in their efforts and struggles. They believed they had given their all. They were delicate yet sensitive. Proud yet humble. That was who they were.


    They thought they had seen and tasted the hardships of the world. But Li Xiaofei''s words deeply shook their hearts. They realized that some people had it even harder, and worked even more tirelessly.


    Li Xiaofei looked at them sincerely and earnestly. "If on that winter morning, Little Aunt, dizzy from hunger and unable to see, had chosen to ignore the crying baby in the bone-chilling fog, then perhaps at this moment, I would be rotting in the ground, my bones long devoured by wild dogs."


    Fang Buyi, Liu Xiao, and the others put themselves in his shoes. Indeed, the thought of one''s life hinging on the whim of another was terrifying and despairing.


    Li Xiaofei continued, "Are the setbacks you are facing now more difficult than what Little Aunt faced back then?"


    Fang Buyi and the others thought for a moment and shook their heads.


    Li Xiaofei asked again, "Are they more difficult than my situation when I was six or seven years old?"


    Fang Buyi and the others shook their heads once more.


    Li Xiaofei''s voice suddenly rose, "Then why give up?"


    Fang Buyi, Liu Xiao, and Ren Dong were startled, shivering in unison.


    Liu Xiao stammered, "It''s not giving up, it''s just that we... we''re too weak. We don''t want... don''t want to drag you down. We don''t have enough ability."


    "Drag down? Ability?" Li Xiaofei replied, laughing.


    Proud and heartfelt, he said, "When Little Aunt saved me, she didn''t consider whether she had the ability to feed and clothe a baby, whether she could provide a life of luxury, or whether she would become a burden when the baby grew up."


    Liu Xiao was speechless. Yes, no matter how bad the situation, could it be more desperate than what Li Xiaofei and his aunt faced back then?


    Li Xiaofei continued, "Have I ever considered you all a burden?"


    They shook their heads in unison.


    Li Xiaofei looked at Yan Chiyu, standing nearby, and asked, "Has Captain Yan ever considered you a burden?"


    "No, no, absolutely not."


    "Senior Yan treats us like her own siblings."


    "She helps us in every possible way."


    They hastily denied, shaking their heads vigorously. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei continued, "So, it''s Principal Chen and Teacher Qin who consider you a burden?"


    "How could that be?"


    "The principal and Teacher Qin treat us like their own children."


    "They give us the best things, like the first choice of cultivation resources."


    They quickly explained again.


    Li Xiaofei nodded with sudden understanding. "Then I see, it''s you who consider yourselves a burden."


    They all immediately hung their heads, faces full of guilt.


    Li Xiaofei looked disappointed as he declared firmly, "Everyone believes in you and cares for you, yet you let a single match''s outcome make you give up on your dream of being martial arts champions. You start doubting yourselves and retreat in confusion... In that case, you indeed don''t deserve to be my teammates. I don''t need cowardly teammates."


    Fang Buyi and the others practically buried their heads in their chests. They wished they could dig a hole in the ground and disappear into it.


    Li Xiaofei continued, "If you''re weak, then train a hundred times harder. If you lack resources, fight tooth and nail to obtain them. If your talent is lacking, spend even more time honing your technique. At least we can still cultivate. In the slum, many people never get such an opportunity in their entire lives.."


    These were his heartfelt words. Five hundred years ago, Li Xiaofei had been obsessed with ancient martial arts, spending countless energy, money, and time. But he had achieved nothing. During those years, he constantly moved forward while lost, and continued despite uncertainty. His will was forged to be exceptionally strong.


    Li Xiaofei''s words deeply moved his teammates. They could clearly feel that within this boy their age, there beat a heart of unwavering determination and fervent desire to become stronger.


    ¡°I''m... I''m sorry,¡± Liu Xiao said, his face flushed.


    Li Xiaofei smiled and asked, ¡°So, will you help me?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Liu Xiao was taken aback.


    Li Xiaofei explained, ¡°There are still two rounds left in team mode. I can''t compete alone, can I?¡±


    Liu Xiao looked at Fang Buyi and the other three.


    The freckled loli Ren Dong said, ¡°But didn''t you take them down by yourself?¡±


    Li Xiaofei replied, ¡°I still need four teammates to enter the competition.¡±


    Fang Buyi stepped forward and said, ¡°I¡¯m in.¡±


    ¡°So am I,¡± Ren Dong said enthusiastically. ¡°It''s just dying again, what''s there to be afraid of?¡±


    Bai Longfei, who had remained calm, brushed his hair aside and said, ¡°Dying again? Who can kill me with Brother Li protecting me? I''m sticking with Brother Li for a thrilling ride.¡±


    Liu Xiao gritted his teeth. "If you need someone to make up the numbers, I can do it too."


    Li Xiaofei smiled and said, "It''s not just about making up the numbers. In the last match, the team from Longteng High School used a rush tactic and didn''t develop properly, so their equipment and armor were poor. Their medic, beastmaster, and weapons specialist couldn¡¯t properly support their offensive. This second match won''t be as easy. When they combine their forces properly, I can''t take them down alone. I need everyone''s help."


    Fang Buyi asked, "What do you need us to do?"


    Li Xiaofei confidently replied, "I believe Longteng High School won''t be arrogant enough to use the rush tactic again. So, we have time to regroup and develop our strategy. We''ll stick to the tactics we''ve practiced in training. With your support, I can definitely take them down again."


    "Alright."


    "No problem."


    "Let''s do this."


    The boys and girls joined hands.


    "Let''s go!"


    They shouted loudly.


    Standing to the side, Chen Fei and Grandpa Qin wore calm, relaxed smiles. But in reality, their excitement was about to burst through the roof.


    Finding a treasure? This was it.


    If Li Xiaofei''s extraordinary strength in battle had shocked them before, his recent speech, which reignited the fighting spirit in his teammates, truly left them in awe.


    He could take on five opponents alone. He could motivate and counsel his team. He had a mature mindset. He could unite and inspire his teammates. Such a young man was far beyond the mere label of a genius.


    Red Flag High School was truly blessed to have Li Xiaofei. Even Yan Chiyu, standing nearby, had an unusual smile on her face. No matter how deep her prejudices, she had to admit that Li Xiaofei was a competent and exceptional teammate.


    At almost the same time, loud roars erupted from the nearby Longteng High School preparation area. Yan Chiyu turned her head to look.


    She saw the Beast Zheng Shou and his team glaring fiercely in their direction. It seemed they had recovered from the demoralizing defeat of the first match and were once again filled with fighting spirit.

 Chapter 93: RUSH Tactic Again?

    Chapter 93: RUSH Tactic Again? "The second round of the team mode is about to begin. Neither team has changed their starting players. After the crushing defeat in the first round, the Longteng High School team seems to have recovered from the shadow of their loss and are filled with fighting spirit."


    "I must admit, Li Xiaofei''s performance in the first match was truly terrifying."


    "Indeed, Li Xiaofei''s display was undoubtedly the most heroic and spectacular performance since the season opener."


    "I''m very curious, what is the cultivation level of this prodigy from Red Flag High School?"


    "Could he be at the Limit Breaking Realm?"


    "No, his starforce qi hasn''t undergone a qualitative change."


    "Everyone thought today''s match would be a one-sided slaughter, but Fist King Li Xiaofei single-handedly changed everything. The match''s outcome is now uncertain again."


    "Yes, there''s uncertainty now."


    "Uncertainty? Coach Song, do you think Longteng High School still has a chance?"


    "They still have a chance. After all, they are a veteran strong team with deep foundations. As long as they play steadily and follow their strategy to coordinate the four professions, they still have a chance to defeat Li Xiaofei."


    In the media area, the commentators were analyzing the previous match, which had left them all in awe. Such a miraculous comeback, which was rare even in an entire season, had touched everyone''s hearts.


    In the livestream, Little White Dragon in the Waves Shen Yan shouted, "Uncertainty? That''s a joke. Li Xiaofei can crush Longteng High School by himself. I''m not worried about Red Flag High School at all. Friends, let''s look forward to another high-level display of individual heroism."


    At some point, the little assistant Little You had disappeared from the live stream.


    Uh-oh, the assistant might have fainted from hunger.


    What a cute little assistant, stuck with a stingy boss.


    Does anyone know which area of the stadium the assistant is in? I can go feed her some milk.


    Is that really your intention? I won''t even bother to expose you.


    In the livestream, some seasoned viewers were starting to make inappropriate jokes again. Overall, the atmosphere in the chat was positive. The number of online viewers had surpassed 100,000. This was the highest peak Little White Dragon in the Waves Shen Yan had ever reached since starting his streams. Several super moderators were lurking among the viewers, ready to handle any sudden issues.


    Initially, they were there to warn Shen Yan. They were there to remind him to watch his language, not insult the audience or bash his teammates, and to avoid doing that cringe-inducing hip dance. But when they saw the skyrocketing number of viewers and the soaring ratings, the super moderators quickly changed their stance. Now, they just wanted to support Little White Dragon in the Waves as best as they could.


    ***


    Li Xiaofei and his team approached the light core mainframe cockpit. The on-site referees and officials began to inspect their equipment and confirm that the cockpit was functioning correctly.


    Five pairs of eyes filled with hatred were fixed on Li Xiaofei. He turned his head and saw Zheng Shou, Guan Guan, Jia Yiyu, Xing Yuantao, and Feng Yuzhen glaring at him as if they wanted to tear him apart.


    Even Fang Buyi and the other three could feel the immense pressure from facing such a well-established strong team. But not Li Xiaofei.


    "They''re just a bunch of losers," he said with a light laugh.


    He met their gazes and drew his hand over his throat. It was the same gesture Zheng Shou had used to taunt him before the first match. Now, Li Xiaofei was returning the favor.


    "Just wait," Zheng Shou sneered. "I won''t give you any chances this time. I''ll knock you back down to the ground."


    "The barking of a defeated dog is meaningless," Li Xiaofei sneered back, walking towards his light core cockpit. "I hope your performance matches even a tenth of your trash talk."


    Buzz, buzz, buzz.


    The light core main cockpit started up. Neural bundles with delicate suction tips attached themselves to the players'' bodies.


    A moment later, Li Xiaofei entered the light core virtual world. The players were not immediately transferred to the battlefield map. There was a countdown for adjustments and preparations before the match officially began.


    The countdown was three minutes. After the three minutes passed, the system displayed the randomly selected map information.


    It''s Sky City again?


    Li Xiaofei was quite surprised. Getting Sky City twice in a row was indeed a low probability.


    Swoosh.


    A beam of light flashed. Li Xiaofei was transported to the east district of Sky City. This time, the visiting team, Red Flag High School, had their base in the east city. The system had swapped the districts for both teams.


    Li Xiaofei leaped onto a tall building and looked over the city. He quickly found his bearings. This time, he didn¡¯t choose to head to the tactical meeting point. Instead, he sprinted directly toward the central dividing river of Sky City.


    "Oh? Li Xiaofei is on the move. He''s charging toward the west district. Is he planning to use a RUSH tactic to single-handedly break through Longteng High School''s defenses?"


    "Not a wise move."


    "Indeed, it takes at least thirty minutes to reach Longteng''s gathering point."


    "In those thirty minutes, the Longteng team will have created weapons, armor, and various traps..."


    "Exactly. We see that Longteng High School was prepared. They anticipated Li Xiaofei''s solo RUSH tactic and are quickly gathering resources... "


    "A very smart choice." Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The commentators professionally and swiftly analyzed the battlefield situation.


    But Li Xiaofei only rushed to the central dividing river of Sky City and then stopped.


    There were 100-meter-high watchtowers on the east and west banks of the river. Li Xiaofei climbed up the eastern watchtower, observing the movements on the other side from a high vantage point.


    He didn''t plan to single-handedly rush the opponent. Instead, he was preparing for a possible rush from the other side. Perhaps Li Xiaofei alone could wipe out the Longteng team even if they were prepared. But this match had a goal more important than winning for Li Xiaofei.


    He wanted to help his teammates rebuild their confidence in the competition. He wanted them to realize that they were not useless burdens but valuable members who could contribute significantly to the team.


    So Li Xiaofei positioned himself on the front lines like a sentinel. This allowed his teammates to gather resources, hunt and tame star beasts, and craft weapons with full confidence. They were preparing thoroughly for the final showdown. This was the proper way to play the game.


    Time passed. The broadcast showed both teams searching the ancient city for resources. After watching from the watchtower for a while, Li Xiaofei made his move.

 Chapter 94: Everyone Is Waiting

    Chapter 94: Everyone Is Waiting Every move Li Xiaofei made attracted countless eyes. Even the purest of observers knew that the key to winning the match was the young man on the watchtower. Many home team supporters were on the edge of their seats, fearing that the prodigy might pull off another unexpected move.


    Fortunately, after jumping down from the watchtower, Li Xiaofei did not rush into the west district. Instead, he turned back. Five minutes later, he regrouped with his teammates.


    Red Flag High School''s temporary camp was already set up. Weapons specialist Bai Longfei had found several finished swords and knives. However, their quality didn''t match the broad sword and long sword that Li Xiaofei had found on the golden mummy in the previous match.


    Such golden resources were rare and hard to come by. But they needed Inscribed Treasure Bones to enhance the power of their weapons and armor and star cores to replenish their starforce. Both of these could only be obtained from star beasts.


    "Little Dong, Little Bai, you two focus on making traps, weapons, and mechanisms. Fang, Liu, and I will go hunt star beasts," said Li Xiaofei.


    "Wow, during the last match, you called me Senior Longfei. Before this match, it was just Longfei. Now it''s Little Bai," Bai Longfei retorted without hesitation.


    The only wealthy member of the team had an exceptionally strong mentality, since he was even able to joke with Li Xiaofei at this critical moment. His attitude helped Fang Buyi, Ren Dong, and Liu Xiao regain their composure as well.


    "Alright, Little Li."


    "No problem, Little Li."


    "We''ll do as you say, Little Li."


    The three responded in kind. All five of them burst into laughter. Young people were easy to get along with, full of passion and without distractions.


    Soon, the roars and howls of star beasts echoed around the temporary camp. About a quarter of an hour later, Li Xiaofei and the other two returned, carrying heaps of beast hides, a large number of star cores, and Inscribed Treasure Bones.


    "A bountiful harvest," Bai Longfei exclaimed in surprise.


    But on second thought, such a haul was to be expected with someone like Li Xiaofei on the hunting team. He immediately got to work.


    In team mode, the weapons specialist played a crucial role. As the saying went, to do a good job, one must first sharpen their tools. The weapons specialist was responsible for crafting armor and weapons for the team.


    They used beast hides to make leather armor, metals to create chest protectors, and embedded star cores or Inscribed Treasure Bones into armor and weapons, endowing ordinary gear with supernatural abilities.


    In certain specific match scenes, they also needed to repair and operate various firearms. An excellent weapons specialist could exponentially increase the team''s combat ability in a short time.


    Similarly, the medic was just as vital. Initially, the medic profession was called the planter. Their main ability was to study, utilize and sometimes control various wild, mutated, and non-mutated plants in order to make traps and craft various potions and poisons. These included pain-relieving potions, hemostatic agents, berserk potions, antidotes, and more.


    A powerful medic could manipulate vegetation to aid in combat. For example, in the previous match, Feng Yuzhen had used vines to entangle her opponent, showcasing one of the medic''s combat skills.


    The presence of weapons specialists and medics ensured that the team could sustain itself for a long time in resource-scarce, isolated situations. They were trained to adapt to local conditions and make use of available materials.


    Similarly, the beastmaster profession was crucial. A powerful beastmaster knew the names, combat talents, strengths, and weaknesses of all star beasts. They could also tame beasts.


    These three professions, the medic, weapons specialist, and beastmaster, might not have the direct combat strength of the primary fighters. But given the right time and conditions, their potential for destruction could far exceed that of the frontline fighters. A five-person team that coordinated well and trusted each other could maximize its power.


    Bai Longfei worked quickly to craft armor and weapons, while Ren Dong began setting up various plant traps and poisonous zones around the camp. She also prepared many antidotes. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei was curious about the abilities of these two, so he observed them closely while helping out. He watched as Ren Dong mixed a strange green powder and sprinkled it on some vine-like plants. The vines immediately seemed to come to life, writhing and growing rapidly.


    ¡°Good vines, listen to big sister,¡± Ren Dong cooed, like soothing a child as she stroked the writhing vines. They quickly calmed down.


    Li Xiaofei was amazed. The medic profession was truly remarkable. Just like that, half an hour passed quickly.


    "It''s about time. The development phase is over. Longteng High School should be attacking soon," Fang Buyi said. "Get ready for battle."


    Everyone put on the armor that Bai Longfei had made. The armor was crafted from the hides of star beasts and built upon the fragments of ancient armor found nearby.


    Bai Longfei, a perfectionist with a keen sense of aesthetics, created armor that was not only functional but also stylish. The armor was form-fitting, with separate designs for men and women, and adorned with ancient, intricate patterns.


    "Red Flag High School''s weapons specialist is truly talented. These makeshift armors look like seasonal fashion pieces... I just hope they''re not all looks and no substance," one commentator remarked upon seeing this.


    Bai Longfei, however, was beaming with pride.


    "The resources in Sky City are abundant. These sets of armor can withstand a full-force attack from an eighth stage fighter wielding a sword. Haha, no need to praise me, I know I''m excellent," he boasted.


    He then distributed the weapons. Fang Buyi preferred a staff, Ren Dong liked Emei piercers, and Liu Xiao favored a long-handled broadsword. Bai Longfei chose a sword for himself.


    Li Xiaofei looked at the star core gauntlets in his hands, and his opinion of Bai Longfei rose another notch. These gauntlets were similar to ones he had seen online and could be infused with starforce qi through the two Inscribed Treasure Bones on the back of the hand. It had a 50 percent chance to activate the star beast technique, Cold Wave Frost Aura.


    "Do you excel in using a sword?" Li Xiaofei asked casually.


    Bai Longfei replied confidently, "No, I don''t."


    "Then why did you choose a sword?" Li Xiaofei was puzzled.


    Bai Longfei twirled the sword in a flashy manner and said, "Because using a sword looks cool."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless. It turned out that some people were willing to risk their lives just to look stylish. For the next ten minutes, the Red Flag High School battle team remained on high alert in their camp. But they didn''t see any sign of Longteng High School''s team. The five of them exchanged confused glances.


    What''s going on?


    What they didn''t know was that, several kilometers away at another temporary camp, the five members of Longteng High School were also waiting for their opponents to make a move.


    "Interesting."


    "Both teams have simultaneously chosen to play defensively."


    "It seems that in the first round of the team mode, Li Xiaofei has intimidated even the prestigious Longteng High School into adopting a defensive stance."

 Chapter 95: Up And Down

    Chapter 95: Up And Down The match scene became strange. Both sides adopted a defensive stance, waiting for the other to make a move.


    "Li Xiaofei has given Longteng High School so much trauma that they''re even afraid to take the initiative to attack," Shen Yan exclaimed in the livestream, completely letting loose with his comments. The site''s super moderators turned a blind eye because his style attracted a lot of viewers.


    The audience in the stands wore embarrassed expressions. The team they were fanatical about had been so frightened by one person that they had lost the courage to take the initiative. Yet they couldn''t say anything. They had witnessed the brutality of that monster firsthand. Many in the audience secretly felt that the team''s cautious approach was justified.


    "This is the deterrent power of a star player." One commentator remarked with a touch of admiration.


    On the battlefield, both sides continued to face off. Neither Longteng High School nor Red Flag High School showed any intention of launching an attack. Gradually, both teams realized the situation.


    "Is Longteng actually taking a defensive stance?" Bai Longfei said in utter shock, "Do we actually have that kind of deterrence?"


    Only weaker teams would choose to defend against stronger opponents.


    Li Xiaofei corrected, "To be precise, it''s my deterrence. You all still need to work harder."


    Bai Longfei rolled his eyes. The more Li Xiaofei spoke this way, the lighter the burden felt in their hearts, and their condition improved.


    "Little Li, what should we do next?" Fang Buyi asked.


    "Let''s wait and see," Li Xiaofei suggested after a moment''s thought. "We''ll see who can outlast the other."


    Liu Xiao also laughed and said, "Yeah, I doubt a team that ranked ninth last season can be more shameless than us." Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The other four immediately focused their gazes on him.


    "Who are you calling shameless?" Ren Dong, the freckled loli, wrinkled her nose.


    Liu Xiao instantly backed down and said, "I¡¯m shameless."


    "Hahahaha."


    Everyone laughed.


    Chen Fei, Grandpa Qin, and Yan Chiyu relaxed when they saw this in the preparation area. The team members'' mentality had completely returned to normal.


    "We can''t just keep stalling," Fang Buyi said. "If there''s no battle for over an hour, the light core system will shrink the circle and force us into combat."


    "Shrink the circle?" Li Xiaofei was intrigued.


    "Yes, from the outer regions of the map, a beast tide will continuously shrink the safe zone, pushing both teams closer together until they have to fight in a smaller area," Fang Buyi explained. "The shrinking zone is unpredictable. If we''re lucky, the final safe zone might be around our camp, giving us an advantage. If not, it could be disastrous."


    Li Xiaofei rubbed his chin, deep in thought.


    We can''t rely on luck to determine the outcome of the match.


    He seemed to have made a decision and said, "I''ll go lure them out. You all stay here and prepare for battle."


    He turned and set off immediately.


    ***


    ¡°Oh? Li Xiaofei finally couldn''t hold back.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s making a move.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s charging straight towards Longteng High School¡¯s camp alone.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s brave. But this time, it won¡¯t be as easy as the last match because Longteng High School is fully prepared.¡±


    ¡°The battle has begun. Li Xiaofei repelled Zheng Shou, but couldn¡¯t achieve a one-hit kill. Zheng Shou¡¯s armor played a crucial role.¡±


    ¡°Impressive, the ancient armor crafted by weapons specialist Jia Yiyu can blunt the attack power of a tenth stage master, reducing it by up to 40 percent... This shows the importance of a weapons specialist in team battles.¡±


    ¡°Xing Yuantao and Zheng Shou have teamed up and are relying on the ancient armor to withstand Li Xiaofei¡¯s first wave of attacks.¡±


    ¡°A pale yellow poisonous mist is spreading across the battlefield... This is the work of medic Feng Yuzhen. She¡¯s using the Absolute Root Heavenly Star Grass to create a colored, odorless poison mist that blends with the dust of the battlefield. Once inhaled, it slows the circulation of starforce qi and paralyzes the body.¡±


    ¡°The Longteng team members all have detoxifying leaves in their mouths. But Li Xiaofei doesn¡¯t. He inhaled the poison mist.¡±


    ¡°Oh oh oh, it looks like he realized it, but it¡¯s too late! Li Xiaofei¡¯s gauntlets have been shattered. He¡¯s injured.¡±


    "My god, Xing Yuantao''s sword almost decapitated Li Xiaofei... What a pity. But Li Xiaofei''s left shoulder was pierced. Such an injury will decrease muscle tension, significantly reducing his punching speed and power."


    "The sword is coated with poison. The more Li Xiaofei moves, the faster the poison spreads as his blood circulation accelerates. Longteng High School sees hope."


    "Li Xiaofei has been struck again... He landed a punch on Zheng Shou, causing him to cough up blood and retreat. He¡¯s still incredibly strong. Li Xiaofei, covered in blood, fights on relentlessly."


    "Yes, he has his pride. The entire Longteng High School team is besieging Li Xiaofei, yet they still can''t take him down immediately."


    "A terrifying monster. Truly awe-inspiring."


    "Zheng Shou, Xing Yuantao, Guan Guan, Feng Yuzhen, and Jia Yiyu are all injured."


    "Yes, the cornered beast that is Li Xiaofei is fighting back ferociously. None of the five dare to face him head-on."


    "Li Xiaofei has been struck again! Guan Guan''s bone dagger stabbed into Li Xiaofei''s back shoulder... He''s lost so much blood, yet he still hasn''t fallen."


    "A miscalculation indeed. Li Xiaofei, this is ultimately a team mode. It''s not always possible to turn the tide alone."


    "He started to run. Is he finally going to escape?"


    "Zheng Shou and the others are in hot pursuit. Oh no, Li Xiaofei has been intercepted again... "


    "He turned and fought desperately. Li Xiaofei fell."


    "He got up again. Fell again."


    "Got up again... "


    "Jia Yiyu was ambushed by Li Xiaofei pretending to be dead... Li Xiaofei started to run again."


    "His vitality is truly astonishing. Tension, tension, tension, suspense, suspense, suspense¡ªcan Li Xiaofei escape with his life?"


    "Longteng''s team is relentlessly pursuing. The two sides have crossed the central dividing river and entered the eastern district."


    "Li Xiaofei is fleeing towards Red Flag High School''s camp. He finally remembered he has teammates. Unfortunately, this move is like inviting wolves into the house, dragging his teammates into the abyss."


    "The only threat to Longteng''s team from Red Flag High School is Li Xiaofei. The others can''t withstand the bloodthirsty Zheng Shou and his team... "


    "Li Xiaofei actually managed to reach their temporary camp alive. Zheng Shou and his team, without hesitation, charged in as well... "


    The commentators'' mouths moved like machine guns as they rapidly described the unfolding situation.


    Li Xiaofei''s desperate escape and Zheng Shou''s relentless hunt captivated countless eyes. The spectators all held their breath. Never before had a battle so thoroughly gripped their hearts. At that moment, the battle finally reached its decisive, life-or-death stage.

 Chapter 96: The True Form Of Staff Technique

    Chapter 96: The True Form Of Staff Technique What happened?


    Fang Buyi and the others stared at Li Xiaofei, who looked like he had just been fished out of a pool of blood, with a mixture of shock and suspicion. They knew that Li Xiaofei had gone to lure the enemy out but they hadn''t expected that he would come back so injured. It seemed like he had almost been bitten to death by a snake when luring it out of its hole.


    ¡°What are you standing around for? They''re chasing us.¡± Li Xiaofei leaned against the stone wall, panting heavily. "Prepare for battle, proceed according to the original plan."


    He looked at his teammates, his eyes dancing with excitement. "I''m not exaggerating, but every single one of the Longteng team is injured. They''ve been fighting for so long that their stamina and starforce qi are greatly depleted... This is our chance. Strike while the iron is hot and bury them all here."


    Fang Buyi and the others felt their confidence surge. They finally understood. Li Xiaofei had taken such severe injuries to create an opportunity for them to take revenge. If Li Xiaofei had gone to such lengths and they still couldn''t defeat the enemy, they might as well cut their own throats.


    Fang Buyi whispered, "Proceed according to the original plan."


    "Alright."


    "Let''s go."


    "Move out."


    In an instant, the eyes of the other three became resolute.


    Boom!


    A loud explosion echoed. A stone building located in the middle of the camp suddenly exploded, sending dust spreading like a torrent in all directions. In the blink of an eye, it covered an area of a thousand meters in diameter around the entire camp. This amount of dust seemed unusual.


    In the next moment¡ª


    Swish, swish, swish.


    Zheng Shou and his men rushed into the camp.


    "It''s powdered bitter herb mixed with some expanding agent. It''s a trick from that little medic on the other side," Feng Yuzhen said, reaching out to pinch some of the dust in the air and sniffing it lightly. "It''s pure, with no other toxins added. It''s purely for obscuring vision. The enemy wants to use hit-and-run tactics. Cowardly."


    Jia Yiyu, clutching his wound, sneered, "Everyone in Red Flag High School, except for Li Xiaofei, is worthless trash. I can sweep them all away by myself."


    Guan Guan flicked his long bangs and said, "We still can''t be careless."


    Feng Yuzhen nodded as she took out four homemade detox pills, and said, "After all, we''re in their meticulously prepared camp. Be wary of poisons. Keep this pill under your tongue; it can resist most poisonous plants and toxins in the Sky City map, just in case."


    The group immediately took the pills and swallowed them. Zheng Shou scanned the surroundings. With the bitter herb powder obscuring their vision, visibility was less than five meters. A hint of ferocity appeared on his face.


    "Li Xiaofei is severely injured and has no combat strength left. But we can''t give him time to heal. We must end this quickly... We¡¯re splitting up. Once someone spots him, signal immediately, and we will converge on your location." Zheng Shou gritted his teeth and said, "This time, we must tear him to pieces."


    Xing Yuantao asked, "What if we encounter other members of Red Flag High School?"


    Zheng Shou replied indifferently, "Do you even need to ask? Kill them on sight."


    With a wave of his hand, the five of them immediately split into different directions to search.


    ***


    Xing Yuantao advanced through the powdery fog. He listened carefully to the sounds around him as he searched the fog. He wanted to kill Li Xiaofei with his own hands.


    Of course, before killing him, he intended to torment the person who had humiliated him in solo mode. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn''t be a match for Li Xiaofei but now, Li Xiaofei was gravely injured. He was a spent force. Whoever found him first would claim the glory of the kill.


    He waved his hand irritably as he dispersed the bitter herb powder in front of him using his starforce qi. Suddenly, he detected footsteps ahead. Stumbling, irregular, and very concealed footsteps.


    It must be Li Xiaofei. Xing Yuantao was overjoyed and quickened his pace. He burst forward with all his strength, covering several hundred meters, and suddenly realized something.


    A severely injured Li Xiaofei shouldn''t be able to run so fast. It must be another member of Red Flag High School imitating the footsteps of an injured person to lure him away.


    What does this mean? Li Xiaofei must not be in this direction.


    Xing Yuantao immediately stopped. He thought for a moment, then turned back toward the original location of the footsteps. Since the enemy had made noise there to attract him, it meant he had been close to Li Xiaofei''s hiding place. But just as he turned around...


    Whoosh.


    A gust of energy swept toward Xing Yuantao''s back.


    "Die."


    Xing Yuantao had been prepared and turned to thrust his sword.


    Clang.


    A long staff blocked his sword. The force of the impact numbed his hand and wrist.


    "It''s you?"


    Xing Yuantao was a bit surprised to see the figure slowly emerging from the thick fog. It was Fang Buyi. The weakling, whom he had easily killed in the last match, had shown surprising strength with that strike. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Your opponent is me," Fang Buyi said, advancing with his staff.


    "Hahaha... " Xing Yuantao laughed derisively, as if he had heard a joke. "Just you?"


    "Just me," replied Fang Buyi. Fang Buyi unleashed the power of his eighth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. His newly crafted staff trembled slightly.


    Xing Yuantao laughed, saying, "Daring to appear before me again, your courage surprises me. But your fate remains unchanged... Don''t waste my time. Die."


    He thrust his sword with all his might. Fang Buyi¡¯s face was resolute as he met the attack with his staff. He had been cultivating a staff technique called Xuanwu Staff, which had been personally taught to him by Grandpa Qin. The ancient martial art seemed simple, with wide and powerful movements, as it followed a path of raw strength.


    Grandpa Qin had said that while the technique appeared straightforward, it was incredibly powerful, earning the title of the king of staff techniques within the ten stages of the Qi Refining Realm.


    Fang Buyi had been cultivating this technique for two years. He had mastered its moves, variations, and energy flow to perfection. Yet, he had not reached the level of strength Grandpa Qin spoke of as the king of staff techniques.


    Fang Buyi had asked why.


    Grandpa Qin had simply said, "You have not yet grasped the true essence of this technique."


    When Fang Buyi asked what the true essence was, Grandpa Qin replied, "The true essence must be understood on your own."


    So, Fang Buyi practiced and pondered daily. He still hadn''t truly grasped it. He had used the technique he was most familiar with in the previous battle with Xing Yuantao. Yet, he was defeated with a single strike. At that moment, his faith in the Xuanwu Staff had completely shattered. But now, in the second confrontation, Fang Buyi no longer thought about the meaning of the staff technique.


    In his mind, there was only one thought¡ª


    Defeat the opponent.


    Driven by the thought, Fang Buyi attacked relentlessly. He did not want to waste the opportunity Li Xiaofei had created. He no longer cared about the significance of victory or defeat. He just wanted to be worthy of his new, extraordinary teammate.


    Kill!


    The shadows of the staff multiplied.


    Attack! Relentless attacks! Frenzied attacks!


    Fang Buyi launched himself into a relentless assault, utterly disregarding his own safety.


    Boom, boom, boom.


    The clash of staff and sword. The collision of starforce qi generated waves of violent currents.


    Gradually, a look of surprise appeared on Xing Yuantao''s face. Incredibly, he felt that the power emanating from his ant-like opponent''s staff was growing stronger and stronger with every blow. The shadows of the staff were unending. Wave after wave crashed upon him like the vast, endless waters of the Yangtze River.


    Xing Yuantao found himself unable to withstand the onslaught.


    How is this possible?


    Though he was injured and had expended a lot of his starforce qi... It shouldn''t be enough to prevent him from defeating such a weakling.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The staff kept crashing down. Xing Yuantao was struggling to hold his ground. He kept getting forced back, as his arms turned numb and his swordsmanship disorganized.


    Suddenly¡ª


    Ding!


    A clear ringing sound echoed. The longsword slipped from Xing Yuantao''s grasp, flying out of his hand.


    "This is impossible.. " Xing Yuantao spat blood as he roared in anger.


    "Die." Fang Buyi, his eyes blood-red, brought his staff down on Xing Yuantao''s chest with unstoppable thunderous force.


    Bang!


    Ribs shattered and internal organs were reduced to pulp. The outcome was decided in an instant. Xing Yuantao''s face was filled with disbelief as he slowly fell backward, disappearing in a stream of data light.


    Fang Buyi continued to wield his staff, executing his technique. After several more moves, he gradually slowed as his eyes cleared. He looked at the staff in his hand and then at his own hands.


    A puzzled expression appeared on his face. He stood there, seemingly deep in thought. Suddenly, his whole body trembled, and he looked up, laughing heartily.


    "Haha, I understand now, I understand the true essence of the staff technique.. "


    He laughed with pure joy. After seven hundred and thirty days of training, today he finally saw the true form of the technique. Meanwhile, Grandpa Qin, who was watching the live broadcast from the sidelines, wore a gratified smile.


    A seed had sprouted. After absorbing two years of nourishment, it had finally pushed out tender green shoots. The season of harvest had arrived.

 Chapter 97: The Counter Kill Of Ren Dong

    Chapter 97: The Counter Kill Of Ren Dong At another location.


    "I knew it was you." Feng Yuzhen dodged the green vines coming through the thick fog, sneering, "You couldn''t accept losing like garbage in the last match, so you want to take advantage of my injury to save face? Wishful thinking."


    Ren Dong''s graceful figure was faintly visible in the powdered bitter herb fog.


    She kept a safe distance and said with a clear and crisp voice, "The reason you could defeat me in the last match wasn''t because your medical skills were superior, but because your cultivation was higher. You are one year and six months older than me, so it''s normal for your cultivation to be higher. But I want to tell you that the true essence of a medic doesn''t lie solely in cultivation."


    "Hahahaha... " Feng Yuzhen chuckled and said, "So, you think your medical skills far surpass mine? What a naive little sparrow. Watch closely."


    As she spoke, she gently stroked the green vines with her right hand. In the next moment, the vines that were originally under Ren Dong''s control instantly submitted to Feng Yuzhen.


    She stood among the twisting, writhing vines, proud and beautiful like a fairy in a flower. Even more bizarrely, these vines, originally as thick as fingers, began to mutate rapidly under Feng Yuzhen''s moving fingers.


    The vines grew as thick as arms within a few breaths as sharp serrations appeared on the vine leaves. Thorns sprouted from the vine stems like snake fangs . They grew rapidly, twisting like venomous snakes, silently occupying the space within a twenty-meter radius, as if it was a deathly swamp.


    Feng Yuzhen looked at Ren Dong with a smile. Ren Dong, her face lightly freckled and charming, also smiled back at her.


    "What are you laughing at?" Feng Yuzhen asked.


    Ren Dong countered, "What are you laughing at?"


    Feng Yuzhen replied, "I''m laughing at your ridiculous attempt to shake a mighty tree. You overestimate yourself."


    Ren Dong said, "I''m laughing at your shallow knowledge and arrogance."


    Feng Yuzhen sneered, "Do you want to waste time? I won''t be foolish enough to give you that chance."


    She gestured gently. The deathly green vines around her suddenly went berserk, surging towards Ren Dong. But Ren Dong did not dodge. She raised her hand and swallowed a multicolored pill. In the next moment, strange patterns resembling colorful tattoos appeared on her face and neck. She exuded an unusual aura.


    The deathly green vines, which were about to touch her skin with their serrated toxic leaves and spiked tendrils, suddenly stopped in their tracks, as if confused. They twitched slightly, like puzzled animals. Ren Dong opened her mouth and gently exhaled a breath of colorful air. The breath swept over the deathly green vines.


    In the next moment, the green vines convulsed violently, like wild beasts out of control. They thrashed, twitched, twisted, and then recoiled.


    "What''s happening?" Feng Yuzhen''s face revealed surprise.


    She gestured sharply with her right hand as she scattered layers of pale green powder onto the vines. This was her vine-controlling secret technique but it had no effect.


    No, to be precise, it had the opposite effect. The deathly green vines became even more frenzied and uncontrollable after being touched by the controlling powder.


    Thud, thud, thud.


    Sharp vines pierced through Feng Yuzhen''s body in an instant. The breath of life rapidly drained from her. In the next moment, the beautiful medic of Longteng High School turned into a stream of data light and disappeared into the air.


    Ren Dong''s face showed a relieved smile. She exhaled another breath of multicolored air, like a rainbow cutting through the void.


    "I did it," she said.


    Colorful poisonous blood spurted from her mouth and nose, oozing from her ears and eyes like a fountain. The girl transformed into a pool of multicolored blood, disappearing along with the data stream.


    The scene, broadcasted live, was seen by countless viewers.


    What happened?


    Why did the deathly green vines attack Feng Yuzhen?


    What is going on?


    These questions loomed large in everyone''s minds. In the media section, the commentators were also exclaiming in shock.


    "The outcome is decided. Ren Dong from Red Flag High School has turned the tables on Feng Yuzhen."


    "Despite the significant difference in their strength, and even though Feng Yuzhen was injured and had expended a lot of energy, how did Ren Dong manage to win?"


    Most of the commentators were equally baffled.


    In the live broadcast room of Little White Dragon in the Waves, Shen Yan was the first to react.


    He shouted excitedly. "Hahaha, it''s the self-sacrifice technique. That''s right, it''s the essence of self-sacrifice. Ren Dong was correct; her understanding of the medic profession surpasses that of Feng Yuzhen. The entire process went like this..."


    "From the beginning, Ren Dong never intended to use the vine-controlling technique to ambush Feng Yuzhen successfully. She silently handed control of these green vines to Feng Yuzhen, knowing full well that Feng Yuzhen''s vine-controlling technique was also exceptional. But Feng Yuzhen didn''t realize that Ren Dong not only applied vine-controlling powder to these green vines but also secretly added colorless and odorless False Powder."


    "Most viewers might not know what False Powder is. It is an extremely stable transition agent that usually has no effect. However, once it encounters a severe poison, it behaves like ignited kerosene, becoming uncontrollably frenzied. Feng Yuzhen used her vine-controlling powder to turn the ordinary green vines into deathly green vines. This brought the False Powder to the brink of instability." S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Then, when Ren Dong transformed herself into a poison-resistant entity using the Seven-Colored Rainbow Poison, she only needed to exhale a breath of poison to fully activate the False Powder, turning it into a Berserk Agent under the principles of poison interaction!"


    "The deathly green vines became berserk green vines that would madly strangle any living creature within their range. But they won¡¯t touch Ren Dong, who had turned into a poison-resistant being! This entire series of pharmacological changes was based on Ren Dong''s deep understanding and research of herbal toxicology."


    "Feng Yuzhen never realized this from start to finish, which is why she lost. What a spectacular medic duel. Congratulations to Ren Dong for her successful revenge."


    Shen Yan''s analysis pointed out all the critical aspects of the confrontation. The viewers in the live broadcast room finally understood.


    Is that so?


    The host knows so much?


    666.


    I thought he was just a jokey, trolling host, but he''s actually quite knowledgeable.


    Followed, followed.


    The barrage of comments flooded the screen. Shen Yan''s display of expertise earned him the recognition of many viewers.


    At the same time, on the battlefield. Bai Longfei took the initiative to intercept Jia Yiyu, the weapons specialist from Longteng High School.

 Chapter 98: Being Handsome Lasts A Lifetime

    Chapter 98: Being Handsome Lasts A Lifetime The duel between weapons specialists was simpler than the one between medics. Jia Yiyu was heavily injured; his starforce qi was severely depleted; and his weapon had been destroyed by Li Xiaofei in the previous battle. He was at his lowest point.


    On the other hand, Bai Longfei was in his best condition and at the peak of his morale. It took three moves for Bai Longfei''s sword to sever Jia Yiyu''s arm in a sharp, unstoppable arc of light.


    "You..." Jia Yiyu clutched his left shoulder and retreated. He couldn''t believe he had been defeated by this pretty boy.


    Bai Longfei gripped his sword in a reverse grip, holding it elegantly behind his back. He said calmly, "To be honest, defeating you in this condition doesn''t mean much. But I have a reason that compels me to win, so this time, I''ll take advantage of your weakness."


    Jia Yiyu''s gaze was fixed on the sword in Bai Longfei''s hand.


    "Did you forge that sword?" he asked.


    Bai Longfei flicked the blade with his finger, causing a resonant metallic ringing to echo.


    "That''s right." He spoke proudly.


    Jia Yiyu''s eyes widened in shock. "I can''t believe you managed to forge a sharp weapon grade longsword in such a short time. Your forging skills are on par with mine."


    Bai Longfei laughed heartily. "What''s the big deal? If I''m lucky enough, I might pick up a few more..."


    "Picked up?" Jia Yiyu was stunned, then immediately shouted angrily, "Are you mocking me?"


    "No, I''m here to kill you." Bai Longfei, now furious, raised his sword. "You know too much... I have to silence you."


    Jia Yiyu struggled to defend himself with only one arm, but he fell after three more moves. Bai Longfei, following his instincts, began posing for the camera. After all, the thrill of killing the enemy was momentary but being handsome lasts a lifetime.


    ***


    Blood dripped onto the ground, Liu Xiao''s face showed a grim smile.


    "I... indeed... am not your match, but I... killed your beast and injured you... You no longer have the strength to fight and won''t be a threat to my teammates. I... did my best." S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A beast''s fang was embedded in his heart. Opposite him, Guan Guan, the ace beastmaster of Longteng High School, was trying to hold a wound on his thigh shut. His femoral artery had been severed, and blood gushed out like a fountain. Next to him lay the lifeless body of a Green-Faced Fanged Dog that Guan Guan had temporarily tamed, its jaws snapped in half.


    Liu Xiao''s body transformed into a stream of data light and disappeared. He was deemed dead by the system. Guan Guan, meanwhile, leaned against an ancient tree, gasping for air. He tried to stop further blood loss by applying more pressure to his injury, but it was futile.


    Liu Xiao was right. Such a severe wound had rendered him completely incapable of fighting. If their medic, Feng Yuzhen, didn¡¯t arrive soon to treat him, he wouldn''t last much longer either. He couldn''t believe that he had been pushed to this extent by a mere seventh stage weakling.


    Guan Guan still felt a chill as he replayed the fight in his mind and remembered Liu Xiao''s relentless and brutal ferocity. He had always thought that strength was the sole determinant of everything, but this battle made him realize that if someone had the courage and resolve to fight to the death, they could unleash terrifying combat power even if they were weaker.


    Is this what the teachers always referred to as mental fortitude?


    This was his weak point. A bitter smile appeared on Guan Guan''s face.


    ***


    A one-sided battle was nearing its end in a crumbling old courtyard. The Beast Zheng Shou let out an enraged roar as he unleashed all his strength and launched another attack. The apparition of the Gray-Haired Bear Ape behind him became almost tangible.


    But the boy opposite him, Li Xiaofei, merely threw a light punch. Zheng Shou''s momentum and strength melted away like snow in boiling water. He was knocked back, landing on the ground, bent over and gasping for breath. Zheng Shou couldn''t understand why the poisoned and severely injured Li Xiaofei was still so formidable.


    "Why don''t you just kill me quickly?" Zheng Shou asked coldly. "Aren''t you afraid my teammates will come and surround you?"


    Li Xiaofei smiled slightly. "You have teammates, and so do I."


    "Your teammates?" Zheng Shou sneered. "Li Xiaofei, you are indeed strong enough to compete in Season 251, but those so-called teammates of yours are nothing more than walking trash."


    "You''re stronger than them, so in your eyes, they are trash." Li Xiaofei said with a faint smile. "Interesting logic."


    "What''s wrong with that?" Zheng Shou responded coldly.


    Li Xiaofei countered, "If I''m stronger than you, does that make you useless trash in front of me?"


    "I''ve at least proven myself," Zheng Shou sneered. " But what about your trash teammates? They''re as weak as shivering chicks. Do they even deserve to be compared to me?"


    Li Xiaofei shrugged. At that moment, footsteps echoed around them.


    Zheng Shou''s face lit up with joy. "Haha, my teammates are here."


    He could feel his starforce qi gradually returning. "Now, it''s back to the hunting phase. How many more attacks can you withstand in your injured state?"


    Li Xiaofei wore a mocking expression as a figure slowly emerged from the dense fog. Fang Buyi held a long staff and his body bore injuries, but his presence was stronger than ever. He looked like a madman who had fought his way out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, ready to fight to the death at the slightest provocation.


    Li Xiaofei was pleasantly surprised. Old Fang seemed like a completely different person. Fang Buyi took his place on Li Xiaofei''s left without a word. Then the fog swirled again. Bai Longfei, dressed in white and holding a sword, came to stand on Li Xiaofei''s right.


    "Done," said Bai Longfei. He was the first to report his success.


    Fang Buyi also spoke up, "I took care of my opponent and had a breakthrough."


    Li Xiaofei''s smile was as bright as a blooming chrysanthemum. Though he didn''t know the details of the battles, he knew that his efforts hadn''t been in vain. Both of them had proven themselves in combat.


    "It seems my teammates are more reliable than yours," Li Xiaofei said, looking at Zheng Shou.


    Zheng Shou''s heart sank slowly.


    "So what? I still have two teammates, they... " He stubbornly continued.


    Ding.


    Bai Longfei tossed a beast fang dagger at Zheng Shou''s feet.


    "On my way here, I ran into an arrogant guy and took care of him... Hehe, didn''t expect that, did you? Double kill!" he said smugly.


    Who would have thought that he could rack up another kill on the way back? It was simply too satisfying.


    Fang Buyi was quite shocked. "You also had a breakthrough?"


    Bai Longfei lowered his voice, "I took care of Jia Yiyu, and when I ran into Guan Guan, his left leg''s femoral artery was gushing like a faucet, so he was already in a critical state. I just picked up an easy kill."


    Fang Buyi realized that Liu Xiao must have heavily injured Guan Guan, Longteng High School''s star student. He really had done it. Fang Buyi felt happy for Liu Xiao. Looking up, he saw Bai Longfei staring at him intently.


    "You said you also had a breakthrough?" Bai Longfei''s throat moved slightly. "You might need to explain that also."


    Fang Buyi retorted, "Didn''t you have a breakthrough in this battle?"


    "Uh?" Bai Longfei''s expression froze for a moment. "Of course, I had a breakthrough."


    Damn it. A breakthrough in showing off, maybe?


    "Oh, right, I didn''t get a chance to tell you," Fang Buyi didn''t press further, but turned to Zheng Shou. "When I came over, I passed by the medics'' battleground. Your teammate won''t be coming to support you."


    Zheng Shou was speechless.


    So, all my teammates had been dealt with. Am I all alone now?


    He took a deep breath and smiled bitterly, saying, "Then let me personally avenge my teammates. Kill!"


    This student, known as The Beast, famed for his ferocious and brutal style in the league, launched a one-man charge. But at that moment, he couldn''t display his usual ferocity. Instead, he exuded a sense of desperate sorrow.


    Li Xiaofei threw a single punch, before lowering his hand. In truth, the battle between them had ended long ago.


    The final victory announcement from the light core system echoed both inside and outside the battlefield, "Congratulations to the Red Flag High School team... "

 Chapter 99: Beaten

    Chapter 99: Beaten "They did it! Li Xiaofei did it! The Red Flag High School team did it! Hahaha, I knew they could do it!"


    Shen Yan was celebrating wildly in the livestream, not hiding his support at all. The chat was overflowing with enthusiastic comments. It seemed many viewers loved his exuberance. After several matches, Li Xiaofei''s dominant performance had garnered countless fans.


    These fans loved hearing praise for Li Xiaofei. They were all about Shen Yan, the number one Li fanboy. It wouldn''t be an exaggeration to say that the Little White Dragon in the Waves livestream had become the official nest for Li Xiaofei, the Fist King.


    No negative comments about Li Xiaofei were tolerated under Shen Yan''s lead. Occasionally, one or two people, feeling independent and unique in their thinking, couldn''t help but point out some overlooked weaknesses of Li Xiaofei.


    But those independent voices were immediately overwhelmed in the next moment. Thousands of Li Xiaofei fans mercilessly shut them down. Eventually, the supporters of Longteng High School were utterly defeated. They had no choice but to retreat and find another stream to continue criticizing Li Xiaofei.


    However, regardless of the criticism, the fact remained that Red Flag High School''s team had won the second round of the league in team mode. After the second match of the BO3 series ended, Longteng High School chose to concede. They forfeited the third match in advance.


    In most cases, most school teams would opt to play the third match even with a 0:2 defeat. Although it wouldn''t affect the final outcome, it provided an opportunity to train substitute players. Moreover, winning the third match could still earn them the victory bonus from the Education Department. But this time, Longteng High School firmly decided to forgo the third match. The vice principal even offered to pay Red Flag High School the third match''s prize money.


    The crushing defeat was clearly unexpected for them. The confidence of their team members was severely shaken. The school leadership couldn''t bear the consequences of completely destroying their star players'' morale. They had to make this decision to protect their five team members. After all, the long league season had just begun, and anything could happen in the future.


    At that point, the vice principal and his colleagues finally showed their commendable side as educators. However, that side was only shown to their own people. The new martial arts high school, eroded by a wolfish culture, had always operated that way.


    As the sun set, casting a blood-red glow, the Red Flag High School bus, notorious for its emissions, slowly drove out of Longteng''s gates amidst laughter and cheers. Li Xiaofei and the others were chatting and laughing inside the bus. The most excited were the students who had come along to support the team.


    "Haha, two consecutive wins!"


    "You should have seen it, the faces of Longteng High School supporters were like those of the dead."


    "It was so satisfying; I''ve never felt this great in my life." Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "When we won the match, the arrogant Longteng team fans went completely silent."


    "Yeah, after the second team mode match ended, they didn''t even have the energy to curse."


    "Li Xiaofei was so cool."


    "And what about me? Am I not cool?" Bai Longfei chimed in.


    "Hahaha, you''re all cool. All five of our senior teammates are amazing."


    Every student from Red Flag High School was basking in the afterglow of their victory.


    Suddenly¡ª


    Screech.


    The bus abruptly braked to a stop at the school gate.


    What''s going on?


    Li Xiaofei and the others looked out. They saw The Beast Zheng Shou, built like a small giant, standing in front of the bus with four of his teammates.


    "What''s the meaning of this?" Bai Longfei jumped off the bus, sneering. "Not satisfied with losing in the light core world and want a real-world PK?"


    Swish.


    The members of the Red Flag High School team also jumped off the bus. The two sides instantly faced off. At that moment, the departing spectators and media reporters from various platforms also walked out of the school gate. Their attention was immediately drawn to the confrontation.


    What is happening?


    Are they really going to fight in the real world?


    This is going to be a big show.


    Many portable light core cameras and video cameras instantly focused on the front of the bus. At the same time, a large number of Longteng High School students came. Thousands of students quickly surrounded the bus. More students were continuously arriving.


    Unaware of the situation, they were misled into thinking that Red Flag High School was provoking their idols, which agitated them. The scene was on the verge of spiraling out of control.


    "What do you mean by this?" Fang Buyi, ever the big brother, immediately stood in front of all his teammates.


    He spread his arms, blocking the surging crowd, and shouted sternly, "Doing this violates the War God League rules. Do you want to be banned forever? Do you want Longteng High School to be disqualified from the competition?"


    His shout made the surging crowd calm down a bit. But Zheng Shou, standing at the front, didn''t look at Fang Buyi. He looked directly at Li Xiaofei. The tense atmosphere was palpable. Zheng Shou stared at Li Xiaofei for a full six or seven seconds before finally looking away.


    "Sorry." He suddenly bowed and said loudly, "We apologize for some of our actions and words during today''s match."


    Guan Guan, Feng Yuzhen, Jia Yiyu, and Xing Yuantao also bowed their heads in apology.


    Li Xiaofei and all the others were shocked.


    What is this all about?


    They were all taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. But Zheng Shou and his four teammates didn''t offer much explanation.


    "You proved yourselves in battle and deserve respect."


    "I take back what I said before."


    "However, next time we meet, we will defeat you fair and square."


    Zheng Shou seemed to use all his strength to say this. He then turned and left. The confrontation dissolved as the Longteng High School students who had rushed to the scene fell silent. They made way for Zheng Shou and his teammates, watching them leave.


    Some felt that something had changed in these once-glorious senior students, but they couldn''t quite put their finger on what it was.


    "Heh, who would''ve thought that the people from Longteng would actually apologize."


    Fang Buyi and the others were equally surprised. Longteng High School was famous for its strong, overbearing nature as the ninth-ranked veteran powerhouse. Zheng Shou, The Beast, was well known for his arrogant ways. They hadn''t expected him to bow his head and admit fault this time.


    Li Xiaofei scratched his chin, puzzled. "Are they always this courteous?"


    Fang Buyi almost burst out laughing. The words courteous and Longteng High School had never been associated with each other.


    "Interesting..."


    Li Xiaofei called out loudly to the departing figures of Zheng Shou and his teammates, "But if you want to defeat Red Flag High School, it''s impossible. You missed your best chance today. Next time we meet, we''ll be even stronger. We''ll make every high school in Liuhe Base City, including yours, look up to us."


    His voice was loud and clear.


    Thousands of Longteng High School students turned to look at him. But the boy from the slums met their gazes without flinching under the golden glow of the setting sun. Amidst countless stares, he held his head high.


    ***


    The second round of the High School War God League Season 251 had ended. But the storm caused by the matches, after a brief period of fermentation, began to sweep through Liuhe Base City like a hurricane.


    If the first round of the league had been an outlier, then the second round provided various data points that highlighted key performances. For instance, the breakout star, the Fist King Li Xiaofei.

 Chapter 100: Temptation

    Chapter 100: Temptation The news that the Fist King Li Xiaofei had achieved a pentakill in a one-versus-five scenario again spread like wildfire across the light-network.


    Shen Yan, as Li Xiaofei''s number one fan, was quick to act. He didn''t wait for the Education Department to officially announce the second round''s awards and rankings and immediately created a high-energy highlight reel.


    The video featured clips of Li Xiaofei defeating Xing Yuantao, battling the five top fighters of Longteng, and luring his opponents out to create opportunities for his teammates. Each scene was accompanied by exhilarating music, eventually propelling the You Can Always Believe in Li Xiaofei series to become a top hit on various streaming platforms and video sites again.


    One had to admit, Shen Yan''s video was exceptionally well-made. The voice-over, editing, and music were all highly professional. Countless viewers who watched the video became fans of Li Xiaofei''s stunning performance.


    He''s still as fierce as ever.


    This guy seems limitless.


    That over-the-top streamer is right, you can always believe in Li Xiaofei.


    At this rate, does Li Xiaofei have a shot at being this year''s Rookie of the Year?


    The video quickly went viral on the light-network, garnering countless shares, likes, and comments. Li Xiaofei''s fame exploded exponentially. After all, who doesn''t love a miracle? Moreover, this miracle-creating boy was handsome and charismatic. The buzz around him grew at a geometric rate.


    Shen Yan''s enthusiastic promotion had resulted in Li Xiaofei getting his own fan club - Number One Fist Gym. It was a small base that fans had crowdfunded to purchase in the light core world. But a large number of fans soon poured in, contributing money and effort to expand and develop the new base. Additionally, the fans then adopted a name for themselves¡ª Fist People (Quanren, È­ÈË). [1]


    It signified that, in the eyes of his fanatical supporters, Li Xiaofei was a versatile genius who could do anything. Bai Longfei couldn''t help but feel envious when he learned about it.


    Bai Longfei said sourly, "Little Li, it¡¯s a good thing you don''t use a sword."


    Liu Xiao asked curiously, "What would happen if he used a sword?"


    Ren Dong looked at Liu Xiao with a sympathetic gaze, then covered her mouth and giggled. Liu Xiao was confused by the laughter.


    Fang Buyi covered his forehead and said, "If Little Li uses his fists, his fans call themselves Fist People (Quanren). But if he used a sword..."


    Liu Xiao responded, "They''d be called Sword People (Jianren, ½£ÈË) [2]... Oh, I see. Sorry, my bad."


    "Invalid apology." Li Xiaofei unhesitatingly exercised his authority as he pounced on Liu Xiao and pinned him.


    The special training room of the Red Flag High School team echoed with screams and laughter.


    As night fell, discussions about the match continued to dominate the light-network. Since Li Xiaofei''s popularity was skyrocketing, Red Flag High School was frequently mentioned as well. People who previously didn''t know much about Red Flag High School, or who had looked down on it due to the battle avoidance scandal, began to take a serious interest in learning about the school.


    As a result, more information about Red Flag High School came to light. It was a high school that adhered to the Great Xia martial lineage. It once had a glorious history. The principal had retired from special operations forces. It was a school that took in many underprivileged students. These and many other details emerged as people dug deeper.


    I''m starting to think that Red Flag High School sounds quite impressive.


    Yes, there are very few high schools that still insist on traditional martial arts education in this day and age.


    Regardless of their teaching quality, their dedication to preserving our Great Xia¡¯s traditions is commendable.


    Many people shared these sentiments and Red Flag High School gained a wave of new fans. Many of the school''s team members also came into the spotlight.


    The performances of Fang Buyi, Ren Dong, Liu Xiao, and Bai Longfei in the second team mode match weren''t just impressive but also demonstrated unparalleled courage and determination, which deeply moved the audience.


    They had been underdogs, but they had remained tenacious. They had fought desperately even though the future was uncertain. It was the very fighting spirit that the high school league promoted. It was also a noble quality that martial artists of Great Xia should possess.


    Fang Buyi and the others had been utterly crushed in solo mode and the first team match. Many saw the confusion and dejection in their eyes as they exited the light core mainframe. If the match had ended in that way, they would have been mocked mercilessly. They would have been branded with shame for a long time. But they had seized the last opportunity and reclaimed their dignity.


    Ren Dong, that little girl, is incredible. She had Feng Yuzhen figured out from the start.


    Is there really a ''suicide flow'' medic style? It''s kinda cool. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ren Dong completely outclassed Feng Yuzhen in terms of medical skills.


    Fang Buyi also had a breakthrough, transforming like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis. His staff techniques are impressive.


    That Bai Longfei is a real character. He''s always showing off, but not as naturally as ''Fist King'' Li Xiaofei. He often fails, which is hilarious.


    But our Little White Dragon is handsome.


    That''s right, being handsome is everything.


    Li Xiaofei is even more handsome.


    Indeed, Li Xiaofei has a manly charm, and is very ruggedly handsome.


    Both Li Xiaofei and Bai Longfei are so good at showing off. Who do you think is the king of showing off at Red Flag High School?


    I think they¡¯re evenly matched.


    Red Flag High School''s Crouching Dragon and Young Phoenix.


    The leaderboard forums were buzzing with lively discussions from netizens.


    The members of the Red Flag High School team had never experienced such popularity. Each one had multiple discussions around them. They were even given various nicknames.


    For instance, Fang Buyi was called Staff King. Ren Dong was affectionately nicknamed Little Freckles by many fans because of her light freckles. Liu Xiao was given the nickname Honest Man. He looked honest and quiet, seemingly easy to bully, but when pushed to his limit, he was fiercely formidable.


    Bai Longfei unsurprisingly earned the title of King of Show-offs. Although they weren''t exactly awe-inspiring titles, for many league participants, having their own nickname was a sign of being noticed and loved by fans.


    Liu Xiao is kind of pitiful; he tries so hard, but his strength isn''t quite there.


    Yeah, even though he gave it his all, he only managed to further injure Guan Guan. If Guan Guan had been slightly less injured, Liu Xiao wouldn''t have had a chance.


    But people like Liu Xiao, who work so hard, are the ones who deserve the most respect, aren''t they?


    Exactly. I see a bit of myself in him.


    The eyes of the internet were sharp. Even though Liu Xiao hadn''t won a single match in the two rounds of the league, his effort and courage earned him praise from many netizens and professional commentators alike.


    ***


    After school, Red Flag High School held a small celebration in the cafeteria. Dinner portions had been increased and they had even added some meat porridge. Everyone was very happy.


    The principal''s peach blossom eyes were nearly invisible as he smiled. Grandpa Qin, who usually showed signs of schizophrenia, sat at the cafeteria door, grinning from ear to ear.


    Now that they had scored consecutive wins in the league, Red Flag High School could receive more resources from the Education Department. This would mean more Starforce Reagents, teaching tools, star cores, star beast materials, mutated vegetation, and various types of food. It meant that Red Flag High School was starting to grow.


    "Little Li," Principal Chen Fei said, holding Li Xiaofei''s hand. "There''s something I need to remind you about."


    Li Xiaofei immediately got goosebumps and pulled his hand back, looking disgusted. "If you have something to say, just say it. Don''t get handsy."


    The principal didn''t mind being rejected and spoke earnestly, "Even though the official data for this round isn''t out yet, you''re definitely on the leaderboard. Your stunning performance in consecutive rounds have made you a rising star. You''ll face many temptations going forward. Remember to stay true to your original intentions."


    "Temptations?" Li Xiaofei asked, puzzled. "Like what?"


    "Like beautiful women." The principal said worriedly. "You''ll encounter a lot of romantic advances."


    Li Xiaofei''s eyes lit up, "Really?"


    He didn''t expect such things to still exist even five hundred years later.


    1. A pun on ''qu¨¢nr¨¦n'' (È«ÈË), meaning ''all-rounder.'' ?


    2. Sounds the same as ¡®Jianren (¼úÈË) in Mandarin which means a despicable person ?

 Chapter 101: Ignorant Of Others Kindness?

    Chapter 101: Ignorant Of Others Kindness? What is a groupie? A groupie is a fan who is obsessed to the point of wanting intimate relationships with their idols. These were usually female fans.


    "What kind of expression is that?" Chen Fei scolded, "Brother Eighteen, heed my advice. Beauty can be as dangerous as wolves and tigers and can erode one''s will. Don''t even think about it, let alone touch it."


    "Understood." Li Xiaofei agreed readily. "If there are no women in my heart, my punches will naturally be divine."


    Chen Fei''s eyes lit up, feeling a kindred spirit. He continued earnestly, "There¡¯s also the temptation of money. Many companies will approach you for endorsements and advertisements. There may even be unscrupulous people trying to lure you into illegal fighting. You need to be very cautious."


    "Isn''t doing advertisements legal?" Li Xiaofei asked curiously.


    Chen Fei explained, "Moderately taking on ads to improve your financial situation is fine, but it''s easy to get addicted because the money comes quickly. If you waste too much time and energy on filming ads, it will hinder your cultivation and affect your performance in competitions. You''re still young and shouldn''t dive deeply into those circles of fame and fortune just yet."


    Li Xiaofei smiled, "I get it. Thanks, Old Chen."


    Chen Fei was still concerned. "Don''t take it lightly. Some businessmen are very cunning. You could easily fall into a contractual trap and regret it deeply."


    Li Xiaofei chuckled as he asked, "Old Chen, have you forgotten my other identity?"


    Other identity?


    Chen Fei froze for a moment. He had forgotten that Li Xiaofei came from the slum¡¯s underworld. He was the only gang leader from the slum, and a legally registered one at that. Any businessman trying to trick him would likely end up regretting it. Chen Fei had let his concern cloud his judgment.


    Li Xiaofei patted the principal''s shoulder. "I know what you''re worried about. Don''t worry, I won''t leave Red Flag High School. No matter who comes looking for me, I won''t go because I like it here."


    "Then I can rest easy... Uh, I mean, I wasn''t worried," Chen Fei said, swatting Li Xiaofei''s hand off his shoulder. "Show some respect, or I''ll dock your conduct points."


    He added, "But you should consider getting a manager. They can handle various business matters and save you a lot of time and effort."


    Li Xiaofei replied, "No need, I prefer to keep everything under my control."


    Five hundred years ago, there were plenty of cases where athletes were manipulated or outright sold out by their agents. Besides, as long as I have enough resources for cultivation, I''m not that interested in money.


    Everyone went their separate ways after the celebration. Li Xiaofei rode his modified motorcycle, flames shooting out from the exhaust, as he roared away from the campus.


    The streets of the base city were relatively quiet as the city lights began to twinkle. The evening breeze brushed past his ears like the gentle caress of a lover''s hand. Li Xiaofei realized he was gradually starting to integrate into this world.


    Suddenly, he heard the roar of cannons from the city walls. Streaks of artillery fire pierced through the darkness, blasting towards the wilderness outside the city. Immediately after, a shrill alarm blared from the city walls, echoing through the night sky. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei was startled. That was a Level Three Danger Defense State alarm. It clearly indicated a star beast tide was attacking the base city. He knew the term from textbooks. Many base cities had been destroyed by the eruption of star beast tides.


    However, according to what he had learned in school, a Level Three Danger Defense State alarm wasn''t something to be overly worried about. That level of beast tide was unlikely to pose a significant threat to the steel city walls. The only impact was that if the beast tide didn''t recede by the next morning, the base city would temporarily close, prohibiting any exit. The adventurers who made a living hunting star beasts in the wilderness would have to stay inside the city.


    Of course, if they couldn''t stand the idleness, they could assist in defending the city walls and earn official salaries and allowances.


    Li Xiaofei, still on his motorcycle, looked towards the distant city walls. He saw hundreds of firefly-like light dots suddenly appear in the night sky, rising from the city walls and heading towards the wilderness.


    Those are flying battle armors!


    The dense dots of light were armor masters piloting their battle armors and charging out to engage the star beasts.


    Li Xiaofei squinted at the towering, rust-streaked steel city walls that were standing over a hundred meters tall. He could vaguely see the fortresses and giant cannon barrels at the top of the walls. The steel walls and giant cannons were the basic guarantees of the base city''s existence.


    The constantly reinforced hundred-meter steel walls surrounding Liuhe Base City had stood for hundreds of years. The assault of wind and rain had covered the surface of the walls with deep red rust, making them look like silent giants that stood guard over the city and its more than four million inhabitants.


    The city walls were illuminated by the firing cannons as they continued to rumble. One could only imagine how fierce the battle outside the walls was. But the city''s residents were clearly accustomed to such commotion. They weren¡¯t panicking at all.


    In the future, I must go out to the wilderness and see for myself.


    High school students and above were periodically allowed by their schools to venture outside the city. It allowed them to experience and familiarize themselves with the wilderness. They also faced star beasts directly, which allowed them to gain an intimate understanding of humanity''s most formidable enemies. This was a strategy of fighting star beasts from a young age.


    The city government also organized various adventurer teams and commercial companies to sweep the area around the base city to prevent the rapid reproduction of star beasts and nip the danger of a potential beast tide in the bud.


    Vroomm.


    The motorcycle¡¯s engine roared as Li Xiaofei arrived at the entrance to the slum. But he found several brand-new luxury cars parked by the roadside. Five or six burly men paced impatiently outside the cars, cigarette butts scattered at their feet. Li Xiaofei did not slow down, riding his motorcycle closer.


    ¡°Hey, here he comes...¡±


    ¡°Stop, stop right there.¡±


    When they saw the motorcycle approach, they immediately tossed their cigarettes and blocked the road.


    Li Xiaofei frowned. He slowly brought his bike to a stop.


    ¡°You¡¯re Li Xiaofei, right?¡± The buzz-cut leader sized him up, clearly displeased. ¡°What took you so long? We¡¯ve been waiting in the cold wind for ages.¡±


    Li Xiaofei remained silent. He glanced at the luxury cars parked by the roadside, then at the bodyguard-like men.


    ¡°Who are you guys?¡± Li Xiaofei asked.


    They didn¡¯t look like rogue adventurers. At first glance, they seemed like bodyguards from a security company. But on closer inspection, their attire didn¡¯t match that of a legitimate organization. They were a ragtag bunch.


    ¡°We¡¯re from the Golden Eagle Guild. Our boss wants to see you,¡± the buzz-cut leader said gruffly.


    ¡°Who¡¯s your boss?¡± Li Xiaofei asked.


    ¡°You¡¯ll know when you see him,¡± the buzz-cut leader replied impatiently. ¡°Follow me.¡±


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t move.


    ¡°Kid, what¡¯s your problem? Don¡¯t you know what¡¯s good for you?¡± The buzz-cut leader glanced back, his face revealing a hint of menace.

 Chapter 102: Giving You One Night To Think About It

    Chapter 102: Giving You One Night To Think About It Li Xiaofei crossed his arms as he leaned back on his seat. "Last time, a so-called ¡®invincible within the tenth stage¡¯ experienced adventurer team said the exact same thing to me. The grass on their graves is now half a meter high."


    The buzz-cut leader paused, then sneered. "Haha, you think you can scare me? You¡¯re just a high school student. Sure, you¡¯ve done well in the league, but don¡¯t try to show off in front of me, or you¡¯ll get your legs broken."


    Li Xiaofei crooked a finger at him. "Go ahead and try. Let''s see whose legs break first."


    The buzz-cut leader was now furious, but he didn¡¯t dare make a move. He knew from the information package he had received that this high school student really did have the strength to instantly take down someone at the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. He wasn¡¯t confident he could win in a fight.


    "Kid, do you think you''re tough?" The buzz-cut leader snarled. "Being tough is useless. You need power and influence to survive in this world."


    "What influence do you have?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    He had figured it out. The guy didn¡¯t know anything. He was just a complete idiot.


    The buzz-cut leader smiled smugly, "Our Golden Eagle Guild has three hundred and forty-six streamers, four hundred and four full-time employees, and a security team of a hundred and thirty members, all of whom are high school graduates and trained fighters. Our boss, Zhao Bufan, mingles with high society and has extensive connections... "


    Li Xiaofei cut him off, unimpressed, "So, you''re just small-time crooks."


    "You... " The buzz-cut leader was furious.


    At that moment, a nearby business car door opened and a chubby man in a white suit and overcoat, with slicked-back hair and a big cigar in his mouth, stepped out.


    "Haha, staying calm under pressure, as expected of the MVP student of the High School War God League for two consecutive rounds." The chubby man clapped and laughed, "Let me introduce myself. I''m Zhao Bufan, the founder and president of the Golden Eagle Guild. I''m here today with a generous offer for you."


    Li Xiaofei smirked, "Generous offer? Let''s hear it."


    Zhao Bufan exhaled a long stream of smoke, "Our Golden Eagle Guild wants to collaborate with you to start a live streaming channel. If you can spend just three to four hours a day streaming for us, you''ll earn a minimum monthly salary of 5,000 star coins. Additionally, we can manage all your business negotiations and contracts for free and only take a small commission. How does that sound?"


    He waited confidently for a positive response.


    A high school student from the slum, what could he have seen in life? A salary of 5,000 star coins must have made him too excited to speak.


    Zhao Bufan had noticed Li Xiaofei after the first round of the league and believed the newcomer had signing potential. He had already started secretly investigating Li Xiaofei''s background. When he discovered that Li Xiaofei was from the slum, Zhao Bufan had been overjoyed. A boy who had suffered the hardships of poverty would be easier to sway with money. After watching the second round of the competition, he decided to sign the young man to his streaming guild on the spot. If the kid was handled properly, he could make a significant profit. So, he came to the slum entrance in the middle of the night to catch him. He was very confident in his offer.


    However, Li Xiaofei shook his head and said, "Not interested."


    "Haha, okay, let''s sign... What? Not interested?" Zhao Bufan thought he had misheard, "You don''t want to?"


    Li Xiaofei said, "You can leave now." S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The smile on Zhao Bufan''s face gradually faded as he said, "Think about it again, my friend. If it''s about the signing bonus, we can discuss it some more. I''ll add another 500 star coins. How about that?"


    Li Xiaofei found it amusing that the principal''s warning was so spot-on. The second round of the competition had just ended, and bloodsuckers were already swarming around him. The offer was practically treating him like a pig to be slaughtered.


    "It''s not about the money," Li Xiaofei said straightforwardly. "I''m not interested in streaming, Mr. Zhao. Goodbye."


    "Hey, hey, hey... " Zhao Bufan quickly blocked his way. "You might have just come out of the slum and don''t yet understand the benefits of money. I''m sincerely looking out for you. You could make a fortune with your current popularity on the light-network. If you''re lucky, you can even buy a house outside the rule-of-law district."


    Li Xiaofei sighed inwardly at the man''s persistence but remained firm. He replied, "I appreciate your concern, Mr. Zhao, but my answer is still no. Streaming isn''t my path. Now, please step aside."


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but feel a bit of pity for Zhao Bufan''s desperation, but he knew better than to compromise on his principles for a quick buck.


    Li Xiaofei was done with the conversation. He twisted the throttle.


    Vroom.


    The modified motorcycle growled like a beast, ready to take off.


    "Wait." Zhao Bufan placed a hand on the motorcycle''s handlebar, his expression turning dark. "Kid, are you really going to disrespect your brother Zhao like this?"


    Li Xiaofei''s eyes turned sharp. "Let go."


    Zhao Bufan chuckled coldly. "Kid, I suggest you don''t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. The Golden Eagle Guild has never had anyone dare to say no to us. You might look popular now, but how many true fans do you have? Believe me, I can easily manipulate the online narrative, and by tomorrow, you''ll be a rat everyone wants to beat."


    "Are you threatening me?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Zhao Bufan smirked. "No, it''s just a friendly reminder."


    Li Xiaofei laughed. "Then let me give you a friendly reminder. Get lost, or I won''t hesitate to show you what happens when you mess with someone from the slum."


    Zhao Bufan glanced at the entrance to the slum nearby. He felt a bit apprehensive. He didn''t want to get into a conflict with the wild and crazy people from the slum.


    "Kid, do you think you alone can represent the slum?" Zhao Bufan let go of the handlebar and stepped back. "I''ll give you one night to think it over, considering your youthful ignorance. If I don''t get a positive answer from you by 8 a.m. tomorrow, I promise you''ll regret it."


    He gestured to his bodyguards as they all left in their cars. Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but laugh.


    Where did these fools come from?


    They had intercepted him outside the slum without even knowing his true identity. They thought he was just a powerless small fry from the slum. Such a low-tier guild probably only managed to scare people who didn¡¯t have any support. For a moment, Li Xiaofei considered dealing with these idiots then and there, but he restrained himself.


    Now that I¡¯m a legitimate citizen, the entire slum is on a fast track to becoming legitimate. Unless there¡¯s a deep-seated vendetta, there is no need to resort to violence at the slightest provocation. One should learn to behave civilly in a civilized society.


    Li Xiaofei smiled in satisfaction. He had finally acted maturely.


    At that moment, he heard hurried footsteps. It was the chubby Yang Cheng, leading a group of loyal followers.


    "Boss, are you okay?" The chubby guy asked nervously, "I heard some clueless guys were blocking you, trying to cause trouble. Huh? Where are they? Did I arrive late again, Boss?"


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    When have you ever not been late? Is this chubby guy doing it on purpose? Rebellious?


    He couldn''t be bothered to argue and said, "Go notify Hall Master Chu to select a hundred capable brothers to accompany me to the city wall and assist our troops in defending the city."


    "Defend the city?" Yang Cheng was momentarily stunned, then excitedly said, "Yes, Boss, I''ll go right away."


    Li Xiaofei stood there, lost in thought.


    Defending the city. The idea had struck him at a whim when he saw Yang Cheng and his group. It was a chance to see the city walls up close and broaden his horizons. Secondly, he genuinely wanted to contribute to the city''s defense.


    A short while later, Chu Yuntian arrived with a hundred martial artists from the Cloudy Sky Gang.

 Chapter 103: Helping Out

    Chapter 103: Helping Out "Let''s go." Li Xiaofei led the way on his modified motorcycle.


    The slum was located on the outskirts of the base city, about five kilometers from the city wall. The closer they got to the wall, the fewer residences there were, and the more sparsely populated the area. It didn¡¯t take them long to arrive at the base of the city wall.


    "Halt."


    An outpost appeared ahead, and four strong searchlights shone directly on them.


    "Who goes there?"


    A military officer shouted, "The city wall is under military lockdown. No one is allowed to approach."


    Chu Yuntian stepped forward and said, "Sir, we are from the Cloudy Sky Gang, a legally registered organization in the base city. We heard the alarm and came to assist in defending the city." S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Oh?"


    The officer''s tone softened slightly. "Cloudy Sky Gang? That name sounds unfamiliar. Do you have your documents?"


    Chu Yuntian quickly stepped up, handing over the various registration certificates of the gang with both hands.


    Chu Yuntian had done a lot of work after unifying the slums. One of his first actions was to hire a registered lawyer from the rule-of-law district to handle the deregistration of the Blackblood Gang and six other organizations and to update the registration certificates of the Cloudy Sky Gang.


    Now, the Cloudy Sky Gang occupied the entire slum and was fully legal. They had all the necessary documents showing that they were properly registered.


    The officer reviewed them and used the military''s special channels on his light core to verify the information. It quickly confirmed everything was in order. The command center also approved their application to assist in defending the city and assigned them a specific area to defend.


    "Follow me." The officer said, his expression much friendlier.


    Having a legally registered gang from within the city assist the military in defending the city wall was a legal and encouraged practice. There was a time when the government, noble families, and gangs had a close relationship, where assisting in city defense was a customary duty. Whenever battles erupted on the city walls, various forces, big and small, would eagerly participate. They took pride in it. But times had changed.


    Many noble families and large gangs had fallen into corruption. They only sought power and profit as they exploited and drained resources. They forgot their duty to protect and defend their homeland. As the conflict erupted, fewer and fewer forces came to assist in defending the city. Even when the government forcibly conscripted help, they often sent old, weak, sick, or otherwise ineffective individuals just to claim subsidies without actual contribution.


    A group like the Cloudy Sky Gang, coming in without asking about compensation and immediately willing to fight, was exceedingly rare.


    The young officer led Li Xiaofei and his group to a massive metal supply warehouse.


    "Brothers, make haste and choose your battle gear and weapons." The young officer announced loudly.


    The shelves in the metal warehouse were filled with various swords and weapons. There were also black leather combat suits. Li Xiaofei gestured and everyone quickly and quietly began selecting weapons and changing into combat suits.


    The young officer watched, his face showing a hint of surprise. He had encountered many gangs within the base city. Even among the registered medium and large gangs, members were often a mixed bag. They would be noisy, chaotic, and disorganized when taking equipment.


    He had never seen a well-trained group like the Cloudy Sky Gang before. In less than three minutes, everyone was fully equipped in combat suits, boots, and tactical helmets. The fully armed members of the Cloudy Sky Gang stood tall and spirited, exuding an impressive aura.


    "Not bad." The young officer said with a smile. "President Chu, your brothers are impressive."


    Chu Yuntian was startled and quickly said, "Sir, I''m not the president... This is our boss."


    The young officer looked at Li Xiaofei, a clear expression of astonishment on his face.


    The leader of a hundred well-trained fighters is a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy?


    He hadn''t noticed before. But when he looked closely, he could see the uniqueness of the youth. Youth and handsomeness were common traits in a teenager, but steadiness and silence were rare qualities in someone so young.


    Moreover, this boy even looked vaguely familiar. It almost felt like he had seen him somewhere before. The young officer was about to ask when suddenly, the entire warehouse began to tremble slightly.


    "Everyone be careful, the elevator is starting to ascend." The young officer shouted, holding back his curiosity. "We''ll be on the city wall in thirty seconds. Stay calm, and set your helmet communication channels to FM997. Follow my commands precisely. Defending the city is no joke¡ªone mistake can cost lives."


    Everyone instinctively looked at Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei simply said, "Listen to the officer''s commands."


    The metal warehouse began to rise rapidly. It turned out it wasn''t a warehouse at all, but a troop transport elevator.


    Bang!


    Thirty seconds later, the elevator jolted to a stop. The warehouse doors slowly opened amidst the blaring of warning alarms. They could feel a cold wind, with a faint salty taste, rush past them. It brought the sounds of cannon fire, the roars of star beasts, the shouts of soldiers, and the staccato fire of firearms.


    The officer put on his helmet and shouted, "Follow me."


    He led his ten soldiers out first. Li Xiaofei followed closely behind. But he was utterly stunned by the magnificent sight on the city wall. The over hundred meter tall wall had a fifty meter wide top. It resembled a massive steel dragon coiling around Liuhe Base City. The view was a thousand times more spectacular than from within the city. They were now standing on the dragon''s back.


    There was a massive steel cannon every hundred meters. These super-heavy weapons that surpassed the limits of industrial civilization, were inventions of humanity''s highest institution, the Star Council. They were known as the Wrath of Thor.


    Each shot from the Wrath of Thor caused the steel walls to tremble slightly. The enormous shells tore through the night and exploded fifty miles away in the wilderness in a massive orange mushroom cloud. The resulting destruction vaporized everything within a hundred-meter radius.


    The shrapnel and energy from the explosion were lethal to any star beasts within a five-hundred-meter radius. Many star beasts were slaughtered by these terrifying weapons before they could even approach the city walls.


    Additionally, numerous soldiers in green armor worked to operate each cannon. There were also rail transport vehicles racing along fixed tracks to rapidly deliver supplies and ammunition.


    The young officer led Li Xiaofei and the others onto a heavy transport truck. Li Xiaofei grabbed the railing and looked outside. Below the wall, bizarre black silhouettes of beasts surged like ocean waves in the distance as they charged towards the base city.


    Boom!


    A shell from the Wrath of Thor exploded, illuminating the beast swarm. Li Xiaofei recognized star beasts of different types and sizes. Their eyes were bloodshot as they charged madly towards the city walls.


    Streams of fire continuously spewed out from the 3% inclined mid-upper section of the wall. These were the Wrath of Thor¡¯s secondary weapons, thermal weapons.


    Ammunition streaked through the night sky, ruthlessly harvesting the lives of star beasts. Inside the transport truck, many members of the Cloudy Sky Gang were pale-faced. It was their first time witnessing such a terrifying scene.


    Clang!


    The transport truck came to a sudden halt.


    "Quick, quick, quick, get off the truck!." The young officer urged loudly. "Our battlefield is here."


    Li Xiaofei and his team swiftly disembarked, ready to face the chaos head-on.

 Chapter 104: Grade Three

    Chapter 104: Grade Three Li Xiaofei and his team were assigned to a defensive area known as B51, located on the southeastern section of the city wall. It was the exit point of a supply elevator and about thirty meters away from Wrath of Thor number 1818.


    The Fourth Platoon of the base city''s Seventh Battalion''s fourth platoon that had originally been stationed here had consisted of thirty soldiers. However, they had gone out on a mission during the day and hadn¡¯t returned before the beast tide broke out. They had failed to make contact and were presumed dead by the command center.


    But with the battle underway, this giant supply elevator entrance was left critically understaffed.


    "President Li, your task is to guard this area and prevent any flying star beasts from infiltrating the elevator." The young officer ordered loudly.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Don''t worry, not a single star beast will get through."


    The young officer added, "My name is Wu Junzhuang, platoon leader of the Fifth Platoon, Seventh Battalion, Liuhe Legion. If anything comes up, contact me on the team channel."


    With that, he hurriedly left with his soldiers.


    Chu Yuntian immediately began directing the Cloudy Sky Gang members to set up defenses around the elevator entrance. Li Xiaofei inferred from Wu Junzhuang''s hasty demeanor that the troops on the city wall were indeed stretched thin. It was just a Level Three beast tide, yet the garrison seemed quite overextended.


    That was not a good sign. He walked to the edge of the wall and looked over the steel parapet. The surging beast tide had endured the bombardment from the Wraths of Thor and various thermal weapons. Some of them were already within a kilometer of the steel city walls.


    The region immediately before him was a dead zone for the Wraths of Thor. The defending troops would have to rely on lighter weapons for their offensive.


    But the wall beneath his feet was more than up to the task, since it resembled more of a steel fortress than a wall. It was meticulously organized inside. Weapon ports opened at various heights and positions and started spewing streams of ammunition.


    Li Xiaofei watched closely. Most of the weapons resembled the guns and cannons from five hundred years ago. But their killing efficiency wasn''t high. However, another set of weapons fired energy beams, which were completely different from the weapons of the past civilization. Wherever the energy beams passed, star beasts fell instantly.


    There were also some dispersal-type energy weapons that exploded upon impact, spreading in all directions. The fine light fragments mercilessly cut down star beasts in an incredible display of killing efficiency.


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    Swish, swish, swish.


    A strange whistling sound filled the air as several crimson energy clusters were launched high into the air. They spun like tops as they flew into the beast tide. When they landed, these tops left fiery trails, speeding through the star beast horde before exploding into blazing flames, turning the beasts'' path into a sea of fire.


    Most of the smaller star beasts were reduced to ashes. However, some larger star beasts, their bodies engulfed in flames, became even more ferocious as they charged forward even faster.


    Boom!


    They crashed into the steel walls like moths to a flame. Their skulls shattered, and their bodies were pulverized. But the greenish-black blood they sprayed was highly corrosive. The steel walls hissed loudly as their surface grew pitted and uneven. Some unique star beasts were even immune to the fire. Their mouths and noses emitted thick crimson flames as they crossed the sea of fire unscathed. When they reached the base of the walls, they started spewing incredibly high-temperature flames. The steel started to glow cherry red as it started to melt.


    Li Xiaofei''s heart raced. These seemingly chaotic star beasts were coordinating different types of attacks. If this continued, these terrifying creatures would break through the fifty-meter-thick steel walls. He knew immediate action was necessary.


    Fortunately, humanity didn''t rely solely on weapons. They also had martial arts. Powerful martial artists clad in various types of battle armors swiftly started cutting down the star beasts at the wall with power weapons. Li Xiaofei saw a warrior in a mantis-like battle armor, one hand wielding a standard star-energy machine gun and the other a chainsaw sword, slicing through the star beasts as if they were nothing.


    Even the giant star beasts that were immune to fire and had tough bone-like armor were as fragile as paper before the chainsaw sword. The beasts howled as they died to the warriors. Their corrosive greenish-black blood was blocked by star-energy shields and couldn¡¯t damage the warriors¡¯ armor.


    He must be at least at the high stage of the Limit Breaking Realm. He¡¯s an experienced battle armor master


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s blood was boiling with excitement. Thousands of battle armor martial artists guarded the walls, preventing them from being corroded and damaged. It was these strong and brave martial artists who allowed humanity to survive the onslaught of the rapidly reproducing star beasts.


    They were the shield and the sword of the Republic. They risked their lives, fighting on the front lines to ensure the safety of their comrades. Witnessing this further solidified Li Xiaofei''s determination to become a martial battle armor master. One day, he too would don armor and weapons and charge into battle like these great martial artists to slay star beasts and protect his race.


    "Look, high-level star beasts!"


    A member of the Cloudy Sky Gang suddenly pointed to the distant night sky in alarm.


    Li Xiaofei followed his finger and saw dozens of giant lizards standing upright. They had somehow bypassed the Wraths of Thor''s zone and were now less than a kilometer from the steel city walls.


    Neither energy weapons nor the sea of fire could inflict fatal damage on them as they hurtled toward the steel walls. These were Grade Three star beasts, known as Humanoid Lizards. They were commonly referred to as Lizardmen. The presence of the word human in their name indicated a lot. Scientific studies had shown that Lizardmen possessed considerable intelligence. They could even use tools.


    These dozen or so creatures before them were about four to five meters tall but moved with the speed of the wind as they advanced. They even wore some sort of scale armor and wielded bone weapons.


    Li Xiaofei was stunned. In the light-network world''s extensive simulation scenarios, he had encountered countless star beasts. But they were mostly Grade One star beasts. Their individual combat strength wasn''t particularly high, and he could easily kill them in the Qi Refining Realm. But unexpectedly, his first real encounter with Grade Three star beasts was in a city defense battle.


    If Grade Three star beasts appear, the city''s alert level should be raised at least one level higher.


    Li Xiaofei quickly recalled the basic knowledge he had learned in class. Tonight''s beast tide seemed far from simple. The simultaneous appearance of over a dozen Grade Three star beasts leading the charge indicated something significant.


    It suggested that the beast tide was likely orchestrated by at least Grade Four star beasts. Each beast tide wasn''t a natural occurrence but driven by high-grade star beasts commanding the lower-grade ones in a grand hunt.


    Grade Four star beasts! If that¡¯s the case...


    Li Xiaofei gasped. He realized that Liuhe Base City was facing a substantial crisis.


    However...


    "The authorities should have countermeasures," Li Xiaofei muttered to himself, confident in the city''s defenses.


    As his mind whirled, the dozen or so Lizardmen were rapidly approaching the base of the city wall. The battle armor martial artists didn''t confront them directly. Instead, they quickly activated their short-range flight devices and ascended, retreating from the battlefield.


    Grade Three star beasts possessed immense destructive power; even martial artists in the Limit Breaking Realm couldn''t withstand them. The military commanders wouldn''t risk their soldiers'' lives recklessly.


    But the Lizardmen had peculiar suction cups on their palms and toes. They effortlessly climbed the steel walls, swiftly advancing toward the top. Three of them moved the fastest and headed for the B51 area where Li Xiaofei and his team were stationed like arrows shot from a bow.


    "Damn," Chu Yuntian''s face turned pale.


    If those high-grade star beasts reached them, their hundred men, even fully armed, wouldn''t stand a chance.

 Chapter 105: Earth-Shattering

    Chapter 105: Earth-Shattering Li Xiaofei was equally shocked to his core. The violent aura of the Grade Three star beasts was overwhelming. The sheer ferocity alone was enough to crush a person''s spirit and willpower. Instinctively, he gripped his spear, ready to counterattack.


    But at that moment¡ª


    Whoosh.


    A flash of light darted past. A figure clad in silver battle armor suddenly appeared in front of Li Xiaofei. She paused briefly, then vanished again.


    In the next instant, she reappeared on the outer wall. The silver battle armor was designed like a battle angel with three pairs of wings. The light sources flickering on the wings, shoulder guards, neck guard, back, and waist created a breathtaking sci-fi aesthetic. She stood almost parallel to the ground on the wall, defying gravity.


    Swish, swish, swish.


    The graceful figure left behind trails of phantom-like afterimages in the night as she moved. The battle was over in just a breath''s time. The battle angel then turned into a streak of light, disappearing into the distant night sky.


    The dozen or so Grade Three star beasts, the Lizardmen, were sliced into pieces as if they were cucumbers. They fell helplessly to the ground.


    Li Xiaofei rubbed his eyes. He felt like he had just seen an illusion. It was too stunning. The powerful enemies had been casually slain in an instant. A fleeting glimpse of a dragon''s head, and then it was gone. This was the mark of a true top-tier expert.


    The battle angel armor was undoubtedly a rare, high-end piece. Anyone capable of operating such advanced battle armor had to be a renowned martial artist within the base city. A warrior in the Limit Breaking Realm couldn''t possibly achieve this. Moreover, judging by the physique and the design of the armor, it appeared to be a female martial artist.


    Li Xiaofei was truly astounded. These powerful beings were the very targets he strived to emulate through his cultivation. He was a martial arts enthusiast at heart. Whenever he encountered a broader world, a higher realm, or stronger individuals, he instinctively aimed to catch up and surpass them.


    "President, there''s movement in the distance," Chu Yuntian suddenly called out.


    Li Xiaofei looked over. A dense cloud was rapidly approaching the steel city walls in the distant night sky. It was a swarm of flying star beasts. These were the type of star beasts that the Wrath of Thor cannons found difficult to intercept.


    "President Li, something''s wrong. You must protect the elevator entrance." The voice of the young officer Wu Junzhuang crackled over the helmet communication channel.


    "Understood. As long as we''re here, the elevator will be safe," Li Xiaofei replied.


    There was a brief pause on the other end before Wu Junzhuang responded, "Take care."


    Li Xiaofei turned his attention back to the rapidly approaching swarm, readying himself and his team for the imminent assault.


    Thirty seconds later, a flock of black crow-like beasts with wingspans exceeding two meters dove towards the city walls. The battle erupted instantly.


    "It''s the Mole Crows."


    "Watch out for their claws."


    "Their wings are harder than steel blades... "


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    "Hold them off."


    The martial artists of the Cloudy Sky Gang formed three man cells as they stood back-to-back and fended off the diving crows. Most of them had experience hunting star beasts outside the city, so they remained calm.


    Li Xiaofei wielded a long spear he had chosen in the transport elevator. His most powerful technique was the Great Strength Vajra Fist. There were many similarities between fist techniques and spear techniques.


    In his previous life, a master of spear techniques had once said five words, Fists are Spears Without Spears. Many fist techniques were originally derived from spear techniques. When there were no weapons, the fists and arms served as the weapons, thus forming fist techniques.


    Li Xiaofei treated his long spear as an extension of his arm, transforming his fist techniques into spear techniques. He raised his spear and thrust it forward.


    The spear shot out with incredible precision and power, embodying the essence of his fist technique. When the spear tip met its target, it pierced through the crow-like beast with ease, demonstrating Li Xiaofei''s seamless adaptation of his martial skills to the weapon in hand.


    Swish.


    A diving crow was pierced through the head with a flick of his wrist.


    Bang.


    The crow''s head exploded into a shower of blood.


    "A Grade One star beast, nothing to worry about."


    This one strike was enough for Li Xiaofei to accurately gauge the crows'' strength.


    In the next moment, he became a crow reaper. Crows were pierced wherever he went. Whenever a gang member was in danger, Li Xiaofei was there to assist. Over a hundred people firmly defended the B51 supply elevator area.


    Li Xiaofei remained cautious. He knew this was not a virtual battle in the light-network world. It was the real world. Death here meant no resurrection. A single mistake could lead to a tragic end, so he did his utmost to protect himself and his fellow members.


    The battle raged on for a full half-hour. The crows diving down only grew more numerous, and the Cloudy Sky Gang members began to tire.


    But at that moment, an unexpected change occurred. A piercing roar resounded from the wilderness outside the city, about several hundred miles away. A vast silver light curtain suddenly appeared, illuminating the night sky like a rising silver moon!


    In the next moment, a terrifying silver sword light streaked across the sky. It was like the black sky was severed in two by this sword strike. The silver fissure lingered in the sky for a long time.


    However, the beast tide, which had been relentlessly attacking the city walls, suddenly turned and fled upon hearing the piercing roar. In the blink of an eye, they vanished like a receding tide. The swarms of flying star beasts around the city walls also quickly retreated, disappearing into the night sky.


    A cold wind blew. The city wall suddenly fell silent.


    Clang.


    A disciple of the Cloudy Sky Gang dropped his long sword, his strength spent. He collapsed to the ground, exhausted.


    "Rest where you are," Li Xiaofei commanded.


    The disciples of the Cloudy Sky Gang all collapsed on the city wall, completely spent.


    Li Xiaofei took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the now-quiet battlefield. The sudden retreat of the star beasts and the eerie silver sword light in the sky suggested that a powerful entity had intervened. He couldn''t help but feel a mix of relief and awe at the display of power that had turned the tide so swiftly.


    The tension kept everyone focused during the battle, but now, as the adrenaline wore off, Li Xiaofei felt utterly drained. His entire body felt numb, and he couldn''t even lift a finger.


    Fortunately, thanks to the military armor, none of the hundred Cloudy Sky Gang disciples had died. Most of the injuries were minor. Chu Yuntian immediately began counting heads and assessing injuries.


    Li Xiaofei looked out at the distant wilderness.


    That silver sword light... It was truly terrifying. What kind of powerful being could possess such an earth-shattering strength?


    A thought crossed his mind.


    Could it be related to that battle angel?


    As this idea took hold, a piercing sonic boom suddenly echoed from the sky as a gust of wind rushed past. Before anyone could react, a silver figure descended heavily onto the city wall ten meters away. It was the same battle angel they had seen earlier.


    A powerful aura radiated from her like thunder. The energy lights on the silver battle armor quickly dimmed. The originally three pairs of wings were now turned into two and a half. The once pristine silver metal exoskeleton was now marred with large patches of green corrosion pits.


    She swayed on her feet like she was about to collapse. Startled, Li Xiaofei instinctively rushed over and caught her. When he had her in his arms, he caught a fleeting glimpse of a young woman''s face, as stunning as an elf through the transparent visor of her silver helmet.

 Chapter 106: Commendation Order And Subsidies

    Chapter 106: Commendation Order And Subsidies The young woman''s features were so exquisitely delicate that she seemed carved from the finest white jade by a master artist. The bright red blood at the corner of her mouth only enhanced her ethereal beauty.


    But before Li Xiaofei could take a closer look, the battle angel suddenly regained consciousness. Her powerful starforce qi exploded outward, sending Li Xiaofei flying dozens of meters away and crashing heavily to the ground.


    She glanced at Li Xiaofei through her visor, memorizing his face. A moment later, she vanished from the spot.


    "Boss, are you okay?"


    "Protect the boss!"


    The Cloudy Sky Gang members quickly surrounded him.


    One of the more impulsive members even threw his large sword in the direction the battle angel had disappeared, shouting, "Damn it, hurt our boss, if you dare, don''t run, I''ll cut you down!"


    Li Xiaofei shook his head, "I''m fine."


    He circulated his starforce to calm the chaotic qi within him and swallowed a mouthful of blood that had risen to his throat. The battle angel was ridiculously strong. Just a slight release of her starforce qi had sent him flying. Thankfully, she hadn''t intended to harm him, so he was only slightly injured.


    Li Xiaofei looked at the impetuous member who had just spoken, "What''s your name?"


    This was the first time the brash member was talking to his idol boss, so he shyly scratched the back of his head and said, "Boss, my name is Li Junjie. I really admire you."


    Pak.


    Li Xiaofei smacked him on the forehead. "You¡¯ve got guts to challenge a military expert. Are you tired of living?" S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The brash member hung his head in shame.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at Chu Yuntian and asked, "What''s his current position?"


    Chu Yuntian quickly responded, "Hunting team member."


    "So, he''s just a grunt?" Li Xiaofei said, "Promote him to Red Pole."


    There was an instant uproar. Going from an ordinary grunt to a Red Pole was a significant leap in the gang''s hierarchy. Li Junjie stood in a daze as he tried to convince himself he wasn¡¯t dreaming.


    Pak.


    Chu Yuntian smacked him on the forehead. "You fool, lost your mind? Hurry up and thank the boss."


    Li Junjie immediately dropped to his knees and loudly exclaimed, "Thank you, boss. The sunrise incense brings purple smoke, the boss is my sky. The sunrise river flowers redder than fire, without the boss, there''s no me... "


    Li Xiaofei kicked him over. "Damn it, I made you a Red Pole, not a scholar. Stop quoting poetry."


    The brash member grinned as he climbed to his feet. "I¡¯m just too excited... "


    "What are you talking about?" Chu Yuntian''s face turned green with anger, raising his hand for another slap.


    Li Xiaofei quickly intervened. "That''s enough, don''t hit him again. He''ll really get brain damage if you keep at it."


    "Work hard. You''re the first Red Pole I''ve promoted, so don''t embarrass me."


    Li Xiaofei patted his shoulder. "Cultivate diligently, improve your strength, and follow your boss to achieve great things."


    He tossed Li Yunjie a bottle of blue Starforce Reagent. This third-generation purified Starforce Reagent was useless for him. He needed fourth-generation purity to affect his starforce qi cultivation. Li Xiaofei had noticed Li Junjie during the battle. He was brave and had a strong sense of loyalty. He¡¯d risked his life several times to save his comrades. He was also decently strong and was around the fourth stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    The fact that he had stood out in such a short time after Li Xiaofei shared the martial arts techniques indicated good cultivation talent. More importantly, although he wasn''t very smart, he was incredibly loyal. Even a fool could see that the battle angel was a formidable and important military figure. Yet this guy dared to curse her out for Li Xiaofei¡¯s sake. Such talent needed to be nurtured.


    "Yes, boss, thank you, boss," Li Junjie kept repeating. He felt like he was in a dream and was dazed and overwhelmed with gratitude.


    The gang members around them looked on with envy, their eyes red with jealousy. At that moment, they heard an engine rumbling as officer Wu Junzhuang arrived in an open-top rugged military jeep.


    After surveying the battlefield, Wu Junzhuang''s face revealed a hint of shock. He hadn''t expected the Cloudy Sky Gang to not only successfully defend the supply elevator entrance but also kill so many star beasts, the Mole Crows with zero casualties. This gang''s strength was not to be underestimated.


    "Thank you for your hard work," Wu Junzhuang saluted everyone. "On behalf of the Liuhe Base City garrison, I express our highest gratitude to you."


    Clap, clap, clap.


    The other soldiers also saluted in unison. Their gazes toward these gang members were filled with respect.


    ***


    It was already past four in the morning when they returned to the slum. Everyone was exhausted but also exhilarated. This experience was something many of them had never gone through in their entire lives.


    They had never helped the soldiers defend the city walls and contributed to the survival of the base city. It was their first time making a meaningful contribution to the city. An unprecedented sense of pride lingered in everyone''s hearts.


    When Li Xiaofei got home, his aunt was still awake. The room''s lights were on and the food on the table was steaming hot.


    ¡°Eat up,¡± his aunt urged, turning to ''look'' at him. ¡°You must be exhausted, right?¡±


    She resembled a gentle wife waiting for her husband to return from a night shift. Even the scars on her face seemed to fade significantly under the soft orange light.


    Li Xiaofei immediately shed the mature and steady demeanor of a gang leader and grinned, "I¡¯m not tired at all, Little Aunt. You should have seen my heroic stance on the battlefield. Even the officers on the city wall saluted me in the end."


    He sat at the dining table and began devouring the food. He was indeed quite hungry.


    His aunt tilted her head slightly and rested her chin on one hand as she spoke softly, "Everyone else stayed back, but you led your gang to play the hero. What if you got hurt?"


    Li Xiaofei chuckled, "A warrior trains to gain enough strength to protect their home and country. If I turned a blind eye when our home is in danger, wouldn''t that make me no different from an animal?"


    His aunt sighed, "You always have so many principles."


    Li Xiaofei spoke earnestly, "I mean every word. This is also my goal in cultivating. A warrior must have a heart for the greater good and can''t be a selfish, self-centered person. If everyone only cares about their own little corner and ignores the troubles of others, our country is doomed, and humanity will eventually perish."


    His aunt reached out and gently stroked Li Xiaofei''s hair.


    This young man has a burning passion in his heart. He carries a spirit that can inspire countless others. Perhaps that is why he became the only respected leader in the slum in such a short time.


    His aunt thought of many things. She didn''t want to lecture Li Xiaofei. She only hoped that Li Xiaofei could keep his principles through the storms of the future. She hoped that no matter what he encountered, he would never regret it.


    After finishing his meal, Li Xiaofei went to bed. He undressed then lay down for a massage. After having expended a great deal of mental and physical energy in the city wall battle, Li Xiaofei fell asleep without realizing it. He didn''t know how much time had passed.


    Suddenly, the urgent ringing of his light core woke him up.


    "Hmm?"


    Li Xiaofei snapped awake. He turned his head to look, but his aunt was not in the room. The morning light streamed through the window, and it seemed like a nice day outside. He answered the call.


    "Hello, President Li. This is Wu Junzhuang. The commendation order and subsidies for assisting in the city defense last night have been approved by command. Congratulations... Additionally, there is a very important matter that needs to be discussed with you in person."

 Chapter 107: New Rhythm

    Chapter 107: New Rhythm "In person?" Li Xiaofei blinked, still groggy. "Right now?"


    Wu Junzhuang replied, "I''m already at the entrance of the slum."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    The efficiency of soldiers is truly remarkable.


    Moments later, Li Xiaofei met Wu Junzhuang, who had come in his military green open-top jeep. A military transport truck without license plates had parked behind him. The entire truckload of supplies was a reward for the Cloudy Sky Gang.


    After the formal acceptance ceremony, Chu Yuntian and his men opened the truck and were instantly rendered speechless with excitement. They were looking at one hundred complete sets of armor, helmets, and standard weapons. The same equipment they had used during the battle last night. This was worth a fortune.


    Military-grade equipment was undoubtedly top-notch quality. It was impossible to buy on the market. Even Li Xiaofei was surprised by the generosity of the military''s reward. What surprised him even more was that Wu Junzhuang''s entourage included a military interview team. Li Xiaofei learned that the Cloudy Sky Gang was the only civilian group to assist in the defense last night.


    The high-ranking officials in command wanted to use the Cloudy Sky Gang as a model for publicity. So, in addition to these supplies, they were also awarded a Military-Civilian Solidarity badge. The badge itself wasn''t worth much, but its significance was extraordinary.


    From now on, even the major gangs and powerful factions would have to think twice before messing with the Cloudy Sky Gang, considering the potential repercussions from the city wall garrison command.


    Reporters moved among the crowd, interviewing a dozen members of the Cloudy Sky Gang who had fought the previous night.


    Meanwhile, Wu Junzhuang pulled Li Xiaofei aside and said, "Brother, there''s something the chief insisted I discuss with you face to face."


    "What is it?" Li Xiaofei asked curiously.


    Why so secretive?


    Wu Junzhuang lowered his voice, "Last night, when you helped hold up Goddess Ye, what did you see?"


    Goddess Ye?


    Li Xiaofei was confused.


    Who?


    Wu Junzhuang leaned closer and whispered, "Last night, Goddess Ye personally took action to kill high-grade star beasts. She went five hundred miles into the wilderness and severely injured a Fifth Grade star beast, the Yinji Moon Fox, which was controlling the beast tide. When she returned and landed on the city wall, you helped her."


    Oh. So, it was the battle angel.


    Li Xiaofei suddenly understood.


    "I didn''t see much, just her face, and she seemed to be... " Li Xiaofei recalled.


    Wu Junzhuang quickly interrupted him, "Don''t say it. I don''t want to hear it. Brother, remember, no matter what you saw, you must never reveal it. Keep anything about Goddess Ye to yourself. It''s best to forget it entirely and never tell a third person, understand?"


    Li Xiaofei nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Got it. I''ll keep it to myself."


    Wu Junzhuang looked relieved. "Good. This is for your safety as well. Now, let''s get back to the others before they start getting suspicious."


    With that, they rejoined the group, both men aware of the secret they now shared.


    Li Xiaofei was puzzled.


    Was it really that secretive? I just saw her face and a bit of blood on the corner of her mouth. Wait, blood? Could it be that I''m not supposed to mention that the battle angel was injured?


    Suddenly, Li Xiaofei seemed to understand.


    Goddess Ye must be an extremely powerful figure in the base city and even possibly one of the few top-tier experts. If news of her injury got out, it would undoubtedly cause a massive uproar, leading to instability among both the military and civilians.


    Moreover... There was a Fifth Grade star beast outside the base city? This is a major event. A Fifth Grade star beast is equivalent to a Five Spirits Realm expert. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei had guessed that Liuhe Base City did not have any Five Spirits Realm experts stationed. Now it seemed he was wrong. Just how terrifying was a Five Spirits Realm expert? According to the textbooks, they could survive their hearts being shattered and their heads being popped off. It was said their blood never ceased flowing and they could regenerate from any wound.


    A full-strength strike could split mountains, shatter cities, sever rivers, and tear the sky. A single Five Spirits Realm expert could wipe out an entire star beast clan. They served as a deterrence equivalent to the nuclear bombs of five hundred years ago in the human world.


    Yet, Fifth Grade star beasts were even more terrifying than Five Spirits Realm experts. High-grade star beasts had a biological instinct to suppress low-grade star beasts, just like the severely injured Yinji Moon Fox from last night, who could control thousands of low-grade star beasts to form a beast tide and attack human base cities. Being targeted by a Fifth Grade star beast was definitely a major problem for a lower-tier city like Liuhe Base City.


    Wu Junzhuang quickly left with his team. After all, the interviews weren¡¯t live and would be edited later. Li Xiaofei saw them off at the entrance of the slum. When he turned around, he saw Chu Yuntian, Yang Cheng, Li Junjie, and hundreds of gang members looking at him with fiery eyes.


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback, "What''s going on?"


    "Boss, you''re amazing."


    "Truly prophetic."


    "No wonder you''re the boss, with such impeccable foresight and wisdom... "


    "You predicted last night that assisting on the city wall would bring such rewards."


    "Boss, you''re brilliant."


    The group showered him with fervent and sincere praise.


    Li Xiaofei waved his hand, "Alright, alright, stop with the flattery. It''s just that we were in the right place at the right time. Now, let''s focus on training and preparing for any future battles."


    His words brought a sense of resolve to the group, reinforcing their respect and admiration for their leader.


    "Uh... " Li Xiaofei rubbed his chin, not blushing or skipping a beat. "That''s right, I had this plan in mind last night."


    The gang members were even more impressed.


    Li Xiaofei continued, "You should all learn from this, everyone. Keep your eyes on the long term and have a sense of the bigger picture... Alright, meeting adjourned. The city is on lockdown for a few days, so we can''t go hunting. Use this time to cultivate well. I''m off to school."


    He rode off on his heavy modified motorcycle under the admiring gazes of his subordinates. Thanks to the recent economic improvements in the slum, he could afford to fuel up. Otherwise, Li Xiaofei wouldn''t be able to ride his motorcycle to and from school every day.


    ***


    In Red Flag High School.


    "Big brother, you''re finally here." As soon as Li Xiaofei arrived, Bai Longfei rushed up to him, "Something big happened, really big."


    Li Xiaofei parked his motorcycle in the shed and casually asked, "What happened? Did your 60-year-old girlfriend cheat on you?"


    "Ugh," Bai Longfei retorted, "She''s very good to me... I mean, you''re being cyberbullied."


    "Huh?" Li Xiaofei was confused, "Cyberbullied? What did I do to get cyberbullied? Who''s so bored?"


    Bai Longfei sent a link to his light core, "Check it out yourself... Someone is spreading bad things about you on the city''s major forums. Fang Buyi and I tried to explain, but it''s not working."


    Li Xiaofei took out his light core and clicked the link in the message. It led him directly to the leaderboard forum. Several posts insulting him immediately caught his eye.


    New generation green tea b*tch Li Xiaofei, sucking his teammates'' blood to climb up.


    Would you love such a Li Xiaofei, even with two consecutive MVPs?


    Why is he called Fist King? Because he''s truly a tyrant.


    Making teammates stepping stones to climb up, this is Li Xiaofei''s sinister intention.


    Each post had a high level of engagement.


    What''s going on now?

 Chapter 108: There’s Still Time Before You Regret

    Chapter 108: There¡¯s Still Time Before You Regret Li Xiaofei opened one post after another and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as he read through them.


    It turned out that a popular light core influencer called Proud Golden Eagle had made a detailed analysis video. He had professionally analyzed all the videos of the two rounds of Red Flag High School''s matches and came to a conclusion¡ª


    Li Xiaofei was a green tea bitch[1].


    The reason he appeared so outstanding was because he always relied on comparing himself to his teammates. Moreover, it was Li Xiaofei who made his teammates look weak and pathetic. He repeatedly watched his teammates embarrass themselves and then came up with seemingly miraculous interventions. He used his teammates'' weaknesses to highlight his own strength. So on the surface, he seemed very concerned about his teammates, but in reality, Fang Buyi, Liu Xiao, Ren Dong, and Bai Longfei were just tools Li Xiaofei used.


    The video was very professionally made. It took many clips out of context. It even included some biased comments from the commentators, edited into the video. Anyone who had not watched the two rounds of Red Flag High School''s matches in full would be completely brainwashed by this Proud Golden Eagle after watching the video.


    Li Xiaofei''s popularity on the internet was already very high the day before, but this had only helped the rapid spread of the Proud Golden Eagle video. Moreover, some internet trolls were adding fuel to the fire. As a result, major forums, websites, the Light Wave Weibo, Light Music, Quick Show, and other heavyweight media on the light-network world were flooded with posts condemning Li Xiaofei early in the morning.


    The expressions of Fang Buyi and the other three when they walked out of the light core cockpit after being brutally defeated in the first round by Longteng High School were taken out of context and used as evidence of Li Xiaofei''s exploitation. Although Fang Buyi, Bai Longfei, Ren Dong, and Liu Xiao all immediately came forward to refute the rumors, it had no effect. Their voices were completely ignored. There were hardly any reposts.


    On the contrary, quite a few IDs claiming to be students of Red Flag High School emerged and started to diss Li Xiaofei online.


    He really is a bully.


    A dog from the slums, bullying boys and girls in school, engaging in campus bullying.


    My name is Little Ming, a freshman at Red Flag High School. Because I''m handsome, one time in the restroom, this beast Li Xiaofei... To be honest, his technique is not bad.


    I sell stationery near Red Flag High School, affectionately called Stationery Goddess by the students. I was severely beaten because I rejected Li Xiaofei''s advances. There are pictures as proof.


    Can anyone save my sister? Someone saw her being followed by Li Xiaofei after school, and now she''s been missing for twenty-four hours. Someone saw her clothes in the slums!


    I testify that I saw him harassing the cafeteria ladies multiple times.


    He''s a sex maniac.


    The school team has changed. Sister Yan got injured, and Li Xiaofei became the team bully.


    He''s ostracizing Sister Yan Chiyu.


    Even the teachers dare not speak against him.


    These various posts were no longer just technical defamation. They were framing him.


    Bai Longfei watched Li Xiaofei''s expression carefully. He was really worried that Li Xiaofei might spit out blood and faint as he kept reading. But to his surprise, the president did not get angry. Instead, he looked as if he was reading a very entertaining story as he flipped through post after post.


    "My evaluation is that there''s nothing new here," said Li Xiaofei, closing the light core.


    "You''re not angry?" Bai Longfei asked in surprise.


    Li Xiaofei replied meaningfully, "You don''t understand."


    He already knew what was going on. When he saw the name Proud Golden Eagle, everything became clear. It was the Golden Eagle Guild! It must have been Zhao Bufan stirring up trouble behind the scenes.


    It is not surprising for a streaming guild to control internet trolls. But why did these fools think that such verbal attacks could threaten me?


    "Let''s go to class," Li Xiaofei said calmly.


    Bai Longfei looked confused, but he obediently followed Li Xiaofei.


    Information continued to ferment and spread as the morning passed. By noon, some so-called protesters even appeared at Red Flag High School¡¯s gates, holding banners and shouting slogans.


    "Li Xiaofei, come out and apologize."


    "Trash Li Xiaofei, get out of the War God League."


    "We boycott Li Xiaofei, cancel his student status."


    At least two to three hundred protesters were shouting so loudly that their voices were clear even in the school. There were also some reporters on the scene who were interviewing the protesters. The scene was quite lively. The students eating in the cafeteria were all disturbed. It was too much. The young students were so angry that their faces turned red.


    "Xiaofei, why don''t you go online and explain?" Fang Buyi couldn''t hold back anymore.


    "Y-y-yes, y-y-you shouldn''t let t-t-them s-slander you," Bai Qiqi stuttered even more when she was anxious.


    Li Xiaofei shook his head and said, "You all have spoken out, but did it work?"


    Bai Longfei slammed his palm on the table angrily, "Are we just supposed to endure this and let these idiots distort the truth?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Don''t worry, wait for the dust to settle a bit."


    As he was speaking, everyone suddenly heard a thunderous roar from the school gate.


    "What are you barking about?!" A mighty and robust security guard charged out of the security room at the gate.


    The protesters tried to argue back. But the security guard didn¡¯t hesitate to raise his titanium alloy baton and charge in. He started to deliver a fierce beating to everyone.


    Smack, smack, smack.


    A group of protesters were beaten until their heads were bleeding. A few burly men in the crowd tried to fight back, but they couldn¡¯t withstand even a single blow from Grandpa Qin Dewei''s baton. It didn¡¯t take him long to send the crowd fleeing. The reporters stared at him, dumbfounded.


    One brave reporter approached, "Grandpa, aren''t you afraid of breaking the law by being so harsh?"


    Grandpa Qin righteously replied, "These scumbags came to a school and started disrupting our school''s peace. Beating them is the least they deserve... And you, as a reporter, instead of focusing on real news, you''re stirring up trouble here. Do you believe I''ll beat you too?"


    The reporters quickly fled too, and the cafeteria erupted in cheers. The students of Red Flag High School felt proud to have such a formidable security guard. Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but admire Grandpa Qin.


    This old man is truly reliable and ready to act when needed.


    After lunch, Principal Chen Fei called Li Xiaofei to his office to comfort him and urge him to focus on his studies and cultivation. He assured Li Xiaofei that he would find a way to handle the online issues.


    In the afternoon, Li Xiaofei continued to participate in the team¡¯s joint training as if nothing had happened. He then spent time in the light core virtual world hunting star beasts, continuously leveling up.


    Principal Chen Fei was absent from the school for the entire afternoon. Near the end of the school day, he returned, visibly angry.


    "Don''t worry, I''ll get this matter resolved." He reassured Li Xiaofei once again. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It seemed that Chen Fei¡¯s efforts to resolve the issue during the afternoon had been unsuccessful.


    "Thank you, Principal," Li Xiaofei respectfully said before riding his modified motorcycle home.


    However, several cars blocked his way as soon as he exited the school gate. The window of the lead luxury MPV rolled down slowly. Zhao Bufan, the founder of the Golden Eagle Guild, was lounging inside on an aviation seat. He had a cigar in his mouth and looked at Li Xiaofei with a smug expression.


    "How does it feel to be cyber-bullied, kid? Now you understand my abilities, don''t you?" Zhao Bufan sneered, "It''s not too late to regret it now."


    1. An internet slang used to describe a young woman that likes to dress and act in a certain fashion in order to portray herself as pure and innocent. ?

 Chapter 109: It Is Your Responsibility

    Chapter 109: It Is Your Responsibility "And what ability is that?" Li Xiaofei asked indifferently.


    Zhao Bufan chuckled, "Don''t be stubborn. You''ve already become infamous. Have you seen the people who can''t wait to tear you apart online? They will only grow in number if this keeps going. When this situation is completely solidified, you''ll be pointed at wherever you go."


    "So what?" Li Xiaofei replied, "If you think such childish online bullying can pressure me, you should quickly make an appointment with a neurologist. If even the doctor can''t help, then have your mother send you back for another appointment."


    "You... " Zhao Bufan was infuriated.


    He thought that he had escalated the situation enough that even if Li Xiaofei didn''t submit, he would have to grudgingly beg for mercy. He hadn''t expected this slum-born mutt to have such a tough spine.


    "Haha, kid, you''ve got guts," Zhao Bufan sneered. "Haven''t you noticed that no brands have approached you for endorsements, and no guilds have offered you a contract?"


    "So what?" Li Xiaofei responded impatiently.


    Zhao Bufan exhaled a puff of cigar smoke and said viciously, "Let me be clear, no one but my Golden Eagle Guild will dare to sign you. If you want to make money, you''ll have to kneel and obey me."


    Li Xiaofei coldly laughed, "You, with your bloated head and intestines, only know money, money, money. Money is just an external thing to me. Why would I need so much of it? I should thank you for blocking those petty merchants from me. Keep it up."


    Zhao Bufan was stunned.


    Don¡¯t care about money? Oh, right. According to my information, this little brat is a martial arts fanatic. Maybe he really doesn¡¯t care about money and only about cultivation.


    "A good dog doesn''t block the way." Li Xiaofei revved the motorcycle¡¯s engine. "Move aside."


    Zhao Bufan was furious for a moment, but then smiled insidiously.


    "Heh, don''t think I don''t know what you care about. You have a little sister named Little Jie, who goes to Red Flag Middle School. If she were to have a little accident, I think you''d be very anxious, wouldn''t you? Then, would you still not need money?"


    Li Xiaofei''s head snapped up, and his eyes sharpened as they pierced through Zhao Bufan.


    "If my sister so much as gets a scratch, I will make you regret ever being born." Li Xiaofei said each word slowly and deliberately.


    In his mind, Li Xiaofei was already thinking about how to deal with Zhao without breaking the law. He could disregard the low-level tactics of being slandered on the internet. But targeting his family was a declaration of a life-or-death struggle.


    Zhao Bufan was momentarily paralyzed by Li Xiaofei''s beast-like gaze. He didn''t dare to say another word until Li Xiaofei rode away on his motorcycle.


    A seasoned thug, who was used to operating on both sides of the law, was actually intimidated by a teenager who hadn''t even stepped into society yet. How humiliating.


    "Damn it... " Zhao Bufan cursed, smashing his cigar onto the ground. "Find me a few reliable guys. Stick to the old plan and put that brat''s sister in the hospital... I want to see him kneel and beg me for a contract."


    He was determined.


    ***


    On his way back, Li Xiaofei pulled over to the side of the road and called Yang Cheng.


    "Two things. First, investigate the Golden Eagle Guild and see if there''s any way to take down their president, Zhao Bufan. Second, select a few skilled and sharp brothers to secretly protect Little Jie to and from school."


    Anyone who dared to threaten his family had to be prepared for the consequences. In this regard, Li Xiaofei would never show mercy.


    Suddenly, a call request popped up on his light core. It was from an unknown number. Li Xiaofei frowned and answered the call.


    "We agreed to be friends, yet it''s been a whole week and you haven''t contacted me once. Hmph." A sweet and enthusiastic female voice came through the line.


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily taken aback but quickly recognized the voice of Tan Qingying, the daughter of the city leader.


    He smiled and said, "Oh, it''s Qingying. I''ve been so busy this week with cultivation, joint training, extra classes, and a bunch of family stuff... "


    "Hmph, men are all the same," Tan Qingying pouted, but her tone immediately turned warm again, "Half an hour, at the usual place. Don''t be late."


    She hung up.


    The usual place?


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment, then turned his motorcycle around and headed toward Uncle Chen''s Offal Shop. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ***


    Li Xiaofei spotted Tan Qingying''s distinctive death-metal motorcycle at the entrance of the alley. He parked his modified bike next to it, locked it, and walked into the alley. Soon, he reached the entrance of Uncle Chen''s Offal Shop.


    "Hey, young man, come on in. Little Ying has already ordered and is waiting for you," Uncle Chen greeted Li Xiaofei warmly.


    Li Xiaofei smiled in reply and walked deeper into the shop, where he indeed saw Tan Qingying sitting at their usual spot. She was already eating.


    He sat down across from her and teased, "You went and reincarnated as a hungry ghost, huh? What, you couldn''t wait for me?"


    Tan Qingying rolled her eyes at him, "The last time we ate together, I didn''t get enough. I couldn''t keep up with you."


    Li Xiaofei unhesitatingly picked up his chopsticks and joined in, "If you''re still hungry, just order more."


    "No, it''s better to eat until you''re satisfied in one go. Next time, it won''t taste as good," Tan Qingying replied.


    Li Xiaofei nodded, "Makes sense."


    Then he started eating with lightning speed.


    "Ah... " Tan Qingying screamed, "You took food from my bowl again!"


    The atmosphere in the shop immediately became lively as they started bickering playfully. Many regular customers watched the two with kind smiles on their faces. It was like they were watching their own grandchildren.


    The incident from last time had already spread throughout the area. Many people were curiously friendly towards Li Xiaofei. The troublemaker Tao and his gang, along with the notorious Xuanshan Dojo, had been taken down the day after they offended this young man.


    It was a great thing for them, since the neighborhood¡¯s security had improved significantly. The troublemaking drifters were nowhere to be seen. Walking at night had become safe again. Many people felt that Li Xiaofei had been the catalyst for such positive change. So they were not afraid when they saw Li Xiaofei and Tan Qingying in the shop. When they watched him, they felt that the young man was indeed as rumored¡ªeasygoing and lively, without any pretense.


    The people living in this area were mostly elderly factory workers. They didn''t pay much attention to online matters and thus had no idea that this young man in front of them was the infamous Red Flag bully being vilified online.


    "By the way, congratulations on winning MVP again in the second round of the league," Tan Qingying said, finishing her bowl of stew, her lips glistening with oil.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "I''m being trashed by internet trolls, so there''s not much to celebrate."


    Tan Qingying said, "I believe in you. You''re not that kind of person."


    A warmth surged in Li Xiaofei''s heart.


    "Your belief doesn''t really matter, and I don''t want to say thank you," Li Xiaofei said righteously. "It''s what you should do as a friend."


    "Annoying," Tan Qingying laughed, her eyes narrowing into crescents. She lightly bit the end of her chopstick and tentatively asked, "Do you have time this evening?"


    Feigning surprise, Li Xiaofei said, "What... I see you as a friend, and you have ulterior motives?"


    Tan Qingying couldn''t stop laughing. "You''re dreaming... There''s a dinner party later. Can you accompany me?"


    "Sure," Li Xiaofei agreed without hesitation.


    Tan Qingying was surprised, "Aren''t you going to ask what kind of dinner party it is?"

 Chapter 110: Freeloader

    Chapter 110: Freeloader "You invited me, so I definitely had to accompany you," Li Xiaofei said with a smile. "Why ask so many questions? Could I possibly refuse my own friend?"


    Tan Qingying''s eyes seemed to sparkle with light as she smiled. "Let''s go, we''ll set off now. First, let''s change clothes."


    She grabbed Li Xiaofei''s hand and started to walk to the door. Li Xiaofei did not resist. Meanwhile, Uncle Chen watched them leave with a cheerful smile.


    At the entrance of the alley, Tan Qingying saw Li Xiaofei¡¯s motorcycle parked next to her death metal motorcycle. She turned to Li Xiaofei and asked, "Is this yours?"


    "Yes, it''s a random modification," Li Xiaofei said as he was about to get on.


    Tan Qingying stopped him and tossed her motorcycle key to Li Xiaofei. "Ride mine. It''s faster."


    Li Xiaofei did not refuse. Compared to the perfectly modified bike of the city leader''s daughter, his bike, which he had taken from the Blackblood Gang, was nothing more than a little donkey. Which man wouldn''t want to ride something better?


    The engine roared. Tan Qingying jumped on and instinctively wrapped her arms around Li Xiaofei''s waist. This time, neither of them wore helmets. The girl''s black shoulder-length hair fluttered in the wind as they rode through the streets.


    She directed him into the center of the base city. It was Li Xiaofei''s second time heading so deep into the base city. The first time, Chen Fei had taken him to meet the city leader, Tan Zhenwei. But they had gone directly to the government office. This time, they were now in the most prosperous commercial district of the base city.


    The area was brightly lit, and the streets were wide. Green plants, rare in the slums and shantytowns, were everywhere here. Neon lights, various 3D advertisements, extravagant statues, and patrolling single hovercrafts made the place seem like a future world.


    Wait, am I in a futuristic world now?


    Li Xiaofei was directed to the underground parking lot of Starry Sky Tower. Tan Qingying''s motorcycle had evidently been registered, since security smoothly pointed them toward slot 029 as their parking spot.


    "Let''s buy some clothes first," Tan Qingying said. "The first five floors of this building are a shopping mall. Let me show you around."


    Five hundred years ago, Li Xiaofei had been to large shopping malls like Vanda and Outtime. He thought he had seen it all. But those were worlds apart in comparison to this building. The lighting, the ambiance, the flooring, and the decorations all had a super-modern futuristic feel.


    "I didn''t expect to find such a place in the base city," Li Xiaofei marveled.


    When they reached a bank of elevators, Tan Qingying swiped her card and entered the elevator.


    "This is a property of the Star Council," she explained softly, holding Li Xiaofei''s arm. "It''s the most prosperous place in the entire base city. Every business that operates here is either a domestic or international brand with a market value of over a billion or has a special background."


    Li Xiaofei listened thoughtfully.


    He originally thought that humans could only trade and communicate through the online light-network in this era of rampant star beasts. After all, the wilderness beyond the base cities was full of dangers. But he didn''t expect that multinational companies would still open branches around the world. It seemed that the world was even more amazing than he had imagined.


    "Above the fifth floor is the Starry Sky Hotel," Tan Qingying said, leaning close to Li Xiaofei''s ear, her breath soft and fragrant. "Remember, you can offend anyone, but never offend people from the Starry Sky Hotel."


    "Why, what''s their background?" Li Xiaofei asked curiously.


    Tan Qingying explained, "The Starry Sky Tower is a property of the Star Council, and the Starry Sky Hotel has an even higher status. On the surface, it''s just a hotel, but in reality, it''s the Star Council''s branch in Liuhe Base City. The hotel manager has another role."


    "What role?"


    "The Star Council''s inspector stationed in the base city."


    "Wow."


    "Surprising, isn''t it?"


    "Very surprising."


    Ding!


    As they were talking, the elevator stopped on the second floor.


    "Let''s go, I''ll help you pick out some clothes first," Tan Qingying said, clearly familiar with the place. She grabbed Li Xiaofei''s hand and briskly led him to a store called Louis Vingt.


    Two beautiful women dressed in professional suits stood at the entrance. When they saw Tan Qingying from afar, they said something into their earpieces. As soon as the pair reached the entrance, a beautiful woman who looked around thirty years old greeted them with a warm smile.


    "Good evening, Miss Tan." The store manager said enthusiastically. "VIP fitting room number one is ready for your use. Please follow me."


    "Thank you," Tan Qingying responded politely.


    She turned to Li Xiaofei, "Louis Vingt is an internationally renowned brand and most famous for its formal wear. Many of the season''s new styles are always in high demand."


    The beautiful store manager subtly assessed Li Xiaofei. She was well-acquainted with people of Tan Qingying''s status. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have rushed out to greet them when she was notified of their arrival.


    However, she couldn''t quite place Li Xiaofei''s identity. The young man was wearing an ordinary school uniform made of rather humble material. In any other context, the store manager wouldn''t have given him a second glance. He had no place being within a hundred meters of Louis Vingt''s entrance. But now, this plainly dressed boy was being closely held by the city leader''s daughter.


    The store manager struggled to decipher the relationship between the two.


    Relatives? No. Relatives of the Tan family are either wealthy or noble. Boyfriend and girlfriend? That didn''t seem right either. Given the Tan family''s status, they won''t likely allow their daughter to date a commoner. Unless this young man has some extraordinary qualities.


    As the store manager''s mind raced, she suddenly heard the boy say calmly, "I don''t really like foreign brands."


    The store manager was taken aback.


    Tan Qingying was also slightly stunned and said, "The formal wear here really has a unique style."


    Li Xiaofei glanced around and said, "Is there no store in this mall that sells our own Great Xia brands?"


    "There should be," Tan Qingying thought for a moment and replied.


    Li Xiaofei said, "Then let''s go have a look."


    Tan Qingying laughed, "Alright, alright. Since we''re buying clothes for you, you should like them... But let me make it clear, I''m buying tonight, so you better not fight to pay."


    "Alright, it''s up to you," Li Xiaofei replied, seemingly agreeing reluctantly .


    The store manager stood there, stunned. Miss Tan¡¯s temper was famous. She was known for her nonconformity, and even the city leader couldn''t do much about her. Yet today, she was being completely accommodating to this plainly dressed boy.


    What was even stranger was that this boy seemed to be taking advantage of her kindness. Taking advantage of the city leader''s daughter? If this got out, it would be big news.


    For a moment, the store manager considered secretly photographing the scene and leaking it to the media. But her professional integrity and respect for the city leader''s family quickly extinguished that thought.


    "Miss Tan, please take care. We look forward to your next visit," the store manager said professionally as she saw them off.


    Just then, a harsh, mocking voice came from the side. "Ha, this is interesting. A freeloading pretty boy actually dares to look down on the internationally renowned brand Louis Vingt. This is hilarious." S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 111: Male Beauty

    Chapter 111: Male Beauty That remark nearly scared the soul out of the beautiful store manager.


    Who would dare to mock the city leader''s daughter so boldly?


    When the store manager turned, she saw a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair walking over arm in arm with a stunning young woman. The person who spoke was the beautiful young woman.


    The store manager didn''t recognize her, but she was very familiar with the slicked-back middle-aged man, Zhao Bufan. He was a nouveau riche who had been a frequent and lavish spender in the store over the past year, a gold card customer.


    "Mr. Zhao." The store manager quickly greeted him, subtly signaling with her eyes to be cautious.


    However, Zhao Bufan''s attention was entirely on Li Xiaofei and he ignored the store manager''s warning.


    "No wonder you keep saying you''re not short of money. So, this is where your funds come from," he sneered. "You really have some guts."


    Only the wealthy and noble could be present in the Starry Sky Tower. Normally, Zhao Bufan wouldn''t be so foolish as to make enemies in such a setting without reason. But this time, Zhao Bufan couldn''t hold back.


    He was still fuming from encountering Li Xiaofei''s attitude once, and it had been gnawing at him since then. Moreover, Tan Qingying didn''t appear to be from an elite family; her attire was quite ordinary. He assumed that her presence at the Starry Sky Tower was likely her limit.


    He figured she was just a girl from a slightly better-off family, bringing her kept boy toy here to show off. But the girl was indeed quite a catch, since she looked both pure and beautiful.


    If he could get her...


    Zhao Bufan''s mind began to churn with possibilities. Tan Qingying looked down at Zhao Bufan with a condescending gaze and was about to speak.


    "Let''s go," Li Xiaofei said, pulling her hand. "Don''t pay attention to this mad dog."


    The two of them turned and walked away.


    "Hehe..." Zhao Bufan smirked sinisterly.


    He turned to the store manager and asked, "Manager Qin, who was that girl? Do you know her?"


    The store manager replied apologetically, "I''m sorry, but I can''t disclose our customers'' privacy."


    She didn''t say another word.


    Zhao Bufan walked into the store with the beautiful young woman in his arms, "Baby, pick whatever you like. Anything that catches your eye is yours... As long as you behave, you''ll be the top star of the guild, with all the resources you want."


    The beautiful young woman immediately cooed, "Thank you, darling."


    She asked curiously, "Do you know that guy from earlier?"


    Zhao Bufan sneered, "Just an ungrateful little commoner. I''ll take my time to teach him a lesson and let him know which kind of people he shouldn''t mess with."


    The beautiful young woman laughed mockingly, "Is a small fry like that worth getting angry over, Mr. Zhao?"


    Zhao Bufan chuckled, "Let''s not talk about him. The upcoming party has very high standards. I heard even Inspector Li from the Star Council will attend. Pick the most beautiful dress and make a good impression. This is your best chance to step into the upper echelons."


    "Don''t worry," the beautiful young woman said confidently.


    As a recently popular beauty streamer, she was a genuine natural beauty with no high-tech enhancements. Her immense popularity online was her asset. Her absolute charm and beauty were her unassailable capital. Most importantly, she wasn''t just a pretty face.


    She had a cultivation at the ninth stage of the Qi Refining Realm and a past as a star player in the War God League. She had everything needed to stand out among the many socialites. In fact, she had been preparing for this opportunity for a long time.


    ***


    "Hmm? This store looks nice," Li Xiaofei remarked, stopping in front of a store named Xiesheng, which specialized in ancient-style clothing.


    They could see the garments inside through the glass window. They had both formal and casual wear, but most of the clothing had an ancient aesthetic. The styles had an ancient charm but were accentuated with modern elements. The materials seemed to be primarily handcrafted fabrics made from special silk threads.


    At first glance, they looked unremarkable. However, upon closer inspection, one could appreciate the distinct style and thoughtful design elements, such as the patterns of mythical beasts from mountains and seas, fish-scale leather textures, and subtle floating designs.


    The clothing had a clear and unique style. They were imbued with an ancient charm yet were unmistakably modern. They were like black pearls hidden among a pile of white pearls, their understated luxury revealing itself only upon careful observation.


    For someone like Li Xiaofei, who had a fondness for martial arts aesthetics, this type of clothing was an instant hit. Perhaps due to its stark contrast with the overall atmosphere of the mall, the store Xiesheng was quite deserted. There weren''t even any staff members at the entrance to greet customers.


    "Huh? It seems to be new. This store wasn''t around the last time I was here," Tan Qingying commented, surprised.


    "Let''s go in and take a look," Li Xiaofei said without hesitation as he walked into the store.


    "Woof, welcome!" A robotic dog greeted them. This startled the young female store owner, who had been sitting gloomily behind the design desk.


    "Oh, customers... Welcome, a warm welcome. If you like any item, you can go to the fitting room and try it on based on the label number," she said.


    The store owner was very young, with messy long hair and thick, black-framed glasses. Her slender body was clad in oversized work clothes, giving her a somewhat shabby and stiff appearance.


    "Don''t you have a light core fitting room?" Tan Qingying asked.


    "We can''t afford it... Ah, I mean, our Xiesheng brand focuses more on the customer''s experience, so we only offer physical fitting rooms. This way, you can truly appreciate the advantages of our products... Yes, that''s right, that''s what Sister Xue''s advertisement says," The young owner stumbled through her answer.


    Li Xiaofei and Tan Qingying exchanged glances. The store owner seemed a bit simple-minded, but in an endearing way.


    Li Xiaofei scanned the store and picked out a pure black suit. It looked like a Zhongshan suit, but the details and design were more lively than the traditional Zhongshan suit from five hundred years ago. The simplified dragon patterns on the collar and cuffs made the suit more suitable for young people.


    When Li Xiaofei tried it on, he immediately liked it.


    "This is it," Li Xiaofei decided. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The suit was comfortable, breathable, and felt great to wear. He walked out of the fitting room wearing the black outfit named Noble Gentleman.


    Tan Qingying''s beautiful eyes lit up instantly. She couldn¡¯t take her eyes off Li Xiaofei. He looked incredibly handsome, exuding a masculine and heroic charm. As a top-tier official''s daughter, Tan Qingying had seen many outstanding young men at family events, even though she didn''t enjoy socializing. Yet none of them matched the charisma and handsomeness of the boy before her.


    This elegance was different from the youthful energy he had in his school uniform. It was full of aggressiveness and allure, two entirely different vibes, yet both captivating to both men and women.


    "Wow..." The shabby female store owner, with her black-rimmed glasses, was also stunned.


    For the first time, she realized that male beauty truly existed in this world. She also realized that someone could fully bring out the features of her meticulously designed Noble Gentleman suit.

 Chapter 112: I Have A Good Idea

    Chapter 112: I Have A Good Idea Li Xiaofei looked at himself in the mirror and felt very satisfied.


    I look fantastic in this suit. It could definitely make that narcissist Bai Longfei kneel and sing in submission.


    He turned to Tan Qingying and asked, "I''ll take this one. What about you? Do you want to pick something from this store? They have women''s styles too."


    "We''re going to a dinner party," Tan Qingying said, rubbing her forehead. But then she suddenly brightened. "But who says you can''t wear ancient-style fashion to a dinner party? Haha, this is interesting. I''ll pick one too."


    She quickly selected a short, cream-colored qipao and headed to the fitting room.


    A few minutes later, Tan Qingying emerged wearing the qipao. Li Xiaofei was instantly stunned.


    Wow.


    She was breathtakingly beautiful. This was the epitome of looking both elegant and alluring. The cream-colored, leather-like fabric hugged her figure perfectly. Her moderate but well-proportioned bust, slender waist, and slightly rounded hips created an exquisite silhouette. The qipao''s hemline, which just covered her knees, revealed her shapely thighs and exposed two smooth, porcelain-like calves.


    The tender buds of youth had just begun to show. This kind of budding, youthful allure was the most fatal temptation for a man. She was like a budding flower adorned with crystal-clear dew as she stood there with a sweet smile on her face. Just one look was enough to make someone fall for her.


    When she saw the stunned and amazed expression on Li Xiaofei''s face, Tan Qingying smiled with satisfaction.


    Hmph. I can''t let you be the only one looking stunning. It''s only fair if we both impress each other.


    She didn''t know why, but somehow, she cared very much about Li Xiaofei''s reaction. The bespectacled female store owner couldn''t take her eyes off the young girl in front of her.


    "This... this Green Lotus outfit suits you perfectly." She adjusted her glasses excitedly. "It''s perfect, absolutely perfect. Miss, this Green Lotus outfit on you far exceeds my initial design expectations."


    Surprised, Li Xiaofei asked, "Did you design and make both of these outfits?"


    The bespectacled owner shyly smiled and said with a hint of pride. "Not just these two. The Noble Gentleman series you''re wearing, and all the clothes and accessories in this store, were designed and crafted by me."


    "Impressive," Li Xiaofei said sincerely. "This is the first time I''ve seen someone blend Great Xia''s ancient style with modern fashion so brilliantly."


    Of course, Li Xiaofei had not been in this world for long and hadn''t seen much of the world yet. But being praised like this instantly made the bespectacled store owner have a much higher opinion of him.


    "I never thought someone could perfectly showcase the essence of the two series I poured my heart into... This is wonderful. I... I can give you a discount," The store owner felt like she had met a kindred spirit.


    Tan Qingying waved her hand generously and said, "No need. Your business here is so slow, and the rent at the Starry Sky Mall is expensive. If you give discounts, your store won''t last long."


    The city leader''s daughter spoke with straightforward generosity.


    "Earning less is fine," the bespectacled owner said, displaying the same magnanimous attitude. "I once swore that if someone could fully showcase the essence of my designs, I would give the clothes away for free if necessary."


    Wow.


    Li Xiaofei was also taken aback.


    Is this what they call being suffocated by dreams?


    He recognized this scenario. In many novels, the protagonist goes to a weapon shop, identifies the origin and heritage of the shop''s treasure, and the owner, impressed, offers it for free... Everyone ends up happy.


    "No, that''s not acceptable," Li Xiaofei refused immediately.


    He felt too guilty to take advantage of the owner of this struggling little store.


    "Beautiful things must have value," Li Xiaofei said sincerely. "We are willing to pay for the value of these two outfits."


    The store owner was stunned. It was the first time she had heard such a statement.


    "Do you really think... these two outfits are good?" The bespectacled store owner asked excitedly. "Don''t you think they don''t fit in with this mall?"


    Li Xiaofei shook his head, "Great Xia''s style is the coolest."


    The store owner was taken aback once again. When she thought back over the last few days, the customers she had seen always arrogantly critiqued her designs, even if they liked something, in order to demand a discount.


    The past few days of running the store had been very discouraging for her. If it weren''t for her deep love for traditional Great Xia fashion, her vow to create her own brand of ancient-style clothing, and a bet with her mother... She had almost considered giving up.


    But now, at her most confused and messy moment, a perfect young man, who seemed born to wear her designs, appeared and spoke words that, although crude, deeply resonated with her core beliefs.


    For a moment, she felt a mix of emotions. She even felt like crying.


    "No, I''m not selling them. These two outfits, I will give them to you." The store owner said, rubbing her moist eyes. "Their greatest value is in finding someone who appreciates them and can bring out their best."


    "Ah, this..." Li Xiaofei waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "No, no, a gentleman doesn''t take what others cherish. We must pay."


    He could see that the store owner was in a difficult situation. So he insisted on paying, but the bespectacled owner kept declining. Tan Qingying watched from the side, amused.


    How interesting.


    This was the first time she had encountered such an amusing situation. She realized that as long as she was with Li Xiaofei, she always encountered many unexpected things. Just as the two continued to insist, another voice came from the nearby resting area.


    "Are you two going to attend tonight''s Starry Sky Gala?"


    The voice was clearly female and slightly cool. It seemed like a breeze from an absolute icy plateau, instantly giving a bone-chilling sensation.


    Li Xiaofei and Tan Qingying looked surprised. They had been in the store for quite some time and hadn''t noticed a fourth person.


    "Ah, that''s my sister," the bespectacled store owner quickly explained. "She''s on vacation today, so she came to my store to have a look. Please don''t mind her; my sister doesn''t like meeting strangers, so she''s been reading in the resting area."


    Li Xiaofei nodded and looked towards the resting area, openly admitting, "Indeed, we are attending the gala, but I''m just going to make up the numbers, not as an official guest... " S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Who says that? I invited you, so you''re an official guest, and an important one at that," Tan Qingying interrupted.


    "In that case, I have an idea. Would Li Xiaofei be interested?" The cold voice, as piercing as an icy north wind, floated over.


    "Oh? You know me?" asked Li Xiaofei, surprised.


    "Hehe, the best student in two consecutive rounds of the High School War God League, the league''s newest and strongest dark horse, and the most popular high school student in recent times... Knowing you isn''t that strange, is it?" The voice replied calmly.


    "Hehe, my reputation isn''t very good right now," Li Xiaofei laughed self-deprecatingly. "What idea do you have? Let''s hear it."

 Chapter 113: Your Intentions

    Chapter 113: Your Intentions "Little Zhi''s brand still lacks an ambassador." The voice from the resting area continued. "If Li Xiaofei doesn''t mind, he can sign an endorsement contract with Little Zhi to become the spokesperson for the Xiesheng brand. These two outfits, Noble Gentleman and Green Lotus, can be part of the signing bonus and given to you both to wear at tonight''s gala. What do you think?"


    An endorsement contract?


    Li Xiaofei was intrigued.


    The bespectacled store owner immediately clapped her hands in delight, "Great, great, that''s wonderful... "


    She genuinely hoped Li Xiaofei would become the brand''s ambassador. His personal style and temperament were perfect for Xiesheng.


    Li Xiaofei looked at Tan Qingying.


    She crossed her arms and smiled, "It''s your decision. Supporting something you like, why not?"


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment before turning to the bespectacled store owner, "It''s an honor to represent Xiesheng. I really do love this Great Xia ancient style. But there''s one thing you might not know. I''m from the slum and a member of a slum gang. Having me as a spokesperson might attract criticism and risk."


    "It doesn¡¯t matter." The cold voice from the resting area replied confidently. "Little Zhi can handle that level of risk."


    Her words carried a strong sense of assurance. Li Xiaofei was surprised but then realized anyone who could open a store in the Starry Sky Tower must have some backing.


    "In that case, I have no objections." S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He agreed. The process of negotiating the endorsement contract was quick because both he and the bespectacled store owner were quite inexperienced.


    The endorsement fee was 100,000 star coins per year. Additionally, he could try on new releases from the store before anyone else. What Li Xiaofei needed to do was simply wear Xiesheng brand clothes at various award ceremonies and major competitions.


    After signing the contract, Li Xiaofei and Tan Qingying left the store wearing their new outfits.


    "Originally, I was going to buy you clothes, but now it seems I''ve ended up getting one for free because of you," Tan Qingying said, slightly troubled. As they walked, she continued, "No way, this makes me look unreliable. Next, when we buy shoes and accessories, I''ll pay for everything. You better not fight me for it."


    "Don''t worry, I won''t fight you," Li Xiaofei said. "I''m a poor guy."


    The handsome young man and beautiful girl laughed and chatted as they disappeared around the corner outside the store.


    The bespectacled store owner stood at the door and watched them leave, unable to control the smile on her face. After a while, she excitedly clenched her fist and pumped it in the air before turning back into the store.


    "Sis, why didn''t you invite that girl to be our brand ambassador too?" she asked curiously.


    The voice from the resting area, now much softer, replied, "Because you can''t afford her."


    "Ah?" The bespectacled store owner was very surprised. "Is she... very expensive?"


    "Incredibly so," The voice from the resting area seemed to carry a faint hint of laughter. "However, her value doesn''t lie in money, but in power."


    "Power?" The bespectacled store owner began to understand, curiosity piqued. "Who is she, exactly?"


    "The city leader''s daughter, Tan Qingying," the woman in the resting area replied.


    "What?!" The bespectacled store owner exclaimed in shock. "Isn''t she the one who''s said to be very rebellious, loves dyeing her hair, and often hangs out with a group of delinquents and loafs around?"


    As a member of the city''s second-generation circle, she had heard plenty of rumors.


    "That was in the past." The woman in the resting area said. "Recently, she turned over a new leaf."


    "Really?" The bespectacled store owner was even more astonished.


    Rumor had it that the city leader had tried countless methods to reform his rebellious daughter, even graying several strands of his hair in the process, all to no avail.


    "Otherwise, why do you think City Leader Tan would allow her to be with Li Xiaofei?" The woman in the resting area remarked.


    The bespectacled store owner was taken aback. Then, a realization dawned on her, and she exclaimed in disbelief, "Are you saying that Tan Qingying turned over a new leaf because of Li Xiaofei?"


    The woman in the resting area did not respond. The bespectacled store owner still found it hard to believe.


    What kind of charm did Li Xiaofei possess that could make a rebellious girl, whom even her city leader father couldn''t control, suddenly change her ways? No. It should be called magic.


    She reflected on her brief interactions with Li Xiaofei. A shiver ran down her spine. Indeed, this young man had made a good impression with just a few words. But this ability, in her view, stemmed more from his sincerity.


    It came from his unashamed and unabashed acknowledgment of his slum origins, from the smile on his face when he spoke, from his pride in his Great Xia heritage, and from the unintentional yet powerful confidence he exuded.


    The saying goes that one becomes red near vermilion and black near ink. Perhaps Li Xiaofei touched the city leader''s daughter with his sincerity? Or maybe there were other unknown reasons?


    As she pondered this, her curiosity about the young man grew. She removed her thick black-framed glasses and rubbed her cheeks. Her previously hidden beauty suddenly emerged, and the store seemed to brighten considerably.


    ***


    The banquet was held in the vast rooftop garden of the Starry Sky Hotel, which had the best view in Liuhe Base City. One could see the entire city from this high vantage point. It also had a gentle night breeze blowing.


    When Li Xiaofei and Tan Qingying arrived, the banquet had not yet started, and a lively warm-up cocktail party was in progress. They found a corner booth on the periphery and sat down to chat.


    "Today''s banquet is a charity auction organized by the Ye family, one of the five major families," Tan Qingying whispered into Li Xiaofei''s ear. "It''s rumored that Mr. Li Zhoumin, the inspector from the Star Council, will also attend. He is known for mentoring young talents. That''s why outstanding young members of the five major families and star students from prestigious schools have flocked here, hoping to win his favor."


    Inspector Li Zhoumin?


    Li Xiaofei had heard of this person. Li Zhoumin was considered a distinguished figure in Liuhe Base City. Although he did not directly participate in the city''s management, he held a special position. He was a special envoy level figure. Even the city leader and the military commander had to treat him with respect.


    The inspector represented the highest global authority, the Star Council. Sometimes, an inspector''s report could lead to a change in the city''s leadership. It was said that the five major families of Liuhe Base City were desperately trying to curry favor with Inspector Li in order to get top-tier cultivation resources and opportunities.


    "However, gaining Inspector Li''s favor is no easy task," Tan Qingying said with a hint of helplessness. "I''ve long given up trying to impress him, but my father insisted that I attend. So here I am, reluctantly showing my face."


    "I feel like you''re showing off," Li Xiaofei bluntly pointed out. "Others would do anything to get an invitation to this banquet, and you got it effortlessly yet didn''t want to come. Truly, the wicked privilege of being a top official''s daughter."


    Tan Qingying laughed heartily, her laughter like a blossoming flower. "You can see through me, but don''t say it out loud."


    Li Xiaofei appreciated her playful and open-minded personality.


    "Thank you," he said earnestly.


    "Hmm?" Tan Qingying looked at him with wide eyes.


    Li Xiaofei continued, "I understand your intentions."

 Chapter 114: Dont Say You Havent Been Forewarned

    Chapter 114: Don''t Say You Haven''t Been Forewarned "Mm-hmm?" Tan Qingying tilted her head cutely.


    "You didn''t want to attend the banquet but came because of me," Li Xiaofei said seriously. "You wanted me to be here to see if I could impress the inspector."


    Tan Qingying blinked and said, "You''re too smart for your own good. Hard to fool."


    Li Xiaofei laughed.


    "Oh, I see a few familiar faces." The city leader''s daughter stood up. She said quietly. "I''ll go say hello so that they don¡¯t bother us. I''ll be right back. Wait for me here."


    "Okay," Li Xiaofei nodded.


    Although he had never attended such an event before, he didn''t feel the slightest bit uneasy. After all, he was a man from five hundred years ago. In a sense, he could be considered everyone¡¯s ancestor. His experience spoke for itself. Besides, as the protagonist with hidden advantages, everyone else was a mere supporting character.


    He was completely at ease as he sat in the booth. The men and women who were meticulously dressed socialized effortlessly around him. It was clear that they were significant figures, even though Li Xiaofei didn''t recognize any of them. He casually took a glass of red wine from a waiter''s tray and sniffed it lightly.


    The familiar taste reminded Li Xiaofei of the 56.88 yuan Great Wall dry red wine from the RT-Mart five hundred years ago. However, in this era of scarce resources, what used to be affordable for the average person had now become a luxury item.


    Li Xiaofei downed the glass in one go. But then a mocking laugh rang out.


    "How disgraceful for a lowly country bumpkin. Such precious red wine, and you drink it like that? It''s like casting pearls before swine."


    It was the beautiful woman who had been with Zhao Bufan earlier. However, she was now accompanied by a wealthy young man in his early twenties. The beautiful woman was affectionately holding the young man''s arm, looking very much like a couple.


    Li Xiaofei frowned.


    How did I run into this person again?


    The young man glanced at Li Xiaofei, initially under the impression that this boy seemed quite distinguished and was possibly from some powerful family.


    But when he heard what the beautiful woman said, he grew curious, "Yunyun, do you know him?"


    The beautiful woman''s name was Yunyun. She covered her mouth and laughed lightly, "Young Master Ye, you may not know this, but this boy is a pauper who managed to make a name for himself in the last two rounds of the high school league. He¡¯s been kept by a rich second generation and somehow snuck into this high-class banquet."


    So, he is just a poor guy forcing his way into high society.


    The young man''s expression immediately turned arrogant. He unceremoniously said, "This place is not for you. I want this booth. Leave now."


    Li Xiaofei remained seated. Clearly he had no intention of giving up his seat.


    "Didn''t you hear Young Master Ye?" Yunyun sneered. "What are you still doing here? This isn''t a place for someone like you. Get out already."


    As a signed streamer for the Golden Eagle Guild, she still remembered Zhao Bufan''s words. She wasn¡¯t about to miss this opportunity to humiliate Li Xiaofei. She believed Zhao Bufan would be very pleased.


    "What right do you have to make me leave?" Li Xiaofei said calmly. "Are you the host here?"


    The young man laughed and pointed at his face, "Kid, remember this face. My name is Ye Chenglong, a prominent member of the Ye family. This banquet is hosted by my family. Do you think I have the authority to kick out a lowly interloper like you?"


    Li Xiaofei responded mockingly, "It seems you don''t."


    "Pauper, stop being stubborn. If you offend Young Master Ye, you''ll never recover," Yunyun sneered.


    Li Xiaofei nonchalantly scratched his ear, "Where did this wild chicken come from? You''re so noisy." Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You... " Yunyun''s face turned pale with anger. This guy''s words were too sharp.


    Ye Chenglong was starting to get angry. If it were any other place, he would have acted by now. There was no way he would waste words with a pauper. But this was the Starry Sky Hotel, and the attendees were all high society figures. If things got out of hand, even as a member of the Ye family, he wouldn''t be able to explain himself.


    Ye Chenglong quietly threatened, "Kid, I suggest you leave gracefully on your own. Otherwise, I''ll make sure you leave gracefully."


    Li Xiaofei replied calmly, "You¡¯re very noisy."


    "Fine, you asked for it." Ye Chenglong straightened up and waved at the security guards in the distance. "Over here."


    A security captain quickly approached with his team.


    "Young Master Ye, what''s the issue?" the security captain asked respectfully.


    Ye Chenglong pointed at Li Xiaofei and said, "This person doesn''t have an invitation and snuck in to cause trouble. He just harassed my female companion. Throw him out."


    Yunyun added, "That''s right, this uncultured scoundrel somehow snuck into the banquet. He was being inappropriate with me and trying to tear my dress. Luckily, Young Master Ye stopped him. Instead of backing down, he even tried to hit Young Master Ye."


    Their commotion attracted a lot of attention, and many people started looking over. Disdainful glances were directed at Li Xiaofei. The security captain felt a headache coming on. This was exactly the kind of situation he dreaded the most. After all, anyone attending the banquet was someone he couldn''t afford to offend lightly.


    He approached Li Xiaofei and politely asked, "Sir, may I see your invitation?"


    "I don''t have an invitation," Li Xiaofei replied calmly.


    "See, I told you he snuck in," Yunyun said triumphantly.


    Ye Chenglong sneered, "I suspect this person is a terrorist from the Wilderness Cult. He''s here to disrupt the banquet. Captain Chen, arrest him immediately."


    The crowd buzzed with alarm. Several security guards immediately moved to surround Li Xiaofei.


    "Sir, we need to verify your identity. Please do not resist and come with us to the security office," the security manager said, his hand resting on the power short sword at his waist.


    Li Xiaofei frowned and said, "A friend brought me here. The security personnel at the entrance can vouch for me. As for whether I harassed her, it''s simple¡ªjust check the event''s surveillance footage."


    "Captain Chen, don''t listen to his excuses. This man is dangerous. Arrest him now," Ye Chenglong urged loudly.


    He wasn''t going to give Li Xiaofei a chance to prove his innocence. The security manager gave a quick signal and four guards simultaneously drew their power short swords.


    "Sir, please put your hands on your head and come with us to the security office immediately," Captain Chen said loudly.


    Li Xiaofei stood up slowly. "I can go with you to the security office, but let me warn you, taking me there is easy. However, if my friend finds out, it won''t be so simple to bring me back."


    "Hmph, bluffing," Ye Chenglong scoffed.


    "Ridiculous, still pretending at a time like this," Yunyun added with a sneer.


    Captain Chen firmly said, "Sir, don''t waste our time and please come with us. If there is indeed a friend of yours at this banquet, I can explain to them later."


    A voice interrupted him.


    "Oh, really? Because I want to hear your explanation right now."


    Tan Qingying was standing to the side.

 Chapter 115: Enemies On A Narrow Road

    Chapter 115: Enemies On A Narrow Road Her voice left everyone stunned. Yunyun turned around and saw the city leader''s daughter, Tan Qingying, standing with her arms crossed. She looked utterly furious. At that moment, Yunyun¡¯s eyes felt like they were burning.


    The girl before her was simply too beautiful. For a moment, Yunyun didn''t recognize her as the same girl she had seen earlier with Li Xiaofei at the entrance of the Louis Vingt store. Tan Qingying had not been wearing makeup at the time.


    "Who are you?" Yunyun asked rudely.


    However, Tan Qingying didn''t even bother to glance at her.


    "Captain Chen, please explain why you want to take my friend away," Tan Qingying asked coldly.


    Captain Chen''s heart sank. This was the worst case situation. He knew exactly who the girl before him was. The city leader''s daughter was someone to be carefully watched and respected in any situation. As a professional security officer, he had memorized the faces of such VIPs.


    "Miss Tan, I apologize. I didn''t know this gentleman was your friend," Captain Chen said immediately. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Now you know," Tan Qingying replied sharply. "Please give me an explanation."


    Captain Chen glanced at the dumbfounded Ye Chenglong and lowered his head. "I''m sorry, this was a misunderstanding. I will apologize to your friend right now."


    He turned to Li Xiaofei and bowed deeply. "I''m sorry."


    Li Xiaofei remained noncommittal.


    Tan Qingying said coldly, "This explanation is not satisfactory."


    At this point, Yunyun also realized that something was amiss.


    However, Ye Chenglong remained calm. He knew Tan Qingying and had some history with her. From his perspective, although she was a bit rebellious, she was not aggressive. On the contrary, she was approachable and indifferent to many things. She didn''t seem to mind even when her peers teased or provoked her.


    So, he smiled and stepped forward, "Little Ying, I''m sorry. I didn''t know... "


    "Who are you?" Tan Qingying interrupted, her face icy. "What gives you the right to call me Little Ying?"


    "I... " Ye Chenglong was taken aback.


    He quickly tried to explain, "You forgot? We''ve met several times before and even participated in the racing event organized by Young Master Du-"


    "I don''t remember," Tan Qingying cut him off mercilessly. "Who do you think you are? Get lost."


    "You... " Ye Chenglong paled with anger as he realized that Tan Qingying was deliberately humiliating him. But he was helpless. If the city leader''s daughter decided to get serious, he wouldn''t stand a chance.


    Ye Chenglong had no choice but to swallow his pride and forced a smile, "Since there are so many people around, can you spare me some face?"


    Tan Qingying sneered, "You knew there were many people around when you falsely accused and framed my friend. Why didn''t you think about sparing him some face then?"


    "I... I was misled by this wretched woman," Ye Chenglong immediately shifted the blame to Yunyun.


    "Young Master Ye, you... " Yunyun was stunned and terrified.


    Tan Qingying didn''t bother wasting time with this despicable pair. She turned to the security captain and said, "Please retrieve the surveillance footage from earlier, immediately."


    The security captain didn''t dare delay and promptly followed her order. The surveillance footage was displayed in the air, revealing the entire sequence of events. It was clear to everyone that Li Xiaofei had been falsely accused.


    "I''m terribly sorry, really sorry," Captain Chen repeatedly apologized, bowing nonstop. "This was a huge oversight on our part. I''m willing to take full responsibility and offer compensation."


    "Apologies are meaningless. I need to see actions," Tan Qingying demanded firmly. "Captain Chen, please take these two who falsely accused my friend to the security office for a thorough investigation. I don''t want to see them at the banquet again tonight."


    "Please, no..." Ye Chenglong was now thoroughly panicked.


    He was merely an elite disciple of the Ye family, and not a part of the direct bloodline. There were hundreds of young people with an equivalent status in the Ye family. His father, Ye Xiang, who had just been discharged from the hospital, had spent considerable resources to secure an invitation to this banquet.


    The goal was to network and hopefully get a few pointers from the inspector, which would be a tremendous boon. He couldn¡¯t afford to be expelled before the banquet even started.


    Ye Chenglong repeatedly apologized, "Little Ying, this was my mistake. I''m willing to make any compensation. After all, we are friends..."


    "I don''t consider you a friend," Tan Qingying said mercilessly. "You are not worthy of being my friend... Captain Chen, why aren''t you taking action?"


    The security captain approached Ye Chenglong and Yunyun and extended his hand with a stern expression. "Please, come with me."


    "No, no, you can''t... " Yunyun''s face turned pale with fear.


    Ye Chenglong gritted his teeth and protested, "I came here with an invitation. On what grounds are you expelling me? I... "


    Both of them were genuinely terrified and becoming increasingly incoherent.


    "I was wrong," Yunyun said, looking at Li Xiaofei pitifully as she tried to use her charm to appeal to him.


    Ye Chenglong also realized that he should be seeking forgiveness from Li Xiaofei to appease Tan Qingying''s fury. He quickly said, "This young brother, I was wrong before. I apologize. I was just joking with you."


    Li Xiaofei sat on the sofa, smiling but saying nothing.


    "Young brother, my father is Ye Xiang, the general manager of Yongxing Hotel. Let''s be friends. If you ever run into any trouble, you can always come to Yongxing Hotel and find me," Ye Chenglong added.


    Hmm? Ye Xiang from Yongxing Hotel.


    Li Xiaofei''s heart stirred.


    Wasn''t he the old dog who caused trouble in the slums and later put a bounty on me on the darknet?


    He had been wondering how he should settle the score.


    What a coincidence...


    Li Xiaofei started to calculate his next steps but still didn''t say anything. In the end, Ye Chenglong and Yunyun were forcibly escorted out by security. As they were being taken away, Ye Chenglong turned and looked at Li Xiaofei with eyes full of resentment.


    I can''t do anything to Tan Qingying, but I have ways to deal with you. Just wait, we''ll see how this plays out.


    "Sorry, I left for just a moment, and this happened," Tan Qingying sat down and immediately apologized.


    Li Xiaofei asked, "Do you think I''m that unreasonable?"


    Tan Qingying replied, "It''s just that I left for too long, and I didn''t inform security beforehand..."


    Li Xiaofei waved his hand, "It''s just my bad luck lately. I¡¯ve been attracting some crazy dogs."


    Tan Qingying propped up her chin with her hands and widened her beautiful eyes, "Is it Zhao Bufan from the Golden Eagle Guild? Do you want me to find someone to help you deal with him?"


    Li Xiaofei rubbed his chin and said, "Though a free ride is tempting, I''m still young and my stomach is strong, so I''d like to handle it myself for now."


    "Alright, I knew you''d refuse," Tan Qingying said, picking up a glass of wine.


    Li Xiaofei quickly took the wine from her and said, "No drinking and riding, and no riding if you drink. You need to take me home after the banquet."


    "Why should I take you?" Tan Qingying pouted cutely.


    Li Xiaofei replied matter-of-factly, "Because I''ve already had a drink."


    Tan Qingying was speechless.


    "By the way, I heard some new information." She leaned in close to Li Xiaofei''s ear and whispered, "I heard that representatives from the Jiepeng mission will be here tonight to announce something big."


    "What is it?" Li Xiaofei asked curiously.

 Chapter 116: Virgin

    Chapter 116: Virgin "It seems that the Ye family will announce a new martial arts co-construction project in collaboration with the Jiepeng medical exchange delegation," Tan Qingying said. "I''ve heard about this project before. The Jiepeng people initially wanted to collaborate with the city government, but after some discussions, the city government rejected the cooperation. I didn''t expect them to collaborate with the Ye family instead."


    Li Xiaofei curiously asked, "Isn''t the Ye family afraid of being criticized by the public for cooperating with the Jiepeng people?"


    Tan Qingying replied, "The Ye family would do anything as long as there''s enough profit."


    Li Xiaofei nodded in agreement and replied, "True. During the Anti-Japanese War five hundred years ago, many people didn''t hesitate to become traitors for their own benefit."


    The two of them chatted and laughed in a corner booth. But it was impossible not to attract attention after the earlier commotion. A person of Tan Qingying''s status, the city leader''s daughter, naturally drew attention wherever she went.


    People continuously came over to greet them. Li Xiaofei didn''t mind, but Tan Qingying was getting impatient. She just wanted some peace and quiet to spend time with Li Xiaofei, yet people kept buzzing around them like flies.


    After handling several groups of people, she couldn''t hold back her temper any longer. Tan Qingying finally lost her patience when another young man approached their booth.


    She looked up and coldly snapped, "I told you not to bother me anymore. Get lost!"


    The young man was startled, and a look of displeasure appeared on his handsome face. He frowned, ignored Tan Qingying, and looked directly at Li Xiaofei.


    "Hello, Li Xiaofei," the young man said. "Let''s get acquainted. My name is Gu Haochen."


    Li Xiaofei''s heart skipped a beat. He had heard that name before in a video program by Little White Dragon in the Waves Shen Yan after the first round of the league. It had featured the top dark horses. The name of the one ranked third on the list was Little Sword Immortal Gu Haochen.


    Li Xiaofei stood up and asked, "Hello, what can I do for you?"


    The slender boy in front of him looked a few years younger than him. He stood at about 1.73 meters tall, with slightly curly black short hair forming long, dense bangs over his forehead. He had large eyes, and his delicate nose and lips gave him a somewhat feminine appearance. However, his Adam''s apple and flat chest confirmed he was a boy.


    In person, he appeared even more delicate than in the video, but his gaze was as sharp and piercing as a longsword.


    "I wanted to see the top dark horse for myself," Gu Haochen said, carefully observing Li Xiaofei.


    His eyes grew brighter and filled with a barely restrained eagerness for a challenge.


    Li Xiaofei chuckled inwardly.


    This guy is definitely a martial arts fanatic.


    As a fellow martial arts enthusiast, Li Xiaofei recognized that kind of energy immediately. It was the urge to fight a stronger opponent without any hesitation. It was a burning impulse that felt like gasoline igniting an engine.


    "Want to exchange contact information?" Li Xiaofei suggested.


    Gu Haochen was taken aback for a moment, but smiled. "Sure."


    They both took out their light cores and exchanged contact information.


    "This isn''t the right occasion, otherwise I''d really want to have a proper fight with you," Gu Haochen said with a sigh of regret. He added, "Since you''re at Red Flag High School and dedicated to the Great Xia martial lineage, I have a piece of advice for you."


    "Oh?" Li Xiaofei said. "Please, go ahead."


    Gu Haochen glanced at Tan Qingying, then turned back to Li Xiaofei with a sincere expression, "The Great Xia martial lineage demands the utmost in one¡¯s physical condition. Many advanced techniques and martial skills require a pure Yang body to cultivate. So, I hope you will keep yourself pure."


    Li Xiaofei and Tan Qingying were both stunned. After saying his piece, Gu Haochen turned and left, leaving the pair staring at each other. By the time they realized what had happened, the Little Sword Immortal was already gone.


    "What does he mean by that?" Tan Qingying asked through gritted teeth. "Is he advising you to break up with me?"


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but laugh. Gu Haochen was a tough character.


    "He was probably retaliating for your earlier attitude," Li Xiaofei said. "Don''t worry, I''ve finally made an interesting friend like you. I''m not going to listen to his nonsense."


    A waiter approached them with seat numbers, reminding them that the banquet would begin in five minutes and that it was time to enter the venue.


    They took their seat numbers and entered the banquet hall. The event was held in a large, luxurious banquet hall that could accommodate over a thousand people.


    "It seems I''m benefiting from your presence," Li Xiaofei remarked, noticing that his seat was next to Tan Qingying''s, at the third table in the first row, just ten steps away from the charity auction stage. It was the best spot for viewing.


    The first and second tables in the front row to the left had the true power players of the base city, including the nameplate of City Leader Tan Zhenwei. However, these bigwigs were set to make a grand entrance later and had not yet arrived.


    Li Xiaofei''s table had ten seats, which quickly filled up. All the attendees were high school students from powerful families, who were clearly hoping to catch the eye of Inspector Li Zhoumin.


    Two girls stood out the most. One had a slender figure with an elegant appearance, while the other had a fuller figure with a baby face. Their striking looks weren''t the only reasons they were noticeable; it was also their attire.


    They wore traditional kimonos and wooden clogs. Even Li Xiaofei, from five hundred years ago, was familiar with this attire. These two girls were clearly from Jiepeng.


    "Nice to meet you all. Please take care of us," the two girls said, bowing. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Arigato," they added.


    Some responded enthusiastically, while others nodded lightly.


    Li Xiaofei calmly observed the two Jiepeng girls. These two had been closely trailing him in the ranking points leaderboard. Tsukiha Yaiba, in particular, was incredibly strong.


    After the first round of the league, Tsukiha Yaiba was ranked second on both the official leaderboard and Little White Dragon in the Waves¡¯ dark horse list. She had gained a lot of recent attention.


    "I didn''t expect to meet you here, Li-kun," Tsukiha Yaiba said after sitting down. Her eyes immediately locked onto Li Xiaofei, and she smiled faintly. "I''ve heard a lot about you."


    Her words instantly made Li Xiaofei the center of attention at the table.

 Chapter 117: Traitor

    Chapter 117: Traitor "Oh, and who is this?" Xiong Zhigang asked, looking inquisitively at Li Xiaofei.


    "Red Flag High School, Li Xiaofei," Li Xiaofei replied calmly.


    "Oh," Xiong Zhigang nodded slowly. "How come I haven''t heard of you?"


    "Hahaha."


    "With Senior Xiong''s status, it''s natural he wouldn''t pay attention to such a newcomer."


    "I''ve heard of him. The most valuable player in the first and second rounds of this season''s High School War God League competition. Quite impressive, making waves."


    "Hmph, what''s so great about that?"


    "This league has been running for years. We''ve seen plenty of rising stars who fizzle out. How many actually make it to the end?"


    Several boys at the table chuckled.


    It was clear that Xiong Zhigang held a high status, since the others were so deferential toward him. An angry Tan Qingying was about to say something when Li Xiaofei gently squeezed her hand under the table, silently stopping her.


    "Oh, so you''re the latest rising star," Xiong Zhigang smiled faintly. "Forgive my rudeness. It turns out we have a connection. I spent my first year of high school at Red Flag High School as well."


    "Hmm?"


    Li Xiaofei was surprised. This person was a student from Red Flag High School?


    "Have you already graduated from high school?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Xiong Zhigang replied, "I''m a senior this year."


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback for a moment, then realized, "Did you transfer schools?"


    A boy named Mu Yuanzhi laughed and said, "Senior Xiong was the Rookie of the Year in the S249 season, the Kill Leader in the S250 season, and the Season MVP. Now, he''s the chief captain of the top-ranked team at Duxing High School, the number one prestigious school in the base city. Kid, now you know there''s always someone better and another mountain to climb."


    Li Xiaofei ignored the boy and sent a light-core message to Chen Fei, asking for detailed information about Xiong Zhigang.


    Chen Fei''s reply was brief:


    Just a traitor.


    Li Xiaofei realized. Before he could send another message, Chen Fei sent another one.


    Did you run into him? Try not to provoke him. This guy is very cunning and manipulative. He¡¯s willing to do anything to achieve his goals.


    When he read the message, Li Xiaofei understood the situation. It seemed the separation was unpleasant, and Red Flag High School had suffered because of it.


    He looked at Xiong Zhigang and deliberately asked, "Why did you leave Red Flag High School after your first year?"


    Xiong Zhigang replied indifferently, "We had irreconcilable differences."


    "Heh," Li Xiaofei retorted bluntly, "This is the first time I''ve heard someone so shamelessly dress up betrayal as something so noble."


    "Betrayal?" Xiong Zhigang smiled faintly, "Li Xiaofei, there''s no need to be so harsh. It was Red Flag High School that let me down first by reneging on their promises. Forget it, you don''t know my story, but you''ll definitely choose the path I''ve walked in the future."


    Li Xiaofei sneered, "Your path is better left for ingrates."


    Anger flashed through Xiong Zhigang''s eyes.


    "Xiong-kun is really impressive," Mizutani Hikaru suddenly spoke up, her Jiepeng-accented voice and her large eyes filled with admiration.


    "You''re too kind," Xiong Zhigang smiled warmly. "Miss Mizutani''s Jiepeng martial arts are also impressive. I''d love to exchange techniques with you sometime."


    "I''d be delighted," Mizutani Hikaru replied. Her voice could charm even the hardest of hearts.


    The male students around them felt their hearts soften at her words. As they were speaking, the host''s voice began to echo throughout the banquet hall. The room erupted into a lively commotion, with many people instinctively standing up and applauding.


    Xiong Zhigang and the others also stood up to clap. It turned out that the dignitaries from the first and second tables were making their entrance.


    The group was led by a middle-aged man in black. He had a handsome and refined face that exuded an elegant charm. He walked with the poise of a dragon or a tiger, his expression serious and commanding respect. That was none other than Inspector Li Zhoumin.


    City Leader Tan Zhenwei was walking on Li Zhoumin¡¯s left. On his right was a middle-aged man in military uniform. Though he was not tall, he was extremely robust. He wore a military cap and had a stern, square face that exuded authority and carried a faint aura of blood and iron. It was clear that he was a martial arts expert.


    "That''s Ding Longao, the commander of the garrison in the base city," Tan Qingying whispered.


    The garrison commander and the city leader held equal positions of power in the base city. They were followed by the heads of the five major families, five elderly gentlemen with white hair and beards. They all appeared kind and benevolent, smiling and greeting everyone. They radiated an aura of high moral standing and respect.


    Next came the heads of various government offices, followed by star entrepreneurs, major taxpayers, well-known experts, scholars, the president of Liuhe University, and other social elites. There was also a Jiepeng representative wearing a kimono. The twenty people took their seats according to their name tags and the banquet officially began.


    Li Xiaofei watched curiously, but then felt a bit disappointed. The entire process wasn''t much different from those of five hundred years ago. An opening speech, a few words from the leaders, a couple of cultural performances, followed by more speeches from the leaders...


    Those engrossed in the pursuit of fame and fortune watched with great interest. Li Xiaofei, on the other hand, felt drowsy.


    "Li Xiaofei, please be more serious," Xiong Zhigang admonished. "Being present at such a solemn and sacred occasion is an honor. Don''t yawn and look so unsophisticated."


    "None of your business," Tan Qingying retorted bluntly.


    Li Xiaofei smiled apologetically, "Sorry, I was fighting star beasts on the city wall all night and didn''t get any sleep. I''m too tired."


    "Why don''t you say you went to the wilderness to hunt a Beast King?" Xiong Zhigang mocked.


    "Exactly, you shouldn¡¯t be making up stories just to impress a girl."


    "Miss Tan, you should be careful not to be deceived by lying commoners."


    "You dare to tell such tall tales."


    "Everyone knows it was Goddess Ye Liuying who took down the Beast King outside the city last night and saved the base city once again."


    The other boys, who were already annoyed with Li Xiaofei, seized the opportunity to ridicule him.


    "It doesn¡¯t matter if you guys believe it or not," Li Xiaofei couldn''t be bothered to argue with kids.


    But this attitude looked like guilt after being caught in a lie to Xiong Zhigang and his friends, and they laughed even more.


    "Are you guys done yet?" Tan Qingying snapped and said, "Keep being nasty, and I''ll smash your mouths in."


    She was like a protective mother leopard. The boys quickly fell silent with awkward expressions. They didn''t dare offend the city leader''s daughter. But their glares at Li Xiaofei were now filled with even more hostility.


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t care less about the stares and whispers.


    The charity auction then began in earnest. High-ranking officials and social elites would often donate one or two items for free. The proceeds from the auction would go into designated fund accounts to support one or two specific causes.


    Just like in his previous life. Li Xiaofei had initially entertained the idea of participating in the auction to snag a good deal. However, he quickly realized he had been naive.


    The big shots at the banquet started the bidding with tens of thousands of star coins. It was like they had money to burn. Some auction items were merely second-hand goods worth a few dozen or a few hundred star coins, but because the donor was a high-ranking official, the wealthy attendees fought over them and drove the prices sky-high.


    It was utterly ridiculous. A rich man''s game.


    Although Li Xiaofei wasn''t poor, he couldn''t compete with these people. All the income from his organization went towards developing the slum, and his own earnings were spent on cultivation resources.


    Every penny was spent wisely. There was no way he could afford to waste money in such frivolous games.


    After watching for a while, Li Xiaofei felt bored. He turned to Tan Qingying and said, "I''m going to the restroom."


    He walked out of the banquet hall alone. Outside, the fresh night breeze hit his face. When he breathed in the fresh air, Li Xiaofei felt his mood improve slightly. The events at the auction made him uncomfortable.


    So many poor and ordinary people struggled to make ends meet in the base city, working hard every day just to survive. Numerous low-level martial artists risked their lives hunting star beasts in the wilderness, and countless soldiers shed their blood and gave their lives to defend the base city... Yet the people from the five major families were living in luxury. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    So much money was being thrown away like water just to curry favor with leaders and important figures.


    "Hey? What are you doing here?" A familiar female voice suddenly came from the side.

 Chapter 118: It’s Actually Her

    Chapter 118: It¡¯s Actually Her Li Xiaofei¡¯s face betrayed mild surprise.


    How did I run into her here?


    He turned to see Zhong Ling looking at him with equal surprise. The flower of the slum was wearing a pure white, off-the-shoulder knee-length dress. Her pale legs had a beautiful curve, and she wore silver high heels with tiny diamond-like decorations. Her hair was tied up in a mature style.


    She looked both slender and beautiful.


    Li Xiaofei frowned and asked, "What are you doing here?"


    Everyone at tonight''s event was either wealthy or powerful; they were the top elites of the base city. While Zhong Ling was beautiful and not lacking in money, her background was too ordinary. She would not have had the opportunity to attend such an event even when her father Zhong Yuanshan was alive.


    When he noticed her slightly mature outfit, an unpleasant thought crossed Li Xiaofei''s mind.


    Had she fallen so far as to be kept by some powerful figure?


    If that were true, his master''s ashes wouldn''t rest easy, and he would be partially to blame. Li Xiaofei suddenly felt that his guardianship of Zhong Ling had been inadequate recently.


    If something really happened to her, how could I face my late master?


    "I should be asking you that," Zhong Ling said, looking around and sighing in relief when she didn¡¯t see anyone nearby. She spoke urgently, "Do you even know what kind of place this is? How dare you sneak in here? If you''re caught, you won''t have enough lives to compensate for it. You need to leave immediately."


    "You don''t need to worry about that," Li Xiaofei said, his face dark. "You should go back to school. This is reckless nonsense."


    Zhong Ling retorted angrily, "My business is none of your concern. Are you crazy? Who told you I was here? You actually followed me here? Do you have a death wish?"


    But before she could finish berating him, two girls wearing knee-length dresses similar to Zhong Ling''s came out of the women''s restroom, chatting and laughing.


    "Hey, Little Ling, what are you doing here?"


    "Who''s this handsome guy?"


    The two girls asked curiously.


    "He''s... just an acquaintance," Zhong Ling said, looking flustered. "You two go to the waiting room. I''ll be right there."


    "Heehee, Little Ling, you seem nervous," said the girl with short blonde hair, grinning mischievously. "Do you have a secret you''re hiding? Wow, you can''t keep such a handsome guy all to yourself."


    The other girl with long black hair also teased, "Yeah, yeah, he''s really cute. Introduce us."


    Zhong Ling glared at Li Xiaofei, then hurriedly laughed it off with her friends, "He''s really just an acquaintance. The awards ceremony is about to start. Hurry up and go, don''t waste time."


    "No, this handsome guy looks really familiar.¡± The girl with short blonde hair suddenly seemed to realize something.


    At that moment, footsteps approached. It was a group of five security patrol members quickly walking over. They were led by none other than Captain Chen, who had appeared at the banquet earlier.


    "What are you doing here?" Captain Chen asked sternly. "Who are you? Huh?"


    Captain Chen suddenly recognized Li Xiaofei in the middle of his sentence.


    Zhong Ling became even more panicked. She hurriedly explained, "We are models from Qishen Academy''s Etiquette Team. We were invited to serve at tonight''s awards ceremony. These are my classmates..."


    The girl with short blonde hair interrupted, pointing at Li Xiaofei, "He''s not our classmate."


    "You... " Zhong Ling stared wide-eyed at her good friend. She couldn''t understand why she would suddenly expose her lie. That would get Li Xiaofei caught by the security.


    Without thinking any further, Zhong Ling gritted her teeth and said, "He... he''s my boyfriend. I forgot a hairpin I needed for the awards ceremony, so I asked him to sneak in and bring it to me. Security officers, he''s really just a student. I''ll have him leave right now."


    Captain Chen was stunned.


    Boyfriend? If he¡¯s this etiquette model''s boyfriend, then what is his relationship with the city leader''s daughter earlier? This guy is actually involved with both girls? He dares two-time the city leader''s daughter?


    Captain Chen sneaked a glance at Li Xiaofei. When he saw the latter¡¯s calm demeanor that showed no signs of panic at being caught, and the deep meaning in his eyes, Captain Chen felt a chill down his spine.


    "Move along, don''t gather here," Captain Chen said, pretending not to recognize Li Xiaofei.


    "Alright, alright, we''re leaving," Zhong Ling said, quickly pulling Li Xiaofei away from the scene.


    Once they reached the elevator in the lobby, she released his hand and began to scold him, "You''re too bold. Do you realize sneaking into a place like this could get you arrested, or worse, killed?"


    "I was invited," Li Xiaofei replied calmly.


    He was relieved when he realized that Zhong Ling wasn''t being kept by someone but was here for work-study and social practice.


    On the other hand, Zhong Ling was exasperated, "Stop pretending. I know exactly what you''re capable of."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    This girl, how could she still be so arrogant and blind to reality?


    Zhong Ling stamped her foot in frustration at his defiant expression. She spoke rapidly, "I know you''ve made a name for yourself in the last two rounds of the league with your pentakills, and a lot of people know about you now. But so what? Tonight''s banquet is the highest-level event in the city. Not just anyone can attend. Even those monstrous high schoolers in the Limit Breaking Realm can''t get in without the right connections. Take my access card and leave before anyone notices."


    She handed him a small card.


    Li Xiaofei was surprised. "Don''t you hate me? Why are you helping me?"


    Zhong Ling coldly replied, "I may dislike you, but I don''t want to see you die. You looked after me in the past, and my father thought highly of you."


    Li Xiaofei chuckled and replied, "I really was invited, but not officially. It was by a friend."


    "Take the card and go," Zhong Ling insisted, pushing Li Xiaofei into the elevator without giving him a chance to argue. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei was amused and exasperated. "What about you?"


    "I''ll just say I accidentally lost my access card. There''s a backup record, so I''ll be allowed back in after a bit of scrutiny," Zhong Ling replied hurriedly before rushing off.


    As the elevator doors closed, Li Xiaofei stood there, feeling a mix of emotions.


    He hadn¡¯t expected to run into Zhong Ling at such an event. Now that he thought about it, he realized she wasn''t inherently bad. She was just a naive and sheltered girl. She had been protected too well by her father, Zhong Yuanshan. She often lacked common sense, was easily manipulated by others, and had a tendency to act smart.


    Li Xiaofei sighed as he decided to make the best of the situation. At the very least, he appreciated Zhong Ling''s genuine concern despite her usual demeanor.


    I need to assign someone to keep an eye on that girl in the future.


    A naive girl like her could easily be used by others. That blonde girl earlier clearly wasn''t someone to be underestimated.


    Li Xiaofei took the elevator down to the first floor, then returned to the top floor. When he found his seat again in the banquet hall, the charity auction had just ended.


    "Thank you to all the philanthropists for your generous donations." The beautiful hostess announced loudly. "On behalf of the Inscribed Treasure Bone Transplant Project at Duxing Hospital, I express our highest respect for your generosity."


    The crowd applauded.


    "Now, let''s welcome the representative of the philanthropists, and the highest bidder in the auction, Mr. Zhao Bufan from the Golden Eagle Guild, to come on stage for a speech and receive the donation certificate."


    Zhao Bufan walked up to the stage with a broad smile. Li Xiaofei was a bit surprised. He hadn''t expected Zhao Bufan to be the top bidder.

 Chapter 119: How Are You Able To Hold It In

    Chapter 119: How Are You Able To Hold It In Zhao Bufan was in high spirits. He had gone to great lengths to attend this banquet and make a splash during the charity auction by securing the highest bid. This would allow him to gain visibility among the top elites of the city and network with influential people. That would pave the way for the future development of his guild.


    Even though spending six million star coins had been a bit painful, he felt like the result had been worth it.


    "Thank you, Mr. Ye, for hosting this event and giving me the opportunity to contribute to the charitable efforts of Liuhe Base City. As a responsible citizen and taxpayer, this is something I should do, and I will continue to do so in the future. Thank you also to my peers for their support, and thank you to all the leaders for their recognition. The Golden Eagle Guild will continue to abide by the law, strive for excellence, and contribute to the development of Liuhe Base City."


    His speech was conventional and respectful. Zhao Bufan didn''t want to stand out too much.


    Li Xiaofei let out a soft scoff. Zhao Bufan was just another money-grubbing businessman, who was obsessed with power and wealth and constantly looking for loopholes to exploit. The idea that such a person could genuinely contribute to the city was laughable.


    "What are you laughing at?" Xiong Zhigang glared at Li Xiaofei and scolded, "President Zhao''s generous donation to support medical causes is an example we should all learn from and respect. What''s so funny about that?"


    Li Xiaofei shrugged, not bothering to respond.


    "What kind of attitude is that?" Xiong Zhigang''s voice grew louder, his tone sharp and severe. "Everyone here made an effort to contribute to the city''s charitable cause during the charity auction, even if it was just a few dozen or a few hundred star coins. But you? You used the excuse of going to the restroom to deliberately avoid the auction. You didn¡¯t even donate a single coin. Such stinginess and selfishness, and yet you have the nerve to mock President Zhao, tonight''s King of Charity?"


    "Exactly, it''s utterly shameless."


    "How can someone be so disgraceful?" Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Being poor isn''t the problem; the problem is being poor and having no ambition."


    Several other boys joined in, echoing the reprimands. The commotion drew the attention of people at nearby tables. Even the elites at the first table began to take notice, including City Leader Tan Zhenwei, Commander Ding Longao, and the most significant figure, Inspector Li Zhoumin.


    Xiong Zhigang was secretly pleased at the burgeoning attention. Tan Qingying, on the other hand, was furious. She realized that Xiong Zhigang was intentionally making a big scene and occupying the moral high ground to attract the attention of the leaders. He wanted to tarnish Li Xiaofei''s reputation in front of these influential figures.


    She wanted to argue back, but Li Xiaofei gently squeezed her hand under the table again.


    "Let the innocent be innocent," Li Xiaofei said calmly. "Why bother with these petty, scheming people?"


    This statement nearly made Xiong Zhigang and the others lose their composure.


    The only reason Li Xiaofei was attending the banquet tonight was to help his new friend Tan Qingying. The attention of the inspector was irrelevant to him. With the Moonlight Treasure Box, he had all the cultivation techniques and resources he needed to achieve his goals through his own efforts. He didn''t need to rely on anyone else. His mindset was quite relaxed.


    At that moment, a wave of thunderous applause erupted in the hall. It turned out that the elderly patriarch of the Ye family, assisted by staff, was climbing the stage steps with a cane to present the King of Charity donation certificate to Zhao Bufan.


    The Ye family was currently the most prominent among the five great families. As such, the reception of the old patriarch was expected. Two girls in ceremonial dresses carried the certificate and trophy to the stage. One of them was Zhong Ling.


    The old patriarch of the Ye family took the trophy from Zhong Ling''s hands and gently patted her hand. "Such a lively young girl," he said.


    Zhong Ling, startled, smiled and instinctively took two steps back. Zhao Bufan observed this scene and a thought suddenly formed in his mind.


    "Thank you, Elder Ye," Zhao Bufan said, taking the trophy with an expression of humble gratitude.


    Elder Ye smiled and said, "The younger generation is truly impressive. We old folks are no longer up to the task. The future development of our base city will depend on you. Work hard."


    "I will remember your teachings, Elder Ye," Zhao Bufan responded respectfully.


    Elder Ye leaned on his cane as he walked back down the stage. As he reached the steps, he turned and smiled at Zhong Ling again. Zhong Ling didn''t appear again in the subsequent segments.


    The evening dragged on with various peculiar awards, such as the youngest donor, the most frequent bidder, the single decisive bid donor, the oldest donor, and so on. Each recipient joyfully accepted their award and delivered long-winded thank-you speeches.


    Xiong Zhigang and his group also got a chance to go on stage and receive donation certificates. Xiong Zhigang himself received an additional Most Sincere Donor trophy, with the reason being that the money he donated was earned through his hard work in part-time jobs as a league star player.


    In the end, all the donors were given the opportunity to go on stage for a group photo. At table three, everyone stood on the stage with their trophies and certificates, taking a group photo, while Li Xiaofei sat alone in the distance, conspicuously empty-handed.


    Tan Qingying was among the group on stage. When she saw Li Xiaofei sitting by himself, she felt a deep sense of guilt. She had brought him to the banquet with good intentions. But now, it seemed like she had made a fool out of him instead. Any chance of getting Inspector Li Zhoumin''s favor seemed out of reach. Li Xiaofei looked like he had been abandoned by the entire world. He must be feeling extremely awkward and uncomfortable.


    It was all my fault. If I had known about these segments, I could have planned things better and made a donation in Li Xiaofei''s name beforehand. At least that way, he would have had the chance to stand on stage and not be humiliated like this.


    Unable to bear it any longer, Tan Qingying acted.


    "Wait!" she shouted, stopping the photographer just before he pressed the shutter. "This is pointless and noisy. I''m not doing this."


    She tossed her certificate and trophy aside and quickly ran down the stage. Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Tan Qingying sat down beside Li Xiaofei without saying a word.


    Numerous eyes turned toward City Leader Tan Zhenwei, who was part of the group being photographed. But he simply smiled helplessly. Many people in the upper circles were no longer surprised. It was well-known that the city leader''s daughter was famously rebellious and often did things that defied expectations. The city leader was also well known to be excessively indulgent with his beloved daughter and seemed to have no control over her.


    Tan Qingying''s disregard for decorum was evident at such a formal event. Yet, the city leader merely smiled it off. Critics might say it reflected poor upbringing. As for the unknown boy sitting next to her, everyone believed that while the city leader might not be able to control his daughter, he could certainly deal with the boy.


    Tan Qingying''s public display made it clear to everyone that the boy was in serious trouble.


    In the crowd, Zhao Bufan was ecstatic. He had already received a call from the streamer Yunyun, informing him of the events at the warm-up reception. He had been worried about Li Xiaofei gaining the city leader''s daughter''s support.


    But now, it seemed all those troubles were resolved. After this embarrassing scene, surely City Leader Tan Zhenwei would be furious enough to take action against Li Xiaofei.


    Kachaak, Kachaak.


    The group photo session ended. The crowd dispersed, laughing and chatting as they walked off the stage in small groups.


    The voice of the beautiful hostess echoed through the hall, "Ladies and gentlemen, please return to your seats. Our event continues with the second segment of the evening, which is also the most important one... "


    Xiong Zhigang and his group returned to their seats, carrying their trophies and certificates.


    "Some people really have thick skin to continue staying," Xiong Zhigang sneered as he placed his trophy on the table.

 Chapter 120: Are You Still Not Leaving?

    Chapter 120: Are You Still Not Leaving? "Haha, if he wasn''t thick-skinned, he wouldn''t be able to crash the banquet."


    "If I were him, I would have already found a piece of tofu to smash my head against."


    "Shameless."


    A few of the teenagers laughed sarcastically.


    "Enough, let''s not keep picking on him." Xiong Zhigang was clearly in a good mood. He smiled faintly. "After all, since he¡¯s too poor, he has to rely on crashing events and some underhanded methods if he wants to become famous. How could he get by without a thick skin?"


    Li Xiaofei looked indifferent. However, Tan Qingying was livid with anger.


    At that moment, Zhao Bufan happened to pass by their table. He glanced at Li Xiaofei with a look of great disappointment and sighed loudly, "There were rumors swirling over the internet about your black history, saying you were sucking the blood of your teammates and bullying boys and girls. I didn''t quite believe it because, after all, how could someone from the Great Xia martial lineage be so morally corrupt... but it seems I was really mistaken."


    "Mr. Zhao."


    "Uncle Zhao."


    Two of the teenagers greeted Zhao Bufan politely.


    Zhao Bufan greeted everyone with a smile. "You are all young and talented, yet you sit at the same table with a despicable person like Li Xiaofei. I really feel it''s not worth it for you."


    Xiong Zhigang and the others showed satisfied smiles.


    Tan Qingying slapped the table and said, "Zhao Bufan, what are you barking at? Would you believe me when I say I can make your guild close down tomorrow?"


    Zhao Bufan smiled apologetically. "Miss Tan, please calm down. I am also doing this for your good. You¡¯ve been deceived by this villain and haven''t seen his true face. I believe your father will definitely help you get rid of this sinister and cunning guy. By then, you will thank me."


    Enraged, Tan Qingying blurted out, "My father has long since-"


    Li Xiaofei quickly grabbed her hand and said, "It''s just a mad dog barking. Why bother with him? If a dog bites you, are you going to bite back?"


    Tan Qingying was amused by this comparison and let out a chuckle. So, she didn''t continue speaking further. The fact that her father had allowed her to associate with Li Xiaofei was not known to outsiders, and it wasn''t appropriate to proclaim it in such a setting. Otherwise, it might bring unnecessary trouble to Li Xiaofei.


    "Young man, watch your words," Zhao Bufan said lightly. "Just because I refused your exorbitant signing bonus doesn''t mean you should curse me so viciously. Everyone here has status and dignity."


    Li Xiaofei didn''t bother to respond. Arguing was pointless. He would find an opportunity to deal with this fat fool later.


    Zhao Bufan chuckled. "Don''t take this lightly, Li Xiaofei. If I were you, I would leave here immediately. If you wait any longer, you might not be able to walk out of this building."


    With that, he turned and walked away. Everyone looked at Li Xiaofei with sympathetic eyes. It was like they were looking at a dead man.


    Xiong Zhigang also laughed and said, "Considering we''re schoolmates, I''ll give you a friendly reminder, Li Xiaofei. Leave here as soon as possible, or you''ll be in big trouble."


    It was obvious to everyone that Li Xiaofei had definitely angered the city leader with the earlier photo incident. Adding Zhao Bufan to the mix only made things worse. Either one of these two alone was too much for Li Xiaofei to handle.


    Even Tan Qingying was secretly worried and regretted her actions. She felt she had been too naive. She had thought that by bringing Li Xiaofei to the banquet, he might impress Inspector Li and rise quickly, allowing his talent and potential to fully blossom. Instead, she had brought him nothing but trouble.


    No, she had to convince her father to protect Li Xiaofei.


    "I have something to do, I''ll be right back," Tan Qingying said, getting up and leaving the table. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She quickly left the venue and called her father, Tan Zhenwei, hoping to get him to come out and discuss the situation. However, she couldn''t get through to him on the phone, which made her stomp her foot in frustration.


    Meanwhile, Xiong Zhigang and the others had no idea what Tan Qingying was up to.


    "Those who rely on their looks to serve others will never make it to the top."


    "That''s right, even Miss Tan won''t support you anymore."


    "It seems like you''re done for."


    "Haha, see that? Your biggest backer is no longer there."


    The teenagers at the table were gloating over his misfortune.


    Li Xiaofei responded calmly, "My backer is myself."


    "Huh? Hahaha."


    "Bragging without any basis."


    "Still being stubborn at this point."


    Everyone laughed uproariously. Li Xiaofei couldn''t be bothered to argue further. When others saw his lack of a response, it only made them think he had finally accepted his fate.


    At that moment, Mizutani Hikaru, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke in a lilting tone, "Li-kun, your situation seems quite dire."


    Everyone was taken aback, not understanding what this Jiepeng woman meant.


    "If Li-kun asks for help, we are willing to offer assistance," Mizutani Hikaru continued.


    The expressions of Xiong Zhigang and the others changed drastically. What did the Jiepeng people mean by suddenly intervening?


    Li Xiaofei glanced at her and smirked coldly, not bothering to respond.


    "Does Li-kun seem to have a prejudice against me?" Mizutani Hikaru asked, feigning surprise.


    Li Xiaofei replied indifferently, "It''s not just you; I have a prejudice against all Jiepeng people. Of course, you can call it bias, discrimination, disgust... say it however you like. Do you understand what I mean?"


    Mizutani Hikaru looked aggrieved as she said pitifully, "It''s said that the Great Xia is a land of propriety and etiquette. I didn''t expect Li-kun, a star student of the league, to be so unreasonable. I''m kindly offering to help, yet you respond with harsh words. It''s truly disappointing."


    "Reasoning is for people. Ungrateful wolves and treacherous dogs deserve fists and hunting rifles," Li Xiaofei sneered.


    "You... " Mizutani Hikaru was furious.


    Tsukiha Yaiba gently coughed and shook her head.


    Mizutani Hikaru''s expression instantly changed back to a smile, "Li-kun, you have a serious misunderstanding about me, but it''s okay. Time will prove everything. What I said earlier still stands. As long as Li-kun asks for help, both I and my sister Tsukiha Yaiba can help you."


    Li Xiaofei turned his head away, ignoring her.


    However, alarm bells were going off in Xiong Zhigang''s head. He couldn''t understand why these two Jiepeng girls were suddenly interested in Li Xiaofei. Although it was just a simple conversation, it revealed too much information, which was the last thing he wanted.


    These two Jiepeng girls were his targets, or rather, his mission. Since leaving Red Flag High School and joining Duxing High School, Xiong Zhigang, with the help of the Ye family, had quickly become a top star in the league. But he was also a pawn of the Ye family. His mission this time was to use the opportunity of the exchange with the Jiepeng delegation to win over Mizutani Hikaru and Tsukiha Yaiba, binding either one of them firmly to the Ye family''s cause.


    "Are you still not leaving?" Xiong Zhigang looked at Li Xiaofei threateningly, "If I were you, I would leave the venue immediately and find a place to hide. Maybe you could live a few more days... But if you don''t leave now, you won''t have another chance."

 Chapter 121: The Kunlun Badge

    Chapter 121: The Kunlun Badge "Is that so?" Li Xiaofei responded calmly, "Then let''s wait and see."


    Even if Tan Zhenwei was actually angry because of Tan Qingying''s strange actions earlier, he wouldn''t do anything to him. After all, Li Xiaofei was a good citizen who had recently donated a pure water source and become a contributor to society.


    As for Zhao Bufan, did he think he had become powerful because of a few petty awards? He must have been kicked in the head by a donkey. President Li wasn''t being reckless; he was confident.


    Xiong Zhigang sneered, "It''s truly hard to advise a damned ghost."


    "Senior Xiong, why bother with him?"


    "This poor wretch won''t cry until he sees the coffin."


    "In a while, he''ll have his moment to cry."


    The teenagers at the table became even more arrogant when they saw that Tan Qingying had seemingly given up on Li Xiaofei. Their words grew increasingly vicious, but the two Jiepeng girls remained silent.


    Tsukiha Yaiba quietly observed Li Xiaofei, her eyes filled with curiosity. Tsukiha Yaiba was actually quite pleased with Li Xiaofei''s predicament. Great Xia people always loved internal strife and couldn¡¯t accommodate true geniuses.


    This was fine. When Li Xiaofei was ostracized, slandered, and suppressed to the point of desperation, she would step in to resolve all his troubles. This might not completely win him over, but it would be a good start. Strength was important to truly conquer someone, but winning their heart was essential, especially for a genius like Li Xiaofei. Conquering him required a variety of tactics.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, the next segment is the highlight of tonight''s event, the formal award ceremony... Please remain silent as we invite Mr. Tan Zhenwei, the city leader of Liuhe Base City, to come on stage for his speech," announced the host in a loud and clear voice, prompting thunderous applause from the audience.


    The next major segment of the banquet was about to begin, the awards ceremony!


    The charity awards were a mere formality, since the awards given had little significance. But the upcoming awards were the true highlight of the night and were shrouded in mystery. It was said that the awards were added by the authorities at the last minute, and even the host family, the Ye family, hadn''t received any accurate information in advance.


    Now, the city leader of Liuhe Base City, Tan Zhenwei, considered the most powerful figure in the city, was finally about to reveal the mystery of tonight''s prestigious awards.


    Countless eyes focused on the main stage. A middle-aged man with graying hair and a commanding presence strode to the podium, his demeanor exuding authority without a hint of anger. He smiled and waved at the audience.


    The applause grew louder. Tan Zhenwei raised his hand slightly, and the thunderous applause quickly subsided.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, since the establishment of Liuhe Base City, it has protected over five million of our Great Xia''s northwest citizens from the slaughter of star beasts and preserved the bloodline of the Yellow Emperor''s descendants. This is the result of countless citizens'' collective efforts. This city is what five million people call home."


    "Everyone works tirelessly, day and night, to protect this home. Researchers risk starforce radiation to study star beasts. Technicians work in shifts in factories running around the clock to produce armor, equipment, weapons, and ammunition. Farmers cultivate various crops in enclosed artificial fields, striving to increase food production and eliminate hunger. Martial artists of all realms form adventure teams, leaving the city at dawn and returning at dusk, to slay star beasts in the wilderness. They eliminate threats and bring back resources for us."


    "At the same time, students in schools shed blood and sweat in their cultivation. Teachers in schools pour their hearts into teaching and guiding. Never in human history have we been so united as we are today. And everything we do is for one purpose, to survive."


    Tan Zhenwei''s voice was loud, clear, and filled with emotion, stirring a deep sense of empathy among many in the audience. Li Xiaofei had a great deal of respect for the city leader, Tan Zhenwei. He had done some research on him and knew that many citizens of the base city held this city leader in high regard. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Since becoming the city leader of Liuhe Base City fifteen years ago, Tan Zhenwei had been diligent and hardworking, a rare practitioner of realpolitik. He was known for his integrity and strong work ethic. His governance was clear-sighted, and his contributions to improving the people''s livelihood were significant, earning him an excellent reputation among the populace.


    However, many of his policies had damaged the interests of the major families, leading to less-than-harmonious relations with the five great families over the past seven or eight years. Due to passive resistance from these families, Tan Zhenwei had faced numerous difficulties in recent years. His half-gray hair was proof of his struggles.


    From Li Xiaofei''s perspective as someone who had traveled from five hundred years ago, City Leader Tan was indeed a rare and commendable official who was both honest and strong.


    At that moment, City Leader Tan''s speech was finally broaching the main topic.


    He declared enthusiastically, "At tonight''s event, the city government will award ten citizens who have made outstanding contributions to Liuhe Base City in the past year with the third-class Kunlun Badge."


    The moment Tan Zhenwei''s words fell, the entire venue erupted in excitement. No one had anticipated that this mysterious award ceremony would be of such significant importance.


    The Kunlun Badge was an award given by the government to individuals or groups who had made significant meritorious contributions. It was named after the sacred Kunlun Mountains of Great Xia Republic, and divided into three levels, each representing immense honor.


    Holders of the third-class Kunlun Badge not only enjoyed great honor but also received various legitimate privileges reserved for distinguished contributors. These privileges included the ability to directly contact the city leader''s office, participate in politics, represent citizens'' opinions, oversee the actions of government agencies at all levels, and ensure corporate compliance with laws and regulations.


    Most importantly, there was a certain level of personal protection associated with it. Any attack on a Kunlun Badge holder would be considered a challenge to the Great Xia government and would be met with extremely severe repercussions.


    "They''re actually awarding the Kunlun Badge."


    "Even though it''s just the third-class, it''s something countless people dream of."


    "This is truly enviable."


    "I wonder who will receive it."


    "If I could get such a badge, I could coast through life without worry."


    The teenagers at the table all showed envious expressions.


    "This is a real reward," Xiong Zhigang said, unable to contain his excitement. "One day, I must earn a Kunlun Badge to live up to the prime of my youth in Great Xia."


    "Well said."


    "Senior Xiong is truly our role model."


    The other teenagers echoed his sentiments.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at them but refrained from mockery. Whether they were sincere or not, at least in that moment, they genuinely aspired to earn the Kunlun Badge and revealed their youthful ambition. He wished their hearts could forever remain in this state. If so, Great Xia could truly achieve its great revival.


    At that moment, City Leader Tan Zhenwei finally concluded his speech and began announcing the award recipients. The venue erupted in applause or gasps of surprise with each name he read.

 Chapter 122: Kunlun Badge (2)

    Chapter 122: Kunlun Badge (2) The first few people called up included a farmer who cultivated a new high-yield seed, a factory worker who improved production lines, a garbage worker representative handling star beast residue, a housewife who invented a cost-saving nutritious porridge, and a wilderness supply truck driver who had worked 720 consecutive days without missing a day.


    In short, without exception, they were all ordinary laborers. There wasn''t a single aristocrat, major entrepreneur, or tycoon among them. This only increased Li Xiaofei''s respect for Tan Zhenwei. Truly, he was a practical city leader.


    "These people, can they really receive the Kunlun Badge?" One of the teenagers at the table said in dissatisfaction.


    Xiong Zhigang also frowned and said, "Isn''t the government''s award criteria a bit too much of a political show? It''s almost a joke."


    Li Xiaofei looked at him and sneered, "Why shouldn¡¯t people who have been diligently working at their posts for years, performing their duties well while making additional contributions that improve the city''s livelihood receive the badge?"


    "What do you know?" Xiong Zhigang sneered disdainfully. "A liar like you who¡¯s days away from death dares to spout nonsense here? Are you worthy?"


    "You''d better take care of yourself first."


    "Shut up, you have no right to speak at this moment."


    "A lowly person like you doesn''t understand a thing."


    Several teenagers glared at Li Xiaofei.


    "What? Since those lowly people receive the Kunlun Badge, do you think you can get one too?" Xiong Zhigang couldn''t help but mock, "If you want an award, you''ll have no hope in this life. Try harder in your next life¡ª"


    Before Xiong Zhigang could finish his sentence, Tan Zhenwei''s voice echoed throughout the venue as he announced another name.


    "The final award recipient is... Li Xiaofei."


    The voice was clear and loud, resonating throughout the hall. Xiong Zhigang''s smile froze instantly. He even subconsciously touched his ear, thinking he might have misheard. The other teenagers were also stunned, their faces filled with disbelief.


    Li Xiaofei? Is there another person with the same name?


    Mizutani Hikaru and Tsukiha Yaiba both looked surprised. All eyes at the table focused on Li Xiaofei. Truth be told, even Li Xiaofei himself was a bit bewildered.


    What is going on?


    It seemed that City Leader Tan was calling his name, but he wasn''t sure if there was another Li Xiaofei in the venue. So, he hesitated and didn''t immediately get up to go on stage.


    The rest of the attendees were also curiously looking around. The previous recipients had all eagerly stood up and quickly made their way to the stage as soon as their names were called.


    Why is the tenth recipient not showing up?


    At that moment, Tan Zhenwei smiled as he continued, "Li Xiaofei from Red Flag High School, please come up to receive your award." S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei was shocked. It really was him. There was no mistake. There couldn''t be two Li Xiaofeis at Red Flag High School. But the question was, how did he end up winning this award?


    Li Xiaofei rose with a puzzled expression and slowly made his way to the stage. Meanwhile, Xiong Zhigang and his companions sat there, stunned and speechless. Their minds seemed to have short-circuited, leaving them in a state of blank disbelief.


    The sudden slap in the face was almost too much to process. Xiong Zhigang felt as if his cheeks had been lashed with a belt soaked in chili water as they burned with embarrassment. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to find a hole to crawl into.


    Why did Li Xiaofei win? What did he do to deserve this?


    This question was on the minds of many in the room, including Li Xiaofei himself. He had a vague suspicion, but it seemed too unlikely to be true. Under the gaze of countless eyes, Li Xiaofei calmly walked to the stage, shaking hands with the other nine awardees before taking his place at the end of the line. Everyone was astonished by his youth.


    At that moment, Tan Zhenwei revealed the reason for Li Xiaofei''s award. It was the pure water source.


    "Ten days ago, Li Xiaofei, representing the slum, donated a pure water source located in the wilderness outside the city to the municipal government. After professional exploration, it was found that the water source has a staggering capacity of six million cubic meters... "


    The entire venue erupted in gasps and astonishment.


    Six million cubic meters? Such a massive natural water source hasn''t been discovered in over fifty years! In today''s water-scarce times, a water source of this magnitude was nothing short of a colossal natural treasure.


    If someone were to claim it and sell the water, it could turn a pauper into one of the wealthiest individuals in the city overnight. And yet, this young man donated it without hesitation?


    People in the venue were unable to contain their shock and disbelief.


    Is this boy out of his mind?


    Li Xiaofei himself was stunned.


    What the... So the water source discovered by the slum''s exploration team had such a massive capacity? If only I had known earlier... Never mind, even if I had known, I couldn¡¯t have kept it. The slum could never have monopolized such a treasure. If I were too greedy, I might end up losing everything.


    He quickly adjusted his mindset. As the passionate and stirring ceremonial music began to play, the award ceremony officially commenced. A line of etiquette hostesses dressed in white uniforms, holding trays with certificates and badges, walked in gracefully, each standing in front of one of the ten awardees.


    Zhong Ling was among them. And coincidentally, her position was right in front of Li Xiaofei. When their eyes met, Zhong Ling''s beautiful eyes were filled with unmistakable shock.


    Li Xiaofei smiled at her, "I told you I was invited, but you didn''t believe me."


    Zhong Ling lowered her head, speechless. She didn''t know what to say.


    Just then, Tan Zhenwei walked over to present the award to Li Xiaofei. When he saw their interaction, he smiled and casually asked, "Do you two know each other?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Childhood friends."


    He didn''t elaborate further, understanding that Zhong Ling didn''t want people to know she was from the slum. There was no need to say more.


    Tan Zhenwei naturally didn''t press for details. He followed the ceremony protocol and awarded Li Xiaofei the third-class Kunlun Badge.


    After placing the badge on him, Tan Zhenwei smiled and said, "Were you wondering why the city government''s reward didn''t reach you immediately after you donated the water source?"


    Li Xiaofei answered honestly, "To be honest, I didn''t have time to think about it. I''ve been too busy with cultivation and competitions."


    Tan Zhenwei nodded with satisfaction and smiled, "The city government organized heavy truck convoys these past ten days and were working around the clock. We finally managed to transport all the pure water back to the city just before last night''s beast tide attack."


    So that''s how it is.


    Li Xiaofei suddenly understood. He had been worried about whether the water source near the city would still be preserved after last night''s beast tide. It turned out the government had already made arrangements.


    "The wilderness has been unstable recently, making resource gathering more difficult. Some people have been inflating the prices of survival resources in the city. This batch of water has made the price of water in the city to reduce by at least 20 percent. I must thank you on behalf of the citizens," said Tan Zhenwei.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "As a good citizen, it was my duty."


    Tan Zhenwei nodded in satisfaction, "The state and the people will never mistreat you, nor will they abandon the slum. Besides your personal reward, your community and convoy will also be rewarded, and this will be announced tomorrow."


    "Thank you, City Leader."


    Li Xiaofei was overjoyed. This was excellent news. His efforts to clean up the slum since becoming a leader were finally bearing fruit.


    After the awards ceremony, there was a group photo session. Then the hostesses lined up and left the stage. Zhong Ling lowered her head, saying nothing, and left quietly. Her steps seemed a bit unsteady, almost stepping on the person in front of her. It was unclear what she was thinking.


    Li Xiaofei touched the badge on his chest. It felt solid, like the towering Kunlun Mountains, embodying the spirit of the Great Xia people. At that moment, he suddenly felt that donating the pure water source was the best decision he had made since his journey began.

 Chapter 123: Do I Still Need To Hurry And Run Away?

    Chapter 123: Do I Still Need To Hurry And Run Away? After the award ceremony, Li Xiaofei didn''t immediately return to his seat. He deliberately took a detour that took him past Zhao Bufan''s seat.


    Zhao Bufan was in turmoil. When City Leader Tan Zhenwei read out Li Xiaofei''s name, it felt like he had been hit on the head with a hammer, leaving his mind buzzing.


    His last hopes had been extinguished when he saw Li Xiaofei walk up to the main stage. It was over. The slum brat had actually received the Kunlun Badge. Dealing with him in the future would involve uncontrollable consequences.


    Moreover, he had seen City Leader Tan and Li Xiaofei talking pleasantly throughout the entire award process. It didn''t look like the city leader was giving him any trouble. So, Tan Qingying''s association with Li Xiaofei must have been known and approved by the city leader all along?


    In an instant, Zhao Bufan was thrown into disarray.


    Who could have predicted that dealing with a slum brat would backfire so spectacularly?


    "Mr. Zhao, do I still need to hurry and run away now?" Li Xiaofei coldly smirked as he asked.


    Everyone at the table immediately turned to look at Zhao Bufan. The Charity King who had made such a grand impression tonight was looking utterly deflated as his forehead gleamed with cold sweat.


    "He just got lucky and found a water source," Zhao Bufan said, trying to sound tough but failing. "It''s not real competence... I won''t bother with you."


    The others at the table secretly shook their heads. Even if luck had been involved in finding the water source, not everyone could donate it without hesitation. Such boldness at a young age, and now being valued by the city leader, all pointed to a promising future. It was unwise for Zhao Bufan to make an enemy of such a person.


    "Won''t bother with me?" Li Xiaofei didn''t shy away, sneering, "But I want to bother with you. This isn''t over between us."


    He turned and walked away. As a holder of the third-class Kunlun Badge, he could now supervise corporate activities. Even if he just kept a close eye on Golden Eagle Guild and caused small troubles daily, he could make Zhao Bufan''s life miserable.


    Li Xiaofei quickly returned to his seat. By then, Tan Qingying had also come back inside. She looked at Li Xiaofei with genuine happiness. "Congratulations, you¡¯re the youngest recipient of the third-class Kunlun Badge in history. This record will probably stand for a long time."


    "Do you want to wear it? I can lend it to you for a bit," said Li Xiaofei jokingly.


    Tan Qingying reached out and touched it, saying, "No, I want to wear one that truly belongs to me."


    "Then work hard," Li Xiaofei replied.


    Tan Qingying clenched her fist in a gesture of determination. Their interaction was natural and unrestrained. Xiong Zhigang and the others remained silent, pretending to be invisible. But Li Xiaofei wasn''t going to let them off so easily.


    "Xiong, do I still need to hurry and run away now?" Li Xiaofei asked, playing with his certificate and badge on purpose.


    Xiong Zhigang didn¡¯t say anything.


    "I didn''t expect to win an award, haha. This award was too easy to get. I wonder, Xiong, have you ever won one?" Li Xiaofei asked again.


    Xiong Zhigang turned his head away, refusing to look at him.


    "Haha, you were all so high and mighty just a moment ago as you looked down on others. Now, you''ve all gone mute?" Li Xiaofei mocked mercilessly. He was a person who bore grudges, and he couldn''t resist such a perfect opportunity.


    The faces of the teenagers at the table turned green with anger, but they couldn''t find any way to retaliate.


    "You''re all just a bunch of useless blowhards," Li Xiaofei said unceremoniously. "You''re not worthy to sit at the same table as me."


    He completely ignored the two Jiepeng women.


    Unable to bear it any longer, Xiong Zhigang shouted, "You only got that badge because you were lucky enough to find a water source. Don''t get arrogant and tarnish the honor of the Kunlun Badge."


    Tan Qingying couldn''t help but burst into laughter.


    "A young man should be bold and spirited. If you''re not spirited, what kind of youth are you? You useless lot dared to mock the MVP of two consecutive league rounds when you didn''t have any badges. If you actually got some insignificant honor, who knows how pompously you''d be strutting?" Tan Qingying, the city leader''s daughter, retorted unceremoniously.


    Xiong Zhigang was unwilling to back down. "A badge earned by luck isn''t true competence. Real heroes earn military honors in battles against star beasts."


    "And what military honors do you have to speak such words?" Tan Qingying shot back.


    Xiong Zhigang replied, "I participated in the school-organized military training in July this year and was selected as a student representative to stand guard on the city wall. I performed excellently and received awards for being the most enduring and having the best military posture."


    "Yes, Senior Xiong received such honors, and did he brag about them?"


    "A real man should earn his merits on the battlefield, not by making donations and taking shortcuts."


    "I still admire Senior Xiong more." S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The other boys chimed in sarcastically now that they had an opportunity. As students, their reverence for the Kunlun Badge wasn''t as high as it should be.


    "You are truly shameless," Tan Qingying sneered. "Military training awards are considered honors? How can you say that with a straight face?"


    "Every honor is earned through hard work and effort, so why shouldn''t we brag about it?" Xiong Zhigang retorted stubbornly.


    "Donating a water source isn''t real effort? Six million cubic meters of pure water¡ªdo you know how many citizens that can sustain?" Tan Qingying insisted on arguing to the end. "Your double standards are truly laughable."


    Xiong Zhigang continued to argue, "We are just high school students without the opportunity to engage in real combat. All we can do is train hard and seize every opportunity to improve our abilities... At least I stood guard on the city wall. Has Li Xiaofei ever done that?"


    As they were talking, a thunderous round of applause suddenly erupted in the hall. It turned out the ceremony was moving to the next segment. Military Commander Ding Longao had appeared on the main stage to speak on behalf of the military. He was the head of the city''s military forces, a figure of true power.


    Liuhe Base City''s garrison consisted of three major corps, totaling thirty-seven battalions and fifty thousand personnel. This formidable conventional military force was under the command of a relatively short-statured middle-aged man. Moreover, he was also one of the foremost martial artists in the city.


    It was said that he had reached the Five Spirits Realm early in his career. He was known as the Liuhe Dragon in the martial arts community. In terms of sheer deterrence, the iron-willed and tough Commander Ding Longao surpassed even the silver-haired City Leader Tan Zhenwei.


    "I won''t take up much of your time. I came on stage to present an award to one individual," Ding Longao''s voice was piercing and clear.


    He spoke loudly, "The military awards have already been presented. This remaining award is to be given to a non-military martial artist who made significant contributions during last night''s city defense battle. It is to thank him and his friends for their courage and determination in defending Liuhe Base City."

 Chapter 124: Qinling Badge

    Chapter 124: Qinling Badge The entire hall fell silent at those words as everyone looked surprised.


    Is there really such a thing? Who is this person who¡¯s worthy of the garrison commander''s personal appearance to present an award?


    Whoever received such attention from the garrison would certainly gain significant prestige within the base city.


    "Please welcome Li Xiaofei from Red Flag High School," Ding Longao slowly announced.


    Boom.


    It was as if a bomb had been dropped in the hall. The atmosphere exploded instantly. This time, the clamor was impossible to suppress. People made all sorts of confused sounds, merging into a unified cacophony that expressed everyone''s shock.


    Li Xiaofei!


    It¡¯s Li Xiaofei again.


    This guy had just been awarded by the city leader moments ago. Now, he¡¯s being called up by the garrison commander for another award.


    Xiong Zhigang and his companions were utterly dumbfounded. It felt like they had been struck by lightning. Even Tan Qingying was stunned.


    Li Xiaofei slowly stood up under countless eyes and walked towards the main stage, step by step. The situation had gone beyond what he had expected. His decision to go to the city wall last night and support the army had been a spur-of-the-moment idea, primarily driven by curiosity and a desire to see the battlefield firsthand. He hadn''t anticipated receiving such a significant reward.


    He had already been pleasantly surprised when the young officer Wu Junzhuang brought a large amount of equipment and resources to the slum in the morning. Now, he was in the spotlight once again.


    I like this.


    At the same time, a big question arose in his mind.


    I was brought to the banquet by Little Ying, and was not officially invited. Why were both the government and the military certain that I would be here and ready to present me with an award?


    It didn''t seem entirely logical. But he didn''t have time to ponder it further. When he walked onto the stage, Li Xiaofei saluted Ding Longao. The small gesture pleased Ding Longao, as a military man.


    "I''m sure many of you are aware that a beast tide erupted last night, and there was fierce fighting on the city wall." Ding Longao''s gaze swept over the shocked faces in the audience as he spoke firmly. "What you may not know is that this beast tide was not a random occurrence. It was orchestrated by a Grade Five star beast, the Yinji Moon Fox. The military faced immense pressure during the battle, but thanks to the intervention of the Goddess, Ye Liuying, who repelled the Yinji Moon Fox and scattered the beast tide, we were able to manage."


    As soon as these words fell, the hall erupted in even louder gasps. The news had a profound impact on everyone present, including the top-tier figures.


    Beast tide and a Grade Five star beast. The combination of these terms was enough to make the five major families turn pale. That was a force capable of destroying an entire base city. Fortunately, Liuhe Base City had a stunning martial arts genius, Ye Liuying. As long as the Goddess was around, the base city was temporarily safe.


    "Throughout the entire battle, only the Cloudy Sky Gang, led by Li Xiaofei, adhered to the Great Xia Association''s code and went to the city wall to assist in its defense," Ding Longao announced.


    "The Cloudy Sky Gang performed exceptionally well during the battle, killing over a thousand star beasts. Li Xiaofei''s performance was particularly outstanding as he assisted the Goddess in battle, making significant contributions. Therefore, the garrison command has decided to award Li Xiaofei the third-class Qinling Badge as encouragement."


    Ding Longao''s starforce qi infused voice echoed through the vast hall, silencing all discussions. In fact, even without Ding Longao''s use of starforce, the hall would have suddenly fallen silent.


    The Qinling Badge! It was the Great Xia Republic''s symbol of military merit. Just as the Kunlun Badge was the highest level of government honor, the Qinling Badge was the symbol of military honor.


    Very few people in the history of Liuhe Base City had managed to obtain both. Yet Li Xiaofei had done it in less than two months. Moreover, he was so young. These factors combined made many people suddenly suspect that Li Xiaofei might be an illegitimate child of some big shot. Caught up in speculation, many people missed Ding Longao''s mention of Li Xiaofei assisting the Goddess Ye Liuying in battle.


    The shock of the Qinling Badge was too overwhelming. Even Li Xiaofei himself was stunned. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had learned from his teachers about the importance and significance of the Qinling Badge in his cultural studies at school. If receiving the third-class Kunlun Badge for donating six million cubic meters of pure water seemed reasonable, then getting a third-class Qinling Badge for helping defend the city wall the previous night was somewhat unbelievable.


    Although he had killed many Mole Crows and defended the entrance to the supply elevator, these were just ordinary star beasts and a standard defense point. How could that warrant a Qinling Badge?


    Li Xiaofei realized that there must be some hidden reasons behind this. Regardless, receiving a military merit badge was an enormous honor. The Qinling Badge not only symbolized glory but also granted the holder certain privileges.


    For example, the holder would be protected by the military. In times of danger, they could seek assistance from the military. When enlisting, the holder could start as a squad leader, and as long as they did not make mistakes, their promotion and evaluation would be much faster than that of ordinary soldiers.


    Even their family members would receive preferential treatment from the military, including monthly survival supplies. In the event of a major disaster, the military would prioritize the evacuation and protection of Qinling Badge holders and their families. In short, the badge established a strong relationship with the military.


    The rousing military award music played, filling the hall with energy. However, the expected elegant hostess did not appear. Instead, a young woman dressed in casual attire emerged from backstage. She walked unhurriedly, holding the award tray in one hand, and approached Ding Longao and Li Xiaofei with a relaxed demeanor. Her leisurely, casual manner made her seem more like a girl strolling down the street rather than an award presenter.


    The audience was taken aback.


    Is there a mishap?


    However, this casually dressed woman was strikingly beautiful. She looked like an ethereal being from myth and legend as she radiated a transcendent aura. It was like she had walked out of a divine painting; everyone felt that even looking at her for too long would be a desecration.


    Ding Longao was momentarily surprised to see the woman. But he quickly regained his composure and said, "Indeed, it is more fitting for you to present the award."


    The woman did not speak. She handed the certificate to Li Xiaofei rather casually, then gracefully lifted her pale hand to adjust the front of his clothes, preparing to pin the badge on him.


    Li Xiaofei found it a bit strange. A faint, pleasant fragrance wafted towards him. It wasn''t the scent of cosmetics, but a natural body fragrance. The woman before him was unrealistically beautiful. Yet, Li Xiaofei felt a vague sense of familiarity, as if he had seen her somewhere before.


    The Qinling Badge was quickly pinned to his chest. The woman then smoothed out the wrinkles on Li Xiaofei''s clothes. The gesture was somewhat intimate, but her presence was so commanding that Li Xiaofei remained still, allowing her to adjust his attire.


    "Your outfit is quite nice," she said in a cool, clear voice. "I like it."


    At that moment, Li Xiaofei''s mind buzzed as he instantly realized who she was.

 Chapter 125: Goddess

    Chapter 125: Goddess She was the mysterious woman from the Xiesheng clothing store lounge. Her voice that sounded like a frigid wind from the ice fields was unmistakably distinctive. When it brushed past your ear, it felt as if it would steal all the warmth from your body and seize your beating heart, leaving you as a cold corpse.


    The moment she spoke, Li Xiaofei felt as if he was encased in ice. He shivered uncontrollably. At the same time, the hall erupted in excitement.


    "It''s the Goddess!"


    "Goddess Ye Liuying."


    "Goddess Ye."


    "Oh my God, the elusive Goddess Ye is actually attending this banquet."


    "Ahhh, she personally pinned the badge on that guy. I''m so jealous."


    "His ancestors must be smiling down on him to be able to meet Goddess Ye face-to-face."


    "The Goddess spoke to him."


    "Why? Why did the Goddess personally present him with the award?"


    Countless people recognized the woman immediately. Goddess Ye Liuying was the pride of Liuhe Base City. Some were shocked, some wailed, some were envious, and some were jealous.


    Goddess Ye Liuying''s popularity was simply too high. She was widely recognized as the best swordswoman, the best power armor pilot and also acknowledged as the most beautiful woman in Liuhe Base City. Many believed that her actual combat power to be the best in the city.


    When Ye Liuying soared through the blue skies of Liuhe Base City as she piloted the Battle Angel power armor, she became the most beautiful sight in the hearts of Liuhe''s people. In fact, Ye Liuying''s influence extended beyond Liuhe Base City. She was well-known throughout the entire northwest region.


    There was a saying on the light-network, ¡°North of Qilian, Liuying is the most beautiful¡¯. Her admirers spanned across the northwest region. The young woman who possessed both beauty and strength naturally drove people wild.


    Ye Liuying was admired by people of all ages in Liuhe Base City. Her online influence surpassed even that of the city leader, the commander, and the inspector. However, she was usually very low-key. Most of her time was spent cultivating in the military camp. She had no social life, and wasn''t interested in power struggles. She had no interest in official positions, was indifferent to authority, didn''t care much about her own family and only rarely appeared in public. But this did not stop the public from enthusiastically discussing, praising, and idolizing her.


    On the main stage, Li Xiaofei caught a few words amidst the noise and realized who the woman before him was. A bolt of lightning flashed through his mind as he suddenly remembered. The reason her face seemed familiar was because he had briefly helped her and caught a glimpse of her elfin face through the power armor helmet visor the previous night on the city wall.


    Yes. This woman was the Battle Angel. Many thoughts flashed through Li Xiaofei''s mind in an instant.


    "What brand is this outfit?" Ye Liuying asked again.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at her.


    Sure enough, the more beautiful a woman, the better she is at acting. How could she not know the brand of his clothes?


    "This is the Starry Sky Tower¡¯s Xiesheng boutique¡¯s latest Noble Gentleman set, a rare Great Xia traditional style outfit on the market. I''ve always believed that Great Xia martial artists should wear our own brand of clothing," Li Xiaofei stated clearly, his voice reaching the entire hall.


    "No wonder," Ye Liuying said. "I liked it at first glance."


    Li Xiaofei, sensing the moment, added, "Xiesheng boutique doesn''t just sell men''s clothing, they have women''s clothing as well. My friend Tan Qingying''s dress tonight is from their Green Lotus collection." Li Xiaofei waved confidently in the direction of his table.


    Tan Qingying immediately stood up and waved back. Countless eyes followed the interaction, landing on Tan Qingying. The beauty of the city leader''s daughter, accentuated by the white and green stripe Green Lotus dress, was simply stunning. She exuded an indescribable charm and allure.


    As gazes shifted between Li Xiaofei and Tan Qingying, the contrast of the black Noble Gentleman and the white Green Lotus outfits created a picturesque moment. The two of them were stunning and ethereal models.


    With Goddess Ye Liuying''s endorsement, the name Xiesheng Boutique left an indelible impression on everyone in the hall. Ye Liuying then turned and left, taking countless eyes with her. As she disappeared backstage, almost everyone felt a silent pang of loss.


    Li Xiaofei saluted Ding Longao once more and walked off the stage. His footsteps seemed to resonate in the hearts of some people, making them uneasy with each step.


    Just like before, Li Xiaofei didn''t directly head for his seat. Instead, he took a detour, passing by Zhao Bufan''s table.


    "Zhao¡ª" said Li Xiaofei calmly. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But this time, before Li Xiaofei could even continue, Zhao Bufan immediately conceded.


    "I''m sorry, Li Xiaofei. I didn''t know my place before and offended you. I admit my mistake. Please, be magnanimous and don''t hold it against a small businessman like me."


    Sweat trickled down his forehead. Zhao Bufan''s face was pale and his eyes were filled with unmistakable fear. Li Xiaofei looked at him coldly. He didn''t accept the apology. He suddenly felt that mocking such a despicable person was meaningless. He simply turned and walked away.


    Zhao Bufan gasped for air like a fish out of water. He was genuinely afraid. A teenager who had the friendship of both the city government and the garrison, a genius high school student with both the Kunlun Badge and the Qinling Badge, was not someone a nouveau riche businessman could contend with.


    Li Xiaofei''s departing glance made Zhao Bufan feel as if he were sitting on pins and needles. Zhao Bufan realized he had to do something. He couldn''t just wait for his fate. So, he hurriedly opened his light core.


    At that moment, Li Xiaofei returned to his seat. Tan Qingying rushed over with a smile and gave him an enthusiastic hug in front of everyone, exclaiming, "Congratulations! You¡¯ve set a new honor record for high school students in Liuhe Base City."


    "Thank you," Li Xiaofei replied, feeling a bit embarrassed.


    The key issue was that the city leader was watching nearby. Hugging his daughter in public felt a bit... excessive.


    Back at his seat, Li Xiaofei slapped the certificate heavily on the table, crossed his arms, and looked at Xiong Zhigang and the other boys who had been mocking him.


    Xiong Zhigang''s head was almost buried in his lap. Someone who didn''t know better might have thought he had a peculiar posture. The other boys turned their heads away, pretending not to see him. Some covered their faces with their hands. A few looked visibly ashamed.


    "I''m sorry," one of the boys said shamefully. "Li Xiaofei, I was wrong. You are the true role model for high school students. I apologize for my previous behavior and words."


    "I''m sorry too."


    "You don''t have to forgive me, but I genuinely feel ashamed of my ignorance. I''m sorry, Li Xiaofei."


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly and replied, "Keep it up."


    The three words invigorated the boys who had apologized. There was a hint of admiration in their eyes as they looked at Li Xiaofei.


    At that moment, Xiong Zhigang suddenly raised his head.


    "Li Xiaofei, don''t be too pleased with yourself." He said through gritted teeth. "The honors you''ve received, I can achieve too. I just lack the opportunity... Don''t be surprised when I tell you, tonight''s banquet will see me as a main character too. Just wait and see."


    Xiong Zhigang displayed a curious, self-assured confidence.

 Chapter 126: Viral

    Chapter 126: Viral Everyone turned to look at Xiong Zhigang. Even the boys who had been supporting him before thought that this star student of the high school league was throwing a tantrum in a fit of rage. Spouting such bold words to someone wearing both military and government badges seemed like madness.


    Li Xiaofei didn''t bother to retort. Arguing was pointless in the face of facts. However, Xiong Zhigang''s defiance made Li Xiaofei vaguely suspect that he might indeed have something up his sleeve. He was curious to see what it might be.


    The banquet continued. After the series of thrilling award presentations, everyone needed to relax a bit. So, the next segment featured several cultural performances. They were very impressive.


    ***


    Backstage.


    "What? No, absolutely not," said Zhong Ling as she stared in disbelief at her classmate and close friend, Huang Yu.


    She couldn''t believe that Huang Yu was actually trying to introduce her to a so-called big shot to become his mistress. It completely shattered her worldview.


    "Little Ling, don''t be so quick to refuse," Huang Yu smiled, her short blonde hair framing her face. "I know it''s hard to accept at first, but think about it carefully. How many years do we girls have in our youth? Your father passed away, you have no home to return to, no support in this world, and now you''ve only just switched to martial arts cultivation. Think about it, how can you progress in martial arts without resources? You have no money, no background, and you''ve missed two years of the best cultivation time. You''re about to graduate from high school; what will you do then? Don''t wait until you''re old and no one wants you, only to start regretting it."


    Zhong Ling shook her head and replied, "I''m sorry, you may have a point, but I have my own principles and boundaries."


    Huang Yu looked at her in frustration and said, "I''m not afraid to tell you, the person interested in you is one of the top figures in Liuhe Base City. He can do whatever he wants. If you follow him, you''ll instantly stand at the top of the pyramid. What resources couldn''t you get then?"


    But Zhong Ling continued to shake her head.


    Huang Yu tried to persuade her patiently. "A girl''s beauty and youth are our strongest weapons, but this weapon depreciates with time. If you don''t take this opportunity now, you''ll regret it after you graduate and face the harsh reality of society."


    "There''s no need for you to say any more," Zhong Ling said firmly. "I still consider you a friend, but please don''t talk about this again."


    A flicker of barely noticeable anger flashed in Huang Yu''s eyes. "Little Ling, I really consider you a friend, which is why I''m saying all this. The powerful figure who''s interested in you is determined to have you. Even if you refuse, he has many ways to make you submit. You can''t escape."


    Zhong Ling looked at her youthful and beautiful reflection in the mirror. She thought of Li Xiaofei in the slum, her classmates like Zhou Yiyou gathered around her, and that lecherous old man on stage earlier...


    Indeed, her beauty had brought her a lot of attention. Some of it was beneficial and some of it was trouble. All those faces kept swirling in her mind. In the end, only one remained. The boy on the main stage receiving the Kunlun Badge.


    Maybe he was right.


    Zhong Ling sighed quietly within herself.


    "If such a terrible thing happens, I''d rather die," she said with unwavering determination.


    *** S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the shopping mall of Starry Sky Tower, Xiesheng boutique.


    "Today we have discounts."


    "You can get a good deal."


    "Handmade, a brand of our own Great Xia... "


    The shop owner with black glasses stood at the entrance, enthusiastically trying to attract passing customers. But almost all the potential customers just glanced at the store name and quickly walked away, not stopping for an unknown small brand.


    The shop owner with black glasses smiled bitterly.


    "Excuse me, ma''am, our mall prohibits soliciting customers outside the store." A well-dressed female mall manager said haughtily as she approached. "This impacts the experience of other customers. Please stay inside your store."


    The shop owner weakly defended herself, "I am inside my store. I didn''t step out... "


    "That doesn''t matter. You can''t call out to attract customers. It disturbs the guests," the mall manager said sternly. "We''ve received complaints from other merchants. Your behavior seriously disrupts the mall''s commercial order."


    "Then why are they allowed to do it?" The shop owner pointed to a few international brand stores opposite her, where multiple female sales assistants stood at the entrance inviting customers in.


    "They are international super brands, whose monthly revenue is thousands of times yours, and they attract tens of thousands more customers. Many people come here specifically for these super brands... Greater contribution comes with privileges," the female mall manager stated bluntly.


    The shop owner with black glasses protested, "But I also pay rent and signed a contract... "


    "To be honest, I don''t know how you even got the entry qualification.¡¯ The mall manager said mockingly. "If I were the general manager, a small brand like yours would never be allowed into Starry Sky Mall. It tarnishes our commercial image."


    "But... " The shop owner couldn''t help but retort, "If we don''t give our own Great Xia brands some opportunities and resources, how can they ever grow? Those international super brands also started small."


    The mall manager scrutinized the shop owner and said, "I admire your love for national brands and your naive idealism, but unfortunately, Starry Sky Mall is not a charity. Moreover, I must inform you that if your sales do not meet the target by the end of this month, you will have to leave."


    The shop owner felt defeated and resentful but had nothing more to say.


    The weak are always bullied. This is true for individuals, for nations, and in the business world as well.


    "Okay, I understand," she said, turning away in despair.


    Suddenly, a rush of hurried footsteps came from afar. A large crowd of people surged forward like a flood, rushing toward the store.


    "This is the place."


    "Xiesheng? Yes, this is the store."


    "Hurry, buy everything."


    "Hey, don''t push! There should be some order here."


    The customers, who looked like butlers, servants, or bodyguards, swarmed in like a tide. They didn¡¯t even say a word as they began frantically grabbing the clothes off the racks as if they were snatching up food in an apocalypse.


    The shop owner with black glasses stood there in bewilderment, her expression dazed as she adjusted her thick lenses.


    What¡¯s happening? A robbery? Someone actually dares to rob a store in Starry Sky Mall?

 Chapter 127: New Martial Surgery

    Chapter 127: New Martial Surgery The mall manager was also bewildered.


    Is someone actually trying to rob a store in Starry Sky Mall? That¡¯s suicidal.


    The people who had snatched all the clothes started to crowd around the checkout counter, shouting, "Check out, where''s the cashier? Hurry and check us out... "


    Some of the more aggressive ones had formed groups to divide and conquer. Some would run off with the clothes while others stayed behind to pay, claiming they would accept any price.


    "I''ll pay double."


    "Think that''s impressive? I''ll pay triple."


    "Do you know who my employer is?"


    The customers argued with each other over clothing. Their faces were red with frustration. It was an utterly bizarre scene. The Xiesheng Boutique had been incredibly quiet for days. But suddenly, it was as bustling and crowded as a boiling nine-grid hotpot.


    Ten minutes later, the shop owner with black glasses was standing dumbfounded behind the cash register. The female mall manager was equally stunned at the store entrance. Both of them stared at the now empty shelves and racks.


    All the store''s products, even some small items made from leftover materials meant to be given away as freebies, had been snatched up at exorbitant prices. The entire store was in disarray. Anyone who didn''t know better would have thought the store had been robbed.


    The shop owner checked the balance on her light core account. It had tripled. She had made a huge profit. She could hardly believe it, and she had no idea what had just happened. Her store had been on the verge of closing due to poor business. Yet in an instant, everything was sold out.


    The mall manager at the entrance was equally bewildered. She had worked at Starry Sky Mall for ten years and had seen all sorts of things. But today¡¯s scene was beyond anything she had ever witnessed. Before the two women could fully process what had happened, another wave of customers rushed in.


    "Can you do pre-sales?"


    "We want to place an order; we''ll wait however long it takes... "


    "Can we join as a franchise?" S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "How much is the franchise fee?"


    "Hello, we''re from Maple Leaf Villa''s logistics. Can we sign a long-term supply contract with you? Name your price."


    These people were all smiling and extremely polite.


    The shop owner with black glasses couldn''t help but ask, "Excuse me, what happened? Why have you all suddenly chosen my store? After all, we''re just a small brand."


    ***


    The hall resounded with thunderous applause that echoed endlessly.


    On the stage, the elder patriarch of the Ye family and Kuramaki Kazuki, a representative of the Jiepeng medical exchange delegation, had successfully signed a framework cooperation agreement. At that moment, the two were displaying the signed contract to the cameras and shaking hands.


    "It is an honor to establish this project collaboration with Duxing Hospital. Our Sanshang Group will continuously increase funding and technical support to ensure that the Inscribed Treasure Bone Transplant Project and the Side Effect Free High-Level Treasure Bone Fusion Technique are implemented within three months."


    "These two technologies are revolutionary. They signify the dawn of an era where martial arts experts can be mass-produced. Anyone, as long as they pass the preoperative physical examination and evaluation, can transform overnight from an ordinary person into a strong practitioner at the Qi Refining Realm, Limit Breaking Realm, or even the Acupoint Opening Realm."


    "At that time, everyone can become a martial arts expert. The star beasts in the wilderness will no longer pose a threat to us. We humans will have more martial arts experts who are capable of venturing beyond the city walls and launching counter attacks against the star beasts. We will eliminate these monsters and restore the Earth to an era dominated by humanity!"


    Kuramaki Kazuki enthusiastically delivered his speech to the cameras. His stirring speech left many in the audience feeling invigorated and enthusiastic. Great Xia had always been a nation with a strong tradition in ancient martial arts. Although there was now ongoing research into new martial arts and various surgical projects, high-precision and mature technologies like those from the Sanshang Group had not yet become widespread.


    If the technologies Kuramaki Kazuki spoke of were to be truly implemented and popularized at Duxing Hospital, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous benefit for the entire base city.


    But was this really true?


    Some people were skeptical of the grand vision he described.


    "To prove our technology, we will demonstrate it here today," Kuramaki Kazuki announced solemnly. "We will be inviting some audience members to volunteer to come on stage and undergo our technological transformation, allowing everyone to witness the magic of the Inscribed Treasure Bone Transplant Surgery firsthand... Are there any brave warriors from Great Xia willing to accept the challenge?"


    As soon as Kuramaki Kazuki''s words rang out, the hall erupted in excitement.


    Are the Jiepeng people really willing to demonstrate their technology live?


    Several people volunteered eagerly, raising their hands and loudly expressing their willingness to try, including Xiong Zhigang. He stood up and raised his hand almost immediately. He almost looked like a prearranged participant. Unsurprisingly, he was chosen as one of the three lucky ones.


    Before stepping onto the stage, Xiong Zhigang glanced at Li Xiaofei.


    "I''ll soon be stronger than you. Just wait and see." He said with a meaningful smile as he walked onto the main stage.


    The Jiepeng medical exchange delegation''s method of demonstration was simple and direct. Under the supervision of three notaries, ten renowned city doctors, and ten Acupoint Opening Realm experts, the three lucky ones had their starforce cultivation levels tested using newly unsealed starforce meters from a third-party company.


    Xiong Zhigang was at the second stage of the Limit Breaking Realm. Another volunteer, a young man named Qi Zhi, was at the seventh stage of the Qi Refining Realm. The third volunteer, a boy named Shan Bing, had not cultivated any starforce qi and was considered a natural failure in cultivation due to his constitution, making him an extreme example of poor talent.


    Next, the surgeries officially began. A temporarily constructed sterile and transparent operating room allowed everyone present to clearly see the entire process. The surgical team from the Jiepeng medical exchange delegation took less than thirty minutes in total, averaging under ten minutes per operation, to complete the so-called Inscribed Treasure Bone transplant surgeries.


    They transplanted twelve star beast inscribed treasure bones into the bodies of the three volunteers. The surgeries were all highly successful. Within three minutes of completing the transplants, the three subjects were able to get out of bed and walk without any hindrance. It was more miraculous than pulling a tooth in the morning and going back to work in the afternoon.


    The three quickly refined the implanted inscribed treasure bones with the professional guidance of the Jiepeng doctors and mastered their supernatural new martial arts abilities.


    "Haha, I''ve finally mastered starforce qi," Shan Bing shouted excitedly.


    He activated his qi, and four vortices appeared around his body. He was now at the fourth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. The hall erupted in astonished exclamations. A simple surgery had transformed someone who couldn''t cultivate into a fourth Qi Stage martial artist. It was unbelievably shocking.


    "Hehe, if it weren''t for Mr. Shan Bing''s body''s capacity being limited to only four inscribed treasure bones, our surgery could have even granted him the power of the ninth stage," Kuramaki Kazuki said proudly.


    Meanwhile, when Xiong Zhigang activated his starforce qi, a clear purplish-blue glow surged around his left arm and neck. It seemed as if he had broken some invisible shackles, and the energy waves emanating from him increased wildly. He was now at the fourth stage of the Limit Breaking Realm!


    As he exulted in the feeling of his rapidly increasing strength, Xiong Zhigang''s face revealed a triumphant smile. His gaze swept across the stage and locked onto Li Xiaofei. He made no effort to hide his challenging intent.

 Chapter 128: I Am Not Afraid Of You

    Chapter 128: I Am Not Afraid Of You The Jiepeng medical exchange delegation insisted on an impromptu challenge match during the evening event to prove the effectiveness of the surgery. Many people supported the decision. After all, the results of the surgery indeed appeared quite remarkable.


    However, it was necessary to verify whether the martial artists who underwent the surgery could genuinely fight and whether their realms were authentic. Two of the most advanced light core mainframe cabins were quickly moved to the main stage. After a thorough inspection by the notary staff, the municipal government, and the Jiepeng medical exchange delegation, they were deemed ready for use.


    The young man named Shan Bing was the first to enter the light core cabin. He connected to the network and entered the virtual light-network world. The giant screen at the venue began broadcasting live.


    Shan Bing entered the level one trial, Stormy Snow Mountain, to challenge the Snow Winged Eagle. Although he had not cultivated any martial arts, the inscription of the Earthquake Dragon treasure bone that had been implanted in him allowed him to activate the Stomping Earth Thorn secret technique. Heeffortlessly killed dozens of Snow Winged Eagles. In the end, he failed to pass only due to his lack of combat experience. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, this performance had already proven everything. The light core''s data scan of the human body could not be erroneous. The combat strength exhibited in the light-network world reflected one¡¯s true combat strength in the real world.


    Shan Bing had transformed from a nobody into a martial artist capable of slaying star beasts. The change was truly monumental. Moreover, many could see that as long as he underwent some training to master his combat skills, Shan Bing''s success in Stormy Snow Mountain was inevitable. Next, Qi Zhi''s performance in the light-network world was also excellent.


    Finally, it was Xiong Zhigang''s turn to take the stage. He was a dominant force in the advanced level trial of the light-network world. The superstar high school league student demonstrated a level of skill and experience in the trial that left many in awe. Watching his battle was like witnessing a grand performance.


    "No wonder he''s the top student at Liuhe Base City High School."


    "A true elite student."


    "Such a talented individual, it''s a shame Red Flag High School didn''t retain him."


    "Genius!"


    The venue was filled with voices of admiration. Even the city leader Tan Zhenwei and commander Ding Longao nodded slightly. In a way, Xiong Zhigang represented the educational level of Liuhe Base City and brought honor to its name.


    Gao Changlin, the head of the Education Department, was particularly overjoyed. Based on his experience, Xiong Zhigang undoubtedly had the capability to represent Liuhe Base City in the Northwest Regional League finals. After this new martial arts surgery, he would undoubtedly become even more formidable and have the potential to shine in the Northwest Regional League finals.


    This was also a significant achievement for Gao Changlin. When Gao Changlin noticed that even Inspector Li Zhoumin was pleased with Xiong Zhigang''s performance, nodding frequently, he felt even more elated.


    Soon, the three ''lucky ones'' completed their demonstrations.


    Jiepeng¡¯s Kuramaki Kazuki proudly said, "I believe everyone present is very satisfied with the results of the surgery. However, I must tell you that this is merely the third-level surgery currently mastered by the Sanshang Group. There are also second and first-level surgeries with even more potent effects, capable of elevating martial artists to the Acupoint Opening Realm, Meridian Expanding Realm, and even the Five Spirits Realm... "


    The hall was filled with exclamations of surprise. If this were true, then this new martial arts surgery was indeed groundbreaking. It suggested not only the mass production of martial artists but also the mass production of high-level martial artists.


    Could it be that humanity''s counterattack against the star beasts will truly be based on this new martial arts surgery?


    "And I can responsibly assure you all that these surgeries have absolutely no side effects," Kuramaki Kazuki continued. "There will be no residual star beast energy, and no mental pollution. Moreover, we can even reserve upgrade potential during the surgery process. Once better and more suitable Inscribed Treasure Bones become available, a second surgery can be performed to replace the implanted bones, allowing the recipient''s strength to continue to improve!"


    Kuramaki Kazuki''s words were full of temptation. Everyone seemed to see a shortcut to the pinnacle of power.


    To prove his point, Kuramaki Kazuki turned to Xiong Zhigang and said, "Xiong Zhigang, as one of the first martial artists to undergo the surgery, could you share your experience?"


    Xiong Zhigang''s eyes sparkled with intense determination.


    "I feel great." He said confidently. "I feel like I can defeat any opponent, including... "


    He suddenly pointed at Li Xiaofei.


    "Li Xiaofei, do you dare accept my challenge?" He said as he looked down from the stage. "As a dual badge bearer, do you dare to fight me openly and fairly?"


    The hall erupted. No one had expected Xiong Zhigang to challenge Li Xiaofei at that moment. Even Kuramaki Kazuki was taken aback. He felt quite displeased with Xiong Zhigang''s disobedience. However, just as he was about to say something, he noticed Tsukiha Yaiba gently shaking his head in the audience, signaling him not to intervene.


    "You''re shameless!" Tan Qingying was the first to slam the table and jump to her feet. "You are at the fourth stage of the Limit Breaking Realm, while Li Xiaofei is in the Qi Refining Realm. You''re a whole realm apart, and you call this fair?"


    Xiong Zhigang ignored Tan Qingying as he stared at Li Xiaofei and said calmly, "One must bear the weight of a crown... Do you dare or not?"


    Li Xiaofei replied indifferently, "Are you sure?"


    "Of course, I''m sure." Xiong Zhigang curled his finger aggressively, "You haven''t answered me yet, do you dare to fight or not?"


    Countless eyes landed on Li Xiaofei. Everyone realized that this boy¡¯s first challenge after being in the limelight all evening had arrived like a bolt of lightning. If he refused to fight, the glory he had earned earlier would be significantly diminished. Xiong Zhigang could easily step on Li Xiaofei to rise to the top, becoming the first in Liuhe Base City''s high school scene to intimidate a dual badge bearer. At least it made for a great media headline.


    If he accepted the challenge, the Limit Breaking Realm could easily crush the Qi Refining Realm. Li Xiaofei had no chance of winning. Meanwhile, Xiong Zhigang would undoubtedly become the first in Liuhe Base City''s high school scene to brutally defeat a dual badge bearer. An even more sensational headline. No matter what, he stood in an invincible position.


    Li Xiaofei slowly stood up.


    Tan Qingying panicked. "Don''t fall for it... "


    Li Xiaofei smiled at her. "Trust me."


    He looked toward the main stage and said clearly, "If you want to fight, then we shall fight."


    I am not afraid of you!

 Chapter 129: I Will Kill You With This Knife

    Chapter 129: I Will Kill You With This Knife No one had expected Li Xiaofei to accept the challenge. The choice seemed aggressive, but in truth, it was also inevitable. Xiong Zhigang had one thing right; to wear the crown, you must bear its weight. Since Li Xiaofei had become a dual badge bearer, he had to face the challenges and difficulties that came with the glory. Especially on an occasion like tonight.


    Notary personnel, official technicians, and Jiepeng technicians meticulously checked all the programs and hardware of the two light core mainframes again, ensuring there were no errors.


    Tan Qingying clenched her fists nervously. She looked like an angry squirrel. Xiong Zhigang was clearly bullying the weak with his superior realm. But why did no one stand up to say a fair word for Li Xiaofei? Even his father, Uncle Ding, and Uncle Li all remained silent and did not intervene. The expressions of the boys at the table were complex.


    Those who had initially sided with Xiong Zhigang now looked more toward Li Xiaofei with admiration and anticipation in their eyes. Unconsciously, they had already changed their allegiance.


    Mizutani Hikaru rested her chin on her hand.


    "Interesting, I wonder who will win, Xiong Zhigang or Li Xiaofei.¡± She murmured to herself. "Xiong Zhigang''s realm is undoubtedly strong, but Li Xiaofei''s reaction makes me think he has some hidden card. What could it be? No matter what, a Qi Refining Realm can''t possibly be a match for a Limit Breaking Realm... Ah, this is so exciting... "


    "Can you shut up?" Tan Qingying snapped rudely. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Rude! Great Xia woman, no manners," Mizutani Hikaru retorted unhappily.


    "You''re the one with no manners, making such a racket."


    "No, you are... "


    The two girls erupted into a fierce argument.


    Tsukiha Yaiba smacked Mizutani Hikaru on the back of her head, saying, "Mizutani-chan, please remember to act as a guest and not disgrace the empire."


    Mizutani Hikaru had no choice but to bury her chin back into her chest. "I''m sorry, Sister Tsukiha."


    "Sorry for the trouble," Tsukiha Yaiba smiled at Tan Qingying.


    Tan Qingying blushed and didn''t say anything further, but she couldn''t shake the feeling that she had been outshone by this flat-chested girl from Jiepeng.


    The machines were soon fine-tuned, and the match was broadcast within the small confines of the venue. The light core randomly chose the Chang''an Street in Ruins map. It was a smoky battlefield with an ancient atmosphere. A classic solo challenge map.


    There was a long street paved with green stone slabs, flanked by the burning ruins of tall brick and wooden buildings. Stones and charred wood constantly fell amidst the sounds of explosions and collapsing structures. The environment was complex, testing the participants'' reaction speed.


    Two beams of light descended as Li Xiaofei and Xiong Zhigang appeared simultaneously. Their appearance and attire were identical to those in the real world.


    "Die." Xiong Zhigang wasted no words and attacked immediately.


    He utilized a movement combat technique to dash toward Li Xiaofei with incredible speed. His body leaned forward slightly as he swiftly approached Li Xiaofei.


    So fast!


    A trace of seriousness appeared in Li Xiaofei''s eyes. He stood still, circulating his energy. The power of the tenth stage rumbled like thunder, forming a golden mist around him that resembled a mysterious cosmic nebula around a star.


    His eyes burned with a fierce fighting spirit. Everyone had assumed he had reluctantly accepted Xiong Zhigang''s challenge, but in reality, he had wanted to fight. As a martial arts fanatic, his greatest love was difficult combat. He constantly sought to challenge the impossible. It was only through those challenges that he could become stronger.


    From the moment he had reached the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, Li Xiaofei had always wanted to find an opportunity to thoroughly test his limits. He knew very well that he was much stronger than an average tenth stage. But could he compare to someone in the Limit Breaking Realm?


    He had some confidence in this regard. He had easily killed the Golden Scorpion King in the previous light core trials using the Graceful Step of the Waves, which was an example of surpassing his level. However, Li Xiaofei did not want to reveal his identity as Your Grandpa yet. He wanted to rely on his direct combat strength to test his limits.


    "Kill!" Xiong Zhigang shouted.


    Once he was within two meters of Li Xiaofei, Xiong Zhigang tried to chop at Li Xiaofei¡¯s neck with his left hand. But Li Xiaofei dodged to the side with his Three Steps Cicada Catch.


    Boom!


    The cyan blade aura from Xiong Zhigang''s knife hand carved a several-meter-long gouge behind Li Xiaofei. That was just from a single hand chop. A Limit Breaking Realm warrior''s starforce qi had undergone a qualitative transformation. A barehanded strike was as powerful as a sword.


    Li Xiaofei kept dodging. His Three Steps Cicada Catch was slightly faster than his opponent''s movements, so he could calmly evade each attack. But Xiong Zhigang''s attacks were also patient and unhurried. Each of his hand chops released a blade aura as sharp as a divine weapon, cutting through the air within a five-meter radius. He had far surpassed the power of the tenth stage.


    After a few breaths, Li Xiaofei had already dodged ten strikes. He had roughly gauged the power of Xiong Zhigang''s hand chops.


    On the eleventh strike, Li Xiaofei counterattacked. He used the Great Strength Vajra Fist with the Threefold Divine Strength. The golden mist around Li Xiaofei grew even more brilliant, and his bones made a popping sound as his body seemed to swell instantly. He unleashed a Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow with three times his strength. His fist collided directly with the hand chop. There were no tricks, just a pure clash of strength.


    Boom!


    The collision created a visible shockwave that spread around them. Debris flew everywhere as the dilapidated wooden buildings around them collapsed in the flames. The two figures separated, each retreating dozens of meters.


    "So, you were hiding your strength." Xiong Zhigang said calmly. "No wonder you single-handedly brought down Longteng High School. Your combat strength has reached the Limit Breaking Realm."


    There was no trace of impatience in his demeanor as he stood there. He truly lived up to his reputation as the MVP of the high school league.


    Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei gently flexed his wrist. The recoil had caused a fine layer of blood to appear on his entire right arm. Moreover, it seemed that the physical strength of the tenth stage was still insufficient to fully withstand the power of the Great Strength Vajra Fist when unleashed at full force.


    His aunt had said that he could only fully harness the power of the Great Strength Vajra Fist at will upon reaching the Limit Breaking Realm. It seemed she had been correct. Li Xiaofei judged that he was no match for Xiong Zhigang in a direct confrontation. The strength of the Limit Breaking Realm was just qualitatively different from that of the Qi Refining Realm.


    Moreover, Xiong Zhigang, who had undergone surgery, had already broken through the innate shackles of his arms, neck, and waist to reach the fourth stage. The gap in cultivation was too vast.


    Li Xiaofei made a quick decision. He walked over to the nearby ruins and summoned a rusty kitchen knife with a telekinetic pull.


    "I will kill you with this knife," Li Xiaofei said, holding the knife firmly.

 Chapter 130: What Was Meant To Happen Had Finally Happened

    Chapter 130: What Was Meant To Happen Had Finally Happened "Hehe..." Xiong Zhigang let out a cold chuckle.


    He didn¡¯t bother speaking again as he attacked again. His battlefield discipline was rather astonishing. There was no unnecessary talk and no taunting. He always attacked directly.


    Xiong Zhigang accelerated, the cyan starforce qi around him forming a vortex and making it seem like he was gliding just above the ground.


    But Li Xiaofei remained motionless. His eyes were bright and focused as his grip tightened on the knife. The distance between them grew shorter and shorter.


    Thirty meters... Fifteen meters... Ten meters... Three meters!


    Just as Xiong Zhigang was about to enter the two-meter range, Li Xiaofei moved. His figure seemed to blur slightly in place. Xiong Zhigang''s hand thrust into Li Xiaofei¡¯s chest like a divine blade, but he didn¡¯t feel like he had struck something solid.


    Not good!


    Xiong Zhigang realized something was wrong in an instant. He had hit an afterimage. But his combat experience and reaction speed were remarkably fast. The moment he realized what he had struck, he immediately accelerated and tried to charge out of Li Xiaofei¡¯s range.


    This was undoubtedly the wisest choice. Xiong Zhigang dashed forward ten meters and turned around instantly. Opposite him, Li Xiaofei was still standing in his original position. But the rusty kitchen knife in Li Xiaofei''s hand now had a faint trace of red on it.


    Plop.


    Fresh blood trickled down the rough spine of the knife, dripping onto the dusty stone pavement.


    "You... " Xiong Zhigang tried to speak but suddenly found breathing and speaking extremely difficult.


    He felt a chill on his neck. Instinctively, he raised his hand and it came away covered in blood. His throat had been cut. A look of bewilderment appeared on Xiong Zhigang''s face, but in the next moment, his figure dissolved into a stream of blue data and vanished from the battlefield.


    Li Xiaofei casually tossed the rusty kitchen knife away. He, too, did not utter another word as he summoned the system and transported himself away. The battle was over just like that.


    ***


    The large hall erupted with uncontrollable exclamations. Many people did not understand what had just happened.


    How did Xiong Zhigang, who was initially in an overwhelmingly advantageous position, suddenly get critically injured without realizing in the moment they collided?


    Of course, some experts grasped the secret behind it. It was simple. Speed. Xiong Zhigang had been fast, but Li Xiaofei had just been faster. In that brief moment where their figures had met, Li Xiaofei had used a movement technique so elusive that it defied description to evade the attack and leave an afterimage. He had then simply raised his hand and used Xiong Zhigang''s own speed to slice his neck with the rusty kitchen knife.


    Both of them were extremely fast. At that speed, even a rusty kitchen knife could cut through the throat of a fourth-stage Limit Breaking Realm martial artist. That was why Xiong Zhigang did not realize he had been stabbed. It had all happened too fast.


    What made it even more ironic was that Xiong Zhigang seemed to have willingly offered his neck to the rusty kitchen knife. Li Xiaofei had effortlessly executed a counter strike. It sounded simple but the underlying principles were something ordinary people could not achieve. Every movement involved in dodging and counter attacking required perfect calculation. The slightest mistake would have been death.


    Yet, Li Xiaofei accomplished it. It seemed that this young man''s combat experience and skill were on par with Xiong Zhigang. It was a truly outstanding performance.


    Clap, clap. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Zhoumin, the inspector of the Star Council stationed at Liuhe Base City, started applauding. The scholarly middle-aged man stood up, smiling broadly, and gently clapped his hands. Everyone else finally snapped out of their daze. In the next instant, the hall erupted with thunderous applause.


    "Fantastic!" shouted Tan Qingying as she jumped up excitedly.


    If the occasion had been more appropriate, she might have rushed to the main stage to give Li Xiaofei a big hug. She turned to look at the distance. Her father and Commander Ding Longao were still seated, but both had smiles on their faces.


    Tan Qingying had rarely seen that kind of smile on her father¡¯s face in the last three or four years. It was a relaxed, heartfelt, and comforting smile. Tan Qingying sensed that her father seemed to feel a great weight lifted off his shoulders when Li Xiaofei won.


    She looked at the two Jiepeng people at the same table. Mizutani Hikaru''s mouth was wide open, her tiny cherry-like mouth now wide enough to fit not just a thick sausage but probably two eggs as well.


    Tsukiha Yaiba, on the other hand, was slightly frowning, seemingly deep in thought. But in the next moment, she suddenly seemed to understand something. Her elegant, delicate face lit up with a look of realization, and she even started to smile excitedly.


    This Jiepeng woman is hiding something.


    Tan Qingying immediately became wary.


    Both contestants had already stepped out of the light core cabins on the main stage. Xiong Zhigang''s expression was somewhat dazed. He seemed still immersed in the memory of that fatal strike.


    In truth, at the moment the light core deemed him dead and transported him out, Xiong Zhigang had already understood how he had been defeated. But he couldn''t comprehend how Li Xiaofei had managed to pull it off.


    A movement technique capable of leaving an afterimage like that was absolutely beyond the capabilities of a Qi Refining Realm martial artist. But it didn¡¯t make sense for Li Xiaofei to hide his strength.


    The light core scan had definitively determined that Li Xiaofei was in the Qi Refining Realm. The light core could not possibly make a mistake.


    The more he thought about it, the more dissatisfied Xiong Zhigang felt.


    He looked at Li Xiaofei and asked hoarsely, "Did you master some secret movement technique? What kind of combat skill is it?"


    But Li Xiaofei ignored him. Instead, he looked at Kuramaki Kazuki, who was equally shocked and silent on the side.


    "The effectiveness of your country''s surgery doesn''t seem as miraculous as you boasted. It seems our Great Xia martial lineage can still overcome it in battle," Li Xiaofei said in a clear and confident voice.


    Kuramaki Kazuki frowned, "Xiong Zhigang lost simply because his skills were inferior, not because our Jiepeng''s new martial arts surgery is ineffective. How can you judge our surgery based on a single loss?"


    "We have an ancient saying in Great Xia. The winner becomes the king, and the loser the bandit." Li Xiaofei replied calmly, "A loss is a loss, and any explanation is an excuse. My ability to defeat your Jiepeng''s fourth stage Limit Breaking Realm modified martial artist with my Qi Refining Realm cultivation shows that the Great Xia''s martial lineage is not inferior."


    He didn''t bother to argue any further and walked down the stage at a leisurely pace. Kuramaki Kazuki watched Li Xiaofei with a dark expression, but the boy''s demeanor remained composed and graceful.


    Applause once again filled the venue.


    "Please stay, Li Xiaofei."


    An elegant and authoritative voice spoke up, and Li Xiaofei paused. Inspector Li Zhoumin slowly rose from his seat.


    He smiled broadly. "This is the first time I''ve seen such an extraordinary high school student in all my years stationed in Liuhe Base City, especially one from the Great Xia martial lineage. It truly brings me great comfort. Li Xiaofei, would you be willing to speak with me after the event?"


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback. The hall erupted in astonished murmurs. It had finally come. What was meant to happen had finally happened.

 Chapter 131: A Bet

    Chapter 131: A Bet Everyone knew that Inspector Li Zhoumin enjoyed mentoring outstanding young talents. They also knew that Li Zhoumin''s presence at the evening event was primarily to evaluate the next generation of high school students. It was customary for him to pick one young person tonight.


    Many students, including Xiong Zhigang and others like Little Sword Immortal Gu Haochen in the far back rows, had paid a significant price to be present at the event. They had all hoped to gain the favor of the esteemed Inspector. But the moment had arrived and Inspector Li had made his choice.


    It was Li Xiaofei! In truth, when this boy from Red Flag High School won both the Kunlun Badge and the Qinling Badge, many had speculated that he might be the one Li Zhoumin would select tonight.


    But then Xiong Zhigang emerged. Xiong Zhigang''s performance had been stunning after undergoing the Jiepeng surgery. He seemed poised to compete with Li Xiaofei. But unfortunately, Xiong Zhigang had been utterly defeated in their battle.


    Li Xiaofei was truly extraordinary. Even those who didn''t like this martial arts prodigy had to admit that his performance tonight was undeniably the most dazzling. It would have been more surprising if the inspector had chosen someone else.


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned but quickly accepted the inspector¡¯s invitation.


    "As you wish, I dare not refuse," he replied, performing the clasped-fist salute of the Great Xia martial lineage.


    "Haha, good, very good," Li Zhoumin laughed heartily.


    Li Xiaofei deliberately took a familiar detour back to his seat. For the third time, he walked by Zhao Bufan''s seat. This time, he didn''t even need to speak. He simply glanced at him. Zhao Bufan instantly felt as if his soul had left his body. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Bufan breathed heavily and tried to force a flattering expression onto his face as he said, "Young Master Li, I was wrong. Please, be the bigger person and forgive me. I''ll offer half of my family''s assets... "


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly. He said nothing more as he turned and walked away. Zhao Bufan slid from his seat like a pile of mush. He realized that he was in big trouble.


    What should I do?


    Panic and fear engulfed him. Zhao Bufan''s hands and feet began to twitch uncontrollably.


    ***


    "Yeah!"


    Tan Qingying clapped loudly as she exclaimed excitedly, "You were amazing! Haha, I knew you could do it. If there were ten measures of brilliance, you took twelve tonight, and everyone else still owes you five."


    "Good one," Li Xiaofei laughed, amused. "You''re so pretty and so eloquent. If you''re so good at talking, keep talking."


    "No way, I have to save some for later," Tan Qingying stuck out her pink tongue playfully. "If I say too much, you''ll get arrogant."


    Li Xiaofei looked at the girl in front of him, and his expression suddenly became serious.


    He spoke with utmost sincerity, "Thank you."


    "Huh?" Tan Qingying was taken aback.


    Li Xiaofei continued, "Thank you. If it weren''t for you bringing me here... "


    "No need, you already said we''re friends," Tan Qingying waved her hand dismissively.


    The girl''s heart was sincere and fiery.


    "Congratulations, Li Xiaofei," Tsukiha Yaiba stood up with a smile. "I didn''t expect you to be so exceptionally talented. It''s truly impressive. The ancient martial arts of Great Xia are astonishing."


    It was hard to be unfriendly to someone with a smile.


    Li Xiaofei responded lightly, "I''m just somewhat invincible in the high school scene of Liuhe Base City. I''m merely a firefly''s light in the vast expanse of Great Xia."


    Tan Qingying couldn''t help but laugh.


    This guy. You can call him humble, yet he claims to be invincible in Liuhe Base City''s high school scene. You can call him arrogant, but he says he''s just a firefly in the whole country. He''s managed to say both modest and boastful things all at once.


    Tsukiha Yaiba smiled and said, "Li Xiaofei, you''re too modest." She paused for a moment before adding, "With your talent, I believe you''re among the top geniuses in the entire Great Xia Republic. I deeply admire you and look forward to the day we can face each other in the league."


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Don''t worry, I won''t hold back then."


    "So what if you don''t hold back?" Mizutani Hikaru snorted coldly. "Don''t think you''re invincible in Liuhe Base City just because you defeated that trash Xiong Zhigang. Sister Tsukiha can defeat ten of you with one hand."


    "Li Xiaofei can defeat a hundred of you with one finger," Tan Qingying retorted fiercely, unwilling to back down.


    The two girls immediately started bickering again. Tsukiha Yaiba smiled and stopped Mizutani Hikaru.


    "Li Xiaofei, do you dare make a bet with me?" she asked.


    Li Xiaofei asked, "What are we betting?"


    Tsukiha Yaiba replied, "In the fourteenth round of the league, Quanye High School will face Red Flag High School. We will have a one-on-one duel. If I win, you have to promise me one thing. If you win, I''ll promise you one thing. How about it?"


    Li Xiaofei asked, "Anything?"


    Tsukiha Yaiba nodded, "Anything."


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and said, "Alright."


    Tsukiha Yaiba extended her fair, jade-like hand, "It''s a deal."


    Li Xiaofei slapped her palm loudly, "It''s a deal."


    "Ah, you Great Xia people are so rough," Mizutani Hikaru said indignantly. "You used so much force and hurt Sister Tsukiha. Couldn''t you be a bit more gentle?"


    Li Xiaofei did not reply as a row of black lines appeared on Tsukiha Yaiba''s forehead.


    Damn it, what is this idiot saying?


    She grabbed Mizutani Hikaru by the collar and turned to leave.


    "Hey? The event isn''t over yet... " Mizutani Hikaru struggled and flailed.


    "For us, it is," Tsukiha Yaiba said darkly.


    One girl then proceeded to drag the other out of the venue. Their kimonos were so conspicuous that no one tried to stop them.


    ***


    The evening event soon came to an end. No one had expected it to be anything but the usual, but who would have thought that so many things could happen in just three short hours? It was truly a series of unexpected twists and turns. But the winner tonight was unmistakable; Li Xiaofei.


    He had not only earned two prestigious badges from the military and government but also had a close encounter with the Goddess Ye Liuying and defeated the fourth stage Limit Breaking Realm martial artist Xiong Zhigang. His legendary career was now even more dazzling.


    In the end, he received an invitation from Inspector Li Zhoumin. All the benefits of the evening had gone to one guy. It was as if the entire event had been prepared specifically for him. Everyone else in attendance seemed to be mere background characters.


    As the host announced the end of the evening event, the hall immediately became noisy and chaotic. The crowd surged like a tide as everyone converged on Li Xiaofei.

 Chapter 132: The Appreciation Of The Big Shots

    Chapter 132: The Appreciation Of The Big Shots "Li Xiaofei, I am from the Ye family..."


    "Li Xiaofei, I am Du Yulong, the general manager of Du Family Chain Supermarkets. When would you be available to discuss sponsoring your cultivation resources?"


    "Our Qi family can also sponsor you."


    "Li Xiaofei, could we exchange contact information? I''m the principal of Petroleum First High School..."


    "Li Xiaofei..."


    Faces beamed with enthusiasm, and their words were filled with genuine concern. Numerous olive branches were being extended toward him. It seemed as if the whole world had suddenly become friendly to the kid from the slum.


    Li Xiaofei was overwhelmed by the attention. On the other side, Xiong Zhigang stood dejectedly as people passed by him without a second glance. He was completely irrelevant to them.


    "Everyone, make way, make way."


    The young secretary from the city leader''s office squeezed in, panting, and said, "The city leader and the commander request Li''s presence."


    Li Xiaofei finally managed to extricate himself from the crowd with his help. He couldn¡¯t help but take a long breath of relief.


    Goodness. This is more exhausting than a life-and-death battle.


    He followed the young secretary out of the venue. The young secretary felt a surge of emotions. The last time he had seen Li Xiaofei was just half a month ago in the city leader''s office.


    Back then, Li Xiaofei was just an unknown student visiting with his principal. When he walked through the corridors of the office building, no one would spare him a second glance. But now?


    The young secretary had no doubt that the next time Li Xiaofei appeared outside the city leader''s office, at least seventy percent of the important figures waiting in line would recognize him. They would all crowd around and ask for his contact information. That¡¯s what overnight fame looked like.


    "We''re here. The leaders are waiting for you inside."


    The young secretary led Li Xiaofei to a VIP lounge outside the venue and opened the door.


    "Thank you," Li Xiaofei said gratefully.


    Then he stepped inside.


    "Our young star is here," City Leader Tan Zhenwei''s loud and cheerful voice greeted him.


    Li Xiaofei found Commander Ding Longao, the heads of the five major families, Inspector Li Zhoumin, and others sipping tea and conversing in the lounge. The atmosphere seemed very harmonious, with an air of congeniality.


    "City Leader."


    "Commander."


    "Inspector Li."


    "Respected elders."


    Li Xiaofei behaved very respectfully, greeting each of the distinguished figures present. Only a fool would put on airs in front of these people.


    "Haha, no need to be so formal, have a seat," Tan Zhenwei said, pointing to a nearby chair.


    Li Xiaofei sat down obediently. But only half of his bottom was on the cushion and his back was as straight as a javelin. He was radiating vitality and spirit. This posture immediately gained Commander Ding Longao''s approval. As a military man, he liked seeing a military bearing in young people.


    "Promising young man." The elderly head of the Ye family said with a trembling voice. "Li Xiaofei, your brilliance reminds me of my younger days. Ah, time never stops, and I''m getting old. It''s truly something to envy."


    "Don''t lament, old fellow. New talents emerge in every generation; you can''t always be the leading figure of the era."


    "Haha, Brother Ye has a heart that refuses to age."


    "When one gets old, one must accept it."


    The other heads of the major families laughed. They seemed to be casually chatting, but Li Xiaofei could sense the hidden tensions and subtle rivalries beneath the surface.


    Li Xiaofei sat quietly, not interrupting the conversation.


    "Li Xiaofei, are you interested in joining our Duxing High School?" The elderly head of the Ye family asked with a smile. "You have great potential. Staying at Red Flag High School is a waste. A youth like you only has a few golden years to cultivate. Duxing High School is ranked number one in the city and can provide you with more comprehensive support and help."


    "Old Ye, that''s not very fair. How can you try to poach someone right off the bat? If Chen Fei from Red Flag High School finds out, he''ll fight you to the end." The head of the Du family chortled.


    "Indeed, your Ye family poached Xiong Zhigang, a genius cultivated by Chen Fei with great effort two years ago. Now you want to poach young Li Xiaofei as well? You''re trying to cut off the roots of Red Flag High School. That''s quite unscrupulous." The head of the Qi family added.


    "Yes, yes, you''re all right," laughed the head of the Zhou family. "So, Li Xiaofei, would you consider joining our Lanshan High School? You can name any conditions."


    Each of the family heads extended their offers, showing how extraordinary Li Xiaofei''s performance had been tonight. They were all keen on recruiting him.


    Li Xiaofei smiled warmly at them. "Thank you for the compliments, esteemed elders. I am very happy at Red Flag High School and enjoy the atmosphere there, so I currently have no plans to switch schools."


    "Good, young man, it''s commendable to see someone who finishes what they start." The elderly head of the Ye family praised.


    The other family heads didn''t press the matter further. Given their status, extending an invitation once was already a significant gesture. Since Li Xiaofei had declined, they respected his decision.


    After all, he was just a promising young talent, not a mature force. Their initial offers were largely a gesture of goodwill primarily to stay in the good graces of Inspector Li Zhoumin. In the high echelons of power, conversations often carried deeper meanings than what was said on the surface.


    "An old man like me can''t stay up too late. I''ll take my leave now." The Ye family patriarch said, standing up to leave.


    The other family heads also took their leave, exchanging polite farewells. Commander Ding Longao also prepared to depart.


    "Here is my personal light core signal. If you ever want to join the military, you can contact me anytime. I have high hopes for you," Commander Ding Longao said, patting Li Xiaofei on the shoulder as he left behind his contact information.


    It was not the first time Ding Longao had shown his approval of Li Xiaofei.


    "Rest assured, Commander. I will cultivate to revive the Great Xia martial lineage and protect my country. I will be dedicating my life and efforts to the cause," Li Xiaofei said, snapping into a crisp military salute.


    Whether it was five hundred years ago or now, he had always held a deep respect and admiration for the soldiers of Great Xia. In the past, the army had no need for a martial arts fanatic who couldn''t make a name for himself. But now, Li Xiaofei believed he could make a significant contribution to Great Xia''s armed forces.


    "Excellent!" Ding Longao laughed heartily.


    Ding Longao''s face was still adorned with a smile as he left. Tan Zhenwei looked at Li Xiaofei with increasing satisfaction. Tan Zhenwei, Ding Longao, and Li Zhoumin were all seasoned veterans of the martial world. Their eyes might not be as sharp as those of legendary figures, but they were certainly capable of seeing through people and situations.


    They could clearly see the sincerity and passion within Li Xiaofei when he said he would dedicate his life. How could such a young man not earn their admiration?


    "Inspector Li has been waiting for you for a while. Go ahead," Tan Zhenwei said, also giving Li Xiaofei a pat on the shoulder and adding, "Come by my house for tea when you have time."


    "Sure, I''ll definitely come," Li Xiaofei replied, holding great respect for the white-haired city leader in front of him. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Soon, the lounge was left with just two people.


    Li Zhoumin looked at the young man before him with satisfaction.


    "Let''s talk somewhere else."

 Chapter 133: Too Few

    Chapter 133: Too Few The top floor of the Starry Sky Hotel, General Manager''s exclusive rest area.


    The room was furnished with traditional wooden furniture. Middle-aged and elderly people often favored dark red hues. There was a writing desk and a display shelf for antiques as well as a tea table and seats. A fish-tail-shaped incense burner emitted a thin wisp of light blue smoke. The entire room was filled with a faint jasmine scent. This was the essence of Great Xia''s ancient style.


    Li Xiaofei had seen this kind of decor in films and TV dramas from five hundred years ago, where artists would style their rooms like this. The quiet atmosphere carried an ancient charm and a refined style. It also made it easy for the resident to think quietly.


    Since this was the tallest building in the city, the large floor-to-ceiling windows offered a clear view of Liuhe Base City at night. Every feature of the city was visible at a glance. Tonight''s night scene was not particularly brilliant. About half of the malls, hotels, streetlights, and other lighting facilities across the city were turned off after 10 p.m.


    "Curfew is being enforced," Li Zhoumin said, looking at the dark sky outside. "There''s still a possibility of another outbreak of a beast tide, so we need to conserve energy to prepare for a potential war."


    Li Xiaofei was shocked.


    Another war?


    "Didn''t the Goddess Ye Liuying repel the Fifth Grade star beast?" he asked in surprise. "I thought that the lockdown would be lifted after a few days of cleaning up the battlefield outside the city and eliminating the radiation hazard from the beast corpses."


    Li Zhoumin walked over to the tea table, brewing tea while casually asking, "Did you wonder why Ye Liuying appeared at the evening event tonight to present you with an award?"


    Li Xiaofei opened his mouth.


    The words ¡®Wasn''t she there to give me an award?¡¯ remained unsaid.


    Since Li Zhoumin asked in such a manner, there had to be another reason.


    He thought of another possibility.


    Was it to advertise for the Xiesheng Boutique?


    After all, Ye Liuying had a very unusual relationship with the female shop owner, so using the event as a pretext to promote her store seemed reasonable. Fortunately, he had been smart and played along seamlessly.


    Li Zhoumin gestured for Li Xiaofei to sit opposite him. The inspector poured a cup of tea and continued, "A rumor spread today among the high-ranking members of the five major families that Goddess Ye Liuying was severely injured in last night''s battle and that her mental strength had been infected by the secret arts of the Yinji Moon Fox."


    Li Xiaofei''s heart tightened slightly.


    Severely injured?


    If he remembered correctly, there had indeed been a moment when the battle angel had staggered upon landing last night and nearly fallen.


    Li Zhoumin continued, "You should know that Goddess Ye Liuying is one of the spiritual pillars of Liuhe Base City. Her influence, especially among the youth and the military, is unparalleled. If something happens to her at such a critical time, it could lead to many uncontrollable chaos."


    Li Xiaofei suddenly realized the gravity of the situation. The reason Goddess Ye Liuying had appeared at the evening event was to publicly demonstrate that she was not injured. This way, it would reassure the public. Even if some ill-intentioned individuals wanted to stir up trouble, it would be futile. The unrest would be quelled. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Internal stability was crucial especially in the context of a potential beast tide outbreak. Both the municipal government and the military command hoped for stability within the base city. The reason the Goddess appeared at the Xiesheng Boutique was likely just a coincidental visit to a friend on her way to the event.


    It reminded Li Xiaofei of the events earlier that day. The young officer Wu Junzhuang had repeatedly and mysteriously urged him to keep silent about everything he saw the previous night. It seemed that the Goddess¡¯ state truly had significant implications for the entire base city.


    At that moment, Li Zhoumin abruptly changed topics, casually asking, "How much do you know about the Star Council?"


    Li Xiaofei knew that the main topic had arrived.


    "The Star Council was created by the Saints of our nation, led by Taiyi, and was formed in the 2050s by Saints from various countries around the world. Its highest mission is to eradicate star beasts and revive humanity," Li Xiaofei recited what he had learned from his textbooks.


    Li Zhoumin smiled and asked, "Do you know how the initial Saint Taiyi became a Saint?"


    Li Xiaofei shook his head and replied, "I don''t know."


    Li Zhoumin then asked, "Do you know how many Saints there are in the Star Council?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Three hundred and sixty-seven."


    "And do you know how many of these three hundred and sixty-seven Saints are from Great Xia?"


    "This... I don''t know."


    "Thirty-six."


    "Great Xia has thirty-six Saints?"


    "That''s right. Does that seem fewer than you imagined?"


    "Yes."


    "Then do you know how many Saints from Great Xia there were when the Star Council was first established?"


    "How many?"


    "Four hundred and sixty-nine."


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback. "What? That many?"


    So Great Xia was once glorious. This was not covered in school textbooks. Four hundred and sixty-nine Saints. That''s more than the current global total combined. But now, only thirty-six remain. The disparity is immense.


    "Our Saints of Great Xia fell during three great battles. If not for their efforts, humanity might have already been extinct," Li Zhoumin explained.


    Li Xiaofei was profoundly shaken. In that moment, he was deeply moved, as countless heroic figures flashed through his mind. He envisioned the apocalyptic battlefield shrouded in smoke and demonic flames, where the Saints of Great Xia displayed their divine abilities and turned the tide.


    Li Zhoumin then asked, "Do you know how many seats there are in the current Star Council?"


    Li Xiaofei replied without hesitation, "Two hundred and eleven."


    He had learned this from his textbooks.


    Li Zhoumin continued, "And how many of those are held by Great Xia?"


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback. That wasn''t covered in the textbooks. The school textbooks had a lot to say about the Star Council, focusing on how great the council was, highlighting the deeds and words of the famous Saints, and emphasizing the irreplaceable role of the Star Council for humanity.


    However, specific information about the Star Council was very sparse. It maintained an air of mystery. The kind of information Li Zhoumin had just shared was not something the average person would know.


    "Great Xia holds twenty-eight seats," Inspector Li provided the answer.


    Li Xiaofei''s heart sank. This was even less than his most pessimistic estimate. Out of the entire two hundred and eleven council seats, Great Xia, with its vast and expansive territory, only held twenty-eight seats. It was far too few.

 Chapter 134: True Dragon Breathing Technique

    Chapter 134: True Dragon Breathing Technique Li Zhoumin sighed. "In fact, when the Star Council was first established, there were a total of one-hundred and twenty-one parliamentary seats, and Great Xia occupied sixty-three of them. That was our most glorious era. Great Xia shouldered the heavy responsibility of fighting star beasts around the world. Countless Saints of the Great Xia martial lineage traversed the heavens and earth, putting out fires everywhere and saving hundreds of millions of people."


    "Many major nations in the European region, North American region, African region, and other administrative areas on Earth, such as the Bayer Federation, the Yiggs Union, the European Independent Nations Alliance, and the Africa Alliance, were spared extinction only with the support of Great Xia. Unfortunately, the consumption of our Saints in such an endless war was too great. Countless Saints fell. Moreover, the star beasts seemed inexhaustible, as if they could never be completely killed."


    "Even the rare Beast King Grade star beasts, whose birth rate should have been extremely low, inexplicably appeared one after another as soon as one was slain. Great Xia gave everything for Earth. But now, we are struggling. We still have to fight star beasts while we are internally undermined by some shortsighted individuals. Time waits for no one." S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Unknowingly, Li Zhoumin had said a lot. He had indeed mentored many juniors for the future of Great Xia. However, he rarely preached to the juniors in the past. Only today, he couldn''t help but say so much in front of Li Xiaofei, since he saw the shadow of the ancient Saints in Li Xiaofei.


    Will this young man become the first ancient martial Saint of Great Xia in a hundred years?


    If he had merely thought that this young man might stand out and become part of his achievements at first, now he genuinely wanted to cultivate Li Xiaofei. He hoped for another Saint to emerge from Great Xia. He dreamed of it.


    "Alright, let''s not talk so much," Li Zhoumin sighed and refocused. "Are you currently cultivating the Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique from Red Flag High School?"


    "Yes, I am," Li Xiaofei replied.


    "Extend your hand and circulate your starforce qi," Li Zhoumin instructed.


    Li Xiaofei complied. Li Zhoumin extended two fingers and placed them on Li Xiaofei''s right wrist. A surge of starforce flowed into Li Xiaofei''s body.


    After circulating the qi and observing for a moment, a hint of joy appeared on Li Zhoumin''s face. "Your physical strength is several times higher than I imagined. You have naturally refined muscles and bones, a one-in-ten-thousand natural jade."


    He lifted his fingers and said, "You are already at the tenth stage of Qi Refining Realm. How do you plan to break the limit?"


    Li Xiaofei responded, "I was about to seek your advice, Inspector."


    Li Zhoumin pondered briefly and said, "Chen Fei and Qin Dewei are experts regarding the technique to break the limit. Their methods, gained from practical experience on the battlefield, may not be as refined as those of the theorists but are far more practical."


    He began to explain some of the mysteries of the Limit Breaking Realm. The Limit Breaking referred to breaking the innate energy locks within the body. The initial Saint of Great Xia, Taiyi, once said that the human innate body was like a treasure trove that contained infinite possibilities. One must find the true key to open the door to the treasure trove and uncover its true secrets.


    But one must first strengthen oneself to open this treasure trove. The method summarized by the Saints was to nourish qi. The initial Saint Taiyi believed that the human innate body was pure and perfect, but it was eroded by the storms and stresses of the mundane world, smoked and steamed by its fires, and covered with dust and grime from the moment of birth.


    This led to the key to opening the treasure trove becoming rusty. These rust-like locks sealed the outer shell of the key. One had to break these rusty locks to reveal the outline of the key. That process was known as the Limit Breaking Realm. According to the cultivation insights of the Saints, the human body had a total of ten innate energy locks covered with dust.


    These were the eyes, ears, mouth, nose, brain, both hands, both feet, and spine. Each of these parts had a lock. One had to break these locks to restore the innate body. But martial artists had to be careful about the order in which the locks were broken. Each lock broken granted extraordinary abilities. For example, breaking the eye lock granted dynamic vision, allowing one to see further and in greater detail, with an exceptional ability to capture and analyze visual information.


    If Xiong Zhigang had broken the eye lock, it would have been nearly impossible for Li Xiaofei to use the speed of the Graceful Step of the Waves to cut his throat. The order of breaking locks had a significant impact for different primary professions. For example, breaking the eye lock and nose lock first yielded the greatest short-term benefits for a medic. On the other hand, breaking the arm and spine locks first was more advantageous for a weapons specialist.


    In Great Xia, most students, even many genius-level students, used middle school and high school to lay their foundation and strengthen their bodies in the Qi Refining Realm. It was only upon entering university that they began breaking the locks. Only a very small number of exceptional genius students broke through the Qi Refining stage while still in high school. Therefore, many top high schools only had theoretical research on the techniques of breaking locks.


    However, the high school stage was still considered the stage of general studies. Students had to be exposed to and understand a bit of everything, including history, literature, minor languages, biology, or physics. Only then could they determine which profession suited them best.


    After entering university, detailed specialization occurred, allowing students to enter the departments most suitable for them and maximize their innate talents. In this regard, the rigor of today''s education system is in no way inferior to that of the education system five hundred years ago. The only difference lies in the direction of focus.


    Li Zhoumin gave Li Xiaofei a clear and thorough explanation. Li Xiaofei felt as though the fog in front of him was being peeled away layer by layer. The Inspector''s explanation was much more straightforward than Grandpa Qin''s. Many of the questions that had troubled him for a long time were finally resolved.


    "My lord..."


    "Call me Teacher Li."


    "Okay, Teacher Li, I want to know, can one still refine qi after reaching the tenth stage of Qi Refining Realm?"


    "Hmm? Why do you ask such a question?"


    "It was just my own wild thoughts. I once asked my teachers at Red Flag High School, and they said it is theoretically possible but dangerous. They also said only a few have tried it."


    "Your teachers are correct. It is indeed like that... However, your physique far surpasses others at the same stage, so you won''t face such dangers."


    "So, I can try to reach the eleventh, twelfth, or even more stages?"


    "Yes, you can."


    "What benefits would that bring?"


    "Deep roots and flourishing leaves."


    "I... understand."


    Li Xiaofei had an epiphany and expressed his gratitude to Li Zhoumin once again.


    He felt the grandeur of the Great Xia martial lineage on this high-ranking middle-aged man. He sensed the earnest expectations and sincere teachings of the righteous predecessors towards the successors. It was a recognition and appreciation of the nation''s bloodline. He had a spirit akin to the gardener''s dedication and the will of a spring silkworm spinning silk until its death.


    "You have already reached the tenth stage of Qi Refining Realm. The Wind and Thunder Breathing Technique holds little significance for you now. I will teach you a new breathing technique that will make your path of refining qi beyond your current stage much smoother," said Li Zhoumin.


    He took out an electronic file from a safe on the antique shelf and entered a password. When the file successfully unlocked and opened, a faint blue light was projected into the room.


    True Dragon Breathing Technique.


    The four words glowed brilliantly.

 Chapter 135: Could You Hug Me?

    Chapter 135: Could You Hug Me? Li Xiaofei felt a stirring in his heart. When he had first crossed over, the original owner of the body, Li Xiaofei, had been nicknamed the Undead True Dragon due to his strong physical resilience and rapid recovery. Today, he was about to cultivate the True Dragon Breathing Technique. Could this be destiny?


    He began to comprehend the breathing technique from Li Zhoumin''s explanation.


    "The True Dragon Breathing Technique was passed down by the initial Saint Taiyi. Only those with Great Xia bloodline are qualified to cultivate it. As an inspector of a major city base, I have only one opportunity in my lifetime to pass this technique on, and I can teach it to only one person."


    "Li Xiaofei, I have high hopes for you. Do not disappoint me. The so-called True Dragon is the dragon of Great Xia. The dragon can fly, is adept at transformation, and can summon wind and rain. Above, it soars to the nine heavens. Below, it dives into the nine abysses. It is the totem of our Great Xia nation. True Dragon Breathing involves inhaling clouds and exhaling mist."


    Li Zhoumin explained everything in great detail. Li Xiaofei began to unconsciously cultivate as he listened. The fundamental principles of every breathing technique were the same. The differences lay in the rhythm of breathing, the methods of circulating qi, the frequency, the routes, and the mental visualization during the breathing process.


    The True Dragon Breathing Technique was the most complex, obscure, and difficult breathing method Li Xiaofei had ever encountered. It took him a full hour to barely integrate all the content, complete the first cycle of circulating qi, and exhale a breath of True Dragon Qi.


    "Teacher Li, am I practicing too slowly?" He asked, a bit anxious.


    Li Zhoumin replied calmly, "You''re doing fine. Keep up the good work."


    But in his heart, he was astounded.


    By the Saints of Taiyi, there truly are prodigies in this world.


    When Li Zhoumin first cultivated the True Dragon Breathing Technique, it had taken him a full three days to achieve the True Dragon Breath.


    "When you defeated Xiong Zhigang in the competition, you must have used some kind of ancient martial arts footwork, right?" Li Zhoumin asked.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Yes, Teacher Li, I... "


    Li Zhoumin waved his hand and said, "It''s enough to know. Everyone has their secrets; you don''t need to explain in detail."


    Li Xiaofei breathed a sigh of relief. He couldn''t possibly tell him the same story he had told his aunt about finding it in a dead body at the slum''s wastewater plant.


    Li Zhoumin continued, "Your martial techniques and footwork are exceptionally refined and rare even in the base city. They will inevitably attract the envy of some greedy individuals. From today onwards, you can tell people that I taught you these skills."


    Li Xiaofei was overjoyed.


    "Thank you, Teacher Li," he said, standing up quickly to express his gratitude.


    This resolved a significant problem for me. This evening''s event was truly a great gain.


    Li Zhoumin smiled and said, "Since you call me your teacher, I must take on some responsibilities of a teacher."


    Inwardly, he was jubilant.


    Ahaha, I did it. I finally managed to convince this kid to become my student. This evening''s event was indeed a great gain.


    Both felt they had gained immensely from the situation.


    "By the way, there''s one more thing," Li Zhoumin added. "You are still a student, after all. High-profile publicity could be detrimental, so I have already ordered that no media reports or external dissemination of tonight''s events are allowed. You won''t blame your teacher for denying you the chance to stand out, will you?"


    "Thank you, Teacher," Li Xiaofei said, seizing the opportunity. "This suits me perfectly. I only want to quietly study ancient martial arts, improve my strength, and cultivate for the rise of Great Xia. I have no desire to show off."


    Unless he couldn''t resist.


    "It''s getting late; you should go back," Li Zhoumin said, pouring another cup of tea. "You have my contact information now. If you need anything, you can come to me at any time. Come here every Sunday afternoon at two o''clock so that I can check your cultivation progress."


    "Thank you, Teacher," Li Xiaofei said, bowing respectfully.


    Li Zhoumin took out a small twenty centimeter square box.


    "This contains ten bottles of fourth-generation Starforce Reagents. Consider them a gift from your teacher."


    No wonder he was the Inspector. Such a generous gesture.


    Li Xiaofei bowed again and said, "It is an honor for this student to accept."


    After taking the gift and bowing once more to express his gratitude, Li Xiaofei walked out of the room.


    Outside, a staff member was waiting. They guided Li Xiaofei through several winding corridors and finally to the outdoor terrace on a lower level.


    The night wind blew around him. In the late autumn season, the temperature had already become quite cold.


    "Li Xiaofei."


    Suddenly, a voice came from the side.


    "Hmm?"


    Li Xiaofei turned his head to look.


    It was Zhong Ling. She stood alone in a sheltered spot, wearing a white off-shoulder evening dress with a sports jacket over it, shivering in the cold night wind. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Why haven''t you gone back yet?" Li Xiaofei frowned.


    "I was waiting for you," Zhong Ling said, hugging her arms and trembling slightly.


    "Waiting for me? For what?" Li Xiaofei asked. "Are you short on money again? I''ll have someone transfer more to you immediately, and I''ll increase your monthly allowance... You know my number. Just call me if you need anything."


    Zhong Ling''s face darkened, and she lowered her head, saying softly, "Is money the only reason you think I would come to you?"


    Li Xiaofei smiled but remained silent.


    Wasn''t that the case? What else could Miss Zhong want from me?


    "I misunderstood you a lot before," Zhong Ling mustered up her courage. "I''m sorry."


    "You stayed behind just to tell me that?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Zhong Ling nodded. "I felt like I should apologize to you. I''ve been through a lot at school alone recently and have come to understand many things. I was really too willful before."


    "Alright, I accept your apology," Li Xiaofei replied. "But it''s very late now. You should hurry back."


    Zhong Ling''s face darkened. "Do you really dislike me?"


    "Hmm?"


    "Do you dislike my arrogance, my self-righteousness, my disdain for the slum where I was born and raised, my disregard for my father''s advice, and my tendency to cause trouble even though I know nothing?" Zhong Ling''s voice trembled as she seemed on the verge of tears.


    Li Xiaofei frowned. He felt that this girl wasn¡¯t just here to apologize. It seemed like she had been through some kind of emotional upheaval.


    "I don''t dislike you," Li Xiaofei said. "I just didn''t agree with some of your actions in the past. Everyone needs to take responsibility for their words and actions. If you truly think you''ve done wrong, then work hard to correct it. Crying won''t solve anything."


    "Can you forgive me?" Zhong Ling asked, tears streaming down her face.


    "I''ve already said that I accept your apology," Li Xiaofei replied.


    "Can you really forgive me?" Zhong Ling asked, now showing a smile through her tears.


    "Yes, really," Li Xiaofei confirmed.


    "Then..."


    Zhong Ling asked cautiously, "Do you still like me?"


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    Oh, come on, isn''t this a bit too obvious? Before, you always found fault with me. Now, after seeing me become famous overnight, you''re coming onto me? Has all of your master''s education failed so miserably?


    "That was all in the past," Li Xiaofei said calmly. "I am now focused on martial arts and have no interest in romantic affairs."


    "But you are so close with the city leader''s daughter. Do you... do you like her?" Zhong Ling couldn''t help but ask.


    "We are just friends. Besides, this has nothing to do with you," Li Xiaofei replied.


    Zhong Ling''s expression darkened and said, "Yes, I no longer have the right to ask..."


    She lowered her head, shivering in the cold wind. After a few seconds of hesitation, she said, "I... I''m a bit cold. Could you hug me?"

 Chapter 136: Enemies Always Cross Paths.

    Chapter 136: Enemies Always Cross Paths. Li Xiaofei took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. He had no intention of hugging her.


    Tears streamed down Zhong Ling''s cheeks as she said, "I want you to hug me."


    She rushed forward, arms open, trying to forcibly embrace the young man in front of her. Li Xiaofei stepped aside, but Zhong Ling tried to hug him again.


    Li Xiaofei dodged once more. He was getting irritated. "What are you trying to do?"


    Fear flashed in Zhong Ling''s eyes.


    She lowered her head and said, "I just want to hug you, Brother Xiaofei."


    Li Xiaofei finally couldn''t hide his disgust. "Men and women should maintain propriety. Please stop this."


    Zhong Ling let out a soft, bitter laugh. "Brother Xiaofei, I know what you''re thinking, but it''s not like that... You used to like me, didn''t you? I don''t believe you can cut off all feelings in such a short time."


    Li Xiaofei turned to leave, but Zhong Ling grabbed his arm.


    "Brother Xiaofei, haven''t you always wanted me?" Her eyes glowed with a near-mad light. "I''ll give myself to you tonight, okay?"


    Li Xiaofei was stunned. Immediately, an uncontrollable anger surged from within him.


    "What do you think you are? A commodity?" He said, his face full of disdain. "Our master lived a life of chivalry and integrity. He always taught us to maintain a righteous heart, follow the right path, and do the right thing... He cared for you the most in his life, but look at yourself now. What are you doing?"


    Zhong Ling let out a faint, bitter laugh. "I''m repaying you."


    "Repaying? You call this repaying?" Li Xiaofei shouted. "This is an insult."


    Zhong Ling''s tears fell. "It''s not what you think."


    Li Xiaofei snorted coldly. "You said you had realized your mistakes and changed. I thought you had truly reformed, but I never expected you to sink to this level... In the future, don''t say such things again. Please respect me, respect yourself, and respect our master¡¯s memory."


    He was truly angry. He had once thought Zhong Ling wasn''t inherently bad. No matter what, she still knew how to respect and love herself. But he hadn''t expected her to fall to such a level. This made Li Xiaofei feel heartbroken for his master, Zhong Yuanshan. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhong Ling lowered her head, covering her face with her hands. "I''m sorry..."


    She cried, squatting down, repeatedly saying, "I''m sorry, I''m sorry, I''m sorry..."


    Tears streamed through her fingers. Li Xiaofei watched, feeling a bit melancholy.


    Out of respect for his master Zhong Yuanshan, he spoke directly, "If you''re worried about your future, you don''t need to be. I promised in front of Master''s shrine that I would protect you. Whether you need money or face any trouble, you can contact me. You will have your own life. Stop doing such extreme things."


    Zhong Ling didn''t respond.


    Li Xiaofei said, "You should head back now."


    Zhong Ling slowly stood up, wiped away her tears, and smiled lightly. "I understand. Thank you, Brother Xiaofei. You are a good person."


    She handed the good person card to him before turning and stumbling away.


    Li Xiaofei sighed and asked, "Where are your friends?"


    Zhong Ling stopped and said, "They went back earlier."


    "So you stayed behind alone?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Zhong Ling nodded. "I was waiting for you, but you came out too late..."


    "Fine, I''ll take you home," Li Xiaofei said.


    Zhong Ling''s mental state seemed unstable. Moreover, it was very late, and the base city had a curfew. Taxis weren''t available, and the streetlights were turned off, leaving the city in darkness. If a young woman like Zhong Ling walked back alone and encountered any danger... He couldn''t face his master''s spirit with such an outcome.


    "Thank you," Zhong Ling said, a glimmer of light returning to her eyes.


    She quietly followed behind Li Xiaofei.


    When they reached the first floor of the building, a service staff member approached them and politely asked, "Are you Mr. Li Xiaofei?"


    "Yes, that''s me," Li Xiaofei replied.


    The staff member handed him a set of keys and said, "Miss Tan Qingying left these car keys for you. She mentioned that she and her father had to head home and couldn''t give you a ride, so she left the car for your convenience."


    Li Xiaofei was quite surprised.


    "Thank you," he said as he took the car keys.


    Tan Qingying, that rich second generation, was quite thoughtful. A faint smile appeared on his face. Zhong Ling noticed his smile, but she hugged herself and said nothing.


    The two of them took the elevator down to the basement garage. At that moment, Tan Qingying stepped out from a corner of the first-floor lobby. She looked at the elevator display showing -1 and remained silent.


    "Miss Tan, I¡¯ve said everything you instructed," the staff member reported, approaching her.


    "Thank you," Tan Qingying replied. "You can go now."


    The staff member left. Tan Qingying stood there, sighed, and seemed lost in her thoughts.


    ***


    "Damn it, I can''t swallow this anger."


    Ye Chenglong paced outside the Starry Sky Tower with his entourage. He didn''t know what had happened at the party. All he knew was that his father, Ye Xiang, had paid a huge price to get him an invitation to the event. But then, Li Xiaofei, the freeloader, had his qualification revoked by relying on his girlfriend''s influence. It was absolutely intolerable.


    Since he couldn¡¯t deal with Tan Qingying, the daughter of a high-ranking official, he figured he could at least handle a high school student like Li Xiaofei. He waited across the street from the tower entrance with dozens of people. As long as Li Xiaofei came out without Tan Qingying, they would give him a good beating.


    Nobody knew the wait would stretch to three or four hours. It was already past 11 p.m., and all the other important attendees had left, but Li Xiaofei was still nowhere to be seen.


    "Did you idiots watch clearly? Did he leave through another door?" Ye Chenglong angrily cursed at his lackeys.


    "No way, Young Master Ye, we kept a close watch."


    "There are only two exits from the building, one is the parking garage, and the other is here... We kept a close eye, and Li Xiaofei definitely didn''t come out."


    "Young Master Ye, that kid probably guessed you were looking for trouble and is hiding inside," a few of his usual cronies quickly chimed in.


    Ye Chenglong gritted his teeth and said, "Then we''ll wait here. I don''t believe he can hide all night."


    The gang members he had invited naturally had no objections. After all, they were getting paid for this. The longer the wait, the more they earned.


    Suddenly, one of his lackeys excitedly said, "Young Master Ye, we got word from the basement. That kid came out with a girl."


    "With a girl?" Ye Chenglong''s heart tightened. "Is it the Tan family girl?"


    "No, it looks like one of the hostesses from tonight''s event."


    "Oh? Interesting. He dares to cheat..." Ye Chenglong smirked sinisterly. "Spread the word. Let that little bastard get to the street first. Don''t stop him yet. We''ll make our move once he''s further from the Starry Sky Tower."


    "Got it."


    The group quickly sprang into action.


    ***


    Li Xiaofei was unaware of any of this. He rode his heavy motorcycle, with Zhong Ling sitting behind him, as they exited the basement and hit the road.


    Vroom!


    The roar of the engine was particularly piercing in the night. It represented the passion of a man.


    Zhong Ling held tightly onto Li Xiaofei''s waist and pressed her cheek against his back. She could clearly hear the man''s heartbeat through his clothing. The warmth transmitted through his clothes provided her with an indescribable sense of security.


    Zhong Ling regretted not cherishing this young man sooner. She had been blind not to see his goodness before. Unfortunately, it was too late for everything.


    As she was lost in thought, suddenly, the sharp sound of brakes pierced through the air. They were suddenly blinded by headlights as several SUVs blocked the road.


    Li Xiaofei slammed on the brakes, perfectly sliding to a stop.


    "Haha, little bastard, didn''t expect to see us again so soon, did you?"


    Ye Chenglong''s loud laughter rang out.

 Chapter 137: Decisive And Ruthless

    Chapter 137: Decisive And Ruthless Li Xiaofei recognized Ye Chenglong''s voice and felt a surge of joy. Ye Xiang''s notorious troublemaker son had come to him. This was the perfect opportunity to settle their scores.


    He jumped off the motorcycle, gesturing for Zhong Ling to wait by the bike. He feigned surprise as he approached Ye Chenglong and asked, "So it''s you. What do you want?"


    "What do I want?" Ye Chenglong sneered gleefully. "You made me lose such a precious opportunity. What do you think I want?"


    "I advise you not to do anything rash," Li Xiaofei said. "This is a rule-of-law district."


    "Haha, rule-of-law district? In our Ye family''s territory, we are the law."


    Ye Chenglong gestured, and twenty to thirty men in black tactical gear surrounded them. Each held a titanium-alloy electric baton, capable of delivering a powerful electric shock that could incapacitate a tenth stage Qi Refining Realm martial artist instantly.


    "I am a participant in the high school league, under special legal protection from the Education Department," Li Xiaofei stated.


    "Haha, what''s the Education Department to me?" Ye Chenglong felt everything was under his control, so his arrogance was fully on display. "My father, Ye Xiang, is the boss of Yongxing Hotel. The Education Department signs bills worth millions at our hotel. Do you think they would oppose the Ye family for a little brat like you?"


    "You''ll have to take responsibility for what you say," Li Xiaofei warned.


    "Haha, responsibility? I¡¯ll take responsibility. Even if Gao Changlin from the Education Department were standing here, I¡¯d say the same thing," Ye Chenglong laughed wildly. "You little bastard, stop talking nonsense. If you kneel down now and lick my shoes, I might just break one of your legs instead of both."


    Li Xiaofei added, "You probably don''t know that I received both the Kunlun Badge and the Qinling Badge at tonight''s banquet. If you touch me, you''ll bring enormous trouble upon yourself."


    "Huh? HAHAHA." Ye Chenglong laughed wildly. "You think I''ll believe that? You little brat who''s never seen the world, at least make it believable if you''re going to lie. Getting two major badges in one night? There''s no precedent for that in Liuhe Base City."


    "What if it''s true?" Li Xiaofei replied calmly.


    Ye Chenglong sneered, "If it''s true, well, then I''ll beat you up first to vent my anger and then finish you off to keep you quiet."


    "Alright then," Li Xiaofei said, beckoning with his hand. "What are you waiting for? Make your move."


    Ye Chenglong waved his hand. "Get him. Cripple him but leave him alive. I want to have my fun."


    The hired gang members immediately closed in on Li Xiaofei while swinging their titanium-alloy tactical batons. As they approached, they suddenly threw a net made of alloy barbs, trying to ensnare him. An ordinary tenth stage martial artist at the Qi Refining Realm who was caught off guard by such an attack would be completely incapacitated.


    These men had clearly studied Li Xiaofei and had prepared the net to counter his techniques. Fortunately, Li Xiaofei was well-versed in such tricks from his time dealing with gangs in the slum. He used the Three Steps Cicada Catch to swiftly and gracefully dodge the net.


    Swish.


    Li Xiaofei became a blur, darting out of the range of the alloy barbed net. He reversed his grip on the Dragon Fang Sword and charged into the midst of the gang members.


    "What about the girl?" A lackey beside Ye Chenglong asked.


    Ye Chenglong glanced at Zhong Ling, a look of lust flashing in his eyes.


    He sneered, "Do you even need to ask? After we deal with Li Xiaofei, we''ll follow the usual routine. We''ll take turns with her. Just make sure not to injure her too badly like last time. Afterwards, we can still sell her for a good price... no one will know."


    Li Xiaofei overheard their conversation in the midst of the fight. He was shocked.


    Is Ye Chenglong actually this brazen?


    Even though it was late at night, this was still a rule-of-law district. These rich brats were acting worse than the gangsters in the slum. From the way he spoke, it was clear they were repeat offenders.


    The sound of the sword cutting through flesh filled the air. Over twenty gang members fell to the ground, screaming in pain. There were even some skilled tenth stage fighters at the Qi Refining Realm, but none could last even a moment in the face of a Li Xiaofei who wasn¡¯t holding back.


    The titanium-alloy tactical batons they wielded were like paper against the former Dragon Fang Gang''s short sword. The blade, made from an Earth Dragon¡¯s tooth, effortlessly sliced through the batons, and wasn''t conductive, rendering their electric shocks useless.


    By the time Ye Chenglong and his men realized what was happening, the black-clad thugs were already sprawled on the ground.


    "How is this possible?"


    Ye Chenglong was stunned. He had learned about Li Xiaofei from the streamer Yunyun. He knew this guy was the dark horse of the high school league, and had the combat strength to take down tenth stage fighters at the Qi Refining Realm.


    So he had hired gang members who were mostly ninth stage and tenth stage elites. They had also prepared adequately with weapons and tactics. He had thought a twenty-to-one advantage would be an easy capture.


    Ye Chenglong panicked when he saw the black-clad thugs sprawled all over the ground. Li Xiaofei¡¯s short sword was dripping blood as he slowly walked forward.


    "You... you stay away. What do you want?" Ye Chenglong instinctively retreated.


    The sword''s light flashed in the night as a few more lackeys fell into pools of blood. Ye Chenglong was terrified out of his wits. He had actually killed people. He had really dared to kill people.


    "Do you... do you know what you''ve done?" Ye Chenglong stammered, trying to run but finding his legs too weak to move.


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t be bothered to waste any more words as he swung his sword. Ye Chenglong clutched his neck and fell. The vile young man twitched and struggled in the pool of blood for a few moments before going completely still.


    Li Xiaofei wiped the blood off his sword on Ye Chenglong''s clothes. He then instinctively began to search the body. After a few moments, he realized that tonight was not about killing for loot. He put the items he found back. Then he sheathed his sword as if nothing had happened.


    Zhong Ling felt a chill run down her spine as she looked around at the bodies strewn across the ground. She knew Li Xiaofei was formidable. She also knew he was decisive in battle. But she hadn''t expected him to dare to kill all these people in a rule-of-law district.


    "Will this cause trouble?" Zhong Ling asked, concerned, as Li Xiaofei calmly walked towards her. "The police will definitely investigate such a major murder case in a rule-of-law district."


    Li Xiaofei gave her a reassuring look. "Don¡¯t worry. This was self-defense. They attacked first, and I had no choice. Besides, I have my connections. Let''s get out of here before more people arrive."


    Li Xiaofei accessed the camera on his heavy motorcycle. He reviewed the video, watching the entire sequence of events.


    "The law states that organizing unidentified violent individuals to threaten and attack the holder of both the Kunlun and Qinling badges is an unforgivable crime. No matter what actions I take, it will not be considered excessive defense," Li Xiaofei said calmly.


    He mounted the motorcycle, started the engine, and took Zhong Ling with him. At the same time, he dialed 999 to report the incident.


    "Some criminals attacked a good citizen on Kangming Street. They have been neutralized... Yes, the means were very brutal. Please send police forces quickly," Li Xiaofei said over the phone.


    After hanging up, he sent the earlier video footage to the police. Zhong Ling, holding onto Li Xiaofei''s waist, felt a mixture of shock and admiration as she reflected on the events.


    She now realized that this strong and resolute man was already living in a different world than hers. He would soar to great heights, shining with dazzling brilliance. One day, he would astonish the entire Northwest District.


    As for herself... Zhong Ling clung tightly to Li Xiaofei''s back, as if trying to merge herself into his body. Li Xiaofei remained silent. It seemed like a gust of wind would blow away the frail girl behind him.


    S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 138: Someone Is Jealous

    Chapter 138: Someone Is Jealous Li Xiaofei dropped Zhong Ling off at the entrance of Qishen Academy. He watched her walk into the school before riding his bike back home.


    By the time he returned to the slum, it was already 12:30 a.m. He pushed the door open and went inside. The light in the living room was still on. His aunt was sitting at the dining table, slowly grinding medicine. In the dim light, her profile looked as gentle as time itself.


    "You''re back?" said Little Aunt, turning toward the door.


    "Why haven''t you slept yet?" Li Xiaofei asked in surprise. "I sent a voice message saying I had a banquet today."


    His aunt put down the pestle and said, "Get on the bed."


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    Li Xiaofei took off his clothes and lay obediently on the bed. Dressed in loose cotton pants and a fitted short-sleeve top, Little Aunt straddled his back. She skillfully rubbed her hands together to warm them, breathed on them and began to massage.


    "Your physical condition has improved a lot recently." She said while massaging. "Your starforce cultivation has increased, so the damage from your martial technique to your body is decreasing. However, the improvement in your physical strength is also starting to slow down."


    Li Xiaofei pondered this.


    It seems that obtaining a new cultivation technique is necessary. As my cultivation and strength improves, the Great Strength Vajra Fist can no longer provide me with an absolute advantage.


    His aunt''s hands moved like magic, her slender fingers pressing on various points all over Li Xiaofei''s body.


    "Turn over," she said.


    Li Xiaofei lay obediently on his back as his aunt began another round of massage. She pressed all the major acupuncture points on his body once again. Li Xiaofei felt like his acupuncture points were being pricked by needles as her fingertips kneaded and pressed.


    The sharp pain soon transformed into a warm current, spreading through the acupuncture points. It was as if she was clearing out long-blocked caves filled with sand. The entire massage process took a full hour. His aunt''s breathing became rapid, with a slight hint of panting. She got off him and took the medicine jar she had placed to the side. It contained the herbal paste she had previously prepared. The dark green herbal paste emitted a faint herbal aroma.


    His aunt pinched the herbal paste into small, uneven balls and pressed them onto the acupuncture points she had just massaged on Li Xiaofei. A burning pain instantly pierced his skin and flowed into the acupuncture points. The sensation was even more intense than the massage.


    Then, she used a bandage to wrap Li Xiaofei together with the herbal balls, binding them tightly against him. President Li was almost mummified.


    "Sleep," Little Aunt said. "When you wake up, you will have absorbed the medicine and the bandages can be removed."


    Her words seemed to have a hypnotic power as Li Xiaofei felt his eyelids growing heavier. Unknowingly, he drifted into a deep sleep.


    In the last moment of his fading consciousness, he felt someone lie down beside him. Someone had nestled close to him and fallen asleep.


    ***


    "Ah..."


    Li Xiaofei woke up suddenly. Sunlight streamed through the window. The soft golden light felt as warm as a lover''s first kiss.


    He got up from the bed and began to unwind the bandages. The herbs pressed against his acupuncture points had turned white, like cotton fluff, and fell off easily. He felt an unprecedented lightness throughout his body. A sense of strength he had never experienced before spread through him. It was as if he had been reborn.


    Today was the weekend. There was no need to go to school. Li Xiaofei put on his clothes and went to the living room where he found a freshly prepared breakfast on the table. A note was left beside it.


    Little Jie had already finished breakfast and gone to cultivate with his friends. Meanwhile, his aunt had gone to dry herbs. Li Xiaofei finished his breakfast, wiped and sterilized the dishes. Then he rode his modified motorcycle to the headquarters of the Cloudy Sky Gang. The street had started to bustle with activity. It was also clean and hygienic. It was like heaven and earth compared to a few months ago.


    What satisfied Li Xiaofei the most was that the renovation of the slum was progressing very smoothly. Many of the buildings were hundreds of years old, so renovating them felt like stepping back five hundred years.


    The scenery and atmosphere gave Li Xiaofei a deep sense of immersion. This might be the last trace of the world from five hundred years ago that he could grasp.


    "Boss."


    "Boss."


    Along the way, people greeted the young gang leader. The base city was currently under lockdown due to the beast tide incident. Thus, the slum''s hunting team could not go out and was fervently cultivating in the gang''s training ground.


    Li Xiaofei''s arrival motivated every member of the hunting team to work even harder and strive to impress him. The young talents who had been selected as his disciples worked even more diligently upon seeing him. He walked around and made a few remarks, but that was enough for these young people to be instantly fired up with enthusiasm.


    Soon, Li Xiaofei made his way to the conference room, where Yang Cheng, Li Junjie, Chu Yuntian, and other mid-to-senior members of the gang were present. President Li''s prestige was sky-high in recent days, and everyone looked at the young leader who had rebuilt the slums with eager and admiring eyes.


    The meeting''s agenda was tight. First, they discussed the Ye family''s aggressive land purchases in the slum. The Cloudy Sky Gang had used this situation to expel some malevolent elements from the slum. Now, all the remaining property owners followed President Li''s will. No matter the price, they refused to sell even an inch of land. Thus, the Ye family''s progress in acquiring land had been extremely slow.


    "Boss, the Ye family''s acquisition team hasn''t come around these past two days," reported Yang Cheng, the chubby housekeeper of the gang, who had a ready ear to the ground for any information. "But there''s word outside that they''ve established a real estate company called Paradise Island. They''ve reached a joint development agreement with the Dragon Claw Gang, Flying Cloud Sword Gang, Daxing Gang, and Iron Palm Ltd, the five registered gangs. I suspect they''re targeting us."


    The five gangs Yang Cheng mentioned were major powers within the base city. The Dragon Claw Gang and Flying Cloud Sword Hall were the strongest of the lot, since they ranked sixth and eighth among the registered gangs in the city. They each had a hundred-year history, substantial power, and masters at the Acupoint Opening Realm. Their influence permeated all aspects of the base city.


    Moreover, from the virtual map projection of the light core, the territories controlled by these five gangs formed an encirclement around the entire slum.


    "It seems the Ye family, having failed with soft tactics, is now resorting to hard ones," said Chu Yuntian. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The other hall masters and incense masters present showed expressions of indignation. The Ye family was pushing them too far.


    The slum had barely emerged from its previous hellish conditions to see some light. People now had enough to eat and were engaging in legitimate businesses to support their families. They had only started their good days when others started eyeing their success with jealousy.

 Chapter 139: New Technique

    Chapter 139: New Technique Who can tolerate snatching food from our mouths? If the slum was really taken over by Paradise Island real estate company and this pack of gang wolves, where would we, the native slum dwellers, find a place to stand? It''s intolerable.


    "When soldiers come, we¡¯ll fight. If the water rises, we build dams," Li Xiaofei said, "Don''t be afraid. Everyone should focus on cultivating and improving their strength. That''s the most important thing."


    He now held two major badges and had also become the student of Inspector Li Zhoumin. He also had a good relationship with the city leader and the military commander... All these combined made him a significant figure. He was no longer a helpless lamb waiting to be slaughtered. If someone dared to cross his bottom line, they shouldn''t blame him for being ruthless.


    Next, they discussed the approval of some merchants and companies proposed by Yang Cheng to enter the slum. As the security, atmosphere, and environment of the slum improved, the residents gradually were saving money. Some businessmen from the rule-of-law districts saw the business opportunity and asked the Cloudy Sky Gang for permission to move in. For them, this was also an expansion of their business.


    Yang Cheng and Chu Yuntian were somewhat undecided, so they brought up this matter in the meeting.


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and said, "We can agree. Allowing external businesses to move in can improve our living conditions. Select a few of the older streets, renovate them, and add some unique features. Charge them rent to move in and make it clear that they must follow our rules in the slum. All procedures must be legal. We welcome friends, not vampires."


    "Additionally..."


    Li Xiaofei added after some thought, "Encourage everyone to brainstorm and think about what other advantages we have to attract investment. Use external funds to build up our slum. Let''s aim to transform this place into the Cloudy Sky District, a rich neighborhood, in no time."


    Everyone became excited.


    "We could promote tourism?"


    "Tourism? Are you sure people would come here for that?"


    "Thrilling day tours!"


    "Haha, that would be unique."


    "Learn about the history of the slum and experience a day in the life of the slum."


    "Speaking of which, we have many well-preserved old buildings. Some of them are hundreds of years old..."


    "Keep thinking."


    Everyone racked their brains, coming up with wild ideas. Li Xiaofei was quite satisfied with their attitude.


    He thought for a moment and said, "Alright, Old Chu, you should register a company. From now on, our Cloudy Sky Gang needs to operate more like a company, with everything done through proper legal procedures. We need to gradually shed our gang image so we can grow and move out of the slum."


    Chu Yuntian quickly responded, "I''ll take care of it right after the meeting."


    The gang''s decision-making process was always tedious and boring. After sitting for a while, Li Xiaofei found an excuse to slip away. Once he had reached home, he had sent a message to Tan Qingying, asking her when she was free so that he could return the car. But Tan Qingying had not replied.


    Li Xiaofei checked the time and realized the cooldown for the Secret Time Pavilion of the Moonlight Treasure Box was about to expire.


    "Treasure Box, Treasure Box, open the Secret Time Pavilion," Li Xiaofei called out.


    "Woof, alright," the Treasure Box responded.


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    Damn it. This Treasure Box must really be related to that dog from the Douyin live stream.


    ***


    Li Xiaofei cultivated the True Dragon Breathing Technique in the Secret Time Pavilion. Pale golden starforce qi swirled around him. This made him appear mysterious and profound.


    The starforce qi encircling him was somewhat reminiscent of the small cosmos depicted in the manga Saint Seiya [1].


    He had already consumed a bottle of fourth-generation Starforce Reagent, so the starforce qi within Li Xiaofei was rapidly increasing as he cultivated the True Dragon Breathing Technique. The pale golden aura surrounding his body became increasingly dense.


    The halos began to mutate with each True Dragon Breath. Eventually, they faintly formed the shape of a vague, ethereal golden dragon that wound around Li Xiaofei''s body. It bared its fangs and claws as its majestic dragon head exuded a faint sense of pressure.


    Boom!


    A silent explosion erupted in Li Xiaofei''s dantian world as the eleventh vortex formed. He reached the eleventh stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    "I''ve finally succeeded in entering the Hidden Realm," Li Xiaofei said with a satisfied smile.


    Deep roots and luxuriant leaves.


    That was what Inspector Li Zhoumin had said. The stronger the foundation, the higher one¡¯s martial achievements in the future. Li Xiaofei felt his body''s condition. It was excellent. There was no sense of being overwhelmed.


    He continued to examine his body while practicing the True Dragon Breathing Technique. He didn¡¯t even notice a day passing by as the eleventh stage finally stabilized. At the same time, an unexpected mutation occurred. The starforce vortices within him gradually transformed from tornado-like whirlpools into small, winding golden dragons.


    Eleven vortices turned into eleven pale golden dragons. They seemed as if they were ready to soar to great heights as they bared their fangs and claws while swiftly swimming in his dantian world and letting out silent roars. Their golden scales glimmered with a faint light. Threads of golden light emitted from their mouths, spreading into his limbs and bones. This might be a special effect brought about by the True Dragon Breathing Technique.


    The golden dragons, like the vortices, were essentially the manifestation of starforce qi. But if Li Xiaofei was correct, the golden dragons might offer better cultivation benefits than the vortices. He wondered if they would provide an enhancement in actual combat.


    Li Xiaofei swallowed another bottle of Starforce Reagent as he continued his cultivation. Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, another ten days passed and Li Xiaofei advanced another stage. He reached the twelfth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. His body''s feedback was still good and he seemed completely capable of withstanding twelve small golden dragons.


    Li Xiaofei chuckled and muttered to himself, "Thankfully, they are small golden dragons and not tadpoles, otherwise, that would be quite amusing..."


    He activated his technique, letting his energy flow outward. The sound of dragon roars echoed. Twelve golden dragons circled around him, forming a layer of shimmering protection as they bared their fangs and claws. It looked incredibly intimidating.


    Li Xiaofei began practicing the Great Strength Vajra Fist. He used the Threefold Divine Strength and tripled the power of the Vajra Wrathful Mountain Split as he threw a punch.


    Boom!


    Golden qi, visible to the naked eye, transformed into a roaring golden dragon and shot forward.


    "This strike can instantly kill someone at the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Next time I face Xiong Zhigang at the fourth stage, I can hold my ground for a few moves." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei was very satisfied with his cultivation results. The twelfth stage was still within the limits of what his body could withstand. He decided to continue nurturing his qi. He would keep going until his body could no longer handle more qi vortices or small golden dragons, then start breaking through.


    "Treasure Box, can I draw a new technique now?" He asked.


    "Woof, evaluating data... Requirements met. Please proceed with drawing a new technique."


    A familiar azure vortex appeared before Li Xiaofei.


    He reached his hand into it. In the next moment, he pulled out a scroll-like object.


    What kind of technique manual will it be?


    1. Saint Seiya, also known as Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac or simply Knights of the Zodiac, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masami Kurumada. ?

 Chapter 140: Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms

    Chapter 140: Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms Li Xiaofei was hoping for a manual on sword techniques, saber techniques, or spear techniques. After all, he was determined to master three ultimate skills. These three weapons represented style, dominance, and the power to pierce through everything.


    But when he opened the manual he¡¯d pulled out, he was instantly stunned. It wasn''t a manual on sword, spear, or saber techniques. But Li Xiaofei was ecstatic. It was the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms!


    It was a renowned martial arts technique from the Jin Yong martial arts world. Five hundred years ago, even people who didn''t like martial arts novels knew these five words. It was incredibly famous. Qiao Feng and Guo Jing were the epitome of martial arts heroes for countless fans, and both were renowned for their mastery of this palm technique.


    Even the immensely popular Northern Beggar Sect Hong Qigong was a fan of this technique. In the original works, the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms was praised by the Sweeping Monk as the number one martial art under heaven.


    The moves of this palm technique were simple and unremarkable, but each strike was capable of toppling mountains and overturning seas. It was especially effective against flashy and intricate martial arts techniques. A single palm could pierce through an enemy¡¯s movies, regardless of whether they were real or feigned. Some even said this palm technique was the palm of chivalry. Only the greatest of heroes could cultivate it.


    Later generations in the Jin Yong martial arts world also cultivated the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms. However, their strength and achievements were far inferior to the three main representatives, Qiao Feng, Hong Qigong, and Guo Jing. Even Wang Jiantong, Qiao Feng¡¯s Beggar Sect leader contemporary, had learned the entire Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms but was far less famous than Qiao Feng.


    Which boy hadn''t fantasized about cultivating the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms five hundred years ago? At least, Li Xiaofei had such dreams. Now, his dream had become a reality.


    Li Xiaofei eagerly opened the manual and began reading it with great anticipation.


    "First move, Regretful Dragon."


    Li Xiaofei had memorized the names of the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms moves a long time ago. He even understood some of the intricacies of each technique. But the most crucial part of the manual was the internal energy circulation route for each palm strike.


    For example, the manual described the energy route for the move Regretful Dragon.


    Qi enters the dantian, passes through Changqiang, travels along Yaoshu, Yaoyangguan, Mingmen, Xuanshu, Jizhong, Zhongshu, Jinsuo, Zhiyang, Lingtai, Shendao, Shenzhu, Taodao, Dazhu, Yamen, Fengfu, Nao Hu, Qiangjian, Houding, Baihui, Qianding, Xinmen, Shangxing, Shenting, Suli, Shui Gou, Duiduan, Yin Jiao. Then through the Lung Meridian of Hand-Taiyin to Zhongfu, Yunmen, Tianfu, Xiapai, Chize, Kongzui, Lieque, Jingqu, to the palm center...


    Just reading it made him dizzy. Fortunately, Li Xiaofei was extremely well-versed in the study of meridians and acupoints. He followed the manual''s instructions, circulating his starforce qi. At the same time, he bent his left leg slightly, bent his right arm inward, drew a circle with his right palm, and pushed his palm outward. At that moment, a dragon''s roar sounded. His starforce qi transformed into a roaring golden dragon shadow.


    Boom!


    One could feel the vibration in the air and see the shockwave by the force of the strike a few dozen meters ahead.


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned.


    So powerful.


    This palm strike was comparable to the strongest blow of the Great Strength Vajra Fist. And this was just the effect of Li Xiaofei practicing the first move, the Regretful Dragon. It was his first attempt. It was simply incredible.


    "Once I master this palm technique, I can battle Xiong Zhigang at the fourth stage of Limit Breaking Realm even with my current tenth stage at the Qi Refining Realm."


    Li Xiaofei was overjoyed. He became even more immersed in his cultivation.


    ***


    In an old neighborhood in the rule-of-law district.


    The newly minted streamer Shen Yan was surfing the internet inside a rental apartment. He had been closely monitoring the online attacks against Li Xiaofei for more than a day. He had seen accusations like exploiting his teammates, stepping on them to rise, and acting arrogantly in school...


    As an insider, he keenly sensed the unusual nature of these accusations. Clearly, someone was manipulating public opinion from behind the scenes and stirring up trouble.


    They are definitely paid trolls!


    Although he didn''t know how Li Xiaofei had provoked this army of trolls, Shen Yan knew that he absolutely couldn''t let them destroy this rising star of Red Flag High School.


    Aside from the traffic Li Xiaofei generated, which was his ticket to becoming a top streamer, Shen Yan''s conscience as a self-made media expert in Great Xia Republic also made him feel that Liuhe Base City''s high school scene needed such an outstanding idol. He didn''t want to see such an excellent young person ruined by the forces of capitalism.


    "Little You, how''s the data preparation coming along?" He shouted without turning his head.


    From the adjacent room, Little You''s voice replied, "Almost done..."


    There was a flurry of footsteps, an exclamation from kicking over a stool, a yelp of pain from stubbing a toe on the bed frame, and a thud from hitting her forehead on the door...


    His assistant Little You stumbled in with tearful eyes, but she was holding the light core files. She wore loose shorts that revealed her long, fair legs. One foot was in a slipper and the other was bare. She looked both disheveled and comical.


    "Here."


    Little You handed over the light core files and immediately squatted down to blow on her injured foot.


    "It''s all swollen..."


    She extended her pale foot toward Shen Yan piteously. "I need to eat something to reduce the swelling."


    Shen Yan pushed her foot away and said, "I''m busy right now. I''ll take you to eat kebabs downstairs once I''m done..." Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The assistant instantly brightened up, as her mouth started watering involuntarily. She quickly licked her lips, not wanting to waste even a drop of saliva.


    Shen Yan uploaded the documents Little You had organized onto the light core and started typing furiously. Then he made a few phone calls.


    "Yeah, help me repost this."


    "Get everyone you know involved..."


    "Don''t argue, just do as I say. Consider this a favor from me."


    "Bro, I''m counting on you."


    After making the calls, he focused on the light core''s virtual screen, closely monitoring the developments. After a few minutes, a satisfied smile appeared on Shen Yan''s face. Then, he started his livestream without hesitation.


    In just a moment, over ten thousand people flooded into the livestream.


    This idiot finally remembers he''s a streamer.


    I heard he''s going to drop some big news?


    Hey? Is that his assistant behind him?


    Wow, the assistant in shorts is still here... wait, is she picking her feet?


    Something''s off, really off.


    Unbelievable, the idiot and his assistant are living together.


    Kill Shen Dog, take Little You.


    Yeah, yeah, kill Little You, take Shen Dog.


    ???


    Hey, calm down, buddy.


    Suddenly, the entire livestream chat was flooded with comments.


    Shen Yan was overjoyed. Starting a stream with over ten thousand viewers instantly made him a somewhat influential streamer.


    "Brothers, today¡¯s stream will be short, so I didn¡¯t activate the light core mainframe. I mainly want you all to listen to a recording..."


    As he spoke, he uploaded the audio file Little You had prepared, with subtitles, directly into the livestream.


    At first, the viewers were puzzled.


    What is this recording? It sounds unfamiliar.


    But gradually, the screen''s barrage of comments slowed down. Everyone was completely captivated by the contents of the recording.

 Chapter 141: Super Buzz Point

    Chapter 141: Super Buzz Point I was an abandoned baby. From the moment I cried out upon entering this world in the winter of 2504, when the white cold mist shrouded the earth, I had to exert all my strength just to survive. I called the kind-hearted person who took me in Little Aunt. At that time, she was no more than a child herself, not even ten years old. She was blind and lived a precarious life in the slum.


    As this voice spoke, translated subtitles appeared on the screen. The black-and-white video had an inexplicable mysterious allure. Many viewers at this point were suddenly confused.


    What was happening?


    Who was this person speaking?


    What did this have to do with the competition?


    But countless people continued listening out of sheer inertia.


    I drank waste water, and ate grass roots and tree bark. I felt the pain of waste water nearly destroying my intestines, and the despair of my stomach bloating as if I was pregnant after eating clay. I once went three days and nights without eating anything, thinking I would die...


    I fought desperately with others over a small spoonful of spoiled mixed nutrient porridge. I collected rainwater using every bottle and jar I could find... I lay among a pile of corpses for dozens of hours hoping to scavenge some edible scraps after everyone left...


    I suffered my worst injury to protect Little Aunt and my sister, when my stomach was slashed open and my intestines started spilling out. At the age of eight, I joined a gang, wielding a small piece of metal, fighting those ruthless thugs because the gang gave out one-tenth of a box of mixed nutrient porridge every day. I would take it home, add some water, and feed Little Aunt and my sister so we could survive...


    Just staying alive took everything the three of us had. Do you wonder why I am so strong? The reason is simple. You cultivate to get stronger. But I cultivated to stay alive


    This voice was so calm. Yet it carried an overwhelmingly powerful impact.


    It¡¯s Li Xiaofei.


    Finally, someone recognized the voice.


    That''s right, it''s Li Xiaofei''s voice.


    It really is Brother Li.


    More and more people began to recognize the voice.


    If you''re weak, then train a hundred times harder. If you lack resources, fight desperately to obtain them. If you lack talent, spend more time honing your skills... At least we can still cultivate. In the slum, many people never get such an opportunity in their entire lives.


    The voice cut out abruptly at that point. However, everyone watching the live broadcast felt like they had been electrocuted as goosebumps rose over their bodies. An indescribable sense of shock rippled through their hearts, creating waves of emotions that continued to spread.


    But when did this happen?


    When did Li Xiaofei say these words?


    At that moment, Shen Yan said solemnly, "These were the words Li Xiaofei said to his teammates during halftime during the second round of the league. My assistant managed to get a real-time recording. This concludes today''s live broadcast. Thank you all for watching. Later, I will post a carefully edited video on my personal page. Please take a look."


    The entire video ended abruptly as the live broadcast room closed. But many viewers who were still in the live broadcast room felt unsatisfied. As Li Xiaofei''s number one fan, Shen Yan seemed to have more to say. Yet, it also felt like he had said everything.


    Hurry, go to that jerk''s homepage. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Let''s see what he''s up to. What kind of trick is he playing?


    This is a big deal. It¡¯s clearly a response to the recent online attacks on Li Xiaofei.


    Shen Yan wants to clear Li Xiaofei''s name.


    The viewers were eagerly discussing as they got the sense that they were about to uncover a big scoop. They flocked to Shen Yan''s homepage, known as Little White Dragon in the Waves. There, they discovered a new video album.


    Its title was¡ª What Did That Man Do After the First Match?


    The video began with heavy, sorrowful music, and gray-toned footage showing the Red Flag High School team members being brutally defeated one by one in the first team mode match. Then, it showed the scene after the match ended, where they stumbled out of the light core mainframe pods with eyes filled with confusion and despair.


    At that moment, the oppressive atmosphere of the video and the music reached its peak. Just when all the viewers felt they could hardly breathe, the screen suddenly changed. The music became exhilarating. It was as if the sound of clashing swords and galloping horses filled the air.


    The screen suddenly turned to color as more scenes started to play. Fang Buyi defeating Xing Yuantao with his staff. Ren Dong cunningly killing Feng Yuzhen. Liu Xiao fiercely clashing with Guan Guan. Bai Longfei showing off while defeating Jia Yiyu.


    Finally, the video ended with Li Xiaofei driving his fist into Zheng Shou. This abrupt end at such a climactic moment sent the viewers'' blood boiling. A large question mark appeared on the black screen.


    Shen Yan''s voice sounded¡ª


    "Two matches just fifteen minutes apart, with completely different fighting spirits and results. Dear viewers, aren''t you curious about what happened during the halftime break? What kind of miracle allowed the Red Flag High School team members, who were on the verge of collapse, to explode with such astonishing willpower?"


    These two sentences immediately piqued everyone''s curiosity.


    Yes. What happened that transformed the four Red Flag High School team members as if they had been reborn?


    "Was it the promise of rewards from the school? Was it Principal Chen Fei''s furious reprimand? Was it the heartfelt encouragement from their former leader, Yan Chiyu? No. It was none of these. I am Shen Yan, also known as Little White Dragon in the Waves, the official fixed streamer for Red Flag High School designated by the Education Department. Now, let me reveal the answer."


    "Viewers, please listen carefully. This is a recording that my assistant painstakingly obtained."


    The screen remained black as the video continued. But then, a voice suddenly sounded. It was the same recording of Li Xiaofei''s words from the earlier livestream. However, the buildup made the recording even more impactful. In fact, the rise of Li Xiaofei had already surprised many people after the first round of the league.


    Many had searched the light-network for information about Li Xiaofei, wanting to learn more about this individual. But surprisingly, the light-network had no information about this young man.


    All they could find was that he was a newly admitted, older student at Red Flag High School. All they knew was that he had enrolled a month ago. There was no information on where he came from, who his teacher was, and how he cultivated his formidable combat skills.


    Now, everything was exposed. It turned out that the dark horse, Fist King Li Xiaofei, had a tragic childhood. The reason for his strength was simply to protect his family and survive in this chaotic world. Many people in the lower and middle stages immediately empathized with him. They resonated with his experiences.


    Poor yet strong-willed, never losing sight of one''s lofty aspirations.


    Such a young man, who remained untainted despite being in the mud, was far more admirable than those young masters born with a silver spoon in their mouths. A new super viral moment started to form on the light-network.

 Chapter 142: Become A Dog

    Chapter 142: Become A Dog At the Golden Eagle Guild, a pale Zhao Bufan looked like he was sitting on pins and needles. He had not slept a wink, and it seemed as though he had aged ten years. After returning from the Starry Sky Tower, Zhao Bufan had immediately halted the online attacks on Li Xiaofei and tried every means possible to contact him, attempting to apologize and make peace.


    But he couldn''t reach him. He even went to the slums in person, but he couldn¡¯t find Li Xiaofei there either. However, it was this trip to the slum that made him realize just what kind of terrifying existence he had provoked.


    The king of the slum. Li Xiaofei''s deeds could be heard in every corner of the slum. Everyone in the slum clearly admired Li Xiaofei, and countless fervent slum warriors regarded Li Xiaofei as their big brother. They were willing to die for him.


    Anyone who dared utter a disrespectful word about Li Xiaofei would receive hostile glares. They might even be beaten up on the spot. How terrifying must someone who was this revered by so many people be?


    This was the slum, after all. The savage, filthy, blood-soaked slums. But under Li Xiaofei''s governance, the slum was now as peaceful as a top-rated neighborhood. Now, he was a double badge holder and a person highly regarded by the inspector. If he could turn back time, Zhao Bufan would rather have never heard the name Li Xiaofei. He had no idea what he could do. He didn''t even have a chance to plead and make peace.


    Just as his nerves were stretched to their limit, his portable light core received a new call request. Zhao Bufan looked at it and was stunned. Immediately, he looked like a drowning man who had found a buoy in an ocean.


    He answered the call joyfully, "Hello? Steward Ye, yes, it''s me... I didn''t expect you to remember someone as insignificant as me and even call personally."


    "Yes, the recent online exposes about him were all arranged by me. I wanted to sign him at the time, but he didn''t give me any face. Yes, I was momentarily out of my mind and didn''t realize how powerful he was... I''m regretting it now, Steward Ye. You''re a person of great influence in the city. Can you help me plead for mercy? I''m willing to remove all those black posts immediately and apologize to him..."


    "What? Continue? "Steward Ye, you mean..."


    "Today''s morning news? I haven''t seen it... I''ll go check it now."


    "Oh my God, Young Master Ye Chenglong was attacked and killed? Was this... Li Xiaofei''s doing?¡±


    ¡°I understand. That little bastard dared to be so arrogant, setting a trap to kill Young Master Ye. Yes, I understand. We can''t punish that little bastard within the legal limits..."


    "Okay, I''ll arrange it right away. Don''t worry, Steward Ye. I''m a professional at this kind of thing.¡±


    ¡±Funding? Great, from now on, I, Zhao Bufan, am the Ye family''s dog!"


    After hanging up the phone, Zhao Bufan''s pale face was now flushed. It truly was a case of finding a way out of the impasse. He had thought that offending Li Xiaofei would mean certain doom for himself and the Golden Eagle Guild.


    Unexpectedly, that arrogant little bastard Li Xiaofei, had gotten ahead of himself and orchestrated a plot to kill Ye Chenglong, the son of Ye Xiang, the general manager of Yongxing Hotel and a high-ranking member of the Ye family last night.


    Although Ye Chenglong wasn''t a core member of the younger generation of the Ye family, he was still of Ye family blood. As the leading family in Liuhe Base City, the Ye family had never been challenged like this. If they didn''t retaliate, how could they intimidate anyone in the future?


    It seems the Ye family is being restrained by the three major powers of the base city, so they can''t act openly and need me as their secret weapon.


    Zhao Bufan grew more clear-headed. He didn''t want to become the Ye family''s dog but he had no choice. That little bastard had pushed him too far. Li Xiaofei was unwilling to forgive him even after he had humiliated himself this much. There was no other way. He could only continue down this dark path.


    But forming a relationship with the Ye family wasn''t bad at all. After all, they were a top-tier martial arts family who had operated locally for hundreds of years. Even the three major powers¡ªthe city leader, the commander, and the inspector¡ªhad to show some respect to the Ye family.


    Moreover, there were rumors of a deep collaboration between the Ye family and the Jiepeng delegation. If they were getting substantial support from the Jiepeng people, the Ye family would undoubtedly become even stronger.


    Perhaps, it wouldn''t be long before the city leader''s position would be held by someone with the surname Ye.


    A sinister smile appeared on Zhao Bufan''s face. In that case, could he have actually benefited from the disaster? Of course, he needed to protect his own life and survive. After all, those gang members from the slum were ruthless and could annihilate anyone at the slightest provocation.


    Zhao Bufan immediately placed an order on the light-network, hiring an expensive bodyguard team. Then, he issued a series of new orders.


    Increase the intensity. Let''s fight.


    ***


    The moon rose quietly as the sun set. Little Aunt was panting in the small bedroom.


    "You''ve become stronger again." She gasped out.


    Li Xiaofei didn''t hide it. "I practiced a new martial art today. It''s more powerful than the Great Strength Vajra Fist, so it puts a greater burden on the body."


    Li Xiaofei had fully practiced the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms in the Secret Time Pavilion. In the original story, it had taken Guo Jing several dozen days to learn the first fifteen palms of the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms. But Li Xiaofei''s comprehension and aptitude were a hundred times stronger than Guo Jing''s. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His internal strength was also far superior to Guo Jing back when he had first met Hong Qigong. Therefore, it wasn''t difficult for him to master the basics of the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms within ten days. But it was just an initial foray. He needed more time and practice to truly master it and make his moves natural and seamless.


    Little Aunt didn''t ask him where the new martial art came from.


    Plop, plop.


    Crystal-clear beads of sweat dripped from her hair onto Li Xiaofei¡¯s bareback. Her hands continually moved between the major acupoints on Li Xiaofei¡¯s body. The nightly massage was indispensable.


    "Little Aunt, do you have time tomorrow?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "For what?" Little Aunt replied.


    "I want to take you and Little Jie to the mall," Li Xiaofei said. "I got some shopping vouchers and tickets for fruits and vegetables. We can go to the big supermarket, buy some good food, and get you and Little Jie some new clothes."


    He still hadn¡¯t used the vouchers from the city government''s reward.


    "I... won''t go," Little Aunt said, her tone slightly hesitant.


    Li Xiaofei knew there was hope as soon as he heard her hesitation.


    He quickly said, "Little Aunt, you''ve worked so hard all these years to raise me and Little Jie. You''ve never stepped out of the slums. I want to take you out and treat you to a nice meal."


    "Don''t spend money recklessly," Little Aunt replied. "You both still need a lot of money for cultivation resources."


    Li Xiaofei said in a slightly playful tone, "It won''t cost much. After all, I''m the leader of a group now, I can afford this... Besides, the three of us have never eaten out at a restaurant."


    "Alright then," Little Aunt said, unable to refuse. "Just for half a day."


    "Deal," Li Xiaofei said, excitedly twisting his body.


    "Oh!" Little Aunt''s arm gave way, weakened from the prolonged massage, and she unexpectedly fell heavily onto his bare back.

 Chapter 143: Made A Move

    Chapter 143: Made A Move The weather had started to clear up by the end of the month, so it was a rare and beautiful day. There weren''t even clouds in the sky. Li Xiaofei rode his modified motorcycle, taking Little Aunt and Little Jie to the rule-of-law district.


    It was Little Jie''s first time visiting anywhere in the rule-of-law district other than her school. She was extremely excited, chattering non-stop as she looked at the tall buildings around her.


    She was especially excited by the commercial district in the city center. The wide streets, the glass-fronted buildings, the enormous screens, the 4D ads visible to the naked eye... It was like another planet compared to the slum. Little Jie¡¯s eyes widened at the magnificent and beautiful scenery.


    "I never knew there were such beautiful places in the world," Little Jie exclaimed.


    Li Xiaofei said, "One day, our slum will be even more beautiful and better than this place."


    He took the two ladies for a tour around the commercial district in the city center. Then they arrived at the Starry Sky Tower. The shopping vouchers they received as a reward from the authorities specified the Starry Sky Supermarket, located in the basement level of the tower, as the designated redemption location.


    The three of them then wandered around the supermarket. Little Jie was still in a state of excitement. She looked around everywhere, like she was in a magical amusement park.


    Li Xiaofei took out the shopping vouchers and bought two pounds of fresh vegetables, half a pound of tomatoes, three apples, and a ten-pound bag of flour. Even with the vouchers, it still cost a total of 12,000 star coins. This would be considered a hefty expenditure for many middle-class families in the base city.


    After shopping, it was almost noon. Li Xiaofei originally planned to have a lavish meal at a restaurant on the sixth floor of the mall but Little Jie refused adamantly. The little girl stubbornly dragged Li Xiaofei out of the Starry Sky Tower.


    "The things here are too expensive," she said firmly. "Brother, let''s not waste money. If you really want to have a feast, let''s go somewhere cheaper. It''ll be more affordable, have bigger portions, and still be delicious." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Little Aunt also agreed with her.


    "Alright," said Li Xiaofei, surrendering to the two frugal women.


    In the end, the three of them went to a hot pot restaurant on Congtai Road, located on the outskirts of the commercial district.


    "Welcome," the waiter greeted them promptly and led them to table number 12 in the main hall.


    "Four Seas Buffet Hot Pot has great online reviews, large portions, and is very filling," Li Xiaofei said.


    To be honest, this was also his first time eating hot pot since he had crossed over to this world. He looked at the menu. Meat was cheap, but vegetables were expensive. Noodles were even more expensive. But the most expensive items were the various dipping sauces.


    Vinegar, chili peppers, crushed peanuts¡ªthese things were dozens of times more expensive than meat. In this era, hunting star beasts was easier, but growing crops was very difficult. Growing seasoning crops like chili peppers and peanuts was even harder. The limited land and water had to be used for growing staple foods. It was completely different from five hundred years ago.


    Li Xiaofei thought that since it was a rare outing, he might as well order some. When the bill came, he realized that the cost of the dipping sauces alone accounted for half of the total expenses.


    "Sir, please pay before dining," the restaurant manager approached, holding the bill.


    Li Xiaofei was surprised and asked, "Isn''t it usually pay after eating?"


    The restaurant manager, a well-dressed middle-aged woman with a face full of high-tech enhancements, looked openly disdainful as she said, "Sorry, sir, but you need to pay first to enjoy our services."


    "Why don''t they have to pay first?" Li Xiaofei pointed to a few nearby tables.


    The restaurant manager didn''t reply, merely glancing up and down at their attire. Li Xiaofei wasn''t wearing his Noble Gentleman suit, and both Little Jie and Little Aunt were dressed very plainly. They didn''t look like they could afford to dine in such a place.


    Damn. We are being discriminated against.


    Since he didn¡¯t want to ruin the good mood of the day, Li Xiaofei used his light core to scan the QR code and pay in advance.


    When she saw that he could indeed afford it, the restaurant manager''s face immediately showed a slight smile. "Please enjoy your meal. If you need anything, feel free to call for a waiter."


    With that, she turned and left. Little Jie nervously glanced around. It was her first time in such a ''high-end'' restaurant, and she felt a bit out of place. Little Aunt just sat quietly.


    "There''s a classmate from my school over there," Little Jie whispered suddenly.


    Li Xiaofei looked in the direction she pointed. There was a family of three four rows of tables away, near the window. He saw a middle-aged, slightly plump woman with heavy makeup, a bald, muscular man with tattooed arms, and a slightly plump girl wearing a pink princess dress, a hair clip, and a pink crossbody bag.


    Little Jie''s classmate is probably the girl.


    "Want to go say hi?" asked Li Xiaofei.


    Little Jie shook her head, saying, "I don''t like Kong Xinyue. She often bullies people at school."


    Li Xiaofei''s heart sank as he asked, "Does she bully you too?"


    Little Jie quickly shook her head and replied, "No, she doesn''t."


    Li Xiaofei didn''t think much of it and stood up. "I''ll go get the dipping sauces."


    He knew their tastes well, so he took three bowls and headed to the condiment station. Since the sauces were much more expensive than the main dishes, two waiters were stationed there, watching everyone who came to get sauces to ensure no one took too much.


    When Li Xiaofei reached the station, he saw that the variety was limited. Just as he finished preparing three bowls of sauce, a sharp scream erupted from the dining area behind him. Then came high-pitched yelling. Then he heard the unmistakable sound of a loud slap. He turned around, his expression darkening instantly.


    The middle-aged woman with heavy makeup was jumping up and down near table 12, shouting, "You little brat. You¡¯re stealing from my family and not admitting it. You¡¯ve even broken her new toy. Whose child are you? So ill-mannered. Where are your parents?"


    Little Jie was holding her face, tears welling up in her eyes. "It wasn''t me. She broke it herself... And I didn''t steal anything from you. These vegetables and fruits are ours. We bought them ourselves."


    The girl in the pink princess dress looked smug and arrogant. "It was you, you little pauper. You snatched the toy from my hand and dropped it on the ground."


    The plump woman sneered, "Besides, how could someone as poor as you, a wild dog from the slum, afford vegetables and fruits from the Starry Sky Supermarket? Hmph, you lying brat."


    As she spoke, she reached out to pull Little Jie''s hair.

 Chapter 144: Better Say It Now

    Chapter 144: Better Say It Now "Let''s talk this out, no need to get physical," Little Aunt quickly pulled Little Jie back, just in time to dodge the plump woman''s hand.


    Although Little Aunt was blind, her movements were as precise as if she could see.


    "You dare to dodge?" Having missed, the plump woman became even angrier and lunged forward again.


    "Don''t touch Little Aunt!" Little Jie, now furious, shoved the woman away.


    Since Little Jie had grown up in the slum, she was naturally strong. Moreover, she had been practicing cultivation at school recently and had consumed more than one bottle of Starforce Reagent, making her quite powerful.


    Caught off guard, the plump woman stumbled back three or four steps and nearly fell.


    "You little brat..." The bald, tattooed man beside her raised his hand to slap Little Jie when he saw his woman shoved away.


    Smack.


    A hand appeared out of nowhere and gripped the man''s wrist firmly.


    The bald, tattooed man turned to see a tall, handsome young man who had intercepted him without him noticing.


    "Who the hell are you? How dare you interfere in my business?" The bald, tattooed man struggled to free himself but couldn''t. He started cursing, "You brat, let go of me..."


    But before he could finish...


    Smack.


    Li Xiaofei delivered a powerful slap to his face. He had measured his strength precisely, so the bald, tattooed man spun in place, turning a full two hundred and eighty-nine degrees. Several teeth flew out of his mouth.


    Crack.


    The bald, tattooed man screamed in agony as a kick shattered his knee, forcing him to kneel on the ground. Everything had happened in the blink of an eye. By the time anyone could react, the burly bald man was already kneeling on the floor, screaming in pain. The commotion caught the attention of the diners in the hall.


    The restaurant manager hurried over and was shocked by what she saw. Instinctively, she went to support the bald man. "Tiger? What happened to you? Who dared to hit you?"


    "Ah, damn it, be gentle," Tiger growled through the excruciating pain in his broken leg.


    He shoved the restaurant manager aside and glared up at Li Xiaofei. "You little bastard, you dare to hit me? Do you know who I am? You''re finished. No one can save you now. I will..."


    Bang!


    Li Xiaofei delivered another kick and Tiger''s jawbone shattered. He clutched his jaw and fell writhing in pain. Blood gushed from his mouth, and he couldn''t utter another word.


    The people around them were stunned.


    This young man is ruthless.


    Actions spoke louder than words. Tiger had been blabbering for a while, but Li Xiaofei hadn''t said a single word before half crippling him. The girl in the pink princess dress was also frozen in fear.


    "Oh my God, he''s killed someone!" The middle-aged woman with heavy makeup started wailing, "Is there any justice left? Stealing my things, breaking my Ningning''s new toy, and now beating people up... Is there any law left? I''m calling the police. Don''t you dare leave, I''m calling the police."


    Li Xiaofei looked at the restaurant manager and said calmly, "Check the surveillance footage."


    "Ah?" The high-tech-enhanced restaurant manager was stunned.


    Li Xiaofei said, "Go pull up the surveillance footage. Let''s see who really broke the toy."


    The restaurant manager instinctively wanted to say something, but a sharp glance from Li Xiaofei made her quickly turn and leave.


    "Don''t be afraid," Li Xiaofei said to Little Jie, "As long as I''m here, no one can falsely accuse you."


    Little Jie nodded, feeling a bit aggrieved. She asked, "Brother, did I cause trouble for you?"


    "It''s okay," Li Xiaofei reassured her, patting her head. "We don''t seek trouble, but we aren''t afraid of it either."


    Not to mention the emotions inherited from his past self and just considering how Little Jie had bravely faced the Blackblood Gang and the bond they had formed over these days, Little Jie was one of the closest people in his life, like a real sister. Anyone who dared to bully her would have to face him.


    Little Jie nodded vigorously.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at the now boiling hot pot broth and said, "Hungry? Let''s eat first."


    He helped Little Aunt back to her seat and placed the prepared sauce bowl in front of her. "Little Aunt, I''ll cook the food for you. Just tell me what you want."


    Many blind people could navigate familiar environments with ease, but they could feel quite helpless in unfamiliar settings. Li Xiaofei took care of Little Aunt, making sure to take out the cooked food immediately, dip it in the sauce, and place it in her bowl. Little Jie imitated him, and the three of them started eating as if nothing had happened.


    The other diners, who had been watching curiously, were now unsettled.


    Who is this young man? He caused such a commotion, hit someone, and didn¡¯t flee?


    The plump middle-aged woman took out her light core and dialed the police.


    The restaurant manager returned, her tone icy, "Sorry, the surveillance system is broken."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    Seriously? The old surveillance is broken excuse still exists five hundred years later.


    Tiger was now seated on a chair, glaring venomously at Li Xiaofei. His mouth was too injured to speak.


    The restaurant manager walked over to Tiger with a fawning expression. "Tiger, I¡¯ve called your friends. They¡¯ll be here soon."


    Tiger¡¯s face twisted with a sinister look as he glared at Li Xiaofei, his expression promising retribution. The entire restaurant fell silent. No one dared to say anything at this point.


    Soon, the sound of hurried footsteps approached. Dozens of burly men in white tracksuits, all with shaved heads, stormed in and surrounded table twelve.


    "It''s them! That little bastard hit Tiger." The heavily made-up middle-aged woman pointed at Li Xiaofei, taking the initiative.


    The leader of the group, a tall man with a shining bald head and a coiled white python tattooed on his scalp, making it look like a lazy hairstyle, stepped forward. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Tiger, can you talk?" The leader, nicknamed Lazy Snake, asked, inspecting his friend''s injuries.


    Tiger spat out a mouthful of blood, along with some broken teeth. His face was twisted in pain and he couldn¡¯t say a word.


    "He''s done for. He¡¯ll need a metal jaw. His leg''s gone too, might as well get a prosthetic," Lazy Snake hissed, drawing in a breath. "Don''t worry, bro, I''ll get you the best materials, better than the original. Let''s start with a painkiller."


    Turning to Li Xiaofei and his group, Lazy Snake crossed his arms and said, "Kid, you''ve got a heavy hand. What''s your background? Name your gang."


    Li Xiaofei responded coolly, "You''re annoying."


    "Hmm?" Lazy Snake wasn''t angry. He smiled, seemingly calm. "You''re quite the poser. Listen, if you''ve got some big backing or special status, better say it now. If I accidentally cripple you, it''ll be too late to regret it after."


    Li Xiaofei didn''t even turn his head. He picked up a piece of bok choy, dipped it in sauce, and placed it in Little Aunt''s bowl. Only then did he respond, "I don''t care who you scumbags are. Take your trash and leave before I change my mind. I''m here to eat with my family, not to fight."

 Chapter 145: Sorry, I Didn’t Know It’s You

    Chapter 145: Sorry, I Didn¡¯t Know It¡¯s You His words were incredibly arrogant. The jaws of many people in the restaurant dropped.


    "You little bastard, are you sticking scallions up your nose to pretend you''re an elephant?" The middle-aged woman sneered. "Don''t think I don''t know. You three are all lowly scum from the slum. You have no power or status. You even probably stole some money to come to our rule-of-law district to show off..."


    "Really?" Lazy Snake''s interest was piqued. "This kid really has no background?"


    "Uncle Snake, she''s a classmate from school. She just transferred this year. She''s poor and ugly. She can''t even afford to eat in the school cafeteria... I heard from the teacher that she''s just a wild child from the slums without parents," Kong Xinyue, in her pink princess dress, pointed at Little Jie, her young face displaying a mix of cunning and malice that was beyond her years as she added fuel to the fire.


    "Heh," Lazy Snake''s expression relaxed into a smile. "I thought you were some bigshot, but it turns out you''re just a little mudfish overstepping its bounds."


    For someone like Lazy Snake, who ran a gang in the rule-of-law district, the most crucial thing before causing trouble was to understand the opponent''s background to avoid hitting a tough target.


    If the opponent was also in a gang, they would discuss their affiliations first. However, since this was just a little minnow from the slum, there was no need for such formalities. He could just deal with it directly.


    "Kid, kneel and apologize to my brother Tiger," Lazy Snake grinned wolfishly. "Then break your own jaw and knees, and pay ten thousand star coins. Then we¡¯ll consider letting this matter slide. Otherwise, don''t blame the Dragon Claw Gang''s White Snake for being unkind to you..."


    But before Lazy Snake could finish, Li Xiaofei suddenly stood up. He didn¡¯t waste his breath on words as he raised his hand and struck. It was the seventh move of the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, Sudden Strike.


    A faint golden aura of starforce qi enveloped his palm as a golden dragon''s phantom roared out from Li Xiaofei''s hand accompanied by the sound of a dragon''s roar.


    Lazy Snake, an Incense Master of the Dragon Claw Gang and a warrior of the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, was a skilled fighter. He reacted quickly, instinctively raising his arm to block.


    Crack.


    The sound of bones breaking echoed through the restaurant. His broken arm was then smashed against his own rib cage. Immediately, numerous ribs shattered with a series of cracking sounds. The tremendous force sent him flying like a sandbag, crashing heavily into the other bald men.


    "Ah... My bones are broken."


    A chorus of screams erupted. Over a dozen bald men tumbled to the ground as they screamed in pain. As for Lazy Snake, who had called himself the White Snake of the Dragon Claw Gang, he had already fainted from the pain, lying motionless.


    "Uh... too heavy-handed," Li Xiaofei muttered, slightly surprised.


    The Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms was indeed terrifying. Li Xiaofei had only used less than 30 percent of his strength, yet he had nearly killed a tenth-stage Qi Refining cultivator.


    He walked over and kicked Lazy Snake. "Stop playing dead."


    The man didn''t move.


    Li Xiaofei squatted down. "Keep pretending to be dead, and I''ll snap your neck."


    "Big brother, let''s talk this out," Lazy Snake replied instantly. He had no choice but to open his eyes and submit, enduring the pain.


    Li Xiaofei asked, "You''re with the Dragon Claw Gang?"


    The Dragon Claw Gang was one of those collaborating with the Ye family''s real estate company to target the slum gangs.


    Lazy Snake replied, "I''m the seventh Incense Master of the Dragon Claw Gang, known as Snake Seven... I didn''t recognize who you are today. Who might you be?"


    "You dare call yourself White Snake?" Li Xiaofei was annoyed he was desecrating the legendary Lady White Snake[1], and slapped him again. "If you''re with the Dragon Claw Gang, you should recognize me."


    Snake Seven froze as he examined Li Xiaofei¡¯s face carefully. Suddenly, an unmistakable look of fear appeared on his face.


    "You... you are the president of the Cloudy Sky Gang, Li Xiaofei?" he stammered.


    Li Xiaofei nodded in satisfaction and stood up. It seemed his name had indeed gained some influence in the gang world. Meanwhile, Snake Seven''s face turned ashen. This was very bad for him. He had clearly picked the wrong day to be out. He had unknowingly provoked this deadly figure.


    There had been numerous rumors recently in the gang world of Liuhe Base City about the slum, and two had been verified.


    One was about a new tyrant in the slum who had wiped out the leaders of the seven major gangs, unified the entire slum, and established the Cloudy Sky Gang. The gang had grown stronger and even managed to obtain an official city pass, gaining recognition from the authorities.


    The second rumor was that this tyrant president, while out enjoying himself, had been harassed by Bu Feiying from the Xuanshan Dojo. The next day, the long-standing and legitimate Xuanshan Dojo had disappeared from Liuhe Base City.


    And today, Snake Seven had provoked this demon. Although the Dragon Claw Gang had a longer history and greater strength than the Xuanshan Dojo, the problem was that Snake Seven was merely an Incense Master, and he had provoked a top-level gang leader... This was like an old man seeking death by eating arsenic.


    "Sorry... I''m sorry, I didn''t know it was you," Snake Seven stammered, sweating profusely.


    Only those involved in gangs truly understood the terrifying nature of gang leaders. Killing someone was as easy as drinking water for them.


    Li Xiaofei said coolly, "Today, I¡¯ll spare your worthless life. Go back and tell your bosses to stay out of the slum''s business. Otherwise, they might wake up with their heads relocated one day."


    "Yes, yes, I''ll definitely relay the message," A terrified Snake Seven agreed repeatedly.


    "Get lost," Li Xiaofei waved his hand dismissively. "And don''t interrupt my hot pot."


    Snake Seven immediately struggled to his feet, enduring the pain, and ordered his men to carry Tiger away as they hurriedly left. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The middle-aged woman tried to sneak away when she saw the situation turn against her.


    "Take one step, and I''ll kill you," Li Xiaofei said calmly.


    Her feet were glued to the floor as she didn''t dare move. Behind her, Kong Xinyue''s little face was filled with fear.


    "Sorry... I''m sorry." The middle-aged woman trembled as she apologized.


    Li Xiaofei ignored her. He sat back down to continue eating hot pot with Little Aunt and Little Jie. By now, many of the other diners had stopped eating and were covertly watching the scene from various angles. They hadn''t expected the handsome young man to have such a formidable background.


    The restaurant manager, who had previously caused trouble, now had an embarrassed expression. Her fear was palpable. She wanted to step forward and apologize, but Li Xiaofei didn''t even glance at her, focusing intently on the hot pot. It was clear that he didn''t want to be disturbed. She didn''t dare approach him.


    "Brother..." Little Jie couldn''t help but want to plead for her classmate.


    Li Xiaofei shook his head. Little Jie fell silent.


    After a while, a clear voice rang out.


    "Who called the police?"


    A tall, ponytailed, and spiritedly beautiful policewoman, Officer Su Yuke, entered the restaurant with two colleagues.


    1. Bai Suzhen, also known as Lady Bai, is a one-thousand-year-old white snake spirit and the title character of the Legend of the White Snake, one of China''s "four great folktales". The legend has been adapted into several Chinese operas, films, television series and other media. ?

 Chapter 146: Can I Be Your Friend

    Chapter 146: Can I Be Your Friend When the police appeared, the middle-aged woman''s eyes lit up. However, she didn''t dare to speak recklessly and could only seek help with her eyes.


    Su Yuke, being very experienced, quickly observed the restaurant''s environment.


    Wasn''t there a report of a murder? This doesn¡¯t look like a murder scene.


    She walked up to the middle-aged woman and, after confirming the light core signal code, asked, "Are you Ms. Kong? Did you call the police? Where is the murder?"


    "Yes... ah, no, no..."


    The middle-aged woman stammered, wanting to speak but not daring to. She kept glancing towards Li Xiaofei, who was eating hot pot nearby.


    Su Yuke frowned. She began to carefully observe the mother and daughter in front of her. The mother looked flustered and somewhat guilty. The little girl in a pink princess dress seemed on the verge of tears. Her eyes were filled with fear as she looked at the boy eating hot pot.


    Could the murderer be this boy eating hot pot? But the boy doesn¡¯t look like a vicious criminal.


    Su Yuke was starting to get suspicious as she turned to the restaurant manager standing nearby and said, "You are the manager, right? Can you tell me what exactly happened?"


    The restaurant manager was taken aback, as her expression grew unnatural.


    "Ah, this... actually, I don''t know either. It seems like this lady had some conflict with that gentleman. You should ask them directly."


    She finally came to her senses and dared not offend Li Xiaofei.


    Su Yuke frowned again. She hesitated for a moment and walked over to Table 12. "Sir, sorry to bother you, but could you cooperate with the investigation?"


    Li Xiaofei put down his chopsticks.


    "Little Jie, help Little Aunt with the vegetables." He instructed as he stood up with a smile. "Of course, it''s every citizen''s duty to cooperate with the police."


    Su Yuke''s eyes brightened instantly. She had only seen Li Xiaofei''s profile earlier and already thought he had an extraordinary demeanor. Now that he was facing her directly, she felt an overwhelming masculine energy. The boy in front of her was strikingly handsome, causing her heart to race.


    "Ahem..." Su Yuke instinctively cleared her throat, her tone becoming much more polite. "Can you explain what happened?"


    Li Xiaofei succinctly replied, "That little kid dropped her own toy and falsely accused my sister of stealing it. When they couldn''t get compensation, her mother started a fight. Since she couldn¡¯t beat me, she made a scene and called in thugs from the Dragon Claw Gang to threaten and harm a law-abiding citizen like me."


    "Is that true?"


    Su Yuke turned to look at the middle-aged woman.


    "I... this... no, it''s all a misunderstanding."


    Her previous arrogance had completely disappeared. Now, she just wanted the police to protect her and ensure she could leave safely. After all, she couldn¡¯t provoke someone that even a ruthless person like Snake Seven feared.


    In the end, she was merely Tiger''s mistress. Although she was favored, Tiger would never go against this mysterious young man for her. Since she had hit a brick wall this time, she could only admit her bad luck.


    "Where are the Dragon Claw Gang members now?" asked Su Yuke, turning back to Li Xiaofei.


    "Officer, you arrived too late." Li Xiaofei replied earnestly, "They were quite ferocious at first, but fortunately, I was very clever. After I patiently reasoned with them, the Dragon Claw Gang members sensibly went back."


    Reasonable? Sensible?


    Su Yuke was speechless. As the newly appointed police captain in this area, she had thoroughly researched the Dragon Claw Gang and knew it was a gang that, under the guise of legality, committed numerous heinous acts.


    The gang members were a group of vicious and desperate criminals. They¡¯re the type to resort to violence at the slightest disagreement. Would they reason with you? Who would believe that?


    But now, the Dragon Claw Gang members were indeed nowhere to be seen.


    Su Yuke turned to the middle-aged woman and asked, "Is this true?"


    The middle-aged woman forced a smile. "Yes, yes, officer, it''s actually all a misunderstanding."


    "Misunderstanding?" Li Xiaofei said calmly, "I don''t think so. Our issue is not completely resolved yet."


    He looked at the restaurant manager and politely asked, "Excuse me, is the surveillance system fixed?"


    "Oh, I''ll go check," said the restaurant manager as she hurriedly left.


    She soon returned, panting, and said, "It''s fixed, it''s fixed. Indeed, it was the little girl who broke her own toy. Your sister was falsely accused..."


    She then showed them the surveillance footage. In the video, Kong Xinyue deliberately walked up to Little Jie, flaunting her toy. When Little Jie showed no interest, Kong Xinyue angrily smashed it on the ground and, like a little drama queen, furiously accused Little Jie.


    Afterward, the middle-aged woman approached and slapped Little Jie without a word.


    After watching the footage, Li Xiaofei asked, "Officer, in our country''s laws, how should such matters be handled?"


    Su Yuke glanced at Kong Xinyue.


    This little girl is only about ten years old, but she¡¯s such a good actress. Why would she falsely accuse others out of nowhere?


    "You must apologize to the victim and compensate for the damages." The policewoman looked sternly at the middle-aged woman and said, "You are suspected of assaulting a minor. According to our country''s Public Security Administration Law, this constitutes picking quarrels and provoking trouble, which warrants detention for three to seven days."


    "No, please don''t..." The middle-aged woman panicked and pleaded, "I''m the only one at home. If I''m arrested, no one will take care of Xiaoyue. It will be very dangerous for her. Officer, please, don''t arrest me."


    "You can replace the detention with a compensation payment." Su Yuke said seriously, "But you must first obtain the victim''s forgiveness."


    The middle-aged woman immediately turned to Li Xiaofei and said, "Sir, please be generous and forgive us this time. I am willing to pay compensation."


    Li Xiaofei said calmly, "I am not the victim. You must apologize to my sister."


    The middle-aged woman hurried to Little Jie and repeatedly begged for forgiveness.


    Li Xiaofei added, "And your daughter, the one who started all this, should be the one to apologize the most."


    Tears and snot was running down Kong Xinyue¡¯s face as she said, "Li Jie, I''m sorry. I was wrong. I won''t dare to do it again. Please forgive me. I don''t want my mom to go to jail. I''ll listen to you from now on."


    Little Jie looked a bit bewildered. She looked up at Li Xiaofei, her eyes pleading for help.


    Li Xiaofei smiled gently at her. "It''s your matter; you make the decision."


    Little Jie thought for a moment and then said earnestly, "Kong Xinyue, you often bully classmates at school, and that''s wrong. The teacher also said that knowing your mistakes and correcting them is a great virtue. So, I hope you can correct these mistakes, study hard, and unite with your classmates. I can forgive you."


    Kong Xinyue, wiping her tears, said, "I will change, I promise."


    The middle-aged woman painfully took out 100 star coins as medical expenses and cautiously asked, "Is this enough?"


    The amount was small. But Li Xiaofei wasn''t after money. Li Xiaofei signaled for Little Jie to accept it.


    He added, "Spoiling a child is like harming them. I hope you remember today''s lesson."


    "Yes, yes, I''ll definitely remember." The middle-aged woman nodded repeatedly.


    Kong Xinyue looked at Little Jie and cautiously asked, "Li Jie, if I stop bullying people, stop giving classmates nicknames, work hard in cultivation, help others, actively clean the classroom, and assist teachers in organizing training equipment, can I... can I be your friend?"


    Little Jie thought for a moment and said, "If you really can do all that, of course, you can." S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I will definitely do it," Kong Xinyue said earnestly.


    The events of the day had left her deeply shocked. The middle-aged woman had never imagined that her unruly daughter would say such things. Her eyes suddenly welled up with tears.


    "Officer, can we leave now?"


    "Input your fingerprint on this electronic record file... Alright, you can go."


    The middle-aged woman left with her daughter. Police officer Su Yuke looked at Li Xiaofei with a newfound sense of admiration. She had seen many examples of people being unforgiving or overly lenient. But someone like Li Xiaofei, who handled situations with just the right balance, making both sides accept and learn from the outcome, was rare.


    After signing the electronic record, Li Xiaofei asked, "Officer Su, can I go back to eating my hot pot now?"


    Su Yuke nodded. But, driven by an inexplicable impulse, she took out her light core device and said, "Add my number. If anything like this happens again, call me directly."


    Li Xiaofei was slightly taken aback.


    Is this woman attracted to my looks? Asking for contact information on our first meeting.


    At that moment, a young male police officer approached and whispered something in Su Yuke''s ear. Su Yuke''s expression suddenly changed drastically. She looked at Li Xiaofei with a sharp, intense gaze.

 Chapter 147: Im Doing This For Your Own Good

    Chapter 147: I''m Doing This For Your Own Good"Are you a member of the Cloudy Sky Gang?"


    Su Yuke''s tone instantly became harsher.


    Li Xiaofei nodded calmly. "That''s right, I''m Li Xiaofei, the president of the Cloudy Sky Gang. What is it? Officer Su, do you have a problem with our Cloudy Sky Gang?"


    "Of course."


    The admiration in Su Yuke''s eyes quickly vanished.


    She said, "Gangs are the bane of our city. There are thousands of brawls every year, and hundreds of serious injuries or deaths caused by gang conflicts. That doesn¡¯t even include the oppression of the weak and the bullying of ordinary citizens. I think any normal person wouldn''t have a favorable opinion of gangs."


    "Yes, you''re right about everything you said," replied Li Xiaofei, who immediately understood what was happening. Much like cats and mice, they¡¯re in different positions.


    Li Xiaofei, not wanting to argue further, said, "Officer Su, if there''s nothing else, I''ll take my leave."


    With that, he turned and went back to his table. He continued preparing hot pot for his aunt.


    Su Yuke snorted coldly and couldn''t help but angrily say, "I originally thought you were young and decent, so I left my contact information. But I never expected... I hope you take care of yourself and don''t contact me again."


    Li Xiaofei didn''t respond. He simply took out his light core device and deleted the contact information he had just saved right in front of her. Su Yuke''s chest heaved with anger.


    "I warn you, don''t cause any trouble in my jurisdiction." She couldn''t help but say sharply, "I know that the Cloudy Sky Gang and the Dragon Claw Gang have been preparing for a showdown, but if I catch you, I don''t care who''s right or wrong. I won''t show any mercy."


    Li Xiaofei picked up a piece of boiled meat and placed it on his aunt''s plate. "Little Aunt, try this. It''s the hind leg meat of the Explosive Pig Beast. It¡¯s tender and delicious."


    "You..."


    Su Yuke was almost furious. She usually wasn''t this easily angered. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have become the police captain of the district at such a young age. But today, for some reason, Li Xiaofei had completely ignited the flames of anger within her even though he hadn''t said much.


    "Sister, please don''t be angry."


    At this moment, Li Jie couldn''t help but stand up and defend her brother, "My brother really isn''t a bad person. He has protected many of us."


    Su Yuke looked into Li Jie''s clear, pure eyes. It was evident that she was a simple and kind-hearted girl. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have sincerely spoken to Kong Xinyue earlier. She believed what Li Jie said.


    Perhaps Li Xiaofei really did protect many people. But so what? Gang members are always a source of chaos. Maybe he truly protected many of his relatives but he has certainly killed many people too. He has shattered many families, plunging them into deep sorrow.


    Su Yuke couldn''t believe that the hands of the new president of the Cloudy Sky Gang, a figure rumored to be as fearsome as a demon king, were free from blood.


    Which gang leader hasn''t emerged from a mountain of corpses and seas of blood?


    But when she looked at Li Jie, Su Yuke''s tone softened, "Study hard. If you want to leave the slum someday, don''t join any gangs. Become someone useful to the country and the nation."


    Li Jie immediately responded loudly, "No, I want to join the gang. I will never leave the slum."


    Her innocent face was full of stubbornness and determination. Su Yuke was instantly infuriated. She believed that Li Xiaofei must have corrupted this simple young girl.


    When she looked into Li Jie''s clear yet stubborn eyes, a strong and uncontrollable thought arose in Su Yuke''s mind.


    I have to find a way to change Li Jie''s worldview. I have to save this girl before she steps into the abyss. I have to ensure she becomes a decent person. Absolutely!


    "Which school do you go to?" she asked.


    A flicker of wariness flashed in Li Jie''s large, clear eyes. "I''m not telling you."


    Su Yuke smiled and said, "I''ll find out."


    She patiently and gently explained, "Little sister, I''m a police officer, not a bad person. I''m here to help you."


    "I don''t need your help."


    Li Jie took a step back to stand next to Li Xiaofei. "People from the slum rely on themselves for everything. Even if... I still have my brother to help me."


    But the more she spoke like this, the more the righteous young police officer felt a strong sense of responsibility.


    "You''re still young and don''t understand," Su Yuke smiled. "You''ll see in the future that I''m doing this for your own good."


    After speaking, she looked at Li Xiaofei''s back and said, "Remember what I said. It would be best if you didn''t cause trouble. Control your subordinates, or I will personally arrest you and send you to jail."


    Li Xiaofei didn''t respond.


    "Let''s go." Su Yuke snorted and left with her teammates.


    The hot pot hall suddenly fell silent. The clearly terrified restaurant manager stood by Table 12 almost like a servant, not daring to move. The family of three soon finished their hot pot. Li Xiaofei stood up and glanced at the manager.


    Thud.


    The restaurant manager fell to her knees. "I''m sorry, I''m so sorry..."


    Li Xiaofei ignored her.


    "Let''s go." He took his aunt''s hand and walked outside.


    "Mr. Li, I''m sorry, I failed to recognize your importance. Today''s meal is on the house. It is our honor to have you dine with us..." The trembling female manager followed them.


    Li Xiaofei stopped and turned to look at her. He said, "Do you think I can''t afford a meal?"


    "No, no, that''s not what I meant. I was just saying..." replied the manager. Her body shook like a leaf, and her forced smile grew more strained as she struggled to explain.


    "Take the money." Li Xiaofei said calmly, "The Cloudy Sky Gang is not a criminal gang; it is a legitimate organization recognized by the city government. Members of the Cloudy Sky Gang, whether dining in the city or eating watermelons in the countryside, always pay for their meals."


    With that, he turned and left. The restaurant manager was left with countless questions swirling in her mind.


    What did President Li just say? We don''t even sell watermelons in our restaurant. What did he mean?


    ***


    In the afternoon, Li Xiaofei finally managed to reach Tan Qingying on the phone and they arranged a time to return the motorcycle. When he met up with her, he also got the phone number for a modification shop from Tan Qingying. Li Xiaofei was planning to modify a motorcycle himself for fun.


    "I''ve been a bit busy lately, but let''s set a time soon, and I''ll take you there," Tan Qingying said proudly, hands on her hips. "As a novice in motorcycle modification, you''re an easy target to be overcharged. You need an expert like me to oversee things."


    "Alright."


    Li Xiaofei smiled. "I couldn''t ask for more."


    Tan Qingying suddenly winked and asked, "Did you succeed?"


    "Huh?"


    "Your goddess, did you win her over?"


    "What?"


    "Stop pretending. That girl named Zhong Ling, you went so far as to take down Ye Chenglong in a fit of rage for her. You have no idea how many wealthy young ladies now think you''re reliable and want to win you over."


    "What are you talking about?"


    "Hurry up, the news is all over the internet."


    "How come I don''t know about this? Oh, right, I don''t go online much."


    "Haha, I''m asking you, did you win her over?"


    "No, it''s nothing like that. It was just on the way."


    "Oh, you''re even shy now."


    The two of them joked a bit more before saying their goodbyes and going their separate ways.


    *** sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Time passed, but in the blink of an eye, it was the first day of school again.


    Early in the morning, just as Li Xiaofei arrived at school, Bai Longfei rushed over with an exaggerated expression. "You¡¯re finally here! Something''s happened, something''s happened again..."

 Chapter 148: Substitute

    Chapter 148: SubstituteLi Xiaofei said speechlessly, "What? Did your sixty-five-year-old girlfriend cheat on you again?"


    "Bah, she''s devoted to me," Bai Longfei retorted angrily.


    "So, what''s the matter? Am I being cyberbullied again?"


    "This time, it''s not cyberbullying, but internet fame," Bai Longfei said gleefully. "That streamer named Little White Dragon in the Waves, Shen Yan, is really something. He made a video that turned the tide instantly. Now, the internet is full of apologies to you."


    "Really?"


    Li Xiaofei was surprised. Even though he didn''t care about online drama, having his reputation restored was still a good thing.


    "That guy Shen Yan managed to get his hands on the speech you gave us before the last match. He waited until the peak of the smear campaign against you, and then released the video in a livestream. The momentum shifted immediately."


    Bai Longfei added, "In short, you''re famous again, explosively famous."


    "How boring." Li Xiaofei said, "So what if I''m famous? This kind of internet hype is meaningless. It contributes nothing to the country or the nation and is purely a waste of energy."


    "You''re raising the topic to that level..." Bai Longfei said helplessly, "How can anyone keep up with you? You''ll end up with no friends."


    "Enough chatter, let''s go to class." Li Xiaofei said.


    If you master math, physics, and chemistry, you can travel the world without fear. A student''s primary task is still to study hard.


    "By the way, what''s your ID in the light core virtual world? Let''s add each other as friends," asked Bai Longfei, following closely behind.


    Li Xiaofei asked back, "Tell me yours first."


    Bai Longfei looked around to make sure no one was paying attention, then leaned in and whispered, "My ID is Milky White Snowball."


    Li Xiaofei almost fell over.


    "Get lost." He said righteously, "I''m ashamed to associate with a pervert like you."


    They bantered back and forth between their morning classes. In the afternoon, it was time for the Invincible Qin¡¯s special martial arts training class. All the members of the school battle team had made significant progress after the last league round.


    Fang Buyi''s stick techniques had advanced further, and his starforce qi had broken through to the ninth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, greatly enhancing his strength. Beastmaster Liu Xiao voluntarily proposed stepping down again, nominating substitute Bai Qiqi as the main force of the school team.


    "My aptitude is limited, and it''s hard for me to make rapid progress in the short term." This time, he had thought it through and said with a smile, "But Qiqi has excellent talent, since she has already broken through to the eighth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Her combat strength surpasses mine; she only lacks experience. I will do everything I can to mentor her. I believe it''s time for her to join the main lineup."


    This time, Liu Xiao was not retreating out of self-doubt. He was genuinely thinking for the good of the team.


    "I need to focus on my cultivation for a while. Once I break through, I will definitely come back to fight for a main position." He said confidently.


    After careful evaluation and review, the school leaders agreed to the proposal.


    "I-I-I w-w-will d-d-definitely work h-h-hard." Bai Qiqi said, clenching her small fists.


    She was very beautiful, with features sculpted as if carved by a knife. However, she had a congenital stutter. It became much worse especially when she was nervous. But the young girl had a very good character. She didn''t let it make her feel inferior. Instead, she constantly worked to overcome it, always seeking opportunities to converse with others. Moreover, as a newcomer to Red Flag High School this year, Bai Qiqi''s talent was evident to all.


    Many teachers privately remarked that with proper training and sufficient resources, she could become the next Yan Chiyu.


    "Keep it up."


    "Keep it up."


    Li Xiaofei and the others cheered and encouraged Bai Qiqi.


    "Little Liu, train hard and come back stronger."


    They also cheered for Liu Xiao. The team atmosphere remained harmonious and united.


    After the class, Li Xiaofei and the others went to the light core virtual training arena as usual. This had become a daily routine for every high school student. However, Li Xiaofei had reduced his time spent fighting in the light core world. He had already completed all the trials for the high school stage. Repeating those cleared levels offered no challenge.


    But Li Xiaofei still spent two hours daily in the virtual world to maintain his combat skills and condition. Additionally, he aimed to dominate those two Jiepeng women on the leaderboard and left no chance to breathe.


    After all, this was the Liuhe Base City''s leaderboard in the Great Xia Republic. How could he let the Jiepeng people occupy the top spot? But Li Xiaofei couldn''t be bothered to look at the forum buzz anymore.


    Time passed. In the blink of an eye, it was time for the third round of the High School War God League. Red Flag High School hosted the match at the Red Flag Stadium, facing the visiting Riverside High School.


    Riverside High School had ranked twenty-fourth in last year''s league. They were not very strong. Despite their best efforts, Riverside High School could not cause much of an upset against Red Flag High School, who had won their first two matches and boasted the exceptional Fist King, Li Xiaofei.


    In the end, they lost with a score of 1:4 in solo mode and 0:3 in team mode. Their sole victory was secured by Riverside High School''s only star player, beastmaster Gao Miao, who used his extensive combat experience to defeat Bai Qiqi, who was making her debut for Red Flag High School. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After the third round, Red Flag High School''s ranking dropped to fourth due to the loss in solo mode. The top three positions were held by Duxing High School, Nanshan High School, and Qishen Academy.


    Duxing High School''s captain, Xiong Zhigang, had an incredible performance in this round of the league. He defeated Liu Linghe, who had ranked eighth in solo mode last season, with a single finger and one move.


    After the match, Xiong Zhigang instantly became a hot topic.


    Invincible.


    Astonishingly strong.


    The strongest in Liuhe Base City''s high school stage.


    The pillar of Duxing High School.


    News articles about him were everywhere. Various videos, combat analyses, emotional albums, and more dominated the entire leaderboard forum.


    Meanwhile, Quanye High School was ranked fifth in the league. Thanks to the support of the two Jiepeng women, Tsukiha Yaiba and Mizutani Hikaru, the former underdog had also soared in prominence along with Red Flag High School, garnering immense attention.


    If it weren''t for the significantly weaker performances of the other three team members in solo mode, Quanye High School''s ranking could have been even higher.


    The sixth rank was occupied by Hongye High School. Their star player was Gu Haochen, the Little Sword Immortal, who had just joined Hongye High School this year. The newcomer was considered a natural-born sword talent, since he was not only remarkably handsome but also possessed extraordinary swordsmanship. He had achieved the improbable by defeating opponents with higher starforce cultivation through sheer sword technique and had secured a pentakill in team mode.


    Last year, Hongye High School had ranked sixth in the league. Now, with the addition of the prodigious Gu Haochen, their ranking was expected to climb even higher this year.


    Many star-level students had performed excellently in this round of the league. In comparison, Li Xiaofei''s performance was relatively standard. He successfully defeated his opponent but didn''t deliver an overwhelmingly impressive display. Thus, in the eyes of various media and streamers, his performance this round wasn''t as stunning as in the previous two rounds.

 Chapter 149: Anticipation

    Chapter 149: AnticipationThe next four weeks passed quietly. Red Flag High School maintained an average performance in the league¡¯s solo mode, with a win rate slightly above average. However, they remained undefeated in team mode. By the end of the seventh round, Red Flag High School''s ranking in the league had dropped to ninth place. The decline was due to the strong resurgence of many established top schools, whose rankings steadily rose.


    These schools consistently won all their team mode matches and dominated their opponents in solo mode, leading to a rapid increase in their overall points. Duxing High School, Lanshan High School, and Qishen Academy were particularly formidable. They maintained a perfect 100 percent win rate in both modes since the start of the league. The difference in their rankings was only due to the varying lengths of time they took to finish their matches.


    Overall, it was incredibly impressive for Red Flag High School to achieve such a ranking as a dark horse. After all, the league was a team competition. The strength of one individual alone couldn''t completely carry the team to victory. This was determined by the design of the competition format.


    Additionally, it was worth mentioning that Quanye High School had ranked tenth. The performances of the two Jiepeng female students, Tsukiha Yaiba and Mizutani Hikaru, remained strong in the league. So far, they remained undefeated in solo mode. They also remained undefeated in team mode matches.


    These two high schools were the biggest dark horses of the year. The media dubbed them the Order Disruptors. However, neither the media nor experts believed these two dark horses had a chance of winning the championship.


    Many people thought that by the end of the long season, it would be quite an achievement if Red Flag High School and Quanye High School could maintain a ranking slightly above average, around the 15th to 20th places.


    There was another significant reason aside from their lack of foundation. Both schools adhered to the route of traditional martial arts. Traditional martial arts took a long time to gain prominence. This was almost a rule in the martial arts world.


    In contrast, the establishment of the New Martial Surgery Center, jointly created by the Jiepeng medical exchange delegation and the Ye Family''s Duxing Private Hospital, had started offering surgeries and significant discounts to students from various high schools.


    This led many already strong league star players undergoing surgery with the support of their schools. These surgeries implanted various Star Beasts'' Inscribed Treasure Bones into the students, granting them powerful supernatural combat techniques. This method of enhancing strength through surgery was a shortcut. Even the cheapest surgery could elevate the strength of a Qi Refining Realm recipient by two minor stages.


    The slightly more expensive surgeries could help a Limit Breaking Realm recipient break at least one innate energy shackle overnight. Moreover, these surgeries were not one-time procedures. As the recipient''s cultivation advanced and their physical strength increased, they could undergo additional surgeries to add or replace Star Beasts'' Inscribed Treasure Bones, further enhancing their abilities.


    It was reported that over forty high school league players had undergone this new martial surgery in less than a month. After a brief adaptation period, they were able to return to the league. Thus, everyone could anticipate a large number of unfamiliar dark horses emerging in the league. The leaderboard rankings would see a new round of reshuffling. The trend was undoubtedly unfavorable for schools that adhered to traditional martial arts. It could even be described as the winter of traditional martial arts.


    This was a significant reason why many people were not optimistic about the final league rankings for Red Flag High School and Quanye High School unless they abandoned their traditional practices and embraced the new martial arts.


    At the same time, after a careful assessment of the wilderness environment and its threat level, Liuhe Base City ended the lockdown and curfew it had imposed. The city gates were reopened, allowing adventurers to go out hunting and search for resources.


    The injured Grade Five star beast, the Yinji Moon Fox, was confirmed to have left the area. It no longer posed a threat.


    The atmosphere within the city finally relaxed. The lockdown had only lasted less than a month, but it had caused a rise in prices within the city. Many companies, teams, and individuals who relied on hunting star beasts and gathering resources, as well as the related industries, breathed a sigh of relief. Had the lockdown continued, many would have faced significant difficulties. The slum hunting teams also resumed their activities.


    It was worth noting that although the Ye family had established the Paradise Island real estate company and conducted extensive research on the slum, they had yet to start purchasing land or take any further actions. However, President Li felt like this was the calm before the storm. He did not slack off. On one hand, he had the Cloudy Sky Gang members remain vigilant and ready for action at any moment.


    On the other hand, he explored every possible way to improve the average combat strength of the Cloudy Sky Gang. Over the past month, Li Xiaofei''s strength had also increased significantly. He visited the Starry Sky Hotel once a week to receive guidance from his teacher, Li Zhoumin.


    Under the tutelage of Inspector Li, Li Xiaofei''s cultivation of the True Dragon Breathing Technique advanced rapidly, reaching the nineteenth stage of the Hidden Realm within the Qi Refining Realm.


    The progress astonished Inspector Li. It''s important to note that advancing in the Hidden Realm was several times more difficult than progressing within the normal ten stages. But Li Xiaofei had ascended nine stages in just one month. This was an extraordinary speed even with the aid of fourth-generation pure Starforce Reagents.


    It only solidified Inspector Li''s determination to mentor Li Xiaofei. However, Inspector Li didn''t know that the existence of the Secret Time Pavilion meant that Li Xiaofei''s month was nearly equivalent to a year for others. Additionally, the Secret Time Pavilion provided a significant enhancement to cultivation, contributing to such rapid progress. Regardless, Li Xiaofei''s improvement was happening at a terrifying pace. The combat strength of someone in the Hidden Realm far exceeded his expectations.


    At the nineteenth stage, combined with the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, Li Xiaofei''s burst potential made him a formidable opponent even for those at the fifth stage of the Limit Breaking Realm.


    Finally, it was time for the seventh round of the High School War God League. This round featured four high-profile matches.


    Red Flag High School vs. Hongye High School.


    Quanye High School vs. Petroleum First High School.


    Duxing High School vs. Qishen Academy.


    Lanshan High School vs. City Government Administration High School.


    These four matches were true clashes of titans. Hongye High School and Petroleum First High School were both traditional powerhouses, having performed excellently and ranked highly in past leagues. Meanwhile, Red Flag High School and Quanye High School were this year''s dark horses. Dark horses vs. prestigious schools. The anticipation was immense.


    Would the traditional powerhouses maintain their dominance, or would the super dark horses rise to the occasion? Everyone was eagerly waiting to see.


    The other two matches were between established powerhouses. Everyone was especially looking forward to the match between Duxing High School and Qishen Academy, which was a confrontation between the first and third place teams on the current league leaderboard. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Up until now, both schools, whether in solo or team mode, had maintained an absolute 100 percent win rate, demonstrating their overwhelming strength. Their upcoming clash meant that one of their undefeated streaks would inevitably come to an end.


    At this point, Gu Haochen, the Little Sword Immortal of Hongye High School, posted on his social media:


    Li Xiaofei is a very strong opponent. I am eager to face him in battle.


    He was filled with confidence about the upcoming match. This statement heightened the anticipation of countless fans. This year''s league had seen the rise of four major dark horses, Li Xiaofei, Gu Haochen, Mizutani Hikaru, and Tsukiha Yaiba.


    Now that Li Xiaofei and Gu Haochen were facing off, who would truly retain their dark horse status? The day before the match, the hype and excitement on the light-network soared.

 Chapter 150: The Legendary Woman Xiao Hongye

    Chapter 150: The Legendary Woman Xiao HongyeOctober 26th was an overcast day, but the air quality was good. The Red Flag High School bus, driven by Grandpa Qin, chugged its way to Hongye High School.


    As a prestigious school that had risen to prominence over the past decade, Hongye High School''s campus was clean and beautiful, with almost all new buildings. It was reputed to have the most scientifically planned campus in Liuhe Base City.


    It also boasted many of the latest cultivation devices, which even some older prestigious schools might not have. Their Hongye Laboratory was the most advanced in the city, as it had luxurious rehabilitation and relaxation facilities.


    "Our school updates its equipment faster than any other in the city." Principal Xiao Hongye showed them around with pride, "Our students always have access to the most advanced cultivation facilities in the country, including but not limited to light core mainframes, starforce meters, star core absorption devices, and muscle enhancement devices."


    As the most renowned female powerhouse in the high school education sector of Liuhe Base City, Principal Xiao Hongye''s personal reception showed great respect for Red Flag High School. This was in stark contrast to the reception at Longteng High School.


    The team members and students of Red Flag High School immediately had a good impression of the elegant and charming principal. Even Li Xiaofei was no exception. He could clearly feel that this elegant and beautiful woman genuinely loved her school and her students. In fact, there were many reports about Xiao Hongye on the light-network.


    Ten years ago, Hongye High School''s situation was worse than that of Red Flag High School. It was on the verge of bankruptcy and being delisted. But then, Xiao Hongye appeared in the eleventh hour. She was like a savior from legend as she took over Hongye High School. The effort Xiao Hongye put in was beyond anyone''s understanding or imagination. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She personally funded the construction of school buildings, acquired land to expand the campus, built various training facilities, tirelessly sought sponsors, purchased cultivation resources, and spared no effort in recruiting talented middle school students.


    This single woman, known as a powerful leader, had said in interviews more than once that Hongye High School was her everything. She had married herself to Hongye High School. Therefore, she no longer considered personal romantic relationships.


    The Education Department had commended Xiao Hongye multiple times. Even the highest administrative officer of the Northwest District of the Great Xia Republic had met with this legendary principal. Her tireless and dedicated effort over the last ten years had led to the rapid rise of Hongye High School.


    In the last ten years, Hongye High School had transformed from a powerless unknown institution on the brink of bankruptcy into a powerhouse that had carved out a place for itself in the private school monopoly dominated by the five major families. It had leaped to become a prestigious school recognized by all in Liuhe Base City.


    Xiao Hongye had achieved what even Principal Chen Fei had not. Li Xiaofei had immense respect for such a person.


    "Li Xiaofei, we finally meet." Xiao Hongye extended her hand. "The biggest dark horse of this league and a one-in-a-million traditional martial arts genius. It''s truly enviable. How wonderful it would be if you were a student at Hongye High School."


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback. He had long heard that Xiao Hongye had a special fondness for talented students. Whenever a genius emerged at any school, she would find ways to recruit them. Even if she couldn''t recruit them, she would offer various forms of support to build a good relationship. As expected, she immediately took the initiative to greet him.


    Li Xiaofei respectfully shook her hand. "Principal Xiao, you flatter me. You are my idol. It''s an honor to receive such praise from you."


    "Idol? Really?" Xiao Hongye held onto Li Xiaofei''s hand, blinking playfully. "Are you interested in joining my school? Any conditions can be negotiated."


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily speechless, but he smoothly withdrew his hand and said, "Today, we are opponents."


    Xiao Hongye''s smile was both charming and dangerous.


    She handed him an electronic business card and said with a smile, "Let''s exchange contact information first. Even if you''re not a student at Hongye High School, you can always reach out to me for any help. I do have some connections in the city."


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and accepted the card.


    The Red Flag High School battle team was then escorted to their prepared changing room. The accompanying cheering squad, led by several student leaders from Hongye High School, continued their campus tour and would later proceed directly to the stands in the arena. Such arrangements were both enthusiastic and considerate.


    ***


    In the locker room.


    "Wow, this is too luxurious."


    "They even have an air bath massage machine."


    "The most advanced strength testing equipment."


    "Muscle relaxation oscillation device."


    Bai Longfei, Fang Buyi, and the others felt like country bumpkins entering a grand palace, as they saw the various auxiliary devices in the spacious locker room. They felt as though their eyes weren''t enough to take it all in.


    They had only seen many of these high-tech cultivation aids on the light-network. Even the cheapest air bath massage machine cost over ten thousand credits. This truly was the newest school in Liuhe Base City. Even a mere locker room was decorated lavishly.


    One could infer what kind of dreamy treatment the members of Hongye High School''s battle team must receive daily. Just thinking about it made them drool with envy.


    But Principal Chen Fei felt a bit embarrassed.


    "Ahem..." He cleared his throat. "You rascals, are you focusing on unimportant details instead of preparing for your formidable enemies ahead... Have I not treated you well enough?"


    Li Xiaofei immediately raised his arm and shouted, "Long live the principal."


    Bai Longfei reacted quickly, following with, "We will always support Principal Chen."


    The other students caught on and echoed in unison.


    Even Bai Qiqi stammered, "P-principal is v-very... very good to us."


    Yan Chiyu watched from the side, feeling both amused and exasperated. She was in a good mood. She had been healing well, and would be able to join her team in the next round of the league. This was definitely good news for Red Flag High School.


    When the prodigious talent Yan Chiyu returned, Red Flag High School could secure a stable win in solo mode.


    "Alright, enough joking. Focus and get ready for the battle." Grandpa Qin interjected, "Although Hongye High School''s rise has been recent, they are a formidable foe on par with the five major prestigious schools. They are the strongest opponent we have faced thus far in the league. We cannot afford any carelessness and must give our all."


    "Yes!" The team members responded loudly.


    They knew in their hearts that today''s battle would be the biggest challenge Red Flag High School had faced since the start of the league. It was also a touchstone.


    Today would determine whether Red Flag High School had the strength to challenge the educational monopoly of the prestigious private schools backed by the five major families and carve out a path in a league full of formidable opponents.


    As the team''s primary fighter and greatest hope, Li Xiaofei undoubtedly bore the greatest pressure. Everyone looked at Li Xiaofei.

 Chapter 151: This Little Girl

    Chapter 151: This Little GirlIn the locker room of Hongye High School, the atmosphere was even more charged.


    "Don''t worry, Principal. We''ll definitely put an end to Red Flag High School''s dark horse run today," said Wang Siyu confidently.


    As the primary fighter and captain of Hongye High School''s team, senior Wang Siyu was also a star player in the league. He felt like he could dominate the league with his cultivation of the first stage of the Limit Breaking Realm.


    "Finally, I get to face Li Xiaofei," said the Little Sword Immortal Gu Haochen eagerly. "I''ll defeat him for you, Principal."


    Ever since he had witnessed Li Xiaofei''s moment of glory at the Starry Sky Hotel banquet, Gu Haochen had only one goal in mind: to surpass him.


    Xiao Hongye looked at her team with a smile. These kids were treasures she had painstakingly discovered, recruited, and nurtured. They were the culmination of all her efforts and her pride. Before every match, she would personally come to the locker room to cheer them on.


    Today''s match was special because of the presence of the Fist King Li Xiaofei in the opposing team. She was eager to see Li Xiaofei''s true strength. She wanted to see if he really had what it took to stand against the top talents from the five prestigious schools.


    Knock, knock.


    The locker room door opened outward.


    "The match is about to start. You can head to the arena now," reminded a staff member from the Education Department from the door.


    "Alright, boys, let''s go," Xiao Hongye said gently, just as she always did. She personally adjusted each team member''s collar like an older sister. "I''ll be waiting for the good news of your victory."


    As they walked out through the player tunnel, they were met with a thunderous wave of cheers. Hongye Stadium was the home ground of Hongye High School. Compared to this, Longteng High School''s so-called devil''s home ground was a joke.


    The stands were capable of holding 100,000 people and were packed to the brim. Countless supporters in red maple leaf jerseys cheered and shouted, creating an electrifying atmosphere for the school battle team members who were about to enter. The atmosphere in the stadium was as hot as a searing volcanic crater.


    At that moment, the voice of the home ground''s ace commentator, Qin Quan, boomed through the ultra-amplified speakers like thunder.


    "Leading the way is our most beloved captain, the Soul of Hongye, Wang Siyu. Having joined Hongye High School three years ago, he remains the most reliable anchor of the team with over a thousand battles under his belt. For the sake of Hongye, he rejected the five major families and has given his all..."


    "Next is the incredibly dazzling Little Sword Immortal, Gu Haochen. This is his debut season, but he has already won all our hearts. Our Little Sword Immortal remains undefeated, since beneath his handsome exterior lies the heart of an unstoppable swordsman!" Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Following is the Beast King, He Changzai, a veteran who has fought for Hongye High School for three years. He is one of the Five Beast Kings of the league, having turned down numerous offers. With him, Hongye High School''s beastmasters always stand tall over other schools!"


    "Walking fourth is Flower of a Thousand Blossoms, Liu Yao, our most beautiful Hongye princess, and the most valuable medic of High School War God League Season 250 in Liuhe Base City. Her beauty and prowess are unparalleled."


    "The last one is the Thousand-Armed Mech God, Huang Yueru, a master of mechanical engineering and weaponry. She is one of the three firearms specialists in Liuhe Base City''s high school scene. A reliable logistics support group on the battlefield, she holds the record of assembling the Houyi-class individual energy cannon in thirty-one seconds, a feat never seen before."


    Each introduction of a team member''s name was accompanied by an overwhelming wave of cheers as the atmosphere reached its fever pitch. It felt as though the entire Hongye Stadium would transform into a super volcano, erupting with millions of years'' worth of pent-up energy.


    In the media section, over three hundred journalists, commentators, and broadcasters from various websites, media, and communication companies looked visibly shaken.


    Shen Yan, the Little White Dragon in the Waves, was among them. As the designated streamer for Red Flag High School, he received quite a high level of treatment. Not only did he get an exclusive independent broadcasting booth, but it was also in the front row. He was also provided with two part-time student assistants from Hongye High School.


    Every reasonable request was met. Yet, he could feel the deafening roar of the crowd even through the soundproof glass. This was the true devil''s home ground.


    In the independent broadcasting booth, Little You, who had eaten five work meals, was cosplaying as the Goddess Ye Liuying today. She was radiant and full of energy. She seemed like a fully charged machine, brimming with enthusiasm.


    "No wonder Hongye High School is called the sixth prestigious school among the top five. I''ve never seen such a lively atmosphere. Their team members have enormous influence both inside and outside the school, and each one is a superstar in the high school league!"


    Little You wiped some oil from the corner of her mouth as she admired the energy of the crowd. The scene made countless viewers in the livestream comment section exclaim in disbelief.


    Stop, don''t wipe your mouth anymore.


    Ah, that damned tongue, put it away.


    I''m starting to have uncontrollable evil thoughts.


    Damn it, what did the streamer Little White Dragon do to the innocent assistant?


    Kill Shen Yan, take Little You.


    Countless typical comments flooded the screen.


    Shen Yan quickly coughed and gave Little You a look, signaling her to stop making unnecessary actions and comments.


    "Boss, is your throat uncomfortable?" Little You completely missed her boss''s point and asked innocently.


    "No, I think you haven''t done your homework properly today." Shen Yan said, unable to bear it any longer.


    "What do you mean?" Little You asked, confused. "I followed your instructions exactly."


    "My instructions?" Shen Yan was a bit confused.


    What instructions?


    Little You confidently explained, "You said that Goddess Ye Liuying has been in the spotlight again because she defeated a Grade Five star beast in the suburbs. She has a lot of buzz, and we should try to ride that wave. So, I cosplayed her... Is that not right?"


    What the hell!


    This girl!


    Countless people inside and outside the livestream collectively gasped in astonishment.

 Chapter 152: Soul of Hongye

    Chapter 152: Soul of HongyeShen Yan looked exasperated. He wished he could find something to stuff into her mouth.


    "Although... but..." He choked, "Damn it, don''t talk about riding the wave in the livestream! I''m docking your pay."


    Little You blinked her large, clear eyes, looking both aggrieved and puzzled. "But boss, you said it yourself. You always say you act openly and with integrity, and there''s nothing that can''t be said to others."


    Shen Yan took a deep breath.


    I did say that. But it wasn''t meant to be understood like this. It''s better to change the topic quickly.


    "Remember, the so-called sixth prestigious school among the top five is a term some people outside use for Hongye High School. Many think it''s a compliment, but actually, people from Hongye High School find it very offensive and even hateful." Shen Yan explained.


    Little You blinked again in confusion, "Why is that?"


    Shen Yan immediately continued, "Because, ten years ago, Hongye High School''s legendary principal, Ms. Xiao Hongye, took over and set the motto ¡®Break the monopoly, Hongye reigns supreme¡¯. However, it hasn''t been fully achieved yet. So, Little You, you rascal, don''t say things like that in the livestream. Otherwise, some crazy Little Hongye students might think you''re being sarcastic and cyberbully you so badly that even your mom wouldn''t recognize you."


    "Wow, such a bold motto." Little You said admiringly, "Principal Xiao is truly a star among women in our base city. She''s my idol... I mean, she really admires me... no, I really admire her. She''s my idol."


    "Principal Xiao is indeed a great figure who¡¯s worthy of praise and respect." Shen Yan quickly added.


    This exchange made many Hongye High School fans who had just entered the livestream calm down. They even came to the conclusion that the streamer was quite decent. However, long-time fans saw through their act of playful banter and started flooding the chat with revealing comments.


    Shen Yan sighed deeply. He had aspired to become an authoritative tech streamer, but now, he had inadvertently become part of a comedy duo.


    The world is treacherous.


    "Huh? Boss, look! What are the Hongye High School team members doing?" Little You suddenly exclaimed loudly, "They''re blocking the entrance to the player tunnel. Are they planning to intercept Red Flag High School for an early show of dominance?"


    Shen Yan looked through the glass toward the player tunnel. He saw Hongye High School team members lined up on either side of the tunnel exit, seemingly waiting for something.


    "This is their tradition." Shen Yan explained, "Before every match, the Hongye High School team lines up at the tunnel entrance to applaud and welcome their opponents who have traveled from afar."


    "Wow, that''s so polite?" Little You was amazed.


    Shen Yan added, "They''re welcoming their opponents for making the effort to come and become their stepping stones to a higher rank."


    Ths assistant was instantly rendered speechless.


    "Red Flag High School''s team is coming out." She quickly shifted the topic, clasping her hands in front of her chest with an infatuated expression. "Leading the way is, of course, the handsome Li Xiaofei. Ah, his expression is so calm, his wise eyes are full of confidence, and his graceful steps exude the aura of a true dark horse. I can almost see his chiseled abs through his clothes..."


    Shen Yan did not know what to say. The livestream chat exploded with comments filled with question marks.


    Oh no, the assistant is in heat.


    She used to secretly drool, but now she''s being blatantly obvious. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Did you see Little White Dragon''s expression? Something just shattered.


    Stop your wicked thoughts. Fist King''s abs belong to all of us.


    The audience erupted into another round of heated discussion.


    Shen Yan quickly redirected the inappropriate conversation, saying, "The match is about to start, and we already have over 100,000 viewers in the livestream. The pre-match betting has ended, and while many are fans of Li Xiaofei, the Fist People, they are still showing restraint and rationality. 68 percent of viewers believe Hongye High School will win, while only 32 percent have faith in Red Flag High School."


    "Boss, which side are you on?" the assistant asked.


    Shen Yan confidently replied, "Do you even need to ask? As the moderator of Fist Club, member number 000001 of the Fist People, I am obviously part of the 32 percent supporting Red Flag High School."


    "Got it," the assistant said. "Then I''ll bet the remaining 136.4 star coins on your card on Red Flag High School to win."


    "Damn it, stop right there!" Shen Yan was alarmed. "Position is position, and life is life. When it comes to betting, I''d still choose Hongye High School."


    The viewers in the livestream burst into laughter again.


    Dog streamer, really a dog.


    He can even do something so shameless.


    Laughter and playful comments flooded the chat.


    "I just got some data from some of our official sources. In the other thirty-six livestreams, the percentage of people betting on Hongye High School to win was consistently over 90 percent..." Shen Yan said. "The fact that we have 32 percent support here indicates that this is indeed the stronghold of Red Flag High School fans."


    "Why is Red Flag High School''s support rate so low this time?" Little You asked, puzzled. "Didn''t their previous performances warrant more confidence?"


    Shen Yan sighed and said, "The main reason is that Fist King Li Xiaofei is not favored. Most people believe that this time he won''t be able to maintain his undefeated record."


    "Why not?"


    "Because Hongye High School has superstar players."


    "Little Sword Immortal Gu Haochen?"


    "No, it''s Soul of Hongye Wang Siyu."


    "Is he very strong?"


    "Of course. In Season 250 last year, Wang Siyu ranked fourth in solo mode, just behind Xiong Zhigang, Zhou Yunong, and Ye Keran, and far ahead of the fifth place. He is considered a top contender for the new league king. His Limit Breaking Realm cultivation is ahead of many of his peers, and his strength has only increased this year."


    "I didn''t know about this."


    "I told you to do more homework, but you spend all day drooling over Li Xiaofei''s abs. No wonder you don''t know."


    "Oh, that''s not true! I don''t always do that."


    As the banter between the streamer and his assistant continued, the match officially began.


    First up was solo mode. The first to compete for Red Flag High School was the veteran Fang Buyi. Fang Buyi had made significant progress since comprehending the essence of staff techniques in the match against Longteng High School. His staff techniques had become more formidable and undefeated.


    He had also been in great form recently. His popularity in the league had also been rising steadily. Confident in his abilities, Fang Buyi was ready for this match. Hongye High School, on the other hand, fielded the super dark horse, Little Sword Immortal Gu Haochen.


    Staff King vs. Little Sword Immortal. The first match was already highly anticipated. However, many were surprised by the outcome, as the match turned out to be completely one-sided.


    It only took thirty seconds for a winner to be decided.

 Chapter 153: The Greatest Suspense

    Chapter 153: The Greatest SuspenseFang Buyi lost. Despite his recent five-match winning streak and strong momentum, the Staff King couldn''t handle Gu Haochen''s third sword strike. There was a significant gap in both cultivation and combat skills.


    As Fang Buyi stepped down from the light core mainframe, his face didn''t show much disappointment. When he walked into the preparation area, he apologized to his teammates.


    "I was outmatched. Sorry to disappoint everyone." He said sincerely, "But I will continue to cultivate and grow stronger."


    After Li Xiaofei''s spiritual cleansing last time, the mindset of Red Flag High School''s battle team members had greatly improved. Losing to a rising star in the league was not a disgrace. Fang Buyi had felt the difference in strength and was now even more determined to improve.


    "Looks like we have to rely on you again today." He said while looking at Li Xiaofei.


    "I''ve got this." Li Xiaofei said confidently. "Everyone, do your best without feeling any pressure. As long as I''m here, Red Flag High School will never lose a team battle."


    It was a powerful morale booster. It immediately filled everyone with confidence, since Li Xiaofei had the absolute ability to back up his words.


    The second solo match was a beastmaster battle. Red Flag High School chose the newcomer, Bai Qiqi, once again. In the past five rounds of the league, Bai Qiqi had a record of five losses out of five matches. Her performance could only be described as underwhelming.


    So, her strength didn''t attract much attention from the outside world. Instead, her delicate, doll-like features earned her the nickname Porcelain Doll, so she was admired by many fans.


    In today''s match, Bai Qiqi''s opponent was not the league''s superstar He Changzai. It was Hongye High School''s substitute player, Ding Ling. From Hongye High School''s perspective, neither of Red Flag High School''s beastmasters, be it the former main player Liu Xiao or the current newcomer Bai Qiqi could be considered a threat. So, they used this match to train their new player.


    Ding Ling, known as the Cuddly Fierce Beast, was also very beautiful. She was one of Hongye High School''s key new-generation players, and had been personally selected by Principal Xiao Hongye as He Changzai''s successor.


    A duel between two beauties. Their appearances alone made the battle a delightful sight.


    The system randomly selected a classic beastmaster map, Thousand Beast Island. The island resembled a nine-compartment hotpot. It wasn''t large, but it featured a variety of geographical conditions such as deserts, swamps, forests, hills, lakes, and valleys. It had thousands of different Grade One star beast species.


    Such a terrain wouldn''t exist in reality. It was a virtual island created by the light core system to fully showcase the comprehensive abilities of beastmasters.


    The battle quickly commenced. But against all odds, Bai Qiqi held on for a full half hour against Ding Ling, who was at the peak of the Qi Refining ninth stage. Eventually, she lost the match due to an insufficient number of controlled beasts during the beast mastery duel.


    This marked Bai Qiqi''s sixth loss. Since she had participated in six matches without a single win, some streamers and experts couldn''t help but voice their doubts.


    "Red Flag High School may have made a mistake by replacing their original main beastmaster, Liu Xiao, with this young newcomer."


    "This girl has nothing else apart from her looks."


    "Her poor skills make her uncompetitive in the league."


    "A mere pretty face."


    "Maybe Red Flag High School is aiming to become a team of internet celebrities? They might just want to use Bai Qiqi''s high attractiveness to gain followers."


    "Haha, could this have been the choice of team bully Li Xiaofei?" Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Possibly, after all, which man doesn''t like a pretty face?"


    Some streamers began to mock and find ways to stir up controversy from various angles.


    In the Little White Dragon in the Waves livestream, Shen Yan was also silent. A record of six losses in six matches was indeed disappointing.


    After a while, he forced a smile and said, "It''s okay, she''s a newcomer after all and doesn¡¯t have much combat experience. Losing to a stronger opponent is understandable. Not every newcomer can be like Li Xiaofei."


    But this explanation clearly didn''t sit well with the viewers in the chat.


    Streamer, you''re just making excuses.


    Even you can''t justify this.


    She''s just a pretty face.


    Shen, we accept you praising Li Xiaofei, but trying to justify this girl Bai Qiqi is just insulting our intelligence.


    Countless comments flooded the screen.


    Bai Qiqi returned to the preparation area looking frustrated.


    "You did really well." Yan Chiyu was the first to comfort her. "I feel like you''re getting closer and closer to your first victory."


    Liu Xiao also stepped forward immediately to console her, "Don''t be discouraged. Hongye High School is a top prestigious school. Their substitute Ding Ling is incredibly strong; she just hasn''t had many opportunities to prove herself yet. I guarantee that Ding Ling will become a superstar in the league. The fact that you held your own against her for half an hour is commendable."


    "I-I-I... I actually c-could have done better," Bai Qiqi said, a bit defiantly.


    The young girl''s competitive spirit was strong. When they saw that she was still full of fighting spirit, everyone felt reassured. Chen Fei and Grandpa Qin looked relaxed. They both agreed with Liu Xiao''s assessment.


    Bai Qiqi had been making rapid progress in the past six matches. Her improvement in strength had been astonishing. It was just bad luck and a lack of experience that had resulted in six consecutive losses. Unfortunately, it was overshadowing her potential and outsiders were beginning to underestimate her. But given enough opportunities, this Porcelain Doll could absolutely shine brightly and become one of Red Flag High School''s most reliable scorers.


    Unsurprisingly, Red Flag High School lost both the medic and weapons specialist duels that came next.


    Hongye High School''s superstars, Flower of a Thousand Blossoms Liu Yao and Thousand-Armed Mech God Huang Yueru, had both surpassed the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. They were also veterans of the league, so they easily defeated Ren Dong and Bai Longfei.


    Red Flag High School had now lost four solo mode matches. The last match left was the main event duel between the top fighters of each team. Red Flag High School was obviously sending out their strongest, Li Xiaofei. Meanwhile, Hongye High School''s representative was the Soul of Hongye, Wang Siyu.


    Strongest versus strongest! Both of them had never been defeated in this season of the league. Would the newcomer overthrow the established legend? Or would the veteran successfully defend his title? All the suspense was focused on this match.


    "It¡¯s no exaggeration to say that Red Flag High School''s best chance for a win today, especially at an away game, lies in this solo mode match."


    "Exactly, if they lose this match, Red Flag High School stands no chance in team mode."


    "Maybe we are expecting too much."


    "Oh? What do you mean?"


    "No matter how strong Li Xiaofei is, he''s still in the Qi Refining Realm, while Wang Siyu reached the first stage of the Limit Breaking Realm last year. His strength must have improved even more this year, making him even stronger. Li Xiaofei stands no chance."


    The tension was palpable as everyone waited to see if the dark horse, Li Xiaofei, could pull off a miracle against the seemingly invincible Wang Siyu.

 Chapter 154: Palm Technique

    Chapter 154: Palm TechniqueWhen Wang Siyu stood up from the preparation area and walked towards the light core main cabin, an extraordinary scene unfolded in the arena.


    Countless fans stood up in unison. The sight of hundreds of thousands of people rising simultaneously could only be described as breathtaking.


    The waves of cheering instantly ceased as countless eyes fell on Wang Siyu. He was the Soul of Hongye. A genius who had supported Hongye High School for a full four years.


    Yes, four years. It was not that he hadn¡¯t been accepted into a university after graduating high school. He had voluntarily repeated a year. Last summer, Wang Siyu, a super star of the league and twice selected for the Liuhe Base City high school team, was fiercely sought after by dozens of prestigious schools. Yet, since he had not had a strong successor at Hongye High School, he had chosen to stay.


    He was determined to support Hongye High School for another year. Everyone knew youth was precious. This was even more true for martial artists, since losing a year could potentially cause them to fall behind their peers, leading to a significant decline.


    Yet, Wang Siyu had chosen to stay for Hongye High School and for Principal Xiao Hongye, who had recognized his talents. His presence had ensured Hongye High School¡¯s competitive edge in the last season. They had not fallen behind the five prestigious schools.


    This year, Hongye High School had welcomed Gu Haochen, the Little Sword Immortal, and the pressure on Wang Siyu''s shoulders was finally lightened. After mentoring the younger students for another year, he could confidently move on to university.


    But in this moment, he remained the supreme idol, admired by the entire Hongye High School and all its fans. The fans in the stands looked at him as if they were gazing upon a deity of faith. Wang Siyu stood by the light core main cabin, slightly lifting his head to look at the stands. His gaze was calm. He gently clenched his fist and raised it.


    "Hongye."


    He tapped his heart with his fist.


    "Hongye!"


    "Hongye!"


    "Hongye!"


    At that moment, the over one hundred thousand spectators in the stands made the same gesture. One hundred thousand fists touched one hundred thousand beating hearts. One hundred thousand voices loudly chanted the same name.


    ¡°HONGYE!¡±


    Even in many live streaming rooms, countless virtual figures stood up in their seats, making the same gesture and chanting the same words.


    Hongye High School represented a miracle in Liuhe Base City. It also embodied the spirit of progress, effort, and perseverance. Even those who were not from the Hongye High School district held great respect for the school, its students, and its principal.


    So one could only imagine just how popular Wang Siyu was. A simple gesture or word from him was enough to stir the blood of over one hundred thousand people. The scene left Li Xiaofei profoundly moved.


    Five hundred years ago, there were many stars, actors, and esports players. They had unparalleled popularity on the internet. A casual Weibo post could easily garner tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of shares.


    But to Li Xiaofei, the influence of these industry giants might not compare to the impact of the boy standing before him. Perhaps only those soldiers who had sacrificed for the Republic, or the great scientists who dedicated everything for the nation''s progress, could evoke such resonance and gratitude among millions of ordinary people.


    Li Xiaofei looked at Wang Siyu.


    This person deserves respect. He is also someone to learn from. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei entered the light core mainframe. He adjusted the instruments, inserted the key, initiated the system, and smoothly entered the light core virtual world.


    The system randomly matched the map as the battle countdown began. On twenty giant projection screens at the venue, the white fog of war slowly dissipated to reveal a clear map before everyone.


    "The Ancient Roman Colosseum."


    "One of the top ten classic solo mode maps."


    "Great, this map is straightforward and simple. Contestants can face off directly, with no tricks."


    "A classic map for a classic match."


    "Wang Siyu, height: 1.8 meters, weight: 171 pounds, first stage of the Limit Breaking Realm, suspected hidden cultivation, Rookie of the Year in Season 248, top five in solo mode in Season 249 and 250, a superstar in the traditional martial arts Thousand Buddha Fist, Springing Leg, and Seven Mysteries Palm, and known for excelling in fists, legs, and palms. With a league career win rate of 92 percent, he is an undisputed superstar!"


    "Li Xiaofei, height: 1.85 meters, weight: 166 pounds, suspected to be at the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, traditional martial arts, true legacy of an unnamed fist technique, known as the Fist King, maintaining an undefeated record in his short professional career so far..."


    "Between the black horse of Red Flag and the king of Hongye, who will walk out of here standing?"


    Hundreds of commentators and streamers were all fired up when they saw the number of viewers in their live rooms skyrocketing. This was the allure of a focal battle.


    ***


    Two beams of light descended onto the map simultaneously as Li Xiaofei and Wang Siyu appeared in the ancient colosseum.


    The enormous circular structure was indestructible, with a 500-meter diameter arena surrounded by 100-meter high stone walls. Both combatants were in a fully enclosed space. The battle would not end until one fell.


    Li Xiaofei wore his Noble Gentleman outfit from Xiesheng Boutique. Wang Siyu, on the other hand, was dressed in the Hongye High School uniform. However, his uniform was covered with various brand logos, both large and small. Many were sponsors of Hongye High School, while a few were products endorsed by Wang Siyu himself.


    One only needed to look at a league player¡¯s team uniform to gauge their popularity. Popular players had their own endorsements and sponsors. The same applied to prestigious school teams. In contrast, a struggling team like Red Flag High School had no sponsors investing in them throughout the year. Their team uniforms were clean, without a single brand logo.


    "Li Xiaofei, I''ve heard a lot about you." Wang Siyu smiled. "Haochen has mentioned you many times. He sees you as his target and wants to defeat you in a match."


    Li Xiaofei replied, "I''ve met him, but with his current skills, he has no hope of defeating me."


    As soon as he said this, the stands outside the arena and the various live streams erupted in boos. The phrase, Fist King Li Xiaofei, arrogance unmatched, was popular online. Now it seemed quite accurate.


    In the eyes of Hongye fans, the undefeated Little Sword Immortal Gu Haochen, with his masterful swordsmanship, was just as much a dark horse as Li Xiaofei. How could Li Xiaofei be so confident?


    Wang Siyu smiled back. "Li Xiaofei, you seem very confident in your abilities."


    Li Xiaofei shrugged, "So far, I haven''t seen any player in the league who poses a threat to me. Even those so-called superstars are far from it."


    A strong fighting spirit flashed in Wang Siyu''s eyes.


    "And what about me?" he asked.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "You are a worthy opponent, but what moves me is not your strength, but your dedication to Hongye High School. To show my respect, I will use my strongest combat technique to defeat you in this battle."


    "Oh?" Wang Siyu was even more curious. "Is it the killer move from your unnamed martial technique?"


    "No," Li Xiaofei said seriously. "It''s a palm technique."


    The arena erupted in chaos.


    A palm technique?


    This emerging dark horse intended to use a palm technique to challenge the Soul of Hongye?


    Didn''t he know that one of Wang Siyu''s three strongest techniques was a palm technique?


    There was no one even within the Liuhe Base City high school league who was stronger than Wang Siyu in palm techniques.

 Chapter 155: Breaking The Third Shackles

    Chapter 155: Breaking The Third ShacklesWang Siyu had mastered the true legacy of the traditional martial art Seven Mysteries Palm. He was extremely confident in his palm technique.


    "In that case, please."


    No more words were needed. Wang Siyu''s expression grew solemn. Orange-red starforce qi started to radiate from him. He looked like a majestic and powerful god-king wreathed in fire.


    He slowly raised his hands, one slightly behind the other with palms facing outward. Starforce coalesced into two crimson blazing giant palms, as if they were the hands of a deity from another world.


    A powerful pressure instantly radiated outwards. Li Xiaofei''s expression became serious. Indeed, a renowned name bore no false reputation. Nothing else needed to be said; just the opening stance of Wang Siyu''s palm technique exerted an incredible pressure.


    Even Xiong Zhigang on his best day at full power seemed to fall short compared to the Soul of Hongye before him.


    Li Xiaofei did not dare be negligent and unleashed his qi. Pale golden starforce qi emanated from him, transforming into a golden dragon''s shadow that spiraled and roared. He looked like a war god protected by a golden dragon as the golden light illuminated his young, handsome face.


    "Oh? It seems Li Xiaofei has also made a breakthrough."


    "No, perhaps this is his true strength."


    "A golden dragon shadow, what technique is that? I''ve never seen it before."


    "It looks incredibly impressive."


    "Could this be Li Xiaofei''s true strength?"


    Countless people exclaimed as many professionals realized that Li Xiaofei was equally as impressive as Wang Siyu. He might showcase a style and combat strength he had never revealed before.


    "Not bad." Wang Siyu also expressed admiration.


    The aura emanating from Li Xiaofei far exceeded the pre-match analysis by his coaches. It was powerful and majestic. It also didn''t seem to belong to someone at the Qi Refining Realm.


    "As your senior and since this is my home ground, I''ll let you make the first move." Wang Siyu smiled in appreciation as he said, "I won''t take advantage of you. I can suppress my cultivation to the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm and give you a fair chance to display your combat skills."


    He fully displayed the demeanor of a gentleman.


    "No need," Li Xiaofei replied. "The capable lead on the martial path. It¡¯s only by striving with all our might that we can grasp its essence. Today, let''s not hold back. Let''s fight with everything we have... prepare yourself!"


    With that, he attacked directly. His left leg slightly bent, his right arm curved inward, and his right palm drew a circle before sweeping outward as he unleashed the first of the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, the Regretful Dragon.


    Roar!


    A dragon''s roar shattered the silence. The golden dragon shadow, accompanied by Li Xiaofei''s palm, surged toward Wang Siyu with claws bared. It was the first appearance of the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms in the mortal realm.


    Wang Siyu immediately felt the pressure intensify as he felt the wind of the strike rush toward him. It felt like an ancient divine mountain was collapsing on him. He drew his arms back, and thrust them forward one after the other.


    Seven Mysteries Palm. First move, Seven Nights of Longevity.


    The enormous blazing palm force shot forward to collide with the golden dragon shadow.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The palms clashed in midair. Visible energy explosions shattered the air, creating wave after wave of shockwaves that spread in all directions.


    Bang.


    Four palms collided as both figures shook simultaneously. Both chose to endure the other''s palm force head-on. Both of them silently praised the other in their hearts.


    Li Xiaofei had to admit that these superstars in the league truly possessed formidable strength. In hindsight, this made sense. In such a long and complex knockout tournament, there was no room for impostors. Wang Siyu''s strength was undoubtedly top tier among the elite.


    But Wang Siyu, in turn, was equally astonished by Li Xiaofei''s unparalleled palm force. As someone who was highly proficient in palm techniques, he was well aware of the terror of such a palm art. Even after using his Limit Breaking Realm cultivation to power his Seven Mysteries Palm, he could only barely manage a draw with Li Xiaofei.


    Wang Siyu instantly realized that his opponent''s mastery of palm techniques surpassed his own. In that moment, he dismissed all thoughts of underestimating his opponent.


    "Limit Breaking!"


    The shout caused two blinding rays of light to burst forth from the palms of Wang Siyu''s hands, as if the bones beneath his muscles were emitting divine light. His strength shot upward until it reached the second stage of the Limit Breaking Realm. He had broken through the shackles on both hands, and as a result, his palm force doubled.


    "Come again." Wang Siyu shouted.


    He used the second move of the Seven Mysteries Palm, Seven Nine Supreme. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei''s fighting spirit soared. He also let out a shout, stabilized his center of gravity, and pushed both palms forward to execute the fifth move of the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, the Shocking Hundred Miles.


    As he pushed his palms forward, his starforce qi transformed into two powerful roaring golden dragons that coiled around his arms and fiercely shot forward with snapping jaws.


    Boom!


    The four palms clashed once again, causing a deafening explosion that created visible waves of sound and air. The air currents radiated outward in layers. Wang Siyu''s body trembled as he stepped back to dissipate the impact. Li Xiaofei''s body also wavered, but he stepped forward, almost stumbling.


    That was the unique ability of the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms. No matter how strong or fierce the opponent, when struck, they would stumble forward rather than fall backward.


    In The Legend of the Condor Heroes [1], the grandmaster of this palm technique, Hong Qigong demonstrated this characteristic, with his unparalleled inner strength and straightforward, explosive personality.


    Later, when Northern Hero Guo Jing received the true legacy from Hong Qigong and fought Ouyang Feng, Guo Jing would flip forward instead of falling backward even when Ouyang Feng used clever force to throw him. Ouyang Feng recognized it and immediately knew that Hong Qigong had taught Guo Jing.


    The Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms was the most powerful and vigorous palm technique in that world. It was unparalleled in its strength and fierceness. Cultivating this palm technique would influence one''s personality, making them righteous and intolerant of evil.


    "Unexpectedly, the Fist King''s greatest strength is in palm techniques." Wang Siyu grew excited as his eyes started burning with a fiery passion. "You have made me feel a long-lost excitement, Li Xiaofei. Red Flag High School acquiring you will undoubtedly be the most memorable chapter in their history."


    Li Xiaofei''s body trembled.


    Swish, swish, swish.


    The upper half of his clothes was torn to shreds in an instant, scattering like butterflies in the wind. His perfectly defined muscles, with sharp, chiseled lines, were exposed to the cameras.


    ***


    Outside the arena, countless female fans screamed in unison.


    "Ah, he''s copying me, he''s copying me!" Bai Longfei immediately shouted, "Isn''t anyone going to do something about this?"


    What a shameless guy. He''s actually copying my long-famous shirt-ripping, muscle-showing, cool move. Now, my female fans are going to be drawn to him again.


    But Fang Buyi and others did not echo his sentiments; they stared, dumbfounded, at the big screen. They felt their blood boiling and their fighting spirit soaring.


    Li Xiaofei''s strength and boldness had a powerful impact that was fully transmitted through the live broadcast. Even many commentators and streamers let out excited howls.


    ***


    In the arena.


    "You''re not bad either; you live up to your online reputation," Li Xiaofei, surrounded by golden flames, felt invigorated. "And you''re worthy of my first demonstration of this palm technique."


    His martial spirit had ignited, so his blood was burning wildly.


    Li Xiaofei leaped into the air, laughing heartily, "Wang Siyu, let''s have a satisfying fight today... Try my palm technique again!"


    He attacked from above, his palm force surging around him. In an instant, dozens of golden dragon shadows spiraled around him, roaring as they descended on Wang Siyu.


    Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, Flying Dragon in the Sky!


    Wang Siyu''s expression grew serious, and he roared. A booming sound erupted from his left ankle, followed by a blinding halo that burst forth, shining like a miniature sun.


    The ankle shackle... was released! He¡¯s broken the third shackle! He is at the third stage of the Limit Breaking Realm!


    The crowd erupted in astonishment.


    Wang Siyu was at the first stage of the Limit Breaking Realm at the end of last year''s league, which was already impressive. Many had speculated that the Soul of Hongye would even be stronger this year.


    Reaching the second stage of the Limit Breaking Realm cultivation matched most people''s expectations. But no one had expected that Wang Siyu was not at the second stage. He had broken through two more shackles and reached the third stage. This was a significant, chasm-like difference. Li Xiaofei was destined to lose.


    1. The Legend of the Condor Heroes is a wuxia novel by Chinese writer Jin Yong. It is the first part of the Condor Trilogy and is followed by The Return of the Condor Heroes and The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber. It was first serialised between 1 January 1957 and 19 May 1959 in Hong Kong Commercial Daily. ?

 Chapter 156: A Change In The Title

    Chapter 156: A Change In The TitleLimit Breaking Realm meant breaking the innate shackles within the body. Each stage broken resulted in a significant increase in strength. It also allowed the development of the mysterious power of the human body.


    Wang Siyu''s dominance in palm techniques was greatly related to breaking the shackles on his hands. Now that he had broken the shackle on his left ankle, his entire left leg gained immense strength. He stomped his left foot, rotating at high speed on the spot.


    Li Xiaofei''s palm strike missed. The golden dragon palm force hit the walls of the colosseum, creating a two-meter-wide crater with a thunderous roar.


    Wang Siyu paused, then spun in the opposite direction, instantly returning to Li Xiaofei''s side. His left palm stuck below, and his right palm above. He alternated with both hands, and delivered fifteen palm strikes in an instant. Each palm contained destructive power, and were not mere illusions. He was using the fourth move of the Seven Mysteries Palm, Seven Up, Eight Down.


    But Li Xiaofei was undeterred as he also struck back with both palms. His left palm brimmed with circular force, while his right used direct force. Golden dragons roared around him as he used Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, Dragon in the Field.


    Boom, boom, boom.


    The two furiously exchanged palm strikes. Orange-red and pale golden starforce qi constantly clashed, shattered and scatted in every direction. The deafening explosions, accompanied by their exchanges, echoed continuously.


    The more Wang Siyu fought, the more astonished he became. He was using the energy from breaking the shackles on both hands to power his Seven Mysteries Palm; yet, he couldn''t break through Li Xiaofei''s golden dragon palm force.


    Now, despite breaking through the left ankle shackle and using a leg technique to shift positions like a phantom, he couldn''t find a weakness in Li Xiaofei''s palm technique.


    The dark horse from Red Flag High School, with his continuous and powerful palm strikes, demonstrated a mastery of palm techniques that was hard to imagine. Even after probing him three or four times, Wang Siyu couldn''t find any flaws.


    Gradually, Wang Siyu felt Li Xiaofei''s palm force growing even stronger. Each strike, accompanied by the roaring golden dragon shadow, seemed to carry overwhelming strength, making Wang Siyu''s Seven Mysteries Palm feel increasingly inadequate.


    If this continues, I will surely lose.


    Wang Siyu was shocked; he thought he had already overestimated Li Xiaofei. He never expected the young man''s strength to be beyond his imagination.


    I need to change tacks!


    A thought flashed in Wang Siyu''s mind, and his palm technique instantly transformed into a martial fist technique.


    The air suddenly seemed to ring with the sound of Buddhist chants as Wang Siyu struck out with a punch. The orange-red starforce qi turned into a ''…e''-shaped fist imprint as it blasted forward.


    It was the Thousand Buddha Fist! This was another of Wang Siyu''s ultimate techniques. His punches thundered forward as the faint shadow of a Buddha flickered in and out of view behind him.


    Li Xiaofei laughed heartily. He kept using the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms to counter. After exchanging a few blows, Wang Siyu felt that even the Thousand Buddha Fist couldn''t suppress his opponent''s palm technique.


    He changed moves again. Leaning back, he suddenly kicked out. His foot moved like an ax, striking down on Li Xiaofei. It was one of his three ultimate techniques, Springing Leg. Wang Siyu''s leg technique had been cultivated to the pinnacle of mastery. Many martial arts experts had praised his leg technique. They believed his legs were like two giant axes that wielded immense destructive power.


    Between his palm, fist, and leg techniques, Springing Leg was the most sharp, lethal, and powerful in its offensive capability. In past battles, whenever Wang Siyu used Springing Leg, it signaled that his attack had been blocked and he was in trouble. But once he deployed his leg technique, the situation would instantly change.


    Wang Siyu was upright and honest, and his personality was gentle, which was reflected in his fist and palm techniques. However, his leg technique followed a path of mutual destruction, which stood in stark contrast to his personality. It was ruthless and deadly, with every move aimed to kill.


    Opponents who didn''t wish to perish together could only defend and counterattack. But once they thought of defense, they would find Wang Siyu''s leg attacks become relentless. Like a river''s mighty waves, it would only grow faster and stronger until they were ultimately overwhelmed.


    There was only one superstar in the entire league who had faced Wang Siyu''s Springing Leg head-on, withstood it until Wang Siyu¡¯s starforce qi was exhausted, and then turned the tables to win. His name was Ye Keren from the Ye family. Even last season''s Killer King Xiong Zhigang didn''t dare to directly defend against Wang Siyu''s Springing Leg.


    But today, everything changed. Li Xiaofei used his Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms to meet Wang Siyu¡¯s Springing Leg kicks with his palms. The Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms was particularly effective against all flashy martial arts under the heavens.


    After exchanging twenty moves, Wang Siyu had not yet exhausted his starforce qi, but the situation was turning against him.


    "What? The Soul of Hongye''s Springing Leg can''t suppress Li Xiaofei?"


    "It''s not just that it can''t suppress; it''s being suppressed."


    "Li Xiaofei''s palm technique is too terrifying."


    "What kind of palm technique is this? Has anyone seen it before?"


    "Never seen or heard of it."


    "Have you noticed that Li Xiaofei''s martial techniques and palm techniques have never been seen in the league?"


    "Also, his starforce qi seems different. It looks like he hasn''t broken through his shackles, yet he can compete with Wang Siyu of the Limit Breaking Realm. You can''t judge him by the usual Qi Refining Realm indicators."


    "That''s right, because he hasn''t released any qi vortices."


    "What is that golden dragon shadow? It looks so cool and impressive."


    Commentators and streamers from all sides were utterly shocked.


    Meanwhile, the viewers in the livestream rooms were filled with envy and jealousy over Li Xiaofei''s starforce qi golden dragon effect. Some speculated whether Li Xiaofei had purchased a VIP service from the light core.


    In the preparation area. Xiao Hongye appeared calm on the surface. But inside, she was utterly astonished. She had considered the possibility that Li Xiaofei might once again perform a miracle before the match. However, she hadn''t expected the miracle to be of this nature. Wang Siyu''s defeat was now certain.


    Xiao Hongye watched the half-naked Li Xiaofei as she felt increasingly covetous.


    Such a genius, yet he¡¯s not under my command. Staying at Red Flag High School is truly a waste. If I can recruit Li Xiaofei to Hongye High School, overthrowing the dominance of the five prestigious schools will become a reality.


    At that moment, a final explosion shook the battlefield.


    Boom!


    Wang Siyu''s body was flung thirty meters away, crashing heavily to the ground.


    "I lost." He spoke calmly, "I never expected my first defeat in this league to be at the hands of a newcomer... I''m quite happy."


    He was happy because another traditional martial arts talent had risen in Liuhe Base City. The Great Xia martial lineage had been gradually declining since many of the new rising talents were following the path of modern martial arts.


    They damaged their bodies by relying on the power of star beasts. The most glorious national essence of the Great Xia people was growing increasingly neglected.


    As a staunch supporter of traditional martial arts, Wang Siyu was deeply pained by this turn of events. The rise of Li Xiaofei, a steadfast traditional martial artist, was undoubtedly a strong boost. This young man was handsome, masculine, arrogant, strong, and had a natural charisma that could continuously create buzz.


    The emergence of this genius would undoubtedly have an immeasurable positive impact on promoting the Great Xia martial lineage. Since this was the case, why not help him build his reputation?


    "From today onwards, the one with an invincible palm technique in Liuhe Base City¡¯s high school league is you." Wang Siyu said with a smile.


    With that, he sent his concession to the light core system. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 157: Let’s Call Him King King

    Chapter 157: Let¡¯s Call Him King KingIn the next moment, Wang Siyu''s body transformed into a stream of data and disappeared from the battlefield. The light core system promptly announced the result of the match. Li Xiaofei was declared the winner.


    He had secured a rare victory in solo mode for Red Flag High School with an extraordinary display of skill. The outcome was unexpected for most streamers, commentators, and experts. It was also a surprise to all the fans of Hongye High School.


    Li Xiaofei stood still, a trace of puzzlement on his face. Wang Siyu''s injuries weren''t severe; he still had the strength to continue fighting, yet he had voluntarily conceded. This was not in line with the usual style of the Soul of Hongye.


    A light core transmission beam enveloped Li Xiaofei as he too left the battlefield. When he exited the light core virtual world, Li Xiaofei slowly opened his eyes in the mainframe cabin.


    His physical state was good. He felt a bit mentally fatigued, almost like he had fought a real battle. He stepped out of the light core cabin and saw that Wang Siyu had already exited but had not left; instead, he was standing by, smiling and waiting for him.


    "Will you steadfastly follow the path of traditional martial arts?" Wang Siyu looked at him and asked.


    Li Xiaofei nodded without hesitation, "The Great Xia martial lineage is my lifelong pursuit. If there comes a day when the Great Xia martial lineage no longer exists in this world, then neither will I."


    "Magnificent." Wang Siyu laughed heartily.


    He slowly extended his hand, "We share the same ideals."


    Li Xiaofei stepped forward and shook his hand. Since coming to this era five hundred years into the future, Li Xiaofei had met many people. But Wang Siyu was undoubtedly a true gentleman. Someone who could genuinely resonate with Li Xiaofei on the martial path.


    "What is the name of your palm technique?" Wang Siyu asked curiously.


    Li Xiaofei did not hide it, "Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms."


    "Great name." Wang Siyu repeated the name several times, "Li Xiaofei, let''s add each other on light core after the match. We should keep in touch and exchange ideas more often."


    "Nothing would please me more," Li Xiaofei replied.


    Being able to spar and compete with a top league star like Wang Siyu would undoubtedly have a tremendous effect on improving his own skills. This was the companionship part of the resources needed for cultivation.


    Wang Siyu turned and walked towards the preparation area of Hongye High School. The entire venue was incredibly quiet. The fans in the stands continued to look at the young man with reverence.


    Wang Siyu arrived at the edge of the preparation area and first bowed deeply to the fans in the stands, thanking them for their support. Instantly, the arena erupted in thunderous applause.


    The fans were paying tribute to their idol even though he had lost the match. No one blamed him. No one criticized him. There would always be highs and lows in martial arts competitions. There would always be winners. But no one would always win.


    Wang Siyu had given enough for Hongye High School. Losing an inconsequential solo mode match was nothing. No one would blame him even if he lost a crucial elimination match. The title Soul of Hongye was not built on an undefeated record. It was built on persistent dedication and an unyielding determination. It was built on a heart loyal and unchanging even when burned by a hundred fires.


    The scene made Li Xiaofei feel a pang of envy. A seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy who was capable of garnering such unconditional admiration and respect from so many people must possess immense personal charm. He couldn''t help but join in the applause. The broadcast cameras keenly captured this moment.


    "Wang Siyu truly deserves to be a superstar in the league. His charisma is boundless, even conquering someone as arrogant as the Fist King Li Xiaofei."


    "Fist King? After today, we should call him the Palm King."


    "Palm King? That sounds a bit awkward."


    "Fist King, Palm King¡ªwhy not just call him King King?"


    "Come to think of it, this is the first time the rebel Li Xiaofei has shown respect to an opponent."


    "That''s right, even the other star student, The Beast Zheng Shou, didn''t earn a shred of respect from him. He just taunted him relentlessly."


    "Rebel? Actually, that nickname isn''t bad."


    "Two words feel like something''s missing."


    "Oh, I got it! How about calling him the Outlaw Rebel?"


    "What do you mean?"


    "Don''t you know? Li Xiaofei comes from the slum, a place beyond the reach of government laws and a lawless area. So calling him the Outlaw Rebel makes perfect sense."


    "Brilliant."


    The streamers started creating a frenzy with their commentary.


    The viewers in the livestream rooms were immediately captivated by the nickname Outlaw Rebel. It was fitting. As soon as they heard it, they could imagine a lawless, wildly unrestrained individual. It matched the persona Li Xiaofei had consistently displayed.


    So, the mischievous viewers began flooding various livestreams, spamming comments.


    The Soul of Hongye remains honorable in defeat, bow to the Outlaw Rebel.


    Soon, the nickname Outlaw Rebel spread across the light-network. Of course, that included the livestream of Little White Dragon in the Waves Shen Yan.


    "What? Outlaw Rebel?"


    When he understood the origin of the nickname, Shen Yan couldn''t help but laugh and cry.


    "It sounds quite powerful." Little You, who was still cosplaying the Goddess, chimed in, "It has the fierce aura of an apocalyptic bandit, as if no one in this world can subdue him. Paired with that captivating look... I accept this nickname."


    Shen Yan didn¡¯t know what to say about that. He felt a bit jealous inside.


    Is it appropriate for you to be fanboying over another man while drawing a salary from me?


    "You can always count on Li Xiaofei. This time, the one he defeated was the league''s superstar Wang Siyu. A victory that was unexpected yet perfectly reasonable!"


    "Li Xiaofei continues his streak as an unbeatable dark horse! This victory also proves one thing: even against the league''s top stars, Li Xiaofei remains a formidable competitor."


    Shen Yan praised Li Xiaofei in his livestream. His statements gained the agreement of countless people. The victory in this battle was of immense significance. It indicated that Li Xiaofei was no longer an ordinary dark horse. He had truly become a top competitor in the league. He possessed the strength to defeat any opponent in solo mode. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile, Wang Siyu returned to his team''s preparation area where the other team members came forward to embrace him. The atmosphere in the Hongye High School team remained very relaxed, with smiles unhidden on the faces of the team members.


    It was evident that they had absolute confidence in the upcoming team mode match. In fact, their confidence was well-founded. Hardly anyone believed that Red Flag High School could defeat Hongye High School in team mode.


    Besides Li Xiaofei, the other Red Flag High School team members were significantly weaker. It was impossible for Li Xiaofei to single-handedly defeat the entire team with league superstars like Wang Siyu and Gu Haochen in the same way he defeated Longteng High School.


    At the same time, the other matches in the current round also had startling results.


    "Oh my God, I can''t believe this is real."


    "Oh wow, the league just got a lot more interesting."


    "Another case of the underdog winning! Quanye High School''s Tsukiha Yaiba has created a miracle."


    "Li Xiaofei isn''t alone on his path of miracles; he has company."


    The commentators were stunned as they received real-time updates on the matches.

 Chapter 158: The Greatest Challenge

    Chapter 158: The Greatest Challenge"Big news, big news, the league titan Duxing High School has been overturned."


    "In the just-concluded five solo mode matches against Qishen Academy, Duxing High School lost an unprecedented four matches, with only their captain, Xiong Zhigang, managing to secure a victory."


    "Major breaking news."


    "The king of the high school league has been toppled."


    "Qishen Academy isn''t weak either, so it''s not exactly a minor setback, is it?"


    "The main point is that Duxing High School hadn''t lost a single match before this¡ªthey were the undefeated champions of the league with a 64-match winning streak, and today they lost four matches in a row."


    "In Duxing High School''s nearly ten-year league history, they have never faced such a devastating defeat."


    "Has Qishen Academy''s team become that strong?"


    "Thankfully, Xiong Zhigang defeated his opponent with ease to save face for their school."


    "Yes, otherwise, losing all five matches would have been an embarrassment for Duxing."


    "Isn''t it already an embarrassment?"


    "Principal Ye Xilan must be furious."


    Numerous streamers, commentators, and industry insiders following the match discussed and marveled at the surprising turn of events.


    This outcome was truly astonishing. Duxing High School had been the undisputed champion of the Liuhe Base City high school league. It was normal for them to win consecutive titles, but today, they were completely defeated in solo mode. The shock it caused was beyond imagination.


    Meanwhile, in another arena, unbelievable news also emerged. The super dark horse Quanye High School had exploded with surprising success. They had secured an incredible four victories out of five solo mode matches, utterly defeating the prestigious Petroleum First High School.


    It was one thing for Quanye High School''s ace players, Tsukiha Yaiba and Mizutani Hikaru, to perform strongly. But no one had expected the two substitute players, Wang Qiong and Cao Rui, to demonstrate incredible strength and defeat the star students from Petroleum First High School, Sun Bo and Nie Hong. They had both secured victories in solo mode.


    "This weekend is crazy."


    "Wang Qiong and Cao Rui were previously just substitutes on Quanye High School''s team. The two girls were only at the seventh stage of the Qi Refining Realm, which was considered mediocre. Who would have thought they could defeat opponents at the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm today? What happened?"


    "Exactly. If you review the match footage, we can see they haven''t undergone modern martial arts surgery or transplanted Inscribed Treasure Bones. Their improvement is hard to believe."


    "Could this season be destined to be a miraculous journey for the dark horses?"


    "It''s still too early to say such things."


    ***


    News in the league traveled instantly. Li Xiaofei and his teammates in the preparation area were immediately aware of the progress of other key matches.


    If we win this match, our ranking on the league leaderboard will improve significantly.


    A thought popped into everyone''s minds. But they quickly realized one crucial issue¡ª


    How do we win?


    Hongye High School was not a pseudo-strong team like Longteng High School. Every member of their team was a top star in the league. It was unrealistic to rely on Li Xiaofei to single-handedly turn the tide. The league''s structure, divided into single-player and team modes, was designed to prevent one-man teams.


    "We don''t have any special tactics regarding the upcoming team mode." Principal Chen Fei looked relaxed. "Just treat it as routine training. Facing a top team like Hongye High School is a rare real combat opportunity. Learn from their strengths; winning or losing isn''t important." sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The team members nodded. But as martial artists, they couldn¡¯t suppress their desire to win wholeheartedly.


    "Principal, let me join the battle," said Yan Chiyu, suddenly volunteering.


    The suggestion caught many by surprise. Indeed, if Yan Chiyu were to join the fight with Li Xiaofei, their team¡¯s strength would drastically increase. There might be hope of overturning Hongye High School in the team mode.


    Chen Fei looked thoughtful. He turned to Li Xiaofei and asked, "Xiaofei, what do you think?"


    What do I think? I see with my eyes. I''m not Yuanfang. [1]


    Li Xiaofei remained calm and said, "Principal, you decide."


    Chen Fei looked at Invincible Qin, who slightly shook his head.


    Chen Fei said, "The school doctor only said you can participate in training, not that you can compete... maybe next round."


    Yan Chiyu''s face showed a trace of unwillingness. She wanted to say more.


    But Chen Fei waved his hand decisively and said, "It''s settled."


    Soon, the team members for team mode were confirmed. It was still Li Xiaofei, Fang Buyi, Ren Dong, Bai Qiqi, and Bai Longfei. The regular lineup. The five of them stood in a circle, facing each other. Fang Buyi extended his hand.


    Clap, clap, clap.


    The five hands tightly clasped together.


    "Let''s go!"


    Each person shouted, cheering for themselves and their teammates.


    The five entered the light core mainframe cabins amidst the thunderous cheers of the audience. They all understood that the cheers weren''t for them. They were for their opponents. Victory and glory could only be earned through battle. The match began.


    ***


    "The system has randomly selected the map, Stormy Snow Mountain."


    "This is Li Xiaofei''s lucky ground."


    "Back when he faced Qingye High School, Li Xiaofei took on five opponents in this map and secured a pentakill, emerging as the MVP of the first round of the league, basking in glory."


    "This is a development-focused map."


    "Of course, Hongye High School has the strength and capability to choose a RUSH tactic."


    "The players have been teleported to the battlefield..."


    "Oh, Hongye High School has chosen not to rush. They are giving Red Flag High School enough respect, opting for a period of peaceful development."


    "The next half-hour is the most crucial time for Red Flag High School."


    "The beastmaster, medic, and weapons specialist must perform exceptionally well to create as many resources as possible for their team to have a chance against Hongye High School... Of course, this is difficult because the opposing team''s beastmaster, medic, and weapons specialist are stronger."


    In the livestream room, Shen Yan analyzed the match with a serious expression.


    The match was being broadcast live on more than twenty large screens within the arena, as well as countless smaller screens throughout the base city. However, almost no one believed that Red Flag High School could win.


    The focus of this match was on how far Li Xiaofei could carry Red Flag High School. Even those who normally didn''t pay much attention to Red Flag High School knew that their unbeaten streak in team mode was due to a single person: Li Xiaofei.


    It was this young man who, with his own strength, had brought Red Flag High School to a level they didn''t naturally belong to. But now, Li Xiaofei faced a tremendous challenge. He and his team were on the brink of seeing their unbeaten myth come to an end.


    The half-hour quickly passed under the watchful eyes of countless spectators inside and outside the arena. During this time, both teams completed all their preparations. When the three major professions reached their utmost potential, both teams began moving simultaneously.


    As expected, the underdog Red Flag High School chose to defend, using their temporary camp as a stronghold. They had meticulously fortified a 500-meter radius with various traps, mechanisms, poison pits, and beast lures, relying on the terrain to offset the disparity in strength.


    Meanwhile, Hongye High School had opted for an offensive strategy. The five strong members charged forward like arrows released from a bowstring, assuming a wedge formation as they advanced towards the Red Flag High School base.


    The air seemed to fill with the tension of impending battle. A fierce clash was imminent.


    At that moment¡ª


    "Wait! We''ve noticed something strange about Red Flag High School." Shen Yan''s eyes lit up as he spoke, "Did any of you viewers notice? What¡¯s different about Li Xiaofei and his teammates'' current state?"


    1. One of the main characters from the series Amazing Detective Di Renjie. ?

 Chapter 159: Completely Overpowered

    Chapter 159: Completely OverpoweredIt was only when Shen Yan reminded them that countless eyes landed on Li Xiaofei. Then, they realized something.


    "Li Xiaofei is not wearing armor."


    "He¡¯s still wearing that black Noble Gentleman suit."


    "Not only does he not have armor, but he also doesn¡¯t have any weapons equipped."


    "Yes, the combat suits and weapons that Red Flag High School collected and manufactured in the past thirty minutes were all on the other four teammates."


    "What is going on?"


    "Red Flag High School actually abandoned their strongest member?"


    "No, I think Li Xiaofei voluntarily gave his equipment to his teammates."


    "That''s right, as the team tyrant, how could Li Xiaofei be bullied by others?"


    People in the various live broadcast rooms noticed this anomaly and started discussing.


    Shen Yan observed for a moment and immediately concluded, "There is only one explanation. Li Xiaofei is highly skilled and courageous. He thinks that whether he has equipment or not does not matter, so he gave all the limited resources to his teammates."


    He sighed emotionally, "Li Xiaofei is truly a good teammate of Liuhe."


    Is this even possible?


    Can one still flatter people from this angle?


    What else could the netizens say?


    We can only flood the live broadcast room with 666.


    At that moment, the two teams on the battlefield had already entered each other¡¯s range. Hongye High School''s team was extremely aggressive, directly launching an assault on Red Flag High School''s temporary camp.


    Boom!


    A giant snowball rolled down from the hill. One of Red Flag High School¡¯s traps had gone off. But Gu Haochen, the Little Sword Immortal, slashed down with a bone sword that glowed with a crimson light. The red sword light sliced through the snowball in mid-air.


    Bang!


    The remnants of the snowball suddenly exploded when the red sword light passed through it. Snow powder flew everywhere, obscuring their vision. At the same time, a strange, ethereal fragrance started drifting towards the members of Hongye High School.


    "It is indeed the Snow Balm Bewitching Powder."


    Liu Yao, the medic, had anticipated this. She quickly stepped forward and flicked her fingers. A spark shot out from her fingertips. The spark met the snow powder and burst into flames like it had encountered oil.


    The fireball quickly dissipated. It seemed the snowball poison trap set by Red Flag High School had been easily neutralized.


    Liu Yao, known as the Flower of a Thousand Blossoms, walked unhurriedly through the snow, her fingers curved like a bow as she continued flicking dark golden sparks out. One after another, clusters of sparks fell like a shower of stars, shooting into the surrounding snowfields.


    Bang, bang, bang.


    A series of muffled explosions rang out as snow pillars erupted one after another in the area. The hidden poison traps were being triggered and neutralized one by one.


    Ren Dong, the medic hiding in the distance, bit her lip tightly, her eyes filled with unwillingness. Not only did her opponent have a higher cultivation of starforce qi but also possessed superior skills in medicine and poison techniques.


    The defensive traps she painstakingly set up were effortlessly dismantled with a mere gesture. The feeling of being completely overpowered and helpless was a profound humiliation, but she had to endure it.


    At the same time, Huang Yueru, the weapons specialist of Hongye High School, known as the Thousand-Armed Mech God, opened her palm and released a small bird made of beast bones.


    It was a reconnaissance bone bird. It was intricately crafted and almost resembled a living bird. The core was in the abdomen, and was powered by a star core. Once it was wound up, the energy from the star core filled the wings of the reconnaissance bone bird, causing it to actually take flight.


    Li Xiaofei, who was also hiding in the distance, saw the scene and his eyes almost popped out.


    Damn. A drone?


    The weapons specialist from Hongye High School had actually reached such a level of expertise. They had only taken half an hour to craft a drone in an extreme cold wilderness. He turned to glance at Bai Longfei, who was pretending to be dead in a snow pile.


    The latter looked back sharply, "Why are you looking at me? I bet Huang Yueru, that bitch, has secretly been taking extra classes. She must have already learned first-year university courses. They only teach reconnaissance bone birds in specialized courses in college."


    Li Xiaofei averted his gaze.


    Bai Longfei became anxious. "Hey, hey, hey, we are the only two good-looking people in this school. You can''t secretly despise your teammate just because our opponent is strong."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless at his comical companion.


    Boom, boom, boom.


    One snow pit trap after another was discovered. Every time the wings of the reconnaissance bone bird flapped, they sent out milky white wind arrows. All the traps and mechanisms Bai Longfei had set up around the camp were destroyed in advance.


    "Damn, destroying my mechanisms is like killing my woman. This is intolerable," said Bai Longfei, gritting his teeth in anger.


    The defensive mechanisms he had meticulously designed, the culmination of his life''s practical learning, had been completely neutralized before they could even have an effect. It felt as if he had spent a long time courting a goddess, only for someone else to suddenly swoop in and win her over.


    Red Flag High School had spent half an hour taking advantage of the terrain to set traps, but they were utterly ineffective in halting the opponent''s advance. They had not even managed to delay them.


    Hongye High School had already charged into their camp in the blink of an eye. Gu Haochen, the Little Sword Immortal, led the charge, his bone sword swinging.


    Hiss.


    A streak of sword energy sliced through the icy snow wall.


    He shouted, "Li Xiaofei, come out and fight fairly."


    Dressed in white with a bone sword and with his black hair flying in the wind, he truly resembled a carefree sword immortal descending to the mortal world.


    Li Xiaofei, hiding behind a distant snow pile, remained silent and raised his hand. A massive snowball instantly hurtled through the air at the members of Hongye High School. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu Haochen slashed with his sword. The crimson sword light split the snowball in mid-air.


    Bang.


    A soft sound followed as white powder mist exploded everywhere. The snowball had a powdered bitter herb hidden within, which scattered and expanded upon contact with the wind. It engulfed the entire temporary camp in an instant.


    "This move again." Liu Yao, the Flower of a Thousand Blossoms, sneered.


    Red Flag High School had used the smoke bomb effect of the powdered bitter herb to successfully separate the members of Longteng High School in their previous match and then defeated them one by one, achieving a stunning comeback victory.


    It was considered a classic battle. Hongye High School''s strategic analysts were well aware of this tactic. As such, they had set a rule while planning for this battle¡ª When facing Red Flag High School, the team members must never separate; they had to adopt a united combat strategy. That rule became even more crucial after Li Xiaofei defeated Wang Siyu.


    Liu Yao extended her delicate hand, revealing five seeds of Snow Luminescence Settling Grass. She parted her lips slightly and blew gently. The white seeds soared into the air. When they reached mid-air, they suddenly exploded with a puff.


    The starch from the seeds dispersed and encountered the powdered bitter herb in the air, triggering a miraculous chemical reaction. The rapidly expanding dust was instantly bound to each other. They quickly started falling out of the air as small hailstones.


    The thick dust that had obscured vision vanished in an instant. The scene left Li Xiaofei and his hidden comrades utterly astonished.


    Good grief. It had been countered again.


    This feeling was truly powerless. It would have been good if their tactics had delayed the opponent''s advance a bit. But all their painstakingly prepared tactics and defenses had completely turned into a stage for the opponent''s performance. Every intricate plan had failed. How could they possibly fight like this?


    When he saw that over 80 percent of the various traps and mechanisms they had meticulously set up were neutralized, and that their vast camp was about to become a defenseless open field...


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t stay hidden any longer.


    "We can''t just wait like this." He whispered, "I''ll go out and hold them off. You all act accordingly."


    He leaped up and charged out.

 Chapter 160: Three Are Wounded

    Chapter 160: Three Are Wounded"Flying Dragon in the Sky." Li Xiaofei suddenly appeared and struck out with a palm.


    A roaring golden dragon shadow descended from the sky, targeting several members of Hongye High School.


    Wang Siyu and Gu Haochen stepped forward simultaneously.


    "Seven Mysteries Palm!"


    "First Sword!"


    Both of them struck back at the same time, sending palm force and sword energy whistling out. When the energies collided, tri-colored starforce qi exploded in the sky, transforming into a fierce wind that radiated in all directions. Li Xiaofei''s attack was completely blocked.


    Almost simultaneously, Huang Yueru, the Thousand-Armed Mech God, secretly raised her hand and pulled the trigger on his mini crossbow. Three needle-thin bone arrows shot silently towards Li Xiaofei''s chest.


    It was aimed directly at his center of mass. The goal was not a fatal strike but simply to hit. Li Xiaofei had no way to dodge in mid-air. He exhaled sharply, dispersing his starforce qi, and using a technique similar to Thousand-Pound Drop to plummet rapidly. The three needles grazed his temple, narrowly missing him.


    Boom!


    He landed heavily on the ground like a meteorite. The members of Hongye High School surrounded him in an instant. Wang Siyu''s palm and Gu Haochen''s sword attacked simultaneously from either side, as Huang Yueru, Liu Yao, and He Changzai took positions at a safe distance. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The discipline of Hongye High School''s team was impeccable. They did not swarm Li Xiaofei just because he appeared alone. The main combatants faced him head-on while the support professions provided assistance from a periphery. It was the best strategy to maximize the combat power of a team.


    "Dragon Battle in the Wilderness!" Li Xiaofei shouted.


    He unleashed the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms once again, erupting with starforce qi. Dozens of golden dragon shadows flickered around his body for protection, and he launched a fierce strike at Gu Haochen, leaving his back exposed to Wang Siyu.


    The palm force was immensely powerful, extremely firm and fierce.


    Roar!


    A mountain-crushing pressure descended on the battlefield. Gu Haochen felt his breath catch, as he felt like an ancient divine mountain was collapsing on him. Fear gripped his heart, causing his sword technique to falter slightly. Li Xiaofei seized the opportunity to strike the bone sword with his palm.


    Crack.


    The bone sword shattered instantly, sending bone fragments through the air like dancing butterflies. Gu Haochen staggered backward, his starforce qi disrupted.


    Bang!


    But Wang Siyu seized his opportunity and struck Li Xiaofei''s shoulder with the Seven Mysteries Palm. The strike was powerful and heavy, something no ordinary flesh and blood could withstand. Li Xiaofei was immediately thrown back like a broken kite, landing heavily on the ground several meters away.


    His impact threw up dust. The exchange had taken a blink of an eye, and people were still catching up.


    Has the battle already ended?


    Gu Haochen stared at the shattered sword in his hand, replaying the scene of Li Xiaofei''s powerful palm strike in his mind. He realized that in that instant, he had felt fear. He was actually afraid when facing the formidable enemy he had always wanted to challenge!


    But the force of that palm strike was truly terrifying. He couldn¡¯t help but feel like he would have been beaten to death. Gu Haochen was both shocked and furious. If it weren''t for Wang Siyu''s assistance, he would have been defeated.


    At that moment, Wang Siyu''s expression changed as he shouted, "Watch out¡ª"


    But before anyone could register his warning...


    ¡°Kuh!"


    A muffled cry rang out as the Flower of a Thousand Blossoms, Liu Yao, was sent flying. Li Xiaofei had struck her chest heavily with his palm.


    He¡¯s not dead? He took Wang Siyu''s palm strike head-on and still had the strength to attack?


    Gu Haochen was shocked once again but Wang Siyu immediately understood what had happened. Li Xiaofei had not taken his palm strike not because he was unable to dodge, but because he wanted to use the force of the blow to break out of their encirclement. He had wanted to close the distance to the three support members.


    When the dust rose, everyone thought Li Xiaofei was severely injured and incapacitated. That brief moment where they had lowered their guard had given him the opportunity to strike.


    However, the only thing Wang Siyu couldn''t understand was how a flesh-and-blood body could withstand his Seven Mysteries Palm without dying or being seriously injured. But he had no time to ponder it because his two teammates, Huang Yueru and He Changzai, were in great danger.


    Wang Siyu released the shackle on his left foot. He accelerated to his maximum speed as he charged recklessly towards Huang Yueru and the others. If Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t being restrained by the main combatants, Huang Yueru and He Changzai were nothing more than sheep in the face of a tiger.


    Bang, bang.


    Two simultaneous impacts echoed across the battlefield. Li Xiaofei had landed a powerful palm strike on Huang Yueru. The latter''s right arm was snapped clean through as she tried to block. The broken, jagged bone tore through her arm and was stained with blood. The Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms was far beyond what Huang Yueru could withstand.


    Li Xiaofei wanted to deliver another strike to kill the firearms master of Hongye High School, but he was forced to change plans as a Great Ax Springing Leg descended on him. He sidestepped and struck back with a reverse palm using the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, Divine Dragon Swings its Tail.


    Boom!


    Palm force clashed with leg force. Wang Siyu hadn''t expected his opponent to deliver such an exquisite strike without even turning around. The collision threw him back as his left leg went numb.


    "How is this possible?" Wang Siyu couldn''t contain his shock.


    Li Xiaofei seemed even stronger than when they had fought in solo mode.


    He took a palm strike to his shoulder, yet he still had such combat power? Is this guy made of iron?


    "What are you standing around for?" Wang Siyu shouted at Gu Haochen.


    Gu Haochen snapped out of his daze. The fear in his heart instantly transformed into boundless rage.


    Ah, ah, ah. You made me feel fear? This is unforgivable. Kill!


    Gu Haochen''s hands formed sword-like fingers as he recklessly attacked Li Xiaofei. Wang Siyu also launched his own assault, using his left hand to unleash the Thousand Buddha Fist while his right hand used the Seven Mysteries Palm.


    Li Xiaofei managed to land a blow on He Changzai, sending him flying, but he didn¡¯t have enough time to finish him off. He had to muster his strength and unleash the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms to hold off both attackers.


    Countless spectators watched in amazement as Li Xiaofei single-handedly withstood the assault of two of Hongye High School''s top star combatants.


    At the same time, the other four members of Red Flag High School also sprang into action. The opportunity had arrived. Li Xiaofei had not only injured Huang Yueru, Liu Yao, and He Changzai but also managed to hold off Wang Siyu and Gu Haochen. He had created a significant advantage.


    If Fang Buyi, Ren Dong, Bai Qiqi, and Bai Longfei failed to seize this chance, they might as well buy a piece of tofu and smash their heads on it.


    "Kill." Fang Buyi wielded his long staff.


    "Haha, three wounded targets." Bai Longfei looked energized as he eyed the two female opponents.


    Ren Dong and Bai Qiqi also revealed their ferocious sides as they launched their own attacks. The battle instantly reached a fever pitch.


    "Snow Fiend."


    Liu Yao, struggling to get up from the snow, spat out a mist of blood. The mist transformed into several phantasmal human figures in the air that bolted toward Li Xiaofei. She had correctly calculated that the only threat from Red Flag High School was Li Xiaofei. Once they eliminated that monster, the others would be insignificant.


    The moment she had been severely injured, she had activated a secret potion within her that fully unleashed all her physical potential. She refined a breath of vital essence and blood and turned it into the most toxic targeted blood mist. But once she launched it at Li Xiaofei, she was completely spent and hand no fighting ability left.


    "Kill." Ren Dong attacked mercilessly with her poisoned dagger.


    Liu Yao''s face remained expressionless as she didn¡¯t dodge. Instead, she opened her arms, embracing Ren Dong''s poisoned dagger with her body, then hugged this freckled, little girl tightly.


    "Sister, you have a long way to go," Liu Yao whispered softly in Ren Dong''s ear.


    Without warning, her entire body exploded violently, turning into a cloud of toxic blood mist. Ren Dong had no chance to resist and was taken out instantly.


    Two streams of data flickered through the void as each side lost a member.

 Chapter 161: Superstar Li Xiaofei

    Chapter 161: Superstar Li XiaofeiThis was undoubtedly bad news for Red Flag High School. A dying opponent had managed to take out one of their fully fit members.


    Fang Buyi attacked the beastmaster of Hongye High School, He Changzai, with his thunderous staff techniques. He Changzai quickly retreated while raising his arm.


    Hiss, hiss.


    Two white flashes shot out from his sleeve, darting towards Fang Buyi like lightning. The Silver-Scaled Snow Snakes were the most venomous snakes in the polar environment. They were inherently violent, and their bite could kill instantly. Moreover, they were extremely difficult to tame.


    Many medics in high school leagues would kill these venomous snakes, extract the venom from their fangs, and use it to enhance their weapons. Taming two Silver-Scaled Snow Snakes in such a short time, as He Changzai had done, was nearly unbelievable.


    Fortunately, Fang Buyi reacted swiftly. His Xuanwu Staff technique formed an impermeable defense. The Silver-Scaled Snow Snakes collided with the staff and bounced away. The collision sounded like iron striking iron.


    He Changzai caught the two snakes. Fang Buyi advanced confidently as he pressed He Changzai. But the latter flicked his wrist and the two Silver-Scaled Snow Snakes, infused with starforce qi, stiffened like silver short sticks. They were now He Changzai''s weapons to block Fang Buyi¡¯s staff.


    Silver-Scaled Snow Snakes: "Is this respectful?"


    Clang, clang.


    The sound of metal clashing echoed as the two fought fiercely. But He Changzai was constantly on the defensive. His starforce qi had almost been scattered by Li Xiaofei. He had less than half his usual strength, and he couldn''t overpower Fang Buyi.


    On the other hand, Fang Buyi fought with increasing vigor, as his Xuanwu Staff technique grew more powerful with each clash. He was like a dam storing an ever-increasing amount of water, as the stored power became more astonishing. Each strike was stronger than the last.


    This person was not famous before, so why is he so strong?!


    He Changzai grew more alarmed as the battle progressed. He had initially wanted a quick victory over Fang Buyi. Unexpectedly, he found himself mired in a prolonged battle.


    On the other side. The one-armed Huang Yueru was being besieged by Bai Longfei and Bai Qiqi. Bai Qiqi whistled sharply, and small creatures wriggled out of the snow and swarmed Huang Yueru.


    They were Snow Salamanders! These creatures were similar to leeches and thrived in the extreme cold of snowy environments. They often lived in groups. They were not individually strong; however, they had an incredibly strong adhesive ability. Even an elephant would be drained of its essence and blood and die once it was infested by snow salamanders.


    Meanwhile, Bai Longfei, clad in heavy armor and wielding two giant axes, hacked away like a madman.


    As he slashed, he muttered incessantly, "Chop your dead head, chop your scorpion shoulders, chop your watermelon chest, chop your monkey waist, chop your hippo legs..."


    The pain from her severed arm was already excruciating, but her opponent''s incessant muttering only fueled Huang Yueru''s anger. Still, she moved as gracefully as a dancing butterfly, elegantly evading Bai Longfei''s attacks. At the same time, her intact right hand kept throwing thin bone needles at her opponents.


    Hiss, hiss, hiss.


    The barely audible sound of the bone needles pierced through the air without interruption. It seemed like Huang Yueru''s right hand had an endless supply of bone needles.


    But Bai Longfei did not dodge at all. The bone needles embedded themselves in his bear-skin armor, unable to fully penetrate. He looked like a giant, comical porcupine.


    "Ah, ah, chop, chop, chop."


    He had entered a frenzy. His eyes were bloodshot, veins visible in his pupils.


    "Poison catalyst?" Huang Yueru''s heart sank.


    This weapons specialist from Red Flag High School had taken a potent poison before the battle. It stimulated his physical abilities, starforce, and reaction speed, burning his life force for an extreme boost in power.


    This guy is truly mad!


    Huang Yueru couldn''t help but admire Bai Longfei''s resolve. The poison that stimulated life force allowed one to display immense strength in a short time. But it also caused excruciating pain that was akin to being flayed alive. It seemed that he was willing to pay such a price to achieve victory. She could not underestimate Red Flag High School¡¯s desire for victory.


    Huang Yueru used her agility to constantly evade her opponents and only occasionally counterattacked. As a weapons specialist, Huang Yueru had exceptional survival skills and top-tier agility. She had relied on her agility to survive many assassination attempts.


    But suddenly...


    "Ugh."


    Bai Longfei spat out a stream of light green blood as he started to shudder. The burning poison had run its course. His body was like a candle burning out.


    Huang Yueru''s heart leaped with joy as she sped toward Bai Qiqi, who was controlling the beasts.


    Hiss, hiss, hiss.


    She threw her last three bone needles. Bai Qiqi couldn''t dodge in time as the bone needles pierced her forehead, left chest, and abdomen. She didn''t even have time to make a sound before being instantly deemed dead by the light core, turning into a stream of data and disappearing.


    This little girl lacks experience.


    But just then...


    Bang.


    An explosion rang out. Bai Longfei, despite his energy being exhausted, had somehow managed to sneak up behind Huang Yueru and suddenly detonate like a bomb. Bone shards and blood sprayed all over Huang Yueru.


    "Trying to take me down with you in death?" said Huang Yueru, wiping the blood off her face.


    As a seasoned and experienced warrior, she didn''t scream or lose composure like a frightened girl after being splattered with blood. However, she suddenly froze as she found three blood-red lumps on the back of her hand.


    The Snow Salamanders. When did this happen? When did three Snow Salamanders attach themselves to the back of my hand?


    There''s a saying that when you discover a snow salamander on your body, it''s likely they have already spread all over you.


    Huang Yueru felt a wave of fatigue overwhelm her. She was shocked to see countless tiny, blood-filled lumps on her legs and waist. The Snow Salamanders were gorging on her blood.


    How did I not notice them before?


    As her body dissolved into a stream of data, Huang Yueru suddenly realized something.


    That little girl, she wasn''t weak after all.


    Bai Qiqi had an exquisite level of beast control. She hadn¡¯t been incapable of dodging those last three bone needles; she had chosen not to dodge. She had used those precious moments before her death to control the Snow Salamanders and have them silently attach themselves to Huang Yueru''s body. Meanwhile, Bai Longfei had sacrificed himself to buy time and draw Huang Yueru¡¯s attention.


    This was another mutual destruction.


    Now, only five people remained on the battlefield. Two from Red Flag High School. Three from Hongye High School. It was no exaggeration to say that the three who had fallen from Red Flag High School had done everything they could.


    At that moment, everyone was on the edge of their seats. The supporters of Red Flag High School were filled with hope, seeing a possibility for victory.


    The fans of Hongye High School suddenly realized that their victory was not guaranteed. The last two battles were evenly matched, with neither side having a clear advantage.


    Who could have imagined that a one-sided battle would develop into this situation? Who had pushed Hongye High School to this extent? It was Li Xiaofei!


    After today''s battle, regardless of the outcome, one thing could be said¡ª Li Xiaofei was definitely a superstar! He truly deserved the title.


    sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 162: The Battle Was Decided

    Chapter 162: The Battle Was DecidedEveryone''s hearts were in their throats.


    "Li Xiaofei has truly elevated Red Flag High School to an unprecedented height."


    "Who will win, who will lose? It''s too nerve-wracking."


    "The battle on the field has reached a fever pitch, and victory hangs by a thread."


    The commentators dared not shout too loudly, fearing their voices might disturb the students competing on the field.


    The 100,000 spectators in the stands held their breath, eyes fixed on the nearest big screen. In the virtual seats of the major live streaming rooms, countless viewers had stopped spamming the chat, afraid of missing a crucial moment if they took their eyes off the screen.


    Even the broadcast director had thoughtfully switched to a dual-screen mode. One screen displayed both intense battle scenes simultaneously.


    ***


    Li Xiaofei was battling with increasing vigor. Golden dragon shadows continued to coil around his body, and the dragon roars only grew louder. He had revealed his cultivation at the sixteenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, but his starforce qi did not manifest as energy vortices.


    Instead, it took the form of dragon shadows. This was the method Li Xiaofei had devised in the Secret Time Pavilion to conceal his true cultivation level. He didn''t want anyone to know that he had surpassed the tenth vortex of the Qi Refining Realm.


    Wang Siyu and Gu Haochen was growing increasingly alarmed as the battle progressed. Li Xiaofei''s starforce qi not only remained undiminished but seemed to be growing even more plentiful. Each palm strike he delivered was also gradually increasing in force, making it harder and harder for them to face him head-on.


    Something''s wrong, he''s using us to practice his moves.


    Li Xiaofei still has strength to spare.


    The two superstar students of Hongye High School slowly realized the truth. They couldn''t afford to drag this out any longer. Though they exchanged no words, they reached an unspoken agreement in an instant. Gu Haochen retreated swiftly to a safe distance, and suddenly, an immense energy erupted from within him.


    Clang!


    The sound of a sword reverberated across the battlefield as a radiant light burst forth like a small sun in his right palm.


    "Breaking the Limit?!"


    "Gu Haochen has entered the Limit Breaking Realm!"


    "My god, this superstar freshman from Hongye High School has broken through to the Limit Breaking Realm."


    "And he''s only a first-year student."


    "This forceful breakthrough will cause tremendous damage to his body, but the momentary breakthrough will unleash immense strength."


    Cries of astonishment filled the air. Gu Haochen, the Little Sword Immortal, was a prodigy who had already shone brilliantly in several rounds of the league. Even his biggest supporters hadn''t expected such a young talent to touch the Limit Breaking Realm. Forcing a breakthrough was extraordinary.


    Xiao Hongye had a pleased smile on her face. On the other side, Chen Fei had mixed feelings. That was the superstar recruit he had tried and failed to bring to Red Flag High School. If Gu Haochen had become a member of Red Flag High School, their lineup would be overwhelming. That kind of good fortune would make him laugh in his sleep.


    Countless eyes were now focused on Gu Haochen. He leaned slightly forward, his limit-breaking right hand behind his back as his left hand formed sword-like fingers at his brow. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was a peculiar stance. A powerful move! Endless sword energy radiated from Gu Haochen.


    "Sixth Sword!"


    Gu Haochen leaped into the air, spinning rapidly like an arrow. His entire being seemed to transform into a divine sword as he shot straight toward Li Xiaofei.


    A forceful breakthrough and an immensely powerful strike. This was the Little Sword Immortal¡¯s ultimate move.


    Simultaneously, Wang Siyu also broke through the shackles in his hands as well. His strength surged as his left hand wielded the Thousand Buddha Fist, his right hand the Seven Mysteries Palm, and his hidden move, the Springing Leg, was ready as the final strike. Three supreme techniques were unleashed at once.


    Li Xiaofei suddenly felt immense pressure. In response, he released all his starforce. Dozens of golden dragon shadows burst forth from his body as dragon roars shook the heavens.


    He crouched slightly and drew circles with both hands before pushing his palms outward. It was the first move of the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, the Regretful Dragon.


    From the I Ching, Hexagram Qian, the Image, the hexagram''s top line: The flying dragon will have cause to regret [1]. This move embodied the essence of the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms.


    The palm force that erupted seemed infinite and inexhaustible. Wang Siyu and Gu Haochen felt like there was no way to dodge and was forced to confront it head-on.


    Bang! Bang!


    Two explosions echoed across the battlefield.


    Li Xiaofei''s left palm struck Gu Haochen''s human sword, and blasted the Hongye High School''s dark horse into blood mist. However, Li Xiaofei''s left arm was also pierced by the sword''s energy, shattering his bones.


    At the same time, his right palm collided with Wang Siyu''s fists. Wang Siyu''s body was nearly shattered by the impact, but his fists also struck Li Xiaofei''s right shoulder and chest.


    Li Xiaofei spat out a mouthful of blood as bones broke in dozens of places and he was sent flying backward. Yet, Wang Siyu and Gu Haochen both turned into azure streams of data light, disappearing from the battlefield.


    The battle had been decided. Li Xiaofei had emerged victorious against two opponents. As he landed, he spat out two more streams of blood.


    The superstars of Hongye High School had exerted immense pressure on him. If it weren''t for his cultivation at the nineteenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, and mastering the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, today''s outcome might have been uncertain.


    Nonetheless, the battle yielded significant gains. The tremendous pressure had brought about immense improvement. His Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms had been honed in actual combat and increased rapidly in power.


    Li Xiaofei wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and staggered towards the last battlefield. His internal injuries were also healing quickly.


    ***


    "It''s over, this match is over."


    "Incredible results, a victory that can only be described as miraculous."


    "Li Xiaofei has created a legend."


    "After this battle, not only is he qualified to be called a superstar of the league, but he is also simply a top star."


    "He defeated Wang Siyu and Gu Haochen one-on-two. Even Xiong Zhigang couldn''t do that, right?"


    "You''re wrong. It wasn''t just a one-on-two. Remember, at the beginning, Li Xiaofei was fighting one against five and severely injured half of Hongye High School''s team."


    "Exactly. If it weren''t for his miraculous performance in the five-on-one battle, gravely injuring Liu Yao and Huang Yueru, and wounding He Changzai, the other members of Red Flag High School wouldn''t have had any chance at all."


    "He single-handedly turned the tide."


    "The number one Li Xiaofei fan, Shen Yan, once said, you can always believe in Li Xiaofei. This statement still holds true today."


    "The match isn''t over yet. He Changzai is still holding on."


    "But he has no chance now."


    "That''s right. Even though Li Xiaofei hasn''t joined the fight again, Fang Buyi''s powerful burst has been suppressing the injured He Changzai."


    "It''s over. Fang Buyi just shattered He Changzai''s chest with a single strike."


    "He Changzai''s dying blow took off Fang Buyi''s left shoulder..."


    "Only Li Xiaofei remains on the field. He survived once again."


    "The sole survivor on the battlefield."


    "All the glory belongs to him."


    "Li Xiaofei, the one who always stands on the battlefield."


    "Hongye Stadium falls silent..."


    "Li Xiaofei single-handedly silenced a crowd of 100,000."


    "We all know Hongye Stadium is one of the most famous devil home grounds in the league, but it¡¯s as quiet as a midnight parking lot right now... Li Xiaofei has created a miracle, maintaining his undefeated legend."


    1. The I Ching or Yijing, usually translated Book of Changes or Classic of Changes, is an ancient Chinese divination text that is among the oldest of the Chinese classics. The I Ching was originally a divination manual in the Western Zhou period. ?

 Chapter 163: Challenging From Afar

    Chapter 163: Challenging From AfarThe vast Hongye Stadium was incredibly quiet. The audience found it hard to accept the outcome. Even the most loyal fans of Hongye High School were silent.


    They had lost! The full roster of Hongye High School''s team had lost. You couldn''t blame the team members for not trying their best. You couldn''t blame bad luck. There was nothing to complain about.


    There was only one reason for the loss. The opponent was too strong. To be precise, Li Xiaofei was too strong. He was like a formidable demon king. His presence in the lineup had created an insurmountable barrier.


    Outside the light core main control cabin, Gu Haochen stood alone with a vacant expression. He remembered that night at the gala when the radiant Li Xiaofei had received the Kunlun and Qinling badges.


    That night, he had sworn to rise. He had sworn to catch up to and surpass Li Xiaofei. It was after that night that Gu Haochen had meditated and comprehended the sword, breaking the shackle in his right hand and mastering the ability to forcefully break through realms.


    He had touched the power of the Limit Breaking Realm as a first-year student. This kind of talent and strength was unprecedented. He had also received the martial arts legacy of the mysterious Sword Immortal, Twenty-Two Sword.


    Gu Haochen had believed he was destined for greatness, and had the ability to defeat Li Xiaofei. But reality had taught him a harsh lesson.


    Why is Li Xiaofei so unbeatable? Even Wang Siyu and I together were no match for him. Li Xiaofei clearly hasn''t broken through realms. How can someone still in the Qi Refining Realm possess such terrifying combat strength?


    Someone gently patted his shoulder, and Gu Haochen turned.


    Wang Siyu had a slight smile on his face as he said, "Let''s try again."


    "Can we really defeat that monster?" For the first time, Gu Haochen doubted himself.


    Wang Siyu replied, "Let''s try."


    "Try?"


    "Yes, try. Because if you don''t, you''ll never know."


    "But..."


    "No buts. Tell me, what did you gain from that fight?"


    "Gain? I... I only feel humiliated."


    "Did you feel that your understanding and control of the Sixth Sword improved?"


    "Huh? Well... yes, when I struck out with that sword, I felt an unprecedented fluidity. It was the best Sixth Sword I''ve ever achieved."


    "That''s it. Remember that feeling. You can strike out with an even stronger sword."


    "But we lost."


    "The purpose of battle is to become stronger. If a loss can make you stronger, then it¡¯s worth experiencing ten or even a hundred times."


    "To become stronger? I... still feel unwilling."


    "No one can win all the time. Even someone as strong as Li Xiaofei would struggle against opponents in the Acupoint Opening or Meridian Expanding Realm. So don''t worry about the present. Keep getting stronger, and one day, you''ll find that when you draw your sword, there will be no one left who can stand against you."


    "Senior, will that day really come?"


    "It will, but first... you have to learn to accept failure."


    "I understand."


    At that moment, Li Xiaofei and Fang Buyi walked out of the light core mainframe cabin.


    Wang Siyu stepped forward to congratulate them. "That was an excellent match. Red Flag High School deserved this victory."


    Li Xiaofei replied, "This was the first match that injured me. Hongye High School''s reputation is well-deserved."


    Wang Siyu smiled. "There are still two more matches. We will do our best to defeat you and your teammates."


    Li Xiaofei responded, "So will we."


    The atmosphere was as harmonious as a reunion between old friends. Hongye High School¡¯s school spirit deserved every bit of praise. Both teams returned to the preparation area to get ready for the second team-mode match. The atmosphere was extremely tense.


    Led by some die-hard fans, the spectators in the stands began to sing, "Hongye Never Walks Alone," the school anthem symbolizing the Hongye Spirit.


    Countless people were moved by the display. Despite being in such an unfavorable situation, Hongye High School fans were still doing their best to cheer for their team.


    "This scene is truly touching. The reason Hongye High School has risen to become a top-tier school in such a short time is in large part due to their unity and cohesion. For ten years, the influence of the Hongye Spirit has extended beyond the campus and impacted the entire school district, including countless parents and residents."


    "The Hongye team has created many miracles and reversed the course against many formidable enemies."


    "This time, can they turn defeat into victory against the demon king Li Xiaofei?"


    "Both teams are resting and discussing strategies in the preparation area."


    "We have received news from other arenas."


    "In the first team mode match, Duxing High School massacred Qishen High School. Their superstar captain, Xiong Zhigang, displayed unbelievable strength, taking on five opponents and annihilating the entire Qishen team, securing a pentakill."


    "Indeed, the soul of Duxing has also shown its might."


    "Xiong Zhigang seemed like an enraged deity as he completely crushed the Qishen team."


    "Last season''s Killer King has shown his prowess once again."


    "It feels like Xiong Zhigang is challenging Li Xiaofei from afar, overshadowing Li Xiaofei''s performance with his unparalleled match." S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Honestly, I can''t wait for the showdown between Xiong Zhigang and Li Xiaofei."


    The commentators continuously provided real-time updates on other league matches.


    Xiong Zhigang''s incredible burst of power almost overshadowed everyone else''s performance.


    Qishen High School was one of the five prestigious schools, and they had just defeated Duxing High School 4 to 1 in the recently concluded solo mode, handing Duxing High School their worst defeat in history.


    That clearly demonstrated the strength of Qishen High School''s team. Yet, Xiong Zhigang had managed to completely slaughter them.


    "A classic battle. Xiong Zhigang can be called the number one in the high school league."


    "Indeed, his achievements are more convincing."


    "It''s not just convincing, it''s dominant. This former Red Flag High School prodigy, who transferred to Duxing High School, is dominating the entire league."


    Countless commentators and streamers were wildly praising him.


    Meanwhile, at Hongye Stadium, the second team mode match began. The system randomly selected Sky City, a classic team battle map.


    The setting sun cast its glow over the ancient, grand, desolate and mysterious ruined city. This time, Hongye High School once again opted for a strategy of development before offense while Red Flag High School committed to a strategy of defense and counterattack.


    Compared to the previous Stormy Snow Mountain map, Sky City contained richer resources, which could maximize a team''s strength¡ªespecially those with top-tier medics, beastmasters, and weapons specialists.


    Therefore, this map provided the greatest advantage to Hongye High School. The scales of victory seemed to tilt back in favor of Hongye High School.

 Chapter 164: His Handsomeness Is Unfair

    Chapter 164: His Handsomeness Is UnfairThe match unfolded similarly to the first one. Even though Hongye High School was prepared, with Wang Siyu and Gu Haochen ready to protect their three support members right from the start, they still found themselves in a tough battle.


    Li Xiaofei''s combat strength only seemed to increase with time. The other four members of Red Flag High School were all killed after a fierce fight, while Hongye High School lost Gu Haochen and He Changzai.


    In the end, it once again came down to Li Xiaofei against multiple opponents. Wang Siyu, Liu Yao, and Huang Yueru all teamed up to attack Li Xiaofei.


    The divine dragon roared as dozens of golden dragon shadows surrounded Li Xiaofei. He looked like a descending dragon god. His palm strikes were so powerful that none of the three from Hongye High School dared to face him head-on.


    In the final moments of the battle, Wang Siyu decided to go all out. He took the Certain Death Pill Liu Yao created and swallowed it in one gulp. The pill, once consumed, could burn the starforce qi within his body in return for tripling his combat power. However, that state could only be maintained for ten minutes. After ten minutes, even if he managed to kill all his opponents, he would die instantly.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The sounds of powerful energy blasts were deafening as the weeds in the fringes of the battlefield were turned to ash. Ancient stone buildings collapsed from the shockwaves.


    Wang Siyu fought like a newly ascended god as his left hand wielded the Thousand Buddha Fist and his right hand the Seven Mysteries Palm. Each strike possessed the power of the fifth stage of the Limit Breaking Realm.


    But Li Xiaofei did not dodge and met him head on with the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms. Violent gusts of wind accompanied every exchange. Huang Yueru and Liu Yao couldn''t get within ten feet of their battle. Their beautiful eyes were filled with astonishment.


    Their primary focus had always been Li Xiaofei. He was the only one they had judged to be a significant threat within the Red Flag High School team. The team¡¯s battle strength analysis unit had made various assessments and strategies regarding Li Xiaofei. Yet, despite all their preparations, the actual battle proved to be just as challenging as they had feared.


    The dust from the collapsed stone walls and buildings, along with the flying weeds, completely obscured their vision. The level of battle before them was beyond their abilities. A single misstep could result in severe injuries.


    Why is this young man so strong?


    The ripples in their hearts had turned into towering waves.


    But Wang Siyu was even more shocked. He had pushed his fist, palm, and leg techniques to unprecedented heights with the Certain Death Pill, yet he still couldn''t take Li Xiaofei down.


    Moreover, Li Xiaofei seemed to be evolving as the battle progressed. He, too, started using different techniques with either hand. His left hand began using Regretful Dragon, while his right hand unleashed Dragon Battle in the Wilderness. The exchanges between the two were as intense as a meteor striking the earth.


    Wang Siyu grew increasingly anxious as his ten minute limit approached. He unleashed all his ultimate moves, adopting a do-or-die strategy and abandoning any form of defense. If he couldn''t kill Li Xiaofei, he wanted to at least severely injure him and create an opportunity for Huang Yueru and Liu Yao to finish him off.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    He exerted all his strength and broke through Li Xiaofei''s palm strikes. He used a final move called Thousand Buddha Worship to land an earth-shattering blow on Li Xiaofei''s chest.


    "I did it!" Wang Siyu rejoiced.


    But in the next instant, a look of despair suddenly appeared on his face. All his energy vanished as his entire body crumbled like a dried-up sand sculpture. He had been an instant too slow, as the time limit of the Certain Death Pill expired just before his attack succeeded.


    All efforts were in vain! Wang Siyu''s figure turned into a stream of azure data light and disappeared from the battlefield.


    A trace of respect appeared on Li Xiaofei''s face. An opponent like that, with such grace, fighting spirit, determination, and loyalty, deserved respect at any time.


    As the dust gradually settled, Li Xiaofei slowly walked towards the two remaining female members of Hongye High School. He did not attempt to persuade them to surrender. That would be an insult to warriors.


    To their credit, Huang Yueru and Liu Yao showed no hesitation. They had used their time to set numerous traps and created poisonous tactical resources around the battlefield. Even though Wang Siyu had been defeated, Huang Yueru and Liu Yao¡¯s fighting spirits remained high. Every member of Hongye High School fought with everything they had for victory.


    But unfortunately, the demon king was still the demon king. Li Xiaofei''s combat strength was far superior to theirs. Despite all their preparations, they could only extend the battle by three minutes. They couldn''t change the final outcome.


    When the system announced Red Flag High School''s victory, it was all over. It was 2 to 0. Red Flag High School maintained their undefeated record in team battles.


    As Li Xiaofei emerged from the light core mainframe cabin, countless eyes fell on him. The stadium was extremely quiet. The legendary principal, Xiao Hongye, stood in the preparation area, her beautiful eyes filled with admiration.


    Clap, clap.


    She started to gently clap. The sound of her applause echoed clearly in the stadium. Gradually, the audience in the stands began to applaud as well. They stood up. The applause grew like a rising tide, getting louder and louder as more and more people joined in. Even the on-site commentator from Hongye, Qin Quan, expressed his heartfelt admiration.


    "This is a rare sight; Li Xiaofei has won the away crowd over."


    "Indeed, even the most fervent Hongye fans were captivated by Li Xiaofei''s charisma after this battle."


    "Personal heroism is the dream of all martial artists, but very few can achieve it. Today, Li Xiaofei has done it again. Red Flag High School''s victory was entirely his doing."


    Qin Quan said with deep emotion. "Honestly, I can''t see the limits of Li Xiaofei''s abilities right now." S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He was a graduate of Hongye High School and had been the home commentator for five years. During those five years, he dedicated everything to the stadium and to the players who brought victory and glory to it.


    He was the most loyal Hongye fan. He had been with the school team through their darkest times. His memories of crushing defeat after defeat were still painful to recall. But today''s loss, even for someone as fervent as Qin Quan, didn''t feel unacceptable.


    Li Xiaofei''s performance had not disgraced the stadium. The young man was like a dazzling sun. He didn''t overshadow anyone but instead illuminated everyone, making them shine even brighter.


    In the livestream room of Little White Dragon in the Waves, Shen Yan was too excited to speak coherently.


    He kept on repeating one phrase, "You can always believe in Li Xiaofei."


    Meanwhile, his assistant, Little You, who was cosplaying as the Goddess, stood in the livestream room, staring at the screen where Li Xiaofei''s figure was displayed. She seemed to be drooling slightly.


    "He''s so handsome."


    The assistant licked her lips.


    His handsomeness is unfair.

 Chapter 165: Fan Of Your Talent

    Chapter 165: Fan Of Your TalentRed Flag High School won team mode with a 2 to 0 score. However, unlike Longteng High School, who had accepted defeat when the outcome was decided, Hongye High School chose to continue fighting.


    In the third match, Hongye High School gave their all once again. They challenged Li Xiaofei one by one on the battlefield. Although it seemed like they were taking advantage of a wheel battle, in reality, it was more like they were offering themselves up to the demon king.


    Li Xiaofei accepted their challenges with the Great Strength Vajra Fist. After reaching the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, his starforce qi and physical state allowed him to fully utilize this martial technique. It had reached its pinnacle in his hands.


    He refrained from lethal strikes as he won each duel. Then, the other four members of Red Flag High School also issued one-on-one challenges to Hongye High School.


    These battles were nearly devoid of killing intent, as both sides were more focused on sparring and validating their skills. Occasionally, they would stop to discuss and clarify their understanding of medicine, pharmacology, beast mastery, summoning beasts, and other areas.


    In a situation where the outcome was already decided, such practices were permitted by the rules of the light core world. The Education Department even encouraged this approach. The purpose of the league was to promote the growth of the students, not to foster hatred.


    Finally, after forty minutes, the match came to an end. The five members of Hongye High School all cupped their fists and saluted Li Xiaofei. The members of Red Flag High School returned the gesture. It was the highest form of etiquette in the martial world.


    The reason for the one-on-one challenges was to feel the pressure Li Xiaofei could exert and to seek opportunities to break through their own bottlenecks. It proved to be the right choice as Huang Yueyu, Liu Yao, and others experienced breakthroughs in their starforce cultivation after the battle.


    The members of Hongye High School simultaneously sent a concession command to the system.


    "The winner of this match is Red Flag High School..."


    The final verdict of the light core system echoed both inside and outside the arena. All matches had concluded. Hongye High School had won solo mode, while Red Flag High School continued their undefeated streak in team mode.


    Wang Siyu led his teammates on a lap around the field, thanking the more than 100,000 spectators. They were met with a tidal wave of applause. Hongye fans continued to support their idols. Despite their loss, they had fought this match with honor.


    "Peaks give birth to false supporters, but twilight witnesses the true apostles," Shen Yan remarked in his livestream. "However, this defeat does not signify the arrival of twilight for Hongye High School. On the contrary, they remain highly competitive in the league. The most sincere applause from Hongye fans is given to those they support. Hongye''s fans and players are both worthy of respect, even from Red Flag High School."


    On the other side. Qin Quan, in his live commentary, also offered his congratulations to Red Flag High School.


    "After this battle, it''s clear that another top-tier team has emerged in the league. And this achievement came even without their key player, Yan Chiyu. Once Yan Chiyu returns, they have the potential to reach even greater heights."


    Other commentators and streamers also gave high praise to both teams'' performances.


    "Hongye High School, though defeated, remains honorable."


    "Red Flag High School is on the verge of a breakthrough."


    "Amidst the recent wave of New Martial Arts surgeries, Hongye High School and Red Flag High School are among the few that have not adopted Jiepeng¡¯s new surgery. They still uphold their own traditional martial arts."


    "A fierce debate has erupted online about whether to embrace the new era or stick to traditional martial arts."


    "This debate is likely to continue extensively in the near future."


    "Regardless, with star beasts surrounding humanity, breakthroughs are necessary."


    The commentators continued to discuss and debate the implications.


    On the field, both teams exchanged contact information. They agreed to spar with each other on the light-network in the future.


    "Li Xiaofei, can I add you on LightChat?" Liu Yao asked with a bright smile.


    The young man before her exuded an unprecedented strength, and his handsome appearance was exactly her type. Faced with a friend request from a beautiful girl, Li Xiaofei agreed without hesitation.


    "Li Xiaofei, let''s spar more when you have time," Huang Yueyu also approached with a smile. "Just try not to be so ruthless next time."


    She too had developed a favorable impression of Li Xiaofei and added him on LightChat.


    Damn it. Why does this guy have such luck with women?


    Bai Longfei watched from the side, feeling a mix of envy and resentment.


    Clearly, we¡¯re all good-looking... Never mind. Li Xiaofei is indeed tougher. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He realized he needed to be diligent about his own cultivation.


    Meanwhile, Gu Haochen had completely turned into a Li Xiaofei fanboy. "Li Xiaofei, what''s your light core super account? Let''s add each other as friends so we can spar online."


    Li Xiaofei replied, "I''ll add you when I get back."


    He wasn''t ready to reveal his account, Your Grandpa, just yet.


    An official from the Education Department reminded both teams to go for their post-match interviews. Reporters from dozens of different websites, TV stations, and livestream platforms divided up the ten players, each throwing out carefully prepared questions.


    On the other side, Principal Chen Fei was chatting and laughing with the beautiful Xiao Hongye. The interviews concluded quickly as the spectators in the stands had already left. The stadium staff began cleaning up.


    Principal Xiao Hongye invited the entire Red Flag High School team to stay for the post-match banquet. As a school known for its wealth in Liuhe Base City, Hongye High School provided high-quality hospitality.


    Eight main dishes, four vegetable dishes, two soups and energy drinks. The Red Flag High School team and their cheering squad ate heartily without hesitation.


    Additionally, some media members with close ties to Hongye High School also attended the banquet.


    "Li Xiaofei." A clean and scholarly young man approached Li Xiaofei and politely said, "Can we get acquainted? My name is..."


    Li Xiaofei stood up and interrupted, "Little White Dragon in the Waves, Shen Yan, the big streamer! Haha, I know you. Thanks for speaking up for me recently. I didn''t know you were here; otherwise, I would have greeted you first."


    Shen Yan was overjoyed. The seemingly arrogant Li Xiaofei on and off the field was surprisingly approachable in person.


    "You are my idol," Shen Yan said excitedly. "I''ve followed all your performances since your first match. I hope my videos and livestreams haven''t caused you any trouble."


    Li Xiaofei replied, "I''m grateful; how could it be trouble?"


    "Can I add you on LightChat?" asked Shen Yan, seizing the opportunity.


    "Of course, I''ll add you," Li Xiaofei said, taking out his mini light core and adding Shen Yan as a friend.


    ¡°Me too, me too.¡± A big-breasted, long-legged beauty came over and spoke around a mouthful of braised pork elbow, ¡°Add me, add me, add me.¡±


    ¡°Little You,¡± said Li Xiaofei. He immediately recognized the naturally naive beauty.


    Little You, struggling to swallow the meat in her mouth, excitedly said, ¡°Brother Xiaofei, you know me?¡±


    Li Xiaofei replied, ¡°Of course, I''m a fan of your talent.¡±


    Shen Yan was speechless.


    Little You has talent?


    ¡°Really?¡± Little You excitedly asked, ¡°Idol, what talent of mine do you like?¡±


    Li Xiaofei smiled lightly and said, ¡°Your talent for wearing black stockings.¡±


    Little You was stunned. Then she pumped her fist and vowed, ¡°From now on, I''ll only wear black stockings during my livestreams.¡±


    Everyone enjoyed themselves until the banquet ended.


    Before leaving, the beautiful principal Xiao Hongye suddenly appeared in front of Li Xiaofei and said, ¡°Li Xiaofei, please stay for a bit. I have something to discuss with you. I¡¯ll personally see you off later.¡±


    "Huh?"


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback. He turned to look at the peach-blossom-eyed principal.


    The principal didn¡¯t miss a beat. "You stay."


    He patted Li Xiaofei on the shoulder, grabbed Fang Buyi and the others, and left. When he saw Xiao Hongye¡¯s triumphant smile, Li Xiaofei suddenly felt like a lamb walking into a lion''s den.


    Did I just get... sold out?

 Chapter 166: You Are Your Grandpa

    Chapter 166: You Are Your GrandpaXiao Hongye''s office was decorated quite casually. It was a stark contrast to the luxurious and beautiful school buildings and classrooms. It only had a bookshelf, a book chair, and a desk. There was a light gray inflatable bed, presumably for short naps.


    A large screen stood opposite the floor-to-ceiling windows. The most advanced light core projection system could capture, slow down, and analyze even the fastest movements of a martial artist in the Meridian Expanding Realm, without missing any subtle changes.


    "Sit." Xiao Hongye pointed to the chair and asked, "Wine or tea?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Wine."


    He wasn''t very good at appreciating tea. Xiao Hongye took out a bottle of Zhangye dry red wine from her collection, skillfully uncorked it, and poured the dark red liquid into a decanter.


    "It''ll be ready to drink in fifteen minutes. I''m going to change clothes. In the meantime, watch this video and get a feel for it."


    She turned on the light core projection before opening a hidden door next to the bookshelf and walking in.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t know what to say. The atmosphere felt strange. In his previous life, he would seek some amusement when he felt frustrated with his cultivation. Before sparring with his girlfriends on their bed, they would often drink some red wine and watch some action videos to set the mood.


    Some girlfriends would change into more provocative outfits, like a ninja, a white-clad heroine, or a secretary, to enhance the experience. It usually ended with a deep exchange of spiritual and physical connection.


    One of his former mentors, who was widely considered a fraud, had taught him a modified version of the Huangdi Neijing[1], which included a section called Su Nu Pian. It discussed balancing yin and yang through sexual activities to alleviate the frustrations of cultivation.


    The mentor always emphasized that true cultivation required the balance of male and female energies to understand the mysteries of the universe. He used the example of Zhang Sanfeng, the legendary founder of Wudang, who was a genius but never achieved true transcendence because he maintained his virginity [2].


    Despite his deep understanding and unmatched insights into martial arts, he had fallen short because he lacked the balance of yin and yang. If Zhang Sanfeng had found a cultivation partner, he might have become the first person to ascend to immortality in the post-Dharma-ending age.


    Since these ideas were so unconventional, Li Xiaofei had thought the mentor might be a fraud. He paid the mentor some money and sent him away. However, Li Xiaofei had still studied that modified version of the Huangdi Neijing, especially the Su Nu Pian. Not only did he study it, but he also put it into practice.


    The results were quite effective. Not only did his stamina and combat strength increase, but after each battle in bed, Li Xiaofei felt more refreshed and invigorated than ever. His girlfriends were also deeply entranced and often claimed that sparring with him felt like a beauty treatment. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After frequent sparring sessions, their menstrual cycles became regular, their freckles faded, their skin improved, their wrinkles disappeared, and their energy levels soared. Eventually, they were eager to spar with Li Xiaofei, to the point where he felt overwhelmed and even taken advantage of.


    He ended up blocking dozens of the more fervent ones, only to be confronted at home. They had almost tracked him down to his school. Luckily, he encountered that silly husky in the livestream, which transported him 500 years into the future...


    Come to think of it, maybe I should thank that dumb dog?


    Recently, perhaps due to being single for so long and the overly sensual massage sessions with his aunt, Li Xiaofei found himself easily distracted and yearning for intense spiritual and physical connections. The urge only became more pronounced after he started cultivating the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms.


    Many times, it was almost uncontrollable and he had to rely on traditional methods from 500 years ago to keep it in check. As Li Xiaofei contemplated these thoughts, the video on the projection began to play. The picture was clear.


    The protagonist was... himself.


    "Hmm? This is..."


    Li Xiaofei was surprised to find that the projection video depicted the battle between himself and Xiong Zhigang, who had undergone surgery, during the banquet. Two figures clashed repeatedly on the burning streets of Chang''an.


    The video suddenly froze. At that moment, Li Xiaofei was holding a kitchen knife, poised to slash Xiong Zhigang''s throat. Principal Xiao Hongye emerged from the hidden door.


    Li Xiaofei''s eyes lit up. The stunningly beautiful and elegant woman had changed into a light pink silk home dress, exposing her fair arms and legs and showing off her graceful curves. Her toenails, painted a bright red, peeked out from white foam slippers, giving her an air of intellectual elegance and unparalleled charm.


    "Don''t look at me, look at the video." Xiao Hongye smiled and said, "Let me show you in slow motion."


    She sent a command to the light core''s intelligent assistant and the footage began to play fifty times slower. Li Xiaofei''s flowing footwork, dodging Xiong Zhigang''s strike and slashing his throat with the kitchen knife, was clearly visible.


    "Your strength is not on par with Xiong Zhigang''s." Xiao Hongye crossed her arms, causing her impressive chest to form a tantalizing cleavage. She calmly analyzed, "The reason you were able to defeat him instantly is because you mastered a divine footwork technique."


    Li Xiaofei''s heart skipped a beat.


    Xiao Hongye continued, "You¡¯ve only used this footwork technique twice."


    Li Xiaofei remained silent, but he was highly alert on the inside.


    Xiao Hongye continued, ¡°You were very careful to hide this technique both times you used it. It seems you didn¡¯t want anyone to see it clearly. Apart from these moments, whether you faced Longteng or Hongye, you never used this divine footwork, even at the risk of severe injury.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it was just a coincidence,¡± Li Xiaofei said calmly. ¡°I defeated Xiong Zhigang because I was in an exceptionally good state at that moment. I felt like the ancient saints of our Great Xia had possessed me. It wasn¡¯t any special footwork.¡±


    Xiao Hongye smiled and said, ¡°I knew you wouldn¡¯t admit it, you sly fox.¡±


    She sent another command to the light core''s intelligent assistant and the screen switched to another match. It showed the bout between the Jiepeng student Mizutani Hikaru and a black-clad figure with a silver cicada mask known as Your Grandpa.


    That was the match where Mizutani Hikaru, who had arrogantly challenged and defeated numerous Great Xia high school students in Liuhe Base City, had finally been defeated by Your Grandpa with a single finger strike.


    Li Xiaofei''s heart skipped a beat again.


    But outwardly, he remained composed and said, ¡°I¡¯ve seen this match too. Your Grandpa is truly a mysterious figure. He¡¯s a role model for Great Xia high school students, killing Jiepeng students and enhancing our national prestige.¡±


    Xiao Hongye poured two glasses of red wine. She handed one to Li Xiaofei.


    ¡°Stop pretending.¡± She said bluntly. ¡°You are Your Grandpa.¡±


    Li Xiaofei took the glass and sighed inwardly. He realized there was no point in continuing the charade. Xiao Hongye had clearly done her homework and had evidence to back her claim.


    1. Huangdi Neijing, literally the Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor or Esoteric Scripture of the Yellow Emperor, is an ancient Chinese medical text or group of texts that has been treated as a fundamental doctrinal source for Chinese medicine for more than two millennia. ?


    2. Zhang Sanfeng refers to a legendary Chinese Taoist who many believe invented tai chi. However, other sources point to early versions of tai chi predating Sanfeng. ?

 Chapter 167: You Bear The Original Sins

    Chapter 167: You Bear The Original Sins"How could that be?" Li Xiaofei maintained his calm expression, speaking coolly, "My grandpa has been dead for a long time; he''s from a different generation. How could he be me?"


    "You''ve got a good poker face," Xiao Hongye said with a smile. "You''re quite convincing, but your denial is pointless. My peak sixth-generation light core mainframe, the most advanced computing device in all of Liuhe Base City, has matched you with Your Grandpa through 10,004 comprehensive comparisons. It¡¯s 99 percent certain that you are Your Grandpa... The light core never makes mistakes."


    Li Xiaofei took a sip of the red wine and changed the subject, "The taste is average."


    Xiao Hongye laughed heartily, "Does that mean you¡¯re admitting it?"


    Li Xiaofei replied indifferently, "I don''t know what you''re talking about."


    "It doesn¡¯t matter if you don¡¯t admit it. I know you are Your Grandpa," Xiao Hongye said, not pressing the issue further.


    She trusted her own judgment more than Li Xiaofei¡¯s verbal acknowledgment. This was also one of the reasons she had invited him.


    "Do you know why I asked you to come here?" asked Xiao Hongye as she sipped her wine, her hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Not yet."


    Xiao Hongye said, "You need a manager, and I¡¯m the best fit."


    Li Xiaofei looked surprised.


    "Principal Xiao..."


    "Call me sister."


    "Alright, Sister Principal Xiao, you¡¯re the head of a school, and you also specialize in being a manager?"


    "Many students from Hongye High School have signed management contracts with me," Xiao Hongye explained. "The various leagues within Great Xia have developed over hundreds of years, with mature systems and increasing commercialization. Star students have immense commercial value, similar to the sports stars in legendary old leagues like the NBB, Serie P, Premiera League, Lala Liga, and Bondesliga."


    Li Xiaofei instinctively nodded. Xiao Hongye''s example made sense. However, the high school league in Liuhe Base City was at best comparable to the English Championship. The only leagues that could truly be compared to the Premiera League, Lala Liga, or the Bondesliga were the university leagues in Great Xia.


    Moreover, as far as Li Xiaofei knew, Great Xia wasn''t the only place with leagues. Other major administrative regions, and some key countries, both distant like the Bayer Federation and the Yiggs Union, and closer like the Jiepeng Empire, also had various levels of leagues.


    The important thing in the era of the Star Council was talent. What kind of talent was most crucial? Warriors and scientists. The former were the first line of defense for human survival. The latter provided the strongest shields and the sharpest spears for the former. Both warriors and scientists were selected through various layers of leagues.


    In this era, there was an unprecedented emphasis on education by various countries. It was seen as the key to the survival of the human race. Therefore, star students emerging from the leagues were akin to the sports giants and entertainment stars from five hundred years before.


    Those who took to the battlefield and achieved merit in the human-beast wars, whether warriors or scientists, held an even higher status. They were the top-tier celebrities of humanity. In contrast, the status of entertainment stars and idols had significantly diminished. In this era, even most top-tier entertainment stars struggled to compete with martial stars, battle heroes, and scientific giants. This was dictated by the survival environment of humanity.


    Li Xiaofei was slightly surprised that Xiao Hongye knew the names of football and basketball leagues from five hundred years ago. Given the Great Catastrophe and the sudden attack of the star beasts, almost all human civilization was destroyed, and much historical information had been lost in the slaughter by star beasts and the following nuclear winter.


    People now knew very little about events from five hundred years ago. Many cultural heritages from the peaceful era had been severed. Many once-commonplace things had been lost to history and become unsolved mysteries. Humanity itself nearly faced extinction, let alone their cultural heritage.


    Xiao Hongye¡¯s knowledge means that there are still people in this current era who understood things from five hundred years ago. Therefore, I need to be cautious about revealing too much information about five hundred years ago. I don''t want to attract the attention of certain individuals and expose my secret of time travel.


    "You¡¯re starting to make a name for yourself, and soon you¡¯ll attract more attention. What the Golden Eagle Guild did to you will happen again. Zhao Bufan was just a nouveau riche and couldn¡¯t really harm you. But if the five major families decide to sign you, it won¡¯t be so easy to resist. If they can''t get you, they can certainly destroy you," Xiao Hongye warned.


    Li Xiaofei raised his chin, radiating confidence, "I hold dual badges and have a relationship with City Leader Tan and Commander Ding. Inspector Li is my teacher... I can¡¯t see why the five major families would dare to move against me."


    "You¡¯re forgetting something," Xiao Hongye added.


    "Oh?" Li Xiaofei asked, "Do I have some other advantage that I don¡¯t know about but you¡¯ve noticed, Sister Principal Xiao?"


    Xiao Hongye said, "You¡¯ve also captivated the city leader¡¯s daughter."


    "Uh... we¡¯re just friends," Li Xiaofei said earnestly.


    "But all of that isn''t enough," Xiao Hongye began to analyze. "City Leader Tan is deeply involved in his administrative duties and doesn¡¯t have the time to look after your affairs. Commander Ding is the same. There¡¯s still no clear information on the whereabouts of the Grade Five star beast Yinji Moon Fox. These intelligent star beasts hold grudges. Once it heals, it¡¯ll definitely come back. He¡¯s extremely busy right now and can¡¯t keep an eye on you all the time. Finally, Inspector Li is known for not meddling in city affairs and maintains a detached stance... These bigwigs don¡¯t have the time or energy to be at your beck and call."


    "The two badges are just symbols. They only hold power when acknowledged; otherwise, they¡¯re meaningless. As for the city leader¡¯s daughter, her influence is still not enough in some situations." Taking another sip of her wine, Xiao Hongye asked, "Do you still think you can roam the base city unchallenged?"


    Li Xiaofei said, "I have to admit, Sister Principal Xiao, you make a lot of sense. But surely I don''t have that many enemies? Who would go out of their way to target me?"


    Xiao Hongye replied, "Don¡¯t forget, besides being a rising star in the high school league, you¡¯re also the president of the Cloudy Sky Gang."


    Li Xiaofei said, "The Cloudy Sky Gang is now a group of law-abiding citizens, and recognized by the garrison as a unit with close ties."


    Xiao Hongye said, "Many things in the base city are decided by the five major families." S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei said, "So I don¡¯t provoke the five major families."


    "Killing Ye Chenglong isn¡¯t provoking them? Disrupting the Ye family''s plans in the slum isn¡¯t provoking them? Defeating Xiong Zhigang at the banquet, thereby discrediting Jiepeng¡¯s New Martial Arts surgery, isn¡¯t provoking them?" Xiao Hongye fired back rapidly.


    Li Xiaofei rubbed his nose.


    She has a point.


    Xiao Hongye smiled faintly. "You¡¯ve risen from the slum to where you are now, but you are surrounded by powerful enemies. The more exceptional you are, the more people you will offend. Unless you¡¯re willing to become a dog for the five major families, they have countless ways to destroy you outside the arena... because you bear the original sin."


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression turned serious, recognizing the gravity of her words. The path he had taken was fraught with dangers, and navigating it required more than just strength¡ªit required alliances and careful strategy.

 Chapter 168: Family Of Saints

    Chapter 168: Family Of SaintsLi Xiaofei looked puzzled.


    Xiao Hongye, holding a wine glass gracefully, said, "Your original sin is being an extraordinarily exceptional talent that rose from the dirt."


    Li Xiaofei was convinced on the spot. "You''re right. I wholeheartedly agree."


    He gave her a thumbs-up.


    Which handsome guy doesn''t like being praised?


    But Li Xiaofei asked, "Since I have this original sin, why would you dare to sign me, Principal Xiao-sister?"


    Xiao Hongye''s smile blossomed as she proudly puffed out her chest, "Because apart from a few major players, I¡¯m the only one in Liuhe Base City who isn''t afraid of the five major families."


    Li Xiaofei looked at her proudly raised chest, feeling slightly astonished.


    Damn, that¡¯s huge.


    The information online about Xiao Hongye all mentioned how she had come to Liuhe Base City and worked diligently to transform the dilapidated Hongye High School into a school almost on par with the prestigious five major schools, creating numerous legendary stories. But there was no information about her background or origin.


    "Sister Principal Xiao,are you not afraid of the five major families?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Xiao Hongye nodded. "Mm-hmm."


    Li Xiaofei said, "So, you''ve already discussed this with Principal Chen and he agreed?"


    Chen Fei had told him to stay, so he must have known Xiao Hongye''s intentions beforehand.


    Xiao Hongye smiled and said, "Principal Chen hoped I could become your manager, and I happened to have the same idea. We hit it off right away."


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and said, "Let me see the contract."


    Xiao Hongye immediately sent over a contract through the mini light core. Most contracts in this era were signed electronically. Li Xiaofei carefully browsed through it. The contract was very professional. It detailed the rights and responsibilities of the manager.


    For example, they had to secure a certain number of endorsements each year, ensure the employer''s safety, maintain the employer''s reputation on the light-network, and help solve various problems... It was almost like having a full-time nanny.


    Moreover, it gave Li Xiaofei almost complete autonomy. The only difference was that Xiao Hongye''s commission as a manager was quite high, at 40 percent.


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and said, "I have one more request."


    Xiao Hongye, elegantly holding her wine glass, said, "You know, most people beg me to sign a contract, and I never modify any terms... but you are an exception. Since I believe in you, go ahead, what is your request? Don''t go overboard, though."


    Li Xiaofei said, "I will only endorse domestic products."


    Xiao Hongye was taken aback. She looked at Li Xiaofei with a new expression.


    "So the rumors are true," she said.


    "What rumors?" Li Xiaofei asked curiously.


    Xiao Hongye had a teasing glint in her eyes, "There''s a rumor online that you insisted that the city leader¡¯s daughter take you shopping at the Starry Sky Mall. To maintain your image, you refused internationally renowned brands like Louis Vingt and demanded that she buy you domestic clothing instead and threatened to break up with her if she didn¡¯t."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    What is the world coming to? Why would anyone spread such unreliable rumors?


    Xiao Hongye said, "Are you sure about this? Not endorsing foreign brands will significantly impact your earnings. Given your current rise, you¡¯ll lose at least a million star coins per year."


    Li Xiaofei replied, "I''ve thought it through."


    Xiao Hongye didn''t waste any more words and added the clause to the contract. Li Xiaofei reviewed it once more, confirmed there were no issues, and signed it. The contract was now official.


    Xiao Hongye looked satisfied and suddenly said, "You''re the second person to make that kidn of request. Fortunately, both of you ended up signing with me."


    Li Xiaofei asked curiously, "Who was the first?"


    Xiao Hongye glanced at him sideways, "Your captain."


    My captain?


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback, and then Yan Chiyu''s stunning face appeared in his mind.


    Xiao Hongye took out a gift box. "This is for you."


    Li Xiaofei opened it and found a brand-new, state-of-the-art Dongfeng brand light core. It was a relatively niche brand, and was considered a luxury item. It was said that many wealthy people couldn''t even buy one. It was extremely advanced, had excellent signal strength, superb privacy protection, and was user-friendly. Moreover, it looked very low-key.


    "Transfer all your authenticated information to this Dongfeng light core. Throw away that cheap gadget Red Flag High School gave you; it''s too easy to leak information. From now on, use this for all social, personal, and private information... If you want a premium number, I can help you get one too," said Xiao Hongye, quickly slipping into her role as a manager.


    Li Xiaofei said, "I''m fine with my current number and frequency; no need to change it."


    Xiao Hongye helped him through all the necessary transfer operations.


    Xiao Hongye poured two more glasses of red wine and said, "Then here''s to a successful partnership."


    Li Xiaofei raised his glass and drank it in one go. "To a successful partnership."


    Xiao Hongye did the same, licking the red liquid off the corner of her mouth. "Remember that you can come to me if you are in need of anything."


    Li Xiaofei asked, "Anything? Even..."


    "That''s right, even if you want to find a few pretty girls for the night, you must call me first," Xiao Hongye said seriously. "I can arrange everything for you. Do not, under any circumstances, take matters into your own hands and do something irreversible."


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and said, "Alright."


    Xiao Hongye hesitated for a moment and said, "As your manager, I won''t interfere in your personal life, but I have one piece of advice."


    Li Xiaofei asked, "What is it?"


    "Try... I mean, try not to get emotionally involved with Tan Qingying," Xiao Hongye said.


    Li Xiaofei asked, "What do you mean?"


    Xiao Hongye explained, "The little princess of the Tan family is connected to two Saint families and has many entanglements. Even the city leader might not be able to control his and his daughter''s fate. If you recklessly get involved in such a powerful family''s power struggles, you could end up shattered."


    Li Xiaofei was slightly shocked.


    So, Tan Qingying has such a background? sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He only knew she was the city leader''s only daughter. But he didn''t know the background of the city leader and his late wife¡¯s families. It turned out they were not simple at all.


    Saint families! Those two words carried a heavy weight anywhere in the world.


    ***


    By the time he returned to the slum, it was already nine in the evening. Since he had called ahead, his aunt and Li Jie had already eaten dinner. Tomorrow was the weekend. But the massages would not stop.


    He entered the house, undressed and got on the bed. His aunt, dressed in loose-fitting home clothes, climbed on top and began his massage. She still focused on the acupoints and meridians. Her technique was superb and the pressure was just right.


    Li Xiaofei closed his eyes, feeling the energy in his body move under his aunt''s soft white hands like obedient sheep guided by a shepherd dog. They flowed through his meridians and acupoints.


    Time passed and Li Xiaofei felt a surge of heat within him. A strong desire that was nearly impossible to control surged within him. For a moment, he almost turned around and pinned the blind woman on top of him beneath him.

 Chapter 169: Three Secret Scrolls

    Chapter 169: Three Secret ScrollsAt the crucial moment, Li Xiaofei''s rationality overcame his desire. There was something different in him recently. Li Xiaofei sensed something was amiss. His inner desires had indeed exceeded the normal range. Even a young man full of vigor wouldn''t be this thirsty.


    Could it really be as that fraud master said, that practicing martial arts requires a balance of yin and yang? The two martial arts I''ve been cultivating, Great Strength Vajra Fist and Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, are both extremely masculine.


    Is the excess of yang causing my intense need?


    Li Xiaofei''s mind conjured up the Su Nu Pian from the modified version of the Huangdi Neijing.


    Should I give it a try?


    A dangerous thought stirred within him. As a martial arts fanatic and a young man with dreams of being a great hero, he admired the unrestrained and unconventional heroes in Gu Long''s books [1]. He wasn''t a purist in terms of relationships but adhered to his principle of better to have none than to settle.


    His aunt was family. Little Tan was a friend. The principal was like an elder sister. None could be desecrated.


    Wait a minute. Isn''t the light core virtual world able to solve these problems?


    He just wasn''t sure if the water in the virtual world could quench the fire in the real world. But while Li Xiaofei was distracted, his aunt finished the massage.


    "Rest early," she said, holding the bottle of medicine as she left the bedroom.


    The sky was already dark. A crescent moon hung high in the sky, casting a faint silvery frost. Li Xiaofei got up and moved his body a bit. He could feel that his condition had improved again.


    "Moonlight Dog Box, time to work," he said to the moon.


    "Woof, activating," replied the Moonlight Treasure Box, acknowledging Li Xiaofei''s call.


    Li Xiaofei quickly found himself in the Secret Time Pavilion.


    "Can I draw the lottery now?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Every time he entered the Secret Time Pavilion, he habitually asked that question. Usually, the answer was negative.


    But this time the box replied, "Woof, you can."


    "Hmm?" Li Xiaofei was overjoyed. "Draw now."


    A familiar vortex of space-time appeared before him and he reached in.


    As his hand rummaged through the vortex, a thought popped into his head. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Why don''t I try grabbing multiple scrolls at once? There''s no need to grab just one each time.


    Li Xiaofei''s hand frantically scooped through the vortex. After grabbing one scroll, he didn''t pull his hand out and instead continued to rummage. Sure enough, his fingers touched another one. He grabbed it and kept fishing. He found another one.


    However, when Li Xiaofei tried to grab a fourth scroll, the voice of the Moonlight Dog Box rang out.


    "Woof, the host is being a bit greedy."


    The space-time vortex began to shrink rapidly.


    "How stingy," Li Xiaofei muttered as he quickly withdrew his hand.


    He held three scroll-like manuals in his hand. He opened the first one. The first four words that caught his eye were ¡ª Medicine King Divine Manual.


    Li Xiaofei was stunned. He quickly searched his memory and found the answer. This was a classic masterpiece renowned for its dual expertise in medicine and poison. It originated from the Jin Yong martial arts world and was authored by the master Wu Zhen, also known as the Poison Hand Medicine King. 90 percent of it dealt with medical techniques for curing and saving lives, while the remaining ten percent focused on poison cultivation, including planting poisonous herbs and raising venomous insects.


    The book was also famous due to a poignant unrequited love story in the Side Story of Fox Volant. The Poison Hand Medicine King had entrusted this manual to his young apprentice, Chen Lingsu. This poor girl was extraordinarily talented and perceptive and so used the book to cultivate the world''s most unique poison, the Seven-Star Begonia. However, she ultimately sacrificed herself to save Hu Fei, dying from the poison she had consumed for his sake. Their unfulfilled love was a significant regret in the story.


    When Li Xiaofei read this part years ago, he couldn''t help but curse Hu Fei out loud. Chen Lingsu was such a remarkable woman, yet Hu Fei didn''t cherish her. Instead, he preferred the two-faced green tea girl Yuan Ziyi. No wonder he had ended up single.


    In that martial arts world, the Medicine King Divine Manual was an all-encompassing treatise on medicine and poison. However, it was not a manual for martial arts cultivation. He hadn''t expected to draw such a book this time.


    Li Xiaofei fell into deep contemplation. The manual didn''t seem particularly significant to him. His ambitions lay elsewhere. But it could be extremely beneficial for someone like Ren Dong, who pursued the path of a medic. The only uncertainty was that many of the poisonous plants and insects recorded in the manual were from the normal world. The entire world had undergone a nuclear winter, and the wilderness was filled with radiation and star beasts, causing many plants to mutate.


    He didn¡¯t know whether the herbs and insects mentioned in the Medicine King Divine Manual, along with the associated treatments, were still applicable.


    Maybe I should let Little Aunt study this book first?


    A thought popped into Li Xiaofei''s mind. He had a vague feeling that his aunt''s medical knowledge might be inherited from ancient times, and her expertise could far surpass what many could imagine.


    Li Xiaofei opened the second scroll.


    The first two characters made his spirit lift¡ª


    Nine Yin...


    Could it be the Nine Yin Manual?


    It was the ultimate martial arts classic from the Jin Yong martial arts world. However, as he fully unfurled the scroll, Li Xiaofei discovered that it wasn''t the Nine Yin Manual.


    It was... The Nine Yin White Bone Claw.


    Memories of various novel plots flooded back to him. The Nine Yin White Bone Claw was renowned due to the ruthless actions of Iron Corpse Mei Chaofeng during the era of The Legend of the Condor Heroes[2].


    The Twin Killers of the Black Wind had made a terrifying name for themselves in the martial world with this skill. Martial artists would tremble in fear wherever they went despite their incomplete understanding of martial arts and lack of sufficient internal energy, which led to their skewed practice.


    Unfortunately, Bronze Corpse Chen Xuanfeng, after a brief appearance, had been killed by the young Guo Jing. Later, Mei Chaofeng was left blind, which made it difficult for her to achieve greatness. Ultimately, she had sacrificed herself to protect her master, Huang Yaoshi, from a sneak attack by Western Poison Ouyang Feng. When Mei Chaofeng died, the Nine Yin White Bone Claw martial art also faded into obscurity.


    "In terms of achievements in the novels, the Nine Yin White Bone Claw is far inferior to the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms. Guo Jing had only mastered fifteen palms, and Mei Chaofeng couldn''t defeat him. Once he mastered all eighteen palms, he could easily overpower her. But that was because Mei Chaofeng lacked internal energy and was blind, while Guo Jing was young, strong, and trained in authentic Quanzhen internal energy."


    After careful analysis, Li Xiaofei concluded that this technique was worth practicing. Then, he opened the third martial arts scroll.


    Three large words caught his eye¡ª One Yang Finger.


    1. Gu Long, was a Hong Kong-born Taiwanese novelist, screenwriter, film producer and director. A graduate of Cheng Kung Senior High School and Tamkang University, Xiong is best known for writing wuxia. ?


    2. The Legend of the Condor Heroes is a 2017 Chinese television series adapted from Louis Cha''s novel of the same title and a remake of the 1983 Hong Kong television series based on the same novel. The series was directed by Jeffrey Chiang and starred Yang Xuwen, Li Yitong, Chen Xingxu and Meng Ziyi in the lead roles. ?

 Chapter 170: I Am The Expert

    Chapter 170: I Am The ExpertLi Xiaofei''s face lit up with uncontrollable joy. The One Yang Finger was one of the premier finger techniques of the Jin Yong martial arts world. Moreover, the book''s description of the One Yang Finger was quite detailed, and its grade depended on the practitioner''s internal energy. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It ranged from the ninth grade to the first grade, from low to high. The lower grades of the One Yang Finger were easily mastered moves. However, they weren¡¯t that strong, since it was merely a contact-based acupoint move. At the highest grade, the first grade, it could harm opponents from a distance.


    Legend had it that mastering the One Yang Finger to the first grade was one of the requirements for cultivating the ultimate skill, the Six Meridian Divine Sword. In the era of The Legend of the Condor Heroes, the One Yang Finger was the signature skill of one of the Five Greats, the Southern Emperor Master Yideng. In Master Yideng''s hands, the One Yang Finger was an unparalleled technique that could kill enemies from a distance.


    "Although it''s not the ultimate Six Meridian Divine Sword, it''s still the pinnacle of finger techniques."


    Li Xiaofei was more than satisfied with the lottery draw. He immediately opened the One Yang Finger manual and began working through it.


    Li Xiaofei had an exceptionally strong aptitude to begin with. With his current cultivation at the nineteenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, his combat strength far surpassed that of the original Southern Emperor. Cultivating the One Yang Finger was not a challenge for him.


    Five days later, Li Xiaofei had completely mastered the One Yang Finger. He pointed into the distance with his middle finger.


    Whoosh.


    An invisible force that was comparable to sword energy shot through the air. Its effective range was a full ten feet.


    "Any Qi Refining Realm martial artist hit by this finger within ten feet is dead," Li Xiaofei said with a satisfied expression.


    It was far more effective to use starforce qi to power martial arts techniques from the wuxia world. Li Xiaofei took out the Nine Yin White Bone Claw manual and began to study it.


    Five days passed in a flash as he also mastered the Nine Yin White Bone Claw. In wuxia novels, characters with profound internal energy could quickly learn any technique. Some could master dozens of martial arts in a single day. So, Li Xiaofei''s rapid progress was not excessively extraordinary.


    "The One Yang Finger is suited for ambushes. Whether in close combat or at a distance, unleashing it at the right time can definitely turn the tide of a battle. On the other hand, the Nine Yin White Bone Claw is ruthless and formidable. Right now, I¡¯ve mastered it enough that I can even tear through a titanium board. Most combat suits on the market won¡¯t be able to hold up against this claw strength."


    Li Xiaofei carefully assessed the power of these two martial arts.


    Since he still had twenty days before the Secret Time Pavilion closed, Li Xiaofei sat cross-legged and began practicing the True Dragon Breathing Technique. He took out a bottle of fourth-generation pure Starforce Reagent and drank it.


    As he breathed in, a golden starforce qi surrounded his body like a small universe, transforming into shadowy golden dragons. They roared and moved around him, creating a spectacular sight.


    The True Dragon Breathing Technique, created by the first-generation Saint Taiyi and only allowed to be transmitted to one person by an inspector, lived up to its reputation. Each breath generated wind, clouds, and dragon roars that constantly tempered the body. Both the efficiency of nurturing qi and strengthening the body far surpassed any previous breathing techniques.


    Two days passed in the blink of an eye. A loud dragon roar rang out as another golden dragon shadow appeared around Li Xiaofei. He was now at the twelfth stage of the Qi Refining Realm¡¯s Hidden Secret Realm. His inner qi swirled and increased, and his body perfectly withstood the intensity without any adverse reactions. His aunt¡¯s massages were likely the greatest contributing factor.


    I love my Little Aunt!


    Li Xiaofei drank another bottle of Starforce Reagent. These Starforce Reagents from his beloved inspector teacher were several times more effective than those available on the market. After he consumed them, the number of starforce qi vortices around him grew rapidly.


    In the blink of an eye, eighteen days passed. Li Xiaofei''s cultivation reached the thirtieth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, but he still hadn''t hit his body¡¯s limit. He was very satisfied with the results of this cultivation session, so he exited the Secret Time Pavilion and returned to the real world.


    The night passed without incident. But an urgent ringing woke Li Xiaofei up the next day. He reached for his light core to check.


    Damn. It¡¯s only five-thirty in the morning.


    The emergency call was from the chubby Yang Cheng.


    "Boss, something happened." Yang Cheng''s voice was filled with an undeniable urgency. "Our hunting team''s truck was intercepted, and Old Chu has been detained."


    Li Xiaofei jumped out of bed immediately, ready for action.


    ***


    Moments later, Li Xiaofei appeared at the entrance of the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters.


    "What exactly happened?" he asked. "Who dared to intercept our convoy?"


    Yang Cheng replied, "It was the people from the Zhiyuan Vehicle Rescue Service Center. Our truck broke down about ten miles outside the city. But before we could call for rescue, the Zhiyuan people showed up, demanding a flat rate of 500,000 star coins for their repair and rescue service."


    "500,000 star coins?" Li Xiaofei was incredulous. "That''s outright robbery!"


    "Exactly," Yang Cheng was fuming. "From what our brothers on the scene said, Old Chu refused their offer and planned to fix the truck himself. But the Zhiyuan people beat up our mechanic and demanded 250,000 star coins as an appearance fee even if we repaired it ourselves. Old Chu didn''t agree and tried to negotiate. But it turns out Zhiyuan was prepared for this. They not only injured our men but also seized the truck and its cargo."


    Li Xiaofei pondered this information. He hadn''t expected to encounter roadside bandits five hundred years later.


    "What¡¯s this Zhiyuan Vehicle Rescue Service Center¡¯s background?" Li Xiaofei asked further.


    Yang Cheng quickly responded, "We''ve already investigated. Zhiyuan is an auxiliary industry of the Mu family, one of the five major families. Their main business is rescuing, towing, and repairing vehicles outside the city. They have good relations with the city defense army and have access to many resources. However, this company has gang affiliations. It''s actually owned by the Dragon Claw Gang, one of the major gangs."


    "The Dragon Claw Gang?" Li Xiaofei immediately asked, "The same Dragon Claw Gang who collaborates with the Flying Cloud Sword Gang, Daxing Gang, Iron Palm Ltd, and the new real estate company Paradise Island registered by the Ye family?"


    Yang Cheng replied, "That''s them. Boss, I think this situation isn''t simple. There might be a trap."


    Li Xiaofei nodded.


    Is this a coincidence? I encountered members of the Dragon Claw Gang at a hotpot restaurant a while ago.


    He thought for a moment and said, "The area outside the city walls is a chaotic zone. The army and police can''t cover that area. If they''re intercepting our convoy outside the city, they must have everything arranged. They probably want to lure me out."


    Yang Cheng said, "That''s exactly what I''m worried about, boss. If it doesn''t work out, we can swallow our pride and find a way to avenge ourselves later."


    "No, extorting money is just an excuse. They''ll come up with even more despicable methods." Li Xiaofei shook his head. "Moreover, it would damage our morale."


    Yang Cheng suggested, "Then we could ask the army to mediate..."


    Li Xiaofei shook his head again. "We only have so much goodwill with the army, and it gets used up quickly. We need to handle this kind of small issue ourselves... Pick a few smart and trusted brothers to come with me. I¡¯m heading out."


    "No way." Yang Cheng hurriedly tried to stop him. "If they have experts lying in ambush... it could be dangerous."


    "Experts?" Li Xiaofei sneered. "I am an expert."


    He had been behaving like a good student for a while now. But it seemed some people really thought he was easy to mess with. This time, he would teach them a lesson and test out the One Yang Finger and Nine Yin White Bone Claw.

 Chapter 171: Invincible

    Chapter 171: InvincibleThe air outside the city was filled with a wild atmosphere. Various mutated plants were rampant and the faint sound of beastly howls drifted on the wind. Humanity struggled to extend their footprint in such a dangerous and hostile environment.


    The highway had long been abandoned. Only the ruts pressed into the dirt road seemed like stubborn remnants of their existence as they steadfastly extended into the wilderness. A few temporary refuge points and outposts, built from solid piles of huge stones, gave off an air of prehistoric civilization.


    Outside a temporary outpost on the edge of a wasteland.


    "Heh, I''m laying it out right here today."


    White Snake, with a snake tattooed on his bald head, sat smugly on the hood of a hunting armored vehicle. "I don''t care if you''re from the Cloudy Sky Gang," he sneered, "even if the King of Heaven himself came, I won¡¯t accept a penny less for our appearance and repair fees."


    He was surrounded by hundreds of Dragon Claw Gang members. They had encircled the convoy of the Cloudy Sky Gang. Chu Yuntian¡¯s shoulders were pierced through and he was hanging in mid-air. His blood slowly stained the ground.


    The other members of the Cloudy Sky Gang''s hunting team were also badly injured and tossed into a newly dug pit. They were surrounded by Dragon Claw Gang members wielding swords and knives. The situation was dire.


    Boom!


    They heard the distant roar of motorcycles.


    "White Snake, someone''s coming." A Dragon Claw Gang member on lookout lowered his binoculars and said, "It looks like people from the Cloudy Sky Gang."


    "Hmm?" White Snake immediately tensed up. "How many people?"


    "Not many, just a dozen or so. The one leading them is very young. He looks like their president, Li Xiaofei." The lookout confirmed after a few glances through the binoculars.


    A sinister smile appeared on White Snake''s face.


    Good. This fool really isn''t afraid of death if he¡¯s coming out of the city with just a handful of people. He''s done for today.


    Meanwhile, the members of the Cloudy Sky Gang grew excited. The president had arrived. Their boss was risking his life to come out of the city for them. They were absolutely confident in their president. As long as he was here, any problem could be solved.


    Only Chu Yuntian was secretly anxious, since he could sense that the chain of events weren¡¯t as simple as it seemed on the surface. It was very likely a trap specifically targeting Li Xiaofei. But it was too late to warn him now.


    It didn¡¯t take long for Li Xiaofei and his group to arrive.


    "Well, well, isn''t this President Li? Haha, I didn''t expect we''d meet again," White Snake said smugly from atop the armored vehicle as he looked down at Li Xiaofei. "How about I treat you to a hotpot today? Haha."


    Li Xiaofei glanced around. When he saw Chu Yuntian and his disciples'' miserable states, anger surged within him. This wasn''t just extortion. This was meant to establish a deadly feud.


    "Haha, your brothers here were quite unruly," White Snake continued smugly. "They tried to make our Zhiyuan rescue team come out for nothing and even started a fight. The Dragon Claw Gang brothers had to teach them a lesson. President Li, since you''re here personally, it''s simple. Compensate us with one million star coins, then kneel down and apologize. If you do that, we''ll call it a day..."


    Before White Snake finished speaking, a flash of light streaked through the air. Everyone felt their vision blur for a moment.


    Ding.


    The hook suspending Chu Yuntian was cut through by the Longya Group short sword. Li Xiaofei caught Chu Yuntian as he collapsed.


    "You..." White Snake was shocked.


    He hadn''t expected Li Xiaofei to act without even speaking.


    "Li Xiaofei, what do you mean by this? You don''t want to talk things out, huh?" White Snake shouted angrily. "Do you think I¡¯m bluffing when I say I can bury all your people right now?"


    However, Li Xiaofei didn''t even glance at him. He handed Chu Yuntian to his top lieutenant, Li Junjie, and said, "Take good care of Hall Master Chu."


    "Boss, leave, get out of here..." Chu Yuntian struggled to warn him.


    Li Xiaofei immediately stopped him from moving. "Don''t worry, leave everything to me."


    As he turned, an overwhelming killing intent filled the air. He no longer had any mercy or compassion.


    He immediately used the Three Steps Cicada Catch, appearing in the midst of the Dragon Claw Gang in a flash. His ten fingers slightly curved, forming claw shapes as he unleashed a backhand swipe.


    Shhh.


    The combat suit of the Dragon Claw Gang leader in front of him tore like paper as the claw ripped through his internal organs.


    Bang.


    The man''s chest exploded into a mess of flesh. But Li Xiaofei''s left hand was already in motion as it struck another Dragon Claw Gang member¡¯s forehead. His five fingers penetrated the skull as easily as plunging into tofu, sending blood splattering everywhere.


    The surrounding Dragon Claw Gang members were petrified.


    What kind of combat technique is this? He¡¯s tearing through combat suits with bare hands and using his fingers to pierce through skulls?


    The scene was too horrifying and more akin to the brutal slaughter of humanoid star beasts.


    "Die." Li Xiaofei showed no mercy.


    The Nine Yin White Bone Claw, also known as the Bone Crushing Divine Claw, was unstoppable. The golden-threaded combat suits, titanium shields, and weapons held by the Dragon Claw Gang members were no match for his swift, lethal swipes.


    He shredded his opponents like a divine blade was cutting through tofu.


    "Aghhh!"


    "He''s a demon!"


    "Run!"


    The Dragon Claw Gang members quickly fell into chaos. Even the strongest among them couldn''t withstand a single move from Li Xiaofei. There were no survivors under the Nine Yin White Bone Claw.


    A few breaths later, there were only bodies around him. Their heads were pierced with five holes. The scene was gruesome.


    On the roof of the armored hunting vehicle, White Snake stood petrified. His eyes were wide with horror.


    Drip, drip.


    The foul smell of urine dripped from White Snake''s crotch. The previously smug White Snake was trembling uncontrollably and unable to utter a single word.


    "Trash," said Li Xiaofei, striking with his palm from a distance.


    Everyone in a hundred miles could feel his palm force.


    Boom!


    The Golden Dragon Palm roared into existence, and White Snake was instantly blasted into a mist of blood. The disciples of the Cloudy Sky Gang looked at Li Xiaofei as if he was a descending demon god.


    They knew that when President Li got angry, he was terrifying. No one had forgotten the bloody nightmare in the slum¡¯s Martial God Arena. But they hadn''t expected that, months later, President Li had become even more terrifying.


    The nearly hundred-strong Dragon Claw Gang were all at the ninth and tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Yet they were like mere chickens and dogs under President Li''s hands. They had been completely annihilated in less than a minute.


    Is this our president? Fortunately, we are his followers and not his enemies.


    "Junjie, clean up the battlefield and take our brothers away," Li Xiaofei ordered.


    "Yes, boss," said Li Junjie, trembling with excitement. Every time he saw the boss take action personally, it was an ultimate shock to his system.


    It didn¡¯t take them long to tidy up the battlefield. The disciples of the Cloudy Sky Gang supported each other as they got into the vehicles and started their journey back.


    Just then, a shout rang out.


    "Where do you think you''re going?!"


    "Do you think you can just go away after killing our Dragon Claw Gang members?!" S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Stop right there!"


    Five or six figures shot toward them like arrows from a bow. Their voices boomed like thunder, making the air vibrate like boiling water. The real experts had finally appeared.

 Chapter 172: Instant Kill

    Chapter 172: Instant Kill"Yang Cheng, Junjie, take the brothers and leave first," Li Xiaofei said as he shot out of the car window. "Protect Hall Master Chu and regroup inside the city."


    "Boss, I''ll stay with you," Li Junjie shouted as he scrambled to get out of the car.


    As the most loyal and reckless subordinate under Li Xiaofei, he couldn''t allow the boss to face danger without him being there.


    "Get lost," Li Xiaofei''s angry voice came floating back.


    "Got it," Li Junjie reluctantly retreated back into the car.


    Yang Cheng also urged, "Go faster! If we stay, we''ll only become a burden to the boss."


    The convoy started rushing toward the base city. Li Xiaofei landed on the ground and immediately leaped upward to stand on a three-meter-high tree.


    "Li Xiaofei is here! If you''re not afraid of death, come and meet your end!" He shouted. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His voice echoed like rolling thunder. Sure enough, the five or six figures didn''t intercept the convoy but quickly surrounded him.


    When the dust settled, Li Xiaofei found himself surrounded by an old man, three middle-aged men, and two young men. They were dressed in the uniform of the Dragon Claw Gang; the black combat suits had a fierce three dimensional dragon claw on the front and back. It was so lifelike that it seemed ready to leap off the suits with a roar.


    "Where did you stray dogs come from? State your name," Li Xiaofei demanded from his elevated position.


    The old man in the lead looked grim and resentful. The other six also had expressions of anger and murderous intent. They had originally planned to use White Snake and others as bait to lure and kill Li Xiaofei.


    Unexpectedly, they had yet to even spring their ambush before Li Xiaofei decisively killed White Snake and his men. They had so many gang members in an instant, so how could the six of them not be furious?


    "I am Cheng Yunlong, the deputy leader of the Dragon Claw Gang," The old man declared sternly. "Li Xiaofei, you are ruthless indeed to brutally kill White Snake and all his men like that. If you don''t give me an explanation today, I will ensure your blood spills within five steps, and you will die without a grave."


    "An explanation?" Li Xiaofei sneered. He looked down at them and said, "The Dragon Claw Gang intercepted the Cloudy Sky Gang convoy first, injured my brothers, and then, in front of me, robbed and extorted money. You wanted to kill us all at the slightest disagreement... Ha, I was merely acting in self-defense."


    "Nonsense," Cheng Yunlong shouted harshly. "You are inherently vicious. To be so young yet so cruel¡ªimagine what you could become in the future."


    "Master, there''s no need to waste words with this little bastard. Let''s take this chance to kill him," said the young man with a buzz cut as he stepped forward with a cold smile. "Now that he''s alone, we can kill him and take over the entire Cloudy Sky Gang. That¡¯ll bring the slum under our control."


    "Yes, Master, there''s no need to say more. Let me handle killing this little bastard," echoed a young woman with a high ponytail, who seemed eager to act.


    These two, Zhou Fengyuan and Wang Yanqi, were Cheng Yunlong''s direct disciples. Both were at the second stage of the Limit Breaking Realm and had spent over a decade in the gang building their reputation for being exceptionally fierce and ruthless. Their overall strength ranked in the top ten within the Dragon Claw Gang, and few dared to provoke them.


    "Alright, the two of you attack together, but don''t underestimate him," Cheng Yunlong commanded with a gesture.


    He also wanted to see his disciples succeed. Now that the Dragon Claw Gang had established a relationship with the Ye family, the foremost among the five great families, many in the gang sought to seize this opportunity to gain the Ye family''s favor. Cheng Yunlong hoped his disciples could seize this chance by killing Li Xiaofei and achieve a great contribution.


    If they managed to catch the attention of the Ye family''s high-ranking members, they would be promoted further. As their master, Cheng Yunlong''s status within the Dragon Claw Gang would also rise accordingly.


    "Thank you, Master."


    "Rest assured, Master."


    The two joyfully exchanged glances. Zhou Fengyuan unfastened the blade whip from his waist, shook his wrist, and infused it with starforce qi, transforming it into a two-meter-long chaotic blade. It was an exotic weapon. Wang Yanqi also drew her exotic weapon, the Mandarin Duck Ax.


    Both figures shot forward, rushing toward Li Xiaofei, who leaped into the air and used the Flying Dragon in the Sky! The palm strike turned into a visible, roaring golden dragon shadow. The terrifying power erupted like a mountain torrent.


    "Not good."


    "How is he this strong?"


    In that instant, the two experts'' faces changed drastically. They had to switch from offense to defense, using the collision to land and steady themselves.


    At almost the same time, Li Xiaofei landed on the ground. His figure moved like a ghost as he appeared in front of Wang Yanqi and launched a palm strike.


    Wang Yanqi dodged his blow, and swung her Mandarin Duck Ax at Li Xiaofei''s palm. Li Xiaofei instantly switched to the Nine Yin White Bone Claw. The technique, also known as Bone Crushing Divine Claw, was especially effective against exotic weapons. The claw''s force instantly crushed the specially crafted Mandarin Duck Ax like grabbing a piece of tofu.


    Immediately, his second claw struck like lightning. Li Xiaofei¡¯s fingers closed around Wang Yanqi''s forehead, piercing through as if it were tofu. Wang Yanqi''s body went rigid, her breath weakening.


    "Junior Sister!" Zhou Fengyuan cried out in alarm.


    He immediately tried to spring back, but how could Li Xiaofei give him such an opportunity?


    He used Graceful Step of the Waves to instantly appear in front of Zhou Fengyuan. A moment later, his five fingers pierced through Zhou Fengyuan''s chest. He tore through Zhou Fengyuan¡¯s ribs and organs until he crushed his heart as if it were rotten soil.


    This was the essence of the Nine Yin White Bone Claw. An enemy¡¯s vital points were their enemy''s critical weaknesses. The Black Wind Twins [1], with their inadequate martial understanding, had interpreted it as the head.


    Their cultivation had gone astray; however, Li Xiaofei''s cultivation was the true, authentic version. His technique was more powerful than the original Nine Yin White Bone Claw and its destructive power was terrifying.


    He had killed two formidable experts at the Limit Breaking Realm in the blink of an eye. Cheng Yunlong and the others were so shocked that they hadn¡¯t been able to react in time. By the time the two disciples slumped to the ground, any attempt to assist was futile.


    "You little beast, how dare you..." Cheng Yunlong almost had a heart attack. His two most promising disciples had been brutally killed right in front of him.


    Li Xiaofei had no intention of wasting more words. He used Graceful Step of the Waves and left a faint afterimage in the air before appearing right in front of Cheng Yunlong.


    "Die."


    He unleashed the One Yang Finger technique.


    Cheng Yunlong, a Limit Breaking Realm expert at the seventh stage, had the Inscribed Treasure Bone of the Mystic Armored Shield Turtle implanted in his body. This granted him the secret combat technique Mystic Turtle Shield, which could generate an oval starforce shield around his body that was capable of withstanding attacks from even tenth stage experts at the Limit Breaking Realm.


    But Li Xiaofei was too fast and Cheng Yunlong couldn''t react in time. Fortunately, the Inscribed Treasure Bone activated automatically and managed to form a shallow green light membrane around his body just in time. But at that moment, Li Xiaofei''s finger struck the membrane from a distance.


    Crack.


    The incomplete starforce shield shattered as the force of the finger strike penetrated his brow, leaving a hole as thick as a finger in his head. The Limit Breaking Realm expert at the seventh stage had been instantly killed by a single strike.


    Cheng Yunlong still had an expression of bewildered disbelief. Even in death, he didn¡¯t understand what had happened.


    But Li Xiaofei continued his assault.


    Swish, swish, swish.


    Three more One Yang Finger strikes were unleashed at Cheng Yunlong. The three Dragon Claw Gang experts were all paralyzed with fear as their strongest deputy leader crumpled to the ground. At that moment, none of the three even had the courage to make a move.


    1. characters from The Legend of the Condor Heroes. ?

 Chapter 173: A Gang Duel

    Chapter 173: A Gang DuelLi Xiaofei had tested his newly cultivated skills, the Nine Yin White Bone Claw and the One Yang Finger, with remarkable results. Using them with starforce qi had elevated these martial arts techniques beyond their original versions.


    He flicked the brain matter and blood from his fingers. The remaining three Dragon Claw Gang experts shuddered at the sight.


    He looked like a violent maniac.


    "You went to all this trouble to intercept the Cloudy Sky Gang''s hunting convoy and lure me out of the city, and this is all the manpower you prepared? Who do you think you''re underestimating?" Li Xiaofei said scornfully.


    The outcome was already decided. It was time to show off. He didn¡¯t believe that he was the kind of protagonist who could die from talking too much.


    The three Dragon Claw Gang experts looked extremely grim, as their hearts filled with fear. It wasn''t that they were ill-prepared. Li Xiaofei''s strength had simply far exceeded their estimations. The allied gangs had meticulously assessed Li Xiaofei''s capabilities before taking action.


    They had noted Li Xiaofei''s performance in the recently concluded league round, where his combat prowess against the top star of Hongye High School was considered the most convincing point of reference by all analysts. Even the light core''s analysis had concluded that this was Li Xiaofei''s limit.


    After all, Li Xiaofei had given his all to ensure Red Flag High School''s victory in that round. The highest level of strength he demonstrated was barely on par with a fifth stage Limit Breaking Realm expert.


    Therefore, this time, the Dragon Claw Gang had spared no expense. They had dispatched Cheng Yunlong, the deputy leader at the seventh stage, three fourth stage experts, and two second stage elite disciples.


    They had also deployed nearly a hundred gang members, including mid-level experts like White Snake. The lineup was extremely costly. From any reasonable perspective, it should have been enough to easily take down Li Xiaofei. Yet, they had been met with a brutal and ruthless counterattack. Who could have imagined that Li Xiaofei was so cunning?


    He had hidden his true strength even in the fiercely competitive league. When the real fight started, the dignified seventh stage expert Cheng Yunlong hadn¡¯t been able to withstand a single move from Li Xiaofei.


    How strong is this king of the slums? Ninth stage? Tenth stage? Or perhaps even beyond the stages of the Limit Breaking Realm?


    The three surviving Dragon Claw Gang experts didn''t dare to think further.


    "We surrender."


    "We admit defeat."


    "According to gang rules, those who surrender are not to be killed."


    The three of them chose to save their lives without hesitation, clasping their hands behind their heads and kneeling on the ground.


    "I don''t accept," Li Xiaofei refused mercilessly.


    The three were shocked and angry. They sprang back to their feet as they attempted to desperately struggle. But Li Xiaofei swiftly used the One Yang Finger to kill them all.


    There was no room for mercy in gang conflicts. This was the first lesson he learned after witnessing Wu Potian''s tragic death in the Martial God Arena. Li Xiaofei would remember it for the rest of his life.


    The gang world and the school were two entirely different worlds. In school, he could be gentle and courteous, fully enjoying friendship and camaraderie. But in the gang world, he had to become a cold and ruthless demon.


    This was especially the case in the wilderness outside the base city, where gang vendettas allowed no room for mercy. Otherwise, the coward kneeling in front of you today would stand against you tomorrow. They would mercilessly slaughter your friends and family. Given half a chance, they would not hesitate to thrust a dagger into your heart.


    Li Xiaofei wiped the blood off his body and searched the corpses. He found several light cores and two bottles of fourth-generation Starforce Reagents on Cheng Yunlong, the deputy leader of the Dragon Claw Gang,.


    But there was nothing else. It was expected. Few people would carry valuable items on their person when going out for a fight.


    "Let''s find a hacker when I get back; maybe I can crack the information in these light cores," Li Xiaofei said to himself, picking up the Mandarin Duck Ax.


    Swish, swish, swish.


    Light flashed as he swung the ax. He destroyed the wounds on the bodies to prevent the enemy from gathering more information on him, and then quickly left the scene.


    Ten minutes later, the roar of motorcycles filled the air as dozens of people hurried to the battlefield.


    "What happened here?"


    "Deputy Leader Cheng and the others are dead."


    "Where are the others?" sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Oh my God, what kind of martial technique caused these injuries? Their skulls have been crushed."


    Exclamations of shock erupted. The Dragon Claw Gang''s leader, Long Xiaotian¡¯s, expression became increasingly grave after he inspected the bodies.


    "It seems we underestimated this slum devil," he said slowly, standing up. "Not only does he possess true legacies of ancient martial arts, including fist and palm techniques, but now he also has a claw technique. This claw technique is sinister and deadly. It¡¯s capable of shattering third-level combat suits and breaking through metal. It surpasses the true legacies of the claw techniques within the base city by far... It seems that we not only failed this time, but also suffered a great loss."


    As an experienced martial artist, he could deduce much from the injuries. However, he did not discover the existence of One Yang Finger.


    "Leader, this is my fault. Please punish me," Bai Yi said as he held a folded fan. He was dressed like an ancient scholar.


    As the top strategist of the gang, Bai Yi held a high status, and he planned most of the gang''s operations. This time was no exception. Yet, the result was a devastating failure.


    He had a guilty expression on his face as he immediately bowed and pleaded, "I misjudged Li Xiaofei''s strength, causing Deputy Leader Cheng and the others to lose their lives in vain. I am willing to accept the gang''s punishment."


    Long Xiaotian grasped Bai Yi''s wrist, saying, "It''s not your fault. We all underestimated this young man."


    He sighed deeply, "Who could have thought that a teenager would hide his strength so deeply during such an intense league? We all saw him as a reckless youngster, but he turned out to be a cunning fox. We must reassess Li Xiaofei."


    "Leader is right," Bai Yi stood up straight and said. "Li Xiaofei is a cunning fox who¡¯s thriving in both black and white worlds. He¡¯s still young, but he has already earned military and political badges. If he grows stronger, he will undoubtedly become a dominant force in Liuhe Base City. No wonder the Ye family is targeting him."


    "Yes, the Ye family remains the true overlord of the base city," Long Xiaotian added with genuine admiration. "They rule everything from above and still enjoy the supreme power of the underground king. Even the city leader and commanders find it hard to completely threaten them. Whenever they find any instability that could challenge their dominance, the Ye family is quick to eliminate it."


    Despite their outward appearance of power, these so-called big gangs were merely the dogs of the five great families. When they were ordered to bite, they had to bite. Disobedience would mean a new leader by the next day.


    "We should consider how to handle the aftermath," Long Xiaotian said, "Li Xiaofei holds dual badges and is favored by the inspector. Our failure to kill him will undoubtedly invite inquiries from military and political factions. We must provide a reasonable explanation."


    But Bai Yi already had a plan in mind and said, "This is manageable. Please, Leader, send people to dispose of all the bodies here and erase any trace of their existence. Then, publicly announce that Cheng Yunlong and the other five defected from the Dragon Claw Gang the day before yesterday and disappeared. We will also issue a gang-wide bounty for their capture within the base city."


    "This... will the city government and the military believe it?" Long Xiaotian frowned.


    Bai Yi smiled slightly and said, "Convincing the military and government is the Ye family''s problem. Since we''ve pledged our allegiance to them, it''s their responsibility to cover for us if something goes wrong. Otherwise, who would dare to work for them?"


    Long Xiaotian''s face lit up with joy. "Exactly. That''s how it should be."


    The Ye family was indeed very reliable in these matters. Being their subordinates had its many frustrations, but one undeniable advantage was having a powerful backer. Even a dog¡¯s master must be respected.


    "However, Leader, you still need to think about how to deal with Li Xiaofei," Bai Yi reminded. "This little devil is notoriously vengeful and will undoubtedly seek revenge. Moreover, the Ye family will not let this go easily and will expect you to find a way to eliminate him."


    Long Xiaotian pondered for a moment and straightforwardly asked, "Mr. Bai, do you have any good ideas?"


    Bai Yi had already formulated a plan but pretended to think briefly before saying, "If covert methods don''t work, we''ll go overt... a gang duel."


    "A gang duel?" Long Xiaotian¡¯s eyes lit up.


    He instantly understood Bai Yi''s suggestion. It was indeed a good plan. They could openly and justifiably eliminate Li Xiaofei.


    ***


    At the same time. Li Xiaofei returned to the gates of the base city where he found a large crowd. There was even a military combat unit among them. They were preparing to leave the city to support Li Xiaofei.

 Chapter 174: Using The Ancient Manual

    Chapter 174: Using The Ancient Manual"Boss is back!"


    Li Junjie, his top lieutenant, was standing in front with a machete in hand. He spotted Li Xiaofei first, and the crowd immediately erupted in cheers.


    Yang Cheng, his rotund body rolling like a frenzied ball, rushed out, shouting, "Boss, Boss... You''re not dead, are you?"


    Young officer Wu Junzhuang let a small smile cross his face, visibly relieved.


    Swish.


    Li Xiaofei landed gracefully.


    "Brother Wu, what''s all this?" Li Xiaofei asked, looking at the assembled soldiers in surprise.


    "We heard you were attacked by bandits in the wilderness," Wu Junzhuang smiled. "These are the brothers who fought alongside you that night. They were all eager to head out and rescue you."


    A warm feeling surged through Li Xiaofei''s heart.


    This is what it means to be soldiers. Once you''ve shouldered a rifle together, fought together, and bled together, they''ll always consider you their brother.


    "Thanks," Li Xiaofei said, punching Wu Junzhuang lightly on the shoulder. "It was just a small problem and I sorted it all out. No need for the brothers to worry."


    Wu Junzhuang returned the punch, then turned and waved his hand. "Dismissed."


    The soldiers waved and smiled at Li Xiaofei in greeting before dispersing, some still casting admiring looks at Li Xiaofei. The members of the Cloudy Sky Gang left the city wall behind and hurried back to the slum. After all, Chu Yuntian was severely injured and needed immediate treatment.


    Li Xiaofei trusted Little Aunt''s medical skills more than the hospitals in the rule-of-law district controlled by the five great families.


    As expected, once they reached the neighborhood, Little Aunt checked Chu Yuntian and provided a timeline. "Ten days."


    This meant that Chu Yuntian would be able to move again in ten days. After receiving herbal treatment and bandaging, Chu Yuntian fell into a deep sleep. Yang Cheng and others carried him away.


    Li Xiaofei then instructed the Cloudy Sky Gang members to tighten their defenses. He stayed behind because he had something more important to do.


    President Li took out the Medicine King Divine Manual and said, "Little Aunt, I obtained an ancient book on medicine and poisons. It''s too niche for me to understand. Can you help me interpret it?"


    Little Aunt nodded quietly. Li Xiaofei then began reading aloud from the Medicine King Divine Manual. Initially, Little Aunt''s expression remained neutral, but she gradually seemed more and more surprised.


    Her beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly as she contemplated a passage. Eventually, a look of delight appeared on her face as she asked, "Is this book called the Medicine King Divine Manual?"


    Li Xiaofei confirmed the name.


    "Medicine and poison are fundamentally the same. This book comprehensively summarizes the arts of medicine and poison, making it a rare ancient medical text. It¡¯s also been preserved so well. It should be very famous... but I haven''t heard of the Medicine King Divine Manual in the classical texts I''ve studied," she said, visibly astonished.


    Li Xiaofei seized the opportunity to ask, "Do ancient medical texts still hold any significance in today''s world? Considering the enormous changes in the world''s environment, with nuclear and radiation altering Earth and causing unimaginable mutations in plants and animals, do they still retain their original medicinal properties?"


    "You don''t understand," Little Aunt replied confidently. "The Earth''s environment has indeed changed, and many plants and animals have mutated. However, their life essence remains unchanged. The inherent medicinal properties have not diminished, but rather, they''ve been enhanced."


    Li Xiaofei was overjoyed upon hearing this. He asked, "Does that mean the contents of this ancient book are even more effective now?"


    "Exactly," Little Aunt nodded. "The value of ancient medical texts in today''s era is immeasurable. Unfortunately, many medical texts from ancient Great Xia have been lost or are incomplete. Some have even been taken abroad."


    "Taken abroad?" Li Xiaofei asked curiously, "What happened?"


    Little Aunt replied, "That''s a story from a hundred years ago. It''s not recorded in school textbooks for certain reasons. Our Great Xia made tremendous contributions to the survival of humanity on Earth, but unfortunately, it was betrayed... But let''s not dwell on that. Read the contents of the Medicine King Divine Manual again."


    Great Xia was betrayed!


    This wasn''t the first time Li Xiaofei had heard something similar. He swore that when he rose to power, he would seek the truth and justice for this betrayal.


    When he saw Little Aunt''s reluctance to elaborate, Li Xiaofei suppressed his curiosity and read the Medicine King Divine Manual again slowly. After listening, Little Aunt sat quietly for three minutes, then showed a look of understanding and relief.


    "That''s enough. Keep this book safe," she instructed.


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback and asked, "You remembered all that?"


    Little Aunt nodded gently.


    "No way," Li Xiaofei exclaimed, astonished. "So much content¡ªthousands of herbs, hundreds of animals, and various prescriptions¡ªyou remembered it all? Little Aunt, you''re not a light core robot, are you?"


    A faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth as she said, "It''s all about understanding it."


    Li Xiaofei inhaled sharply as he realized how complex his Little Aunt was. She was shrouded in a thick layer of mystery. But just as she didn''t question the origins of the Medicine King Divine Manual, Li Xiaofei didn''t probe her true background. It didn''t matter. Whatever the truth, they would face it together.


    "Little Aunt," Li Xiaofei said, "I want to extract some of the contents from the Medicine King Divine Manual and share it with suitable members of the Cloudy Sky Gang and my classmates. Do you think that''s feasible?"


    Little Aunt nodded in agreement and said, "I''ll prepare a simplified version for you by tomorrow. You can distribute it to the right people for cultivation and study."


    "That''s wonderful," Li Xiaofei said joyfully.


    With Little Aunt''s help, he didn''t need to worry about the Medicine King Divine Manual leaking, and he could spread some of its contents. After all, it was the wisdom of ancient Great Xia, and it should be promoted.


    "This ancient book also contains the method to cultivate the extraordinary poison, the Seven-Star Begonia," Little Aunt recalled. "It sounds intriguing. If we can indeed cultivate this poisonous flower, even Saints might fear it." Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seven-Star Begonia! In the world of Jin Yong''s martial arts, it was considered one of the top-tier poisons. But could it really threaten Saints?


    Li Xiaofei had some ideas forming in his mind.


    If it could truly be cultivated, it would definitely count as a powerful weapon. If it was used skillfully, it could silently kill powerful figures in Acupoint Opening, Meridian Expansion, and Five Spirits realms.


    However, the poison Seven-Star Begonia carried a heavy sense of tragedy in the original story. Chen Lingsu, the stunningly talented individual who had cultivated this rare poison, had ultimately died from it.


    Switching the topic, Little Aunt said, "You have a strong aura of blood and evil energy on you. Did you get into a fight today?"


    Li Xiaofei did not hide anything and recounted everything that happened outside the city in detail.


    Little Aunt frowned and said, "You were reckless this time. If the other side had ambushed you with an Acupoint Opening Realm expert, you would have had no chance of coming back."


    Li Xiaofei laughed. "Even though the gangs in the base city are legally registered and recognized by law, they are not considered good professions. Truly top experts prefer to join the government, the military, or legitimate business associations and companies. They rarely join gangs."


    He added, "Besides, the Dragon Claw Gang is not a top-tier gang. They only have two Acupoint Opening Realm experts, so there¡¯s no need to worry too much. Moreover, I sent a message to Inspector Li Zhoumin before I set out. He replied and told me to go ahead. Heh, if I really encountered danger, he would not sit by idly."


    Li Xiaofei chuckled. Although he was a martial arts fanatic, he was not a reckless fool. He had made other preparations before setting out. Little Aunt nodded thoughtfully but did not ask further.


    "Take off your clothes and get on the bed." She stood up and walked towards the bedroom.


    "The massage¡¯s effect is the best after a big fight. Besides, the potion I prepared is ready for use."


    Li Xiaofei cheered up immediately. Happy times were about to begin.

 Chapter 175: Illusion

    Chapter 175: IllusionThe massage went as usual. Little Aunt''s technique was superb and was paired with meticulously prepared medicinal concoctions. Li Xiaofei felt like he was immersed in both ice and fire. Cold hands and scorching medicine alternated as they worked on his body.


    As usual, the starforce qi within Li Xiaofei, under Little Aunt''s delicate fingers, flowed through various acupoints all over his body.


    "The path of the eight meridians." He carefully discerned.


    Each meridian had acupoints. When Little Aunt''s fingers passed over an acupoint, she would apply more pressure. It seemed as if she wanted to knead the force of her finger, the medicinal energy, and starforce together.


    Unconsciously, Li Xiaofei felt that burning, painful desire rise within him again. It was like a fire fueled by oil as it burned more intensely. The more he tried to suppress it, the harder it was to endure.


    Something is wrong!


    Li Xiaofei started to feel alarmed. This wasn''t the first time. Recently, this desire was only growing more intense as his cultivation level increased. Even five hundred years ago, he had never encountered such a situation.


    After the massage, Little Aunt covered Li Xiaofei''s entire body with a dark green herbal paste and then wrapped him up in bandages like a mummy.


    "Rest for a day," Little Aunt said tiredly as she got up and left.


    Li Xiaofei lay quietly on the bed. The scorching herbs felt like burning fire ants as they seeped through his skin pores and burrowed into his flesh. He silently practiced the True Dragon Breathing Technique.


    This time, the herbal paste had a potent effect as they wildly stimulated Li Xiaofei''s body. It quickly brought him into a state of total immersion. He soon lost track of the passage of time.


    The starforce qi within him began to circulate automatically along the route of Little Aunt''s massage. The golden dragon''s light and shadow finally moved smoothly within his body as it started to speed up.


    A mysterious power nourished Li Xiaofei''s flesh as his physique continued to strengthen. It seemed to be more than mere cultivation. It felt like a purification. It was as if he was a caterpillar wrapped in a cocoon, preparing for the final transformation into a butterfly. It was profound and enigmatic.


    Li Xiaofei was completely immersed in it. He started to hallucinate in his hazy state as he felt a pair of cold hands peel off the scabbed herbal paste. He could feel his exposed skin being brushed by the cold air, which ignited the desire that Li Xiaofei had been suppressing. The pair of cold hands gently caressed his abs. There seemed to be a sigh in the air.


    Instinctively, Li Xiaofei reached out and tightly embraced the person beside him. He vaguely heard a gasp near his ear. The voice was as melodious as a lark in a secluded valley. Li Xiaofei''s arms encircled a warm, soft body.


    His mind remained muddled and his eyes couldn''t open. He was in an exceedingly strange condition. He felt like he was trapped in a deep nightmare, where his mind was somewhat clear, but his body wasn''t fully under his control.


    Li Xiaofei tried to push the woman in his arms away, but she pressed closer. The sensation of her skin was so clear. Her small hands gently stroked his chest.


    He didn¡¯t know how much time had passed before he suddenly sat up. Li Xiaofei panted like a drowning man who had suddenly found fresh air. He quickly scanned the surroundings, but there was no one else in the room besides himself. There were no traces on the bed either.


    Was everything just an illusion?


    Li Xiaofei thought incredulously.


    No, it wasn''t a dream because I smelled a faint fragrance lingering in the air. This sweet scent seemed familiar.


    But Li Xiaofei couldn''t recall where exactly he had smelled it. Had someone really been here just now, and then...


    Could it have been Little Aunt?


    Li Xiaofei fell into deep thought. He couldn''t be certain. He quickly dressed and got out of bed. His body felt more invigorated than ever before, as if he were a fully charged battery.


    "Hmm?"


    Li Xiaofei was surprised. His previously uncontrollable desire, which had been burning like wildfire within him, had completely subsided. The abnormal state of his body had disappeared. Instead, the starforce qi within him was unprecedentedly powerful and stable, as if it had undergone some indescribable transformation.


    Yin and Yang in harmony?


    Li Xiaofei felt a familiar sensation. This was the state he experienced five hundred years ago after intimate encounters with his girlfriend. However, back then, his cultivation had been too weak. Even with extensive experience, the feeling of Yin and Yang harmonizing after following the Su Nu Pian from the Huangdi Neijing was not as pronounced as it was today.


    Could I have wronged that old master?


    Li Xiaofei reflected. After all, that master had taught him the modified version of the Su Nu Pian from the Huangdi Neijing. Yet, he had driven the master away because he didn''t praise his innate talent like the other one hundred and eight masters did.


    Simultaneously, another question arose in Li Xiaofei''s mind.


    If he... Just hypothetically, if he consistently used this method of balancing Yin and Yang for cultivation, would the effects be better?


    After all, today''s strange experience had left Li Xiaofei feeling better than ever. His starforce qi had clearly improved in essence.


    If my future cultivation would always result in that strange, restless desire, would I need to solve it in this way every time? It seems like I need to find a girlfriend.


    Li Xiaofei''s mind was in turmoil. He used to think that women only sapped his heroic spirit. Shopping together, creating a sense of ceremony, giving gifts, and so on, were time-consuming and costly. He believed that time and money were better spent on cultivation. But now...


    Li Xiaofei got dressed and stepped outside his room. It was already the next morning. Little Aunt and Li Jie were having breakfast in the living room.


    "Brother, come have breakfast. I made it," Li Jie said, quickly setting the table.


    Li Xiaofei sat down to eat while observing Little Aunt. He noticed that her expression was normal, with no signs of change. Li Xiaofei wanted to ask about what had happened, but he was too embarrassed to bring it up.


    So, he ate quietly. While he was eating, Li Xiaofei opened his light core and browsed the news. He was surprised when he didn¡¯t find any reports of wild killings online. However, another piece of information caught his attention. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 176: Simplified Version

    Chapter 176: Simplified VersionVice Deputy Cheng Yunlong Betrays Dragon Claw Gang!


    Dragon Claw Gang Issues Gang Wide Warrant!


    Large Number of Corpses Found in Wildlands. Suspected to be Cheng Yunlong''s Gang Killed by Star Beasts.


    Dragon Claw Gang Leader Long Xiaotian Collapses from Rage and is Hospitalized with Severe Illness.


    These news headlines spread like wildfire across various websites and forums in Liuhe Base City, as if the reports had been pre-written.


    As one of the large, legitimate gangs, the Dragon Claw Gang was well-known and established. Such an event naturally grabbed the attention of many onlookers and sparked widespread discussion. A vice deputy betraying the gang was a rare occurrence in the gang world. This was undoubtedly a significant blow for the Dragon Claw Gang.


    Some other gangs, unaware of the internal situation, began to stir, hoping to seize the territory left vacant by the Dragon Claw Gang''s forced retreat. However, after reading the news, Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but let out a cold laugh.


    So, this was the Dragon Claw Gang''s strategy. If they attacked a dual-badge holder but failed to kill him with a single strike, they had to face the consequences. This was their way of cutting off a limb to save the body. At least they had put on a good front.


    However, they had underestimated Li Xiaofei. He had never intended to rely on the government, the military, or the Starry Sky Hotel to deal with the Dragon Claw Gang. At most, that would result in compensations and apologies, which wouldn''t truly hurt the Dragon Claw Gang. Nor would it deter other forces eyeing the slum. A real man dared to do what a man should do. He had to solve the problem with his own strength.


    Recently, the Ye family and several major gangs have been scheming against the slum. A great battle is inevitable. Since the Dragon Claw Gang chose to stand out, they must be completely destroyed and erased from Liuhe Base City. An example must be made.


    Li Xiaofei already had some rough ideas in his mind. Li Xiaofei closed his light core and continued to eat his breakfast as he chatted with Li Jie every day about her school life.


    "Brother, I''m good friends with Kong Xinyue now. She¡¯s really changed a lot. She doesn''t swear or bully younger students anymore. We do duties together, recite lessons together, and help the teacher clean the equipment room. Many classmates have accepted her since they don¡¯t fear her anymore. Oh, and brother, I''ve cultivated the third vortex and entered the third stage of the Qi Refining Realm."


    "Kong Xinyue''s mother came to school to apologize to the teachers and students. She used to be very domineering, and everyone was surprised by her change. Hehe, I didn''t tell anyone about what happened at the hot pot restaurant. Kong Xinyue''s mom even invited me to her house as a guest."


    Li Jie was animatedly talking about her school life. Clearly, the little girl was thoroughly enjoying her current life.


    "Things outside might get unstable for the next while. Don''t go to school next Monday; stay in the slum and focus on your cultivation," Li Xiaofei said. "I''ll have someone arrange a leave of absence for you and the other six students."


    "Okay, I''ll listen to you, brother," said Little Jie, agreeing obediently.


    After breakfast, Li Jie went to meet other students from the slum to study and cultivate together, leaving just Little Aunt and Li Xiaofei in the room. Li Xiaofei tried several times to find the words to ask about what had happened last night, but he didn''t know how to bring it up.


    Instead, Little Aunt took out an electronic document.


    "A simplified version of the Medicine King Divine Manual, divided into three sections: Poison, Medicine, and Cultivation. You can share it with your classmates or spread it in the slum. The Poison section, if used well, can greatly enhance the strength of the Cloudy Sky Gang," she said softly.


    "You finished it that quickly?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "I worked on it all night. The light core''s translation records made it fast and easy," Little Aunt replied.


    All night?


    Li Xiaofei glanced at Little Aunt. Her scarred face showed her usual expression, and her deep, white eyes were the same as always. But he understood the significance behind her words. He didn¡¯t say anymore and transferred the contents of the electronic document to his light core.


    After browsing through it, his face lit up with joy. The Poison section recorded six types of poison formulas. They were Windfall, Qi Disperser, Spirit Severer, Three Laugh Water, Iron Dissolver, and Scorching Sun Pill.


    Windfall was normally used in chaotic battles. It was like lime powder. In melee combat, one only needed to stand upwind and sprinkle it; it could affect warriors below the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Even inhaling a small amount could cause them to faint and temporarily lose their combat ability.


    Qi Disperser was a colorless and tasteless secret poison that could be mixed into food and drink. Its effects were hard to resist even for experts at the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Once it was ingested, it would cause their starforce qi to dissipate, rendering them powerless for twenty-four hours.


    Spirit Severer was a poison used in desperate situations to stimulate one¡¯s potential. Once it was taken, it could cause temporary loss of rational thought, inducing a berserk state and tripling one''s strength. The side effect was extreme weakness for twenty-four hours. However, it should not be consumed excessively. Otherwise, it could lead to death or a permanent vegetative state.


    The fourth poison, Three Laugh Water, could enter the body through sweat glands and pores, with a mysterious and deadly method of poisoning. Once poisoned, one would either die or be severely disabled without the proper antidote.


    Iron Dissolver was a strong corrosive agent. Just a small spoonful could melt a hundred pounds of steel into steam within three to five seconds. Li Xiaofei immediately recognized that this liquid was perfect for destroying bodies without a trace.


    As for the Scorching Sun Pill, it was a poison designed to inflict intense pain for interrogation purposes.


    Each poison had its own specific use. They seemed tailor-made for the current stage of the Cloudy Sky Gang. No, to be precise, they truly were tailor-made. Little Aunt knew the current predicament of the Cloudy Sky Gang, so she had specifically formulated these six poisons.


    Li Xiaofei speculated that Little Aunt already possessed extensive knowledge of poisons and had advanced medical and toxicological skills. The appearance of the Medicine King Divine Manual had simply provided her with great inspiration, enabling her to quickly write the formulas for these six poisons. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The ingredients needed to concoct them were various mutated herbs commonly found in the wilderness. Now that they had these formulas, these poisons could be produced in large quantities continuously. Little Aunt had noted at the end of the Poison section that these poisons not only affected humans but also had similar effects on over seventy percent of star beasts. This made them even more valuable. They could be considered strategic resources.


    The middle section, Medicine, mainly contained formulas for concocting medicines for hemostasis, muscle regeneration, bone healing, scar removal, detoxification, pest repellent, and radiation protection. These were useful for treating combat injuries and surviving in the wilderness.


    The lower section, Cultivation, provided guidance on how to artificially cultivate rare and precious plants that were difficult to grow in the wilderness or even in a standard greenhouse environment.


    With this miraculous book, I can transform the slum into my absolute stronghold in the shortest time. This can propel the Cloudy Sky Gang into a formidable force like the Tang Sect in Sichuan from the novels.


    Li Xiaofei realized it as he carefully reviewed the entire simplified version of the Medicine King Divine Manual. He immediately recognized its immense value.


    "Thank you, Little Aunt," said Li Xiaofei excitedly as he hugged Little Aunt.


    He was now 100 percent sure that the simplified version had been meticulously prepared by Little Aunt. Little Aunt had always been by his side. She had witnessed his growth, understood his current predicament, his weaknesses, and the Cloudy Sky Gang''s lack of skilled fighters very clearly. The simplified version was her way of helping him solve these problems.


    "You''re all grown up, yet you still act like a child," Little Aunt said gently, stroking Li Xiaofei''s hair as her face lit up with a smile.


    The atmosphere in the living room was filled with warmth. But just then, Li Xiaofei''s light core phone suddenly rang. The urgent ringing filled Li Xiaofei''s heart with a sense of foreboding.

 Chapter 177: Sudden Changes

    Chapter 177: Sudden ChangesAt the Cloudy Sky Gang Headquarters, the senior members were gathered in the second-floor conference room. Li Xiaofei''s face was as dark as a storm.


    "What exactly happened?" asked Li Xiaofei. His gaze was sharp as he looked around the room. "We had arranged for people to protect them secretly. How did Little Jie and the other six still get kidnapped? Where is Yang Cheng?"


    "Hall Master Yang is also missing," Li Junjie quickly replied. "Boss, this is the footage from our surveillance system."


    In the footage, Li Jie and the other six students from the slum were seen approaching the exit of the slum. In the distance, a girl of similar age waved at them. The group happily walked over, laughing and chatting, gradually moving out of the surveillance camera''s range.


    Then, a few Cloudy Sky Gang warriors seemed to notice something and rushed out, shouting. Soon after, Yang Cheng appeared with some men as he ran out of the frame. That was the whole sequence.


    "The brothers who chased after them, along with Hall Master Yang Cheng, are all missing," Li Junjie said, his face filled with guilt. "We questioned the witnesses in the area. We confirmed that Little Jie and the others were taken by people in an unmarked truck. Hall Master Yang and the others pursued them, but they vanished after turning the corner on Harmony Road....Boss, I''m sorry. It''s our fault. We couldn''t even protect Little Jie."


    The so-called rise of the slum was actually a situation that their boss had done single-handedly. Every member of the Cloudy Sky Gang was well aware of this and they felt deeply guilty.


    Li Xiaofei didn''t speak. He watched the footage replay over and over as he calmed down. This was clearly a premeditated kidnapping. The attackers had a clear objective. They were specifically targeting Little Jie. Such a meticulously planned surprise attack was inherently difficult to prevent.


    "It''s not your fault." Li Xiaofei took a deep breath and asked, "How many brothers did we lose?"


    A man named Zheng Haonan, an Incense Master, quickly responded, "President, there were four guards with Little Jie. They were the first to react, but they were all killed. Later, Hall Master Yang Cheng led twelve men to pursue them, and all of them went missing."


    "Make sure to properly console the families of those four brothers," Li Xiaofei said.


    Four men lost meant four families were now suffering. Without proper support, these families would fall into ruin.


    "Boss, rest assured. No one would dare withhold any benefits under your policies. Every brother in the gang is willing to fight for you. It''s an honor for us to die for you," Li Junjie said, filled with fervor.


    Slap.


    Li Xiaofei smacked the impulsive man¡¯s head.


    "Idiot, fool!" He couldn''t help but scold, "Why talk about dying when you can live well? Every brother''s life is extremely precious. You have men under your command now. In the future, think more about your brothers to protect them, and stop talking about death all the time."


    "Yes, yes, you''re right, boss," Li Junjie quickly bowed his head.


    However, everyone in the meeting room felt a surge of warmth in their hearts. They knew that Li Xiaofei wasn''t just making empty statements. He had always acted this way. He was always the first to face danger. He was an unprecedented kind of leader in the slum''s history of hundreds of years.


    "Boss, it must be the Dragon Claw Gang," Li Junjie said through gritted teeth. "Give the order, and we''ll fight them to the end."


    "Yes, fight them!"


    "We need to drown the Dragon Claw Gang in blood!"


    "Kill all those bastards!"


    The meeting room was filled with fervent calls for action.


    "Pass my order. The gang is on highest alert; no one is to step out of the slum."


    Li Xiaofei stood up slowly, his tone sharp. "Suspend our outside operations for now. Have all our brothers return, and the hunting teams should stay in the city... I have my own plans for the rest."


    "Boss, are you going to take on the risk alone again?" Li Junjie asked anxiously. "This time, let us fight alongside you."


    "Yes, boss, we''re not afraid of dying. We just want to fight with you."


    "Boss, we don''t want you to be the only one carrying the burden of the slum."


    "Yes, boss, we''re willing to fight and risk our lives."


    The other senior members of the gang also fervently volunteered.


    "Don''t worry," Li Xiaofei said with a confident smile. "There will be a time when I need you, but before that, you have another task to handle."


    As he spoke, he distributed a set of documents to the gang''s middle and senior members.


    They were excerpts from the simplified version of the Medicine King Divine Manual, focusing on the sections about poison and medicine.


    "Study these and see if any of our brothers have a talent for medicine or poison," Li Xiaofei said, his gaze sweeping over the room with a serious expression. "Identify those with potential. I want to establish a Tongren Hall to train them. They will be a great asset to the Cloudy Sky Gang in the future."


    "Yes, boss."


    "Don''t worry, boss, we''ll make sure everyone gets a copy."


    "I''ll have even my seventy-year-old mother study it."


    "I''ll beat up anyone who doesn''t train."


    The middle and senior members pounded their chests, promising to carry out his orders.


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    Truly, can¡¯t the tough guys forged in the slum''s brutal gang battles speak more civilly?


    "Meeting adjourned." With a wave of his hand, he added, "No one is to take any action on their own."


    The moment he stepped out of the building, Li Xiaofei sent a copy of the simplified version of the Medicine King Divine Manual to Chen Fei. He trusted that the sharp eyes of Principal Peach Blossom would know who to hand it to. Then, Li Xiaofei dialed the number of Tan Qingying, the city leader''s daughter.


    "Ha, Mr. Busy, finally decided to contact me?" The girl''s voice was filled with delight.


    "You were right; this weekend has been extraordinarily busy," Li Xiaofei replied. "And it¡¯s not over yet. I need you to do me one more favor."


    "You must be really busy then," Tan Qingying responded. "What is it?"


    "Help me find someone''s address," Li Xiaofei said, providing the name, identity, and age.


    "No problem, you''ll have it on your light core in ten minutes," Tan Qingying replied.


    ***


    At ten o''clock in the morning. Li Xiaofei appeared outside the Guang''an neighborhood on Congtai Road in the rule-of-law district. He was in disguise, wearing a black tracksuit, a black baseball cap, and large sunglasses.


    "This is the place."


    He glanced at the name of the neighborhood, avoided the surveillance cameras, and easily scaled the wall, arriving outside Unit 3 of Building 18. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He was here to find someone. The girl who had lured Little Jie and the others out of the slum in the surveillance footage was Kong Xinyue, who had been involved in the altercation at the hot pot restaurant.


    Li Xiaofei had recognized her immediately from the footage. This mother-daughter duo was connected to the Dragon Claw Gang. So, they were very likely participants in the kidnapping. Tan Qingying had sent him the address a few minutes after he¡¯d asked.


    The Guang''an neighborhood was part of a government housing project, with each building being six stories high with no elevators, and open unit entrances. Li Xiaofei easily reached the door of Room 402 on the fourth floor.


    He reached out, grasped the door handle, and gently applied pressure. Before he could forcefully break the lock, the door unexpectedly opened.


    Huh?


    Li Xiaofei was startled. The door wasn''t locked. He opened the door and went inside. But a strong, pungent smell of blood assaulted his senses. A bad feeling surged in Li Xiaofei''s heart.

 Chapter 178: Pointing

    Chapter 178: PointingThe room was a complete mess. Chairs and tables were overturned. A half-naked middle-aged woman lay in a pool of blood. Her body was disheveled, clearly having suffered abuse and mistreatment before her death. It was Kong Yan, Kong Xinyue''s mother.


    Li Xiaofei was greatly surprised. He quickly searched the other two rooms but found no one else. It was apparent that the perpetrator had already left. Judging by the mess, the assailant had also ransacked the place for any valuables.


    Li Xiaofei crouched down, covered the woman''s body with some clothes, and examined her to determine the cause of death. She had been struck forcefully in the chest, causing multiple fractures to her sternum and ribs...


    Just then...


    "Mm..."|


    Kong Yan suddenly exhaled sharply as her limbs began to convulse violently.


    She''s not dead?


    Li Xiaofei was startled and quickly took out a blood-activating pill. He placed it in her mouth, unsure whether it would help. Gradually, Kong Yan''s ashen face showed slight improvement, and her eyes slowly opened.


    "Xinyue, Xinyue..."


    She instinctively cried out, struggling to get up. But her fatal injuries and excessive blood loss made it impossible for her limbs to move. When she saw Li Xiaofei, her pupils suddenly contracted.


    "Where is your daughter?" Li Xiaofei asked, "Did you send her to lure Li Jie out of the slum?"


    "No..." Kong Yan seemed to remember something and broke down into tears. "It''s not Xinyue, she didn''t know... don''t kill her, please don''t kill her..."


    Li Xiaofei frowned and said, "Explain clearly, and I might spare both of you."


    Kong Yan''s mind was in disarray. She continued to cry and plead, "It has nothing to do with Xinyue, it was all me. You can kill me, but it really has nothing to do with Xinyue... she knows nothing... I was forced. If I didn''t do it, they would sell Xinyue. She''s so young..."


    Her life force was weakening as she spoke.


    "Your daughter and Li Jie are both missing," Li Xiaofei said in a low, stern voice. "If you want to save her, tell me exactly what happened."


    Save her?


    Kong Yan struggled to lift her head and look at Li Xiaofei, trying hard to focus.


    Yes, I have to save my daughter.


    When this thought emerged, all her previous fear and pain seemed to fade away.


    "I''ll tell you, I''ll tell you. Please save her. Xinyue is truly innocent..." said Kong Yan desperately as her eyes gradually cleared.


    It turned out that earlier that morning, a Dragon Claw Gang Incense Master named Jin Yi had come to Kong Yan and ordered her daughter Kong Xinyue to lure Li Jie out of the slum. Kong Yan hadn¡¯t wanted to provoke someone as powerful as Li Xiaofei, but the other party didn''t give her a choice. If she didn''t comply, they threatened to kill both her and her daughter.


    Kong Yan had no choice but to deceive her daughter. She gave her daughter 100 star coins and repeatedly instructed Kong Xinyue to invite Li Jie and the others out of the slum under the pretext of treating them to snacks.


    Unexpectedly, Jin Yi and his men had no intention of sparing Kong Yan after accomplishing their goal. After subjecting her to humiliation, they had intended to kill her to eliminate any witnesses.


    Kong Yan had no martial arts skills and had suffered severe injuries. She was on the brink of death. However, perhaps due to her concern for her daughter, she had miraculously clung to life just long enough to encounter Li Xiaofei.


    After recounting everything, Kong Yan''s breath rapidly weakened. The middle-aged woman, who had struggled to raise her daughter in the harsh world of gang conflicts, somehow found the strength to tightly grasp Li Xiaofei''s sleeve, tears streaming down her face.


    "Please, I beg you... save Xinyue. She... she''s changed. It''s my fault I didn''t teach her well. She... she''s really a good... a good child... please..."


    Her eyes were fixed on Li Xiaofei.


    "I will save her," replied Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei''s heart softened when faced with the desperate plea of a dying mother. He had never been a selfish person. A true martial artist must harbor a sense of chivalry. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once she heard Li Xiaofei''s promise, Kong Yan''s remaining strength faded instantly. Her hands fell limp, and the last glimmer of light in her eyes disappeared. Li Xiaofei extended a hand and gently closed her eyes.


    Although he arrived too late, it was now clear that the Dragon Claw Gang had orchestrated the kidnapping. Li Xiaofei quickly contemplated his next move. The fact that the kidnappers had not immediately killed Li Jie and the others but had instead chosen to abduct them indicated that they had further demands.


    For the time being, Li Jie and the others were likely safe. However, as someone who had grown up in the gang world, Li Xiaofei was well aware of the filth and treachery within these organizations. He needed to act swiftly to rescue them.


    As he was thinking, footsteps approached from outside. Soon, a figure burst in.


    "Don''t move... hands up."


    Li Xiaofei turned around and saw a familiar face. It was none other than Su Yuke, the policewoman he had encountered at the hot pot restaurant.


    She had long legs, a slim waist, and had a high ponytail. The valiant policewoman looked serious as she leveled a star energy pulse pistol at him. This type of pistol was quite powerful and posed a significant threat to anyone below the Limit Breaking Realm. In Great Xia, only police officers were equipped with such firearms.


    A young male colleague was standing behind her and was also holding a gun trained on Li Xiaofei.


    "It''s you?" Su Yuke immediately recognized Li Xiaofei and demanded, "What are you doing here? Did you kill this person?"


    "Don''t get excited." Li Xiaofei remained still and replied, "Don''t misunderstand, she was already gravely injured and dying when I arrived. I tried to give her medicine, but it was too late."


    He didn''t want to have a confrontation with the police.


    "Hands on your head, and stop talking." Su Yuke ordered sternly, "You are now a prime suspect in a serious crime. I am arresting you on behalf of the Congtai Road police station. Do not resist, and save your explanations for the station."


    "Sorry, I cannot." Li Xiaofei shook his head. "My sister has been kidnapped, and I''m trying to find her. I don''t have time to go to the police station. Once I find her, I will personally go to the station to explain everything to Officer Su."


    "That''s not up to you¡ª" The male police officer sneered.


    Before he could finish his sentence, Li Xiaofei''s figure blurred. Both officers only saw a flash, and Li Xiaofei was no longer in front of them.


    Smack.


    Su Yuke¡¯s wrist felt numb as her star energy pulse pistol slipped from her grasp. Before she could react, a hand was around her neck.


    Li Xiaofei had one hand around the policewoman''s neck and the other around her waist, pressing them tightly together. His head was hidden behind hers, revealing no part of his body.


    He addressed the male officer, "Put down the gun."


    "You..."


    The male officer was both shocked and furious. He hadn''t even had time to react, and his captain had already become a hostage.


    Su Yuke was seething with anger. Her eyes blazed as her chest heaved. Initially, she had been the one pointing the gun at Li Xiaofei. Now, it was Li Xiaofei who was threatening her.

 Chapter 179: Gang Negotiation

    Chapter 179: Gang Negotiation"I mean no offense, but I really don''t have time right now." Li Xiaofei''s tone remained calm as he said, "I''ll say it again, I did not kill the woman in this room. The murderer is an Incense Master from the Dragon Claw Gang named Jin Yi."


    "How do you know this?" Su Yuke asked in return.


    Li Xiaofei patiently recounted the events since his arrival.


    "I need to hurry and find my sister''s whereabouts. Apologies, Officer Su."


    As he spoke, he suddenly pushed her forward. Instinctively, her partner reached out to catch her.


    Bang.


    The two collided heavily, losing their balance. By the time they got back on their feet, Li Xiaofei had vanished.


    "Damn it, I''ll call for reinforcements." Officer Little Chen quickly said, "That guy can''t have gone far. We can definitely block him."


    But Su Yuke suddenly said, "Forget it, let him go. He isn''t the murderer."


    "Huh? Captain, you just said..." Officer Little Chen was stunned, not understanding the situation.


    Su Yuke replied, "That young man is Li Xiaofei, the president of the Cloudy Sky Gang."


    "That¡¯s him?" Little Chen was taken aback. "Fist King Li Xiaofei? I''ve watched his matches and know his story. That speech he gave during the competition with Longteng High School has become a new online sensation. He''s an inspiring young man... but he looks very suspicious dressed like this at a crime scene."


    Su Yuke looked sternly at him, "If he was the killer, we would already be corpses."


    Little Chen paused, then said, "That makes sense, but..."


    "No buts," Su Yuke said clearly. "Contact our colleagues outside the slum and confirm whether Li Xiaofei''s sister is really missing."


    "Understood," replied the male officer.


    The male officer quickly dialed his light core phone. Meanwhile, Su Yuke began to carefully examine Kong Yan''s body, determining the time of injury and cause of death. As a senior police officer, Su Yuke''s skills were top-notch. She soon completed her preliminary assessment.


    "This morning at 8:45, there was indeed a kidnapping case outside the slum. However, the victim''s family did not report it," Officer Little Chen reported to her. "Some of our colleagues retrieved nearby surveillance footage. There were seven kidnapped children; one was Li Jie, and another, upon comparison, was confirmed to be Kong Xinyue, the daughter of the deceased, Kong Yan."


    Su Yuke nodded and said, "That makes sense. I just examined Kong Yan''s body. The manner of death, the time of injury, and the residual drugs in her esophagus match Li Xiaofei''s description. He came here to find Li Jie."


    "But he assaulted the police..." Little Chen instinctively said.


    Su Yuke interrupted him, saying calmly, "We''ll settle that matter with him later. The priority right now is to mobilize and search for Li Jie and the others."


    Little Chen said, "The Cloudy Sky Gang didn''t report the case. Judging by Li Xiaofei''s demeanor, it seems he wants to handle it himself. Captain, we''ve been instructed to avoid getting involved in gang disputes."


    Su Yuke''s tone was resolute, "I don''t care about gang disputes, but those children are innocent. No matter what, we must rescue them."


    ***


    After leaving the Guang''an neighborhood, Li Xiaofei called Little Aunt. He then went to the vicinity of the Dragon Claw Gang headquarters to do some discreet scouting.


    The Dragon Claw Gang had started out as a loose organization of several hundred laborers doing hard labor. Later, one of their members had reached the Acupoint Opening Realm and had tirelessly led his brothers. They then expanded their business into hotels, transportation, star beast hunting, scrap recycling, and wholesale retail. Over time, they grew into a prominent registered association in Liuhe Base City.


    Their headquarters was located in a renovated scrap recycling station. It was said that the old gang leader had chosen this location to remind the members of their humble beginnings and original purpose. However, after the current leader, Long Xiaotian, seized power, he changed the cautious and steady approach of his predecessor.


    Under his influence, the gang''s operations became more aggressive. They quickly annexed four or five small and medium-sized gangs, recruited many disgraced martial artists, and expanded rapidly while becoming increasingly tyrannical and notorious.


    The original scrap recycling station was transformed into a fortress-like base. The perimeter was guarded by electric fences, various traps, sentry posts, and patrols. The base was now utterly impregnable.


    After circling the perimeter, Li Xiaofei frowned slightly. The Dragon Claw Gang was highly alert and heavily guarded. It would be difficult to infiltrate without being noticed. If he attempted a frontal assault, not only would he have to deal with their Acupoint Opening Realm experts, but it would also likely alert the gang, endangering Li Jie and the other captives.


    If only I knew the disguise techniques or hypnotic methods from martial arts novels...


    At that moment, the light core in his pocket vibrated slightly.


    "Hello?"


    "Boss, it''s me. The Dragon Claw Gang just sent a challenge. They want a gang negotiation."


    "Negotiation?"


    "Yes, it''s sent under the name of the Gang Alliance."


    "What do they want to negotiate?"


    "They want to discuss the ownership of the slum." S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ***


    A gang negotiation, on the surface, was about sitting down and discussing matters rationally. In reality, it was about flexing muscles. If discussions failed, it would come down to a showdown in the ring. Winner takes all.


    Various major gangs had formed a Gang Alliance in Liuhe Base City. Its nature was similar to that of a trade union or association. The initial aim was to minimize bloody conflicts between gangs and resolve disputes through reasoning.


    After all, excessive violence would attract government crackdowns. Moreover, it would cause significant losses to both sides, harming human unity. However, the Gang Alliance didn¡¯t wield much power, similar to the United Nations in 2022. It was used when needed and discarded when not, much like toilet paper. It could even become a tool for larger powers to bully the weak.


    This time, the Dragon Claw Gang had invoked the Gang Alliance to request a gang negotiation. Their core demand was to divide up the land in the slum. This proposal had garnered support from various gangs such as Iron Palm Ltd, Daxing Gang, and Flying Cloud Sword Gang.


    They believed that the Cloudy Sky Gang, being a small third-rate gang, had no right to occupy such a large area of the slum. They demanded that it be divided and jointly developed with the claim that it would make the slum a better place.


    When Li Xiaofei returned to the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters and saw this message, he almost laughed.


    The slum used to be a lawless and impoverished area. No one wanted to develop it back then because there was no profit to be made. Now that the Cloudy Sky Gang had revitalized the slum and the residents were becoming prosperous, they want to reap the benefits? What a joke.


    "Our leader, Dragon Claw Gang¡¯s boss, asks President Li to consider this carefully." The emissary said nervously. "He also said... he also said... the cost of refusal is something you cannot afford."

 Chapter 180: A Large Sum

    Chapter 180: A Large Sum"What did you say?"


    "Damn it, are you looking for death?"


    The Cloudy Sky Gang members in the hall immediately slammed the table and glared angrily.


    "Ah, ah, don''t kill me! It was our leader who said it, not me. I personally have the utmost respect for President Li..." The emissary hurriedly said. He didn''t seem very brave.


    Li Xiaofei lightly gestured for everyone to quiet down. He understood what the cost mentioned by the emissary meant. Li Jie and the others were still in the hands of the Dragon Claw Gang. If he refused, they would definitely harm the hostages.


    "Time, place." Li Xiaofei said curtly.


    The emissary quickly responded, "In ten days, at the Alliance Headquarters."


    Gang negotiations always took place in public venues. Most of the time, the Alliance Headquarters was the first choice.


    Li Xiaofei nodded and said, "I can agree, but you must first release my sister and her classmates."


    The emissary looked troubled.


    "If you can''t make that decision, call Long Xiaotian and ask him," Li Xiaofei said.


    "This... alright." said the emissary. He then took out his light core and dialed the number on the spot.


    After a moment, he hung up the phone and shrugged. "Sorry, our leader said... he said... he can''t agree to your terms."


    "Then let''s change the terms," Li Xiaofei said calmly. "Release Yang Cheng, the Hall Master of Cloudy Sky Gang, and the others."


    The emissary dialed again. He became increasingly nervous, his face contorted with anxiety, as he replied, "Sorry, our leader said he refuses any negotiations."


    Li Xiaofei took a deep breath. Being manipulated like this was infuriating. He could command and dominate in the high school league, but he still lacked power in the gang world. He needed more strength.


    "Ten days from now, at the Alliance Headquarters. But let me make one thing clear: if my sister, her classmates, Hall Master Yang Cheng or his men suffer even the slightest harm, the negotiation is off. Cloudy Sky Gang will stop at nothing to retaliate against Dragon Claw Gang. It will be a fight to the death," said Li Xiaofei. He had made his decision.


    "Yes, President Li, I will definitely relay your message.¡± The emissary said hastily.


    The emissary hurriedly left, almost fleeing. He didn''t dare stay a moment longer in such a dangerous place. The hall fell silent.


    Li Xiaofei scanned the room and said, "What are you all standing around for? Get to work. I want Tongren Hall assembled as quickly as possible."


    "Yes, boss," Li Junjie and the others shouted in unison.


    They knew that the gang was facing a significant crisis again. When the office was empty except for him, Li Xiaofei sighed.


    The gang members were all loyal to him. Their loyalty was reliable. But they were suffering from a severe lack of talent. When this year''s high school league ended, he would be eligible to apply for domestic universities.


    At that time, he would inevitably have to go to a university for further studies to pursue a higher path in martial arts. If there were no capable people to take over, the Cloudy Sky Gang would ultimately be short-lived and not sustainable. He needed to make the most of his time and cultivate some talented individuals.


    However, the most important thing at the moment was to seize every minute for cultivation and quickly improve his strength. In one more day, the cooldown for the Secret Time Pavilion would expire. This meant that he would have four opportunities to use the extra time in the Secret Time Pavilion, totaling one hundred and twenty days or four months.


    Time was running out. But he needed a large quantity of starforce reagents. He immediately called his teacher, Li Zhoumin.


    "Fifth-generation Starforce Reagents?" Li Zhoumin asked after hearing Li Xiaofei''s request. "I have a channel to purchase special-grade supplies, and I can get you a 20 percent discount. How many bottles do you need?"


    "Thank you, teacher. I need... eight... no, ten bottles," Li Xiaofei replied with great joy.


    "Ten bottles? With the discount, that comes to 1.6 million star coins. Do you have enough money? If not, I can cover the difference," Li Zhoumin said.


    He was willing to go to great lengths for this student he had painstakingly mentored.


    "No need, teacher. You''ve already done so much for me. I''ll manage to get the money together," Li Xiaofei responded quickly.


    Although he didn''t have that much money at the moment, he couldn''t keep relying on Teacher Li for everything. His teacher''s help was out of goodwill, and he couldn''t take advantage of that.


    "Alright, I''ll place the order for you. It should arrive by tomorrow. You get the money ready," Li Zhoumin said before hanging up.


    Li Xiaofei felt grateful in his heart. He then dialed Xiao Hongye''s number.


    "Oh, little brother, what made you think of calling your sister?" Xiao Hongye''s charming voice came through the light core. "Tell me, what''s up?"


    Li Xiaofei didn''t hesitate. "Sis, I need an advance on some money, preferably by noon tomorrow."


    Xiao Hongye laughed and said, "What? Didn''t you say you weren''t interested in money?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "I''ve run into a bit of trouble."


    "Oh?" Xiao Hongye''s tone turned serious. "What kind of trouble requires such a large sum? Tell me in detail; maybe I can help you without needing to spend the money."


    This woman was confident.


    Li Xiaofei said, "Thanks, sis, but I want to handle it myself. Can you give me 1.6 million star coins?"


    Xiao Hongye was silent for a moment, seemingly calculating something.


    She then replied, "I can. As your agent, I can tell you right now that with your current value, you could secure at least ten endorsements worth 500,000 each before the high school league ends. If we broaden the scope, even more is possible... Give me your account details."


    Li Xiaofei immediately sent over his light core account information.


    Ding dong. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Your account has received 1,600,000 star coins...


    The notification appeared in less than thirty seconds.


    This is the price that I¡¯m getting sold at, huh?


    He also marveled at the power of the legendary principal, Xiao Hongye. If it had been Chen Fei, he wouldn¡¯t have been able to scrape this together even if he sold everything he had. But the principal¡¯s love for him was still deep and profound.


    The next day, Li Xiaofei brought the money to the Starry Sky Hotel and cultivated the True Dragon Breathing Technique under the guidance of his teacher, Li Zhoumin. He then transferred the funds on the spot and obtained ten bottles of fifth-generation special-grade Starforce Reagents.


    Inspector Li cautioned, ¡°Fifth-generation Starforce Reagents contain extremely high energy. The Qi Refining Realm cannot withstand it; you must be at the Limit Breaking Realm. Although you have surpassed the ordinary Qi Refining Realm and entered the Hidden Realm, you must not be greedy. Absorb it step by step."


    Li Xiaofei felt deeply moved. His teacher genuinely cared for him.


    "Thank you, teacher. I will be very careful," he said quickly.


    Li Zhoumin nodded and took out a new key. "This is a second league account I prepared for you using my privileges. Since you don¡¯t intend to reveal your Your Grandpa account, use this new one as a secondary account. You can interact with and challenge other academy experts online, which will benefit your cultivation."


    "Ah, you knew Your Grandpa was me..." Li Xiaofei was shocked.


    He immediately realized the awkwardness of his words and quickly corrected himself, "No, I mean... I am Your Grandpa... no, I mean..."

 Chapter 181: First Warning

    Chapter 181: First WarningWhat a ridiculous name. Can¡¯t even have a proper conversation because of it.


    Li Zhoumin smiled slightly. "All the private accounts of the participants in the Liuhe Base City high school league are under the surveillance of the Star Council. It''s normal for me to know your information."


    Li Xiaofei suddenly understood. So, the inspector had been paying attention to him all along.


    "Remember, whatever it is, go ahead and do it boldly. If you can''t handle it, come find me," said Li Zhoumin. He was clearly ready to extend his protection if he was needed.


    "Got it, thank you, teacher," replied Li Xiaofei, bowing in gratitude.


    Then, he left the Starry Sky Hotel. On the way back to the slum, Li Xiaofei called the peach blossom eyed Principal Chen Fei.


    "Hey, Old Chen, I need to take ten days off."


    "What? Ten days? That''s a long time, what happened?"


    "Gang matters. I can handle it myself; it just takes a bit of time."


    "Ten days is quite long. What''s the issue? Should the school get involved? As the principal, I do have some influence."


    "No need. However, I can participate in next week''s league; I just can''t practice during the week."


    "That''s not a big problem... Brother Eighteen, you must tell me if anything happens. We''ll figure it out together. You are the school''s pillar now, nothing can go wrong."


    "I understand, I can handle it."


    "Alright then, you have my approval. But I still have to nag you¡ªif you need any help, just tell me. Old Qin and I will always support you."


    "You are really nagging, but thanks anyway."


    Warmth surged in Li Xiaofei''s heart after the call. He had met many people since crossing over, but only a few could truly be called friends. But Principal Chen Fei was definitely one of them.


    He had been the one to appear at a critical moment and guide Li Xiaofei on the right path. He had allowed him to enter the school and become a student. The choice had opened up a brand-new path for Li Xiaofei to become stronger.


    Once he returned to the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters, Li Xiaofei closed himself off without hesitation.


    Gulp, gulp.


    He drank a bottle of fifth-generation special-grade Starforce Reagent. The cool liquid entered his throat and slid down his esophagus into his stomach. It immediately transformed into burning energy that spread through Li Xiaofei''s limbs and bones like flames. He activated the True Dragon Breathing Technique as he began to cultivate.


    After mastering the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, One Yang Finger, Graceful Step of the Waves, and Great Strength Vajra Fist, the only way to enhance his combat strength was to increase his cultivation.


    The fifth-generation Starforce Reagent had ten times the energy of the third and fourth generations. Li Xiaofei gave his all as he used the breathing technique to guide this energy. He simultaneously tempered his physical body while increasing his starforce qi. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A day and a night went by as he cultivated.


    Another golden dragon starforce vortex formed within Li Xiaofei''s body. He was now at the thirty-first stage of the Qi Refining Realm! This was an unprecedented level of cultivation at the Qi Refining Realm, but it was not Li Xiaofei¡¯s limit.


    He ended his seclusion and ate a quick meal after walking out of the training room. The Qi Refining Realm did not allow for fasting. He needed to eat a lot of meat to replenish his energy and blood. Then he received a massage and medicinal bath from his aunt.


    After that, he went into seclusion again, opening the Secret Time Pavilion as he continued to refine the Starforce Reagent energy within his body.


    Thus, he continued this cycle. When Li Xiaofei emerged from the Secret Time Pavilion, his cultivation had reached the terrifying fortieth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Forty golden dragon qi vortices swirled in his dantian.


    At this moment, Li Xiaofei could even clearly sense the ten energy shackles on his body. They were like ten locks on his hands, arms, neck, spine, and other places, preventing his body from unleashing more energy.


    When others break the shackles, they must first sense the location of the locks, find the exact positions, and then forcefully break through. But I have already located the shackles. If I wanted to, I could break three or four locks in an instant. But... deep roots lead to flourishing leaves. Let¡¯s continue cultivating at the Qi Refining Realm.


    Li Xiaofei''s thoughts were very clear. He spent the next few days repeating the same cycle, and the number of qi vortices within him increased rapidly.


    Meanwhile, the slum and Cloudy Sky Gang began to face enormous pressure. After being dormant for more than a month, Paradise Island Real Estate Development Company finally re-entered the slum and started to buy land at low prices.


    The Dragon Claw Gang, Daxing Gang, Iron Palm Ltd, and Flying Cloud Sword Gang joined them in the effort. Such actions were naturally met with fierce resistance from the Cloudy Sky Gang.


    The two sides had several clashes inside and outside of the slum. The Cloudy Sky Gang, following Li Xiaofei''s instructions, tried to avoid escalating the conflict. But they couldn''t withstand the aggressive pressure from the other side.


    Finally, a few fights broke out. The Dragon Claw Gang and the other major gangs completely outnumbered the Cloudy Sky Gang in terms of experts. However, to their shock and surprise, the resistance within the slum from the Cloudy Sky Gang was very determined. Moreover, they relied on several peculiar poison techniques, causing significant losses to the major gangs.


    The expensive medics they hired couldn''t even neutralize these poison techniques. The setback hindered the advances of the major gangs. Thus, the Dragon Claw Gang reached out again. This time, they didn''t send an emissary. Instead, they communicated directly through the gang''s light core.


    "Master Long, what is the meaning of this?" In the light core video call, Li Xiaofei questioned sharply, "There are still six days until the negotiation. Why do you keep pressing us?"


    "Heh, real estate development and gang negotiations are not mutually exclusive." Long Xiaotian appeared on the video screen with a smile. "We are merely cooperating with the Paradise Island Company of the Ye family. Besides, this is bringing money to our suffering and starving compatriots in the slum. Does your Cloudy Sky Gang not want to let the poor live a good life? Do you even want to stop us from doing good deeds?"


    Li Xiaofei angrily retorted, "This is exploitation and plunder."


    Long Xiaotian''s face seemed faintly mocking as he laughed, "President Li, you¡¯re like a clay Bodhisattva crossing a river. You can¡¯t even protect yourself. Stop meddling in other people''s business."


    Li Xiaofei''s face turned extremely grim as he shouted, "What exactly do you want?"


    "Heh, young man, don''t get so agitated." Long Xiaotian smiled faintly and said, "I called today with only one purpose. The four streets in the West District of the slum have been secured by Paradise Island. Please have your people withdraw."


    "Dream on." Li Xiaofei seethed with impotent rage.


    Long Xiaotian chuckled and abruptly hung up. In the next instant, the anger vanished from Li Xiaofei''s face. He had learned from an old master five hundred years ago to never show your true feelings to your opponent.


    The Dragon Claw Gang''s intentions were now clear. Launching a major attack right before the gang negotiations was a move to establish fait accompli. This way, they would have more leverage at the negotiation table.


    It was also a test. They wanted to see if Li Xiaofei would seek help from the government, the military, or an Inspector. They could plan their moves more effectively by probing his limits.


    Li Xiaofei clearly sensed that this time, his opponent was planning meticulously and executing precisely. This was the style of a powerful organization that was backed by the Ye family.


    In the afternoon, the Cloudy Sky Gang received a package. When they opened it, they found a bloody arm. It was obvious that it had been freshly severed from a human body.


    The arm had a line of text tattooed on it.


    First warning, surrender the four streets in the West District.

 Chapter 182: The Unprecedented Eightieth

    Chapter 182: The Unprecedented EightiethIt was Hall Master Yang''s arm. Li Junjie and the others recognized immediately. It was too distinctive. No one else in the Cloudy Sky Gang had such fat fingers. Li Xiaofei also recognized it.


    He glanced at it and said, "Put it away."


    "President, let''s fight those bastards from the Dragon Claw Gang."


    "Yes, President, we can''t take it anymore."


    "Avenge Hall Master Yang."


    Li Junjie and the others were all filled with righteous indignation. As the chief steward of the Cloudy Sky Gang, Yang Cheng was approachable and always smiling like Maitreya Buddha. He was kind to everyone, which made him very popular.


    At that moment, the Dragon Claw Gang''s call came through again. They answered it.


    "Hehe, President Li, did you receive the gift?" Long Xiaotian was grinning viciously as he appeared on the screen again.


    "Send your people to take over the four streets of the West District." Li Xiaofei took a deep breath and said.


    Long Xiaotian laughed heartily and then said, "I''ve changed my mind. Add Jixiang Street, Mantou Street, and Dog Chase Alley. I want the seven streets of the West District. Otherwise, you''ll receive a second package."


    "Fine," Li Xiaofei gritted his teeth and replied.


    "Look at you, so weak," Long Xiaotian mocked him in front of Li Junjie and the others. "Just one arm, and you cede territory and offer compensation. Not good, Li Xiaofei. If you want to be a big boss, you must be ruthless and weigh the pros and cons. You lost territory and morale for a useless subordinate. Tsk tsk, you''re not fit to be a boss."


    After speaking, the light core communication was disconnected.


    "Boss, let me take a few hundred brothers and fight him," Li Junjie¡¯s eyes were bloodshot and his chest was heaving with anger. "It''s my incompetence as a subordinate that made you suffer humiliation. Even if it means death, I''m willing."


    "Boss, let me go."


    "I''ll go."


    Other mid-to-high-level Hall Masters and Incense Masters of the Cloudy Sky Gang couldn''t hold back any longer.


    The most important thing in gang life was pride. Especially the boss'' pride. When the boss was humiliated, it was a disgrace to the subordinates. Even if it meant losing their lives, they had to win back the boss'' pride.


    The mid-to-high-level members of the Cloudy Sky Gang had all fought life and death battles in the slum. Many had become accustomed to the idea of life and death in the slum, where bloodshed and death were commonplace. Dying for the boss was considered an honor.


    Moreover, if they died for the gang, their families would receive generous compensation.


    "Jun Jie, pass my order to have our brothers in the seven streets of the West District withdraw," Li Xiaofei said calmly.


    "What? Boss, are we really going to give up our territory to those bastards?" Li Junjie was anxious.


    Li Xiaofei gave him a glance, "What? You don''t follow my orders anymore?"


    "No, no, boss, I just..." Li Junjie''s neck muscles bulged, "The brothers all know that you are willing to sacrifice your own pride to protect Hall Master Yang. You care for us so much, but we can''t make you proud. I... I feel awful."


    Li Xiaofei patted him on the shoulder and said, "Go, do as I say."


    "Yes, boss."


    Li Junjie turned and left. The others also dispersed.


    ***


    At the Dragon Claw Gang Headquarters, in the VIP Lounge.


    "Mr. Bai, you truly have foresight. Li Xiaofei immediately agreed to such harsh conditions," Long Xiaotian was somewhat surprised after hanging up the phone.


    Bai Yi, the strategist, fanned himself leisurely and said confidently, "He had no choice but to agree because there was no other way."


    Ye Xiang, who was a guest, asked curiously, "Why is Mr. Bai so certain?"


    Bai Yi smiled slightly and said, "According to my intelligence, Li Xiaofei has been reclusive for the past few days. Despite the many conflicts we deliberately created, he never showed up. It¡¯s said he was in seclusion, but that¡¯s just a cover. If I''m not mistaken, Li Xiaofei must be frantically seeking support like an ant on a hot pan."


    Long Xiaotian also laughed, "Haha, the poor guy doesn''t know that the city leader is preoccupied with the upcoming performance review and the reception of the Ministry of Inspection. They¡¯re overwhelmed, and the reappearance of the Yinji Moon Fox in the wilderness has kept the military busy. They can''t spare any attention for him. Haha, the only one we need to be wary of is Inspector Li."


    Bai Yi fanned himself and smiled, "But judging from our extreme pressure over the past few days, Inspector Li doesn''t seem willing to help him."


    Long Xiaotian nodded, "Our esteemed Inspector has always been the same. He¡¯s unwilling to meddle in the city''s affairs, especially those involving the gangs he detests."


    Ye Xiang said excitedly, "Li Xiaofei is like a lamb ready for the slaughter without his three main backers."


    He harbored a deep hatred for Li Xiaofei. He had been severely injured because of Li Xiaofei, ending up in the ICU, losing two limbs, and losing his position as General Manager of Yongxing Hotel. His only son, Ye Chenglong, had also fallen victim to Li Xiaofei''s schemes. Since he hadn¡¯t been to exact revenge, his hatred had festered.


    He wished he could tear Li Xiaofei apart. So, this time, Ye Xiang volunteered to be the Ye family representative when dealing with the Cloudy Sky Gang. Now, he was the General Manager of Paradise Island Real Estate Development Company. He had been the mastermind behind the entire plan to deal with the Cloudy Sky Gang. Now, finally, his plan was about to bear fruit.


    "Mr. Ye, don''t worry. Li Xiaofei is already a trapped beast. Once the gang negotiation ends, you can deal with him any way you like," Long Xiaotian assured, patting his chest.


    ***


    The Cloudy Sky Gang continued to repeatedly suffer setbacks in gang disputes over the next few days as Paradise Island Real Estate Development Company finally returned to the slum with force.


    They set up their headquarters on the main street of the West District, and after some renovations, they openly commenced operations. Many slum natives were forced to sell their properties. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The demolition team, consisting of the Dragon Claw Gang, Daxing Gang, Iron Palm Ltd, and Flying Cloud Sword Gang, operated with ruthless tactics. Those who refused to relocate were threatened or severely beaten.


    In just three days, Paradise Island Company ¡®legally¡¯ acquired 80 percent of the land in the West District of the slum through violent means, progressing at a breakneck speed. The displaced slum residents were left homeless. Although they received some compensation, it was insufficient to buy equivalent housing in the rule-of-law district.


    That money would be exhausted in less than six months even if they tried renting a place. In the end, they could only take their families and seek refuge in the East District. The East District was under the direct control of the Cloudy Sky Gang. It was the only place that could accommodate them.


    But Li Xiaofei did nothing during these days. He was focused on cultivation. Nurtured by fifth-generation starforce reagents and enhanced by the Secret Time Pavilion, he had reached an unprecedented eightieth stage of the Qi Refining Realm by the seventh day.


    Then, it was the weekend. A new league match was about to start. Li Xiaofei returned to school to face Riverside High School with his team in a home round.


    Riverside High School had ranked twenty-fourth in last season''s league and was a relatively weak team. However, this match still attracted major media, big streamers, TV stations, and websites. The reason? It was the comeback match of the super genius, Yan Chiyu.

 Chapter 183: At Odds

    Chapter 183: At OddsCheers erupted within the venue at Red Flag High School. In the first match of solo mode, a fully recovered Yan Chiyu had defeated her opponent with a single, effortless sword stroke.


    Red Flag High School had been waiting for this moment for two months. Today, it finally reappeared on the battlefield. The opponent Yan Chiyu defeated was not an unknown figure, but Liu Yanan, the captain of Riverside High School and a star student at the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. This indirectly proved that Yan Chiyu was in excellent form.


    Fang Buyi and others cheered joyfully. The Soul of Red Flag had finally returned. This meant that Red Flag High School''s strength would see a significant boost. Li Xiaofei was not at all surprised by her victory. He sat in the preparation area, deep in thought about the upcoming gang negotiations.


    Paradise Island Real Estate Development Company''s actions were tightly coordinated and clearly well-planned as they used Dragon Claw Gang as the vanguard and the other three gangs as minions. Therefore, despite Li Xiaofei''s significant increase in strength, he did not dare to be complacent.


    He already had a plan in mind, but he needed to make sure he caught every detail to ensure there were no oversights. He could open the Secret Time Pavilion once more before the official gang negotiations. If he could extract a disguise technique, it would be ideal. He frowned as he continued to calculate. The scene, however, was captured by many cameras.


    "Oh, what do we see here? Li Xiaofei frowns as Yan Chiyu secures her victory."


    "The Outlaw Rebel doesn''t seem too pleased."


    "Interesting. Could it be that Li Xiaofei doesn''t want Yan Chiyu to compete?"


    "That shouldn''t be the case. Even Yan Chiyu''s return shouldn''t affect Li Xiaofei''s position on the team. He remains a core member."


    "Could it be... Li Xiaofei is vying for the captain''s position against Yan Chiyu?"


    "That''s very possible. The team captain gets more weightage points when they graduate, which helps in getting into prestigious universities."


    "Not only that, the captain is given priority during city team selections."


    "Things are getting interesting. The two main pillars of Red Flag High School seem to be at odds."


    Many commentators started speculating wildly. Shen Yan, who witnessed the scene, was also slightly taken aback.


    Could it be true that the two were not getting along? That would be a major event.


    The livestream chat was exploding with comments as question marks flooded the screen. But Shen Yan calmly continued to commentate on the ongoing match as if he hadn''t noticed. He wanted to send a LightChat message to ask Li Xiaofei, but since he was live, he restrained himself.


    In the preparation area.


    Smack.


    Medic Ren Dong smacked Li Xiaofei lightly on the shoulder. "Hey, what are you daydreaming about?"


    Li Xiaofei snapped back to reality and smiled slightly, "Just thinking about something else."


    Ren Dong leaned in close, her pretty face almost touching Li Xiaofei''s, and said, "Thank you for the gift."


    "Huh?" Li Xiaofei was taken aback.


    Ren Dong whispered in his ear, "That Medicine King Divine Manual. The principal said you begged Inspector Li for that medical manual for me, but you were too shy to tell me directly, so you had him pass it on."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    What are you doing, you old bandit? When did I ever say such a thing? Originally, it was just classmates helping each other out. Now, thanks to you, there''s suddenly an air of ambiguity.


    "How''s your training going?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    He had a certain respect for this little freckled girl, Ren Dong, who followed the self-sacrifice technique path. After all, not everyone dared to play with their lives on the line. Choosing a self-sacrifice strategy was one thing in the virtual world of the light core. But playing this way in real life... that was akin to an old man eating arsenic. It was nearly courting death.


    Ren Dong could hardly contain her excitement. "I feel like I''ve found a new path. I have a hunch that I''m about to soar."


    She was right. In the subsequent medic duel, she only needed a minute to spread a cloud of poison and knock her opponent out. Then, Bai Qiqi finally secured her first victory in the league as she defeated her opponent. Bai Longfei also secured a win.


    Since the overall outcome was decided, Li Xiaofei did not compete in the final main battle; instead, the veteran Fang Buyi took the stage and won.


    Li Xiaofei also did not participate in the team mode that followed. This was Chen Fei''s decision. He could see that Li Xiaofei had something on his mind, so he chose to let him rest.


    "Why don''t you head back for now?" Chen Fei suggested, "Take care of your own matters, then come back for training."


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and said, "Alright."


    He turned and left the arena. Since Red Flag High School''s victory was assured, there was no point in him staying. It was better to go back and use the time for seclusion. However, the scene was once again captured by many cameras.


    "Oh oh oh, Li Xiaofei is leaving early."


    "Storming off in anger."


    "What¡¯s going on with Red Flag High School? Why isn''t Li Xiaofei competing?" S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Is the school favoring Yan Chiyu?"


    "Uh-oh, a rift between the two star geniuses¡ªthis is big news."


    "A major headline is brewing."


    Many commentators seized the opportunity to stir the pot.


    For them, it didn''t matter if Red Flag High School''s team was breaking apart. As long as they could capture traffic and attract attention, that was enough. Moreover, many of these streamers and commentators were biased from the start, since they were supported by prestigious schools. They were the mouthpieces of these institutions and seized the opportunity to steer public opinion and drag Red Flag High School into a media frenzy.


    Shen Yan watched Li Xiaofei''s departing figure, confused.


    Is the situation worse than he had imagined? Is something good turning into something bad? Li Xiaofei leaving early¡ªis this a sign of him transferring schools?


    He remembered when Red Flag High School''s genius, Xiong Zhigang, caused a similar scene before leaving the team.


    Could history be repeating itself today?


    "Haha, interesting. Li Xiaofei''s mentality has collapsed," Ye Xiang sat in front of the large screen with a satisfied smile on his face.


    All signs indicate that Li Xiaofei is truly at the end of his rope this time. Even the most concerning Inspector Li Zhoumin seemingly has no intention of stepping in to help. Now it seemed that even Red Flag High School has given up on him. Very good. With this, we can justifiably take him down during the gang negotiations.


    Excited, he slapped his legs and said, "Harder, what''s going on? I don''t feel anything."


    His female secretary looked pained. Her mouth was numb, but what could she do? Ever since he had been sent to the ICU, Ye Xiang''s manhood had been weak and lifeless. They had tried various methods, but nothing had worked. Modern medicine had not been able to solve this problem, so how could her small cherry lips do it?

 Chapter 184: Six Meridian Divine Sword

    Chapter 184: Six Meridian Divine SwordThat evening, Li Xiaofei received a call from Tan Qingying.


    "Are you alright?" Her voice was filled with unmistakable concern.


    "I''m fine. What''s going on?" Li Xiaofei asked, puzzled.


    "There are rumors online that you''ve had a falling out with Red Flag High School and are being suppressed," Tan Qingying explained the rapidly spreading online controversy.


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but laugh. "It''s not true. I left early because I had some other things to take care of."


    "Do you need any help?" Tan Qingying asked.


    "No, I can handle it myself," Li Xiaofei replied.


    "Alright then. I have some family matters to deal with in the next few days, so I can''t meet you to modify the motorcycle this weekend," she said regretfully.


    They chatted for a while longer before hanging up. Li Xiaofei didn''t pay any attention to the online controversy. He continued to focus on his cultivation, but then someone else came looking for him. To his surprise, it was Zhong Ling.


    "Why are you here?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    This was the first time Zhong Ling had returned to the slum since Zhong Yuanshan''s burial on the seventh day after his death.


    "I heard the Cloudy Sky Gang is having some trouble," Zhong Ling said, a hint of unease and determination on her delicate face. "I''m part of the slum, and the Cloudy Sky Gang is my home. If something happens at home, of course, I have to come back."


    Li Xiaofei thought he must have misheard.


    "Don''t look at me like that. I know I was wrong before," Zhong Ling said, looking down at her toes.


    Li Xiaofei nodded, "It''s good to come back and take a look. Go and offer a stick of incense at Master''s shrine."


    "Okay," Zhong Ling nodded obediently. She asked, "What exactly happened in the gang? Can I help?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Just a small matter. I can handle it. Master''s old house is still there. You can stay over the weekend, but you should continue your studies next week. Don''t let this interfere with your education."


    "Then... can I come back every weekend?" Zhong Ling asked expectantly, her beautiful face filled with anticipation.


    "Of course you can," Li Xiaofei said.


    "That''s great!" exclaimed Zhong Ling as she jumped up in excitement.


    "Have you not been eating well lately?" Li Xiaofei noticed that she had dark circles under her eyes and looked a bit tired.


    "Huh? I... I''m fine," Zhong Ling quickly denied.


    She then cautiously asked, "Can I... have dinner with you tonight?"


    Li Xiaofei shook his head, "I need to go into seclusion."


    "Then I''ll have dinner with Little Aunt," Zhong Ling said.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Little Aunt doesn''t like outsid-"


    "I''ll call you when the food is ready." Little Aunt suddenly walked in and took Zhong Ling''s hand. "Stay for dinner."


    "Okay, thank you, Little Aunt," Zhong Ling replied, her face lighting up with a smile.


    Li Xiaofei was shocked.


    Since when has Little Aunt become so agreeable?


    However, he didn''t have time to think about that. He quickly went back to his room to cultivate. This was his final opportunity to enter the Secret Time Pavilion before the great battle had arrived. Li Xiaofei entered without hesitation.


    "Treasure Box, can I extract techniques?" He asked.


    "Woof, yes," replied the Moonlight Treasure Box.


    Li Xiaofei was overjoyed. It was time again. A vortex of time and space appeared before him. Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t hesitate and began grabbing multiple techniques.


    He managed to extract three techniques before the vortex closed. They were the Six Meridian Divine Sword, Life and Death Talisman, and Pity Treasure Manual.


    "Wow."


    Li Xiaofei nearly had his eyes pop out when he saw the last one.


    "Phew, thank goodness, it''s the Pity Flower Treasure Manual, not the Sunflower Manual. Hahaha, I''ve really hit the jackpot this time."


    The Secret Time Pavilion echoed with Li Xiaofei''s wild laughter.


    The Six Meridian Divine Sword, which he had dreamt of obtaining, was finally in his hands. He had dreamed of it for good reason; this technique was incredibly cool.


    In the realm of Jin Yong martial arts, there were two techniques that, in Li Xiaofei''s mind, belonged to the immortal level. They were the Six Meridian Divine Sword and the Tai Xuan Sutra.


    The Six Meridian Divine Sword transformed internal energy into sword qi, allowing the practitioner to injure opponents from a distance. It was nearly invincible as long as there was enough internal energy. This thing was practically a laser weapon. Its description surpassed the scope of typical martial arts.


    Unfortunately, in the Jin Yong martial arts world, only the founding emperor of the Dali Kingdom, Duan Siping, and later Duan Yu, managed to master it. The former was an extraordinary talent who had not only established the Dali Kingdom but also created the Withering Glory Meditation, One Yang Finger, and Six Meridian Divine Sword techniques. He was a peerless martial artist of his time, but he appeared rarely in the main text and had few descriptions.


    Duan Yu, on the other hand, was a cheat character. He absorbed a lot of internal energy from various masters using the Northern Darkness Divine Skill, which enabled him to wield the Six Meridian Divine Sword. However, most of the time, his success with the technique was inconsistent.


    This inconsistency led to the Six Meridian Divine Sword having fewer notable achievements compared to the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms. But in Li Xiaofei''s view, as long as there was enough internal energy to support it, the Six Meridian Divine Sword was the most terrifying martial art.


    Finally, it¡¯s in my hands!


    Li Xiaofei''s smile was as radiant as a blooming flower. He was also ecstatic about the other two techniques. The Life and Death Talisman was another technique from the Jin Yong martial arts world. It was a concealed weapon that doubled as a terrifying control skill.


    Once someone was hit by the Life and Death Talisman, their life and death were no longer in their own hands. In the original story, the lords of the thirty-six caves and the seventy-two islands, who were all incredibly fierce and rebellious, had to bow and scrape to the maids of the Spirit Vulture Palace after being hit by the Life and Death Talisman.


    If they didn¡¯t have the antidote, they would be tortured by the Life and Death Talisman and unable to live or die peacefully.


    This martial art is too vicious to use in competitions and may not be effective against star beasts, but it certainly has great utility in the gang world.


    Li Xiaofei added a new element to his plan.


    He hadn¡¯t expected to draw the Pity Flower Treasure Manual. All the techniques he had drawn thus far were from the Jin Yong martial arts world.


    But this Pity Flower Treasure Manual was from the Gu Long martial arts world[1], authored by the eccentric martial artist Wang Lianhua.


    Wang Lianhua was a unique genius in the martial arts world. He was said to be equally adept in both literature and martial arts and had unparalleled talent. He studied a multitude of subjects, and his knowledge was unmatched by anyone else in the martial world. Later, he was inspired by the great hero Shen Lang and retired from the martial arts world.


    Before retiring, Wang Lianhua compiled all his knowledge into this Pity Flower Treasure Manual. According to the original text, this manual covered an extensive range of subjects, including Wang Lianhua''s martial arts techniques, poison arts, disguise techniques, insect-releasing and voodoo arts from the Miao people, and Persian mental manipulation techniques.


    Finally, a manual that''s not from the Jin Yong martial arts world.


    Li Xiaofei quickly skimmed through the Pity Flower Treasure Manual. It would be impossible to fully grasp everything in a short time, since it was a comprehensive martial arts compendium. Moreover, many aspects did not interest Li Xiaofei. He considered giving the manual to Principal Chen Fei to train more ancient martial arts students.


    The simplified version of the Medicine King Divine Manual had significantly boosted Medic Ren Dong''s abilities; so perhaps this Pity Flower Treasure Manual could similarly inspire Bai Longfei and Bai Qiqi.


    After all, its contents included voodoo, poison arts, and secrets on taming and training wild beasts, as well as various mechanisms and tools. However, the disguise and mental manipulation techniques in the Pity Flower Treasure Manual piqued Li Xiaofei''s interest. If he could master them, these two secret arts could significantly enhance his upcoming counterattack plans. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "There¡¯s thirty days before the Secret Time Pavilion closes, so I¡¯ll focus on cultivating the Six Meridian Divine Sword, Life and Death Talisman, and the disguise and mental manipulation techniques from the Pity Flower Treasure Manual," Li Xiaofei muttered to himself.


    Li Xiaofei immediately began to make the most of every second to cultivate.


    Twenty days passed in a flash and Li Xiaofei''s cultivation progressed rapidly.


    1. Gu Long, was a Hong Kong-born Taiwanese novelist, screenwriter, film producer and director. A graduate of Cheng Kung Senior High School and Tamkang University, Xiong is best known for writing wuxia. ?

 Chapter 185: Mental Manipulation Technique

    Chapter 185: Mental Manipulation TechniqueThe Six Meridian Divine Sword wasn''t a difficult martial art to master. Even a half-hearted practitioner like Duan Yu could fully learn it once he memorized the manual.


    Li Xiaofei''s current cultivation at the eightieth stage of the Qi Refining Realm gave him a level of internal energy that could dominate the world in the original novels. It took him less than six days to cultivate the Six Meridian Divine Sword.


    The Life and Death Talisman took even less time. In the original story, even a simple monk like Xu Zhu could learn it within a few days, so it was a breeze for someone as intelligent as Li Xiaofei.


    The principle of the Life and Death Talisman wasn''t complicated. It involved using alcohol, water, or other liquids to reverse the flow of qi in order to transform yang energy into yin. This made the qi emitted from one¡¯s palm colder than ice, causing the liquid to freeze, which was then injected into the opponent''s body with the help of qi.


    Li Xiaofei mastered it in less than a day. Indeed, having high internal energy made learning anything quick. He spent the remaining time learning disguise techniques and mental manipulation techniques. Both required skill, and high internal energy had little use.


    The former needed a lot of practice with makeup, which was a challenge for the straight-laced Li Xiaofei. The latter relied on mental strength, language guidance, and external aids, similar to hypnosis, and was also a technique that improved with practice.


    Fortunately, the Secret Time Pavilion was perfect for learning and cultivation. Li Xiaofei devoted the rest of his time to cultivating the disguise and mental manipulation techniques. Ten days later, the Secret Time Pavilion closed and Li Xiaofei returned to reality.


    At that moment, the Dragon Claw Gang called again.


    "You reported gang matters to the police?"


    Li Xiaofei was confused.


    "As a warning, you''ll receive a new gift in half an hour," Long Xiaotian said angrily in the video. "Additionally, the Cloudy Sky Gang must hand over the territories of Zhaofeng and Zhengda streets in the East District."


    He hung up without waiting for Li Xiaofei''s response.


    Half an hour later, a package was delivered to the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters. It had a severed leg and a head. The leg was from Yang Cheng''s body, but the head belonged to a slum student named Xue Yu. He was one of the seven students, including Li Jie, who had been selected for schooling.


    Li Xiaofei fell silent when he opened this gruesome delivery. Chu Yuntian, Li Junjie, and other Hall Masters and Incense Masters also remained silent.


    "Find out what happened. Who called the police?" Li Xiaofei ordered.


    Moments later, Chu Yuntian returned and reported personally, "Boss, everyone in the Cloudy Sky Gang followed your instructions and focused on their tasks. No one called the police."


    "I understand," Li Xiaofei said grimly. "Tomorrow is the gang negotiation. Make sure everyone focuses on their tasks."


    "Yes," Chu Yuntian replied quickly.


    He could clearly sense that Li Xiaofei was in an extremely bad mood. The pressure emanating from him was like a volcano on the verge of eruption.


    Li Xiaofei then asked, "How is the hacker''s progress with the light core we seized from Cheng Yunlong?"


    After making a phone call, Li Junjie answered, "Boss, the contents have been sent to your phone."


    "Good," Li Xiaofei said, leaving the Cloudy Sky Gang and returning home.


    "Little Aunt, are the preparations ready?" he asked urgently.


    Little Aunt came out of her room holding a uniquely designed medicine box.


    ***


    The winter sun had not fully set yet at 5:30 p.m. The Dragon Claw Gang headquarters was as bustling as usual. However, the level of vigilance had noticeably decreased compared to the past few days.


    There were only four guards on duty at the main gate. Liu Bo, the guard captain on duty, had blatantly snuck off during work hours. He emerged from the massage and foot spa across the street, fastening his belt and humming a tune. He looked very pleased with himself.


    Foot baths were a luxurious indulgence in an era of water scarcity. Given Liu Bo''s stingy nature, he naturally wouldn¡¯t invite friends along. He always went alone. He visited the foot spa every three days. It wasn¡¯t that he particularly enjoyed foot massages, but masseuse No. 8 in the shop had exceptionally skilled hands.


    Suddenly, a person hurriedly approached him. In the moment they brushed past, he bumped heavily into Liu Bo. Caught off guard, Liu Bo stumbled.


    "Damn it, are you looking to die?" Liu Bo cursed, grabbing the person''s collar.


    "I''m sorry, I''m really sorry." The passerby apologized quickly, taking out a shiny crystal pendant. "Is this yours?"


    Liu Bo paused, instinctively looking at the exquisitely cut crystal pendant.


    "Look at it, isn''t it beautiful?" The stranger said in a strange tone.


    The last rays of the setting sun shone on the crystal, reflecting a dreamlike array of colors. Liu Bo only glanced at it, and his spirit was completely captivated. Li Xiaofei had successfully executed the mental manipulation technique. He had disguised himself as an unremarkable but handsome man.


    "Take me to your headquarters dormitory," Li Xiaofei commanded.


    "Yes," Liu Bo replied, his expression somewhat vacant. He turned and led the way.


    "Hey, Captain Liu!"


    "Ha, the captain''s back." sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The guards greeted him happily, but Liu Bo seemed not to notice and walked straight into the headquarters. Li Xiaofei followed quietly behind him. Since the captain seemed to be in a bad mood, the guards didn''t dare to say much and allowed Liu Bo to lead Li Xiaofei inside.


    The journey was smooth. Soon, they arrived at the Dragon Claw Gang''s dormitory building. As a captain, Liu Bo had his own private room.


    Bang.


    When the door closed, Li Xiaofei pointed at Liu Bo and killed him without hesitation. He then stripped Liu Bo of his clothes and put them on himself.


    He then took out a special type of clay and molded it according to Liu Bo''s facial features. After some skillful manipulation, a delicate human skin mask appeared in Li Xiaofei''s hands. Once he put it on, Li Xiaofei was instantly disguised as Liu Bo.


    He dragged Liu Bo''s body to the bathroom, laid down a layer of special plastic on the floor, and took out a special bottle containing Iron Dissolver. He dropped a few drops onto the corpse.


    Liu Bo''s body sizzled as it deflated like a punctured inflatable doll. It eventually turned into a mist and disappeared. Li Xiaofei turned on the exhaust fan, expelling all the mist. He then erased any other traces from the room. Then, Li Xiaofei confidently strode out of the room.


    At this moment, he was indistinguishable from the real Liu Bo. Armed with the information obtained from Cheng Yunlong''s light core, Li Xiaofei was now very familiar with the layout and structure of the Dragon Claw Gang''s headquarters.


    He didn''t need to avoid any surveillance or cameras on the way. When he kept a cold expression on his face, no one dared to approach him. He soon arrived at the staff dining hall.


    At that time, the chefs were preparing the meals. The internal management of the Dragon Claw Gang was very strict. Only elite members, who had passed rigorous tests, were qualified to enter the headquarters. Even the cooks had to provide proof of loyalty to get the job.


    "Hey, Captain Liu, it''s not mealtime yet. What brings you here so early?" A familiar chef greeted him with a smile.


    Li Xiaofei simply nodded coldly without speaking. He stood at the kitchen door for a while, then turned and left. No one noticed the dozens of Qi Disperser pellets, wrapped in edible fast-dissolving wax, that had been silently and unobtrusively inserted into the seasonings and water by Li Xiaofei using the One Yang Finger technique.


    Once he left the kitchen, Li Xiaofei continued his slow and deliberate observation. He soon arrived outside the Dragon Claw Gang''s water storage facility.


    "Hey, it''s Little Liu. What are you doing here?"


    The guard of the water storage facility was Chen Kun, known as Brother Dragon, one of the twelve Incense Masters of the Dragon Claw Gang. His seniority and rank were much higher than Liu Bo, the small team captain.


    He stood confidently in Li Xiaofei''s way.

 Chapter 186: The Power Of Life And Death Talisman

    Chapter 186: The Power Of Life And Death Talisman"Is this yours?" asked Li Xiaofei as he took out the crystal pendant and let it swing.


    "This thing..." Brother Dragon was about to say something but found the glittering object mesmerizing.


    He was especially entranced by the diamond-cut facets, which sparkled with a strange and captivating light. Brother Dragon couldn¡¯t help but want to keep looking at it after his first glance. By the time he took a second glance, he was completely enraptured.


    "Brother Dragon, the goods you asked me to bring have arrived," Li Xiaofei said. "Let''s go inside and talk about it, and have your men guard the entrance."


    "Alright," Brother Dragon replied and turned to walk inside.


    The other guards found the scene somewhat strange. But they feared Brother Dragon''s authority and didn''t dare question it.


    Li Xiaofei followed him inside. Once he was inside, Li Xiaofei discreetly poisoned all ten water storage barrels. Soon, the two of them came back out. Li Xiaofei turned and walked away confidently.


    Brother Dragon stood at the entrance, seemingly deep in thought, maintaining his silence. The subordinates nearby still didn''t dare to ask questions.


    After completing his tasks, Li Xiaofei seemingly wandered aimlessly within the Dragon Claw Gang headquarters, but in reality, he was meticulously searching for any place that might hold prisoners or hostages.


    His primary goal was still to find and rescue Li Jie and the others as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, he didn¡¯t find anything even after a thorough search. He then headed toward the central Dragon Claw Building. The building was heavily guarded and served as the core of the Dragon Claw Gang.


    It was where the gang leader, Long Xiaotian, and all the Hall Masters and higher-ranking officials, usually conducted their business and entertained honored visitors.


    Important hostages like Li Jie were very likely being held within this building. The Dragon Claw Building operated on a separate system, so even if poison was administered outside, it wouldn¡¯t affect the high-ranking members inside. Luckily, Li Xiaofei had no intention of using poison on these individuals.


    When he approached the Dragon Claw Building, he was stopped. Fortunately, he had Liu Bo''s access pass. As a captain, he had the right to enter the building. After his credentials were checked, he was allowed in.


    Inside the building, Li Xiaofei slowed his pace. There were cameras everywhere in the hallways, with almost no blind spots. Additionally, guards were stationed in various hidden corners. Liu Bo''s access level only allowed movement on the first floor.


    When he saw the guard by the elevator, Li Xiaofei resisted the urge to act and instead turned down a hallway on the left side of the first floor. He noticed an office with its door slightly ajar and only one person inside.


    He pushed the door open and entered.


    "Hey? Who are you, and what are you doing here?"


    The head of the Second Logistics Department, and the Dragon Claw Gang''s Seventh Hall Master, Wei Kun, was lounging inside with his legs crossed as he watched a live stream. He glanced sideways at the unexpected intruder.


    "The boss asked me to deliver a message," Li Xiaofei said, closing the door behind him.


    Wei Kun instinctively sensed something was wrong. But before he could get up, Li Xiaofei grabbed him by the neck and lifted him effortlessly.


    "You... who... ho..." Wei Kun struggled, feeling as if his neck was about to snap. He couldn''t breathe, let alone speak. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He was terrified. Despite being at the first stage of the Limit Breaking Realm, he was as helpless as a chick in the face of this intruder. Fear and pleading filled his eyes.


    Li Xiaofei held Wei Kun up with his right hand and made a grabbing motion with his left. The tea on the table was partially drawn into his palm, transforming into ice crystals as he reversed the flow of starforce qi. It was the Life and Death Talisman! The most terrifying control-type concealed weapon appeared in reality.


    Hiss.


    He injected the ice crystal into Wei Kun''s neck. An indescribable, excruciating pain instantly erupted all over his body. This Hall Master of the Dragon Claw Gang, known for his toughness and brutality, began convulsing violently. Beads of sweat that were as large as beans formed on his forehead, temples, and the back of his neck.


    Soon, his entire body was drenched. His face contorted into a grotesque mask of agony. Li Xiaofei''s grip on his neck was so tight that Wei Kun couldn''t make a sound. This cycle repeated three times. Wei Kun found himself in a state of limbo, unable to live or die. That was the power of the Life and Death Talisman.


    While the mental manipulation technique only provided temporary control over a person''s consciousness, leaving the controlled individual in a dazed state, it was limited when it came to extracting detailed information.


    At that moment, Li Xiaofei stopped and said, "I ask, you answer. I¡¯ll kill you if you shout for help. Understand?"


    Wei Kun was completely broken as he frantically nodded in agreement. Li Xiaofei then released his grip and Wei Kun fell to the ground with a thud, gasping for air like a prisoner about to be hanged. Gradually, some color returned to his ashen face.


    "Where are the people you kidnapped ten days ago, including the little girl? Where are they being held?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Wei Kun did not dare hesitate and quickly replied, "They''re on the seventh floor, guarded personally by the gang leader''s four trusted confidants, the Four Enforcers."


    "Take me there," Li Xiaofei said, delighted. "Can you access the seventh floor with your status?"


    Wei Kun replied, "I can, but..."


    "Hmm?" Li Xiaofei''s gaze turned icy.


    A terrified Wei Kun hastily explained, "Hero, I''m thinking of your safety. The seventh floor is a dragon''s lair, it''s certain death. Earlier today, a female officer stormed in with some people and almost caused a fight. Security is even tighter now..."


    "Female officer?" Li Xiaofei was taken aback, realizing something. He asked, "What was her name?"


    "Her surname is Su, and she''s the new squad captain at the nearby police station. She''s been watching us closely. Six days ago, she even detained one of our Incense Masters, Jin Yi, on suspicion of murder. He''s still not released," Wei Kun answered promptly.


    He was truly terrified of the excruciating pain caused by the Life and Death Talisman. He had never imagined there could be a punishment more terrifying than electric torture.


    Li Xiaofei listened and understood. Su Yuke had caught him red-handed that day at Kong Yan''s house, but Li Xiaofei had managed to escape in the ensuing conflict. The female officer must have investigated Kong Yan''s death and traced it back to the Dragon Claw Gang. So today, she brought people to search the place. But Su Yuke hadn''t found Li Jie and the others but had instead alerted the gang.


    "Take me to the seventh floor." Li Xiaofei commanded.


    Wei Kun''s face showed a struggle and said, "Hero, it''s really dangerous."


    Li Xiaofei replied, "That''s not your concern. Just lead the way. But I¡¯ll warn you, the Life and Death Talisman in your body will act up every week. If you don¡¯t have my antidote, you''ll endure this torment where you can''t live or die forever. So, don''t try any tricks, or you''ll regret it."


    With no other choice, Wei Kun led the way. The journey to the seventh floor went smoothly. After all, most people wouldn''t dare to question a Hall Master of the Dragon Claw Gang.


    However, as soon as they stepped out of the elevator, something unexpected happened.

 Chapter 187: Sudden Change

    Chapter 187: Sudden Change"Wei, what are you doing here?" A middle-aged man with thinning hair saw Wei Kun and waved. "The boss is looking for you, come with me to the Dragon Gathering Hall."


    Wei Kun instinctively glanced at Li Xiaofei, who nodded discreetly. The place where prisoners were held must be heavily guarded, with various traps and mechanisms. Forcing their way through would be risky. If they could get close to Long Xiaotian, catch him off guard, and take him hostage, they could then force him to release the prisoners. This seemed like a better option.


    Wei Kun breathed a sigh of relief when Li Xiaofei did not object.


    "Old Liang, what does the boss want with me?" He asked casually, seemingly unintentionally.


    Old Liang, whose full name was Liang Shengling, was the fifth Hall Master of the Dragon Claw Gang.


    He laughed and said, "Haha, to celebrate the success of this mission in advance, the boss had some fresh young girls brought in. Each one is a beauty. The boss is gathering the brothers to pick their favorites, the usual routine, a meeting on the spot, hahaha."


    Wei Kun felt a surge of heat in his heart. The so-called meeting was actually an unabashed competition. Long Xiaotian, the boss, liked to use this method to foster camaraderie among the core members of the gang. It was also a way for him to test everyone.


    He enjoyed having everyone stripped bare, with no secrets hidden from him. Though somewhat perverse, this practice was quickly accepted by the upper echelons of the Dragon Claw Gang because the goods Long Xiaotian found were always top-notch. They were not the worn-out flowers from brothels, but genuinely good families.


    Essentially, every time the Dragon Claw Gang had a major operation, Long Xiaotian would conduct such an event to boost morale. But a chill quickly ran through Wei Kun''s heart. He still had a Yama King by his side. He dared not say much and followed Liang Shengling down the long corridor to the Dragon Gathering Hall.


    "Eh? Who''s this? Why is he following along?"


    At the door, Liang Shengling glanced at Li Xiaofei. When he saw him dressed in the uniform of a Dragon Claw Gang captain, he didn''t suspect anything but asked casually.


    Wei Kun quickly replied, "He''s a brother who¡¯s shared life and death with me. Absolutely reliable. I''m bringing him to broaden his horizons."


    "Oh? That''s fine. Anyway, the boss is famously generous in this regard."


    Liang Shengling chuckled, sizing up Li Xiaofei. "Good physique. Just wondering about his... other assets. If he''s exceptional, he might get a promotion from the boss... Let''s go."


    He swiped a card to open the door. Then, he led both Wei Kun and Li Xiaofei into Dragon Gathering Hall. As the door opened, a wave of steam enveloped them. The so-called Dragon Gathering Hall was a large leisure hot spring pool.


    There were over twenty hot springs of various shapes and sizes. There were also all kinds of lounge chairs, bamboo beds, hammocks, and strange equipment resembling gymnastic bars. A dozen burly men in bathrobes were sitting on the benches, laughing and chatting.


    There were thirty young women in bikinis opposite them. All of them were tall, with slender figures and fair skin, looking like goods to be chosen. Some were expressionless, some were ashamed, some hung their heads, and some had red eyes. It was evident they were all unwilling but they couldn''t resist.


    "Old Wei, you''re here? Hurry up and change clothes." Long Xiaotian waved from afar as he flexed his imposing muscles, "The beauties can''t wait any longer."


    "Yes, yes, boss, I..." stammered Wei Kun. His forehead was drenched in sweat as he was consumed with fear.


    This was a gathering of the toughest, strongest, and most formidable fighters of the Dragon Claw Gang. If anything went wrong, Wei Kun had no idea how he would explain himself. His legs began to tremble uncontrollably.


    Li Xiaofei, however, remained calm and composed as he scanned the room. He spotted a familiar face next to Long Xiaotian. It was Ye Xiang.


    This old dog is here too?


    Ye Xiang''s loose muscles contrasted sharply with the muscular men of the Dragon Claw Gang. But clearly, Ye Xiang held a high status. He sat next to Long Xiaotian as the others constantly flattered him. Ye Xiang smiled, nodding occasionally as he clearly enjoyed the environment.


    Li Xiaofei felt a surge of joy. This was truly a case of finding something effortlessly after a long search. Today, he could finally deal with this old dog as well.


    At the same time, Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but be shocked by the extravagance of the Dragon Claw Gang.


    Despite the severe water shortage in the base city, where civilians have to measure their drinking water in milliliters, these thugs are enjoying hot spring baths?


    "Old Wei, what are you still standing there for?" asked the second Hall Master, Qian Yuan, urging him to join.


    At that moment, a sudden change occurred.


    Swish.


    A sword light flickered. A woman in the second row of bikini beauties, who had been keeping her head down, suddenly produced a matte short sword from somewhere and attacked without warning.


    The sword light flashed like a rainbow as it whistled through the air at Ye Xiang. The sudden strike caught some people completely off guard. Although everyone present was a high-ranking member of the Dragon Claw Gang and were strong and experienced fighters, they were currently relaxing at the gang''s headquarters. Who would have expected an assassin to appear out of nowhere?


    "Ahh!!" Ye Xiang let out a scream, ready to close his eyes and accept his fate.


    But at the last moment, a hand fell on his shoulder and yanked him away. Long Xiaotian was the quickest to react, and the sword light only grazed Ye Xiang''s shoulder.


    Sss.


    Blood spurted out. The bikini-clad woman, having missed her first strike, reversed her grip on the short sword and aimed for Ye Xiang again. But she had lost the element of surprise.


    "Bitch." Long Xiaotian flicked his finger.


    A sharp gust of wind sent the matte short sword flying. Simultaneously, his body blurred as he instantly appeared beside the bikini-clad woman. His fingers moved like lightning, striking her arms and legs in quick succession. The woman groaned as she lost strength in her limbs and collapsed.


    "Boss Long, what''s going on here?" Ye Xiang demanded angrily. He was still in shock as he clutched his wounded shoulder.


    Long Xiaotian was equally furious. He had painstakingly arranged for Ye Xiang, a significant figure, to attend this carefully organized intimate gathering. This had been an opportunity to deepen their relationship. Who could have anticipated such an incident?


    "Brother Ye, don''t worry. I will give you an explanation." He offered a brief reassurance before approaching the bikini-clad woman, lifting her up effortlessly. "Bitch, who sent you? Where are your accomplices?"


    "Pui." The woman spat on him. "You''d better let go of me..."


    "Oh?" Long Xiaotian examined her closely and suddenly smiled. "I wondered who it was. So it''s you. You dared to infiltrate us alone?"


    sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 188: Six Meridian Divine Sword

    Chapter 188: Six Meridian Divine SwordAt that moment, Li Xiaofei also recognized the true identity of the bikini-clad assassin. It was Su Yuke, the impulsive and stubborn police officer.


    How did she end up here?


    "Is this woman a cop?" asked Ye Xiang as a trace of panic appeared on his face.


    Long Xiaotian nodded.


    He asked coldly, "Officer Su, you forcibly entered this morning, and I let you off. Yet you still dare to come and court death?"


    Resentment appeared on Su Yuke''s face. Her sudden attack earlier had targeted Ye Xiang, the weakest among them. She had intended to capture this emissary of the Ye family as a hostage to question him about the whereabouts of Li Jie and the others.


    She understood the gang''s nature and knew the horrific fate awaiting a girl like Li Jie in the hands of these beasts. So she had taken the risk, blending in with the group of women to catch them off guard. Who would have thought she would make a misstep?


    "Long Xiaotian, where are Li Jie and the others? Release them immediately." Su Yuke struggled and coldly snorted, "Don''t bother denying it. I know they have been kidnapped and are being held in this building. They are students protected by the Education Department. Kidnapping students in broad daylight is a serious crime. You better stop immediately."


    Long Xiaotian sneered coldly. "Hehe, you know kidnapping students is a serious crime, yet you think I would still consider stopping?"


    "If you release the hostages now, it can lessen your punishment." Su Yuke stated firmly.


    A vicious look appeared on Long Xiaotian''s face as he said, "Heh, you naive little policewoman, it seem you¡¯re truly unaware of the vastness of the world."


    He grabbed Su Yuke''s hair and sneered, "I''ve let you off time and again, yet you keep coming back to provoke me. Do you really think that just because you''re wearing that uniform, I won''t dare to touch you?"


    "This is your final warning. Release Li Jie and the others." Su Yuke replied, "I''m a police officer. If you harm me, the laws of the Republic won''t spare you."


    "Hahaha, a police officer, huh?" Long Xiaotian laughed heartily and said, "Brother Ye, have you ever had the chance to enjoy a young policewoman?"


    Ye Xiang was momentarily stunned, then a lecherous look appeared on his face.


    The policewoman before him appeared to be around twenty-two or twenty-three, with a tall, graceful figure, a cold and stunning face, and fair skin. She was the kind of woman that made men want to dominate and conquer her at first sight.


    The thought of having such a beauty under him and at his mercy... Ye Xiang felt a burning heat in his loins. It seemed he was ready for action again.


    "You dare?" Su Yuke shouted sternly, "I am a police officer, Long Xiaotian. I informed the police force of my infiltration attempt. If I don''t come out in two hours, your Dragon Claw Gang is finished." sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Heh, impossible." At that moment, Bai Yi, the strategist on the side, laughed, "The police have strict protocols. They would never allow you to investigate a gang in this manner. You must have acted on your own, and at most, informed a colleague. Maybe your colleague is indeed outside waiting for you, but what good does that do? We have ways to make you disappear without a trace even if the best detectives come looking."


    "Hahaha."


    "Exactly, this girl snuck in while disguised. The surveillance won''t catch her."


    "She''s walked right into our trap. What a feast she is."


    The other Hall Masters also laughed heartily.


    Long Xiaotian looked at Ye Xiang and said, "Brother Ye, why don''t you take the lead?"


    Ye Xiang could barely contain himself, but he said, "Isn''t this a bit inappropriate? After all, this is your turf, Boss Long..."


    Long Xiaotian generously replied, "Heh, I can tell she''s still untouched... Since this bitch made you bleed, it¡¯s only fair that you make her bleed too, don¡¯t you think?"


    The hall echoed with more lewd laughter.


    Ye Xiang no longer hesitated and said, "Haha, alright, since Boss Long is so generous, I won''t refuse. Don''t worry, I won''t hog her to myself. Tonight, everyone gets a turn."


    He reached out and grabbed Su Yuke''s chin. Su Yuke jerked her head away and struggled fiercely.


    But with her starforce qi disrupted, she could only shout, "Let me go, you beasts. My colleagues will be storming in soon. You... ah, don''t record this."


    "Heh heh, what¡¯s wrong with recording..." Ye Xiang sneered as he tore at her bikini top.


    But in the next instant, he suddenly realized.


    Huh? Recording? Wouldn''t that leave evidence? Could it be that the Dragon Claw Gang is setting a trap?


    Ye Xiang looked at Long Xiaotian. Long Xiaotian was also taken aback and then turned. He saw the young man who had followed Wei Kun into the hall holding his portable light core, enthusiastically recording the scene.


    "What are you doing?" Long Xiaotian''s face darkened, and he shouted angrily.


    Li Xiaofei replied seriously, "Of course, I''m collecting evidence of your crimes. Tsk tsk, you scum even dare to violate a police officer. This evidence ensures that killing you all wouldn''t be illegal, right?"


    The Dragon Gathering Hall fell silent instantly as everyone stared at Li Xiaofei in disbelief. They thought he must be crazy.


    How can anyone speak like that in front of the boss? Does he have a death wish?


    "Who is this guy? Which Hall Master brought him in?" Long Xiaotian roared.


    But Wei Kun had already slipped away. Taking advantage of everyone''s attention being on Li Xiaofei, he had quietly left the Dragon Gathering Hall.


    "Take him down," shouted Long Xiaotian, waving his hand.


    Two Hall Masters at the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm erupted with energy as they simultaneously attacked Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei gestured toward the hot spring pool, drawing a ball of hot water into his palm. He reversed his qi, creating a Life and Death Talisman. Then he launched it.


    Sizzle.


    Ice crystals pierced the necks of the two Hall Masters. The immense force sent them flying backward. As soon as they hit the ground, they screamed in agony.


    At that moment, Long Xiaotian and his men were unaware of the terrifying power of the Life and Death Talisman. They assumed the screams were merely from injuries.


    "Who are you, really?" asked Long Xiaotian as he strode forward.


    "I am..." Li Xiaofei''s lips curled into a sinister and charming smile.


    In the next instant, he flashed past everyone like a phantom. Before they could react, a scream erupted from behind.


    "Not good," cursed Long Xiaotian as he spun in place.


    He saw Ye Xiang writhing on the ground and screaming in pain. Meanwhile, the policewoman Su Yuke had already been rescued by Li Xiaofei. The hostage was gone.


    Long Xiaotian launched his attack without hesitation, shouting, "Fierce Wind Blade!"


    He was a master at the tenth stage of the Acupoint Opening Realm. When he unleashed his full strength, the qi within the Dragon Gathering Hall surged explosively. His starforce qi transformed into a greenish-blue qi blade, carrying an unstoppable divine might as it sliced through the air toward Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei activated his cultivation technique, and his right middle finger stabbed into the air.


    Sizzle.


    The piercing sound of the blade cutting through the air was nearly deafening.


    Six Meridian Divine Sword. Middle Chong Sword!


    This strike was grand and forceful. In an instant, a terrifyingly oppressive sword qi tore through the void within the Dragon Gathering Hall.


    Boom!


    The qi blade and sword qi shattered upon impact. Long Xiaotian''s body trembled as he felt the fierce sword intent strike heavily against his left chest.


    Boom!


    His body was sent flying backward, crashing into a nearby hot spring pool. He had been defeated.


    The gang leader was defeated with a single move?


    The surrounding gang members were stunned. That was their leader. A master at the tenth stage of the Acupoint Opening Realm, a true heir of the ancient martial art technique, Fierce Wind Blade. He was the Dragon Claw Gang''s strongest warrior. But he had been defeated by this unknown young man with a single finger strike.


    The chilling and immense sword qi seemed to linger in the Dragon Gathering Hall, making everyone''s skin crawl. The newly rescued Su Yuke stared at Li Xiaofei in disbelief.


    Defeating a master at the tenth stage of the Acupoint Opening Realm with one move meant he was at least at the twentieth stage of the Acupoint Opening Realm. Such masters in the gang world were exceedingly rare.


    Who exactly is this person?

 Chapter 189: Forceful Killings

    Chapter 189: Forceful KillingsHowever, the high-ranking members of the Dragon Claw Gang were ruthless individuals who had fought their way to their current position step by step. Therefore, their reactions were swift. Some rushed towards the main gate. Some went to rescue Long Xiaotian. Others simultaneously attacked, surrounding Li Xiaofei.


    ¡°Will you arrest me if I kill them all now?¡± Li Xiaofei turned his head and suddenly asked Su Yuke.


    Su Yuke was startled, but quickly replied, ¡°Of course, they should be judged by the law...¡±


    ¡°You''re really naive.¡± Li Xiaofei shook his head, ¡°These beasts are the cancer of the base city. How long will the trial take? They should have been torn to pieces long ago... Just watch, I''ll kill them right now.¡±


    He pointed at the Dragon Claw Gang experts one at a time.


    Ssss.


    Sword energy streaked across the sky as a bone-chilling sword intent erupted. Su Yuke''s eyes widened. She had never seen such a combat technique. He had used a casual flick of


    his finger to split the air with a powerful sword energy. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sometimes the sword energy was powerful and overwhelming, like a sudden storm shattering the sky. Sometimes it was nimble and elusive. Sometimes it was bold and grand, exuding a majestic aura. Sometimes it was clumsy and ancient in style. Sometimes it was light and swift. Sometimes it came and went unpredictably, with subtle changes.


    A total of six kinds of sword energy shot out from the fingertips of this strange man before her as he raised his hand. The Dragon Claw Gang experts who tried to rush him couldn¡¯t even get close. Their bodies were pierced by the sword energy as they fell screaming in agony.


    In an instant, the entire Dragon Gathering Hall was filled with a mist of blood. No one could even get within five meters of the door. All the high-ranking members of the Dragon Claw Gang were trapped in the room.


    The ground was drenched in blood as corpses lay everywhere. It was an utterly one-sided massacre.


    Su Yuke trembled all over, her eyes wide with shock. She had a broad perspective and vast knowledge. But she had never seen anyone who could wield such mysterious and formidable sword intent and energy with just ten fingers.


    Those hands were like unstoppable laser weapons. The Dragon Claw Gang''s Hall Masters were like wheat stalks being harvested under a scythe under that sword energy.


    At that moment, a column of water shot into the air.


    "Kill!"


    Long Xiaotian launched himself out of the hot spring pool like a bolt of lightning. Starforce qi swirled around him, and all ten shackles within his body were broken. Ten spheres of light floated around his massive body. They looked like ten planets orbiting him along specific trajectories.


    At that moment, Long Xiaotian seemed to form a miniature galaxy on his own. There were one hundred and eight acupoints within the human body. This was the wisdom crystallized from the ancient martial lineage of Great Xia, which had explored the mysteries of the human body.


    It was said that long ago, a wanderer named Ding Hao had first advocated the concept that one could gain immense power by refining these acupoints. One could bring the essence of these acupoints outward, which would serve as both offense and defense. It would form a power similar to a personal array, and allow one to execute many secret techniques.


    Now, Long Xiaotian had brought out the ten refined acupoints within his body, fully unleashing his strength.


    "Fierce Wind Blade!"


    He slapped his hands together in front of his chest and a gigantic light blade, ten meters long and one and a half meters wide, materialized between his hands.


    Ding, ding, ding.


    Seven acupoint essences flew out, embedding themselves onto the blade, forming the pattern of the Big Dipper, doubling the power of the Fierce Wind Blade.


    "You forced me to do this!" Long Xiaotian roared, "I didn''t want to reveal my true strength, but you should feel proud to die under this move."


    The members of the Dragon Claw Gang all looked shocked. Their leader was truly terrifying. It turned out he had been hiding his true strength all along.


    "You stupid villains, your lines never have any originality." Li Xiaofei looked mockingly back at him, "In every film and TV show, anyone who says such things always ends up being trampled underfoot!"


    He quickly formed seals with his ten fingers in front of him. Suddenly, lotus flowers bloomed at his fingertips and he extended his middle finger forward, pointing it at Long Xiaotian.


    Whoosh.


    Starforce at the seventieth stage of the Qi Refining Realm exploded as seventy golden dragon shadows swirled around Li Xiaofei. Their roars seemed to welcome the descent of a celestial deity. Golden energy streams poured into his fingertips.


    It was the Middle Chong Sword! The most powerful move among the Six Meridian Divine Sword. Li Xiaofei intended to crush Long Xiaotian¡¯s strongest move with sheer strength. A moment later, sword energy and blade light collided head on.


    Boom!


    Terrifying energy erupted, blowing away the furniture in the room. The injured Dragon Claw Gang experts on the ground were sent flying like rolling gourds.


    Su Yuke felt an indescribable sense of suffocation wash over her as the surging waves of energy nearly sent her flying too. Fortunately, Li Xiaofei wrapped his arm around her slender waist. Her smooth, white waist and abdominal muscles were firm and elastic. It felt very good to the touch.


    Su Yuke felt a sudden warmth around her waist. At that moment, her mind was in turmoil. She had never been held by a stranger in such a manner, and the fact that she was almost entirely unclothed made it even more disconcerting.


    She could clearly feel the heat emanating from the hand on her waist. It felt like a furnace as it radiated a kind of warmth. It made her subconsciously reluctant to part from it.


    However, Li Xiaofei only held her briefly before letting go, without the slightest hint of lingering. When she looked up, she saw that this exchange of powerful moves had resulted in Long Xiaotian¡¯s complete defeat.


    He was at the Acupoint Opening Realm with ten acupoints opened, but he was now embedded in the sturdy stone wall of the hall. The impact site had a dense spider web pattern as it caved inward. His combat suit was shattered, and his muscular body was covered with sword wounds.


    The leader of the Dragon Claw Gang looked as if he had been flayed alive. Blood was pouring from every injury. Long Xiaotian''s head hung weakly as blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t hesitate to send two Life and Death Talismans into his body.


    ¡°Who... who are you really?¡± Long Xiaotian struggled to ask, bewildered, ¡°When did my Dragon Claw Gang offend a master like you?¡±


    ¡°Where is Li Jie?¡± Li Xiaofei asked.


    Su Yuke¡¯s delicate body trembled.


    This person is also here for Li Jie. Could he be a master hired by the Cloudy Sky Gang... No, wait, why does his voice sound so familiar?


    Long Xiaotian was also taken aback, and asked incredulously, ¡°What price did the Cloudy Sky Gang pay to hire a master like you?¡±


    Li Xiaofei reached up and removed the human skin mask from his face. When his handsome face was revealed, Long Xiaotian was completely stunned. He instinctively opened his mouth but couldn''t utter a single word. The immense shock rendered his mind blank, as if he had lost the ability to think.


    On the side, Su Yuke was also stunned, her beautiful face contorting in shock.


    Li Xiaofei?! This mysterious and godlike warrior is actually Li Xiaofei! How can he be so formidable?! This far exceeds the capabilities of a high school student. Even those university prodigies aren¡¯t this powerful!


    "Have Li Jie and the others brought here unharmed." Li Xiaofei commanded.


    "Hehehe, hahahaha..." Long Xiaotian suddenly laughed maniacally, "I never would have thought, President Li, that you were hiding such terrifying strength. If I had known... I would never have made an enemy of you even if I were to be chopped and fried."

 Chapter 190: Invincible Means

    Chapter 190: Invincible Means"Enough with the nonsense." Li Xiaofei said, "Hand them over."


    Long Xiaotian laughed bitterly. "Heh, do you think I''ll obediently hand them over when we''re already mortal enemies? If I give them up, I''m dead for sure."


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Sometimes, living is worse than dying."


    Long Xiaotian indifferently retorted, "We crawled out of mountains of dead and fought with our lives on the line while enduring all kinds of injuries and suffering. Heh, whatever methods you have, go ahead and use them. If I, Long Xiaotian, beg for mercy even once, then I¡¯ll admit you¡¯re my father."


    He was very tough. It wasn¡¯t just an act, but genuine confidence. Li Xiaofei''s lips curled into a disdainful smile. In the next instant, Long Xiaotian''s expression changed. Then his limbs began to convulse violently as sweat poured out of his body.


    He began to struggle violently until he fell out of the crater in the wall. He arched his back like a fish out of water as he writhed on the ground.


    Su Yuke watched with a trace of fear. She couldn''t imagine what kind of pain could make a hardened gang leader like Long Xiaotian writhe in agony in just a few seconds. It would have to be more excruciating than any form of torture.


    Li Xiaofei snapped his fingers lightly and Long Xiaotian''s convulsions and struggles gradually slowed. He gasped for air, his voice completely hoarse.


    "Release them." Li Xiaofei spoke again.


    Long Xiaotian lay on his back. For the first time, he thought that death might be a blessing. But he couldn''t even commit suicide at the moment. He feebly took out his light core and issued a new command.


    A moment later, Li Jie and the others were brought into the now completely ruined hall. When the so-called Four Great Enforcers brought Li Jie and the others in, they were stunned by the scene in the Dragon Gathering Hall.


    "Release them." Long Xiaotian was leaning against the wall.


    "Brother!" Li Jie was the first to rush to Li Xiaofei¡¯s side.


    Yang Cheng, who had lost an arm and a leg, was unconscious and was carried in on a stretcher. The other children, including Kong Xinyue, were in relatively good condition. WHen he saw that everyone was okay, Li Xiaofei sighed in relief.


    "Brother, I''m sorry, I couldn''t take care of everyone." Li Jie started to cry, "Xue Yu died. He tried to jump out of the car to get help, but he fell to his death... It''s all my fault."


    Li Xiaofei was moved when he heard that. So that was how Xue Yu died. So, his death wasn¡¯t tied to Su Yuke. It wasn''t her actions that startled the Dragon Claw Gang into retaliating. Indeed, students had a very special status in this era¡¯s society. Unless it was absolutely necessary, gangs typically did not want to kill students.


    The only truly unlucky one was Yang Cheng. He wasn''t a student and he held a high position as a Hall Master in the Cloudy Sky Gang. As a result, he was seen as expendable and had his leg and arm severed.


    "What about the others?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    There were also over a dozen other Cloudy Sky Gang martial artists who had been captured during the chase.


    "They''re dead." Long Xiaotian replied, "We didn''t harm the students, but all the gang members were dealt with. Yang Cheng was kept alive because of his close relationship with you, which gave him some value."


    Li Xiaofei raised his hand and pointed with his right hand''s little finger as he used the Shaoze Sword.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.


    Sword energy sliced through the air. The Four Great Enforcers didn''t even have time to react before their foreheads were pierced through. They crumpled to the ground.


    "You..." Su Yuke couldn''t help but speak out.


    But Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t hesitate as he unleashed another burst of sword energy. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Swoosh!


    A bloody hole appeared in Long Xiaotian''s forehead. The leader of the Dragon Claw Gang keeled over, dead. Li Xiaofei turned and walked toward Ye Xiang, who was pretending to be dead.


    When he felt the approaching murderous intent, Ye Xiang couldn''t help but open his eyes and started wailing, "Don''t kill me! I was wrong... I can help you!"


    "Help me?" Li Xiaofei replied, as he looked down at him.


    Ye Xiang quickly said, "I can make all the decisions at the Gang Alliance meeting tomorrow. I can agree to all your demands. You can take back all the land in the slum, and Paradise Island will also compensate you... I''m a member of the Ye family. Killing me won''t benefit you at all."


    Swoosh!


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s response was a burst of sword energy. Blood quickly spilled out of the hole that appeared in Ye Xiang''s forehead.


    "I''m already this strong, why would I need the help of a worthless piece of trash like you?" Li Xiaofei blew on his finger and said, "I''ll reunite you with your son. Be a good person in the underworld."


    It had only taken Li Xiaofei a few minutes to wipe out the entire executive branch of the Dragon Claw Gang.


    "The rest is up to you." Li Xiaofei said as he turned to look at Su Yuke.


    "What? What do you mean?" She was taken aback, but then instinctively covered her chest with her hands. "You... what are you looking at?"


    Li Xiaofei''s gaze was unabashedly fixed on her. Su Yuke was only wearing a bikini and was nearly naked after the intense battle. Her skin was smeared with dust, and her hair was disheveled, yet she still couldn''t hide her radiant youthful beauty, nor her long especially legs. They were perfectly proportioned, not too thick nor too thin, like a masterpiece of creation.


    Li Xiaofei tossed his shirt to her. He also sent her the footage he had taken earlier and deleted the original files.


    "Do you expect me to take those girls over there home?" Li Xiaofei asked as he pointed to one side.


    Su Yuke was furious. No matter how strong a woman might be, she would lose her composure when she was half-naked. She caught the shirt and wrapped it around her body, then turned to look in the direction Li Xiaofei indicated.


    The girls who had been forcibly brought to the Dragon Gathering Hall were all huddled together and shivering in a corner opposite the hot spring pool. Despite the intense battle that had taken place, the girls were miraculously unharmed.


    Great.


    Su Yuke breathed a sigh of relief. The girls were innocent. Moreover, she suddenly realized that it wasn''t just luck that kept them safe. Li Xiaofei had been protecting them all along.


    When his fierce sword energy crushed and killed the Dragon Claw Gang experts, it had also created a barrier to protect the girls in that corner. The flying debris was blocked by the sword energy, turning that corner into a safe haven.


    "Don''t be afraid, I''m a police officer." Su Yuke hurried to comfort the girls, who were trembling like frightened birds.


    They needed to leave as soon as possible. She looked up, about to ask Li Xiaofei for help in escorting them out. But to her surprise, Li Xiaofei had already left with Li Jie and the others. The entire hall was now empty, leaving only her and the girls behind.


    That jerk, leaving so quickly without even showing some compassion for the girls.


    "Quick, follow me." Su Yuke hurriedly called out.


    They needed to seize this fleeting opportunity while Long Xiaotian and his men were dead, and escape before the Dragon Claw Gang members could react. As long as they could meet up with her colleagues outside, they would be completely safe.


    However, when Su Yuke cautiously led the girls out of the Dragon Claw Building, the scene before her left her completely stunned.

 Chapter 191: Shocked

    Chapter 191: ShockedThe Dragon Claw Gang headquarters had become a land of death. Corpses lay quietly by the roadside, at the entrance of buildings, beside the garages, and in the cafeteria. It was like they were all merely asleep, their faces free of pain. There were no wounds on their bodies, but not a single one was still breathing.


    Su Yuke felt a chill run down her spine.


    Dead. All dead.


    She checked the dormitories, the dining hall, the water storage rooms, and everywhere else. There were no survivors. Every single member of the Dragon Claw Gang was dead. The once bustling and noisy headquarters now felt like a ghostly realm.


    The sun had already set and a dim light shrouded the earth. Su Yuke felt a chill run down her spine again. She knew that the gang members had died at Li Xiaofei¡¯s hands. The great demon king of the Cloudy Sky Gang had exacted a brutal price on those who dared to challenge his authority.


    The nearly four hundred member Dragon Claw Gang had met their end in just one night.


    Three large words were carved into the ground of the small square¡ª Righteousness Above All! The characters were engraved with sword energy, cutting twenty centimeters deep into the stone slabs.


    One could still feel the lingering sharpness of the sword energy at the edge of the square, as if it was still slicing through the air. The sheer brutality of this retaliation was enough to make anyone¡¯s scalp tingle.


    Su Yuke¡¯s first instinct was to capture Li Xiaofei and bring him to justice.


    "They''re all dead."


    "Those beasts in human skin are finally dead."


    "Thank goodness! It must have been that hero earlier who delivered justice for us."


    The women who had narrowly escaped death began to cheer in palpable relief. Su Yuke was taken aback, but then recalled that not only had Li Xiaofei saved her, but he had also protected all the innocent women during the fierce battle in the Dragon Gathering Hall.


    A ruthless demon. But one who possessed a compassionate heart.


    The once clear image of Li Xiaofei in Su Yuke¡¯s mind gradually grew blurry. She quickly contacted her colleagues, and a few minutes later, police vehicles came roaring into the Dragon Claw Gang¡¯s headquarters. The area was quickly cordoned off, but the news still spread through various channels.


    ***


    "What?"


    The master of the Flying Cloud Sword Gang, Guan Shanyue¡¯s, face went white in shock. The Dragon Claw Gang had been annihilated? All three hundred and sixty-one people at their headquarters, including the gang leader Long Xiaotian, were dead? The sudden and drastic change left Guan Shanyue, known as the Flying Cloud Sword, in disbelief.


    "Is the information accurate?"


    "Absolutely accurate. It came from an insider at the police department."


    "Who did it?"


    "It seems like the Cloudy Sky Gang..."


    "Seems like? That''s impossible. Who in the Cloudy Sky Gang could accomplish something like this?"


    Guan Shanyue found it hard to believe even after hearing his subordinate''s report. He thought for a moment and dialed a light core number. But the call didn¡¯t go through.


    As he stared at Ye Xiang¡¯s name in his contact list, an even worse premonition arose in Guan Shanyue''s heart.


    ***


    At Iron Palm Ltd, Zhen Santong, known as Invincible Iron Palm, had a complex expression on his face as he sat in the tea room. He felt like he had been sitting on pins and needles ever since he heard the news about the Dragon Claw Gang.


    Long Xiaotian was certainly not weak. Yet, he was killed in his own headquarters and his entire gang was eradicated by the Cloudy Sky Gang. This was undoubtedly the most significant gang-related massacre in the rule-of-law district in the past twenty years.


    Iron Palm Ltd. is not much stronger than the Dragon Claw Gang. If the Cloudy Sky Gang could quietly wipe out the Dragon Claw Gang, they could do the same to Iron Palm Ltd.


    A chill ran through Zhen Santong''s heart.


    What should I do?


    Their recent actions had already deeply offended the Cloudy Sky Gang. Even if he wanted to make peace, there was no room for negotiation. Moreover, even if he did kneel before the Cloudy Sky Gang, the Ye family wouldn''t let him off the hook.


    ***


    "Is this a joke?"


    The three leaders of the Daxing Gang sat together, exchanging uneasy glances. They had been urgently summoned from their homes to the Ye residence by a sudden call, and now, the news left their heads spinning.


    When they arrived, they discovered that Zhen Santong, the chairman of Iron Palm Ltd., and Guan Shanyue, the master of the Flying Cloud Sword Gang, were also waiting in the living room.


    Moments later, an elderly man in a deep crimson Tang suit appeared.


    "Master Ye."


    "Chief Ye."


    The men stood up and bowed respectfully. This elder was Ye Changlin, a senior figure of the Ye family and the fourth son of the old patriarch. He held an unquestionably high position in the Ye family.


    When he appeared, the gang leaders did not dare keep sitting.


    "Please, have a seat." Ye Changlin picked up a teacup, took a sip, and said, "I apologize for summoning you all here in the middle of the night."


    "It¡¯s our duty."


    "We''re honored to be summoned by Master Ye."


    "Whatever you need, just command us, and we won¡¯t hesitate to go through fire and water." sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The men hurriedly started to flatter him. They were technically gang leaders who could make anyone on their turf tremble with a mere stomp. But they dared not show an ounce of arrogance in the presence of this decision-maker of the Ye family as they bowed and scraped like household servants.


    They had no other choice. Such was the authority of the Ye family. Five great families reigned in Liuhe Base City, the Ye, Du, Qi, Mu, and Zhou. Over the past fifty years, the Ye family had risen rapidly, producing numerous geniuses. Their Duxing Group spanned multiple industries, including healthcare, education, finance, food, and power armor. Members and disciples of the Ye family had infiltrated every aspect of society.


    For example, Duxing High School was the most dominant force in Liuhe Base City''s High School War God League. The best and most talented middle and high school students in the city were almost exclusively enrolled at Duxing High School. Each year, over 60 percent of the nation¡¯s brightest university students were graduates of this school.


    Once these students graduated from university and entered various industries, they would invariably support the Ye family. Were it not for the state''s power, the city leader, and the garrison commander maintaining control over the city''s operations, the Ye family would have been ruling Liuhe Base City already.


    In recent years, the balance of power in the city had been relatively stable. However, when the Ye family started collaborating with the Jiepeng delegation, their influence had surged once again and was threatening to upset the balance.


    Rumors were circulating among the gang leaders that the Ye family was aggressively maneuvering to take advantage of the upcoming political performance assessments. It was said they were aiming to remove the current city leader, Tan Zhenwei, and replace him with their own person. It was also rumored that progress on this front was going well.


    It was clear that if the Ye family''s plans succeeded, Liuhe Base City would essentially become their domain. Compared to the Ye family, gangs like the Flying Cloud Sword Gang were nothing more than grains of sand before a boulder.


    So, the sight of Zhen Santong, Guan Shanyue, and the three Fan brothers, Fan Jun, Fan Bing, and Fan Tong, bowing and scraping before Ye Changlin was entirely understandable.


    "You''ve all heard about what happened to the Dragon Claw Gang, I assume?" Ye Changlin spoke calmly.


    "We''ve heard."


    "That Cloudy Sky Gang has some nerve."


    "Daring to kill so many innocent people in broad daylight... they''re utterly insane."


    The men voiced their outrage in unison.


    "It wasn''t just the Dragon Claw Gang," Ye Changlin continued calmly. "Even Ye Xiang of the Ye family was killed in the Dragon Gathering Hall."


    He paused before adding, "Li Xiaofei of the Cloudy Sky Gang wasn¡¯t targeting the Dragon Claw Gang. He was targeting my Ye family... Gentlemen, how do you think we should respond?"

 Chapter 192: Kill Until You Fear

    Chapter 192: Kill Until You FearHow should we respond?


    The gang leaders didn''t dare to answer immediately. They were merely foot soldiers. The specifics of what to do were, of course, to be determined by the Ye family. How could they presume to make decisions?


    Ye Changlin was quite pleased with their reaction. The Ye family needed obedient tools, not individuals with independent thought.


    He glanced toward the side hall. "You can come out now."


    A scholarly man holding a folding fan stepped out from the side hall.


    "Bai Yi?"


    "Mr. Bai?"


    Guan Shanyue and the others were shocked.


    Wasn''t it said that the entire Dragon Claw Gang, including their leader Long Xiaotian, had been wiped out? How could Long Xiaotian''s strategist, Bai Yi, be here? Did he get lucky and just happen to be away during the massacre?


    "Greetings, Master Ye," Bai Yi greeted Ye Changlin with a bow.


    Then, he turned to the others and said, "I was at the scene during the battle that led to the Dragon Claw Gang''s annihilation. However, I saw the situation early on and played dead from the beginning. Later, during the fiercest part of the fight, I used a bone-shrinking technique to escape through a small window... Do you know how the Cloudy Sky Gang managed to wipe out the Dragon Claw Gang?"


    Guan Shanyue and the others exchanged bewildered looks. They, of course, had no knowledge of the specific details.


    Bai Yi said, "You may find this hard to believe, but Li Xiaofei single-handedly slaughtered all the top fighters in the Dragon Gathering Hall. Even a full-force secret technique strike from the gang leader Long Xiaotian was no match for Li Xiaofei¡¯s sword strike."


    "What?"


    "That''s impossible."


    "Mr. Bai, are you joking?"


    Guan Shanyue and the others were visibly shaken. The fact that the Cloudy Sky Gang had annihilated the Dragon Claw Gang was already shocking enough. But to learn that the entire gang had been wiped out by Li Xiaofei alone was beyond belief.


    Bai Yi sighed, "If I hadn¡¯t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn¡¯t have believed it either..."


    A look of fear crossed his face as if he was recalling something terrifying.


    After exhaling slowly, Bai Yi continued, "We were all deceived by Li Xiaofei. He never had any intention of resolving the issue through negotiation. Instead, he was biding his time and lulling us into a false sense of security. When we all believed he had completely given up, he suddenly struck and wiped out the Dragon Claw Gang... Gentlemen, this man¡¯s cunning and combat strength far exceeded our expectations."


    Guan Shanyue and the others exchanged glances, their hearts filled with turmoil.


    Could Li Xiaofei truly be so terrifying? Did we unknowingly provoke a monstrous figure?


    Ye Changlin set down his teacup and cleared his throat softly.


    He spoke slowly and deliberately. "This young man¡¯s performance in the high school league was impressive, but it didn¡¯t seem particularly threatening. However, now it¡¯s clear that things aren¡¯t as simple as they appeared. I have reason to believe that Li Xiaofei has been deliberately groomed by Tan Zhenwei, Ding Longao, and others as a hidden pawn specifically aimed at the Ye family."


    Bai Yi nodded in agreement. "Master Ye, you see things clearly. This youth¡¯s sudden rise is no accident; it¡¯s the result of a coordinated effort by both the military and political factions. Otherwise, how could someone so young have the qualifications to receive dual badges?"


    Ye Changlin chuckled. "Heh, Tan Zhenwei has indeed made a clever move by pushing Li Xiaofei forward. However, it''s unfortunate for him that his time is running out... Once Li Xiaofei is eliminated, Tan Zhenwei¡¯s final efforts will dissipate into nothingness."


    Bai Yi, still fanning himself, asked, "Master Ye, should we share the plan with Master Guan and the others?"


    Ye Changlin nodded, "They¡¯re all on our side. Go ahead and tell them."


    Bai Yi responded, "Yes, sir."


    Turning to Guan Shanyue and the others, Bai Yi explained, "The plan for the gang negotiation remains unchanged. It will proceed as scheduled tomorrow. Although the Dragon Claw Gang has been destroyed, your three gangs were also initiators of the negotiation, so you have the right to insist on proceeding. At that time, we can openly and justifiably kill Li Xiaofei during the negotiation duel."


    Guan Shanyue asked, "Li Xiaofei is so fierce, who can kill him?"


    Bai Yi glanced at Ye Changlin.


    Ye Changlin smiled faintly. "Ye Liushuang."


    "What?"


    "Him?"


    The others were shocked. Ye Liushuang, from the Ye family, was known by the nickname Little Martial God. Why? He was the younger brother of Ye Liuying, the Goddess.


    It was common knowledge that Ye Liuying was from the Ye family. However, in recent years, her relationship with the family seemed somewhat distant. Nonetheless, her half-brother, Ye Liushuang, who shared her extraordinary talent and brilliance, had been heavily supported by the Ye family. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Two years ago, Ye Liushuang had graduated from Duxing High School as their top student and had been admitted to Beixia University, the number one university in Great Xia. His strength had advanced rapidly, and it was rumored that he was already on the verge of reaching the Meridian Expanding Realm.


    Because of his connection to the Goddess, Ye Liuying, Ye Liushuang was often referred to as the Little Martial God. But this title wasn¡¯t just for show. He was truly formidable. He had not only been invincible in the High School War God League in the base city, but he had slain a Grade Three star beast in the wilderness a year ago. A Grade Three star beast was equivalent to a human cultivator at the Acupoint Opening Realm.


    Many media outlets and experts predicted that Ye Liushuang was the unrivaled number one in the younger generation in Liuhe Base City, especially among those under twenty-five. It was even estimated that his strength might have already reached the Meridian Expanding Realm.


    Isn¡¯t Ye Liushuang supposed to be attending university? Why is he suddenly back in the base city?


    Guan Shanyue and the others dared not ask too many questions. But if someone as extraordinary as Ye Liushuang was taking the field, defeating Li Xiaofei should no longer be a problem.


    ***


    In the slums. Yang Cheng''s injuries were brought under control thanks to Little Aunt''s treatment. His life was saved. However, his severed limb could not be regenerated. He would have to rely on a prosthetic from now on.


    Fortunately, prosthetic technology in this era was incredibly advanced. Some high-quality prosthetics were nearly indistinguishable from the original limb and could even offer additional functions, such as combat capabilities, communication, and more.


    Before Li Xiaofei could catch his breath, he received a notification from the Paradise Island real estate company. The gang negotiation would proceed as planned.


    "Heh, still not giving up?" Li Xiaofei let out a cold laugh.


    He agreed without a moment of hesitation. If they were going to insist on matters, then he would fight until the heavens and earth were turned upside down. He would fight until they were filled with fear and dread.


    Moreover, Li Xiaofei had been looking forward to the gang negotiation. He intended to reclaim what the slums had lost from the Gang Alliance. He returned home and resumed his cultivation. That night, Little Aunt slipped into his room to give him a massage.


    ***


    The Gang Alliance Tower was located in the heart of the city''s central business district. The skyscraper had been purchased at great expense when the alliance was first established.


    Over time, as the alliance became largely symbolic, much of the property within the tower had been divided and leased out. The Gang Alliance was now little more than a name on a sign and only used the 23rd floor and a rooftop terrace for its offices and meeting spaces.


    The gang negotiation would be held on the rooftop terrace. This particular negotiation was of immense significance and had attracted over thirty gangs of various sizes. In fact, nearly every notable gang in Liuhe Base City had a representative at this event. This showed just how much attention the negotiation had garnered across the gang world.


    The excitement was palpable as prominent figures from all corners of the gang world arrived. Less than ten minutes before the scheduled start time, the members of the Cloudy Sky Gang arrived. All eyes turned toward the Cloudy Sky Gang as they made their entrance.

 Chapter 193: Life-And-Death Pact

    Chapter 193: Life-And-Death PactIndeed, the Cloudy Sky Gang had arrived. They had a hundred fierce and imposing men in total, each one a hulking brute that radiated an aura of menace. Their convoy of hunting vehicles, painted in camouflage and reeking of the wild, rumbled like roaring star beasts as they rolled in. They were led by an expensive armored RV, a monstrous vehicle that seemed to pave the way like a beast.


    At the very front, however, was a modified death bike. It had a silver skull on the front and handlebars shaped like the wings of a fallen angel as a tall and handsome young man dressed in a sleek black Noble Gentleman suit rode in. He looked like a demon summoned from the depths of hell, revving the engine as he pulled up to the base of the Gang Alliance Tower.


    The gang members watching the scene through the cameras gasped in shock.


    This display of power, this entrance, this aura... The Cloudy Sky Gang is clearly not to be underestimated.


    They were far from the ragtag group of slum-dwelling refugees many had assumed. Instead, they resembled a well-trained military unit.


    "They''re here."


    Guan Shanyue of the Flying Cloud Sword Gang, Zhen Santong of Iron Palm Ltd., and the Fan brothers, Fan Jun, Fan Bing, and Fan Tong, of the Daxing Gang all felt their hearts tighten.


    In the past, they would not have flinched even in the face of such a display. After all, they each commanded hundreds, if not thousands, of men. But after the annihilation of the Dragon Claw Gang, they were filled with fear.


    Fortunately, the presence of Ye Changlin, the elder of the Ye family, brought them a measure of security. The young man sitting beside Ye Changlin, with a face as handsome as jade, gave them even greater confidence.


    He was Ye Liushuang, the Little Martial God. A brilliant university student and a core talent painstakingly cultivated by the Ye family. As long as he was present, they felt assured that dealing with Li Xiaofei would be no problem.


    Ding.


    The sound of the elevator arriving echoed. Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Li Xiaofei strode confidently onto the rooftop terrace at the head of the Cloudy Sky Gang. The atmosphere instantly grew tense.


    "Heh, President Li is here, so young and promising," remarked Ning Wuwo, the current chairman of the Gang Alliance, as he stroked his long white beard with a smile. "Please, take a seat."


    There was a raised stage with seven chairs in the central area of the rooftop terrace. Five chairs were arranged on the left, while one was on the right and one in the center. These seats were reserved for the leaders of the participating gangs.


    On the left were Guan Shanyue from the Flying Cloud Sword Gang, Zhen Santong from Iron Palm Ltd., and the three Fan brothers from the Daxing Gang. On the right sat Li Xiaofei. The chair in the middle was occupied by Ning Wuwo, the current chairman. Li Xiaofei had looked into Ning Wuwo''s background before he had arrived.


    Ning Wuwo was a third-generation elder in Liuhe Base City''s gang community, known as a benevolent figure who was said to only save lives and never take them. Ning Wuwo had become the head of the medical gang Xuanku Gang at the age of sixteen, and now, at ninety-six, he was regarded as a living legend within the gang.


    He had witnessed countless gang storms and upheavals in eighty years. The fact that he had lived this long was a miracle in itself. Such a person might not have much power, but his reputation carried weight. The gang community treated him like a mascot. As the chairman, he wielded no real authority, but having someone like him in the position was ideal. Everyone who saw him would respectfully address him as Old Ning.


    "Everyone, today''s gang negotiation has been convened due to a conflict between the Dragon Claw Gang, Iron Palm Ltd., the Flying Cloud Sword Gang, the Daxing Gang, and the Cloudy Sky Gang," Ning Wuwo stood up with a genial smile as he began. "As I''ve lived a few more years and currently serve as the chairman of the alliance, I''ve been invited to preside over this negotiation."


    He continued, "There are thirty-six organizations within the base city, all here to bear witness. Additionally, we have the esteemed presence of Ye family elder Ye Changlin and Mr. Ye Liushuang as honored guests."


    After completing the formalities, Ning Wuwo proceeded to recount the background of the dispute between the parties involved.


    It was a well-known story within the gang community. The four major gangs, Dragon Claw Gang, Iron Palm Ltd., Flying Cloud Sword Gang, and Daxing Gang, were envious of the Cloudy Sky Gang''s gains after consolidating control over the slums. Backed by the Ye family, they sought to forcibly claim a share of the benefits, creating friction that led to today''s gang negotiation.


    By any reasonable measure, the four major gangs had overstepped their bounds. But in the world of gangs, it was always the strongest who made the rules, not reason or fairness.


    So Ning Wuwo wasted no time. After his introduction, he turned to Guan Shanyue and the others and asked, "Master Guan, Chief Zhen, and the Fan brothers, do you still insist that the Cloudy Sky Gang surrender half of the slum territory?"


    Guan Shanyue replied coolly, "No, we now demand that the Cloudy Sky Gang hand over all of the slum territory."


    The crowd erupted in astonishment. This was clearly a provocation that left no room for negotiation.


    Zhen Santong shouted, "The Cloudy Sky Gang is despicable and shameless! They launched a surprise attack on the Dragon Claw Gang before the gang negotiation, leading to the unfortunate death of Long Xiaotian, the gang leader, who was caught off guard. We believe this is a blatant act of disrespect towards the Gang Alliance and a provocation against all gangs... They must make amends."


    Fan Jun sneered coldly, "That''s right. Hand over all the slum territories and pay compensation of 5 million star coins."


    The three gang leaders were making outrageous demands. The other gang leaders in attendance began to ponder the situation. It was clear that Guan Shanyue and his allies had no intention of negotiating fairly. They were simply here for a fight. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When they glanced at the Ye family members sitting to the side, many of the old foxes among them began to piece together what was really happening. Their gazes turned to Li Xiaofei with a trace of pity.


    He¡¯s a talented young man, but unfortunately, he is a lone tree trying to withstand a storm and is likely to be crushed.


    The members of the Cloudy Sky Gang were seething with anger below the raised platform.


    These despicable scoundrels are shamelessly twisting the truth.


    "Heh, let''s still aim for peace," Ning Wuwo said with a smile as his eyes twinkled. "President Li, what do you think?"


    "Spineless wild dogs dare to come to my slum and beg for scraps?" Li Xiaofei sneered. "No need for more words. Let¡¯s settle this with a fight."


    "Fine, a fight it is. Do you think we''re afraid?"


    "Force is the only way to make these savages from the slum kneel."


    "Prepare the ring."


    The three Fan brothers sneered in unison, unwilling to back down.


    Guan Shanyue smirked coldly, "Since President Li insists on fighting, let¡¯s first sign a life-and-death pact. In the ring, we¡¯ll determine not just the victor, but also life and death... Heh, this isn¡¯t some high school league game. If you die here, you die for real."


    "That''s right, sign the life-and-death pact," Zhen Santong chimed in loudly. "Anyone who doesn''t dare to sign should kneel and surrender right now. Don¡¯t waste everyone¡¯s time."


    A life-and-death pact?


    The surrounding gang leaders couldn¡¯t help but pale at the suggestion. The purpose of a gang negotiation was to avoid outright gang warfare and minimize bloodshed.


    Typically, these negotiations involved debates, the exchange of benefits, and attempts to reach a mutual agreement. If negotiations failed, a fight could be used to decide the outcome. But in 99 percent of these fights, combatants would stop short of lethal force.


    But Guan Shanyue and the others were pushing for a deathmatch right from the start. The seasoned gang leaders who were present were all shrewd and cunning. They immediately sensed an underlying plot.


    Li Xiaofei laughed heartily, then scoffed, "You demand that I sign a life-and-death pact, and I must comply? Why should I follow your every whim?"


    "What¡¯s the matter? Are you scared?" Zhen Santong sneered. "If you¡¯re afraid, then crawl back home and give up your territory without a fuss."

 Chapter 194: Anyone Else?

    Chapter 194: Anyone Else?"Do you think the Cloudy Sky Gang is afraid of you spineless dogs?" Li Xiaofei sneered contemptuously. "Signing a life-and-death pact is fine, but let''s make sure the stakes are clear."


    "What kind of stakes are you suggesting?" Guan Shanyue asked calmly.


    He was the strongest among them and always kept his cool. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "It''s simple. The winner takes all."


    "And what exactly does ''take all'' mean?" Guan Shanyue pressed.


    Li Xiaofei explained, "If you win, the Cloudy Sky Gang will hand over all the slum territories and pay five million star coins in compensation. But if I win, then all the territories owned by the Flying Cloud Sword Gang, Iron Palm Ltd., and the Daxing Gang will belong to the Cloudy Sky Gang. And you will each have to pay five million star coins in compensation."


    Guan Shanyue and the others'' expressions briefly changed, but then they remembered that with the Little Martial God from the Ye family overseeing the battle, Li Xiaofei''s death seemed inevitable. Their worries faded away.


    "Fine, why not agree to your terms?" Guan Shanyue decided without hesitation.


    Both sides quickly signed the electronic life-and-death pact. The terms were exactly as Li Xiaofei had proposed. This type of electronic life-and-death pact was validated by the light core system, making it legally binding.


    Once the agreement was signed, the deathmatch began immediately. Both parties stepped down from the raised platform. Ning Wuwo pressed a button on a remote control.


    Gears beneath the stage turned as the stage split in the middle. A platform made of pure titanium steel rose from below along with eight steel pillars that stood tall like a giant¡¯s hands. A light-network of dim blue light flickered between the pillars.


    It was the gang''s fighting arena. Each side of the arena had a waiting area for the fighters. Gang battles typically followed a best-of-five format. Each side would select their five strongest fighters, and the first to win three matches would be declared the victor.


    "Boss, give me a chance," Li Junjie, the top lieutenant, pleaded. "Let me experience the gang negotiation''s arena battle."


    "Boss, I''m willing to fight," Chu Yuntian also eagerly volunteered.


    "Boss, let me warm up the stage first." Another hall master, Li Yang, chimed in.


    Many members of the Cloudy Sky Gang were clamoring for the chance to fight.


    "You''re all too weak," Li Xiaofei bluntly retorted. "Watch your president put on a show and cheer me on from below."


    With that, he walked alone to the waiting area beside the life-and-death arena. On the other side, Guan Shanyue, Zhen Santong, Fan Jun, and Fan Bing also took their seats in the waiting area.


    But the fifth seat was not occupied by Fan Tong. Instead, it was taken by none other than the Little Martial God, Ye Liushuang. But it was a sight that many of the gang leaders had anticipated.


    Li Xiaofei frowned slightly and asked, "Who is he?"


    Guan Shanyue stood up with a sneer, first bowing respectfully to Ye Liushuang before turning to answer, "This is Ye Liushuang, the prodigy of the Ye family. He couldn''t stand your ruthless ways, so he''s here to meet you."


    Li Xiaofei responded, "Today''s life-and-death arena is part of the gang negotiation. He isn''t part of any gang, so how can he participate?"


    "Who says he isn''t?" A voice called out from the side.


    It was Bai Yi. He stepped out slowly from behind Ye family elder Ye Changlin, a smug smile on his face.


    "Li Xiaofei, you remember me, don''t you?" Bai Yi asked confidently.


    "No, I don''t," Li Xiaofei replied coolly.


    "You..." Bai Yi was momentarily speechless with anger.


    He took another step forward, his voice cold, "I am Bai Yi, the White Paper Fan of the Dragon Claw Gang. Yesterday, you used despicable methods to poison and murder our gang leader. I witnessed it with my own eyes... Heh, you never expected that someone would survive your poisonous hand, did you?"


    "An insignificant nobody," Li Xiaofei retorted disdainfully. "You managed to escape with your life, and instead of cherishing it, you dare come here to bark at me?"


    In truth, Li Xiaofei was somewhat surprised. He hadn¡¯t expected anyone to survive the massacre in the Dragon Gathering Hall.


    "I risked my life to appear here today to avenge my brothers in the Dragon Claw Gang," Bai Yi declared as he produced several items from his possession, displaying them one by one. He shouted, "As the sole survivor of the Dragon Claw Gang, I hereby recognize Ye Liushuang as the thirty-ninth gang leader of the Dragon Claw Gang. Here are the tokens, the scepter, and the gang leader''s secret key. What do you have to say to that, Li Xiaofei?"


    The crowd erupted. It was now clear that the Ye family had inserted themselves into this situation through such a method. The maneuver, at least procedurally, was entirely legitimate. No one could find fault with it.


    "Li Xiaofei, no matter how much you schemed, you didn''t see this coming, did you?" Bai Yi sneered loudly. "This is what they call divine justice and inevitable retribution."


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but laugh. "You¡¯re nothing more than a stray dog, yet you dare spew nonsense about divine justice? The Dragon Claw Gang got what they deserved for their evil deeds. I was their retribution. But on the life-and-death arena, there is no Ye family heir, only enemies. If anyone dares to die, I¡¯ll be the one to bury them."


    Whoosh!


    Li Xiaofei leaped into the air and landed on the arena.


    "Who¡¯s coming up first to meet their death?" he shouted challengingly.


    Guan Shanyue and the others all turned their gaze to Ye Liushuang.


    They knew they couldn''t fully guarantee a victory against Li Xiaofei, so none of them were eager to take the risk. For them, it was just a formality. According to the plan, the real task of killing Li Xiaofei was supposed to be handled by Ye Liushuang.


    However, Ye Liushuang simply sat there, casually playing with his light core, occasionally smiling as if he were chatting with a lover. He completely ignored the anxious glances from Guan Shanyue and the others.


    No. To be precise, he didn¡¯t regard anyone around him as worth noticing. It was as if the nearly thousand ruthless gang members surrounding him were nothing more than blades of grass.


    Ye Changlin cleared his throat and said calmly, "Master Guan, you should take the first few rounds."


    What?


    Guan Shanyue''s face changed slightly, a chill running through his heart. This wasn¡¯t part of the plan. If they were sent up first, it would be like being sent to their deaths.


    "I''ll go first!" Fan Bing shot arrogantly to his feet. "I refuse to believe that some teenage slum rat is as tough as they say. It¡¯s just that those Dragon Claw Gang weaklings couldn¡¯t handle him."


    He shrugged off his leather jacket, revealing his muscular, well-toned torso. The Fan brothers of the Daxing Gang all practiced the ancient martial art known as the Golden Bell Shield. They had also undergone New Martial Arts surgery and received an implanted Inscribed Treasure Bone from a Mystic Armored Shield Turtle, which had pushed their physical strength to its peak.


    It was said that Fan Bing had once taken ten full punches from a Limit Breaking Realm expert without flinching, while his opponent was killed by the rebound force of the Golden Bell Shield as their internal organs shattered.


    Boom!


    Fan Bing stepped into the life-and-death arena.


    Clang!


    The entrance to the arena closed behind him. The light-network flickered, sealing off the space within the octagonal cage.


    "Kid, others might fear you, but I don¡¯t," Fan Bing sneered as he activated his technique.


    A layer of faint golden lines appeared on his skin, and starforce qi surged outward, forming the illusion of a giant bell around him.


    He laughed loudly, "I¡¯ll just stand here. You can take the first three shots..."


    But before he could finish his sentence...


    Boom!


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s fist landed on his chest and a cloud of blood erupted in the air. Bones audibly shattered as Fan Bing was reduced to nothing more than a bloody mist in an instant.


    "Pathetic. Couldn''t even withstand one punch, let alone three," Li Xiaofei muttered as he slowly withdrew his fist.


    "Who¡¯s next?" He asked calmly as his gaze swept over the opposing waiting area.

 Chapter 195: Unstoppable Domination

    Chapter 195: Unstoppable DominationThe arena fell into a stunned silence. Most people hadn¡¯t even processed the earlier exchange before the battle was already over. The so-called strongest Golden Bell Shield in the gang world, Fan Bing, hadn¡¯t been able to withstand a single punch from Li Xiaofei.


    In that single blow, Fan Bing''s once-proud and formidable body had proven as fragile as paper.


    "Second Brother..." Fan Jun let out a heart-wrenching scream, "You died so horribly!"


    He rushed toward the now-reopened octagonal arena.


    "Second Brother, wait for me... Don¡¯t go alone, wait for your big brother..."


    Fan Jun charged into the arena, unleashing all his strength as he lunged at Li Xiaofei. But just as he stepped inside, Li Xiaofei raised his hand and unleashed the One Yang Finger. His middle finger extended, and the force of his strike shot out like a sword.


    Swish.


    A bloody hole appeared in the center of Fan Jun''s forehead as he collapsed mid-stride. He didn¡¯t get a chance to say anything more.


    "No need to wait; you two can go together," Li Xiaofei said calmly, retracting his middle finger as he looked down at the fallen body.


    Silence reigned over the terrace. Fan Jun had rushed onto the arena with such ominous words. However, his actions did show a deep brotherly bond, since he seemed unwilling to live on without his sibling.


    "Third Leader!"


    "Third Master!"


    The members of the Daxing Gang cried out in shock and dismay. Surrounded by his subordinates, Fan Tong witnessed the scene and let out a loud cry. His eyes rolled back as he spat out a mouthful of blood before fainting on the spot, causing chaos among his followers.


    In stark contrast, the members of the Cloudy Sky Gang erupted in cheers, raising their arms in triumph.


    This is our president! Unstoppable!


    A flicker of coldness went through Ye Changlin¡¯s narrowed eyes as he straightened in the VIP section.


    This Li Xiaofei is indeed troublesome. He cannot be allowed to live.


    "Next," Li Xiaofei called out, gesturing towards the waiting area with a hand.


    Guan Shanyue and Zhen Santong once again looked to Ye Liushuang. But Ye Liushuang was still engrossed in his light core like an addicted youth lost in the virtual world, paying no attention to the tense situation around him.


    They then looked at Ye Changlin in the VIP section. The elder met their gaze with a dark, ominous look. Zhen Santong gritted his teeth and stepped into the arena.


    He approached with a more respectful demeanor, bowing slightly as he said, "President Li, the disputes over gang interests don¡¯t always have to end in life or death. How about we treat this match as a friendly contest and stop before things get too severe?"


    "How about I stop your nonsense?!" shouted Li Xiaofei.


    He sprang forward, unleashing the Nine Yin White Bone Claw. His hands were as sharp as talons as they struck out in rapid succession.


    Zhen Santong was a master of the Iron Palm technique. Combined with his ninth stage Limit Breaking Realm, his iron palms had earned him a formidable reputation in the gang world. When they were fully activated, his hands turned black as ink and were as hard as iron. They were capable of breaking stones and shattering monuments.


    But those once-invincible hands crumbled like rotten wood under Li Xiaofei¡¯s Nine Yin White Bone Claw.


    Crack.


    Li Xiaofei only needed a single exchange to shatter Zhen Santong¡¯s iron palms.


    "Ahhh!!" Zhen Santong screamed in agony.


    He was utterly horrified.


    How can such a young man be so terrifying? Has he been cultivating since he was in the womb?


    "President Li, please spare me! I surrender..." Zhen Santong desperately retreated, shouting for mercy.


    But¡ª


    Slash!


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s five fingers slashed downward. The Nine Yin White Bone Claw, known for its unparalleled destructive power, pierced through Zhen Santong¡¯s skull and forehead. It was an instant kill.


    "What good is there to surrender?" Li Xiaofei slowly retracted his fingers. "You can atone with your death."


    A violent killing intent radiated from him and spilled out from the arena. Every gang leader present felt the overwhelming ferocity emanating from this young man.


    Many of the experts in attendance knew they could also defeat the Fan brothers or even Zhen Santong. But to do so with such brutal, overwhelming force? That was beyond them.


    "Your turn." Li Xiaofei beckoned Guan Shanyue with a slight curl of his finger. "Heh, you thought you were important, but you¡¯re nothing more than toilet paper to be used and discarded. It¡¯s truly pathetic... Now come up and die."


    Guan Shanyue, steeling himself, reluctantly stepped into the light cage of the arena.


    "Do you dare duel me with swords?" said Guan Shanyue as he unsheathed his sword, which shimmered with a cold, lethal light.


    His sword was a renowned blade named Flying Dragon. Guan Shanyue, at the eighth stage of the Acupoint Opening Realm, had eight Inscribed Treasure Bones from the Grade Two star beast Swordfang Wolf implanted in his body. These bones allowed him to unleash the secret battle technique Razor Fang Sword Qi and master the ancient true legacy sword technique Cold Mamba Seven Phantom Sword. His strength was formidable.


    He was within the top five fighters in Liuhe Base City and well known for his swordsmanship. Thus, he tried to taunt Li Xiaofei into a sword duel.


    Li Xiaofei responded, "A sword duel? Fine."


    Guan Shanyue was overjoyed.


    "Where is your sword?" he asked.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "The sword is in my hand."


    "Why can''t I see it?" Guan Shanyue frowned.


    Li Xiaofei calmly said, "Since you claim to be a master of the sword, do you know the Three Great Realms of Swordsmanship?"


    "I..."


    Guan Shanyue was taken aback. He had never heard of the Three Great Realms of Swordsmanship.


    Li Xiaofei slowly raised his middle finger and explained, "The first realm, the sword is seen, but the person is not; the second realm, the person is seen, but the sword is not; the third and highest realm, neither the sword nor the person is seen... Which realm have you reached?"


    Guan Shanyue scoffed, "Swordsmanship is about the tangible art of killing. Who are you trying to fool with this pseudo-philosophical nonsense?"


    "Oh? Is that so?" Li Xiaofei began to channel his starforce qi.


    A wisp of sharp and unyielding sword energy flickered at his fingertip. This was not the typical sword energy unleashed in an attack. Instead, it was a real, palpable sword aura that was condensed and pulsing at the tip of his finger. It was as if his finger had become a sword.


    Guan Shanyue''s face filled with shock. It was not unusual to unleash sword energy with a strike, or summon blade energy with a slash. But condensing sword energy at one¡¯s fingertip and turning one¡¯s finger into an invisible sword was extraordinary.


    Can there truly be such a thing as the realm where the person is seen but the sword is not?


    As Guan Shanyue reeled from this revelation, Li Xiaofei struck without warning, releasing a burst of sword energy from his fingertip.


    The Six Meridian Divine Sword, Middle Chong Sword.


    The sword energy surged forth, as powerful as the dawn of creation. By the time Guan Shanyue realized what was happening, it was too late to evade.


    Swoosh.


    The powerful, invisible sword energy pierced straight through Guan Shanyue¡¯s forehead. He hadn¡¯t even drawn his sword. The battle was over before it began. His body trembled slightly, and his pupils dilated rapidly.


    As death approached, Guan Shanyue, filled with unwillingness, asked, "The... third realm, neither the person nor the sword is seen, what... does it mean?"


    In that moment, his desire for knowledge as a swordsman outweighed his fear of death.


    "I was lying," Li Xiaofei calmly brought his hand down. "There¡¯s no such thing as the three great realms. Swordsmanship is a killing art, not some mystical nonsense." S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Guan Shanyue managed to utter, "You..."


    He spat out a mouthful of blood and fell backward, lifeless.


    Four battles, four victories. Li Xiaofei stood in the center of the arena like an invincible war god. He had killed four men, each time using a different ancient martial technique.


    Every move he made was astonishingly brilliant. The surrounding crowd had never seen or heard of such ancient martial arts before. Now that they had won four out of five matches, the Cloudy Sky Gang had already secured victory in this gang summit. The members of the Cloudy Sky Gang erupted in cheers, celebrating their triumph.


    "Haha, we won!"


    "Four out of five victories! The territories of the Dragon Claw Gang, Daxing Gang, Flying Cloud Sword Gang, and Iron Palm Ltd. are all ours!"


    "And don¡¯t forget the compensation¡ªeach gang owes us 5 million star coins... We''re rich!"


    Chu Yuntian, Li Junjie, and the others cheered and jumped with joy. However, the other gang leaders in the area were now deep in thought.


    The Cloudy Sky Gang had just acquired a vast amount of territory and wealth, instantly transforming them into a colossal force within Liuhe Base City. With Li Xiaofei as their terrifyingly powerful president... They now had to contend with a giant in their midst.


    But just then...


    "Shut up, you''re too loud."


    Ye Liushuang, who had been absorbed in his light core the entire time, finally returned to reality.


    He rubbed his ears in annoyance and looked at Li Xiaofei. "A moronic weakling wins four matches and thinks he¡¯s something special?"

 Chapter 196: Such Arrogance

    Chapter 196: Such ArroganceLi Xiaofei beckoned with his hand and said, "Come on, I''ll teach you a lesson."


    He had no respect for the so-called Ye family heir.


    "Heh, ignorant fool," Ye Liushuang sneered as he slowly walked out of the waiting area and leisurely stepped into the arena. "I''m interested in your techniques. Hand them over, and I might spare your life and give you a chance to survive as a dog for the Ye family."


    The reason Ye Liushuang hadn¡¯t intervened earlier was because he was using those expendable fighters to test Li Xiaofei¡¯s capabilities. The ancient martial techniques Li Xiaofei had displayed earlier had caught Ye Liushuang''s attention.


    Martial techniques, finger strikes, sword energy. Not only were they visually impressive, but they were also incredibly powerful. Moreover, Ye Liushuang could tell that these techniques had even greater potential. The higher one¡¯s cultivation of starforce qi, the more devastating these techniques would become. His greed was instantly piqued.


    Ye Liushuang had taken a temporary leave from his university to return to Liuhe Base City and undergo an expensive New Martial Arts surgery. Participating in the gang conflict was just a side task for him. He did not expect anyone in the gang world of Liuhe Base City to be capable of challenging him.


    "You''re really just a dog who can''t change its nature," Li Xiaofei mocked. "Are you always trying to seize what belongs to others just because you carry the Ye name?"


    "Haha, exactly," Ye Liushuang laughed arrogantly. "Just because my surname is Ye, the Ye family is the sky in Liuhe Base City. You so-called gang members should consider it an honor to serve as dogs for the Ye family. Don¡¯t be ungrateful."


    His words caused an uproar in the crowd. Many of the gang leaders felt a mix of anger, frustration, and helplessness. It was true that Guan Shanyue and the others had died at Li Xiaofei¡¯s hands today. But the knife that had killed them had been the Ye family.


    Now when they heard Ye Liushuang speak so arrogantly in front of them, it felt like a double insult. It not only ended their lives but also shattered their pride. But they didn¡¯t dare to show their anger, nor could they oppose him. If the Ye family were to extend an olive branch, they wouldn¡¯t dare refuse.


    But Li Xiaofei simply responded by raising his middle finger. He gestured and Guan Shanyue''s famous sword, Flying Dragon, flew into his hand from where it had fallen.


    "Come here and meet your death," Li Xiaofei said coldly.


    "Ungrateful cur," Ye Liushuang¡¯s expression turned icy as he responded, "I now officially declare, after this battle, you and your pathetic gang will be erased from Liuhe Base City."


    In an instant, his starforce qi erupted. A soft purple glow surrounded him like an infinite universe. Twenty acupoints, glowing like stars in the boundless cosmos, orbited around him, resonating with the very laws of the universe and exuding an overwhelming pressure.


    "One move is all I need to kill you," said Ye Liushuang as he raised his arms slightly, clenched his fists, and drew them back as if pulling the string of a bow.


    Then, he launched both fists forward with a sudden, powerful motion, shouting, "Frost on the mountains, fallen leaves... Frost Destruction Fist!"


    A chilling cold filled the air. The pale purple fist aura blasted outward with an incredible force. The fist imprint carried an unmatched frost that seemed like it could freeze the very void.


    The Frost Destruction Fist was a derivation from the legendary Twenty-Four Sword Qi Manual, the treasured martial art of Beixia University. It was said to have been passed down from the mysterious wandering swordsman Ding Hao centuries ago. Ye Liushuang¡¯s technique simulated the eighteenth technique, Frost¡¯s Descent.


    When his fists surged forward, it was as if a deadly frost had descended from the heavens. This was Ye Liushuang¡¯s proudest creation. Li Xiaofei could feel the terrifying power hidden within the martial technique. Indeed, the Ye family¡¯s scion was formidable.


    But... it wasn''t enough. Li Xiaofei unleashed the full power of his starforce qi within him. The eighty vortices of starforce qi in his dantian spun wildly, and the sound of a golden dragon''s roar rang out across the terrace.


    The overwhelming force of his Qi Refining Realm erupted like a vast ocean in a storm. Li Xiaofei channelled his starforce qi through all his fingers and executed the Six Meridian Divine Sword technique.


    The energy surged along the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, culminating in a burst from his right thumb. In an instant, a colossal surge of sword energy exploded forth. It was the Shaoshang Sword!


    The sword energy tore through the sky with an earth-shattering sound. The pale golden sword energy instantly sliced through the frost-chilled void created by Ye Liushuang¡¯s strike.


    "What!?" Ye Liushuang was horrified.


    In that instant, he felt the shadow of death descending upon him. But it was too late.


    Swish!


    The sword light, as swift as lightning, flashed before his eyes.


    Boom!


    The titanium columns of the arena cage were sliced cleanly through by the sword energy.


    Swish!


    The sword energy shot into the void, leaving a pale golden scar in the air. It was as if the very sky had been torn open, the wound lingering for what seemed like an eternity. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The people around the arena scrambled in panic as they dodged the falling steel pillars.


    Meanwhile, in the VIP section, Ye Changlin suddenly shot to his feet in alarm. His composed face was now stricken with fear. He shot towards the arena like a bolt of lightning, his starforce qi erupting like a tidal wave. The surge of energy blasted away the swirling dust and the remnants of shattered metal, clearing the scene in a flash.


    "Little Shuang!" shouted Ye Changlin as he caught Ye Liushuang''s lifeless body, immediately letting out a piercing cry of anguish.


    Ye Liushuang was dead. The Little Martial God had fallen on the arena. The Shaoshang Sword had pierced straight through his heart. In that instant, it had also shredded every ounce of life within him. His face was still frozen in a mask of terror. But it was all too late to undo.


    "Ahhhhh!"


    Ye Changlin roared towards the heavens as his eyes turned blood-red. He was filled with a murderous rage as he glared at Li Xiaofei.


    "You dared to kill someone from the Ye family?"


    His eyes gleamed with malice.


    Li Xiaofei responded calmly, "He signed the life-and-death pact. Life and death are determined by fate."


    "Fate? That''s a rule for the likes of you, not for us," Ye Changlin sneered as he carefully laid Ye Liushuang''s body on the ground. He furiously started to stride toward Li Xiaofei. "You wretched brat, no matter what, today you will join Little Shuang in death."


    As an elder of a martial family, Ye Changlin''s cultivation was terrifying. He had long reached the Meridian Expanding Realm. He had opened eight meridians in his body, three of which were fully activated. He was an unstoppable force in this setting.


    Li Xiaofei frowned and said, "The electronic life-and-death pact is protected by the light core and the law... Are you really going to break the contract in front of everyone?"


    "The Ye family is the law," Ye Changlin retorted with a cold smile, his killing intent overflowing. "Who dares oppose us?"


    Everyone present, including Ning Wuwo, the chairman of the Gang Alliance, bowed their heads in silence, not daring to speak.


    "Die." Ye Changlin struck instantly.


    He unleashed a powerful palm strike. His starforce qi condensed into a massive purple spectral hand, slamming down on Li Xiaofei with immense force. The sheer power threatened to collapse the entire building. This was pure, overwhelming force, far beyond Li Xiaofei''s level.


    But Li Xiaofei''s figure blurred as he employed the Graceful Step of the Waves technique, transforming into a streak of light and shadow that evaded the deadly strike in an instant.


    Boom!


    The massive spectral hand smashed into the platform and tearing it into two. It was like it had been struck by a missile. The power of the Meridian Expanding Realm was truly terrifying.


    "You still dare to dodge?!" Ye Changlin roared, "You little wretch, I¡¯ll wipe you and all your friends and family out. I will see to it that none of you remain... Die!"


    He unleashed another palm strike. This time, the force of his palm was distributed into countless palm phantoms that formed a massive net. It not only locked onto Li Xiaofei but also sealed off a 30-meter radius around him, covering the entire area indiscriminately. He showed no concern for the lives of those around the arena.


    Li Xiaofei''s expression shifted slightly. Even the Graceful Step of the Waves couldn''t allow him to escape an attack that surpassed his level by two whole realms. He had no choice but to face it head-on.


    The sound of a dragon¡¯s roar echoed across the terrace as Li Xiaofei began to channel his starforce qi, preparing to unleash the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms...


    But at that moment...


    "Ye family, such arrogance."


    A calm voice suddenly resonated from the distant void. When the voice rang out, Ye Changlin''s countless palm phantoms dissipated like snow in boiling water. A single word calmed the storm.


    Who possesses such power?


    Everyone instantly turned in the direction of the voice.

 Chapter 197: Do I Need To Explain Myself To You?

    Chapter 197: Do I Need To Explain Myself To You?A stern-looking middle-aged man, dressed in a black combat suit, was standing in mid-air. He was effortlessly riding the wind. This was something only those who had reached at least the Five Spirits Realm could achieve.


    ¡°It¡¯s Inspector Li!¡±


    ¡°He has actually appeared.¡±


    ¡°Am I seeing things?¡±


    ¡°Greetings, Inspector.¡±


    The crowd erupted into chaos.Almost everyone immediately recognized the middle-aged man floating in the air as none other than Li Zhoumin, one of the three major leaders of the base city.


    Although Li Zhoumin usually kept a low profile and rarely attended meetings or events, this was, after all, the era of the light-network. The media was highly developed, and as a top public figure, videos and photos of Li Zhoumin could easily be found online.


    Ye Changlin''s expression changed, and he hurriedly asked, "Inspector, what has happened to alarm you?"


    ¡°If I hadn¡¯t come, wouldn¡¯t the life-and-death pact signed on the starry light-network have been rendered meaningless?¡± Li Zhoumin¡¯s tone was filled with open dissatisfaction as he said, ¡°Li Xiaofei is the genius I chose, and you dare to break the rules and bully others?¡±


    Ye Changlin''s face changed again as he attempted to explain, ¡°Inspector, this child is ruthless. Yesterday, he slaughtered hundreds of members of the Dragon Claw Gang, leaving no survivors in their headquart-¡±


    But Li Zhoumin cut him off abruptly, ¡°Everything Li Xiaofei has done was with my approval.¡±


    "What? This... why would Inspector Li want him to do such a thing?" Ye Changlin couldn''t help but exclaim, "Those were hundreds of living, breathing people!"


    Li Zhoumin responded coldly, "Do I need to explain myself to you?"


    Ye Changlin quickly bowed his head. "I wouldn''t dare. But Li Xiaofei killed Ye Liushuang, a core disciple of my Ye family. This matter cannot be left unresolved..."


    "Unresolved? What do you intend to do?" Li Zhoumin countered.


    "He must pay with his life for Ye Liushuang''s death," Ye Changlin said through gritted teeth.


    Li Zhoumin replied, "You think my student should pay with his life for a mere Ye Liushuang? Ha, you truly overestimate yourself."


    Student? Li Xiaofei is Li Zhoumin''s student?


    Ye Changlin was stunned. For a moment, he thought he had misheard. Although he was well aware of what had transpired at the Starry Sky Hotel that night, he had assumed that Li Xiaofei''s private audience with Li Zhoumin was nothing more than the Inspector''s routine practice of mentoring a promising junior.


    Li Zhoumin had given guidance to many young martial artists in the past, but it had always been fleeting. Once the matter was over, Li Zhoumin would not give it a second thought and certainly would not refer to them as students. But this time, the usually reserved Li Zhoumin had used the word student to describe Li Xiaofei.


    This is disastrous!


    Ye Changlin quickly realized that he had completely misjudged Li Xiaofei. The targeted actions against him had failed miserably. If they had known this from the beginning, the Ye family would never have chosen this method to deal with Li Xiaofei.


    In that moment, Ye Changlin''s mind raced as he quickly reassessed the situation. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I''m sorry, I spoke out of turn in a moment of haste." The old fox immediately admitted his mistake. "So, it turns out that Li Xiaofei is the Inspector''s student. No wonder he possesses such remarkable strength at such a young age. Truly, a great teacher produces outstanding students."


    Li Zhoumin floated gracefully to the ground, landing in front of Li Xiaofei.


    "You may leave now," He said, without giving Ye Changlin any face. "The Ye family needs to provide an explanation for this."


    This was the authority of an Inspector. Even though his student had gained the upper hand, he still demanded an explanation from others. Because, in truth, everyone knew the reality of the situation.


    At this moment, Ye Changlin did not dare to argue. He quickly responded, "Yes, yes, the Ye family will certainly give the Inspector an explanation. The Ye family will fully comply with the terms of the agreement. From now on, the territories and all assets of the Dragon Claw Gang, the Flying Cloud Sword Gang, Daxing Gang, and Iron Palm Ltd. will belong to the Cloudy Sky Gang."


    One should never provoke a major leader of the base city before being absolutely certain of victory. Losing a bit of face was a small price to pay. After offering his apologies, Ye Changlin carried the body of Ye Liushuang and left in disgrace.


    Meanwhile, the other gang leaders, including Ning Wuwo, hurried to pay their respects to the Inspector. However, Li Zhoumin didn¡¯t even glance at them. He treated them as if they were nothing but air.


    "Thank you, Teacher." Li Xiaofei quickly stepped forward to express his gratitude.


    Li Zhoumin, however, was still angry. "I¡¯ve told you time and again to be cautious in everything you do. If you face something you can''t handle, you must come to me. Did you just ignore my advice and insist on handling everything on your own?"


    Li Xiaofei hurriedly apologized and added, "Who could have imagined that the Ye family would be so shameless? They went out of their way to set a trap for me, thinking they had me cornered with the life-and-death pact. But when things didn¡¯t go their way, they had the audacity to go back on their word in public. It¡¯s absolutely disgraceful."


    Li Zhoumin sneered, "As long as they achieve their goals, do you think they care about losing face? Remember this, never assume your enemies are kind-hearted, and never overestimate their moral boundaries."


    "Yes, Teacher, I will remember your teachings." Li Xiaofei responded earnestly.


    His teacher, who usually preferred to avoid getting involved in the various affairs of the base city, had made a rare and bold public appearance today to stand up for him. Now, even the scolding he received felt like a sign of care.


    "Handle the rest yourself." Li Zhoumin instructed, "And remember, don''t neglect your studies. No matter what, always stay on the right path."


    Li Xiaofei quickly replied, "I would never dare forget your teachings for even a moment. Today, I participated in the gang negotiation to repay the kindness the slum showed me in raising me all these years."


    "Repaying kindness is a good thing.¡± Li Zhoumin''s tone softened considerably as he said, "In the Great Xia Republic, only warriors who emerge from the formal education system are officially recognized. One day, you will understand just how much weight those words, official recognition, carry. Whatever you do, never stray from the right path."


    "Yes," Li Xiaofei responded respectfully.


    Li Zhoumin nodded in satisfaction, then cast his gaze over the surrounding crowd and sternly commanded, "Today''s events must not be spread widely. Anyone who dares to do so will be considered my enemy."


    He then rose into the air and swiftly disappeared from sight. Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but stare admiringly. Flying had been a human dream for countless generations, from the legendary tales of sword immortals in ancient times to the invention of airplanes, rockets, and other flying machines.


    The former were just myths, while the latter could never truly capture the feeling of flying like a bird. But now, martial arts masters could genuinely soar through the sky. At the level of the Five Spirits Realm, one could fly at will.


    One day, I will achieve this too.


    The young prodigy at the eightieth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, silently vowed to himself.


    "Haha, congratulations, my young brother! You achieved a great victory today." Ning Wuwo, the chairman, approached with a kindly smile. "Indeed, a true hero emerges in his youth. Congratulations, congratulations indeed! Securing the territories of the four major gang; a new gang leader is rising in the base city."


    "Yes, President Li, it¡¯s no wonder you are the student of the Inspector."


    "My young brother, we¡¯ve already prepared a banquet in your honor. You must attend."


    "To achieve so much at such a young age; I am truly impressed."


    "I¡¯m genuinely happy for you, my young brother."


    A group of gang leaders eagerly stepped forward, smiling and offering their congratulations with great enthusiasm, as if they had been Li Xiaofei''s lifelong friends.


    Li Xiaofei looked at them and sneered, "Are we really that close?"

 Chapter 198: Don’t Blame Me For Being Rude

    Chapter 198: Don¡¯t Blame Me For Being RudeOne sentence froze the smiles on everyone''s faces. There¡¯s an old saying that you don¡¯t strike a smiling face, but Li Xiaofei seemingly had no regard for such rules.


    Li Xiaofei looked at Chu Yuntian. "Old Chu, spread the word. In two hours, I want to see all the mid-to-high-ranking members of the four major gangs gathered in the Cloudy Sky Gang''s main courtyard. We won¡¯t be waiting for any latecomers." S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Yes, Boss," Chu Yuntian responded excitedly.


    Today had been an incredibly satisfying day. The boss had won five battles in a row and thoroughly established his dominance. Even though they had offended the Ye family, they had the backing of the Inspector. It was a guaranteed win.


    Li Xiaofei then turned to Ning Wuwo and the other leaders with a cold smile on his face. "Let me make this clear. The territories of the four major gangs are mine. The people of the four major gangs are also mine. I¡¯m taking these four juicy pieces for myself. If any of you dare to entertain any ideas, if you so much as reach out for something that doesn¡¯t belong to you, don¡¯t blame me for being ruthless."


    The gang leaders felt a chill run through them.


    "Alright, boys, let¡¯s go home," Li Xiaofei commanded with a wave of his hand.


    The members of the Cloudy Sky Gang erupted into deafening cheers. They surrounded Li Xiaofei as they left the Gang Alliance Tower. Meanwhile, the faces of the other gang leaders were grim. Li Xiaofei had shown them no respect and humiliated them in front of everyone, but there was little they could do in retaliation.


    A powerful and ruthless gang leader might not be so terrifying on his own. But it was a different story when that person had the backing of an Inspector. They could already see that the rise of the Cloudy Sky Gang was inevitable. The pressing question was how they would survive under the growing threat of the Cloudy Sky Gang''s dominance.


    Ning Wuwo, however, simply smiled. For someone like him, who was known for being a master at laying low in the gang world, nothing really mattered.


    ***


    Countless impoverished people had gathered at the entrance of the slums as they anxiously awaited the results of the gang negotiation. Word had already spread. Even the children knew that today''s gang negotiation would decide the fate of all the slum dwellers.


    They prayed in silence. The enemy was overwhelmingly powerful and they had been suffocating under the pressure lately. Yet, despite the odds, everyone still hoped that President Li, who had created miracles time and time again, would continue his streak of extraordinary successes.


    Time passed slowly. Men, women, and children alike maintained a tense silence. The air was heavy with anticipation. Some even knelt on the ground, hands clasped in prayer.


    At the very front of the crowd stood Zhong Ling. The former president''s daughter, dressed in a white gown, was delicate yet strikingly beautiful. The cold wind played with her long hair as it danced like black flames in the air.


    Her bright eyes were fixed on the distance, filled with hope and expectation. Yet, her fingernails were almost painfully digging into her palms. Li Jie and Yang Cheng were beside her, the latter struggling to stay upright in his wheelchair. Suddenly, a glimmer of light flashed in Zhong Ling¡¯s eyes. She had spotted the approaching convoy in the distance.


    "They''re back," Li Jie shouted loudly.


    The crowd immediately erupted into noise. Excitement and anxiety filled the air. It was as if they were all waiting for the hammer of judgment to fall.


    "Brother Xiaofei is alive," Zhong Ling exclaimed excitedly, "He''s unharmed... We must have won."


    Yes, we. Zhong Ling had fully embraced her identity as one of the slum''s people. The crowd burst into cheers. As the convoy drew nearer, the news of their victory spread rapidly. The crowd erupted in frenzied joy. The impoverished people sang and danced, celebrating like never before. They had never felt such happiness.


    They had won. Not only had they won, but they had also gained control of new territories. Better days were on the horizon.


    Soon, the slum dwellers witnessed something beyond their wildest dreams. One luxury car after another arrived in the slums, competing to reach the Cloudy Sky Gang¡¯s square. The rarely seen bigshots of the rule-of-law district gangs arrived, one by one, bowing and scraping. They were all mid-to-high-ranking members of the four major gangs.


    Even Fan Tong, the youngest of the Fan brothers, was among them. There was also Wei Kun, the Hall Master of the Dragon Claw Gang¡ªthe highest-ranking survivor of the gang. Ironically, his life had been spared because he had been first captured by Li Xiaofei, turning his misfortune into a blessing.


    "My brothers'' deaths are not the president''s fault," Fan Tong said, his voice filled with resentment. "It was the Ye family who drove them to their deaths. Life and death on the battlefield are determined by fate. They died at the president''s hands, and I bear no grudge. I only hate that I didn¡¯t see the Ye family''s treachery sooner and allowed myself to become a disposable pawn in their game."


    "Boss, I am willing to go through fire and water for you," Wei Kun said, bowing deeply.


    The other mid-to-high-ranking members of the three major gangs were equally submissive. They had no choice. After all, they were facing the demon king who single-handedly wiped out the Dragon Claw Gang and killed five top masters.


    Li Xiaofei had no interest in coddling them. He didn¡¯t bother to distinguish between those who were genuinely loyal and those who were pretending. There simply wasn¡¯t time for that. Instead, he handed each one a Life and Death Talisman. This way, he didn¡¯t have to worry about betrayal. The remaining work of integrating the gangs was naturally handed over to Chu Yuntian and the others. They could depend on the control provided by the Life and Death Talisman to use the talents within the four major gangs without worry.


    At the same time, he instructed Chu Yuntian to publish recruitment notices. After all, the Cloudy Sky Gang had officially become a registered company. They could no longer simply open their doors and recruit followers in the old-fashioned way; now, they had to hire legally.


    After arranging all these matters, Li Xiaofei eagerly headed home. The gang had prepared a victory banquet with many delicacies, but to Li Xiaofei, it couldn''t compare to the simple meal waiting for him in the dimly lit two-bedroom apartment¡ªa few small dishes and a bowl of soup.


    To his surprise, Zhong Ling was also at home. The delicate and striking girl was wearing an apron around her waist and was in the process of setting food on the table.


    When she saw Li Xiaofei, Zhong Ling naturally greeted him, "You''re back? Sit down, the food will be ready in a moment."


    Li Xiaofei paused for a moment, then nodded without saying a word. What had once been a family of three had now become four. It was clear that Little Aunt and Little Jie had already accepted Zhong Ling as one of their own, since they were treating her with warmth and affection.


    After dinner, the usual joyful moments continued. Bedtime. Undressing. Massage. After the intense battles of the day, only the final confrontation with Ye Liushuang had truly made Li Xiaofei feel pressure.


    He had unleashed his full strength and pushed his physical body to its limits. It had started showing signs of strain and damage. But fortunately, Little Aunt¡¯s magical hands were there. She sat on his back, her fingers gently pressing and gliding over his acupoints as smoothly as flowing water. Li Xiaofei felt an overwhelming sense of comfort.


    In a haze of relaxation, he drifted off to sleep. The stress he had been carrying during this period seemed to dissipate along with it. He felt renewed, as if his entire being had undergone a transformation.


    He didn''t know how much time had passed when he suddenly awoke. To his surprise, his aunt was still sitting on his back, massaging him. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead, dripping steadily onto his back.


    "The Qi Refining Realm has its limits. Once you''ve cultivated to the ninety-ninth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, it¡¯s time to break through the barriers," his aunt whispered.


    Li Xiaofei replied sleepily, "I had intended to cultivate to the hundredth stage of the Qi Refining Realm."


    "One should never strive for perfection. When the moon is full, it begins to wane; when water overflows, it spills. The same principle applies to the path of martial arts," Little Aunt gently advised.


    "Alright, I''ll listen to you, Little Aunt," Li Xiaofei agreed.


    The scarred face of the blind woman softened into a gentle smile in the moonlight. At that moment, his light core phone suddenly rang.


    "So late, who could it be?" Li Xiaofei muttered as he reached for the light core and checked the caller ID.


    It was Tan Qingying.

 Chapter 199: The Young Lady Is Drunk

    Chapter 199: The Young Lady Is DrunkLi Xiaofei hesitated for a moment before answering the call.


    "Hey, come out and have a drink with me," said Tan Qingying. Her voice sounded somewhat weary, with a hint of something off.


    "Alright. Send me the location," said Li Xiaofei without hesitation.


    It was perfect timing, as the massage was almost finished.


    ***


    At the Sweetheart Bar, a high-end, private lounge in the city center.


    "Miss, care to join me for a drink? It''s on me." A man, who fancied himself as suave, approached the beautiful girl sitting alone at the bar and drinking in silence. He tried to sound gentlemanly.


    Tan Qingying coldly replied without turning her head, "Get lost."


    "Haha, a feisty one. I like that." The man chuckled lightly as he slid into the seat beside her. "Do you have any idea how many women dream of getting into my bed? Haha, my last name is Ye. Would you like to know who I am?"


    "Do you know who she is?"


    A voice interrupted him. Li Xiaofei had just arrived. When he witnessed the scene, he decided to step in. The man turned to size up Li Xiaofei.


    When he saw Li Xiaofei¡¯s ordinary clothes, he felt a wave of disdain and sneered, "And who is she?" S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei calmly responded, "Her last name is Tan."


    "So what if her last name is Tan?" The man sneered, then suddenly froze. "Tan...?"


    He suddenly paled. He had heard stories about a beautiful girl with the last name Tan with pink hair and a rebellious aura. It didn¡¯t take long for him to put two and two together.


    Instantly, his body was covered in cold sweat. He stood up and apologized, "I''m sorry... I didn''t know..."


    "Just leave," Li Xiaofei waved him off dismissively.


    The man glanced at Li Xiaofei, a flicker of resentment flashing deep in his eyes.


    I''m afraid of the Tan family heiress, not you. How dare you, in those shabby clothes, talk to me like that?


    He silently memorized Li Xiaofei''s face as he turned and left unwillingly. However, instead of leaving completely, he settled into a dimly lit booth nearby, quietly observing them from the shadows.


    Li Xiaofei took a seat next to Tan Qingying and asked, "Why are you out drinking alone so late?"


    This Sweetheart Bar was located in the prime area of the Liuhe Base City''s core central business district. Only luxury cars lined the entrance, and the patrons were all wealthy and influential.


    Li Xiaofei had followed the navigation for quite some time before finally finding the place. When he arrived at the door, the security guards had stopped him, claiming that his attire was inappropriate for entry. He had had no choice but to use his mental manipulation technique to gain access.


    Once he was inside, he was greeted by a scene of extravagant indulgence. It was an opulent den of excess. Luxuries that were nearly impossible to find outside were casually displayed here. Even various types of alcohol were in abundance, a rare sight in this era where bars themselves had become symbols of luxury.


    "Not in a good mood," Tan Qingying said, pulling off her pink wig to reveal her sleek black hair. "But let''s not talk about that. By the way, did you get your matters sorted out?"


    Li Xiaofei nodded.


    He waved to the bartender, ordering two glasses of a three-layered cocktail, and said, "All sorted. What''s bothering you? Tell me about it."


    Tan Qingying rubbed her head and said, "My family wants me to go to university."


    "That''s a good thing," Li Xiaofei replied.


    He had never asked whether Tan Qingying was in school or just idling away her time. After all, she always seemed to have plenty of time since she was always cheerful and carefree.


    "Good? What''s good about it?" Tan Qingying grumbled, "Going to university means I have to leave Liuhe Base City."


    "I see. But leaving temporarily for your studies isn''t the worst thing," Li Xiaofei suggested.


    Tan Qingying shot him a fierce glare, clearly displeased with his answer.


    Li Xiaofei asked, "What does Uncle Tan say?"


    Tan Qingying huffed, "The old man wants to keep me here, but the problem is, he doesn''t have any say in the matter."


    Even the city leader doesn''t have a say?


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback. But then he recalled what Xiao Hongye had mentioned. Tan''s family belonged to a Saint¡¯s lineage. Tan Qingying''s mother''s side was also from a Saint family. If even the city leader had no say in the matter, it was clear this involved the internal decisions of a powerful and influential family.


    "Still, going to university is a good thing," Li Xiaofei said.


    Tan Qingying messed with her hair as she vented her frustration, "Good? What''s good about it? Once I''m there, it¡¯ll be like keeping a pet. I¡¯ll be groomed every day, dressed in clothes I don''t like, forced to wear a mask and interact with people while saying things I don''t mean. In the end, I''ll be trained to become a thoughtless puppet, and nothing more than a pretty vase to show off to outsiders. Eventually, I''ll have to marry someone I don''t even like, just to fulfill the family''s will."


    "That does sound pretty awful," Li Xiaofei admitted as he pushed the three-colored drink toward her. "Here, let¡¯s drink together."


    "Aren''t you going to tell me to drink less?" Tan Qingying asked, her eyes slightly glazed.


    "Could I actually stop you?"


    Tan Qingying tilted her head, laughing softly. "Why don''t you try?"


    "Alright then, drinking is bad for your health. How about not drinking?" Li Xiaofei offered.


    "I''ll drink if I want to," Tan Qingying said fiercely. "Who are you to tell me what to do? What are you to me, anyway?"


    She snatched the glass and downed it in one go. Li Xiaofei just stood there, speechless.


    If it weren''t for the fact that your father is Tan Zhenwei, I''d probably be spanking you right now.


    When he saw how drunk she was, Li Xiaofei felt slightly uneasy. His gaze swept across the bar. Sure enough, he spotted the tall, thin man in a dimly lit booth near the dance floor. He was dressed in a black tailcoat suit and wearing a tall party hat indoors. The dim lighting barely revealed his face, though Li Xiaofei could make out the faint outline of a small mustache at the corners of his mouth. He was lounging on the booth sofa, puffing on a cigar, with two beautiful women in his arms.


    This man was one of Tan Qingying''s personal bodyguards. The first time Li Xiaofei had seen him was outside the slum, on the night he had shared a meal of old Chen''s stew with Tan Qingying. Since then, Li Xiaofei''s strength had increased many times over and far surpassed where he had been at that time.


    But when Li Xiaofei glanced at the strange man in the formal suit and top hat, it still felt like he was staring into an abyss. There was a sense that he might be pulled into a terrifying black hole at any moment.


    He quickly averted his gaze.


    What realm is this man in?


    After sharing a few more drinks with Tan Qingying, she finally succumbed to the alcohol and collapsed into his arms, completely drunk. Li Xiaofei turned his head to check on the mysterious man, only to be shocked to find that he was no longer in the bar.


    What the...?Where''s the bodyguard? Did he take those two women somewhere to have some fun?


    This is way too irresponsible, abandoning his post like that for a quick fling.


    With Tan Qingying clinging to him like an octopus, Li Xiaofei found himself in a bit of a predicament.


    What should I do now?

 Chapter 200: How Could A Beautiful Girl’s Mouth Be Anything But Sweet?

    Chapter 200: How Could A Beautiful Girl¡¯s Mouth Be Anything But Sweet?Li Xiaofei sighed, paid the bill, and scooped the young lady up in a princess carry as he left the bar. Once he was outside, he sent a message to the city leader, Tan Zhenwei.


    He quickly received a reply.


    I''m a bit busy. Could you help take care of Little Ying for me?


    The city leader''s response left Li Xiaofei even more speechless.


    An unreliable bodyguard, and an even more unreliable father. No wonder she¡¯s always so dissatisfied with her father. This kind of parenting definitely needed some work.


    It''s the middle of the night, and you''re entrusting your drunk daughter to someone else? You must really have faith in my moral standards. It also feels like you don¡¯t consider me to be just another gang leader.


    Li Xiaofei felt a bit helpless. After thinking it over, he decided to take Tan Qingying back to the slums with him.


    No way I¡¯m taking her to a hotel, right?


    Shortly after they left, the man with the last name Ye emerged from the bar with a sinister smile on his face. He glanced in the direction Li Xiaofei had gone, his expression was filled with jealousy.


    "Damn it, that little bastard got to pick up the pieces. What a lucky bastard." The man chuckled darkly, then spat on the ground. "City leader''s daughter or not, she''s just another slut waiting to be taken advantage of."


    When he looked through the steamy photos he had captured on his light core, the man grinned with satisfaction. Releasing these photos at a crucial moment when the Ye family was fully engaged in its campaign to crush City Leader Tan Zhenwei might not be fatal, but they could certainly cause some trouble for the city leader.


    If he was a bit smarter about it, perhaps he could use these photos to threaten the young heiress and maybe even get closer to her? Just thinking about Tan Qingying¡¯s stunningly beautiful face made his heart race with desire. But at that moment, someone gently tapped him on the shoulder. The man turned around.


    He was met with the sight of a tall, thin man who was wearing a black top hat and sporting a small mustache. The man was smiling eerily at him.


    "Who the hell are you?" the man cursed, startled.


    But in the next instant, his entire world spun violently. He saw his own body at the bar''s entrance, as the thin man casually took the light core from his hand and crushed it into slag. He walked away without a second glance.


    Why can I see myself?


    As this thought crossed his mind, a sudden, overwhelming terror gripped him.


    Because I lost my head...


    ***


    Li Xiaofei knew he couldn¡¯t bring the young lady back to his home. Instead, he took her to the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters, where he gently placed her on the small bed in his office that he sometimes used to nap.


    After tucking her in, Li Xiaofei sat nearby and began to practice his breathing techniques. Suddenly, he heard the young lady softly sobbing in her sleep.


    "Don''t go... don''t go." She murmured, seemingly caught in a nightmare. Tears were streaming down her face as she reached out, grasping at the air.


    Li Xiaofei hesitated for a moment, but gently took hold of her small hand. Her hand was cold, but she clutched Li Xiaofei''s hand as if it were a lifeline. Gradually, she began to settle down as the fear on her face slowly faded away.


    "Mom, I miss you so much," she murmured softly.


    "No, I won''t go to university, I won''t marry that guy..." She started to struggle again.


    "I like him... I want to stay in Liuhe Base City."


    A sweet smile appeared on her face.


    "I want to eat at Chen¡¯s Offal Shop..."


    "Hehe, you¡¯re such a good actor."


    "Are we... friends now?"


    "Hey, do you like me? That childhood sweetheart of yours, your little junior sister¡ªshe¡¯s not as pretty as me, and she¡¯s not as understanding either. I¡¯ve looked into her..."


    "Hey, idol, marry me."


    "I want to marry someone I love."


    Tan Qingying muttered these words in her sleep, slurring them together as she rambled on in her drunken state.


    Li Xiaofei froze in shock. He knew exactly who she was talking about. He never imagined that Tan Qingying would actually have feelings for him. He had thought all along that the reason she had enjoyed spending time with him was because he was the only one who didn¡¯t care about her status, didn¡¯t treat her like a high and mighty princess, and allowed her to have fun without any pretense. But he never expected this...


    When he looked at Tan Qingying, who was murmuring in her sleep, Li Xiaofei felt a warmth in his heart. He gently held the young lady''s soft, delicate hand without a word. In that moment, he forgot about his cultivation.


    Tan Qingying turned in her sleep and pulled Li Xiaofei¡¯s hand closer as she used it as a pillow. A faint smile appeared on her beautiful face as if she could sense the warmth from his hand. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei sat by the bedside, silently watching the girl in front of him. If there was anyone in this era who had truly captured his heart, it was undoubtedly this young lady. She had not just displayed beauty and intelligence, but also a unique kind of consideration. Every time he was with her, Li Xiaofei found himself easily losing track of time and forgetting about his cultivation as he simply enjoyed her company.


    But he had never considered pursuing her. It wasn¡¯t because of the difference in their statuses, but because...


    He continued to quietly watch the sleeping beauty before him, lost in thought.


    The night passed in the blink of an eye. When the young lady opened her eyes the next morning, she was momentarily bewildered as she took in her unfamiliar surroundings. A surge of caution hit her, and she quickly sat up in bed.


    The door opened as Li Xiaofei entered, carrying breakfast.


    "You''re awake?" He smiled and said, "The bathroom has everything you need to freshen up. Take your time and eat something afterward. Hangovers can be hard on the stomach."


    Tan Qingying''s wariness instantly vanished. She jumped out of bed, lazily stretching and exposing a tantalizing glimpse of her slender, fair waist beneath her loose-fitting clothes.


    "Where is this?" she asked curiously. "Did you bring me to a hotel?"


    "We¡¯re in the slums. My office," Li Xiaofei replied, urging her, "Hurry up and freshen up. People who¡¯ve been drinking have bad breath."


    "How do you know? Did you sneak a taste?" Tan Qingying pouted her pink lips and teased, "Smell again¡ªhow could a beautiful girl¡¯s mouth be anything but sweet?"


    Li Xiaofei nearly fled the room, flustered. Tan Qingying laughed, delighted by her successful prank.


    Coward.


    Humming a little tune, she headed to the bathroom. A moment later, she poked her wet head out and complained, "Why is there so little water? I can''t even take a proper shower."


    "This is the slums, you know. Water is scarce here. Being able to wash your hair is a luxury. We usually just do air baths," Li Xiaofei replied.


    The wet head disappeared back into the bathroom. A short while later, Tan Qingying emerged with a towel draped over her shoulders, looking refreshed. She grinned and said, "Thanks for last night. Why didn¡¯t you just take me home?"


    Li Xiaofei tried to act casual as he said, "I couldn¡¯t resist your beauty, so I brought you back to steal a few more glances. If you really end up going to university, I won¡¯t get to see you anymore."


    But suddenly, a loud, piercing alarm suddenly blared from outside. Li Xiaofei''s expression changed immediately.

 Chapter 201: Who Exactly Is This Young Man?

    Chapter 201: Who Exactly Is This Young Man?I was just kidding; it shouldn''t have triggered a city-wide alarm.


    Li Xiaofei stepped outside. The alarm was coming from the distant city walls. It was a beast tide! Li Xiaofei immediately realized what was happening.


    The alarm is exactly like the one that sounded during the last beast tide. No. This time, the alert level is higher. A beast tide of even greater scale.


    The alarm echoed through the sky, instantly drawing everyone''s attention. Countless people emerged from their homes and gathered in the square as they looked toward the city walls.


    The people of the base city were all too familiar with this kind of alarm after countless years of wars against the star beasts. They had learned to gauge the scale and threat level of a beast tide based on the volume, frequency, and duration of the alarm. The square outside the small building was filled with people.


    "What happened?" asked Tan Qingying as she stepped out. She was still wrapped in Li Xiaofei''s towel and coat.


    In the morning sunlight, the girl looked as beautiful as an elf who had just emerged from a secret realm. Countless gazes fell on her in an instant.


    The boss actually brought a woman home for the night? The boss sure has good taste. This girl is stunning.


    Li Junjie instinctively greeted her, "Good morning, sister-in-law."


    The boss''s woman should be addressed as sister-in-law by his followers.


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    Tan Qingying cheerfully waved at everyone, "Good morning, brothers."


    The small square erupted in cheers.


    "What''s all the fuss about? Hurry up and go eat. After you finish, gather and head to the city wall to assist in the battle." Chu Yuntian shouted to disperse the crowd.


    He knew the girl¡¯s background.


    The boss had actually slept with the city leader''s daughter. Impressive.


    "It''s not what you all think..." Li Xiaofei tried to explain, but the crowd had already dispersed quickly.


    The two of them quickly finished breakfast in the office. Then Tan Qingying rode her bike back on her own. Li Xiaofei, on the other hand, hurried to the city wall with the experts from the Cloudy Sky Gang.


    However, halfway there, he received a light core call from Officer Wu Junzhuang, informing him that the beast tide had already retreated, and the crisis was temporarily over, so the gang''s assistance was no longer needed. So they turned back.


    The next day, which happened to be Monday, Li Xiaofei finished dealing with the gang''s matters and finally returned to school.


    ***


    Li Xiaofei unexpectedly ran into Bai Longfei at the school gate.


    "I was beginning to think that you were getting poached by another school." Bai Longfei greeted Li Xiaofei enthusiastically, "You''ve been on leave for so long, where did you go?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "I went on a blind date."


    "What?" Bai Longfei was shocked. "A blind date?"


    "Yeah, I''m planning to live off someone else, just like you. I was looking for a 65-year-old rich lady as a girlfriend," replied Li Xiaofei.


    Bai Longfei immediately raised his middle finger. "There''s only one word for that¡ªdamn!"


    The two handsome men, with their arms around each other¡¯s shoulders, looked rather mischievous. They drew a lot of attention as they headed for their morning exercises.


    After finishing the morning exercises, Li Xiaofei went to Principal Chen Fei to officially end his leave.


    "Is everything resolved?" Chen Fei asked.


    Li Xiaofei nodded and said, "Yes, everything''s taken care of. I won''t be wasting any more time on gang matters in the future."


    Chen Fei''s peach blossom eyes immediately lit up with a satisfied smile. He said, "I''m glad you realize it was a waste of time."


    Li Xiaofei continued, "There are two more things I''d like to discuss with you, Principal."


    Chen Fei instantly grew wary as he said, "Don''t push your luck. There''s no way I''m giving you more time off."


    "It''s something good," Li Xiaofei said as he pulled out a carefully transcribed version of the Pity Flower Treasure Manual. "This is a miscellaneous manual that Inspector Li gave me. I think some of its contents could be useful for courses at our school. Would you take a look?"


    Principal Chen Fei, pleased with the way Li Xiaofei said "our school," casually took the manuscript and started reading. But his satisfied look soon gave way to a serious expression.


    He looked up and asked, "Is this really a manual the Inspector gave you?"


    Li Xiaofei nodded like a well-behaved lamb.


    "This manual contains a lot of material that even universities might not cover, yet it''s explained so clearly that it could easily be taught at the high school level. If we offer it as a course at our school, it could definitely become our flagship class."


    Chen Fei grew more excited as he continued flipping through the manual.


    "If we had a manual like this a few years ago, Red Flag High School wouldn''t have fallen into such decline..."


    He burst into laughter and quickly made his way out of the office. "I''m going to discuss setting up this course with Old Qin. You should hurry up and catch up on your lessons."


    "But I haven''t even mentioned the second thing yet..." Li Xiaofei said.


    "The second thing can wait," said Chen Fei, walking off at lightning speed.


    Li Xiaofei scratched his head and muttered aloud, "Is donating ten million star coins to the school really not that important?"


    Whoosh.


    Chen Fei suddenly reappeared in front of him as if he had teleported. "What did you just say? How much are you donating?"


    Li Xiaofei jumped in surprise and exclaimed, "Principal, didn''t you just leave? How are you back so quickly?"


    A visibly excited Chen Fei grabbed Li Xiaofei by the shoulders and said, "You weren''t joking just now, were you?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "If you think that''s too much, Principal, I could donate less..."


    "Only a fool would think that''s too much." Chen Fei shouted, "Quick, tell me you''re not teasing me!"


    Li Xiaofei nodded and said, "I recently made some money and wanted to give back to my dear school, so I decided to donate ten million star coins."


    "You''re saying ten million star coins, not one thousand star coins, and not one million star coins?" Chen Fei had to double-check.


    Li Xiaofei could only nod.


    "Hahahahahaha!" Chen Fei suddenly burst into laughter as he started spinning in circles on the spot.


    Uh-oh. Did this old bandit just get so excited that he lost his mind?


    "Where did you get so much money?" Chen Fei suddenly stopped, staring seriously at Li Xiaofei.


    "I fought in a life-and-death gang match and won," Li Xiaofei briefly explained what had happened a few days ago.


    Chen Fei broke into a cold sweat as he listened, then carefully looked Li Xiaofei over again. When he saw that Li Xiaofei still had all his limbs and didn''t appear to be injured, Chen Fei finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    But he still felt a bit shaken and asked, "Why didn''t you tell me about something this big? I could have brought Old Qin with me to back you up."


    Li Xiaofei responded honestly, "I didn''t want the school to be directly associated with the gang. It wouldn''t be good for the school''s reputation."


    Chen Fei was taken aback. For a long time, he just stood there and then gently patted Li Xiaofei on the shoulder. "Go to class."


    Li Xiaofei grinned as he left. Meanwhile, Chen Fei remained in the office, holding the Pity Flower Treasure Manual in his hands, reflecting on what the young man had just said.


    He suddenly realized that the decision to wander into the slums that afternoon might have been the most important decision he had ever made.


    Who exactly is this young man?


    The first time they had met in the slums, Li Xiaofei was still struggling to survive. Now, he had completely risen from a poor youth to a millionaire. Yet he hadn''t fallen into the trappings of luxury and excess.


    He donated water sources and star coins. But he never thought about buying himself a car, a house, or luxury goods. This young man carried the grandeur of the ancient heroes who would spend thousands of gold pieces freely, knowing they would come back.


    He also possessed the chivalry to wish for ten thousand mansions to shelter the world''s poor and bring them joy. Perhaps, after all these years of perseverance with Old Qin, they had finally moved the heavens. And in return, they were blessed with a savior for Red Flag High School?


    ***


    Li Xiaofei dutifully went to class. The morning was mostly filled with cultural and theoretical courses. In the afternoon, the school team had a joint practice session.


    Yan Chiyu''s return had re-energized everyone at Red Flag High School. Now, everyone was eagerly anticipating the effect of the two swords of Red Flag High School working in harmony.


    The wait didn¡¯t last long. A new round of the league had begun. Red Flag High School''s opponent this round was Lanshan High School, one of the five prestigious schools.


    S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 202: Lanshan High School

    Chapter 202: Lanshan High SchoolLanshan High School had been established by the Zhou family, one of the five prominent families. The five prominent families of the base city, the Ye, Qi, Du, Zhou, and Mu, had all invested in schools, since it was one of the best ways to cultivate talent. Lanshan High School boasted a history even longer than Duxing High School, which had been founded by the Ye family.


    However, since the Zhou family was slightly weaker than the Ye family, Lanshan High School often found itself at a disadvantage in the competition between schools. Even so, Lanshan High School was ranked second last year and remained a top-tier institution.


    Its team¡¯s core member, Zhou Yunong, was considered a genius second only to Xiong Zhigang. He was hailed as the best high school beastmaster in Liuhe Base City.


    Lanshan High School had remained undefeated thus far this season. They were the only school to maintain this record. This was particularly notable because Qishen Academy managed to snatch four victories from Duxing High School in the previous round of the competition during solo mode. It was considered Duxing High School''s greatest humiliation in a decade.


    Lanshan High School was seen as the strongest contender for the championship this season with their undefeated streak.


    At 3:00 p.m., the old bus from Red Flag High School driven by Driver Qin slowly rolled into Lanshan High School¡¯s campus. This historic high school was built into the mountainside. The mountain¡¯s rare greenery added to the campus''s beauty. It was one of the famous landmarks of the city; however, it wasn¡¯t a place that just anyone could enter to explore and admire.


    In stark contrast to Hongye High School¡¯s ultra-modern skyscrapers, Lanshan High School had clearly striven to preserve its natural landscape. Unfortunately, while Hongye High School adhered to the tradition of ancient martial arts, Lanshan High School was renowned as a pioneer in modern martial arts.


    Li Xiaofei gazed out the window at Lanshan High School¡¯s campus. Setting aside everything else, just the greenery on campus spoke volumes about the luxury this top-tier noble high school boasted. In an era where water was so scarce, only the most elite could afford to cultivate such extensive plant life.


    The bus entered a tunnel and eventually reached an underground parking lot. The famous Lanshan Stadium was located within the mountain itself, earning it the reputation as the most fortified event venue in Liuhe Base City.


    As soon as the team members stepped off the bus, the sound of flashing cameras filled the air. Hundreds of reporters rushed forward, raising their microphones high.


    "Will Outlaw Rebel Li Xiaofei be competing today?"


    "Has the conflict between Li Xiaofei and Yan Chiyu been resolved?"


    "Principal Chen, has the internal conflict between the core team members been settled?"


    "How did you punish Li Xiaofei for leaving the field early and disregarding the team''s discipline?"


    "We''ve heard that Lanshan High School is very interested in Li Xiaofei and plans to poach him..."


    The reporters shouted incessantly. Red Flag High School¡¯s continued excellent performance in the league had attracted a significant amount of attention. As such, the day¡¯s match was the highlight of this round of the league, attracting a massive number of reporters.


    Finally, the Lanshan High School''s security team managed to carve a path through the throng and escorted them to the locker room. After a short while, there was a knock on the door.


    Little White Dragon in the Waves Shen Yan entered with Little You to conduct a pre-match interview. This was a newly introduced segment by the Education Department. Officially designated hosts were now allowed to conduct brief interviews before the match.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s gaze instinctively went straight to Little You¡¯s legs.


    Oh, black stockings. As expected. Forever classic.


    Noticing his glance, Little You immediately stood up straighter. ¡°Idol, I¡¯m wearing black stockings in just the style you like! If you prefer ones with letters or patterns, I can wear those too!¡±


    Li Xiaofei almost leaped forward to cover her mouth.


    I was just joking back then!


    The atmosphere in the locker room instantly lightened up. Even Yan Chiyu had a smile on her face. Shen Yan silently breathed a sigh of relief. Rumors about discord within the Red Flag High School team had been rampant online. They had included detailed descriptions that had seemed convincing at the time, but seeing the atmosphere in the locker room, things seemed fine. There wasn¡¯t any of the rumored tension. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After asking a few simple questions, Shen Yan wisely led Little You out, understanding that the team had limited time to prepare for the match.


    "Good luck, idol!" said Little You as she turned back before leaving, pumping her fist in encouragement.


    Li Xiaofei responded with a victory sign. The locker room fell quiet again. Chen Fei turned on the equipment and began projecting pre-match information on one of the screens.


    "We''ve already gone over the details of Lanshan High School''s team, but I need to emphasize a few key points again." He began. "There¡¯s not much to say about solo mode; it¡¯s all about personal strength."


    "But in the team battle, you must remember one thing, the soul of Lanshan High School¡¯s team is their beastmaster, Zhou Yunong. He¡¯s been the best beastmaster for two consecutive seasons. If the system randomly selects a map with a large number of star beasts, you must find a way to eliminate Zhou Yunong as quickly as possible. If you give him enough time to develop, he¡¯ll turn every star beast on the map into his ally."


    "Additionally, Lanshan High School''s two main fighters, Zhou Heng and Zhou Mi, are both at the Realm Limit Breaking stage. Last season, they were ranked third and sixth on the combat rankings, so they¡¯re formidable opponents. I¡¯ve heard they¡¯ve recently undergone new martial arts surgery, so their strength has likely increased even further. Their medic, Dong Bao, and weapons specialist, Lao Shen, are also at the Limit Breaking Realm."


    Chen Fei went over everything in great detail. But Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t really listening. To him, it didn¡¯t matter.


    He could confidently say, "Give me one chance to compete, and I¡¯ll make your dream come true."


    At this point, he knew he could easily crush any high school opponent.


    ***


    An hour later, the lights of Lanshan Stadium were fully lit, making it as bright as day.


    "The match is about to begin..."


    "Both teams have entered the preparation zone."


    "The starting lineups haven''t been announced yet, but theoretically, neither side is expected to change their starters."


    "This match is crucial."


    "For Red Flag High School, this is the most severe challenge on their underdog journey, as their opponent is one of the true prestigious schools, and currently the one in the best form with an undefeated record."


    "I agree, but Lanshan High School can''t afford to be complacent either. Red Flag High School has Li Xiaofei, the super rookie who ranks second in popularity across the entire high school league. In fact, many believe that even Xiong Zhigang, who is currently ranked first, might not be able to defeat Li Xiaofei."


    "This match also marks the first time that Red Flag High School''s two top talents, Li Xiaofei and Yan Chiyu, will be teaming up."


    "Yes, their first collaboration."

 Chapter 203:The Invincible One Punch

    Chapter 203:The Invincible One PunchAll the commentators and streamers had already gotten into their groove. In the arena, the Education Department and the tournament committee had finished calibrating the equipment.


    "Which of you two is going first?" Chen Fei¡¯s gaze shifted back and forth between Li Xiaofei and Yan Chiyu.


    Li Xiaofei kept his mouth shut. He had noticed the principal''s twisted sense of humor. Whoever volunteered to go first would definitely end up going second. Yan Chiyu also remained silent.


    Chen Fei rubbed his nose, speechless, and said, "Li Xiaofei, you go first. Little Yan will be our anchor."


    "Alright."


    Li Xiaofei walked toward the light-core mainframe cockpit. His actions immediately drew the attention of countless onlookers. Although Lanshan Stadium was built inside a mountain, the stands could hold 100,000 spectators. Since this match was a spotlight event, the seats were already packed. There were also VIP boxes embedded into the mountainside.


    When the league entered mid-season, scouts from various powers and schools would appear at key matches in increasing numbers. They would be conducting thorough evaluations of key players, gathering first-hand data for future strategies, recruitment, and more. This data would even be archived and stored in databases.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s appearance on the field stirred both the audience and the scouts. Lanshan High School, on the other hand, sent out their ace fighter, Zhou Heng.


    "The favorite of Lanshan Stadium has entered the arena."


    "Zhou Heng, eighteen years old, standing at 1.9 meters tall and weighing 80 kilograms..."


    "In the battles leading up to this round of the league, Zhou Heng displayed a peak strength at the Limit Breaking Realm, having broken through three barriers. He has implanted the Inscribed Treasure Bone of a Grade Two star beast, the Axe-Headed Beast, and has mastered the secret battle skill Heavenly Axe Demon Strike. He ranked second on last season''s leaderboard, just behind Xiong Zhigang, making him a superstar in the Liuhe Base City high school league!"


    "Lanshan High School clearly has no intention of holding back."


    "By sending out their strongest fighter, they aim to decisively defeat Li Xiaofei and maintain their undefeated record."


    The match began under the watchful eyes of countless spectators.


    The system randomly selected the map Blazing Chang''an Street. This was one of the most classic solo mode map scenarios. The burning streets of Chang''an, with crumbling brick buildings, still carried the echoes of ancient battles. The air was thick with the final remnants of an ancient empire¡¯s last stand.


    Zhou Heng was clad in heavy armor and stood tall like an iron fortress. He wielded a long-handled giant battle ax, with two shorter, round-bladed axes strapped to his back, and six small axes hanging from his waist. His entire body was covered in axes. The ace fighter from Lanshan High School looked like a fearsome general from an ancient battlefield. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    On the other side, Li Xiaofei wore his usual Noble Gentleman attire, which had been unchanged for a century. His modern outfit, infused with the ancient style of the Great Xia, seemed slightly out of place in the war-torn environment of Blazing Chang''an Street. He almost looked like a time traveler from another era.


    "Take this!" shouted Zhou Heng.


    He wasted no time and launched his strike immediately. Light burst from his wrists as he broke through two barriers and rapidly hurled the six hand axes at his waist. They flew through the air like six silver lightning bolts, tracing erratic, unpredictable arcs as they sped toward Li Xiaofei.


    This was one of Zhou Heng''s signature moves, the Whirlwind Flying Axes. Thanks to the Inscribed Treasure Bone of the Axe-Headed Beast that he had implanted, Zhou Heng possessed a natural, expert-level mastery over ax weapons. The flying axes he threw would twist unpredictably in the air, and if an opponent attempted to block them with a weapon, the axes would spin and change direction upon impact, creating an even deadlier shredding storm.


    Many of Zhou Heng''s opponents had underestimated this move and ended up being torn apart by the swirling storm of flying axes before they even had a chance to engage him.


    But Mr. Qin had thoroughly discussed the terrifying nature of the move with them. During the pre-match preparations, the team had also reviewed Zhou Heng''s battle videos.


    Li Xiaofei stood his ground, showing no intention of dodging.


    "This level of combat no longer holds any meaning for me," said Li Xiaofei, shaking his head.


    Suddenly, he threw a punch.


    Boom!


    The power of the Great Strength Vajra Fist, Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow erupted. A dragon''s roar echoed as a Vajra deity''s fierce gaze descended on the map.


    When Li Xiaofei unleashed his punch, dozens of golden dragon shadows converged into a single, radiant golden dragon. It tore through the air, roaring as it tore through everything in its path.


    The six flying axes, imbued with the power of the Limit Breaking Realm, were instantly pulverized into dust. The strike annihilated everything that it encountered.


    "What?" Zhou Heng''s pupils contracted sharply.


    What level of strength is this?


    Before he could even react, he was utterly overwhelmed and blasted apart by the oncoming dragon. Blood sprayed into the air like a waterfall in autumn. The battle ended the moment it began.


    Li Xiaofei calmly retracted his fist and turned to leave. The flickering flames of war along Chang''an Street illuminated his tall and upright figure.


    The outcome was decided. A light core transport beam descended from the sky, teleporting Li Xiaofei away. Everything was over in less than three seconds.


    The entire stadium was stunned silent. The spectators weren¡¯t alone, even the professional scouts, experts, commentators, and streamers hadn''t had time to fully process what had just happened.


    They had been preparing to describe an intense and explosive battle, carefully choosing their words and phrases to maximize the excitement. But before they could even start commentating, the fight had ended with a single punch.


    A closely contested battle had been resolved with a single blow from Li Xiaofei.


    What kind of terrifying strength is that?


    As soon as their minds snapped out of the shock, three questions flashed through many people''s minds.


    How strong is that punch? Who could possibly withstand such a punch? Can a high school student really generate that kind of force?


    These three questions furiously whirled in everyone¡¯s minds.


    In the preparation area of Lanshan High School, the team¡¯s head coach, Zhou Yan, was utterly shocked. Disbelief was written all over his face. Their ace, Zhou Yunong, and the rest of the team were equally bewildered.


    Even in the preparation area of Red Flag High School, there were no cheers or shouts of excitement. Everyone was too stunned¡ªno, too terrified¡ªby the sheer power of Li Xiaofei¡¯s punch.


    After what felt like an eternity, the stadium erupted into a tidal wave of noise. The camera on the big screen panned over the crowd, capturing faces filled with disbelief. Everyone instinctively made sounds, but it was as if they themselves didn¡¯t know what they were trying to express.


    All the murmurs and exclamations merged together into a wall of noise like a beehive that had just been violently kicked.


    Zhou Heng stepped out of the light core cockpit, looking utterly defeated, his eyes vacant and dazed.


    Head coach Zhou Yan immediately rushed over and gave his prized student a reassuring hug, saying, "There¡¯s still a chance."


    In the livestream of Little White Dragon in the Waves...


    Shen Yan finally snapped out of his daze and began shouting at the top of his lungs, "He won! He won... Li Xiaofei, who has been at the center of controversy recently, won the match cleanly and decisively. The league¡¯s superstar couldn¡¯t withstand even a single punch from him and was completely overpowered... Hahaha, I just want to ask on his behalf. Is there anyone else?!"


    That was the question Shen Yan wanted to ask. It was also the question on the minds of every other media person present.


    Who else was there? If Li Xiaofei was in this good a form, who could possibly stand against him?

 Chapter 204: It’s Your Win If You Can Withstand This Sword Strike

    Chapter 204: It¡¯s Your Win If You Can Withstand This Sword StrikeIn the second round of solo mode, beastmaster Bai Qiqi took the stage to face off against Lanshan High School''s core member, Zhou Yunong.


    There was no suspense in this match as Bai Qiqi was defeated once again. The stuttering beauty had managed to secure a win in the previous round, but her losing streak resumed in this match.


    Perhaps angered by Li Xiaofei instantly defeating Zhou Heng, Zhou Yunong responded by revealing his full strength in the beastmaster duel, overwhelming Bai Qiqi with a tidal wave of beasts in less than a minute.


    Bai Qiqi felt a bit frustrated as she stepped down from the light core cockpit. However, her fighting spirit remained unshaken, and she wasn¡¯t discouraged. She could imagine the streamers and commentators mocking her performance at this very moment.


    In fact, ever since she joined the starting lineup, the online criticism had never ceased. The focus was always on her appearance and her series of defeats. The prevailing conclusion was that she was just a pretty face¡ªa vase Red Flag High School had pushed forward to attract attention and views.


    Some even spread rumors romantically linking her with Li Xiaofei, claiming she used her looks to secure her position as a starter. But Bai Qiqi didn¡¯t care about any of that. Though she didn¡¯t grow up in the dire conditions of a slum, being raised in a single-parent household had exposed her to plenty of hardships. Over the years, these challenges had forged a resilient heart within her seemingly delicate exterior.


    "Keep it up." Li Xiaofei was the first to approach Bai Qiqi. "Losing to Zhou Yunong is nothing to be ashamed of. You were the first to push him to use his full strength."


    "I-I-I know. N-n-next time, I¡¯ll definitely win," Bai Qiqi said, lifting her delicate little face with determination as she clenched her fists.


    Fang Buyi, Bai Longfei, Ren Dong, and Yan Chiyu also gathered around to encourage the young beauty.


    "Watch me win a match for us," said the freckled loli, Ren Dong confidently.


    The next battle was between the medics.


    "Your opponent is a Limit Breaking Realm monster," Li Xiaofei warned. "Don¡¯t underestimate him."


    Ren Dong blinked and said with a playful smile, "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got a secret weapon."


    What was her secret weapon? It was none other than the Medicine King Divine Manual. After the match began, Ren Dong was able to use a mysterious concoction crafted from the Medicine King Divine Manual to take down the Limit Breaking Realm medic Dong Bao in just thirty minutes, shocking Li Xiaofei.


    What the...?!


    The condensed version of the Medicine King Divine Manual that Little Aunt gave me only contained a few poison formulas that could only affect those at the Qi Refining Realm unless they ingested it. How did this freckled loli manage to defeat someone at the Realm Limit Breaking stage?


    The audience, along with the media and commentators, were equally shocked.


    "Incredible! Unbelievable! Ren Dong from Red Flag High School has defeated Dong Bao from Lanshan High School."


    "Before this round, Ren Dong was considered a third-tier star in the league, with half her fame coming from her cute and petite appearance. Most of her fans were drawn to her looks. But Dong Bao is a bona fide superstar! He was responsible for much of Lanshan High School''s undefeated streak in previous matches. This was supposed to be a match without any surprises, but the result has left everyone dumbfounded."


    "We''re not sure what Ren Dong did, but she seems to have unveiled a new toxic formula."


    "Red Flag High School has now won two out of three matches."


    "The pressure is now squarely on Lanshan High School."


    "Li Xiaofei breaking Lanshan High School''s undefeated streak was somewhat expected, but Ren Dong... she''s performed a miracle."


    Commentators were all exclaiming in astonishment.


    Shen Yan added, "This is the catfish effect. Li Xiaofei''s arrival has given Red Flag High School hope for a rise and has inspired the other team members. Ren Dong has grown rapidly, and with this battle, our mushroom loli has officially entered the ranks of superstars... and it''s all thanks to Li Xiaofei."


    "That''s right, the boss is spot on," chimed in his long-legged, black-stockinged assistant, echoing her sentiments earnestly.


    In the livestream, the hundreds of thousands of viewers didn''t hesitate to express their doubts.


    Good job, well-deserved praise.


    As expected of you, Shen Dog.


    I didn''t think anyone could praise people from this angle.


    Little You, if you''re being held hostage, just blink.


    Hostage? No way! Black Stockings You is now Li Xiaofei''s number one fan, okay?


    Countless comments flooded the screen.


    After Ren Dong finished her battle, she immediately rushed back to the preparation area and gave Li Xiaofei a big hug. She even clung to him like a koala, further supporting Shen Yan¡¯s argument.


    The fourth match went as expected. Bai Longfei honorably lost to Lanshan High School''s top star, Lao Shen. This brought the score to 2:2 after the first four matches in solo mode. The outcome of the final match became crucial.


    In this decisive match, Red Flag High School''s representative was the former Soul of Red Flag, Yan Chiyu while Lanshan High School sent out their second main fighter, Zhou Mi.


    As a superstar in the league, Zhou Mi''s reputation was nearly on par with that of his older brother, Zhou Heng. Zhou Mi had cut down countless opponents with his powerful two-handed sword, maintaining a 100 percent win rate so far this season.


    Yan Chiyu, who had recently returned from injury, had performed well in the previous round of the league. However, her previous opponent had been too weak and hadn¡¯t provided much insight into her current strength.


    "Evenly matched!"


    "Both AI predictions and expert panel votes suggest this will be a 50-50 battle."


    "In terms of audience voting, Zhou Mi has the higher support rate, as Lanshan High School boasts more supporters."


    "Zhou Mi and Yan Chiyu have faced each other three times, with Zhou Mi losing all three. But now the tides have turned. Zhou Mi has undergone New Martial Arts surgery and broken through four shackles, while there¡¯s been no news of Yan Chiyu breaking any shackles. How much strength Yan Chiyu can display in her second battle after recovering from her injuries remains uncertain."


    Predictions flew in from all sides as the battle began.


    To everyone''s surprise, the system randomly selected the map Blazing Chang''an Street once again. The burning buildings, charred corpses...


    Zhou Mi appeared in a modern, tight-fitting combat suit, dragging a massive sword behind him. The sword was an enormous 2.3 meters long and 75 centimeters wide. It looked like a door panel.


    "Let¡¯s decide the winner with one strike." He immediately broke the shackles on his hands and waist.


    He broke through two shackles at once. Energy flared brilliantly as the powerful starforce qi waves surged from him, creating visible shockwaves that radiated in all directions, sweeping toward Yan Chiyu.


    Yan Chiyu, with her short hair and jade-like face, stood in her Red Flag High School uniform. She summoned a cracked, damaged sword from the burning street nearby into her hand with a simple gesture.


    "Alright," Yan Chiyu said calmly, "If you can withstand this sword strike, I''ll consider it your win." S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The entire audience erupted in shock.


    So bold?

 Chapter 205: The Power Of Yan Chiyu

    Chapter 205: The Power Of Yan ChiyuOnce again, it was the moment everyone had been eagerly waiting for. A duel to be decided by a single strike! Both sides were sure to unleash their ultimate techniques.


    Everyone''s eyes were wide open, not wanting to miss a single frame of what was about to happen. Even Li Xiaofei was intently watching.


    Yan Chiyu, known as the first genius of Red Flag High School, had once been sought after by countless high schools. More than one person had praised her unparalleled talent. Li Xiaofei was very curious what level Yan Chiyu had truly reached.


    On the battlefield, Zhou Mi gripped his massive sword with both hands and kicked it up with his foot. When the sword was in the air, he used the momentum of its descent and exerted force from his waist.


    The sword¡¯s momentum fueled his strength, and his strength amplified the sword¡¯s motion. The heaviest sword in the high school league spun like the wind. Both Zhou Mi and his sword transformed into a whirlwind. Simultaneously, the blade of Zhou Mi''s sword ignited. Flames engulfed the air around him. In an instant, a massive, burning sword-blade storm took shape around Zhou Mi.


    Everyone felt a suffocating pressure. The fully controlled sword momentum, combined with the completion of his forbidden technique, created a terrifying sensation. It felt like it could tear the sky apart and devour everything.


    On the opposite side, Yan Chiyu''s cracked sword trembled slightly in her hand. Then, she took a step forward. Her movement was graceful. One step, two steps, three steps...


    She accelerated toward the fiery sword-blade storm like a moth drawn to a flame until she transformed into a streak of crimson light, cutting through the air toward Zhou Mi.


    Whoosh! S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The crimson light sliced through the air as Yan Chiyu''s figure appeared behind the fiery sword-blade storm. She landed gracefully.


    She tossed the cracked sword in her hand to the side with a casual flick. It embedded itself three feet deep into the ground. Her school uniform fluttered sharply in the wind. Her short hair was neatly styled. She was not a sword immortal, but a living, breathing person of the modern world. Yet there was an indescribable elegance to her.


    Without looking back, she walked deeper into Blazing Chang''an Street. A teleportation beam descended, transporting her away. She had done what needed to be done, leaving without a trace, her deeds hidden along with her name.


    "What just happened?"


    "Wait... why did the teleportation beam activate?"


    "Is the battle over?"


    The over 100,000 spectators in the stands exchanged confused glances. Then, in the broadcast feed, the scene shifted. The massive, fiery sword-blade storm, which had seemed capable of devouring the heavens, began to slow down. The intense flames gradually dimmed, and the fierce sword energy weakened and then scattered...


    Zhou Mi¡¯s figure became visible. He was gripping his massive sword with both hands, but he was staggering.


    Clang!


    The giant sword plunged into the ground. He leaned against the sword, his body slowly stiffening. It was only then that the crowd noticed a thin trickle of crimson blood seeping from his chest, right where his heart was. He was defeated!


    The outcome was decided. Yan Chiyu from Red Flag High School had won the fifth match.


    "She won!"


    "Yan Chiyu, in her second battle after returning, defeated Zhou Mi with a single strike."


    "How did she do it?"


    "Zhou Mi''s Flaming Sword Storm is a lethal Limit Breaking Realm technique! Once the sword has enough momentum, it''s an all-encompassing offensive and defensive technique. How could she possibly harm him without overpowering the fiery sword momentum?"


    "What exactly did Yan Chiyu do?"


    Many commentators repeatedly replayed the footage in slow motion, but they still couldn¡¯t uncover the truth.


    In the Little White Dragon in the Waves livestream...


    Shen Yan was breathless. "It¡¯s said that Yan Chiyu is called a genius not just because of her exceptional talent in swordsmanship but also due to another incredible ability, Flaw Detection. She only needs a few moments to detect the flaws in her opponent¡¯s techniques. She then delivers a fatal blow precisely targeting those flaws. If I¡¯m not mistaken, there must have been a flaw in Zhou Mi¡¯s Flaming Sword Storm secret technique that Yan Chiyu detected, allowing her to end the battle with a single strike."


    He continued, "How terrifying. Li Xiaofei dominated with a beautiful level of violence, but Yan Chiyu wins with finesse. Her battles are filled with suspense from start to finish. In this match, Yan Chiyu''s performance was unexpectedly brilliant."


    "And all of this can be credited to Li Xiaofei. Once again, the catfish effect¡ªLi Xiaofei''s overwhelming strength has sparked Yan Chiyu¡¯s fighting spirit..."


    As expected, Shen Yan concluded with another round of praise for Li Xiaofei.


    The black-stockinged assistant stood tall and pumped her fist. "Exactly, that¡¯s right."


    In the livestream, the viewers, known for their quick wit and playful banter, were simultaneously criticizing and enjoying Shen Yan¡¯s unabashed flattery.


    As the stronghold for the Fist King fans, this place was filled with Li Xiaofei supporters. To them, praising Li Xiaofei was like praising themselves. They were more than happy to bask in it.


    Li Xiaofei, watching the ultra-slow-motion replay of the battle on the big screen, was also deeply surprised. Yan Chiyu¡¯s strength was deeply shrouded in mystery. He could confirm that she had not displayed the strength of the Limit Breaking Realm. Yet she had defeated Zhou Mi, who had broken through four barriers, with a single strike.


    Could it be that she has also unlocked a Hidden Realm within the Qi Refining stage?


    Yan Chiyu¡¯s strength caught Li Xiaofei off guard. It also piqued his curiosity.


    "The glory of Lanshan, never extinguished, we forge the Great Wall of the new era with our blood and courage. For the honor of the Republic, Lanshan students press forward..."


    The stadium resounded with the school song of Lanshan High School. The supporters in the stands stood up, singing the school anthem with pride. The solemn and majestic melody echoed through the vast cavernous space of the mountain, creating an atmosphere of determination and enthusiasm. They were rallying behind their team.


    Lanshan High School, among the five prestigious noble high schools, had a relatively good reputation among the public. They were known for rarely resorting to underhanded tactics.


    In the preparation area, head coach Zhou Yan was using the time to strategize.


    "The responsibility lies with me. I didn¡¯t fully assess the opponent¡¯s strength." He admitted to the team.


    His most pessimistic prediction before the match was losing one round in solo mode. The biggest uncertainty had been Li Xiaofei. But he hadn''t anticipated that Yan Chiyu and Ren Dong would also deliver such powerful performances. Lanshan High School''s undefeated record had been shattered.


    "Even though they won the individual matches, the victory in team mode will definitely be ours," Zhou Yan said, rallying the team''s morale. "Don¡¯t lose heart. Even a powerhouse like Duxing High School has lost in solo mode before. The BO1 format is highly unpredictable, but in team battles, even ten Red Flag High Schools wouldn¡¯t be a match for us."


    Zhou Yunong and the others had a renewed fire in their eyes. After all, they were just seventeen or eighteen years old. How could they be willing to give up so easily?


    On the other side, in the Red Flag High School preparation area, Chen Fei was also using the time to finalize the strategy against their formidable opponents.


    "Lanshan High School¡¯s core is Zhou Yunong, the top beastmaster. His strength is not to be underestimated. We absolutely cannot allow him time to develop. If the system matches us with a map favorable to a beastmaster, we¡¯ll employ a RUSH strategy. The goal is to take him down as quickly as possible."


    Both teams were racing against the clock as they fine-tuned their plans. Ten minutes later, the first match of team mode was about to begin. The players from both sides approached the light core mainframe.


    "You won¡¯t win another match," Zhou Yunong taunted as he locked eyes with Li Xiaofei. "I¡¯m going to completely destroy you, end your so-called legend, and make you realize that the main fighters are nothing but brainless brutes. In the era of star beasts, only beastmasters are the true rulers of this planet."

 Chapter 206:The Ambition Of A Champion

    Chapter 206:The Ambition Of A ChampionZhou Yunong was right. The true terror of a beastmaster could only be fully realized in team mode. As soon as the match began, when the hills and valleys filled with star beasts that surged toward Red Flag High School¡¯s team like a relentless tide, even the audience outside the virtual battlefield felt a wave of suffocating pressure.


    "It¡¯s only been ten minutes since the match started!" Shen Yan exclaimed in disbelief in his livestream. "And Zhou Yunong has already tamed hundreds of Grade One star beasts?!"


    Indeed. Over a hundred Grade One star beasts were standing before the Red Flag High School team. They advanced like a well-trained army with an overwhelming presence. In the distance, Zhou Yunong stood on the shoulder of a twenty-meter-tall Grade Two star beast, the Gray Fur Explosion Ape. He looked imposing, with a cold and detached gaze. He gazed down at Li Xiaofei and the others like a king surveying his subjects from above.


    Meanwhile, Zhou Mi, Zhou Heng, Dong Bao, and Lao Shen stood closely around Zhou Yunong, forming a tight defensive formation. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Four Protect One! This was Lanshan High School¡¯s ace strategy that allowed them to dominate the high school league. There was nothing particularly special about this tactic. But not every team could replicate it. The ¡®one¡¯ in this Four Protect One strategy had to be exceptionally powerful.


    As the league''s top beastmaster, Zhou Yunong was clearly up to the task. As long as he remained alive, a relentless wave of star beasts would continue attacking the opponents.


    The only way they would lose was if the opposing team could wipe out every star beast in the entire map. But was that even possible? No, it was not. In all their past battles, no matter what kind of formidable enemy they faced, Lanshan High School always emerged victorious in team mode thanks to this foolproof strategy.


    In the current match, the system had matched them with the team battle map Sky City, a classic team battle scenario.


    Sky City spanned over 300 square kilometers, and had over ten thousand star beasts. But to Zhou Yunong, these fearsome star beasts were an endless, inexhaustible resource. At that moment, Zhou Yunong''s heart was filled with an unshakable belief in his invincibility. He was the king of the battlefield.


    "Red Flag High School attempted a RUSH tactic, but it''s too late."


    "They can no longer stop Zhou Yunong..."


    "Incredible, Zhou Yunong has managed to control over a hundred star beasts in such a short time. Truly deserving of his title as the number one beastmaster in the high school league."


    "Five hundred Grade One star beasts, equivalent to nearly a hundred Qi Refining Realm experts¡ªRed Flag High School''s five members have no chance."


    "This is the power of the beastmaster king in the Liuhe Base City high school league."


    "In specific environments, the power a beastmaster can wield far surpasses that of any main combatant."


    "Indeed, in many ways, beastmasters are humanity''s hope in the fight against star beasts."


    Commentators and streamers who favored Lanshan High School were fervently building up hype. The crowd in the stadium responded with wild cheers and shouts as they fervently supported their team.


    On the battlefield, Bai Longfei, Ren Dong, and Bai Qiqi looked pale. This wasn¡¯t about lacking courage. Anyone surrounded by such a massive number of star beasts would feel despair.


    "Captain, Li Xiaofei, what do we do?" Bai Longfei asked, looking at Yan Chiyu and Li Xiaofei.


    Ren Dong and Bai Qiqi also turned their hopeful eyes toward the two.


    Yan Chiyu suggested, "We break through the encirclement, then figure out a way to assassinate Zhou Yunong."


    After speaking, she glanced at Li Xiaofei instinctively, "What do you think?"


    For some reason, Li Xiaofei sensed that the hostility the Soul of Red Flag had once harbored toward him had gradually faded over the past few weeks.


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and then said, "My suggestion is... we charge straight through them."


    "Hmm?"


    All four were puzzled.


    Li Xiaofei continued, "The league is a third of the way done. But I want to ask everyone. What do you want our final result to be? What¡¯s our goal for this season?"


    The question caught all four off guard.


    The goal for this season?


    Even the principal had never brought it up. Everyone felt the drive that they had been suppressing forever. They itched with the desire to push forward. But they had never said how far they wanted to go, or what rank they wanted to achieve. Maybe they had a dream in their hearts, but it felt too far to be spoken aloud.


    Li Xiaofei filled the silence. "I want to win the championship."


    The other four were stunned again. Championship! The word seemed to carry a certain magic, causing their eyes to light up.


    Bai Longfei suddenly snapped out of it and said, "Wait, Li Xiaofei, we¡¯re still in the middle of a match. If you say that out loud... doesn¡¯t that mean... everyone heard it?"


    Li Xiaofei burst into laughter. "Winning the championship isn¡¯t something to be ashamed of."


    He grinned at them all. "This is our final year in high school and our last chance. Don¡¯t we want to leave Red Flag High School with its most glorious moment? To win the championship? I want to win the championship!"


    He shouted his last line loudly, causing his voice to echo far and wide.


    Whoa! This is getting serious.


    Bai Longfei nearly rushed over to cover Li Xiaofei¡¯s mouth. Even if they wanted to win the championship, shouting it out loud in front of so many people wasn¡¯t the smartest move. If they ended up empty-handed, wouldn¡¯t they just become a laughingstock?


    Declaring it so boldly would also make them a target and draw the ire of the five prestigious schools. It could possibly even invite underhanded tactics.


    "If we want to win the championship, we need to transform." Li Xiaofei looked at Bai Longfei, Bai Qiqi, and Ren Dong, and said, "Transformation starts with this battle. Are you up for it?"


    "What¡¯s there to be afraid of?" Ren Dong licked her lips as she replied, "As the successor of the self-sacrifice technique, I fear nothing."


    Bai Qiqi doubled down with a stammering but determined, "D-d-dare... dare... dare..."


    Bai Longfei gritted his teeth as he said, "As a high-caliber person, my courage has always matched my looks... Let¡¯s do this!"


    He brandished his two swords and was the first to charge. Bai Qiqi and Ren Dong followed hot on his heels. Their target was Zhou Yunong in the distance. Their mission was to break through the star beast horde. Their goal was to take down Zhou Yunong.


    The three of them charged into the beast horde like madmen, as if brainwashed into reckless abandon.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at Yan Chiyu. She responded by drawing a slender, flexible sword from her waist. She didn¡¯t say a word as she also launched herself into the charge.


    Li Xiaofei stood still for a moment, a smile forming on his face. He realized that in this instant, the last trace of doubt within the team had completely vanished. Yan Chiyu, just like the other three, had chosen to trust him.


    Since they were all united, he resolved to give them the ultimate gift in this final year¡ªa championship trophy.


    Li Xiaofei unleashed his starforce qi. Countless golden dragon shadows materialized and started to swirl around him. The sky filled with a dragon¡¯s roar as Li Xiaofei made his move.


    The Six Meridian Divine Sword technique thundered into existence as sword qi slashed through the battlefield with an unparalleled ferocity.

 Chapter 207: Crushing Dry Weeds

    Chapter 207: Crushing Dry WeedsBai Longfei¡¯s sword light flashed like lightning. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shhhick.


    The Grade One star beast in the lead, the Red-Eyed Spotted Dove, was cleaved in two. Grade One star beasts were roughly equivalent to human warriors at the Qi Refining Realm, with varying degrees of strength. For Bai Longfei, a small Grade One star beast like this was now easy to handle.


    As Red Flag High School¡¯s league performance improved, they had received more and more valuable resource rewards from the Education Department. Bai Longfei was one of the beneficiaries.


    Thanks to a sufficient supply of Starforce Reagents, his long-built potential had finally been unleashed, and he had reached the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. His combat strength had soared as he unleashed the Cross Lightning Sword technique Mr. Qin had taught him.


    Beside him, Ren Dong scattered a wide spray of pale green medicinal powder. Bai Qiqi wielded a long whip, snapping it like a serpent. The three of them charged forward recklessly.


    Soon, they were deep within the horde of beasts. Danger loomed all around.


    But just then...


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.


    Sword qi tore through the air. Pale golden sword light streaked through the battlefield as star beasts fell like wheat under a scythe.


    In the distance, Li Xiaofei strode forward confidently. His steps were almost leisurely, as if he were taking a casual stroll. Sword qi shot out with a simple flick of his fingers and sliced through dozens of meters of empty space. The whistling sword qi turned star beasts into lifeless husks.


    On the other side, Yan Chiyu moved with an ethereal grace as she flickered from one position to another. The elegant, slender sword in her hand became a tool of death as each strike caused a star beast to stiffen and fall dead.


    These two main combatants were working together for the first time and revealing their ferocious fangs. If one looked from above, they left nothing but ruins behind them as they advanced. The beast horde fell like grass in a storm.


    Bai Longfei, Bai Qiqi, and Ren Dong were greatly encouraged by the sight. Star beasts continued to surge toward them, but they had been deliberately left by Li Xiaofei and Yan Chiyu to serve as grindstones for their comrades to hone their skills. Even so, the advance of the Red Flag High School team was astonishingly fast.


    The scene stunned the spectators. It also shocked the Lanshan High School team on the battlefield.


    How can this be happening? These are hundreds of Grade One star beasts, not hundreds of pigs. They are about to be completely slaughtered.


    The confident expression on Zhou Yunong¡¯s face was replaced with one of disbelief. He could feel the looming shadow of defeat. For the first time, he felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on him in a situation where he controlled so many star beasts and believed the battle to be in his favor. He couldn¡¯t afford to hesitate and immediately activated a secret technique.


    His hands formed a mysterious shape as if he was holding an ancient, mystical instrument. He brought it to his lips and began to play. A long, ancient melody drifted through the air.


    At the same time, medic Dong Bao, in sync with Zhou Yunong, unstrapped the beast hide bag from his back and tossed it into the air. The wind blew a large amount of specially formulated berserk powder onto the beast horde.


    When they heard the ancient melody and inhaled the powder, the beasts fell into a frenzied rage. Several Grade Two star beasts roared ferociously, their bloodshot eyes seeming to overflow with blood as they went berserk. Their massive bodies trampled their own kind into the ground as they charged toward Li Xiaofei and his team.


    Grade Two star beasts were equivalent to experts at the Limit Breaking Realm. In their berserk state, they couldn¡¯t distinguish between friend and foe. These star beasts were capable of causing immense destruction.


    But even that was futile. They couldn¡¯t withstand a single strike from Li Xiaofei¡¯s Six Meridian Divine Sword. On the other side, Yan Chiyu¡¯s thin sword thrusts also exhibited a terrifying lethality. Her form shifted and flickered as she weaved through the beast horde like a dancer on the edge of a blade. It didn¡¯t matter if the star beast was Grade One or Grade Two, a single elegant sword strike would fell them.


    Ultimately, the beast horde was completely decimated. Even the berserk star beasts, overwhelmed by the one-sided slaughter, began to experience a primal fear.


    Bai Longfei, Bai Qiqi, and Ren Dong, covered in blood, along with the pristine Li Xiaofei and Yan Chiyu, finally stood before the Lanshan High School team.


    Zhou Yunong suppressed his shock and took a deep breath.


    "Attack!" He shouted as he launched an attack at Li Xiaofei.


    The other four members of his team, without hesitation, bit down on the pills hidden in their mouths. These pills were similar to Certain Death Pills that could temporarily boost one¡¯s strength. They were common in this era, and almost every team and medic possessed the knowledge to concoct such substances.


    Facing overwhelming odds, Lanshan High School chose to fight to the death. It was their first time using these pills this season.


    But, it was all in vain. Ten minutes later, all the members of Lanshan High School vanished into streams of data, while Red Flag High School remained at full strength.


    Although Bai Longfei, Bai Qiqi, and Ren Dong looked a bit battered, they had won! The three of them wiped the blood from their faces, exchanged glances, and couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter. They realized one thing from this battle.


    The championship was no longer an unattainable dream.


    Li Xiaofei and Yan Chiyu also exchanged looks. The boy was amazed by the girl''s miraculously precise swordsmanship. The girl, in turn, was astonished by the sheer dominance the boy had displayed.


    Their teamwork had been incredibly smooth during the battle. Even though it was their first time fighting side by side, there was an almost instinctive harmony between them. Perhaps this was the unspoken connection between true geniuses.


    Outside the arena, the various livestreams were in an uproar. No one had anticipated such a strategy or outcome. It was unbelievable.


    Even in the worst-case scenario where someone had predicted that Lanshan High School might lose, no one would have expected them to lose like this. They had been utterly crushed in a head-on battle.


    It was evident in the expressions of Zhou Yunong and his team members as they stepped out of the light core cockpit. The members of Lanshan High School''s team looked like they had lost their souls. The battle had completely shattered them.


    Head coach Zhou Yan tried various methods to comfort and motivate them, but it was all in vain. The team members seemed like their spirits had been broken, They couldn¡¯t focus at all.


    Even their core member, Zhou Yunong, had lost his usual confidence and swagger as he remained uncharacteristically silent. He seemed to be trapped in a state of depression as his aura strained like an old man in the twilight of his life.


    The outcome of the next two team battles was all but decided.


    Red Flag High School secured a clean and decisive victory. Their 3-0 sweep of Lanshan High School not only ended their opponent''s undefeated streak but also officially announced Red Flag High School''s powerful rise.


    "This was a match of great significance," said Shen Yan, the top Li Xiaofei fan, with absolute certainty during the livestream.


    "Li Xiaofei shouted the slogan to win the championship during the match, and they backed it up by completely overpowering Lanshan High School. They¡¯ve proved that they absolutely deserve to be champions. The sentence ¡°the wolf is coming¡± has been heard for years for the five prestigious schools, but this year, Red Flag High School, that wolf, has truly arrived."


    "The crushing defeat of Lanshan High School has made everyone realize the terrifying strength of Red Flag High School. If the undefeated kings can fall, who can stand in the way of Red Flag High School?"


    "Li Xiaofei, the league¡¯s big boss."


    Commentators and streamers across the board praised Red Flag High School and Li Xiaofei.


    This battle made one thing clear to everyone, Li Xiaofei''s strength had now exceeded his peers. He alone could carry an entire team. He has descended like a dark overlord, casting a shadow over the other teams in the league. This was the beginning of Li Xiaofei¡¯s reign of terror.


    At the same time, shocking results were coming in from another match in this round of the league.

 Chapter 208: This Damn Pretty Boy

    Chapter 208: This Damn Pretty BoyThe news of Quanye High School¡¯s explosive performance as they defeated Qishen Academy quickly spread across the internet. Combined with the crushing victory of Red Flag High School over Lanshan High School, this created a massive wave of public opinion on the light-network.


    In just one day, two of the five prestigious schools were overturned by schools that had ranked at the bottom last season. No one had anticipated the upset victory over Qishen Academy. After all, they had had an excellent record this season, creating a highlight moment by defeating the league''s reigning champion, Duxing High School, in solo mode with a score of 4-1.


    Qishen Academy¡¯s strength had not diminished but had instead increased this year, maintaining their absolute competitiveness in the league. Yet, they had suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Quanye High School. They had lost 1-4 in solo mode and 0-3 in team mode. Like Lanshan High School, they had also been crushed by a weaker opponent.


    The reason for their crushing defeat was that their star player, the league¡¯s top medic, Du Zitong, had been completely overwhelmed in both solo and team modes by Tsukiha Yaiba, a student from Jiepeng.


    The female student from Jiepeng unexpectedly displayed a strength far beyond what she had shown before as she single-handedly crushed Qishen Academy. The results of these two matches caused a huge sensation in Liuhe Base City.


    "Hongye High School had always been a challenger to the five prestigious schools, but they fell just short every time as they were unable to break into the top five."


    "This season, Hongye High School brought in the super rookie, Little Sword Immortal Gu Haochen, hoping to make further progress and pose the strongest challenge ever to the dominance of the five prestigious schools. However, unexpectedly, the first to break the monopoly were the two schools that ranked at the bottom last season."


    "The key to the rise of Quanye High School and Red Flag High School lies in the emergence of their own superstar-level students."


    "Li Xiaofei and Tsukiha Yaiba are the rising supernovas of this year."


    "Their strength was astonishing. They¡¯ve completely overwhelmed their peers."


    "This marks a new era in the education system of Liuhe Base City."


    "All of this is thanks to the wise leadership of Mr. Gao Changlin, the head of the Education Department."


    The article, published on the official website of the Education Department, sparked widespread discussion.


    Setting aside the flattering parts, the article did indeed explain the significance of this round of two upset matches. In short, four words summed it up¡ª The tides have turned. Even the former league champion, Duxing High School, felt the immense pressure.


    I will crush Li Xiaofei head-on.


    Xiong Zhigang, the captain of Duxing High School and the top-ranked superstar in the league, responded this way on Weibo.


    ***


    After the competition ended, the Red Flag High School bus returned to their school. Before the bank officially closed for the day, Li Xiaofei also donated ten million star coins to the school. Chen Fei and Qin Dewei, along with several other teachers, immediately held a small meeting to discuss how to use the funds.


    At the same time, Li Xiaofei received numerous congratulatory LightChat messages on his light core.


    Wang Siyu, the Soul of Hongye wrote: Congratulations on breaking the monopoly of the five prestigious schools. We''re counting on you.


    Gu Haochen soon messaged: Idol, your sword energy battle technique is incredible. Can you give me some pointers?


    Liu Yao: Let''s get together sometime. You haven''t forgotten about me, have you?


    Huang Yueyu messaged: Li Xiaofei, what''s your light core super account number? I''ll add you, and we can spar online.


    Gao Changlin, the head of the Education Department: Li Xiaofei, congratulations and keep up the good work.


    His agent, Xiao Hongye: Little brother, congrats! Your value has gone up again. Remember to come for the commercial shoot this weekend.


    Li Xiaofei slapped his forehead with a smile.


    "Damn."


    He had forgotten that he had already sold himself. If he had known that robbing gangs was so profitable, he wouldn¡¯t have needed to sell himself for the advance. The two arranged a time and place.


    "I''m treating everyone to celebrate today''s big victory. How about we all go out and have a party?" Bai Longfei suggested.


    Everyone, including Fang Buyi, instantly turned toward Yan Chiyu. In matters involving team discipline, the captain''s word was final.


    Yan Chiyu hesitated for a moment before saying, "Alright."


    "Yes!" Bai Longfei immediately jumped three feet high, saying, "The captain agreed, so it''s settled."


    He slapped Li Xiaofei on the shoulder and said, "Little Li, it''s settled. You better not spoil the fun."


    Li Xiaofei replied, "I''m afraid my big appetite will make you poor."


    Just then, his light core suddenly popped up with a call request. Li Xiaofei glanced at it and saw that it was from Tan Qingying. He answered it casually.


    "Hey, what are you doing? Come out and have dinner with me." The young lady¡¯s voice rang out.


    Li Xiaofei said, "I just made plans with my teammates to celebrate our victory. I can''t get away for now."


    "Huh? A team gathering? Would it be okay if I joined?" The young lady asked pitifully, "Just say I''m your girlfriend. Shouldn''t it be fine to bring a plus one?"


    Li Xiaofei glanced at Bai Longfei and was startled when Bai Longfei, along with Fang Buyi and the others, were all staring at him with gossip-filled eyes.


    Before Li Xiaofei could say anything, Bai Longfei looked disdainfully at him. "Of course, you can bring a plus one. Is she your girlfriend?"


    Li Xiaofei rolled his eyes at him and then spoke into the light core, "Alright, I''ll come pick you up then."


    "Okay, I''m at City Hall," Tan Qingying responded cheerfully.


    After hanging up, Li Xiaofei said, "A friend of mine wants to join us. I''ll go pick her up first. Once you guys decide on the restaurant, just send me the location." sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Bai Longfei nodded eagerly and said, "It''s settled then."


    Liu Xiao, Du Heng, and the other substitutes were also included in the invitation. Li Xiaofei hopped onto his motorcycle, which would never get stuck in traffic, and roared off.


    "This damn pretty boy," Bai Longfei muttered as he watched the bike''s tail lights fade into the distance.


    The others all nodded in agreement. Yan Chiyu remained silent.


    ***


    Vroom!


    The roar of the motorcycle grew louder as it approached. Tan Qingying stood by the roadside, smiling brightly as she waved enthusiastically.


    Screech!


    The black warrior-style motorcycle came to a sharp, stylish stop right in front of her with a perfect drift.


    "Hop on," Li Xiaofei said, tossing her a helmet.


    Tan Qingying was dressed in a sleek, all-black leather outfit that accentuated her slender figure, making her quite a sight to behold. She put on the helmet, jumped onto the bike, and wrapped her arms around Li Xiaofei¡¯s waist without hesitation.


    "Let¡¯s go," Li Xiaofei shouted.


    The motorcycle shot forward like an arrow released from a bow. The winter sunset stretched their shadow far behind them until it faded into the distance.


    At the same time, two figures stood quietly under a distant bus stop sign, watching the scene unfold. The young man stood tall and upright, dressed in a finely tailored, expensive suit. The woman wore a traditional Hanfu and exuded an air of elegance and charm.


    "Young Master, it seems the Tan family''s heiress has found herself a suitor," the woman said with a mischievous smile. "It looks like your family mission might be a bit tricky this time."


    "A fair lady is always sought after by gentlemen." The man replied with a gentle smile. His face was fair, and his features handsome and refined. "For a girl as exceptional as Qingying, it would be strange if she didn¡¯t have several admirers around her."


    The woman arched her delicate eyebrows. "Young Master, would you like me to keep an eye on them for you?"


    The man nodded slightly. "It would be good to take a look. But remember, no matter what you see, do not reveal yourself or interfere. We¡¯re here in Liuhe Base City as guests of Uncle Tan, and as guests, we must act with decorum and respect without causing trouble."


    "Understood, Young Master." The woman replied with a tinkling laugh.


    In the next moment, she seemed to melt into the air like ice disappearing into the void. It was invisibility!

 Chapter 209: The King Of Gigolos Bai Longfei

    Chapter 209: The King Of Gigolos Bai LongfeiQingya Pavilion. The name itself sounded like it could be a high-end restaurant. And in reality... It was indeed a high-end restaurant. It was the venue Bai Longfei had chosen to treat everyone.


    "Wow, Little Bai, you actually picked such a fancy and luxurious place. Aren¡¯t you afraid we¡¯ll eat you into poverty?" Fang Buyi exclaimed in shock as he stood at the entrance of the restaurant.


    The students of Red Flag High School were all from humble backgrounds. They wouldn¡¯t have dared to come to such an expensive place in the past. They wouldn¡¯t even have dared to glance at it while passing by, let alone eat there.


    "Eat as much as you want," Bai Longfei said, thumping his chest confidently. "If I so much as frown today, I¡¯ll consider it a loss."


    The group entered the restaurant, laughing. The interior was tastefully decorated, with a refined and understated luxury, exuding a sense of style and sophistication.


    "This decor... It must have cost at least a million, right?" Ren Dong couldn¡¯t help but marvel.


    Bai Longfei confirmed, "Including both the hard and soft furnishings, it cost a full six million."


    "How do you know that so well?" Liu Xiao asked, curious.


    Bai Longfei gave a mysterious smile but didn¡¯t answer.


    "Could it be... could it really be... your family''s?" Bai Qiqi stammered in excitement, her words tumbling out in rapid succession.


    Bai Longfei quickly clarified, "No, no, it¡¯s not. My family doesn¡¯t have that kind of money."


    "Please, this way, honored guests." A young woman dressed in a wine-red qipao led the group to the VIP Room 1.


    "I''ll start ordering first. We¡¯ll be able to dig in by the time Little Li gets here," Bai Longfei said as he picked up the light core menu, expertly selecting dishes. "This one, this one... and the slow-braised blood turtle, make sure it¡¯s a twenty-year-old one. Twelve portions, please."


    His confident demeanor made it clear that he was no stranger to this place. Ren Dong and Bai Qiqi snuck a glance at the menu prices, and their jaws dropped in shock. It was incredibly expensive. A moment later, Bai Longfei finished ordering.


    Li Xiaofei and Tan Qingying arrived right on time.


    "Let me introduce my friend, Little Tan," Li Xiaofei said, not revealing Tan Qingying¡¯s identity, as he introduced her to everyone.


    "Your girlfriend is really beautiful," Bai Longfei blurted out, dropping a bombshell right away.


    Tan Qingying smiled gracefully. "Oh, don''t say that just yet. I haven¡¯t won over your great teammate here. Just call me Little Ying."


    "Little Ying, you¡¯re so pretty," Ren Dong chimed in, moving closer. "Can I sit next to you?"


    "Of course," Tan Qingying replied, taking the hand of the adorable girl. "Us girls should sit together."


    Even though she usually disliked the masked socializing at high-end banquets of a prominent family, Tan Qingying handled this smaller gathering with poise and ease. Before long, she had seamlessly blended in with the group.


    Li Xiaofei found himself smiling without realizing it. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Bai Longfei nudged Li Xiaofei with his shoulder and whispered, "Hey, stop grinning like that... Have you made any progress?"


    "Rude, and vulgar," Li Xiaofei scolded him, shaking his head in mock dismay.


    He then reached over and thoroughly messed up Bai Longfei''s carefully styled hair. "Watch your jokes, or you might end up getting punched."


    Bai Longfei pouted but didn¡¯t say anything more. Soon, the waiters began bringing out the dishes.


    Bai Longfei declared pompously, "Today, I ordered rare high-grade star beast meat, known for its powerful effects in replenishing energy and blood. Eating this will strengthen your body and increase your strength... Don¡¯t hold back, eat as much as you can. This stuff works just like Starforce Reagents."


    Naturally, no one was shy about digging in. The high-grade star beasts had pure, edible meat that, after processing, possessed extraordinary effects in replenishing blood, boosting vitality, and strengthening the body.


    For martial artists, its effects were comparable to Starforce Reagents. The main reason it hadn¡¯t been widely popularized was its cost-effectiveness, which was inferior to the Starforce Reagents.


    Li Xiaofei picked up a piece of meat and tasted it.


    It¡¯s indeed delicious. It has a slight resemblance to honey-glazed plum meat.


    As he chewed, a faint warmth flowed between his lips and teeth, accompanying the food as it made its way to his stomach. The meat of high-grade star beasts truly did replenish energy and blood. It actually seemed to be quite effective. However, it was extremely expensive. It wasn¡¯t something an ordinary middle-class family could afford.


    Everyone eagerly dug in without hesitation as they enjoyed the feast. In the midst of their merrymaking, there was a sudden knock on the door. Then, the door to the private room swung open.


    "Papa Bai, I''m here! I''m here!"


    A little girl, who was about five years old with adorable twin braids, bounced into the room. She looked as delicate as a porcelain doll in a puffed-sleeve princess dress as she ran toward Bai Longfei with outstretched arms.


    "Oh, little Cuckoo''s back!" Bai Longfei turned and scooped up the little girl, planting a kiss on her cheek with a loud smack. "So, did you miss Papa these past few days?"


    "I did! I missed Papa Bai very, very much." The little girl replied, wrapping her arms around Bai Longfei''s neck as she clung affectionately to him.


    The room suddenly fell silent. Li Xiaofei blinked in confusion as he glanced around at the others. To his surprise, every team member, including Yan Chiyu, wore the same bewildered expression.


    What¡¯s going on?


    The little girl was incredibly cute, with large eyes, a small mouth, a dainty, upturned nose, and an impressive amount of slightly curly hair. But no matter how anyone looked at her, there seemed to be no resemblance to Bai Longfei.


    Fang Buyi, stunned, blurted out, "Wait... Old Bai, you¡¯re... a dad?"


    Bai Longfei grinned and immediately replied, "Yep, that¡¯s right, my good son."


    Fang Buyi raised his fist as if to punch him but, seeing the little girl, decided against it.


    "Where¡¯s your mom?" Bai Longfei asked with a smile.


    "She¡¯s parking the car outside." The little girl replied sweetly. "Papa Bai, are these your best friends?"


    "Yes, they are. Come on, let me introduce you. This is Uncle Li, this is Uncle Fang, and here¡¯s Auntie Yan and Auntie Bai..." Bai Longfei said, wearing a warm, fatherly smile.


    "Hello, Uncle! Hello, Auntie!" The little girl greeted them politely, her manners impeccable.


    Li Xiaofei and the others could only laugh, feeling a strange mix of amusement and absurdity.


    What just happened?


    They had just come for a meal, and somehow, without realizing it, their social hierarchy had shifted.


    "Mom''s here." The little girl pointed outside.


    Everyone turned toward the entrance of the private room as a stunning woman in her late twenties walked in with a warm smile. She wore a black blazer over a cream-colored skirt, paired with black high heels.


    Her light chestnut hair was slightly wavy, and her makeup was impeccable. Her full, red lips were as enticing as ripe peaches, and she exuded the irresistible allure of a mature woman.


    "Let me introduce you to my fianc¨¦e, Miao Youwei," Bai Longfei said, taking the hand of the elegant woman. "She¡¯s also the owner of this restaurant."


    The group was stunned speechless.


    What the.. Fianc¨¦e?!

 Chapter 210: Uninvited Guest

    Chapter 210: Uninvited Guest"Even though I joke about you being a kept man every day, I never thought you''d actually go through with it behind our backs." Someone quipped. "Who wouldn''t want such a beautiful and wealthy woman, even if she comes with a daughter?"


    "Hello, everyone. I''ve heard a lot about you from Little Bai, and I''m so glad to finally meet you all and host you today. Please, have a seat," Miao Youwei smiled warmly at them. Her voice carried an undeniable charm that naturally drew people in. It was a clear sign of her refined upbringing.


    Everyone settled back into their seats. Instead of leaving, Miao Youwei accepted Bai Longfei''s invitation to join them, giving her fianc¨¦ plenty of face in front of his friends.


    "Sister, you''re so beautiful," Ren Dong said as she moved closer. "Can I sit next to you?"


    "Of course you can, little sister. You''re very pretty too," Miao Youwei responded with a smile.


    "Hey, Little Dongdong, you traitor! Didn¡¯t you just say you¡¯d sit next to me?" Tan Qingying remarked with mock exasperation.


    This freckled little girl seemed to be more attracted to pretty women than most men were. She was ready to pounce and sit beside any beautiful lady she saw.


    Ren Dong stuck out her tongue at Tan Qingqing. "Sister Miao is not only beautiful, but she''s also kind, mature, and rich... Of course, I have to abandon you and get close to her. Who knows? Maybe I¡¯ll get a discount the next time I come here."


    "Alright, that''s it! I''m going to punish you!" Tan Qingying exclaimed as she playfully lunged at Ren Dong.


    The room echoed with laughter as the joyful atmosphere filled every corner.


    Miao Youwei smiled and said, "You''re all Little Bai''s friends, so feel free to come here anytime you want to gather. Think of this place as your celebration base¡ªeverything is on the house, anytime."


    "How can we accept that? Well, if you insist, it''s a deal then."


    "I¡¯ll be here often!"


    "Can we get takeout too?"


    The group responded with exaggerated enthusiasm, making the most of the generous offer.


    Laughter filled the room, and the atmosphere reached its peak. Despite being newcomers, Miao Youwei and Tan Qingying fit in perfectly. They were both beautiful, intelligent, and from affluent families. Their skill in navigating the dynamics of a group gathering was impressive as they seamlessly kept everyone engaged in conversation and ensured no one felt left out.


    Li Xiaofei could tell that the connection between Bai Longfei and Miao Youwei was genuine. The occasional glances they exchanged, filled with sweetness and warmth, were unmistakably sincere.


    The little girl, Du Juan, was well-behaved and polite. She had clearly been raised with excellent manners. It was obvious how deeply she adored Bai Longfei. Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of admiration. Bai Longfei truly seemed to be a winner in life.


    Among everyone, only Yan Chiyu maintained a slight sense of detachment. She naturally had a cool and aloof personality, but today, she was as relaxed as she could be.


    The group was in the midst of their joyful eating, drinking, and bantering when suddenly, a booming voice echoed from outside.


    "Miao Youwei, I¡¯m here to propose! You must marry me!"


    The voice was loud, domineering, and brimming with arrogance. The lively atmosphere in the private room abruptly fell silent. Everyone turned, stunned, toward the source of the commotion outside.


    Miao Youwei''s delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly as she said, "Excuse me, something has come up. I need to handle it." S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Bai Longfei immediately stood up and said, "I''ll go with you."


    The two of them left the private room.


    Li Xiaofei also stood up and said, "Let''s go take a look. Maybe we can help."


    The rest of the group followed them out. When they reached the lobby, they saw that a group of people had barged in, led by a tall, young man in an expensive black suit. He had a pale complexion and, at first glance, could be considered handsome.


    There were a group of about a dozen young men behind him. They looked like spoiled rich kids as they all sported mischievous grins. There were another ten men dressed in matching black combat suits. Their imposing stature gave away their occupation as bodyguards.


    The immaculately dressed young man held a bouquet of roses.


    "You can''t hide forever, Youwei." He said, looking at Miao Youwei. He pulled out a massive Star Core Crystal ring that he had prepared and continued, "I am sincere in my feelings for you. Today, I¡¯m proposing in public, giving you all the respect you deserve. Marry me."


    Li Xiaofei and the others exchanged glances. It turned out to be a suitor, who had come straight to the restaurant to propose. The fact that he pulled out a Star Core Crystal ring that was worth millions made it clear that this man was either extremely wealthy or came from an influential background.


    "Sorry, I refuse," Miao Youwei responded without any hesitation.


    "Why?" The young man demanded, "I''ve been very patient and tolerant with you, Miao Youwei. Why reject me?"


    Miao Youwei calmly replied, "Because I¡¯m your sister-in-law."


    "But my useless older brother is already dead." The young man, Du Hongfei, retorted indifferently. "Besides, you never had feelings for him. Are you really going to stay loyal to a man who died of illness? It¡¯s not unheard of for a sister-in-law to marry her brother-in-law."


    "I''m not interested in you," Miao Youwei said, her face showing clear disgust. "I already have a fianc¨¦, so stop bothering me."


    "A fianc¨¦? Hah, you mean that broke high schooler living off of you?" Du Hongfei sneered. "What¡¯s this? You actually fell for your little boy toy?"


    Bai Longfei couldn''t take it anymore and snapped, "Watch your damn mouth."


    "And who the hell are you?" Du Hongfei turned to sneer at Bai Longfei. "You dare to talk to me like that, you pathetic dog? Do you want your entire family to disappear by tomorrow?"


    "Bad man! Don¡¯t bully Mama and Papa Bai!" Little Du Juan, clinging to her mother, shouted loudly in protest.


    "Papa Bai?" Du Hongfei was momentarily stunned, then quickly flew into a rage. "Miao Youwei, you have some nerve, letting a child of the Du family call this freeloading little bastard Papa?"


    "This is my choice, and it¡¯s also Du Juan''s choice," Miao Youwei retorted immediately. "You have no say in the matter."


    "You wretch!" Du Hongfei shouted angrily, "You dared to take Du family money and use it to support a wild man outside, and then speak such shameless words? If you won¡¯t behave, I¡¯ll have to make sure you do... Men, grab that little girl! Du family blood must be controlled by the Du family."


    Four bodyguards in black combat suits immediately strode swiftly forward. Clearly, they were experts at the Limit Breaking Realm.


    Bai Longfei stepped forward, placing himself in front of Miao Youwei.


    "Beat him to death," Du Hongfei ordered coldly.


    Miao Youwei pulled Bai Longfei back a step and said, "Uncle Liang, take them down."


    Suddenly, figures shot forward from various corners of the restaurant. These were also highly skilled martial artists. As a wealthy and influential figure in the city, Miao Youwei naturally had bodyguards around her.


    The elder known as Uncle Liang had been with Miao Youwei for six years. She trusted him deeply. He had broken eight shackles in the Limit Breaking Realm and had extensive combat experience. He was extremely reliable.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Energy exploded outward as the five experts clashed and then quickly separated. The other people in the restaurant, sensing the escalating danger, no longer dared to stick around and hurriedly made their exit.


    Du Hongfei watched Miao Youwei with a sudden, sinister smile.


    "Heh, my dear sister-in-law, did you really think I¡¯d come here without preparing?"


    He grinned nastily as he continued, "Uncle Liang, why don¡¯t you go ahead and grab the girl for me?"


    The elder, Uncle Liang, turned to Miao Youwei with an expressionless face and said, "Madam, I¡¯m sorry, but it¡¯s best if you hand over the child."


    "Uncle Liang, you..." Miao Youwei was utterly shocked.


    She had never expected that her most trusted bodyguard would betray her at this crucial moment.

 Chapter 211: Paralyzed

    Chapter 211: Paralyzed"Why?" Miao Youwei asked.


    Uncle Liang remained silent.


    Du Hongfei burst into laughter. "This old dog took a million star coins from me. Naturally, he¡¯s going to do my bidding."


    Miao Youwei responded, "Uncle Liang, I won¡¯t hold anything against you for what happened earlier. I¡¯ll give you two million if you throw them out."


    Uncle Liang sighed heavily and said, "Madam, I know your principles. Once trust is broken, it can¡¯t be mended. Your money is too hot to handle, and there''s no turning back for me... Besides, I¡¯ve always been a servant of the Du family. I can¡¯t stand by and watch as Miss Du Juan calls an outsider Papa."


    Miao Youwei scoffed. "You were there when the old master said on his deathbed that Little Du Juan could choose whether or not to recognize her stepfather if I remarried. You saw and heard it yourself."


    Uncle Liang looked pained. "The old master was confused in his final moments. I can¡¯t acknowledge those words."


    Miao Youwei''s voice grew colder. "I¡¯ve never treated you poorly."


    Uncle Liang''s expression hardened. "Madam, stop stalling. I¡¯ve already sent your other bodyguards away. It will take them at least an hour to return, and those who didn¡¯t comply were dealt with by Young Master Hongfei. Please, hand over Miss Du Juan."


    "And if I refuse?" Miao Youwei challenged.


    Uncle Liang replied, "You are of noble blood. Don¡¯t force this old servant to take action and risk injuring you."


    Bai Longfei stepped in front of his fianc¨¦e. "You old dog, you¡¯ll have to get through me first."


    Uncle Liang sneered at Bai Longfei. "Pretty boy, I would have torn you to pieces long ago if it weren¡¯t for Madam¡¯s protection. A worthless fool dares to play the hero in front of me? Today, I¡¯ll put an end to you."


    He lunged forward with his hands extended into claws that emitted a faint black iron hue. The pressure of a Limit Breaking Realm master was terrifying.


    Bai Longfei, his face serious and eyes determined, was about to strike back... But Li Xiaofei stepped forward.


    "Brother, you fed me today, so I¡¯ll deal with this old dog for you."


    Li Xiaofei raised his hand and launched a claw strike of his own. It was the Nine Yin White Bone Claw!


    "You little fool, courting death," Uncle Liang sneered.


    He had cultivated the ancient Eagle Claw Technique martial art and had further enhanced his abilities by undergoing New Martial Arts surgery, which implanted the Inscribed Treasure Bone of a Flaming Parrot. This granted him a secret claw technique and made his ten fingers as hard as steel. He could tear through rock as if it were tofu. Who would dare to challenge him in a contest of claw strength?


    Eager to prove his worth to Du Hongfei, Uncle Liang launched a lethal strike at Li Xiaofei.


    Bang! S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Their hands collided, ten fingers locking in a fierce struggle. A savage expression flickered across Uncle Liang¡¯s face, but in the next instant, it was replaced by shock. His prized claw technique failed to twist or break Li Xiaofei¡¯s fingers.


    "Kneel," Li Xiaofei commanded with a cold smile as he applied more force with his grip.


    Crack.


    Uncle Liang''s right hand was crushed into pulp.


    "Ah...!" He screamed in agony.


    Instinctively, he tried to retreat but Li Xiaofei swiftly grabbed his left shoulder with a reverse claw strike.


    Crack.


    Half of Uncle Liang¡¯s shoulder bone shattered instantly. The immense force left him no room to resist, and he collapsed to his knees with a loud crack. Uncle Liang¡¯s face twisted in pain as his kneecaps shattered. He was reeling with shock and disbelief.


    Bai Longfei was supposedly just a student, and today¡¯s gathering was said to be with his schoolmates. Yet Li Xiaofei had effortlessly overpowered him, leaving him utterly defeated.


    How can such a terrifying monster emerge from a group of students?


    Miao Youwei was astonished and delighted. She was shocked that this high school student, Li Xiaofei, was indeed as powerful as Bai Longfei had claimed. Bai Longfei had often boasted about Li Xiaofei¡¯s capabilities, but Miao Youwei hadn¡¯t taken it too seriously. After all, in her mind, a high school student, no matter how strong he was, was still just a student. But now, she realized how gravely mistaken she had been.


    Her delight came from the realization that with Li Xiaofei here, today¡¯s predicament might be resolved. This gave her the time and space to maneuver.


    "Who the hell are you to dare interfere in Du family matters?" Du Hongfei shouted. He was both shocked and enraged by Uncle Liang¡¯s defeat.


    "One of the five great families in the base city, the Du family?" Li Xiaofei asked, looking at him.


    "That''s right," Du Hongfei sneered, trying to intimidate him. "I¡¯m Du Hongfei, the eldest grandson of the second branch of the Du family. Kid, do you even know who you¡¯re messing with? How many lives do you think you have to try interfering in our family affairs?"


    "Eldest grandson?" Li Xiaofei chuckled lightly. "It seems you don''t hold much status in your family if you don¡¯t even know who I am."


    Even setting aside the dual badges incident at the victory banquet just a few days ago, after negotiating with the gangs, Li Xiaofei¡¯s name had already spread among the higher-ups of the city¡¯s gangs and the core members of the major families.


    Although Inspector Li Zhoumin had ordered his name to remain out of public view, the core members of any great family would undoubtedly be aware of him. The fact that Du Hongfei didn¡¯t recognize him only meant one thing¡ªhe wasn¡¯t as important as he pretended to be.


    "You little bastard, who the hell do you think you are? Does a broke student like you have the qualifications to act tough in front of me?" Du Hongfei sneered. "Don''t think that you¡¯re anything special just because you defeated that useless old man."


    He gestured. "Take him down!"


    Four bodyguards in black combat suits immediately drew their military daggers and charged at Li Xiaofei. Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t move an inch, casually executing the Nine Yin White Bone Claw.


    The air was sliced through by the afterimages of his claw. The four bodyguards fell mid-lunge. This display of strength left everyone in the room utterly stunned.


    Uncle Liang, still kneeling, gasped sharply. The strength of this student far exceeded his previous estimation.


    Can he be at the Acupoint Opening Realm?


    Du Hongfei''s eyes twitched in disbelief.


    "Kid, are you really going to make an enemy out of me, Du Hongfei?" He snarled, gritting his teeth. "Don''t think I came here with just a few men. I''ll show you the true power and resources of a great family."


    He quickly sent a signal through his light core.


    A few seconds later, heavy footsteps echoed from outside. They could see a swarm of figures¡ªthousands of them¡ªemerging from all directions through the windows. The group quickly surrounded the entire restaurant.


    Bang!


    The restaurant''s main door was suddenly smashed open by a massive iron ball, sending splinters flying. The giant black steel ball was then yanked back outside. A tide of people then surged into the restaurant.


    Leading the charge was a man of medium build, his bald head gleaming like a boiled egg. His eyes were squinted like green beans, and he wore a leather vest adorned with silver studs. Silver chains were coiled around his waist and shoulders, and the same massive black steel ball that had just demolished the door was on his back.


    He exuded an overwhelming aura of violence and death, like a living embodiment of Yama, the Lord of Hell.


    "Boss Ma, that''s him," Du Hongfei said smugly as he stepped forward. "That little bastard ruined my plans. Take care of him for me. I want one of his legs broken."


    "Haha, easy enough, as long as the price is right, Young Master Du," The bald Boss Ma laughed heartily. "Breaking a leg is no problem at all, even if... huh?"


    He stopped mid-sentence as he finally got a clear look at Li Xiaofei''s face.


    Holy crap! How can it be this little demon?


    Boss Ma was instantly paralyzed with fear.

 Chapter 212: Blocking The Entrance Of The Restroom

    Chapter 212: Blocking The Entrance Of The Restroom"Boss Ma, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and take action, break one of his legs," Du Hongfei urged.


    The smile on Boss Ma''s face had frozen in place. He recognized Li Xiaofei.


    He had been at the gang negotiation meeting. He had witnessed with his own eyes how Li Xiaofei had effortlessly eliminated three powerful fighters with a mere flick of his fingers. Then he had seen Li Xiaofei kill Little Martial God Ye Liushuang.


    Li Xiaofei was strong, and his killing intent was intense. He was bold enough to kill even a core disciple of the Ye family. How could he afford to provoke someone as ruthless as this demon?


    "Li... President Li, I didn''t know you were here," Boss Ma said, forcing a smile that looked more painful than crying. He bent over, trying to appear obsequious.


    Du Hongfei was stunned.


    What¡¯s going on? The Wild Wolf Gang is the most powerful gang in this area, and Boss Ma, a master of the Acupoint Opening Realm, usually runs rampant without fear. Even the police find him a headache to deal with. So why is he now bowing to this poor student?


    Li Xiaofei looked at Boss Ma quizzically. "And who are you?"


    "My name is Ma Fei. I¡¯m from the Wild Wolf Gang," Boss Ma said, bowing as low as he could. "I have always regarded you as an idol. I was fortunate enough to be present during the gang negotiation when you displayed your invincible might."


    "So, just a lackey," Li Xiaofei remarked indifferently. "Are you here to stand up for this Du fellow?"


    "No, no, no," Boss Ma quickly denied, bowing even lower as he forced a smile. "It''s all a misunderstanding; just a misunderstanding. I was merely passing by and came in out of curiosity."


    "Your curiosity led you to break down my friend''s door?" Li Xiaofei sneered as his fingers twitched. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes.


    Boss Ma nearly wet himself in fear. He vividly remembered how Li Xiaofei had used just a few fingers to kill several masters.


    Boss Ma immediately dropped to his knees with a loud thud, desperately pleading, "President Li, please spare me! I''m willing to compensate¡ªten thousand... ah, no, fifty thousand! I am willing to pay fifty thousand star coins to repair the door."


    This scene left everyone else dumbfounded. After all, Boss Ma was the leader of a significant gang. How could he be so terrified of Li Xiaofei?


    "Old Bai, are you willing to accept Boss Ma''s compensation?" Li Xiaofei turned to look at Bai Longfei.


    Bai Longfei was already shocked to his core, but as someone who liked to maintain a certain image, he managed to keep his composure. He calmly replied, "For your sake, Old Li, I won¡¯t make a fuss this time. I¡¯ll reluctantly accept this compensation."


    "Thank you, thank you, President Li, and thank you, Student Bai," Boss Ma fervently said. He felt like he had just been granted a reprieve from death.


    He quickly asked for the account details and transferred the fifty thousand star coins for the door repairs. He kept bowing and smiling apologetically as he turned around and fled with his men. The gang members outside the restaurant also cleared out in the blink of an eye.


    Du Hongfei was stunned.


    The expensive reinforcement I had hired.... this is all they amount to?


    The group of friends around Du Hongfei also sensed that something was wrong as they started to inch backward.


    "You..." Du Hongfei looked at Li Xiaofei and asked, "Who exactly are you?"


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t be bothered to waste words and struck directly.


    Smack.


    A slap landed squarely on Du Hongfei''s face. Caught off guard, his face was instantly disfigured, and he crashed heavily to the ground like a sack of potatoes.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s figure blurred.


    Bang, bang, bang.


    Before the dozen or so black-clad bodyguards could react, they were all sent flying out the door.


    "Let''s end this here today. I''m in a good mood, so I''ll reluctantly forgive you," Li Xiaofei said as he walked over and stomped on Du Hongfei¡¯s face. Then his tone turned steely. "But if you dare to harass my friend and his fianc¨¦e again, I''ll twist off your head... Now, get lost!"


    Du Hongfei was sent flying with a powerful kick as he crashed heavily outside the door.


    "Ahh!" He convulsed, covered in dirt, as he screamed like a pig being slaughtered.


    His group of friends, now frightened out of their bravado, turned and fled. The bodyguards, lifting the bloodied Du Hongfei, quickly made a hasty and disgraceful exit.


    "Madam, I..." Old Liang, kneeling on the ground, was as pale as a sheet.


    Miao Youwei spoke calmly, "Someone, throw him out."


    A few restaurant staff members immediately lifted the old dog and tossed him far outside the door. With his martial arts destroyed and the stain of betrayal upon him, his life was over. It was a fate worse than death.


    The restaurant finally quieted down.


    "Old Li, thank you so much this time," Bai Longfei breathed a sigh of relief, looking at Li Xiaofei with undisguised gratitude in his eyes. Having a powerful friend was truly a blessing. However, he knew he needed to become stronger himself. Otherwise, he could only rage helplessly when the woman he loved was bullied.


    Li Xiaofei punched him playfully and said, "Just a thank you? You¡¯re covering breakfast next week."


    "Hey, it won¡¯t be just breakfast, lunch and dinner are on my meal card too," Bai Longfei responded grandly.


    Everyone laughed. Tan Qingying smiled warmly at the scene, feeling genuinely happy for Li Xiaofei. The group then returned to their private room.


    "My apologies, everyone. My personal matters have disturbed your gathering," Miao Youwei said gracefully. "I¡¯ll step outside to handle a few things, then I¡¯ll order some special dishes for everyone."


    Bai Longfei quickly stood up, "I¡¯ll go with you."


    Miao Youwei smiled gently, pressing his shoulder to make him sit back down. "I can handle it myself. You stay here and take care of Little Du Juan. Keep everyone company."


    She turned and left. Her emotional intelligence was truly high. By doing so, she subtly gave Bai Longfei the opportunity to explain the situation to his friends without drawing attention to it.


    "Old Bai, what exactly is going on here?" Fang Buyi asked.


    Bai Longfei didn¡¯t hold back and slowly began to explain. It turned out that Miao Youwei was the daughter-in-law of the eldest branch of the Du family, one of the five great families in the base city. The Du family was a large family, with four branches in total.


    The head of the eldest branch, Du Zhantian, was the most powerful and influential among the four brothers. Unfortunately, despite Du Zhantian''s legendary status, he had few offspring. He had only one son, Du Hongcheng.


    Since Du Hongcheng was born prematurely, he was naturally weak and plagued by illness. He had married Miao Youwei, one of the top ten beauties in the base city, and half a year after she gave birth to their daughter, Du Juan, he fell seriously ill and passed away.


    Miao Youwei had been personally chosen by Du Zhantian as his daughter-in-law. After his son¡¯s death, Du Zhantian took great care of Miao Youwei, granting her almost anything she asked for.


    Two years ago, Du Zhantian was gravely injured in a battle against a beast tide in the base city. He had passed away not long after returning home. On his deathbed, he had gone against the wishes of many and appointed his daughter-in-law, Miao Youwei, as the head of the eldest branch. He had bequeathed all his assets to her, along with a first class Kunlun Badge, elevating Miao Youwei and her daughter, Du Juan, to become the wealthiest women in the base city.


    The richest woman in the city, and still young and beautiful. Such a prize had undoubtedly attracted the covetous eyes of many. Fortunately, the protection of the first class Kunlun Badge, along with the connections Du Zhantian had left behind, meant that ambitious individuals from various factions didn¡¯t dare to seize her wealth openly.


    However, over the past few years, countless men with ulterior motives had tried every possible means to get close to and pursue Miao Youwei under the guise of love. The one who had just barged in, Du Hongfei, was the son of Du Yuanyang, the head of the second branch of the Du family. He was one of the most aggressive suitors in the tide.


    When Li Xiaofei and the others heard this, they were dumbfounded. They had assumed Miao Youwei was wealthy, but they hadn¡¯t realized how wealthy she was.


    "So, how exactly did you manage to win Sister Miao¡¯s favor?" Ren Dong asked, unable to contain her curiosity.


    "Hehehe, don¡¯t ask. If you must know, it¡¯s all about personal charm," Bai Longfei replied, beaming with pride.


    "Yeah, right."


    "Get him!"


    Bai Longfei was promptly pinned to the ground by the others, who proceeded to give him a good-natured but relentless roughing up.


    After the playful scuffle, Li Xiaofei stood up and said, "I¡¯m going to the restroom."


    As he stepped out of the private room, he noticed that the restaurant''s front door had already been replaced with a new one. The traces of the earlier fight had completely vanished, and the restaurant was back to business as usual.


    Having money really makes a difference. Li Xiaofei thought with a sigh. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After relieving himself, he walked out of the restroom, feeling much lighter. Suddenly, someone blocked his path. It was none other than the young and beautiful female tycoon, Miao Youwei. She had been waiting for him.

 Chapter 213: Full Of Crap

    Chapter 213: Full Of Crap"Student Li," Miao Youwei handed him a warm towel. "Thank you so much for today."


    Li Xiaofei took the towel, wiped his hands, and smiled, "Old Bai is my teammate and my brother. We¡¯re family, so there¡¯s no need to be so formal, sister-in-law."


    Miao Youwei carefully warned, "Du Hongfei is known to hold grudges, and his father, Du Yuanyang, is infamous for protecting his own. You¡¯ve offended them today, and I¡¯m afraid they might seek revenge in the future. This father and son have no boundaries; they¡¯re capable of anything. You must be careful, Student Li."


    Li Xiaofei nodded thoughtfully, "I understand. Thank you for the warning, sister-in-law."


    Miao Youwei continued, "I¡¯ve heard Old Bai mention you more than once, and I know you¡¯re a top star from the high school leagues, but I didn¡¯t expect that you had another identity."


    Her words were tactful, but Li Xiaofei understood what she was implying.


    "I do have a background in the gangs," he explained mildly. "It wasn¡¯t by choice, but out of necessity in the early days. Still, if you ever run into trouble in that area, you can let Old Bai know. I can handle small issues."


    "Can I contact you directly?" Miao Youwei asked. "Can I add you on LightChat?"


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and replied, "Sure."


    The two exchanged LightChat information.


    Miao Youwei hesitated briefly before saying, "There¡¯s one more thing I¡¯d like to ask, if you¡¯re willing to help."


    "Please, sister-in-law, go ahead," Li Xiaofei said openly.


    Miao Youwei carefully chose her words, "Old Bai is deeply committed to ancient martial arts and refuses to undergo New Martial Arts surgery. I respect his decision, but he also refuses to accept the cultivation resources I¡¯ve offered for his ancient martial arts training."


    Li Xiaofei said, "Don''t worry, sister-in-law. I''ll talk to him."


    Miao Youwei smiled happily, "Thank you so much, Student Li."


    The two of them returned to the private room, where everyone was still playing games with Little Du Juan, keeping the atmosphere lively and cheerful. The waitstaff brought out a few more specialty dishes.


    Ever since they learned that Miao Youwei was the wealthiest woman in the city, the team members had no intention of holding back with the scoundrel Bai Longfei. They all dug in with abandon, eating and drinking to their hearts'' content. Even Ren Dong and Bai Qiqi, the two girls, abandoned their usual restraint and joined in the feasting enthusiastically.


    Only Yan Chiyu remained composed, eating slowly and calmly, though her pace wasn¡¯t actually that slow.


    They didn¡¯t stop feasting till 9:10 p.m. They were waving goodbye to each other at the entrance of Qingya Pavilion when suddenly, they heard the distant sound of urgent alarms.


    Hmm?


    Li Xiaofei''s heart skipped a beat. The sound was coming from the direction of the city wall.


    "What''s going on?" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "It''s the beast tide alarm."


    "Another beast tide?"


    "The beast tides have been happening quite frequently lately."


    Everyone turned to look in the direction of the city wall, murmuring among themselves. More people began pouring into the streets, alarmed by the sudden commotion.


    Li Xiaofei recalled what Officer Wu Junzhuang had mentioned earlier. The Yinji Moon Fox had been spotted outside the city again. The military had organized experts to hunt it down, but their efforts had yielded little success.


    There was a specific passage in the biology books regarding such high-level star beasts. The Yinji Moon Fox was a natural-born Grade Five star beast. It possessed intelligence comparable to that of an adult human even as a juvenile. It could absorb moonlight to cultivate and enhance its strength, and could briefly transform into human form. Since it was born with an innate charm technique, it could confuse human minds, erode the will of living beings, and manipulate or control creatures weaker than itself. It was also known to hold grudges.


    It had been injured by the Goddess Ye Liuying the last time it had attacked. Now that it had recovered, it seemed to have returned for revenge. This was bad news for the base city''s garrison.


    "Look! What is that?" someone exclaimed from the street.


    Everyone turned their gaze, straining to see what had caused the sudden outburst.


    Li Xiaofei looked up and saw massive shadows sweeping across the horizon. His heart skipped a beat. Those were Hanging Cloud Beasts, Grade Three flying star beasts who were named for their enormous size and their close resemblance to clouds hanging low in the sky. Despite their bulk, they could fly rapidly at altitudes above 5,000 meters, which allowed them to bypass the base city''s anti-aircraft firepower net.


    These flying star beasts began to dive toward the base city with piercing, shrill cries. The sound waves they emitted were incredibly destructive, shattering countless windows in the surrounding buildings.


    "This is bad."


    "Run!"


    Panic erupted on the streets as people screamed and fled in all directions. But in the next instant, beams of light suddenly shot up from the various garrison camps within the base city. The entire city was instantly illuminated as if it were daylight.


    "It''s the Prism Towers!" Fang Buyi exclaimed excitedly.


    The Prism Towers were the advanced integrated air and ground defense system of the base city. Thousands of these towers were interconnected across the city, forming a network that fused electrical and star energy to unleash powerful beams of light, mercilessly targeting and annihilating enemies.


    Zzzzzz!


    Blinding white beams shot out from the tops of the prism towers. The beams streaked through the sky and then through the Hanging Cloud Beasts, causing them to bleed profusely as their massive bodies plummeted to the ground, crashing into the buildings below.


    Some areas within the base city descended into chaos. The flesh of star beasts of this level were infused with radiation, and their bodies were incredibly dense. When they fell from such heights, they struck with the force of meteorites, destroying numerous structures on impact.


    The sirens continued to blare. Fortunately, after centuries of star beast wars, the citizens had grown accustomed to such sudden emergencies. They quickly donned anti-radiation gear and retreated to safe zones, which helped minimize casualties. Some even took advantage of the situation, scrambling to collect the flesh and bones of the Hanging Cloud Beasts, which could be sold for a good price.


    But soon, the sky began to rain a strange black-green substance. The pungent, foul stench rapidly spread throughout the city, permeating the air with a nauseating odor.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Fang Buyi cursed, wiping his face. ¡°It¡¯s crap.¡±


    Everyone immediately bolted back toward the restaurant.


    Indeed, the excrement of the Hanging Cloud Beasts was falling from the sky like raindrops. This was one of the most dangerous attack methods these beasts could use against a human base city.


    The excrement of the Hanging Cloud Beasts was highly radioactive and toxic. It was highly dangerous for both the human body, but also caused massive environmental damage. The contamination was incredibly difficult to clean up and left lasting effects on the city.


    "Are these star beasts insane?" Fang Buyi yelled in frustration.


    Bai Qiqi, looking up at the sky through the glass, explained, ¡°Hanging Cloud Beasts typically only eat and rarely excrete, doing so only twice a year. They usually defecate in their nests, using their waste to feed and nurture their young. If they¡¯ve suddenly changed their excretion habits like this, there must be some force controlling them from behind.¡±


    When it came to her field of expertise, Bai Qiqi spoke without stuttering.


    Li Xiaofei listened thoughtfully. It was likely the work of the Yinji Moon Fox again. This Grade Five star beast truly seemed to harbor a deep hatred for Liuhe Base City if it was going to such great lengths to orchestrate this act of vengeance.


    The rain of filth from the sky continued for about ten minutes, drenching the city in its toxic, foul-smelling aftermath.


    At 9:30 p.m., the heavily battered Hanging Cloud Beast swarm finally spread their wings and flew away, leaving Liuhe Base City shrouded in a foul stench.


    Everyone pinched their noses as they said their goodbyes.


    Li Xiaofei rode his modified motorcycle as he took Tan Qingying home. Along the way, they passed heaps of dark green excrement piled high, emitting an unbearable stench. Some roads were completely blocked by these piles, forcing them to take detours.


    Tan Qingying wrapped her arms around Li Xiaofei''s waist, her delicate cheek pressed tightly against his back. As they neared her home, she suddenly asked, "What were you talking about with Sister Miao outside the private room, behind our backs?"


    Li Xiaofei nearly jerked the handlebars, almost twisting them off in surprise.


    How did she know?

 Chapter 214: Something Significant

    Chapter 214: Something SignificantLi Xiaofei didn¡¯t hide anything and recounted the conversation he had with Miao Youwei. There was nothing to keep secret, especially from someone as close to him as Tan Qingying.


    "I really envy Sister Miao and Bai Longfei. They don''t fear societal judgment and chose to be together despite all the pressure," Tan Qingying said softly.


    "Life is precious, but love is priceless," Li Xiaofei responded.


    He left the remaining two lines unsaid, feeling they would spoil the mood.


    Tan Qingying''s delicate body trembled slightly. This saying had been well-known five hundred years ago, but it had, like many other remnants of human civilization, been lost in the long war between humans and beasts. When she heard it now, it struck her with an unexpected sense of awe.


    Soon, they arrived outside the government housing complex.


    Tan Qingying hopped off the bike and smiled brightly, "Old Tan is definitely not home right now. Do you... want to come in for a bit?"


    "Huh?" Li Xiaofei stared blankly into her eyes, wondering if this could be interpreted as an invitation... for love.


    "Hey, what are you thinking? We ate too much star beast meat tonight. Come up, and I''ll make you some tea to help with the greasiness," Tan Qingying said, blushing in a mix of shyness and annoyance.


    Li Xiaofei chuckled, "I can make tea myself."


    Tan Qingying pouted, "It¡¯s not the same, is it?"


    Li Xiaofei grinned and said, "Then can I brew something else?"


    "What?" Tan Qingying asked, puzzled.


    "Like... romance?" Li Xiaofei teased.


    "Ugh, you can¡¯t say anything decent, can you?" Tan Qingying huffed, stomping her foot in mock annoyance.


    "Haha, just kidding. But I really need to head back and check on things," Li Xiaofei said seriously. "The beast tide invasion left the city covered in toxic waste. As a responsible citizen, I should mobilize the gang and start cleaning up as soon as possible."


    "Alright, then," Tan Qingying replied, a hint of disappointment in her voice.


    Suddenly, she rose to her tiptoes and planted a quick, fleeting kiss on Li Xiaofei''s cheek before turning around and gracefully walking away.


    Li Xiaofei touched his cheek where the kiss had landed, feeling the faint warmth of her lips. The air seemed to carry a subtle, pleasant fragrance. He stood there smiling for a while before finally getting back on his bike and riding off.


    A slender figure stepped out of the darkness about ten meters away. It was the alluring woman dressed in traditional Hanfu.


    She watched Li Xiaofei disappear into the distance. "It seems that there¡¯s going to be some real trouble this time. The Tan family¡¯s precious daughter has found herself a sweetheart... How interesting. He might just enjoy this challenge. Hehe, I¡¯ll go back and let him know, see how he handles this."


    The alluring woman turned and left.


    Moments later, a handsome and gentle man named Bai Zi listened to the report in the top-tier suite of the Starry Sky Hotel and smiled. He held an ancient scroll of paper in his hands and remarked, "It seems that little sister Qingying already has someone in her heart."


    The alluring woman in Hanfu crossed her arms and smirked, "Young Master, you need to put in more effort. The family wants you to marry the Tan family¡¯s daughter, and you only have two months left. If you want to win her heart, you¡¯ll need to step up your game."


    Bai Zi placed the ancient scroll down. "A gentleman should help others achieve their happiness. Since little sister Qingying has found someone she cares for, why should I, a long forgotten childhood playmate, destroy her happiness?"


    "Young Master, you¡¯re really going to just accept this?" The seductive woman, who had been eagerly awaiting a different reaction, was visibly disappointed.


    "Fortunate if I gain it, resign if I lose it," Bai Zi said calmly, not taking his eyes off his book.


    "You... you¡¯re always like this. Always yielding, always stepping aside.¡° The woman suddenly stomped her foot in exasperation. "You can''t keep being this way, Young Master! You bury yourself in these ancient books that are older than you every day! What good will they do?!"


    Bai Zi chuckled. "There are beauties as fair as jade and mansions of gold in books. But most importantly, there is the Dao of unity."


    "But you haven¡¯t gained any of those, Young Master." The woman retorted, frustrated.


    Bai Zi continued to smile, "You don¡¯t understand, you just don¡¯t understand."


    The woman frowned and asked, "Do you know what people say about you behind your back, Young Master?"


    "Of course I do," Bai Zi replied without lifting his head, "They say I''m a useless scholar, that I¡¯m lazy and cowardly, and that I¡¯m the greatest disgrace of the Bai family."


    "Young Master, they all say such things about you, and you¡¯re not even a little angry?" The alluring woman asked.


    "Their mouths belong to them. Even if I get angry, will that stop them from talking?" Bai Zi replied with a faint smile.


    "Then prove them wrong!" She insisted.


    "Prove what?"


    "Prove that you¡¯re not useless, that you¡¯re not a waste of space, that you understand everything..."


    "That sounds exhausting. Besides, what¡¯s so bad about being seen as useless?" S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Oh, come on, Young Master, please wake up! The Master and Madam worked so hard to get you this opportunity. If you marry the Tan family¡¯s daughter, your status in the Bai family could soar. She¡¯s been tested and has a divine bloodline, after all."


    "Twelfth Lady, you¡¯re the one who needs to wake up. All the great Saint families are making moves. If I get involved, I¡¯ll be crushed to dust. It¡¯s not wise to forcefully take what doesn¡¯t belong to you. Let¡¯s just go with the flow."


    "Sigh, you¡¯re always like this, Young Master. I¡¯m getting anxious for you... By the way, how did your talk with City Leader Tan go today? Your future father-in-law should be quite impressed with you, right?"


    "Uncle Tan is very busy, so we didn¡¯t get to talk much. But I could tell he doesn¡¯t want to interfere with Qingying¡¯s personal feelings. The most important thing is, he doesn¡¯t want to leave Liuhe Base City."


    "Huh? Why? Hasn¡¯t the Tan family already promised to make amends for what happened back then? He can even get the position of family head, and going back would mean a lot for Tan Qingying. There¡¯s even talk that he values his daughter more than his own life. There¡¯s no reason for him to refuse."


    For the first time, Bai Zi put down his book in response to Twelfth Lady¡¯s question.


    "Perhaps... there¡¯s something even more important here that he feels is worth holding on to," Bai Zi said softly, looking at his own reflection in the floor-to-ceiling window.


    "Life is full of many pursuits. Everyone has something more important than their own life," Bai Zi mused. "Conspirators and ambitious men place their desires above life itself. Martial artists pursue honor as their lifelong goal. But for someone like Uncle Tan, what could he be pursuing?"


    Twelfth Lady rubbed her temples as she thought. Then she recalled something and said, "By the way, Young Master, I¡¯ve received confirmed news that Gu Langtian has also arrived in the base city. He¡¯s already staying with the Ye family, so it seems the alliance between the Gu and Ye families is complete. The Gu family will fully support Ye Guanzhen in becoming the new city leader."


    Bai Zi smiled and said, "Not surprising. The Gu family is a staunch supporter of the New Martial Arts school and is closely aligned with the Jiepeng faction. They have a natural foundation for cooperation with the Ye family. They chose Liuhe Base City as their experimental ground for New Martial Arts... All the current turmoil in this small base city stems from the rise of New Martial Arts."


    Twelfth Lady asked curiously, "Why choose here? Isn¡¯t Jiepeng¡¯s territory along the coast?"


    Bai Zi slowly rose to his feet as he looked through the glass window at the dark night sky in the distance. "Because three months ago, something happened outside Liuhe Base City¡ªsomething significant enough to change the power dynamics in the entire Northwest region."


    "What kind of significant event?" Twelfth Lady asked, her curiosity piqued.

 Chapter 215: Eye of the Northwest

    Chapter 215: Eye of the NorthwestBai Zi explained, "They found a wormhole created by a Cave Beast in the deep wilderness outside the city. This wormhole leads directly to the coastal regions of Jiepeng. The official records have named it the Eye of the Northwest."


    Cave Beasts were an incredibly rare, king-grade star beast species. They were one of the few high-level star beasts that were harmless. But they possessed a unique and extraordinary ability¡ªspace consumption.


    Much like a worm burrowing through an apple, Cave Beasts aimlessly gnawed through space, leaving behind stable wormholes that remained open for up to a century. These wormholes could be used by humans to travel vast distances, functioning much like teleportation arrays. They were safe and efficient, which, during this era when star beasts dominated the oceans, made them the only means for humans to conduct trade across vast waters.


    The discovery of a wormhole outside Liuhe Base City that led to the coastal regions of Jiepeng meant that this city was almost directly connected to the Jiepeng Empire.


    "This region, being in the northwest, hasn''t suffered as much from Jiepeng¡¯s infiltration as the eastern coastal areas. So, while there are anti-Jiepeng sentiments among the people, they aren''t as intense. Moreover, the major martial arts families in this city are welcoming to the Jiepeng people. There couldn¡¯t be a better testing ground for the Jiepeng."


    Bai Zi seemed to be explaining matters to Twelfth Lady, but it was almost as if he was also musing out loud.


    After a pause, he continued, "Perhaps Uncle Tan is reluctant to leave right now because he doesn¡¯t want to see the city he poured his heart into becoming a testing ground for Jiepeng¡¯s New Martial Arts."


    "Young Master, what''s so bad about New Martial Arts?" Twelfth Lady asked, twirling a lock of her hair around her finger. This question had been troubling her for a long time.


    "If it allows for the quick and safe mass production of powerful martial artists, even those without natural talent could gain strength. Liuhe Base City has millions of people¡ªif everyone underwent the New Martial Arts surgery, wouldn¡¯t that mean we could have an army of millions of martial artists in a short time? That would be enough to handle any beast tide."


    "Your perspective is flawed," Bai Zi shook his head. "First, not everyone is fit to undergo New Martial Arts surgery. If your body isn''t up to the required standard, you can''t proceed. Second, even with the most advanced techniques, not all surgeries are successful. Every New Martial Arts surgery carries a risk of failure. Third, even if the surgery is successful, there are often significant side effects. The Inscribed Treasure Bones are, after all, beast bones, and the human body can and will reject them. This isn¡¯t something that can be easily resolved with medication or willpower. Lastly, these bones can erode a person''s mind; it¡¯s highly likely that the recipient''s mental state can be compromised. Over time, this could result in the person becoming more beast than human¡ªa monster. And all of these outcomes have happened before."


    "Really?" Twelfth Lady was shocked. "But isn¡¯t it said that Jiepeng¡¯s New Martial Arts surgery is highly advanced? Why haven¡¯t I heard about these issues?"


    Bai Zi chuckled and tapped her on the head with the book in his hand, saying, "That¡¯s why you need to read more."


    "Ah! Young Master, you hit my head again," Twelfth Lady complained, hopping away in annoyance.


    Bai Zi continued, "The Jiepeng Empire¡¯s ambitions toward the Great Xia Republic are well-known. This treacherous nation has always been our most dangerous neighbor. Just think about it¡ªif their New Martial Arts surgery was truly flawless, wouldn¡¯t they have kept it as a closely guarded national secret? Why would they willingly share such technology with us? Even if we assume, for argument¡¯s sake, that the surgery is without flaws, how can you be sure they haven¡¯t hidden some other agenda during the surgical process?"


    Twelfth Lady considered this and nodded. "True, even dogs don¡¯t trust the Jiepeng people."


    Bai Zi seemed in a reflective mood as he sighed and continued, "The Jiepeng Empire is confined to its island, with limited territory and a population too small to support the extensive trials needed for their New Martial Arts surgery. That¡¯s why they¡¯ve resorted to kidnapping and trafficking people from other countries to use in their experiments. Their so-called mature New Martial Arts surgery is built on the suffering and bloodshed of countless foreign victims. Now, when the Eye of the Northwest was discovered, they¡¯ve set their sights on Liuhe Base City. After offering enough benefits, they quickly found willing partners among the local families. If the Jiepeng-Ye family alliance successfully takes control of this city, the millions of Great Xia citizens living here could face a catastrophic fate."


    Twelfth Lady was taken aback. Bai Zi had never shared such details with her before.


    "Isn¡¯t there anyone who can stop this?" she asked urgently. "The government, the Star Council¡ªthey wouldn¡¯t allow something like this to happen, would they?"


    Bai Zi shook his head and said, "When the pressure of survival becomes overwhelming, moral boundaries start to erode."


    After a brief pause, he added, "According to research published by the Star Council, the global star beast population is expected to surge dramatically within the next ten years. Humanity is facing a new survival crisis. As a result, domestic support for New Martial Arts is growing stronger. Many in positions of power now believe that a certain cost is necessary to perfect and ensure the success of the New Martial Arts surgery." S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Twelfth Lady shivered, understanding all too well what the cost Bai Zi mentioned truly meant. It would be countless lives; the destruction of numerous families. It would mean the loss of many fathers, mothers, children, and grandparents.


    "Young Master, what is your true purpose in coming to Liuhe Base City?" She suddenly asked. It was a question that had just formed in her mind.


    Bai Zi smiled, his expression as gentle and warm as ever. "What could a useless scholar like me possibly do?"


    He sat back down and resumed reading his book. The room fell into a deep, almost eerie silence. Twelfth Lady watched him, her gaze fixed on the alluring profile of his face illuminated by the light. It was a face she could never tire of looking at.


    As one of the most elite warriors the Bai family had ever trained, Twelfth Lady¡¯s decision to become this seemingly incompetent scholar¡¯s protector had always puzzled others. But in her heart, the reason was perfectly clear. He was just that handsome.


    ***


    At exactly 10 p.m., Li Xiaofei hurriedly returned to the slums where he received one piece of good news and one piece of bad news.

 Chapter 216: Eruption

    Chapter 216: EruptionThe good news was that there wasn¡¯t a substantial amount of filth in the slums. However, even so, sixteen people lost their lives in this attack. If his math was right, it meant that at least a thousand people in Liuhe Base City had met untimely deaths in the past half hour. This was undoubtedly a major incident.


    Li Xiaofei barely had time to catch his breath before he immediately mobilized all the members of the Cloudy Sky Gang to work through the night, dealing with the blood clots, corpses, and excrement of the Hanging Cloud Beasts. Almost simultaneously, the government departments had completed their first round of mobilization. Countless civil servants took to the streets to clean up the excrement.


    At 10:30 p.m., the second round of mobilization began. Students from major high schools, all registered gang members, and employees from various large companies were forcibly conscripted. They brought their own radiation-proof clothing to participate in this urgent clean-up operation.


    The faster the toxic excrement was cleared, the less pollution it would cause to the city''s environment. By noon the next day, all the toxic excrement had been nearly completely cleaned up.


    That evening, during the base city''s news broadcast, City Leader Tan Zhenwei delivered a video address to all citizens, announcing the confirmed death toll of 1,398 people. This also included 120 children. It was a shocking and distressing number.


    On behalf of the city government, Tan Zhenwei observed a moment of silence for the deceased and apologized to all citizens. He then unveiled a very sincere plan for the treatment of the injured. Li Xiaofei could see that City Leader Tan appeared somewhat weary. It seemed that the strands of white hair on his head had increased.


    In the following days, some rumors began to spread throughout Liuhe Base City about City Leader Tan Zhenwei being reassigned due to low performance evaluation scores. Other rumors suggested that the five great families, including the Ye family, were secretly working to remove Tan Zhenwei, whom they considered a thorn in their side, and that a member of the Ye family might take over the position of city leader. Various rumors swirled, causing unrest.


    At the same time, the increasingly frequent outbreaks of beast tides left everyone feeling uneasy. Large groups of beasts began to appear in the wilderness outside Liuhe Base City. The garrison and the city government were once again forced to announce a lockdown and city-wide curfew.


    The frequency of beast tide attack alarms on the city walls grew higher and higher. Even though these were just attacks by low-grade star beasts, the piercing alarms still left everyone feeling agitated. Fortunately, the government was making a significant effort to maintain order as relief food and water was released to the market. As a result, people¡¯s daily lives, as well as the operation of companies and schools, were not significantly affected for the time being.


    But Li Xiaofei''s life did not change much against this backdrop. He continued to attend school, engage in cultivation, use his special abilities, and enjoy massages. He also went on a date with Tan Qingying once a week. At least, he considered it a date in his heart.


    However, the situation in Liuhe Base City grew increasingly grim. The beast tide outside the city became so severe that it almost felt like a siege. If one stood atop the high city walls and looked out, one could see large groups of star beasts lurking menacingly within the visible range.


    The city gates were completely sealed. The adventurers'' guilds, groups, and independent warriors who once relied on hunting star beasts for a living became the class that struggled most in this new reality. Fortunately, the government responded in a timely manner, offering paid enlistment to these individuals as temporary reserves. After undergoing some military training, they became part of the rotating and reserve forces defending the city.


    Other industries dependent on the hunting of star beasts also received some level of government relief. It would not be an exaggeration to say that in this regard, Great Xia Republic was the best in the world. There was no other country that matched it. Thanks to the government''s strong measures, the situation remained relatively stable. However, the rise in prices within the city and the increase in unemployment were inevitable consequences. A sense of unease began to fill the base city.


    Still, the High School War God League continued as scheduled. In the next three rounds of matches, Red Flag High School achieved complete victories. The dominance of Li Xiaofei and Yan Chiyu was absolutely unquestioned. However, the transformation of Ren Dong, Bai Qiqi, and Bai Longfei also shocked the outside world.


    Ren Dong, who had been cultivating the simplified version of the Medicine King Divine Manual, delved deeper into the field of poison crafting. The freckled little girl indeed possessed a powerful talent in this area. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She successfully formulated three poison prescriptions through study and experimentation, making her nearly unmatched by any medic of her level. Such was the terror of poison crafting. Any medic who mastered a high-level prescription could exponentially increase their threat level.


    Meanwhile, Bai Qiqi and Bai Longfei saw a significant increase in strength due to their cultivation of the beast taming and mechanical arts recorded in the Pity Flower Treasure Manual from the ancient wuxia world of the enigmatic warrior, Wang Lianhua.


    Bai Qiqi, who was already a genius with talent on par with Yan Chiyu, had not yet had the opportunity to fully mature. However, after becoming a key player for Red Flag High School, and enduring several defeats, she was like a diamond encased in a shell of lava. Eventually, the brilliance of the diamond within was revealed. Her battle with the first Beast King, Zhou Yunong, had seemingly provoked a breakthrough, and beast control skills improved rapidly.


    Simultaneously, Bai Longfei¡¯s strength skyrocketed, partly due to the Pity Flower Treasure Manual, but also because after being thoroughly beaten by Li Xiaofei, he finally let go of his small pride and accepted the various cultivation resources Miao Youwei provided.


    Since he had been selected by Chen Fei for the Red Flag High School team, Bai Longfei naturally possessed exceptional talent among his peers. After receiving these resources, this so-called King of Show-offs began to strengthen rapidly, like a weed nourished with rich fertilizer.


    Red Flag High School adhered firmly to the principles of ancient martial arts, which emphasized the importance of accumulating strength over time for a powerful release.


    Bai Longfei, Fang Buyi, Liu Xiao, Zhuge Long, Du Heng, and others had been building up their strength at Red Flag High School for nearly three years, and they had finally encountered a collective breakthrough opportunity. The two epoch-making manuals, the Medicine King Divine Manual and the Pity Flower Treasure Manual, along with the increased supply of resources from Red Flag High School, accelerated their explosive growth.


    Everyone''s cultivation advanced rapidly. Bai Longfei, Fang Buyi, Ren Dong, and Bai Qiqi all reached the peak of the Qi Refining Realm, the tenth stage. One more step forward, and they could break through their shackles. However, under the guidance of Chen Fei and Old Qin, the four chose not to break through at this time. It was then that Li Xiaofei realized that Red Flag High School was indeed hiding a significant secret.

 Chapter 217: Five Qi Origin Technique

    Chapter 217: Five Qi Origin TechniqueThe Hidden Realm of the Qi Refining Realm did not just have one form. Li Xiaofei cultivated ninety-nine qi vortices within his body, achieving an unprecedented ninety-ninth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. This was one form of the Hidden Realm.


    However, the cultivation plan devised by the Red Flag High School administration for Fang Buyi and the other three also followed the path of the Hidden Realm. But it was not about cultivating multiple qi vortices.


    Instead, it was about simplifying complexity; combining ten qi into one. The plan was to merge the ten vortices within the body into a single vortex. Then, this single qi vortex would be developed and strengthened through meticulous nurturing.


    "One qi vortex is a universe unto itself. The human body''s treasury is also singular. By merging one into one, one can align with the heavens and earth. Union leads to gathering, gathering leads to condensation, condensation leads to strength, and strength leads to solidity... When the source is solid, one can accumulate greatly and release power with precision."


    In the classroom, Invincible Qin patiently explained a secret technique known as the Five Qi Origin Technique: Introductory Chapter. This technique focused on the method of merging ten qi vortices into one, as well as the subsequent cultivation techniques after the unification.


    Li Xiaofei found the information to be quite enlightening. Before long, the entire lesson was completed.


    "This Five Qi Origin Technique: Introductory Chapter was passed down from the founding Saint of Great Xia, Taiyi. Saint Taiyi was also the first Saint to emerge and is often referred to as the Ancestor of Saints. According to Saint Taiyi, this technique was not something he created. Rather, it was an ultimate and profound art taught to him by his master. The original name was Five Qi Origin Technique, but because it was too advanced and profound for the average person to comprehend, Saint Taiyi interpreted and translated it into an introductory chapter, which he then passed down to the world," Invincible Qin finished.


    Li Xiaofei asked curiously, "The teacher of the founding Saint? Isn¡¯t it said that Lord Taiyi received divine techniques from the heavens?"


    There were countless legends surrounding Taiyi. As the first Saint to emerge in the world, his path to sainthood was shrouded in mystery.


    One widely accepted account among historians was that Taiyi had witnessed the suffering of the people and the bloodshed of soldiers while defending Lanfu in Great Xia''s northwest against star beasts. When the entire city of Lanfu seemed on the brink of falling, he suddenly activated a mysterious bloodline within himself, received divine techniques from the heavens, and became a Saint in one fell swoop. As such, Great Xia¡¯s Lanfu Base City was still considered the birthplace of sainthood.


    Invincible Qin responded, "There¡¯s no such thing as divine techniques granted from the heavens. Not a single Saint in the five hundred years since the star beasts¡¯ invasion was granted their abilities from the heavens. Every Saint relied on their bloodline, fortunate encounters, the inheritance from their teachers, and the cultivation provided by their nation. Saint Taiyi was no exception. The only reason he could become a Saint back then was because his master transferred power to him through a technique, enabling him to break through in one leap."


    "Is that true?"


    "But that¡¯s not what¡¯s written in the history books!"


    "Does this mean our textbooks are lying too?"


    "Lord Taiyi was the first Saint in the world, and he received a power transfer? Then his master must be... beyond a Saint? Are you kidding? Is there really someone that powerful in the world?"


    The members of the school battle team began to discuss and exclaim in surprise.


    Teacher Qin¡¯s words were utterly fascinating to the students; especially the mention of that mysterious Saint¡¯s teacher. Just a few words painted an almost divine image of this figure.


    Invincible Qin continued, "It¡¯s rumored that this man¡¯s surname was Lin, and his full name was Lin Beichen. He called himself the Sword Immortal, a figure of divine prowess who possessed invincible abilities. Saint Taiyi once described this mysterious figure to the nation. The government made every effort to contact him, but to no avail. Later, some secret scholars speculated that Lin Beichen might be one of the ancient deities from Great Xia¡¯s mythology whose origins lie in the Kunlun Secret Realm..."


    Li Xiaofei was completely captivated.


    Can this be true? Lin Beichen, the Sword Immortal?


    If it hadn¡¯t come from Invincible Qin¡¯s mouth, Li Xiaofei would have thought it was a joke. The world he had traveled to was clearly a high-tech martial arts era. How could it involve mythology and legends?


    But when Li Xiaofei thought back, he remembered how, five hundred years ago, he had spent an enormous amount of time, effort, and money learning traditional martial arts, apprenticing under 109 different masters, only to end up learning... nothing of real value.


    He began to wonder if the Earth he was on now was the same as the Earth from 500 years ago, or if it was a completely different dimension altogether.


    "Teacher, did that Sword Immortal ever appear again?" Ren Dong asked curiously.


    Invincible Qin shook his head, "No, he never reappeared. According to Saint Taiyi, there was also an extraordinarily beautiful woman with that Sword Immortal, whose strength was equally terrifying... Based on Saint Taiyi¡¯s memoirs, it¡¯s speculated that there were indeed more than one of these god-like beings who were beyond the level of Saints."


    Li Xiaofei and the others were once again left speechless, their mouths agape in shock.


    Is Teacher Qin having a mental breakdown?


    It was well known that there had never been anyone on Earth who surpassed the level of a Saint in the past five hundred years. Many Saints had emerged, but no one had ever heard of a Saint breaking through to an even higher realm.


    What can possibly exist beyond the level of a Saint?


    This question had been the subject of endless research by top scholars, scientific institutions, and every nation around the world. But until now, no one had made a breakthrough.


    And now, Old Qin was suddenly saying that back when Saints first emerged, there were already beings beyond that level in the world? And multiple ones at that?


    Invincible Qin''s gaze swept over the children in front of him. These were the students he and Chen Fei had painstakingly selected and nurtured. Every student at Red Flag High School was a seed of hope. They sowed these seeds to ensure that the martial lineage of Great Xia would not be lost. It was time to share certain truths.


    As he looked at Li Xiaofei and the others, Qin''s tone gradually grew more serious.


    "Children, what I¡¯m telling you today, you must remember well and keep it firmly in your hearts. You need to understand that the path of Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage reaches far beyond what you can imagine."


    "According to the secret memoirs of Saint Taiyi, the so-called Saint realm is nothing more than a small hill on the long road of Great Xia''s ancient martial lineage. Why has Red Flag High School always insisted on preserving ancient martial arts and opposed the New Martial Arts surgery? It¡¯s because the New Martial Arts surgery is a path of self-destruction, a shortcut that leads to ruin, a temporary relief that poisons the future."


    "It destroys the body and damages one¡¯s innate essence. While it grants temporary power, it prevents one from reaching higher and further peaks. Using the human body to absorb and fuse the bones of beasts is a regression in history. If everyone accepts the New Martial Arts surgery, then Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage will have no successors. It will be completely severed. So, any other country on Earth can promote New Martial Arts and accept the surgeries. But Great Xia cannot."


    "Every warrior of Great Xia should aspire to inherit the lost knowledge of the ancient saints and pursue the great path of the immortals!"


    Teacher Qin¡¯s words reverberated powerfully throughout the classroom.


    Li Xiaofei felt his blood boiling as he listened. He was, after all, a martial arts fanatic at heart. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have been so relentlessly dedicated to pursuing true Chinese kung fu five hundred years ago.


    Teacher Qin''s words were like bolts of lightning, clearing away the fog that had lingered in the depths of his mind. The path of martial arts was endless. A Saint was not the final destination.


    I need to grow stronger! Continuously stronger!


    A powerful resolve ignited within him. The slight arrogance that had crept in due to his recent surge in strength and undefeated record vanished in an instant. At the same time, a new sense of purpose naturally arose within him.


    To inherit the lost knowledge of the ancient sages! To pursue the great path of the immortals!


    Li Xiaofei was especially eager to know if he could become a Saint, or even break through the Saint Realm and finally meet that legendary, elusive figure, Lin Beichen, the Sword Immortal. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 218: Intensify

    Chapter 218: IntensifyThe members of Red Flag High School''s battle team experienced a profound transformation in their mental outlook. They expended more effort in cultivation, and their beliefs grew even stronger. Li Xiaofei, after entering the Secret Time Pavilion once again, finally reached the pinnacle of the Qi Refining Realm at the ninety-ninth stage.


    He heeded his aunt''s advice. Instead of opening up new vortices, he chose not to rush into breaking through his limitations. Instead, he decided to merge the ninety-nine vortices into one.


    He delved deeply into the Five Qi Origin Technique: Introductory Chapter as he prepared to refine the ninety-nine golden dragon qi vortices in his dantian into a single vortex and simplify complexity.


    His starforce qi did not increase during this process. However, Li Xiaofei clearly felt that his physical body was strengthening, as if his body was being tempered and forged every day. The starforce qi surged through and nourished his entire body. It felt as though his cells were being reinforced with each qi vortex he refined.


    The most direct manifestation of this was the increase in the density of his muscles and bones. As his body weight skyrocketed, his raw physical strength began to surge upward as if propelled by a rocket. A typical martial artist who reached the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm would have a minimum physical strength equivalent to five ding[1]. One ding was equal to one ton.


    However, Li Xiaofei, with the added benefits of his aunt''s massages and the strengthening effects of starforce qi from his ninety-nine stages, had already far surpassed the strength of five ding when he was at the ninety-ninth stage.


    Now, Li Xiaofei noticed that with each qi vortex he refined and merged, his physical strength seemed to increase by one ding. When he had merged eighty of the ninety-nine qi vortices within him, testing in the light core revealed that his raw physical strength had reached twenty-nine ding.


    This level of strength was equivalent to the full force of a martial artist at the fifth stage of the Limit Breaking Realm. What did this mean? It meant that even without using starforce qi or employing any martial techniques, Li Xiaofei could overpower a master at the fifth stage of the Limit Breaking Realm with sheer physical strength.


    As his physical strength increased, so too did the density of his muscles, bones, and internal organs. Li Xiaofei''s body had become impervious to blades and bullets. He had entered the realm of those legendary figures with copper skin and iron bones. He was now comparable, if not superior, to masters who specialized in ancient martial arts techniques like the Golden Bell Shield, Iron Shirt, and Thirteen Grand Guardians Iron Body Technique.


    This was undoubtedly a special effect brought about by starforce qi nourishing the body. All signs indicated that Li Xiaofei''s choice to cultivate the Five Qi Origin Technique: Introductory Chapter and merging his ninety-nine qi vortices into one was indeed the right path.


    The only thing that troubled him was that as his body density increased, so did his weight, which had now reached a staggering one ton. This meant he had to constantly circulate starforce qi and use lightness techniques just to keep his weight within a normal range. Otherwise, he risked accidentally crushing floor tiles, collapsing staircases, breaking chairs, or even flattening motorcycles.


    At the same time, he had to quickly adapt to his rapidly increasing strength to avoid unintentionally causing serious harm. Lightly tapping someone might leave them feeling like they¡¯d been hit by a speeding truck. Fortunately, such mishaps hadn¡¯t occurred yet.


    Li Xiaofei also spared the time to lead the experts of the Cloudy Sky Gang to the city walls to support the garrison between his cultivation sessions. The endless harassment and attacks from the star beast hordes had left the city¡¯s garrison stretched thin.


    Various gangs, martial arts families, associations, and companies within the city also sent personnel to assist in defending the city. It was an obligation every citizen was expected to fulfill. Li Xiaofei distinguished himself in these battles with outstanding performance. He became one of the few with the qualifications and strength to venture beyond the city walls to hunt star beasts.


    Life suddenly became much more intense. Everyone could clearly feel the tense and anxious atmosphere that hung heavily in the air. The prices within the city had surged once again. Food and water prices, in particular, had more than doubled compared to the period before the star beast attacks. The supply of synthetic nutritional porridge was also becoming increasingly scarce.


    City Leader Tan Zhenwei had repeatedly sent requests for aid to Lanfu Base City, but reports indicated that Lanfu Base City was also under siege by star beasts and couldn¡¯t dispatch strong reinforcements in the near future. Everyone was gritting their teeth and holding on.


    Amidst the backdrop, more and more people were heading to Duxing Hospital to undergo the Jiepeng New Martial Arts surgery. Everyone was eager to quickly get stronger to better protect themselves. The majority of those seeking the surgery were young and middle-aged martial artists, as well as middle and high school students. They were squarely in the demographics highly favored by the New Martial Surgery Center at Duxing Hospital. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This group had the highest surgery success rates and the shortest recovery periods, allowing them to become combat-ready in no time. Moreover, Ye Guanzhen, the eldest son of the Ye family, publicly announced on the family-controlled television station that the Ye family would subsidize each New Martial Arts surgery with 10,000 star coins, with no strings attached, to support Liuhe Base City in its fight against the star beasts.


    The announcement led to a sharp increase in the Ye family¡¯s prestige and reputation. Public support for Ye Guanzhen also soared immediately. More and more citizens began to hope that the government would provide similar subsidies for New Martial Arts surgery, so that those who were physically capable but unable to afford the procedure could successfully undergo surgery and contribute to the defense of Liuhe Base City.


    However, City Leader Tan Zhenwei remained silent in the face of overwhelming public opinion. The government had yet to introduce any policies to subsidize the New Martial Arts surgery. Controversy surrounding this issue continued to intensify on the light-network. The conflict between New Martial Arts and Ancient Martial Arts had been a persistent issue across the Great Xia Republic for several decades.


    Everyone knew that Tan Zhenwei was a staunch supporter of Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage. Two months ago, when the Jiepeng medical exchange delegation had first proposed a partnership with the Liuhe Base City government, the city government had ultimately rejected the proposal despite numerous favorable conditions.


    The decision wasn¡¯t a secret. At the time, Liuhe Base City was not yet in a crisis due to the star beast siege, and the Jiepeng people were not well-regarded by the citizens of Great Xia, so the general public wasn¡¯t particularly sensitive to this issue.


    But now, times had changed. The crisis had made everyone desperate to grow stronger and New Martial Arts surgery became the most sought-after shortcut. Public opinion regarding the New Martial Surgery Center improved rapidly.


    In this situation, the government''s continued rejection of New Martial Arts was seen by many as prioritizing political battles over the survival of the city and the lives of ordinary people. When some influential voices started fanning the flames, public opinion increasingly turned against the authorities.


    Fortunately, Tan Zhenwei¡¯s reputation in the city was exceptionally good. His years of dedicated service and governance gave him a level of influence that few ambitious figures could rival.


    Two consecutive televised addresses, along with official media responses, managed to keep the public sentiment within a controllable range.


    However, many high-ranking individuals and elite members of society had begun to notice a rapidly widening rift between the government and the five great families, especially with the Ye family. It was at this critical moment that a sensational event occurred in Liuhe Base City.


    1. ancient cooking vessel with two loop handles and three or four legs ?

 Chapter 219: He’s My Little Brother

    Chapter 219: He¡¯s My Little BrotherDuxing Hospital had been temporarily sealed off by the government due to allegations of involvement in live organ trafficking! This included the New Martial Surgery Center.


    The news sent shockwaves through the city. At this critical moment, when the survival of Liuhe Base City hung in the balance, such a scandal actually emerged?


    Initially, many people didn¡¯t believe it, dismissing it as a rumor. But when various broadcasters, television stations, and online video platforms began showing footage of Duxing Hospital and the New Martial Surgery Center being completely surrounded by the police, the city¡¯s public opinion finally erupted.


    Live organ trafficking had always been one of the most severely punished crimes in the Great Xia Republic, alongside drug trafficking, human trafficking, and arms dealing. Those were the four major capital crimes. Many found it hard to believe that Duxing Hospital, the most prestigious and well-regarded medical institution in the city, could be involved in such an atrocity.


    "This is a blatant smear campaign."


    The Ye family quickly held a press conference. Ye Guanzhen, the prominent figure who had recently been in the spotlight, appeared on countless large screens and across major media outlets in the light-network''s virtual world.


    "The Ye family has always considered the revitalization of the base city as its mission and has consistently worked for the benefit of our homeland. Since its founding a century ago, Duxing Hospital has treated over 56.4 million people. For nearly twenty years, it has paid annual taxes exceeding ten billion star coins, and its charitable activities, including free clinics, medicine donations, financial subsidies, and community healthcare initiatives, are too numerous to count!"


    "The so-called live organ trafficking allegations are absolutely baseless. Duxing Hospital''s century-long reputation can withstand any scrutiny. We are willing to cooperate fully with the city government, the Star Council, and the investigation team to conduct the most thorough, fair, and rigorous investigation into this matter and take full responsibility for any outcomes."


    Ye Guanzhen maintained a composed and dignified demeanor during the press conference, delivering his statements without arrogance or fear. As one of the rising political stars of recent times, Ye Guanzhen, who had just turned thirty this year, boasted an impressive resume.


    Born and raised in Liuhe Base City, Ye Guanzhen was a standout during his high school years, earning MVP honors in the regular season of the War God League for three consecutive years and FMVP in the playoffs. He had served as the captain of the city team for three straight years and led his team to the best historical performance by securing third place in the Northwest Regional High School War God League. He had even become a key member of the Northwest Regional High School battle team.


    Following his high school success, he was admitted to Huaqing University, one of the top two universities in Great Xia. His university years were also filled with numerous accolades. As an exchange student, he studied in Jiepeng and the Yiggs Union, further expanding his horizons.


    After graduating from university, he joined the military, where he distinguished himself in combat and earned the prestigious first class Qinling Badge. A year ago, Ye Guanzhen had returned to Liuhe Base City after retiring from the military. After a year of laying low, the current Ye Guanzhen had shed his youthful sharpness, gaining a more refined and composed demeanor.


    He exuded the elegance unique to a thirty-year-old man in the footage, coupled with a maturity and steadiness beyond his years. After the Ye family made their statement, the incident garnered widespread attention across society.


    It wasn¡¯t just within Liuhe Base City; even the light-network in the entire Northwest Region was abuzz with discussion. The administrative head of the Northwest Region even mentioned the incident during an online interview, expressing his concern.


    Amid this backdrop, a joint investigation team was dispatched to Duxing Hospital to begin the most thorough investigation.


    The leader of the investigation team was none other than the White-haired City Leader Tan Zhenwei, whose unparalleled reputation in Liuhe Base City made him the ideal candidate. Everyone was watching this situation closely, including Li Xiaofei.


    ***


    Atop the city wall. In Sector B12.


    Li Xiaofei, clad in a titanium alloy combat suit, leaned against the cannon turret to rest. He had taken a leave of absence from school for the last week. He had then spent every day on the city walls, participating in the defense. Chen Fei had no complaints. After all, Li Xiaofei''s strength far surpassed that of a typical high school student.


    The practical cultivation courses at school had become almost meaningless for him. In contrast, the real battles on the city walls provided much greater benefits. As a result, Chen Fei merely insisted on giving Li Xiaofei online lessons every day to ensure he didn¡¯t fall behind on his basic academic subjects.


    "Thank you and your whole family," Li Xiaofei said, his eyes brimming with tears.


    Who would have thought that after traveling five hundred years into the future, becoming a gang leader, a league star, and a multimillionaire, he would still need to attend online classes and do homework every day? S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Is the ultimate destination in life online courses?


    Li Xiaofei grumbled inwardly but understood that Chen Fei had his best interests at heart. So, he squeezed in time on his light core to complete today''s lessons. Just as he finished, the alarm blared again. Below the city walls, a tide of beasts surged forward once more. The main attackers were almost always First Grade star beasts.


    These star beasts were varied and chaotic. They almost seemed like a bunch of defective creations hastily molded by some creator using foul mud, emitting bizarre cries as they haphazardly charged at the walls. Most of them lacked the ability to fly.


    Under normal circumstances, they couldn¡¯t breach the city walls. But their overwhelming numbers allowed them to pile up until they reached the top of the walls and threatened the defenders above. If they managed to breach the city defenses and enter the city, even First Grade star beasts could inflict catastrophic damage on civilians.


    Li Xiaofei once again raised his weapon to slay the invaders. Despite having set his heart on mastering the three ultimate weapons of saber, spear, and sword, he had yet to undergo systematic training in these weapons.


    His lofty ambitions remained unfulfilled, for now. But Li Xiaofei was not in a hurry.


    He recalled something that Teacher Li once said.


    Deep roots foster flourishing branches.


    Building a strong foundation would make his future cultivation in spear, sword, and saber techniques much more effective. At this moment, Li Xiaofei wielded a massive spear that weighed 500 kilograms. Each casual thrust and sweep unleashed immense power. He stood like a reaper in the B12 sector, ensuring that no star beast could breach his position.


    An hour later, a strange beastly roar echoed from the depths of the wilderness. The low-grade star beasts attacking the city quickly retreated like the receding tide, vanishing from sight.


    Li Xiaofei felt a bit unsatisfied, eager for more combat. However, the other soldiers and martial artists assisting in the defense were gasping for breath as they seized the moment to rest.


    Suddenly, a sharp whistling sound pierced the air. A bright silver streak shot from the city wall like an arrow fired into the depths of the wilderness.


    Li Xiaofei was startled. He could easily see that it was the Goddess, piloting the Battle Angel power armor, creating a stunning spectacle as she flew at extreme speeds.


    As expected. Whenever a strategist among the star beasts exposed its position, the Goddess would personally intervene to carry out a decapitation strike. The direction in which the Goddess was flying was precisely where the strange beastly roar had emanated from earlier.


    Recently, the Goddess had made several attempts to locate and eliminate the Yinji Moon Fox, the mastermind behind the current beast tide crisis. However, she had yet to succeed. It seemed likely that this time would be no different.


    Sure enough, less than three minutes later, the silver streak returned. The Goddess landed on the city wall with a sharp whistling sound for the first time after one of her sorties. To be precise, she landed directly in front of Li Xiaofei.


    The power armor she wore, gleaming with a faint silver hue, exuded a cold, metallic aura. Its design was so pristine and translucent that it emanated the artistic elegance of fine white porcelain. It looked far too perfect and graceful to be a mere killing machine.


    Swish, swish, swish.


    In an instant, the soldiers and martial artists, who had been either sitting or lying down, immediately stood up. All eyes were now fixed on the Goddess. However, the Goddess''s gaze, through the visor of her power armor, was locked onto Li Xiaofei.


    "A month ago, did you kill someone named Ye Liushuang in the arena?" She asked slowly.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Yes."


    The Goddess¡¯s voice remained calm as she said, "He was my little brother."


    Li Xiaofei froze. At that moment, it felt as if a bright red target had appeared on his forehead.


    Danger!

 Chapter 220: A Weird Path Of Cultivation

    Chapter 220: A Weird Path Of CultivationYe Liushuang is actually the Goddess''s brother? Of course. The Goddess¡¯s name is Ye Liuying. Ye Liushuang, Ye Liuying... They are definitely siblings. So, I ended up killing the Goddess¡¯s little brother in the arena while showing off?


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know he was your brother,¡± Li Xiaofei said, trying to explain.


    The Goddess responded calmly, ¡°Now you do.¡±


    Li Xiaofei took a deep breath. He slowly took a few steps back, his spear vibrating in his hand as he said, ¡°Please.¡±


    At this point, there was no point in saying more. The only option left was to settle this with skill.


    ¡°Please what?¡± The Goddess asked.


    ¡°Please, make your move,¡± Li Xiaofei replied.


    "Make a move? For what?" The Goddess asked again.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "To avenge your brother, of course."


    "Avenge?" The Goddess¡¯s voice remained as cold as the Siberian frost. "No, thank you."


    "Oh... what?" Li Xiaofei''s eyes widened in surprise.


    "Thank you for killing him," The Goddess said calmly. "It saved me the trouble of doing it myself."


    When she finished speaking, a faint silver light flickered across the surface of her exquisite Battle Angel power armor.


    Whoosh!


    She vanished on the spot, leaving a stunned and confused Li Xiaofei.


    What just happened? She thanked me for killing her brother?


    Even with his unique way of thinking, Li Xiaofei was completely baffled by this turn of events. The others around him were equally perplexed, their eyes filled with curiosity as they looked at Li Xiaofei.


    Many had witnessed and heard what just transpired. Someone had killed the Goddess¡¯ brother and not only survived but even received a "thank you" from the Goddess herself. Wasn¡¯t this the strangest thing ever? The news spread quickly.


    "Boss," Li Junjie, dressed in protective gear, sidled up to him, speaking in a low, conspiratorial tone. "Do you think she¡¯s trying to trick you? Maybe she¡¯s lulling you into a false sense of security so she can ambush you later."


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but laugh at the absurdity of the suggestion.


    "Yeah, why didn¡¯t I think of that?" Li Xiaofei responded sarcastically, "So, what do you suggest we do?"


    Li Junjie, brimming with confidence, said, "How about I round up a few hundred brothers and trap her in an alley? We could take her out."


    Li Xiaofei stared at him, trying to determine if this guy was joking. When he realized Li Junjie was serious, he asked, "What makes you think a few guys could actually take her down?"


    "Maybe she¡¯s not that scary without her power armor," Li Junjie replied confidently.


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    This is what happens when people aren¡¯t properly educated.


    It seemed he needed to organize some proper study sessions for his gang members. As the top enforcer in his gang, Li Junjie seriously believed that a powerhouse in the Five Spirits Realm could be overpowered by a few hundred guys in a dark alley if she wasn¡¯t wearing her power armor.


    They really needed to set up some night classes in the Cloudy Sky Gang. These thugs who only knew how to fight needed some basic knowledge.


    "Alright, go ahead and try that," Li Xiaofei said, smacking Li Junjie on the head. "Just make sure to let me know before you set off so I can arrange for someone to collect your body."


    Li Junjie lowered his head, thinking to himself.


    So, the boss doesn¡¯t actually want to take her down. He must be interested in her. No wonder he''s the boss. While others solve their problems by eliminating their opponents, the boss handles his by... seducing them. That¡¯s the difference. True power lies beyond the grasp of small-time players like me.


    Just as they were talking, the alarm sounded once more. A wave of star beasts surged forward from the wilderness outside the city like a relentless tide. The battle resumed.


    By the time Li Xiaofei and the members of the Cloudy Sky Gang were done their rotation on the city walls, it was already past 8 p.m. On the way back, Li Xiaofei browsed the news on his light core.


    The biggest headline remained the investigation into Duxing Hospital''s closure. The investigation team had conducted a thorough and detailed inquiry after entering the hospital. However, there had been no significant new developments so far. Moreover, a review of the initial evidence that led to the hospital''s closure revealed that over half of it was fabricated, and the investigation team had subsequently dismissed it.


    "Things don''t seem to be going well," Li Xiaofei mused quietly as he read through the articles.


    What was certain was that the closure of Duxing Hospital had been a government-led action. There had initially been some evidence that suggested problems within the hospital. However, the strength of that evidence was now in doubt, and no new evidence had surfaced. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Ye family had been very cooperative, fully supporting the investigation team, which had garnered public sympathy. Meanwhile, as time passed, the number of people waiting for their scheduled New Martial Arts surgeries grew increasingly frustrated due to the delays, leading to a rise in impatience and discontent.


    Prominent influencers, major streamers, and self-media platforms were now adding fuel to the fire. Public opinion had also started to turn against the government. Notably, some highly influential public figures started expressing doubts about City Leader Tan Zhenwei.


    At first, these doubts didn¡¯t pose a real threat to Tan Zhenwei, but like water wearing down stone, the growing number of critics and the spread of various rumors gradually shifted public sentiment against him.


    The order to close Duxing Hospital could only have been given by the city leader. Uncle Tan isn¡¯t the type to act rashly. If he made a move, there¡¯s likely a good reason behind it.


    But now, it feels like he''s caught in a trap.


    The more Li Xiaofei thought about it, the more uneasy he became. He couldn¡¯t help but worry for Tan Zhenwei. After arriving in the slums, he tried calling Tan Qingying several times, but couldn¡¯t get through. This only deepened the unease in Li Xiaofei''s heart.


    That night, after a brief moment of enjoyment, Li Xiaofei left the neighborhood and headed to the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters.


    There, a specially constructed training room awaited him. It was a room capable of withstanding the strain of his increasingly monstrous physique. He set the time for his secluded training and activated the Moonlight Treasure Box, entering the Secret Time Pavilion for cultivation.


    After thirty days of additional time within the pavilion, he had refined the qi vortices in his body down to just fifty. As expected, Li Xiaofei began to evolve into a more monstrous and inhuman direction.


    His weight had now reached two tons. If not for the special training room, any random step from him would create a crater in the ground. According to the data scanned and analyzed by the light core¡¯s testing equipment, the density of his muscles, bones, and internal organs had reached an unimaginable level.


    Li Xiaofei experimented by dragging a Longya Group short sword across his skin, only to find that it didn¡¯t even leave a scratch. Even the Flying Cloud Sword, a renowned sword once hailed as the ultimate treasure of the Flying Cloud Sword Gang and famed for cutting through anything as effortlessly as hair, was not immune to Li Xiaofei¡¯s newfound strength. A single strand of his hair nicked the blade¡¯s edge.


    His raw physical strength had reached an astonishing 51 ding.


    "I think I''ve turned into a monster," Li Xiaofei muttered as he stood naked in front of the mirror.


    He scratched his head, looking at his reflection. Even with the control exerted by the Five Qi Origin Technique: Introductory Chapter, his muscle definition had become much more pronounced compared to before he began cultivating.


    His eight-pack abs and the bulging pectoral muscles looked like hills. Still, this was while still restraining his full power.


    If I fully unleash my strength... Li Xiaofei thought to himself.


    He decided to stop holding back.


    Boom!


    His clothes were shredded in an instant. It was like he had transformed into the Hulk as his muscles swelled. In the span of a single breath, he expanded to a towering height of three meters.


    The boots on his feet also crumbled into dust. His overabundant life force radiated from his pores like boiling flames, forming a dense, crimson aura that surrounded his body. The figure in the mirror no longer looked human. He looked like a demon of slaughter that had emerged from the bloody fields of a hellish battlefield.

 Chapter 221: Qi Locking Stage

    Chapter 221: Qi Locking StageLi Xiaofei looked in the mirror. Even though he knew that he was the ¡°monster¡± in the mirror, he still felt an overwhelming and terrifying pressure. He gently stepped to the side.


    Thud, thud.


    His large and heavy body left deep footprints on the titanium floor of the specially designed training room. He casually threw a punch and a piercing sound of air being torn apart followed.


    He approached the strength-testing machine for the Acupoint Opening Realm and struck with a powerful punch.


    Bang!


    The machine, which was specifically purchased to withstand the full-force strike of an Acupoint Opening Realm expert, exploded instantly. It was like it was made of paper. His physical strength alone had already reached the level of the Acupoint Opening Realm.


    If he were to face Little Martial God Ye Liushuang again, he wouldn¡¯t even need to use his starforce qi or employ any combat techniques; he could crush him with just one hand.


    When it came to facing Elder Ye Changlin of the Ye family... Li Xiaofei carefully recalled the pressure Ye Changlin had exerted on him that day and came to a conclusion. He could fight him as well.


    If he were to unleash his starforce qi... he activated the starforce qi within his body. The low rumble of dragon roars filled the air. But unlike before, there were no golden dragon shadows circling around him.


    Instead, dark golden patterns began to form on the surface of his skin like the veins on a leaf. The dark golden patterns appeared and disappeared intermittently; they were natural yet chaotic, eerie and peculiar.


    Has my physical body become so powerful that it locks my starforce qi in?


    Invincible Qin had once mentioned in martial arts class that there was a stage called Qi Restraining Stage within the Qi Refining Realm.


    The Qi Restraining Stage was characterized by the ability to completely lock one¡¯s starforce qi within the body. This allowed for a hundred percent energy conversion when executing combat techniques. One could execute their strongest possible strike.


    But the body had to be trained to a high degree to achieve the Qi Restraining Stage. It was only when the physical body was refined to the point of having muscles tough as iron and tightly closed pores, that no energy leaked out when performing techniques.


    "It seems that through a process of trial and error in my cultivation, I''ve inadvertently entered the Qi Restraining Stage."


    Li Xiaofei felt his strength surging as his starforce qi circulated through his body. This was already beyond what the Acupoint Opening Realm could contend with and maybe even the Meridian Expanding Realm...


    Li Xiaofei recalled the descriptions and the corresponding data of the Meridian Expanding Realm that he had researched in the light core. After carefully comparing his strength to the data he had, he realized he could fight on par with experts in that stage.


    Li Xiaofei prepared to fully unleash his strength on the spot and give it a try, but as soon as he exerted some force, the all-metal training room immediately started groaning. The titanium walls began to bulge outward as if they were about to burst apart.


    He quickly stopped.


    Good grief. Even this specially constructed titanium training room can¡¯t withstand my strength?


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment, then activated the Five Qi Origin Technique: Introductory Chapter, retracted his starforce qi, restrained his physical strength, and ended his transformation state.


    When he was back in his normal form, he put on his clothes and walked over to the adjacent light core room. This was a light core control room that Li Xiaofei had specifically built for himself. Ever since he had gotten money, although he didn¡¯t indulge in extravagant pleasures, he spared no expense in equipping himself with cultivation facilities.


    This light core control room was strictly for his use alone. The installed light core was the highest-end MATE.50 series model by Xiawei. It was equipped with the most advanced products available on the market.


    Li Xiaofei entered the light core cockpit and inserted the key for his account, Your Grandpa.


    Successfully logged in.


    The first thing he did was scan his body and read over the data. Compared to older measuring instruments, the data from scanning within the light core virtual world was the most accurate. The results came quickly. They were categorized into three major forms.


    The first form could be called the Disguised Normal Human Form. This was when Li Xiaofei used the introductory chapter of the Five Qi Origin Technique to restrain his physical strength while circulating his starforce qi. In this form, his pure physical strength was equivalent to 50 ding, with a basic combat power of 540,311 points. When using combat techniques like the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, his combat power could surge to 1,032,877 points.


    This was equivalent to the combat power of a mid to high-level practitioner in the 70th acupoint of the Acupoint Opening Realm. In the theoretical system of the Great Xia martial lineage, the human body had a total of 120 acupoints. Reaching the 70th acupoint was already considered mid to high-level within the Acupoint Opening Realm.


    The second form could be called the Transformed Muscle Overlord Form. This was the form Li Xiaofei entered after fully releasing his physical strength. In this form, his physical strength reached 100 ding, with a basic combat power of 1,674,444 points. When using techniques like the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms and Six Meridian Divine Sword, his combat power could reach 3,890,008 points, equivalent to the strength of a practitioner in the sixth meridian of the Meridian Expanding Realm.


    The third form could be called the Ultimate Demon King Form. In this form, where he fully unleashed his physical power and activated his starforce qi in the Qi Restraining stage, his physical strength reached 200 ding, with a basic combat power of 4,008,000 points. In this form, when executing the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, his combat power could soar to 8,010,009 points. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was a terrifying number. It meant that Li Xiaofei, in the Ultimate Demon King Form, could easily overpower Meridian Expanding Realm experts.


    I never expected that using the introductory chapter of the Five Qi Origin Technique to reverse cultivate the hidden realm of the Qi Refining Realm would lead to such a transformation. It seems that my current combat power has completely surpassed the limits of any hidden realm officially recognized by Great Xia.


    Li Xiaofei pondered this in the light core virtual world. If he were to refine all the qi vortices within his body and condense the ninety-nine into one, then the power of his three forms would become even more terrifying.


    At that point, he might even be able to exchange a few moves with someone in the Five Spirits Realm. Just thinking about it was insane. A Qi Refining Realm practitioner going up against a Five Spirits Realm practitioner?


    He continued to practice and familiarize himself with his three forms in the light core virtual world. He did this until he fully mastered his new strength.


    By the time he was done, it was already the next morning. It was Friday, the day the High School War God League was set to begin again. Red Flag High School was hosting a match against the New Ridge High School team.


    New Ridge High School had ranked in the lower middle tier in last season''s league. Their two star players, Wu Long and Yu Feng, were second-rate stars in the league and posed no real threat to Red Flag High School.


    The final outcome of the match went as expected as Red Flag High School won all five of the solo mode matches and all three of the team mode matches. The result came as no surprise to anyone. After all, Red Flag High School had openly declared their intention to win the championship.


    After the match, the members of the New Ridge High School team didn¡¯t seem too disheartened by their defeat.


    When night descended, snowflakes began to drift down from the sky. It was the first snow of the year 2522.


    Li Xiaofei stood at the school gate, feeling as though something was missing. After thinking it over carefully, he suddenly realized that it had been about a week since he had last seen the young lady.


    Usually, he would see her once or twice every week. It was always the young lady who initiated the invitations. Li Xiaofei had unknowingly grown accustomed to the rhythm of meeting her after each league match.


    But today, the young lady hadn¡¯t called. Li Xiaofei took out his light core and dialed Tan Qingying''s number, but the call didn¡¯t go through.


    He put away the micro light core, feeling a slight pang of melancholy. He pushed his modified motorcycle down the street as he walked. The snow on the streets was getting thicker and thicker. The snowflakes now were larger than those of 500 years before.


    "Snowflakes on Yan Mountain as large as a mat, drifting down piece by piece on Xuanyuan Terrace..."


    Li Xiaofei recited softly as he walked.


    As he continued, a disheveled woman suddenly appeared in front of him, covered in blood. She collapsed right in front of Li Xiaofei with a heavy thud.

 Chapter 222: Killing In The Snowy Night

    Chapter 222: Killing In The Snowy Night"Hmm?"


    Li Xiaofei was startled, as he looked closer. The woman seemed familiar. It was the police officer, Su Yuke.


    "Li Xiaofei..." Su Yuke was severely injured. She looked up at him, speaking urgently, "Quick... take me away from here, don''t... don''t let anyone else see me, hurry, hurry..."


    But as soon as she finished speaking, she passed out. Li Xiaofei stared at the unconscious police officer for a moment, his mind filled with countless questions.


    What happened? Why is this young police officer always so unlucky?


    He took off his coat, wrapped it around her, and held her in his arms. He decided to take her to the police station first. Just as he was trying to figure out which way the police station was, he heard the tell-tale sound of something cutting quickly through the air.


    Swish, swish, swish. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Four figures dressed in black combat suits and wearing masks raced across the ground as swiftly as arrows loosed from a bow. They quickly blocked Li Xiaofei''s path.


    One of them, with eyes as sharp and cold as an eagle¡¯s, scanned Li Xiaofei from head to toe.


    He ordered quietly, "Silence him."


    Whoosh!


    The black-clad figure on the far right suddenly lunged forward, and slashed down at Li Xiaofei with a standard long blade.


    An expert at the Acupoint Opening Realm!


    Li Xiaofei was startled. An Acupoint Opening Realm practitioner would be a top-tier figure within any gang and definitely not an unknown entity in the government or military. Yet here he was, dressed in a black suit and hiding his face to assassinate Su Yuke.


    What kind of trouble did this young police officer get herself into this time?


    As these thoughts ran through Li Xiaofei''s mind, he flicked a finger. A blast of sword energy shot out.


    Bang!


    The standard long blade shattered instantly. The black-clad assailant groaned, his arm that held the blade severed by the sword energy.


    Swish, swish, swish.


    The other three black-clad figures attacked almost simultaneously. They all wielded identical standard black long blades. Their blades flashed, executing a coordinated attack technique in an instant.


    Li Xiaofei, holding the young police officer with one hand, used the Six Meridian Divine Sword with the other as he sent out waves of sword energy with a flick of his fingers.


    The three black-clad figures were all Acupoint Opening Realm experts; they were incredibly powerful. But they couldn¡¯t last even a single move against the current Li Xiaofei. A single strike from sword energy was all he needed to to cut them down in the snowy night.


    Li Xiaofei showed no mercy. These people were clearly not to be trifled with; their intent to silence him was a clear indication of their ruthless and vicious nature. Moreover, they had driven the righteous police officer into such a dire state, which proved they were far from being the good guys. Killing them was entirely justified.


    The black-clad figure with the severed arm quickly realized they had encountered an unstoppable force. He instantly turned and fled. It was a professional decision but unfortunately, it was in vain.


    Whoosh!


    A streak of sword energy whistled through the air. The black-clad figure, who had managed to run twenty meters, fell to the ground, blood spilling out and staining the white snow red.


    Li Xiaofei moved swiftly, treading lightly on the snow as he approached. He had intended to question the man to get to the bottom of things. But before he could, the black-clad figure¡¯s head slumped to the side as a pool of black blood started oozing from the corner of his mouth.


    He had bitten through his tongue and crushed a hidden poisonous capsule in his teeth. There was no doubt¡ªhe was dead beyond any hope of revival. He was gone in a heartbeat.


    Li Xiaofei had hoped to keep one alive, but it seemed like that was too much to ask. He moved closer to examine the body. He quickly found that these black-clad figures didn¡¯t have anything that hinted at their identities.


    Their combat suits and black long blades were standard and they had no tattoos or martial arts traits. Most importantly, none of them had undergone New Martial Arts surgery; there were no Inscribed Treasure Bones implanted in their bodies.


    There was no traceable lead. They were even more untraceable than the undocumented residents he had encountered in the slums.


    Death warrior!


    Li Xiaofei''s heart tightened.


    An Acupoint Opening Realm death warrior¡ªwhat kind of powerful force could afford to raise such warriors?


    Among the five major families in Liuhe Base City, only the Ye family had the financial power to support something like this. The other four families simply couldn''t manage it. It seemed that the trouble this young police officer had herself gotten into was far from ordinary.


    Li Xiaofei took out an Iron Dissolver and used it to dispose of the black-clad corpses, leaving no trace behind. Then he left with the young police officer.


    Moments later, a silent, dark shadow swept through the area. A four-meter-tall beast power armor carrying a scythe appeared at the scene. It was a power armor modeled after a beast, with no visible identification number. It was clearly an unregistered undocumented unit.


    The dark-colored power armor had a matte finish and resembled a grim reaper patrolling the night. After briefly scanning the area, it activated its six pairs of thin steel wings, which started to vibrate at a high frequency. It lifted the power armor just enough to skim the ground as it flew off, disappearing into the snowy night like a hunting night demon.


    ***


    At the same time, Li Xiaofei¡¯s portable light core suddenly started vibrating with an incoming call. Li Xiaofei took out the portable light core and a smile immediately appeared on his face at the caller ID.


    It was Tan Qingying. The young lady¡¯s call had finally come. He held the motorcycle upright with one hand and quickly answered the call.


    "Hello? Idol, where are you?" The young lady''s voice came through the line.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "On my way home from school... What about you? Where have you been lately? You''ve been completely off the radar."


    The young lady immediately began to vent, "Ugh, don''t even get me started. A few people from out of town came over for these past few days, and it''s been so annoying, but I had to entertain them... By the way, are you free right now? How about we meet at the usual spot?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Of course, I''ll be there in half an hour."


    After hanging up, Li Xiaofei suddenly felt a wave of relief wash over him, and his mood lifted instantly. However, he needed to get the young police officer back to the station first.


    Riding his ever-reliable, traffic-proof modified motorcycle, Li Xiaofei roared down the road. A short while later, he could see the police station just ahead.


    At that moment, a bump in the road jolted the unconscious young police officer awake, causing her to scream as she regained consciousness. She instinctively struggled, then recognized Li Xiaofei.


    "Don''t move, I''m taking you to the police station," Li Xiaofei said. "We''re almost there."


    "No, don''t... please, don''t." Su Yuke''s expression suddenly changed dramatically.


    She began to struggle violently, saying, "Don''t take me to the station. Quickly, we need to leave this area. Make sure the surveillance cameras don''t capture us. I can''t go back there; if I do, everything will be over... Take me to see City Leader Tan."


    "Hmm?"


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback.


    He stopped the bike and steadied the young officer, "Calm down. What''s going on?"


    Su Yuke looked disoriented. Her body was burning with fever, and her starforce qi was in chaos. She was clearly in bad shape and could barely speak clearly.


    "Don''t... don''t ask. The more you know, the more dangerous it becomes. Just... take me to City Leader Tan... I know you can get me to him. This is critically important... we can''t waste any more time..."


    She fainted once again.

 Chapter 223: The Wait In The Small Shop

    Chapter 223: The Wait In The Small ShopLi Xiaofei frowned.


    Although he hadn''t interacted much with the young police officer, he was certain that she was a genuinely upright and justice-driven officer. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have risked her life by wearing a bikini to infiltrate the Dragon Claw Gang''s den of wolves just to save Li Jie.


    Though her actions were a bit reckless, and her skills weren¡¯t particularly impressive, her character was undoubtedly trustworthy. Li Xiaofei''s deep-seated sense of chivalry wouldn¡¯t allow him to abandon a police officer in distress. He hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided to take the young officer to see Tan Zhenwei.


    Before setting out, he sent a LightChat message to Tan Qingying, explaining that he had run into some trouble and would be about half an hour late. He quickly sped towards the city government building on his ever-reliable modified motorcycle. He tried calling Tan Zhenwei directly, but the call didn¡¯t go through.


    That was expected. After all, City Leader Tan had been overwhelmed with pressing matters recently and was working around the clock. It wasn¡¯t surprising that his personal phone couldn¡¯t be reached. So, Li Xiaofei sent a LightChat message instead.


    Twenty minutes later, Li Xiaofei arrived at the entrance of the city government building. But he still hadn¡¯t received any response from City Leader Tan so he decided to go in directly. However, he was stopped by the guard at the gate.


    ¡°Sorry, but it¡¯s after hours and the government complex is closed. No one is allowed to enter without a pass.¡± The on-duty guard politely informed him.


    Li Xiaofei showed his Kunlun Badge, but it was to no avail.


    He felt a headache coming on.


    What now?


    After thinking it over, he decided to call Tan Zhenwei¡¯s secretary directly.


    This time, the call finally went through.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Li, but the City Leader has been with the investigation team since this afternoon. At this stage, all members of the investigation team have blocked communications, so I can¡¯t reach the City Leader either.¡± The young secretary said respectfully. ¡°If there¡¯s something urgent, you can relay the message to me.¡±


    Li Xiaofei hesitated for a moment and then said, ¡°No, that won¡¯t be necessary. I¡¯ll try to reach him later... thank you.¡±


    After hanging up, Li Xiaofei let out a sigh. He glanced back at the unconscious young police officer.


    What now? I guess I¡¯ll head back to the gang headquarters.


    Li Xiaofei rode off into the snowy night. He needed to hurry and get the young officer settled at the Cloudy Sky Gang before making his way to his appointment.


    ***


    At Old Chen¡¯s Offal Shop.


    Tan Qingying sat alone at the table in the far corner. This was the table she always sat at whenever she and Li Xiaofei met.


    Before she knew Li Xiaofei, she would sit here by herself, quietly finishing her bowl of offal soup, pickled vegetables, and braised meat. The warm, everyday atmosphere of the shop gave her a brief moment of peace and solace. But after she met Li Xiaofei, this spot had become filled with laughter and joy.


    No matter what troubles she faced outside, just sitting here and seeing that smiling face across from her was enough for Tan Qingying to start smiling herself. She would chat away, and let all her worries and sorrows disappear.


    A short while ago, Li Xiaofei had messaged her, saying he would be a little late. Tan Qingying replied with a simple Okay, then called out to Uncle Chen to order the usual three dishes, timing it perfectly for his arrival. Li Xiaofei was always punctual and never late. So she had ordered for him as well.


    Bu today, the offal shop felt a bit deserted. Only the elderly couple from before were dining in the spacious room. Their solitary figures only made the shop feel even more quiet and cold. The other regulars were nowhere to be seen.


    ¡°Uncle Chen, has business been slow lately?¡± Tan Qingying asked casually.


    Uncle Chen sighed with a smile and replied, ¡°People have been feeling insecure ever since the beast tide started attacking the city. Most are staying home and don¡¯t want to go out. Some have even lost their income and are relying on nutrition porridge to get by. They¡¯re afraid to spend money and are saving up for New Martial Arts surgery.¡±


    The beast tide''s siege had instilled a sense of crisis in everyone, but especially among the common folk. Now, many people were eager to undergo New Martial Arts surgery, hoping to quickly boost their strength through this shortcut. That way, they could protect themselves and their families better.


    A trace of worry flickered in Tan Qingying¡¯s bright eyes. A prolonged beast tide was a huge disaster for any base city. In recent days, her father had become even busier with work and had hardly ever come home. It had been a whole week since she had last seen him.


    Even those who paid little attention to current events or politics could sense the tension and pressure in the air. From the various pieces of information circulating on the light-network, it was clear that her father was facing significant problems.


    Numerous influencers were now claiming that the closure of Duxing Hospital and the New Martial Surgery Center was not really due to the alleged trafficking of live organs. The real reason, they argued, was that City Leader Tan Zhenwei was a staunch and fanatical supporter of the ancient martial arts faction.


    They claimed that City Leader Tan Zhenwei had allegedly fabricated a wrongful case to suppress the New Martial Arts movement. At first, this narrative hadn¡¯t gained much traction in the mainstream. After all, Tan Zhenwei had always been known for his diligent governance, clean reputation, and strong public support.


    But as the star beast siege dragged on, and more stories emerged online about patients whose treatment had been delayed due to the closure of Duxing Hospital, the criticism began to grow. Many people eager to undergo New Martial Arts surgery found their appointments repeatedly postponed. The joint investigation team had also failed to release new evidence on the alleged organ trafficking.


    As a result, the online condemnation of Tan Zhenwei had intensified as public opinion started to shift. Tan Qingying firmly believed that with her father¡¯s wisdom and capabilities, he would eventually turn the situation around. But she couldn¡¯t help feeling anxious.


    Time passed as she frequently glanced at the old-fashioned clock hanging in the shop. The agreed-upon time was fast approaching. But there was still no sign of Li Xiaofei.


    He should be here soon.


    She tried to reassure herself.


    Suddenly, a figure appeared at the table and asked, "May I sit here?"


    Tan Qingying looked up. It wasn¡¯t Li Xiaofei standing in front of her. Instead, it was a young man, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old.


    He was tall and strong, with a handsome face and an elegant smile that could easily captivate many women. His demeanor exuded the refined air of someone from a prominent family.


    "What are you doing here?" asked Tan Qingying as a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. But she also felt a tinge of impatience in her heart.


    "What¡¯s this? Am I not welcome?" The man sat down without waiting for an answer. "I just happened to be passing by and saw you sitting alone, so I thought I¡¯d drop in and see how you¡¯re doing."


    Yeah, right.


    Tan Qingying sneered inwardly.


    Someone of his status, passing by a place as out-of-the-way as this? Who is he trying to fool?


    After a week of putting up with his false courtesy, she was growing weary. She was tempted to slam the table and walk out. But then she remembered that Li Xiaofei would be arriving at any minute, so she held back.


    "I¡¯m fine, no need to worry." She replied coolly, "If there''s nothing important, you can leave." S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Heh, this is the first time a woman has dared speak to me like that," said the young man who still didn¡¯t move.


    Instead, he leaned in closer, his gaze becoming more intense as he brazenly took in the curves of Tan Qingying''s body.


    "I have a very interesting proposal that could solve City Leader Tan¡¯s predicament... Are you interested?" He said as a sly smirk played at the corners of his mouth.

 Chapter 224: You Know What I Want To See

    Chapter 224: You Know What I Want To See"Not interested," Tan Qingying replied without hesitation.


    She could sense the clear malice behind his words from the man''s unmasked mockery. She was all too familiar with the decadent and corrupt ways of the elite scions from the Saints family. The man before her was one of those infamous supervillains she''d heard about.


    "Heh, don¡¯t you care about Uncle Tan?" The man slowly straightened, crossing his arms as he stared at her like a predator eyeing a canary about to be trapped in a cage. "If you don¡¯t help him, he won¡¯t get through this."


    Tan Qingying laughed and said contemptuously, "Get lost."


    The man''s expression darkened as he replied, "The more arrogant you are now, the more pathetic and pitiful you¡¯ll be when the tables turn... I look forward to that transformation."


    His demeanor grew more domineering and sinister.


    "If you don¡¯t leave now, I¡¯m going to call for help," Tan Qingying warned.


    "Oh? Call for help?" The man sneered. "You mean that lunatic who¡¯s been dressing like a circus clown ever since your mother died, with his top hat and tails? It''s a pity; he might not even be able to protect himself right now."


    Tan Qingying turned to look outside the shop. She noticed the black SUV parked by the roadside. But the tall, thin figure who had always been there to protect her was nowhere to be seen.


    A chill rose in her heart.


    His appearance is no coincidence. This was planned.


    "I had initially hoped to play nice with you, but you¡¯re too stubborn." The man said, his tone laced with regret as the mockery in his eyes deepened. "So, I guess I¡¯ll have to resort to force... Miss Tan, you¡¯d better come with me quietly. If you do, the people in this little shop and those around it will live."


    Tan Qingying took a deep breath.


    "As the legitimate son of the Gu family, you could have any woman you want. Yet you¡¯ve spent so much time on me. You¡¯re not interested in me¡ªyou¡¯re trying to use me to get to my father," she said slowly.


    The man nodded appreciatively. "You¡¯re not as ignorant as the rumors suggest."


    "You can¡¯t handle my father, so you¡¯ve decided to target me instead... This is the act of a truly impotent man," Tan Qingying added.


    The man chuckled in amusement. "You¡¯ll soon find out whether I¡¯m impotent or not when we move to a different location... Of course, if you insist on staying here, that¡¯s fine too. I¡¯ve never had the pleasure of playing with a woman in a restaurant before."


    Ding-dong. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The old-fashioned clock on the wall suddenly chimed the hour.


    Tan Qingying¡¯s expression shifted slightly and said, "Fine, I¡¯ll go with you."


    The man glanced at the time on the clock, and suddenly, he seemed in no hurry.


    "Is Li Xiaofei about to arrive?" He asked, with a confident, mocking smile. "Worried that boy might get caught up in this?"


    Tan Qingying glared at him, a cold sneer on her lips.


    The young man clicked his tongue playfully. "I threatened you with your father¡¯s career, and you didn¡¯t flinch. But you¡¯re willing to surrender because of someone who isn¡¯t even related by blood? Is that Li Xiaofei, that worthless nobody, more important to you than your own father?"


    "That¡¯s none of your concern," Tan Qingying replied. "Are you leaving or not?"


    "Hah, I¡¯ll leave... if you beg me." The man said, remaining firmly in place as he savored the thrill of dominating a proud woman. "Beg me, and I¡¯ll agree to take this elsewhere."


    Tan Qingying¡¯s face grew cold as ice. "What do you really want?"


    The man looked at the bright, proud girl in front of him and was filled with a twisted sense of accomplishment. Stroking his chin, he said, "Open your collar, then spread your legs... You know what I want to see."


    The ticking of the old-fashioned clock¡¯s second hand suddenly became unnervingly clear.


    Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock.


    Each tick struck heavily at Tan Qingying¡¯s heart.


    ***


    The snow on the street had already piled up to over ten centimeters. Li Xiaofei¡¯s modified motorcycle sped through the snowstorm without hesitation. He was racing against time.


    Suddenly, an inexplicable, bone-chilling sense of danger rose within him as he took a shortcut. A faint sound, like the click of a typewriter, suddenly echoed from the darkness to the southwest. Li Xiaofei instinctively tilted his head, as something struck him hard.


    He was thrown from the heavy motorcycle, hurtling through the air like a ragdoll before crashing into the snow ten meters away. He slid another seven or eight meters before slamming into the stone steps by the roadside.


    At the same time, a man dressed in black combat gear suddenly appeared on the street. He moved like a ghost as he intercepted the speeding motorcycle with a single fluid motion, despite its tremendous momentum.


    He effortlessly hoisted the unconscious young police officer by the collar. He began walking toward the snow-covered Li Xiaofei, who lay motionless in the distance. A dark short blade slid out from his right sleeve.


    When he reached the body, he swung the blade down at Li Xiaofei¡¯s neck. According to the organization¡¯s rules, a finishing blow was required even if the target was already dead. The head had to be completely severed to ensure there were no mistakes.


    But just as the blade was about to strike, Li Xiaofei suddenly opened his eyes. The man in black was shocked.


    How could someone who was shot in the temple by a Beast Hunter-Class high-powered sniper rifle still be alive?


    But before he could react, a sliver of sword energy pierced through his neck. His life was extinguished in an instant. Li Xiaofei sprang up, swiftly reclaiming the unconscious young police officer from the man¡¯s grasp.


    Click.


    The strange typewriter-like sound echoed again. But this time, Li Xiaofei moved instantly, executing the Graceful Step of the Waves and leaving only an afterimage in his place.


    Pfft.


    A bullet struck where he had just been standing.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s movements were erratic, his steps shifting like a ghostly mirage as he darted toward the southwest. The sharp pain in his right temple intensified; he had to find and eliminate the sniper hidden in the shadows.


    Damn it.


    This was the first time since his arrival in this world that he had suffered such a serious setback.


    What kind of trouble did this young police officer get herself into? They even brought out firearms.


    The Great Xia government strictly prohibited civilians from using firearms. Even most martial arts families wouldn¡¯t dare privately stockpile firearms. If one was caught, it would be a serious crime.


    The five major families of Liuhe Base City might possess firearms, but they wouldn¡¯t dare use them unless it was absolutely necessary. Yet tonight, these black-clad men had brought out a sniper rifle, the most deadly weapon against martial artists. This was no ordinary power at play.


    Sh-sh-sh.


    Bullets whizzed through the air, piercing through the afterimages left by Li Xiaofei''s Graceful Step of the Waves. The sniper hidden in the darkness was incredibly skilled as he constantly shifted positions as well. But Li Xiaofei eventually closed in on him.


    Whoosh!


    The Shaoze Sword of the Six Meridian Divine Sword shot through the air. A muffled groan echoed from the distant darkness.


    When Li Xiaofei arrived, he only found a pool of fresh blood. The sniper had already vanished. The intensifying snowstorm aided the sniper in concealing himself.


    A sniper with at least the strength of an Acupoint Opening Realm.


    Li Xiaofei''s heart sank. This trouble was bigger than anything Li Xiaofei had ever faced before. He had a vague sense that he was being drawn into a massive whirlpool of conflict. The danger was far from over.


    He realized that he couldn''t return to the slums. Doing so would bring disaster to his friends and family. He pulled out his portable light core and tried to call Tan Qingying. He needed to inform her that he wouldn¡¯t make it on time and tell her to go home.


    But the call didn¡¯t go through. It was only then that he noticed his light core had lost all signal. All communication functions were jammed. He couldn¡¯t make calls, nor could he access the internet.


    A chill ran down his spine. He knew the situation had just escalated. He had to leave immediately. Just as this thought crossed his mind, the sound of something cutting through the air suddenly rang out from behind him.

 Chapter 225: Snowy Night, Killing Night

    Chapter 225: Snowy Night, Killing NightLi Xiaofei didn''t dare be careless. He immediately executed the Graceful Step of the Waves again, swiftly dodging away from his original position with the unconscious young police officer in tow.


    Whoosh.


    A miniature missile, trailing a glowing tail, whizzed past where they had just been.


    Damn!


    Li Xiaofei cursed under his breath.


    What the hell is going on?! Missiles? Are the people attacking me from some military unit?


    No ordinary family or organization could possibly possess such high-grade weaponry. Even if they did, they wouldn''t dare use it within a base city.


    Whoosh.


    Suddenly, the missile turned in mid-air and continued to chase after him. Li Xiaofei''s eyes nearly bulged out of his head.


    It can even lock onto me?!


    He kept dodging, using the Graceful Step of the Waves, but the missile pursued him with the persistence of a scorned lover. With no other choice, Li Xiaofei unleashed the Six Meridian Divine Sword and detonated the missile in mid-air.


    Boom!


    A muffled explosion echoed through the night. Countless fragments from the specially designed missile scattered in all directions. These fragments were made of a material specifically engineered to penetrate a warrior''s starforce qi shield.


    Li Xiaofei folded the young police officer tightly in his arms, using his back to absorb the full brunt of the explosion''s shockwave.


    Thud, thud, thud.


    Dozens of fragments instantly pierced through his clothes and embedded themselves in his back, turning him into a porcupine. The powerful blast sent him flying until he crashed into a roadside ditch.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.


    A dozen black-clad figures emerged from the distance.


    "Where is he?"


    "He''s not down there."


    "This guy isn¡¯t dead. He got away."


    "Pursue him."


    The leader of the group, wearing a metal helmet and holding a palm-sized tracking device, carefully adjusted the instrument. After a brief moment, he swiftly led his men along the west side of the ditch.


    Sure enough, after a few kilometers, they spotted the frantically fleeing figure of Li Xiaofei.


    "Shoot him!" The leader of the black-clad group shouted out.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.


    The sound of arrows slicing through the air filled the night as a rain of bolts was launched at Li Xiaofei, who deftly evaded the barrage of arrows using the Graceful Step of the Waves.


    He raced toward a tunnel in the distance. Its gaping entrance resembled the maw of a monstrous beast ready to devour him. Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t hesitate as he darted into the tunnel like a cornered rat.


    "Follow him."


    "He¡¯s been hit by a bullet laced with poison. He won¡¯t last much longer."


    The black-clad figures were well-trained and disciplined as they pursued him into the tunnel without hesitation.


    The tunnel was likely an old, abandoned underground air-raid shelter. It had a complex layout, as every five hundred meters, it branched off. The path was filled with trash and sludge that emitted a strange, foul stench, masking any scent of blood.


    This environment significantly increased the chances of escape. But the black-clad men were relentless in their pursuit. They continued to chase him without hesitation.


    After about ten minutes, they stopped. They had reached the end of a wide main tunnel. A dead end with no way out. Li Xiaofei stood in the center, waiting for them. The young police officer was nowhere to be seen.


    "Where is she?" The leader of the black-clad group demanded, "Kid, where did you hide that police officer?"


    "Who are you people?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "You don¡¯t need to know," the leader responded. "Hand over the police officer, and we might let you live."


    "Do you take me for a three-year-old?" Li Xiaofei sneered.


    "Then die," the leader of the black-clad figures coldly commanded with a wave of his hand.


    Clang, clang, clang.


    The others drew their pitch-black, standard-issue long blades, slowly closing in. Murderous intent filled the air. To them, a man who had been hit by both armor-piercing missiles and poisoned arrows was nothing more than a spent force.


    "Sigh... must you force me to kill?" Li Xiaofei sighed.


    His body trembled as he started to exert his strength.


    Ding, ding, dang, dang.


    Metal fragments began to fall from his body, clattering onto the concrete floor. There wasn¡¯t a trace of blood on them. A wave of overwhelming pressure surged out from Li Xiaofei¡¯s core.


    The leader of the black-clad group was stunned. He looked more closely and was horrified. The specially designed edges of the metal fragments on the ground had snapped off, and the fragments themselves were deformed.


    Is this guy wearing some sort of protective treasure armor?


    "Enjoyed chasing me down, did you?" A fierce glint appeared in Li Xiaofei''s eyes. "Now, die!"


    He thew a punch with all his might.


    Boom!


    The black-clad figure in front found it hard to breathe as he felt the force of the punch rushing toward him. He instinctively raised his black long blade horizontally across his chest, pressing his left hand against the blade''s spine and unleashed all the starforce qi of his Acupoint Opening Realm. He had reached the 90th acupoint, and he hoped he could block the blow and buy his companions a moment of time. But...


    Boom!


    Both man and blade exploded together.


    Whoosh, whoosh.


    Almost simultaneously, two other black blades sliced toward Li Xiaofei''s arm. Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t dodge. Instead, he swung his right arm outward, using his arm to block the incoming blades.


    The two black-clad men were momentarily elated. Their obsidian blades, forged with specialized techniques, were incredibly sharp and capable of slicing through wood and stone in an instant. Even a Meridian Expanding Realm expert couldn¡¯t withstand their strikes with just flesh and bone.


    But in the next moment, they realized something was wrong. The impact on Li Xiaofei''s arm sent a terrifying shockwave through their blades, shattering the bones in their hands and fingers almost instantly. But Li Xiaofei''s arm remained completely unscathed.


    How is this possible?


    The other black-clad figures were stunned. They were all professionally trained, and unless overwhelmed by shock, they would never cry out in surprise.


    Bang! Bang!


    Two more explosive sounds echoed as Li Xiaofei delivered two more punches, sending the black-clad men flying backward. They crashed into the concrete wall, their bodies shattering into pulp. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Enjoying this?" snarled Li Xiaofei as he threw another punch.


    He was currently in his first form, but the toughness of his body had far surpassed normal limits. Even the specially crafted obsidian blades couldn¡¯t penetrate his skin. He was almost unstoppable with the strength of 50 ding and the Great Strength Vajra Fist.


    In the blink of an eye, all the black-clad figures were down. When he saw the situation turn dire, the leader of the group tried to flee. But how could he outrun sword energy?


    His legs were pierced through, and he collapsed to the ground. Li Xiaofei quickly closed the distance. But before he could strike, the leader bit down on something, and was dead within moments.


    The man''s entire head began to melt with a hissing sound, turning into a thick pool of blood. Li Xiaofei approached and picked up the tracking device that had fallen to the ground.


    Bang.


    The tracker exploded instantly. Sharp fragments from the blast struck Li Xiaofei''s face, but they were immediately deflected by his tough skin.


    The ambushers were completely wiped out, except for the mysterious sniper. Yet, Li Xiaofei still couldn¡¯t figure out where this group had come from. Their equipment, strength, and even the speed at which they took their own lives all indicated they were far from an ordinary force.


    Had he not recently been cultivating the Five Qi Origin Technique: Introductory Chapter, which had made his body as tough as iron, impervious to blades and bullets, he would likely have been killed by the very first shot, just like any other Acupoint Opening Realm or even Meridian Expanding Realm experts.


    At this moment, the young police officer Su Yuke, whom he had hidden in a crevice, began to stir and wake up.


    "What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into this time?" Li Xiaofei asked in exasperation as he walked up to her. "How do you manage to cause so much chaos?"

 Chapter 226: God-Slaying Squad, At Your Service

    Chapter 226: God-Slaying Squad, At Your Service"I''m sorry that I dragged you into this mess," said Su Yuke with an apologetic tone, her head lowered in guilt.


    However, Li Xiaofei did not mock her as he had done in the past. He smiled gently as he comforted her, "With your character, you wouldn''t engage in anything illegal or evil. You must have stumbled upon something shady and, as a good citizen, it''s my duty to assist the police in combating crime. So, you don''t need to apologize to me."


    Su Yuke was momentarily stunned.


    This was the third time Li Xiaofei had referred to himself as a good citizen. The first two times, Su Yuke had felt like he was being sarcastic. But now, in the dark, pitch-black tunnel, surrounded by the metallic scent of blood in the air... Su Yuke suddenly felt that the high school student in front of her fully deserved to be called that.


    "I tried to contact City Leader Tan when you were unconscious." Li Xiaofei continued, "Unfortunately, he was busy working with the investigation team, and all communications have been cut off. The earliest we can see him would be tomorrow morning."


    As he spoke, he took out his portable light core, intending to call Tan Qingying. But he found that the light core still had no signal.


    "It''s useless. You''ve already been exposed, so communications are likely being jammed," Su Yuke said. "We can''t contact the outside world through the light network or light speed channels... We need to leave quickly. The men of Black Viper will find us soon."


    However, Li Xiaofei remained calm as he asked, "Black Viper? What kind of organization is that?"


    Su Yuke explained, "It''s an evil force secretly cultivated by the Ye family, that¡¯s specifically used to eliminate their enemies. Their influence runs deep in Liuhe Base City, since they¡¯ve infiltrated gangs, major companies, and government offices. They''re the overlords of the underworld. The men in black you just killed were members of Black Viper."


    As expected, it¡¯s the Ye family.


    Li Xiaofei realized that he really seemed to be at odds with the Ye family.


    When she saw him fall silent, Su Yuke grew anxious again and urged, "We need to leave quickly. The Black Viper is everywhere, and their reinforcements will surely find us. We need to move to another location as soon as possible."


    But Li Xiaofei remained calm and said, "I need to understand what exactly happened first. Why don''t you tell me everything... maybe I can help you in a better way."


    Su Yuke was so frustrated that she gritted her teeth, but there was nothing she could do.


    She reluctantly explained, "I obtained evidence that Duxing Hospital was involved in human trafficking, human experimentation, and the illegal sale of live organs. I also discovered that the Ye family was colluding with the Jiepeng people and using New Martial Arts surgery to collect the blood and genetic data of Great Xia''s experts and extracting experimental data..."


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback by what he heard. This was no small matter. The city government and the Ye family were already openly at odds. The joint investigation team had been stationed at Duxing Hospital for a long time but had yet to find any evidence.


    If the deadline passed and the city government still couldn''t produce any evidence, even someone as respected as Tan Zhenwei would have to take responsibility. He would have to face the Ye family''s furious backlash.


    At the same time, Li Xiaofei also started to piece some things together.


    No wonder Tan Zhenwei ordered the investigation and shutdown of Duxing Hospital. It¡¯s clear that the hospital was indeed involved in something nefarious that would incite public outrage.


    "How did you get this evidence?" Li Xiaofei asked, curious.


    Su Yuke hesitated for a moment and then fell silent.


    Well, that is telling.  Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei could tell from her expression that she had probably acted on her own again. But perhaps it was precisely because of her unauthorized actions that the Ye family had been caught off guard and allowed her to obtain the evidence.


    "Where is the evidence?" Li Xiaofei asked. "I can take you to someone who might be able to help."


    "No, we must find City Leader Tan," Su Yuke shook her head stubbornly. "Only he can stand up to the Ye family in Liuhe Base City. This evidence must be handed directly to him. No one else can be trusted. The Ye family has people in every major government office in Liuhe Base City. I originally intended to hand the evidence to the police chief, but I nearly died at the police station. I barely escaped, only to be hunted down by the Ye family¡¯s Black Viper organization."


    "The police might be compromised, but the person I''m talking about..." Li Xiaofei said with absolute confidence, "is definitely trustworthy."


    Su Yuke asked, "Who is it?"


    Li Xiaofei replied calmly, "My teacher, Inspector Li Zhoumin of the Star Council."


    The Ye family might be able to influence anyone within the base city, but they couldn''t sway an inspector from a branch of the Star Council. Moreover, as a staunch supporter of traditional martial arts, Li Zhoumin would certainly not look favorably upon the Ye family, who were fervently devoted to New Martial Arts.


    Su Yuke''s eyes lit up with hope. If Li Xiaofei could speak on her behalf to such a person, the situation would become much more manageable. After a brief moment of preparation, the two set off. However, as soon as they stepped out of the tunnel, Li Xiaofei suddenly stopped.


    "What''s wrong?" Su Yuke asked in confusion.


    Li Xiaofei didn''t respond immediately. Instead, he looked ahead. About twenty meters away, a tall, slender figure was silently standing on the railing above the canal in the night¡¯s wind and snow. He wore a dark red wolf mask and a dark red cloak billowed in the wind. Snowflakes landed gently on his shoulders, making him look like a grim reaper who was poised to harvest souls in the storm.


    "Who is he?" Su Yuke whispered.


    But before she could finish her question...


    Whoosh!


    There was a faint sound of something cutting through the air. Su Yuke barely had time to register the sudden blur before her eyes. The menacing dark red wolf head rapidly grew larger. Then¡ª


    Boom!


    A loud explosion erupted. The frenzied blast of air sent countless snowflakes flying in the frigid air. The wolf-headed figure had already exchanged a blow with Li Xiaofei.


    His body gracefully arced backward before he landed back onto the railing above the canal. He stood as steady as a spear, cutting a solitary figure against the storm.


    He said, "No wonder the Black Viper suffered such heavy losses... Li Xiaofei, you¡¯re at least twice as strong as the Ye family''s intel described."


    Li Xiaofei felt a chill run down his spine. The speed at which the enemy''s intelligence was disseminated was alarming. They had already confirmed his identity in such a short time. He silently gestured for the young policewoman to stand behind him.


    "Are you a lapdog of the Ye family?" Li Xiaofei asked, raising his head defiantly.


    This was clearly a powerful opponent. He was at least at the Meridian Expanding Realm.


    "Hehe, the Ye family isn''t worth our loyalty." The wolf-headed figure replied, his tone dripping with undisguised contempt. "Kid, this matter had nothing to do with you, but unfortunately, your luck ran out when you decided to save that cop... Any last words? I''ll pass them on for you."


    "Hehe, someone''s luck definitely ran out, but it wasn''t mine," Li Xiaofei bluffed, his voice steady. "Why don''t you have your companions come out as well?"


    The wolf-headed figure grinned and said, "As you wish."


    A strange energy fluctuation flickered in the air. Suddenly, four more figures appeared on the other four railings beside him. They all wore the same dark red cloaks. Their heights and builds varied, but each of them wore an animal-shaped mask. There was an eagle, a horse, a bear, and a fox.


    Including the wolf from earlier, there were five in total. A five-member combat squad. This was the optimal formation for special martial artists on a mission. These opponents were professionals.


    "The Gu family''s God-Slaying Squad... at your service!" The wolf-headed man said with a twisted smile.

 Chapter 227: Half-Beast TransformationLightning Speed

    Chapter 227: Half-Beast TransformationLightning SpeedDamn it... I was just bluffing, but they actually had reinforcements.


    Li Xiaofei cursed inwardly. In both high school and college leagues, the standard format was five-on-five. Two primary fighters, a medic, a beastmaster, and a weapons specialist. This configuration was globally recognized as the optimal combat team formation.


    Many professional special operations squads were organized in the same way, with additional substitutes as needed. Clearly, the God-Slaying Squad was also a five-man team.


    Li Xiaofei realized in an instant that his opponents were a professional combat group, with extensive battle experience and seamless teamwork. These adversaries were leagues beyond a local gang like the Black Viper.


    But instead of feeling intimidated by the strength of his opponents, Li Xiaofei felt his excitement grow. A fierce battle spirit ignited within him. His recent rapid increase in strength had brought his three forms to the brink of completion.


    He hadn''t yet encountered a worthy opponent who could truly challenge him. Tonight might just be the perfect opportunity to put his skills to the test.


    "You''re still very young, and your potential is limitless." The wolf-headed man said, looking down at him with a tone of mocking pity. "You should have been given a fair chance to fight, but unfortunately, this mission is time-sensitive, and you''ve crossed the wrong people... I wish you better luck in your next life."


    "Don''t worry about me, just go," Su Yuke whispered as she pressed herself against Li Xiaofei. Without making any sudden movements, she slipped a chip into his hand, speaking softly, "I''m a burden. If you take me with you, neither of us will make it out alive." S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She, too, had realized that the God-Slaying Squad they faced was a professional combat group. No matter how strong Li Xiaofei was, he wasn''t invincible. There was no way he could single-handedly take on an entire professional team.


    In that moment, Su Yuke made up her mind to face death. If one of them had to survive today, she chose to let it be Li Xiaofei. No matter how powerful he was, he was still just a boy and a student. She was older than him and a police officer. A police officer''s duty was to stand in front of the citizens, no matter how dangerous the situation.


    Fulfill your duty and fear no sacrifice. Fight for the peace and safety of the motherland and its people for the rest of your life. These were the vows she made when she joined the police force. So, she wasn''t afraid to die.


    However¡ª


    "Don''t get clever, woman." Li Xiaofei grinned wolfishly as he pushed the chip back into Su Yuke''s hand and licked his lips. His eyes were gleaming with excitement. "Step back and watch the show. It''s time for me to show off."


    Su Yuke was stunned.


    Where does he get this confidence from? Does he think this is like taking down a bunch of small-time thugs at the Dragon Claw Gang''s headquarters?


    The wind howled and the snow fell heavily.


    "I''ll take Li Xiaofei down with Old Bear. Little Fox, handle the policewoman and retrieve the chip. Make sure to verify it as the real deal. Little Eagle and Old Horse, you two stay on guard and clean up the scene... This ends in thirty seconds." The wolf-headed man confirmed the plan.


    He launched his attack without hesitation. Silver-gray wolf fur began to sprout from his arms, neck, and face in the dark, snowy night. It was a half-beast transformation. This was the mutation that occurred when a New Martial Arts expert activated the power of the Inscribed Treasure Bone within their body.


    Half-beast transformation was a controllable transformation that allowed a warrior to only use the secret techniques of star beasts but also gain the physical strength of these beasts, instantly multiplying their combat power several times over.


    Though the wolf-headed man was confident of his victory, he still unleashed his full strength and left no room for error. This was the fundamental discipline of a professional warrior.


    Simultaneously, the bear-headed man also underwent a half-beast transformation. He let out a thunderous bellow as his body swelled to the enormous proportions of a giant bear. His black combat suit stretched tightly over his expanded form. Fortunately, the specialized suit was incredibly elastic and did not tear. He leaped into the air, falling into the canal like a meteor.


    These two were both powerful warriors at the Meridian Expanding Realm. They attacked simultaneously with seamless coordination.


    At almost the same moment, the figure wearing the fox mask darted forward like a phantom in the wind and snow. The fox figure¡¯s eyes glowed with a strange pink mist that began to envelop Su Yuke.


    Su Yuke suddenly felt as if a massive weight was crashing down on her. The air within the canal seemed to freeze in place. She was rooted to the spot and unable to move. The pink mist that was closing in felt as if it was trying to wrench her very soul out of her body. She wanted to move, to escape, to scream... But she had no control over her own body.


    In that moment, it felt as though death itself was grinning inches from her face. In the split second between life and death¡ª


    "Get lost!"


    A thunderous voice exploded in her ears. Su Yuke felt her soul snap back into her body. She turned her head and saw Li Xiaofei. He had thrown a punch with a fist glowing with golden light that sent the fox-headed figure flying through the air.


    Then he opened his hand to form a palm. A dragon''s roar echoed through the air.


    Boom! Boom!


    Li Xiaofei unleashed two powerful palm strikes, meeting the wolf-headed and bear-headed men head-on.


    The resulting shockwave was visible to the naked eye as it spread outwards from the point of impact like a violent storm surge. The wolf and bear-headed men were sent flying, crashing to the ground.


    Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei staggered, taking seven steps back. Each step left a deep, clear imprint on the ground, and the concrete around the footprints cracked like a shattered spider web.


    "So, you were holding back a bit." The wolf-headed man chuckled as he rose to his feet. "But a little trick like that won''t save your life... Out of respect for your bravery, I''ll end this with my most powerful secret technique."


    He suddenly fell on all fours as he lunged toward Li Xiaofei. But all of a sudden, the silver wolf fur on his body began to shimmer with a faint light, and his speed increased even further. His entire form transformed into a streak of light that was too fast for the eye to follow.


    Lightning Speed!


    This was the secret technique of the Third Grade star beast, the Electro-Silver Wolf. Once one fused with its Inscribed Treasure Bone, one could master this ability.


    The user could move at a velocity that surpassed the limits of human perception in the Lightning Speed state. The opponent wouldn''t even have time to react, let alone counterattack.


    Su Yuke couldn¡¯t even track the wolf-headed man''s movements. She didn¡¯t even catch an afterimage. All she saw was a thin streak of silver light swirling around Li Xiaofei''s body.


    Ch-ch-ch-ch.


    Countless explosive sounds filled the air in rapid succession. Two seconds later, the wolf-headed man reappeared in his original position. He tilted his head and cracked his neck.


    "You are already dead." He said, his eyes showing a trace of pity as he looked at Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei remained motionless.


    The wolf-headed man continued calmly, "I''ll let you understand your death. Everyone who dies under Lightning Speed never understands what happened. It''s actually very simple, just like that rock..."


    He pointed to a protruding stone beside Li Xiaofei.


    Snap.


    He snapped his fingers. A strange sonic wave rippled from the snap, vibrating against the rock.


    In the next moment, the rock crumbled like a pile of blocks, breaking into seven or eight irregular pieces. The cuts were so smooth and clean that it seemed like they had been polished. The wolf claws in the Lightning Speed state could slice through anything.


    The speed was so extreme that the severed flesh, muscle, bones, and even blood vessels remained perfectly aligned, giving the illusion that nothing had happened. But in reality... the person had already been sliced apart, just like those blocks.


    "Unless you''re at the Five Spirits Realm, no one survives my Lightning Speed." The wolf-headed man said confidently as he snapped his fingers once again.


    Snap.


    The sound vibrated through the air, transmitting its deadly force toward Li Xiaofei.


    In the stormy, snow-covered canal, Su Yuke''s eyes filled with despair. She could almost see the horrific scene of Li Xiaofei''s body being reduced to a pile of torn flesh.

 Chapter 228: Transform

    Chapter 228: TransformHiss, hiss.


    Li Xiaofei''s clothes tore in more than a dozen places, revealing the strong muscles underneath. But those muscles... Not only were they undamaged, they didn''t even bear the slightest mark.


    Li Xiaofei held a tattered strip of cloth and muttered, "Damn it, these clothes were expensive."


    The wolf-headed man''s voice trembled in disbelief, "How... how is this possible?!"


    Even the hardest steel should have been sliced through by his Lightning Speed wolf claws. Yet this boy stood completely unscathed before him? This defied all logic.


    Su Yuke''s eyes widened in shock, her body trembling with emotion, and her legs nearly giving way beneath her. She had no idea how Li Xiaofei had done it, but the hope of survival surged back in her heart.


    The bear-headed man growled, "I¡¯ll end this quickly... I''ll crush you to death."


    He, too, dropped onto all fours and charged at Li Xiaofei like a rampaging giant bear.


    He had refined the Inscribed Treasure Bone of the Gray-Skinned Rock Bear within him for his half-beast transformation, which allowed him to unleash its innate secret technique, Titanic Strength. His body swelled even further as he grew to over 2.7 meters tall. His muscles bulged like a moving boulder as he barreled toward Li Xiaofei.


    "Let''s see who dies," Li Xiaofei''s eyes gleamed with a fierce light. "Enough playing."


    "Turn around, don''t look at me." He instructed the young policewoman.


    Su Yuke hesitated, confused. "Huh?"


    Rip, rip.


    In the next instant, Li Xiaofei''s body suddenly swelled. The clothes on his body were shredded by the bulging muscles. He was nearly naked as his clothes barely hung on his frame. His powerful, muscular body exuded an overwhelmingly masculine aura and an almost unnatural vitality.


    The surging energy within him manifested as a dark red glow that enveloped his body. He looked like a terrifying war god who had risen from the battlefield of Asura.


    He had transformed. This was his second form¡ªTransformed Muscle Overlord Form.


    The young policewoman, Su Yuke, saw everything in an instant, especially a certain place that resembled a cannon as thick as an arm. Her face, already pale from blood loss, instantly flushed bright red.


    "Weakling, let me show you what true power looks like."


    Boom!


    Li Xiaofei threw a punch.


    The air in front of him exploded under the force of his strike. The pale golden energy of his punch shot forward like a sword cleaving the sky, tearing through everything in its path.


    The bear-headed man, renowned for his immense strength and defense, was instantly engulfed by the punch''s brilliance. His body dissolved at a speed visible to the naked eye. It was like a snowman had been thrown into a raging fire. It only took a blink of an eye for him to evaporate from existence.


    "What?"


    "Old Third?"


    "No..."


    The masked figures were all struck with shock and disbelief. As lifelong comrades, they knew the strength and defensive capabilities of the bear-headed man all too well. Yet, he had been reduced to ashes with a single punch from this monstrous figure.


    What level of strength is this? S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°This intel is way off... We need to take this monster down together.¡± The wolf-headed man growled, unleashing his full starforce qi.


    All ten of his shackles shattered as he activated his starforce qi. The one hundred and twenty acupoints within him roared to life, the six meridians pulsed violently, and his Inscribed Treasure Bone surged with energy, propelling him back into the Lightning Speed state.


    The eagle-headed man let out a piercing screech as he instantly completed his half-beast transformation. A pair of massive eagle wings materialized on his back as he soared into the air. He had a power gun in each hand as he started to rain down crimson energy bullets on Li Xiaofei.


    Power guns were the exclusive weapons of advanced weapons specialists. They were invented in 2235 by the Star Council. These weapons required starforce qi to activate their internal mechanisms and magazines, enabling them to fire energy bullets. Far more lethal than conventional firearms, they were potent enough to pose a significant threat to high-grade star beasts. Such weapons required certification before they could be legally used.


    As such the weapons specialist wielding power guns was a formidable source of firepower on the battlefield before his starforce qi was depleted. The eagle-headed man was clearly an advanced weapons specialist, one of the elites in his field.


    Every single energy bullet he fired hit Li Xiaofei without fail. But then his eyes bulged in disbelief, and he nearly lost control of his starforce, almost plummeting from the sky.


    Li Xiaofei hadn¡¯t even bothered to dodge. The dark red energy bullets were powerful enough to pulverize a Third Grade star beast like the Dragonback Turtle, but they only managed to create shallow ripples on the surface of Li Xiaofei''s muscles, like raindrops hitting water. That was all.


    In his Transformed Muscle Overlord Form, Li Xiaofei''s physical toughness had increased to an incomprehensible level. This enhancement was all-encompassing. Skin, muscles, bones, organs... even his nerves!


    As a result, he could now faintly perceive the movement of the wolf-headed man in his Lightning Speed state. Li Xiaofei suddenly thrust out his palm.


    Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, Hundred Miles Shockwave!


    The sound of the air being split by the force of the strike transformed into the resonant roar of a dragon.


    ¡°Ugh...¡±


    The wolf-headed man desperately tried to evade, but he was still caught by the edge of the palm strike. A mouthful of blood spewed from his lips.


    Half of his body was blown apart by the force, and his mangled form was sent flying like a ragdoll, crashing heavily into the canal. In the fleeting moment before he lost consciousness, the wolf-headed man finally understood why the bear-headed man had been killed with a single punch.


    There was no other explanation. Li Xiaofei''s strength was simply overwhelming. It was a strength that defied comprehension. His own body, when confronted with the monstrous force, had crumpled like straw against an iron rod, had instantly shattered. They were not on the same level.


    "Captain..." The eagle-headed man cried out in anguish.


    "Don''t engage him up close, keep him occupied... Old Horse, it''s up to you now!" The fox-headed beastmaster shouted.


    A seasoned tactical squad never relied on a single method of attack. The horse-headed man began to run. His speed was incredible, and the sound of galloping hooves echoed through the air as he moved. This rhythmic, eerie sound had a strange, unsettling effect that could disturb an opponent''s focus.


    Dark red poisonous gas began to silently spread throughout the canal. The horse-headed man was clearly a medic specializing in toxins. How dangerous could a toxin master at the peak of the Acupoint Opening Realm be?


    He could bring down hundreds of lives with a single thought. Even those stronger than him could easily fall victim to his deadly poisons if they weren''t careful.


    But Li Xiaofei was completely unfazed. For some reason, he was born with a natural resistance to poison, a resistance that only grew stronger as his physical power increased.


    Li Xiaofei unleashed the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, pushing his palms forward. The overwhelming, aggressive force of the technique expelled the air around him, creating a vacuum.


    In the split second before the young policewoman, Su Yuke, fainted from the lack of oxygen, Li Xiaofei grabbed several massive stones from nearby and hurled them at the eagle-headed weapons specialist in the sky.


    Whoosh, whoosh.


    The spinning stones ignited from the intense friction with the air, turning into blazing meteors. The eagle-headed man was agile in the sky and frantically flapped his wings to dodge the projectiles.


    But Li Xiaofei''s strength was beyond comprehension. The stones flew with such incredible speed and in such a broad, indiscriminate barrage that the eagle-headed man couldn''t evade them all.


    All it took was one flaming boulder to strike him, and his body burst into a shower of blood, raining down from the sky.

 Chapter 229: A Very Important Person

    Chapter 229: A Very Important PersonThey had only been fighting for less than ten minutes, but three out of the five powerful warriors had already perished. Only the horse-headed medic and the fox-headed beastmaster remained. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But they were only support roles. After the main fighters, the wolf-headed and bear-headed warriors, along with the eagle-headed weapons specialist, had fallen in battle, the medic and the beastmaster were completely powerless to turn the tide.


    "Retreat." The fox-headed beastmaster whispered sharply, its figure disappearing into the wind and snow.


    The sound of the horse-headed medic''s hooves quickly faded into the distance as well. Li Xiaofei stood in the darkness, not giving chase. He was wary of being lured into a trap.


    At that moment, the weakened young policewoman nearly collapsed to the ground as she looked at the three-meter-tall figure before her. He almost resembled a muscular demon king. The intense heat radiating from him was overwhelming.


    "I told you not to look," Li Xiaofei said somewhat helplessly. "Now you''re regretting it, aren''t you?"


    The young policewoman quickly turned her head away. Li Xiaofei took out some clothes he had prepared in advance and put them on. He recalled the stretchy jacket that the bear-headed warrior had, which would be perfect for him when he transformed.


    He definitely needed to get one. Otherwise, he would have to run around naked every time he transformed into this muscular form.


    "Let''s go," Li Xiaofei said. "Bring the evidence, and let''s go find my teacher."


    The two of them climbed out of the ditch and stepped onto the street. The sky had turned completely dark. Liuhe Base City had once again imposed martial law after the star beasts continued to siege the city. All the streetlights had been turned off to conserve energy.


    Li Xiaofei found his motorcycle, and sped off in the direction of the Starry Sky Hotel with the young policewoman riding behind him.


    Along the way, the wind howled and the snowstorm raged as they rode alone through the night. The young police woman held tightly to Li Xiaofei''s waist. The bitter cold of the icy world around them was dispelled by the faint warmth radiating from the young man in front of her.


    Li Xiaofei kept checking the status of his light core during the ride. As they approached the vicinity of the Starry Sky Hotel, the light core finally picked up a signal. Li Xiaofei came to a sudden stop with a quick screech.


    "Why did we stop?" Su Yuke asked.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "I need to call my teacher first and give him a heads-up."


    He pulled out his light core and was about to dial when he suddenly received a LightChat message.


    He opened the message. It was from his teacher, Li Zhoumin.


    "Xiaofei, I''ve been urgently summoned by the Northwest District Division to report, so I''ve already left Liuhe Base City. The atmosphere in the city has been tense lately, so be cautious and don''t take any unnecessary risks. Wait for my return before making any major moves."


    After reading the message, Li Xiaofei was dumbfounded. He turned to look at Su Yuke.


    "Do you have a natural talent for increasing the difficulty of situations? Why do we always run into trouble at critical moments? Teacher Li isn''t even in the city anymore."


    "This..." Su Yuke was equally at a loss for words.


    "What should we do now?" she asked anxiously. "We can''t afford to delay. The Black Viper will find us soon, and the Ye family will stop at nothing to prevent this from happening. They might even deploy their power armor units."


    Li Xiaofei stared silently at the light core as he started thinking.


    What other options do we have?


    At that moment, he noticed the name of the young lady in his call history. He thought about calling her. Perhaps she could get in touch with City Leader Tan. But when he dialed the number, he found that the call still couldn''t go through.


    In that moment, an inexplicable surge of worry began to flood his mind, overwhelming him like a deep ocean. A powerful sense of unease gripped him, as if it were drowning him.


    I have to find her.


    A thought suddenly appeared in his mind, and grew stronger and more urgent. He didn¡¯t hesitate as he turned the motorcycle around and accelerated wildly.


    "Where are we going?" Su Yuke nearly fell off the bike. She barely held on as she asked, "Did you think of something?"


    "No."


    "Then where are we headed?"


    "To see someone."


    "Who?"


    "Someone very important."


    Li Xiaofei twisted the throttle to its limit. The motorcycle roared like a beast, cutting through the stormy night like a sharp blade. He had to go to Old Chen''s Offal Shop. He needed to see her.


    ***


    The blizzard raged in the streets as two figures stood amidst the snow-covered road. One was a tall, imposing man holding a book in his hands, the snow piling up around his knees. An enchanting woman dressed in a light purple hanfu was standing on the snow beside him as if she were weightless, leaving no trace beneath her feet.


    They stood in the darkened street, gazing at the brightly lit small shop in front of them. An old-fashioned sign hung at the shop¡¯s entrance, reading Old Chen''s Offal Shop.


    "Young Master?"


    Twelfth Lady followed closely behind Bai Zi as he approached the shop and asked, "How did you know that Gu Langtian would come here tonight?"


    Bai Zi quickened his pace. "Because tonight is the eve of war."


    "Huh?"


    Twelfth Lady didn¡¯t fully understand as she asked, "The Ye family is about to make a move? How do you know?"


    "I guessed," said Bai Zi as he reached the entrance of Old Chen''s Offal Shop.


    "So, you''re here to help Miss Tan? You predicted she''d run into trouble and timed your heroic rescue perfectly?" Twelfth Lady asked, her questions coming one after another.


    Bai Zi didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he pushed open the creaky wooden door of the shop and stepped inside.


    Twelfth Lady crossed her arms as she stood outside the shop and muttered, "Cunning scholar."


    ***


    Inside the shop, a young man stared mockingly at the girl sitting across from him.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Still hesitating?¡± He spoke unhurriedly, ¡°I¡¯m in no rush. But when Li Xiaofei arrives... heh, you wouldn¡¯t want to be humiliated in front of him, would you? And then watch as he dies right before your eyes? He¡¯s just a small-time high school league star. Do you really think he can help you?¡±


    Tick-tock, tick-tock.


    The sound of the old wall clock seemed to sound more urgent. Tan Qingying felt her own pride wavering. When she thought of the boy she loved falling into danger because of her, that pride was on the verge of crumbling.


    She took a deep breath, but just as she was about to surrender her dignity...


    Creak.


    The sound of the door opening echoed across the room. A flash of murderous intent crossed the young man¡¯s face as he abruptly turned around. Tan Qingying¡¯s heart skipped a beat as she paled.


    Has he really come at this critical moment?


    Both of them turned to look at the door. But neither of them expected the person who entered. It was Bai Zi, the scholar from the Bai family.


    They were both momentarily stunned.


    What is he doing here?


    A wave of deep apprehension surged in the young man¡¯s mind. His fear wasn¡¯t directed at this seemingly useless scholar. It was the girl in the hanfu who was always by his side that made him uneasy.


    The Bai family, one of the Saint families, had painstakingly trained twenty-four Death Warriors over the generations. But the most powerful and terrifying of them all, known as Twelfth Lady, had chosen to follow the scholar and become an impenetrable fortress by his side.


    The scholar and the girl were always together. Wherever the scholar went, the girl who was a master of stealth was sure to follow. It seemed tonight¡¯s plan would have to change.


    Tan Qingying let out a long sigh of relief upon seeing Bai Zi.

 Chapter 230: Ultimate Demon King Form

    Chapter 230: Ultimate Demon King FormTan Zhenwei had been too busy over the past week to entertain the young members of the Saint families who had come from outside the city. As a result, Tan Qingying had been forced to step in and handle the situation.


    The two people she had been entertaining were the young man in front of her, Gu Langtian from the Gu family, and Bai Zi from the Bai family. It was just a typical social interaction between the younger generation of prominent families. They were mainly dining out and strolling around town.


    But it was enough for Tan Qingying to gain some insight into these two representatives of the new generation from the Saint families. Gu Langtian was arrogant and domineering, while Bai Zi was a gentle and refined scholar.


    Bai Zi¡¯s demeanor was far more approachable and mild compared to Gu Langtian¡¯s overt ruthlessness and defiance. Now, at this critical moment, the appearance of this Bai family scholar finally gave her situation a glimmer of hope.


    "What are you doing here?" Gu Langtian¡¯s eyes narrowed as his gaze turned dark and menacing.


    In truth, he wasn¡¯t just a lust-driven scoundrel. When everything was going smoothly, Gu Langtian didn¡¯t mind indulging in a bit of pleasure early on; it would make his success all the more memorable. But when a plan began to falter, he would instantly regain his clarity.


    Bai Zi smiled lightly. "Just passing by."


    "You just happened to be passing by in this blizzard?" Gu Langtian sneered. "Come on, tell me, what¡¯s your real purpose?"


    Gu Langtian¡¯s tone was aggressive, and his mind was already racing down every possible reason for Bai Zi¡¯s presence here, as well as the implications behind those reasons.


    No matter how much of a useless scholar Bai Zi might seem like on the surface, the Bai family was still a Saint family. Bai Zi''s words and actions could represent the will of the Bai family. And anyone who underestimated the will of a Saint family would pay a heavy price.


    Gu Langtian might look down on the seemingly insignificant Bai Zi, but he would never underestimate the Bai family.


    Bai Zi was still smiling as he said, "The northern wind blows the snow, and it passes through Dragon Mountain across a thousand miles... I rarely see snow like this in the south, so I came out to enjoy the snowy scenery. But as I wandered, captivated by the earthly warmth and charm, I unknowingly ended up here... But Brother Gu, what brings you to this place?"


    Gu Langtian''s eyes flickered with uncertainty. "That¡¯s none of your business... If you have nothing else to say, then leave. Don¡¯t get in the way of my date with Qingying."


    As he spoke, he turned to Tan Qingying and said, "It¡¯s a bit noisy here. Let¡¯s go."


    But Tan Qingying didn¡¯t move.


    Gu Langtian¡¯s tone shifted to a subtle threat as he said, "Don¡¯t forget what I just told you."


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± A voice from nearby asked. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I already told you, if you have nothing to say, then get lost... huh?" Gu Langtian was halfway through his sentence when he realized that the voice didn¡¯t belong to Bai Zi.


    He turned to look. There, standing in the doorway, was a young man covered in snow and stained with blood, who had somehow arrived without anyone noticing. He brought a chilling cold with him as he strode forward.


    The swirling snow in the dark night seemed to create a small world of its own around the narrow doorway. But the young man was crossing that world. It was none other than Li Xiaofei, who had rushed here with all his might.


    Though he was thirty-five minutes late, he had still made it in time. Tan Qingying''s eyes widened in surprise. Li Xiaofei walked straight to her side without a word and gently took her hand. There were no unnecessary words. In that instant, their two young hearts were bound tightly together.


    "If I¡¯m not mistaken, you were threatening her," Li Xiaofei said, his gaze locked on Gu Langtian. His eyes were fierce.


    Gu Langtian was momentarily taken aback, but then he began to laugh.


    "Hahaha, hahaha..."


    This so-called genius of the new generation from the Gu family, looked at the young man standing before him, shoulders covered in snow, as if he were witnessing a stray dog from the mud daring to challenge a mighty dragon. He found it amusing. He found it absurd.


    "Kid, so what if I threatened her?" Gu Langtian sneered arrogantly, "You like her? Then let me tell you, just a moment before you arrived, I not only threatened her, but I nearly stripped her right here. So what? Do you think you''re some kind of hero?"


    Li Xiaofei took a deep breath. He turned to look at Tan Qingying.


    The young lady smiled and said, "Don¡¯t bother with this mad dog. Let¡¯s just leave."


    Li Xiaofei shook his head. He glanced at the old man behind the counter, who looked alarmed. "Uncle Chen, business isn¡¯t doing well tonight. Why don¡¯t you close up and take a break? You¡¯ve worked hard all your life; it¡¯s time to rest."


    "Oh, alright..." Uncle Chen hesitated but eventually agreed.


    Li Xiaofei turned to look at Bai Zi.


    He asked, "Who is he?"


    Tan Qingying replied, "A friend, I suppose."


    Li Xiaofei nodded, then asked Bai Zi, "Are you afraid of blood?"


    Bai Zi was caught off guard by the question.


    "If you''re afraid of blood, turn around and don''t watch," Li Xiaofei warned as he stepped forward.


    He began to release his strength. The sensation of unleashing every ounce of energy within his body without restraint was intoxicating. A thick, blood-red mist erupted from every pore of his body, surging in all directions like a vast ocean from the depths of the underworld. The terrifying power radiated from him without reservation.


    The tables and chairs within the small shop were instantly crushed under the pressure of the invisible force. Li Xiaofei''s clothes tore apart with a ripping sound again, unable to contain the growing strength within him.


    His figure continued to rise in the midst of the dense blood mist, growing taller and more muscular. This was his third and final transformation: the Ultimate Demon King Form!


    Ancient dark-gold patterns etched themselves across the surface of his iron-like skin. Even the hair standing on end resembled peerless swords. He took a single step forward.


    Boom!


    The entire shop trembled violently. The scene unfolding was nothing short of terrifying, as if the young man who had braved the storm to get here had awakened a demon lying dormant within him.


    Before anyone could react, the thick blood mist spread out, engulfing Gu Langtian, whose face had been frozen in shock.


    In the next moment, a furious cry erupted from within the mist. There was the faint sound of bones cracking. Then, the disturbance quickly subsided. The demon from the depths of hell had completed its hunt.


    When the crimson mist gradually dissipated, Tan Qingying and Bai Zi¡¯s eyes widened in horror. They finally saw the colossal figure that resembled a demon awakened from slumber, standing before the spot where Gu Langtian had been.


    Li Xiaofei''s massive hands were gripping the sides of Gu Langtian''s head. The head of the once-proud and arrogant Gu family genius had been brutally obliterated by those giant hands. White and red fluid seeped from between the fingers of the giant''s hands.


    As Li Xiaofei slowly loosened his grip, Gu Langtian''s headless body collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud. A wave of dizziness washed over Bai Zi.


    Gu Langtian was dead! The Gu family¡¯s appointed leader in Liuhe Base City was dead. But his death wasn¡¯t the result of a power struggle between mighty factions. Instead, he had been brutally killed by a high school student from a small town, his head crushed like a mere insect.


    It was as if a high and mighty emperor had been dragged into the gutter by a beggar and beaten to death with a single blow. No matter how advanced a light core¡¯s simulations were, it couldn¡¯t predict such a bizarre and absurd turn of events.


    Bai Zi stared at the figure before him, a youth who now resembled a demonic god. For once, the well-read scholar found himself at a loss for words.


    At the same moment, the two women standing at the entrance of the shop were frozen in place by what they had just witnessed.

 Chapter 231: Kill A God For You

    Chapter 231: Kill A God For YouThe young police officer, Su Yuke, was standing in the doorway next to Twelfth Lady, who appeared charming and gentle but was, in fact, a death warrior of the Bai Family.


    Su Yuke had followed Li Xiaofei. However, she had been ruthlessly left at the door. Twelfth Lady, on the other hand, had chosen not to go inside. She knew that her young master had entered to play the hero and rescue someone, and she had no interest in watching, so she had decided to wait outside.


    The abandoned Su Yuke and Twelfth Lady, who had voluntarily avoided the situation, both found their minds buzzing at that moment.


    Su Yuke hadn¡¯t been able to understand Li Xiaofei''s decision at first. On such a critical night, when life and death hung in the balance, he had suddenly decided to drop everything and rush through the wind and snow to meet a little lover. It seemed no different from losing his mind.


    But when she saw the young man, who had braved the dust and cold, who had remained composed even when pursued by assassins, suddenly lose all control and burst into a killing rage, she suddenly understood something.


    It turned out that Li Xiaofei hadn¡¯t been acting on a whimsical impulse or lost his mind. Rather, he had somehow sensed that the girl in his heart was in danger. That was why he had come, disregarding everything else. Perhaps, this was love.


    At that very moment, the death warrior, Twelfth Lady, felt the hair on her entire body stand on end. She had witnessed countless scenes of murder. She had seen endless carnage and bloodshed. She had encountered numerous masters and powerful individuals, some of whom possessed strength far beyond hers. But she had never seen someone kill their opponent by crushing their head with sheer strength.


    It was even more alarming, since the one whose head had been crushed, Gu Langtian, was by no means an unknown figure. Setting aside his arrogant and lawless behavior, Gu Langtian was a genius of the Gu family, a branch of the Saint lineage. He had already achieved the pinnacle of the Acupoint Opening Realm, with 120 fully opened acupoints before he even turned twenty. It was rumored that his strength had reached the eighth stage of the Meridian Expanding Realm.


    This extraordinary level of cultivation was one of the reasons why Gu Langtian never bothered to bring bodyguards with him. There were only a few individuals in Liuhe Base City who could pose a threat to him, and they would never act against him. Still, it seemed there were always surprises in the world.


    A provoked confrontation had resulted in this genius of the Gu family becoming a headless corpse in a foreign land in an unbelievable manner. He had died at the hands of a mere high school student. This was a true disaster in the making.


    Twelfth Lady could already imagine the Gu family''s reaction when they heard the news. She could only hope that this young man had an incredibly powerful background as well. Otherwise, the Gu family would never let him go.


    "Don''t look," said the young police officer who suddenly stepped in front of Twelfth Lady.


    "Hmm?"


    Only then did Twelfth Lady begin to carefully examine Su Yuke.


    A weakling at the Limit Breaking Realm, yet Li Xiaofei had brought her along, and she¡¯s covered in blood... Could there be some story between the two of them as well?


    The death warrior''s curiosity suddenly surged.


    At that moment, inside the shop, Li Xiaofei began to revert from his transformed state. The crimson mist of blood and energy surrounding his body dissipated. Since he knew what state his clothes would be in, he quickly wrapped himself in a cloak.


    "Your complexion doesn''t look too good." He looked at Bai Zi, feigning innocence, and said, "I warned you, so you can''t blame me."


    Bai Zi was speechless. Li Xiaofei then approached Tan Qingying.


    "I''m sorry, I came too late." He said, his face filled with guilt.


    A fierce emotion surged within the young lady''s heart.


    "You''ve caused trouble," she murmured, biting her lip. "Do you know who you''ve killed?"


    "I don''t know, and I don''t need to know," Li Xiaofei replied firmly. "It doesn''t matter who he was, even if he were a god from the heavens. If he dared to threaten you, I would kill him for you."


    Kill a god for you!


    Tan Qingying let out a soft moan, unable to control herself any longer, and threw herself into Li Xiaofei''s arms. She wrapped her arms around Li Xiaofei''s neck, and kissed the young man.


    This scene made Bai Zi, standing nearby, sigh helplessly. He knew then that Tan Qingying had fallen for Li Xiaofei. After all, what girl could resist such a powerful declaration of love?


    The scene that had just unfolded would stay forever in Tan Qingying''s memory, like the most captivating old movie. No one would ever be able to break into her heart again. His mission for the family in Liuhe Base City was destined to fail.


    But then again, it wasn¡¯t so bad. Witnessing such events firsthand was far more interesting than just reading about them in books. It could be considered one of the rewards of coming to Liuhe Base City.


    Now, all that remained was to offer a blessing. He hoped that this young couple, with their true love, could overcome any obstacle, no matter how insurmountable it seemed. He hoped their love would be strong enough to withstand the impending storm.


    Gu Langtian''s death, and the Saint family¡¯s strict requirements for selecting a suitor for their bloodline... The two faced some formidable challenges.


    Outside the shop, the two women, who had been rather standoffish moments ago, suddenly embraced each other excitedly, like shippers who had just seen their favorite couple get together. Their eyes sparkled with pink bubbles of joy.


    "They kissed! They kissed!"


    "Yay!"


    This was what made life in this world truly interesting, wasn''t it? All that fighting and killing¡ªit was just too awful.


    "What... are you doing?"


    Bai Zi had quietly slipped outside, only to see the two women hugging at the doorway. The death warrior and the young police officer instantly separated.


    "You saw wrong."


    "Mind your own business."


    They both spoke almost simultaneously.


    Bai Zi was speechless.


    Is there no justice left in the world?


    He had been shunned inside like an unwelcome third wheel, which is why he had slunk out. But he wasn¡¯t welcome outside either?


    What did I ever do to deserve this?


    It seems like he was destined to be the only one hurting in this world. Oh? You say Gu Langtian had it worse? Well then, this isn¡¯t so bad.


    Bai Zi couldn¡¯t help himself as he stood outside. He peeked through the grease-streaked glass window. The disheveled little shop, bathed in dim yellow light, with a young couple locked in a passionate embrace painted a picturesque scene.


    Even the wind and snow of the late night seemed to calm down in that moment. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Maybe I should write a novel about everything I saw today.


    His hands itched with the thought. After reading so many books, it was hard to resist the urge to try writing one himself.


    Just then, the two inside the shop finally separated.


    "I thought you wouldn¡¯t come tonight."


    "As long as you¡¯re here and as long as you ask, I would come even if I had to cross mountains and rivers."


    "What happened to you? Why are you covered in blood?"


    "Don¡¯t even ask. I ran into an unlucky girl being chased around, and I got dragged into it... Oh, I almost forgot the main thing. Can you reach Uncle Tan right now? There¡¯s something important, and we need to meet with him as soon as possible."


    "What is it?" Tan Qingying asked, curiosity lighting up her face.


    Li Xiaofei leaned close to her ear and whispered the situation. When she heard that Li Xiaofei had arrived so late because of something related to her father, and had gotten caught up in a deadly chase, the young lady''s heart swelled with even more emotion.


    She quickly took out her light core and tried to call her father. But all she got was a busy tone; the call couldn¡¯t go through.


    "Even Uncle Tan''s private line is turned off. He¡¯s probably still with the investigation team," she said, feeling helpless.


    A faint sense of unease crept into Li Xiaofei''s heart. Just then¡ª


    BOOM!


    A sudden tremor came from outside the small shop as an indescribably terrifying force surged towards them.

 Chapter 232: I Have A Good Idea

    Chapter 232: I Have A Good IdeaAnother pursuer?


    Li Xiaofei instinctively moved to shield Tan Qingying.


    Boom!


    The door of Old Chen''s Offal Shop exploded inward as a figure rushed in with the force of a collapsing mountain at an astounding speed.


    Li Xiaofei''s heart sank.


    So strong!


    It¡¯s a warrior at the Five Spirits Realm! He was about to make his move when Tan Qingying suddenly reacted.


    She grabbed Li Xiaofei and called out loudly, "I''m fine, Uncle Liu!. Everything''s okay now, calm down..."


    Whoosh.


    The figure skidded to a halt a meter away, revealing a lean, middle-aged man in a tailcoat and a black top hat. His body gave off a thick scent of blood as blood dripped steadily from his fingers. His expression was wild, and his eyes gleamed with an unrestrained murderous intent. A low, beast-like growl rumbled from his throat.


    "Uncle Liu, it''s me. I''m okay, really, I''m fine... you don''t need to be so tense, I''m perfectly fine," Tan Qingying kept reassuring him.


    The madness in the middle-aged man''s eyes gradually faded away. He slowly looked at Tan Qingying, and the beast-like growl in his throat subsided as he finally relaxed. He carefully examined her and confirmed that she didn''t have a single scratch. The frenzy that had enveloped him quickly dissipated.


    The middle-aged man then turned to look at Gu Langtian''s corpse, and then at Li Xiaofei. A hint of approval appeared in his eyes.


    Li Xiaofei was inwardly startled. The young lady''s bodyguard was incredibly strong, but his mental state seemed somewhat unstable.


    Why did he arrive so late...?


    Then it hit him. The reason he had been able to kill Gu Langtian so easily was because this middle-aged man had already dealt with his guards and bodyguards.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t know that Gu Langtian had been supremely confident that Tan Qingying posed no threat to him and could be easily manipulated. That arrogance had led him to send his skilled protectors away to hold off the middle-aged man. This overly confident move resulted in the demise of the Saint family¡¯s genius.


    Bang.


    The middle-aged man struck the ground with his palm. A dark green energy surged through his hand, instantly reducing Gu Langtian''s corpse to a pool of blackened liquid.


    "Remember," The man said, looking at both of them. "I killed Gu Langtian."


    He quickly pulled out a small device that resembled a portable light core and swept it across the entire shop. He quickly located and destroyed all the surveillance footage and any evidence. Then, he turned his gaze toward Uncle Chen inside the shop and then at the three people standing outside.


    "Don''t," said Li Xiaofei quickly.


    He could feel the murderous intent radiating from the man. He was about to eliminate all witnesses. The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment, then without saying a word, turned and left. Blood dripped steadily behind him as he walked away. Though his injuries were concealed by his clothes, it was clear he was severely wounded.


    Li Xiaofei let out a sigh of relief. He had truly feared that this man might ruthlessly kill everyone present to silence them.


    Approaching the counter, Li Xiaofei looked at Uncle Chen, who was clearly shaken, and said, "Uncle Chen, I''ll arrange for someone to send some cash compensation. You should go home and rest for a while. As for the damage to the shop... if anyone asks you about what happened tonight, just tell the truth."


    "Alright, alright..." Uncle Chen quickly gathered his things and hurried out of the shop.


    The young police officer rushed in. "Quick, we need to leave here immediately... We can''t delay any longer."


    Tan Qingying said, "Xiaofei has already told me everything. I''ll take you both to find Uncle Tan right now."


    Li Xiaofei nodded. "Okay, let''s head straight to the investigation team''s headquarters."


    The three of them prepared to leave.


    "I object," said Bai Zi, walking in.


    The three turned to look at him.


    You object? What the hell are you objecting to?


    Bai Zi glanced at Tan Qingying and calmly said, "If you head to the investigation team''s headquarters, you won''t be able to see Uncle Tan. Not only will you fail to deliver the evidence, but you''ll also be putting yourselves in great danger... Do you really think that the Ye family and the Gu family, having gone this far, wouldn''t have set up defenses around the investigation team''s headquarters?"


    Li Xiaofei turned to look at the young police officer. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Did you leak the information?


    The young police officer felt deeply wronged and exclaimed, "I didn¡¯t say anything!"


    Bai Zi smiled slightly, "I guessed."


    You figured that out?


    Li Xiaofei ignored him and turned to Tan Qingying, "Does Uncle Tan have any trusted aides or reliable people we can reach?"


    Before Tan Qingying could respond, Bai Zi spoke up again, "Forget it. That path won''t work either."


    Li Xiaofei glared at him, clearly frustrated.


    Bai Zi, still smiling confidently, explained, "Uncle Tan''s most trusted aides, and those who are still willing to stand by him in these times, are undoubtedly under close surveillance. Any movement from them would be immediately detected by the Ye family."


    Li Xiaofei gritted his teeth. "If all else fails, we can force our way into the investigation team''s headquarters, create a big commotion, and draw Uncle Tan''s attention."


    "That won''t work," Bai Zi replied. "You might be strong, but the investigation team''s headquarters is guarded by power armor combat squads. Do you think your flesh and blood can stand up to those battle machines?"


    Li Xiaofei smiled confidently.


    Bai Zi recalled the boy''s transformation into a muscle-bound powerhouse earlier and reluctantly added, "Even if you could manage that, the problem is that those guards are just following orders. Not all of them are bad. If you kill those elite fighters, wouldn''t that just cause more pain for those who care about you, while pleasing your enemies? It would be a waste for human warriors to die in internal conflicts with the star beasts attacking the city."


    Li Xiaofei sighed and said, "Then the only option left is to seek help from Commander Ding Longao."


    Bai Zi shook his head, "It¡¯s no use. He likely won¡¯t be able to help you right now."


    "Why?" Li Xiaofei asked curiously.


    Bai Zi replied, "If I''m not mistaken, you already know that Inspector Li was suddenly called away from the base city to report to the Northwest District Division."


    Li Xiaofei nodded.


    Bai Zi continued, "In such a critical moment, do you think it''s normal for Inspector Li to be summoned?"


    Li Xiaofei began to realize something.


    Bai Zi elaborated, "The Ye family has decided to make their move, so they would have prepared thoroughly. They''ve allied with the Jiepeng and the Gu family from the Saint lineage to greatly increase their strength. They would have made specific plans to target the three major powers. With Inspector Li gone, Commander Ding Longao will undoubtedly be too occupied to help."


    Li Xiaofei had to admit that Bai Zi was making a valid point.


    "So, what do you suggest?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Bai Zi smiled slightly and said, "It''s quite simple, you should publish the evidence you have on the light-network and make it accessible to all the citizens."


    Li Xiaofei slapped his thigh in realization.


    Brilliant. Why didn¡¯t I think of that?


    By revealing the truth about Duxing Hospital to everyone, it would effectively ensure that City Leader Tan would find out. The pressure of public opinion would make it impossible for the Ye family to cover it up even if they wanted to.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at Bai Zi.


    Damn it, these scholars are really cunning.


    Meanwhile, the charming woman in the Hanfu, Twelfth Lady, looked at her young master with admiration.


    Damn, he''s cool.


    Li Xiaofei immediately began implementing the plan as suggested. But soon, they encountered a new problem.

 Chapter 233: The Determination Of The City Leader

    Chapter 233: The Determination Of The City LeaderAll of their light-network accounts had been blocked.


    "The Ye family anticipated this move. If they could, they would have tried to shut down the entire light-network tonight," Bai Zi explained, clearly having foreseen this outcome. "But the Star Council owns the light-network, so the Ye family can''t fully shut it down. All they can do is temporarily close the accounts of anyone who might pose a threat."


    He looked at Li Xiaofei.


    "You need to find an account that can still publish information¡ªone with enough influence and the right permissions¡ªto ensure that the Ye family can''t immediately suppress the information."


    Bai Zi smiled knowingly. "If you can''t find such an account, you could always ask for my help."


    Li Xiaofei had already shifted his view of Bai Zi from a friend to a possible rival.


    Bai Zi¡¯s long-winded explanations seemed like a way to show off his intelligence to Tan Qingying, like a peacock displaying its feathers. But I, Li Xiaofei, am no ordinary man.


    "Heh, of course I can find a reliable account."


    A plan was already forming in his mind.


    ***


    At the same time. At the investigation team''s headquarters.


    After more than a week of investigation, the final summary meeting was underway.


    "Based on the findings of this seven-day joint investigation, Duxing Hospital has not been found guilty of any illegal activities. The alleged trafficking of live organs has not been substantiated by any evidence..."


    The man reading the report was a slightly balding elderly gentleman dressed in a Zhongshan suit. His name was Qian Yuangang, and he was the leader of the Twelfth Group of the Northwest District Inspection Team. He was responsible for all administrative assessments in Liuhe Base City. He had also taken on the role of deputy leader in this investigation.


    The room was filled with over thirty prominent figures from Liuhe Base City, including representatives of the five major families, heads of various government departments, and medical technology experts.


    Tan Zhenwei sat calmly at the front.


    After finishing the report, Qian Yuangang took a leisurely sip of tea and continued, "We can now confirm that City Leader Tan''s decision to shut down Duxing Hospital was a grave mistake. Such an action in the midst of the ongoing star beast siege has caused widespread panic, a backlog of injured patients, and delays in New Martial Arts surgeries, resulting in extremely negative public opinion."


    Tan Zhenwei remained silent. He had known from the very beginning that his decision to close the hospital would bring him significant trouble. He even had a hunch that this was a trap deliberately set by the Ye family to ensnare him.


    But as the city leader, once he learned that the Ye family was using Duxing Hospital in collaboration with Jiepeng for such heinous acts, he couldn¡¯t stand idly by. Citizens of the base city were being harmed every moment. He had to put a stop to it.


    But he had not acted recklessly. Before launching his thunderous strike, Tan Zhenwei had conducted his own thorough investigation and meticulously planned his actions. But he hadn''t anticipated the extent of the Ye family''s infiltration in the base city. He had also not anticipated the intervention of external forces, such as the Saint family.


    At a critical moment, key figures within several major government agencies had betrayed him, and his carefully planned operation had fallen apart at the final stage of evidence gathering. Now, everything seemed beyond repair. But Tan Zhenwei had no regrets. At least, the Ye family''s atrocities against the citizens had been temporarily halted during the past week.


    "City Leader Tan, as is customary, you need to take responsibility for this," Qian Yuangang said, surveying the room before continuing slowly. "Moreover, your performance in this city''s administrative assessment is also unsatisfactory. Therefore, it is my suggestion that you resign voluntarily from your position as city leader."


    Tan Zhenwei replied calmly, "I will not resign unless forced to by the District Executive Committee."


    "Do you feel no remorse for your actions?" Qian Yuangang raised his voice. "Instead of governing for the people and uniting your colleagues, you engaged in factional struggles that only made life difficult for the citizens of this base city. And now, instead of taking responsibility, you cling to power and neglect your duties. I find your behavior deeply troubling."


    Tan Zhenwei smiled faintly. He had no interest in arguing with these people.


    "As I said before, I will not resign." Tan Zhenwei slowly rose to his feet. "I will certainly take responsibility for my actions, and I have a clear conscience."


    "Heh, what a claim to have a clear conscience." Ye Guanzhen sneered, feigning a look of deep disappointment. "City Leader Tan, you were once my idol. You came to Liuhe Base City with grand promises of revitalizing Liuhe, improving the citizens'' welfare, and increasing their happiness. But look at where we are now. What have you truly accomplished? We have star beasts besieging us, and internal power struggles tearing us apart. You''ve turned Liuhe Base City into a complete mess. Isn¡¯t resigning to take responsibility the best way to make amends?"


    Tan Zhenwei paid him no attention. He knew all too well what was happening. Ye Guanzhen was the heir chosen by the Ye family. Every move Ye Guanzhen made over the years had been carefully orchestrated to pave his way into politics.


    The Ye family had invested a massive amount of resources to ensure his rise. This entire scheme was designed to force Tan Zhenwei into resigning. If he stepped down, the Ye family could easily maneuver Ye Guanzhen into the position of city leader.


    Once Ye Guanzhen became the new city leader, Liuhe Base City would fall entirely under the control of the Ye family. At that point, the city''s millions of residents would become mere pawns in the Ye family''s ambitions and be reduced to nothing more than expendable resources. That would be the true, irreversible disaster.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, I have something to say to all of you," Tan Zhenwei said, his eyes sweeping over the others seated in the room.


    "You are all natives of Liuhe Base City and children of this city. You know very well what''s happening within these walls. Some have let their burning ambitions consume their consciences. They have become ruthless and lost the very essence of what it means to be human. If these people succeed, you know all too well what kind of hell Liuhe Base City will become. As human beings, we must have a conscience. As officials, we must have an even greater sense of conscience. You may be angry but afraid to speak out, choosing to protect yourselves."


    "But you must never aid and abet the wicked. The surgeries conducted by the Jiepeng people are an attack on the very foundation of Great Xia''s martial arts. What they have done here in Liuhe Base City is something you all should not be ignorant of. I, Tan Zhenwei, am no hero, but today I have a message for all of you from our ancestors... If I can benefit my country, I will not avoid sacrifice, whether it brings fortune or disaster. As long as I, Tan Zhenwei, am still the city leader of Liuhe Base City, Duxing Hospital will not be reopened, and the New Martial Arts Surgery Center will never operate again. Even if I must bear the burden of infamy, even if I must face a thousand cuts, I will not waver."


    His resolute words echoed throughout the conference room, leaving a heavy silence in their wake. Many faces in the room changed. Qian Yuangang, Ye Guanzhen, and others had dark expressions.


    "City Leader Tan, your stubbornness is truly beyond reason," Ye Guanzhen sneered. "You''re not afraid of being reviled for eternity, but have you not considered your daughter? Are you willing to drag her down with you and ruin her life by sharing in your disgrace?" S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tan Zhenwei¡¯s eyes narrowed. He understood the implication behind Ye Guanzhen''s words. The threat was clear: his daughter¡¯s life was at stake.


    So, Little Ying is in danger?


    "What have you done?" Tan Zhenwei demanded, his anger rising.


    Ye Guanzhen replied coolly, "I''m simply advising you to think carefully."


    Just then, the doors to the meeting room burst open as someone rushed in.

 Chapter 234: Your Grandpa Has Something To Say

    Chapter 234: Your Grandpa Has Something To SayYe Changlin, an elder of the Ye family and Ye Guanzhen''s uncle had suddenly burst into the room. Despite his status as an elder, Ye Changlin now followed the will of the entire Ye family and took orders from the young heir, Ye Guanzhen.


    He hurried over to Ye Guanzhen and whispered urgently, "There''s been an incident."


    "Uncle," Ye Guanzhen said, standing up and moving to the side. "What happened?" sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ye Changlin leaned closer and whispered, "The Black Viper unit has been completely wiped out. Only two members of the God-Slaying Squad returned, and they reported that the female officer was rescued."


    What?


    Ye Guanzhen was shocked. He had secretly nurtured the Black Viper organization. They were far from weak and were equipped with prohibited firearms. Even a skilled warrior at the Meridian Expanding Realm could easily fall prey to them if they were caught off guard.


    Moreover, the God-Slaying Squad were a professional combat team from the Gu family. Each member was a seasoned Meridian Expanding Realm expert.


    We¡¯d just dispatched both forces to ensure the elimination of that police officer. But the mission still failed?


    Unease began to creep into Ye Guanzhen¡¯s heart.


    Could this be a hidden move by Tan Zhenwei?


    "Who rescued her?" he asked, his voice low as he ushered Ye Changlin to the doorway of the conference room.


    Ye Changlin hesitated before answering, "The survivors from the God-Slaying Squad reported that it was... it was... Li Xiaofei."


    "What?" Ye Guanzhen exclaimed in shock, raising his voice involuntarily.


    His outburst caught the attention of everyone else in the conference room, who now looked curiously. Realizing his lapse in composure, Ye Guanzhen took a deep breath and quickly calmed himself.


    Li Xiaofei! How could it be that insect?


    He had heard bits and pieces about the events in the high school league and the gang conflicts. As a star student who had suddenly risen to prominence this semester, Li Xiaofei had exerted some pressure on the Ye family''s operations at Duxing High School and had even caused setbacks in their plans for the slums.


    Even Ye Liushuang had met his end at the hands of this boy during a gang negotiation. But none of this truly mattered to Ye Guanzhen. Those who planned great things were not troubled by small details. Those who seek to rule great nations were not concerned with a single city.


    Ye Guanzhen''s ambitions encompassed the entire Liuhe Base City and even extended to the entire Northwest District. He stood at a higher vantage point and saw further into the future. To him, Li Xiaofei''s brief moments of glory were nothing more than the antics of a small-time clown. It was not worth paying attention to.


    Once his grand plan was set in motion, Ye Guanzhen had a thousand ways to erase Li Xiaofei from existence without a trace. But to his surprise, it was this very clown who had stepped forward and disrupted his plans at such a crucial moment.


    This shouldn¡¯t have happened. The most optimistic assessment of Li Xiaofei would only allow him to challenge someone at the Acupoint Opening Realm using some secret technique. How could he possibly force the God-Slaying Squad to retreat in defeat?


    "What exactly happened?" Ye Guanzhen asked in a low, serious tone.


    Ye Changlin recounted the events as he understood them, concluding with, "The Gu family is furious. They believe we provided them with bad information, leading to the severe losses suffered by the God-Slaying Squad. They are demanding an explanation from us."


    Ye Guanzhen rubbed his temples as he felt a headache looming. "Keep them calm for now. Double the defensive personnel at the investigation team¡¯s headquarters. No one is to be allowed inside. We''ll deal with everything after tonight."


    Ye Changlin nodded and replied, "Understood, I''ll take care of it right away."


    Ye Changlin quickly left. Ye Guanzhen let out a sigh of relief as he returned to his seat. He realized he needed to take Li Xiaofei more seriously.


    Once tonight is over, that little troublemaker has to be eliminated. As for the police officer and the evidence... There is no need to worry too much. If the evidence cannot reach Tan Zhenwei, it¡¯s useless. It will not change the overall situation.


    Just as these thoughts ran through his mind, there was a loud bang as the conference room door was suddenly thrown open again. To his surprise, Ye Changlin had returned, stumbling and nearly falling as he rushed in.


    Ye Guanzhen frowned.


    What¡¯s going on with this elder? Instead of handling the situation, why has he come back, and in such a frantic state?


    "Chen... news from Old Chen''s Offal Shop..." Ye Changlin stammered, his face pale.


    Ye Guanzhen froze for a moment. He knew very well what was supposed to happen at Old Chen''s Offal Shop. It was all a part of tonight''s plan. The idea was to use Tan Qingying''s safety to force Tan Zhenwei into resigning. It was the key to the second phase of their plan.


    Gu Langtian, a formidable force and a shrewd strategist from the Saint family, was a very reliable partner. That genius should have already succeeded in his task by now.


    Could something have gone wrong?


    "What happened at Old Chen''s Offal Shop? Speak!" Tan Zhenwei suddenly shouted, his face filled with killing intent.


    His fists were clenched tightly. Just a moment ago, his heart had skipped a beat upon hearing the name Old Chen''s Offal Shop. That was a place his daughter frequented.


    The Ye family dared to lay a hand on my daughter? Have they lost their minds? Both the Tan and An families are part of the Saint lineage. How can the Ye family even think of harming someone who carried the blood of not one, but two Saint families? But Little Ying should be safe with Liu Yun present.


    Ye Changlin glanced at Ye Guanzhen, who frowned and said, "Speak up, what happened?"


    Ye Changlin hesitated for a moment before replying, "It''s... Young Master Gu Langtian... he''s... something happened to him."


    What?


    Ye Guanzhen was stunned, as a sense of dread quickly rose within him. "What... what happened to him?"


    Ye Changlin leaned closer and whispered, "Young Master Gu was killed."


    Ye Guanzhen felt a wave of dizziness hit him.


    Gu Langtian, dead? How can that be possible? Who could have killed this genius of the Gu family?


    But before Ye Changlin could say anything further, suddenly, a chorus of gasps echoed through the conference room. The faces of the investigation team members, including Qian Yuangang, were filled with disbelief.


    What''s going on?


    A huge question mark flashed in Ye Guanzhen''s mind. He noticed that the others in the room were now looking at him with a hint of sympathy in their eyes. Even Nie Sheng, the police chief who had betrayed Tan Zhenwei to join the Ye family''s camp, was staring at the light core in his hand. He was now pale and slumped back in his chair, as sweat drenched him.


    More bad news?


    A wave of intense unease surged through Ye Guanzhen''s heart like a tidal wave.


    At that moment, Tan Zhenwei suddenly burst into laughter. His face was alight with joy.


    "Someone, project the light core screen. Hahaha, let everyone see!"


    No one objected. Amidst Ye Guanzhen''s growing confusion, the large screen in the conference room slowly powered up.


    The screen was immediately switched to a livestream. But the name of the livestream was somewhat bizarre.


    Your Grandpa Has Something to Say.

 Chapter 235: Danger Lurking

    Chapter 235: Danger LurkingIt was a livestream from the mysterious high schooler known as Your Grandpa. A figure who had consistently held the number one spot on Liuhe Base City''s leaderboard, this mysterious genius had become a local legend.


    He had once defeated the arrogant Jiepeng students and earned himself the title of National Hero. He had not been shaken from the top spot on the leaderboard since his emergence. Not even top contenders like Xiong Zhigang, Tsukiha Yaiba, or Li Xiaofei had been able to dethrone him.


    Your Grandpa was the epitome of mysterious and powerful. He had garnered a massive following on the light-network. Despite never having streamed before, his livestream channel had amassed over 500,000 subscribers.


    Many online streamers, content creators, and popular video personalities would often use Your Grandpa to attract views and generate buzz. Over time, this had created a peculiar and unique phenomenon.


    So when Your Grandpa finally went live, his followers, upon receiving the notification, flooded into the livestream, surprised and excited. But what they found wasn¡¯t a typical broadcast of Your Grandpa battling through challenges.


    Instead, they were greeted by shocking surveillance footage that turned their worldviews upside down.


    This looks like Duxing Hospital...


    Yeah, that old man is the current patriarch of the Ye family...


    What are they doing? Is this a surgery?


    This... this is murder!


    Harvesting organs? Is the New Martial Arts surgery really about organ harvesting too?


    What are they doing? They''re experimenting on live humans!


    Oh my god, so the rumors were true.


    These monsters!


    The livestream''s chat exploded in an instant. The news spread like wildfire and passed quickly from mouth to mouth. Soon, Liuhe Base City was on the verge of exploding with outrage and disbelief.


    The contents of the livestream were simply too shocking and too heinous to be ignored. Even the simplest of minds could tell that this wasn¡¯t some fabricated scene or staged drama. It was terrifyingly real.


    More and more people flocked to the livestream. The viewership on the light-network began to grow at an explosive, exponential rate. What made matters even worse for the Ye family was that the Your Grandpa account had an access level set personally by Inspector Li Zhoumin. This meant that not even ordinary light-network administrators or officials from the Education Department or Police Department could shut down the livestream immediately.


    At the investigation team¡¯s headquarters, the conference room was as silent as a graveyard at midnight. Ye Guanzhen''s expression was shifting between anxiety and fear. It had been exposed! The thing he feared most had happened.


    He had considered the possibility that the young police officer might try to use the light-network to broadcast the evidence. That¡¯s why he had put measures in place long ago.


    All the major influencers, top streamers, and key websites had been warned. Key individuals were under strict surveillance.


    The administrators had been warned to be vigilant and were prepared to immediately shut down any reports, livestreams, or videos related to Duxing Hospital as soon as they surfaced. Given that they lacked the authority to shut down the entire network, these measures were the absolute best they could implement.


    But who could have predicted that a seemingly dead account, one that had never been active and was largely forgotten, would suddenly emerge and deliver such a devastating blow to the Ye family? But, most fatally, this account had an authority level so high that it couldn''t be shut down.


    Ye Guanzhen exhaled slowly. Man proposes, but God disposes. Their meticulously planned operation had just completely unraveled. It would be impossible to force Tan Zhenwei to resign now.


    The focus now needed to shift from questioning why a seemingly flawless plan had failed repeatedly to figuring out how to salvage the situation. If not, the Ye family could face utter destruction.


    "Damn it," Qian Yuangang muttered, his voice filled with frustration as he stood up and left the room. It was a little unclear who his anger was directed at.


    Police Chief Nie Sheng was drenched in sweat as he approached Tan Zhenwei and fell to his knees with a loud thud. The sight made everyone''s hearts race.


    Ye Guanzhen slowly stood up. As all eyes fell on him, he looked at Tan Zhenwei and said, "This game isn''t over yet."


    Then he turned and left. Tan Zhenwei didn¡¯t even glance at the kneeling Nie Sheng.


    "Rewrite the investigation report, and thoroughly investigate those responsible for falsifying the evidence chain," Tan Zhenwei ordered sternly. "I need to know who was behind hiding this evidence."


    ***


    The battles at the government level, no matter how intense, would forever remain hidden from the average person. However, due to Your Grandpa''s explosive revelations, Duxing Hospital and the New Martial Arts Surgery Center had to remain closed.


    Public opinion had been successfully turned around. Tan Zhenwei immediately conducted a ruthless and thorough purge of his departments. The police chief and any other officials who were involved were removed from their positions and subsequently arrested and imprisoned. His reputation and approval ratings soared once again.


    However, the Ye family did not collapse entirely. In a move that surprised many, Ye Guanzhen publicly denounced his own family, personally arresting the old patriarch and delivering him to prison. He also took action himself, eliminating several members of the Ye family who were involved in the scandal. He then livestreamed a public apology on the light-network. This bold move earned him widespread praise.


    With the help of the Ye family''s propaganda machine and control over public discourse, Ye Guanzhen managed to extricate himself from the situation. In fact, his support among the public even increased. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But none of this mattered to Li Xiaofei anymore. These were issues for Old Tan to worry about. Li Xiaofei returned to school, ready to resume his normal life. The next afternoon, the twelfth round of the High School War God League kicked off.


    To no one¡¯s surprise, Red Flag High School swept their opponents, Beipo High School. Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t even appear in solo mode. Instead, another key player, Fang Buyi, took the spotlight, defeating the league''s star player, He Yu, with his increasingly refined Xuanwu Staff technique.


    Every member of Red Flag High School had entered their era of dominance as they displayed their peak performance. Various media outlets began to take Red Flag High School more seriously, predicting a bright future for the team.


    Red Flag High School''s points surged after the round, propelling them to fourth place in the league standings. The top three spots were held by Duxing High School, Qishen Academy, and Quanye High School. The monopoly of the prestigious five schools had been decisively broken.


    On the individual leaderboard, last season¡¯s MVP, Xiong Zhigang, remained in first place. Tsukiha Yaiba held second place, while Li Xiaofei, who had missed two rounds of the league, temporarily ranked third.


    The rewards from the Education Department were promptly distributed after the match. But this semblance of normalcy didn¡¯t last long as that very night, Liuhe Base City was plunged into an unprecedented disaster.


    For the first time in a hundred and thirty-one years, the city walls were breached by star beasts. A massive swarm of First Grade star beasts surged into the city, driven by a ferocious instinct. The beast tide''s initial assault targeted the slum area, where the city¡¯s most vulnerable residents lived.


    Shrill alarms pierced the night sky as the area descended into chaos.


    Amidst the confusion and the cover of darkness, dozens of figures, moving as swiftly as phantoms, silently infiltrated the slums. Their destination was clear¡ªGuang''an neighborhood, where Li Xiaofei resided.


    In the darkness, danger lurked, waiting to strike.

 Chapter 236: A Terrifying Legend

    Chapter 236: A Terrifying LegendThe night was deep and dark. On the luxurious rooftop terrace of the Huatong Building, Ye Guanzhen stood steadily under a wind umbrella. A cold and sinister smile flickered across Ye Guanzhen¡¯s eyes as he gazed at the distant city walls engulfed in flames and the slums that had descended into chaos.


    The city had fallen. Even if it was only lost for an hour, it was a significant disgrace for the city leader and the garrison commander. Blame from above was inevitable.


    Tan Zhenwei, you shouldn¡¯t have forced me to use such a risky method. Since you refused to back down and insisted on staying for these worthless peasants... Heh, I¡¯ll let the very people you want to protect turn against you and overthrow you.


    I¡¯ll see to it that your cherished reputation as an official is trampled into the mud. I want to see the expression on your face when the people you tried to protect reveal their ferocious fangs to tear you apart and drink your blood.


    Peasants are foolish. They will always be nothing more than a rabble. All I need is a little strategy to easily manipulate their emotions.


    "How are the arrangements coming along?" Ye Guanzhen asked without turning his head.


    Standing behind him, Ye Changlin quickly replied, "As per your instructions, the mercenaries recruited at an exorbitant price through the darknet of Lanfu Base City in the Northwest Region have already infiltrated the slums. This time, we hired the veteran team Greyfield Reapers, which includes a Five Spirits Realm expert. They will surely be able to eliminate Li Xiaofei."


    "Good. Bring me his head; that¡¯s the only explanation I can give to the Gu family," Ye Guanzhen said with satisfaction.


    A genius of the Gu family had perished in Liuhe Base City. As their partner, he had to give them an explanation. At the same time, after investigating the reasons behind the failure of the previous night''s operation, Ye Guanzhen realized that he needed to adjust his plans and strategies.


    This source of trouble known as Li Xiaofei had to be removed immediately. Although Ye Guanzhen held himself in high regard, he was not stubborn. He would not underestimate a young genius who could overpower the God-Slaying Squad in a head-on confrontation.


    A swift and decisive action was necessary to nip this genius in the bud as soon as possible. Therefore, even before the crisis of the Ye family was resolved, Ye Guanzhen had already devised a plan. He spent a large sum of money to hire top experts from the Lanfu Base City''s darknet to eliminate Li Xiaofei.


    The goal was encapsulated in one word: speed! So fast that neither Tan Zhenwei nor Li Xiaofei would have time to react.


    Ye Guanzhen glanced at his watch. According to the plan, the Greyfield Reapers team should have already successfully infiltrated the slums. The plan was to take advantage of the chaos caused by the invading beast horde and the confusion on the city walls and silently eliminate Li Xiaofei. Then, they would shift the blame onto the star beasts.


    In Ye Guanzhen''s eyes, although this plan had many flaws, it didn''t matter as long as the objective was achieved. Li Xiaofei was doomed.


    He took a glass of red wine from his female secretary and leisurely sipped it. He had lost the last round, but setbacks were inevitable on the road to the pinnacle. In the end, he would still be the winner.


    ***


    The slums were in complete chaos. More than half of the main forces of the Cloudy Sky Gang were assisting in defending the city walls, so when the first star beast roared, baring its ferocious fangs as it charged into the slums, many people were caught off guard. Death descended in that instant.


    The beast horde surged into the slums like a flood breaking through a dam, rushing in with uncontrollable ferocity. Flames blazed as cries and screams echoed in the air. The guards of the Cloudy Sky Gang quickly mobilized to intercept the star beasts while they evacuated the elderly, women, and children.


    Amid the chaos, a dozen figures arrived outside the Guang''an neighborhood. The leader, clearly a man, had long gray hair that flowed like a waterfall over his shoulders. Although he stood there, it was as if he didn¡¯t exist at all. His feet were floating ten centimeters above the ground. He was at the Five Spirits Realm! Only a strong expert of the Five Spirits Realm could hover in the air like this.


    The people behind him were all dressed in black night-ops suits, each wearing specially designed gas masks. They moved like specters in the mist.


    "The employer demands that we eliminate the target''s entire family. Leave no one alive."


    "Boss, should we charge in directly?"


    "No, the target has the ability to kill high-level experts at the Meridian Expanding Realm, so we must not underestimate him. Stick to the usual plan. Set up a poison formation, deploy interception traps, and surround the entire neighborhood to prevent the target from escaping."


    "Understood."


    "Boss, some warriors are rushing towards us."


    "They''re just the low-ranking members of the Cloudy Sky Gang. They''re here to protect their president."


    "Send in the beastmaster to control the star beasts and eliminate the small fry. Make it look like they were killed by the star beasts."


    "Roger that."


    "The poison formation is set."


    "The traps are in place."


    "Everything is ready."


    The members of the Greyfield Reapers exchanged information swiftly and efficiently in the helmet''s communication channel.


    Suddenly, one member spoke, sounding surprised, "Twelve o''clock... What is that?"


    The Five Spirits Realm expert leading the group felt a sudden, inexplicable chill and looked up. A graceful figure floated in the mist of toxic fumes that hung like dust, shooting toward them with the speed and eeriness of a bodiless ghost.


    In the next instant, the communication channel was filled with the agonized screams of his team members. Before the Five Spirits Realm expert could react, he felt his vision spinning, and his consciousness began to fade.


    In the final moment before he lost all awareness, he caught a glimpse of a scarred woman''s face. The contours of her face were delicate, with parts of her skin smooth and radiant like porcelain, but it was marred by a bizarre scar that stretched across it.


    Her eyes were devoid of pupils and filled with a haunting grayish-white mist as they emitted a chilling frost, as if she were a reaper from hell. A wave of terror surged through him. A terrifying legend about the scar-faced woman suddenly surfaced in his mind. But it was too late for him to do anything. Darkness enveloped him as he succumbed to an eternal silence.


    A minute later, when Li Xiaofei rushed out of the neighborhood, he found nothing amiss.


    "Boss..." Li Junjie, covered in blood, rushed over at the head of a group of gang members. This loyal right-hand man had always been unwavering in his dedication.


    "Protect my aunt and sister, and retreat eastward," Li Xiaofei ordered without hesitation. "I¡¯ll go take care of the star beasts."


    "Boss, let me go with you."


    "Get lost."


    "Alright, understood."


    Li Junjie and his warriors began guiding the people from the neighborhood towards the rear, ensuring their safety. Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei strode boldly towards the advancing beast horde, ready to face them head-on.


    Swish, swish, swish.


    Sword energy swept across the battlefield. The Six Meridian Divine Sword rivaled the sharpest of weapons as it moved with an unpredictable and ghostly speed. Wherever the sword energy passed, star beasts howled in agony and fell one after another.


    "The boss is here!"


    "It''s the president!"


    "We''re saved!"


    The warriors in the chaotic battlefield immediately found their anchor when they saw him and began to converge towards his position.


    "Everyone, get behind me," Li Xiaofei commanded as he leaped into the air.


    "Cloudy Sky Gang disciples, protect everyone as they retreat." He shouted, taking his vanguard position. "Those holding the rank of Incense Master or higher, follow me and slay the star beasts to protect the civilians." sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei quickly took command of the situation as he organized the offensive. His strength was evident as star beasts fell like wheat before a scythe wherever he passed. The newly emboldened Cloudy Sky Gang pushed the beast horde back as they attacked.


    The battle finally ended when dawn finally broke. The garrison regained control of the B12 district''s walls, driving the remaining star beasts outside the city. The star beasts that had breached the city were mostly low-grade cannon fodder. The few Grade Two star beasts that appeared were swiftly exterminated by the combined forces of the garrison and other factions.


    However, the slum was largely in ruins. The new order that had been painstakingly established had been destroyed by the beast tide onslaught. A deep sense of unease gnawed at Li Xiaofei.


    How could the city walls have fallen?


    He made his way to the B12 district''s ramparts with this question in mind.


    "There was a traitor in the city defense forces," Wu Junzhuang said angrily. "Someone shut down the energy defense system here, murdered the stationed soldiers, and deliberately allowed the star beasts to enter the city."


    Li Xiaofei could hardly believe his ears. That someone would commit such a heinous act was beyond his comprehension. This wasn''t a war between nations or a struggle between factions. This was a battle for humanity''s survival.


    "Have you found out who it was?" Li Xiaofei pressed for answers.

 Chapter 237: The Change In Little Aunt

    Chapter 237: The Change In Little AuntWu Junzhuang shook his head. "We don''t have any leads right now. The culprit covered their tracks well."


    Li Xiaofei gritted his teeth. "Those mad dogs deserve to be killed a thousand times over."


    Wu Junzhuang added, "However, many are speculating that it might have been the work of the Wild Freedom Faction terrorists."


    The Wild Freedom Faction?


    They were a group of lunatic extremists who opposed the current government''s rule, defied the leadership of the Star Council, and rejected the construction of base cities. They lived like savages in the wilderness, advocating for so-called harmony between man and nature and coexistence with the star beasts.


    The Wild Freedom Faction was also responsible for numerous terror attacks. They were experts in assassination and sabotage. Most of the time, their targets were government officials, powerful families, and key figures in the Star Council.


    Every member of the Wild Freedom Faction was a zealot. They burned with a feverish conviction, utterly unafraid of death.


    "Liuhe Base City doesn''t seem to have any known Wild Freedom Faction activity, does it?" Li Xiaofei asked, puzzled.


    He had a nagging suspicion that the fall of the city walls was somehow connected to the Ye family.


    "Those lunatics are like wild wolves and stray dogs roaming the wilderness," Wu Junzhuang cursed.


    He continued, "Things have been unstable lately. The star beasts outside the city have been acting up more frequently. That Yinji Moon Fox is especially vengeful and has been relentlessly summoning and gathering star beasts. The horde is growing larger by the day, and you..."


    At this point, Wu Junzhuang abruptly stopped speaking. He finally just patted Li Xiaofei gently on the shoulder and said, "Be careful."


    Li Xiaofei smiled back in reply, "As warriors, it is our duty to slay star beasts and protect our people. Even if we must face mountains of swords and seas of fire, we will never retreat. What is there to fear? Death is just a part of life."


    Those were his true feelings. He would not choose to hide and bide his time in order to live. Since he had crossed into an era where humanity''s survival could be decided in a heartbeat, he would face challenges head-on and be unafraid of battle.


    Wu Junzhuang gave Li Xiaofei a firm pat on the shoulder and said no more.


    Li Xiaofei stood atop the hundred-meter-high city wall and looked down at the city below. The light of dawn illuminated the land. The wildfires had died down, leaving smoke curling into the morning air. Even a small incursion by star beasts had caused immense devastation.


    In the aftermath, the people were already beginning to rebuild their homes like industrious ants.


    ***


    "What?" Ye Guanzhen suddenly stood up, exclaiming, "Missing?! What do you mean by missing?!"


    Ye Changlin replied, "The Greyfield Reapers team entered the slums last night according to plan. The last message we received from them was at 3:12 a.m., reporting that everything was normal. But thirty seconds later, all communications were abruptly cut off, and we lost contact. None of the thirteen team members returned."


    "And what about Li Xiaofei?" Ye Guanzhen pressed.


    Ye Changlin responded, "He''s still alive and completely unscathed. In fact, he participated in last night''s battle against the beast horde and performed exceptionally well. Now, various media outlets are scrambling to interview him, and Tan Zhenwei intends to invest significant resources into promoting him as a public figure."


    Ye Guanzhen fell silent. This situation was far too bizarre. It was so outlandish that he couldn''t process it immediately. The Greyfield Reapers team dispatched for this mission included not only the Five Spirits Realm leader, Greyfield Longhair, and four Meridian Expanding Realm experts, but also eight high-level Acupoint Opening Realm members who handled support, logistics, and communications.


    This team should have been unstoppable in Liuhe Base City. Even if the assassination had failed, they should have been able to retreat safely.


    How could they have vanished in the slums? It was as if they disappeared like a puff of smoke dissipating in the wind. Could Tan Zhenwei have anticipated my move and set a trap in the slums? But that seemed unlikely.


    What kind of ambush could wipe out the entire Greyfield Reapers team in less than thirty seconds?


    The more Ye Guanzhen thought about it, the more perplexed he became. He started to feel like he needed to be more careful. Perhaps Tan Zhenwei was secretly hiding more strength than what he had displayed so far.


    After all, Tan Zhenwei was once a dazzling prodigy of the Tan family. If it hadn¡¯t been for the conflict with his family over his marriage, leading to his exile to the remote Northwest, he might have become the head of the Tan family by now. That kind of person truly could not be underestimated. Ye Guanzhen quickly adjusted his mindset. This was not the time to lose composure.


    Last night''s City-Breaking Plan targeting the city''s defenses had been quite successful. Tan Zhenwei should be overwhelmed and panicking now. However, the actions against Li Xiaofei needed to be put on pause. It would be unwise to make any further moves until they had thoroughly understood this person''s background. Ye Guanzhen swiftly revised his strategy.


    ***


    Guang''an Neighborhood. In Li Xiaofei¡¯s bedroom.


    Li Xiaofei quietly lay on the bed after taking off his clothes. As usual, Little Aunt straddled his back, giving him a massage. Her delicate fingers moved swiftly, pressing various meridians and acupoints across his body. The force of her touch penetrated deep into his skin.


    Pa, pa, pa.


    The soft sounds echoed as her fingers made contact. Li Xiaofei noticed that Little Aunt''s strength seemed to have increased. He felt a bit puzzled. Since he began cultivating the introductory chapter of the Five Qi Origin Technique, Li Xiaofei''s physical strength had increased significantly.


    Even in his concealed first disguise form, his muscles were incredibly dense and nearly impervious to blades. Yet Little Aunt''s fingers managed to press through his toughened muscles. The pressure reached deep into his acupoints with just enough strength to stimulate them just right and allow his starforce qi to better nourish his flesh and bones.


    Li Xiaofei recalled a story he had once heard. There was a story about a man who raised a calf and lifted it ten times every day. Years later, when the calf had grown into a thousand-pound bull, the man could still lift it with ease.


    Could Little Aunt have gradually adapted to his increasing muscle strength because she massaged him every day? Moreover, after finishing the massage this time, Little Aunt wasn''t even slightly out of breath. She seemed at ease as she gracefully stepped off the bed.


    "Your physical strength increased in a strange way. Have you been cultivating some new technique?" Little Aunt asked.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t hide anything. He explained the concept behind his cultivation of the Five Qi Origin Technique: Introductory Chapter. Little Aunt listened, tilting her head in thought for a moment. For a moment, she looked like a scholar working through a complex problem.


    "You can give it a try," Little Aunt finally affirmed, but then added, "But if anything goes wrong during your cultivation, let me know immediately. Don¡¯t try to handle it on your own."


    "Don''t worry, Little Aunt," Li Xiaofei patted his chest reassuringly, but he hesitated before asking, "Little Aunt?"


    "Hmm?"


    "You seem to know a lot."


    "Medicine and martial arts share the same roots."


    "Little Aunt, how do you know so much about medicine?"


    "I studied it before."


    "Little Aunt, have you ever been to places outside the base city?"


    "Yes, I came from a very, very far place. I''m just here temporarily."


    "Will you leave here someday?" Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Yes."


    "Really?" Li Xiaofei suddenly flipped over and sat up, his voice tense. "Little Aunt, where will you go?"


    A gentle expression crossed the blind woman''s face as she said, "Don''t worry. If I ever decide to leave, I will definitely tell you in advance."


    "Little Aunt, I know you have many secrets," Li Xiaofei said as he put on his clothes and jumped off the bed. He pleaded, "I won''t press you for answers, but if the day comes that you have to leave, promise me you''ll take me with you, okay?"


    Little Aunt gently stroked Li Xiaofei''s hair.


    "All good things must come to an end," she said with a soft smile and a tender voice. "No one in this world can accompany another for their entire journey. I know you have many questions in your heart, but don''t worry. All the mysteries will eventually be revealed, and I can already sense that the day is drawing near."


    "Little Aunt, has something happened?" Li Xiaofei asked, a strange premonition creeping into his mind.


    Little Aunt seemed different from before.

 Chapter 238: Ten Days Left

    Chapter 238: Ten Days Left"The Medicine King Divine Manual and the Pity Flower Treasure Manual have given me significant insights," Little Aunt said. "They''ve allowed me to make breakthroughs in my medical cultivation, so I need to try some new things... But don''t worry, it''s a good thing."


    Li Xiaofei nodded thoughtfully. Little Aunt then left to tend to her newly cultivated medicinal herbs. Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei made his way to the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters.


    He began refining his starforce qi in a specially designed training room. Using the Five Qi Origin Technique: Introductory Chapter to refine the qi vortex within him was an energy-intensive process and required constant external energy replenishment.


    After drinking a vial of fourth-generation Starforce Reagent, Li Xiaofei realized that its effects were barely noticeable.


    "My strength now rivals that of a Meridian Expanding Realm expert. For someone at that level, fourth-generation Starforce Reagents are meaningless. It seems I need better Starforce Reagents to advance further."


    Li Xiaofei recognized this crucial point. He logged onto the light-network and entered the light core virtual world, opening the online marketplace. Right now, since he had absorbed the assets of the four major gangs and received compensation from the Ye family, he was already a multimillionaire.


    Even after donating a million to Red Flag High School, he still had plenty left. It was more than enough to support the purchase of higher-grade Starforce Reagents. However, even after a thorough search of the marketplace, Li Xiaofei found nothing. To his surprise, his current light-network access level did not even allow him to search for fifth-generation Starforce Reagent products.


    Such a headache!


    Li Xiaofei exited the light core and immediately called his agent, Xiao Hongye.


    "Fifth-generation Starforce Reagents?" Xiao Hongye sounded surprised. "Fourth-generation ones aren''t enough for you anymore?"


    Li Xiaofei was in no mood for small talk and replied, "Just tell me if you can get them or not." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Hongye chuckled in exasperation as she said, "Oh, you little brat! You want your big sister to do you a favor, and you''re still acting all high and mighty... Do you even realize that your biggest backer in Liuhe Base City is about to be unreliable?"


    "What do you mean?" Li Xiaofei was taken aback.


    Xiao Hongye explained, "I''ve just received the news. After returning to report, Inspector Li Zhoumin was so outstanding that he was promoted to a position in Lanfu Base City''s Star Council branch. Liuhe Base City is getting a new Inspector, who will be arriving very soon."


    "Is that really happening?" exclaimed Li Xiaofei in shock.


    This was definitely bad news for him. Teacher Li had always been incredibly supportive, not to mention how much protection and guidance he provided. With Teacher Li overseeing Liuhe Base City, no matter how much trouble Li Xiaofei caused, it could always be smoothed over.


    However, Li Xiaofei quickly regained his composure.


    "Teacher Li has been promoted? That''s great news." He said, "When the official appointment comes through, I¡¯ll have to prepare a gift to properly congratulate him on his promotion."


    Xiao Hongye was a bit surprised. "Aren''t you even a little worried?"


    Li Xiaofei chuckled and said, "Of course, I¡¯m a little concerned. But I''ve always acted with integrity and without any evil intentions, so I have nothing to fear. Besides, if I keep living under Teacher Li''s protection, how could I ever develop the heart of a true warrior?"


    There was a brief moment of silence before Xiao Hongye finally responded, "Alright, the fifth-generation Starforce Reagents will be delivered to you tomorrow."


    "Thanks."


    "Thanks? Save it. Just remember to transfer the money¡ªone million star coins per vial."


    "What? That expensive?"


    "If it''s too much, you don''t have to buy them."


    "No, no, I want them! Give me five vials."


    "Looks like someone''s gotten rich."


    The conversation took on a lighter tone. After hanging up the phone, Li Xiaofei was deep in thought.


    Teacher Li''s sudden reassignment from Liuhe Base City cannot possibly be a coincidence at this critical moment. The idea that the Ye family might have had a hand in this would be hard to dismiss.


    This realization hit him hard. Even though he had inadvertently disrupted the Ye family''s plans at Duxing Hospital and helped City Leader Tan through a difficult situation, the overall situation in Liuhe Base City hadn''t improved significantly.


    The Ye family, after years of patience, was now executing their plans with precision. Everything was falling into place like a well-oiled machine. Two of the major powers in Liuhe Base City, City Leader Tan and the Inspector, had both been ensnared by the Ye family''s schemes.


    What about Commander Ding? Will he be an exception?


    Li Xiaofei realized that both he and the Cloudy Sky Gang needed to start preparing for the worst. They needed to brace themselves for a tough winter. But the most crucial piece of preparation was to quickly strengthen himself. Only strength could guarantee survival in this world.


    He believed that once he refined all the remaining qi vortices within him and consolidated them into a singular force within his dantian, his strength would increase dramatically. He would be able to hold his own against ordinary Five Spirits Realm experts.


    Clearing his thoughts, Li Xiaofei began to practice the True Dragon Breathing Technique, cultivating in the most natural and primal way. The night passed in the blink of an eye. The next morning, Li Xiaofei stood atop the city walls, slaying star beasts while continuing his online studies.


    The frequency of beast tides assaulting the base city was increasing, with high-intensity attacks coming almost every hour. The constant pressure was wearing down the garrison troops on the wall.


    At a crucial moment, the Ye family surprisingly sent a large amount of supplies to support the soldiers. Ye Guanzhen held a news conference later that morning, representing the Ye family, as he publicly apologized to all the citizens once again and solemnly announced that Duxing Hospital would be confiscated and donated to the city government.


    Additionally, he declared that the Ye family would unilaterally terminate their cooperation agreement with the Jiepeng delegation and indefinitely shut down the New Martial Surgery Center. The Ye family would also pay a breach-of-contract penalty of 1 billion star coins to Jiepeng.


    "All of this is worth it," Ye Guanzhen said sincerely. "The previous generation of the Ye family made significant errors in judgment and caused great harm to the feelings of the base city¡¯s people. During this difficult time for the city, as the new head of the Ye family, I must set an example and work to regain the trust and support of the citizens."


    He continued, "Moreover, as a deep reflection on the mistakes of the past years, all key members of the Ye family will enter seclusion for self-examination."


    Ye Guanzhen spoke with great sincerity. After the press conference, public opinion overwhelmingly praised Ye Guanzhen''s actions.


    An hour later, several reporters coincidentally witnessed the Jiepeng medical corps being evacuated under the protection of their power armor field team, boarding aircraft for their departure. The entire event was broadcasted live.


    The Jiepeng are gone!


    The news spread quickly, leading to celebrations among many citizens. Shortly after, another piece of news circulated among the upper echelons of the city''s elite. The political performance review team from the Northwest Region also returned to the regional capital, Lanfu Base City, today.


    The month-long bureaucratic evaluation had officially ended. The Jiepeng people and the review team, the two major destabilizing factors that had been stirring up the situation in Liuhe Base City over the past few months, had finally left.


    This seemed like a positive development for the city government. At least now, City Leader Tan Zhenwei could focus on maintaining order for the citizens amidst the ongoing star beast siege.


    The next afternoon, Li Xiaofei received the five bottles of fifth-generation Starforce Reagents, personally delivered by Xiao Hongye. However, Xiao Hongye also brought bad news.


    "The fact that you killed Gu Langtian has been discovered by the Gu family in Jiangnan. In ten days, Gu Langtian''s father, Gu Juechen, will personally arrive in Liuhe Base City to avenge his son... To put it bluntly, unless something unexpected happens, you only have ten days left to live."

 Chapter 239: Unified Force, Erupting Strength

    Chapter 239: Unified Force, Erupting Strength"Who will die? That remains to be seen," Li Xiaofei sneered.


    Anyone who dared to threaten her deserved to die a hundred times over. A child''s misbehavior is the parent¡¯s fault. Gu Langtian''s death was inevitable, and it was his father''s failure to raise him properly.


    He had the Secret Time Pavilion, and ten days was more than enough time to completely consolidate his starforce qi. When that was done, what was there to fear even if he faced a Five Spirits Realm expert?


    After obtaining the fifth-generation Starforce Reagents, Li Xiaofei wasted no time. He returned to the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters, entered the training room, and immediately began his cultivation. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gulp, gulp.


    He tossed back a vial of the fifth-generation starforce reagent. When the cool liquid slid down his throat, it felt like oil being ignited, turning into blazing heat in an instant. Li Xiaofei activated the True Dragon Breathing Technique to absorb the energy. A series of dragon roars echoed within the sealed chamber.


    Time passed swiftly, and before he knew it, evening had arrived. Li Xiaofei returned to Guang''an Neighborhood. Since it was Saturday, Zhong Ling had come home from school as well. The four of them enjoyed a happy dinner together. He then headed back to the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters to continue his cultivation. At 8 p.m., the cooldown for the Secret Time Pavilion had expired.


    He activated it without hesitation. When he entered the Secret Time Pavilion, Li Xiaofei instinctively asked if he could extract any techniques.


    "Woof, no."


    But Li Xiaofei wasn''t disappointed. He continued to cultivate using the introductory chapter of the Five Qi Origin Technique.


    In the blink of an eye, thirty days had passed and he had consumed all five bottles of fifth-generation starforce reagent. Finally, the ninety-nine qi vortices within his body were fully refined and unified.


    "Finally, it''s done," Li Xiaofei said to himself as he slowly stood up.


    Much to his joy, he could sense that his combat power had skyrocketed to an astonishing level. However, he refrained from fully unleashing his strength in the sealed chamber, fearing it might cause the room to collapse.


    Li Xiaofei made his way to the light core control room and logged into the light core to begin scanning his own data.


    In his Disguised Normal Human Form, Li Xiaofei¡¯s pure physical strength reached 200 ding, with a basic combat power of 1,540,311 points. When he used techniques like Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, his combat power could soar to 3,032,877 points. This was equivalent to the peak combat power of an Acupoint Opening Realm expert who opened all 120 acupoints.


    The Transformed Muscle Overlord Form represented Li Xiaofei¡¯s fully unleashed physical strength, where he could exert 500 ding of force, with a basic combat power of 3,074,444 points. When using Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms or Six Meridian Divine Sword, his combat power could reach 6,890,008 points, which was comparable to a Meridian Expanding Realm expert who had opened twelve meridians.


    In his third form, the Ultimate Demon King Form, Li Xiaofei fully unleashed his physical strength and utilized starforce qi in a flawless state. He could exert force up to 1,000 ding, with a basic combat power of 9,008,000 points. When executing Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms in this form, his combat power could hit 16,010,009 points.


    In this form, Li Xiaofei''s combat power finally broke through the 10 million point mark. A Five Spirits Realm expert typically started with a basic combat power of 10 million points.


    The Five Spirits referred to the five major internal organs. Each time one of these organs was cultivated to perfection, it would add 5 million combat power. This meant that Li Xiaofei now possessed the combat strength equivalent to a Five Spirits Realm expert at the second stage.


    However, it was important to note that combat power and cultivation realm were not the same thing. Generally speaking, the higher the cultivation realm, the stronger one¡¯s combat power. However, anomalies like Li Xiaofei, who don¡¯t follow the conventional path, were extremely rare in the world.


    A hint of relief finally appeared on Li Xiaofei¡¯s face as he stepped out of the training room. He had finally gained a measure of self-preservation in this chaotic world. At least within Liuhe Base City, it was now nearly impossible for anyone to kill him through brute force.


    The combat power of a Five Spirits Realm expert was considered the peak within this city. The only regret was that he hadn¡¯t truly reached the Five Spirits Realm yet, so he still couldn¡¯t fly. However, it was about time to obtain a power armor license. He was now definitely strong enough to handle piloting power armor.


    Li Xiaofei drove straight to Red Flag High School. The principal had once promised him that he would help him get his power armor license once he reached the Limit Breaking Realm.


    Soon, Li Xiaofei found himself standing in the principal¡¯s office.


    ¡°Power armor license?¡± asked Chen Fei with a look of surprise. ¡°Have you reached the Limit Breaking Realm?¡±


    Li Xiaofei smiled slightly and said, ¡°Although I haven¡¯t officially broken through, I¡¯ve already achieved a combat power that surpasses the Limit Breaking Realm, so I¡¯d like to ask you to keep your promise.¡±


    The principal stroked his chin, ¡°With the current chaotic situation, it won¡¯t be easy to use it to impress the ladies even if you have a power armor license. Why not focus on advancing your starforce cultivation first?¡±


    Li Xiaofei replied, ¡°Some people shouldn¡¯t go back on their word.¡±


    Chen Fei changed his approach and said, ¡°Even if you get the license, there¡¯s no power armor available for you to pilot. The city¡¯s situation is so tense that almost all power armor units have been dispatched to the front lines.¡±


    Li Xiaofei, with a confident smile, said, ¡°I can buy my own private power armor.¡±


    The principal slapped his forehead, realizing that he had forgotten that his student was quite wealthy.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll help you with the license application. But you¡¯ll have to attend the training and pass the exam yourself.¡±


    After agreeing, Chen Fei still offered some earnest advice. ¡°Remember, personal strength is the most reliable foundation. Power armor is ultimately just a tool; it can enhance your power but comes with many limitations. Don¡¯t let it distract you from your true path. Focus on improving your starforce cultivation. This is the key.¡±


    Li Xiaofei responded seriously, ¡°I was actually hoping to get your guidance on how to break through after unifying the qi vortices using the introductory chapter of the Five Qi Origin Technique.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve unified your qi vortices?¡± The principal¡¯s eyes lit up with joy. ¡°So fast?¡±


    Li Xiaofei simply smiled without elaborating.


    If I told him that I didn¡¯t just unify ten qi vortices but ninety-nine, he might just have a mental breakdown.


    Chen Fei thought for a moment before explaining, "The order in which you break the shackles is crucial. The factors that influence this choice depend on the martial techniques you cultivate during the Qi Refining Realm. For those who focus on palm techniques, fist techniques, or leg techniques, the first to break should be the shackles on the hands and feet. For those who prioritize strength, breaking the spinal shackles should come first. If you are on the beastmaster path, breaking the brain and mouth shackles first can enhance your mental strength. Weapons specialists and medics should prioritize breaking the shackles on the eyes, hands, and nose."


    "Alternatively, if someone wishes to change their cultivation direction after entering the Limit Breaking Realm, they can change the order of breaking the shackles without worrying about their previous foundation. However, choosing to do so will make the cultivation path twice as difficult. Only through accumulating thick resources and making a thin yet powerful breakthrough can one surpass others."


    "You¡¯re in the Qi Refining Realm, have not cultivated weapons, and are following a path focused on fist and leg techniques, as well as body movement techniques. Naturally, you should first break the shackles on your hands and feet, followed by the spinal shackles, then the brain, and finally the shackles on your mouth, nose, and ears."


    Chen Fei had high hopes for Li Xiaofei, so he explained everything in great detail.


    Li Xiaofei asked, "Isn''t it said that the brain governs the body? If we break the brain shackles first, wouldn''t that benefit our cultivation progress?"


    Chen Fei replied, "Breaking the brain shackles only increases one¡¯s mental strength, which is effective for specific professions. However, it does not provide any special benefits for fist techniques, weapons, or starforce enhancement. The improvement in combat power is ranked last, so very few main combatants choose to break the brain shackles first."


    After finishing his explanation, Chen Fei sent a guide on breaking shackles to Li Xiaofei via the light core. This guide was a summary of Chen Fei¡¯s own cultivation experience, so it was highly practical and insightful.


    When he left the principal''s office, Li Xiaofei fell into deep thought.


    Five hundred years ago, the world was obsessed with developing the human brain. Many theories suggested that if the brain''s potential could be developed beyond ten percent, a person could transcend ordinary limits, and if fully developed, humans could rival the gods. It turned out that all of this was just a lie.


    However, Li Xiaofei knew he still needed to carefully consider how to break his own shackles.


    At that moment, Bai Longfei, the gigolo, approached him with a spring in his step. He was beaming with joy and he practically floated as he walked.


    "Xiaofei, you finally made it to school. I''ve been waiting for you. Here, take this."


    Bai Longfei¡¯s eyes lit up as he handed Li Xiaofei a card. Li Xiaofei glanced at it and was utterly astonished.

 Chapter 240: Metamorphosis

    Chapter 240: MetamorphosisIt was a wedding invitation, embossed with a golden ¡®happiness¡¯ character!


    "WTF... you''re getting married?" Li Xiaofei was taken aback.


    "Why not? I''ve already reached the legal age for marriage," Bai Longfei replied smugly.


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned. He quickly realized that things were different from five years ago. Due to the sparse population, the government had long since abandoned the one-child policy and was now encouraging childbirth. The legal marriage age had also been lowered. As long as both parties were over eighteen, they could register for marriage.


    "Uh... it''s just a bit sudden. Congratulations, congratulations," Li Xiaofei offered his well-wishes.


    "Enough with the useless pleasantries," Bai Longfei grinned at him. "The wedding is the day after tomorrow, and you have to be there. Don¡¯t forget the wedding gift. We all know you''re quite well-off now. As someone with good looks, you can''t just brush me off with something cheap."


    "No problem," Li Xiaofei agreed readily.


    Then, the two of them headed together to the special training room for their squad. The news of Bai Longfei¡¯s upcoming marriage had already spread among the others.


    "Little Bai, didn¡¯t you always say that marriage is a cage for those with good looks? What made you suddenly decide to voluntarily enter that cage?" Fang Buyi teased.


    Bai Longfei grew even more smug as he replied, "Cages come in different forms; there''s the damp, shabby basement and the spacious, bright five-star suite. Finding a girlfriend like Youwei is a blessing that I earned over eight lifetimes. Only a fool would choose to stay single."


    Everyone immediately understood that he was blatantly showing off. So they all rushed him, pinning him to the ground and giving him a good-natured beating.


    Afterward, Bai Longfei finally revealed the truth.


    "The situation isn¡¯t looking good with the star beasts attacking the city. Who knows what changes might happen in the future? Since we truly love each other, there''s no need to overthink it. Youwei wants to get married early, settle down sooner, and give Little Du Juan a complete family. At the same time, it will also put an end to anyone still eyeing our family¡¯s wealth and property."


    "You really are one lucky bastard," Liu Xiao remarked with a sigh.


    Bai Longfei just laughed. "There¡¯s no point in being jealous, Old Liu. With that face of yours, you''re not even in the running when it comes to looks. Trying to emulate me is out of the question."


    And so, Bai Longfei was once again pinned to the ground and given a thorough beating by everyone. In the end, the group made plans to attend the wedding together. Before long, their martial arts instructor, Invincible Qin, entered the classroom and everyone quickly settled down.


    The earlier banter was just a brief moment of relaxation. A warrior''s life was always marked by the sweat of relentless cultivation. Invincible Qin began to check on everyone''s progress in their cultivation. Fang Buyi, Bai Longfei, Ren Dong, and Bai Qiqi had all already reached the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    The four were cultivating the introductory chapter of the Five Qi Origin Technique, refining the ten qi vortices within their bodies into one, though they were progressing at a different pace.


    Bai Qiqi, who had the most talent, had gone the furthest. She had already refined her ten qi vortices down to five. Bai Longfei, Ren Dong, and Fang Buyi were at a similar level, each having refined their ten qi vortices down to six.


    Like Li Xiaofei, the physical strength of these four had greatly increased during this process to around 20 ding. Their combat power had also soared to around 500,000, comparable to the fifth stage of the Limit Breaking Realm. This leap in strength was akin to a butterfly finally emerging from its chrysalis.


    Meanwhile, the substitute members, Du Heng, Zhuge Long, Nan Tianxing, Liu Xiao, and the others, had also reached the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. It wasn''t just them; many students at Red Flag High School had started to experience rapid progress after receiving ample resources and high-quality food supplements.


    But Yan Chiyu¡¯s strength was always an enigma. Like Li Xiaofei, she had not yet broken her shackles. However, her true combat power was so terrifying that it defied measurement.


    Even Invincible Qin did not attempt to assess her cultivation level. The final results of the assessment were exceptionally gratifying.


    The cultivation plan that Chen Fei and Invincible Qin had painstakingly devised was finally bearing fruit after three years of accumulation. This was the true allure of the Great Xia martial lineage. Unfortunately, few had the perseverance to see it through.


    Many high school students, unable to endure the obscurity and the slow progress over those three years of accumulation or pressured by teachers eager for quick results, ultimately opted for New Martial Arts surgery or prematurely broke their shackles in pursuit of power. This often resulted in an unstable foundation, which in turn diminished their future potential.


    After he finished assessing everyone¡¯s cultivation progress, Invincible Qin¡¯s face broke into a satisfied smile. His heart was filled with emotion. Red Flag High School had been like an experimental field. He and Chen Fei had persisted during the most challenging times, and now, the time for harvest had arrived. The cultivation data of all the students over the past three years would be meticulously compiled.


    Chen Fei, who had been writing papers on ancient martial arts for over a decade, would soon be able to publish his work in the most prestigious cultivation journals of Great Xia Republic. They hoped that this paper, which represented over ten years of their effort, would inject new vitality into the practice of ancient martial arts in the country and offer a beacon of hope for all those who continued to uphold the Great Xia martial lineage.


    "Continue your cultivation," Invincible Qin commanded loudly. "From today onward, you have only one goal, to win the championship. You will enter true steamroll mode and completely crush the so-called prestigious schools as you annihilate every enemy on your path in the league. You will use your actions to prove one thing to everyone..."


    At that point, Invincible Qin roared, "The Great Xia martial lineage is still invincible!"


    "The Great Xia martial lineage is still invincible!"


    "The Great Xia martial lineage is still invincible!"


    The team members were filled with fervor.


    "The Great Xia martial lineage is invincible!" Li Xiaofei also raised his arm and shouted along with the crowd.


    At heart, he was a martial arts fanatic with a passion for the way of the warrior, and it didn¡¯t take much to ignite his fighting spirit. What fueled Li Xiaofei¡¯s fervor even more was the deep, unwavering commitment of their principal and the lunatic Qin to the Great Xia martial lineage.


    It was because of people like them that the legacy of Great Xia continued unbroken. The bloodline of Great Xia could endure. In a world where despicable individuals like the Ye family, who hoarded resources, power, and status for selfish gains, raised their blades against their fellow citizens and dominated the highest echelons, the presence of people like Chen Fei and Old Qin was like a beacon of light in the darkness. A small spark could ignite a great fire!


    Li Xiaofei was deeply moved and swore to become the most faithful practitioner of the Great Xia martial lineage. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    To carry forward the teachings of the sages! To walk the path of the immortals! So as not to disappoint the youth of his generation!


    The entire Red Flag High School was immersed in this atmosphere of fervent passion. After the training session, Li Xiaofei left the school. He rode his motorcycle and headed for the city walls to assist in defending the city.


    Every day, without fail, he would visit the city walls and help with the defense for at least five hours. This was a commitment he adhered to with unwavering resolve.


    In the blink of an eye, the day of Bai Longfei''s wedding arrived. Li Xiaofei, accompanied by Tan Qingying, arrived early in the morning at Qingya Pavilion. This high-end restaurant, owned by the richest woman in the region, was also the venue for the wedding ceremony.


    "Hmm? Why are there so many people?"


    As soon as Li Xiaofei arrived, he noticed that the restaurant was packed with people, both inside and outside.


    Old Bai had mentioned that it was supposed to be a simple ceremony, with only close friends and family invited. He had mentioned that it would have no more than twenty people. But there were at least several hundred people there.


    Moreover, the atmosphere seemed off. What stood out the most was that Li Xiaofei spotted Du Hongfei, a spoiled heir of the Du family whom he had beaten up before, in the crowd.


    Is someone here to cause trouble?


    A hint of killing intent suddenly surfaced in Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart. It seemed some people hadn¡¯t learned their lesson even after being beaten.

 Chapter 241: Are You Guys Here For The Wedding Too?

    Chapter 241: Are You Guys Here For The Wedding Too?"What¡¯s going on?" Li Xiaofei saw that Fang Buyi and the others had already arrived and stepped forward to ask.


    "It¡¯s the Du family¡¯s people. They gathered early this morning," Fang Buyi replied with a serious expression. "They claim they¡¯re here to maintain order, but their intentions don¡¯t seem good. It looks like they¡¯re planning to cause trouble at the wedding."


    "Old Bai is in trouble today."


    "Damn it, the Du family is really shameless, clinging on like this."


    "Old Li, what do you think we should do? Should we call the police?"


    Ren Dong, Liu Xiao, and the others were all getting anxious. The Du family was one of the five major families in Liuhe Base City. Although they were not as powerful as the Ye family, they were still a giant that ordinary people couldn¡¯t afford to provoke. In this city, nothing would get in the way of whatever the Du family wanted to do except the actions of the Ye family.


    Li Xiaofei stood on the steps of the hotel, scanning the area. In the distant crowd, Du Hongfei sensed Li Xiaofei''s gaze and shrugged provocatively.


    Li Xiaofei looked at his classmates and said, "Don¡¯t worry. You guys go help Old Bai greet the guests. Leave everything else to me. Old Bai is my brother. If anyone dares to cause trouble at this wedding, I¡¯ll make them regret ever coming into this world."


    His team members felt much more at ease. After all, not only was Li Xiaofei incredibly powerful, but he was also now one of the most prominent figures in the gang world. After the Cloudy Sky Gang took over the Dragon Claw Gang and Iron Palm Ltd, they had risen from a small gang confined to the slums to a true powerhouse that all other gangs and societies had to look up to.


    Yan Chiyu stood quietly to the side, watching Li Xiaofei with a gentle expression on her face. She had never initiated a conversation with Li Xiaofei. There was very little communication between the two of them. From initially rejecting him because of his background to now completely abandoning the prejudice in her heart, she had personally witnessed the changes Li Xiaofei had brought to the slums. Like the other team members, she had chosen to trust the young man.


    "Hey, captain, stop daydreaming and go get ready. You¡¯re the bridesmaid today," Fang Buyi called out loudly from the side.


    Yan Chiyu turned and entered the dining hall.


    Ren Dong, the energetic little loli, excitedly rubbed her hands together and said, "Hehe, I heard that it¡¯s also fun to tease the bridesmaids during the wedding. In this joyous atmosphere, playing a few harmless pranks shouldn¡¯t make the captain angry, right?"


    The others'' eyes lit up, and they instinctively looked at Li Xiaofei. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei nodded confidently, "Tease, definitely tease."


    At that moment...


    "I¡¯m coming too! Hehe, I¡¯m also Sister Miao¡¯s bridesmaid today," Tan Qingying cheerfully followed after them.


    An occasion like today was both fresh and exciting for the young lady. Everyone glanced at Li Xiaofei again.


    Li Xiaofei had a carefully blank expression on his face. "I¡¯ll break the legs of whoever dares to tease the bridesmaids."


    Everyone went speechless.


    You¡¯re really a hypocrite.


    As time passed, more and more people gathered around Qingya Pavilion. At first, it was a uniform crowd of burly men in black suits and ties who were all wearing sunglasses. They arrived silently, neither forcing their way in nor causing trouble. They simply stood a hundred meters away, surrounding the restaurant so tightly that not even water could pass through.


    It was obvious at first glance that they were people from the Du family. Their presence created an oppressive and menacing atmosphere, suffocating the festive mood of the wedding.


    Later, members of different gangs, dressed in various uniforms, began to show up as well. These gang members laughed and joked as they stood around. They were clearly there just to watch the drama unfold. One group after another gathered around the Qingya Pavilion restaurant. The scene was truly intimidating.


    Some of the guests invited by Miao Youwei to the wedding took one look from afar, turned pale with fear, and didn¡¯t dare to enter the restaurant. They hurried away without even saying hello. Those who were on better terms with the couple forced themselves to walk in but didn¡¯t dare to stay long. After handing the couple a gift and saying a few words of congratulations, they quickly found an excuse to leave.


    Very few people actually stayed to wait for the wedding to begin. This made the wedding venue inside the restaurant feel rather deserted.


    "Old Bai sure didn¡¯t invite many people. It¡¯s hard to keep the atmosphere going with the Du family pulling this stunt," Fang Buyi remarked, clicking his tongue in disappointment as he looked at the growing crowd around the restaurant.


    The Du family was truly disgusting. They were obviously here just to ruin things. Everyone was furious.


    "Leave it to me. They really think they can outnumber us? It¡¯s not like we don¡¯t have friends..."


    Li Xiaofei pulled out his portable light core and made several calls.


    Then he complained to the other brothers, "Old Bai, really. Sister Miao is marrying him with her daughter, and he still wants to keep things low-key? For someone who always prides himself on being a love guru, he¡¯s really dropping the ball at this crucial moment. Just wait until the wedding night¡ªlet¡¯s give him a real surprise."


    Fang Buyi, Liu Xiao, Zhuge Long, and the others immediately caught on and started laughing mischievously.


    Inside the restaurant, the two bridesmaids, Yan Chiyu and Tan Qingying, had changed into their dresses and were getting their makeup done in the dressing room. Meanwhile, the bride, Miao Youwei, was all set, dressed in a traditional bright red wedding gown of the Great Xia, a happy smile on her face. Little Du Juan was dressed in a small Chinese-style formal dress.


    "Mama, there aren¡¯t many people downstairs." The little girl raised her rosy face, her big, bright eyes filled with undeniable disappointment. "I invited over ten friends, but none of them came."


    Miao Youwei gently stroked her daughter¡¯s hair and smiled, "The wedding is for Daddy, Mommy, and you, Little Du Juan. It doesn¡¯t matter whether they come or not. Maybe they got caught up in something very important."


    "But I told them about it a long time ago," Little Du Juan replied, still feeling aggrieved.


    "Sometimes important things come up unexpectedly," Miao Youwei comforted her daughter.


    She knew very well that there would be obstacles and attempts to sabotage the wedding today. But she was prepared for that. No matter what happened, she was determined to get married. It wasn¡¯t just about giving her daughter a home; it was also about making a promise to Bai Longfei. People who love each other should be together. No matter what the cost, she was willing to pay it.


    Little Du Juan only half understood what her mother was saying. She pitter-pattered down to the hall and stood at the corner of the staircase, eyes full of hope. But when she saw the empty hall, she couldn¡¯t hold back her tears.


    At just five years old, she was still too young to grasp the complexities of the adult world. All she wanted was for her mom and papa Bai¡¯s wedding to be blessed by everyone. She had been quietly preparing for this wedding for a long time. She had even watched many wedding ceremonies on the light-network to get ideas. Those were always so lively, full of joy and celebration.


    Little Du Juan hoped that her parents¡¯ wedding would be just as joyful as the happy videos she had seen on the light-network. So, in the past few days, she had sent out invitations to her playmates, friends, and some of the aunts and uncles she knew, sincerely hoping they would come. But... despite all her efforts, she still couldn¡¯t help her parents.


    "Why is no one coming?" Little Du Juan stood at the corner, sighing in disappointment.


    She stopped expecting and began to focus on preparing a little dance. This was her wedding gift for her mom and papa Bai. She had been secretly practicing it for a long time. But there were still a few parts she hadn¡¯t quite mastered.


    Just as the little girl was stumbling through her dance practice, suddenly, she heard footsteps coming from outside the restaurant.


    Is someone coming?


    A look of eager anticipation spread across her chubby little face. She stopped dancing and looked toward the door. She saw a large group of people surging in like a tide from outside.


    Are they here to bless papa and mama? Wonderful!


    She laughed joyfully and ran forward to greet them.

 Chapter 242: Objection

    Chapter 242: ObjectionA group of young boys and girls entered the room, their youthful faces full of energy and joy as they laughed and chatted with each other.


    Little Du Juan¡¯s bright eyes flickered with a hint of confusion.


    "Excuse me... are you here to attend my parents'' wedding?" She raised her chubby little face, asking hopefully.


    "Yes, we are your father''s friends."


    "Wow, what a cute little girl! What''s your name?"


    "My name is Du Juan. What''s your name, sister?"


    "I''m Huang Yueru, a friend of your father from Hongye High School."


    "Liu Yao here, your father and I became friends after an interesting start."


    "Haha, I¡¯m Wang Siyu. Little girl, I¡¯m also one of your dad''s friends..."


    The people at the front were members of Hongye High School¡¯s battle team.


    "Brother, you are so handsome," Little Du Juan said as she gazed at the black-haired boy in front of her.


    Gu Haochen, also known as Little Sword Immortal, couldn''t help but smile smugly, "Am I more handsome than you father?"


    Little Du Juan tilted her head thoughtfully, "Today, Daddy is the most handsome."


    What a clever answer.


    Everyone burst into laughter. After going through that difficult battle, the two rival teams had become fast friends. The team members added each other on LightChat and frequently scheduled training sessions on the light-network. This was the advantage of self-improvement. A couple of years ago, those from Hongye High School, known as the sixth powerhouse in the league, would never have paid any attention to the underdogs from Red Flag High School.


    There were also team members from other schools behind the group from Hongye High School, including star players from the league. Among them was Zheng Shou, also known as The Beast, and a few others. They had been fierce enemies on the battlefield, but had now become friends in real life. They had shown up not only because of their connection to Bai Longfei but also because they had received a call from Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei now had a massive influence in the high school league. Even though he had not intentionally cultivated friendships with his peers, for some reason, many had already begun to see Li Xiaofei as the spiritual leader of this year''s high school league participants.


    It wasn¡¯t just because of Li Xiaofei¡¯s strength. It was also because, during a match, in front of everyone, he boldly shouted that forbidden word at the entire Liuhe Base City¡ª Championship!


    In an era where the league had suffered the oppressive rule of the five prestigious schools for decades, Li Xiaofei was the first ordinary high school student to defy their monopoly and shout out the slogan for winning the championship. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This word struck a chord in the hearts of countless ordinary students. It had birthed hope like a sword piercing through the clouds. Many secretly admired him for this reason alone. So, they all came with just a single phone call.


    In that call, Li Xiaofei had explained the situation clearly. He had also made it clear that attending might offend the Du family, one of the five great families. But they all still came.


    This was youthful passion. They were all at the prime of their lives and full of youthful vigor. They were still in those years when dreams hadn¡¯t died, and ambitions still burned brightly in their hearts. How could they retract a helping hand extended to a friend just because of the Du family''s threats?


    When Bai Longfei received the news, he was shocked and hurried downstairs to greet them and express his gratitude.


    "Haha, Little Bai, you¡¯ve really outdone yourself."


    "You rascal, we¡¯ve known each other for a while, and you¡¯re getting married without inviting me? Are you afraid I won¡¯t give enough as a wedding gift?"


    "That¡¯s not very loyal of you."


    "Wow, the groom, marrying so young!"


    The crowd immediately began teasing Bai Longfei as soon as they approached.


    Bai Longfei felt immense gratitude in his heart. He knew that they were here out of respect for Li Xiaofei, but he still repeatedly bowed in thanks and happily arranged for everyone to take their seats. The waitstaff at Qingya Pavilion couldn¡¯t help but look at Bai Longfei with newfound respect when they saw how the boss¡¯ young husband managed to gather so many top students under such circumstances.


    The once quiet hall suddenly became lively and bustling. Little Du Juan flitted around the crowd like a happy cuckoo, quickly becoming the center of attention.


    Guests continued to pour into the hall. Shen Yan, known as the Little White Dragon in the Waves, arrived with his assistant, who was wearing black stockings. Principal Chen Fei, with his peach blossom eyes, along with Old Qin and more than ten other teachers from Red Flag High School, also showed up to attend the wedding.


    Shortly after, the legendary businesswoman Xiao Hongye, accompanied by her assistant, appeared at the doorway. Then, the members of the Cloudy Sky Gang also arrived. Hall Master Chu Yuntian, Yang Cheng, and other influential Hall Masters, all dressed in suits and ties, came bearing gifts, trying to look respectable.


    The elite members of the Cloudy Sky Gang''s hunting team, led by their top enforcer Li Junjie, appeared fully armed and full of energy, taking positions around the Qingya Pavilion and the surrounding streets to maintain order.


    "What are you doing here? Just here to watch? Get lost and stop blocking the way."


    "And you, not satisfied? Come out and fight me one-on-one."


    "The Cloudy Sky Gang is handling this. If any of your gangs have a problem, step forward and speak up."


    "If you have nothing to do, then scram and stop being an eyesore."


    Li Junjie, the top enforcer known as Red Pole, cursed the gang members who had come to support the Du family without hesitation or mercy. The members of the smaller gangs quickly retreated with their tails between their legs. The Cloudy Sky Gang had become a force to be reckoned with and was not to be provoked.


    In the distance, Du Hongfei, hidden among the crowd, watched the scene unfold with clenched teeth, his face twisted in bitter hatred. After being brutally beaten last time, Du Hongfei had gone back and conducted a thorough investigation until he finally uncovered Li Xiaofei¡¯s background. He discovered that Li Xiaofei was just a high school student who also happened to lead a gang.


    Du Hongfei swore that he would get his revenge. However, the Du family¡¯s elder patriarch discovered some of his covert actions and put a halt to it. The old patriarch promised him that he would have a proper chance for revenge.


    Today was supposed to be that opportunity. Du Hongfei had organized a large group of people to surround Qingya Pavilion under the guise of a non-violent non-cooperation protest. His goal was to make Bai Longfei and Miao Youwei, that detestable couple, as uncomfortable as possible, to throw a wrench in their plans, and at the same time, to irritate Li Xiaofei.


    But the scheme he had so cleverly devised was completely thwarted by a single phone call from Li Xiaofei.


    "How does this little bastard have so much influence?" Du Hongfei seethed with anger and humiliation in secret.


    He was filled with an intense desire to order the Du family''s top fighters to tear Li Xiaofei to pieces and teach these poor students who dared to disrespect the Du family a lesson they would never forget. But the stern warnings from the elder patriarch echoed in his mind, and he restrained himself. The time wasn¡¯t right yet. He would hold back for now. After all, he was certain that he would have his revenge today.


    Another half hour passed, and the guests had all arrived. The wedding ceremony finally began as beautiful music began to play in the restaurant.


    As the emcee passionately delivered the opening words, the newlyweds walked hand in hand onto the stage. The sacred moment had finally arrived.


    The hall filled with the sound of thunderous applause and waves of blessings from all around. Everyone clapped while smiling warmly at the happy couple. But just then...


    Bang!


    The doors were suddenly flung open.


    "I object." A loud but aged voice echoed from outside the door.

 Chapter 243: The Audacity Of Li Xiaofei

    Chapter 243: The Audacity Of Li XiaofeiThe tide of applause vanished in an instant as everyone turned to look toward the entrance. Li Xiaofei''s expression darkened with a murderous intent.


    An elderly man with snow-white hair entered, leading a group of men and women dressed in black suits, each wearing a mourning band on their arms. A gasp rippled through the crowd. The white-haired man was none other than Du Longshan, the patriarch of the Du family.


    Du Longshan was a towering figure in Liuhe Base City and had stood at the pinnacle of power and influence for the last sixty years. He had an overwhelming presence in terms of both authority or experience. His arrival caused the atmosphere in the hall to become instantly tense.


    The Du family had come to disrupt the wedding. The white mourning bands and flowers they wore on their arms made their intentions crystal clear. Wearing mourning attire at a wedding was as offensive as defiling someone¡¯s meal. It was a blatant act of disrespect.


    The group surged through the doors like a dark, menacing cloud as if they intended to swallow up everything and everyone at the wedding. Miao Youwei trembled slightly. Bai Longfei immediately stepped in front of his wife-to-be to shield her.


    "Patriarch Du, what is the meaning of this?" he demanded.


    Principal Chen Fei stood up and shouted angrily, "Today is a joyous occasion for my student, and you bring people here to cause trouble? Is this how the Du family, a so-called prestigious family, conducts itself?"


    "Miao Youwei is the daughter-in-law of the Du family," Du Longshan said coldly, each word heavy with authority. "Without the Du family''s permission... she cannot remarry."


    As one of the titans of Liuhe Base City, his words carried immense weight.


    "Greetings, Patriarch," Miao Youwei slowly walked to the front of the stage and gracefully curtseyed. She spoke with a calm yet firm voice, "It''s been a long time since we last met. I''m glad to see you''re still in good health."


    Du Longshan''s white eyebrows drooped low, and his aged eyes narrowed slightly.


    "Girl, I''ll say it again. You cannot remarry." His tone was filled with an uncompromising finality.


    Miao Youwei straightened slowly and replied, "Indeed, I was once the daughter-in-law of the Du family, but before my father-in-law passed away, he left a notarized will allowing me to remarry. Moreover, the laws of Great Xia do not prohibit widows from remarrying. What you are saying now, Patriarch, not only goes against my father-in-law''s wishes but also violates national law."


    "You wretch, how dare you speak of such things?" An elder standing beside Du Longshan shouted harshly, "Since you married into the Du family, you belong to the Du family in life and death. If you think you can take our family''s wealth and marry an outsider, you''d better abandon that thought!"


    This was Du Yuanyang, Du Longshan''s second son and Du Hongfei''s father. For years, his greed and malicious intent had driven him to push his son, Du Hongfei, to pursue Miao Youwei relentlessly in order to obtain both her and her wealth.


    "Watch your mouth," Bai Longfei snapped, his protective instincts for his wife-to-be overriding his restraint. "Don''t disgrace your old age with such disrespect."


    "How dare you!"


    "Audacious!"


    Several of the Du family''s warriors immediately shouted in anger, ready to act.


    "I''d like to see who dares to lay a hand on my student!" Chen Fei bellowed as he slammed his fist onto the table, his hair and beard bristling like an enraged lion.


    The other teachers from Red Flag High School stood up as well, positioning themselves between Bai Longfei, Miao Youwei, and the Du family. One thing was clear, they would protect their students at any cost.


    "Heh, Red Flag High School has barely had a few decent meals, and now you dare challenge the Du family?" sneered Du Baishan, the third son of the Du family, as he stepped forward with a contemptuous expression. "A bunch of filthy scholars have the nerve to act tough in front of the Du family? I''ll tell you now, as public educators, if any of you dare to raise a hand against us, expect to receive your termination notices from the Education Department by tomor-!"


    His arrogance was boundless. But before he could finish speaking... sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Slap!


    A loud slap echoed through the hall. Du Baishan was sent flying backward by the force of the blow, blood spurting from his mouth as he crashed to the ground, unconscious.


    The crowd gasped in shock as Li Xiaofei calmly brought his hand down.


    "You filthy dog, how dare you insult my teachers?" Li Xiaofei retrieved a handkerchief and casually wiped his hand. "Hitting you has really dirtied my hand."


    No one had expected Li Xiaofei to act so boldly.


    "You...!" Du Yuanyang stammered in shock and fury. "Li Xiaofei, how dare you strike one of us?"


    In an instant, the Du family''s elite warriors erupted, their starforce qi surging as they prepared to retaliate.


    Li Xiaofei responded calmly, "Do you think being reasonable would work with rabid dogs who show up uninvited?"


    "Young man, you''ve crossed the line," Du Longshan''s voice was cold and menacing. "I once admired you at the awards ceremony, but your actions today have deeply disappointed me."


    "Old fossil, who do you think you are to even claim to admire me?" Li Xiaofei retorted, "Others may fear you, but I don''t. Stop trying to use your age as an excuse to bully people, or you might find your old face getting slapped."


    He laughed coldly and continued, enunciating each word clearly, "Today is my brother Bai Longfei''s wedding day. I don''t want to hurt anyone, but some people just don''t know their place. So, let me make myself clear, I don''t care about your so-called Du family or even the Ye family. If anyone dares to cause trouble at Qingya Pavilion today, they''ll be leaving this hall on a stretcher."


    His words sent a shiver down the spines of everyone present.


    Such arrogance!


    It was sheer audacity.


    "Hahahahahaha," Du Longshan suddenly burst into laughter. "Never has anyone dared to speak to me like this in Liuhe Base City. It seems the younger generation has forgotten the methods I used in my prime."


    The elder, with his white hair and beard, exuded a terrifying pressure. It was the natural aura of a powerful man in a fury. The atmosphere inside and outside the hall grew tense as countless people felt their hearts pound in fear.


    But Li Xiaofei remained unfazed as he said, "Old fossil, who are you trying to impress? Your era is over. Go home and take care of your grandchildren, or you might not live much longer."


    Du Longshan¡¯s anger had reached its peak. As one of the titans of the city¡¯s five great families, being repeatedly disrespected by a younger man ignited a murderous intent in his heart.


    Everyone else was utterly shocked.


    What¡¯s wrong with Li Xiaofei today?


    He had suddenly become utterly brazen. In the past, while he had been arrogant, it was mostly directed at his peers and often during competitions in the league, where he had the skills to back up his arrogance. But today, he was facing the head of the Du family, one of the five great families. This wasn¡¯t school, nor was it the league! This was the real world; the harsh reality of Liuhe Base City, where the true titans of society reigned supreme! How could he possibly have the audacity to confront someone as powerful as Du Longshan?


    They didn¡¯t realize that Li Xiaofei intended to trample on the face of the five great families. His combat strength had long since reached the Five Spirits Realm, a level that placed him above most people in the city. What was the Du family to him now? In his eyes, they no longer had the right to negotiate or set terms.


    "Patriarch, allow me to teach this insolent brat a lesson." One of the Du family¡¯s retainers, a powerful warrior, stepped forward.


    "Break his mouth for me," Du Longshan ordered coldly.

 Chapter 244: Try It If You Dare

    Chapter 244: Try It If You Dare"Wait a moment," Miao Youwei quickly interjected, trying to stop the situation from escalating. "Patriarch, please hear me out."


    Du Longshan sneered, "What more do you have to say?"


    Miao Youwei first cast a grateful glance at Li Xiaofei, signaling him to hold back. In her eyes, Li Xiaofei had already gone above and beyond by standing up to a titan like the Du family in front of so many people, all for her and Bai Longfei.


    She couldn''t just watch a friend like him get caught in danger because of her. This was her issue, and she had to resolve it herself.


    "Patriarch, you brought all these people here today for one reason, the inheritance from the first branch," Miao Youwei said in a calm and measured tone. "All this talk about not allowing me to remarry outside the family and preserving the Du family''s honor is just an excuse. I''m just a weak woman; I can''t possibly carry such a heavy title. In your eyes, it''s the assets of the first branch that matter the most, am I right?"


    "So what if you''re right?" Du Longshan''s white eyebrows twitched slightly. "The Du family''s wealth was accumulated through the blood and tears of countless family members. It is the accumulation of their efforts and sacrifices. You''ve only been in the Du family for five years, and you want to take away a third of it. Do you really think that''s fair?"


    Miao Youwei nodded, "If that''s truly the case, then it certainly isn''t fair."


    "Since you understand, stop wasting time. Hand over the shares and the savings," Du Yuanyang demanded harshly.


    Du Hongfei laughed mockingly and added, "You wretch, did you really think you were so special that you deserved a golden pedestal? After spending five years in the Du family, you think you can walk away with so much of our money? Aren''t you afraid that even if you get the money, you won''t live long enough to spend it?"


    Slap!


    A sharp, resounding slap echoed through the hall. Du Hongfei spun like a top as his face was instantly mangled by the blow. Teeth sprayed across the hall as he collapsed.


    A nearby Du family warrior who tried to support him had his arm snapped in the process, and amidst cries of agony, several more fell to the ground. The one who struck was, once again, Li Xiaofei.


    "I said that if anyone dared to insult or cause trouble at my brother¡¯s wedding, they would be carried out," Li Xiaofei said coldly, pulling out another handkerchief to casually wipe his hand. "If you don¡¯t believe me, feel free to try again."


    The Du family members were enraged. But Du Longshan felt a momentary chill. Despite his keen senses, he hadn''t been able to stop Li Xiaofei. The young man''s strength had far exceeded the rumors.


    "You dare to insult the Du family''s main branch?" roared one of the Du family''s powerful retainers, unable to contain his fury any longer. He lunged forward.


    The man was at the Acupoint Opening Realm, with 110 acupoints unlocked. His figure seemed to float effortlessly on the wind, but suddenly, he stopped in mid-air.


    Boom!


    A surge of overwhelming starforce qi erupted, flooding the room like a vast ocean. The refined and opened acupoints within the retainer¡¯s body began to resonate. The brilliance of the 110 opened acupoints formed 110 radiant orbs, which surrounded his body. They glowed like stars in the cosmos. These lights swiftly coalesced into the image of a terrifying white eagle.


    "No one who offends the Du family¡¯s patriarch walks away unscathed." The retainer declared, his presence dominating the room. His voice thundered down from above, imposing and absolute. "Boy, I¡¯ll give you one last chance. Kneel and beg for the patriarch''s forgiveness with the utmost humility."


    "And if I refuse?" Li Xiaofei replied disdainfully.


    "Then you die." The retainer laughed coldly. "Remember this, the one who killed you is Luan Tinghui, the Du family''s number one enforcer."


    An eagle''s cry pierced the air as Luan Tinghui dove downward. He unleashed the secret martial technique World-Ending Eagle Strike, an advanced starforce technique derived from the Inscribed Treasure Bone of a grade three star beast, the Cangshan White Eagle. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was akin to a true star beast descending upon the world. However¡ª


    "Is that all?" asked Li Xiaofei as he casually flicked his hand.


    Slap!


    He effortlessly dispersed Luan Tinghui''s mighty technique just like swatting a mosquito.


    Bang!


    Luan Tinghui crashed heavily to the ground.


    "What¡¯s the point of acting tough with that little strength?" Li Xiaofei sneered, pressing his foot down on Luan Tinghui''s head. "But you''re lucky. I won¡¯t kill anyone at my brother''s wedding."


    He then turned to stare at the rest of the Du family and asked calmly, "Anyone else?"


    For a moment, no one from the Du family dared to speak.


    "Cowards," Li Xiaofei sneered disdainfully.


    He looked down at the defeated Luan Tinghui beneath his foot, he added, "If you''re going to be someone''s dog, at least have some sense. Stop trying to act tough when you can''t back it up."


    His words hung in the air, leaving the Du family in stunned silence.


    Bang!


    Li Xiaofei sent the Acupoint Opening Realm master flying through the air with a powerful kick. The sound of him landing outside caused everyone in the hall to inhale sharply.


    Wang Siyu, Gu Haochen, and the others suddenly stood up in utter shock. They were still struggling to break through the Limit Breaking Realm, and already considered themselves among the elite of their generation. Li Xiaofei had just effortlessly crushed someone at the peak of the Acupoint Opening Realm.


    The gap between them was far greater than they had imagined!


    Chen Fei, Qin Dewei, Xiao Hongye, and anyone who was more knowledgeable were already aware of the rumors around the gang negotiation Li Xiaofei had attended. Although they too were surprised, they managed to keep their expressions neutral, as if this scene was nothing out of the ordinary.


    The Du family members, torn between anger and fear, were already considering retreat. Who could have expected that their family''s most powerful enforcer would be so easily defeated by Li Xiaofei?


    Du Longshan¡¯s white eyebrows twitched, and he found himself in a difficult position. His sharp old eyes gleamed with a mix of anger and caution.


    Seizing the opportunity, Miao Youwei spoke up, "Today is a joyous day for Little Bai and me. We have no desire to escalate this further. Since the patriarch wants to discuss matters reasonably, let me take this chance to lay everything out clearly."


    Du Longshan snorted coldly but remained silent.


    Miao Youwei continued, "It¡¯s well known that the wealth of the first branch constitutes a third of the Du family''s assets, but that was all earned by my father-in-law through his own hard work, without any support from the Du family. Back then, because of my late husband''s disability, you all constantly ostracized my father-in-law and even secretly poisoned my husband, hoping to leave my father-in-law without an heir, so you could take over his fortune..."


    "Shut up! You''re spouting nonsense!" Du Yuanyang shouted angrily.


    Miao Youwei responded with a cold smile, "These are the exact words my father-in-law told me. He also left behind a legally notarized video recording of everything. I have all the evidence. If you''re not afraid of airing your dirty laundry in public, I don¡¯t mind showing it to everyone right now."


    Du Yuanyang''s face instantly turned pale with shock and rage. The truth was, they had indeed done many shameful things to the first branch of the family.


    Miao Youwei continued, "I¡¯m not after power or wealth, but my father-in-law was so disheartened by your actions that, before his death, he specifically instructed me that the assets of the first branch should never be returned to you, even if the only alternative was to leave it to the dogs. This, too, is supported by his video will."


    The revelation left everyone present in surprise.


    So, the Du family, with all its prestige, had such dark secrets.


    Given that all the wealth had been earned solely by Du Zhantian without any support from the Du family, and that he had left a will, it seemed only right and proper that Miao Youwei should retain control over these assets.


    "Utter nonsense," Du Longshan sneered. "He was my son, and my blood ran through his veins. His wealth is mine, and how could he have the right to decide its fate?"


    Miao Youwei countered sharply, "Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know that even my father-in-law¡¯s death was your doing by taking advantage of his injuries from defending the city against star beasts... You¡¯ve committed so many vile acts and lost all sense of morality. My father-in-law told me before he died that he owed you nothing for all the years he served you. His wealth and resources are to be left to us, the widowed and fatherless. I¡¯ve kept his will close to my heart, and I assure you, not a single cent of that wealth will fall into the hands of the Du family."


    "Hmph, this is nothing but slander that you¡¯ve concocted, you wretched woman," Du Yuanyang raged. "Daring to spread lies and deceiving the public... Father, there''s no need to waste words with her. Give the order, and let''s take action! The Du family is powerful and numerous; do you really think we should fear a mere Li Xiaofei? Let¡¯s fight him!"


    Li Xiaofei sneered, clearly unfazed.


    "There¡¯s one more thing I forgot to mention," Miao Youwei said, her expression unwavering as she spoke each word with deliberate clarity. "Just before the wedding today, I finalized legal proceedings at Starry Sky Hotel to donate 99 percent of my father-in-law¡¯s wealth to the city government. This donation is intended for the relief of disaster victims, and to purchase food, resources, and military supplies during this critical time of star beast attacks. By the time you barged in here, all the paperwork had already been completed and handed over."


    Her words landed like a meteor crashing into water, sending shockwaves through the room. Li Xiaofei looked at her with a hint of surprise, but his surprise was nothing compared to the Du family. Their faces betrayed their utter shock and disbelief.

 Chapter 245: Forced Out

    Chapter 245: Forced OutHow much was a third of the Du family''s fortune? Billions? Tens of billions? The mere thought of such staggering numbers was dizzying. Such an immense fortune would ensure a lifetime of luxury and security. It could be used to hire powerful bodyguards, invest in industries, and build an empire. And yet, Miao Youwei had donated it all? Could it be true?


    "Wretched woman, are you trying to deceive us?" Du Yuanyang shouted angrily. "You expect me to believe you¡¯d donate such a massive fortune? No one in their right mind would do that. Don¡¯t think you can fool us with a lie that¡¯s this transp-"


    His voice petered out as Miao Youwei serenely smiled and activated her portable light core, projecting a holographic screen into the air. A donation confirmation certificate appeared, suspended in mid-air.


    The document bore the official seal of the City Leader''s Office, along with the personal signature of City Leader Tan Zhenwei. The electronic contract was clear and had been authenticated by the light-network. It was undeniable proof.


    The members of the Du family were left speechless.


    It¡¯s true! She actually donated such an enormous fortune. Is this woman out of her mind?


    Even the legendary businesswoman Xiao Hongye, who was usually unflappable, looked shocked. When she looked at Miao Youwei again, there was a newfound respect in her gaze.


    She could see now that this beautiful, delicate woman was, without a doubt, someone with extraordinary resolve and decisiveness. This move was nothing short of brilliant. She had cut the ground from under the Du family¡¯s feet! Now, there was no hope of ever reclaiming that vast fortune.


    Li Xiaofei, still processing the news, glanced at Bai Longfei.


    Brother, that easy life you are about to settle into doesn¡¯t seem so easy anymore.


    Bai Longfei simply smiled, stepping forward to take Miao Youwei¡¯s delicate hand in his own.


    "I have long known about Youwei''s decision to donate the fortune and fully supported her. My love for her is purely because I admire her as a person. Her strength, her resilience, her kindness, and her calm composure have nothing to do with her wealth," said Bai Longfei with a voice filled with deep affection.


    Miao Youwei''s stunning face lit up with a radiant smile of happiness.


    "We will walk the path ahead with Little Du Juan by our side, steadily and confidently," she said with a serene yet firm tone. "We will create everything we need with our own hands... Thank you all for attending our wedding, and may every friend here today find true love and happiness."


    In that moment, many were moved by the powerful spirit that woman displayed. She wasn¡¯t just a pretty face riding on the blessings of those before her. She was a true strong woman. A woman with immense mental fortitude and noble character.


    The hall erupted into applause. Little Du Juan, sensing the respect in the atmosphere, lifted her head proudly, her small face glowing with pride.


    But the Du family members, in stark contrast, felt their hearts turn cold. They were filled with a mix of desperation and fury, almost to the point of spitting blood. They watched helplessly as their golden opportunity slipped away.


    "Miao Youwei, you wretch! You deserve to die a thousand times!" Even the cunning and composed Du Longshan lost his composure, trembling with rage. "Today, I will turn your wedding into a funeral!"


    He gestured sharply at his men.


    Kill!


    The Du family''s warriors surged forward like a tidal wave. Chen Fei, Qin Dewei, and the others stood up, ready to intervene.


    "No need for a sledgehammer to kill a chicken," Li Xiaofei interjected, stepping forward confidently. "Principal, Mr. Qin, leave it all to your student."


    He moved swiftly to position himself between the attackers and the wedding guests. Pure starforce qi erupted from him like a flood breaking through a dam. In an instant, everyone in the hall felt a crushing pressure, as if the very air around them was threatening to flatten them into the ground. This overwhelming pressure was not even directly aimed at them, yet it was enough to make their hearts race with fear.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The warriors at the forefront of the Du family''s charge were the first to encounter this invisible wall of force. It felt like they had run headfirst into a solid, unyielding barrier. Caught off guard, they were thrown back, their limbs breaking and their bones shattering upon impact. The hall echoed with the sounds of screams and chaos.


    Li Xiaofei advanced step by step, his presence alone enough to force the Du family members back. His goal was clear, to remove every single one of them from the hall so the wedding could proceed undisturbed.


    The incredible pressure he radiated only intensified with each step he took, pushing forward like an unstoppable force of nature. Du Longshan and the others felt an overwhelming, uncontrollable force crashing toward them. No matter how they struggled, it was futile. One by one, the Du family members were pushed backward.


    In the end, all of them were forced out of the hall, stumbling and disheveled. After twenty steps, Li Xiaofei reached the entrance of the hall. By that point, every member of the Du family had been forcibly expelled from the restaurant in utter disgrace.


    "Brother, let''s continue the wedding. Don''t miss the auspicious time," Li Xiaofei said, standing at the entrance with a confident smile. "Leave everything else to me."


    At that moment, Wang Siyu, Gu Haochen, Fang Buyi, and the others felt a shiver run down their spines. Meanwhile, Huang Yueru, Liu Yao, and the other female classmates were covered in goosebumps. This guy was just too cool.


    In ancient times, there was a single warrior who could hold off an entire army. Today, Li Xiaofei had single-handedly forced a century-old noble family to retreat. He didn¡¯t hesitate to offend one of the five great families, the Du family, all for the sake of his brother!


    This was loyalty at its finest and courage that reached the heavens! This was the president of the Cloudy Sky Gang.


    Dressed in her bridesmaid gown, Tan Qingying couldn''t hold back the smile that spread across her face. She lifted the hem of her dress and ran toward the young man standing at the door without hesitation. She slipped her hand in his as they stood shoulder to shoulder at the entrance.


    Bang!


    The doors slowly closed, the thin panels seemingly dividing the entire world in two. No. What separated the two worlds wasn¡¯t the doors. It was the young man standing outside them.


    Inside the hall, Bai Longfei stood frozen on the stage, staring blankly ahead. He couldn¡¯t help but ask himself over and over again how he had been so incredibly fortunate in this life to have become friends with Li Xiaofei.


    Below the stage, Wang Siyu, Gu Haochen, Zheng Shou, and the others were telling themselves repeatedly how glad they were to have answered Li Xiaofei¡¯s call and come today. Li Xiaofei was the kind of person who would always be worth treating with genuine sincerity. If he could stand so firmly by Bai Longfei today, he would surely stand by all of his friends in the future. What a stroke of luck it was to have someone like him as a friend.


    Huang Yueru, Liu Yao, and the other female classmates couldn¡¯t help but let their admiration show, their eyes practically sparkling with affection. Who wouldn¡¯t be captivated by such a heroic and chivalrous young man?


    Bai Longfei felt the urge to rush outside and fight alongside his brother. But Chen Fei stopped him.


    "Trust him." The principal with the peach blossom eyes said calmly. "Continue with the ceremony. Don¡¯t miss the auspicious time for the wedding."


    The wedding continued. The ceremonial music played, and the guests offered their most heartfelt blessings to the newlyweds. Yet, their thoughts lingered on the battle taking place outside.


    Soon, it was time for the toasts. At that moment, the doors slowly opened once again. Li Xiaofei entered, hand in hand with Tan Qingying, completely unharmed and calm.


    "Looks like I made it just in time for a drink." He said with a relaxed smile.


    The two walked up to Bai Longfei and his wife. Bai Longfei instinctively glanced over Li Xiaofei''s shoulder at the entrance.


    He could just make out the figures of the Cloudy Sky Gang''s warriors working hard. They were picking up the unconscious bodies of the Du family members, loading them onto carts, and hauling them away.


    "Don''t worry," Li Xiaofei reassured him, "Today is your big day, so I didn¡¯t go too hard on them. No one was killed."


    Bai Longfei turned to stare at him in shock. He said, "You... took them all down... how did you do it?"


    Li Xiaofei chuckled lightly. "Come on, don¡¯t ask such stupid questions. The Du family is nothing more than a bunch of weaklings before me." As he spoke, he lifted his wine glass and, recalling an old saying, couldn¡¯t resist showing off a bit more. "This wine is still warm."


    The entire room fell silent for a moment before they let out a collective groan. That was over the top. The wine was never warm in the first place!


    Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 246: A Storm On The Forum

    Chapter 246: A Storm On The ForumLi Xiaofei had stepped forward bravely for many reasons. First and foremost, Bai Longfei was his brother. Secondly, it was due to the principle that when something happens, it''s the disciples who should take on the burden.


    It wouldn''t have been appropriate to let Principal Chen Fei and the teachers roll up their sleeves and fight the thugs from the Du family. If a teacher were to get involved in a brawl, it would easily draw criticism from the Education Department. This, in turn, could affect the school''s resource allocation. On the other hand, the punishment for students involved in a brawl was much lighter.


    Lastly, Li Xiaofei was impressed by Miao Youwei¡¯s courage. Li Xiaofei had donated ten million to Red Flag High School, which was already a substantial donation. Miao Youwei, however, had donated tens of billions, which was practically her entire fortune. Such courage was truly rare. At the most critical moment for Liuhe Base City, such a massive donation was undoubtedly a lifeline for the citizens whose homes had been destroyed by the star beasts'' invasion a few days ago.


    This was life-saving money for Liuhe Base City. This was great love for humanity! How could one not be in awe?


    The wedding had left everyone with unforgettable memories. After the ceremony, Wang Siyu, Zheng Shou, Gu Haochen, Huang Yueru, and others all came forward to address Miao Youwei as sister-in-law. Then, they each gave Bai Longfei a light pat on the shoulder. The message was clear.


    "You pretty boy, if you ever dare to wrong our sister-in-law, don''t blame us for putting righteousness before family."


    Bai Longfei was inwardly frustrated.


    Are you kidding me? The decision to donate our fortune was a mutual one between my wife and me. My moral standards are just as high, okay?


    He had a nagging feeling of injustice. From now on, everyone might start referring to him as sister-in-law''s man rather than the handsome Bai Longfei. Marriage really was a man''s grave.


    When everyone walked out of the Qingya Pavilion restaurant, the area had been thoroughly cleaned. There wasn¡¯t a trace of blood on the ground. The members of the Cloudy Sky Gang stood in neat rows around the area as they maintained order. It was as if nothing had happened. But everyone knew very well in their hearts that the Du family had been defeated. They had been crushed by a high school student.


    The calmer and cleaner the scene at the entrance of Qingya Pavilion, the more terrifying everything that had happened earlier seemed. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Du family was one of the five great families. This time, even the old family head had made an appearance, which meant they had mobilized all their forces. Yet, they had been driven out of the wedding venue and beaten up at the entrance. One person had single-handedly beaten up an entire group.


    Wang Siyu and the others finally realized that they and Li Xiaofei were no longer on the same level. Now, there was only one enormous question in their minds


    ***


    Just how strong is Li Xiaofei?


    This question quickly surged to the top of the trending searches on the light-network¡¯s Weebo after someone uploaded a video of the battle outside Qingya Pavilion to the ranking points forum.


    Li Xiaofei was already a highly popular figure on the forum. Any post about him would easily attract hundreds of thousands of views. The Fist People were all over the light-network, waging battles like a pack of mad dogs as they hunted down dissenters. They were fanatically praising Li Xiaofei. Any post that dared to slander or belittle Li Xiaofei would become a target of attack.


    Even if someone tried to speak in a moderate tone, with posts like I''m not a fan or a hater, but Li Xiaofei actually..., I''m not a Fist Person, but here''s my fair take, Am I the only one who thinks Li Xiaofei is overrated? or Li Xiaofei is strong, but..., they would still be ruthlessly attacked by the fervent Fist People.


    Absolute loyalty or absolute disloyalty! That was the motto of the Fist People.


    The post titled Just how strong is Li Xiaofei? showed Li Xiaofei single-handedly taking down the entire Du family at the entrance of Qingya Pavilion. It was like a father disciplining his sons. Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t use any advanced martial techniques or battle skills; he simply waded through the crowd while slapping down one Du family expert after another.


    At first glance, the scene seemed simple, but upon reflection, it was terrifying. Even the highly paid enforcer-level experts hired by the Du family couldn''t withstand a single slap. In the end, even the head of the Du family, a renowned expert in the Meridian Expanding Realm, was mercilessly slapped to the ground by Li Xiaofei. He had overrun one of the five great families, the Du family, all by himself.


    The scene was almost surreal. Many people were actually unaware of what had transpired within the gang world. They only admired Li Xiaofei for his dominance in the high school league, which had led them to become his fans. However, even the top students from the high school league, while still influential, rarely reached the pinnacle of strength, let alone obtain the ability to stand up to one of the five great families. Yet, Li Xiaofei had done it.


    One man had single-handedly crushed the Du family with contemptuous ease. Even the most fanatical of the Fist People were now bewildered.


    What kind of monster have we been supporting all along?


    The storm on the light-network spread like wildfire. It not only alarmed the major high schools but also shook the various forces in society. Gang leaders and heads of martial arts halls were trembling in fear when they heard the news.


    The ones who had attended the wedding at the invitation of the Du family were nearly having heart attacks. The fact that Li Xiaofei could single-handedly crush the entire Du family meant that even if all the forces in the gang world united, they would still be no match for him.


    That didn¡¯t even account for his command over the Cloudy Sky Gang, with its many fearless members. However, some saw this as a good thing.


    ¡°We''ve never had someone this ruthless in our gang world.¡± Ning Wuwo, the rotating chairman of the Gang Alliance, was so excited after watching the video that he slapped the table in delight. ¡°This is excellent, absolutely excellent...¡±


    ¡°Master, that Li Xiaofei is a fierce and dangerous man. Why are you so happy?¡± asked his curvaceous female disciple.


    Ning Wuwo smiled as he stroked his beard. ¡°You need to think long-term and have a broader vision. The gang world of Liuhe Base City has always been a scattered mess that¡¯s been enslaved by the five great families like pigs and dogs because there¡¯s never been a powerful figure to unite us. If we let Li Xiaofei become the chairman of the Gang Alliance, he could definitely consolidate all the forces and be strong enough to stand against the five great families!¡±


    ¡°Master, are you planning to step down?¡± asked the surprised female disciple.


    In her experience, her master had always been very attached to the position of rotating chairman. He was extremely power-hungry. He had been constantly building relationships, bowing to the five great families, and appeasing the various gangs to secure this position. As long as it kept him in that seat, he would accommodate anyone, avoiding conflicts at all costs.


    But today, he had said something completely unexpected.


    ¡°It¡¯s not stepping down; it¡¯s yielding to someone more capable!¡± said Ning Wuwo as he smiled faintly, his weathered eyes glinting with wisdom.


    He had seemed to be indulging in drink and pleasure for so many years, but in reality, he had been deeply concerned about the state of the gang world. As a martial artist, how could he not have the desire to win and the ambition to achieve?


    But the suffocating iron rule of the five great families made it nearly impossible. Martial artists of ordinary backgrounds either had to become the lackeys of the great families or join a gang to scrape by. The gang world had no hope of rising.


    But now, there was hope. Li Xiaofei¡¯s sudden rise to prominence made Ning Wuwo see a glimmer of hope for the gang world¡¯s resurgence.


    Ning Wuwo immediately dialed Li Xiaofei¡¯s light core.


    ¡°Brother Li, how would you like to become the leader of the martial world?¡± He asked directly, getting straight to the point.

 Chapter 247: Spatial Point Theft

    Chapter 247: Spatial Point TheftMartial Arts Alliance Leader?


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned by the proposal.


    Ning Wuwo, the king of slacking off, has actually taken the initiative to call with this kind of suggestion? Is he frightened or is he testing my ambition?


    Rumor had it that despite Ning Wuwo¡¯s reputation for laziness and neglect, he was obsessed with power. He was notorious for being a power-hungry official who was always scheming to extend his term as the rotating chairman of the Gang Alliance whenever the time for re-election came, no matter the cost.


    Fortunately, the position of rotating chairman in the Gang Alliance was merely symbolic and had no real power. That¡¯s why no one bothered to compete with him for it.


    ¡°I have no interest in the position of rotating chairman,¡± Li Xiaofei flatly refused.


    He had no time to play power games with a master of idleness.


    ¡°You misheard. I said Martial Arts Alliance Leader, not rotating chairman.¡± Ning Wuwo¡¯s voice was suddenly serious over the phone.


    ¡°What¡¯s the difference?¡± Li Xiaofei responded casually.


    Ning Wuwo patiently explained, ¡°The rotating chairman is just a nominal title with no real authority, whereas the Martial Arts Alliance Leader is a true overlord with absolute power.¡±


    Li Xiaofei replied, ¡°I¡¯m still not interested.¡±


    Ning Wuwo pressed on, ¡°I believe, Brother Li, that you should be interested.¡±


    Li Xiaofei was mildly taken aback. "Hmm? What do you mean by that?"


    Ning Wumo explained, "Liuhe Base City is currently facing a crisis. The situation is deteriorating daily as star beasts continue to besiege us from the outside and opportunistic schemers fan the flames of chaos from within. Brother Li, you possess a righteous and chivalrous heart and are undoubtedly driven to protect the people and assist City Leader Tan. Don¡¯t you wish to take action?"


    "And what if I do?"


    "As they say, a single tree cannot make a forest. Even with all your strength, how many nails can you drive in alone? Personal bravery alone can¡¯t suppress everyone. But if you were to unite the entire gang world of the base city into a single force, you could rally support with a single call. You¡¯d truly have the power to turn the tide." S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei grinned as he spoke. "Hmm? Old Ning, aren¡¯t you worried that you¡¯re speaking too openly to someone with whom you have such a shallow relationship?"


    Ning Wumo chuckled. "Heh, I¡¯m just an old man who¡¯s lived through countless springs and autumns, and I''ve endured countless slights from the martial world over the years. I¡¯ve long since stopped caring. But as a martial artist of Great Xia who was raised on the teachings of the Great Xia Saints, I still have some bones left in this old body. If, in my lifetime, I have the chance to do something for the gang world of Liuhe Base City, even at the cost of my life, what is there to fear?"


    "Old Ning, your words have moved me deeply."


    Ning Wumo could sense the shift in his tone. "If that¡¯s the case, why not step forward and raise your arm in a rallying cry, Brother Li?"


    "If I raise my arm, will the gang leaders, sect masters, and dojo heads listen to me?"


    Ning Wumo stroked his beard. "That¡¯s simple. Those who follow you will prosper, and those who oppose you will perish."


    Li Xiaofei frowned. "Without a legitimate cause, forcefully suppressing them could provoke a widespread rebellion. If chaos breaks out, won¡¯t that worsen the situation beyond repair?"


    Ning Wumo said firmly, "I¡¯m willing to stake my life on helping you seize the moral high ground. You just need to use your overwhelming strength to intimidate the others. By the time the five great families realize what¡¯s happening, the situation will already be under control."


    In the end, Li Xiaofei agreed. "Alright."


    In truth, he found Ning Wuwo¡¯s reasoning to be quite sound. Compared to the five great families, the martial artists within the gangs were actually potential allies who could be united.


    A great leader from 500 years ago once said that it was essential to build a united front, to make as many friends as possible, and to minimize the number of enemies. It was key to unite all forces that could be united.


    Gang martial artists had always occupied the lowest rung on the social ladder. Most of them struggled as they did their best to survive day by day. Born into humble circumstances, with no clear path to advancement, they could only rely on their strength and courage to risk their lives in the pursuit of wealth and power.


    So they were scattered across Liuhe Base City and involved in every sector and industry. They spanned all walks of life, from the most reputable to the least. If this force could be consolidated, it would undoubtedly be a great help to Tan Zhenwei. Especially in these chaotic times, stabilizing the situation in the base city and gaining control over the gangs could be crucial.


    At the same time, Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but be impressed by Ning Wuwo¡¯s decision. In just one day, both Miao Youwei and Ning Wuwo had taught Li Xiaofei an important lesson. No one in this world could be underestimated. Even those who did not stand out in everyday life, or those were mocked and looked down upon, could harbor immense potential and display astonishing strategy and courage.


    It was perhaps because of countless such ordinary people that the Great Xia, with its 5,500 years of history, had been able to rise and revive time and again after enduring numerous calamities.


    The two of them continued to exchange ideas over the phone for a while longer. Once they had agreed on a general direction for their cooperation, they ended the call.


    Li Xiaofei headed to the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters and began his cultivation. He decided to seize the time and break through his limitations. This time, he chose not to take an unconventional path. Instead, he followed the instructions provided by Principal Chen Fei, and chose to focus on breaking the shackles of his hands.


    The martial arts he primarily practiced, whether it was the Six Meridian Divine Sword or the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, were all closely related to hand techniques. His strength would undoubtedly increase if he broke the shackles on his hands first.


    Li Xiaofei had refined the ninety-nine vortices of qi within him and merged them into a singularity, turning his physical body into a piece of divine iron. But as his body grew stronger, so too did the shackles that accompanied them. The energy and effort required to break these shackles naturally increased as well.


    He activated the True Dragon Breathing Technique, filling every cell in his body with energy. He carefully sensed the flow of this energy within his body. His entire focus was on his hands and arms. Gradually, he began to feel a dense, solidified area, like a chain, in his palms, wrists, and forearms that blocked the full circulation of energy. This chain also sealed the gateway to the mysteries of his body.


    This was the postnatal shackle. The human body was an innate treasure trove; however, the postnatal shackles locked the door to this treasure. There¡¯s no shortcut to breaking these shackles. The only way to break them was to slowly grind them down with starforce qi. This process was akin to grinding an iron rod into a needle. It required immense patience and determination to eventually break the shackles and unlock the treasure.


    Thankfully, Li Xiaofei had plenty of patience. He used the True Dragon Breathing Technique to circulate his starforce qi as he began the painstaking process of grinding down the shackles on his hands.


    As time passed, the Secret Time Pavilion¡¯s cooldown expired again. Li Xiaofei decided to enter the grand white temple again.


    ¡°Dog Box, can I draw a new technique this time?¡± He asked, as was his habit.


    ¡°Woof, no, you cannot.¡±


    The answer was a firm no. Li Xiaofei had anticipated this, so he wasn¡¯t particularly disappointed. But just then, the Dog Box¡¯s voice spoke again.


    ¡°Detected an increase in the host''s energy level. New functions available for activation in the Moonlight Treasure Box...New function drawing in progress...¡±


    ¡°Confirmed.¡±


    ¡°Woof, the Spatial Point Theft function is now active.¡±


    After this familiar yet unfamiliar string of phrases, an ancient parchment map appeared out of nowhere in front of Li Xiaofei. It floated in the air, emanating an aura of antiquity and mystery.


    A new function?!


    Once Li Xiaofei realized what had happened, he was instantly overjoyed.

 Chapter 248: Fixed-Point Teleportation

    Chapter 248: Fixed-Point Teleportation"Dog Box, how do I use the Spatial Point Theft function?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "Woof, do you see the map in front of you?"


    "I see it."


    "Take a closer look."


    Hmm?


    Li Xiaofei carefully examined the parchment map in front of him. He could see the marks of time on the parchment. It was impossible to tell how old this antique was. But when he examined the contents of the map, he realized what he was looking at.


    It was Liuhe Base City! And part of the area outside the city walls. The level of detail on the map was astounding. Everything within Liuhe Base City was vividly clear. He could see the streets of the slums, but also marks that represented drains, trees, or even a garbage can with perfect clarity. This antique map was even more detailed and precise than the Boogle 3D maps from 500 years ago.


    Li Xiaofei examined the map carefully. Everything within the base city was clearly visible. It didn¡¯t show people, but nothing else was hidden from view. However, the area outside the city only displayed the southeastern region within a three-kilometer radius.


    This area...


    Li Xiaofei found it somewhat familiar. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was the same place he had visited when he had left the city to deal with the Dragon Claw Gang scum. Beyond this area, everything outside the city was shrouded in black fog.


    Could it be that only the places I''ve personally explored outside the city are displayed? Like the old game Red Alert''s fog of war?


    Li Xiaofei began to understand.


    "I see it. Now, can you tell me how to use the Spatial Point Theft function?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    The Dog Box replied, "Woof, it''s very simple. It''s essentially fixed-point teleportation within a set time frame." S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fixed-point teleportation within a set time frame?


    "Please explain in detail, thank you."


    "You can choose a fixed location on the map and teleport there once. You can also teleport back within ten minutes."


    "So, I can teleport to any place on this map?"


    "Woof, that''s correct."


    "This is too good to be true!"


    "Remember, you must choose to return within the ten-minute limit, or you won''t be able to come back."


    "If I can''t teleport back, I can just walk back."


    "Woof, I''m glad you think that way."


    "Is there a cooldown period for this skill?"


    "Three days."


    "Why is it always three days?"


    "Woof, if you don''t like it, I can change it to thirty days."


    "Sorry, I take that back. Also... does the time spent in the Secret Time Pavilion count toward the cooldown?"


    "Of course not."


    Dog Box went silent.


    Li Xiaofei looked at the map in front of him and couldn¡¯t help but smile. Fixed-point teleportation and the ability to return within ten minutes. This was definitely a perfect skill for surprise attacks. Moreover, once he explored more and dispelled the fog in the wilderness, he would be able to teleport to fixed points in the wilds outside the city. When that time came, hunting high-stage star beasts would become much easier.


    As his strength continued to grow, he could even consider venturing out to hunt the Yinji Moon Fox, potentially resolving the crisis in Liuhe Base City once and for all. The Spatial Point Theft function had arrived at just the right time. Li Xiaofei restrained his urge to immediately try it out and instead willed the map to disappear. Then, he resumed his cultivation as he focused on breaking his shackles.


    After merging his ninety-nine qi vortices into one, Li Xiaofei''s body had become as tough as divine iron, and his starforce qi seemed nearly infinite. In terms of sheer quantity, it absolutely dwarfed the starforce qi of a Meridian Expanding Realm expert.


    In the blink of an eye, twenty days had gone by. The area around Li Xiaofei''s right wrist was starting to flicker with light. Every pore seemed like an erupting volcano which had searing energy ready to burst forth. The glowing energies formed into strange, ancient patterns, similar to the faint golden markings that appeared on Li Xiaofei''s skin when he was in his fully transformed state.


    Crack. Crack.


    The sound of locks rang out as the shackles on Li Xiaofei''s right hand finally shattered completely. In that instant, a brilliant light erupted as his right hand shone like a small sun. Li Xiaofei flexed the fingers of his right hand. It felt as if he were grasping sand, as he felt tactile feedback from the air itself.


    Is it because my right hand has become so powerful that even the air itself is now an obstacle to my movements?


    Li Xiaofei indeed felt a certain illusion. He felt like he could shatter the world with one punch. He also felt that the rest of his body was somewhat unworthy of his right hand. The increase in strength after breaking the shackles in his right hand was centered around the hand, radiating outward to his wrist, forearm, and eventually the entire right arm.


    Moreover, breaking the shackles didn¡¯t mean they disappeared entirely. It meant that he could open and close them at will. In his normal state, the shackles would remain closed. He could then release them in battle or during cultivation.


    Li Xiaofei spent half a day adapting to the newfound strength in his right hand after breaking the shackles. Then, he began the process of breaking the shackles on his left hand.


    Time passed. Now that he had the experience of breaking the first shackle, the process was much quicker this time. Li Xiaofei successfully broke the shackles on his left hand before the thirty-day limit in the Secret Time Pavilion was up. He had now broken two shackles!


    Once he emerged from the Secret Time Pavilion, Li Xiaofei wasted no time entering the light core mainframe room and logged into the light core virtual world. After scanning his body¡¯s data, he unleashed his full strength to test his combat abilities after breaking the second set of shackles. The results were astonishing.


    Using the energy from breaking the shackles on both hands to activate the Six Meridian Divine Sword was impressive enough, but when he used it to execute the Great Strength Vajra Fist, Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, or the Nine Yin White Bone Claw, his effective strength had more than doubled.


    If he were to enter his Ultimate Demon King Form and unleash his full strength with both hand shackles unlocked, even a powerhouse in the third stage of the Five Spirits Realm would be forced to succumb!


    "So strong! I¡¯m almost absurdly powerful now," Li Xiaofei murmured to himself.


    He wasn¡¯t sure if anyone else in the world had achieved the feat of merging ninety-nine qi vortices into a singularity like he had. But one thing was certain: this path of cultivation had led to achievements far beyond the normal route.


    However, this strength was focused on combat strength. In terms of cultivation realm, he was still not on par with a true Meridian Expanding Realm or Five Spirits Realm practitioner. According to the ancient martial lineage of Great Xia, advancing in realms not only enhanced combat power but also fortified one''s foundation, with the greatest benefit being an increase in lifespan.


    Therefore, Li Xiaofei knew he still needed to proceed step by step, cultivating along the path of breaking shackles, opening meridians, and nurturing his spirit.


    Just as he exited the Secret Time Pavilion, Li Xiaofei received an encrypted LightChat message. It was from his teacher, Li Zhoumin.


    Xiaofei, I regret to inform you that I will no longer be able to return to Liuhe Base City.

 Chapter 249: Revealing The Edge Of The Sword

    Chapter 249: Revealing The Edge Of The SwordTeacher Li would no longer be returning to his post in Liuhe Base City. Li Xiaofei had already heard the news from his agent, Xiao Hongye; however, Teacher Li¡¯s LightChat message provided more clarity.


    After returning to report for duty, he had been removed from his position as Inspector of Liuhe Base City and reassigned as the Deputy Speaker of the Northwest District Division of the Star Council. He would be stationed long-term at the division¡¯s headquarters in Lanfu Base City, the capital of the Northwest District.


    Being appointed as Deputy Speaker was technically a promotion; however, while the Inspector held real power as a local authority, the Deputy Speaker''s role was more ceremonial. For Li Zhoumin, this was more akin to a covert demotion, despite the apparent promotion.


    I used my current privileges to upgrade the permissions on your Your Grandpa account, making it one of only six super S-class accounts in all of Liuhe Base City. Even the new Inspector won¡¯t be able to access the data of your account. You can continue using the Your Grandpa account in the Light Core virtual world to monitor your own data and cultivate your strength without worrying about being detected.


    The new Inspector of Liuhe Base City is Wu Fohai. He¡¯s Ye Guanzhen¡¯s classmate, and seems to favor the Ye family. Be cautious around him and don¡¯t let your guard down.


    There¡¯s also another matter. The high school league is halfway done, so universities across the country have started scouting superstar students from all the base cities. You need to continue standing out in order to secure a spot in one of Great Xia¡¯s top ten universities, which will open up limitless opportunities for your future.


    I¡¯ve already recommended you to my friend Chu Mingwei at Zhendan University. If their scouting team visits Liuhe Base City, you should reach out to him. Zhendan University is the best university in Jiangnan, and ranked third nationwide. This is a rare opportunity...


    Teacher Li said a lot in his letter, and every word was filled with earnest hopes and expectations for Li Xiaofei. After reading it, Li Xiaofei felt a warm current of emotion surge through his heart.


    Li Zhoumin¡¯s kindness toward him was not motivated by any desire for repayment. Instead, it stemmed from a genuine hope that Li Xiaofei could grow into a pillar of Great Xia. He hoped that Li Xiaofei could transcend the ordinary and ascend to greatness, and become a backbone of strength for Great Xia one day. Teacher Li dreamed of seeing Great Xia rise to the pinnacle once again.


    The encrypted letter couldn¡¯t be replied to. All Li Xiaofei could do was silently vow in front of his light core that he would study hard and cultivate diligently for the resurgence of Great Xia.


    As he shut down the light core, the piercing sound of the city defense alarm echoed from outside again. It was now a routine occurrence.


    ***


    The situation in Liuhe Base City remained tense in the following days. The star beasts besieging the city were only growing increasingly violent. If one stood on the city walls and looked out, one could see vast swathes of star beasts in various colors. They numbered in the tens of millions and formed an airtight encirclement around Liuhe Base City.


    Unlike the sporadic harassment of before, this time, the beast hordes were clearly organized. Different species of star beasts had demarcated their territories and were camped within, without any infighting or chaos. There were also numerous second and third grade star beasts within their respective groups, maintaining order, restraining their first grade kin, and keeping the formations intact.


    They almost resembled ancient human armies on a battlefield. All signs pointed to an imminent full-scale assault by the star beasts!


    Yet, there was no sign of reinforcements from the Northwest District. Liuhe Base City was in a precarious situation as it faced an unprecedented crisis. Even Ding Longao, the military commander stationed in the city, had to appear frequently on the city walls to assist in the defense and boost morale. Goddess Ye Liuying¡¯s sorties into the wilderness outside the city became increasingly frequent, but she still returned empty-handed.


    According to the latest news, a second fifth grade star beast, the Purple Thunder Sky-Crashing Unihorn Bull Demon, had appeared alongside the Yinji Moon Fox.


    A second fifth grade star beast! The news was utterly devastating for Liuhe Base City as morale plummeted instantly. The residents within the city were gripped by fear. The wealthy elite began desperately seeking ways to escape.


    However, since the star beasts had sealed off the city, all external transportation had been cut off. Unless someone could afford to rent a super aircraft and hire a professional combat team, escape was impossible.


    There were reports that Wu Zuoren, the owner of the city''s top Starforce Reagent chain store, had attempted to flee in an aircraft. However, three hundred miles into the southeastern wilderness, the Purple Thunder Sky-Crashing Unihorn Bull Demon had destroyed his craft, killing his entire family and wiping out the heavily paid professional combat team he had hired. This incident deterred even the wealthiest from risking escape.


    For several days, the rhythm of the star beasts'' attacks on the city did not change. The stationed troops suffered heavy losses. The reserves of military energy, ammunition, and star cores were critically low. The star beasts breached the city walls several times, causing extensive damage.


    "Sir, when will the reinforcements arrive?" Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but ask from the city wall.


    Ding Longao, the military commander, had just come back from a sortie.


    Clad in his combat suit, he looked out at the star beasts surging like waves outside the city and replied, "If you want the truth... I don¡¯t know. Lanfu Base City has also been hit by a beast tide. It''s said that a seventh grade Beast Emperor has been sighted there, so their situation isn¡¯t looking much better."


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart sank.


    A seventh grade Beast Emperor? There aren¡¯t many of those creatures in the world. How did one appear in the northwest of Great Xia?


    It seemed that this beast tide had already surpassed what a fifth grade star beast like the Yinji Moon Fox could control. The complexity of the situation now appeared far beyond what anyone had imagined.


    ¡°Not good! The star beasts have breached the city wall! Sector B16 has fallen...¡±


    A panicked shout suddenly echoed from a distance. A shrill alarm, signaling the highest level of danger, immediately pierced the skies. Ding Longao was just about to take action...


    ¡°Sir, let me handle it,¡± Li Xiaofei said.


    He crouched slightly, and the muscles in his legs exploded with power.


    Boom!


    He shot into the air like a cannonball as he leaped towards Sector B16. He covered hundreds of meters with each jump.


    Ding Longao was slightly taken aback.


    This young man''s physical strength was indeed as formidable as the rumors suggested. Truly remarkable.


    Boom!


    Li Xiaofei landed in Sector B16. More than twenty large second grade star beasts, known as Thorn Wolves, were leading a vicious assault under the command of two third grade Thorn Wolf Kings. They were slaughtering the defending troops and causing massive casualties.


    Li Xiaofei''s fingers moved like lightning.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.


    Sword energy whistled through the air. The power of the Six Meridian Divine Sword was astonishing, as each streak of sword energy mercilessly reaped lives. In just four or five breaths, all the Thorn Wolves that had clambered over the city wall lay dead in pools of blood. The defending warriors and soldiers erupted into cheers.


    But Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t stop there. He rushed to the edge of the wall and, without hesitation, leaped off. A chorus of shocked gasps erupted from the top of the wall.


    Jumping from the wall? There¡¯s an endless sea of star beasts below. Isn¡¯t this a death wish?


    Countless people rushed to the edge of the wall, peering down. They saw Li Xiaofei plummet down like a cannonball and crash heavily onto the ground over three hundred meters below.


    Boom!


    The moment he hit the ground, an immense shockwave surged outward in all directions. Any star beast within a twenty-meter radius around him was instantly pulverized into dust, leaving no trace of their bodies behind.


    Li Xiaofei immediately leaped high into the air and plunged deeper into the beast horde.


    Boom! Boom, boom!


    He moved like a living cannonball. With each leap and landing, he crushed and obliterated hundreds of star beasts beneath him. His relatively small frame hurtled deeper into the seemingly endless sea of beasts. He had seemingly gone mad.


    Aside from the Goddess and a few other absolute powerhouses, who else would dare to undertake such a suicidal action?


    "Return at once!" Ding Longao¡¯s face darkened as he shouted urgently.


    But Li Xiaofei was like a stubborn turtle that had swallowed a lead weight as he charged fearlessly into the depths of the beast horde.


    What is he planning to do?


    Countless hearts on the city walls suddenly leapt into their throats as they watched in breathless anticipation.


    S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 250: Grade Five Bull Demon

    Chapter 250: Grade Five Bull DemonWhat was Li Xiaofei planning to do? His thoughts were simple. If the enemy could advance, so could he. Why should he, a proud warrior of Great Xia, be confined to the city walls to passively wait for the star beasts to attack?


    He could fight back. He could charge into the beast horde. Killing ordinary, cannon-fodder star beasts had no meaning; his target was the higher-grade star beasts. He intended to hunt down the advanced star beasts that were commanding their respective groups. That way, he could instill some fear in them.


    He was strong enough that beast horde tactics were meaningless against him. Killing these lower-grade star beasts was as effortless as mowing grass. It wouldn¡¯t even deplete his starforce qi.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.


    He unleashed the Six Meridian Divine Sword with a casual flick of his fingers. A faint golden dragon shadow, accompanied by a barely audible sword hum and dragon roar, sliced smoothly through the air, cutting down star beasts like grass.


    After six or seven leaps, Li Xiaofei had already penetrated three kilometers into the wilderness. Ahead of him, a twenty meter tall third grade star beast known as the Explosive Bear let out a furious roar as it locked onto Li Xiaofei. It began to charge at him.


    As it roared, its entire body, covered in reddish-black fur, suddenly ignited into burning black flames. It began to grow taller. Twenty-five meters, thirty meters, thirty-five meters...


    This was the Explosive Bear species¡¯ innate ability, Blazing Berserk. It could unleash more than six times its usual strength.


    ¡°Die, beast!¡± Li Xiaofei shouted.


    He leaped into the air and stomped down with his foot. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Grarrr...¡±


    The third grade Explosive Bear had just begun to jump when it was immediately slammed back down by Li Xiaofei¡¯s powerful kick. It crashed heavily to the ground with a pitiful scream, as its body exploded with a thunderous bang.


    Beast bones and blood shot out in all directions like a rain of arrows. It was utterly destroyed, without even putting up a fight.


    Cheers erupted from the distant city walls. Such a raw display of violent strength was a breathtaking spectacle. After Li Xiaofei¡¯s successful strike, he didn¡¯t bother to look back. His eyes locked onto another third grade star beast, the Tiger Tail, a thousand meters away.


    With just two leaps, he descended from the sky and delivered a crushing kick that tore through the agile star beast, sending a shower of blood raining down. The surrounding beast horde trembled in fear. The ordinary first and second grade star beasts wailed and turned to flee in terror.


    ¡°This is just a warm up,¡± Li Xiaofei laughed heartily.


    He was now feeling more savage than the star beasts themselves. He continued to leap and crash into the sea of beasts, leaving massive spiderweb-like craters hundreds of meters in diameter on the ground.


    Any third grade star beast that caught his attention was marked for death. In less than ten minutes, he had brutally killed more than forty third grade star beasts. These third grade star beasts were the squad leaders of the horde and field commanders of the beast tide army. They were responsible for maintaining the formations and positions of the beast horde. After Li Xiaofei systematically took them down, the once orderly beast tide quickly descended into chaos.


    Countless warriors on the distant city walls watched with their blood boiling and eyes brimming with tears. It was exhilarating and so unbelievably satisfying. In recent days, although the Goddess Ye Liuying and a few other powerful military figures had ventured outside the city to hunt high-grade star beasts, those actions were mere fleeting moments.


    None of them matched the sheer, unbridled violence of Li Xiaofei''s rampage. He was practically steamrolling a beast horde. The morale of the human army and the warriors on the city walls soared.


    Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp...


    From the depths of the wilderness, a strange fox''s cry suddenly echoed. The sound wasn¡¯t particularly loud, yet it possessed an eerie penetrative ability. It pierced through the countless roars and growls of the star beasts and reached the ears of every living being inside and outside the city walls with crystal clarity.


    In the next instant, something unusual happened. The star beasts surrounding Li Xiaofei suddenly began to retreat. In the blink of an eye, a thousand-meter-wide empty space formed around him.


    Chirp, chirp, chirp, chirp...


    The fox''s cry echoed again. Li Xiaofei''s heart stirred. It was the Yinji Moon Fox! This had to be the cry of the fifth grade star beast, the mastermind behind all this. It was starting to command from the shadows.


    Li Xiaofei tilted his head, trying to locate the source of the sound. If possible, he wanted to take a risk and see if he could track down and eliminate that cunning fox. Ever since the Yinji Moon Fox had been injured by the Goddess, it had never shown itself again for fear of being caught by the Goddess again.


    But Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t have the same level of fame as the Goddess. If this fox let its guard down even slightly and revealed its location, he could take advantage of the situation and strike.


    However, in the very next moment, Li Xiaofei realized that his plan was doomed. The ground beneath him suddenly began to shake violently.


    Boom, boom!


    The ground shook like a giant drum being struck by a massive hammer. A terrifying, primal aura of death emanated from the depths of the wilderness.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes narrowed. He saw purple lightning shoot into the sky just a hundred meters to the southeast. It looked like an ocean suspended above the earth. A colossal hundred meter tall star beast emerged from the wilderness.


    It had the body of a human as it walked upright, but it was covered in thick, purple-black fur and had the head of an enormous bull. Its twisted horns looked like the winding mountain ranges of hell. The ground quaked with every step it took


    This creature was the most powerful being Li Xiaofei had ever encountered¡ªa monstrous bull-headed giant, its body wrapped in purple lightning, exuding an apocalyptic, ferocious energy as if it were a demon from the netherworld.


    The Purple Thunder Sky-Crashing Unihorn Bull Demon! The second fifth grade star beast mentioned in the intelligence reports had appeared outside the base city. It had shown itself far sooner than expected!


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned, but then a look of ecstatic joy appeared on his face. This was perfect. He had been worrying about finding it, but now it had come right to. It was time to see how formidable a fifth grade star beast truly was.


    According to legend, fifth grade star beasts were already intelligent beings. They possessed intelligence on par with humans, were high-level life forms, and naturally had immense strength. They would undoubtedly have an Inscribed Treasure Bone in their bodies that granted them extraordinary combat power.


    Li Xiaofei stood his ground. He activated his blood and qi, gathering his strength. His state surged to its peak as he calmly waited for the Purple Thunder Sky-Crashing Unihorn Bull Demon to approach.


    At that moment, from the distant city walls, he heard Ding Longao''s voice.


    ¡°Li Xiaofei, get the fuck back right now!¡±


    Even the commanding officer was swearing now. He was clearly deeply concerned about President Li¡¯s safety.


    But Li Xiaofei threw his head back and laughed heartily. ¡°Today, watch me slay a fifth grade star beast!¡±


    His bold declaration echoed up into the sky as he began his transformation. A vast, ocean-like qi erupted from his body, radiating outward in all directions. The ground beneath him shook as dust and debris were whipped up.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s body swelled instantly as he grew into a six-meter-tall figure with a monster-like appearance. His outer clothing shredded and exploded off him, the fragments fluttering away like butterflies.


    However, the ultra-high elasticity combat suit he had specially ordered from the light-network remained intact, fitting snugly over most of his body, ensuring that Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t running naked in front of countless onlookers.


    Scarlet blood energy billowed around him like a fierce flame, enveloping his form. He had entered his second form. This was the first time Li Xiaofei had activated this form since merging his ninety-nine qi vortices into one, and it was far more powerful than when he had refined fifty qi vortices.


    In his fully transformed state, he radiated a terrifying aura and ferocity that even surpassed that of the star beasts.


    ¡°What...?¡±


    Ding Longao¡¯s pupils contracted sharply. The surge of power emanating from Li Xiaofei left him utterly stunned.

 Chapter 251: The Most Intense Battle

    Chapter 251: The Most Intense BattleThe ground beneath Li Xiaofei gave away as he leaped forward, leaving a deep spiderweb-shaped pit with a radius of nearly a hundred meters. He hurtled toward the Purple Thunder Sky-Crashing Unihorn Bull Demon like a cannonball.


    "MOOO!" The Bull Demon let out a long bellow.


    The demonic bellow pierced through the minds of those who heard it. Countless star beasts prostrated themselves on the ground. This was the instinctive submission of lower-grade star beasts to a higher-grade star beast.


    The sound waves formed visible ripples in the air, surging toward Li Xiaofei. Li Xiaofei''s body erupted with starforce qi in mid-air, resisting the waves head-on. He broke through the sound wave ripples without any hindrance as he sprang toward the Bull Demon.


    This scene made the blood of countless human warriors on the city walls boil with excitement. Li Xiaofei¡¯s fighting style was too exhilarating, too violent, and too manly. No one had ever dared to rely solely on physical strength to tackle a high-stage star beast in such a manner. But... wouldn''t this be walking right into the lion''s den?


    In the next moment...


    Boom!


    A massive thud echoed across the battlefield as the Bull Demon¡¯s massive front hoof blocked Li Xiaofei''s strike. Its blood-red eyes gleamed with a deadly light as it looked up at Li Xiaofei, who had thrown himself at it like a moth to a flame.


    "Insect!" It spoke in the language of Great Xia.


    To the Bull Demon, the human before it was nothing more than a bug that it could crush effortlessly. It casually raised its hoof again.


    A chorus of gasps rang out from the distant city walls. Everyone held their breath, fearing for Li Xiaofei''s fate. Countless long-range cameras focused on the battlefield, capturing every detail.


    "Little Bull." Li Xiaofei snorted coldly in response.


    Li Xiaofei wound back and leaped into the air to throw a powerful punch. A sneer of contempt appeared on the Bull Demon¡¯s grotesque face. But as that small fist struck the center of its hoof, the Bull Demon''s sneer of contempt transformed into an expression of pain and surprise.


    Pain! I actually felt pain.


    "Mooooo." The Bull Demon roared in fury, its massive left hoof crackling with purple lightning as it swiped up at Li Xiaofei.


    In mid-air, Li Xiaofei did not back down. He too gathered the strength in his left fist and delivered a powerful downward blow.


    Boom!


    The explosion was deafening as the ground beneath the Bull Demon rippled outward like water. Its enormous body sank more than ten meters into the ground. Li Xiaofei was propelled a hundred meters into the air by the force of the impact. Without a moment''s hesitation, he dived downward once more and unleashed another punch. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Weren''t you proud? Weren''t you tough? Didn''t you think your body and strength were invincible? I will break through your strongest point.


    Li Xiaofei knew this battle was crucial. He had to fight with passion, with madness, and with an unyielding spirit. Only then could he inspire the people of Liuhe Base City. Only then could he give hope to those who lived in constant fear of the siege.


    Boom!


    His fist collided with the Bull Demon''s hoof. Another wave of shockwaves visibly rippled outward.


    "Moooo!" The Bull Demon roared in anger once again.


    Its massive hundred-meter body was driven further into the ground like a giant nail by Li Xiaofei''s relentless blows. The sheer strength erupting from Li Xiaofei made the Bull Demon, known for its physical strength, feel pressure for the first time.


    But Li Xiaofei did not stop his frenzied assault. He used the rebound force to launch himself upward again and came crashing down with yet another powerful punch.


    Boom!


    Once!


    Boom!


    Twice!


    Boom, boom, boom, boom!


    The storm of relentless strikes drove the hundred-meter-tall Bull Demon deeper and deeper into the ground until only its chest and head were above the surface!


    "Die, Little Bull!" Li Xiaofei roared, delivering one final, devastating blow.


    He unleashed all of his strength in that last strike. A titanic strength surpassing 200 ding descended like a meteor crashing down from the heavens. The air along the path of his punch caved in and twisted. It was as if the very space around his fist had been shattered.


    Boom!!


    The Purple Thunder Sky-Crashing Unihorn Bull Demon was completely driven into the ground as it tried to block the blow. The residual force of the punch struck the ground and sent dirt flying into the air.


    The battlefield resembled the end of the world. Dust soared into the sky, obscuring everything from view. On the city walls, countless people tried to peer through the dust cloud, afraid to miss even a single moment of the spectacle.


    Li Xiaofei had hammered the Bull Demon into the ground with one powerful blow after another. But each strike had ignited the hearts of everyone who had been numb and lost in fear. The warriors on the walls felt their blood boiling with excitement.


    Never before had anyone displayed such overwhelming dominance in the face of a high-grade star beast. Each punch was simple, yet brutally powerful. He shattered the aura of fear around a fifth grade star beast.


    Even Ding Longao, a battle-hardened veteran, felt a shiver of exhilaration and joy coursing through his body. He never imagined that Li Xiaofei''s strength could reach such an astonishing level.


    Just a few months ago, he was nothing more than an ordinary boy struggling in the slums and coughed up in the conflicts of gang violence. But he¡¯s grown at a terrifying and rapid pace after entering Red Flag High School. Such a growth rate was nothing short of a rocket''s ascent. How did he achieve this?


    As the dust gradually settled, it revealed a massive crater over five hundred meters in diameter. Its depths were shrouded in darkness, but dust and smoke were still rising from within.


    Li Xiaofei stood at the edge on the crater, but his face was devoid of joy. Instead, his expression was serious as he gazed down into the depths of the crater.


    Crack.


    Faint purple lightning flickered. At the edge of the crater, countless fragments of rock seemed to escape gravity as they slowly floated into the air. An indescribable, overwhelming energy radiated from the center of the crater.


    In the sky, purple thunderclouds began to swirl and gather over the crater. It was as if a gate of lightning had opened in the heavens.


    Boom!


    A pillar of purple lightning suddenly exploded out of the depths of the crater. The massive body of the Unihorn Bull Demon, now surrounded by crackling purple lightning, shot upward like a bolt.


    Its originally hundred-meter-tall body had shrunk to a smaller form that was about ten meters tall. This new form was more human-like in appearance. However, the pure purple muscles, the blood-red horn, and the eyes glowing with purple lightning exuded an energy and aura that was even more terrifying than before. It was as if a demon king had emerged from the depths of hell, bringing with it destruction and death.


    "If it¡¯s transformation, I can do it too." The Bull Demon spoke once more in the human language of the Great Xia Republic.


    Its voice was filled with icy mockery and disdain as it continued, "Human, you have truly... angered me."

 Chapter 252: Invincible

    Chapter 252: InvincibleThe twin horns had transformed into a single horn. This was the true ultimate form of the Purple Thunder Sky-Crashing Unihorn Bull Demon. The lightning swirling around its body resonated with the purple clouds in the sky.


    It... no, now it should be referred to as ¡°he¡±. He unleashed a punch. In the sky, a massive fist made of purple lightning instantly coalesced and hurtled toward Li Xiaofei. Li Xiaofei swung his fist to meet it.


    Boom!


    He was sent flying. The purple lightning carried an astonishing destructive force and a paralyzing effect. It left scorched earth for a hundred meters.


    "Now, this weak state... this is your true self," said the Bull Demon, hovering in mid-air, as he lifted his foot and stomped downward.


    Endless streams of purple lightning and energy coalesced into a giant foot that descended on Li Xiaofei.


    Boom!


    The earth shook. Li Xiaofei met the descending foot with his fist once again, but the terrifying giant foot of lightning stomped him into the ground. It was just like the time he had hammered the Bull Demon into the earth, but now the roles were reversed. The tide of battle had shifted.


    On the distant city walls, the warriors who had been cheering with excitement just moments ago fell silent. Worry and concern filled their eyes, and their hearts leapt into their throats.


    How could this happen? We had just been on the brink of victory.


    Meanwhile, the surrounding star beasts erupted in a thunderous roar of celebration.


    Boom!


    Li Xiaofei burst out of the ground. He shot into the sky like a cannonball, and he threw another punch at the Unihorn Bull Demon. The Bull Demon¡¯s face twisted into a sneer of contempt as he swung his own fist downward. The lightning in the sky condensed into a massive fist that struck as swift as a bolt of lightning.


    Boom!


    Li Xiaofei was sent flying once again. His body crashed heavily into the ground, rolling and smashing through dozens of massive rocks. He slowly got to his feet, his entire body emitting purple smoke. His hair was standing on end, with faint arcs of lightning flickering across his skin. He looked utterly battered.


    Boom, boom, boom.


    Before Li Xiaofei could catch his breath, a barrage of massive lightning fists rained down from the sky as the Unihorn Bull Demon unleashed a relentless assault.


    Li Xiaofei moved swiftly, dodging the lightning fists as best he could. He was like a nimble mole, narrowly avoiding the descending hammers from the sky. But eventually, he couldn''t dodge them all.


    Boom!


    Li Xiaofei was struck by a massive lightning fist descending from the sky. His body was slammed directly into a deep crater. Countless lightning fists converged on the crater, relentlessly pounding Li Xiaofei''s body. The terrifying power was so immense that it vaporized god-iron alloy in an instant.


    "This is bad."


    In the distance, Ding Longao could no longer hold back. He couldn¡¯t just stand by and watch Li Xiaofei be beaten to death. He moved forward to attempt a rescue.


    But just at that moment...


    "Roar!"


    A dragon''s roar rang out as a golden dragon claw imprint ripped out of the ground and soared into the sky. The ferocious golden dragon tore through the countless purple lightning fists, shredding them to pieces, and continued toward the Unihorn Bull Demon.


    "Moo?" The Bull Demon''s pupils contracted in shock.


    Boom!


    The Unihorn Bull Demon was blasted backward in mid-air, astonished by the overwhelming and radiant force of the strike.


    Li Xiaofei emerged from the ground once again. His combat suit was now hanging off him in shreds. An ocean of vibrant life force surged around him, radiating a powerful crimson glow that enveloped his entire body.


    Faint golden patterns shimmered beneath the skin of his now eight-meter-tall frame. These intricate markings, imbued with mysterious Dao rhythms, seemed like a divine armor, radiating a strength several times more formidable than before.


    This was his Ultimate Demon King Form! Li Xiaofei had unleashed the starforce qi within his body. The energy that had been concentrated to an unprecedented level, was like nothing the world had ever seen. At that moment, he fully revealed his peak strength.


    "Didn''t expect this, did you? I can transform twice," grinned Li Xiaofei.


    Although he hadn''t reached the Five Spirits Realm, which would allow him to fly, his immensely powerful body could still propel him hundreds of meters into the air with a single leap.


    Roar!


    The dragon''s cry echoed across the sky as Li Xiaofei soared into the air with a single leap, reaching the same height as the Bull Demon in the void.


    He unleashed the Flying Dragon in the Sky technique of the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms. His palm strike transformed into two fierce golden dragons that had outstretched claws and bared teeth. The alarmed Bull Demon summoned all of his lightning to defend and counterattack.


    His primal force was lightning. The innate strength of the star beasts, combined with his primal lightning force, had made the Purple Thunder Sky-Crashing Unihorn Bull Demon an unstoppable force, securing his status as a fifth grade star beast.


    But now, this human youth before him possessed a physical strength even greater than his own. The golden patterns flickering beneath Li Xiaofei''s skin rendered him nearly immune to the paralysis and burning effects of the lightning. The precision of the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms also amplified Li Xiaofei''s immense strength several times over.


    Regretful Dragon. Dragon in the Field. Six Dragons in Flight. Dragon Battle in the Wilderness. Azure Dragon Draws Water.


    Each move, each palm strike, was executed with flawless technique, driving the Bull Demon further back. The overwhelming strength of the dragon-themed attacks left the Bull Demon with little time to react as the golden dragons bore down on him with unstoppable force.


    Each strike was unleashed at maximum speed and force. The dragon roars shook the heavens and the earth. The Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, hailed as the foremost external martial art in the Jin Yong martial arts world, was perfectly suited to Li Xiaofei''s current state of unified power.


    The mighty palm strikes transformed into countless golden dragons that tore apart the purple lightning clouds in the sky. The Purple Thunder Sky-Crashing Unihorn Bull Demon was completely overpowered as each palm strike landed on his body and forced him downward.


    "Your horn... is mine!" Li Xiaofei roared, seizing the purple unihorn with both hands.


    A burst of raw, savage strength erupted from him as he twisted.


    Crack.


    The unihorn broke clean at the base. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Mooooo..." A piercing wail echoed through the air.


    The Bull Demon could no longer maintain its transformed state and reverted back to its original towering, hundred-meter-tall form. Blood gushed from the top of its head like a fountain, spilling onto the ground below. It had been severely wounded.


    "Hmm... hee hee hee..." A sweet, melodic laugh suddenly rang in Li Xiaofei''s ear.


    The murderous intent that had filled Li Xiaofei instantly dissipated, replaced by an overwhelming sense of tenderness and affection. He subconsciously let his guard down.


    A faint fox-like shadow flickered out of the void, darting toward Li Xiaofei in an instant. It was the Yinji Moon Fox!


    When she saw her companion in danger, the fox, who had been lurking in the shadows, could no longer hold back and finally made her move. But just as she was about to strike...


    Whoosh!


    The sound of a sword going supersonic rang out as a dazzling silver sword light suddenly slashed down from the heavens.


    "Ye Liuying!!!" The shadow of the Yinji Moon Fox let out a scream of fury and despair.


    The fox''s shadow was struck by the sword light, disintegrating into a few strands of fox fur before vanishing entirely. In that instant, Li Xiaofei snapped back to reality. The fox demon''s charm had almost ensnared him.


    The Bull Demon was still struggling desperately as its strength waned. When it realized death was imminent, it was gripped by fear. But Li Xiaofei wasn''t about to give it a chance. He moved to decisively finish the job.


    Squelch.


    The sharp unihorn pierced straight into the Bull Demon''s heart. The fifth grade star beast let out one final, anguished wail, its limbs twitching a few times before it finally succumbed to death. It died beneath its own horn.


    Li Xiaofei pulled the unihorn out. Blood gushed forth. The essence-rich blood from the Bull Demon''s heart sprayed all over Li Xiaofei, drenching him from head to toe.


    The blood sizzled on the surface of Li Xiaofei''s skin, making a strange crackling sound. Then, with a flash of golden light, the mysterious golden patterns on Li Xiaofei''s body absorbed the Bull Demon''s blood in its entirety.

 Chapter 253: Naked

    Chapter 253: NakedThis unexpected change took Li Xiaofei completely by surprise. He hadn''t even had time to react. Initially, he just wanted to be drenched in blood to make a grand display in front of the warriors on the city walls. After all, a blood-soaked victory was something that people would remember more vividly. But who could have guessed that this blood was so peculiar? And who would have thought that he would actually absorb it? Could there be any side effects?


    Li Xiaofei quickly began to search for any changes within himself. To his relief, there seemed to be nothing unusual. Meanwhile, the warriors on the city walls had already erupted into a frenzy of celebration. They had won! This time, they had truly won. There was no more chance for the tide to turn.


    To be honest, this battle had frayed everyone¡¯s nerves to the breaking point. No one could help but worry about Li Xiaofei. Fortunately, in the end, they really did win. When Li Xiaofei drove the unihorn into the Bull Demon¡¯s heart, every heart that had been suspended in fear finally settled back into place. Now they could celebrate without restraint.


    Ding Longao''s normally stern face couldn¡¯t hide the joy he felt. This was a huge relief. He had borne the brunt of the pressure during the siege by the beast horde. As the commanding officer responsible for defending the base city, he carried the weight of that responsibility. The star beasts¡¯ endless attrition tactics and their relentless assaults had been wearing down the military forces and pushing them to the brink of collapse.


    If things had continued this way, Ding Longao wasn¡¯t sure how much longer they could have held out. He had even prepared himself for the worst...


    But now, with Li Xiaofei''s extraordinary performance and the death of the Bull Demon, the situation had turned around in an instant. Killing one of the two fifth grade star beasts in a head-on battle amidst countless enemies wasn¡¯t just a boost to morale. Li Xiaofei¡¯s sudden rise in strength had effectively doubled the strength of Liuhe Base City. The once-shaky city walls, thanks to Li Xiaofei¡¯s presence, now seemed impregnable.


    ***


    Outside the city. In the midst of the ravaged battlefield.


    A figure flickered into view and a subtle fragrance filled the air. The Goddess, Ye Liuying, appeared beside Li Xiaofei. This time, she wasn''t clad in her power armor; she only carried a slender silver sword in her hand.


    Li Xiaofei guessed that the reason she wasn¡¯t armored was likely to better conceal herself, deceiving the Yinji Moon Fox and allowing her to deliver that decisive strike earlier. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "A waste." The Goddess spoke. Her voice was as cold and clear as a mountain spring in a secluded valley.


    "Huh?" Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t quite understand.


    "The blood of a fifth grade star beast is a potent tonic and not to be wasted." The Goddess explained.


    Li Xiaofei realized what she meant and immediately looked anxious. He didn¡¯t have any containers with him to collect the blood. The Goddess acted swiftly, her sword lightly tapping several points around the Bull Demon¡¯s wounds. The bleeding stopped instantly.


    Acupoint sealing?


    Li Xiaofei was stunned.


    The Goddess explained, "I''ve sealed its blood vessels with sword energy. The blood will remain contained for the next four hours. Make sure to take the body back and extract the blood for storage. You can either sell it or use it yourself."


    "Thank you," said Li Xiaofei, overjoyed.


    Then, he suddenly realized that the Goddess had said quite a lot this time. This was unusual for her. She rarely uttered more than ten words in a single sentence.


    "Does this surprise you?" The Goddess seemed to read his thoughts. "Through your actions, you''ve proven that you now have the right to converse with me."


    Li Xiaofei suddenly understood. He had just demonstrated the combat ability of someone at the Five Spirits Realm, and the Goddess had acknowledged him. No longer did she look down on him as if he were just a child.


    This principle was universal across any world, any era, and any field. This phenomenon could be described as connections, social circles, or the like. Only when one was strong enough could they earn the opportunity to converse with those even stronger.


    "The Bull Demon¡¯s body must contain an Inscribed Treasure Bone." The Goddess added. "A fifth grade star beast¡¯s Inscribed Treasure Bone can fetch an astronomical price anywhere in the country. If you don¡¯t plan to use it yourself and decide to sell it, you can contact me. I can guarantee the highest price."


    Li Xiaofei, surprised, asked, "Does elder sister really need the Bull Demon¡¯s Inscribed Treasure Bone?"


    The term elder sister made the Goddess''s expression shift slightly. It was hard to tell whether the change was good or bad.


    "It is indeed useful to me," she replied.


    Li Xiaofei immediately said, "Then I¡¯ll give it to you, Sister."


    The Goddess was momentarily stunned. She thought she might have misheard.


    But when she saw that Li Xiaofei was serious and not joking, her expression remained cold as she asked, "Why?"


    Li Xiaofei replied calmly, "Please don¡¯t misunderstand, Sister. I¡¯m not trying to pursue you. In fact, I already have a girlfriend. Giving you the Inscribed Treasure Bone is my way of repaying the favor for saving my life. If you hadn¡¯t driven off the Yinji Moon Fox at that critical moment, I might have been seriously injured by now."


    "Oh."


    Ye Liuying seemed thoughtful, but she said, "There''s no need. I don¡¯t have the habit of accepting things for free. Wait for others to give you their offers first. Once you understand its value, I¡¯ll make my own offer."


    With that, she moved. Sword light flashed as she vanished from the spot. Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but admire the Goddess¡¯s integrity.


    Wait a minute? Am I forgetting something?


    A cold breeze blew by and Li Xiaofei suddenly felt a chill in a rather sensitive area.


    ¡°Crap!¡±


    Was I just walking around naked in front of the Goddess? But why didn¡¯t she react at all? Was she just used to such things? Or was she holding back?


    Luckily, he was still covered in a layer of Bull Demon blood, and the Bull Demon''s corpse was between him and the city walls. Otherwise, his reputation would have been ruined. He quickly tore off a few patches of the Bull Demon¡¯s fur and tied them around his waist to cover the essential areas. Then, he tried lifting the Bull Demon¡¯s body with one hand.


    It¡¯s not heavy.


    And so, with one hand holding the unihorn and the other supporting the Bull Demon¡¯s corpse, Li Xiaofei began walking toward the city walls. Not a single star beast dared to stand in his way as he passed. The massive beast horde had lost all courage to continue the siege and was now frantically fleeing into the depths of the wilderness.


    Li Xiaofei was greeted by the thunderous cheers of the Great Xia warriors. The warriors on the walls shouted with all their might, expressing their admiration for the hero in their hearts.


    Ding Longao ordered the gates to be opened and personally led the military officers to greet him.


    "Good job, kid!" Ding Longao happily clapped Li Xiaofei on the shoulder. "You''re the lucky star of Liuhe! I''ll personally request a commendation for you. Haha, so tell me, what reward do you want?"


    Li Xiaofei sheepishly replied, "Could I get a pair of pants first?"


    Everyone was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter. Li Xiaofei was welcomed into the city as the cheers echoed to the heavens. Ding Longao ordered that the recordings of today''s battle be strictly sealed. He also issued a command that Li Xiaofei''s name should not be widely spread within the city.


    The official story was simply that a Five Spirits Realm expert had emerged, slain the Bull Demon, and saved Liuhe Base City from its dire predicament.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t mind this at all. Those who needed to know would know. It couldn''t be kept secret for long. As long as Old Ding got him that commendation, that was good enough for him.


    The Bull Demon¡¯s corpse, after signing the necessary contracts, was handed over to professional disassemblers in the city for processing. Li Xiaofei returned to the slums and began investigating the mysterious absorption of the Bull Demon¡¯s blood by his body.


    The atmosphere in Liuhe Base City was filled with joy. Countless people were setting off fireworks in the streets. By evening, from the southeastern sky, the roar of an aircraft suddenly broke the calm.


    A massive hundred meter long bird-shaped airship cut through the sky, casting a large shadow on the ground as it descended into Liuhe Base City.


    At first, the residents thought reinforcements had arrived, and their excitement grew even more. But Li Xiaofei received a message immediately. The Gu family, a branch of the Southern Saint lineage, had come for revenge.

 Chapter 254: Five Unparalleled Figures

    Chapter 254: Five Unparalleled Figures"The heart blood essence of the Bull Demon is indeed a powerful substance," Little Aunt said as she examined his body. "But the way you''ve absorbed it is quite rare."


    Her soft, delicate hands moved over Li Xiaofei''s firm muscles, searching for any abnormalities.


    "Are there any side effects?" Li Xiaofei asked nervously. "Like growing horns or sprouting bull hair?"


    Little Aunt chuckled and replied, "That''s highly unlikely."


    After carefully observing him for a moment, she asked, "Can you sense any traces of the Bull Demon''s blood within you?"


    Li Xiaofei closed his eyes and focused on sensing his body. He noticed a faint layer of warm energy gathered just beneath his skin, between the muscles and bones. It was different from his usual energy, yet there was no severe rejection or discomfort. It was the blood essence of the Purple Thunder Sky-Crashing Unihorn Bull Demon.


    Li Xiaofei shared his findings with Little Aunt.


    "That makes sense," she said. "Foreign blood isn¡¯t naturally compatible with your own energy. If you don''t actively refine it, it won¡¯t integrate with your body, and it will remain lodged between your skin and shallow blood vessels for the time being."


    "How do I refine it?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "Just use the True Dragon Breathing Technique you''ve been cultivating to guide the process," Little Aunt replied.


    "What will happen once I refine it?" Li Xiaofei inquired further.


    "The Purple Thunder Sky-Crashing Unihorn Bull Demon is renowned for its physical strength and innate lightning energy. Its physical resilience comes from the blood essence in its heart, while its innate lightning is derived from the energy within its Inscribed Treasure Bone. You can refine this blood to enhance your own strength and physical durability," Little Aunt explained.


    Li Xiaofei pondered for a moment and said, "The Bull Demon''s physical strength and power aren¡¯t even on par with mine right now. Even if I refine its blood, it might not boost my strength significantly. Little Aunt, are there any side effects?"


    "If your current strength can suppress the Bull Demon''s strength, then there should be minimal side effects," Little Aunt replied. "At most, you might be able to transform into a form resembling the Bull Demon during battle."


    Transform into the Bull Demon?


    The Bull Demon¡¯s ugly appearance flashed through Li Xiaofei¡¯s mind, and he instinctively rejected the idea.


    Little Aunt continued, "Actually, transforming into a star beast during combat isn¡¯t unprecedented. There''s a legendary technique called the Human King Transformation. It allows one to hide the blood essence of high-grade star beasts within their body¡¯s acupoints. When it¡¯s activated, it can then transform the user into a beast, significantly enhancing their combat power. It¡¯s an extraordinary ability."


    "There''s a technique like that?" Li Xiaofei was surprised.


    Little Aunt nodded and said, "This technique originated from a mysterious figure named Ding Hao. It¡¯s said that the Human King Transformation could unleash unparalleled power in his hands as he could harness the blood essence of ninth grade star beasts. He also mentioned that there are even more powerful techniques like the Divine King Transformation and the Divine Emperor Transformation above the Human King Transformation, though these techniques are not widely known or shared."


    Li Xiaofei''s curiosity was piqued. "Ding Hao? Is he one of the Saints of Great Xia?"


    Little Aunt shook her head and said, "No, but some say Ding Hao is beyond even the Saints, a being akin to the legendary Sword Immortal, Lin Beichen, who is also a mysterious figure said to have extraordinary abilities."


    Sword Immortal Lin Beichen!


    This was the second time Li Xiaofei had heard that name.


    Could it be true? Was there really a mythical Heavenly Court, a Secret Kunlun Realm, and Sword Immortals?


    "Little Aunt, have you ever met Senior Ding Hao?" he asked, curious to know more.


    As the saying goes, seeing is believing.


    "I only caught a fleeting glimpse from afar; it might not have even been his true form..." she replied, her voice tinged with a distant memory as a trace of melancholy crossed her face.


    After a brief pause, Little Aunt continued, "During the era when Great Xia was still known as Huaxia, there were five unparalleled figures whose names are rarely spoken. They were Ding Hao, the Blade and Sword Supreme; Lin Beichen, the Sword Immortal; Sun Fei, the Northern God Emperor; Ye Qingyu, the Heavenly Emperor; and Li Mu, the Saint Martial Battle Emperor."


    Li Xiaofei listened, stunned by the revelation.


    "Five unparalleled figures?" S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was the first time Li Xiaofei had heard of such a concept. If Lin Beichen was a celestial being, then the other four must have been equally extraordinary.


    He couldn¡¯t help but ask the pressing question, "If there were such five unparalleled figures, then why was Earth still overrun by star beasts? Are they... still alive?"


    Little Aunt responded, "Perhaps they were burdened with greater responsibilities."


    It was clear she didn¡¯t want to delve further into the topic.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t push the matter and returned to the issue at hand. "If I don¡¯t want to refine the foreign blood in my body, is there another way to deal with it?"


    Little Aunt asked, "Why don''t you want to refine it?"


    Li Xiaofei smiled and replied, "Maybe it¡¯s a naive and foolish thought, but it¡¯s truly what I feel deep down. I don¡¯t want to taint my Great Xia bloodline. I want to remain a pure descendant of Great Xia¡¯s martial traditions."


    This was his conviction. Little Aunt neither agreed nor disagreed with his sentiment.


    She thought for a moment before saying, "I just remembered a technique that suits your current situation. It doesn''t require you to refine the foreign blood, won''t taint your own bloodline, and can still help enhance your combat strength."


    Li Xiaofei''s eyes lit up. "Little Aunt, please teach me."


    Little Aunt continued, "This technique is called Armor Harnessing Technique. The principle is simple: you channel the foreign blood to the surface of your body, forming a hardened layer of armor that can enhance your defense."


    Li Xiaofei instinctively said, "But my physical defense is already very strong."


    Little Aunt''s expression grew serious. "That''s precisely what I want to warn you about: never become arrogant or complacent, no matter how strong you think you are. Your current physical defense is based on the tempering of your flesh, bones, and blood, which gives you decent resistance against physical attacks. But if you encounter mental or spiritual attacks, your defenses might not be as effective."


    Li Xiaofei was startled by her words. She was right. He had fallen prey to the charm technique of the Yinji Moon Fox in a single moment. Mental attacks seemed to be his Achilles'' heel.


    Little Aunt continued, "Also, while your physical body is tough and can withstand physical weapons, you¡¯re still vulnerable to powered weapons. You could still be injured, or even bleed."


    "Powered weapons?" Li Xiaofei asked. "Are you talking about the weapons developed by the Star Council that are powered by starforce qi?"


    Little Aunt nodded. "Yes, powered weapons may look similar to ordinary cold weapons on the outside, but they are forged using a mysterious form of alchemy. Inside, they contain a diagram known as the Heaven Array, powered by the crystal nuclei of star beasts and a warrior''s starforce qi. These weapons are virtually indestructible and are capable of slicing through high-grade star beasts like cutting through tofu."


    Li Xiaofei pondered her words. He had learned about powered weapons during his cultural studies at Red Flag High School. They were specialized weapons for high-stage warriors and were rather expensive to produce.


    He realized he had indeed underestimated the strength of the warriors around him and the endless journey of cultivation. Even beyond the Five Spirits Realm, there were higher realms like the Golden Body Realm and the Dao Union Realm.


    Right now, his combat strength might rival someone at the Five Spirits Realm, but he hadn''t truly reached that level of cultivation yet. He needed to guard against complacency.


    "The Star Council is truly great and remarkable," Li Xiaofei remarked. "Inventing power armor, mechs, and powered weapons¡ªthey are indeed the saviors of humanity on Earth."


    "There are many things that aren¡¯t exactly as they¡¯re taught in textbooks," Little Aunt said. "For instance, powered weapons weren¡¯t actually invented by the Star Council. They originated from the Heaven Array Technique passed down by the Sword Immortal, Lin Beichen."


    What?


    Li Xiaofei glanced at Little Aunt in surprise.


    What is going on? Little Aunt, are you not entirely loyal to the Star Council?

 Chapter 255: The Armor Harnessing Technique

    Chapter 255: The Armor Harnessing TechniqueThe Star Council is hailed as humanity¡¯s savior on Earth. This is an undisputed, universally accepted truth. The fact that humans can still survive and fight against the star beasts is all thanks to the Star Council¡¯s efforts. Cultivation techniques as well as the new research into weaponry, power armor, mechs, and powered weapons all stand as evidence of the Star Council''s greatness.


    To suggest that the Star Council is anything less than exceptional, or that these advancements were someone else''s creations, would be considered heresy. Such heresy would be punishable by death.


    Of course, Li Xiaofei only entertained these thoughts in jest.


    If I were to truly weigh my loyalty, how could the Star Council ever compare to Little Aunt? So...I¡¯m not entirely loyal either, am I?


    Little Aunt then began teaching him the Armor Harnessing Technique. Li Xiaofei paid close attention and studied diligently. The technique wasn¡¯t particularly difficult, and was more of a supplementary skill.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s remarkable aptitude allowed him to grasp it in just over half a day. However, since the small apartment couldn¡¯t withstand the force of his full strength, he couldn¡¯t test the technique on the spot.


    "By the way, the giant unihorn you brought back is a treasure in itself. If it''s crafted into a weapon, it could be just as powerful as an ordinary powered weapon," Little Aunt added.


    Li Xiaofei''s eyes lit up. "Little Aunt, can you forge weapons too?"


    Little Aunt stood up and playfully scolded him, "Do you think I''m capable of everything? Go find a professional for that."


    Once he left the apartment, Li Xiaofei made his way to the headquarters of the Cloudy Sky Gang. But he was taken aback as soon as he arrived at the entrance. The already bustling entrance was now packed with luxury cars. The streets were so crowded that it was nearly impossible to move.


    There were countless wealthy merchants, corporate representatives, leaders of various organizations, and gang emissaries vying for attention. The sheer number of people and the piles of gifts were so overwhelming that it almost seemed like they were about to break down the door to the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters.


    The reason was simple. Word had already spread among the elite that Li Xiaofei had slain the fifth grade star beast, the Purple Thunder Sky-Crashing Unihorn Bull Demon. Although Ding Longao had ordered the information to be somewhat restricted, the wealthy and powerful had their own information networks and had quickly learned of the event. As such, they had wasted no time in arriving with all manner of congratulatory gifts.


    It was inevitable. Someone capable of killing a fifth grade star beast undoubtedly possessed the combat strength of the Five Spirits Realm. Furthermore, anyone at the Five Spirits Realm level was a peak figure in Liuhe Base City. In this era, powerful individual strength was equivalent to substantial authority. A Five Spirits Realm expert could support an entire family and even defend a city.


    Newly ascended Five Spirits Realm warriors would often become the targets of various factions vying to establish connections and win them over. At that moment, Chu Yuntian, Yang Cheng, Li Junjie, and others were frantically trying to entertain these influential elites.


    Even the Hall Masters of the Cloudy Sky Gang felt as if they were floating on clouds, let alone the regular members. It was as if they were intoxicated, the sudden surge of fortune feeling almost too unreal. Although they had grown accustomed to the surprises their president occasionally brought, today¡¯s surprise was overwhelming.


    Li Xiaofei quickly assessed the situation from a distance and decided to hide. Time waited for no one. He had no interest in engaging in meaningless social interactions. Focusing on cultivation was the true path forward. He logged into the light core virtual world using his Your Grandpa username and began experimenting with the Armor Harnessing Technique in the light-network world.


    When he channeled his starforce qi at a specific frequency across the surface of his skin, he stimulated the foreign blood beneath the skin. The foreign crimson blood began to seep out of his pores, not as a vapor, but as a peculiar solid substance. It then formed a thick blood cocoon that adhered tightly to his skin.


    Li Xiaofei used the Armor Harnessing Technique to manipulate the shape of this blood cocoon. Eventually, the cocoon transformed into a set of heavy crimson armor. The armor was shaped in the style of ancient Chinese military armor from Li Xiaofei''s memory, but it was more compact, fully enveloping his body, limbs, hands, feet, and head. The armor made him appear even more imposing.


    Li Xiaofei moved his body, testing his fists and kicks. The blood armor felt like an extension of his own body, with a sense of mental connection that allowed him to control it effortlessly, without any stiffness. Moreover, it seemed to amplify his strength to some extent.


    Isn''t it strange how Little Aunt always has something incredible? And she¡¯s even seen the Blade and Sword Supreme, Ding Hao... Wait a minute, could Little Aunt be some kind of celestial being herself? Otherwise, how could she know so much and be so knowledgeable?


    The more Li Xiaofei marveled at the wonders of the Armor Harnessing Technique, the more he felt like Little Aunt was extraordinary.


    Of course, the most remarkable aspect of the Armor Harnessing Technique was its defensive capabilities. Based on his experiments in the light-core virtual world, this blood armor could completely block attacks from any peak Meridian Expanding Realm warrior and below. It could dampen 80 percent of the force from attacks by Five Spirits Realm warriors at the first stage. The effectiveness decreased by roughly 15 percent for each additional stage of power.


    That meant the armor could still block up to 25 percent of the impact of an attack from a Five Spirits Realm expert at peak level. This level of defense was comparable to high-end combat suits worth billions.


    The most critical aspect, however, was that because the armor was formed from altered blood essence, it possessed a strange vitality, allowing it to also defend against mental attacks. The dampening effectiveness for mental attacks was comparable to that for physical attacks.


    After running several experiments, Li Xiaofei was overjoyed. The Armor Harnessing Technique significantly increased his chances of prevailing against a Five Spirits Realm expert. Since he was facing revenge from the Gu family of the Southern Saint lineage, he now had greater confidence in his ability to withstand their assault.


    After completing his experiments, Li Xiaofei browsed the light-network, searching for experts who could craft weapons from the unihorn. There were plenty of candidates, but most of them were not based in Liuhe Base City. Sending the unihorn out for crafting and waiting for it to be returned would take at least two to three months, which was time he could ill afford to waste.


    There were only a few small workshops in Liuhe Base City, none of which had the expertise to properly craft weapons from the bones of a fifth grade star beast.


    What a pity. Looks like I''ll have to store the unihorn for now and wait for the right opportunity and the right person to come along.


    Just as he exited the light-core world, his phone rang. It was Xie Renyu, the general manager of the Western Rock Star Beasts Disassembly Plant. The Purple Thunder Sky-Crashing Unihorn Bull Demon''s corpse had been handed over to this century-old factory for disassembly.


    "Hello, Manager Xie, has the disassembly of the Bull Demon''s body been completed?" Li Xiaofei answered the call, adding a compliment, "You guys really live up to your reputation as the top-rated factory on the light-network. The efficiency is impressive!"


    "I''m terribly sorry, President Li," Xie Renyu''s voice trembled with fear. "There was an issue during the disassembly of the Bull Demon''s body."


    "Hmm? What happened?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "The disassembly process went smoothly. We gathered the ten best and most experienced craftsmen in the entire factory to work on it. They successfully extracted ten Inscribed Treasure Bones from the fifth grade beast. But... right when we finished, a group of people suddenly barged in and claimed that the ten Inscribed Treasure Bones belonged to them. They forcibly took them and even injured several of our workers," Xie Renyu explained, his tone panicked.


    What?


    Li Xiaofei was genuinely surprised.


    Someone actually dared to provoke him?


    "Who were they?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "They were outsiders," Xie Renyu quickly replied. "They identified themselves as members of the Jiangnan Gu family. They were extremely aggressive."


    The Gu family? So they couldn¡¯t wait to come knocking?


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback by their boldness. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I''m on my way," he said, then added, "Keep them there."

 Chapter 256: Instant Killing Five Spirits Realm

    Chapter 256: Instant Killing Five Spirits RealmAt the Western Rock Star Beasts Disassembly Plant.


    Inside a warehouse that resembled an upside-down blue bowl, Xie Renyu, the general manager, nervously hung up the phone.


    "He said he''ll be here soon." Xie Renyu''s face was swollen, and he knelt on the ground, pleading, "Young Master Huo, I''ve done as you instructed. Could you please release my wife and daughter now?"


    Opposite him, a young man in a white suit, sitting comfortably on a single-seater sofa, nodded with satisfaction. "That''s more like it... Release his wife and daughter."


    The warriors dressed in gray combat suits put away the knives that had been held against the necks of the mother and daughter.


    "Daddy..."


    The daughter rushed into Xie Renyu''s arms like a frightened little bird. His wife, tears streaming down her face, came to her husband''s side.


    On the other side, more than forty workers from the disassembly plant had been herded into a corner like cattle. Several security guards in uniform lay on the ground, their fates unknown. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the center of the area, the corpse of a Bull Demon was hanging on a massive metal frame. The once-mountainous body was now reduced to a single intact skeleton, but still radiated a fierce and violent aura. The air was thick with the scent of blood.


    The blood, flesh, tendons, eyeballs, hide, and organs of the Bull Demon were stored in the specially designed containers that resembled dozens of shipping crates. Every part of a grade five star beast held immense value.


    They had extracted ten pieces of Inscribed Treasure Bone, each encased in a specially made transparent glass container. Each piece was as translucent as jade, covered in intricate fine lines, and was the size of a child''s palm. Faint purple electrical sparks flickered across them.


    "Heh, a newly matured Purple Thunder Sky-Crashing Unihorn Bull Demon, and it yielded no less than ten perfectly formed Inscribed Treasure Bones. They also happen to be the rare Thunder-Lightning Tempered Bones. Tsk tsk, that little bastard Li Xiaofei got pretty lucky." The young man in the white suit admired the bones as he spoke.


    Inscribed Treasure Bones were graded by quality. The grades ranged from formed, complete, exquisite, and lastly, perfect. These grades depended on the innate nourishment the bones received and the skill of the disassembler. The higher the quality, the greater the value.


    "Heh, but now, these Inscribed Treasure Bones are mine." The young man in the white suit remarked delightedly.


    At that moment, the roar of a motorcycle engine could be heard outside. Moments later, Li Xiaofei, dressed in a sleek black Noble Gentleman suit, walked in.


    He grasped the situation inside the warehouse with a quick glance. As he had expected, Xie Renyu and the others had indeed been coerced by the Gu family.


    Li Xiaofei''s gaze finally settled on the young man in the white suit. This man bore a striking resemblance to Gu Langtian both in appearance and in the aura he exuded. He appeared refined, but in reality, he was as sinister as a venomous snake.


    "So, it¡¯s you who wants to take what''s mine?" Li Xiaofei asked, his eyes sweeping the surroundings. "People from the Jiangnan Gu family... Heh, tell me, what''s your name?"


    "Gu Langhuo." The young man in the white suit replied calmly. "Gu Langtian is my elder brother."


    "You''re here to avenge him?" Li Xiaofei asked, "Isn''t it said that the one leading the Gu family this time is Gu Langtian''s father, Gu Juechen?"


    "My father holds a status far above yours; why would he lower himself to meet you?" said Gu Langhuo as he leaned back on the sofa, his face displaying unabashed arrogance. "The only reason my father is here in Liuhe Base City is to deal with other important matters. I can handle you on my own."


    Li Xiaofei responded, "That''s truly unfortunate."


    Gu Langhuo asked, "Unfortunate how?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Unfortunate that you won''t be leaving today."


    "What?" Gu Langhuo was stunned for a moment, then immediately flew into a rage. "You little bastard, how dare you spout such madness!"


    Li Xiaofei found it peculiar. The Gu family was a family of a Saint. Logically, a core disciple who had been meticulously trained by such a family shouldn''t be this foolish and incompetent unless the family had already declined, lost its prestige, and was no longer competitive.


    Li Xiaofei wasn''t entirely sure how capable Gu Langtian had been. After all, he had crushed the Gu family''s so-called genius in a single move when he was in a fit of rage. But looking at Gu Langhuo now, Li Xiaofei genuinely wondered how someone this dim-witted had managed to survive this long without being beaten to death.


    "I killed Gu Langtian, but he deserved to die for threatening and harassing my girlfriend as well as attempting to kill me," Li Xiaofei said, pondering for a moment before deciding not to press too hard. "We''re all citizens of Great Xia. I don¡¯t wish to create an unresolvable feud. If your Gu family is willing to let this go, we can put everything behind us, and I won''t pursue any further responsibility. How does that sound?"


    "Hahahahahahaha!" Gu Langhuo laughed like he''d just heard the joke of the century.


    He looked up and said, "You little scum, who do you think you are? You think you''re worthy of negotiating with the Gu family? You killed my elder brother. No matter the reason, your death is certain. The Gu family will kill you. Heh, and not just you¡ªevery one of your friends and family will die!"


    Li Xiaofei slowly nodded. "If that''s the case, then you can die now."


    He made his move.


    Whoosh!


    The Shaoze Sword of the Six Meridian Divine Sword was unleashed with a flick of a finger, sending a sliver of sword energy through the air. With Li Xiaofei''s current level of cultivation and his deep understanding of the Six Meridian Divine Sword, his strike was devoid of any excess aura.


    Gu Langhuo hadn''t even had time to react before the pure and precise sword energy was right in front of him.


    "Young Master, be careful!" A clear shout rang out as a gray figure barely appeared in front of Gu Langhuo time to cut through the air with a burst of blade energy.


    Boom!


    The explosion of energy shattered the sword energy and blasted apart the sofa beneath Gu Langhuo. He staggered back six or seven steps before he managed to steady himself.


    "Goddammit!" Gu Langhuo roared in fury and humiliation, "You little bastard, how dare you ambush me? Heh, I knew you had the combat strength of the Five Spirits Realm; did you think I wouldn''t be prepared? Elder Cheng, kill him for me."


    The one who had intercepted the sword energy, Elder Cheng, was a middle-aged man who looked to be around forty. He wore a gray leather combat suit crafted from the hide of a high-grade star beast, a costly outfit, and wielded a specially made straight sword that was four fingers wide. His compact form hovered slightly above the ground, radiating the oppressive aura of the Five Spirits Realm.


    Li Xiaofei''s gaze fell on the special straight sword in Elder Cheng''s hand. It wasn''t a power blade. It posed no threat to him.


    Elder Cheng sneered arrogantly, "Kid, it''s no small feat to have reached such cultivation at your age, but you shouldn''t have offended our Gu family. Today, I''ll personally show you wha-"


    Li Xiaofei made his move before he finished. He used the Graceful Step of the Waves to flicker between reality and illusion like a phantom as he closed the distance. He was right in front of Elder Cheng in an instant and delivered a palm strike. It was the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, Dragon in the Field.


    The force behind the palm was restrained, but the momentum was overwhelming. Elder Cheng¡¯s brows knitted in fury and he raised his straight sword to slash at Li Xiaofei. His blade technique was fierce, and the blade energy was imposing.


    Clang!


    The sword struck Li Xiaofei''s head, producing a sound like clashing metal as a deep crimson armor materialized just beneath the blade. The blade energy was completely neutralized.


    This was the subtle brilliance of the Armor Harnessing Technique. In truth, given the current strength of Li Xiaofei''s body, he could have taken the blow head-on with little to no harm even without using the Armor Harnessing Technique. He had been overly cautious.


    Elder Cheng, on the other hand, could never have imagined that Li Xiaofei would choose to take the strike head on. By the time Elder Cheng realized his mistake, it was too late to change his move.


    Boom!


    Li Xiaofei''s right palm struck Elder Cheng''s chest heavily.


    Crack.


    The sound of bones shattering echoed across the room as the unstoppable force of the palm instantly turned all of the organs within the Five Spirits Realm expert into mush.

 Chapter 257: Grinding The Horn To A Sword

    Chapter 257: Grinding The Horn To A SwordWhat were the Five Spirits? The Five Spirits involved refining the spiritual energy of the five vital organs, the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. A warrior at the peak of the Five Spirits Realm can significantly extend their lifespan, enhance their resilience, dramatically improve their physical constitution, and gain extraordinary regenerative abilities. They would not die instantly even if their internal organs were shattered. As long as their body remained intact and their brain unharmed, there was still a chance for recovery and healing.


    Elder Cheng was at the second stage of the Five Spirits Realm, meaning he had refined and tempered his heart and liver. However, after taking Li Xiaofei¡¯s palm strike, his five vital organs were completely torn apart. His body flew backward, crashing through a wall and landing in a heap of bricks and dust.


    "What?!" Gu Langhuo was utterly stunned by the scene.


    That was a true expert of the Five Spirits Realm. And yet, he had been defeated by a single strike?


    He had brought Elder Cheng to the Western Rock Star Beasts Disassembly Plant to bait and kill Li Xiaofei. Instead, it seemed they had caught a shark. As he realized the grave danger he was in, Gu Langhuo''s long-dormant intelligence finally kicked in. Without wasting a single word, he turned and fled. Although he was at the Meridian Expanding Realm, and a high-level expert in Liuhe Base City, he was as weak as a mere chick before Li Xiaofei.


    Whoosh!


    A sliver of sword energy shot out and Gu Langhuo¡¯s head fell to the ground. The other Gu family warriors trembled in fear, too terrified to make a move.


    "I killed him. It has nothing to do with the Western Rock Disassembly Plant," Li Xiaofei said calmly, looking at the lackeys. "Take the body with you. Tell Gu Juechen that I¡¯m in the city, and if he seeks revenge, I¡¯m ready anytime."


    Since there was no turning back now, there was no room for mercy. The gray-suited lackeys, trembling in fear, hurriedly lifted Gu Langhuo''s corpse and fled without looking back.


    Li Xiaofei turned his gaze to the broken wall outside.


    "Huh?"


    A hint of surprise appeared on his face. Elder Cheng''s body had disappeared.


    He wasn¡¯t dead? His five vital organs had been completely shattered, yet he didn¡¯t die on the spot.


    Li Xiaofei pondered the situation.


    At that moment, Xie Renyu, trembling in fear, came over and fell to his knees with a thud. "President Li, I''m sorry... If you must kill someone, kill only me, but please spare my wife and child."


    ¡°Daddy.¡± The little girl walked over, wrapping her arms tightly around Xie Renyu''s neck. His wife also knelt down with a thud, looking at Li Xiaofei with pleading eyes.


    Li Xiaofei helped him up and said, ¡°This isn¡¯t your fault.¡±


    Xie Renyu, filled with guilt, responded, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, President Li. I truly had no choice. If I hadn¡¯t made that call, they would¡¯ve killed my wife and child...¡±


    Li Xiaofei reassured him, ¡°I¡¯m the one who involved you in this.¡±


    Xie Renyu quickly shook his head, ¡°No, no, it''s an honor for Western Rock to disassemble a fifth grade star beast. We can waive the fee for this disassembly, I¡ª"


    Li Xiaofei smiled and patted his shoulder, ¡°I¡¯ve told you, this isn¡¯t your fault. Settle it as usual. It hasn¡¯t been easy for anyone lately, and I can¡¯t let so many skilled workers labor for free.¡±


    Xie Renyu was at a loss for words.


    The stories surrounding President Li of the Cloudy Sky Gang painted him as a bloodthirsty killer. It was said that he single-handedly slaughtered hundreds from the Dragon Claw Gang. But in reality, he was unexpectedly gentle and reasonable.


    "By the way, I was just about to ask Manager Xie something," Li Xiaofei said. "You''ve been in this industry for a long time and know more than I do. Is there a master craftsman in Liuhe Base City capable of grinding down beast bones, specifically from a bull-horned beast?"


    Xie Renyu immediately understood and replied, "President Li, are you looking to have that massive bull horn polished?"


    "Exactly."


    "Well, you''ve come to the right person. My uncle is a master in this field and the only weapons specialist in the city with experience polishing bones from fifth grade beasts." S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Oh? That¡¯s great news. Could you introduce me? Who is this master?"


    "He¡¯s none other than the current rotating chairman of the Gang Alliance, Mr. Ning."


    "Hm? Him?"


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback. He knew that Ning Wuwo was the current chairman of the alliance. However, Ning Wuwo was the head of the Xuanku Gang, and was renowned for his medical expertise. He followed the path of a healer and was famously known for his motto, ¡°Only save lives, never kill.'' He was a well-known miracle doctor.


    A doctor... can also grind weapons?


    "President Li, there¡¯s something you may not know," Xie Renyu smiled as he explained. "Mr. Ning once pursued dual cultivation in both medicine and weapon forging. He traveled across various major base cities within the Great Xia Realm, and his skills in medicine and cold weapon forging were unrivaled. However, after a few events that left him disheartened, he returned to Liuhe Base City and focused solely on medicine."


    Li Xiaofei was surprised by this revelation. He recalled a conversation he had with Ning Wuwo on the phone previously, which was making more sense. This man seemed to have a deeper motivation driving him.


    "I¡¯m familiar with Mr. Ning. I¡¯ll visit him personally to make the request," Li Xiaofei said. "As for the disassembled Bull Demon¡¯s blood, flesh, tendons, and bones, have them loaded onto the trucks and sent back to the Cloudy Sky Gang."


    "President Li, aren¡¯t you planning to auction them?" Xie Renyu asked.


    "No, I¡¯ll be keeping them for personal use," Li Xiaofei replied.


    Xie Renyu felt a twinge of regret but knew better than to press the matter. Li Xiaofei casually took the ten Inscribed Treasure Bones as well. On his way back, Li Xiaofei gave Ning Wuwo a call.


    "How did you find out that I could still work with beast bones?" Ning Wuwo sounded surprised.


    Li Xiaofei playfully sold out Xie Renyu without hesitation.


    "I haven¡¯t touched a blade in thirty years," Ning Wuwo said, laughing. "If anyone else had asked, I would¡¯ve flatly refused, but since it¡¯s you, Old Li, how could I say no? Bring the horn over."


    The old fox, Ning Wuwo, had seized the opportunity to secure a favor from Li Xiaofei in return. Half an hour later, the massive bull horn was delivered to the back courtyard of the Xuanku Gang.


    Ning Wuwo, accompanied by a few slender, fair-skinned, and beautiful female disciples, personally greeted Li Xiaofei.


    "A horn from a fifth grade star beast, the Purple Thunder Sky-Crashing Unihorn Bull Demon... Tsk, tsk, tsk, this is a rare treasure. Its value is on par with its Inscribed Treasure Bones," Ning Wuwo remarked after carefully examining the two-meter-long horn.


    He then asked, "What kind of weapon do you want to craft from it?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "A blade, a spear, or perhaps a sword."


    Ning Wuwo meticulously measured and examined the horn before concluding, "Based on its texture, shape, and size, it would be most suitable to craft a broad blade."


    "Then a blade it is," Li Xiaofei decided without hesitation.


    "How long will it take?" he asked.


    Ning Wuwo paused for a moment, then raised one finger.


    "One month?" Li Xiaofei hesitated for a moment before saying, "That''s a bit long, but I can wait."


    Ning Wuwo smiled slightly and said with pride, "One day."


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback and exclaimed, "That fast?"


    Ning Wuwo chuckled, not bothering with false modesty. "These old bones aren¡¯t as quick as they used to be. If this were twenty years ago, I could have finished it in ten hours."


    "In that case, please start right away, Old Ning. I''ll stand guard for you," Li Xiaofei offered.


    Ning Wuwo thought for a moment before saying, "I¡¯ve delved deeply into the art of forging weapons and, by chance, glimpsed some of the ancient alchemical secrets from immortal traditions. I also have some knowledge of powered weapons. How about I enhance this blade even further? What do you think, Old Li?"

 Chapter 258: Skyward Staff Technique And Eight Secrets Of The Heavenly Blade

    Chapter 258: Skyward Staff Technique And Eight Secrets Of The Heavenly BladeLi Xiaofei''s eyes lit up as he said, "Of course."


    Ning Wuwo carefully examined the bull horn once again and said, "Five pieces of the Bull Demon¡¯s Inscribed Treasure Bone."


    Li Xiaofei handed over five pieces without hesitation.


    Ning Wuwo explained, "If these are embedded within the blade, it will unlock the weapon''s lightning attribute. It will prove incredibly useful in battle. You¡¯ll discover its subtleties over time, President Li."


    Li Xiaofei was now convinced that this seemingly idle old man truly had some extraordinary skills. Soon, the Xuanku Gang posted a notice indicating that their clinic was temporarily closed. The online appointment system was also entirely shut down. The defenses around the back courtyard were tightened. It looked relaxed on the surface, but it was heavily fortified within. However, with Li Xiaofei standing guard, there was little concern about any unexpected incidents.


    Ning Wuwo took the horn and entered his underground workshop. Four of his stunningly beautiful female disciples followed him inside to assist. Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei waited in the courtyard. As he considered the time, he realized it was about time for the Secret Time Pavilion to open. After some thought, he decided to enter the Secret Time Pavilion for cultivation.


    The grand white temple was peaceful and serene. The Secret Time Pavilion significantly boosted the effectiveness of cultivation for martial artists, much like the blessed lands described in the ancient Great Xia martial lineage.


    "Dog Box, can I draw a cultivation technique?" Li Xiaofei asked casually.


    "Woof, you can."


    It was a surprising answer.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s face lit up with joy.


    What am I waiting for? Let¡¯s draw straight away!


    A swirling blue vortex appeared before him, and he plunged his hand into it. After a bit of fishing around, he managed to pull out two technique scrolls. He tried to grab a few more, but to his dismay, the vortex had already begun to shrink.


    Damn. This Dog Box had suddenly become stingy.


    Reluctantly, Li Xiaofei withdrew his hand. He unrolled the first scroll and saw three bold words written across it: Skyward Staff Technique.


    "Hmm?"


    Li Xiaofei stared at the scroll in a daze. He hadn''t expected to draw this technique. This was the second non-Jin Yong martial arts technique he had obtained.


    The Skyward Staff Technique was created in Wen Rui''an''s[1] martial universe, crafted by Huaiyin¡¯s Zhang Hou after he combined a thousand and one moves from the Wind Blade Frost Sword technique. In the original story, this staff technique was an invincible divine skill.


    Its most famous wielder was the elderly eunuch Mi Cangqiong, who was Zhang Hou¡¯s direct disciple. The emperor had granted him the name Mi Youqiao, and he was known as the most powerful martial artist within the imperial palace. Though he rarely took action in the martial world, the few times he did, he shocked and subdued an entire group of martial world elites.


    The Skyward Staff Technique was primarily a staff technique, but it could also be applied as a finger technique. While it was different from the Six Meridian Divine Sword, each had its own merits. After all, they hailed from different martial universe dimensions.


    One thing was certain, the power of the Skyward Staff Technique far surpassed that of the One Yang Finger. The One Yang Finger technique had become rather redundant in Li Xiaofei''s martial arts repertoire. However, it still possessed miraculous healing powers.


    Back then, Huang Rong had nearly been killed by Qiu Qianren''s Iron Palm, only to be saved by the One Yang Finger of the Southern Emperor. Its unique value was the reason Li Xiaofei hadn¡¯t completely abandoned the cultivation of One Yang Finger.


    As he skimmed through the manual of the Skyward Staff Technique, Li Xiaofei realized that it started with a detailed breakdown of all 1,001 moves from Wind Blade Frost Sword. Only at the very end did the manual reveal how to merge all those moves into a singular, ultimate technique, the Skyward Staff Technique. To master Skyward Staff, one had to first cultivate Wind Blade Frost Sword.


    After reading it, Li Xiaofei realized that while this manual wouldn¡¯t significantly boost his combat abilities, it would deepen his understanding of martial arts. There was no rush to cultivate it; he could take his time. It might even serve as an excellent textbook for Red Flag High School. He¡¯d pass it along to Old Chen later.


    With that in mind, Li Xiaofei unrolled the second scroll. He focused and started reading carefully. The first six words on the scroll read, Eight Secrets of the Heavenly Blade. Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and he immediately started getting excited.


    Could it be? Did I really just draw a technique from this martial world?


    He quickly unrolled the scroll to find a detailed description of the Eight Secrets of the Heavenly Blade, a blade technique personally created by Song Que [2] from Huang Yi''s high-martial universe, Heavenly Blade.


    It¡¯s Huang Yi![3]


    Li Xiaofei was overjoyed. He had long been hoping that the Moonlight Treasure Box would have martial arts techniques from Huang Yi''s martial universe, since it featured characters capable of shattering the void. Compared to Jin Yong¡¯s martial arts universe, the martial arts techniques from Huang Yi¡¯s universe were undeniably more mystical and far stronger.


    If Jin Yong¡¯s martial arts heroes were high-flying, virtuous swordsmen, then the protagonists in Huang Yi¡¯s world were practically superhuman. They were capable of defying gravity and battling entire armies alone. The martial techniques from Huang Yi¡¯s universe were even more captivating.


    Li Xiaofei knew that mastering the Eight Secrets of the Heavenly Blade would elevate his combat ability to an entirely new level. Li Xiaofei had often wondered how the various martial arts techniques from Jin Yong¡¯s martial universe would perform in the modern era. However, martial arts from Huang Yi¡¯s martial universe likely belonged to the realm of experts beyond the Five Spirits Realm. Perhaps their strength was akin to that of immortal cultivation.


    He never expected that he would finally draw the Eight Secrets of the Heavenly Blade. The technique was famously wielded by Song Que, the head of the Southern Gates Clan from the novel Twin Dragons of Great Tang[4]. Song Que was an immensely popular character known for his charismatic personality. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His self-created Heavenly Blade technique, especially the Eight Secrets of the Heavenly Blade, was renowned for its brutal and dominating style. Song Que was known as the number one blade master under heaven. He had never known defeat and was ranked alongside the three great martial arts masters of the world. He was also the youngest among them.


    When Li Xiaofei read the novel, he had been deeply captivated by Song Que¡¯s character. To think he had drawn Song Que¡¯s blade technique.


    Is this fate?


    Li Xiaofei wondered as he realized that he had just acquired the horn of the Bull Demon to craft into a broad blade, only to receive Song Que¡¯s blade technique at the same time.


    Huh? Wait a second. Maybe it wasn''t fate. It was... dog fate. Did the Dog Box purposely hand over this blade technique?


    "Thanks," Li Xiaofei said to the air.


    "Woof, you''re welcome." The Dog Box responded.


    Li Xiaofei''s eyelid twitched.


    Damn, it really was dog fate.


    When he realized that the Moonlight Dog Box had been secretly watching everything all along, Li Xiaofei suddenly felt that he ought to show the Dog Box more respect. After all, it was his golden cheat; his finger of fate, so to speak.


    Li Xiaofei respectfully opened up the Eight Secrets of the Heavenly Blade and began to read and comprehend its mysteries. Each of the eight techniques contained ten moves, for a total of eighty. When executed, it was akin to an immortal riding the wind with boundless grace, carrying an air of mysticism and unparalleled brilliance.


    Li Xiaofei quickly grew immersed in the scroll. The blade technique of Song Que, the Heavenly Blade, emphasized not only form but also intent. It focused on forgetting the blade itself and achieving a state where man and blade were one.


    Song Que once said, "Having form is the realm of earth, but formlessness is the realm of heaven and earth. Form hides formlessness, and formlessness hides form. The highest level is the unity of heaven, earth, and man, where one reaches a state of formlessness within form and form within formlessness."


    This demonstrated that Song Que¡¯s understanding of blade techniques had nearly reached the level of Dao. Even with Li Xiaofei¡¯s incredible comprehension, which was praised by one hundred and eight master instructors, grasping the Eight Secrets of the Heavenly Blade was not something he could master overnight.


    For the first time, Li Xiaofei felt the true difficulty of understanding martial techniques. This was in stark contrast to his experience cultivating the martial arts of Jin Yong''s world, which had come more easily to him. Fortunately, with the assistance of the Secret Time Pavilion, Li Xiaofei still managed to make progress.


    In what felt like the blink of an eye, thirty days passed. Li Xiaofei had finally achieved a basic understanding of the Eight Secrets of the Heavenly Blade. As the time limit for the pavilion reached its end, Li Xiaofei emerged from the Secret Time Pavilion.


    In the real world, not even a second had passed. Li Xiaofei sat cross-legged in the back courtyard of the Xuanku Gang as he continued to ponder and refine his understanding of the blade technique.


    Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, a day and a night passed.


    Boom!


    Suddenly, a surge of intense energy erupted from the underground workshop. Immediately afterward, an invisible blade energy shot up, breaking through the ground and soaring into the sky, slicing straight toward the constellation of Taurus.


    It¡¯s done!


    Li Xiaofei was overjoyed.


    1. Wen Rui¡¯an or Woon Swee Oan is a Hong Kong-based Malaysian poet and writer of wuxia novels. Some of his best known works include Jingyan Yi Qiang, Buyi Shenxiang, and Si Da Ming Bu, which have been adapted into television series Strike at Heart, The Four, Face to Fate, and the film The Four, among others. ?


    2. The main character of Twin Dragons of Great Tang, a wuxia novel by Huang Yi ?


    3. Huang Yi or Wong Cho-keung, better known by his pen name Wong Yee or Wong On, was a Hong Kong writer of Wuxia and science fiction novels. He graduated from the Department of Fine Arts of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and once worked as the Assistant Chairperson of Hong Kong Museum of Art. ?


    4. The Legend of the Twin Dragons of the Great Tang Dynasty also known as Twin of Brothers is a Wuxia novel written by Wong Yee based on the background of the end of the Sui dynasty and the beginning of the Tang dynasty, which integrates history, military, and fantasy. The full set of books totals more than 5 million words. ?

 Chapter 259: Bull Blade

    Chapter 259: Bull Blade"Catch it." Ning Wuwo''s voice rang out from the underground workshop.


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned, but then he saw a purple light shoot out of the ground. Li Xiaofei quickly executed the Graceful Step of the Waves, flashing through the air several times before seizing the purple light.


    The broad blade, faintly silver in color, had strands of purple electric currents flickering across its surface. It could feel its incredible weight in his grasp; in fact, several times heavier than the original bull horn it was forged from. Yet, to Li Xiaofei, it felt as light as a feather.


    Buzz, buzz, buzz.


    The thick blade trembled violently.


    Sizzle, sizzle.


    Purple electricity started to spark at Li Xiaofei''s right hand.


    Damn it! I¡¯ve already killed your original owner, and you still dare to resist me?


    Li Xiaofei unleashed a surge of starforce qi.


    The more you resist, the more excited I get.


    An overwhelming amount of energy surged from him, instantly dispersing the purple lightning. He tightened his grip on the hilt and swung it casually.


    Whoosh, whoosh.


    Invisible blade energy sliced through the air. The small wooden building in the Xuanku Gang¡¯s courtyard trembled briefly before collapsing like a stack of blocks.


    Covered in dust, Ning Wuwo rushed out of the underground workshop and felt a wave of despair wash over him.


    "My medicine room..."


    He was speechless as he felt tears well up.


    At the same time, Li Xiaofei subdued the rebellious bull-horn blade with brute strength. When it sensed his immense strength, the blade¡¯s resistance faded, and it became completely docile.


    Li Xiaofei finally took a closer look at the blade. The blade was exactly two meters in length, with a half-meter-long hilt. It was about forty centimeters wide and had a spine thickness of eight centimeters at its thickest point.


    Since it was carved and polished from a single bull-horn of the Bull Demon star beast, it retained absolute integrity, with no visible joints or welds.


    The guard of the blade was shaped like a bull demon¡¯s open mouth with the long, broad blade extending from the mouth. The blade began narrow, like a goose feather and widened slightly toward the tip. Each side had three blood grooves running down its length.


    What stood out the most were the five vortex-like, storm-eye engravings along the blade¡¯s body. They were where the Inscribed Treasure Bones, the Thunder-Lightning Tempered Bones were embedded. Since the treasure bones were from the same source as the bull horn, they seamlessly merged into the blade¡¯s structure thanks to Ning Wuwo''s masterful craftsmanship. There were no visible marks of engraving or embedding.


    The overall design was heavy and ancient, yet carried a hint of wild elegance.


    ¡°A fine blade!¡± Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but praise it as he held it aloft.


    As a martial arts enthusiast with a love for blades and swords, this was the first weapon he could call entirely his own since arriving five hundred years into the future.


    Li Xiaofei was immediately overwhelmed with a sense of confidence as he held it, like no obstacle was too much for him. Moreover, perhaps due to the resonance with the Bull Demon¡¯s blood within him, the blade seemed to attune even further with him. It now felt like an extension of his body.


    "Old Ning truly lives up to his reputation as a master of both medicine and weapon forging," Li Xiaofei praised. "This blade has no equal in Liuhe Base City."


    Ning Wuwo¡¯s face was still covered in dust, but a look of pride and satisfaction crossed his face. "After twenty years of not forging weapons, I¡¯ve finally crafted the finest one of my life. It was worth it, worth it! Hahaha!"


    Li Xiaofei then said, "Please, Old Ning, grant this blade a name."


    Ning Wuwo waved his hand, "The owner of this blade is you, Brother Li. You should be the one to name it."


    After a brief moment of contemplation, Li Xiaofei said, "This blade was forged from the Bull Demon¡¯s horn and embedded with its Inscribed Treasure Bones. I¡¯ll call it... Bull Blade."


    Bull Blade?


    Ning Wuwo almost stumbled at the simplicity of the name.


    So casual?


    However, upon further reflection, he found that the name had a certain depth, and an understated yet profound charm. It was uniquely fitting.


    "Brother Li¡¯s new blade is like adding wings to a tiger," Ning Wuwo remarked, seizing the moment to add, "The plan to unify the martial gang factions of the base city and claim the title of Martial Arts Alliance Leader should be put into motion now."


    Li Xiaofei responded decisively, "Set it for three days from now."


    Ning Wuwo was overjoyed, "Then it¡¯s settled. I¡¯ll immediately reach out to my allies and start preparing the momentum."


    "Good, I¡¯ll leave everything in Old Ning¡¯s capable hands," Li Xiaofei agreed readily.


    Li Xiaofei had come to realize that Ning Wuwo was trustworthy, and he had already considered him a close friend, despite their age difference. Li Xiaofei was the kind of person who had no doubts about people once he trusted them. If he recognized someone as a friend, he would remain loyal to the end.


    Li Xiaofei rode off on his motorcycle. Ning Wuwo stood in the courtyard, gazing at the collapsed medicine room with a small smile on his face. He knew that the person he had been waiting for had finally arrived. And that person was even more exceptional than he had imagined.


    ***


    Li Xiaofei returned to the slums and, after some careful study, ordered a scabbard and iron case to be made for his new blade.


    Just then, his phone rang. The young lady was calling.


    "Hey, hero, where are you?"


    "Just got home."


    "Come pick me up, I need something."


    "Sure, send me the address."


    "I''m at the City Government Compound."


    "Twenty minutes."


    After hanging up the phone, Li Xiaofei first sent a copy of the Skyward Staff Technique to Chen Fei. Then he wasted no time and headed out. The way of both civil and martial arts requires balance between tension and relaxation. Taking some time to relax with his girlfriend was indeed a joyful event.


    Soon, Li Xiaofei arrived outside the City Government Compound. The security measures had clearly been upgraded by several levels.


    "Here, over here!"


    Tan Qingying¡¯s face lit up with a bright smile as she waved from afar. She wore a black pleated skirt, paired with a crisp white shirt and a small necktie. She exuded the youthful energy of a high school girl from five hundred years ago.


    She ran up to Li Xiaofei and threw her arms around him in a big hug.


    The young secretary from the city leader''s office was already waiting by the door. When he saw this scene, he politely turned his head and pretended not to notice.


    "Li... classmate, please follow me," said the young secretary, with a demeanor that was noticeably more respectful than before.


    Li Xiaofei immediately understood that this meeting wasn¡¯t just a casual date with his girlfriend. It was likely that he would be facing some questions from the city leader, or rather, his girlfriend¡¯s father.


    Holding Tan Qingying¡¯s hand, he whispered playful remarks in her ear as they followed the secretary. The secretary remained silent as he courteously led them to the city leader¡¯s office.


    Just like last time, the waiting area was filled with officials and businessmen who were all clearly either rich or powerful. As soon as Li Xiaofei appeared, the entire room stood up in recognition.


    "President Li!"


    "Young and promising!"


    "Do you remember? We attended the banquet together last time..."


    One after another, faces filled with flattery greeted him. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    These important figures, who were typically treated with the utmost respect, now bowed deferentially before Li Xiaofei. Li Xiaofei simply nodded in acknowledgment, not engaging in conversation, and walked straight to Tan Zhenwei''s office.


    The last time he was here with Chen Fei, he had waited outside the door for hours. But this time, he was ushered straight in. Tan Zhenwei stood up with a smile and personally came to the door to welcome him. This was the proof of his change in status.


    After slaying the Bull Demon, Li Xiaofei had become the city''s most prestigious new figure. Even the city''s three top powers could not afford to show the slightest disrespect toward him now.


    "Have a seat," Tan Zhenwei gestured toward the sofa, then personally picked up the kettle to brew some tea.


    Tan Qingying, still holding onto Li Xiaofei¡¯s arm, also sat down beside him.


    "And why are you here? Didn¡¯t you just say you had something to do?" Tan Zhenwei asked, looking at his daughter.


    Tan Qingying, surprised, replied, "I didn¡¯t say that."


    "Yes, you did."


    "No, I didn¡¯t."


    "Well, you can find something to do."


    Tan Qingying was left silent. After thinking it over, she stood up and left the office, giving them some privacy.


    Tan Zhenwei placed a cup of tea in front of Li Xiaofei, smiling warmly as he asked, "So, what do you think of my daughter?"

 Chapter 260: Strike Down Anyone That Stands In My Way

    Chapter 260: Strike Down Anyone That Stands In My WayLi Xiaofei thought for a moment and replied, "She¡¯s like an angel in the sunlight."


    Tan Zhenwei didn¡¯t openly react to the compliment. Instead, he said, "Honestly, I never expected her to be in a relationship at this stage of her life. I also didn¡¯t plan on her staying in Liuhe Base City indefinitely. The family wanted her to return for university, and I was actually swayed by the idea."


    Li Xiaofei nodded but remained silent.


    Tan Zhenwei went on, "You¡¯ve slain the Bull Demon and driven back the star beast tide. Your presence now commands awe across Liuhe Base City. It''s only a matter of time before the gang factions submit to you. Even the Ye family has begun to fear you. Many other families are quietly watching and waiting to act. How do you feel about that?"


    Li Xiaofei paused, then responded, "Every time I grow stronger, I realize how small I was before. The path of martial arts has no end, and I won¡¯t stop moving forward."


    Tan Zhenwei nodded approvingly.


    "You¡¯re probably aware by now that Little Ying¡¯s background is far from ordinary," Tan Zhenwei said. "What I want to tell you is that both the Tan family and the An family are Saint families. Now, both families want Little Ying to return to her roots and rejoin the family."


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback by Tan Zhenwei¡¯s openness. He quietly contemplated the city leader''s intentions in revealing this information.


    Tan Zhenwei pressed a button behind his desk. The office¡¯s doors, windows, and curtains automatically closed, and the walls were covered by a layer of faint silver metal. A magnetic energy field enveloped the entire office.


    "Roughly three months ago, a family test revealed that Little Ying possesses a rare Saint Emperor Bloodline. This bloodline traces back to the origins of both families... By the way, do you know the history of the Tan and An families?" Tan Zhenwei asked.


    Li Xiaofei shook his head.


    Tan Zhenwei explained, "There was a legendary figure known as Sun Fei, the Northern God Emperor in the history of Great Xia. No one knows where he came from, nor where the Northern Region is located, but he was undoubtedly a godlike figure. He left behind a bloodline called the Saint Emperor Bloodline. Through various circumstances, some descendants of Great Xia obtained this bloodline, and from it, the Ten Saint Families were born. The Tan and An families are two of these ten. The ten families were once incredibly powerful, but the Saint Emperor Bloodline within their descendants thinned over time. Little Ying is the only one in this generation whose Saint Emperor Bloodline has awakened."


    Li Xiaofei remained silent.


    Sun Fei, the Northern God Emperor! He had heard of this name from Little Aunt before as one of the five supreme figures of legend. He hadn¡¯t expected the Tan and An families to be connected to such a figure.


    "Do you understand the significance of a bloodline?" Tan Zhenwei asked.


    Li Xiaofei shook his head again.


    Tan Zhenwei took a sip of tea before continuing, "Nowadays, martial artists in Great Xia gain power through intense cultivation. Starforce qi has been proven to be a force that can be cultivated by all humans worldwide, but it is not the only path to strength."


    "Five hundred years ago, a small number of Great Xia¡¯s citizens were party to a certain event that allowed them to acquire mythical abilities. These abilities left special energy sources in their blood, allowing them to cultivate more rapidly and practice unique techniques that others cannot. These individuals became known as bloodline bearers."


    "Bloodline bearers go by many names, including chosen ones, heaven''s chosen, or heaven''s vessels. In short, they are far superior to ordinary people on the path of cultivation. As such, they are highly valued by nations and major powers. For a Saint family, a bloodline bearer is their hope when it comes to maintaining their current status and achieving even greater heights. A Saint family that fails to produce a bloodline bearer for three generations is not far from decline and ruin."


    "Take the Gu family of Jiangnan, for example. Twenty years ago, they were one of the most prominent Saint families in the country. However, with no bloodline bearers emerging in the second and third generations, their glory has already begun to fade."


    Li Xiaofei reflected on Tan Zhenwei¡¯s words. He was most intrigued by the major event that had occurred 500 years ago and had given rise to bloodline bearers on Earth.


    So, he asked about it.


    City Leader Tan replied, "The event took place in 2023 and was monumental enough to be recorded in human history. However, the Star Council has prohibited any discussion or dissemination of information regarding it since 2322. What you¡¯re asking about is known as the Night of Divine Blood."


    The Night of Divine Blood?


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s face showed clear confusion.


    City Leader Tan explained, "At that time, Earth was being ravaged by star beast invasions, and the damage was catastrophic. Nations around the world were nearly bankrupt, and countless major cities had fallen to the star beasts. The human population was teetering on the edge of extinction. But three days after the emergence of the first Saint, Taiyi, Earth''s sky was suddenly covered in a crimson blood-red hue. The entire planet experienced what was called the Night of Blood. A blood-colored radiance blanketed the land, and the sky seemed to flow with a sea of blood. This phenomenon lasted for three days and nights, and was followed by a blood rain. However, some of the droplets were crystalline, and when they entered the bodies of ordinary people, they triggered mutations. This was the origin of the first bloodline bearers." S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei listened with intense curiosity. This event had taken place 500 years ago, in 2023, the very year he was transported by the Dog Box. If Tan Zhenwei was correct in his timeline, disaster had struck Earth shortly after he disappeared. The star beast invasion had happened the same year he left.


    Why such a coincidence?


    "Some Saints studied the mysterious blood and found that it contained energy sources that were capable of enhancing the human body. They theorized that this blood came from legendary, godlike figures," Tan Zhenwei continued. "Later, word of the bloodlines spread, and it was revealed that there were varying levels to one¡¯s bloodline. The most exalted bloodlines came from the five great supreme figures. However, this hierarchy was not absolute; one could overcome these differences with effort and cultivation. Scientific studies showed that even the most powerful bloodline bearers only managed to unlock a fraction, perhaps only ten to twenty percent, of their bloodline¡¯s full potential."


    Li Xiaofei nodded thoughtfully and asked, "So, does that mean Little Ying¡¯s awakened bloodline is one of the five supreme bloodlines of our time?"


    "Exactly," Tan Zhenwei said. "So now you can understand why Little Ying is being fought over by two great Saint families and why the younger generation of other Saint families were initially so eager to pursue her, right?"


    Li Xiaofei nodded. "So, what you''re saying is that being her boyfriend means I''m up against a lot of pressure and competition."


    Tan Zhenwei agreed, "That¡¯s correct. Before you slew the Bull Demon, you had almost no chance. Even though you performed exceptionally well in the tournament, gaining both my and Inspector Li¡¯s favor, my support alone couldn¡¯t safeguard your relationship. But now that you''ve managed to slay a grade five star beast, you''ve finally earned a basic qualification to compete."


    Li Xiaofei chuckled slowly and confidently. "No, I¡¯m not going to compete with them."


    Tan Zhenwei was taken aback. "What?"


    "Uncle Tan, you¡¯re supporting us, aren¡¯t you?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Tan Zhenwei nodded.


    "Then that¡¯s settled," Li Xiaofei replied with a confident smile. "Parental blessing and mutual affection; we¡¯re already in a relationship. What competition? I¡¯ll send whoever dares to overstep and try to steal her away straight to the afterlife."


    He¡¯d strike down anyone that stood in his way. His love knew no boundaries, and he was determined that no mountain or sea would stand in his path.

 Chapter 261: Conspiring Behind The Back

    Chapter 261: Conspiring Behind The BackTan Zhenwei looked at the spirited young man in front of him and couldn''t help but smile. Time passed so quickly. Many years ago, he had been just as confident. He had ignored the opposition of two powerful families and had run away with the love of his life to a distant place.


    There had been happiness and sweetness, as well as long periods of patience and hidden potential. But unfortunately, the woman he loved was gone and all that was left was a head of graying hair.


    Tan Zhenwei could see his younger self in Li Xiaofei. As a father, it was impossible to say he had no personal interest or bias in his daughter''s marriage. What father wouldn''t want his daughter to marry well?


    But at the same time, he wanted her to be with someone she truly loved. He had quietly gotten rid of those so-called friends who had tried to get close to his daughter before with ulterior motives. In this regard, he had never shown mercy. But Li Xiaofei was different from those morally corrupt rich second-generation or official heirs. The more he got to know this young man, the more Tan Zhenwei approved of him. That was why he hadn''t opposed his daughter''s closeness to him.


    However, Tan Zhenwei hadn''t anticipated the speed at which their relationship had developed. The conflicting emotions that came with being a father had kept him from meeting Li Xiaofei again. Even after the Duxing Hospital lockdown incident, he had rewarded Li Xiaofei generously in the name of the government. He had also rewarded Red Flag High School and the Cloudy Sky Gang.


    Yet, he had never personally summoned Li Xiaofei. He hadn¡¯t fully decided how he felt about their relationship. It wasn''t until yesterday, when news arrived that Li Xiaofei had slain a grade five star beast, that Tan Zhenwei had finally made up his mind to meet him.


    While he saw his younger self in Li Xiaofei, he couldn''t help but acknowledge that this young man possessed a boldness and dominance he himself had lacked in his youth.


    "There is something you might not know yet," Tan Zhenwei said. "The successor to Inspector Li Zhoumin has quietly arrived to assume his position. Liuhe Base City now has a new inspector."


    "That¡¯s quick!" Li Xiaofei said, "I received a message from Teacher Li earlier, but I didn¡¯t expect the new inspector to arrive so quickly and quietly."


    "The new inspector came aboard the Gu family''s aircraft," Tan Zhenwei added.


    Li Xiaofei''s pupils slightly contracted. That sentence was short, but it carried a lot of information.


    Tan Zhenwei continued, "Gu Juechen has already received the news of his son, Gu Langhuo''s, death. However, he hasn¡¯t made any moves to retaliate. Instead, he asked me to pass a message along to you."


    "What message?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Tan Zhenwei replied, "He said the Gu family is willing to let bygones be bygones, as long as you''re willing to join them as a family vassal. They want you to serve the Gu family for ten years."


    Li Xiaofei let out a cold laugh, "He must be overestimating the Gu family. Do they really think they''re worthy?"


    Tan Zhenwei responded, "Alright."


    He paused before adding, "When you went outside the city and killed the Bull Demon, you would have gotten a good look at the star beasts. What are your thoughts on the beast tide?"


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and said, "I believe that there seems to be an even stronger presence lurking behind the Yinji Moon Fox. The star beasts'' formations, coordination, and especially the command structure led by grade three star beasts, resemble a human army. Their strategic and tactical maneuvers surpass what we would normally expect."


    This had been puzzling him for a while. He had rarely seen examples of star beasts laying siege to a city in any textbook or video essay he¡¯d studied.


    Tan Zhenwei sighed and said, "In fact, this beast tide isn¡¯t a natural disaster. It''s man-made."


    A shiver traveled up Li Xiaofei''s body.


    "What exactly is going on?" He pressed urgently for an answer.


    A flash of anger flickered in Tan Zhenwei''s eyes as he replied in a deep voice, "This star beast attack was actually orchestrated by the Ye family, in collaboration with Jiepeng. It was a disaster created by human hands."


    Li Xiaofei was shocked. "How is that possible? Humans can''t control star beasts!"


    Tan Zhenwei explained, "The Jiepeng people used inhumane and illegal surgeries to advance their New Martial Arts experiments. This was primarily done by transplanting human and star beast organs into each other. However, this also allowed them to gain control over star beasts. The siege on Liuhe Base City was their first attempt at using this newfound ability."


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but suck in a cold breath. Jiepeng had truly discovered something massive.


    Human beastmasters were indeed capable of taming and controlling a small number of star beasts. For example, Zhou Yunong, the top beastmaster in the high school league, could control hundreds of grade one star beasts within the light core virtual world. But that was under ideal conditions, and it was also his upper limit.


    There were many powerful beastmasters in the human world. However, the highest recorded achievement throughout history was controlling ten thousand grade one star beasts. Alternatively, a beastmaster could control individual star beasts with realms lower than their own. But quantity and quality could never be achieved at the same time.


    No matter what, it was impossible to orchestrate a beast tide of such a massive scale like the one besieging Liuhe Base City. Yet Jiepeng had actually made a breakthrough in this area.


    ¡°The Ye family is ambitious, but isn¡¯t it outright treason to conspire with Jiepeng to this extent?¡± Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but exclaim.


    Tan Zhenwei said, "Many of the great families are stirring. They hope to use the development of New Martial Arts to redefine their hierarchy. Not only do they seek to rise, but they also aim to destabilize the foundation of Great Xia Republic. These people are full of treacherous ambition and deserve to be killed!"


    Li Xiaofei responded, "If the Ye family is so ruthless and insane, hasn¡¯t anyone at the top noticed?"


    Tan Zhenwei sighed, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Times are hard, and those at the top have a lot to weigh and consider."


    Li Xiaofei only half-understood. After thinking it over, he said, "If that¡¯s the case, why not take decisive action, wipe out the Ye family, and then eradicate the Jiepeng people inside and outside the city? That would solve the problem."


    Tan Zhenwei shook his head in frustration and said, "Jiepeng has garnered support from many Western and European nations. Their empire is growing stronger by the day. If we act rashly and provoke a conflict with the Jiepeng Empire before we are ready, it will only give them an excuse to stir up more trouble."


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t suppress the surging killing intent in his heart. He yearned to lead an army of ten thousand tiger warriors, spear in hand, and ride into the heart of the enemy¡¯s capital!


    "Then we must move against the Ye family," Li Xiaofei said firmly. "A family this poisonous should have been eliminated long ago."


    Tan Zhenwei replied, "I used to think the same way, but the situation has developed too quickly. The Ye family has grown too powerful to easily handle. Not only have they obtained Jiepeng¡¯s backing, but now several Saint families, including the Gu family, are supporting them. Things have only become more uncertain with the sudden change in the inspector at such a critical moment."


    The Ye family had grown too powerful. It would be extremely difficult to eliminate them by force.


    "Tomorrow, members of the Tan family will also arrive," Tan Zhenwei suddenly said. "The old master of the Tan family has promised me the position of family head, on the condition that I leave Liuhe Base City and return to the capital."


    The Tan family was a Saint family, and the position of family head carried immense weight.


    Li Xiaofei responded, "So, the Tan family headquarters doesn¡¯t want you to stay here and butt heads with the Ye family."


    Tan Zhenwei nodded, "Exactly. This is a strategy formed by dozens of Saint families, and it¡¯s likely been approved by some of the New Martial Arts faction''s top leaders. The Tan family doesn¡¯t want to get involved in this dispute."


    Without the backing of his main family, Tan Zhenwei was effectively isolated in Liuhe Base City. It was no wonder that, despite managing the city for so many years, he had ended up suppressed by the Ye family. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    How could one man possibly resist the schemes of dozens of Saint families? Anyone daring to disrupt such a plan would face ruthless retaliation from all sides. This was the foundation of the Ye family''s growing arrogance and madness. But Li Xiaofei refused to accept it.

 Chapter 262: The Surging Killing Intent

    Chapter 262: The Surging Killing Intent"I¡¯ve shared so much with you today because I want you to understand the bigger picture and let you know that you¡¯ll have to work even harder if you want to be with Little Ying."


    Tan Zhenwei shifted topics, "The situation is unstable right now, and you must be extra cautious in everything you do. Don¡¯t let a moment of impulse drive you to recklessness. You¡¯ve grown a lot in such a short time, and your future holds limitless potential. You must protect yourself."


    Li Xiaofei responded, "You''re right. I understand."


    But in his heart, he was already considering how to completely destroy the Ye family. What had once been a personal grudge had now turned into a matter of national vengeance. Now that national hatred and personal enmity was combined, how could he possibly let that go?


    Tan Zhenwei continued, "I¡¯ll help smooth things over with the Gu family. You should avoid provoking Gu Juechen any further. He¡¯s an old Five Spirits Realm expert who has reached the third stage. He¡¯s cunning and has plenty of combat experience, so he is not easily dealt with. He¡¯s also one of the key figures of the Gu family¡¯s middle generation."


    Li Xiaofei nodded and then curiously asked, "Uncle Tan, who is the strongest in the Gu family right now?"


    Tan Zhenwei replied, "The Gu family¡¯s ancestor is a bloodline bearer. Several decades ago, he broke through to the Dao Union Realm. Additionally, the current head of the Gu family has reached the Golden Body Realm, and he too is a force to be reckoned with."


    Li Xiaofei filed this information away in his head. He now had a clearer understanding of the strength behind the Saint families.


    "Uncle Tan, what do you plan to do next?" Li Xiaofei patted his chest and said, "No matter what happens, I¡¯ll support you with all my might."


    In the past, such words from Li Xiaofei would have been laughable. But now, they carried great weight.


    Tan Zhenwei smiled in satisfaction and said, "I don¡¯t need you to do much. But if there is one thing I absolutely need you to accomplish, it''s this."


    Li Xiaofei said, "Please, go ahead."


    Tan Zhenwei''s expression grew serious, and in a heartfelt tone, he said, "No matter how this story ends, please, I beg you, do not let Little Ying down."


    Li Xiaofei responded firmly, "Uncle Tan, rest assured, I will protect her with my life."


    Tan Zhenwei smiled with relief. He knew Li Xiaofei well. He was certain that the promises this young man made would be fulfilled.


    Tan Zhenwei exhaled deeply and said, "It''s just about lunchtime. Let¡¯s have a meal together."


    Li Xiaofei nodded in agreement. He was now confident that he had his future father-in-law¡¯s complete approval. The typical melodramatic story of a wealthy father throwing a five-million-dollar check at the young man and demanding he leave his daughter wouldn''t be happening here. From now on, their relationship was official and justified.


    The office''s anti-surveillance measures were retracted, and Tan Qingying impatiently knocked on the door. When she came in, she sent a quick look of inquiry at Li Xiaofei, who flashed her a victory sign. The young lady instantly beamed with joy.


    The three of them headed to the dining hall, where they enjoyed a pleasant and harmonious meal. As Tan Zhenwei watched his daughter laugh and smile, the last bit of concern in his heart was finally laid to rest.


    In the midst of their meal, the restaurant¡¯s television suddenly aired a breaking news report.


    "We have just received word that Su Yuke, the newly appointed police chief of Congtai District, was tragically killed in the line of duty after being attacked by gang members. She was only twenty-four years old..."


    Clatter!


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s chopsticks slipped through his fingers. He absentmindedly picked them up, still in a daze. When he looked back at the screen, the broadcast had already ended. He turned to Tan Zhenwei, who looked shocked, and then furious.


    Su Yuke had been promoted to the position of Congtai District¡¯s police chief by Tan Zhenwei after her outstanding performance in the Duxing Hospital lockdown case. She was the youngest person in the city¡¯s history to hold such a position. And now, just days later, tragedy had struck.


    Both Tan Zhenwei and Li Xiaofei lost any appetite they had left.


    "I¡¯ll investigate this," Li Xiaofei said, standing up.


    A gang attack?


    He needed to know which gang would dare commit such a suicidal act. Tan Zhenwei nodded and stood up and headed for his office. Tan Qingying, still seated at the dining table, watched the two men leave and quietly set her chopsticks down.


    ***


    ¡°The suspect is believed to be a disciple of Tianyu Palace,¡± Li Xiaofei quickly received the news.


    Tianyu Palace was the largest gang in Liuhe Base City. It had a long history and was particularly formidable. On the surface, the incident seemed straightforward.


    The police had received a report claiming that one of Tianyu Palace''s entertainment clubs in Congtai District was involved in forcing women into prostitution, and there had even been a death. As police chief, Su Yuke personally led the team to investigate the club.


    During the operation, due to her firm stance on law enforcement, she had clashed with the club¡¯s bodyguards. She was then trapped inside the establishment, and by the time reinforcements arrived, Su Yuke had already been killed.


    Tianyu Palace¡¯s leadership, upon learning of the incident, immediately handed over the culprits, apologized to the police department, and made a donation.


    But as Li Xiaofei listened to the account, a chill ran down his spine.


    This was clearly a setup. This was a calculated plan aimed at killing the female police chief. After all, Tianyu Palace had always maintained close ties with the Ye family.


    "What did the Central Police Department say?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Yang Cheng replied, "The department executed the culprit immediately and fined Tianyu Palace. The case has already been closed."


    Li Xiaofei let out a cold laugh. "Quick actions and such a smooth process."


    Even a fool would sense something amiss. Grief pricked at Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart when he remembered Su Yuke. No matter how headstrong or idealistic she may have been, no one could deny that she was a dedicated officer who truly sought to protect the people and fight against evil. She carried the glow of idealism. Yet, someone like her couldn¡¯t escape a tragic end.


    In this world, there were always despicable forces that couldn¡¯t tolerate the brilliance of justice and righteousness. Li Xiaofei was certain this incident had something to do with the Ye family. It had to be their retaliation after the failure at Duxing Hospital.


    The Ye family deserves to die!


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart surged with killing intent. He decided it was time to take action. Just then, his phone rang. It was Tan Zhenwei.


    "Su Yuke¡¯s death isn¡¯t as simple as it appears on the surface, but I¡¯ll handle it," City Leader Tan emphasized over the phone. "I¡¯ll find a way to get justice for her. Right now, do not act on your own. The other side might be trying to provoke you into falling into a trap."


    Li Xiaofei responded calmly, "I understand, Uncle Tan. Don¡¯t worry."


    Tan Zhenwei added, "The memorial service for Chief Su will be held tomorrow morning at nine. You should attend." sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Understood," Li Xiaofei replied.


    After hanging up the phone, the murderous intent in Li Xiaofei''s eyes flared wildly.

 Chapter 263: Bright Future

    Chapter 263: Bright FutureAt the Ye family ancestral residence.


    A small banquet was underway. Ye Guanzhen sat at the head of the table. To his right, seated in the place of highest honor, was an elderly man with a lean face and black beard. This man was Gu Juechen, the head of the first branch of the Gu family.


    On his left sat another esteemed guest, a slightly plump man who appeared to be in his thirties with a pale, beardless face. A faint smile lingered on his face, giving him the appearance of a serene Laughing Buddha. He was none other than Wu Fohai, the newly appointed inspector of Liuhe Base City.


    Twenty of Liuhe Base City¡¯s most prominent figures were seated around the table. They included Du Longshan, the head of the Du family; Nie Sheng, the former chief of the police department; and the patriarchs of the Mu, Zhou, and Qi families.


    At the farthest seat on the right sat a scholarly young man in white robes. His hooked nose and unnaturally pale face gave him an eerie look. This was none other than Shangguan Tianyu, the master of Tianyu Palace. Though he appeared to be in his twenties, he was nearing sixty. Due to the unique cultivation techniques of Tianyu Palace, he had mastered the art of preserving his youthful appearance.


    In the center of the hall, four young and beautiful dancers, dressed in light, gauzy dresses, twirled gracefully to elegant music. Their movements were ethereal, like celestial beings drifting among the clouds, yet the glimpse of pale arms and legs gave their performance a subtle air of seduction.


    "Master Shangguan, your actions were swift and efficient, as expected," Ye Guanzhen said, raising his glass. "I toast to you; this matter was handled beautifully."


    Shangguan Tianyu stood, raised his glass in return, and laughed heartily. "The Ye family¡¯s matters are Tianyu Palace''s matters. It¡¯s only a matter of course to give Brother Ye¡¯s matters my full effort."


    ¡°Haha, well said,¡± Ye Guanzhen laughed heartily.


    That little policewoman wasn¡¯t someone worth fearing, no matter what little backing she had. But she had repeatedly opposed the Ye family and ruined his plans. How could he possibly let her live any longer?


    If he didn¡¯t eliminate her, wouldn¡¯t outsiders think that the Ye family could be easily bullied? Tan Zhenwei might want to promote her, but Ye Guanzhen was determined to kill her. It all depended on which side moved faster. After the Duxing Hospital incident, Ye Guanzhen had withdrawn from the public eye. Outwardly, he no longer appeared in the city¡¯s media or public spaces, but in reality, retreating to the shadows had made it even easier for him to control and plan everything.


    ¡°That little wretch had a close relationship with Li Xiaofei. Won¡¯t Li Xiaofei fly into a rage when he learns about her death?¡± Du Longshan said gleefully. ¡°That brat is impulsive and prone to losing control. We¡¯ve laid the trap perfectly, and he¡¯ll walk right into it. Haha, it will soon be the end of him.¡±


    Ye Guanzhen nodded in agreement and then turned to Nie Sheng, asking, ¡°How are things on the police department¡¯s side?¡±


    Nie Sheng grinned, ¡°Rest assured, Young Master Ye. I¡¯ve already contacted the loyal insiders I planted there. The case has been fully closed. The few who weren¡¯t cooperative have been cowed by the Ye family¡¯s reputation and are now much more obedient. Though I¡¯ve been removed from my position, the police department is still filled with my people.¡±


    Ye Guanzhen said, "Good. You¡¯ve done well, and it seems you¡¯ve earned the Ye family¡¯s support over the years."


    Money and women could corrupt anything. Over the years, the Ye family had covertly expanded its influence, with the help of Nie Sheng, by corrupting countless officials.


    That fool, Tan Zhenwei, didn¡¯t want to get rich himself and even had the nerve to block everyone else¡¯s paths to wealth. He preached ideals every day, but how many people were truly willing to sincerely follow him?


    The banquet grew livelier.


    Ye Guanzhen turned to his left and smiled. "Old friend, how is the investigation into the identity of Your Grandpa going? Is it really Li Xiaofei¡¯s account?"


    The newly appointed inspector, Wu Fohai, shook his head. "The identity of Your Grandpa has been elevated to ultra-SS level. My current clearance is no longer enough to access the details."


    Ye Guanzhen was momentarily stunned. "How could that be?"


    Wu Fohai smiled faintly. "Li Zhoumin, despite his transfer to the Northwest Headquarters, isn¡¯t without his backers. And this wasn¡¯t a demotion; it was a promotion. According to protocol, before he left, he encrypted the information of six accounts in Liuhe Base City¡¯s light-network world. As his successor, I don¡¯t have the authority to access them. So, the true identity of Your Grandpa is destined to remain a mystery."


    Ye Guanzhen felt a deep sense of frustration. The Duxing Hospital incident had largely been derailed because of Your Grandpa, who had bypassed the media blackout and ultimately led to the collapse of their last line of defense. Ye Guanzhen had long wanted to eliminate Your Grandpa, but without knowing the true identity behind the account, he had no way to act.


    He had hoped that once his old friend Wu Fohai took up the role of inspector, he could uncover everything. But it still remained out of reach.


    "But, I don¡¯t think Your Grandpa is Li Xiaofei," Wu Fohai continued. "I¡¯ve tracked down Li Xiaofei¡¯s own account. He¡¯s been actively interacting and sparring with other star players from various high schools on the light-network."


    Ye Guanzhen nodded thoughtfully. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "If Li Xiaofei truly loses his temper and acts out, then it will be up to you, Brother Wu, to deal with that brat," he said, addressing Wu Fohai in front of all the guests.


    Wu Fohai, still smiling, nodded. "Rest assured. As an inspector, I won¡¯t allow such a reckless youth to run rampant. I highly doubt he¡¯ll dare to defy the Star Council."


    With that, everyone felt more at ease. A super-skilled fighter could indeed make even powerful families nervous. But the Star Council was specifically designed to handle such individuals. Even if Wu Fohai couldn¡¯t personally subdue Li Xiaofei, the fact that he represented the Star Council meant that defying him would be equivalent to opposing the council itself.


    It didn¡¯t matter if someone was a Five Spirits Realm expert or even a Golden Body Realm or Dao Union Realm expert. They wouldn¡¯t escape unscathed if they were forced to appear in front of the Star Council¡¯s tribunal. The council¡¯s judgments were no laughing matter.


    "Uncle Gu, has Tan Zhenwei responded?" Ye Guanzhen turned to Gu Juechen.


    Gu Juechen had a neutral expression as he replied, "He said that Li Xiaofei refused to become a vassal of the Gu family."


    "As expected," Ye Guanzhen smirked. "A young man who has achieved success so early is bound to be arrogant."


    "I once offered my heart to the bright moon, but the moonlight shone only on a ditch," Gu Juechen said regretfully. "A seventeen-year-old with the strength of the Five Spirits Realm; his talent is indeed astonishing. If he had agreed to become a vassal to atone for his sins, I would¡¯ve forgiven him. Losing two sons doesn¡¯t matter much to me. But unfortunately... Li Xiaofei has missed his last chance to live."


    Large families always put profit first. Losing two sons in exchange for a young man with the strength of an expert at the Five Spirits Realm was undoubtedly a lucrative deal.


    Gu Juechen added, "Tan Zhenwei is determined to protect Li Xiaofei this time and has offered some tempting conditions."


    "Haha, don¡¯t worry, Uncle Gu," Ye Guanzhen laughed generously. "Whatever conditions a fallen city leader can offer, my Ye family can easily double them for you. Once our Eye of the Northwest plan succeeds, the profits will be in the hundreds of billions."


    Gu Juechen nodded calmly. "You¡¯re right. I¡¯ll send you the list of conditions Tan Zhenwei proposed via LightChat."


    Ye Guanzhen responded enthusiastically, "Rest assured, I¡¯ll double everything."


    But in his heart, he thought to himself that the Gu family was indeed in decline if they were constantly making excessive demands.


    Soon, the dance performance ended.


    Ye Guanzhen raised his glass and stood up. "Liuhe Base City is due for a transformation. From now on, this city will belong to our noble families. Let us all drink to celebrate the dawn of a prosperous new era."


    The guests stood, raising their glasses and drinking in celebration.


    Ye Guanzhen turned to Shangguan Tianyu and said, "Master Shangguan, return to your gang at once. Follow the plan and be fully prepared. Knowing Li Xiaofei''s impulsive nature, he will likely come after you. Be cautious in dealing with him."


    "Haha, don''t worry, Brother Ye," Shangguan Tianyu patted his chest confidently. "Li Xiaofei is of no concern. So far, he has only killed minor figures. My Tianyu Palace is the number one gang in Liuhe Base City. If he dares to come, we¡¯ll make sure he never leaves."

 Chapter 264: Devastated

    Chapter 264: DevastatedShangguan Tianyu was very confident. He had managed Tianyu Palace for forty years and had transformed the headquarters into an impenetrable fortress. It was rigged with various mechanisms, traps, poisons, and beast lairs. He also had crossbows and even modern firearm batteries installed. All these physical defenses combined formed an impenetrable web. Even a Five Spirits Realm expert would find it difficult to break into the fortress quickly.


    In addition, the Ye family had dispatched dozens of top-level experts to reinforce the stronghold. As an extra precaution, Shangguan Tianyu had also secretly hired three elite professional combat teams through the darknet of the Northwestern light core world. They were already stationed in his headquarters and ready to respond to any threat.


    At this point, Tianyu Palace headquarters was nothing less than a death trap. Anyone who came would surely die! This was the level of caution Shangguan Tianyu, a veteran leader, always exercised. After leaving the Ye family estate, Shangguan Tianyu switched vehicles three times before arriving at his headquarters without incident. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tianyu Palace''s headquarters was located in the northwestern area of Liuhe Base City. Five hundred years ago, the site had been an ancient military fortress. The entire structure was made of reinforced concrete, with one-third of the building above ground and two-thirds below ground. It was incredibly sturdy and difficult to assault.


    After Shangguan Tianyu took control, he spent decades and invested a fortune in upgrades and improvements. Now, it had become a true doomsday fortress. Shangguan Tianyu had boasted more than once that he would be unafraid even if a beast tide managed to breach the city walls and star beasts swarmed into Liuhe Base City. His headquarters could survive a siege for a hundred years.


    This confidence was not without reason. Tianyu Palace¡¯s dominance in Liuhe Base City was proof of its power and resilience. As he entered the headquarters, his vehicle drove into the underground elevator and descended to the eighteenth underground floor. The elevator doors opened to reveal an enormous underground space that was the size of at least twenty basketball courts.


    "Lock down headquarters. From now on, no one is to enter or leave without my permission," Shangguan Tianyu commanded.


    The entire Tianyu Palace sprang into action. All the mechanisms, secret passages, and guards were activated and running at full capacity. Not even a mosquito could enter unnoticed. After completing his preparations, Shangguan Tianyu made his way to his office. He took out a video clip and began to watch it with satisfaction.


    The footage was none other than the demise of Police Chief Su Yuke and her team when they were trapped inside Tianyu Palace¡¯s entertainment club. The video depicted the brutal treatment and eventual murder they suffered at the hands of their captors.


    "Li Xiaofei, oh Li Xiaofei, I''ve been waiting for you for so long. Why haven''t you come yet?" Shangguan Tianyu muttered impatiently. "If you don¡¯t show up, how am I supposed to make my mark? How will I explain things to Ye Guanzhen?"


    He manipulated the light core editing system to make a few modifications to the video. He blurred out the faces of those involved in the murder, ensuring that no extra information would be revealed. Once he was satisfied that the video wouldn¡¯t expose too much, he was ready to upload it to the light-network. This was sure to provoke both Tan Zhenwei and Li Xiaofei. Just then, a shrill alarm blared through the headquarters as lights started to flash.


    "Palace Master, someone is attacking the base." A subordinate reported urgently.


    Shangguan Tianyu''s face lit up with joy. He immediately brought up the surveillance feed. Sure enough, a lone figure had appeared outside the headquarters. It was Li Xiaofei.


    "He''s finally here."


    Shangguan Tianyu excitedly slapped the table. His long-awaited moment of glory was within reach. Li Xiaofei was dressed all in black, like a god of death, and had already breached the outer defenses of Tianyu Palace. The guards and disciples outside stood no chance. In just a matter of breaths, the first layer of defense had been utterly obliterated by Li Xiaofei.


    This was the first time Shangguan Tianyu had personally witnessed Li Xiaofei in action. Gradually, his excitement gave way to a growing seriousness as he kept watching the feed. A casual wave of Li Xiaofei¡¯s hand sent anyone who stood in his path flying, exploding into blood mist and vanishing. Walls, stones, and vehicles that blocked his way were reduced to powder or shattered into pieces.


    "So this is the power of a Five Spirits Realm expert?" Shangguan Tianyu felt his heart race in fear and awe.


    Shangguan Tianyu had cultivated the Heaven and Earth Harmonization Technique. Though he was fifty years old, he looked like he was in his twenties. His cultivation had reached the peak of the Meridian Expanding Realm with twelve fully expanded meridians. He was just one step away from entering the Five Spirits Realm and was considered the strongest fighter among the city''s gangs.


    But now, it was clear that the young man in the surveillance feed had usurped his position as the city¡¯s best gang expert. Shangguan Tianyu had always believed that while he wasn¡¯t yet in the Five Spirits Realm, his true combat power was enough to hold his own against an expert at the first stage of Five Spirits Realm.


    However, now it was clear... The power of a Five Spirits Realm expert was far beyond what he had imagined.


    "How on earth did this Li Xiaofei, at just seventeen or eighteen years old, cultivate to such a terrifying level?" Shangguan Tianyu wondered aloud in disbelief.


    What was even more frightening was that he had risen to his current height in a measly six months. As his mind raced, Shangguan Tianyu watched the footage of Li Xiaofei continuing his assault. Li Xiaofei had just punched through the steel door of the underground fortress and reached the elevator plaza.


    The guards stationed in the plaza had already retreated. There were a total of twelve elevator shafts, each leading to different levels of the underground fortress. The guards had already deactivated the elevators using the light core system and locked their controls.


    Li Xiaofei approached the first elevator shaft, effortlessly punched through the door, and leaped down into the dark shaft. In the next moment, a rain of poison-tipped, armor-piercing arrows shot out from hidden openings along the walls of the shaft.


    However, the deadly arrows shattered upon impact with Li Xiaofei¡¯s body, not even leaving a scratch. The arrows were completely destroyed, scattering harmlessly in all directions.


    After descending about four floors, Li Xiaofei punched through the elevator shaft wall and emerged into the next level. The fourth underground floor was the living and cultivation area for Tianyu Palace disciples. As soon as Li Xiaofei appeared, waves of Tianyu Palace disciples surged forward to confront him.


    "Kill him!"


    "The palace master has confirmed that if we kill this man, we will be promoted three ranks and rewarded with ten bottles of Starforce Reagent!"


    Shouting echoed as the disciples charged at Li Xiaofei in a frenzy.


    Swish!


    Sword energy cut through the air. Li Xiaofei¡¯s killing intent boiled over as he unleashed the Six Meridian Divine Sword without mercy. Sword light flashed in every direction.


    Tianyu Palace disciples fell like wheat being harvested. Blood flowed like a river, and bodies piled upon the ground. The survivors were terrified out of their wits at the sheer carnage and fled in all directions.


    Suddenly, the air was filled with a pink mist. Then, seductive moans and gasps began to echo through the fourth underground floor from hidden speakers. The atmosphere grew thick with lust as the sounds of intimate moments, accompanied by rhythmic and intense slapping noises filled the air.


    A group of young, beautiful female disciples of Tianyu Palace, wearing nothing but ankle bells and wristbands, walked through the mist. Their graceful movements, revealing every intimate part of their bodies, made them look like seductive celestial maidens descending to earth.


    As they sashayed through the blood and bodies with bare feet, their movements were as alluring as they were deadly. This was the Tianyu Demon Dance, one of Tianyu Palace¡¯s most lethal techniques. The combination of aphrodisiac mist, entrancing sounds, and mesmerizing dancers could make even the most iron-willed warrior succumb to a sea of desire.


    In the surveillance feed, Li Xiaofei indeed seemed to freeze in place. The dancers swayed from side to side as they approached him. Soon, their delicate arms and legs entwined provocatively around him like vines. Their hands and mouths worked together in a highly suggestive and tempting manner.


    But just as the scene seemed poised to spiral into something even more sensual, the dance took a deadly turn. Sharp blades suddenly slipped out from the full lips of the dancers. At the same time, needles sprang from their fingertips. Their lips and hands transformed into the most lethal of weapons that were aimed mercilessly at Li Xiaofei¡¯s throat and abdomen.

 Chapter 265: Behead

    Chapter 265: BeheadIn the main office, Shangguan Tianyu let out a breath of relief as he watched the scene unfold.


    It worked!


    After all, every man had a weakness for lust, unless he was born impotent. They were most vulnerable when desire overpowered reason. Tianyu Palace was a sect built on cultivating through lust. They had countless ways to amplify one¡¯s lustful desires, and they had used these methods to bring down many powerful experts.


    Li Xiaofei was as good as dead. Shangguan Tianyu¡¯s eyes were fixed on the surveillance feed, and a sense of wild joy surged through him. But then the joy froze on his face and fell away to reveal utter disbelief.


    Li Xiaofei showed no signs of being injured at all. He merely gave a slight shake. The seductive women clinging to him like beautiful serpents didn¡¯t even have time to react before they were all blown apart, their bodies bursting into fragments from the force.


    Only one woman had survived. Li Xiaofei¡¯s cold gaze locked onto the pale, naked beauty and he calmly asked, "Where is your palace master? Tell me."


    "In... the... eighteenth... level." The woman stammered, her eyes glazed over in confusion. "There... you''ll find him...Take elevator number two..."


    Her words came out slowly, as if she were struggling to speak, but the message was clear.


    Shangguan Tianyu felt his scalp tingle with fear as he watched. The Tianyu dancers were absolute puppets; they were controlled by drugs and cultivation techniques. They were his tools for cultivation and utterly loyal to him. No amount of torture or threats could ever make them betray him. But now, Li Xiaofei had made one of them spill his location.


    How did Li Xiaofei do that?


    Shangguan Tianyu stared blankly at the screen as Li Xiaofei blasted through the elevator shaft wall with a single punch and leapt down into the number two elevator shaft without hesitation.


    "Not good!"


    Shangguan Tianyu was alarmed. He quickly issued a series of commands, dispatching both the Ye family¡¯s experts and the high-priced professional teams hired from the darknet. No matter the cost, they had to stop Li Xiaofei.


    At the same time, Shangguan Tianyu manipulated the light core, recording Li Xiaofei¡¯s every move as he killed his way into the headquarters. These recordings would serve as evidence that he could present to Inspector Wu Fohai of Starry Sky Hotel and use to convict Li Xiaofei.


    Shangguan Tianyu then immediately grabbed his essential belongings and prepared to escape through a secret passage that only he knew. However...


    Boom!


    The room trembled violently. The titanium alloy door, which was supposed to withstand multiple missile strikes, was blasted off its hinges as a demon god-like figure strode in.


    It¡¯s Li Xiaofei! How is this possible?!


    Shangguan Tianyu¡¯s soul nearly left his body in terror. It had only been less than five minutes since Li Xiaofei jumped into the number two elevator shaft.


    The Ye family¡¯s experts and the three professional teams were completely overwhelmed in under five minutes? What kind of monster did I provoke?


    At this moment, Shangguan Tianyu finally realized just how horribly he had miscalculated.


    "President Li, let¡¯s talk this out. I¡ªI had my reasons..." He stammered, forcing a smile and raising his hands in surrender as he desperately tried to explain.


    "Are you Shangguan Tianyu?" Li Xiaofei asked coldly as he stepped forward, his eyes staring indifferently at him.


    "Y-yes, I am... President Li, I¡ª" Shangguan Tianyu stammered, but before he could continue, Li Xiaofei reached out and grabbed him by the throat.


    In that instant, Shangguan Tianyu finally understood why Li Xiaofei had been able to tear through all of his carefully laid defenses so quickly. The power contained in that grip was beyond anything Shangguan Tianyu could comprehend. He felt his breath cut off and any courage to resist was utterly destroyed.


    "Did you orchestrate the murder of Chief Su Yuke?" Li Xiaofei''s voice was icy and filled with menace.


    Shangguan Tianyu wanted to lie and weasel his way out of the situation. But for some reason, Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes were like swirling stars pulling him into an abyss and his mind suddenly collapsed.


    His thoughts scattered, and no other idea formed in his head except total submission. He felt like he was before an unstoppable divine force that he could never defy.


    "Yes, it was on my orders... I instructed two of my Hall Masters to carry it out," Shangguan Tianyu slowly confessed, unable to stop himself.


    He couldn¡¯t control his own words.


    "Who¡¯s behind this?" Li Xiaofei asked coldly.


    "It¡¯s... it¡¯s..." Shangguan Tianyu, drenched in sweat and struggling, still couldn¡¯t stop himself from speaking, "It¡¯s Ye... Ye... Ye Guanzhen. It was Ye Guanzhen! He orchestrated everything. He ordered Su Yuke¡¯s murder to send a message to Tan Zhenwei."


    "Who else was involved?" Li Xiaofei pressed further.


    "Former Police Chief Nie Sheng, along with his trusted followers... and... and..." Shangguan Tianyu realized he had no control and started spilling everything he knew.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes flashed with cold killing intent once he was done questioning the palace master. He didn¡¯t hesitate as he snapped Shangguan Tianyu¡¯s neck with a twist of his wrist.


    Crack.


    Shangguan Tianyu¡¯s neck crunched as it was violently wrenched to the side. The life force drained swiftly from the once-powerful Meridian Expanding Realm master. His eyes widened in disbelief. He could hardly believe it. Li Xiaofei had actually killed him without hesitation. Shangguan Tianyu was consumed by a mixture of regret and disbelief as his consciousness faded away into eternal darkness.


    Li Xiaofei, unfazed, opened his LightChat and sent the recording of Shangguan Tianyu¡¯s confession directly to Tan Zhenwei. This would serve as critical evidence. Li Xiaofei wanted to see whether those in power would still try to protect the Ye family with such damning proof. The murder of a district police chief was a serious crime; it was equivalent to direct opposition to the government of the Republic.


    If even this couldn¡¯t bring the Ye family to justice, then the influence of these aristocratic families truly covered the sky.


    Li Xiaofei drew his Longya Group short sword and beheaded Shangguan Tianyu. He then placed the head into a nearby container. Carrying Shangguan Tianyu¡¯s severed head, Li Xiaofei climbed back up the elevator shaft and emerged at ground level. By the time he walked out of the fortress, the forces of the Cloudy Sky Gang had already arrived. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Boss." Li Junjie, Li Xiaofei''s top lieutenant, rushed over. "The brothers are all here. Let¡¯s start the battle!"


    "Battle?" Li Xiaofei glanced at him.


    Li Junjie replied confidently, "We¡¯ve been fed up with those Tianyu Palace scum for a long time. Just give the order, Boss, and today we¡¯ll level Tianyu Palace to the ground. We¡¯ll fight to the death and tear down their flag!"


    The elite enforcers of the Cloudy Sky Gang were equally eager, growling with anticipation, as they waited behind him.


    Li Xiaofei responded calmly, "Did you find the people I asked for?"


    Li Junjie quickly answered, "Yes, Boss. I brought the best weapons specialist and the top light core engineer from the gang."


    "Take them and secure the fortress," Li Xiaofei instructed.


    "Right away, boss! Uh... secure?" Li Junjie was stunned.


    Wait a minute. Did the Boss already take down the strongest doomsday fortress in Liuhe Base City? That can¡¯t be real, right? If so, how would I earn my merit now?


    "Why so much nonsense?" Li Xiaofei smacked Li Junjie on the head and said, "Hurry up and go."


    Li Junjie immediately bowed with a nervous smile. "Yes, Boss... Right away."


    Turning around, he waved his hand and shouted, "Alright, boys, let¡¯s move!"


    The Cloudy Gang members ran inside, eager to carry out their orders. Suddenly, Li Xiaofei remembered something and waved for Li Junjie to come back.


    "Boss?" Li Junjie asked, a bit confused.


    "You got a smoke?"


    "Yeah... Wait, Boss, I thought you didn''t smoke?"


    Smack!


    "Ouch! Fine, here, take it." Li Junjie rubbed his head as he handed over his pack of cigarettes.


    He was about to offer a light, but stopped in awe as Li Xiaofei snapped his fingers together to create a small spark that ignited the cigarette.


    Li Xiaofei took a drag as he leaned back on his motorcycle, gazing at the distant sunset. The winter evening in Liuhe Base City wasn¡¯t exactly picturesque. The sun hung low, pale and faint, half-hidden behind the heavy clouds.


    The snow from a few days ago had yet to fully melt. Patches of white snow could still be seen across the city, though it seemed as if the darkness of the city was slowly consuming the remnants of white.


    Leaning silently against his motorcycle, Li Xiaofei, who had never smoked before, waited quietly.


    Li Junjie noticed this from a distance and whispered to a nearby subordinate, "The boss seems to be in a bad mood."


    The subordinate didn¡¯t know how to respond. This was the first time Li Junjie had seen their leader express such emotion. The boss, who was always positive and full of fiery energy, seemed a little sorrowful today.


    After finishing the cigarette, Li Xiaofei¡¯s LightChat chimed with a message from Tan Zhenwei.


    The higher-ups say the evidence is insufficient. They can''t hold the Ye family accountable.


    As Li Xiaofei read the response, disappointment and a cold, biting anger crept into his heart. It felt as though the chilling wind around him could freeze the ground beneath his feet into an endless ice field.

 Chapter 266: Exceptional Swordsmanship

    Chapter 266: Exceptional SwordsmanshipIt¡¯s impossible to pursue accountability!? The evidence is so clear, so why can''t they pursue it? They had murdered a district-level police chief, yet the Ye family still can¡¯t be punished?


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t hold back any longer and made a direct voice call.


    Tan Zhenwei answered quickly.


    "You''ve caused quite a bit of trouble this time, kid."


    The city leader spoke urgently over the phone, "Tianyu Palace is a legally registered gang and is protected by law. You killed so many of their people. The Ye family and the Starry Sky Hotel will use this to attack you and hold you accountable."


    Li Xiaofei sneered, "A legally registered gang? It won¡¯t be legal for long. There¡¯s more than enough evidence at Tianyu Palace¡¯s headquarters to bring them down a thousand times over."


    Tan Zhenwei replied, "But you''re not law enforcement."


    Li Xiaofei countered, "The law enforcement is dead."


    He was referring to the little policewoman, Su Yuke.


    Tan Zhenwei¡¯s tone softened a bit. "Leave everything to me. Don¡¯t act impulsively. Go back, get a good night''s sleep, and wake up for school tomorrow."


    A bitter smile crept onto Li Xiaofei¡¯s face.


    "Why?" He asked, "Why can''t the evidence convict the Ye family?"


    Tan Zhenwei explained, "Some believe it¡¯s fabricated, others say the testimony is unreliable. For various reasons, relying on Shangguan Tianyu''s confession alone to bring down the Ye family is too naive."


    Li Xiaofei responded, "I know what Shangguan Tianyu said was the truth."


    "So what?" Tan Zhenwei shot back.


    Li Xiaofei said, "As long as it''s the truth, that''s enough." After a moment, he continued, "Actually, I didn¡¯t have much hope to begin with. I just wanted to give it one last try and hold onto a sliver of luck... Uncle Tan, I understand now."


    He hung up the phone. He straddled his motorcycle, secured the container holding Shangguan Tianyu¡¯s head, and started the engine. The roar of the engine echoed in the air. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the fading winter sun, his lone figure and the motorcycle cast a long shadow on the ground. Li Xiaofei sped down the streets on his bike as the sun faded away ahead of him. As the winter air grew colder, Li Xiaofei rode fearlessly into the darkness. A hero, breaking the law through force.


    ***


    Twenty minutes later. In the slums.


    Li Xiaofei entered his training room.


    ¡°No matter what happens, do not disturb me.¡± He gave a strict order.


    The training room, built entirely out of titanium alloy, was completely sealed off. The martial artists of the Cloudy Sky Gang stood guard outside.


    Inside, Li Xiaofei drew his Bull Blade and channeled starforce qi into it as he activated the Armor Harnessing Technique. The mutant bull¡¯s blood erupted from every pore in his body, transforming into a crimson exoskeleton armor. He stared at his reflection in the mirror. He looked like a monster beneath the red armor.


    He grinned.


    A monster, huh? So be it. Actually... I can be even more monstrous.


    For some reason, a figure from a myth five hundred years ago suddenly appeared in Li Xiaofei¡¯s mind.


    With a three-foot sword in hand,


    At ease by the wall he stands,


    Eyes wide, banishing evil spirits,


    Raising his brow, he slays the demons of the world.


    "It''s him."


    Li Xiaofei made up his mind. He pushed the Armor Harnessing Technique further, altering the shape of the crimson exoskeleton around him. Soon, he was clad in a grotesque and fearsome black-red armor. He resembled an evil deity with a leopard head, bulging eyes, and a fierce beard framing his face.


    Zhong Kui[1] was a Daoist god known for hunting down ghosts and expelling evil spirits. Daoism was the native religion of China. Calling it the national religion wouldn¡¯t be an exaggeration.


    "If this world is overrun with demons and monsters, then I¡¯ll become Zhong Kui and slay every last one."


    Li Xiaofei was thoroughly satisfied with the new form of his Armor Harnessing Technique. He would avenge Su Yuke in his own way. He would wipe out the Ye family. He would protect Liuhe Base City.


    "Dog Box."


    "Woof."


    "Open the Spatial Point Theft map."


    "Woof, understood."


    A scroll made of ancient parchment appeared out of thin air before him. Li Xiaofei controlled the map''s coordinates with his mind, finally locking onto the Ye family''s ancestral estate.


    He paused for a moment, carefully studying the layout of the estate displayed on the map.


    "Here."


    He lifted the Bull Blade, allowing the strange blood to cover its blade. The blade transformed as well.


    "In your transformed state, you deserve a new name. I''ll call you Ghost Slayer."


    Li Xiaofei gently ran his fingers along the blade, which vibrated in excitement. It would cut down every demon and evil spirit in existence. Li Xiaofei''s gaze grew sharp and resolute.


    "Dog Box, begin teleportation."


    "Woof, got it."


    A silver light burst forth from the ancient parchment map. In the next instant, Li Xiaofei vanished from where he stood.


    ***


    At the same time. A faint glimmer of light flashed in the Ye family''s ancestral estate. A pale silver portal appeared in the front courtyard. The crimson-armored Li Xiaofei, carrying the broad Ghost Slayer blade, stepped out from the portal. Immediately, he was met by a pair of patrolling Ye family warriors.


    "Who goes there?"


    "Stop right there, who are you?"


    The warriors quickly surrounded him. After all, this ghostly figure had appeared in such an eerie manner. Li Xiaofei remained silent as his long blade swept across them. This was the first time he had wielded his blade in combat since mastering the Eight Secrets of the Heavenly Blade.


    The blade flashed in the night and the five well-armed warriors, all in the Acupoint Opening Realm, froze in place. Li Xiaofei walked forward, his blade in hand.


    As his figure disappeared through the moon gate ahead, blood suddenly erupted like five crimson rainbows. The five warriors were severed at the waist and collapsed to the ground. But the courtyard¡¯s rockery, pavilion pillars, and stone table were also sliced clean in half.


    A maid, pushing a dinner cart into the courtyard, caught sight of the scene and immediately screamed in terror, covering her face. Her shriek alerted the guards.


    "Enemy attack!"


    "An assassin!"


    The alarm rang out. Figures began darting around the Ye estate. Shouts and the sounds of battle soon followed.


    Ye Guanzhen, who had been entertaining guests, was naturally disturbed by the commotion. His expression shifted slightly.


    Someone dared to launch an assassination attempt at the Ye estate?


    "Lord Ye, would you like me to handle this matter for you?" The man sitting across from him, dressed entirely in black, wore wooden clogs and had three swords, two long, one short, hanging at his waist. It was clear he was from Jiepeng.


    Ye Guanzhen smiled faintly and said calmly. "No one in Liuhe Base City has ever entered the Ye estate and left unharmed. Lord Qian, please sit back and watch."


    As he spoke, he operated his light core, projecting a screen in the room. After a moment, it displayed footage of the estate guards confronting the intruder.


    "Eh?" Ye Guanzhen was momentarily stunned.


    The intruder looked rather extraordinary. He was draped in a blood-red robe that seemed to flow like liquid and his armor was the color of fresh blood. His helmet had the visage of a grotesque human face, making him seem anything but human. It was as if a god or ghost had walked out of the underworld.


    He wielded a massive crimson broadblade in his hand as he leisurely strolled through the courtyard. One after another, the Ye family¡¯s elite fell like wheat before a scythe with each swing of his blade.


    The screen flickered as the intruder swiftly moved through the Ye estate. No one could withstand a second strike from him. His swordsmanship was astounding!


    "Lord Ye, it seems you''ve encountered trouble."


    Even Senjo Takauchi, the Jiepeng warrior, couldn¡¯t hide his shock. "This man¡¯s swordsmanship is exceptional."


    1. Zhong Kui is a Daoist deity in Chinese mythology, traditionally regarded as a vanquisher of ghosts and evil beings. He is depicted as a large man with a big black beard, bulging eyes, and a wrathful expression. Zhong Kui is able to command 80,000 demons to do his bidding and is often associated with the five bats of fortune. Worship and iconography of Zhong Kui later spread to other East Asian countries, and he can also be found in the folklores and mythologies of Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. ?

 Chapter 267: Heavenly Blade Of Great Xia

    Chapter 267: Heavenly Blade Of Great XiaYe Guanzhen''s eyes narrowed slightly.


    Who exactly is this person? How did he manage to enter the Ye family¡¯s ancestral estate?


    The Ye family estate was the most secure and fortified estate they owned. Over a thousand elite warriors guarded its perimeter, supported by various traps, power armor specialists, legally installed turrets, and a defense network of heavy weapons. These defenses posed a significant threat even to martial arts experts.


    Even a master in the Five Spirits Realm would need considerable time and effort to breach the estate. Yet, this demon-like figure had appeared effortlessly within the heart of the ancestral grounds.


    The Ye family had never provoked such a formidable enemy before.


    Could it be Li Xiaofei?


    As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Ye Guanzhen dismissed it. Li Xiaofei¡¯s fighting style was completely different from this ghostly expert on the screen. Li Xiaofei relied on fists, palms, and his powerful physique. This man, on the other hand, was a rare master of swordsmanship.


    Shaking his head to dispel such pointless thoughts, Ye Guanzhen said, "No matter how skilled his swordsmanship is, if he dares to intrude on the Ye estate, he will die."


    He pulled out his light core and issued a series of commands. The Ye family¡¯s strongest warriors were alerted and promptly mobilized.


    ***


    "Who dares trespass into the Ye family''s ancestral estate?"


    A thunderous shout rang out. Several of the Ye family''s elders appeared simultaneously. Countless Ye family retainers and warriors surged forward like a tide as they tried to stop Li Xiaofei.


    Yet none could last a single strike beneath the Ghost Slayer broadsword. The blade flashed and men fell like grass being cut. The energy from the blade slashed through the air. It was as if a god had descended.


    The elders of the Ye family turned pale. The sheer strength of this man and his mastery of the blade was terrifying beyond belief. The massive crimson broadsword in his hand moved like the breath of an immortal. It seemed as light as a feather, yet it was utterly unstoppable.


    "Who are you?!" The head elder, Ye Changlin, demanded.


    "The one who wields the Ghost Slayer." Li Xiaofei''s voice was as cold as the whisper of death itself.


    In the blink of an eye, the hundreds of Ye family warriors attacking him had been reduced a mere tenth of their number.


    "Shoot him! Kill him!"


    Fifty elite crossbowmen appeared on either side of the elders with cocked crossbows. The arrowheads were triangular, gleaming with a faint, eerie light.


    These crossbows were crafted by a renowned weapons specialist to be more powerful than firearms or ordinary energy weapons. They were specifically designed for martial arts experts and were capable of piercing through starforce qi defenses and puncturing the body. Once hit, the victim would bleed continuously, leading to a slow and painful death.


    Swish, swish, swish!


    The sound of arrows tearing through the air echoed as a rain of bolts struck Li Xiaofei. However, they were instantly deflected by the armor formed from the mutant bull¡¯s blood. The entire Zhong Kui appearance was a manifestation of Li Xiaofei¡¯s armor.


    The combined strength of the mutant bull¡¯s blood and the Armor Harnessing Technique made it impenetrable. The specially crafted armor-piercing arrows were effortlessly deflected.


    "What?"


    Ye Changlin and the other elders'' faces twisted in shock.


    "Madman!" A fierce shout echoed.


    A white figure shot toward Li Xiaofei as swift as lightning. When they heard his voice, the elders¡¯ faces lit up with relief.


    The second enforcer had arrived. The Ye family¡¯s second enforcer, an unnamed, reclusive expert, had been halfway to the Five Spirits Realm two years ago. He was likely a full-fledged master of the Five Spirits Realm at the moment. Now that he had taken action, the situation should finally...


    Swish!


    A flash of the blade parted the white figure in an instant.


    ¡°Such a fine blade... such... swordsmanship.¡± The second enforcer uttered haltingly as his body trembled slightly.


    His body split at the waist, collapsing to the ground with a loud thud. Blood gushed like a fountain.


    What? The second enforcer didn¡¯t even withstand a single strike? A master of the Five Spirits Realm was slain in one blow? The intruder is undeniably a Five Spirits Realm expert.


    Ye Changlin and the other elders, their faces twisted in shock and horror, immediately began retreating in terror.


    "Go, stop him!"


    "Quick, summon the grand enforcer!"


    The elders, now in complete panic, shouted frantically.


    The Ye family had deep reserves that were usually hidden from the public eye. Over the years, they had used vast wealth and rare treasures to recruit two powerful enforcers. The grand enforcer''s strength far surpassed that of the second enforcer.


    Ten years ago, his cultivation had already reached the third stage of the Five Spirits Realm. Although he was known for his bad temper and arrogance, and usually refused to act under normal circumstances, there was an agreement in place. In times of life and death for the Ye family, the grand enforcer was bound to intervene and eliminate their enemies.


    "The grand enforcer is here!"


    A shout of joy echoed from afar.


    The previously trembling Ye family warriors let out a collective sigh of relief. If the grand enforcer intervened, the tide of the battle would surely turn. Even Ye Changlin and the other elders felt a sense of relief wash over them.


    But in the next instant...


    "The grand enforcer... he''s running away!" Cries of shock came from afar.


    What?


    The Ye family elders were dumbfounded.


    Ye Changlin turned to look. In the distance, the grand enforcer¡¯s figure was drifting along like an immortal riding the wind as he fled at top speed.


    "Grand enforcer, what are you doing?" Ye Changlin shouted desperately, "Come back and help us kill the enemy!"


    "I can¡¯t! The enemy is too powerful. I can''t win." The grand enforcer''s voice echoed from afar.


    Ye Changlin nearly fainted from sheer disbelief and fury. He roared, "You''ve taken countless cultivation resources from the Ye family! Now, in our moment of need, how can you flee without a fight?"


    ¡°If I get the chance, I¡¯ll avenge you all...¡± The grand enforcer shouted as he ran even faster, disappearing in the blink of an eye.


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned.


    Damn, how could someone be so shameless?


    Still, he could clearly sense that the grand enforcer was indeed a genuine Five Spirits Realm expert. Thus, he chose not to give chase. He would finish off the Ye family¡¯s minions first.


    The blade flashed again. One by one, Ye family warriors fell.


    ¡°What grudge does your Excellency have with the Ye family to warrant such deep hatred?¡± Ye Changlin couldn¡¯t help but ask. ¡°Could this be some kind of misunderstanding? Allow me to explain.¡±


    ¡°The Ye family is full of wretched fiends; betraying the nation for profit, oppressing the innocent, and exploiting the people.¡±


    Li Xiaofei advanced swiftly with his blade, his voice cold and stern. ¡°I, Zhong Kui, will eradicate the Ye family today, acting on behalf of the heavens to rid the base city of this scourge.¡±


    A flash of the blade cut through the air before Ye Changlin could respond. His head soared skyward, severed cleanly from his body. Blood gushed like a fountain from his neck.


    "The head elder is dead!"


    "The head elder has been killed!"


    The Ye family warriors cried out in shock. The remaining elders were terrified out of their minds and immediately fled. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei pressed deeper into the estate with his blade in hand, killing any Ye family warriors or clan members he encountered. There was no mercy for his enemies beneath the Ghost Slayer. However, when he came across servants, maids, cooks, or gardeners, he spared them. One man and one blade carved a path straight through the Ye family¡¯s ancestral estate.


    "Ye Guanzhen! Come out and face your death!" Li Xiaofei bellowed, his voice reverberating through the halls.


    Li Xiaofei''s voice boomed like thunder, echoing in all directions. Courtyard walls, stone barriers, and pavilions crumbled with a slash of his blade, sending clouds of dust into the sky.


    The Ye family warriors had gathered in the inner courtyard''s Hongguang Hall. Ye Guanzhen and the Jiepeng martial expert, Senjo Takauchi, slowly stepped out.


    "You dared to invade my estate and slaughter my kin. No matter who you are, you will die today," Ye Guanzhen snarled through gritted teeth.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s massive, god-like figure emerged through the dust and debris.


    "Die!"


    Li Xiaofei swung his blade without any hesitation. The Eight Secrets of the Heavenly Blade, designed to sweep away all demons, unleashed its might.


    "Today, I will kill you."


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s intent to kill was sharper than the blade in his hand, his focus locked solely on Ye Guanzhen. Blade light surged like a tidal wave.


    "After today, the Ye family will no longer exist in Liuhe Base City."


    He descended upon them like the grim reaper himself.

 Chapter 268: Extermination Of The Ye Family

    Chapter 268: Extermination Of The Ye Family"Great Xia warrior, let me test your strength," Senjo Takauchi stepped forward, eyes gleaming with excitement.


    "Jiepeng dog?" Li Xiaofei¡¯s contemptuous gaze landed on him as he sneered.


    "Such lack of manners," Senjo Takauchi replied. "As a martial expert in the Five Spirits Realm, you lack the dignity of a true master."


    "Bah!" Li Xiaofei spat back, "Screw you, little Jiepeng dog."


    Senjo Takauchi''s face contorted with rage.


    Clang, clang!


    Both the long and short katana at his waist were unsheathed in an instant.


    "Disrespectful Great Xia warrior, I will kill you!" Senjo Takauchi unleashed his starforce qi with a furious shout as his entire body started radiating energy.


    Ten spiritual shackles on his body glowed brightly, bursting with divine light. A hundred and twenty acupoints shimmered like stars in the cosmos, while twelve meridians materialized like twelve heavenly rivers flowing through his body.


    At the same time, two more points within Senjo Takauchi¡¯s chest blazed with radiant divine light. He had fully mastered Qi Refining, Limit Breaking, Acupoint Opening, and Meridian Expanding. He had truly reached the peak of his cultivation.


    He was at the second stage of the Five Spirits Realm! This was the source of his confidence. He made no effort to conceal his strength, proudly displaying his realm¡¯s might. The five great realms'' phenomena flowed and revolved around him like a brilliant, surging river of stars.


    "Let me show you the supreme swordsmanship of Jiepeng... Whirlwind Slash!"


    With the short sword in his left hand and the long sword in his right, Senjo Takauchi spun rapidly, unleashing a deadly slash. It was a signature Jiepeng martial technique. Li Xiaofei, wielding the massive broadblade with ease, responded by executing the first form of the Eight Secrets of the Heavenly Blade¡ªa single, decisive slash.


    Clang, clang!


    The two blades collided. Senjo Takauchi felt a titanic impact surge toward him. He was sent flying backward, crying out in shock.


    "Pathetic," Li Xiaofei sneered coldly.


    "Great Xia warrior, you''re only relying on brute strength!" Senjo Takauchi shouted defiantly. "Do you dare test your skill in blade technique against me?"


    "Frog in a well, unable to see the sky," Li Xiaofei mocked. "I''ll let you, a mere worm from that tiny land, witness the true art of Great Xia''s swordsmanship."


    Li Xiaofei unleashed the Eight Secrets of the Heavenly Blade. He moved like an ethereal figure, surrounded by clouds and mist as the courtyard erupted with blinding flashes of blade light. In an instant, energy crisscrossed in all directions. His blade techniques were boundless in form, utterly exquisite, and unparalleled in precision.


    "What kind of blade technique is this!?" exclaimed Senjo Takauchi.


    He desperately drew the third katana at his waist. Three-Sword Style! This was his most powerful form.


    "Great Xia¡¯s Heavenly Blade," Li Xiaofei replied.


    He wasted no time as he unleashed the full force of the Eight Secrets of the Heavenly Blade, transforming the battlefield into a storm of dazzling blade light. The Ghost Slayer blade streaked through the air like a flowing beam of light, cutting through everything in its path.


    When he came to a stop, time seemed to freeze. Senjo Takauchi stood still, gripping his long sword in his left hand, the short sword in his right, while the third katana remained clamped between his teeth.


    Li Xiaofei passed by him without a second glance, heading straight for Ye Guanzhen.


    Splurt!


    Blood sprayed from countless wounds on Senjo Takauchi''s body.


    Clang, clang!


    The swords dropped to the ground one after another as his body collapsed.


    Boom!


    Senjo Takauchi''s body erupted, blood spraying in crisscrossing streams that filled the air like a red mist. He collapsed instantly as he was split into irregular pieces of flesh and bone. Blood flowed freely, staining the ground in a thick crimson pool.


    "Who... who are you really?" Ye Guanzhen''s voice trembled in terror. He was utterly shocked.


    This man, who called himself Zhong Kui, possessed blade skills and strength beyond imagination. When had Liuhe Base City ever seen such a formidable warrior?


    Li Xiaofei paused slightly. Then, without a word, he struck.


    Swish!


    Ye Guanzhen''s head was severed cleanly, and Li Xiaofei held it aloft.


    "You don¡¯t need to know who I am," Li Xiaofei said coldly, "You just need to know¡ªyou deserved to die."


    He swept his gaze over the remaining hundreds of warriors, who trembled as they staggered backward in fear.


    "All of you deserve to die," said Li Xiaofei as he swung his blade.


    Thirty seconds later, corpses littered the ground as blood pooled in every direction. Ye Guanzhen''s head in hand, Li Xiaofei swiftly searched the Ye family¡¯s ancestral estate, killing any hidden elders or masters he found.


    He used the tip of his long blade to carve bloodied words on the massive courtyard wall.


    With blade I rid the world of evil, slaying all demons and monsters. The Ghost Slayer, Zhong Kui.


    Then, he sheathed his blade and set the place ablaze. The Ye family¡¯s ancestral estate, a classic old-style complex made of wood and stone, was highly flammable.


    Flames surged into the sky. The sound of alarms filled the air as the distant hum of approaching aircraft echoed overhead.


    Boom!


    The ground trembled. Dozens of power armor units stormed into the area.


    "Dog Box, teleport me back," Li Xiaofei whispered.


    The ancient parchment scroll appeared once again and a faint light flashed. In the blink of an eye, both Li Xiaofei and the scroll vanished from the scene.


    The forces that rushed into the burning Ye estate searched every corner of the fiery ruins but found no trace of the mysterious figure responsible for the massacre. Even the semi-military warriors stationed around the perimeter of the estate could offer no useful information. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    No one knew how this Five Spirits Realm expert had suddenly appeared in the heart of the Ye estate and no one knew how he had left. The only thing they could confirm was that the Ye family had been destroyed.


    All three hundred and sixty-seven members of the Ye family, save for innocent servants, were dead. Liuhe Base City was shaken to its core.


    ***


    A faint light flickered as Li Xiaofei returned to his training room. The smell of blood lingered in the air. He dismissed his armor and the Ghost Slayer transformed back into the Bull Blade.


    He still held the severed heads of Ye Guanzhen and Ye Changlin. He carefully placed the heads in containers he had prepared in advance and sealed them tightly. Next to them, another container already held the head of Shangguan Tianyu. Three heads. For one purpose. Li Xiaofei glanced at the time. It was exactly 8:00 p.m.


    Li Xiaofei rested his blade horizontally on his knees, closed his eyes, and began to meditate. He was trying to calm the raging killing intent boiling within him. Though the Ye family had been wiped out, his battle spirit had not waned, and his thirst for blood was far from sated. There were still the Jiepeng warriors outside the city controlling the star beasts and the Gu family.


    Twenty minutes passed as Li Xiaofei successfully quelled the murderous aura within him. Yet, he did not stand up. Eyes still closed, he continued to reflect, delving into the depths of the Eight Secrets of the Heavenly Blade in his mind. A true killing blade could only be fully understood and mastered through combat.


    He had gained valuable insights from the several skilled fighters of the Ye family, especially the second enforcer and the Jiepeng warrior, both of whom were in the Five Spirits Realm.


    Fighting them had greatly enhanced his understanding of the blade. Li Xiaofei was now reflecting on and absorbing the lessons from these battles.


    ¡°Dog Box.¡±


    ¡°Woof.¡±


    ¡°You''ve worked hard this time.¡±


    ¡°Woof? If you have something to say, just say it directly. Don¡¯t beat around the bush, I¡¯m not used to that.¡±


    ¡°Can the Secret Time Pavilion store things while it''s in cooldown?¡±


    ¡°Uh...¡±


    ¡°Consider it a favor. I promise I¡¯ll repay you generously in the future.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m a dog with principles, but since it¡¯s you asking... I suppose I can make an exception.¡±


    At this point in the conversation, Li Xiaofei had already come to understand that the Moonlight Treasure Box was most certainly that talking husky in disguise. He knew he had to take a soft approach and stroke its ego to deal with this dog.


    He glanced at the three containers beside him, each holding a severed head. In the next instant, all three containers vanished. Immediately, the image of them neatly placed on the ground inside the Secret Time Pavilion appeared in Li Xiaofei''s mind.


    Perfect! Others might carry a wise old man with them. I carry a dog. At least they¡¯re both cheat codes.


    Just as this thought crossed his mind...


    Bang, bang, bang!


    Violent pounding echoed from outside. Then, the specially reinforced door of the training room was forcefully blown open with a thunderous crash.

 Chapter 269: You’re Just An Ant In Front Of Me

    Chapter 269: You¡¯re Just An Ant In Front Of Me"Starry Sky Hotel Investigation Team at work."


    "Don''t move."


    "Any resistance will be met with lethal force."


    Eleven martial artists, clad in the special deep-blue combat suits of the Star Council, stormed in, their energy rifles aimed squarely at Li Xiaofei.


    They were led by Zhen Jiahui, the captain of the investigation team. His cultivation had reached the fourth stage of the Meridian Expanding Realm. He was one of Inspector Wu Fohai¡¯s trusted confidants and had been brought from the northwest district.


    Li Xiaofei calmly rose to his feet.


    "What is the meaning of this?" He asked, his gaze sweeping over the intruders.


    Zhen Jiahui¡¯s sharp eyes scanned the training room, searching for any clues or signs, but found nothing suspicious.


    "What were you doing, and where were you in the past half hour?" Zhen Jiahui demanded harshly.


    Li Xiaofei''s icy stare met his.


    "Was the Ye family''s massacre your doing?" Zhen Jiahui pressed aggressively.


    "Oh? The Ye family was wiped out?" Li Xiaofei feigned surprise. "Well, now that is some truly wonderful news."


    "You..." Zhen Jiahui was infuriated by Li Xiaofei''s nonchalant attitude. How dare a mere gang member act so brazenly in front of him?


    He sneered, "Li Xiaofei, you''d better answer my questions honestly, or don¡¯t blame me for being ruthless."


    Li Xiaofei spread his hands, the corner of his mouth curving into a mocking smile. He said calmly, "Didn¡¯t you see for yourself? I¡¯ve been cultivating in this training room the entire time. I haven¡¯t stepped out once."


    "Who can verify that?" Zhen Jiahui barked in response.


    At that moment, hurried, heavy footsteps echoed from outside the training room. A large group of Cloudy Sky Gang members surged in, surrounding the entire training room in a solid wall of bodies, leaving no gaps.


    "Boss!"


    "Boss!"


    The unified shouts were deafening. The overwhelming presence was like that of an unstoppable army. Zhen Jiahui¡¯s face darkened in shock. The other members of the Star Council investigation team instantly tensed up.


    "What are you doing? What is this?" Zhen Jiahui shouted furiously, "Are you planning to attack the Star Council? Do you want to bring destruction upon yourselves?"


    Despite his threats, the members of the Cloudy Sky Gang outside did not retreat. Their eyes were all fixed on Li Xiaofei. Under Li Zhoumin''s leadership, the local Star Council branch had kept a low profile, lacking any real presence. For the people at the bottom, especially those in the slum, the Star Council held little to no authority. To them, there was only their president.


    Li Xiaofei waved his hand calmly and said, "Stand down."


    The gang members immediately withdrew in an orderly fashion.


    "They can all testify," Li Xiaofei said, turning his gaze back on Zhen Jiahui. His tone remained indifferent. "Besides, there are twelve security cameras outside this training room and a total of one hundred and forty-six more throughout the slum. They will have captured everything from the moment I entered this room until you barged in. That''s the evidence."


    Zhen Jiahui sneered, "Video evidence can be faked."


    Li Xiaofei shot back. "Whether it''s fake or not can be determined by professional technicians, or you could simply use a high-level light core to analyze it. The truth will be obvious."


    Zhen Jiahui froze for a moment, then sneered reluctantly, "So what? Only a Five Spirits Realm expert could wipe out the Ye family, and you''re one of the few in the city with that ability. It''s perfectly reasonable for me to suspect you."


    Li Xiaofei remained calm. "By that logic, I also have the ability to kill you. So, if you happen to die soon after returning, does that make me the murderer?"


    "You..." Zhen Jiahui''s expression darkened. "Are you threatening me?"


    "Don''t get excited," Li Xiaofei replied coolly. "I''m just using your own logic to give you an example."


    "Li Xiaofei, don¡¯t think that you''re something special just because you killed a grade five bull demon and possess the combat strength of the Five Spirits Realm." Zhen Jiahui sneered, "I encountered plenty of so-called geniuses back when I was in Lanfu Base City. I¡¯ve even dealt with experts in the Golden Body Realm and Dao Union Realm. Compared to them, your strength is insignificant. In front of the Star Council, you''re not even as strong as a mere ant."


    Li Xiaofei remained unfazed and replied, "In front of me, you don¡¯t even measure up to a mere ant." S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhen Jiahui¡¯s face twisted in rage, his eyes burning with malice as he glared at Li Xiaofei for a moment.


    "We''ll see about that, kid." Zhen Jiahui turned to leave with a cold snort, shouting orders as he went, "Download and take all the surveillance footage back with us!"


    Li Xiaofei added casually, "Take care... Oh, and I''ll be sending the repair bill for the training room door to your office."


    Zhen Jiahui paused, turning to sneer. "Remember this, kid. I¡¯ll be watching you closely, no matter what. Pray I never catch you slipping."


    Li Xiaofei said nothing more, watching Zhen Jiahui leave with a cold smile.


    You should be the one praying.


    Anyone who dared to catch him slipping would meet a grim fate. People like Zhen Jiahui, who relied on the power of the Star Council, truly believed that wearing its combat suit made them untouchable.


    Too naive.


    As the Star Council members left, Li Xiaofei also left his training room. He returned to the Guang''an neighborhood and joined Little Aunt, Li Jie, and Zhong Ling for dinner.


    Recently, Zhong Ling had stopped staying at her school dormitory, opting instead to commute daily from the slums. She spent the nights at the Li household and was driven to school each morning, escorted by warriors from the Cloudy Sky Gang. Li Xiaofei had grown used to this arrangement.


    During dinner, Zhong Ling and Li Jie chatted enthusiastically, filling the room with their lively conversation. Even the usually reserved Little Aunt joined in, smiling as she contributed to the discussion.


    After dinner, Li Jie and Zhong Ling went off to wash the dishes. Li Xiaofei and his aunt had just entered the bedroom, ready to enjoy some quiet time together, when the urgent ringing of his light core interrupted them.


    There were only a handful of people who could bypass the signal-blocking and reach him at this hour. Lying on the bed with Little Aunt on his back, Li Xiaofei pulled out the light core. It was Uncle Tan calling.


    Sigh, future father-in-law¡ªthis one has to be answered.


    "Hello, Uncle Tan."


    "Was it you?"


    "Uncle Tan, what are you referring to?"


    "Don''t play dumb¡ªyou know exactly what I''m asking."


    "Uh..."


    "You''ve got some guts, kid."


    "Uncle Tan, I¡ª"


    "Enough, I already know. From here on out, don''t do anything. Leave everything to me to clean up. Got it?"


    "Understood."


    "Reckless, aren''t you?"


    "Uncle Tan, why does your voice sound like that...?"


    "Of course I''m angry! You went ahead without consulting me! What? Can¡¯t handle a bit of scolding?"


    "No, it''s just... I can clearly hear you laughing."


    "That''s impossible. You must be hearing things. I''m hanging up."


    The call abruptly ended.


    Heh, clearly excited but still trying to act like a stern parent.


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but feel a bit of warmth in his heart. Since his future father-in-law was handling the aftermath, he no longer had anything to worry about.


    As he lay on the bed and enjoyed Little Aunt''s massage, he opened the light core forum. Sure enough, the light-network was already ablaze with public outrage and speculation.

 Chapter 270: Fear and Silencing

    Chapter 270: Fear and SilencingYe family wiped out.


    Mysterious figure obliterates the Ye family, leaving no survivors.


    The Ye family, which held sway over Liuhe Base City for three hundred and twenty-one years, is completely finished.


    Is this some kind of joke?


    If the Ye family were still around, who would dare joke like this? That¡¯s a death wish. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The police have already issued a statement¡ªsome mysterious individual massacred the entire Ye family.


    My god, who did the Ye family offend to deserve this?


    A century-old family, reduced to ashes overnight.


    The light-network forums were exploding with posts. It was terrifying. This was the Ye family; a behemoth that had suffocated the entire Liuhe Base City under its control for generations. But now, they were suddenly gone.


    Many people were holding back their excitement and didn''t dare express it openly. The Ye family was known for its tyrannical rule and for being an oppressive force that had exploited countless people. Now, they were finally no more.


    For many, it felt like a cloud had lifted, allowing the sun to shine again. But for those who had thrived under the shadow of the Ye family, those parasitic vines clinging to their towering tree, they were gripped by sheer terror. They could already foresee a day of reckoning coming for them, a day when debts would be called in and they would be held accountable.


    But who had wiped out the Ye family? Speculation ran rampant across all circles. Then, whispers began to circulate, spread by those with connections and insider knowledge, about Zhong Kui, the Ghost Slayer!


    A photo of the message left on the massive courtyard wall of the Ye family estate somehow made its way to the light-network.


    With blade I rid the world of evil, slaying all demons and monsters! The Ghost Slayer: Zhong Kui!


    One line of verse. One name. The photo was startlingly clear. The calligraphy radiated an aura of intense killing intent. So much so that many people, upon seeing the image online, could still feel an overwhelming murderous aura sending chills down their spines.


    Who is this Zhong Kui?


    Has anyone ever heard of a powerful figure by the name Zhong Kui?


    Nope, never heard of him.


    There''s no trace of this person online.


    You guys really need to brush up on your culture! Zhong Kui is a folk deity from Daoist mythology in ancient China, known for slaying ghosts and demons.


    A god from five hundred years ago is killing people in the present day?


    A sword from the previous dynasty is cutting down officials of the current one?


    It must be some extraordinary expert using the name Zhong Kui to destroy the Ye family.


    Look at the poem he left behind¡ªit¡¯s clear he couldn''t stand the Ye family¡¯s corrupt ways and was out to rid the world of these monsters.


    Is this what you¡¯d call acting on behalf of the heavens?


    So mysterious.


    This Zhong Kui¡¯s level of mystery is right up there with Your Grandpa.


    Wait a minute, could Zhong Kui actually be Your Grandpa?


    As netizens'' imaginations ran wild, many powerful factions deeply connected to the Ye family were trembling in fear. The weight of their ties to the fallen family felt heavier than ever as they realized their own reckoning might be near.


    ***


    Du Longshan, the head of the Du family, sat motionless in a pitch-black room for half an hour. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.


    "Ah, don''t come in, don''t...!" He was so frightened that he fell off his chair. "I have nothing to do with the Ye family! Don¡¯t kill me!"


    "Father, what¡¯s wrong? Father!" His son, Du Yuanyang, rushed in and said, "It¡¯s me, calm down, it¡¯s just me!"


    "Y-you... my second son..."


    Du Longshan, still shaken, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. "I thought it was that Ghost Slayer, Zhong Kui... Son, do you think that demon will come for us next? Will he destroy our Du family too?"


    "I... I don¡¯t think so," Du Yuanyang replied, though he didn¡¯t sound confident.


    "Quick, send word to all our people to keep a low profile for now."


    Du Longshan struggled to his feet. "I need to make donations... yes, donations! Contact the city government; I want to donate to the poor, and I¡¯ll fund the city defense forces... Oh, and you, have you been messing with Miao Youwei again? Stop bothering her! From now on, don¡¯t provoke her or anyone else."


    ***


    The other families among the five great families were no different. Their upper echelons trembled in fear. If the mysterious figure Zhong Kui could wipe out the Ye family, he could certainly do the same to them. It was clear that Zhong Kui was displeased with the Ye family''s actions.


    But the other families weren''t much different in how they conducted their affairs. If Zhong Kui despised the Ye family, there was a very real chance he might despise them as well. At this point, not keeping a low profile was tantamount to waiting for their own destruction.


    In response, the Qi family quickly made donations to the city government and deployed their family warriors to assist in defending the city. The Mu family and the Zhou family followed suit, eager not to fall behind. It wasn¡¯t just the families; several wealthy individuals in the city began donating and offering aid in various forms as they all hoped to avoid the wrath of the mysterious slayer.


    ***


    "Hahaha, my dear disciple, stop licking and go fetch the treasured red wine from the vault," Ning Wuwo laughed heartily.


    "Master, you''re in such a good mood!"


    The female disciple stood up, swaying gracefully as she went to retrieve the Great Wall Dry Red wine from the safe.


    Ning Wuwo guffawed, "The Ye family is gone! Hahaha, it¡¯s great news! The tyrant that plagued Liuhe Base City has finally met its downfall. From now on, who would dare act so arrogantly in the city?"


    His disciple returned with the wine, asking, "Master, why are you so happy about the Ye family''s demise?"


    Ning Wuwo explained, "With the Ye family out of the way, the Martial Alliance can finally be established. Once Li Xiaofei takes the position of leader, we can unite all the gangs in Liuhe Base City into a solid, unified force. That means we can protect the city and its people. Everyone will benefit from this."


    The disciple giggled, covering her mouth. "Master, you''re truly a cunning old fox."


    "Oh?" Ning Wuwo raised an eyebrow. "And what do you mean by that?"


    She gracefully sat on his lap and said, "Li Xiaofei is still a high school student. After this year, he¡¯s bound to go off to university for further studies. Once he¡¯s gone, won¡¯t you be the one in control of the Martial Alliance?"


    Ning Wuwo burst into hearty laughter at her words.


    ***


    In a high-end apartment in the city.


    "Master, slow down! Why are you in such a hurry? There are still plenty of things we haven¡¯t packed!" A seductive woman carrying several bags called out.


    Former Police Chief Nie Sheng was drenched in sweat as he replied, "We¡¯re escaping! Forget the stuff, we have to leave now! If we wait any longer, we won¡¯t make it..."


    Before he could finish speaking...


    Knock, knock.


    The woman glanced at the door and asked, "Who is it?"


    "Open up, water meter inspection," came a voice from outside.


    The woman was about to open the door when Nie Sheng¡¯s instincts kicked in, and he quickly stopped her, shouting, "The meter is outside. Check it yourselves!"


    "Dammit! Breach team, get ready!"


    Cursing followed from the other side of the door.


    Boom!


    The door was blasted open as a squad of city government enforcers stormed in.


    They were led by Tan Zhenwei¡¯s young secretary. "Nie Sheng, we have evidence that you, in collusion with Chen Mu and Zhou Chang, conspired to assassinate the late Police Chief Su Yuke. Here¡¯s the arrest warrant. You¡¯d better not resist, or else..."


    Before he could finish, Nie Sheng spun around, moving like lightning as he bolted for a window. He wasn¡¯t weak; after all, he hadn''t risen to the position of Police Chief of Liuhe Base City without some skill.


    "Resisting arrest? Kill him." The young secretary ordered coldly.


    Zzzt, zzzt, zzzt.


    Four beams of energy shot out, piercing through Nie Sheng''s combat suit-clad body. He stumbled, and fell lifeless as four smoking holes appeared in his chest. The room was instantly filled with the scent of burning flesh.


    The seductive woman, frozen in fear, took a moment before releasing a terrified scream, collapsing to the floor. The stench of urine filled the air as she wet herself.


    At the same time, the Goddess, Ye Liuying, arrived outside the remains of the Ye family''s ancestral estate. She stared at the now-charred ruins with a complicated expression, a mix of emotions swirling in her eyes.

 Chapter 271: The Fox Woman A-Li

    Chapter 271: The Fox Woman A-LiShe had been born into the Ye family. However, her mother was merely the daughter of a small merchant, so she had been forced to marry into the Ye family. She wasn¡¯t a wife and was merely a concubine without a proper title. In fact, she was treated worse than a concubine. She was nothing more than a tool to serve and satisfy the men.


    Since she was born a girl, her own father almost threw her into a manure pit to drown. It was her mother who had jumped into the pit to save her. Until Ye Liuying was six years old, her life in the Ye family was a living nightmare.


    It was only when she secretly listened to the teachers outside the family school and began teaching herself martial arts that she finally showed extraordinary talent in martial arts and earned the right to study. She cherished the opportunity to cultivate and train because becoming stronger was her only way out. She trained hard to nurture her energy, break through barriers, unlock her meridians, and expand her pathways.


    By the time she was eighteen, she was the youngest ever to reach the peak of the Meridian Expanding Realm in Liuhe Base City¡¯s history. It was only then that the Ye family¡¯s patriarch began to value her greatly. She was sent to a prestigious university to further her studies. However, when she returned home during her first winter break, she was greeted by a horrifying scene. Her mother was being humiliated by Ye Liushuang, the son of that man, along with other members of the family.


    In the bitter cold of winter, her elderly mother, starving to the bone, had been beaten until her skin was torn and bleeding, and was being forced to eat excrement. In that moment, she erupted. Her killing intent soared to the heavens. If it hadn¡¯t been for the family¡¯s guards desperately trying to stop her, and the elders arriving just in time, Ye Liushuang would have died that day.


    She drew her sword and severed the hand of the man who didn¡¯t even deserve to be called her father. Then, she took her mother and left the Ye family. After that incident, Ye Liuying¡¯s cultivation surged, and she broke through to the Five Spirits Realm in one leap. She remained the youngest person in Liuhe Base City¡¯s history to reach the Five Spirits Realm.


    She didn¡¯t return to school. Instead, she chose to join the city''s military garrison. She hunted star beasts as she honed her martial skills. Later, her frail and sickly mother passed away peacefully from old age. Ye Liuying publicly declared that from then on, she had no further ties with the Ye family. She became an outlier in the military camp as she spent her days killing or cultivating.


    Her title as the Goddess spread far and wide, striking fear in all directions. Yet, her life grew increasingly monotonous. There was only one person she could truly call a friend or family member. Now, the Ye family was no more. Ye Liuying stood before the ruins and ashes of the ancestral estate, her calm and indifferent gaze sweeping across the unfamiliar scene.


    There wasn¡¯t the slightest thought of revenge in her heart. The reason she had come here was perhaps only to say a final goodbye. After all, this was where her mother had once lived.


    The fire had completely burned away the past and cleansed this place of sin. It had also incinerated the nightmare-like memories.


    Ye Liuying took a deep breath as the powerful starforce qi within her body surged within her. The bottleneck in her cultivation realm, which had troubled her for so long, suddenly collapsed like a cracked dam. Her realm pressure surged higher and higher until a pillar starforce qi shot into the sky like a volcanic eruption in the night.


    In that moment, countless martial experts across the city felt an indescribable sense of dread.


    Someone had broken through a realm!


    Who, in this time of chaos in Liuhe Base City, managed to achieve such a breakthrough in their cultivation? Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Could it be the mysterious Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui?!


    ***


    At the same time, three hundred miles southeast of the base city. Kuramaki Kazuki stood atop the head of a massive power mech in the wilderness, gazing into the distance toward Liuhe Base City.


    In the darkness of the night, the mountains stood tall and majestic and the earth seemed vast and boundless.


    What a beautiful and vibrant land this is. The weaklings of Great Xia do not deserve to possess such a vast territory. The Ye family¡ªwhat a bunch of fools. Despite the Empire¡¯s support, they were wiped out in such a short time.


    ¡°Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui? Heh, is this Great Xia''s official response?¡± A cold smile appeared on Kuramaki Kazuki¡¯s face. ¡°Sending elite assassins to eliminate the Ye family... what a petty and underhanded tactic.¡±


    A platoon of power armor units stood concealed behind the towering, twenty-meter-tall power mech. This was the power armor platoon of the Jiepeng Empire, consisting of one power mech and five combat squads. Each squad was composed of five power armor units, and as such a full platoon contained twenty power armor units in total. All of them were elite warriors of the Jiepeng Empire.


    Every power armor squad worked in perfect coordination. They had a minimum combat capability equal to the Five Spirits Realm and were capable of slaughtering a Five Spirits Realm expert. However, this power armor platoon was surrounded by an endless tide of star beasts.


    One of the star beasts, its body glowing with a deep blue energy, was called the Mother of Fissures. Although it was only a grade four star beast and looked like a chubby ball with no combat ability, it possessed a unique ability: concealment.


    It could create false spatial fissures, shielding the area from all forms of surveillance and detection. With the help of the Mother of Fissures, the Jiepeng Empire¡¯s combat platoon remained completely undetectable within Great Xia¡¯s borders.


    ¡°If the foolish Ye family can¡¯t be relied on, then we¡¯ll have to take Liuhe Base City in the way of Jiepeng warriors,¡± Kuramaki Kazuki¡¯s face hardened with resolve.


    At that moment, he suddenly felt the overwhelming surge of energy from a breakthrough happening within Liuhe Base City. The expression of the old warrior from Jiepeng shifted slightly.


    ¡°Breaking through the Fifth Spirit and condensing the Golden Body!¡± He exclaimed as he abruptly straightened, his face filled with shock. ¡°Who is it?¡±


    If a Golden Body Realm expert emerged in Liuhe Base City, it would pose a significant threat to Jiepeng Empire''s upcoming plans. In the distance, a soft, eerie fox call echoed through the air. A tall, graceful figure with terrifyingly flawless skin emerged from the waves of star beasts. The half-naked fox woman floated effortlessly above the ground, slowly making her way forward.


    ¡°Miss A-Li,¡± Kuramaki Kazuki greeted her solemnly.


    The fox woman¡¯s face was breathtakingly beautiful. It was like she had been crafted by the hands of a divine creator. Her figure was equally perfect, with long, shapely legs, a slender, snow-white waist, and full, firm breasts. She wore nothing, yet her modesty was preserved by her soft, snow-white fox tails, enhancing her extraordinary beauty and allure.


    ¡°Mr. Kuramaki, our progress is slow, and our leader is very displeased.¡± Her voice carried a seductive tone that could soften one¡¯s very bones. ¡°We lost the Bull Demon, but we haven''t obtained what we wanted. You Jiepeng people need to provide a reasonable explanation.¡±


    Kuramaki Kazuki immediately bowed in apology. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss A-Li. This time, our plan was indeed lacking, and an unexpected turn of events occurred. However, please trust in the sincerity of the Jiepeng Empire. As compensation, we are willing to offer one hundred more vials of bloodline serum and the manufacturing technology for power weapons.¡±


    A-Li giggled, a sound both charming and dangerous. ¡°Such compensation, Mr. Kuramaki, surely comes with more demands, doesn¡¯t it?¡±


    She licked her plump, rosy lips, her smile filled with seductive charm.


    Kuramaki Kazuki, ever polite, replied, ¡°Yes. We hope that Miss A-Li will personally infiltrate Liuhe Base City to investigate the true identity of both Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui and the person who just broke through. If possible, we¡¯d also like you to kill Li Xiaofei.¡±


    ¡°And why do you think I can kill someone like Li Xiaofei, a young Five Spirits Realm expert?¡±


    ¡°In this world, as long as they are men, no one can resist your methods, Miss A-Li.¡±


    She giggled again. ¡°Two hundred vials of bloodline serum.¡±


    ¡°Deal.¡±


    ***


    The next morning, snow mixed with rain, and the temperature was twelve degrees below zero. Breath turned to mist in the cold air.


    Amid the sound of mourning music, the memorial service for the fallen officer, Su Yuke, was underway at the Police Department in Congtai District. Aside from her colleagues from the Police Department, some citizens who had been helped by the young officer braved the freezing weather to come and pay their respects.


    Su Yuke¡¯s family wept uncontrollably in the mourning hall, fainting several times from grief. City leader Tan Zhenwei, along with officials from various government agencies, arrived to pay their respects in front of her portrait. The atmosphere was solemn and tragic.


    Suddenly, the screeching sound of brakes rang out as an armored vehicle from the Star Council appeared outside the hall. Zhen Jiahui, leading a group of fully armed soldiers, entered the mourning hall, bringing a biting cold wind.


    ¡°Who here is Su Yuke¡¯s family? Come with us,¡± barked Zhen Jiahui as his gaze swept across the room.

 Chapter 272: You Will Die

    Chapter 272: You Will DieEveryone present was immediately filled with anger.


    "Outrageous!" Tan Zhenwei stepped forward and said, "Today is the memorial service for Chief Su. How can her family be taken away?"


    "Oh, it''s City Leader Tan," Zhen Jiahui replied arrogantly, pretending to have just noticed him. "We suspect that the extermination of the Ye family is connected to Chief Su''s death. Therefore, we need her family to assist in the investigation. Is there a problem with that?"


    Tan Zhenwei responded sternly, "This investigation does not need to be rushed."


    "Completely wrong," Zhen Jiahui said with a cold smile. "A criminal investigation must prioritize every second. What if the evil-doers use a delay as an opportunity to escape?"


    "That¡¯s absurd!" Tan Zhenwei¡¯s anger flared. "The extermination of the Ye family is naturally an investigation for this city''s Police Department. There''s no need for your interference."


    A mocking expression crossed Zhen Jiahui¡¯s face. "Perhaps you¡¯re unaware, City Leader Tan, but Inspector Wu has already submitted an official request to the Northwest Region''s Star Council headquarters. Given the gravity of this case, it has been handed over to the Star Council''s supervisory team."


    Tan Zhenwei¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly.


    What is Wu Fohai up to? Is he trying to seize power?


    Li Zhoumin had never meddled in the city¡¯s affairs when he represented the Star Council in Liuhe Base City. As a result, Liuhe Base City had grown accustomed to the Star Council¡¯s laid-back approach.


    Now, Zhen Jiahui¡¯s domineering and aggressive stance was understandably rather unsettling for many. The Star Council, as the highest authority in the world, held a uniquely powerful position. As such, many officials and strong figures would naturally feel overshadowed when dealing with the Star Council staff.


    "No matter what, you absolutely cannot take anyone today," Tan Zhenwei asserted firmly. "The martyr''s body has not yet been laid to rest, and the memorial is still ongoing. I will not allow you to take her family for interrogation."


    Zhen Jiahui chuckled coldly, "City Leader Tan, you are merely the administrative head of this small base city. I suggest you don¡¯t interfere with Star Council matters, or else you¡¯ll find yourself in a situation you can''t handle... What if I insist on taking them today? What can you do about it?"


    Tan Zhenwei¡¯s anger flared within him. The people around them glared furiously as well, their faces filled with indignation.


    At that moment...


    "If you insist on taking them today, you will die right now." A sharp and domineering voice echoed from outside the mourning hall.


    ¡°Who dares?¡± Zhen Jiahui shouted harshly, turning around.


    A tall, imposing young man dressed in black strode in, carrying a square box. Li Xiaofei had finally arrived.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Zhen Jiahui glared at Li Xiaofei. ¡°Go ahead, say it again if you dare.¡±


    Li Xiaofei ignored him. He walked up to Su Yuke¡¯s coffin, placed the box on the table, and opened it. A faint, bloody smell wafted out. Li Xiaofei lay a severed human head directly on the offering table. The crowd gasped in shock.


    When they looked closer, they saw that the severed head belonged to none other than Shangguan Tianyu, the master of Tianyu Palace. He was one of the chief conspirators responsible for framing Su Yuke. No one had expected that Li Xiaofei would bring the head of the once strongest figure in the criminal underworld as an offering.


    Many of Su Yuke¡¯s colleagues immediately looked gratified. They had gone through the case files and had a good idea of the truth behind the conspiracy. Shangguan Tianyu deserved his fate. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei stood before the offering table, his face solemn and filled with grief. He poured tea, poured wine, lit incense, and bowed. All the rites were performed in one smooth, respectful motion.


    "I¡¯m asking you, what did you just say?" Zhen Jiahui demanded angrily, his voice sharp.


    Li Xiaofei slowly turned and replied, "I said, if you insist on taking anyone today, you will die."


    Zhen Jiahui couldn¡¯t believe what he was hearing and asked, "Are you threatening me?"


    Li Xiaofei, unfazed, asked in return, "Do you dare to try me?"


    Zhen Jiahui¡¯s fury boiled over, but when he met Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes, his heart suddenly clenched.


    What kind of eyes are those? They seem like a bottomless abyss.


    The black pupils shimmered with a faint crimson glow, as if a reaper would emerge and devour everything in this world at any moment. Zhen Jiahui¡¯s heart felt as if it had been tightly gripped by that gaze.


    This young man... He isn¡¯t joking. He truly is ready to kill me. And he undeniably has the strength to do it.


    In that moment, Zhen Jiahui finally felt fear. He had come from a declining bureaucratic family in Lanfu Base City. He had schemed and sweated to secure his minor position in the Star Council. This time, he had come to Liuhe Base City, a so-called backwater, with the intention of throwing his weight around and making a hefty profit.


    He thought he could disregard anyone, even someone as influential as Tan Zhenwei, with the Star Council backing him. But now, facing Li Xiaofei, the man who had single-handedly confronted the Bull Demon outside the city and wiped out the criminal overlords of Tianyu Palace, he felt a sudden chill of fear.


    He realized that Li Xiaofei was the type of person who had nothing to lose, the kind of man who feared nothing. Zhen Jiahui took a deep breath.


    Suddenly, he turned toward Tan Zhenwei and said, "Fine, today I''ll give City Leader Tan some respect. I won¡¯t take anyone now, but the Star Council¡¯s investigation will continue."


    He gestured for his subordinates to leave.


    As Zhen Jiahui walked away, Li Xiaofei looked at his retreating figure and sneered, ¡°Idiot.¡±


    It was loud enough for everyone to hear clearly.


    Zhen Jiahui¡¯s steps faltered, his chest heaving with anger. Yet, he didn¡¯t dare say anything. In his heart, however, he silently swore to find a way to drag Li Xiaofei into the Star Council¡¯s prison, where he could exact his revenge and vent his frustration.


    At that moment, a delivery worker walked in. He handed over two sealed metal boxes, collected his proof of delivery, and left. He clearly had no idea what was in the boxes.


    Li Xiaofei stepped forward and opened the metal boxes. A familiar scent of blood filled the air once again. Inside were two more severed heads. Ye Guanzhen and Ye Changlin. There was also a note included.


    Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui, honoring the people¡¯s hero.


    A wave of gasps swept through the crowd. No one could have anticipated such an event during the memorial service.


    The mysterious figure, Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui, who had exploded in popularity across the light-network, had sent a tribute to Su Yuke. And not just any tribute, he had delivered the heads of Ye Guanzhen and Ye Changlin.


    These two men had been the undisputed tyrants of Liuhe Base City. But the Ye family had been wiped out and the heads of these two local despots now lay before Su Yuke¡¯s coffin.


    Zhen Jiahui felt a chill run through his entire body.


    How could something like this happen? Is the infamous Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui nearby?

 Chapter 273: She’s Actually A Beauty

    Chapter 273: She¡¯s Actually A Beauty"Someone, quickly find that delivery worker and bring him back!" Zhen Jiahui shouted loudly. "He must know something."


    He hurriedly left with his men, clearly using the delivery duty as an excuse to make his escape. In the crowd, only Tan Zhenwei kept his eyes on Li Xiaofei. He hadn¡¯t expected Li Xiaofei to be so bold. Not only had Li Xiaofei destroyed the Ye family, but he also brought the severed heads of Ye Guanzhen and Ye Changlin as offerings at the memorial. All of this... just for the sake of avenging a friend.


    If they could rewind time, Tan Zhenwei was sure the Ye family would never have chosen to target someone they thought was insignificant like Su Yuke. But there was no remedy for regret in this world.


    More people continued to arrive to pay their respects. One of them was a graceful and elegant young woman in a white dress. She held a bouquet of white and yellow flowers, which she placed gently on the offering table after bowing deeply before the coffin.


    Su Yuke''s family didn¡¯t recognize this beautiful woman.


    "Who are you?" Li Xiaofei asked, feeling like there was something familiar about her, though he couldn¡¯t recall where he had seen her before. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "My surname is Yu, and my name is Yu Youyu. I¡¯m the designer from the Xiesheng store in Starry Sky Mall." The fair-skinned beauty replied.


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned. So the messy, black-framed-glasses-wearing shop owner he had met before was actually this stunning and elegant woman once she cleaned herself up. She reminded him a bit of the actress Riu Shishi from five centuries ago.


    "My sister asked me to come and offer these flowers," Yu Youyu explained. "But I also wanted to personally pay my respects to the heroic martyr of Liuhe Base City."


    Her sister? That must be the Goddess, Ye Liuying.


    Li Xiaofei suddenly understood. She likely didn¡¯t know yet that he was the one who had destroyed the Ye family. If she found out one day, would she simply thank him, or would she draw her sword in revenge?


    The memorial service continued as people came and went, much like life itself. There were always those who appeared in your life, only to leave again. By the time the morning passed, the memorial service had finally come to an end.


    Li Xiaofei stood before the coffin once more and bowed deeply. Then, he turned and walked away.


    "Brave and just police officer, my friend, may you rest in peace. I swear, I will carry on the work you left unfinished. I will rid the world of evil and uphold justice!"


    As the cold wind of rain and snow whipped around him, Li Xiaofei¡¯s resolve grew stronger than ever before. When he reflected on the words and actions of the young police officer, Li Xiaofei realized the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders.


    Though she was not that strong, her police uniform gave her boundless courage. She was always either solving a case or on her way to catch a criminal. Her seemingly reckless choices, time after time, were always driven by a desire to protect the people. It seemed she had never once thought about her own safety. This small, unassuming police officer truly embodied the spirit of a great hero. If everyone in Great Xia possessed such spirit, how could the nation not thrive?


    The snow in the sky fell heavier and heavier. Tomorrow, Friday, marked the start of the High School War God League once again. Although Li Xiaofei no longer had any real opponents at the high school level, he had still decided to participate. After all, he had promised his teammates a championship.


    Competing in the light core battles and facing a variety of opponents was still invaluable for gaining real combat experience. However, he decided he would need to hold back a little from now on, to give his teammates more opportunities.


    Liuhe Base City felt unusually quiet in winter. The streets were empty, and the bitter cold forced people to stay indoors. Though the beast tide had receded from the outskirts of the city, the danger had not fully passed.


    According to the daily military reports, the beast tide was still heavily concentrated in an area a hundred miles outside the city. They were also increasing in number.


    The situation in Liuhe Base City remained grim. The cold only worsened the crisis inside the city. In an effort to combat the star beasts, the city government had been forced to ration electricity and reduce energy usage. Even heating had been affected.


    As for food? Mixed nutrient porridge, a product of technology and necessity, had become the staple. Fortunately, a recent victory had allowed the city to transport many star beast carcasses from the outskirts. After purification, some of these star beasts could be consumed, preventing the residents from falling into a food shortage.


    Generous donations from wealthy families like the Du family had also provided temporary relief in the face of the crisis. However, to truly resolve the city''s predicament, they would have to wait for reinforcements from Lanfu Base City.


    They didn¡¯t need ordinary soldiers or supplies. Just two or three top-tier experts could completely turn the tide of the situation. Yet, the reinforcements that the residents of Liuhe Base City had been desperately awaiting never arrived.


    Li Xiaofei understood that the powerful Saint families had abandoned Liuhe Base City. The annihilation of the Ye family had done nothing to change this trajectory, nor could it soften the hearts of the ruling elite from the Saint families. They could only rely on themselves to resolve this crisis.


    Li Xiaofei already had a rough plan in mind. After this round of the War God League ended, he planned to leave the city and explore the wilderness. He would expand the coverage of his sheepskin map and fill in the wilderness within five hundred miles.


    This way, every three days, he could target and eliminate the high-grade star beasts within the beast hordes. If he could kill hundreds every few days, eventually, there would be a day when all the high-grade star beasts would be wiped out. The crisis in Liuhe Base City would be solved by its own people. If the Saint families dared to extend their influence again, Li Xiaofei would not hesitate to sever their claws.


    The spirit of the young police officer continued to inspire him. Just charge ahead, and it will be done. As he walked, he soon found himself outside the headquarters of the Cloudy Sky Gang.


    ¡°Boss, you¡¯re finally here.¡± Li Junjie rushed toward him urgently. ¡°There¡¯s an annoying guy causing trouble, and we can¡¯t stop him.¡±


    "Hmm?"


    Li Xiaofei was a bit surprised. His reputation was now at its peak in Liuhe Base City, and the Cloudy Sky Gang was the largest faction in the city. Who would dare to stir up trouble?


    "Who is this person?" Li Xiaofei asked as he walked inside.


    Li Junjie replied, "We don¡¯t know. Never seen him before. He¡¯s young, and we¡¯ve never heard of anyone like him, but his strength is real. Even when we attacked with hundreds of men, we couldn¡¯t stop him. Thankfully, he doesn¡¯t seem hostile and hasn¡¯t hurt anyone."


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s curiosity was piqued. He quickly made his way to the president''s office. When he pushed the door open, he found a young man dressed in a blue Daoist robe, wearing cloth shoes and a Daoist cap, sitting casually on the sofa.


    He had his legs crossed as he lazily snacked on the refreshments meant for guests.


    ¡°President, it¡¯s him,¡± Li Junjie said.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at the young man, already sensing what was happening.


    ¡°Leave us.¡± He waved his hand.


    Li Junjie exited, but he stood by the door with his machete, ready for action.


    ¡°The big shot has finally arrived. Heh, President Li Xiaofei, you¡¯re quite the figure. I¡¯ve been waiting here for half an hour.¡± The young man said, tossing sunflower seed shells on the floor as if he owned the place.


    Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t upset. He calmly poured two cups of water, placing one in front of the young man and holding the other himself. He said, ¡°I was attending a martyr¡¯s memorial service and just got back. What can I help you with?¡±


    The young man glanced at the cup of water and said, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare drink anything from the Cloudy Sky Gang. Everyone in the martial world knows how refined your gang¡¯s poison techniques have become.¡±


    After acquiring the summarized version of the Medicine King Divine Manual and using Little Aunt¡¯s crafted poisons, Cloudy Sky Gang¡¯s Tongren Hall had become feared across the underworld for its mastery of poisons. Some had even started calling it the Poison Sky Gang.


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly. ¡°What, is a top cultivator in the Five Spirits Realm afraid of a little poison?¡±


    The young man¡¯s lazy expression cracked as shock peeked through.

 Chapter 274: Top-Level Expert Recruited

    Chapter 274: Top-Level Expert Recruited¡°You know me?¡± asked the young man, instantly guarded.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard of you,¡± Li Xiaofei replied calmly.


    The man before him was none other than the Ye family¡¯s grand enforcer, who had fled without looking back during the battle that destroyed the Ye Mansion. He was an odd character, to say the least. However, was his sudden visit today to avenge the Ye family?


    Li Xiaofei had already begun gathering starforce qi, preparing to strike at a moment¡¯s notice.


    ¡°Then you must know how strong I am,¡± the young man said smugly. ¡°The Ye family once coveted my unmatched cultivation and offered me a fortune to recruit me. I am a rare Five Spirits Realm expert, and in Liuhe Base City, my strength stands at the very peak.¡±


    Li Xiaofei maintained his composure as he asked, ¡°So, why are you here?¡±


    The young man leaned back, hands behind his head, and replied arrogantly, ¡°I heard that the Cloudy Sky Gang is now the number one faction in Liuhe Base City. I¡¯m here to offer you an opportunity.¡±


    ¡°An opportunity?¡± Li Xiaofei asked, curious despite himself. ¡°What kind of opportunity?¡±


    The young man smirked. ¡°The opportunity to recruit me.¡±


    Li Xiaofei stared at him for a moment. ¡°You mean to say you want to join the Cloudy Sky Gang?¡±


    ¡°You could put it that way, but it doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll be your dog.¡± The young man responded, his tone full of pride. ¡°Our relationship should be one of mutual cooperation. That¡¯s the pride of a Five Spirits Realm expert. I don¡¯t bow to just anyone. As the pinnacle of martial prowess in Liuhe Base City, I value my reputation and honor deeply.¡±


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    How do you have the guts to talk to me about reputation and honor?


    If he hadn¡¯t seen firsthand how this so-called grand enforcer had fled the Ye family¡¯s downfall like a scared animal, he might¡¯ve believed him. Li Xiaofei realized that this man had no idea he was speaking to the one who had destroyed the Ye family. He wasn¡¯t here for revenge; he was here to join the Cloudy Sky Gang.


    Since the Ye family was destroyed, the grand enforcer had become a stray dog looking for a new backer. Or more precisely, a new fool to milk.


    "And why would I want to cooperate with you?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    The young man replied, ¡°I¡¯ve been observing the Cloudy Sky Gang for a while. The gang¡¯s strength and influence have grown rapidly under your leadership. You¡¯ve now become the top faction in Liuhe Base City. However, your gang has one fatal flaw.¡±


    ¡°And what might that be?¡± An amused Li Xiaofei asked.


    The young man declared confidently, ¡°You lack a top-level expert to oversee things.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s interest was piqued as the young man continued.


    "The current prosperity of the Cloudy Sky Gang is entirely thanks to you, Li Xiaofei. You¡¯ve nearly reached the pinnacle of martial strength in Liuhe Base City and are one of the few in the Five Spirits Realm. However, the strength of the rest of the Cloudy Sky Gang is, frankly, underwhelming. This kind of power gap is dangerous for any faction or family."


    Li Xiaofei nodded, acknowledging the truth in his words. "I have to admit, you¡¯re making a good point. But so what?"


    The young man pressed on, "You¡¯ve likely noticed this vulnerability, which is why you¡¯ve used poison techniques to boost the gang¡¯s combat capabilities. While effective, it¡¯s only a temporary fix. When faced with true powerhouses, poison has its limitations."


    "And your suggestion?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "My suggestion is that you recruit me."


    Li Xiaofei raised an eyebrow and said, "Go on."


    "With me on board, the Cloudy Sky Gang will have not one but two Five Spirits Realm experts. It¡¯s like double insurance. Even if you leave for university or are otherwise occupied, you won¡¯t need to worry about any other forces challenging your dominance with me guarding the gang. Sounds good, doesn¡¯t it?"


    The young man finished his pitch with a smug smile.


    Li Xiaofei rubbed his temples and said, "I have one question."


    "Go ahead."


    "The Ye family paid you handsomely to protect them, yet they were wiped out. Why?"


    "What do you mean by that?"


    "I mean that the Ye family was annihilated, yet here you are, perfectly fine, sitting in front of me. Your so-called strength and reputation don¡¯t seem that impressive. If you couldn¡¯t protect the Ye family, why should I believe you can protect the Cloudy Sky Gang?"


    The young man waved him off. "Ah, that was just bad luck for the Ye family. I happened to be away when their enemies attacked. By the time I returned, they were already dead. How could you blame me?"


    "Then you should be seeking revenge for the Ye family."


    "That¡¯s completely wrong."


    "Oh?"


    "The Ye family paid me to protect them, not to avenge them. Their bad luck isn¡¯t my responsibility. Besides, the Ye family did plenty of evil in the city. They got what was coming. I was just exploiting their resources; I was never truly working for them."


    "Honestly, I¡¯ve never met a Five Spirits Realm expert as shameless as you."


    "I''m just being truthful. My conscience is clear."


    Li Xiaofei chuckled. "So, what if the Cloudy Sky Gang hires you, and when trouble comes one day, you conveniently happen to be away as well? Wouldn''t that be a waste of resources?"


    "No worries. We can draft a supplementary agreement. If the Cloudy Sky Gang gets wiped out, I¡¯ll avenge you, but that¡¯ll come at an extra cost."


    "You really are something else."


    "I''m just a straightforward guy. Also, please, no personal attacks."


    "Alright, let''s hear your terms."


    "My terms are very modest. Ten bottles of sixth-generation Starforce Reagents or an equivalent amount of star cores per month, plus a million star coins as pocket money. Heh, how about it? This price is quite reasonable. The market rate for a Five Spirits Realm expert is much higher."


    "I refuse."


    "Too expensive? Okay, I¡¯m willing to negotiate. Name your price." S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "We''ll provide you with food, shelter, and a place in the Cloudy Sky Gang."


    "What? Are you joking?"


    "No joke. In addition, I can provide you with ancient martial arts manuals."


    "Heh, martial arts manuals? What kind of combat techniques couldn¡¯t I get my hands on? Why would I care about your ancient manuals?"


    "Don¡¯t speak too soon."


    Li Xiaofei smiled and tossed over a handwritten copy of One Yang Finger.


    The grand enforcer casually caught it, glanced at the title, and chuckled as he flipped it open, "Finger techniques? Are you trying to teach a master how to wield a sword? I¡¯m already a grandmaster in finger techniques. This little manual sounds unimpressive; how could it possibly..."


    But as he continued reading, his expression shifted, growing more serious. Soon, he was completely absorbed as he focused intently on the page. By the time he finished, his demeanor had become deeply reverent.


    "This ancient martial finger technique... it''s extraordinary. It¡¯s indeed a true legacy of Great Xia martial arts. But if you think this alone will buy my loyalty, you¡¯ll have to do better. I¡¯m worth far more..." His tone was now hesitant. He was clearly reconsidering his position.


    Li Xiaofei chuckled inwardly as he said, "I¡¯ll give you a manual of similar quality every three months."


    "Really?" The grand enforcer was shocked. "How... how do you have access to so many ancient martial arts manuals?"


    Li Xiaofei smiled mysteriously and replied, "That¡¯s a secret."


    The grand enforcer seemed to grasp something in that moment. His eyes widened with understanding as he exclaimed, "No wonder you''ve risen so quickly, like a comet streaking across the sky. You must have support from a top-tier ancient martial faction. Alright, I agree! From today onward, I will serve as an enforcer of the Cloudy Sky Gang."


    Li Xiaofei nodded, "I¡¯ll announce it publicly. Additionally, in two days at the Martial Arts Conference, I want you to appear publicly as the Cloudy Sky Gang¡¯s Elder Guardian."


    "Good," The grand enforcer agreed without hesitation.


    Li Xiaofei nodded in satisfaction. Though this guy was certainly eccentric, his cultivation was undeniably that of a Five Spirits Realm expert. Having him stay with the Cloudy Sky Gang, even just as a figurehead, would serve as a powerful deterrent.


    Both parties were simply using each other, nothing more. He was greedy, but not malicious. A collaboration, though tentative, seemed possible.


    "By the way, I don¡¯t know your name yet," Li Xiaofei said.


    "My name is Xiao Bidao," he grinned. "I¡¯m from the Tian Sheng Xiao family."


    The Tian Sheng Xiao family?!


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but take a sharp breath at the mention of the powerful clan.

 Chapter 275: Cloudy Sky Gang Youth Academy

    Chapter 275: Cloudy Sky Gang Youth AcademyThe Tian Sheng Xiao family was renowned throughout the land. It was one of the top ten martial arts families in Great Xia, a true and prestigious Saint family. While the Gu family of Jiangnan was also well-known, it paled in comparison to the might of the ten great families.


    The Ten Saint Families had earned their reputation through their great contributions during the wars to defend Great Xia. They had become the nation''s ten pillars, and their status was correspondingly high. These families were even famed across the world.


    But the Tian Sheng Xiao family stood out as especially legendary among them. It was said that during the infamous Night of Blood, the Xiao family ancestor had acquired an exceptionally powerful bloodline that allowed them to create objects from thin air. The drawback? They required a constant intake of meat to replenish their energy, as the ability was highly taxing.


    The concept of creating objects from thin air was rather abstract and difficult for ordinary people to understand. But it was through this bloodline ability that the Xiao family had risen to prominence so swiftly.


    Li Xiaofei hadn¡¯t expected that the grand enforcer was actually a member of the Tian Sheng Xiao family. When he glanced at the piles of sunflower seed shells and food crumbs on the floor, Li Xiaofei confirmed that this guy indeed had quite the appetite.


    "So, if you''re from the Xiao family, why are you wandering around in Liuhe Base City?" Li Xiaofei asked curiously.


    "Like a kid without a mother¡ªit''s a long story," Xiao Bidao sighed, looking a bit melancholic before adding, "Everyone has their secrets."


    Li Xiaofei was left speechless for a moment.


    "Alright, alright, I won¡¯t ask anymore. But since you''re staying with the Cloudy Sky Gang, you can¡¯t just eat and live here for free. You¡¯ll need to take on some responsibility. You should train the elite warriors and serve as their chief instructor," Li Xiaofei added.


    "Deal," Xiao Bidao agreed nonchalantly. "But let¡¯s get one thing straight. I need plenty of food, and I won¡¯t settle for anything less than a steady supply of meat."


    Li Xiaofei casually agreed.


    How much can one person eat, anyway?


    However, as he looked at Xiao Bidao, Li Xiaofei suddenly felt something was off. He had a nagging feeling that he was overlooking something important. He called Li Junjie into the office, instructing him to arrange housing for Xiao Bidao and to oversee the martial training.


    Once the office quieted down, Li Xiaofei pulled out his light core phone and called Tan Qingying.


    "What are you busy with?"


    "People from the Tan family headquarters are here. I¡¯ve been dealing with them all day. It¡¯s been so annoying."


    "Uncle Tan mentioned it to me."


    "I¡¯ve been swamped these last few days, so I¡¯ll only be able to come see you on Sunday."


    "Alright, see you then."


    "See you."


    "Quick, tell me, have you missed me these past few days?"


    "Yes, I have."


    "How much?"


    "Very, very much."


    "Hehe, then..."


    The sweet and playful air of romance lingered in the conversation, filling the space with the unmistakable scent of new love. New couples, it seemed, always had an endless stream of affectionate and silly topics to discuss.


    After a good half-hour of lighthearted chat, they finally hung up. Li Xiaofei then made his way to the newly repaired and reinforced special training room to begin his cultivation. Cultivation was, and always would be, a lifelong pursuit. There could never be room for complacency.


    Li Xiaofei chose his next area for breaking the shackle: his feet. This was in line with the advice given by Principal Chen Fei in his Shackles Breaking Guide. Li Xiaofei opted to follow the recommendation, rather than trying something unconventional.


    As he progressed through the shackle breaking process, Li Xiaofei began to feel a familiar surge of energy coursing through him. It was the same impulse he had felt before, where his body stirred with an almost primal urge. Li Xiaofei had to suppress those rising desires, forcing himself to maintain control.


    My cultivation techniques, palm strikes, martial techniques, blade techniques, are all yang-based martial arts. It seems I really need to balance the yin and yang. Suppressing desires too strongly might lead to qi deviation if I''m not careful.


    Li Xiaofei pondered, wondering if others experienced the same issue during cultivation. It felt strange to him. The afternoon passed quickly as he dedicated himself to his cultivation. He successfully broke through the shackle on his right foot. He now had broken through three shackles.


    Each time he broke through a shackle, the strength of that body part surged explosively. It wasn''t just an increase in physical strength; the flow and intensity of starforce qi in the affected area was also multiplied several times over. The locations of the shackles almost became amplifiers for his qi.


    He was also starting to notice the effects on his senses. For example, after breaking the shackles on his hands, his sense of touch had become far more refined. He could not perceive the texture of objects at a level of detail that was previously imperceptible.


    After breaking through the shackles on his feet, Li Xiaofei felt a profound change. Standing on the ground felt as though his feet had rooted into the earth itself. Each part of the body that shed its shackles came with distinct advantages.


    The greatest benefit of the Limit Breaking Realm was that once all ten internal shackles were broken, one¡¯s cultivation speed would drastically improve, and the practitioner''s understanding of their realm would deepen. It was akin to the ¡°cleansing of the marrow and rebirth¡± often depicted in martial arts novels.


    After his training, Li Xiaofei left the practice room and went home for dinner. No matter what happened during the day, going home for a meal with his family was a fixed part of his routine.


    In this apocalyptic era, sitting around the dinner table with loved ones and sharing laughter and conversation was a rare and precious happiness. Li Xiaofei cherished these moments even more especially after noticing some changes in Little Aunt. He couldn''t shake the feeling that his aunt might leave one day.


    During dinner, Little Jie always chattered excitedly about her day at school. The new school being built in the slums was progressing well. The location and construction of the school building had been completed, and now they were publicly recruiting teachers.


    The school project had garnered strong support from both the city government and the Education Department. Although it was a private school, the benefits and resources provided were quite impressive. Li Xiaofei had already decided on the name for the new school: Cloudy Sky Youth Academy. It would offer elementary and middle school education but not high school, as high school education was more complex and couldn¡¯t be established overnight.


    In response to repeated suggestions from Principal Chen Fei and to make better use of educational resources, Red Flag High School was designated as the feeder school for graduates from the Cloudy Sky Youth Academy.


    With Li Xiaofei, a Five Spirits Realm expert, as a backer, and Red Flag High School¡¯s rising rankings in the leagues, the new academy had already drawn considerable attention even before officially opening.


    Now that the school buildings and facilities were in place, it was time to recruit teachers.


    "Brother, once the school opens, I¡¯m going to transfer there," Little Jie said excitedly. "I want to study at our own school."


    "Alright, you have the final say," Li Xiaofei replied, doting on his younger sister as always.


    Zhong Ling blinked as she chimed in, "Xiaofei, I also have something I want to discuss with you."


    "What is it?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "I want to transfer schools," Zhong Ling said. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hmm?"


    "To Red Flag High School."


    "But you¡¯re nearly finished with school. Why transfer now?"


    "I want to spend my last year of high school as your classmate."


    Li Xiaofei was left speechless.


    Teasing me might be fun now, but chasing me will only lead you to regret. Women are truly strange creatures.


    After thinking for a moment, he said, "I have no objections. As long as both schools approve, it can be done. But you need to think it through carefully; Qishen Academy is a top-tier prestigious school. Although Red Flag High School has been gaining momentum lately, its foundation still doesn''t compare to that of Qishen Academy."


    "I''ve already thought it through," Zhong Ling replied happily.


    "Very well then."


    Li Xiaofei nodded and said nothing more.


    After dinner, Li Xiaofei returned to his bedroom and, out of habit, began undressing. Little Aunt¡¯s massages had been getting increasingly powerful. Li Xiaofei could even hear his bones crackling and popping under the pressure of her hands.


    But he was used to it by now. After all, Little Aunt was no ordinary person. Her cold hands had more strength than even a Five Spirits Realm expert''s.


    "Ahh..." Li Xiaofei let out a satisfied moan.


    But then, the fire within him started to rise again, even more intensely than before.


    Damn. It¡¯s stronger than last time. If this continued, it wouldn¡¯t be long before... Last time, I didn¡¯t even know who it was. Fortunately, this time I have a girlfriend.

 Chapter 276: The Agreement

    Chapter 276: The AgreementAfter the massage, Li Xiaofei continued his cultivation. From some perspectives, Li Xiaofei¡¯s life seemed incredibly monotonous. Aside from fighting, all he did was cultivate. He basically had no other forms of entertainment. It was only recently that he added something new: romance.


    The night passed quickly. By the afternoon of the next day, a new round of the War God League at Liuhe Base City''s high school had begun. Many aspects of society had been affected by the beast tide attacking the city. Several industries had even temporarily halted their activities and operations. However, the high school league continued without interruption.


    Due to the ripple effects of the Ye family¡¯s destruction, Duxing High School was severely impacted. Their first-place position in the league was now in serious jeopardy. The second-place team, Quanye High School, remained in contention. The Jiepeng sisters, who did not leave with the Jiepeng medical exchange delegation, continued attending school and cultivating alongside their teammates. It was clear that they were preparing for the remaining matches of the high school league.


    But this persistence was considered to be in vain because Li Xiaofei was simply too powerful. Countless news reports, videos, and forum posts endlessly hyped up Li Xiaofei. To say nothing else, his battle outside the city, where he killed the Bull Demon, was enough to sweep through the entire high school community.


    With him on the team, Red Flag High School was invincible. This year¡¯s league championship was destined to belong to Red Flag High School. There was no longer any suspense.


    In this context, the fourteenth round of the War God League, the match between Red Flag High School and Quanye High School, was about to commence. In a way, this was expected to be the most uncertain match of the year.


    At 3 p.m., Red Flag High School¡¯s new bus, driven steadily by Driver Qin, finally entered the campus of Quanye High School. As a school that had been at the bottom in the past, Quanye High School was used to enduring tough times. As a result, the campus was relatively run-down, and the buildings were quite old. The school¡¯s grounds were small, and the number of students was only slightly larger than that of Red Flag High School.


    Quanye High School had earned the derogatory label of traitor for accepting the sponsorship from Jiepeng because they were too poor. In return, Tsukiha Yaiba and Mizutani Hikaru were granted admission and obtained the chance to compete in the high school league.


    Originally, Quanye High School had only reluctantly accepted the deal. But no one had expected the Jiepeng sisters to dominate the league in the way they had. By the fourteenth round, Quanye High School had soared to second place on the league¡¯s leaderboard. Tsukiha Yaiba and Mizutani Hikaru, with their fluent Great Xia language and outstanding looks, now had many fans and were becoming star players with a large following. The derogatory label attached to Quanye High School had also gradually faded away.


    ¡°Wow, there are quite a lot of people here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, look, the stands are already full. There must be at least twenty thousand people.¡±


    ¡°Is Quanye High School¡¯s home crowd always this enthusiastic?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not just them. Remember what we saw before we entered the stadium? Many people who couldn¡¯t get tickets are gathered outside.¡±


    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the limited seating capacity of Quanye High School¡¯s venue, they could probably have filled a crowd of a hundred thousand.¡±


    ¡°Wow, are those two Jiepeng girls really that popular?¡±


    ¡°They have a pretty good reputation. I¡¯ve heard that, aside from studying, they¡¯ve volunteered to clean up beast dung, worked at nursing homes, and even participated in battles against star beasts on the city walls...¡± S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard the same. These two Jiepeng girls are really well-liked at Quanye High School. They work hard to promote Jiepeng martial arts, compete fairly, and are always willing to share and help others...¡±


    In the away team¡¯s preparation area, Fang Buyi, Bai Longfei, and the others whispered among themselves. The Red Flag High School team members were initially surprised by the overwhelming energy of Quanye High School¡¯s home crowd. But in the next instant, they understood.


    "Fist King! Fist King, you''re my king!"


    "Unstoppable and handsome, Li Xiaofei! Your fans will follow you forever!"


    "Hero of the city, Li Xiaofei, long live!"


    "I love you, Li Xiaofei!"


    "Daddy Li, I want to date you! Please, give me a chance!"


    As soon as Li Xiaofei stood up to warm up, the stands erupted into a frenzy. The crowd screamed and shouted with all their might, their voices filled with excitement. Even some of the audience wearing Quanye High School uniforms joined in the cheering. This kind of reaction was usually reserved for top-tier celebrities.


    Even Quanye High School¡¯s on-site announcer excitedly declared into the microphone, "The appearance of the city¡¯s hero, Li Xiaofei, has made the Quanye Stadium shine. This is a historic moment. Let¡¯s welcome him with our warmest applause!"


    Immediately, the venue filled with thunderous applause. It was as if a tidal wave of sound had taken over.


    ¡°So... they¡¯re all here for Little Li,¡± Fang Buyi suddenly realized.


    Bai Longfei¡¯s face twisted with jealousy as he muttered, ¡°It doesn¡¯t make sense. He¡¯s not even better looking than me, yet his popularity is so much higher... So what if he can fight? He¡¯s got no wife or kids. Life can¡¯t be called successful without those.¡±


    Ren Dong and Bai Qiqi looked at him, speechless.


    What a true master of living off others.


    Utterly shameless.


    Yan Chiyu was also warming up comfortably. In the past, she had always been the one carrying the team forward and bearing all the pressure on her shoulders. But now, someone stronger had taken on that responsibility. She could finally just be herself and relax.


    On the other side, in Quanye High School''s preparation area, Tsukiha Yaiba, Mizutani Hikaru, and the others were looking in their direction.


    ¡°Sister, are you really going to face that monster in a fight?¡± asked Mizutani Hikaru. The word ¡°Quanye¡± on the front of her red uniform stretched and distorted across her chest.


    Tsukiha Yaiba replied, "Of course, I¡¯ve been waiting for this day for a long time."


    "Sister, are you... planning to use that ability?" Mizutani Hikaru asked in shock.


    Tsukiha Yaiba spoke confidently, "The power of my bloodline belongs to me. Why should I suppress it? I¡¯ve gained new insights during my time cultivating ancient martial arts here in Great Xia. I can control it now."


    She began walking directly toward Li Xiaofei. This sudden move instantly drew the attention of more than twenty thousand spectators, as well as thousands of cameras, both big and small.


    ***


    In the livestream chatroom of Little White Dragon in the Waves.


    ¡°Huh? Boss, Tsukiha Yaiba is heading towards Li Xiaofei. What is she trying to do?¡± said the assistant who was wearing her characteristic black stockings. Her eyes widened like a Persian cat whose protective instincts had been triggered.


    Shen Yan confidently said, "It¡¯s probably just some pre-fight trash talk. Let¡¯s zoom in on them and try to read their lips. Let¡¯s see what they¡¯re saying."


    The assistant exclaimed in surprise, "Boss, you can read lips?"


    "I can do a lot more than that," Shen Yan replied smugly.


    The livestream chatroom instantly exploded with a wave of 666 comments.


    ***


    On the field.


    "Li-kun, do you still remember our agreement?" Tsukiha Yaiba smiled at him.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "I remember. Whoever loses must grant the winner one request."


    Tsukiha Yaiba continued, "In that case, how about we settle it today in the fifth solo match; one-on-one, winner takes all?"


    Li Xiaofei said, "I originally thought you would admit defeat in advance."


    Tsukiha Yaiba responded, "I¡¯m aware of your recent achievements, Li-kun. You killed a fifth grade star beast, the Bull Demon, outside the city, demonstrating the power of the Five Spirits Realm. Your name now shakes Liuhe Base City."


    "Then why bring up the agreement?" Li Xiaofei asked. "Do you really think you have a chance of winning?"


    Tsukiha Yaiba smiled confidently as she replied, "Li-kun, pardon my directness, but you have a saying in Great Xia¡ª''An arrogant army is bound to lose.'' If you approach today¡¯s battle with that attitude, you should start thinking about how you¡¯ll fulfill my request."


    Li Xiaofei was slightly surprised. Although he despised the Jiepeng people, he knew that the girl standing in front of him wasn¡¯t the type to bluff or exaggerate. She was confident.


    Where does this confidence come from?


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but grow curious.

 Chapter 277: Three Swords

    Chapter 277: Three Swords"Thanks for the reminder," Li Xiaofei said. "In that case, see you on the battlefield."


    Tsukiha Yaiba smiled, nodded, and turned to leave. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Swish, swish, swish.


    Fang Buyi, Bai Longfei, Ren Dong, and Bai Qiqi all gathered around him in an instant.


    "Little Li, what did that rich girl say to you?" Bai Longfei asked eagerly.


    "How do you know she''s rich?" Ren Dong asked curiously.


    Bai Longfei chuckled and said, "Not only do I know she''s wealthy, I also know that girl over there..." He pointed towards Mizutani Hikaru in the distance. "Her family must be dirt poor."


    "Why?" Ren Dong asked.


    "Because one of them built an airport at such a young age, while the other lives in the middle of rugged mountains," Bai Longfei said with a sly grin.


    Fang Buyi, Liu Xiao, and Zhuge Long, the other guys, instantly got the joke and started laughing mischievously. Ren Dong and Bai Qiqi, however, were clueless as to what they meant.


    "Come on, tell us, what did that girl want from you?" Bai Longfei pressed.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Today, I helped an old lady cross the street."


    Bai Longfei was stunned and asked, "What does that have to do with Tsukiha Yaiba approaching you?"


    "And what does Tsukiha Yaiba approaching me have to do with you?" Li Xiaofei shot back without hesitation.


    "Damn!" Bai Longfei raised his middle finger in frustration.


    But he quickly looked serious. "That Jiepeng girl isn¡¯t falling for you, is she? Little Li, just saying, it''s one thing for a man to be attracted to women, but you have to keep your integrity. Don¡¯t let one of those Jiepeng girls get the better of you. Sure, she looks nice, but compared to our Captain Yan, she''s nothing. You¡¯d be better off-"


    Bai Longfei felt a wave of killing intent wash over him before he could finish. He slowly turned to see Yan Chiyu staring at him, as if contemplating which part of his body would bleed the most if she drew her sword.


    "Good luck," Li Xiaofei said, patting Bai Longfei on the shoulder.


    Bai Longfei looked like he was about to cry.


    ***


    In the Little White Dragon in the Waves livestream.


    ¡°Boss, didn¡¯t you say you could read lips? What did they actually say?¡±


    ¡°Tsukiha Yaiba asked Li Xiaofei if he wanted to have dinner with her.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±


    ¡°Of course, but Li Xiaofei turned her down. He said he doesn¡¯t like Jiepeng cuisine.¡±


    ¡°No surprise from Big Daddy, he rejected her beautifully.¡±


    Shen Yan and his assistant¡¯s conversation was broadcasted to all the fans in the livestream.


    Brothers, why do I feel like Shen Dog is lying to us?


    Anyone here who actually knows how to read lips? Help us out.


    Question first, apologize later.


    A flood of comments quickly filled the chat, questioning and joking around.


    ***


    The match quickly began. The first round was the solo mode. As per tradition, the opening match was a battle between the main fighters. Red Flag High School sent out Yan Chiyu, while Quanye High School fielded Mizutani Hikaru, the second-strongest fighter after Tsukiha Yaiba.


    The light core system was calibrated and ready. Both fighters simultaneously entered the light core mainframe cockpit.


    The thirty seconds allocated for adjustments and equipment selection flew by. Finally, the system-revealed battlefield was unveiled. It was the Ancient Roman Colosseum, one of the ten classic solo mode maps.


    A circular arena, surrounded by towering stone walls designed to be impassable by the system. There was only one thing the fighters could do in such a battlefield: face their opponent head-on.


    Any attempts at evasion or delaying would be meaningless. Mizutani Hikaru was dressed in a modified version of the traditional Jiepeng combat attire for women. She was bare-chested and had four sword cords tied meticulously across her torso, accentuating her ample chest. Beneath her red waist sash was a high-slit mamian skirt that reached up to her thighs, revealing her pale legs as she moved.


    Her long black hair was tied into a high ponytail, her forehead covered by a white headband, and she wore combat boots, exuding a rare, captivating exotic charm. She had three weapons. The first was a sword. The second was a sword. The third, again, was a sword.


    On the opposite side, Yan Chiyu from Red Flag High School stood in her school uniform, wielding her slender sword.


    "I¡¯ve watched your matches. You, the soul of Red Flag High School, once the most talented middle schooler in Liuhe Base City, are worthy of being my opponent," Mizutani Hikaru said proudly.


    Yan Chiyu remained silent.


    Zheng!


    The slender sword trembled in the air and the blade rang out softly. But Yan Chiyu didn¡¯t strike immediately. She stayed in her stance.


    Mizutani Hikaru smiled and said, "What¡¯s wrong? Trying to find my weakness?"


    Her posture was incredibly loose as she slowly walked forward. Her entire body seemed full of openings. But because there were so many, not all of them were real openings. All three of her swords remained sheathed. Because they were still in their scabbards, no one could predict how or where she would draw them. The true essence of her swordsmanship lay in concealment.


    Mizutani Hikaru often acted like a carefree jokester in her daily life. But her martial prowess was undeniably extraordinary. Once she stepped onto the battlefield, she was a formidable and terrifying opponent.


    Yan Chiyu still didn¡¯t strike. The slender blade pointed slightly forward, like an arrow nocked on a bowstring, ready to unleash a fatal strike at any moment. She stood there silently, her presence fading as though she were becoming invisible. Meanwhile, Mizutani Hikaru casually walked forward with a carefree attitude.


    "I was trained by Senjo Takauchi, a master of the Three-Sword Style. My specialty is wielding three swords at once. Unfortunately, no one among the Great Xia high school students have ever been worthy of seeing my second sword." She giggled and asked with a playful smile, "So, Yan, how many of my swords do you think you''ll force me to draw?"


    Whoosh!


    Yan Chiyu''s eyes flashed coldly as she suddenly struck. A streak of sword light flashed through the air.


    Ding!


    Sparks flew as Mizutani Hikaru drew her sword and parried at almost the exact same moment.


    Sword and blade collided. The two figures separated as quickly as they had engaged. Yan Chiyu glanced down at her school uniform. A tear had appeared on her upper right sleeve. Across from her, a single strand of Mizutani Hikaru''s hair floated gently to the ground.


    They had both found an opening in their first exchange and it seemed as if the battle could have been decided in an instant. The broadcast cameras meticulously captured every subtle change.


    "What incredible swordsmanship and blade technique. They¡¯re both so fast."


    "Yan Chiyu¡¯s uniform was cut by the blade, while Mizutani Hikaru lost a strand of hair to the sword aura... In this first clash, neither gained the upper hand."


    "Mizutani Hikaru has yet to lose in this year¡¯s league. She¡¯s maintained a terrifying level of dominance."


    "So far, no one has forced her to draw her second sword."


    "Could Yan Chiyu be the one to break her unbeaten record?"


    "Yan Chiyu has been a powerhouse in the last two leagues, but before this season, she had to miss some time due to injury. She¡¯s also remained undefeated since her return."


    ¡°These two are both following the path of assassin-like warriors,¡± one commentator observed.


    ¡°Every strike they make is a deadly move,¡± another added.


    ¡°Exactly. The audience needs to keep their eyes wide open because the match could be decided at any moment.¡±


    ¡°This victory is crucial for Quanye High School. Li Xiaofei is practically unbeatable in solo mode.¡± The first commentator noted.


    ¡°Haha, I don¡¯t like what you¡¯re implying,¡± his colleague retorted.


    ¡°Oh? Do you think Tsukiha Yaiba has a chance of defeating Li Xiaofei?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m saying that Li Xiaofei is invincible, even in team mode.¡±


    ¡°You win.¡± The second commentator conceded, in a rare moment of agreement among the commentators.


    At that moment, Yan Chiyu launched another attack. Once again, it was an incredibly fast strike. The sword light flashed like lightning.


    Ding ding!


    Mizutani Hikaru¡¯s long blade unsheathed. She had drawn her second sword.

 Chapter 278: Ending It With One Sword Move

    Chapter 278: Ending It With One Sword MoveDing! Ding!


    Two sharp metallic sounds rang out in quick succession. They were almost indistinguishable unless one listened closely. Once again, the figures clashed and separated instantly.


    Swish.


    Half of Yan Chiyu''s sleeve fluttered away like butterflies, her snow-white arm revealing a thin red line of blood. She had been injured.


    Opposite her, Mizutani Hikaru casually held both her swords, her posture still relaxed and full of apparent openings, with no discernible battle stance.


    "You''re bleeding," Mizutani Hikaru remarked with a smile. "But forcing me to draw my second sword is already impressive, Yan. You have no reason to feel inferior."


    Yan Chiyu remained silent. Her elegant, determined face was as cold as ice.


    Zheng!


    She tapped her sword lightly and sword energy burst forth. She struck again, sending sword light flashing like lightning. Mizutani Hikaru¡¯s body twisted in a spin, and her twin swords suddenly feinted, creating an illusionary movement.


    Ding ding!


    Sparks burst from the air as the two figures separated once again. Then, they stood still. A look of surprise appeared on Mizutani Hikaru¡¯s face as a small bead of blood slowly emerged from her throat.


    ¡°How... how did you do that?¡± She asked, her body slightly swaying, her eyes locked onto Yan Chiyu.


    Yan Chiyu didn¡¯t respond. She calmly sheathed her sword and turned to walk away. A beam of light descended from the sky as the graceful and proud young woman was teleported away.


    In the next moment...


    Spurt!


    A thin line of blood sprayed from Mizutani Hikaru¡¯s throat. Her body slowly dissolved into a stream of blue data as she disappeared from the arena. The outcome was decided. Inside and outside the stadium, gasps of astonishment echoed through the crowd.


    "Yan Chiyu won! Her sword aura pierced through Mizutani Hikaru¡¯s throat."


    "How did she do that?!"


    "Mizutani Hikaru¡¯s undefeated streak in solo matches this season has come to an end."


    "It seems like Mizutani Hikaru died without even understanding how she was struck."


    "She didn¡¯t even get a chance to draw her third sword."


    "I¡¯m really curious about how Mizutani Hikaru¡¯s third sword works, but it looks like we won¡¯t get to see it in this match."


    "No wonder she was once the top middle schooler in Liuhe Base City. What a dazzling victory."


    "Haha, Great Xia¡¯s swordsmanship triumphs over Jiepeng¡¯s sword techniques once again."


    The commentators eagerly shared their opinions, marveling at the outcome. Many spectators couldn¡¯t understand why Mizutani Hikaru, after gaining an absolute advantage with her second sword strike and wounding Yan Chiyu, suddenly lost in their third exchange.


    She had clearly injured Yan Chiyu¡¯s arm. Could it be that a wounded Yan Chiyu somehow became even stronger?


    Mizutani Hikaru looked confused as she stepped out of the light core cockpit. It wasn¡¯t that she feared losing, nor that she couldn¡¯t accept defeat. She just couldn¡¯t figure out where she had gone wrong.


    ¡°You still don¡¯t get it?¡± Tsukiha Yaiba cut straight to the point. ¡°You lost because of your pride.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Mizutani Hikaru asked.


    Tsukiha Yaiba explained, ¡°Yan Chiyu¡¯s greatest ability is her talent for detecting weaknesses. She can immediately identify a flaw in any martial art she faces, amplify it, and exploit it.¡±


    ¡°I know that,¡± Mizutani Hikaru replied. ¡°That¡¯s why I used the Grass Slashing stance, which scatters fake openings all over my body. She shouldn¡¯t have been able to find a real flaw with so many red herrings. My Draw Sword Slash has also been honed to perfection. Even if there were any weaknesses, they would be too subtle for someone at her level to detect. I...¡±


    She stopped mid-sentence as the realization hit her. The flaw had emerged during their third exchange. The Grass Slashing stance, while effective, left her vulnerable after an exchange. Normally, her Draw Sword Slash would cover for that. But in their third clash, she had become overconfident when she thought victory was already hers, so she didn¡¯t bother to draw her third sword.


    She faced Yan Chiyu with only two swords. That was when the wounded Yan Chiyu saw the opening and struck. One sword, like a bolt from the blue.


    Mizutani Hikaru suddenly smiled.


    "Next time, I¡¯ll draw my third sword right away, leaving her no chance." She straightened confidently and said, "There¡¯s no way she can handle my third strike."


    ***


    The next match continued. Quanye High School¡¯s beastmaster contestant, Wang Qiong, took the stage. She was a short-haired girl with a somewhat legendary background.


    Wang Qiong hadn¡¯t even been a substitute on Quanye High School¡¯s team before this season. It was Tsukiha Yaiba who had chosen her, brought her onto the team, and personally taught her martial arts, guiding her through training and clearing her doubts. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In just a few months, Wang Qiong¡¯s strength had skyrocketed from the fifth stage of the Qi Refining Realm to the Limit Breaking Realm. Her rapid improvement left many astonished. Moreover, her natural talent in beast mastery was undeniable. Wang Qiong was now one of the star players of this season¡¯s league and enjoyed considerable popularity.


    However, her opponent, Bai Qiqi, had a similar story. She too had endured long struggles as a substitute and had initially faced repeated defeats. She had been labeled by the public as a flower vase, someone with beauty but no talent.


    Yet, like an unpolished gem, she was honed into something extraordinary. Now, Bai Qiqi was recognized as a genius beastmaster in Liuhe Base City¡¯s high school scene, a genuine star player.


    Their match was both thrilling and long. Wang Qiong¡¯s fighting spirit was nothing short of astounding. In the end, however, she lost by a narrow margin, due to having one fewer beast in her arsenal than Bai Qiqi. When Wang Qiong stepped out of the light core cockpit, tears welled up in her eyes and fell like sparkling crystals.


    "I''m sorry," Wang Qiong said, her face filled with guilt as she approached Tsukiha Yaiba. "Sister Tsukiha, I''m sorry, I let you down."


    Losing this match meant that Quanye High School¡¯s chances of securing three wins in the five solo matches had become even slimmer.


    The overwhelming strength of Li Xiaofei, known as the Outlaw Rebel, weighed heavily on the minds of every team and player in the high school league. His strength in the Five Spirits Realm was, for them, nothing less than a crushing wall that they couldn¡¯t overcome.


    Solo mode was their only chance, where individual combat strength had the least impact. As long as they could win the solo matches, even if they lost in the team mode, Quanye High School would still have a chance at the championship.


    Tsukiha Yaiba gently stroked Wang Qiong¡¯s hair and said, "You''ve done exceptionally well. Don''t cry. The purpose of the league is to help every high school student grow stronger through constant battles. It¡¯s so that you can become excellent warriors who can one day fight against the star beasts. It''s not about fame or fortune. If losing one match can help you become stronger, then what harm is there in losing every time?"


    "But, Sister Tsukiha, your dream..." Wang Qiong said, wiping her tears.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s dream of winning the championship had been publicly declared long ago by the arrogant young man. But Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s dream had not yet been revealed to the world. But every teammate and friend around her knew that Tsukiha Yaiba''s dream was also to win the championship.


    For Tsukiha Yaiba, winning wasn¡¯t about official glory. It was about testing and validating her martial arts philosophy. Though many people still held hostility toward Tsukiha Yaiba because she was from Jiepeng, Wang Qiong, Cao Rui, and Shu Xiao, three students she had personally discovered and nurtured, knew that this unconventional girl wasn¡¯t like many others from Jiepeng who harbored ill intentions toward Great Xia.


    She was only passionate about martial arts. Her goal was to merge the martial traditions of Great Xia and Jiepeng to forge her own unique path. So Wang Qiong and the others were determined to help their mentor and friend realize her dream.


    Yet, despite their determination, they had lost a match they shouldn¡¯t have. Wang Qiong felt overwhelming guilt.


    But Tsukiha Yaiba smiled and said, "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got this."

 Chapter 279: Blasted Away With One Punch

    Chapter 279: Blasted Away With One PunchThe third match was a battle between weapon specialists.


    "Heh, just watch me. I''ve recently made great progress in cultivating the Pity Flower Treasure Manual, specifically in the engineering section. Victory is certain!" Bai Longfei boasted confidently.


    Thirty seconds later, he was soundly defeated by Quanye High School¡¯s Cao Rui. Bai Longfei returned to the preparation area, looking dejected.


    "Little Bai, did you exhaust yourself on your honeymoon? Weren¡¯t you guaranteeing a win before the match?" Fang Buyi teased.


    Bai Longfei was speechless and began doubting himself. He had used the school¡¯s resources to unify his ten stages of the Qi Refining Realm. Additionally, he had learned several advanced weapon techniques from the Pity Flower Treasure Manual, giving him a solid boost in confidence. Yet, before he could even show off or perform any flashy moves, he had been knocked out by the sweet, smiling girl from the opposing team.


    Quanye High School had managed to pull off a victory, and the venue erupted in joy. The home team¡¯s fans cheered enthusiastically. Then, in the fourth solo match, a duel between medics, Ren Dong suffered another defeat.


    What just happened?


    Ren Dong was still in a daze as she stepped out of the light core cockpit. The match had ended in less than a minute. She had been caught off guard by a blitz attack.


    ¡°The other side used a blitzkrieg strategy,¡± Chen Fei consoled his student. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. It¡¯s mine for underestimating them. Quanye High School studied all of you carefully and struck at your weaknesses to force a quick match. They were well-prepared, and their tactics were spot on. If we had weathered their opening flurry, victory would¡¯ve been ours.¡±


    But there¡¯s no room for regret or second chances on the battlefield. Chen Fei silently reflected on his own oversight. At that moment, the final solo match was about to begin. It was the most highly anticipated battle of the day as Li Xiaofei faced Tsukiha Yaiba.


    The crowd erupted into loud cheers, fueling the atmosphere for the upcoming fight. While this was a decisive match for solo mode, the audience gave both competitors equal support. In fact, the cheers for Li Xiaofei were even louder. After all, Li Xiaofei had saved the city. His legendary feat of slaying the Bull Demon, a grade five star beast, had spread far and wide.


    Every citizen knew that the recent silence of the city¡¯s alarm sirens was thanks to Li Xiaofei. His public execution of the Bull Demon had frightened off the star beast hordes, allowing a temporary peace to settle over the city. He was the hero of the base city.


    Even the fans of Quanye High School gave a warm round of applause to the young man slowly walking toward the light core cockpit in the arena.


    "Li-kun, this time, I hope you give it your all," Tsukiha Yaiba said with a slightly smile as she stood in front of her cockpit. "I¡¯m looking forward to this fight. Don¡¯t disappoint me."


    Li Xiaofei looked at the girl in front of him. She was elegant, with a refined and noble aura, and radiated a faint air of authority. It wasn¡¯t hard to guess that Tsukiha Yaiba came from a noble family in the Jiepeng Empire.


    Li Xiaofei had read up on her before the match and knew that she was considered part of the more moderate faction of the Jiepeng people. But so what?


    The Jiepeng Empire would always be an enemy of Great Xia. The more skilled the Jiepeng warriors were, the greater the threat they posed to Great Xia. Besides, in Li Xiaofei¡¯s mind, a Jiepeng dog would always be a dog.


    "As you wish," Li Xiaofei replied coolly. "I will destroy you."


    He turned and stepped into the light core cockpit. A faint smile appeared on Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s face.


    The proud and stubborn genius from Great Xia still carries a deep prejudice against the people of Jiepeng. That is fine. Conquering an opponent like him would be far more satisfying than defeating those who are meek and easily subdued.


    She too entered the light core cockpit, ready for the battle ahead.


    ***


    Chaos reigned on Chang''an Street. The cries of the people echoed through every corner.


    The ancient city was engulfed in the flames of war, with the stench of burnt corpses hanging heavily in the air. The sky was covered in black and red clouds. The faint sounds of battle between soldiers and the anguished wails of civilians could be heard in the distance.


    Blazing Chang''an Street was one of the ten classic solo mode maps in the high school league system. Li Xiaofei had defeated superstar players like Xiong Zhigang on this very map.


    Now, he stood empty-handed in his Noble Gentleman outfit. Opposite him, Tsukiha Yaiba had chosen to wear Quanye High School¡¯s uniform, a sporty, practical design that stood in stark contrast to Mizutani Hikaru¡¯s usual attire.


    Mizutani Hikaru, the fierce and voluptuous warrior, had always donned traditional Jiepeng clothing in public, even during battles. Her choice of attire was a constant reminder of her Jiepeng heritage.


    Tsukiha Yaiba, however, preferred to adapt to her surroundings. Since she was representing Quanye High School, she wore the school uniform. Since she had no financial concerns, she hadn''t taken on any endorsement deals.


    Like Li Xiaofei, she was also unarmed. The two stood a hundred meters apart as the street burned around them. The crackling flames that leapt and burned created a tense atmosphere, making the hearts of viewers in every livestream pound.


    "Li-kun, please," Tsukiha Yaiba said, cupping her fists and performing the martial artist''s salute of Great Xia.


    Li Xiaofei returned the gesture, also cupping his fists. "I¡¯ll give you the first move."


    "Alright," Tsukiha Yaiba responded without hesitation.


    Her starforce qi exploded outwards in an instant. Ten swirling vortices appeared around her like towering pillars of celestial energy and formed the image of star nebulae around her body.


    Then came the light of ten shackles breaking as ten radiant suns illuminated the area around her. It was the tenth stage of the Limit Breaking Realm!


    Then, 120 acupoints within her body began to glow, each one like a distant star, supporting the ten radiant suns that orbited her. She had formed a small, incomplete universe. This was the essence of cultivation; the pursuit of harmonizing the human body with the profound mysteries of the cosmos.


    "One hundred and twenty acupoints, fully mastered!"


    "Tsukiha Yaiba was hiding her true strength in previous battles!"


    "But that¡¯s still not enough. Li Xiaofei slew the Bull Demon, a beast equivalent to the Five Spirits Realm."


    "Tsukiha Yaiba is undoubtedly exceptional, but unfortunately for her, she''s facing someone far more terrifying, Li Xiaofei."


    Shen Yan''s voice echoed rapidly in the livestream chat, analyzing the unfolding situation.


    Tsukiha Yaiba stood inside her starforce universe, the energy radiating from her distorting the air as they rippled outward. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei shook his head and muttered, "Still not enough."


    "It¡¯s enough," Tsukiha Yaiba replied as the stars around her body started to swirl even faster.


    Then she made her move. She closed the distance in an instant as she stepped forward, and launched a powerful punch.


    Li Xiaofei casually raised his arm to block. For him, someone who had mastered the 120 acupoints of the Acupoint Opening Realm, this attack posed no real threat. He blocked effortlessly.


    Boom!


    Suddenly, he was gone. The audience saw nothing but a blur as Li Xiaofei vanished from the screen.


    In the distance, a half-burning pharmacy exploded as if struck by a missile, collapsing into rubble. A wave of shocked gasps erupted from the spectators.


    That was just the first move?! Has Li Xiaofei... been blown away?


    No one could believe their eyes.


    On Blazing Chang''an Street, Tsukiha Yaiba slowly retracted her outstretched fist.


    "You were too arrogant." She said calmly, her gaze fixed on the collapsed, burning pharmacy in the distance.

 Chapter 280: Bloodline Warrior

    Chapter 280: Bloodline WarriorLi Xiaofei had been too arrogant. He hadn¡¯t expected Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s strength to be that formidable. Her fist had unleashed a force that surpassed his own first form. Caught off guard, he had been sent flying.


    Boom.


    He pulled himself out of the rubble of the collapsed building. As he walked forward, Li Xiaofei shook off the dust and debris by expanding his aura. The dust that clung to him was instantly repelled by his energy.


    "Five Spirits Realm strength?" He muttered as he examined Tsukiha Yaiba.


    She smiled faintly. "You''re not the only genius in this world."


    "You''re right about that." Li Xiaofei agreed.


    Everyone had their own path and destiny. Fortune and opportunities were not the sole privilege of any one person. He had the Moonlight Treasure Box, but perhaps someone else possessed a Sunlight Treasure Box. After all, it wasn¡¯t possible for only one person to have all the advantages.


    But he was intrigued as to how Tsukiha Yaiba, with her mastery of the 120 acupoints in the Acupoint Opening Realm, could exert strength on par with the Five Spirits Realm. That previous strike didn¡¯t seem to come from physical strength alone, nor an explosion of starforce qi. It felt like a completely new kind of energy, which had caught him off guard.


    "Now, can we take this match seriously?" Tsukiha Yaiba asked.


    Li Xiaofei burst into laughter. "Hahaha... yes, we can. Finally, I¡¯ve found someone who can exchange more than a few blows with me. So... as you wish."


    In the next instant, his body began to swell rapidly. The clothes on him tore apart as an overwhelming, almost tangible surge of blood energy erupted from every pore like a vast ocean. As his body continued to expand within the blood-colored mist, a roughly seven meter all non-human form emerged. His muscles gleamed in the dim light like those of a statue carved from steel.


    This was his Transformed Muscle Overlord Form. The sheer, raw strength radiating from him created an oppressive pressure. At that moment, the spectators were left in utter disbelief.


    What¡¯s happening?


    A transformation?!


    Is this some sort of secret technique?


    The once charming and handsome young man had suddenly transformed into a god of death walking straight out of the underworld. The visual impact was so intense that every viewer felt their adrenaline surge uncontrollably.


    Some of the female fans who had previously shouted about wanting to have Li Xiaofei¡¯s children now shuddered in unison. Suddenly, they realized that perhaps some dreams were better left as fantasies, where they could be cherished as sweet wishes. Otherwise, there was a real possibility they might be... well, killed.


    "He''s here! Finally, he''s here!"


    "Li Xiaofei''s transformed state."


    "I¡¯ve heard the soldiers on the city walls talk about how Li Xiaofei¡¯s mastered a powerful transformation technique that turns him into an unstoppable god of war. It seems like we finally get to see it with our own eyes today."


    Shen Yan was trembling with excitement in the livestream.


    The assistant couldn¡¯t stop staring as she murmured shakily, "Big. So big. Too big."


    At that moment, the livestream chat was flooded with comments, all simply saying "big."


    Li Xiaofei''s nearly seven-meter height and his massive, perfectly proportioned frame were so overwhelming that fans with less-than-stellar language skills could only use one word, "big", describe the visual shock they experienced.


    On the screen, Li Xiaofei made his move. He took a simple step forward and threw a punch. The sound of thunder exploded before the fist even landed as the air around the fist was compressed and violently expanded. The force of the punch was visible to the naked eye as it shot forward like a semi-transparent beam of light.


    But Tsukiha Yaiba didn¡¯t back down. She dashed forward with equal speed, launching her own powerful punch to meet his.


    The wind from Tsukiha Yaiba''s fist cut through the incoming force like a blade. The terrifying wave of energy parted around her as though it were a vast ocean, roaring past her body. The buildings along the street evaporated in an instant as they were caught in the crossfire of the punch''s energy.


    Boom!


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s massive fist collided heavily with Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s smaller one. Pure strength clashed, and shockwaves rippled outward from the point of impact.


    Boom!


    Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s body shot backward like a cannonball, crashing into a burning tavern in the distance. Li Xiaofei casually rotated his wrist.


    "Now... satisfied?" His voice rumbled like thunder, each word causing the air in front of him to tremble and erupt with explosive sound.


    This was the physical manifestation of a body reaching an incredible level of density.


    Boom!


    The tavern exploded. Tsukiha Yaiba leapt out amidst the swirling smoke and flames. She bore no injuries, though her clothes were slightly torn.


    "Stronger than I expected." She remarked, rolling her shoulder. She still had a calm smile. "But still not enough to hurt me."


    Li Xiaofei grinned, "That''s great."


    It was the first time he had encountered such a resilient, sandbag-like opponent other than the Bull Demon.


    Perfect. I could finally unleash my full strength and truly stretch my muscles.


    He launched himself forward without another word. The air screamed as his punch shot out like a pillar of light. This time, Tsukiha Yaiba didn¡¯t meet the devastating punch head-on and dodged deftly.


    The terrifying force of Li Xiaofei¡¯s strike tore through the afterimage she left behind, obliterating every building within fifty meters and carving a semicircular trench into the ground. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But Tsukiha Yaiba had already appeared at Li Xiaofei¡¯s side and was already throwing a vicious hook. Her small frame unleashed an enormous burst of energy. Li Xiaofei dropped his right arm to block the strike with his forearm while he threw a punch with his left hand.


    Boom!


    Both figures were simultaneously sent flying backward. A distinct fist imprint that was nearly four to five centimeters deep appeared on Li Xiaofei''s right forearm flesh. Meanwhile, Tsukiha Yaiba flushed an unhealthy crimson, as if blood had surged to her throat. But the momentary redness passed, and she quickly regained her composure.


    Whoosh!


    Tsukiha Yaiba threw a straight strike at Li Xiaofei. The fighting style of this Jiepeng girl was completely at odds with her delicate appearance. She chose the path of a warrior and relentless aggression against Li Xiaofei, who had monstrous physical strength and defense.


    The two clashed in a barrage of martial techniques as they exchanged punch after punch. The sounds of explosions echoed as the shockwaves from their blows flattened everything within a kilometer radius.


    Countless buildings were reduced to dust and rubble. The sheer brutality and intensity of their duel left the audience on the edge of their seats, hearts pounding in their throats. It was too violent and exhilarating.


    "I never expected Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s true strength to be this terrifying."


    "It doesn¡¯t make sense. She¡¯s only at the peak of the Acupoint Opening Realm. How does she have this kind of strength?"


    "Well, you can¡¯t exactly say that. Li Xiaofei has never shown signs of surpassing the Qi Refining Realm, yet he wields the strength of someone in the Five Spirits Realm."


    "Geniuses can¡¯t be measured by common standards."


    "Li Xiaofei¡¯s strength lies in his overwhelmingly powerful body, but how is Tsukiha Yaiba able to match him? I can¡¯t make sense of it."


    "Maybe... it¡¯s her bloodline ability."


    "Bloodline? You¡¯re saying she¡¯s a bloodline bearer?"


    "Why not? As a noble daughter of the Jiepeng Empire, possessing a bloodline ability isn¡¯t far-fetched."


    "Exactly. This kind of strange combat prowess can only be explained by bloodline abilities."


    "What kind of bloodline ability does Tsukiha Yaiba wield?"


    The commentators were frantically analyzing the battle as they tried to make sense of the incredible fight unfolding before their eyes.

 Chapter 281: The Descent Of The Demon King And The Wrath Of Mortal

    Chapter 281: The Descent Of The Demon King And The Wrath Of MortalBloodlines were a mysterious ability in this era. Many Saint families had been beneficiaries of the Night of Blood, when blood rained down from the heavens. Now, bloodlines had almost been completely monopolized by nations and major martial arts forces. Wild bloodline bearers among the common people were exceedingly rare.


    For ordinary martial artists, bloodline bearers were akin to nobility. They were the fortunate ones who had been blessed by the heavens. The strength of one¡¯s bloodline was determined from the moment of birth. If one had it, they had it. If not, they never would. It could not be gained through cultivation.


    There were rumors of research institutions who were attempting to grant bloodlines to ordinary martial artists through blood transfusions and grafting, but all of these efforts had ended in failure. Bloodline abilities were also known as the Forbidden Divine Zone. It was a force beyond human control or mastery.


    Therefore, when the commentators speculated that Tsukiha Yaiba might possess a bloodline ability, the audience was both shocked and began to feel a slight tinge of worry for Li Xiaofei. After all, most of the time, bloodline warriors were invincible against ordinary martial artists.


    "Li Xiaofei is unique. Even if Tsukiha Yaiba is a bloodline warrior, he will surely prevail."


    Shen Yan encouraged all the fans in the livestream.


    At the same time, on the battlefield...


    Boom!


    A building collapsed as if it had been struck by a cannonball. Tsukiha Yaiba had been blasted away by Li Xiaofei once again. She shook off the rubble pressing down on her and gracefully landed on the street again.


    Sizzling sounds filled the air as if electricity was crackling to life. Golden-red streaks of light flickered and danced around her. Finally, a faint shadow of a massive golden lizard totem began to take shape behind Tsukiha Yaiba.


    Its entire body was covered in golden scales, like that of a divine dragon. It emitted an aura of overwhelming terror, as if it came from a supreme being from another world. Its eyes glowed with golden light as it stared arrogantly down. It felt like it could destroy the world with a single motion.


    The terrifying presence was so intense that even the viewers watching the match through the screen felt their scalps tingling. Their hearts clenched involuntarily.


    The Golden Lizard King!


    Li Xiaofei felt the full brunt of the totem¡¯s pressure.


    A star beast king?! No. This shadow of the Golden Lizard King is not a star beast. It¡¯s radiating an aura of destruction, but it feels more sacred and pure. It lacks the brutality and ferocity typically associated with star beasts.


    "Golden Lizard Bloodline... please guide me!"


    Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s eyes lit up with brilliant golden light as her voice changed. Once she had activated her bloodline ability, Tsukiha Yaiba exuded a cold, emotionless divinity as she lost a part of her human warmth and presence.


    "The strength of a bloodline bearer, is it?" Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes lit up, and he couldn¡¯t hold back his growing excitement. "Ahhh, this is fantastic! Truly amazing."


    It was perfect. Encountering such a powerful opponent in the virtual world of the light-network meant he could fight without holding back.


    Frontal combat!


    For Li Xiaofei, meeting a worthy adversary was truly a joy. His blood felt as though it was boiling with anticipation. He activated the dormant starforce qi within his body. His blood surged wildly once again, and faint traces of golden light flickered in and out of sight within the crimson glow.


    His body began to swell and grow taller once again until it surpassed ten meters in height. Faint golden patterns appeared on his barely visible skin, pulsing like a living being and exuding a mysterious and eerie aura. It was his third form, the Ultimate Demon King Form.


    "I''ve invoked the forbidden energy of the divine bloodline. It¡¯s unfair to you," Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s voice was cold and distant. "Li Xiaofei, I¡¯ll give you the first move... make the most of it."


    Li Xiaofei burst out laughing, "Divine bloodline energy, is it? Hahaha, now feel the wrath of a mere mortal."


    He drew back his hand and activated the Great Strength Vajra Fist, Vajra Wrathful Mountain Split as he threw a punch. A fiery golden light ignited on the surface of his fist.


    The force of this punch was terrifying beyond words. As soon as the fist wind swept out, everything within a hundred-meter radius, whether it be buildings, stone houses, smoldering ruins or corpses, was all reduced to dust.


    At ten meters tall, Li Xiaofei truly resembled an enraged, golden-armored Vajra. Though the punch seemed slow, it was deceptively fast. As it flew forward, it looked like a burning meteor from the heavens crashing down on Tsukiha Yaiba.


    In response, Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s figure floated in mid-air, the shadow of the Golden Lizard King behind her growing more tangible. She dove down, throwing a punch of her own. As she moved, the shadow of the Golden Lizard King followed with claws extended.


    Boom!


    Fist collided with fist. The roar of the Golden Lizard King seemed to echo between heaven and earth. Waves of energy erupted from the two and radiated outward. In the blink of an eye, the shockwave had leveled everything within a kilometer radius. From above, the site of the impact looked like a perfect golden full moon.


    Boom!


    The two figures exploded apart. Li Xiaofei landed heavily, his massive body slamming into the ground, causing it to tremble. He looked up at his opponent. Behind Tsukiha Yaiba, the image of the Golden Lizard King dimmed and brightened intermittently.


    "The strength of a divine bloodline is indeed intriguing," Li Xiaofei remarked. "But it''s a pity... it seems you can¡¯t fully control it. You lack the endurance. I''ll give you one chance as well. Unleash your strongest forbidden move, and we¡¯ll settle this with one decisive strike!"


    After a brief moment, Tsukiha Yaiba responded, "Alright."


    She looked up at the sky and took a deep breath. Her long black hair transformed into a pure golden hue as the trace of humanity left in her diminished further. She began chanting incantations for her final secret technique, guiding the forbidden energy within her body.


    Behind her, the Golden Lizard King totem dissolved into streams of light that merged into her body. Patches of pure golden lizard scales appeared on her pale skin as her strength surged once more. The entire process lasted about five seconds.


    "Heaven Tyrant¡¯s Sky-Splitting Blast!"


    When she completed her secret technique, Tsukiha Yaiba erupted in a dazzling blaze of golden light. A golden stream of light shot out from her left fist like a divine chain, instantly locking onto Li Xiaofei.


    This lock-on was unavoidable and irresistible. She yanked on the golden light and accelerated abruptly. She was so fast that she transformed into a blur as she charged toward Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei felt the terrifying force surging toward him. He could sense his own strength being suppressed. His movements and techniques became sluggish.


    Roar!


    A dragon¡¯s cry suddenly echoed across the heavens and earth. Li Xiaofei raised both palms as he drew an arc in the air and calmly pushed outward.


    "Regretful Dragon!"


    The force from his palms transformed into a golden divine dragon that roared as it surged forward.


    Boom!


    At that moment, the two terrifying attacks collided without any flourish or hesitation. The broadcast screen was immediately consumed by a brilliant and blinding golden light.


    All the viewers instinctively covered their eyes, tears streaming down their faces from the sharp brightness. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "My god, what level of battle is this?"


    "Five Spirits Realm, it''s terrifying!"


    "Can this really be a battle between two high school students?"


    "I need to see the real-time energy data monitored by the light core during this clash. It has to be record-breaking..."


    "Who won?"


    Countless people, despite blinking rapidly from the golden light, strained their eyes to stare at the screen.


    Chang¡¯an Street was now a sunken basin from the destruction. But in the middle of the crater, a ten-meter-tall figure stood proud and unmoved like a mighty divine being.


    The other, smaller figure had disappeared. The battle had been decided!

 Chapter 282: Rotation

    Chapter 282: RotationLi Xiaofei stood where he was, a hint of surprise on his face. At the very moment their attacks collided, he had felt Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s energy suddenly spiral out of control, causing her to explode and vanish on the spot.


    Just as he had predicted, Tsukiha Yaiba had not been able to fully control the bloodline energy within her. In that moment of extreme exertion, the light core system had determined that her mental strength couldn¡¯t withstand the bloodline¡¯s strength as well as the pressure Li Xiaofei exerted on her. She had ended up self-destructing.


    However, bloodline bearers were undeniably strong. She had been able to display strength comparable to the fourth stage of the Five Spirits Realm at the pinnacle of the Acupoint Opening Realm. It was like a cheat code. The strength of a bloodline was a third force, independent of the physical body and starforce qi.


    Is this energy borrowed from the divine? Or perhaps it activated some special energy sources within the blood?


    Li Xiaofei was curious about this type of strength, but he didn¡¯t feel envious. He had chosen to defy the heavens and rise step by step through cultivation, relying on nothing but his mortal body. After all, even the gods had once been mere mortals who cultivated their way to divinity. If others could become gods, why couldn''t he?


    A pillar of light descended from the sky and transported him away from the ruined battlefield.


    ***


    The grand arena echoed with applause. This time, even the defeated Tsukiha Yaiba received congratulations. Respect for the strong was a natural human instinct. Though Tsukiha Yaiba had been bested by Li Xiaofei, the terrifying strength she had displayed in battle was nothing short of awe-inspiring. After all, it was the strength of the Five Spirits Realm!


    If Tsukiha Yaiba was willing to contribute to the city¡¯s defense, then Liuhe Base City would truly be blessed. They had gained two warriors with the strength of the Five Spirits Realm within a few short weeks. The beast tide would no longer be a concern!


    "I lost," Tsukiha Yaiba said calmly. "Li-kun, if you have any requests, feel free to ask."


    Li Xiaofei looked at the Jiepeng noble girl. His eyes were bold as he evaluated her from head to toe.


    "I remember you saying that any request would be accepted," Li Xiaofei remarked. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tsukiha Yaiba took a deep breath. "Of course, I always keep my word."


    Li Xiaofei chuckled, "Then... I''ll let you know when I¡¯ve decided."


    "Hmm?" Tsukiha Yaiba was taken aback.


    She had fully expected Li Xiaofei to make an unreasonable request.


    "Alright," She responded without hesitation.


    Li Xiaofei turned and walked toward the Red Flag High School preparation area. Bai Longfei, Fang Buyi, Bai Qiqi, Ren Dong, and the others immediately opened their arms and cheered as they rushed toward him.


    Slap!


    Li Xiaofei casually pushed Bai Longfei and Fang Buyi aside and embraced Bai Qiqi and Ren Dong, celebrating with the two beauties.


    "Whoa!"


    "Heartless!"


    Bai Longfei and Fang Buyi were dumbfounded.


    Little Li, you''ve changed.


    You''ve now started prioritizing romance over friendship!


    Laughter erupted from the stands as the cameras captured Bai Longfei and Fang Buyi¡¯s bewildered expressions. Countless screenshots and reaction memes of their faces started flying around the light-network.


    In the livestream, Shen Yan couldn''t help but laugh.


    "That''s Li Xiaofei for you. He''s a young man with all the quirks and desires that we ordinary people have. He''s not some cold and emotionless preacher... and it¡¯s this very Li Xiaofei that makes him so much more worthy of our admiration and love."


    As Li Xiaofei¡¯s number one fan, Shen Yan never missed a chance to praise him. The chat was instantly flooded with 666 messages.


    Shen Dog, you''re something else.


    I never thought you could praise him from this angle!


    No wonder you went from a nobody to a top streamer with 500,000 fans in just a few months. Come on, guys, stop waiting around¡ªlet''s all go praise Li Xiaofei!


    The viewers bantered back and forth, but truthfully, this battle had truly shocked many people. The level of strength displayed by both sides had shattered the common perception of high school students. No battle of this caliber had ever been seen in Liuhe Base City''s High School War God League.


    It was like a dimensional suppression for other high school students. The brilliance of these two overshadowed everyone else. Even the MVPs, Killer Kings, and Assist Kings of previous seasons couldn¡¯t compare to these two monsters.


    ¡°After watching today¡¯s match, I can only say that Li Xiaofei¡¯s emergence is a blessing for Liuhe Base City.¡±


    "If he hadn''t risen to the occasion, this season would have been completely dominated by Tsukiha Yaiba. This year¡¯s league would¡¯ve turned into a platform for Jiepeng to flaunt their strength."


    "Thinking about it now, it really gives me chills."


    "Li Xiaofei has saved this season''s High School War God League."


    Shen Yan seized the moment and praised Li Xiaofei again. This time, the chat responded with a flood of just one phrase.


    I second that.


    I second that.


    I second that.


    "Li Xiaofei, forever a god!" His assistant in black stockings raised her fist and shouted, "YYDS!"[1]


    The atmosphere at the competition venue remained incredibly intense. The recent battle had left many spectators wanting more. When they remembered that there were still three team battles to come, everyone grew even more excited.


    Li Xiaofei and Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s clash could happen three more times, and this time, in the more unpredictable and intense team mode. It was like a feast for the senses as everyone anticipated a spectacle.


    In their respective preparation zones, both teams were racing against the clock to prepare for the upcoming matches. Meanwhile, the audience seized the opportunity to take bathroom breaks, stretch, and grab some snacks, all in preparation for the next thrilling round.


    Fans watching remotely through the light-network hurriedly posted videos and reviews of the battle on their LightChat circles and personal media platforms.


    Before long, all of Liuhe Base City was buzzing.


    A high school league could actually produce a battle at the level of the Five Spirits Realm?


    As word spread, even more people flooded into the livestream. This spotlight match was now drawing the attention of a much wider audience. As people would have said five centuries ago, it had gone viral.


    The Little White Dragon in the Waves livestream quickly surged to over two million viewers in no time. This number exceeded the population of Liuhe Base City. Fans from other base cities, having heard of the Five Spirits Realm-level battle, had flocked to the stream, eager to witness the showdown between young fighters of such a high caliber.


    Shen Yan jumped up in excitement when he noticed the viewer count.


    "I''m going viral!"


    Since he now had over two million viewers, he had reached the ranks of top-tier streamers. All those views meant one thing, massive traffic, and a lot of money.


    A few minutes later, the first team battle mode match between the two schools was finally about to begin. The starting lineups were announced.


    Quanye High School¡¯s five players were Wang Qiong, Cao Rui, Mizutani Hikaru, An Shen, and Shu Wan.


    Red Flag High School¡¯s starting five were Yan Chiyu, Fang Buyi, Bai Qiqi, Ren Dong, and Bai Longfei.


    The announcement left many people stunned.


    What is going on?


    Neither of the two Five Spirits Realm fighters, Li Xiaofei nor Tsukiha Yaiba, were in the starting lineup.


    1. ÓÀÔ¶µÄÉñ (y¨¯ngyu¨£n de sh¨¦n; yyds) means ¡°eternal God¡± and describes an outstanding person or thing. It''s similar to the saying GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in English. The phrase is often used by fans to praise their idols or simply to describe something they are fond of. ?

 Chapter 283: Resurgence Of The Great Xia Martial Lineage?

    Chapter 283: Resurgence Of The Great Xia Martial Lineage?Indeed, both Li Xiaofei and Tsukiha Yaiba did not participate in the match. This decision came after discussions between the head coaches of both teams.


    It turned out that after Tsukiha Yaiba exited the light core mainframe cockpit, she had gotten dizzy and fallen. She had then been rushed to the hospital for emergency examination and treatment.


    When he heard the news, Li Xiaofei also decided against participating. He didn¡¯t want to hog all the spotlight for himself. He also wanted to give Fang Buyi and the others an opportunity to showcase their talents.


    After all, Fang Buyi had seen explosive growth after learning the Skyward Staff Technique. He was now strong enough to join the ranks of superstar students in the High School War God League. Their performance in this league would significantly boost their chances of getting into prestigious schools. Fang Buyi and his teammates needed this chance.


    This was one of the reasons why Li Xiaofei shared some of his martial arts manuals with the school. He wanted every student at Red Flag High School, who dedicated themselves to ancient martial arts, to have a bright future. In the upcoming matches, students like Liu Xiao, Nan Tianxing, Zhuge Long, and Du Heng would also get their turn to compete.


    Li Xiaofei glanced over at Quanye High School¡¯s preparation area. He speculated that Tsukiha Yaiba had likely experienced some side effects from fully unleashing her bloodline. He hadn¡¯t expected that using one¡¯s bloodline energy in the light core world could still impact a person¡¯s physical health.


    This has never happened before. Could it be due to the unique nature of a bloodline?


    The match began quickly. The first team battle took place on the randomly selected Stormy Snow Mountain map, where both teams adopted a balanced development strategy.


    After half an hour of gathering resources, slaying star beasts, and crafting weapons, the two teams gradually moved closer and clashed in the central area. The match ended with Red Flag High School claiming victory.


    This time, Bai Longfei and Ren Dong didn¡¯t give their opponents a chance to launch a surprise attack. Both of them demonstrated their true strength, working seamlessly with beastmaster Bai Qiqi and the two main combatants, Fang Buyi and Yan Chiyu. They quickly defeated Quanye High School¡¯s Wang Qiong, Cao Rui, and two others.


    Mizutani Hikaru didn¡¯t even get the chance to draw her third sword before being overwhelmed by the five Red Flag High School players. Facing an unwinnable situation, Mizutani Hikaru ultimately chose not to draw her third sword.


    The light core system determined Red Flag High School as the winner. Even without Li Xiaofei, the fans at the venue wholeheartedly supported the home team. While disappointed with the outcome, they still sang Quanye High School¡¯s anthem and cheered for their players.


    However, those who had flocked to the light-network expecting to witness a Five Spirits Realm-level battle were left somewhat disappointed. They came for a spectacle, but all they got was an ordinary War God League match. As a result, some viewers left immediately. Others remained in various livestreams, holding onto the hope that Li Xiaofei might make an appearance in the second team battle.


    Ten minutes later, the second team battle began. Once again, Li Xiaofei did not participate.


    The system randomly selected the Sky City map, another classic battleground for team matches. At the start of the game, Mizutani Hikaru employed a highly risky RUSH strategy. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She got lucky as she caught Bai Qiqi, Ren Dong, and Bai Longfei, the three support players, before they could group up with their teammates. She swiftly eliminated all three of them with her Grass Slashing stance and her second sword, taking them out of the battle.


    In less than twenty minutes, Red Flag High School was plunged into a dire situation, left with only two players facing off against Quanye High School''s full five-man team. By the time Fang Buyi and Yan Chiyu realized something was wrong, Quanye High School¡¯s team had already completed nearly half of their strategic development, setting up a perfect five-person encirclement.


    The match seemed to be a foregone conclusion. However, in a critical moment, Yan Chiyu turned the tide. She ended her duel with Mizutani Hikaru with a single strike, taking down the formidable Jiepeng swordswoman.


    "How could this happen?"


    Mizutani Hikaru clutched the sword wound at her throat, her face filled with disbelief. She had been absolutely confident that she could finish off Yan Chiyu once she drew her third blade. Yet, she had been instantly defeated just as she unsheathed her first blade.


    "Using the same technique on me twice isn''t a good idea," Yan Chiyu said calmly.


    "You..."


    In that moment, Mizutani Hikaru realized something. But in the next instant, her entire body dissolved into a pale blue stream of data, disappearing from the battlefield.


    Almost simultaneously, Fang Buyi blocked the remaining four opponents with his long staff. And yet, he was slowly gaining the upper hand. The seemingly ordinary iron staff in his hands had transformed into a weapon of divine power.


    At this point, those with sharp eyes finally began to notice something unusual.


    "This Red Flag High School substitute main player seems unusually strong."


    "Another student at the level of a top-tier league star?"


    "Wait, I remember this Fang Buyi wasn¡¯t even considered a third-rate star player just a while ago. How did he suddenly become so powerful?"


    "It''s not just Fang Buyi. The other Red Flag High School members have also noticeably gotten stronger."


    "Red Flag High School seems to be in a phase of explosive growth."


    Many seasoned viewers and experts couldn''t help but express their surprise. The second match also ended in a victory for Red Flag High School as Fang Buyi and Yan Chiyu managed to defeat all five of their opponents.


    Winning two consecutive matches meant Red Flag High School had secured the overall victory. However, Quanye High School chose not to give up and proceeded to the third match.


    This time, Red Flag High School didn''t even field Yan Chiyu. Backup main player Zhuge Long finally got his first chance to compete this season. Additionally, former main beastmaster Liu Xiao returned to the starting lineup for the first time in eight rounds, replacing Bai Qiqi as the primary beastmaster.


    Medic Nan Tianxing and weapons specialist Du Heng also received their first starting opportunities of the season. This was one of the perks of being part of a strong team. When the overall victory was already secured, many substitute players had the chance to take the field.


    Everyone assumed that Red Flag High School¡¯s full substitute lineup would result in a meaningless defeat. However, when the match started, the outcome shocked everyone watching. The all-substitute team was battling Quanye High School¡¯s main lineup evenly.


    Liu Xiao seemed to have completely transformed, Fang Buyi remained as powerful as ever, and Zhuge Long, Nan Tianxing, and Du Heng stood their ground against Quanye High School¡¯s main players.


    In the end, it was only due to Mizutani Hikaru¡¯s exceptional performance that Quanye High School barely managed to claim victory. The final score for the team battle mode was 2-1. Red Flag High School had once again snatched victory from the home team¡¯s grasp.


    Red Flag High School has the aura of a true champion.


    After the match, this headline appeared across numerous electronic newspapers and magazines. A storm of discussion swept through the forums on the light-network, as everyone started talking about the Red Flag phenomenon.


    Red Flag High School, which stayed committed to ancient martial arts, now seemed poised to become the league''s dominant team. Could this signify a resurgence of the Great Xia martial lineage in Liuhe Base City?

 Chapter 284: Don’t Blame Me For Not Holding Back

    Chapter 284: Don¡¯t Blame Me For Not Holding BackShortly after the match, the Red Flag High School team and their cheer squad boarded their new bus and left Quanye High School. Before they left, Tsukiha Yaiba gave Li Xiaofei her contact information.


    "Whenever you think of your request, just contact me," she said honestly.


    She had returned to the arena before the team battle ended. Her dizziness was a recurring ailment, so she had gotten used to it. Li Xiaofei accepted her contact information and left with his schoolmates.


    Red Flag High School held a post-match reception dinner at the Qingya Pavilion Hotel, inviting commentators, journalists, and some of the event staff. It was a league tradition. Red Flag High School had never held a reception before because of their lack of funds. But now, they could. It was also a chance to promote the school and the Great Xia martial lineage, and building relationships with the media was essential.


    As the dinner began, Tan Qingying arrived at Qingya Pavilion on her heavy motorcycle.


    "Congratulations, idol." She greeted Li Xiaofei with a big hug.


    Their relationship was already known to their teammates. However, this was the first time the media and streamers were witnessing it, and the cameras immediately started flashing. It was clear what tomorrow''s headlines would be about. After all, one was now the biggest star in the high school league and the other was the city leader''s daughter. The fact that these two were together was guaranteed to be a sensational story.


    "Why are you here?" Li Xiaofei asked, surprised. "Weren''t you supposed to be with your family''s guests?"


    Tan Qingying wrinkled her nose adorably and let out a playful hum, smiling brightly. She said, "Being with them isn''t as important as being with you. I snuck out."


    Li Xiaofei felt a wave of warmth and gratitude.


    "But with that hug just now," He teased, "Our relationship will be known throughout the entire city."


    Her eyes curved into crescents as she grinned at him, "I want the whole world to know that I''m yours and you''re mine." S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei gently took her small, cold hand in his.


    "Alright, enough with the show," Bai Longfei chimed in, perfectly timing his interruption. "At this rate, we won''t even need dinner. We''re already stuffed with your PDA."


    Everyone around burst into laughter. The reception dinner proceeded smoothly, full of lighthearted moments and camaraderie. After the event ended, Li Xiaofei hopped onto Tan Qingying''s heavy motorcycle, and the two of them broke away from the group, heading off on their own.


    Vroom!


    The motorcycle roared down the road, cutting through the night. The winter snow was still slowly melting away, but the night wind was bitterly cold. Li Xiaofei released his inner energy to shield Tan Qingying from the harsh cold.


    "Where to?" He shouted over the roar of the engine.


    "To your place," She replied with a smile.


    "Alright."


    Li Xiaofei twisted the throttle, and the motorcycle sped up instantly.


    They soon arrived at the slum, but the entrance to the street was blocked by a steel barricade. There were about twenty fully armed martial artists from the Starry Sky Hotel guarding the area.


    "What¡¯s going on?" Li Xiaofei asked as he stopped the bike.


    "Starry Sky Hotel business, get lost if you don''t want trouble," barked a warrior who seemed to be the captain. He glanced condescendingly at Li Xiaofei before impatiently adding, "I¡¯m An Guangyuan, captain of the Starry Sky Hotel inspection team. Who the hell are you? Move along and don¡¯t cause any trouble."


    Anger flared up inside Li Xiaofei.


    I¡¯m at my own doorstep, and some wild dogs dare to block my way?


    Boom!


    He threw a punch without another word. The force of his fist exploded like a dragon, instantly blowing apart the barricade in front of the entrance.


    Boom!


    The motorcycle''s exhaust roared as the two sped through and into the slums.


    "How dare you?! Someone, report this to Captain Zhen immediately!" The captain shouted furiously, his voice shaking with rage.


    ***


    "What''s the deal with those Starry Sky Hotel people outside?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Li Junjie was clearly incensed as he replied, "Boss, they''re deliberately causing trouble. They¡¯re accusing us of illegal activities. Three different groups came earlier today and took a few of our Incense Masters for interrogation. They¡¯ve locked down the whole slum and aren¡¯t letting anyone in or out. Oh, and the guy in charge, Zhen Jiahui, left a number, saying you should call when you got back."


    Li Junjie handed over a slip of paper that had Zhen Jiahui''s contact information.


    "I see," Li Xiaofei waved him off.


    Li Junjie quickly exited the room, leaving only Li Xiaofei and Tan Qingying inside.


    "Need me to get some people to help?" Tan Qingying offered. "Starry Sky Hotel interfering with gang affairs is overstepping their bounds. There''s a way to deal with this."


    Li Xiaofei smiled and replied, "A man should handle his own problems."


    He pulled out a mini light core. "Let me make a call first."


    After a moment, the LightChat call connected.


    "Hello? What¡¯s up?" came the voice of Teacher Li Zhoumin.


    "Hello, Teacher! How have you been? It¡¯s been a while since we last talked, I¡¯ve missed you," Li Xiaofei said with a grin.


    "You rascal, if you¡¯re calling me this late, you must need something. Speak up," Li Zhoumin replied, a hint of joy in his voice.


    "Teacher, you''re always spot on," Li Xiaofei laughed. He then explained the situation with the Starry Sky Hotel causing trouble and finished, "This Zhen Jiahui keeps making things difficult for me, and I suspect Inspector Wu Fohai is pulling the strings from behind."


    "So it seems Wu Fohai has chosen to side with the Gu family," Li Zhoumin said after a brief moment. "I¡¯ve heard about what you¡¯ve been doing in the base city. You¡¯ve done well, and as your teacher, I¡¯m proud. I have only one thing to say, go all out, and if anything happens, I¡¯ll take responsibility for you."


    Wow. You wouldn''t find a teacher like this in five hundred years.


    Li Xiaofei was overjoyed and replied, "Got it, Teacher. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t let you down."


    After hanging up the phone, Li Xiaofei¡¯s spirits were instantly lifted.


    Tan Qingying, leaning against his back, asked, "All sorted?"


    Li Xiaofei turned, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her forehead. "Yes, it''s handled. Now that I have the teacher¡¯s backing, I can act without hesitation."


    Tan Qingying, wrapping her arms around his neck, asked softly, "If I leave Liuhe Base City, would you miss me?"


    Li Xiaofei smiled, "Of course, I¡¯d miss you day and night, and then I¡¯d come find you."


    Tan Qingying laughed joyfully and leaned in to kiss him. Their relationship had progressed rapidly since that night at Old Chen''s Offal Shop. Li Xiaofei eagerly returned the kiss.


    The phone rang. Li Xiaofei declined it, but a second later, it rang again. He declined once more, but it rang yet again.


    "Who the hell keeps calling at a time like this?" Li Xiaofei muttered angrily, but since it might be something important, he freed one hand to grab his mini light core.


    The number was unfamiliar but he answered it.


    "Hello?"


    "Heh heh heh, President Li, you seem to have quite the patience. It''s so late, and yet you haven¡¯t bothered to call me." A sneering voice came through the phone. It was Zhen Jiahui.


    "Say what you need to say and spare me the nonsense," Li Xiaofei snapped, clearly irritated.


    "Well, I have some bad news for you," Zhen Jiahui said coldly. "During our interrogation of your Incense Masters, we uncovered evidence of numerous heinous crimes committed by your organization over the past few years. It¡¯s truly shocking. You have one hour to come down and provide an explanation for these actions."


    So, this is what it was about.


    Cloudy Sky Gang had been one of the cleanest groups in the slums ever since the days of Zhong Yuanshan. Whatever Zhen Jiahui claimed to have discovered was nothing more than fabricated evidence. It was just an excuse to bring him down.


    If Li Xiaofei showed up, it would be like throwing a bun to a dog; he wouldn¡¯t be coming back.


    "Time and place," Li Xiaofei said calmly.


    If they were playing dirty, he wouldn¡¯t hold back either. His heart boiled with murderous intent.

 Chapter 285: The Return Of Zhong Kui

    Chapter 285: The Return Of Zhong Kui"Tianshun Manor, the temporary interrogation group base, in one hour," Zhen Jiahui said before hanging up.


    "Li Xiaofei will definitely come." He said smugly. "I¡¯ve studied him. Not only is he impulsive, but he¡¯s also fiercely protective of his people. The Incense Masters we captured from the Cloudy Sky Gang are just bait. He thinks we¡¯re just giving him trouble, but he doesn¡¯t know that this time... it¡¯s meant to be his end."


    Across from him, Gu Juechen exhaled in relief. "The boy has the strength of a Five Spirits Realm expert. We need to be careful. If we fail to kill him, we risk serious consequences."


    Zhen Jiahui smiled confidently. "We have a power armor combat team, two Jiepeng cyborgs, and two Five Spirits Realm mercenaries from the darknet waiting in ambush at the manor. Inspector Wu himself promised to intervene if needed. Plus, we have you, me, and those hostages. I refuse to believe we can¡¯t take him down."


    Gu Juechen nodded. "Once he¡¯s gone, Tan Zhenwei will be as good as crippled. Even if the Tan family headquarters applies pressure, our plan can still succeed if we force him out of Liuhe Base City. We¡¯ll need more time to gain full control of the city without the Ye family, but it''s still possible."


    Zhen Jiahui chuckled. "The five major families of Liuhe Base City will remain. We still have the Du, Mu, and Qi families. They ask for less and are more obedient than the Ye family... heh, there¡¯s always an abundance of dogs in this world, as long as you have bones to offer."


    Gu Juechen nodded again but, truthfully, he felt no fondness for the man before him. Zhen Jiahui was nothing more than a lowborn from a fallen noble family in Lanfu Base City. His very essence reeked of the stench of an inferior, someone unworthy of standing on equal ground with someone of Gu Juechen¡¯s noble lineage.


    Moreover, after several interactions, Gu Juechen had already discerned Zhen Jiahui¡¯s narrow mindset. The man could only see what was in front of him and was blind to the future. He lacked any real vision. Yet he believed that he possessed remarkable talent and constantly basked in self-satisfaction and delusions of grandeur.


    Perhaps he was adept at backstabbing and scheming. But his selfish, profit-driven nature meant he would never have true allies. He would certainly never be taken seriously by the great noble families.


    "Very well, if necessary, I can take action tonight," Gu Juechen said, despite the distaste he felt toward Zhen. "However, as we agreed, Li Xiaofei¡¯s body will belong to the Gu family."


    "No problem," Zhen Jiahui replied.


    If you live long enough to see the end of the battle, that is.


    He, too, wanted Li Xiaofei¡¯s body. The street rat from the slum possessed an unnervingly powerful cultivation. The various Saint families had analyzed his combat footage, and their final conclusion had been chilling.


    Suspected bloodline bearer.


    And it wasn¡¯t just any bloodline. It was highly likely that his bloodline didn¡¯t belong to any of the seven hundred and twenty recognized bloodlines in the world today. Instead, it was posited that it was an undiscovered special bloodline.


    Jiepeng had long placed a hefty bounty on the darknet for Li Xiaofei¡¯s blood. If they could obtain his body, the price would skyrocket. Rumor had it that Jiepeng''s New Martial Arts surgery had developed cutting-edge technology that allowed for the extraction of ability factors from bloodline bearers.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s exceptional performance had caught Jiepeng¡¯s attention. He was now marked as the ideal research subject. Obtaining his body would win a favor from Jiepeng, potentially securing support from the restless superpower. With their backing, Zhen Jiahui¡¯s ambitions in Liuhe Base City and the entire Northwest Administrative Region could soar.


    Zhen Jiahui had already put his plans in motion. It would be ideal if Gu Juechen died at the hands of Li Xiaofei. If not, Zhen Jiahui would handle it himself in secret. After all, Gu Juechen was merely a fallen member of a once-great Saint family. Killing him would not be a problem.


    Zhen Jiahui wasn¡¯t blind. He could see clearly that Gu Juechen, despite their cooperation, looked down on him for his lower-class origins. They were only working together out of necessity, and both were fully aware of the unspoken contempt between them.


    "Alright, let''s prepare ourselves. In one hour..."


    Gu Juechen stood and was about to leave when suddenly, a series of screams echoed from outside. The blaring sound of alarms filled the air. Zhen Jiahui¡¯s expression darkened.


    What¡¯s going on?


    "Sir! Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui has infiltrated the premises!" A panicked patrol soldier rushed in, shouting, "He¡¯s already killed several of our men!"


    Zhong Kui?! At such a critical moment, why is that demon here?


    Zhen Jiahui shuddered, a cold frisson running down his spine.


    Gu Juechen was equally taken aback. "If he¡¯s attacking now, he must be in league with Li Xiaofei. He must be killed before he joins forces with Li Xiaofei; otherwise, tonight¡¯s plan will fall apart."


    Zhen Jiahui immediately gave the order, "Deploy the power armor squad."


    After fully arming himself, he stepped out onto the balcony of the pavilion to look down into the courtyard below. There, a demon seemed to be rampaging through the manor grounds. Wielding a massive crimson broadblade, the figure cut down the Star Council warriors like grass. Every flash of the blade caused another body to drop.


    "What incredible swordsmanship!" Gu Juechen couldn¡¯t help but exclaim.


    It was Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui. His sword technique was a display of unparalleled skill.


    "How did he infiltrate the manor?" Zhen Jiahui wondered aloud, scanning the surroundings.


    The manor''s defense systems had neither been breached nor triggered. The combat teams stationed outside had failed to detect the intruder in time. The warriors inside the manor were the first to encounter Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tianshun Manor was one of Jiepeng''s well-fortified estates in Liuhe Base City. It was meticulously designed with formidable defenses. Even a typical Five Spirits Realm warrior would find it difficult to breach. Not even a Golden Body Realm master could sneak in unnoticed. Yet, somehow, Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui had appeared deep within the heart of the estate. It was too strange.


    "This fiend must possess some highly advanced stealth technique," Gu Juechen muttered.


    He harbored deep hatred for Zhong Kui. If that monster hadn¡¯t wiped out the Ye family, Gu Juechen¡¯s plans in Liuhe Base City wouldn¡¯t have faced so many setbacks and forced him to cooperate with the likes of Zhen Jiahui.


    In no time, nearly all the warriors in the courtyard had been slaughtered. But neither Zhen Jiahui nor Gu Juechen appeared worried. The power armor squad had been deployed.


    Out of the darkness, a laser beam suddenly cut through the air. The silent light beam struck Zhong Kui before he could react, forcing him back several steps.


    The massive, godlike figure''s chest emitted black smoke as a large charred wound appeared just above his chest.


    In the next moment, five figures clad in metal exoskeletons revealed themselves from different angles. They didn¡¯t hesitate as they unleashed their first barrage at Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui.

 Chapter 286: Cyborg

    Chapter 286: CyborgA power armor could be equipped with a variety of super firearms. For example, the power armor combat squad facing Li Xiaofei had Blade Hunter II model power armor, which were armed with laser weapons and second only to power guns in power. Laser weapons often posed a serious threat to warriors below the Golden Body Realm.


    In an instant, five gun barrels locked onto Li Xiaofei. Countless incandescent beams pummeled Li Xiaofei¡¯s armor like a torrential downpour. These laser beams had considerable recoil, but possessed a horrifying penetrative ability. The floating armor, made of Bull Demon blood, was burned and pierced in large sections.


    The beams reached Li Xiaofei''s flesh and blood body but that was all. His physical body was no weaker than the armor. The incandescent beams, partially blocked by the Bull Demon blood armor, couldn¡¯t effectively injure Li Xiaofei. Moreover, the Blade Hunter II power armor was only equipped with four magazines. Soon, all the incandescent beams were completely spent.


    The battlefield fell silent. The superheated air was filled with the stench of burning ozone. But Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui was standing motionless in the center of the battlefield. His crimson battle robes had been completely scorched to a charcoal-like black. His face was scarred and pitted by the laser beams. His already grotesque appearance now resembled a demon straight out of hell.


    His entire body seemed completely carbonized as it emitted faint wisps of smoke. But he stood unmoving.


    Is he dead?


    From above, Zhen Jiahui and Gu Juechen held their breath. Five Blade Hunter II power armors, each about three meters tall, approached swiftly under the cold moonlight. Their weapon systems were still locked onto their target, ready to launch a lethal attack at any moment.


    Zzz.


    The pale incandescent glow of the laser sword illuminated the night. The power armor soldier at the front raised his laser sword and forcefully thrust it forward.


    At that moment, the charred Zhong Kui suddenly moved. His left foot shifted, and his body flickered to the side to narrowly dodge the attack. The blood-red broadblade in his hand turned into a streak of crimson light as he swiftly slashed horizontally.


    Bang!


    The blade struck the power armor, but it was blocked by a layer of glowing white light. The power armor''s energy shield had activated just in time to block the lethal strike.


    ¡°Damn, that slash took out 67% of the shield¡¯s energy. Be careful, everyone.¡±


    The power armor soldier was shocked and quickly warned his teammates over their communication channel. But in the next moment, he could no longer speak. Zhong Kui''s second slash landed in the exact same spot. The strike was too fast for even the passive defense system of the power armor to react.


    Szzzt.


    The energy shield shattered and both the power armor and its pilot were cleanly severed in half. Sparks flew from the damaged machinery, and blood gushed out between the joints.


    ¡°Damn it.¡±


    ¡°Be careful! Don¡¯t give him a chance for a second slash!¡±


    ¡°Overheated flamethrower!¡±


    The remaining four power armor pilots immediately realized the dire situation.


    This monster¡¯s defense was incredibly strong. A typical warrior at the Five Spirits Realm wouldn¡¯t have been able to withstand the first barrage of lasers. Even if they had survived, they would have been gravely injured. They certainly wouldn¡¯t have the strength to break through the power armor¡¯s energy shield.


    But this guy in front of them had both an insane defense and an even more horrifying offense. He was practically the bane of power armors. One of the power armor units barely managed to raise its arm, and before it could fire the toxic, superheated flames from its flamethrower, the Ghost Slayer¡¯s blade swiftly severed its metal arm.


    ¡°Ah!!¡±


    A scream echoed through the night. Zhong Kui¡¯s movements were simply too fast. His swordsmanship was incredibly powerful. It was as if man and blade had become one as he launched slash after slash with unmatched precision. Two strikes! It only took two strikes for him to violently tear through the power armor and kill the pilot within.


    Even the battle-grade light core equipped in the Blade Hunter II power armor couldn¡¯t calculate Zhong Kui¡¯s movements or predict his attack vectors in time. The power armor in front of him was nothing more than an oversized toy. It couldn¡¯t even perform its function as a nemesis of martial arts experts. Instead, it became a helpless lamb awaiting slaughter.


    The battle ended swiftly as all five power armors, along with their pilots, were reduced to broken scraps. Zhong Kui, still holding his Ghost Slayer, slowly lifted his head. He had sensed the presence of two figures standing on a distant balcony. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In that instant, both Zhen Jiahui and Gu Juechen shuddered in fear. Zhong Kui¡¯s grotesque, charred black face looked like a Shura Death God, reaping lives in the dark of night.


    But then something even more terrifying occurred. The fatal, charred injuries on Zhong Kui¡¯s body began to heal before their very eyes. The injuries on his head vanished as well.


    In the blink of an eye, Zhong Kui stood before them as the unscathed demon god he had been before. His smile was filled with mockery.


    It was as if he was silently saying, "Accept your fate¡ªwounds like these are no threat to me."


    "Monster... monster..." Zhen Jiahui muttered, his scalp tingling with fear.


    Could this unkillable creature truly be a demon?


    Cold sweat began to form on Gu Juechen¡¯s forehead. Now he understood why the entire Ye family had been annihilated overnight. This Ghost Slayer, Zhong Kui, was terrifying beyond belief.


    Zhong Kui made his move. He leaped toward the balcony like a black meteor.


    But just then...


    Whoosh!


    A micro-missile slammed into his side.


    Boom!


    The explosion sent Zhong Kui flying through the air. The moment he hit the ground, a figure dove down and unleashed a flurry of punches. The rapid-fire iron fists pounded into Zhong Kui¡¯s body like a high-speed pile driver.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Once again, Zhong Kui was blasted away. The figure''s body emitted crimson jets of energy, propelling him forward as he struck again. Zhong Kui swiftly swung his blade, executing the Eight Secrets of the Heavenly Blade technique.


    Boom!


    The figure was split apart with one powerful slash. When Li Xiaofei took a closer look, he noticed that the figure was not tall, and half of its body had been entirely replaced by gleaming silver metal. Its metallic skeleton and mechanical face gleamed in the light, with one eye glowing a menacing red. The other half of its body remained human, with intact flesh and blood.


    "A cyborg?"


    Li Xiaofei was shocked. Prosthetics had long become commonplace in this era, with many people who had lost limbs using them to live as normal. Sometimes they would even surpass normal human abilities thanks to the advanced features of these artificial limbs. However, prosthetics were typically limited to arms, legs, or small parts of the body. But this creature before him had more than half its body replaced with machinery.


    Can he even still be considered human?


    Whoosh!


    The cyborg raised its hand, launching another missile the width of a finger. This thing was like a miniature arsenal.


    Li Xiaofei slashed with his long blade.


    Boom!


    The missile exploded. But Li Xiaofei had already broken through the flames of the explosion and was closing in on the cyborg. His blade flashed as he aimed for the cyborg¡¯s neck.


    Yet, in that very moment, the cyborg''s head bent backward at an impossible angle, dangling behind its body. The blade sliced through empty air.


    Meanwhile, the cyborg''s assault was completely unaffected. Its right hand transformed into a high-speed rotating electric drill, which shot out and slammed into Li Xiaofei¡¯s left chest.


    Zzzzt!


    Sparks flew as the armor was quickly pierced. Li Xiaofei gritted his teeth through the impact, grabbed the drill with his left hand, and with a burst of brute force, crushed it into a twisted lump of metal.

 Chapter 287: First Encounter With A Golden Body

    Chapter 287: First Encounter With A Golden Body"Cyborg!"


    A product of Jiepeng¡¯s New Martial Arts Surgery, these modified warriors were originally powerful martial artists who had been transformed into half-human, half-machine monsters by grafting metal limbs, artificial organs, synthetic brains, and light core fiber nerves.


    The superhuman reaction speed provided by the light core¡¯s rapid calculations, the enhanced vitality from artificial organs, and the complete weaponization of metal limbs gave the cyborg abilities far beyond those of an ordinary human.


    They could use their combat light cores to analyze a martial artist''s techniques, uncover the mysteries behind their fighting styles, and then dismantle them with precision. These cyborgs carried all kinds of high-tech, miniaturized weapons. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zzt!


    A faint sound rang out. An ultra-miniature missile shot out of the cyborg''s back, splitting midair into eight sub-missiles. Each one rapidly locked onto eight different weak points on Li Xiaofei¡¯s body, determined by the light core''s analysis.


    Li Xiaofei swung his blade swiftly.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The eight mini-missiles exploded and clouds of pale green toxins spread through the air. Li Xiaofei held his breath. But his sword techniques remained ferociously sharp.


    The cyborg used a flashing energy blade, crackling with electricity, to parry and counter. The Cyborg could actually block and predict the trajectory of the Ghost Slayer¡¯s strikes. This was the light core''s combat data and feedback in action.


    It was clear that this cyborg¡¯s combat light core was far more advanced than the ones found in the power armors. As Li Xiaofei¡¯s sword techniques evolved, the cyborg¡¯s blocks gradually lost its effectiveness. However, various parts of the cyborg¡¯s body could continuously launch missiles.


    Due to its mechanical nature, it could perform bizarre movements that would be impossible for a human to imagine, like retracting and launching its arm, or twisting its joints in unnatural ways.


    The key factor was that the cyborg possessed an energy shield that was far more advanced than expected. This shield would activate within three centimeters of any incoming attack and provide a near-impenetrable defense.


    The combination of advanced weapons and the enhanced energy shield nearly made the cyborg invincible when it hunkered down and fought defensivelyLi Xiaofei could feel how troublesome this Cyborg was.


    If it had a full supply of ammunition, it indeed had the ability to go toe-to-toe with a warrior at the Five Spirits Realm. But what made matters worse was the appearance of a second cyborg. This one was a combat support type. It could release gravity fields, laser cables, and neurotoxins, as well as resupply the first cyborg with ammo and energy cells from a distance, while also handling combat data analysis and feedback.


    Damn it, I hate artificial intelligence


    Li Xiaofei cursed inwardly. He quickly calculated the time remaining. There were less than ten minutes left before his Spatial Point Theft ability expired. He had to move faster.


    So Li Xiaofei activated his third ultimate form. No one would associate Zhong Kui¡¯s form with Li Xaiofei as long as he kept the Bull Demon blood armor active. Mysterious pale golden patterns immediately appeared on the surface of his body beneath the armor.


    Whoosh!


    The strength of his blade increased drastically. The second support-type cyborg was instantly cut down with a single slash. Several more strikes followed to land on the first cyborg. Overwhelmed by the terrifying barrage, it was sent flying.


    As it struggled to stand, sparks suddenly burst from its chest, causing the cyborg to collapse backward. Without missing a beat, Li Xiaofei leaped into the air, his blade slashing down like a radiant river from the heavens, aimed directly at Zhen Jiahui and Gu Juechen.


    Both of them hurriedly retreated. But at that very moment, two figures suddenly appeared in front of them, as fast as streaks of lightning and unleashed an attack in mid-air.


    Boom!


    The shockwave of energy rippled outward.


    "Five Spirits Realm?"


    Li Xiaofei was stunned.


    The two people who had intervened were also at the Five Spirits Realm.


    What the hell is going on? When Liuhe Base City was battling the star beast tide, there weren¡¯t nearly as many Five Spirits Realm warriors who showed up to help. How could these lowlifes have so many warriors of that caliber at their side? It¡¯s absurd.


    The irony only fueled Li Xiaofei¡¯s growing bloodlust. He broke through the shackles on both arms and one leg beneath his armor. The Ghost Slayer blade in his hand bloomed with a blood-red brilliance as its power doubled.


    Li Xiaofei slashed viciously at the Five Spirits Realm experts.


    Slash!


    Two fountains of blood shot into the sky. The two Five Spirits Realm warriors who had suddenly appeared didn¡¯t even have time to react before they were both decapitated in a single strike.


    ¡°What?!¡± exclaimed a horrified Zhen Jiahui.


    In his final moments, he saw the gleam of a blade rushing toward him.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m with the Star Coun-¡±


    Before he could finish his sentence, everything in his vision began spinning rapidly. His head was flying through the air.


    Li Xiaofei, having completed his strike, looked up to search for Gu Juechen but found that he had vanished.


    Just then, a sudden sense of danger surged through his mind. A terrifying force exploded from inside the pavilion. When the stone wall shattered, a dark phantom of a Mole Crow materialized as if it were real and hurtled straight toward him.


    Caught off guard, Li Xiaofei could only cross his blade in front of his chest to defend himself.


    Boom!


    Li Xiaofei was sent flying and crashed heavily into the ground below. A bitter taste rose in his throat as blood nearly forced its way out of his mouth.


    Golden Body Realm?!


    Li Xiaofei immediately realized that there was a terrifying Golden Body Realm expert still hidden on the battlefield.


    Damn it. The Star Council really spared no expense this time. And to make matters worse, this Golden Body Realm warrior resorted to a sneak attack. How utterly shameless.


    Anyone else in his position, after being caught off guard like that, would have likely felt a surge of fear. He could leave if he wanted to, especially since Zhen Jiahui was dead and the mission was complete. But Li Xiaofei refused to back down.


    He gripped his Ghost Slayer blade and leaped into the air, sending dozens of slashes into the broken stone wall where the attack had come from.


    At the same time, he turned into a whirlwind as he charged inside.


    Golden Body Realm? So what?


    He was determined to face this opponent head-on. Li Xiaofei¡¯s fighting spirit burned, his will unshaken.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Explosions echoed from within the room.


    Boom!


    Three breaths later, Li Xiaofei was blasted outward once again, slamming into the ground.


    Damn it!


    The Golden Body Realm warrior was truly despicable to unleash vicious attack dogs inside the room. Li Xiaofei realized that he was no match for this opponent just yet.


    "Time to bail."


    Li Xiaofei turned and fled.


    The two cyborgs had seemingly completed repairing themselves and moved to block his escape. Annoyed, Li Xiaofei unleashed a flurry of slashes at them.


    Breaking through his shackles had multiplied his strength many times over, so the two cyborgs barely had time to react before they were sent reeling backward, parts flying off their bodies. Sparks flew as they short-circuited and were flung away.


    Li Xiaofei charged out of the front courtyard and tossed a smoke bomb behind him. He disappeared into the thick cloud of smoke. By the time the smoke cleared and the surrounding warriors swarmed the area, there was no trace of him.


    A strange growling noise emerged from the broken balcony of the pavilion. A massive black Great Dane that was the size of a small calf appeared on the balcony.


    Its eyes glowed like blood pools and its muscles rippled like molten steel. Its sharp, white fangs looked strong enough to chew through iron. The sheer physical strength radiating from its body distorted the air around it, creating an eerie and terrifying sight. This was a tamed star beast.


    A pale white hand slowly emerged from the darkness of the inner room and gently stroked the dog¡¯s head. The Great Dane¡¯s nose twitched as it sniffed the air, searching for a scent. A low, ominous whimper rumbled from its throat.


    The dog''s owner walked out of the rubble. It was the portly and trusted inspector Wu Fohai.


    "Has he disappeared?" He glanced across the courtyard, his eyes narrowing into a cold, glimmering slit. "No matter. As long as we recognize him next time, that''ll be enough."


    At the same time...


    A flash of light from the portal signaled Li Xiaofei¡¯s return, as he stepped back into the training room of the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters. Both his stamina and starforce qi were nearly depleted. His legs gave out, and he collapsed forward. Tan Qingying rushed over to catch him.


    "Are you okay?" The young lady¡¯s voice was filled with concern.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Just a bit exhausted, nothing serious. Don''t worry."


    But before he could finish his sentence, his expression suddenly changed.

 Chapter 288: Yin-Yang Resonance of Great Sorrow

    Chapter 288: Yin-Yang Resonance of Great SorrowThe intense battle had left Li Xiaofei so drained that an uncontrollable desire suddenly surged within him. He quickly pulled away from Tan Qingying¡¯s support, struggling to seat himself in a nearby chair.


    Taking deep breaths, he tried to suppress the rising urge in his body. But the more he tried to suppress it, the stronger the backlash became.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± The young lady reached out to touch his forehead. ¡°You¡¯re a bit hot. Are you hurt?¡±


    Li Xiaofei shook his head. The sweet scent of the girl¡¯s breath and her delicate fragrance stirred his mind, making it harder to think clearly. His rationality was on the verge of collapsing. He bit down hard on his tongue. The sharp pain jolted him back to partial awareness.


    ¡°I just need to recover.¡± Li Xiaofei said, ¡°Little Ying, you should go rest.¡±


    Tan Qingying, noticing the unusual state he was in, hesitated.


    "Are you sure you''re okay?" She asked worriedly.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "It''s nothing, just a minor injury."


    Tan Qingying bit her lip, then suddenly giggled softly. She tilted her head and teased, "So, why did you bring me back tonight?"


    Why?


    Of course, he wanted to do everything, but not in his current state. Li Xiaofei vaguely recalled the last time this uncontrollable desire had taken over him, and how powerless he had been to stop it.


    Something must have triggered it then, but the details were blurry. He couldn¡¯t remember who it had been with or how it had unfolded. When he looked at Tan Qingying, as beautiful as a blooming flower, he realized she wasn¡¯t rejecting the idea.


    In this era, premarital relations weren¡¯t taboo. In fact, due to population concerns, having children before marriage had become socially acceptable. However, he wanted his first time with someone he loved to be perfect and to happen when he was in full control.


    He didn¡¯t want it to be some reckless act, like a bull trampling over delicate flowers, leaving a hazy and confused memory of their first experience together. So this time...


    No, not like this.


    "I think I need to meditate for a bit." Li Xiaofei said again, "You should rest for now. Later, I¡¯ll take you to see something interesting."


    Tan Qingying bit her lip again, then suddenly giggled, her beautiful eyes blinking as she asked bluntly, "Are you... struggling to hold back?"


    Li Xiaofei froze, a look of surprise crossing his face. Then it hit him. This was no longer a world bound by the old traditions of five hundred years ago. It wasn¡¯t some feudal society with rigid morals.


    In this modern era, with light cores providing information on anything, Tan Qingying wasn¡¯t some sheltered maiden locked away behind gates. She was a true modern woman. In fact, she was a bit of a rebellious woman. Though she might not have experienced these things herself, she definitely understood them. Of course, she could sense what was off with him.


    "It''s because of the side effects of my training..." Li Xiaofei admitted.


    Suddenly, Tan Qingying¡¯s expression grew serious. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tan Qingying spoke softly, ¡°Do you know that I¡¯ll be leaving Liuhe Base City and heading to Xiajing in just a few days? I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll see you again.¡±


    Li Xiaofei replied, ¡°I know...¡±


    But before he could continue, Tan Qingying gently placed her delicate fingers on his lips, stopping him. ¡°No, you don¡¯t understand. I¡¯m leaving to attend university, but it also means stepping away from protection and entering a world of far greater turmoil. I can¡¯t predict what the future holds.¡±


    Li Xiaofei met her eyes determinedly , ¡°As long as you¡¯re willing to wait for me, no matter where you are, no matter how much time passes, even if it¡¯s a hundred years, a thousand, or ten thousand, I will come for you. One day, I will ride the clouds, don a divine armor, and become an unstoppable hero to marry you.¡±


    Tan Qingying responded, ¡°The future is the future, but now is now.¡±


    As she spoke, her clothes quietly slipped from her body.


    ¡°A thousand years is too long. I only want tonight.¡±


    She reached forward, and her slender fingers, as delicate as freshly peeled spring onions, lifted Li Xiaofei¡¯s chin in a playful tease. ¡°You love cars so much, don¡¯t you want to take this new one for a test drive?¡±


    Li Xiaofei felt his mouth go dry. Desire shared between two hearts was entirely different from mere animalistic urges.


    ¡°Don¡¯t place your hopes on some distant, uncertain future,¡± Tan Qingying whispered, wrapping her arms around Li Xiaofei¡¯s head and gently pressing him against her chest. ¡°The future is unpredictable. Don¡¯t leave us with regrets. That¡¯s why we must cherish the present, seize it, and enjoy it...¡±


    Li Xiaofei buried his face between her soft peaks, a cool, mint-like fragrance filling his senses. Tan Qingying¡¯s figure, though not overwhelming, was graceful and elegant. Her skin was pale and smooth, with a supple, youthful warmth that radiated beneath his touch. His hands instinctively wrapped around her slender waist.


    Her waist was delicate, soft, and smooth. Her skin was so flawless that it exuded a uniquely youthful warmth in his palms.


    Snap.


    Li Xiaofei flicked his finger, sending out a small breeze of energy. The lights turned off.


    Snap.


    Tan Qingying responded with her own surge of energy. The lights flickered back on.


    ¡°I want to see and remember everything tonight, so the lights stay on.¡±


    There was no shyness in her voice, only pride as she held her head high, her breathing becoming heavier. Her eyes were teasing, as she asked playfully, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, hero? Are you actually feeling shy?¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s response was simple. He gently bit down. Tan Qingying let out a soft hum, lifting her head higher.


    Her dark hair cascaded down her finely sculpted shoulders, creating a striking contrast between the black strands and her porcelain skin. The moment felt like it was frozen in a perfect balance of light and shadow.


    That night would be a long one. Li Xiaofei had originally planned to rest briefly and then head to Tianshun Villa as his usual self, pretending to know nothing while putting on a convincing act. But now? Even the most important plans could wait.


    Soon, the room was filled with the sound of two uneven breaths.


    "I... have... a technique, both physical and breathing, I need to show you..." Tan Qingying said, panting between her words.


    "Later," Li Xiaofei replied.


    "No... it has to be now. It¡¯s good for both of us... it must... be now," Tan Qingying insisted.


    As she spoke, she pulled out a miniature light core device, placed it on her chest, and opened a video. Li Xiaofei, curiosity piqued, leaned down to watch.


    "Hmm?"


    Yin-Yang Resonance of Great Sorrow?


    The name sounded... intriguing, to say the least, especially in the context of intimate pleasures, where constant exploration and innovation were often encouraged. The nature of such things, however, was not something to be shared with outsiders.


    The entire night passed without rest for either of them. Li Xiaofei¡¯s stamina was already monstrous by nature.


    Tan Qingying, though weaker in physique, would have long been unable to endure in a normal situation. But under the miraculous effects of the Yin-Yang Resonance of Great Sorrow, she pushed through the initial weariness that had left her as weak as a ragdoll. As time went on, her vitality surged as her constitution rapidly strengthened.


    Not long after... The first exploration of resonance finally came to an end. Li Xiaofei felt an immense surge of pure yin energy replenish his body, harmonizing with the restless yang energy that had been stirring inside him for so long. He had never felt so comfortable.


    It was as if he had been reborn, with his body cleansed and refined. Not only had his starforce qi become more vast and powerful, its quality had also improved, while his physical body underwent significant transformation.


    There was too much to process at once. But the benefits for Tan Qingying were even greater. Her cultivation had skyrocketed, leaving her feeling like an entirely new person.

 Chapter 289: Did I Forgot Something

    Chapter 289: Did I Forgot SomethingHydration.


    That was the word Li Xiaofei thought of. After the night they had spent together, Tan Qingying looked like she had been rejuvenated, like a delicate flower bud washed in morning dew on the verge of blooming into an unparalleled beauty.


    A mysterious, sacred power simmered just beneath the surface of her skin. It was the power of bloodlines! Li Xiaofei had sensed a similar fluctuation when he had crossed swords with Tsukiha Yaiba, so he recognized it immediately.


    But clearly, Tan Qingying¡¯s bloodline was far more vast and holy. It was like the moon compared to a mere firefly. Furthermore, this bloodline gave Tan Qingying a noble and untouchable sanctity that radiated from within her. She carried an overwhelming presence, as if she were a celestial maiden descended from the heavens.


    ¡°How are you feeling?¡± Li Xiaofei swallowed hard, unable to stop himself from asking.


    Tan Qingying stretched lazily, unashamed as she revealed her graceful form, a mischievous smile on her lips as she teased, ¡°Your technique is pretty good. I feel quite satisfied.¡±


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    Well, well... seems like she¡¯s even better at steering the car than I am.


    "I''m talking about what''s happening inside your body..." Li Xiaofei tried to explain.


    "Oh, you mean that? Well, to make sure you¡¯re comfortable, I didn¡¯t take any precautions. But don¡¯t worry, my bloodline is special; one or two times won¡¯t lead to anything serious," Tan Qingying teased, clearly enjoying the moment.


    "That¡¯s not what I meant..." Li Xiaofei sighed, then walked over and playfully slapped her backside.


    Smack!


    A soft ripple spread across her white skin.


    "Hehehe..." Tan Qingying laughed mischievously.


    She quickly flipped over, wrapping her arms around Li Xiaofei and pressing herself close to him. Her face nuzzled against his with an endless tenderness.


    "I know what you''re asking, but this is my first time too, so I don¡¯t really know. It feels like my bloodline got activated somehow. The world looks different now, but I¡¯ll have to practice and figure out how to use this bloodline ability. Should I call my dad and ask?" she said, her eyes twinkling with mischief.


    Li Xiaofei quickly waved it off and replied, "No need for that."


    The last thing he needed was her father finding out about what had happened between them. That would be incredibly awkward.


    "Where did you get this Yin-Yang Resonance of Great Sorrow technique?" he asked, steering the conversation in a different direction.


    Tan Qingying stretched gracefully as she replied, "It was given to me by an uncle from our family headquarters. He was very serious about it, telling me to study and master the theoretical knowledge because it would be useful in the future."


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned.


    The Tan family gave her something like this?


    He had a vague feeling that something wasn¡¯t quite right. This dual cultivation technique was undeniably extraordinary. The benefits it provided to both participants were immense.


    Li Xiaofei could feel that the starforce qi within him had grown several times more potent than it had been before the previous night. His yin and yang had harmonized, and his physical body seemed to have undergone some form of purification.


    Though the immediate boost in his combat power wasn¡¯t drastic, it was as if a major obstacle on his path had been removed entirely. It was like a mountain that had once blocked the road had suddenly been lifted away, clearing the way forward.


    Now, when he reached that spot, there would be no need to climb or move the mountain; it was simply gone.


    Li Xiaofei pulled Tan Qingying out of bed and into his arms. She let out a small surprised cry.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go wash up,¡± Li Xiaofei smiled at her.


    Tan Qingying, surprised, replied, ¡°Didn¡¯t you once say that water is scarce in the slum and no one ever takes baths?¡±


    ¡°That was before,¡± Li Xiaofei said, carrying her into the bathroom, pride evident in his voice. ¡°After you mentioned it last time, I had a proper bath built here, with hot water stored up. I¡¯ve fought for Liuhe Base City and bled for its people; what¡¯s wrong with letting my wife enjoy a hot bath?¡±


    He turned on the shower. A fine spray of hot water rained down, filling the bathroom with a soft, white mist. Tan Qingying¡¯s damp hair clung to her temples.


    She held Li Xiaofei tightly as she stood on tiptoes. Her chin rested on his shoulder as she pressed herself as close to him as she could, as if she wanted to merge her body with his.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Li Xiaofei asked, sensing the change in her mood.


    In a soft voice, she whispered, ¡°It feels like a dream... I just wish this dream would never end.¡±


    Li Xiaofei smiled and said, "This isn''t a dream. It''s our reality, and it will last forever. Whoever dares to stand in our way, I''ll fight them until the skies darken and the sun and moon lose their light."


    Tan Qingying laughed softly as a single tear slipped down her cheek. But Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t notice.


    As the hot water poured over them, soaking them completely, Tan Qingying kissed his neck and slowly moved downward, whispering, "I want more."


    This is going to be the death of me. Li Xiaofei thought as his body responded, heat rising once again.


    ***


    The building that Li Xiaofei had previously destroyed at the Martial Arts Alliance Headquarters had long since been repaired. In fact, it had been redesigned to look even more grandiose.


    Over two hundred leaders from various large and small factions of Liuhe Base City had gathered, creating a lively and impressive scene.


    The white haired rotating chairman, Ning Wuwo was dressed in a long blue robe and carried himself with a sense of detached dignity. His face was glowing with vitality, and his smile was warm as he greeted each guest individually, ensuring they were seated comfortably.


    The finest tea and wine were served in abundance. It was a bustling atmosphere. This was a time of celebration for the gangs. Ever since the Ye family was wiped out by Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui, the other four great families had been living in fear, keeping their heads down and avoiding trouble.


    As a result, the various gangs had seized the opportunity to expand their territories, and each gang had begun to rise in prominence.


    ¡°Old Ning, it¡¯s getting late. Why hasn¡¯t President Li arrived yet?¡± one leader asked.


    ¡°Yeah, wasn¡¯t President Li supposed to show up?¡±


    ¡°Ning, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve been spreading false rumors?¡± another teased.


    ¡°I¡¯m only here today out of respect for President Li. If you¡¯re fooling us, don¡¯t blame me if I lose my temper.¡± One of the more influential leaders warned with a grin, though there was a hint of seriousness in his tone.


    In just a few short months, the number of gangs wiped out by Li Xiaofei had already surpassed double digits. As time passed and the agreed-upon hour had long passed without a sign of Li Xiaofei, the gang leaders began to grow anxious.


    In truth, many of them had already caught wind of the true purpose behind this gang meeting. Wherever there were people, there was a martial world. And it was in places where there were gangs that the battles of the martial world were the fiercest.


    If it had been anyone else trying to organize a Martial Arts Conference, no one would have taken it seriously. Instead, they would have mocked the organizer, dismissing it as a fool¡¯s dream. Even Shangguan Tianyu, the former leader of Tianyu Palace, once the most powerful gang in Liuhe Base City, couldn¡¯t have pulled it off.


    But when Li Xiaofei called for a meeting, no one dared to ignore it. He was powerful and ruthless. He held sway over both the underworld and the legitimate world, dealing deadly blows even fiercer than the now-destroyed Ye family.


    When he decided to wipe out Tianyu Palace, it was gone, just like that. It wasn¡¯t just the big gangs like Tianyu Palace that had fallen at his hands either. Smaller ones, like the Dragon Claw Gang, Iron Palm Ltd., and Flying Cloud Sword Gang, had also been eradicated with ease. If one counted carefully, the numbers were staggering.


    Who would dare not take his words seriously? Yet, despite waiting for so long, Li Xiaofei still hadn¡¯t shown up, which was starting to feel like a blatant disregard for everyone present.


    Even Ning Wuwo was getting a bit puzzled.


    The meeting has been scheduled in advance, so why hasn''t Li Xiaofei arrived yet? Did he change his mind at the last minute and ditch us?


    A sense of unease began to creep over him. Quickly, Ning Wuwo dialed Li Xiaofei''s number. No answer. He tried again. Still no response. Now, Ning Wuwo was genuinely worried.


    At such a critical moment, how can Li Xiaofei be this unreliable? What on earth is this kid doing?.


    He wondered, feeling the pressure of the anxious and restless crowd around him.


    *** S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the Cloudy Sky Gang Headquarters. In the president''s quarters.


    Within the steamy, intimate bathroom, Li Xiaofei let out a low growl.


    Another few hundred billion lost.


    Tan Qingying let out a scream before finally collapsing, completely spent. Her damp head rested on his chest as her breathing slowly calmed. Her stunning face still carried the rosy afterglow of her recent climax.


    Li Xiaofei lay back in the bathtub. In the haze of relaxation, a vague feeling crept into his mind.


    Did I forget something? But what is it?


    The nagging thought lingered, yet he couldn''t quite put his finger on it.

 Chapter 290: -1 Karma

    Chapter 290: -1 KarmaIt wasn¡¯t until twenty minutes later, when both Li Xiaofei and Tan Qingying had returned to the office, that Li Xiaofei glanced at the mini light core and saw twenty missed calls from Ning Wuwo.


    Li Xiaofei slapped his forehead in frustration.


    Damn.


    He had completely forgotten about the Martial Arts Conference.


    Does this mean I¡¯ve chosen love over power?


    Without wasting another second, he quickly dialed Ning Wuwo back.


    ***


    Finally, the phone rang. Ning Wuwo, drenched in sweat and on the verge of cursing, saw Li Xiaofei¡¯s name pop up on his caller ID.


    ¡°Oh, thank the heavens.¡± He muttered in his local dialect before quickly answering the call. ¡°Brother, you nearly gave your old pal a heart attack! You¡¯re on your way, right?¡±


    ¡°No, just finished a workout. Totally slipped my mind,¡± Li Xiaofei replied casually. ¡°Is everyone there?¡±


    Ning Wuwo felt a wave of frustration as his mind went for a moment. ¡°Yeah, everyone¡¯s here; thirty-four gangs, not a single one missing. But, brother, their patience is wearing thin. They¡¯ve been waiting for a while and are getting a bit rowdy. I¡¯m having a hard time keeping things under control.¡±


    ¡°If anyone keeps complaining, cut them up and feed them to the dogs,¡± Li Xiaofei said nonchalantly.


    Ning Wuwo fell silent, unsure how to respond to that.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got an important guest to entertain today, so I can¡¯t make it,¡± Li Xiaofei added.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do this to me, brother! We had a deal...¡± Ning Wuwo blurted out, panicking. Something like this couldn¡¯t just be postponed at the last minute.


    Li Xiaofei continued, "Don''t worry. There''s no need for me to be there in person. Just connect the light core for a live projection. I''ll address the big shots myself. As long as the deal is done, my physical presence isn''t necessary."


    Ning Wuwo, left with no other option, reluctantly agreed and set things up. Before long, Li Xiaofei''s lifelike virtual image appeared in the center of the meeting hall, as vivid and real as if he were standing there.


    The entire room fell silent.


    "Today, I¡¯ve called you all here for one reason," Li Xiaofei''s virtual image spoke as he surveyed the crowd. "There are far too many gangs in Liuhe Base City, and the chaos and infighting have been going on for too long. It disrupts social stability, damages the city¡¯s image, and doesn¡¯t help any of you make real money. Small skirmishes won¡¯t get you anywhere. Only by uniting can we do great things."


    The normally ruthless and rebellious gang leaders sat like obedient students, paying full attention.


    Li Xiaofei continued, "So, starting today, the Martial Alliance of Liuhe Base City is officially established, and I¡¯ll be the first leader. That¡¯s it. I¡¯ve said my piece. Who¡¯s in favor? Who¡¯s against?"


    Ning Wuwo broke out in a cold sweat. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This is way too blunt. These are hardened warriors who lived and died by the sword. They are strong-willed, rebellious and are used to fighting for their own survival. Who would submit to something this forcefully imposed?


    Ning Wuwo covered his face, bracing for a backlash. But he was quickly taken aback by the chorus of voices from the gang leaders.


    ¡°I agree.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    ¡°My Flying Eagle Gang is the first to support President¡ªno, Alliance Leader Li.¡±


    ¡°Exactly! Anyone who opposes Alliance Leader Li is an enemy of the Roaring Tiger Gang.¡±


    ¡°Haha, I¡¯ve long wanted to join the Cloudy Sky Gang. Thank you, President Li, for giving me this chance.¡±


    ¡°From now on, I¡¯ll follow President Li''s lead in everything.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    One by one, the once fearsome and ruthless gang leaders, known for their bloody deeds, turned into obedient lambs as they rushed to pledge their loyalty. Each seemed more eager than the next.


    Ning Wuwo could only stand there, speechless.


    What the...?!


    The nearly ninety-year-old man couldn¡¯t help but curse under his breath. He felt like the karma he¡¯d painstakingly built over the years was rapidly depleting, with a constant -1-1-1-1-1 flashing before his eyes.


    Ning Wuwo realized he had severely underestimated Li Xiaofei¡¯s influence in the city. Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t just a typical gang leader anymore. He was a top-tier player, whose words could shift the entire landscape. With just a few simple sentences, Li Xiaofei had accomplished what countless gang leaders, heroes, and warlords hadn¡¯t managed to do in nearly a century.


    ¡°Well then, since everyone is being so cooperative, it¡¯s settled,¡± Li Xiaofei said with a satisfied nod. ¡°From now on, Ning Wuwo will serve as the Vice Leader of the Martial Alliance. He¡¯ll inform you of the rules, and handle the day-to-day affairs. If there¡¯s any problem he can¡¯t solve, I¡¯ll step in personally. Let me make one thing clear. If anyone tries to act against the alliance or break the rules, you can look to Tianyu Palace as an example of what will follow.¡±


    With that, the virtual projection vanished. It was only after the projection disappeared that the gang leaders finally exhaled like they had been granted amnesty. They turned to Ning Wuwo with a newfound warmth and enthusiasm in their eyes.


    "Old Ning, we¡¯ll be counting on you to look after us from now on."


    "Uncle Ning, do you remember when you held me when I was a kid and I peed all over your hand?"


    "Old Ning, we¡¯ve been pals for years; don¡¯t forget us when you''re making decisions now!"


    Friendly faces surrounded Ning Wuwo, all smiles and pleasantries. The elderly man felt like he was floating on air.


    Ah, the life of a Vice Leader... truly intoxicating.


    ***


    "This is such a big moment for the gangs, and you''re not attending?"


    In the room, the young couple was still intertwined, with Tan Qingying draped over Li Xiaofei''s back.


    Li Xiaofei chuckled and replied, "No matter how big the event is, today¡¯s most important thing is spending time with my little darling."


    Tan Qingying was clearly pleased. After such an intimate connection the night before, women often become more emotionally vulnerable. She was no exception as she sought to keep her beloved by her side at every moment. It was even more so than before their relationship had deepened.


    For the next half of the day, Li Xiaofei rode his motorcycle with Tan Qingying seated behind him as they sped through the streets and alleys of Liuhe Base City. Tan Qingying laughed joyfully, holding an old-fashioned camera and capturing many iconic buildings and landmarks across the city.


    "I want to remember everything here forever," she said.


    She was genuinely happy as her laughter echoed in the streets and alleys of the base city. As the sun began to set, the two made their way to the city walls, standing on the parapet of Section B12, gazing out over the wilderness.


    The winter wilderness was cold and desolate. The scars from a recent battle were still clearly visible in the form of worthless star beast corpses covered in snow. By the time spring arrived and flowers bloomed, these bodies would turn into fertilizer, bringing lush greenery to the land.


    "So beautiful," Tan Qingying remarked. "I almost feel like the wilderness is calling to me. It¡¯s such a strange feeling."


    Li Xiaofei remained silent.


    Suddenly, a reproachful voice came from the side. "You shouldn''t have turned off all your contact channels. You had your worried uncle search for you all day in the cold winter wind."


    They turned to see a stern-looking middle-aged man with a square face, dressed in black, walking toward them with an angry expression.


    "Enough fooling around, come back with me now." The man said to Tan Qingying.


    At the same time, he glanced at Li Xiaofei in undisguised disdain and hostility.

 Chapter 291: New Target

    Chapter 291: New TargetThe young lady frowned as she turned to glance at the man. "Why are you here?"


    The middle-aged man¡¯s tone was filled with hostility as he replied, "As the celestial daughter of the Tan family, you shouldn''t be in places like this, never mind standing so close to such a lowlife."


    Lowlife?


    Li Xiaofei was startled.


    Who is he referring to as a lowlife?


    However, when he noticed the middle-aged man looking at him like a nobleman looking down at a pile of dog waste in disgust, Li Xiaofei suddenly realized that he was the lowlife in question. He couldn''t help but smile slightly. It was the first time someone had called him that in the base city.


    Tan Qingying¡¯s delicate face flashed with anger. She didn¡¯t hold back as she reprimanded, "I call you uncle out of respect, not so you can flaunt your authority in front of my friends. Tan Tianwei, please be polite to my friend."


    "Friend?" Tan Tianwei''s face turned cold as he said, "Someone like him is worthy of being friends with the celestial daughter of the Tan family?"


    Tan Qingying smiled lightly.


    Smack!


    A slap landed squarely on Tan Tianwei¡¯s face. Caught off guard, he staggered back a step.


    "You..." S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tan Tianwei was furious.


    "That was a warning. Don¡¯t think you can bring your Tan family arrogance to Liuhe Base City." Tan Qingying raised her proud, pale chin as she said icily, "This place belongs to my father. It is an administrative city of Great Xia, not the private residence of the Tan family."


    When the young lady became angry, she radiated a suffocating sense of authority. This was her true self. The shy tenderness and the intimate moments shared in whispers were reserved only for Li Xiaofei. To others, she was the untouchable celestial daughter of a noble family. A bearer of the highest bloodline.


    "I''ll be sure to speak to your father about today''s events," Tan Tianwei gritted his teeth, his voice stern yet lacking true confidence. "Now, please come with me immediately. The family¡¯s etiquette teacher and martial arts instructor are waiting for you. Every lesson you missed today must be made up before midnight."


    Tan Qingying turned around and sweetly smiled at Li Xiaofei.


    "Goodbye, idol." She wanted to hug the boy in front of her, but after thinking of something else, she settled for a casual wave, trying to appear nonchalant. "I''ll be waiting for you."


    Li Xiaofei nodded. He understood the young lady''s message. After crossing the threshold of love, it was as if the two of them shared an unspoken connection. As the sun set in the west, the last glimmer of red gradually disappeared over the thin snow covering the distant wilderness.


    Li Xiaofei stood atop the walls of Section B12, watching as the silhouette of the girl he cared about vanished into the entrance of the wall¡¯s elevator. A sudden emptiness filled his heart.


    Tan Tianwei must have come from the Tan family¡¯s headquarters to take Tan Qingying back. Someone with such a prestigious bloodline like her had responsibilities to her family. It was clear that the young lady would be leaving in just a few days.


    "Xiajing!"


    Li Xiaofei clenched his fists. He was determined to apply to a university in Xiajing after graduating. That way, he would have another chance to be with the young lady. Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t think it would be difficult. He was confident in himself. With his current abilities, he stood out like a crane among chickens in the high school world.


    Getting accepted into a top-tier university in the country would be easy. But it meant letting down Teacher Li. He knew that Zhendan University was no longer an option for him. As these thoughts swirled in his mind, he stood alone on the city wall, watching as the sun finally disappeared beneath the horizon. Only then did he turn and walk away.


    The next day.


    "Boss, the school''s recruitment process has been completed."


    Yang Cheng walked into the office and said, "The elementary and middle school teachers are all in place. They''ve all been carefully screened and evaluated. As for the principal... we got lucky and found a real talent. Boss, would you like to personally interview them?"


    Li Xiaofei waved his hand. "You can make the decision on these matters. I trust your judgment."


    Gratitude filled Yang Cheng''s chubby face. In any other organization, someone as useless as him would have been discarded long ago. But the boss had spent a fortune to custom order the most advanced prosthetics and continued to entrust him with important responsibilities.


    Now, he was one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Cloudy Sky Gang. He had become a well-known figure in the gang world of Liuhe Base City. Just six months ago, he had been scrounging for food in the slums, living day to day as a hopeless vagabond. Everything he had today had been given to him by the boss. He had sworn that he would remain loyal to the boss even if it cost him his life.


    "Boss, I can handle the rest of the positions, but I think you should meet the middle school principal in person," Yang Cheng teased, leaving a bit of mystery in his tone.


    Li Xiaofei said, "Alright, bring them in."


    Yang Cheng stood up and left. After a short moment, there was a knock on the door.


    "Come in," Li Xiaofei said.


    When the door opened, Li Xiaofei was taken aback. The candidate for the middle school principal turned out to be a cold and stunning woman with a commanding presence.


    She stood around 1.75 meters tall and was dressed in a tailored suit skirt, black stockings and high heels. Her white blouse was neatly tucked into her skirt. She had phoenix-shaped eyes and sharp brows, with flawless, meticulous makeup. She wore black-rimmed glasses.


    She exuded a rare aura of strict professionalism and competence from head to toe. She was the very image of a cold, powerful office executive. But unlike most powerful women, she possessed a striking beauty. That frosty demeanor made it easy for men to feel a dangerous, almost wicked desire to completely conquer and dominate her.


    "Hello, Mr. Li." The woman nodded slightly, her voice crisp and cold. "My name is Hu Yuer. I graduated with a Master''s in Administrative Resource Management from Zhendan University, class of 2516. I¡¯ve worked in the education industry for four years. I am at the Acupoint Opening Realm with 89 acupoints opened. My last position was as the Dean at Gaoxing High School in Lanfu Base City, but due to family reasons, I resigned and came to Liuhe Base City. Here are my academic certificates and resume."


    As she spoke, she handed over a detailed resume. Li Xiaofei quickly glanced through it. It was indeed an impressive resume. In truth, it was a bit of a step down for her to accept the position of principal at Cloudy Sky Youth Academy, a school under the Cloudy Sky Gang.


    "Why did you choose our school?" Li Xiaofei asked curiously.


    Hu Yuer adjusted her black-framed glasses and replied, "Two reasons. First, I see potential in the school¡¯s background and future development. Second, the salary offered was high enough, and I happen to need money."


    Li Xiaofei put the resume down and said, "You¡¯ve passed the interview."


    "Ah?" Hu Yuer was a little surprised. "Aren''t you going to test me further in other areas?"


    Li Xiaofei responded, "Yang Cheng chose you. I trust his judgment. I won¡¯t be putting much energy into the school, so we¡¯re just going through the formalities. My opinion doesn¡¯t matter much."


    "Alright," Hu Yuer nodded.


    Just as she was about to turn and leave, she suddenly added, "However, I do hope that as the chairman, you will still be involved in many aspects of the school. After all, education is no small matter, and my methods of educational management may differ from others."

 Chapter 292: Left And Ready To Leave

    Chapter 292: Left And Ready To Leave"Oh, alright. I''ll try my best," Li Xiaofei responded casually.


    In truth, he was just humoring this office lady. He didn''t have the time or interest to handle such trivial matters. He stared absentmindedly out the window. It had only been one night since they parted, yet he couldn''t stop himself from thinking of the young lady. They say women could slow a man''s blade. Now that he had tasted forbidden fruit, he was left craving more.


    For some reason, snow began to fall from the sky again. There had been an unusually high number of snowy days this winter. It had also been especially cold.


    Fortunately, the beast tide had not launched another assault in recent days. Liuhe Base City was maintaining a fragile peace.


    Over the following days, Li Xiaofei tried calling Tan Qingying several times, but the calls never connected. He knew that the young lady must be busy with something important. So, he refrained from visiting her. Most of his time was spent on cultivation.


    Thanks to the Yin-Yang Resonance of Great Sorrow, Li Xiaofei had been breaking through his limits exceptionally quickly in recent times even without Starforce Reagents.


    Li Xiaofei had broken through to the sixth shackle in just three days. His hands, feet, eyes, and ears were now enhanced. The most immediate benefit was his improved dynamic visual ability, allowing him to better track and predict fast-moving objects. His hearing also became more sensitive, which was a significant advantage for a close-combat fighter.


    He continued to attend classes at Red Flag High School every day. In the mornings, he attended cultural and theory classes, while in the afternoons, he participated in combat training, exchanging techniques and insights with his teammates.


    Since the principal and the split-personality dean placed so much importance on the Skyward Staff Technique, the Pity Flower Treasure Manual, and the Medicine King Divine Manual, the curriculum at Red Flag High School had completely changed.


    The school¡¯s combat team¡¯s recent cultivation and studies were centered around these new teaching materials. This gave Li Xiaofei more opportunities to interact with his teammates. As martial arts students, they all had different interpretations of ancient martial techniques and skills, and they could learn from one another.


    This was particularly true of Yan Chiyu, whose comprehension was remarkable. Her foundation in martial arts theory was far more solid than Li Xiaofei''s. Some of her insights had greatly benefited Li Xiaofei, the so-called clumsy bird flying ahead. However, for some unknown reason, Yan Chiyu had recently become distant toward Li Xiaofei again and kept him at arm''s length. However, Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t bother to dwell on it.


    Before he knew it, Friday had arrived. A new round of the High School War God League was beginning.


    Their opponent this time was Jinling High School, a mid-tier team in the league. Li Xiaofei and Yan Chiyu were both placed on the substitute bench while Fang Buyi and Zhuge Long were selected to compete as the main fighters.


    Red Flag High School had now become the most popular team in the league, earning the title of first place. The Red Flag Stadium, which could accommodate over 11,000 spectators, had long been overwhelmed by the crowd''s enthusiasm and was completely packed.


    "Our current main contradiction," The principal with peach-blossom eyes sighed, "is the growing enthusiasm of the public for watching the matches versus the limited number of seats in the stadium."


    There were no plans to rebuild the event stadium in the near future. All available funds were being funneled into purchasing cultivation resources to ensure that the current students had access to top-tier supplies within the city. When the rewards from the Education Department, earned through continuous victories in the league, also came through, Red Flag High School''s students were flourishing like crops fertilized with rich nutrients.


    The students were growing stronger at a rapid pace. The principal, who had been working on his academic paper for nearly ten years, was also nearing its completion.


    Three hours later, as expected, Red Flag High School, even with the substitutes, won all the matches in this round of the War God League.


    Li Xiaofei sat in the preparation area, applauding for his teammates. But when he turned, he caught Yan Chiyu staring at him. When their eyes met, Captain Yan calmly looked away, her gaze shifting back to the arena. A huge question mark popped up in Li Xiaofei''s mind.


    Peeking at me? Did Captain Yan find something about me unpleasant again?


    The post-match press conference was a big event, as expected. Unsurprisingly, Li Xiaofei was also called to attend. He went through the motions like a disinterested mascot, his mind clearly elsewhere.


    That evening, he received a phone call from Tan Zhenwei.


    "Come over for a simple dinner at home."


    The voice of his future father-in-law sounded a bit tired.


    "Okay."


    Li Xiaofei suddenly felt like he¡¯d been given new life and eagerly agreed. Half an hour later, he arrived at the government housing complex. To his surprise, Tan Zhenwei was already waiting downstairs with a blank expression.


    "Huh? Where''s Little Ying?" Li Xiaofei looked around but couldn¡¯t see any sign of the young lady.


    Tan Zhenwei turned and started walking upstairs, saying, "She left for Xiajing two days ago."


    Gone?


    Li Xiaofei froze.


    "Why didn¡¯t she tell me?" he asked, clearly disappointed. "I could have gone to see her off." S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tan Zhenwei opened the door when he reached the third floor and said, "It was a last-minute plan. She left in a hurry, so she didn¡¯t inform her friends... not telling you was for your own good."


    Li Xiaofei remained silent.


    Does Tan Zhenwei know that I slept with his daughter, or does he have no clue? Could it be that the door will close, and he''ll start breaking my legs?


    The city leader¡¯s home wasn¡¯t large. In fact, the entire government housing complex had a simple, serene architectural style. Most of the buildings were older but had been renovated multiple times, giving the environment a decent charm. The interiors had their own unique designs.


    For instance, the Tan household was a three-bedroom apartment with minimalist decor. The aroma of food wafted out from the kitchen.


    ¡°Dinner will be ready soon,¡± came the voice of the young secretary from the kitchen.


    Li Xiaofei was somewhat surprised.


    The secretary can cook?


    Tan Zhenwei pointed to the sofa in the living room, his expression blank. ¡°Sit.¡±


    Li Xiaofei obediently sat down. Tan Zhenwei sat across from him, saying nothing. The silence between them was thick and the atmosphere remained awkward.


    At that moment, the secretary came out of the kitchen and placed the dishes on the table. After removing his apron, he smiled and said, "Sir, dinner is ready."


    Tan Zhenwei nodded. "Thank you. You can go now."


    The secretary hesitated for a brief moment, but then turned and left.


    "Let''s eat," Tan Zhenwei said as he took his seat at the dining table.


    Li Xiaofei sat down as well, feeling slightly uneasy, but keeping his composure.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at the four dishes and one soup in front of him. Although they were simple home-cooked meals, they looked and smelled delicious. It seemed like the secretary was no stranger to cooking at the Tan household.


    He picked up his chopsticks and started eating. The two men silently ate their meal without much conversation, both keeping their heads down as they focused on their food.


    After they finished, Tan Zhenwei put down his bowl and suddenly said, "Tomorrow morning, I will officially step down from my position as city leader and head to Xiajing for my new post. Little Ying asked me to invite you for a meal before I leave."


    What?


    Li Xiaofei was stunned. There had been rumors circulating that Tan Zhenwei might step down as city leader, but few had taken them seriously.


    Tan Zhenwei had even mentioned not long ago that he didn¡¯t want to leave Liuhe Base City, nor did he want to see the city fall into the hands of the heartless noble families. Yet, here he was, announcing his imminent departure, making it all seem final after less than two weeks.

 Chapter 293: The Advice Of Old Tan

    Chapter 293: The Advice Of Old TanTan Zhenwei¡¯s resignation undoubtedly had a significant impact on Liuhe Base City. The departure of such an honest and hardworking city leader was, without question, a great loss for the city''s residents.


    "Didn''t you say you didn¡¯t want to leave?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Tan Zhenwei sighed and replied, "The Northwest Administrative District government directly issued the final transfer order. I can¡¯t disobey it. All I can do now is try to leave without any regrets."


    Li Xiaofei also sighed. He had only been in Liuhe Base City for half a year, but the people he had grown familiar with were now leaving one by one. Partings always brought a sense of melancholy to life.


    "When are you leaving tomorrow? I¡¯d like to see you off." Li Xiaofei said sincerely.


    Tan Zhenwei glanced at him and said, "The aircraft will depart from the landing pad at the city government office at nine o''clock tomorrow morning. My departure is confidential, so please don¡¯t tell anyone else."


    Li Xiaofei nodded. Tan Zhenwei looked at the young man in front of him who had been burdened with his countless hopes. Li Xiaofei''s growth rate was astonishing, even among the geniuses of the Saint families.


    He had originally hoped to shield this young man from the storms for another half year, until he could rise from this small base city and soar into the skies to compete for glory in the top universities. But things had not gone as planned.


    "After I leave, you¡¯ll need to keep a low profile," Tan Zhenwei advised earnestly. "The new city leader will be someone the Saint families choose, and they¡¯ll come with the mission of cooperating with Jiepeng. You''ve already thwarted their plans several times, so you¡¯ll undoubtedly be their first target. If you keep being arrogant and reckless, it¡¯ll be easy for them to trap you."


    "I wasn¡¯t that arrogant and reckless, was I?" Li Xiaofei chuckled.


    "I''m not joking," Tan Zhenwei shot him a stern look. "I''ve cleaned up the things you did in the past, but you need to restrain yourself from now on. You''re not invincible yet."


    Out of respect for his father-in-law, Li Xiaofei quickly said, "Alright, you¡¯re right. I¡¯ll listen to you."


    After all, having slept with the man¡¯s daughter, he had to behave.


    "Have you given any thought to applying to universities after graduating high school?" Tan Zhenwei asked.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "My first choice is a university in Xiajing."


    Tan Zhenwei nodded in satisfaction. He knew exactly why Li Xiaofei had made that choice.


    Tan Zhenwei nodded. "Very well. When the time comes, I¡¯ll arrange a recommendation for you with a suitable mentor. If you can get into Beixia University, that would be ideal. It shouldn¡¯t be too difficult with your abilities."


    Beixia University was the best academic and martial arts institution in Great Xia, often referred to as the Cradle of Saints. It had produced a hundred and four Saints since its establishment. Since some of them were even from foreign countries, Beixia University''s influence spanned the globe.


    "Alright," Li Xiaofei replied confidently. "Little Ying and I made a promise. I¡¯ll definitely go to Xiajing to find her."


    Tan Zhenwei didn¡¯t say anything else. He handed Li Xiaofei a new private light core frequency number and said, "If you ever need anything, contact me through this number. Even though I won¡¯t be in Liuhe Base City, there are still some things I can help with."


    "Thank you, Uncle Tan," Li Xiaofei said gratefully.


    Ten minutes later, Li Xiaofei left the Tan residence. When he stepped out of the building, he saw the male secretary waiting below.


    "Secretary Song," Li Xiaofei greeted him, "Still here, I see."


    The secretary smiled and replied, "Just waiting to help the leader wash the dishes. I won¡¯t see you off, but since we¡¯ll both still be in the same city, I¡¯ll be counting on your support, Brother Li."


    Li Xiaofei was a bit surprised and asked, "Aren¡¯t you going to Xiajing with City Leader Tan?"


    Secretary Song shook his head. "I¡¯d like to go, but... my family is here. I need to stay behind to take care of them."


    Li Xiaofei nodded. "I see. Well, Secretary Song, there¡¯s no need to be so formal. If you ever need anything, feel free to reach out. I¡¯ll help however I can."


    Secretary Song was overjoyed and replied, "Then I¡¯ll thank you in advance."


    Everyone knew that Li Xiaofei was currently at the peak of his influence in Liuhe Base City. His promise was the same as obtaining a top-tier backer. When he watched Li Xiaofei leave, Secretary Song hesitated for a moment before turning around and heading back upstairs.


    "Why did you come back?" Tan Zhenwei asked.


    Secretary Song replied, "You¡¯re leaving tomorrow. After working under you for so many years, it¡¯s hard to let you go. I figured I¡¯d come back up with an excuse to spend a little more time with you, like offering to wash the dishes after dinner."


    "You¡¯re thoughtful," Tan Zhenwei gestured to the sofa. "Sit down. I know what you¡¯re thinking. Little Song, are you disappointed that I¡¯m not taking you to Xiajing?"


    Secretary Song quickly responded, "No... no, it¡¯s because I haven¡¯t done my job well enough. I lack the capability and can¡¯t fulfill the responsibilities of your secretary anymore..."


    "No, you¡¯ve done very well." Tan Zhenwei sighed, and for the first time in years, he spoke openly. "I¡¯ve seen your efforts over all these years. The reason I¡¯m not taking you to Xiajing is because the future there is uncertain. I¡¯ll be stepping into a whirlpool of power struggles, and I may not even be able to protect myself. Taking you there would only put you in danger."


    "I¡¯m not afraid," Secretary Song said firmly. "I would follow you, even if it meant risking my life."


    Tan Zhenwei responded, "But I can¡¯t put you in harm¡¯s way. You haven¡¯t experienced the ruthless infighting of powerful families. It¡¯s far more dangerous than you realize. One small misstep, and it could cost you everything."


    Disappointment flashed across Secretary Song¡¯s face.


    "You¡¯ve been by my side for many years, and so I¡¯ve made arrangements for you." Tan Zhenwei continued, "You have two options. First, you can go to Lanfu Base City and study at the University of Logistics Support for three years as a graduate student to further develop your skills, or second, you can stay here in Liuhe Base City and take a position as Dean at Liuhe University. Which will you choose?"


    Secretary Song listened and then replied, "I¡¯d still prefer to stay on the front lines, contributing more to the people."


    "Take a few years to grow and gain experience, and then we can look into a frontline position." S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Alright... I¡¯ll think it over." Secretary Song said.


    Tan Zhenwei nodded.


    ***


    When Li Xiaofei returned to the slums, he was surprised to find someone waiting for him at the entrance of the Guang''an neighborhood.


    "Why are you here?" Li Xiaofei was taken aback when he saw Hu Yuer, the headmistress, dressed in professional clothes. "Is something wrong?"


    "This is the proposal for adding teaching materials, office supplies, and personnel appointments for the school. It needs your approval, President Li," Hu Yuer said, holding out an electronic document.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t take it and replied, "Didn''t I say that these matters should be handled by Hall Master Yang Cheng. There''s no need for me to approve them."


    However, Hu Yuer stubbornly blocked his path.


    Her chest heaved as she insisted, "It¡¯s precisely because Yang and I have differing opinions and couldn¡¯t reach an agreement that I came to you. I personally believe, as the founder and primary investor of Cloudy Sky Youth Academy, you have a responsibility to review this proposal."

 Chapter 294: Exposed

    Chapter 294: Exposed"You''re quite thorough, aren''t you?" Li Xiaofei took the proposal and said, "Alright, I¡¯ll review it and get back to you."


    However, he was thinking of just approving it without much thought. These trivial matters weren¡¯t worth wasting his time on. But Hu Yuer immediately saw through his thoughts.


    "President Li, I must seriously remind you again that the early stages of building the school are extremely important. It is my hope to develop Cloudy Sky Youth Academy into the top school in Liuhe Base City, and perhaps even a leading institution in the entire Northwest region. Since you hired me, I expect you to fully support my work," Hu Yuer said sternly.


    Support your work?


    Li Xiaofei was growing a little impatient. If a man had said something like this to him, Li Xiaofei would have already knocked him out. But Hu Yuer was a cold and elegant beauty.


    "Alright then, let¡¯s go to my office," Li Xiaofei reluctantly agreed.


    He called Little Aunt to explain the situation before leading Hu Yuer into his office at the headquarters of Cloudy Sky Gang. He opened the electronic file and started skimming it. As he read through it, he had to admit, Hu Yuer¡¯s proposal was quite well done.


    The part Yang Cheng had hesitated over involved a huge budget increase for purchasing the latest light core technology, cultivation support facilities, and site construction. The amount Hu Yuer proposed was five times higher than the previous budget.


    After reading through the proposal, Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t hesitate for a moment and approved it right away. Education was a long-term investment. If they could truly build a top-tier school in the slums, it would be a monumental achievement that would benefit both the present and future generations. When it came to spending money on this, Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t feel the least bit regretful.


    Hu Yuer stayed highly professional as she began explaining the proposal in detail, section by section.


    "It¡¯s a bit hot," she said, wiping the sweat from her forehead. Her plump, fair cheeks were slightly flushed.


    She took off her blazer as she spoke. The white fitted blouse, black skirt, black stockings, and high heels accentuated the headmistress¡¯s perfect figure. The top two buttons of her blouse were undone, revealing a glimpse of her soft, pale skin just above the neckline.


    Hu Yuer''s figure was undeniably striking, with curves that were especially pronounced in her chest, waist, and hips. They resembled the dramatic proportions often seen in Western women. Yet, she had the high, cold features of an Eastern face and long, slender legs. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Altogether, this gave her a remarkable natural allure, making her one of the most striking women Li Xiaofei had encountered since arriving in this era. As she leaned forward slightly while discussing her proposal, Li Xiaofei''s gaze unintentionally followed, and he could almost see through her black undergarments to the red tips peeking out from the soft curves.


    He quickly leaned back, pulling his chair away in what could only be called a tactical retreat.


    "Principal Hu, I agree with everything you''ve said. You''re the expert, and I¡¯ve always followed the principle that professionals should handle professional matters. Outsiders shouldn¡¯t dictate to insiders. Also..."


    At this point, Li Xiaofei slowly said, "You were just a bit exposed."


    Hu Yuer let out a soft, "Ah!"


    The sound alone almost knocked Li Xiaofei off balance. An indescribable allure filled the room, thickening the air with an undeniable sense of intimacy. She quickly composed herself, standing upright and covering her chest with her hands.


    "I''m sorry," she apologized, hurriedly putting her blazer back on.


    When she snapped out of her work-focused mindset, she suddenly realized how inappropriate it was to be alone with a man in the middle of the night.


    "I''m sorry for taking up your time," Hu Yuer added hastily. "I''ll report back another day."


    She quickly turned and rushed out of the office.


    Li Xiaofei sat back in his swivel chair, lightly inhaling the lingering fragrance in the air, still somewhat dazed by her exclamation. It was only after a long while that a faint smile crept onto his face. He stood up and walked out of the office.


    The night sky was clear, and the moon was full and bright. Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but think of Tan Qingying, a smile forming instinctively at the corners of his mouth.


    "Ah, I don¡¯t know what''s going on, but I feel like I can¡¯t control my thoughts. My mind is filled with nothing but...," he trailed off, shaking his head.


    Just then, he noticed something in the distance. Outside the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters, Hu Yuer was walking alone down the street. She carried a briefcase and wore a white fur coat, her solitary figure bathed in the moonlight as she made her way home.


    Li Xiaofei frowned.


    It¡¯s already so late.


    A moment later.


    Beep beep beep.


    The sound of a motorcycle horn echoed.


    Li Xiaofei pulled up beside her on a modified bike. "It''s late. Heading home alone? Let me give you a ride," he offered.


    "Ah, no, no need," Hu Yuer was startled at first, but when she realized it was Li Xiaofei, she exhaled in relief. "I can get home by myself."


    "With your income, buying a car shouldn¡¯t be a problem, right?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Hu Yuer clutched the collar of her coat tightly to keep the cold wind out and replied, "I¡¯ve told you, I¡¯m really short on money... very short."


    Li Xiaofei tossed her a spare helmet. "Well then, hop on. I¡¯ll take you home."


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Hu Yuer walked over and got on the bike. The modified bike had a slightly forward-leaning seat, so as she sat on the back, her body instinctively leaned forward. This caused her chest to press firmly against Li Xiaofei¡¯s back. Because of how prominent it was, the sensation was unmistakable.


    Li Xiaofei took a deep breath and asked, "Where¡¯s your home?"


    Hu Yuer gave him an address. Li Xiaofei happened to know it, since it was near the Starry Sky Hotel. The roar of the motorcycle sliced through the quiet night. The road was a bit bumpy.


    As a result, Hu Yuer''s body swayed slightly the entire ride. Eventually, her upper body pressed firmly against Li Xiaofei¡¯s back, and with the acceleration and braking of the motorcycle, she kept bumping into him. She had no choice but to wrap her arms tightly around his waist.


    This forced them even closer as they felt the warmth of each other¡¯s bodies.


    Screech!


    Half an hour later, the bike skidded to a sharp stop.


    "We¡¯re here," Li Xiaofei said.


    Hu Yuer quickly jumped off the bike and muttered a quick "thank you" before turning to leave.


    "Hey!" Li Xiaofei called out loudly.


    Hu Yuer turned around cautiously.


    "My helmet," Li Xiaofei reminded her.


    "Oh," Hu Yuer responded, hurriedly taking off the helmet and practically fleeing as she handed it back.


    Li Xiaofei shut off the engine and propped up the bike. He lit a cigarette and took a few relaxed drags, exhaling the smoke comfortably. Then, out of nowhere, he started to chuckle.


    ¡°Damn, sly fox,¡± Li Xiaofei muttered under his breath.


    He hadn''t expected that the Yinji Moon Fox could even shapeshift into a human form. Now, she had managed to infiltrate the base city.


    Li Xiaofei was curious.


    What exactly is this fox plotting by sneaking in?


    She seemed to be specifically targeting him. At the same time, he didn¡¯t mind playing along with this sly fox for a bit. Li Xiaofei was growing more intrigued by the hidden truth behind the star beasts'' assault on the city.


    Finishing his cigarette, he hopped back on his bike and started to ride off. Just as he turned the bike around and reached a nearby road, he suddenly sensed something. When he glanced at the entrance of the Starry Sky Hotel, he noticed a familiar figure stepping out.


    "Hm?"


    What is this person doing at the Starry Sky Hotel?

 Chapter 295: Race Against Time

    Chapter 295: Race Against TimeSecretary Song emerged from the Starry Sky Hotel before quickly getting into his car and driving off. Li Xiaofei watched the sedan disappear into the distance, deep in thought.


    Probably some last-minute tasks that Old Tan had assigned him to wrap up.


    Still, it was quite late. Li Xiaofei¡¯s motorcycle roared like a black dragon as it vanished into the vast darkness of the night. A hundred meters away, Hu Yuer appeared atop a streetlamp. A faint, illusory pink fox tail swished behind her. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with a faint pink glow, like liquid light.


    "What a pity," she murmured. "That crazy woman, Ye Liuying, broke through to the Golden Body Realm. Now I¡¯ve got to be extra cautious not to reveal myself or use my charm technique."


    She licked her lips. Her eyes, swirling with pink energy, gleamed with greed.


    "But still, this careful, calculated hunt... it¡¯s so much fun. Hehe, Li Xiaofei, your strong body and powerful vitality must belong to me."


    Hu Yuer¡¯s figure blurred, dissolving into a phantom before vanishing into the night.


    ***


    The next day, Li Xiaofei arrived early at the City Government Compound. Secretary Song led him inside and brought him to the helipad. The specially designed Disguiser IV Weave Bird Hunter aircraft was already powered up, ready for takeoff at any moment.


    This aircraft was modeled after the flying star beast known as the Weave Bird. It could simulate and emit the bird¡¯s frequencies and even mimic its appearance, ensuring its safety in the wilderness. Only high-ranking government officials and important figures were allowed to ride in it.


    Aside from the twenty armed guards stationed around the helipad, no one else had come to see Tan Zhenwei off. Li Xiaofei was the only exception. Tan Zhenwei patted Li Xiaofei on the shoulder, offering no further words.


    He turned to Secretary Song and said, "You''re still young, no need to rush. Keep a steady mindset. Once you get through this difficult time, the future holds great promise for you."


    With that, he boarded the aircraft. The wings began to hum and vibrate as the Weave Bird aircraft slowly lifted off. It resembled a large bird spreading its wings as it ascended into the sky, heading due east.


    "Let¡¯s circle the city for a while," Tan Zhenwei said.


    The pilot slowed down, guiding the aircraft in a loop around Liuhe Base City. As Tan Zhenwei gazed down at the city below, his heart filled with reluctance. He had devoted over ten years of his life to building and nurturing this place. It was almost like a second home to him. But now, he was being forced to leave.


    There was no telling if he would ever have the chance to return. The era of Liuhe Base City belonging to him had come to an abrupt and bittersweet end. Tan Zhenwei was fully aware of how his successor would handle this city, but there was nothing he could do about it.


    In the martial world, a person¡¯s fate was often not in their own hands. But the entanglements of the martial world, as fleeting and inconsequential as children¡¯s games, were nothing compared to the vast, unfathomable depths of the political arena.


    "Let¡¯s go," Tan Zhenwei said.


    The Weave Bird aircraft soared higher until it became a mere black dot that disappeared into the distant sky. Li Xiaofei watched the aircraft vanish, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. Just then, he noticed Secretary Song¡¯s body trembling slightly.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Secretary Song gave a bitter smile and replied, "I just can¡¯t bear to see the leader go..."


    He took a deep breath and said, "Now I feel like a monkey who¡¯s lost its tree to lean on, all empty inside and filled with anxiety and uncertainty. A new leader means new officials, and I don¡¯t know what fate awaits us, the old guard, when the new city leader arrives."


    Li Xiaofei patted him on the shoulder comfortingly. "Don¡¯t worry about the road ahead. As long as there¡¯s someone who understands you, you won¡¯t be alone. If you run into trouble, you can always come to me."


    Secretary Song smiled and said, "Li Xiaofei, you should be careful too. The base city won¡¯t be the same place it once was."


    Li Xiaofei responded confidently, "There¡¯s nothing to fear with a clear conscience."


    Secretary Song stood there, stunned by Li Xiaofei¡¯s words. Li Xiaofei turned and walked away. Everything else was just noise.


    I need to make the most of my time. Cultivation and improving my strength must be the top priority.


    After leaving the government compound, Li Xiaofei hopped on his bike and headed toward Red Flag High School. But just a short while into his ride, he suddenly received a LightChat message from an unknown number.


    Tan Zhenwei is in danger.


    Those five words stopped Li Xiaofei in his tracks. His mind buzzed.


    Old Tan is in danger? What kind of danger?


    He immediately dialed the number that had sent the message. But it came up as disconnected. Li Xiaofei''s eyes shot toward the eastern sky where Tan Zhenwei''s aircraft had disappeared.


    Li Xiaofei quickly realized that someone might be planning to ambush Tan Zhenwei during his journey. The Weave Bird aircraft was now in the wilderness, with only twenty guards accompanying it. If they encountered a top-tier martial artist, high-grade star beasts, or even a hidden enemy attacking from another aircraft, Tan Zhenwei would be in grave danger.


    The horde of star beasts gathering just a hundred miles east of the city only made the situation worse. Panic surged in Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart. He revved up his bike and sped toward the eastern city wall.


    Liuhe Base City was already under lockdown, and the east gate was closed. When Li Xiaofei tried to scan his face to leave the city, he was denied access. Out of options, he had to call Commander Ding Longao¡¯s personal number. After much persuasion, he was finally granted permission to exit.


    As for his reason for leaving the city? Li Xiaofei explained that he was heading out for a trial run¡ªa personal cultivation challenge. After exiting the city, Li Xiaofei sped off at full throttle. The modified motorcycle roared, reaching its maximum speed of 251 kilometers per hour. But the terrain in the wilderness was rough.


    In many places, there were no roads at all. Li Xiaofei quickly abandoned the bike, opting to leap forward like a supercharged kangaroo as he bounded eastward. With his superhuman strength, each leap covered a full kilometer, moving faster than the motorcycle ever could.


    ***


    Boom!


    The blinding explosion engulfed the Weave Bird aircraft in a massive blaze of fire. Piercing, frantic alarms rang through the air as the aircraft spiraled violently downward. It crashed violently, throwing up trees and vegetation within a hundred meters.


    Thousands of meters away, Kuramaki Kazuki lowered the missile launcher from his shoulder, a twisted grin spreading across his face.


    "Look at that. What a beautiful fireworks display," he murmured, almost in awe.


    He gestured sharply and the Jiepeng power armor squad beside him sprang into action. Their shadows blurred as they raced toward the crash site.


    "We should go too," came the nearby voice of Tan Tianwei. "I must see Tan Zhenwei''s corpse with my own eyes to ensure he¡¯s really dead."


    "Agreed," Kuramaki Kazuki replied.


    He was standing on the shoulder of a sixty-meter-tall heavy mech. Tan Tianwei stood on the opposite shoulder. At Kuramaki Kazuki''s command, the massive mech moved forward, its steel feet thundering like a giant striding across the wilderness.


    Moments later, the Jiepeng power armor combat formation had completely surrounded the crash site like hunting hounds. The Weave Bird aircraft was reduced to little more than twisted wreckage. A few charred bodies could be seen amid the smoldering debris.


    "You think Tan¡¯s body is among the burned corpses?" Kuramaki Kazuki asked.


    "No," Tan Tianwei said firmly. "To you, he may seem like nothing more than a gray-haired government official, but to me, he was once the brightest martial arts prodigy of the Tan family. Never, ever underestimate him."


    sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 296: Surrounded

    Chapter 296: Surrounded"Search," said Kuramaki Kazuki, waving his hand.


    A Sabertooth Tiger-shaped power armor and a Giant Shield Turtle-shaped power armor, one for offense and one for defense, quickly approached the wreckage of the Weave Bird aircraft.


    Hiss, hiss, hiss.


    Fire-suppressing foam sprayed out from the arm-mounted jet of the Giant Shield Turtle, extinguishing the flames engulfing the wreckage of the aircraft. Once the flames were doused, ten hummingbird drones were released from the hive-like structure in its neck. The drones swiftly flew into the remains of the Weave Bird aircraft and started scanning.


    The tiny hummingbird drones were no larger than a fingertip, but they clearly transmitted the interior of the wrecked aircraft, including the several charred bodies. The cabin was severely damaged. The cockpit in particular was completely deformed. Two carbonized corpses sat in the pilot''s seats, suggesting they had died the moment the aircraft had been struck by the missile.


    "No signs of life."


    "Collect DNA from the bodies."


    "Running DNA comparison..."


    "The target is not among the bodies."


    "Warning, the target is not on site."


    The hummingbird drones quickly transmitted their results to everyone on the public communication channel.


    "Not there?" Kuramaki Kazuki''s expression shifted slightly.


    Tan Tianwei said, "I told you he wouldn¡¯t die. He must have escaped before we got here. Quick, spread out and search the surroundings. He can''t have gone far."


    Kuramaki Kazuki immediately sent out orders and dozens of combat power armors quickly scattered in all directions. At the same time, four more Giant Shield Turtle power armors released hummingbird drones from their neck hives. The drones fanned out in all directions to begin their search of the surrounding area.


    Kuramaki Kazuki stood in his giant mech¡¯s head, surveying the area.


    "Twenty years ago, Tan Zhenwei was the top expert of the younger generation in the Tan family." Tan Tianwei, standing beside him, couldn''t help but add, "He was once the great hope of the entire Tan family. If he hadn''t been foolish enough to give up the position of family head for a woman, his achievements today would be far greater than just being the leader of a small base city. So, we must not underestimate him."


    But before Tan Tianwei''s voice had even faded..


    Boom!


    A sudden explosion erupted in the southwest. One of the Giant Shield Turtle power armors had been blown apart. At the same moment, a reconnaissance hummingbird transmitted a picture back to the main control screen. It was Tan Zhenwei. He had struck as soon as the Giant Shield Turtle power armor had spotted him.


    "There he is, it''s him."


    "Chase him."


    "Alpha tactical formation, surround him. Don¡¯t let him escape."


    A burst of orders in Jiepeng echoed through the communication channel. Dozens of quick power armors sliced through the air, emitting sharp, piercing whistles as they surged toward their target in perfect coordination. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kuramaki Kazuki also urged his giant mech to move as he began to close in.


    Boom! Boom!


    A series of explosions rang out. The first two Sabertooth Tiger power armors who landed in front of Tan Zhenwei only managed to hold him off for less than ten seconds before being blown apart. They turned into dazzling flashes of fire as they exploded in mid-air.


    "Suspected Five Spirits Realm combat strength."


    "Warning, the target''s combat power exceeds estimates."


    "Change tactics. Sabertooth Tiger squad, employ the Eight-Headed Serpent strike formation for close combat. Giant Shield Turtle squad, provide long-range support. Water Snake squad, set up the formation. Wasp squad, deploy the weapon array..."


    "Repeat, change tactics..."


    Inside the giant mech, the Jiepeng Empire''s latest super battle light core quickly processed the battlefield data. It recalculated and adjusted tactics in real-time to minimize further losses. This was the advantage of the advanced battle light core. It could capture enemy weaknesses in the shortest time and provide the optimal solution.


    "The once-great genius still has some fight left in him?" Kuramaki Kazuki chuckled arrogantly. "But after spending decades entangled in the mire of politics, Tan Zhenwei is no god, he¡¯s just a man. His strength must have significantly deteriorated. Even if it hasn''t, he¡¯s nothing more than a mouse cornered by a cat against the Empire¡¯s new combat formations. He won¡¯t last long."


    Tan Tianwei said nothing, his eyes fixed intently on the screen inside the mech¡¯s head. On the screen, Tan Zhenwei¡¯s clothes were torn, and blood stained his body. He seemed battered and dirty, but his strikes were sharp and fierce.


    He destroyed another Sabertooth Tiger power armor with just a few punches, smashing it apart with raw force. Both the power armor and its pilot inside were reduced to shards of metal and a rain of bones and blood!


    "He still has the strength of the Five Spirits Realm," Tan Tianwei muttered venomously through clenched teeth. "Killing him out here in the wilderness was the right decision. If he ever reclaimed the position of the family head, no one else would stand a chance."


    "Don¡¯t worry," Kuramaki Kazuki smiled smugly. "The Empire¡¯s warriors don¡¯t fear death. Soon, they¡¯ll drain every last drop of his starforce qi."


    His smile grew even wider. Nothing excited him more than the thought of taking down a genius from Great Xia. Especially this Great Xia man, who had caused him so much frustration in Liuhe Base City over the past six months. Now, at last, he could savor his revenge.


    Twenty minutes later, Tan Zhenwei¡¯s exhaustion was obvious. His punches could no longer inflict serious damage on the power armors. He was gasping for breath and his body hunched over. Surrounded by the combat formations of the power armors, he was trapped within a space barely ten meters wide. All manner of weapons were now aimed at him.


    "Quick, kill him," Tan Tianwei urged.


    "No rush," Kuramaki Kazuki replied. "Now is the time to savor the sweetness of victory. Killing him so quickly would be far too dull. Don¡¯t you want to step out and mock this thorn in your side to his face?"


    Tan Tianwei responded, "Villains die because they talk too much. Kill him now and avoid any unnecessary complications."


    Kuramaki Kazuki laughed loudly, "Do you really think we''re the villains?"


    Tan Tianwei remained silent.


    Kuramaki Kazuki laughed again. "Ha! Tianwei, I admire your caution. It¡¯s a rare virtue. But I must say, you¡¯re being overly cautious. This area is completely under our control, and even the millions of star beasts are at our command. Who could possibly stop us now?"


    The two of them stepped out of the giant mecha¡¯s head.


    Looking down from above, Kuramaki Kazuki shouted, "Didn¡¯t expect to see me again, did you, Tan?"


    Tan Zhenwei¡¯s eyes sharpened. "So, it¡¯s you, Kuramaki. You¡¯ve stationed troops within Great Xia¡¯s borders and assassinated its officials. Is Jiepeng planning to declare war on Great Xia?"


    Kuramaki Kazuki chuckled. "Tan Zhenwei, your death will be so quiet that it won¡¯t cause the slightest ripple. What war is there to talk about?"


    Tan Zhenwei snorted coldly.


    Kuramaki Kazuki continued, "Besides, the Great Xia of today is plagued by internal and external troubles. It¡¯s no longer the mighty superpower it was two hundred years ago, when its martial strength shook the world. Now it¡¯s just a tempting piece of meat, and everyone wants a bite. Hahaha! So what if we declare war?"


    Tan Zhenwei sneered, his eyes filled with cold fury. He turned to Tan Tianwei, his voice laced with disappointment and anger. "I never thought you would fall so low as to side with Jiepeng."


    Tan Tianwei didn¡¯t want to meet Tan Zhenwei¡¯s gaze. He chuckled nervously as he replied, "As long as I achieve my goal, it doesn¡¯t matter who I work with. All that matters is that you die here in the wilderness."


    "All this just for the position of the family head?" Tan Zhenwei asked bitterly.

 Chapter 297: The Tree Demon

    Chapter 297: The Tree Demon"Just?" Tan Tianwei sneered, "You really use that word well. You¡¯re still the same, looking down on the position of family head. If that¡¯s the case, why did you come back at all?"


    Tan Zhenwei shook his head. "You wouldn¡¯t understand."


    Tan Tianwei felt the sting of mockery in his words. He smiled coldly. "Maybe I don¡¯t understand, and that¡¯s fine. But today, I¡¯ll watch you die right here with my own eyes and I¡¯ll be at peace. Shengwei will easily take the position of family head, and you, Tan Zhenwei, are truly pitiful. You wanted to stay in Liuhe Base City but couldn¡¯t. You were forced to return to a family that doesn¡¯t welcome you. You were once a brilliant star, but now you¡¯re cornered and destined to die in this desolate wilderness. What a tragic end."


    Tan Zhenwei looked at him calmly. "Are you so confident that you can kill me today?"


    Tan Tianwei responded, "I simply can''t imagine how you could possibly escap-."


    But before he could finish his sentence, an alert signal rang out.


    "Northwest, a powerful energy source is rapidly approaching!"


    A warning rang out through the communication channel.


    Kuramaki Kazuki''s expression shifted slightly. In moments, the hummingbird drones patrolling the skies relayed real-time footage. A figure was leaping across the ground, cracking the earth and shattering hills with every step as they charged forward like an unstoppable force.


    "It''s Li Xiaofei," exclaimed Kuramaki Kazuki, recognizing him with a single glance.


    This troublemaker! Time and again, he had disrupted the Jiepeng Empire''s plans in Liuhe Base City. He¡¯s shown up again?!


    "Stop him!" Tan Tianwei barked. "That little pest must be here to support Tan Zhenwei. We can¡¯t let him get close."


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s strength was well-known. Even the typically arrogant Jiepeng had a healthy fear of him.


    "We can¡¯t weaken our power armor formations," Kuramaki Kazuki calmly and quickly made a decision. "Send a message to the Wilderness Free Sect. Have them drive the star beasts to intercept Li Xiaofei. No matter the cost, we must keep him away."


    An encrypted signal was immediately sent out, and moments later, strange beastly roars echoed from the depths of the surrounding wilderness. They quickly grew in number and volume as the ground began to tremble.


    Countless star beasts surged forward like a tidal wave, charging in Li Xiaofei''s direction as though they were ready to devour the earth and sky. Above, the sky darkened as clouds gathered. But on closer inspection, they weren''t clouds at all. Instead, swarms of Mole Crows, Hanging Cloud Beasts, Red Magpies, Kite Eagles, and other flying star beasts were blotting out the sky as they flew to intercept Li Xiaofei.


    In the blink of an eye, the land for hundreds of miles was overwhelmed by a flood of beasts. Even the area where Kuramaki Kazuki and his men stood was engulfed and surrounded by the beast tide. From above, it looked like an ocean of destruction. This was the power of the Earth''s newest apex predator species.


    "Truly spectacular," Kuramaki Kazuki sighed.


    The methods of the Wilderness Free Sect were indeed impressive. These wanderers, who were almost entirely exiled and forsaken by human society and unable to integrate into the base cities, had somehow mastered the ability to control star beasts and had even been accepted by the higher-grade star beasts. They had become a formidable force on land.


    Even the Jiepeng Empire¡¯s research teams had not been able to crack the core secrets of the Wilderness Free Sect, forcing the empire to cooperate with them. If only these barbarians could be fully brought under the Empire¡¯s control, the timeline for the Empire''s conquest of Great Xia could be significantly accelerated.


    It was a pity, however, that despite his long-term contact and multiple collaborations with the sect, Kuramaki had never met their mysterious sect leader. Their leader was too enigmatic and too cautious.


    Soon, the energy fluctuations of battle came from the northwest. The sounds of roaring and screeching beasts were clearly audible even from sixty or seventy miles away. It was obvious that the beast horde had intercepted Li Xiaofei and had begun fighting.


    "Finish this quickly," Tan Tianwei urged. "We can¡¯t let that little pest Li Xiaofei ruin everything this time." sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kuramaki Kazuki nodded. "Tan Zhenwei, I¡¯m sorry, but it¡¯s time for you to go. Remember this in your next life: never oppose the Jiepeng Empire... Fire."


    Zzzzz.


    The hum of charging weapons filled the air. The twenty Jiepeng power armors aimed their power weapons at Tan Zhenwei, the barrels flashing with faint electric light as energy beams in their magazines prepared to fire.


    But then, something unbelievable happened. The guns, originally aimed at Tan Zhenwei, suddenly turned in another direction.


    Zzzzz.


    The power machine guns began to fire. Ghostly blue energy rounds slammed into the closest power armors. The red energy shields shattered with a loud crack, and the armors erupted in showers of sparks before exploding. They had turned on each other!


    In just a few short breaths, the entire scene transformed. Twenty of the most advanced combat power armors lay destroyed, without a single one spared. Blood was seeping from between the joints.


    Kuramaki Kazuki''s pupils contracted sharply. A surge of indescribable terror overwhelmed him.


    What just happened? My most elite power armor combat squad, wiped out like this?


    "Kuramaki-san, it seems the one taking a final journey... is you." Tan Zhenwei laughed.


    All traces of fatigue had vanished from his face. An overwhelming, suffocating aura burst forth from Tan Zhenwei like an apocalyptic flood sweeping across the surroundings. Even the star beasts nearby trembled in fear, dropping to the ground in submission. It was as if he had transformed into a completely different person.


    "You... Golden Body Realm?" Kuramaki Kazuki stammered in shock. "Who... who are you?!"


    There was no mistaking it. The terrifying pressure emanating from Tan Zhenwei had clearly surpassed the Five Spirits Realm. It was the unmistakable presence of the Golden Body Realm. It was a force akin to a god descending that suffocated everyone in its vicinity.


    "You¡¯ve wanted to meet me for a long time, haven¡¯t you?" Tan Zhenwei said calmly.


    He raised a light brown bark mask and slowly placed it over his face. As soon as it touched his skin, pale green tendrils sprouted from the mask, piercing into his flesh and merging with his body until only his eyes and mouth remained visible. The transformation made him look strange and otherworldly.


    "You..." Kuramaki Kazuki''s face went blank in confusion.


    Suddenly, an unbelievable thought flashed through his mind.


    "You¡¯re... No, that¡¯s impossible!" He screamed, his voice bordering on hysteria.


    "Heh heh heh..." Underneath the bark mask, Tan Zhenwei let out a cold, chilling laugh. "The Northwest Branch Leader of the Wilderness Free Sect, The Tree Demon... Kuramaki-san, now that you¡¯ve seen me, what do you think?"


    Kuramaki Kazuki stumbled, his legs giving way, nearly collapsing to the ground in disbelief.


    Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that the man he had considered the greatest obstacle to the Jiepeng Empire¡¯s plans in Great Xia¡¯s Northwest, Tan Zhenwei, was none other than the leader of the Wilderness Free Sect, the very person he had been so desperate to collaborate with!


    Was there anything more ironic than this?

 Chapter 298: Heavens Mandate Silkworms

    Chapter 298: Heaven''s Mandate SilkwormsTan Tianwei stood off to the side, his face filled with disbelief and confusion.


    The once-fallen prodigy of the Tan family, the mayor of Liuhe Base City, had somehow become a high-ranking leader in an organization deemed the most ruthless and dangerous terrorist group by the Star Council? How could this be?


    "Tan Zhenwei, how dare you betray the family teachings and join a terrorist organization?!" Tan Tianwei shouted instinctively, his voice full of anger.


    Across from him, the eyes beneath the mask revealed only a faint indifference, mixed with a touch of pity.


    "You wouldn¡¯t understand," Tan Zhenwei replied, his words simple but dripping with sarcasm.


    He gently curled his fingers and pale green threads began to rise from the bodies of the fallen power armor pilots. The threads gathered into Tan Zhenwei¡¯s hand like swallows returning to their nest. Looking closer, one could see two tiny green silkworms resting in his palm, their translucent bodies wriggling slightly. They gleamed like jade sculptures and glittered with a mysterious light.


    These were Heaven''s Mandate Silkworms, Grade Six growth-type star beasts. It was said that they possessed immortal, undying bodies. The silk they produced could silently infiltrate a living organism without being noticed. Once the Heaven''s Mandate Silkworms activated their silk, they could control an infected life form like a puppet.


    The reason the power armors had suddenly turned on each other was because the pilots inside had long been infected by the silken threads of the Heaven¡¯s Mandate Silkworms. Tan Zhenwei had a deep connection with the silkworms, so he only needed a single thought to manipulate the infected pilots like puppets on strings.


    ¡°Master Tan, this is all a misunderstanding,¡± Kuramaki Kazuki quickly forced a smile on his face as he saw the situation take a dangerous turn. ¡°Haven¡¯t we always worked well together?¡±


    "Worked together?" Tan Zhenwei replied coldly, "Or was it just exploitation?"


    Kuramaki Kazuki swallowed his anger and humiliation. ¡°Yes, yes, Master Tan was merely using us. That means we still have value. Please, don¡¯t kill us. You can continue to use us." S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tan Zhenwei asked, "Do you even know what my true purpose is?"


    Kuramaki Kazuki froze for a moment. Tan Zhenwei had held the position of city leader in Liuhe Base City for over a decade, while also secretly being the branch leader of the Wilderness Free Sect. What was the goal behind all this elaborate planning?


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. Take me to the Eye of the Northwest,¡± Tan Zhenwei commanded.


    Kuramaki Kazuki asked, "What do you plan to do there?"


    "Destroy it, of course," Tan Zhenwei replied calmly. "The sacred land of Great Xia will never allow filthy, lowly scum like you Jiepeng dogs to lay a hand on it. Once the Eye of the Northwest is gone, your Empire¡¯s plans to invade the Northwest will be finished."


    "What?" Kuramaki Kazuki was shocked. "Master Tan, you¡¯re a wanted fugitive who¡¯s being hunted by the Great Xia government with a bounty on your head. The moment you show your face, you''ll be dead! And yet, you''re still willing to do their bidding?"


    "You don¡¯t understand," Tan Zhenwei said once again.


    "I won¡¯t take you there," Kuramaki Kazuki gritted his teeth. "Even if you are in the Golden Body Realm, even if you are the leader of the Wilderness Free Sect, I will not help you damage the interests of the Empire. Moreover, the spatial passage at the Eye of the Northwest is now stable, unless a Saint intervenes. It can¡¯t be destroyed. Give up your foolish plan."


    "We¡¯ll see when we get there," Tan Zhenwei replied calmly.


    "Jiepeng warriors die in battle; there are no cowards who surrender," Kuramaki Kazuki''s expression grew fierce.


    He unleashed his starforce qi, revealing his cultivation at the first stage of the Five Spirits Realm. He drew the narrow katana from his waist with a swift motion and pressed a button on the hilt.


    Bzzz.


    The blade began to vibrate at high frequency, covered in a layer of crackling electricity. A power blade, or more precisely, a replica of one. Still, its power was undeniable.


    "Kill!" Kuramaki Kazuki roared as he swung his sword, appearing to charge directly at Tan Zhenwei.


    He resembled a warrior ready to meet death head-on. But in the next moment, instead of moving forward, he vanished like a wisp of smoke as he darted toward the giant mech¡¯s head. Only a fool would charge into certain death. A smart man never misses an opportunity to survive.


    Once he was safely back inside the power mech, even if he couldn¡¯t kill Tan Zhenwei, he could at least escape and fight another day. Mechs were far more fearsome than power armor.


    But just as Kuramaki Kazuki was about to reach the entrance to the mech¡¯s head, Tan Tianwei, standing nearby, drew his sword in silence. Without warning, he thrust his blade straight at Kuramaki Kazuki¡¯s back.


    Clang!


    A sharp metallic sound rang out. The legendary sword in Tan Tianwei¡¯s hand was sliced cleanly in two.


    ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t me!¡± He cried out in terror, his body convulsing as he struggled. "I was infected by the Heaven¡¯s Mandate Silkworms, I¡¯m being controlled! I didn¡¯t mean to¡ª"


    Swish!


    Kuramaki Kazuki didn¡¯t hesitate as his power katana cut Tan Tianwei into five or six pieces. Blood sprayed through the air. The severed body parts tumbled off the mech¡¯s shoulder platform and fell to the ground below.


    Kuramaki Kazuki scrambled into the head compartment of the power mech like a desperate dog fleeing for its life.


    Zzzzzz.


    The entrance to the mech¡¯s head sealed shut in an instant. Kuramaki Kazuki exhaled deeply; it felt like he had just been granted a reprieve from certain death. He immediately sat in the pilot¡¯s seat, and countless mechanical tendrils extended and connected to the metal ports on his body.


    As a mech pilot who had passed the Empire¡¯s rigorous training and exams, Kuramaki Kazuki was fully capable of piloting a Titan VIII humanoid mech solo. The giant mech, which had previously moved like a puppet, suddenly became nimble and lifelike, its massive form filled with newfound agility.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Dozens of small missiles launched from its back. The missiles traced arcs through the sky as they shot toward Tan Zhenwei.


    Tan Zhenwei calmly stood there. He raised his hand, and every single missile froze mid-air, held in his grasp as if by invisible strings. Tan Zhenwei gently closed his hand, and the missiles crumpled in unison.


    Boom!


    The missiles unleashed a terrifying wave of energy as they exploded, turning into a blinding fireball that engulfed Tan Zhenwei. But the destructive force parted when it reached within a meter of his body. It didn¡¯t even make him budge.


    Inside the mech, Kuramaki Kazuki¡¯s heart filled with terror. He knew he couldn''t stay and fight. He immediately turned the mech around and fled. He had to deliver the news that Tan Zhenwei was, in fact, the Tree Demon.


    Once he activated the anti-gravity foot apparatus, the mech could cover five to six hundred meters with each leap. It looked clumsy, but its speed was remarkable.


    A slight smile of satisfaction appeared on Tan Zhenwei¡¯s face. Under the shielding of the Mother of Fissures, Kuramaki Kazuki wouldn¡¯t be able to transmit any messages until he arrived at his headquarters near the Eye of the Northwest.


    But Tan Zhenwei didn¡¯t move to pursue him immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze northwest. The battle there was growing more intense.


    Softly, Tan Zhenwei murmured, "Let him through."


    As if obeying a divine command, the tide of star beasts, which had surged like an unstoppable ocean, suddenly parted, creating a clear path. It was like a scene from a myth, where a god-king¡¯s staff split the sea.


    Boom!


    Moments later, a blood-soaked figure landed heavily onto the shattered battlefield. It was Li Xiaofei, his eyes burning with a ferocious rage. He was panting heavily, his entire body drenched in the blood of the star beasts he had fought. He looked like a demon king emerging from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.


    However, he couldn¡¯t understand why the star beast horde, which had fought him so fiercely, had suddenly parted and allowed him passage. So he remained on high alert.


    He stared at the familiar yet unfamiliar figure before him.


    "Old Tan?" Li Xiaofei called out, testing the waters.


    Tan Zhenwei sighed and replied, "You shouldn¡¯t be here."

 Chapter 299: Do You Dare To Go?

    Chapter 299: Do You Dare To Go?Li Xiaofei stared at the man before him, shocked.


    If it weren''t for the fact that this figure looked exactly like Tan Zhenwei, his soon-to-be father-in-law, Li Xiaofei would never have connected him to the man he knew. The sheer pressure and starforce aura emanating from him made it hard to reconcile this person with the one he was familiar with.


    "What¡¯s going on here?" asked Li Xiaofei. His instincts were on high alert, heightening his vigilance.


    It feels like I stumbled upon a dark secret; like catching someone in an illicit act. Will I be silenced for it?


    The man in front of him, once his future father-in-law, now seemed like a stranger.


    But Tan Zhenwei remained calm and asked, "What do you want to know?"


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s first instinct was to say, "I don¡¯t want to know anything."


    After all, the more you knew, the more likely you were to die. This was a timeless truth proven by countless novels and movies. But considering that this situation involved Tan Qingying, he felt the need to at least understand what was going on.


    "Uncle Tan, what¡¯s with the mask?" Li Xiaofei asked carefully.


    Tan Zhenwei casually gestured, issuing a mental command. In an instant, the tide of star beasts turned, surging madly in the direction Kuramaki Kazuki had fled.


    "The mask? It has a name, Breath of the Wilderness. It belongs to the Wilderness Free Sect and is an alchemical treasure reserved for the Sect Leader," Tan Zhenwei explained without hesitation. "When it¡¯s worn, it can alter one''s aura and allows one to communicate with star beasts and plants, among its many unique abilities."


    Li Xiaofei hesitated for a moment before asking, "Then why... why do you have it, Uncle Tan?"


    Tan Zhenwei smiled faintly and replied, "What do you think?"


    "War spoils?" Li Xiaofei ventured.


    Tan Zhenwei shook his head amusedly. "Someone as smart as you shouldn¡¯t offer such a foolish answer."


    Li Xiaofei was left speechless, but he saw no other way forward.


    "Uncle Tan... are you a member of the Wilderness Free Sect?" He asked directly.


    Tan Zhenwei nodded. "Yes, I am the Sect Leader of the Wilderness Free Sect''s Northwest Division in Great Xia."


    He admitted it! Just like that, he admitted it.


    Li Xiaofei''s mind raced, stunned by the revelation.


    "This is... quite unexpected news," Li Xiaofei smiled bitterly.


    Tan Zhenwei asked, "How much do you actually know about the Wilderness Free Sect?"


    Li Xiaofei answered truthfully, "Only what I''ve learned from textbooks¡ªthat it''s considered to be the ultimate evil by the Star Council. They¡¯re branded as traitors to humanity and insane terrorists."


    Tan Zhenwei didn¡¯t offer much explanation. He simply said, "Hearing is deceiving."


    Li Xiaofei added, "I¡¯ve also heard that the Wilderness Free Sect colluded with the Jiepeng Empire, and that the star beast tide attacking Liuhe Base City was partly orchestrated by your sect."


    "That¡¯s correct," Tan Zhenwei admitted easily. "The sect did cooperate with the Jiepeng Empire to attack Liuhe Base City."


    Li Xiaofei found himself at a loss for words. The Tan Zhenwei he once knew had been a model leader¡ªcompassionate, just, and incorruptible.


    But the man before him now was a commander of countless star beasts, possibly the mastermind behind the Yinji Moon Fox, and had just admitted that the attack on Liuhe Base City, which led to the deaths of thousands of citizens and soldiers, had been orchestrated by his organization. He was responsible for the loss of nearly ten thousand lives.


    The stark contrast between the two sides of Tan Zhenwei was overwhelming.


    Tan Zhenwei sighed. "Since you''re the one asking, I will explain¡ªthis once."


    He then asked, "Do you know why the Bull Demon died at your hands?"


    "Ah?" Li Xiaofei was taken aback.


    Tan Zhenwei spoke calmly, "The Bull Demon died because I wanted him dead. Otherwise, with the strength of the Wilderness Free Sect, it wouldn¡¯t have been difficult to protect him at a critical moment."


    Li Xiaofei still didn¡¯t quite understand. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tan Zhenwei continued, "I had him killed because he disobeyed my orders. The Jiepeng Empire instigated matters, and he acted on his own during the attack on Liuhe Base City, doing more than he was instructed."


    Now, it began to make sense to Li Xiaofei. Tan Zhenwei hadn¡¯t intended to cause so much destruction to Liuhe Base City. But the Bull Demon went rogue, overstepping his bounds, which had led to unnecessary and avoidable casualties during the beast tide¡¯s assault on the city. That was why Tan Zhenwei had forced the Bull Demon to face Li Xiaofei in battle outside the city, using Li Xiaofei to remove this unpredictable element.


    After thinking it over, Li Xiaofei chose to believe him. Yet, there were still many lingering questions in his mind.


    "Why did the Wilderness Free Sect cooperate with the Jiepeng Empire to attack the city?" he asked.


    Tan Zhenwei said, "To completely dismantle the Jiepeng Empire''s ambitions to occupy Liuhe Base City and infiltrate the Northwest Administrative Region. It would also draw out the families who have already surrendered, so they can all be wiped out in one fell swoop."


    As he said this, a faint trace of self-mockery and sadness appeared in his eyes. Ever since the spatial transmission channel known as the Eye of the Northwest had appeared, the Jiepeng Empire could easily send forces into the heart of Great Xia, infiltrating the entire Northwest Region.


    They had seized this opportunity and aggressively expanded their influence. Since Liuhe Base City was the closest to the Eye of the Northwest, it became their primary target. Armed with advanced New Martial Arts surgery and abundant resources, the Jiepeng Empire enticed countless Great Xia Saints and noble families to cooperate. These families abandoned Liuhe Base City and started treating it as a mere testing ground. They were willing to sacrifice the city¡¯s millions of residents as bargaining chips in their negotiations with Jiepeng.


    The internal strife between the old martial arts and new martial arts factions within Great Xia caused many key figures to hesitate, leaving them slow to react. Jiepeng''s plan had been on the verge of success.


    At this critical moment of life and death, the only force actively resisting was the Wilderness Free Sect, a group branded as terrorists. How tragic. Fortunately, Tan Zhenwei¡¯s plan was nearing its conclusion. The net was about to close. The unexpected appearance of Li Xiaofei was a complication, but not an unwelcome one.


    "Since you''re here, come with me," Tan Zhenwei said.


    "Where are we going?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Tan Zhenwei flicked a finger. A massive Red Magpie star beast, with wings spanning over twenty meters, swooped down and landed in front of him before bowing low. Tan Zhenwei swiftly leaped onto the back of the Red Magpie.


    "You''ll know once we get there," Tan Zhenwei said, casting a glance at Li Xiaofei. "Do you dare?"


    "Why wouldn¡¯t I?" Li Xiaofei responded, leaping onto the Red Magpie¡¯s back as well.


    The Red Magpie let out a long cry and spread its wings. It smoothly and quickly soared into the sky. Standing on the magpie¡¯s back, Li Xiaofei felt a sense of wonder, like a celestial being riding a crane.


    Looking down, he saw the star beast horde below, roaring as they surged eastward like a massive tidal wave. The sight was spectacular.


    After a moment of reflection, Li Xiaofei asked, "Uncle Tan, did you know the Jiepeng forces would try to assassinate you on the way?"


    Tan Zhenwei replied calmly, "It wasn¡¯t the Jiepeng people; it was members of the Tan family."


    "The Tan family?" Li Xiaofei was stunned. "Why would your own family try to kill one of their own?"


    "Because if I return, I will become the new head of the family. But there are some in the Tan family who have long coveted that position," Tan Zhenwei explained.


    "Who is it?" Li Xiaofei asked. "That guy, Tan Tianwei?"


    "He¡¯s not qualified," Tan Zhenwei replied dismissively.


    "Then who?" Li Xiaofei pressed, eager to know anything related to Tan Qingying.


    Tan Zhenwei''s gaze grew distant for a moment before he spoke. "The elders. The ones who control the real power in the Tan family. They''ve been eyeing the position of family head for years. They can''t allow someone like me, who''s been away for so long, to return and take control. I¡¯m a threat to them."


    Li Xiaofei felt a surge of tension, knowing that these powerful family members were not just political rivals; they were potential enemies. Since Tan Qingying was part of the same family, the stakes were higher than ever.


    "What about Qingying? Is she involved in any of this?" Li Xiaofei asked, his concern evident.


    Tan Zhenwei¡¯s eyes softened at the mention of his daughter. "No, she¡¯s been kept out of this mess. For now. But once the power struggle begins in full, no one in the family will be safe, not even her."


    Li Xiaofei clenched his fist and said, "Then we need to stop them, for her sake."

 Chapter 300: One Decisive Blow

    Chapter 300: One Decisive Blow"It''s Tan Tianwe¡¯s younger brother, Tan Shengwei, who they want as the family head" Tan Zhenwei continued. "He''s hailed as the most brilliant talent the Tan family has seen in a hundred years and currently serves as the acting head of the family. Unfortunately for him, he was born to a concubine, so the old man never fully recognized him. A tragedy, really."


    Tan Zhenwei didn¡¯t hold back as he provided a detailed account of the Tan family¡¯s current dynamics. The patriarch of the Tan family was Tan Zhenwei''s father, who was now nearing the end of his life. Knowing his days were numbered, he shocked everyone by choosing Tan Zhenwei, who had been exiled from the family for years, as the next head.


    This unexpected decision triggered a series of cascading events. The most immediate result was Tan Shengwei, once the favored heir, immediately launching an assassination attempt on Tan Zhenwei.


    Unfortunately, Tan Tianwei, Shengwei''s ally in this plan, was neither as strong nor as cunning as Tan Zhenwei, leading to his death in the wilderness.


    "How did you know the Tan family would collude with the Jiepeng people to assassinate you on the way?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "Every soldier assigned to protect me on that Weave Bird aircraft was one of their people. Jiepeng also sought the Wilderness Free Sect¡¯s help before they even began their operation," Tan Zhenwei explained.


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but silently shake his head in disbelief at the irony. Tan Tianwei, while trying to kill Tan Zhenwei, had unknowingly sought assistance from the very person he intended to eliminate. It was like a moth flying into a flame.


    As they spoke, a metallic glimmer appeared below, revealing a small city. It was a newly constructed encampment! The beast tide was already launching a ferocious assault on the camp. The battle had already begun.


    This camp was clearly well-established. The metallic walls stood fifty meters high, forming a circular perimeter with a diameter of about two kilometers. The walls were lined with a dense array of firearms that fired relentlessly at the attacking star beasts, tearing through them as they advanced.


    Inside the camp, several Prism Towers projected energy shields, protecting the inner structures from aerial assaults by the star beasts. In terms of defense and firepower, this temporary camp far surpassed Liuhe Base City.


    On the walls, dozens of combat power armors assisted in defending the camp.


    ¡°Jiepeng¡¯s base,¡± Tan Zhenwei muttered, his eyes narrowing. ¡°The spatial passageway known as the Eye of the Northwest, connecting Jiepeng''s coastal region to the heart of Great Xia''s Northwest, lies beneath this very camp.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s mind stirred. He removed the blinders from his eyes, as he examined the scene below more carefully. Indeed, the soldiers running along the metal walls were dressed in Jiepeng military uniforms, and the power armors patrolling the perimeter bore the Jiepeng insignia on their metallic exteriors.


    ¡°Are you planning on destroying Jiepeng¡¯s base?¡± Li Xiaofei asked, beginning to grasp Tan Zhenwei¡¯s intentions.


    Tan Zhenwei smiled faintly. ¡°No, I¡¯m going to destroy the Eye of the Northwest. Without this spatial passageway, the storm of conspiracy surrounding Liuhe Base City will dissipate like smoke.¡±


    Destroying the source of the problem. That was his ultimate goal.


    Li Xiaofei, still puzzled, asked, ¡°Why not act sooner?¡±


    The Jiepeng Empire had been using the Eye of the Northwest for quite some time. If the passage had been destroyed earlier, the brewing storm might have been averted from the beginning.


    ¡°There are many reasons,¡± Tan Zhenwei replied calmly. ¡°I can give you at least four.¡±


    ¡°First, I had initially hoped the Great Xia¡¯s government would step in. A spatial passageway like this could be an extraordinary asset for the Northwest Administrative Region if it was used properly. Second, the Jiepeng Empire discovered the Eye of the Northwest first. They took advantage of that head start and were well-prepared. Third, the Wilderness Free Sect needed certain technologies from Jiepeng. Deceiving them and extracting that knowledge took time. Fourth, destroying a spatial passageway requires an incredible amount of power, far more than you might imagine. It¡¯s not something that can be accomplished overnight. I needed time to gather that strength.¡±


    As Tan Zhenwei continued, he glanced at Li Xiaofei. "There¡¯s actually a fifth reason. I wanted to see which of the domestic Saint families were spineless enough to sell out and weaken the nation for their own gain. By drawing their greedy hands into this wilderness, I could finish them and the Jiepeng forces all in one decisive blow. Though I won¡¯t be able to eliminate every traitor, I can severely weaken them."


    "Are these reasons sufficient?" Tan Zhenwei asked, his eyes landing on Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei chuckled bitterly. "More than enough."


    He had to admit, Tan Zhenwei¡¯s vision and planning were far beyond his own comprehension. This was a true strategist. His ability to orchestrate such complex schemes, with layers of meticulous planning, foresight, and ruthlessness, was beyond anything Li Xiaofei could fathom.


    As a high school student who had crossed over into this world, he now realized how small he was in comparison even with his unique advantages. While he had been honing his skills and showing off in the War God League, flexing his strength in the relatively small world of Liuhe Base City, his soon-to-be father-in-law¡¯s gaze had been fixed on national and international affairs the entire time.


    His respect for Tan Zhenwei deepened. Inwardly, Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but acknowledge his brilliance.


    Old man, you¡¯re amazing!


    Below, the battlefield surged with star beasts that seemed like a relentless tide. Yet, the metallic base stood like an island amidst the ocean, repelling wave after wave of assaults. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But Tan Zhenwei was in no hurry. Standing tall on the back of the Red Magpie, he gazed down at the battlefield like a king ruling over all living things, fully in control. The low-grade star beast assault was merely a tactic to exhaust the enemy¡¯s firepower, energy, and stamina. This was the same strategy used during the assault on Liuhe Base City.


    Ten minutes passed before Tan Zhenwei finally made his next move. Twenty grade four star beasts emerged from within the beast tide, targeting various critical points of the Jiepeng metallic encampment. Their attacks were precise and devastating.


    The battle quickly intensified as the star beasts managed to break through the walls and engaged the soldiers in close combat. A grade four star beast, a Silver-Horned Leopard, roared atop the metallic walls. It took only a few ferocious bites and swipes to tear a gap in Jiepeng''s defenses, opening the way for the other beasts to flood through.


    At the same moment, a master of the Five Spirits Realm appeared from within the base, wielding a long blade, and swiftly decapitated the Silver-Horned Leopard.


    Li Xiaofei narrowed his eyes slightly at the sight.


    A Five Spirits Realm expert! The Jiepeng base houses powerful fighters.


    "Let me handle this," Li Xiaofei volunteered. "I can kill those Jiepeng warriors."


    He was strong enough to break through the base¡¯s walls and allow the star beasts to flood in, overwhelming and destroying the camp.


    But Tan Zhenwei shook his head. "That¡¯s not the only Five Spirits Realm expert in the Jiepeng base. It¡¯s not yet time for you to act."


    Before Tan Zhenwei finished speaking, three more terrifying auras exploded from the base like towering pillars of smoke, each one powerful enough to shake the heavens. The auras tore through the sky, instantly reducing the flying star beasts above to a rain of blood.


    Three more Five Spirits Realm warriors?!


    Li Xiaofei was stunned.


    This Jiepeng base was hiding such a formidable number of high-level experts? This is terrifying.


    The four Five Spirits Realm warriors cut down the twenty or so grade four star beasts that had been attacking the base in no time. Their overwhelming pressure caused the advancing star beast tide to momentarily stutter.

 Chapter 301: Top Master Of Phantom Blade Style

    Chapter 301: Top Master Of Phantom Blade StyleFour figures with Five Spirits Realm combat power had appeared in quick succession, shocking Li Xiaofei.


    So many powerful individuals have been hiding in the Jiepeng base. These bastards were indeed up to no good.


    According to international conventions, any warrior above the Five Spirits Realm must report to the host country after crossing into their territory. Otherwise, it would be regarded as an invasion. After all, the destructive power of someone in the Five Spirits Realm was terrifying. Conquering cities and territories wasn''t out of the question. One Five Spirits Realm expert could be equivalent to an entire army.


    The beast tide began to show signs of collapse under the counterattack of these four Five Spirits Realm experts. The threat of certain death caused even the violent and ignorant lower-grade star beasts to feel fear. They began to hesitate in their charges.


    Whoosh!


    Two of the Five Spirits Realm experts turned into brilliant streaks of light as they rose into the air. In the blink of an eye, they were already in front of Li Xiaofei and Tan Zhenwei..


    "Kill."


    The two didn''t waste words and immediately attacked. Li Xiaofei was just about to make a move, but Tan Zhenwei simply shook his head gently.


    "Hehehe..."


    Suddenly, the seductive laugh of the Yinji Moon Fox echoed as the air abruptly turned pink. The two Five Spirits Realm experts were immediately bewitched by this pink enchantment, and abandoned Tan Zhenwei and Li Xiaofei without hesitation. They shot toward the source of the fox demon''s alluring voice.


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback.


    This fox demon actually appeared here? That Hu Yuer in the city... Could it be that I had misjudged her?


    "Can she, a mere fox, really handle two Five Spirits Realm experts?" Li Xiaofei said, "Let me make a move instead."


    Battle intent surged in his heart. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tan Zhenwei calmly said, "No worries, A-Li''s ability to escape is unmatched in the world. Even if she can''t kill those two Jiepeng Five Spirits Realm experts, her life will never be in danger."


    Li Xiaofei looked down at the base below. Tan Zhenwei, despite being at the Golden Body Realm, had not immediately launched an attack. Instead, he continued observing. That was when Li Xiaofei realized that this camp probably held more than just Five Spirits Realm experts.


    There are stronger warriors present!


    It suddenly became clear to him why Tan Zhenwei had created such a huge commotion. At that moment, Tan Zhenwei opened his palm. Two adorable, jade-like silkworms appeared in his hand, their plump bodies wriggling as they raised their heads to curiously glance in all directions.


    A drop of crimson blood fell into his palm. The two Heaven''s Mandate Silkworms quickly squirmed as they licked up the blood. Then, astonishingly, they stood upright and started to release nearly invisible threads of silk from their mouths.


    The amount of silk the Heaven''s Mandate Silkworms produced was staggering. Although each silk strand was countless times thinner than a human hair, it split into millions of strands as it fell from the sky.


    It seemed as if the air was filled with endless drifting willow fluff in an instant. The silken threads descended and infiltrated the bodies of numerous star beasts. But they also slipped into the metallic base below.


    In the next instant, the once fearful and hesitant beast horde suddenly went berserk, letting out violent roars and charging madly towards the metallic base, showing no fear of death. Inside the base, screams of agony erupted. The Jiepeng soldiers stationed on the city walls turned their weapons on their comrades, and mercilessly opened fire.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Countless Jiepeng warriors fell amidst the violent explosions. Li Xiaofei''s scalp tingled as he watched.


    What kind of technique is this? A high-level beastmaster is truly terrifying. Who could have imagined that two plump, seemingly harmless silkworms would possess such terrifying abilities?


    "Tan Zhenwei, by opposing the empire, you will die with no place to be buried." A voice speaking the Jiepeng language echoed from the base below.


    It was accompanied by a terrifying blade light that stretched a thousand meters long. It was like a river of stars hanging upside down, slicing through the void as it slashed toward them.


    What a terrifying blade light.


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t suppress the fear rising within him. This strike wasn¡¯t about some profound technique. Nor was it an extraordinary mastery of the blade. It was simply raw strength. A strength so overwhelming that even Li Xiaofei could feel the breath of death. The body he had always prided himself on, his formidable physique, would likely be instantly torn apart by this strike.


    Golden Body Realm! So, there was indeed a Golden Body Realm expert hidden within the Jiepeng base!


    He saw Tan Zhenwei unhurriedly passing the two Heaven¡¯s Mandate Silkworms to his left hand. He reached out with his right hand as if he was grasping something from the void. Then, suddenly, he clenched his fist.


    A kilometer wide space in front of them collapsed abruptly. He had created a vacuum in an instant. Then Tan Zhenwei threw a punch.


    Boom!


    The fist collided with the blade light. Terrifying energy erupted and spread out in an instant. The air became chaotic, and even the light seemed to distort as everything within that space was reduced to dust and nothingness.


    "Tamba no Kami Soumei![1]" Tan Zhenwei raised his voice, "So the greatest master of Jiepeng''s Phantom Blade Style was stationed here. But it looks like Jiepeng will have one less Golden Body Realm expert after today."


    "Tan Zhenwei, or no, I should address you as Mr. Tree Demon."


    A figure no more than 1.5 meters tall soared out of the base and appeared fifty meters away.


    It was Jiepeng''s greatest master of the Phantom Blade Style! He was dressed in a kimono and was wearing wooden clogs. His head was bald, styled like a traditional warrior, and his complexion was unnaturally pale, as if it was covered in powder.


    Although he stood only 1.5 meters tall, the pressure he exuded made him feel like a towering giant.


    "Mr. Tree Demon, don''t you think you''re being too despicable?" Soumei said coldly, "You betrayed the Empire''s trust and deceived us into handing over eleven S-class new weapons, technologies, and the surgery techniques for star beasts. You and your sect will pay the price for this."


    A faint smirk of mockery appeared at the corner of Tan Zhenwei¡¯s lips.


    "Heh, the barking of the defeated." He scoffed, "Such words are meaningless."


    Li Xiaofei had to admit that his future father-in-law''s ability to taunt was truly at its peak.


    Soumei was instantly enraged. Gritting his teeth, he sneered, "This battle isn¡¯t over yet. The outcome remains uncertain. Once I kill you, all your plans in the Northwest will crumble, and the Empire will still achieve its great victory!"


    "Is that so?" Tan Zhenwei replied calmly, "Unfortunately, you don''t stand a chance."


    Soumei took a deep breath, his aura swiftly collapsing inward. He seemed like a deadly statue with his hand resting on the hilt of his katana, radiating a deadly intent.


    Then, he drew his blade.


    The blade light streaked through the air like a brilliant ribbon, cutting through the sky. It was an even more powerful strike than before. It was like his swing could slice open the Milky Way.


    Yet, Tan Zhenwei didn¡¯t move. He stood in place, a cold smile on his face.


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, a dazzling sword aura descended from the heavens.


    Boom!


    The sword aura obliterated the blade light. Tamba no Kami Soumei''s powerful, charged strike, his finest Golden Body Realm technique, was utterly crushed.


    The remnants of the blade and sword energy exploded, like stars detonating in space. The scattering light seemed as though it would fragment space into irregular pieces.


    A graceful silhouette figure descended through the air to land in the middle of the battlefield. She was incomparably beautiful, unmatched by anyone.


    "Your opponent is me." A voice as cold as the high heavens and icy plains echoed across the battlefield.


    Sword light surged like a tide as it swept toward Soumei. Li Xiaofei''s mouth dropped open in utter shock. He had imagined countless possibilities, but he never thought this person would appear on the battlefield.


    This makes no sense!


    1. TAMBA NO KAMI SOUMEI note ?

 Chapter 302: An Aura Of Invincibility

    Chapter 302: An Aura Of InvincibilityGoddess Ye Liuying! The person who had descended from the sky and intercepted Soumei Tanbano was none other than Ye Liuying, the best warrior of the Liuhe Base City garrison.


    Li Xiaofei would not have been surprised at her appearance before. But Tan Zhenwei''s identity had changed in the last few minutes. He was no longer the city leader but the leader of the Wilderness Free Sect. He was a member of a terrorist organization that was hunted by the Star Council.


    As a military officer, Ye Liuying¡¯s first reaction should have been to apprehend him. Why would she help him instead? Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t believe that Ye Liuying hadn¡¯t noticed Tan Zhenwei¡¯s current affiliation. Yet, not only had she appeared, but she had also stepped in to assist him. There was only one explanation for this. The two were working together.


    Could it be that Goddess Ye Liuying is also a member of the Wilderness Free Sect?


    This realization left Li Xiaofei deeply shocked.


    Meanwhile, Ye Liuying had already engaged Soumei in fierce combat. One was a prodigy of swordsmanship from Great Xia, while the other was a master of the blade from Jiepeng. The master¡¯s sword aura howled, cold as the nine heavens, as it slashed through everything in its path. But the prodigy¡¯s blade light gleamed brightly as it met the sword aura head on. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When they clashed, even the stray shockwaves from their battle could severely wound a typical Five Spirits Realm expert. Ye Liuying had overcome a mental flaw and achieved enlightenment in a single breath to directly advance to the Golden Body Realm. At this point, she no longer required power armor for combat.


    She could stand on equal footing with Soumei, one of Jiepeng¡¯s renowned experts, with only the sword in her hand. For Li Xiaofei, this was the first time he had the chance to examine the combat style of a Golden Body Realm warrior.


    The Golden Body Realm was not about turning the body into metal. It was a description of the qualitative transformation one¡¯s body went through. A warrior who cultivated to the Five Spirits Realm could unleash innate qi from their five organs. Combined with the energy vortex within the dantian, this generated far greater power than those below the Five Spirits Realm.


    Simply put, a warrior below the Five Spirits Realm had only one power source¡ªlike a single-cylinder engine. Achieving the Five Spirits Realm was like adding five more cylinders. This made them equivalent to a V6 engine. A car with a V6 engine would naturally outperform a single-cylinder vehicle by a huge margin when it came to power, acceleration, speed, and endurance.


    But the Golden Body Realm was an even greater transformation. It made the entire body a source of power. Starforce qi was stored in every single cell of the body and could be summoned with just a thought. A casual strike held immeasurable power. Moreover, their lifespan would increase, their resistance to disease would strengthen, and their body¡¯s recovery capabilities would become far greater.


    The pursuit of martial cultivation boiled down to two primary goals: to live longer and to become stronger. The Golden Body Realm was considered the best combination of both these aspirations. Once one reached the Golden Body Realm, one had almost fully tapped into their innate potential. The next major realm, the Dao Union Realm, required seeking external power.


    Thus, the path of cultivation in the Great Xia martial lineage was clear. First, cultivate one¡¯s internal self. Then, explore the external world.


    Of course, all of this was theory Li Xiaofei had learned from textbooks. It lacked practical experience. The true essence of the Golden Body Realm could only be understood when one actually reached that level and personally explored it.


    For Li Xiaofei, witnessing the life-and-death struggle between these Golden Body Realm experts in front of him was a rare and treasured opportunity.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The fierce battle between the two Golden Body Realm warriors raged on as neither side gained an advantage.


    "Let¡¯s go."


    At that moment, Tan Zhenwei finally decided to take action himself. He dove down, reaching out to deliver a punch in mid air.


    Boom!


    This punch landed on the energy shield over the base. Inside, the Prism Towers groaned under the strain. Tan Zhenwei started a relentless assault of fist strikes until the towers could no longer hold. They cracked one by one, emitting sparks as they collapsed, and the drilling machinery crumbled.


    The energy shield vanished in an instant. The horde of flying star beasts, including Mole Crows, Red Magpies, and Fire Cranes, descended like a tidal wave on the base. In a flash, the entire base was engulfed by the beast tide.


    Li Xiaofei followed closely behind Tan Zhenwei as they landed inside the base. The sounds of roaring beasts and agonized screams filled the air. Jiepeng warriors were being torn apart and devoured by the star beasts.


    In the distance, power armor soldiers and mechs were organizing a desperate last stand in order to hold the line and stem the tide of beasts.


    Tan Zhenwei strode forward. With just a flick of his fingers, one of the power mechs abruptly turned its guns and cannons on its allies, unleashing a sudden barrage. This was Kuramaki Kazuki¡¯s humanoid power mech. Inside the cockpit, Kuramaki¡¯s face was filled with despair.


    He had only just realized that he had already been contaminated by the silken threads of the Heaven¡¯s Mandate Silkworms. He had completely lost control of his body, his fingers wildly pressing the mech¡¯s buttons, causing it to fire relentlessly at his teammates.


    "Ahhhh..."


    With one final scream, he bellowed, ¡°Long live the Jiepeng Empire!¡±


    Boom!


    His head suddenly swelled and exploded, turning into a mass of blood and gore. But the Heaven¡¯s Mandate Silkworms continued to control his corpse, manipulating the humanoid power mech to slaughter his comrades.


    ¡°Kuramaki, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Stop this now!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a traitor!¡±


    ¡°Damn it, I¡¯ve been hit in the power core...¡±


    The communications channel was filled with the furious shouts and cries of Jiepeng¡¯s mech pilots. In an instant, dozens of power-armored soldiers were reduced to fiery wrecks.


    A hundred meters away, another power mech of the same model was blasted into a powerless heap, its body engulfed in flames. Sparks shot out from its frame, leaving it immobile and crippled.


    In front of Tan Zhenwei, whether it was power armor comparable to the Meridian Expanding Realm or the power mechs equivalent to the Five Spirits Realm, they were all no match.


    The infiltration ability of the Heaven''s Mandate Silkworms'' silk was simply too terrifying as the Jiepeng defensive line was quickly breached. Yet, they continued to resist with all their might.


    One had to admit that, after the brainwashing and indoctrination of the Bushido[1] spirit, the Jiepeng warriors possessed a fearlessness and madness that bordered on suicidal.


    "They seem to be stalling for time, trying to protect something," Li Xiaofei remarked.


    Tan Zhenwei responded, "There is quite a lot of experimental data and samples here. They¡¯ve been using our Great Xia people to conduct experiments that violate international conventions."


    Boom!


    He shattered a specially reinforced steel door with a single punch. Beyond it, a sloping corridor led into an underground facility. Jiepeng warriors surged out like a tidal wave, immediately launching suicidal attacks. But with just a slight wave of Tan Zhenwei¡¯s fingers, the warriors immediately began slaughtering each other.


    The two continued deeper into the facility until they came upon a massive underground laboratory. Huge glass containers held the submerged corpses of Great Xia warriors and various star beasts. Among them were grotesque creatures created through grafting experiments.


    The dissection tables held cruelly mutilated human remains. Some were adults, but others were just children. There was no need to guess where these innocent victims had been captured from. At the far end of the lab, a mountain of dismembered corpses was piled high. Ten enormous incinerators, controlled by a light core, ran without pause as they continued to cremate bodies.


    "Goddamn Jiepeng bastards," Li Xiaofei seethed in fury.


    This inhumane, anti-human race has no right to exist in the world.


    Boom!


    Tan Zhenwei pressed forward like a vengeful god of destruction. No Jiepeng warrior could stand in his path. Wherever he passed, rivers of blood flowed.


    Finally, they reached a vast, brightly lit underground chamber where they found thousands of people. It wasn¡¯t just Jiepeng soldiers but also several hundred people dressed in Great Xia attire. They were the representatives of the Great Xia noble families who were conspiring with the Jiepeng.


    "Found you," Tan Zhenwei said, a cold smile twisting his lips. "You pathetic fools, consumed by your own stupidity."


    The murderous intent within him was like a raging inferno. These traitors were more despicable than any foreign enemy.


    1. Bushid¨­ is a moral code concerning samurai attitudes, behavior and lifestyle, formalized in the Edo period. There are multiple types of bushido which evolved significantly through history. Contemporary forms of bushido are still used in the social and economic organization of Japan. ?

 Chapter 303: Ptui, Traitorous Dog

    Chapter 303: Ptui, Traitorous DogOver a thousand people filled with a mix of anger and fear stood before Tan Zhenwei as he entered. The Jiepeng group were led by several warriors at the Meridian Expanding Realm. However, there were a few Great Xia warriors who possessed the combat ability of the Five Spirits Realm.


    Tan Zhenwei took a step forward and the crowd collectively took a step back.


    One of the Jiepeng leaders shouted, "We have no grievances with you. Why push us to the brink of annihilation? Name your terms, and the Jiepeng Empire will surely meet them..."


    But before he could finish speaking...


    Bang!


    His body fell apart into hundreds of irregular pieces of blood and bone like they had been sliced by invisible nano-thin threads. The Heaven''s Mandate Silkworms had killed him with their threads. This was Tan Zhenwei¡¯s answer to Jiepeng.


    ¡°Long live His Majesty the Emperor!¡±


    Dozens of Jiepeng warriors drank life-boosting potions to unleash their full potential and charged in a suicidal attack. But they were cut down into piles of minced flesh before they could even reach him.


    Unbeknownst to anyone, the entire space had already been filled with countless, invisible silken threads. The silkworm threads were nearly invisible but they were sharper than any blade. Once someone was caught in them, they would be instantly torn to pieces.


    "Wait a moment." A middle-aged man dressed in a black Zhongshan suit combat uniform suddenly spoke up, addressing Tan Zhenwei in standard Great Xia Mandarin.


    He said, "Senior, please, don¡¯t act rashly. Perhaps we can discuss this. What is your purpose here? Maybe our objectives aren¡¯t in conflict."


    Those trapped in the deepest part of the underground facility hadn¡¯t fully grasped what was happening outside. They didn¡¯t know the true identity of the intruder.


    Tan Zhenwei sneered coldly at the man. "Are you Xie Renwang from the Xie family of the Northwest?"


    The middle-aged man¡¯s face lit up with hope as he asked, "Senior, you know me?"


    Tan Zhenwei''s tone remained indifferent. "The Xie family is currently the most powerful noble family in the Northwest Administrative District. Your influence is at its peak, with family businesses spread across dozens of base cities. Xie Futing, the head of your family, has held the position of Governor in the Northwest for a full fifteen years. What more do you need that you would betray your country and collude with Jiepeng?"


    "This..." Xie Renwang hesitated, his voice faltering.


    Xie Renwang could sense from Tan Zhenwei''s tone that this man held a deep grudge against Jiepeng and had a fierce nationalistic stance. An idea came to him.


    "Senior, you misunderstand," Xie Renwang said as he stepped out from the crowd and walked forward a few paces. "In truth, I came here to negotiate a ceasefire with Jiepeng."


    "Ceasefire?" Tan Zhenwei sneered. "Liuhe Base City has been awaiting reinforcements for over a month, and yet you¡¯re negotiating a ceasefire? Do you think I would believe such a ridiculous explanation?"


    "It''s the truth, I swe-"


    A spray of blood erupted from Xie Renwang¡¯s neck.


    Thud.


    Xie Renwang¡¯s head rolled on the ground, but the powerful vitality of a Five Spirits Realm expert prevented him from dying instantly.


    ¡°I am the heir of the Xie family in the Northwest, and you dare to kill me?!¡± Xie Renwang''s mouth continued to speak.


    Li Xiaofei, unable to contain himself, walked over and stomped down hard.


    Boom!


    The head was crushed into a pulp of flesh and blood.


    ¡°Ptui! Traitorous dog,¡± Li Xiaofei cursed, still not satisfied.


    The others couldn¡¯t help but feel their eyelids twitch in shock.


    Tan Zhenwei smiled faintly and looked over the crowd. "Shi Sansheng of the Shi family, Nie Lingge of the Nie family, and Gu Juechen of the Gu family, are you three just going to keep hiding?"


    The three men whose names were called visibly paled.


    ¡°Who... who exactly are you?¡± Shi Sansheng asked coldly.


    The Shi and Nie families, though not top-tier families, were still Saint families from Xiajing. They held a decent amount of influence. Like the Xie family and the Gu family from Jiangnan, they had come to this desolate base in the Northwest to collaborate with Jiepeng.


    The fingerprints of these two prominent families were all over the schemes targeting Liuhe Base City. Now that the situation in the Northwest was nearing a conclusion and it looked like Jiepeng would occupy Liuhe Base City, it felt like the perfect moment for these families to negotiate final terms and trade benefits with Jiepeng.


    Just two hours ago, these men had been eagerly envisioning their futures, believing that they had finally seized a fleeting opportunity for their families to rise. They imagined their families wielding great influence within Great Xia, while their own personal statuses would soar. The future seemed limitless. But now, the shadow of death loomed ever closer.


    ¡°If you know who we are, then you must understand the power behind our families. If you kill us...¡± Nie Lingge said harshly.


    Tan Zhenwei barely lifted an eyebrow. In an instant, Nie Lingge¡¯s head tumbled from his neck. Killing intent filled the air. The remaining two, Shi Sansheng and Gu Juechen, trembled uncontrollably with fear.


    ¡°Good kill!¡± Li Xiaofei laughed heartily, feeling immense satisfaction.


    His bloodlust surged, and he could no longer suppress his battle fury. He roared, ¡°Kill the invaders! Crush them!¡±


    He charged forward without hesitation.


    Boom!


    He unleashed the Great Strength Vajra Fist with his left hand. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Roar!


    And the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms with his right. Both techniques were executed simultaneously, and he tore through the Jiepeng warriors like a tiger through sheep.


    Within moments, more than ten Jiepeng warriors were blown apart by his strikes. Blood sprayed everywhere as bones splintered under his fists. No one could withstand even a single blow.


    Li Xiaofei struck with full force with every blow, showing no mercy at all.


    Why did shows like The Legend of the Anti-Japanese Heroes have such a market five hundred years ago? It was because many Chinese people wanted to live out, even if only through fantasy, the violent revenge of killing invaders. Even if it was just a form of escapism, it allowed them to vent the humiliation and blood debts China had endured during those eight long years of suffering.


    Li Xiaofei had watched those shows. Though they had been a bit unrealistic... They were incredibly satisfying to watch. But now, he could actually tear these invaders apart with his own hands. How could he not indulge himself?


    Kill! Kill until the bodies pile into mountains of blood. Kill until the sun and moon lose their light. One punch, one kill. One palm strike, one death. He obliterated the heartless, inhuman scum before him.


    The more Li Xiaofei fought, the more exhilarated he felt.


    At first, the Jiepeng warriors appeared formidable and seemed fearless. But soon enough, they were completely broken by Li Xiaofei¡¯s overwhelming ferocity. This young warrior from Great Xia seemed like he harbored a deep, personal vendetta against them. His face was twisted with rage, as if he wished to skin them alive, pull their tendons, and drink their blood.


    "Die," said Li Xiaofei, throwing a powerful punch at Gu Juechen.


    Gu Juechen roared and fought back like a cornered beast. Shi Sansheng also knew that words were useless at this point, and teamed up with Gu Juechen. Two Five Spirits Realm warriors fought together against Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei unleashed his full strength without hesitation, transforming into his second form. He pursued them relentlessly, using a reckless, self-sacrificing fighting style as he hammered at the two of them with crushing blows.


    Even Tan Zhenwei was a bit surprised by the sight. However, since Li Xiaofei was handling the fight, Tan Zhenwei saved himself some effort. He used the opportunity to move deeper into the underground space. The corridor was lined with traps, weapons, toxins, and various defense mechanisms.


    But none of them posed any threat against a Golden Body Realm expert like Tan Zhenwei. They were nothing more than dust to him. Soon, he reached the end of the passage and found himself in front of a colossal twenty meter tall bronze door. This was the Eye of the Northwest.


    Destroying this spatial gate would sever the connection and utterly crush Jiepeng''s ambitions to invade Great Xia''s northwest.


    Tan Zhenwei took a deep breath. He clenched his fist and threw a punch. A thunderous boom instantly echoed throughout the entire underground chamber.

 Chapter 304: Most Precious Treasure

    Chapter 304: Most Precious TreasureThe colossal door trembled violently as cracks began to spread across its surface. Blinding silver light shone from the fissures. Then, a terrifying shockwave erupted from within the door.


    Tan Zhenwei''s Golden Body Realm punch seemed to have triggered some kind of chain reaction of destruction. A wave of annihilating energy surged toward him. Tan Zhenwei calmly raised his hand and lightly clenched it. A powerful, unstoppable force exploded from him, neutralizing the shockwave.


    Suddenly, a terrifying suction force emerged from beyond the giant door. The debris from the earlier explosion was immediately pulled in and devoured by the void behind the door. It revealed an irregularly shaped ring of light behind the door; the spatial passage.


    This was the space remnant that had been devoured by the king-grade star beast, the Cave Beast, and transformed into a stable dimensional rift. Tan Zhenwei slowly approached the entrance to the time-warped portal. He reached out to touch the edge of the passage, as though he was sensing something deep within.


    After a moment, Tan Zhenwei furrowed his brows. Kuramaki Kazuki had been right; the spatial passage had stabilized. Damaging it would be exceedingly difficult. The Heaven''s Mandate Silkworms, the grade six star beasts housed within Tan Zhenwei''s body, had retreated deep inside him, as if entering hibernation.


    The light-ringed passage bore the mark of a king-grade star beast and radiated the aura of a true sovereign. For the Heaven''s Mandate Silkworms, that aura felt like an encounter with a natural predator, a suppression on the level of life itself.


    Tan Zhenwei continued to throw punches at the passage. His Golden Body Realm punches landed with deafening force on the passage, each blow causing a tremendous roar. Yet, the passage remained completely unscathed.


    He struck again and again. After several consecutive punches, the light-ringed passage still showed no signs of damage. But it seemed Tan Zhenwei had expected this outcome. He took out an object resembling a kinetic bomb from his belongings. After setting the device, he punched it once, sending the bomb hurtling deep into the passage.


    Three breaths later.


    Boom!


    A massive explosion erupted within the passage. One second later, a visible energy shockwave roared out of the ring-shaped passage like a beast from the depths of hell. Tan Zhenwei braced himself, pushing his hands forward and planting his feet into the ground. He took the full force of the shockwave head-on.


    Once the blast dissipated, he carefully examined the ring-shaped passage in front of him. It seemed slightly damaged and less stable than before, but it was still far from collapsing. Tan Zhenwei meticulously calculated something, deep in thought.


    By this time, the sounds of battle and screams from behind had gradually faded. Covered in blood, Li Xiaofei approached, his tattered jacket barely hanging on him.


    ¡°So this is the Eye of the Northwest?¡± asked Li Xiaofei, looking at the glowing, ring-shaped passage before him.


    At first glance, it resembled a light tunnel from a children''s amusement park. Its irregular cross-section and sci-fi aesthetic made it look more like an artificial structure than something natural.


    "Yes, this is the spatial rift left by the Cave Beast," Tan Zhenwei casually replied.


    Li Xiaofei rolled up his blood-stained sleeves and said, "Let me give it a try."


    He threw several punches in quick succession. Each punch carried enough force to flatten a small mountain, but his blows were like an ant trying to shake a tree. There was no damage at all. Li Xiaofei gave up. This was a spatial rift. How could his Five Spirits Realm strength shatter space itself?


    "Uncle Tan, how do we destroy this thing?" he asked. "A bomb? I can search the base for one."


    Tan Zhenwei shook his head and replied, "It''s useless. I already tried. The Jiepeng base doesn¡¯t have any explosives strong enough to destroy this passage."


    "So what do we do?" Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and suggested, "If we can¡¯t destroy it, we could station someone here to guard it. As soon as the Jiepeng try to come through again, we can kill them."


    Tan Zhenwei shook his head again. "This passage is still in its growth phase. It¡¯s far from its decay period. In another six months, it will become even more stable. By then, experts from the Dao Union Realm or even the Divine Realm can cross over. The Northwest would face an even greater threat," he said calmly.


    Li Xiaofei thought about it, but soon realized that he didn¡¯t have any other tricks up his sleeve that could help in this situation.


    At that moment, footsteps echoed behind them once again. Li Xiaofei turned to look.


    Goddess Ye Liuying held the severed head of Soumei as she approached them. It seemed that she had emerged victorious in the decisive battle with Jiepeng¡¯s best swordsman.


    What a terrifying woman. She¡¯s only just entered the Golden Body Realm, yet she defeated and killed a veteran Golden Body Realm expert. That¡¯s insane. Has she activated some kind of cheat code?


    ¡°Teacher,¡± greeted Goddess Ye Liuying as she walked up to Tan Zhenwei.


    Li Xiaofei was shocked and confused.


    Teacher? What is going on now?


    Tan Zhenwei nodded and asked, "Where''s A-Li?"


    Before Tan Zhenwei''s words had even faded away, a playful, seductive laugh filled the air, making Li Xiaofei''s blood surge. Shimmering lights flickered as a fox woman appeared, floating gracefully with not a single stitch of clothing. She used her nine illusory fox tails to cover her most private areas. As she moved, the very air around her turned pink.


    It appeared that the two Five Spirits Realm experts outside had also been dealt with. This flirtatious fox was just as terrifying.


    When he saw the two women standing peacefully beside each other, Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but secretly think to himself.


    So all that earlier hunting and fighting was just an act? Women are naturally born with incredible acting skills.


    Tan Zhenwei looked at the two women and said, "You¡¯ve both done well. From today on, lay low and cease any activities under the sect''s name."


    "Yes, Teacher," replied Ye Liuying.


    "As you command, Master," said the fox demon, A-Li, with equal deference.


    Tan Zhenwei raised his hand. The Heaven''s Mandate Silkworms, still in their half-hibernation state, were forcibly summoned forth.


    "They resonate well with you," Tan Zhenwei said to A-Li. "With them, you''ll have an additional method to protect yourself when facing human experts."


    He entrusted the Heaven''s Mandate Silkworms to the fox demon, A-Li.


    "Sect Leader..." A-Li dared not refuse, but tears suddenly welled up in her alluring eyes.


    Tan Zhenwei then removed the bark mask from his face. "This will help you in the wilderness, giving you the power to fight against high-grade star beasts. It can also conceal your presence if you need to escape."


    He handed the mask to Goddess Ye Liuying.


    "Teacher, I don''t want it," Ye Liuying said, her eyes turning red.


    Tan Zhenwei smiled kindly. "Life is a solitary journey, and farewells must eventually come."


    He turned to look at Li Xiaofei. By this point, Li Xiaofei had a sinking feeling in his heart, as if Tan Zhenwei was giving his final words. Clearly, both Goddess Ye Liuying and the fox demon A-Li also sensed something.


    Tan Zhenwei said, "Are you waiting for me to give you something too?"


    Li Xiaofei gave an awkward smile, nearly stretching his hand out to receive something. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But Tan Zhenwei said, "I have nothing for you."


    Li Xiaofei was left speechless.


    Really? At a time like this, you¡¯re still messing with me?


    Tan Zhenwei continued, "You¡¯ve already taken my most precious treasure, and you still expect more from me? Have some shame, will you?"


    Li Xiaofei remained silent.


    That felt like a personal attack. Clearly, there is some lingering resentment there.


    It seemed Tan Zhenwei already knew that Li Xiaofei and Little Ying had crossed the boundaries of propriety and stepped into forbidden territory.


    "Remember what you promised," Tan Zhenwei suddenly grew serious again. "When you go to Xiajing, take good care of Little Ying, and don¡¯t let her suffer."


    With that, he turned and walked toward the spatial rift.

 Chapter 305: It Was For You

    Chapter 305: It Was For You"Teacher." For the first time, Goddess Ye Liuying showed genuine emotion, breaking from her usual cold demeanor.


    "Master." The fox demon, A-Li, also stepped forward, unable to hide her reluctance as tears streamed down her face.


    But Tan Zhenwei didn¡¯t stop walking.


    Li Xiaofei, realizing something was wrong, hurriedly followed. "Uncle Tan, what are you going to do?"


    Tan Zhenwei paused and turned to look back. "Kid, don¡¯t let Little Ying down."


    A small smile appeared on his face as he continued, "Until we meet again."


    He flickered, transforming into a streak of light as he darted into the Cave Beast''s spatial rift in front of him. Li Xiaofei wanted to chase after him. But a powerful and irresistible force surged from the passage, throwing him back.


    In the next instant, brilliant golden light erupted from Tan Zhenwei as he transformed into a blazing golden sun that unleashed boundless energy. The energy slammed into the spatial passage, triggering a strange chain reaction. The passage began to shake violently. The entire underground space trembled, starting to collapse.


    Boom!


    Tan Zhenwei''s body suddenly exploded. Every piece of his flesh, every bone, and every drop of blood transformed into terrifying nuclear energy that blasted against the spatial barrier of the Cave Beast''s ring-shaped spatial passage.


    Before Li Xiaofei could even react, the seemingly indestructible spatial passage shattered like glass. The shimmering light gate collapsed like a chain of dominoes, one ring after another crumbling away. The light gate shrank, faded, and then vanished entirely.


    A surge of terrifying energy erupted from the spot where the spatial passage had disappeared.


    "Not good, we need to leave now!" Goddess Ye Liuying shouted sharply.


    The underground space was collapsing. Dust filled the air as the Jiepeng underground base started to twist and warp. Some of its structures started catching fire and exploding.


    Li Xiaofei stood there, dumbfounded.


    Wha... what did Uncle Tan just do?


    The fox demon transformed into a streak of light and darted toward the exit.


    Goddess Ye Liuying grabbed Li Xiaofei by the shoulder and said, "Teacher destroyed his Golden Body to trigger the explosion of the Cave Beast''s spatial passage... If you don¡¯t want to die, we have to get out of here, now!"


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s mind was blank.


    Self-destruction of the Golden Body? Wasn''t that just... self-detonation?


    It meant that Tan Zhenwei had released all his cultivation as a Golden Body Realm expert in an instant, burning his life force and primal energy to trigger a devastating nuclear explosion. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Which means... Uncle Tan is... gone?!


    "No!" Li Xiaofei broke free from Goddess Ye Liuying''s grip and charged toward the collapsing light gate. "I¡¯ll pull him back!"


    But in the next instant...


    Boom!


    An even more terrifying explosion erupted from the spot where the light gate had vanished.


    Li Xiaofei was flung violently back. He felt like his brain was about to explode. In that moment, his consciousness was engulfed in chaos.


    The underground space of the Jiepeng base completely collapsed. The earth, soil, and boulders above were blasted away by the shockwave. The terrifying energy surged upward, turning the underground facility into a massive crater.


    It only took an instant for the Jiepeng base to be completely annihilated. The only evidence of its existence was a gigantic basin that spanned tens of miles.


    Li Xiaofei crashed heavily into the ground, sliding dozens of meters. A massive boulder fell from the sky, landing squarely on his head, shattering upon impact.


    Li Xiaofei shook his head and slowly got to his feet. As he brushed away the dust and rubble, his expression was one of confusion.


    This is big. Really big. How am I going to explain this to Little Ying? Am I supposed to tell her that I stood by and watched as her father blew himself up? Tan Zhenwei''s final move was too ruthless.


    Li Xiaofei clenched his fists tightly. He felt terrible. Tan Zhenwei had sacrificed himself to utterly shatter Jiepeng''s ambitions of using the Eye of the Northwest to infiltrate and invade Great Xia''s northwest. How ironic.


    As the city leader of Liuhe Base City, Tan Zhenwei had poured his heart and soul into protecting the region but couldn¡¯t accomplish it. Yet, as the leader of the Wilderness Free Sect in the northwest, he had achieved it through his own death.


    The powerful families had monopolized the nation¡¯s resources and their members held high positions. Yet, it wasn¡¯t enough for them. Driven by greed, they had united like scavenging dogs and conspired with the Jiepeng, who sought to seize Great Xia¡¯s lands, to sell out the country''s interests.


    ¡°One day, if I ever ascend to the realm of Saints, I will slaughter every one of those treacherous, heartless bastards,¡± Li Xiaofei swore fiercely.


    The air stirred gently as Goddess Ye Liuying landed silently behind him.


    ¡°If you ever run into trouble, you can come find me,¡± Goddess Ye Liuying said softly.


    Li Xiaofei took a deep breath and replied without turning around, ¡°That¡¯s what I should be saying to you.¡±


    A faint smile tugged at the corners of the Goddess''s lips. Then she added, ¡°Teacher isn¡¯t dead.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart leaped with hope as he quickly turned to look at her.


    Could it be that she knew something?


    The Goddess''s expression was resolute, and she tilted her chin upward at a 45-degree angle.


    In the sunlight, she looked almost like a devout pilgrim, faithful in her conviction. ¡°Teacher is as wise as the depths of the ocean and sees far ahead. He had planned to destroy the Eye of the Northwest for a long time and made careful preparations. He wouldn¡¯t choose self-destruction unless it was absolutely necessary... No matter what, I believe that Teacher is still alive.¡±


    Li Xiaofei sighed inwardly. Tan Zhenwei¡¯s methods were indeed inscrutable. But he had clearly seen him self-destruct...


    The Goddess¡¯s words were likely just her holding on to hope. Li Xiaofei, understanding this, wisely chose not to say anything further. Goddess Ye Liuying glanced down at the bark mask in her hand. No one knew that the reason Ye Liuying had risen so rapidly wasn¡¯t solely due to her cultivation at school, but because she had a mysterious teacher guiding her in secret.


    How could a concubine-born daughter, abandoned by her family, rise to shine with such dazzling martial prowess? There was, of course, someone providing direction for her talent to blossom. Without guidance, resources, and cultivation techniques, it would be impossible to succeed even with natural talent. That guide had been none other than Tan Zhenwei.


    To Ye Liuying, Tan Zhenwei was both a teacher and a father figure. Having grown up without a father, she had long viewed Tan Zhenwei as her father, treating him with deep respect and filial love. But this relationship was something no one else ever knew about.


    Now, the person who was so important to her was gone forever. And the ones who drove him to his death were the powerful noble families. Her anger started to burn even hotter. She would carry on her teacher¡¯s will.


    Revitalize Great Xia. Glorify ancient martial arts! And, of course, she would protect those whom her teacher cared about.


    ¡°Teacher destroyed the Eye of the Northwest to protect you.¡± She suddenly said.


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback.


    Goddess Ye Liuying calmly explained, ¡°With the Eye of the Northwest gone, Jiepeng¡¯s schemes are completely thwarted. The noble Saint families no longer have a reason to focus on the northwest. Your eradication of the Ye family won¡¯t matter anymore. Otherwise, how long could you, a small boat, float in stormy waters without sinking if all the families united against you?¡±


    Li Xiaofei stood there, stunned.


    So, this was how Uncle Tan cleaned up the mess.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do anything to dishonor Teacher. Otherwise, I will personally kill you,¡± she warned.


    Then she gave him her personal contact information. ¡°Someone will come to investigate the commotion soon. You¡¯d better leave quickly.¡±


    With that, she transformed into a streak of sword light and disappeared into the sky.


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit envious. The Five Spirits Realm truly lived up to its name. Being able to fly through the skies must be incredibly satisfying. He could only rely on Spatial Point Theft to cheat the system and teleport in an instant. But that cheat had a cooldown so he couldn¡¯t use it so easily. It looked like he was fated to walk back this time.


    However, before leaving, Li Xiaofei knelt down at the edge of the massive basin and bowed three times with the utmost respect. It was almost like he was preemptively paying respects to his parents.


    After standing up and walking a few steps, he suddenly stopped and said, ¡°Why are you following me?¡±

 Chapter 306: Martial God Tournament

    Chapter 306: Martial God TournamentThere was no movement around him. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei sneered, "Come out, I¡¯ve already seen you."


    Still, there was no response.


    Li Xiaofei rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "I can¡¯t believe no one fell for it. Hmph, I guess there really isn¡¯t anyone here."


    He had only been bluffing to test if any expert was hiding nearby. Li Xiaofei suddenly bolted forward. His legs left phantoms behind as he turned into a blur. Two hours later, Li Xiaofei rode his motorcycle back to the city. As expected, the battle in the wilderness had alarmed the city¡¯s defense forces.


    Dozens of flying power armors had been dispatched to investigate the commotion. Li Xiaofei said nothing and headed straight for the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters.


    His mood was somber. The death of Tan Zhenwei had hit him hard and forced him to rethink this world. He had also formed some new opinions about the Star Council. He locked himself in the light core mainframe cabin and began surfing the web. Soon, he saw a flood of trending headlines.


    New City Leader Officially Takes Office


    Xie Renyu, the Youngest City Leader in the History of Liuhe Base City


    City¡¯s Elite Attend the Inauguration of the New City Leader


    Li Xiaofei, Leader of the Martial Alliance, Absent


    Cloudy Sky Gang''s Subtle Attitude Toward the New City Leader


    The New City Leader¡¯s First Three Orders: A Crackdown on City Gangs


    Various news threads exploded across the forums. It was only then that Li Xiaofei realized the new city leader had already arrived when old Tan stepped down. He clicked on the resume of the newly appointed city leader posted by netizens.


    Xie Renyu. A member of the Xie family, the top family in the Northwest. He was only twenty-nine years old and a graduate of the prestigious Zhendan University in the Southeastern Administrative District. He had once participated in the National Martial God Tournament, though his ranking was unclear. Before his appointment, he had served as the First Deputy Director of Lanfu Base City¡¯s Administrative Department. There wasn¡¯t much in his resume that stood out.


    It was obvious that his family connections to the Xie family had played a role in his promotion. This was clearly a case of nepotism. There was plenty of chatter on the light-network about Li Xiaofei¡¯s absence from the inauguration, and the topic was gaining a lot of heat.


    As the leader of the city¡¯s gang world, Li Xiaofei¡¯s absence clearly signals his stance. It¡¯s rumored that Li Xiaofei had a very close relationship with the former city leader, Tan Zhenwei, which might be why he harbors hostility toward the new city leader.


    For Xie Renyu, the saying goes, ¡®a powerful dragon cannot suppress a local serpent.¡¯ Coming in and immediately clashing with the highly influential Li Xiaofei could hinder his policies in the city.


    Whether the new city leader can hold his position or not depends largely on Li Xiaofei¡¯s attitude.


    Hah, coming in and wanting to crack down on the gangs? Does Xie Renyu really think he¡¯s something special?


    Don¡¯t underestimate him. The Xie family is the most powerful family in the Northwest. With their support, Xie Renyu can certainly take a tough stance. If you ask me, it¡¯s more likely that Li Xiaofei will be the one to suffer.


    Nonsense.


    Whether Liuhe City remains in order or not is up to Brother Xiaofei.


    A variety of opinions flooded the forums. After reading them, Li Xiaofei felt confused.


    What¡¯s going on? Since when did I have so much influence in the city?


    The matter of him being the leader of the Martial Alliance was only known within gang circles, and they had always been about keeping a low profile while making money. Seldom were these things dragged into public discussions. Why, all of a sudden, were there so many evaluations about him online?


    Some of the comments were clearly setting him up for a fall. Raising him up so high¡ªwere they just waiting for the right moment to bring him down hard?


    It felt like there was some kind of hidden hand behind the scenes. Moreover, subsequent news reports showed that the new city leader had announced that he would take drastic measures against the chaos in the gang world...


    Hehe, they really couldn¡¯t wait.


    After reading through everything, Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t take it to heart. Between his strength and the backing of the Goddess, there was no one in Liuhe Base City that he needed to fear.


    He continued browsing the light-network. However, there wasn¡¯t a single piece of news about the battle outside the city.


    Maybe the information hasn¡¯t spread yet. He thought.


    No matter what, the assassination attempt on the city leader was a major event and would definitely make the news. The destruction of the Eye of the Northwest would also surely stir up some online discussion.


    What Li Xiaofei was most interested in was how the authorities would officially classify the incident. As he exited the forums, a system-wide notification suddenly popped up on his personal virtual base interface. This caught Li Xiaofei off guard. The light core system had never actively pushed advertisements like this before.


    The once-every-four-years Longya Group Online Martial God Tournament is now open for registration. No entry restrictions¡ªanyone can sign up. The registration portal is open nationwide, with a prize pool of 10 billion star coins welcoming the next champion of the people.


    Ten billion star coins?


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes lit up. That kind of money could build many schools. It could also provide more equipment and resources for underprivileged students. But even more importantly, a national-level tournament with no entry requirements was bound to attract many strong competitors.


    At present, Li Xiaofei had become somewhat undefeated in Liuhe Base City. The few people capable of fighting him were unwilling to do so, and the students he sparred with online couldn¡¯t withstand his full strength.


    Why not join this national tournament? It would be a great way to further hone my skills.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s interest was instantly piqued. He clicked on the portal, and in the next moment, a faint light flashed. After passing through the light core''s identity verification, Li Xiaofei appeared in the form of Your Grandpa in a massive, modernized plaza.


    There was a towering, red dragon-shaped building in the center of the plaza that soared into the clouds. This was the virtual headquarters of Longya Group in the light-network: the Red Dragon Tower.


    The plaza in front of the tower was already packed with people. Ear-splitting, explosive music echoed in the sky as countless strange and bizarre figures crowded the area.


    There were zombie warriors with mohawk hairstyles, three outlandishly dressed women, snake-headed human hybrids, paladins clad in medieval armor, a little Daoist priestess in black-and-white robes, and even a two-headed person...


    These were all avatars that light-network users had created for themselves. Compared to them, Li Xiaofei¡¯s black warrior outfit looked quite normal.


    Thanks to the tournament¡¯s open portal, this was Li Xiaofei¡¯s first time venturing into the virtual world outside Liuhe Base City. The breathtaking and expansive sci-fi environment of the realm left him awestruck.


    He could vaguely make out the neon jungle of towering skyscrapers surrounding the plaza. Enormous holographic posters floated in the air above, displaying dynamic advertisements featuring famous martial arts masters.


    Occasionally, low-flying airships would zip past, trailing large advertising banners behind them. There were also several mobile ad kiosks in the plaza, selling drinks, snacks, T-shirts, and memorabilia. Handsome men and beautiful women weaved through the crowd, handing out flyers.


    Damn. People are still handing out flyers in this day and age?


    Twenty long lines had formed to the west side of the plaza. These were all martial artists signing up for the tournament.


    So many participants, there must be plenty of experts.


    Li Xiaofei was starting to get excited. This was definitely a competition he couldn¡¯t miss. Fortunately, the registration process was quick. After standing in line for half an hour, he successfully completed his registration.


    Once he exited the registration plaza, Li Xiaofei glanced at the various messages on the forum one last time.


    "Hmm? What¡¯s going on?" muttered Li Xiaofei, a bit surprised.

 Chapter 307: Humiliation And Targeted Hostility

    Chapter 307: Humiliation And Targeted HostilityLi Xiaofei was surprised to find no mention of Tan Zhenwei''s assassination on the forums, Light Wave Weibo, major video platforms, or even official websites. Similarly, there was no mention of the destruction of the Eye of the Northwest. It was as if neither event had ever happened.


    "Interesting," Li Xiaofei muttered, rubbing his chin.


    It was understandable if the general public hadn¡¯t reacted yet. But the authorities had definitely received the news. Aside from Li Xiaofei, the Goddess, and others who knew the truth, even those who visited the wilderness would only conclude that Tan Zhenwei had been assassinated in the plane crash, and that the Eye of the Northwest had been destroyed by some unknown force during a battle between several Golden Body Realm experts.


    Yet, there was not a single trace of these incidents online. Those unaware of the events naturally had no reason to think otherwise. But to someone like Li Xiaofei, who knew the truth, the silence on the internet seemed more like a deliberate information blackout.


    It wasn¡¯t that no one had reported it. Perhaps the authorities hadn¡¯t reached a decision? Or maybe they were plotting something shady behind the scenes?


    With these thoughts in mind, Li Xiaofei trained in the light core''s simulation for a while before logging off. He then returned to his specially designed training room and continued his cultivation. Watching the battle between Golden Body Realm experts had given Li Xiaofei some insights that he needed to process and reflect upon.


    In the afternoon, Yang Cheng came to visit him.


    "Boss, there''s a message from the city government. They''ve requested your presence at a meeting," Yang Cheng informed him.


    Li Xiaofei thought about it for a moment and decided it was time to meet this new city leader face to face.


    Twenty minutes later, Li Xiaofei¡¯s heavy motorcycle roared as it came to a stop outside the city government compound. The atmosphere had changed significantly from when Tan Zhenwei was in charge.


    The most obvious difference was the increased security. There were more guards at the gate, more patrol teams and power armor units inside the compound, and even the street patrols around the area had multiplied.


    Li Xiaofei handed his motorcycle to his right-hand man, Li Junjie, and walked towards the entrance. After his identification documents were carefully checked, a stone-faced guard led him into the city government compound. Once Li Yunjie had parked the bike, Li Xiaofei headed towards the main office building.


    Suddenly, his eyes narrowed. In the distance, a man in a janitor¡¯s uniform limped as he swept a small plaza. The vast front yard of the city government compound was empty, except for this hunched figure, moving slowly and forlornly under the gloomy winter sky.


    Li Xiaofei recognized him immediately. It was Tan Zhenwei¡¯s former secretary. A highly respected chief secretary had been reduced to a janitor?


    Li Xiaofei walked over and the janitor slowly lifted his head.


    "Why are you doing this job?" Li Xiaofei asked. "Is someone deliberately targeting you?"


    Secretary Song smiled bitterly. "When a new emperor takes the throne, his ministers change too. The situation is beyond my control. If I want to stay within the system, I have no choice but to follow the orders of the new secretary." S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was deliberate humiliation. But what could be done? A higher rank in the hierarchy crushes those below.


    Li Xiaofei paused for a moment and suddenly asked, "Did you send that anonymous message?"


    Secretary Song¡¯s body stiffened slightly. He lowered his head and continued sweeping, replying quietly, "I don¡¯t know what President Li is talking about."


    Li Xiaofei pressed, "How did you know they were going to ambush Uncle Tan?"


    Secretary Song remained silent.


    Li Xiaofei continued, "I arrived too late. I couldn¡¯t save him."


    Secretary Song¡¯s body froze completely. He abruptly lifted his head, staring at Li Xiaofei with eyes full of despair and madness. His breathing grew heavy, as if he was waiting for a confirmation of his worst fears.


    Li Xiaofei said calmly, "You¡¯ll never see him again."


    The last glimmer of hope in Secretary Song¡¯s eyes faded.


    He collapsed helplessly to the ground, and then suddenly started laughing. Laughing turned into crying, and in his mad sobbing, he scattered the pile of trash he had just swept into the air.


    This caught the attention of everyone around. That afternoon¡¯s city government meeting had invited many of the city¡¯s powerful elites. Many of the guests looked over, each with a different expression.


    How could one not sigh in pity to see the former chief secretary of the city government reduced to such a pitiful state? However, most of the attention remained focused on Li Xiaofei. As the rising star once heavily supported by the former city leader, it was well known that Li Xiaofei and Secretary Song had a close relationship.


    One could only imagine how bitter Li Xiaofei must be feeling to see his former comrade fall into such a deep abyss. As the saying goes, when the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold. Without the city leader to back him, could Li Xiaofei continue to enjoy as smooth a path as he once had?


    The new city leader, Xie Renyu, had already made it clear that he intended to crack down on the gang world¡¯s chaos. This was obviously aimed at Li Xiaofei. This afternoon¡¯s meeting could very well be a trap. Most people believed that Li Xiaofei was now like a clay Bodhisattva crossing a river, barely able to protect himself. The eyes watching him were filled with a mix of pity and sympathy.


    "Song Yun, have you lost your mind?" A young official quickly ran out of the city hall and started shouting, "You were told to clean up, so why are you acting crazy? Are you looking for death?"


    But Secretary Song continued laughing and crying without a care for what was happening around him.


    "Dammit, pretending to be insane, are you?" said the young official who grew angry, stepping forward to kick him.


    Li Xiaofei blocked the kick. "Who do you think you are? How can you just kick someone?"


    The young man sneered, "Who the hell are you to stop me? I¡¯m Chief Secretary Yang¡¯s clerk. What¡¯s wrong with teaching this disgraceful janitor a lesson? It''s none of your business."


    Smack.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s hand shot out and slapped him hard. The clerk spun midair, turning a full 1080 degrees before crashing to the ground. Blood covered his face.


    The force of that slap shocked everyone watching. Unbelievable. Even after his powerful backer had fallen, Li Xiaofei was more arrogant and defiant than ever.


    "You... you dare hit me?" exclaimed the young clerk as he clutched his face, his eyes filled with disbelief. He had never imagined that he would still get slapped after revealing his identity.


    "Just wait, you¡¯ll be carried out of the city hall on a stretcher today!" He shouted as he turned and ran off.


    Clearly, he was going to report the incident. Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t bother paying him any more attention.


    He looked at Secretary Song and said, "Stop pretending. A job in this system isn¡¯t worth it. Come join the Cloudy Sky Gang and you won''t have to put up with this crap."


    Li Xiaofei grabbed Secretary Song by the collar and lightly tossed him. Secretary Song flew over forty meters, landing softly outside the city government compound right in front of Li Junjie and the other lackeys.


    "Take him back to the gang and let him recover," Li Xiaofei ordered.


    "Yes, boss."


    Li Junjie quickly arranged for the confused and disoriented Secretary Song to be taken away. He, along with several dozen loyal men, remained outside the compound, ready for anything.


    Li Xiaofei turned and walked into the office building. He walked with the other attendees into the conference room.


    The room had already been set up, with nameplates at each seat. Li Xiaofei¡¯s seat was arranged in the far back corner, on the left. The intentional slight was obvious. The atmosphere of targeted hostility was palpable.

 Chapter 308: Peak Of Arrogance

    Chapter 308: Peak Of ArroganceEveryone who saw the seating arrangement had a strange expression on their face.


    It was understood that a new leader would bring their own people when they took power. But it seemed a little hasty for the new city leader, Xie Renyu, to target someone as tough as Li Xiaofei after just one day in office. Perhaps Xie Renyu was determined to act swiftly and decisively cut through the opposition with the backing of the powerful Xie family?


    It seemed he was confident in his ability to erase all traces of the former city leader, Tan Zhenwei, and establish his own era. In any case, today¡¯s meeting promised to be an interesting spectacle. The first row of nameplates was reserved for the four great families and other influential elites. One of them, surprisingly, was Zhao Bufan, the president of the Golden Eagle Guild.


    Everyone knew that Zhao Bufan and Li Xiaofei had clashed bitterly in the past over a contract with a livestream host. They had all seen Li Xiaofei go out of his way to stand in front of Zhao Bufan¡¯s seat and sarcastically mock him at the award ceremony where he was constantly being honored. He had nearly scared Zhao Bufan to death.


    As Li Xiaofei''s rise was so swift, he eventually stopped paying attention to someone as insignificant as Zhao Bufan. Over time, many people forgot about him. But today, he was seated in the front row. This suggested that the new city leader, Xie Renyu, might be planning to prop up Zhao Bufan as a way to antagonize Li Xiaofei.


    Under the scrutiny of countless eyes, Zhao Bufan, suppressing his excitement, confidently walked to his front-row seat and sat down after pulling out the chair.


    "Old Master Du."


    "Patriarch Mu."


    "Brother Qi."


    Zhao Bufan greeted the important figures seated in the front row, radiating confidence and ambition. Du Longshan and the other influential figures responded to Zhao Bufan''s greetings with polite smiles.


    These old foxes had also realized that Zhao Bufan was likely to become one of Liuhe Base City''s new elite. Even if he was just being used by the new city leader, Xie Renyu, as a tool to undermine Li Xiaofei¡¯s influence and prestige, he was now deserving of their respect.


    After all, Zhao Bufan was now aligned with Xie Renyu. And Xie Renyu, backed by the powerful Xie family, one of the Saint families, was a far more formidable figure than the former city leader, Tan Zhenwei. Even if the former top family of Liuhe Base City, the Ye family, hadn¡¯t been wiped out, they would still have to bow to Xie Renyu.


    The meeting was about to begin. The city''s elite started to take their seats.


    This was a significant gathering, with key officials from various government departments, leaders from business chambers, associations, enterprises, and even the heads of various gangs in attendance.


    The atmosphere in the room was tense and subtle. The gang leaders especially had an unsettling realization. Some of their seats were placed ahead of Li Xiaofei¡¯s, the Martial Alliance leader. This made them uneasy. At the same time, a strange thought began to spread in their minds.


    Li Xiaofei reached his designated seat and glanced at it. There was no hint of anger on his face. He simply picked up his nameplate and walked toward the front row without hesitation. This bold move immediately caught the attention of everyone in the room.


    Li Xiaofei stopped directly in front of Zhao Bufan. Zhao Bufan, who had been confidently greeting the other elites, suddenly froze when he saw Li Xiaofei standing before him. For a moment, he trembled, but then he quickly reminded himself that there was no need to fear this man anymore.


    "What do you think you''re doing?" Zhao Bufan took a deep breath and sneered, "I suggest you don¡¯t make a fool of yourself in an official setting like this. I am now-"


    Before he could finish his sentence...


    Smack.


    Li Xiaofei slapped him hard across the face. Zhao Bufan felt like a sledgehammer had smashed into his head. His mind buzzed with confusion, and bright stars flickered before his eyes.


    "Trash. Get to the back," said Li Xiaofei as he picked up Zhao Bufan¡¯s nameplate, crumpled it like a piece of garbage, and tossed it toward the back of the room.


    "You-!" Zhao Bufan seethed in rage.


    "Hmm?" Li Xiaofei glared fiercely down at him.


    Zhao Bufan¡¯s anger instantly withered under that cold, piercing stare. Once he had regained his senses, he didn¡¯t dare resist any further. Silently, he stood up, humiliated, and vacated his seat.


    Li Xiaofei calmly placed his nameplate on the now-empty spot. People were left speechless.


    Can someone really do that? Just move their own nameplate to the front row like that? S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This is the peak of arrogance. Is Li Xiaofei really planning to openly defy the new city leader?


    It was clear that today¡¯s meeting was going to be a spectacle. But Li Xiaofei¡¯s display of audacity didn¡¯t stop there.


    His eyes swept over Du Longshan and the others seated in the front row, and he sneered, ¡°Get the hell out.¡±


    What?


    Everyone was utterly shocked.


    Du Longshan, the head of the Du family, and the other prominent figures in the first row froze, thinking they must have misheard.


    Not only did Li Xiaofei kick out Zhao Bufan, but now he is demanding the entire first row clear out? Has he lost his mind?


    ¡°You bunch of old dogs think you¡¯re worthy of sitting in the same row as me?¡± Li Xiaofei¡¯s face turned menacing as he smirked. ¡°If any of you are still sitting here in ten seconds, I¡¯ll beat you to death.¡±


    "You..." Du Longshan, unable to bear the insult any longer, growled, "You''re far too overbearing!"


    Smack!


    Before he could react, Li Xiaofei slapped him so hard that Du Longshan was sent flying through the air before crashing heavily into the last row, right on top of Zhao Bufan.


    The two immediately let out pained screams.


    Li Xiaofei pulled out a white handkerchief and calmly wiped his hands. He asked indifferently, "Anyone else have objections?"


    With that, there was a sudden scramble as everyone else in the front row bolted. They all thought Li Xiaofei must have gone mad. Was he trying to burn all his bridges by causing such a scene at a city government meeting and disregarding all consequences.


    Now was not the time to confront a lunatic. It was better to wait for Xie Renyu to come and deal with the situation.


    In no time, the entire front row was empty. Li Xiaofei casually placed his nameplate in the center of the first row. He sat with one leg crossed over the other in an exaggeratedly bold manner, radiating an aura of dominance that seemed to stretch beyond the room.


    News of the disturbance spread quickly throughout the building. A few moments later, Xie Renyu emerged from the side door of the stage, accompanied by the heads of various government departments and the newly appointed city leadership team.


    The room fell silent instantly. The young man at the front was none other than the new city leader.


    He stood about 1.88 meters tall and was dressed in a perfectly tailored blue suit. His hair was meticulously styled, and he wore gold-rimmed glasses. Beneath the lenses, his narrow eyes were slightly squinted and his face was adorned with a practiced, insincere smile. He instantly gave off an impression of cunning and calculation.


    "Hmm? What''s going on here?" A middle-aged official behind Xie Renyu pretended to be surprised, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Where have all the distinguished guests gone? Why is there only a dog sitting in the front row?"


    Smack.


    An invisible force slapped him across the face, sending a mouthful of teeth scattering across the floor. The official was instantly knocked unconscious.


    Li Xiaofei, still casually shaking his crossed leg, remarked indifferently, "Who the hell didn¡¯t keep their pants buttoned and let this thing that can¡¯t even speak properly slip out?"


    The room was filled with the sound of gasps as everyone took in the scene.


    Good heavens. Li Xiaofei has completely lost it. To physically strike an official right in front of the new city leader...


    This was sheer madness, a clear-cut act of self-destruction. There was no way to clean up this mess now.

 Chapter 309: The Uncharacteristic Xie Renyu

    Chapter 309: The Uncharacteristic Xie RenyuXie Renyu suddenly laughed.


    ¡°Well done,¡± he said loudly. ¡°People like him, who don¡¯t know how to respect war heroes, don¡¯t deserve to hold office in Liuhe Base City. Take him away.¡±


    Immediately, two guards rushed in and dragged the unconscious official out. Li Xiaofei watched coldly without any comment.


    Xie Renyu, however, approached him enthusiastically. ¡°Student Li, you''re a hero of our base city. I had already heard of your great feat in slaying the Bull Demon even before I arrived. You''re a model for all human warriors.¡±


    Li Xiaofei remained seated, showing no intention of standing up.


    ¡°I¡¯m here at this meeting to tell you a few things, City Leader Xie,¡± he said calmly. ¡°First, you don¡¯t need to worry about cleaning up the gang scene. We¡¯ll handle that ourselves.¡±


    Xie Renyu didn¡¯t seem offended in the least and replied, ¡°Very well, no problem at all.¡±


    Li Xiaofei continued, ¡°Second, I don¡¯t have any particular opinion about you, and you¡¯d better not have any about me either. If things get out of hand, I might lose control and do something drastic, and it¡¯ll only get awkward once there¡¯s bloodshed.¡±


    Xie Renyu chuckled softly, ¡°I only have admiration for you, Student Li. At such a young age, you¡¯ve accomplished things I couldn¡¯t dream of. If I have any thoughts, it¡¯s only to hope that you¡¯ll continue to shine for the city and protect its citizens.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression remained cold. ¡°Lastly, keep your subordinates in check. I¡¯m taking Secretary Song with me, and I don¡¯t want to see your chief secretary messing around. I¡¯m hot-tempered, easily angered, and impulsive, and you should know I don¡¯t care about consequences. It¡¯d be best if we stay out of each other¡¯s way. You can govern the city and I¡¯ll go to school and manage my people. But if anyone tries to pull something behind the scenes, I won¡¯t hesitate to burn it all down.¡±


    After speaking, Li Xiaofei stood up and began to walk out. After a few steps, he paused and pointed at the nameplate on the table. "And stop with these childish games. Don¡¯t call me to any more meetings. I¡¯m very busy."


    He strode out of the room. The conference room fell into an eerie silence.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s audacity and arrogance left everyone stunned. The new city leader hadn¡¯t even gotten a chance to flex his authority before being hit with a public humiliation from this local powerhouse. It was as if Li Xiaofei had slapped Xie Renyu across the face, metaphorically.


    Yet, Xie Renyu¡¯s expression showed no trace of anger.


    "Heh, I¡¯ve heard for a while now that Student Li has quite the temper. It seems I got a chance to see it for myself today. Perhaps only someone with such a fiery spirit could advance so steadily on the martial path, or enter the wilderness alone and slay a Bull Demon." The young city leader remarked, still smiling calmly.


    The crowd looked at Xie Renyu with undisguised surprise in their eyes.


    What is going on? Is he actually showing admiration for Li Xiaofei?


    Then what was the point of humiliating Secretary Song and orchestrating the nameplate stunt? Is this all just a game to him?


    Xie Renyu turned to the head of the administrative office and said, "Replace my chief secretary. Yang Changhe is too foolish to be pulling these petty, underhanded tricks."


    "Yes, I¡¯ll arrange it immediately," Zhang Liancheng, the administrative head, responded.


    Xie Renyu turned to address the room, "I wasn¡¯t aware of everything that happened earlier, so if there have been any misunderstandings, I ask for your understanding. I didn¡¯t come to Liuhe Base City to ride on my family¡¯s influence for pleasure. I genuinely want to do a good job as city leader and bring prosperity to the people. City Leader Tan Zhenwei is a role model I intend to follow, and all the policies he implemented will remain unchanged. I have no plans for any sweeping reforms. I hope everyone will cooperate with me."


    It was a straightforward declaration. This was Xie Renyu¡¯s first public stance in such an informal setting. His words left everyone shocked.


    Zhao Bufan and Du Longshan, who had been hoping that the new city leader would stand up for them and punish Li Xiaofei properly, were taken aback. Both of them felt as if their hearts had sunk into a frozen lake.


    ***


    Back at the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters, Li Junjie swaggered up with a sly grin.


    "Boss, what position are we giving Secretary Song?"


    "Hmm? A position?"


    "Yeah, didn¡¯t you bring him back? Gotta say, boss, that slap you gave today was so satisfying. Really hit the spot."


    "Get lost. That was tactical."


    "Tactical? What kind of tactic?"


    "Don¡¯t ask. Just make sure Secretary Song is looked after. Keep him away from gang affairs, and don¡¯t let him wander around. Also, send a few brothers to bring his family over and make sure they¡¯re well taken care of."


    "Got it, boss."


    When it came to serious matters, Li Junjie knew how to get things done. He quickly turned and started giving out orders. Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei was deep in thought. He suspected that Secretary Song might have betrayed Tan Zhenwei at some point. Otherwise, how could he have known about the assassination attempt on Tan Zhenwei?


    That text message was likely a fleeting moment of conscience. But there was no doubt that Secretary Song was hiding secrets. It was also very possible that those secrets were connected to the enemy.


    Keeping someone like him around would be unsettling.


    Since Secretary Song was pretending to be crazy. Li Xiaofei decided to let him stay hidden for the time being. He would slowly dig deeper to uncover who else had been involved in the decision to take down Tan Zhenwei.


    Li Xiaofei entered his training room and resumed his cultivation. Now that several of his powerful backers were gone, a sense of urgency had begun to weigh on him. He had to make the most of his time and get stronger.


    At any rate, the path ahead was clear.


    First, he needed to participate in the High School War God League, win the championship for Red Flag High School, and then apply to Xiajing University, where he planned to reconnect with his young lady. After that, he would join the Longya Group¡¯s Online Martial God Tournament and face the best warriors from outside the base city. Finally, he would focus on breaking through to the Five Spirits Realm, fulfilling the promise he made to Little Aunt.


    Everything else was secondary. Time waits for no one. Cultivate!


    ***


    In no time, a week had passed. After using the Secret Time Pavilion twice, Li Xiaofei had finally broken through the tenth shackle and was ready for the Acupoint Opening Realm. However, Red Flag High School could no longer provide him with anything useful when it came to cultivation techniques.


    Principal Chen Fei, with his charming eyes, and Dean, who had his own split-personality issues, both had experience in cultivation. Yet neither was willing to share their techniques with Li Xiaofei.


    The techniques they had used for the Acupoint Opening Realm were basic military techniques. Those techniques were practical and steady, but unsuitable for someone as talented as Li Xiaofei. Moreover, they weren¡¯t quite sure how to handle Li Xiaofei¡¯s immense potential. Thus, they both advised him to focus on refining his energy and stabilizing his Limit Breaking Realm. They suggested that he should wait until university to find a more advanced technique for the Acupoint Opening Realm.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t agree with their advice but chose not to argue. Instead, he secretly began searching for a more suitable Acupoint Opening technique on his own.


    As another month flew by, Red Flag High School continued to dominate the War God League. Li Xiaofei only participated in a few matches, holding back most of his strength. In fact, he even offered pointers to his opponents during the matches.


    By the end, rival schools, who once feared facing Red Flag High School, began eagerly looking forward to matches with them. Losing was one thing, but getting personal guidance from a powerhouse like Li Xiaofei? It was like getting manna from heaven.


    As expected, every student Li Xiaofei had offered advice to quickly broke through their bottlenecks and saw significant improvements. At this point, it was only a matter of time before Red Flag High School claimed the championship. Meanwhile, the former championship contenders, Duxing High School and Quanye High School, were struggling.


    Duxing High School¡¯s performance had plummeted after the Ye family¡¯s downfall, leaving the students shaken and uncertain. At Quanye High School, two of their star female students from Jiepeng had mysteriously not competed for an entire month, which seemed highly suspicious.


    S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 310: Thrilling Stuff

    Chapter 310: Thrilling StuffRed Flag High School had clearly established itself as the dominant force in the league, with its victory all but guaranteed. However, Hongye High School had also unexpectedly risen into the top three.


    Yet, the high school league no longer held much interest for Li Xiaofei. He maintained his status as a high school student to make the transition into Xiajing University easier.


    Over the past month, Li Xiaofei had attempted to contact Tan Qingying multiple times. Unfortunately, the only response he received was that she was in seclusion and was focusing on refining her bloodline with no contact with the outside world.


    Li Xiaofei even began to suspect that Tan Qingying might be imprisoned or restricted by her maternal family. He had asked his teacher, Li Zhoumin, to investigate through some discreet channels.


    However, he received reassuring news, Tan Qingying was now highly regarded within her family and had been designated as the new heir by the family¡¯s patriarch. The strange, middle-aged man with a black hat who always protected Tan Qingying even video-called Li Xiaofei once to explain the situation. This put Li Xiaofei¡¯s mind at ease.


    At the same time Li Xiaofei was surprised that the new city leader, Xie Renyu, truly hadn¡¯t stirred up any further trouble. He had faithfully followed through on all of Tan Zhenwei¡¯s previous policies, even going so far as to entrust Tan Zhenwei¡¯s former subordinates with important responsibilities. Contrary to many expectations, there was no dramatic new leader¡¯s purge as many had feared.


    Everything had transitioned remarkably smoothly. This struck Li Xiaofei as curious.


    Where had all the noisy, provocative articles on the light-network come from in the first place?


    Moreover, while Xie Renyu had shown respect to Tan Zhenwei¡¯s old guard, he had singled out Secretary Song for public humiliation. Li Xiaofei began to realize that this new city leader wasn¡¯t as simple as he had initially thought. Xie Renyu wasn¡¯t just a spoiled noble; he was highly strategic and capable of restraint.


    Still, whatever Xie Renyu¡¯s intentions might be, Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t really care. He was strong and influential enough to move throughout Liuhe Base City without much concern. The only person who warranted some caution was Inspector Wu Fohai. Since Tan Zhenwei¡¯s departure, Wu Fohai had become strangely low-profile, in sharp contrast to his previous demeanor.


    He had withdrawn from public life even more than Li Zhoumin, showing no interest in the city¡¯s affairs. He hadn¡¯t even bothered to investigate the death of his subordinate, Zhen Jiahui. But as long as Wu Fohai wasn¡¯t causing trouble, Li Xiaofei saw no need to take any action either. After all, Wu Fohai represented the Star Council.


    Although Li Xiaofei had begun to develop some new perspectives on the Star Council, he wasn¡¯t foolish enough to challenge such a global powerhouse. The Star Council was such a colossal entity that Li Xiaofei, despite his growing strength, couldn¡¯t afford to provoke it.


    What truly bothered and angered Li Xiaofei, however, was that an entire month had passed, and there was still no official announcement regarding Tan Zhenwei¡¯s death. There had also been no news about the destruction of the Eye of the Northwest either. It was as if the battle between Golden Body Realm experts that had taken place four hundred and fifty miles east of Liuhe Base City and the resulting terrifying explosion had never even happened.


    This was clearly a deliberate effort to erase evidence. The only entity capable of such a cover-up was likely the Star Council. Li Xiaofei began to feel a bit more anxious. The Star Council wielded unimaginable power. If they fully investigated the Eye of the Northwest incident, they would undoubtedly uncover many hidden details.


    Moreover, the involvement of the Wilderness Free Sect members, such as the fox demon and Ye Liuying, could also be exposed. Right now, one was hidden at Li Xiaofei¡¯s school, and the other was stationed in a military camp. Truthfully, the former was particularly concerning.


    If it were discovered that the Cloudy Sky Youth Academy, a school connected to the Cloudy Sky Gang, was harboring a star beast and a Wilderness Free Sect member, that would be a disaster.


    A shiver ran down Li Xiaofei¡¯s spine. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Perhaps I should find an excuse to get rid of the fox demon? No. That wouldn¡¯t work.


    Tan Zhenwei had specifically entrusted her to his care. Eliminating her would be a betrayal of his promise to Tan Zhenwei.


    Sigh... what a headache.


    Ultimately, it all boiled down to one thing: he was not strong enough. He needed to grow more powerful, and quickly. Just then, Li Xiaofei received a notification from the Longya Group. His registration for the Online Martial God Tournament had been approved, and the competition was about to begin.


    Li Xiaofei was overjoyed. Longya Group was a nationally renowned conglomerate, and it was rumored to have ties with the government. Thus, Longya Group¡¯s online tournament could bypass the regional restrictions of the light-network and allow a nationwide simultaneous competition.


    This tournament was also the key that allowed Li Xiaofei to connect to the national network through the light core virtual world. He could finally step outside Liuhe Base City for the first time and truly experience the allure of the Second World.


    He received his competition number: 3392289. This was his identifier, meaning he was the 3,392,289th contestant to register and pass the screening. It wasn¡¯t surprising for millions of people across the country to register for a tournament of this scale. According to the super light core draw system, Li Xiaofei would face his first match in just 24 hours.


    There were no team battles in the Online Martial God Tournament. Everything was a true 1v1 showdown: a real test of individual strength. It suited Li Xiaofei¡¯s goals perfectly.


    After a brief period of preparation, the time for the competition arrived. Li Xiaofei logged in on time, using his Your Grandpa account. He entered the competition through the portal provided by Longya Group and found himself in a bustling preparation hall.


    The hall was filled with noise and activity. As Li Xiaofei glanced around, he noticed that there were at least ten thousand contestants waiting for their turn to enter the competition. They were all dressed in various outfits, representing different styles and personalities. The hall itself was fully equipped with everything one could imagine, from sofas and caf¨¦s to restaurants and even entertainment facilities.


    It resembled a large-scale business club that offered an array of services that provided everything one could think of. Many of the contestants were spending lavishly. The terrifying aspect of the light core virtual world was its absolute realism. What did that mean? Drinking coffee not only tasted real but also had the same energizing effect.


    Massage treatments not only felt relaxing but genuinely helped relieve fatigue and restore energy. There were even online brothels offering hyper-realistic simulation dolls for those seeking an outlet.


    In fact, even the sensation of certain adult activities in the light-network virtual world was indistinguishable from that of real life. This had given rise to certain unsavory industries within the virtual world.


    For many, the light-network virtual world had become a second home, where they could escape and indulge in pleasures with full realism. Of course, not everyone could enjoy and access this Second World.


    For someone like Li Xiaofei, his previous opportunities to experience this level of immersion were limited to when he participated in high-level simulations during the High School War God League as a contestant or entered the live streams of major broadcasters.


    Outside of that, his experience was much like any other regular internet user. But this was his first time enjoying such a complete and unrestricted experience in this fully open, hyper-realistic, and free-form light-network virtual world.


    The eastern wall of the competition hall was dominated by a massive screen. It was filled with countless names, scrolling rapidly. Every few moments, a name would fade away and disappear, signaling that the person had lost their match and was eliminated. Losing meant losing the right to remain in the competition.


    Just as Li Xiaofei was observing the screen, he felt a light tap on his shoulder.


    "Hey, first time here, huh?" A voice followed the tap. "Wanna head upstairs for some real fun? We¡¯ve got some thrilling stuff going on."

 Chapter 311: Huge Upset

    Chapter 311: Huge UpsetLi Xiaofei turned around. Standing before him was a young man around his age, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, smirking as he gave Li Xiaofei a playful wink.


    ¡°What kind of fun?¡± Li Xiaofei asked.


    The young man gave a mischievous ¡°DDDD¡±[1] look and said, ¡°Can¡¯t say, can¡¯t say.¡±


    Li Xiaofei raised an eyebrow. ¡°And who are you?¡±


    ¡°The name¡¯s Zhang Zhihong, but you can call me Zhihong... or Zhang Zhihong,¡± the young man said, completely straight-faced.


    Li Xiaofei stared at him, speechless.


    Is this guy playing word games with me?


    ¡°Is this your real face?¡± Li Xiaofei asked, his curiosity piqued.


    ¡°Who¡¯d be dumb enough to use their real face in the light core virtual world? What if you do something that ticks people off? You¡¯d get hunted down in real life!¡± Zhang Zhihong grinned. ¡°So, of course, this is my real face.¡±


    Li Xiaofei sighed.


    Can we have a normal conversation, please?


    ¡°Come on, man, let¡¯s go upstairs,¡± Zhang Zhihong insisted. ¡°I promise, you¡¯ll have the time of your life.¡±


    Li Xiaofei hesitated for a moment but decided to follow Zhang Zhihong to see what all the fuss was about. After paying 1,000 star coins, he followed Zhang Zhihong through a passage on the right side of the hall and took an elevator up to the second floor.


    ¡°This is the thrilling show you were talking about?¡± Li Xiaofei asked as he glanced at the giant screen.


    It wasn¡¯t playing some adult video as he might have suspected. Instead, it was broadcasting intense combat matches, with pairs of fighters¡ªmen against men, women against women, and mixed¡ªengaged in fierce battles.


    ¡°Of course!¡± Zhang Zhihong replied with a serious expression. ¡°What did you think I meant?¡±


    Li Xiaofei stood there, speechless.


    Can I please get my 1,000 star coins back?


    Zhang Zhihong patted Li Xiaofei¡¯s shoulder and assumed a tone as if he was imparting some profound wisdom. ¡°Brother, come on, grow up. For people who can participate in this kind of competition, the panties business is nothing in real life. These are live combat matches on the screen here, and they¡¯ll help you understand your opponents. Now, look over here...¡±


    He held up two fingers, waved them in front of Li Xiaofei¡¯s face, and pointed to another large screen on the left. This screen displayed names, each followed by numbers like 1.23, 4.56, and 100.


    "Those are the odds," Zhang Zhihong explained with a grin. "It''s an official betting pool. It¡¯s totally secure, legal, and above board. See that guy at the top named Ganshen Danaduo? He¡¯s got the highest odds in this division. The odds are 100-to-1 for him, and pretty much all the experts and institutions are backing him. Almost no one bets against him."


    Li Xiaofei squinted at the screen. It displayed 500 names along with their respective odds. He scanned the list carefully and noticed that his name wasn¡¯t among them.


    Curious, he asked, "Aren¡¯t there 10,000 participants in this division? Why are there only 500 names on the betting list?"


    "Oh, the other 9,500 are just fodder that¡¯s not worth mentioning," Zhang Zhihong replied. "Who¡¯s gonna bet on some weaklings?"


    Li Xiaofei sighed, feeling a bit exasperated.


    "Wait, look!" Zhang Zhihong suddenly pointed to the screen. "Ganshen Danaduo¡¯s match is up, and his opponent is... 3392289... Tsk tsk, poor guy. The system didn¡¯t even bother showing his name, just his number. He¡¯s about to get destroyed by Ganshen Danaduo."


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyebrow twitched, suppressing the urge to explode. That was his number.


    He asked, "How do I place a bet?"


    Zhang Zhihong¡¯s face lit up with excitement as he said, "Just transfer the funds to me. I¡¯m one of the staff here, and I¡¯m responsible for placing bets for our VIP clients. You say the word, and I¡¯ll take care of it."


    "VIP clients?"


    "Yeah, anyone who makes it up to the second floor is a VIP."


    "Why should I trust you?"


    "We can sign a light core agreement if you want," Zhang Zhihong suggested confidently.


    "Alright," Li Xiaofei swiftly transferred 10,000 star coins to Zhang Zhihong and said, "Bet on Ganshen Danaduo to lose."


    "What? Brother, you''re being reckless! I really think you should reconside- Wait, don¡¯t just leave!" Zhang Zhihong called after him. "Are you sure about this?"


    "Stop talking nonsense," Li Xiaofei retorted as he pressed his participant wristband. A beam of light descended from the sky, transporting him out of the preparation hall.


    In the next instant, Li Xiaofei found himself in the arena. To ensure fairness, all the initial elimination rounds were held in identical arenas. This one was a majestic martial arts training ground atop a floating ancient sect, with white clouds drifting peacefully around.


    The floor was as smooth as white jade, and the arena was circular, with a diameter of about a kilometer. From above, it looked like an enormous jade plate.


    Across from him stood a middle-aged man who looked quite scholarly.


    "I am Qiankun Danuoyi. Please, enlighten me." The man said politely, clasping his hands in a respectful salute.


    Li Xiaofei stood there, confused. "Huh?"


    For a moment, he thought he had been teleported to the wrong battlefield.


    "You''re Ganshen Danaduo?" Li Xiaofei asked, uncertain.


    The middle-aged man''s forehead veins bulged as he gritted his teeth. "Damn autocorrect..."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    "Argh! You know too much!"


    Perhaps it was Li Xiaofei''s expression that triggered him, but the middle-aged man erupted furiously like a kindergarten kid wrongly accused by a teacher.


    Boom!


    He raised his fist and unleashed a powerful punch.


    Ten Qi, Ten Shackles, 120 Acupoints, Eight Meridians! He was in the eighth stage of the Meridian Expanding Realm. However, Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t even bother to move and took the punch head-on.


    Boom!


    The terrifying force that could flatten a small mountain struck Li Xiaofei squarely on the forehead.


    Crack.


    The sound of bones shattering echoed. The middle-aged man¡¯s face twisted into an expression of disbelief.


    In the next moment, his fist began to crumble, bit by bit, as though it were weathered wood. Then his entire right arm, right shoulder, and right side of his body followed.


    "So... strong," the middle-aged man gasped. "What... is your name?"


    Li Xiaofei hesitated for a moment before replying, "I''m Your Grandpa."


    He actually insulted me?


    As the middle-aged man''s body dissolved into blue data streams, his face froze in an expression of pure injustice.


    Sure, you''re strong, but do you have to be so rude?


    ***


    ¡°Holy crap, how is that possible?¡±


    Zhang Zhihong stared at the big screen in disbelief as Ganshen Danaduo''s name dimmed and disappeared.


    The top seed of the tournament has been taken out in his first appearance? This is a huge upset.


    The entire second-floor VIP lounge and the hall below erupted in shocked gasps. If not for the fact that the odds had been carefully calculated by professional teams analyzing contestant data, Zhang Zhihong might have suspected that some unscrupulous betting house had rigged the match to fleece everyone.


    ¡°Hey, pay up.¡±


    A hand patted his shoulder. It was Li Xiaofei, standing behind him.


    Still shaken, Zhang Zhihong turned to look at him. "You¡¯re done with your match already? Lost, huh? Don¡¯t worry about it. It¡¯s all for fun. From now until the finals, you can use the match portal to come here, watch games, bet, and enjoy the services...¡±


    ¡°Stop talking nonsense,¡± Li Xiaofei cut him off. ¡°Where¡¯s my winnings?¡±


    Zhang Zhihong quickly pulled out his light core, calculated the amount, and transferred 999,000 star coins to Li Xiaofei. He said, ¡°I took 1,000 as my service fee.¡±


    Charging a service fee? What a rip-off.


    Li Xiaofei thought about it but decided not to argue. He turned to leave.


    "Hey, brother, I didn¡¯t catch your name!" Zhang Zhihong called after him, running up. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°My name¡¯s 3392289,¡± Li Xiaofei said before teleporting away.


    Zhang Zhihong scratched his head.


    "That name sounds familiar... Wait... Holy crap, the guy who played dumb and beat Ganshen Danaduo was him?!"


    His eyes lit up as if he had just uncovered something monumental.


    1. It refers to the Chinese words ¶®µÃ¶¼¶® which means ¡°If you know you know¡± ?

 Chapter 312: One Sleep For Many Benefits

    Chapter 312: One Sleep For Many BenefitsLi Xiaofei had just walked out of the light core mainframe room when he was blocked. This time, it was Hu Yuer.


    "We need to discuss some school matters." Hu Yuer had changed her outfit. Now she was wearing a tight leather suit, swapped her glasses for gold-rimmed ones, and her lips were painted a striking red, making her even more irresistibly seductive.


    A bead of sweat appeared on Li Xiaofei''s forehead.


    You''re not Yingning, and I''m certainly not Wang Sheng.[1]


    "Just say it. Are you trying to seduce me?" Li Xiaofei asked directly.


    Hu Yuer froze for a moment, but then chuckled softly. "I didn¡¯t expect you to catch on so quickly. So, what do you think? Want to taste a little heaven on earth?"


    Li Xiaofei snorted and said, "You? What would you use¡ªyour tail or your mouth?"


    Hu Yuer licked her lips alluringly and replied, "Both. However you like it. And just so you know, I¡¯m still a virgin fox."


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and then said, "If you weren¡¯t one of Old Tan¡¯s people, I might¡¯ve considered it. But now... it¡¯s not happening."


    "Because of the young lady?" Hu Yuer blinked her eyes.


    "You already know, so why ask?" Li Xiaofei responded.


    Hu Yuer smiled slyly. "I¡¯ll tell you a secret."


    Li Xiaofei raised an eyebrow, "Hmm?"


    Hu Yuer leaned in closer and said, "Actually, I also know the Yin-Yang Resonance of Great Sorrow technique."


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes widened in confusion.


    Hu Yuer giggled and said, "One of my purposes is to train the future husband of the young lady."


    Li Xiaofei''s expression turned into one of utter shock. Hu Yuer leaned in closer, her breath fragrant like an orchid''s bloom.


    She said softly, "The young lady¡¯s bloodline is unique. The power of her bloodline cannot be fully awakened without the art of dual cultivation. The Yin-Yang Resonance of Great Sorrow is the most profound dual cultivation technique of the Tan family. It requires an exceptional level of mastery to help the young lady fully unlock her bloodline... So, if you want to become the son-in-law of the Tan family, your dual cultivation skills must be impeccable."


    Li Xiaofei took a step back and said, "Then come in."


    He turned and walked back into the mainframe room. Hu Yuer hesitated for a moment before following him inside. Once inside, she closed the door.


    "So, this is the kind of realm you enjoy?" Hu Yuer giggled. "Hehe... Huh? What are you¡ª"


    Li Xiaofei had grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off the ground. His hand was like an iron claw of death.


    He cocked his head to the side as he said, "I thought you had learned your lesson after lying low for a month. But you still dare provoke me? Do you really think I won¡¯t kill you right here, right now?"


    Hu Yuer¡¯s breathing grew heavier. She chuckled softly, despite the pressure on her throat, and said, "You promised the master you''d look after me... I don¡¯t believe you¡¯ll kill me."


    Li Xiaofei released his grip and Hu Yuer fell to the ground.


    Li Xiaofei sneered, "I did promise Old Tan, but that didn¡¯t include you bringing trouble upon yourself by provoking me. Wouldn''t it be better if we all just minded our own business?"


    Hu Yuer puffed out her chest and moved closer. "I came to comfort you because I saw you were lonely. Is that really considered provocation? You''re too cold-hearted, little man."


    Li Xiaofei scoffed, "What would a sly fox like you know about loneliness? My life is quite full, thank you."


    Hu Yuer stepped closer with a sly smile, slipping right into Li Xiaofei¡¯s arms. Twisting her body, she pressed her chest tightly against his and said, "Then how about you help fill me up a little?"


    Li Xiaofei''s expression gradually turned icy. A sudden surge of killing intent filled the air.


    Sensing the danger, Hu Yuer quickly twisted away and slipped out of his grasp, saying, "Alright, alright. I''ll be honest... I need your help."


    Li Xiaofei remained indifferent.


    Hu Yuer continued, "When I had to deal with two from the Five Spirits Realm that day, I was injured... badly injured."


    Li Xiaofei crossed his arms, showing no sign of sympathy.


    Hu Yuer continued, "I haven''t come to see you this past month because I''ve been recovering from my injuries. It was only today that I started to feel better. But then I noticed that someone has been investigating me in secret, and they almost found me a few times."


    Li Xiaofei sneered, "With your abilities, unless Goddess Ye herself makes a move, what do you have to fear inside the base city?"


    Hu Yuer replied, "Little Ye wouldn¡¯t act against me, but what if it¡¯s the Star Council?"


    Li Xiaofei''s expression grew serious. "What¡¯s going on?"


    Hu Yuer explained, "I just have a feeling someone is investigating, though I haven¡¯t been approached yet. But my intuition is usually spot on."


    Li Xiaofei cursed inwardly.


    Great, whatever you fear most tends to come true.


    "So, how do you want me to help you?" he asked.


    He had been exploring the wilderness outside the city over the past few days. He still had a Spatial Point Theft in his possession, which could allow him to discreetly send someone away without a trace.


    Hu Yuer chuckled seductively and said, "It¡¯s simple. Just accompany me in dual cultivation."


    "I''m not in the mood for jokes," Li Xiaofei replied.


    Hu Yuer''s tone became serious. "I''m not joking. Although I¡¯ve suppressed my injuries, to fully recover and break through my current level, I need to find a man with pure Yang blood for dual cultivation. I need a balance of Yin and Yang. You¡¯re the only one who fits the requirements in Liuhe Base City."


    Li Xiaofei remained silent.


    Hu Yuer added, "It would be entirely beneficial for you as well. I have the bloodline of the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox, and my pure Yin energy would make your cultivation twice as effective with half the effort."


    Li Xiaofei sneered, "Do you really think I¡¯m the kind of person who would sell my body and chastity just for cultivation?"


    Hu Yuer''s voice turned sultry again, "Beyond accelerated cultivation, you might also gain the secret technique within my bloodline, the Nine Lives Nine Souls. Just like a cat has nine lives, so does a fox. If you master it, you''ll have nine lives."


    Li Xiaofei replied coolly, "A warrior only needs one life."


    Hu Yuer giggled and said, "There¡¯s one more thing. I¡¯m starting to lose control over the star beasts outside the city."


    "What do you mean?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Hu Yuer spread her hands helplessly and said, "I used to be able to control the beast horde thanks to the master¡¯s Heaven''s Mandate Silkworms ability, in addition to my own strength. But when the master passed away, he handed me the Heaven''s Mandate Silkworms. The problem is, they are grade six, and I¡¯m only grade five. If I don¡¯t reach grade six soon, I won¡¯t be able to control them, and by extension, the beast horde outside the city."


    "What happens if they get out of control?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Hu Yuer explained, "The star beasts don¡¯t naturally belong to this wilderness. The master forcefully summoned them to assist in the plan. If they break free now, they¡¯ll become agitated and start attacking the city. If that happens, Liuhe Base City will be in great danger once again."


    "So you''re saying that whether or not I engage in dual cultivation with you affects the safety of millions of citizens in the city?" Li Xiaofei said.


    Hu Yuer gave an innocent look, "If you don¡¯t believe me, you can ask Little Ye. You trust her, don¡¯t you?"


    "I¡¯ll definitely ask her," Li Xiaofei replied.


    "Then I¡¯ll be waiting for you to... mate with me," Hu Yuer giggled, adding, "You might not understand what the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox bloodline truly represents. I¡¯m not actually a beast. I was born in human form. Even the Five Supreme Legends of Great Xia respected my grandfather. There are countless men in this world who would dream of mating with me, including top-tier experts from the Dao Union Realm and Divine Realm. Do you think the master kept me around for nothing? He was preparing me for you."


    She turned and floated away. Li Xiaofei immediately called Ye Liuying via LightChat. A moment later, Li Xiaofei hung up the phone.


    "Dammit, that sly fox was telling the truth." He muttered, completely taken aback. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ye Liuying¡¯s personality made it impossible for her to lie. She had actually suggested he go along with Hu Yuer¡¯s plan.


    What in the world is going on? Why can¡¯t handsome men like me catch a break? Why do all these women want to sleep with me? When will us good-looking men finally get to rise up?


    With a sigh of frustration, Li Xiaofei felt a chill run down his spine.


    For the second time, he walked out of the light core mainframe room. Just as he did, he received an urgent call from Chen Fei, the principal with charming peach blossom eyes.


    "Someone¡¯s arrived from the top," Principal Chen said gravely.


    1. Characters from Strange Tales from the Liaozhai Studio ?

 Chapter 313: The Highly Sought-After Li Xiaofei

    Chapter 313: The Highly Sought-After Li XiaofeiSomeone from the top had arrived? It was a university recruitment team.


    The first group to arrive consisted of six university teams. They included Lanfu University, Xijing University, Xijing Star Beasts Academy, Southeast Armed Forces University, Great Xia University of Technology, and Great Xia Army Officer Academy. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Among them, Lanfu University and Xijing University were part of the prestigious 985 series schools[1], while Great Xia Army Officer Academy was part of Great Xia¡¯s military academies. The other three belonged to the 211 series universities.[2] All of them were considered prestigious schools, though not top-tier.


    Liuhe Base City had a total of thirty-two high schools, and as such, a large pool of students. Every year, many university recruitment teams would visit to recruit members of the various high school battle teams, as well as a few academically outstanding students who weren¡¯t part of the battle teams.


    In this era, the most important thing was talent!


    For universities, nurturing talented warriors could bring immense social, economic, and status benefits, along with valuable resources. As a result, the competition to recruit students had become even fiercer than it had been five hundred years ago. Many prestigious schools had already begun their recruitment campaigns before the Lunar New Year, traveling far and wide to secure talent.


    Li Xiaofei, however, had set his sights on Xiajing. So, he instantly dismissed all the schools that arrived today. But those universities, on the other hand, were highly interested in him. A high school student with the combat ability of a Five Spirits Realm warrior would make any university drool with envy. Even though they knew that geniuses like him would be hard to recruit, each school¡¯s recruitment team would pull out all the stops to try.


    For example, they might offer excessive scholarships or perhaps a direct pathway from undergraduate to doctoral studies. They might even promise guaranteed employment. Some would offer exclusive, luxury accommodations, jobs for family members, or access to top-tier cultivation grounds and resources. There were even offers of one-on-one mentorship from Dao Union Realm instructors.


    The Great Xia Army Officer Academy sweetened their deal by tempting him with military ranks in the Great Xia Army. In short, true prodigies were in such high demand that they were practically carried to success upon graduating high school. And clearly, Li Xiaofei was one of those prodigies.


    However, he politely declined the enthusiastic offers, explaining his reasons. The recruitment teams expressed deep regret but assured him their doors would always remain open to him. Despite Li Xiaofei turning them down, the arrival of these six prestigious schools caused a major stir in Liuhe Base City''s high school scene.


    While Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t interested, there were plenty of other students who would do anything to get in, especially for the two 985 universities and the military-backed Great Xia Army Officer Academy, which were the most popular choices.


    "Becoming a soldier of Great Xia is my dream." Zhuge Long from Red Flag High School¡¯s battle team, along with Du Heng, the mechanic, and Liu Xiao, the beastmaster, all expressed the same ambition.


    Without hesitation, the three of them signed up for the selection exam of the Great Xia Army Officer Academy, even dragging Li Xiaofei and Yan Chiyu along for the ride.


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but feel at a loss as he watched the trio excitedly enter the examination hall.


    "Captain, why did they drag us into this?" he asked, looking at Yan Chiyu, who stood beside him.


    Yan Chiyu replied calmly, "They want the recruitment team to see that they''re close to you."


    Li Xiaofei was even more confused and said, "But I already turned down the Great Xia Army Officer Academy¡¯s offer."


    "True, but your influence remains. With the level of influence you have now, many universities would still want to foster good relationships with you, even if it means admitting your friends. After all, if you don¡¯t die young, your potential to reach Dao Union Realm or even Divine Realm is very real. If you actually become a top-tier powerhouse, these schools might benefit from their association with your friends, which could lead to some positive connections with you."


    Yan Chiyu seemed to speak from experience.


    Li Xiaofei leaned in and asked quietly, "What good would those connections even do?"


    Yan Chiyu shifted back a little, feeling slightly uncomfortable, and responded, "You''re underestimating the influence of top-tier powerhouses. Strength is everything in the martial world. A single word from an elite warrior at the highest level can decide many things... within the bounds of the law, of course."


    Li Xiaofei asked, confused, "Do I smell bad or something?"


    Yan Chiyu was momentarily stunned and replied, "No, not at all."


    "Then why are you avoiding me?" Li Xiaofei pressed.


    "N-no... I''m not avoiding you," Yan Chiyu replied, her expression becoming increasingly unnatural.


    Li Xiaofei glanced around, then lowered his voice and asked, "Captain, be honest, do you have an issue with me?"


    Yan Chiyu turned to look in another direction. "Why would you think that?"


    "Because you''re always dodging me," Li Xiaofei said.


    Yan Chiyu¡¯s gaze grew distant as she replied, "I¡¯m not."


    Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t convinced. "You are. When I first joined the battle team, you really disliked me. A few times, I even felt like you were planning to do something to me."


    "That was all a misunderstanding," Yan Chiyu explained. "I used to have certain prejudices against people from the slums."


    "I know," Li Xiaofei said, "Then it seemed like you changed your mind about me. Yet after the wedding, you started avoiding me again, almost like before."


    Yan Chiyu looked further into the distance. "No, that¡¯s not it."


    Li Xiaofei chuckled, "Captain?"


    "Hmm?"


    "You¡¯re not secretly in love with me, are you?"


    "Get lost."


    "Oh, but we¡¯re waiting for someone. Can I get lost later?"


    "Then I¡¯ll leave."


    "I¡¯m just joking! Hey, are you really leaving? Zhuge Long and the others haven¡¯t come out yet."


    "Having you around is enough."


    Yan Chiyu quickly turned and hurried away.


    Li Xiaofei rubbed his chin thoughtfully.


    The captain really got that knockout look and a great figure too, but her temper¡¯s way too fiery. I wonder who¡¯ll ever be able to handle her¡ªor maybe she just doesn¡¯t like men?


    He waited at the entrance for a full hour. Finally, Zhuge Long and the other two emerged, all smiles.


    "How¡¯d it go?" Li Xiaofei asked, stepping forward.


    "Passed."


    "Haha, we got the admission letters!"


    "I got mine too!"


    The three of them were ecstatic, their faces beaming with excitement. They were clearly thrilled to have gotten what they came for.


    Zhuge Long said, "It was even easier than I imagined. It felt like we were just going through the motions. As soon as the examiners heard we were from Red Flag High School, they couldn¡¯t stop smiling. They even asked if our teachers were Old Chen and Old Qin."


    Liu Xiao chimed in, "I suspect they might actually know the principal and the dean."


    "No way," Li Xiaofei said, doubting it. "How would military personnel even know... wait a second?"


    Suddenly, a thought struck him. He remembered Old Tan once addressing Chen Fei as Instructor Chen.


    Instructor?! That term was typically used in the military. Could it be...? Are those two peculiar individuals actually connected to the military? If the recruiters from Great Xia Army Officer Academy knew them by name, that means their military background isn¡¯t ordinary. They have to be pretty well-known.


    Holy crap. This is a major discovery.


    "Where¡¯s the captain?" Du Heng asked.


    "Oh," Li Xiaofei replied, "She thought I was too handsome and said my dazzling looks were blinding her. She couldn¡¯t handle my overwhelming beauty, so she left early."


    "Pfft."


    All three of them gave him the finger. Laughter and banter followed them as they walked back together.


    Over the next few weeks, more and more university recruitment teams arrived at Liuhe Base City, competing to secure the best talent the city had to offer. It was during this time that those who were closely following the situation realized something both shocking and strange.


    1. Project 985 was created during the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Beijing University (May, 1998). The purpose of Project 985 is to create elite universities from the 39 universities under the 211 Project. ?


    2. Project 211 is a project that constructed nearly 100 universities and disciplines in the 21st century according to a directive from the government of the People''s Republic of China. The project aims at cultivating high-level talents for national economic and social development strategies. ?

 Chapter 314: The Change In The Little New Year’s Night

    Chapter 314: The Change In The Little New Year¡¯s NightMany were surprised to discover that the acceptance rate for seniors at Red Flag High School was exceptionally high. According to information from various sources, prestigious universities were granting almost every application from Red Flag High School. As long as a student applied, they were almost guaranteed acceptance.


    This discovery was shocking. Curious minds began researching, interviewing, and investigating, and finally arrived at a conclusion. University admissions teams highly valued the fundamental skills of Red Flag High School''s senior students.


    They were well-versed in Qi cultivation, and their physical bodies were highly resilient. The university recruitment teams believed that such students had high potential for further development. Once they were admitted and properly guided, they could progress rapidly.


    Why hadn¡¯t this happened in previous years? Firstly, Red Flag High School had ranked at the bottom in the War God League, so it didn¡¯t attract much attention. Secondly, the school had previously suffered from insufficient resources. Although students worked hard at cultivation, they lacked proper nutrition, so while their fundamentals were strong, their abilities didn¡¯t stand out. Thirdly, Red Flag High School had never had a transcendent genius like Li Xiaofei before. His fellow students didn¡¯t have the strength to draw the attention of university recruitment teams.


    But now, all the university recruiters coming to Liuhe Base City were focused on securing Li Xiaofei. When they couldn¡¯t, they began to divide up his classmates, hoping to foster positive relationships.


    That positive connection shouldn¡¯t be underestimated. If Li Xiaofei were to soar to new heights in the future, those who had formed good relationships with him would reap countless benefits. This was especially true for the seniors at Red Flag High School who were close to Li Xiaofei. They were being hotly pursued by several universities.


    Star players from Red Flag High School''s battle team, like Bai Qiqi, Ren Dong, Bai Longfei, and Fang Buyi, were in high demand. Their already impressive strength, combined with the added boost of their association with Li Xiaofei, made them the recipients of numerous university offers, to the point where they had more options than they could handle.


    However, none of them had yet decided where to go. They were all waiting for the recruitment teams from the nation¡¯s top universities to arrive. If this had been last year, Fang Buyi and the others would have been overjoyed to receive an offer from a 211 or 985 university. But now?


    Full scholarship admissions from ordinary 211 and 985 universities no longer satisfied them. They were aiming higher and hoped to gain entry into truly elite universities. They didn¡¯t mind not getting a full scholarship. After all, those top universities were the true cradles of powerhouses.


    Still, while all this was going on, the High School War God League was still in progress. However, Red Flag High School continued to dominate the competition, maintaining an undefeated streak in solo mode.


    After Bai Qiqi, Bai Longfei, Fang Buyi, and Ren Dong cultivated using the various techniques Li Xiaofei had passed on to the school, they grew to become superstar players in their own right. They went undefeated in every match.


    As a result, Li Xiaofei and Yan Chiyu hardly had to compete anymore, essentially becoming the team¡¯s mascots. During this period, Li Xiaofei began to settle his mind and focus on refining his foundational cultivation.


    He remained at the tenth stage of the Limit Breaking Realm, without attempting to break through further. Instead, he continuously honed and polished his abilities within the Limit Breaking Realm. Until he found a suitable Acupoint Opening technique, Li Xiaofei had no intention of attempting a breakthrough.


    He had completed several draws from the Secret Time Pavilion and obtained martial arts techniques such as Seven Point Fist, Golden Snake Swords Technique, Void Fist, Spirit Snake Fist, and Five Tigers Door-Cutting Blade. All of these techniques were from the Jin Yong martial arts world.


    These martial arts techniques didn¡¯t offer much of a boost to his abilities, but Li Xiaofei decided to keep Seven Point Fist for himself. He quickly handed over copies of the other techniques to Chen Fei. By now, the principal with the peach blossom eyes had developed a tacit understanding with Li Xiaofei and no longer asked where these techniques came from.


    Red Flag High School¡¯s foundation was rapidly improving at an astonishing speed. During this time, Li Xiaofei also participated in three more rounds of the Longya Group¡¯s Online War God Tournament, and as expected, he easily claimed victory in each one.


    It turned out the guy named Zhang Zhihong was also a competitor in the tournament. He had also successfully advanced through the first four rounds.


    "Hehe, buddy, I could tell you had an extraordinary presence from the moment I first saw you. You¡¯re definitely a top contender for advancing in this tournament!" Zhang Zhihong greeted Li Xiaofei with a barrage of compliments as soon as he saw him.


    He stuck to Li Xiaofei like a persistent Band-aid. Aside from competing, Zhang Zhihong was also offering various intermediary services. In his own words, he was "working part-time, grabbing every opportunity to earn some pocket money and support his family."


    When he heard this, Li Xiaofei found it hard to dislike him. In fact, Li Xiaofei had earned around 500,000 star coins with the help of Zhang Zhihong¡¯s various services, especially betting tips. Over time, the two became somewhat familiar with each other.


    After the first four rounds, there were six hundred and thirteen contestants left in Li Xiaofei¡¯s division. By this point, most of the weak competitors had been eliminated. There were a total of 1,000 divisions, each starting with thousands of competitors.


    Only when each division¡¯s top 10 were decided, leaving 10,000 competitors across all divisions, would the second stage of the tournament begin with new matchups and draws. So this was just the initial selection phase. The media buzz wasn¡¯t particularly high at this stage either.


    However, this 1v1 BO1 format was thrilling and perilous, leaving no room for mistakes. Losing just one match meant elimination from the tournament. Even Li Xiaofei had to stay sharp and make sure not to slip up.


    Life started to settle into a routine. Now that he was famous throughout Liuhe Base City, opportunities to show off became increasingly scarce for Li Xiaofei. Aside from studying, cultivating, and occasionally getting massages, he took to the wilderness to hunt high-grade star beasts, helping to ease the city''s worsening situation. At the same time, he expanded his map of Spatial Theft Points, unlocking more locations for teleportation.


    During this period, Hu Yuer continued to relentlessly pester him, finding every possible excuse to seduce him. But Li Xiaofei rejected her advances each time. But outside the city, the star beasts were becoming more and more uncontrollable. Several groups even launched assaults on Liuhe Base City, but with a Golden Body Realm expert like Ye Liuying guarding the city, there was no imminent threat of a breach.


    As lockdown lifted, various hunting teams, adventuring parties, companies, and associations organized expeditions to hunt star beasts, reducing the pressure on the city¡¯s defense forces. For now, it seemed Li Xiaofei¡¯s chastity was still intact.


    Time flew by in these quiet yet fulfilling days. Before long, the Lunar New Year was approaching. It would be Li Xiaofei''s first New Year since being transported to this era by the mysterious dog box.


    Though it had been five centuries of untold devastation from the star beasts'' invasion and much of China''s civilization and citizens had been destroyed or killed in the endless wars between humans and beasts... The tradition of celebrating the New Year had endured.


    On the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, the night of Little New Year, light snow drifted down from the sky.


    But in the city¡¯s military camp, tension filled the air. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Commander Ding, please cooperate." A pale young man with a cold expression stepped forward. "I represent the Northwest Military District¡¯s Supervisory Department. This is a warrant for arrest, and I ask you not to make this difficult for us."

 Chapter 315: Realm Of Traces

    Chapter 315: Realm Of TracesDing Longao, the commander of the Liuhe Base City garrison, could not conceal the anger and shock on his face.


    "I have led the Liuhe Base City garrison for sixteen years. I won''t claim to be spotless, but I have always been fair and just. And yet, you present this absurd arrest warrant, accusing me of corruption and unjust killings?"


    He glared at the young officer before him as he continued, "Young man, do you even realize what you''re saying?"


    The officer replied coolly, "Every officer we arrest under military law says something similar, yet barely one in ten can prove their innocence. Commander Ding, if you truly believe you''re the exception, then please cooperate with our investigation."


    Ding Longao took a deep breath. This sudden blow had caught him completely unprepared. Faced with officers from the Northwest Military District¡¯s Supervisory Department, he had no choice but to raise his hands.


    A pair of specially made handcuffs was snapped onto his wrists.


    "Please.¡± The young officer gestured toward the massive armored truck nearby.


    Ding Longao was escorted away. The news of his arrest was strictly sealed off. The public was simply told that Ding Longao had entered temporary closed-door cultivation. In the meantime, his position as garrison commander was taken over by Mai Zixiong, a Five Spirits Realm general who had been parachuted in to temporarily assume control.


    The heavy truck sped along, but it didn¡¯t leave the base city. Instead, it silently entered a secret military installation within Liuhe Base City. Wearing a helmet that blocked all his senses and with his wrists shackled, Ding Longao was led into an underground facility, arriving at a highly classified interrogation room.


    The moment the helmet was removed, Ding Longao''s eyes fell on an emblem hanging on the wall, and his face instantly changed. Though he had remained relatively composed, his body now trembled uncontrollably.


    A white magnifying glass hung in front of him. The handle, shaped like a long sword, was connected by two black chains to the square magnifying glass itself. Its artistic design stood out sharply from any ordinary decoration.


    Realm of Traces! One of the three major institutions under the umbrella of the Inquisition. The Inquisition was a brutal and bloody authority established by the Star Council and tasked with investigating, locating, capturing, judging, and sentencing heretical individuals.


    It had three distinct branches: the Realm of Traces, responsible for investigation and arrest; the Hand of Judgment, in charge of interrogation and sentencing; and the Blade of Verdict, which carried out executions and assassinations.


    Each of these institutions represented the supreme authority of the Inquisition. The mere mention of these three branches birthed terror in every nation and political party, causing knees to buckle.


    Once someone was caught by these institutions, one was guaranteed not to leave unscathed, even if they avoided death. If someone was ultimately declared a heretic, the outcome was always the same. Execution of all nine generations.


    No heretic was allowed to exist on the planet. Any heretic, along with their family, friends, and supporters, would all be put to death. Even the most powerful individuals, whether in the Dao Union Realm or Divine Realm, were not exempt.


    When he saw the emblem that represented the Realm of Traces, even someone as hardened as Ding Longao, a military man who had survived countless battles, couldn¡¯t help but feel a wave of terror.


    A fine layer of sweat beaded on his forehead. Ding Longao¡¯s mind raced as he quickly went through his actions. After reassuring himself that he had no connections with any heretics, he finally allowed himself a shaky breath of relief.


    He now realized that his arrest wasn¡¯t truly about corruption or unjust killings; those charges were just a cover. The Military Supervisory Department was merely cooperating. The real investigation was being conducted by the Realm of Traces.


    The silence in the room was suffocating. After what felt like a full ten minutes, the door to the interrogation room finally creaked open.


    Ding Longao turned his head to look. A tall, burly man with blond hair and a serious expression entered the room. He was dressed in a black suit with white trim and exuded an air of authority. He was followed closely by two others.


    To his left was the pale-faced young officer from before, while a blond, blue-eyed woman, also a foreigner, stood to his right. Judging by her appearance, she also seemed to be from the Yiggs Union in the Americas.


    The three took their seats.


    "Ding Longao," The young officer began, "this is Mr. Edward, Chief Investigator of the Realm of Traces under the Star Council. Beside him is Deputy Chief Investigator Miss Clove. The interrogation that follows represents the will of the Realm of Traces, and we hope you will cooperate fully and withhold nothing."


    After this introduction, the young officer introduced himself, "I am Lei Yinuo, an intern investigator for the Realm of Traces in the Northwest District, and I am responsible for support work in this operation. The interrogation will be led entirely by the two chief investigators."


    He sat down at the side, opened up a light core device, and began recording and documenting the entire interrogation process.


    ¡°Mr. Ding Longao,¡± Edward began, his voice steady and authoritative. ¡°We are here investigating a matter related to the heretical organization known as the Wilderness Free Sect, specifically a terrorist attack. Can you tell me where you were ten days ago, on the morning of January 10th?¡±


    Ding Longao felt his heart jump. He paused for a moment before responding, ¡°I was in the military camp.¡±


    ¡°Can you provide evidence?¡± Edward asked.


    ¡°The surveillance system at the command center¡¯s light core, along with my adjutant and several battalion-level officers, can all vouch for me.¡±


    ¡°Good, we will verify that.¡± Edward nodded before continuing, ¡°Second question. On that day, how many Five Spirits Realm experts were stationed in Liuhe Base City?¡±


    Ding Longao thought for a moment and quickly answered, ¡°According to the military¡¯s records, there were eight permanent Five Spirits Realm experts.¡±


    Edward pressed further, ¡°Specifically, who were they?¡±


    Ding Longao replied, ¡°There¡¯s myself, Ye Liuying, Xiao Bidao, Tan Zhenwei, the one assigned to Miss Tan, and some others from the school...¡±


    He listed several names in succession.


    Edward nodded again and then asked, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you mention Li Xiaofei?¡±


    Ding Longao explained, ¡°The young man has the combat ability of a Five Spirits Realm expert, but not the actual cultivation level.¡±


    ¡°Combat strength counts as well,¡± Edward replied.


    ¡°In that case, there would be ten in total. There¡¯s also that Jiepeng girl who, after awakening the Golden Lizard King bloodline, has the combat ability of a Five Spirits Realm expert,¡± Ding Longao added.


    ¡°As I understand, there¡¯s also a criminal known as Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui, who also has the strength of the Five Spirits Realm,¡± Edward reminded him.


    Ding Longao responded, ¡°That individual¡¯s identity is shrouded in mystery. He hasn¡¯t appeared before, so the authorities haven¡¯t officially counted him among the permanent residents yet.¡±


    "Alright." Edward then asked, "What about Golden Body Realm?"


    Ding Longao responded, "Only Ye Liuying has recently broken through her bottleneck and entered the Golden Body Realm."


    ¡°At noon on January 10th, there was a significant energy fluctuation to the east of the base city. You dispatched a power armor unit to investigate. What did you find?¡± Edward pressed.


    ¡°All the video footage and documents were submitted to the military. You should be able to access those reports with the authority of the Realm of Traces. If that¡¯s not enough, we have backups in the camp that can be submitted for your review,¡± Ding Longao replied.


    ¡°No, no, that¡¯s not what I mean...¡± Edward adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. ¡°Outside of what you reported, was there anything... unusual?¡±


    Ding Longao shook his head and replied, ¡°As a soldier, I wouldn¡¯t withhold any information from my superiors.¡±


    A faint expression of disappointment crossed Edward¡¯s face.


    ¡°You may not know this,¡± Clove, the blond deputy investigator, suddenly spoke, ¡°but Tan Zhenwei was killed in that heretical explosion. We found his DNA at the scene.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Ding Longao was shocked. ¡°City Leader Tan... he was killed?¡±


    The news hit him hard, filling him with an uncontrollable wave of grief. He and Tan Zhenwei had worked as a team in Liuhe Base City for many years. Their partnership had been seamless and full of mutual respect. Who could have foreseen this...


    Clove continued, ¡°We also found traces of the Wilderness Free Sect at the scene, and evidence of a battle involving at least three Golden Body Realm experts and nine Five Spirits Realm experts. Based on current information, one of the Golden Body Realm experts was Ye Liuying. Yet in the report you submitted to the Northwest Military District, there is no mention of her involvement.¡± S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ding Longao froze, his mind racing as he asked, ¡°What are you implying?¡±


    Clove''s tone became sharp as she revealed her true intent, ¡°We suspect that Ye Liuying is a heretic of the Wilderness Free Sect.¡±

 Chapter 316: Asking For Help?

    Chapter 316: Asking For Help?"That¡¯s impossible."


    Ding Longao immediately refuted the statement, "She¡¯s one of my officers. I know her better than anyone, and all her expeditions have been clearly documented. There¡¯s no way she could have come in contact with the Wilderness Free Sect."


    "That is precisely where you failed." Edward scolded, "As a commander, you don¡¯t even know your own subordinate. If it weren¡¯t for the Great Xia Northwest Military District supporting you, we would have every reason to suspect that you have been colluding with Ye Liuying."


    Damn it. These foreign bastards are certainly fluent with their idioms.


    Ding Longao cursed inwardly. But he knew that the Inquisition was ruthless and strict across the globe, and officers like Edward and Clove, foreigners proficient in the Great Xia language, were not uncommon.


    Even so, Ding Longao couldn''t help feeling both humiliated and enraged by the arrogance of these two detectives from the Yiggs Union flaunting their influence before him.


    "Are you certain that Ye Liuying is a heretic?" Ding Longao asked.


    Edward replied calmly, "We are at least 90 percent sure."


    "Then there¡¯s still 10 percent uncertainty." Ding Longao reminded him.


    Edward¡¯s expression remained cold as he said, "That¡¯s not something you should concern yourself with. If you continue with this attitude in our conversation, I¡¯ll have even more reason to suspect that you are one of the heretics from the Wilderness Free Sect."


    Ding Longao couldn¡¯t contain his anger anymore. "Ye Liuying is a twenty-something Golden Body Realm cultivator with limitless potential. She¡¯s a treasure of Great Xia and humanity. I hope that you¡¯ll be fair and objective when you make your judgment, rather than basing it purely on speculation."


    "Your attitude greatly displeases me," Edward said. "Given that, you will need to be temporarily detained. If you come across any new leads regarding Ye Liuying, or other relevant intelligence, feel free to report it at any time."


    With that, he stood up and left.


    Deputy Detective Clove also stood and said, "Good luck."


    Lei Yinuo let out a sigh and slowly got up.


    "General Ding, the Realm of Traces has already gathered fairly conclusive evidence regarding Ye Liuying''s identity. As a martial artist of Great Xia, I sympathize with your words and actions, but I must also remind you not to get too deeply involved, or you may find yourself in serious trouble."


    He too turned and left. Ding Longao sat silently in the interrogation room for a long time. In his heart, he began to worry about Ye Liuying. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Realm of Traces had terrifyingly sophisticated investigative abilities, and they possessed privileges that surpassed national authority. Once they locked onto a target, they would pursue it like mad dogs, sparing no cost in their investigation and eventual capture.


    A 90 percent suspicion would make sure that they stopped at nothing. Even 10 percent would be enough to drive them into a frenzy. It was clear from their conversation that the Realm of Traces would definitely make a move against Ye Liuying.


    In fact, if it were any ordinary martial artist, they would have already acted. It was only because of Ye Liuying''s Golden Body Realm strength that they were taking the time to carefully plan their approach. If Ye Liuying was still in Liuhe Base City, her chances of survival would be slim.


    How can I get this message to her?


    Ding Longao pondered deeply. He didn¡¯t believe that Ye Liuying was a heretic. He was more inclined to believe that the foreigners were using her as an opportunity to cause trouble and destroy this genius of Great Xia martial arts.


    After all, these foreign devils had done such things more than once over the past few decades. Many of Great Xia¡¯s outstanding martial talents had been branded as heretics, and ruined in various ways.


    Nowadays, the Western forces were gradually gaining dominance in the Star Council while Great Xia was struggling to keep pace. Under such circumstances, it was more important than ever to protect martial geniuses like Ye Liuying and preserve the martial lineage of Great Xia.


    What troubled Ding Longao even more was a nagging feeling. His intuition told him that this time, the Realm of Traces¡¯ target wasn¡¯t just Ye Liuying. It could also be... Li Xiaofei!


    ***


    In the Xiesheng Clothing Store, at Starry Sky Tower, the store owner, Yu Youyu, was busy attending to a customer.


    The customer was a blonde, blue-eyed foreign woman. She was young and beautiful, with a warm smile. Most importantly, this foreign woman seemed to have a strong interest in the ancient-style clothing of Great Xia and wanted to try on every piece. Each outfit looked fantastic on her.


    "These are true works of art." The foreign woman exclaimed after trying on several outfits, her tone filled with admiration. "I am deeply fascinated by pre-epoch Great Xia culture. I never expected to see this essence captured in your designs. Miss Yu, you are a genius fashion designer."


    Yu Youyu smiled. Receiving such praise from a foreigner was a delightful feeling.


    "Oh, is this handsome man in the portrait your store¡¯s spokesperson?"


    The foreign woman had noticed the large poster in the store and asked curiously.


    Yu Youyu smiled and introduced him, "Yes, his name is Li Xiaofei. He¡¯s currently a top star in Liuhe Base City."


    "Are you close to him?" The foreign woman inquired, her curiosity piqued.


    Yu Youyu replied, "I¡¯d say we¡¯re friends."


    "Oh, it seems that exceptional people always find a way to gather together," The foreign woman complimented before asking again, "And is he also very close with your Sister Ye?"


    "Sister Ye?" Yu Youyu paused in surprise. "How do you know about that?"


    The foreign woman smiled cunningly. "Not only do I know that Ye Liuying is your sister, I also know that she¡¯s in this store right now. I have some matters I¡¯d like to discuss with Miss Ye Liuying."


    Yu Youyu frowned slightly. She quietly stepped back and said, "I''m sorry, but she doesn¡¯t want to meet strangers."


    "Perhaps this time will be an exception." Another man''s voice echoed through the room.


    Yu Youyu turned her head to look. At some point, a tall blond man in a black-and-white fitted suit had appeared at the store''s entrance, arms crossed over his chest as he smiled.


    "You..." Yu Youyu sensed something was wrong and cautiously asked, "Who exactly are you?"


    At that moment, Ye Liuying emerged from the lounge. Her gaze swept over the square magnifying glass symbol on the lapel of the blond man''s suit. She frowned slightly and said, "Realm of Traces?"


    The blond man¡¯s smile remained unchanged, but deep in his eyes, a flicker of tension flashed. Even he had to be fully prepared in front of a Golden Body Realm cultivator.


    The blond woman stayed alert, cutting straight to the point with her introduction. "Clove, from the Realm of Traces. Miss Ye, we would like to have a conversation with you."


    "Here?" Ye Liuying''s voice was cold as ice.


    The blond man, Edward, replied, "Of course, it¡¯ll be at our base."


    Ye Liuying glanced at Yu Youyu before looking away, "Fine."


    With that, she began walking towards the door.


    "Wait." Clove smiled and said, "Miss Ye, you should know the rules when the Realm of Traces invites someone for a conversation."


    Ye Liuying dispersed the starforce qi within her body. She then extended her pale wrist, allowing Edward to clasp a special electronic bracelet around her right wrist, completely sealing off the flow of energy within her.


    Only then did the two detectives from the Realm of Traces breathe a sigh of relief. It seemed their intelligence had been correct. Ye Liuying clearly cared about this clothing store owner, Yu Youyu.


    "Please."


    The two detectives led Ye Liuying away. Yu Youyu was no fool and understood what was going on. She was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.


    What should I do? It had always been Sister Ye protecting me. But now, Sister Ye is in trouble. What can I do?


    Yu Youyu scratched her head, on the verge of tears from the anxiety.


    When she looked up, she suddenly saw the smiling, jade-like face of the young man in the poster.


    A thought struck her.


    He can definitely help, right?

 Chapter 317: Yi Jin Jing

    Chapter 317: Yi Jin Jing"Dog Box, can I draw a secret manual this time?" Li Xiaofei asked as soon as he stepped into the Secret Time Pavilion.


    "Woof, yes." The answer from the Dog Box was, as always, unpredictable and hard to read.


    But this time, it was an affirmative. When the lottery vortex appeared, Li Xiaofei reached in without hesitation. His previous attempts had always rewarded him with manuals from the Jin Yong martial arts world. He wondered if this time he could pull a cultivation technique from another dimension.


    Moments later, Li Xiaofei grasped two scrolls. The vortex immediately began to shrink and he reluctantly pulled his hand out.


    "Eh, this is... Oh my god!"


    When he saw the name of the technique, a smile spread across Li Xiaofei¡¯s face.


    It¡¯s Yi Jin Jing![1]


    To his astonishment, it was the legendary and treasured technique of the Shaolin Temple, a martial arts masterpiece. It was hailed as one of the top three martial arts secrets that offered a glimpse into the immortal realm. This technique always ranked in the top three in the Jin Yong martial arts universe. Even the fabled Nine Yang Divine Art and Nine Yin Manual could not surpass the Yi Jin Jing.


    Anyone who managed to cultivate the Yi Jin Jing had almost always risen to become one of the world''s greatest martial arts masters.


    "This technique circulates the meridians of the entire body and continuously connects the essence, energy, and spirit of the five internal organs. Energy is born from within, and blood nourishes from the outside. After mastering the Yi Jin Jing, the heart moves, and strength follows. Every contraction and release is performed naturally, without conscious effort, like the rising of the tide and the rumble of thunder..."


    In the world of Jin Yong¡¯s martial arts, only the mysterious Tai Xuan Sutra could firmly surpass the Yi Jin Jing, and nothing else.


    This is fantastic!


    Li Xiaofei had finally drawn this divine manual. What excited him even more was that he had only ever drawn manuals for specific techniques. He had never drawn a cultivation method for internal energy.


    But the Yi Jin Jing was a truly top-tier divine technique. It harmonized both internal and external cultivation. He wondered how the internal cultivation techniques from the Jin Yong martial arts world would work in this world.


    Can it rival the breathing techniques here?


    Li Xiaofei stowed away the Yi Jin Jing and then unrolled the second scroll.


    "Huh? It''s this technique?"


    He was surprised.


    Star Shifting Reversal Technique!


    It was none other than the legendary Murong family skill from Suzhou, famed for the ability to turn the opponent¡¯s techniques against them. It was a fascinating technique that allowed the user to absorb the opponent''s moves and energy, only to reflect it back. It was somewhat similar to a rebound. The Murong family had made their name in the martial world with this unique technique.


    When Li Xiaofei read the novels, he had always thought that this technique was wasted in the hands of Murong Fu. Most of the time, it was used for showing off. In real combat, it didn¡¯t seem to have much effect.


    Like many Jin Yong fans, Li Xiaofei believed that Murong Fu, who was weak and lacked proper internal cultivation, was not a top-tier martial artist, which is why he couldn¡¯t unleash the true power of the Star Shifting Reversal Technique.


    As a result, this amazing technique remained underappreciated.


    Today¡¯s luck is really good, I got two legendary techniques.


    Li Xiaofei was grinning from ear to ear. He first focused on studying the Star Shifting Reversal Technique. This technique, which leaned heavily on skill, didn¡¯t pose much of a challenge for someone as incredibly insightful as Li Xiaofei.


    After studying the contents of the manual, pondering it, and experimenting a bit, he quickly grasped its essential secrets. It took him less than ten days in the Secret Time Pavilion to fully master the Star Shifting Reversal Technique.


    Using the enemy¡¯s technique against them! Tsk tsk, just thinking about it felt exhilarating. But its effectiveness in actual combat will require some experimenting.


    Li Xiaofei dedicated the remaining twenty days to cultivating the Yi Jin Jing. As Li Xiaofei had suspected, the Yi Jin Jing was indeed a technique that focused on both internal and external cultivation, although it leaned slightly more toward external methods.


    The creator of the Yi Jin Jing was the great Dharma Master, who was an Indian by origin. Thus, many of the cultivation postures in the Yi Jin Jing resembled yoga poses. They were incredibly difficult positions.


    The two characters Yi Jin essentially meant transforming the tendons. The purpose was to stretch and strengthen the tendons within the body, thereby improving one''s physique. Many martial arts techniques focused on cultivating the body, inner qi, and the internal organs. However, techniques that specifically trained the tendons were extremely rare.


    But holding yoga-like postures and remaining still while circulating the starforce qi within the body did indeed produce results. But it was difficult to endure.


    Li Xiaofei finally understood why Jiumozhi had crippled himself while trying to cultivate the Yi Jin Jing, and why You Tanzhi had barely succeeded with the help of A''Zi¡¯s torment and the icy silkworm.


    This technique was all about self-torment. But it was immensely beneficial for Li Xiaofei. In this era, where breathing techniques cultivated qi and physical techniques strengthened flesh and blood, tendon-training methods like the Yi Jin Jing were truly a rarity.


    For someone like Li Xiaofei, whose physical strength was already monstrous, training his tendons would further increase his combat strength. Moreover, the Yi Jin Jing could also cultivate inner qi. Its effects even surpassed the True Dragon Breathing Technique.


    So, does this mean that the internal cultivation techniques from the Jin Yong martial arts world can also enhance the cultivation of starforce qi?


    However, since Yi Jin Jing is already a top-tier divine technique, it''s natural that its effects surpass the True Dragon Breathing Technique. Ordinary techniques might actually be inferior to the advanced breathing methods of this world.


    Based on the theories I learned from textbooks, once a martial artist advances to the Five Spirits Realm, external techniques like breathing methods become less effective. At that point, more advanced inner qi cultivation methods are needed.


    Twenty days passed in the blink of an eye. Li Xiaofei had completed the full cycle of cultivating the Yi Jin Jing. His physical strength and power had skyrocketed once again.


    He had progressed from a muscle master to a muscle demon. Li Xiaofei had a vague sense that his overall physique had been enhanced. The pure yin energy he had absorbed during dual cultivation with the young lady now seemed to have fully integrated with his body. That subtle, stirring sense of desire was beginning to resurface.


    After leaving the Secret Time Pavilion, Li Xiaofei was eager to enter the light core virtual world training grounds to assess his strength increase. But at that moment, there was a knock at the door.


    "Come in."


    "Boss, there''s a beautiful woman who wants to see you."


    "Hu Yuer? Tell her to get lost."


    "No, she said her name is Yu Youyu."


    "Hmm?"


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned.


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    Li Xiaofei quickly responded, "Take her to the guest room. I''ll be right there."


    After all, one must be polite to such an important supporter.


    A moment later, Li Xiaofei was taken aback as he listened to Yu Youyu in the guest room.


    "You''re saying that Goddess Ye was taken by an organization called the Realm of Traces?"


    "Yes, two foreigners cornered her in the shop and put an electronic bracelet on Sister Ye... I didn¡¯t know who else to turn to, so I¡¯m asking if you... could help?"


    Yu Youyu''s eyes were filled with tears, her expression fearful and pitiful.


    Li Xiaofei reassured her, "Don¡¯t worry, I will not stand idly by on this matter."


    The Realm of Traces! Li Xiaofei had seen it mentioned in the cultural lessons at Red Flag High School.


    To put it simply, if the Star Council was likened to the unquestionable imperial power of old, then the Inquisition was the equivalent of the East Depot, West Depot, and the Brocade Guards.[2]


    Once the Realm of Traces became involved, almost no one dared to interfere. Trying to rescue someone from the hands of the Realm of Traces was as difficult as climbing the heavens.


    Li Xiaofei realized that the aftershocks of the Battle of the Eye of the Northwest had finally arrived. The lack of information online wasn¡¯t because no one was paying attention. It was because the forces involved were too powerful and too high up.


    The Inquisition had stepped in. The worst-case scenario had come to pass.


    1. The Yi Jin Jing is a manual containing a series of exercises, coordinated with breathing, intended to dramatically enhance physical health when practiced consistently. In Chinese, yi means "change", jin means "tendons and sinews", while jing translates to "methods". ?


    2. the Eastern and Western Depots and the Brocade Guards were security and surveillance units created during the Ming period Ã÷ (1368-1644). They were supervised by high court eunuchs and wielded considerable power. Historians say they were the "eyes and ears of the emperor" because they had particularly been designed for the purpose of spying out state officials and eliminating potential rivals. ?

 Chapter 318: Stirring The Grass To Startle The Snake.

    Chapter 318: Stirring The Grass To Startle The Snake.For the first time, Li Xiaofei felt real pressure. In front of an opponent like the Realm of Traces, even the slightest mistake could lead to fatal consequences.


    "You should head back," Li Xiaofei said, his gaze fixed on Yu Youyu, his tone more serious than ever before. "Wait for my message, and remember, don¡¯t try to do anything on your own. Don¡¯t trust anyone else either."


    "I will," Yu Youyu responded, placing her absolute trust in him.


    After sending Yu Youyu off, Li Xiaofei sat down in his office. He pulled out a sheet of paper and started to scribble down notes.


    This was a habit he had developed five hundred years ago. Whenever he encountered a truly difficult situation, he would sit down and calmly list every problematic obstacle in his path, thinking through each one repeatedly until he figured out how to solve them. He did this over and over.


    An hour later. He had over ten sheets in front of him that were filled with notes. He had finally worked out most of the details. Li Xiaofei clasped his hands together, crushing all the papers into powder. He had an idea of what he needed to do.


    There was one more extremely important thing other than Ye Liuying that he needed to confirm. Since the Realm of Traces had already arrived in Liuhe Base City and arrested Ye Liuying, it also meant that Hu Yuer¡¯s situation had become incredibly dangerous.


    Has she been exposed? Is she already under surveillance?


    These questions were crucial. If Hu Yuer was at risk of exposure, Li Xiaofei would need to make arrangements to have her leave as quickly as possible. He couldn¡¯t afford to involve the school in this mess.


    If that happened, not only would the school face consequences, but the Cloudy Sky Gang and even Li Xiaofei himself would be plunged into a crisis. Moreover, if Hu Yuer was exposed, then all efforts to rescue Ye Liuying would be rendered meaningless.


    However, Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t contact Hu Yuer right away. He had a gut feeling that he, too, might be under surveillance. Any move he made could be seized upon by the enemy, magnified, and used against him.


    It might have sounded like paranoia. But considering his own unclean background, it wasn¡¯t entirely out of the question.


    Li Xiaofei had already made a contingency plan in case things took a turn for the worse. If he did fall into a trap, he would make absolutely sure that Tan Qingying wouldn¡¯t get dragged into the mess related to Old Tan¡¯s matters.


    For the first time since arriving in this era, Li Xiaofei mentally prepared himself for the possibility of death.


    He left his office. Riding his motorcycle, he headed toward the military base. Before making any decisions, he needed to understand the situation more and gather as much useful information as possible. After all, the adage went ¡®know yourself, know your enemy, and you will never lose a hundred battles¡¯.


    Soon, he arrived just outside the military camp. He immediately noticed something unusual. The camp felt different from before. There was a tense atmosphere lingering in the air.


    Taking out his Qinling Badge, Li Xiaofei requested an audience with Ding Longao, the commander of the stationed troops. After all, Ye Liuying was a military officer. Her arrest meant that Ding Longao would likely have access to some insider information.


    Moments later, a young officer, Wu Junzhuang, walked out.


    "Commander Mai requests your presence," he said, gesturing for Li Xiaofei to follow.


    Commander Mai?


    Li Xiaofei was puzzled by the name.


    Since when did someone named Mai arrive?


    The expression on Wu Junzhuang''s face was also strange, as if he didn¡¯t recognize Li Xiaofei. A moment later, they entered the military reception room.


    "President Li, haha, I¡¯ve heard a lot about the biggest boss in Liuhe Base City," said Acting Commander Mai Zixiong, sitting behind his desk with a faint smile. "I¡¯ve wanted to meet you ever since I took office. But I didn¡¯t expect you''d come knocking on my door today."


    His tone was anything but friendly.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t back down. "I came to see Commander Ding."


    "Oh? You don¡¯t know yet?" Mai Zixiong feigned surprise. "Ding Longao was arrested for harboring the heretic Ye Liuying."


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart sank.


    Old Ding was arrested too?


    The situation was even worse than he had anticipated. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "How could Goddess Ye be a heretic?" Li Xiaofei responded, "Could there be a mistake?"


    Mai Zixiong, with a smirk that didn¡¯t reach his eyes, said, "The detectives from the Realm of Traces never make mistakes. If you really want to meet them, perhaps you could try the heretic prison."


    Li Xiaofei understood the situation. He turned to leave.


    "Stop right there." Mai Zixiong barked coldly, "Do you think this military camp is a place where you can come and go as you please?"


    Li Xiaofei turned back with a smile. "What¡¯s this? You want to detain me?"


    Mai Zixiong slowly stood up, his expression darkening as he said, "Do you think I wouldn¡¯t dare?"


    Li Xiaofei replied calmly, "You¡¯re no match for me. Do you believe me when I say that I could turn you into a corpse in three moves?"


    Mai Zixiong¡¯s face twisted with anger as the tension in the air spiked. Suddenly, Mai Zixiong broke into laughter.


    "Haha, just joking around. No need to take it seriously," he said, his expression softening. " Young people really don¡¯t know how to respect their elders these days... Oh, and send my regards to my old friends, Chen Fei and Qin Dewei."


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart stirred.


    "You know them?" he asked.


    Mai Zixiong chuckled meaningfully. "Old friends. You can ask them yourself and find out."


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes narrowed as he replied, "They better really be friends."


    He turned and left without another word.


    Behind him, Mai Zixiong watched Li Xiaofei''s retreating figure with a sly grin.


    "Hehehe..." Mai Zixiong chuckled to himself, the cunning smile never fading.


    Stirring the grass to startle the snake.


    ***


    After leaving the military camp, Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression was grim. He made a call to Chen Fei via his light core device.


    "Mai Zixiong?" Chen Fei sounded surprised over the phone. "That scum still dares to show up in Liuhe?"


    "Is there a story?" Li Xiaofei asked. "Is he a bad person?"


    "Bad person?" Chen Fei¡¯s voice carried an uncharacteristic hint of killing intent. "Calling him a bad person would be too kind. He¡¯s a traitor, scum, worse than a pig or a dog... Whatever you do, don¡¯t tell Old Qin about this. He might get agitated, and his condition could worsen."


    "Understood."


    Li Xiaofei hesitated before sharing everything he knew about the situation.


    "The Realm of Traces?" Chen Fei was shocked. "I didn¡¯t see that coming... Listen, you absolutely must not get involved any further in this. Just come back and focus on your classes. This is way beyond what you can handle."


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Got it."


    After hanging up, Li Xiaofei hesitated again before making another private call. When Li Zhoumin answered, Li Xiaofei recounted everything that had happened.


    "This is something you must stop investigating," Li Zhoumin said, his tone serious. "This is far beyond your capabilities. When the Inquisition sets its sights on something, no one in the world can change it. If you dig any deeper, you might find yourself caught in their trap as well."


    Li Xiaofei chuckled, "Teacher, I know that. I just... I want to see Ye Liuying. Is there any way?"


    "She¡¯s in such a predicament, and you still want to see her?" Li Zhoumin asked, clearly displeased.


    Li Xiaofei sighed, "I can¡¯t help it. I like her."


    "Hmm?"


    Li Zhoumin was taken aback by his response.


    Li Xiaofei continued, "North of the Qilian Mountains, Liuying is the most beautiful... Teacher, to be honest, I¡¯ve been hopelessly captivated ever since I first laid eyes on her. If I don¡¯t see her again, I fear my martial heart will have a flaw."


    "You..." Li Zhoumin was furious.


    He hadn¡¯t expected that the student he had high hopes for, a future Saint of Great Xia, would fall into such a common love affair.


    "Oh, by the way, Teacher, it seems I¡¯ve made another breakthrough in my strength. I should be able to face a regular Golden Body Realm expert head-on now," Li Xiaofei added.


    "What?" Li Zhoumin¡¯s tone shifted to one of delight. "You brat... Well, alright, give me a moment. I¡¯ll see what I can find out."


    After hanging up the phone, Li Xiaofei leaned against his motorcycle and lit a cigarette, patiently waiting. About half an hour later, he got a call back.


    Li Zhoumin¡¯s voice said, "Remember this phone number. Call it and talk to them. If they¡¯re willing to help, you might be able to see Ye Liuying. Keep in mind, this person is greedy."

 Chapter 319: Everything Going Smoothly?

    Chapter 319: Everything Going Smoothly?"Remember, don¡¯t get too deeply involved," Li Zhoumin emphasized one last time after giving him the phone number. "It¡¯s been smooth sailing for you in Liuhe Base City, which might make you overconfident. But there are realms in this world that must never be touched."


    "Thank you, Teacher. I understand," Li Xiaofei replied, deeply grateful.


    Li Zhoumin truly cared for him to offer such heartfelt advice and look out for his best interests. After hanging up, Li Xiaofei wasted no time and immediately dialed the unfamiliar number.


    After a round of negotiations, the person on the other end gave him a price of 50 million star coins to arrange a meeting with Ye Liuying, who was currently in custody. It was an astronomical amount, but Li Xiaofei agreed without hesitation. He promptly transferred 25 million as a deposit to the account provided by the contact.


    "Wait for my message." The other person said before hanging up.


    ***


    A faint smile appeared on Lei Yinuo¡¯s face. He stood up and walked to the detectives¡¯ office.


    Knock knock.


    After knocking, he pushed the door open and entered.


    "I¡¯ve received the money," Lei Yinuo reported. Inside, Edward and Clove were in the middle of a discussion.


    "Explain in detail," Clove said.


    Lei Yinuo grinned as he began, "The plan is going just as we predicted. Yu Youyu indeed sought help from Li Xiaofei, and as expected, Li Xiaofei is highly concerned about Ye Liuying. He immediately went to the military base to verify the news. Mai Zixiong has already released the false information about Ding Longao''s arrest per our request. Li Xiaofei, unsurprisingly, reached out to Li Zhoumin for help and was directed to me."


    Edward chuckled. "This Li Xiaofei, throwing around 50 million star coins for a woman. Only a fool would think there¡¯s nothing between them."


    50 million star coins was no small fortune.


    The always sharp Lei Yinuo quickly said, "Thanks to both of your brilliant plans, this is an unexpected windfall. I¡¯ll split 20 million each for the two of you, and I¡¯ll take 10 million."


    "Oh, how generous," Edward replied coolly.


    Lei Yinuo insisted, "It¡¯s settled. I¡¯ll use the safest channels to transfer the funds to your designated accounts. Now, about Li Xiaofei meeting Ye Liuying... how should we arrange it?"


    Edward thought for a moment and said, "Let him meet her in the cell. Li Xiaofei is probably frightened, and he¡¯s likely to slip up. Let¡¯s see what they say when they meet. Keep the pressure on him. After the meeting, we¡¯ll interrogate him as well."


    "Understood. I¡¯ll make the arrangements," Lei Yinuo said as he turned and left the office.


    "You seem to trust Lei Yinuo quite a bit." Clove spoke for the first time. "Don¡¯t forget, our mentor warned us never to get too close to the people of Great Xia, nor to become friends with them."


    Edward laughed heartily. "Friends? He¡¯s nothing more than a dog I keep around to do the dirty work for us. Clove, you¡¯re being too serious. As agents of the Realm of Traces, we mustn¡¯t be too rigid. We also need to think about our own future while serving the Supreme Sacred Council. Twenty million star coins may not be much, but it¡¯s enough for two rounds of cultivation resources. If we want to advance further, both merit and resources are indispensable."


    Clove replied, "Haven¡¯t I always cooperated with you? But remember, money is one thing, but Ye Liuying and Li Xiaofei must die. They¡¯re both on the extermination list."


    "First we bleed them, then we kill them," Edward¡¯s eyes gleamed with greed. "Especially Ye Liuying, she¡¯s a rare beauty, still a virgin, and possibly a bloodline bearer. If we smuggle her out and send her to Europe, many powerful people in underground temples would pay a fortune for her. She could fetch an astronomical price."


    "Are you insane?" Clove exclaimed. "Ye Liuying is a martial genius under the special protection of Great Xia. We¡¯ve finally got something on her; killing her while we have the chance is enough. Don¡¯t complicate things further."


    Edward sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "What a pity, what a pity."


    ***


    That night, a black SUV with no license plates stopped at the entrance of the slums and Li Xiaofei got in. He put on a specially designed helmet that blocked his senses as the black SUV drove through winding routes.


    Half an hour later, they arrived at a secret base. Still wearing the helmet, Li Xiaofei was led into an elevator by his escort. Five minutes later, the helmet was removed.


    Li Xiaofei squinted, adjusting to the light. He found himself in an underground passageway. The walls had white tube lights and the ever-present insignia of the Realm of Traces. Other than that, there were no particularly distinctive markings.


    After passing through six heavy powered doors, he arrived at what appeared to be a transit hall. The walls were made of impenetrable super-alloy. He was escorted down a corridor by a squad clad in power armor. The corridor stretched fifty meters and was covered in laser defense grids. The security was tight and intimidating.


    At the end of the corridor stood a solitary white cell, a bed, a desk and a chair. Ye Liuying, dressed in her military uniform, sat quietly behind the desk, reading a book.


    Her expression was serene. It was almost like she was on vacation. The scene took Li Xiaofei by surprise. But he also felt a sense of relief.


    He walked to the cell door.


    Beep.


    The door automatically opened and Li Xiaofei stepped inside.


    When Ye Liuying saw him enter, she glanced up and said calmly, "What are you doing here?"


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t respond immediately. He scanned the walls and ceiling of the room. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Aside from the bathroom, this whole place is under surveillance," Ye Liuying remarked.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes shifted to the bathroom. It was a tiny compartment, and just big enough for one person to sit. A surveillance blind spot.


    "They didn¡¯t seal your energy?" Li Xiaofei asked, sensing that the Goddess¡¯ aura wasn¡¯t weak.


    "Perhaps they¡¯re hoping I¡¯ll try to escape," Ye Liuying replied indifferently.


    "What reason did they give for capturing you?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "They discovered a Golden Body Realm aura with a 90% similarity to mine in the ruins of the Eye of the Northwest ," Ye Liuying answered calmly.


    "That''s it?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "For the Realm of Traces, this evidence is more than enough," Ye Liuying replied calmly.


    Li Xiaofei frowned. In order to kill the Golden Body Realm expert from the Jiepeng faction, Ye Liuying had to go all out. As expected, it had left traces. When he looked closely, he noticed that Ye Liuying¡¯s complexion was unnaturally pale. There was also a faint trace of exhaustion deep in her eyes.


    "They tortured you?" Li Xiaofei asked as a flicker of anger passed through his expression.


    Ye Liuying looked up at him, her voice still calm. "Are you surprised? I¡¯m not here on vacation. Right now, I¡¯m a prisoner, and the Realm of Traces has the authority to use any method of interrogation."


    The Realm of Traces often employed torture techniques that didn¡¯t affect the physical body. Physical pain meant little to a Golden Body Realm warrior. Many of their tortures were designed to attack the mind and spirit.


    The Inquisition referred to these mental tortures as trials. They claimed that only those truly loyal to the Star Council and humanity would pass these trials. Those who broke, died, or failed were labeled absolute heretics and executed without mercy.


    "I will get you out," Li Xiaofei said firmly, his voice full of determination.

 Chapter 320: Pressure And Insinuation

    Chapter 320: Pressure And InsinuationYe Liuying showed no reaction to his words. Her expression remained cold as her eyes returned to the book in her hands. It was a finely bound edition of the Saints¡¯ Sayings, a text revered by the Inquisition as a guiding principle, second only to the First Charter of the Star Council.


    She was engrossed in it, as if she were studying the most flawless work of art in the world. She no longer acknowledged Li Xiaofei¡¯s presence.


    Li Xiaofei still had many things he wanted to ask, but saying too much could lead to mistakes in this heavily monitored environment. A single careless word might allow the Realm of Traces to pick up on something.


    "I¡¯ll take care of Sister Yu," Li Xiaofei said. "You don¡¯t need to worry about anything outside. As long as you¡¯re innocent, you¡¯ll be able to leave."


    "Heh..." Ye Liuying let out a cold laugh.


    Without looking up, she said, "Someone told me the reason you wanted to see me is because you¡¯ve hopelessly fallen in love with me?"


    "And if I have?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Ye Liuying finally raised her head. Her cool, beautiful eyes were filled with mockery and disdain. "Do you think I¡¯d be deeply moved, open my heart, look at you differently, and give you a chance to be with me?"


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned.


    Ye Liuying looked away, her tone dripping with contempt. "Forget it. Men? Hah, they¡¯re worse than dogs. If you truly can¡¯t control those filthy urges inside you, don¡¯t waste any time. Go find a woman who¡¯s willing to let you sleep with her."


    Li Xiaofei stood frozen. He wanted to say something, but her words had cut deep and left him speechless.


    At that moment, the cell door opened. A synthetic voice from the light core system announced outside, "Warning, warning, time is up. Visitors must leave the cell immediately."


    Li Xiaofei sighed and turned to leave. When he reached the door, he couldn¡¯t help but glance back. By the desk, Ye Liuying remained indifferent and didn¡¯t spare him a single glance.


    Ding!


    The cell door shut behind him.


    Li Xiaofei walked silently down the corridor. Soon, he reached the transit area once again. A pale young man, dressed in a mid-level Realm of Traces uniform, was already waiting for him.


    "Before you leave, you¡¯ll need to undergo routine questioning." The young man said expressionlessly. "Follow me."


    Li Xiaofei felt a twinge of recognition. The voice was familiar. It was the same voice from the call, the one who had arranged this meeting.


    "What¡¯s your name?" Li Xiaofei asked as he followed.


    The young man replied without turning around, "Lei Yinuo, intern detective of the Realm of Traces. You guessed right. I¡¯m the one who contacted you earlier."


    "You like money, don¡¯t you?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Lei Yinuo chuckled. "To be precise, I like money that I can safely take and spend."


    Li Xiaofei responded, "Everything in this world has a price."


    Lei Yinuo didn¡¯t reply as they continued walking. Moments later, Li Xiaofei was brought into the interrogation room.


    Lei Yinuo sat across from him and said calmly, "No need to be nervous, this is just a routine questioning."


    Li Xiaofei sat down, his expression neutral.


    "According to our information, on January 10th, you left the city and ventured into the wilderness with a group of people. Can you explain in detail what you were doing?" Lei Yinuo asked.


    Li Xiaofei understood what was happening. The Realm of Traces truly lived up to its reputation. Their grasp of information was meticulous. This was likely an attempt to apply pressure on him.


    "We went to hunt star beasts and practice martial skills," Li Xiaofei replied directly. "To be precise, this wasn¡¯t just on January 10th. I spent a long period before and after that doing the same thing."


    "Alright, next question." Lei Yinuo continued, "Please explain again why you were willing to spend 50 million just to see Ye Liuying."


    Li Xiaofei countered, "I¡¯m rich. I wanted to see a woman, so I spent the money. What¡¯s wrong with that?"


    "It¡¯s valid, but from a normal perspective, it seems a bit excessive," Lei Yinuo replied. "As far as I know, you¡¯re from the slums, and your usual spending habits are quite frugal."


    Li Xiaofei smiled. "Since your investigation is so thorough, you should also know that I once donated 20 million to Red Flag High School."


    Lei Yinuo acknowledged, "That did happen. What does it prove?"


    Li Xiaofei explained, "Ever heard of revenge spending? Maybe it¡¯s because I grew up in poverty that, now that I have money, I indulge myself by spending recklessly to satisfy whims. If I can satisfy my vanity by donating to a school, of course, I can spend 50 million to satisfy my desires. For a woman like Ye Liuying, even spending a billion would be worth it, don¡¯t you think?"


    Lei Yinuo pressed, "So, you wanted to save her?"


    "Don¡¯t try to bait me," Li Xiaofei replied coolly. "I believe she¡¯s innocent and not a heretic."


    Lei Yinuo fell silent, asking no further questions.


    After a brief wait, Lei Yinuo seemed to receive some instructions. He stood up and said, "Alright, Mr. Li Xiaofei, you''re free to leave now... Good luck." S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the same time, in the nearby hidden control room.


    "He doesn¡¯t seem as panicked as we expected," Clove said thoughtfully. "Perhaps he¡¯s truly innocent?"


    Edward smiled faintly, unconcerned.


    "Innocent or not, they all die eventually," Edward said casually. "But he¡¯s shown more composure than we expected, and a courage beyond what most people his age would display. It means we might need to revise our plan."


    Just then, a subordinate rushed in.


    "Detectives, we''ve found traces of the Yinji Moon Fox," the subordinate reported.


    Clove quickly stood and asked, "Where? Did you capture it?"


    The subordinate replied, "The demon fox is quite powerful. She broke through our encirclement and injured several men. However, she was also wounded and left behind some demon blood."


    "With the demon blood, we can use our tracking techniques to find her location. As long as she¡¯s in this city, she won¡¯t escape. Heh, the fox-woman is a prized possession among the European underground temple elites. We must capture her alive," Edward said gleefully.


    Clove nodded resolutely. "I¡¯ll go catch her myself."


    ***


    After returning to Cloudy Sky Gang Headquarters, Li Xiaofei immediately sent someone to fetch Hu Yuer. A short while later. Hu Yuer knocked on the door and entered. Li Xiaofei caught a faint scent of blood.


    "Are you hurt?" he asked.


    Hu Yuer replied, "Ran into a few hounds and got a little scratched up... What do you need from me?"


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t respond right away.


    Hu Yuer smiled and added, "I was just about to request some time off anyway. Those hounds are on my tail, and you should be careful too."


    Li Xiaofei stood up slowly, his eyes thoughtful but silent. He didn¡¯t address her request or injuries right away, leaving a sense of tension hanging in the air.


    Li Xiaofei suddenly said, ¡°Take off your clothes.¡±


    Hu Yuer was momentarily shocked.


    Li Xiaofei continued, ¡°Everybody says you foxes are seductive, I want to see how seductive you are.¡±


    Hu Yuer licked her lips, sashaying from side to side as she moved closer. She laughed playfully. "Weren''t you always avoiding me before? Why the sudden change of heart?"


    "Stop talking nonsense," Li Xiaofei replied. "Make the most of the time."


    Surprise flickered in Hu Yuer''s beautiful eyes as she asked, "Are you serious?"


    Li Xiaofei placed his hands on her shoulders and gently pressed her down to her knees. Her long legs, clad only in black stockings, touched the white metal floor, creating a striking contrast that ignited a primal intensity.


    "Right here?" Hu Yuer looked up seductively at the domineering man before her and said, "So, you really do like this office vibe. It''s my first time too... mmm..."


    Before she could finish speaking, her mouth was abruptly filled.


    Li Xiaofei gasped softly, his hand gently stroking the fox woman''s hair as he spoke slowly, "Aren''t you skilled in the Yin-Yang Resonance of Great Sorrow? This shouldn''t be unfamiliar to you. Be careful, no teeth..."

 Chapter 321: Bridge of Heaven and Earth

    Chapter 321: Bridge of Heaven and EarthThe Yinji Moon Fox had once told him she had the bloodline of the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox. It was an extremely high-grade bloodline. Moreover, it had the potential for growth. It was a rare advanced bloodline among star beasts that could be elevated through acquired opportunities. After dual cultivation, there were also significant benefits for the male partner.


    Even though the office environment was ordinary, it didn''t hinder the work at hand. Hu Yuer, after all, was at the level equivalent to the Five Spirits Realm. Her physique, muscle strength, and resilience far surpassed that of ordinary people. She was indeed capable of coordinating with Li Xiaofei.


    The Yin-Yang Resonance of Great Sorrow technique required the two to work in close harmony. Many of the high-difficulty maneuvers were beyond the tolerance of most people, yet Hu Yuer could easily accomplish them.


    However, it was also her first time. So there was some awkwardness in the beginning. Even though she had thoroughly mastered the theoretical knowledge, putting it into practice still required starting from scratch.


    Moments later. She gradually adapted.


    "You... truly... are, pure-blooded..."


    Hu Yuer realized that she had underestimated Li Xiaofei¡¯s physical strength. Despite possessing the body of a grade five star beast, she was almost on the verge of collapse from the impacts.


    "Stop talking, focus."


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change as he maintained his steady rhythm. "Operate the Great Sorrow technique, your stance is falling apart. Hold it steady..."


    "You are nothing short of a beast," Hu Yuer struggled to suppress the trembling of her soul.


    She exerted all her strength to maintain the posture and rhythm of the Yin-Yang Resonance of Great Sorrow, continuously channeling the energy of the star beasts within her body. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The essence of dual cultivation was an exchange of spirit and energy between the two. Such an exchange required the connection of the Bridge of Heaven and Earth between them to be complete.


    How was it connected? Through deep mutual engagement. The connection served as a conduit for their breaths, vitality, and inner energy to cycle back and forth. This was the true essence of yin and yang exchange. True dual cultivation was about complementing each other, exchanging strengths for mutual benefit. Thus, any one-sided extraction without reciprocation was considered a path of evil.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s breath was vigorous and filled with yang. He cultivated the authentic martial arts lineage of Great Xia, whether it was the Great Strength Vajra Fist, the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, or even the True Dragon Breathing Technique; all of them were techniques of utmost purity and power.


    Hu Yuer felt the searing energy surging through the Bridge of Heaven and Earth, washing over her body and flowing into her limbs and bones. The isolated yin energy within her also finally found an outlet through the bridge. It was an unprecedented, out-of-body-like experience, a perfect rhythm that continuously shook her soul.


    Then, something strange began to happen. Hu Yuer sensed a transformation, a kind of ascension in life force, in her body. The shackles that had troubled her for so long seemed to shatter when they came in contact with the scorching Yang current, causing her body to mutate.


    Six enormous, almost tangible white fox tails of pure energy erupted from her tailbone, instantly filling nearly the entire room. The tails coiled tightly around the two of them like a cocoon. One could faintly see their two bodies intertwined through the energy membrane, colliding with each other again and again.


    Hu Yuer¡¯s hair hung loose, and she let out uncontrollable, loud screams. Li Xiaofei also noticed the changes happening in his own body. Especially after cultivating the Yi Jin Jing, his awareness of his body had become incredibly sharp. He was absorbing the pure, extreme yin energy. It was intertwining with his original starforce qi, constantly evolving and ascending.


    In the end, he realized that a faint mist was slowly forming like a blood-colored cloud within the world of his dantian. This unknown transformation felt strangely familiar to Li Xiaofei. He had no time to investigate further.


    The dual cultivation continued. The Bridge of Heaven and Earth could not be severed. Thus, he couldn¡¯t withdraw, and could only maintain the previous rhythm. Fortunately, Hu Yuer¡¯s robust physique allowed her to endure it.


    Time passed. Hu Yuer had already fallen into a state of chaos as the energy inside her grew increasingly wild. The primal force of her Heavenly Fox bloodline began to erupt.


    There were even faint signs of bestial transformation. Her ears and the roots of her hair even started to take on the features of a white fox. She was turning into a fox-eared maiden!


    ***


    Three black, unlicensed SUVs sped into the outskirts of the slum like lightning, carrying ten power-armored soldiers. They didn¡¯t stop, crashing through the barriers and charged straight in.


    The patrolling warriors of the Cloudy Sky Gang were quickly alerted and immediately moved to block the intruders. But they were simply knocked aside.


    ¡°On behalf of the Star Council, those who obstruct us will die.¡± A voice came through the speakers of one of the power armors.


    Even though the Cloudy Sky Gang was the largest gang in the city, how could they possibly stand against those from the Realm of Traces?


    They were instantly routed.


    An alarmed Chu Yuntian rushed out with a large machete in hand. But he was blasted away by a casual shot from one of the power armors, his fate uncertain.


    ¡°Enemy attack!¡±


    ¡°Quick, summon the president!¡±


    Yang Cheng shouted from a distance.


    The quiet night in the slum was instantly thrown into chaos. Countless experts from the Cloudy Sky Gang swarmed toward the intruders like a tidal wave.


    ¡°Lowly Great Xia insects,¡± Clove sneered, sitting in the lead SUV, the disdain on her beautiful face entirely undisguised.


    Beside her, an armed soldier in a compact power armor controlled a compass-like device and exclaimed excitedly, ¡°The fox blood resonance is growing stronger. It¡¯s definitely here... within three thousand meters ahead.¡±


    Clove immediately gave the order, ¡°Increase speed. Kill anyone who dares block us.¡±


    Outside the president¡¯s office. Li Junjie, the president¡¯s top henchman, loyally stood guard.


    Although he was puzzled as to why Principal Hu had been inside for so long without emerging, as the president Li¡¯s most devoted lackey, he naturally wouldn''t dare intrude to investigate.


    The commotion in the distance caught Li Junjie¡¯s attention. However, before he could react...


    Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.


    Several streaks of light landed heavily outside the office. Clove was on high alert, her energy circulating to its peak. The other power-armored soldiers floated in the air, surrounding the entire office building.


    ¡°She¡¯s in there!¡± The soldier controlling the device shouted, pointing at the president¡¯s office, ¡°She hasn¡¯t escaped yet!¡±


    ¡°You... Who are you?¡± Li Junjie roared in fury, ¡°How dare you besiege the president¡¯s office? Are you courting death?¡±


    Clove casually waved a hand and a powerful, unstoppable force erupted instantly. Blood gushed from Li Junjie''s mouth as he was sent flying backward.


    The sight made Yang Cheng, Fan Tong, and the others, who were pursuing from a distance, twitch in fear.


    ¡°Quick, summon Instructor Xiao Bidao!¡±


    ¡°Instructor Xiao is here!¡±


    Someone was flying through the air above the panicked crowd. The figure seemed to ride the wind and radiated an extraordinary aura.


    In a booming voice, he declared, ¡°Who dares to cause trouble at my Cloudy Sky Gang... Oh crap? Sorry for the disturbance.¡±


    Halfway through his speech, he spotted the emblem of the Realm of Traces on the black SUVs and immediately turned to flee. His entire action was as fluid as flowing water.


    Boom!


    The office was violently blown open. Clove slowly floated forward, unleashing the overwhelming power of a peak Five Spirits Realm expert.


    ¡°Demon fox, come out now!¡± She demanded.


    Everyone¡¯s eyes followed her gaze into the blown-open office.

 Chapter 322: Who The Hell Is This Chick?

    Chapter 322: Who The Hell Is This Chick?Li Xiaofei, stark naked and dressed in nothing but a tattered bath towel, stumbled out from the broken doorway, covered in dust. He was furious.


    ¡°Goddamn it!¡± Without any care for his image or reputation, the president cursed, ¡°Which son of a bitch decided to mess with me right now?! I''m gonna kill him!¡±


    There was dead silence. Even Clove seemed somewhat surprised by the sight of Li Xiaofei¡¯s naked, muscular body barely covered by the bath towel. She was taken aback by the sheer primal masculinity emanating from him. The words she had prepared caught in her throat.


    Meanwhile, this was the first time the Cloudy Sky Gang members had ever seen their boss in such a state. He looked utterly disheveled. But why did it seem a little amusing?


    Realm of Traces?


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he finally pieced together what was happening. They had come for the troublesome fox. And they had arrived faster than expected.


    The tall, blonde, blue-eyed woman in front of him was radiating an aura at the peak of the Five Spirits Realm.


    A powerful opponent!


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but shiver. Hu Yuer was still inside the room.


    Does this count as getting caught in the act?


    "Heh, Li Xiaofei?" Clove was actually rather pleased. "Who¡¯s in the room behind you? Hand them over!"


    What an unexpected windfall. Catching both Li Xiaofei and the Yinji Moon Fox in the same room would confirm their collusion and make things so much easier. It was like killing two birds with one stone, and it would save her from executing a series of complex plans. This was a perfect trap.


    "None of your damn business," Li Xiaofei retorted, trying to sound tough despite his fear. "Has it suddenly become a crime under The Saints'' Sayings for me to indulge in a bit of... private activity?"


    "Stop wasting time," Clove sneered coldly. "Tell the woman inside to come out."


    She gestured sharply.


    Zzzzzz...


    The barrels of the power armor¡¯s guns began to spin as they charged up.


    The Cloudy Sky Gang fighters, seeing their boss threatened, drew their swords and cocked their bows as they surrounded the members of the Realm of Traces. The air grew thick with tension.


    A glint of icy resolve flashed through Clove¡¯s eyes.


    "How dare you disrespect an officer of the Inquisition?"


    She was already harboring murderous intent.


    Li Xiaofei raised his hand and said, "Stand down."


    The Cloudy Sky Gang fighters retreated slowly.


    Yang Cheng realized the gravity of the situation and knew this wasn¡¯t the time to act rashly. Even though their intruders had barged in and harmed many of their own, these were officers of the Star Council. A direct conflict would only bring greater harm to the Cloudy Sky Gang. He worked hard to restrain his people as they swiftly withdrew.


    Li Xiaofei, still wrapped in his bath towel, said, "Even if you¡¯re officers of the Star Council, that doesn¡¯t give you the right to kill and injure people at will on Great Xia¡¯s soil. You owe me an explanation."


    "An explanation?" Clove laughed mockingly. "Li Xiaofei, you clearly don¡¯t understand your situation. You¡¯re guilty of colluding with and harboring a star beast: the Yinji Moon Fox. That¡¯s a crime of the highest order. The Cloudy Sky Gang¡¯s obstruction of her capture only makes things worse. Today, you will face justice."


    "I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about," Li Xiaofei replied, his legs exposed to the cold wind and his hair fluttering. "The Yinji Moon Fox? Harboring a star beast? You''re just making baseless accusations to frame me."


    He was trying to buy time. If that sly fox had any sense, she''d be making her escape. She was an expert at slipping away. As long as she wasn¡¯t caught in the act, there was still room to deny everything.


    Clove, however, had no patience for stalling. She swiftly lunged forward as she headed straight into the room. But Li Xiaofei moved to intercept.


    Boom!


    The two clashed. Visible shockwaves rippled outward like tidal waves.


    "How dare you?!" Clove roared in fury. "You actually dare to obstruct an investigation by a Realm of Traces inspector?" S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t backing down. He sneered, "There¡¯s no Yinji Moon Fox in there like you claim. This is a private residence. If you want to search it, show me a warrant."


    "You clearly don¡¯t know the meaning of the word death," Clove retorted coldly. "Obstructing an inspector? I¡¯ll make sure you wish for death."


    With that, she struck again.


    The Yiggs Union¡¯s combat techniques were different from the Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial arts. They weren¡¯t as sophisticated as the refined techniques of Great Xia¡¯s martial lineage. Their style leaned more towards boxing, military combat, and free fighting.


    However, what they lacked in finesse, they made up with their naturally robust physiques. The way they cultivated starforce qi was unique, as they tempered their bodies to extreme toughness. Even a seemingly simple strike from Clove carried a massive, destructive force.


    Clove was a classic example of the Yiggs Union''s martial arts. She was tall, her cultivation solid, and her physique formidable. Every punch she threw was wrapped in a golden aura as her strikes tore through the air like a torrential flood, obliterating everything in their path.


    But unfortunately for her, she was facing Li Xiaofei. President Li¡¯s physical body was monstrously strong, even by Great Xia''s standards. He was a true anomaly among martial artists.


    Calmly standing in place, he casually held his bath towel with one hand and used the other to effortlessly block Clove''s heavy punches.


    Clove felt a jolt of shock from the first clash. The rebounding force from the impact made her realize that she could barely withstand it. However Li Xiaofei¡¯s face lit up with delight. He was pleasantly surprised to discover that after his recent dual cultivation session, his physical strength had taken a qualitative leap forward. The Yi Jin Jing, which had only seen slight progress before, now seemed on the verge of major success.


    The heart moves, and strength follows. Contracting and releasing are done naturally, flowing out without conscious effort, like the rise of the tide or the thunder''s roar.


    Li Xiaofei finally understood the true meaning of those words. After a few more exchanges, the look of shock and anger on Clove''s face only grew. She had seen all of Li Xiaofei¡¯s intelligence reports and watched various combat videos of him.


    As an inspector of the Realm of Traces, studying her opponent was her first priority. She believed she had completely analyzed this Great Xia prodigy, and knew his cultivation level inside out. But once she engaged him, she realized he was nothing like she had thought. If she wanted to take him down on her own, she would have to resort to power weapons.


    Boom!


    They collided again, their forms separating as shockwaves exploded between them. Clove¡¯s emerald green eyes glinted with undisguised killing intent as her fingers hovered over her power weapon.


    She said, "Since you¡¯ve chosen death, I¡¯ll grant it to you."


    Damn it.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s own killing intent started to surge.


    This foreign woman is wielding her authority like a weapon and dares to act arrogantly on Great Xia¡¯s soil... Might as well finish her off.


    Both of them were ready to kill. The atmosphere became unbearably tense. An invisible pressure radiated from the two of them, spreading wildly.


    Just then...


    ¡°Brother Xiaofei.¡±


    A lazy and sultry voice that was so intoxicating that it seemed to seep into one''s very soul floated out from the destroyed office.


    What a heart-stirring voice. Even Clove, who was filled with murderous intent, couldn¡¯t help but feel an inexplicable sense of pity and tenderness well up inside her.


    God.


    Clove fought the sudden urge to protect the owner of that voice. Li Xiaofei, on the other hand, shuddered violently. An indescribable tingling sensation erupted from the base of his spine, racing up his back and slamming into his brain as if it would blow his skull right off.


    It didn¡¯t stop there either. The power armor elites around them, the young man operating the tracking device, and even the members of the Cloudy Sky Gang watching from afar; everyone was frozen in place, their faces showing an expression of blissful longing like love-struck fools. It was as if their souls had been yanked from their bodies by the sheer force of that voice.


    In the next moment, a stunning young woman, draped in a bath towel, stepped gracefully out of the shattered office like an angel descending from heaven. She wore black high heels and her bare legs as pale as snow as she moved with an almost otherworldly elegance.


    The world fell silent. Every pair of eyes was glued to her figure.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s face was a picture of disbelief.


    Who the hell is this chick?

 Chapter 323: Burst Of Killing Intent

    Chapter 323: Burst Of Killing IntentThe young woman who stepped out of the room was simply breathtaking. If she could be described with one word, it would be pure. If two, it would be stunning and clear. But three, it would be flawless, snow-white, and exquisite.


    Her beauty was the kind that left no room for flaws from head to toe. It was the kind of beauty so perfect that it almost felt unreal. She was so perfect that looking at her was like gazing directly at the radiant sun. She was a beauty that could almost make your eyes ache from brilliance.


    Even women, upon seeing her, would feel no jealousy. Instead, they would be overcome with the urge to protect her, to dedicate their whole lives and all their strength to safeguarding her.


    Even someone like Clove, a master at her level, found her mental fortitude shaken at the sight of this girl. But she quickly regained her composure. She turned toward the young team member who was controlling the tracking device.


    He stood frozen, like a statue. Clove let out a cold snort. Her voice thundered in the young team member¡¯s ears.


    "Ah..."


    The young team member snapped back to reality and quickly looked down at the instrument in his hands. After a brief adjustment, he shook his head. This girl was not the fox woman.


    Clove''s emerald eyes flashed coldly as she gripped the power weapon at her waist. She strode forward as she barked, "Anyone who stands in my way will die."


    Li Xiaofei sneered, ready to make his move.


    "Xiaofei, let her search. Don¡¯t be angry." The perfect, ethereal girl cooed as she gently wrapped her delicate arm around his and pressed her soft body against his arm. "All this fighting and killing is so scary. Peace is the most important thing."


    Li Xiaofei shot her a suspicious look.


    After a moment of hesitation, he eventually stepped aside. Clove entered the office, her eyes sharp as lightning as she scanned every corner. A strange scent wafted through the air. She paused briefly before quickly realizing what it was.


    As a grown woman from the Yiggs Union, a nation known for its more liberal customs, she was no stranger to matters between men and women. She could instantly discern what kind of intense battle had taken place in this office not long ago. Disgust and contempt spread across Clove¡¯s face.


    What a shameless pair.


    She carefully searched the entire room.


    Nothing. The advanced tracking methods of the Realm of Traces would reveal secret chambers, hidden passages, or concealed mechanisms. So, if she found nothing, it meant the fox woman wasn¡¯t here.


    But Clove wasn¡¯t ready to give up. She slowly walked back out, her eyes locking onto the innocent-looking young girl suspiciously.


    "Who are you?" Clove asked.


    "I''m his woman." The girl smiled sweetly, standing beside Li Xiaofei like a delicate bird.


    "I¡¯m asking for your name. What¡¯s your ID number? Why are you here?" Clove''s cold heart almost melted at the girl¡¯s smile, making her even more cautious. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was deeply unsettling for Clove to feel her will shake from a simple smile from another woman. This beautiful, almost unfairly charming girl had to be more than she appeared.


    "My name is Hu Yuer. I¡¯m the principal of the school here..." The girl replied, revealing her identity.


    The young technical support officer from the Realm of Traces immediately began searched for her name in the online database. After a moment, he nodded and said, "The information matches, but..."


    "But what?" Clove demanded.


    "The resemblance in the photos isn''t strong enough..." The young officer explained.


    Before he could finish, Clove turned to Hu Yuer and asked, "How do you explain that?"


    Hu Yuer smiled and said, "Because I''m not wearing makeup."


    "What?"


    "It''s not that strange. I look too young, so when I go to work, I purposely use makeup to make myself look a bit older. I just took it off now, that¡¯s all," she explained casually.


    "Excuses... Someone, test her blood," Clove sneered.


    They had already collected the blood of the fox demon, along with its DNA, which was tied to the essence of life itself. It was impossible to disguise or alter.


    The young officer hesitated before approaching. Hu Yuer pricked her finger, and a drop of blood welled up. The slight furrowing of her brows made every man who saw it feel a pang of heartache.


    The results came in quickly.


    "No match." The young officer confirmed.


    Clove¡¯s face betrayed surprise and disappointment.


    She wasn¡¯t the one?! Could I have been wrong?


    Clove turned and walked back into the office, searching for any trace or clue once again. But ten minutes later, she returned disappointed.


    "Care to explain why our equipment detected traces of the Yinji Moon Fox''s energy here in the slum?" Clove¡¯s gaze fixed on Li Xiaofei.


    President Li shot back, "Explain my ass!"


    "You..." Clove seethed angrily.


    Li Xiaofei coldly replied, "Perhaps you''d like to explain why you''ve injured and killed people in my Great Xia base city. Otherwise, you might find it difficult to leave this slum today."


    "Are you threatening me?" replied Clove, her pride as an inspector of the Realm of Traces deeply affronted by his words.


    "It''s more than just a threat," Li Xiaofei laughed coldly. "I have justice on my side, and if you don¡¯t give me an explanation today, you¡¯ll stay in this slum to pay with your life."


    "Try me," Clove scoffed disdainfully.


    Li Xiaofei was eager to fight.


    Clove sneered, "Take this woman away. I¡¯ll interrogate her personally. She¡¯s highly suspicious..."


    Clove trusted her instincts over the evidence. After all, conducting investigations in the Realm of Traces didn¡¯t always require hard evidence.


    "Then die," Li Xiaofei suddenly snarled.


    Before she could react...


    Boom!


    He struck without warning. A powerful strike from the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, the Wild Dragon in the Field, landed squarely on Clove¡¯s chest.


    Crack!


    The sound of bones breaking rang through the air. Clove was caught completely off-guard as she was sent flying backward. But she was, after all, at the peak of the Five Spirits Realm. The shattered bones and internal organs had already begun to heal as soon as she hit the ground. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.


    ¡°Li Xiaofei!!!¡± Clove¡¯s furious roar nearly ripped apart the night sky of the slum.


    ¡°Are you calling for your daddy?¡± Li Xiaofei''s next strike came even faster and without mercy.


    Dragon roars echoed as the golden shadow of a divine dragon manifested. Li Xiaofei''s mastery of the palm technique was extraordinary.


    Boom!


    He shattered Clove¡¯s defensive stance with a single strike again.


    A barrage of palm strikes followed in quick succession, accompanied by the dragon¡¯s furious roar. Each strike landed heavily, battering the Realm of Traces inspector.


    Clove had lost the initiative and became nothing more than a punching bag. The sound of cracking bones echoed repeatedly from her body. Bright red blood gushed from her mouth, nose, and ears like a fountain.


    Boom!


    A final strike slammed directly into Clove¡¯s chest, right over her heart. The invisible impact exploded out of Clove¡¯s back, shredding the battle suit across her spine.


    A flicker of surprise crossed Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes. That strike should have pierced right through her body, yet it didn¡¯t. The martial arts techniques of the Western continents were indeed formidable. But even so, Clove was now completely incapacitated. Her bones were shattered, and blood poured from her like a spring.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s killing intent surged. This was no time for hesitation. He gathered his strength once more. This time, he aimed for Clove¡¯s head.


    But just as he was about to strike...


    "That¡¯s enough."


    A voice echoed in the distant darkness. A towering blond man slowly walked through the air as if he was suspended in the void.

 Chapter 324: This Fox Demon Is Insane

    Chapter 324: This Fox Demon Is InsaneIt was Edward. A powerful aura emanated from the towering Yiggs Union man as he radiated a faint golden holy light. He seemed like a deity as he walked through the night sky.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s pupils contracted slightly.


    Walking through the air!


    This was a cultivator of the Five Spirits Realm, a true expert from the Realm of Traces. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Kill him, Edward, kill him now!" Clove shouted angrily, staggering under the unbearable pain and humiliation. She had lost her usual calm and authoritative demeanor.


    However, Edward glanced indifferently at her, "You¡¯re seriously injured. You need to rest... Someone, take her back for recovery."


    Two team members immediately stepped forward and helped Clove up.


    She still struggled violently. "I want to see you kill him with my own eyes..."


    Edward¡¯s gaze suddenly turned ice cold and sharp as a blade.


    "Go back."


    His voice left no room for argument. Clove trembled and slowly lowered her head. She silently went into the black SUV with the help of her compatriots.


    Edward turned to Li Xiaofei and said, "Great Xia citizen, there was a misunderstanding tonight. On behalf of the Realm of Traces investigation team, I offer my apologies to you and your friend."


    "A verbal apology is meaningless," Li Xiaofei stood his ground, locking eyes with Edward. "Show some real sincerity."


    Edward responded calmly, "What kind of sincerity are you looking for?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "According to the rules of the slums, if you kill someone, you pay with your life. If you injure someone, you have to provide compensation and apologize."


    Edward said indifferently, "Compensation is not an issue. But paying with lives is not going to happen. However, the Realm of Traces will offer satisfactory compensation."


    Li Xiaofei sneered, "What kind of compensation could be more important than a life?"


    "You may not know, but according to Star Council regulations, you can bring any request to the city government for any unnecessary losses caused by the Realm of Traces during a mission," Edward replied nonchalantly. "Ask for whatever you want, and you''ll be satisfied in the end."


    With that, Edward and his team from the Realm of Traces began to leave.


    Li Xiaofei considered stepping forward to stop them several times. But in the end, he held back. Edward was likely in the Golden Body Realm. If things escalated further, it would be difficult to control the situation. It wouldn¡¯t be wise to confront him head-on. It would be better to deal with him covertly.


    More importantly, Li Xiaofei still hadn''t figured out what was going on with the fox demon. She had suddenly transformed into a completely different person.


    ***


    Base. Treatment Room.


    ¡°You fool! You dared to kill people in front of witnesses, in broad daylight, in Great Xia¡¯s territory?¡± Edward raged. ¡°Do you even realize where you are? This is Great Xia! Not the loose European Independent Nations Alliance! Not the barbaric and backward Afik Emirate Administrative Region! And certainly not the groveling Jiepeng or the arrogant and ignorant Indi Empire!¡±


    ¡°This is Great Xia! Even though Great Xia has declined, it was once the leader of Earth. This is not a place where you can kill at will.¡±


    Edward was pacing back and forth furiously. Opposite him, Clove was submerged naked in a glass tank filled with green healing nutrient fluid.


    She retorted defiantly, ¡°If we were in Xiajing or Haijing, of course I would¡¯ve been more careful. But this is just some small, insignificant base city on the northwest border of Great Xia. Since when has the Realm of Traces needed to tread cautiously here?¡±


    ¡°Small base city?!¡± Edward shot back. ¡°The Great Xia¡¯s people hold an unbreakable attachment to every inch of their land. Still, what are you so proud of? A high school student managed to beat you so badly that you didn¡¯t even get a chance to retaliate. If I hadn¡¯t arrived in time, you would be a corpse right now.¡±


    ¡°He wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± Clove stubbornly argued.


    But then she recalled Li Xiaofei¡¯s crazed and terrifying expression, and a shiver ran down her spine. When Clove calmed down and thought carefully, she realized that Li Xiaofei had struck with full intent to kill. There had been no hesitation.


    Edward noticed the change in her expression and mocked, "Do you understand now? It¡¯s not uncommon to find brutal thugs in the frontier areas of Great Xia. Do you not remember how many maniacs this nation¡¯s produced? Moreover, you violated Council rules by injuring those Great Xia citizens. If this escalates and draws the attention of the Dragon Group, you won''t come out of it unscathed."


    ¡°Damn the Great Xia,¡± Clove muttered, no longer arguing.


    She submerged her entire body, except for her head, in the nutrient liquid as a hint of resentment crossed her face.


    ¡°If the Great Xia hadn¡¯t remained so closed off and rejected new martial arts, we would¡¯ve... Any obstacle to the Yiggs people¡¯s resurgence must be eradicated,¡± she grumbled.


    Edward responded, "You need to avoid your usual methods here... You were too impulsive. Stay out of sight for now and recover in the base."


    Clove asked, ¡°What about the fox demon?¡±


    Edward replied, "I''ll investigate them personally. The fox demon and Li Xiaofei are undoubtedly connected. She¡¯s the key to our entire plan. If we capture her, we can still condemn Ye Liuying to death even if she doesn¡¯t confess."


    Clove added, ¡°Also... I can¡¯t shake the feeling that the woman named Hu Yuer isn¡¯t as simple as she seems. She might be tied to the fox demon.¡±


    Edward¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly.


    ¡°Do you know why I chose to retreat and apologize tonight?¡± he asked.


    Clove replied, ¡°Wasn¡¯t it because of your fear of Great Xia¡¯s Dragon Group?¡±


    Edward shook his head. "The Dragon Group certainly limits us, but the truth is always at the mercy of the powerful. If we can destroy Li Xiaofei in an instant, we can dictate whatever truth we want.¡±


    Edward continued, ¡°But tonight, I realized that I couldn¡¯t kill Li Xiaofei alone.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Clove was shocked.


    Edward''s strength was equivalent to Great Xia¡¯s Golden Body Realm. He had numerous secret techniques at his disposal and should have been nearly invincible in this base city.


    ¡°How is it possible that you couldn¡¯t kill Li Xiaofei?¡±


    Edward¡¯s voice carried a note of confusion. ¡°The problem wasn¡¯t Li Xiaofei. It was the girl beside him. When she looked at me, I felt a pressure I haven¡¯t felt in a long time¡ªsomething on par with a Golden Body Realm."


    ¡°You¡¯re saying that girl is at the Golden Body Realm?¡± Clove was utterly stunned.


    A young girl at the Golden Body Realm, willingly staying by Li Xiaofei¡¯s side? Who is she?


    ***


    In the slums, at the headquarters of the Cloudy Sky Gang, within a specially designed training room.


    Li Xiaofei stared at the stunning, beautiful girl in front of him and asked, "Alright, tell me, what¡¯s going on? Why did you transform like this?"


    Hu Yuer giggled softly, her expression playful and seductive. "Isn''t it because of how you handled me?"


    "Speak plainly," Li Xiaofei''s face darkened.


    Hu Yuer boasted proudly, "I¡¯ve leveled up! Now I¡¯m a grade six star beast who can fully transform into a human form. Even my life essence has changed, so you better treat me nicer. You can''t beat me anymore."


    Li Xiaofei shoved her down forcefully and said, "Still acting tough? Want me to make you cry and scream again?"


    "Ah, you''re hurting me," Hu Yuer purred with a sultry look, "Harder."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    Is she a masochist? This fox demon is insane.

 Chapter 325: Power Of A Cheat Ability

    Chapter 325: Power Of A Cheat AbilityHalf an hour later, Hu Yuer was as limp as a puddle of water.


    Li Xiaofei dressed himself with a smug expression. He said, "That¡¯s it? You call yourself a fox demon?"


    Hu Yuer weakly wiggled her fingers. Her eyes were still brimming with allure, but she felt like all her strength had been drained.


    The Yin-Yang Resonance of Great Sorrow dual cultivation technique was indeed powerful, but this beast of a man had clearly wanted to teach her a lesson for her earlier arrogance for the last hour. He had shown no mercy and left her utterly overwhelmed.


    By the end, Hu Yuer had completely lost focus on dual cultivation. She had been entirely consumed by the intense pleasure that had infused her spirit and body. In the end, she had been utterly defeated.


    "Young master, you¡¯re too strong," Hu Yuer gasped. "I¡¯ll never dare to be so bold again."


    "As long as you know," Li Xiaofei said as he tossed a light blanket over her exposed body. "Now, tell me properly. How has your strength changed?"


    Hu Yuer stretched her snow-white arms out from beneath the blanket and sat up slightly, her shoulders gleaming like polished marble. Her eyes shimmered with warmth as her hair cascaded like silk.


    "I¡¯ve told you before, didn¡¯t I? The blood of the Heavenly Fox runs through my veins. But due to the limits of Earth¡¯s environment, I¡¯ve been stuck at grade five. I needed dual cultivation with a body of pure yang to break through. Your life essence, young master, shattered the shackles that held me back, and now I¡¯ve ascended to grade six. The Heavenly Fox bloodline within me has been fully awakened. I¡¯ve essentially been reborn."


    Hu Yuer covered her mouth, giggling softly. "Actually, young master, you¡¯ve benefited greatly as well, no? The bloodline of the Heavenly Fox provides immense benefits to the man she... partners with. I told you before, by refining my yin energy, it¡¯s as if you now have nine lives."


    "What do you mean? I haven- what the hell?"


    Li Xiaofei was just about to refute Hu Yuer, but when he mentally examined himself, he let out a shocked exclamation. He had discovered an anomaly within his dantian. In the universe of his starforce qi inside his dantian, there was now a clearly formed miniature figure that hadn¡¯t been there before.


    This tiny figure was blood red and, to Li Xiaofei¡¯s shock, looked just like him. It was almost like a chibi version of himself. Even stranger, this mini Li Xiaofei had nine faint, fox-like tails behind him, swishing around him like wisps of white clouds.


    What the hell?


    Li Xiaofei was stunned.


    I¡¯m the one who did the fox demon. How is it that, in the end, I¡¯m the one who seems pregnant?


    As he tried to make sense of it, he realized this situation resembled a Nascent Soul realm from cultivation systems, where one cultivates a miniature form within themselves. He attempted to communicate with the little nascent figure using his spiritual force or starforce qi. But nothing happened. This left Li Xiaofei feeling confused and a little uneasy.


    Is it good or bad to bring a child into the picture?


    Li Xiaofei snapped back to reality and looked at Hu Yuer. When he explained the situation inside his dantian, he asked, ¡°What exactly is going on?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the Heavenly Fox True Body of Life Substitution,¡± Hu Yuer replied, surprised. ¡°This is one of the bloodline mysteries of the Heavenly Fox clan. Young master, you really are a genius. I didn¡¯t expect you to form it so quickly. The nine tails you mentioned represent nine lives. Once the protection is fully formed, it can replace your life up to nine times.¡±


    Li Xiaofei finally relaxed.


    Good news. There is no need to worry anymore.


    ¡°How do I fully form these nine tails?¡± he asked.


    Hu Yuer just giggled mischievously and said nothing.


    Li Xiaofei suddenly understood.


    Dual cultivation.


    It seemed that he¡¯d need to spend more time cultivating with this fox demon.


    ¡°Stop calling me young master. It sounds weird,¡± Li Xiaofei said.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Hu Yuer responded obediently.


    Then, something else occurred to Li Xiaofei. ¡°Now that you¡¯ve reached grade six, and your life essence has transcended, does that mean we no longer need to worry about being detected by the Realm of Traces?¡±


    Hu Yuer smiled confidently. ¡°Unless a strong cultivator at the Dao Union Realm gets close to me, or I purposely reveal my energy signature, they absolutely won¡¯t be able to find me.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°You can expose yourself intentionally?¡±


    Hu Yuer replied, ¡°Just a drop of processed fox blood. What are you thinking?¡±


    Li Xiaofei grinned. ¡°Fishing.¡±


    ¡°Fishing?¡± Hu Yuer was puzzled.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t explain further. He stood up and said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯m sure you¡¯re tired after three or four rounds in one night. Get some rest, I¡¯ve got some real work to do.¡±


    With that, he hurried out.


    Hu Yuer felt slightly annoyed as she muttered, ¡°And here I thought I was the real business. Hmph.¡±


    ***


    The Secret Base of the Realm of Traces. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Clove stepped out of the healing chamber wrapped in a bathrobe. She had healed to around sixty percent after soaking in the nutrient solution for two hours.


    The palm strike from that Great Xia man had been terrifying. Its residual force had lingered in her body, preventing her Five Spirits Realm body from regenerating instantly. Luckily, the Yiggs Empire¡¯s high-tech healing solution had been effective. She would just need to soak for two hours a day, and she would be fully healed in three days.


    Once I¡¯m fully recovered, I¡¯ll definitely have my revenge.


    Clove seethed with anger. Losing to a Great Xia man was a disgrace she could not tolerate. Since she couldn¡¯t deal with Li Xiaofei directly at the moment, she would target those around him.


    Making dozens of people disappear quietly from the slums would be all too easy with the techniques of the Realm of Traces. Clove was well-versed in the darker sides of human nature and knew exactly who Li Xiaofei held dearest. If she killed the blind girl and the girl named Li Jie, it would surely cause Li Xiaofei unbearable pain.


    As she plotted her revenge, Clove suddenly caught a faint scent of blood in the air. She looked up, confused. She found a tall, burly figure standing about ten meters away in the metal corridor. Behind the figure, two Realm of Traces team members lay motionless on the ground.


    Enemy attack?!


    Clove¡¯s instincts had dulled since she was still recovering. She had also thought herself safe in the secret base, so despite her vast combat experience, she had been unaware of the intruder until he was already too close.


    But by then, it was too late. A blade gleamed as the figure flickered. A fine, hair-thin line of blood appeared across Clove¡¯s neck. The devastating force of the blade had already destroyed her brain in an instant.


    ¡°Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui...¡±


    Clove¡¯s final words were filled with disbelief as she died. Even in death, she couldn''t comprehend how this Great Xia assassin had infiltrated the Realm of Traces¡¯ secret base.


    Is there a traitor among us?


    At the same time. Li Xiaofei reappeared in his hidden chamber, shimmering in the dim light. An ancient parchment map hovered before him as the Spatial Point Theft ability went on cooldown.


    Killing Clove had been easier than Li Xiaofei had anticipated. The Yiggs Empire would never have guessed that, no matter how secure a place was, Li Xiaofei could return to any location as long as he had visited it. It didn¡¯t matter if they blindfolded him and obfuscated their location. That was the power of a cheat ability.

 Chapter 326: Not As Expected

    Chapter 326: Not As Expected"What exactly happened here?"


    Edward stared at Clove''s corpse, a chill rising in his heart. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She was beheaded. And there¡¯s the remnants of sword aura.


    By the time Clove was found, she was already a lifeless body. A terrifying sword aura had mercilessly shattered her internal organs and brain.


    "Sir, the Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui appeared and disappeared without triggering any alarms in the base," Lei Yinuo reported.


    Lei Yinuo had watched the surveillance footage countless times, but he couldn¡¯t help feeling dread each time the scene replayed in his mind. The surveillance cameras had captured the entire process of Clove¡¯s death. Yet, it was still of no use because Zhong Kui had appeared out of thin air and disappeared just as mysteriously. It was like he was a ghost. Even the most advanced light core couldn¡¯t calculate how he had done it.


    "Zhong Kui, a folk deity from Great Xia''s Daoist tradition tasked with exorcising ghosts... A god of Great Xia?" Edward mused as he looked down.


    As chief inspector of the Realm of Traces, Edward had conducted extensive research and studied many of the ancient legends of Great Xia. Once he had heard about the Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui, he had specifically looked up the stories surrounding the figure.


    "Lei Yinuo, do you think Zhong Kui could be a member of Great Xia''s Dragon Group?" Edward asked.


    Lei Yinuo thought for a moment. "It''s said that there¡¯s someone in Great Xia''s Dragon Group called Youming, who specializes in Earth Movement Techniques and can travel a thousand miles a day..."


    "Earth Movement Techniques!" Edward frowned. "So, the Dragon Group really did send someone... But with all the trouble they''re dealing with and their lack of personnel, how do they still have the time and energy to intervene here?"


    Lei Yinuo replied, "Perhaps it''s to protect Ye Liuying. After all, she''s under thirty and already in the Golden Body Realm. Being selected by the Dragon Group isn''t out of the question."


    Edward said, "Then all the more reason not to let her go."


    Lei Yinuo added, "But we''re still lacking the final piece of evidence to convict her."


    Edward replied, "Intensify the search. We must find the Yinji Moon Fox. Once we find it, everything will be settled."


    "We¡¯ve searched all night, but after the incident in the slums, we haven''t found a single trace of the fox... Sir, I have a theory," Lei Yinuo said.


    "Speak," Edward prompted.


    "The mysterious woman beside Li Xiaofei. Could she be the Yinji Moon Fox?" Lei Yinuo suggested.


    "Rest assured, that''s impossible," Edward replied firmly.


    That woman was in the Golden Body Realm, and even he felt threatened by her. The Yinji Moon Fox, on the other hand, was a mere five grade star beast. The gap in strength between the two was as vast as the heavens and the earth. There was no way she could be disguised as the fox.


    "We don¡¯t have much time left," Edward said slowly. "We must find the Yinji Moon Fox within five days, no matter the cost. Lei Yinuo, we both have work to do."


    "How should we handle the Dragon Group?" Lei Yinuo asked.


    Edward thought for a moment before answering, "Anything the Dragon Group tries to stop, we must complete. Anything they attempt to accomplish, we must prevent... Lei Yinuo, you¡¯ve passed the organization¡¯s tests, so I¡¯ll be honest with you. The organization is sending three experts from the Blade of Verdict to assist us in completing this mission."


    Lei Yinuo was overjoyed. "That¡¯s fantastic!"


    The Blade of Verdict was the strongest of the three divisions under the Inquisition. Every member of the Blade of Verdict had at minimum the combat strength of the Golden Body Realm. With their help, their future operations would go much more smoothly.


    "Sir, I¡¯d like to meet with City Leader Xie Renyu," Lei Yinuo said. "The Xie family has a good relationship with us and has cooperated with us in the past. If Liuhe Base City''s government supports our search, we should be able to increase our efficiency."


    Edward thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.


    "In times like these, it¡¯s wise to collaborate with friendly forces in Great Xia. That¡¯s an excellent suggestion, Lei Yinuo. Go ahead and proceed boldly."


    ***


    The next day. The sun had just risen. The PM2.5 index read 88.[1]


    At the headquarters of the Cloudy Sky Gang, the atmosphere inside Cloudy Sky Hall was thick with murderous intent.


    Chu Yuntian, wrapped in plaster, and Li Junjie, covered in bandages, along with the Hall Masters and Incense Masters of the Cloudy Sky Gang, were all glaring furiously at the young man standing in the center of the hall.


    This particular man was the coward who had fled in the face of battle!


    ¡°Speak up,¡± Li Xiaofei¡¯s smile was as sharp as a blade.


    Xiao Bidao looked bitter as he said, ¡°President, please let me expla¡ª I mean, listen to my reasons! The reason I turned and ran was actually for the benefit of the Cloudy Sky Gang. You could say my intentions were pure.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Li Xiaofei sneered.


    Xiao Bidao put on a serious expression as he continued, ¡°President, the force that barged in was from the Realm of Traces under the Inquisition. Do you know who they are? It¡¯s like pinching a tiger¡¯s tail! If I had acted recklessly and accidentally killed one of them, wouldn¡¯t that have brought disaster upon the Cloudy Sky Gang?¡±


    ¡°So, you turned around and ran?¡± Li Xiaofei¡¯s sneer deepened.


    This guy had absolutely no loyalty. He had also bailed at a critical moment when he was working for the Ye family. Though his strength was undeniable, he was utterly unreliable.


    ¡°I was trying to intimidate them,¡± Xiao Bidao swore solemnly. ¡°At that moment, I had already demonstrated my immense strength in the Five Spirits Realm. They must have been terrified! As long as I remained hidden in the shadows, the Realm of Traces people wouldn¡¯t dare to act recklessly!¡±


    But before he could finish speaking.


    Smash!


    The lights shattered instantly. Xiao Bidao¡¯s face darkened immediately.


    He glared at Li Xiaofei, "President, even if you have a grudge against me, you didn¡¯t have to smash the lights! Do you think lights are free?"


    Li Xiaofei responded, "If you hadn¡¯t been doing a decent job as an instructor for the disciples lately, I¡¯d have smashed your head in by now."


    "Exactly!" Xiao Bidao quickly agreed. "President, I¡¯m a man of culture. I excel at imparting knowledge and enlightening others, but fighting and killing? That¡¯s not my thing."


    "You? A man of culture?" Li Xiaofei scoffed.


    Xiao Bidao immediately felt offended. He immediately pulled out a suona[2] and said, "Let me show you a skill..."


    Li Xiaofei was stunned when he began to play.


    This guy actually knows how to play a traditional Chinese instrument? Impressive. Is he going to play Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix or something...? Wait a minute. What the hell? Is he playing funeral music?


    Li Xiaofei jumped up and started pummeling Xiao Bidao, "Are you trying to send me off to the afterlife? You ungrateful fool, your rebellious heart must weigh two hundred pounds!"


    "I can switch! I can play something else..." Xiao Bidao hurriedly tried to explain as his voice rose in panic.


    Just then, Yang Cheng rushed in. He had been negotiating with Xie Renyu at City Hall regarding the compensation.


    The government was expected to clean up after the Realm of Traces from the previous night and compensate the slums for the damage. Li Xiaofei stood up from where he had been thrashing Xiao Bidao.


    "Old Yang, what did that Xie guy say?" he asked, dusting himself off.


    Yang Cheng entered with a look of disbelief still plastered across his face. "Things didn¡¯t go quite like we imagined..."


    Li Xiaofei frowned. "Did that Xie guy try to weasel out of the compensation? I knew it! That scoundrel was never up to any good. Looks like I¡¯ve finally exposed his true colors."


    1. A key indicator of air quality is the amount of PM2.5 in the air. PM stands for particulate matter and the 2.5 refers to size. ?


    2. Suona, also called dida, laba or haidi, is a traditional double-reeded Chinese musical instrument. The Suona''s basic design originated in ancient Iran, then called "Sorna". ?

 Chapter 327: You’ll Move, If I Don’t

    Chapter 327: You¡¯ll Move, If I Don¡¯tYang Cheng''s expression only grew odder.


    "President, not only did City Leader Xie agree to our demands, but he doubled them."


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned.


    "Really?"


    He found it hard to believe.


    Would someone from the Xie family of the Northwest really be so generous?


    Even though this guy had been playing it safe recently by following all the policies set by Tan Zhenwei without making any alterations, Li Xiaofei had always felt that Xie Renyu was harboring some kind of hidden agenda. He never let his guard down around him.


    Yang Cheng pulled out the already signed digital compensation agreement. Li Xiaofei took it and looked it over.


    "Compensation to the Cloudy Sky Gang: 10 million star coins. 50 acres of construction land allocated for the Cloudy Sky Youth School, with 2,000 sets of educational equipment. Access to the Education Department¡¯s exclusive light core network interface for the youth school. 20 tons of purified water. 5,000 sets of police equipment... Approval for the Cloudy Sky Gang''s special economic zone in the city..."


    As Li Xiaofei flipped through the document, he couldn¡¯t help but freeze on the spot.


    Good heavens!


    These conditions were even more favorable than what old Tan had arranged. It was practically a giveaway. If he wasn¡¯t still clear-headed, Li Xiaofei would have wondered if Xie Renyu was secretly his illegitimate son.


    After double-checking that the digital contract was legitimate, he looked around at everyone with a bewildered expression.


    "What the hell is this guy scheming?" Li Xiaofei was utterly baffled.


    Yang Cheng cautiously suggested, "Boss, is it possible that this City Leader Xie is actually... a good person?"


    "Impossible. Absolutely impossible," Li Xiaofei replied with certainty.


    Li Xiaofei was convinced that this number-one family of the Northwest harbored malicious intentions when he found people from the Xie family in the Jiepeng camps. Xie Renyu had been chosen to represent the will of the family, so he definitely wasn¡¯t acting out of kindness.


    "Boss, what should we do next?" Yang Cheng asked. "Do we proceed with the contract?"


    Li Xiaofei responded, "Of course we proceed. Why wouldn¡¯t we if this kind of good fortune is handed to us on a silver platter?"


    After a moment, Li Xiaofei ordered everyone in the Cloudy Sky Gang and Martial Alliance to closely monitor the activities of the Realm of Traces. As the saying goes, snakes follow their own paths and rats theirs.


    Although gang members didn¡¯t have a high status in society compared to the elite families, they were incredibly well-informed. If he mobilized Liuhe Base City¡¯s gangs, they could certainly track some of the Realm of Traces¡¯ movements.


    Once Li Xiaofei finished issuing orders, he turned back to Xiao Bidao. The latter grinned sheepishly.


    After a moment¡¯s thought, Li Xiaofei said, "Alright, let¡¯s not make this a habit. Keep doing a good job teaching martial arts. There are some promising youths in the Cloudy Sky Gang, strong, spirited men who, due to a lack of opportunity and martial techniques, have wasted their youth. However, it¡¯s not too late if they put in the work. Old Xiao, train them well. Maybe one day they¡¯ll grow and contribute to Great Xia."


    "President, don¡¯t worry. Teaching is my specialty," Xiao Bidao replied, overjoyed to have made it through this ordeal. "I¡¯ll make sure to turn them into brave and passionate warriors."


    Many of those present snickered.


    Could the king of cowards really train elite soldiers?


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t bother arguing. After all, based on recent events, Xiao Bidao had indeed demonstrated impressive skill in teaching martial arts.


    "Also, pull in some of the younger ones from the Martial Alliance to learn from you as well," Li Xiaofei added. "They¡¯re all sons of Great Xia who want to preserve the ancient martial ways. Train them properly, and when you¡¯ve molded them into capable warriors, you¡¯ll have completed your task."


    Xiao Bidao beat his chest confidently. "Rest assured, I¡¯ll train a batch of experts for you!"


    ***


    In the afternoon, Li Xiaofei participated in another round of the Martial God Tournament organized by the Longya Group. He was already the top seed in this division. As expected, he won the match without any suspense.


    After the competition, he received an invitation letter through the light core system from the Longya Group.


    "They¡¯re inviting me to register as a streamer for Longya Group?"


    Li Xiaofei glanced over the invitation and didn¡¯t give it much thought. He wasn¡¯t particularly interested in becoming a streamer. Sure, it could make money. But aside from that, it was just a waste of time.


    By evening, Hu Yuer had cornered Li Xiaofei in his room once again. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You''re back at it again?" Li Xiaofei looked at the school principal who was dressed in a professional suit, and said, "Young fox, you should practice some restraint."


    "Didn¡¯t you want to handle serious business?" Hu Yuer replied, "This is serious business."


    "What serious business do you have?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Hu Yuer answered, "Saving Ye Liuying."


    "You have a plan?" Li Xiaofei inquired.


    Hu Yuer shook her head and said, "No... I need some time to tame the Heaven''s Mandate Silkworms. That¡¯s the only way to obtain a chance to save her. In the meantime, as the Martial Alliance Leader, you¡¯ll have to figure out a way to stall the Realm of Traces and keep them in Liuhe City."


    The Heaven''s Mandate Silkworms could control puppets, so there was some hope. However, Li Xiaofei shook his head.


    He asked, "Even if you manage to tame the Heaven''s Mandate Silkworms and save her, what then? Not only will it fail to clear her of suspicion, but it will also cement her reputation as a heretic. Worse, it would expose you. Then both of you will be hunted by the Inquisition forever. How long do you think you can run?"


    Hu Yuer sighed. "I know all of that, but does that mean we should just give up on Ye Liuying?"


    "Are you two close?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "No," Hu Yuer replied.


    "Then why¡ª"


    "Because she was one of the old leader¡¯s people, so I have to save her."


    "How did you know old Tan?" Li Xiaofei asked, his curiosity piqued.


    "That¡¯s a long story... better left untold," Hu Yuer said, unwilling to delve into the past.


    Suddenly, a realization dawned on Li Xiaofei. "So, the reason you''ve been trying to dual cultivate with me all this time was to urgently increase your strength and save her?"


    Hu Yuer rolled her eyes. "What, did you think that I was so desperate for a man that I couldn¡¯t live without you?"


    Li Xiaofei chuckled. That wasn¡¯t the attitude she had when she¡¯d first asked him for help.


    "So, you got hurt before because you were trying to save Ye Liuying?" Li Xiaofei asked again.


    Hu Yuer didn¡¯t hide it, nodding in confirmation. "I was just trying to gather some information. I didn¡¯t expect the Realm of Traces to be so vigilant, and I almost got caught in a trap."


    "Then stop trying to get involved," Li Xiaofei said.


    Hu Yuer shook her head stubbornly. "No, even if it costs me my life, I have to save her. Whether it exposes me or not, the priority is getting her out first."


    Li Xiaofei smirked. "Didn¡¯t expect a sly fox like you to be so loyal."


    He added, "I said you don¡¯t have to move. I will."


    "You¡¯ll move, if I don¡¯t?" Hu Yuer eyed him suspiciously. "Can you even pull it off?"

 Chapter 328: Formless Sword Bone

    Chapter 328: Formless Sword BoneThat evening, when Li Xiaofei returned home, Zhong Ling eyed him with a strange expression. She looked somewhat aggrieved. It was clear that rumors about the President had already reached her ears. Even Li Jie looked tense as she sat silently. Only Little Aunt seemed unaffected.


    After dinner, Zhong Ling and Li Jie took care of the cleaning as usual while Li Xiaofei and Little Aunt headed to the bedroom. Little Aunt¡¯s hands were getting stronger, but Li Xiaofei found the experience increasingly comfortable. However, today¡¯s massage didn¡¯t last long.


    "Your physique has already reached the peak of Qi Refining. There¡¯s no more room for improvement until you reach the Five Spirits Realm," Little Aunt said, finishing the massage. "I¡¯ve prepared your final medicinal bath. After tonight, both the massages and the medicinal baths will be over."


    Li Xiaofei felt a bit reluctant at the news. After a while, he stripped down and immersed himself in the crimson medicinal bath, feeling warmth spread across his body.


    Suddenly, Little Aunt asked, "Are you stuck at the Acupoint Opening Realm?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "I haven¡¯t found the right method to open my acupoints yet. I was planning to take it slow, continue refining my Qi, and solidify my foundation. Then, I¡¯ll attempt the breakthrough this summer after I enter university."


    Little Aunt shook her head. "Your Qi Refining Realm has already reached the point where you¡¯ve merged your ninety-nine vortices into one, and you¡¯ve broken through all ten shackles of the Limit Breaking Realm. Your foundation is solid. Even if you practice the True Dragon Breathing Technique hundreds of thousands of times, it won¡¯t benefit you further."


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart stirred at her words.


    "Little Aunt, do you have any suggestions?" Li Xiaofei asked eagerly.


    "Strengthening your foundation is the right approach," she began. "After all, the growth of starforce qi, even with the help of Starforce Reagents, is a slow and steady process. You must take it step by step. But the enhancement of your physical body must not stop. Many of the martial arts in Great Xia''s ancient martial lineage are built on a powerful body. Remember... without external strength, internal strength cannot grow!"


    Li Xiaofei responded, "But didn¡¯t you just say that my body reached its limit for improvement?"


    Little Aunt nodded. "Under normal circumstances, yes, it wouldn¡¯t be able to improve further. But I have a special technique that suits you perfectly."


    Li Xiaofei''s eyes lit up and asked, "What technique?"


    "Formless Sword Bone," she replied.


    "That name sounds... odd," Li Xiaofei said, rubbing his chin.


    "Don¡¯t underestimate it. This technique was passed down by Lin Beichen, one of the Five Legendary Figures, known as the Sword Immortal. It¡¯s said that it can refine your bones until they are as strong as a divine sword. It¡¯s a legendary body refining technique," Little Aunt explained.


    Li Xiaofei immediately declared, "I¡¯ll train in it."


    Little Aunt pulled out an ancient scroll and handed it to him. "This contains the cultivation method for the first three levels of Formless Sword Bone. Follow the instructions carefully, and come ask me if there¡¯s anything you don¡¯t understand."


    A wave of ancient energy seemed to emanate from the pages as Li Xiaofei opened the scroll. The scroll was illustrated with brushstroke diagrams of figures practicing martial techniques.


    The entire human body, along with the nerves, muscles, blood vessels, and meridians, was vividly and clearly depicted. Whoever had created this scroll was undoubtedly a master artist. They had captured the essence of the technique with just a few strokes.


    Li Xiaofei quickly examined it.


    True Dragon nurtures Qi, the Yi Jing strengthens blood and marrow, massages refine the skin and flesh, while Formless Sword Bone trains the bones! It all fits together perfectly.


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t shake the feeling that Little Aunt had planned this in advance. But he chose not to ask. He trusted that Little Aunt would never harm him. Li Xiaofei grew increasingly engrossed in the scroll, until he started to train right there in the medicinal bath.


    The cultivation of Formless Sword Bone involved refining the bones with qi, strengthening them to the level of a divine sword. The first level was called Black Iron Sword Bone. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once it was mastered, the bones would become like black iron swords. They would be unbreakable, impervious to blades and bullets, resistant to toxins, and able to generate immense physical strength. Such a body could split mountains and break barriers, just like the legendary martial shamans.


    "Training in the Formless Sword Bone will definitely enhance my physical strength," Li Xiaofei quickly concluded.


    Time passed. In the blink of an eye, a night had gone by.


    After breakfast, Li Xiaofei hurried off to school. He attended his cultural and martial arts classes, then surfed the light-network. He showed no interest in gang affairs.


    Everything appeared calm and unchanged. This left the Realm of Traces agents who were secretly monitoring him feeling deeply puzzled. Li Xiaofei was a high-priority target for them, but two days of close surveillance had yielded nothing.


    "Keep watching," Edward ordered firmly.


    Another day passed.


    Li Xiaofei took a leave of absence from school. This time, he ventured out of the city and into the wilderness. When Edward received the news, excitement surged within him. He personally led a team to follow Li Xiaofei.


    In the wild, Li Xiaofei seemed to follow his usual routine, slaying star beasts as if he was honing his martial spirit. He seemed completely nonchalant.


    Edward felt slightly confused as he continued to watch from afar. But despite the doubts, he continued to follow patiently, waiting for the right moment.


    "Inspector, something¡¯s off," Lei Yinuo suddenly alerted him as he started receiving information from the aerial power armor. "There are signs of abnormal activity in the groups of star beasts around us. It seems like they¡¯re closing in on us."


    Edward, however, was elated. "It¡¯s the beast-controlling technique of the Wilderness Free Sect... Those sneaky rats are finally making their move."


    The team instantly grew alert. After days of waiting, they had finally found a trace of their adversary.


    "Inspector, should we..." Lei Yinuo drew his hand across his throat. "Take out Li Xiaofei early?"


    Edward shook his head. "Let¡¯s wait a bit longer."


    He was hoping to draw out members of the Great Xia Dragon Group. They had quietly and repeatedly sabotaged the Realm of Traces¡¯ operations within Great Xia. If they could use this opportunity to strike back at the Dragon Group, it would be an unexpected bonus.


    Edward and his team slowly closed in on Li Xiaofei¡¯s position like hunting hounds. But Li Xiaofei appeared completely unaware. He showed no sign of turning back. Instead, he ventured deeper into the wilderness.


    Walking right into his own death.


    Edward was ecstatic, but he remained calm as he continued to follow in the shadows.


    An hour later, Li Xiaofei had arrived in a desolate, torn up clearing over five hundred kilometers from Liuhe Base City.


    "What¡¯s he doing here?" Lei Yinuo asked curiously.


    This was the former base of the Jiepeng forces, which was now a massive crater formed by the catastrophic explosion of the Eye of the Northwest.


    Edward grinned. "There must be something unusual... Perfect, this could be the evidence we need to prove Li Xiaofei¡¯s collusion with heretics... Wait, what¡¯s he doing?"


    His face suddenly betrayed a hint of surprise.


    In the distance, Li Xiaofei was standing in the center of the vast crater. Out of nowhere, he pulled out a massive broadsword and casually waved it in Edward¡¯s direction.


    "Come on out, I know you¡¯re there," Li Xiaofei said calmly, his demeanor completely composed.


    Edward¡¯s heart skipped a beat, as his cover was seemingly blown.

 Chapter 329: Ice Age

    Chapter 329: Ice AgeWe¡¯ve been discovered?!


    Edward was mildly surprised but quickly rose into the air and flew toward Li Xiaofei. At the same time, the hidden battle armor squad that had been lying in wait also took to the air, no longer concealing themselves.


    In the distance, Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression froze for a moment.


    Damn. I had only been bluffing. Who would have thought it would actually work?


    But Li Xiaofei remained calm as Edward rapidly approached. His first attempt at fishing had yielded results without even using proper bait. Drawing this guy out had been effortless.


    "What are you doing here, Great Xia man?" Edward hovered in the air, glaring down at him.


    Li Xiaofei held his broadsword as he replied, "Are you here to kill me?"


    Edward smiled as he replied, "It seems you already knew."


    "Why does an inspector of the Realm of Traces harbor such deep hostility toward martial artists of Great Xia?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Edward responded indifferently, "Because you deserve to die."


    "So, you framed Ye Liuying as well?" Li Xiaofei pressed.


    Edward chuckled. "Her? Well, who told her Golden Body Realm aura to resemble the one left on this battlefield so closely? It gave me the perfect excuse to have her killed."


    "So you¡¯ve been targeting Ye Liuying from the very beginning?" Li Xiaofei asked, narrowing his eyes. "Coming to Liuhe Base City was just part of your personal agenda?"


    Edward replied calmly, "There¡¯s no such thing as a personal agenda for an inspector of the Realm of Traces. Whether or not the order comes from above, my words and actions represent the will of the Realm of Traces."


    "Why do you want to kill Ye Liuying?" Li Xiaofei kept pressing.


    Edward''s voice turned cold and said, "All exceptional martial artists of Great Xia must die. Your very existence hinders the evolution of Earth and obstructs the will of the Star Council."


    Li Xiaofei countered, "Our sages in Great Xia are also part of the Star Council. How can you claim we''re obstructing it?"


    Edward sneered, "Soon, that won¡¯t be the case anymore."


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart sank. There was more to Edward¡¯s words than he was letting on.


    "You intend to sever the roots of Great Xia¡¯s martial tradition, don¡¯t you?" Li Xiaofei began to piece it together.


    Edward sneered, "And what if we do? You¡¯re not the first, and you certainly won¡¯t be the last."


    Li Xiaofei asked, "Have you considered the consequences? Acting this way on Great Xia''s soil will provoke a response from the government."


    "Punishment? Hahahaha!" Edward laughed loudly. "The Great Xia government is currently overwhelmed. You''ve already lost four out of five matches in the National Martial God Tournament. The northeastern beast tides have erupted, the southern sea monsters have landed, the Bayer Federation is aggressively pressing in the north, and Jiepeng forces are stirring up chaos in the east. On top of that, with the fall of your sages and the decline of your war gods, you can no longer defend this vast territory. The Dragon Group is stretched too thin and is suffering heavy losses. Do you really think they have time to worry about you and Ye Liuying?"


    Li Xiaofei was shaken.


    How has Great Xia¡¯s situation deteriorated to such a critical state?


    "Well, enough talk. It''s time for you to rest in peace," Edward smirked. "Don¡¯t worry, Ye Liuying will soon follow you."


    Edward raised his hand and a violent ice storm began to form between his fingers. His powerful body, capable of withstanding the activation of sixteen high-tier star beast runes, allowed him to immediately unleash the secret technique called Ice Age. He had no intention of wasting time on Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei could feel the terrifying pressure of a Golden Body Realm expert pressing down on him. He held his broadsword and activated his armor technique. Crimson blood from the Bull Demon Beast floated out, forming a thick layer of blood armor over him.


    The broadsword was also enveloped by the strange blood, transforming it into the Ghost Slayer Blade.


    "So it really was you," Edward muttered, finally realizing the truth.


    He recognized the Ghost Slayer Blade instantly.


    He sneered, "So, you''re the so-called Ghost Slayer, Zhong Kui. But it''s useless. No matter how you transform, you¡¯re as good as dead before absolute strength."


    Li Xiaofei leaped into the air and unleashed the Eight Heavenly Blade Techniques. The Ghost Slayer Blade in his grasp transformed into a myriad of blade lights that converged into one. A thousand-meter-long blade aura tore through the sky. This was the strongest strike Li Xiaofei could currently muster.


    The blade energy tore across the air, and it seemed as though the heavens themselves were being split in two.


    "Weak little insect," Edward sneered before releasing the ice storm from his palm.


    The secret technique of the Golden Body Realm, Ice Age, froze everything in its path. The sky, the earth, the very air, even blade energy wasn¡¯t exempt. Everything the frost touched was reduced to dust.


    The brilliant blade aura disintegrated into nothingness as it was overwhelmed by the extreme cold. This was the gap in their realms. The frost-white aura spread outward, and enveloped Li Xiaofei in an instant .


    The area within a thousand meters transformed into a frozen wasteland of ice and snow. Li Xiaofei had vanished. Edward had a second energy orb of ice in his hand as he gazed down from above. There was no longer any trace of Li Xiaofei¡¯s presence.


    "Could he have truly been frozen to dust in an instant?" Edward¡¯s eyes swept across the area, confirming that Li Xiaofei had been thoroughly annihilated. He finally let out a sigh of relief.


    It was done!


    And far more easily than he had expected. The dreaded Great Xia Dragon Group had not intervened either. Yet, one question still lingered, unanswered.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s transformation into Ghost Slayer Zhong Ku hadn''t surprised Edward much. In truth, he had suspected it for some time. The real mystery was how Li Xiaofei had managed to appear at the Realm of Traces'' secret base, kill Clove, and vanish without a trace.


    ***


    In the Realm of Traces base, Ye Liuying sat quietly in the deepest prison cell, holding a copy of the Saints¡¯ Sayings, flipping through each page with utmost focus.


    She appeared so absorbed that it was like she had forgotten everything happening in the world outside. However, the faint furrow in her willow-leaf shaped eyebrows betrayed her true mood: she wasn¡¯t at peace.


    Suddenly, she stopped turning the pages. A crimson blade light erupted without warning from the tiny bathroom space that could barely hide a single person. It carried with it an overwhelming killing intent as it slashed directly toward her like a thunderbolt.


    A cold smile appeared on Ye Liuying''s face.


    "So, the ghost from the Yiggs Union finally couldn¡¯t resist making a move?"


    Very well...


    Her body suddenly erupted with dazzling sword energy as her aura surged. She turned and raised her right hand. In that moment, her right arm and hand transformed into a peerless sword as she unleashed her most powerful strike since reaching the Golden Body Realm.


    This strike contained all her mental will, fueled by her deep hatred for the Realm of Traces and her loathing of the Inquisition. It was a sword strike carrying the full brunt of her rage and strength. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The presence of the assassin was instantly shattered by her sword. She felt her fingertips pierce into her target''s body. But then the assassin vanished.


    Not defeated. Not killed. But they simply... disappeared as if they had never been there at all. But they had also taken the energy of Ye Liuying¡¯s strongest sword strike as well. The cell, aside from the broken bathroom partition, was eerily intact.


    A look of confusion appeared on Ye Liuying''s face.


    What had just happened?

 Chapter 330: Star Shifting Reversal Technique

    Chapter 330: Star Shifting Reversal TechniqueIn the wilderness, at the ruins of the Eye of the Northwest. Edward dispersed the ice storm in his hand.


    "Send a report to headquarters about the victory." He ordered the power armor communicator beside him. "Also, notify the four Blades of Verdict en route that they don¡¯t need to come anymore. The matter here has been resolved."


    "Understood, sir." The power armor responded.


    But soon, there was a surprised exclamation, "Huh? Communication has been cut off... Our signal is being jammed. Sir, there are Mother of Fissures star beasts nearby. They¡¯re blocking the entire area."


    Edward was startled. Suddenly, an unprecedented sense of danger swept over him, making his hair stand on end.


    The air in front of him seemed to twist and distort as the figure that had supposedly died... reappeared.


    Li Xiaofei stood in the icy wasteland like a ghost. Edward¡¯s pupils constricted in shock.


    What is going on?


    But there was no time for thought because in the next instant, Li Xiaofei attacked.


    "Take this!" Li Xiaofei roared as he swung his sword down.


    But instead of a blade aura, he unleashed sword energy that filled the heavens and earth. This wasn¡¯t something that should belong to his current realm. The overwhelming burst of brilliant silver light that blotted out the sky was far beyond him. It was clearly the sword energy of the Golden Body Realm. This was Ye Liuying¡¯s sword energy.


    "Ye Liuying?!" Edward roared. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He was caught off guard but reacted with lightning speed as his battle-hardened instincts kicked in. Instead of launching an attack, he condensed a storm of energy into his palm, quickly transforming it into a layer of impenetrable black ice to cover his body.


    Crack! Crack!


    Ice shards exploded into the air the sword energy struck the ice. The protective ice formed by the Ice Age technique shattered instantly and the residual sword energy tore through Edward''s body. However, the ice armor had absorbed over sixty percent of the impact, leaving him gravely injured but not fatally so.


    As a Golden Body Realm expert, Edward''s body possessed an extraordinary ability to heal. The powerful vitality within his cells had already begun mending the damage at a rapid pace.


    Shaken, Edward looked up. What he saw shocked him even more. After unleashing that devastating sword strike, Li Xiaofei¡¯s entire body was erupting with blood. Blood poured from his mouth and nose, and his body plummeted helplessly toward the ground.


    Edward felt a brief moment of relief as he dismissed the idea of escaping. But then...


    "Hee hee."


    A soft, alluring voice echoed.


    The sound had an almost magical quality, instantly conjuring images of past joys in Edward''s mind. He saw the face of his long-lost love, Rachel, the bright girl who had once illuminated the darkest moments of his life. In his vision, she stood by the rose-covered fence of the schoolyard on a sunny day in early spring, wearing a white dress and smiling at him.


    For a moment, Edward was completely entranced. Then, a sharp pain between his eyebrows shattered the beautiful illusion and yanked Edward back to reality. He was shocked to find the ethereal, elven-like girl who had been with Li Xiaofei the other night standing right in front of him. The index finger on her right hand was now dripping with blood.


    That was his blood.


    "Ah..."


    The terror of death washed over Edward as the world around him began to lose its color. He thought he could faintly hear the voices of his squad members calling out to him. But their shouts grew distant and eventually faded into oblivion.


    Boom!


    Edward''s body plummeted from the sky, crashing hard into the ground and leaving a deep crater.


    Hu Yuer let out a long breath of relief. Her enchantment abilities had evolved significantly after her recent evolution. She could now not only manipulate human desire but also stir the deepest memories of her enemies, drawing them into either their most beautiful or terrifying recollections. This naturally caused them to lose awareness and let their guard down.


    The severely injured Edward had not been able to escape her illusion.


    Hu Yuer rushed toward a blood drenched Li Xiaofei, who was swaying unsteadily. Her concern was etched across her face as she asked, "How are you?"


    "Not dead yet," Li Xiaofei coughed up a mouthful of blood. His voice was hoarse. "I can still manage tonight."


    Hu Yuer looked at him admiringly. She gently licked his face and said, "You¡¯re a miracle. How did you do it?"


    "How?" Li Xiaofei smiled mysteriously. "That¡¯s a secret."


    The Star Shifting Reversal Technique had truly been underestimated. The Murong clan had barely scratched the surface of its true potential. Even Murong Longcheng, the creator of the technique, might not have fully realized its real utility.


    After all, Murong Longcheng was merely a genius from the era of low martial arts. He wouldn¡¯t be able to fathom the immense energy and abilities humanity possessed today, such as flying and manipulating the elements.


    However, enduring the transformation of Golden Body Realm sword energy had been an incredibly difficult feat with a body that was only at the Five Spirits Realm.


    Fortunately, Li Xiaofei''s body had been strengthened by countless massages and medicinal baths from Little Aunt, dual cultivation sessions with Hu Yuer, and the enhancement of the Yi Jin Jing. Additionally, his recent progress in the Formless Sword Bone technique had toughened his bones just enough to withstand Ye Liuying¡¯s soul-burning strike.


    Even so, Li Xiaofei¡¯s body had nearly been torn apart by the strain. As his breathing steadied, he focused on reining in the starforce qi coursing through him as he carefully sensed the surrounding energy.


    The air was still thick with Ye Liuying¡¯s lingering sword energy. This had been the key objective of his battle. By combining Spatial Point Theft and the Star Shifting Reversal Technique, Li Xiaofei had successfully created a scenario where, despite Ye Liuying being imprisoned within the Realm of Traces, there was now evidence of energy that was almost identical to her Golden Body Realm aura five hundred kilometers away.


    This single feat would be enough to completely dismantle the Realm of Traces'' justification for arresting Ye Liuying!


    "Don''t worry about me. Take care of the henchmen and get us out of here," Li Xiaofei commanded.


    Hu Yuer flicked her fingers and summoned two Heaven''s Mandate Silkworms. As they wriggled in her pale, jade-like hands, the battle armors in the sky began to malfunction, firing uncontrollably at one another. They unleashed torrents of gunfire, turning each other into fiery explosions that plummeted from the sky like falling stars.


    Now that she had reached grade six, Hu Yuer had finally tamed the Heaven¡¯s Mandate Silkworms and mastered their abilities. Even before dealing with Edward, she had discreetly planted silk threads from the silkworms inside the bodies of the other Realm of Traces agents. Now, eradicating the entire squad was a matter of a single thought.


    She had learned from her mistakes, so Hu Yuer began to meticulously clean up the battlefield. She commanded hundreds of star beasts to scatter blood and waste across the area, carefully erasing traces of both her and Li Xiaofei. The beasts tore through the battlefield, destroying any remaining evidence.


    Now, even the most skilled detectives would be hard-pressed to uncover any significant clues.


    "Let''s go." Hu Yuer helped support Li Xiaofei. "I''ll take you back."


    At this moment, her curiosity about Li Xiaofei had grown even stronger. There was even a faint trace of admiration stemming from the instincts of her Heavenly Fox lineage. An impossible situation had been effortlessly dealt with by Li Xiaofei, and in the process, Edward, a long-standing threat, had been eliminated. It was nothing short of a miracle.


    The more Hu Yuer couldn''t comprehend his methods, the more she respected him. She had admired him for his strength in more... intimate battles, but now, she truly acknowledged his intelligence and capability.


    As Hu Yuer prepared to take flight with Li Xiaofei, her expression suddenly shifted. Li Xiaofei sensed it in the same moment. Four incredibly powerful presences were rapidly approaching from the southeast.


    "Hide," he whispered.


    The approaching group was clearly not friendly.

 Chapter 331: Unusual Changes One After Another

    Chapter 331: Unusual Changes One After AnotherHu Yuer had also sensed the terrifying presence of the four approaching figures. They were experts in the Golden Body Realm and were moving astonishingly fast.


    If she had been alone, she could have fled quickly. But with Li Xiaofei by her side... She wasn¡¯t completely confident. Hu Yuer glanced around and, without hesitation, took Li Xiaofei with her to hide inside the belly of a fallen star beast. She used the beast''s blood and energy to conceal their presence.


    Several seconds passed.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.


    Wind gusted by as streaks of light flashed by and four figures appeared above the battlefield.


    ¡°Are they from the Realm of Traces?¡±


    Hu Yuer saw the four figures dressed in golden combat suits through the eyes of the star beast controlled by her Heaven''s Mandate Silkworms.


    They were all Caucasians. Two had blonde hair, one had black hair, and the last had chestnut brown hair. They looked like they were in their thirties or forties. Their golden combat suits were clearly expensive, cutting-edge equipment.


    In addition, their shoulders, elbows, and knees were covered by light silver metallic armor. They carried large two-handed swords at their waists, and resembled medieval paladins at first glance.


    All four exuded powerful auras as they hovered in midair. Walking on air was a hallmark of the Five Spirits Realm. However, judging by the surging energy coursing through their bodies, they were undoubtedly true experts of the Golden Body Realm.


    At that moment, Hu Yuer realized that these four were not from the Realm of Traces. They were Punishers from the Blade of Verdict, one of the three infamous and feared divisions of the Inquisition.


    Her heart sank. The agents of the Realm of Traces specialized in tracking, capturing, and investigating, while the Punishers of the Blade of Verdict were far more terrifying in terms of combat ability. Each one was a berserker.


    As a member of the heretical Wilderness Free Sect, Hu Yuer was quite familiar with the structure of the Inquisition. She cursed her luck. After finally managing to kill Edward, the inspector from the Realm of Traces, she was now trapped by four even more dangerous adversaries.


    Her luck couldn¡¯t be worse. All she could do now was hide. She hoped these Punishers wouldn¡¯t stay here for long. But to Hu Yuer''s dismay, the Punishers showed no signs of leaving quickly.


    It was evident that the massive glaciers created by Edward''s Ice Age had attracted the attention of the Punishers. Even more so, the energy from that sword strike had piqued their interest.


    After a brief discussion, the group began to meticulously search the battlefield. The Punisher with black hair released twenty small hummingbird drones, which swiftly scoured the battlefield for any signs of life.


    Hu Yuer glanced at Li Xiaofei beside her. Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression was anything but relaxed. His physical wounds were not healing as quickly as anticipated. There were still traces of sword energy in his body after having forcibly endured the overwhelming sword energy from Ye Liuying with Star Shifting Reversal Technique.


    If he wanted to expel it, he needed to quickly activate his cultivation technique. But using his cultivation now would be like lighting a beacon in the dark. It would expose them immediately.


    The situation grew increasingly dangerous as the four Punishers drew nearer. Though the beastmaster¡¯s abilities could mask their presence, they would still be discovered if the Punishers got too close. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hu Yuer leaned close to Li Xiaofei¡¯s ear.


    ¡°Take care,¡± she whispered.


    Li Xiaofei was startled.


    A moment later, she slipped out of the belly of the beast carcass. A clear, bell-like laugh echoed through the air as she unleashed her charm ability. For the briefest of moments, the four Punishers were dazed. Hu Yuer seized the opportunity to move with lightning speed. She fled into the distance like a streak of white smoke.


    ¡°The Yinji Moon Fox!¡± one of the Punishers shouted.


    ¡°John, you and Kendi, go after her.¡±


    The four Punishers did not all give chase. Instead, two of them sped after her, using secret techniques to pursue Hu Yuer. The other two, however, remained behind to continue their search.


    Hu Yuer grew anxious. She had taken a huge risk, but she had only managed to draw away two of them. Yet, she knew she couldn¡¯t turn back. If she did, the remaining two Punishers would immediately realize someone was hiding, and Li Xiaofei would be exposed in an instant.


    What now?


    A thousand thoughts raced through Hu Yuer¡¯s mind. She had no choice but to slow down slightly and allow the two pursuing Punishers to get closer. She prepared to feign an inability to escape...


    But just then, someone stood up from the wreckage of a power armor suit on the distant battlefield. The two remaining Punishers were instantly on alert. A powerful aura crashed down on the figure.


    ¡°My lords, it¡¯s me!¡± The man hurriedly explained loudly, ¡°I¡¯m an agent from the Realm of Traces...¡±


    He raised his identification badge aloft. It was Lei Yinuo, the Realm of Traces agent from Great Xia. Li Xiaofei, hidden in the shadows, immediately sensed danger.


    How is that traitor from Great Xia still alive? Did Hu Yuer fail to finish him off earlier? This is bad! The intricate plan he had painstakingly set up was about to unravel.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± The Punisher with golden curls verified Lei Yinuo¡¯s identity and questioned him sharply, ¡°What happened here?¡±


    Lei Yinuo''s face was filled with terror. He shouted, "Lord Edward is dead! He was ambushed by the despicable remnants of the Wilderness Free Sect."


    The Punisher with short chestnut hair was shocked and barked, "What? Edward is dead? What exactly happened?"


    Just as Lei Yinuo was about to explain further, a sound pierced through the air. A figure wearing power armor appeared in the west and sped across the battlefield with a sharp, hissing exhaust.


    Both Punishers turned their attention to the approaching figure, growing even more alert. The figure quickly entered the battlefield.


    The newcomer stopped a hundred meters away and cautiously surveyed the area before locking eyes on Lei Yinuo. He said, "Agent Lei, what are you doing here?"


    The figure lifted the visor of his power armor, revealing his face. It was none other than Xie Renyu, the new city leader of Liuhe Base City.


    "City leader Xie?" Lei Yinuo was stunned. "Why are you here? Are you alone?"


    Xie Renyu replied, "The city''s radar detected the presence of Golden Body Realm experts fighting in this area who were possibly connected to the Wilderness Free Sect. I immediately contacted Inspector Edward, but the base informed me that Edward had already left the city. I didn¡¯t dare waste time, so I rushed over... What¡¯s going on? Where is Inspector Edward?"


    Lei Yinuo said, "City leader Xie, are you here to claim credit?"


    Xie Renyu responded, "Nonsense! I''m concerned about your safety... And who are these individuals?"


    Lei Yinuo introduced the two Punishers. When he heard their identities, Xie Renyu was shocked. He quickly bowed respectfully and greeted them. Despite being the city leader of a Great Xia base city, Xie Renyu was extremely humble and acted like a subordinate meeting his superiors.


    Lei Yinuo''s eyes flashed with a hint of contempt, but he still introduced Xie Renyu to the two Punishers. "The Xie family from the northwest is our ally. This Great Xia official has already formed a cooperative relationship with Inspector Edward."


    The two Punishers glanced at the groveling Xie Renyu, their faces also showing disdain.


    The Great Xia people are as spineless as dogs.


    Hidden in the shadows, Li Xiaofei cursed silently in his heart. That Xie guy was nothing but a spineless worm; no wonder he was no good.


    But then, something unimaginable happened. A blade. No, two blades. Two identical dragon-tailed blades pierced simultaneously through the bodies of the two Punishers. It was an ambush!

 Chapter 332: Heart of the Pure Child

    Chapter 332: Heart of the Pure ChildThe sudden strike caught the two Punishers completely off guard. They only realized what had happened after they were struck by the blades.


    Boom, boom.


    Both Punishers reacted in the same way as they threw heavy punches. Lei Yinuo and Xie Renyu¡¯s bodies were sent a hundred meters backward, but they both burst into laughter.


    "Great Xia¡¯s Dragon Group!"


    The blonde Punisher roared in fury as he tore the dragon-tailed sword out of his body.


    The chestnut-haired Punisher¡¯s voice was equally enraged. "Insect scum from the Great Xia, you dare to ambush the Blade of Verdict?! Heretics, damnable heretics!"


    "Dragon Group Thunderstrike."


    "Dragon Group King of Men."


    Lei Yinuo and Xie Renyu shouted their codenames as powerful starforce energy erupted from their bodies. They were both cultivators of the Five Spirits Realm. Though they were only a level below the Golden Body Realm, the difference in strength was considerable.


    The blonde Punisher clenched his fist, shattering the dragon-tailed sword with a sneer. "I thought you Dragon Group insects from Great Xia would learn your lesson after your humiliating defeat last time. But it seems you still don''t know when to quit... Wait, the blade was poisoned?!"


    A dark mist suddenly spread across his face as black blood began to ooze from his wound. The same thing happened to the chestnut-haired Punisher. The two Punishers¡¯ auras rapidly collapsed as they grew weaker by the second.


    It was clear that the poison on the blades was so potent that even experts of the Golden Body Realm couldn¡¯t fully resist it with physical strength alone.


    "Kill."


    "Scum, you¡¯ve invaded Great Xia. Leave your life here."


    Xie Renyu and Lei Yinuo attacked simultaneously. Both of them were high-level Five Spirits Realm cultivators. Under normal circumstances, they wouldn¡¯t be a match for the two Punishers. But at this moment, they fought with reckless abandon, launching fierce assaults with perfect coordination. Even at the risk of mutual destruction, they forced the Punishers to fight with their full power, leaving no room for hesitation.


    As a result, the poison in the Punishers¡¯ bodies spread more rapidly with each fierce defensive effort. For a moment, the battle was at a stalemate.


    "John, Kendi, get back here!" The blonde Punisher roared, his voice echoing for miles.


    The two Punishers chasing down the Yinji Moon Fox in the distance heard the call and immediately realized something had gone wrong. They abandoned the chase without hesitation and began to return to assist.


    Lei Yinuo and Xie Renyu¡¯s faces changed. If the four Punishers regrouped, the situation would become dire.


    "Kill them quickly."


    The two of them moved as one as they prepared to unleash the forbidden technique of the Dragon Group.


    But at that moment, a blade slashed through the carcass of a nearby beast. The sword strike was like a river of stars crossing the heavens. It was so brilliant, dazzling, and ethereal that it seemed to resemble a celestial force.


    The chestnut-haired Punisher was completely caught off guard. His body was enveloped by the blade''s light and, in an instant, was sliced into six or seven pieces. Blood and bone rained from the sky as the blade light continued toward the blonde Punisher.


    ¡°Holy Spirit¡¯s Blessing!¡± The blonde Punisher roared, and layers of halos suddenly appeared around his body. The blade light passed cleanly through him without harming him at all.


    In a desperate counterattack, the blonde Punisher threw a punch at the figure behind the blade with all his might.


    ¡°Flying Dragon in the Sky!¡± The figure shouted as he struck with his left palm. A dragon''s roar echoed through the heavens.


    Boom!


    The blonde Punisher¡¯s fist exploded on impact as the figure coughed up blood and fell toward the ground.


    ¡°Li Xiaofei!¡± Lei Yinuo dove through the air to catch the falling figure.


    His expression was filled with excitement. ¡°Damn, you really are a genius. You timed that perfectly.¡±


    Xie Renyu attacked the blonde Punisher like a madman, shouting, ¡°Quit with the reunion! Finish this foreign dog off while he¡¯s down!¡±


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Lei Yinuo glanced at Li Xiaofei, whose face was covered in blood.


    Li Xiaofei spat out a mouthful of blood and said, ¡°I¡¯m fine. Let¡¯s kill them first, then we can talk.¡±


    Despite his calm words, Li Xiaofei was inwardly shocked.


    Who would have thought?


    Lei Yinuo, the traitor, and Xie Renyu, the spoiled child of a noble family, were actually members of Great Xia¡¯s Dragon Group. They had hidden their true identities well.


    At the same time, he felt a deep sense of relief and excitement. He realized that he hadn¡¯t been fighting alone all this time. Great Xia hadn¡¯t truly abandoned Liuhe City, Ye Liuying or himself. At the very least, there was still a force called the Dragon Group working tirelessly to reclaim everything.


    "Hide yourself for now," Lei Yinuo instructed before shooting back up into the sky and returning to the battlefield.


    Time was running out. They had to kill the blonde Punisher as quickly as possible and retreat before the other two Punishers could return. Otherwise, the tide of battle would shift again.


    ¡°Hide, my ass,¡± Li Xiaofei spat out a mouthful of blood. He ignored the worsening state of his injuries and pushed his body to its limit. His figure suddenly swelled to ten meters in height, his energy and blood surging like a burning sea.


    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m weak?¡±


    He held nothing back. He forcefully suppressed his injuries and lifted the Heavenly Blade.


    Kill! Kill the foreign devils! sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Good kid," Xie Renyu exclaimed, impressed by what he saw.


    He had thought only members of the Dragon Group fought with such reckless abandon. But Li Xiaofei, a high school student, was no less determined.


    The fighting spirits of the three young injured warriors from Great Xia burned like a wildfire as they relentlessly assaulted the blonde Punisher. The blonde Punisher was forced to invoke his Holy Spirit¡¯s Blessing several times in order to escape death, but the poison inside him was nearing his heart.


    "My lord, flee!"


    The chestnut-haired Punisher, whose body had been sliced apart, clung to life with the tenacity of a Golden Body Realm expert. His head soared into the air and flew toward Li Xiaofei and the others before detonating in a sacrificial explosion.


    A devastating surge of energy radiated outward.


    ¡°Terry...¡± The blonde Punisher cried out in anguish, "I swear I¡¯ll avenge you!"


    The blonde Punisher turned to flee. But Lei Yinuo and Xie Renyu made the same decision at that critical moment. They ignored the terrifying explosive force of the floating head and recklessly threw themselves at the blonde Punisher as they launched one final, desperate strike.


    In the end, they struck the blonde Punisher down from the sky. However, both Lei Yinuo and Xie Renyu were gravely injured and plummeted to the ground.


    Li Xiaofei was shaken to his core.


    This is the Dragon Group of Great Xia? Such resolute fighting spirit and such fearless combat prowess! This... this is the true legacy of the Yellow Emperor¡¯s descendants!


    Despite blood pouring from his wounds like a fountain, Li Xiaofei threw himself forward and caught both of them before they hit the ground.


    The moment they landed, Li Xiaofei''s body swayed as a wave of dizziness overtook him. His vision darkened as he stumbled and collapsed onto the ground. He had lost too much blood and was completely exhausted. Never before had a battle taken such a toll on him.


    In the distance, the two remaining Punishers had broken free from Hu Yuer and were closing in fast. Hu Yuer fought with everything she had as she risked her life to hold them off. But she had only recently reached grade six and was barely considered a novice. The Punishers were not interested in engaging her further, and there was no way she could stop them.


    "Go quickly!" said Lei Yinuo as he shoved Li Xiaofei away, blood gushing from his mouth.


    Li Xiaofei gritted his teeth, taking a sharp breath. He said, "We leave together."


    He tried to drag the two severely injured men with him. He couldn¡¯t abandon the comrades, who had just fought by his side.


    "Get out of here now! Don¡¯t let our mission fail."


    "Take these back to the organization."


    Lei Yinuo shoved two badges into Li Xiaofei¡¯s hand before pushing him away.


    "Though the body may perish, the spirit remains unbroken. The soul endures. Mighty Great Xia, your noble spirit lives on forever!"


    He murmured the vow softly. Then, without hesitation, Lei Yinuo performed a secret technique, detonating his own heart.


    The heart that pulsed with patriotic fervor, filled with loyalty and honor, transformed in that moment into an unstoppable force. The blood of his sacrifice surged through him, causing his energy to spike wildly. This was the forbidden technique: Heart of the Pure Child!


    On the other side, Xie Renyu¡¯s eyes were already bloodshot. He had also unleashed the forbidden technique of the Dragon Group. Both of them were burning themselves to the last. In the distance, the two Punishers were closing in fast. Li Xiaofei was filled with desperation


    But right then, a mysterious figure appeared as if out of thin air. The wind stopped and the clouds stood still as everything fell into an eerie silence.

 Chapter 333: You Don’t Know Who She Is?

    Chapter 333: You Don¡¯t Know Who She Is?Li Xiaofei''s eyes widened. A strange, mystical feeling surged through him, as if time itself had come to a halt. He saw the mysterious figure drift forward.


    In that brief moment, she passed by the two approaching Punishers. As they crossed paths, the two Golden Body Realm Punishers suddenly fell lifelessly from the sky. It was like their souls had just been ripped out.


    What just happened?


    Li Xiaofei strained to keep his eyes open. The life force of the two Golden Body Realm Punishers had completely vanished in the blink of an eye. At the same time, the mysterious figure floated back, gliding past Xie Renyu and Lei Yinuo. They too collapsed.


    What¡¯s going on?


    A massive question mark formed in Li Xiaofei¡¯s mind.


    Did she just kill everyone?


    His vision turned dark, and he could no longer resist as he fell backward. Everything returned to silence. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ***


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t know how much time had passed before he suddenly woke up. He found himself under a blanket, lying on his familiar bed at home. Zhong Ling was slumped over by his side. She was wrapped in a down jacket as she slept peacefully.


    Am I home?


    Li Xiaofei tried to move, but a sharp, tearing pain shot through his muscles. A thin layer of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to sit up despite the pain.


    The movement startled Zhong Ling awake. She rubbed her eyes groggily, but her eyes lit up with joy when she saw Li Xiaofei. "You... you''re finally awake! How do you feel?"


    "I''m fine now." Li Xiaofei leaned against the headboard as he asked, "How long was I unconscious?"


    "Three days and nights," Zhong Ling replied, still shaken by the memory.


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback.


    I had been seriously injured and unconscious for such a long time?


    "Brother Xiaofei, you were in really bad shape this time. When Principal Hu brought you back, you were completely covered in blood. We were all terrified. Little Aunt spent the whole night stopping your bleeding and stitching up your wounds."


    Zhong Ling added, her voice soft with concern.


    "So, she was the one who brought me back," Li Xiaofei murmured, recalling the last thing he saw before blacking out. "Did she bring anyone else?"


    Zhong Ling nodded. "Yeah, two other unlucky guys who were injured. They were taken to Cloudy Sky Gang''s hospital."


    That must be Lei Yinuo and Xie Renyu.


    "Where¡¯s Little Aunt?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "She went to get medicine," Zhong Ling replied.


    "And Little Jie?"


    "She¡¯s at school."


    "What about Principal Hu?" Li Xiaofei asked again.


    Zhong Ling lowered her head, staying silent.


    Li Xiaofei struggled to get out of bed. Zhong Ling quickly moved to help him.


    "I¡¯m fine..." Li Xiaofei assured her, though the pain in his body still lingered. "Have you been taking care of me these past few days?"


    Zhong Ling nodded. "Yes, I took time off from school."


    "Thank you."


    Zhong Ling responded softly, "It¡¯s what I should do... Oh, by the way, I¡¯ve transferred to Red Flag High School."


    Li Xiaofei smiled. "As long as you¡¯re happy with it."


    He moved his body slightly. The intense pain had lessened somewhat. He knew this was just the aftereffects of the overexertion from his fight that day. Fortunately, though his body was still weak, his starforce remained strong and abundant. Since he had been unconscious for three days and nights, the cooldown for the Secret Time Pavilion should be complete by now.


    He immediately summoned the Dog Box and activated the external system. In the next moment, he found himself inside a familiar white temple.


    "Dog Box, can I draw a technique?"


    "No."


    "Shit," Li Xiaofei cursed under his breath, sitting in the grand hall.


    He was ready to begin his cultivation of Yi Jin Jing. In the world of Jin Yong martial arts, Yi Jin Jing was a legendary healing technique.


    As time passed, Li Xiaofei''s body gradually healed. Perhaps it was due to Little Aunt¡¯s earlier treatment, but the residual sword energy inside him had long been expelled. In fact, there was even a trace of medicinal energy left, which, under the stimulation of Yi Jin Jing, mended his shattered body.


    By the twentieth day, Li Xiaofei¡¯s physical wounds were fully healed. Now that his body was recovered, he shifted his focus to cultivating Formless Sword Bone and made great progress. His Black Iron Sword Bone had started to take shape.


    When Li Xiaofei emerged from the Secret Time Pavilion, he felt more refreshed and invigorated than ever. His energy surged, and Zhong Ling noticed immediately.


    "Brother Xiaofei, are your injuries... healed?" She asked joyfully.


    "Yeah, I¡¯m fine now. Just need to replenish some blood and I¡¯ll be fully recovered," Li Xiaofei replied with a smile. "You¡¯ve worked hard these past few days. Go get some proper rest."


    Zhong Ling rubbed her tired eyes, which had dark circles beneath them, and smiled. "I¡¯m fine."


    Li Xiaofei walked to the door. As soon as he opened it, he found Li Junjie standing guard with a few of his trusted men.


    "Boss, you¡¯re okay?" Li Junjie grinned widely, excitement all over his face when he saw Li Xiaofei walk out.


    Li Xiaofei patted his shoulder. Though this guy wasn¡¯t particularly skilled, his loyalty was unquestionable. It was time to think of a way to improve this loyal dog¡¯s strength.


    "Let''s go to the hospital," Li Xiaofei said.


    Twenty minutes later, he arrived at the VIP ward of Cloudy Sky Gang''s private hospital. He found two people wrapped up like mummies in the double-room hospital beds. They were both receiving IV drips.


    As soon as Li Xiaofei walked in, he immediately caught the attention of the two mummies.


    ¡°Holy crap!¡± Lei Yinuo exclaimed, ¡°You... you... you...¡±


    Xie Renyu looked equally baffled, ¡°You¡¯ve completely recovered?¡±


    Their faces were filled with jealousy.


    Li Xiaofei sat down in a chair between their beds and calmly said, ¡°Fully recovered. Maybe because I¡¯m a bit stronger than you two.¡±


    Lei and Xie both gritted their teeth.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get too worked up,¡± Li Xiaofei warned, ¡°or your wounds might open up again.¡±


    The two men took deep breaths, trying to calm down.


    Li Xiaofei continued, ¡°Honestly, I thought you two were long dead.¡±


    The two of them froze in shock.


    ¡°Hehe, just kidding. Don¡¯t take it too seriously,¡± Li Xiaofei chuckled. Then, his tone turned serious, ¡°Let¡¯s talk about the real issue. Don¡¯t you two think it¡¯s time to explain something to me? One of you is a pampered city leader, the other is a traitor, but you suddenly both turn out to be members of Great Xia¡¯s Dragon Group?¡±


    ¡°Heh,¡± Lei Yinuo grinned and corrected him, ¡°To be accurate, I¡¯m the only official member of the Dragon Group. Little Xie here is just a reserve member.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with being a reserve member?¡± Xie Renyu retorted angrily, ¡°Did I perform any worse than you this time?¡±


    Li Xiaofei blinked.


    Weren¡¯t the two of them a perfect team during the battle? Now they¡¯re bickering like this?


    Lei Yinuo shifted in his bed, trying to make himself more comfortable. Then, he got straight to the point. ¡°It¡¯s simple, really. I¡¯ve been a formal member of Great Xia¡¯s Dragon Group for years now. My mission was to infiltrate the Inquisition and investigate how Inspector Igus and his agents have been framing and killing young talents from Great Xia. Little Xie¡¯s a newly recruited reserve member in the northwest region. Normally, he remains dormant until I activated him a few days ago.¡±


    Li Xiaofei nodded thoughtfully.


    Xie Renyu added, ¡°This greedy bastard is usually obsessed with wealth and women, but he risked his life to save you and Ye Liuying. And as for me, I had to roll up my sleeves and fight like hell, all by myself, even though I¡¯m a city leader. I thought joining the Dragon Group would give me some powerful backing. Who knew it would be even more dangerous? If it weren¡¯t for that mysterious woman, the three of us would¡¯ve been dead in the wilderness.¡±


    Mysterious woman!


    Li Xiaofei''s heart raced as he quickly asked, ¡°What happened that day? Was that mysterious woman also part of the Dragon Group? Before I passed out, I saw her effortlessly kill two Golden Body Realm Punishers.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know who she is?¡±


    Xie Renyu and Lei Yinuo both exclaimed in surprise.

 Chapter 334: I Understand Now!

    Chapter 334: I Understand Now!Li Xiaofei was startled by their reactions.


    What? Am I supposed to know who she is?


    ¡°I thought she was someone you called for backup,¡± Lei Yinuo said.


    Li Xiaofei shook his head and asked, ¡°Wasn¡¯t she your backup?¡±


    The three exchanged confused glances. Only then did they realize none of them knew the identity of the mysterious woman.


    ¡°If she could instantly kill Golden Body Realm experts, she must be at least at the Dao Union Realm, or possibly even at the Divine Realm or Transcendence Realm, like a Saint,¡± Lei Yinuo speculated.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be great if she¡¯s one of our hidden Saints from Great Xia?¡± Xie Renyu added, clearly hopeful.


    Li Xiaofei remained silent.


    He felt like he had seen that mysterious figure somewhere before but couldn¡¯t quite place her. Shaking his head to clear his mind, he finally voiced the question that had been bothering him for a long time. "From what Lei Yinuo mentioned earlier, it seems Great Xia has long been aware of Edward and Igus¡¯ treacherous actions, and that their faction¡¯s slaughter of our young talents isn¡¯t a recent occurrence. So why hasn¡¯t Great Xia taken formal action against them?"


    Lei Yinuo couldn¡¯t help but sigh deeply.


    ¡°It¡¯s complicated,¡± he said, his voice filled with frustration.


    "Heart is willing, but the strength is lacking," Lei Yinuo said in a low, somber tone.


    "The beast tides have mysteriously erupted within our borders for decades, leading to the deaths of ten of Great Xia¡¯s Saints. The number of expert martial artists has plummeted. You know as well as I do that cultivating Great Xia''s ancient martial lineage is not something that can be achieved overnight. The loss of every expert warrior is an irreplaceable blow to Great Xia in the short term. As the nation¡¯s power waned, Great Xia¡¯s influence within the Star Council rapidly diminished. In contrast, the emergence of the new martial system has allowed Western countries to rapidly train a large number of powerful warriors in a short time, leading to their rapid rise in strength.¡±


    ¡°Countries like the Yiggs Union, Bayer Federation, and the European Independent Nations Alliance have artificially created a massive number of new martial experts in just a few decades. The new strength of these nations has also increased their influence and control within the Star Council, especially within the Inquisition, where their voice has skyrocketed. To give a simple example, of the 8,936 agents within the Realm of Traces, there are 7,132 Westerners, while fewer than 300 Great Xia agents."


    "The Inquisition has long upheld a foreign inspector policy for worldwide operations, and due to this, most of the inspectors and deputy inspectors stationed within Great Xia¡¯s borders are Westerners. They¡¯ve gone mad with power and become increasingly active. They¡¯ve been using various methods and pretexts to secretly undermine the foundations of Great Xia''s ancient martial lineage for a long time now. Any emerging talents were either coerced, suppressed, or outright eliminated."


    "Eventually, Great Xia realized what was happening. But despite multiple lawsuits, investigations, and reports, no real progress was made. On the surface, the reason was that these inspectors had undergone specialized training. They operated in such underhanded ways, including entrapment, framing, covert attacks, and bribery, that it became nearly impossible for the authorities to gather concrete evidence."


    "But the deeper issue lies within our borders. Many of Great Xia¡¯s martial families have become corrupt, greedy, and rotten. They¡¯ve started colluding with these inspectors. On top of that, they¡¯re shielded by the Star Council."


    As he spoke, a flash of hatred crossed Lei Yinuo''s eyes. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the past, when the world was invaded by star beasts, civilization crumbled, populations plummeted, and humanity faced an apocalyptic disaster, nearly leading to its extinction. It was Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage that had risen to hold the line for humanity.


    Countless martial artists from Great Xia had fought the star beasts, shed their blood in the heavens and the depths across continents and oceans, and extended a compassionate hand to help humans across the world establish base cities amid the star beasts'' onslaught. It was only through these efforts that humanity had survived.


    During this process, countless Great Xia martial artists had perished in foreign lands and been consumed by the beasts. To say that Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage saved the Earth was no exaggeration. However, the war against the star beasts had also cost Great Xia dearly as well. Many martial traditions were lost, and its talent pool was severely depleted. Yet, those who had been protected by Great Xia did not show gratitude.


    Instead, they harbored dreams of restoring their former glory and constantly sought to rise as world leaders. While they enjoyed the protection of Great Xia, they quietly accumulated power to pull Great Xia down from its position and take its place. It¡¯s like the modern version of the farmer and the snake!


    "Great Xia¡¯s Dragon Group has been around for a long time," Lei Yinuo continued. "It was founded by the first-generation Saint, Taiyi, as an independent super martial force. In many ways, it represents the pinnacle of Great Xia¡¯s martial strength. It¡¯s like a special forces unit for ancient martial arts in the modern era. Today, the Dragon Group has a history spanning four hundred and fifty-six years."


    "However, the Dragon Group has always operated in the shadows and rarely appears in public or in the media. Its existence is kept secret, which is why most people don¡¯t even know it exists.After discovering the dirty tactics of the Inquisition, the Dragon Group began to organize countermeasures. Unfortunately, we suffered several losses early on, costing us dearly. When Edward and his team targeted Ye Liuying and you, the Dragon Group caught wind of their plan and sent me to handle the situation."


    At this point, Lei Yinuo continued, "After I uncovered their scheme, I originally planned to request additional reinforcements from the organization. But then you, kid, caused such a commotion that it completely blew up my plan. I had no choice but to activate the only rookie intern at Liuhe Base City, Xie Renyu, and make a last-ditch effort. The plan was to either complete the mission or die trying. Luckily, we managed to pull through."


    Li Xiaofei finally understood the full story. He also realized that Lei Yinuo¡¯s actions, such as asking for 50 million star coins to arrange a meeting with Ye Liuying, were actually part of his covert assistance. Otherwise, as a target, how could he have met with Ye Liuying, another target, so easily?


    Li Xiaofei turned to Xie Renyu.


    But why would the heir to the most prestigious family in the northwest join the Dragon Group?


    Xie Renyu sighed dramatically, "I told you, I just wanted to latch onto a big, strong backer for free. Who knew I¡¯d face such danger during my internship? If I¡¯d known, there¡¯s no way I would¡¯ve joined."


    Lei Yinuo chuckled. "Even though you''re still a rookie, your performance in this mission was impressive. Once I file my report, you¡¯ll definitely get promoted to a full member."


    Xie Renyu scoffed, "Pfft, who cares about that?"


    But in that moment, he revealed his true personality of an unrestrained heir from a prestigious family. He was no longer pretending to be the composed city leader.


    Li Xiaofei, however, saw through Xie Renyu. There was a fire in him. Despite his dismissive attitude toward the Dragon Group, he deeply valued the honor it represented. Otherwise, he could have turned tail and run at the sight of the Punishers. Yet, he had stayed and fought to the bitter end, even going so far as to sacrifice himself for the mission with the Dragon Group''s forbidden technique.


    Wait... Forbidden technique?


    "You two used a forbidden technique, didn¡¯t you?" Li Xiaofei suddenly asked. "How are you still alive?"


    Lei Yinuo and Xie Renyu exchanged glances before asking, "Your aunt... who is she, really? How did she manage to heal us, even with the fatal injuries from the forbidden technique?"


    Li Xiaofei froze for a moment.


    Little Aunt saved them? Little Aunt!


    Suddenly, a flash of realization struck him like lightning.


    "I understand now!" Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but exclaim aloud.


    He finally understood who the mysterious woman who had effortlessly slain two Golden Body Realm Punishers were. It was Little Aunt!

 Chapter 335: New Years Eve Turmoil

    Chapter 335: New Year''s Eve TurmoilAt that moment, everything clicked for Li Xiaofei.


    Little Aunt is truly not an ordinary person.


    When he thought back to all the mysterious things about her, Li Xiaofei suddenly realized that many unanswered questions were now clear. He was eager to confront her and confirm his suspicions.


    But just as he was about to get up, he hesitated. Perhaps some things were better left unspoken. Maintaining this unspoken understanding might be the best choice.


    "When will you two recover from your injuries?" Li Xiaofei asked, glancing at the two mummies in front of him. "The base city needs a city leader, and someone has to clean up the mess with the Realm of Traces."


    ¡°You¡¯re worse than a capitalist with how you push us,¡± Lei Yinuo groaned. ¡°Your aunt said the bandages can come off by midnight, and we should be fully mobile.¡±


    Xie Renyu nodded in agreement. The forbidden technique had effectively blown up their hearts. But as Five Spirits Realm experts, they had nurtured their internal organs and had an incredible amount of vitality. While a shattered heart would be fatal to most, it wasn¡¯t the end for them. Little Aunt¡¯s miraculous medical skills had allowed them to walk away from death¡¯s door.


    Li Xiaofei felt reassured. Outside, snow began to fall. The winters in the northwest always brought heavy snow.


    ¡°Oh, by the way, kid,¡± Lei Yinuo said suddenly. ¡°Interested in joining the Dragon Group?¡±


    Li Xiaofei smiled. ¡°I am.¡±


    It was Lei Yinuo¡¯s turn to be surprised. He had expected to spend some effort to persuade Li Xiaofei. But to his shock, it was so easy that he almost wondered if he¡¯d misheard.


    Li Xiaofei saw the question in Lei Yinuo¡¯s eyes and calmly explained, ¡°If even someone like Xie Renyu, an heir to a prestigious family, is willing to risk his life for Great Xia, do you think I, an outstanding high school student with the Qinling and Kunlun badges, would do any less?¡±


    Xie Renyu burst out laughing, half amused and half indignant. ¡°What are you talking about? I, too, have lofty ambitions and aspirations, okay?¡±


    The room was soon filled with joyful laughter.


    ***


    A few days later, Ye Liuying was acquitted and released without charges.


    The Inquisition did not send any new investigators to Liuhe Base City. The deaths of Edward, Clove, and the four Golden Body Realm Punishers had dealt a significant blow to the Inquisition and crippled their operations for the time being. Of course, this debt was now marked against Great Xia¡¯s Dragon Group.


    Lei Yinuo left after he finished wrapping up the situation in Liuhe Base City. Xie Renyu, on the other hand, remained in his position as city leader, quietly continuing his development. However, his relationship with Li Xiaofei improved significantly.


    Though they didn¡¯t appear overtly close, the shared experience of battle had forged a strong bond of trust between them. Meanwhile, Hu Yuer continued to cling to Li Xiaofei, seeking him out at every opportunity. Now that she had experienced the benefits of dual cultivation, she was relentless in her pursuit. Dual cultivation provided a quick way to boost Li Xiaofei¡¯s strength, so he saw no reason to refuse.


    Li Xiaofei had promised his aunt that once his inner qi reached the Five Spirits Realm, she would reveal the method to heal the scars on her face. This was one of the most pressing matters on his mind. Now that he suspected Little Aunt¡¯s true identity as a hidden Saint, Li Xiaofei felt an increasing sense of urgency. He didn¡¯t want to wait until university to begin his next breakthrough; he wanted to start now.


    Unfortunately, the cultivation technique for opening his acupoints was still out of reach, despite Li Xiaofei using his connections to search for it everywhere. Xie Renyu discreetly sent over a few manuals on Acupoint Opening Realm techniques, but Little Aunt dismissed them after reviewing them. She felt they were unworthy of Li Xiaofei.


    Despite his growing impatience, Li Xiaofei managed to restrain himself, knowing that rushing now could lead to mistakes.


    At the same time, the High School War God League continued. Red Flag High School was playing at home against Jintai High School. Once again, it was a one-sided match. Li Xiaofei and Yan Chiyu sat comfortably on the bench, as they had throughout the tournament. Even top players like Fang Buyi, Bai Qiqi, Bai Longfei, and Ren Dong found themselves on the bench.


    Red Flag High School didn¡¯t even need their star players; the newcomers they sent in secured an easy victory.


    Headlines like "Absolute Domination, Red Flag High School Reigns Supreme", "The Sudden Rise of Red Flag High School", "Analyzing the Causes of Red Flag High School¡¯s Success", and "Red Flag Martial Arts: A Paradise of Ancient Martial Techniques" flooded websites, videos, livestreams, and forums.


    As Red Flag High School advanced steadily toward the championship, the Education Department had increased its resource allocation to the school. The number of transfer applications surged, with Zhong Ling being just one example. In a span of just over ten days, more than two hundred high school students submitted transfer requests to Red Flag High School, all of which were approved.


    Many renowned teachers were either reassigned by the Education Department or voluntarily applied to teach at Red Flag High School. A once quiet campus was suddenly bustling with activity. The future looked incredibly bright.


    Now, the end of the year had finally arrived. Great Xia¡¯s annual Spring Festival, a traditional celebration, was upon them. The high schools were given a one-week break. In this era, winter and summer breaks had become quite short.


    Snowflakes drifted gently from the sky on New Year''s Eve, covering the ground in a blanket of white. The once lively campus of Red Flag High School had become eerily quiet. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Bang!


    In his office, the principal with the peach blossom eyes slammed his fist onto his desk.


    Just before the break, he had received frustrating news. The academic paper he had painstakingly written over the last ten years had been rejected by several top-tier light-network databases in the country. The reason? Insufficient quality.


    This cold rejection infuriated him. But what enraged him even more was that he had just learned that the very same paper, rejected for its lack of quality, had been published under someone else¡¯s name in those same top-tier databases.


    Not only that, but it had been prominently featured and heavily promoted! The name of the person who took credit for his work was all too familiar.


    Plagiarism! Theft! Robbery!


    "Dammit, playing this dirty game on me?" The principal roared in his office. "Wait for my lawyer''s letter, you scumbag!"


    But just then, his phone rang. Over the next hour, Chen Fei received several light-core calls. Afterward, his energy seemed to deflate. He sat alone in his office, silent for a long, long time.


    Knock, knock.


    Li Xiaofei knocked on the door and entered. A strong smell of smoke hit him in the face.


    "Huh? Principal, I thought you didn¡¯t smoke?" Li Xiaofei said in surprise, eyeing the cigarette butts scattered carelessly on the floor. "What¡¯s going on today?"


    The principal lifted his head; his eyes were bloodshot.


    Li Xiaofei was startled. "You... don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re heartbroken or something?"


    He looked terrible.


    "None of your damn business." The principal rasped, "What do you want?"


    Li Xiaofei was slightly taken aback as he replied, "It''s New Year''s Eve, and my family made some dumplings. I thought I¡¯d bring some over for you, seeing as you¡¯re, you know, a single dog... but seriously, what¡¯s going on here?"

 Chapter 336: Sound Of Happiness

    Chapter 336: Sound Of Happiness¡°It¡¯s nothing serious.¡±


    Chen Fei waved his hand and said, "Just leave the dumplings here. You should hurry back and spend time with your family."


    Li Xiaofei took out the steaming hot dumplings and set up the dipping plates. He said, ¡°I¡¯ve also brought vinegar and mashed garlic. Eat quickly, or the dumplings will get cold soon... By the way, where¡¯s Grandpa Qin? I haven¡¯t seen him.¡±


    ¡°Old Qin went home. He won¡¯t be back until after the New Year,¡± Chen Fei replied.


    He had originally been in a bad mood. But now that the dumplings and condiments were before him, his appetite suddenly kicked in, and he couldn¡¯t help but swallow. Suddenly, he really wanted to eat!


    Li Xiaofei was surprised. "Grandpa Qin has a family? I thought he was single."


    ¡°He has a younger sister. She moved to Lanfu Base City after getting married a few years ago,¡± Chen Fei rubbed his face and sat down, quickly devouring several dumplings before continuing, ¡°I heard she recently had a child. She called him multiple times, asking him to go to Lanfu Base City for New Year¡¯s. The school''s resources have been pretty good this year, and Old Qin saved up some money. So, he bought a ticket on the last flight of the holidays to visit his niece.¡±


    Li Xiaofei commented, ¡°That¡¯s great! The New Year is a time for family reunions. Principal, what about your family?¡±


    Chen Fei dipped a dumpling in vinegar and ate a few more before saying casually, ¡°Sixteen years ago, Ning City fell during the Sea Beast Invasion. My parents, sister, and brother-in-law all perished in that battle. Now, as your teacher, I am truly alone. I can eat my fill and not worry about anyone else.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart trembled. He hadn¡¯t expected that the seemingly carefree Old Chen had such a painful past.


    Quickly, he changed the topic and said, ¡°You¡¯re not getting any younger. Why not find someone? You can even contribute to the nation¡¯s population growth.¡±


    Chen Fei chuckled and said, "As the principal, I¡¯ve spent all these years drifting through a sea of flowers without a single leaf sticking to me. There have been plenty of women, but not many I¡¯d want to settle down with. After all these years, I just haven¡¯t met the right one."


    Li Xiaofei laughed and teased, "What kind do you like? Heh, heh. I¡¯m now the leader of the Martial Alliance in the city, with tens of thousands of followers under me. I can play matchmaker for you."


    "Get out of here!" Chen Fei said, half annoyed, half amused. "Is that appropriate? A student playing matchmaker for their teacher?"


    Li Xiaofei grinned and replied, "It¡¯s not like it¡¯s a student-teacher romance, so what¡¯s there to worry about?"


    Chen Fei finished off the two portions of dumplings and said, "Alright, go home and be with your family. It¡¯s the New Year. What are you doing hanging around the school?"


    Li Xiaofei glanced around at the quiet office and suggested, "Why don¡¯t you come celebrate the New Year with me at Cloudy Sky Gang? There¡¯s a big party tonight, and it¡¯ll be lively."


    Chen Fei waved his hand and said, "Nah, I¡¯ve gotten used to it over the years. I¡¯m more comfortable spending the New Year at school, looking at the classrooms and the spacious playground. It puts me at ease."


    "Alright then," Li Xiaofei said as he stood up to leave.


    When he arrived at the school gate, he turned to look back. In the midst of the wind and snow, Red Flag High School was silent and cold. The only lights in the building that were still on were in the principal¡¯s office. That solitary figure was now standing by the window. He looked like a lonely watchman gazing out at the sea of lights beyond the window.


    Some eager people had already started lighting New Year¡¯s Eve fireworks. One by one, the brilliant bursts shot into the sky, illuminating the desolate but enchanting night. The dreamlike fireworks in the sky only accentuated the solitude of the man with peach blossom eyes, standing alone by the window of the only lit office in the entire building. At this moment, his loneliness seemed even more profound.


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was off about Old Chen tonight. He called Yang Cheng, the head steward of the Cloudy Sky Gang.


    ¡°Help me look into Principal Chen Fei,¡± Li Xiaofei said. ¡°See if anything unusual has happened lately.¡±


    After hanging up, Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and made another call, this time to Xiao Hongye. He began with New Year¡¯s greetings and then brought up Chen Fei, asking if there had been any new policies from the Education Department.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t heard of anything changing,¡± Xiao Hongye replied. ¡°Isn¡¯t Chen the Bandit doing great right now? Red Flag High School is rising like a dark horse. Their student intake and resources have skyrocketed. At this rate, they might win the league championship in the next few years, and even the Northwest Administrative Region would likely reward him.¡±


    ¡°I hope I¡¯m just being paranoid,¡± Li Xiaofei said. ¡°Please keep an eye out for me, Sister Xiao.¡±


    ¡°You little rascal, you care so much about that bandit, but what about me?¡± Xiao Hongye teased him. ¡°I¡¯m still your agent, and I¡¯ve helped you make at least tens of millions in the past few months, haven¡¯t I?¡±


    Li Xiaofei laughed, ¡°Sister, you have so many brothers looking out for you. You won¡¯t miss my concern.¡±


    Xiao Hongye snorted and said, ¡°What if I only care about my stinky little brother¡¯s concern?¡±


    ¡°Please, Sister, don¡¯t say that. My back¡¯s been aching lately,¡± Li Xiaofei replied, half-jokingly.


    "Ugh," Xiao Hongye scoffed before hanging up the phone. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei rode his heavily modified motorcycle through the heavy snowfall. Every time he mounted the bike, memories of the young lady would flood his mind. This bike was a parting gift from her before she left. Whenever he rode it, it felt as though she was still there, sitting behind him, gently pressing herself to his back. Her long black hair would fly beside his face, as if carried by the wind.


    It had been almost two months since they parted. Yet, he still hadn¡¯t been able to get in touch with Tan Qingying. Li Xiaofei was deeply worried. He had no idea how she was doing, whether she was faring well or if she was happy, in that deep, vast mansion so distant from the world.


    He couldn''t even begin to imagine how heartbroken and despairing she must have been after learning about Tan Zhenwei¡¯s fall. And he, of all people, couldn¡¯t be by her side.


    The night wind was biting cold. In the sky, fireworks continued to burst into brilliant displays. The beautiful sparks, though dazzling, vanished in an instant. Now that the recent turmoil had finally settled, Liuhe Base City had entered a relatively calm period. The citizens could enjoy a peaceful New Year at last.


    Soon, he arrived back at the Guang''an neighborhood in the slum. For many of the poor, this Lunar New Year was undoubtedly the happiest they had ever experienced in their lives. There was plenty of food and drink. No one had to suffer from the cold or go hungry.


    In the past, if a family could gather together, disease-free and disaster-free, and enjoy a simple meal of cheap synthetic nutrition porridge, it was considered the greatest blessing during the New Year. But today, every household had vegetables and meat on their tables, and the meals had become far more abundant. All of this was thanks to the president.


    In fact, many homes had already placed the president''s longevity plaque on their altars. No one knew when this trend started, but it had long since spread throughout the slums.


    When Li Xiaofei returned home, Little Aunt, Li Jie, and Zhong Ling had already prepared a New Year¡¯s Eve dinner. They were waiting for him. As he took out the gifts he had prepared for the three of them, Li Xiaofei sat down at the table.


    ¡°Happy New Year!¡± he said, smiling at the three women in front of him.


    This was the first New Year he had experienced since crossing into this world, and Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t feel lonely. He had fully integrated himself into this world. The three women in front of him were now his family.


    ¡°Happy New Year!¡±


    ¡°Cheers!¡±


    ¡°Next year, on this same day, we¡¯ll still be together!¡±


    Little Aunt, Li Jie, and Zhong Ling said one after the other. The sound of their glasses clinking together was the sound of happiness.

 Chapter 337: Educational Master

    Chapter 337: Educational MasterAfter finishing New Year¡¯s Eve dinner, the family sat together to watch the evening gala. Five hundred years after the era of catastrophic change, many things were different in this world, but the Lunar New Year still remained the most important holiday for the people of Great Xia.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s light core kept buzzing nonstop. Wang Siyu, Liu Yao, Zheng Shou, Bai Longfei, Fang Buyi, Bai Qiqi, Ren Dong...Many, many friends sent their New Year¡¯s greetings.


    For a moment, it felt as if he had traveled back in time to five hundred years ago and was celebrating the New Year in that familiar era. He replied to each message one by one. He also sent a message of blessings to Tan Qingying''s light core. He wasn¡¯t sure if she would see it.


    After midnight, amidst the brilliant display of fireworks filling the sky, Li Xiaofei and Zhong Ling headed to the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters. All the middle and senior members of the Cloudy Sky Gang had gathered to remember the late Zhong Yuanshan. Afterward, they held a small internal celebration. The festivities didn¡¯t end until four in the morning.


    Li Xiaofei then made his way to the Cloudy Sky Youth Academy to check in on Principal Hu, who was all alone. He stayed with her, offering comfort and companionship, until seven in the morning the next day.


    On the first day of the New Year, a rare sunny day greeted everyone. Li Xiaofei distributed red envelopes to all the members of the Cloudy Sky Gang and the Martial Alliance before dealing with the chaos of organizing activities.


    There were numerous traditional rituals and procedures, particularly after the Lunar New Year, especially in old-school organizations like the Cloudy Sky Gang. Eventually, Li Xiaofei grew tired of it all and handed everything over to Chu Yuntian, Yang Cheng, and Li Junjie.


    He then spent his days hiding in the Cloudy Sky Youth Academy, endlessly comforting the lonely Principal Hu. This behavior even caused some of the elders in the Cloudy Sky Gang to worry. They wondered if their president was showing signs of becoming a hedonistic ruler by neglecting his duties day after day. Regardless, when the bustling festivities of the New Year finally came to an end, Li Xiaofei''s strength had grown significantly.


    Not only had he reached mastery in the Black Iron Sword Bone, but he had also cultivated the Yi Jin Jing to perfection. All of his other martial arts had also reached an advanced level of mastery. His overall combat strength was now comparable to that of the Golden Body Realm. However, he had hit a bottleneck. Unless he began the process of Acupoint Opening, his strength would remain stagnant.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s search for Acupoint Opening Realm manuals had yet to yield any results. During this time, he participated in two more online Martial God tournaments hosted by Longya Group, both of which he won with ease.


    The first stage of the preliminary selection had concluded. Li Xiaofei, with his top-ranking performance in his division, along with five other contestants, including Zhang Zhihong, had advanced to the second stage of the competition.


    Longya Group had invested heavily in promoting this Martial God tournament, reportedly with the support of the government, which had caused the event¡¯s popularity to surge. The top contestants from each division received massive exposure as they emerged. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei''s choice of the virtual identity Your Grandpa had gained considerable attention from the media and prominent streamers. However, he immediately logged off after every match, making it impossible for any media outlets to interview him. He had even declined Longya Group''s official post-match interviews, earning him the reputation of being the most mysterious top-ranked player in the preliminary selection.


    In early February, school resumed as usual. Around this time, Li Xiaofei received a call from Xiao Hongye.


    ¡°I¡¯ve found out what you asked me to investigate,¡± she said.


    ¡°Tell me quickly.¡±


    ¡°Principal Chen¡¯s research paper was stolen.¡±


    ¡°Stolen?¡±


    ¡°Yes, to be precise, it was plagiarized. His name was removed, and someone else published it under their own name in the top databases on the light-network and in Great Xia¡¯s leading academic journals.¡±


    ¡°Damn,¡± Li Xiaofei cursed.


    Such things could still happen in this day and age?


    ¡°Who did it?¡± he asked urgently.


    Xiao Hongye responded, ¡°The culprit is someone named Su Yuncao, a well-known education expert in Great Xia. He¡¯s the former Director of the Xiajing Education Department and the current Vice President of Beixia University. He¡¯s a highly respected authority in the education sector, with a vast number of students under his mentorship.¡±


    Li Xiaofei was shocked. ¡°A man of such stature would stoop to stealing someone else¡¯s paper? That¡¯s shameless!¡±


    Xiao Hongye continued, ¡°I couldn¡¯t believe it at first either. Su Yuncao has an impeccable reputation and is considered highly ethical within the industry. I never imagined he¡¯d do something like this.¡±


    Li Xiaofei said, ¡°Alright, then there¡¯s only one explanation.¡±


    Xiao Hongye responded, ¡°Exactly. Principal Chen¡¯s paper must be incredibly valuable and influential. Su Yuncao wouldn¡¯t have risked tarnishing his reputation unless the paper was worth it.¡±


    Li Xiaofei sneered, ¡°There¡¯s no such thing as plagiarizing just once; it¡¯s either zero or countless times. I¡¯m willing to bet this isn¡¯t the first time this esteemed authority has done something like this. What surprises me is that Old Chen just let it slide?¡±


    ¡°Judging from Principal Chen¡¯s reactions before and after the Lunar New Year, it seems he intended to let the matter rest,¡± Xiao Hongye speculated, ¡°There¡¯s likely more to this. I suspect Su Yuncao offered something so compelling that even Old Chen couldn¡¯t refuse, or perhaps he was threatened in some way.¡±


    ¡°I see. Thanks, Sister,¡± Li Xiaofei said.


    After hanging up the phone, Li Xiaofei sank into thought. The whole situation disgusted him. Li Xiaofei knew exactly how much effort Chen Fei had put into that paper. That research was the distilled essence of years of dedication to Red Flag High School and the results of refining his educational philosophy, methodology, and results in ancient martial arts. So now, it had been stolen from him?


    Moreover, the fact that Xiao Hongye had uncovered the information so quickly made Li Xiaofei realize that this beautiful and alluring woman had quite the powerful background. Li Xiaofei thought for a long time and decided that he would have to find a chance to ask Old Chen directly about what had happened. If Chen Fei had indeed chosen to suffer in silence, Li Xiaofei knew he couldn¡¯t just intervene without understanding the full picture.


    But no matter what, Li Xiaofei made sure to remember the name Su Yuncao. However, he didn¡¯t expect the news that broke in Liuhe Base City the very next day. Su Yuncao, the Vice President of Beixia University and renowned education expert, was scheduled to arrive in Liuhe Base City in three days via private jet for a visit and a special lecture!


    Li Xiaofei immediately sensed something strange. This plagiarist was personally coming to Liuhe Base City. He felt an urge to meet this so-called educational master and witness his grandeur firsthand.


    At the same time, something happened at Red Flag High School. After the school reopened, Dean Qin Dewei was notably absent.


    Rumor had it that he had run into some trouble in Lanfu Base City, leading him to request a week¡¯s leave. It was the first time in over a decade that Dean Qin had taken a leave of absence during the school term.

 Chapter 338: To Sacrifice Ones Life For The Nation

    Chapter 338: To Sacrifice One''s Life For The Nation¡°Why did Old Qin take a leave of absence? It seems his niece fell ill and was hospitalized,¡± Principal Chen said, flicking away a cigarette butt impatiently. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about things like that. Just focus on your studies and cultivation, especially on bringing up your academic scores. After the Lunar New Year, the top universities will send their recruitment teams to Liuhe. If you want to apply for a guaranteed spot, you need to excel in both academics and martial arts.¡±


    Li Xiaofei responded with a casual ¡°Oh,¡± and then boasted, ¡°Is there any top university I can¡¯t get into with my level of combat strength?¡±


    Chen Fei was momentarily speechless. Well, Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t wrong. A high school student who had reached the Five Spirits Realm in combat strength could pretty much choose any university in the country.


    ¡°In two days, the recruitment team from Beixia University, the highest-ranked university in the nation, will be visiting Liuhe Base City, led by none other than Vice President Su Yuncao. This is your chance¡ªmake sure you seize it,¡± Chen Fei added.


    Oh? So Su Yuncao is coming with the university¡¯s recruitment team?


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Old Chen, you didn¡¯t endure Su Yuncao stealing your paper just so I could get into Beixia University, did you?¡±


    Principal Chen was taken aback. ¡°How do you know about the paper?¡±


    Li Xiaofei shrugged.


    It wasn¡¯t that hard to figure out, alright?


    ¡°It¡¯s quite difficult, actually. Most people wouldn¡¯t know about it,¡± Chen Fei replied after a moment. He quickly realized, ¡°Xiao Hongye must have told you, right? She¡¯s probably the only one in all of Liuhe Base City who could get that information.¡±


    Li Xiaofei nodded in acknowledgment. ¡°If you did it for me, that¡¯s unnecessary. Even if I don¡¯t go to Beixia University, I can¡¯t let you suffer this kind of humiliation. We need to stand up to him and fight back.¡±


    Principal Chen Fei couldn¡¯t help but smirk. He slowly lit a cigarette. ¡°Kid, you really think too highly of yourself. The research paper I wrote over the course of decades, the work that could revolutionize the Great Xia martial lineage; would I really hand it over just because of a punk like you who skips class to hang out with gangs? Please, next time you¡¯re dreaming, try not to make it so grand.¡±


    Damn it!


    Li Xiaofei stormed off. In truth, Chen Fei had a point. If it wasn¡¯t for his sake, then there must be another reason.


    Could it be that that old fox, Su Yuncao, has some dirt on him from the past?


    Whatever it was, Li Xiaofei decided to take things as they came. He returned to the classroom and quietly attended his lessons. However, by afternoon, a new piece of news had spread like wildfire through Red Flag High School.


    Principal Chen Fei had been invited to tour the Northwest Region to give a series of lectures due to his exceptional teaching achievements and would be temporarily stepping down from his administrative role. The Education Department had appointed an official named Zhang Deyi as the acting principal.


    This news didn¡¯t stir up much debate. Many students were genuinely happy for Chen Fei. Everyone knew that promoting the Great Xia martial lineage and spreading Red Flag¡¯s teaching model had always been Chen Fei¡¯s dream. Being recognized as an exemplary figure and invited to speak at prestigious schools across the Northwest was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him.


    But Li Xiaofei, who knew the underlying situation, couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that things were far more complicated than they appeared.


    After school, Li Xiaofei received a personal call from Xie Renyu inviting him to dinner. Half an hour later, they met at Qingya Pavilion, a high-end restaurant. Li Xiaofei arrived first in the VIP private room.


    ¡°Sister-in-law, just two people. You can arrange whatever you think is best,¡± Li Xiaofei smiled.


    Miao Youwei teased, ¡°Two people? Did you invite your girlfriend?¡±


    Li Xiaofei laughed and replied, ¡°What, are you supervising me on behalf of Little Ying? Haha, don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s a guy. I have some business matters.¡±


    Miao Youwei chuckled and left with the menu. Not long after, Xie Renyu arrived, looking like a secret agent with sunglasses, a mask, and a hat as he snuck into the room.


    ¡°This place is nice,¡± Xie Renyu said. ¡°From now on, this will be our secret hideout.¡±


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but comment, ¡°You¡¯re in your thirties, the head of a city, and yet you¡¯re still acting immature like me. Can you try to be more grown-up?¡± S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xie Renyu grinned and said, ¡°Hey, you didn¡¯t expect me to have layers, did you? it¡¯s fun, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    ¡°What¡¯s the big secret? Why did you call me here all mysteriously?¡± he asked.


    Xie Renyu grinned at him. ¡°Congratulations! From now on, we¡¯ll be comrades in the same trench.¡±


    He pulled out a slender, pale gold metal case.


    Snap.


    Xie Renyu pushed the box directly in front of Li Xiaofei. The small metal case shimmered with a faint golden glow under the sunlight. Its surface was engraved with a detailed image of the Great Wall.


    Upon closer inspection, countless indistinct figures stood atop the wall, facing outward as though they were warriors ready for battle, protecting everything behind them.


    Below the image, there was an inscription of a line from an ancient poem, ¡°To sacrifice one''s life for the nation, to face death as if returning home¡±.


    This was the final line of the poem Song Of The White Horse by Cao Zhi from the Wei-Jin period of ancient China.[1]


    It had always been one of Li Xiaofei''s favorite poems. The final few lines of the poem had always struck a deep chord in his heart:


    "Urgent letters came from the north, horses galloped up the high embankment.


    Riding swiftly against the Xiongnu, casting glances upon the Xianbei.


    To throw oneself upon the blades, how could life be cherished?


    Not even parents can be considered, let alone sons or wives!


    Your name is written in the warriors'' scrolls, personal desires must be forsaken.


    To sacrifice one''s life for the nation, to face death as if returning home!"


    Seeing this most familiar and stirring line suddenly engraved on the metal box in front of him filled Li Xiaofei with an overwhelming sense of emotion.


    He stared at the box, his gaze fixed on the Great Wall and that line of poetry, lost in thought, unable to find the words to speak.


    The box opened with a snap. It contained three items, a dragon-tail saber that was five fingers wide and 1.5 meters long; a dragon-scale-shaped key token; and a manual titled Heart of the Pure Child. These three simple items, in that moment, carried an indescribable weight.


    Li Xiaofei picked up the saber and gently flicked the blade. A long, resonant hum echoed through the room.


    What a blade!


    Its quality was nearly on par with the bull-horn blade Ning Wuwo had forged.


    ¡°This is a temporary saber for trainee members,¡± Xie Renyu explained. ¡°Once you complete your first mission and become a full member, you¡¯ll be eligible to request a powered dragon saber.¡±


    Li Xiaofei nodded in understanding. Powered weapons were the dream of every martial artist; they were highly coveted and sought after. He hadn¡¯t expected such benefits upon joining the Dragon Group.


    He then picked up the dragon-scale-shaped key token. It felt heavy in his hand, as though it carried the warmth of freshly spilled blood.


    ¡°This is the identification token of a Dragon Group member,¡± Xie Renyu continued. ¡°It grants privileges that outsiders can¡¯t even imagine. When you use this key in any light core terminal, it leaves no trace. It also grants access to the Dragon Group¡¯s internal marketplace, where you can purchase or exchange merit points for exclusive manuals, weapons, armor, and cultivation resources. Additionally, you¡¯ll now have access to classified information. With this key, you can query the Dragon Group¡¯s internal database and uncover highly secretive information that most people will never know.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart leapt. This was a highly valuable asset. Joining the Dragon Group definitely came with numerous perks. Now he understood why even someone like Xie Renyu, a wealthy second-generation heir, had chosen to join.


    Xie Renyu pointed at the manual and said, ¡°This Heart of the Pure Child manual is mandatory for every Dragon Group member to cultivate. It allows you to unleash combat strength one realm higher than your own for ten minutes in extreme situations. Alternatively, it can assist you in ending your own life to avoid torture or humiliation in the hands of the enemy.¡±


    Li Xiaofei carefully placed the three items back into the metal box, securing them with great care.


    Xie Renyu continued, ¡°As a Dragon Group member, there are additional privileges, such as legal immunity. No matter what laws you break, only the Dragon Group has the authority to judge and punish you. You also have absolute investigation rights. You can investigate anyone you suspect... but remember, you¡¯ll bear full responsibility for your actions.¡±


    Li Xiaofei nodded solemnly. ¡°Understood.¡±


    Suddenly, Xie Renyu¡¯s demeanor became more serious than ever before.


    With a grave expression, he said, ¡°Li Xiaofei, from now on, we are comrades. The average age of a Dragon Group member is only thirty-five. It¡¯s the department with the highest rate of injury and death in all of Great Xia. To our comrades! Long live Great Xia!¡±


    1. Cao Zhi was a prince of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period of China, and an accomplished poet in his time. His style of poetry, greatly revered during the Jin dynasty and Southern and Northern Dynasties, came to be known as the Jian''an style. ?

 Chapter 339: Dual Sacred Bodies of Blade and Sword Technique

    Chapter 339: Dual Sacred Bodies of Blade and Sword Technique ¡°Why did you decide to join the Dragon Group?¡± Xie Renyu asked.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s decision to join had been swift and without hesitation. But up until recently, he clearly knew nothing about the Dragon Group.


    Li Xiaofei turned the question back on him, ¡°And you? Why did you join the Dragon Group?¡±


    Xie Renyu smiled. Li Xiaofei smiled too. They found their answers in each other¡¯s smiles. This country had never been short of young people filled with passion and patriotism.


    Knock, knock, knock.


    There was a knock at the door. The food had arrived.


    ***


    The slums.


    Unlike his usual routine of checking in on Principal Hu, Li Xiaofei headed for his private light core room. He entered the virtual light core cockpit and used the dragon-scale key to log in.


    In the light-network world¡¯s reception hall, a new projection interface popped up in front of him. He clicked to enter and the interface for the Great Xia Dragon Group Shopping Mall appeared. The mall¡¯s design was outdated, reminiscent of shopping websites from five hundred years ago.


    Welcome, honorable Dragon Group warrior 0411385.


    A line of text greeted him from the screen. Li Xiaofei tapped the screen lightly and navigated to his personal profile page. Most of his information had already been registered. His personal account showed a balance of 1 million star coins, plus 100 merit points.


    The star coins were a settlement fee granted to him upon becoming a member of the Dragon Group. These funds could be transferred to any bank account without raising any flags. It was completely legitimate and left no trace. As for the merit points, they could only be earned by completing specific missions.


    Li Xiaofei made a guess that the 100 merit points he had received were likely a reward for assisting Lei Yinuo and the others in defeating Edward and the other experts from the Inquisition.


    Merit points could be used in place of star coins, with each merit point valued at 100,000 star coins. However, star coins could not be exchanged for merit points. Many items in the Dragon Group¡¯s mall could only be purchased with merit points, giving them a unique value within the organization.


    After reviewing his profile, Li Xiaofei discovered that he could edit his detailed information. He decided to change his codename. After all, 0411385 was just a system-generated number. It was difficult to remember and lacking personality.


    After thinking for a moment, Li Xiaofei tried entering his first nickname, Kicking the Good Leg of a Cripple. However, the system rejected it, indicating that the name was too long. Upon reading the instructions more carefully, Li Xiaofei learned that Dragon Group codenames were generally limited to four words to make them easier to remember and avoid confusion.


    For example, Xie Renyu''s codename was King of Men, and Lei Yinuo¡¯s was Thunderstrike.


    After some thought, Li Xiaofei casually entered another codename, Jade Emperor. To his surprise, the modification was approved, and no one had already claimed the name.


    Feeling satisfied with his new codename, Li Xiaofei returned to the Dragon Group mall. Since he lacked any Acupoint Opening Realm techniques, he navigated to the section for martial techniques. He further refined his search to focus on Acupoint Opening Realm techniques. There were over a hundred such techniques available, categorized by cultivation difficulty, requirements, and power level, and ranked on a five-star scale.


    After some searching, Li Xiaofei selected a Acupoint Opening Realm technique titled Detailed Explanation of Acupoint Impact for the Dual Sacred Bodies of Blade and Sword. This technique had a five-star rating. When he read the description, it seemed as though it was significantly different from standard Acupoint Opening Realm techniques.


    Typically, acupoint techniques focused on impacting the twelve meridians in the human body. Each meridian contained ten acupoints, for a total of a hundred and twenty acupoints. 99 percent of martial artists who practiced Acupoint Opening cultivated these one hundred and twenty acupoints, and once they had fully opened all twelve meridians, they would proceed to vein expansion and the formation of the Golden Body.


    However, the Dual Sacred Bodies of Blade and Sword technique''s description mentioned certain special physiques that could impact not only the twelve meridians but also the eight extraordinary meridians. The eight extraordinary meridians were fundamentally different from the twelve regular ones. They weren¡¯t directly connected to the internal organs nor did they have corresponding paired channels. They were called extraordinary because they followed different pathways.


    Cultivating the twelve meridians was already difficult. Cultivating the eight extraordinary meridians was even harder. But if one could successfully cultivate and open the eighty acupoints of the eight extraordinary meridians, the power boost would be immeasurable. It wasn¡¯t just about having an additional eighty acupoints; it was much more profound than that.


    From the data on the page, over 1,300 people had purchased the Dual Sacred Bodies of Blade and Sword technique. However, the reviews were unanimously negative. Not a single person had successfully cultivated it. In the end, most people felt like they had wasted their money.


    The last recorded purchase of the Detailed Explanation of Acupoint Impact for the Dual Sacred Bodies of Blade and Sword technique was five years ago, by a Dragon Group member named Bajie.


    Based on Bajie''s feedback, his cultivation progress hadn''t been ideal. But for some reason, Li Xiaofei was immediately drawn to this technique. His instinct told him that this was the one he had to choose.


    The technique was priced at 10 million star coins, plus 100 merit points. Li Xiaofei transferred an additional 9 million star coins to his account, bringing his balance up to the full amount.


    After completing the payment, he downloaded the file. Soon, the classified electronic document appeared in his virtual world reception hall. Li Xiaofei opened the file and eagerly began to devour its contents.


    ***


    The next day, Li Xiaofei arrived at the school gate, riding his motorcycle as usual. Unexpectedly, he was stopped by the security guard on duty.


    "From today onward, no external motor vehicles are allowed to enter," ordered the guard, a slightly overweight middle-aged man in a security uniform. "What grade are you in? Which class? Who gave you permission to ride a motorcycle to school?"


    "Are you new here?" Li Xiaofei asked, still seated on his bike as he looked up at the man.


    His question hit a nerve. The middle-aged man¡¯s face immediately flushed with anger, and he shouted, "So what if I¡¯m new? I¡¯m the security chief personally appointed by the principal. Do you think I can¡¯t handle you? Look at you¡ªno school uniform, acting all nonchalant. Do you even look like a high school student?"


    Appointed by the principal? Oh, right. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The new principal of Red Flag High School was rumored to be an official parachuted in by the Education Department. Li Xiaofei thought about it for a second and decided not to bother with the guy. He turned around and parked his motorcycle in the lot across from the school gate.


    When he walked back, he saw the new security chief strutting around and intimidating several newly transferred students. The visibly nervous students were apologizing profusely before they were allowed to enter the school.


    "You, stop right there!" The security chief barked as he spotted Li Xiaofei approaching. He blocked his path and said, "Put on your school uniform properly! And what''s your name? Which class are you in? Who''s your homeroom teacher?"


    Li Xiaofei replied coldly, "None of your business."


    Without missing a beat, he continued walking.


    "You little punk! You¡¯ve got some nerve!" The middle-aged guard yelled, stepping in front of him, his finger pointing harshly at Li Xiaofei¡¯s face. "Say that again if you dare!"

 Chapter 340: My Other Identity

    Chapter 340: My Other IdentitySmack!


    Li Xiaofei raised his hand and slapped the security chief hard, knocking him to the ground. He turned and walked out of the school without a second glance.


    ¡°You little punk, don¡¯t you dare run!¡± The humiliated security chief shouted angrily.


    He immediately used his walkie-talkie to call for backup. Ten bulky security guards came rushing in, dressed in expensive combat suits and equipped with advanced tools. But Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t leaving. He walked over to the parking lot, mounted his heavily modified motorcycle, and roared back toward the scene.


    ¡°Get him! Beat him to death if you have to! If anything happens, my brother-in-law will cover it.¡± The security chief growled viciously.


    He had landed this cushy job at Red Flag High School through his brother-in-law, the new principal, Zhang Deyi. He considered it a near-permanent position with great pay and benefits, and he couldn¡¯t swallow his pride now that a student had dared to hit him.


    The ten security guards rushed at Li Xiaofei in unison. Li Xiaofei casually sent each one sprawling to the ground with effortless strikes while sitting on his motorcycle. He gestured and an invisible force grabbed the security chief out of thin air, pulling him toward Li Xiaofei.


    ¡°Who¡¯s your brother-in-law?¡± Li Xiaofei asked, his tone cold and deliberate.


    The security chief¡¯s face flushed red in panic as he realized the situation had turned against him. ¡°My brother-in-law is Principal Zhang Deyi! Let me go, or I¡¯ll have him expel you!¡± S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at the uniforms worn by the security guards. Each one was part of the latest, most expensive collection. The boots, equipment, and just the uniforms themselves cost more than 5,000 star coins each.


    Thud.


    Li Xiaofei tossed the security chief onto the ground, leaving him half-dead from the impact.


    "Take off the uniforms." He commanded, sweeping his gaze across all the security guards. "All of them, or I''ll beat you to death."


    The security chief, both scared and furious, sputtered, "My brother-in-law is the princip¡ª"


    "Starting now, he isn¡¯t," Li Xiaofei interrupted coldly.


    He hadn¡¯t given it much thought yesterday when he heard that Zhang Deyi, an Education Department official, had been appointed acting principal of Red Flag High School. But now, Li Xiaofei was filled with distrust and disgust toward this so-called acting principal.


    It had only been half a day of being in charge, but Zhang Deyi had hired a bloated security force, recklessly spent money on new uniforms and equipment, and had appointed an incompetent brother-in-law as the security chief. This was enough to prove that Zhang Deyi wasn¡¯t a decent person.


    "You... who the hell are you?" The security chief finally realized something wasn¡¯t right.


    Li Xiaofei replied nonchalantly, "You work at Red Flag High School and you don¡¯t even know who I am?"


    Without waiting for a response, Li Xiaofei delivered another slap, sending the security chief sprawling on the ground again. "No more nonsense. Take off the uniforms, or I''ll kill you."


    The group of security guards trembled in fear. In the end, they had no choice but to obediently remove their uniforms.


    Li Xiaofei said, "Get out of the school. If I see any of you step foot inside the campus again, I¡¯ll chop you up and feed you to the dogs."


    He gathered all the uniforms and equipment and took them into the campus. The commotion had attracted a lot of attention by now. Finally, the acting principal Zhang Deyi rushed over, his face filled with urgency.


    "Student Li Xiaofei," Zhang Deyi stormed over angrily, "What on earth is going on here? How can you just go around hitting people as a student?"


    Of course, Zhang Deyi recognized Li Xiaofei. Before assuming his position, he had looked into some background information and knew that this young man was a star student at Red Flag High School.


    "Did you hire these people?" Li Xiaofei threw the expensive security uniforms down in front of him. "And did you approve purchasing these?"


    Zhang Deyi was irritated by the interrogative tone. He had originally intended to engage in a friendly conversation with this star student, but now he couldn¡¯t help but sneer, "Yes, I did. So what? I¡¯m the principal. Do I need to explain myself to you?"


    "It¡¯s necessary because I¡¯m part of this school," Li Xiaofei said seriously. "Every penny Red Flag High School has should be spent on education and benefiting the students, not on this kind of reckless waste."


    "I''m the principal. How the school¡¯s budget is spent is up to me," Zhang Deyi said dismissively. "Besides, the school isn¡¯t lacking in funds right now. Li Xiaofei, as the principal, I¡¯m ordering you to apologize to the security personnel immediately."


    Li Xiaofei laughed mockingly and asked, "You think you can order me around? Who do you think you are?"


    "You¡ª" Zhang Deyi¡¯s face turned red with anger.


    "You think you''re worthy of being the principal of Red Flag High School?" Li Xiaofei scoffed. "I¡¯ve figured it out. You¡¯re not even half as good as Chen Fei. Go back to your office. Red Flag High School doesn¡¯t need you."


    "What?" Zhang Deyi laughed in disbelief, now more amused than angry. "Who do you think you are? Do you think you get to decide whether I¡¯m principal or not?"


    Li Xiaofei ignored him and pulled out his light core. He called Gao Changlin, the head of the Education Department.


    "Director Gao, I don¡¯t like the new principal you sent over," Li Xiaofei said bluntly.


    On the other end of the line, Gao Changlin¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He quickly replied, "Li Xiaofei, don¡¯t rush. What happened? Maybe there¡¯s been some kind of misunderstanding?"


    "Let¡¯s not talk about misunderstandings," Li Xiaofei responded coolly. "I¡¯m not asking for your opinion. I¡¯m telling you to recall this clueless idiot immediately."


    "This... Li Xiaofei, Principal Zhang holds a special position. He was directly appointed by the Northwest Education Department," Gao Changlin explained, clearly uncomfortable.


    Zhang Deyi smirked with smug satisfaction as he heard this. His background was indeed powerful; otherwise, how could he have stirred up so much trouble so soon after his appointment?


    But Li Xiaofei merely laughed disdainfully. "Is his position more special than mine? Director Gao, you know my identity outside the school. If you make me unhappy, all I need is a single sentence for him and his entire family to disappear from this world."


    His identity outside school?


    Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t just an ordinary student. He was a major figure in the Cloudy Sky Gang and the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance. Tens of thousands of gang members idolized him and were willing to lay down their lives for him without hesitation.


    When Zhang Deyi heard that, the smug expression on his face slowly froze. He wasn¡¯t afraid of Li Xiaofei as a student. But he was absolutely terrified of Li Xiaofei, the gang leader.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s boldness had caught Zhang Deyi completely off guard. Just as Zhang Deyi was about to try and negotiate, Li Xiaofei hopped onto his motorcycle and rode straight into the campus, leaving him no chance to respond.


    Standing awkwardly at the school gate, Zhang Deyi felt utterly lost. Some of the newly transferred students were whispering curiously among themselves, while many of the veteran students quietly clenched their fists in excitement.


    Truth be told, the new principal had already rubbed a lot of people the wrong way in less than half a day. There was a growing sense of dissatisfaction among the students, and many were beginning to miss the old principal, Chen Fei. Li Xiaofei¡¯s actions, though extreme, expressed what many had been feeling.


    Zhang Deyi stood at the gate for a good ten minutes, wrestling with his thoughts, but in the end, he didn¡¯t have the courage to re-enter the school. He was scared.


    "Just wait, this isn¡¯t over," Zhang Deyi vowed to himself.


    His powerful backer was soon to arrive in Liuhe Base City, and once they did, even Li Xiaofei, no matter how arrogant he was, would have to kneel and admit defeat.

 Chapter 341: It Turned Out To Be His Credit

    Chapter 341: It Turned Out To Be His CreditThankfully, Red Flag High School did not fall into chaos without their principal. Li Xiaofei sat in the classroom, lost in thought. Zhang Deyi was appointed by the Education Department of the Northwest Region, a decision that even Gao Changlin could not interfere with. Li Xiaofei could smell a rat.


    Once he reflected on everything that had happened recently, Li Xiaofei realized that more and more people wanted to come to Red Flag High School and reap the rewards. It seemed that the sudden rise of Red Flag High School had not only caused a stir in Liuhe Base City but also sent shockwaves throughout the Northwest Region. Even someone as foolish as Zhang Deyi was trying to come and take a share of the pie.


    Li Xiaofei felt deeply displeased. Red Flag High School¡¯s success was the result of the hard work and dedication of old teachers like Chen Fei and Qin Dewei, who had toiled silently and poured their hearts and souls into building it. It was also the fruit of the efforts of every student who fought on to preserve the ancient martial lineage of Great Xia in the face of poverty.


    The teachers and students had barely enjoyed a few good days before the bureaucrats had grown envious and greedy. Old Chen had been quietly demoted and transferred away.


    I must protect this school for him.


    Li Xiaofei silently vowed to himself. Two days later, a large aircraft, escorted by six fighter jets and four combat formations, landed in Liuhe Base City.


    Su Yuncao had arrived. The arrival of this educational giant had already garnered widespread attention in the city, thanks to several days of media anticipation. As the plane landed, city leader Xie Renyu organized a grand welcoming party. Together with the stationed commander, Mai Zixiong, they represented both the government and military as they warmly greeted the distinguished guest to vibrant welcome music.


    "Professor Su," Xie Renyu beamed. "After attending your lectures in university years, I¡¯m truly delighted to meet you. I never expected to see you here."


    Su Yuncao, a man in his sixties, had meticulously groomed silvery-white hair and a graying beard beneath his chin. Tall and lean, his face bore a scholarly calmness that radiated both elegance and authority.


    "My student becoming a pillar of Great Xia and guarding a frontier city is the greatest achievement a teacher like me could obtain," Su Yuncao responded with a gentle smile.


    He proceeded to shake hands with various military and government officials of Liuhe Base City.


    After completing the round of greetings, he asked, "Before I arrived, I heard that Liuhe Base City has an extraordinary genius in its high school scene, someone named Li Xiaofei. Why haven''t I seen him yet?"


    Xie Renyu chuckled as he explained, "Student Li has classes this morning. He¡¯s quite stubborn and insisted on attending class first. He said if you, Professor Su, found out he skipped class to greet you, you''d surely scold him."


    Stroking his beard, Su Yuncao smiled approvingly, "A student should prioritize their studies. Li Xiaofei has done well. If he had come today, I really would have reprimanded him... Let''s go."


    Su Yuncao and the other experts were escorted to the Starry Sky Hotel alongside the recruitment team from Beixia University. Afterward, they took a short rest.


    That evening, a small, exclusive welcoming banquet was held. Li Xiaofei did not attend. However, this time, Su Yuncao did not bring up Li Xiaofei again. According to the schedule, Su Yuncao was set to deliver a lecture the following morning.


    Any base city in Great Xia would consider his visit as a rare and priceless opportunity. As a result, the lecture tickets had long been sold out. A seat originally priced at 1,000 star coins was now being scalped for as high as 10,000 star coins. Even the viewership slots in the StarNet livestream had doubled in demand. The entire Liuhe Base City was swept up in the frenzy of their influential guest''s arrival.


    "You really won¡¯t take the initiative to meet with Old Su?" Xie Renyu urged earnestly. "I think he came to Liuhe Base City with the intention of accepting you as his disciple. If you study under him, your path in martial arts will be smooth, and your chances of entering the Star Council in the future will greatly increase."


    The Star Council was the global sacred ground for martial arts in this era. It was the gathering place of Saints and it was the highest temple of martial arts civilization on Earth.


    Li Xiaofei shook his head. "He¡¯s not worthy."


    Xie Renyu was left speechless.


    The next day, Su Yuncao¡¯s lecture was an immense success. The streets were practically deserted as everyone attended. Even before the lecture ended, various classic quotes from Su Yuncao were already circulating online. Su Yuncao appeared refined and affable in the videos as he delivered witty remarks that resonated deeply with countless people. When a master speaks, the impact is unmistakable.


    The live Q&A session that followed the lecture further demonstrated Su Yuncao¡¯s profound expertise, drawing wave after wave of thunderous applause from both the audience in attendance and those watching the livestream.


    "Actually, I¡¯ve always been very concerned about the development of education in Liuhe Base City," Su Yuncao stated. "Especially the teaching explorations of Great Xia martial lineage schools, such as Red Flag High School, which has been a focus of my attention, research, and reflection over the years." S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I¡¯ve made numerous calls to the Education Department of the Northwest Region and Liuhe Base City to provide educational guidance. But what people don¡¯t know is that this isn¡¯t my first time visiting Liuhe Base City. In the past ten years, I¡¯ve quietly come here fifteen times. Why did I come? For research. Only by personally investigating can one draw authentic conclusions."


    "Everyone knows that starting from the last semester, previously unremarkable martial arts high schools like Red Flag High School and Quanye High School have suddenly gained recognition. The Education Department has since been allocating more resources and offering focused support to these schools."


    "Why? Because countless educators and countless students passionate about ancient martial arts have been quietly and diligently working hard all along. My research was merely a small boost, given at the moment when they needed attention and support the most."


    "A while ago, I published a paper that specifically discussed the ancient martial arts teaching experiences of Liuhe Base City. In it, I detailed the insights and inspirations I gained from my years of covert investigations. The paper was published in Great Xia¡¯s top data libraries and journals, even receiving recognition from the higher-ups."


    "So, this time, my visit to Liuhe Base City is not just for a lecture, nor is it a brief tour. For the next six months, I will stay here and contribute to the development of ancient martial arts education in Liuhe City."


    The audience, both at the venue and in the livestream, erupted in cheers. The applause thundered on without pause. It turned out that the rise of ancient martial arts schools like Red Flag High School had such a backstory. It turned out that Old Su had been silently supporting these schools all along. Everything was inseparable from this admirable and venerable elder.


    Moreover, Old Su would be staying to continue promoting the development of education in the base city. This was like a gift falling from the sky.


    Su Yuncao raised his hand, signaling for the cheers and applause to end. He continued, "As such, I will serve as the acting principal of Red Flag High School for the next six months to contribute to the growth of education in this region. I also hope to gather more data and experience to compile a martial arts teaching model that can be promoted across the entire Great Xia realm."


    He spoke with hopeful anticipation.

 Chapter 342: Get Out Of Here

    Chapter 342: Get Out Of HereThe lecture concluded with great success. News of this quickly spread to Red Flag High School. When the students heard the news, they were immediately filled with excitement.


    "This is great news!"


    "If such a big figure becomes our honorary acting principal, will we get more resources?"


    "If Old Su can give us some guidance, with my talent, wouldn''t I soar to new heights?"


    In the school''s combat team, Bai Qiqi, Bai Longfei, and others were visibly excited. Li Xiaofei, however, remained silent. He was beginning to understand Chen Fei¡¯s decision a bit more.


    People like Su Yuncao, who wielded both power and influence and had countless connections, could indeed control the situation at will, making them a formidable force that ordinary people could not easily challenge.


    "Little Li, why aren¡¯t you happy?" Bai Longfei nudged Li Xiaofei with his shoulder and asked, "Are you worried that when Old Su arrives, he¡¯ll discover a genius like me, devote himself to cultivating me, and then I¡¯ll steal your thunder?"


    Li Xiaofei glanced at him and said, "As long as you''re happy."


    He turned and walked away.


    "Huh?" Bai Longfei watched Li Xiaofei¡¯s departing figure in confusion, "Little Li seems a bit off today."


    Fang Buyi agreed, "He does seem a little different."


    Bai Qiqi and Rendong exchanged glances. Yan Chiyu stood by, deep in thought.


    ***


    As soon as Li Xiaofei exited the school gate, he saw a car waiting outside.


    Gao Changlin, the head of the Education Department, rolled down the back window and greeted him, "Brother, get in."


    Li Xiaofei opened the door and got in. The car smoothly started to speed toward the Starry Sky Hotel.


    "Brother, you¡¯ve put me in quite a tough spot," Gao Changlin said with a wry smile. "Do you know who Zhang Deyi, the guy you hit two days ago, really is?"


    Li Xiaofei asked calmly, "Who?"


    Gao Changlin sighed, "He''s close to Old Su... Zhang Deyi is Old Su¡¯s distant nephew."


    "A distant nephew can cause the head of a city¡¯s Education Department this much trouble?" Li Xiaofei replied indifferently. "I thought he was a head of state¡¯s son."


    "You... ah, brother, you really are as fearless as a newborn calf in front of a tiger," Gao Changlin said, both amused and frustrated. "There¡¯s an old saying, ''A local official holds more sway than a distant one,'' and another one, ''The king of hell is easy to see, but the little devils are hard to deal with.'' For people like us, Old Su is far more terrifying than the Great Xia¡¯s head of state."


    Li Xiaofei smiled without responding.


    Gao Changlin continued, "Don¡¯t underestimate him. Old Su served as the head of the Xiajing Education Department for twelve years and has nurtured talents far and wide. His connections reach everywhere. Even though he¡¯s retired now, his words still carry immense weight. A simple sentence from him could easily decide the fate of low-level officials like me."


    When he saw Li Xiaofei sneer dismissively, Gao Changlin added, "He¡¯s now the vice president of Beixia University and one of the best educational experts in the field. Just a casual remark from him could determine the fate of a talented student. He¡¯s not someone you can afford to offend."


    Li Xiaofei asked, "He can decide my fate with just a word?"


    "Absolutely," Gao Changlin replied. "All he has to do is say, ''This student¡¯s potential is exhausted, there¡¯s no room for further growth,'' or something like, ''This student¡¯s physique is weak and unfit for development.'' With that, half your future is destroyed. The prestigious schools that once waved admission letters at you would suddenly lose all interest."


    Li Xiaofei asked, "And his words are like gospel?"


    Gao Changlin nodded, "That¡¯s what makes him an expert."


    An expert. Heh.


    Li Xiaofei had grown somewhat allergic to the term expert.


    He said mockingly, "Aren¡¯t they afraid of being proven wrong? What if a student they deem talentless suddenly rises against all odds and becomes a strong figure? Wouldn¡¯t that be quite amusing?"


    Gao Changlin chuckled, "That¡¯s never happened."


    "Never?" Li Xiaofei was a bit surprised. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    There¡¯s always an exception. Nothing in the world is absolutely certain.


    Gao Changlin¡¯s expression became mysterious. He shot Li Xiaofei a meaningful look and said, "If there is an exception, the experts will make sure it disappears."


    Li Xiaofei quickly caught on. The way experts operated five hundred years ago was exactly how they operate today.


    "No wonder Great Xia¡¯s national strength has been declining with parasites like him in the education system," Li Xiaofei remarked coldly.


    "Hush, be careful with your words," Gao Changlin was startled and hastily warned him, "Brother Li, I¡¯m telling you all this to advise you to tone down that bad habit of flipping the table whenever something doesn¡¯t sit right with you. When you meet Old Su later, don¡¯t confront him head-on. Otherwise, there¡¯ll be serious trouble."


    Li Xiaofei responded calmly, "You think I¡¯d be afraid of him?"


    Gao Changlin leaned in carefully and said quietly, "Brother Li, I know you well enough by now. You like to break through challenges with brute force. In Liuhe Base City, your strength in the Five Spirits Realm lets you move unhindered. But do you know what realm Old Su is in? He¡¯s in the Dao Union Realm! The tactics you¡¯ve used so successfully in the past won¡¯t work on someone like Old Su. Don¡¯t act impulsively."


    Li Xiaofei remained silent. He had already looked up Su Yuncao¡¯s background in the Great Xia Dragon Group¡¯s database. He knew that Su Yuncao was a powerful figure in the Dao Union Realm. But sheer strength alone doesn¡¯t decide everything. Li Xiaofei simply didn¡¯t believe in bowing to authority.


    Moments later, the car pulled into the parking lot of the Starry Sky Hotel. After stepping out, Gao Changlin led Li Xiaofei all the way to the temporary headquarters of the Beixia University recruitment team.


    As one of the most prestigious schools in Great Xia, Beixia University had spared no expense and rented out an entire floor of the Starry Sky Hotel as their temporary base. Su Yuncao was staying in the top suite on this floor.


    "Old Su specifically asked to see you, so be on your best behavior," Gao Changlin reminded Li Xiaofei uneasily as they approached the door. He had sensed that Li Xiaofei harbored some hostility toward the famous national educator, which worried him deeply.


    They knocked and entered. Inside, the sound of laughter filled the room. City leader Xie Renyu was there, chatting and laughing with several professors from the recruitment team. The atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious.


    "Li Xiaofei," Xie Renyu nodded in acknowledgment when he saw him.


    At that moment, a young female professor walked over and said, "Old Su is waiting for you in the study. You can go in by yourself."


    Li Xiaofei walked up to the study¡¯s door.


    Knock, knock.


    "Come in." A smooth and mellow voice called out.


    Li Xiaofei pushed the door open, entering before quietly closing it behind him. The study had a traditional, elegant aesthetic, with scrolls and antiques carefully arranged on display shelves. The room exuded a scholarly charm.


    Su Yuncao stood up from behind his desk with a warm smile when he saw Li Xiaofei. "Finally, Li Xiaofei is here. Please, have a seat. I¡¯ve heard a lot about your achievements back in Xiajing. Truly, heroes emerge at a young age."


    Li Xiaofei, however, remained standing. He fixed a sharp gaze on the elder before him, scrutinizing him closely. The man was tall and lean, with graying hair and a ruddy complexion. Su Yuncao¡¯s eyes were steady and carried a sense of gravity. He naturally exuded a dignified yet refined aura, while his smile gave the impression of a gentle spring breeze.


    If Li Xiaofei hadn¡¯t already known that this man had stolen the research of his former principal, he might have been inclined to feel respect for such a venerable elder at first glance.


    "I''m not sitting down," Li Xiaofei said calmly. "I came here today to ask you a question."


    The smile on Su Yuncao''s face slowly faded. "Very well, ask your question."


    He sat back down, his expression turning stern.


    "Why did you steal Principal Chen¡¯s research?" Li Xiaofei asked bluntly.


    A flicker of surprise crossed Su Yuncao¡¯s face, but he quickly regained his composure. "Who told you that?" he countered.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Secrets can¡¯t stay hidden forever."


    "True enough..." Su Yuncao nodded, still calm. "Chen Fei himself agreed to it. What do you plan to do? Stand up for him? Or perhaps you¡¯re here to bargain with me and gain some personal benefit?"


    "Neither," Li Xiaofei answered. "I came here to tell you something."


    "And what might that be?" Su Yuncao asked, now genuinely intrigued.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s voice remained steady as he said, "Return Chen¡¯s research to him, then get out of Liuhe Base City. Red Flag High School does not welcome you."

 Chapter 343: You Aren’t Worthy

    Chapter 343: You Aren¡¯t WorthyLi Xiaofei''s attitude was undeniably direct and confrontational. This was a complete breakdown of a relationship.


    Su Yuncao''s face darkened as he spoke, "Do you dare to speak to me like that?"


    Li Xiaofei responded, "This is already me being as polite as possible."


    "Aren¡¯t you afraid that I could ruin you?" Su Yuncao¡¯s aura began to leak out.


    The overwhelming pressure of a Dao Union Realm expert was terrifying. It was as if mountains were collapsing and oceans were surging with just a single thought.


    Li Xiaofei prepared his Spatial Point Theft ability as he replied calmly, "You can try."


    Su Yuncao¡¯s expression grew even more menacing. The oppressive energy he radiated intensified, growing more and more terrifying. Li Xiaofei felt as if a thousand divine mountains were pressing down on him as the air in the room seemed to solidify. His bones groaned under the strain, creaking like old wooden doors as they seemed on the verge of snapping under the immense force.


    This was the power of the Dao Union Realm. One thought could stir the oceans in fury. One thought could shake the heavens with thunder. It was, without a doubt, utterly terrifying.


    This was the first time Li Xiaofei was facing such a powerful figure head-on. But thanks to the massages his aunt had performed to strengthen his muscles, the bones forged through the Formless Sword Bone technique, and the tendons hardened by the Yi Jin Jing practice... he could stand tall under the crushing pressure of the Dao Union Realm.


    Suddenly, the pressure vanished. Su Yuncao¡¯s face abruptly lit up with a smile.


    "Not bad, a true genius," Su Yuncao said, his smile warm. "I had already heard about your accomplishments more than once before coming to Liuhe. Just based on those three seconds just now, you''ve proven yourself capable of competing with the top talents of Xiajing."


    Li Xiaofei''s lips curled into a mocking smirk.


    Su Yuncao continued gently, "I¡¯ve weathered sixty years in political and educational arenas, cultivated countless prot¨¦g¨¦s, and crushed many so-called geniuses. I¡¯ve never considered myself a good person, but my eyes have never failed me. Li Xiaofei, your physique is exceptional. If you become my disciple, your future will be limitless."


    Li Xiaofei, still sneering, said nothing. It was as if speaking one more word to this old man would be a disgrace. But Su Yuncao was unfazed by his silence.


    "You¡¯re still young, proud, and ambitious, but you have no understanding of how this world truly operates. You¡¯ve confronted me for the sake of Chen Fei, and I admire your spirit and integrity. When I see you, I see a reflection of my younger self. But have you ever wondered why Chen Fei himself has accepted this situation and chosen not to pursue it?"


    Su Yuncao spoke slowly, smiling as he threw out the question. This was the answer Li Xiaofei was looking for. Su Yuncao smiled again. He knew the boy had begun to think.


    "I can make that paper disappear quietly, never to show up in any journal, magazine, or database. I can bankrupt Red Flag High School in a single semester, have it shut down, and strip it of its credentials. Everything you care about: I have countless ways to destroy it."


    Su Yuncao radiated absolute confidence as he stroked his beard, the kind that came from both his authoritative position and his power as a Dao Union Realm expert. Li Xiaofei''s eyes instantly filled with undisguised hostility. But to Su Yuncao, his reaction was no more than the harmless snarl of a cub showing its baby teeth.


    "Of course, those threats alone weren¡¯t enough to make Chen Fei back down. You, his student, should know his character. Chen Fei was once a prodigy no less promising than you. Back then, he was a dazzling talent. Much like you, he was stubborn, unyielding, and proud to the core. He¡¯d rather break than bend, never turning back even when faced with a wall, unwilling to compromise with the world. But sadly, youthful passion can never truly withstand the harshness of reality. In the end, he lost his family and his future. Li Xiaofei, you have family and friends in Liuhe Base City as well... Am I right?"


    Su Yuncao smiled, his insinuation painfully clear.


    Li Xiaofei''s brow furrowed slightly. Chen Fei had once told him that his parents and family perished in the Battle of Ning City. It was during that battle that giant star beasts from the sea had landed and caused a horrific catastrophe.


    Li Xiaofei had also learned about the Battle of Ning City in his history classes. As one of the ten major base cities in the south, Ning City had been incredibly prosperous, with a population of over five million. It was a vital coastal stronghold for Great Xia, famed for its formidable defenses.


    But it had fallen when oceanic star beasts had breached the city. That battle had been a bitter and grueling one for Great Xia, but in the end, Ning City was destroyed. Two Saints had fallen and two million citizens perished in the tragedy. Yet, in a remarkable feat, three million people had been successfully evacuated from the city.


    Li Xiaofei had always believed that Chen Fei''s family had tragically died in the battle. But from the way Su Yuncao was speaking, it seemed there was more to the story.


    Su Yuncao continued, "Young man, have you ever thought about it? How much influence could a downtrodden principal from a small border city really have? If that paper had been published under his name, how much impact could it truly have made?"


    Li Xiaofei remained silent.


    Su Yuncao pressed on, "I¡¯ve read that paper a hundred times. It¡¯s priceless, revolutionary in its significance. It¡¯s like a beacon in the dark that illuminates the uncertain path ahead for Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage. But if it were to be ignored because the author didn¡¯t carry enough weight, wouldn¡¯t that be a waste of such brilliance?"


    Li Xiaofei took a deep breath, but remained silent.


    Su Yuncao continued patiently, ¡°This paper needs time to realize its value, but does Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage have time to wait? No. That¡¯s the most tragic part. But if the paper''s author is someone with enough influence and authority, it can instantly spark the brilliance of this hidden gem and change the fate of Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial arts. And I am that person.¡±


    At this point, even Su Yuncao¡¯s expression grew somewhat excited.


    He raised his arm and declared loudly, ¡°Only by having my name on it can this paper deliver its impact in the shortest time. The martial arts model of Red Flag High School can then be rapidly spread across the country... and only then does Great Xia¡¯s martial lineage stand a chance to catch its breath amidst this internal conflict between the old and the new. Do you understand now, young man?¡± S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°This is why Principal Chen compromised with you?¡± Li Xiaofei finally spoke.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this enough?¡± Su Yuncao¡¯s tone softened as he smiled. ¡°I could destroy everything you hold dear, or I could elevate it. What you¡¯re striving for is the revival of Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage, isn¡¯t it? As long as that goal is achieved, what does it matter who gets the credit?¡±


    "No, it¡¯s not the same," Li Xiaofei shook his head as he said resolutely, ¡°If Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage is truly to be revived, it will only be by those who are driven by ideals, fueled by passion, and unwavering in their commitment. Only that can forge the true spirit of ancient martial arts.¡±


    ¡°And you? Heh,¡± Li Xiaofei scoffed, glaring at the old man before him, who believed himself to be in control of everything. He added disdainfully, ¡°You¡¯re nothing more than a hypocritical, despicable thief. You don¡¯t understand anything about Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage. People like you can come up with a thousand reasons to justify your underhanded actions, but in reality, you¡¯re good for nothing and only bring ruin. All you care about is your own reputation... Revival of Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage? You aren¡¯t worthy!¡±

 Chapter 344: Not Live Past Twenty?

    Chapter 344: Not Live Past Twenty?Despite Li Xiaofei¡¯s relentless scorn and sarcasm, Su Yuncao remained unperturbed.


    He sighed reflectively, ¡°We old folks can only marvel at the passion of the young, it seems. Always thinking that your fiery determination can change the world.¡±


    It seemed like he was recalling his own youth. He too had once been full of passion. He too had been fearless. But in the end, reality had beaten him down, shaping him like a sharp stone in a rushing river. He too had become a smooth, slippery pebble over time.


    ¡°Young man, I admire you¡ªthat¡¯s the only reason I¡¯ve bothered to talk so much,¡± Su Yuncao said, snapping back from his reverie. ¡°Don¡¯t waste your energy fighting for others. Focus on yourself instead. Let go of this impractical, impulsive idealism. I can offer you more than you can imagine: like a full scholarship to Beixia University, guaranteed graduate school admission, and even a direct internship recommendation to the Star Council. As vice president, I have the influence to make that happen.¡±


    "What you¡¯re offering just disgusts me," Li Xiaofei responded disdainfully.


    Su Yuncao¡¯s tone remained calm. "With one word from me, you¡¯ll never set foot in Beixia University."


    Li Xiaofei replied coldly, "With someone like you as vice president, I wouldn¡¯t step into Beixia University anyway."


    Su Yuncao continued, "It won¡¯t just be Beixia University. As long as I¡¯m around, every prestigious school in Xiajing will shut its doors to you."


    "I don¡¯t believe that," Li Xiaofei sneered.


    "You¡¯re too stubborn, young man," Su Yuncao said with a hint of regret.


    Li Xiaofei turned to leave.


    Suddenly, Su Yuncao spoke again, ¡°Qin Dewei hasn¡¯t returned from Lanfu Base City yet. Do you know why?¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s steps faltered.


    Su Yuncao was as calm as if he was fishing in still waters. He added casually, ¡°I hear that Red Flag High School¡¯s graduation rate is quite impressive this year. Many of your senior classmates have already been accepted into prestigious schools. What do you think would happen if those universities suddenly withdrew all their offers? How would your friends and classmates feel about that?¡±


    Li Xiaofei abruptly spun around.


    Su Yuncao chuckled and said, "Oh, I recall now, you were specially recruited into Red Flag High School by Chen Fei who pulled quite a few strings, weren¡¯t you? You were an illegitimate admission. You stand up for him, but you should be more worried about whether your own status as a student can even be maintained."


    Li Xiaofei stared at the old man in front of him. If before he only felt disdain and hatred, now all he wanted was to cut down this hypocritical old dog.


    "Maybe your tactics have forced many to resentfully submit," Li Xiaofei said, enunciating each word clearly. "Maybe many have even compromised under the influence of your power and threats, but let me tell you, I will never be one of them. I will show you what it means to say, ¡®The jade may be shattered, but it will never lose its purity; the bamboo may be burned, but its integrity will remain.¡¯"


    With that, he turned to leave. After taking a few steps, he abruptly turned back.


    Spit.


    A glob of spit landed squarely on the desk. Then he shoved the door open and strode out. Outside, Xie Renyu and the professors were still chatting happily in the living room, reviewing the files of the senior students.


    Beixia University¡¯s appeal to senior students was unparalleled. The recruitment team had received over ten thousand applications in just two days. It wasn¡¯t just top-tier talents but also plenty of unqualified students trying their luck.


    The moment Li Xiaofei stepped out, every pair of eyes turned to him. But Li Xiaofei left the suite without a word. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Huh?" Gao Changlin stood up, instinctively waving his hand. A cold shiver ran down his spine.


    This kid hasn¡¯t caused more trouble, has he?


    Just then, Su Yuncao emerged from the study.


    Gao Changlin rushed over and asked, "Old Su, what... what just happened?"


    Su Yuncao wore an expression of regret, letting out a long sigh, "This boy... his path forward is already sealed."


    Gao Changlin was shocked, "What? How can that be? He¡¯s still so young and already has the combat strength of the Five Spirits Realm..."


    Su Yuncao shook his head, "That¡¯s precisely the issue. He¡¯s burned through all his potential already. His future has been cut off, and he¡¯s no longer worth nurturing. It''s a tragedy. If only he had met the right teacher sooner, there might have been hope. But now... sigh, Red Flag High School¡¯s methods have ruined a rare gem by rushing things."


    Everyone in the room was taken aback.


    Xie Renyu¡¯s mind raced. "Teacher, is there no way to remedy this?" he asked.


    Su Yuncao shook his head solemnly, "There¡¯s no saving him. I¡¯ve already tried everything I could just now, but nothing worked. His life force has almost been entirely depleted. Not only will his martial arts progress be stunted, but he won¡¯t live much longer. He won¡¯t make it past the age of twenty."


    His words struck like a thunderbolt. Gao Changlin, Xie Renyu, and the others were left utterly stunned, their hearts trembling with disbelief.


    Not live past twenty?


    ***


    As Li Xiaofei walked out of the Starry Sky Hotel, his heart felt heavy. He realized he had encountered the most formidable opponent since his journey across time. Power, status, strength... He was surpassed in every respect.


    Gao Changlin was right; his usual approach of breaking through obstacles with brute force had failed this time. Even with his cheats, there was no way he could quickly rise to the Dao Union Realm. Everything he had at his disposal, all his allies and resources combined, were no match for Su Yuncao. Moreover, Su Yuncao held the absolute power of influence and authority. A storm was coming.


    In truth, if he were to submit and acknowledge that old dog as his master, the situation would instantly reverse, and the raging storm would turn into calm, clear skies. Even Chen Fei had given up. So why was he still holding on? But Li Xiaofei knew that he couldn¡¯t bow down. He didn¡¯t wear a crown he feared losing. But in his heart, there was a towering Kunlun.


    He had his faith in martial arts. If he bowed his head, his spine would break. He would become nothing more than a dog. His martial spirit would vanish like smoke. Li Xiaofei walked slowly, but each step was steady. In his mind, he kept going over possible ways to strike back, considering every option available to him. Yet, he still didn¡¯t have a plan by the time he reached home. His distraction carried into dinner, where he found himself lost in thought.


    "Something on your mind?" Little Aunt asked, noticing his unease.


    "It¡¯s nothing," Li Xiaofei replied. "Just thinking about which university I should apply to."


    After dinner, Li Xiaofei headed back to the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters to resume his cultivation. Before long, Principal Hu arrived in a hurry.


    "I¡¯m not in the mood today," Li Xiaofei said, sensing something was off.


    "Neither am I," Hu Yuer snapped, slamming an electronic document onto the table. "Our affiliate schools just received a notice. The Education Department has suspended our enrollment privileges and cut off our access to the education network. Starting tomorrow, an investigation team will be stationed at the school for a one-week audit."


    Li Xiaofei picked up the document and, after a quick glance, understood exactly what was going on. It had happened so fast!

 Chapter 345: New Rhythm

    Chapter 345: New Rhythm"Then let¡¯s pause the admissions and allow the audit team to proceed," Li Xiaofei said, setting the document aside.


    Hu Yuer raised an eyebrow and in a tone that could make any man uncomfortable, teased, "Are you sure you can handle this?"


    Li Xiaofei shot back, "I suggest you rethink your choice of words."


    Hu Yuer smirked. "Didn¡¯t you say there¡¯s nothing in Liuhe Base City that you can¡¯t handle? Were you just bluffing?"


    Li Xiaofei retorted, "Even if I¡¯m bluffing, it¡¯s nothing compared to how good you are at it."


    Hu Yuer was speechless.


    "Let¡¯s get serious." She said, her tone turning more concerned. "The school has invested a lot upfront. We¡¯re at a critical point in securing new students, and every day we¡¯re closed results in huge losses. If word gets out, those who¡¯ve already enrolled might lose confidence and withdraw. What then?"


    Li Xiaofei looked at her, surprised.


    The principal role was just a cover for her. Since when did she get so invested in it? Ever the drama queen, Hu Yuer.


    "I¡¯ll figure something out," Li Xiaofei replied.


    "I¡¯m not happy," Hu Yuer said, licking her lips. "I need to fight to blow off some steam."


    Soon, the sound of their sparring echoed through the room.


    ***


    The next day.


    When Li Xiaofei arrived at the entrance of Red Flag High School, he noticed something unusual. Ten fully armed Star Council warriors were stationed at the gate, and the atmosphere was tense. There were also a number of media reporters conducting interviews at the entrance.


    As soon as Li Xiaofei rode his motorcycle up to the school gate, a barrage of cameras and microphones turned toward him.


    "Hello, may I see your student ID?" One of the Star Council warriors asked, holding out his hand.


    Li Xiaofei handed over his long-unused student ID.


    "Li Xiaofei, thank you. Please come with me." The warrior said, returning the ID and turning to lead the way.


    "Where are we going?" Li Xiaofei asked as he followed.


    "I''m not at liberty to answer that." The warrior replied politely. "You''ll understand once we arrive."


    A few moments later, they entered the administrative office. Inside, Li Xiaofei found a dozen Education Department officials, including Gao Changlin, and some individuals who looked like auditors.


    "Li Xiaofei," Gao Changlin greeted him awkwardly, his expression slightly uneasy. "Someone has reported that Red Flag High School''s finances are unclear, with rampant corruption and wasteful spending. The regional Education Department has ordered a task force to investigate. We need your cooperation."


    "The regional Education Department?" Li Xiaofei sneered. "Isn''t it just that old dog, Su Yuncao?"


    "Hush, keep it down!" Gao Changlin nearly leapt to cover Li Xiaofei¡¯s mouth. He quickly approached him. "I know you''re upset, but try to keep your temper in check. The arm can¡¯t twist the thigh... this is just a formality, so please don''t stir up trouble."


    Li Xiaofei patted Gao Changlin on the shoulder and said, "Relax. What do you need me to do? I''ll cooperate."


    Gao Changlin let out a sigh of relief. "There¡¯s a brief individual inquiry for you today. It should only be about ten minutes... it won¡¯t take long."


    Li Xiaofei checked the time and said, "I¡¯ve got class this morning. Let¡¯s do it after school."


    "Do you think this is a game?" An official from the Audit Bureau couldn¡¯t hold back. "You¡¯re a prime suspect right now, and you must fully cooperate with our investigation or else¡ª"


    Before he could finish, his words were cut off. Li Xiaofei¡¯s cold, piercing gaze was like a sharp blade pressing against the man¡¯s throat. The chilling aura of death enveloped him, freezing him in place.


    A startled Gao Changlin quickly stepped in to mediate. "Fine, fine. After school is perfectly fine. It¡¯s almost time for class, Li Xiaofei, you better go. Don¡¯t let this interfere with your studies."


    Li Xiaofei turned and left without another word.


    The official from the Audit Bureau let out a breath of relief, his face flushed with anger and shame. He said, "Old Gao, what¡¯s going on here? You¡¯re the head of the Education Department! Why are you so afraid of a high school kid? When did you get so cowardly?"


    Gao Changlin could only offer a bitter smile and replied, "Old Zhao, you¡¯re from Lanfu Base City, so you don¡¯t know Li Xiaofei¡¯s background. This kid is ruthless. He¡¯s got the blood of three hundred to five hundred lives on his hands. If you cross him, he¡¯ll wipe out entire families without hesitation... A wise man stays far from danger."


    Zhao Tong, the deputy director of the seventh division of the Audit Bureau, had just arrived that morning from Lanfu Base City. His heart skipped a beat. He quickly asked someone to fetch a file on Li Xiaofei.


    After reading it, he took a deep, sharp breath. A high school student with the combat strength of the Five Spirits Realm, who could kill without batting an eye and slaughter star beasts without flinching? And he had been sent here to audit someone like that?


    This was a death sentence. All his initial thoughts of this being an easy job with perks vanished instantly. This was a trap. Seeing Zhao Tong¡¯s pale, terrified expression, Gao Changlin couldn¡¯t help but shake his head discreetly. The current state of affairs was collapsing, and governance was rotting.


    If mid-level officials in Lanfu Base City were all as clueless and incompetent as Zhao Tong, how could there be any hope for the revival of Great Xia?


    ***


    The morning passed quickly. As Li Xiaofei sat down to eat lunch in the school cafeteria, he could clearly sense that something was off in the atmosphere. Many of the younger students were glancing at him with anxious looks, and an uneasy tension hung in the air.


    "Senior, is it true that someone reported Principal Chen for corruption? They say the school might be shut down. Is that really happening?" Wang Yuting cautiously approached him, her voice filled with worry.


    Li Xiaofei looked up at the familiar girl. In that moment, he felt all the eyes in the cafeteria turn toward him. It was as if everyone was holding their breath, waiting for his response. It felt like the air had frozen.


    Li Xiaofei smiled reassuringly. "Don¡¯t worry, that¡¯s not going to happen. Principal Chen will be back soon, and Red Flag High School isn¡¯t going anywhere... I guarantee it."


    Wang Yuting let out a long sigh of relief. "That''s good to hear."


    Suddenly, the tense atmosphere in the cafeteria lifted. The previously anxious students seemed to relax all, and soon, the sounds of laughter and conversation filled the room again.


    At that moment, Li Xiaofei¡¯s light core buzzed. He pulled it out and saw it was a call from the famous streamer Little White Dragon in the Waves, Shen Yan. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ever since Bai Longfei¡¯s wedding, Li Xiaofei and Shen Yan had become good friends. Many of Shen Yan¡¯s exclusives and insider information came straight from Li Xiaofei. Nowadays, Shen Yan had climbed into the top ten streamers in Liuhe Base City.


    "Big streamer, what''s up?" Li Xiaofei answered the call.


    Shen Yan¡¯s voice was unusually serious. "Li bro, I sent you some info on LightChat. You should check it out; things are blowing up online. You need to figure out how to handle this."


    "Hmm?"


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback.


    What is the internet stirring up now?


    After hanging up the call, he logged onto the network using his light core and opened the link Shen Yan had sent. Several news headlines immediately popped up.


    Li Xiaofei Won¡¯t Live Past Twenty.


    The Consequence of Forcing Growth: All Efforts Wasted.


    The Dangers of Being Short-Sighted: How Li Xiaofei¡¯s Impending Death Highlights the Importance of Teacher Ethics.


    Red Flag High School Has Ruined Li Xiaofei.


    How to Prevent the Reoccurrence of the Li Xiaofei Phenomenon.


    Each headline was more sensational than the last.


    Li Xiaofei rubbed his temples.


    "I''m dying soon?"


    Why am I the last to know?

 Chapter 346: Natural Beast Soul Body

    Chapter 346: Natural Beast Soul BodyAfter roughly skimming through the news, Li Xiaofei understood the situation. This reminded him of something Gao Changlin had once said.


    A single word from an influential figure in education can determine a student''s fate.


    Especially in this martial arts world, the authority of these influential figures was even more terrifying. One phrase¡ª''potential exhausted, death is imminent''¡ªhad erased all of Li Xiaofei''s previous glory. It also directed the storm of public opinion towards Red Flag High School.


    Just six months ago, Li Xiaofei was merely a small thug from the slums, known for his reckless behavior, and his cultivation was pitifully weak. Yet six months later, he suddenly possesses the combat strength of the Five Spirits Realm. Does that seem reasonable?


    After an in-depth investigation, our reporter unveils the path of Li Xiaofei''s rise. His only benefactor was Chen Fei, the principal of Red Flag High School, the same star principal now famous across the Northwest region for his speeches and lectures.


    What kind of magic transformed a small-time thug into a star student in the high school league?


    Top domestic education experts reveal the truth: an overdrawn life.


    This is a tragedy, for Li Xiaofei is soon going to die. His rise was as brilliant as fireworks, and his fall will be just as lonely and desolate.


    Should this kind of ''pulling up seedlings to help them grow'' teaching method really be encouraged?


    The Red Flag High School model has gone to extremes. Whose face has it truly slapped?


    Many articles like this spread wildly across the internet. Each one went viral. Anyone who thought there wasn¡¯t some kind of force behind this would be a fool.


    Li Xiaofei was the model figure of Red Flag High School. Cutting down this figure was equivalent to erasing the biggest imprint left by Chen Fei and Qin Dewei.


    First, tear it down. Then, rebuild. And during the rebuilding process, leave their own mark. After reading the news, Li Xiaofei fell into deep thought.


    Facing an opponent like Su Yuncao is truly terrifying. No wonder Old Chen had to compromise. But how should I handle it myself?


    He pondered over this question. By the afternoon, the team¡¯s special training class had begun. Since Teacher Qin was on leave, the martial arts class for the school''s battle team was changed to self-study.


    Yan Chiyu led the team members through regular combat drills. Halfway through the session, the sound of many footsteps could be heard from outside. The cultural studies teacher, Cao Binghuai, led a group of people into the special training class.


    "Students, Elder Su is here to visit you." Teacher Cao announced excitedly.


    Su Yuncao entered, accompanied by several professors from Beixia University and a large group of reporters, all smiling as they walked in.


    "Elder Su!" Bai Longfei immediately became excited.


    Bai Qiqi, Ren Dong, and the others also showed expressions of excitement. The country''s top education authority had come to visit them. What an incredible honor!


    Only Yan Chiyu seemed puzzled. She looked at Su Yuncao, then at Li Xiaofei, sensing that something was off. She stood still, not moving.


    Under the lights of the reporters'' cameras, Su Yuncao interacted with the team members.


    "Not bad, a solid foundation."


    "The teaching quality of Red Flag High School is quite impressive."


    "You¡¯re Bai Qiqi? Hmm... exceptional talent. How old are you this year? Only in your first year of high school? Your physique is rather unusual. Have you ever undergone a bloodline test?"


    Su Yuncao was slightly startled when he saw Bai Qiqi and couldn¡¯t help but ask several questions.


    Bai Qiqi, feeling a bit shy, stammered more as her nerves got the best of her, "N-no... no, I... I don¡¯t have money..."


    Cao Binghuai quickly explained, ¡°Elder Su, there is no equipment to test for bloodlines in Liuhe Base City. In the entire Northwest region, only Lanfu Base City has such equipment, and the cost is prohibitively high. Even if someone has the money, it¡¯s difficult to secure a spot for testing.¡±


    Su Yuncao reached out and gently held Bai Qiqi¡¯s wrist. After sensing for a moment, a flicker of surprise flashed in the depths of his eyes.


    A natural beast soul body!


    He hadn¡¯t expected to find such a rare physique in this remote area.


    If she¡¯s properly nurtured...


    Su Yuncao said, ¡°Young lady, I¡¯ve discovered that your physique is unique and may possess a rare bloodline. Here¡¯s what I propose, I will fund the testing, and write you a letter of introduction. You can go to Lanfu Base City to get tested. If it turns out that you do indeed possess a bloodline physique, I will take you as my disciple and tailor a cultivation path specifically for you. What do you say?¡±


    As soon as he said this, everyone around was stunned.


    A bloodline physique?!


    A rare bloodline physique appeared in such a small place like Liuhe Base City?


    No wonder this young girl rose so quickly in the high school league and crushed many senior students as a first-year.


    She is truly a genius.


    Bai Qiqi was also a bit dazed. Instinctively, she looked towards Li Xiaofei and Yan Chiyu. Since the principal and dean were absent, the opinions of these two were crucial.


    ¡°What are you standing there for?¡± The cultural studies teacher Cao Binghuai, who had led the group, quickly gave Bai Qiqi a push. ¡°Hurry up and agree! Elder Su is one of the top education experts in Great Xia. Becoming his disciple is something that even the children of powerful families dream of but can¡¯t even imagine achieving.¡±


    Old Cao had worked at Red Flag High School for more than ten years. His seniority was no less than that of Chen Fei. However, he was unaware of the recent undercurrents surrounding these events. He didn¡¯t know that Su Yuncao was the mastermind working against Red Flag High School. He was simply delighted for Bai Qiqi and worried that she might miss such a golden opportunity.


    "I..." Bai Qiqi still hesitated. She looked toward Li Xiaofei and stammered, ¡°Senior Xiaofei, I... I... I...¡±


    Li Xiaofei sighed. He walked over and gently patted her shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s your path; you have to choose it yourself.¡±


    Bai Qiqi thought for a moment, tilting her head, and asked, ¡°Senior Xiaofei, if it were you, what would you choose?¡±


    Li Xiaofei replied, ¡°I would wait for Principal Chen to return.¡±


    Bai Qiqi immediately breathed a sigh of relief and said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll wait for the principal to return as well.¡±


    She turned to Su Yuncao and stammered, ¡°S-s-sorry, I want to stay at Red Flag High School.¡±


    A shadow flickered in the depths of Su Yuncao¡¯s eyes.


    Is this little girl doing it on purpose?


    When speaking to him, she stuttered, but when talking to Li Xiaofei, her words were smooth and clear.


    ¡°No problem. If you change your mind, you can come find me anytime,¡± Su Yuncao smiled at her.


    He gave a few more pointers and exchanged some words with the others. However, aside from Bai Qiqi, none of the other battle team members, not even the strong Yan Chiyu, managed to capture this influential educator''s special attention.


    What intrigued the accompanying reporters even more was that Su Yuncao didn¡¯t say a single word to Li Xiaofei the entire time, treating him as if he didn¡¯t exist. This made many realize that the rumors circulating online about Li Xiaofei not living past the age of twenty were probably true.


    After Su Yuncao and his group left, Bai Longfei let out a heavy sigh. He had always thought highly of himself, but in the end, Su Yuncao hadn¡¯t given him any special attention. However, he was somewhat consoled by the fact that Li Xiaofei hadn¡¯t received any attention either.


    ¡°Could it be that our good looks are so striking that even an old man like him is jealous?¡± He sighed dramatically, which earned him a round of playful punches from the others.


    Yan Chiyu, meanwhile, kept her eyes fixed on Li Xiaofei and asked, ¡°How did you offend him?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Li Xiaofei looked at the short-haired, heroic-looking girl in surprise.


    ¡°The news online, and today¡¯s little act... it was all orchestrated by Su Yuncao, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Yan Chiyu asked calmly. ¡°Is he targeting just you, or our entire school?¡±


    ¡°What news online?¡± Bai Longfei asked curiously.


    Fang Buyi, Ren Dong, and the others also looked puzzled. They had been focused entirely on their cultivation lately, so they had isolated themselves from the outside world. They hadn¡¯t been paying attention to current events. However, once they logged onto the light-network, they quickly figured it out.


    ¡°What the hell? They¡¯re saying my brother won¡¯t live past twenty?¡±


    Bai Longfei exploded in anger, spitting out a string of curses. ¡°Which goddamn so-called expert said that? I¡¯ll shove my foot up his...!¡± Then he looked at Li Xiaofei and said, ¡°You know what they say: good people die young, but troublemakers live a thousand years. You¡¯re definitely making it to ninety-nine.¡±


    Li Xiaofei responded sarcastically, ¡°Well, thank you and your ancestors for that.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome...¡± Bai Longfei patted Li Xiaofei¡¯s shoulder and added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, brother. Even if you really don¡¯t make it past twenty... I swear, I¡¯ll sell everything I own to give you the grandest send-off possible.¡±


    Wham!


    Everyone rushed at Bai Longfei, pinning him down and giving him a well-deserved beating.


    ¡°Ow! Don¡¯t hit the face!¡± Bai Longfei struggled desperately.


    Moments later, his eyes were blackened, and his face was swollen and bruised. The special training room was filled with joyful laughter. The tension in the air finally eased a little.


    ¡°I¡¯m still asking you a question,¡± Yan Chiyu persisted, refusing to let the matter drop. ¡°What¡¯s really going on?¡±


    Li Xiaofei hesitated for a moment before replying, ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Let¡¯s wait for the principal to return.¡±


    He decided not to reveal everything. After all, his teammates¡¯ shoulders were still too young to bear the weight of such a turbulent storm. He would take it all upon himself. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once a teammate, always a brother. If the sky were to collapse, he, the tallest among them, would hold it up first. However, Yan Chiyu was clearly upset. She didn¡¯t say a word as she turned around and stormed off.


    ¡°What¡¯s up with the captain?¡± Fang Buyi asked, confused.


    ¡°Go after her,¡± Bai Longfei urged.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go,¡± Fang Buyi volunteered.


    A short while later, he returned with black eyes, clearly having been on the receiving end of Yan Chiyu¡¯s anger. Once again, the training ground was filled with joyful laughter.


    After school, Li Xiaofei headed to the administrative office to be questioned. This time, the attitude of the Audit Bureau officials had improved considerably.


    ¡°How did you get into Red Flag High School?¡±


    ¡°How many resources did you take from Red Flag High School?¡±


    ¡°What kind of deal did you make with Chen Fei?¡±


    ¡°How much do you know about Chen Fei¡¯s embezzlement?¡±


    ¡°What is your real age?¡±


    ¡°Are you willing to come forward and testify against Chen Fei for corruption?¡±


    A barrage of prepared questions came at him all at once.


    Li Xiaofei smirked coldly.


    They are really trying to take down Old Chen for good.

 Chapter 347: These Are Just The Preludes

    Chapter 347: These Are Just The Preludes"If all you''re going to ask are these baseless questions, then I won''t answer any of them." Li Xiaofei slowly stood up and said, "Don''t waste my time with such foolish matters."


    He turned around and left without looking back. Audit Bureau Chief Zhao Tong made no effort to stop him. On the side, Gao Changlin had remained silent throughout the entire exchange. He had expected this outcome.


    "What now, Old Gao?" Zhao Tong asked, a bit at a loss.


    Ever since he learned of Li Xiaofei''s true background and his combat strength at the Five Spirits Realm, Zhao had instantly shrunk back and no longer dared to act arrogant in front of Li Xiaofei.


    "We report it as it is," Gao Changlin replied. "We were just going through the motions anyway. Did you really think you''d get anything out of someone like him?"


    "Looks like that''s the only option," Zhao Tong said, a mix of fear and disappointment in his voice.


    He had rushed to Liuhe City with dreams of striking it rich, but now all he wanted was to leave as soon as possible and avoid getting involved in this mess any further. On the other hand, Gao Changlin wasn¡¯t as calm. He had high hopes for Li Xiaofei and had been doing everything he could to support Red Flag High School. He had been working closely with Chen Fei and Qin Dewei to cultivate Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei was his political achievement. If Li Xiaofei was discredited and brought down, the loss would be enormous for him too.


    "Damn it." Gao Changlin cursed under his breath, filled with frustration.


    What kind of situation is this? If that old dog wanted to steal the fruits of someone else¡¯s labor, he should at least do it properly. Why destroy the entire orchard and the trees in the process?


    Zhao Tong glanced in surprise at Gao Changlin¡¯s twisted expression but said nothing.


    ***


    Li Xiaofei returned to the slum. During dinner, he continued to ponder how to break through his current predicament. At that moment, Xiao Hongye¡¯s call came in. Li Xiaofei stood up and went to the bedroom to answer the phone.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got some information,¡± Xiao Hongye said over the phone. ¡°Director Qin is currently detained at a holding center in Lanfu Base City and is suspected of assaulting a police officer.¡±


    ¡°Assaulting a police officer?¡± Li Xiaofei questioned. ¡°That can¡¯t be. Old Qin has a bad temper, but he¡¯d never do something like that. What¡¯s the real story?¡±


    ¡°It seems to be related to his niece,¡± Xiao Hongye explained. ¡°The child has a congenital heart condition and is currently in the hospital. Apparently, they haven¡¯t been able to gather enough money for medical expenses.¡± S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei fell into deep thought.


    ¡°How much are they short for the medical bills?¡±


    ¡°I heard it¡¯s around 5 million star coins. The girl needs a heart transplant, and the heart donor is hard to find.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll cover the cost. Could you help transfer the money for me, Sister Xiao? I¡¯m not sure I¡¯ll be able to make it to Lanfu Base City right now.¡±


    ¡°I can send the money for you, and I¡¯ll continue to keep an eye on Director Qin¡¯s situation. But I have to remind you, Xiaofei, you¡¯ve offended some truly powerful people this time . It¡¯s not going to be easy for you. If you don¡¯t bow your head, it¡¯ll be tough to get through this. They have countless ways to make things difficult for you.¡±


    ¡°I understand. Thank you, Sister Xiao.¡±


    ¡°You stubborn little brother... Sigh, just be careful.¡±


    She hung up the phone.


    Li Xiaofei put away his light core, a hint of gratitude flashing across his face. He knew very well that this situation was far from simple, yet Xiao Hongye was still willing to help him, despite the considerable risks involved.


    ¡°Old Qin¡¯s situation in Lanfu Base City... he¡¯s probably been set up,¡± Li Xiaofei muttered to himself.


    Old Qin had a history of mental instability, with tendencies toward multiple personality disorder. If he was provoked, it wasn¡¯t hard to imagine him doing something extreme. What exactly had happened would only be revealed once Xiao Hongye dug deeper into the situation.


    Wait... Maybe I can look into the details through the Great Xia Dragon Group¡¯s connections.


    The thought injected him with a jolt of energy. Just as he was about to head out, another call came through.


    ¡°Hello? Old Yang, what¡¯s up?¡±


    ¡°Boss, there¡¯s been trouble. Hall Master Chu Yun, along with Fan Tong and Wei Kun, have been arrested by the Police Department.¡±


    ¡°When did this happen?¡±


    ¡°Just now.¡±


    ¡°I got it. I¡¯ll be there right away.¡±


    Li Xiaofei hung up the phone, walked into the living room, and said to the three women, ¡°Something urgent came up. I need to head to headquarters. You all continue eating.¡±


    As they watched him hurriedly leave, Li Jie and Zhong Ling exchanged bewildered glances. Meanwhile, Little Aunt continued eating without a care.


    ***


    The Cloudy Sky Gang Headquarters was brightly lit, both inside and out. Instructor Xiao Bidao led his disciples in cultivation exercises out on the training grounds. Inside the president¡¯s office, only a few individuals were aware of the arrest of Chu Yuntian and the others.


    ¡°Boss, what do we do?¡± Li Junjie asked. ¡°Should I take the boys, block the entrance of the Police Department, and trash the office if they don¡¯t release them?¡±


    ¡°Get lost,¡± said Li Xiaofei, shooting him a glare.


    ¡°Got it.¡± Li Junjie, machete in hand, obediently squatted in the corner.


    Yang Cheng spoke up, ¡°The Police Department arrested Old Chu and the others on murder charges. The officer in charge of the raid is unfamiliar; he¡¯s definitely not part of the local police force. He must have been brought in from Lanfu Base City.¡±


    Frustration laced his tone as he continued, ¡°These damn officials... When the city was under attack by the beast tide, it took them more than ten days to send reinforcements, but now they dispatch their lackeys in the blink of an eye. Who knows what those higher-ups are thinking.¡±


    Li Xiaofei asked, ¡°Did Old Chu actually kill anyone?¡±


    Yang Cheng smiled bitterly. ¡°Before you took charge, the slums were chaotic, with seven major gangs constantly at war. As a hall master of the Cloudy Sky Gang, Old Chu definitely killed people. But he¡¯s not bloodthirsty. Once you took over and ordered everyone to engage in legitimate business, he stopped fighting so much. As for Fan Tong and Wei Kun, back when they were part of the Dragon Claw Gang and Iron Palm Ltd, it was impossible to avoid bloodshed.¡±


    So they all have records.


    Li Xiaofei nodded and said, ¡°Then let the police investigate. If they broke the law, they¡¯ll serve time. That¡¯s the way it goes. The Cloudy Sky Gang is growing, and with more people, we¡¯ve got all sorts mixed in, both good and bad. It¡¯s time for a proper clean-up anyway.¡±


    After a pause, he added, ¡°But gather information on how the investigation is progressing. If necessary, grease some palms and make sure Old Chu is taken care of. Don¡¯t let him suffer too much in prison.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± Yang Cheng replied.


    Li Xiaofei turned to Li Junjie, still crouching in the corner, and said, ¡°Get out. And don¡¯t stir up trouble.¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± replied Li Junjie as he grabbed his machete and left.


    Li Xiaofei sat behind his desk, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.


    At that moment, a new message arrived on LightChat.


    This is just the prelude. Everything you have will turn to dust with a flick of my fingers.


    It was from an unknown number, but Li Xiaofei immediately knew who had sent it. Red Flag High School was in trouble. The gang was in trouble. Yet this was only the beginning.


    Li Xiaofei stood up and headed for the light core mainframe room. He logged into the light-network¡¯s virtual world and entered the official website of the Great Xia Dragon Group.


    Welcome back, Jade Emperor.


    Without wasting any time, Li Xiaofei accessed the database, searching for the information he needed, but he couldn¡¯t find what he was looking for.


    After some thought, he posted a 100,000 star coin reward on the Dragon Group forum to anyone who could uncover the truth behind Old Qin¡¯s arrest.


    Then, a sudden and wild idea struck him. Something dangerous, yet tempting.

 Chapter 348: Seven-Star Begonia

    Chapter 348: Seven-Star BegoniaShould I hire an assassin to take out Su Yuncao? A hefty reward would surely attract someone bold enough to do it.


    But after reconsidering, Li Xiaofei dismissed the thought.


    Hiring an assassin to take down someone at the Dao Union Realm¡ªhow much would that even cost?


    It was clear he couldn¡¯t afford the price with his current fortune. However, as he continued to follow this line of thinking, Li Xiaofei realized that if Su Yuncao could be discreetly eliminated, the rest of his problems would be much easier to handle.


    But how can I kill him?


    Li Xiaofei pondered this question for a long time, but no clear solution emerged. In the end, he decided to calm his mind and continue his cultivation. According to the Detailed Explanation of Acupoint Impact for the Dual Sacred Bodies of Blade and Sword, the first meridian among the twelve primary channels was the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian.


    In his last cultivation session, Li Xiaofei had already practiced this technique once and had become thoroughly familiar with it. This time, he was ready to formally begin the process of acupoint opening.


    There were ten acupoints along the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, namely the Zhongfu, Yunmen, Tianfu, Xiabai, Chize, Lieque, Jingqu, Taiyuan, Yuji, and Shaoshang acupoints .


    Li Xiaofei began channeling his starforce qi, directing it toward the Zhongfu acupoint. If meridians were like rivers, then acupoints would be the reservoirs along these rivers. They were like lakes through which the river would flow. Acupoints, in essence, were like mini-universes within the body. They contained immense energy.


    The shackles of the Limit Breaking Realm came from acquired impurities. However, the acupoints in the human body were innate restrictions. One had to flush out the silt within the acupoints to expand them. This allowed for more starforce qi to be stored and enabled the starforce to flow more swiftly through the body, like a series of accelerators.


    The faster the starforce qi flowed, the more powerful it would become. Under Li Xiaofei¡¯s control, the energy in his body relentlessly surged through the Zhongfu acupoint. Normally, a martial artist with above-average aptitude would take about a month to break open a single acupoint. It¡¯s a slow, painstaking process.


    It would typically take around ten years to progress from the entry level of the Acupoint Opening Realm to mastery. Only a few rare geniuses could reach complete mastery of the Acupoint Opening Realm within five years. But Li Xiaofei¡¯s starforce, forged from the unification of ninety-nine qi vortices, was exceptionally potent. His breakthrough speed was remarkable.


    After just an hour, the Zhongfu acupoint had been thoroughly cleansed. Stage 1 Acupoint, accomplished!


    Li Xiaofei carefully sensed the transformation, studying how the starforce qi flowed into the Zhongfu acupoint, spinning and creating a micro-circular pathway that accelerated the flow of energy.


    Not only did his starforce qi accelerate, but it also continually reinforced the acupoint through constant micro-cycles, making it stronger with each pass. While the amplification effect of a single acupoint was limited, the combined effect of all one hundred and twenty acupoints in the body would be overwhelming.


    Not to mention that the Dual Sacred Body of Blade and Sword contained an additional eight extraordinary meridians and eighty more acupoints, far beyond what an ordinary person possessed.


    According to the Detailed Explanation, mastering the twelve primary meridians and eight extraordinary channels through this method would give him a high chance of achieving the Dual Sacred Body of Blade and Sword. Although he didn¡¯t know the exact special nature of this physique, Li Xiaofei knew it would be extraordinary. Suppressing his impatience, Li Xiaofei continued his cultivation steadily.


    By the time the night had passed, he had successfully cleared all ten acupoints in the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and completed the refinement of the entire meridian. He did not push himself further. Such speed was already terrifying. Haste makes waste!


    When he exited the cultivation chamber, he felt vast, surging energy within him, as if a cold blade¡¯s sharpness cut through the air around him.


    The eastern sky was already tinged with the pale light of dawn. Li Xiaofei walked back to the Guang''an neighborhood on foot. Li Jie, who had risen early, had already prepared breakfast. Zhong Ling was washing up. Little Aunt had just returned from tending to her herb garden.


    After quickly finishing breakfast, Li Jie and Zhong Ling left for school.


    ¡°Have you been dealing with some trouble lately?¡± Little Aunt asked.


    "It''s nothing, I can handle it." Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t want his messy affairs to worry Little Aunt, so he said, ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry. Who in Liuhe Base City would dare mess with me now?¡±


    Little Aunt smiled softly. As Li Xiaofei looked at the blind woman, a sudden thought came to him.


    ¡°Little Aunt, didn¡¯t you mention wanting to cultivate the Seven-Star Begonia? Have you made any progress?¡±


    Little Aunt replied, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s been successfully cultivated. If all goes well, it should bloom tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that fast?¡± Li Xiaofei was surprised. ¡°How toxic is it?¡±


    Little Aunt thought for a moment and said, ¡°It''s more dangerous than what¡¯s recorded in the Medicine King Divine Manual. A fully matured plant could threaten even someone at the Dao Union Realm.¡±


    What?!


    Li Xiaofei was stunned, then overjoyed. The breakthrough he¡¯d been seeking had arrived. He had been struggling to figure out how to deal with Su Yuncao, and now, the solution was right in front of him.


    If he could discreetly slip the Seven-Star Begonia into Su Yuncao¡¯s food or drink, his goal could be achieved. Stealthy operations like that were Li Xiaofei¡¯s specialty. He had already been to Su Yuncao¡¯s suite before, and it would be easy to slip the poison into his meal undetected using his ability, Spatial Point Theft.


    Li Xiaofei felt as if the clouds had parted, revealing a bright path forward. Of course, he needed to plan the details carefully.


    ¡°Little Aunt, can I have one of the Seven-Star Begonias?¡± he asked with anticipation.


    ¡°Of course.¡± She replied without hesitation. She would never refuse him.


    ¡°That¡¯s great!¡± Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t hide his excitement, clenching his fists in joy. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Little Aunt turned her head in his direction and suddenly asked, ¡°Be honest with me, are you in some kind of trouble? Zhong Ling mentioned that something happened at Red Flag High School. Maybe I can help.¡±


    ¡°Little Aunt, as long as you give me a fully matured Seven-Star Begonia tomorrow, that will be the biggest help,¡± Li Xiaofei said, standing up. ¡°I¡¯m off to school now.¡±


    As she ¡®watched¡¯ him leave, Little Aunt gently shook her head.


    ¡°It¡¯s time to go. But before I leave, I¡¯ll help him one last time.¡± She sighed softly.


    ***


    Red Flag High School was shut down. The news spread through the city like a hurricane.


    The official reason was severe corruption in the school leadership, particularly regarding the use of funds and resources from the previous semester, with the accusations aimed directly at Principal Chen Fei. The announcement caused an uproar.


    When Li Xiaofei, filled with anger, went to demand answers, he was told that his admission procedures were deemed improper, and as a result, his status as a student at Red Flag High School was revoked. In other words, he was expelled.


    At the same time, more bad news arrived from the gang world. After interrogating Wei Kun and Fan Tong, the Police Department had extracted a substantial amount of incriminating information. They followed the trail and arrested many people.


    Most of those arrested were former members from the four major gangs that had merged into the Cloudy Sky Gang. Some were old members of Cloudy Sky Gang itself. Even Yang Cheng was arrested and thrown into the Police Department¡¯s prison.


    At 10 a.m., the Liuhe Base City Education Department, the Police Department, and Starry Sky Hotel held a joint press conference. It was confirmed that Li Xiaofei¡¯s eligibility for the high school league had been revoked, and he was ordered to return the league member''s key.


    Li Xiaofei did not resist.


    In the afternoon, an officer from the military outpost arrived at the Cloudy Sky Gang.


    ¡°Student Li, based on a re-evaluation by the military, it has been determined that the issuance of the Qinling Badge by former commander Ding Longao was in violation of military regulations. We now request that you return the badge.¡± The officer spoke with no courtesy.


    Li Xiaofei did not resist and handed over the badge. Now that the walls were collapsing, everyone was beginning to push. Many hidden enemies emerged, taking this opportunity to strike. Even within the Martial Alliance, factions quickly formed and split. Everyone believed that this was the end for Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei himself came to realize that this storm wasn¡¯t just the result of Su Yuncao¡¯s schemes. This was the culmination of the wrath from various Saint families, which had been simmering ever since he wiped out the Ye family. They were now seizing this moment to unleash their fury.


    These Saint families wanted him dead.


    But just as everything seemed to be closing in, one piece of news arrived. Chen Fei, the peach-eyed principal, had finally returned to Liuhe Base City.

 Chapter 349: Death

    Chapter 349: DeathA lawyer named Li Feiwen accompanied Chen Fei back to the city. He was said to be very well-known in Lanfu Base City.


    ¡°Hello, here¡¯s my digital business card,¡± Li Feiwen said with a smile.


    He appeared to be a man in his early thirties, tall and well-built, with sharp, handsome features and bright, deep eyes that radiated confidence. His smile was especially infectious.


    Li Xiaofei accepted the business card and stored it in his light core. When he turned to Chen Fei, he couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°So your solution to this problem is to come back and fight a lawsuit?¡±


    Chen Fei gave a bitter smile. ¡°I embezzled funds, and the Audit Bureau caught me. They¡¯ve been holding onto this little detail and won¡¯t let it go, so I had no choice but to bring in a professional to handle it.¡±


    ¡°Embezzled funds?¡±


    Li Xiaofei was surprised.


    Did Old Chen really do something like that?


    Chen Fei explained, ¡°It was Director Qin. On New Year¡¯s Eve, he messaged me saying his niece was in the hospital and needed three surgeries, but he couldn¡¯t gather enough for the medical bills. So, I borrowed 2 million star coins from the school¡¯s funds as an advance payment...¡±


    Li Xiaofei rubbed his temples and sighed, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you ask me for help?¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯ve got deep pockets,¡± Chen Fei snorted. ¡°But you¡¯ve already done so much for the school by donating money and providing cultivation techniques. I couldn¡¯t just keep squeezing the same sheep dry, could I?¡±


    ¡°Well, I guess I should thank you for that,¡± Li Xiaofei responded, speechless.


    The situation was far more complicated than he expected, and it seemed that even Chen Fei had been caught up in this tangled mess. But now with Li Feiwen involved, perhaps there was a way forward.


    Li Xiaofei understood Chen Fei¡¯s situation. For so many years, Chen Fei had treated Red Flag High School as his home, and everyone in it as his family. The school was a neglected place that was unloved by both the government and private donors. Chen Fei had poured countless hours, effort, and personal resources into it. The operations were undoubtedly unorthodox, with no proper oversight.


    So to him, something like embezzling school funds seemed like no big deal. It was just a matter of temporarily borrowing and paying it back later. But in the hands of those with ulterior motives, it became a weapon to destroy him.


    ¡°Did you manage to replace the funds?¡± Li Xiaofei asked. ¡°If you¡¯re short, I¡¯ve got¡ª¡±


    Chen Fei interrupted, ¡°I paid it back. I pawned some of my collectibles and scraped together enough.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good then,¡± Li Xiaofei said, choosing not to poke at the old man¡¯s pride. He turned to the lawyer. ¡°So, Attorney Li, is this case easy to defend?¡±


    Li Feiwen smiled. ¡°There¡¯s absolutely no problem. Most of the groundwork was already handled in Lanfu Base City, so there¡¯s little left to do here in Liuhe Base City. We just need to follow the proper procedures.¡±


    Chen Fei added, ¡°Thanks to Attorney Li, I¡¯m still walking around free. Otherwise, I¡¯d be sitting in a cell like Old Qin.¡±


    Li Xiaofei quickly asked, ¡°What¡¯s the situation with Old Qin now?¡±


    ¡°His case is a bit more complicated. He physically assaulted a member of the Police Department, so it¡¯s not an easy fight. Thankfully, his mental state is questionable. We¡¯re working on getting him evaluated by a reputable institution for mental illness. If it¡¯s confirmed, he could avoid jail time,¡± Li Feiwen explained.


    Li Xiaofei felt a wave of relief wash over him.


    Li Feiwen continued, ¡°However, cases like this take a lot of time. With external pressure involved, it¡¯s normal for these back-and-forth legal battles to drag on for half a year or more.¡±


    Li Xiaofei asked curiously, ¡°Attorney Li, you know there¡¯s external pressure, and you still took on the case?¡±


    Li Feiwen burst out laughing.


    "I¡¯m the kind of person who loves a challenge," Li Feiwen said, his laughter brimming with confidence.


    Chen Fei also chuckled, adding, "You might not know this, but Attorney Li is famous in Lanfu Base City as a tough lawyer. He¡¯s always stood up for the underdog and taken on cases for the poor. The harder the case, the more he loves it. He¡¯s won countless high-profile cases."


    Li Xiaofei instantly felt a deep sense of respect for him.


    Li Feiwen waved his hand and said with a smile, "What can I say? I wasn¡¯t blessed with martial talent. After twenty years of cultivation, I¡¯m only at the Limit Breaking Realm with two shackles broken. Since I couldn¡¯t excel in martial arts, I had to focus on law."


    Chen Fei, now much more at ease, said, ¡°We¡¯ll leave the rest to Attorney Li.¡±


    Li Xiaofei offered, ¡°Should I arrange some people to protect you, just in case?¡±


    ¡°Haha, no need,¡± Li Feiwen laughed, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯ve weathered all kinds of storms over the years and I¡¯m still standing. Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    With that, the discussion ended. The arrival of the old principal, Chen Fei, had indeed alleviated some of the pressure on Li Xiaofei. Soon, Li Feiwen¡¯s expertise began to show results.


    The first major victory was the cancellation of Red Flag High School¡¯s suspension. By that very afternoon, the school resumed classes. Next, Li Feiwen filed an administrative lawsuit on behalf of Li Xiaofei, challenging the revocation of his student status. The legal process had begun.


    ¡°This kind of case is easy,¡± Li Feiwen said with unwavering confidence. ¡°I¡¯ve handled far too many similar cases in Lanfu Base City. No challenge at all... I guarantee that within three days, you¡¯ll have your student status restored.¡±


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but be infected by his optimism. After all, if things could be resolved legally, who would want to resort to violence? However, there was one thing Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t change, he would miss the High School War God League tournament on Saturday. For the first time since the start of the season, Li Xiaofei¡¯s name was missing from the roster. He didn¡¯t even have a spot on the substitute bench.


    Of course, Chen Fei was also absent from the match. The two had originally planned to sit in the stands and cheer for the team, but they were stopped at the school gates. Fortunately, under Yan Chiyu''s leadership, the Red Flag High School battle team won the match without any major mishaps, extending their unbeaten streak.


    When Li Xiaofei and Chen Fei heard the result, they were in good spirits. But that good mood didn¡¯t last long.


    Li Feiwen was dead. He had been brutally hacked to death and his mutilated body had been dumped outside Chen Fei¡¯s temporary residence. His tongue had been cut out, his mouth sewn shut and a sentence had been carved into his chest.


    This is what happens to those who speak out.


    The sky above was dark and heavy, seemingly preparing for the first snowfall of the year. Chen Fei¡¯s eyes were bloodshot, his whole body like a powder keg on the verge of explosion. He couldn¡¯t comprehend how, in just a matter of days, the once peaceful and orderly Liuhe Base City had descended into chaos. When Li Xiaofei arrived, he helped gather and prepare Li Feiwei¡¯s body.


    ¡°These people don¡¯t play by the rules at all,¡± Li Xiaofei said coldly. ¡°Chen Fei, I know what you¡¯re thinking, but you shouldn¡¯t take matters into your own hands. Leave this to me.¡±


    "You can barely protect yourself," Chen Fei said, his voice tense. "Don''t be reckless." S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei responded calmly, "I never wanted to be a martial world big shot; I just wanted to be a reasonable student. But some people in this world think that having the bigger fist makes them right. To deal with those kinds of people, you have to use martial world methods... Leave it to me."


    With that, he turned and walked away, deciding he would no longer hold back.


    Chen Fei watched Li Xiaofei¡¯s retreating figure, sinking into a deep internal conflict.


    He stood there for a while, until finally, he pulled out his light core and dialed a number. It was one he hadn¡¯t called in fifteen years, yet it was engraved in his mind as if it had been burned there. The line connected quickly.


    "Little Chen, you finally decided to call me," came a voice on the other end, aged but commanding, brimming with joy that couldn¡¯t be concealed.


    "I agree to return to the team," Chen Fei finally said, the words heavy with meaning. "But you¡¯ll have to do me a favor."


    The silence on the other end lingered for just a moment before the voice responded, resolute and certain. "Whatever it is, consider it done."

 Chapter 350: The Operation Had Begun

    Chapter 350: The Operation Had BegunLi Xiaofei rode his heavy motorcycle to the Martial Alliance headquarters. The injuries on Li Feiwen¡¯s body, though seemingly random, revealed subtle clues. They had the telltale characteristics of gang-related violence.


    While Li Xiaofei generally stayed out of Martial Alliance affairs, he had a decent understanding of the gangs in Liuhe Base City. He only needed a glance to find a lead. Lately, there had been growing unrest within the Martial Alliance. It was the perfect time to dig deeper and uncover the truth.


    His mind pieced together the fragments of this violent puzzle as he accelerated toward headquarters. He needed to know who within the Martial Alliance had ties to these gangs and how deep those connections ran. If someone within had ordered Li Feiwen''s death, they would soon regret it. It was time to investigate thoroughly.


    ***


    At the Martial Alliance Headquarters.


    ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this?¡± Ning Wuwo stared at the group in front of him, his face brimming with anger. ¡°When the Martial Alliance was established, we all swore an oath before the statue of Taiyi, the Saint. Now you want to withdraw? Aren¡¯t you afraid of going back on your word?¡±


    Several gang leaders who had just submitted their withdrawal applications ducked their heads in embarrassment.


    Ning Wuwo continued, ¡°Hasn¡¯t Alliance Leader Li Xiaofei treated you all fairly since he took office? He ensured equal business opportunities for everyone, helped you move past the days of fighting and bloodshed, and even distributed martial arts manuals for your benefit. You¡¯ve all profited from it. Now that the Alliance Leader is facing a bit of trouble, you want to abandon him? Is that how you repay his kindness?¡±


    The gang leaders lowered their heads even further in shame.


    ¡°Hmph, Old Ning, you¡¯re not being fair,¡± sneered Zhang Renjie, the leader of Bloodfire Society. ¡°Sure, Li Xiaofei has brought us plenty of benefits, but wasn¡¯t that his duty as alliance leader? Now that he¡¯s dragged us into his mess and caused trouble for our brothers, he should step down. We¡¯re just withdrawing from the alliance. That¡¯s already showing him plenty of face. What more do you expect from us?¡±


    Bloodfire Society was the instigator behind the current unrest within the Martial Alliance. It was none other than Zhang Renjie who had incited six or seven other gangs to leave the alliance as well.


    Ning Wuwo was so furious that his beard bristled with rage.


    ¡°You all know what kind of man Alliance Leader Li is.¡± He said through gritted teeth. ¡°He¡¯s loyal to his friends and is always there when you need him, but he¡¯s ruthless to his enemies. You remember what happened to the Dragon Claw Gang and Tianyu Palace, don¡¯t you?¡±


    The expressions of everyone present changed dramatically. Of course, they knew. Both had been wiped out entirely.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Zhang Renjie slammed his palm onto the table, shattering it into pieces.


    He suddenly stood up, his face twisted into a cruel grin. ¡°Old Ning, you think you can scare us with that little punk Li Xiaofei? Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know that Li Xiaofei¡¯s made enemies with some big shot from Xiajing, and now he¡¯s like a Bodhisattva crossing the river. He can¡¯t even save himself! Hah, even if Li Xiaofei were here, I¡¯d spit right in his face.¡±


    ¡°Oh, really?¡±


    Zhang Renjie froze as a voice came from behind. His body began to tremble violently. Li Xiaofei walked slowly up to the table, nodding to Ning Wuwo before turning to fix Zhang Renjie with a piercing gaze.


    ¡°I¡¯m here now. Want to try?¡±


    ¡°Li... Alliance Leader Li, I...¡± Zhang Renjie stammered, his legs turning to jelly as a sickly smile stretched across his face.


    ¡°Kneel.¡± Li Xiaofei¡¯s voice thundered with authority.


    "You... I..." Zhang Renjie nearly dropped to his knees on the spot.


    However, after a moment of hesitation, he managed to steady himself. He grit his teeth as he said. ¡°I¡¯ve already left the Martial Alliance, I¡¯m not under your authority anymore. Stop being so aggressive!¡±


    ¡°Left?¡± Li Xiaofei¡¯s voice was cold. ¡°Did I agree to that?¡± S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°You... what? Are you going to force your brothers to stay?¡± Zhang Renjie suddenly remembered that he wasn¡¯t alone in this. Confidence crept into his tone as he said, ¡°Let me tell you, Li Xiaofei, we, the Bloodfire Society, have allied ourselves with an important guest from Xiajing. We¡¯re not afraid of you anymore.¡±


    ¡°Oh? A guest from Xiajing?¡± Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes narrowed as a thought crossed his mind. ¡°Let me ask you, did you kill Attorney Li Feiwen?¡±


    Zhang Renjie¡¯s face twisted, his reflexive response slipping out. ¡°No... no... I don¡¯t know anyone named Li Feiwen...¡±


    Smack!


    Li Xiaofei slapped him hard across the face, sending him sprawling to the ground.


    He planted his foot firmly on Zhang Renjie¡¯s face, his voice booming with fury. ¡°Tell me, why did you kill Attorney Li?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t! It wasn¡¯t me...¡±


    Zhang Renjie felt his head was about to be crushed under the pressure of Li Xiaofei¡¯s foot.


    His heart filled with terror, but as a hardened gang leader, he managed to hold his ground as he spat out, ¡°Li Xiaofei, Liuhe Base City isn¡¯t the same anymore. If you kill me, you won¡¯t survive either.¡±


    Li Xiaofei leaned down, his gaze intense as he growled, ¡°Look into my eyes, scum.¡±


    At that moment, Li Xiaofei activated his mental manipulation technique. Zhang Renjie locked eyes with Li Xiaofei, and instantly felt as though he was staring into an abyss. His entire consciousness began to spiral downwards, sinking deep into Li Xiaofei¡¯s control.


    ¡°Did you kill Attorney Li?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I did.¡±


    ¡°Why did you kill him?¡±


    ¡°Because he ruined the plan of the important guest. The guest wanted him to stay silent, but he refused to take the money. He didn¡¯t know what was good for him.¡±


    ¡°Who else was involved?¡±


    ¡°Me, and Old Cao from Thousand Beasts Pavilion. We did it together to prove our loyalty.¡±


    ¡°Who is this guest?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s... it¡¯s... it¡¯s Zhou Ruomin.¡±


    ¡°What is her role?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s Elder Su¡¯s assistant.¡±


    Under the influence of the mind-controlling technique, Zhang Renjie revealed every detail he knew without hesitation. After getting what he needed, Li Xiaofei kicked Zhang Renjie, knocking him out and leaving him crumpled at the base of the wall.


    As expected, Su Yuncao''s people were involved. Li Xiaofei quickly began formulating a plan. Since the other side had chosen to use underworld tactics, how could he, a true underworld boss, not respond in kind? Li Xiaofei had never feared anyone on this battlefield.


    He grabbed Zhang Renjie by the leg and dragged him toward the door. Then, as if struck by a thought, he turned to the other gang leaders who had submitted their withdrawal applications. Their faces had gone pale with fear. He flicked a finger and several waves swept through the air.


    Thud, thud, thud.


    Each of the gang leaders collapsed into a pool of blood. Ning Wuwo was startled, but upon closer inspection, he realized they hadn¡¯t been killed. Li Xiaofei had merely crippled their martial arts abilities, rendering them unconscious.


    "Alliance Leader, is there anything I can do to help?" Ning Wuwo asked.


    He understood all too well that he had to stand firmly by Li Xiaofei¡¯s side if he wanted to weather this crisis.


    ¡°Lock these treacherous dogs up,¡± Li Xiaofei ordered. ¡°If anyone else dares mention leaving the alliance, cripple them all.¡±


    ¡°No problem.¡± A rare hint of ruthlessness flashed across Ning Wuwo¡¯s elderly, but still sharp face. ¡°Anything else this old man can do for you?¡±


    ¡°Nothing more.¡±


    Dragging Zhang Renjie like a dead dog, Li Xiaofei walked out of the office.


    Ning Wuwo watched him go, his face filled with concern. He had been carefully following the recent turmoil, and well aware of how dangerous this storm was. He wasn¡¯t sure whether Li Xiaofei would survive it.


    ***


    Half an hour later at the Thousand Beasts Pavilion.


    No one knew what was happening inside the sealed quiet chamber of the Pavilion Master.


    Pavilion Master Cao Huayun lay on the ground, his face pale, his limbs twitching uncontrollably. Despair filled his eyes as he pleaded, ¡°Alliance Leader, please, spare me... I was forced into this...¡±


    Li Xiaofei silently sent a thread of sword qi through him, crippling his martial arts. Cao Huayun let out a blood-curdling scream before falling unconscious. Li Xiaofei tossed Zhang Renjie beside him.


    These two traitorous dogs!


    Li Xiaofei had learned everything he needed to know from his interrogation and soul manipulation. He took out the materials he had prepared in advance and began crafting a human-skin mask. The famed disguise technique of the legendary rogue Wang Lianhua was indeed an intricate art. Before long, Li Xiaofei had completely transformed himself into Cao Huayun.


    He packed the two unconscious men into a specially designed box and carried it out of the chamber.


    ¡°Pavilion Master.¡± Two disciples outside the door greeted him respectfully, unaware that their master had already been replaced.


    Li Xiaofei, now in the guise of Cao Huayun, replied, ¡°I¡¯m heading out for a bit. No one in the pavilion is to participate in any activities. We¡¯re on lockdown. Understood?¡±


    "Yes, Pavilion Master."


    The disciples hurried off to relay the command.


    Li Xiaofei walked out confidently with his package. After making his way to a secret safe house, he stashed the box securely and took out Cao Huayun¡¯s light-core phone. He dialed a number as he prepared for the next phase of his plan.


    ¡°Hello?¡± A sharp female voice answered from the other side. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you not to contact me unless it¡¯s necessary?¡±


    Imitating Cao Huayun¡¯s tone perfectly, Li Xiaofei responded obsequiously, ¡°Teacher Zhou, I¡¯ve discovered some fresh dirt on Li Xiaofei, something that can bury him for good. Should I bring it directly to your residence, or...?¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Her tone shifted, now piqued with interest. ¡°Meet at the usual place first, I¡¯ll come to you.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Li Xiaofei hung up, a cold smile spreading across his face.


    The operation had begun.

 Chapter 351: Destroying Her

    Chapter 351: Destroying HerOn Qunzhong Road, in the Silent Waters Caf¨¦.


    Li Xiaofei sat quietly in the private room. The other party hadn¡¯t specified a time, but Li Xiaofei knew she would definitely come.


    The caf¨¦ was just over seven hundred meters from the Starry Sky Hotel. The private room was at the very back, with metal walls that looked old and somewhat intimidating. A lattice window allowed a view of the street outside.


    There weren¡¯t many people in the caf¨¦. A few young waiters were whispering to each other behind the counter. Li Xiaofei was certain that the entire caf¨¦ was under the other party''s surveillance. There were likely many hidden watchers stationed all around.


    After a while, a short-haired woman, dressed in a black trench coat and wearing sunglasses, entered the caf¨¦. After saying a few words to the hostess, she headed straight toward the private room. She pushed the door open, entered, and sat down.


    ¡°Go ahead, tell me what new discoveries you''ve made.¡±


    The woman took off her sunglasses, revealing a delicate and charming face. Her skin was pale, with sharp and refined features. She had short, wine-red hair and spoke in a calm tone. But it was laced with a sense of superiority, as though she was looking down from above.


    A smile appeared on Li Xiaofei¡¯s face. He had seen this beautiful woman before. When Gao Changlin had taken him to meet Su Yuncao, it was this very charming assistant who had led him to the study. It was perfect. He had been worried that this lead might be difficult to handle and thought that the so-called assistant, Zhou Ruomin, might be a hidden spy placed by Su Yuncao that would be hard to deal with.


    But it turned out she was just a well-known personal assistant. Su Yuncao had attended several public events, and she had always accompanied him. If he could get her on his side, it would provide strong evidence when accusing Su Yuncao.


    "Miss Zhou," Li Xiaofei smiled. "Before we officially begin our conversation, there¡¯s something I¡¯ve been curious about for a while."


    Zhou Ruomin frowned and replied, "Your question better be relevant to our cooperation."


    Li Xiaofei continued, "I want to know, Miss Zhou, what level your cultivation has reached?"


    A sharp gleam suddenly flashed in Zhou Ruomin¡¯s eyes as she responded coldly, "You¡¯re wasting my time."


    Li Xiaofei said, "Working with you means offending Li Xiaofei, so I need to be sure that Miss Zhou indeed has the strength to contend with that demon."


    "Such a pointless question doesn¡¯t even deserve an answer." Zhou Ruomin frowned again and said, "You should know who I represent, and you should understand that you have no room to bargain."


    Li Xiaofei fell silent.


    Zhou Ruomin sensed a resistance she had never noticed before from his expression. She was quite displeased, but in the end, she held back her irritation and answered, "The Five Spirits Realm."


    Li Xiaofei carefully placed a small, exquisitely decorated box on the table. It was encrusted with crystals that shimmered with a delicate glow.


    "Miss Zhou, weren¡¯t you looking for Li Xiaofei¡¯s most damning secrets? Take a close look at this box."


    Zhou Ruomin was momentarily stunned.


    What could possibly be inside this box?


    Despite her doubts, her gaze instinctively shifted toward it. At first glance, she only noticed the faint, ethereal light that flickered from the crystals on the box, giving off a beauty she couldn''t quite describe.


    It stirred an irresistible urge within her to focus even more, to figure out exactly which crystal was emitting such an entrancing glow. At that very moment, the hand of the person across from her, the supposed Cao Huayun, lightly touched the back of her hand. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhou Ruomin was shocked, and her fury flared instantly.


    A mere country dog dared to lay a hand on me?


    Murderous intent surged within her as she flipped her palm...


    Hmm?


    It didn¡¯t move. She tried again. Still, no movement. A chill ran through Zhou Ruomin¡¯s heart. When she realized something was wrong, she quickly raised her head to look at Cao Huayun.


    He was watching her with an amused expression, a faint smile playing on his lips as a trace of mockery flickered across his eyes. He said, "I¡¯m curious... when you ordered the brutal murder of Attorney Li Feiwen, did your conscience even twinge, just a little?"


    "You..." Zhou Ruomin finally realized something was wrong. "You¡¯re not Cao Huayun. Who are you, really?"


    Li Xiaofei smirked and replied, "Why don''t you guess?"


    Zhou Ruomin¡¯s eyes flashed with fury as she shouted, "You¡¯re courting death!"


    Her strength erupted in an instant. Terrifying energy surged from her delicate, pale hands. But in the next moment¡ª


    Crack.


    The sound of a bone snapping echoed in the room. A pain she hadn¡¯t felt in years spread across her face. She couldn¡¯t believe it. Her wrist had just been broken. The very wrist that could lift objects weighing hundreds of tons had been snapped?


    "The strength of the Five Spirits Realm... it''s not enough."


    Li Xiaofei swiftly struck with Regretful Dragon. The heavy palm technique of the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms landed mercilessly on Zhou Ruomin¡¯s chest.


    "Ah... pfft!"


    A stream of blood spurted from Zhou Ruomin¡¯s mouth. Her body was sent flying toward the door of the private room. As a Five Spirits Realm powerhouse trained in academia, her reflexes matched her strength. She managed to use the force of the deadly blow to escape the immediate danger.


    But Li Xiaofei, a man who had honed his skills through countless life-and-death battles, easily saw through her intentions. He used Graceful Step of the Waves to move like a ghost and reached the door before her.


    Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms ¨C Wild Dragon in the Fields.


    Boom!


    The palm strike viciously landed on Zhou Ruomin¡¯s back.


    Crack, crack.


    The chilling sound of her cervical vertebrae breaking filled the air. Zhou Ruomin''s body bent forward at nearly ninety degrees as she crashed heavily onto the ground.


    The final strike completely incapacitated the Five Spirits Realm powerhouse, stripping her of any ability to fight back. Her once delicate, pale face twisted in agony. Blood poured from her small cherry-red lips. Unbelievable fear and horror surged through her heart, overwhelming her.


    "Who... who are you, really?" Zhou Ruomin asked once more.


    Li Xiaofei crouched down, patting her face lightly. "Didn¡¯t you go through all this trouble just to take me down?"


    "You... you¡¯re Li Xiaofei?"


    Zhou Ruomin finally realized the truth. She had never imagined, not even in her wildest dreams, that Li Xiaofei would be so audacious as to invite her out like this. This caf¨¦ was close to the Starry Sky Hotel; any disturbance could easily alert Master Su!


    A Dao Union Realm expert would respond with incredible speed. He would arrive within mere breaths at the slightest sign of trouble. Yet despite this, Li Xiaofei had still taken the risk to set a trap for her.


    What shocked her even more was Li Xiaofei¡¯s terrifying combat ability. Zhou Ruomin prided herself on not being just another academic martial artist with only theoretical knowledge of cultivation. She had fought countless battles on the light-network, and her combat prowess and reflexes were among the best of her peers. But even with all her skill, she had been utterly crushed by Li Xiaofei in less than three seconds.


    "Yes, it''s me."


    Li Xiaofei crouched again and used the Nine Yin White Bone Claw technique. He shattered the arms, legs, and several key points of the beauty before him without mercy. Then, with a quick One Yang Finger, he destroyed the vortex and pressure points within her dantian, completely crippling her cultivation.


    "Ah..." Zhou Ruomin let out a pained scream.


    She knew it was over for her. The man in front of her was like a demon who was destroying everything she had.


    "Now that this is settled, let¡¯s talk. Was it Su Yuncao, that old dog, who ordered the brutal murder of the lawyer?" Li Xiaofei flicked the blood off his hands and asked softly.

 Chapter 352: Igniting The Discussion On The Light-Network

    Chapter 352: Igniting The Discussion On The Light-Network¡°You should give up on that idea,¡± Zhou Ruomin spat through gritted teeth. Though her body was no longer under her control, her will remained unyielding. ¡°I won¡¯t say anything that would harm Master Su.¡±


    Li Xiaofei chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s not up to you.¡±


    With that, he activated his mental manipulation technique. The use of the mental manipulation technique required certain conditions to be met.


    Against a weakling like Cao Huayun, it could be employed directly after shaking their resolve with words. But using the technique right away on a Five Spirits Realm expert like Zhou Ruomin would be risky. It could easily fail, and worse, result in a dangerous backlash.


    The consequences of a backlash were terrifying. That¡¯s why Li Xiaofei had first used the crystal-encrusted box to unsettle her mind and then overwhelmed her with his crushing strength.


    At this moment, Zhou Ruomin¡¯s body and spirit had both suffered tremendous defeats, and she was at her weakest point. Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes shifted as the whites of his eyes vanished, leaving only eerie black pupils. His eyes looked like two bottomless abysses that were capable of swallowing both mind and matter.


    The moment Zhou Ruomin¡¯s gaze met his, she knew something was wrong, but she couldn¡¯t look away. It felt as though his black eyes were pulling her soul straight from her body and into an endless void. All she could do was fall deeper and deeper into that abyss, unable to resist the descent...


    ¡°Was it Su Yuncao who ordered you to murder Li Feiwen?¡±


    ¡°No, it was my own decision, but Master Su approved it afterward.¡±


    ¡°Tell me about Su Yuncao¡¯s plagiarism of Chen Fei¡¯s paper.¡± sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°That was half a month ago. Master Su was the head of the review committee for academic papers. When he saw Chen Fei¡¯s paper, he said it had the potential to change the fate of the Great Xia martial lineage, so...¡±


    ¡°Why did Su Yuncao come to Liuhe Base City?¡±


    ¡°Master wants to replace Chen Fei and put his own stamp on the Red Flag High School model...¡±


    Li Xiaofei asked countless questions. He didn¡¯t just ask about the papers and Chen Fei, but also about Su Yuncao¡¯s many dirty secrets like coercing female students, trading power for favors, engaging in corruption, harming colleagues, and suppressing talented juniors who refused to submit.


    Some of the scandals were so shocking that even Li Xiaofei felt his heart race as he listened. Li Xiaofei kept pressing until he stripped Zhou Ruomin of all her secrets and laid everything bare. The combined revelations were more than enough to expose Su Yuncao¡¯s true, ugly nature in full.


    ¡°I¡¯m done.¡± smiled Li Xiaofei. He lifted the camera hanging at his waist and turned off the recording.


    Using the camera¡¯s built-in smart editing tool, he quickly trimmed the footage, made ten secure offline backups, and sent a concise version to the Cloudy Sky Gang¡¯s network department along with instructions to upload it immediately.


    At the same time, he sent the files to major education departments and top online platforms.


    "You..." At that moment, Zhou Ruomin slowly regained her senses, her face filled with horror. "What did you do to me?"


    The life force of a Five Spirits Realm cultivator was truly astonishing. Even though Li Xiaofei had shattered her vital points and crippled her, the qi in her blood and flesh was still working to heal her. Despite her damaged organs and broken vertebrae, she hadn¡¯t died, but was slowly beginning to recover.


    "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve already smashed that pitiful bit of flesh on your chest. There¡¯s nothing worth playing with," Li Xiaofei sneered. "Only that old dog Su Yuncao would still be interested in a rotten vegetable like you."


    Zhou Ruomin trembled with rage. "You will die a horrible death."


    "The one who won¡¯t die well is you." Li Xiaofei¡¯s voice was cold. "Even killing you a hundred thousand times would be too lenient with all the monstrous things you¡¯ve done. But this time, I¡¯ll make sure you and that old dog are both ruined in front of the entire nation. You¡¯ll be despised and spat on by everyone. Killing you with a single blade would be too easy."


    Zhou Ruomin shuddered as a cold fear gripped her heart. She wasn¡¯t afraid of death. But as a celebrated figure, what she feared most was the complete destruction of her reputation. That was worse than death to her.


    "Don''t be rash," Zhou Ruomin''s tone suddenly softened. "There¡¯s no irreconcilable conflict between you and Master Su. You can still work together and benefit mutually..."


    "No irreconcilable conflict?" Li Xiaofei shook his head firmly. "There¡¯s been one ever since you killed Attorney Li."


    Zhou Ruomin¡¯s eyes widened. "He was just a small-time lawyer with a bit of fame. People die all the time in this world! What¡¯s one more death?!"


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s voice was calm. "Yes, he was a small lawyer, with little influence and no big background. In the eyes of people like you, sitting in high places, he was probably as insignificant as an ant. But to me, he represented the very foundation of Great Xia¡¯s law. By killing him, you broke that foundation. Isn¡¯t that an irreconcilable conflict?"


    Zhou Ruomin seemed to grasp what he was saying, but at the same time, maybe she didn¡¯t. She gritted her teeth as she spat out, "You madman, you insane fool. Do you even know what you''re doing, you¡ª"


    Before she could continue, Li Xiaofei knocked her unconscious with a swift kick. He packed Zhou Ruomin into the box he had prepared earlier and carried it out of the private room.


    ¡°The lady inside said she has important business to handle and doesn¡¯t want to be disturbed.¡± He said to the caf¨¦ staff with a polite smile.


    "Understood, sir." The young server behind the counter replied.


    Carrying the box, Li Xiaofei left the caf¨¦ and disappeared around the corner of the street. The server glanced toward the private room, a slight smile forming on his lips. He was an undercover expert from the Starry Sky Hotel. Naturally, he knew the woman¡¯s identity and strength, so he had no reason to doubt anything, nor would he be foolish enough to knock on the door to check on her.


    Li Xiaofei returned to the slums just in time to see his aunt coming back from the herb garden.


    ¡°This is the Seven-Star Begonia you asked for," Little Aunt said, handing him a specially crafted glass bottle containing a ghostly white flower with eight petals.


    She fixed her gaze on him and added, "This rare flower must not come into contact with water after it blooms, since the petals will dissolve upon contact. The resulting solution is colorless and tasteless. If it¡¯s ingested, even a Dao Union Realm expert will experience inner qi chaos. Their body will weaken and render them incapable of fighting."


    Li Xiaofei carefully stored the Seven-Star Begonia away.


    After a moment of thought, he reminded her, "Little Aunt, the city¡¯s been chaotic for the past few days. Inform Little Jie and Ling¡¯er not to come home after school. Have them go to the safe house I mentioned earlier and stay there until the situation calms down."


    Little Aunt nodded and replied, "Got it."


    Without wasting any more time, Li Xiaofei hurried off. Meanwhile, the videos he had uploaded online finally caught widespread attention as a storm ignited on the light-network. People from all sectors were alarmed.


    After all, the news involved Su Yuncao, a renowned educational expert. The media smelled blood in the water and frantically began digging into the story to report on it. In no time, whether it was on Light Wave Weibo, LightChat''s Moments, major video platforms, forums, or among top streamers, everyone was eagerly devouring the news.


    Bang!


    Su Yuncao slammed his hand down, shattering the desk in front of him. Even with all his years of discipline and composure, he had lost control.


    ¡°This is slander, blatant defamation and a deliberate frame-up.¡± His face was dark as he ordered, "Send a lawyer¡¯s letter immediately. Contact the websites and streamers. Get the videos taken down, and arrest anyone who dares to discuss it online."


    Rage and fear surged in Su Yuncao¡¯s heart.


    Why? Why would Zhou Ruomin betray me and reveal so many secrets?


    He realized that if this situation wasn¡¯t handled properly, it could lead to catastrophic consequences for him.

 Chapter 353: Test And Public Trial?

    Chapter 353: Test And Public Trial?"It seems I¡¯ve underestimated that little country dog," Su Yuncao muttered, a hint of malice flashing across his now-calm face.


    There was no need to guess; he knew exactly who was behind this entire situation. At the same time, he understood that this was not the time for hesitation. The situation had escalated to a point where it had to be dealt with swiftly and decisively.


    This wasn''t the first time Su Yuncao had faced such challenges. Once one walks down dark paths for too long, one is bound to encounter ghosts. So he had long been prepared with ways to exorcise such ghosts.


    The solution was simple. Crush them with power and crush them with influence. After a series of phone calls, the heated discussions about the incident on the light-network began to rapidly cool down. Many videos were immediately taken down while popular links became inaccessible. The trending topics on Weibo disappeared almost instantly.


    Certain forums were temporarily shut down without explanation. Even the top streamers, who had been discussing the situation live, were shocked to find their streaming rooms forcibly closed by the platform. Su Yuncao had wielded his influence like a hammer, and the effect was immediate.


    This is the power of influence. Su Yuncao''s reach was so vast that he could block out the sun with a single hand in a small base city. Then, he could easily turn black into white. He didn¡¯t bother tracking down Zhou Ruomin''s whereabouts, nor did he concern himself with Cao Huayun or Zhang Renjie¡¯s guilt. Instead, his first order of business was to track down Li Xiaofei.


    ¡°Master Su, we¡¯ve located him. Li Xiaofei has been attending classes all day.¡± One of his student aides quickly reported back.


    Su Yuncao was momentarily taken aback. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    That little country dog is this bold? He went straight back to school after causing all this trouble? Did he really think a regular routine would absolve him of suspicion? How foolish.


    Su Yuncao stepped onto the balcony of his suite and looked up at the sun hidden behind thick clouds. A faint smile appeared on his face.


    ¡°Let this game end in an instant.¡± He murmured.


    In the blink of an eye, his figure disappeared from sight. At almost the same moment. Su Yuncao appeared above Red Flag High School. His qi spread like tidal waves, sweeping over the entire campus, and within seconds, he locked onto Li Xiaofei, who was practicing alongside his teammates in the special training facility.


    ¡°Li Xiaofei, come out at once!¡± Su Yuncao¡¯s voice echoed clearly across the campus.


    Immediately, countless people looked up to the sky. A figure cloaked in dazzling green light hovered above them, radiating a brilliance so intense it resembled a miniature sun. The pressure emanating from him was overwhelming. It felt like a god from the heavens had descended to the earth. The teachers and students of Red Flag High School felt an overwhelming sense of dread.


    ¡°Su Yuncao!¡± Li Xiaofei¡¯s figure suddenly appeared in the middle of the school grounds. He looked up at Su Yuncao as he shouted, ¡°You disgraced and corrupt dog! You still dare to show your face after committing such heinous acts to deceive the world?¡±


    ¡°Hahahaha...¡± Su Yuncao laughed wildly, his voice booming across the sky. ¡°You foolish child, your methods are too immature. You don¡¯t understand how the world truly works. Do you really think threatening a few small-time gang members and conspiring with Zhou Ruomin to fabricate videos can turn truth into lies?¡±


    ¡°You know very well whether it¡¯s fabrication or not, you old dog.¡± Li Xiaofei sneered. ¡°Just wait. The Education Department and the Disciplinary Inspection Department will come to investigate. When they do, we¡¯ll see who¡¯s crying then.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for that. The Education Department and Disciplinary Inspection won¡¯t be coming.¡± Su Yuncao replied calmly. ¡°Your little tricks won¡¯t fool them. Come with me to the police department and confess your crimes, boy.¡±


    Su Yuncao attacked as he spoke. Four green seeds sprouted from his palm and grew at a visible speed. The young shoots transformed into four vines that descended from the sky. They grew rapidly until they transformed into four green spirit dragons that charged toward Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t submit quietly. Streams of sword qi burst forth with a swift flick of his fingers as he used the Six Meridian Divine Sword. The sword qi shot out like lightning, some agile, some fierce, some grand, and others graceful, each strike colliding with the green spirit dragons.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    Sparks flew wildly as the sword qi shattered. He had disrupted the trajectory of the green spirit dragons for a brief moment, but then they surged forward even faster.


    With a swift movement, Li Xiaofei drew the Longya short sword.


    Swish, swish!


    He slashed continuously, but the short sword shattered into pieces. The blade that had accompanied Li Xiaofei for more than half a year had reached its limit.


    A cold chill crept into his heart, but he quickly sidestepped with Graceful Step of the Waves, narrowly evading the grasp of the green spirit dragons. He then pulled out the famed sword, Flying Dragon.


    This sword had been his prize when he killed Guan Shanyue during a gang conflict. Its cold gleam could slice through hair with ease. It was the pinnacle of ordinary weapons and stood just below powered weapons.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    The sword clashed against the green spirit dragons, sending more sparks flying.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s wrist trembled with each impact. When he glanced down, he saw that the blade of Flying Dragon had chipped, leaving several broad, bean-sized gaps. Cracks had formed along the sword¡¯s body as well. This sword was now useless.


    In the next instant, the green spirit dragons split into eight smaller dragons and accelerated, spiraling toward Li Xiaofei and wrapping tightly around him. Li Xiaofei abandoned his sword. Summoning all his strength, his muscles bulged, and a monstrous force exploded from within him.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The green dragon-like vines snapped instantly under Li Xiaofei¡¯s brute strength.


    "Pitiful brute strength," Su Yuncao sneered, a faint smile curling his lips as he activated his inner qi.


    The severed green vines suddenly came to life, wrapping around Li Xiaofei''s shoulders, arms, waist, legs, and feet even tighter than before. Li Xiaofei¡¯s muscles bulged as he exerted his formidable physical strength again, but the vines now possessed an incredible elasticity.


    No matter how much strength he used, the vines clung to him like a straitjacket, binding him like a tightly wrapped rice dumpling. The battle was over. Li Xiaofei had lost.


    ¡°All that strength, yet you''re no different from a beast,¡± Su Yuncao said with a calm smile.


    The green vines lifted Li Xiaofei into the air.


    "Boss!" Bai Longfei charged out and slashed at the vines with his longsword.


    Clang!


    Sparks flew as he was sent flying back by the force of the vines. Bai Qiqi, Ren Dong, Du Heng, and Zhuge Long all rushed forward, attempting to stop Su Yuncao from taking Li Xiaofei. But how could they possibly stop him? Suddenly, Yan Chiyu fused with her sword, launching herself into the sky, thrusting directly at Su Yuncao.


    "Eh?" Su Yuncao''s expression shifted slightly.


    He hadn¡¯t noticed before that Red Flag High School had harbored a young sword cultivator. He could feel a faint trace of sword intent within this sword strike. He was surprised to find so many talented individuals in such a small, unremarkable place. Chen Fei had gathered such promising students over the years. But soon, they would all be under his control.


    Su Yuncao casually flicked his hand and an overwhelming, invisible force surged out. Yan Chiyu¡¯s sword qi was instantly broken as she was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground.


    Bai Qiqi cried out, "Master Su, please... Please let Li Xiaofei go! I... I''m willing to become your disciple..."


    Su Yuncao smiled faintly, his expression calm and gentle. "Students, you¡¯ve all been deceived by Li Xiaofei. This boy has attempted to ruthlessly frame me by colluding with the city¡¯s gangs to commit countless heinous acts. Today, I am not here to administer private justice but to arrest him for a public trial. Rest assured, there will be no injustice."


    His words were spoken with a demeanor that radiated authority, which stood in stark contrast to his earlier ruthlessness.


    After he finished, he took Li Xiaofei and disappeared into the sky.


    Bai Longfei stomped his feet in frustration. "What do we do? What should we do now?"


    Ren Dong shouted, "Let¡¯s go after that old scoundrel and fight him!"


    However, Fang Buyi said uncertainly, "We can¡¯t act recklessly. We need to come up with a plan and find someone to help."


    Yan Chiyu stood still, her mind replaying the moment right before she tried to strike again, when Li Xiaofei had given her a meaningful glance. For some reason, the moment she saw that look, she understood exactly what it meant.


    "No need to panic," Yan Chiyu said quietly. "Wait for the public trial."

 Chapter 354: The Teacher Is Compassionate And Benevolent.

    Chapter 354: The Teacher Is Compassionate And Benevolent.Starry Sky Hotel, Temporary Detention.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s inner energy had been sealed, and he was still bound by those green vines.


    ¡°If you knew it would come to this, why do what you did in the first place?¡± Su Yuncao asked. ¡°Where have you hidden Zhou Ruomin and the other two?¡±


    Li Xiaofei sneered. ¡°Do you really think I¡¯ll tell you?¡± Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Su Yuncao shrugged indifferently. ¡°Whether you tell me or not doesn¡¯t matter. You¡¯re already a prisoner. Let me teach you a simple truth, in the face of absolute strength, any schemes or strategies you come up with are as fragile and laughable as thin snow.¡±


    Li Xiaofei remained silent, his face still carrying a cold smile.


    Su Yuncao continued, ¡°All your efforts, your so-called counterattacks, are useless. They don¡¯t move me in the slightest. Don¡¯t believe me? Look for yourself.¡±


    Su Yuncao activated the light core with a gesture, projecting a virtual screen into the air. The screen flickered, switching between various forums, livestreams, trending topics on Weibo, and other websites that just hours ago had been filled with Li Xiaofei¡¯s carefully edited videos.


    ¡°See that?¡± Su Yuncao grinned. ¡°All your videos are gone. The tidal wave of resistance you thought you¡¯d inspire is gone in three short hours. It didn¡¯t even cause a ripple. Isn¡¯t it hopeless?¡±


    Li Xiaofei sighed inwardly. Even five hundred years ago, the internet, despite its flaws, could still provide a voice for the powerless. While it also led to a surge in smear campaigns, it had still managed to bring down more than a few powerful figures. But in this era, personal influence had swelled to such an extent that it could suppress even the most damning evidence. Everything had truly been erased in just three hours.


    "Even those letters you sent to the Education Department and the Police Department have been intercepted," Su Yuncao said with a slight smile. "And even if they hadn¡¯t been, what difference would it make?"


    His smile deepened. "The head of the Education Department? A former colleague of mine. Three of the Deputy Directors in the Police Department? My former students. Do you really think you could bring down a giant like me with just a flimsy video and the accusations of a nobody like Zhou Ruomin?"


    Li Xiaofei responded calmly, "How would I know if I didn¡¯t try?"


    Su Yuncao raised an eyebrow. "And now that you know, does it fill you with despair?"


    "I''m a little disappointed, perhaps, but I¡¯m not despairing," Li Xiaofei replied. "There are still people in this world who value light, justice, and have a sense of honor and shame."


    "Is that so?" Su Yuncao¡¯s smile was dripping with smugness and cruelty.


    He leaned in closer and whispered, "Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make sure you reach the depths of despair. In the upcoming public trial, I¡¯ll use the same methods you tried to use against me. I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re utterly disgraced across the entire light-network. When the time comes, as those so-called righteous people turn against you and spit their accusations, you¡¯ll be sentenced to death."


    Li Xiaofei looked him straight in the eye. "We¡¯ll see."


    "You really are a genius," Su Yuncao said, straightening. "But alas, a wasted one. Such talent, and yet, you refused to serve me."


    Su Yuncao strode toward the door of the cell and commanded, "Guards, begin the torture."


    Torture may not always break a person''s will. But it certainly inflicted pain. For Su Yuncao, who had nearly lost control of the situation, making Li Xiaofei suffer was a form of interest he intended to collect. At the same time, a flood of reversed narratives overwhelmed the light-network like a tidal wave:


    Unmasking Star Student Li Xiaofei: A Villain Standing on the Bones of Nearly a Thousand Corpses.


    How Did a Gang Enforcer Magically Transform into a Dual-Badge Holder?


    The Audacious Conspirator: Why Li Xiaofei Framed Master Su.


    The Videos Accusing Master Su Were Fabricated by Gang Members.


    I Am from Liuhe, and I Am Ashamed of Li Xiaofei.


    Hero? No, a Blood-Soaked Butcher.


    Why Did Li Xiaofei Target Master Su? Because Master Su¡¯s Arrival Thwarted His Plan to Turn the Base City into a Mafia Stronghold.


    Is Red Flag High School Responsible for This?


    Police Proceed with Next Steps, Arresting Several of Li Xiaofei¡¯s Accomplices.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s Criminal Gang on the Verge of Collapse.


    Public Trial Tomorrow Morning at 8 AM.


    Countless headlines like these exploded across the internet in an instant. Behind the light core screen, Su Yuncao sat with a satisfied smile.


    What a foolish child, Li Xiaofei. To think he was naive enough to try and use public opinion against someone like me. Little did he know, public opinion is always in the hands of the truly powerful. The common people are merely puppets, forever manipulated and deceived. Tomorrow will be the climax and also the end. And as the victor, I would have the last laugh.


    In his arrogance, Su Yuncao didn¡¯t realize that somewhere along the way, he had grown excited. So excited, in fact, that the defeat of a small-town boy had become a cause for celebration. It was beneath him, yet he reveled in it.


    ***


    The next day at 7 a.m.


    The alarm clock in the prison rang for the 541st time. This special alarm not only emitted sound but also radiated a unique wave that affected the neural pathways of the human brain. The purpose was clear: to prevent the prisoner from getting any restful sleep and to keep them in a state of constant mental agitation.


    Wu Xinyu, the guard in charge, opened the cell door. He looked at the young man hanging from the torture rack, his tattered clothes soaked in blood and his eyes bloodshot. A smug smile crept onto Wu Xinyu''s face.


    "Clean up his wounds and get him a fresh set of clothes," Wu Xinyu instructed. "The public must see a Li Xiaofei who appears untouched by torture, because our teacher¡¯s image must remain flawless and benevolent."


    "Yes, senior." The assistants replied.


    Several of them entered the cell and began working. They, like Zhou Ruomin, were also Su Yuncao¡¯s students, and had been beneficiaries of his privileges and favoritism. Naturally, they idolized their teacher and were steadfastly loyal.


    At the same time, Liuhe Base City was in an uproar. More accurately, they were being forced to witness this public trial. Official channels, popular streamers, all local TV stations, and the highest-trafficked forums were set to broadcast the entire event live. Schools were dismissed. Malls were closed. Factories halted production.


    Everyone received the notification; they were required to watch the public trial from start to finish, whether through the internet or on television. The venue for the trial had been set at the grand conference hall of the Starry Sky Hotel.


    Once, Li Xiaofei had stood in this very hall, bathed in glory as he received his dual badges. Today, that glory was about to be stripped away. Time passed quickly, and before anyone realized it, the clock struck 8 a.m. All channels began their broadcasts on time. The public was quickly treated to a hall filled with people.


    Li Xiaofei, dressed in prison clothes, sat calmly in the defendant¡¯s chair. A panel of eleven judges, assembled from both Lanfu Base City and Liuhe Base City, presided over the trial.


    In the audience, prominent figures from Liuhe Base City were seated in the jury box. They ranged from notable elites and officials to representatives from all sectors. Among them were three key power players: City Leader Xie Renyu, the military commander Mai Zixiong, and Star Council Inspector Wu Fohai. The assembly was nothing short of prestigious.


    "Li Xiaofei, open your eyes," demanded the elderly judge from Lanfu Base City, striking his gavel forcefully. "We will now announce the charges against you. Remain silent and listen carefully. After the reading, you will have the opportunity to defend yourself... You are charged with ten counts of criminal offenses..."


    The public trial had begun.

 Chapter 355: Xie Renyu, Acting Out Of Character

    Chapter 355: Xie Renyu, Acting Out Of Character"First charge, Participation in the organization of a criminal syndicate. The Police Department has confirmed that since the year 2510, Li Xiaofei has been a member of the notorious gang, the Cloudy Sky Gang..."


    "Second charge, Murder. Evidence shows that since 2510, Li Xiaofei has killed, seriously injured, or permanently disabled more than 1,000 people. In just the past six months, over 500 innocent civilians from legitimate organizations such as the Dragon Claw Gang and Tianyu Palace have fallen victim to his slaughter..."


    The judge¡¯s voice boomed with conviction, his tone powerful and impassioned as it echoed through the livestream.


    Shen Yan, who was usually lively and energetic during his broadcasts, was uncharacteristically silent today. His assistant, Little You, known for her black stockings and sharp attitude, clenched her small fists tightly. Her face betrayed the kind of anger one might have when someone takes their favorite food.


    They had been forced to go live. As staunch supporters of Li Xiaofei, and as the official streamers of Red Flag High School, Shen Yan was the most loyal of all Li Xiaofei¡¯s fans in the streaming world. But they had been forced by higher-ups to participate in broadcasting the entire trial.


    Shen Yan¡¯s stream, Little White Dragon in the Waves, was the home base for Fist People and Baba, the most die-hard fans of Li Xiaofei. Many of the viewers had been avid supporters of Li Xiaofei since the early rounds of the tournaments. At this moment, the livestream had over half a million viewers. This number was a third higher than Shen Yan¡¯s usual broadcast attendance.


    Li Xiaofei deserves death.


    Demand harsh punishment for this criminal.


    Kill him, kill this gang member.


    The screen was flooded with a relentless barrage of hostility.


    Shen Yan grimly watched for a moment before he couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. "Little You, ban all these trolls stirring up trouble¡ªpermanently."


    "Got it," Little You responded, pumping her small, pink fists with determination.


    She had been itching to act for a while now. The extra viewers flooding the stream were clearly hired trolls who were deliberately stirring up chaos. The same phrases were repeated over and over in the chat, making it obvious to anyone with half a brain what was going on.


    It wasn¡¯t enough for them to frame Li Xiaofei; they wanted to destroy his reputation and turn this city''s former hero into a pariah.


    "Eighth charge, Oppressing men, abusing women, with countless innocent females dead at his hands. Evidence shows that Li Xiaofei constructed an SM room at the Cloudy Sky Gang¡¯s headquarters to torture and humiliate women. The basement was filled with the remains of his victims..."


    The judge¡¯s voice rang out once more. People were watching this trial from countless rooms, plazas, streets, offices, and factories all across Liuhe Base City, anywhere with a screen or projection capabilities. The judge¡¯s voice was clear and echoed in every space.


    In addition to the live footage from the trial, disturbing videos were played, meant to showcase evidence of Li Xiaofei¡¯s heinous crimes. People watched in silence. Their eyes were fixed on the screen, where the boy dressed in prison clothes sat in the defendant¡¯s chair.


    The boy was no stranger to them. He had been the brightest public figure in the city for the past six months. Some had first heard of him through the high school tournaments. Others knew him from the government¡¯s commendation ceremonies.


    Many had seen him fighting on the star beast battlefield. In particular, the image of him single-handedly taking down the bull demon had been broadcast countless times, edited and re-aired by both the military and the government.


    Almost every citizen of Liuhe Base City knew this boy. He had once been the pride of the city; the darling of countless citizens. But now, he had fallen from the clouds into the dust.


    People remained silent, their gazes distant and confused, as they listened to the charges being read during the broadcast.


    But the boy stood silently, his expression calm, as if none of this had anything to do with him. Even when the ten charges were fully read out, Li Xiaofei hadn¡¯t uttered a single word.


    "All charges have been read." The judge announced, taking a deep breath. "Li Xiaofei, you now have the opportunity to defend yourself. Be aware, every word you say will be submitted as court evidence. Alternatively, you can choose to have an official lawyer represent you."


    Li Xiaofei turned his head toward the audience, locking eyes with Su Yuncao.


    The true mastermind behind it all, the most powerful person in the room, was not seated with the three city leaders seated at the front; Xie Renyu, Wu Fohai, or Mai Zixiong. Instead, Su Yuncao sat among the ordinary crowd.


    As Li Xiaofei looked at him, Su Yuncao gave him a look of false sympathy and regret, like a kind elder showing pity for a wayward lamb. Li Xiaofei smirked and raised his middle finger.


    Then he spoke. "I request a fifteen minute recess."


    According to the laws of Great Xia, this was a fundamental right of any defendant. The elderly judge hesitated for a moment, instinctively glancing at Su Yuncao in the audience.


    After receiving an unspoken signal, the judge shook his head and denied the request. "Given the severity of your crimes, you are not entitled to such a privilege."


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression darkened. This recess was a crucial part of his plan.


    He opened his mouth to protest, but before he could speak, City Leader Xie Renyu suddenly interjected, "Your Honor, as far as I¡¯m aware, no matter the crime, every defendant has the right to request a recess. Denying that is a violation of Great Xia law."


    The judge was momentarily stunned. Su Yuncao, seated in the crowd, showed a flicker of surprise.


    Why is Xie Renyu, who has always followed my lead, suddenly speaking in defense of Li Xiaofei?


    "City Leader Xie, I believe you¡¯re mistaken," said Commander Mai Zixiong, stepping in. "Most prisoners, yes, are granted such rights. But someone like Li Xiaofei, whose crimes are heinous and monstrous, deserves no such privilege. Every second of delay is a disgrace to the laws of Great Xia. I believe the judge¡¯s decision is correct."


    Inspector Wu Fohai nodded in agreement. "General Mai has a valid point."


    Most people expected Xie Renyu to back down. But instead, he spoke up again, more firmly this time. "The courtroom is a place for law, not a place to argue right or wrong."


    His words hung in the air, challenging the others in a way no one expected.


    The elderly judge took a deep breath.


    As a seasoned bureaucrat, he quickly realized something was amiss. He turned to the crowd with a smile and said, "Since there seems to be significant disagreement among the three of you, perhaps we should ask for some guidance from Master Su. After all, he is currently the chief advisor to the Xiajing Legal Aid Foundation."


    The camera zoomed in on Su Yuncao.


    Smiling calmly, Su Yuncao replied, "In cases of such heinous crimes that deeply affect the lives of all citizens, I believe it might be more valuable to listen to the voices of the people, as they are the direct victims."


    "Indeed, there has been precedence for such an approach." The judge''s eyes lit up with approval.


    He addressed the crowd, but was quickly overwhelmed. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Scum like this doesn¡¯t deserve any leniency!"


    "If I were the judge, I¡¯d sentence this trash to death right now!"


    "Kill him! This bastard doesn¡¯t deserve to live!"


    "This criminal deserves no human rights."


    "Recess? He can go eat shit! Deny this filth any mercy!"


    Several furious voices shouted from the crowd. Some were eager to see Li Xiaofei torn apart. Looking closer, it became clear that the ringleaders were none other than Du Longshan and his sons from the Du family.


    Xie Renyu remained calm and said, "These individuals do not represent the entire citizenry of Liuhe. Let¡¯s show the input of citizens across the city. Display the feeds from the various livestreams and let¡¯s hear what the public truly has to say."


    Immediately, the courtroom¡¯s projection screens switched to show an official livestream. The focus was on the live comments.


    Su Yuncao maintained a faint smile, confident that this was Xie Renyu¡¯s way of subtly cooperating with him. Based on past experience, especially after the recent barrage of online propaganda and the so-called "evidence" presented earlier in the trial, Li Xiaofei¡¯s reputation should have been thoroughly destroyed by now.


    The manipulated masses would undoubtedly be baying for Li Xiaofei¡¯s blood.


    But the next moment, when the live comments from the official stream came into full view, Su Yuncao¡¯s expression froze. A wave of astonishment rippled through the courtroom. Even Du Longshan and the others, who had been the loudest, stood frozen in place.

 Chapter 356: Always The Lawless People From Wretched Places

    Chapter 356: Always The Lawless People From Wretched PlacesLi Xiaofei is our hero.


    Are you taking us for fools?


    Tell me, where were you when Li Xiaofei was fighting the star beasts outside the city?


    He is a good kid.


    I don¡¯t believe it.


    He even donated to the school.


    Countless murders? Are you talking about killing those beasts from the Ye family? He did the right thing!


    The randomly selected comments all defended Li Xiaofei. It wasn¡¯t the outburst of curses and condemnation that Su Yuncao had expected, but instead a wave of support for Li Xiaofei.


    "Switch rooms," Xie Renyu ordered.


    The screen shifted, switching to another large live broadcast room. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The host remained silent on camera, but the comments scrolling through the chat weren¡¯t much different from before. Apart from a few obvious troll comments that anyone could recognize as fake, the vast majority of the messages still defended Li Xiaofei.


    Let him rest.


    He deserves a break just for slaying the Bull Demon.


    I¡¯m just an ordinary citizen. I¡¯ve never seen Li Xiaofei murder innocent people or bully others, but I have witnessed him fighting the Bull Demon with my own eyes.


    If it hadn¡¯t been for Li Xiaofei risking his life back then, Liuhe Base City might have already fallen.


    You shouldn¡¯t forget your debts of gratitude.


    While patrolling the city walls, I saw Li Xiaofei leaving the city to hunt star beasts countless times . He never stopped fighting.


    One comment after another flew across the screen, filling the live stream. The contents of the comments were shocking. Su Yuncao subconsciously swallowed hard.


    How could this be? Weren¡¯t the common people supposed to be the easiest to deceive and manipulate?


    Why hadn¡¯t the massive wave of public opinion, along with all the ¡®evidence¡¯ presented in court through videos and images, managed to sway the people of Liuhe Base City?


    Trolls? It must be trolls. So, Li Xiaofei had some kind of backup plan after all. Or... was this Chen Fei¡¯s doing?


    He had focused on dealing with Li Xiaofei and completely ignored Chen Fei, who had already laid down his arms. Had he underestimated that guy? Was he not just a harmless dog?


    The camera kept switching rooms. But the tone of the comments were identical in every live broadcast. They were all defending Li Xiaofei. Especially in the live room called Little White Dragon in the Waves, the main base of Li Xiaofei¡¯s fans, there wasn¡¯t a hint of the rebellion, defection, or betrayal that Su Yuncao had hoped for. Instead, the comments were launching fierce attacks against him.


    This old dog is the one trying to steal the nest while slandering Li behind the scenes.


    Remember that video from yesterday? It suddenly disappeared. Do they really think the light-network has no memory?


    This old dog is retaliating because ¡®Daddy¡¯ exposed his filthy, despicable face.


    Shameless old scoundrel.


    The comments quickly turned their aim directly at Su Yuncao. This ignited an uncontrollable fury within Su Yuncao. It seems he had been right all along. Lawless people always come from these wretched places. Li Xiaofei¡¯s fans were too loyal. The trolls in the other live streams had to be these very people.


    At this moment, an emotionless Xie Renyu said, "Switch to the live scene. There may be trolls in the broadcast, so let¡¯s see the real reaction of the people on the ground."


    "Yes, yes, switch quickly." Su Yuncao wholeheartedly agreed, feeling like Xie Renyu had perfectly voiced what was on his mind.


    The projection screen immediately switched to a live scene. The camera panned to a large factory workshop where hundreds of workers, clad in work uniforms and wearing safety helmets, were watching intently.


    A reporter approached them for an interview, asking, "What punishment do you think someone like Li Xiaofei should receive?"


    "Bah!" An older man with stubble spat out a thick wad of phlegm, nearly hitting the camera.


    "My life was saved by the Cloudy Sky Gang. When the Hanging Cloud Beasts attacked, the city was filled with beast dung. But it was the people from Cloudy Sky Gang who risked their lives to dig my family out of the filth. And now you¡¯re telling me Cloudy Sky Gang is a criminal organization? Well, I wish the whole city was full of such criminals."


    "We¡¯re just a bunch of poor laborers. If it weren¡¯t for Cloudy Sky Gang setting up schools for our kids, how could they get such good education? How could we afford those schools?"


    "Li Xiaofei donated purified water to the base city..."


    "You think we¡¯re idiots? You think we can be led around by the nose?"


    Other workers, angrier still, rolled up their sleeves, closing in on the reporter as if ready to start a fight. Terrified, the reporter fled.


    The camera shifted once more. It now showed Duxing High School, a former powerhouse supported by the once-dominant Ye family, which had crumbled with the family¡¯s fall. The school, now ranked fifth in the league, had no hope of winning the championship.


    The camera zoomed in on Xiong Zhigang. He had once been an arrogant young man who would stop at nothing to defeat Li Xiaofei. But now, he appeared much more worn down, with a habitual frown on his face. He even had a beard, making him look as though he had aged ten years. His youthful arrogance and sharpness had disappeared, and he now appeared much more composed.


    "If Li Xiaofei is guilty, then let the law judge him," Xiong Zhigang said in a calm tone that didn¡¯t match his age. "It¡¯s not up to ordinary people who know nothing of the facts to decide... My opinion? I don¡¯t have much of an opinion. I just want to face him again in the league. Winning or losing doesn¡¯t matter; I only want to show the world that even though the Ye family has fallen, Duxing High School¡¯s backbone has not."


    This wasn¡¯t the answer Su Yuncao had been hoping for either. The camera continued to switch. The scenes shifted to malls, factories, schools, streets, gangs, and even military personnel stationed on the city walls. But the answers the reporters gathered only made Su Yuncao¡¯s face grow darker and darker.


    "I don¡¯t want to criticize a hero of the base city."


    "A criminal? In my eyes, he was a savior."


    "He reformed the gangs and cleaned up the city. No one has done better than him, so I don¡¯t believe what¡¯s being said online. I only believe what I¡¯ve seen with my own eyes."


    "You¡¯re asking questions like this in the slums? Damn reporter, I swear to the heavens, if it weren¡¯t for President Li teaching us to be law-abiding citizens, you¡¯d be a corpse right now."


    "Li Xiaofei is my idol. His performance on the field is something I¡¯ll always aspire to."


    "No one knows Li Xiaofei better than the people of Liuhe."


    "I don¡¯t need you to tell me what to think. I only trust what I¡¯ve seen and heard for myself..."


    Some people responded angrily, some spoke with unwavering conviction, and others made vicious threats, while still others spoke calmly. But despite their different expressions, their attitudes were all the same. They were more willing to believe in Li Xiaofei.


    Su Yuncao sat among the crowd, his face growing darker than ever. He took a deep breath, trying to mask his confusion and anger, but for some reason, he found his face stiff. The expressions he once controlled with ease now seemed beyond his command, as every muscle betrayed his shock.


    "It seems the people of Liuhe are inclined to grant him the right to a recess," Xie Renyu remarked, a slight smile on his lips. His tone was laced with mockery.


    This remark ignited a feeling of betrayal within Su Yuncao. Xie Renyu had always fully cooperated with him without a hint of dissent. Su Yuncao had never expected to be stabbed in the back like this, and now, here he was, facing a bitter betrayal.


    Su Yuncao was convinced that this scene had been orchestrated by Xie Renyu, the city leader, in secret.


    "People are easily fooled," Su Yuncao said coldly as he rose to his feet, his face clouded with gloom. "That¡¯s why their opinions can only serve as a reference. They are not enough to sway a judge¡¯s decision. City Leader Xie, I think you¡¯d better refrain from speaking too much, lest you be accused of interfering with judicial fairness."


    "Heh." Xie Renyu chuckled.


    He made a gesture as if inviting something to happen. At that moment, something did.


    Bang.


    The doors of the hall were suddenly flung open with a heavy force. Chen Fei strode in, dressed in full military uniform, accompanied by three high-ranking officers who radiated an aura of authority.

 Chapter 357: Active-Duty Major

    Chapter 357: Active-Duty MajorThe sudden entrance of the unexpected visitors immediately drew the attention of everyone in the room. Su Yuncao''s gaze locked onto Chen Fei in an instant. Had it not been for the familiarity of his face, Su Yuncao might not have recognized him.


    Chen Fei, now clad in a deep green military uniform, had undergone a complete transformation in demeanor. He seemed like an entirely different person. He was like a legendary sword, honed over decades, emitting an aura of intense sharpness and power.


    The three soldiers behind him carried the same air of discipline and competence. Two of them were young, while one was much older, likely in his forties. However, it wasn¡¯t the age that caught the attention of the local commander, Mai Zixiong, but rather the insignia on the older soldier¡¯s shoulders.


    A lieutenant general! This man was a lieutenant general! An uneasy feeling suddenly rose in Mai Zixiong¡¯s chest.


    "Who are you people?" The old judge stood up and demanded, "This is a courtroom in the middle of a trial! By barging in like this, you are showing contempt for the laws of Great Xia. Leave at once."


    Chen Fei, however, paid no attention to the judge''s words. He glanced at Li Xiaofei, signaling him with a slight nod.


    Li Xiaofei looked confused.


    Brother, what do you mean by this? I don¡¯t understand.


    Li Xiaofei was completely confused. This wasn¡¯t part of his plan at all. Chen Fei was supposed to stay hidden and keep a low profile.


    Why did he suddenly barge in with what seems like reinforcements? Is this some kind of last-minute backup?


    "Su Yuncao, I bet you didn¡¯t expect to see me here," Chen Fei sneered as he turned to Su Yuncao.


    Su Yuncao frowned as he replied. "This is a public court, a sacred place that¡¯s not to be desecrated. You¡¯re just a mere school principal, and uninvited at that. What are you doing here?"


    Chen Fei replied, "It¡¯s time to settle the matter of you stealing my research paper."


    A jolt of surprise ran through Su Yuncao.


    Is this brute, Chen Fei, really going to backtrack at such a critical moment?


    Raising his voice angrily, Su Yuncao barked, "Chen Fei, what nonsense are you spouting? Everyone knows that paper is the result of decades of my hard work, research, and teaching. How dare you try to claim it as your own? Do you even realize the consequences of such an outrageous lie?"


    Chen Fei responded coldly, "You still won¡¯t admit it even now, you old dog?"


    Su Yuncao stood his ground, his voice full of self-righteousness as he said, "There¡¯s nothing for me to admit. That paper is mine."


    But internally, he was beginning to panic.


    "Chen Fei," Su Yuncao warned, his voice threatening, "I advise you to think carefully before you speak. Some words, once spoken, leave no room for retreat."


    "You¡¯re Su Yuncao?" The man in the lieutenant general¡¯s uniform finally spoke, his voice filled with power and authority. An aura of lethal intensity spread through the room. "Who gave you the courage to threaten an active-duty major in the Great Xia army?"


    Active-duty major?


    Su Yuncao was stunned.


    "And you are?"


    A sense of impending doom began to rise within Su Yuncao.


    "I am Wang Sangao, Vice President of the Great Xia Central Army Special Operations Academy." The lieutenant general''s voice boomed.


    The Central Army Special Operations Academy?


    Su Yuncao''s heart skipped a beat. He was familiar with that school. It was an elite academy in Xiajing that was directly under the Great Xia military. Its students were primarily selected from active-duty soldiers after rigorous examinations. But the academy held an incredibly high status.


    It had a unique and revered position within the military hierarchy of Great Xia. Every student was the cream of the crop when it came to special forces soldiers. Over the centuries, they had earned countless honors in Great Xia¡¯s ongoing war against the star beasts, sacrificing their lives in droves.


    However, because most graduates went on to the most dangerous battlefields and took on the most secretive missions, its mortality rate was extremely high, earning it the nickname The Tombstone Academy.


    A vice president of such an academy, though technically part of the education sector, was certainly not someone Su Yuncao could afford to offend. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Ah, so it¡¯s Principal Wang," Su Yuncao managed to force a smile. "What an honor... The active-duty major you¡¯re referring to is Chen Fei?"


    "Correct." Wang Sangao¡¯s voice was firm and sharp. Each word landed like a hammer. "In the name of the Army Headquarters, I am here to inform you that after a thorough investigation, it has been confirmed that you plagiarized the research paper of Chen Fei, the head instructor of the Second Special Operations Unit at our academy. The evidence is irrefutable. According to Great Xia law, I officially issue a military inquiry on behalf of Army Headquarters. You are required to provide a reasonable explanation within three days, or you will face charges in a military court."


    His words rang out like a war drum, echoing clearly throughout the hall. A buzzing murmur spread through the room like a rising tide. Whether it was the jury box, the audience, or even at the judge¡¯s bench, every face reflected unrestrained shock at the lieutenant general¡¯s declaration. This was a direct accusation.


    In the middle of a public trial, during a live broadcast before the entire city, a high-ranking officer representing the military had declared an official inquiry. Unless the lieutenant general was a fraud, the charge of plagiarism against Su Yuncao was now cemented. But was the lieutenant general a fraud? Obviously not.


    Su Yuncao felt his head buzzing as he was completely overwhelmed. Even as seasoned as he was in navigating the treacherous waters of the martial world, he found himself at a rare loss for how to recover from this disaster.


    When had the unknown Chen Fei gained such a formidable identity?


    Whoosh!


    A military inquiry letter shot out from Wang Sangao¡¯s hand. It struck the wooden table in front of Su Yuncao with a sharp thud.


    "We¡¯re leaving," Wang Sangao said as he turned on his heel.


    Chen Fei glanced over at Li Xiaofei, offering a slight smile and a reassuring look. "Remember the promise you made earlier... You owe Red Flag High School a championship."


    He turned and left alongside Wang Sangao. No one dared to stop them. Even the old judge, who had earlier demanded answers, now stood there blankly.


    Li Xiaofei rubbed his forehead. None of this had been part of his plan. It seemed like there was no need for him to act any further; Su Yuncao was done for.


    The military inquiry alone would be enough to destroy Su Yuncao''s reputation. A man whose reputation was in ruins would soon lose his influence. And without influence, everything Su Yuncao had built in Liuhe Base City would vanish into thin air.


    For a moment, the entire hall was as silent as a graveyard at midnight. The first to regain his composure was Su Yuncao.


    "Guards, take Li Xiaofei away." He ordered, taking a deep breath. His heart was boiling with murderous intent, and he no longer bothered to hide his manipulative nature. His voice was cold as he continued, "The public trial is over. Li Xiaofei¡¯s ten charges have all been confirmed. The people of Liuhe Base City are filled with rage toward him. Let him await the execution of his death sentence."


    The matter of the inquiry was indeed troublesome, but Su Yuncao believed it could be resolved slowly, even if it meant sacrificing some benefits. But first, he needed to get rid of the little pest, Li Xiaofei.


    However, the security guards did not move. Su Yuncao glanced at Xie Renyu, the city leader and the one with the highest authority over the security forces.


    He asked somewhat angrily, "What is the meaning of this?"


    Xie Renyu smiled slightly, spread his hands, and said, "I''m sorry, I forgot to tell you. Li Xiaofei''s identity is special; the Police Department does not have the authority to try him. Therefore, this farce of a public trial seems to be over."


    "What?" Su Yuncao was shocked again. "No authority to try him? What do you mean?"


    Xie Renyu replied, "I think you, Mr. Su, are well aware of the types of individuals the Police Department lacks authority over. Can you guess which category Li Xiaofei belongs to?"


    Su Yuncao''s face turned as black as coal.


    Did Li Xiaofei have such a status? Why didn¡¯t he mention this earlier? When he was arrested, he didn''t reveal this aspect of his identity.


    Countless chaotic thoughts flooded Su Yuncao''s mind. He finally realized that he seemed to have fallen into a carefully crafted trap. It was only now that his adversaries were revealing their true intentions. He had been played.

 Chapter 358: The Day Has Finally Come

    Chapter 358: The Day Has Finally ComeSu Yuncao realized that the public trial had been doomed to become a farce from the very beginning.


    He turned to Xie Renyu and asked, "Those trolls in today¡¯s public trial, were they your doing?"


    Xie Renyu''s smile held unmistakable mockery as he replied, "No."


    "You expect me to believe that?" Su Yuncao sneered, "Betraying your own allies and going back on your word. You¡¯ve done well, my dear nephew from the Xie family."


    Xie Renyu shrugged as he replied, "You probably will never understand what the people of Liuhe Base City have been through over these last few years. While you sit in your lofty position, making decisions that affect countless lives with a single thought and basking in the spotlight along with the applause of your so-called peers, the people here have been barely surviving through hunger, cold, beast attacks, and chaos. The gruel you would never even glance at is, for many here, the only hope they had for survival."


    "So what?" Su Yuncao said coldly.


    Xie Renyu continued, "That¡¯s why you¡¯ll never understand why the people of Liuhe Base City are so unwavering in their support of Li Xiaofei. In less than a year, this young man has given everything for this city and its people. He was the first to rush to the city walls to support the garrison during the star beast attacks. He was the first to discover purified water, and instead of hoarding it, he donated it to the city. He led a group of poor children and declared their intention to compete for the championship. He ended the bloodshed in the slums and stopped the gang wars that plagued the city. He stood up and killed the Bull Demon, breaking the spine of the beast tide. He donated all his wealth to his alma mater. Despite being the top player in the league, he only endorses local products."


    These were lines Xie Renyu had prepared, but as he said them aloud, he found himself unexpectedly moved. His blood surged with emotion, and he suddenly realized just how much Li Xiaofei had done for Liuhe Base City, almost without anyone noticing. Moreover, Xie Renyu knew of other contributions Li Xiaofei had made, ones that couldn¡¯t be spoken about in such a public setting.


    He knew of the battle where Li Xiaofei had killed the advance forces of the Jiepeng people, the fight where he took down four Golden Body Realm experts of the Yiggs Union, and the efforts he made to protect Ye Liuying.


    "Enough," Su Yuncao cut off Xie Renyu mid-sentence.


    He knew that if the city leader kept speaking, today¡¯s public trial would indeed turn into an award ceremony for Li Xiaofei. But Xie Renyu had no intention of stopping.


    He raised his voice, "Do you still think those comments and those live interviews were a show filled with paid trolls? No! That was the genuine response from the people of this city, a heartfelt outpouring of gratitude toward Li Xiaofei."


    Xie Renyu was practically unstoppable at the moment.


    He laughed loudly, "You''re so used to manipulating public opinion for your own ends, aren''t you, Su Yuncao? Isn¡¯t it strange how your carefully arranged trolls couldn¡¯t control the narrative this time? They had been drowned in the overwhelming support from the people for Li Xiaofei! Su Yuncao, do you even understand what it means to have the people''s backing?"


    Su Yuncao¡¯s face turned as dark as coal. Suddenly, a powerful oppressive force erupted from him. In an instant, people nearby were thrown back by the sheer force of his aura.


    Xie Renyu gritted his teeth but didn¡¯t move an inch in the face of this oppressive pressure. He didn¡¯t say another word and simply smirked, staring directly at Su Yuncao.


    The oppressive pressure vanished just as suddenly as it appeared. Su Yuncao let out a cold snort and turned to leave. He had lost today¡¯s battle. No matter how furious or humiliated he felt, there was no point in lashing out. If he resorted to using his cultivation, the situation would only worsen.


    As Su Yuncao stormed out in rage, Mai Zixiong and Wu Fohai exchanged glances before they, too, turned to leave. Each was quietly contemplating how the aftermath of this event would affect them.


    Xie Renyu, however, turned to Li Xiaofei and said, "Li Xiaofei, I now declare you acquitted of all charges. You are free to go home."


    Applause erupted from the audience and the jury. If one looked closely, they would see Du Longshan and his son clapping the hardest, their enthusiasm uncontainable.


    Meanwhile, across Liuhe Base City, in all the venues watching the live broadcast of the public trial, a wave of cheers erupted, reaching the skies. In the Little White Dragon in the Waves live stream, the assistant screamed excitedly. Shen Yan, however, remained silent. Though he seemed outwardly calm, his eyes had welled up with tears.


    The words from City Leader Xie Renyu had hit him deeply. Looking back, he realized how much this young man, Li Xiaofei, had already done for Liuhe Base City.


    What kind of treasure have I become a fan of?


    Shen Yan was moved beyond words. The live stream had more than 600,000 viewers, and the number only continued to grow. More and more people were flooding into what had become the official fan base of Li Xiaofei. Why? Simply to be part of it. People wanted to be there and show their support.


    The trolls who had previously been active in the chat were long gone, their accounts deactivated as they vanished. Many of them had likely deleted their accounts in fear that Li Xiaofei''s passionate fans would track them down in real life and expose them to harassment.


    Liuhe Base City seemed to be swept up in celebration, as if it were the Lunar New Year all over again. City Leader Xie Renyu personally escorted Li Xiaofei back to the Cloudy Sky Gang. Almost at the same time, those who had been arrested earlier, including Yang Cheng and Chu Yuntian, were also released on bail.


    They gathered in the guest hall to talk about the sequence of events.


    "Haha, brother, this time you can¡¯t blame me," Xie Renyu said, lifting his teacup with a grin. "Everything was arranged by Principal Chen. He specifically told me not to inform you."


    "How did Old Chen suddenly become an active-duty soldier?" Li Xiaofei asked, still confused.


    Xie Renyu replied, "He had always kept his military status. Apparently, the Special Operations Academy has been asking him to return for more than a decade, but for various reasons, he kept refusing. This time, for some unknown reason, he finally accepted... You''ll have to ask him yourself when you get the chance to find out the full story." Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei recalled how Tan Zhenwei had previously addressed Old Chen as Instructor Chen. Now, thinking about it, certain things seemed to have been foreshadowed long ago.


    Originally, Li Xiaofei had planned to take advantage of the recess during the public trial. He had intended to use his ability, Spatial Point Theft, to silently slip into Su Yuncao''s study, poison him with the Seven-Star Begonia, and wait for the right moment to assassinate him.


    As long as Su Yuncao died, everything would come to a halt. Li Xiaofei would then have an ironclad alibi to escape the consequences. Though it was a simple and brutal approach, it had seemed like the only chance at victory. Even if it triggered a series of unfortunate events, he had been prepared to deal with them as they came. However, Chen Fei had made the first move before Li Xiaofei could act.


    With the military¡¯s backing, Su Yuncao had been nailed to the wall. Combined with Xie Renyu''s betrayal, the downfall of this influential figure in Xiajing¡¯s education system was all but certain. Su Yuncao was on the verge of total disgrace, and one wrong move could see him utterly ruined.


    Yet, the thought of letting that old dog walk away from Liuhe Base City without any repercussions left Li Xiaofei feeling deeply unsatisfied. On a personal level, he couldn¡¯t let the grudge go unavenged. On a broader scale, someone as corrupt as Su Yuncao was a cancer within the education system. He posed a grave threat to Great Xia''s future if left unchecked. Such people needed to be eradicated completely.


    This kind of behavior couldn¡¯t be allowed to grow unchecked. But now, Li Xiaofei knew he couldn¡¯t just sneak into Su Yuncao''s residence and poison him as easily as he had planned.


    What if Su Yuncao was standing right there waiting for him once he stepped out of the portal? He had to be sure the old dog wasn¡¯t at home before making his move.


    "By the way," Li Xiaofei suddenly remembered something else. "Isn¡¯t Su Yuncao an ally of your Xie family? I doubt your family will let you off easily by openly betraying him like this."


    Xie Renyu smiled, unfazed as he replied, "I have my ways."


    As they were speaking, the Cloudy Sky Gang instructor Xiao Bidao, and the principal of the school, Hu Yuer, arrived to join them.


    "Boss, I heard you were in trouble. I was so worried my beard turned white," Xiao Bidao said as he rubbed his smooth, clean-shaven chin. "I was about to break you out of jail, but then you came back. My prayers must have worked."


    Hu Yuer looked at Li Xiaofei with concern, her gaze lingering a bit longer on his nethers. After confirming that nothing had been cut off, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    Li Junjie, visibly excited, said, "Boss, the welcome-back feast is all set. Tonight, we don¡¯t leave until we¡¯re drunk and washed away all this bad luck."


    Li Xiaofei, not wanting to refuse the well-meaning gesture from this dog, nodded. "Alright."


    Thus, the banquet began, with even Xie Renyu and others joining in the celebration. At the same time, in Guang''an neighborhood. Little Aunt gazed at the familiar surroundings of their house and sighed softly.


    All good things must come to an end. The day has finally come. It is time to leave.

 Chapter 359: Met A Saint

    Chapter 359: Met A SaintThere were no lights in the study. The students stood outside, trembling with fear. Su Yuncao had been sitting in the darkened study for three hours.


    During those three hours, he made countless phone calls, reaching out to numerous people. But the responses he received caused his faint glimmer of hope to sink deeper and deeper.


    Many old friends didn¡¯t pick up the phone. Many of his former students could only offer bitter smiles as they claimed they were powerless to help. It was only then that Su Yuncao realized that the Special Operations Academy, backed by Army Headquarters, was taking an extremely firm stance. There would be no compromises to make.


    He sat there in the dark, fully aware that darkness was about to engulf him as well. He had always known Chen Fei had a military background. In fact, Su Yuncao had thoroughly investigated Chen Fei before proceeding. It was only after confirming that Chen Fei posed no immediate threat that he had gone ahead with his plan.


    This sort of maneuver was nothing new to him. He had done it many times before. But this time, he had kicked a steel plate. Chen Fei¡¯s military background was far beyond what he had expected.


    Now, as Su Yuncao simmered in rage and fear, a troubling question began to gnaw at him: what exactly had Chen Fei done in the past? Or more accurately, what made him so exceptional that, after more than a decade away, the military still needed him, and welcomed him back with the rank of major upon his return?


    Knock, knock, knock.


    "Come in."


    "Teacher, are you... alright?"


    "I''m fine. Get the private jet ready. We¡¯ll depart in three hours."


    "Understood, Teacher. I''ll take care of it right away."


    His most trusted student hurried to make the arrangements. Meanwhile, Su Yuncao slowly made his way to the balcony of the study. His gaze drifted toward the slum.


    To think I would be made to look so pitiful, without any consequences in return.


    A cruel smile spread across his face.


    Impossible.


    He vanished from the balcony, and reappeared above the slum in mere moments. Looking down from the sky, his eyes locked onto the headquarters of the Cloudy Sky Gang. Then he descended.


    Whoosh!


    He fell like a leaf toward the ground, but the group inside the hall, Li Xiaofei, Xie Renyu, and Hu Yuer, all felt something. They immediately stood up and turned their attention outside. Xiao Bidao, meanwhile, grabbed a roasted leg of lamb, mentally preparing for a quick escape.


    Bang!


    The hall doors were blown open. Outside, the disciples of the Cloudy Sky Gang stood frozen like statues. They were completely immobilized under the oppressive force of a Dao Union Realm master.


    "Old Su, what... what is the meaning of this?" Xie Renyu forced a smile, trying to defuse the situation.


    He sensed the danger immediately. But Su Yuncao didn¡¯t even spare him a glance. His eyes were locked on Li Xiaofei. In that instant, Li Xiaofei felt a cold chill down his spine.


    This is bad.


    In his carelessness, he hadn¡¯t considered this possibility. Su Yuncao, the old dog, had decided to go all out and throw caution to the wind. Who could stand against a Dao Union Realm master, filled with murderous intent?


    "Had your fill?" Su Yuncao sneered, his lips curling into a cruel smile as he felt the terror gripping those in the hall. "Good. Then it¡¯s time to head to the afterlife."


    A faint cyan qi thread suddenly lashed through the air. It sliced through chairs and tables. The floor cracked open, the ceiling split, and the chandelier was neatly bisected. But the qi thread had reached the table even before the lights flickered.


    This is bad!


    Li Xiaofei reacted instantly as he threw himself to the side.


    Shhh!


    A lock of black hair flew into the air. Li Xiaofei touched his temple, where a piece of his hair had been sliced clean off. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Watch out!" Xiao Bidao¡¯s startled shout rang out.


    Li Xiaofei immediately used Graceful Step of the Waves to move. However, the qi thread didn¡¯t disappear. Instead, it split into two and turned back toward him in a vicious arc.


    A Golden Body Realm cultivator couldn¡¯t afford to face even a single strand of qi from a Dao Union Realm expert head on. Despite his strong physique, Li Xiaofei knew instinctively that he couldn¡¯t withstand it.


    The qi thread sliced through the illusion of Li Xiaofei left behind, further wrecking the already chaotic hall. It briefly paused in front of Su Yuncao before splitting into four and returning once again.


    "Cut down this bastard!" Li Junjie leaped into action as he swung a blade down on Su Yuncao in a desperate attempt to divert his attention.


    But Su Yuncao didn¡¯t move an inch. He simply exhaled lightly.


    Boom!


    While still midair, Li Junjie¡¯s heart was crushed by the invisible force. It passed clean through his body, tearing out of his back. His body exploded into a cloud of crimson mist. His limp form crashed to the ground, blood pouring from his mouth and nose.


    "Junjie!" Li Xiaofei roared in rage and despair as he rushed over.


    "Don¡¯t... don¡¯t worry about me, boss... Run," Li Junjie gasped with his final breath. His head fell to the side, and his body lay motionless in a pool of blood.


    Su Yuncao exhaled again. Hundreds of qi threads materialized as they trapped everyone inside a meticulous cage. Slowly, the threads began to close in, like the steady footsteps of death approaching.


    "The moments before death will make you regret everything you''ve ever done," Su Yuncao declared like a god. "Now, begin your repentance. Beg for my merciful forgiveness, and only then will you receive a painless death."


    But in the next moment...


    Zzz... Zzz...


    A strange crackling sound filled the air. The invincible qi threads began to dissipate like smoke in the wind, vanishing one by one. Soft footsteps echoed through the room.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment as he turned toward the door. The scarred blind woman slowly walked into the room with the night sky at her back.


    Wherever she walked, the oppressive force of the Dao Union Realm vanished into thin air. The disciples of the Cloudy Sky Gang, who had been paralyzed under the immense pressure, suddenly gasped for breath as if waking from a nightmarish slumber.


    Su Yuncao felt a surge of immense danger. His eyes were filled with disbelief as he turned to face the blind woman, who continued to walk toward him.


    He knew of her. She was clearly mentioned in Li Xiaofei¡¯s file as his greatest weakness. She was a pitiable healer who was skilled with herbs, but that was all. But looking at the woman approaching him who seemed devoid of any human warmth or emotion, Su Yuncao felt his own Dao Union Realm pressure melting away like snow under a blazing sun. No matter how much he tried to summon his inner qi, it was useless.


    "You..." Su Yuncao was gripped by a deep, primal fear.


    The blind woman in front of him radiated no visible energy, yet he felt his will to fight evaporating. This kind of fear, one that gnawed at his very soul, was beyond anything even a Transcendence Realm cultivator could cause. Only a Saint could inspire such terror.


    Saint Realm! She is a hidden Saint?!


    Thud!


    Su Yuncao dropped to his knees.


    "I... I greet the Saint..." His voice trembled, like a helpless owl scorched by the sun, unable to bear the brightness before him.

 Chapter 360: The Secret Of Little Aunt

    Chapter 360: The Secret Of Little AuntAll warriors on Earth adhered to one rule.


    When you meet a Saint, you must kneel.


    This rule was meant to honor the Saints, whose role in ensuring the survival of humanity on Earth was immeasurable. Without the Saints, humanity would have perished long ago.


    It had been five hundred years of war between humans and beasts, where the Saints had stood as the final bastion that preserved humanity''s existence.


    Li Xiaofei''s eyes were filled with overwhelming shock.


    My aunt?! My aunt is a Saint?!


    Though he had long known that his aunt was far from ordinary, hearing Su Yuncao speak of greeting the Saint left Li Xiaofei speechless with disbelief.


    A Saint! A being far above the Dao Union, Divine, and Transcendence Realm. This was one of the ultimate figures in Earth¡¯s martial world.


    Could my aunt really be this powerful?


    Li Xiaofei wasn''t the only one shaken. Xie Renyu and Hu Yuer were equally stunned. Both had known about the scarred blind woman¡¯s presence for a long time. They also knew how important she was in Li Xiaofei¡¯s life. She had found Li Xiaofei abandoned in the trash and single-handedly raised him. Without her, there would be no Li Xiaofei.


    Yet no one had ever imagined that this blind woman could be a hidden Saint.


    Is this why Li Xiaofei was able to rise so rapidly in such a short time? He had a hidden Saint supporting him?


    A living Saint. This was far more terrifying than even the most powerful Saint families. Xie Renyu¡¯s heart surged with joy.


    This is it. I¡¯ve really struck gold this time.


    The returns of resolutely standing with Li Xiaofei¡¯s camp had gone well beyond what he had hoped for.


    But the blind woman said nothing even as Su Yuncao knelt in submission. She merely raised her hand gently. Li Junjie¡¯s lifeless body, which had been lying on the ground, floated into the air and moved toward her.


    She turned her hand over and a large, living, pulsating heart appeared in her palm. This heart was much larger than a human heart. Each pulse vibrated the air around it like the deep, resounding thrum of a drum echoing in the distance.


    The heart of a Bull Demon.


    Li Xiaofei recognized it immediately. His aunt pressed her jade-like palm against Li Junjie¡¯s chest cavity and the Bull Demon¡¯s heart was inserted into the gaping wound in his chest.


    Her delicate, alabaster fingers gently stroked the wound, and the blood that had spilled retracted back into his body. As her fingers passed over the injury, the gash disappeared, as if it had never existed.


    Thud.


    Thud, thud.


    Thud, thud, thud, thud.


    The sound of strong, vigorous heartbeats resonated from within Li Junjie¡¯s chest. Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes widened as he watched, seeing the rhythmic beating of the heart send visible ripples through the air.


    She brought her hand down and Li Junjie¡¯s body gently descended to the ground. The moment his feet touched the floor, he stood firmly. His face flushed with color as the deathly pallor vanished. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open.


    "I... I''m not dead?" Li Junjie touched his chest, then suddenly remembered something. "Boss, quick... huh?"


    The tough gangster¡¯s first thought was for his boss and quickly wheeled around to find that Li Xiaofei was perfectly fine. He noticed the shocked expressions on everyone¡¯s faces. Then he saw the blind woman. Finally, his eyes fell upon Su Yuncao, kneeling on the ground.


    "Little Aunt, get out of here!" He shouted, raising his large machete as he launched himself at Su Yuncao. "You want to kill my boss? I''ll chop you to pieces!"


    Slash!


    His blade flashed and a head fell to the ground. Su Yuncao''s large head rolled across the floor.


    Li Junjie froze mid-swing. He looked down at the blade in his hand, then the head on the ground. Then he took in the walls and ceiling that had been split by his powerful strike. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    I¡¯ve... gotten stronger?!


    Li Junjie stared at his hands in disbelief. He could feel it; something within his body had changed in a way he couldn¡¯t quite comprehend.


    Su Yuncao''s severed head lay in the pool of blood on the floor with a grotesque expression. It seemed like he was struggling to reunite with his body. But after a few futile attempts, his mouth gushed blood. Then, blood began seeping from his eyes, nose, and ears as he died.


    The once-powerful body that had been brimming with life energy quickly shriveled like a candle blown out by the wind. Within moments, it became a dried husk, like a skeleton wrapped in brittle, leathery skin. The mighty Dao Union Realm master had fallen!


    Li Xiaofei, shaken by what had just transpired, quickly realized that his aunt had borrowed Li Junjie¡¯s hand to kill Su Yuncao. In the midst of all this, Li Junjie had stumbled upon a great fortune, gaining unimaginable strength from the ordeal.


    His aunt gave Li Xiaofei a gentle nod as if it were nothing. She glanced briefly at Xiao Bidao, who was trembling in the corner while clutching a chicken leg. Without a word, she turned and left.


    "Little Aunt!" Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t care about anything else as he rushed after her.


    Meanwhile, the others left in the hall exchanged glances.


    "Kid, you¡¯ve just stumbled onto an extraordinary fortune," Xie Renyu said to Li Junjie, his eyes carrying a trace of envy.


    Being personally saved by a Saint? The benefits surely went far beyond just receiving a Bull Demon¡¯s heart.


    It was well-known that the only feasible method for enhancing a human warrior¡¯s body was by integrating Inscribed Treasure Bones from star beasts. This method had been discovered after countless experiments by scientists and martial arts experts.


    The idea of grafting star beast organs onto humans had long been dismissed. No one could survive the rejection. Yet, just moments ago, Xie Renyu had witnessed Li Junjie being implanted with the Bull Demon¡¯s heart and recovering almost immediately. He had also gained some terrifying power capable of cutting down a Dao Union Realm master.


    Even though Su Yuncao had been suppressed by the Saint, killing a Dao Union master with an ordinary weapon was nothing short of miraculous.


    Could Li Xiaofei¡¯s aunt have mastered the art of grafting star beast organs? But...


    This was an area of study even Saints hadn¡¯t conquered. The more Xie Renyu thought about it, the more alarmed he became.


    Who exactly is this aunt of Li Xiaofei¡¯s?


    He couldn¡¯t help but wonder.


    If I had known... I should¡¯ve taken the hit earlier. Maybe the fortune that blessed Li Junjie could have been mine.


    Xie Renyu never imagined there would come a day when he would envy a simple brute who came from the slums.


    ***


    At Li Xiaofei¡¯s home in the Guang''an neighborhood.


    Li Jie and Zhong Ling had already fallen asleep early. They had school the next day. The lighting in the living room was dim.


    Little Aunt sat at the dining table, facing the young man before her.


    Time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, eighteen years had passed. The infant, who had nearly frozen to death in his swaddling cloths, had now grown into a true man.


    "I know you have many questions," Little Aunt said with a gentle smile. "Yes, I do indeed possess the strength of a Saint. Long ago, I came from there..."


    She pointed to the starry sky outside the window.


    Li Xiaofei asked, "The Star Council?"


    Little Aunt shook her head.


    Li Xiaofei looked puzzled.


    "The Star Battlefield," she explained softly.


    Star Battlefield?


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s confusion only deepened. Humanity had always lived on Earth. The Saints of the Star Council were said to be in hiding. Some were residing in the Sky City, but all within Earth''s boundaries. He had never heard of anything called the Star Battlefield.


    His aunt¡¯s voice was soft and comforting. "One day, you¡¯ll understand. Earth is just the starting point. Humanity¡¯s true crisis lies out there, in the stars."


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t quite grasp the full meaning of her words. But he was deeply shaken. He realized that the world¡¯s secrets weren¡¯t as simple as what was taught in the textbooks.


    "Little Aunt, are you leaving?" Li Xiaofei asked, his voice filled with concern.

 Chapter 361: Spring Dreams Leave No Trace

    Chapter 361: Spring Dreams Leave No TraceLittle Aunt nodded and said, "Yes, it''s time to leave. Staying here any longer will only bring you trouble."


    Li Xiaofei quickly responded, "I¡¯m not afraid."


    "There are many things in this world that can¡¯t be solved just by being unafraid," Little Aunt replied with a gentle smile on her face. "You have your mission, and I have my responsibilities. Walking our separate paths is part of life."


    Li Xiaofei''s heart immediately filled with deep reluctance. His previous self had been raised by Little Aunt, and this body naturally carried a deep attachment to her. Even after he had traveled through time, Little Aunt had always cared for him with great attention. They were not related by blood, but she was more like family than anyone else. Now, when the topic of parting came up, his heart felt as if it was being torn apart.


    "Little Aunt, are you avoiding something?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Little Aunt answered, "I¡¯ve killed quite a few Saints from the Star Council, and as a result, I am now wanted by them. If my identity is exposed, it will surely bring you immense trouble. Besides, I don¡¯t wish to kill more Saints and harm the strength of Earth¡¯s humanity."


    Killed Saints?!


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s mind was shaken to the core.


    Did this mean that Little Aunt¡¯s true strength surpasses that of the Saints?


    Battles between Saints were usually only fought to determine victory or defeat, not life and death. Firstly, every Saint was vital to humanity and should not perish in internal strife. Secondly, Saints possessed a powerful life force, making them incredibly difficult to kill.


    Li Xiaofei had never imagined in his wildest dreams that Little Aunt had such a fearsome background.


    He couldn¡¯t help but ask, "Little Aunt, what really happened back then?"


    Little Aunt replied, "Years ago, when I returned from the Star Battlefield, I witnessed some despicable crimes hidden beneath the light. In my rage, I acted and slaughtered many evil Saints, forming a blood feud with the Star Council. Now that much of my strength has been restored, I need to go out and find something that will help me return to the Star Battlefield."


    "What is it? Let me help you find it," Li Xiaofei said.


    "No need for that. With your current strength, you wouldn''t even be able to get close to those things, let alone find them," Little Aunt smiled at him.


    Li Xiaofei could only give up. But he couldn¡¯t resist asking, "Little Aunt, what exactly is in the Star Battlefield?"


    "There are people draped in glory, filled with dreams, and brimming with passion," Little Aunt spoke in a vague manner. "The Four Symbols who once walked out of Earth, the Immortals who rose through the Way of the Sword, and the sages whose names once shook the world. They are all there, guarding humanity''s last hope." Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As she spoke, she gently caressed Li Xiaofei¡¯s face and said, "I hope that one day, you too will become such a person."


    "I will, for sure!" Li Xiaofei said loudly.


    Little Aunt smiled and said, "I look forward to that day."


    Li Xiaofei asked, "Little Aunt, does the Five Spirits promise you mentioned before still count?"


    Little Aunt nodded and said, "Of course, it counts. Once your internal energy reaches the Five Spirits Realm and achieves complete perfection, I will naturally appear again."


    Li Xiaofei clenched his fists.


    Great. That day isn¡¯t too far off.


    After a pause, Li Xiaofei asked again, "Little Aunt, have I been a burden to you? To save me, you revealed yourself to suppress Su Yuncao, and now many people have seen you..."


    Little Aunt smiled gently and said, "It''s okay, don''t worry about it."


    She slowly stood up and continued, "Xiaofei, take good care of yourself."


    As soon as her words fell, she suddenly vanished from Li Xiaofei¡¯s sight. It was as if she had been a beam of moonlight disappearing into the night sky.


    "Little Aunt!" Li Xiaofei was overcome with grief and abruptly stood up.


    He rushed to the window, but all he saw was the faint moonlight. Little Aunt was nowhere to be found. He stood there in a daze, gazing out the window. Under the moonlight, his heart was filled with endless melancholy.


    That night, he did nothing. He simply stood quietly by the window. Watching the moonlight. Staring at the night sky.


    How far could the Star Battlefield be? How would he ever reach it?


    Li Xiaofei thought for a very long time. Before he knew it, the sky was beginning to lighten. The next day had arrived. He heard sounds of movement from the small bedroom.


    "Ahh..." Li Jie, dressed in her pajamas, stretched lazily as she walked out of the room. When she saw Li Xiaofei standing there, she looked surprised and asked, "Brother, why are you standing here? Are you hungry? I''ll make breakfast for you."


    Li Xiaofei turned around and looked at her, his tone heavy, "Little Aunt has left."


    "Who?" Li Jie was slightly confused and asked, "Who''s Little Aunt?"


    Li Xiaofei froze. She had forgotten about Little Aunt.


    Li Xiaofei said, "You... don¡¯t remember Little Aunt? She raised us; she¡¯s been taking care of us all this time."


    Li Jie looked at him in confusion and said, "Brother, what are you talking about? I don¡¯t understand. Hasn''t it always been just the two of us in this house? Sister Zhong Ling only recently moved in temporarily. Brother, have you been so busy lately that you''re losing track of things?"


    Li Xiaofei could hardly believe his ears. Little Jie had forgotten about Little Aunt. The same girl who had once charged at the Blackblood Gang¡¯s deadly crossbows to protect Little Aunt even if it meant being pierced by a thousand arrows; she had forgotten her.


    Li Xiaofei wanted to say something more. But he suddenly noticed that every trace of Little Aunt¡¯s presence in the house had vanished. The potions, the bottles and jars, Little Aunt''s clothes... Everything that had once marked her existence in this home was gone.


    "Brother, what¡¯s wrong?" asked a worried Little Jie.


    At that moment, Li Xiaofei suddenly understood something and replied, "I''m fine. You two go ahead and have breakfast. Don¡¯t wait for me."


    He immediately left the house. Before long, he arrived at the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters. Not long after, he received a call from Xie Renyu.


    "Hahaha, great news! Su Yuncao is dead," Xie Renyu said excitedly over the phone. "Can you believe it? That old scoundrel actually felt ashamed and committed suicide in the Starry Sky Hotel. Haha, aren''t you happy?"


    Li Xiaofei held his light core device, remaining silent for a long time. This event had been altered as well. Xie Renyu, a powerful cultivator of the Five Spirits Realm, had his memory unknowingly tampered with too.


    "What exactly happened at last night¡¯s banquet?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Xie Renyu replied, "Everyone was celebrating your acquittal, but things got a little out of hand. That lackey of yours, Li Junjie, drank too much and went crazy. Ahh, he completely smashed up the main hall... Don¡¯t you remember? You weren¡¯t even drunk when you left."


    After hanging up the phone, Li Xiaofei felt even more shaken. He started asking around within the Cloudy Sky Gang. As expected, no one remembered Aunt¡¯s existence anymore. Even his close friend Yang Cheng echoed the same story as Li Jie.


    In everyone¡¯s memories, Li Xiaofei had grown up with only Li Jie by his side; there had never been a third person. Li Xiaofei eventually found Li Junjie. He discovered that this brute didn¡¯t remember anything from the previous night either.


    "Boss, my chest has been hurting a lot lately. I went to the hospital, but they couldn¡¯t find anything. Do you think I¡¯ve messed up my cultivation?" Li Junjie asked instead.


    "Get lost and go get yourself checked again," Li Xiaofei said.


    "Got it!" Li Junjie cheerfully trotted away.


    Everyone¡¯s memories of Little Aunt had completely vanished. Only Li Xiaofei still knew that Little Aunt had once existed in this world. He still had the Seven-Star Begonia with him, a token that proved his memories were real.


    What level of cultivation was Little Aunt at to be able to alter the memories of so many people at once?


    This way, there would be no risk of exposure. Even if the Star Council noticed something, they wouldn''t be able to find any clues.


    Five Spirits Realm! Once I reach that realm, I¡¯ll be able to see Little Aunt again.


    Fan Ting![1]


    Li Xiaofei clenched his fists, his heart filled with determination. But before that, there was still one very important matter to take care of.


    1. Presumably, this is Little Aunt¡¯s name ?

 Chapter 362: Rejected Admission

    Chapter 362: Rejected AdmissionLi Xiaofei hadn¡¯t had a chance to contact Old Chen after returning from the trial. He dialed the number, but it showed as disconnected.


    Did he change his number and disappear?


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned. When he arrived at Red Flag High School, he learned that Chen Fei had been called away on urgent official duties and had already left Liuhe Base City.


    Not only that, but before leaving, he had resigned from his position as principal at the Education Department. The new principal was the former dean, Qin Dewei. Old Qin had resolved his troubles in Lanfu Base City and had returned to Liuhe.


    "Dean, why didn¡¯t you leave with Principal Chen?" Li Xiaofei asked curiously.


    Qin Dewei was silent for a moment. He was unusually serious as he pointed to his temple and said, "There¡¯s something wrong with my head. I¡¯m not fit to go back for now. Besides, if I leave, what will happen to Red Flag High School?"


    That made sense. Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t ask further. Life seemed to have returned to normal. The world continued to function as usual without Little Aunt and Chen Fei. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    While eating with the school team in the cafeteria, a few news stories caught his eye.


    "Du Longshan and his son have been arrested at their home this morning on charges of bribery, murder, and illegally acquiring state assets. According to insiders, based on the evidence the police have, the Du family may be sent to the wastelands of the Western Salt Flats to mine coal, with little chance of ever returning," the news reported.


    "Latest updates: the police have raided the Thousand Beasts Pavilion and the Bloodfire Society, arresting criminals Zhang Renjie and Cao Huayun..."


    "The Martial Alliance has announced the expulsion of ten gangs, including the Thousand Beasts Pavilion and Bloodfire Society, stripping their members of all rights and privileges."


    As these news reports played, Yan Chiyu, Fang Buyi, and the others all turned to look at Li Xiaofei.


    "Yes, I did it," Li Xiaofei said calmly. "You all know me; I''m notorious for seeking revenge when wronged."


    Everyone laughed. Having a teammate as ruthless as Li Xiaofei gave them a strong sense of security. At least from now on, in Liuhe Base City, they could walk with their heads held high as Li Xiaofei''s friends.


    Looking outside the cafeteria, they could see junior students chatting and laughing across the campus. Everything had returned to normal.


    "Senior, thank you," said Wang Yuting, one of the female cadets, as she approached.


    She had asked Li Xiaofei whether the school would be in danger. Li Xiaofei had promised her that as long as he was there, Red Flag High School would be protected and remain unharmed. Now, everything truly had gone back to the way it was.


    Li Xiaofei smiled and said, "Actually, this time, it wasn¡¯t me. It was Principal Chen who turned the tide."


    The days of not being able to brag passed quickly. Three days later, Li Xiaofei received some bad news. Beixia University had rejected his application.


    The news left many people utterly shocked. With Li Xiaofei¡¯s combat strength, was there any school within the Great Xia Realm that wouldn¡¯t welcome him? Yet, he had been rejected by Beixia University?


    "Li Xiaofei is excellent, but he¡¯s not suitable for Beixia." Those were the exact words of Lin Tanzhi, the deputy head of the admissions team.


    When Qin Dewei, the principal of Red Flag High School, heard this, he furiously went to confront the recruitment team at Beixia University.


    "I''m sorry, but neither I nor the teachers on the admissions team can emotionally accept a student who drove Elder Su to his death studying at Beixia University," Lin Tanzhi explained.


    That was the true reason.


    "Su Yuncao deserved his fate; he was a fraud and a deceiver! How can you blame my student for that?" Qin Dewei retorted angrily.


    "Some things go beyond right and wrong," Lin Tanzhi said indifferently, spreading his hands. "Regardless, Elder Su holds incomparable influence in Xiajing. It''s not just Beixia University; other prestigious schools in Xiajing, including Huaqing University, Civilian University, the External Martial Arts University, the Xiajing Power Armor Academy, and the Xiajing Mecha Martial Arts University, along with twenty-one other 211 universities, will all refuse to admit Li Xiaofei."


    "What?" Qin Dewei exploded in anger. "This is a coordinated blacklist! Are you trying to establish a monopoly?"


    Lin Tanzhi responded calmly, "If it were just Beixia University rejecting Li Xiaofei, it might be our problem. But with all twenty-one 211 universities refusing him, perhaps Red Flag High School and Li Xiaofei should take a hard look at themselves."


    "I¡¯ll reflect on the back of your mother''s heel!" Qin Dewei cursed, his temper flaring. "This kind of genius is destined to become a Saint in the future, and you''re turning him away over personal grievances! You receive numerous resources and subsidies from the country and benefit from the support of all of Great Xia, yet you carry out personal vendettas when selecting talent for the nation. Do you think this is fair to the people of Great Xia?"


    Lin Tanzhi just laughed coldly in response.


    Qin Dewei, barely holding back his anger, asked, "What exactly do you want? As long as you admit Li Xiaofei, we¡¯ll do anything."


    For the sake of Red Flag High School''s most prized student, the usually hot-tempered Old Qin decided to swallow his pride.


    "Just bring Elder Su back to life," Lin Tanzhi replied with a mocking smile. "Can you do that?"


    Qin Dewei, trembling with rage, replied, "I¡¯ll file a complaint with the Education Department."


    "Feel free," Lin Tanzhi responded with a cold laugh. "But let me remind you, all 211 universities have the right to autonomous admissions. The decision to reject Li Xiaofei was also approved by the university president."


    In the end, Qin Dewei was thrown out of the Starry Sky Hotel.


    When he returned to Red Flag High School, his face was grim. He didn¡¯t know how to explain everything to Li Xiaofei. In truth, Li Xiaofei¡¯s situation had worsened due to Chen Fei and the events at Red Flag High School.


    Originally, Su Yuncao had wanted to recruit Li Xiaofei under his wing. If Li Xiaofei had agreed at that time, he could have easily entered Beixia University and received the nation¡¯s best cultivation resources and techniques.


    Qin Dewei called Li Xiaofei to his office. He explained everything that had happened.


    "Don¡¯t worry. There are plenty of top universities outside Xiajing. Haijing, Nancheng, and Chang¡¯an all have prestigious schools. With your strength, other elite schools will definitely fight over you," Qin Dewei tried to comfort him.


    After hearing this, Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and then said, "Teacher Qin, I understand. Let me handle this myself. I have a reason why I must go to Xiajing."


    Qin Dewei knew what Li Xiaofei¡¯s reason was. "You... Sigh, I¡¯ll try to think of another solution."


    After returning to the Cloudy Sky Gang, the first thing Li Xiaofei did was contact Xiao Hongye.


    "Sister Xiao, you¡¯ve heard about my situation, right?" he said.


    "I heard about it. The educational circle in Xiajing is small, and many people are just sitting in their positions. They¡¯re not thinking about selecting talents for the nation but instead focus on personal grudges and use public resources for private matters... Sigh, little brother, do you really need to attend a school in Xiajing?" Xiao Hongye asked, her information always timely.


    "Yes," Li Xiaofei replied firmly. "Even if I don¡¯t go to a university, I still need to be in Xiajing. Can you help me ask around and see if any schools are willing to take me? It doesn¡¯t matter if it¡¯s not a 211 or 985 university. As long as they¡¯ll admit me, I have no other demands."


    Xiao Hongye sighed softly.


    "Alright, I¡¯ll spread the word and see how the schools in Xiajing respond."


    She felt a deep sympathy for Li Xiaofei. Such a talented young man was being blocked from entering top-tier universities due to personal vendettas. The education system truly was sick and in need of serious treatment. It was no wonder that Great Xia had been declining in the international arena over the years.


    After hanging up, a cold smile appeared on Li Xiaofei¡¯s face. He didn¡¯t lack cultivation techniques, only resources. As long as he could get into any university that provided basic resources, he would rise. When that time came, he would make sure to give those prestigious schools a harsh lesson.


    He pulled out his Bull Blade and activated the Armor Harnessing Technique. The blood of the Bull Demon surfaced, gathering on his skin and engulfing the long blade.


    The Ghost Slayer Zhong Kui would once again walk the mortal world tonight. But who would fall under his blade?


    The Spatial Point Theft function activated, and an ancient map appeared before him on the parchment scroll. His eyes fell on the Starry Sky Hotel.

 Chapter 363: Gentleman Wind

    Chapter 363: Gentleman WindAt the Starry Sky Hotel, Inspector Wu Fohai gazed gloomily out of the enormous floor-to-ceiling window at the brightly lit base city below.


    When he had arrived full of ambition and pride a year ago, he never imagined that this small frontier town would become the epicenter of such terrifying and unimaginable turmoil. He had been forced from his initial arrogance to endure with gritted teeth and now he was full of fear.


    "Maybe it''s time I find a way to transfer out of here?" Wu Fohai muttered to himself.


    Once he reflected on everything he had done during his time in the base city, he arrived at one undeniable conclusion. He should never have provoked Li Xiaofei. Every single person who had crossed Li Xiaofei was now dead. Even Su Yuncao, a Dao Union Realm powerhouse, had failed to leave Liuhe Base City alive.


    Although Su Yuncao had technically committed suicide, decapitating himself in his study, Wu Fohai still felt that there was an unknown truth lurking behind it all. Someone as crafty as Su Yuncao, who feared death more than anything, especially after climbing to such heights, wouldn¡¯t have been driven to suicide over the mere disgrace of being caught plagiarizing papers. It simply wasn¡¯t enough to shame him to that point.


    And yet, he had died in his own study. So, the question now haunted Wu Fohai. Would he be the next one to die? The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became.


    No. I need to find a way to transfer out of here immediately.


    Just as Wu Fohai was deep in thought, he sensed something behind him. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Who''s there?" Wu Fohai spun around abruptly, and his pupils contracted in fear.


    A grotesque giant was standing before him, glowing with a blood-red aura. The massive figure wielded a crimson Ghost Slayer Blade.


    Zhong Kui, the Ghost Slayer! He¡¯s really here!


    A wave of uncontrollable terror swept through Wu Fohai, freezing him in place.


    Seven seconds later. Wu Fohai''s lifeless body lay in a pool of blood on the floor. Half an hour later, the alarms of the Starry Sky Hotel blared urgently, piercing through the night. The entire hotel plunged into chaos.


    ***


    At the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters, Li Xiaofei reverted to his normal appearance. The Ghost Slayer Blade transformed back into the Bull Blade. Sitting cross-legged, he contemplated his next steps.


    He had reached the Acupoint Opening Realm and had successfully opened forty acupoints. He had completed the cultivation of the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, and Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian. All forty acupoints had been activated.


    His physical strength was steadily improving, while his inner energy was growing explosively. Now, someone like Wu Fohai, at the Golden Body Realm, was no match for him. The battle had only taken seven seconds to resolve.


    Lin Tanzhi and the rest of the Beixia University recruitment team were also in the Starry Sky Tower. But Li Xiaofei hadn¡¯t acted against them. Killing them just because they didn¡¯t accept him into their university would be far too cruel.


    Wu Fohai, on the other hand, was a different story. His scheming and underhanded tactics, his collusion with the powerful Saint families, and his repeated attempts to destroy Li Xiaofei¡¯s life made him a dangerous threat. Eliminating him was not just for personal reasons; it was a benefit to the city, the nation, and himself.


    As for the recruitment team... Their crime didn¡¯t warrant death. Li Xiaofei had already dismissed the idea of attending Beixia University in his heart. He could do without a so-called prestigious school like that.


    But there was still one more person on Li Xiaofei''s must-kill list, Mai Zixiong. Three days from now, after eliminating Mai Zixiong, his mission would finally be complete.


    In the past, Li Xiaofei would have never dared to target one of the three major powerhouses of the base city. But ever since learning that Little Aunt had once slaughtered Saints, something within him had changed. His courage had swelled.


    He couldn''t disgrace Little Aunt. The fear he once held for the Star Council had also begun to fade. Just then, his light core device vibrated. It was a notification for the second stage of Longya Group¡¯s online Martial God Tournament, which was about to begin.


    Li Xiaofei approached his light core terminal, entered the pod, and pressed the activation button. In the blink of an eye, he was transported into the virtual realm and arrived at his personal base.


    In front of him, a teleportation link from Longya Group appeared. When he clicked the link, he felt as if he was stepping through a portal as he was instantly transported to Longya Group¡¯s virtual plaza.


    The plaza was already packed with people. The opening ceremony for the second stage of the tournament had already ended. The light core displayed the matchup brackets on the massive screen . The list of competitors was so dense that it was overwhelming to look at. Even though it was just the second stage, there was still an incredible number of participants.


    "Hey, man, you finally made it," Zhang Zhihong greeted Li Xiaofei with an enthusiastic smack on the shoulder. "You sure know how to keep calm under pressure. Any later, and they''d have counted you as a no-show!"


    Li Xiaofei calmly replied, "In important matters, you must remain composed."


    Zhang Zhihong grinned and said, "Your opponent this time is Gentleman Wind from F Division. He ranked third in his division and is said to have reached the eighth stage of the Meridian Expanding Realm. He''s pretty formidable... So, how confident are you?"


    Li Xiaofei asked, "What are the betting odds?"


    Zhang Zhihong responded, "Since you''re the number one seed in H Division, the odds are pretty low."


    "Bet 10,000 star coins," Li Xiaofei said casually.


    Even with low odds, a win was still a win. Every little bit counted.


    He then asked, "Who¡¯s your opponent?"


    Zhang Zhihong sighed helplessly, "I¡¯ve got the number one seed from F Division¡ªHow Are You in Another Land. He¡¯s the favorite to win. My Martial God Tournament journey is probably going to end after this match."


    Li Xiaofei patted his shoulder and said, "Better luck next life."


    Zhang Zhihong rolled his eyes, exasperated. "Is that how you comfort people?"


    Li Xiaofei chuckled but said nothing more.


    So far, no opponent in the Great Xia Online Martial God Tournament had posed any real threat to him. He could only hope that he¡¯d face stronger opponents to sharpen his skills as the elimination rounds continued.


    Besides, Longya Group was very generous with its rewards. Each victory came with substantial prizes in not only star coins but also physical rewards. These rewards could even be exchanged for Longya Group points of equal value.


    It was important to note that Longya Group wasn¡¯t just a live-streaming company. It was a leader in cutting-edge technology, specializing in the development, production, and sale of strategic weapons like power armor, mechs, power weapons, combat suits, and armor.


    Longya Group points were like Dragon Group points; they were exchangeable for various high-end weapons and equipment. It was even easier to trade points for cultivation resources such as secret manuals, Starforce Reagents, or star cores. The prizes offered by Longya Group were incredibly lucrative, and each victory only brought larger rewards.


    If someone made it into the top ten or even won the championship, the wealth and resources they¡¯d receive would be enough to make any martial arts expert drool with envy.


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit tempted by the rewards.


    Soon, the match began. Once his competition wristband was confirmed, countless beams of light descended from the sky, teleporting the contestants into the battlefield.


    On platform number 338821, Li Xiaofei met his opponent: the third-ranked contestant from F Division, known as Gentleman Wind.


    He was a small giant, clad in ancient armor that didn¡¯t match his elegant codename at all. His entire body was covered in pale green, shining armor, with six neck-guard banners fluttering behind him. He had a sword at his waist and a massive battle-axe in his hand. The air around him bristled with killing intent.


    Li Xiaofei could tell at a glance that this person practiced an ancient martial arts lineage. He was a devout follower of Great Xia''s ancient martial style. Moreover, his path was that of a martial general. Such individuals might not be the strongest in single combat, but they were absolute war machines capable of cutting through enemies in the star beast battlefield like a one-person army.


    "Heh, so you¡¯re H Division¡¯s number one, Your Grandpa?" Gentleman Wind sized up Li Xiaofei with a hearty laugh. "H Division isn¡¯t much, huh? Look at you, black as charcoal. If you can withstand three swings of my axe, I¡¯ll call it your win."

 Chapter 364: Securing Talents

    Chapter 364: Securing Talents"Alright, I¡¯ll take your three axe strikes," Li Xiaofei said calmly.


    He held a certain admiration for martial artists who followed the ancient general''s path. These warriors were the backbone of the star beast battlefield, charging into the fray with nothing but the determination to live or die in battle.


    Choosing this path meant embracing the idea of entering the fray with the resolve to die. They were true martial artists.


    "You¡¯ve got guts, kid," Gentleman Wind laughed heartily. "But once I start, I can¡¯t always control myself. You better be careful, and I hope you¡¯re not just H Division¡¯s champion in name only."


    He gripped his axe tightly with both hands and charged forward.


    Thud, thud, thud.


    Heavy footsteps reverberated through the ground, as though a monstrous beast was stomping across the battlefield. Li Xiaofei could feel a massive pressure rushing toward him like an enormous mountain was about to collapse on top of him. It felt like a thousand cavalry charging straight at him.


    So powerful! This Gentleman Wind is comparable to a peerless general.


    "Mountain Splitter!" Gentleman Wind roared as he leaped into the air.


    He soared into the air like a gust of wind, gripping the handle of his massive axe with both hands and swinging it down fiercely. His body arched like a full moon as he brought down his axe with the force of a giant catapult unleashing its payload. The image radiated a sense of raw power and beauty.


    But Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t move. When the axe blade neared his head, he calmly raised his right hand and pinched the axe between two fingers. The force of the downward strike came to a sudden halt.


    "What?!" Gentleman Wind''s eyes widened in disbelief, as if he had seen a ghost in broad daylight.


    Two fingers have stopped my Mountain Splitter axe? This has to be a joke.


    He gritted his teeth and tried to pull the axe out with all his strength. But the axe blade remained completely immobilized between Li Xiaofei''s fingers.


    "This first strike isn¡¯t enough. You still have two more chances," Li Xiaofei said coolly, releasing his grip.


    Gentleman Wind staggered backward, his body tumbling nearly ten meters before he regained his balance.


    "Well then! No wonder you''re the number one in H Division. You¡¯re impressive... Let¡¯s go again!"


    This time, Gentleman Wind unleashed his full strength. He activated his inner qi and a secret technique, causing his muscles to swell. It strained his armor until it looked ready to burst. A crimson aura of inner qi flared up around him and enveloped his entire body. The axe blade now seemed to burn with an almost tangible flame.


    "Sky Splitter!" Gentleman Wind roared again.


    He dragged his massive axe behind him as he charged forward. Sparks went flying as the blade scraped the ground. As he neared, he swung the axe upward with all his might. The strike resembled a dragon¡¯s tail slicing through the air.


    "Good timing!" Li Xiaofei laughed heartily, raising his hand once again and pinching the blade between two fingers, effortlessly stopping the earth-shattering blow.


    "Impossible!" Gentleman Wind¡¯s eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.


    This strike had the strength of a low-level Five Spirits Realm strike, and yet, it had been halted again by just two fingers. He strained with all his strength, but the giant axe felt like he had struck an iron mountain.


    "I concede," Gentleman Wind admitted, letting go of the axe and taking a few steps back. His face was full of admiration. "You''re far too strong; at least on par with the Five Spirits Realm. Even if I swung thirty or three hundred times, I wouldn''t be able to break your stance. You win."


    Li Xiaofei flicked his wrist, sending the axe spinning back toward its owner.


    "You¡¯re too kind, Brother Wind." He smiled. "From what I can see, your proficiency in weapons, whether it be axe, sword, or spear, must be unparalleled. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve yet to unleash your full potential."


    Gentleman Wind shook his head. "Even if I used all my skills, I wouldn¡¯t stand a chance. You¡¯re a monster."


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but feel a certain fondness for this honest warrior.


    Gentleman Wind continued, "Breaking into the top 100 of the Martial God Tournament should be no problem for you. If you stream your future matches, I¡¯ll definitely tune in to learn from you."


    With that, he respectfully chose to surrender. A beam of light descended from the sky, teleporting him away. Soon after, Li Xiaofei was also transported out of the arena.


    ***


    Longya Group Headquarters. Tournament Committee, Live Monitoring Department.


    "Old Liao, anything interesting today? Any special discoveries?"


    Director Wang Shaowei casually asked as he passed by the office of Group 18.


    The Live Monitoring Department was divided into thirty groups, each with ten people. Their job was to monitor ongoing matches in real time, working with the light core system to analyze data and identify competitors whose metrics showed exceptional peaks or fluctuations. In essence, their task was to single out emerging talent early for attention.


    At this stage of the tournament, it was crucial to start highlighting results and preparing to promote key matches to the public. The most promising competitors, especially the fan favorites, needed to be identified and nurtured. If possible, they would be offered contracts. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The most important players were typically identified by the first ten monitoring groups. Groups like the 18th, where Liao Qixing worked, were responsible for overseeing mid-to-lower-tier participants.


    "Director Wang, I was just about to report to you," Liao Qixing said quickly, standing up. "There¡¯s a new development, and it''s related to that competitor, Your Grandpa. His performance in this recent match far exceeded our previous evaluations."


    "Oh?" Wang Shaowei¡¯s curiosity was piqued, and he stepped into the office.


    As he reviewed the data and watched the live match footage, his expression shifted to clear surprise. "He has the strength of the Five Spirits Realm? He used just two fingers to stop Gentleman Wind''s massive axe. That kind of strength is typical of the Five Spirits Realm. I recall he previously declined to stream his matches for the Longya Group, right?"


    Liao Qixing nodded and said, "Yes, initially, Your Grandpa, as the top seed of Group H, was eligible for evaluation by the top ten monitoring groups. But since he refused to stream his matches with Longya Group, he was pushed back and given a lower priority. The evaluation team believed that while he had some mystery and buzz around him, he likely wouldn¡¯t make it into the top 100."


    "Now, it seems like he¡¯ll definitely break into the top 100," Wang Shaowei mused, rubbing his chin out of habit. "We¡¯ll need to adjust our approach."


    "Should we move his monitoring to the top ten groups?" Liao Qixing asked.


    Wang Shaowei shook his head. "No, every spot in the top ten groups is filled. Keep him with you in Group 18 as a priority subject. If you notice any new developments, report to me directly."


    Liao Qixing was thrilled. "Thank you, Director Wang!"


    Discovering a competitor who could potentially make the top 100 came with rewards. Keeping the monitoring of Your Grandpa within Group 18 meant their team¡¯s KPI for this tournament was practically secured.


    Wang Shaowei added, "Try reaching out to Your Grandpa again. See if you can convince him to sign a streaming contract. If he agrees, I can allocate promotional resources to him."


    "I''ll get on it right away," Liao Qixing replied, fully energized.


    A few moments later, after finishing his match and returning to Longya Group''s virtual plaza, Li Xiaofei received a message from the company¡¯s official customer service. The message indicated that executives of Longya Group were interested in speaking with him directly.

 Chapter 365: Nationwide Influence?

    Chapter 365: Nationwide Influence?Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t even need to ask; he knew exactly why the higher-ups at Longya Group wanted to talk to him.


    However, he just wasn¡¯t interested in streaming. If he wanted to, with his reputation in Liuhe Base City, he could easily start a few streams. He wouldn¡¯t even need to promote any products. Just showing his face would earn him more in tips than most people could make in a year.


    Five hundred years ago, Li Xiaofei had watched live streams for a while. He had seen many hardworking streamers during that time. But eventually, he stopped watching altogether. Why? Because it was a waste of time.


    When he was in school, there was a beautiful girl in his class who had come from a poor county to the big city. She was extremely diligent, and rose to become the top student in every subject during her first year.


    However, due to her family¡¯s financial difficulties, she lived a tight life. One day, she stumbled upon live streaming and made some money through competitive PK matches. She decided to make streaming her main focus. She didn¡¯t stray down any dark paths; she was simply hardworking and focused on improving her streaming content.


    But by the time she reached her final year, her streaming career hadn¡¯t taken off, and her academics had plummeted. She failed many of her core classes and was at risk of not graduating. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    To Li Xiaofei, the most important thing for a martial artist was their strength. If you were strong enough, everything else would follow. This world respected strength above all. Chasing fame and money through streaming was, in his view, taking the lower path.


    He replied to the customer service message and declined the offer for a meeting without hesitation. However, the persistent customer service rep sent another message, pleading that it was her task and her salary would be docked if she couldn¡¯t complete it...


    Li Xiaofei gave in.


    "Alright, let¡¯s communicate, but I don¡¯t have much time, so let¡¯s keep it short," Li Xiaofei said. There was no need to make things difficult for a low-level customer service rep.


    Soon, a professional and enthusiastic staff member appeared beside him in the virtual plaza and said, "Please follow me."


    Li Xiaofei was led into the Longya Group Tower. They took an elevator up to a mid-level VIP reception room. Once again, Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but be amazed by the light-network virtual world. Everything was so realistic and indistinguishable from the real world. It truly deserved the title of the Second World.


    How had humanity, surrounded by star beasts, managed to create such advanced virtual world technology?


    "Hello" A youthful man with a name badge entered and greeted him politely. "Let me introduce myself. I¡¯m Liao Qixing, the team leader of Group 18 in Longya Group¡¯s Live Monitoring Department. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you."


    Li Xiaofei extended his hand for a handshake.


    "Team Leader Liao, what do you need from me?" He asked directly.


    Liao Qixing, slightly taken aback by his straightforwardness, replied, "I¡¯ve been monitoring your matches. Your performance, especially in today¡¯s competition, has been outstanding. According to the light core analysis, you possess the strength of the Five Spirits Realm at minimum, correct?"


    "That¡¯s right," Li Xiaofei confirmed.


    Liao Qixing felt more confident when his estimate was confirmed.


    "Longya Group hosts the Martial God Tournament not just to offer martial artists a fully immersive virtual platform but also to promote Great Xia¡¯s martial arts and identify hidden talents." He explained enthusiastically. "The tournament has been held for many years and has uncovered many martial arts masters who were previously unknown to the public..."


    Li Xiaofei waved his hand, interrupting. "I¡¯m aware of all that, Team Leader Liao. Please get to the point; I¡¯m short on time."


    Liao Qixing was momentarily taken aback but then smiled.


    High-level experts always have their quirks. Understandable.


    "Alright, I¡¯ll be direct," Liao Qixing said. "I¡¯m inviting you to sign a streaming contract with Longya Group. We can provide extensive promotional resources and offer a more favorable revenue-sharing agreement."


    Li Xiaofei shook his head. "I refuse."


    "Hold on, don¡¯t be so quick to reject it," Liao Qixing said. "You know the strength of Longya Group. We¡¯re the top platform in Great Xia, backed by our corporation and with deep ties to the government. With your skills, and with us pushing your content, you could become a national sensation. You¡¯d gain both fame and fortune."


    Li Xiaofei smiled and replied, "Fame? I¡¯m not interested. Fortune? I don¡¯t need the money... So, sorry, but this is where our conversation ends. Thank you for your hospitality, Team Leader Liao. Goodbye."


    With that, he stood up and walked away.


    Liao Qixing anxiously called after him, "Wait! You might not fully understand. Streaming with Longya Group could open many doors for you. You could even establish your own martial arts sect effortlessly with our platform¡¯s reach..."


    But Li Xiaofei had already made his way out.


    "Sigh. Why is this so difficult?" Liao Qixing muttered, disappointed.


    However, he resolved not to give up. He was determined to find a way to get Your Grandpa to sign the streaming contract.


    ***


    At Red Flag High School, life was thriving. The chill of early spring was beginning to fade, and faint traces of green could be seen around the campus.


    "Old Qin, why do you look so down?" Ren Dong, the freckled little girl from the team¡¯s special martial arts class, asked curiously.


    "Yeah, Mr. Qin, you¡¯ve seemed distracted during class these past few days. Did something happen?" Fang Buyi chimed in.


    "It¡¯s nothing, nothing at all," said Qin Dewei, waving his hand dismissively. "Focus on your training, and don¡¯t get distracted."


    The class soon ended, and the team members headed to the light core mainframe room to enter the virtual battle network for cultivation training. Li Xiaofei, however, quietly made his way to the principal¡¯s office.


    "Mr. Qin, what¡¯s going on?" he asked, concerned. "Is there anything I can do to help?"


    Li Xiaofei thought it might have something to do with Principal Qin''s niece¡¯s surgery, suspecting there had been complications.


    Qin Dewei looked at him for a moment, then, deciding there was no need to hide anything from Li Xiaofei, sighed and said, "It¡¯s about Old Chen¡¯s research paper. There¡¯s been a dispute over ownership rights, and since Su Yuncao¡¯s death means there¡¯s no one left to testify, the paper has been sealed and won¡¯t have any impact for the time being. Fortunately, over the years, especially in the last year, Old Chen and I used our teaching experience, along with the ancient martial arts manuals you donated, to develop a highly practical teaching method. Before Chen Fei left, he repeatedly urged me to find a way to promote Red Flag High School¡¯s teaching model. But despite sending numerous reports to the Lanfu Base City Education Department and writing to the National Education Department, all my efforts have been ignored like stones sinking into the sea. I¡¯ve tried other channels, but they¡¯ve all rejected me... So much time has passed, and I haven¡¯t made any progress. I feel like I¡¯ve let Old Chen down."


    Qin Dewei had worked alongside Chen Fei for so many years, and now that Chen Fei had left, he felt guilty for not fulfilling his friend¡¯s final request.


    Li Xiaofei felt a headache coming on. This wasn¡¯t something he was good at handling. It wasn¡¯t a problem that could be solved with sheer strength.


    After all, Li Xiaofei¡¯s current influence was limited to Liuhe Base City. If he had nationwide influence, he might be able to make a public call for attention, which could act as an advertisement for the teaching model.


    Wait... Nationwide influence?


    An idea suddenly sparked in Li Xiaofei¡¯s mind. He had just thought of a potential solution.

 Chapter 366: You Call That Bad Luck?

    Chapter 366: You Call That Bad Luck?"What? You agree to livestream?" Liao Qixing was stunned.


    When he saw Li Xiaofei again, all the terms and persuasive words he had meticulously prepared were left unspoken. Before he even had a chance to say anything, Li Xiaofei had agreed to sign the livestream contract.


    "That''s right, I agree." Li Xiaofei was sitting in the mid-level reception room of Longya Group''s virtual building and said calmly, "However, the content and duration of the livestream cannot be interfered with."


    Liao Qixing pondered for a moment and replied, "No problem."


    "Then how much exposure and promotional resources will I get for the livestream?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Liao Qixing responded, "The starting point is a Grade D contract. The exposure and recommended slots are clearly defined by the company. If your livestream performs well, we¡¯ll quickly increase the visibility and upgrade your contract level."


    Li Xiaofei considered for a moment and said, "That works."


    With that, they signed the contract. Liao Qixing finally felt a weight lift off his chest.


    He continued enthusiastically, "If you''re unfamiliar with live streaming and are unsure how to increase traffic or attract viewers, we offer short-term training sessions. If you don¡¯t have time to attend, we can also provide a dedicated livestream assistant. However, the assistant¡¯s fee would be an additional charge."


    Li Xiaofei replied, "No need, I¡¯ll just stream on my own for now."


    He turned and left.


    ***


    Three days later, Commander Mai Zixiong was found decapitated in his office in the command center of the base city''s garrison.


    The military quickly sealed off the news. However, those in the know were deeply shocked. This marked the second assassination of a base city leader in just four days, following the murder of Inspector Wu Fohai.


    Two of the city''s three top leaders had already been eliminated. Moreover, both of the deceased were top-tier experts, individuals who shouldn¡¯t be easily taken down by ordinary people.


    Investigation teams from Lanfu Base City and the Star Council arrived in Liuhe Base City to investigate, but no progress was made. They were unable to identify the culprit.


    Meanwhile, the only surviving leader, City Leader Xie Renyu, lived in constant fear. He was convinced that conspirators were out to kill him. He strengthened his security and spent all his time holed up in his office, refusing to go out.


    Time passed. By the time Friday rolled around, it was time for another round of the High School War God League. However, winning the championship was already a foregone conclusion for Red Flag High School.


    They stood head and shoulders above the other schools, watching as their competitors struggled to catch up. Surprisingly, Duxing High School, which had been severely weakened by the downfall of the Xie family, had gradually recovered and began to fight back with renewed vigor.


    Xiong Zhigang''s performance remained outstanding as he regained his former brilliance. However, none of this mattered to Li Xiaofei anymore. Participating in these competitions felt like a PhD student bullying kindergarteners.


    As a result, he spent most of his time on the bench during individual matches, only participating in team events when necessary. Moreover, Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t there to fight but to offer guidance on martial arts techniques and cultivation to his opponents.


    With combat prowess comparable to the Golden Body Realm and having experienced numerous battles with powerful experts, his insight far surpassed that of the students and even the teachers. Sometimes, a single casual pointer from him could produce a moment of clarity that solved the student¡¯s problems and enhanced their understanding.


    During this time, Qin Dewei, who had been promoting the Red Flag Teaching Model in other regions, had made little progress. He had no choice but to start small within Liuhe Base City.


    Thanks to the stunning rise of Red Flag High School¡¯s team, his efforts had gained some local traction. Many ancient martial arts schools began adopting Red Flag High School¡¯s curriculum, martial arts techniques, and teaching methods to train their students.


    Aside from his cultivation, Li Xiaofei was also preparing for his upcoming livestream. He worked on refining the Red Flag High School Model developed by Old Chen and his team, adjusting the course content and incorporating the martial arts techniques he had learned. He also used potion recipes left behind by Little Aunt as supplements.


    In the blink of an eye, the next online War God competition was upon him. As always, Li Xiaofei entered the light core virtual world right on time.


    "Brother, you''re here!" Zhang Zhihong was the first to greet him, grinning as he said, "I¡¯ve been waiting for you for ages, heh."


    Li Xiaofei glanced at him and asked, "Didn''t you lose? Why are you still hanging around?"


    Zhang Zhihong chuckled slyly and said, "I got lucky. During the last match, the first-place contender in F Division, How Are You in Another Land, suddenly had an upset stomach, couldn¡¯t hold it, and had to forfeit to run to the bathroom. I somehow ended up advancing to the next round by sheer luck."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    What the hell, things like this actually happen? If I had known, I would''ve bet on this guy. It would''ve been a sure win.


    "So, have you signed a livestream contract yet?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Zhang Zhihong responded with a tone of grievance, "Of course, I want to, but the Longya Group doesn''t think I''m worth it. I¡¯ve applied several times, but they haven¡¯t offered me a contract... Sigh, these people really don¡¯t have any foresight. Don¡¯t they know that luck is also a form of strength?"


    Li Xiaofei was once again rendered speechless.


    So, the opportunity I treated like a discarded shoe is something others dream of getting?


    Zhang Zhihong patted Li Xiaofei on the shoulder and said sympathetically, "You haven¡¯t gotten one either, right? Don¡¯t worry, win a few more matches, and you might get a chance."


    "It¡¯s the opposite; I got one," Li Xiaofei said.


    Zhang Zhihong was momentarily stunned, and then his eyes widened in shock. "You¡¯ve got to be kidding me, right?"


    Li Xiaofei casually displayed his livestream permissions.


    Zhang Zhihong¡¯s expression instantly changed to one of envy, jealousy, and frustration. "This doesn¡¯t make sense! I defeated the top contender in F Division, and I didn¡¯t get a contract. But you only beat the third ranked in F Division, and you got an invitation... This, this is so unfair!"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Are you forgetting something? I was already the top contender in H Division preliminaries."


    Zhang Zhihong was speechless. He suddenly put on a flattering smile and said, "Brother, how about we talk about something?"


    "Go ahead," Li Xiaofei said.


    "When you¡¯re streaming, don¡¯t you need an assistant? How about you count me in? I¡¯ll work for free."


    "Free? I thought you wanted to make money from live streaming?" Li Xiaofei raised an eyebrow.


    "Of course not! My reason for wanting to stream on Longya Live isn¡¯t about making money at all. It¡¯s more like... like raising a child only to watch them die. I''m just in it for the fun."


    "Are you tough enough to handle a beating?"


    "Huh?"


    "My streaming assistant needs to be able to take a beating."


    "Tough? Of course! Hehe, to tell you the truth, ever since I was a kid, I''ve been the best at boasting the most, wearing the thickest armor, talking the loudest, and taking the harshest hits."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless. The two of them made a plan to stream together after the match.


    There was no surprise in the next match either as Li Xiaofei easily defeated the eighth-ranked player from M Division and advanced to the next round.


    After the match, he found Zhang Zhihong at the Longya Group plaza, who had also finished his match quickly.


    "How did it go? Who was your opponent this time?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "Not good this time, I ran into the first-ranked player from M Division. Damn it."


    Zhang Zhihong grumbled incessantly, "Is the schedule in the Light Core rigged or something? Is there some kind of discrimination going on? Why do I always end up against the top players from every division in the preliminaries?"


    "It¡¯s okay, a loss is just a loss," Li Xiaofei consoled him. "Come join me for the livestream." S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Who said I lost?" Zhang Zhihong said, surprised. "I mean, sure, my luck was bad, but for some reason, the first-ranked player from M Division, Gentle Drink Family Slayer, also had a sudden bout of diarrhea. He couldn¡¯t hold it, so he forfeited and ran off to the bathroom. I advanced again."


    Li Xiaofei was shocked and confused.


    You call that bad luck?

 Chapter 367: Let’s See How You Guys Die

    Chapter 367: Let¡¯s See How You Guys Die"Are you secretly a medic or something?" Li Xiaofei asked. "Poisoning your opponents during the matches?"


    How could there be so many coincidences? Two matches in a row, and both of his opponents, both top contenders in their respective regions, suddenly got hit with diarrhea?


    Players who could reach first place were always top-tier. They prepared meticulously before each match, and their physical conditioning was top-notch. It made no sense for them to suddenly get stomach issues out of nowhere.


    Zhang Zhihong chuckled and replied, "If you want to think of it that way, I can¡¯t stop you."


    Li Xiaofei decided not to dwell on the matter. "I¡¯m going live in a bit. I¡¯ll send you the link. Make sure to be there as my assistant."


    "Great, I¡¯ll definitely be there."


    "Don¡¯t flake on me."


    "Relax, even if my dad gets into a car accident, I¡¯ll still come help you stream."


    "What the... that¡¯s completely unnecessary."


    After parting ways in the virtual plaza, they were both teleported away by beams of light, returning to their respective virtual bases to prepare for the livestream.


    Li Xiaofei ran through his checklist in his mind one more time and double-checked the items he had prepared. Once everything was confirmed, he reached out to Liao Qixing.


    Liao Qixing had already prepared the livestream portal link and sent it over.


    The Longya Group had strict standards for livestream rooms for their contracted streamers. They typically followed the streamer¡¯s vision for the initial design and ensured it had a unique, professional style while maintaining a high level of quality to avoid any resemblance to low-tier sites.


    Moreover, the livestream had already been promoted with pre-launch publicity. Li Xiaofei forwarded the portal link to Zhang Zhihong and clicked on it himself to enter.


    The scene flickered. He found himself in a serene, ancient martial arts training ground, surrounded by clear skies and lush mountains. White clouds drifted lazily over the green peaks.


    The setting resembled the world of ancient martial arts legends, like something straight out of an Immortal Sword tale. It was the livestream scene Li Xiaofei had designed, beautifully crafted by Longya Group¡¯s technical team.


    Li Xiaofei stood still for a moment, and with a thought, a virtual screen appeared before him, displaying the status of his livestream.


    Live now...


    Online viewers: 348


    Heat value: 6960


    Overall site ranking: 48,971


    These numbers were insignificant compared to the big-name streamers who had already made a name for themselves. However, for a new streamer, these were excellent results.


    This success was largely due to Longya Group¡¯s D-level resource promotion, which had pushed some of Li Xiaofei¡¯s most intense and exciting fight clips from the War God competition to draw viewers to his channel.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at the online audience and adjusted the title of his livestream to: Starting with Qi Refining to Ascend to Sainthood.


    The title was bold and eye-catching. The phrase "Ascend to Sainthood" in particular carried a striking visual impact. Li Xiaofei nodded in satisfaction.


    After setting up everything, he didn¡¯t interact with the viewers in the chat. Instead, he focused on himself as he began to practice the Great Strength Vajra Fist. This was the first cultivation method he had learned after his transmigration. The power of the Vajra was unbreakable.


    Li Xiaofei had mastered this technique to the point of perfection. The moves were simple, but their destructive power was immense.


    He casually threw a punch.


    Boom!


    A blast of energy shot forward, tearing through the air for a hundred meters. The sound of the explosion was deafening.


    Holy crap, that''s strong!


    This martial technique looks so simple, yet it can generate a hundred-meter energy blast?


    The streamer¡¯s got some personality, saying nothing and just showing the good stuff right away.


    Who''s the good stuff?


    Get out of here, you pervs! This is an educational stream!


    Comments started scrolling across the screen as the audience reacted to the display.


    In this era, there were two ways to watch a livestream. One was by logging into the Light-Network virtual world, where you could enter the livestream room and observe everything up close. The other was through various screens, large and small, which allowed them to watch from a distance.


    The former was a product of Light Core virtual technology, one of the conveniences brought by the second virtual world. It¡¯s almost like watching a live sports game in person, with extremely realistic sensations. On the other hand, the latter was similar to computers from five hundred years ago. All viewers could send comments in the form of bullet screens.


    After Li Xiaofei finished performing his martial technique, the powerful energy he generated lingered in the air for a long time. The viewers present in the virtual world began clapping immediately. Meanwhile, those watching from outside the virtual world started spamming 666 in the chat, a popular way of showing admiration.


    The number of viewers in the livestream room skyrocketed, exceeding 2,300. The stream¡¯s heat value reached 46,000 while the overall ranking climbed to within the top 40,000. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The growth rate was astonishing, representing nearly a tenfold increase in metrics. This surge was mainly due to the impressive display of the martial technique he had just demonstrated, which instantly attracted many new viewers.


    Li Xiaofei glanced around and noticed that Zhang Zhihong still hadn¡¯t arrived.


    Damn. He had boasted that he wouldn''t be late even if his dad got into a car accident. Yet, he¡¯s flaking on me.


    "Dear viewers, the martial technique I just demonstrated is called the Great Strength Vajra Fist," Li Xiaofei explained calmly. "The Vajra is a deity from ancient religions, and symbolizes the power to subdue evil and defeat demons."


    "This martial technique can be cultivated as early as the Qi Refining Stage, and it remains effective even up to the Five Spirits Realm. Its key features are its immense strength and destructive force. It strengthens the body and fortifies the mind, enabling the practitioner to act without fear and with integrity. Moreover, by channeling inner qi into the Great Strength Vajra Fist, one can fight opponents two stages higher within the Qi Refining Realm."


    "To put it bluntly, the Great Strength Vajra Fist is the number one fist technique in the Qi Refining Realm," Li Xiaofei finished, his tone steady and confident.


    His words caused an uproar among the more than two thousand viewers in the livestream.


    No way!


    Fighting opponents two stages higher?


    The number one martial technique in the Qi Refining Realm?


    Can a fist technique really be that strong?


    But didn''t the streamer just demonstrate it?


    I want to learn it!


    The bullet screen filled with messages as viewers flooded the chat with their amazement. However, not everyone was convinced. Some skeptics and trolls made their presence known, mocking the claims.


    He''s full of it.


    These days, anyone can set up a stream and scam people with some mystical nonsense.


    If any random person could fight two stages higher with this technique, I¡¯ll do a butterfly stroke in a sewer on my next stream.


    If this technique were really that powerful, people would have hoarded it. Who would be kind enough to offer it for free?


    Exactly, there¡¯s no such thing as a free lunch. Everyone, don¡¯t get scammed.


    A few black-hearted trolls had started to appear.


    Li Xiaofei ignored the negative comments and continued teaching. He began demonstrating the first move of the Great Strength Vajra Fist, the Vajra Thunderous Strike. He went through the variations in the move and the method for controlling qi flow.


    He broke down every detail carefully, going over it three times in a row. By now, the number of viewers in the livestream had reached 3,000. At that moment, Zhang Zhihong finally showed up.


    "Sorry, sorry, I''m late," Zhang Zhihong said, drenched in sweat. "My dad actually got into a car accident, and we just got him to the hospital..."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless. Judging by his appearance, he wasn¡¯t joking.


    Can it be that this guy is truly cursed with a sharp tongue? Everything he says seems to come true.


    "Shouldn''t you be taking care of your dad?" Li Xiaofei urged him. "I can handle the stream by myself."


    Zhang Zhihong waved his hand dismissively and said, "I''m not a doctor. There''s nothing I can do even if I go. Besides, the old man¡¯s tough as nails; he won¡¯t die. If I¡¯m not worried, why are you?"


    The livestream viewers erupted in laughter.


    Wow, this is the assistant?


    And he¡¯s a guy¡ªwhat a comedian!


    Hilarious, man!


    ¡®Hilarious to death¡¯¡ªliterally!


    What had been a serious livestream suddenly became lively and full of humor. Of course, the earlier trolls weren¡¯t done causing trouble.


    One in particular, a user named Kuang Henzilao, who sported a fan badge for another streamer famous for martial techniques, continued to stir the pot.


    What¡¯s this? We questioned your overhyped martial technique, and now you brought in some clown of an assistant to change the subject? Ha! Fraud streamers should all die. Go back home and eat crap!


    Kuang Henzilao kept spamming the chat with insults.


    Zhang Zhihong, who clearly understood how to play along with the dynamics of livestreaming, didn¡¯t respond directly. Instead, after catching up on what had happened, he grinned and said, "Alright, let¡¯s do this. In the light core virtual world, people can actually practice martial techniques, right? How about we pick a few lucky viewers, let them connect directly, and have the streamer personally guide them. We¡¯ll see if this martial technique works or not. How about it, Kuang Henzilao? Are you brave enough to make a bet?"


    How do we bet?


    The troll immediately responded loudly.


    Zhang Zhihong smirked. "A bet of 10,000 star coins. If someone here can successfully practice the Vajra Thunderous Strike and achieve the results the streamer promised, you gift a Little Dragon worth 10,000 star coins. But if they can¡¯t, I¡¯ll transfer 10,000 star coins to you on the spot. Deal?"


    Kuang Henzilao replied quickly.


    Fine, deal. Let¡¯s see how you all fail.

 Chapter 368: Distorting The Truth

    Chapter 368: Distorting The TruthIn the livestream, Kuang Henzilao was brimming with confidence.


    There were indeed techniques in the ancient martial arts lineage of Great Xia that could allow a practitioner to fight and defeat opponents who were two stages higher. However, those were typically high-level martial techniques that were only accessible at the Meridian Expanding Realm or Five Spirits Realm.


    Such techniques were rare and considered strategic resources that were tightly guarded by the noble Saints'' families as their most secret treasures. There was no way these techniques would be casually broadcasted and taught for free on a livestream. That¡¯s why Kuang Henzilao felt confident enough to make this bet.


    Soon, the temporary electronic bet was confirmed.


    Zhang Zhihong then asked, "Alright, which of our viewers is willing to come online and give it a try?"


    "Wait," Kuang Henzilao interrupted. "One person isn¡¯t enough. It needs to be three to make it convincing."


    "Fine, three it is," Zhang Zhihong agreed.


    Within moments, hundreds of viewers had applied to connect to the stream. Li Xiaofei randomly selected three participants from the pool.


    With a flash of light, the three viewers were teleported into the ancient martial arts dojo. One was a young girl, who was about fifteen or sixteen years old. Another was a man in his twenties with short-cropped hair. The third was a middle-aged man who was around fifty years old. The age range was quite diverse.


    "Alright, friends, how about introducing yourselves?" Zhang Zhihong grinned.


    "I''m Liu Yang, fifteen years old, at the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm."


    "I''m Song Hui, twenty-four years old, at the fifth stage of the Qi Refining Realm."


    "Hello, everyone, my name is Zhang Menqing, and I¡¯m at the eighth stage of the Qi Refining Realm."


    The three introduced themselves in turn, and the Light Core system quickly verified their cultivation levels, confirming their claims. Even Kuang Henzilao acknowledged their cultivation stages.


    Li Xiaofei nodded and smiled, asking, "When I was explaining the first move of the Great Strength Vajra Fist, did you all hear it?"


    "Yes, big brother, I¡¯ve been here since you started streaming." The girl said sweetly.


    "I heard it all too. In fact, I¡¯m a fan. I¡¯ve watched the replays of your recent matches." The young man said eagerly, clearly itching to give it a try.


    "I just joined the stream to check things out, so I didn¡¯t catch the explanation," Zhang Menqing admitted sheepishly, scratching his head.


    Li Xiaofei was already forming a plan as he said, "Liu Yang, Song Hui, you two can start cultivating now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. Brother Zhang, take your time. I¡¯ll walk you through the explanation."


    The bet had officially begun. Li Xiaofei explained the technique in great detail. His mastery of the Great Strength Vajra Fist had reached an incredibly high level, making it easy for him to guide beginners.


    He could easily spot any mistakes or gaps in their cultivation with a glance. Meanwhile, Zhang Zhihong wasn¡¯t idle either. He quietly began to practice the technique himself while managing the livestream chat.


    As Li Xiaofei continued his explanation, many viewers in the livestream started trying the technique on their own as well. Before long, bullet screen comments began floating up.


    This martial technique is really incredible. I managed to unleash strength beyond my current realm.


    My arms and legs are aching from practicing...


    This is brilliant; this technique is something else.


    I see now! I couldn¡¯t get it at first, but after listening to the streamer''s explanation, I realized my inner qi control frequency was off... Now it¡¯s working.


    The streamer¡¯s legit, no lies.


    Many viewers quickly grasped the intricacies of the Great Strength Vajra Fist and experienced its strength firsthand. Some quietly practiced and used the Light Core system to test their punching power, only to find it far exceeded their usual strength.


    No one noticed three hours passing, but the three participants connected to the stream, guided by Li Xiaofei¡¯s detailed explanations, had finally mastered the nuances of the Vajra Thunderous Strike.


    "Alright, three hours have passed," Kuang Henzilao urged impatiently. "That¡¯s plenty of time. There are no bottlenecks or stamina limits in the light core virtual world when it comes to cultivation. You can verify the results now, streamer. Stop stalling."


    His tone betrayed a hint of fear. In the last three hours, he had secretly practiced the technique himself and found that it was, in fact, quite mysterious and effective.


    "Shall we, brother?" Zhang Zhihong asked, looking at Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei nodded.


    Liu Yang, Song Hui, and Zhang Menqing, despite being reluctant to stop, finally ended their cultivation sessions.


    The young girl, Liu Yang, was the first to strike. She executed the Vajra Thunderous Strike with a swift motion. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom!


    Liu Yang''s punch rang out with a sharp burst of energy, and the light core system quickly displayed the results.


    2,500 KG of force.


    That was the power of an Qi Refining eighth stage expert!


    Liu Yang was stunned for a moment, but then immediately jumped in excitement as she shouted, "It really does let you fight two stages higher!"


    Next, Song Hui and Zhang Menqing took their turns, both producing similar results.


    The livestream chat exploded instantly. The light core system¡¯s data was undeniable. The Vajra Thunderous Strike had indeed achieved the result of fighting beyond one¡¯s realm.


    This is incredible! This is real high-level martial arts.


    It¡¯s more than just high-level martial arts. Many techniques with this kind of strength can only be used by experts in the Meridian Expanding Realm or Five Spirits Realm, and those at the Qi Refining Realm can¡¯t even handle them. But this Great Strength Vajra Fist could be accessible to everyone!


    This is a high-level martial art specifically designed for the Qi Refining Realm!


    Who exactly is this streamer?


    Could he be from one of the Saint families?


    Would any Saint family willingly give away such a martial art for free?


    By now, the number of viewers in the livestream had surged to over 7,000 and was climbing rapidly. The heat level had reached over 1.4 million. The stream¡¯s overall ranking had now entered the top 30,000 on the platform.


    This level of growth for a new streamer was extremely rare. Zhang Zhihong was utterly shocked. Even he hadn¡¯t expected the technique to produce such results.


    "And where''s that Kuang Henzilao guy? Don¡¯t pretend you didn¡¯t see this! Time to send those gifts!" Zhang Zhihong said triumphantly.


    Yeah, where is he?


    Come out already!


    Don¡¯t try to play dead, we¡¯re waiting for that Little Dragon.


    The viewers in the livestream were growing impatient as they urged Kuang Henzilao to appear.


    Viewers could use their star coins on the Longya Group platform to purchase various virtual gifts to reward streamers. The Little Dragon was one of the more expensive gifts and was worth 10,000 star coins. When sent, a virtual dragon effect would appear in the livestream, and a 30-second broadcast would promote the stream site-wide.


    However, after waiting for a while, there was no movement from Kuang Henzilao. Zhang Zhihong checked the viewer list and found that Kuang Henzilao had left the livestream.


    "Seriously? He ran away?" Zhang Zhihong said angrily. "What a lowlife! Why talk big if you can¡¯t back it up? Can¡¯t even afford 10,000 star coins, what a loser."


    The viewers joined in, flooding the chat with comments mocking the troll.


    Li Xiaofei chuckled and said, "No worries, let''s just treat it as a minor hiccup. In the end, we¡¯ve all seen the true power of this martial technique. That¡¯s what matters. We¡¯ll wrap up today''s stream here. The recording will be available for replay in my channel. If anyone¡¯s interested in the Great Strength Vajra Fist, feel free to check it out anytime."


    Just as he was finishing, Kuang Henzilao suddenly reappeared in the chat.


    Haha, pretending to be generous again, aren¡¯t you? Flaunting a stolen martial technique and acting all magnanimous.


    He wrote, spamming the chat.


    Everyone, don¡¯t be fooled! This streamer is nothing but a despicable thief. The technique he¡¯s teaching isn¡¯t even his own¡ªhe stole it from my big brother! I left the stream earlier to bring my big brother here to expose him as the fraud he is.

 Chapter 369: Master Is Above

    Chapter 369: Master Is Above"Big brother?" Zhang Zhihong was startled and looked at Li Xiaofei. But when he saw Li Xiaofei''s calm expression, he knew there was no need to worry about the situation.


    Soon, someone connected to the line. Li Xiaofei answered the call without hesitation.


    Swish.


    A flash of light appeared as a burly man with a square face suddenly materialized inside the ancient martial arts hall. This man had a resolute face, bright eyes, bulging muscles, and exuded a powerful aura.


    What stood out the most were his fists, which were twice the size of an average person''s. His knuckles were prominent, and the skin of his hands was slightly darker, making them look like a pair of massive iron hammers.


    Isn''t this the martial technique streamer Three Fists Shaking the Heavens?


    One of the viewers immediately recognized him. It turned out that this towering man was also a streamer on the Longya Group platform. Moreover, he was a somewhat well-known martial technique streamer. His name was Guo Zong''ao, and was famous for his mastery of martial techniques.


    It was clear now that this was a planned challenge. Many of the experienced viewers instantly understood what was going on. This Kuang Henzilao was undoubtedly a fan of Three Fists Shaking the Heavens Guo Zong''ao. He had deliberately stirred up trouble, and now he had brought the main man himself. This was very common in the live-streaming world.


    The entire live-streaming pie was only so big. Every time a new streamer emerged, they were inevitably trying to snatch a share of that pie from the older streamers, and they would certainly face suppression from many of those veterans.


    Newcomers who wanted to make a name for themselves had to pass through numerous challenges. The competition was especially fierce between new and old streamers of the same genre.


    Li Xiaofei was teaching martial techniques on his first day of streaming. How could he not attract the attention of other martial technique streamers?


    This Three Fists Shaking the Heavens Guo Zong''ao was clearly the first to jump out and try to suppress Li Xiaofei.


    This is my big brother. He is the true successor of the Great Strength Vajra Fist.


    Today, my big brother can''t take it anymore and is here to teach this fraud streamer a harsh lesson.


    It¡¯s time to let this fraud know that the light-network is not a lawless place; deceiving others under someone else''s banner won''t be tolerated.


    Kuang Henzilao continuously spammed the chat with these messages.


    Li Xiaofei looked at Guo Zong''ao and said, "Do you admit to what he''s saying?"


    Guo Zong''ao puffed out his chest proudly and laughed, "Of course, Little Kuang is my loyal fan. He''s been tirelessly supporting me all these years. He knows me best, so what he says is what I say... Heh, kid, if you admit defeat now and leave the Longya Group site, it''s not too late. Otherwise, you''re going to be embarrassed."


    "And if I don''t leave?" Li Xiaofei asked calmly.


    Guo Zong''ao sneered, "Then I''ll beat you until you do... Haha, since you dared to title your stream Ascend to Sainthood, you wouldn''t be afraid to fight me, would you?"


    "Fight you?" Zhang Zhihong, the streaming assistant, seized the opportunity to make his presence known.


    He sneered, "My big brother is a busy man; he''s only streaming for fun. He''s not someone some random nobody can challenge. If you want to challenge him, you''ll need to put something on the line first."


    "What stakes?" Guo Zong''ao asked.


    Zhang Zhihong smiled faintly and said, "Start by paying a challenge fee. Send a Little Dragon gift."


    Guo Zong''ao immediately sent a Little Dragon gift in the livestream. In an instant, a dazzling visual effect appeared as a silver dragon soared through the sky with claws extended, resembling a magnificent creature from creation myths. It was stunningly beautiful before it slowly faded away.


    The viewers in the livestream erupted in excitement.


    10,000 star coins dropped just like that.


    "I¡¯ve sent it. What¡¯s next?" Guo Zong''ao pressed aggressively.


    Zhang Zhihong sneered, "Simple. If you lose, you''ll send ten more Little Dragons. Do you dare?" S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Ten?" Guo Zong''ao sneered coldly. "You really have the nerve to ask for that much."


    "If you don''t dare to bet, then get lost," Zhang Zhihong retorted disdainfully.


    Infuriated, Guo Zong''ao declared on the spot, "Ten it is, I¡ª"


    "No need for such trouble." Suddenly, Li Xiaofei interrupted, "If you win, I''ll return the Little Dragon, shut down my stream and never appear again. But if you lose, you¡¯ll become my disciple and train under me. How about that?"


    "You... You dare insult me like this?" Guo Zong''ao was enraged.


    A newcomer in the livestreaming world dared to be this arrogant? He wanted to make a well-known streamer like him take on the role of a student? The audacity!


    "There''s been a misunderstanding; I didn''t mean to insult you." Li Xiaofei''s voice remained calm as he continued, "On the path of martial arts, the strong are the teachers. If you lose to me, it just proves my martial technique is superior, so becoming your master wouldn¡¯t be an insult, would it?"


    Guo Zong''ao froze for a moment. It did seem to make sense.


    Zhang Zhihong sneered, "Just say whether you dare or not. If you''re afraid, then leave. How can you come here to challenge someone when you''re so hesitant?"


    Guo Zong''ao gritted his teeth. "Fine, I agree."


    Immediately, the two signed a light-core electronic agreement and the duel began.


    Guo Zong''ao activated his inner qi. Ten vortices appeared around his body, symbolizing the completion of the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Ten points on his body started to glow like small suns, representing the breaking of ten shackles.


    Then, one hundred and twenty star-like points of light manifested, rotating around him, signifying the perfection of his one hundred and twenty meridian points. Next, ten star-river-like beams of light surged within his body, symbolizing the Ten Meridian Stage of the Meridian Expanding Realm.


    An overwhelming aura radiated from him. He assumed his stance. His opening move was none other than the first technique of the Great Strength Vajra Fist, the Vajra Thunderous Strike.


    It was executed flawlessly. Many viewers in the livestream immediately widened their eyes in astonishment.


    Huh?


    Three Fists Shaking the Heavens Guo Zong''ao actually knew this move?


    Not only that, but he appeared to be quite skilled at it. It¡¯s not something hastily cultivated.


    Even Zhang Zhihong was slightly taken aback. However, Li Xiaofei remained calm, a slight smile forming at the corner of his mouth.


    Guo Zong''ao''s Great Strength Vajra Fist seemed impressive, full of energy and vigor, but in reality, it was all for show. It reminded Li Xiaofei of how Jiumozhi, in the novels, used Little Formless Technique to simulate the Shaolin Temple¡¯s seventy-two ultimate techniques, creating an effect that fooled most people. But it couldn¡¯t fool him.


    "Make your move," Li Xiaofei beckoned him with a gesture.


    "Die!" Guo Zong''ao shouted coldly as he unleashed a punch.


    His fist moved like lightning. It seemed so powerful that it felt like it could split the sky and shatter the earth. The sound of the energy explosion was deafening.


    The viewers who entered the virtual livestream room felt as if everything had gone black in front of them as the force hit them in the face. It was like a mountain had collapsed on top of them. Even those watching through their screens could feel the terrifying force of the punch.


    However, Li Xiaofei, who was directly in the line of attack, didn¡¯t dodge. He simply raised his hand and extended a single finger that shattered the explosive force. It dispersed the energy until it landed on Guo Zong¡¯ao¡¯s fist like a gentle spring breeze.


    In an instant, everything went silent. Guo Zong''ao''s earth-shattering punch was arrested right at the finger. It didn¡¯t move an inch further. The expression on Guo Zong''ao''s face also froze. Everyone in the livestream held their breath.


    "Your punch is all form and lacks true essence." Li Xiaofei''s voice was calm as he said, "Let me show you the real power of the Great Strength Vajra Fist, activated by the Meridian Expanding Realm at the Ten Meridian Stage."


    He retracted his finger, clenched his fist, and threw a punch. A streak of energy shot past Guo Zong''ao¡¯s temple with a deafening roar.


    Far behind him, a hundred-meter-high rock face was instantly pierced by the punch, leaving a ten meter diameter hole. The rock peak a hundred meters beyond the rock face also shattered, leaving a fan-shaped valley in its wake.


    Only then did the sound of the explosion, the crumbling rocks, and the collapsing peak reverberate across the land. The viewers in the livestream were utterly dumbfounded.


    Guo Zong''ao''s eyes widened in disbelief. He stood motionless, unable to move an inch. Large beads of cold sweat rolled down his temple.


    This...This is the power of the Five Spirits Realm! That punch was supersonic! So this is the true strength of the Great Strength Vajra Fist?


    Li Xiaofei withdrew his fist and smiled faintly. "Well? Do you admit defeat?"


    As the fist pulled away from his temple, Guo Zong''ao felt an overwhelming sense of relief, as if the blade of death that had been hovering over his neck had finally been taken away. He regained control of his body, gasping for breath uncontrollably.


    Then...


    Thud!


    Guo Zong''ao dropped to his knees, gritting his teeth. "I accept my loss. Master, please accept my bow as your disciple."


    He completed the formal apprenticeship ceremony without hesitation.


    Zhang Zhihong chuckled from the side, "You¡¯re a man of your word, I''ll give you that. For someone as big as you... shouldn''t you call me Uncle?"


    Guo Zong''ao stood up and glared at him. "Who do you think you are?"


    Zhang Zhihong was speechless.


    Li Xiaofei turned to Guo Zong''ao and said, "Do you know why your punch earlier was far weaker than mine?"


    Guo Zong''ao remained silent.


    Li Xiaofei continued, "It¡¯s because your qi flow frequency and conversion rhythm were off. Although your technique was flawless, you couldn¡¯t achieve inner-outer unity, nor could you harmonize form and spirit. That¡¯s why you couldn''t unleash the true power of the Vajra Thunderous Strike."


    He then continued to provide a detailed explanation. Initially, Guo Zong''ao was ready to leave. But to his surprise, Li Xiaofei genuinely offered guidance on his martial technique. Guo Zong''ao gradually went from agitated and restless to deeply engrossed. It took him a mere ten minutes to fully grasp the essence of the martial technique.


    Boom!


    He threw another punch. The force shot out like a pillar of light, breaking the sound barrier and tearing through the air. Although it didn¡¯t come close to competing with Li Xiaofei¡¯s punch, it was several times stronger than any of his previous strikes.


    "This..." Guo Zong''ao was stunned.


    It had only been half an hour. Yet his combat strength had increased as much as it had from years of hard training. He stood frozen, his mind a whirlwind of emotions.


    Finally, as if awakening to a profound realization, he dropped to his knees once more before Li Xiaofei.


    With deep respect, Guo Zong''ao said, "Master, please accept three bows from your disciple, Guo Zong''ao."


    The sound of his kowtows echoed like thunder. This time, it was with genuine sincerity and complete submission. Meanwhile, the viewers in the livestream exploded in excitement once again.


    This was miraculous!

 Chapter 370: Worth Investing

    Chapter 370: Worth InvestingThree Fists Shaking the Heavens Guo Zong''ao has been completely humbled.


    Yeah, he came to challenge, but ended up getting schooled.


    What do you mean schooled? He got himself a master and came out stronger.


    Is this really a blessing in disguise?


    I think what truly made Guo Zong''ao submit was the streamer¡¯s magnanimity. Anyone else would have been hostile toward a challenger, but our streamer not only stayed calm, he even taught him a real technique.


    This streamer is something else.


    He has the aura of a true master.


    I¡¯m sold. This streamer has won me over.


    Hit the follow button and subscribe! Get those fan badges up!


    Just fan badges? Start sending some gifts too!


    Gifts with special effects started to flood the livestream. Viewers sent them one after another, filling the screen.


    Guo Zong''ao, not to be outdone, immediately sent a massive gift: a Great Divine Dragon. The colossal, five-clawed golden dragon looked like it had stepped out of a myth as it filled the entire stream with an awe-inspiring and majestic presence.


    At the same time, the number of subscribers surged wildly from an initial count of less than 1,000 to 7,541. Many who had been watching anonymously as guests also clicked to follow and sent fan badges.


    This livestream was far more successful than anyone could have imagined. Zhang Zhihong stared wide-eyed at Li Xiaofei. He had originally thought that Li Xiaofei seemed a bit aloof and quiet. He doubted that he¡¯d have much success as a streamer, let alone create such an impact. Who would have guessed that he was a streaming genius!


    Did I just stumble upon a goldmine?


    "That¡¯s all for today¡¯s livestream," Li Xiaofei said, bowing respectfully to everyone.


    "What? Master, you''re ending the stream already?" Guo Zong''ao was anxious. "I think we can keep cultivating for a while longer."


    Zhang Zhihong quickly chimed in, "Yeah, brother, the momentum is strong right now. You should stream a bit longer. Word is spreading, and more people are on their way. If you stop now, all this momentum will be lost."


    "Exactly, the assistant is right," Guo Zong''ao added.


    The viewers in the livestream also began pleading for him to stay.


    Don''t go, streamer! Keep going until dawn!


    I¡¯m promoting your stream, and now you''re ending it?


    You''re close to breaking into the top 10,000 across the entire platform. Don''t quit now!


    Yeah, the stream¡¯s been explosive so far, and more people are joining.


    Don''t make a mistake, streamer!


    Countless messages flooded the screen, filling the virtual martial arts hall with their pleas.


    But Li Xiaofei, unfazed by the flurry of comments, remained calm. "I didn¡¯t come here to stream for popularity, gifts, or rankings. My goal is to spread the Great Xia martial lineage. Cultivating ancient martial arts is not something that can be rushed; it requires hard work and perseverance."


    He paused for a moment, then continued, "However, I can promise that the cultivation techniques I teach are more comprehensive and faster than any other ancient martial arts available today in the country. This is the Great Xia martial lineage for the new era."


    He bowed with a serious expression on his face and said, "For the next week, from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. every day, I will be streaming to discuss the Way of Ancient Martial Arts. In addition to the Great Strength Vajra Fist, I will teach several other techniques that are equally as powerful, along with a complete training system to take you from the basics to the Five Spirits Realm. It will all be free. I can assure you, no matter who you are, your age, or current skill level, if you follow my teachings, you will be able to break through to the Five Spirits Realm in combat ability."


    Li Xiaofei ended the stream without hesitation. Many viewers who had just arrived found themselves staring at an empty martial arts hall. The livestream had already ended, and they were unable to enter.


    ***


    Longya Group Headquarters. Live Monitoring Department, Team 18.


    "The latest data is in."


    "Out of the 2,351 streamers signed under our responsibility, 800 made it into the top 50,000 on the platform. Of those, 131 entered the top 40,000, 16 reached the top 30,000, two made it into the top 20,000, and one person broke into the top 10,000."


    "A newcomer managing to break into the top 10,000 on their very first livestream? Was it Su Qianni, the first-place winner from the V Division who signed a Class C contract?"


    "If it¡¯s her, that would make sense."


    "Yeah, she¡¯s been dubbed the Most Beautiful Contestant of this year''s Martial God Tournament. Her natural beauty is a huge asset in attracting fans. Plus, she reportedly secured partnerships with several top streamers before her debut, which helped bring in traffic."


    "It''s not Su Qianni."


    "What? Then who?"


    "It¡¯s the first-place winner from the H Division preliminaries, known as Your Grandpa. Peak online viewers: 18,000. Peak popularity: 3.6 million. Highest platform-wide ranking: 8,977... These stats are pretty insane."


    "What? How could it be him?"


    "I watched his performance. He¡¯s powerful, no doubt, but not the type of streamer you¡¯d expect to make such an impact during a live broadcast." S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "That¡¯s not even the most astonishing part. What¡¯s bizarre is that all of these peak numbers were achieved after he ended his stream. In other words, viewers continued pouring into his stream after it ended, and those who watched live stuck around to watch the recording without leaving!"


    "That¡¯s impossible. No way."


    "Even top-tier streamers don¡¯t gain followers like that after going offline."


    "All the data has been triple-checked. There¡¯s no mistake."


    "What was his stream about?"


    "Teaching ancient martial arts."


    "What? Teaching? And ancient martial arts, no less? That sounds like a boring stream topic, yet it had such a massive effect?"


    In the office, the members of Team 18 were filled with both shock and excitement. The performance of newly signed streamers directly determined their size of their bonuses. Originally, the team members had pinned their hopes for bonuses on Su Qianni, the first beauty of the competition. They had even secured the only Class C contract for her, using their highest level of authority.


    As expected, Su Qianni did not disappoint. She had entered the top 20,000 in her first stream, which was a remarkable achievement. However, to everyone''s surprise, Your Grandpa, who had far fewer resources invested in him compared to Su Qianni, emerged as a dark horse and broke into the top 10,000 on his debut.


    It was as if a miracle had fallen into their laps. The team members could hardly contain their excitement, and were nearly ready to pop champagne in celebration. Only the team leader, Liao Qixing, managed to keep his composure.


    He raised his hand to signal for calm and said, "Before we celebrate, we need to thoroughly analyze Your Grandpa''s livestream content based on the real-time data, understand what made it explode in popularity, and use all the resources at our disposal to serve him. Brothers, we can¡¯t settle for just this. This is only the beginning. Your Grandpa is an incredible opportunity for us. If we can push his debut success even further and turn him into a true phenomenon, that¡¯s what we should focus on."


    The team members gradually calmed down. Indeed, if they could push Your Grandpa''s livestream success to the next level, the rewards would be more than just a doubled bonus. It could mean promotions, raises, becoming CEOs, and living the dream life.


    So, they all sat together to watch the replay of Li Xiaofei¡¯s livestream. As they watched, they discussed.


    "It really was teaching ancient martial arts."


    "This Great Strength Vajra Fist seems pretty simple."


    "It doesn''t look like anything special... Wait, isn''t that Zhang Zhihong the guy with bad luck? He faced the first-place winners from two preliminary divisions, but both matches got canceled. Now he''s here as an assistant? That''s kind of funny."


    "Of course, there''s interference..."


    "The biggest headache for new streamers is always suppression from competitors."


    "Three Fists Shaking the Heavens Guo Zong''ao? He''s a third-tier streamer on the platform, with some fame and decent strength. I can¡¯t believe he challenged Your Grandpa."


    "As expected, no match for Your Grandpa."


    "What? Your Grandpa actually took him on as a disciple and even passed on the true legacy of the Great Strength Vajra Fist?"


    "This... I¡¯ve never seen anything like this before. Usually, the defeated challengers are humiliated, but Guo Zong''ao got lucky."


    "I¡¯m not exaggerating; Your Grandpa has the aura of a saint."


    Soon, they had fast-forwarded through the entire stream.


    The team members quickly pinpointed the reasons behind the explosive success of the livestream.


    First, the content was solid. The Great Strength Vajra Fist was an incredibly powerful and rare ancient martial arts technique. Offering such a treasured ancient martial skill for free on a livestream was a huge investment.


    Second, Your Grandpa had an undeniable charisma. When faced with sabotage and underhanded tactics from his competitors, he didn¡¯t retaliate with humiliation. Instead, he dismantled their schemes with facts and even provided sincere guidance on martial techniques. Guo Zong''ao, the challenger, had been converted from a competitor into a devoted follower.


    The twists and turns of the livestream were so dramatic; it was almost as if they had been scripted.


    Third, Your Grandpa''s final words before signing off left a deep impact. It was like a cliffhanger in a novel, leaving viewers eager for what would come next.


    Liao Qixing was deeply impressed.


    As the team leader, he made the final assessment. "This Your Grandpa has an unwavering passion for the Great Xia martial lineage. I can¡¯t think of any other reason that would drive him to freely share such a prized ancient martial skill like the Great Strength Vajra Fist or to disregard Guo Zong''ao¡¯s provocations and instead guide him in his cultivation. He¡¯s clearly not a genius in livestreaming, but his radiant character is probably the key to his first broadcast''s success."


    He paused, then added, "Now the biggest question in front of us is whether Your Grandpa¡¯s next stream will go as smoothly and remain as popular. Is it worth it for us to invest more resources and take a gamble?"


    This question brought the once lively meeting room to sudden silence.


    After a long pause, a young female staff member named Yang Hui was the first to speak. "I think we should invest more resources. My gut tells me Your Grandpa is worth betting on."


    A male deputy team leader, Zhou Hailong, who often butted heads with Yang Hui, chimed in, "Honestly, I¡¯ve always found women¡¯s intuition to be a rather ridiculous thing..."


    As expected, they were about to argue again. The rest of the team wasn¡¯t surprised by the exchange.


    But Zhou Hailong continued, "However, this time, I choose to trust Yang Hui¡¯s intuition."


    As Zhou Hailong''s words fell, everyone in the room looked stunned.


    Did we just see a ghost?


    The fact that Deputy Leader Zhou and Yang Hui weren¡¯t arguing was surprising enough.


    Could Your Grandpa¡¯s influence really be this strong?


    Did it even manage to get the eternally bickering duo to put aside their differences?


    Noticing the expressions of his colleagues, Zhou Hailong continued, "I just feel that, based on Your Grandpa''s genuine dedication to the Great Xia martial lineage, he''s worth our investment. Let¡¯s not forget, we are all from Great Xia. The Great Xia martial lineage is both our pride and our belief!"


    At that moment, a sense of reverence filled the room.


    The legacy of Great Xia martial arts, our pride and glory.

 Chapter 371: He Is Ignorant

    Chapter 371: He Is Ignorant"What about Su Qianni?" Yang Hui reminded, "Her first stream was quite successful as well. Shouldn''t we give her a push too?"


    Liao Qixing thought for a moment and replied, "Let¡¯s wait and see. Su Qianni is different from Your Grandpa; her appeal relies on her looks, and her first stream was heavily promoted. That¡¯s why it had the impact it did. We need to observe the results in the coming days before deciding if it''s worth doubling down. Right now, we should focus our efforts on boosting Your Grandpa."


    The team members realized just how committed the team leader was to supporting Your Grandpa. Yang Hui sighed quietly to herself. That¡¯s the nature of the livestreaming world; resources are always limited.


    The resources that were originally intended for Su Qianni were now, inevitably, going to be redirected toward Your Grandpa. She would have to figure out how to explain this to Su Qianni. After all, Su Qianni was someone she had worked hard to sign.


    ***


    At the same time, a discussion was taking place in a LightChat group called the Longya Group Martial Arts Streamer Group.


    This group had been created by Longya Group¡¯s top martial arts streamer, Invincible Below the Dao, and had over four hundred members. All the members were well-known martial arts streamers on the platform, and you needed at least 10,000 viewers during your stream to qualify for entry.


    Brothers, the wolf is at the door. This new streamer is something else.


    A streamer called Martial Arts You Ba sent a video link to the video of Li Xiaofei¡¯s first stream, the one that had gone viral, which was now officially published by Longya Group¡¯s main account.


    Hmph, just another clueless newcomer. He¡¯ll burn out as quickly as he¡¯s appeared.


    My fans have been talking about this new streamer like they¡¯ve been hypnotized, and they¡¯ve been pushing his content like crazy. I¡¯ve already kicked several out, but I can¡¯t stop it. Even a few of my top-ranking fans are saying this new guy has something that they¡¯re going to check out.


    Wind Thunder Sword God was quick to add.


    I checked out his stream. Man, even the recording is pulling in about 10,000 viewers, and people are still sending gifts. This guy¡¯s staying power is pretty scary.


    The topic quickly caught the attention of many streamers. Everyone in the industry kept a close eye on trends. The rise of a new streamer inevitably meant they would take some of the existing streamers'' resources, leading to tension, exclusion, and even hostility.


    At that point, Martial Arts You Ba tagged the group owner, Invincible Below the Dao.


    Boss, the platform seems to be backing this kid pretty hard. I think he¡¯s going to last a while. Maybe we should reach out and bring him into the group?


    Finally, Invincible Below the Dao appeared.


    If he knows what¡¯s good for him, he should come visit us, the senior streamers, himself.


    This was typical of Invincible Below the Dao. He was arrogant and domineering, but he had earned the right to be. With over ten million subscribers, more than three million live viewers per stream, countless endorsements, and sponsorships, he was one of the top twenty streamers on the Longya platform. Just a word from him could make a small streamer famous, and he often appeared on trending topics on social media. He was at the height of his fame.


    After his statement, most of the other streamers fell silent.


    At that moment, Three Fists Shaking the Heavens Guo Zong''ao finally couldn¡¯t hold back.


    Actually, Your Grandpa has a lot of charisma, and his skills are strong. I think we should reach out to him and bring him into the group. If we build a good relationship with him, our martial arts streaming section might explode in popularity.


    But just after Guo Zong''ao spoke, everyone noticed a system message appear in the chat:


    Group member ''Guo Zong''ao'' has been removed by the group owner.


    He had been kicked out. Invincible Below the Dao sent a message to the group.


    A disgrace like him, kneeling before a newcomer to call him master, doesn¡¯t deserve to be in our group. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The other streamers, seeing this, couldn¡¯t help but shiver. It was clear that the top streamer was very unhappy with Your Grandpa. Everyone realized they¡¯d need to tread carefully from now on.


    ***


    At the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters.


    After finishing his livestream, Li Xiaofei returned home for dinner. Without his aunt who used to quietly sit with them, even the simple act of eating felt dull to him.


    Li Jie chattered endlessly about her school. She had transferred back to Cloudy Sky Youth Academy, the school for the children of the Cloudy Sky Gang, and every day was filled with new and exciting events. She had so much to talk about.


    But she no longer remembered their aunt. Zhong Ling quietly ate, occasionally stealing glances at Li Xiaofei. It seemed as if nothing had changed. But Li Xiaofei knew better; things could never go back to the way they were.


    After dinner, Li Xiaofei received a call from Xiao Hongye.


    "I¡¯ve asked around, and none of the prestigious schools in Xiajing, including the 211 and 985 universities, are willing to accept you," Xiao Hongye said helplessly. "The education world is full of powerful factions, and strange things happen all the time. But this time, it seems the president of Beixia University personally intervened, which is why all the prestigious schools are taking the same stance."


    Li Xiaofei fell silent. He was disappointed to see that the martial arts education system in Great Xia had become like this.


    "I don¡¯t believe that Beixia University can control all of Xiajing," he said firmly. "I don¡¯t need to go to a prestigious school. Any school with proper accreditation will do. Thank you for your efforts, Sister Xiao."


    Xiao Hongye replied, "Alright then. I¡¯ve already contacted some regular schools, and most of them are very interested in you, but they¡¯re afraid of Beixia University¡¯s threats. I¡¯ll keep asking around."


    "Thank you for your help, Sister Xiao."


    Li Xiaofei then added, "By the way, I need a batch of fifth-generation pure Starforce Reagents. Do you have any resources on your end?"


    He was now fully focused on advancing his cultivation. He had the techniques and time, but lacked the necessary resources. Starforce Reagents were essential for providing continuous energy, which would help him speed up his progress.


    Xiao Hongye hesitated for a moment before saying, "I can find them, but the price has doubled compared to before."


    Li Xiaofei was shocked and asked, "How did the price increase so much in such a short time?"


    Xiao Hongye sighed over the phone. "You might not know this, but the global situation has been unstable ever since the Spring Festival. The Beast Kings in the ten forbidden zones have been showing signs of activity, and beast tides are happening more frequently. The Star Council has reduced the civilian distribution of strategic weapons and resources, which has caused the price of Starforce Reagents to skyrocket. Many major families are stockpiling their supplies."


    Li Xiaofei replied resolutely, "No choice. Even if it¡¯s expensive, I need to buy them. I have to grow stronger as soon as possible."


    After hanging up, Li Xiaofei exhaled slowly. They might try to keep him out of Xiajing, but he was determined to go. When the time came, he would crush all those so-called prestigious schools beneath his feet.


    "I''m full," Li Xiaofei said as he set down his bowl and turned to leave.


    He headed straight to the training room at Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters, where he trained relentlessly, making the most of every second.


    Before he knew it, it was time for his next livestream. He entered the light core virtual world, only to unexpectedly come across Liao Qixing, who seemed to have been waiting for him.

 Chapter 372: Bursting Popularity

    Chapter 372: Bursting PopularityLi Xiaofei was visibly impatient as he was summoned to the VIP conference room at Longya Group Tower again.


    "Get to the point." He said. "I¡¯m busy."


    Liao Qixing was now aware of Li Xiaofei¡¯s temper and wasn¡¯t offended. He smiled as he quickly explained the internal team decision and presented a Class C contract, eagerly expecting some excitement from Li Xiaofei. However...


    "Oh." Li Xiaofei glanced through the contract, expressionless, signed it, and said, "If that¡¯s all, I¡¯m leaving."


    Liao Qixing was speechless. That was definitely not the reaction he had expected.


    Shouldn''t there be at least some joy?


    He hurriedly pulled out an electronic document and displayed it. "Also, based on the assessment from our professionals, we¡¯ve come up with some suggestions for your streaming career. For instance, changing your stream room name and streamer name could benefit your future growth. Right now, your name Your Grandpa is a bit... awkward."


    His phrasing was quite tactful. In truth, it wasn¡¯t just awkward. It was downright unpresentable.


    Li Xiaofei was completely unfazed. "You¡¯re the professionals. I¡¯ll listen to you."


    After some discussion, his streamer name was changed from Your Grandpa to Grandmaster of Heaven, symbolizing lofty ambition and boundless potential.


    With that, Li Xiaofei hurriedly left the meeting and went straight into his stream room to begin his livestream. But he was taken aback as soon as he glanced up. The number of viewers in his livestream room had reached 35,340. It was even higher than the peak viewership from his previous stream.


    What is going on?


    "Boss, you¡¯re finally here!" Zhang Zhihong, who had been waiting in the livestream room, immediately piped up, "The fans have been getting restless. If you hadn¡¯t come, they might have called the police!"


    As his streaming assistant, Zhang Zhihong was displaying exceptional dedication. He had been maintaining order in the livestream room the entire time, keeping the audience engaged, and warming up the atmosphere.


    The practical effectiveness of the Vajra Thunderous Strike Li Xiaofei taught during the previous stream had been astonishing. Even martial artists who watched the replay had experienced significant improvements in their cultivation. As a result, the number of people attracted to the stream had been steadily growing. Many fans had already been waiting in the room, eager for him to start.


    Li Xiaofei nodded. He opened the system interface. There were already countless fans applying to connect with him.


    In the virtual world, the livestream room was divided into three tiers. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    First, there were the guests: viewers without fan badges. When they entered the stream, it was like watching a high-quality 4D movie from a distance, offering better clarity than ordinary viewers on the light-network.


    Second, there were the subscribed fans. They could be closer to the virtual dojo, experiencing clearer visuals and better immersion. They also had various basic privileges when it came to interacting with the streamer.


    Lastly, there were the fans who successfully connected to the stream. They could appear in the virtual dojo as avatars, just like in the real world, and engage in direct interactions with the streamer.


    At this moment, nearly 40,000 fans in the livestream room were equipped with subscription badges. Many of them had been waiting in the room, just like early attendees at a nightclub event, hoping to be among the first to connect with Li Xiaofei.


    During the previous stream, viewers like Liu Yang and two others had successfully connected with Li Xiaofei and received his personal guidance. Their martial techniques improved so rapidly and their combat strength increased so significantly that it left many fans envious and eager for the same opportunity.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at the long list of connection requests that seemingly had no end and randomly selected two hundred fans from the list.


    A beam of white light flashed across the sky as two hundred figures appeared in the ancient martial arts dojo of the livestream room.


    When so many people arrived at once, the previously spacious dojo was suddenly crowded. Zhang Zhihong skillfully managed the situation, organizing positions and maintaining order. He made sure the fans who hadn¡¯t successfully connected still had excellent viewing angles for the stream.


    "Master," Guo Zong''ao, also known as Three Fists Shaking the Heavens, was the first to bow respectfully.


    Li Xiaofei nodded. He didn¡¯t waste time as he officially began the livestream.


    "The training methods and secrets of the first move of the Great Strength Vajra Fist, the Vajra Thunderous Strike, were covered in detail in the last stream. Does anyone have any further questions?" He addressed the two hundred people before him.


    As expected, several fans quickly raised their hands with questions. These fans were martial arts enthusiasts who had varying levels of skill and comprehension. The issues they encountered while practicing the Vajra Thunderous Strike were common challenges others might face.


    Li Xiaofei patiently spent the next hour answering each question in great detail. By the end, he had thoroughly addressed all the potential challenges people might encounter while cultivating the Vajra Thunderous Strike.


    Even those who hadn¡¯t connected were able to understand their own issues and find solutions just by watching this part of the stream.


    Impressive, straight to the point.


    I get it now, so that¡¯s how it works...


    Haha, I found the problem! The streamer explains it even better than my own master.


    This streamer is the real deal. If you have a problem, he actually helps you solve it.


    The comments in the livestream room exploded. It was overwhelming as the number of messages flooding the screen literally blocked out the virtual sky. Li Xiaofei frowned and promptly disabled the chat feature for everyone as they were interrupting his lecture.


    The reason he was streaming was to use the platform to spread the martial cultivation model of Red Flag High School. At the same time, seeing the dedication of Chen Fei and Qin Dewei over the past few decades made Li Xiaofei realize that cultivating in isolation wasn¡¯t enough if he wanted to revive Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial arts and promote its lineage.


    One person¡¯s strength was always limited. Moreover, many of the martial techniques he had drawn from the Moonlight Treasure Box weren¡¯t suited to him. Holding on to them was a waste. It was better to share them with Great Xia¡¯s martial artists for them to cultivate.


    In this era, many valuable techniques were held by powerful families. The Saint families in particular hoarded high-level martial arts techniques and refused to share them with the public. They used these techniques to manipulate the country and monopolize resources, while doing little for the greater good. They were like someone sitting on a toilet, refusing to use it, and then not allowing anyone else to use it either.


    It was truly infuriating. It was even more irritating than the old martial traditions that passed down techniques only to men and not to women, or only within the family.


    The government had made many efforts to counter this, such as building numerous schools to train martial talent. However, since powerful families were firmly entrenched in cities and base areas, many of these schools had become little more than private assets for these families.


    Take Liuhe Base City, for example. At one time, the Ye family had ruled unchallenged. Together with the other four major families, they turned most of the city¡¯s schools into their personal training grounds. As a result, all the talent produced by these schools ended up serving the five families, leaving the local military and government under their control.


    This was precisely why so many people flocked to his livestream after Li Xiaofei publicly shared the cultivation secrets of the Vajra Thunderous Strike. They finally had the chance to learn something real.


    Li Xiaofei had secretly wondered about the dog that had given him the Moonlight Treasure Box and allowed him to draw so many martial arts techniques. Perhaps it wasn¡¯t solely for the purpose of helping him cultivate and enhance his strength. It was likely also meant to help promote and revive Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage. He couldn¡¯t be selfish and hoard these techniques. He had to pass them on.


    There were countless talented individuals in the vast land of Great Xia. Many hidden heroes and geniuses were living ordinary lives and were just waiting for an opportunity. They just lacked proper techniques. Once they obtained martial skills, they could compete for resources and grow stronger. It was only when the whole nation became stronger that Great Xia could have hope. It was only then that ancient martial arts could rise again.


    However, by publicly sharing the true legacy techniques of martial arts, Li Xiaofei was essentially undermining the foundations that powerful families stood on. While these techniques were not their exclusive secrets, if everyone had access to true legacy skills, how could these families maintain their competitive edge and continue exploiting the country and its people?


    For now, Li Xiaofei''s influence was still small. He had only shared one true legacy technique, the Great Strength Vajra Fist, so the powerful families had yet to take notice.


    But even so, the explosive popularity of his second livestream had already made many people feel threatened. Just an hour into the stream, a martial arts streamer challenged him to a fight.


    "If you don¡¯t dare accept, then admit you¡¯re a fraud, and get off Longya Live Stream. Don¡¯t disgrace Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage."


    The challenger¡¯s name was Zhou Yidao. He was well-known in the martial arts section of Longya Live Streaming. He was infamous for crushing newcomers, leeching off their popularity, and stepping on others to climb the ranks.

 Chapter 373: Tickles

    Chapter 373: Tickles"Challenge me? Sure." Li Xiaofei''s expression remained calm. He said, "But as I said before, if you lose, you¡¯ll have to become my disciple."


    Zhou Yidao sneered and replied, "What if I win?"


    Li Xiaofei responded, "If you win, I''ll give you a million star coins."


    Zhou Yidao was stunned. He had been planning to suggest things like sending gifts or military-style training. He hadn¡¯t expected the other party to throw out the rules and go straight to offering money. Moreover, it was an enormous sum of one million star coins right from the start.


    "Alright." Zhou Yidao couldn¡¯t resist the temptation of money and said, "However... I use a sword, so we won¡¯t compare fists, but swordsmanship."


    "Damn." Zhang Zhihong couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. He pointed angrily and shouted, "Are you shameless? You know my boss teaches martial techniques, and now you want to challenge him in swordsmanship?"


    Zhou Yidao crossed his arms and coldly sneered, "What¡¯s wrong? Afraid? If you¡¯re scared, don¡¯t act tough. Just hand over the money."


    He didn¡¯t care about his reputation, which was already filled with countless haters. He was notorious for being shameless.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s face remained as calm as a still lake as he said, "Fine, swordsmanship it is."


    As he spoke, he extended his hand. His senior disciple, Guo Zong''ao, immediately and respectfully handed him a yanling blade[1].


    "Boss, are you sure about this?" Zhang Zhihong whispered nervously. "I heard that though this Zhou guy is a scoundrel of a streamer, he has unique swordsmanship skills. He once held an unbeaten streak of twenty-five matches in streamer PK battles."


    Li Xiaofei said, "We¡¯ll find out soon enough whether it¡¯s fine or not."


    Zhang Zhihong gritted his teeth and replied, "Alright, boss, don¡¯t feel too much pressure. Just go for it. If you lose, I¡¯ll cover the million."


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily surprised.


    This guy¡¯s always been stingy, and now he¡¯s suddenly so generous. What an unexpected show of loyalty. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But in reality, Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t entering this fight unprepared. Although he couldn¡¯t reveal his strongest sword technique, the Eight Secrets of the Heavenly Blade, he certainly had more than one sword style in his arsenal.


    Over the past few weeks, he had drawn every three days from a pool of martial arts manuals from the martial arts worlds of Jin Yong, Gu Long, and Liang Yusheng. Many of those were swordsmanship manuals. As someone who was determined to master the three great weapons, namely the sword, spear, and blade, Li Xiaofei had devoted far more time to these weapons than to martial techniques.


    The reason he had chosen to teach the Great Strength Vajra Fist in his first livestream wasn¡¯t because it was the only skill he had, but because it was personal to him. It was the first technique he had cultivated after his transmigration, and it served as a great beginner¡¯s martial art.


    It was easy to learn, was strong, and didn¡¯t require much in terms of aptitude or comprehension. He had chosen it because it would be widely accessible, not because he lacked other skills.


    Li Xiaofei casually stepped forward with the yanling blade in hand, his posture relaxed and unhurried. The fans around him instinctively backed away, creating a clearing for the fight.


    Li Xiaofei gestured toward Zhou Yidao and said, "I¡¯ll give you the first move. You have three strikes."


    "Haha, you''re arrogant beyond belief. You''re digging your own grave."


    Zhou Yidao laughed loudly as he drew the massive Gold-Ringed Mountain-Splitting Sword from his back.


    With a single slash, twelve golden rings on the back of the sword clashed together, producing an ear-piercing clamor like the roar of a ferocious tiger as golden light filled the air.


    This strike was none other than Zhou Yidao''s proud technique from his sword cultivation, Roaring Tiger Wind Slash. The countless sword shadows blurred the line between real and illusion, completely enveloping Li Xiaofei.


    "So it''s actually the Five Tigers Door Cutting Blade." Li Xiaofei chuckled softly as he gracefully sidestepped the attack as if taking a casual stroll.


    As luck would have it, he had already drawn the manual for this sword technique from the box and had even practiced it. He only needed a single glance to tell that Zhou Yidao''s Five Tigers Door Cutting Blade was incomplete. He was missing the core essence of the technique.


    "You know this sword technique?" Zhou Yidao was slightly shocked and shouted the question aloud.


    However, before Li Xiaofei could answer, Zhou Yidao lunged forward. He raised his sword high and slashed down again, unleashing his second strike as fast as lightning.


    White Tiger Leaping Across the Gorge.


    Li Xiaofei turned sideways, easily dodging the second strike once again.


    "How is this possible?" Zhou Yidao was even more stunned.


    Gritting his teeth, he unleashed his third technique, Ruler of the Mountains.


    But Li Xiaofei evaded with even greater ease. He didn¡¯t even move his feet this time, simply swaying his upper body to avoid every single sword shadow and letting them fall harmlessly around him.


    Zhou Yidao stopped, a bead of cold sweat trickling down his forehead. After the third strike, he realized that he was no match for the man before him. This newcomer was truly a dragon that had crossed the river.


    But Zhou Yidao''s eyes darted around quickly, and he immediately found an excuse. He sneered, "What¡¯s this? We agreed to compare swordsmanship, and all you do is dodge?"


    Li Xiaofei remained calm and unfazed as he replied, "Then open your eyes and watch closely. This is what the real Five Tigers Door Cutting Blade looks like."


    He raised the yanling blade in his hand and brought it down. The first strike was the same Roaring Tiger Wind Slash that Zhou Yidao had used earlier.


    Zhou Yidao''s vision blurred as countless layers of sword light cascaded toward him like a snowstorm in the sky. He had no way to avoid it. It was clearly the same technique. Yet its power had been amplified many times over. He couldn''t dodge at all. The sword light merely brushed him, splitting harmlessly upon contact. It was worse than being killed.


    "The second strike, White Tiger Leaping Across the Gorge, and the third strike, Ruler of the Mountains..."


    Li Xiaofei continued, executing one technique after the other. Tigers roared in succession, and the entire area filled with the shadows of the Heavenly Blade.


    The fans and spectators on the sidelines could only see an overwhelming surge of sword light. It sounded like a ferocious tiger were roaring as its terrifying and murderous aura washed over them.


    Guo Zong''ao, in particular, was so shocked that every hair on his body stood on end. He realized that his master on the light network, Li Xiaofei, not only had astonishing martial techniques, but his swordsmanship was equally unparalleled.


    Even someone completely ignorant of swordsmanship could see that although Li Xiaofei was using the same technique as Zhou Yidao, the force, the subtle intricacies, and the sheer momentum of his sword surpassed Zhou Yidao dozens of times over.


    If what Li Xiaofei displayed was the Five Tigers Door Cutting Blade, then what Zhou Yidao had shown could only be called the Five Kitten Soul-Splitting Sword.


    Whoosh!


    The sword aura whistled through the air. Li Xiaofei sheathed his sword and stood still. Across from him, Zhou Yidao¡¯s clothes were torn in thirty-six distinct places by sword marks.


    He stood frozen as cold sweat streamed down his face. In his mind, only one phrase echoed.


    Showing off one''s skills before a master.


    Challenging Li Xiaofei in a sword duel had been nothing more than a fool¡¯s errand.


    Thud.


    Zhou Yidao dropped to his knees and said, "Master, I admit defeat. Please teach me your swordsmanship."


    "Boss, this guy''s no good. You can¡¯t take him in," Zhang Zhihong quickly interrupted.


    He knew Zhou Yidao well and had heard of his many misdeeds.


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly and asked, "Do you know why I changed my name to Grandmaster of Heaven?"


    Zhang Zhihong responded, "Are you implying that you have the power to reach the heavens? That sounds pretty arrogant, boss."


    "No," Li Xiaofei replied calmly. "Grandmaster of Heaven, as in one who teaches without discrimination."


    Zhang Zhihong was speechless.


    That¡¯s even more arrogant.


    "Boss, what if this guy learns your swordsmanship and betrays you? What do we do then?" Zhang Zhihong warned.


    Zhou Yidao panicked as he quickly explained, "I truly want to be your disciple! If I can learn the complete Five Tigers Door Cutting Blade, I will honor you as my master. Everyone in this livestream is a witness. If I go back on my word, how could I continue in the streaming world?"


    Li Xiaofei, however, seemed completely unconcerned.


    "The Five Tigers Door Cutting Blade is the most basic of my techniques. It¡¯s insignificant. Besides, not just anyone can take advantage of me. If someone dares to betray their master, there¡¯s always a price to pay."


    His words radiated immense confidence. Zhou Yidao shuddered inwardly as all his schemes and deceit melted away. The thought of betrayal vanished from his mind. All he wanted now was to learn the true legacy of the Five Tigers Door Cutting Blade.


    Only someone like him, who had immersed himself in the Five Tigers Door Cutting Blade for over a decade, could understand how profound and powerful the technique Li Xiaofei had just displayed truly was. It was the true legacy of the swordsmanship he had desperately sought but never found.


    "I can teach you." With a casual wave of his hand, Li Xiaofei sent the yanling blade back to its place on the weapon rack. He continued, "But if you become my disciple, you must obey my words. Do good deeds; never bully the weak or commit wrongdoings. Once you¡¯ve mastered the true legacy of this sword technique, you must not keep it to yourself. You should spread and promote your swordsmanship."


    "I will obey, Master," Zhou Yidao replied, overjoyed. He immediately performed the disciple¡¯s salute.


    Li Xiaofei resumed his livestream lesson, continuing his instruction on the Great Strength Vajra Fist. This time, he taught the second technique, Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow.


    Zhou Yidao, not daring to interrupt, stood quietly to the side, attentively listening and absorbing everything. Learning an additional ancient martial art¡¯s true legacy was certainly a benefit.


    "Stand firm," Li Xiaofei instructed as he used Zhang Zhihong as a human punching bag to demonstrate the intricacies of the martial technique.


    Bang, bang, bang.


    Each punch landed heavily on Zhang Zhihong, who let out screams like a pig being slaughtered. At that moment, he finally understood why Li Xiaofei had asked him earlier if he could take a beating. This job wasn¡¯t for just anyone.


    But there was an upside: experiencing the strength of the martial technique firsthand was beneficial for his own cultivation. With Li Xiaofei''s detailed explanations and guidance, Zhang Zhihong could grasp the essence of the martial technique much faster.


    Time and again, Zhang Zhihong was sent flying as his virtual form disintegrated into a stream of data. Then, he would revive and return to take more hits. After a while, Zhang Zhihong felt that his ability to withstand punishment had improved. Before they knew it, five hours had flown by.


    At this point, the number of live viewers had already surpassed 80,000. The stream''s popularity had reached a staggering 1.6 million. It had catapulted into the top 5,000 streams on the Longya Group website. Fan subscriptions had risen to 74,500.


    Among them, 80% were VIP fans who had subscribed with special badges, showing an incredible level of loyalty. This was higher than even some of the platform¡¯s top streamers.


    Moreover, the growth of these numbers was directly proportional to the passage of time. This indicated that there had been no drop-off during the stream, and the content was keeping viewers remarkably engaged.


    Liao Qixing, who had been closely monitoring the live data throughout the stream, let out a long sigh of relief. The excitement in his and his team''s eyes was palpable. They had done it! The second stream was even more explosive than the debut.


    With these numbers, Li Xiaofei could already be considered a second-tier streamer across the entire platform. Moreover, this was only his second day of streaming. It was as if they were witnessing the rise of a new star streamer. Yang Hui let out a quiet sigh. Now, even Su Qianni had no grounds for complaints.


    Yang Hui sent a message to Su Qianni. It didn¡¯t contain anything special. Just a screenshot of the backend statistics from Li Xiaofei¡¯s livestream. She knew that Su Qianni would understand everything once she saw the numbers.


    Soon, Li Xiaofei''s livestream came to an end. Just like last time, he didn¡¯t linger. Ignoring the fans who were furiously showering him with gifts, he ended the stream without hesitation.


    The real victim, Zhang Zhihong, who had been beaten within an inch of his virtual life, had to stay behind to manage the stream and replay the broadcast for the viewers.


    Guo Zong''ao and Zhou Yidao, after leaving Li Xiaofei¡¯s stream, returned to their own channels and started streaming again. To their surprise, they quickly discovered that their live viewer counts had not only surpassed their previous averages but were steadily rising.


    Greetings, Senior Brother!


    Greetings, Second Senior Brother!


    These types of messages flooded their chat rooms. The viewers had obviously migrated from Li Xiaofei¡¯s stream.


    What the heck?


    Not only had they learned the true legacy of ancient martial arts, but they also gained popularity in the process! Neither of them had anticipated this kind of benefit.


    They were both experienced streamers, so they immediately connected their streams and began referring to each other as Senior Brother and Second Brother. This playful banter created excellent entertainment value. Many of Li Xiaofei¡¯s fans flocked over to watch the spectacle.


    At the same time, word of all this quickly spread to the Longya Group Martial Arts Streamer Group on LightChat.


    @Zhou Yidao.


    You bastard, get out here!


    Are you treating Brother Dao like a joke?


    Brother Dao explicitly said not to kiss up to that new streamer, and yet you turned around and betrayed us. You even became his disciple...


    Stop pretending you''re dead. Get out here and explain yourself.


    Martial Arts You Ba exploded in the group chat, angrily calling Zhou Yidao out for his betrayal.


    Zhou Yidao wasn¡¯t intimidated at all and jumped right into the confrontation.


    I went there to cause trouble and disrupt the stream, but who knew that Teacher Grandmaster of Heaven actually had real skills and was willing to teach me genuine stuff? So what if I became his disciple? At least he treated me sincerely, unlike certain people who act all high and mighty in the group but can''t be bothered to help when you ask.


    Martial Arts You Ba was furious.


    Zhou Yidao, are you talking about me, you traitor?


    Whoever responds is who I¡¯m talking about.


    Martial Arts You Ba grew even more enraged.


    You really don¡¯t want to survive in this circle, do you?


    Heh, whether I survive or not isn''t up to you. You spend all day sucking up to Brother Dao, but in his eyes, you¡¯re worth less than a dog. I¡¯m embarrassed for you. Keep kissing up if you like, but I¡¯m done with you guys.


    Zhou Yidao was unusually defiant today. After saying his piece, he immediately left the group. The chat fell silent. Thirty seconds later, the group owner, Invincible Below the Dao, appeared.


    Anyone else? If you want to leave, do it yourself.


    His tone was still as domineering as ever.


    Spread the word: tell this newcomer Grandmaster of Heaven to learn some respect. He¡¯d better come and bow down to me. If he doesn¡¯t acknowledge me as the leader, don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn him.


    Martial Arts You Ba was quick to respond,


    Don¡¯t worry, Brother Dao. I¡¯ll deliver the message.


    Invincible Below the Dao continued


    As for that dog Zhou Yidao, he¡¯s grown bold enough to throw shade at me in the group. Looks like I¡¯ve been too lenient lately, and some people have forgotten the fear of being under the rule of the Dao Army. Tomorrow, we¡¯ll make an example of him.


    The other streamers in the group fell silent. As the top dog in the ancient martial arts section, Invincible Below the Dao had always been ruthless. Over a hundred streamers had been forced out of the industry by him.


    Now, it seemed that Grandmaster of Heaven was now in some serious trouble. As for Zhou Yidao? He was just a mantis standing in front of the wheel, destined to be crushed tomorrow.


    Word quickly spread through the Longya Group Martial Arts Streamer Group. Soon, many in the circle knew that tomorrow was going to be eventful.


    ***


    Xiajing.


    In a lavishly decorated apartment, a beautiful woman wearing a white nightgown stared at her stunning reflection in the mirror and sighed softly.


    "The second day''s stream didn¡¯t do as well as the first. If this keeps up, when the loan matures, I¡¯ll be in serious debt. It¡¯s all because of this Grandmaster of Heaven, who stole my resources and recommendations."


    When she thought back to the screenshot Yang Hui had sent her, Su Qianni felt a deep sense of helplessness. The numbers on that chart were terrifying; they were far beyond anything she could hope to achieve.


    She had thought that with her natural beauty, fiery figure, and considerable skill, she was bound to stand out in this year''s online Martial God Tournament and become the next Best New Streamer.


    Fame and fortune would follow. She¡¯d earn enough to pay off the enormous loan she had taken out to buy cultivation resources. But who could have guessed...


    "We¡¯re both newcomers, so why is Grandmaster of Heaven''s numbers so ridiculously high?" Su Qianni was unwilling to accept defeat, so she logged into her alternate account and clicked into Li Xiaofei¡¯s livestream.


    She wanted to learn from him and see if she could pick up any of his techniques. After spending several hours watching the recording of Li Xiaofei¡¯s second day of streaming, Su Qianni was left speechless. There was no way to steal his techniques. There was no way to imitate him. This Grandmaster of Heaven had a livestream that was simply too hardcore.


    As she reflected on those insane statistics, Su Qianni fell into deep thought.


    If I can¡¯t beat him, why not join him?


    A thought struck her, and she used her alternate account to check out the streams of Guo Zong''ao, also known as Three Fists Shaking the Heavens, and Zhou Yidao.


    She found the two of them interacting in a live stream, exchanging insights about cultivating the Great Strength Vajra Fist. Their chatrooms were buzzing with activity that far surpassed their usual viewership. Clearly, they had benefited from their association with Li Xiaofei.


    Just then, her light core vibrated.


    Little Su, have you made up your mind yet? If you agree to my terms, I can make you famous without even trying.


    The message came from none other than Invincible Below the Dao, the top streamer in the martial arts section.


    Not interested. Go away.


    Su Qianni shot back without hesitation. She didn¡¯t know Invincible Below the Dao personally. He had been the one to approach her, claiming he could make her a star.


    Su Qianni didn¡¯t doubt his ability. As the king of the martial arts section with millions of followers, Brother Dao could easily make any newcomer famous with a single word. Many female streamers were desperate to get close to him.


    But she knew his reputation well. Brother Dao was petty and greedy. He was notorious for exploiting newcomers. Anyone he helped to rise had to pay tribute to him indefinitely. Once someone was caught in his web, there was no escape.


    Working with him was no different than drinking poison to quench thirst.


    Stupid bitch, you¡¯ve made your choice. Just wait, there will come a time when you¡¯ll be on your knees begging for mercy.


    Brother Dao sent back an enraged message.


    ***


    At the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters. Inside the president¡¯s training room.


    Knock, knock, knock.


    Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    ¡°Boss, please help me, I¡¯m dying!¡±


    Li Junjie burst through the door, his face filled with terror.


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback, asking, ¡°What happened to you... huh?¡±


    He was shocked to realize that his top henchman had undergone a complete transformation in just a few days.


    Li Junjie now stood over two meters tall, with muscles bulging like solid iron. An overwhelming aura radiated from him as his strength had clearly increased hundreds of times over. It was as if he had become an entirely different person.


    Li Xiaofei paused for a moment, then quickly understood what had happened. It was the heart of the Bull Demon that Little Aunt had transplanted into him. Something extraordinary had occurred.


    The Bull Demon was a Grade 5 star beast. Its heart contained immense, life-giving energy. After being modified by Little Aunt, the heart now carried energy far beyond its original Grade 5 threshold, granting Li Junjie a strength that exceeded even that of a star beast.


    Li Xiaofei hadn¡¯t expected the enhancements to come so quickly and intensely. It had only been a few days, but now Li Junjie¡¯s physical strength had skyrocketed to the level of the Golden Body Realm.


    This is definitely a good thing.


    Li Xiaofei smiled.


    But Li Junjie, who had lost his memory, had no idea what was happening. Over the past few days, every time he woke up, his height had inexplicably shot up, and his skin had begun shedding. The sudden surge in strength left him feeling completely out of place.


    He would accidentally knock down walls, send cars flying, or crush his underlings'' bones with a simple squeeze. Even just sitting down lightly would break beds beneath him.


    Several of his girlfriends had even suffered broken bones from his unintended force. Then there was the insatiable hunger. He could devour enough food for twenty people and still only feel barely full.


    Since Li Junjie didn¡¯t understand what was happening, he assumed he was sick. When he secretly searched online, the results terrified him. According to his search results on Qiandu, Li Junjie discovered that his symptoms matched those of radiation sickness. The fatal prognosis scared him to the core. He felt like he was on the brink of death. He spent every day in fear, convinced he didn¡¯t have long to live.


    ¡°Boss, please help me, I¡¯m still young, I don¡¯t want to die!¡± Li Junjie pleaded miserably.


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment, realizing that Li Junjie had worked himself to the point of delusion. A simple explanation wouldn¡¯t calm him down.


    To cure the mind, you need a cure for the heart.


    Li Xiaofei took out a bottle of kidney-strengthening pills his aunt had prepared and said, "This is a miraculous medicine I stumbled upon. Take one pill in the morning and one at night. In ten days, your illness will be gone. As for the changes in your body, they¡¯re a good thing; you¡¯ll adapt to them over time."


    "Thank you for saving my life, Boss!" said Li Junjie as he happily took the small bottle and left with a spring in his step.


    Li Xiaofei hadn¡¯t even had a moment to catch his breath before there was another knock at the door. A sweet fragrance filled the air. He didn¡¯t need to look up to know that Principal Hu had arrived.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± asked Li Xiaofei.


    Hu Yuer was dressed in a pale professional suit, paired with black stockings and high heels. She wore gold-rimmed glasses and light makeup with a cool, aloof style, giving off a powerful, professional woman¡¯s aura. Her appearance made it easy for men to feel an urge to dominate her.


    "I¡¯m here to give a report on the school," she said, her tone icy and composed.


    But the way her foot slipped under the desk and started gently rubbing Li Xiaofei¡¯s thigh told a different story.


    Li Xiaofei casually grabbed her foot, softly massaging it as he asked, "What¡¯s going on at the school?"


    Hu Yuer, still maintaining her composed facade, gave a formal report on the progress of the Cloudy Sky Youth Academy. However, by the time she reached the end of her report, her breathing had become slightly heavier.


    Finally, she couldn¡¯t hold back any longer and burst into a soft giggle, "It tickles..."


    Li Xiaofei firmly slapped the desk in front of him and commanded, "Come here, and bend over."


    1. a kind of saber with shape similar to wild goose''s feather ?

 Chapter 374: Patriarch And Little Martial Uncle

    Chapter 374: Patriarch And Little Martial UncleHu Yuer lay limp on the soft carpet, with a noticeable dampness spreading around her.


    Li Xiaofei rubbed his sore waist as he headed to the bathroom to relieve himself. The physique from his Heavenly Fox Nine-Tailed bloodline was indeed formidable. Even Li Xiaofei, despite pushing himself, had only slightly edged out Hu Yuer in their battle.


    After cleaning up, Li Xiaofei focused inward as he examined his dantian. The small figure within him had grown even more solid. The nine tails behind it were becoming clearer as they swayed gently. They radiated a subtle beauty filled with Daoist energy.


    Can this thing really grant me nine lives?


    Li Xiaofei was skeptical. However, after this round of dual cultivation, his mental state felt elevated as it continuously grew more refined.


    He glanced back at Hu Yuer and chuckled softly.


    Women... nothing special.


    He realized that he was losing interest in them altogether. Moreover, his thoughts were exceptionally clear at this moment. He carefully reflected on the cultivation techniques he had been working on. His comprehension had soared, and the key points that had once stumped him now came together effortlessly. He sat cross-legged and immediately began cultivating again.


    The next day. Li Xiaofei had morning sex, followed by school and cultivation. Afterward, Li Xiaofei returned to the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters, entered the light core''s main console, and logged into the virtual light-network. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He immediately began his livestream.


    "Boss, you''re finally here," Zhang Zhihong greeted him with a face that looked both exhausted and oddly energized. It was as if he had been pushed to his limits but injected with a burst of adrenaline. "If you didn''t show up soon, the fans were about to call the cops and report you as a missing person."


    Can¡¯t you come up with a new line?


    Li Xiaofei thought as he glanced at the data.


    What the heck...


    He was stunned. The number of subscribers had skyrocketed to over 140,000. Currently, there were 180,000 people online. The live viewership was actually higher than the number of subscribers. And it was only the third day of streaming.


    "Master, you¡¯re finally here."


    "Greetings, Master."


    Guo Zong''ao and Zhou Yidao, who had been given small moderator privileges, were also in the stream early, helping to keep things organized. After all, they had to pitch in as disciples. They couldn¡¯t just freeload.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s arrival caused the entire livestream to erupt in excitement.


    Streamer, I''ve already mastered two moves of the Great Strength Vajra Fist.


    Master, please accept me as your disciple too.


    Long live Grandmaster of Heaven, ruler of the martial world, eternal prosperity and immortality!


    Greetings, Master!


    I looked up the origin of the name Grandmaster of Heaven yesterday. It means teaching without discrimination, welcoming all disciples. Is that your ambition, streamer?


    But in the end, the original Grandmaster of Heaven was ganged up on, defeated, and forced into hiding. His disciples were either killed, surrendered, or even captured as mounts... Doesn''t sound like a great ending.


    Shut up, you''ve read too many novels. What''s with all the overthinking?


    The chat exploded, covering the sky of the virtual martial arts arena with a sea of comments. It was truly a sky-blotting barrage. Li Xiaofei quickly disabled the comments to avoid disruptions to his teaching.


    At that moment, a flurry of gift effects erupted across the stream. Massive dragons, war chariots, celestial palaces, exotic flowers, and mythical beasts flooded the screen, transforming the virtual martial arts dojo into something resembling a vibrant mythological temple.


    "Everyone, you don¡¯t need to send gifts," Li Xiaofei said.


    No, we want to send gifts.


    These aren''t gifts; they¡¯re our tuition fees.


    Exactly! Grandmaster of Heaven is teaching us ancient martial arts for free, and we¡¯re not heartless enough to just freeload.


    Fans responded eagerly, insisting on showing their gratitude.


    Li Xiaofei sighed. "You don''t need to spend so much on tuition. Please, everyone, spend wisely."


    We want to go wild with our donations. A fan retorted.


    I suggest the streamer mind his own business. Another added.


    The true legacy of Great Xia martial arts is worth any amount of gifts.


    Fans were quick to push back again. Li Xiaofei slapped his forehead.


    These people are impossible to reason with.


    Curious, he checked the earnings from his last two livestreams. His eyes widened in disbelief. He had received a staggering 130 million Longya Group coins, which converted to 1.3 million star coins.


    After deducting the platform¡¯s 30 percent cut and 25 percent taxes under the C-tier contract he had signed with Longya Live Stream, he would still pocket nearly 700,000 star coins.


    After confirming the numbers several times, he couldn¡¯t help but marvel. No wonder so many people dreamed of becoming top streamers; the earnings were indeed staggering.


    "Today, we¡¯ll continue with the Great Strength Vajra Fist," Li Xiaofei announced as he resumed his livestream. "As usual, I¡¯ll select two hundred lucky fans to connect and ask questions in the dojo."


    Soon, the two hundred lucky participants were chosen. Those who weren''t selected were disappointed.


    Master, as your fanbase grows, can you increase the number of connections?


    Yeah, it¡¯s getting harder and harder to be selected.


    I¡¯m a diehard fan! Three times and still no luck!


    Fans pleaded for more opportunities.


    Zhang Zhihong quickly stepped in to calm the crowd. "Brothers, as you¡¯ve seen, our virtual dojo has limited capacity. Master¡¯s current contract is for a newcomer, but once the livestream''s performance improves and the contract is upgraded, the site will expand the dojo. Then maybe more fans can connect."


    Li Xiaofei shook his head and added, "Even with an upgraded dojo, I have limited time. I can only connect with so many people during each session."


    With that, he jumped straight into the lesson. The two hundred selected fans asked questions about the issues they encountered while practicing the Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow, and Li Xiaofei answered each one in detail.


    Then, using Zhang Zhihong as a human sandbag once more, he began to demonstrate the third move, Threefold Divine Strength.


    "Ah..."


    "It hurts."


    "Master, hit harder!"


    "Heh, I might die after this punch."


    "Brothers, I¡¯m back again!"


    Zhang Zhihong gradually grew accustomed to the peculiar routine of getting beaten up during the livestream.


    Many fans couldn¡¯t help but feel sorry for him. Eventually, someone suggested calling him Little Martial Uncle, and the nickname stuck. After all, by serving as a human punching bag, Zhang Zhihong indirectly provided useful feedback for the fans who were practicing the Great Strength Vajra Fist. He had, in a way, become an essential teaching tool.


    During this stream, the fans also started to unanimously refer to Li Xiaofei as Patriarch.


    Four hours later, Li Xiaofei finished explaining the core principles of the Threefold Divine Strength technique and how to seamlessly transition between it and the previous two moves.


    This time, there were no challenges or streamers looking to start a PK match, so no time was wasted. After wrapping up the main lesson, there was still an hour left in the stream.


    Liu Yidao stepped forward with a grin and asked, "Master, we still have some time. Could you demonstrate the other moves of the Five Tigers Door-Cutting Blade? I''d love to see them in action."


    Li Xiaofei nodded and said, "Bring me a sword."


    Immediately, someone presented him with a yanling blade. As soon as the blade was in his hand, Li Xiaofei''s demeanor shifted.


    He fluidly unleashed the full series of techniques from the Five Tigers Door-Cutting Blade. The livestream was suddenly filled with swirling flashes of light, as the blade''s aura roared like a leaping and snarling mythical tiger.


    Zhou Yidao, along with many other martial artists who practiced swordsmanship, were left speechless as they watched in awe.


    But just then, something unexpected happened in the stream.


    Boom!


    A loud explosion echoed.

 Chapter 375: Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm

    Chapter 375: Falling Blossom Divine Sword PalmA golden divine dragon suddenly appeared in the sky, its claws bared and its majestic form resembling the descent of a king. It slowly descended about five hundred meters before transforming into a golden Great Wall-like phantom. The image lingered in the air for a full minute before gradually fading away.


    Whoa, that''s the Dragon God Great Wall, the most expensive gift on the Longya Live Stream platform.


    Unbelievable! That gift is worth 300,000 star coins.


    Who could be so extravagant?


    Wow, it seems like we''ve got a true high-roller in the house this time.


    The fans in the live broadcast room were all stunned. The rare supreme gift, which was hardly ever seen, had just made its appearance.


    Who sent the gift?


    Everyone''s gaze was fixed on the public screen. They soon discovered that the gift was sent by a fan with the username Willing to Be a Pair of Lovebirds in the Sky.


    Immediately after, this generous benefactor requested to join the live stream. Zhang Zhihong whispered something into Li Xiaofei''s ear. Only then did Li Xiaofei realize just how expensive the gift was.


    After thinking for a moment, he agreed to let Willing to Be a Pair of Lovebirds in the Sky join the live stream. After all, the person had spent a lot of money.


    With a flash of white light, a breathtaking young woman dressed in a traditional white gown appeared in the ancient martial arts dojo.


    In an instant, it felt as though winter had ended and spring had arrived as hundreds of flowers seemed to bloom. The martial arts dojo was suddenly graced with an unprecedented brightness and beauty.


    The woman in the white gown was so stunningly beautiful that she seemed otherworldly. Her icy complexion and flawless skin made her look like a goddess from the heavens.


    Even Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but be taken aback. It was like he was witnessing the descent of Chang''e, the fairy from myth and legend, into the mortal world.


    That''s Su Qianni.


    The top beauty of this year''s Martial God Tournament, Su Qianni?


    Ah, my goddess whom I dream of day and night.


    Is she a fairy from the heavens? How could someone so divine descend to the mortal realm?


    I¡¯ve heard rumors about her unmatched beauty before. I thought it was just media hype, but who knew she was truly a natural beauty. I haven''t seen a female martial artist with her looks in fifty years.


    She''s really something¡ªgorgeous face, slender waist, long legs, and, well, she''s got quite the figure. I wonder if her skin is as flawless as it looks.


    For a moment, countless onlookers couldn''t help but gasp in awe. Zhang Zhihong raised his eyebrows. He had no interest in pretty women. But he was a little concerned that this woman could be here to cause trouble.


    He knew a bit of the inside scoop about the new Longya Group platform''s signed streamers. Strictly speaking, the sudden rise of the Patriarch had indeed encroached upon resources that originally belonged to Su Qianni.


    "Patriarch, greetings." Su Qianni clasped her hands together in a respectful gesture, her face blossoming into a radiant smile. "I¡¯ve long heard that a superstar streamer has emerged from this year''s Martial God Tournament, so I came by to introduce myself. I hope I¡¯m not disturbing you?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "It''s fine, and thank you for the generous gift."


    Su Qianni smiled warmly and said, "I started my stream on the same day as you. Before going live, I did a lot of advertising, even asked some peers to help divert traffic, and the platform gave me a lot of resources. But unfortunately, the results and popularity of my stream were nowhere near yours, Patriarch."


    Li Xiaofei chuckled and said, "Maybe it''s because I only deal with real content."


    Su Qianni covered her mouth with a laugh and said, "Actually, I have a small favor to ask with this live connection."


    Li Xiaofei responded, "Go ahead."


    Before Su Qianni could speak, Zhang Zhihong, worried that Li Xiaofei might fall into a trap, quickly interjected, "Let me make one thing clear first. Even though you¡¯ve sent an expensive gift, if you¡¯re here to make some unreasonable request like creating a fake romantic relationship with the Patriarch, we will outright refuse. And if needed, I¡¯ll refund you double the value of your Dragon God Great Wall gift." S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Su Qianni quickly reassured, "Of course, I wouldn¡¯t engage in such pointless publicity stunts... Patriarch, I would like to become your disciple. Will you take me under your wing?"


    Become a disciple?!


    This took many fans by surprise. Even Zhang Zhihong was momentarily stunned.


    But Li Xiaofei agreed without hesitation.


    "Sure, I happen to have a few true legacy ancient martial arts techniques that are perfect for you. I can pass them on to you."


    Su Qianni was overjoyed at his words. She had initially worried that the Patriarch might think she was here to steal his audience and reject her outright, or worse, that he might make unreasonable demands like that greedy and shameless Brother Dao.


    But to her surprise, he agreed immediately and even mentioned that he had suitable true legacy martial arts for her. Su Qianni dropped to her knees with a thud, performing the ancient martial arts disciple ceremony. This kind of gesture was a tradition of the Great Xia martial lineage.


    Though many on the light-network nowadays considered this kneeling ceremony to be outdated and something that should be discarded, many true martial artists still adhered to it. They believed it wasn¡¯t just a superficial act but a way to uphold and pass on tradition.


    By coming to seek a mentor today, Su Qianni was taking a gamble. She wasn¡¯t willing to compromise with someone like Brother Dao, who was a cancerous figure in the scene. Instead, she placed her trust in Li Xiaofei, who was dedicated to promoting and preserving ancient martial arts.


    "Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother."


    After paying her respects to Li Xiaofei, Su Qianni respectfully bowed to Guo Zong''ao and Zhou Yidao as well.


    The two of them nodded slightly in acknowledgment.


    Congratulations to the Patriarch on accepting a beloved disciple.


    Congratulations, Patriarch!


    Patriarch, I want to become your disciple too.


    Bah, you don¡¯t want to be a disciple; you just want to hit on Senior Sister...


    Fans in the live stream room erupted with comments.


    Li Xiaofei''s booming voice echoed, "Anyone who learns my martial arts is my disciple. We have no ranks; those with skill come first."


    Su Qianni approached with a cheerful smile and asked, "Master, you''ve taught Senior Brother martial techniques and Second Senior Brother swordsmanship. What will you teach me?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "What martial art do you prefer?"


    Su Qianni thought for a moment and said, "I¡¯ve always loved palm techniques and swordsmanship since I was young."


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly and said, "Then watch closely."


    As soon as he finished speaking, Li Xiaofei moved his body and struck out with his palm.


    His movements were graceful, like a peach tree swaying gently in the wind. His arms moved fluidly as they created palm shadows in all directions. Sometimes, there was one real strike among five false ones, or one real strike among eight false ones. His palms resembled a sudden gale in a peach forest, causing countless blossoms to fall.


    His posture was elegant, but the power behind it was even more astonishing. The onlookers felt the force of the wind on their faces and nearly suffocated from the sheer intensity. The pressure of his palm strikes forced them to retreat repeatedly. But this was only because Li Xiaofei hadn''t unleashed his full strength.


    Su Qianni was captivated with just a single glance. She had been obsessed with palm and sword techniques since childhood and had devoted herself to their study. She had painstakingly collected numerous manuals and battle techniques related to these arts.


    As a result, she was familiar with many mainstream palm and sword techniques within Great Xia. She had even carefully studied the secret techniques of various prestigious families, those kept from the public through repeated observations of battle videos.


    But she had never seen or heard of the palm technique Li Xiaofei was demonstrating before her now. Yet this set of palm techniques was graceful, but sharp. It blended illusion with reality, and was packed with immense power. It was clearly far superior to the Great Strength Vajra Fist and the Five Tigers Door-Cutting Blade.


    This was beyond a treasured-level technique; it could be rated as a legendary-level true legacy of ancient martial arts.


    A moment later, Li Xiaofei straightened and the countless palm shadows slowly dissipated into the air. Streams of visible palm energy swirled like delicate peach blossoms in the air as they refused to dissipate. As the flowing energy encircled Li Xiaofei, he looked like a transcendent immortal amidst a shower of falling peach blossoms.


    The live stream audience was completely stunned. They had just witnessed the third true legacy of ancient martial arts. An even more powerful technique. It turned out that everything the Patriarch had said before was true. He had truly mastered several true legacies of ancient martial arts, and he hadn¡¯t been exaggerating.


    "Well, what do you think?" Li Xiaofei stood tall and smiled, hands clasped behind his back. "Would you like to cultivate this Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm?"


    Su Qianni was so overwhelmed with excitement that she nearly fainted. This was the exact true legacy she had longed for day and night.


    With a thud, she fell to her knees once more.


    "Master, your disciple Su Qianni is willing to learn."


    The top beauty of this year''s online Martial God Tournament, with her flushed face, rosy lips, and eyes filled with eager anticipation, looked up at the man before her, unable to contain her excitement.

 Chapter 376: Advance!

    Chapter 376: Advance!The Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm was one of the Five Supreme Techniques and was created by the legendary figure, Huang Yaoshi[1], also known as the Eastern Heretic. The verse, "Peach Blossom Shadows Fall and Divine Sword Flies, The Jade Flute Guides the Tides of the Emerald Sea," referred to his two greatest martial arts: Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm and Emerald Sea Tide Song.


    The Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm was derived from sword techniques and embodied the essence of both palm and sword arts. It was the perfect martial art for someone like Su Qianni to cultivate.


    "Rise. I will teach you the Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm," Li Xiaofei said with a nod.


    Su Qianni was overjoyed. When she checked the time, there was still about an hour left before the stream ended.


    "However, there''s always a proper order to things," Li Xiaofei mused and said, "I¡¯ll first teach your Second Senior Brother the Five Tigers Door-Cutting Blade."


    He then turned to the fans in the live stream and announced, "For the next few days, the focus of the streams will still be on the Great Strength Vajra Fist. This technique is the most accessible, requires minimal cultivation prerequisites, and can be mastered quickly. As for the Five Tigers Door-Cutting Blade and the Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm, I¡¯ll be teaching them to my two disciples. If anyone is interested, you can visit their live streams to learn from them."


    When they heard this, both Zhou Yidao and Su Qianni''s eyes lit up. As individuals who treated live streaming as their career, they fully understood the weight of Li Xiaofei''s words. This meant that in the future, they could hold public teaching sessions in their own streams.


    This was guaranteed to bring in more traffic. The Patriarch was being incredibly generous by teaching martial arts and even sharing his audience.


    How could such a generous person exist in this world?


    What was his true background? Could he be a disciple from one of the legendary Saint Families?


    In the next hour, Li Xiaofei taught Zhou Yidao the Five Tigers Door-Cutting Blade and Su Qianni the Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm. Since it was a one-on-one lesson, the pace of instruction was much faster.


    Zhou Yidao already had a foundation in the Five Tigers Door-Cutting Blade, so he quickly grasped the basics of the technique. Due to time constraints, Su Qianni only managed to learn the first four moves of the Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm.


    "That¡¯s all for today," Li Xiaofei said, checking the time. "When you go back, take the time to reflect on what you''ve learned. If there''s anything you don''t understand, feel free to ask me during tomorrow''s stream."


    With that, he swiftly ended the live stream. Everyone who wanted to ask more questions didn¡¯t even have the chance to stop him.


    Farewell to the Patriarch!


    Farewell to the Patriarch!


    The live chat exploded with messages, filling the screen in an endless stream of text.


    Zhang Zhihong, Li Xiaofei''s stream assistant, glanced at the data. The live stream had 150,000 viewers, with a popularity rating exceeding 3,000,000. The number of subscribed followers had risen to 149,000.


    This meant that almost every viewer who joined the stream ended up subscribing. These numbers left Zhang Zhihong utterly astonished once again. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile, in the virtual office at Longya Group''s headquarters, Liao Qixing and the members of Team 18, who had been closely monitoring the stream''s performance, erupted in cheers. They stood up, clapping and congratulating each other for the massive success of the broadcast.


    The third live stream was just as explosive as the previous ones. Every metric was growing at an absurd, almost incomprehensible rate.


    "Boss, did you see that? He really does have more hardcore true legacy martial arts techniques."


    "Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm! What a beautiful name!"


    "Who exactly is this Grandmaster of Heaven?"


    "If he¡¯s mastered so many true legacies of ancient martial arts, he must belong to one of the top-tier Saint families. It¡¯s already an incredible stroke of luck for an ordinary person to have one true legacy."


    The team members were buzzing with discussion as their curiosity grew.


    Liao Qixing spread his hands and said, "No need to guess. Grandmaster of Heaven''s identity is a mystery. His confidentiality level is extremely high. Our director even pulled some strings within the company and still couldn¡¯t get access to his information."


    Yang Hui was shocked and said, "Then he must be from one of the top Saint families for sure."


    Deputy team leader Zhou Hailong nodded thoughtfully and added, "Exactly. Only the elite martial families would possess so many true legacies."


    But as he finished speaking, he exchanged a glance with Yang Hui. The bickering duo had found common ground once again! Their colleagues burst into laughter.


    Zhou Hailong almost reflexively added, "But even if he¡¯s a son of a top-tier family, continuing to teach these techniques for free like this probably won¡¯t last long. After all, true legacy martial arts are the foundation of these families, and doing this is a huge waste of their inheritance."


    Yang Hui was quick to disagree as she retorted, "Maybe it¡¯s the will of his entire family! With Great Xia in turmoil, constantly losing in the resource wars and the Council¡¯s Holy Wars, some conscientious Saint families might be trying to bring about change..."


    "Ha! Saint families with a conscience?"


    "There¡¯s no absolute in this world."


    And so, the two of them began arguing once more.


    Liao Qixing and the rest of the team exchanged amused glances and smiled. Everything was back to normal; the bickering duo was at it again.


    ***


    Crap!


    Martial Arts You Ba cursed in the group chat.


    That kid¡¯s live stream is way too popular. I posted hundreds of comments to get him to come pay respects, but they were all drowned out by other people¡¯s messages.


    A streamer named Great Dragon Spear posted a suggestion.


    You could apply to join the stream


    Tens of thousands of people are trying to join his stream. I can¡¯t even get in.


    Seriously? A new streamer is that popular? Tens of thousands of people trying to join?


    Are you joking? Or did he hire a bunch of plants to boost his numbers?


    Tens of thousands of fake viewers?


    The discussion in the streamer group exploded. Even those who weren¡¯t paying much attention were now intrigued because Martial Arts You Ba''s claims sounded so exaggerated.


    Normally, a few thousand people applying to join a live stream with over 500,000 viewers would already indicate an incredibly high level of engagement.


    Tens of thousands trying to join? That¡¯s the kind of number you¡¯d expect from a super-streamer with millions of followers! Only a handful of streamers had ever reached that level of popularity across the Longya Live Streaming platform. Most streamers in the group believed Martial Arts You Ba was exaggerating to cover up the fact that he hadn¡¯t completed the task Brother Dao assigned him.


    Has Zhou Yidao started his stream yet?


    At that moment, Brother Dao joined the chat.


    Martial Arts You Ba quickly replied


    Yes, right after Grandmaster of Heaven ended his stream, Zhou Yidao started his own.


    He added a few inflammatory words


    Brother Dao, this kid is getting cocky. He thinks he''s secured some big backer and doesn¡¯t care about you anymore.


    It''s now 11:10 PM. In twenty minutes, the Dao Union Army will invade Zhou Yidao''s live stream.Spread the word. I want his stream destroyed. I want him off the Longya Live Stream platform for good.


    A chill ran through the group. It was happening. A real battle, where no punches would be pulled, was about to unfold.


    After months of silence, the Dao Union Army was finally about to stir up another storm of chaos. Tonight promised to be full of drama.


    Immediately, all the streamers in the group began spreading the word to their fan bases. Meanwhile, Zhou Yidao was still in his livestream, excitedly teaching blade techniques. He was completely unaware of the storm brewing.


    His live stream had over 40,000 viewers, with a popularity score nearing 1,000,000. These were the best stats he had ever seen since he started streaming. The activity level in the chat was also phenomenal.


    Comments were flying by like there was no limit to how many people could send messages. Well, technically, ordinary comments were free. Zhou Yidao recognized many of the usernames in the chat. These were viewers who had migrated over from his master, Grandmaster of Heaven''s stream.


    Following his master''s advice, Zhou Yidao decided to suppress his selfish desires and greed. He offered free instruction on the Five Tigers Door-Cutting Blade technique during his stream. This was a golden opportunity to win over diehard fans. And sure enough, as he poured his heart into teaching, more and more viewers flooded his stream. More and more. And more...


    Gradually, Zhou Yidao began to sense that something was off. The increase in viewership was becoming far too exaggerated.


    In the blink of an eye, his stream had reached 200,000 viewers, surpassing even the number in his master''s stream. A creeping sense of unease washed over Zhou Yidao.


    Something isn¡¯t right.


    1. Huang Yaoshi is a fictional character in the wuxia novel The Legend of the Condor Heroes and its sequel, The Return of the Condor Heroes, by Jin Yong. ?

 Chapter 377: Fell Before Even Exerting Any Strength

    Chapter 377: Fell Before Even Exerting Any StrengthSure enough, trouble soon appeared.


    ¡°Thank you to Zhou Yi Dao Eat My Big Dick for the...¡± Before he could finish his sentence of thanks, Zhou Yi Dao¡¯s face suddenly darkened.


    Only trolls trying to stir up trouble would use such nicknames when sending gifts. This was a deliberate attempt to humiliate him. He immediately banned that fan with the offensive nickname. But soon, more similar nicknames started to appear.


    User Zhou Yi Dao ED sent a bomb...


    User Lu Qiang is Zhou Yi Dao¡¯s Grandfather sent a pathetic gift.


    User Beat Up Zhou Yi Dao¡¯s Dog Head sent a brick.


    Messages like these flooded the top of the livestream from the gift system.


    Zhou Yi Dao''s livestream was set in the Ancient Desert City template, with a capacity even larger than Li Xiaofei¡¯s stream. It included features like a tea stand and snack shops. Clearly a lot of thought had gone into it.


    At this moment, all the fans and visitors could see these messages floating across the screen. Zhou Yi Dao, being an experienced figure in the martial world, reacted swiftly. After realizing this was an organized and premeditated attempt to disrupt his stream, he quickly notified his moderators behind the scenes, instructing them to silence any trolls with a ban.


    In the blink of an eye, six to seven hundred people had been muted. But it was nothing more than a drop in the ocean. The barrage of insults and provocations floating across the live stream did not decrease; instead, they multiplied.


    At this point, many of the fans started to notice. A full-blown argument was on the verge of breaking out. Zhou Yidao decisively turned off the comment feature in the live stream. However, the number of people flooding into the stream continued to grow wildly. In the blink of an eye, it had already reached one million. It was nearing the maximum capacity his live stream could hold.


    At the same time, the system showed that complaints targeting his stream were rising at an alarming rate. Even the site''s super administrator sent Zhou Yidao a warning message.


    According to the system settings of Longya Group¡¯s website, if a certain number of complaints were filed in a short period, the light core system would automatically shut down the stream to inspect the content and data fluctuations.


    Just then, a paid connection request popped up. It was from Martial Arts You Ba. Zhou Yidao hesitated for a moment before choosing to accept. A white beam of teleportation light flashed as a somewhat shy-looking middle-aged man who resembled an old farmer appeared in the stream.


    This was Martial Arts You Ba. He had a bold name, but a timid face.


    ¡°What are you here for?¡± Zhou Yidao asked harshly.


    Martial Arts You Ba replied, "I¡¯m here on behalf of Brother Dao to ask you one question: do you submit?"


    Zhou Yidao chuckled. "I submit to your mother."


    "Alright, you''ve got guts." Martial Arts You Ba nodded. "I hope you keep that tough mouth of yours till the end."


    He left immediately. In the next instant, the live stream was forcibly shut down as the system sent Zhou Yidao a message.


    Due to receiving complaints from over 100,000 users in a short period, your live stream has been temporarily closed.


    The forced shutdown caused all of the fans to be booted out instantly. Additionally, the stream became unsearchable and could no longer be re-entered. Even Zhou Yidao, the host, was kicked out of his own stream.


    ¡°Damn it.¡± Zhou Yidao punched the stone wall of his virtual base.


    This kind of situation dealt a heavy blow to a streamer¡¯s fanbase. If it happened a few more times, it could absolutely destroy a well-known streamer¡¯s career, leaving them ruined and homeless.


    Ten minutes later, after undergoing review, the stream was finally allowed to reopen. Zhou Yidao returned with a grudge and worked to console his fans. But not even ten minutes had passed before the stream was forcibly shut down again due to another flood of complaints.


    This cycle repeated itself. In just one hour, Zhou Yidao went live, went offline, and went live again four times. By the time he went live for the last time, his stream, which originally had over 40,000 viewers, had dwindled to less than 2,000. It was a scene of utter desolation.


    Zhou Yidao was so furious that he almost spat blood. After all the back-and-forth, the popularity he had spent months building had been completely shattered. Shortly after, a large number of tourists flooded into the stream again. These tourists all had the same Hejia Army fan badge and their usernames followed a similar format, starting with HejiaXXX.


    Within seconds, the number of viewers in the stream shot up to over 200,000 again. A single connection request popped up.


    Zhou Yidao glanced at the name of the applicant, and his heart skipped a beat.


    Invincible Below the Dao!


    After some hesitation, he finally accepted the request. With a flash of white teleportation light, a pale young man dressed in athletic wear appeared in the stream.


    Yes, Invincible Below the Dao was actually a young man, who was seemingly only around twenty years old. His skin was fair, and his features were clean and proper, giving him the appearance of a well-mannered college student. But Zhou Yidao knew all too well how terrifying this Brother Dao was.


    Rumors in the martial world said that Brother Dao hailed from a prestigious Saint family in Xiajing. It was said he had used the resources of his family to become a master in the Golden Body Realm. In real life, he was known for his arrogance and overbearing personality.


    Streaming was just a hobby for Brother Dao. Even so, he had become the top streamer in the martial arts section of the Longya Group platform. Since he was a rich young master, he was domineering and wouldn''t tolerate anyone defying him. He enjoyed stirring up trouble, and no matter whether it was in the virtual world or the real world, he could easily resolve any issues.


    "Dao... Brother Dao," Zhou Yidao¡¯s tone softened considerably.


    Brother Dao replied indifferently, "You''ve been acting pretty wild, huh?"


    "I..."


    How could I ever be wilder than you?


    But in the end, he didn¡¯t dare say it out loud.


    "I¡¯ll give you two choices." Brother Dao''s voice was commanding and left no room for negotiation. "Kneel, knock your head on the ground three times, and curse ¡®Grandmaster of Heaven is a bastard¡¯ three times. If you do, I¡¯ll forgive you and let you continue scraping by in Longya Group. If you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll keep bombing your stream for a month, and you¡¯ll vanish from the streaming world."


    Zhou Yidao gasped. For a moment, his knees almost buckled, ready to drop to the ground. But when he saw the undisguised mockery and contempt in Brother Dao¡¯s eyes, something inside him snapped. Zhou Yidao suddenly stood firm. If he knelt now, he would never be able to rise again.


    "Heh... heh heh..." Zhou Yidao let out a light chuckle, his face pale as he said, "My reputation may not be great, but not just anyone is deserving of me kneeling. I knelt to my master yesterday, and I don¡¯t feel like kneeling again today."


    A flicker of surprise appeared in Brother Dao''s eyes. He nodded slightly. "Very well, you¡¯ll soon understand what you¡¯ve chosen."


    Brother Dao teleported out of the stream. Zhou Yidao let out a long breath of relief. He raised his hand and slapped himself across the face.


    Damn. Why did I have to play the tough guy at a time like this? Great, now I¡®ve completely offended Brother Dao.


    There was no doubt that Brother Dao would do everything in his power to crush him. If his stream kept getting bombed like this for another dozen days, he would truly be left with nothing but a barren channel.


    Losing his streaming job meant his income would plummet. How would he continue to afford sending his two sons to their private aristocratic school for cultivation? Would he have to return to the dangerous life of hunting star beasts in the wilderness again?


    Sigh, pretending to be tough is going to cost me dearly.


    Zhou Yidao mulled it over and concluded that the only option left was to stay on this path, no matter how dark it got, and seek help from his master and fellow disciples. But when he got in touch with Guo Zong''ao, known as Three Fists Shaking the Heavens, he found that his senior brother was just as desperate.


    "My stream¡¯s been bombed as well," Guo Zong''ao said bitterly. "I can''t continue streaming."


    "Was it Brother Dao?" Zhou Yidao asked.


    Guo Zong''ao nodded.


    Zhou Yidao then asked, "Why didn¡¯t you bow your head and apologize?"


    Guo Zong''ao scoffed and retorted, "That''s a question I should be asking you."


    The two locked eyes silently. Yes, they had always been bowing and scraping. Why couldn''t they just lower their heads this time?


    "Should we try asking Master for help?" Guo Zong''ao suggested.


    Zhou Yidao agreed, "If Master is willing to step in, this can surely be resolved."


    They both instinctively felt that Li Xiaofei, who possessed so many true legacy martial arts and was generous enough to teach them for free, must be an influential figure from one of the top martial families.


    "Do you have any contact info?" Zhou Yidao asked.


    Guo Zong''ao shot back, "You don¡¯t?"


    The two exchanged bewildered glances. They had been so absorbed in the excitement of receiving the true legacy of ancient martial arts that they had completely forgotten to ask their master for his contact details.


    Now what?


    The two decided to try contacting Li Xiaofei in the virtual world of the light-network. But they soon realized he wasn¡¯t online. After some thought, they reached out to their junior sister, Su Qianni, through the light-network.


    "Master¡¯s contact info?" Su Qianni smiled bitterly and said, "I¡¯ve been trying to find him too, but I don¡¯t know how to reach him."


    It turned out her stream had also been bombed twice by Brother Dao. If it weren''t for the fact that she knew a mid-level manager in Longya Group''s real-time monitoring department and had managed to pull some strings, her situation might have ended up the same as her senior brothers, with her channel nearly destroyed.


    Now, both Zhou Yidao and Guo Zong''ao were feeling the pressure.


    "This won¡¯t do, we need to reach Master as soon as possible," Guo Zong''ao said. "That dog, Brother Dao, is obviously targeting Master. If we don''t prepare, he''ll definitely bomb Master''s stream tomorrow. Master won¡¯t see it coming."


    Su Qianni glanced at him and said, "Second Brother, Senior Brother is right."


    Zhou Yidao nodded repeatedly, "Exactly. Master is new to the streaming world and doesn¡¯t know all the ins and outs of the rules. If he¡¯s hit with a sudden attack, he won¡¯t be able to defend himself. He¡¯ll suffer a huge blow tomorrow, so we have to warn him."


    Su Qianni agreed, "Senior Brother and Second Brother are right."


    Both of her brothers turned to look at her and said, "Aren''t you connected to someone in the real-time monitoring department? Can you ask them to help us contact Master through that manager?"


    Su Qianni shook her head and said, "It¡¯s no use. I already asked. They can''t reach him. Master¡¯s identity information is protected by an extremely high security level. As long as he doesn¡¯t log into the light-network, even the head of the real-time monitoring department can¡¯t contact him." Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Holy crap.


    Both Senior Brother and Second Brother gasped in unison, their emotions a mix of shock and relief. They were both thrilled and anxious at the same time.


    They were thrilled because it confirmed that their master truly had an impressive background. But they were anxious because, despite knowing this, they still couldn¡¯t reach him. It seemed their sect was destined for a crushing defeat tomorrow.


    Just as they were all feeling dejected, they suddenly received messages from the admins of their respective streams.


    Instantly, the three of them were shaken.


    ¡°No way! Did that really happen?¡±


    ¡°You guys know about it too? Spill it.¡±


    ¡°You go first.¡±


    Excitement flickered in all their eyes.


    Su Qianni spoke first, "Brother Dao''s stream got bombed four times, and he was forced to quit."


    Zhou Yidao added, "Master¡¯s fans bombed him."


    Guo Zong''ao chimed in, "They did it to avenge us."


    After that, the three of them burst into laughter, laughing so hard they almost clutched their stomachs. It felt incredibly satisfying.


    Brother Dao, who had always been the one hunting others, had finally been brought down by his own prey. Master hadn¡¯t even needed to step in; this so-called king of the martial arts had already been taken down.


    Who could have imagined that Li Xiaofei¡¯s fan base would be so powerful? They hadn¡¯t even waited for his command before charging in to take Brother Dao down. Moreover, this was Brother Dao, the notorious bully who had never been on the receiving end before!


    After their laughter subsided, the three of them decided to return to their respective streams and continue broadcasting. Even though they had lost a significant number of fans and their popularity had plummeted, this was no time to give up. If they acted quickly, they might just be able to salvage something.


    So, after exchanging LightChat contact info, they each returned to their own base. But soon, they were stunned again.


    "Senior Brother, Second Brother, my stream''s online viewer count has surged past 30,000."


    "Senior Brother, Junior Sister, my stream¡¯s viewer count has already reached over 40,000."


    "Second Brother, Junior Sister, my fans have all come back to my stream too."


    The three of them exchanged updates on their situations. It was unbelievable. In the past, no matter how popular a streamer was or how large their fanbase, if their stream got repeatedly shut down, even if it was only for ten minutes at a time, it would severely damage their popularity and require a massive effort to regain it over time.


    But this time, in less than half an hour after reopening their streams, all of their fans had returned. It was nothing short of a miracle.


    "My fans are asking me to teach them the Great Strength Vajra Fist."


    "My fans just want to see me perform the Five Tigers Door-Cutting Blade."


    "My fans don¡¯t even care about my looks anymore. They¡¯re all asking me to explain the first four moves of the Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm."


    After exchanging the general sentiment of their fanbases, the three of them understood at once. Why were the fans so loyal? It wasn¡¯t because of their personal appeal. It was because of the true legacy ancient martial arts they possessed.


    This was truly something unprecedented for the countless martial arts cultivators across the country. These ancient martial arts legacies, which were so rare that people would bankrupt themselves to obtain, were now suddenly being taught for free. How could the fans not seize such an opportunity with both hands?


    Since Patriarch Grandmaster of Heaven wasn¡¯t streaming, the recorded streams, along with the live streams of his three disciples, had become the only channels for people to learn these martial arts legacies.


    Yet, at a time like this, someone dared to stir up trouble and shut down those three vital channels? That was practically the same as murdering their parents! Outraged, the crowd had rushed into Brother Dao¡¯s stream and utterly destroyed it.


    This was the power of the masses! In the face of such furious strength, the so-called king of the martial arts stood no chance. Some of the people who stormed his stream might very well have been his own fans.


    ***


    ¡°Damn it, how did this happen?¡± exclaimed an enraged Brother Dao as he smashed the light core in his hand.


    Tonight had been a disastrous loss for him. Not only had his stream been bombed four times in a row, forcing him to quit in disgrace, but his fan subscription count had also plummeted by over 500,000 in less than an hour.


    More than half a million people had unfollowed him. These had included some of his most loyal fans with high-level fan badges. It was the perfect example of trying to steal a chicken and losing the rice instead. It had been a complete and utter failure.


    Of course, these losses were manageable for him. The real issue was that his pride had taken a massive hit, and he couldn¡¯t swallow this humiliation.


    Grandmaster of Heaven!


    He gritted his teeth.


    This isn¡¯t over between us.

 Chapter 378: Who’s The Little Red Riding Hood

    Chapter 378: Who¡¯s The Little Red Riding HoodBrother Dao decided to take a different approach to strike back this time as he made several phone calls.


    ¡°Sorry, I really can¡¯t help you this time. That guy¡¯s information is highly confidential.¡±


    ¡°I can only tell you one thing; the son of the big boss has spoken. He thinks highly of Grandmaster of Heaven.¡±


    ¡°Brother, I have a family to support. I really can¡¯t afford to help you this time, but next time, for sure.¡±


    ¡°To be honest, you won¡¯t win any respect by using underhanded tactics like this, even if you win the fight. Why not challenge him directly and defeat him using the methods of the martial arts world? That way, the company can¡¯t touch you, and your fans will admire you again.¡±


    Several people politely declined to help. But the information they revealed was substantial. Brother Dao hung up the phone and fell into deep thought.


    Longya Group was one of the few corporate giants in the Great Xia country. Its big boss was a legendary figure who had built the company from the ground up and was renowned both domestically and internationally. Rumor had it that his strength was unfathomable, and he had close personal connections with several high-ranking officials in the country.


    This was a man who truly had the strength that could reach the heavens. But the one person this big boss cherished most was his only son. This mysterious young man was an elusive figure even among the circles of the rich second generation. Brother Dao hadn¡¯t expected that this young heir had taken a liking to Grandmaster of Heaven.


    Wait a second?


    Could this Grandmaster of Heaven actually be the alter ego of Longya Group''s big boss¡¯ son?


    The thought flashed through Brother Dao''s mind, and he suddenly became excited. This was a golden opportunity. If he could defeat Grandmaster of Heaven in a legitimate, open fight, his status in the rich second-generation circles would undoubtedly skyrocket.


    At that point, all those people who mocked him for live-streaming like an entertainer, calling it a waste of time, would be forced to kneel and acknowledge his victory.


    That settled it!


    Brother Dao felt like he had finally found the right plan. Defeating that kid head-on shouldn¡¯t be too difficult, right? Still, to be cautious, he decided to add an extra layer of security. So, he dialed the number of a classmate from Beixia University.


    "Hey, I¡¯ve got a job for you. Same deal as usual: 10,000 for showing up, and if you need to take action, I¡¯ll add another 40,000 star coins." Brother Dao spoke boldly.


    "Deal." The reply came without hesitation.


    Brother Dao¡¯s classmate was from Beixia University. He was also one of the top students in the Cold Weapons Close Combat major at Beixia University¡¯s Ancient Martial Arts Academy. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, the guy came from a poor family and had to take care of a younger sibling. He relied on scholarships to get by and was usually tight on money. That¡¯s why Brother Dao had targeted him and established a long-term partnership.


    Whenever Brother Dao ran into problems in the light-network virtual world that he couldn¡¯t handle alone, he would call on this classmate for help.


    ***


    The next day, it was time for the live stream once again. When Li Xiaofei entered the stream on time, Zhang Zhihong and the three disciples were already there, waiting for him ahead of schedule.


    Within mere seconds of starting the stream, the number of viewers had already surpassed the 500,000 mark. The stream''s heat index exceeded ten million. Subscriber numbers had reached over 480,000.


    Even though Li Xiaofei had mentally prepared himself, he was still astonished. The growth was too fast. It was like a cow being launched into space. It was beyond amazing.


    Most streamers had to work hard and put on a show during their live broadcasts to gain followers. But for him, the numbers exploded after he went offline. This gave Li Xiaofei a newfound confidence in the idea of popularizing and promoting the martial lineage of Great Xia.


    It was clear that no matter how far things had declined, ancient martial arts still held an almost sacred place in the hearts of the people of Great Xia, even after 5,500 years of civilization. The hearts of the people could still be rallied.


    "Master."


    "Greetings, Master."


    The two male disciples bowed respectfully.


    "Master, you were incredible!" Su Qianni¡¯s pure and elegant face was filled with admiration. "You were amazing last night, Master. I almost couldn¡¯t hold on anymore."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    Why does my female disciple speak so strangely?*


    It almost felt deliberate. Sure enough, the next moment, the chat was flooded with comments from viewers whose imaginations had run wild.


    ¡°Master, something big happened last night.¡± The eldest disciple, Guo Zong''ao, also known as Three Fists Shaking the Heavens, quickly recounted everything that had happened the previous day.


    ¡°Oh.¡± Li Xiaofei reacted calmly, ¡°Since it¡¯s all sorted, let¡¯s begin the lesson.¡±


    Truly worthy of being called Master. He¡¯s unfazed by any storm.


    The disciples¡¯ admiration only grew stronger.


    Li Xiaofei proceeded with the regular stream schedule. As usual, he selected two hundred lucky viewers from those who applied to join the live call and conducted spot checks on their cultivation progress with the Great Strength Vajra Fist technique.


    After a round of explanation, all the fans in the live stream found that their cultivation challenges with the Threefold Divine Strength move had been resolved.


    ¡°This is incredible! My strength has skyrocketed, and there are no side effects!¡±


    ¡°This technique is a lifesaver. If I run into high-level star beasts in the wilderness, I can fight back using Threefold Divine Strength.¡±


    ¡°I never thought our Great Xia martial arts could be this miraculous.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve been practicing Great Strength Vajra Fist for the past few days, and my strength has improved so much that I canceled a New Martial Arts surgery scheduled for three days from now.¡±


    ¡°What a coincidence, I did the same.¡±


    ¡°The reason Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial arts declined was because those selfish aristocratic families hoarded the true legacies and kept them hidden from the public. Disgraceful!¡±


    ¡°Thank goodness for the Grandmaster of Heaven.¡±


    The fans were fired up with excitement.


    In just three short days, everyone practicing the Great Strength Vajra Fist had experienced significant progress. This progress was something they could feel in their bodies, and it could also be measured by various instruments. More and more people were realizing that Grandmaster of Heaven wasn¡¯t just all talk. His lessons were genuinely effective. As a result, more viewers flocked to his stream.


    After just one hour, the number of people in Li Xiaofei¡¯s live stream exceeded the 700,000 mark. This number had Zhang Zhihong and the three disciples bursting with excitement, as if they¡¯d been injected with adrenaline. It was unbelievable!


    After instructing the two hundred lucky participants, Li Xiaofei moved on to explaining the fourth move, Vajra Wrathful Mountain Split.


    As he explained, he used Zhang Zhihong as a live demonstration, treating him as a human punching bag.


    "Ahhh..."


    "Yes, that''s exactly the feeling."


    "Brothers, I''m going to die."


    "I''m back again."


    Zhang Zhihong had gotten used to it and could even crack jokes in the middle of taking hits, delivering a one-man comedy routine as he endured the blows.


    Once the demonstration was complete, Li Xiaofei moved on to the third stage of the live stream. He checked the martial arts cultivation progress of Zhou Yidao and Su Qianni, offering corrections and guidance where needed.


    Everything seemed to be progressing smoothly. But just then, a VIP paid duel request popped up on the screen.


    Li Xiaofei was about to decline it; however, when he saw the applicant¡¯s name, something stirred in his mind.


    He turned and asked, "Was the streamer who bombed your streams yesterday named Invincible Below the Dao?"


    Su Qianni immediately responded, "Yes, it was him."


    Li Xiaofei nodded and accepted the duel request.


    With a flash of light, Brother Dao and his group of over ten people appeared in the ancient martial arts arena, surrounded by shimmering teleportation halos.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s gaze fell on Brother Dao, the leader of the group.


    Invincible Below the Dao?


    In all his time participating in the online Martial God tournaments in the light-network, Li Xiaofei had never encountered anyone daring enough to claim they were invincible below the Dao. Could it be that he was finally about to face a true master today?


    The thought stirred excitement within Li Xiaofei. His gaze toward Brother Dao became fiery with anticipation. However, this reaction left Brother Dao utterly baffled.


    What is going on?


    He had come in with the intent to cause trouble, fully expecting to intimidate people with his fierce presence. But now, why did it feel like he was Little Red Riding Hood, and Li Xiaofei was the Big Bad Wolf?

 Chapter 379: Ancestor Of All Weapons

    Chapter 379: Ancestor Of All Weapons


    "What are you here for?" Zhang Zhihong angrily said, "Looking for trouble?"


    Brother Dao rubbed his nose and sneered, "What''s the problem with streamers challenging each other to a PK? You keep bragging all day about some true legacy of ancient martial arts. Who knows if you''re a fraud? Do you dare to compete with me?"


    "As I thought, a dog¡¯s mouth can''t spit out ivory." Zhang Zhihong sneered coldly, "We are streamers who teach the noble and grand ancient martial lineage of Great Xia. Can you, a trickster scamming fans for money, compare yourself to Patriarch?"


    "I spit on that!" Brother Dao sneered back, "Don''t pretend to be high and mighty here. You should be careful or you''ll dig your own grave when the truth comes out. We''re all streamers, so don''t lecture me about nobility and baseness. Don''t you accept gifts during your streams?"


    Zhang Zhihong replied, "That''s tuition."


    "F***." Brother Dao laughed coldly, "Even Wei Zhongxian[1] didn¡¯t make as many excuses as you do¡­ You talk about principles, but all you care about is business. I''m talking about people like you."


    "You''re the damn eunuch!" Zhang Zhihong cursed, "You call yourself the number one in the ancient martial arts category, but you have no sense of responsibility. All you do is form cliques and stir up trouble. What have you contributed to the promotion of ancient martial arts? Huh? Aren''t you from the Ding family, one of the top ten martial arts families in the capital? You have a collection of over a hundred thousand books, but have you ever taken out even one art to teach for free?"


    Brother Dao was stunned. This follower of Li Xiaofei actually knew his background.


    Indeed, the Grandmaster of Heaven must be the young master of the Longya Group.


    "I¡¯m here to challenge Grandmaster of Heaven. I have no interest in wasting words with a mere follower like you."


    Brother Dao decided not to waste any more time on idle talk. He looked straight at Li Xiaofei. "Well then, Grandmaster of Heaven, do you dare to compete with me and my Dao Union Army?"


    Li Xiaofei responded, "How do you want to compete?"


    Brother Dao grinned and said, "Don''t say I¡¯m bullying the weak just because I''m the number one in this field. I''ll give you a fair chance. We¡¯ll each choose three people to compete in three rounds, best two out of three. How about that? Pretty generous for a newcomer like you, right?"


    "Why should we compete with you?" Zhang Zhihong, furious at being called a mere follower, retorted, "Who do you think you are? Our Patriarch doesn''t have time to play games with clowns like you who pretend to be something you''re not."


    "Heh, after all this talk, isn¡¯t it just about money?" Brother Dao sneered mockingly, "Come on, name your price. How much do you want?"


    Zhang Zhihong slowly raised one finger.


    "A million? Fine." Brother Dao replied.


    "Who do you think you''re calling a beggar?" Zhang Zhihong sneered coldly, "Ten million. Not a penny less."


    There was a sudden gasp from the crowd. People inside and outside the live stream were shocked. He really dared to ask for such a sky-high price. Ten million just for a chance to challenge? Even the appearance fee for a Dao Union Realm expert wasn¡¯t that expensive.


    But Brother Dao merely frowned slightly before agreeing without hesitation.


    "Fine, ten million it is." He turned to Li Xiaofei, his tone dripping with mockery, "But there¡¯s one more condition. You like taking in disciples, don¡¯t you? If you lose, you''ll kneel and kowtow to become my disciple."


    Li Xiaofei said, "Alright, it¡¯s settled. The victor becomes the master."


    Money wasn¡¯t the issue for him. The most important thing was to face off against a true expert. Brother Dao selected two people from his group.


    "With me, that makes three." He grinned. "You can also pick two experts from your fans to help you."


    Li Xiaofei responded calmly, "No need."


    He gestured with his hand and said, "Who¡¯s coming first?"


    Brother Dao signaled to a burly middle-aged man standing nearby.


    "Flood Dragon, Tong Shen, at your service." The man stepped forward and cupped his fists.


    Though he appeared to be a fan of Brother Dao, Tong Shen was actually a bodyguard assigned to him by his family. Under the guise of a fan, he had helped Brother Dao resolve numerous problems. He was a battle-hardened expert with extensive real-world combat experience.


    The crowd immediately dispersed, making space for the fight.


    Tong Shen let out a low shout, unleashing his inner qi as he revealed his cultivation level. He was at the fourth stage of the Five Spirits Realm! An expert indeed.


    A powerful pressure radiated from him like a tangible force, rippling through the arena like a tidal wave. Guo Zong''ao, Zhou Yidao, and others turned pale with shock.


    But Li Xiaofei simply shook his head and said, "Not enough."


    He executed the Great Strength Vajra Fist, using the moves Threefold Divine Strength and Vajra Earth-Shaking Blow.


    Boom!


    Before Tong Shen could react, he was blasted apart by a single punch. Blood rained down as white bones scattered everywhere. The crowd erupted in gasps.


    It was too violent. Some fans barely blinked, and the fight was already over. That was a Five Spirits Realm expert, not just some roadside ant. Yet he had been instantly killed.


    Did you see that? The Patriarch used the Great Strength Vajra Fist!


    Can the Great Strength Vajra Fist really take down a Five Spirits Realm expert?


    It¡¯s not just the technique, it¡¯s the Patriarch''s overwhelming strength. Any martial art in his hands becomes a supreme skill.


    Exactly. But it also proves that the Great Strength Vajra Fist can indeed match a Five Spirits Realm expert.


    Inside and outside the live stream, countless fans cheered with excitement. This punch had once again solidified their faith in the Grandmaster of Heaven, their Patriarch.


    In the arena, Li Xiaofei shook his fist casually. He felt unsatisfied. Though his strength hadn¡¯t seen a dramatic breakthrough recently, it had steadily improved over time.


    Now, obliterating a Five Spirits Realm expert posed no challenge at all even using the so-called low-tier martial art like the Great Strength Vajra Fist.


    No one could stand as his opponent anymore in Liuhe Base City. Life without rivals had become incredibly dull.


    "Next," Li Xiaofei grinned, looking directly at Brother Dao. "Who''s next?"


    Brother Dao shuddered. It felt like a terrifying beast was grinning menacingly at him.


    In truth, his cultivation in the Golden Body Realm was mostly the result of his family''s resources, but it still granted him considerable combat strength. He had passed many high-level trials in the light-network virtual world, so he had always believed his battle capabilities were more than adequate. His mindset wasn¡¯t weak either.


    But the sheer force of Li Xiaofei''s previous strike had rattled him. Brother Dao had initially planned to fight in the second round himself. But now¡­ He took a step back.


    "I leave it to you." He said gravely, "Don''t underestimate him."


    "I won¡¯t." A young man with a clean, fair face and delicate features stepped out from the crowd behind Brother Dao.


    No one had noticed him before because he hadn¡¯t made a sound. It was as though he had been invisible. But the moment he stepped forward, all eyes were drawn to him.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyebrows shot up sharply as an overwhelming sense of urgency washed over him. This was a true expert. Finally, he had encountered a real opponent. Li Xiaofei¡¯s excitement surged.


    "Who are you?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    The young man sneered, "You''re not worthy of knowing."


    He was incredibly arrogant, but Li Xiaofei didn''t take offense. Experts, after all, often had a bit of an attitude.


    "How can I be worthy?" He asked again.


    The young man crooked his finger, beckoning him forward. "Beat me."


    "Fine." Li Xiaofei raised his fist and threw a punch.


    It was the same Great Strength Vajra Fist, but this time, the strength behind it was much stronger than the punch he had used against Tong Shen.


    The young man casually lifted his hand, flicked his five fingers outward, and effortlessly dissolved the force of the punch. He grasped Li Xiaofei¡¯s fist in his palm with a simple motion.


    He stopped the punch!


    Many onlookers felt their hearts race as they realized the strength of this seemingly unassuming young man. He was clearly beyond the fifth stage of the Five Spirits Realm.


    "That level of strength isn¡¯t enough¡­" The young man said with a faint smile.


    Li Xiaofei smiled back. "Is that so?"


    His fist''s force exploded again, surging forward like an unstoppable flood.


    The young man felt an overwhelming, irresistible strength surging toward him. Startled, he no longer dared to be overconfident. He shouted sharply as his inner qi suddenly erupted in a powerful wave.


    Boom!


    The two forces collided. Both Li Xiaofei and the young man took three or four steps back in unison.


    "Interesting." The young man remarked, looking at Li Xiaofei in surprise. "You can take more hits than I expected. We can exchange a few more moves."


    A flicker of excitement ignited in Li Xiaofei''s eyes as well. This young man was undoubtedly in the Golden Body Realm and had plenty of combat experience to back it up. He had managed to withstand Li Xiaofei¡¯s strike.


    "What martial arts are you skilled in?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    The young man slowly reached out to grab a staff from a nearby weapon rack. He specialized in staff techniques.


    Li Xiaofei grinned as he also picked up a staff of equal length.


    Zhang Zhihong immediately signaled the crowd to step back further. At the same time, he activated the ancient martial arena¡¯s duel mode. A white light shield, about fifty meters in diameter, descended from above to enclose the two fighters.


    The light barrier would contain the shockwaves of their battle, ensuring that the fight between these powerful experts wouldn¡¯t destroy the entire ancient martial arts arena.


    "Take this!" The young man¡¯s eyes flashed with a hint of surprise, followed by a cold sneer.


    He flicked his wrist.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.


    Seven staff flowers bloomed in mid-air. The shadows of the staff moved like a dragon as they struck toward Li Xiaofei. A true expert''s skill was revealed with a single move.


    The young man''s staff techniques were sharp and fierce while his strikes were as wild as a storm. As soon as his staff was in motion, it was as if he had gone berserk. The countless layers of staff shadows filled the sky as they crashed down on Li Xiaofei.


    "Haha, good!" Li Xiaofei laughed heartily.


    He flicked his wrist and also unleashed seven staff flowers. Much like the young man¡¯s staff, his staff also moved with wild fury as it created an endless barrage of shadows that countered the oncoming attack.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    The explosive sound of their staves colliding echoed continuously. Waves of force swept through the air, expanding outward in all directions.


    The spectators outside the protective light shield felt an overwhelming pressure crashing down on them. They had no choice but to retreat further, awestruck by the sheer intensity of the battle.


    "Eh?" The young man gasped in surprise.


    "What¡¯s wrong? Surprised?" Li Xiaofei grinned as he continued to counterattack. "I know your staff techniques too."


    "Are you a student of Beixia University?"


    "No."


    "Then how do you know the Wulang Bagua Staff?"


    "I know a lot of things."


    "Hmph, take this!"


    A flicker of killing intent flashed in the young man¡¯s eyes, and his strikes became even fiercer. With a single swing of his staff, the air exploded with a sharp crack. The intense wind from his staff strike tore through the air like a thunderclap, shaking the arena.


    Even though the protective light shield was in place, the sheer force of the attack caused some of the spectators inside the arena, overwhelmed by the pressure, to disconnect and leave the scene.


    Li Xiaofei met the attack with the same move. He had acquired the Wulang Bagua Staff technique long ago from a draw on the dog box and had practiced it several times. He had thoroughly mastered it.


    The young man before him had a solid grasp of the technique, and there was already a hint of madness and fervor within his strikes. He had touched upon the core essence of the martial art.


    But Li Xiaofei noticed that the young man¡¯s staff technique had flaws. It was incomplete. At first, Li Xiaofei thought the issue lay in the young man¡¯s cultivation.


    But after exchanging dozens of blows, he realized it wasn¡¯t the young man¡¯s practice that was at fault. The staff technique itself was incomplete. Though it was a true legacy, it wasn¡¯t fully authentic. It was missing something.


    Even so, the fans watching the duel in the live stream were filled with awe and excitement, cheering with every move.


    Such power! Is this the strength of the Golden Body Realm?


    One strike can split mountains, shatter stones, and stop rivers.


    This kind of power could easily obliterate a level five star beast. It surpasses human limits.


    If it weren¡¯t for the duel mode''s shield, the entire arena would¡¯ve been reduced to ashes by now.


    Who do you think will win?


    I can¡¯t tell. This level of combat is beyond what I can comprehend.


    There were some genuine martial arts experts among the fans, yet even they were deeply captivated and awed by the high-level battle unfolding before them.


    A ten-million bet and a Golden Body Realm duel! These two elements alone were enough to draw an enormous audience. The number of viewers in the live stream grew exponentially, multiplying with every passing moment.


    This surge made Liao Qixing and his team members, who had been monitoring the stream, tremble with excitement.


    "Direct traffic! Quickly, throw all the resources into this!" Liao Qixing barked.


    Wang, the head of the real-time monitoring department, burst into the room and shouted, "What are you standing around for? Push this to the top of the first-tier recommendations now!"


    Liao Qixing and his team were momentarily stunned before springing into action. Before long, even the executives of the Longya Live Stream Platform were alerted and tuned in to this live broadcast.


    Back in the arena, the young man''s strikes, which had failed to bring Li Xiaofei down, grew increasingly wild and ferocious. Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei was growing more and more at ease with every exchange.


    "Defeat." Li Xiaofei suddenly let out a low shout.


    His staff moved like lightning as it broke through the young man¡¯s defenses with impossible speed. His blow was coming straight down the center.


    The young man hastily stepped back, withdrawing his staff to block. But Li Xiaofei¡¯s staff struck the center of his opponent¡¯s weapon with three rapid hits.


    Boom!


    The young man¡¯s stance crumbled in an instant. Li Xiaofei surged forward, sweeping his staff before him. His staff stopped just one centimeter away from the young man¡¯s temple. Li Xiaofei withdrew his staff and stepped back.


    "Well? Do you admit defeat?" He asked calmly.


    "How¡­ how did that happen?" The young man stared intensely at Li Xiaofei as he asked, "How did you do that?"


    Moments ago, they had been evenly matched, but his opponent had suddenly and effortlessly dismantled his staff technique. It didn¡¯t make sense to him.


    "What¡¯s your name?" Li Xiaofei asked. "Am I worthy of asking now?"


    The young man¡¯s face was still full of defiance. "My name is Ding Mingya."


    Li Xiaofei responded, "Your staff technique is incomplete. It has flaws."


    Ding Mingya retorted, "Impossible! This is our specialized elective course, taught by numerous experts and professors. They all said it''s a complete true legacy of ancient martial arts."


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly and recited, "Yin and Yang skillfully dismantle the heartless staff; the Bagua circles must be taken seriously. The Two Forces intercept and kill with many tricks; the Four Symbols clearly step in unison. The uncovering method with the arm deflects without leaking; Taiji wind and clouds evade swiftly. The staff flows like a spear with the Qilin step, locating the enemy along the midday and midnight line. The dragon''s strike moves like an arrow in the wind; the three-strike attack shows no mercy. Withstanding force at the bridge, the body stands like a pillar. Retreating steps chain together, swallowing and spitting like a spear¡­ The throat-locking spear leaves no room for escape, dragging and striking in unconventional ways to retreat and save distance. Master these fundamentals with diligence, and never lose your dignity with sincerity of intent."


    With each verse, Ding Mingya¡¯s look of surprise grew deeper. By the end, Ding Mingya was no longer just shocked. His expression was now one of confusion and contemplation.


    He muttered to himself, "This¡­ isn''t right. You¡­ added eight more lines, but¡­"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "That is the true essence of the Wulang Bagua Staff. It¡¯s not just that the chant has eight more lines than yours. There are also eight additional moves."


    As he finished speaking, Li Xiaofei gave his staff a subtle shake. He executed the eight additional moves right before Ding Mingya''s eyes. Two of these moves were precisely the ones he had used earlier to break through Ding Mingya¡¯s defense.


    Ding Mingya stared at him in disbelief.


    Li Xiaofei said, "Become my disciple, and I''ll teach you."


    The young man¡¯s talent for ancient martial arts was even greater than that of the Goddess, Ye Liuying. Li Xiaofei suddenly felt a strong desire to take him under his wing and pass on the martial arts secrets he had mastered. He believed this youth could carry them forward and excel.


    But Ding Mingya was unwilling to bow to Li Xiaofei and responded, "I don¡¯t need you to teach me. I¡¯ve already memorized the chant and moves you just demonstrated."


    He continued, "The reason you were able to defeat me is because you possess the complete legacy. Now that I¡¯ve gained these eight moves and chants, you will never be able to defeat me again. However, today, I admit defeat."


    He turned and prepared to leave.


    "Wait," Li Xiaofei called out.


    Ding Mingya turned back, and Li Xiaofei said, "I have other true legacy martial arts techniques."


    Ding Mingya replied, "I only practice staff techniques."


    Li Xiaofei, intrigued, asked, "Why is that?"


    Ding Mingya answered, "Because staves are found everywhere. A broken branch can become a staff, a piece of iron can be used as a staff, even bones can serve as a staff. It requires no complex crafting, making it accessible to even the poorest of people. In the war against star beasts, the long staff''s killing power is immense, and its close-combat capabilities are unmatched¡­ The staff is the ancestor of all weapons!"


    "Well said," Li Xiaofei responded, clearly impressed with the answer.


    He smiled and said, "What do you think of this staff technique?"


    He began to display a new set of moves with his staff. It was completely different from the Wulang Bagua Staff he had used before. It was more powerful, more intricate, with movements that were fluid yet full of complexity. Each move held infinite variations, and its brilliance was awe-inspiring.


    Even without using inner qi, the force and mastery behind this technique far surpassed the intensity of their previous battle.


    Ding Mingya was utterly mesmerized as he watched. His eyes were filled with shock.


    Could there really be such an awe-inspiring staff technique in the world? This is no longer just a treasured legacy; this is a mythical-level combat technique!


    After a short while, Li Xiaofei finished his demonstration and straightened.


    Ding Mingya, unable to contain himself, eagerly asked, "What is this staff technique?"


    "Do you want to learn it?" Li Xiaofei asked casually. "I''ll teach you."


    This time, Ding Mingya knelt down without hesitation and performed the formal apprentice bow of the ancient martial tradition, saying, "Master, I, your disciple Ding Mingya, offer my respects!" S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    He slammed his head on the ground three times so hard that the floor cracked. He was desperate to ensure that Li Xiaofei wouldn¡¯t doubt his sincerity.


    Li Xiaofei laughed heartily and said, "Stand up."


    But Ding Mingya remained on the ground and asked again, "Master, what is this staff technique called?"


    Li Xiaofei reached out to help him up and smiled. "It¡¯s the Dog Beating Staff Technique."


    1. Wei Zhongxian, born Wei Si, was a Chinese court eunuch who lived in the late Ming dynasty. As a eunuch he used the name Li Jinzhong. He is considered by most historians as the most notorious eunuch in Chinese history. ?

 Chapter 380: New Breaking Record

    Chapter 380: New Breaking RecordThough the Dog Beating Staff Technique was not a pleasant name to hear, it was the Beggar Sect''s ultimate martial art. It was no less formidable than the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms.


    It was said that during the first Sword Discussion on Mount Hua, Hong Qigong did not use the Dog Beating Staff Technique to compete for the title of the best in the world because he had not yet mastered it. His proficiency was insufficient, and he had intentionally held back, which is how Wang Chongyang became the number one in the world.


    This staff technique was even more powerful when used in conjunction with the Beggar Sect¡¯s token, the Dog Beating Staff. The Dog Beating Staff could be considered the strongest staff technique in the world of Jin Yong¡¯s martial arts.


    Everyone was in awe after Li Xiaofei performed the Dog Beating Staff Technique. The astonishment lingered in their minds for a long time. Even Ding Mingya, the rebellious genius from Beixia University, knelt down immediately.


    "Master, please forgive my previous foolishness. I want to learn the Dog Beating Staff Technique," Ding Mingya said, his expression full of determination and sincerity.


    Li Xiaofei nodded without putting on any airs and said kindly, "Alright, once you''ve fully mastered the Wulang Bagua Staff, I will teach you the Dog Beating Staff."


    "Thank you, Master," Ding Mingya responded, overjoyed.


    For a martial arts fanatic like him, nothing was more thrilling than the chance to learn a skill he had always dreamed of. There was no longer any trace of his former arrogance. The way he looked at Li Xiaofei now was like a loyal admirer gazing at a goddess.


    Li Xiaofei deactivated the protective shield from the duel mode and glanced at Brother Dao. The latter''s face was filled with humiliation, as if he had been slapped repeatedly with a shoe covered in dog filth.


    "Hey, do you have anything left to say?" Zhang Zhihong pressed his advantage relentlessly. "It''s best two out of three, and you''ve lost two rounds. Isn''t it time you came over and acknowledged your master?"


    Brother Dao gritted his teeth. "I haven''t fought yet, I¡ª"


    Zhang Zhihong sneered coldly. "What? Are you trying to cheat? Look at how many people are watching the livestream right now."


    Brother Dao instinctively raised his head to check.


    What the¡ª!


    He was completely stunned.


    4.5 million viewers online? That can¡¯t be real! How can there be so many people watching?


    Even Li Xiaofei was taken aback. The stream''s popularity had exceeded 90 million! It was now ranked in the top ten across the entire platform, coming in at eighth place.


    It was terrifying how they had made such a massive impact in just three days of streaming. Could this be a record for the Longya Group¡¯s website?


    "Are you really going to deny it with so many people watching?" Zhang Zhihong said smugly, "Come on, get over here and obediently call me Master Uncle."


    Brother Dao''s throat tightened, and after a long moment, he finally said, "I... I''ll offer twenty million star coins¡ªno, thirty million. Can we skip the apprenticeship?"


    Before Li Xiaofei could respond, Zhang Zhihong immediately and mercilessly rejected him. "That amount of money is barely enough for a beggar. Now kneel down and call him Master."


    Brother Dao''s face twitched. But with so many eyes on him, he couldn¡¯t really back out and deny the outcome. In the end, he reluctantly walked over, knelt down, and performed the ancient martial arts ceremony of apprenticeship.


    "Disciple greets the Master."


    The thought of being unable to hold his head high in the martial arts community and becoming a laughingstock for those despicable people made Brother Dao feel as if he had lost everything dear to him.


    "Stand up," Li Xiaofei said. "Go greet your senior brothers and sisters."


    "I... Yes, Master," Brother Dao replied, his teeth grinding in frustration, but he had no other choice.


    Reluctantly, he went over to bow before Guo Zong''ao, Zhou Yidao, Su Qianni, and Ding Mingya.


    When they saw the once arrogant and domineering leader of the ancient martial arts category bowing before them, Guo Zong''ao and Zhou Yidao felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. It was as refreshing as eating ice-cold watermelon on a sweltering summer day. It was all thanks to their teacher''s brilliance.


    Brother Dao returned to Li Xiaofei, resigned to his fate, and asked, "Master, what martial arts do you plan to teach me?"


    Li Xiaofei countered with a question, "What do you want to learn?"


    Brother Dao replied instantly, "Footwork."


    Mastering a good movement technique meant he wouldn¡¯t have to fear even falling into a beast''s lair. Survival came first. At the same time, this was meant to stump Li Xiaofei. He refused to believe that after martial techniques, palm techniques, sword techniques, and staff techniques, Li Xiaofei could still produce a movement technique.


    As a direct descendant of the Ding Family in Xiajing, Brother Dao knew all too well how rare it was to find a true legacy movement technique in the ancient martial arts world.


    "Footwork, is it?" Li Xiaofei smiled slightly and said, "Watch closely."


    As soon as he finished speaking, something incredible happened. Li Xiaofei¡¯s figure began to flicker wildly in place. Each flicker and disappearance was a seamless transformation between reality and illusion. His movements were graceful as a dancer as they constantly shifted between the real and the unreal.


    Some viewers who weren¡¯t strong enough felt dizzy after watching for just a few moments and didn¡¯t dare to continue looking. At first, Brother Dao had a slight sneer on his face. But, before he realized it, his smile completely froze.


    Just like Ding Mingya earlier when he had seen the Dog Beating Staff Technique, Brother Dao was utterly stunned.


    The livestream chat exploded with comments.


    What the hell, what kind of footwork is this?


    I can¡¯t make sense of it at all. Is this really not a transplanted Inscribed Treasure Bone from the Lightning Beast King?


    No way, with footwork like that, even a mech''s electromagnetic targeting system wouldn¡¯t be able to lock onto him, right?


    The viewers couldn¡¯t believe what they were seeing and shouted in amazement.


    "Master, please stop this divine ability!" Brother Dao shouted, kneeling without hesitation and bowing deeply. "I want to learn it. I absolutely must learn it."


    As a direct descendant of a prominent family, Brother Dao¡¯s judgment far exceeded that of ordinary people. He was one hundred percent sure that this footwork was no less formidable than the legendary Dog Beating Staff Technique.


    Considering how rare movement techniques were, he was certain that this technique¡¯s value surpassed even that of the Dog Beating Staff. Forget about pride¡ªhe couldn¡¯t care less about that anymore.


    "Haha, I actually prefer the defiant version of you," Zhang Zhihong laughed loudly, deliberately teasing him, "How about you bring that back?"


    Brother Dao immediately jumped to his feet, retorting, "Damn, you¡¯re just a little sidekick. Who are you pretending to be, a big shot?"


    Li Xiaofei glanced at him, "Hmm?"


    Brother Dao¡¯s face twitched, and he forced a smile, turning to Zhang Zhihong, "Master Uncle, is this the kind of attitude you were looking for?"


    Zhang Zhihong burst into laughter, "Yes, yes, exactly like that! Keep it up. You really are quite the character!"


    Brother Dao didn¡¯t mind the teasing and turned his attention back to Li Xiaofei. "Master, what was the name of that footwork technique you just used?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Graceful Step of the Waves."


    "The name is befitting of an ethereal technique like that," Brother Dao quickly flattered.


    Li Xiaofei responded with a faint smile. There were many martial arts techniques that he had drawn from the mysterious dog box, including Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, One Yang Finger, and Six Meridian Divine Sword. He was prepared to teach all of them. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At a time when humanity''s survival was at stake, these martial arts belonged to all of humankind. If he hoarded such treasures for himself, like the so-called Saints and noble families, how would he be any different from them?


    Besides, the dog box could supply him with even more advanced techniques. Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t worried about betrayal or someone surpassing him.


    At that moment, the livestream chat was exploding with gift animations. Numerous wealthy fans who had heard the news flooded in, sending all kinds of virtual dragons and supreme gifts like they cost nothing. The sky above the livestream was filled with a constant barrage of extravagant gift effects.


    "Brother, you''re going to be famous," Zhang Zhihong said excitedly. "After tonight, you¡¯ll break into the top ten of the Longya Group''s live streaming platform."


    A smile also appeared on Li Xiaofei¡¯s face. The more fans he had, the greater his influence, and the better he could promote ancient martial arts and the Red Flag High School model.


    "Friends, welcome to the livestream, and thank you all for your generous gifts," Li Xiaofei began. "As I¡¯ve always said, any true legacy of ancient martial arts that I demonstrate or mention in the livestream will be taught for free. Anyone who wants to learn is welcome."


    "I will pass down all these true legacies to my disciples. They will teach them on my behalf in their own livestreams. Soon, I will establish a complete tiered system for these techniques."


    "For example, the Great Strength Vajra Fist is suitable for those at or above the third stage of the Qi Refining Realm. The Five Tigers Door-Cutting Blade requires mastery at the Limit Breaking Realm to be fully executed. Techniques like the Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm and the Dog Beating Staff Technique require at least the sixth stage of the Meridian Expanding Realm to begin cultivation."


    "If your level isn¡¯t sufficient and you force the training, it will result in physical damage. When cultivating ancient martial arts, it is essential to progress step by step and avoid rushing. Otherwise, it could lead to hidden injuries in the body. Additionally, I have a prescription for a traditional Chinese medicine formula. By preparing it, boiling it, and using it for herbal baths, it can heal hidden injuries and also act as a supplement for cultivation, helping to strengthen qi and improve physical strength."


    Taking advantage of the large audience, Li Xiaofei once again elaborated on his philosophy and publicly shared the prescription. This formula had been created by Little Aunt, and was specifically designed to heal the hidden injuries left behind by forced training of the Great Strength Vajra Fist. It also worked to replenish qi, enrich the blood, and strengthen the body.


    Li Xiaofei posted the prescription directly in the chat for everyone to see. He then continued the livestream, offering guidance to Guo Zong''ao on martial techniques, to Zhou Yidao on sword techniques, and to Su Qianni on palm techniques.


    "Master, should I start a livestream as well?" Ding Mingya asked.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "If you want to, go ahead. If not, that''s up to you. Just make sure to pass on the staff technique I''ve taught you and promote ancient martial arts. Promoting the art doesn¡¯t have to be limited by form. If you have the heart, every place can be a classroom. But there''s one thing you must remember: if you teach, make sure it''s the true legacy. Never hold back, never give half-truths, and never teach falsely. Otherwise, you''ll only harm others."


    Ding Mingya nodded seriously, "I understand, Master. You can trust me."


    He sensed the same authoritative presence in Li Xiaofei that only the most respected senior professors at Beixia University possessed.


    "I¡¯ll start a livestream and teach the staff technique you¡¯ve passed on to me to more people," Ding Mingya said, determined.


    We want to become disciples too!


    We want to follow the Patriarch and learn!


    Patriarch, take me as a disciple!


    Patriarch, your powers are boundless!


    Countless fans were clamoring to become disciples in the livestream chat.


    Li Xiaofei responded, "Thank you all for your support. However, I only have limited time and energy, so I cannot teach everyone one-on-one. I will apply to the Longya Group to expand the livestream room''s capacity and restructure the training ground to accommodate more fans, allowing them to connect and join the training sessions."


    The audience erupted in cheers. The light-network virtual world was nearly identical to the real world. Expanding the livestream room required money to buy virtual land, much like purchasing real estate in the physical world.


    By expanding the training ground, more people could join the sessions in the space as if they were physically present and train alongside the Patriarch. Although the inner qi cultivated in the light-network couldn¡¯t be brought back to the real world, the experiences, sensations, and insights gained during the training were entirely one¡¯s own.


    Moreover, users in the light-network could adjust their physical state to its optimal level, speeding up their cultivation progress. It was the best form of preview for real-world practice.


    "That''s it for today''s livestream."


    As soon as the time came, Li Xiaofei ended the stream with lightning speed.


    Yet, the number of people in the livestream room kept growing. Clearly, the impact of this session was spreading rapidly. The online viewer count had exceeded 5 million, and the subscriber count was nearing 4 million.


    Guo Zong''ao, Zhou Yidao, and Su Qianni were so excited that they felt like they were walking on air. But there was a nagging feeling, as if they had forgotten something important.


    "I have a suggestion," Zhang Zhihong suddenly said, stroking his chin. "I''m sure you all will be very interested."

 Chapter 381: Nine Yang Divine Art

    Chapter 381: Nine Yang Divine ArtThe air had a bite to it on a chilly spring night. But inside, the room was brightly lit. Principal Hu displayed her usual dominance at work, much like a valiant female knight galloping ahead with fierce resolve.


    Ten minutes later.


    "My back is broken, I have no strength left. You¡¯ll have to move on your own," she said.


    She collapsed like water as she just lay there. Li Xiaofei connected the Bridge of Heaven and Earth again and started exchanging energy between their bodies. No one knew how much time had passed, but eventually, Li Xiaofei carried Principal Hu to the bathroom. As he began to wash her, she drifted into a deep sleep before they could finish.


    Her delicate earmuffs shimmered faintly with a silver glow. Every time they engaged in dual cultivation, it brought her immense benefits. But the problem was, she felt like a small boat about to be overwhelmed by a violent storm before she could fully absorb the benefits.


    "Sigh, dual cultivation is actually quite boring," she muttered.


    After settling Principal Hu in bed, Li Xiaofei returned to the bedroom. He sat cross-legged for a brief cultivation session, timing the cooldown before entering the Secret Time Pavilion.


    ***


    The white temple stood in serene tranquility. Every time Li Xiaofei entered this sacred place, he always felt as though he was partaking in a solemn pilgrimage.


    "Dog Box, can I draw a cultivation method?" he asked casually.


    "Woof, yes, you can," came the reply, with a hint of gentleness in its tone.


    A familiar spatial vortex appeared before Li Xiaofei. He reached his hand into it, feeling around vigorously. Soon, he grabbed hold of three scrolls.


    One of them, unexpectedly, felt slightly warm to the touch. This was a sensation he had never encountered before. When the spatial vortex began to shrink, Li Xiaofei withdrew his hand. He took out the first scroll, unrolled it, and his eyes widened instantly.


    "Nine Yang..."


    Li Xiaofei was ecstatic when he saw the first two characters. But he remained cautious and, only after confirming that the next words weren''t Soy Milk, did he let out a long sigh of relief.


    Nine Yang Divine Art! It was the legendary Nine Yang Divine Art. This was one of the top five internal cultivation techniques in the world of Jin Yong''s martial arts. At last, he had drawn an internal cultivation method.


    Li Xiaofei had long wanted to test whether the internal techniques from martial arts novels were fundamentally different from modern-day breathing techniques. Unfortunately, he had never drawn an internal cultivation method. Now, it had finally arrived.


    He may be strong, let him be strong; the breeze brushes the mountain ridges. He may be fierce, let him be fierce; the bright moon shines on the great river. He may be cruel, let him be cruel; I have my breath of true energy, and it is enough.


    This was the core principle from the Nine Yang Divine Art. In the world of Jin Yong''s martial arts, two martial manuals were impossible to overlook: the Nine Yang Divine Art and the Nine Yin Manual.


    The difference lay in the fact that the Nine Yin Manual focused more on external techniques, while the Nine Yang Divine Art was centered on internal cultivation.


    According to the records, after mastering the Nine Yang Divine Art, one''s internal energy would grow at an incredibly fast rate and become endless. Even basic punches and kicks would have immense offensive power, and one¡¯s defensive capabilities would be unparalleled. It automatically shielded the practitioner by reflecting external attacks, making the body indestructible like the Vajra. Additionally, it was a healing marvel, rendering the practitioner immune to all poisons and specifically countering all cold and yin-based internal forces.


    In short, this internal technique was extraordinary. After flipping through several pages, Li Xiaofei slowly closed the manual. This divine art had arrived just in time.


    He had begun to notice that the benefits of the True Dragon Breathing Technique were no longer as pronounced as before. The energy required to break through his meridians was getting increasingly hard to replenish, as global resources continued to shrink, and Xiao Hongye had yet to acquire fifth-generation pure Starforce Reagents. This shortage had drastically slowed his progress.


    Perhaps the Nine Yang Divine Art could help me regain my momentum?


    His gaze shifted to the second manual.


    "Hmm?" When he saw the title of the manual, Li Xiaofei''s face showed a hint of surprise. "It¡¯s actually the Immortal Seal Technique."


    Fans of high-martial arts novels by Huang Yi would surely recognize this technique. It was a supreme martial art from Huang Yi''s high-martial world, created during the era of the Twin of Brothers series. The top demon master of the time, Demonic King Shi Zhixuan, had fused the opposing techniques of the Flower Sect and the Heaven-Replenishing Path, using the profound Buddhist principle of "neither this shore, nor the other shore, nor the middle" as its theoretical basis. After countless battles on the brink of life and death, he had finally developed this advanced martial art.


    As a martial arts enthusiast, Li Xiaofei had, of course, read the original work thoroughly. Demonic King Shi Zhixuan was a highly charismatic antagonist and a peerless genius with grand ambitions. Not only was his martial prowess unmatched, but his cunning and strategies were also second to none.


    In the original story, Shi Zhixuan had orchestrated the downfall of the Sui Dynasty and created a transcendent martial art known as the Immortal Seal Technique. It elevated martial philosophy to the realm of human nature and deep philosophy, embodying the concept of using martial arts to attain enlightenment.


    The Immortal Seal Technique allowed the user to measure, understand, and confuse enemies with their internal energy. However, its core principle lay in immortality.


    The technique''s central mechanism was the rapid transformation of internal energy, creating a seemingly endless supply of energy and preventing the practitioner from running out of breath. It allowed the user to switch effortlessly between life and death energy, transforming the enemy''s attacking energy into life energy that would restore one''s vitality. This had earned it the title of the immortal technique. However, if the damage was fatal, death would still be inevitable.


    In Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes, the true strength of this martial art lay in its invincibility in group battles. It could continuously absorb the enemy¡¯s attacking energy to replenish his own vitality and firmly place him in an undefeatable position.


    Imagine, in an open battlefield, there would be no fear of running out of inner qi even if he were to be surrounded by star beasts. He could absorb the energy from the star beasts'' attacks and turn himself into a perpetual motion machine capable of fighting indefinitely.


    This time, all the cultivation techniques I drew are top-quality.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s gaze then shifted to the third manual. It was the one that felt slightly warm when he first touched it. Four bold words were inscribed on the cover: Shu Mountain ¡¤ Sword Harnessing Technique.


    Li Xiaofei froze.


    Sword Harnessing Technique?! Shu Mountain?! This isn¡¯t even a high-martial world anymore; this is from Xianxia world. I¡¯ve actually drawn a cultivation technique from the path of immortality!


    Suddenly, he couldn¡¯t contain his joy and began jumping around ecstatically.


    Heaven and earth! Finally, this day has come! Does this mean that the cheat system I¡¯ve been granted is upgrading? Does this mean that, in the future, I could draw mythological techniques like the Eight-Nine Mystical Arts, the Seventy-Two Transformations, or even the Somersault Cloud?


    The more Li Xiaofei thought about it, the more excited he became. No wonder he had felt the slight warmth when he first drew this manual. It turned out that heating up meant it was high-level material. This was an important insight that he needed to remember.


    Li Xiaofei opened the manual and began reading it carefully. At first, he had been a bit worried that he might not understand the immortal cultivation text. But he quickly realized his concerns were unnecessary.


    The contents were written in modern language, not in the archaic, complicated terms he had expected. Anyone with a basic education could understand it. Of course, understanding it was one thing. Comprehending it fully was an entirely different matter.


    After reading through it once, Li Xiaofei had already grasped the basics. The Sword Harnessing Technique was divided into two realms.


    The first realm was Controlling the Sword to Kill. This involved using one''s mind to control a sword. It would allow it to fly through the air and strike down enemies. Initially, one could control the sword from a distance of a hundred meters. But with mastery, the range could extend to hundreds or even thousands of miles, allowing one to slay powerful martial artists from afar as easily as reaching into a bag.


    The second realm was Flying on the Sword. This enabled the practitioner to ride the sword through the skies, carrying themselves over vast distances in an instant. It was akin to the feats of legendary immortals who soared through the clouds. The speed surpassed that of fighter jets, and there would be no need for concern even in encounters with flying star beasts or mechs. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Brilliant.


    At this point, Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but clap his hands and laugh out loud, overjoyed beyond measure. This was truly a divine technique. If he could master the Sword Harnessing Technique, wouldn¡¯t he become invincible? How could a small Earth possibly hold him back?


    However, when he reached the final part, Li Xiaofei''s smile suddenly froze. It turned out that in order to cultivate the Flying on the Sword, his inner qi had to reach the Five Spirits Realm.


    "Ah, this..."


    Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but scratch his head. This was the first time he had encountered a cultivation technique with a level restriction. However, just being able to practice the Controlling the Sword to Kill realm was already incredibly cool.


    The three techniques I drew this time were all worth every bit.


    Li Xiaofei placed the three manuals neatly on the bookshelf inside the Secret Time Pavilion. Yes, during this time, President Li had renovated the sacred temple, making it possible to store non-perishable items inside.


    Then, without wasting a moment, he began his cultivation immediately. The first technique he chose was the Nine Yang Divine Art.


    "Focus your intent on the dantian, start the movement of the first yang, circulate between the two points, palms pressed together in prayer, let the true qi spiral through, guide the qi through the Ren and Du meridians in a small heavenly circuit, nurture the dantian for the duration of one incense stick, match the rhythm to thirty-six cycles... the first level of the Nine Yang Divine Art..."


    He recited the incantation silently in his mind and began channeling his qi.


    Will this top-tier internal cultivation technique from Jin Yong''s martial arts world really be effective for cultivating inner qi in this modern era?


    Li Xiaofei felt a bit anxious. But soon, he was overwhelmed with joy.


    It worked! It works wonders!


    As he operated the first level of the Nine Yang Divine Art, he could clearly feel his inner qi circulating at an unprecedented speed and efficiency. He immediately centered his mind and body, closed his eyes, and immersed himself in cultivation.


    Time passed. Red light flickered across Li Xiaofei''s body. A fierce heat began radiating from him, distorting the air around him with its intensity. The Nine Yang Divine Art was a technique of extreme yang. Its most prominent characteristic was that the inner qi cultivated from it carried an intense, fiery power.


    Time passed swiftly. In the blink of an eye, ten days had gone by. Li Xiaofei slowly opened his eyes. He had mastered the first level of the Nine Yang Divine Art. He could feel the surge of intense yang energy within him as the fiery, masculine force gradually rose again. More importantly, his inner qi had started to circulate on its own.


    This was different from the breathing techniques that required him to absorb external energy through breath. The Nine Yang Divine Art drew energy from within. After mastering the first level, his inner qi naturally flowed, creating an invisible energy field around him that could not be seen by the naked eye. This formed a protective shield over his body, capable of naturally deflecting and resisting attacks.


    "Training the Nine Yang Divine Art, alongside the Yi Jin Jing and the Formless Sword Bone, tsk, tsk, tsk... If I don''t become a peerless master, who will?"


    Li Xiaofei grinned from ear to ear.


    Techniques like the Five Tigers Door-Cutting Blade, Wulang Bagua Staff, and Dog Beating Staff could already drive people mad with admiration. These techniques he had mastered, though, would undoubtedly make the great clans jealous beyond measure.


    I can¡¯t reveal these techniques just yet. I need to wait until my strength is sufficient to protect myself before I consider teaching them publicly.


    Otherwise, if those powerful families become desperate and shameless enough to descend into lowly tactics and schemes to seize these techniques, I''d be in deep trouble. Some might even kill me.


    After his initial burst of joy, Li Xiaofei became more cautious, reminding himself that an innocent man may be blamed for possessing a treasure.


    Thus, he proceeded to cultivate the Immortal Seal Technique. Although this technique¡¯s offensive power wasn¡¯t as potent as the Sword Harnessing Technique, it was perfectly suited for Li Xiaofei¡¯s current situation. After all, it was a life-saving technique. So, he had to cultivate it.


    The core principle of the Immortal Seal Technique was the division of qi into life energy and death energy, as well as the transformation between the two. Mastering this secret was the key to success and would allow him to break through future challenges smoothly.


    Following the instructions in the manual, Li Xiaofei began his cultivation of the Immortal Seal Technique. In the blink of an eye, another ten days had passed and Li Xiaofei halted his cultivation.


    "It''s a bit more difficult than I expected. Separating life and death energy isn''t easy.¡± He mused to himself.


    This was the first time he had cultivated a new technique and failed to make any progress after ten days. It seemed this technique truly was a philosophical cultivation method, requiring deep mental and spiritual insight.


    However, Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t in a rush. He decided to devote the next stretch of time to practicing the Sword Harnessing Technique technique. Though he couldn''t yet fly with the sword, he could still master controlling the sword to kill.


    But in order to practice the Sword Harnessing Technique, he needed a sword. Li Xiaofei retrieved a long sword he had prepared for sword cultivation from the Secret Time Pavilion. Following the instructions from the manual, he began to nurture the sword.


    However, nurturing the sword was, in essence, a process of nurturing oneself through the sword. At its core, the Sword Harnessing Technique was a technique of using internal energy to communicate with external objects. It was all about understanding.


    Nurture the sword with the body, and nurture the body through the sword. One had to comprehend the essence of the sword to control it. The special cultivation method designed for Sword Harnessing Technique was primarily focused on circulating true qi, but using inner qi in place of true qi worked just as well.


    "Inner energy, internal cultivation, true qi, inner qi... they''re essentially the same substance, the same energy, which is why they are interchangeable," Li Xiaofei realized.


    In fact, practicing the Sword Harnessing Technique was somewhat simpler than cultivating the Immortal Seal Technique.


    After ten days, Li Xiaofei had made significant progress in nurturing his sword. When he held the sword, it felt like an extension of his body. Every movement and technique flowed naturally, and mastering sword techniques came almost effortlessly.


    For instance, the Fifteen Swords of Death technique, which he had drawn earlier from the Dog Box but hadn¡¯t yet practiced, now made perfect sense to him. After reaching a small level of mastery in the Sword Harnessing Technique, Li Xiaofei only needed a glance at the sword manual to understand it thoroughly.


    The Fifteen Swords of Death was no ordinary sword technique, after all. In the world of Gu Long¡¯s martial arts, it was considered a top-tier technique, developed by the legendary sword god Yan Shisan who had built upon his family''s martial heritage. Even the once unrivaled sword master Xie Xiaofeng couldn¡¯t defeat him.


    The technique grew progressively more difficult with each of the fifteen swords. Mastering its evolving forms of swordplay required sheer understanding. For most people, it was extremely hard to cultivate. But for Li Xiaofei, who had been practicing the immortal art of Sword Harnessing Technique, it took only a few hours to fully grasp it.


    "This Fifteen Swords of Death could even slay a Golden Body Realm practitioner," Li Xiaofei mused.


    As he reflected on it, he realized that the martial arts techniques from Gu Long¡¯s world, though described in a highly mystical manner, weren¡¯t like the techniques from Jin Yong¡¯s world, which were steeped in historical and cultural depth. Yet they were no less formidable.


    In Gu Long¡¯s novels, the heroes often relied purely on their personal talent to push their martial skills to the limit, or they created their own unique techniques. It was all about the individual¡¯s understanding, with no reliance on special martial manuals.


    The same martial arts technique, when used by different people, could result in vastly different outcomes. The most iconic example was Little Li''s Flying Dagger. In Li Xunhuan¡¯s hands, a single flying dagger could work wonders. Even though later generations might have received the true legacy of Li Xunhuan, none could ever replicate his unmatched grace and mastery.


    This led Li Xiaofei to speculate that this was one of the reasons why the Dog Box rarely offered martial arts techniques from Gu Long''s worlds. They were so dependent on personal talent that they couldn¡¯t be easily replicated.


    In the blink of an eye, the time limit for the Secret Time Pavilion had ended. Li Xiaofei exited the pavilion and returned to the real world.


    In the bedroom, time seemed to have stood still. Principal Hu still lay on the bed, limp as a puddle of water. Her fair, jade-like skin gleamed under the light, emitting an endless allure.


    Dual cultivation is actually pretty fun after all.


    Li Xiaofei felt a sudden surge of excitement. Inside him, the fiery inner qi of the Nine Yang Divine Art roared and boiled. He pounced without hesitation.


    "Ah... How do you still have energy?" Principal Hu gasped in surprise.


    Despite her complete defeat earlier, where she was left utterly drained, Li Xiaofei had also expended at least seventy to eighty percent of his strength. Any further "battle" so soon should have been impossible. But now, in just a few short moments, Li Xiaofei had regained all his vitality and strength?


    This monster.


    Principal Hu had no choice but to resist desperately, activating the Yin-Yang Resonance of Great Sorrow, trying her best to counterbalance and cooperate. However, she quickly sensed something off.


    "So hot..."


    Principal Hu¡¯s stunning face tilted back as she let out a startled cry, feeling an intense heat radiating from Li Xiaofei that was unlike anything before. This was completely different from their previous encounters.


    As their energies intertwined and exchanged between them, Principal Hu¡¯s body trembled, her expression transforming into one of elation. "Your... your energy... what¡¯s happening? Such pure yang energy, your energy transformed again?"


    Nine Yang True Qi was the epitome of pure yang inner qi. For those of the Heavenly Fox lineage, pure yang energy was an immense source of nourishment. Dual cultivation allowed them to harmonize yin and yang, enhancing both their cultivation levels.


    "Ah... ah... ah!"


    Suddenly, nine fox tails erupted from Principal Hu¡¯s lower back. The sixth tail became increasingly solid, joining the previous five to take a tangible form. She had reached the peak of Grade Six.


    It had been less than half a year since she had advanced into Grade Six. Under normal circumstances, even the most talented Yinji Moon Fox would need at least sixty years of rigorous cultivation to reach the peak of Grade Six.


    But now, she had achieved it, all thanks to dual cultivation with Li Xiaofei. The surge of energy instantly restored Principal Hu¡¯s physical strength, and she was ready for battle once again.

 Chapter 382: Supreme Sword Body

    Chapter 382: Supreme Sword BodyLiuhe Base City remained calm and peaceful. There was no new information from Xiao Hongye''s side. Whether it was the fifth-generation pure Starforce Reagents or the university recruitment matters in Xiajing, there had been no feedback at all.


    Old Chen was still missing. Tan Qingying was also out of contact. Most of Li Xiaofei''s focus was placed on the light-network virtual world.


    That afternoon, a new round of the online Martial God Tournament reignited fierce competition. Li Xiaofei arrived at the plaza of the Longya Group in the Light-Network virtual world perfectly on time. The place was as lively as ever, packed with people.


    ¡°Patriarch.¡± Zhang Zhihong always had a way of immediately spotting Li Xiaofei in the crowd.


    He grinned at him. ¡°The match-ups are out. Your opponent today is quite notable. He¡¯s one of the top 50 favorites this time, Sword Qi as a Rainbow. He¡¯s Ren Woyou, a disciple of the Ren family, one of Xiajing¡¯s top ten martial arts families. He¡¯s at the Golden Body Realm and ended all his previous matches with just one sword strike. This one might be tricky.¡±


    ¡°What are the odds?¡± Li Xiaofei asked.


    ¡°Heh, I knew you''d care about that,¡± Zhang Zhihong replied. ¡°The odds of you winning are twelve to one. How much should we bet?¡±


    Li Xiaofei was surprised. ¡°You seem to have a lot of confidence in me.¡±


    Zhang Zhihong grinned and said, ¡°What kind of relationship do we have? Even if I wasn¡¯t confident, I¡¯d still bet on you, Patriarch. Even if it''s just to hear the sound of money dropping.¡±


    "Are you really rich?" Li Xiaofei had been meaning to ask for a while.


    He always thought this guy was broke, which was why he gambled everywhere and worked as a middleman to collect various service fees. But now, it seemed like that wasn¡¯t the case.


    "I''m not rich," Zhang Zhihong replied. "But my dad is."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    "Gambling is bad. It ruins people. We shouldn''t get addicted to it." Li Xiaofei said earnestly, before adding, "So let''s just bet 3 million star coins this time."


    Zhang Zhihong was speechless, but he took the money and happily ran off to place the bet.


    Soon, the match was about to begin. Beams of white light descended from the sky, enveloping countless participants in the plaza, transporting them to their respective battlefields.


    They were now in the middle stages of the Martial God Tournament. Everyone who had passed the preliminary rounds was a skilled fighter. Thus, each competitor prepared thoroughly before the battle.


    This included Li Xiaofei. To stay in top form and improve his strength, he had trained relentlessly with Principal Hu before the match, not holding back in the slightest. Every clash was at full force.


    ***


    The battlefield. Blazing Chang¡¯an Street.


    This was one of the battlefields Li Xiaofei knew best. However, compared to the Blazing Chang¡¯an Street from the high school tournaments, the current map had been massively enhanced. This battlefield wouldn''t be destroyed even if a Golden Body Realm expert went all out.


    Opposite him stood a young man in white, with long black hair. He held a sword in his arms. Simply standing there, sharp sword qi quietly swirled around him, gradually spreading out and forming a terrifying sword field.


    A burning dead leaf drifted down near him and accidentally triggered the sword''s force.


    Swish.


    The leaf was silently sliced in half by the sword qi.


    ¡°Should I call you Your Grandpa or Grandmaster of Heaven?¡± The young man¡¯s lips curved slightly.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Call me whatever you like. A name is just a label after all."


    "Well said." The young man smiled faintly, "I¡¯ve watched your live recordings. You¡¯re very strong. Originally, you had a great chance of making it into the top 100 of this Martial God Tournament, but unfortunately, your luck ran out. You¡¯ve encountered me in this round."


    Li Xiaofei also smiled.


    "You''re Sword Qi as a Rainbow, Ren Woyou, right?" He pulled out a rusted sword lodged in a nearby corpse, flicking his wrist to shake off the blood from the blade. "I¡¯ve heard your swordsmanship is unmatched. Then I¡¯ll defeat you using swordsmanship."


    It was the perfect chance to test out the Fifteen Swords of Death, which he had just begun cultivating yesterday using the Sword Harnessing Technique. Any unfamiliar sword felt comfortable in his hand, as if he had been wielding it for decades. Li Xiaofei knew that he had a natural affinity with swords.


    Ren Woyou clapped his hands and said, "Impressive spirit. In light of your bravery, I¡¯ll give you the first move. Go ahead, draw your sword."


    Li Xiaofei smiled slightly. He didn¡¯t hesitate.


    Swish!


    He thrust his sword forward in seemingly a casual strike. But Ren Woyou¡¯s expression changed in an instant. His eyelids twitched wildly as he sensed an overwhelming killing intent and danger.


    What a powerful sword. What terrifying swordsmanship.


    The moment the sword was thrust, it unleashed an indescribable murderous aura, as if it intended to consume his opponent¡¯s soul and life force entirely.


    Ren Woyou quickly activated his footwork technique, dodging rapidly. He didn¡¯t dare show even a trace of arrogance.


    Swish.


    The sword qi grazed past him. A bead of cold sweat trickled down Ren Woyou''s temple. Opposite him, Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t attack again. He simply stood there, smiling.


    "What sword technique is that?" Ren Woyou asked gravely. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Want to learn? I''ll teach you."


    An enraged Ren Woyou shouted, "That move was precise, I¡¯ll give you that. But if you think one strike will defeat me, you''re too na?ve! You, with your obsession of taking disciples, you''re dreaming if you think I¡¯ll submit so easily."


    Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t angry.


    "This sword technique has fifteen moves in total. That was the first." He said, pointing his sword slightly downward. "You don¡¯t need to become my disciple. If you can block ten of my moves, I¡¯ll teach you all fifteen. How about it?"


    "Really?" Ren Woyou¡¯s eyes lit up.


    From the moment he was born, he had been identified as possessing the rare Supreme Sword Body. Swordsmanship flowed in his veins. During the traditional hundred-day grasping ceremony as a baby, he had chosen a sword.


    Since then, he had lived with the sword as his constant companion. He had been born with a passion for swords. Any sword technique he saw, he could instantly understand, and with a bit of practice, he would master it.


    His speed of mastering swordsmanship far surpassed his peers. He was hailed as a once-in-a-century sword genius. Supported by his family, he had access to countless rare sword techniques that others his age could only dream of.


    But that single sword strike from Li Xiaofei had both amazed and unsettled him. He wanted this sword technique.


    "Really." As soon as Li Xiaofei finished speaking, he struck again.


    Swish.


    The sword qi swept through the air as Li Xiaofei''s rusted sword struck again. It was still the same move as before: Fifteen Swords of Death, First Sword.


    Ren Woyou, now on guard, quickly drew the long sword from his embrace and swung it to parry the attack. He used a sword technique of legendary renown, the Zhonggong Lightning-Chasing Sword. Each swing of the sword whistled through the air like a rainbow streaking through the sky. The strikes came in rapid succession as if they were flashes of lightning.


    The technique was designed to seize upon any flaw in the opponent¡¯s moves, no matter how small. Once it found an opening, it would relentlessly exploit it, overpowering and obliterating the enemy in a devastating strike.


    In all of Ren Woyou¡¯s previous sword duels, his storm-like offensive would quickly secure him the advantage and within ten moves, utterly crush his opponent. But this time, it was different. Instead of gaining the upper hand, he found himself being pushed back. Li Xiaofei, wielding the rusted long sword, calmly thrust forward with deliberate precision. Each Sword pierced toward him with measured yet unyielding force.


    Swish, swish, swish.


    The sword qi roared through the air. Each strike carried a murderous intent, brimming with destructive power.


    Ren Woyou¡¯s Supreme Sword Body instincts screamed warnings at him, telling him over and over that no matter how he attacked, every exchange would end in his own death. He was forced to continuously shift to defense time and time again.


    After three moves, he was already overwhelmed, struggling to keep up. He had never been in such a miserable state.


    "The Fourth Sword....


    "The Fifth Sword!"


    "The Sixth Sword!"


    "The Seventh...¡±


    "The Eighth Sword... you''ve lost."


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s sword tip effortlessly broke through Ren Woyou''s defense like a fleeting glimmer of light and stopped just short of his forehead.


    Ren Woyou was frozen in place. Cold sweat poured down his face. His expression was one of complete bewilderment.


    "Yes, I lost." He withdrew his sword, speaking bitterly.


    He had indeed lost. If this had been a life-and-death battle with his Golden Body Realm cultivation, even a pierced forehead wouldn¡¯t have killed him. He would still have had a chance to continue fighting.


    But this was a sword duel. In all his nineteen years of training since birth, this was the first time he had lost to someone in a contest of swordsmanship. The first defeat in 7,000 days!


    "You didn¡¯t last until the tenth sword," Li Xiaofei said, casually tossing the rusted sword back to where he found it. "What will you do now?"


    Ren Woyou''s expression was one of dejection and defeat. This loss had shaken him deeply.


    "If... if I were to become your disciple, would you teach me this sword technique?" He asked suddenly, lifting his head.


    Li Xiaofei brought his hands behind his back as he replied, "Even if you don¡¯t become my disciple, I can still teach you."


    Ren Woyou was stunned and asked, "Why?"


    Li Xiaofei spoke calmly, "You¡¯ve watched my livestreams, so you should know my grand aspiration. I want to revive the ancient martial lineage of Great Xia, so that every warrior in Great Xia can train in true martial arts, inherit true legacies, and achieve enlightenment. I want every person to be as mighty as a dragon!"


    Everyone trained in martial arts! Everyone like a dragon!


    Ren Woyou was deeply shaken. These words, coming from anyone else, would have sounded like nonsense, something he would have scoffed at. But after watching Li Xiaofei¡¯s livestreams...Ren Woyou found himself starting to believe.


    "I don¡¯t take disciples because I enjoy being a teacher," Li Xiaofei added. "It¡¯s just my way of spreading ancient martial arts. You are a genius in swordsmanship, and this Fifteen Swords of Death will truly reveal its potential in your hands. Why would I withhold a mere sword technique from you?"


    Ren Woyou''s body trembled. Suddenly, he realized how laughable his previous arrogance was compared to the young man in front of him. He was far inferior.


    "Important people are targeting you," Ren Woyou suddenly said.


    "Hmm?" Li Xiaofei looked at him.


    Ren Woyou continued, "You¡¯ve been showcasing true legacies of ancient martial arts in your livestreams and even teaching them for free. This has caught the attention of several families associated with Saints. They''re investigating you, and some are even threatening to put you in your place and force you out of the streaming world."


    "I understand," Li Xiaofei nodded calmly. "Thank you for the warning."


    Ren Woyou breathed a sigh of relief. He hesitated a few times but ultimately said nothing more. He simply conceded defeat to the system and teleported away. In the next moment, Li Xiaofei also left the battlefield.


    ***


    In the virtual world, at the Longya Group plaza.


    "Boss, you¡¯re out!" Zhang Zhihong, unsurprisingly, was the first to rush over to Li Xiaofei¡¯s side. "I can¡¯t believe you beat that arrogant Ren Woyou... Tsk, tsk, tsk, we¡¯ve hit the jackpot again!"


    Li Xiaofei smirked and asked, "How did you get out so early? Did you win or lose?"


    Zhang Zhihong smiled shyly.


    A ridiculous thought crossed Li Xiaofei¡¯s mind. "Damn, don¡¯t tell me... your opponent got an upset stomach again?"


    Zhang Zhihong sighed helplessly. "I didn¡¯t want it to be like this, but it¡¯s strange. As soon as I showed up and said a couple of words, the guy grabbed his stomach, started howling in pain, and quit the match to run to the bathroom."


    Li Xiaofei was left speechless.


    "Something¡¯s off." Li Xiaofei gave Zhang Zhihong a once-over. "There¡¯s something suspicious about you."


    Zhang Zhihong groaned, "Boss, I swear I didn¡¯t¡ª"


    Li Xiaofei cut him off. "Save your breath. I won¡¯t ask, and you don¡¯t need to make up excuses. Just carry on as usual. We¡¯re adults now; having secrets is normal."


    Zhang Zhihong exhaled in relief.


    "Boss, are you streaming tonight?" he asked.


    Li Xiaofei responded, "Of course, I¡¯m streaming... Why do you ask?"


    Zhang Zhihong cautiously said, "Boss, I¡¯ve heard some rumors. Some powerful people are unhappy with you giving away the true legacies of ancient martial arts for free, and they¡¯re planning to deal with you."


    Li Xiaofei shrugged, "If soldiers come, we¡¯ll fight them; if water comes, we¡¯ll block it."


    This time, he had no intention of backing down.


    Zhang Zhihong nodded. "Alright then, as your brother, I¡¯ll stand by your side, no matter what. I¡¯ve got your back."


    Li Xiaofei nodded in acknowledgment and said, "Transfer the winnings to my account. You know the drill... I¡¯ve got things to do, so I¡¯m heading out."


    With that, he teleported away from the plaza. Zhang Zhihong stood there, hesitating, before finally letting out a deep breath.


    "Screw it! For once, I¡¯m going to act on impulse."


    He, too, teleported away.


    ***


    In the light-network virtual world. At Li Xiaofei¡¯s personal base.


    Li Xiaofei spent half an hour organizing the cultivation notes for the Fifteen Swords of Death in an encrypted file. He located Ren Woyou''s virtual world ID and sent it to him directly.


    He then checked his account. The 36 million star coins he had won from betting, after taxes, had all been deposited. Without a second thought, he anonymously donated all of it, splitting the funds between Red Flag High School and the Cloudy Sky Youth Academy.


    After that, he logged off. He went to Red Flag High School like any other day and attended classes as usual. That afternoon marked the opening of the High School War God League. Red Flag High School was hosting the match as they faced off against the city government youth school.


    There was no suspense in this match as Red Flag High School won decisively. Red Flag High School was now an unbeatable force within Liuhe Base City''s high school scene. Not only were the main players dominating, but even the substitute players were crushing their opponents. This phenomenon drew attention from all corners.


    If in the past Red Flag High School¡¯s success could be attributed to Li Xiaofei¡¯s heroic efforts and Yan Chiyu¡¯s determined support, the rapid growth of the substitute players¡¯ strength seemed almost unbelievable. It was clear that it couldn¡¯t be explained by simply having abundant resources. Principal Qin seized this opportunity to tirelessly promote the Red Flag High School model.


    This model was not just about class schedules or cultivation methods. It was a comprehensive system that included teaching materials, cultivation techniques, schedules for training, resource allocation, and a combination of herbal medicinal baths, among many other elements.


    The key components were the textbooks and the medicinal baths. Of course, the critical moment was the choice at the end of the Qi Refining Realm, where one must unite the ten vortices into one. The first two components were Li Xiaofei¡¯s contributions while the latter was the result of years of accumulated experience from Old Chen and Principal Qin.


    Li Xiaofei was pleased with how things had turned out. His livestream lessons in the light-network had opened a new front of using the Red Flag High School model. However, Red Flag High School remained the true role model in the real world. Li Xiaofei firmly believed that one day, Old Chen and Principal Qin¡¯s decades of dedication and hard work would bear unmatched and brilliant fruit on the ancient land of Shenzhou. Papers could be suppressed, but their efforts would not be in vain.


    After the match, Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t attend the celebration party. Before starting his livestream, he received two phone calls. One was from his old mentor, Teacher Li, whom he hadn¡¯t heard from in a long time.


    ¡°You¡¯ve stirred up quite a commotion, kid,¡± Teacher Li sighed. ¡°Openly teaching the true legacy of ancient martial arts for free on the light-network caused an uproar. Many people are digging around and using all sorts of methods to find out more about you.¡±


    Li Xiaofei replied, ¡°I figured this would happen from the start. Let them investigate. What of it? I have a clear conscience.¡±


    Teacher Li responded, ¡°Do you realize that what you¡¯re doing is infringing on the interests of the Saint families? A lot of people are already gearing up to take you down.¡±


    Li Xiaofei sighed. ¡°If it benefits the nation, I shall live and die by it. Why should I avoid it out of fear of personal gain or loss?¡±


    "Well said!" On the other end of the line, Teacher Li slapped the table in excitement. "I knew I wasn¡¯t wrong about you back then. Haha, taking you in as a student was the best decision I made in Liuhe Base City! Don¡¯t worry, the country won¡¯t turn its back on patriots like you. A high-ranking official with significant influence has already stepped in and raised the confidentiality level of your account, Your Grandpa, to the highest tier. The Saint families won¡¯t be able to trace anything."


    Li Xiaofei was overjoyed at the news and replied, "That¡¯s great!"


    Now he no longer had to worry about being personally targeted.


    Teacher Li continued, "Go ahead with your work. The country is very pleased with your livestreams. If you ever run into trouble, come to me. I may not have much authority, but I can still act as a messenger."


    After hanging up, Li Xiaofei felt a sudden wave of happiness. Not because of the support he had received, but because he finally saw the will of the nation. It was a will that remained dedicated to serving the people, unlike the corruption and decay that plagued many martial arts families.


    He wasn¡¯t fighting alone. This country was still worth dedicating himself to and worth sacrificing everything for. That, for him, was enough.


    Before long, another call came in, this time from Xiao Hongye.


    "Things have changed a bit. The fifth-generation pure Starforce Reagent has become impossible to obtain. It¡¯s now a priceless commodity," Xiao Hongye informed him. "I suggest you switch to using star cores directly. Absorbing the energy from star cores can also improve your cultivation, but you''ll need to purchase a high-quality star core absorption device. Though it¡¯s not as direct or as fast-acting as Starforce Reagents, at least star cores are still available for purchase."


    Xiao Hongye offered her advice.


    "Alright," Li Xiaofei agreed.


    Xiao Hongye added, "As for the university matter, there¡¯s still no news. I¡¯ll keep looking around for you. If any university is willing to accept you, I¡¯ll let you know right away."


    "Thank you, Sister Xiao," Li Xiaofei replied. "No rush, I¡¯ll wait for your update."


    "Little brother, I¡¯ve really put in a lot of effort and energy this time. If you truly want to thank me, you better show some real appreciation," Xiao Hongye teased, her voice carrying a hint of fatigue, but sounding even more magnetic and seductive.


    After hanging up, Li Xiaofei was still in a good mood.


    If no university was willing to accept him, so be it. He wouldn¡¯t go to university. As long as he had the dog box, he was confident that sooner or later he¡¯d be able to draw a cultivation method from the immortal path.


    All he needed was patience to continue his training. Those universities who didn¡¯t accept him? It would be their loss. Not his. They would regret it one day.


    But regardless of how things unfolded, he was determined to go to Xiajing because one of the most important people in his life was waiting for him there. The promise between a boy and a girl was more eternal than a diamond.


    With such a beautiful thought in his heart, Li Xiaofei entered the Light Core Virtual World to start his fourth livestream. But as soon as he entered the streaming room, he was startled.

 Chapter 383: It Actually Is My Girlfriend

    Chapter 383: It Actually Is My GirlfriendIs this still my livestream room?


    Li Xiaofei looked around and felt as if he had stepped into a legendary ancient immortal sect. A majestic flat-topped mountain pierced through the white clouds in front of him. On the peak¡¯s horizontal surface, a grand ancient martial arts training ground stood tall.


    A hundred-meter-tall octagonal tower made of white jade stone had been raised proudly. There were also other pavilions, each serving different purposes. A massive training field surrounded the central octagonal tower. It was capable of accommodating tens of thousands of people. In addition, around the floating mountain, ten giant chains extended outwards for thousands of meters, connecting to ten smaller floating unique mountains suspended upside down, their cross-sections facing upwards. Each of the smaller floating mountains had its own pavilions and training grounds.


    Such a vast and magnificent livestream room was clearly designed and modeled at great expense. It was obvious that it could easily accommodate up to one hundred thousand people connected simultaneously.


    "Master."


    "Master."


    Guo Zong''ao, Zhou Yidao, Su Qianni, Ding Mingya, and Brother Dao¡ªLi Xiaofei''s main disciples¡ªstood in a row, all dressed in traditional martial attire, respectfully clasping their fists and bowing in unison. It was actually quite convincing.


    "What is going on here?" Li Xiaofei asked. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Brother Dao immediately stepped forward to take credit and said, "It was my idea, Master. You¡¯re very popular now, with so many fans. The previous livestream room was too small to meet the needs of someone as prominent as you. So, after discussing with my senior brothers and sisters, we all chipped in to expand your main livestream room. What do you think, Master? Are you satisfied?"


    Li Xiaofei responded, "It¡¯s beyond my expectations, but I imagine it wasn¡¯t cheap?"


    Brother Dao replied proudly, "Any problem that can be solved with money is not a problem at all. You don¡¯t need to worry about the cost."


    Li Xiaofei nodded, "You¡¯ve all been very thoughtful."


    He decided not to dwell on the cost anymore. After all, the ancient martial arts knowledge he had passed on was worth more than any amount of money.


    When they saw that Li Xiaofei was satisfied, the disciples broke into smiles. In truth, this suggestion had come from Zhang Zhihong, and the others had fully supported it. It wasn¡¯t just because Li Xiaofei had passed on the true legacy of ancient martial arts to them. It was also because the traffic he shared with them was enormous.


    Except for Ding Mingya, who was still a student at Beixia University and hadn¡¯t started streaming, the others were all streamers. They had benefited greatly in just a few short days. Their live audience numbers had already surpassed their previous peak records. Almost all of these viewers came to learn ancient martial arts from them.


    Among them, Su Qianni and Brother Dao¡¯s livestream rooms benefited the most and had the highest popularity.


    Su Qianni¡¯s advantage came from her striking looks, and the martial technique she taught, the Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm, was highly entertaining and incredibly powerful, drawing countless female fans¡ªsomething she hadn¡¯t anticipated.


    Originally, her livestream''s selling point was her appearance, which attracted a crowd of male fans, and at times, the barrage of teasing comments made her feel uncomfortable. But the influx of female fans had completely purified the atmosphere of the livestream, and even brought in a significant number of new male fans. Generous rewards frequently flashed across the screen, allowing Su Qianni to truly experience what it felt like to be a top-tier, super-popular streamer.


    As for Brother Dao, he already had a substantial audience. The Graceful Step of the Waves he had learned from Li Xiaofei was one of the most sought-after movement techniques, attracting even more viewers. For the first time, Brother Dao felt that people respected him because of his skills, not because he was wealthy or powerful. This was a feeling money could never buy.


    Guo Zong''ao, Liu Yidao, and the others were in the same situation. In the three short days since becoming Li Xiaofei¡¯s disciples, they had effortlessly reached the pinnacle of their streaming careers, and the future looked incredibly bright.


    So, what did it matter to spend a little money to expand their master''s livestream room? Moreover, the better their master''s livestream did, the more they would gain. It was no different from investing in themselves.


    ¡°Master, I¡¯m sorry... I didn¡¯t contribute much money,¡± said Ding Mingya, the poor student, looking embarrassed.


    ¡°No worries, I covered your share,¡± Brother Dao said, patting his chest with a noble air.


    At this point, the number of people online in the livestream had already surpassed 5.5 million while the subscriber count had reached over 4.5 million. It was a unique feature of Li Xiaofei''s livestream room; there were often more people online than actual subscribers.


    The livestream''s popularity had exceeded ten million and had ranked eighth across the entire platform. However, what surprised Li Xiaofei was that Zhang Zhihong was nowhere to be seen today.


    ¡°Master Uncle said he ran into something and would be a bit late,¡± Su Qianni explained.


    Li Xiaofei nodded and began the official livestream. This time, he accepted connection requests from ten thousand people.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.


    Beams of light descended, and ten thousand fans were instantly transported onto the platform.


    ¡°Patriarch!¡±


    ¡°Patriarch!¡±


    The lucky fans were overjoyed. There were too many people, and Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t answer each and every one of their questions. Fortunately, several of his disciples had cultivated the Great Strength Vajra Fist, so they could take over for him.


    Li Xiaofei explained all the moves of the Great Strength Vajra Fist and answered a few targeted questions. Then, the fans began to practice cultivation in the training ground.


    At that moment, Zhang Zhihong finally arrived, albeit a little late. However, his expression wasn¡¯t good.


    ¡°What happened, Master Uncle?¡± Brother Dao asked, curiosity written on his face.


    As a well-known rich second-generation in the community, Brother Dao was excellent at networking. While he used to be full of himself and looked down on those with lower status, his arrogance had shattered since joining the sect and learning the Graceful Step of the Waves. He was now on a path to becoming more lighthearted and humorous.


    Zhang Zhihong sighed heavily, his face full of worry, but he said nothing.


    Li Xiaofei, now curious as well, asked, ¡°Stop acting like that¡ªwhat¡¯s going on?¡±


    Zhang Zhihong had a constipated look on his face.


    "Earlier today, I went out to lunch with some friends and saw a couple sitting in the restaurant. The woman was so gentle. She was feeding her boyfriend, massaging his shoulders, and speaking in a soft, sweet voice. She was the very picture of a perfect girlfriend. I got a little envious and thought, ''If only this girl were my girlfriend.'' But guess what happened next?"


    ¡°What happened next?¡±


    The other senior brothers crowded closer, eager to hear the rest.


    Zhang Zhihong clenched his teeth and said, ¡°When I took a closer look, damn it, it was actually my girlfriend.¡±


    Everyone froze in shock.


    Su Qianni was the last to react. After a long pause, she asked, ¡°Master Uncle, are you saying you got cheated on?¡±


    Zhang Zhihong glared at her.


    Feeling a bit awkward, Su Qianni quickly said, ¡°My condolences, Master Uncle. If you need, I can pretend to be your girlfriend for a day and help you get back at her. Maybe we can make her jealous and help you save face.¡±


    Zhang Zhihong slapped his thigh and said, ¡°That¡¯s a brilliant idea!¡±


    The mood lightened up again. In the livestream chat, waves of 666 comments flooded the screen, showing the audience¡¯s approval. The livestream went smoothly that evening.


    ¡°Boss, have you checked out these ten small floating mountains?¡± Zhang Zhihong pointed at the floating mountains around them. ¡°I designed them especially for you. In the future, Yidao, Zong''ao, and Qianni can each claim one to teach martial arts or stream from there. This way, we¡¯ll have a bigger scale and take our streaming careers to the next level.¡±


    He patted Ding Mingya on the shoulder and grinned. ¡°Old Fourth, you can also choose one of these floating mountains as your streaming base. Stream for an hour or two every day, and you¡¯ll be pulling in tens of thousands of star coins per month. Work hard, and maybe it¡¯ll even be hundreds of thousands. This way, you won¡¯t have to fight underground matches anymore, and you can use the extra time to focus on cultivation at school. It¡¯s a win-win for both fame and fortune. How about it?¡±


    Ding Mingya thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.


    ¡°That¡¯s the spirit,¡± Zhang Zhihong said with satisfaction. ¡°I¡¯ll handle all the streaming paperwork for you. Work hard, kid. Master Uncle believes in you.¡±


    Then, turning to Li Xiaofei, Zhang Zhihong added, ¡°Boss, the herbal formula you shared earlier was great. Are you also skilled in medicine and herbalism?¡±


    Li Xiaofei said, "I only know a little about selecting and cultivating herbs, as well as a few useful prescriptions."


    "That¡¯s perfect!" Zhang Zhihong said excitedly. "Boss, I¡¯ll choose one of these ten small floating mountains and help you transform it into a herbal garden and pharmacy. Then, we can recruit some medics to cultivate herbs and practice their skills. This way, we¡¯ll establish a lineage for medics."


    Li Xiaofei''s heart stirred.


    It was indeed a great idea. While the plants grown in the virtual world couldn¡¯t be brought into the real world, the experience of planting, cultivating, and formulating was tangible. This would be valuable training for medics, since this was just like how warriors honed their skills in the virtual world.


    Zhang Zhihong chuckled and added, "Boss, do you happen to have knowledge or secrets about beastmasters or weapon specialists as well?"


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and said, "I know a bit."


    Brother Dao, Su Qianni, and the others were visibly surprised.


    He knows that too?


    Could it be that our master is some sort of invincible all-rounder?


    Zhang Zhihong''s imagination began to soar as he exclaimed, "That¡¯s amazing! We can use this place to recruit more disciples and spread the martial lineage of Great Xia. We¡¯ll make this the number one livestream room on the Longya Group platform and create a large-scale effect. In time, our influence could rival that of any regular university."


    The disciples grew excited as well. Indeed, if they were going to do something, they should go big. Everything had been progressing so smoothly in recent days that they were starting to feel a little overconfident. In this world, once you follow the right person, everything becomes much easier.


    Li Xiaofei nodded in agreement. Since he had plenty of ancient martial techniques, he wasn¡¯t afraid of expanding his livestream. He could easily share various techniques with his audience. Moreover, after drawing the Sword Harnessing Technique, a rare immortal cultivation skill, Li Xiaofei''s confidence had grown significantly.


    Just as the livestream was about to end, something unexpected happened. Six massive golden dragons descended from the sky.


    These enormous golden dragons roared and twisted fiercely, their presence majestic and awe-inspiring, as if they were dragon gods from the divine realm. Half the sky in the livestream room was bathed in a golden hue.


    Following that, six phantom images of the Great Wall appeared. The special effects lasted a full minute.


    Damn! A rich big brother has arrived!


    Supreme gifts!


    Who could this mysterious person be?


    The fans were immediately stirred into a frenzy.


    Although Li Xiaofei¡¯s livestream had seen many wealthy patrons recently, all gifting lavishly and claiming to offer a ceremonial gift for becoming his disciple, this was the first time someone had dropped 1.8 million star coins in one go.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.


    White beams of light flickered, and six figures appeared in the center of the training ground. Those who sent supreme gifts had the privilege of entering the livestream room without the host''s permission. It was an exclusive right granted to the platform¡¯s high-spenders.


    The six individuals looked young, no more than thirty years old, and were dressed in luxurious combat suits that were easily worth six figures each. It was clear they came from wealthy, powerful families. More importantly, they seemed quite formidable. The aura they exuded suggested they were at the Golden Body Realm or close to it.


    ¡°Thank you all for your support. It''s a pleasure to meet you,¡± Zhang Zhihong, ever mindful of his role as a livestream assistant, quickly stepped forward to greet the newcomers and express his thanks.


    ¡°Heh, you¡¯re happy far too soon.¡± One of the six, a young man with a gleaming shaved head, sneered as he looked at Li Xiaofei. ¡°We¡¯re not here to become your disciples. We''re here to settle a score!¡±


    ¡°That''s right! The prescription published by Grandmaster of Heaven killed my brother. This blood debt must be paid today,¡± aggressively added another youth with blonde hair and earrings.


    ¡°Exactly! And my brother? He practiced that so-called Great Strength Vajra Fist and ended up with internal injuries. He went mad during his training, and his inner qi was completely destroyed. Grandmaster of Heaven, you owe us an explanation today. If you don¡¯t give one, we¡¯ll kill you.¡± A third young man declared, his voice filled with righteous indignation.


    Everyone quickly understood what was happening. They were here to cause trouble.


    ¡°Stop spouting nonsense and making baseless accusations,¡± Guo Zong''ao was the first to lose his patience and retorted, ¡°My master¡¯s techniques and the herbal bath recipes have been used by millions without a single issue. You¡¯re just here to frame us on purpose, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Zhou Yidao also spoke up, ¡°Brothers, my master is doing great work for the people and spreading the Great Xia martial lineage to everyone. Even if you don¡¯t support it, you don¡¯t need to cause trouble here, right?¡±


    ¡°Heh.¡± The bald man sneered. ¡°You two little fish better keep quiet. Any one of us could crush you with just a flick of our fingers, whether here or in the real world.¡±


    Su Qianni responded with a cold smile, ¡°There are plenty of arrogant show-offs online, and we don¡¯t need six more of you. Who do you think you''re scaring?¡±


    The blonde-haired man with earrings stared at Su Qianni, his gaze filled with an unhidden, lustful desire. He smirked sinisterly. ¡°Little bitch, your debt with Youtong Finance is about to come due. What do you think will happen if you can¡¯t repay it on time?¡±


    Su Qianni¡¯s body trembled.


    How did they know about that?


    She wasn¡¯t foolish. She immediately realized that these people weren¡¯t ordinary troublemakers. They had come prepared.


    At that moment, Brother Dao stepped forward with a cold smirk. ¡°Who forgot to close their fly and let a bunch of dickheads like you out? Do you have any idea who I am? You dare cause trouble in my master¡¯s livestream room?¡±


    ¡°I know exactly who you are: the young master of the Ding Family from Xiajing,¡± the bald man replied with a sneer. ¡°Little guy, it¡¯s best if you stick to being the top streamer in the martial arts category and keep entertaining yourself. Don¡¯t get involved in matters that are beyond your abilities. For the sake of the Ding Family, I¡¯m giving you a kind warning: You won¡¯t be able to handle what¡¯s about to happen today.¡±


    Brother Dao froze for a moment. The fact that the other party knew his identity and still dared to speak like that meant something was off.


    Li Xiaofei also noticed this. In his heart, he already understood. This was undoubtedly a test orchestrated by the powerful Saint families. What was meant to happen had finally come.


    Zhang Zhihong seemed like he wanted to say something, but Li Xiaofei raised a hand to stop him.


    ¡°Speak. What do you want?¡± Li Xiaofei asked calmly.


    The bald man sneered and said, ¡°The conditions are simple: compensate us for our brothers'' losses, shut down your livestream, delete your account, and get lost.¡±


    Li Xiaofei responded, ¡°And what if I refuse?¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll ruin you.¡± The bald man said with a cold smile. ¡°Your martial arts killed people, and your prescriptions led to deaths in the baths. We have witnesses and evidence. There¡¯s no way for you to deny it.¡±


    ¡°Heh, idiot,¡± Li Xiaofei said indifferently.


    "What did you just say?" the bald man snapped angrily.


    "Does it even matter whether I admit it or not?" Li Xiaofei replied, his eyes full of pity. "Even if your brothers really died while practicing or from using the prescriptions, that''s just their bad luck. How is that my fault? Did I beg them to practice my techniques? Or beg them to use the herbal baths?"


    "You..." The bald man was momentarily speechless.


    He couldn¡¯t keep up with Li Xiaofei''s logic. Something wasn¡¯t right. Normally, in such a situation, people would either deny the accusations or try to prove their innocence in any way possible. But this guy, Li Xiaofei, wasn¡¯t panicking at all.


    Li Xiaofei chuckled softly and continued, "That''s why I called you idiots. You went through all the trouble to create this plan, but it''s like you''re swinging punches at air. You pose no threat to me whatsoever. You fools, even if I openly admitted in front of over five million livestream viewers that my martial arts techniques are harmful and my prescriptions are fake, do you think they would believe you? Do you think they''d just give up on their cultivation?"


    "This..." The blond man with earrings instinctively cursed, "Don''t be so arrogant!"


    "Heh, Anyone with half a brain can see how the techniques work and how the prescriptions function and see the results for themselves. Do your baseless accusations hold any weight?"


    "There''s a saying: ''True gold fears no fire.'' It doesn''t matter what I say or what you say about my techniques and prescriptions. What matters is what people experience when they use them. Do you really think you can fabricate some so-called ''evidence'' and bring me down? How foolish can you be!"


    Li Xiaofei finished, his voice steady and full of confidence. It felt like a heavy hammer smashing into the hearts of the bald man and his companions. This wasn¡¯t going the way they had expected at all.


    Li Xiaofei continued his verbal onslaught. "I livestream to teach martial arts and share my prescriptions for free. I¡¯ve never charged anyone a single cent. Anyone can come and learn if they want, and if they don''t, I don¡¯t beg them. I¡¯m not here to make money, nor am I here for fame. Your petty tricks of slandering others won¡¯t work on me. Go home, think it over, and see if you can come up with another plan to deal with me. Otherwise, I truly feel embarrassed for your intelligence."


    Now the bald man and his group were utterly dumbfounded. They couldn¡¯t just leave. But they couldn¡¯t stay either.


    As they looked at Li Xiaofei, whose face was filled with mockery, rage began to rise in their hearts, and malice grew in their guts. If scheming didn¡¯t work, then they¡¯d use force. They could just kill this Grandmaster of Heaven repeatedly in the light-core world, making it impossible for him to log back in. That would solve all their problems.


    The bald man exchanged a glance with his companions, signaling them... But just as they were about to act...


    Another golden, five-clawed dragon suddenly soared across the sky and transformed into the phantom of the Great Wall, with its special effects illuminating the livestream room for a full minute.


    A supreme gift!


    Another wealthy patron had arrived!


    In the next instant, a figure appeared in the center of the training ground. Dressed in pure white like jade, with hair as black as ink, he cradled a sword in his arms. His presence was imposing and commanding. All eyes in the room were immediately drawn to this figure.


    ¡°Hm?¡± Zhang Zhihong stepped forward, eyeing the newcomer. ¡°Ren Woyou? Why are you here? Are you with these six bastards? I¡¯m warning you, don¡¯t cause any trouble.¡±


    Ren Woyou had been Li Xiaofei¡¯s opponent in the match earlier. His appearance in the livestream room at this moment was not a good sign, much like a night owl visiting a house. On the other side, Brother Dao also clearly recognized Ren Woyou. They were both part of the same wealthy second-generation circles in Xiajing, and they had crossed paths a few times.


    Ren Woyou was a prodigy with unparalleled swordsmanship, so he held a much higher status in their circle than Brother Dao.


    Brother Dao knew the temperament of this man well, and immediately stepped forward with a smile. ¡°Brother Ren, perhaps there¡¯s been some misunderstanding? Let¡¯s talk things out. The Grandmaster of Heaven, the Patriarch, is my teacher...¡±


    However, Ren Woyou didn¡¯t even spare them a glance. His eyes were fixed on the bald man and his companions.


    ¡°Ah, Brother Ren, so you¡¯ve also come to¡ª¡± The bald man¡¯s face showed a slight smile.


    Compared to Brother Dao, who was more of a spoiled brat, Ren Woyou, a sword genius, commanded far greater respect in the elite circles of Xiajing, especially among the third generation of the Saints.


    While the bald man and his group had no qualms about disrespecting Brother Dao, they were far more cautious and polite in front of Ren Woyou. But before the bald man could finish his sentence, Ren Woyou unsheathed his sword.


    Whoosh!


    Sword light flickered as Ren Woyou advanced step by step, with each step marking a sword strike. He unleashed a total of six strikes. These six strikes were the first six moves of the Fifteen Swords of Death. He had only studied them for less than a day, but he had already mastered them.


    When Ren Woyou finished his six strikes, the six powerful fighters, including the bald man, were already lying in a pool of blood. Moments later, their forms dissolved into six streams of data, vanishing from the scene.


    Zhang Zhihong, Brother Dao, and the others stood frozen, exchanging glances, utterly shocked.


    What is going on?


    Isn¡¯t Ren Woyou here to cause trouble?


    As the audience of over five million viewers, both in the livestream and outside, watched in stunned silence, Ren Woyou sheathed his sword and turned to Li Xiaofei. He began to walk forward, step by step, closing the distance until he was just three meters away.


    Zhang Zhihong and Brother Dao, sensing something might go wrong again, instinctively moved to block him, but¡ª


    Thud!


    To everyone¡¯s astonishment, Ren Woyou suddenly dropped to his knees.


    ¡°Master, please accept my bow as your disciple,¡± Ren Woyou said, bowing deeply.


    This proud genius of the sword, a powerful practitioner at the Golden Body Realm, who had just killed without hesitation, was now humbly kneeling before Li Xiaofei, performing the formal disciple¡¯s bow according to ancient martial tradition.


    For a moment, the world seemed to fall silent. Zhang Zhihong and the others stared in disbelief at the scene before them. The five million-plus viewers in the livestream were also stunned, unable to process what had just happened.


    He came to pledge himself as a disciple!


    Li Xiaofei, with his hands behind his back, maintained a calm and composed expression.


    ¡°What is the point of this?¡± he said mildly. ¡°I¡¯ve already told you, you can learn the sword techniques without kneeling to me or becoming my disciple.¡±


    But Ren Woyou stubbornly responded, ¡°Once a teacher, a teacher for life.¡±

 Chapter 384: I Truly Am A Genius Full Of Wisdom And Cunning.

    Chapter 384: I Truly Am A Genius Full Of Wisdom And Cunning.Ren Woyou slowly stood up.


    "I hope Master will grant me one of the small floating mountains," he said earnestly. "I wish to practice my swordsmanship there."


    Li Xiaofei replied calmly, "You may choose whichever one you like."


    Ren Woyou nodded, transforming into a flash of sword light.


    Whoosh!


    He landed on a small floating mountain in the southeast.


    "I will teach swordsmanship for one hour every day. Those who wish to learn may come to this mountain," his voice echoed across the distance.


    Instantly, countless fans in the livestream room went wild as they rushed to request connections. Anyone with half a brain could see that the swordsmanship Ren Woyou had displayed earlier was nothing short of mythical-level battle technique. Who wouldn¡¯t want to learn such sword skills?


    Anyone even slightly interested in swordsmanship, especially those with some talent in the art, was eager to become his disciple. After all, opportunities to encounter a master of Ren Woyou¡¯s caliber were exceedingly rare in real life.


    Most so-called masters online charged exorbitant fees for their lessons, and many turned out to be frauds. Even those who did teach often withheld critical knowledge, promising to teach but rarely guaranteeing mastery.


    Li Xiaofei smiled.


    This was a good thing. Ren Woyou¡¯s swordsmanship talent was truly terrifying. The Fifteen Swords of Death, a technique Li Xiaofei had only spent about ten hours teaching him, had already been mastered up to the sixth sword. Such speed was nearly one-tenth of his own.


    Incredible.


    ¡°Master, you even managed to recruit him?¡± Brother Dao approached, still in disbelief. ¡°Ren Woyou, the famously unruly genius of Xiajing¡¯s second-generation Saints circle, known for his natural sword physique and considered one of the top three sword prodigies in Xiajing. Many believe he¡¯s destined to become a Saint in the future.¡±


    Li Xiaofei simply smiled without responding. Brother Dao¡¯s sense of superiority shattered even faster.


    If even Ren Woyou had become a disciple, what is there left for me to hold onto? The rumors circulating outside about Master being a "disciple-collecting maniac" seemed to be true.


    Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei¡¯s first disciple, Guo Zong''ao, second disciple, Zhou Yidao, and Su Qianni, all felt a growing sense of urgency. They were starting to feel inadequate compared to the prodigies who had joined after them.


    If not for the fact that they had been accepted early, they might not have had any chance of staying close to Li Xiaofei. Now they needed to think carefully about how to remain firmly united around their master. Especially Su Qianni.


    I wonder if Master likes teacher-student relationships... or playing with disciples.


    After all, as a woman, especially a beautiful woman, she had certain inherent advantages in this area. She decided to find a chance to test it.


    However, when the time came, Li Xiaofei ended the livestream without hesitation, logging off at lightning speed. This time, the livestream room remained open.


    Each disciple had chosen their own small floating mountain as a livestream venue, continuing their individual streams.


    On the main peak, recordings of Li Xiaofei¡¯s previous teachings continued to play on repeat. All completely free of charge.


    ***


    "Dammit..."


    "That brat from the Ren family actually attacked us and killed us."


    "Isn¡¯t he afraid of retaliation from the other families?"


    "That kid¡¯s been spoiled, thinks he''s above everyone."


    "But how is his strength so overwhelming? Even if he¡¯s a sword prodigy, there¡¯s no way he should¡¯ve cut down the six of us, all at the early stage of the Golden Body Realm, with a strike each like we were mere turnips."


    "Exactly, the gap wasn¡¯t this big before."


    In the real world, the bald man and his five companions climbed out of their light core pods inside a luxurious penthouse, looking both furious and shocked.


    A bespectacled man muttered, ¡°I¡¯ll have my men check what¡¯s going on.¡±


    A moment later, the bespectacled man was stunned after receiving news from his underlings.


    "Ren Woyou knelt."


    "What?"


    "Ren Woyou, he became a disciple. He bowed to the Grandmaster of Heaven as his master."


    "What the hell, are you serious? That stone-faced guy, always cold and full of pride like he¡¯s invincible, actually became a disciple of some livestreaming host?"


    "Ah, I get it now."


    "Get what, damn it? You almost gave me a heart attack with that outburst."


    "Didn''t we just wonder why that Ren family brat suddenly became so strong? It must have been the Grandmaster of Heaven who taught him a new sword technique."


    "Now that you mention it... that¡¯s entirely possible."


    "What else could make Ren Woyou kneel and accept a master besides some unparalleled swordsmanship?"


    "That has to be it."


    "So, this Grandmaster of Heaven is really that powerful? Who is this guy? I¡¯m starting to feel like we¡¯ve seriously underestimated him."


    "He can''t be someone too significant, right? Otherwise, the Tan family wouldn¡¯t have dared to target him."


    "But what if this guy¡¯s status is even higher and more mysterious than the Tan family?"


    "Then what do we do?" S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When they heard the latest developments from the livestream, the bald man and his companions were at a loss. They were all second-generation elites from Xiajing, and none of them were weak. They were all part of their respective families¡¯ direct bloodline and held core positions.


    However, they weren¡¯t at the level of future heirs, so they had banded together to form the Xiajing Troubleshooting Company, taking jobs and handling issues in exchange for money. Thanks to their strength, family connections, and a reputation for getting things done reliably, they had gained some popularity within the second-generation Saints'' circle.


    This time, they were causing trouble in Li Xiaofei¡¯s livestream room because they had been hired by a member of the once-powerful but now-declining Tan family, one of Xiajing''s former top ten families. But things had gone horribly wrong, leaving them empty-handed and defeated.


    "Boss, I suddenly have an idea, though it''s a bit immature." The blond-haired man with earrings said, hesitating.


    The bald man snapped, "Spit it out and quit acting like a girl!"


    The blond-haired man muttered in a low voice, "Well, there¡¯s a saying: if you can¡¯t beat them, join them."


    "What?" The bespectacled man¡¯s voice shot up several octaves.


    Everyone else also stared intently at the blond-haired man.


    "Uh, if you all disagree, just pretend I didn¡¯t say anything." The blond man added nervously.


    Smack!


    The bald man slapped the back of his head and said, "Damn it, you really are a genius!"


    Grinning widely, he continued, "Why didn¡¯t I think of such a good idea? The Grandmaster of Heaven is known for being a disciple-collecting maniac, right? Let¡¯s go become his disciples and see if he dares turn us down!"


    A pale, delicate-looking boy who almost resembled a girl chimed in, "Boss, are we really going to suck up to him? If we do, we¡¯ll have to refund the Tan family¡¯s money."


    ¡°Refund my ass.¡± The bald man declared confidently. ¡°We¡¯re going undercover and infiltrating to cause chaos from the inside. In the end, we¡¯re still completing his request, aren¡¯t we?¡±


    The blond man looked skeptical. ¡°Boss, is that really what you''re thinking?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± The bald man replied. ¡°Great Xia people don¡¯t deceive other Great Xia people.¡±


    He added, ¡°We¡¯re about to humble ourselves, kneel down, and bow to complete this mission for the Tan family. With such a big sacrifice, go tell that guy from the Tan family he needs to pay us more.¡±


    The bespectacled man quickly responded, ¡°Got it, boss.¡±


    The delicate-looking boy hesitated before speaking, ¡°Boss, won¡¯t this tarnish the company¡¯s reputation?¡±


    The bald man grinned smugly. ¡°As long as we get the job done, people will just say we¡¯re adaptable heroes. Didn¡¯t the Grandmaster of Heaven call us idiots? This time, I¡¯ll show him who the real fool is! He claims he wants to make everyone strong, for all people to become as powerful as dragons. If we go to him and he refuses to take us as disciples, he¡¯ll be going back on his own word. But if he accepts us, we¡¯ll quietly destroy him from within and ruin his entire livestreaming empire. Oh ho ho, I¡¯m such a genius.¡±


    ¡°Boss, you¡¯ve gotten smarter!¡±


    ¡°Wow, boss, that plan is pretty ruthless.¡±


    ¡°Boss, you really used your brain this time!¡±


    ¡°This era really does belong to those who use their brains.¡±


    The six quickly reached a consensus, solidifying their new plan.


    ***


    Xiajing.


    A light drizzle fell steadily, tapping against the city streets. The city''s rainwater collection systems were working at full capacity.


    The invasion of star beasts had severely damaged the ecosystem, impacting humanity on all levels. Most seasonal rainfall could no longer be consumed by humans without processing. Once rainwater was collected in the city, it underwent repeated purification before it could meet the standards for drinking water. People with weak constitutions couldn¡¯t expose themselves directly to the rain either. Otherwise, they risked contracting radiation sickness. As a result, the city¡¯s streets became eerily quiet whenever it rained.


    In the northern outskirts of Xiajing, a large estate was nestled against the hills. Its design was ancient and elegant, with green bricks and dark tiles that spoke of the weight of history.


    Soldiers clad in power armor patrolled vigilantly both inside and outside the estate. This was the ancestral land of the Tan family. Once upon a time, the Tan family had extensive holdings and headquarters in the central core of Xiajing.


    But after the death of the old patriarch and the disappearance of the designated heir, Tan Zhenwei, the family had plunged into internal strife. Severely weakened, they had lost their foothold in the city¡¯s core and were forced to retreat to their ancestral estate.


    The situation for the Tan family was dire. Before his death, the old patriarch had twice designated Tan Qingying as the head of the family, but she had been in seclusion within the ancestral temple, refining her sacred bloodline and unable to manage the family¡¯s affairs.


    In her absence, acting family head Tan Shengwei had been consolidating power by fostering loyal followers and sidelining those who remained faithful to the young family leader. This internal strife had left the family on the brink of collapse, with unrest spreading and factions growing.


    In the family¡¯s office building, Tan Shenwei stood by the window, gazing out at the gloomy sky and the steady drizzle. He remained silent for a long time.


    Knock knock.


    The sound of knocking broke the quiet.


    ¡°Master, the Troubleshooting Company sent word. They said that the Grandmaster of Heaven is too powerful and difficult to deal with. They want more money.¡± The old butler, Tan He, said respectfully as he entered.


    He then went on to explain the situation in detail. The Tan family had planted spies in the Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s livestream, so they were aware of what had transpired.


    ¡°Tell them we can increase the payment,¡± Tan Shenwei replied without turning from the window, his posture straight as ever. ¡°But if they fail, they¡¯ll have to refund four times the amount.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± The butler responded and quietly exited.


    Tan Shenwei continued staring at the dreary rain outside.


    ¡°Li Xiaofei... Li Xiaofei. I never imagined that you would already be stirring up such a commotion on the light-network even before you arrived in Xiajing. You truly are a man of dangerous talent. If you actually set foot in Xiajing City, what kind of storm would you bring?¡± He muttered to himself.


    While most were unaware of the true identity of the Grandmaster of Heaven, Tan Shenwei knew thanks to the detailed reports sent back by the Tan family members who had gone to Liuhe Base City to retrieve Tan Qingying. Those reports had focused heavily on one particular individual: Li Xiaofei.


    At first, Tan Shenwei hadn¡¯t paid much attention to Li Xiaofei. After all, he thought, Li Xiaofei was just a wild boy from a rural town. How could someone like him hope to lay claim to the Tan family¡¯s prized jewel, Tan Qingying?


    Tan Qingying was a crucial piece in his ascent to power, an asset he couldn¡¯t afford to let a country bumpkin possess. He had long intended to eliminate Li Xiaofei. But with so many other matters recently occupying his attention, he hadn¡¯t yet made his move.


    Now, as he began to take Li Xiaofei seriously, he realized that the boy¡¯s growth had been far faster than anticipated, making him more difficult to deal with than expected.


    Where on earth did this wild boy get his true legacy of ancient martial arts?


    But he had no answer. If only he could seize those ancient martial arts secrets for himself, the Tan family¡¯s rise would be unstoppable in another decade.


    But the current Tan family didn¡¯t have that kind of time. Ancient martial arts manuals wouldn¡¯t save the Tan family. What the family needed was a powerful ally; someone with overwhelming strength to intervene on their behalf.


    Tan Shenwei''s mind began to race as he considered his next move.


    At the same time, a middle-aged man in a black suit and a tall hat stood outside the Tan family''s ancestral hall in the rain. He resembled someone about to attend a grand ball in Victorian London from centuries past. He held a delicate oil-paper umbrella and stood as straight as a spear outside the ancestral hall.


    His frame was thin, and his skin pale. When the servants brought meals, he meticulously checked every detail, ensuring there were no issues before personally delivering the food into the hall.


    ¡°Miss, it¡¯s the tenth day now. You should eat.¡± He said, knocking gently on the door of the training room.


    There was no response. He turned and began to walk away.


    But just then, a young woman¡¯s voice echoed from inside the room, ¡°How is he?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s doing well.¡± The man answered as he stopped.


    The voice from the training room fell silent once more.


    After waiting a moment, the man added, ¡°Miss, please, let me take you away from here.¡±


    Still, there was no response from inside. The man hesitated for a long time before finally turning to leave.


    ***


    Cloudy Sky Gang.


    Li Xiaofei found himself once again feeling like a dispensable showerhead. The strength of the fox demon had grown to the point where even the Nine Yang Divine Art couldn¡¯t defeat her.


    Stepping out of the bathroom, he glanced at Principal Hu, who lay weak and limp on the bed. A sense of disillusionment washed over him. Life felt somewhat meaningless, especially matters between men and women. It all seemed so... ordinary.


    However, each time he connected with the Bridge of Heaven and Earth after these encounters, Li Xiaofei noticed that his cultivation of the Nine Yang Divine Art progressed significantly faster, almost as if he were unlocking new levels with each session.


    A specially crafted metal box sat on the table in the room. He opened the box to reveal six crystalline chunks, each the size of a goose egg.


    Star cores. These were the energy sources extracted from the bodies of star beasts. Research from the scientific academy suggested that Earth¡¯s current environment, which allowed for human cultivation, was closely linked to the presence of these star cores within the star beasts.


    These diamond-like crystals were typically found within the brains or hearts of star beasts. From a modern medical perspective, it didn¡¯t make sense. Brain stones and heart stones shouldn¡¯t exist, and if they did, they would surely cause catastrophic damage to the organism. Yet, inexplicably, these cores formed in star beasts.


    Unlike the rarer Inscribed Treasure Bones, star cores were found in nearly every high-grade star beast, since they served as the source of the beast''s power. More importantly, they could be absorbed and utilized by humans, transforming into personal energy.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see what kind of energy is really hidden inside these things,¡± Li Xiaofei muttered.


    He gripped a star core in each hand as he activated his Nine Yang Divine Art and began absorbing the energy within.


    ¡°Huh? What¡¯s happening?¡±


    Suddenly, a look of shock appeared on Li Xiaofei¡¯s face.

 Chapter 385: White Deer Academy

    Chapter 385: White Deer AcademyThe energy within star cores typically required a star core absorption device to extract. Generally speaking, it was difficult to absorb energy from star cores using breathing techniques alone.


    Li Xiaofei had originally intended to try absorbing energy using his Nine Yang Divine Art as an experiment. Unexpectedly, the Nine Yang Divine Art actually allowed him to directly draw energy from the star cores. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He then reached for the star core absorption device. The device looked like a mutated scale. Once he placed star cores on the tray, he activated the machine. Streams of blue energy began to flow along the arms of the tray, moving along the fixed pathways embedded within to extract energy from the star cores.


    This energy, after traveling through a complex network of routes and capillary-like tubes for purification, would then be released through a nozzle on the other side. The traditional method involved using breathing techniques to inhale this purified energy into the body.


    However, with his Nine Yang Divine Art, Li Xiaofei could absorb the energy of a star core without the device. After comparing the two methods, he noticed something peculiar. The energy he absorbed directly from the star cores seemed different from the energy extracted through the star core absorption device.


    It appeared to contain certain impurities. These impurities were not beneficial to the body. The most immediate sign of this was a stinging pain in his meridians and acupuncture points.


    No wonder the textbooks say that the raw energy from star cores is toxic and must be processed through a star core absorption device. It''s the wisdom passed down by our ancestors.


    Li Xiaofei began to reflect on this discovery. He then attempted to use the scorching inner qi generated by the Nine Yang Divine Art to refine the impurities he had absorbed from the star cores.


    To his surprise, the impurities, once burned and melted by the heat of his inner qi, transformed into a peculiar substance. This substance then integrated into his meridians and acupuncture points, making them stronger and more resilient.


    ¡°This seems to be the primal energy of the star cores. Is it through absorbing this energy that star beasts develop their inherently powerful physical bodies?¡± Li Xiaofei mused.


    He cautiously directed this refined substance to coat his Hand Yangming Lung Meridian. He intended to observe any changes that might occur. If there were any defects or side effects, he could always use his Nine Yang inner qi to strip it away and refine it further.


    In no time, Li Xiaofei had completely absorbed the energy from two star cores of grade five star beasts. Once drained of energy, the star cores crumbled into fragile gray stones that would crumble into fine white dust with the slightest pressure.


    Li Xiaofei focused entirely on refining the energy he had absorbed and began to open up his acupuncture points. Time passed swiftly. In the blink of an eye, the night had passed. When Li Xiaofei opened his eyes, he felt completely refreshed and full of energy.


    Another advantage of the Nine Yang Divine Art, which far surpassed traditional breathing techniques, was that long periods of cultivation enhanced mental clarity rather than causing fatigue. As long as he replenished food and water regularly, he remained in peak condition.


    ¡°I can feel it... the energy inside your body is calling out to me...¡± Principal Hu clung to him again. She was utterly insatiable. Her body, soft and smooth like jade, pressed against him.


    Principal Hu had become rather distracted from her duties lately by her impending breakthrough to grade seven. Whenever an opportunity arose, she would frantically seek out Li Xiaofei to absorb his energy.


    ¡°Woman, you''re playing with fire,¡± Li Xiaofei said, punishing her without hesitation.


    Their battle concluded an hour later. Li Xiaofei, brimming with vitality, mounted his heavy-duty motorbike and headed to school.


    Meanwhile, Principal Hu called in sick and retreated to her training room, where she began to condense her starforce and attempt a breakthrough to grade seven.


    She could feel grade seven beckoning her, closer than ever. The sensation of advancing to a higher level of existence had never felt so urgent.


    ***


    Xiajing City. White Deer Academy.


    The campus, quiet after the rain, was dotted with small groups of students walking across the long plaza. They braved the early spring chill, heading toward their respective halls for cultivation and study.


    White Deer Academy had been founded by the first Saint, Taiyi, who had spent a long time there meditating, writing, and passing down countless cultivation techniques. It had once been an illustrious institution, a cradle of the Saints of Great Xia.


    Many of the city''s most powerful Saint families owed their beginnings to White Deer Academy, as the founders of these families had once studied and cultivated there. Historical data showed that over 60 percent of Great Xia¡¯s Saint families and martial arts powers were somehow connected to White Deer Academy''s legacy.


    Even internationally, many ancient powers had intricate ties with the academy. But, sadly, White Deer Academy had long since fallen into decline.


    Around a hundred and fifty years ago, White Deer Academy had played a disgraceful role during the Fall of the Saints War. This betrayal led to widespread desertion and the deaths or disappearances of many respected old teachers. A large number of the academy¡¯s leaders had been purged for their mistakes.


    After that, the once-glorious holy land had slowly faded into obscurity, its former glory reduced to dust. However, in recognition of the academy¡¯s contributions to human martial arts civilization and its efforts to protect humanity, the Star Council insisted on preserving White Deer Academy.


    For more than a century, White Deer Academy continued to enroll students. It still retained its university accreditation. But its influence was nothing like it used to be.


    Today, this once-prestigious Cradle of Saints had not only failed to enter the ranks of the 211 or 985 elite institutions, but it was barely recognized as a second-tier school. At best, it was considered a third-tier university. If not for special government support, the academy would have likely gone bankrupt long ago.


    The tolling of a bell echoed across the campus. Students, puzzled, turned their gazes toward the school gate. A decrepit hearse, drawn by four gaunt horses, slowly entered the campus. The driver of the hearse was a frail old man. He wept as he drove, tears wetting the paths of the campus. Before long, news spread throughout the entire school.


    The strongest protector of White Deer Academy, Vice President Gu Changsheng, had died. In order to fend off the invading Beast Emperor, the grade nine Beast Emperor known as the Devouring Demon Corpse near the outskirts of Xiajing, countless powerful figures from the city had joined the battlefield. Gu Changsheng, the academy¡¯s only Saint, had sacrificed himself in a desperate moment to help the Great Xia¡¯s city defense forces turn the tide.


    The Beast Emperor had been forced to retreat, but Gu Changsheng was gone. He had died a heroic death. For certain reasons, the honors that should have been bestowed upon him as a martyr were never publicly announced. His sacrifice remained hidden in the shadows. As a result, White Deer Academy received a small amount of resources as a reward and compensation. That was all.


    The day after Gu Changsheng¡¯s sacrifice, one of the academy¡¯s spirit fields was reclaimed. Without a Saint, they could no longer own a spirit field.


    The aging headmaster locked himself in his office for three days and nights. A heavy cloud of grief hung over the students, as if a weighty stone pressed on each of their hearts. Yet, to the relief of the academic director, despite the tragedy, not a single one of the academy''s 1,362 students applied for withdrawal or transfer. The people of White Deer stood united.


    When the old headmaster finally emerged from his office, his face bore deeper wrinkles than ever before. It was as though someone had taken a carving knife and cruelly etched more lines into his already deeply creased face in those three days. But no matter how much he had aged, the spiritual leader of White Deer Academy stood tall, his frail frame as straight as a sword pointing toward the heavens. He was unyielding, no matter the cost.


    ¡°I¡¯ve decided to allocate a portion of the compensation from Changsheng¡¯s sacrifice into this year¡¯s enrollment budget. I will personally visit some of the smaller base cities across the country to recruit new students for the academy.¡± The old headmaster suddenly proposed during a school staff meeting.


    The teachers and administrative staff were visibly surprised. White Deer Academy hadn¡¯t conducted a national recruitment tour in over a decade. It wasn¡¯t for lack of trying. But no one was interested.


    The once-renowned name of White Deer Academy had lost its appeal in this era. They simply couldn¡¯t compete with the prestigious schools anymore. In the past, every time they invested resources and effort into recruitment, it ended up being a waste, with nothing to show for it. It was a losing battle.


    ¡°Headmaster, which base cities are you planning to visit?¡± the academic director asked.


    The old headmaster replied, ¡°I will go to the smaller base cities. We may be able to compete with the prestigious schools there. We have to try. Otherwise, we¡¯ll never be able to revive White Deer Academy.¡±


    ***


    Cultivation. Unlocking potential. Dual cultivation. Livestreaming. Li Xiaofei¡¯s life was simple yet fulfilling.


    Thanks to the energy from the star cores, Li Xiaofei had finally condensed all one hundred and twenty acupoints in his twelve meridians. For most people, this would signify the achievement of a perfect Acupoint Opening Realm, allowing them to advance to the Fourth Realm, the Meridian Expanding Realm.


    But for Li Xiaofei, this was far from the end. He was cultivating the secret art of the Dual Sacred Body of Blade and Sword. The manual clearly recorded that, in addition to the twelve main meridians, there were also eight extraordinary meridians. These eight meridians also contained hidden acupoints. This was a Hidden Realm, unknown to most.


    Only after refining the eighty acupoints within these extraordinary meridians would he truly reach the pinnacle of the Acupoint Opening Realm. Li Xiaofei was excited to see what kind of miraculous effects would come once he completed the Dual Sacred Body of Blade and Sword.


    Currently, with his true legacy in ancient martial arts and his exceptionally strong physique, he could already rival experts in the Golden Body Realm. Once he fully mastered the Dual Saint Body, could he possibly challenge those in the Dao Union Realm?


    Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei had advanced through each stage of the Online Martial God Tournament to the finals alongside Zhang Zhihong, whose bizarre ability could cause opponents to experience sudden bouts of stomach distress during battle.


    A total of two thousand martial artists had made it through the grueling rounds to reach this final stage. The tournament¡¯s popularity was surging, becoming a major event in the martial arts world across Great Xia.


    The two thousand finalists had all become stars in their own right, drawing significant attention from the public. It was just like the War God League at Liuhe Base City High School. The difference, however, was that the contestants in the Martial God Tournament were nationally renowned.


    Unsurprisingly, the competitors became darlings of advertisers. Almost every participant received lucrative endorsement deals from various brands.


    Li Xiaofei, as one of the star contestants, was especially sought after, with sky-high endorsement fees. Li Xiaofei''s fame wasn''t solely due to his dominant performance in the tournament. It was his livestreams that made him a national sensation.


    His fanbase had grown to over 5 million. Each livestream consistently drew an average of over 6 million concurrent viewers, keeping his channel in the top five on the Longya Group platform¡¯s trending list.


    A streamer with such influence would not entertain endorsement deals that started at less than tens of millions. For long-term contracts, it easily surpassed hundreds of millions.


    Given his stable popularity, advertisers didn¡¯t worry that Li Xiaofei being eliminated from the Martial God Tournament would decrease his exposure or reduce his commercial value.


    Li Xiaofei accepted every offer that came his way, regardless of the product. As a result, his nickname, Disciple-Collecting Maniac, was soon joined by a new one, Money-Grabbing Maniac. Many people criticized him behind his back, arguing that as a top streamer, he shouldn¡¯t put money first in every decision, as it set a bad example.


    Li Xiaofei scoffed at the whispers. Talk was cheap; anyone could do it. But how many people truly saw money as worthless?


    "Master, are you really that short on money?" The bald man timidly asked, watching as Li Xiaofei signed yet another endorsement contract for his livestream.


    The bald man and his group of six had successfully become disciples under Li Xiaofei, now forming the Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s first-ever boy band. When the six men came to formally kneel and ask to become disciples, Brother Dao and the others were completely stunned. Especially Brother Dao, since he knew exactly who these six were.


    They were third-generation Saint elites, spoiled and arrogant troublemakers who caused chaos throughout Xiajing. They refused to respect anyone. They were like the eccentric rockstars from Great Xia''s history who always thought they were number one in the world.


    To see them turn around and kneel to beg for discipleship after being killed by Ren Woyou in a livestream was beyond comprehension. Brother Dao had even gently warned Li Xiaofei to be cautious of these six, suspecting they might be sent to cause trouble. But Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t care.


    Li Xiaofei made no effort to hide the truth from the bald man. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m short on money.¡±


    ¡°Master, why don¡¯t I lend you some?¡± The bald man said with a fawning smile. ¡°Over the years, we¡¯ve made a bit of money from our business ventures. We don¡¯t have billions lying around, but a few hundred million is no problem. Take it, no interest, spend as you like.¡±


    Li Xiaofei glanced at him and said, ¡°No one offers such favors without a reason. What do you really want?¡±


    The bald man and his brothers chuckled sheepishly.


    The blond man with earrings spoke up, ¡°Master, we¡¯ve already knelt, bowed, and called you Master in front of over five million people. Shouldn¡¯t you at least teach us some of your true legacy ancient martial arts?¡±


    Since becoming his disciples, the six had yet to receive any exclusive training from Li Xiaofei. They had simply been following the same cultivation routine as their senior brothers and sisters.


    Although the martial arts they had been learning were already quite intricate, the six disciples couldn''t help but feel they weren¡¯t exclusive to them, making them seem somewhat inferior.


    Li Xiaofei nodded, "Very well."


    He had already prepared for this moment.


    "I will teach each of you a sword technique," Li Xiaofei said. "This sword technique consists of six paths. You will each learn one path, and while each path has its own unique strength, the true essence of this technique shines when all six are combined. When you fight together, the power will multiply and you will wield an unrivaled sword art."


    After he finished speaking, Li Xiaofei raised his hand and pointed.


    Whoosh!


    Sword qi shot through the air. It was none other than the Six Meridian Divine Sword.


    Li Xiaofei split the Six Meridian Divine Sword into six distinct paths, each representing a unique style of swordsmanship, and passed one path to each of the six men. Each individual sword technique was powerful in its own right, but when combined by the six brothers, its strength would multiply exponentially.


    "Master, are you... some kind of hidden Saint?" The bald man stammered, his voice trembling with disbelief.


    The other five brothers were equally shocked, standing frozen with their jaws dropped. They had expected that Li Xiaofei would pass an ancient martial true legacy technique to them, and they had mentally prepared themselves for it.


    But when they witnessed the sheer power and elegance of the Six Meridian Divine Sword in action, they were completely blown away. The excitement in their hearts surged uncontrollably.


    Could such a divine sword technique truly be something we are capable of mastering?

 Chapter 386: Visitation

    Chapter 386: VisitationThe complexity of cultivating the Six Meridian Divine Sword far surpassed that of ordinary martial arts. Li Xiaofei spent quite some time and effort carefully instructing the six men, including the bald man, with meticulous attention to detail.


    When the six of them practiced, they began to feel uneasy. After all, they were supposed to be undercover agents. They had come here to stir up trouble. Yet, somehow, they were being taught such an exquisite ancient martial arts legacy by the Grandmaster of Heaven.


    This... Is the Grandmaster of Heaven a fool? How could he casually pass on such a profound ancient martial arts legacy to others?


    Smack.


    Li Xiaofei slapped the bald man on the back of his head. "Focus! What will happen if you get distracted and lose control?"


    "Yes, yes," The bald man immediately forced a smile on his face.


    He then turned to the other brothers and barked, "Did you hear that? Take it seriously! Don''t waste the teacher''s time."


    The brothers straightened up and practiced with more dedication. After spending a full three hours, they barely managed to grasp the meridian flow required to operate the Six Meridian Divine Sword. But they were still far from mastering it.


    However, for the six brothers, who had reached the Golden Body Realm at such a young age, it was clear that although their families'' resources had supported their progress, their talent was undeniably exceptional. While their progress wasn''t even one percent of Li Xiaofei''s, it was already extraordinary.


    "That''s all for today. Practice on your own," Li Xiaofei said as he checked the time. "If you have any questions, ask me during tomorrow''s live stream."


    "Teacher," The man with glasses raised his hand to ask, "are you really going to publicly teach the Six Meridian Divine Sword during the live stream?"


    Li Xiaofei responded with a question, "Why not?"


    The man with glasses gave a hesitant smile and said, "Such an exquisite ancient martial arts legacy has an immeasurable value. Are you really going to just reveal it to everyone and let them all practice it?"


    Li Xiaofei explained, "It¡¯s precisely because it¡¯s so exquisite that it must be taught to the warriors of Great Xia. Only by doing so can it flourish. Only then can our Great Xia warriors have a better chance when facing the star beasts to protect our homeland and their loved ones. It¡¯s only this way Great Xia can restore the glory of the Hundred Saints Era."


    The bald man and his brothers fell silent.


    Li Xiaofei continued in a serious tone, "Remember, when I said that everyone should practice and everyone should have access to the true legacy, it wasn¡¯t just empty talk. It''s a guiding principle we must uphold. We cannot afford to be selfish."


    "We understand, Teacher. We will remember your teachings." The bald man replied earnestly.


    The man with the blonde hair and earrings asked, "Teacher, our talent for cultivation is clearly not as good as Ren Woyou''s. Why did you choose to teach us this profound sword technique instead of him?"


    Li Xiaofei smiled and said, "Good question. Every lesson must be adapted to the individual. Ren Woyou has a cold personality, his sword heart is like ice, and he is meticulous in his actions. His cultivation focuses on form, and the Fifteen Swords of Death suit him well. When it¡¯s fully mastered, that sword technique is no less lethal than the Six Meridian Divine Sword. As for you six brothers, your carefree nature makes the Six Meridian Divine Sword more suitable for you."


    This explanation left the six brothers deeply convinced.


    The handsome man remarked, "I¡¯ve met many ancient martial arts teachers before and practiced many techniques. Some were renowned masters, and some passed down true legacies. But it''s the first time I¡¯ve seen a teaching philosophy as thorough as yours, Teacher."


    Li Xiaofei patted the handsome man on the head., "You know how to talk. Keep it up."


    The handsome man seemed to appreciate the praise.


    "Alright, enough with the small talk. Focus on your cultivation and don''t slack off."


    Li Xiaofei had a favorable impression of these six brothers, since they reminded him of his six roommates from university five hundred years ago. He added, "The Six Meridian Divine Sword is not the end. The ancient martial arts lineage of Great Xia runs deep and is full of wonders. Once you master this technique, I can pass on even more powerful true legacies."


    He prepared to end the live stream right on time.


    At that moment, the bald man suddenly spoke, ¡°Teacher.¡±


    Li Xiaofei turned his head to look at him.


    The bald man bowed deeply and said, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Li Xiaofei waved his hand casually and walked away.


    As they watched his departing figure, the six brothers fell into silence.


    ¡°Big Brother...¡± The blond man with the earring said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say a word,¡± the bald man interrupted immediately.


    ¡°I just wanted to say...¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say anything.¡±


    ¡°But Big Brother...¡±


    ¡°I know what you¡¯re going to say, but you¡¯re not allowed to say it. The sweet words of the Grandmaster of Heaven won¡¯t fool us. I already said thank you. Hmph, in our line of work, we must have professional ethics. He even paid extra. We¡¯re definitely going to pull this off.¡±


    ¡°No, Big Brother, I was trying to tell you... your pants are ripped.¡±


    ¡°What the¡ª! No wonder I¡¯ve been feeling a cold draft... Why didn¡¯t you say something earlier?!¡±


    ¡°You were the one who told me not to speak.¡±


    ¡°And now you¡¯re talking back? Take this, my Shaoshang Sword!¡±


    ¡°Huh? You¡¯re serious? Fine, eat my Shaoze Sword!¡±


    ¡°Second Brother, you hit me!¡±


    ¡°I did it on purpose.¡±


    ¡°Damn it, here comes my Shangyang Sword!¡±


    ***


    New information had emerged from Liuhe Base City. A newly appointed Inspector named Bai Xingfeng had taken office. He was a young man with a timid appearance, and since his appointment, he had never involved himself in the affairs of the base city.


    His style was quite similar to that of Teacher Li. In fact, Bai Xingfeng was indeed from the same faction as Teacher Li. Before Bai Xingfeng had assumed his role, Teacher Li had already informed Li Xiaofei about his arrival. So Li Xiaofei visited him on his first day, and the two had an enjoyable conversation.


    This put Li Xiaofei at ease. With his upcoming departure for further studies, the fact that the Starry Sky Hotel was now under the control of one of his own was a great relief.


    Another major development was that the female warrior goddess, Ye Liuying, had taken over as the military commander of Liuhe Base City, finally rising to the position of military leader.


    With this, all three major power figures in Liuhe Base City were now allies. Even if Li Xiaofei left, he no longer had any worries. The Red Flag High School model would undoubtedly continue, and one day, it would shock the entire nation, and even the world.


    As time passed, Li Xiaofei''s cultivation level also increased rapidly. However, the supply of cores remained a persistent issue. So, after more than a month, despite using the Secret Time Pavilion, Li Xiaofei was still stuck in the process of advancing through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.


    Since it was a hidden realm, the speed and difficulty of advancing were far greater than with the Twelve Standard Meridians. Each advancement through a meridian required at least the energy of one grade five star beast core.


    But where could he find so many five-star cores with the current market situation? Especially in a small place like Liuhe Base City. Still, Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t in a hurry. He focused his efforts on cultivating the Immortal Seal Technique and the Sword Harnessing Technique, both of which yielded significant progress.


    "By the decree of the Great Supreme Elder... go!" said Li Xiaofei as he formed his fingers into the shape of a sword and pointed forward.


    Swish!


    The longsword at Li Xiaofei''s waist automatically unsheathed itself, transforming into a blinding streak of light. It shot forward a hundred meters, cleanly decapitating ten star beasts in an instant.


    The sword hovered in the air, vibrating with a hum, emitting radiant sword energy. It was as obedient as a child seeking praise.


    The Sword Harnessing Technique allowed him to control the sword with his mind. The sword would fly with just a thought. Its power was immense, capable of killing grade five star beasts in a split second. Even against a grade six star beast...


    Li Xiaofei pondered for a moment, feeling confident that this strike could deal a fatal blow to a grade six star beast, though he wasn¡¯t entirely certain if it could completely slay one.


    But there weren¡¯t any grade six star beasts in and around Liuhe Base City except for Principal Hu.


    Should I test it on Principal Hu? Forget it, that would be too harsh on her.


    Li Xiaofei dismissed the idea. He had mastered the first realm of the Sword Harnessing Technique, meaning he could only control one sword. As his cultivation improved, he would be able to control two swords, then three... And eventually, ten swords or even a hundred!


    However, he would need to significantly increase his inner qi cultivation to wield over a hundred swords. Any advanced combat technique, aside from skill, required a vast reserve of inner qi for support. In martial arts, external techniques and internal cultivation worked hand in hand.


    Li Xiaofei ventured deeper into the wilderness as he slaughtered the surrounding star beasts. As long as he was lurking around, star beasts above grade three no longer dared to appear within a hundred-mile radius of Liuhe Base City.


    Ironically, the lower-grade star beasts, which held no interest for Li Xiaofei, thrived and multiplied leisurely. This turned out to be a godsend for the various adventuring teams and hunting companies in Liuhe Base City.


    The hunters of Liuhe Base City could now let loose and hunt freely without fearing the presence of high-grade star beasts. The beast carcasses flowed steadily into the city, where they were processed. Some of the beast meat could be purified for consumption, while beast bones were used to craft tools, beast hides became armor, and the Inscribed Treasure Bones of low-grade star beasts became essential materials for forging weapons.


    In short, all of Liuhe Base City''s industries entered a phase of rapid recovery. Everything was thriving. After surviving the life-and-death crisis of last winter, the residents of this small border city could finally breathe a sigh of relief.


    ¡°Time to go, let¡¯s head back,¡± Li Xiaofei called out with a wave.


    ¡°Boss!¡± His top henchman, Li Junjie, eagerly pushed over a heavy-duty motorcycle.


    Li Xiaofei mounted the bike and sped off, with Li Junjie chasing behind on foot.


    Li Junjie¡¯s body had undergone a significant mutation, allowing him to run like the wind. He could easily sprint for hundreds of miles without stopping, and sometimes a single leap would cover a thousand meters. He was practically a human-shaped star beast.


    As soon as they returned to the city, Li Xiaofei received a call from Xiao Hongye.


    ¡°A recruitment group, made up of over a dozen schools, has arrived in the city. Three of them are from Xiajing, and they¡¯re accepting new students. You might want to try your luck and see if you can get an admission letter.¡±


    Sister Xiao had been tirelessly looking out for Li Xiaofei¡¯s future.


    ¡°Got it, I¡¯ll check it out,¡± Li Xiaofei replied.


    After hanging up, he took Li Junjie and headed straight to where the recruitment group was stationed. When they arrived, the place was already packed with people.


    With graduation approaching, students who hadn¡¯t yet received university offers were in a panic. In desperation, they rushed to any school offering interviews or recruitment.


    Among the many choices, schools located in megacities like Xiajing, Haijing, and Huajing were undoubtedly the most sought after.


    Li Xiaofei''s arrival caused quite a stir.


    "Brother Li!"


    "Senior!"


    "President!"


    Many students were surprised to see Li Xiaofei but greeted him warmly nonetheless. In Liuhe Base City, there was only one Brother Li, and that was Li Xiaofei.


    There had been rumors circulating that Brother Li hadn¡¯t yet secured a spot in a university, which many found hard to believe. But when they saw him here today, it seemed the rumors might be true.


    Li Xiaofei nodded in response to the greetings. He followed the signs to the area where the universities from Xiajing were recruiting.


    "Xiajing International Martial Arts University?"


    Li Xiaofei glanced at the name of the first school. Something about the name gave off a strong knock-off vibe, but it didn¡¯t matter to him. As long as he could catch a ride to Xiajing for college, it was good enough.


    Li Xiaofei stepped forward, picked up an application form, filled it out, and handed it over politely.


    "Hmm? You¡¯re Li Xiaofei?"


    The admissions officer, a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, glanced at the application form. His expression changed slightly, and without a word, he tore the form into pieces in a swift motion.


    "You should leave. Our school can''t afford to enroll someone like you."


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a real attitude, don¡¯t you?¡± Li Junjie couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. He grabbed the middle-aged man with glasses by the collar and snarled, ¡°Do you believe I won¡¯t just cut you down right here?¡±


    ¡°Hey, hey, you... I...¡±


    The middle-aged man, who was at the half-step Five Spirits Realm, originally intended to teach Li Junjie a lesson. However, he found that this brute¡¯s power was extraordinary. He couldn¡¯t break free at all even when he struggled with all his strength.


    Several other university teachers quickly rushed over to intervene.


    ¡°Hall Master Li, please, show mercy!¡±


    One of the Education Department officials, who was maintaining order, recognized Li Junjie from a distance and tried to calm things down.


    ¡°Get lost,¡± Li Junjie glared at them.


    ¡°Right away.¡± The two Education Department officials immediately smiled and walked off.


    They were just there to go through the motions, after all. As for those useless university teachers daring to insult President Li? If they got beaten to death, it would serve them right.


    ¡°Let it go, it¡¯s not worth it,¡± Li Xiaofei waved his hand dismissively.


    Thud! sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Junjie slammed the glasses-wearing middle-aged man down. ¡°Consider yourself lucky, you dog. My boss doesn¡¯t stoop to the level of trash like you.¡±


    The middle-aged teacher¡¯s face was filled with venomous resentment, but he didn¡¯t dare say anything.


    Where did this brute come from? A young man in his twenties from a small place like Liuhe Base City had already reached the Five Spirits Realm? At this age, with this kind of strength, he shouldn¡¯t be so unknown.


    The other teachers from Xiajing International Martial Arts University hurried to help the middle-aged man up.


    One of them gave a nervous smile and said, ¡°Li Xiaofei, it¡¯s not that we don¡¯t want to admit you, it¡¯s that we can¡¯t. There¡¯s a ban going around in the capital, forbidding universities from accepting you. We¡¯re just a third-tier school; we can¡¯t afford to go against that.¡±


    Li Xiaofei waved his hand without saying a word. He then visited two other Xiajing universities, the Yanfei Power Armor Design and Development Academy and the Ancient Martial Arts International Trade University. The admissions officers at these two schools were polite. However, they still didn¡¯t dare to admit him.


    ¡°Li Xiaofei, I suggest you try the southern schools. I¡¯m not exaggerating when I say that no university in the entire Xiajing region would dare to accept you... I¡¯ve said all I can.¡± An elderly professor said apologetically.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Li Xiaofei clasped his hands in gratitude and turned to leave.


    Even schools like these couldn¡¯t admit him. It seemed that getting into a university in Xiajing was out of the question. No matter. If university wasn¡¯t an option, then he would go directly to the young lady and continue his cultivation while staying in Xiajing.


    Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t discouraged. He left the recruitment area along with Li Junjie.


    Not long after they walked away, an elderly, gaunt man, accompanied by a square-faced middle-aged man, suddenly appeared at the admissions site. They didn¡¯t look like parents of students.


    The old man¡¯s eyes scanned the crowd continuously, as if he were searching for something, or someone.


    "Teacher, it seems this trip will be another waste." The middle-aged man said wearily. "We can''t even afford the venue fees, how are we supposed to recruit students? Even if we find the right candidate, they might not believe in us."


    The elderly man¡¯s face was weathered and lined with deep wrinkles but he replied wisely, "We didn''t pay the venue fee, yet we still got in, didn''t we? These are all high school graduates; there might be a hidden gem among them."


    The middle-aged man sighed heavily.


    They had been on the road for nearly a month now, visiting over twenty small base cities. It hadn¡¯t been entirely fruitless, but for the most part, it felt like a wasted effort. White Deer Academy had lost its former prestige and no longer had the draw it once did. The two of them wandered around the recruitment area but came up empty-handed once again.


    Just as they were about to leave, they overheard two Education Department officials animatedly recounting what had just happened. The story, especially the part where Li Junjie nearly crushed the Xiajing International Martial Arts University teacher, was told with such enthusiasm that it felt like a comedy skit.


    The crowd around them burst into laughter. The elderly headmaster''s ears perked up, and he stopped in his tracks.


    After listening for a moment, he walked over with a smile and asked, "Young men, is everything you''re saying true?"


    "Of course!" One of the officials replied with a grin. "You''re not from around here, are you?"


    The old headmaster nodded and chuckled, "We just arrived a few days ago. That young man you mentioned, the one who almost strangled the university teacher; do you know where I could find him?"


    The official responded, "Oh, you''re asking about Mad Bull Li? He¡¯s easy to find. Just head to the Cloudy Sky Gang. That young man is from the slum, but he''s one of President Li''s closest allies. He''s a brute, but he¡¯s a good guy. He¡¯s just loyal and fiercely protective of President Li."


    "Thank you very much."


    The old headmaster clasped his hands in gratitude, asked for directions to the Cloudy Sky Gang, and turned to leave.


    The square-faced middle-aged man hurried to catch up. "Teacher, are you really going to find this Mad Bull Li?"


    The old man nodded and said, "The admissions officer from the international university, Tang Shunzhi, is a half-step into the Five Spirits Realm. If you want to hold him down with one hand, you''d need to be at least a full Five Spirits Realm. If this Mad Bull Li is only in his early twenties and has such cultivation in a small border city like Liuhe Base City, don¡¯t you think he''s exceptionally talented? He might be a good prospect."


    The middle-aged man''s eyes lit up. "He¡¯s a bit older than usual, but if he truly is a natural Five Spirits Realm cultivator, his talent must be extraordinary. He might even possess some unique bloodline."


    The old man nodded. "Exactly, that''s why we should go and see."


    "But he¡¯s part of a gang." The middle-aged man remarked.


    "Sometimes those raised in the wilderness or rough environments are the most loyal. If you treat them sincerely, they¡¯ll feel a strong sense of belonging to the academy." The old man said with a knowing smile.


    "That''s true." The middle-aged man agreed.


    They asked around and soon arrived at the Cloudy Sky Gang headquarters.


    ¡°What? Two strangers are looking for me?¡± Li Junjie, who was drenched in sweat while training, frowned when he heard the news. ¡°Tell them to get lost. The boss isn¡¯t in a good mood today, and I¡¯m not in the mood either.¡±


    The subordinate dutifully relayed the message to the visitors.


    ¡°They don¡¯t want to see us?¡± The old headmaster chuckled softly and turned to leave.


    But moments later, without anyone noticing, the two men quietly made their way inside the headquarters. They soon spotted Li Junjie, who was training like a mad bull in the practice yard.


    In that instant, both the old headmaster and the middle-aged man¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement.

 Chapter 387: Lieutenant And Graduation Season

    Chapter 387: Lieutenant And Graduation SeasonGenius!


    When they saw Li Junjie, who was in the midst of physical training, the same word popped into the minds of the two principals simultaneously. Although Li Junjie was merely performing simple body training, purely exerting his physical strength, the sharp eyes of the two principals were anything but ordinary.


    Five-Spirit Body!


    It was definitely an exceptionally rare innate physique, one that was naturally suited for the toughest forms of training.


    Who would have thought that such a rare talent could emerge in a small border town like this? And yet, he had gone unnoticed. He¡¯s still mingling in the ranks of the lower gangs.


    The two principals exchanged glances, unable to contain their excitement as they started to tremble with anticipation. They had struck gold. This time, they had definitely struck gold. They had to recruit him, no matter what it took. No matter the cost.


    Although this young man had not formally attended high school, White Deer Academy could make an exception and enroll him as a special recruit. Even though he was slightly older than the usual student, it wasn¡¯t unheard of to have students who had repeated grades. If they spent enough time and effort on his development, he would undoubtedly make a stunning debut in the future.


    The old principal''s face lit up with a wide smile, his wrinkles deepening like a steamed bun that had just been plucked from the heat.


    "Young man." He eagerly approached and said, "Sorry to disturb you."


    "Hmm?" Li Junjie turned as his gaze immediately sharpened warily. "Who are you?"


    This top enforcer under President Li stood bare-chested, his muscles rippling naturally with each movement under the sunset.


    "Don''t misunderstand, we¡¯re not bad people." The old principal quickly explained.


    "No, I¡¯m not misunderstanding here," Li Junjie replied. "I know you''re not bad people, but the problem is, I am. There aren''t many good people around here, old man, so how did you sneak in?"


    The old principal was momentarily speechless.


    This young man¡¯s talent is indeed remarkable. But he is a bit... slow.


    "I¡¯m a university recruiter from Xiajing City." The old principal got straight to the point and explained why he was there. "So, how about it? Young man, I have great faith in your talent. Come to our university. Give it three years¡ªno, even just one year¡ªand I promise I can transform you into a true powerhouse!"


    "Really?" Li Junjie''s eyes lit up.


    "I guarantee it." The old principal assured him. "We¡¯ll provide you with the resources¡ª"


    "Who asked you that?" Li Junjie interrupted. "I¡¯m asking, are you really from the university recruitment team in Xiajing City?"


    "Here are our credentials," said the old principal, handing over the documents he had prepared in advance.


    "I can''t tell if this is real or fake," Li Junjie muttered under his breath. He waved his hand, signaling one of his underlings, "Hey, go call Little Zhang from the publicity department to come over and verify this."


    The old principal and his companion both had black lines form on their foreheads.


    Does this small gang even have a publicity department?


    After a while, a bespectacled female clerk arrived. She used a light core to thoroughly check their credentials. A moment later, she nodded to Li Junjie, "Hall Master, it''s genuine."


    "Alright, get back to work," Li Junjie said. "And don¡¯t mention this to anyone."


    "Understood," Little Zhang replied respectfully before turning to leave.


    "Now do you believe us?" the old principal asked, smiling.


    Li Junjie rubbed his chin, a glint of excitement flashing in his eyes. Suddenly, a bold plan formed in his mind. This could be his chance to make a huge contribution and surprise the boss.


    "You want to recruit me?" Li Junjie''s sharp mind started working quickly. He grinned slyly and said, "Heh, it''s not impossible, but you¡¯ll need to show some sincerity."


    The old principal''s heart leapt with joy. "That¡¯s negotiable. What kind of sincerity are you asking for?"


    "I want a one-plus-one," Li Junjie replied.


    "One-for-one?" The old principal was momentarily stunned. "What do you mean by that?"


    Li Junjie grinned proudly and said, "It¡¯s simple. If you want me to attend White Deer Academy, you¡¯ll have to admit my boss as well."


    "Your boss?" The old principal asked, "Who is that?"


    Li Junjie''s face lit up with admiration as he replied, "He¡¯s the president of the Cloudy Sky Gang, the number one handsome man in Liuhe Base City, the strongest, the most loyal, and the kindest person, Li Xiaofei."


    "That... shouldn¡¯t be a problem.¡± The old principal said after a brief moment of thought.


    After all, recruiting one was the same as recruiting two. It wouldn¡¯t hurt to admit one more person.


    The middle-aged man with the square face standing beside the principal also looked surprised. He had expected that someone like Li Junjie, who came from a low-ranking gang, would demand resources, money, scholarships, real estate, beauty, or other material rewards and fame. But to his surprise, all he asked for was this one-plus-one deal.


    No wonder the officials near the recruitment team¡¯s camp had been talking about Mad Bull Li being fiercely loyal to his boss. It seemed the rumors were true. Li Junjie''s act of loyalty and gratitude left both the old principal and his companion deeply impressed.


    As for Li Xiaofei, the boss whom Li Junjie had adorned with so many titles, neither of them paid him much mind. White Deer Academy had been marginalized and suppressed by the educational elite in Xiajing so thoroughly that they were completely unaware of recent events, let alone the existence of Li Xiaofei.


    To them, Li Xiaofei was just an extra, someone added as a side note. Securing Li Junjie was the real win. Whether they met Li Xiaofei or not was of little importance. To avoid any unnecessary delays, the old principal made the decision right on the spot. Without wasting any time, he swiftly processed the admission paperwork via the light-network, securing Li Junjie¡¯s enrollment as the newest student of White Deer Academy.


    Then, almost as an afterthought, he casually added Li Xiaofei to the roster as well. However, when the old principal checked Li Xiaofei¡¯s details, he was surprised to discover that this so-called gang leader was just a 19-year-old, and still a registered high school student.


    But he didn¡¯t ask any further questions. Nor did he think too much about it. After all, if a high schooler hadn¡¯t yet been accepted into a university, it likely meant he wasn¡¯t particularly remarkable. Perhaps he had simply registered as a high school student to pad his resume.


    Soon, all the procedures were completed. The old principal, after receiving multiple assurances from Li Junjie, reluctantly took his leave.


    "You must report to school!" he said, turning around every few steps.


    Li Junjie replied, "Don''t worry, old man. As the top lieutenant of my boss, my word is as good as gold. I won¡¯t back out."


    Once the two had left, Li Junjie clenched his fist in excitement and let out a triumphant "Yes!"


    Mission accomplished! Hahaha, this time my boss is definitely going to praise me. He would never have imagined that it was someone as reckless as me who finally solved his long-standing problem.


    Li Junjie happily trotted off to the office with both acceptance letters in hand.


    Knock, knock, knock.


    Li Junjie entered the room.


    "You rascal, you''re grinning like a weasel that just stole a chicken," Li Xiaofei glanced at him impatiently. "Spit it out. What kind of mess have you gotten yourself into this time?"


    "Boss, this time you''re definitely going to praise me," Li Junjie teased, holding back the details. "I found a way to cure your worries."


    "Oh?" Li Xiaofei''s interest was piqued. He leaned back in his chair and propped his feet up on his desk. "Speak up. If you can''t cure my worries, I''ll give you some new worries."


    "Huh?" Li Junjie''s face immediately fell. He obediently handed over two acceptance letters, cautiously explaining, "Boss, haven¡¯t you always wanted to attend a university in Xiajing? Well, I practically sold my soul to get you an acceptance letter. It¡¯s from White Deer Academy. I even had Little Zhang from the publicity department verify it. It''s legit..."


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t even bother listening to the rest of what Li Junjie said. He immediately snatched up the two acceptance letters and read through them several times, carefully cross-referencing the details. He even looked it up on the light-network.


    Sure enough, there was indeed a university called White Deer Academy, which was located in Xiajing City. However, there wasn¡¯t much other information available. Li Xiaofei rubbed his chin thoughtfully. White Deer Academy was likely a private, low-tier institution with little reputation. But that was enough for Li Xiaofei. As long as it meant obtaining student status and a smooth route to Xiajing, it would do.


    After confirming everything, Li Xiaofei looked up at his top lieutenant. Li Junjie¡¯s earlier swagger had faded away. Under Li Xiaofei''s scrutinizing gaze, he began to feel uneasy and nervous.


    "Boss, I... I didn¡¯t screw up this time, did I?" He asked carefully.


    Li Xiaofei suddenly jumped up, giving Li Junjie a hard slap on the shoulder.


    "Well done! Hahaha, who would¡¯ve thought? You really turned out to be a lucky charm," Li Xiaofei crowed, genuinely surprised.


    "Boss, so you''re saying I didn¡¯t mess things up this time?" Li Junjie finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Haha, that''s right. You did great this time," Li Xiaofei responded, clearly pleased. "No need to be so stiff. We¡¯re classmates now! Haha, who knows, I might even end up calling you senior one day."


    "No," Li Junjie said seriously. "I will always be your lieutenant, Boss. No matter the past, the present, or the future."


    Li Xiaofei patted his shoulder and said, "Don''t be foolish. Being a follower has no future. A man needs his own dreams. You''ve been given this rare opportunity, and when you get to university, you need to focus on learning and cultivation. You should aim to rise above others, not spend your life thinking about being my underling."


    Li Junjie replied firmly, "No, Boss, you¡¯re my idol. Serving you is my privilege. If it weren¡¯t for your desire to go to Xiajing, I would have stayed here in Liuhe Base City forever, drinking and hunting with the gang brothers."


    Li Xiaofei chuckled.


    "Starting today, you''re going to Red Flag High School. I''ll have Principal Qin give you some extra lessons to brush up on basic knowledge and cultural studies. We can¡¯t have you embarrassing our Cloudy Sky Gang when you get to White Deer Academy."


    He had already started preparing for his lieutenant¡¯s university journey.


    "Huh?" Li Junjie¡¯s face immediately fell, his expression one of dismay. "Boss, do I really have to? Cultural studies are the worst for me. Just looking at that stuff gives me a headache."


    Li Xiaofei firmly rejected his plea, "This is an order."


    "Yes, Boss, I will complete the mission!" Li Junjie shouted with determination.


    Watching his top lieutenant leave the office in visible pain, Li Xiaofei let out a long breath of relief. The university issue was finally settled.


    The recruitment team at White Deer Academy clearly hadn¡¯t done their homework. They hadn¡¯t known about his exploits as the president of the gang and had only recruited him as a bonus to get Li Junjie.


    But that was fine by him. The less they knew, the better. He didn''t want to risk them reconsidering if they learned too much. However, the fact that White Deer Academy saw potential in Li Junjie and was willing to make an exception to admit him showed that the recruitment team had some truly bold and capable individuals.


    Maybe this academy wasn¡¯t as mediocre as he had originally thought. Li Xiaofei looked out at the blood-red sunset and smiled contentedly.


    ***


    Time passed.


    The university admissions season had gradually come to an end. There would be no more universities coming to Liuhe Base City to recruit students. Most of the online application channels were also beginning to close.


    According to the latest data released by the Education Department, as of now, the university acceptance rate for senior high school graduates in Liuhe Base City stood at a little over 48 percent.


    This meant that, in the end, more than half of the graduating students would not be able to enter university for further education. They would have to enter the workforce early and start a new chapter in their lives.


    This reality was undoubtedly harsh for those who didn¡¯t make the cut. But this acceptance rate was the highest ever recorded. In previous years, the university acceptance rate for senior high students in Liuhe Base City had been below 30 percent.


    Based on the data from the Education Department, the current 48 percent acceptance rate was the second highest in the entire Northwest Administrative Region, just behind Lanfu Base City. Moreover, the gap between the two cities was not large. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Many in the Liuhe City education circles understood that this improvement was largely due to the sudden rise of Li Xiaofei and Red Flag High School, creating a catalyst effect that had spurred students across various high schools to push themselves in cultivation and academic performance, leading to a rapid overall improvement in student quality.


    Another contributing factor was that, over the course of the semester, with support from the city government and the Education Department, Red Flag High School had promoted new teaching methods, openly sharing many ancient martial arts techniques and battle skills. This widespread promotion had benefited many cooperating high schools, allowing them to reap great rewards.


    It was also worth noting that Red Flag High School, as the frontrunner, had achieved a legendary record in university admissions. A 100 percent acceptance rate! Every single senior graduate from Red Flag High School had received a university acceptance letter.


    These numbers were truly staggering, not just in Liuhe Base City, but even in the entire Northwest Administrative Region and perhaps across the country. This was an absolutely remarkable achievement. Unfortunately, due to certain reasons that couldn¡¯t be publicly disclosed, this legendary data was never made official nor widely publicized by influential media or social media platforms.


    However, Gao Changlin, the head of the Education Department, had been having sleepless nights from pure joy lately. Initially, his plan had simply been to ride on Li Xiaofei¡¯s coattails to gain some political achievements. Who could have anticipated this unexpected windfall?


    As time passed, the High School War God League finally reached its conclusion. In the final match, Red Flag High School played on home turf, facing off against their old rivals, the former champions, Duxing High School, for the second time.


    The result of the match, unsurprisingly, held no suspense. Red Flag High School steamrolled their opponents, securing a decisive victory. Last season''s Killer King and MVP, Xiong Zhigang, despite giving his all, was still defeated by Zhuge Long, a substitute player from the Red Flag High School team. Duxing High School''s season came to an end in a way that evoked both reflection and sadness.


    Inside the stadium, amidst the heart-pounding music and the roaring cheers of the audience, a new king of the high school league in Liuhe Base City was crowned. Red Flag High School had won the championship!


    The moment when Li Xiaofei and Yan Chiyu lifted the trophy together was forever captured by countless cameras, destined to become an iconic image in the history of Red Flag High School. Xiong Zhigang, Wang Siyu, Zheng Shou, and others from different places watched this scene unfold. They too were once known as prodigies, having chased after this very honor. Today, they had no choice but to look up in awe at that young man.


    Li Xiaofei! This boy from the slum, who had seemingly emerged out of nowhere, had completely transformed the educational landscape of Liuhe Base City and altered the destinies of countless people. He was like the morning sun, radiating an unstoppable brilliance, rising higher and higher as everyone basked in his light and warmth.


    Living in the same city and graduating in the same year as him was both a curse and a blessing for all the senior students.


    Soon, graduation season arrived. Some graduates from wealthy families ended their studies early and moved to the cities where their universities were located, preparing themselves for local life and the upcoming university journey.


    Others from poorer backgrounds joined adventure guilds or hunting companies, venturing into the wild to hunt and capture star beasts, accumulating money and resources to pay for their university tuition.


    It was at this moment that the Cloudy Sky Gang suddenly made a groundbreaking announcement to the public. The entire base city was shocked when the news broke. No one had expected that such a thing would be orchestrated by a gang!

 Chapter 388: This Fellow Student, Are You Okay?

    Chapter 388: This Fellow Student, Are You Okay?The Cloudy Sky Gang made an unexpected public announcement: they had established a scholarship fund.


    This fund was open to all senior high school graduates of Liuhe Base City, offering interest-free student loans for a period of six years. The loan amounts would be determined based on factors such as location, university, field of study, and family wealth, ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 star coins per semester.


    The news spread like wildfire, and countless graduate families rejoiced. This announcement was nothing short of a miracle for families struggling with poverty. Many were moved to tears as they viewed the Cloudy Sky Gang as their savior. They wasted no time in submitting their applications.


    The efficiency of the Cloudy Sky Gang was impressive. Those who passed the review process quickly received payment notifications. When they checked their accounts, the money was indeed there.


    Liuhe Base City had thirty-two high schools, with an average of around five hundred senior graduates per school. Given the 48 percent university acceptance rate, even if every applicant received the minimum loan, the total would be staggering. And not everyone received the minimum loan of 100,000 star coins.


    The Cloudy Sky Gang would need to allocate an enormous amount of funds in just a short time.


    "Boss, all this money is coming from your personal pocket," Yang Cheng said, somewhat perplexed. "Why issue the loans under the gang¡¯s name?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Are you stupid? If we issue the loans in the name of the gang, those students won¡¯t dare default on their payments. If they do, we can send someone to deal with them and their families. But if I issue the loans personally, and they start defaulting, what am I supposed to do? Go after each of them to collect? That would be awkward for everyone. I have a reputation to maintain, you know?"


    Yang Cheng was speechless.


    Alright then. As long as the boss is happy. But who does he think he¡¯s fooling with that reasoning... Clearly, he is doing good deeds without seeking recognition. Boss, you¡¯re just too kind and generous.


    The graduating students of Liuhe Base City don¡¯t even realize how lucky they are to have someone like the boss looking out for them. It¡¯s like they¡¯ve accumulated lifetimes of good fortune.


    Come to think of it, those of us who follow the boss are just as fortunate. Without him, the slum would probably still be a hellhole reeking of death, where people starved and died every day.


    Li Xiaofei spoke up again, "There¡¯s one more thing, Old Yang, that I need you to handle carefully."


    Yang Cheng immediately straightened up and said, "Yes, Boss, what is it?"


    "Spread the word," Li Xiaofei continued. "Tell the businesses run by the Martial Alliance and all the gangs under them to give preference to the high school graduates who didn¡¯t make it into university. Treat the newcomers well, especially those joining hunting and adventure companies. Protect the rookies. If I hear about any gang exploiting or bullying the new recruits, or withholding their pay, I¡¯ll wipe them out."


    Yang Cheng quickly responded, "Don¡¯t worry, Boss. We¡¯ve already been doing that. Not just us in the Cloudy Sky Gang, but all the other gangs have cleaned up their act a lot. Everything¡¯s by the book now. Everyone¡¯s earning decent money with no complaints."


    Li Xiaofei nodded, satisfied. "That¡¯s good... I¡¯ll be leaving the city soon, and there¡¯s still much for me to handle elsewhere. From now on, I¡¯ll be counting on you to keep things running here. It¡¯s a tough job."


    "Boss, don¡¯t say that," Yang Cheng replied. "You¡¯ll always be our leader. No matter where you go, everyone in the Cloudy Sky Gang is ready and waiting for your command."


    Li Xiaofei nodded again and added, "Send out an invitation in my name to all the incoming university students. Tell them that tomorrow afternoon, I¡¯m hosting a graduation banquet at Red Flag High School to say my goodbyes."


    "Understood," Yang Cheng said, standing up immediately. "I¡¯ll take care of it right away."


    ***


    The next afternoon, the graduation banquet was in full swing at the Red Flag High School sports field. It was filled with a lively and joyful atmosphere.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s reputation was undeniable; every single student who had been invited showed up without exception. This included even his old rivals, Xiong Zhigang and Zheng Shou. The banquet was filled with delicious food and drinks, and was more luxurious than anyone had ever seen before. Several principals and renowned teachers also attended.


    ¡°The campus has never been this lively,¡± Principal Qin muttered to himself, overwhelmed with emotion.


    Many teachers from Red Flag High School were equally excited and proud. For over a decade, Red Flag High School had been the subject of ridicule and mockery. Anyone who spoke of the school did so with a sense of superiority, looking down on it.


    This disdain extended to the teachers who had stayed through it all. They often felt like they were less than their peers. If not for their final shred of belief in the school and their students, many of them might have left long ago. But now, when people talked about Red Flag High School, they did so with admiration and respect.


    Amidst the applause and cheers, Li Xiaofei was invited to the top of the main stage.


    "Everyone, it¡¯s fate that we¡¯ve gathered here today. Today, you are all draped in honor and ready to embark on your journey to become stronger. As the saying goes, ¡®A galloping horse delights in the spring breeze, one day seeing all the flowers of Chang¡¯an.¡¯ There are endless paths in this world and countless ancient martial techniques to master.


    ¡°No matter what the future holds, remember this: in the vast deserts of the northwest, we have our hometown, our people, and our alma mater. As such, I¡¯ve prepared a gift for all of you.¡±


    As Li Xiaofei finished speaking, dozens of beautiful female staff members from the Cloudy Sky Gang elegantly approached, carrying delicate wooden trays.


    On each tray sat identical small glass bottles, neatly labeled with numbers. The craftsmanship was exceptionally refined, and the bottles looked exquisite.


    Each graduating student received one of these bottles. Wang Siyu, Liu Yao, Huang Yueru, Xiong Zhigang, Zheng Shou, Gu Haochen, and many others were all curious about what kind of gift the leader of the most powerful gang in the base city would give them.


    Then, Li Xiaofei revealed the answer.


    "Inside each bottle is soil from our homeland. It¡¯s said that a place¡¯s water and earth shape its people. No matter how far you go, your mother will worry about you. If you ever find yourself homesick, just smell the scent of this soil. Liuhe Base City will always be our home!"


    The graduates were deeply moved. Even the teachers attending the banquet were surprised. This gift was truly unique. At first glance, it seemed as light as a feather. But in reality, it carried the weight of a mountain. There was no denying that Li Xiaofei had put great thought into this gesture.


    "My friends," Li Xiaofei continued, "one day, Liuhe Base City will be proud of us... Cheers!"


    Everyone raised their glasses high.


    Li Xiaofei then shouted, "Cultivate for the rise of Great Xia!"


    "For the rise of Great Xia, we cultivate!"


    "For the rise of Great Xia, we cultivate!"


    Everyone jumped up, standing on chairs, on tables, and even on their friends'' shoulders as they shouted at the top of their lungs, voices filled with passion and determination.


    The faces of the young men and women glowed with enthusiasm and hope under the setting sun. At that moment, the air was filled with the essence of youthful dreams. Long live the youth!


    ***


    That night. In the president''s office of the Cloudy Sky Gang.


    Clap, clap, clap.


    The rhythmic sound continued without interruption. Perhaps it was the impending farewell, but Principal Hu was particularly wild that night, even performing the last three high-difficulty moves from the Yin-Yang Resonance of Great Sorrow technique.


    Li Xiaofei began to struggle to keep up.


    (Eight thousand words have been redacted here.)


    The next day, Li Xiaofei, supporting his waist, attended a meeting at the Martial Alliance.


    At noon, he gathered for a private lunch at the Qingya Pavilion restaurant with his close friends from the school¡¯s battle team, including Bai Qiqi, Fang Buyi, Yan Chiyu, and others. By the end, they had all had quite a bit to drink.


    "No more words needed! No matter where we go in this vast world, we¡¯ll always be brothers for life," Bai Longfei shouted, slamming the table after drinking too much.


    "True brothers, loyal to the end!"


    Everyone echoed, shouting until their voices were hoarse.


    Yan Chiyu, however, sat quietly, drinking cup after cup. Her bright eyes lingered on Li Xiaofei. Her fair, delicate face, as beautiful as a painting, seemed to have taken on a faint blush, but she remained silent.


    "Hey, Captain, you''re growing your hair out!" Bai Longfei suddenly exclaimed, as if he had discovered something groundbreaking. "You''ve always had short hair, so what''s the deal with the sudden change? Hmm, something''s definitely up."


    Yan Chiyu shot him a silent glare.


    "Wait until your hair reaches your waist, and then I''ll marry you, okay?" Li Xiaofei teased, joining in on the fun. "Old Bai might be onto something. Come on, Captain, we''re all friends here. No need to be shy. So, who¡¯s the lucky guy? We''ll go and tie him up for you."


    Bai Qiqi, Fang Buyi, Ren Dong, and the others joined in the teasing, egging her on. But Yan Chiyu still didn¡¯t speak. Her gaze, however, had softened considerably.


    She continued to drink quietly, biting her full, red lips. Her eyes sparkled as if waves were gently rippling through them. For the first time, she showed a rare, delicate expression of a shy young woman.


    Everyone was stunned under the dim lights of the private room.


    When has our fierce captain ever looked like this?


    It was breathtaking.


    Who knew that our usually tough and no-nonsense captain could look so stunning with just a hint of femininity?


    If she truly let her hair grow long, how enchanting would she be?


    But Yan Chiyu didn¡¯t care about the stares of others. Her eyes remained focused on Li Xiaofei.


    Wait until my hair reaches my waist...


    She smiled faintly, her red lips slightly parted as if she were about to say something.


    Just then, Li Xiaofei''s phone rang. He glanced at it and stood up, stepping out of the room to take the call. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Moments later, he re-entered, grabbed his jacket, and said, "Commander Ye from the garrison just called, she needs to see me about something. You all keep eating, I¡¯m heading out."


    "Damn, ditching us for her?" someone groaned.


    "Goddess Ye personally calling you? Man, that hurts more than being killed!"


    "Make sure to get Li drunk and castrated next time," someone else wailed dramatically.


    The guys continued their mock cries of betrayal.


    In the midst of it, a flicker of disappointment flashed across Yan Chiyu¡¯s bright eyes. But she didn¡¯t say anything further.


    ***


    The evening breeze was cool on the city wall. Li Xiaofei stood with one hand resting on the parapet, memories flooding back of the first time he had ever ascended this towering, majestic wall. Years had passed in the blink of an eye. Beside him stood Goddess Ye Liuying.


    Neither of them spoke. Ye Liuying, with her own brand of pride and her always-cold demeanor, remained silent. Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t in much of a mood for conversation either.


    After a long stretch of silence, the Goddess finally spoke. "If things don¡¯t work out for you out there, come back. I¡¯ll get you a position as an officer."


    Li Xiaofei nodded. Ye Liuying extended her hand without another word. In her slender, fair palm lay the Qinling Badge.


    "Returning it to its rightful owner." She said.


    This badge had once been awarded to Li Xiaofei by Ding Longao, but was later unlawfully taken by Mai Zixiong. Li Xiaofei hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took the badge.


    As their skin briefly touched, her hand felt cool to the touch. Li Xiaofei pinned the badge onto his chest, then looked up and smiled.


    "I thought you''d refuse." The Goddess remarked.


    Li Xiaofei responded, "This badge is a symbol of honor, awarded to me by our nation¡¯s military. Why would I not accept it?"


    The Goddess fell silent again.


    "I''m leaving." Li Xiaofei said, glancing at her. Her graceful profile, bathed in the soft moonlight, looked like a flawless work of art. "Take care of the brothers in the city. Please keep them in Commander Ding¡¯s good graces."


    "I will act impartially," the Goddess replied.


    "That''s all I could ask for," Li Xiaofei said before turning and walking away.


    The Goddess stood alone in the night breeze, letting the wind sweep through her long hair. She remained quietly on the city wall, her figure not towering but somehow merging with the ancient stones, standing as a silent guardian between the vast wilderness beyond and the countless lights within the city.


    ***


    Ten days later. At Xiajing City.


    Li Xiaofei and Li Junjie sat on a bus, gazing out the window at the towering skyscrapers.


    As the capital of Great Xia, the city''s grandeur was beyond anyone from the countryside could ever imagine. Wide, well-planned streets; skyscrapers rising hundreds of meters into the sky; maglev vehicles gliding through the air at low altitudes...


    To Li Xiaofei, this truly felt like the world of the future. Li Junjie, on the other hand, looked like a country bumpkin seeing the city for the first time. His eyes were wide, darting from one sight to another. If it weren¡¯t for Li Xiaofei keeping an eye on him, he probably would have started shouting in excitement.


    Before long, their light rail tram arrived at the station. As soon as they stepped out of the station, they noticed a crowd of young people holding up digital projection signs, each displaying a different name, flickering and floating in mid-air.


    Among them were a few girls in traditional-style school uniforms holding a sign with Li Junjie''s name on it.


    "Over here, over here!"


    A short-haired girl with a bob cut spotted Li Junjie instantly in the crowd and hopped excitedly like a little rabbit. "Junjie, we''ve been waiting for you!"


    Waiting for me?


    Li Junjie froze for a moment. But the girls in the traditional school uniforms quickly rushed over, surrounding Li Junjie with enthusiastic warmth.


    "Junior, let me carry your bag for you."


    "Junior, here, have an ice cream bunny."


    "Wow, look at these muscles, they''re amazing."


    "Yeah, no wonder the old principal was so impressed by your naturally gifted physique."


    A group of vibrant, lively girls surrounded Li Junjie, each vying for his attention with flattering words and favors. Li Junjie was at a complete loss as he was overwhelmed by the attention.


    He couldn¡¯t exactly scowl at these enthusiastic girls and say something like, "Don¡¯t touch me, or I¡¯ll cut you down with one swing!"


    Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei, whose looks far surpassed Li Junjie''s, experienced a rare feeling of being overlooked. For the first time, the attention wasn¡¯t on him. But he didn¡¯t mind. Always being the center of attention might seem exciting at first, but after a while, it lost its charm. Sometimes, staying low-key and mysterious had its own appeal.


    The group of girls, still fussing over Li Junjie, led him toward the waiting shuttle. Li Junjie tried to reveal Li Xiaofei''s identity a few times, but each time, Li Xiaofei stopped him with a glance.


    He had already given clear instructions on the way here. This time, Li Junjie was to fully embrace his role as the genius, soaking in all the praise and admiration from the school. Li Xiaofei wanted him to enjoy the spotlight.


    Li Xiaofei had other plans. This time, he just wanted to quietly focus on his relationship with the young lady.


    "Um... this fellow student, are you... okay?" A soft, hesitant voice suddenly came from behind.


    Li Xiaofei turned around and saw a shy-looking girl in the White Deer Academy uniform, her expression flustered as she nervously spoke. "Do you... uh, need help with your luggage? I¡¯m also... uh, part of the welcoming committee for the new students."


    Her tongue seemed to trip over itself, as if her mouth and brain weren¡¯t quite in sync.


    Li Xiaofei smiled warmly. "No need to trouble yourself, I¡¯ve got it."

 Chapter 389: Things About University Enrollment

    Chapter 389: Things About University EnrollmentThe girl¡¯s hair was slightly yellow, and she was very thin. She also trembled like a quail. The moment Li Xiaofei looked at her, she immediately lowered her head.


    "You don''t need to help me carry that." Li Xiaofei chuckled and said, "Junjie, come help me with the luggage."


    In an instant, Li Junjie broke away from the seven sisters who had been pestering him. He quickly appeared in front of Li Xiaofei, lifted all the luggage onto his shoulder, and said, "Boss, women are so troublesome."


    Li Xiaofei nodded in agreement, "That¡¯s why you should stay away from women in the future. They¡¯ll weaken your aim."


    The seven beautiful female students standing nearby were not happy with this.


    Ding Rong, the leader of the seven sisters, marched over like an enraged hen and angrily said, "Don¡¯t you have hands of your own? Why are you making Junior Junjie carry your luggage?"


    Li Xiaofei spread his hands and replied, "He¡¯s strong and full of energy. Besides, he volunteered to do it. What are you so upset about?"


    "Junior Junjie is one of the top five geniuses among this year¡¯s freshmen. He¡¯s one of the hopes of White Deer Academy! What gives you the right to make him carry your bag?" Ding Rong scolded.


    Lin Wan, the second sister, walked over and glared at Li Xiaofei, but didn¡¯t say anything. Instead, she smiled gently at Li Junjie and said, "Junior Li, you must be tired from the long trip. Let me carry it for you."


    The other sisters all sent unfriendly expressions toward Li Xiaofei before turning into smiling flowers as they helped Li Junjie with his things. They even took Li Xiaofei¡¯s luggage along with them.


    These girls sure had two faces. Li Junjie seemed completely lost as he was surrounded by their delicate arms and graceful legs. He couldn¡¯t scold them or fight them. Helpless, he looked toward Li Xiaofei for assistance.


    Li Xiaofei burst into laughter.


    "Hmph, everyone is equal at White Deer Academy. Don¡¯t think you can keep exploiting Junior Brother Junjie. I¡¯ve heard of you. You used to be his boss, right? Well, White Deer Academy doesn¡¯t tolerate that kind of behavior."


    Ding Rong shot Li Xiaofei a look of disdain. Even when rolling her eyes, the valiant girl exuded an intimidating aura. Of course, Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t going to argue with a young girl. Moreover, these girls were standing up for Li Junjie and looking out for him, so Li Xiaofei cared even less.


    "Ah, you... you... don¡¯t take it... take it to heart... Senior Sister Ding doesn¡¯t mean any harm... uh, no, she doesn¡¯t have bad intentions... ah, ah, pfft! I mean she doesn¡¯t hold any ill will toward you..."


    The thin, yellow-haired girl stammered through her words once again. Li Xiaofei rubbed his temples, finally understanding what she was trying to say. But he couldn''t shake the feeling that this girl wasn¡¯t the sharpest tool in the shed. It was like her words flew out ahead, while her thoughts lagged behind.


    "Let¡¯s go," Li Xiaofei said, "Where¡¯s our school bus?"


    The yellow-haired girl replied, "You think you deserve a school bus... uh, I mean, none of us deserve one... uh, this... our academy doesn¡¯t have a school bus. We¡¯ll take the public bus instead."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    This girl is really asking for a smack. How did she even survive up to now?


    The group made their way to the bus stop. The seven sisters surrounded Li Junjie, helping him buy his ticket. The yellow-haired girl stepped forward, swiped her card twice, and led Li Xiaofei onto the bus.


    This little detail said a lot. It showed that she was poor and often took the bus, which explained why she had a bus card. Once they settled in, the light rail bus sped off like the wind. Li Xiaofei gazed out the window.


    The bus tracks were about forty meters above the ground, with various roads below. Other flying cars were restricted to altitudes between one hundred and five hundred meters to avoid interference with other forms of transportation.


    Towering skyscrapers blocked out the sunlight. Many areas on the ground couldn¡¯t even catch a glimpse of the sun. The limited amount of living space per person remained a pressing issue for humanity on Earth. On one hand, there was a strong push to encourage population growth for survival. On the other hand, the size of the base cities had a fixed upper limit. If they wanted to accommodate more people, the only option was to expand upward.


    Buildings grew taller; living spaces became more cramped. Fortunately, Xiajing, as the capital of Great Xia and the largest base city in the country, had done well in this regard. The city featured numerous sunlit parks and free rooftop public parks where ordinary people could bask in the sun. They also utilized light refraction to do their best to extend the sunlight''s reach to the lower levels.


    About an hour later, the light rail bus arrived at its final stop. They had reached the outskirts of the city. Finally, Li Xiaofei could see the rolling hills in the distance. The sight of green patches here and there lifted his mood.


    As they exited the station, two ancient-looking carriages stood parked at the entrance. They were actual horse-drawn carriages. Wooden wheels and wooden bodies, pulled by two white horses that looked almost like unicorns.


    Beside each carriage stood an elder dressed in a long black traditional robe. Their gray-white hair was styled into an old-fashioned bun, held in place by black wooden hairpins. They held horsewhips in their hands with solemn expressions.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at the yellow-haired girl beside him.


    "This... this is the academy''s carriage. We''re going to travel by horse-drawn carriage." She seemed to have prepared for a long time and finally managed to squeeze out a complete sentence.


    "You''re making progress," Li Xiaofei patted her on the shoulder.


    The yellow-haired girl immediately grimaced in pain.


    "You all, stay back and take that carriage," Ding Rong pointed to the carriage behind them.


    Without leaving room for argument, she pushed Li Junjie toward the front carriage and made sure he got in. When Li Xiaofei climbed into the carriage, he was surprised to see a frail-looking boy already sitting inside. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The boy looked about fourteen or fifteen, with dark skin and several small scars running along his arms. He wore a faded tracksuit that was patched in places, and hand-stitched cloth shoes. The only new thing on him was that pair of shoes.


    The boy studied Li Xiaofei with a curious gaze.


    "Hello," Li Xiaofei greeted him with a smile. "Are you a new student too?"


    The boy was momentarily stunned before his face broke into a sunny smile. He quickly replied, "Hello, yes, I am. I¡¯m from the Tacheng Base City. My name is Wang Xiaofan. What about you?"


    "Tacheng Base City? That¡¯s way up north," Li Xiaofei remarked with a sense of admiration. He introduced himself before casually asking, "You look like you¡¯re not even fifteen yet. You must still be in middle school. You must have some exceptional talent to be specially recruited like this."


    As they spoke, the carriage clattered as they began to move.


    Wang Xiaofan shyly said, "I¡¯ve never been to school. My entire clan are bear hunters. We undergo the clan¡¯s training from birth to fight the wild bears of the ice plains. I have no idea why the old headmaster recruited me, but my father, mother, and the rest of the clan were all very happy..."


    The boy was quite talkative, as he smiled with his bright white teeth. Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but wonder what was going on as he chatted. There was something odd about White Deer Academy. Why were they recruiting students like Wang Xiaofan, who had never been to school? Could this be some sort of trap?


    The carriage swayed back and forth as they continued to travel. About half an hour later, they passed through the mountain gate and got off the carriage.


    Li Xiaofei looked up toward the interior of the mountain and was stunned.


    Is this really a university?

 Chapter 390: Cave Dormitory

    Chapter 390: Cave DormitoryTo be precise, is this really a university from five hundred years in the future?


    The university¡¯s entrance gate seemed straight from a mountain temple, while the buildings inside all had a traditional, classical charm. The houses were made of brick, tile, and wood, and were devoid of any modern elements. The tallest tower was only nine stories high.


    Dormitories, libraries, and classrooms were all built with ancient-style brick and wood structures, using mortise and tenon joints. From afar, the campus looked like an ancient ruin nestled into the mountains.


    The people walking around campus, whether teachers or students, were dressed like the two carriage drivers in long, traditional robes of various colors. Those with shorter hair let it flow freely, while those with longer hair had it tied up in ancient-style buns.


    Notably, the entire campus was filled with greenery, giving it a serene, picturesque quality rarely seen in the modern base cities of this era.


    At that moment, Li Xiaofei felt as if he had traveled through time again.


    Beside him, Ding Rong smiled sweetly as she explained to Li Junjie, "Junior Brother, you can tell from the name White Deer Academy that our school is a highly traditional martial arts institution, completely different from 99 percent of the other schools."


    Li Junjie scratched the back of his head. This simple gesture was seen by the seven sisters as a sign of his honest and humble nature.


    The third sister, Song Lingge, said, "Let¡¯s go register and get enrolled first. We can explain everything to you on the way."


    The lively group of girls chattered and laughed as they guided their young champion. Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei, the yellow-haired girl, and Wang Xiaofan followed behind. After completing the registration process at the administration building, Li Xiaofei finally began to understand a few things.


    For example, although White Deer Academy also had four grade levels, it didn¡¯t have separate departments or majors. Each grade was divided into five houses: the Eastern Blue-Robe House, the Southern Purple-Robe House, the Central White-Robe House, the Northern Yellow-Robe House, and the Western Red-Robe House.


    These house assignments were determined by the academy based on each student''s assessment report and were already decided before they even enrolled.


    For example, Li Xiaofei, Li Junjie, and Wang Xiaofan were all assigned to the Eastern Blue-Robe House. Each house had a chief instructor. Beneath them were five other instructors, each teaching either internal energy, movement techniques, weapons, medicine, and formations.


    Yes, these were the only five subjects taught at White Deer Academy. All students were required to study all five. After graduating in their fourth year, if students wished, they could apply to stay at the academy to continue their cultivation and studies, and White Deer Academy would treat them the same as enrolled students.


    The entire school lacked most modern facilities. In fact, students were generally discouraged from using light cores. The only place on campus with a limited number of light core terminals was the library. Those were mainly used for accessing the college league competitions.


    Compared to many universities in Great Xia today, White Deer Academy was completely out of place. It really seemed like a martial arts sect transported from ancient times.


    After completing his registration, Li Xiaofei received his freshman kit. It included a dormitory key card, an identity tag made from an unknown metal, two sets of blue robes, white inner clothing, hairpins, hairbands, and a pair of black boots.


    "I¡¯ll send you on your way... uh, I mean, I¡¯ll show you the way... the way to the dormitory." The yellow-haired girl stammered awkwardly.


    Li Xiaofei had learned that this young girl, Long Anquan, was a second-year student from the Eastern Blue-Robe House. She had chosen the name herself.


    Li Xiaofei was her mentee. This was a tradition at White Deer Academy. Each year, new students were assigned a second-year student as a guide by the academy to help them quickly become familiar with everything at the school.


    The reason the seven sisters had been so eager to help Li Junjie with his luggage was because he had been recognized as the best genius of the Eastern Blue-Robe House, and they wanted to compete for the chance to be his guide.


    If the mentee performed well, the guide would be recognized by the academy and be rewarded with resources and academic credits. More importantly, who wouldn¡¯t want to befriend a top-tier genius?


    They walked along winding mountain paths until they eventually reached a cliff face. The cliff was as smooth as a mirror and looked as if it had been sliced by a single sword. Three stone caves had been carved side by side into the cliff. The stone doors were shut tight. This was Li Xiaofei¡¯s dormitory.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at his key card. East 02. It was the middle of the three stone caves. He stepped forward and pushed the door with his hand, but the stone door didn¡¯t budge. He was slightly surprised. With his strength, a casual push should have moved even a massive stone, yet this door...


    Li Xiaofei examined it carefully. He noticed that the stone door was covered with patterns that looked like decorative carvings. But upon closer inspection, he could see the shared structure and the beauty of the connections between these lines.


    ¡°You look like you¡¯ve never seen this before... uh, no, I mean, it¡¯s understandable you haven¡¯t seen... ugh, I mean, it¡¯s normal that you¡¯ve never encountered formation lines before. White Deer Academy is one of the few schools that studies them,¡± Long Anquan explained.


    Li Xiaofei nodded.


    It¡¯s impressive that this kid really survived this long without getting smacked. But... Formation lines? This sounded a bit fantastical.


    Is it like something from ancient mystical arts, such as Qimen Dunjia or the nine-palace eight-trigram formation diagrams?


    That didn¡¯t seem quite right either. The presence of these lines shouldn¡¯t be enough to manifest energy, yet the patterns on the stone door appeared to have endowed the otherwise thin door with an extraordinary level of defense. When Li Xiaofei applied force, the lines seemed to subtly ripple with a faint warmth.


    Interesting!


    Li Xiaofei took out his key card and inserted it into the slot in the door. Something clicked, and the stone door slowly began to open inward. A clean, tidy passage appeared before him, leading to a main hall with two side chambers. The total area was about 80 square meters.


    There was a stone table and stone chairs in the main hall, while one of the side chambers had a stone bed. The other chamber contained only a white jade meditation cushion


    A gentle natural breeze flowed through, making the stone chamber feel fresh, even when the door was shut. Six fist-sized glowing stone orbs were embedded in the ceiling, and their brightness could be adjusted using the formation lines.


    "This is great! We¡¯re going to be neighbors!" Wang Xiaofan exclaimed excitedly.


    He was curious about everything in the academy. The people and the environment here gave him a deep sense of security, allowing him to forget, at least temporarily, the biting cold winds and the ever-present threat of ice bears on the Tacheng ice plains. He was especially happy with the enclosed dormitory cave, since he could finally sleep peacefully.


    As they were talking, another neighbor arrived. It was a pale boy who, even from a distance, exuded an air of overwhelming wealth and nobility. His steps were unsteady, and his hair was slicked back in a shiny style. He wore a suit, leather shoes, and a trench coat, looking for all the world like a martial world''s version of Chow Yun-fat[1] from Shanghai Bund.


    "Dammit! Is this rat hole really my dormitory?" The boy cursed as he saw the cave. "Even the dogs at my house live better than this!"


    1. Chow Yun-fat SBS, previously known as Donald Chow, is a Hong Kong actor and filmmaker. Known for his versatility, encompassing action to melodrama and comedy and historical drama, he is the recipient of various accolades, including three Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actor and two Golden Horse Awards for Best Actor. ? Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 391: Met A Ghost

    Chapter 391: Met A GhostWang Xiaofan glanced at Li Xiaofei, who sized up the slick-haired young man from head to toe. The young man, in turn, looked over the two of them.


    "Two broke, pathetic losers? They think they''re good enough to be my neighbors?" The young man with the slick hair continued to grumble, "I want that pretty senior as my neighbor. Get her here immediately, or I''ll have my dad pull his sponsorship..."


    His guide, a senior wearing a light green blouse, was standing next to him. She had an average face but a slim waist and long legs. She looked troubled at his words, though a deep disdain flashed in her eyes.


    Li Xiaofei folded his arms and started laughing. Wang Xiaofan clenched his fists, a look of eager anticipation on his face. He was clearly tempted to make a move, but his fingers brushed the white bear-tooth pendant hanging over his chest, and he visibly restrained his impulse to start a fight.


    But even so, the slick-haired young man ended up getting hit.


    Smack.


    A sharp slap landed on his face. The one who had slapped him was Li Junjie, who had just arrived with his luggage.


    "You think you can show off like that in front of my boss?" Li Junjie planted a foot on the slick-haired young man who was now sprawled on the ground. "Believe it or not, I''ll chop you up right here."


    The young man was stunned. When he realized that the one who slapped him was none other than Li Junjie, the top talent from the Eastern Blue-Robe House''s admissions, the anger on his face immediately disappeared and was replaced by an unexpected excitement.


    "Misunderstanding! It was all a misunderstanding." The young man wiped the dust from his face and bowed respectfully. "Brother, I¡¯m Ximen Piaoxue. This is my first time around here, so if I did something wrong, please, great one, show me some guidance."


    "I''m not the boss." Li Junjie walked up to Li Xiaofei and said, "This is my boss. He¡¯s the real deal."


    "Yes, yes, yes." Ximen Piaoxue nodded repeatedly, then added with a cheerful smile, "But, what abilities could a small fry like me possibly have to become the little brother of the great one''s great one? Being able to be your little brother, Brother Junjie, is already a blessing earned over many lifetimes."


    Li Xiaofei and Wang Xiaofan were both speechless. This guy was so cowardly after a single hit. Yet, he was oddly persistent.


    "Get lost, get lost." Li Junjie snapped impatiently, "I hate bootlickers like you the most. Don''t get in my way."


    "Boss, don''t be angry. I know the rules."


    Ximen Piaoxue gave a sly smile, and pulled out a metal suitcase out of nowhere. When he opened it, he revealed ten shimmering vials of Starforce Reagents, emitting a golden glow that caught Li Xiaofei¡¯s eye.


    "These ten vials of fifth-generation pure Starforce Reagents are my token of entry. Please, boss, accept me," Ximen Piaoxue said, bending into a deep ninety-degree bow.


    Li Junjie was growing impatient and raised his hand as if to slap him again. "Do you really think I''d be interested in this trash? I..."


    Before he could finish, Li Xiaofei interjected, "Actually, you could be interested."


    "I..." Li Junjie nearly choked on his words.


    Thankfully, he was quick on his feet.


    "Yes, as a matter of fact, I am interested," Li Junjie said, taking the suitcase and accepting his new underling. "You''ve got a good eye. Stick with me from now on."


    Ximen Piaoxue was overjoyed. He had finally latched onto the biggest connection in the Eastern House.


    He had been sent to White Deer Academy by his parents to lay low due to some issues. His extensive experience with causing trouble taught him that the first rule in any new place was to find the biggest support he could. So he¡¯d already prepared a welcome gift and chosen his target. Now, he had achieved his goal.


    "Haha. Boss, is there anything you need me to do?" asked Ximen Piaoxue as he leaned in, grinning obsequiously.


    Li Junjie glanced at this slick-haired young man and said, "Wait at the door."


    With that, he accompanied Li Xiaofei into the cave dwelling.


    Bang.


    When the door closed, Li Junjie quickly turned to him and said, "Boss, I¡¯d like to move in here and live with you."


    Li Xiaofei asked, "Isn¡¯t the dorm they assigned you any good?"


    "Not really," Li Junjie replied honestly. "It¡¯s ten times bigger than yours and even has a lake view."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    So, this is what it feels like to be treated differently.


    "I want to keep a low profile, so don¡¯t call me boss anymore..."


    Before Li Xiaofei could finish, Li Junjie dropped to his knees with a thud.


    "Boss, please don¡¯t kick me out."


    His face was full of panic.


    Li Xiaofei, both amused and exasperated, replied, "I mean, don¡¯t call me boss in front of others. I didn¡¯t come to the academy to make a scene. This time, I need to keep a low profile. But you should work hard to secure your position as the best first-year in Eastern Blue-Robe House. If I ever need something, I might have to count on you to handle it."


    "Don¡¯t worry, Boss." Li Junjie patted his chest, assuring him.


    After some discussion, Li Xiaofei solidified his plan to stay under the radar at White Deer Academy.


    Li Junjie left the fifth-generation pure Starforce Reagents with Li Xiaofei and stepped outside. He gave some stern instructions to his new underling, Ximen Piaoxue, "Your two neighbors are my good friends. Treat them with respect, or I¡¯ll finish you off."


    Ximen Piaoxue smacked his chest and promised, "Boss, your friends are my friends. I might not have much else, but I¡¯m definitely loyal to friends."


    Only then did Li Junjie reluctantly leave.


    The first three days of the new term were busy as both teachers and students settled in. Li Xiaofei, already fond of ancient-style clothing, was more than satisfied with the green academy robes. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, he had a strange feeling while sleeping the past two nights. His sleep was extraordinarily restful, as if he were breathing in pure, fresh air from a natural oxygen bar. Even his cultivation of the Nine Yang Divine Art was more efficient than ever before.


    This White Deer Academy is peculiar. A practically unknown third-rate academy, unnoticed even in Xiajing, and almost unheard of beyond it, yet it occupies such a mountainous campus. Moreover, this mountain area, with its water, trees, and stunning scenery¡ªit looks just like a legendary sanctuary.


    Li Xiaofei had strolled around his small courtyard several times over the past couple of days. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that White Deer Academy was hiding some kind of secret. So, he wandered around aimlessly, exploring every chance he got.


    At noon on the third day,


    "Halt! Who are you, and what are you doing in the cemetery?" At the entrance of the cemetery in the back mountain, an old man in a gray robe appeared like a specter, blocking Li Xiaofei¡¯s path with a sharp gaze, his voice booming with authority.


    "Senior, please don¡¯t misunderstand. I¡¯m a new student at the academy. I¡¯m just wandering around to get familiar with the campus," Li Xiaofei explained.


    This gray-robed elder radiated a powerful presence.


    "The Cemetery of the Ancestors is restricted. You must leave immediately."


    The old man¡¯s expression softened slightly.


    "Restricted?"


    Li Xiaofei looked thoughtfully at the rusty, weathered bronze gate of the cemetery, then at the lush forest and distant mountains within. After a final glance, he took the elder¡¯s advice and turned to leave.


    For some reason, he felt as if something beyond that bronze gate was drawing him in. It was a strange sense of familiarity. Yet, that very night, something unusual happened.


    "You¡¯ve finally arrived." A white-bearded, white-robed ghostly figure appeared by Li Xiaofei¡¯s bedside, looking down at him with a broad smile.


    Li Xiaofei let out a startled cry as he bolted upright. But when he looked again, there was no ghostly figure to be seen. The dorm room was spotless and perfectly quiet, the stone door sealed shut with formation lines, and not a soul was present.


    I actually had a nightmare.


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback. He wiped his forehead and found himself sweating coldly.


    Given his physical and cultivation level, it seemed impossible for him to have a nightmare, let alone break into a cold sweat. Li Xiaofei sensed something wasn¡¯t quite right. However, he was brave and highly skilled, so he dismissed the thought and lay back down. Soon, he fell asleep again.


    "You¡¯ve finally arrived." Once more, the white-bearded, white-robed ghostly figure appeared beside his bed, smiling down with a look of intense joy, like a madman consumed by happiness.

 Chapter 392: Qi Shisan

    Chapter 392: Qi Shisan"Brother Li, you don¡¯t look too well," Ximen Piaoxue remarked with a sly grin as he stepped outside to stretch in the morning. He had clearly noticed the dark circles under Li Xiaofei''s eyes as he emerged and gave him a knowing look. "Have you been overdoing it? Looks like you''ve drained yourself."


    "I¡¯m fine. Just had a nightmare last night and didn¡¯t sleep well," Li Xiaofei replied absentmindedly.


    Damn, something strange is definitely going on.


    Ever since he¡¯d visited the restricted Cemetery of the Ancestors in the back mountain, things had felt off. Then, he¡¯d been haunted by that ghostly figure the entire night.


    The white-bearded, white-robed old ghost appeared again and again in his dreams; if dream was even the right word. Each time, the dream felt uncannily vivid, as if he were experiencing everything in real life. And the setting was always the same.


    That white-bearded old ghost would sit by his bed, grinning with an unnerving look and repeat, "You¡¯ve finally arrived..."


    Each time he woke up startled, he found the cave dwelling completely empty.


    Could it be that I¡¯d brought something unclean back with me?


    Li Xiaofei had never felt this way before. Since his body was at the Golden Body Realm, his vitality should have been as robust as the ocean itself. Yet one night of nightmares had left him feeling drained.


    Was that white-bearded ghost somehow leeching my energy? Damn. It¡¯s downright disgusting. Why couldn¡¯t it have been a beautiful female ghost?


    The more Li Xiaofei thought about it, the creepier it all seemed.


    "Brother, don¡¯t worry. A man without his vitality might as well not be here," Ximen Piaoxue said, grinning as he leaned closer. He reached into his coat and pulled out a shimmering gold bottle. "I have a little something here; it¡¯s a real booster. Take it and use it as needed."


    "No need..." Li Xiaofei instinctively began to decline.


    But the slick-haired young man had already uncapped the bottle. A faint medicinal fragrance wafted out, accompanied by energy waves as potent as those from fifth-level star beasts.


    When he realized this guy had pulled out yet another treasure, Li Xiaofei swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue and asked, "What exactly is this?"


    Ximen Piaoxue replied with a mysterious look, "It¡¯s called the Five-Whip Pill."


    "The Five-Whip Pill?" S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Exactly. It¡¯s made from the whips of five-star beasts¡ªseal, leopard, demon bull, porcupine, and wind horse¡ªall at level five, mixed with their heart blood essence..."


    Li Xiaofei was at a loss for words. He couldn¡¯t help but admire Ximen''s family wealth. It wasn¡¯t just about having money. Even Xiao Hongye had struggled to source fifth-generation pure Starforce Reagents, yet this slick-haired young man had casually handed over ten vials as if they were cabbages from a roadside stand.


    "Well, I¡¯ll give it a try," Li Xiaofei said, not holding back as he took the golden bottle.


    Ximen Piaoxue was momentarily taken aback, then burst out laughing. "Most people would be half-dead from shock at the origins and value of this stuff, even if they were dying to try it. They¡¯d at least pretend to refuse. But you¡ªyou just took it, cool as can be. You¡¯ve got guts and steady hands. I¡¯m definitely sticking by you."


    Patting Li Xiaofei¡¯s shoulder, he added, "Don¡¯t hold back. If you need more, there¡¯s plenty."


    Li Xiaofei clarified, "Don¡¯t get me wrong. My body can handle it. I just haven¡¯t seen a Five-Whip Pill before, so I¡¯m curious."


    "I get it," Ximen Piaoxue replied with a knowing smile.


    Just then, Wang Xiaofan returned, radiating warmth. As a young bear hunter, he stuck to a rigorous daily body-strengthening routine and never missed a day. Every morning at four, he climbed the mountains, tirelessly refining his physique with the unique secret techniques of his clan.


    "Brother." Ximen Piaoxue stepped forward to greet Wang Xiaofan.


    Though he had been grumbling and cursing the day before, he¡¯d come to accept reality and was already demonstrating his smooth social skills. He managed to make a fast friend out of the young, unseasoned bear hunter with just a few words.


    That afternoon, the three of them received a notice to attend a meeting at the academy. Their university life was finally beginning. Dressed in their green robes and boots, the three of them arrived at the cultivation area for first-year students in the Eastern Blue-Robe House.


    A middle-aged man in a green robe leaned casually against a stone pillar in the center of the square. He held a green gourd of wine and unruly long hair. His overall appearance was rather unkempt.


    He was accompanied by five young men and women dressed in the uniforms of transmission instructors. This year, the Eastern Blue-Robe House had welcomed one hundred new students. By 2:30 p.m., everyone had gathered.


    "Let me introduce myself." The scruffy middle-aged man said, letting out a boozy burp. "I¡¯m Qi Shisan, head instructor for the Eastern Blue-Robe House. I¡¯ll be the one in charge of you rookies for the next four years... alright, meeting¡¯s over."


    With that, he shook his wine gourd, turned around, and strolled off without a care in the world. The students looked at each other, bewildered.


    Is this really the head instructor, or did they pull a beggar off the street to stand in?


    The five transmission instructors looked equally frustrated as faint traces of exasperation crossed their faces. After losing his salary for the next ten years in a bet, their Uncle Qi had finally been coaxed into teaching. The old headmaster had held high hopes for him, but now... It seemed his drinking problem was only getting worse. Making the first meeting so brief was almost a joke.


    Instructor Ding Yifeng quickly stepped forward and said, "Alright, everyone, don¡¯t leave just yet. Let¡¯s start with roll call... Li Junjie!"


    "Present!" Li Junjie answered loudly, immediately drawing the attention of all the new students around him.


    By now, word had already spread. Li Junjie was one of the five prodigies of this year''s intake and the strongest freshman in the Eastern Blue-Robe House. The other four prodigies were in the other houses.


    "Wang Xiaofan!"


    "Present!"


    "Hou Ni!"


    "Present!"


    "Gu Shengchen!"


    "Present!"


    "Luo Zhenwu!"


    "Present!"


    With each name called, someone responded. Soon, everyone noticed that the roll call seemed to be in order of ranking from the admissions evaluation, called from top to bottom.


    "Ximen Piaoxue!"


    "Present!"


    "Li Xiaofei!"


    "Present!"


    The names of the most infamous duo, Li Xiaofei and the slick-haired young man, Ximen Piaoxue, rang out. Several new students exchanged glances, looking at the two with faint disdain, whispering and pointing subtly. But Li Xiaofei and Ximen Piaoxue exchanged a knowing smile, a kind of camaraderie born of shared eccentricity.


    Instructor Ding Yifeng, having completed the roll call, had already formed a rough impression of each student and didn¡¯t think much of Li Xiaofei or Ximen Piaoxue.


    He¡¯d reviewed the files on these two. One was a tag-along with no potential for cultivation while the other was a waste sent here by his parents to idle away his days. Neither required attention.


    "Junjie, step forward," Ding Yifeng called, a warm smile on his face. "At White Deer Academy, we offer five major courses: Inner Strength, Body Techniques, Weaponry, Medicine, and Formations. Each new student must first choose a personal weapon. What would you like to select?"


    Li Junjie scratched the back of his head. "Teacher, do you have any recommendations?"


    Ding Yifeng chuckled. "White Deer Academy is renowned for its training in three primary weapons: the saber, sword, and spear. Each has its own comprehensive and systematic cultivation path: the Li Saber, the Ye Spear, and the Lin Sword."

 Chapter 393: He’s Here

    Chapter 393: He¡¯s Here"I choose..."


    Li Junjie hesitated, his eyes instinctively drifting to Li Xiaofei. But Li Xiaofei gave no reaction.


    Do I really need to make this decision for him as well? What¡¯s next... holding it for him when he needs to pee? This is too much.


    "Then... I choose saber techniques," said Li Junjie, who quickly made his choice.


    As someone with a background in street gangs, his favorite phrase was, "Do you believe I¡¯ll cut you down?" Mastering superior saber techniques would mean that anyone daring to challenge his boss could be literally cut down.


    Ding Yifeng smiled approvingly. "Excellent choice. I also recommend saber techniques. As the best freshman of the Eastern Blue-Robe House, you have the privilege of being the first to wield the heaviest freshman weapon at White Deer Academy, the Sacred Martial Saber."


    As he spoke, he pulled out a colossal broad saber from the nearby weapon chest. The blade was nearly two meters long and about half a meter wide. Its surface glistened with a pale green hue and it emitted an unusual, formidable aura.


    "This is the war saber crafted specifically for students at White Deer Academy, known as the Sacred Martial Saber," Ding Yifeng explained. "It weighs six tons and is forged from extraterrestrial iron. It has two forms, and there is a mechanism on the hilt. Take a close look..."


    Click.


    When the mechanism was activated, the blade folded back on itself, shortening to a compact 1.3 meters, making it easy to carry. In battle, pressing the mechanism again would cause the blade to spring back into its full form of a formidable giant blade that radiated an intense aura.


    Li Junjie''s eyes shone with excitement. From the moment he laid eyes on the Sacred Martial Saber, he knew he was in love with it. It seemed like this saber had been made just for him.


    "Catch the saber," said Ding Yifeng as he tossed the blade to Li Junjie.


    Li Junjie caught it effortlessly and gave it a casual swing. The blade flashed like a streak of silver.


    Ding Yifeng then turned to the second-ranked student in the academy, Wang Xiaofan, and asked, "What weapon do you prefer?"


    The young bear hunter responded without hesitation, "A spear."


    In his tribe, the spear was the most common weapon used in battles across the icy plains.


    "Good." Ding Yifeng''s expression showed approval.


    He reached into the weapon chest and retrieved two sections of a green spear shaft, connecting them to form a heavy, 2.8-meter-long spear.


    "The Ye Spear, also known as the Green Feather Spear," Ding Yifeng said. "This was designed by the saints of White Deer Academy. Forged from meteorite cold iron, it gives off a chilling aura. When it pierces prey, it can instantly freeze their body. It is specially crafted for the Ye family¡¯s spear technique. To master this spear, one must first train the body, then the spirit. It¡¯s only with unified energy, spirit, and will that one can wield this spear."


    With a flick of his wrist, Ding Yifeng tossed the Green Feather Spear toward Wang Xiaofan. Wang Xiaofan reached out to catch it and felt the weight pull down on his arm.


    Heavy!


    The young bear hunter¡¯s eyes lit up with determination, and he shook his wrist firmly. The spear vibrated with a deep hum, executing a technique known as Three Blossoms with One Thrust.


    Ding Yifeng nodded in satisfaction.


    A strength to be pleased with.


    Li Junjie¡¯s strength was unmatched among the new students. It was far ahead of the others. His physical strength at the Five Spirits Realm was comparable to that of an ordinary instructor. The next strongest was Wang Xiaofan, with a combat ability around the mid-level of the Meridian Expanding Realm.


    Notably, both were known for their intense physical training and exceptional bodily strength, though their inner qi cultivation was relatively weak. This focus on physical prowess was, in fact, a defining standard for White Deer Academy when selecting students.


    After all, those who excelled in inner qi cultivation would have long been claimed by prestigious schools, leaving White Deer Academy to pick from other talents.


    Next, Ding Yifeng called the third name on the list. It was Hou Ni, a girl with quite a unique appearance. She had the face of a delicate girl but the body of a warrior. A true Barbie of Steel.


    Standing at 1.96 meters, her muscular frame was as formidable as a tower, yet her face was adorably delicate, with big eyes, long lashes, a petite nose, and small cherry lips that lent her a certain cuteness. This disproportion between her head and body made her look almost monstrous.


    As expected, Hou Ni chose the sword as her weapon and was given an ancient, double-handed greatsword called the Yunmeng Sword. It was an unsharpened blade that exuded a timeless aura.


    Ding Yifeng said, ¡°The saber, spear, and sword are the three main weapons of White Deer Academy. Our academy¡¯s sole mission is to teach ancient martial arts, and we never use modern firearms when battling star beasts. This was established by the founding Saints of the academy. Do you know who our first Saint was?¡±


    ¡°It was Saint Taiyi,¡± Hou Ni shouted confidently. She looked like a devoted follower on a pilgrimage. It was clear she knew more than most.


    ¡°Correct. White Deer Academy has a glorious history, and in time, you will understand how right your decision to join us was!¡± Ding Yifeng shouted passionately. ¡°Now, everyone else, if you choose saber techniques, stand behind Li Junjie. If you choose spear techniques, stand behind Wang Xiaofan. Lastly, if you choose sword techniques, stand behind Hou Ni. Make your decision now¡ªyou have thirty seconds.¡±


    The students began moving immediately.


    ¡°Boss, what are you choosing?¡± Ximen Piaoxue whispered as he sidled up to Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei had already positioned himself behind Wang Xiaofan without hesitation. He had practiced both saber and sword techniques before, but he had never found a suitable manual for the spear, so he figured learning the Ye family¡¯s spear techniques at White Deer Academy would be worthwhile.


    ¡°Smart choice. A man should wield a spear,¡± Ximen Piaoxue said, following Li Xiaofei¡¯s lead and choosing the spear as well.


    The final count was soon revealed. Thirty-eight students chose saber techniques, eighteen opted for spear techniques, and forty-four selected sword techniques. It was clear that sword techniques remained the most popular among the youth.


    Ding Yifeng nodded, neither approving nor disapproving of the results.


    He continued, ¡°I hope you all remain committed to your choices. Now, we will begin the first lesson in cultivation at White Deer Academy: Inner Strength cultivation.¡±


    ¡°In White Deer Academy¡¯s curriculum, there is no separate practice of breathing techniques as other universities teach. Instead, we focus solely on cultivating inner strength. Inner strength is unique to White Deer Academy. I¡¯m not exaggerating when I say that the inner strength training at White Deer Academy embodies the true essence of Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage. The so-called breathing techniques taught at other universities are mere superficial practices.¡±


    ¡°White Deer Academy¡¯s inner strength technique is called Innate Art. This art was passed down from Li Mu, one of the Five Supreme Heroes. It was his foundational practice and possesses effects that defy understanding...¡±


    Ding Yifeng explained with an air of authority. Li Xiaofei¡¯s interest was piqued at this point.


    Could White Deer Academy really have connections to the Five Supreme Heroes? That is intriguing.


    ¡°Here we go again, boasting nonsense,¡± Ximen Piaoxue muttered under his breath. ¡°These White Deer Academy instructors, without exception, have thick skin. They¡¯d shamelessly attach any legendary figure to themselves just to elevate their reputation.¡±


    Li Xiaofei was speechless. He turned to Ximen Piaoxue and asked, "Do you think the instructor¡¯s claims are exaggerated?"


    The slick-haired young man lowered his voice and said, "Exaggerated? More like an ocean of exaggeration. Think about it¡ªif this place were as amazing as they claim, why is almost no one applying anymore?"


    It was a question that cut to the core of the matter. Li Xiaofei found himself speechless.


    Ximen Piaoxue continued, "You might not know this since you¡¯re not local, but in last year¡¯s University Martial God Tournament, White Deer Academy didn¡¯t even make it to the main competition of the Changyun District. They were eliminated during the preliminaries."


    Li Xiaofei was speechless once again.


    ¡°You two, stop whispering during class. Don¡¯t disrupt the good students,¡± Ding Yifeng¡¯s stern voice rang out.


    It was the classic tone reserved for chastising troublesome students. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ximen Piaoxue, ready to throw caution to the wind, raised his hand and said, ¡°Instructor, my seat is uncomfortable. I¡¯d like to request leave to go back and rest.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Ding Yifeng denied him flatly. ¡°Now that you¡¯re at White Deer Academy, you must hold yourself to the highest standard. No absences allowed during class.¡±


    Li Xiaofei had also been considering asking for a break, but he resigned himself to paying attention.


    As time went on, however, he realized that Ding Yifeng¡¯s lecture on the Innate Art was far from simple. Though the teaching style was straightforward, it had a certain depth that intrigued him. This technique was not as trivial as he initially thought.


    ***


    "He¡¯s here, he¡¯s here..."


    "Here."


    Within the Cemetery of the Ancestors, a gentle wind whispered through the trees. Invisible phantoms swept over the mountains and through the forest, their murmurs audible only to the Saints.


    At the base of the sword peak in the heart of the cemetery, within an abyss of endless darkness, a figure that had been suppressed for centuries stirred. The movement shattered the stone crust that had formed over its body, and its eyes opened.


    Those eyes shone like twin blades, piercing through the void and the rock that surrounded them. At that moment, the old headmaster of White Deer Academy suddenly stood up, his body trembling uncontrollably. Moments later, tears streamed down his face.


    "He¡¯s here."

 Chapter 394: Master Ancestor

    Chapter 394: Master AncestorThe old headmaster immediately rushed to the Cemetery of the Ancestors in the back mountain. He entered the sealed abyss beneath the central solitary peak, carefully breaking through the enchantments to reach the heart of the sealed area.


    ¡°Master Ancestor.¡± The old headmaster prostrated himself before the massive, awakening figure. ¡°Two hundred and fifty years... You have finally awoken. I¡¯ve come to see you, waaaa.¡±


    Despite his advanced age, he choked and sobbed like a small child.


    ¡°Stop crying, little monkey.¡± As layers of stone crust fell away from the towering figure, it revealed a youthful, muscular form. ¡°Where is Little Changsheng? Why don¡¯t I see him this time...¡±


    ¡°Master Ancestor, Changsheng is dead.¡± The old headmaster wept uncontrollably. ¡°He didn¡¯t die at the hands of the Corpse Emperor; he was murdered...¡±


    The strongest figure of White Deer Academy, Gu Changsheng, had died fifty-six days earlier. It had been publicly announced that he died heroically battling the Corpse Emperor.


    Boom!


    A surge of energy, vast as the starry sea, erupted from the Master Ancestor. Dark, swirling streams of demonic flames arose within the abyss.


    The Master Ancestor¡¯s long black hair floated wildly, as if engulfed in raging black fire. He seemed like a god transformed into a demon, radiating an aura of pure destruction. It was only after a long while that the fury subsided.


    ¡°Who has inherited the power of the Guardian now that Changsheng has fallen?¡± The Master Ancestor asked.


    The old headmaster, tears streaming down his face, replied, ¡°The younger generation at the academy has all undergone the Guardian challenge, but they have all failed... No Guardian has emerged from this generation.¡±


    ¡°Please, Master Ancestor, come out of seclusion.¡± He pleaded, bowing his head. ¡°Xiajing is no longer the Xiajing of old, and Great Xia is no longer the Great Xia we once knew. The Reapers have infiltrated us and have taken over from within. White Deer Academy is on the brink of ruin under my watch.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± The Master Ancestor suddenly interrupted firmly. ¡°The Guardian is here. I can feel it. He is at White Deer Academy...¡±


    He began moving his fingers, calculating with a solemn expression.


    ¡°It¡¯s a newcomer...¡±


    ¡°A freshman.¡±


    ¡°Surname Li.¡±


    ¡°From the northwest.¡±


    Quickly, he discerned several pieces of information.


    As the old headmaster listened, a name rose in his mind. He exclaimed, ¡°Could it be him? Master Ancestor, I did bring a naturally gifted, physically formidable young prodigy from the northwest¡ªLiuhe Base City.¡±


    He recounted Li Junjie¡¯s background.


    The Master Ancestor¡¯s brows furrowed as he continued his calculations. With such detailed information, his reading should have become clearer and more precise. Yet, the flow of destiny grew murky and obscured, unlike before when it had been so straightforward. Beyond the initial four clues, nothing more could be deduced.


    ¡°Arrange for him to take the Guardian trial.¡° The Master Ancestor commanded.


    ¡°Yes.¡± The old headmaster quickly agreed, then asked eagerly, ¡°Master Ancestor, since you have awakened, does this mean you can now leave seclusion?¡±


    If the Master Ancestor could leave the abyss, he would be able to sweep through all opposition. Even the powerful figures of the Star Council would have to bow before him.


    ¡°I cannot leave this abyss yet. A true Reaper King lies below this chasm. Though I sealed myself here for two hundred years, I could not completely eradicate it even with Brother Lin¡¯s help... Little monkey, you are now the master of the academy. You must not be as weak as you were in the past. Fate chose you to lead White Deer for a reason.¡± The Master Ancestor said.


    The old headmaster lay prostrate on the ground.


    Did fate really choose me, or was it just because everyone else died?


    ¡°Although I cannot leave this place, I will remain conscious from now on. Should you face a decision you cannot make, you may come to me at any time... Go now, for the one to lead White Deer forward will always be you,¡± the Master Ancestor continued.


    ¡°Disciple takes his leave.¡± The old headmaster bowed and departed.


    The Master Ancestor sat motionless. He was like a radiant star, emitting boundless energy that illuminated countless invisible carvings in the void of the abyss. He was using the power of White Deer Academy¡¯s heavens and earth to maintain the seal on the chasm. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When he looked up, he didn¡¯t see stone walls, but stars. From the depths of the abyss, he gazed at the vast cosmos above. He had looked up for countless years. But he still did not see those familiar figures.


    ¡°Brother Lin Beichen, Sword Snow Goddess, are you both well? The path of the expedition was littered with mountains of corpses and seas of blood. How many of the comrades who followed you on that journey still remain?¡±


    ¡°Taiyi is incompetent and unable to carry forward the legacy. The current state of Great Xia is dire. Traitors unable to resist the lure of power have emerged among humanity and have started bowing to their enemies. The Reaper infiltration is more terrifying than I ever imagined. By the time I realized it, even the Star Council had been compromised, with their agents wielding influence.¡±


    ¡°This time, with my awakening, I can already sense that the parasites hiding within Xiajing have begun to stir...But he has come. Brother Lin, as you predicted, the sacred souls within the Cemetery of the Ancestors are starting to awaken. Your prophecy is finally set in motion. I am so eager for what¡¯s to come.¡±


    The Master Ancestor whispered to the stars above, speaking softly to the silent, eternal expanse.


    ***


    ¡°Alright, the teaching of the Innate Art ends here.¡±


    In the teaching field of the Eastern Blue-Robe House, Ding Yifeng had just concluded his detailed explanation of the essence of Innate Art. He said, ¡°Take the time of one incense stick to rest and reflect on what you¡¯ve learned. Next, we will begin the Weaponry course, which will be taught by Instructor Fang Baicheng. He will teach you the Sacred Martial Saber techniques.¡±


    The students collectively sighed in relief. Ximen Piaoxue plopped down on a stone chair, clearly having absorbed little of the lesson¡¯s essential points. In contrast, Li Xiaofei had already grasped the core insights of the technique.


    ¡°This Inner Strength technique even has a body-strengthening effect. Its power is similar to the Nine Yang Divine Art, but its potency seems to last longer. The content that Ding Yifeng taught wasn¡¯t complete... the full version of the technique would surpass the Nine Yang Divine Art. Ding Yifeng wasn¡¯t exaggerating; just this one technique alone is enough to place White Deer Academy at the pinnacle of ancient martial arts. If they have such a powerful technique, why can¡¯t they produce exceptional students?¡±


    As Li Xiaofei pondered, his gaze swept across the faces of the other students. He noticed that most of them, including Li Junjie, had expressions of confusion. It seemed they hadn¡¯t comprehended the subtle brilliance within the Innate Art.


    Many students were more excited about the upcoming weaponry course and hadn¡¯t invested much thought into mastering the Innate Art.


    Huh? What is going on? Did these freshmen not understand the true value of Inner Strength?


    Soon, the weaponry course began.


    Another instructor, Fang Baicheng, stepped forward with a Sacred Martial Saber in hand and declared, ¡°Today, I will teach you a saber technique called A Journey Begins. It is a single strike, but a lethal one. Vice Principal Gu Changsheng, the strongest in our academy, once said that if someone could fully master this strike, they would possess the power to slay a Saint. This alone shows the immense power of this technique.¡±

 Chapter 395: The Sword In The Butt

    Chapter 395: The Sword In The ButtLi Xiaofei studied diligently during class. When it came to learning ancient martial arts, he never slacked off. Li Xiaofei¡¯s perception and innate talent for ancient martial arts was fully evident during this process. He instantly understood the intricate techniques of the saber the instructors demonstrated and managed to draw inferences from one example to another in the shortest time possible.


    This technique, A Journey Begins, is truly remarkable.The form is secondary. The essence lies in its spirit. When the spirit is perfected, one becomes invincible. This is a supreme saber technique that can lead to mastery.


    Li Xiaofei was deeply shaken. The techniques taught at White Deer Academy, whether it was the Innate Art or A Journey Begins, were genuine masterpieces of ancient martial arts. If the students could cultivate successfully, they would not remain obscure.


    Fang Baicheng had mentioned that when A Journey Begins was cultivated to a certain level, it could slay Saints. Li Xiaofei had initially dismissed this as boasting, but now, he realized it was no exaggeration.


    Soon, the class ended. Next was time for self-study. Some students, eager to learn, continually sought advice from the instructors. Ding Yifeng and several other instructors paid special attention to top students like Li Junjie, proactively offering guidance.


    Li Xiaofei and Ximen Piaoxue, who ranked low and did not take the initiative to ask questions, unsurprisingly remained unnoticed as they blended into the background.


    "Big brother, you looked so serious during class earlier. You weren¡¯t actually studying, were you?" Ximen Piaoxue leaned in with a sly expression. "Do you really believe what those instructors say? Let me tell you, don¡¯t be fooled by their big talk¡ªit¡¯s just a tactic for brainwashing."


    "Tactic?" Li Xiaofei questioned.


    "Yeah," Ximen Piaoxue continued. "These low-ranking academies rely on constantly brainwashing students into thinking the techniques are top-notch. But if you tell anyone outside, it¡¯s just a joke."


    Li Xiaofei remained silent. He had already realized that White Deer Academy was far from simple. Over the past few days, he had learned bits of the academy¡¯s history. He hadn¡¯t yet figured out why its former glory had faded, but he was certain that the founding place of Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage was no bluff.


    White Deer Academy was hiding secrets. For example, that pesky white-robed ghost wasn¡¯t something any scientific explanation could cover. He had a vague sense that he was in the right place.


    When he saw Li Xiaofei¡¯s doubtful look, Ximen Piaoxue added, "A few years ago, a student compiled a thirty-minute video of the instructors¡¯ exaggerated claims during classes and posted it online. It made tons of netizens laugh their heads off and became the academy¡¯s biggest scandal. Now, whenever White Deer Academy students go to the city, they get mocked relentlessly and often have to disguise themselves to hide their identity."


    Li Xiaofei glanced at him. "You didn¡¯t listen carefully in class, did you?"


    "Only a fool would listen closely." Ximen Piaoxue said as he pulled out the latest portable light core. "Why not browse online for a bit? By the way, the Longya Group¡¯s online Martial God Tournament has entered the final stage. The top 100 in the nation have already been announced... don¡¯t tell me you haven¡¯t been following it?"


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly. "Of course I have. I even placed a few bets and won some money. I¡¯m particularly fond of Faithful Gentleman and Orchid Fairy in the top 100. All the experts say those two are the hottest contenders for the championship."


    ¡°Listening to experts is a sure way to fail,¡± Ximen Piaoxue said, his interest piqued as he launched into his analysis. ¡°Those two you mentioned are indeed strong, but for a pro like me, betting is all about spotting the dark horses. The hotter the favorite, the higher the chance they¡¯ll flop at the last moment. The real winners emerge from the so-called campers¡ªthe hidden players who come out of nowhere at the end.¡±


    Li Xiaofei asked, ¡°Campers? Who are you referring to?¡±


    Ximen Piaoxue lowered his voice. ¡°We¡¯re buddies, so I¡¯ll share the real scoop. If you want to place a bet, put your money on Your Grandpa and Zhang Zhihong. You¡¯ll definitely profit.¡±


    Li Xiaofei, maintaining a neutral expression, said, ¡°What makes you say that?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t watch a lot of live streams, do you?¡± Ximen Piaoxue asked.


    ¡°Live streaming is a waste of time,¡± Li Xiaofei replied.


    ¡°That¡¯s where you¡¯re wrong. This guy, Your Grandpa, is a streaming prodigy who¡¯s recently rebranded himself as Grandmaster of Heaven. He¡¯s made a name for himself in the streaming world and is already poised to win the Rookie of the Year on the Longya Group platform. His teachings are far better than what the White Deer Academy instructors offer. Many industry insiders suspect that Your Grandpa might be a disguised hidden master. He¡¯s powerful and could be a strong contender for the championship.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, Zhang Zhihong is even more impressive. He¡¯s made it to the top 100 without breaking a sweat. None of his opponents have lasted more than thirty seconds. So far, there¡¯s no sign of him being defeated.¡±


    Ximen Piaoxue smirked. ¡°I have a few friends in Xiajing who are disciples of the Grandmaster of Heaven. I¡¯m working on pulling strings to join his sect myself. Once I do, I won¡¯t need to lay low at White Deer Academy anymore. I can head back to the city and live it up.¡±


    Li Xiaofei feigned curiosity. ¡°Is the Grandmaster of Heaven really that influential?¡±


    Ximen Piaoxue replied, ¡°In the broader martial arts world, maybe not, but if you¡¯re one of his disciples, you can strut around Xiajing¡¯s elite circles like a king.¡±


    Am I really that impressive and unaware of it?


    His streaming activities hadn¡¯t stopped, but his disciples had been handling the lessons in his place. The path of ancient martial arts was built step by step, and the techniques he¡¯d already taught required time for students to practice and refine, so there was no rush to start new lessons.


    Since his talented disciples had been teaching in his stead, Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t need to personally oversee the classes. Li Xiaofei had deliberately avoided sharing any contact details outside of his light core to prevent interruptions to his regular life. If anything happened in his streaming room... Well, so be it. He could deal with it when he got back.


    He had been at the school for a little over three days now. Li Xiaofei planned to visit the Tan family over the weekend to check on the young lady¡¯s current situation. No matter what, he needed to make contact soon.


    By then, it was time for dinner. The meals at White Deer Academy were quite good. There was meat and vegetables, along with medicinal dishes containing various herbs. They were colorful, fragrant, and flavorful, offering a hearty dining experience. In this regard, it was far better than the meals at Red Flag High School.


    ¡°Ah, at least the food here at White Deer Academy barely meets my standards,¡± Ximen Piaoxue said.


    Li Xiaofei picked up his bowl and chopsticks, eating each bite carefully. He was analyzing the ingredients in the medicinal dishes, trying to deduce their effects. After everyone had left the cafeteria, he stayed behind to help the cafeteria workers clean up, making small talk to get familiar with them.


    The medicinal dishes intrigued him. If he could obtain the recipes and understand their principles, introducing them at Red Flag High School could yield great results. Even though he was far from Liuhe Base City, the small city and that small high school still represented his dream of reviving ancient martial arts.


    Ten years to grow trees, a hundred years to nurture people.


    Reviving Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage would require unwavering commitment. However, the cafeteria workers, who had seen and heard it all, weren¡¯t so easily swayed. One or two attempts wouldn¡¯t be enough, so Li Xiaofei prepared for a long game.


    That night, Li Junjie arrived looking distressed.


    ¡°Boss, did you understand today¡¯s lesson?¡± His brows were knitted tightly together. ¡°The teacher spoke too fast. I couldn¡¯t grasp any of it, whether it was inner strength or the saber techniques.¡±


    ¡°Come with me,¡±said Li Xiaofei as he led him into his dormitory cave and began to explain everything in detail.


    Li Junjie listened, asked questions, and practiced simultaneously. After about two hours, a realization dawned on him.


    ¡°So that¡¯s how it works...¡±


    ¡°Boss, I can feel it now.¡±


    ¡°I get it.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re truly amazing, Boss. You make it so much clearer than the instructors.¡±


    Li Junjie suddenly felt confident again, soaking up the knowledge and improving his skills rapidly.


    At that moment, Li Xiaofei noticed that although Li Junjie¡¯s comprehension was average, his physical aptitude was exceptional. Often, his body would understand and react even before his brain fully processed the concepts.


    Finally, Li Junjie left, satisfied and content. He had mastered all the day¡¯s lessons and even learned how to extend what he¡¯d been taught. With this, he could maintain his image as a genius.


    Li Xiaofei stroked his chin thoughtfully.


    Nurturing a genius underling really does take effort and dedication, but this kid is worth it.


    Later that night, when he went to bed, the white-robed ghost appeared again. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Who the hell are you?¡± President Li snapped, his patience fraying.


    But as soon as he opened his eyes and sat up, the ghost was gone.


    Is the ghost only visible in my dreams?


    Li Xiaofei felt weary, and a chill ran through his body. He thought for a moment and took out the Five-Whip Pill that Ximen Piaoxue had gifted him and swallowed two. Warmth flooded his body, and his blood surged with newfound energy. Before long, he managed to fall asleep again.


    As expected, the white-robed ghost soon reappeared at his bedside.


    ¡°You¡¯re finally here.¡±


    ¡°You came.¡±


    ¡°Help me, pull it out, it hurts.¡±


    The ghost looked at Li Xiaofei with an unsettling expression and pointed to his own butt. When he looked, Li Xiaofei saw a white short sword embedded in the ghost¡¯s butt.

 Chapter 396: Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword

    Chapter 396: Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword"Who exactly are you?" Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t hold back his question.


    The white-robed ghost replied, ¡°I¡¯m your ancestor.¡±


    ¡°Why are you insulting me?¡± Li Xiaofei snapped angrily.


    ¡°No... I died quite a long time ago.¡± The white-robed ghost said. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to mess with you... But let¡¯s skip the explanations. Can you help me pull this sword out of my rear?¡±


    Li Xiaofei refused. He was cautious. If ghosts really did exist, what if removing the sword unleashed something ominous? Even though he was skilled and brave, he didn¡¯t want to take that kind of risk.


    ¡°I¡¯ve waited for you for a long time. Trust me, I mean you no harm.¡± The white-robed ghost said. ¡°I live in the Cemetery of the Ancestors. If you don¡¯t believe me, you can come find me during the day. My name is Liu Shaji.¡±


    Liu Shaji?


    Li Xiaofei hadn¡¯t heard that name before. However, he suddenly realized something.


    I can actually talk to the white-robed ghost?


    Before, every time he woke up, the ghost would vanish.


    Why didn¡¯t it disappear this time?


    He glanced around, trying to discern whether he was dreaming or awake. Just as the thought crossed his mind, a sudden gust of wind swept past his eyes.


    ¡°Ah...¡± Li Xiaofei jolted awake from his bed.


    Another dream?


    He wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked around. He was still in his dormitory cave. The room was empty; there was no sign of any white-robed ghost.


    Damn. So, was it just a dream again?


    But this time, he had managed to converse with the white-robed ghost.


    Is it because I had taken Ximen Piaoxue¡¯s Five-Whip Pill and strengthened my yang energy? The conversation in the dream remained vividly clear. The Cemetery of the Ancestors?


    It seemed he really needed to find an opportunity to check it out. Otherwise, if he kept dreaming of ghosts draining his yang energy, it would become unbearable.


    Li Xiaofei got out of bed and decided not to sleep anymore. He might as well use the time to cultivate.


    Thanks to Piaoxue¡¯s ten vials of fifth-generation pure Starforce Reagents, his progress in breaking through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians had accelerated greatly. Now, only six acupuncture points in the final meridian of the Eight Extraordinary Meridian, the Governing Meridian, remained unrefined and unopened.


    The other meridians, the Conception Meridian, Thoroughfare Meridian, Belt Meridian, Yang Linking Meridian, Yin Linking Meridian, Yin Heel Meridian, and Yang Heel Meridian, with a total of seventy acupuncture points, had already been fully refined.


    ¡°In martial arts novels, breaking through the Conception and Governing Meridians makes one an unparalleled expert.¡±


    Li Xiaofei took out a vial of the fifth-generation pure Starforce Reagent, drank it, and activated the Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword meridian-opening secret technique as he started to work on the remaining acupuncture points in the Governing Meridian.


    As time passed, Li Xiaofei entered the Secret Time Pavilion just before dawn to continue his cultivation. Twenty-nine days flew by in an instant as he consumed all the fifth-generation pure Starforce Reagents.


    ¡°Finally, I¡¯ve fully refined all the acupoints within the Eight Extraordinary Meridians,¡± Li Xiaofei said, opening his eyes with satisfaction.


    He circulated his inner qi through the twelve standard meridians and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. A total of two hundred refined acupoints radiated light from within his body, appearing like twenty stars surrounding him. The air resonated with the powerful hum of inner qi.


    The refined acupoints had two main benefits. First, they facilitated the automatic circulation of inner qi, continuously nourishing it. Second, they accelerated the flow of inner qi. The ability to harness inner qi through various acupoints and meridians was the foundation of many powerful high-stage combat techniques.


    For instance, the Nine Yang Divine Art that Li Xiaofei practiced was extraordinary precisely because it mobilized all the acupoints and meridians within the body, following a complex, almost computer-like route and rhythm for optimal flow. In simpler terms, the Acupoint Opening Realm was superior to both the Qi Refining Realm and Limit Breaking Realm because refined acupoints enabled stronger and faster inner qi flow.


    Most practitioners could only refine the twelve standard meridians, achieving a total of one hundred and twenty acupoints. However, Li Xiaofei had gone further, refining the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, which added eighty more acupoints for a total of two hundred acupoints.


    Li Xiaofei had long wondered how much of a boost these additional eighty acupoints would give him in combat. When he completed the last acupoint in the Governing Meridian, the answer revealed itself: Ice and fire! S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As Li Xiaofei circulated his inner qi, projecting it outside his body, he noticed an elemental transformation. He could switch effortlessly between searing flames and freezing ice.


    "Great!"


    Li Xiaofei played with the silver frost in his left hand and the golden flame in his right, reveling in his new ability. The strength of his inner qi had also increased significantly. It now far exceeded the typical level of the Acupoint Opening Realm and even surpassed the peak of the Meridian Expanding Realm. It was now only slightly inferior to the Five Spirits Realm.


    As for the destructive power of his inner qi? After a brief assessment, Li Xiaofei was confident that either attribute, fire or ice, would be many times more potent than before. It was an improvement not just tens of times over, but entire orders of magnitudes.


    The fire and ice, due to their unique properties, posed a lethal threat even to those at the Golden Body Realm.


    Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword! The Dual Heavens of Ice and Fire!


    ¡°I¡¯ve crossed yet another major threshold.¡± A smile spread across Li Xiaofei¡¯s face.


    Now, the only realm standing between him and the Five Spirits Realm was the Meridian Expanding Realm. Once he overcame that barrier, he could finally see his aunt again.


    When he emerged from the Secret Time Pavilion, it was already six in the morning. Li Xiaofei decided not to visit the Cemetery of the Ancestors just yet. He planned to wait until noon, when yang energy would be at its peak, to venture into the cemetery and search for any information on Liu Shaji.


    In the meantime, he left the dormitory and headed to the dining hall to help out the cafeteria workers. He was still trying to win their favor and hopefully get the recipes for the medicinal dishes sooner. To his surprise, he found Long Anquan, the girl with the yellow hair, also working in the dining hall, seemingly as part of a work-study program.


    Li Xiaofei smiled and greeted her, but didn¡¯t engage further.


    An hour later, students of the Eastern Blue-Robe House began trickling into the dining hall for breakfast. University life, in many ways, was more relaxed than high school.


    After breakfast, Li Junjie, Wang Yifan, and Hou Ni, the top three new students in the Eastern Blue-Robe House, were hastily called away by an anxious Instructor Ding Yifeng. No one knew what for.


    Li Xiaofei finished his breakfast but didn¡¯t hurry to leave. Instead, he seized the opportunity to continue helping out in the dining hall, trying to earn more favor with the cafeteria workers.


    ¡°Young man, you¡¯re quite special.¡± Suddenly, a somewhat scruffy figure appeared in front of Li Xiaofei, who was sweeping the floor, and said, ¡°I¡¯ve been watching you for a while. You¡¯re different from the other freshmen.¡±


    It was Qi Shisan: the chief instructor of the Eastern Blue-Robe House¡¯s freshmen. Li Xiaofei was taken aback.


    Is this the legendary keen insight of the chief instructor?


    He had been trying to keep a low profile, yet Qi Shisan had still noticed something special about him. It seemed that being talented really was like being pregnant; no matter how you tried to hide it, it would eventually show to those who paid attention.


    ¡°Chief Instructor, I...¡± Li Xiaofei began to speak.


    But Qi Shisan interrupted him, ¡°You don¡¯t need to say anything.¡±


    ¡°Ah?¡± Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned.


    Qi Shisan continued, ¡°I remember you chose the sword yesterday, right?¡±


    Li Xiaofei shook his head, about to deny it when...


    ¡°Say nothing more. It doesn¡¯t matter what you chose, take this sword.¡± Qi Shisan shoved a rust-covered long sword into Li Xiaofei¡¯s arms and said, ¡°This sword is priceless, beyond what money can buy... Do you have money?¡±


    Li Xiaofei stammered, ¡°I... I have some.¡±


    ¡°Transfer it to me.¡± The chief instructor¡¯s tone brooked no argument.


    Li Xiaofei blinked and asked, ¡°How much should I transfer?¡±


    The chief instructor replied, ¡°The amount depends on your own sense of appreciation.¡±


    An amused Li Xiaofei transferred 10,000 star coins to him.


    The chief instructor patted Li Xiaofei¡¯s shoulder hard. ¡°Good, I have high hopes for you. Practice your swordsmanship well.¡±


    With that, he hurried off.


    A smile spread across Li Xiaofei¡¯s face. White Deer Academy was certainly more than it appeared; someone had recognized his true level. There was a certain enigmatic quality about Qi Shisan that Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t quite read. Perhaps he was an eccentric master playing at life.


    Holding the rusted sword, Li Xiaofei headed to the training field for class. Li Junjie and the other two were still nowhere to be seen.


    Another instructor, named Shi Zhijie, resumed teaching the students the Innate Art.


    Then Li Xiaofei noticed Ximen Piaoxue, who wore a lecherous grin. He, too, was holding a rust-covered long sword that looked identical to the one Li Xiaofei had just bought for 10,000 star coins from Qi Shisan.

 Chapter 397: Venturing The Cemetery of the Ancestors Again

    Chapter 397: Venturing The Cemetery of the Ancestors Again¡°Your sword...¡±


    ¡°The Chief Instructor granted it to me. He said I was different, that he noticed me in the crowd at first glance and saw through to my unique talent.¡±


    ¡°Just tell me, how much did it cost?¡±


    ¡°Brother, don¡¯t be so shallow. Spiritual weaponry doesn¡¯t talk about money; it speaks of fate. It cost 108,000 fates.¡±


    ¡°You spent 108,000 star coins on this broken sword?¡±


    Li Xiaofei was shocked.


    Ximen Piaoxue smiled faintly and said, ¡°How can you call it a broken sword? The Chief Instructor said this sword suits my talent perfectly. This is called the unity of man and sword... Don¡¯t ask. If you ask, it¡¯s fate.¡±


    Li Xiaofei was speechless.


    ¡°Is there a possibility that you were tricked?¡± asked Li Xiaofei as he quietly hid his own rusty sword.


    Ximen Piaoxue chuckled again and said, ¡°Brother, your vision is too narrow. I spent 108,000 fates to forge a good bond with the Chief Instructor. How could that be a scam?¡±


    Li Xiaofei was speechless once again.


    Turns out, even the flamboyant rich kid isn¡¯t foolish.


    The entire morning¡¯s lesson did not progress smoothly. Li Xiaofei observed that most of the students had only skimmed the surface in understanding and practicing the Innate Art. They were stuck at a superficial level and were making almost no progress. The substitute instructor had to explain and guide them one by one again.


    ¡°The overall quality of the new students is too poor. Most of these freshmen¡¯s achievements in ancient martial arts aren¡¯t even on par with those from Red Flag High School... I have to sympathize with the recruitment team at White Deer Academy for finding so many hidden talents and prodigies.¡±


    After careful observation, Li Xiaofei discovered the reason. When a school lacked reputation, it couldn¡¯t attract outstanding students. Without outstanding students, the quality of teaching couldn¡¯t improve. Without high teaching quality, the school couldn¡¯t build its reputation. It was a pure negative cycle.


    However, Li Xiaofei also noticed the positive traits among the students. Although their talent was lacking, they were still very earnest in their studies; the notable exception being Ximen Piaoxue.


    Halfway through the morning class, Instructor Ding Yifeng returned with Li Junjie and two others.


    ¡°Haha, I have good news for everyone.¡± Ding Yifeng¡¯s smile was wide as he announced, ¡°In the recently concluded competition among the five houses, Li Junjie used his swordsmanship to sweep through the talented students of the other four houses, winning first place for our Eastern Blue-Robe House.¡±


    All eyes immediately focused on Li Junjie.


    ¡°Despite only having studied for one night, Li Junjie¡¯s comprehension of Innate Art and A Journey Begins has reached the Masterful Entry level, breaking White Deer Academy¡¯s two hundred year record for the fastest cultivation progress.¡±


    Ding Yifeng couldn¡¯t resist another round of praise. The students of Eastern Blue-Robe House now looked at Li Junjie with envy. Even though they had already known he was the best student of the house, many believed that the initial ranking at admission didn¡¯t represent the level everyone would be at once they started on the same footing. They thought that with a bit of effort, they could surpass that top spot. But...


    ¡°Come, come.¡± Ding Yifeng waved his hand and said, ¡°Junjie, give everyone a demonstration.¡±


    Li Junjie stepped to the center of the training ground and cupped his hands to the crowd. He then reached behind him and drew the Sacred Martial Saber, pressing the mechanism with a click. The massive blade unfolded to its full form.


    Holding the saber at the ready, his entire demeanor shifted to one of solemnity. A powerful aura began to radiate from him. Suddenly...


    Hiss!


    He raised the saber, slashed, and executed a sweeping horizontal strike. Blade light flashed as a measuring stone pillar three meters away, thick enough for ten men to encircle, silently split into two halves.


    Li Junjie stood tall as he sheathed his blade. The wind rustled his blue robe, but he remained still. This was the essence of A Journey Begins.


    The students chorused in awe. Wang Xiaofan and Hou Ni, who had already seen Li Junjie¡¯s swordsmanship in the recent competition, were still astonished by this display.


    Li Junjie¡¯s gaze, however, drifted to Li Xiaofei. His eyes held an expectant look, like a child waiting for a teacher¡¯s praise. But Li Xiaofei was busy whispering to Ximen Piaoxue and didn¡¯t spare him even a glance.


    A tinge of disappointment crossed Li Junjie¡¯s face before it was replaced with renewed determination.


    The boss must think my cultivation progress is too slow. I have to push myself even harder.


    ¡°Student Li, could you tell us how you managed to comprehend and cultivate so quickly?¡±


    A girl named Chen Yao mustered the courage to ask.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    One of Li Junjie¡¯s strengths was his generosity; he never kept secrets. He shared his cultivation insights openly, explaining everything in great detail. Many students listening felt as if a light had dawned on them.


    Initially, Ding Yifeng, Fang Baicheng, and other instructors listened with mild smiles. They encouraged such exchanges among students, believing it fostered a united and motivated learning environment.


    But as Li Junjie continued, their expressions changed. Much of what he shared was beyond the scope of what he had been taught. It far exceeded what a student should grasp after just one day of practicing Innate Art and A Journey Begins.


    The depth of his insights surpassed even what the instructors themselves had conveyed. Especially his explanation of the A Journey Begins technique. Li Junjie¡¯s interpretation was so profound that it differed from what they had taught, revealing an even deeper understanding. As Ding Yifeng and the others listened, they, too, found themselves enlightened, with long-standing confusions suddenly cleared.


    The instructors exchanged glances, each seeing the shock in the others¡¯ eyes.


    Is this the mark of a true genius?


    Such extraordinary perception.


    No wonder the principal placed so much emphasis on Li Junjie. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The hope for White Deer Academy¡¯s rise seemed destined to rest on this young man¡¯s shoulders.


    Ding Yifeng and the other instructors were both stunned and elated. Li Xiaofei checked the time. It was almost noon.


    As soon as class ended, he would take a trip to the Cemetery of the Ancestors and get to the bottom of the matter with the white-robed ghost, Liu Shaji, to stop the spirit from haunting him. Then, he would visit the eldest daughter of the Tan family. That was, after all, the main reason he had come to Xiajing.


    The morning class soon concluded. Before they were dismissed, the old principal unexpectedly appeared and took Li Junjie away, saying there was an important matter to attend to. It was obvious to everyone that the old principal doted on Li Junjie as if he were his own grandson.


    After class, Li Xiaofei had lunch, exchanged a few friendly words with the elderly workers in the area to build goodwill, and pretended to head back to his dorm for a nap. In reality, he discreetly snuck into the rear mountain.


    With Li Xiaofei¡¯s current abilities, avoiding the instructors was quite simple. When he reached the entrance of the Cemetery of the Ancestors, he cautiously tested the waters several times. The gray-robed elder did not appear.


    Whoosh!


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s figure flashed as he slipped into the cemetery. A cool breeze swept past as the ancient bronze gate of the cemetery, mottled with rust, faintly shimmered with an elusive glow beneath the surface.


    The gray-robed elder appeared out of nowhere, gazing in the direction where Li Xiaofei had vanished.


    ¡°Here we go again.¡± It was unclear if he was muttering to himself or speaking to an unseen presence. ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s him? Are you certain there¡¯s no need to stop this sneaky fellow?¡±


    The wind stirred the cemetery, rustling through the grass and trees. An eerie gust swept through, and the bronze gate trembled slightly.


    ¡°Alright, I hope your judgment is correct.¡± The gray-robed elder spoke slowly.

 Chapter 398: White Lotus Killing Sword

    Chapter 398: White Lotus Killing SwordThe cemetery was much larger than Li Xiaofei had imagined. Li Xiaofei had initially thought that the cemetery would be heavily guarded. To his surprise, there wasn¡¯t a soul in sight. The gray-robed elder still hadn¡¯t appeared.


    Dozens of gravel paths branched off to different parts of the mountain, their edges adorned with resilient and beautiful wildflowers that swayed gently in the breeze. The realm¡¯s environment was exceptionally serene and lush with vegetation. It hardly resembled a post-apocalyptic world.


    Numerous white stone tombstones marked the paths, like monuments, rising before the mounds of graves. Most of the tombstones were nameless. The owners of these unmarked graves was a mystery.


    Were they former instructors of White Deer Academy or deceased students?


    Li Xiaofei speculated, but he quickly dismissed the thought.


    Deceased students likely wouldn¡¯t be deemed worthy of the title ancestor. He had looked up information about the Cemetery of the Ancestors in the academy¡¯s library after the haunting incidents. The records were vague and offered little clarity.


    He was occasionally beset by gusts of wind. Li Xiaofei paused in his tracks. The wind felt peculiar with how unpredictably it rose and died away.


    Since nothing else out of the ordinary occurred, Li Xiaofei continued to walk deeper into the cemetery. At last, he came across a tombstone with an inscription.


    ¡°Grave of Zhong Dajun.¡±


    Li Xiaofei stepped closer.


    Who is Zhong Dajun?


    After examining the grave for a while and finding no other information, Li Xiaofei pressed on, determined to locate Liu Shaji¡¯s grave.


    After a short while, he came across more marked tombstones.


    ¡°Grave of Ren Xiaoyao.¡±


    ¡°Grave of Liang Feixue.¡±


    ¡°Grave of Chen Sheng.¡±


    ¡°Grave of Bai Yuanxing.¡±


    ¡°Grave of Mi Ruyan.¡±


    These names were unfamiliar to Li Xiaofei. Yet for some inexplicable reason, as he looked at each inscribed name, a deep sense of sorrow welled up within him. As he walked further, he saw an expanse of tombstones. All bore names. Li Lan, Hua Xiangrong... They sounded like women¡¯s names.


    Finally, he found what he had been searching for¡ªa tombstone engraved with the name Liu Shaji. It really was here.


    Li Xiaofei stood before the tombstone. Aside from the owner¡¯s name, there was a line of small characters:


    ¡°Martial Emperor Liu Shaji, unmatched in White Lotus Sword Intent.¡±


    Li Xiaofei read the line and fell into contemplation.


    Martial Emperor? Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Is this a title or a realm?


    On Earth, the current divisions of martial realms placed the strongest at the Transcendence Realm, also known as the Saint Realm, the pinnacle of power in this world. None of the nine realms bore the name Martial Emperor.


    Could it be just a title? But if someone dared to call themselves Emperor, their strength must have been overwhelming. How did such a person meet their end?


    In his mind, Li Xiaofei pictured the white-robed ghost.


    If someone could manifest as a spirit after death, did this world truly have realms of life and death?


    ¡°I¡¯ve found you. Can we talk now?¡± Li Xiaofei called out loudly as he stood before the tombstone.


    A sudden and bone-piercingly cold gust of wind swept past him. Instinctively, Li Xiaofei placed a hand on the tombstone to steady himself.


    Boom.


    The tombstone collapsed, sinking into the ground in all directions and sending a cloud of dust into the air. It was only then that Li Xiaofei realized that a dense fog had enveloped the entire cemetery without him noticing.


    The yin energy in the air grew thicker. Li Xiaofei even felt a chill creeping through him. He had an uncanny sensation, as if something alive within the yin energy was watching him from afar...


    Boom!


    A burst of golden flames emerged in Li Xiaofei¡¯s right hand. The power of the golden fire repelled the oppressive yin energy.


    ¡°It really is you.¡± A familiar voice came from behind him.


    Li Xiaofei spun around, stepping back to create distance. His eyes widened in shock. The fallen tombstone was slowly rising from the sunken earth. No. More precisely, a hand was lifting the tombstone.


    Moments later, a white-robed figure emerged like a specter from beneath the earth and said,. ¡°Oh, it looks like you¡¯ve found me.¡±


    ¡°It really is you.¡± Li Xiaofei recognized the white-robed ghost who had appeared in his dreams.


    ¡°They said Earth would give rise to one final supreme being, our last hope...¡± said the white-robed specter, Liu Shaji, as he looked Li Xiaofei up and down.


    ¡°Who are you, really?¡± Li Xiaofei asked. ¡°Why are you haunting me?¡±


    ¡°Me?¡± Liu Shaji laughed. ¡°I am just like the others; part of the old faction that fell in the chaos. I¡¯m just a remnant of the past who was slain in the battles of yesteryear. I left behind an imprint, tethered to the ghost star to cycle through the six paths of reincarnation in the hopes of rising again amidst the drums of war and return to the battlefield...¡±


    Li Xiaofei frowned. He couldn¡¯t comprehend what he was hearing.


    Liu Shaji continued to examine Li Xiaofei, especially the golden flame burning in his right hand. His eyes grew brighter, looking less like those of a ghost.


    ¡°You mastered the Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword?¡± Liu Shaji seemed to drift into a distant memory, murmuring, ¡°I once saw another person with this physique. Flame Blade and Ice Sword, an unrivaled power of his era. He slew the Reaper Emperor and subdued the King of Destruction. He could shatter the cosmos with a single thought and upend the six paths with one breath. His strength was beyond imagination, the greatest of humanity since time immemorial...¡±


    Curiosity surged in Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart, he asked, ¡°Who was he?¡±


    Liu Shaji looked at him and smiled faintly. ¡°Blade and Sword Supreme, Ding Hao.¡±


    ¡°Ding Hao?¡± Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart trembled. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that name before. One of the Five Supreme Heroes, said to be above the Saints¡ªa figure akin to a deity. Some speculate that Ding Hao, like the first Saint, Taiyi, transcended the realm of Saints.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Liu Shaji burst into laughter. It was as if he had heard the most absurd joke.


    ¡°Saints? They¡¯re just insects trapped in a cage.¡± He flexed his fingers and said indifferently, ¡°When I was alive, a single glance from me could instantly kill a hundred Saints.¡±


    ¡°Then why did you die?¡± Li Xiaofei asked.


    Liu Shaji sighed, suddenly losing his desire to speak.


    Li Xiaofei continued, ¡°Since you¡¯re dead, rest in peace. Why haunt me? We¡¯re all human, and this kind of harassment confuses me.¡±


    Liu Shaji shifted the topic. ¡°You¡¯ve mastered the Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword. Don¡¯t you want to inherit Ding Hao¡¯s swords and saber techniques? The Chains of Blade and Sword Order are said to be unrivaled, capable of sealing laws and destroying star systems.¡±


    ¡°You have that inheritance?¡± Li Xiaofei asked.


    ¡°No.¡± Liu Shaji¡¯s response was blunt.


    Li Xiaofei did not respond.


    Then why even mention it?


    Liu Shaji added, ¡°But I can guide you to obtain that inheritance. After all, I fought alongside Ding Hao for many years. Unfortunately, I died, and I don¡¯t even know if he¡¯s still alive... Young man, I bear you no ill will. You don¡¯t need to be on guard against me.¡±


    Li Xiaofei said nothing.


    Liu Shaji went on, ¡°You¡¯re currently far too weak. Even if you gained Ding Hao¡¯s inheritance, you wouldn¡¯t be able to withstand it. How about this, I can grant you a different inheritance¡ªthe White Lotus Killing Sword, which once swept unmatched through the galaxy. What do you think? Isn¡¯t that tempting?¡±


    Li Xiaofei, tired of Liu Shaji¡¯s rambling, finally lost his patience. ¡°Cut to the chase. What do you want me to help you with?¡±


    ¡°Ah, young people today have no patience at all and no respect for the ancestors who died fighting for humanity¡¯s survival...¡± Liu Shaji lamented, pointing at the grave mound beneath his feet. ¡°Do me a favor and dig me up. Pull out the sword stuck in my backside¡ªit¡¯s been hurting me for ages.¡±

 Chapter 399: True Savior

    Chapter 399: True SaviorLi Xiaofei pondered for a moment and decided to dig up the grave. He moved the tombstone aside and excavated the soil until he uncovered a white stone coffin lying quietly in the grave pit.


    The stone coffin was quite ordinary. There were no markings on its surface. He lifted the lid to reveal a damaged corpse. Judging from the remains, the deceased was a tall man, his body riddled with broken bones and missing an arm. It appeared that he had endured a fierce battle before death, with bite marks from beasts evident on many parts of the skeleton.


    ¡°This corpse...¡± S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei was inwardly alarmed. A faint energy ripple emanated from the bones. Although only thin traces remained after countless years, it still made Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart pound and sent an uncontrollable shiver through his soul.


    He attempted to pick up a few bone fragments, but he was quickly stunned. Even a bone fragment as small as a fingernail was as heavy as a star. Li Xiaofei could not lift it even if he exerted all his strength.


    ¡°The bones of the Martial Emperor, even long after death, are beyond the strength of ordinary beings to move. Not even Saints could lift them, let alone you.¡± Liu Shaji muttered from the side.


    Li Xiaofei examined the skeleton closely. He noticed that, indeed, an ancient sword was embedded in the hip bone. However, the bone sword was not solid. It was a kind of energy form.


    A faint layer of white mist, resembling cold air, swirled along the surface of the sword. This mist was unstable in appearance but contained a terrifying energy. Though, for some reason, the energy remained highly stable.


    ¡°That¡¯s it, quick, help me pull out the sword.¡± Liu Shaji urged impatiently.


    Li Xiaofei looked at him and asked, ¡°What¡¯s in it for me if I pull it out?¡±


    Liu Shaji sighed in exasperation. ¡°Ah, how times have changed! To think you¡¯d make demands for doing something so simple for a fallen predecessor who died protecting others... Wait, wait, what are you doing?¡±


    When he saw Li Xiaofei start to close the stone coffin, Liu Shaji dropped his pretense. He quickly said, ¡°If you pull it out for me, I¡¯ll give you the sword.¡±


    ¡°Just that?¡± Li Xiaofei asked.


    It wasn¡¯t that he was insatiable. But in a situation where Liu Shaji¡¯s true identity and background were unclear, Li Xiaofei intended to use extreme pressure to extract more information.


    Liu Shaji thought for a moment and said, ¡°I can also assist you three times.¡±


    ¡°Three times?¡± Li Xiaofei repeated.


    Liu Shaji¡¯s expression turned serious. He spoke earnestly, ¡°Three times is my limit. I am someone buried in the past. Were it not for the existence of the Sacred Martial Ghost Star and the Sixth Sword Path, I would have long since faded away... If I disrupt the present, it could throw the future into chaos. If not for your unique identity, I wouldn¡¯t be able to manifest to meet you.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s intuition told him that Liu Shaji was not lying.


    "Alright, deal." He leaned down and grasped the ancient sword with his hand.


    In an instant, an overwhelming, desolate killing intent surged forth. Li Xiaofei''s mind was flooded with visions of a vast sea of stars filled with countless powerful beings locked in battle.


    A single drop of blood extinguished a star. A colossal black dog opened its maw and devoured half a galaxy. A giant crab exuding corpse energy used its massive claws to send shattered nebulae tumbling over a fleet. An elder standing on a blood-red cloud was flanked by four hovering immortal swords, and an endless swarm of insects led by a purple-winged insect queen shimmered menacingly...


    The scenes were terrifying beyond measure. Li Xiaofei felt as if he were a mere speck of dust in that battlefield, where even the slightest ripple could utterly obliterate him.


    ¡°Do not get lost in it! Quickly channel the power of the Dual Saint Body!¡± Liu Shaji¡¯s voice rang urgently in his ear.


    Li Xiaofei hastily channeled his inner qi, letting the power of ice and flame surge and enshroud him. The chaotic images in his mind blurred and then dissipated.


    When Li Xiaofei came back to his senses, the ancient sword was now in his grasp. Liu Shaji¡¯s spectral form let out a long, satisfied groan before leaning back and merging into the corpse.


    ¡°Hahaha, at last, the day has come.¡± His laughter boomed, shaking the surroundings. ¡°I can finally break free from this grave.¡±


    The energy of the heavens roiled. Dense fog churned wildly within the Cemetery of the Ancestors.


    The energy ancient sword in Li Xiaofei¡¯s hand trembled violently before transforming into a blinding beam of light that shot into the sky, piercing deep into the firmament as if opening a passage to a distant realm!


    ***


    Li Junjie stood atop the nine-tiered altar, gasping for air. The climb up the altar had nearly drained all his strength, making his heartbeat feel like a broken drum pounding erratically within his chest.


    The old principal, Qi Shisan, Ding Yifeng, and the other academy instructors held their breath as they watched Li Junjie, who had finally reached the top of the altar. Their faces were filled with immense anticipation.


    Someone had finally made it to the summit. Just a little more. If he could pull out the sword at the altar''s peak, he would inherit the power of the Guardian. Under the watchful eyes of countless onlookers, Li Junjie reached out and grasped the hilt of the sword. He exerted his strength but it didn¡¯t budge.


    Huh?


    A look of surprise crossed his face. Li Junjie had grown accustomed to the overwhelming strength of his body. Nothing seemed capable of withstanding his brute force. He had assumed pulling the sword would be effortless. But to his shock, he nearly strained his back trying.


    Taking a deep breath, Li Junjie gripped the hilt again and exerted more strength. But the sword didn¡¯t move an inch. This scene made the hearts of the old principal and the others below nearly leap into their throats.


    ¡°Hey, is he going to make it or not?¡± Qi Shisan, reeking of alcohol, leaned against the old principal and said, ¡°We did make a bet, remember? If he fails, you¡¯d better keep your word and give me those ten thousand star coins.¡±


    The old principal¡¯s voice was resolute, ¡°He will make it. He is the chosen one. I¡¯m winning this bet. But you, remember your promise. If Li Junjie pulls out the sword, you must teach him everything you know.¡±


    Qi Shisan smirked, ¡°That depends on whether he¡¯s capable of it... I don¡¯t think he can draw the Guardian¡¯s Sword.¡±


    Before his words could finish echoing...


    Thump, thump, thump, thump.


    A deep, resonant thrum, like the beating of a massive dragon-hide drum, echoed through the air. The old principal and the others turned to the altar in shock.


    They saw that Li Junjie¡¯s heart was pounding like an awakening dragon, causing his chest to vibrate and emitting an extraordinary, thunderous sound. The old principal and the others were forced to step back, shaken by the force. Qi Shisan¡¯s casual expression transformed into one of astonishment and gravity.


    On the altar, Li Junjie¡¯s mind was blank. He instinctively felt that some kind of transformation was happening within his body. It wasn¡¯t triggered by the sword. Fully exerting his strength had caused his heart to spiral out of control again. Even so, the sword at the center of the altar remained unmoved.


    He let out a powerful shout as he pulled the sword with all his strength. But suddenly, the previously immovable sword slipped from the rock as if it had lost all resistance. In the next moment, the space surrounding the altar began to shake violently. The heavens and earth roared. An indescribable surge of immense energy rose in reverence.


    Li Junjie stood there, bewildered, holding the sword aloft. It didn¡¯t feel as if he had pulled the sword free. It felt more as though the sword had leapt into his grasp.


    But to those below, the old principal and the instructors, this sight sent them into a fit of trembling excitement. They couldn¡¯t contain their shouts of joy.


    ¡°He truly is the new Guardian!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen such a commotion before.¡±


    ¡°The entire mountainside is shaking.¡±


    ¡°Principal, Principal, come quickly and see this! It¡¯s a miracle¡ªa divine sign! A sword¡¯s shadow has pierced the sky.¡±


    The people of White Deer Academy cheered and exulted.


    This was the most spectacular inheritance of the Guardian¡¯s strength in history. Li Junjie was indeed the chosen one. White Deer Academy had finally found their true savior!

 Chapter 400: Trip To The Tan House

    Chapter 400: Trip To The Tan House¡°This kind of transformation actually happened.¡±


    Li Xiaofei stared at the rusty sword in his hand. After the earth-shaking commotion, the energy sources of the ancient sword he had pulled from Liu Shaji¡¯s body merged into the rusty sword that Qi Shisan had been peddling as a trick.


    At this moment, the rusty sword appeared unchanged. It was still mottled with rust and looked like it might break apart in a few days as it continued to emit a pungent, metallic odor. One strike with this sword would surely give an opponent tetanus. A true Sword of Tetanus.


    But to say it hadn¡¯t changed at all wasn¡¯t entirely accurate. Li Xiaofei could clearly feel that the sword now seemed to possess a kind of spirit. It was like it had come to life and was now connected to him in a strange, breathing-like manner.


    ¡°This rusty sword is indestructible and can cut through anything, greatly enhancing your combat strength,¡± Liu Shaji said, as he realigned his skeleton with a series of cracks. ¡°It is likely the only sword on Earth to reach the level of a spiritual weapon. You will benefit immensely.¡±


    ¡°A spiritual weapon?¡± Li Xiaofei asked, ¡°How is that classified?¡±


    ¡°Common weapons, sharp weapons, treasured weapons, spiritual weapons, sacred weapons, divine weapons...¡± Liu Shaji responded promptly, explaining, ¡°In different universes, there are different classifications, but this is the general idea. Given Earth¡¯s current standards, most weapons are common, and only powered weapons can be considered sharp weapons.¡±


    ¡°You actually know so much about Earth?¡± Li Xiaofei was a bit surprised.


    Liu Shaji proudly lifted his deathly pale head and said, ¡°I may be dead, but I¡¯m not clueless. Information about Earth can be gathered through White Deer Academy.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s curiosity was reignited as he asked, ¡°What¡¯s the true story behind White Deer Academy? It once had a glorious history, but now it barely survives in the cracks.¡±


    Liu Shaji replied, ¡°It was once a place of great hope, a center of sacred light meant to ignite the torch of knowledge. But, unfortunately, its successors failed to live up to expectations and were outmaneuvered by their enemies. Now, its legacy is nearly severed. But no matter¡ªwe will intervene when the time comes.¡±


    ¡°We?¡± Li Xiaofei asked again.


    Liu Shaji cracked his stiff neck as he said, ¡°Many great beings stronger than me rest in this cemetery. They too fell in the past but were buried in the present, awaiting the day they can rise again and re-enter the battlefield in the future.¡±


    Li Xiaofei recalled the tombstones with unfamiliar names. He realized that those seemingly unknown names might have once belonged to legendary figures who ruled over countless laws and dominated distant battlefields in the outer universe.


    ¡°Go back, kid. With you here, White Deer Academy won¡¯t fall,¡± Liu Shaji warned. ¡°Remember, be wary of the Star Council, and don¡¯t trust people too easily.¡± S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°And you?¡± asked Li Xiaofei. He wanted to know what Liu Shaji planned to do after being revived.


    ¡°I will be with you.¡± Liu Shaji leaned back into the stone coffin. The skeleton stretched out comfortably, crossing one leg over the other, and said, ¡°Ah, the feeling of not having a sore backside is truly wonderful.¡±


    As he spoke, the soil parted like water. The coffin lid closed by itself and sank back into the earth, which shifted and covered it once more.


    Li Xiaofei looked at the rusty sword in his hand and then glanced around. At some point, the eerie fog in the cemetery had silently dissipated, as if nothing had ever happened.


    After thinking it over, he decided to head back. His purpose for coming here had been fulfilled. He was confident Liu Shaji wouldn¡¯t be haunting his sleep anymore. Holding the rusty sword, he began walking back along the path he came. There were no further obstacles and the powerful, mysterious gray-robed elder did not reappear.


    When he returned to campus, he was met by an excited group led by Instructor Ding Yifeng and others who were escorting Li Junjie back to the Eastern Blue-Robe House.


    ¡°Big Brother.¡± Li Junjie spotted Li Xiaofei and immediately ran up to him, brimming with excitement. ¡°I pulled a sword from the altar. Look! The principal says it¡¯s a divine sword. I tested it¡ªit''s razor-sharp and cuts through anything. Big Brother, I¡¯m giving it to you.¡±


    Anything valuable always went to the boss first. That was the rule of the group.


    ¡°You mustn¡¯t¡ª¡± Ding Yifeng and the other instructors were taken aback.


    This was the Guardian¡¯s Sword, an exceedingly rare treasured weapon capable of going toe-to-toe with powered weaponry. How could it be given away so casually?


    Fortunately, Li Xiaofei just glanced at it in disinterest as he said, ¡°A piece of junk. Keep it for yourself.¡±


    ¡°Big Brother, it really is sharp,¡± Li Junjie said, a hint of disappointment in his voice.


    Li Xiaofei patted him on the shoulder and said, ¡°I know, but it suits you better. Keep it for yourself.¡±


    ¡°I understand,¡± Li Junjie replied thoughtfully. ¡°A sword like this really isn¡¯t worthy of you, Big Brother.¡±


    Ding Yifeng and the other instructors nearby were filled with disbelief, their foreheads lined with exasperation. This kid¡¯s talent and bloodline were indeed unparalleled; the grand display during his inheritance proved it. But he was too sincere and blindly devoted to his so-called Big Brother.


    In the eyes of Ding Yifeng and the other instructors, this Big Brother had nothing of value. Everything about him combined was less significant than a single hair on Li Junjie¡¯s head.


    The Guardian¡¯s Sword is a true treasure. A rare weapon of legend on Earth. Yet somehow, it was deemed unworthy? What a joke.


    Over the next four days, classes continued as usual. The instructors primarily taught Innate Art, followed by techniques for the saber, sword, and spear.


    As Li Xiaofei had suspected, the swordsmanship and spear techniques taught at White Deer Academy were high-martial arts, on par with the A Journey Begins technique, and would be considered mythical-level martial arts outside the academy.


    Li Xiaofei paid close attention during lessons. After class, he privately tutored Li Junjie, who was now the undisputed freshman prodigy of White Deer Academy. Time and again, his expertise amazed the instructors and cemented Li Junjie¡¯s reputation as their top talent.


    Li Junjie, for his part, was generous and never held back. His years of experience in gang life had made him loyal and selfless. He willingly shared all his insights and knowledge with other students, tirelessly teaching and helping them.


    In a short time, Li Junjie had established an incredible reputation among the students, earning everyone¡¯s respect. Even Wang Xiaofan and Hou Ni were now trailing closely behind Li Junjie as his most devoted admirers.


    Ximen Piaoxue was no exception. The slick young master clung tightly to this newfound connection, calling Li Junjie Big Brother. Little did he know that the main reason Li Junjie was even remotely welcoming to someone like him was his decent relationship with Li Xiaofei.


    Finally, the first week of school came to an end. Li Xiaofei had fully refined the rusty sword, allowing him to store the spiritual weapon within his body. He could now wield it using the Sword Harnessing Technique, enabling him to fly with it.


    On Saturday, Li Xiaofei left White Deer Academy in the morning. He rented a horse, rode to the bus station, and then took a bus to the city. After switching routes¡ª


    ¡°Little Ying, I¡¯m here.¡±


    Li Xiaofei had found the address of the Tan family online and excitedly arrived at their doorstep. Finally, he could meet his girlfriend. Li Xiaofei was filled with anticipation for their reunion.

 Chapter 401: Ruthless

    Chapter 401: RuthlessIn the heart of Xiajing City¡¯s central business district, the landscape was dominated by towering skyscrapers and represented the most magnificent display of modern technological architecture in the city.


    Li Xiaofei rode the cloud elevator up to an aerial plaza. The sun was warm, and people were all around. This area was lively and prosperous. Li Xiaofei approached the entrance of an old shop called Shu Yu Zhai.


    ¡°This is the place.¡±


    He looked at the shop¡¯s traditional name, a smile appearing on his face. According to publicly available information online, this store had a history spanning over a hundred and thirty years and was one of the core enterprises of the Tan family in Xiajing. It specialized in the sale and processing of star cores and Inscribed Treasure Bones.


    ¡°Welcome.¡± A young female attendant greeted him warmly at the entrance.


    The old shop wasn¡¯t particularly large. Various star cores and Inscribed Treasure Bones were displayed on the shelves, each labeled with prices and detailed descriptions. The items on display were mainly extracted from star beasts of level three or lower.


    The more valuable high-grade goods were kept in encrypted safes, with only video footage and descriptions available for viewing. One needed to pass through financial verification to purchase such items.


    ¡°Are you looking for something specific? I¡¯d be happy to assist you.¡± The young attendant said politely.


    She was fair-skinned and beautiful, with a striking resemblance to Tan Qingying.


    ¡°Are you from the Tan family?¡± Li Xiaofei asked curiously.


    The young attendant¡¯s expression shifted slightly. For a brief moment, Li Xiaofei clearly noticed a flicker of anger flash in her eyes, though it was fleeting.


    However, she maintained her professional smile and patiently replied, ¡°Yes, my name is Tan Baiqu. What would you like to buy? We have a full range of star cores and Inscribed Treasure Bones from star beasts of various types. We¡¯re currently running a promotion with discounts up to 12 percent off.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not here to buy anything; I¡¯m looking for someone.¡± Li Xiaofei got straight to the point. ¡°I have a friend named Tan Qingying. I haven¡¯t been able to contact her for a long time. Can you tell me where she is or how to reach her?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re looking for Little Ying?¡± Tan Baiqu was visibly surprised, scanning Li Xiaofei carefully. She asked skeptically, ¡°You claim to be her friend, yet you don¡¯t know where she is?¡±


    It was clear she knew Tan Qingying. Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart leaped with joy, and he quickly responded, ¡°It¡¯s a long story, but I really am her close friend.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I believe you.¡± Tan Baiqu said, surprising even herself.


    The Tan family had weathering turbulent circumstances recently, attracting many with questionable intentions. Yet this young man seemed different from the others. There was an indescribable sincerity about him.


    ¡°Little Ying is currently in seclusion at the Tan family¡¯s ancestral home. You won¡¯t be able to see her...¡±


    But before she could finish speaking, a commotion suddenly erupted nearby. It was followed by two sharp screams. Several young men who had entered the store at some point were harassing two of the female attendants. One of the attendants had already been struck and lay on the floor.


    ¡°Excuse me,¡± Tan Baiqu said apologetically. ¡°I need to handle this.¡±


    She rushed over.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± She helped the fallen attendant to her feet and shielded her.


    The young men across from her laughed and surrounded Tan Baiqu.


    She forced herself to remain calm and smiled politely. ¡°If one of my employees did something wrong, I can apologize on her behalf. However, hitting someone is unacceptable under any circumstances.¡±


    ¡°What right do you have to talk to me like that?¡±


    The leader, a man with a horse-like face and an earring, sneered and swung at her without warning. Tan Baiqu instinctively stepped back, narrowly avoiding the strike.


    She held back her anger and said, ¡°Sir, please don¡¯t take things too far, or I¡¯ll have to call the police.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you dare to dodge? And now you¡¯re threatening me?¡± said the man as his face twisted into a grin. ¡°I came here today to make trouble, so call the police if you want. Haha! I¡¯ve already spoken to the security department... Try it and see if anyone comes.¡±


    A lecherous smile appeared on his face as he reached out to grab Tan Baiqu¡¯s face.


    ¡°Little miss, are you the manager? You¡¯re quite pretty. Here¡¯s the deal: spend the night with us, and I promise not to cause trouble for three days. How about it?¡±


    At that moment, something unexpected happened. A long, pale hand reached out from the side and casually grabbed the horse-faced man¡¯s wrist.


    ¡°You... ah.¡±


    Before he could react, there was a sharp crack. His forearm was snapped in half, the bone splintering under the force.


    The horse-faced man stared at his broken arm, then glanced at Li Xiaofei, who had intervened. He tried to suppress the pain, a sneer twisting his face. ¡°Meddling in other people¡¯s business? Do you even know¡ª¡±


    Smack. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei slapped him across the face. The blow shattered the bones on half of his face in an instant.


    ¡°Ahhh....¡± The man let out a scream, followed by a bitter laugh. ¡°Ha, you¡¯ve got guts, kid, you¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish, Li Xiaofei kicked him twice, landing blows squarely on his thighs.


    Crack, crack.


    Both thighs snapped under the force. The man collapsed to the floor, fear finally crossing his face. ¡°Wait, let¡¯s talk this out. We¡¯re from the Fei Lu Sect...¡±


    But Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t respond. The other young men didn¡¯t even have time to run as their limbs were swiftly broken and their mouths smashed, leaving them writhing on the ground, moaning in agony.


    Tan Baiqu and the other store attendants were stunned. It was ruthless. Without uttering a single word, Li Xiaofei had disabled the horse-faced man and his companions. Although medical technology was incredibly advanced now and these injuries could be treated, the sheer pain alone would be enough to leave them half-dead.


    ¡°You...¡± Tan Baiqu looked at Li Xiaofei, unsure of what to say. She could only signal him with her eyes to leave quickly.


    Li Xiaofei, however, stood with his arms crossed, waiting. Before long, a team of security officers burst into the shop.


    ¡°Arrest him! He¡¯s the assailant!¡± The horse-faced man shouted as he struggled, his eyes filled with venom as he glared at Li Xiaofei. ¡°You little bastard, you¡¯re finished. You¡¯re dead, hahahaha...¡±


    Li Xiaofei stepped forward.


    Crack, crack.


    Right in front of the officers, he stomped on the man¡¯s arms, reducing them to shattered bones.


    ¡°Aaaah...¡±


    The man¡¯s scream was as shrill as a pig being slaughtered. No one could have expected that Li Xiaofei would still be brutal in front of the officers and injure someone further right in front of them.


    ¡°Hands up!¡±


    ¡°Put your hands on your head!¡±


    ¡°This is your final warning!¡±


    The officers immediately took defensive stances, drawing their weapons.


    Special electromagnetic anti-qi pistols glowed with a cold, bluish light, their barrels pointed squarely at Li Xiaofei. Xiajing City was truly the capital. The officers¡¯ gear was far superior to that of the Liuhe Base City.


    Li Xiaofei slowly produced a custom insignia and said, ¡°Take your men and... leave.¡±


    The lead officer¡¯s face fell dramatically upon seeing the insignia.

 Chapter 402: Finally Meeting Again

    Chapter 402: Finally Meeting Again¡°May I ask who you are?¡± The lead officer¡¯s expression was tense.


    ¡°I won¡¯t repeat myself. Take these troublemakers and leave.¡± Li Xiaofei¡¯s voice was firm and commanding.


    ¡°This...¡± The officer hesitated briefly before saying, ¡°You do have independent investigative authority, and we are required to fully cooperate. However, we need your code name to report back and close the case.¡±


    ¡°Jade Emperor.¡± Li Xiaofei said calmly.


    ¡°Understood.¡± The lead officer noted the name and quickly instructed the other officers to drag the horse-faced man and his companions out. He even bowed slightly and said, ¡°Apologies for the disturbance.¡±


    Li Xiaofei waved dismissively and added, ¡°If I see any more lowlife thugs causing trouble in my friend¡¯s store, it won¡¯t just be broken limbs. I have plenty of ways to make them vanish from the face of the earth without a trace.¡±


    ¡°Understood. I will make sure they get the message,¡± said the lead officer, nodding hurriedly.


    The officers and troublemakers disappeared from the store within moments. Only then did Tan Baiqu and the other store attendants breathe a collective sigh of relief. Their eyes were filled with curiosity as they landed on Li Xiaofei.


    ¡°It was a small matter; just a simple favor. Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± smiled Li Xiaofei. His smile was genuine and reassuring.


    ¡°No matter what, thank you very much.¡± Tan Baiqu applied medicinal ointment to the injured attendant and repeatedly expressed her gratitude to Li Xiaofei.


    ¡°How can such things happen in Xiajing¡¯s main area, right under the emperor¡¯s nose?¡± Li Xiaofei asked. ¡°The horse-faced guy mentioned the Fei Lu Sect. What kind of influence do they wield? He seemed pretty arrogant.¡±


    ¡°The Fei Lu Sect is a faction under the Ouyang family, one of the ten great families in Xiajing. They¡¯ve caused trouble here several times,¡± Tan Baiqu explained.


    Li Xiaofei remarked, ¡°I noticed that the officers seemed familiar with those troublemakers. It looked like they were colluding. Does the Police Department really turn a blind eye to this?¡±


    Tan Baiqu sighed, ¡°They come to stir up trouble on purpose in order to disrupt Shu Yu Zhai¡¯s business so we can¡¯t keep the store open. They¡¯re careful with their actions since they never cause serious injuries. The Police Department can only detain them for a few days at most. Plus, it¡¯s likely that the Fei Lu Sect has paid off certain officials, so the officers tend to look the other way.¡±


    Li Xiaofei said, ¡°I haven¡¯t been in Xiajing long, and I thought that as the nation¡¯s capital, the rule of law would be strict here. I didn¡¯t expect this.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t always like this,¡± Tan Baiqu replied.


    The implication was clear.


    Li Xiaofei decided not to dwell on it and shifted the topic and said, ¡°Manager Tan, you know Little Ying, right? I want to see her. Where can I find her?¡±


    A hint of hesitation appeared on Tan Baiqu¡¯s face.


    Li Xiaofei continued, ¡°Or if you have her contact information, could you let her know? Just say that a friend from Liuhe Base City wants to see her. She¡¯ll want to meet me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re from Liuhe Base City?¡± Tan Baiqu¡¯s eyes flashed with surprise.


    ¡°Yes, I really am her friend. I¡¯m not lying,¡± Li Xiaofei affirmed.


    Tan Baiqu said, ¡°I believe you now. However, Little Ying has been in seclusion for over six months and hasn¡¯t met anyone... How about this: come with me. If she decides to see you, she might pause her seclusion.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful.¡± Li Xiaofei¡¯s face lit up with joy.


    Tan Baiqu took a few moments to leave instructions at the store and ensure everything was managed before leading Li Xiaofei out. They headed to the parking area of the towering building.


    The hovercar soared through the sky. This was Li Xiaofei¡¯s first time riding in a magnetic levitation vehicle. Tan Baiqu skillfully operated the car¡¯s light core, weaving smoothly between the skyscrapers through the low-altitude paths and designated high-speed routes.


    ¡°How did you and Little Ying meet?¡± Tan Baiqu asked casually.


    Li Xiaofei chuckled and said, ¡°The first time we met was in Uncle Tan¡¯s office. At first, she gave me quite a scare because she was dressed like a rebellious teenager...¡±


    Memories were always sweet. When she saw the smile on Li Xiaofei¡¯s face, Tan Baiqu had an inkling of what that meant. A faint sense of sympathy stirred in her heart for this young man. Perhaps it was a cherished memory. Friendship tinged with budding love. Those sunlit stories of youth were surely poetic and everlasting.


    But the world was too grounded in reality. Ideals often faced harsh blows when colliding with reality. Even the most beautiful love couldn¡¯t withstand the weight of familial interests.


    As a member of the Tan family, Tan Baiqu had already heard many rumors. Tan Qingying was expected to sacrifice for the family and enter a marriage alliance with the Ouyang family, the most powerful among Xiajing¡¯s ten great families, to secure their support and reverse the Tan family''s declining fortunes.


    As the only bloodline bearer of the new generation and the heir chosen by the previous patriarch before his death, Tan Qingying had to shoulder the responsibility of revitalizing the Tan family. Tan Baiqu was certain that this young man¡¯s quest to see Little Ying would ultimately end in heartbreak and retreat.


    A boy from a small place like Liuhe Base City who was so pure, warm, sincere, and brave possessed a kind of simplicity that young people from a big city like Xiajing rarely exhibited. This was why Tan Baiqu had decided to take him to the family¡¯s ancestral home.


    In truth, when Li Xiaofei first stepped into Shu Yu Zhai, he had caught the attention of the female attendants. There was an inherent charm about him that drew others in, making even the most aloof girls steal a second glance.


    She thought it would be better to take him there and let this young man find closure for his love. Even if the end was a painful one, it was better than leaving things unresolved. Yet, Tan Baiqu was also curious. The insignia Li Xiaofei had shown and the code name Jade Emperor¡ªwhat did they signify, and how could they make the officers obediently retreat?


    ¡°Did you come to Xiajing just to see Little Ying?¡± Tan Baiqu asked again.


    Though it was a bit forward, she was genuinely curious about the relationship between Li Xiaofei and Tan Qingying and wanted to learn more.


    ¡°I came for college,¡± Li Xiaofei replied.


    ¡°Which school? Beixia University? Or Huaqing University?¡± Tan Baiqu asked instinctively.


    Li Xiaofei rubbed his nose and said, ¡°White Deer Academy.¡±


    ¡°White Deer Academy?¡±


    Tan Baiqu thought carefully for a moment before recalling that such an academy did exist.


    But hadn¡¯t it been on the brink of closing down?


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m a freshman at White Deer Academy,¡± Li Xiaofei said, completely at ease.


    Tan Baiqu shook her head lightly. She felt she now had an understanding of Li Xiaofei¡¯s level. There was no way he could compete in this relationship with his strength. Suddenly, a pang of regret washed over her for taking Li Xiaofei to the ancestral home. She feared he might be humiliated.


    After all, the Tan family was in a chaotic state now. The acting patriarch, Tan Shengwei, was not known for his kindness.


    Just as Tan Baiqu¡¯s thoughts were racing, the car¡¯s navigation system blared an urgent alarm, and lurched from a violent impact.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±


    She was startled. At that moment...


    Boom!


    A massive explosion erupted as a blinding flash of fire engulfed the entire hovercar. The car was ripped apart in an instant by the force of the explosion. A dense cloud of smoke unfurled in the sky.


    Tan Baiqu¡¯s mind went blank. In that instant, she was certain she was about to die. But at that very moment, the boy beside her moved.


    Golden flames surged from his body, forming a visible protective shield that encased Tan Baiqu and blocked the terrifying explosion completely. At the same time¡ª Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Whoosh!


    A sword¡¯s hum filled the air as a crimson longsword transformed into a streak of light, circling swiftly before appearing beneath Li Xiaofei¡¯s feet.


    Standing on the flying sword, Li Xiaofei wrapped one arm around Tan Baiqu¡¯s waist, holding them both aloft. It was the Sword Harnessing Technique!


    ¡°You...¡± Tan Baiqu stared in utter disbelief.


    Levitating in the air? This is the hallmark of a Five Spirits Realm expert. Could it be that this young man, so youthful, is already a practitioner of the Five Spirits Realm?


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk.¡± Li Xiaofei instructed.


    In the distance, several miniature electromagnetic missiles hurtled toward them with deadly precision. The danger was not over. With one arm around Tan Baiqu, Li Xiaofei concentrated.


    Whoosh!


    The rusty sword shot through the air, instantly breaking the sound barrier. But the missiles followed close behind, leaving fiery trails in the air.


    Tan Baiqu felt as though the white clouds were speeding past like arrows. An unprecedented thrill surged through her, making her momentarily forget the missiles pursuing them.


    After a brief moment, Li Xiaofei noted that apart from the missiles, no additional pursuers had appeared. The attackers had retreated. He gestured sharply and struck out several times.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.


    The sword qi from the Six Meridian Divine Sword technique sliced through the sky. From a hundred meters away, Li Xiaofei¡¯s strikes detonated the incoming missiles in mid-air. They exploded with a deafening roar, releasing a wave of destructive energy that sent monstrous shockwaves rippling through the sky.


    Li Xiaofei halted.


    ¡°Do you have any enemies?¡± He asked the beautiful girl in his arms.


    Tan Baiqu looked a bit dazed and replied, ¡°No... But even commercial rivalry shouldn¡¯t go this far. Only a true Saint family would be able to deploy electromagnetic missiles...¡±


    Li Xiaofei found it hard to believe. ¡°Commercial rivalry? Using missiles... Has Xiajing descended into such chaos?¡±


    Even Liuhe Base City wasn¡¯t this wild. He continued flying on the sword. Tan Baiqu¡¯s quickly guided him until they reached the Tan family¡¯s ancestral home.


    After landing, they walked on foot. With Tan Baiqu leading, Li Xiaofei easily gained entry to the estate.


    ¡°Come, I¡¯ll take you to see Little Ying.¡±


    She led Li Xiaofei briskly through the estate, and soon they arrived outside the ancestral hall.


    ¡°Huh?¡± A startled voice called out.


    A man in a black suit and top hat with a small mustache stood at the entrance of the hall.


    When he saw Li Xiaofei, he was visibly shocked. ¡°How did you get here?¡±


    ¡°I came to fulfill my promise.¡± Li Xiaofei greeted him with a smile.


    This mustachioed man was Tan Qingying¡¯s personal bodyguard. If he was present, then the young lady must be here as well. Li Xiaofei strode into the ancestral hall. The middle-aged man hesitated but did not stop him. Tan Baiqu hurried after him.


    ¡°Little Ying!¡± Li Xiaofei called out loudly.


    Tan Baiqu said, ¡°The clan leader is in seclusion; she won¡¯t come out¡ª¡±


    Before she could finish, the doors to the seclusion chamber at the back of the hall suddenly burst open with a loud crash.


    A slender figure leaped out of the shattered doors.


    ¡°Xiaofei!¡± Tan Qingying flung her arms wide and leaped into Li Xiaofei¡¯s embrace like a returning swallow.


    Tan Baiqu could hardly believe her eyes.

 Chapter 403: Who’s The Real Head Of The Family

    Chapter 403: Who¡¯s The Real Head Of The FamilyTan Baiqu could hardly believe her own eyes. She thought she knew Tan Qingying well. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The little princess of the Tan family, who had grown up in Liuhe Base City, had been known for her aloof and proud demeanor ever since returning to the family. She had never shown kindness to anyone.


    Neither the elders of her family nor the young and handsome heirs of noble families had ever seen her smile. Yet she had just thrown herself into the arms of a strange young man, disregarding everything else.


    No, that wasn¡¯t right. They were not strangers to each other. They were, indeed, lovers. Tan Baiqu felt a sense of relief in her heart, mixed with a faint pang of disappointment.


    "You finally came," Tan Qingying murmured as she leaned against Li Xiaofei¡¯s chest, listening to the familiar and comforting sound of his heartbeat. "I knew you would come."


    "Love knows no distance. No mountain or sea is too far to cross." Li Xiaofei gently stroked the young lady¡¯s hair. "The things I¡¯ve promised, I will always do."


    At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed from the distance. Clearly, the noise of Tan Qingying exiting her seclusion had drawn the attention of many people.


    "Annoying," Tan Qingying muttered, looking at the figures rushing toward them in the distance.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at her and said, "Let¡¯s find somewhere less crowded."


    He activated his Sword Harnessing Technique.


    Whoosh!


    The crimson rusted sword soared into the air, carrying Tan Qingying with it. In a flash of sword light, they disappeared into the distant sky.


    "Where''s the head of the family?"


    "Little Ying has left her seclusion?"


    "What¡¯s going on?"


    "Who took the head of the family?"


    Members of the Tan family, many of the older generation, rushed over anxiously. When they didn¡¯t see Tan Qingying, their worry intensified. At present, Tan Qingying was the last hope for the Tan family¡¯s rise. Nothing could go wrong.


    "Quick, speak up! Baiqu, what are you doing here? Where¡¯s the head of the family?" An elderly man with white hair demanded sharply.


    "Fourth Grandfather, Little Ying... she¡¯s left seclusion," Tan Baiqu hesitated, unsure how to explain.


    She knew full well that the older members of the family would never approve of Tan Qingying, the family¡¯s jewel, marrying a boy from a small city, even if that boy had the cultivation of the Five Spirits Realm .


    "I know she¡¯s out of seclusion! Where is she? Where has she gone?" Fourth Grandfather asked urgently.


    Tan Baiqu clenched her teeth. "I... I don¡¯t know. Maybe she¡¯s had some breakthrough in her cultivation and is going to adapt to her new abilities."


    "And who is that young man you brought with you?" Another bald elder scolded. "This is outrageous! You brought an outsider into the ancestral hall, a sacred place! This is becoming more and more disrespectful!"


    "Yes, Sixth Uncle, you¡¯re right." Tan Baiqu immediately admitted her mistake.


    She didn¡¯t want to anger these stubborn, short-sighted family elders, nor did she wish to engage in any arguments with them. These old fools, resting on their past laurels and flaunting their seniority, were nothing more than troublemakers. They had no vision and were as easily riled as old dogs protecting their food.


    "So who exactly is that young man?" The second grandmother, her hair neatly combed and leaning on a cane, pressed, "Baiqu, you¡¯re a good child, tell the truth."


    Tan Baiqu had no choice but to explain, "He¡¯s Little Ying¡¯s friend from Liuhe Base City."


    The moment she spoke those words, it was like she had poked a hornet¡¯s nest. The family elders immediately became agitated.


    "Are you saying that as soon as Little Ying left seclusion, she ran off with a male friend?"


    "A country bumpkin from a small town, and he dares to be friends with the proud daughter of my Tan family?"


    "Quick, immediately send someone to bring them back!"


    "This is absurd, utterly ridiculous."


    "She leaves her seclusion and doesn¡¯t come to greet us, the esteemed elders. Instead, she runs off with some wild boy from who knows where?"


    The elders were both shocked and furious.


    What would the Ouyang family think if this got out?


    "Let¡¯s go, find the acting head of the family."


    "Yes, at a time like this, it¡¯s Shengwei who can hold things together."


    "We should also reconsider the late patriarch¡¯s final words. Little Ying is meant to marry, and perhaps taking the position of head of the family isn¡¯t suitable for her."


    A group of them quickly turned around and rushed off to find the acting head of the family, Tan Shengwei.


    Tan Baiqu watched the scene with cold eyes. She felt a deep sense of helplessness. When exactly had the once-proud older generation of the Tan family deteriorated into a group of foolish, useless old men living off their past glories?


    The young ones with real talent and capability were being restricted and manipulated by these old fogies as they bled both physically and emotionally.


    For a fleeting moment, Tan Baiqu couldn¡¯t help but think...


    What if Tan Qingying and Li Xiaofei just flew off, leaving on their swords and never coming back? Wouldn¡¯t that be a better choice?


    But an hour later, Tan Qingying returned. The young couple, hand in hand, landed outside the ancestral hall. The young lady was radiant. She glowed like a rose refreshed by the rain, her entire being shining with a dazzling beauty that even Tan Baiqu couldn¡¯t help but notice.


    "Little Ying." Tan Baiqu hurried forward and whispered, "The acting head and the elders have been alerted. The family is in chaos right now. Everyone is waiting for you in the conference room."


    Tan Qingying nodded. "It¡¯s time to see them."


    She then turned to Li Xiaofei and said, "Come with me."


    "Alright." Li Xiaofei agreed without hesitation.


    Tan Baiqu was startled. At a time like this, she knew they had to be careful not to provoke the elders.


    She quickly advised, "Little Ying, maybe it¡¯s not suitable for your friend to join the family meeting. You know how unfriendly the elders are to outsiders."


    "Friend?" Tan Qingying smiled brightly and said, "Who said he''s just a friend? Li Xiaofei is my fianc¨¦."


    "What?" Tan Baiqu''s body trembled in shock as she realized something.


    She grew even more anxious and hurriedly urged, "You... you mean you''re going to publicly announce this to the family? No, you can''t! They¡¯ll never agree to it¡ªthey''ll tear you both apart!"


    Tan Qingying casually replied, "It doesn''t matter. I''ll make them understand who the real head of the family is."


    She held Li Xiaofei''s hand and walked toward the family council hall. Tan Baiqu tried to stop them but could do nothing. She had no choice but to follow them quickly. Along the way, many of the younger members of the Tan family, along with those of lower status, stared in disbelief when they saw Tan Qingying and Li Xiaofei holding hands.


    Finally, they arrived at the entrance of the council hall. The heavy brass door, studded with rivets, looked like a giant mouth waiting to devour those who dared approach. Tan Qingying confidently pushed open the door.


    Inside the hall, dozens of family elders, along with thirty or so managers and senior family members, were seated, arguing and debating loudly about something.


    The cacophony of voices hit Li Xiaofei¡¯s ears, making him feel as though he had stepped into a bustling marketplace from five hundred years ago.


    At the head of the hall, there were nine people sitting in the highest seats. Eight of the oldest family members flanked the middle-aged man with thick black hair and a dignified presence in the middle. This was the current acting head of the family, Tan Shengwei.


    As the door swung open, the clamor suddenly stopped, and every pair of eyes turned to the young couple walking in hand in hand. All gazes were fixed on them.


    In the next moment, a wave of gasps, shock, and questions hit them like a tidal wave. The entire council hall seemed to explode in an instant.


    Tan Qingying, the family¡¯s celestial beauty, was boldly holding hands with a strange young man? How could this be allowed?

 Chapter 404: Parasite

    Chapter 404: ParasiteThe entire council hall fell into a deathly silence. Countless pairs of eyes were fixed on the young couple. Eventually, every gaze fell on their joined hands.


    The Tan family''s celestial beauty, holding hands with an outsider from a small town? Unforgivable. This was blasphemy. A desecration.


    "Ahhh, you''re asking for death!" A powerful elder from the Tan family couldn''t hold back any longer. He leapt into the air with a sharp roar, his long blade like a streak of lightning as he slashed at Li Xiaofei¡¯s wrist.


    Anyone who dared hold Tan Qingying¡¯s hand would have to pay the price in blood.


    "Impudent!" Tan Qingying¡¯s stunning face turned cold and fierce in an instant.


    She flicked her hand and an invisible, overwhelming force surged forth, sending the elder flying back into the air.


    "Tan Wangsong, what are you doing?" Tan Qingying¡¯s voice was as sharp as a blade.


    "Tan Qingying, what are you doing?" The elder, Tan Wangsong, landed and glared fiercely. He sneered, "Are you really going to flirt openly with some bastard in front of everyone? Do you want to embarrass the Tan family even more?"


    "What did you say?" Tan Qingying¡¯s beautiful eyes instantly filled with murderous intent.


    "You little bastard, let go!" Tan Wangsong brandished his blade, marching forward with heavy steps. The tip of his sword pointed directly at Li Xiaofei as he declared, "Today, I will kill this bastard and cleanse the Tan family''s honor."


    "Seeking death." Tan Qingying moved in a flash.


    Her delicate hand struck lightning-fast as it landed directly on Tan Wangsong¡¯s head.


    Bang!


    "You dare kill me...?" Tan Wangsong staggered, his face filled with disbelief, blood pouring from his mouth and nose. He collapsed to the floor, lifeless.


    A wave of shocked gasps echoed through the hall. The others were paralyzed in horror, their faces pale with fear. No one had expected Tan Qingying to be so terrifying after coming out of seclusion.


    What was even more surprising was that she had actually dared to kill an elder without hesitation. Tan Qingying¡¯s killing intent remained palpable as she slowly moved forward. The elders of the family, suffocated by her pressure, instinctively parted to create a path for her.


    Tan Qingying never let go of Li Xiaofei¡¯s hand as she made her way up to the head table. Several of the family elders rose, their faces filled with reproach.


    Just as they were about to speak, they were silenced by the icy gaze Tan Qingying threw at them. Their mouths clapped shut.


    Tan Qingying stood there, a vision of grace and majesty, like a fairy stepping out of a painting. Her piercing, bone-chilling gaze finally landed on Tan Shengwei, the acting head of the family. He slowly stood up.


    "Little Ying, you..."


    "You should address me as the head of the family." Tan Qingying interrupted mercilessly. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tan Shengwei furrowed his brow slightly. "You haven''t yet held the formal ceremony to assume the role of family head..."


    Tan Qingying cut him off again, her voice cold and firm. "It''s just a meaningless formality that can be done at any time. Now that I''ve come out of seclusion, your mission is over... You, step down."


    A flash of shock crossed Tan Shengwei''s face. He hadn''t expected that the girl from the small town, after coming out of seclusion, would suddenly be so aggressive, domineering, and forceful. It caught him off guard.


    "What? Are you going to betray the late family head''s will?" Tan Qingying''s eyes were sharp as daggers as she pressed.


    "I would never betray the late family head''s wishes," Tan Shengwei replied, his tone shifting slightly.


    Suddenly, he smiled, bowed, and began walking down from the stage. When he reached the floor, Tan Shengwei stood firm, his back straight. The crowd gathered around him.


    Over the past six months, as the acting head of the family, he had already built a network of loyal supporters, promoting and placing his trusted people throughout the Tan family''s ranks. Now, the majority of the family¡¯s middle and upper management were all his. This was his confidence.


    Tan Shengwei lifted his head and looked at the strong, cold figure of Tan Qingying standing above him. He slowly spoke, his voice calm but laced with underlying tension, "As the heir to the family head, don¡¯t you think you owe us an explanation for what happened with Elder Tan Wangsong? How you killed him on a whim?"


    Tan Qingying¡¯s response was measured and indifferent. "I have no obligation to explain myself to you."


    "Little Ying, you''ve gone too far." Tan Shengwei frowned, his tone becoming stern. "As the heir to the family head, you should respect every member of the Tan family. Your duty is to protect the family, not to use your position and status to persecute your own people."


    "That''s right! How could you just kill someone without reason?"


    "Although the family laws allow it within legal boundaries, killing at will is hardly acceptable!"


    "This little girl, she hasn''t even taken the title of family head yet, but she''s already flaunting her power."


    "Shengwei, the acting head, has worked tirelessly for the Tan family, safeguarding our family¡¯s prestige and barely holding everything together. But you hid away in seclusion and claimed to be meditating while contributing nothing to the family..."


    Tan Shengwei¡¯s supporters seized the opportunity, subtly stirring up the crowd and fueling the tension.


    Tan Qingying suddenly let out a soft, almost imperceptible laugh.


    "Good, so much effort, so much sacrifice..." Tan Qingying laughed coldly. "In the past six months, Tan family has lost 90 percent of its profitable assets in the core commercial district of Xiajing City as well as two out of three major mines. The sales channels for star cores have dropped to less than 45 percent of what they were half a year ago, and we¡¯ve also lost the sales rights for the top domestic power armor brands: Wind Dragon, Yellow Emperor, and Sticky Feather, not to mention the termination of our cooperation with Longya Group... Is this what you call sacrificing everything for the family?"


    Tan Qingying rattled off dozens of figures, each one carrying a tone of mockery, challenging them directly. The once noisy crowd fell silent. They all knew she was speaking the truth. The Tan family¡¯s influence and wealth had shrunk drastically over the past six months.


    "Head of the family, you can''t blame Shengwei for everything." The Fourth Grandfather, with his head of white hair, spoke up. "Since the old family head passed away, we¡¯ve lost the support of our former allies, and we¡¯ve been targeted by all the major families. It¡¯s been hard just to hold on."


    "Yes, Shengwei has done a lot in these times and borne a great deal of pressure," added the Second Grandmother, leaning on her cane.


    They were both among the oldest and most respected members of the family. Normally, even the family head would have to treat their words with deference.


    But Tan Qingying only looked at them indifferently and said, "You two are getting old. Go home and enjoy your retirement. There¡¯s no need for you to meddle in the family''s affairs any longer."


    "What do you mean by that?"


    "Little girl, how dare you disrespect your elders?"


    The two of them flushed with anger. It was clear to them that this statement was an attempt to completely push them out of the family¡¯s power structure.


    "You don¡¯t understand, do you?" Tan Qingying¡¯s voice was cold and straightforward. "What I mean is simple¡ªyou¡¯re both old and confused, so stop talking nonsense here. Go back and live your old age in peace."


    "You... insolent!" Uncle Six, a bald and fiery-tempered man, slammed his fist on the table and stood up. "Tan Qingying, have you been bewitched by this foreign wild boy? How dare you openly insult your elders like this? Don¡¯t forget, you¡¯re not even the official head of the family yet, and even if you were, acting like this demands an apology!"


    The younger generation of the Tan family had lost most of its talents over the years. The brightest of them, Tan Zhenwei, had already fallen. Now, only Tan Shengwei and Uncle Six remained among the middle generation. Uncle Six was known for his bad temper and wasn¡¯t afraid to speak his mind.


    Tan Qingying looked down at them, her voice unyielding as she spoke slowly, "The Tan family today is nothing but a rotting corpse, and you are all parasites feeding off it. Do you think I care about this so-called position of family head?"

 Chapter 405: Double Kill (1)

    Chapter 405: Double Kill (1)"You want to break away from the Tan family?" Tan Shengwei furrowed his brow slightly. "Don¡¯t forget, the blood of the Tan family runs in your veins. One must not forget their roots."


    "Forget my roots?" A trace of mockery appeared on Tan Qingying¡¯s stunning face. "I was born and raised in Liuhe Base City. For eighteen years of my life, what did the Tan family ever do for me? Before I returned to Xiajing City, I never ate a grain of rice or drank a sip of water from the Tan family. How have I forgotten my roots?"


    "Bearing the surname Tan means you belong to this family. You shouldn¡¯t ask what the Tan family has done for you; ask what you¡¯ve done for the Tan family." The Second Grandmother declared, striking her cane on the floor forcefully.


    The Fourth Grandfather radiated the authority of an elder as he added, "Your father grew up on the resources of the Tan family. He died before he could contribute anything to the family. As his daughter, shouldn¡¯t you repay that debt?"


    Smack.


    A slap landed directly on the Fourth Grandfather''s face. The force sent a yellowed old tooth flying out of his mouth.


    Tan Qingying¡¯s expression was cold as she enunciated each word, "I told you not to interfere in family affairs anymore. If you say one more word, I¡¯ll prepare a grave for you right here. If you don¡¯t believe me, go ahead and test me."


    Half of the Fourth Grandfather¡¯s face swelled up as he turned as red as a monkey¡¯s behind. Her words strangled any scream or curse that had been forming in his throat. He looked like a duck being choked, unable to make a single sound.


    Today, Tan Qingying was terrifyingly powerful. The council hall buzzed with agitation. Tan Shengwei turned to look at the crowd behind him. A few of his loyal supporters caught his glance and immediately began to stir up noise again.


    "Unbelievable! Assaulting a family elder!"


    "You little girl, you are not fit to be the head of the family!"


    "Who do you think you are..."


    "If the Tan family falls under your control, it¡¯ll collapse in three or four days."


    "A wild bastard from some backwater is tainting the blood of the Tan family."


    The murmurs and provocations came from all corners of the hall. The tactic of collective defiance was simple but always effective in family power struggles.


    Tan Qingying¡¯s response, however, was straightforward. And very direct. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Kill!"


    She flicked her fingers and the delicate, snow-white fingertips emitted a spark of fire. The flame floated into the air and suddenly bloomed like fireworks. The tiny embers fell, seemingly with a life of their own, landing precisely on those among the crowd who had been stirring trouble.


    Suddenly, shrieks of agony filled the hall. In an instant, these people howled as if their very bones were being devoured by fire, scarlet flames spewing from their eyes, mouths, and noses.


    The acrid stench of burning flesh spread through the air. The crowd gasped and retreated in shock. Within moments, the troublemakers were reduced to smoldering char. They were lifeless and emitting the putrid odor of burnt meat, with thin wisps of smoke rising from their bodies...


    It was like they had been kissed by the grim reaper¡¯s fire. The once-raucous crowd immediately fell silent.


    What kind of power is this?


    Inner qi fire?


    Or some kind of combat technique?


    "Does anyone else wish to challenge me?" asked Tan Qingying.


    The young lady stood alone, gazing down at them, her voice commanding. Everyone froze, staring at Tan Qingying with eyes filled with fear and reverence.


    Tan Shengwei¡¯s expression grew more serious. This turn of events was beyond his expectations. The most troubling aspect was that Tan Qingying¡¯s strength after her seclusion was uncertain, even to him.


    Seeing the subdued crowd, Tan Shengwei felt a surge of urgency. He stepped forward, bowed respectfully, adopting a tone that avoided direct confrontation. "May I ask, family head, what grave crime these members committed to warrant such a brutal end?"


    "You¡¯re asking me?" Tan Qingying remained unwaveringly dominant. "Why they died¡ªTan Shengwei, are you truly in the dark?"


    "This... I do not know," Tan Shengwei replied, his tone righteous.


    But the uneasy feeling in his chest only grew stronger.


    How could Tan Qingying, who had been in seclusion and cut off from all internal and external information, exhibit such certainty and knowledge? Does she have someone loyal to her among them?


    Steeling himself, Tan Shengwei spoke cautiously, "If family head has something to say, speak openly. The family members are ready to support you, provided you treat us as kin and not as enemies."


    "Heh." Tan Qingying let out a disdainful laugh.


    She lightly stomped her foot and a strange, dark green aura spread out from her as the center. Everyone¡¯s hearts clenched in sudden alarm. They thought she was about to launch another attack.


    But upon closer inspection, they realized there was no change or effect on their bodies. Just then, someone let out a piercing scream.


    The previously dead Tan Wangsong, along with the few who had been burned to ashes, suddenly began to sway and rise like the undead, their bodies moving stiffly and emitting an eerie hissing sound.


    What is happening?


    The dead are coming back to life?


    "I... I killed... Tan Qin, I used sedatives in Warm Residence Pavilion to kill her..."


    The words came out mumbled from Tan Wangsong''s mouth. The statement was like a thunderclap.


    Tan Qin had been one of the most promising young women in the Tan family¡¯s next generation. She had just graduated from university this year and was training in the family business when, tragically, she had been found dead a month ago.


    At that time, Tan Wangsong was the only eyewitness. He had adamantly claimed that he saw a mysterious assassin assault and kill Tan Qin. But now... it turned out he was the true culprit.


    "I... I disclosed the route and plan for the family''s star core trade on June 12th to the... Ouyang family."


    "I sold out the accounts of Feilun Restaurant."


    "I started the fire in the family''s armory..."


    The other dead figures also began to speak, their scorched mouths exhaling the acrid stench of charred flesh as they spoke, yet they managed to express themselves clearly.


    The entire Tan family present was stunned.


    "What kind of dark sorcery is this?"


    "The dead are speaking."


    "What is going on?"


    Everyone was bewildered.


    Even Li Xiaofei felt confused.


    What exactly did the young lady cultivate in seclusion? How can she control corpses now? Is this martial arts? Or some kind of sorcery?


    "They''ve turned into zombies!"


    "Could it be the Corpse Emperor''s invasion?"


    "Impossible! The Corpse Emperor has used dark arts to take control of the head of the family!"


    Some members of the family shouted instinctively.


    "A bunch of overfed, tradition-forgetting fools." Tan Qingying¡¯s voice rang out harshly. "Our Tan family ancestors once wielded the powers of Death and Divine during the Night of Blood, which led to our rise in an era of chaos. But now, descendants of the Tan family don¡¯t even recognize your own divine abilities and dare to slander it as the work of the Corpse Emperor? Pathetic."


    The crowd was stunned. Even Tan Shengwei appeared momentarily lost. Some suddenly recalled that one of their ancestors did indeed possess such abilities. There were records of a founding ancestor who was said to have gained a power known as Corpse Whisper, enabling them to control dead bodies to fight, uncover secrets, and conduct interrogations.


    However, over time, the secret art had faded from memory as the bloodline diluted, and it was believed lost for generations. Even the Tan family had long forgotten that such an ability once existed within their lineage.


    In that moment, the crowd looked at Tan Qingying with even greater fear in their eyes.


    Tan Shengwei, though alarmed internally, outwardly spoke with feigned enthusiasm, "Congratulations to the head of the family! This is a joyous occasion for the ancestral ability of Corpse Whisper has awakened in you. It¡¯s truly a great event for the Tan family."


    The others caught on quickly and echoed their congratulations.


    "Heh." Tan Qingying gave a cold smile.


    She looked down at the hall, her gaze sweeping over the familiar yet estranged faces. These people shared her surname, but nothing else. They called themselves family, yet they had always treated her as an object to be used for pleasing more powerful factions.


    Few among them had ever truly wished her happiness or contentment. They only wanted her to be obedient. To willingly sell everything¡ªher body, her dignity¡ªto enhance and secure their power and wealth.


    So, she never regarded this selfish, greedy group as her family. Her real family, the ones who truly mattered to her, were only a select few.

 Chapter 406: Double Kill (2)

    Chapter 406: Double Kill (2)"From now on, I am the head of the Tan family. Those who follow me will live; those who oppose me will die. If anyone has objections, they may challenge me now," declared Tan Qingying.


    As the discussion about the rightful head of the family resumed, murmurs swept through the hall among the elders and the mid-level and senior members of the family. The situation was dire. It was nothing like they had anticipated.


    During Tan Qingying''s time in seclusion, they had assumed that Tan Shengwei would naturally become the final head of the family. In their minds, even if Tan Qingying emerged from her seclusion after refining the so-called Saint''s bloodline within her, she would return as a compliant lamb, eager to sacrifice everything for the Tan family.


    Yet here she stood before them, powerful and merciless. Far from being the docile lamb they had expected, she had become a fierce and dangerous leopard.


    Challenge her? When he recalled the terrifying strength Tan Qingying had displayed just moments ago, even Tan Shengwei himself felt uncertain about his chances. Not challenge her? Then the position of head of the family would be decisively settled.


    Just as Tan Shengwei found himself in a dilemma, a family guard burst into the room, shouting, "Head of the family, esteemed elders, Young Master Ouyang Shengyi of the Ouyang family has arrived and is heading for the council hall."


    "What?"


    "Young Master Ouyang Shengyi?"


    "He''s the direct son of the head of the Ouyang family."


    "Hurry, we must go and welcome him."


    The room erupted in excitement. The Ouyang family was the foremost martial family in Xiajing City and wielded considerable power. Their influence had grown especially rapidly after fully embracing New Martial Arts surgery.


    The Ouyang family claimed twenty-seven out of the top one hundred on Xiajing City''s Martial God Rankings. Even the official authorities held a degree of apprehension toward the Ouyang family. The Tan family had been trying to ally with the Ouyang family for some time now, seeking to become part of their sphere of influence. They had paid a significant price but had yet to earn the Ouyang family''s favor.


    But now, the heir of the Ouyang family had unexpectedly come in person. This was an auspicious sign. A look of joy spread across Tan Shengwei''s face.


    "Haha, come, let¡¯s go welcome Young Master Ouyang," Tan Shengwei said, sweeping his gaze over the crowd. "It must be our continuous displays of sincerity that finally moved the Ouyang family. Haha, good times are ahead for the Tan family."


    Before he could finish speaking, an arrogant, domineering laugh echoed from outside.


    "That¡¯s right! Your Tan family really has had a stroke of luck this time. Haha, we Ouyang family have decided to accept your marriage proposal."


    Everyone turned their heads to see a muscular young man, clad in a black, studded leather jacket, saunter in with four bodyguards in black suits and sunglasses.


    Everything about him screamed arrogance. His black hair was slicked back with gel and spiked upward in tufts. His thick eyebrows framed sharp, glinting eyes, and he walked with the swagger of a crab moving sideways. He smirked disdainfully as his gaze swept across the members of the Tan family as if they were livestock in a market.


    "Young Master Ouyang..." Tan Shengwei approached him with a wide, fawning smile. "What an honor, I never expected you to come in person."


    Smack.


    Ouyang Shengyi slapped him hard on the shoulder. Tan Shengwei''s smile faltered slightly at the pain.


    Ouyang Shengyi ran a hand through his hair and laughed. "Old Tan, haha, you really pulled it off! Selling out the daughter of your family for a favor. How unbelievable, but here you are. Well, your Tan family¡¯s finally getting what it wanted."


    Tan Shengwei¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment as he forced a laugh. "It''s an alliance, an alliance... Young Master, have you come to make a formal proposal?"


    "Proposal?" Ouyang Shengyi scoffed. "A proposal, my foot. I¡¯m here to pick someone up. Where¡¯s Tan Qingying? Tell her to come out now. She¡¯s lucky; my father¡¯s taken an interest in her. She can come with me and start serving him immediately."


    "The Ouyang patriarch himself?" exclaimed Tan Shengwei who was taken aback.


    Initially, the proposal was just to marry Tan Qingying off to one of the Ouyang family¡¯s sons, a move that would secure a connection with the Ouyang family''s core and be more than satisfactory.


    But now, the patriarch himself wanted Tan Qingying? It was likely because of her Saint¡¯s bloodline. Still, this development was undeniably beneficial.


    "See? Your Tan family really struck gold. My old man¡¯s personally taking her as a concubine and making one of your women his pet. Tsk, tsk... enough chatter. Where is she? Bring her out; I don¡¯t have all day," Ouyang Shengyi said impatiently.


    "This..." Tan Shengwei intentionally let his gaze slide toward the main platform, where Tan Qingying stood.


    "Oh?" Ouyang Shengyi¡¯s eyes fell on her, and a glimmer of surprise and admiration flickered in them. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This girl was even more exquisite than she appeared in the videos. Despite having experienced all types of beauties, Ouyang Shengyi felt a surge of heat and an unexpected, intense desire when he saw Tan Qingying in person. A wild impulse to rush up and defile her right on the main platform surged through him.


    Such impulses were nothing new for Ouyang Shengyi. He had also acted on them before without hesitation. Who would dare stop him? But since she was someone his father had chosen, seizing her forcibly would lead to complications. So he restrained himself.


    "Come down and follow me." Ouyang Shengyi beckoned Tan Qingying.


    "Aren''t you supposed to be proposing? Why just take someone away?" Tan Baiqu, standing nearby, could no longer contain herself and asked loudly.


    Ouyang Shengyi¡¯s gaze snapped to her, turning sharp and menacing. "Tan family head, is this one of your people? Does she not understand rules? Has she no manners?"


    Tan Shengwei¡¯s heart leaped with fear, and he hurried to respond, "She¡¯s just being foolish. Guards, take her away!"


    "No need." Ouyang Shengyi suddenly smiled, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "I''ll take care of it myself."


    The desire stirred by Tan Qingying needed an outlet, and now, he focused it on this Tan family girl who bore a slight resemblance to her. He strode over with a smirk and grabbed Tan Baiqu, yanking sharply.


    Rip.


    A sleeve tore away, revealing Tan Baiqu¡¯s snow-white arm.


    "What are you doing?" Tan Baiqu gasped in shock, instinctively raising her hand to slap him.


    But Ouyang Shengyi easily caught her wrist with a sneer. "You think you can resist with your level of skill? I''ll make sure you can¡¯t get out of bed for ten days..."


    "Young Master Ouyang, this..." Tan Shengwei instinctively tried to intervene.


    "Shut up and watch," Ouyang Shengyi snapped without turning around.


    Tan Shengwei''s face flushed with embarrassment, but he dared not say more. Ouyang Shengyi gripped Tan Baiqu''s collar, preparing to tear it further. Suddenly, a hand shot out and seized his spiked hair in a firm grip.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Ouyang Shengyi instinctively tried to resist.


    But that hand was seemingly irresistible as it lifted him into the air and smashed his head down hard onto the stone steps of the main stage.


    Boom!


    His large head slammed into the platform with a resounding thud, sending shards of stone flying.


    The one who acted was Li Xiaofei, who had been overlooked until now. He adjusted his grip on Ouyang Shengyi''s head and smashed it against the stone steps again and again.


    In moments, Ouyang Shengyi¡¯s head was a mess of blood and flesh. The stone platform beneath them had started to cave in under the repeated impacts.


    ¡°Stop this madness!¡±


    ¡°Outrageous!¡±


    The four bodyguards finally reacted, lunging forward as one. Their auras surged as they revealed themselves to be cultivators of the Five Spirits Realm. But Li Xiaofei did not turn. Instead, he gestured with his fingers pointed like a sword.


    Whoosh!


    The rusted sword whirled through the air. In a flash, the four bodyguards¡¯ heads were severed, rolling across the floor as their bodies charged forward for several more steps before collapsing. Blood sprayed from their necks before turning to dark ice that shattered on impact.


    Screams erupted all around. The members of the Tan family were terrified by this sudden strike and the unexpected carnage.


    Li Xiaofei, still holding Ouyang Shengyi by the hair, glanced at the ruined steps. The damage wasn¡¯t sufficient enough, so he started to rain punch after punch down on his head.


    His fists were much stronger than stone so they smashed the skull to pieces within a few blows. He casually tossed the headless corpse aside and stretched, as if loosening up after mild exertion.


    ¡°Ah,¡± Li Xiaofei said with satisfaction. ¡°That felt good.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s not dead yet.¡± Tan Qingying, observing the aftermath of the fury-fueled outburst, offered calmly, ¡°A cultivator at the third stage of the Five Spirits Realm won¡¯t die just from losing their head.¡±


    When an innocent girl was being threatened and humiliated, only her Li Xiaofei dared to act. He was still the same. He hadn¡¯t changed in the slightest even in the mighty city of Xiajing, far from his small border town. Despite lacking immense power or a formidable background behind him, he would still act without hesitation when faced with injustice. That was the Li Xiaofei she knew. A man of unyielding integrity and boundless chivalry.


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± Li Xiaofei acknowledged the lady¡¯s advice.


    Reaching into the air, he grasped the rusted tetanus sword and, with a single stroke, severed Ouyang Shengyi¡¯s unconscious body cleanly. The sword qi destroyed his internal organs and extinguished any trace of life.


    ¡°No, don¡¯t¡ª¡± Tan Shengwei finally found his voice, instinctively trying to intervene.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s sword flicked back without hesitation.


    Swish!


    Crimson liquid flew through the air as Tan Shengwei¡¯s head rolled cleanly from his shoulders.


    Double kill.

 Chapter 407: Declaration Of War (1)

    Chapter 407: Declaration Of War (1)Tan Qingying''s smile bloomed like a flower. Meanwhile, everyone else in the hall remained rooted to their spots. They seemed petrified.


    What had they just witnessed? The son of the Ouyang family head had been killed. The four bodyguards had also been killed. It felt as though the sky had collapsed. Killing Tan Shengwei was one thing. But killing Ouyang Shengyi? How would they answer to the Ouyang family? This was tantamount to a declaration of war.


    The Second Grandmother, Fourth Grandfather, and the others turned to look at Li Xiaofei. They wanted to scold him, but they did not dare. They wanted to speak, but no words came. Only now did they realize that the young man who had remained silent all this time was not silent out of fear or inexperience. He simply had not bothered to respond.


    Li Xiaofei wiped the blood from his hands, holding the rusty sword at his side as he stood next to Tan Qingying. He deliberately spoke loudly, ¡°If anyone else is dissatisfied with you sitting in the family head¡¯s seat, speak up now. I¡¯ll kill them all for you.¡±


    Tan Qingying understood. She pretended to ponder this very seriously. The mid and high-level members of the Tan family present trembled when they heard these words.


    If even figures like Ouyang Shengyi and Tan Shengwei were decapitated like mere dogs or pigs, what hope did they have?


    The Second Grandmother and Fourth Grandfather, among others, had no doubt that if Tan Qingying gave the order, Li Xiaofei would unleash a slaughter without hesitation and kill them all. The girl¡¯s mouth was no longer just a mouth. It was an invitation from death itself.


    ¡°What are you standing there for?¡± The Second Grandmother thumped her cane and shouted, ¡°Bow and pay your respects to the family head!¡±


    ¡°Anyone who dares to defy the family head will be executed without mercy,¡± Fourth Grandfather roared with an energy that belied his age.


    Regardless of what they truly thought in their hearts, the others all fell to their knees in unison.


    ¡°Greetings to the family head.¡±


    ¡°Long live the family head.¡±


    Voices of loyalty and congratulations echoed throughout the entire hall like the clash of metal and stone.


    Tan Qingying smiled. Family affairs were just that simple. Whoever had the strongest fist ruled. Poor Tan Shengwei, who had schemed for so long, failed to understand this truth. He had been utterly defeated in the face of overwhelming strength.


    However, she knew very well in her heart. Most of the people kneeling in the hall did not truly submit. As soon as the meeting ended, they would rush to spread the news. Tan Qingying was certain that at least half of those currently kneeling would immediately inform the Ouyang family and try to seek forgiveness. When the experts from the Ouyang family came to demand justice, they would eagerly betray her, switching sides without hesitation.


    But it didn¡¯t matter. The Ouyang family had long plotted to dismantle the Tan family. They would come sooner or later. Instead of dying a slow death, it was better to burn brightly and fight with everything they had.


    ¡°Everyone, rise.¡± Tan Qingying said calmly, ¡°Today¡¯s events end here. From now on, I am the head of the Tan family. Any changes to the family¡¯s industries must not proceed without my approval. Fulfill your duties... you are dismissed.¡±


    Only then did everyone shakily get to their feet and withdraw. None dared to spare even a glance at the corpses of Ouyang Shengyi and the others.


    Tan Qingying snapped her fingers lightly.


    Snap.


    The bodies lying on the floor stood up on their own. Ouyang Shengyi picked up his severed head, placed it back on his neck, and stiffly walked to a corner. Tan Shengwei and the four Ouyang bodyguards did the same. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The precision of her corpse-controlling technique left Li Xiaofei astonished. It was like his eyes had been opened to a whole new world.


    ¡°What¡¯s next?¡± Li Xiaofei asked, ¡°Handling internal Tan family matters is one thing, but the Ouyang family has substantial influence in Xiajing City and many powerful experts. They won¡¯t let this slide easily.¡±


    Tan Qingying smiled and said, ¡°I¡¯ve killed their people. So what if they won¡¯t let it go? At worst, we¡¯ll go to war.¡±


    Li Xiaofei suggested, ¡°Why not strike first?¡±


    Tan Qingying gave a faint smile and admitted, ¡°We¡¯re not strong enough for that...¡±


    Li Xiaofei seemed about to speak, but Tan Qingying waved her hand slightly and said, ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry. I have a plan. Although the great Saint families stand above national laws, with internal punishments and executions not bound by them, war between Saint families invariably catches the attention of the highest leaders. I will personally declare war on the Ouyang family and engage in a Saint¡¯s duel, resolving this in the most traditional way.¡±


    Li Xiaofei said, ¡°The Tan family is now severely depleted in a Saint family battle. There are hardly any capable fighters left to take the field.¡±


    Tan Qingying did not hide anything from Li Xiaofei. ¡°I have already contacted the An family. After making some concessions in exchange for benefits, they agreed to send their experts. With the combined strength of our two families, I am confident we can stand on equal footing with the Ouyang family...¡±


    The An family was the family of the eldest lady¡¯s mother. They, too, were a Saint family. Though not based in Xiajing, they still had considerable influence.


    As she spoke, an unshakeable confidence appeared on Tan Qingying¡¯s stunning face. She declared confidently, ¡°Give me enough time, and I can cultivate strong warriors for the Tan family. When that day comes, destroying the Ouyang family will be as easy as turning over my hand.¡±


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily taken aback. He immediately realized that Tan Qingying¡¯s recent seclusion must have yielded more than just mastery of the Corpse Whisper technique for controlling corpses. She must have gained other formidable skills as well.


    Tan Zhenwei had once mentioned that the divine bloodline within her body was of exceptional purity and far beyond imagination. Half a year ago, she had also practiced dual cultivation with him...


    Hmm.


    Li Xiaofei found that even now, he did not fully understand the depths of the lady¡¯s power.


    ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± Tan Qingying turned, her eyes full of playful light as she smiled at him.


    Li Xiaofei said, ¡°I was thinking, now that you¡¯ve emerged from seclusion, you won¡¯t be disappearing again, will you?¡±


    ¡°Of course not.¡± The lady smiled and said, ¡°Haven¡¯t you already saved my light core number? Once the family matters are settled, I¡¯ll follow Grandfather¡¯s wishes and enroll in Beixia University to continue my studies. Then, we can truly enjoy carefree university days together. As long as you want, I¡¯ll always be by your side.¡±


    ¡°Beixia University?¡± Li Xiaofei asked.


    The lady¡¯s smile deepened as she wrapped her arms around Li Xiaofei¡¯s neck. Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed him lightly on the lips, like a dragonfly skimming the surface of the water. ¡°It was something Grandfather arranged before he passed. I promised him. Hehe, I know you were ostracized by Beixia University, but don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll go undercover and help you get your revenge.¡±


    ¡°Haha, there¡¯s no need for that,¡± Li Xiaofei laughed. ¡°I have my own ways to make them regret it deeply.¡±


    He had gone to great lengths to come to Xiajing, all just to be with his lady. Now, that goal was finally achieved. Though they wouldn¡¯t be at the same school, it didn¡¯t matter. Being in the same city was enough. Distance made the heart grow fonder, after all. Besides, with an ability like Spatial Point Theft, meeting the lady whenever he wished would be effortless.


    At this thought, new ideas suddenly came to Li Xiaofei¡¯s mind.


    ¡°Arrange for me a quiet training room in the Tan family, and prepare a light core mainframe pod. I might be visiting often,¡± Li Xiaofei said.


    The eldest lady giggled and said, ¡°No need to prepare anything¡ªwhat¡¯s mine is yours.¡±


    She led Li Xiaofei to her residence. It was an independent estate spanning ten acres that had a two-story building, an indoor training ground and an outdoor training ground. Inside the building, there was a room equipped with a light core mainframe pod. Although the Tan family had fallen on hard times, they could still afford a few of the most advanced light core mainframe pods, which had already been installed.


    Additionally, the estate featured an indoor bath, entertainment facilities, and more. Everything looked as pristine as if it had never been used. This well-appointed estate had been specially prepared by the old family head as his granddaughter¡¯s private quarters. Every detail and feature was the product of the old man''s heartfelt efforts to make amends to her.


    Unfortunately, not long after Tan Qingying returned to Xiajing City, the Tan family had received the news of Tan Zhenwei¡¯s death. The old family head was deeply affected by the shock and passed away soon after passing the family head position to Tan Qingying.


    At that time, Tan Qingying¡¯s strength was insufficient, and the Tan family was fraught with internal strife. Wisely, she chose not to immediately assume the role of family head and instead opted to seclude herself to refine her bloodline and strengthen herself. Tan Qingying had only been to these quarters a handful of times.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried about rumors when you bring me here?¡± Li Xiaofei smiled as he sat in the young lady¡¯s private room.


    Tan Qingying had shed her outer garments and changed into a white off-shoulder camisole and denim mini-skirt. Her skin was as white as snow, and her figure as graceful as a dancer.


    In an instant, she had transformed from the fierce family head back into an innocent, captivating young girl.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already announced publicly that you¡¯re my fianc¨¦.¡± The lady sat in Li Xiaofei¡¯s lap, her arms encircling his neck. She spoke affectionately, ¡°Isn¡¯t it perfectly normal for you to come here? Besides, if anyone dares to spread gossip, you can just kill them for me.¡±


    ¡°At your command, my lady,¡± Li Xiaofei replied.


    ¡°Grandfather and grandmother, father and mother are all gone now.¡± Her smooth, jade-like forehead rested against Li Xiaofei¡¯s chest as she closed her eyes gently, listening to the steady, powerful beat of his heart. In a soft, fragile voice, she said, ¡°From now on, you¡¯re the closest person I have in this world. Never leave me, alright you?¡±


    Li Xiaofei, heart aching, embraced her tender frame and said, ¡°In the sky, may we be birds flying side by side; on the earth, may we be branches growing together.¡±

 Chapter 408: Declaration Of War (2)

    Chapter 408: Declaration Of War (2)The light-network virtual world. In the livestreaming room of the Grandmaster of Heaven.


    The number of online viewers had surpassed six million. The ten floating mountains were crowded with people. Numerous figures practiced cultivation on the training grounds within the central ancient martial arts arena. In a short span, the livestream had attracted over a million ancient martial arts experts from various major base cities across the country.


    In terms of popularity and cohesion, it was undoubtedly the number one live stream on the Longya Group platform. However, the Grandmaster of Heaven had a strict policy: no PK battles, no exploiting fans for money, no gifts or rewards, and no miscellaneous profit-driven activities like selling products.


    The live stream did not engage in the typical fan economy, so despite its enormous traffic and audience, the daily revenue flow of the Grandmaster of Heaven Live Room was not impressive and did not rank among the top ten on the Longya Group platform. If it had been any other live stream, such a high level of popularity and audience without a proportional profit would have led to warnings or restricted traffic by the Longya Group officials.


    But this time, the Longya Group officials took an unprecedented stance. Their support for the Grandmaster of Heaven had never wavered. The stream continued to receive traffic support that was far greater than even the most profitable super streamers. This stirred discontent among some of the top streamers.


    ¡°I wonder when Master will return,¡± Zhou Yidao sighed, ¡°My blade techniques have already been honed to perfection, and many fans in the live room have also mastered them well. Although the Five Tigers Door-Cutting Blade is an authentic ancient martial art, the novelty will eventually fade. If only we had a new blade technique.¡±


    The Five Tigers Door-Cutting Blade that he had received was the least powerful among the disciples. Though it was easy to learn and wield, it was ultimately not as formidable as techniques like the Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm or the Dog Beating Staff Technique. If he wanted to grow stronger, he needed new techniques.


    Unfortunately, Grandmaster of Heaven had remained in seclusion these past few days and not shown himself. Even if Zhou Yidao wanted to rely on his master¡¯s support, he had no idea where to find him.


    ¡°Second Junior Brother, don¡¯t worry.¡± Guo Zong''ao, known as Three Fists Shaking the Heavens, said, ¡°Before going into seclusion, Master said that as long as we fulfill the mission of spreading ancient martial arts and complete the tasks he assigned, he will return with new techniques to teach us. We just need to follow his instructions diligently and not worry about anything else.¡±


    ¡°Second Senior Brother, First Senior Brother is right.¡± The third disciple, Su Qianni, added.


    ¡°There¡¯s something unusual happening lately.¡± Brother Dao leaned in and said, ¡°I¡¯ve heard some news: the new martial organization Mechanical Eternity from the Longya Live Stream platform is planning a challenge against Master.¡±


    ¡°Mechanical Eternity?¡±


    The others¡¯ expressions changed drastically. The conflict between ancient and New Martial Arts was intensifying within Great Xia, and especially in Xiajing City. Many New Martial Arts factions had risen rapidly to become mainstream in society. They were supported and promoted by powerful conglomerates and backed by extensive advertising campaigns.


    This overwhelming wave of publicity had allowed New Martial Arts to become increasingly accepted among the populace. New Martial Arts hospitals, medical centers, cosmetic surgery clinics, training institutions, specialized centers for upgrading and maintaining new martial prosthetics, and services for replacing and enhancing Inscribed Treasure Bones were becoming more widespread.


    Many ordinary people, after undergoing New Martial Arts surgery, experienced meteoric rises in strength and influence. Some were even willing to go to extreme lengths to afford the cost of these surgeries, taking out high-interest loans or opting for sixty-year mortgages. Though they gained immense power, their fates were now controlled by others. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The challenge with New Martial Arts lay in the exorbitant post-surgery maintenance, upgrades, and astronomical upkeep costs. Most new martial artists did not become strong overnight, since their procedures required continuous ¡®updating.¡¯ Each update was also a significant expense. As a result, many new martial conglomerates made fortunes. However, with wealth came resources and the power to influence.


    The conflict between ancient and New Martial Arts was now tilting in favor of New Martial Arts. This was because New Martial Arts leveraged immense financial resources to pave the way, dominating mainstream discourse and gaining the backing of more and more powerful conglomerates.


    Even the Great Xia authorities had begun to support New Martial Arts initiatives. As such, Mechanical Eternity was an alliance formed with the backing of four major New Martial Arts conglomerates and was the most powerful and well-known group within the mechanical faction of New Martial Arts.


    Flesh is weak; machines are eternal.


    These six words were their core tenet. This faction advocated for the replacement of human limbs or organs with mechanical parts to grant immense combat prowess. The top ten super streamers on the Longya Live Stream platform were almost all backed by major conglomerates, guilds, or factions.


    Ranked first was Eternal Precision, a streamer promoted by the Mechanical Eternity alliance. Ranked third was another of their streamers, Mythical Heavy Industry. These two streaming teams, supported by the resources of Mechanical Eternity, sold prosthetics and mechanical organs through the live-streaming market, providing prosthetic upgrade and maintenance services. They were veteran New Martial Arts streamers with a combined following of tens of millions.


    Unlike regional streamers like Brother Dao, Mythical Heavy Industry and Eternal Precision were true professional streamers. Every aspect, from production, scripting, advertising, persona, content, products to pacing, was professionally designed and managed.


    It was no exaggeration to say that in the light-network virtual world, either the Mythical Heavy Industry or Eternal Precision live room alone was equivalent to a publicly listed company in a highly lucrative industry.


    ¡°This was bound to happen.¡± Ren Woyou stepped forward and said, ¡°Master¡¯s sudden rise with Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s ancient martial arts has been brilliant and has captivated countless people, especially those from the lower classes. The combination of true legacy ancient martial arts and herbal prescriptions has proven incredibly effective. This has not only siphoned away the popularity and traffic of various New Martial Arts streams but has shaken their very foundation. Why would lower-tier martial artists undergo expensive New Martial Arts surgery when they can grow stronger without it? Who would want to go into massive debt for those surgeries anymore?¡±


    The usually quiet university martial arts prodigy Ding Mingya said, ¡°Exactly. The clash between ideologies and interests is harder to reconcile than a blood feud. Sooner or later, they¡¯ll make a move against our stream.¡±


    Guo Zong''ao said, ¡°If such major conglomerates and powerful forces decide to act, they will strike with thunderous force only after meticulous planning. How should we respond when that happens?¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t even figure out what their tactics and objectives are, making it impossible to guard against them,¡± Zhou Yidao said with some concern.


    Brother Dao said, ¡°I¡¯ll do my best to gather some information and see if I can uncover any inside news.¡±


    At that moment, the six-member bald-headed group approached them.


    ¡°Senior brothers and sisters, there¡¯s no need to worry too much. The saying goes, if soldiers come, we fight; if water rises, we build a dam. We aren¡¯t as weak as you think. If they really attack our live stream, heh, wouldn¡¯t that be the perfect opportunity for us to make a name for ourselves?¡± said the bald-headed man confidently.


    The steady blond-haired man added, ¡°Exactly. We¡¯ve learned Master¡¯s true legacy ancient martial arts, but we¡¯ve never had the chance to show them off. If they dare come, we¡¯ll just fight back.¡±


    These guys were notorious for their fearlessness and troublemaking. They thrived on chaos. But their words did lift everyone¡¯s spirits.


    Su Qianni nodded and said, ¡°First Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, the juniors are right.¡±


    The atmosphere gradually lightened. At that moment, Zhang Zhihong joined them.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard everything you said.¡± He said, patting his chest and smiling warmly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯re not without countermeasures. If it comes to the worst, Grandmaster of Heaven will step in himself. Even a slight move from him would be unmatched in this field.¡±


    Guo Zong''ao said, ¡°But we don¡¯t know how long Master will remain in seclusion... If only we could notify him in advance.¡±


    As things stood, none of the disciples had Li Xiaofei¡¯s personal contact information, which was quite embarrassing. They could only reach Li Xiaofei through the light core virtual world system when he logged in; otherwise, in the real world, he was out of contact.


    ¡°I¡¯ll think of something,¡± Zhang Zhihong said.


    With their plans settled, everyone returned to their respective small floating mountains and resumed teaching their disciples. The bald-headed group went back to their own floating mountain.


    Before long, a piece of news reached the man with glasses. What he read left him stunned.


    ¡°Boss, we have a problem.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°See for yourself. The Tan family has turned upside down.¡±


    ¡°Damn... is this for real?¡±


    ¡°Shit, no wonder we couldn¡¯t reach that Tan family guy today. He¡¯s probably been killed by the new family head.¡±


    ¡°Damn it, our money is gone.¡±


    ¡°The cooked duck flew away.¡±


    ¡°Is the new Tan family head insane? To actually kill the Ouyang family head¡¯s son... This is the end for the Tan family, and we won¡¯t see our money either.¡±


    The six brothers of the group were shocked after reading the news. The realization that the huge sum of money they were about to claim was now lost sent waves of pain through them.


    The bald-headed man thought for a moment and angrily said, ¡°We practically sold ourselves and became disciples under Master to work for the Tan family. While Master has treated us well, that¡¯s because he¡¯s kind-hearted. It has nothing to do with the Tan family. The Tan family owes us this money, dead or alive.¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    ¡°We brothers have never suffered such an injustice.¡±


    ¡°Boss, what should we do?¡±


    ¡°Go to the Tan family and demand our money.¡±


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go together.¡±


    ¡°Log off now. We¡¯ll meet outside the old Tan family estate. We need to collect what¡¯s ours before the Ouyang family wipes them out.¡±


    ¡°Third Brother, don¡¯t forget to bring the contract the Tan family guy signed. We¡¯re not bandits; we do things by the book.¡±


    ¡°Got it, don¡¯t worry, Big Brother.¡±


    The six brothers logged off immediately, ready to take action.


    At this moment, countless media outlets, streamers, websites, microblogs, and LightChat moments both inside and outside the light-network virtual world in Xiajing City were ablaze with news of Ouyang Shengyi¡¯s death.


    Those who first heard the news thought their ears were playing tricks on them.


    Has the struggling Tan family gone mad? They actually killed the son of the Ouyang family head, who had come to propose! How was this not a move that would tear the heavens asunder?


    There had been no such open act of hostility among the circle of Saint families in Xiajing City for over fifty years. Then, yet another piece of news sent shockwaves throughout Xiajing City. Tan Qingying, the new head of the Tan family, had declared war on the Ouyang family.


    Declared war! This was a war between Saint families. There had been nothing like this in the past century. The situation had escalated beyond just tearing the heavens apart. The highest levels of the state were alarmed!

 Chapter 409: Slaying A Saint With One Sword (1)

    Chapter 409: Slaying A Saint With One Sword (1)It was rumored that one of the top generals had personally intervened to mediate the conflict between the two Saint families and suggested resolving the dispute through a traditional Saint duel to minimize losses.


    This was the most reasonable proposal and a time-honored tradition. Usually, when such high-level officials stepped in to mediate, even the most powerful Saint families would accept.


    But this time, the Ouyang family rejected the proposal. Sources revealed that the head of the Ouyang family had a private discussion with the general for a full hour, which had ended fruitlessly without any courtesy extended to the general.


    Shortly afterward, the Ouyang family publicly declared their intention to annihilate the Tan family.


    ¡°This is war,¡± said Ouyang Shengyu, the second son of the Ouyang family head.


    The eldest son, Ouyang Shengling, took to social media to make his position clear.


    The blood of my third brother will not be shed in vain. The Tan family will be wiped out, with not a soul left, and that insane new head of theirs will suffer punishment a thousand times worse than death.


    The Ouyang family will flatten the Tan family and erase them from Xiajing forever.


    Anyone who offends the Ouyang family will be executed.


    The entire Xiajing should taste the fear of being under the rule of the Ouyang family.


    There is nothing more to say. Only war.


    Other influential figures within the Ouyang family echoed these sentiments through various channels, continually releasing statements to the public.


    People were shocked by the Ouyang family''s display of force. After all, it was just a noble family. But they had even refused to give face to the nation¡¯s top general.


    Does the Ouyang family think they can challenge the state itself?


    Soon, the few properties the Tan family owned in Xiajing City faced retaliatory attacks from the Ouyang family. However, it was clear that the Tan family had anticipated this. All family members involved in these businesses had already been evacuated. In less than a day, every Tan family shop, storefront, and business in Xiajing City had been ransacked and left in ruins. Several service staff were injured during the attacks.


    By that afternoon, masters from the Ouyang family, along with several affiliated gangs, dojos, and sword academies, began to covertly surround the Tan family estate from all directions. The storm was about to break.


    At this moment, the bald-headed six-man group marched confidently up to the gates of the Tan family estate. After introducing themselves under the name of Xiajing Troubleshooting Company, they were led into the estate.


    ¡°What? A debt claim?¡± Tan Qingying was perplexed upon hearing their purpose.


    She had heard of the Xiajing Troubleshooting Company and thought they were visiting to market their services, since the Tan family was in crisis and seeking business opportunities. She hadn¡¯t expected them to come to collect a debt.


    ¡°Family Head Tan, please don¡¯t misunderstand,¡±


    The bald-headed man said politely. ¡°We¡¯re not here to cause trouble. At most, we¡¯re just here to kick you while you¡¯re down.¡±


    The blond-haired man with ear piercings also spoke politely, ¡°Exactly. Someone from your family, acting on behalf of the Tan family, signed an agreement with us... Here¡¯s the original document, take a look.¡±


    Tan Qingying took the document, glanced through the main contents of the light-network contract, and her expression suddenly turned strange. She handed the document to Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei had already recognized the six bald-headed men. Their appearances in reality were identical to their light-network virtual world avatars.


    After reading the document, Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but laugh bitterly.


    These rascals. They were trying to pull a Jiang Gan Steals a Letter[1] trick on him.


    He tossed the electronic document back to them and said calmly, ¡°The person who signed this contract with you was Tan Wangsun. He betrayed the family and has already been executed. This contract will not be acknowledged by the Tan family.¡±


    The man with the light core studied Li Xiaofei for a moment and asked, ¡°And who are you?¡±


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly.


    A classic line came to mind, and he said, ¡°Speak my name, and you¡¯ll be frightened.¡±


    The six bald-headed brothers exchanged glances and burst out laughing.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve heard such big talk.¡±


    ¡°Young man, who do you think you are?¡±


    ¡°Daring to show off in front of us?¡±


    ¡°Go ahead, say your name. If it really scares us, I¡¯ll kneel down right here and knock my head three times.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, exactly.¡±


    ¡°Say it! Go on, say it!¡±


    The six men began to provoke him. Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t respond with words but suddenly raised his hand and pointed.


    Whoosh!


    A streak of sword qi shot out, grazing the temple of the bald-headed man as it streaked past the main gate and disappeared into the distance.


    The six brothers were instantly taken aback. Their laughter stopped abruptly as the bald-headed man instinctively touched his temple.


    ¡°Middle Chong Sword?¡± He looked at Li Xiaofei in utter shock. ¡°How do you know this sword technique?¡±


    Li Xiaofei remained silent. He raised his hand again, and more streams of sword qi burst forth.


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    Whoosh!


    The sound of the air being sliced rang out. The sword qi grazed past the ears of the blond-haired man with earrings and the others. This time, the six brothers were stunned.


    The Six Meridian Divine Sword! This was the exclusive true legacy of the ancient martial arts taught by the Patriarch, Grandmaster of Heaven.


    Although they had recently started teaching this miraculous sword technique to others through their live stream, they only taught one meridian at a time, and only to select individuals. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Mastering even one meridian to this degree was impossible for most in such a short time. Yet Li Xiaofei''s effortless, graceful demonstration of the Six Meridian Divine Sword technique showed a mastery far beyond what the six brothers possessed.


    There was only one explanation. The bald-headed man was utterly shocked as he scrutinized Li Xiaofei. He wanted to acknowledge him as a fellow disciple, but doubt lingered.


    What if, by some chance, someone truly talented had learned the essence of the Six Meridian Divine Sword from the live stream and mastered it to this level in an impossibly short time, surpassing even their own skill?


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly. His palms struck out swiftly, creating a flurry that resembled falling peach blossoms, petals dancing in the air. It was the Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm.


    He then used his palm like a blade, slicing through the air with a series of precise strikes. It was the Five Tigers Door-Cutting Blade.


    Next, he wielded his arm as if it were a staff, unleashing a barrage of sweeping staff techniques. It was none other than the Dog Beating Staff Technique.


    Several true legacy martial arts were displayed with the ease of a stroll through a garden. The fluid shifts between techniques were strikingly graceful, embodying both form and spirit, showcasing a mastery that had reached the pinnacle of perfection.


    The six brothers exchanged glances, eyes wide with disbelief. Finally, with a collective thud, they dropped to their knees.


    ¡°Master.¡±


    ¡°Greetings, Master.¡±


    Their faces flushed with embarrassment and guilt as they avoided his eyes.


    Li Xiaofei sat back in his chair, a playful smile on his face. ¡°See? I told you, knowing who I am would shock you. But you didn¡¯t believe me.¡±


    The six brothers felt like crying but had no tears.


    Who would have guessed? The legendary Grandmaster of Heaven, who had shocked the entire light core virtual world streaming platform, turned out to be a young man not even twenty years old.


    Who could have expected that? In their minds, the Grandmaster of Heaven was supposed to be an erudite, elegant, and ageless old sage with the wisdom of centuries.


    ¡°Get up,¡± Li Xiaofei said, lifting his hand slightly and speaking calmly. ¡°You all hold positions of respect. What does it look like if you kneel here like this?¡±


    The six brothers awkwardly stood up. For a moment, they didn¡¯t know what to say. They had come to the Tan family estate to demand payment as part of a petty scheme. And unexpectedly, they had run into their master.


    The most embarrassing part was producing the cursed contract they had signed when taking the job right in front of their master. This exposed their initial less-than-honorable motives for becoming disciples, revealing everything to their master. Wasn¡¯t this walking into a trap of their own making?


    ¡°Master, are you part of the Tan family?¡± The man with glasses cautiously broke the silence.


    Li Xiaofei shook his head and said, ¡°No, but I have a connection with the Tan family.¡±


    ¡°Ah, I see now.¡± The bald-headed man exclaimed, realization dawning on him. ¡°You found out that the Tan family was in trouble and came specifically to lend your support. Master, you truly embody the spirit of loyalty and heroism, like the great warriors of old.¡±


    ¡°Not exactly,¡± said Li Xiaofei, shaking his head again.


    He added, ¡°Since we share a master-disciple bond, how about writing off this debt on my account?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ¡°If Master says so, we have to follow.¡±


    ¡°If we had known back then that you had a connection to the Tan family, we would¡¯ve killed that traitor Tan Wangsun ourselves and refused this job.¡±


    The brothers thumped their chests in agreement, eager to show their loyalty.


    1. This is an episode from the Three Kingdoms. ?

 Chapter 410: Slaying A Saint With One Sword (2)

    Chapter 410: Slaying A Saint With One Sword (2)Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression softened slightly. He nodded and said, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, you should leave now. If you delay any longer, you won¡¯t be able to get out when the Ouyang family completes their encirclement.¡±


    The bald-headed man glanced at his brothers. Their faces all showed hesitation.


    ¡°Master, why don¡¯t you come with us?¡± The bald-headed man suddenly suggested.


    The blond-haired man with earrings added, ¡°Master, the Ouyang family¡¯s strength is feared throughout Xiajing. They¡¯re known as the number one noble family. Even the Saint families we belong to wouldn¡¯t dare provoke them. They¡¯ve already declared their intention to completely wipe out the Tan family, and even intervention by a high-ranking general didn¡¯t change their resolve. Master, you¡¯ll be in immense danger if you stay. Come with us; we¡¯ll ensure your safety.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master, we may not be top-tier, but we have enough of a reputation. Since you¡¯re not part of the Tan family, we can guarantee your safe departure.¡± The man with glasses said, trying to persuade him.


    Li Xiaofei was somewhat surprised by this. He hadn¡¯t expected these makeshift disciples to truly consider him their master. He had taken them in mainly for ancient martial arts streaming. After all, they did have a small following. As long as they helped him spread martial arts on the Longya Group platform, they would have fulfilled their duties as disciples.


    He hadn¡¯t expected them to show such loyalty or concern in the real world. To him, these were two separate realms. This was why he hadn¡¯t given them any way to contact him outside of the virtual world. The electronic document they had shown earlier had just proved that their initial intention in becoming disciples was less than pure.


    Yet, in this moment of crisis, all six had shown concern for him. They weren¡¯t entirely without redeeming qualities. As they spoke, Tan Baiqu burst into the room, face pale and full of panic.


    ¡°Family Head, the Ouyang family has surrounded the estate. They¡¯ve deployed four combat mechs, a hundred power armors, and the head of the Ouyang family is personally leading the assault, along with their top fighters...¡± Tan Baiqu shouted urgently.


    The six brothers were stunned.


    So soon?


    The Ouyang family was clearly determined to end this in a swift, brutal bloodbath and give no chance for negotiation or intervention from other parties. Why? This was a blatant challenge to the authority of those top generals.


    ¡°Master, come with us now!¡±


    ¡°Master, this is your last chance.¡±


    The bald-headed man and his brothers urged him anxiously.


    Tan Qingying smiled at Li Xiaofei and said, ¡°Your disciples are quite devoted to you. You have a good eye for choosing them.¡±


    For some reason, the young lady remained calm even in the face of such a dire situation, smiling as if nothing were amiss.


    Li Xiaofei replied, ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a compliment.¡±


    Turning to the six brothers, he said candidly, ¡°I may not truly be your master, but my fianc¨¦e is the head of the Tan family. Do you really think I could leave at a time like this?¡±


    The six brothers looked at Tan Qingying and then at Li Xiaofei. They couldn¡¯t help but inwardly sigh. Since ancient times, even heroes have struggled to resist the charms of a beautiful woman.


    Tan Qingying was indeed youthful and stunning, a true beauty. No wonder a master like him would be captivated and be intent on playing the hero. If the master wouldn¡¯t leave, what would they do? If they stayed, the Ouyang family would surely kill them too.


    As they wavered, a sudden, thunderous roar like the voice of heaven itself echoed from outside.


    ¡°Not a single soul of the Tan family shall be spared.¡±


    The voice traveled across a thousand meters, echoing clearly above the Tan family estate from the east. Each word struck like thunder, like a howling gale. The shockwaves rippled through the air, churning it like a stormy sea. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The weaker Tan family members within the estate were overwhelmed by the force of the sound wave. Blood spurted from their mouths as their faces turned pale. They staggered and fell, rolling on the ground like toppled gourds.


    Chaos spread throughout the estate. Everyone was gripped by a sense of impending doom.


    ¡°The voice of a Saint.¡±


    ¡°The head of the Ouyang family has come.¡±


    The expressions of the six bald-headed brothers turned to shock. The head of the Ouyang family was known to be at the Saint Realm. Rumor had it that the Ouyang family boasted three Saints in their lineage.


    Aside from the current family head, there was the former family patriarch and a grand elder, who were both at the level of Saints. This was the source of the Ouyang family¡¯s audacious confidence. Today, they had come to annihilate the Tan family, with a Saint leading the charge. The Tan family faced certain doom.


    Yet, in the very next moment, an equally terrifying and overwhelming surge of energy emanated from the western side of the estate. It felt as if an ancient beast had awakened, unleashing boundless power that matched the previous Saint¡¯s voice in intensity.


    A second Saint! The Ouyang family had shockingly dispatched two Saint-level beings to obliterate the weakened Tan family of Xishan. No one had anticipated this.


    Miles away from the Tan family estate, several aircraft hovered in the sky, observing from a distance. Although the Ouyang family had blocked all electromagnetic signals in the area, rendering all communication, filming, surveillance, and telescopic instruments unusable, these measures could not impede the keen sight of the top-tier experts within those aircraft.


    Additionally, some formidable individuals, cloaked or perched amidst the clouds high above, were watching the battlefield from afar. This battle marked the first unrestricted bloodshed between Saint families in Xiajing City after nearly a century of peace.


    The Ouyang family¡¯s decision had shattered the nation¡¯s laws. It undeniably set a dangerous precedent and broke many unspoken agreements. Naturally, it had drawn the attention of major powers and renowned experts throughout Xiajing City. All the hidden spectators felt a surge of shock when they saw the Ouyang family deploy two Saints.


    They also realized that the appearance of two Saints in succession wasn¡¯t solely aimed at the Tan family, whose fate seemed sealed. It was a warning directed at all the observing powers and strong individuals.


    Do not interfere.


    ***


    The Tan family.


    The six brothers felt their scalps tingle with fear. Tan Baiqu¡¯s face was as pale as ash. The other members of the Tan family were in disarray.


    Li Xiaofei slowly stood up.


    ¡°Master?¡±


    The six brothers looked at Li Xiaofei, their expressions full of confusion.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t utter a single word. He walked steadily to the entrance and stood on the high stone steps. It was already half past seven in the evening and the sun was about to set. The sunset painted the sky with vast swathes of crimson clouds.


    Li Xiaofei turned and looked at Tan Qingying, who had also stepped outside. He took her small hand and pointed at the horizon.


    ¡°Look, how beautiful the sunset is.¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s truly enchanting.¡± Tan Qingying smiled as well.


    The six brothers and Tan Baiqu came to the entrance, watching the couple from behind, unable to understand their words.


    ¡°Thank you for staying with me during a time like this.¡± Tan Qingying¡¯s left hand tightened around Li Xiaofei¡¯s.


    The fingertips of her right hand shimmered with a faint, sacred golden light that others could not detect under the glow of the setting sun. Li Xiaofei tilted his head slightly upward. The golden-red rays of the sunset cast a sacred, solemn glow over the left side of his handsome face. Yet, on the slightly shadowed right side, his sharply defined features revealed a hint of cold, unwavering determination to kill.


    ¡°Not just staying by your side.¡± Li Xiaofei said softly, ¡°I¡¯ll slay Saints for you... What a shame that such a beautiful sunset must be tainted with blood.¡±


    He raised his hand and pointed forward.


    ¡°Go!¡±


    A rusted longsword materialized from his spine and immediately transformed into a crimson sword beam, shooting skyward.


    At first, the crimson beam measured just over four feet. But within moments, it expanded into a sword light three zhang long. The red glow illuminated the sun. The sword¡¯s wind swept across thousands of miles. As the three-zhang sword beam shot eastward, the sword light suddenly flashed.


    A head fell as a fountain of Saint blood surged a thousand meters into the sky, dyeing half the heavens red. In the next instant, the crimson sword beam dove into the void and reappeared in the west. The sword light flashed again and another head fell. Saint blood spurted skyward, forming a crimson pillar that stretched a thousand meters, coloring the other half of the sky red!


    The midsummer sky over Xiajing was drenched in blood as Saint blood stained the void. This miraculous scene left countless onlookers in a daze.


    Moments later, cries of devastation and panic erupted from the eastern and western camps of the Ouyang family.


    ¡°The family head is dead!¡±


    ¡°The Grand Elder has been killed!¡±


    Two Saint-level powerhouses had been decapitated almost simultaneously by that three-zhang crimson sword beam. They had not been able to resist at all.


    The sky turned red as the Saints fell. The three-zhang sword beam hung in the air above the Tan family estate, like a forbidden symbol.


    ¡°Those who offend the Tan family shall be executed!¡±


    The clear, unassuming voice from within the estate carried across the land, causing all the hidden observers within dozens of miles to blanch, their expressions filled with dread. The Tan family was guarded by a mighty being capable of slaying Saints in an instant.


    In that moment, everyone understood why the Tan family had so decisively killed Ouyang Shengyi. The so-called reckless new family head had never regarded the Ouyang family as a threat from the beginning.


    Terrifying beyond words! The Ouyang family¡¯s forces fell into complete disarray as their members fled in panic. They had arrived with menacing confidence and retreated like mourners at a funeral.


    ¡°Return.¡± Standing on the stone stage, Li Xiaofei beckoned.


    The three-zhang sword beam dove down, transforming back into the rusted, time-worn sword before merging seamlessly into his body.


    The six bald-headed brothers stared in stunned silence. It was as if they had witnessed a miracle! So this was their master¡¯s true strength! They dropped to their knees without a word, bowing low and not daring to rise.


    Tan Baiqu, who had believed she knew Li Xiaofei¡¯s true strength, stood with wide eyes and a trembling body. She was too shocked to utter a word.


    The young lady tilted her head slightly, looking at the boy beside her.


    So, you¡¯re this powerful.

 Chapter 411: Passing Down Techniques

    Chapter 411: Passing Down TechniquesThe golden glow at Tan Qingying''s fingertips slowly faded. It seemed that she would not need to take action herself. She looked at Li Xiaofei, her eyes filled with surprise. However, she did not ask anything further.


    Li Xiaofei, on the other hand, was engaged in deep reflection. He pondered whether his previous attitude toward Liu Shaji had been insufficiently respectful. From now on, he resolved to show even greater respect to this highly esteemed elder.


    It wasn¡¯t for any other reason than because Liu Shaji was an elder who had made significant contributions to the human race.


    ¡°Master...¡±


    The voices of the bald man and the others trembled. They had considered the possibility that their master might be an expert. But they never expected him to be this powerful. A Saint Slayer. Their master was a Saint Slayer.


    Saints were regarded as strategic nuclear deterrents. Five hundred years ago, a Saint would have been equivalent to a nuclear warhead. Why had the Ouyang family been so arrogant? It was because they had three Saints in their lineage. If Saints were revered, then Saint Slayers were even more terrifying. Saint Slayers were those who disrupted the strategic balance.


    ¡°Get up, it''s already modern times; there''s no need to kneel for every little thing,¡± Li Xiaofei said, waving his hand. ¡°What you saw today, don¡¯t speak of it to anyone.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master.¡±


    ¡°Master, we understand.¡±


    ¡°Master, you will always be our master.¡±


    ¡°The dearest master of all.¡±


    The six men scrambled to their feet, each with a sycophantic expression, moving to stand behind Li Xiaofei as if they were looking at their own father. Such a strong connection, tied with the name of their master; if they didn¡¯t cling to it with all their might, they would be utter fools.


    Li Xiaofei found these six clowns quite endearing. After all, when the forces of the Ouyang family were pressing down on the realm, in that moment of peril, they had thought to help their master and were willing to take the risk of bringing him out of the Tan family estate. For that alone, they were worth nurturing.


    Tan Baiqu gazed at Li Xiaofei. Although the young man was right before her, he now felt as distant as the far horizon. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If only I had met him earlier.


    ¡°Now, it¡¯s our turn,¡± Tan Qingying said, turning to Tan Baiqu. ¡°Send word. Have all stewards, housekeepers, and managers return to their original posts and reclaim all the lost assets of the Tan family.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± replied Tan Baiqu, feeling a surge of energy.


    She immediately turned to gather the clan members. After this battle, the Tan family would firmly establish its foothold in Xiajing City. A family with a Saint Slayer was enough to command awe across the globe.


    ¡°Wait.¡± Tan Qingying suddenly spoke again.


    Tan Baiqu paused mid-step.


    Tan Qingying said, ¡°What happened here must not be leaked, not a single word.¡±


    ¡°I understand,¡± Tan Baiqu replied.


    The meaning was clear. The family head did not wish to reveal the true identity of the Saint Slayer.


    Time passed. Tan Qingying was right; it was now the Tan family¡¯s turn.


    When the clan members arrived at the stores that had been smashed and looted, they were astonished to find that the Ouyang family and other opportunistic forces had already withdrawn. Much to their surprise, some individuals were even kneeling at the entrances of these stores, offering extravagant compensations and begging for the Tan family''s forgiveness.


    The Tan family managed to fully recover their holdings without losing a single soldier. Despite suffering the loss of two Saints, the once-arrogant Ouyang family did not launch the frenzied retaliation that many had expected.


    Instead, they chose to concede. The last remaining Saint of the Ouyang family, the previous head of the clan, led dozens of high-ranking members, disheveled and barefoot, with their upper bodies exposed and bundles of thorn branches on their backs, to kneel outside the Tan family estate, pleading for the Saint Slayer¡¯s punishment.


    It was a genuine act of atonement. This time, however, the Tan family¡¯s crazy family head did not push them to the brink. Nor did they humiliate the elderly head of the Ouyang family.


    ¡°You may go back. The Tan family only seeks to reclaim what is rightfully ours and has no intention of annihilating the Ouyang family.¡± Tan Baiqu conveyed the message on behalf of the family head.


    In the end, neither the Ouyang family nor the entire city of Xiajing, which had closely followed the event¡¯s developments, discovered the true identity of the mysterious Saint Slayer. But no one dared to openly inquire.


    That afternoon, the third-ranking general of the nation personally visited the Tan family estate. After a three-hour discussion with the new head of the Tan family, the general left with a smile on his face.


    ¡°The Tan family is truly a model of a Saint lineage.¡± This was the official response given by the national spokesperson during an interview with the media.


    This statement directly characterized the battle that had shattered the boundaries of the Saint families. The more arrogant the Ouyang family had been, the more tragic their downfall became. With that, the Tan family¡¯s rise to prominence was secured.


    ***


    At the Tan family estate. In the backyard. The Rain Pavilion.


    ¡°I won¡¯t be visiting the livestream room for a while,¡± Li Xiaofei said. ¡°However, I have a new cultivation technique to pass on to you. Take it to the livestream room, practice it with your senior brothers and sisters, and then teach it step-by-step to the followers in the room. Do not keep it to yourselves. Understood?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master.¡± The six stood obediently with their hands at their sides.


    Li Xiaofei began to recite the Yi Jin Jing.


    ¡°This technique can cleanse the body, improve one¡¯s constitution, and bring about a complete transformation,¡± Li Xiaofei said in a serious tone. ¡°It is considered the greatest ancient martial body-refining technique. With sincere practice, even those lacking natural talent can improve their physical condition in the shortest time possible. You must learn it with dedication and teach it with care.¡±


    The six had long regarded Li Xiaofei as a being beyond human. Every word he spoke was taken as an unbreakable commandment. When they heard that the Yi Jin Jing could cleanse and transform the body, they were both shocked and elated.


    Could such a technique surpass even the mythical level?


    Their master was truly worthy of being a Saint Slayer, casually imparting such an ancient martial legacy. Now that the contents of the Yi Jin Jing etched into their minds, the six were filled with anticipation.


    ¡°Keep my identity a secret for now,¡± Li Xiaofei added, watching them closely. ¡°Only you six should know.¡±


    The bald man thumped his chest confidently. ¡°Master, don¡¯t worry. I wouldn¡¯t reveal it even if I were beaten to death.¡±


    The young man with yellow hair and earrings, along with the others, also pledged their loyalty.


    Li Xiaofei nodded and said, ¡°You may go now.¡±


    Reluctantly, they departed. Once outside the Tan family estate, they could no longer contain their excitement. They burst into howls of joy, leaping and laughing along the road like a band of madmen.


    The thought of being the only six privy to their master¡¯s secret filled them with such excitement that they hugged each other and danced in the street.


    Inside the estate, in the Rain Pavilion.


    Li Xiaofei''s decision to teach the Yi Jin Jing to the six and promote it in the livestream room was not a spur-of-the-moment choice. It was a well-thought-out plan. Next, he intended for Li Junjie to practice the Yi Jin Jing as well. He would use his top lieutenant to spread the technique throughout White Deer Academy and use it as a testing ground.


    Most of the students at White Deer Academy came from lower to middle-class backgrounds, with rather average natural talent. However, they were resilient and possessed an unyielding dedication to martial arts. Once these students improved their natural abilities, they would unleash immense power. At that point, the entire academy would make a stunning impact. This was also part of the Red Flag High School model.


    By using White Deer Academy, a once-revered institution, as a testing ground, any results achieved would undoubtedly astonish all of Great Xia. When that time came, Old Chen''s years of hard work would bear fruit, and the traditional Great Xia martial lineage would gain more support in its struggle against the New Martial Arts movement.


    Of course, all of this was for the future. For now, the most pressing matter was having an in-depth conversation with the young lady of the house.


    They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. The long night stretched ahead, perfect for an intimate reunion. Li Xiaofei moved into the private chambers of the head of the family.

 Chapter 412: Never Doubt Master (1)

    Chapter 412: Never Doubt Master (1)(Eighty thousand words were omitted here for review.)


    Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow across the bed. The young lady''s fair, oval face displayed a gentle and sweet smile as she woke up in the arms of her beloved.


    She loved the boy beside her deeply. It wasn¡¯t because of his good looks, nor because he had slain a Saint in his fury, but because of the connection between their hearts and souls.


    Propped up on one elbow, she looked radiant in the morning light. She twirled a few strands of her hair, brushing them lightly across Li Xiaofei¡¯s face. Li Xiaofei reached out and gave her a playful squeeze without opening his eyes, then pulled her close with an assertive, possessive embrace.


    The morning was beautiful. The room was filled with warmth and intimacy on this early summer morning. After a long while, the restless energy settled.


    In the bathroom, the two leaned against each other in the bathtub. The matters of the Tan family had been resolved so smoothly that many of the prepared plans were now unnecessary. The young lady was ready to report to Beixia University.


    As for the Tan family?


    ¡°I once promised Grandfather that as long as the Tan family survived, that would be enough. Leading the family to a new era of glory is not something I am interested in or willing to do. No matter how great the glory, it always comes to an end. I have awakened the divine bloodline, gained strength in leaps and bounds, and even mastered some Saint-level abilities, but my martial foundation is still insufficient. So, I will focus most of my energy on cultivating at the university.¡±


    ¡°I will leave the Tan family matters to Baiqu. She has the experience and ambition and is more suited to be the head of the family. With you, the Saint Slayer, overseeing things, no one will dare challenge the Tan family in Xiajing City.¡±


    ¡°Besides, the third high general has already expressed support. The state will offer policy assistance to the Tan family¡¯s enterprises. The Tan family should continue to exist, but not grow too powerful.¡±


    The young lady¡¯s thoughts were clear as she leaned against Li Xiaofei and laid out her plans. Li Xiaofei agreed wholeheartedly. A so-called Saint Slayer was enough to subdue the Ouyang family with their three Saints. It was also enough to prompt a national general to visit personally.


    What did that mean? It meant that martial strength was the true foundation in this world. This world was no longer the same as it was five hundred years ago. When an individual¡¯s combat ability could become akin to nuclear deterrence, the traditional power structures would inevitably collapse and reorganize. The young lady focusing her energy on martial cultivation was indeed the wisest choice.


    ¡°I also have some ideas I¡¯d like to discuss with you in detail.¡±


    With one hand resting on her soft curves, Li Xiaofei whispered his plans into her ear.


    Over the days spent at White Deer Academy, Li Xiaofei had given serious thought to many things. Red Flag High School, Liuhe Base City, the light-network virtual livestream room, and White Deer Academy...


    These places, through unexpected turns of fate, had become part of his network. How could he connect these places? He had a vague plan forming in his mind. And so, he began discussing it thoroughly with the young lady.


    ***


    At White Deer Academy.


    ¡°Junior, thank you,¡± Song Lingge, one of the seven sisters, said with a grateful expression. ¡°I finally understand why my Innate Art has always progressed so slowly. It turns out I was focusing on the wrong things.¡±


    Li Junjie scratched the back of his head and said, ¡°You¡¯re welcome, Senior. You¡¯re really amazing too.¡±


    ¡°Let me treat you to milk tea,¡± Song Lingge said with a bright smile.


    ¡°I... I...¡± Li Junjie blushed a bit.


    School life was completely different from his time in the gang. Back then, he was surrounded by rough-and-tumble followers, and most conversations were resolved by swearing and threats. At worst, a few punches would settle things.


    But school was a whole new world where he was surrounded by gentle voices and sweet smiles. Li Junjie found himself in unfamiliar territory, so he couldn¡¯t help but feel flustered and unsure of what to do. Sipping his milk tea on the way back, Li Junjie couldn''t help but reflect on how these beautiful senior sisters were harder to deal with than the most ferocious star beasts he had faced in the wild.


    From afar, Song Lingge watched his tall figure, a smile spreading involuntarily across her face.


    ¡°Hehe, Lingge, this is the first time you¡¯ve asked a boy to have milk tea with you,¡± said Ding Rong, the eldest of the sisters as she suddenly appeared.


    ¡°I just wanted to thank Junior Li,¡± Song Lingge quickly explained, startled, as she clutched her chest.


    ¡°Tsk, tsk, is that so?¡± Ding Rong smirked mischievously. ¡°From what I¡¯ve heard, quite a few girls at the academy already have a crush on Junior Junjie, and a few bold ones are determined to win him over within a month.¡±


    Song Lingge said, ¡°They can win him over if they want. What does that have to do with me?¡±


    Ding Rong chuckled again. ¡°That includes me.¡±


    ¡°What? Eldest Sister, you...¡± Song Lingge was taken aback, a sudden sense of unease creeping into her heart.


    At that moment, Lin Wan, another of the seven sisters, walked over and said, ¡°Eldest Sister, Lingge, my Innate Art has finally broken through to the fourth level, thanks to Junior Junjie¡¯s explanations and help. I want to treat him to a meal. Do you think it should be on campus or off-campus? And should I wear a dress or my uniform?¡±


    Ding Rong and Song Lingge exchanged glances, stunned.


    Li Junjie, meanwhile, was unaware of any of this. He arrived at Li Xiaofei¡¯s dormitory and found the boss standing at the door, rubbing his lower back.


    ¡°Boss, Instructor Ding said I should join the school battle team and sign up for the Screaming Zone University Tournament,¡± Li Junjie reported out of habit.


    Li Xiaofei, still massaging his back, said, ¡°That¡¯s a good thing. Participating in the tournament will help hone your combat skills.¡± S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Junjie grinned, and seemingly seeking praise, said, ¡°I agreed, but I set one condition.¡±


    Li Xiaofei had a bad feeling. ¡°You didn¡¯t go for the one plus one condition again, did you?¡±


    Li Junjie nodded enthusiastically. ¡°As expected of you, Boss. You saw right through me. I said if the school team didn¡¯t recruit you, I wouldn¡¯t join.¡±


    Li Xiaofei, still stretching his back, said, ¡°So now I¡¯m part of the school battle team?¡±


    Li Junjie took out a specially crafted bamboo token and said, ¡°That¡¯s right. This is the identity token for the school battle team. Instructor Ding asked me to hand it to you. Our first joint training is on Monday. Boss, we¡¯ll be fighting side by side again.¡±


    Li Xiaofei took the bamboo token and examined it closely. The natural bamboo was inscribed with mysterious formation lines, giving the token a special energy that made it both sturdy and weighty.


    ¡°If you inject inner qi into the token, it activates a defense and teleportation formation. It¡¯s a unique feature of White Deer Academy. It¡¯s pretty amazing.¡± Li Junjie demonstrated.


    He channeled his inner qi into his own token. Immediately, a faint silver shield formed around him like an eggshell.


    ¡°The teleportation function can only be used in the wilderness outside the city,¡± Li Junjie explained.


    ¡°The wilderness outside the city?¡± Li Xiaofei was somewhat surprised.


    Li Junjie elaborated, ¡°Instructor Ding said that White Deer Academy¡¯s training and trials are conducted in real environments. We have to leave the city and fight corpse beasts with real weapons.¡±


    This revelation surprised Li Xiaofei.


    Is White Deer Academy truly this bold? Is it a consequence of being too poor to afford light-core simulators?


    Still, the battle token was intriguing. The formations and technology seemed to overlap in some aspects. White Deer Academy certainly had some unique qualities, but not too many.


    ¡°Come with me,¡± Li Xiaofei said as he turned and walked back to his dormitory. ¡°I have a task for you.¡±


    Li Junjie obediently followed behind. Song Lingge, Ding Rong, and Lin Wan, who were approaching quickly from a distance, saw them go in, but by the time they reached the entrance, the door was already shut.


    ¡°That Li Xiaofei, a nobody at the bottom of the ranks, dares to boss around Junior Junjie.¡±


    ¡°Bringing those small-town gang tactics into a university campus. How absurd.¡±


    ¡°Junior Junjie is a soaring dragon, while Li Xiaofei is nothing but a fierce stray dog.¡±


    The three girls couldn¡¯t help but feel indignant.


    Inside the dormitory.


    ¡°I have a cultivation technique to teach you. After learning it, pass it on to your classmates,¡± Li Xiaofei said.


    He carefully went through the Yi Jin Jing. This scripture could improve the body constitution of cultivators, enhance innate potential, and cleanse the body. If it was promoted within White Deer Academy, it could significantly elevate the students¡¯ martial arts potential.


    White Deer Academy had a foundation and its own techniques. The reason it had struggled to make a name for itself was its inability to attract talented students. Even the so-called geniuses of various faculties were only the best among mediocrity.


    The top students at White Deer Academy still fell far short in overall quality compared to even geniuses of second-tier universities in Xiajing City.

 Chapter 413: Never Doubt Master (2)

    Chapter 413: Never Doubt Master (2)This was determined by innate potential. White Deer Academy could not change its circumstances without a body-cleansing cultivation technique. Moreover, from Li Xiaofei¡¯s observations and conclusions, it seemed that even in this era, the Great Xia martial lineage lacked techniques that could enhance one¡¯s physical aptitude.


    However, the students of White Deer Academy had one clear advantage in their unwavering dedication to martial pursuits. Once their bodies were improved, their cultivation speed would be astonishing.


    Li Junjie listened attentively to Li Xiaofei¡¯s explanations while practicing cultivation for a full hour. He quickly mastered the first level of the Yi Jin Jing. Although his understanding of martial theory was not strong, and his aptitude for deep thinking was average, his physical condition was exceptional.


    The heart modified by Little Aunt revealed its extraordinary advantage as he practiced the Yi Jin Jing. Many stances were instinctively completed by his body before his brain even caught up. For him, cultivation became as simple as eating and drinking water. Yet he often found himself in a state of knowing the results without understanding the reasons. He could never grasp why techniques that others struggled with felt easy for him after only a brief round of practice.


    Thus, Li Xiaofei¡¯s detailed explanations were crucial. When Li Xiaofei broke down many intricate aspects in simple terms, Li Junjie finally had moments of realization.


    ¡°That¡¯s all for today,¡± Li Xiaofei concluded his lesson.


    It was the first time he had put so much effort into instructing someone. When he had imparted techniques to Yan Chiyu, Fang Buyi, Bai Qiqi, and others, he had simply handed them annotated manuals without much verbal explanation. Even for the bald-headed group of six, he had mostly relied on the manuals with minimal clarification. And as for the young lady...


    After awakening her bloodline, the young lady¡¯s martial talent had become almost terrifying. Cultivating techniques like the Six Meridian Divine Sword and the Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm had only taken her a single glance to master.


    But when it came to Li Junjie, Li Xiaofei needed to explain things in detail so that he understood the ¡®why¡¯ behind the techniques. Only then could he pass this knowledge on to others. Even previous techniques, such as the Innate Art and various blade, sword, and spear techniques, required the same thorough explanations.


    ¡°I¡¯m really wearing myself out for White Deer Academy,¡± Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but grumble.


    The dormitory door opened and the two stepped outside. However, seven beautiful female students, the second-year seven sisters, were standing at the entrance.


    ¡°Junior Junjie, it¡¯s time for your lecture. Everyone¡¯s waiting,¡± Ding Rong, the eldest, said as she grabbed Li Junjie and pulled him away without further ado.


    ¡°Ah... Boss, I...¡± Li Junjie called out, a bit panicked, looking back at Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei smirked mischievously. Summer was coming to an end, but it seemed that spring had just arrived. Unbeknownst to him, his prot¨¦g¨¦ had become highly sought after. This was an unexpected yet delightful turn of events.


    Who would have thought that these arrangements would transform a former Red Pole who only knew how to fight with a blade into a university star pursued by campus beauties?


    How amusing. Fighting and bloodshed were born of necessity. But enjoying love was the true essence of life. After years of battles within the Cloudy Sky Gang, Li Junjie deserved to experience the best aspects of university life.


    ¡°Go, go,¡± Li Xiaofei said, winking.


    One should seize the blooms while they can, lest they be left with bare branches. So, Li Junjie awkwardly followed the girls. Recently, he had become incredibly popular at White Deer Academy. It wasn¡¯t limited to just the Eastern Blue-Robe House, but even students from the other four houses came daily to the training grounds to attend his lectures.


    The so-called top freshmen geniuses from those houses initially didn¡¯t accept him, but their attitudes shifted from shock to respect, and now they all respectfully addressed him as Brother Li.


    At White Deer Academy now, there was only one Brother Li. And that was Li Junjie.


    ¡°Hey, you don¡¯t need to act so deferentially toward Li Xiaofei anymore,¡± Ding Rong said as they walked. ¡°This is university; everyone is equal. You¡¯re no longer his subordinate.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re destined to soar with your talent and potential. You could become a legend at White Deer Academy, so you need to learn to be independent,¡± Song Lingge added.


    Lin Wan chimed in, ¡°Junior Li, he may have treated you well in the past and even saved your life, but as they say, debts should be clear. There are no slaves in this world. You can be grateful, but you shouldn¡¯t repay that kindness with your dignity or freedom.¡±


    The girls took turns trying to persuade him on their way to the training grounds. Li Junjie stopped walking. He looked at the concerned, beautiful faces before him, his expression more serious than ever.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know my past, what the Boss has done, or what his presence means to someone like me. I understand all that. But please, don¡¯t ever say such things again. Once he is my Boss, he is my Boss for life. My life will always belong to him. If he ever needs it, I will give it without hesitation,¡± Li Junjie said earnestly.


    The girls stood frozen in place. For the first time, they heard such resolute, unwavering words from their honest and kind junior.


    Li Junjie took a few steps forward, then suddenly stopped. He turned back.


    ¡°Maybe you won¡¯t believe what I¡¯m saying,¡± he said. ¡°But I¡¯m really not a genius. I¡¯m not even one-tenth, not even one-hundredth as talented as the Boss. The Boss is the true genius. At least in my mind, not just in White Deer Academy, but across all the universities in Xiajing, no one compares to the Boss. I know you girls mean well, and I hope we can be friends, but please, don¡¯t ever say things like that again.¡±


    With that, Li Junjie strode purposefully toward the training grounds.


    The sisters exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.


    ¡°Sigh, Junior Junjie is just too kind-hearted.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, even now, he¡¯s speaking up for Li Xiaofei.¡±


    ¡°If Li Xiaofei really were such a genius, the headmaster would have fought tooth and nail to recruit him, not treat him as an afterthought.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a matter of perspective.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. A dragon raised in a pond will always think the python ruling the pond is the greatest genius. Little does it know that once it leaves the pond and soars into the sky, a casual breath would turn the pond¡¯s python to ashes.¡±


    ¡°Our hatchling is just too kind.¡±


    ¡°Let him figure it out in his own time. One day, he¡¯ll realize that Li Xiaofei and he are worlds apart.¡±


    The sisters soon reached a consensus before quickening their pace and following Li Junjie to the training grounds. The area was already packed with people. Not only were there students from the Eastern Blue-Robe House and the other first-year houses, but there were also upperclassmen from the second and third years, along with a dozen martial arts instructors from various grades.


    Wang Xiaofan and Hou Ni, the geniuses of the Eastern Blue-Robe House, were also among the crowd. Li Junjie stood on the stone stage in the center of the assembly. Under the gaze of countless eyes, he calmly cleared his throat and began sharing his insights on cultivating the Innate Art.


    Having led thousands of subordinates in the Cloudy Sky Gang, Li Junjie was no stranger to crowds. He was used to commanding respect and addressing large groups without hesitation, so he stood confidently before them.


    The Innate Art was White Deer Academy¡¯s treasured foundational technique. In the academy¡¯s heyday, it was considered the premier introduction to advanced martial stages and was known as the foundation of Saints. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Indeed, many Saints had risen through mastering this technique. But this technique had fallen into obscurity in the present.

 Chapter 414: Never Doubt Master (3)

    Chapter 414: Never Doubt Master (3)The original interpretations of the ancient technique had long been lost, so the later generations¡¯ understanding had become skewed. As a result, not only was it difficult to produce Saints, but even producing a few experts in the Dao Union or Divine Realm was challenging. The true essence and subtleties of the technique remained beyond anyone¡¯s grasp.


    For over a century, generations of instructors at White Deer Academy had dedicated themselves tirelessly to deciphering the true secrets of the Innate Art, hoping to restore the academy¡¯s former glory. But progress had always been minimal. Interpretations multiplied, yet the results were weaker than in the past.


    Li Junjie¡¯s sudden emergence as he delivered a week¡¯s worth of lectures on the intricacies of the Innate Art with interpretations never heard before, which were often contrary to those previously taught, sparked a massive upheaval among the academy¡¯s instructors.


    Skeptics were not in short supply. However, the old headmaster organized a group of instructors to discreetly practice according to Li Junjie¡¯s teachings. The results left them stunned. Li Junjie¡¯s interpretation had proved to be more effective than the academy¡¯s conventional instruction. Judging by the students¡¯ reactions, the same was true for them.


    In the initial days, some senior students raised doubts about Li Junjie¡¯s interpretations of the Innate Art and debated them openly. But as time passed, the number of doubters dwindled. It became commonplace for large crowds to gather at the training grounds to attend lectures, as seen tonight. The only change was the growing number of attendees.


    Unbeknownst to most students, even the old headmaster and the head of the academic department were listening from afar.


    Li Junjie¡¯s explanations of the Innate Art were essentially repetitions of Li Xiaofei¡¯s teachings, without any personal embellishments. Before they knew it, two hours had flown by as Li Junjie shared all his insights for the day. The surrounding students and instructors felt as if time had passed too quickly. Some were already trying out what they had learned right there on the spot.


    Li Junjie cleared his throat. Just when everyone expected him to say the familiar phrase, ¡°Come back tomorrow,¡± he instead announced, ¡°The Innate Art is the foundational inner qi cultivation method. I also have a body-refining technique called Yi Jin Jing, which can enhance physical constitution. I¡¯ll explain it now, and if anyone¡¯s interested, you can practice it with me...¡±


    He began to elaborate on the first level of the Yi Jin Jing he had just learned that day, providing a detailed demonstration and explanation on the spot.


    The crowd that had been ready to disperse immediately settled back down to listen attentively. Gradually, they became fully absorbed.


    In the distance, the old headmaster and the academic department head exchanged looks of extreme shock. Soon, that shock transformed into ecstatic joy. This technique seemed tailor-made for White Deer Academy.


    ***


    In the light-network virtual world. Longya Group''s website livestream room.


    ¡°What? You met Master in real life?!¡±


    ¡°Did you get any contact information?¡±


    ¡°Where? Where?¡±


    Their senior brothers and sisters immediately crowded around the six brothers.


    The bald man smacked his forehead with a smug expression and said, ¡°Heh, bet you didn¡¯t see that coming. The six of us are luckier than you all.¡±


    Guo Zong''ao couldn¡¯t hold back and asked, ¡°What does Master look like? Young or old? What does he do? Is he a Saint?¡±


    The others eagerly awaited an answer.


    ¡°Master told us not to say anything.¡± The bald man spread his hands and added, ¡°Maybe one day, he will reveal his identity to you himself.¡±


    Guo Zong''ao, Zhou Yidao, Su Qianni, Ding Mingya, Brother Dao, and Ren Woyou all looked disappointed. They had increasingly come to feel that the livestream room without their Master was a completely different place.


    It wasn¡¯t that the room had lost popularity. It was the energy and atmosphere that felt off. Even they, each time they faced difficulties in cultivation, found themselves missing him more.


    The bald man continued, ¡°Master said he won¡¯t return for now. We should handle matters in the livestream room among ourselves. As for contact information, do you really think Master would give it to us? If he wants to show up, he will come on his own.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, senior brothers and sisters, please stop asking,¡± added the young man with yellow hair and earrings. ¡°However, Master did specifically pass on a new technique for us to teach you.¡±


    ¡°What technique?¡±


    ¡°A new ancient martial true legacy?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s amazing! Don¡¯t keep us in suspense, tell us.¡±


    The senior brothers and sisters grew excited. The bald man and his five companions took turns explaining the first part of the Yi Jin Jing. Unlike ordinary martial artists, they were practitioners of ancient martial true legacies, and their cultivation levels were not low. Once their senior brothers and sisters heard the new technique, they immediately sensed that it was different from anything they had practiced before.


    ¡°Master said this is a technique that can cleanse the body, transform the practitioner, and allow one to leap like a carp over the dragon gate.¡± The bald man emphasized repeatedly.


    Those who heard him were both shocked and skeptical.


    Is there really such a technique in the world? Could it be true?


    "You''d better not doubt Master." One of the six brothers, the fair-skinned one, couldn¡¯t help but remind the senior brothers and sisters upon seeing their expressions.


    ¡°It¡¯s not doubt¡ªit¡¯s just shocking,¡± Zhou Yidao quickly explained.


    Ding Mingya, a talented university student, also added, ¡°A technique that can enhance aptitude is unheard of. As far as I know, even Beixia University doesn¡¯t have such a method. Usually one needs external aids to improve one¡¯s natural talent...¡±


    ¡°If Master says it can be done, then it can be done,¡± Four-Eyes, one of the six brothers, insisted. ¡°You all need to remember one thing, never doubt Master.¡±


    Brother Dao¡¯s face revealed a hint of skepticism. ¡°What do you guys know? Is Master¡¯s real-life identity... that impressive?¡±


    The six brothers'' expressions immediately turned solemn and reverent.


    The bald man spoke in a voice filled with almost fanatical devotion, ¡°Master is always more incredible than your wildest imagination. I¡¯ll say it again, never doubt Master.¡±


    The others were thoughtful. When the six brothers first became disciples, they had done so reluctantly after a hard lesson. Their initial behavior wasn¡¯t exactly respectful, let alone reverent. It wasn¡¯t until they were taught the fingertip sword technique that their attitude had become more earnest. But now, they had reached a point where they revered their Master with such respect? S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    There was only one possible explanation. Their Master¡¯s status in real life must be extraordinarily high. No, to be more precise, it must be terrifying. Otherwise, the six brothers wouldn¡¯t repeatedly emphasize how they should never doubt Master.


    These six had experienced life and came from families with Saints. If they were speaking like this, their Master must at least be at the Divine Realm, if not a Saint. Realizing this, the other disciples felt a surge of excitement. The stronger Master was, the more fortunate they were.


    Just as everyone exchanged their insights and excitement over the Yi Jin Jing, Little Martial Uncle Zhang Zhihong came online with a grim expression.


    ¡°There¡¯s trouble.¡± When he saw Guo Zong''ao and the others, Zhang Zhihong said, ¡°What we feared is finally happening.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± the bald man asked. ¡°Uncle, is Mechanical Eternity coming for us?¡±


    Zhang Zhihong nodded. ¡°The Longya Group platform is about to launch a guild war. This time, it¡¯s going to be a no-holds-barred war. The Mythical Heavy Industry and Eternal Precision guilds have formed an alliance and announced that they will attack our livestream room.¡±


    ¡°Damn, a no-holds-barred war?¡±


    ¡°Are they really going that far?¡±


    Guo Zong''ao, Brother Dao, and the others instantly realized the gravity of the situation.


    Guild wars in the light-network virtual world were battles where lives were on the line. War meant bloodshed and death.


    Wars among major streamers involved fierce clashes, leaving countless casualties and sending blood flowing like rivers. The cost of defeat was too heavy for anyone to bear. This time, the Grandmaster of Heaven livestream room was in big trouble.

 Chapter 415: Really Cannot Provoke (1)

    Chapter 415: Really Cannot Provoke (1)That night, the guild war officially began. In an instant, Mythical Heavy Industry, ranked first on the Longya Group website, and Eternal Precision, ranked third, invaded the Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts livestream room.


    Unlike normal streaming sessions, where joining required an application and approval, all restrictions were lifted during guild wars. Anyone could enter the livestream.


    As soon as the guild war commenced, several system notifications resounded throughout the Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts livestream room.


    Warning: Mythical Heavy Industry has declared war on Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts!


    Warning: Eternal Precision has declared war on Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts!


    Warning: Mechanic¡¯s Den has declared war on Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts!


    Warning: Gear Power Armor has declared war on Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts!


    One declaration after another echoed into the sky. In that instant, the fans of the Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts livestream room all wore solemn expressions, their faces tense with anxiety.


    Although they had received prior warnings and had prepared accordingly, donning their armor and readying their weapons, the sudden barrage of war declarations still sent a shiver down their spines.


    The most fearsome forces among them were Mythical Heavy Industry and Eternal Precision, two major streamers with fan bases exceeding seven million and consistent online audiences surpassing a million, making them the most formidable in battle.


    As soon as the system''s warning fell silent, the war began. The sky filled with countless figures clad in power armor, sweeping in and covering half the horizon. The battle erupted in an instant.


    Boom!


    Energy cannons roared. Shells rained down like a storm, striking the ancient martial arts arena.


    The two major livestream rooms from the Mechanical Eternity faction, focused on mechanical new martial arts, launched an overwhelming assault. Countless power armor warriors piloted their suits and began the first wave of indiscriminate long-range bombardments.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.


    Armor-piercing arrows shot like a torrential rain from the Grandmaster of Heaven ancient martial arts arena into the sky.


    Simultaneously, numerous warriors in the Five Spirits Realm ascended, meeting their enemies head-on and cutting down the armored warriors.


    ¡°Kill!¡±


    Battle cries thundered through the air as blood and bodies rained from the sky. When Five Spirits Realm experts faced power armor experts in one-on-one combat, they often triumphed, shattering the mechanical exoskeletons with forceful blows.


    The six brothers, with the bald man at the forefront, led the charge. They, along with their followers, most of whom were skilled practitioners of the Six Meridian Divine Sword, unleashed sharp sword qi that split the sky, slicing through the armored suits.


    Yet, the sheer number of enemies was overwhelming, and they fielded powerful combatants. Before long, the bald man¡¯s troops started to suffer casualties, with fighters falling lifeless from the sky.


    ¡°Fight! For Master!¡±


    The bald man¡¯s roar echoed as he fought with relentless ferocity and refused to retreat. His battle spirit surged. Soon, he was besieged by two elite mechanics from the Mythical Heavy Industry livestream room.


    These mechanics had limbs and heads enhanced with mechanical modifications that allowed them to far exceed human agility and skeletal strength. Energy bullets erupted from their fingertips and forearms, while they had eight shoulder mounted rotating death-ray cannons. They wielded power metal whip-energy swords with brutal precision.


    These cyborgs who were over 50 percent modified, represented the pinnacle of Mechanical Eternity technology. They were experts with Golden Body Realm combat ability.


    ¡°Jincheng, Jinwu.¡±


    The bald man recognized their identities. Anyone active for long enough in the livestream world knew of these two by reputation. They were among the top ten mechanical guardians of the Mythical Heavy Industry livestream room. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Degenerate fool, perish.¡±


    ¡°Kill.¡±


    The red, machine-like gleam in the mechanics¡¯ eyes shone with merciless precision as their firepower reached its peak. One focused on long-range bombardment while the other closed in for close combat.


    The bald man held out for thirty seconds, and even managed to sever one of Jincheng¡¯s mechanical arms in close combat. But he was struck by a death ray that shattered his protective inner qi and pierced through his body. Before he could react further, Jinwu¡¯s metal chain whip-sword decapitated him.


    As his body fell, it was obliterated into a mist of blood and bone by the relentless bombardment. The bald man had fallen in battle.


    One by one, the young man with the yellow hair and earrings, the fair-skinned man, four-eyes, the mohawk, and the thin one were also slain, overwhelmed by cyborgs who outnumbered them several times over. On the ground, the army clad in terrestrial combat power armor surged into the ten minor floating mountains and the central Grandmaster of Heaven arena like a relentless tide.


    Four colossal metallic giants, each towering a hundred meters high, entered the fray wielding energy blades that blazed with blinding light. Their destructive power was monstrous. Even Five Spirits Realm ancient martial experts were cut down with a single blow. These were power mechs; the pinnacle of human warfare technology.


    In the real world, power mechs were rarely deployed and reserved for moments when the survival of a base city hung in the balance, due to their immense resource consumption for each minute of operation. Many large-tonnage power mechs even required dozens of martial arts experts to control. But in the virtual network world, power mechs could be deployed as long as you could afford it.


    Some ultra-heavy mechs that only existed in theory in the real world could become reality in the light-core virtual world due to the unique nature of the network.


    ¡°Damn it...¡± Brother Dao cursed under his breath.


    No one had expected Mythical Heavy Industry to deploy one of their trump cards: the four Meteor-Class power mechs. The chains binding the floating mountains were severed as one by one, the floating mountains fell. Energy shells rained down continuously on the central arena.


    Buildings and pavilions collapsed in the blaze as countless expensive structures were reduced to rubble. Countless ancient martial artists lay in pools of blood.


    The battle raged on, with the mechanical new martial artists, cyborgs, and power armor warriors advanced relentlessly. The defenders of the Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts livestream room were steadily forced to retreat.


    They were facing an overwhelming numerical disadvantage. The combined forces of the top-ranked first and third major streamers, alongside the support of seven or eight other notable streamers forced the Grandmaster of Heaven practitioners back again and again.


    Zhou Yidao and Guo Zong''ao had already fallen in battle. Su Qianni, Ding Mingya, Brother Dao, and Ren Woyou rallied the surviving ancient martial artists to continue resisting. Yet, they too were pushed back step by step.


    Finally, everyone was surrounded in the collapsed heart of the arena. The cannon fire ceased. The top warrior of Mythical Heavy Industry, Crimson Firestorm Mei Fusu, stepped forward and spoke calmly, ¡°Where is Grandmaster of Heaven?¡±


    Brother Dao, covered in blood, sneered. ¡°If my Master were here, you¡¯d all be corpses already.¡±


    ¡°A coward, hiding away,¡± Mei Fusu sneered. ¡°Grandmaster of Heaven fears death and leaves you fools to die in his place. Will you not kneel and surrender? Those who surrender may yet be spared.¡±


    ¡°And what are you, to insult my revered master?¡± Brother Dao laughed defiantly.


    He charged at Mei Fusu without a second thought. His Golden Body Realm cultivation had earned him the title of the number one fighter in the ancient martial arts section. Training at Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s arena had only sharpened his combat prowess.


    Fueled by rage, his attack was formidable. But it was clear that Mei Fusu had no intention of engaging in a duel.


    He gestured, and a swathe of fighters surged forward.


    Mei Fusu looked at the remaining defenders and said, ¡°Surrender and you will live. Remove the Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts fan badge and vow never to return to this livestream for cultivation, and you may leave alive.¡±


    Su Qianni sneered. Ren Woyou stepped forward, sword in hand.


    Ding Mingya raised his staff and shouted, ¡°Kill!¡±


    The fewer than ten thousand remaining ancient martial artists launched a final, desperate charge as they fought with reckless abandon. This sight made even Mei Fusu¡¯s expression shift slightly.


    ¡°This Grandmaster of Heaven is distorting ancient martial arts, promoting outdated practices, and standing against the tide of progress. He¡¯s foolishly trying to stop a chariot with his bare arms. Yet his ability to captivate hearts is undeniable. In such a short time, he has inspired so many to fight to the death for him,¡± Mei Fusu said, smirking coldly. ¡°Pass the order, leave no one alive in Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s ancient martial arts arena today.¡±


    Half an hour later, the battle was over. The Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts arena lay in ruins. Severed limbs and shattered walls were scattered everywhere.


    ¡°Set it ablaze. Reduce this place to ashes,¡± Mei Fusu ordered coldly before turning and walking away.


    Flames roared, leaving behind scorched earth. The painstakingly built home for cultivation by the ancient martial artists was obliterated in an instant.


    In the light-core virtual world, death outside of trial maps resulted in forced logout by the system, preventing reentry for half an hour until revival.


    The reconstruction of destroyed buildings required a significant investment. The cost was comparable to that of the real world. Such losses were devastating for any streamer.


    Soon, news of the total defeat and destruction of the Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts livestream room spread rapidly across the light-network, drawing immense attention.


    Across the country, countless ancient martial artists beside their light-core pods stomped their feet in frustration.


    ¡°Unfair victory.¡±


    ¡°They only won because of their numbers.¡±


    ¡°Face us one-on-one if you dare.¡±


    ¡°Damn it, I can¡¯t swallow this.¡±


    Many ancient martial artists who had benefited from cultivating in the Grandmaster of Heaven livestream room felt a deep sense of injustice and anger in their hearts.


    Some picked up their portable light cores to make calls.


    ¡°Hey, buddy, log on and help me fight.¡±


    ¡°Haoyong, didn¡¯t you say you like my sister? Get online in half an hour and help me in this battle, and I¡¯ll make sure you meet her.¡±


    ¡°Whoever helps me fight on the light-network, I¡¯ll be their girlfriend.¡±


    ¡°Secretary, stop eating. Your boss is being bullied on the light-network. Go reserve every high-end light-core pod at the nearby cybercafes and get all experts in the company above the Acupoint Opening Realm ready to log on and help me. Kill one mech warrior and I¡¯ll add $10,000 to their year-end bonus. Kill ten and I¡¯ll double it.¡±


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m being bullied. Yes, in the light-network virtual world. Are you going to do something about it?¡±


    Various calls were made.


    At the same time, in the Family of the Sect LightChat group. Brother Dao, Ren Woyou, Su Qianni, Zhou Yidao, and others had gathered.


    ¡°Two of the top three streamers had the nerve to break the code of honor and ambush us right after declaring war.¡±


    ¡°This is unacceptable. We need to fight back.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Let¡¯s strike back.¡±


    ¡°But their fanbase is still bigger than ours.¡±


    ¡°I wonder what the livestream room looks like now.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t let this go. Even if Master isn¡¯t here, we need to stand up.¡±


    ¡°Take back the livestream room.¡±


    The group was filled with righteous anger as they passionately discussed their plans.

 Chapter 416: Really Cannot Provoke (2)

    Chapter 416: Really Cannot Provoke (2)Although they had known for some time that several major streamers from the Mechanical Eternity faction would target the Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts livestream room, no one had expected them to go to such extreme lengths. They had completely destroyed the Grandmaster of Heaven livestream room.


    In the past, no matter how intense the battles became, they would merely determine a victor. There was never a complete massacre. They had certainly never burned a livestream room to the ground. Both sides would always leave a margin. But this time, it was clear that it was a fight to the death.


    Just then, Zhang Zhihong suddenly came online.


    ¡°Little Martial Uncle! Where were you at such a crucial moment? Our livestream room has been destroyed!¡± Brother Dao couldn¡¯t help but complain upon seeing him.


    Zhang Zhihong wore a look of helplessness and said, ¡°Damn, at the critical moment, my dad locked me in a little dark room for a time-out. I had to use every trick in the book to get out.¡±


    Su Qianni sighed and said, ¡°Little Martial Uncle, you¡¯re an adult, and you¡¯re still getting grounded?¡±


    Zhang Zhihong held Su Qianni¡¯s hand and said, ¡°Ah, it¡¯s a hard life being a rich second generation.¡±


    ¡°Little Martial Uncle, why don¡¯t you try to contact Master?¡± Guo Zong''ao suggested.


    Zhang Zhihong shook his head. ¡°You don¡¯t understand him. If he wanted to appear, he would have by now... My guess is that this guild war is his way of testing you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, it must be.¡± The bald man agreed. ¡°Master is definitely testing us and trying to unleash our potential through this ordeal. Otherwise, this whole thing would be over with just one move from him.¡±


    ¡°It must be that way.¡± The other five brothers nodded, realization dawning on their faces.


    ¡°However, this test is quite severe,¡± Zhang Zhihong added. ¡°I¡¯ve heard some news. This guild war is so brutal because the major New Martial Arts factions in Xiajing City, not just the Mechanical Eternity faction, are very worried about the resurgence of ancient martial arts sparked by our livestream room. They want to use this ruthless and decisive approach to crush our momentum.¡±


    Everyone felt a weight settle in their hearts. Star beast outbreaks had only grown more frequent across the globe in the last few decades. This increasing threat to human base cities had led to the rapid expansion of New Martial Arts.


    New Martial Arts factions were on the rise in Xiajing City and throughout the nation. The promise of becoming a martial arts expert after just one procedure was an enticing lure that drove many to choose the path of New Martial Arts.


    The conflict between new and ancient martial arts had become more intense. Many New Martial Arts factions were establishing strongholds in Xiajing City, with their power and influence growing at an alarming rate. The Mechanical Eternity faction was one such group.


    The Grandmaster of Heaven livestream room was already the underdog when facing just this one faction. If there were hints of other New Martial Arts factions lurking behind this conflict...


    The pressure on the Grandmaster of Heaven livestream room would be almost insurmountable.


    ¡°No matter who it is, if they come to fight, we fight back.¡± The bald man said, rolling up his sleeves. ¡°We¡¯ve died before, and if it means dying again, so be it. We¡¯ll see this through to the end.¡±


    Zhang Zhihong clapped his hands and said, ¡°That¡¯s the spirit. But we can¡¯t just charge in recklessly. I have a bold idea. The question is, do you dare to carry it out?¡±


    He looked at the disciples around him.


    ¡°What¡¯s there to fear?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re ready to go all out.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s half an hour of death? I¡¯m not scared of anything.¡±


    The morale of the disciples was fully ignited.


    Zhang Zhihong grinned and said, ¡°All you need to do is...¡±


    ***


    The progress of the guild war drew countless eyes. Since it touched on the ever-relevant and heated topic of the battle between new and ancient martial arts, there was major interest from both sides¡¯ fans and the streaming community as well as major media outlets, websites, social platforms like Weebo, and even secondary official TV and online channels.


    The news of the Grandmaster of Heaven livestream room being conquered had already ignited public discourse. Subsequent developments were immediately reported by the media.


    ¡°Mechanical Eternity faction forces occupy Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts, continuously slaying revived martial artists returning to the city.¡± S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Ancient martial artists launch a fierce counterattack...¡±


    ¡°Two major livestream rooms withdraw, Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts finally reclaims its broadcast.¡±


    ¡°Mysterious backer invests heavily to sponsor the rebuilding of Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts livestream room.¡±


    ¡°Eternal Precision and Mythical Heavy Industry launch another raid on Grandmaster of Heaven livestream room.¡±


    ¡°Ancient martial arts in decline: Grandmaster of Heaven livestream room falls for the second time...¡±


    ¡°Breaking news: Top disciples of Grandmaster of Heaven launch suicide attacks on the main bases of Eternal Precision and Mythical Heavy Industry, bringing the fight to New Martial Arts factions¡¯ home turf.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve begun guerrilla warfare.¡±


    ¡°Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts abandons its main base and commits all its strength to attacking the enemy.¡±


    ¡°Gear Power Armor¡¯s livestream room was overtaken by ancient martial artists.¡±


    ¡°Mechanic¡¯s Den livestream room also falls shortly after.¡±


    ¡°In just two days, several secondary livestream rooms that supported the invasion of Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts by the super-streamers Mythical Heavy Industry and Eternal Precision were all overtaken by ancient martial artists...¡±


    ¡°Breaking: Eternal Precision livestream room¡¯s primary data warehouse blown up by Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s ¡®Bald Sword Sovereign¡¯ six brothers.¡±


    ¡°The invading Bald Sword Sovereign six brothers were completely wiped out, but the data warehouse explosion caused heavy losses for Eternal Precision.¡±


    ¡°The counterattack by the Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts continues.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re conducting suicide missions.¡±


    ¡°No, they¡¯re also engaged in espionage.¡±


    ¡°Some ancient martial artists are undercover...¡±


    ¡°Incredible. The Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts livestream room¡¯s unity is astounding.¡±


    ¡°Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s fans have shown formidable cohesion, drawing more and more ancient martial artists into this self-defense counteroffensive.¡±


    ¡°Breaking news: Over 7 million ancient martial artists have joined the counteroffensive, and the number continues to rise. This phenomenon has caught the attention of experts, who are puzzled as to why support for the Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts livestream room keeps growing!¡±


    ¡°Although death in the light-network virtual world does not lead to real-world death, the pain experienced is indistinguishable from reality. Yet these ancient martial artists seem mad and show no fear of the pain of death as they rush back into battle again and again like moths to a flame...¡±


    ¡°The battle is becoming more intense.¡±


    ¡°The tide is beginning to shift. With more ancient martial artists joining the fight, the Mechanical Eternity faction can no longer maintain a numerical advantage...¡±


    ¡°Our reporter on the battlefield interviewed a Five Spirits Realm ancient martial artist who has died ten times. He said the reason for fighting is simple: to prevent the only livestream room that teaches genuine martial arts from being destroyed.¡±


    ¡°Others have said that this is a warning to all ancient martial artists nationwide: unity is essential, or the future will be severed by New Martial Arts.¡±


    ¡°Many interviewees echoed a similar sentiment: ¡®A drop of kindness should be repaid with a fountain.¡¯ They learned valuable lessons in the Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts livestream room and now strive to protect it with all their might.¡±


    ¡°The situation has taken an unexpected turn.¡±


    ¡°It is clear that the Mechanical Eternity faction did not anticipate this outcome. What began as an ideological battle between top streamers has evolved into a national support campaign among ancient martial artists.¡±


    ¡°The Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts livestream room has not been defeated.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve also noticed a peculiar trend: the participating ancient martial artists are rapidly improving their skills as they hone their martial techniques in battle.¡±


    ¡°Eternal Precision is offering high pay to hire mercenaries for combat...¡±


    ¡°Mythical Heavy Industry is also offering lucrative salaries to recruit professional combat teams to support the battlefield.¡±


    ¡°The conflict is escalating.¡±


    ¡°Our reporters have not seen a guild war this thrilling in decades. As the country¡¯s largest streaming platform, Longya Group has gained tremendous traffic from this guild war.¡±


    ¡°Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts is proving to be as resilient as a cockroach.¡±


    ¡°Although Grandmaster of Heaven himself has not appeared on the battlefield, his twelve top disciples have demonstrated remarkable leadership and unwavering resolve, gaining significant fame and becoming idols for countless ancient martial artists.¡±


    "Experts believe that the situation is extremely unfavorable for the Mechanical Eternity faction. They are burning through their funds to wage this war, only to find themselves caught in a relentless onslaught by the very paupers they underestimated...¡±


    ¡°The battle is at a stalemate.¡±


    ¡°The Mechanical Eternity faction finds itself in a dire situation, struggling to maintain momentum.¡±


    The various news outlets, journalist reports, streamer analyses, and expert commentaries were clear. The dynamics of the conflict were clearly shifting.


    There were still three days remaining until the guild war¡¯s conclusion. The battle was at a standstill. Even the most uninformed observer could see who the real loser was turning out to be. It was the two major livestream rooms of the Mechanical Eternity faction.


    Despite their grand declaration of war, they had failed to crush Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts. Instead, the crisis had become an opportunity for the latter to expand its reputation as they rose from the ashes of the crucible that forged them.


    The Mechanical Eternity faction had suffered heavy losses without reaping any benefits. Although Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts had had its livestream room overrun, the loss was primarily monetary, while the loyalty and support they gained were invaluable.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to win,¡± Su Qianni whispered as she stepped out of her light-core pod after another battle-induced death. She walked to the window and opened it, letting the fresh air rush in.


    The crisp breeze cleared her muddled thoughts. This apartment was her newest purchase and was fully paid off. Her previous debts had long been settled.


    Since becoming a streamer for one of the smaller floating mountains of Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts, Su Qianni¡¯s streaming career had soared. Her income had skyrocketed, transforming her from a struggling newcomer with debt into a successful, independent streamer.

 Chapter 417: Really Cannot Provoke (3)

    Chapter 417: Really Cannot Provoke (3)She knew exactly how she had come this far. This break marked her eighteenth death in this war. She had been killed, poisoned, bombarded into minced meat, dismembered and tortured, crushed by heavy mechs until she was nothing but pulp, and squeezed until she burst... Each death felt terrifyingly real.


    In the past, she might have broken down. But she had endured, and grown stronger with each resurrection. This newfound strength was not just in combat ability. It was also in her spirit. Compared to the past, when she was known as the ¡®Most Beautiful Woman of the Martial God Competition¡¯, Su Qianni had become a true warrior.


    She had fully mastered the Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm. Her cultivation of the Yi Jin Jing increased her combat ability even further. It was even more astonishing how the technique truly cleansed her body and set her on the path of complete transformation.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to win.¡± Su Qianni looked out at the rising red sun, her heart swelling with emotion.


    Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts had held on. Surviving this ordeal was like weathering a great tribulation. The future was bright. Just then... S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ding-dong.


    The doorbell rang.


    ¡°Who is it?¡± Su Qianni murmured to herself as she checked the camera feed.


    ¡°Delivery.¡± A voice came through, and indeed, there stood a young man in a delivery uniform at her door.


    Su Qianni opened the door. In that instant, a strange, subtle fragrance wafted through the air.


    Su Qianni realized something was wrong immediately and quickly sealed her sense of smell and all her pores as she threw herself backward. But it was too late. The young man moved with lightning speed, seizing her wrist in a flash.


    Su Qianni unleashed the Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm, executing a rapid move called Whirling Leaves Return. With her current strength and combat experience, not even a Five Spirits Realm expert could withstand such a strike. Yet, the young man responded with ease.


    He was, shockingly, a peak Golden Body Realm expert. After a brief struggle, the toxin coursing through Su Qianni¡¯s body took full effect, and she collapsed, unconscious.


    When she regained consciousness, she found herself in a vast, unfamiliar room, her wrists and ankles bound by electromagnetic shackles, sitting on an uncomfortably hard chair.


    Around her were Zhou Yidao, Guo Zong''ao, Brother Dao, and the bald man along with his five brothers. All were shackled and their inner qi sealed.


    The room was filled with dozens of men in sharp suits, exuding powerful auras that suggested they were far from ordinary individuals. Su Qianni glanced at her fellow disciples. Besides Ren Woyou, Ding Mingya, and Little Martial Uncle Zhang Zhihong, the rest of her senior and junior brothers were all captured and present.


    They exchanged glances, their expressions revealing similar stories. They had all been ambushed, taken by surprise, and brought here under mysterious circumstances.


    She took a moment to survey the room. At the far end stood an enormous mechanical sculpture of a clock hand. The sight of that iconic sculpture was enough for Su Qianni to instantly realize who was behind their abduction.


    Mechanical Eternity! No one could have imagined that the war within the light-network virtual world would extend into reality. Truly, there were no limits to how far they would go.


    ¡°Apologies for bringing you all here in such a manner,¡± came a slightly raspy, aged voice.


    The voice belonged to an elderly man sitting in a powered wheelchair. He appeared to be in his sixties, with distinguished features and neatly combed slicked back silver hair. He wore a pristine white suit, and an intricately designed black mechanical rose adorned his right chest.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Su Qianni couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    The old man smiled, his voice hoarse as he said, ¡°Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Michael.¡±


    Michael!


    Everyone¡¯s hearts skipped a beat. This was the master of the Mechanical Eternity faction. Holder of numerous New Martial Arts patents and technologies, Michael was a mysterious and formidable billionaire who was rumored to have vast networks of influence and control over resources beyond most people''s comprehension.


    This was a man who rarely appeared in public; a real-world titan shrouded in secrecy. He was the mastermind behind the two powerful new martial arts conglomerates, Mythical Heavy Industry, known for producing heavy mech power suits, and Eternal Precision, famed for designing and manufacturing mechanical human organs.


    Unlike Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts, these two conglomerates were not just major players online; their influence extended deeply into reality. It was said they regularly conducted business with the state and were regarded as esteemed guests by prominent Saint families.


    ¡°Why are you holding us captive?¡±


    ¡°This act violates national law. It¡¯s illegal!¡±


    ¡°Despicable, using underhanded tactics.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t handle losing?¡±


    ¡°A Great Xia citizen with a foreign-sounding name? What kind of name did your mother give you?¡±


    The bald man and his brothers shouted insults, their voices brimming with defiance. Since they had the support of their Saint Slayer teacher, they were fearless and brazen. Michael did not get angry.


    ¡°What exactly is your teacher, Grandmaster of Heaven?¡± He maneuvered his wheelchair to float in the air and slowly approached them. ¡°We¡¯ve investigated extensively but found nothing substantial. Why don¡¯t you enlighten me?¡±


    The bald man snorted and replied, ¡°I advise you not to ask.¡±


    ¡°Oh? And why is that?¡± Michael questioned.


    The bald man smirked. ¡°Because you¡¯re not worthy. You may have a reputation in Xiajing City, but compared to my teacher, you¡¯re just a mutt on the ground. If I told you his name, you¡¯d probably drop dead from fright.¡±


    Michael¡¯s eyes narrowed as he contemplated.


    ¡°There is no such figure in the imperial capital or anywhere in the country,¡± he replied. ¡°There are only a handful of figures in the ancient martial arts world, and most are either washed-up or disillusioned. There¡¯s no one anywhere near this level. You¡¯re lying.¡±


    The young man with the yellow hair and earrings scoffed. ¡°A frog at the bottom of a well, thinking it sees the whole sky... Old man, I suggest you let us go now. Settle things in the light-network where they belong. If you break that line and take action in the real world, your entire conglomerate will be doomed.¡±


    Michael pondered for a moment, then turned to the others in the room. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no turning back now.¡±


    ¡°If we don¡¯t completely crush Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts, our losses will be catastrophic.¡±


    ¡°If there really is such a person in Xiajing City, then let him come. Mechanical Eternity fears no one.¡±


    The influential figures in the room voiced their decisions.


    ¡°You heard them,¡± Michael said, looking at Su Qianni and the others. ¡°Unfortunately, under these circumstances, we can¡¯t release you until the guild war is over.¡±


    ¡°Cowardly.¡±


    ¡°So this is the so-called craftsmanship spirit of Mechanical Eternity?¡±


    ¡°Disgraceful.¡±


    The bald man and Brother Dao couldn¡¯t hold back, hurling insults once more. Their capture meant that the leaderless ancient martial artists would be in grave danger, and there was now a real chance that the Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts livestream room would be defeated.


    ¡°Young men, don¡¯t be too impulsive.¡± Michael smiled and said, ¡°As compensation for holding you captive, I will personally upgrade some of your body parts with Eternal Precision¡¯s latest and most advanced mechanical organ inventions. You will instantly become powerful mechanized warriors!¡±


    At those words, Su Qianni and the others¡¯ faces turned pale with horror. Surgical modification! This was something no ancient martial artist could accept. That was a fate worse than death.


    ¡°I refuse! According to human rights law, you cannot perform organ replacement without the subject¡¯s consent,¡± Brother Dao shouted.


    ¡°No, you will agree.¡± Michael¡¯s smile widened. ¡°Once you receive the latest mechanical brain implants, you will become the most loyal mechanized warriors of Mechanical Eternity. Your brains will surpass the capabilities of light-core processors, and will be endowed with unparalleled computational power... You will be a true masterpiece of God.¡±


    ¡°I come from a Saint family! Do you realize this means war?¡± Brother Dao struggled and shouted in fury.


    Michael¡¯s expression remained calm. ¡°I believe your family will welcome a new and powerful warrior in their ranks. They have no reason to wage war against Mechanical Eternity for this.¡±


    Brother Dao froze in disbelief. Suddenly, a fully equipped surgical table rose from beneath the floor. Brother Dao was placed on it first. The most advanced new martial arts surgeries were almost entirely performed by light-core machinery that surpassed human precision. There was no need for human surgeons.


    As the fine, electric-like energy of the magnetic surgical scalpel slowly approached Brother Dao¡¯s skull, despair washed over him. The high-profile figures around the room displayed anticipation and intense interest.


    This was the first time the conglomerate¡¯s groundbreaking brain replacement technology would be tested on a Golden Body Realm ancient martial artist.


    What would the outcome be? They were eager to find out. Michael¡¯s expression grew exhilarated. But just then..


    Ding-dong.


    A doorbell rang. The surgery halted, as a cyborg apprentice hurriedly stepped into the room.


    ¡°Honored sirs, I deeply apologize for interrupting your important experimental meeting, but there is a very urgent letter that requires your immediate attention.¡±


    The apprentice presented an electronic document with both hands. Michael frowned as he took the document and read it, his expression growing increasingly serious.


    Finally, he closed the document gently and asked, ¡°Where is the messenger?¡±


    ¡°He has already left,¡± the apprentice replied.


    Michael sighed.


    ¡°Congratulations, you may go.¡±


    He glanced at Su Qianni and the others, and with a subtle gesture, the magnetic shackles binding them vanished. Even Brother Dao, who had been strapped to the surgical table, was set free.


    The cyborg apprentice led the relieved and astonished Su Qianni and her companions out of the vast white room. It wasn¡¯t until the door closed behind them that the room erupted in noise once again.


    ¡°Why did you release them?¡±


    ¡°We need a reasonable explanation.¡±


    ¡°Are you, as the highest authority here, really going to forfeit the last chance at victory in this operation?¡±


    The prominent figures in the room voiced their protests.


    Michael¡¯s expression remained grim as he spoke slowly, ¡°The young man was right. Grandmaster of Heaven Ancient Martial Arts may truly be a force we cannot afford to provoke for now.¡±

 Chapter 418: Trouble Is Brewing (1)

    Chapter 418: Trouble Is Brewing (1)¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Did someone interfere?¡±


    ¡°Our Mechanical Eternity is a formidable force; are we supposed to fear other factions?¡±


    ¡°This operation involves more than just us.¡±


    ¡°Who, exactly, dares to meddle in our affairs?¡±


    The other influential figures asked one after another.


    Michael replied calmly, ¡°A messenger from the Tan family. They ordered us to release the disciple of the Grandmaster of Heaven unconditionally and immediately.¡±


    ¡°The Tan family?¡±


    ¡°That small family?¡±


    ¡°The one that wiped out the two Saints of the Ouyang family? The Saint Slayer?¡±


    ¡°Could the Grandmaster of Heaven really be connected to that terrifying figure?¡±


    ¡°An order? Damn it, the Tan family is too domineering.¡±


    ¡°Michael, you made the right choice.¡±


    The others finally understood the situation. Just ten days ago, the Tan family was no more than an ant. But now, they were the most untouchable force in Xiajing City. The presence of the Saint Slayer was a deterrent that no one dared to ignore.


    Michael waved his hand. The virtual projection signal was cut, and the images of the others disappeared from the room.


    ¡°Tan family, Saint Slayer,¡± Michael muttered the two names under his breath.


    All signs indicated that the Saint Slayer from the Tan family was an ancient martial arts master. This was undoubtedly a bad omen for the New Martial Arts sect. Moreover, it was noteworthy that Mechanical Eternity had only just kidnapped the Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s disciples offline when the Tan family¡¯s messenger arrived at their doorstep.


    What did this imply? Obviously, the Tan family had been closely monitoring the situation. Even more, there was a high possibility that the Grandmaster of Heaven had a significant connection to the Saint Slayer from the Tan family.


    Could they be the same person? Probably not.


    If that was true, Mechanical Eternity would have already faced the wrath of the Saints Slayer when they stormed and destroyed the Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s martial arts livestream. But even if they were not the same, it was still a major issue.


    ¡°The Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage is indeed profound,¡± Michael mused. ¡°The presence of a figure like the Saint Slayer isn¡¯t all that surprising. If New Martial Arts wishes to replace the old and sever its path, they will eventually clash with these ancient monsters. The latest experimental data will be available soon. As long as there are no major setbacks, we can create the ultimate supreme weapon on Earth. When that time comes, whether they are Saints or Saint Slayers, they will face the Twilight of the Immortals and Martial Artists.¡±


    ¡°The future will belong to technology and machinery.¡±


    A fanatical expression emerged on Michael¡¯s face.


    The Tan family? Ha, Mechanical Eternity would remember this debt. They would soon pay for this.


    ***


    The Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s ancient martial arts had triumphed!


    With only three days remaining until the end of the guild war, the two major livestreams of the Mechanical Eternity faction, Mythical Heavy Industry and Eternal Precision, simultaneously withdrew their forces.


    They also announced that they would provide full compensation for the damages inflicted during their two assaults on the Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s martial arts livestream. In addition, they declared a daily exchange of ten matches with the Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s martial arts, pledging fairness and transparency, and set a reward of 10,000,000 star coins for the victors.


    With that, this guild war that had shaken the entire nation finally came to a close. The outcome stunned everyone. Who would have thought that the seemingly unstoppable offensive launched by the Mechanical Eternity faction, after holding such an overwhelming advantage, would end so abruptly?


    Although Mechanical Eternity had found themselves in a difficult position in the later stages of the war, their sudden, decisive retreat and compensation had many speculating that a hidden power might have clashed behind the scenes. It was clear that the force supporting the Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s martial arts had taken the upper hand. Looking back at the entire guild war, there was no doubt that the Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s ancient martial arts emerged as the sole victor.


    Its reputation had soared due to this war, reaching far beyond its prior influence, which had been centered in Xiajing. Now, it resonated nationwide. Not only did the livestream¡¯s subscriber count not decline, but it also skyrocketed, surpassing ten million followers.


    It had become the top-ranking channel on the entire Longya Group website in terms of subscribers alone. This left countless people amazed at the strong public support for the Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage, which turned out to be far more formidable than they had ever imagined.


    The turmoil gradually subsided. Many high-ranking figures were quietly reflecting on the implications of the guild war. Meanwhile, ordinary people, especially the powerless and impoverished who could not afford New Martial Arts surgery or the costly new martial equipment, found themselves turning to the Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s ancient martial arts.


    Everyone trained with purpose as they received true legacies. Everyone became a warrior. The Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s ancient martial arts became a heavenly road leading to the true legacy of the Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage.


    Such slogans spread from one person to another. The twelve grand masters who had made a name for themselves in this guild war each amassed a substantial following. The Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s martial arts livestream flourished. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Who was it that day? What message did they deliver that made Michael, that old fox, abruptly change his mind at such a critical moment when he had his arrow on the string and was ready to fire?¡± Su Qianni voiced the question.


    It was a question that lingered in the minds of all the other disciples, one that they couldn¡¯t shake.


    ***


    Five specially designed carriages, drawn by unicorn demon horses, raced through the gates of the towering 500-meter steel walls and out into the wilderness. The carriages contained more than fifty students from White Deer Academy. All were members of the school¡¯s battle team.


    In the last carriage sat the freshmen members of the team, including talented students like Li Junjie, Wang Xiaofan, Hou Ni, and the student that came through connections, Li Xiaofei.


    They could see sparse, dark-red vegetation through the carriage windows, acid soil of the same dark-red hue, half-buried white bones scattered in the soil, and silent tracks stretching far into the distance...


    The wilderness surrounding Xiajing City was dozens of times more dangerous than that of Liuhe Base City. They had yet to go even five hundred meters past the metallic walls, but bleached bones were already visible in the landscape.


    Ordinary citizens and average martial artists wouldn¡¯t dare to step foot in such a wilderness, let alone go hunting. The vegetation was sparse and danger permeated the air. Even the red dust kicked up along the road was laced with toxins; inhaling too much could cause irreversible lung damage.


    There were no birds in this wilderness. Nor were there small animals. For this was the Corpse Whisper Plains.


    ¡°Before we get off, I want to emphasize something one more time.¡± Instructor Ding Yifeng¡¯s gaze swept over the students'' eager young faces. ¡°This plain belongs to the corpse-type star beasts. The ruler of this territory is a Corpse Emperor, a true emperor-level star beast. Even the Saints could not kill it. However, we won¡¯t be venturing deep into the Corpse Whisper Plains, so we won¡¯t encounter the Corpse Emperor. Nevertheless, once you disembark, you must follow the instructor¡¯s commands, hunt the corpse beasts in an orderly fashion, and absolutely must not fall behind or act on your own. Otherwise, it will be a huge problem if you¡¯re surrounded by a corpse tide.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Instructor.¡±


    ¡°Yes, we understand.¡±


    The students replied in unison.

 Chapter 419: Trouble Is Brewing (2)

    Chapter 419: Trouble Is Brewing (2)Ding Yifeng¡¯s gaze swept over Li Junjie¡¯s face before finally resting on Li Xiaofei.


    ¡°You¡¯re not participating in the hunt. Stay by my side,¡± Ding Yifeng said. ¡°I¡¯ll protect you, so don¡¯t panic or run around. I¡¯ll take care of everything.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Instructor Ding,¡± Li Xiaofei replied.


    Li Junjie opened his mouth as if to speak but ultimately said nothing.


    A few moments later, the carriages came to a halt five kilometers from Xiajing City. There was no road ahead. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The instructors led the students out of the carriages, each carrying their weapons and equipped with radiation shielding and air filtration devices as they began to trek deeper into the wilderness.


    Li Xiaofei stayed by Ding Yifeng¡¯s side. At the forefront, Chief Instructor Qi Shisan walked in his simple blue robe, carrying a lone sword on his back and holding a wine gourd in his hand.


    He wore no protective equipment. His strength alone was enough. The wilderness soil was dry and loose, and even on foot, their steps kicked up large clouds of dust. They could hear a faint, sporadic howling ahead. After advancing a thousand meters, they finally saw signs of ¡®life¡¯ in the distance. It was...


    ¡°Damn, zombies?¡± Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but curse.


    Ahead of them, creatures moved sluggishly, with decaying skin and crooked heads, wandering aimlessly in small groups across the wilderness. They were eerily similar to the zombies from films five hundred years ago.


    Ding Yifeng glanced back at him and said, ¡°Stay close.¡±


    Li Xiaofei quickly caught up. Ahead, a few senior students had begun guiding the younger students to approach the zombies and eliminate them. These low-grade zombies were weak and easily dealt with. Even martial artists at the Qi Refining Realm could defeat them.


    ¡°The only weakness of zombies is their heads. Crush the skull, and they¡¯ll be killed. These are just grade one zombies and aren¡¯t much of a threat, but don¡¯t let your guard down. Higher-grade zombies have greater speed, defense, attack power, and corpse toxins that are much more dangerous,¡± Ding Yifeng explained loudly.


    The students felt a mix of excitement and tension, especially the first-year freshmen. The only exception was Wang Xiaofan. As a battle-hardened student who had grown up fighting arctic bears in the frozen wilderness, he had experienced countless life-and-death moments. He could maintain absolute composure and clarity even in the most perilous environments.


    Instructors began searching through the heads of the fallen zombies. Soon, they retrieved several star cores that glowed with various colors.


    ¡°These are star cores,¡± Ding Yifeng explained. ¡°They form in the brains of zombies and are the purest energy sources among all star beasts. They have the lowest toxicity and the highest quality, making them highly sought after on the market. The higher the zombie¡¯s grade, the greater the chance of finding a star core in its brain, and the more energy it contains.¡±


    ¡°Our task for this trial is to collect at least ten grade five star cores, fifty grade four star cores, one hundred grade three star cores, and one thousand grade two or lower star cores,¡± Ding Yifeng informed the students, showing them the collected star cores.


    Trials of this scale were not exclusive to the school¡¯s battle team; the various year cohorts across White Deer Academy also conducted them regularly. Beyond gathering star cores, the primary aim was to hone students'' combat skills. Through battling zombies, students could sharpen their willpower, improve combat techniques, and gain practical experience.


    White Deer Academy was a purely ancient martial arts institution. Hence, everything was real. They never used light core cockpit simulators. Students weren¡¯t trained in trial scenarios within the light core virtual world.


    After reiterating the key precautions, the team continued to advance into the Corpse Whisper Plains. As they progressed, the zombies they encountered were indeed of increasingly higher levels.


    For first-year students, their average strength meant that when they would struggle when they faced grade three zombies, equivalent to zombies at the human Acupoint Opening Realm. It would often take them considerable time to defeat them.


    The instructors only rarely intervened. They only stayed nearby, watching over the group. They would only step in to help if a student encountered a life-threatening situation and didn¡¯t have time to activate their identity combat badge.


    This adaptation period lasted approximately four hours. Six hours later, even the first-year rookies had adapted to fighting zombies and accumulated a fair amount of experience.


    Li Xiaofei hadn¡¯t lifted a finger throughout the process. This level of zombies didn¡¯t interest him at all. He obediently stayed close to Ding Yifeng, treating the excursion like a sightseeing tour, watching as the other students hunted down zombies.


    Li Junjie, once again, became the center of attention. Zombies were swiftly decapitated with a casual swing of his Sacred Martial Saber. His kill count remained far ahead of everyone else¡¯s. Even the senior third and fourth-year students couldn¡¯t match him.


    At first, a few upperclassmen were dissatisfied and attempted to secretly compete with him. But when Li Junjie sliced through the head of a grade five zombie with a single blow, they were left speechless. A grade five zombie was equivalent to a human at the Five Spirits Realm. Li Junjie¡¯s effortless kill meant that his combat strength had at least neared the Golden Body Realm.


    It was practically a show of overwhelming superiority. Ding Yifeng and the other instructors couldn¡¯t hide their delight. After so many years, White Deer Academy had finally produced a true prodigy. Not only did he possess remarkable intuition, but his combat skills were astonishing. Even Chief Instructor Qi Shisan looked at Li Junjie with admiration.


    ¡°The final stage.¡± Ding Yifeng announced loudly, ¡°Next, everyone will disperse to find and hunt down a zombie matching their own realm alone. Good luck to each of you.¡±


    This was the last phase of the trial. The students exchanged uncertain glances. Finally, after some urging from the instructors, they broke off from the group and went out on their own.


    The risk factor had significantly increased. Li Xiaofei looked at Ding Yifeng.


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Ding Yifeng said, ¡°You¡¯re part of the school¡¯s battle team, and if you want to earn the respect of your teammates, you¡¯ll need to take some risks. Go ahead. If you¡¯re in danger, activate your identity combat badge immediately.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Li Xiaofei gave a small smile before heading off into the wilderness.


    He stretched his limbs as he disappeared into the distant red dust mist.


    Qi Shisan put away his wine gourd and said, ¡°Old Ding, keep a close eye on Li Xiaofei. Junjie thinks highly of him, so don¡¯t let anything happen to him.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I know what to do,¡± Ding Yifeng replied confidently.


    Qi Shisan tossed his wine gourd into the air, where it swiftly expanded to the size of a small boat. He jumped aboard, ascending quickly to hover a thousand meters above where he took up his post to watch over all the students below.


    Meanwhile, three hundred miles to the north, outside the nest of the Corpse Emperor, a woman with short, ear-length hair, dressed in a combat suit, was swiftly retreating.


    She carefully stowed an object in the pack on her back, then mounted a strange flying device resembling a jet-powered hoverboard. She silently and swiftly skimmed over the ground, making her escape toward Xiajing City. She was only a few hundred miles ahead of the trial grounds for White Deer Academy.


    Minutes later, an enraged roar erupted from the Corpse Emperor¡¯s nest. In the next instant, high-grade zombies around the nest, deep in their cultivation slumber within underground lairs, awoke abruptly, sensing the emperor¡¯s wrath, and let out long howls in response.


    Countless high-grade zombies surged from their pitch-black burrows, moving with lightning speed, frantically hunting for the audacious thief who had stolen the Corpse Emperor¡¯s treasure.


    ¡°This is bad.¡± Hundreds of miles away in the sky, Qi Shisan, who had been sitting in quiet contemplation on his flying gourd, suddenly opened his eyes.


    He sensed the terrifying energy waves emanating from the direction of the Corpse Emperor¡¯s nest.


    The Corpse Emperor has gone berserk! And at this very moment? Trouble is brewing.

 Chapter 420: SOS From The Dragon Group (1)

    Chapter 420: SOS From The Dragon Group (1)From the moment the Corpse Emperor went berserk, it took only a few seconds for the entire Corpse Whisper Plains to shift into a state of chaos. When they heard the eerie and terrifying roar of the Supreme Corpse Emperor, all the zombies grew more agitated.


    Their movement speeds increased and their attack power and defense doubled as they grew frenzied and bloodthirsty. This was the amplification brought on by the Corpse Emperor¡¯s wrath.


    The high-grade zombies, in particular, began to spread outward from the Corpse Emperor¡¯s nest at incredible speeds in search for the thief.


    Qi Shisan instantly sensed the rapid approach of dozens of strong corpse energies, at least at the Golden Body Realm, converging toward him and the others.


    ¡°Quick, gather the students and retreat immediately!¡± He shouted.


    As his words echoed, a sudden violent wind swept through the area. The dark-red soil was whipped up, and in an instant, the air was thick with dust, forming a red sandstorm. Visibility dropped to nothing beyond a meter. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Damn it, a corpse qi storm!¡± Ding Yifeng¡¯s face changed drastically.


    He hurriedly organized the instructors to locate the scattered students as quickly as possible, instructing everyone to activate the teleportation formation on their identity combat badges to return to White Deer Academy immediately.


    This was the Academy¡¯s fail-safe measure. Generally, even the weakest students could activate their identity combat badges, which would generate a protective shield and a teleportation portal, ensuring their safe return. But things could always go wrong.


    "Kill." Qi Shisan transformed into a streak of light, charging forward to intercept the approaching high-grade zombies.


    He held back a dozen Golden Body Realm corpse kings. He slapped the hilt of his sword and it shot out like a flash of light.


    Snap! Whizz!


    A faint glimmer streaked through the air as a grade-six corpse king was instantly decapitated. The corpse qi storm churned up red dust, making vision impossible, but Qi Shisan fought with closed eyes. One hand clutched his wine gourd, the other his ancient sword, as he kept slashing.


    In an instant, he had slain six or seven corpse kings. But the tide of corpses seemed to have no end. When they sensed Qi Shisan¡¯s powerful aura, more high-grade zombies quickly closed in.


    Clang!


    A towering tyrant zombie that was over three meters tall grasped Qi Shisan¡¯s sword with its claw, emitting a metallic screech. The tyrant zombie was a grade seven star beast, comparable to a Dao Union Realm powerhouse in the human world.


    Its massive form was armored with a black shell-like exoskeleton that was as tough as armor. It was resistant to blades and even hot weapons. But most frightening of all, the tyrant zombie possessed an adult¡¯s intelligence, making it far more difficult to handle than the corpse kings, who had minds akin to ten-year-old children.


    Qi Shisan felt the pressure building.


    ¡°Taixuan Sword Art!¡± He shouted as his ancient sword unleashed an explosion of boundless sword qi.


    After a strenous exchange, he decapitated the tyrant zombie. But Qi Shisan felt a wave of fatigue wash over him as his inner qi was severely depleted. He kept battling as he retreated, drawing a large number of high-grade zombies away from White Deer Academy¡¯s hunting grounds and the students.


    Surrounded by waves of high-grade zombies, Qi Shisan found himself in increasingly dangerous situations.


    ¡°Despicable thief!¡± A mental storm emanated from the area, rippling outward.


    A figure clad in a leather jacket emerged from within the corpse tide. This person was quite stylish, sporting slicked-back hair, aviator sunglasses, and skin that appeared unnaturally pale and smooth. Apart from the eerie white complexion, he looked remarkably like a living human.


    He rode atop a white corpse tiger. Together, man and beast emanated an apocalyptic aura of terror.


    Their presence locked onto Qi Shisan, and the person spoke in a rigid tone, ¡°Hand over the Sacred Crystal of my Emperor.¡±


    Qi Shisan¡¯s heart sank. This was the White Tiger Corpse, one of the Four Divine Generals under the Corpse Emperor.


    As one of the ultimate bosses among the star beasts in the wilderness surrounding Xiajing City, the Corpse Emperor was well-known to humans, and so were his Four Divine Corpse Generals: the White Tiger Corpse, Black Tortoise Corpse, Vermilion Bird Corpse, and Azure Dragon Corpse. These monsters had given even the strongest human warriors countless headaches. Each one was comparable to a quasi-Saint Realm in human terms.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know anything about a Sacred Crystal,¡± Qi Shisan replied. ¡°You must have the wrong person.¡±


    ¡°Deceitful human.¡± The White Tiger Corpse snarled, ¡°It¡¯s been barely a month since we signed the ceasefire agreement, and now you¡¯re sending thieves to steal the Sacred Crystal secreted by His Majesty, the Corpse Emperor.¡±


    Qi Shisan frowned. He was beginning to piece together what had happened. But this was unrelated to White Deer Academy.


    ¡°Kill.¡± With a wave of his hand, the White Tiger Corpse unleashed the horde.


    The corpse tide surged forward like a tsunami. Qi Shisan¡¯s blue robe billowed as his sword qi erupted. This place was no longer safe. Judging by the time, the academy¡¯s staff and students should have all evacuated by now.


    He had no intention of facing off against the White Tiger Corpse head-on. He took a swig of his old wine, spat it out, and swung his sword in a powerful First Sword Slash. The sword qi ignited the alcohol, and a thunderous explosion rang out as a kilometer wide area transformed into a sea of flames.


    Countless zombies were blown back. Piercing screams echoed as they writhed, engulfed in fire. The White Tiger Corpse sneered coldly as the tiger corpse beneath him opened its mouth and inhaled, drawing all the flames into its belly. But when he looked again, Qi Shisan was nowhere to be seen.


    "The aura of the Sacred Crystal was indeed absent from that human just now. Ignore him and immediately expand the search area to locate the despicable thief." The White Tiger Corpse commanded.


    Zombies of all levels within hundreds of miles sprang into action.


    A minute later, A rather disheveled Qi Shisan appeared at White Deer Academy¡¯s gathering point inside the city. It was no small feat to escape from the watchful eyes of one of the Four Divine Corpse Generals; the mere mention of it would astonish anyone.


    ¡°Have all the students made it out?¡± He asked Ding Yifeng as soon as he saw him.


    Ding Yifeng¡¯s expression was grim.


    Qi Shisan¡¯s heart sank. ¡°How many are missing?¡±


    Ding Yifeng grimly replied, ¡°Three.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°Li Xiaofei, Lin Wan, and Su Wanqing from the senior class, Central White-Robe House.¡±


    Qi Shisan inhaled sharply, feeling a headache come on. Lin Wan was a promising sophomore talent from the Eastern Blue-Robe House, a strong candidate for the academy¡¯s battle team and highly regarded by everyone.


    Su Wanqing was even more exceptional. She was a core member of White Deer Academy¡¯s battle team and had cultivated to the Five Spirits Realm. Coupled with her striking beauty, she was extremely popular within White Deer Academy.


    As for Li Xiaofei...


    Qi Shisan glanced at Li Junjie in the crowd. To his surprise, the academy¡¯s top genius didn¡¯t appear as anxious as he had expected. Instead, Li Junjie looked calm, seemingly unworried about the safety of his classmate.


    ¡°I¡¯m going out to search,¡± Qi Shisan declared through gritted teeth. ¡°Everyone else, return to the academy.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go with you,¡± Ding Yifeng replied.


    Several other instructors also stepped forward, requesting to join the search. Despite the academy¡¯s waning reputation, its teachers still upheld the chivalrous spirit of ancient martial arts. Even knowing the dangers awaiting them outside the city, they were eager to go and bring their students back.


    After a moment of thought, Qi Shisan said, ¡°Old Ding, come with me. We¡¯ll split up to search. The rest of you, take the students back to the academy, and keep this situation under wraps for now.¡±


    ¡°Chief Instructor.¡± At that moment, Li Junjie raised his hand. ¡°Let me go with you.¡±


    Qi Shisan didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°You lack the necessary experience, and since your identity combat badge can¡¯t activate its formation lines without the central array, it would be far too dangerous to head out...¡±


    ¡°But¡ª¡± Li Junjie tried to argue.


    Ding Yifeng patted his shoulder. ¡°I promise you, we¡¯ll find Li Xiaofei and bring him back.¡±

 Chapter 421: SOS From The Dragon Group (2)

    Chapter 421: SOS From The Dragon Group (2)"What¡¯s going on?" Li Xiaofei was a bit bewildered.


    The entire Corpse Whisper Plains had descended into chaos out of nowhere. He casually smashed the head of a grade five zombie, dug out its star core, and continued forward.


    He hadn¡¯t expected zombies to be categorized among star beasts. Five hundred years ago, zombies were depicted in movies as man-made creatures. Now, they had become a class of star beasts that posed a threat to humanity.


    Could there be some connection?


    Li Xiaofei continued to hunt high-grade zombies in the spirit of scientific curiosity. Indeed, beyond the humanoid zombies, he encountered animal zombies and even the infamous Crawlers. Many of these zombies looked exactly like those from old movies.


    Surely, that isn¡¯t a coincidence?


    Li Xiaofei fearlessly advanced through the corpse tide. Wielding the Six Meridian Divine Sword technique, he unleashed waves of sword qi, felling zombies like a harvester mowing down wheat.


    Suddenly, he heard a scream ahead. It was a woman¡¯s voice that sounded somewhat familiar. Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart skipped, and he quickly employed his movement techniques to rush forward.


    He arrived to see a young woman in a White Deer Academy blue robe, trapped on the roof of an abandoned gas station that had been in ruins for hundreds of years. She was battling a horde of zombies that were swarming her.


    Her body bore several injuries and she was clearly struggling to hold on. A lizard-like zombie had clamped its jaws around her left shoulder, violently shaking her. She was about to be overwhelmed by the oncoming wave of zombies...


    Li Xiaofei raised his hand and pointed.


    Whizz, whizz, whizz.


    His sword qi sliced through the air. The zombies surrounding the woman fell one by one like wheat under a sickle, their heads rolling across the ground, every last one decapitated. The zombie lizard was also cut in two. In an instant, the area was cleared.


    ***


    Lin Wan was desperately swinging her sword on the roof of the gas station. Her technique had only grown more erratic as she fought through her wounds. She had resigned herself to her fate, hoping only to take down a few more zombies before her body was torn apart.


    But suddenly, the sound of zombies roaring around her vanished. She blinked and suddenly, she was surrounded by the corpses of fallen zombies. In the blink of an eye, all the zombies that had been besieging her had been decapitated.


    What happened?


    Confused, she scanned her surroundings. The red dust storm obscured her vision, preventing her from seeing far. But she couldn¡¯t see anyone. A wave of exhaustion washed over her. She collapsed weakly onto the rooftop of the gas station as her vision darkened.


    Looking down, she saw deep bite marks on her neck, left chest, and right thigh. The wounds had reached to the bone. When she saw them, Lin Wan felt a crushing sense of despair. The corpse poison had entered her body.


    It¡¯s over.


    As a human warrior, Lin Wan had always known there was a chance she might die fighting star beasts. That was the fate of many human warriors. She accepted the idea of dying heroically for humanity.


    But she never imagined it would come so quietly and unexpectedly like this. She didn¡¯t know she would die like this, with no one knowing. She slowly collapsed onto the rooftop, gazing up at the sky. But then..


    A pair of eyes appeared in front of her. They were clear and bright, like the brightest stars shining in the dark night. A tall, broad-shouldered figure was standing beside her, his face obscured by a strange mask that hid most of his features. She hadn¡¯t even noticed his arrival. Startled, Lin Wan struggled to sit up.


    ¡°Don¡¯t move.¡± A deep, magnetic voice came from beneath the mask. The tall figure knelt beside her, placing a hand on her neck. ¡°The corpse poison has penetrated too deep. We need to remove it quickly.¡± sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lin Wan wasn¡¯t foolish. When a strange, cooling sensation spread from the wound on her neck, replacing the intense burning of the corpse poison, she immediately understood.


    ¡°Did you save me just now?¡± She couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    ¡°Yes.¡± The masked man replied calmly.


    Lin Wan said, ¡°Thank you. My wounds...¡±


    The masked man said, ¡°They can be healed.¡±


    A wave of joy surged through Lin Wan. If one could live, who would choose to die?


    ¡°Senior, may I ask who you are...?¡± She ventured to ask.


    ¡°Just passing by.¡± The masked man kept his words brief.


    He withdrew his hand from Lin Wan¡¯s neck and, without hesitation, placed it on her left chest, pressing firmly on the wounded area.


    ¡°Ah...¡± Lin Wan instinctively let out a soft gasp.


    It was the first time such a sensitive area had been fully touched by a man, a stranger, no less. She felt a surge of indescribable emotion. But she forced herself to stay still, suppressing her body¡¯s reflexive urge to pull away. She knew he was trying to save her.


    A cool energy spread from the masked man¡¯s palm, radiating through her chest, and the sharp pain from the corpse poison invasion gradually subsided. He removed his hand, and Lin Wan exhaled in relief.


    But in the next moment, his hand reached through her torn robe and pressed down on the wound on her inner thigh. Her face flushed as she bit her lip, remaining silent. Just then, shadows flickered through the distant sandstorm. Several grade five zombies burst from the dust, lunging aggressively toward them.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± Lin Wan¡¯s eyes widened in alarm as she called out.


    Without turning, the masked man flicked his left hand.


    Whizz, whizz, whizz.


    The force from his fingers shot through the air like sharp weapons. The heads of the approaching grade five zombies exploded midair as if they were mere birds caught in the wind.


    It was a Finger Flick Technique! A mist of dark-red blood lingered in the air. Several bright star cores shot out from the shattered skulls of the grade five zombies, scattering into the air. The masked man spread the fingers of his left hand and contracted them. An invisible force immediately pulled all five star cores, flying in different directions, directly into his hand.


    The entire maneuver was seamless and impressively graceful. Lin Wan watched, feeling a shiver run down her spine. What level of strength was this to instantly annihilate several grade five zombies? This masked man¡¯s cultivation was unfathomable!


    ¡°All done.¡± The masked man withdrew his right hand.


    ¡°Huh? Oh.¡± Lin Wan snapped back to reality.


    When she examined her injuries again, she found that the piercing pain from the three wounds had completely vanished, and the corpse poison had been fully purged.


    ¡°Take this.¡± The masked man extended his palm, offering her a pale green pill.


    The pill was as clear as jade, emitting a faint herbal aroma.


    "What is this?" Lin Wan asked.


    The masked man replied, ¡°It¡¯s a Detoxifying and Vitality-Replenishing Pill. It will help cleanse any lingering poison from your blood, restore your strength, and replenish your inner qi. If you don¡¯t trust it, you don¡¯t have to take it.¡±


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare doubt you, Senior.¡±


    Lin Wan quickly took the pill, her lips parting slightly as she swallowed it. Immediately, a cool, tingling sensation burst in her mouth, spreading down her throat to her stomach, and finally circulating through her entire body.


    Her strength returned in an instant. All discomfort vanished, and she felt herself restored to peak condition.


    ¡°Thank you, Senior,¡± Lin Wan expressed her gratitude again.


    The masked man said nothing, his gaze shifting toward the sandstorm in the east. Lin Wan noticed his expression and felt a trace of confusion.


    Just then, the distant sound of zombies¡¯ guttural growls came through the dust and wind. Moments later, a vast horde of zombies surged through the sandstorm like a dark tide. Their numbers were seemingly endless.


    ¡°This is bad,¡± Lin Wan gasped in horror.


    A corpse tide of this scale was far beyond anything humans could withstand.

 Chapter 422: SOS From The Dragon Group (3)

    Chapter 422: SOS From The Dragon Group (3)¡°Senior, we should hurry...¡± Lin Wan was about to say they should leave.


    But the masked man interrupted, ¡°Help me gather star cores.¡±


    He flickered as he charged headlong into the oncoming wave of zombies. Before he even reached them, his sword qi erupted, obliterating the front line of the corpse tide.


    Wherever he passed, hordes of zombies collapsed like toppled bricks, their heads rolling to the ground.


    Lin Wan¡¯s eyes widened.


    What kind of martial technique is this? These aren¡¯t mere grade one or grade two zombies in front of him. This is a true corpse tide, made up of grade three, grade four, and even grade five zombies.


    A horde like this would be enough to overwhelm even a powerful Five Spirits Realm or Golden Body Realm expert.


    Yet, before this masked man, they are as fragile as stalks of grass in the wind, collapsing with barely any resistance.


    In her two years at White Deer Academy, Lin Wan had never witnessed an ancient martial artist of this caliber. Even the academy¡¯s old headmaster likely did not possess such strength.


    Who is this masked man?


    Lin Wan was so awestruck that her mind went blank. For the first time, she realized just how powerful ancient martial arts could truly be.


    ¡°What are you standing there for?¡± The masked man¡¯s clear voice snapped her out of her daze.


    Lin Wan quickly rushed forward and began collecting star cores. But the sheer number of fallen zombies was overwhelming. How could she possibly gather them all?


    ¡°Only take the star cores from grade five zombies.¡± The masked man called out firmly.


    ¡°Yes, Senior.¡± Lin Wan snapped back into action.


    As a member of White Deer Academy¡¯s battle team, Lin Wan was known for her gentle and considerate nature. Though she wasn¡¯t the strongest, since she was currently at the Acupoint Opening Realm with one hundred and nine opened acupoints, she was meticulous, sincere, and a person of action.


    Quickly, she extracted the star cores from the brains of all the fallen grade five zombies and carefully packed them away. Soon, an entire wave of the corpse tide had been completely wiped out. In fact, she could barely keep up with the masked man¡¯s speed in slaying the zombies as she gathered the star cores.


    ¡°Could he be... a Saint?¡± Lin Wan wondered, watching his back in awe.


    For some reason, she had a strange feeling that this masked man wasn¡¯t very old. He seemed to be only around twenty. But that was absurd; how could a youth of twenty possess such terrifying strength? Even if he had started cultivating from birth, it shouldn¡¯t have been possible.


    After collecting a total of one hundred and thirty-six star cores in a leather pouch, Lin Wan approached him and said, ¡°Senior, all the star cores are here.¡±


    The masked man took out a hundred and handed the pouch back to her. ¡°The rest are yours.¡±


    Lin Wan was stunned. The thirty-six remaining grade five star cores were incredibly valuable; the mere thought of their worth made her head spin. She was no stranger to wealth, having come from a family of Saints in Xiajing City, but she had never encountered someone as generous as this masked man.


    ¡°Senior, the value of these star cores is simply too great. I don¡¯t feel deserving of such a gift,¡± Lin Wan hurriedly replied.


    At the same time, her curiosity about the masked man¡¯s identity grew even stronger. If only she could glimpse the face beneath that mask.


    The masked man replied indifferently, ¡°These star cores were acquired through our cooperation; your effort is part of this, so just take them. It¡¯s only a few grade five star cores; what¡¯s the big deal? Don¡¯t be so modest.¡±


    Lin Wan blushed. ¡°Then I thank you, Senior.¡±


    When she put away the thirty-six grade five star cores, a mix of excitement and nervousness filled her heart. Though she came from a family of Saints, her parents were a distant, peripheral branch of the family. This left her with a low standing among her family¡¯s younger generation, and her innate constitution and talents were quite average. She rarely enjoyed the wealth of her heritage and instead lived under its strict rules.


    If not for her parents¡¯ relentless efforts, she wouldn¡¯t even have had the chance to attend university. Just getting into White Deer Academy was a dream come true. These thirty-six grade five star cores represented a fortune. If they were used wisely, they could provide a tremendous boost to her cultivation.


    An increase in her strength would elevate her status within her family. It would also mean she could give her hard-working parents a more comfortable life. This mysterious masked man had not only saved her life but also given her an opportunity to change her destiny. Lin Wan¡¯s heart was filled with gratitude.


    Just then, a furious roar echoed from the depths of the Corpse Whisper Plains, belonging to none other than the Supreme Corpse Emperor. The sandstorm of corpse qi in the air grew even more intense, swirling with a frenzied energy. A sense of danger permeated the atmosphere.


    "Senior, should we head back?" Lin Wan asked cautiously.


    The masked man glanced at her. Lin Wan immediately felt a pang of self-consciousness. She realized that in such a dangerous situation, she was likely just a burden to him.


    The masked man asked, "Where¡¯s your identity combat badge?"


    Lin Wan replied, ¡°I accidentally lost it during the battle... Wait, Senior, how do you know about our academy¡¯s identity combat badges?¡±


    White Deer Academy was largely unknown these days. The combination of ancient martial arts and formations was on the verge of being replaced by newer methods. Many people had no idea what the identity combat badge could do.


    The masked man chuckled softly. ¡°Just a guess.¡±


    Lin Wan pressed her lips together. That soft chuckle sounded strangely familiar, but she couldn¡¯t quite place it.


    ¡°The roar of that Corpse Emperor is interesting.¡± The masked man mused. ¡°It sounds like it¡¯s been stung by a thousand-year-old grudge. There might be something fascinating happening here. But without your identity combat badge, I may not be able to fully protect you. So, we¡¯d better head back.¡±


    A crimson sword suddenly flew out from behind him, radiating waves of light that made its blade look as wide as a small boat. The masked man stepped onto the blade.


    He gestured to her, ¡°Get on.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Lin Wan couldn¡¯t hide her astonishment.


    Is he really about to fly with me on the sword? This is straight out of myth and legend. Could there truly be a warrior capable of such feats?


    Dazed, she hopped onto the sword.


    "Hold on tight." The masked man instructed.


    The crimson sword soared into the air. Lin Wan watched as the scenery below blurred and retreated rapidly. In just a breath, they were high above the ground. Looking down, the corpse qi sandstorm over the Corpse Whisper Plains resembled an eerie boiling red sea.


    She clung tightly to the masked man¡¯s arm. She could feel the firm muscles beneath his clothing. He must be a young man. Her intuition grew clearer and stronger. As she reveled in the thrill of flying through the sky, Lin Wan felt as if she were dreaming.


    Not only is he young, but he might also be handsome, right? Would someone as powerful as him experience emotions like ordinary people? Does he have a girlfriend?


    The wind brushed through Lin Wan¡¯s hair, causing her heart to race unexpectedly.


    ¡°Hm?¡± The masked man suddenly sounded surprised.


    In the southeastern sky, a special signal flare had burst upward, cutting through the corpse qi sandstorm, forming a vivid dragon image in the sky.


    The sword abruptly halted mid-air. Lin Wan, caught off guard, lurched forward into the masked man¡¯s back.


    ¡°It seems we¡¯ll have to delay our return,¡± he explained.


    Then the sword tilted downward and plunged into the roiling, blood-red corpse qi sandstorm below. Instinctively, Lin Wan tightened her grip on his arm.


    Moments later, the two landed softly on the ground. The crimson sword returned to the masked man¡¯s back. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Stay close.¡± He whispered. ¡°And keep quiet.¡±


    Lin Wan nodded quickly. She clutched the hem of his coat and followed closely behind him. The corpse qi sandstorm in this area was even fiercer, but the masked man¡¯s broad figure and shoulders seemed to shield her from all the whirling dust and debris.


    Soon, they arrived at an abandoned alley. This was once a small town from a century ago. In the distance, faint sounds of combat echoed.


    The masked man took hold of Lin Wan¡¯s hand, and with a few swift, silent movements, he shifted their position like lightning, bringing them closer without a trace of sound.


    Moments later, they were behind the crumbling wall of an old warehouse. Peering through a crack in the wall, she saw a short-haired woman carrying a special backpack holding a straight blade and facing off against a group of enemies in the ruins beyond.


    But her opponents weren¡¯t zombies. They were five humans, each encased head-to-toe in metal armor.


    "Xuan Huang, stop struggling. Just hand over the item," said one of the armored figures, his voice carrying a metallic undertone.


    The short-haired woman, wounded and defiant, retorted coldly, "Do you, from Mechanical Eternity, dare interfere with the Dragon Group''s mission? Are you prepared to make enemies of Great Xia?"


    ¡°Meaningless words,¡± The armored figure replied calmly. ¡°If you''re trying to stall for time, let me tell you. Of the four Dragon Group operatives sent to support you, three are already dead.¡±


    He gestured, and another fully armored warrior tossed three broken, bloodstained straight blades at the woman¡¯s feet.


    "The rest of the Wing of the Phoenix team, Roughneck, Sky Shield, and Earth Flame, were all killed by us about fifteen minutes ago. Only Ruo Shuang is left...¡±


    Another armored soldier dragged a blood-soaked young woman by her hair, throwing her to the ground.


    "Captain... we were... ambushed. The mission... has been compromised...¡± The young woman managed to whisper, struggling to speak.


    She had long, wine-red hair. It was clear that the Dragon Group operative, codenamed Ruo Shuang, was once a stylish and sophisticated urban woman who took pride in her appearance. But now, she had lost an arm, blood trickled from her mouth and nose, and her once-pretty face was smeared with mud and blood.


    The leader of the metal-clad warriors pressed his boot onto her head, speaking in a detached tone, ¡°It seems Dragon Group experts aren¡¯t as tough as they claim. One stomp, and her head will burst...¡±


    Xuan Huang, the short-haired woman, looked at them with fury in her eyes. It was a rage powerful enough to set the world ablaze.


    She spoke in a low, steady voice, ¡°Let her go.¡±


    The leader smirked. ¡°I¡¯ve told you, hand over the Corpse Emperor¡¯s Sacred Crystal, and I¡¯ll grant you both a dignified death. Otherwise, you¡¯ll witness your closest comrade tortured to death right in front of you.¡±

 Chapter 423: Great Xia Dragon Group, Codename Jade Emperor (1)

    Chapter 423: Great Xia Dragon Group, Codename Jade Emperor (1)Lin Wan secretly observed the scene, feeling a surge of anger rising within her. She had heard of the Great Xia Dragon Group, the official special forces organization of Great Xia walking in the shadows to defend the light, known as the Apostles of the Dragon. The short-haired woman called Xuan Huang was clearly on a special mission, yet she was ambushed and intercepted by the new militant forces of the Mechanical Eternity faction.


    This was an act of hostility against Great Xia. It was treason. Lin Wan glanced at the masked man beside her. She noticed he had no intention of intervening.


    "Senior..." She whispered softly.


    "Let¡¯s wait and watch." The masked man replied.


    At that moment, Lin Wan realized that a faint layer of cold air was spreading around them. She wasn¡¯t slow-witted. She immediately understood that this chill was masking their body temperatures, making it impossible for the distant mechanical combat armors of the new faction to detect their images through infrared.


    "Release her first, and I can give you what you want," Xuan Huang said as she removed her specially designed backpack. "I¡¯m alone here and you were lying in wait. Are you still afraid of a single weak woman?"


    "Why wouldn''t we be cautious?" The opposing leader replied, "You¡¯re the captain of Wing of the Wind, one of the six ultra-class A special operations teams of the official Great Xia Dragon Group. A prodigy who, at under thirty, has already set one foot into the Dao Union Realm, and the inheritor of the Immortal Phoenix bloodline, code-named Xuan Huang. Your combat record is nothing short of astonishing. Even if you are the last member of Wing of the Wind, we won¡¯t be careless."


    Xuan Huang tossed the backpack five meters in front of her.


    "This is my utmost sincerity." She said gravely. "For the Dragon Group, the safety of a teammate''s life always comes before a mission item. I only need Ruo Shuang alive. I am willing to hand over the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal to you. But if you push me too far, I won¡¯t hesitate to destroy it and take us all down together."


    The opposing leader thought for a moment, then instructed his team over their communication channel to release the severely injured Ruo Shuang.


    Ruo Shuang lifted her head with difficulty. "Captain, don''t worry about me."


    Xuan Huang shouted sternly, "If you¡¯re not dead yet, then crawl over here."


    Tears welled up in Ruo Shuang''s eyes. She suppressed the searing pain and began crawling slowly, leaving two deep, bloody trails behind her as she painstakingly made her way to Xuan Huang''s side.


    A heavily armored soldier approached, bending down to pick up the specially designed backpack.


    In that instant, Xuan Huang sprang into action. With a flick of her fingers, the backpack suddenly leaped into the air, spinning around the armored soldier in four or five tight circles before the soldier could react.


    The soldier roared in anger. A faint blue shield shimmered across the surface of his armor as his automatic rifle fired streams of energy rounds, heartlessly targeting the crawling Ruo Shuang on the ground.


    But Xuan Huang was ready. In one swift movement, she darted forward, wrapping her left arm around Ruo Shuang. She threw herself into a rapid tactical roll, narrowly dodging the barrage of energy rounds. At that moment, she lightly tugged with her right hand.


    Thunk. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The mechanical armor-clad warrior froze. A strange, transparent thread, as thin as hair, had already tightly woven itself around the outer layer of his armor. Whatever material the thread was made from, it was incredibly sharp, slicing thin, precise lines across the custom-powered armor and swiftly cutting deeper and deeper.


    The armored warrior roared, trying to break free. But in the next instant, the threads tightened, sending blood spraying into the air. The massive figure of the armored warrior was instantly torn apart into a heap of glowing, broken metal pieces and steaming chunks of flesh.


    A swift kill. The specially designed backpack, still attached to the thin threads, returned to Xuan Huang¡¯s hand.


    The scene caused Lin Wan, watching from afar, to light up with admiration.


    Incredible!


    This is indeed the Dragon Group of Great Xia. They have skills beyond mortal comprehension and the courage for a last-ditch counterattack. But how would they escape now?


    There are still four armored warriors remaining on the other side, including the leader, who appears formidable. Escaping with a severely injured teammate is nearly impossible for Xuan Huang.


    However, if the masked man stepped in...


    She looked at the tall figure standing before her.


    He glanced back at her and said, ¡°My Sword Harnessing Technique can carry only two other people besides myself.¡±


    Lin Wan paused, then gritted her teeth and said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll hide. You can take them and escape, then come back for me.¡±


    ¡°How would you hide?¡± The masked man¡¯s tone was calm. ¡°Where would you hide? If the people from Mechanical Eternity find you, they¡¯ll kill you to silence witnesses. You¡¯ve seen something you shouldn¡¯t have.¡±


    An open ambush on the Great Xia Dragon Group was treason. The enemy would never allow any survivors. Lin Wan fell silent, at a loss for words.


    The masked man asked, ¡°You have no ties to them. Why are you willing to take such a risk for them?¡±


    Lin Wan replied without hesitation, ¡°They¡¯re from the Great Xia Dragon Group. They¡¯re our heroes. If my one life could be exchanged for the two of theirs, it¡¯s worth it, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    The masked man looked at her silently, as if seeing her in a new light.


    Lin Wan continued, seemingly to herself, ¡°Just, Senior, if you could do me a favor and deliver these thirty-six fifth-level star cores to my parents... My father¡¯s name is...¡±


    ¡°I was joking.¡± The masked man interrupted suddenly.


    ¡°What?¡± Lin Wan was taken aback.


    The masked man winked, leaned in, and whispered, ¡°Actually, my Sword Harnessing Technique can carry a dozen people without any problem. I even thought of using it to start a ride-sharing business; high capacity, low cost; it¡¯d be a real moneymaker.¡±


    Lin Wan was speechless.


    The masked man gently patted her head. ¡°Don¡¯t jump to heroic sacrifices so quickly. Sacrificing oneself to save others isn¡¯t always noble. Don¡¯t be so eager to throw your life away.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Lin Wan lowered her head.


    ¡°Keep watching; things aren¡¯t that simple.¡± The masked man added. ¡°When the time comes, I¡¯ll step in.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± Lin Wan kept her reply brief.


    In the distance, Xuan Huang of the Dragon Group had already slung the custom backpack onto her back.


    She showed no intention of fleeing immediately. Instead, she pulled out a device resembling a remote control and said coolly, ¡°Now, you have two choices. One, withdraw ten miles and let us go. Two, I¡¯ll blow up the electromagnetic barrier and alert the Supreme Corpse Emperor to all your presences. We¡¯ll all be buried in a sea of corpses together.¡±


    Lin Wan''s heart stirred. So, the reason there had been no zombies to break up the fight despite the prolonged battle was because this ruined town had an electromagnetic barrier in place, preventing high-grade zombies from detecting or searching within the area.


    This must have been a pre-arranged rendezvous point set up by the Dragon Group. Had it not been for the ambush by Mechanical Eternity, Xuan Huang and her team would have completed their mission by now.


    But this raised a troubling question. The Dragon Group¡¯s internal secrecy should have been extremely tight for a mission of this level. How did Mechanical Eternity learn of the mission details and manage to ambush the Dragon Group members sent as support?


    The leader of the armored mechanical warriors, his voice edged with fury, growled, ¡°The Dragon Group of Great Xia aren¡¯t the only ones unafraid of death in this world. If necessary, we¡¯ll all die together... Attack!¡±


    After being played once, they launched their assault without hesitation.


    Zzzzz.


    In a low hum, a heavily armed mechanical warrior towering over two and a half meters raised his hellfire magnetic gatling gun and began firing mercilessly. Energy rounds, forming nearly six unbroken lines, tore through the air, aimed relentlessly at Xuan Huang and Ruo Shuang.


    Xuan Huang did not dodge. At such close range, the onslaught was too overwhelming. She might have been able to evade, but the severely injured Ruo Shuang at her side would surely be killed.


    She shouted as she drove her Dragon Group straight blade into the ground. Clasping the hilt with both hands, she channeled her powerful inner qi, activating a secret ancient martial technique. A massive blade aura shield sprang forth, protecting both her and Ruo Shuang behind its solid barrier.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    The bullets from the gatling gun pounded against the blade shield, sparking endless bursts of flames and energy ripples. The terrifying impact forced Xuan Huang, along with her blade, to be driven back step by step.


    At the same time, two additional armored mechanical warriors drew their power longswords, advancing rapidly from both sides toward Xuan Huang. Xuan Huang gripped her blade in one hand while drawing the magnetic air cannon from her waist with the other. Just as she was about to strike...


    Shhh.


    Sword light flashed as a power short sword suddenly sliced through the strap of the backpack on her back and aimed directly at her heart from behind. The sudden assault caught the renowned captain off guard. She barely managed to dodge, but the short sword still embedded itself in her left shoulder blade.


    The intense pain shattered her concentration, and she could no longer maintain the blade shield. Several bullets tore through her body even as she tried to evade. She crashed heavily into the dirt.


    The one who had launched the surprise attack was none other than her teammate, Ruo Shuang, from the Dragon Group. The supposedly grievously injured Ruo Shuang had somehow miraculously recovered. She walked up to the leader of the mechanical warriors and handed the backpack over to him.

 Chapter 424: Great Xia Dragon Group, Codename Jade Emperor (2)

    Chapter 424: Great Xia Dragon Group, Codename Jade Emperor (2)¡°Hehe...¡±


    The leader took the backpack, a triumphant expression on his face. Finally, the treasure his organization had longed for was in his hands. The Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal.


    With this, they could craft super-powered weapons capable of slaying even the strongest Saints. It would propel the Mechanical Eternity faction¡¯s power to unprecedented heights, and position them as one of the most formidable forces in Xiajing City. Moreover, seizing this treasure from the Dragon Group would shatter the Great Xia Dragon Group¡¯s plans, eliminating their threat to the New Martial Arts factions.


    This would further weaken Great Xia''s official strength and reduce its authority over the independent factions. A new era for families and corporate powerhouses was on the horizon.


    ¡°Cough, cough...¡±


    In the distance, Xuan Huang, slumped against a broken wall, coughed, blood frothing from her mouth and nose.


    She looked toward Ruo Shuang, sorrow flickering in her eyes. ¡°I knew it... cough, cough... How else could this mission have been compromised? Even an ambush shouldn¡¯t have prevented Earth Flame and the others from sending a signal. So, it was you who betrayed us.¡±


    Ruo Shuang stood with her head lowered, silent and motionless. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The leader of the mechanical warriors chuckled, ¡°Let me clarify for your teammate¡¯s sake. She is no longer the unparalleled assassin of the Dragon Group. Ruo Shuang is now a puppet, her mind replaced with a mechanical brain.¡±


    Xuan Huang¡¯s face went pale as realization dawned on her.


    Her body trembled violently, and flames of anger blazed in her eyes. ¡°What... what did you do to her?¡±


    ¡°A simple brain modification.¡±


    The leader slowly lifted his faceplate, revealing a handsome, middle-aged face.


    He sighed with a hint of nostalgia, ¡°Captain Xuan Huang, we¡¯ve fought in the shadows for ten years. Who would have thought that our second face-to-face meeting would come at the end of your desperate road?¡±


    ¡°So, it really is you, Mei Fusu.¡±


    Xuan Huang recognized the middle-aged man.


    She wasn¡¯t surprised; she only coughed up another mouthful of blood, her gaze burning fiercely as she said, ¡°You will pay the price for opposing the Great Xia Dragon Group.¡±


    ¡°There is nothing in this world that comes without a price,¡± Mei Fusu replied calmly. ¡°The only question is whether the price is worth it. Perhaps one day I¡¯ll die at the hands of the Dragon Group, but today, I am the victor.¡±


    Xuan Huang looked toward the sky. Her gaze was deep and resolute.


    Mei Fusu chuckled lightly. ¡°There¡¯s no need to wait. No Dragon Group reinforcements will be coming. All the powerful Dragon Group operatives within reach have been lured away. There will be no miracles here.¡±


    Xuan Huang remained silent. Her eyes softened as she looked at Ruo Shuang with a mix of tenderness and sorrow. The moment she realized that Ruo Shuang had been modified, Xuan Huang had already forgiven her old friend and teammate.


    As someone who had investigated the forbidden surgeries conducted by the Mechanical Eternity faction, she knew too well the sheer evil, inhumanity, and madness of brain replacement procedures. It left the victim aware, yet unable to control their own body. They would be forced to carry out actions against their will. Betrayal, assassination... None of these actions had been Ruo Shuang¡¯s true intention.


    She was alive, but trapped in the prison of her own body. It was, perhaps, the cruelest punishment in existence. Xuan Huang¡¯s heart was filled with guilt. She had neglected to show her teammate the care and vigilance she needed, leaving Ruo Shuang to suffer through unimaginable horrors without even realizing it.


    ¡°Actually, the organization¡¯s main target for transformation was you, Captain Xuan Huang.¡± Mei Fusu smirked, raising the backpack in his hand triumphantly.


    He smiled and said, ¡°Lord Michael has always coveted your body. As the Dragon Group¡¯s most combat-capable captain and the owner of the Immortal Phoenix bloodline, you¡¯re regarded as the closest to Sainthood within Great Xia. Now, with the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal, Lord Michael will be able to transform you into his finest masterpiece...¡±


    As he spoke, he began to slowly open the backpack. But his expression suddenly changed.


    Boom!


    A violent explosion erupted from the backpack as a terrifying wave of energy radiated in all directions.


    The explosive flames engulfed Mei Fusu and his men in a blinding flash. The blast¡¯s force shook the entire ruined town, making the ground tremble fiercely. When the flames and smoke finally cleared... The heavily armed mechanical warrior wielding the hellfire Gatling gun had half of his head and one shoulder blown off.


    The other two mechanical warriors, who had been farther away and managed to react quickly, had survived. However, their armor was now sparking and malfunctioning, indicating severe equipment damage and near-total energy depletion.


    Mei Fusu, who had been closest to the exploding backpack, had his powered armor disintegrate into a spray of metal fragments in an instant. Yet, his own strength was formidable.


    In the split second of the explosion, he had unleashed his inner qi, activating a magnetic shield on his left arm. A barely visible force field had enveloped his body, absorbing the brunt of the blast¡¯s shockwave. Even so, the impact hurled him more than ten meters backwards.


    ¡°Xuan Huang!!¡± Mei Fusu¡¯s enraged scream echoed through the air.


    Furious, he realized that even with the situation seemingly under control, this Great Xia Dragon Group captain had still nearly killed him with a devastating tactic.


    ¡°What a pity,¡± Xuan Huang slumped against the ruined wall as she muttered with deep regret, ¡°I didn¡¯t manage to blow you to pieces, you bastard.¡±


    Mei Fusu looked at the shreds of the backpack. His first reaction wasn¡¯t to check on the condition of his subordinates, but to shout furiously, ¡°Where is the Sacred Crystal? Where is the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal?¡±


    Xuan Huang laughed. ¡°Given how much time has passed, while you focused all your energy on dealing with me, the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal has likely already made it safely into the city. Soon, it¡¯ll reach the Dragon Group headquarters... Mei Fusu, it seems you¡¯ve been duped.¡±


    As she laughed, blood trickled from her mouth. She had stalled him all this time for this exact moment.


    ¡°No... Impossible.¡± A chill ran down Mei Fusu¡¯s spine, but then he quickly sneered. ¡°We¡¯ve blocked and shut down every channel available to the Dragon Group. Unless... unless you used...¡±


    He abruptly realized something, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Xuan Huang. ¡°White Deer Academy?¡±


    Xuan Huang remained silent.


    Mei Fusu immediately regained his composure. He quickly realized it was too late to pursue the crystal, so he calmly issued orders, ¡°Number Three, Number Four, clean up the battlefield. Erase all traces. We¡¯re returning to the city.¡±


    Then he began to walk slowly toward Xuan Huang. Capturing this celebrated captain of the Great Xia Dragon Group alive would still be a significant achievement. Other matters could be dealt with in time. As long as the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal hadn¡¯t reached Dragon Group headquarters, there was still a chance.


    At that moment, in the shattered storage house in the distance, Lin Wan¡¯s heart was in her throat. The rapid twists and turns in the situation had left her mind reeling.


    Mei Fusu¡¯s overwhelming strength had shocked her, but the way Xuan Huang, the captain, had continued to try to turn the tide even in such a desperate situation with unwavering resolve and cunning had left her deeply impressed. She now felt something close to admiration for this woman.


    "Senior," Lin Wan looked at the masked man with a pleading gaze.


    "Step back." The masked man replied calmly. "I¡¯m about to make a show of it."


    Lin Wan was taken aback. That tone... Before she could fully process it, the masked man¡¯s figure flickered, and he appeared like a ghost on the battlefield.


    A crimson light flashed behind him. The rusty, battered longsword he carried seemed to come alive, brimming with a fierce spirit as it slashed down, decapitating the two remaining mechanical warriors.


    Since they had lost all of their armor''s defensive abilities in the explosion, their resistance was no better than that of the zombies who had recently fallen under the rusty sword¡¯s edge.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Mei Fusu reacted instantly.


    He launched an air cannon blast with a backward thrust of his palm.


    Boom!


    The masked man¡¯s figure was seemingly obliterated in an instant, reduced to fragments.


    Lin Wan¡¯s heart clenched tightly as she nearly cried out in despair. But in the very next moment...


    Whoosh.


    The rusted sword, now enveloped in a mysterious golden inner qi aura, sprang to life and transformed into a streak of light that shot toward Mei Fusu once again.


    The masked man wasn¡¯t dead. The figure that Mei Fusu had shattered was merely an afterimage left by his high-speed movement.


    Mei Fusu raised his hand, his left index finger extending and firing a miniature high-frequency missile.


    Boom!


    The overcharged missile collided with the rusted sword midair, triggering an explosion. Yet, contrary to Mei Fusu¡¯s expectations, the rusted sword didn¡¯t shatter. Instead, it passed unscathed through the explosion, briefly slowed, then abruptly accelerated toward him again.


    The intense sword qi radiated a deadly threat. Mei Fusu clenched his right hand into a fist and threw a punch to meet the sword head-on.


    Clang.


    The sound of metal echoed as the rusted sword was deflected, flying back through the air.


    "Who exactly are you?" Mei Fusu demanded, feeling a chill run through him.


    His opponent¡¯s sword technique was utterly strange. He¡¯d neither seen nor heard of anything like it before. The masked man had positioned himself in front of Xuan Huang, shielding her. He tilted his head as he seemingly examined Mei Fusu.


    "So, you¡¯re the one they call the strongest expert of Mythical Heavy Industry, Mei Fusu? A powerful figure of the New Martial Arts faction. Impressive, but... such a pity." The masked man sighed.


    Mei Fusu couldn¡¯t discern where this man had come from, nor what his identity was. But one thing was clear... He was extremely dangerous.


    Mei Fusu asked cautiously, "What¡¯s a pity?"


    Regret colored the masked man¡¯s voice. "If we were in a different time and place, I¡¯d truly enjoy a proper fight with you to experience your so-called supreme New Martial Arts techniques. But, unfortunately, I''m short on time today, so I must send you on your way quickly."


    He brought his fingers together like a sword and pointed lightly at Mei Fusu.


    "For the second time, kill.''" He spoke calmly.


    Whoosh!


    Sword light flashed. This time, the rusted sword effortlessly pierced through Mei Fusu¡¯s heart. An intense, icy sword qi instantly shredded all his vital energy and inner qi, extinguishing the immense strength he had cultivated over his lifetime.


    ¡°Urgh...¡± Mei Fusu felt his life force fading away as his eyes filled with disbelief and unwillingness.


    ¡°Who... who are you?¡± He struggled to ask, clutching his wound.


    The masked man gestured and the rusted sword returned to his hand. He stood tall and unmoving with the sword resting behind him. His posture exuded an effortless grace, as if he had practiced it a thousand times.


    ¡°I suppose it doesn¡¯t hurt to tell you.¡± The masked man replied calmly. ¡°Great Xia Dragon Group, codename Jade Emperor.¡±

 Chapter 425: Are You Alright

    Chapter 425: Are You AlrightThe Great Xia Dragon Group, codename Jade Emperor.


    Jade Emperor!


    Mei Fusu¡¯s body weakened, and he slowly sank to his knees.


    How could this be?


    The top experts of the Great Xia Dragon Group had long been dispatched elsewhere. Moreover, anyone skilled enough to kill me with a single sword strike would surely not be unknown. Why have I never heard of someone called the Jade Emperor?


    Mei Fusu died with his eyes wide open. His body turned into black ice and shattered instantly, scattering into pieces across the ground. Standing behind him, Xuan Huang, too, appeared uncertain and wary.


    Jade Emperor?


    She seemed to recall hearing that codename somewhere. However, this mission was one of the Dragon Group''s highest-level secrets. Apart from her own Wing of the Wind team, only a few top-ranking officials knew about it.


    How had this Jade Emperor learned of the danger and arrived just in time for a rescue?


    ¡°Do you not want to leave?¡±


    After killing Mei Fusu, the masked man wasted no time. He immediately used the Sword Harnessing Technique and waved to Lin Wan in the distance. Lin Wan rushed over and, without hesitation, jumped onto the gleaming sword. The masked man then extended a hand toward Xuan Huang.


    She glanced at his rusty sword, hesitated for a moment, then struggled to her feet without a word. The masked man chuckled, pulled out an identification badge, and handed it to her.


    ¡°This is my Dragon Group member identification card.¡±


    In an instant, Xuan Huang believed the man before her. She clasped his hand, and used his support to step onto the glowing sword.


    ¡°Take her with us as well,¡± Xuan Huang gestured toward Ruo Shuang, who now stood idly by after not receiving further commands.


    ¡°Alright.¡± The masked man did not hesitate as he used the Dragon-Grasping Hand technique.


    A faint golden inner qi transformed into the shadow of a dragon, lifting the modified Dragon Group operative, Ruo Shuang, into the air and pulling her toward them.


    Whoosh!


    The rusted sword shot into the air as it disappeared into the sky, carrying the four of them.


    At the same time... Dozens of streaks of light approached the ruins of the small town. The prolonged battles and the surging waves of energy had finally disrupted the electromagnetic field set up to shield this area and attracted the attention of high-grade zombies in the surroundings.


    One of these glowing figures landed and transformed into a towering zombie clad in a tattered Daoist robe. At the feet of the zombie Daoist stood a giant corpse turtle, with a shell nearly six meters wide. The two appeared fused together and exuded a rare sense of harmony upon first glance.


    This was the Black Tortoise Corpse; one of the Four Divine Corpse Generals under the Supreme Corpse Emperor. The Quasi-Saint Realm energy ripple instantly spread, blanketing the entire ruined town. It looked up at the fading light of the sword in the distance.


    ¡°So fast. A Quasi-Saint among humans?¡± A strangely human-like expression appeared on the zombie Daoist¡¯s face.


    It did not pursue them. The sword light was too fast. However, the traces left in the town were enough to provide some clues.


    ¡°Mechanical Eternity faction?¡±


    ¡°Living beings are indeed unreliable.¡±


    The zombie Daoist surveyed the traces across the battlefield, frowning slightly. ¡°There seems to be another energy here. The humans are turning against each other, and the location of the Sacred Crystal remains uncertain. That sword light just now... unmistakably a technique from the ancient martial lineage of Great Xia. It seems we¡¯ll need to send a corpse emissary into the city to investigate further.¡±


    Raising its head, it let out a piercing corpse howl. Across the Corpse Whisper Plains, the growing disturbance gradually settled down.


    Within the Corpse Emperor¡¯s nest, hundreds of miles away, the supreme ruler of countless corpse beasts slowly retracted its aura. The storm of corpse energy faded away.


    ***


    "I¡¯ll take you to the outskirts of the city." The masked man said. "Once we reach there, you can enter on your own. I have other tasks to attend to."


    After escaping the zombie horde, they soared swiftly through the skies on the sword. It only took mere minutes for them to glimpse the towering metal walls of Xiajing City.


    The flying sword descended. Xuan Huang, Lin Wan, and Ruo Shuang landed softly on the ground.


    ¡°Thank you, comrade,¡± Xuan Huang expressed her gratitude immediately.


    The masked man smiled slightly as he replied, ¡°For Great Xia.¡±


    Without waiting for Lin Wan to say anything further, he rose on the sword once more, transforming into a streak of light that ascended into the sky.


    "Senior..." Lin Wan called out, jumping up and waving. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She still had no idea what the masked man looked like or how to contact him. But the light of the sword streaked across the sky and disappeared in an instant.


    Xuan Huang stood in silent contemplation. She, too, was intrigued by the masked man. However, she was not in any rush. She knew his codename; she could easily look up his details once she got access to the Dragon Group¡¯s internal records. Instead, she found herself more interested in Lin Wan standing beside her.


    "You weren''t familiar with the Jade Emperor?" Xuan Huang asked.


    Lin Wan had started to admire this female captain of the Dragon Group to her very core. She didn¡¯t conceal anything as she carefully recounted how she had previously encountered the masked man and all the subsequent events.


    After listening, Xuan Huang seemed lost in thought. While they were talking, the two of them, along with Ruo Shuang, had already arrived beneath the city walls.


    Xuan Huang had her Dragon Group credentials, and Lin Wan had her student ID. The three of them entered the city smoothly. Soon, the instructors from White Deer Academy arrived.


    "Little Wan, are you okay? You scared me to death." One of them cried.


    "That''s wonderful, Little Wan, you''re back safely!" Another said.


    Among the seven sisters, Ding Rong and Song Lingge rushed over and hugged Lin Wan, both crying and laughing. It was clear they had a deep sisterly bond. After a brief inquiry, they learned the whole story.


    "I lost my mini light core, so I can''t call a taxi or contact my colleagues. I wonder if I could hitch a ride on your school''s bus?" Xuan Huang asked.


    "Of course."


    "Assisting the Dragon Group is our honor." Several instructors from White Deer Academy replied politely.


    Just as they were speaking, Qi Shisan and Ding Yifeng finally returned from outside the city. Behind them were Li Xiaofei and the senior student named Su Wanqing.


    "I''m sorry, truly sorry. I encountered a grade five zombie and, during the fight, accidentally lost my equipment pack along with my identity combat badge... I''m sorry to have worried everyone." Su Wanqing immediately apologized.


    With her high status as an upperclassman, her sincere apology softened any lingering frustrations, and the others quickly forgave her.


    "And you? What¡¯s your excuse this time?" Song Lingge demanded, glaring at Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, who knew this trial would turn dangerous? The school''s organization was terrible. I forgot to bring my identity combat badge. I''ll remember next time."


    "You..." Song Lingge and the others were speechless with frustration.


    Who behaved like this?


    Because of him, two instructors had risked venturing out into such a dangerous realm to search for him. Ding Yifeng was equally furious and ready to scold him. But when he saw Li Junjie standing nearby, he swallowed his words.


    Qi Shisan instinctively reached for his gourd to take a drink, only to realize it was empty. "Alright, since everyone¡¯s back safe, let''s drop the arguments and head back to campus."


    The group climbed into the carriage, which sped toward the academy. Li Junjie sidled up to Li Xiaofei, seemingly wanting to ask something. But Li Xiaofei ignored him entirely as he closed his eyes. His loyal lackey could only wait patiently.


    This scene only fueled the resentment Ding Rong and Song Lingge already felt toward Li Xiaofei, prompting them to silently sympathize with Li Junjie. They were so frustrated that they nearly ground their teeth to the breaking point.


    Meanwhile, Lin Wan was quietly observing Li Xiaofei. For some reason, she found herself subconsciously connecting him with the masked man. Although there wasn¡¯t a single clue to support her suspicion, her intuition whispered that Li Xiaofei¡¯s build, eyes, and even his outline bore a faint resemblance to that mysterious figure.


    Could it be?


    She found the idea hard to believe. Slowly, she inched closer and took a seat beside Li Xiaofei.


    "Are you alright?" She asked, breaking the silence.


    The fact that Lin Wan, a campus beauty, had initiated conversation with the least likely person in the class stunned everyone in the carriage.

 Chapter 426: There’s Big Trouble

    Chapter 426: There¡¯s Big TroubleLi Xiaofei glanced at Lin Wan. Sometimes, you had to admit a woman¡¯s intuition was uncanny. But it didn¡¯t matter even if she suspected something. As long as he didn¡¯t admit anything, no one would believe her.


    ¡°Not bad. Thanks for asking,¡± Li Xiaofei replied coolly, leaning back against the side of the carriage.


    Lin Wan listened intently to every note in his voice, trying to pick up any hint of resemblance to the masked man.


    ¡°Hey, what kind of attitude is that?¡± Ding Rong couldn¡¯t hold back and scolded, ¡°Little Wan is showing concern for you. You¡¯re just like a dog biting L¨¹ Dongbin[1]. How completely ungrateful.¡±


    Li Xiaofei glanced at the eldest of the seven sisters. ¡°None of your business.¡±


    ¡°You...¡± Ding Rong shot to her feet, visibly agitated.


    Li Junjie glared at her, ¡°What do you want?¡±


    Ding Rong was furious, gritting her teeth as she reluctantly sat down again.


    Lin Wan gently squeezed Ding Rong¡¯s hand, calming her, then turned back to Li Xiaofei. ¡°Classmate Li, what did you encounter in the wilderness? How did you manage to evade those high-grade zombies?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I encountered quite a lot,¡± Li Xiaofei replied, leaning against the side of the carriage. ¡°But they were no match for me. I casually killed a few thousand of them.¡±


    ¡°Pfft.¡±


    ¡°Ha...¡±


    Many in the carriage couldn¡¯t hold back and burst out laughing. Even Ding Yifeng couldn¡¯t suppress a chuckle. There was a limit to bragging. If he had claimed he¡¯d been lucky and managed to kill four or five low-grade zombies, maybe some would¡¯ve believed him.


    But casually killing thousands of high-grade zombies? That was pure nonsense. He didn¡¯t even know how to tell a convincing lie.


    Only Lin Wan didn¡¯t laugh. If Li Xiaofei really was the masked man, then the number of zombies he¡¯d killed wouldn¡¯t just be a few thousand; it could easily be tens of thousands.


    Beside her, Xuan Huang watched Lin Wan carefully. Her time with the masked man had been brief, but Lin Wan¡¯s behavior had given Xuan Huang a faint sense that there might be something to her suspicions.


    Meanwhile, Li Junjie remarked in his usual fashion, ¡°For someone like him, killing a few thousand zombies would indeed be no big deal.¡±


    Ding Rong, Song Lingge, and others helplessly covered their faces. Li Junjie was admirable in many ways but his one flaw was his blind loyalty to Li Xiaofei. Ironically, his exaggerated support only made Li Xiaofei seem like an even bigger joke. A person¡¯s strength should speak for itself. It shouldn¡¯t need others to hype it up.


    Li Xiaofei seemed unfazed by the reactions around him. Most of his attention was focused on the senior student named Su Wanqing. She looked like a character straight out of a comic. Her short black hair had a distinctly androgynous style; her large, clear eyes were framed by bold, arched eyebrows; and her nose was straight and well-defined. Her lips were full and rosy, and her delicate features were perfectly balanced on her fair, almond-shaped face.


    Her figure boasted striking curves. Her long legs were subtly apparent even beneath her green academy robe. She was like a classic beauty from a traditional Chinese comic brought to life. When she noticed Li Xiaofei¡¯s gaze, Su Wanqing responded with a polite smile. However, when his eyes lingered on her for a bit too long, she frowned slightly, retracting her gaze and looking elsewhere.


    Her gestures and expressions were completely natural. Li Xiaofei chuckled to himself, closed his eyes, and pretended to doze.


    The carriage sped on. Twenty minutes later, they finally arrived back at White Deer Academy.


    The elderly headmaster had been informed of their return and was standing at the academy gates to greet them. He was especially attentive toward Li Junjie as he asked about his well-being. It was only after seeing the academy¡¯s most talented student return unscathed that he finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    He then warmly welcomed Xuan Huang and her companion from the Dragon Group. The two Dragon Group members were promptly escorted to a special training room to recuperate, with additional resources provided for their recovery. The other students were directed to undergo standard academy examinations.


    These included checks for bodily radiation levels and screenings of personal belongings, particularly after their exposure to the zombie energy storm. Afterward, they would receive herbal medicine prescriptions and be given herbal baths and internal treatments as needed.


    These were all medicines developed by White Deer Academy itself. They were simple and effective, but most importantly, affordable. Li Xiaofei received a packet of herbs along with an instruction manual, then headed back to his dormitory. This recent trial had turned out quite lucky for him.


    The zombie horde he encountered allowed him to collect more than enough star cores above grade five to last him for a while. Sensing the distant aura of the Supreme Corpse Emperor had made Li Xiaofei acutely aware, once again, of the urgency to strengthen himself. Strength was the only real truth.


    If a true calamity were to descend, he would need overwhelming strength to protect both himself and his family. He couldn¡¯t keep relying on the power of Elder Liu Shaji. It wasn¡¯t fair to trouble the elder so often.


    Perhaps he would find a chance to talk with him properly. Hopefully, Elder Liu might grant him a few more chances to borrow his strength, especially given all the times he¡¯d assisted the elder.


    Li Xiaofei sat down, took out the high-grade star cores, and began circulating the Nine Yang Divine Art to absorb their energy.


    Time passed as Li Xiaofei immersed himself in cultivation. Directly absorbing the energy within the star cores was a unique feature of the Nine Yang Divine Art, allowing him to bypass the use of a starforce absorption device.


    Over four hours later...


    "Ah... Meridian Expanding Realm, first meridian of the twelve principal meridians, fully expanded."


    A satisfied expression appeared on his face. The term meridian expanding spoke for itself; it meant to widen and develop the body''s meridians. The Acupoint Opening Realm had focused on refining and stabilizing all acupoints within his body. This process was akin to setting fixed anchors within his body, establishing essential coordinates.


    In the Meridian Expanding Realm, he was now using those coordinates to connect his meridians, further unlocking the mysteries of the human body. The purpose of these meridians and acupoints lay in their ability to enhance different effects when cultivating various martial arts techniques.


    The power of a technique depended on its flow and circulation path. These paths were determined by the arrangement of meridians and acupoints. Li Xiaofei continued expanding the twelve principal meridians and the eight extraordinary meridians through his Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword. However, he had yet to settle on additional meridian-expanding techniques for the later stages.


    "Once I finish expanding the twelve principal meridians and the eight extraordinary meridians, I¡¯ll look into other meridian-expanding techniques. I imagine I''ll end up using techniques from the Dragon Group. Saving Xuan Huang this time should count as a credit for me," Li Xiaofei mused to himself.


    At that moment, an alarm suddenly sounded within his dormitory cave. Then, a message arrived. White Deer Academy was initiating a three-day lockdown.


    Lockdown?


    Li Xiaofei was surprised by the announcement.


    From what he knew, White Deer Academy imposed strict conditions for a lockdown. This wasn¡¯t merely a restriction; it was a full containment. The academy would spare no resources and activate protective formations that would shield the entire campus. Outsiders couldn¡¯t enter, and no one inside could leave.


    Internally, even stricter measures would be enforced. This included heightened patrols, a fully mobilized student security team, and a tiered confidentiality protocol. Access to high-security areas within the academy would be restricted, with only the headmaster¡¯s office able to authorize entry. Neither regular students nor instructors were allowed to move between areas without permission.


    The last lockdown at White Deer Academy had been fifty-eight years ago when the Supreme Corpse Emperor had launched an assault on Xiajing City. The zombie army had nearly breached the metal walls, and White Deer Academy, positioned closest to the gap in the wall, had activated its protective formations and gone into lockdown.


    The academy¡¯s reserve resources had been nearly depleted in just fifteen days. Already struggling financially, White Deer Academy had been pushed to the brink of bankruptcy at the time and were nearly unable to enroll students.


    So what could have happened this time? Has the headmaster lost his mind?


    Li Xiaofei felt a wave of confusion. On his way back from the cafeteria, someone stopped him.


    "Mind if we chat?" It was Xuan Huang, the captain of the Dragon Group¡¯s Super A-rank special operations team. Dressed in a sleek black modern combat suit, she stood out sharply against the academy¡¯s traditional robes.


    "Sure," Li Xiaofei nodded.


    They walked side by side. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Should I address you as President Li or as Jade Emperor?" Xuan Huang asked with a smile.


    "Whichever you prefer," Li Xiaofei replied, his expression unchanged.


    He knew that as soon as he revealed his codename, his true identity would no longer be hidden from his own organization. Anyone in the Dragon Group could simply look up his information through the internal network.


    "So, you really are the Jade Emperor," Xuan Huang said, a look of excitement flashing across her face.


    Li Xiaofei was a bit surprised.


    Was she bluffing?


    Xuan Huang continued, "I know what you¡¯re surprised about, but the truth is, I couldn¡¯t actually verify your information on the Dragon Group network. White Deer Academy can¡¯t even access it right now."


    "That can¡¯t be," Li Xiaofei replied.


    Although White Deer Academy didn¡¯t encourage students to use the network frequently, it was still accessible.


    Xuan Huang¡¯s expression grew serious.


    "The network in this area has been completely blocked, and there¡¯s a mechanical army surrounding us. White Deer Academy is now secretly encircled... Jade Emperor, something serious is happening."


    Li Xiaofei could hardly believe his ears.


    Could such a situation actually be happening within the city?


    "What exactly is going on?" he pressed. "Does this have to do with the Corpse Emperor''s Sacred Crystal?"


    1. to ill reward a person''s kindness ?

 Chapter 427: Some Secrets

    Chapter 427: Some Secrets¡°Yes, the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal is involved.¡± Xuan Huang did not conceal any information from his comrades. Moreover, this was not classified information.


    ¡°The Supreme Corpse Emperor outside the city is currently at a crucial moment of evolution. When a star beast advances to a higher stage of life beyond the Saint level, a rare solid crystal will emerge from within his body. This crystal is the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal. It contains the secret of transforming the undead into life.¡± sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°The Mechanical Eternity faction seeks this mystery of transformation between death and life. As long as they obtain this crystal, they can decipher the life code contained within, and acquire the final data needed to completely transform humans into mechanical life forms, ultimately creating true mechanical beings and achieving immortality. At the same time, the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal benefits the cultivation of the ancient martial arts lineage, since it contains an opportunity for sainthood.¡±


    ¡°Furthermore, the National Academy of Sciences has a theory that the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal is the only material capable of completely killing the Supreme Corpse Emperor. This is why the Corpse Emperor¡¯s followers are so desperately seeking to reclaim it.¡±


    ¡°Hence, Mechanical Eternity, the Dragon Group, and the star beasts all desire to obtain it,¡± Xuan Huang explained in detail.


    After listening, Li Xiaofei had another question. ¡°What realm does this Supreme Corpse Emperor belong to?¡±


    Xuan Huang replied, ¡°He is only a step away from becoming a transcendental life form.¡±


    ¡°Are transcendental life forms very powerful?¡± Li Xiaofei asked again, as this was his first time hearing about such a concept.


    "Very powerful," Xuan Huang replied. "Becoming a transcendental life form, from the perspective of ancient martial arts, is akin to shattering the void. In terms of modern technology, it means being able to leave Earth and enter the vacuum of space. They would become a cosmic-level life form, comparable to celestial bodies like satellites, planets, or stars."


    "How does that compare to a Saint Slayer?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "They are two different concepts," Xuan Huang explained patiently. "A Saint Slayer is simply a title of accomplishment. Anyone who has slain a Saint can be called a Saint Slayer. For instance, if Saint A killed Saint B, they would be known as a Saint Slayer. Even life forms below the Saint level, if they manage to slay a Saint through some weapon or other fortunate circumstances, would still be called a Saint Slayer. While the term Saint Slayer carries weight, it doesn¡¯t necessarily indicate a realm above that of a Saint. However, a transcendental life form is certainly above the Saint level."


    This explanation made things much clearer.


    Li Xiaofei then asked his second question, ¡°If transcendental life forms are so terrifying, why not eliminate the Corpse Emperor before he ascends and cut off any future threats? Otherwise, once he advances, wouldn¡¯t the entire city of Xiajing be in grave danger?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s an odd phenomenon you may have heard about,¡± Xuan Huang replied.


    Li Xiaofei looked puzzled. ¡°Hmm?¡±


    Xuan Huang continued, ¡°BOSS-level star beasts can never be entirely eradicated. Every time humans slay a BOSS-level star beast, nature itself will spawn a new one in the shortest time possible.¡±


    Li Xiaofei recalled that he had read something like this in his Red Flag High School textbooks. Typically, the newly born BOSS-level star beast would then launch an assault on human base cities to initiate its reign with a display of dominance. During this process, the losses suffered by human base cities would be unprecedentedly tragic. How could one describe this phenomenon? It was utterly absurd.


    It was like a poorly designed game where, just when you thought you had reached the final level and were about to clear it, a new wave of challenges would appear. But this time, the difficulty had been cranked up to nightmare mode.


    Xuan Huang added, ¡°Furthermore, the nation does have countermeasures against transcendental life forms. So, even if the Supreme Corpse Emperor evolves successfully, while the danger will significantly increase, it doesn¡¯t mean that Xiajing City will fall.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± Li Xiaofei replied, refraining from pressing further on the matter. Who could really say for certain about things above one¡¯s rank?


    Instead, he raised another question, ¡°How powerful is the Mechanical Eternity cult, exactly? They dare to oppose the Dragon Group and even intercept Dragon Group members?¡±


    Xuan Huang¡¯s tone turned serious. ¡°They¡¯re very powerful and beyond your imagination. The cult''s followers have infiltrated every facet of this nation. You should know that the New Martial Arts movement is already on the rise, and Mechanical Eternity ranks in the top three among the various factions within in terms of strength.¡±


    ¡°Star beasts are threatening the city with extinction-level crises, but we humans are still embroiled in internal strife and killing each other. One powerful fighter after another falls at the hands of their own kind... I don¡¯t even know what to say,¡± Li Xiaofei sighed.


    Xuan Huang responded, ¡°Such things have always existed throughout history.¡±


    Li Xiaofei nodded, ¡°Yes, just like Hegel[1] said, the only lesson humans learn from history is that humans never learn anything from history.¡±


    Xuan Huang chuckled softly, ¡°We have no reason to criticize others. We¡¯re all players in this game, and most people believe that their own philosophy is right and the ultimate path to salvation for humanity.¡±


    Li Xiaofei countered, ¡°So, do you think the attacks by Mechanical Eternity are justified?¡±


    Xuan Huang immediately shook her head. ¡°Of course not. Their methods have crossed the boundaries of ideological competition. They must pay the price.¡±


    Li Xiaofei then asked, ¡°Why is the state¡¯s ability to restrain and intimidate the various factions so weak? They dared to attack members of the Dragon Group outside Xiajing, the heart of the nation?¡±


    There was a growing sense of disappointment in his heart. The earlier controversies, the academic disputes and the struggles with educational advancement, had already caused some resentment to brew within him. That disappointment was slowly accumulating.


    After a brief moment, Xuan Huang looked at him and said, ¡°Perhaps you underestimate our enemies.¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Li Xiaofei glanced at her, puzzled.


    Xuan Huang explained, ¡°Star beasts are not mere symbols of savage brutality. It¡¯s quite the opposite in fact, some high-grade star beasts are extremely cunning and terrifying. They can transform into human form, evading all forms of detection equipment. Do you realize what this implies?¡±


    Li Xiaofei began to grasp her meaning.


    Her voice lowered. ¡°It means that star beasts can infiltrate human society as well. Our enemies are not only outside the walls¡ªthey are within them, too.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart jolted with sudden realization. He understood exactly what Xuan Huang was implying. There were traitors who held positions of considerable influence. This was the only way to explain the inexplicable occurrences within the city.


    ¡°This time, the Mechanical Eternity cult used the pretense of a mission to hunt down infiltrated corpse beasts to block off an area spanning dozens of miles around the academy. They had authorization from the higher-ups. It¡¯s flawless in terms of protocol and appearance.¡±


    Xuan Huang continued, ¡°Only a few people know they¡¯re really after the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal. I regret that a single careless remark from me has made White Deer Academy the center of this storm.¡±


    ¡°Was it those extra words you said when confronting Mei Fusu?¡± Li Xiaofei asked.


    Xuan Huang nodded.


    ¡°The entire abandoned town was covered with suppression formations and blocking fields. I hadn¡¯t expected that, Mei Fusu would manage to transmit some information just before his death. I was too careless,¡± she said, deeply regretful.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t dwell on this matter.


    At that time, Xuan Huang had intentionally prolonged the conversation with Mei Fusu to distract him and give their hidden allies more time. However, Mei Fusu had lived up to his reputation as Mythical Heavy Industry¡¯s top expert and had reacted quickly after deducing the truth. He could only be described as a terrifying enemy.


    ¡°Can you tell me if the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal is still at White Deer Academy?¡± Li Xiaofei asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Xuan Huang replied candidly.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t press further on its exact location.


    Instead, he asked, ¡°The Supreme Corpse Emperor is in a state of evolution, and his defenses should be incredibly tight. How did the Dragon Group manage to steal the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal from his lair?¡±


    ¡°The Tan family provided assistance,¡± Xuan Huang replied.


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback, and then suddenly understood everything.


    1. Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was a German philosopher and one of the most influential figures of German idealism and 19th-century philosophy. ?

 Chapter 428: It Seems Like You’re In Trouble

    Chapter 428: It Seems Like You¡¯re In TroubleIf nothing unexpected happened, the one from the Tan family who intervened was likely his lady. She had refined her bloodline and mastered the Corpse Whisper technique, which was specifically effective against the zombie clans. However, Li Xiaofei hadn¡¯t expected her to form connections with the Dragon Group so soon.


    ¡°So, what do you want me to do?¡± Li Xiaofei asked.


    Xuan Huang replied, ¡°I want you to protect someone.¡±


    ¡°Su Wanqing?¡± Li Xiaofei guessed.


    Xuan Huang laughed and said, ¡°As expected from someone bold enough to take on the codename Jade Emperor. How did you figure it out?¡±


    Li Xiaofei replied coolly, ¡°It wasn¡¯t hard. When the corpse energy storm broke out, there were three students from White Deer Academy who went missing: me, Lin Wan, and Su Wanqing. Lin Wan certainly isn¡¯t the Dragon Group¡¯s undercover agent, and neither am I, so who else could it be?¡±


    Xuan Huang asked, ¡°Then, will you agree?¡±


    Li Xiaofei nodded and replied, ¡°It¡¯s my duty as a member of the Dragon Group.¡±


    Xuan Huang was overjoyed. She had witnessed how Li Xiaofei had slain Mei Fusu firsthand . That dazzling strike had been unparalleled. Having such a powerful ally by her side was an incredibly reassuring feeling.


    ¡°The forces surrounding White Deer Academy are the Mechanical Guards, the most elite troops of the Mechanical Eternity faction. They¡¯re also one of the six garrison units of Xiajing City. Not only are they numerous, but each soldier is individually powerful, exceptionally well-equipped, and backed by strong official support. They aren¡¯t an opponent that individual strength alone can counter.¡±


    ¡°However, due to the constraints of military regulations, the Mechanical Guards cannot take direct action within the city; they are only responsible for the blockade. The ones we need to deal with are the Mechanical Special Forces, Mechanical Eternity¡¯s most fearsome special operations team. I have an electronic file on the Mechanical Special Forces here. Take it and review it; it¡¯ll give you some insight.¡±


    ¡°Also, your sole responsibility is to protect Su Wanqing. I¡¯ll handle the rest. Our people are currently working on infiltrating the Mechanical Guards¡¯ blockade. Oh, and I didn¡¯t reveal your identity to Su Wanqing. That might make it easier for you to operate. All we need to do is hold out until reinforcements arrive.¡±


    Xuan Huang laid out her plan and the current situation in detail.


    ¡°I understand.¡± Li Xiaofei took the electronic file and turned to leave.


    Xuan Huang also returned to her temporary quarters within White Deer Academy.


    Inside, a lifeless Ruo Shuang stood motionless, as silent as a true machine, as if her soul had been stripped away. A glimmer of sorrow flickered in Xuan Huang¡¯s eyes. She had already examined Ruo Shuang ¡¯s condition.


    She had been implanted with a non-metallic neural control system and the latest brain-machine interface from Eternal Precision. The complexity of the surgery was unimaginable. It was impossible for someone of Xuan Huang¡¯s abilities to remove it. In fact, there were barely any within the entire Dragon Group who could accomplish such a feat.


    Knowing that her closest partner, who had braved countless life-and-death battles by her side, had suffered such a cruel fate left Xuan Huang¡¯s heart aching.


    ¡°Once this mission is complete, I¡¯ll find a way to heal you,¡± Xuan Huang murmured, gently stroking Ruo Shuang¡¯s cheek.


    Tap Tap Tap.


    Then, suddenly, she raised her hand and swiftly tapped various points on Ruo Shuang¡¯s body.


    Divine Phoenix Meridian-Sealing Technique!


    She used the secret technique to seal Ruo Shuang¡¯s major acupoints and joint meridians, ensuring that even if Mechanical Eternity operatives attempted to activate her brain-machine interface, she wouldn¡¯t be able to move.


    Once she finished her preparations, Xuan Huang turned and left. As the door closed behind her, a fleeting glimmer of mechanical red light flashed in the depths of Ruo Shuang¡¯s eyes.


    ***


    After brewing the traditional Chinese medicine provided by the academy, Su Wanqing took a bath. She changed into a loose, comfortable robe and finally allowed herself to fully relax as she lay down on her dormitory bed, closing her eyes for a brief nap.


    As an undercover agent for the Dragon Group, today had marked her first mission. Fortunately, everything had gone smoothly. However, her handler had already informed her that the danger was far from over. So, Su Wanqing remained vigilant.


    After resting for a short while, she donned her nightgown as was her custom, grabbed her sword, and stepped out into the courtyard outside her dorm, where she began practicing her swordsmanship.


    Her sword practice was focused on the spirit, not speed. Her movements were graceful and fluid. Suddenly, Su Wanqing halted as she sensed something. Her gaze turned sharp as she looked toward the large tree nearby.


    There, she spotted a young man dressed in green lazily lounging on a branch, his right hand propping up his head. A faint smile played on his lips as he watched her.


    ¡°Li Xiaofei?¡± Su Wanqing spoke cautiously, ¡°When did you get here?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been here for a while.¡± Li Xiaofei stretched, sitting up straight on the branch, his legs dangling like he was on a swing. ¡°You had the door shut the whole time before you took your bath, so I had no choice but to wait up here.¡±


    "What... What are you here for?" asked Su Wanqing with a tone that was far from friendly.


    Li Xiaofei tilted his head and replied, ¡°If I said I¡¯m here to protect you, would you believe me?¡±


    Su Wanqing¡¯s response was blunt. ¡°Ha.¡±


    ¡°Alright, then.¡± Li Xiaofei shrugged. ¡°Honestly, when I saw you on the way back to campus, I was struck by your beauty. So, I came here to pursue you, Senior Su.¡±


    Su Wanqing replied coolly, ¡°You think you''re worthy?¡±


    Li Xiaofei grinned. ¡°In love, worthiness doesn¡¯t matter. It¡¯s about whether there¡¯s mutual interest and whether we¡¯re compatible. And often, you only find out by giving it a try.¡±


    Su Wanqing didn¡¯t hold back and replied, ¡°Leave. I have no interest in you.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression remained unchanged. ¡°And what does that have to do with me? As long as I¡¯m interested in you, that¡¯s enough.¡±


    Disgust flashed across Su Wanqing¡¯s face. ¡°There have been many who tried to pursue me, but you¡¯re by far the most shameless of them all. Get lost. If you don¡¯t, I won¡¯t be polite.¡±


    Li Xiaofei smirked. ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, this tree isn¡¯t within the bounds of your residence, is it?¡±


    A trace of anger flickered across Su Wanqing¡¯s face as she stepped closer.


    Li Xiaofei added with a casual tone, ¡°And, by the way, a reminder. Li Junjie happens to be one of my lackeys.¡±


    Su Wanqing halted mid-step.


    ¡°You¡¯d better know what you¡¯re doing,¡± she said before turning back and heading into her dorm.


    Li Xiaofei chuckled as he lay back on the tree.


    Half an hour later, Su Wanqing emerged from her dorm, having changed her clothes, only to find Li Xiaofei still lying on the tree with arms crossed behind his head.


    "Stay away from me, or you might end up dead." Su Wanqing warned through gritted teeth.


    She knew all too well how dangerous her situation was. Anyone who came close to her risked losing their life. So, despite her disdain for the smooth-talking boy in front of her, she wanted him gone quickly to avoid unnecessary harm. He was just an annoying pest, not someone who deserved to die. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    To her frustration, Li Xiaofei jumped down from the tree, grinning as he said, ¡°To die under the peony flower is to die in style, right?¡±


    It was a fitting response from a former gang leader of a small border town.


    Su Wanqing scoffed and said no more. She walked ahead and Li Xiaofei followed. To the classroom, the dining hall, the training grounds... He followed her everywhere.


    Soon enough, word spread across White Deer Academy: Li Xiaofei, that reckless first year underachiever from Eastern Blue-Robe House was shamelessly and persistently pursuing Senior Su Wanqing.


    Students saw Li Xiaofei trailing Su Wanqing like an unshakable shadow. It was pitiful. Many sighed to themselves, feeling like the academy had acquired a new pest.


    But this pest was none other than the boss of the academy¡¯s top talent, Li Junjie. This connection discouraged many who had been eager to give Li Xiaofei a lesson.


    Two hours later.


    ¡°How long are you planning to keep following me?¡± Su Wanqing finally snapped, turning around and glaring at Li Xiaofei as they made their way down the secluded forest path leading back to her dorm.


    ¡°I¡¯m planning to follow you until... hmm?¡± Li Xiaofei stopped mid-sentence, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Senior Su, it seems like you¡¯re in trouble.¡±

 Chapter 429: Useless Trash

    Chapter 429: Useless TrashTwo young men in the long blue robes of students had appeared unexpectedly on the shaded path. One stood in front and while one walked up from behind. They looked as if they were merely passing by. But Li Xiaofei sensed the same aura he had encountered in the ruined town among Mei Fusu''s mechanical warriors.


    Has Mechanical Eternity infiltrated the academy so quickly? Is the grand barrier of White Deer Academy just a joke? Or were these two perhaps planted here long ago?


    In a matter of moments, the two men began to quicken their pace. They made no attempt to hide their intentions. As they raised their arms, both arms transformed into magnetically charged swords, faintly glowing and casting a chilling metallic gleam under the dark canopy of trees.


    Su Wanqing shot a glare at Li Xiaofei.


    ¡°Take care of yourself.¡± She said, drawing the sword from her waist. She swiftly dashed forward, her sword flashing as she met the approaching figure head-on.


    Swish.


    When their figures crossed paths, the young man¡¯s magnetized sword was left with only a third of its blade and the hilt. His body split at the waist, and he collapsed forward. Blood sprayed from the clean cut.


    Upon closer inspection, one could see that the wound revealed a cross-section where muscle and metal micro-mechanics were interwoven. As expected, he was a lightly modified cyborg.


    In that brief exchange, Li Xiaofei had already gleaned some of the information he wanted. Su Wanqing''s cultivation level was at the twelfth stage of the Meridian Expanding Realm, just one step away from the Five Spirits Realm. Her swordsmanship followed the Lin family¡¯s style taught at White Deer Academy.


    Meanwhile, the combat strength of that cyborg was far inferior to the ones who had ambushed Xuan Huang; he was only comparable to a second or third stage Meridian Expanding Realm martial artist. The mechanical systems and light core processors implanted in them couldn¡¯t keep up with the speed and power of a peak Meridian Expanding Realm ancient martial artist.


    A bit weak


    Li Xiaofei silently judged. Xuan Huang had seen him kill Mei Fusu and still tasked him with protecting Su Wanqing, so it was clear that this girl held a notable position within Dragon Group. But if she didn¡¯t have the combat ability of the Five Spirits Realm, what was the purpose of protecting her?


    Could the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal be with Su Wanqing? If so, why entrust such a valuable artifact, sought after by all major factions, to someone with merely average combat prowess?


    Moreover, the two mechanical warriors from Mechanical Eternity are even lower-level. They can¡¯t even hold their own against anyone in the upper Meridian Expanding Realm... Are they here as a joke?


    Li Xiaofei looked like a fool struck dumb by the sudden violence of this ambush. After landing her first blow, Su Wanqing accelerated forward, not pausing for a second. But almost at that exact moment...


    Swish, swish, swish.


    Three faint whistling sounds cut through the air toward her. Su Wanqing¡¯s expression shifted as she abruptly halted her forward rush, bending her body in an almost impossible manner to avoid the incoming projectiles.


    Three pale blue, needle-like specialized metal darts embedded themselves in the rocky ground just twenty centimeters ahead of her feet. They all injected a blue liquid into the stone upon impact.


    ¡°Absolute Anesthetic Darts?¡± S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Su Wanqing grew even more serious. She realized that her opponents knew something significant about her. Otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t be using a weapon designed for live capture. There was more than one attacker.


    Su Wanqing¡¯s gaze swept over the dark, silent forest ahead as she tried to pinpoint the shooter¡¯s location. But in the next instant...


    Swish, swish, swish. Swish, swish, swish, swish.


    A barrage of projectiles filled the air. Countless darts flew from all directions, saturating the area around Su Wanqing with a relentless, indiscriminate onslaught, sealing off every path of escape within a hundred meters.


    Su Wanqing swung her sword in a tight defensive arc with a sharp cry, her inner qi bursting forth to create an eggshell-shaped sword shield that protected her.


    Clink, clink, clink.


    The anesthetic darts bounced off her barrier, shattering on impact but failing to penetrate her defenses. But soon, she noticed that the shattered darts were releasing a strange vapor. The once-blue liquid was quickly evaporating into a gas that filled the air around her.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t good.¡± She immediately held her breath.


    Yet within moments, a faint, prickling numbness began to spread across her skin.


    ¡°How... how could this be?¡± Su Wanqing¡¯s eyes widened.


    Hadn¡¯t I already sealed my breath? Why...


    Her body grew limp, and she could no longer maintain her sword stance.


    Swish, swish.


    A single, small anesthetic dart finally found its mark in her pale neck. As her body went limp and she collapsed, her last sight was of Li Xiaofei sprawled on the ground, unconscious, having succumbed to the anesthetic gas long ago.


    A useless weakling after all.


    She hoped the enemy wouldn¡¯t waste their efforts on someone as irrelevant as him. Su Wanqing¡¯s consciousness faded as she lay powerless on the ground.


    In the next instant, several figures, also dressed as students, swiftly emerged from the shadows of the dense forest. One of them hoisted Su Wanqing over his shoulder.


    "What about the other one? Kill him?"


    "No, bring him along. The Lord may find some use for him."


    "Alright."


    Another figure then grabbed Li Xiaofei, lifting him with ease. After professionally erasing all traces from the scene, the group quickly departed from the forest.


    ***


    She had no idea how much time had passed, but Su Wanqing felt an intense cold enveloping her body. As her consciousness quickly returned, she jolted upright, assuming a defensive posture.


    It was then that she realized she was in a strange, enclosed space filled with a white, chilling mist that obscured her vision, making it difficult to discern her surroundings.


    The young students who had ambushed her were standing five meters away. There were six of them in total. In addition, there was another figure; someone wearing a silver mask shaped like gears sitting in a chair. His crimson eyes were watching her with keen interest. He was clearly their leader.


    Su Wanqing instinctively tried to channel her inner qi. But to her horror, she found herself unable to summon even the slightest bit of energy. Her physical strength had also been reduced to a mere fraction of its usual level.


    ¡°Where is the Sacred Crystal?¡± The silver-masked figure asked. His voice was electronically altered, with a faint, intermittent crackling that made it sound eerie and terrifying.


    Su Wanqing did not respond. Her specialized training with the Dragon Group had prepared her psychologically for situations like this. She took a moment to carefully assess her surroundings. Then she noticed Li Xiaofei snoring obliviously, as if in a deep, careless sleep, a short distance away. Her heart sank.


    That useless fool had been brought along as well. It¡¯s unlikely anyone could save him now.


    Su Wanqing offered no response to the figure¡¯s question.


    ¡°I know that you Dragon Group agents are professionally trained and unafraid of torture.¡± The silver-masked figure said calmly. ¡°But people like you have an inherent weakness, since you¡¯re bound by a laughably idealistic oath of protection. So, I¡¯m curious; when you see your fellow students subjected to inhuman torment, will you reconsider your answer to my question?¡±


    ¡°You mean him?¡± Su Wanqing glanced dismissively at Li Xiaofei.


    ¡°Of course not.¡± The silver-masked figure let out a mocking laugh.


    His tone dripped with scorn. ¡°Why would I try to leverage you with that worthless fool? Considering how you¡¯ve been harassed by him all afternoon, I imagine you¡¯re already sick of him. You likely don¡¯t care whether he lives or dies. But what if it were someone else?¡±


    He clapped his hands lightly. Two figures, struggling in terror but bound and gagged with shackles, were pushed forward from the dark corners of the room by four mechanical warriors.


    ¡°Mmm! Mmm!¡±


    The two young girls squirmed in fear. It seemed Lin Wan and Ding Rong had been captured as well.

 Chapter 430: How Could It Be You

    Chapter 430: How Could It Be YouThe sight of the two girls sent a shock through Su Wanqing¡¯s mind.


    How were they captured?


    Her Dragon Group training had taught her how to respond if her comrades were taken hostage. But these two girls weren¡¯t comrades. They were innocent civilians; the kind of people her oath had sworn to protect.


    This was Su Wanqing¡¯s first mission, and her heart wavered for a moment. But then she thought of the significance of the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal. Su Wanqing forced herself to steel her heart, letting it grow cold.


    ¡°What lovely, innocent girls.¡± The silver-masked figure murmured, looking at the helpless Lin Wan and Ding Rong. He inhaled deeply as if savoring the air. ¡°I can almost smell the sweetness of their youth, like fresh buds ready to bloom. Their lives are only just beginning...¡±


    Lin Wan and Ding Rong¡¯s faces were pale with terror as they struggled, muffled sounds escaping their gagged mouths. The cyborg experts¡¯ metal-like hands held them firmly in place.


    The silver-masked figure turned his gaze to Su Wanqing. ¡°You must know well that while flowers are beautiful, they¡¯re also fragile. I have countless ways to completely ruin their youthful innocence.¡±


    Su Wanqing scoffed. ¡°Shameless.¡±


    The silver-masked figure chuckled. ¡°However, if you think that I¡¯m planning to torment them as a way to threaten you, then you¡¯re mistaken.¡±


    Su Wanqing¡¯s gaze sharpened as she looked at him.


    The silver-masked figure spoke calmly, ¡°I simply want to see whether the Dragon Group¡¯s oath is truly unbreakable. Is the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal more important, or does the Dragon Group¡¯s vow hold greater weight?¡±


    The Dragon Group oath: to protect the weak. Yet the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal was of monumental significance. Which carried more weight? It was a test of conscience.


    Inside, Su Wanqing¡¯s heart churned in turmoil.


    ¡°Strip them.¡± The silver-masked figure ordered coldly.


    The simplest and most direct tactic to break a woman¡¯s resolve.


    Rip.


    The sound of fabric tearing echoed in the room as the outer sleeves of their robes were ripped away. At that moment, a figure lying nearby hesitated. Finally, just before the girls were completely stripped, he slowly pushed himself up.


    ¡°Wait.¡± He spoke with a hint of regret.


    As a man, perhaps he could have waited a little longer. But as a Dragon Group member, delaying any further would mean losing the essence of his duty.


    His voice shocked everyone, especially the silver-masked figure. If he remembered correctly, the dosage of Absolute Anesthetic administered to this fool should have ensured that even a Five Spirits Realm expert wouldn¡¯t awaken for an entire day and night without the antidote.


    The cyborgs under his command did not make mistakes. Yet somehow, this fool had woken up.


    ¡°You seem quite surprised,¡± Li Xiaofei said, glancing at the masked man with a slight smile. ¡°But you¡¯re surprised too soon.¡±


    He glanced at Su Wanqing and said, ¡°Now, I¡¯m going to fulfill what I said the first time we met.¡±


    Su Wanqing was momentarily stunned.


    ¡°I told you, I¡¯m here to protect you,¡± Li Xiaofei said, one hand in his pocket as he confidently snapped his fingers. ¡°So there¡¯s no need to worry; I¡¯ve got this under control.¡±


    Su Wanqing¡¯s mind raced as she rapidly processed the situation. Meanwhile, Lin Wan and Ding Rong looked on in astonishment, their muffled sounds of surprise growing louder.


    Li Xiaofei raised his hand and gestured as if he was pulling something away.


    Pop. Pop.


    The objects gagging them were suddenly pulled out.


    ¡°You can talk now,¡± Li Xiaofei said with a smirk. ¡°Come on, be good, and say something I want to hear.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s really you?¡± Lin Wan asked, both shocked and delighted.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Ding Rong looked utterly confused, not understanding her friend¡¯s words or Li Xiaofei¡¯s sudden display.


    The masked man¡¯s pupils narrowed. The situation was slipping out of control. He didn¡¯t like this growing sense of unpredictability, even if Li Xiaofei¡¯s premature awakening was only a minor disruption.


    ¡°Number Four, kill him.¡± The silver-masked figure ordered.


    One of the cyborgs lunged toward Li Xiaofei, wielding an energy blade. This warrior possessed peak Meridian Expanding Realm combat ability. He was a formidable opponent indeed.


    Li Xiaofei merely smiled and threw a punch.


    Boom!


    Air pressure roared through space like a rising tide as his chilled fist punched clean through Number Four¡¯s body, emerging from the warrior¡¯s spine without a single drop of blood. His fingers remained pristine, like flawless white jade.


    ¡°Too weak,¡± Li Xiaofei said, withdrawing his fist.


    He leaned closer to the hole in the cyborg¡¯s chest and peered into the chest cavity, where metal components replaced the organs of a normal human. He looked at the silver-masked figure through the hole.


    "Your little modified toys seem a bit fragile," Li Xiaofei grinned.


    He raised his hand and lightly pushed the frozen corpse in front of him. A freezing aura spilled from Number Four''s mechanical body.


    Crack.


    The warrior¡¯s body toppled over and shattered into shards as it hit the ground. Even the modified metal components inside had grown brittle under the freezing aura.


    The silver-masked figure felt a chill in his heart as he issued another command through the team channel. Four more cyborgs sprang into action.


    Rat-a-tat-tat.


    Four streams of fire shot out from their power guns at Li Xiaofei. The combination of mechanical precision and martial skill meant that their marksmanship was perfect. Their energy bullets sealed every path of escape around Li Xiaofei.


    But in the next instant, something bizarre happened. Li Xiaofei stood still, yet his figure flickered in and out of sight. The Immortal Seal Technique had revealed its splendor. Li Xiaofei¡¯s Thousand Illusions Body had reached a level of mastery where reality and illusion blended seamlessly.


    The bullets from the power rifles were powerful enough to harm a Five Spirits Realm expert, but they passed through Li Xiaofei¡¯s figure as if he were a phantom. After several seconds, the magazines were empty. But the trained and disciplined cyborgs didn¡¯t panic at this bizarre sight. Their training and light core processors allowed them to reload within a second.


    But having showcased his own version of bullet time, Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t about to give them a second chance. He vanished and reappeared in front of the four warriors with Graceful Step of the Waves.


    A Great Strength Vajra Fist turned the closest cyborg into a cloud of sparks and ash as it disintegrated on impact. With a roar, Li Xiaofei unleashed the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, his energy forming the image of a wild dragon that tore through the air. The remaining three cyborgs were instantly reduced to fragments of ice that scattered across the floor. It was an instant kill.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s figure flickered as he shot toward the silver-masked figure at astonishing speed. The masked man leaned back, and jets of force field energy erupted from his shoulders, waist, and knees, propelling him backward at jet-like speed. At the same time, a crimson death beam shot out from his left eye at Li Xiaofei.


    The beam pierced through Li Xiaofei¡¯s figure. However, before the masked man could show a hint of satisfaction, he heard the sound of other cyborgs disintegrating nearby. The beam had only struck an afterimage. In reality, Li Xiaofei had already reached the four cyborgs restraining Lin Wan and Ding Rong. Despite their cautiousness, he dispatched them with ease.


    The four of them fell, two erupting in flames and two shattering into icy fragments. Li Xiaofei placed his hands on the delicate shoulders of the two girls, feeling the warmth and smoothness of their skin.


    He brought them to Su Wanqing¡¯s side in a swift movement. The girls let out startled gasps, but before they could fully react, Li Xiaofei positioned himself protectively in front of them and raised his right hand. An enormous ice-crystal shield, shaped like a sharp spearhead, appeared in his hand.


    Pop, pop, pop, pop.


    The Absolute Anesthetic Darts fired by the silver-masked figure embedded themselves in the surface of the ice shield and exploded, releasing the liquid anesthetic that quickly vaporized into gas, filling the air around them.


    "Be careful," Su Wanqing quickly warned, having experienced its effects before. "This absolute anesthetic gas can work directly on the skin and muscles; holding your breath alone won¡¯t protect you..."


    Whoosh.


    Her voice died away as golden flames ignited on the ice shield in Li Xiaofei''s hand. The blaze consumed the blue gas and completely purified it.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± The silver-masked figure asked warily.


    ¡°Me? I¡¯m just a worthless fool.¡± Li Xiaofei replied calmly, casually crushing the flames in his hand.


    Realization dawned slowly on the silver-masked figure. ¡°No... you¡¯re with the Dragon Group.¡±


    ¡°Since you¡¯ve figured it out...¡± Li Xiaofei smiled. He gave a slight bow, right hand sweeping outward courteously, and said, ¡°The Dragon Group¡¯s Jade Emperor sends his regards to your mother.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the Jade Emperor?¡±


    ¡°Is that really you?¡± Su Wanqing and Lin Wan exclaimed almost simultaneously from behind him.


    The silver-masked figure¡¯s face contorted in shock. According to their latest intelligence, Mei Fusu had died at the hands of this mysterious Dragon Group powerhouse who was rumored to be at the Saint Realm. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Could the Jade Emperor really be Li Xiaofei? If I had known from the start, I would never have shown myself for this operation. Damn it. I¡¯ve been tricked.


    Li Xiaofei had stirred up the entire White Deer Academy. It was known far and wide that he was persistently pursuing Su Wanqing. Everyone had believed he was just a reckless playboy. In reality, it had been an elaborate ruse.


    Pursuing a woman was the perfect cover to openly stay close to Su Wanqing without raising suspicion. Even the intelligence network of the Mechanical Eternity organization hadn¡¯t suspected anything, and they hadn¡¯t prepared any contingencies against him.


    Confident in their plan, they had even brought the supposedly unconscious Li Xiaofei right to the silver-masked figure. Now, everything was exposed before the Jade Emperor. One wrong move had led to a cascade of errors. What a terrifyingly intricate scheme. The Jade Emperor was indeed too cunning.


    The silver-masked figure immediately turned to flee. He had no confidence in facing a possible Saint. With the assistance of his advanced equipment, he was lightning fast. But as he had only made it ten meters when he crashed straight into a figure. It was Li Xiaofei, who had moved even faster to intercept him.


    The silver-masked figure reacted swiftly. Six spider-like mechanical arms extended from his back, each arm fitted with the barrel of a power gun that was primed to unleash a hail of energy bullets. At the same time, his left hand drew a power pistol, while a chainsaw sword appeared in his right hand. He had deployed his entire arsenal. But in that instant, Li Xiaofei¡¯s power dragon blade gleamed.


    Slash, slash, slash.


    He sliced through all the mechanical arms and severed the masked man¡¯s hands in a few swift blows. The combination of the Immortal Seal Technique and the Graceful Step of the Waves was overwhelmingly quick, and far beyond the reaction capabilities of his opponent, who was only at the Golden Body Realm.


    In the face of Li Xiaofei¡¯s blinding swiftness, the silver-masked figure was nothing more than a lamb awaiting slaughter. A thin layer of silver frost crept over his entire body as the freezing energy locked the masked man in place.


    Crack, crack.


    The mask shattered, revealing a familiar face beneath.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s you,¡± Li Xiaofei murmured in surprise.


    And yet, it felt strangely fitting.


    ¡°How could this be?¡± Behind him, Su Wanqing and the other two girls stared, utterly shocked, struggling to rationalize the identity revealed before them.

 Chapter 431: The Real Spy

    Chapter 431: The Real SpyThe three girls were shocked when they recognized the unremarkable man¡¯s face. It was actually Fang Baicheng! He was one of the instructors at Eastern Blue-Robe House.


    He was a quiet, diligent man, who taught his classes with a sincere attitude. He was also well known for his kindness, since he had never been to quarrel with anyone. Most astonishing of all, Fang Baicheng was a genuine graduate of White Deer Academy. His excellent grades had led to an offer of a teaching position upon graduation. His background was spotless.


    He had shown no suspicious signs prior to this. Yet this modest, seemingly perfect man was the brutal, ruthless silver-masked figure?


    "So, the day has finally come," Fang Baicheng murmured, his expression now calm.


    It was as if a weight had been lifted from him.


    ¡°Instructor Fang, are you a spy for Mechanical Eternity, or were you coerced and modified?¡± Su Wanqing asked.


    Fang Baicheng didn¡¯t respond.


    Instead, he looked at Li Xiaofei. ¡°When did the Dragon Group start producing monsters like you? You¡¯ve even mastered the Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword. Are you one of the Dragon Group¡¯s Saints-in-Training?¡±


    Li Xiaofei was a bit surprised. The fact that Fang Baicheng knew about the Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword hinted at a deeper understanding of the Dragon Group by Mechanical Eternity than he¡¯d initially suspected. But he had no intention of answering Fang Baicheng¡¯s question.


    Turning to Su Wanqing, Li Xiaofei asked, ¡°What should we do with him?¡±


    Su Wanqing replied, ¡°Ideally, we should keep him alive. The Dragon Group has a specialized interrogation team that could extract valuable informati-¡±


    Before she could finish, sparks appeared in Fang Baicheng¡¯s left eye. It began to fizz like a lit sparkler, reminiscent of New Year¡¯s festivities. Moments later, his head started to melt away.


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback. His experience dealing with New Martial Art cultivators was limited, and he hadn¡¯t anticipated that his freezing inner qi would fail to immobilize all the metal components in Fang Baicheng¡¯s body and give him the chance to self-destruct.


    Any data in his implanted light core had likely been completely erased. It was a minor misstep, but it was inconsequential to the larger mission. With Fang Baicheng¡¯s death, the Mechanical Eternity cult¡¯s infiltration of White Deer Academy was effectively exposed. They no longer had sufficient strength to attempt a second ambush.


    Unless they somehow breached White Deer Academy¡¯s barrier, sneaking back in would be impossible. Thus, Li Xiaofei¡¯s mission to protect Su Wanqing was nearly complete.


    "Let¡¯s go," Li Xiaofei said, turning to the three girls.


    ¡°You really are the Jade Emperor, aren¡¯t you...¡± Lin Wan stepped forward, excitement lighting up her face. But after a few steps, she hesitated, stopping shyly. ¡°Thank you, Senior, for saving us once again.¡±


    Li Xiaofei waved it off casually. ¡°We¡¯re classmates. No need for the senior bit; it only makes me sound ancient.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right... Li... Junior Brother Li,¡± Lin Wan stammered, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.


    She couldn¡¯t help but recall the time they¡¯d flown together outside the city. She had clung tightly to Li Xiaofei¡¯s back, thinking her mysterious rescuer was a much older man. At the time, she hadn¡¯t felt much beyond respect and awe.


    Now that she knew his true identity, a ripple of something more stirred in the heart of the academy¡¯s belle.


    ¡°How are you so powerful?¡± Ding Rong chimed in, stepping closer.


    The noble young lady, with her blond hair tied in a high ponytail, radiated a refreshing boldness and confidence rare among girls her age.


    Her bright almond eyes scrutinized Li Xiaofei from head to toe. ¡°The old principal, our so-called Human Genius Detector, must have been way off this time. How could he miss someone like you? Come on, what realm are you really in?¡±


    Li Xiaofei responded with a smirk, ¡°Saint Realm.¡±


    "You''re lying," Ding Rong scoffed, "Be serious."


    Li Xiaofei chuckled. ¡°My situation is complicated; it¡¯s not something I can explain quickly.¡±


    ¡°Fine, be stingy about it.¡± Ding Rong huffed, but then softened, adding, ¡°Anyway, thanks for saving me. I¡¯ll definitely find a way to repay you.¡±


    ¡°No need to offer yourself up as a reward; I¡¯m not interested,¡± Li Xiaofei grinned back.


    ¡°In your dreams!¡± Ding Rong shot back, grabbing Lin Wan¡¯s arm. ¡°But I could help you chase after Lin Wan. Let me tell you, her skin is super fair, soft, and smooth...¡±


    ¡°Stop it!¡± Lin Wan blushed furiously as she slapped a hand over her friend¡¯s mouth.


    The two girls started playfully bickering.


    Meanwhile, Su Wanqing examined the remains of the cyborgs, carefully inspecting the remnants and then examining Fang Baicheng¡¯s body. She retrieved a few mechanical components.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Li Xiaofei said.


    Su Wanqing nodded, and the group began searching for an exit.


    As they moved, Su Wanqing suddenly spoke up. ¡°I have a question.¡±


    Curious, Ding Rong asked, ¡°What¡¯s the question?¡±


    Su Wanqing turned to her. ¡°Ding Rong, where exactly were you when the Mechanical Eternity people captured you?¡±


    ¡°In my dorm,¡± Ding Rong replied.


    Su Wanqing then turned to Lin Wan.


    Lin Wan quickly responded, ¡°I was just outside the library.¡±


    ¡°Then here¡¯s the question,¡± Su Wanqing said slowly. ¡°The reason Mechanical Eternity brought Lin Wan here was likely because she was one of the three students who went missing during the trial, making her suspicious enough to serve as both a potential threat and a convenient hostage. But why did they go out of their way to kidnap you as well, Ding Rong?¡±


    As she spoke, Su Wanqing¡¯s gaze stayed fixed on Ding Rong.


    Ding Rong hesitated. ¡°Maybe... it¡¯s because I¡¯m close to Lin Wan, and they needed more hostages?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s unlikely,¡± Su Wanqing replied, shaking her head. ¡°From what I understand, the Mechanical Special Forces plan their operations meticulously, with clear targets in mind. They wouldn¡¯t bother with an unrelated person, especially within White Deer Academy, where every additional hostage increases the risk of exposure. Unless someone, like Li Xiaofei, happened to be at the scene, they would avoid unnecessary risks.¡±


    Ding Rong¡¯s expression faltered. ¡°Senior Su... what are you trying to say?¡±


    Su Wanqing looked at her in silence.


    Turning slightly, she noticed that at some point, Li Xiaofei had taken hold of Lin Wan¡¯s hand, positioning her protectively behind him.


    Ding Rong forced a smile. ¡°Senior, Junior Brother Li, you...¡±


    But before she finished her sentence, a power pistol slipped into her hand.


    Bang.


    The energy bullet shot toward Su Wanqing. But she had been ready; the moment Ding Rong raised her arm, Su Wanqing had rolled to the side to dodge.


    With Li Xiaofei there, Ding Rong had no chance to fire a second shot. Sword light flashed as the hand holding the gun, along with the weapon itself, fell to the ground. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ding Rong¡¯s face twisted in agony, her scream echoing through the room like a slaughtered animal. Her true strength was pitifully weak. She bore no mechanical modifications on her body.


    Her only asset had been that specially-designed mini power pistol, capable of killing a Five Spirits Realm expert. But now all hope was lost with her single failed attempt.


    Lin Wan stared at the scene in shock. She could hardly process that her close friend, with whom she had spent so many days, was actually a planted agent of the Mechanical Eternity cult within White Deer Academy.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at Su Wanqing.


    This girl, though possessing only moderate strength, is strikingly beautiful and has a rare, meticulous mind. She had actually noticed the subtle flaw in Ding Rong¡¯s behavior, exposing this deeply embedded spy within White Deer Academy.


    Before Su Wanqing¡¯s probing questions, even Li Xiaofei hadn¡¯t detected any suspicious signs from Ding Rong. As expected, there were no weaklings in the Dragon Group.


    He applied pressure to Ding Rong¡¯s acupoints to stop the bleeding, ensuring she was taken alive.


    ¡°Looks like we have a live one,¡± Su Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief.


    Lin Wan stared at her former close friend in stunned silence. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she picked up the severed hand and the gun from the ground. She handed the gun to Li Xiaofei.


    Now that Ding Rong was subdued, the group quickly located an exit. When they stepped outside, they found themselves still within White Deer Academy. They had been in a secluded natural cave on the academy¡¯s remote back mountain, well-hidden from view.

 Chapter 432: Is This Old Man Supposed To Be Impressive?

    Chapter 432: Is This Old Man Supposed To Be Impressive?"She¡¯s been temporarily detained," Xuan Huang informed them. "Her injuries have been treated, and her severed hand can be reattached. The interrogation team will step in, and we should be able to extract some useful information."


    Li Xiaofei glanced at Lin Wan beside him. She managed a grateful smile, though a trace of sorrow remained on her face. Her best friend had turned out to be a traitor to the academy. White Deer Academy was known for its staunch loyalty to traditional martial arts, even at the cost of isolating itself from the world. It stood in sharp opposition to the New Martial Arts factions. Ding Rong¡¯s actions amounted to treason against the academy.


    ¡°How¡¯s the situation?¡± Li Xiaofei asked.


    Xuan Huang replied, ¡°The academy¡¯s grand barrier is active, preventing the Mechanical Special Forces from infiltrating us. Meanwhile, the Mechanical Guards can¡¯t maintain a blockade indefinitely. According to their protocols, they must withdraw within five days.¡±


    Li Xiaofei frowned. ¡°So, we need to hold out for at least another four and a half days?¡±


    Xuan Huang shook her head. ¡°No need. Our deputy team leader will return by early morning day after tomorrow. When that happens, everything will be resolved.¡±


    Deputy team leader?


    Li Xiaofei recalled seeing mention of him in the Dragon Group¡¯s records. The man, named Xiao Bieli, was said to be an absolute powerhouse within the Dragon Group, known for his fierce, hawkish approach. He was a pillar of strength, widely recognized as the Dragon Group¡¯s top expert and a force to be reckoned with.


    "Is Team Leader Xiao not in Xiajing City?" Li Xiaofei asked casually.


    Xuan Huang replied, "About a month ago, there was a sea beast uprising along the southeastern coast. There are signs that Jiepeng agents and Yiggs operatives are involved, so Team Leader Xiao went to the front lines to handle it."


    "Those troublemakers again!" Li Xiaofei''s brow furrowed.


    No matter the era, that island nation¡¯s people always seemed to stir up trouble.


    "Did they manage to resolve the issue?" he asked.


    "Hopefully," Xuan Huang sighed.


    These days, Great Xia was plagued by internal and external threats. It felt like an ancient aircraft carrier navigating rough seas. They were leaking in places and their crew wasn¡¯t united. The Dragon Group was constantly stretched thin, racing from one crisis to another, trying to plug leaks and keep the ship afloat. Who knew when it would finally end?


    After a brief discussion, they agreed on a plan: for now, Li Xiaofei would continue shadowing Su Wanqing under the guise of pursuing her. Lin Wan, meanwhile, would stay close to Xuan Huang as her student council liaison.


    Since the academy¡¯s barrier was activated, the Mechanical Special Forces wouldn¡¯t be able to breach it. If they tried to force their way in, it would trigger a disturbance in the barrier, allowing the Dragon Group to intercept them. All they needed to do was hold out until Deputy Leader Xiao Bieli arrived.


    As Li Xiaofei walked off, still tailing Su Wanqing, Xuan Huang noticed Lin Wan¡¯s gaze lingering on him. Xuan Huang sighed softly. Meeting someone as extraordinary as the Jade Emperor Li Xiaofei at this youthful age might be both Lin Wan¡¯s fortune and her misfortune.


    Once one¡¯s standards were raised to such heights, finding someone who truly measured up would be much harder.


    "Come, let¡¯s have a chat," She smiled as she motioned to Lin Wan. "Are you interested in joining the Dragon Group?"


    Lin Wan¡¯s eyes lit up.


    ***


    In the blink of an eye, a full day had passed. During those 24 hours, White Deer Academy''s barrier had indeed been repeatedly attacked and tampered with. However, each attempt was detected immediately.


    Qi Shisan and other skilled academy instructors responded promptly, clashing with the mysterious intruders and successfully driving them off. No one managed to breach the academy grounds.


    White Deer Academy, it seemed, still held considerable strength. The ancient and enigmatic barrier formation proved too complex for the Mechanical Special Forces of Mechanical Eternity to break through so easily.


    Then, in the afternoon of the second day, an earthquake shook the entire academy. A battle mech¡¯s power cannon had struck the barrier¡¯s energy shield, sending tremors throughout the academy¡¯s buildings. The old principal was alarmed and appeared to investigate the incident.


    Soon after, Song Xinren, chief strategist of Mechanical Eternity¡¯s Mechanical Guards, appeared to apologize to White Deer Academy, claiming that the incident was due to a signal malfunction during a military exercise. He explained that a Whale-Class battle mech had fired accidentally on White Deer Academy¡¯s barrier.


    But the old principal was furious. This led to a prolonged standoff between the two sides, with disputes and skirmishes constantly arising. Despite these incidents, there were no further assassination attempts on Su Wanqing.


    Xuan Huang deduced that this was likely because the Mechanical Special Forces¡¯ hidden agents within White Deer Academy had already been neutralized. Since the barrier prevented reinforcements, the Special Forces¡¯ efforts had lost momentum.


    Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction, and the group felt a considerable sense of relief.


    Night had fallen. The room was silent. In the corner, where Ruo Shuang had stood like a statue, her dim eyes suddenly flickered with a faint red glow. A mysterious chip within her brain activated as a network connection initialized.


    Data download in progress...


    Information analysis commenced...


    Decryption completed. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A command was issued and a dormant nanocapsule in her brain activated. Micro-nano robots stored inside flooded into her bloodstream, swiftly dispersing to every part of her body.


    The physical seals placed by Xuan Huang¡¯s acupoint-blocking technique began to fall apart as the micro-nano robots attacked. Ruo Shuang¡¯s eyes glowed red, then quickly dimmed. Her body back under control, she took a moment to assess her surroundings.


    The room was quiet. Xuan Huang had gone on a night patrol and hadn¡¯t yet returned. Ruo Shuang slipped out of the room, her figure blending into the darkness. She avoided all patrols and formations with uncanny precision, making her way to a secluded area near the academy¡¯s barrier.


    Reaching out, she gently traced her fingers along the formation lines of the barrier shield. Surprisingly, her touch didn¡¯t trigger the barrier¡¯s defenses. A cool, intricate pattern of formation lines shimmered like ethereal light sprites dancing in the void.


    Ruo Shuang¡¯s fingertips moved gracefully, tapping deftly across the formation lines. It was as if she were decoding the formation. Gradually, the formation lines before her grew dimmer and dimmer until the barrier¡¯s layer of light vanished completely. Five figures swiftly approached.


    They were led by a man seated on a hovering wheelchair. His silver, mid-length hair was slicked back meticulously, and he wore a perfectly tailored white suit, with a finely crafted black mechanical rose pinned to his right chest.


    It was Michael! One of the key leaders of Mechanical Eternity and a true figure of power. He was followed by the famed Four Mechanical Guardians. These four figures, silent as death itself, emanated the chilling, lifeless aura of pure machinery, far removed from any semblance of organic life.


    "My lord." Ruo Shuang stepped forward, greeting him with an emotionless, synthesized voice.


    Michael¡¯s gaze lingered on her, not as one would look at a living being, but as if admiring a prized creation. As the pinnacle of Mechanical Eternity¡¯s technological modifications, Ruo Shuang embodied Michael¡¯s painstaking efforts. Her enhancements were far beyond mere brain implants or light core mechanics.


    She contained the latest advancements of Eternal Precision¡¯s cutting-edge research. Only such modifications could allow her to withstand the scrutiny and testing of the Dragon Group. The chip embedded within Ruo Shuang had originally been designed to activate half a year later, with the Dragon Group as its intended target.


    This time, circumstances had forced his hand. The operation Michael had meticulously planned should have gone flawlessly. Yet, it had failed disastrously, leading to Mei Fusu¡¯s death in the ruined town, while the entire strike team was wiped out.


    The critical Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal had fallen into the hands of the Dragon Group. Fortunately, Ruo Shuang had been embedded within White Deer Academy. He had no choice but to activate this piece sooner than expected.


    The Mechanical Guards and Mechanical Special Forces¡¯ repeated attempts to breach the academy''s barrier had served two purposes. He had wanted to lull the Dragon Group into thinking they couldn¡¯t get inside and to gather crucial data on the barrier¡¯s defenses.


    Once they had enough data, it was analyzed by ten Solar Whale-class light cores at Mechanical Eternity¡¯s headquarters. The decryption method was then sent through secure channels to Ruo Shuang¡¯s brain.


    She had then silently opened a path from within. The group had indeed entered without a hitch.


    ¡°Though activated ahead of schedule, your evolution is flawless,¡± Michael remarked with a smile. ¡°Lead the way. You know where she is.¡±


    Ruo Shuang turned and began to lead.


    The group walked openly through the academy grounds, neither hiding nor avoiding detection. Patrolling guards passed them by as if they were invisible. With Ruo Shuang guiding them, they soon arrived outside Su Wanqing¡¯s dormitory cave.


    Outside the dormitory entrance... Li Xiaofei was chatting and laughing with Su Wanqing, while Lin Wan, the academy¡¯s belle, sat nearby.


    Unable to contain her curiosity, Lin Wan had come here, feeling a need to see how Li Xiaofei and Su Wanqing interacted. She couldn¡¯t quite explain why, but she felt a mix of worry and intrigued. President Li had the two girls laughing heartily, their faces glowing with joy. The atmosphere was warm and lively.


    Lin Wan gazed at Li Xiaofei with a dreamy look, her eyes practically filled with pink bubbles of admiration. Su Wanqing, on the other hand, remained relatively composed, though there was a subtle softness in her gaze whenever she looked at him.


    ¡°Junior Brother, keep going! How many wives did Yun Che end up marrying?¡± Lin Wan asked, eagerly drawn into the story.


    ¡°Well, he... hmm?¡± Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression suddenly hardened as he abruptly stood up.


    He looked intently toward the courtyard gate. Over the low stone wall, he saw an elderly man in a white suit seated on a hovering wheelchair, his silver hair gleaming in the moonlight.


    The white suit appeared almost silver under the moon¡¯s glow, yet the black mechanical rose on his chest seemed like a dark vortex, absorbing all the moonlight around it.


    When Li Xiaofei saw Ruo Shuang standing beside the old man, his pupils contracted slightly. So, trouble had finally arrived.


    "Michael?!" Even someone as rational as Su Wanqing couldn¡¯t stop herself from gasping at the sight of the elderly man.


    She had considered that the Mechanical Special Forces might find a way to infiltrate White Deer Academy. But she hadn¡¯t expected a figure of this magnitude to come.


    The man who held the reins of Mechanical Eternity¡¯s influence in Xiajing City was standing before him. He was powerful enough to speak on equal terms with the highest authorities in the nation. Yet, here he was.


    Su Wanqing¡¯s body trembled involuntarily, while Lin Wan, understanding the gravity of the situation, silently positioned herself behind Su Wanqing, trying her best not to become a burden to Li Xiaofei.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Li Xiaofei glanced at Su Wanqing, his tone calm. ¡°Is this white-haired, crippled old man supposed to be impressive?¡±

 Chapter 433: Where Did The Error Occur?

    Chapter 433: Where Did The Error Occur?A tense Su Wanqing explained who Michael was.


    "Oh?" Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes lit up.


    One of the leaders of Mechanical Eternity? This is truly a case of the enemy delivering themselves to my doorstep. The final boss, here in person. Taking him out could solve everything.


    "Don¡¯t underestimate him," Su Wanqing cautioned. "He¡¯s a terrifying figure who possesses the technological peak of both Mythical Heavy Industry and Eternal Precision. In the Dragon Group¡¯s internal system, he¡¯s classified as an SS-level threat, on par with a Saint."


    "A Saint, huh?" Li Xiaofei licked his lips. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It wasn¡¯t as if he hadn¡¯t killed one before. Sure, he¡¯d borrowed Liu Shaji¡¯s help... but it had been his push that had triggered the sword strike.


    ¡°And he¡¯s accompanied by the Four Mechanical Guardians,¡± Su Wanqing added. ¡°Rumor has it they each possess Dao Union Realm combat strength, and they¡¯re masters of coordinated attacks.¡±


    Unaware of Li Xiaofei¡¯s prior accomplishments, Su Wanqing couldn¡¯t help feeling anxious as she covertly attempted to contact Xuan Huang. On the other hand, Lin Wan had full confidence in Li Xiaofei. After all, she had witnessed him effortlessly take down both high-grade zombies and Mei Fusu, Mechanical Eternity¡¯s top fighter, in a single move.


    Across the courtyard, Michael observed Li Xiaofei, the young man who had thwarted his plan to seize the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal, with interest. This boy, whom the Solar Whale-class light core had flagged as a highly probable Dragon Seed level operative trained meticulously by the Dragon Group, was one of the reasons Michael had decided to appear personally.


    However, Michael didn¡¯t waste any words. He gestured, and one of the Mechanical Guardians lumbered forward. The Yellow Guardian towered like a metal colossus. His massive form was clad in heavy alloy armor, resembling power armor but even more form-fitting, exuding an overwhelming mechanical presence.


    Boom!


    The Yellow Guardian threw a punch. Encased in a metallic gauntlet, his fist tore through the air, creating a shockwave that seemed to detonate the very atmosphere. The chaotic turbulence rippled outward.


    Li Xiaofei threw his own punch in response. Combining all four moves of the Great Strength Vajra Fist, he unleashed a devastating strike. The wrath of the Vajra was unstoppable and peerless!


    Boom!


    Fist met with fist. The resulting shockwave exploded outward like a tempest, centered around the two of them. Su Wanqing instinctively shielded Lin Wan, both girls struggling to withstand the violent gusts that nearly suffocated them.


    Across from them, Michael sat utterly still in his hovering wheelchair. The shockwave dissipated like a gentle breeze once it reached within a meter of him. With another calm gesture, four silver streams shot out from his wheelchair.


    Bang, bang, bang, bang.


    The silver streams transformed into four gleaming metal pillars that embedded themselves in a square formation, enclosing the entire battlefield in a 500-meter square. As the blue markers on each pillar flickered to life, a peculiar force field expanded, instantly blanketing the area. At that moment, all sound and movement were completely isolated from the outside world.


    There were even visual distortions, making it appear as if the courtyard outside Su Wanqing¡¯s dormitory was calm and undisturbed, as though no battle was taking place. Anyone viewing from beyond the square field would only see a serene scene, regardless of their angle.


    Within the battlefield, the turbulence settled. Six deep footprints marked Li Xiaofei¡¯s backward steps. Opposite him, the Yellow Guardian had been forced back thirty meters, gouging two ten-meter trenches in the ground. Sparks erupted from mechanical damage on his right arm, where he had struck.


    "You are the first martial artist in the last twenty years to repel the Earth Guardian solely through raw physical strength," Michael remarked in admiration.


    He could tell that Li Xiaofei had used the Great Strength Vajra Fist. This rare and highly coveted martial technique, widely discussed on the Grandmaster of Heaven Martial Arts stream, had intrigued Michael. He had devoted considerable time to analyze it as part of his ongoing study of ancient martial arts.


    Unlike many of the New Martial Arts elites who dismissed Great Xia''s ancient martial lineage, Michael had always acknowledged the power and potential within it. He aimed to assimilate its essence into modern techniques. Michael had personally dissected and analyzed the Great Strength Vajra Fist, appreciating its pure strength and the precision required to master it.


    It was undeniable. This was a complete, meticulous martial art that even touched upon the mental and spiritual realms. Yet, truthfully, Michael had never seen anyone unleash the Great Strength Vajra Fist with the sheer power and presence that Li Xiaofei had just displayed.


    Michael smiled as he evaluated Li Xiaofei¡¯s physique. ¡°Perfect; truly perfect. With your body as the foundation, I could create a true Mechanical Saint.¡±


    He signaled the Yellow Guardian to attack again, and the Yellow Guardian launched a punch again.


    ¡°Hm?¡± A flicker of surprise appeared on Li Xiaofei¡¯s face.


    The Yellow Guardian was using the Great Strength Vajra Fist as well. Beneath the damaged skin of his arm, circuits glowed faintly, mimicking the flow of inner qi through the meridians of a true martial artist.


    It was almost surreal. The resulting blow matched the authentic Great Strength Vajra Fist.


    Intrigued, Li Xiaofei decided to engage with the same technique. Li Xiaofei¡¯s execution of the Great Strength Vajra Fist was flawless. His punches landed with godlike strength as each blow carried the force of mountains and oceans.


    The two exchanged dozens of moves, but their strikes were evenly matched as neither gained the upper hand.


    "Interesting." Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but admire the intricacy of the Yellow Guardian''s modifications.


    This Earth Guardian has over half his body replaced with metal and machinery. They replaced joints, bones, and blood vessels! Those wires are like his meridians, while the energy driving him is his inner qi.


    To use a mechanical body to perform ancient martial arts with 99% accuracy... incredible. Plus, with a light core inside, his computational power is off the charts, allowing him to calculate and execute every nuance of the Great Strength Vajra Fist, even deciphering its movements in real time.¡±


    Li Xiaofei marveled as they continued exchanging blows. On Earth, the New Martial Arts factions generally fell into two camps: the Biological Path and the Mechanical Path.


    The Biological Path focused on implanting and refining the Inscribed Treasure Bones of star beasts, using shortcuts to inherit the star beasts¡¯ strength and innate combat skills. On the other hand, the Mechanical Path focused on technological transformation, creating warriors who were either partially or fully mechanized.


    While the two paths were not entirely opposed and often blended elements, the Yellow Guardian showcased a distinct and purer mechanical approach¡ªone that combined the mechanical body with ancient martial arts cultivation. Genius. But...


    I can''t keep stalling.


    Li Xiaofei realized time was not on his side. He shifted techniques abruptly, transitioning to the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms.


    Regretful Dragon! He roared as his icy inner qi formed into a massive ice dragon that spiraled outward with a cold fury.


    Boom!


    The Earth Guardian took the hit squarely on his left shoulder. Instantly, frost spread across most of his left arm, causing the synthetic skin to crack and reveal the metal skeleton and energy cables beneath.


    The Earth Guardian staggered back, his form momentarily disrupted. But a faint glow appeared over his injured arm. Nano-scale metal plating swiftly regenerated, covering the damaged areas and protecting the energy cables beneath once more.


    The scene looked like something out of a Tin Man sequence from five centuries ago.


    "Huh?" Li Xiaofei was taken aback.


    He hadn¡¯t expected his Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms to fail at shattering the opponent completely. After all, this was the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms powered by the Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword¡¯s inner qi.


    What kind of metal was this cyborg made from that it could withstand such force? Not only that, but it also had self-repair capabilities. This was a monster! It was clearly the strongest cyborg Li Xiaofei had encountered to date.


    In the next instant, the Earth Guardian counterattacked, unleashing none other than the Six Meridian Divine Sword. Beams of energy shot from his five fingers, crossing the air as pure, tangible sword qi.


    What the¡ª?


    Even the Six Meridian Divine Sword could be replicated? Has new martial technology really advanced to such a terrifying level?


    "Surprised?" Michael¡¯s cold smile hovered between pride and explanation. "This is a blow against your ancient martial arts. Any so-called True Legacy is nothing more than data once we¡¯ve analyzed it. That data, once uploaded to any cyborg¡¯s brain core, allows them to master techniques and skills that take you martial artists years, even decades, to perfect in mere seconds. As long as the light core processing power of the brain core is sufficient, decoding any ancient martial technique takes me seconds."


    Su Wanqing and Lin Wan couldn¡¯t help but inhale sharply. As students of ancient martial arts, they understood the gravity of Michael¡¯s words. It was a devastating blow to the tradition of ancient martial arts. But Li Xiaofei was hardly fazed.


    Continuing to fight, he sneered. "If your mechanical martial arts are truly so powerful, then you would¡¯ve ruled the world by now instead of lurking in Xiajing City. Why don¡¯t you talk about its flaws?"


    Michael¡¯s response was calm, "My path is flawless."


    Li Xiaofei scoffed, channeling his inner fire qi through the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms. The Earth Guardian was forced back with each strike, his metallic body now flickering with flames.


    But the flames weren¡¯t enough to break his resolve or impair his combat capabilities. He remained as tenacious as ever. Meanwhile, with another gesture from Michael, the other three Guardians joined in.


    Earth, Fire, Water, Wind! Each Guardian was equally formidable and had been remodeled according to Michael¡¯s design. They all possessed mastery over ancient martial arts combined with the strength of a cyborg.


    As the four joined forces, Li Xiaofei quickly found himself at a disadvantage. In moments, the battle took a dangerous turn. Even when he tried to use the Graceful Step of the Waves, the Guardians adapted and countered his movements.


    "It seems every technique taught in the Grandmaster of Heaven Martial Arts livestream has been cracked by Michael," Li Xiaofei quickly realized. The Four Guardians were entirely unfazed by these moves.


    The path of machines indeed held its own unparalleled brilliance. But... Li Xiaofei switched to a different movement technique.


    "Victory is certain," Michael remarked calmly as he observed the change. "In fifty seconds, you¡¯ll be brought down."


    This wasn¡¯t a boast but the result of precise calculations from his brain core. It was a prediction that, in his view, was infallible. Ten seconds. Thirty seconds. Forty-five seconds. Forty-nine seconds.


    Time flew by slowly yet swiftly. Finally, the sixty-second mark passed. For the first time, Michael¡¯s expression shifted to one of surprise.


    Against all calculations, Li Xiaofei had lasted a full minute against the encirclement of the Four Guardians, defying the brain core¡¯s prediction.


    How is this possible? Where did the miscalculation occur?

 Chapter 434: I Thought He’d Be Tougher (1)

    Chapter 434: I Thought He¡¯d Be Tougher (1)Not only had he failed to capture him alive, but, even more strangely, the tide of the battle had begun to shift.


    Li Xiaofei, who at first could only hold his own against the Earth Guardian, was at first overpowered and brutally suppressed by the Four Mechanical Guardians who attacked him together. Yet, within a minute, he had miraculously begun to hold his own.


    He was holding his ground even one against four. Michael¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, a faint glimmer reflecting off his glasses as he started to observe the battle intently.


    On the battlefield, Li Xiaofei¡¯s figure flickered, appearing and disappearing unpredictably. It looked like the Graceful Step of the Waves technique. But it wasn¡¯t. Michael¡¯s glasses were no ordinary lenses; they were collecting data continuously, and soon, he drew a conclusion.


    When Michael had first encountered the true legacy of the Graceful Step of the Waves in the Grandmaster of Heaven martial arts livestream, he had been utterly astonished. He had even been of the opinion that no other footwork technique in the world could surpass it. The ancient martial lineage of Great Xia indeed held wonders of unparalleled craftsmanship.


    However, the footwork Li Xiaofei exhibited today could project multiple incarnations, shifting between illusion and reality seamlessly. Its brilliance and subtlety were, remarkably, even above that of the Graceful Step of the Waves.


    ¡°Interesting.¡± A faint smile appeared in Michael¡¯s eyes. ¡°This young man¡¯s body truly is the perfect material. Is this a new ancient martial technique, perhaps? But how long can he maintain it? Three, begin the analysis.¡±


    The lenses, which he referred to as Three, glowed faintly once again. Hazy projections flickered rapidly in the glass as it collected images of Li Xiaofei¡¯s movement technique. The first step was to collect, synthesize and analyze the data. The light core sought to identify the patterns and commonalities as it decoded the surface level shifts in movement.


    Once they reached this stage, the cyborgs would be undefeated. Feedback from the advanced light core brain would allow the Four Mechanical Guardians to detect flaws within their opponent¡¯s techniques and strike swiftly to defeat him.


    This step was the only step necessary in any battle against ancient martial artists. Further analysis and simulations, however, would require obtaining the true legacy of this martial art, like the flow route of inner qi, its speed, and other specifics, to achieve perfection.


    The light core technology possessed by Mechanical Eternity was capable of calculating any...


    Crack.


    Suddenly, a thin fracture appeared on the lens. Michael¡¯s smile froze.


    Crack, crack.


    The lens shattered and fell away in pieces. A faint hiss sounded as a thin shard of glass went flying. A faint line of blood appeared at the corner of Michael¡¯s brow, slowly trickling down his face. Michael wiped the blood away in stunned disbelief.


    ¡°The computational power of Three failed to decipher the patterns and data of this movement technique? It overloaded and shattered under forced calculations?¡± exclaimed Michael.


    Despite his shock, an intense, fervent joy lit up Michael¡¯s face.


    Could such a high-level true legacy of ancient martial arts really exist? Perfect. I have to obtain it. I must.


    Michael issued a series of commands. The Four Mechanical Guardians suddenly unleashed their full strength.


    They combined techniques such as the Graceful Step of the Waves with the Great Strength Vajra Fist, the Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm, and the Dog Beating Staff Technique as they launched a relentless, coordinated assault on Li Xiaofei.


    Meanwhile, deadly rays occasionally shot out of different parts of their bodies. Spider-like mechanical arms extended from their shoulders, waists, and knee joints, each fitted with small rotating cannons that fired powerful energy bullets with relentless precision.


    This level of suppressive assault was overwhelming.


    Thud, thud.


    Two bursts of blood bloomed from Li Xiaofei¡¯s left shoulder and right chest. The power of the energy bullets from the mechanized guns was beyond imagination. Despite Li Xiaofei¡¯s resilient body, it was as if he were mere softwood as the bullets directly pierced through his body.


    Michael exhaled slightly, feeling a hint of relief. But then he paused, perplexed.


    Did I... just feel...concerned? How long has it been since I experienced such an emotion?


    He pondered for a moment. Ultimately, he confirmed that his concern wasn¡¯t due to doubts about the strength of the Four Mechanical Guardians. Rather, it stemmed from the unexpected abilities displayed by the young man from the Dragon Group. His abilities had been so surprising that Michael instinctively worried something unusual might occur.


    Thankfully, everything was progressing smoothly. Li Xiaofei was injured. Based on his well-proven experience, once an ancient martial artist was injured, their qi and blood would decline, leading to weakness.


    Their combat strength would inevitably begin to crumble. Even if they had techniques to stimulate their latent potential, like burning their blood, they could not escape defeat in the end.


    In contrast, the mechanical warriors suffered no such weaknesses. Especially the Four Mechanical Guardians, who were perfectly modified warriors, with over 65 percent of their flesh replaced by machinery. Their core source of strength was no longer their heart or blood but rather an energy generator and power lines.


    Combined with advanced micro-nano self-healing technology... As long as their energy core wasn¡¯t utterly destroyed and their brain core remained intact, the Four Mechanical Guardians could retain formidable combat capabilities even with up to 60 percent of their bodies damaged.


    Thud, thud.


    On the battlefield, more blood spattered. Li Xiaofei¡¯s right arm and right leg were pierced through by energy bullets. Clearly, he could handle attacks from traditional martial techniques, but this combined assault with firearms left him at a disadvantage.


    ¡°Just two more minutes, and this fight will be...¡± Michael¡¯s confidence resurfaced.


    But the next instant, as he fitted a new lens and his vision caught up with the rapid movements of the five figures on the battlefield, a trace of confusion crossed his face.


    ¡°The wounds...disappeared?¡± To his shock, Michael realized that the wounds piercing Li Xiaofei¡¯s left shoulder and right chest had somehow vanished.


    Healing techniques from ancient martial arts?


    Michael pondered briefly before arriving at an answer. He had encountered a few powerful ancient martial artists with remarkable self-healing abilities; they were indeed challenging to handle. Yet, in the end, they had always been worn down, their qi and blood drained until death claimed them. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Qi and blood were critically important to ancient martial artists. All self-healing and recovery relied on this energy. Once it was exhausted, death was inevitable. The attacks from the Four Mechanical Guardians grew increasingly ferocious and violent. However, Michael remained unhurried.


    He no longer tried to forcefully analyze the data of Li Xiaofei¡¯s movement technique. Instead, he simply focused on collecting it.


    Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, five minutes had elapsed. Gradually, Michael¡¯s composure began to waver. Despite the continuous injuries inflicted upon Li Xiaofei, his recovery speed had reached an almost unbelievable level. But the more perplexing face was that his injuries had seemingly no impact on his combat performance.


    Instead of weakening, Li Xiaofei seemed to be growing stronger over the course of those five minutes.


    What¡®s going on?


    Michael realized that something was amiss.


    ***


    To oppose the Four Mechanical Guardians of Earth, Fire, Water, and Wind with his own strength... he¡¯s nearly at the level of the Saints.


    Not far away, a young nobleman with a jade-like face watched intently from within the shadows beneath the tree canopy. Dressed in a black, close-fitting combat suit and a short black cape, his gaze pierced through the magnetic energy barrier as a look of astonishment crossed his face.


    ***


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    The surprise in Michael¡¯s eyes grew more evident with each passing second. Twenty full minutes had passed. Li Xiaofei had suffered continuous injuries and his condition was worsening.


    At first, there were just two or three wounds on his body. But as the battle wore on, he began taking five or six hits at once. Gunshot wounds; heavy impact injuries; power blade and sword wounds...


    The Four Mechanical Guardians'' arsenal of weapons had left ghastly injuries across Li Xiaofei¡¯s body. Blood soaked through his clothes. He looked as though he were bathed in blood.


    In the distance, Su Wanqing and Lin Wan were visibly shaken by the scene. They had attempted to rush in and provide support several times. But the level of combat taking place was simply beyond their abilities.


    Even the battle¡¯s shockwaves were enough to leave them breathless. They couldn¡¯t get close.


    What do we do? What do we do?


    Su Wanqing¡¯s heart burned with anxiety. Despite her attempts, she hadn¡¯t been able to reach Xuan Huang.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t right. It shouldn¡¯t be like this.¡± Lin Wan¡¯s eyes widened.


    She had witnessed Li Xiaofei¡¯s invincibility with the Sword Harnessing Technique. She remembered him commanding the skies with his sword. He had been unmatched and awe-inspiring.


    Though Li Xiaofei was demonstrating impressive strength in this battle, it was still a far cry from the boundless, unstoppable aura he had shown that day.


    As more wounds appeared on Li Xiaofei¡¯s body, crystal-clear tears slid from the school belle¡¯s eyes like pearls.

 Chapter 435: I Thought He’d Be Tougher (2)

    Chapter 435: I Thought He¡¯d Be Tougher (2)On the battlefield, Li Xiaofei¡¯s injuries grew increasingly severe. Half of his body was nearly torn apart several times. On more than one occasion, he was close to losing a leg or an arm.


    Once, a light blade almost sliced through his neck. Any ordinary martial artist suffering such grave wounds would have trouble even standing, let alone continuing to fight. Yet, Li Xiaofei showed no sign of weakness.


    Instead, he seemed to grow even more fierce as his attacks became even more brutal. The most astonishing part was that his injuries seemed to heal rapidly and fully recover during the battle. It was as if he had an endless supply of qi, blood, and vitality. Michael¡¯s expression grew increasingly solemn.


    ¡°No... it seems like he¡¯s... not even fighting?¡±


    A spark of realization flickered in Michael¡¯s mind, and a wild possibility surfaced.


    Is this young man not desperately fighting for survival? Is he cultivating?


    It was as if he was using the relentless onslaught of attacks from the Four Mechanical Guardians to cultivate some dark ancient martial secret technique.


    How could that be?


    Michael was shaken by his own thoughts. To test this absurd hypothesis, Michael immediately instructed Three to analyze the entire battle from a new perspective. Soon, every piece of data from the beginning of the fight was processed and analyzed. And it led to a conclusion that Michael least wanted to see and acknowledge.


    The intricacy of Li Xiaofei¡¯s movement techniques and the speed of his recovery had rapidly improved during the course of the battle. If he had been like a child learning to walk at the beginning, now he was sprinting at full speed. Michael¡¯s guess was correct, and the realization filled his eyes with terror.


    On the battlefield, Li Xiaofei continued fighting. Far from weakening due to the loss of qi and blood, his energy and fighting spirit only intensified with each strike. His body techniques grew increasingly mysterious as he flickered between light and shadow. In the beginning, he could project only four or five illusions. Now, there were over twenty.


    Even the formidable computational power of the Four Mechanical Guardians¡¯ brain cores had not been able to find a pattern in Li Xiaofei¡¯s movements after twenty minutes of battle. Nor could they predict the shifting nature of his techniques.


    They couldn¡¯t even distinguish between real and false projections. In reality, Li Xiaofei¡¯s grievous injuries and blood-soaked appearance were deliberate; he was actively choosing to get injured.


    It was as if he were dancing on the edge of a blade. This was the pinnacle ancient martial technique from Huang Yi¡¯s high-martial world¡ªthe Immortal Seal Technique.


    This was the first time Li Xiaofei was using the technique in true combat since mastering the true legacy. Beyond creating illusory projections, the Immortal Seal Technique¡¯s unique ability was to transform the death qi from enemy attacks into life qi, providing him with a continuous source of qi and blood to heal his injuries.


    This meant that the more enemies he faced, the stronger he became. Li Xiaofei had deliberately sustained injuries to test the damage absorption and healing limits of the Immortal Seal Technique. He was indeed using the battle to cultivate.


    Li Xiaofei had finally honed the combat prowess of the Immortal Seal Technique to its absolute peak by using the relentless attacks of the Four Mechanical Guardians. He had glimpsed the profound cycle between life and death. Now, the combined assault of the Four Mechanical Guardians was no longer capable of defeating him. His form flickered, untouchable and graceful to the extreme. Finally, at the thirtieth minute...


    Bang.


    Suddenly, a violent explosion rocked the Earth Guardian, who had attacked first, as blood and sparks burst from his facial orifices. His massive form came to an abrupt, rigid halt as sparks erupted in clusters from beneath his skin. Then, his body began to convulse violently as if he¡¯d been electrocuted.


    ¡°The brain core exceeded its operational threshold and shattered the light core¡¯s limit, leading to self-destruction.¡±


    Michael quickly assessed the situation, his expression darkening.


    ¡°So, this is the perfect path you boasted about?¡± Li Xiaofei burst into laughter.


    His movements became even more ethereal and effortless. He strolled across the battlefield as though it were a leisurely garden walk. Now that he no longer deliberately allowed himself to be injured, the remaining Fire, Water, and Wind Guardians couldn¡¯t even touch the hem of his clothes.


    ¡°Do you understand now what true ancient martial arts are? Do you grasp the true power of ancient martial techniques? Do you finally realize that there are ancient legacies in this world beyond your ability to analyze?¡±


    ¡°The Six Meridian Divine Sword, Great Strength Vajra Fist, Graceful Step of the Waves... were any of these true legacies your own discovery? Heh, you¡¯re nothing more than a thief trying to stand on equal footing, clumsily mimicking like a poor imitation of a true Grandmaster of Heaven. You eagerly devour what¡¯s been spoon-fed to you, yet you lack the ability to create anything on your own.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s taunts came relentlessly. Each word was like a poison-laced dagger plunging deep into Michael¡¯s heart. Everything he encountered today was indeed a blow he had never anticipated. But Michael had weathered countless storms. He wasn¡¯t the type to lose his composure over a few words of mockery.


    Li Xiaofei continued, ¡°How much effort and wealth did you pour into creating these Four Mechanical Guardians? Was it not your very limit? If they could be mass-produced, the entire world would already be Mechanical Eternity¡¯s playground. And yet, here you are, a Chinese man with a foreign name¡ªneither fully East nor West, a complete mismatch. What are you even so proud of?¡±


    Michael took a long, deep breath. Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei moved like a mirage, his form multiplying into dozens of projections.


    ¡°After exhausting your entire life¡¯s work, you managed to create only four guardians. Mass production is beyond you. Your path has already reached its end.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s words struck directly at his core. Michael¡¯s body trembled slightly at the harsh truth.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± He smiled faintly.


    He gestured and the remaining three guardians fell back behind him.


    Slowly, Michael said, ¡°Perhaps that would have been true, had I not encountered you. But your appearance has shown me a material even more perfect than the Sacred Crystal of the Corpse Emperor. My path... can continue. Young man, you are still too green and yet to reach your full potential. But crossing paths with me means your wings will be clipped before you can ever soar...¡±


    Michael¡¯s hands pressed firmly onto the arms of his wheelchair. A sinister, dangerous sensation surged within Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart. It was as though the wheelchair itself held some unimaginable horror. But just then...


    ¡°Oy, you old silver fox, are you trying to commit treason by killing a member of the Dragon Group right in front of me?¡±


    A clear, sharp voice cut through the air like a cold blade on a moonlit night. There was a strange power in that voice.


    Michael¡¯s expression changed suddenly as he turned sharply to his left.


    ¡°Xiao Bieli?¡±


    Under the distant canopy, a tall, slender young man with a face like white jade, clad in a black combat suit, slowly stepped forward. His gaze was sharp as a blade and his stance as unwavering as a spear. His presence was like a drawn blade.


    This was Xiao Bieli, the deputy leader of the Dragon Group and its strongest expert. The Xiao Bieli known for the saying, ¡°If I strike, you shall part.¡±


    As he walked forward, four soft sounds echoed through the air. The silver pillars around the battlefield were wrenched free from the ground and shattered into fine dust that sprinkled from the sky. The force field vanished as reality returned to the area once again.


    "You shouldn¡¯t be here," Michael frowned.


    Xiao Bieli smiled lightly. ¡°True, according to your intelligence, I wasn¡¯t supposed to arrive in Xiajing until tomorrow afternoon. But, well, intelligence is just that¡ªintelligence.¡±


    Michael¡¯s eyes narrowed and said, ¡°I see now. I¡¯ve been deceived again.¡±


    Xiao Bieli walked over to Li Xiaofei, nodding to him before turning back to Michael. ¡°You¡¯re too willing to trust those cold, calculating machines. How many times do I need to remind you? People can¡¯t be calculated. I came early to give you a surprise. So, how do you like it?¡±


    At that moment, Xuan Huang arrived as well.


    ¡°In fact, the team leader has been here for some time. This whole operation was his trap to lure the Mechanical Eternity faction into White Deer Academy. He¡¯s been watching the entire time. If you¡¯d been in danger, he would have intervened,¡± Xuan Huang whispered in Li Xiaofei¡¯s ear.


    Li Xiaofei nodded silently. With these powerful figures present, there was little left for him to do.


    Michael took a deep breath, and his voice was steady. ¡°It seems I must concede this time. The Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal is yours, Dragon Group. The Mechanical Eternity faction will withdraw from the pursuit.¡±


    ¡°Is that all?¡± Xiao Bieli¡¯s smile widened.


    He moved his fingers slightly. The faint, moonlight-like aura of his blade intent pulsed unpredictably in the air.


    "So, do you intend to kill me?" Michael sneered. "Let¡¯s not even discuss whether you¡¯re capable of it. If your Dragon Group truly wants to start an all-out war with the Mechanical Eternity faction and plunge Great Xia into internal conflict, then go ahead. The Star Council will intervene, and the consequences will be more than you can handle."


    His tone was filled with confidence. At worst, it would mean hefty reparations. The rivalries among Great Xia¡¯s various factions had existed for ages. Though intense, they were always kept within certain boundaries. Even in the most fierce, private battles, things rarely escalated publicly.


    Reparations were the limit. In this era of looming external threats, even a group as aggressive as the Dragon Group had to maintain this fragile balance. Even when lives were lost, the Dragon Group had reluctantly made concessions many times before.


    "Consequences?" Xiao Bieli said calmly. "You ambushed the Dragon Group and killed my people. What do you think the consequences should be?"


    ¡°My people also died in the wild,¡± Michael replied with a faint smile, his tone growing sharp. ¡°I¡¯ve bought Dragon Group lives before; name your price, and I¡¯ll pay it again. The old man can afford it.¡±


    ¡°You...¡± Xuan Huang seethed.


    But Michael ignored her entirely. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Young man, I won¡¯t forget you.¡± He smiled as he looked at Li Xiaofei. ¡°You¡¯re the perfect material, and your life¡ªI¡¯ve already purchased it. No one can protect you. Michael has spoken.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re threatening me?¡± Li Xiaofei¡¯s anger flared.


    ¡°Yes, I am,¡± Michael exhaled slowly, then pointed toward Ruo Shuang standing nearby. ¡°Look, just like her¡ªthere¡¯s no harm in it. Obediently becoming my test subject and contributing your worth for the survival of humanity is¡ª¡±


    Sword light suddenly flashed and Michael¡¯s words were abruptly cut off. He looked down, stunned, at the sword that had suddenly appeared in Li Xiaofei¡¯s hand.


    Then, he raised a hand to touch his neck. It felt cool. His hand was wet. He lifted it to see it flecked in crimson.


    ¡°I...¡±


    Michael opened his mouth to speak. But as air entered his windpipe, a thin line of blood flew into the air and his meticulously groomed, silver hair-tied head silently rolled off his shoulders.


    Li Xiaofei held his sword behind him as he muttered, ¡°Tch, I thought he¡¯d be tougher... With this level of strength, he still had the nerve to show off in front of me.¡±

 Chapter 436: Beichen Sword Qi Meridian Severance Technique (1)

    Chapter 436: Beichen Sword Qi Meridian Severance Technique (1)He had summoned Liu Shaji for the third time now. All three of his Saint-killing chances had been used up. In truth, Li Xiaofei¡¯s life had no longer been in danger ever since Xiao Bieli arrived. He could have avoided striking Michael and saved one precious Saint-killing opportunity.


    He could have held back. But Li Xiaofei had acted anyway. Why?


    Michael¡¯s comment of buying Dragon Group lives before had sparked an irrepressible urge to kill in Li Xiaofei. Though he hadn¡¯t interacted much with his fellow Dragon Group members, he had read enough in the Dragon Group¡¯s internal archives to know what kind of people they were and what sacrifices they had made to defend Great Xia and protect the vulnerable.


    His introducer, Xie Renyu, had once told him that the Dragon Group was both the sword and shield of Great Xia. It was the department with the highest mortality rate among all official organizations in the nation.


    They walked in darkness, achieving countless feats. Yet they remained unsung heroes. Their average life expectancy was under thirty-five years. They were the most honorable and admirable individuals. Li Xiaofei was a martial artist to the core. He was also a man with a deep-seated sense of justice. It had been true five hundred years ago and remained so five hundred years later.


    So he had already resonated with the warriors of the Dragon Group in spirit.


    Threaten the Dragon Group, and death awaits you.


    So he had summoned Liu Shaji for the third time without hesitation, ending Michael¡¯s life with a single, decisive strike. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xiao Bieli paused, a gleam of admiration in his eyes as he looked at Li Xiaofei.


    Impressive.


    He had underestimated the young man.


    That sword strike...


    Xiao Bieli carefully considered it and realized he couldn¡¯t be entirely certain he could have blocked it himself.


    In the distance, Lin Wan clenched her fists, letting out a quiet cheer. This was the Sword Immortal she remembered; the unparalleled, sword-wielding master who commanded the heavens with a single blade.


    Su Wanqing, meanwhile, could only stare in disbelief.


    It only took him a single sword strike to kill Michael? What kind of strength is this?


    Everyone knew that while Michael¡¯s own strength was relatively ordinary, he was the chief authority of the Mechanical Eternity faction within Great Xia, a major power in Xiajing. Beyond the Four Divine Guardians at his side, each of terrifying strength, even his wheelchair was a fearsome power weapon.


    It was both offensive and defensive and nearly impossible to deal with. It was comparable to the most treasured weapons held by ancient martial artists.


    Thus Michael, while lacking true Saint-level strength, was widely acknowledged as more challenging to defeat than most Saints. Many elite assassins had tried and failed to kill him. Some couldn¡¯t get past the Four Guardians; others fell to the wheelchair itself. But this time, Li Xiaofei had slain Michael with a single sword blow.


    Even the wheelchair hadn¡¯t reacted.


    Saint-killing!


    Su Wanqing felt her mind reeling.


    As she looked from Michael¡¯s lifeless form to the Four Guardians and Ruo Shuang standing motionless, released from Michael¡¯s control, Su Wanqing realized she had entirely misjudged Li Xiaofei.


    After today, Li Xiaofei¡¯s status within the Dragon Group would soar. Of course, that would depend on how they managed the consequences of Michael¡¯s death.


    "You actually killed him, kid. This is going to cause some serious trouble," Xiao Bieli forced a smile on his face as he held back his shock.


    ¡°If the sky falls, I¡¯ll hold it up,¡± Li Xiaofei replied, still seething. ¡°Damn it, that silver-haired scum thought he could buy lives just because he had some dirty money... The life of a single hair on my Dragon Group brothers and sisters is worth more than his miserable existence.¡±


    ¡°Hahaha!¡± Xiao Bieli burst out laughing, giving Li Xiaofei a firm slap on the shoulder. ¡°Well said, perfectly said!¡±


    As a staunch war hawk within the Dragon Group, he deeply appreciated Li Xiaofei¡¯s temperament. This young man had the daring resolve to draw his sword at the slightest injustice. This was the same uncompromising decisiveness that he himself was known for.


    Xiao Bieli saw a reflection of his younger self in Li Xiaofei.


    "That sword qi from your final strike; how many more times can you use it?" Xiao Bieli asked.


    Being a Saint himself, he could easily tell that Li Xiaofei¡¯s last strike had far exceeded his true strength; it had clearly been aided by an external force.


    Li Xiaofei replied, ¡°I can use it once more.¡±


    Xiao Bieli nodded slightly.


    "You head back first; leave the rest to me," Xiao Bieli said, giving Li Xiaofei another firm pat on the shoulder.


    Nearby, Xuan Huang couldn¡¯t help but raise an eyebrow. She knew all too well how strict the second deputy leader usually was. He never softened his expression or showed favor to any member and always kept his emotions well-hidden. But this time, with Li Xiaofei, he wasn¡¯t just being mild; he was downright supportive.


    Li Xiaofei exchanged a few quick words with Su Wanqing and Lin Wan, then turned to leave.


    "Your contribution points will be credited to your account on the internal network right away," Xiao Bieli called after him, waving. "If you have any specific requests, reach out directly. Keep an eye on your private messages; I¡¯ll be in touch."


    ¡°Got it,¡± Li Xiaofei replied, waving casually without looking back as he quickly departed.


    At that moment, the commotion in the area finally caught the attention of experts within White Deer Academy. Figures began to flash through the night, cutting through the air as more and more people arrived on the scene. Things were about to get lively.


    ***


    Once he returned to his secluded dorm cave, Li Xiaofei sat cross-legged and began his cultivation. The battle today had brought him significant gains.


    The Four Divine Guardians had been formidable. Each one individually matched his own combat strength when operating at full capacity, and their combined techniques were remarkably coordinated. Normally, even a warrior at the Divine Realm would struggle to withstand their assault, let alone someone at the Dao Union Realm.


    Fortunately, Li Xiaofei had the Immortal Seal Technique. The creator of this technique had indeed earned the title of Evil King. The word evil captured the essence of the Immortal Seal Technique perfectly.


    The more opponents, the stronger its endurance. It was ideal for group battles as it used the enemy''s attacks as a constant source of healing. It was a technique built on a philosophical level. Such a method truly existed only in the high-martial realms of Huang Yi¡¯s world, a technique far more arcane than anything in Jin Yong¡¯s martial universe.


    Yet, this technique did have one flaw. When faced with a single enemy whose strength greatly exceeded his own, he would be overwhelmed if the opponent¡¯s attacks broke through the conversion limit of life and death qi.


    This is a technique suited for battling hordes of star beasts. And it¡¯s perfect for special forces warriors like those in the Dragon Group. After all, when carrying out covert missions, they¡¯re often surrounded once they¡¯re exposed. Learning the Immortal Seal Technique would give them an additional life-saving method. Hmm... let me think about this.


    After some consideration, Li Xiaofei decided to organize the technique into a manual and upload it to the Dragon Group¡¯s official website. This way, he would earn some royalties from anyone who downloaded it in the future.


    It¡¯s settled then. Techniques with general applicability will be taught publicly in the Grandmaster of Heaven martial arts livestream, while those with specific uses will be compiled and submitted to the Dragon Group. These techniques will find their true potential with the Dragon Group.


    Li Xiaofei had made his decision. An hour later, the school broadcast announced that the academy''s lockdown had been lifted ahead of schedule. The Mechanical Guards had concluded their special military operation and withdrawn. Xuan Huang then left White Deer Academy, taking Su Wanqing with her.


    A few days later, Li Xiaofei learned that Su Wanqing had officially withdrawn from school, completing her graduation early. He suspected it was due to her identity being compromised, prompting her early departure to report back to the Dragon Group for reassignment. The next time they met, Su Wanqing might very well have a new identity. Lin Wan, however, stayed behind.


    In truth, Li Xiaofei had long harbored a question.


    Why would the Dragon Group place an undercover agent at a relatively mediocre school like White Deer Academy? From what he knew, the Dragon Group¡¯s personnel were spread thin and rarely assigned without purpose.


    Moreover, the Mechanical Eternity faction had spies like Fang Baicheng planted at White Deer Academy too¡ªthese individuals were clearly not positioned there by chance.


    Could it be that some secret lies hidden within White Deer Academy?


    Two days later. Li Xiaofei made a discreet visit to the Tan family. He could instantly appear in the young lady¡¯s quarters with his Spatial Point Theft ability. However, this time, she wasn¡¯t home.


    Slightly disappointed, Li Xiaofei took a shower, then headed to the light core room. He entered the mainframe pod, inserted his Dragon Scale Secret Key, and logged into the Dragon Group¡¯s official website of Great Xia.

 Chapter 437: Beichen Sword Qi Meridian Severance Technique (2)

    Chapter 437: Beichen Sword Qi Meridian Severance Technique (2)¡°Huh? The merit points went through instantly? So many? Damn.¡±


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned when he saw the extra 5,000 merit points in his account. His last achievement, where he had taken down a foreign investigator from the Inquisition, had only earned him 100 merit points. This time, they¡¯d rewarded him with 5,000 and an additional 50 million star coins as a bonus.


    Xiao Bieli was indeed a reliable boss. The project bonus was both prompt and generous. Following a boss like this gave him hope. Now, he could finally purchase equipment and techniques available through the Dragon Group¡¯s internal channels.


    Li Xiaofei took a moment to upload his compiled file of the Immortal Seal Technique to the Dragon Group¡¯s Secret Technique section, setting the price at 100 merit points and 10 million star coins.


    The pricing matched that of the Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword: Detailed Explanation of Acupoint Impact. It was a fair rate that was neither too high nor too low. The price reflected the Immortal Seal Technique¡¯s value while remaining affordable for most Dragon Group members.


    After uploading, Li Xiaofei returned to the technique library section, starting a search for suitable cultivation methods specifically designed for the Meridian Expanding Realm. Soon, a technique priced at 3,000 merit points and 40 million star coins caught Li Xiaofei¡¯s attention. It was called the Beichen Sword Qi Meridian Severance Technique.


    It was the only Meridian Expanding Realm technique rated five stars, authored by a familiar name. According to the description, this technique was created by Lin Beichen, the so-called Sword Immortal, after extensive research into Earth¡¯s Meridian Expanding Realm cultivation techniques. He eventually developed his own method for advancing within this realm, simply known as Meridian Severance.


    The basic principle involved using sword qi to cut through physical meridians, connecting all acupoints and, beyond the Twelve Primary Meridians and Eight Extraordinary Meridians, forging new qi meridians within the body.


    In theory, if one¡¯s physical resilience and mental strength were sufficiently high to endure the agony of severing meridians, they could create countless qi meridians within oneself. The more qi meridians, the stronger one would become.


    The purchase records indicated that five hundred and sixty-eight Dragon Group members had bought this cultivation secret technique. However, based on reviews and feedback, only about 15 percent had successfully cultivated it to completion.


    Most gave up after forming around a hundred qi meridians, opting to advance to the Five Spirits Realm instead. The most recent purchaser of this technique was a Dragon Group member with the codename Bajie.


    Wait, I¡¯ve seen that name somewhere before.


    He checked the interface from when he¡¯d purchased the Detailed Explanation of Acupoint Impact for the Dual Sacred Bodies of Blade and Sword. As expected, Bajie was the last buyer of that technique as well.


    ¡°Huh, did he actually master the Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword?¡± Li Xiaofei felt a surge of curiosity about this Bajie.


    When he returned to the original page, he found a follow-up comment from Bajie under the Beichen Sword Qi Meridian Severance Technique.


    The person who invented this Meridian Severance technique must be out of their mind. This is definitely not something a sane person would come up with! Every single severance feels like suicide¡ªI¡¯ve killed myself 128 times now... Damn it, one-star review, one-star review!


    Li Xiaofei nearly burst out laughing. He could practically picture Bajie in a state of utter frustration. This guy was clearly a direct victim of both major techniques. Yet, somehow, it seemed he had mastered them.


    It seemed he had also managed to cut out more than one hundred and twenty qi meridians within himself with the Meridian Severance Technique, setting the record for the highest number in the comment section.


    Li Xiaofei purchased and downloaded the Meridian Severance Technique. Then he logged out of the light-network.


    Back in the young lady¡¯s room, he used his portable light core to study the Beichen Sword Qi Meridian Severance Technique in detail. Once he felt he understood it fully, he began his cultivation.


    An hour later. Li Xiaofei¡¯s face twisted into an expression of pure agony. Severing meridians hurt; it felt as if a blunt knife were slowly carving away pieces from within. The pain was worse than torture.


    ¡°Dog Box, activate the Secret Time Pavilion,¡± Li Xiaofei commanded.


    In the next instant, he found himself within the grand white sanctuary where he immediately resumed the process of severing meridians. Picking up the star cores he had collected from slaying high-grade zombies, he absorbed their energy one after another to fuel his meridian severance.


    Li Xiaofei was a martial fanatic. There was no price he wouldn¡¯t pay for the sake of cultivation. Pain couldn¡¯t make him falter. He embraced the agony, finding a strange satisfaction in it as he continued severing meridians.


    One new qi meridian after another began to form between his acupoints beyond the Twelve Primary Meridians and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, linking them together like constellations in the night sky.


    Time slipped by as ten meridians formed, then fifty. A hundred. Two hundred. Four hundred. Li Xiaofei pushed himself without restraint, and the qi meridians within him multiplied wildly.


    He had to admit, Lin Beichen was undoubtedly a genius among geniuses. Although the Meridian Severance Technique was excruciatingly painful, the cultivation speed it offered was astonishingly fast. Thanks to Li Xiaofei''s solid foundation across the lower realms, he held a unique advantage during the meridian severance process.


    By the time the Secret Time Pavilion''s thirty day limit expired, Li Xiaofei had carved out an astounding seven hundred and twenty qi meridians within himself. When he returned to the real world, he felt a surge of immense power pulsing through every part of his body.


    Ordinarily, forming a hundred qi meridians marked the pinnacle of the Meridian Expanding Realm and marked one¡¯s readiness to break through to the next realm. Yet, despite not officially reaching the Five Spirits Realm, Li Xiaofei¡¯s reserves of inner qi could easily overpower any Five Spirits Realm expert. Even the reserves of those in the Golden Body Realm or Dao Union Realm would pale in comparison to the depth of his inner qi. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Cultivation truly is a new frontier at every realm. Each step opens up entirely new potential. With my current strength and mastery of ancient martial techniques, I could take down a Dao Union Realm opponent.¡±


    A satisfied smile appeared on Li Xiaofei¡¯s face. He decided to keep expanding his meridians instead of advancing to the Five Spirits Realm immediately. Like his time in the Qi Refining Realm, he wanted to push his body to its limits before ascending.


    ¡°The young lady still hasn¡¯t returned. Oh well, might as well check in on the livestream.¡±


    With that, Li Xiaofei entered the light core mainframe pod.


    ***


    The Grandmaster of Heaven Martial Arts Livestream had remained the top livestream on the Longya Group Platform with over eight million viewers online.


    After the massive guild battle that had once devastated the streaming area, the venue had since been restored to its former grandeur. The central mountain peak now boasted majestic halls, numerous pavilions, and extensive training grounds, all equipped with well-maintained weapons racks filled with swords, spears, halberds, and more. Massive chains connected ten smaller floating mountains.


    Within just a few months of broadcasting, Grandmaster of Heaven Martial Arts had become the platform''s number one channel. And all this was achieved without the presence of the main streamer, Grandmaster of Heaven himself.


    The master''s disciples had not only become notable figures in the streaming world but had also earned a respected place within the traditional martial arts community. Each disciple had amassed countless followers.


    Currently, the atmosphere in the livestream was tense. A martial showdown was underway. On the central arena platform, the contenders clashing were one of Grandmaster of Heaven''s bald-headed disciples and a powerful figure from a Saint family in southeastern Great Xia, known as Crocodile Strength Du Dingxuan.


    According to an agreement between the Mechanical Eternity faction and Grandmaster of Heaven Martial Arts, ten matches were held daily in the livestream. The goal was to promote martial arts exchange, validate one¡¯s understanding, and inspire combat prowess.


    This event was something Li Xiaofei had once facilitated through the Tan family¡¯s influence. It was also one of the main reasons why the Grandmaster of Heaven Martial Arts livestream had become such a sensation. The ten matches drew countless viewers.


    At first, these battles were only between the disciples of the Grandmaster of Heaven Martial Arts and those from the Mechanical Eternity faction. However, Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s martial arts disciples won more than they lost, causing their followers to proudly taunt the New Martial Arts factions.


    Soon, tensions rose on both sides. Not only did more skilled fighters from Mechanical Eternity join in, but masters from other martial factions began to enter the fray as well. As a result, the balance of victories began to even out. Eventually, high-ranking martial artists from various factions and independent practitioners flocked to the livestream. After passing entry checks, they participated as representatives of traditional martial arts.


    Gradually, these matches evolved into a direct confrontation between traditional martial arts and the New Martial Arts. As the event¡¯s influence grew, various platforms, networks, and even television stations competed to secure broadcasting rights. The matches became known as the Grandmaster of Heaven Showdown.


    Today, Du Dingxuan, a powerful figure from the Du Saint family in the southeastern coastal city of Haijing, took the stage. The Du family, a newly prominent Saint family in Haijing, followed a shortcut path in New Martial Arts by embedding Inscribed Treasure Bones from star beasts into the body. This allowed them to harness the abilities of star beasts.


    Du Dingxuan was publicly ranked as the strongest new martial artist in the Haijing Du family. His body housed the Inscribed Treasure Bone of a rare, emperor-class oceanic star beast, the Imperial Bone Crocodile, granting him unstoppable strength and a freezing ability that could kill anything it touched.


    So far, Du Dingxuan had won seven consecutive matches. Each match ended with him defeating his opponents, often traditional martial artists, in a single strike. One of his victims was Zhou Yidao, a disciple of Grandmaster of Heaven.


    After each victory, Du Dingxuan hurled taunts, mocking and belittling Grandmaster of Heaven Martial Arts until one of the disciples, a bald man, challenged him. This time, Du Dingxuan used two moves, crushing the bald man beneath his foot.


    "Are all of Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s disciples so pitifully weak?" Du Dingxuan sneered, grinding his heel into his fallen opponent while surveying the crowd arrogantly.


    Su Qianni, Guo Zong''ao, and others trembled with rage, but Zhou Yidao held them back, preventing anyone from stepping into the ring.


    "This guy is too strong. Unless Brother Ren himself steps in, there¡¯s no chance of victory. Don¡¯t act impulsively," Zhou Yidao cautioned, well aware of Du Dingxuan''s terrifying strength.


    None of the other disciples were a match either. Taking the stage rashly would only add to their humiliation.


    On the platform, Du Dingxuan, seeing that no one dared to challenge him further, burst into laughter. ¡°I thought that the one holding up half the martial arts world of Great Xia would be impressive. Turns out he¡¯s just a coward, hiding while he sends a group of worthless disciples to their deaths!¡±


    ¡°Haha, I¡¯ve said it before. Grandmaster of Heaven is just an empty name.¡±


    ¡°He was handing out so-called ancient martial legacies to win people over, but in the end, it¡¯s all just to rake in followers and profit from na?ve fools!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, and there¡¯s no shortage of idiots willing to play the fool.¡±


    ¡°If it came down to a real fight, ancient martial arts would crumble.¡±


    Many new martial artists below the stage who were long awaiting this moment began cheering and shouting provocations.


    Du Dingxuan raised his voice again. ¡°Pass this along to the Grandmaster of Heaven. Starting today, I¡¯ll be here every day, challenging you ten times daily until he shows his face. If he has the guts, let him step up and fight me. If not, he should shut down this livestream and go crawl back to his cradle!¡±


    This taunt enraged Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s disciples watching in the livestream.


    ¡°You want to fight me?¡± A calm and commanding voice cut through the noise, reaching everyone present.


    The clamoring crowd fell silent instantly. All eyes turned in the direction of the voice. Zhou Yidao, Guo Zong''ao, Su Qianni, and others trembled as they were overwhelmed with excitement.


    ¡°Master!¡±


    ¡°Master, you¡¯re finally back!¡±

 Chapter 438: Return

    Chapter 438: ReturnLi Xiaofei stepped forward slowly from the crowd. He was in his virtual persona as the Black Warrior. Plain in appearance, yet carrying an understated aura of distinction.


    The crowd instinctively parted for him. The scene resembled a deity splitting the sea. Most of those present were disciples of the Grandmaster of Heaven, and they bowed their heads in reverence to the venerable master who welcomed all with open arms. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei stopped in front of the stage and ascended into the air with effortless grace. He landed firmly at its center.


    Du Dingxuan¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°So, you actually have the guts to face me. Fine, make your move. Today, I¡¯ll turn all of Grandmaster of Heaven Martial Arts into a joke.¡±


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly. ¡°I¡¯ll give you the first strike. Don¡¯t say I bullied you on my own turf.¡±


    He gestured lightly with his fingers.


    ¡°Heh, bully me? What a pretense! This outdated ancient martial habit of yours is laughable... Take this!¡± shouted Du Dingxuan


    The air around him burst with a sharp crack as he exploded forward. He streaked toward Li Xiaofei like a bolt of lightning. Gasps erupted from the crowd. It turned out that Du Dingxuan had been holding back his true strength when defeating the bald man and the others earlier.


    "Die!" Du Dingxuan closed the distance in an instant, launching a devastating punch.


    It felt as though he was about to shatter the very world. This was one of the two key abilities of the Imperial Bone Crocodile¡¯s Inscribed Treasure Bone embedded within his body. By channeling the energy of the treasure bone, Du Dingxuan could unleash an overwhelming force, a strength so vast it seemed capable of tearing through anything. Even space itself appeared on the brink of collapse under his might.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t move as he calmly threw a punch of his own. For a fleeting moment, time and space seemed frozen as fist met fist. Then, 0.02 seconds later...


    Boom!


    The sound was akin to a nuclear explosion. A violent shockwave and blinding light erupted from the point of contact between their fists, radiating outward in expanding rings and waves.


    The sheer power left the onlookers reeling, their minds struggling to comprehend the spectacle.


    ¡°Ahhhhhh!¡± Du Dingxuan roared in rage and disbelief.


    He felt an unstoppable force surging from the opposing fist. It crashed against him with such ferocity that it instantly exceeded the limits of what his body could withstand.


    Bang!


    Blood and flesh splattered as white bone fragments flew through the air. Du Dingxuan¡¯s right fist, along with his entire arm, disintegrated under the impact.


    Boom!


    His body was hurled backward, crashing hard into the arena¡¯s protective barrier before landing on the ground. He landed on one knee, blood pouring from his mouth.


    ¡°This... this is impossible,¡± he gasped.


    Summoning all his strength, he lifted his head to stare at Li Xiaofei in disbelief.


    Strength! The titanic strength he was so proud of, the same strength that had crushed countless opponents before, had been decisively defeated in a direct clash. There had been no tricks or fancy techniques; just a raw, head-on collision of force. And he had lost.


    Across the ring, Li Xiaofei seemed utterly calm. A faint smirk crossed his face as he crooked a finger at Du Dingxuan.


    ¡°Strength? You¡¯re nowhere close.¡±


    The unfeeling taunt cut through Du Dingxuan¡¯s pride like a blade, piercing the very core of his being.


    ¡°Hehehe...¡± Du Dingxuan began to laugh. But his laughter was tinged with killing intent and bitter despair.


    "You seem to have forgotten, I have a second trump card," Du Dingxuan sneered, his face twisting with a cunning and ruthless expression. "You''re finished."


    At that moment, a chilling frost began to spread. It had gone unnoticed until now, but the arena floor was covered with a shimmering layer of frost. The icy layer had silently encased everything, including Li Xiaofei¡¯s legs and lower body up to his waist.


    Absolute Frost. This was the second ability Du Dingxuan had gained after implanting the Inscribed Treasure Bone of a sea beast and it was his ultimate ability.


    Gasps erupted from the onlookers. The disciples of the Grandmaster of Heaven Martial Arts grew anxious. Disaster had struck. Their master had fallen into a trap.


    "Grandmaster of Heaven, savor the taste of the Absolute Frost Storm!" Du Dingxuan roared as he slammed his remaining hand against the ground.


    The frost shattered suddenly, unleashing an endless surge of cold energy. The frigid aura coalesced into the form of a colossal ancient frost crocodile, its ghostly figure roaring as it surged toward Li Xiaofei as though intent on devouring the entire world.


    Li Xiaofei seemed stunned, frozen in place.


    "Hahaha..."


    Du Dingxuan laughed maniacally, as if already envisioning his victory over Grandmaster of Heaven, the end of the conflict between new and ancient martial arts, and the fame and fortune that would follow.


    But in the very next second¡ª


    Li Xiaofei reached out like he was petting a tame animal. His hand lightly stroked the head of the frost crocodile phantom. The colossal ice beast, which had been roaring ferociously and radiating deathly cold just moments before, suddenly stopped in its tracks when Li Xiaofei¡¯s fingertips brushed across its head. Then, it nuzzled his palm like a shy kitten.


    "What?" Du Dingxuan¡¯s triumphant smile froze.


    ¡°Go back,¡± Li Xiaofei said softly, giving the creature a gentle push with his finger.


    Boom!


    The frost crocodile transformed into a storm of icy wind, reversing its course. It surged across the arena in an instant and engulfed Du Dingxuan.


    "What?"


    "What just happened?"


    "Did anyone see that?"


    Gasps and cries of astonishment erupted from the onlookers. The sudden reversal in the blink of an eye left millions of viewers completely stunned.


    Could the Grandmaster of Heaven control ice energy?


    Isn¡¯t that supposed to be a unique ability of the New Martial Arts?


    The previously vocal supporters of New Martial Arts, who had been mocking ancient martial traditions, now looked like their souls had been punched out of their bodies as twisted expressions of disbelief crossed their faces.


    Crack, crack.


    The icy surface shattered, revealing Du Dingxuan¡¯s stiffened body. His eyes were wide open and still filled with sheer terror, as if he had witnessed the most horrifying thing imaginable in the final moments of his life.


    Thud.


    His corpse fell to the ground, shattering on impact. Then, like a digital distortion, it dissolved into a stream of data and vanished entirely.


    Li Xiaofei gestured gently and the icy arena instantly returned to its original state, all traces of frost and cold vanishing as though they had never been there.


    ¡°Anyone else want to challenge me?¡± asked Li Xiaofei as his gaze swept over the crowd.


    Wherever his eyes landed, the new martial artists lowered their heads in submission, unable to meet his gaze.


    ¡°Master.¡±


    ¡°Greetings, Master.¡±


    ¡°Master, you¡¯ve finally returned.¡±


    Zhou Yidao and the other disciples hurried forward to bow and pay their respects. The six brothers went even further, dropping to their knees and performing an elaborate ceremonial bow, as if they were paying respects to their father.


    Surrounding them, the millions of online viewers all simultaneously bowed their heads and clasped their fists in salute, their synchronized motion rippling like a powerful tide.


    At that moment, a profound sense of pride welled up in Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart. A surge of unparalleled heroism and resolve coursed through his chest.


    Standing tall on the arena platform, he declared, ¡°Today, I return to teach, guide, and resolve doubts. I am here to impart new ancient martial arts legacies. Seven techniques in total: Finger Flick Technique, Purple Cloud Divine Skill, Frost True Qi, Wudang Cloud-Stepping Leap, Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand, Tianshan Six Yang Palm, and more.¡±


    For a full ten hours, Li Xiaofei explained and demonstrated each technique, his voice unwavering as he imparted the secrets of martial arts.


    ¡°Those who join my ranks must uphold righteousness and cultivate a heart of chivalry.¡±


    ¡°Obey the law. Protect the weak.¡±


    ¡°Defend the homeland.¡±


    ¡°Violators of the rules, death!¡±


    ¡°Oppressors of the weak, death!¡±


    ¡°Traitors to Great Xia, death!¡±


    ¡°In the vast universe, martial arts reign supreme.¡±


    ¡°In the boundless heavens and earth, righteousness will endure.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s voice rang out like a thunderclap, echoing across the livestream and reverberating in the hearts of every disciple. When the crowd finally looked back at the arena, the figure of their master was already gone. Zhou Yidao and the others stared at the empty space, feeling a sense of longing and loss.


    Meanwhile, the news of Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s return and his explosive livestream began to spread like wildfire, igniting countless discussions and making headlines everywhere.


    But all of this no longer concerned Li Xiaofei because the young lady had returned. And, as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.


    When he saw the smiling, radiant girl before him, Li Xiaofei wasted no words and immediately made his move.

 Chapter 439: You There?

    Chapter 439: You There?After the storm passed, the room settled into a peaceful quiet. The young lady lay contentedly in Li Xiaofei¡¯s arms, nestled against him with a serene expression. Sometimes, silence spoke louder than words.


    Time passed as chests rose and fell. Eventually, they shared a bath. In the warm waters of the tub, surrounded by mist and intimacy, Li Xiaofei broke the silence.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been working with the Dragon Group?¡± he asked.


    He recalled that the Dragon Group, through Xuan Huang¡¯s elite Special Operations Unit, had secured the Corpse Emperor Sacred Crystal with the crucial assistance of the Tan family.


    The young lady nodded. ¡°Yes. No egg remains intact in a fallen nest. Great Xia faces a grave crisis, and as citizens, we can¡¯t just sit by and do nothing. We have to do something for our country. Isn¡¯t that what you¡¯re doing as well?¡±


    Li Xiaofei smiled.


    What could be more beautiful than the harmony of two souls, perfectly aligned in purpose and conviction?


    "How is the Tan family doing lately?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    The bathtub was filled with white bubbles, swirling gently around them.


    As she massaged his shoulders, Tan Qingying replied softly, ¡°We¡¯ve gained the support of several top generals, so our industries are developing rapidly. At least on the surface, no other factions dares to target us. We¡¯ve also cleaned house internally. Sister Baiqu is a true talent; she¡¯s been handling operations flawlessly. I haven¡¯t focused much on management and have mostly been cultivating. Recently, I had an opportunity to enter a subspace rift realm for cultivation. I got lucky and gained something valuable.¡±


    ¡°A subspace rift realm?¡± Li Xiaofei asked, intrigued.


    ¡°It¡¯s a secret resource jointly controlled by the Star Council and the state.¡± She explained, ¡°Cultivating within it yields twice the results for half the effort. With good fortune, there are additional rewards. This time, I found a damaged Moonlight Staff, a legendary-grade weapon.¡±


    Li Xiaofei fell into thought. This world still held many secrets that were hidden from the masses. The fact that Tan Qingying was sharing these with him likely came with its own risks. He chose not to ask further, instead recounting his own experiences over the past few days.


    The two shared everything with one another, holding nothing back. Then the sound of deepened breathing returned to the bathroom once again.


    Suddenly, the portable light core outside buzzed with an incoming call request.


    Bzz bzz bzz.


    Li Xiaofei ignored it. But the call request came again, and again. It was persistent, like an annoying fly that refused to leave.


    Frustrated, Li Xiaofei, still unclothed, walked into the bedroom and picked up the light core, accepting the unfamiliar call. ¡°You¡¯d better have something critically important to say, or I¡¯ll make sure to blast your head clean off.¡±


    There was a brief silence on the other end of the call.


    ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± Xiao Bieli¡¯s voice came from the other end of the call.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you, Captain,¡± Li Xiaofei said, his tone immediately shifting to one of enthusiasm. ¡°I¡¯ve already seen the rewards; thank you for that! I can really feel the organization¡¯s warmth. If there¡¯s nothing else, I won¡¯t take up any more of your valuable time...¡±


    ¡°Be at White Deer Academy within thirty minutes,¡± Xiao Bieli interrupted, his voice carrying an uncharacteristic gravity. ¡°There¡¯s something very important we need to discuss. Extremely important.¡± S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He hung up without another word. Li Xiaofei stared at the light core, his mind filled with questions.


    ¡°Something wrong?¡± came Tan Qingying¡¯s voice from the bathroom.


    ¡°I have to head back to school,¡± Li Xiaofei replied.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have someone send you in a flying car.¡± She offered, stepping out in her robe.


    ¡°No need.¡±


    Li Xiaofei pulled the stunning beauty into his arms and kissed her deeply. ¡°I prefer to get there my way.¡±


    Moments later, a streak of sword light tore through the sky.


    Tan Qingying, still wrapped in her robe, stood by the window. She gazed at the sky, now marked with a deep scar from the residual sword qi, and a sweet smile spread across her innocent and radiant face.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, Brother Xiaofei,¡± she murmured to herself. ¡°Just as we promised back then, let¡¯s move forward boldly and fearlessly. No matter what happens, I¡¯ll always be by your side.¡±


    ***


    White Deer Academy.


    ¡°What? You want me to go to Haijing City in the south?¡± Li Xiaofei exclaimed, his face filled with surprise.


    Across from him, Xiao Bieli nodded and replied, ¡°Yes. This is your first official mission as a Dragon Group member. It¡¯s critically important and has far-reaching implications.¡±


    Li Xiaofei frowned, puzzled. ¡°I¡¯ve never been to Haijing City. I don¡¯t know anyone there or the area itself. Why choose me for this mission?¡±


    ¡°Because you¡¯re the right person for the job,¡± Xiao Bieli replied.


    It was a vague answer, but also the most reasonable one.


    ¡°Fine,¡± Li Xiaofei relented, deciding not to press the issue further. Instead, he asked, ¡°Will I have any partners or assistants? When do I leave?¡±


    ¡°Your team members are already waiting for you in Haijing,¡± Xiao Bieli explained, taking out a pale golden Dragon Fang token. ¡°This is your official mission credential and proof of your authority. With this token, you have the power to mobilize any Dragon Group member in Haijing.¡±


    Li Xiaofei accepted the golden Dragon Fang and immediately sensed the peculiar energy within it.


    It was a rare and mysterious life force that made the token almost feel alive. Haijing City was the largest base city in the south of Great Xia, with a massive contingent of Dragon Group members stationed there for defense and operations.


    The fact that this single Dragon Fang token could grant him authority over any Dragon Group member in Haijing underscored its extraordinary significance.


    What kind of mission warranted such extensive authority?


    The curiosity in Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart only grew.


    ¡°Ah, Haijing City today is no longer what it used to be,¡± Xiao Bieli sighed heavily. ¡°With Great Xia¡¯s declining national strength and worsening external threats, we¡¯ve been forced to rely on external forces to defend our maritime borders. Haijing has been designated as a special free-trade zone. Foreign embassies, special forces, and trade delegations have been allowed to establish a presence, with dedicated districts where they can conduct tax-free trade and enforce their own national laws within their zones.¡±


    Li Xiaofei frowned. ¡°Isn¡¯t that just a concession zone?¡±


    ¡°Essentially, yes,¡± Xiao Bieli said, slamming his hand on the table, his voice tinged with anger. ¡°Not long ago, a beast tide erupted in the south, plunging the major base cities into crisis. It was the result of the machinations of Jiepeng and Yiggs forces who wanted to stir the pot. I personally intervened and managed to resolve the immediate danger after much effort, but it was only a temporary fix. The lingering problems remain unresolved.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart grew heavy. How many years had passed? Once again, the sacred land of Shenzhou faced a grave crisis. Every time the world was in turmoil, foreign jackals lurked at the borders, coveting this fertile land that had nurtured humanity. A fiery resolve burned within him. He couldn¡¯t wait to head south.


    No wine could quench this thirst. No blade could slay enough foes. If he encountered foreign delegations misbehaving on Shenzhou soil, heads would roll without mercy.


    ¡°The specific details of your mission will be provided when you arrive in Haijing.¡± Xiao Bieli said. ¡°You leave at midnight. You¡¯ve got two hours to prepare.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Li Xiaofei replied, bowing deeply. ¡°I will complete the mission.¡±


    Xiao Bieli returned the bow crisply. ¡°Sacrifice for the nation in times of peril.¡±


    Li Xiaofei responded boldly, ¡°Regard death as returning home.¡±


    Xiao Bieli patted his shoulder and added, ¡°Take care.¡±


    He turned and left. Instead of heading to his dormitory, Li Xiaofei sought out Li Junjie, giving him specific instructions before heading alone to the rear mountains of White Deer Academy.


    He entered the Cemetery of the Ancestors with ease and made his way to Liu Shaji¡¯s tombstone.


    Knock, knock.


    Li Xiaofei knocked lightly on the tombstone.


    ¡°You there?¡± he asked, his tone brimming with enthusiasm.

 Chapter 440: Three Grass Sword

    Chapter 440: Three Grass SwordThe tombstone remained still.


    Li Xiaofei knocked again, cheerfully saying, ¡°It¡¯s me, Little Li! You know, the handsome guy who pulled a sword out of your behind.¡±


    This time, there was movement. The soil on either side of the tombstone churned like muddy water as the gravestone began to slowly sink into the ground.


    Li Xiaofei quickly grabbed it with both hands and tugged. ¡°Hey, no need to hide! Let¡¯s have a proper chat.¡±


    As he spoke, he poured a bottle of fine liquor over the grave and lit some ceremonial paper money. ¡°Come on, isn¡¯t our friendship that transcended life and death and our bond that spanned yin and yang worth a conversation in broad daylight?¡±


    The tombstone struggled a few more times but ultimately stopped sinking. Instead, it rose back out of the ground.


    ¡°You little punk, you only ever come looking for me when it¡¯s trouble,¡± Liu Shaji¡¯s voice grumbled from below. ¡°I gave you three Saint-killing chances, and you¡¯ve wasted them all like they¡¯re nothing. Do you know how many years it took me to save up that energy? You drained me completely!¡±


    ¡°What could I do?¡± Li Xiaofei sighed. ¡°Great Xia is in a tumultuous time. Major crises just keep coming my way, and I have to step up. It¡¯s not my fault I¡¯m so righteous and selfless.¡±


    ¡°Was showing off and chasing girls at the Tan family also for the sake of Great Xia?¡± Liu Shaji huffed angrily, his indignation so fierce that even the grass on the grave seemed to quiver.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression didn¡¯t falter as he declared righteously, ¡°The Tan family is a part of Great Xia. How could I stand by and let scheming villains bully them?¡±


    ¡°I swear...¡± Liu Shaji grew even angrier. ¡°They could¡¯ve handled it themselves, but no, you had to step in and show off. You really go all out for girls, huh?¡±


    ¡°Handle it themselves? What do you mean?¡± Li Xiaofei asked, puzzled.


    Liu Shaji suddenly fell silent for a moment before shifting the subject. ¡°So, you¡¯re here to ask for a few more chances for me to step in and help, right?¡±


    Li Xiaofei nodded enthusiastically. ¡°Exactly, exactly! Senior, you¡¯re truly the hero among spirits, with a ghostly eye for insight!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve really mastered the art of flattery,¡± Liu Shaji said, exasperated. ¡°I¡¯ve spent years accumulating my essence, and you¡¯ve burned through it all. I can¡¯t even make a move for a while now. But you can always ask someone else.¡±


    ¡°Ask someone else?¡± Li Xiaofei blinked in confusion. ¡°Who?¡±


    Liu Shaji replied, ¡°Look around. This cemetery is full of powerful souls. Stop milking just me for help. Go find someone else.¡±


    Li Xiaofei glanced around at the countless tombstones surrounding him, a realization dawning. He said, ¡°That¡¯s an option?¡±


    ¡°Of course it is,¡± Liu Shaji said. ¡°Most of the spirits resting here are titans who once walked the path to enlightenment. Pick anyone; their strength is on par with mine, if not greater.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s gaze swept over the graveyard again, taking in the countless names etched into the tombstones. He then asked, ¡°Any recommendations, Senior?¡±


    Liu Shaji paused briefly before replying, ¡°Knock on the door of Your Grace Li Lan¡¯s tomb. She shares a connection with you.¡±


    ¡°What kind of connection?¡± Li Xiaofei tried to press further.


    ¡°You¡¯ll know when you try,¡± Liu Shaji said, leaving no room for further questions.


    His tombstone hastily sank back into the ground, burying itself in the soil to escape any more conversation.


    Li Xiaofei chuckled and thoughtfully burned a little more paper money, sprinkling some liquor over the grave before turning to look for Li Lan¡¯s tombstone.


    It didn¡¯t take long to find. Beneath a towering ancient tree, Li Xiaofei stood before a tombstone bearing the name Li Lan.


    Like the others, it bore no titles or inscriptions, just a simple name. What set it apart was the surrounding space. Unlike the tightly clustered graves around it, Li Lan¡¯s tomb stood alone, surrounded by an open area.


    Tender yellow-green grass sprouted around it, along with vibrant wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze. If the other graves could be compared to shared housing, then Li Lan¡¯s was undoubtedly a villa.


    Standing before the tombstone, Li Xiaofei bowed deeply in respect. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Senior Li Lan, forgive me for disturbing you.¡± He began. ¡°This junior is heading to the southern region of Great Xia to undertake a Dragon Group mission. My strength is insufficient, so, under the guidance of Senior Liu Shaji, I¡¯ve come to seek your protection.¡±


    There was no response.


    Li Xiaofei gently knocked on the tombstone. Suddenly, the tombstone trembled slightly as a gust of wind swept through. Wildflowers shuddered, and the grass bowed low. It felt as though a soul slumbering deep within the world had finally been stirred awake.


    In that instant, Li Xiaofei was gripped by an overwhelming sense of terror. It wasn¡¯t a pressure that came from raw strength. It was a suffocating spiritual force, an impact that seemed to crush the very essence of his soul. When the wind stilled, a figure appeared before the tombstone.


    It was a phantom clad in a blue swordsman¡¯s robe, its posture tall and straight. The figure¡¯s face bore a refined, almost otherworldly beauty, with an air of nobility and authority befitting a leader. Sharp, striking features gave the appearance of a man at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that this was a woman dressed in men¡¯s clothing. A peerless swordmaster.


    This is Senior Li Lan?


    Curiosity filled Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart. He didn¡¯t know Li Lan¡¯s true identity, but anyone interred in this cemetery was undoubtedly extraordinary. His intuition also told him that Li Lan¡¯s rank, strength, and cultivation surpassed even that of Liu Shaji.


    After all, Liu Shaji had used the honorific Your Grace to address her. It was a title reserved for only the most exalted of figures.


    ¡°There¡¯s a trace of him on you.¡± The female swordmaster said, her gaze fixed firmly on Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei froze for a moment, puzzled.


    ¡°The aura of the Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword,¡± she continued calmly.


    Li Xiaofei quickly explained, ¡°Yes, Senior. This junior has successfully cultivated the Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword.¡±


    ¡°What year is it now?¡± she asked again.


    ¡°2523 AD,¡± Li Xiaofei replied.


    The female swordmaster paused, silently calculating something. After a moment, she nodded slightly. ¡°So, the time has come.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression was filled with curiosity and confusion.


    ¡°I am Ding Hao¡¯s wife. We once trained together at the Asking Sword Sect. The fact that you¡¯ve cultivated the Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword means you share a connection with my husband and me. As such, I will grant you three swords. In times of great need, you may call upon them.¡±


    She raised her hand and made a light sweeping motion. Three blades of wild grass lifted from the ground, floating gently toward Li Xiaofei. They landed on the back of his neck and transformed into what appeared to be three strands of hair, embedding themselves seamlessly into his skin.


    Li Xiaofei instinctively reached back to touch them. It felt surreal. Though they looked identical to ordinary hairs, they had a distinct texture, and he could clearly tell them apart.


    ¡°Thank you, Senior,¡± Li Xiaofei said with a respectful bow. He hesitated before asking, ¡°These three swords... how powerful are they?¡±


    Li Lan smiled faintly, her expression radiating the confidence of someone who looked down upon the world.


    ¡°No one in this realm can withstand them.¡±


    Li Xiaofei was overjoyed. These swords were no less valuable than the three saint-killing chances he had previously consumed from Liu Shaji. Perhaps they were even more powerful.


    ¡°You must do something for me as well,¡± Li Lan said. ¡°There is an old acquaintance of mine from the Asking Sword Sect who has been reincarnated on Earth in the southeastern region of Great Xia. She practices a demonic cultivation technique but shares a resonance with the Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword. Once you find her, tell her to come to White Deer Academy and seek me out. Tell her that the Great Saint Immortal Phoenix deeply wishes to see her.¡±


    ¡°I will do my utmost,¡± Li Xiaofei replied earnestly.


    ¡°The time has come at last,¡± Li Lan murmured, her gaze turning toward the stars. A surge of immense battle intent radiated from her ethereal form.


    Moments later, her spirit dissipated into the wind, vanishing entirely. Her tombstone remained as it was. Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t determine whether Li Lan had returned to her resting place within the tomb or left the Cemetery of the Ancestors altogether. He bowed deeply to the grave, then turned and left.


    As he exited the cemetery, a sudden thought crossed his mind. His face immediately turned pale.


    Damn.


    He had overlooked something crucial.

 Chapter 441: Leave It To Me

    Chapter 441: Leave It To MeLi Lan handed him three blades of grass. They were green. Somehow, they ended up on his head. This... his head was now adorned with green. Li Xiaofei felt a bit uneasy.


    After returning to White Deer Academy and successfully applying for extended leave, he made all the necessary arrangements and waited for the Dragon Group''s response.


    A small aircraft was prepared. It took off secretly, passed through security checks, and swiftly departed from Xiajing City. The aircraft soared through ultra-high-altitude airspace.


    ¡°Sir, the southern airspace has been rather unsafe lately.¡± The pilot remarked. ¡°Additionally, in line with the organization''s confidentiality protocols, we are not allowed to know the destination of your mission. According to the plan, the aircraft will land in two hours, after which you will proceed alone by land.¡±


    Li Xiaofei nodded in acknowledgment.


    Two hours later, the aircraft landed. After receiving navigation equipment, Li Xiaofei embarked on the journey to Haijing City alone. He walked for dozens of miles before ascending into the air on his sword. Once he determined the correct direction, he accelerated toward Haijing City.


    At that moment, only half an hour remained until dawn. However, after traveling barely a hundred miles, the sky ahead suddenly erupted in flames. The deep, dark horizon seemed stained with blood, and faintly, the roars of countless beasts echoed in the distance.


    Li Xiaofei''s heart sank. According to his navigation device, the area ahead should have been a small base city called Xu Base City. Xu Base City was a small settlement, similar in size to Liuhe Base City. However, since it was located in a coastal region, it constantly faced invasions from marine star beasts and was perpetually in crisis. Its population was barely five hundred thousand, making it even smaller than Liuhe Base City.


    In the early years, there had been suggestions to abandon Xu Base City altogether and relocate its residents to a safer, larger base city. Unfortunately, relocating over half a million people in this era was an enormous and challenging endeavor. Large-scale migrations often triggered attacks from star beast swarms. Furthermore, the long journey posed risks of devastating casualties, making the plan untenable.


    What happened to Xu Base City?


    An ominous feeling rose in Li Xiaofei''s chest. He soared into the air on his sword and rushed toward the city. He arrived at the scene within a few minutes.


    Xu Base City was a sea of flames. Buildings were engulfed by fire while collapsed structures lay in ruins. Chaos and death danced through the streets. Star beasts surged into the city like a tidal wave. Their blood-red eyes glimmered in the night, resembling countless restless spirits drained of life. They roared and howled, frantically scouring the streets for prey.


    Xu Base City had fallen!


    "This is bad," Li Xiaofei muttered, panic surging within him. Without a second thought, he propelled himself forward on his sword.


    Suddenly, dozens of eagle-like flying star beasts shrieked and charged toward him.


    ¡°Beasts, perish!¡±


    A flash of sword light cut through the air. Riding his sword across the heavens, Li Xiaofei slashed his way through demons and banished evil. The dozen or so grade four flying star beasts were instantly decapitated, their lifeless bodies plummeting from the sky.


    Dozens of strands of sword qi swirled around Li Xiaofei as he dove into Xu Base City. The streets were overrun with rampaging star beasts. Burning flames filled the city, smothering every corner in chaos and despair.


    Wherever Li Xiaofei passed, the star beasts fell, their heads severed from their bodies.


    ¡°Hm?¡± He noticed something unusual.


    Despite the chaos in the streets, there weren¡¯t as many human corpses as he had expected. Nor could he hear the screams and struggles of his fellow humans.


    This realization gave him a glimmer of hope. Perhaps the situation wasn¡¯t as dire as he had initially feared. Ascending into the air, Li Xiaofei landed atop a hundred-meter-tall building, scanning the area below. Star beasts filled the city. But there were surprisingly few signs of intense battle.


    Remnants of explosions marked the ground around the city center''s iconic landmarks, leaving behind craters surrounded by large groups of star beast corpses. The star beasts¡¯ bodies were blackened and charred, frozen in postures of retreat as their lives were snuffed out in an instant.


    ¡°Someone set traps in these areas and lured the star beasts to their deaths,¡± Li Xiaofei concluded.


    All signs indicated that the majority of the residents had already been evacuated before the city walls were breached. It must have been the work of the city''s garrison. Only the defenders of Great Xia were known to risk everything to ensure the evacuation of their fellow citizens when a city was about to fall.


    Li Xiaofei recalled numerous news articles he had read online. In most regions abroad, when a base city was overrun by star beasts, the ruling authorities¡¯ first priority was to preserve their military forces and able-bodied youths, avoiding unnecessary battles.


    The elderly, sick, and infirm were often abandoned. In extreme cases, they were even used as bait and driven in the opposite direction of the escape route to divert the beasts'' attention and buy time for the military¡¯s retreat. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom!


    Ratatatatata!


    Suddenly, a violent explosion echoed from the southeastern part of the city walls, interspersed with the distinctive roar of power guns. There were still humans resisting there.


    Li Xiaofei sped toward the commotion on his sword, cutting down star beasts along the way as he quickly closed the distance. As he neared, his suspicions were confirmed. A military unit had set up a defensive position using the collapsed sections of the wall. They were fiercely holding back the star beasts that were attempting to break through to the city¡¯s interior.


    Power guns, energy cannons, flame rifles, and grenades; every form of firepower was unleashed without restraint upon the beast horde. Fireworks erupted in the sky as warriors clad in power armor assisted the ground forces in battle.


    A massive mech, its mobility destroyed, stood like a fortress on the verge of collapse. Swarms of star beasts clambered up its frame, tearing at its armor with razor-sharp claws and teeth. Despite this, the mech¡¯s enormous arms continued to swing its colossal energy blade, cutting down the attackers with relentless precision.


    Amid the chaos, three Five Spirits Realm masters roared furiously as they fought. They were surrounded by high-grade star beasts as their situation grew increasingly perilous.


    At the center of the beast horde stood a giant star beast: a towering ape over a hundred meters tall. Its presence radiated an overwhelming aura of icy, murderous intent. Its eyes gleamed with the cold, merciless light of death.


    The massive ape let out a series of deafening howls, commanding the horde to press their attack with unrelenting ferocity. A Beast King! It was the orchestrator of this beast tide that had brought the city to its knees.


    ¡°Commander, we can¡¯t hold out much longer! The thermal incendiary bombs are depleted!¡±


    ¡°The right flank is in critical condition!¡±


    ¡°Not good! Get the power armor units out of there; the Titan is about to explode!¡±


    Amid the deafening roar, the sole remaining mech detonated in a blinding burst of light, taking tens of thousands of star beasts with it in a final act of sacrifice.


    ¡°Sorry, brothers... I¡¯ve done my best. I¡¯ll be leaving ahead of you.¡±


    These were the last words broadcast across all channels by the Five Spirits Realm mech operator before his life was consumed by the explosion.


    Feng Ning, the commander addressed as Captain, watched the scene unfold, his eyes wet with grief. The surrounding soldiers were overcome with both sorrow and fury. The flames illuminated their faces, each one twisted with a thirst for vengeance.


    ¡°Draw your blades!¡± The captain''s voice rang out loud and clear, ¡°Brothers, draw your blades!¡±


    Clang, clang, clang!


    The sound of swords unsheathing filled the air.


    This marked the beginning of close combat; a brutal melee that signified humanity¡¯s last stand against the star beasts.


    Countless star beasts, numbering in the millions, surged forward like an unstoppable tidal wave, filling the battlefield in every direction.


    The captain gripped his battle blade tightly and roared, ¡°Brothers! Today will be the final battle for our Steel Blade Battalion. We have no ground left to retreat to, for behind us, in the shadows of the night, our families, parents, wives, and daughters are racing against time to escape. As soldiers, the only thing we can do is give everything we have to stop these star beasts at the foot of this wall. Do not fear! This is our ultimate glory as soldiers and warriors. Kill! Kill! Kill!¡±


    ¡°Kill!¡±


    ¡°Kill!¡±


    ¡°Kill!¡±


    The surviving soldiers, swords and blades in hand, shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the battlefield. The captain spun around sharply. As he prepared to raise his blade and charge into the fray with a furious battle cry...


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    Suddenly, the sky was filled with an overwhelming storm of sword qi that descended like a tempest. In mere moments, it tore through swaths of the beast horde, cutting them down with lethal precision.


    A lone figure appeared, riding his sword. Standing tall, he hovered in the air like a celestial Sword Immortal, radiating an aura of unshakable power.


    ¡°You must retreat immediately.¡± The figure commanded, his voice firm and resolute.


    In the darkness, his face was obscured, but his presence was unmistakable.


    ¡°Leave the task of holding back the beast horde to me.¡± He declared, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

 Chapter 442: Have A Drink

    Chapter 442: Have A Drink¡°Captain Feng is back!¡±


    ¡°The brothers who stayed behind are back!¡±


    The long convoy erupted into a series of cheers.


    The crowd celebrated, their joy spilling over in waves of excitement. On the distant horizon, the first pale light of dawn appeared, heralding a new day.


    The people who had escaped from Xu Base City cheered uncontrollably when they heard that Captain Feng and his team, who had stayed behind to ensure their safety, had returned alive.


    The shadow of the beast tide that breached Xu Base City the previous night still lingered in many hearts. The chaos of fleeing with their families, the desperation of running for their lives, and the apocalyptic scene of their city falling to ruin haunted their memories like a vivid nightmare.


    Fortunately, the city¡¯s garrison and leaders, including the city leader, had acted swiftly and decisively. They had made a bold move by launching a preemptive operation before the city walls were breached. They organized a mass evacuation of the residents while the beast tide was still forming and had not yet completely encircled the city. Xu Base City itself was then used as bait, luring the bulk of the beast tide into the city to buy time for the evacuation.


    Even so, the garrison had paid a heavy price. Captain Feng¡¯s Steel Blade Battalion had been strategically sacrificed as a death squad. Their mission was to hold the beast tide within the ruins of Xu Base City, giving the evacuees the time they needed to escape.


    To everyone, these warriors who stood firm in the face of peril were expected to perish, devoured by the monstrous horde. Yet, against all odds, they had returned alive.


    ¡°Captain Feng is back, but what about the star beasts? Did they follow them here?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t look like it.¡±


    ¡°Find out what happened. How did they make it back alive?¡±


    ¡°Word is, Captain Feng and his team got support at a critical moment.¡±


    ¡°Support? From where?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we sent out so many distress calls before the beasts surrounded the city. The officials in Haijing City didn¡¯t lift a finger to help us. Where did this support come from?¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t Haijing City. They say it was an ancient martial arts master.¡±


    ¡°An ancient martial arts master?¡±


    ¡°Yes, incredibly powerful. One of the younger soldiers from the Steel Blade Battalion said it himself. Apparently, it was a Sword Immortal; someone who flies on their sword.¡±


    The rumor spread quickly among the fleeing survivors. Regardless of whether the rumor of the Sword Immortal was true or not, the absence of a large number of star beasts pursuing from behind seemed real. The hearts of the people, which had been gripped by fear, slowly began to settle.


    The convoy¡¯s destination was Haijing City. The straight-line distance from Xu Base City to Haijing City was 431 kilometers. However, traversing such a distance was no simple task in the post-catastrophe wilderness. The rugged terrain of mountains and hills made most city vehicles useless once they entered the wilds.


    Only a few off-road motorcycles and hover vehicles could navigate the terrain effectively. As a result, the evacuation convoy moved at an agonizingly slow pace. Their pace was slowed even further by the presence of elderly individuals, children, and wounded soldiers from previous battles, all of whom required special care.


    Along the way, the group also faced intermittent attacks from roaming star beasts, adding to the peril of their journey. In short, this was an escape fraught with danger at every turn.


    Based on their current pace, even with the most optimal route calculated by the light core, it would take at least four days to reach Haijing City. Without military reinforcements to assist them, the city officials had estimated that more than half of the evacuees would perish along the way. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Are there any warriors here? Even those in the Qi Refining Realm, we need help transporting and caring for the wounded!¡±


    ¡°Are there any doctors?¡±


    ¡°Warriors in the Acupoint Opening Realm, step forward! We need more hands to clear the path ahead!¡±


    ¡°Does anyone here know mechanical repairs?¡±


    ¡°The city government is purchasing surplus energy blocks; please don¡¯t hold back!¡±


    Various calls and announcements echoed through the convoy. And some stepped forward.


    ¡°Are there any disciples of the Grandmaster of Heaven here? I am a follower of the Bald-Headed Celestial Sovereign. Who will join me in forming a vanguard escort team?¡±


    A burly man with a towering physique handed his young daughter to his disheveled wife before raising his arm and rallying others.


    ¡°I... I cultivate under Brother Dao...¡±


    ¡°I am under Sister Su...¡±


    ¡°Me too, I practice the Graceful Step of the Waves.¡±


    ¡°I only recently attended my first lecture by the Grandmaster of Heaven. Though I haven¡¯t yet started cultivating the first layer of the Nine Yang Divine Art, I cannot bring shame to the Grandmaster¡¯s disciples.¡±


    ¡°So am I...¡±


    ¡°And I as well.¡±


    Many of the men and women who had hesitated earlier found themselves suddenly filled with courage upon hearing the words disciples of the Grandmaster of Heaven.


    To embody righteousness. To cultivate a spirit of heroism. To protect the weak. To defend the homeland.


    The words of the Grandmaster of Heaven echoed in their minds, igniting a fiery passion within them. One by one, they stepped forward, their hesitation replaced by determination.


    Before long, a temporary team of over three thousand volunteers had been formed.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± said Huang Fulai, the city leader, who appeared before them. His head was wrapped in bandages, and one arm hung useless at his side. He bowed deeply to these disciples of the Grandmaster of Heaven.


    Several other injured city officials quickly stepped in to assess the volunteers¡¯ combat abilities and professions, efficiently assigning them to crucial roles within the evacuation effort.


    A faint expression of relief appeared on Huang Fulai¡¯s face. He, too, was a practitioner of ancient martial arts. He had regularly attended the Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s live-streamed lessons and had cultivated many of the martial art¡¯s true legacies.


    He had marveled countless times at the profound and comprehensive nature of the Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s teachings, which were so intricate, yet so grand in scope. He had also wondered what kind of vision and magnanimity it would take for someone to openly share so many ancient martial art legacies with the world, allowing anyone to learn and cultivate them?


    In this era, the true legacies of ancient martial arts were closely guarded treasures of the great families of the Saints. For ordinary people, cultivating such arts was almost impossible unless they pledged themselves to one of these families, signing binding contracts that reduced them to little more than servants or slaves.


    Otherwise, they could only access basic or heavily truncated versions of martial techniques, mass-market commodities stripped of their true power. Even the nation¡¯s universities often fell short of offering their most prized skills to the public in their entirety. Academic institutions themselves were not immune to power struggles, as academic oligarchies often dominated the field.


    The leaders of Great Xia had labored tirelessly for generations, dedicating their lives to establishing public schools in every base city. Yet these schools faced immense pressure from the powerful families who competed for dominance. Resources and talent were constantly poached away, leaving public institutions struggling to keep pace.


    Even the once-prestigious White Deer Academy, a former cradle of Saints, now stood on the brink of obscurity. In the past, there had been others who dared to dream, people who tried to spread their teachings through the light-network¡¯s virtual world. But in the end, they had all been suppressed and silenced, disappearing without a trace.


    The Grandmaster of Heaven, however, had persevered. Huang Fulai had tried cultivating nearly every martial art the Grandmaster of Heaven taught, but his favorite remained the foundational Great Strength Vajra Fist.


    This martial technique embodied an indomitable spirit, radiating righteousness that vanquished evil. It strengthened the practitioner¡¯s mind, cultivated their willpower, and honed their character, filling them with an overwhelming vitality that kept inner demons at bay.


    When he saw the disciples of the Grandmaster of Heaven step forward during this disaster, Huang Fulai felt a deep surge of pride


    I am one of them too.


    He saw the brave and determined faces of these men and women and suddenly realized that perhaps this was the right path. In the distance, the sound of gunfire and explosions echoed. The crowd grew tense, but the sounds of battle soon ceased.


    A low-flying drone quickly broadcasted a calming message, explaining that the garrison patrolling the southeast had encountered a pack of grade four star beasts. After a brief skirmish, the beasts had been driven off, and there was no imminent danger.


    ¡°Thankfully, the Sword Immortal came to our aid last night,¡± Huang Fulai muttered, his gaze sweeping over the long convoy of evacuees. ¡°Otherwise... I dare not imagine the consequences.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t hide the trace of worry on his face. Huang Fulai had only been the city leader of Xu Base City for barely a year. He hadn¡¯t even had the chance to achieve anything significant when disaster struck, and the city fell. Losing a city was an indelible stain on a city leader¡¯s record, a failure that would follow them for life. But such concerns no longer mattered to him.


    His sole focus now was ensuring the safety of the 360,000 citizens of Xu City and delivering them to Haijing City with as few losses as possible. He was determined to make this happen even if it meant dying on this treacherous road.


    ¡°Many people can¡¯t walk any further. Discuss with Commandant General Kang about stopping for a twenty minute rest,¡± Huang Fulai instructed. ¡°Also, take out some of the city¡¯s emergency food and water reserves. Distribute them to the civilians who lack supplies and include my share.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± His secretary immediately set off to carry out the orders.


    The evacuation convoy came to a temporary halt. In the crowd, a small, thin girl with a disproportionately large head huddled in her grandmother¡¯s arms. Her eyes were filled with confusion and uncertainty.


    Her parents and grandfather were all warriors who had volunteered to join the escort team. During the most intense moments of last night¡¯s breakout battle, every one of her family members had fought on the front lines.


    Now, as daylight broke, the only family member she could see was her grandmother, who held her tightly. None of her other loved ones were anywhere to be found. She had asked about them several times, but no one gave her an answer.


    Her gaze wandered aimlessly to the open skies of the wilderness. When she had lived within the city walls, she used to dream of running freely through the wilds without a care in the world. But now, her only wish was for her parents and grandfather to return safely to her side.


    A worker approached with food and water. The little girl took her allotted 20 milliliters of clean water, wet her lips, and was about to drink when she noticed something. Just two meters away, a boy in his teens, dressed in a tattered green robe, leaned weakly against a rock. His robe was stained with blood, and the sword he held in his arms was rusted and battered. His lips were cracked and parched, his face pale.


    The girl thought of her parents, who had fought so hard to protect them. Without hesitation, she stood up from her grandmother¡¯s embrace.


    ¡°Here, have a drink,¡± she said as she walked over, holding out her small bottle of water.


    The boy stared at her, stunned. After a moment, he replied, ¡°I¡¯m not thirsty.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re lying,¡± the girl said stubbornly. ¡°Your lips are all cracked.¡±

 Chapter 443: Complaints

    Chapter 443: ComplaintsLi Xiaofei looked at the little girl in front of him, and a warmth spread through his body. He had fought tirelessly in the ruins of Xu Base City to hold back the beast tide. He had given everything he had to battle the massive Vajra Ape and countless star beasts.


    For hours, he had charged into the fray again and again until he had cut down the Beast King and scattered the beast tide. The scenes of blood-soaked battlefields, of corpses piled high, remained vivid in his mind. Even the savage and relentless star beasts had ultimately trembled in fear, retreating with their tails between their legs as they no longer dared to pursue the fleeing citizens. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei had single-handedly held back and dispersed an army of millions of star beasts by sheer force of will and strength. It had been a miracle. But it had come at a cost. His inner qi was nearly depleted, leaving his body in a state of extreme exhaustion. When he caught up with the evacuation convoy, he chose not to reveal his identity. Instead, he disguised himself as a refugee, blending into the crowd.


    For one, he felt he could no longer contribute much in his weakened state. And for another, he wanted to observe how the officials of Great Xia handled such a crisis. He wanted to see how they protected their people under these dire circumstances.


    Huang Fulai, the city leader of Xu Base City, had earned Li Xiaofei¡¯s respect. He was truly a man truly dedicated to the welfare of his people. Li Xiaofei saw a reflection of Tan Zhenwei in him, a figure from the past who had left an indelible mark on his memory.


    In many of the smaller base cities, there were officials who worked tirelessly for the nation and its people, disregarding personal gain or loss. They labored for the citizens under their care day and night, sacrificing their own well-being.


    It was precisely these countless grassroots officials and cadres, often unrecognized and uncelebrated, who silently supported the backbone of Great Xia and shielded its people from harm. The events in Xiajing City had once left Li Xiaofei deeply disappointed in many officials. But what had transpired in Xu Base City restored his faith.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Li Xiaofei said as he accepted the little water bottle from the girl. He took a sip and handed it back to her. ¡°A sip is enough for me. You should keep the rest.¡±


    The girl hesitated for a moment, then took out an empty bottle and carefully poured half of her water into it. Handing it back to him, she smiled and said, ¡°Half for each of us.¡±


    With that, she happily skipped back to her grandmother, her mood lifted by her small act of kindness. But when her gaze wandered to the warriors and soldiers performing escort duties in the distance, her tiny face grew wistful again.


    Papa, Mama, Grandpa, where are you?


    Why haven¡¯t you come back to see Mengmeng yet?


    I miss you so much.


    Li Xiaofei nodded gratefully toward Mengmeng¡¯s grandmother before carefully stowing the small bottle of water away. He closed his eyes and began to meditate. Activating the Nine Yang Divine Art, he absorbed the energy of the star cores in his hands, quickly replenishing his nearly depleted inner qi. Energy and stamina surged back into his body, restoring him at an incredible pace.


    Moments later, the refugee convoy resumed its journey. Li Xiaofei walked with the crowd, cultivating his Inner Strength as he moved, absorbing energy without stopping for even a moment.


    By the time they set up camp again that evening, he had recovered to about sixty percent. Night was the time when star beasts were most active.


    To avoid accidentally entering the territory of powerful star beasts or being surrounded by hordes, Huang Fulai decided to have the refugees set up camp on a relatively safe hillside.


    ¡°Damn it, is this Huang Fulai crazy?¡±


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t we traveling at night?¡±


    ¡°Exactly, the longer we stay in the wilderness, the more danger we¡¯re in.¡±


    ¡°We shouldn¡¯t even be protecting those useless peasants. Even if they make it to Haijing City, they¡¯ll just be a bunch of worthless mouths to feed.¡±


    The whispered complaints reached Li Xiaofei¡¯s ears. He turned his head and saw a group of people dressed in luxurious clothing gathered together and speaking in hushed tones.


    He had noticed them during the day. They seemed to be the wealthy elites of Xu Base City. The truly powerful nobles had already used their vast resources to leave on aircraft before the city fell. These remaining wealthy individuals had brought their families, along with bodyguards, to accompany them. Some didn¡¯t even walk but were carried or supported by their strong guards.


    They also brought their own food and water as they quietly cursed city leader Huang Fulai. They only wanted to speed up to reach Haijing City as quickly as possible, so they could return to their extravagant and hedonistic lifestyles.


    They didn¡¯t care how many ordinary civilians would collapse from exhaustion, how many would fall behind, or how many would be ambushed by star beasts if they pushed forward relentlessly.


    These things were of no concern to them. In the eyes of these cold-hearted wealthy elites, even if the commoners died of exhaustion or were devoured by star beasts, what difference did it make?


    They thought their whispered complaints and discussions were secret. But how could they escape Li Xiaofei¡¯s sharp hearing?


    Every era has its share of cockroach-like garbage


    Li Xiaofei sighed inwardly. In the distance, orders for the guard shifts and soldier rotations could be heard. While others rested, the injured city leader Huang Fulai tirelessly patrolled and kept watch.


    ¡°Big brother, here.¡± The little girl approached Li Xiaofei again, holding out a set of black athletic clothes.


    ¡°Your clothes are starting to stink. Grandma said to give these to you.¡± The girl explained.


    Li Xiaofei tapped his forehead lightly. He had been too focused on his cultivation and hadn¡¯t realized that his robes, soaked in beast blood, were reeking after the entire afternoon. No wonder everyone had been keeping their distance from him.


    "Thank you, Mengmeng," Li Xiaofei said, accepting the clothes without refusing the little girl¡¯s kind gesture.


    In truth, he had plenty of supplies stored in the Secret Time Pavilion, which he could access once the cooldown period ended. After changing into the new clothes, his entire demeanor transformed. Sitting by the edge of a rock, he continued to make the most of his time to cultivate.


    The night passed quickly. By dawn, the refugee convoy set out again, and Li Xiaofei¡¯s strength had fully recovered. Meanwhile, the group of wealthy individuals was still gathered together, whispering and scheming secretly.


    A polite and smiling young city official approached them, hoping to negotiate. He proposed temporarily hiring some of their bodyguards for payment, asking if they could join the escort team to help protect injured soldiers in the convoy. But the proposal was flatly rejected.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to discuss. I paid these people to protect me, not anyone else. Who in their right mind would care about others at a time like this?¡±


    A bald, middle-aged man sneered mockingly as he spoke.


    The city official, left with no choice, shook his head in resignation and walked away. After some thought, Li Xiaofei volunteered to join the escort team. When he revealed a small fraction of his abilities, he was assigned to the forward scouting and path-clearing squad.


    The entire morning passed smoothly for the refugee convoy. They encountered a few groups of star beasts, but strangely enough, the Beast Kings among them died inexplicably, preventing any significant threat from forming.


    Additionally, with experts at the Five Spirits Realm conducting aerial reconnaissance in advance, the convoy managed to avoid entering the territories of king-grade star beasts altogether.


    Yet, the wilderness ultimately remained the domain of star beasts. Despite their precautions, the convoy still suffered casualties. Most of the deaths occurred among the path-clearing and perimeter escort soldiers from diverse and unpredictable causes. Many times, someone in the convoy would fall before Li Xiaofei could react.


    Poisonous stings, insects, contaminated water, air, plants; any of these could prove fatal. By the afternoon, an unexpected incident arose, with the blame directed squarely at city leader Huang Fulai.


    ¡°This is all your incompetence! You¡¯re the reason the city fell!¡±


    ¡°Why do we have to suffer like this? Huang Fulai, you caused our families to be destroyed, and now you¡¯re here pretending to care! How much longer will you harm us?¡±


    The group of wealthy elites surrounded Huang Fulai and a few of his officials, hurling accusations and complaints at them.

 Chapter 444: Planning With Foresight

    Chapter 444: Planning With ForesightThe commotion drew the attention of many in the refugee convoy, creating a growing sense of unrest. Li Xiaofei noticed several individuals moving stealthily through the crowd, fanning the flames of discontent.


    Amid despair, death, and the constant threat of star beasts, the refugees were already agitated. The grief of losing loved ones, coupled with the provocations of these agitators, began to sow chaos within the ranks.


    ¡°Chairman Shen, I take full responsibility for my decisions. But for now, I ask you to maintain order and refrain from escalating conflicts,¡± Huang Fulai said patiently, his tone steady but firm.


    The bald middle-aged man was Shen Chongyun, chairman of the Xu Base City Inscribed Treasure Bone Recovery Association, known as Xuxing Ji.


    He sneered. ¡°I¡¯m not escalating conflicts; I¡¯m ensuring our survival. This convoy cannot continue under your muddle-headed leadership. We demand that you immediately resign and relinquish your position.¡±


    ¡°Exactly!¡±


    Tang Shunzhi, owner of the Xu Base City Flying Vehicle Trade Center, raised his arm and shouted, ¡°A failed and cowardly leader will only lead us to ruin and death. Step down, surrender your command, and await judgment and punishment!¡±


    ¡°Step down!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re dragging us through this wilderness like a game of hide-and-seek. It¡¯s only a matter of time before your incompetence gets us all killed.¡±


    ¡°We need stronger leadership!¡±


    ¡°Speed up the march and get us to Haijing City as soon as possible!¡±


    Other wealthy elites joined in, shouting loudly in agreement. The situation grew increasingly volatile as tensions started to escalate.


    "I''m sorry, but I cannot agree to your demands," Huang Fulai said, his gaze fixed on the wealthy troublemakers in front of him. Though his face was etched with exhaustion, a final flicker of patience gave way to resolute determination. His tone hardened as he continued, "This is an extraordinary situation. We are operating under wartime discipline. I ask you to step back immediately and maintain order. Otherwise, don''t blame me for taking action."


    Huang Fulai was not a man who clung rigidly to rules. He had demonstrated great resolve during critical moments, such as when he made the controversial decision to abandon the city and break out with the citizens. Faced with these foolish provocateurs, his stance remained unwavering.


    As he spoke, soldiers began to close in, led by none other than Captain Feng of the Steel Blade Battalion. Armed and ready, the soldiers stared at the wealthy troublemakers with angry, unyielding eyes.


    "You..." Shen Chongyun''s expression shifted, revealing a flicker of cowardice beneath his bluster. "Huang Fulai, just you wait. Once we get to Haijing City, you''ll pay for your words and actions."


    "We¡¯ll not only lodge a complaint but also file charges against you," Tang Shunzhi chimed in.


    The uproar quickly subsided. Huang Fulai''s firm attitude left the wealthy elites dissatisfied, but the sight of armed and furious soldiers deterred them from pushing any further.


    Back in their camp tent, the grumbling continued.


    "Huang Fulai is as stubborn as a mule. We can''t budge him," Tang Shunzhi complained.


    "Exactly! Those damn soldiers are all on his side."


    "And the peasants! They¡¯re all grateful to Huang Fulai and won¡¯t cooperate with us at all. It¡¯s infuriating; they all deserve to die," another added bitterly.


    An elderly man with sparse gray hair and a goatee sitting at the center of the tent. His triangular face, covered in skin that clung tightly like orange peel, featured prominent cheekbones and drooping eyelids.


    But beneath those drooping lids, his murky eyes gleamed faintly like a venomous snake. This man was the decision-maker left behind by the Kong family, one of Xu City¡¯s top martial arts aristocratic clans.


    "If Huang Fulai were easy to deal with, we would have gotten rid of him long ago," Kong Xuanzhong said with a faint smile. "A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Even though Huang has lost the city, he''ll be stripped of everything once he reaches Haijing City. All we need to do is cause a bit of trouble for him on the way and make things harder for him."


    The Kong family was the most powerful clan in Xu Base City. They had ruled Xu City like emperors for over a hundred years. In both legitimate and underground circles, as well as in politics and the military, anyone who wanted to establish themselves in Xu City wouldn¡¯t dare oppose the Kong family. But ever since Huang Fulai became city leader, their golden era had ended.


    From the moment Huang took office, he had implemented sweeping reforms. He had improved the lives of the common people, lowered prices, ensured affordable food supplies, restructured the tax system, disciplined the police department, and promoted civilian officials. His actions struck hard at the power of the elite families, showing no mercy.


    In just over a year, the Kong family had suffered massive losses. They had launched multiple counterattacks against Huang Fulai. But every move had been thwarted. Gradually, the Kong family realized they were losing control of Xu Base City. The commoners, who once obeyed them without question, were now opposing and resisting them. The conflict had reached a point of no return.


    "I can assure you," Kong Xuanzhong said, his eyes narrowing as a sly smile crossed his face, "Our family head and elders have already made detailed arrangements. Once we reach Haijing City, everything is in place. Huang Fulai, who is so determined to bring these peasants there safely, doesn¡¯t realize Haijing City will be his grave. The moment he arrives, he¡¯s dead. Nothing can save him."


    His words reassured the others, filling them with confidence.


    Shen Chongyun and Tang Shunzhi were overjoyed. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "That¡¯s wonderful! If I can serve the Kong family again like in the past, I, Shen Chongyun, will do so without hesitation!"


    "Ah, the good old days under Old Master Kong¡¯s leadership were so glorious! Ever since Huang arrived in Xu City, it¡¯s been a mess. Now he¡¯s finally about to die."


    "We are all dogs of the Kong family. Just say the word, and we¡¯ll charge forward with all we¡¯ve got!"


    The group scrambled to enthusiastically pledge their loyalty. Outside the tent, Li Xiaofei''s ears twitched. He had half a mind to strike with his sword and eliminate this group of treacherous scoundrels on the spot.


    But after a moment¡¯s thought, he restrained himself. Killing these people would be effortless, but if he wanted to protect a good official like Huang Fulai, simple and violent methods wouldn¡¯t resolve the deeper issues. This required a more calculated approach.


    That evening, the refugees set up camp once more. With Li Xiaofei secretly protecting them, the night passed peacefully. It was as if the star beasts had vanished; not a single one attacked the camp.


    By morning, the rested refugees resumed their journey. In such a dangerous environment, traveling with families in tow was a monumental challenge.


    ¡°City leader, last night was too quiet. There weren¡¯t even a few scattered star beast attacks. I¡¯m a bit concerned,¡± said the secretary, An Xiaohu.


    Huang Fulai nodded. ¡°Yes, the frequency of star beast appearances has decreased significantly from yesterday. This journey has been going far too smoothly. High-grade star beasts are intelligent, and I fear they may be plotting something. Make sure everyone stays vigilant. We cannot afford any mistakes because even a small slip-up could cost citizens¡¯ lives.¡±


    The secretary immediately went to make arrangements. But no one expected the next two days to pass just as smoothly. The convoy encountered no major beast tides and no high-grade star beasts above the fourth grade. It was as if the hand of fate had suddenly shown favor to the refugees fleeing through the wilderness.


    ¡°City leader, over here,¡± Captain Feng said as he led Huang Fulai and others to a valley.


    In the distance, hundreds of Land-Walking Horned Lizards lay sprawled in pools of blood. Huang Fulai approached to inspect the scene, his face revealing shock.


    ¡°Twenty-one grade four beasts, six grade five, two grade six, and one grade seven... All slaughtered. Who could have done this?¡±


    ¡°The blood hasn¡¯t clotted yet. They died about half an hour ago.¡±


    ¡°This wasn¡¯t a fight between star beasts. A human expert did this. These are sword wounds...¡±


    ¡°The Inscribed Treasure Bones and star cores of grade five and above star beasts have been removed.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s still residual sword qi in the air.¡±


    The more they examined the scene, the more astonished they became.


    ¡°Could it be the mysterious Sword Immortal?¡± Huang Fulai wondered aloud, turning to Captain Feng.


    ¡°You mean the elusive ancient martial arts expert who appeared during the Xu City battle?¡± Captain Feng asked.


    Huang Fulai nodded. ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve been wondering why this individual didn¡¯t meet with us after helping us in Xu City. I thought perhaps he had more pressing matters to attend to. But now it seems likely that he has been protecting us all along from the shadows.¡±


    Secretary An Xiaohu chimed in, ¡°Are you saying the reason our journey has been so smooth these past two days is because this person has been silently driving away the star beasts?¡±


    Huang Fulai nodded again.


    A visibly excited Captain Feng said, ¡°City leader, with the Land-Walking Horned Lizard clan that occupied Whistling Wind Valley completely eradicated, the area is no longer dangerous. We can cut straight through the valley, saving at least a day of travel.¡±


    Huang Fulai clapped his hands decisively. ¡°Captain Feng, take a team and thoroughly search the area to confirm it¡¯s safe. Once it¡¯s verified, we¡¯ll change course and go through the valley.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Captain Feng responded with a sharp salute.


    Within an hour, the refugee convoy safely passed through the valley. The corpses of the giant lizards were also harvested and processed, partially alleviating the food supply issue.


    Over the next two days, four similar incidents occurred. Star beast groups that had originally posed significant threats along the refugees'' path were preemptively eliminated. Huang Fulai successfully led the convoy through numerous dangerous areas without any further casualties.


    Meanwhile, a rumor spread among the refugees. An unparalleled Sword Immortal was secretly protecting everyone. The news lifted everyone¡¯s spirits. The despair and worry that had gripped the convoy disappeared like a passing storm.


    This rumor tied back to earlier whispers during the breakout from Xu City, where some said that Captain Feng and his team¡¯s survival had been due to the intervention of this Sword Immortal.


    The recent string of peaceful days only served to reinforce the belief. Hope united the hearts of the refugees, making the convoy more cohesive and determined.


    ¡°At this rate, we¡¯ll reach Haijing City in another day,¡± Huang Fulai said as his tightly furrowed brow began to relax. He exhaled deeply, a trace of relief finally appearing on his face.


    Under the night sky, the refugee camp was calm and peaceful. Yet, one thing continued to weigh on Huang Fulai¡¯s mind.


    We had sent several flying armored soldiers ahead to Haijing City to request reinforcements. Why hasn''t there been any response yet?


    Even if his political career was doomed, would the officials in Haijing City truly turn a blind eye to the survival of over 300,000 Great Xia citizens?


    As night deepened, Huang Fulai was preparing to take a brief rest when...


    ¡°Sir, there¡¯s been an incident!¡± Secretary An Xiaohu hurried over, his expression furious. ¡°There¡¯s trouble in the camp. The Kong family¡¯s guards have killed an elderly teacher...¡±

 Chapter 445: Can’t Resist

    Chapter 445: Can¡¯t Resist"What?"


    Huang Fulai''s expression changed the moment he heard the news. He immediately gathered his men and rushed to the scene of the incident. He was well aware of the Kong family¡¯s methods.


    Their bodyguards, who were notoriously arrogant and reckless with no regard for consequences truly dared to kill. If the conflict escalated and violence erupted, the ones to suffer would undoubtedly be the civilians.


    However, despite Huang Fulai¡¯s haste, he was already too late by the time he arrived at the scene. The first thing he noticed was the pungent smell of blood lingering in the air.


    This is bad!


    His heart sank. The conflict had already intensified. With such a strong scent of blood, it was clear that more than one person had died.


    "Stop! Stop it right now!" Huang Fulai roared, his figure moving like lightning. Ignoring his injuries, he unleashed his inner qi to its fullest, instantly reaching the center of the crowd. "No harm must come to the civilians... huh?"


    The city leader¡¯s words died in his throat. To his utter shock, the corpses lying on the ground were not civilians. They were the Kong family¡¯s bodyguards.


    What is going on? Did the Kong family suffer a loss?


    "City leader Huang, you''re here just in time." Kong Xuanzhong, upon seeing Huang Fulai, roared with a mixture of anger and desperation. It was like he''d found his savior. "There''s been a murder... I want to file a report. That little bastard killed six of my guards. Arrest him immediately!"


    He pointed to a young man in a black tracksuit standing in front of the crowd. Huang Fulai followed Kong Xuanzhong''s finger.


    The young man had a tall and upright figure as he stood there like a black spear piercing the heavens. His strikingly handsome and masculine face was an exceedingly rare sight.


    At that moment, Huang Fulai¡¯s eyes lit up.


    A person of such extraordinary presence among the refugees?


    He had never noticed someone like this before.


    "What exactly happened here?" asked Huang Fulai as he turned his gaze toward a young official who was struggling to maintain order nearby.


    The official, drenched in sweat, quickly stepped forward and whispered a report.


    As it turned out, the Kong family had been loudly spreading rumors among the refugees in the afternoon. They claimed that once they reached Haijing City, Huang Fulai would fall from grace and advised everyone to stay away from him. This had already stirred discontent among many people.


    By the evening, during the time to set up camp, the Kong family escalated matters. They openly recruited bodyguards throughout the camp, offering exorbitant wages. While it appeared to be a simple recruitment, in reality, was actually using their money to poach members from the escort teams and seasoned veterans.


    In the midst of such dire times, where survival itself was a struggle, the Kong family had not contributed manpower nor resources. Yet, they stooped to such despicable tactics, destabilizing the morale of those protecting the refugees.


    They even resorted to threats to force skilled fighters and martial artists guarding the refugees to join their ranks. It was utterly shameless.


    An elderly teacher named Yin Rong, unable to tolerate the Kong family''s actions, reprimanded them with a few stern words. In response, the head of the Kong family''s bodyguards had brutally beat him to death in front of everyone.


    Yin Rong was a highly respected teacher with numerous students who held him in great regard. He was deeply admired by his neighbors and the community. When the crowd witnessed his tragic death, their eyes turned red with anger. Overcome with fury, they surged forward, surrounding the Kong family¡¯s bodyguards, demanding justice.


    However, the bodyguards had no intention of reasoning with them. Drawing their blades, they shouted threats and prepared to kill again. Just as it seemed another life would be lost in the growing pool of blood, the silent young man in the black tracksuit had finally stepped forward.


    "City leader, this boy¡¯s strength is terrifying." The reporting official whispered to Huang Fulai. "I couldn¡¯t even see his movements clearly. There was just a flash of sword light, and those Kong family bodyguards, all in the Meridian Expanding Realm, fell like cut stalks of wheat."


    Huang Fulai felt a subtle shock in his heart. The young official making the report was Chu Liuguang, now the Director of the Health Bureau in Xu Base City. Just a year ago, Chu Liuguang had been a mere civil servant, talented but struggling in his career due to a lack of connections. Huang Fulai had recognized his potential and mentored him, leading to his current position.


    Chu Liuguang was no slouch in martial arts either. He was not yet thirty, but he had already reached the high stage of the Meridian Expanding Realm. If even Chu Liuguang couldn¡¯t discern the young man¡¯s swordplay, this was no ordinary individual.


    Huang Fulai glanced at the rusty longsword in the boy''s hand, his mind racing through various possibilities. He was certain he had never encountered this person before in Xu Base City.


    "Where are you from?" Huang Fulai asked, his gaze fixed on the young man.


    The boy smiled faintly. "I am merely a passerby. When the city fell, I happened to be conducting business in Xu Base City and got swept up in this chaos. City leader Huang, you need not trouble yourself. I killed these men; they deserved it. I will take full responsibility for my actions."


    Huang Fulai felt a surge of unrestrained heroic spirit from this young man, as if it radiated directly from his soul.


    ¡°It¡¯s not Big Brother¡¯s fault.¡± A little girl named Mengmeng squeezed out from behind her grandmother and spoke in her tender, childlike voice, ¡°They were too mean. They wanted to kill people, and Big Brother stepped in to stop them...¡±


    The innocence in her voice resonated deeply with the surrounding crowd.


    The Kong family had been abusing their power for days, no, for countless days within the city. They had treated people cruelly, beating and scolding them as if they were less than human. Today had been no different.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, it¡¯s not this young man¡¯s fault.¡± sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°City leader, the young man acted out of bravery to help others.¡±


    ¡°We can all testify on his behalf.¡±


    More and more people stepped forward, pleading for the young man.


    Huang Fulai, too, felt a strong desire to protect him. He nodded lightly and said, ¡°I will thoroughly investigate the truth of this matter. I will not let a single wrongdoer go unpunished, but I also will not wrongly accuse an innocent person.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Kong Xuanzhong sneered coldly. ¡°Huang Fulai, are you trying to shield this little brat by brushing this off so lightly?¡±


    Other wealthy figures closed in around Huang Fulai as well.


    ¡°Huang Fulai, aren¡¯t you the one who claims to uphold strict law enforcement?¡±


    ¡°We were all there when this little bastard slaughtered the Kong family¡¯s men. We can testify too.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I recorded everything.¡±


    Shen Chongyun and Tang Shunzhi, leading the group of elites, blocked Huang Fulai¡¯s way, their stances equally hostile. The situation grew tense again in an instant.


    "You¡¯re all bad people! Bad people!" Mengmeng suddenly shouted in her childish yet resolute voice.


    "Hey, you little brat, running your mouth like that. You¡¯re asking for a beating." Kong Xuanzhong sneered coldly, his gaze sharp and venomous like a cobra locking onto its prey. He suddenly raised his hand to strike her.


    Whoosh.


    The young man in black moved like a shadow, appearing in front of Mengmeng with ghost-like speed and caught Kong Xuanzhong¡¯s wrist mid-swing.


    Huang Fulai¡¯s heart jolted.


    Such speed! Five Spirits Realm?!


    "Aaagh!" Kong Xuanzhong¡¯s triangular face twisted in agony as he let out a scream akin to a slaughtered pig. "Let go of my hand! Do you... do you even know who I am?!"


    "I don¡¯t." The young man in black replied indifferently, "Nor is there any need to."


    Crack.


    Kong Xuanzhong¡¯s arm was snapped like a twig. He opened his mouth to unleash a bloodcurdling scream.


    "Too noisy." The young man remarked casually, turning his hand and smacking Kong Xuanzhong¡¯s head with his palm. "I don¡¯t like it."


    Thud.


    Kong Xuanzhong¡¯s head was driven straight into his chest cavity with a sickening crunch. The screaming stopped abruptly. Huang Fulai had wanted to intervene, but it was already too late. This was a disaster.


    Killing someone in broad daylight, especially the designated leader left by the Kong family; no matter how much he wished to protect this young man, it was now utterly impossible.


    "You... you actually killed Elder Kong?" Shen Chongyun pointed a trembling finger at the young man in black, his face filled with disbelief. "You''ve caused a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions! No one, neither heaven nor earth, can save you now. You''re finished, you¡ª"


    Whoosh!


    Sword light flashed as Shen Chongyun¡¯s bald head rolled cleanly off his shoulders, tumbling to the ground. The surroundings fell into an eerie silence. Not even a pin drop could be heard.


    "Hahaha..." The young man in black burst into laughter. "I didn¡¯t plan to kill you useless garbage who can¡¯t accomplish anything, but you insist on seeking death yourselves... I¡¯ll send you all on your way!"


    The sword light flickered, appearing and vanishing like a sudden bolt of lightning.


    Before anyone could react, Tang Shunzhi and dozens of other wealthy figures met the same fate as Shen Chongyun. Their severed heads rolled across the blood-soaked ground, their twisted expressions resembling those of malevolent spirits.


    They were all dead. In mere moments, these heartless, conniving elites had been wiped out entirely. Huang Fulai and the others stood frozen, their minds reeling in shock.


    Such overwhelming killing intent. Such terrifying sword qi. Who is this young man? Where did he come from?

 Chapter 446: A Good Official

    Chapter 446: A Good OfficialThe air was thick with the stench of blood as severed heads and lifeless bodies were strewn across the ground.


    In moments, the arrogant and overbearing elites, along with Kong Xuanzhong, the Kong family¡¯s appointed leader, had all been reduced to lifeless corpses. No one could have foreseen this outcome.


    Huang Fulai¡¯s expression shifted repeatedly, his mind heavy with mounting dread and frustration. The young man in black had slain so many in front of so many witnesses. They were not just ordinary people either, they were influential elites. Even if Huang Fulai wished to protect him, it now seemed nearly impossible.


    The greater concern was the sheer ruthlessness of the young man. His propensity for decisive killing and his demonstrated strength, which was likely at the level of the Five Spirits Realm, meant that if pressured further, he could unleash a massacre, leading to even more unnecessary deaths.


    "City leader Huang, are you perhaps worried that I¡¯ll lose control and start killing again?" The young man in black suddenly smiled faintly, breaking the tense silence.


    Huang Fulai stiffened, his expression turning solemn. "Indeed, your murderous aura is so overwhelming that I cannot help but be cautious."


    The young man extended his hand, his tone calm and unwavering. "Go ahead."


    "What do you mean by that?" Huang Fulai was momentarily taken aback.


    "My sword only kills those who deserve to die." The young man said with composure. "It has never harmed the innocent. City leader, you can rest assured¡ªI won¡¯t make things difficult for an upright official like yourself. Arrest me. I won¡¯t resist."


    Huang Fulai froze, caught off guard by the young man¡¯s response.


    Chivalry often violates the law. Huang Fulai had encountered ancient martial artists who would draw their blades in a fit of rage and kill without hesitation. Most of them, once blinded by fury, lost all sense of reason, making them impossible to negotiate with.


    This was especially true in this chaotic world. Many skilled ancient martial artists disregarded national laws, roaming as they pleased, acting recklessly and without constraint. When he saw the astonishing strength of this young man in black, combined with his youth, Huang Fulai had assumed his temperament would be unruly and defiant. Yet, the boy¡¯s calm honesty surprised him.


    Moreover, the simple phrase from the stranger¡ª¡°an upright official who works for the people¡±¡ªstruck a chord deep in Huang Fulai¡¯s heart.


    Everyone called him a good official. Even this young man, a complete stranger who had simply passed through his city, recognized him as such. But there were others who didn¡¯t acknowledge it, or worse, those who did but simply didn¡¯t care.


    The world was chaotic, disordered, and full of hardship. The once-proud land of Great Xia was now veiled in dust. Huang Fulai¡¯s only wish was to fight for the rights and safety of the tens of millions who couldn¡¯t defend themselves. Yet, why was this so difficult? S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Deep down, he was fully aware of what awaited him upon their return to Haijing City. His fate was sealed. But he had no regrets. Even if it meant bleeding out every last drop of his blood, he was determined to ensure that these more than 300,000 refugees reached Haijing City safely. As for what came after? He would leave it to the will of heaven.


    At this thought, Huang Fulai¡¯s resolve grew even stronger. Even if it meant breaking his own long-held principles, he was determined to protect this young man in black. Such a talented youth could not be allowed to perish prematurely. If given enough room to grow, this young man might one day become a saint-like figure for Great Xia.


    "Men," he commanded with a wave of his hand, "put him in shackles and take him into custody."


    The necessary steps had to be followed. Only by doing this could Huang Fulai protect the young man more effectively and ensure that he would not fall victim to the Kong family¡¯s vengeful madness upon reaching Haijing City.


    "No, don¡¯t shackle him!"


    "My lord, this young man... he¡¯s a good person!"


    "Uncle Huang, don¡¯t take Big Brother away!"


    The crowd grew agitated. Mengmeng, tears streaming down her face, cried out in panic.


    City leader is a good man. Big Brother is also a good man. Why would a good man arrest another good man?


    She couldn¡¯t understand.


    The young man in black knelt gently to wipe away Mengmeng¡¯s tears, his smile soft and reassuring. "Don¡¯t worry. Big Brother will be fine and will come back safely. Mengmeng, don¡¯t cry. Be good and take care of Grandma, alright?"


    Mengmeng wiped her tears, nodding earnestly as she choked back her sobs. In the end, under the anxious and worried gazes of the crowd, the young man was shackled with specially crafted restraints and escorted away by a squad of soldiers. The refugee camp resumed its rest.


    Huang Fulai returned to his tent and immediately summoned his trusted aides, An Xiaohu, Chu Liuguang, Guo Zhipeng, Sun Lei, and others for a secret discussion.


    The next day, the convoy continued its journey.


    "Sir, this is the sixth time," reported Captain Feng as he led the way.


    The group arrived at a desolate riverside crossing. There, in the shallow waters and the distant river, floated hundreds of Thorn-Armored Giant Rhinos, their blood staining the river red and filling the air with a pungent metallic scent.


    The Thorn-Armored Giant Rhino was a fearsome freshwater star beast. Their natural black thorn armor could withstand the impact of low-grade power weapons. Thick-skinned and immensely tough, they were undisputed rulers of aquatic domains.


    According to records, a massive herd of these creatures had made this riverside their territory and dominated the area. Originally, the refugee convoy had planned to bypass the river entirely, traveling sixty miles further to a safer crossing point.


    However, due to the presence of the mysterious Sword Immortal, Captain Feng had decided to take a chance and investigate the riverside crossing. What they found left them both stunned and ecstatic. The shocking part was the sheer number of Thorn-Armored Giant Rhinos lying dead in the water, turning the area into a death zone.


    The joy came from realizing that the Sword Immortal had not abandoned them after all. Huang Fulai¡¯s heart leapt with joy as well. He turned to look at the nearby ruined bridge at the riverside crossing. It was an ancient structure from five centuries ago, once used by a form of public transport called high-speed trains. Constructed entirely of concrete and steel, it was a pinnacle of technological civilization from its era.


    Centuries had passed, and the bridge had been long abandoned. Though weathered by the ravages of time, and now overgrown with plants that obscured its former grandeur, it still stood stubbornly upright, spanning the great river without collapse.


    "Quickly, Captain Feng," Huang Fulai ordered. "Take a team to clear the vegetation from the bridge, reinforce and secure it. Once it¡¯s deemed safe, have everyone cross over."


    Feng Ning immediately gathered his men and began the task. Since the threat of the Thorn-Armored Giant Rhinos had been eliminated, crossing the river via the ancient bridge would save an entire day¡¯s journey. This meant the convoy could reach the outskirts of Haijing City by nightfall. By then, everyone would finally be safe.


    The news filled the entire group with excitement and relief. Huang Fulai stood silently, gazing at the thousands of rhino corpses scattered in the water. The suspicion that had lingered in his mind the night before now dissipated completely.


    The previous night, he had briefly entertained the thought that the young man in black might have been concealing his true strength was perhaps even the mysterious Sword Immortal.


    But now, it was clear that this was not the case. The young man had been under constant surveillance, shackled and detained. He had not had an opportunity to slip away and slay these creatures.


    "Xiaohu."


    "Yes, my lord, I am here," An Xiaohu responded promptly.


    "Bring him to me. And make sure no one else notices."


    "Understood."


    A short while later, the young man in black, still bound by hand and leg shackles, was quietly brought to a secluded spot by the riverside, hidden from prying eyes.


    Huang Fulai looked at him, a wave of mixed emotions surging in his heart. There was relief, admiration, and a trace of sadness. Today, he was about to do something that violated his principles as an official. But he had no regrets.


    "My lord, why have you brought me here?" The young man asked calmly, his tone steady.


    Huang Fulai smiled faintly. "To send you on your way."


    "On my way?"


    "Yes, today you will die by this riverbank."


    "You intend to kill me?"


    "Correct. From this moment forward, the world will no longer know of your existence."

 Chapter 447: Who’s The Power Behind You

    Chapter 447: Who¡¯s The Power Behind You"Oh? And how am I supposed to die?"


    "You will die saving the lives of 350,000 citizens of Great Xia. You will leap into the river to battle the Thorn-Armored Giant Rhinos. Though you manage to slay the beasts, you will succumb to exhaustion, and your body will sink into the river, lost forever."


    "That kind of death would make me a hero, wouldn¡¯t it?"


    "You are already a hero," Huang Fulai said with conviction.


    He personally unlocked the shackles on the young man¡¯s wrists and ankles. But the young man in black stood unmoving.


    Huang Fulai, abandoning any pretense, added, "With your strength, leaving the convoy and blending into the refugees to enter Haijing City unnoticed shouldn¡¯t be difficult. From now on, you can live under a new identity."


    But the young man remained motionless, smiling faintly.


    "City leader Huang, I appreciate your kindness and am truly grateful. But I must ask you to continue escorting me to Haijing City."


    Huang Fulai was taken aback and said, "That would be walking into a trap!"


    The young man replied calmly, "I¡¯ve killed so many people and spilled so much blood. Shouldn¡¯t I face the laws of Great Xia and accept judgment?"


    At this, Huang Fulai found himself unable to fully understand the young man. His strength was at least at the Five Spirits Realm. His sword qi was sharp and unmatched and his killing ability was unparalleled. He was an exceptional talent, even among others in the same realm. But this did not mean he was invincible.


    As someone in a high position, Huang Fulai was privy to certain secrets and understood the dangers the young man might face. Yet here he stood, willingly choosing a path that might lead to his own downfall. Within the borders of Great Xia, some ancient and illustrious families have nurtured extraordinary prodigies: heirs, holy sons and daughters, hidden dragons, and phoenixes.


    This next generation, blessed with superior innate and acquired conditions, often possessed strength in their youth that even many seasoned veterans could not hope to achieve. Yet, in this chaotic era, most of these naturally gifted individuals had been brainwashed. They lived only for their families, not for their nation. They had families, but no country.


    Now, as Great Xia teetered on the edge of collapse, many dormant ancient powers saw their opportunity. To these forces lurking in the shadows, the internal and external crises would soon spell the end of this ancient civilization; a nation that had endured even the upheavals brought by the star beasts.


    Many of these powerful families and factions now waited like ravenous hyenas, salivating as they anticipated the moment when the Eastern Dragon of Great Xia would fall, exhausted. They would then pounce, devouring its flesh, stripping its bones, and growing stronger in its death.


    Of course, there were still those who tirelessly fought for the nation and its people. But in this era of survival of the fittest, it often seemed that the selfish thrived while those who worked selflessly for the greater good struggled to endure.


    The young man in black was outstanding among his peers. But he was merely outstanding. He was likely far behind the holy sons and daughters of the hidden noble families. If he truly intended to rely solely on his strength to stir the waters of Haijing City, he would face immense difficulty. Haijing City was now the most chaotic and intricate nexus of power in all of Great Xia.


    According to what Huang Fulai knew, it had already become a gathering place for countless top-tier experts. There were dozens of Saints alone in Haijing City. It had become the fiercest battleground in Great Xia.


    The young man¡¯s formidable strength, upon reaching Haijing City, would be like a grain of sand cast into the vast ocean. It was incapable of causing any significant ripples.


    "You refuse to fake your death and escape punishment because of me?" Huang Fulai asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.


    "That¡¯s right." The young man in black replied.


    Huang Fulai¡¯s surprise deepened. "We¡¯ve only met once. Why would you go to such lengths for me? Is there some other reason behind your actions?"


    "The answer is simple." The young man said.


    "Please enlighten me," Huang Fulai urged.


    The young man spoke honestly, "Because you are a good official."


    Huang Fulai froze, then fell into silence. He was stunned. This answer, while partially expected, was still beyond his comprehension.


    What I have done to deserve such regard from a prodigious young man? Why would someone so extraordinary value me so highly, protect me so fiercely, even at the cost of his own life?


    The young man sighed softly. "Great Xia needs officials like you now more than ever."


    Huang Fulai felt his heart tremble. But then he let out a bitter laugh and shook his head.


    "I am but a drifting leaf who¡¯s barely able to protect myself. Once I enter Haijing City, the odds of survival are slim. Your efforts to safeguard me will likely all be in vain after today."


    The young man merely smiled faintly. "You will be safe."


    Huang Fulai¡¯s heart stirred. "Why are you so certain of that?"


    The young man¡¯s tone remained calm, his words deliberate and steady. "Because I am here."


    Huang Fulai was momentarily stunned. At first, he didn¡¯t believe it. But the young man in black had an unwavering confidence, and his calm demeanor radiated a sense of complete control. The faint smile on his face hinted at an unshakable mastery of the situation, slowly stirring doubt and curiosity within Huang Fulai¡¯s heart.


    "My friend, who exactly are you?" Huang Fulai began to entertain a possibility. He pressed further, "What power stands behind you?"


    He speculated that the young man¡¯s confidence might stem from powerful backing.


    Could he be a representative of one of the hidden noble families?


    There had long been rumors that these ancient families often sought out talented and virtuous individuals from ordinary society to cultivate and enlist as allies.


    Could it be that I, Huang Fulai, had been chosen by such a superpower?


    "The power behind me?" The young man in black smiled faintly and pointed into the distance. "It¡¯s them."


    Huang Fulai turned to follow his gaze. What he saw was the ancient bridge, now bustling with activity.


    Captain Feng and the government forces were escorting the 350,000 refugees from Xu Base City in an orderly line, moving toward safety.


    Huang Fulai stared at the scene, his mind racing. He suddenly understood what the young man meant. It was unexpected, even difficult to believe. But his instincts told him that the young man was not lying or attempting to deceive him. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Could such a person truly exist in this chaotic world? Someone who, driven solely by an ideal, would stand steadfastly to protect like-minded individuals, willingly risk their life, and even sacrifice everything for that belief? And he is so young.


    Huang Fulai suddenly felt as if the young man before him, though youthful in years, stood as tall and immovable as a mountain.


    At this moment, the young man in black said calmly, "City leader, I¡¯ve said all I needed to say. Please take me back."


    An Xiaohu, standing nearby, turned to look at Huang Fulai.


    Huang Fulai took a deep breath and nodded. "Xiaohu, escort this young man back."


    An Xiaohu looked at the young man in black, his eyes filled with reverence.


    Many of those who followed Huang Fulai were willing to sacrifice everything for him, but their devotion often stemmed from personal reasons. They were motivated by either gratitude for his past kindness or because their interests were deeply tied to his leadership as city leader.


    Yet, someone like this young man, who acted purely out of shared ideals, willing to risk his life for someone he had only met a few times, was truly unprecedented. Such selflessness could only be likened to the virtue of ancient sages.


    That afternoon, the refugee convoy successfully crossed the ancient bridge. Before the sun set, they finally reached the outskirts of Haijing City. When the news broke within Haijing City, it caused a sensation.


    The fall of Xu Base City had only recently become widely known among the public. Rumors had spread that the city was completely wiped out, with tens of thousands of Great Xia citizens perishing under the jaws of star beasts.


    Now, the sudden emergence of such a massive group of refugees, who had miraculously survived and traveled thousands of miles to reach Haijing, was nothing short of a miracle. Countless independent media outlets, well-known streamers, television networks, and journalists rushed out of the city to cover the story.


    The news spread across the internet in an instant. The gates of Haijing City, which had remained firmly shut to the refugees, finally began to open slowly.


    Cheers erupted from the crowd. The refugees embraced each other, crying tears of joy and relief. They were home. They had reached Great Xia¡¯s own base city. At last, they were safe.


    But in Huang Fulai¡¯s eyes, the slowly opening gates seemed like a gateway to hell. For him and a select few, the danger was only just beginning.


    As expected, Huang Fulai was subjected to questioning by Haijing City¡¯s Police Department before even entering the city. Soon after, the young man in black was arrested under heavy guard by the Police Department on charges of murder.


    May we meet again someday. Huang Fulai thought silently to himself.

 Chapter 448: Vanishing Out Of Thin Air

    Chapter 448: Vanishing Out Of Thin Air"Speak. How did Huang Fulai secretly instruct you to cruelly murder Elder Kong, Chairman Shen, and Tang Shunzhi?"


    In the dim confines of the dark prison, the warden¡¯s face was stern, his eyes filled with malice as he stared at the young man in black, enunciating each word. The young man was shackled with specially crafted restraints on both his wrists and ankles. As a prisoner of such status, his fate in this dungeon was destined to be miserable.


    Yet, his expression remained relaxed as he curiously observed the dim, oppressive cell of the dark prison.


    Five centuries had passed, yet the design of Haijing City¡¯s dark prison still adhered to feudal-era architecture, filled with instruments of torture that carried the distinct horror of the cold weapon era.


    Some scholars argued that these ancient forms of punishment, which targeted the body and sought to break both physical and mental resistance, had an irreplaceable value, especially when interrogating martial artists.


    "I killed them because they deserved to die." The young man replied with a faint smile. "What does that have to do with Huang Fulai?"


    "Nonsense!" The warden shouted sharply, his voice laced with mockery. "You rogue! It¡¯s clear you acted on Huang Fulai¡¯s orders to murder Elder Kong and the others. Now you dare to deny it?"


    The young man tilted his head, countering with a question, "What¡¯s your name?"


    The warden answered coldly, "I am Guan Zhongliu, the Flaying Blood Magistrate, one of the four executioners of Haijing City. Since I took control of this dark prison, not a single prisoner has left here without confessing."


    "Sounds terrifying." The young man said with a small smile. "Do you have any particularly impressive torture techniques? Tell me about them."


    Guan Zhongliu¡¯s face twisted in anger at the young man¡¯s calm and indifferent demeanor. He let out a chilling laugh.


    "See that bronze bull?" Guan Zhongliu pointed to a massive, gleaming brass bull nearby. "This bull is called the Agrigentum Bull[1]. You might not understand its purpose or its terror..."


    "Heh, you''re wrong about that." The young man in black interrupted with a faint smile. "I do know. In 550 BCE, the Greek smith Agrigentum invented this device. The bull is hollow, and its belly has a small door that can be opened to place the victim inside. The bull is then heated, slowly and painfully roasting the person alive. Legend has it that there¡¯s a system of sound pipes within the bull¡¯s head, designed to transform the screams of the victim into the low bellows of a bull. Steam from the heat would escape through the nostrils, making it appear as though the bull were alive and breathing. It¡¯s truly a horrifying and inhumane invention; just imagining it sends chills down one¡¯s spine."


    Guan Zhongliu was slightly taken aback. Knowledge of pre-star beast history had largely been lost or deemed irrelevant in this era of survival. Very little had been preserved, as it was no longer considered essential to humanity¡¯s existence. He himself had only stumbled upon the concept in a fragment of ancient texts, and, delighted by its gruesome ingenuity, had gone to great lengths to recreate it.


    "So you do know," Guan Zhongliu said, his eyes narrowing with venomous malice. "This bull is newly forged. If you don¡¯t cooperate, I¡¯ll gladly test its capabilities on you. With your strong body, you might last a full day and night inside. But the longer you last, the greater the pain. The phrase worse than death wouldn¡¯t even begin to describe it."


    "This form of torture is utterly inhumane." The young man replied curiously. "It¡¯s also forbidden by the laws of Great Xia. As a warden, aren¡¯t you breaking the law by attempting to coerce a confession through torture? Perhaps you¡¯ve taken bribes from the Kong family and are trying to use me to frame Huang Fulai?"


    "Great Xia¡¯s laws?" Guan Zhongliu laughed wildly. "Talking to me about that nonsense makes me laugh..."


    He raised the whip in his hand, his expression both smug and overbearing. "That¡¯s right, I¡¯ve taken money from the Kong family. Let me tell you, it¡¯s not just the Kong family that wants Huang Fulai dead. You¡¯re nothing more than a prisoner now; so what if you know the truth? I openly admit that I¡¯m going to use you to bring him down. What can you possibly do about it?"


    "Now that you¡¯ve said that, I feel relieved," The young man responded, still calm and unbothered.


    He slowly and deliberately walked over to the bronze bull and said, "Warden, since you know of the Agrigentum Bull and even went through the trouble of creating it, you must know who its first victim was, don¡¯t you?"


    Guan Zhongliu hesitated. That, he didn¡¯t know. The fragmentary texts he¡¯d read had described its invention and construction but did not mention any subsequent events.


    The young man gently ran his fingers over the glimmering surface of the bull as he spoke, his voice slow and deliberate.


    "The smith, Agrigentum, presented his invention to the tyrannical ruler of his city-state, Phalaris. After hearing the explanation, Phalaris asked, ¡®This device sounds intriguing, but how can I be sure it works as described?¡¯ Then he had Agrigentum placed inside the bull and roasted alive. In fact, the first victim of the Agrigentum Bull was its creator."


    Guan Zhongliu froze. A sudden chill ran down his spine, filling him with unease. He was about to say something when his vision blurred. The young man in black appeared before him like a ghost. Their faces were now mere inches apart.


    The young man¡¯s eyes were piercing and ice-cold, radiating a killing intent so intense it felt like an icy blade piercing straight through Guan Zhongliu¡¯s soul.


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    Guan Zhongliu was terrified.


    Wasn¡¯t the young man bound with qi-sealing shackles? How can he still use his abilities?


    Though he was caught off guard, Guan Zhongliu¡¯s instincts as a fighter kicked in as he launched a palm strike. As a warden at the Five Spirits Realm, his combat ability was not to be underestimated. But the moment he struck, his arm went numb, and then it fell limp at his side, completely useless. In the same instant, his entire cultivation base was shattered.


    The young man had effortlessly freed himself from the shackles and now gripped Guan Zhongliu¡¯s throat with one hand.


    The interrogation chamber was completely soundproofed. In fact, all surveillance equipment had been turned off for this secret session. No one but the two of them was present. The guards outside wouldn¡¯t dare enter without Guan Zhongliu¡¯s explicit command.


    Guan Zhongliu flailed his arms and legs desperately, but it was futile. Guan Zhongliu¡¯s body was slowly forced into the bronze bull. As the cruel torture device, which he had so proudly recreated, was about to be used on himself, an overwhelming fear consumed him, nearly driving him to collapse on the spot.


    His eyes filled with despair and a silent plea for mercy. His face, twisted in terror, was streaked with snot and tears. His composure had been completely shattered. But the young man in black remained cold and indifferent.


    Finally, Guan Zhongliu was stuffed into the bull and the small door in the bull¡¯s belly was shut tightly. The young man then activated the switch on the bull, connecting it to its power source. The bronze bull began to heat up and hot steam spouted from its nostrils. The bull emitted low, resonating moo sounds; it seemed almost alive.


    The torturous process continued for a full thirty minutes before the bull finally fell silent. By then, Guan Zhongliu, the infamous Flaying Blood Magistrate, had been reduced to a pile of charred remains inside the bull¡¯s belly.


    "Evil reaps what it sows." The young man murmured. "But such cruel devices, devoid of humanity, should never exist in this world."


    He placed his hand on the bronze bull and a golden flame flickered in his palm. In the next moment, the bull, along with its charred contents, disintegrated into fine ash and vapor, vanishing entirely from the room.


    At the same time, the young man¡¯s body shimmered with a faint light as he too disappeared from the sealed interrogation chamber. It was as if he had performed magic.


    No one knew how much time had passed before the guards outside, unable to wait any longer for Guan Zhongliu¡¯s command, decided to risk opening the chamber door. What they saw inside left them utterly stunned.


    Where is everyone?


    1. This is referring to the Bull of Phalaris ?

 Chapter 449: One City, Two Worlds

    Chapter 449: One City, Two WorldsHuang Fulai and several hundred officials from Xu Base City had been placed under house arrest the very night they arrived in Haijing City. Under the pretense of a temporary review, they were confined to a modest hotel called the Lijing Hotel.


    Meals and drinks were delivered by designated personnel. However, none of them were allowed to leave their rooms or have private contact with the outside world. The treatment of these officials sparked a heated public debate.


    The debate was broadly divided into two camps. One side argued that the officials of Xu Base City had failed in their duty to defend the city, resulting in its fall. The severity of their negligence demanded heavy punishment to serve as a warning to others.


    The other side countered that the fall of Xu Base City was primarily due to the ferocity of the star beasts and inadequate support from surrounding base cities. Despite the dire circumstances, these officials had done their best within their capacity, successfully escorting 350,000 citizens safely to Haijing City, which was a commendable feat deserving recognition.


    The debate raged on, with both sides engaging in a relentless war of words across various platforms. In a short time, the controversy reached a boiling point.


    On the top floor of the Lijing Hotel, Huang Fulai stood by the window. Looking out, he saw the bustling Wanmao District just across the street. The so-called Wanmao referred to the Free International Tax-Exempt Trade Zone.


    Great Xia allowed nations, groups, tribes, and families from other continents and administrative regions to station a specified number of troops and establish various representative agencies within this designated area. Any force stationed in the Wanmao District was granted the freedom to operate throughout Haijing City and engage in all kinds of business and trade activities.


    In stark contrast, ordinary citizens of Great Xia were prohibited from entering the district at will. Violators would face charges of trespassing on foreign territory. Only intermediaries and brokers had the privilege of freely accessing this zone.


    From his elevated vantage point, Huang Fulai could see the scenes within the Wanmao District clearly. Rare, high-priced transplanted trees flourished in lush greenery, complemented by vibrant, exotic flowers and elaborately designed water gardens. Streams meandered through the opulent landscape, creating a harmonious and picturesque environment.


    It looked like a utopia. Workers from Great Xia in specially designated uniforms toiled under the scorching sun in this idyllic setting, trimming trees and flowers with sweat-drenched brows. Their movements were quick and efficient, constantly monitored by supervisors, leaving no room for negligence.


    Whenever a foreigner passed by, the workers were required to stop their work immediately, bow their heads, and offer a respectful salute. An elderly horticulturist, slightly slow to react as he stood atop a ladder, drew the ire of a passing blonde woman.


    She berated him harshly, and her bodyguard struck him to the ground without hesitation, leaving him with a bleeding head wound. Nearby Great Xia workers, seething with silent anger, could only bow repeatedly and offer profuse apologies, afraid to escalate the situation.


    Witnessing this, Huang Fulai¡¯s face contorted in anguish. The era was changing. People were changing. Yet some long-shattered illusions had somehow returned in this age, bringing with them bitter reminders of injustice.


    After a moment, Huang Fulai opened his eyes again. This time, his gaze shifted to the southwest, beyond the bustling Wanmao District. In the southeastern side of the district, a wide, dried-up riverbed stretched over a thousand meters across, acting like a natural chasm. It separated the serene and beautiful Wanmao District from the sprawling slums of Haijing City.


    On the slum side of the riverbed, a towering iron fence rose twenty meters high, patrolled by dedicated garrison troops. A single riverbed and an iron wall seemed to divide two entirely different worlds. The slums covered a vast area. Most of the structures within were old buildings from centuries ago; high-rise residential complexes that had been left behind from a bygone era.


    These buildings had fallen into severe disrepair. Some were tilted or partially collapsed, while others stubbornly remained upright. From a distance, they resembled abandoned ant colonies or beehives. The old buildings lacked electricity, running water, and basic utilities. Broken staircases and shattered railings made them perilous to navigate.


    Martial artists with movement techniques used their abilities to climb into these buildings, claiming the upper floors as their homes. Even in such dire conditions, these buildings were inhabited by children and the elderly.


    Once carried to the higher floors by family members, these residents were effectively trapped there, unable to descend. They survived day by day, relying on the food and supplies brought by younger family members who worked tirelessly in the city below.


    The slum was devoid of greenery. Gray cement and steel reigned supreme as the main theme. Countless citizens of Great Xia lived packed together like swarming ants. Every morning, they flowed out of the slum through hundreds of gates on its western edge, pouring into Haijing City like a flood to work and scrape together a living in various districts. By evening, they returned, surging back into the slum like the tide.


    From afar, Huang Fulai could see a long line stretching outside the slum. The refugees from Xu Base City, who had struggled to enter Haijing City the previous night, were now registering and undergoing stringent identity checks before being allowed to enter the slum.


    They would be permanently settled there. But settled was merely a euphemism for banishment. To those in power, these refugees offered little value. Their sole purpose was to be exploited. Like sheep herded into pens, they were driven into the slum one by one.


    Huang Fulai felt a dull ache in his heart. He knew all too well that for many refugees from Xu Base City, who had already lost everything, life in the slum would offer no respite. Even within the slum, they would struggle to afford housing, find jobs, or establish any semblance of stability.


    After surviving the despair of the wilderness and enduring countless hardships to reach Haijing City, what awaited them was not the safe and stable life they had dreamed of. Instead, it was an even harsher reality of exploitation. When every last drop of their strength and vitality was drained, the only thing that would await them was death. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the past, Huang Fulai had heard stories of the chaos and corruption in Haijing City. But witnessing it firsthand now was like a knife twisting in his heart. Standing by the window, Huang Fulai shut his eyes in pain. He wanted to change everything. Yet he felt powerless. He, too, was now trapped in this cage.


    Huang Fulai thought of the young man in black. The image of the youth¡¯s clear, calm eyes floated in his mind.


    "I''m sorry." He murmured with a bitter smile, clenching his fists tightly. "I¡¯ll only disappoint you. I can¡¯t do it."


    The small hotel wasn¡¯t enough to physically contain a Five Spirits Realm expert. But it had managed to trap him. Ever since he had been confined here, Huang Fulai had written twenty-eight letters and submitted thirty-six detailed reports outlining the causes and consequences of Xu Base City¡¯s fall.


    Every single one had disappeared like stones into the sea. He had repeatedly appealed for a meeting with the city¡¯s chief administrator. But every time, the answer was the same, he needed to wait.


    Wait. Wait for how long? He didn¡¯t know. What worried him most was the possibility of dying silently in this place. Death itself didn¡¯t frighten him. What terrified him was dying without meaning. Dying without clarity.


    Knock, knock.


    The sound of someone rapping on the door broke the silence. Before he could respond, the door swung open and a tall, upright figure strode quickly into the room.


    Huang Fulai turned to look. When his eyes settled on the visitor, a surprised and delighted smile broke across his face.


    "You? How are you here?" He stepped forward quickly to greet the newcomer.


    The visitor was beaming with a bright, cheerful smile. He laughed heartily as he said, "How could I not come when you¡¯re in a tough spot? I still remember every word I said back then. I¡¯m here to keep my promise."

 Chapter 450: The Truth And The Contact (1)

    Chapter 450: The Truth And The Contact (1)The tall and well-built man who entered appeared to be in his thirties. He had a handsome and trustworthy demeanor that radiated masculinity. His name was Zhu Kunyu.


    He shared a connection with Huang Fulai. They had been roommates during their university days, occupying the bunk beds in the same dormitory. They were also close partners in cultivation, striving together during those formative years.


    Once, under the light of a lamp, they had sworn an oath to dedicate their lives to the rise of Great Xia. After completing their graduate studies, they had entered the political world at nearly the same time, though their careers had diverged since.


    "We once promised to support each other, to achieve greatness together... and to never forget each other in times of fortune." Zhu Kunyu spoke as he playfully punched Huang Fulai¡¯s chest. "I heard about your situation, so I came to see you as soon as I got off duty. What do you think? Am I a good brother or what?"


    "You¡¯re thoughtful, Old Zhu." A rare smile crossed Huang Fulai¡¯s face.


    Seeing his old friend¡¯s familiar grin on this midsummer morning brought him the first glimmer of warmth since arriving in Haijing City.


    "Come on, are we brothers or not?" Zhu Kunyu said with mock indignation.


    "By the way," Huang Fulai asked, "I remember you only transferred to Haijing City six months ago. You were working in the Market Administration Office in Anjing District before that. Did you get promoted recently?"


    The two had kept in touch in the past, and Huang Fulai knew that Zhu Kunyu¡¯s career in Haijing City hadn¡¯t been particularly smooth. By all accounts, his position should have made it impossible for him to pull strings and gain access to the tightly monitored Lijing Hotel.


    This was one reason why Huang Fulai hadn¡¯t reached out to Zhu Kunyu upon his arrival. He hadn¡¯t wanted his troubles to drag down an old friend.


    Zhu Kunyu grinned proudly. "Clearly, you don¡¯t know! I¡¯m now the Director of the Police Department for Anjing District!"


    "Really?" Huang Fulai was stunned. "When did this happen?"


    Haijing City was divided into six districts, including Anjing District. Although just a single district, its size, population, economic scale, and virtually every other measure far exceeded that of Xu Base City. Becoming the Director of the Police Department for Anjing District was a meteoric rise. It was a position that made one a prominent figure in Haijing City.


    "Why would I lie to you?" Zhu Kunyu smiled faintly and added, "It happened just a month ago, so I haven¡¯t had a chance to tell you yet."


    "That¡¯s fantastic!" Huang Fulai clapped his hands, genuinely delighted for his old friend.


    Excitedly, he said, "I remember back in school, you were more inclined toward martial arts and always preferred solving problems with strength. A position in the Police Department suits you perfectly. With your talent and ability, you deserved this promotion long ago."


    Zhu Kunyu¡¯s face lit up with a wide smile, and he said with deep emotion, "Exactly! Over the past month, I¡¯ve truly felt like a dragon in the sea who¡¯s finally able to unleash his ambitions. It¡¯s also made me realize that if you want to hold office in a supercity like Haijing, you absolutely need a solid backer."


    Huang Fulai nodded slightly. The sentiment was tinged with helplessness, but it was undeniably true.


    Zhu Kunyu then leaned forward, grinning, and asked, "Do you know who my backer is?"


    Huang Fulai paused to think for a moment before replying, "I¡¯d guess someone at the city leader level?"


    Haijing City, a massive metropolis with a population of tens of millions, was overseen by seven city leaders, who were each responsible for managing various aspects of the city¡¯s operations. Each city leader wielded immense influence. Naturally, the seven city leaders also had an informal ranking.


    "You¡¯ve still got that knack for guessing, just like back in university," Zhu Kunyu said with a nod. "You¡¯re right. I¡¯ve been promoted thanks to the support of the Seventh City Leader, who was transferred to Haijing City just six months ago. And actually, you know him too."


    "I know him?" Huang Fulai was taken aback.


    Zhu Kunyu grinned and decided to reveal the secret. "It¡¯s none other than our old mentor, Professor Xue Xuanqi."


    "Professor Xue?" Huang Fulai exclaimed in shock.


    Professor Xue Xuanqi had been his graduate advisor and one of the people he respected most.


    "Professor Xue came to Haijing City six months ago?" Huang Fulai said, astonished. "How did I not hear anything about this?"


    Zhu Kunyu took a sip of water and chuckled. "Actually, I only found out a month ago myself. It turns out that Professor Xue entered politics five years ago and was quietly transferred to Haijing City a year ago."


    "I¡¯ve stayed in touch with him all these years," Huang Fulai said, frowning. "But I didn¡¯t know any of this."


    Zhu Kunyu explained with a smile, "That was intentional on his part. When he first arrived in Haijing City, he didn¡¯t notify anyone, and his appointment process was kept relatively low-profile. He had two reasons. First, Haijing City¡¯s situation is extraordinarily complex, unlike any other base city, so he needed to invest significant effort to establish his position. Second, Professor Xue wanted to covertly assess his former students and identify those truly worth supporting and promoting."


    "Does he know about your visit here?" Huang Fulai asked.


    Zhu Kunyu nodded. "It was Professor Xue who sent me. The pass I used was signed by him. Do you really think the authority of the Anjing District Police Department Director would be enough to get me into this hotel?"


    Huang Fulai¡¯s spirits lifted. This meant he, too, was one of the people Professor Xue had chosen.


    As if confirming his thoughts, Zhu Kunyu added, "Don¡¯t worry. Professor Xue holds you in high regard. He¡¯s already started making arrangements and will clear your name. In fact, about the situation in Xu Base City..."


    "Hold on for a moment," Huang Fulai said urgently. "I have an extremely pressing matter that I must ask Professor Xue to intervene in."


    Zhu Kunyu smiled faintly. "Let me guess; you want to ask Professor Xue to help rescue the young man in black who was taken away?"


    "Exactly!" Huang Fulai exclaimed. "After all these years, you still see right through me... Old Zhu, I swear to you, that young man is a once-in-a-century prodigy in ancient martial arts. On top of that, he possesses the heart of a pure child and has the bearing of a Saint. No matter the cost, we must find a way to save him."


    "You hold him in such high regard?" Zhu Kunyu was visibly surprised.


    He looked at Huang Fulai and couldn¡¯t help but tease him, "Old Huang, you¡¯re like a Bodhisattva trying to cross a river right now; you can barely protect yourself. And yet, you¡¯re worrying about a stranger you¡¯ve only met a few times?"


    Huang Fulai recounted the events that had occurred during their journey to Haijing City. After finishing, he added, "Old Zhu, tell me honestly. Doesn¡¯t such a young genius deserve to be saved?"


    After hearing the story, Zhu Kunyu was deeply shaken. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What a righteous young man, cutting down treachery with the blade of justice!" He slammed his hand on the table and praised loudly, "In times like these, geniuses with the demeanor of ancient sages are exceedingly rare. This is a true prodigy in ancient martial arts and absolutely worth saving."


    But then, his tone suddenly shifted.


    "However..."


    "However, what?" Huang Fulai pressed anxiously.


    Zhu Kunyu slowly sat back down. "However, you¡¯re too late."


    "Too late?" Huang Fulai¡¯s heart sank, his face paling as he stammered, "Does that mean he¡¯s already been harmed? It¡¯s all my fault..."


    Zhu Kunyu quickly reassured him. "It¡¯s not what you think. Not many people know about it, but we¡¯re brothers, so I won¡¯t hide it from you. The young man was taken to the dark prison and handed over to Flaying Blood Magistrate Guan Zhongliu..."


    Huang Fulai''s heart sank. He had heard rumors about the dark prison and its warden, Guan Zhongliu back in Xu Base City. The tales of his cruelty were chilling. It was said that even granite would be squeezed for juice in the dark prison, let alone flesh and blood. Many ancient martial artists had fallen into Guan Zhongliu¡¯s hands, and none had ever made it out unscathed.


    Now that the young man in black was in the clutches of this living King of Hell, it was likely he was already enduring unspeakable torture. The thought made Huang Fulai increasingly anxious.


    "I know you¡¯re worried, but calm down for a moment," Zhu Kunyu said, pressing a firm hand on his shoulder. He continued, "Things aren¡¯t as you or anyone imagines. It¡¯s said that the Kong family and other prominent clans connected to Xu Base City secretly paid Guan Zhongliu to severely torture the young man. At the same time, someone instructed Guan Zhongliu to use brutal methods to force the young man to confess, implicating you in the process. From there, they planned to link it back to Professor Xue..."


    "Enough of the suspense!" Huang Fulai interrupted, his tone sharp with impatience. "Just tell me; what¡¯s happened to him now?"


    Despite his usual composure as a politician, known for his patience and self-control, Huang Fulai found himself uncharacteristically flustered. When it came to the young man in black, he couldn¡¯t help but lose his composure.

 Chapter 451: The Truth And The Contact (2)

    Chapter 451: The Truth And The Contact (2)Zhu Kunyu had no choice but to get straight to the point. "It¡¯s true that the young man was taken by Guan Zhongliu into the interrogation chamber for secret torture. Reportedly, the Flaying Blood Magistrate even prepared a newly designed torture device to experiment with on the boy. For confidentiality, Guan conducted the interrogation alone for a full twelve hours. During this time, the guards outside were swapped out four times. But in the end, when the staff, unable to wait any longer, broke into the chamber, they found that both Guan Zhongliu and the young man had disappeared.¡±


    "Disappeared?" Huang Fulai paused to think for a few seconds. "What do you mean?"


    "Exactly what it sounds like," Zhu Kunyu replied. "They vanished without a trace, leaving no evidence behind. Since it was a secret interrogation, there was no surveillance either. To this day, no one knows what happened inside, nor can anyone find any sign of Guan Zhongliu or the young man."


    Huang Fulai opened his mouth but could only manage, "How could that be?"


    It was utterly bizarre and absurd. How could two living people vanish without leaving any clues in a place as tightly secured as the dark prison? Even a martial artist at the Divine Realm would find it nearly impossible to escape the dark prison without causing a disturbance.


    "At first, we thought it might be a smokescreen by our opponents to mislead us," Zhu Kunyu said. "But such a clumsy smokescreen would be utterly ridiculous. But based on the information from my sources, it¡¯s true. The Fifth City Leader, who oversees the dark prison, is furious. The entire city of Haijing is searching for the two of them."


    Huang Fulai began to think deeply. The news was bizarre, but it seemed to be good news. At least the young man in black wasn¡¯t dead, nor had he been subjected to torture.


    But where had he gone? Could it be...


    An idea suddenly struck Huang Fulai.


    Could he have been rescued by that mysterious Sword Immortal?


    "Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll continue investigating this matter," Zhu Kunyu said, patting his shoulder. "As soon as there¡¯s any news, I¡¯ll let you know right away. Even Professor Xue has taken an interest in this young man."


    "Thank you," Huang Fulai nodded.


    At this point, there was nothing else he could do. He could only take things one step at a time.


    "Now, let¡¯s get back to the earlier topic," Zhu Kunyu said. "I came to see you today because I wanted to share some top-secret information about Xu Base City."


    Huang Fulai turned to him with a startled look.


    Zhu Kunyu continued, "The truth is, the fall of Xu Base City wasn¡¯t caused by the beast tide. It was a conspiracy orchestrated by traitors in Haijing City colluding with Jiepeng and Yiggs people."


    "What?" Huang Fulai shot to his feet, his eyes sharp and piercing. "Are you serious? What¡¯s going on?"


    Zhu Kunyu said, "Half a year ago, the Jiepeng people discovered a rare metal-rich mine beneath Xu Base City. You¡¯ve probably heard rumors about it."


    Huang Fulai nodded. "Yes, it was said to be a silver-titanium mine. It¡¯s the best raw material for making advanced prosthetic limbs, mechanical organs, and brain cores. The Jiepeng Empire has been fully committed to developing high-martial technology and desperately needs this metal. I recall that dozens of investors with ties to Jiepeng and Yiggs business interests came to Xu Base City offering high prices for the mining rights, but I vetoed every single one."


    "You were wrong," Zhu Kunyu said with a grave expression. "It wasn¡¯t a silver-titanium mine. It was a Illusium mine."


    "What?" Huang Fulai froze, his composure slipping.


    Illusium was far rarer than silver-titanium. More importantly, the Star Council had been purchasing this mineral at exorbitant prices. One kilogram of Illusium could be exchanged at any Star Council branch for a mythical-level ancient martial arts manual, other high-tier supernatural techniques, forbidden spells, or witchcraft.


    It could also be traded for star beasts, mechs of equivalent value, or even an official position within the Star Council. It could grant the seller protection, amnesty from any crime, or the privilege to request the intervention of a Star Council member on their behalf or for their family up to three times.


    No one knew why the Star Council sought Illusium so relentlessly. But they continued to buy it at astronomical prices. If there were Illusium deposits beneath Xu Base City, it would undoubtedly drive every major power mad.


    "Because of your selfless stance and your repeated refusals of the Jiepeng and Yiggs people, you angered them," Zhu Kunyu continued. "They changed their tactics and colluded with traitors in Haijing City to devise a sinister plot. They orchestrated the fall of Xu Base City, guiding star beasts to attack and reduce the city to ruins under their claws. This way, they could bypass all levels of the Great Xia government, occupy the area in secret, and begin mining Illusium without oversight."


    "What?" Huang Fulai was both shocked and furious, his eyes blazing with killing intent as he roared, "Those beasts! I¡¯ll never share the same sky with them!"


    The fall of Xu Base City had resulted in the deaths of at least tens of thousands. Now it was clear that all of it was a calculated conspiracy.


    "When Professor Xue learned of this, it was already too late to intervene," Zhu Kunyu explained. "The envoys you sent to Haijing City for aid had all been assassinated. None of the messages made it through, so no one outside the conspirators knew that Xu Base City had already fallen."


    Huang Fulai gritted his teeth so hard he nearly shattered them. The truth was beyond infuriating. The Jiepeng were despicable. But the traitors within Great Xia were even worse. They all deserved to die.


    Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he asked, "Do the higher authorities know about this? Something this significant had to be reported immediately to the commanders-in-chief. If one of them comes personally, accompanied by scholars from the National Council of Virtue, we can reclaim the mine for Great Xia."


    Zhu Kunyu shook his head. "The higher-ups know, but no commander-in-chief will intervene. The scholars from the National Council of Virtue won¡¯t get involved either."


    "Why not?" Huang Fulai demanded.


    "Because of a deal," Zhu Kunyu replied.


    "What deal?" Huang Fulai pressed.


    "You¡¯ll understand once you meet with Professor Xue," Zhu Kunyu said. "In short, we can¡¯t rely on the higher-ups to protect the Illusium mine this time. We¡¯ll have to rely on ourselves."


    ***


    In the slum, Li Xiaofei, after changing his attire and slightly altering his appearance, walked along the chaotic streets under the cover of night. The previous night, after effortlessly eliminating the cruel Guan Zhongliu, he had used his Spatial Point Theft ability to escape the heavily guarded dark prison without leaving a trace.


    First, he found a way to access the internet and activated his mission system. When he read the instructions in the mission dossier, he found that he needed to locate a contact named Sister Feng in the slum before 8 p.m.


    Li Xiaofei could establish contact with the Dragon Group members operating within Haijing City through this mysterious contact. Still, Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this supposedly critical mission seemed oddly flawed and unusually hasty in its execution. For now, though, he had no choice but to take things one step at a time.


    As he moved through the streets, Li Xiaofei caught the familiar scent of home. Since he had grown up in a slum himself, he was intimately familiar with the rules of survival in such chaotic and foul-smelling environments.


    He could effortlessly and naturally blend into the surrounding crowd, as though he had been living in this slum for decades. Of course, this slum was far larger than the one in Liuhe Base City where he had grown up. According to Haijing City¡¯s official census data released five years ago, the slum¡¯s original population exceeded five million. But this figure was clearly outdated.


    A study conducted by a private website indicated that in the past five years, the slum population in Haijing City had doubled. This meant the total population of the slum now exceeded ten million. What did this mean? At least one-third of Haijing City¡¯s total population had become impoverished.


    This explosive growth wasn¡¯t just due to natural population increases. A significant portion resulted from unfair competition in society, which had driven the middle class into destitution, leaving them homeless and stripped of their wealth. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A staggering one-third of the city¡¯s population resided in a run-down area occupying less than one-tenth of Haijing City¡¯s total landmass. The numbers were grotesquely disproportionate. Ten million people. In any other location, this would be multiple times the population of an entire base city.


    As Li Xiaofei looked at the bustling crowd before him and thought about these figures, he couldn¡¯t quite place the feeling stirring in his heart. None of this should have happened.


    Lost in thought, he arrived at the entrance of a nightclub. The neon lights evoked a sense of Old Shanghai nostalgia, while the exaggerated decorative lighting and the stream of glamorous young women entering and exiting the venue made it clear that this was the largest nightclub in the slum¡¯s eastern district.


    Li Xiaofei stepped inside slowly. He wasn¡¯t there for entertainment. He was there to find someone. His first contact was a renowned dancer.

 Chapter 452: The Arrogant And Wild Young Man

    Chapter 452: The Arrogant And Wild Young ManTo some extent, slums needed entertainment even more than other places. People could indulge and anesthetize themselves through entertainment, momentarily escaping their harsh realities.


    Of course, not anyone could enter nightclubs in the slum. There were also divisions of class and status within the slum.


    Li Xiaofei sat in an elevated booth closest to the main stage, drinking glass after glass of clear water. Naturally, the nightclub served alcohol. But he didn''t like drinking. What could be more interesting and ostentatious than sipping crystal-clear water in this chaotic and mixed-up realm?


    The spacious booth was large enough to accommodate twenty people. Yet at this moment, only Li Xiaofei was sitting there. It seemed empty and desolate. No one dared to join him. Even the beautifully dressed young women searching for prey, and the seasoned busy bees skilled at livening up the atmosphere, didn''t dare approach him casually.


    Countless curious gazes eyed the booth. This particular booth was the throne of the entire nightclub. Anyone sitting there was undoubtedly a renowned figure in the eastern district; someone with not only great power but also significant influence.


    "Where did this wild brat come from?"


    "He''s going to be in trouble."


    "Doesn''t everyone know that the throne seat is exclusively reserved for Vice Leader Qin of the Haisha Gang?"


    "I remember half a year ago, some naive second-generation official from outside insisted on sitting there, and he disappeared."


    "Yeah, they said it took less than ten minutes before someone saw a stray dog outside the Imperial Palace chewing on that guy''s skull."


    "So, what''s happening today?"


    "Who let this kid sit there?"


    "Just another poor fool who doesn''t know better."


    The crowd whispered loudly over the pounding warm-up music, their voices filled with a mix of excitement and schadenfreude.


    In the corner, the security captain, Huo Yin, also kept a careful eye on the throne seat and the young man calmly sipping water. A bright red handprint stood out on Huo Yin''s face, a testament to his earlier confrontation. That slap had been the price he had paid for trying to stop the boy from sitting in that seat. The young man¡¯s strength was extraordinary. But still... Huo Yin clenched his fists. The boy would have to pay for hitting him.


    Moments later, a subordinate ran over, panting heavily. "Captain, the message has been sent to the Haisha Gang. Vice Leader Qin will be here shortly."


    "Good. Business as usual," Huo Yin said, touching his sore cheek.


    The subordinate hesitated, glancing toward the throne. "What about over there?"


    "Treat him as a regular guest," Huo Yin growled through gritted teeth.


    ***


    The performance on the stage was dazzling. The nightclub''s interior design, lighting style, and the attire of the staff all exuded a sense of nostalgia that was reminiscent of a bygone era.


    For a fleeting moment or two, Li Xiaofei felt as though he hadn¡¯t traveled five hundred years into the future. Instead, it seemed like he had stepped into the old Shanghai Bund. The music paused briefly and a wave of enthusiastic applause erupted from the crowd.


    A young woman in a white cheongsam stood on the stage. Her figure was exquisite, her hair was styled in an elegant bun, and her face radiating both charm and beauty. She gracefully bowed to the guests below, expressing her gratitude.


    She was a woman with a unique allure. Like a deep crimson apple ripened by time, she retained the sweetness of youth while carrying the seductive maturity of a sophisticated woman. She was perfectly ripe and utterly tantalizing.


    Every inch of her body radiated a vibrant and luscious energy, mesmerizing countless patrons who dreamed of pulling her into their arms for just one indulgent taste.


    She was Nan Hua, a renowned dancer who was ranked sixth among the Top Ten Dancers in the slum nightclub scene. She had an extensive fan base and an even larger group of wealthy patrons.


    Her routines were remarkably predictable. Every evening, she would appear at the Imperial Palace nightclub before eight o¡¯clock and perform a captivating dance, followed by a song. Afterward, she would share drinks with the guest who tipped her the most generously.


    "Hey." Li Xiaofei stood up and waved at Nan Hua on the stage. "Come down and have some water with me."


    The throne seat was close to the stage. His words rang out clearly, reaching Nan Hua''s ears without effort. She smiled faintly, her curiosity piqued as she studied the young man. In her four or five years navigating the nightlife scene, this was the first time someone had asked her to join them for water.


    The young man before her stood tall and straight. His features were strikingly handsome. His sharp brows and star-like eyes carried a rare masculine vigor, though his slightly furrowed brows hinted at an overwhelming number of burdens weighing on his heart.


    His gaze was bold and unrestrained. There was a rebellious arrogance in his demeanor, as if he regarded everything beneath his notice.


    Nan Hua, seasoned by countless encounters in the pleasure world, had seen all kinds of people. But a boy like this? He was a first. He seemed like he was born to belong here. Yet, at the same time, he appeared completely out of place. It was a peculiar contradiction.


    For a brief moment, two, perhaps three seconds, Nan Hua found herself intrigued, before she recovered with a practiced smile. She nodded slightly at the young man, acknowledging his gesture, but she didn¡¯t reply.


    Interesting people were plentiful. But Nan Hua wasn¡¯t one to indulge her curiosity too much. She wouldn¡¯t break her own rules just because someone seemed intriguing. However, just as she turned to head backstage to prepare for her next performance...


    Crash!


    A glass cup smashed heavily onto the stage. The noise instantly silenced the previously lively room as every eye in the nightclub turned toward the throne seat.


    The young man stood atop the throne, his voice growing even more brazen, dripping with the arrogance of someone ignorant of the consequences.


    "I said, come down and drink with me." S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Something entertaining was unfolding. The patrons, who had come seeking pleasure, suddenly grew excited. It had been a long time since anyone dared cause trouble in the Imperial Palace nightclub. After all, the Imperial Palace was the territory of the Haisha Gang.


    Five major factions ruled in Haijing City¡¯s slums: the Broken Gear Mutual Aid Society, the Haisha Gang, the Qiujin Boxing Gym, the Cloth Sect, and the Justice Academy.


    Once, the Cloth Sect had boasted the most followers and held the greatest power. But now, it was the Haisha Gang that had risen to dominance. After aiding Hai Tiankuo in aligning with Jiepeng, the Haisha Gang had leveraged foreign support to cement their place as the undisputed top faction. Their behavior had become increasingly tyrannical and outrageous.


    Causing trouble in the Imperial Palace nightclub was akin to slapping the Haisha Gang in the face. Even the powerful forces from outside the slums wouldn¡¯t dare act so recklessly. To offend the Haisha Gang was to offend Jiepeng. In the current Haijing City, with the influence of the Jiepeng people swelling due to the Wanmao District¡¯s presence, who would dare provoke them?


    The pleasure-seekers looked on with a mix of amusement and malice, eagerly anticipating the fallout. Nan Hua glanced at the shattered glass at her feet, the gleaming, razor-sharp shards scattered across the stage. She paused briefly, then continued walking backstage.


    In her mind, the intriguing young man was already a corpse that wouldn¡¯t live to see the next hour. At that very moment...


    "Haisha Gang¡¯s Vice Leader Qin has arrived." A distinct announcement echoed from the entrance.


    A tall, slender middle-aged man, dressed in a black robe and exuding an air of scholarly refinement, entered the venue at a leisurely pace, flanked by four bodyguards.


    His sharp gaze swept across the room. It landed on his exclusive seat, where an unfamiliar young man was standing boldly.


    "Take care of him," Qin Xiaotian said casually.


    One of the guards behind him stepped forward swiftly, drawing a short blade from his waist as he strode toward Li Xiaofei. He didn¡¯t utter a word as he raised his hand and drove the blade straight toward Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart.


    This was the slum and how its gangs operated. Killing someone was as insignificant as crushing an ant. Not a single word of nonsense was wasted.

 Chapter 453: Smart Person

    Chapter 453: Smart PersonThis boy was finished. The moment the bodyguard made his move, the same thought arose in everyone¡¯s mind.


    After all, the four bodyguards accompanying Qin Xiaotian were notorious killers, each forged in the brutal battles of the slum gangs. At minimum, they were experts at the peak of the Meridian Expanding Realm.


    Thud!


    Blood sprayed as a body fell. For a brief moment, stunned silence gripped the room, followed by the collective sound of gasps. The one who had fallen was the bodyguard, not Li Xiaofei.


    The short blade, originally aimed at Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart, was now buried to the hilt in the bodyguard¡¯s own chest. The tip of the sword protruded from his back, glinting with crimson.


    The bodyguard collapsed forward, blood gushing from his wound, soaking his clothes in a spreading stain that resembled a blooming crimson flower.


    The eyes of the revelers widened in shock. Several of the busy bees shrieked in terror as they stumbled away from the booth. No one had seen how Li Xiaofei had moved. It was as if he hadn¡¯t moved at all.


    Even Nan Hua, the famed White Cloud Dancer, stopped in her tracks, turning back with an astonished expression.


    "Come and drink water with me," Li Xiaofei said, patting the sofa beside him.


    Nan Hua didn¡¯t move. Instead, she turned to look at Vice Leader Qin.


    Qin Xiaotian stared intently at Li Xiaofei/ ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are, who your father is, or which sect you belong to. Killing someone in the Imperial Palace means no one can save you.¡±


    He gestured casually and the remaining three bodyguards bowed their heads in acknowledgment before simultaneously drawing the weapons at their waists. As their inner qi surged, blazing red energy blades ignited from the hilts, radiating an intense heat.


    Power weapons. Even in the slums of Haijing City, gang members could wield such rare and deadly tools. The three men advanced on Li Xiaofei without a word.


    They struck simultaneously, but when blades flashed, three figures fell. The energy blades had pierced through their bodies, burned through the metal floor beneath them, and sunk into the soil below, gradually flickering out.


    Once again, no one saw how Li Xiaofei had moved. But the sound of gasps was louder than ever. For the first time, a trace of caution emerged in Qin Xiaotian¡¯s heart.


    A boy so young appearing without warning in the Imperial Palace, seizing his exclusive seat, and brazenly provoking me. What are the odds this is merely a coincidence?


    Qin Xiaotian wasted no time as he turned and walked away without a word. Caution prolongs survival. There was no reason for Qin Xiaotian to take unnecessary risks here. Likewise, Li Xiaofei made no move to pursue him.


    Instead, he turned back toward the stage and beckoned Nan Hua over, his tone calm yet commanding. "This is your last invitation. Come and drink water with me. Don¡¯t refuse again, or there may be another corpse on the floor."


    This time, Nan Hua didn¡¯t hesitate. Her graceful steps revealed her slender, elegant figure as she moved with the ethereal beauty of a drifting white cloud. She sat down beside Li Xiaofei, her face adorned with a smile that mixed respect with cautious flattery. Her fair, delicate body leaned lightly against him, exuding both submission and gentleness.


    "I thought you would refuse again," Li Xiaofei said as he picked up a glass of water, sipping it slowly.


    Nan Hua pressed her lips together and replied, "I have no desire to die."


    "You¡¯re smart," Li Xiaofei remarked.


    "Only smart people survive long in places like this," Nan Hua said softly.


    Li Xiaofei studied the woman beside him. Up close, under the lights, Nan Hua¡¯s skin was strikingly fair and smooth. It was the kind of natural beauty that wasn¡¯t the result of expensive cosmetics or expert makeup artistry. Her age was an enigma.


    Li Xiaofei chuckled and asked, "Do you think Qin Xiaotian is a smart man?"


    Nan Hua pondered for a moment before answering, "Yes."


    Li Xiaofei asked, "Why?"


    Nan Hua replied, "His four bodyguards were all killed under the gaze of hundreds, but he chose to retreat without hesitation. Between pride and survival, he chose the latter. Even if he fought, his strength might not necessarily be inferior to yours."


    Li Xiaofei shook his head. "What about me?"


    Nan Hua shook her head as well. "No, you¡¯re not."


    Li Xiaofei took another sip of water. "Why not?"


    Nan Hua said, "If I were you, the moment Qin Xiaotian left, I would¡¯ve fled the Imperial Palace as fast as possible. I¡¯d leave the slums entirely and vanish like a grain of sand blending into the desert."


    Li Xiaofei raised an eyebrow. "You¡¯re saying Qin Xiaotian will return with reinforcements, aren¡¯t you?"


    Nan Hua nodded.


    Li Xiaofei asked, "If I leave now, do I still have time?"


    Nan Hua shook her head.


    Suddenly, Li Xiaofei laughed. It was a wild, arrogant laugh. He found the woman in front of him truly intriguing. She wasn¡¯t pretending to play the role of a dancer. She was a dancer through and through.


    From the strands of her hair to the tips of her toes, every part of her exuded the charm and essence of a performer. Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but feel curious.


    Why would a woman like this join the Dragon Group?


    He didn¡¯t utter the secret code for their meeting. Instead, he decided to follow the plan he had just formed in his mind.


    Under the incredulous stares of everyone around him, Li Xiaofei set his glass of water down and said, "Let¡¯s make a bet."


    Nan Hua looked at him. "What are we betting on?"


    Li Xiaofei spread his arms, reclining lazily against the soft sofa. "We¡¯ll bet that Qin Xiaotian is an idiot, and I am the real genius."


    Nan Hua sighed lightly. "It seems I don¡¯t have a choice but to bet. What¡¯s the wager?"


    Li Xiaofei slapped a white object, the size of a child¡¯s fist, onto the table. Then, with a sly grin, he lifted the delicate, rosy chin of the famed dancer and said with a mischievous laugh, "If I lose, I die, and this is yours. If I win, you spend the night with me."


    Nan Hua¡¯s pupils contracted sharply. The white object was an Inscribed Treasure Bone. Judging by the energy waves emanating from it, it had likely been extracted from the body of a grade six star beast. It was a rare and priceless treasure.


    The market value would be well over a billion star coins. The eyes of the patrons around them, watching from the dance floor, widened in astonishment. Their gazes seemed to be glued to the Treasure Bone on the table.


    The patrons of the slum¡¯s most luxurious nightclub in the Eastern District were no strangers to valuable artifacts. Many instantly recognized it as a genuine grade six Inscribed Treasure Bone. It was beyond valuable; it was practically unattainable. The room¡¯s collective breath grew ragged, as the air became thick with greed and desire.


    Whoosh.


    A shadow darted across the room like a gust of wind, reaching for the Treasure Bone on the table. Someone cried out in alarm. But in the next instant, before the figure could get close to the throne, their body suddenly and silently split into four pieces, as if it had been sliced by invisible blades in the air. The mangled remains crashed heavily to the ground.


    "The infamous thief, Star-Snatching Hand." Someone gasped, staring at the corpse on the ground.


    The slain man was none other than the notorious thief from the Eastern District, known as the Star-Snatching Hand. He had risen to fame a year ago, committing burglary, robbery, abduction, and murder without hesitation. He killed for money, and sometimes without reason. He boasted an unparalleled movement technique as he made his escapes. Moreover, his strength was rumored to have reached the middle stage of the Five Spirits Realm.


    Yet, for all his heinous crimes, he had never been caught. No one had expected this untouchable thief to fall so quickly at the hands of an unassuming young man.


    When their gazes returned to the Inscribed Treasure Bone on the table, the crowd collectively shuddered with unease. The smarter ones began to piece things together.


    Of course. If this young man didn¡¯t possess supreme confidence, why would he so openly display such a priceless artifact under everyone¡¯s watchful eyes?


    And not just display it¡ªcasually slap it onto the table like it was nothing?


    Cold sweat began to bead on foreheads as realization dawned. A person capable of tossing out a grade six Inscribed Treasure Bone so nonchalantly wasn¡¯t ordinary. His background had to be extraordinary.


    Could it be that this bold display tonight was specifically aimed at Qin Xiaotian of the Haisha Gang?


    A storm was brewing, and the excitement was palpable. The crowd, sensing the unfolding drama, grew increasingly animated. Li Xiaofei, however, paid no mind to the buzzing excitement around him.


    He only had eyes for Nan Hua. "Well? Are you betting or not?" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Nan Hua¡¯s lips curled into a dazzling and radiant smile, like pear blossoms in full bloom. Her beauty shone through as she said, "Bet? Why not?"


    "Good." Li Xiaofei laughed again, his arrogance filling the room.


    At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed from the entrance of the Imperial Palace. A wave of Haisha Gang elites who were armed to the teeth surged into the nightclub like a tide.


    Qin Xiaotian had returned, clad in a soft alloy combat suit, a powered lightsaber hanging at his waist, and various mechanical weapons strapped across his body. He strode into the nightclub confidently.


    "You¡¯re smart not to run," Qin said coldly, fixing his eyes on Li Xiaofei. His voice was laced with venom. "Since you stayed, only you will die. If you had run, every relative and friend you¡¯ve ever had would have died."


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly as he rose slowly to his feet.

 Chapter 454: Who Are You Really?

    Chapter 454: Who Are You Really?The air in the Imperial Palace grew thick with tension. Li Xiaofei glanced at the heavily armed Haisha Gang elites surrounding him. His smile remained calm and dismissive, as if they were nothing more than blades of grass.


    "Scared?" He asked, tilting his head slightly as he looked at the powerful man before him. "Bringing so many people... are you afraid to face me one-on-one?"


    "And who do you think you are?" Qin Xiaotian replied with a faint smile. "What makes you worthy of challenging me?"


    "So you¡¯re scared?" Li Xiaofei¡¯s unrestrained laughter rang out.


    Qin Xiaotian chuckled in return.


    "You¡¯re young. I¡¯ve been your age, and I know what¡¯s going through your mind. But taunts like that won¡¯t work on me. In this world, it¡¯s always the wise who survive. Being reckless and hotheaded means nothing. The winner is always the last one standing, not the one who wins an exchange of words," Qin Xiaotian said mockingly.


    His words resonated with the gathered crowd of revelers. In the slums, survival had always been for the fittest, and the brutal gang rivalries laid bare the law of the jungle. A man like Qin Xiaotian may have risen from a past filled with reckless brawls by carving his way to power. But now that his authority had solidified, he had no need to personally lower himself to fight a younger challenger.


    For someone in his position, influence alone could kill. There was no need to get his hands dirty.


    "The slums house nearly ten million people," Qin Xiaotian continued, his voice laced with disdain. "They struggle and fight for survival every day like ants and mad dogs. Hundreds, even thousands, of young men like you who think themselves self-righteous and boast some martial talent emerge daily with the idea that they can achieve fame in one stroke. But only one in ten thousand succeed. Accept your fate, kid."


    Without waiting for a reply, Qin Xiaotian gestured decisively. "Kill him."


    The Haisha Gang elites surged forward like a tidal wave, closing in on the young man standing atop the throne.


    But the boy simply turned to the dancer beside him with a grin. "See? I told you, he¡¯s a complete fool."


    Before his words had even landed, he disappeared.


    Whoosh!


    He shot forward like a sharp blade, cutting through the air with a sonic boom.


    Qin Xiaotian blinked, his vision blurring. The only thing reflected in his widening pupils was a fist rapidly growing larger. Panic seized him. He had no time to draw his weapon, to retreat, or dodge. All he could do was desperately raise his arms to block the strike.


    A dragon¡¯s roar echoed through the hall.


    Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The force radiated outward like a hurricane sweeping through the room. The shockwaves from the clash reverberated like thunder, each explosion of energy pushing air with crushing intensity. The overwhelming pressure slammed into the revelers and the Haisha Gang elites, forcing them to pale and stagger backward.


    But in the blink of an eye, the battle was over. Li Xiaofei¡¯s shadowy figure reappeared on the throne. Qin Xiaotian remained where he stood, motionless. His face was expressionless, betraying no emotion.


    Li Xiaofei leisurely reclined in his seat, lifting his glass for another sip of water. "You see? You brought all these men back, but did it change anything? No. In the end, you still have to die."


    As the crowd gaped in stunned silence, still processing what had happened...


    Pfft.


    Qin Xiaotian, Vice Leader of the Haisha Gang, spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with fragments of his internal organs.


    He let out a guttural cry, "Dragon... Subduing... Eighteen... Palms?!"


    Shock and disbelief filled his face. The lessons of Grandmaster of Heaven as he began streaming and teaching ancient martial arts, spreading true legacies like the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms had caused a nationwide sensation.


    This was especially true of places like the slums. For those who couldn¡¯t afford the costly procedures of New Martial Arts surgery, and for the impoverished youth with no resources or connections, the lessons of the Grandmaster of Heaven had become a beacon of hope. Without hesitation, many joined his following, becoming his disciples.


    Cheap herbal decoctions and free access to ancient martial arts legacies! The slums of Haijing City had countless individuals who had embarked on the martial path through the Grandmaster''s streams, eventually earning fame as martial artists.


    Even established experts poured themselves into studying the true legacies shared in the Grandmaster of Heaven streams. It wasn¡¯t entirely surprising that this mysterious young man had mastered the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms.


    The technique, a mythical-grade martial art, had been openly shared and taught online by the Grandmaster of Heaven not long ago. But to refine the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms to such an extraordinary degree that it broke through Qin Xiaotian''s Golden Body Realm defenses with a few devastating strikes was an accomplishment that bordered on the miraculous.


    The crowd was in utter disbelief.


    The Vice Leader of the Haisha Gang, Qin Xiaotian, injured?


    But the shocks weren¡¯t over yet.


    "You... who... are you?" Qin Xiaotian roared once more, his voice trembling with fury and desperation.


    The next moment, his tall, lean body collapsed with a thunderous crash. Blood pooled beneath him, spreading rapidly as his life force faded entirely.


    Qin Xiaotian, the Vice Leader of the Haisha Gang, a dignified Golden Body Realm powerhouse, had been slain in front of hundreds of Haisha Gang elites and as many witnesses among the revelers by the overwhelming force of a nameless young man¡¯s palms.


    The room was deathly silent as a myth unfolded before their eyes. The gazes of everyone present, which had been fixed on Qin Xiaotian''s lifeless body, slowly shifted back to Li Xiaofei.


    Not a sound could be heard; even the fall of a pin would have been deafening. The young man they had dismissed as reckless and suicidal now radiated a terrifying pressure that seemed to suffocate everyone in the room.


    Li Xiaofei lowered his head, his piercing gaze falling once again on the pale and trembling dancer.


    "Who won?" he asked.


    Even a woman like Nan Hua, seasoned by years of navigating the turbulent tides of the world and having witnessed the rise and fall of powerhouses, found her usual composure cracking. Her smile faltered, stiffening slightly.


    "You won," she answered, the words reluctantly slipping from her soft, full lips.


    Li Xiaofei erupted into laughter once more, his voice echoing like thunder. It swept through the entire Imperial Palace with a force that seemed to shake its very walls.


    "Kill him!" A sudden shout shattered the oppressive silence.


    It came from a Haisha Gang soldier, an expert of the Five Spirits Realm. His voice was filled with fury and determination. In the chaotic and brutal world of the slum gangs, there was never a shortage of those who thrived on bloodshed and blind loyalty. As the Vice Leader of the Haisha Gang, Qin Xiaotian had commanded a group of fiercely devoted followers who now burned with vengeance.


    Once they overcame their initial shock, several powerful Haisha Gang experts surged forward with weapons drawn.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Sword qi flared and vanished in an instant. Li Xiaofei casually extended his fingers, each movement precise and effortless. The ethereal and divine sword qi of the Six Meridian Divine Sword swept through the air.


    Every Haisha Gang expert who leaped toward him was struck down mid-leap, their bodies crumpling to the ground in showers of blood.


    Instant kill.


    This was absolute domination. Even those clad in the most advanced combat suits and wielding the most powerful power weapons couldn¡¯t come within ten meters of Li Xiaofei. The remaining Haisha Gang experts froze in place. They dared not move.


    Li Xiaofei laughed heartily, wrapping an arm around Nan Hua¡¯s slender, supple waist and pulling the stunning beauty close to his side. He leaned in slightly, inhaling the faint fragrance of her hair. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He smirked. "Let¡¯s go. It¡¯s time for you to fulfill your promise."


    He retrieved the Inscribed Treasure Bone from the table, then, with Nan Hua held intimately at his side, walked leisurely toward the doors of the Imperial Palace.


    Tcrowd instinctively cleared a path like a deity were passing through. Only after the pair, one striking man and one breathtaking woman, disappeared into the dark night outside did the air in the Imperial Palace begin to flow again, as though the oppressive spell had finally lifted.


    The Haisha Gang elites, previously frozen in fear, sprang into action, locking down the entire venue. No one was allowed to enter or leave.


    Messages were sent rapidly to the Haisha Gang¡¯s headquarters. Everyone understood the importance of what had just happened. This wasn¡¯t just the death of their Vice Leader. A massive storm was brewing, one that would soon engulf not just the Eastern District but potentially the entire slum.


    The death of the vice leader of the most powerful gang sent shockwaves through the slums. The chain reaction of events was like a meteor crashing into an already turbulent lake, instantly creating massive waves of chaos.


    The news began to spread and exploded across public discourse. Countless influential figures were alarmed.


    Meanwhile, in a relatively well-kept apartment within the slums, Li Xiaofei sat in front of a mirror, watching the dancer in the room. She seemed to have resigned herself to her fate, silently unfastening the outer layer of her dress.


    Li Xiaofei cleared his throat lightly. The dancer paused, her eyes lifting in confusion to meet his.


    He smiled faintly. "To sacrifice for one¡¯s country, to face death as if returning home."


    A single sentence. Twelve words.


    Nan Hua¡¯s delicate frame trembled. Her previously soft and resigned expression transformed in an instant to something sharp and fierce. Her once gentle and alluring eyes now glinted like blades, locking onto Li Xiaofei with unyielding intensity.

 Chapter 455: I Need A Warm Up

    Chapter 455: I Need A Warm Up"What does that mean?" Nan Hua¡¯s voice returned to its earlier light and calm tone.


    "To sacrifice for one¡¯s country, to face death as if returning home."


    This was the creed of every member of the Dragon Group. But reciting this line didn¡¯t necessarily mean the person belonged to the Dragon Group.


    In the tangled web of factions within Haijing City, the Dragon Group faced relentless challenges even with national support. Especially after the establishment of the Wanmao District, foreign powers had grown fiercely hostile toward the Dragon Group. They had launched dozens of targeted purges, forcing the group to retreat underground in recent years. On the surface, they had vanished entirely.


    Survival had become even harder for the Dragon Group. A massive, coordinated operation against them had begun to tighten its net. Nan Hua hadn¡¯t heard that phrase spoken in a long time.


    After her brief lapse in composure, she quickly masked her reaction by continuing to undress. She slipped off her cheongsam, revealing a delicate white undershirt that hugged her chest.


    The soft fabric was stretched taut by her ample curves. Her snow-white, flat abdomen glistened faintly under the dim light, adorned with a small green gemstone set into her navel. Her long, shapely legs were equally stunning. As she slipped off her high heels, the slight tilt and lift of her legs created mesmerizing curves, filling the room with an air of ambiguous allure.


    It was a scene that could drive any man to madness. Any man would¡¯ve been consumed by desire and lunged at her like a starving tiger. But not this time.


    Instead of pouncing, the boy casually pulled up the bed sheet. The pristine white sheet enveloped Nan Hua¡¯s body, covering her entirely.


    "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m one of your own," Li Xiaofei said as he revealed his Dragon Scale Token. "From Xiajing City. You should know... the mission file mentioned you as my contact."


    Wrapped in the bedsheet, Nan Hua exhaled a long sigh of relief. The moment she saw the Dragon Scale Token, her tense demeanor visibly relaxed. It was as if the taut string of a bow, moments from snapping, had been suddenly released.


    "Greetings, Special Envoy," Nan Hua said, clasping her hands in a formal salute.


    In the motion, the sheet wrapped around her slipped to the ground with a soft whoosh. As she leaned slightly forward, the snowy white and alluring curves of her figure were fully exposed. Li Xiaofei, still seated in the chair, turned his gaze toward the window.


    "Put your clothes back on." He said calmly.


    "Yes," Nan Hua replied.


    She quickly donned her cheongsam once more and walked barefoot across the room. Her jade-like feet left faint, delicate imprints on the cold floor, each step revealing her lithe elegance.


    She prepared tea for Li Xiaofei and respectfully handed it to him before speaking. "When Team Leader Xiao left, he mentioned that a Special Envoy would be sent to Haijing City to clean up the aftermath. We¡¯ve been waiting a long time for you to arrive."


    "What¡¯s my mission?" Li Xiaofei asked directly.


    This was the question that mattered most to him.


    "Your mission?" Nan Hua hesitated for a moment, her brows furrowing slightly.


    Is it possible that the Special Envoy sent from above doesn¡¯t know his own mission?


    Li Xiaofei said, "Team Leader Xiao mentioned that after making contact with you, you would inform me about the mission I need to execute here in Haijing City."


    Nan Hua frowned. Her beautifully shaped, dense black brows arched slightly in thought.


    The mission...


    She carefully recalled what Xiao Bieli had said before his departure and considered the long-standing objectives of the Dragon Group¡¯s operations in Haijing City.


    "If we¡¯re talking about the mission, it¡¯s to help the Dragon Group stabilize the situation in Haijing City," Nan Hua said slowly. "And, if possible, eliminate a few of the Dragon Group¡¯s key adversaries."


    Li Xiaofei frowned as well. This mission was not what he had imagined. It was vague and broad. It didn¡¯t have the typical precision he expected from the Dragon Group. Still, if this was what Nan Hua had to say, he had no choice but to accept it for now.


    "The Dragon Group still has adversaries in Haijing City?" Li Xiaofei asked. "This is Great Xia¡¯s territory... Explain the current situation of the Dragon Group."


    Nan Hua sighed lightly and began, "Since the establishment of the Wanmao District and the influx of foreign military and forces into Haijing City, this is no longer purely Great Xia¡¯s territory. Nationals from Jiepeng, Yiggs, Bayer, and other foreign powers have poured in. They also brought the organizations they were tied to, who have infiltrated the city bit by bit. These people are unruly, treating the people of Great Xia as less than human. The Dragon Group has been fighting them covertly and initially had the upper hand. But then... the Inquisition appeared, and we ran into a massive problem."


    The Inquisition!


    Li Xiaofei''s expression darkened as he heard the name again. He had encountered the Inquisition back in Liuhe Base City when he had battled against their Realm of Traces team. Later, he had crossed paths with experts from the Blade of Verdict.


    At that time, Li Xiaofei¡¯s strength had not yet reached its current level. He had been forced to tread carefully and maneuver with caution. But it was those very encounters that had earned him his place within the Dragon Group.


    Li Xiaofei harbored deep hatred for the Inquisition, the foreign organization bent on extinguishing the martial legacy of Great Xia and eradicating its ancient roots.


    The Inquisition was an organization officially under the Star Council that claimed to unite humanity against demonic heresies. However, it had long since fractured and decayed from within, with many of its members becoming heretics themselves.


    According to Nan Hua, the Inquisition had entrenched itself in Haijing City, deploying teams like the Realm of Traces, Hand of Judgment, and Blade of Verdict.


    "Their main objective is to destroy the Dragon Group," Nan Hua explained. "They¡¯ve also assassinated Great Xia officials. Many civilian martial artists who refused to collaborate with them have been butchered at their hands." S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The Haisha Gang are the Inquisition¡¯s pawns in the slum. They¡¯re used to facilitate human trafficking, organ trading, and all manner of heinous crimes. They¡¯re their loyal dogs. The Inquisition¡¯s overseer in Haijing City is a man by the name of Tsukiha Tens¨­, a Saint-level powerhouse from the Jiepeng Empire and a member of the Star Council."


    "Under their suppression, combined with the betrayal of certain treasonous officials in Haijing City, the Dragon Group has suffered devastating losses. At least two-thirds of our members have been killed or captured. In the past month, the Dragon Group have been forced to cease all operations in Haijing City and retreat underground."


    Nan Hua spoke in detail, her voice steady but heavy with the weight of her words.


    As Li Xiaofei listened, fury burned in his heart.


    In Great Xia¡¯s own territory, its official organization, the Dragon Group has been forced to hide because of the persecution of a group of foreign powers? Is there no justice? No law?


    "I¡¯m here now. My comrades no longer need to stay underground." He declared, "There are many issues to address. Tell me, what is the most urgent matter we need to deal with right now?"


    Nan Hua thought for a moment before replying, "Special Envoy, your first priority should be ensuring your survival while the Haisha Gang hunts you."


    "The Haisha Gang?" Li Xiaofei sneered. "Hunting me? Ha! I¡¯ll erase the Haisha Gang from the slums in three days."


    Nan Hua was startled by his words.


    "Special Envoy, you must not be reckless." She cautioned, sensing his overconfidence. "The Haisha Gang is not a small power. Qin Xiaotian, with his Golden Body Realm cultivation, didn¡¯t even rank in their top ten. Their leader, Hai Tiankuo, is at the Dao Union Realm and is ranked third in Haijing City¡¯s slums. He¡¯s incredibly dangerous."


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly and replied, "Just a bunch of chickens and dogs."


    As his words fell, an alarm blared within the room. Nan Hua¡¯s expression shifted as she activated her portable light core.


    A holographic projection sprang to life, displaying a feed from outside the apartment. Swarms of combat-ready power armors buzzed through the air like locusts. On the ground, countless figures in jet-black Haisha Gang uniforms moved into position. There were thousands of them, surrounding the building from every direction.


    "The Haisha Gang is here," Nan Hua said, her face filled with urgency. "Special Envoy, they have too many people. This isn¡¯t the time for a direct fight. Let me use the hidden passage to get you out of here."


    Li Xiaofei stood abruptly.


    "Why would I leave?" He laughed, and his eyes burned with a murderous intent as hot as molten lava. "There is nothing I despise more than traitors who sell out their own nation and wag their tails before foreigners while ruthlessly oppressing their own people. Perfect. Let¡¯s start with them. I need a warm-up."

 Chapter 456: A Time Without Heroes

    Chapter 456: A Time Without HeroesOutside the apartment, about a hundred meters away, a beautifully decorated dragonfly-wing hovercraft was hovering in mid-air, its delicate wings fluttering.


    Two figures stood on its back. On the left was a short, stocky middle-aged man. His appearance was peculiar. He had a shaved chonmage hairstyle, while he wore a loose-fitting kimono and bright yellow clogs. Three finely crafted swords, two long and one short, hung at his waist. In the dim light, his eyes gleamed with a feral intensity akin to that of a wild beast.


    A burly man with a broad, purplish face stood in a suit on the right. He was impressively muscular, but what stood out most were his arms. They were three to four times thicker than a normal person''s, and his hands were as large as giant fans.


    Not only were they abnormally disproportionate, but they also seemed jarringly out of sync with the proportions of his own body. At first glance, he resembled a gorilla in human form as he radiated an aura of overwhelming strength and aggression. This was none other than Hai Tiankuo, leader of the Haisha Gang.


    "Hai Tiankuo, is the murderer who killed Qin Xiaotian inside?" The short, stocky Jiepeng man licked his lips. "I hear he¡¯s in Nan Hua, the White Cloud Dancer¡¯s, apartment?"


    Hai Tiankuo smiled faintly. He already understood the thoughts of this so-called Jiepeng swordsman, Yokoyama Chizang.


    "That¡¯s correct," He smiled cruelly. "Yokoyama, you¡¯ve always been interested in the White Cloud Dancer, haven¡¯t you? Why don¡¯t we let the Haisha Gang handle this? We¡¯ll detain her in the process as well. I doubt Long Zhengfei of the Qiujin Boxing Gym would have much to say about it."


    "Indeed, this is an excellent opportunity," Yokoyama Chizang grinned widely. "I''ll leave this matter to you, Hai Tiankuo."


    As one of the prominent figures representing the Jiepeng faction in the slums, Yokoyama Chizang had a particular penchant for tormenting the people of Great Xia, especially its beautiful women. Nan Hua, the White Cloud Dancer and one of the ten famed dancers, had always been a target he yearned to conquer and trample.


    Unfortunately, this celebrated dancer, known for frequenting the entertainment scene, had consistently shown disdain for Jiepeng people. She refused to entertain any of them and was backed by prominent factions in the slums, including the Qiujin Boxing Gym and the Justice Academy.


    Most notably, Long Zhengfei, the owner of the Qiujin Boxing Gym and widely hailed as the greatest boxer of the slums, was said to be a protective uncle to Nan Hua, often shielding her from harm. So as much as Yokoyama Chizang burned with impatience, he had to suppress his desires to ensure the Empire''s plans in Haijing City proceeded smoothly.


    He had bided his time, waiting for the right moment, and now, the opportunity had finally come. Nan Hua, the White Cloud Dancer, had been implicated with the fugitive who had killed the deputy leader of the Haisha Gang. This connection provided the Haisha Gang with a perfect excuse to act against her.


    The justification was clear and irrefutable. No one could protest. Yokoyama Chizang licked his lips eagerly.


    "Hai Tiankuo, have your men act quickly." He urged.


    He could no longer wait to capture that exquisitely alluring dancer. She was like a ripe apple, sweet and intoxicating, and he couldn¡¯t wait to strip her bare and crush her under his will. As for the fugitive? He was as good as dead.


    Hai Tiankuo shared the same thought. He signaled his men into action. The well-trained Haisha Gang power armor unit moved swiftly into action. In less than three minutes, they had completed a 4D structural scan and model of the apartment, sealed off all possible escape routes, set up communication jammers, and activated an energy interference field to prevent any escape via hovercraft.


    Just as the lead combat squad prepared to strike, the sliding door to the balcony of the target room slid open. Li Xiaofei stepped out, calm and composed. The spirited young man, even when faced with the knowledge that he was surrounded, showed no signs of panic or fear. His gaze was steady as he surveyed the scene.


    He took in the sight of the power-armored combat teams, as well as the heavily equipped Haisha Gang tactical division. Sixteen elite squads, all composed of Acupoint Opening Realm martial artists, stood ready. They had practitioners of both ancient and modern martial arts, totaling over a thousand fighters, among their number.


    Their coordination was precise, disciplined, and methodical. This was far from the chaotic rabble typical of gang warfare. The Haisha Gang had evolved into a local paramilitary force that was almost indistinguishable from an army.


    Li Xiaofei sighed inwardly.


    The garrison of Liuhe Base City, which fights star beasts year-round to protect civilians, spends two-thirds of the year locked in bloody battles. Even they don¡¯t boast equipment as advanced as this. Yet here in Haijing, a mere slum gang, an organization that exists solely to oppress and exploit its own people, is armed to the teeth.


    His thoughts were a mix of frustration and helplessness. Even though this was Great Xia, the disparity in resource distribution had reached an appalling level.


    Standing on the balcony, Li Xiaofei raised his head to look at the winged hovercraft hovering in the distant night sky. There, he saw Hai Tiankuo and Yokoyama Chizang, looming like malevolent demons against the darkness of the night.


    At the same time, Hai Tiankuo, standing with his hands clasped behind his back atop the hovercraft, spotted Li Xiaofei as well. The boy¡¯s excessively youthful and handsome face stirred a sudden new thought in Hai Tiankuo¡¯s mind. He raised his hand, signaling a halt.


    In an instant, the power armor combat squad, which had been preparing for a breach, stopped their advance. They stepped back slowly, repositioning into a spread-out formation to seal off the surrounding void.


    ¡°You must be the one who killed Qin Xiaotian with seven palm strikes?¡± Hai Tiankuo said from above. His tone was condescending, as though he was bestowing a favor. ¡°It is rare for someone so young to be so strong. Since I admire talent, I¡¯ll make an exception and give you a chance. Kneel and acknowledge me as your adoptive father. Join the Haisha Gang and serve under me. Not only will I spare your life, but I¡¯ll also grant you the chance to make a name for yourself in the slums.¡±


    To Hai Tiankuo, young people who acted recklessly only sought fame. Subjugating this boy would bring far more value and prestige than simply killing him. It was a display of influence and vision.


    ¡°Hah? Hahaha!¡± Li Xiaofei threw his head back and laughed wildly. ¡°Old dog, won¡¯t I gain fame faster and higher if I just kill you outright?¡±


    His laughter was filled with disdain and contempt, openly mocking Hai Tiankuo. The sound waves rolled like a tide, shaking the air around him. Li Xiaofei was crafting an image for himself in the slums as a ruthless and wild madman. It was the persona of an ambitious, fame-hungry lunatic.


    ¡°Kill me?¡± Hai Tiankuo chuckled, his voice dripping with condescension. ¡°It seems this young man doesn¡¯t know the limits of the sky and earth. Ambition and courting death are two different things... This is your last chance, kneel and submit.¡±


    ¡°Ptui! A spineless mongrel dares to spew such delusions to a divine dragon in the heavens?¡± Li Xiaofei leaned casually against the balcony railing as he stopped laughing. ¡°I was planning to come for your head, but since you¡¯re so eager to deliver it yourself, that works just fine. Saves me the trouble.¡±


    With that, he made his move. In an instant, his figure blurred and shot forward. He crossed a hundred meters in the blink of an eye. The onlookers barely registered his movement; their vision seemed to falter as Li Xiaofei appeared atop the winged hovercraft.


    He raised his palm, striking with speed like lightning and fury like thunder. A deafening roar, reminiscent of a dragon¡¯s cry, tore through the night as Li Xiaofei¡¯s palm strike exploded forth.


    The blazing imprint of a Golden Dragon Palm surged toward Hai Tiankuo at point-blank range.


    ¡°Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, is it?¡± Hai Tiankuo burst into mocking laughter. ¡°Challenging this gang leader in a contest of palm strength? Foolish boy, you¡¯re digging your own grave!¡±


    He lifted his massive and thick arms and struck out, meeting the attack head-on. His unnaturally thick and strong arms and oversized hands were a result of his near Dao Union Realm cultivation. All his combat ability was concentrated in his upper limbs.


    He unleashed the Tiangang Monument-Smashing Palm combined with Titanic Strength Vajra Arms, two rare and true legacies of ancient martial arts. He had long cultivated them to the realm of perfection, fusing them into a single, unparalleled force of destruction.


    Hai Tiankuo was renowned as an unmatched master of palm strikes in the slums of Haijing City. Even the top-ranked Mr. Chi on the slums'' strength rankings dared not clash with him directly.


    This boy was dead.


    Hai Tiankuo¡¯s murderous intent was resolute, and his palm strike surged forward like a breaking dam. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The explosive shockwaves from their clashing strikes shattered the night sky. Waves of black energy rippled outward in violent arcs, wreaking havoc on the surrounding void.


    Amidst the chaos, glimpses of the two combatants could be seen locked in a furious exchange. Li Xiaofei¡¯s inner qi was surging as he radiated an intense aura. His body shimmered with dual-colored flames of ice and fire, making him appear like a demon god descending upon the mortal plane.


    He struck with relentless ferocity, each palm strike roaring with unstoppable force. Hai Tiankuo braced himself against the incoming strikes, but his body trembled as he staggered back.


    His face betrayed his shock as he was forced back by a strike, and another, and a third. Each palm blow resounded like thunderclaps tearing through the sky. The combatants'' figures split apart as the final blow landed.


    Li Xiaofei now stood where Hai Tiankuo had previously been, lowering his palm as his inner qi condensed. His posture was firm, unyielding, and as deep as an abyss. He radiated an aura of controlled power, calm yet boundless.


    He arrives like thunder, quelling his fury; he departs like rivers, calm and radiant.


    Ten meters away, Hai Tiankuo hovered in mid-air, forced off the winged hovercraft. His trembling arms were still raised in a defensive stance. The fight was over but the victor had yet to be officially declared.


    A suffocating tension filled the air, freezing time itself. Countless eyes locked onto the two figures, their fates hanging in suspense.


    ¡°You couldn¡¯t even take three of my strikes,¡± Li Xiaofei said disdainfully, shaking his head slightly. ¡°How disappointing. You¡¯re even weaker than Qin Xiaotian.¡±


    He sighed and added coldly, ¡°Pathetic. Yet, someone like you could climb the rankings and rule the slums? Truly, it¡¯s a time without heroes, where scum rise to fame.¡±


    Hai Tiankuo¡¯s face twitched. Suddenly, a surge of crimson light erupted from his body as the injuries he had been suppressing exploded outward, overwhelming his defenses.


    He burst apart, his flesh, blood, and bones scattering into the night like a firework. The world fell silent as a tidal wave of shock swept over everyone present.

 Chapter 457: Jingwu Sect

    Chapter 457: Jingwu SectHai Tiankuo was dead. Known as the unrivaled master of palm techniques in the slums, he had been killed in front of thousands of gang members and his loyal followers, struck down by sheer palm force.


    The experts of the Haisha Gang stood frozen, their minds blank. They could hardly believe their eyes. Their invincible leader, a figure they revered like a god, had been shattered like a fragile egg in just three strikes by this young man.


    Is this young man in the Saint Realm?


    Li Xiaofei, on the other hand, felt quite satisfied with his performance. He had never once relaxed his cultivation efforts while escorting the refugees of Xu Base City. He had techniques. He had external cheats. He had star cores obtained from hunting advanced star beasts. Every moment of Li Xiaofei''s cultivation saw his strength grow at an incomprehensible pace.


    During the journey, he had endured constant pain as he practiced the Meridian Severing Technique. Now, he had successfully carved out eight hundred and eighty-eight new qi meridians within his body. That number alone was enough to terrify most ordinary meridian practitioners. It was also enough to drive many so-called experts mad with shock. But it had resulted in an insane surge in strength.


    The escort mission jad lasted five days, followed by a single night in Haijing City. Six days in total had been enough for Li Xiaofei to activate the Secret Time Pavilion twice. In what amounted to sixty-six days within the pavilion, Li Xiaofei silently and efficiently elevated his strength to an entirely new stage.


    Combined with his previously established Twelve Principal Meridians and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, Li Xiaofei¡¯s inner qi had now reached an unparalleled level of depth and size. Even those long-renowned in the Dao Union Realm might not compare to him.


    He was now invincible within the realm below Dao Union. Thus, even Hai Tiankuo, despite his half-step Dao Union Realm cultivation and his reputation as a battle-hardened expert who had clawed his way up through the life-and-death trials of the slums, was powerless against Li Xiaofei¡¯s overwhelming, almost cheat-like strength.


    The outcome left countless onlookers dumbfounded. Among them was Nan Hua, who stood on the open-air balcony, utterly unable to believe her eyes.


    She had mingled among the slum''s chaotic pleasures and encountered numerous powerful figures to gather intelligence for the Dragon Group and ensure safe communication. She was deeply aware of just how fearsome Hai Tiankuo was.


    Only a moment ago, she had been worried for Li Xiaofei since she thought that this Dragon Group envoy was too arrogant and too domineering.


    Steel that is too hard will break.


    She had feared his unwillingness to yield or compromise would come at a steep price. But in the very next moment, as shock consumed her, she found herself reevaluating this envoy entirely. A commanding presence with overwhelming palm force.


    This envoy, it seemed, truly has the strength to back his boldness. Yet... The waters of Haijing City are too deep. Even Saints are not truly invincible.


    Nan Hua had just opened her mouth to speak when the Jiepeng expert Yokoyama Chizang finally snapped out of his shock aboard the aircraft.


    Seeing Li Xiaofei standing mere steps away with his back turned, Yokoyama Chizang wasted no time. His hand moved to the hilt of the longest blade among the three horizontal swords hanging at his waist.


    The flash of the blade streaked through the air like a bolt of lightning. It was as if the Milky Way had been inverted. This dazzling, near-impossible strike was none other than Jiepeng¡¯s famed martial technique, the Iai Slash.


    The blade''s brilliance swept toward the unsuspecting Li Xiaofei from behind. This strike was unquestionably a sneak attack. But Yokoyama Chizang didn¡¯t care.


    As long as it killed his target. By any means necessary¡ªthis was the so-called creed Jiepeng people took pride in.


    The blade''s edge sliced through Li Xiaofei¡¯s figure. Joy began to spread across Yokoyama Chizang¡¯s face, but before it could fully blossom, his legs suddenly went numb. He dropped uncontrollably to his knees.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s figure was already standing behind him. Yokoyama Chizang was horrified. From his kneeling position, he reached back to grip the second sword at his waist. But just as he managed to draw it a finger¡¯s width...


    Bang.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s foot snapped forward, striking the hilt and forcing the blade back into its sheath.


    "Trash that¡¯s worse than pigs and dogs," Li Xiaofei said coldly, planting his foot on the back of Yokoyama Chizang¡¯s neck.


    Yokoyama Chizang¡¯s face smashed into the metal deck, leaving him sprawled out like a dog eating dirt. Li Xiaofei held nothing but seething contempt for outsiders, especially for the Jiepeng people, a race he regarded as vile and despicable. Thus, his strikes showed no mercy.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Yokoyama Chizang roared in fury, struggling to rise. ¡°Let go of me! I am a warrior of the Jiepeng Empire! How dare a lowly, despicable Great Xia native treat me like thi-¡±


    He attempted to draw his blade again.


    Whoosh.


    A streak of sword qi swept through the air. Yokoyama Chizang¡¯s right hand, which had been reaching for his blade fell through the air and landed with a dull thud on the ground below.


    ¡°Ahhhhhh!¡± His agonized screams echoed like a butchered pig¡¯s wails. Turning his head in disbelief, he howled, ¡°The Jiepeng Consulate won¡¯t let you go! This is an affront to the Jiepeng Empire! You¡¯re provoking a diplomatic crisis¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish, Li Xiaofei¡¯s foot smashed down, shattering the bones in his face.


    With a second strike, Li Xiaofei sent Yokoyama Chizang¡¯s body hurtling like a ragdoll toward a distant apartment building. At the same time, Li Xiaofei waved his left hand.


    Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.


    The two long swords and one short sword at Yokoyama Chizang¡¯s waist flew through the air and pinned his body to the apartment''s outer wall. The two long swords impaled his outstretched hands while the short sword pierced directly through his forehead. The three blades acted as three nails, crucifying Yokoyama Chizang to the wall.


    Though he was not yet entirely dead, his body twitched in futile resistance. But how could he escape? The three swords were infused with the inner qi of both sword and saintly arts, rendering his struggle meaningless. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Blood trickled down the wall in winding streams, forming ancient, almost penitential symbols, as if attempting to cleanse his sins.


    ¡°Those who insult Great Xia shall be executed,¡± Li Xiaofei declared coldly.


    He felt deeply satisfied with the scene. Letting the body of this foreigner hang here would serve as a warning to all others.


    Today was only the beginning. Blood and corpses would serve as a warning to every foreigner who dared to run rampant in Haijing City and the slums without fear. Of course, if this also provoked more foreigners to come forward and challenge him, only to meet their deaths, all the better.


    Li Xiaofei turned his gaze toward the Haisha Gang¡¯s experts surrounding him.


    ¡°Still not leaving?¡± His eyes swept over them as he spoke coldly. ¡°You are all men of Great Xia. You¡¯ve trained hard and mastered martial arts, yet instead of protecting your homeland, you would remain here, ready to be buried alongside Hai Tiankuo, a traitor who sold his country¡¯s honor for personal gain?¡±


    If these words had come from anyone else, they would have been met with derision. In a world descending into chaos, what could a lone warrior¡¯s courage accomplish against the tides of fate?


    But coming from Li Xiaofei, who had effortlessly slain both Hai Tiankuo and Yokoyama Chizang, those words carried a devastating spiritual force that shook the hearts of all who heard them.


    The thousand or so experts present felt a pang of guilt and dropped their heads in silence. None dared meet his gaze. Even a handful of Hai Tiankuo¡¯s most loyal followers, who had been filled with thoughts of vengeance, found themselves trembling. They couldn¡¯t summon the courage to act when faced with Li Xiaofei¡¯s godlike presence.


    "Go," Li Xiaofei said firmly. "From today onward, I will establish a sect here in the slums. The Jingwu Sect will spread the martial arts of Great Xia. I will strengthen the bodies and spirits of the people of Great Xia."


    He could also do what the predecessors had done, and he believed he could do it better. In this era, studying medicine could no longer save Great Xia. But mastering martial arts could.


    With the foundation and experience he gained from the Grandmaster of Heaven''s ancient martial arts livestream, Li Xiaofei was confident that he could surpass the achievements of those who came before him.


    The millions of people in the slums were like millions of sparks. Once ignited, these sparks could gather into a raging fire that would burn away all evil and enemies and clear a pure land for the glory of Great Xia.


    "At the same time," Li Xiaofei continued, "send a message to those foreigners, Great Xia belongs to the people of Great Xia. Haijing belongs to the people of Great Xia. You may come here to trade, but if you think you can bully, oppress, or exploit us, be prepared to lose your heads."


    His voice rang out like thunder, echoing across the area. It reached the ears of countless listeners, leaving a profound impact.


    Nan Hua stood frozen, gazing up at the young man who hovered in the sky. Every word, every syllable from this youth struck her like a powerful wave, overwhelming her spirit.


    This stunning White Cloud Dancer felt a torrent of heat surge uncontrollably through her body and rush below her abdomen.

 Chapter 458: Movements In All Directions

    Chapter 458: Movements In All DirectionsThe Haisha Gang''s experts retreated like a receding tide. Yokoyama Chizang, who in life had seen himself as noble and superior, now hung like a tattered sack of rags against the wall.


    No one dared to retrieve his corpse. The crowd quickly dispersed as Li Xiaofei returned to the apartment. He had chosen not to massacre the rest of the Haisha Gang.


    First, they were his compatriots. Achieving a certain level of martial prowess was no easy feat, and if they could be reformed, their skills would be of great value in defending Haijing City during this era of population decline.


    Second, Li Xiaofei did not believe that all of them were inherently evil. He doubted that there was not a single good person among the thousand or so members. Though he was decisive in taking lives, he was not bloodthirsty. These individuals could still serve a purpose in his future plans.


    Back in the apartment¡¯s living room, Li Xiaofei glanced at Nan Hua.


    "Eh? What¡¯s wrong with you? Are you okay?" he asked, noticing her strange expression and awkward posture.


    "Ah, I¡¯m fine... I just need to change clothes." She replied hurriedly.


    Her pale feet pressed against the floor as she turned and scurried into her bedroom with an odd gait. Li Xiaofei watched her retreat, his gaze falling to the floor as he stood deep in thought.


    A moment later.


    ¡°Was what you just said true?¡± Nan Hua, now dressed in denim shorts and a white camisole, had transformed from the sultry and alluring dancer into an innocent college girl.


    Li Xiaofei, lost in thought as he planned his next steps, replied, ¡°What exactly are you referring to?¡±


    Nan Hua asked, ¡°Do you truly plan to establish the Jingwu Sect here in the slums?¡±


    Li Xiaofei nodded.


    ¡°But, Envoy,¡± Nan Hua hesitated, ¡°what about the mission you were assigned this time?¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t conflict,¡± Li Xiaofei said simply.


    ¡°It will be incredibly difficult to establish a sect in the slums,¡± Nan Hua warned kindly. ¡°Many top-tier experts from outside have tried to open schools and establish sects here in the past. None succeeded. There¡¯s a rule here: outsiders must defeat the nine major gangs of the slums before they¡¯re allowed to set up a faction.¡±


    Li Xiaofei smiled but didn¡¯t respond.


    Nan Hua, interpreting his silence as confidence, added, ¡°No one has ever truly won all nine battles. The so-called rule is just a trap. Once someone defeats eight gangs, all the factions unite to summon a top-tier master who will do whatever it takes to eliminate the outsider. This rule is like an iron wall; no one has ever broken it.¡±


    ¡°A rule?¡± Li Xiaofei asked calmly. ¡°Who made it?¡±


    Nan Hua replied confidently, ¡°It¡¯s been like this for as long as anyone can remember. All the gangs and martial artists in the slums established it together.¡±


    Li Xiaofei chuckled lightly.


    ¡°You must remember one thing.¡± He said, his voice calm but commanding. ¡°Rules are merely principles the strong impose on the weak. But when you are strong enough, you become the rule.¡±


    Nan Hua froze as her mind went momentarily blank. She felt a wave of masculine dominance wash over her, leaving her breathless.


    "The rule I speak of applies not only to the gangs in the slums but also to the Dragon Group," Li Xiaofei said, his tone steady and commanding.


    "Why do you hide? Why do you remain in the shadows? Because you¡¯re not strong enough. Because the power to set the rules lies in someone else¡¯s hands. And so, you fall behind. You get beaten. But that changes now. Because I¡¯m here."


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly, his confidence shining through. "I came to Haijing City for one reason, to rewrite the rules. What kind of rules? That¡¯s for me to decide. Starting in the slums, anyone who wants to discuss rules with me can come forward and speak personally. These outdated practices in the slums should have been abolished long ago. The people of Great Xia must discard bad habits and unite completely if we are to stop being bullied by foreign invaders."


    When he finished speaking, Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes were as clear and serene as autumn waters. This declaration brought a newfound clarity to the chaotic thoughts that had swirled in his mind since arriving in Haijing City.


    Nan Hua stared at the young man before her, captivated. His calm words carried an energy as vast and overwhelming as a dormant volcano poised to erupt.


    How could she describe it? This envoy who was younger than her was unlike anyone she had ever encountered, including powerful figures in the slums like the domineering Hai Tiankuo, the shrewd Long Zhengfei, the refined Wu Renzheng, or the world-weary Li Buyi. He was unlike the influential officials of Haijing City and the strong and wealthy foreign elites.


    All of them were prominent, commanding voices in their own right. Yet none of them possessed the grand vision or the unique aura of this young envoy. He desired to challenge the heavens themselves! It was as though he cared about nothing, and yet cared about everything.


    To be precise, the things he cared about were entirely different from those of the so-called great figures she had known.


    "Establish a sect, teach true martial arts, strengthen the physical and mental resilience of our people, and set them on the path of self-reliance," Li Xiaofei declared with unshakable confidence. "There are so many people in the slums. I believe they dream every day of changing their fate, and I can give them that chance."


    Nan Hua had to admit, if such a vision could be realized, the millions in the slums could become an unimaginably powerful force. It would be enough to influence not just Haijing City but the entire southern region of Great Xia.


    Great Xia might truly find a moment to catch its breath. But... It was an almost impossible task. Even Saints couldn¡¯t achieve such a feat. Haijing City was no longer a place dominated by Great Xia. The pervasive influence of foreigners had turned this southern pearl of Great Xia into a chaotic, lawless playground for adventurers.


    But when she looked at the confident young man before her, Nan Hua couldn¡¯t find the words to dissuade him.


    Instead, she spoke tactfully, "Sir, you still need to complete the mission assigned by the organization."


    "I''m aware," Li Xiaofei replied. "So, tell me, what¡¯s the Dragon Group¡¯s most urgent matter right now? What¡¯s the biggest challenge?"


    Nan Hua thought for a moment before answering, "Rescue."


    "Rescue whom?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    A trace of sorrow appeared on Nan Hua¡¯s face as she explained, "Many of our comrades have been accused of being spies, star beast puppets, or members of anti-human cults. They¡¯ve been killed or captured. Two days ago, the deputy leader of the Dragon Group¡¯s Haijing City branch, Hua Wuying, was ambushed and injured by Jiepeng¡¯s people. Her whereabouts are currently unknown. The top priority is to locate her as soon as possible. She was carrying all the branch¡¯s critical information."


    Li Xiaofei frowned.


    Finding someone? That isn¡¯t exactly my expertise.


    "Let¡¯s have our people come out of hiding and start moving openly." He said after some thought. "We need to gather clues as quickly as possible. The moment there¡¯s any lead, inform me immediately. I¡¯ll take care of it personally."


    "Understood," Nan Hua replied. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although the Dragon Group members had gone completely underground, they still maintained their own intelligence networks. Once the message was sent out, the operatives in hiding would begin mobilizing immediately.


    ***


    The Haisha Gang headquarters was in complete chaos.


    ¡°Gather everyone! I want revenge for my father!¡± roared Hai Liushang, the gang leader¡¯s son, from his office. He continued to howl like an enraged young wolf, his voice filled with fury.


    Hai Liushang had grown used to being arrogant and untouchable during Hai Tiankuo¡¯s reign. But now, to his shock, he found that the gang¡¯s once-obedient division leaders, altar masters, and Incense Masters were all looking at him with cold, mocking eyes.


    ¡°We should first figure out how to explain Mr. Yokoyama¡¯s death to the Jiepeng Consulate,¡± said Luo Hong, the deputy leader, in a calm tone. ¡°If we can¡¯t satisfy them, we¡¯ll all be dead. Revenge for the leader won¡¯t even be a topic.¡±


    ¡°The Jiepeng have their own intelligence network,¡± added Lin Kangran, the Left Guardian. ¡°It¡¯s impossible to hide the truth from them. If we can act first, capture the killer, and hand him over to Jiepeng, we might avoid catastrophe.¡±


    ¡°Who can kill that maniac?¡± asked Yang Angran, the Right Guardian.


    The meeting room fell silent. Having watched the footage of Hai Tiankuo being killed by three palm strikes, everyone present understood just how terrifying the young man was. No one in the Haisha Gang could stand against him.


    Yang Angran spoke again, ¡°We should seek help. Post a bounty on the darknet and mobilize the police force. After all the bribes we¡¯ve paid them over the years, it¡¯s time for them to take action.¡±


    Luo Hong nodded and said, ¡°Good. Let¡¯s proceed with this plan. Also, take ten billion star coins from the gang¡¯s treasury. I¡¯ll personally visit the Jiepeng Consulate.¡±


    ¡°Old Luo, I¡¯ll go with you,¡± offered Yang Angran.


    Luo Hong shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ll go alone.¡±


    Yang Angran¡¯s expression darkened. With Hai Tiankuo¡¯s death, the top leaders of the gang were all potential candidates for the position of gang leader. Though they were currently cooperating, each one was secretly making their moves.


    Securing the support of Jiepeng was crucial to claiming the leadership position. Luo Hong¡¯s intent to use the gang¡¯s funds to curry favor with Jiepeng was clear to everyone.


    However, since his reasoning was sound, no one could openly object. The room quickly emptied as the leaders, each deep in their own calculations, rushed off to act. The large meeting room was left with only Hai Liushang.


    The once-arrogant and overbearing young heir now stood alone, like a discarded piece of trash. His face was blank, and his helpless rage was all that remained.


    ***


    At the same time. In the Qiujin Boxing Gym.


    Bang!


    Twenty meters away, a sandbag made of top-tier combat suit material exploded instantly under the force of a punch.


    ¡°This punch represents sixty years of training. Can any of you withstand it?¡± asked the spirited old master, his face radiating authority.


    The disciples surrounding him were filled with admiration and respect.


    ¡°Master, something¡¯s happened at the Haisha Gang.¡± A disciple suddenly rushed in, his voice urgent.


    The old master frowned. ¡°What is it? Is that pack of traitorous dogs bullying people again?¡±


    The disciple shook his head quickly. ¡°This time, it¡¯s something big. Hai Tiankuo and Yokoyama Chizang, those two treacherous scum, have both been killed.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not joking, are you, senior brother?¡±


    The other disciples practicing nearby were instantly shocked. This news was simply too unbelievable. No one could easily accept it as truth.


    The old master¡¯s gray-white sword-like eyebrows furrowed as he asked, ¡°What happened? Tell me everything.¡±


    The disciple recounted all the information he had gathered. Hundreds of boxers from the Qiujin Boxing Gym crowded around, listening intently. By the time he had finished, they were both shocked and excited.


    ¡°This is truly justice served by the heavens!¡±


    ¡°Well done!¡±


    ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought there¡¯d be such a bold and heroic young man in Haijing City?¡±


    The younger martial artists cheered enthusiastically.


    However, the elder master, Long Zhengfei, immediately grew serious. ¡°This young man has killed a Jiepeng national. That will undoubtedly bring disaster. Old One, Old Two, take a few disciples and monitor the movements of the Jiepeng Consulate. Jing¡¯er, come with me to find him.¡±


    ¡°Father, who are we going to find?¡± asked Long Jing¡¯er.


    Long Zhengfei, walking briskly toward the door, replied, ¡°Naturally, the young hero. No matter what, we must protect him this time. At the very least, we need to ensure his safe escape from Haijing City.¡±


    ¡°Oh, and send someone to notify that old rascal at Justice Academy and Li the blind fortune-teller at the street stall. Tell them to stop sitting idle and take action immediately.¡±


    Long Zhengfei barked out his instructions as he hurried out.

 Chapter 459: Threat

    Chapter 459: ThreatThe area around the apartment was tense as all eyes and ears were fixed on any possible movement. The commotion caused by Li Xiaofei had drawn too much attention.


    At that moment, the slums were in an uproar. Every faction had been alerted as they scrambled to devise countermeasures. The surveillance on Li Xiaofei was relentless, leaving no room for oversight. Countless pairs of eyes watched the apartment closely.


    "He still hasn''t left?"


    "Isn''t he afraid of retaliation from Jiepeng?"


    "Could it be that he''s lost himself in the embrace of beauty? White Cloud Dancer Nan Hua is indeed an exceptional woman. If it were me, I''d also want to savor such an opportunity before leaving."


    "Look over there! The Jiepeng have arrived."


    "It''s the ronin warrior squad from the Jiepeng Consulate. It seems the news has already reached their ears."


    The spies and informants of various factions, whether in the open or hidden, monitored the situation while exchanging whispers. They had already noticed the sizable group of Jiepeng warriors dressed in plain clothes gathering around the apartment.


    A man of medium build, with a long face, a shaved chonmage hairstyle, and a vicious expression led the group. He was none other than San Ten, the leader of the ronin warrior squad from the Jiepeng Consulate.


    San Ten was a fervent imperialist from Jiepeng. Since arriving in Haijing City, he had used the protection of the consulate to his advantage to frequently challenge Great Xia warriors. His twisted hobby was collecting the ears of his defeated opponents. Each time he bested a Great Xia warrior, he would cut off both ears.


    His methods were exceptionally cruel. He had hundreds of Jiepeng ronin warriors under his command. They roamed about the city, picking fights, oppressing the locals, and causing untold suffering to the innocent citizens of Great Xia.


    When the group of Jiepeng ronin began to gather, the spies from various factions in the slum quickly retreated, keeping their distance. Who could predict whether these enraged ronin might vent their anger on bystanders?


    It wasn¡¯t that they were incapable of confronting the ronin. Rather, the Jiepeng ronin were utterly devoid of honor. If they won, they would press their advantage mercilessly, and if they lost, they would invoke the Jiepeng Consulate and shamelessly shift the blame onto Great Xia. No matter the outcome, it was always Great Xia that suffered the losses.


    Under the watchful eyes of the onlookers, San Ten led dozens of Jiepeng ronin into the apartment.


    At that moment, a robust elderly man with gray-white hair arrived briskly, followed closely by a petite, lively young girl.


    "Master Long has arrived." Someone murmured in a hushed voice.


    Who in the slum didn¡¯t recognize this legendary old boxing champion who was ranked second on the Strongest List? The Qiujin Boxing Gym, run by Long Zhengfei, offered free martial arts training to any Great Xia citizen in the slum. The gym¡¯s disciples were numerous, and its influence vast.


    Master Long Zhengfei was known for his upright and kindhearted nature. His unwavering sense of justice had earned him the respect of many, especially among the grassroots martial artists, as he often stood up for Great Xia''s warriors.


    "Master, San Ten and the Jiepeng men have already gone inside." A disciple from the Qiujin Boxing Gym, who had been keeping watch, quickly reported.


    Long Zhengfei¡¯s white brows furrowed sharply. "These vile wolves... they truly deserve death."


    He was about to head upstairs immediately. Suddenly, a strange noise echoed from above.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    One by one, the figures of the Jiepeng ronin were hurled out of the apartment like mere trash. They hit the ground with a resounding crash, shattering into fragments of ice.


    Among them was none other than their leader, San Ten. When San Ten''s severed and frozen head rolled aimlessly on the ground, the onlookers were struck dumb with shock.


    This man was a half-step Dao Union Realm expert and a direct disciple of the Jiepeng Empire''s Flying Blade Stream school. It had barely been a minute since he had gone upstairs. And yet, he had already been reduced to a lifeless head?


    What made it even more chilling was that no sound of fighting had come from above. This could only mean that San Ten had been killed instantly.


    The boy upstairs possesses such terrifying strength?


    The crowd was frozen in disbelief.


    Clap! Clap! Clap!


    More bodies began raining down like a storm. Each one hit the ground and shattered into icy fragments. In no more than five or six breaths, the over a hundred Jiepeng ronin who had gone upstairs were all thrown out. Not a single one survived; every last one of them was dead.


    "Frost True Qi." Someone murmured. "These Jiepeng ronin were instantly frozen to death and then thrown down... That boy wields an exceedingly rare variant of frost inner qi, and its power is unmatched."


    "Could it be that he has transplanted a frost type Inscribed Treasure Bone?" Another bystander speculated, their voice tinged with confusion.


    "No," Long Zhengfei declared firmly after a single glance. "This is the inner qi of Great Xia¡¯s ancient martial lineage. There isn¡¯t even the slightest trace of star beast energy... This boy is a prodigy in ancient martial arts."


    A wave of astonished murmurs rippled through the crowd. For someone to earn such praise from the legendary boxing master Long Zhengfei was nothing short of extraordinary. No, it was a rarity not seen in millions.


    Nearby, the petite and spirited young girl furrowed her delicate brows, her expression tinged with defiance. This was the first time she had heard her grandfather speak so highly of an outsider. Not even she had ever been granted such praise. A flicker of competitiveness ignited in her heart, making her determined to challenge the boy upstairs and prove her worth.


    "Master Long, this boy has killed so many Jiepeng warriors. This could cause serious trouble." Someone interjected hesitantly.


    "His methods are indeed... extreme," Long Zhengfei admitted, stroking his beard. "But regardless, a talent like this must be protected at all costs."


    A cold, disdainful voice suddenly cut through the air.


    "Old man, this time you won¡¯t be able to protect him." Luo Hong, the deputy leader of the Haisha Gang, appeared in midair.


    He gestured and the sky and ground were filled with flickering shadows. A massive force of 5,000 elite gang members surged forward, clad in combat suits and wielding weapons. Some arrived on flying devices, others walked on air, and the rest marched on the ground. Their oppressive aura blanketed the area, leaving the crowd breathless.


    The onlookers were immediately gripped with fear. The Haisha Gang had mobilized all their forces.


    Long Zhengfei stepped into the air with a single, firm motion. His robust and imposing frame radiated an overwhelming presence, the surrounding air twisting around him as if it couldn¡¯t contain his energy. He seemed like a black hole, radiating a force capable of swallowing the heavens and earth.


    "You think the likes of you can stop me?" The elderly boxing master of the slum, despite his advancing age, remained as domineering as ever. He showed no sign of retreat. "Let me make it clear: this nameless boy will be protected by Qiujin Boxing Gym. No one will harm him under my watch."


    Though Long Zhengfei had never met Li Xiaofei and had no connection to him, the boy''s actions today of slaughtering the Jiepeng warriors were enough for him to decide. He would shield him at all costs.


    "Old Dragon, if you truly wish to die..." A deep, mechanical voice speaking clumsy Mandarin echoed from the distance, cold and deliberate. "Then after tonight, the entire slum will no longer have the Qiujin Boxing Gym. Why destroy the fruits of your life''s work for the sake of a stranger?"


    The moment this voice rang out, fear flashed across the faces of everyone present.


    A Jiepeng man with disheveled hair had somehow appeared high in the sky without anyone noticing. He cradled a blade in his arms as he stood in the moonlight, blocking its glow, as if perched atop the moon itself.


    "Tsukiha Meiry¨±?!" A grave expression emerged in Long Zhengfei¡¯s eyes.


    The strongest expert of the Jiepeng Consulate had arrived, just as Long Zhengfei expected, upon hearing of Yokoyama Chizang¡¯s death.


    This was no ordinary foe; he was an opponent to be feared. Tsukiha Meiry¨± held his Moon Splitting Blade close, his icy, detached expression reflecting a murderous intent that left no room for compromise.


    "The killer of Yokoyama Chizang will die." He announced, his voice chillingly calm. "And anyone daring to shelter the culprit will share the same fate. This is the decision of the Jiepeng Empire."


    He looked down at Long Zhengfei.


    "Long Zhengfei, you have three seconds to turn back. Otherwise, I will kill you first, and then slaughter every disciple of your boxing gym to ensure your lineage is wiped out forever."


    His voice reverberated across the area, striking like a hammer against the ears of everyone present. It was both a warning and an undeniable threat. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 460: Three Powerful Experts

    Chapter 460: Three Powerful ExpertsLong Zhengfei let out a cold laugh. "If you want a fight to the death, go ahead and try. Let¡¯s see who truly finds it impossible to take another step on Great Xia¡¯s territory."


    Both he and the Qiujin Boxing Gym had long been a thorn in the side of foreign powers in Haijing City. For over half a year, the gym had been the target of countless schemes and provocations. He had endured long enough.


    "Great Xia¡¯s territory?" Another voice cut through the air, speaking in equally clumsy Mandarin.


    This time, it was laced with heavy sarcasm. "The Earth belongs to the Star Council. All of it is governed under their rule."


    A tall, bear-like white man appeared on a pale silver airboard. He wore a military-green vest, his bare arms bulging with muscles like mountains. He had on tactical cargo pants and black, knee-high combat boots.


    His deep green eyes bore a chilling, predatory focus, like a beast locking onto its prey, as he directed his oppressive aura at Long Zhengfei.


    His name was Nathan Thomas, and he was a rising martial powerhouse from the Yiggs Union. He was employed by the Yiggs Consulate in Haijing City as an unofficial military officer. Known as the Undying Tyrant, he had fought and defeated thirty-seven challengers in the city, each victory ending in a KO and his opponent¡¯s death. He had never lost.


    The crowd gasped in shock.


    Even the Yiggs Union has been drawn into the conflict?


    Long Zhengfei¡¯s white brows twitched as he asked, "What¡¯s this? Is the Yiggs Consulate getting involved as well?"


    Nathan Thomas smirked mockingly. "Don¡¯t misunderstand me. I¡¯m not acting as a representative of the Yiggs Consulate. I¡¯m here as a friend of Mr. Tsukiha. I simply can¡¯t stand the sight of you Great Xia people bullying someone with numbers and making things difficult for my friend."


    The warriors in the slums erupted with fury at those words. What a blatant distortion of the truth. It was clearly the Jiepeng who had been bullying and oppressing others, yet here they were, twisting the narrative to play the victim.


    The combined killing intent of Tsukiha Meiry¨± and Nathan Thomas locked onto Long Zhengfei. But his white hair danced in the air as his beard bristled with defiance. He stood tall and unwavering, his entire being radiating resilience.


    An invisible, oppressive aura spread through the atmosphere, signaling that a fierce battle was imminent.


    "Old dog, why don¡¯t you make your move already?" sneered Tsukiha Meiry¨±, his voice dripping with malice. "Hehehe... I can¡¯t wait to chop off your head and slaughter every last one of your disciples."


    The Moon Splitting Blade in his arms vibrated with an eager hum. It seemed the blade itself was thirsting for blood. Though Tsukiha Meiry¨± knew he couldn¡¯t defeat Long Zhengfei in a duel, the odds were firmly in his favor with Nathan Thomas by his side. Together, they could kill the Great Xia old dog who had opposed the Jiepeng Empire for so long.


    The Qiujin Boxing Gym had always relied on Long Zhengfei¡¯s strength to survive. If he were to fall, the gym¡¯s disciples would scatter like leaves in the wind, leaving the Jiepeng Consulate''s plans unchallenged.


    Nathan Thomas¡¯s face twisted into a savage grin. The Qiujin Boxing Gym had often thwarted the Yiggs Consulate¡¯s schemes in the slum. The unity of the Great Xia people had been a thorn in their side, making them difficult to suppress.


    This was the perfect opportunity to eliminate Long Zhengfei once and for all. Both warriors radiated murderous intent, their bloodlust thickening the tense atmosphere.


    Behind Long Zhengfei, the petite and spirited Long Jing¡¯er grew visibly anxious, her delicate face betraying her inner turmoil. Though she was a prodigious talent, she was only eighteen. Her cultivation had brought her to the peak of the Meridian Expanding Realm, which was an extraordinary achievement for her age.


    Yet, she was still outmatched against powerhouses in the Dao Union Realm. She could offer no meaningful assistance to her father. If anything, she feared she might become a liability.


    What to do?


    Long Jing¡¯er was consumed by anxiety. The battle was on the brink of erupting. The tense, oppressive atmosphere hung heavy in the air. Just then...


    ¡°A righteous force permeates the heavens and earth, manifesting in myriad forms. Below, it flows through rivers and mountains; above, it shines as sun and stars. In humans, it is vast and boundless, filling the great expanse of the seas...¡±


    A clear and confident voice recited ancient verses in the tense silence. The voice carried an overwhelming sense of righteousness and grandeur as it came from afar. At first, it seemed thousands of meters away. But by the time the final line was spoken, its source was already close at hand.


    A slender middle-aged scholar walked through the air. His face was refined and elegant, and his slightly black beard added a dignified air to his bearing. His sharp, angular features were striking, and his posture was impeccably straight, like a measuring rod.


    He walked up to stand by Long Zhengfei¡¯s side. It was Mr. Ruler! He was ranked first on the slum¡¯s ranking of martial powerhouses and the founder and headmaster of the Justice Academy.


    Tsukiha Meiry¨±¡¯s expression shifted slightly.


    "Justice Academy intends to oppose the Jiepeng Empire as well?" His brow furrowed in anger as he harshly demanded an answer.


    Mr. Ruler, however, didn¡¯t even acknowledge him. Instead, he turned to Long Zhengfei and asked, "Where is he?"


    The old boxing master tilted his chin in the direction of the apartment and replied, "Still inside."


    "You haven''t met him yet?" Mr. Ruler sounded slightly surprised.


    The old boxing master gestured to the corpses of the Jiepeng ronin warriors on the ground, their icy remains still partially unmelted, and countered with a question of his own. "Does it matter if I¡¯ve met him or not?"


    "After all these years, you¡¯re still the same brute," Mr. Ruler remarked, shaking his head.


    Long Zhengfei burst into hearty laughter. "I¡¯ll take that as you complimenting me, you grim-faced old Chi!"


    The two bantered effortlessly, showing no regard for the two foreign powerhouses before them. Below, the martial artists of the slums couldn¡¯t contain their excitement. To their surprise, it turned out that Long Zhengfei, the boxing god, and Mr. Ruler, Chi Chunshui, were actually friends!


    In the past, the Qiujin Boxing Gym and the Justice Academy had never really interacted. If anything, their relationship was somewhat strained. The gym viewed the academy as a haven for weak and impractical scholars, while the academy dismissed martial artists as nothing more than uncouth brawlers.


    Yet now, when the old boxing master faced a crisis, it was the representative of the academy, Mr. Ruler, who had stepped forward to help. This unexpected alliance shifted the balance of power. The two sides were now back on equal footing. Or rather, Great Xia even held a slight advantage.


    Mr. Ruler, renowned as the top powerhouse on the slum¡¯s martial rankings, was a seasoned expert in the Dao Union Realm. He was more than capable of taking on two opponents at once.


    "What¡¯s this? The Justice Academy also intends to harbor a fugitive?" A contemptuous scoff rang out, cutting through the tension.


    This time, another foreigner appeared. A white woman with golden hair and blue eyes stepped forward, her towering frame adorned in a white off-shoulder gown. Despite her imposing build, her face held an undeniable elegance. A crown of flowers rested atop her head as she walked barefoot through the night air. Her attire deliberately evoked the image of an ancient Greek goddess.


    Yet, it wasn¡¯t her appearance that captured everyone¡¯s attention. It was the emblem on the front of her gown. Two sharp, crossed daggers, a single drop of blood falling from their tips, set against a faintly radiant background of sun, moon, and stars.


    The mark of the Blade of Verdict, one of the three major branches of the Inquisition under the Star Council. This woman, who carried herself like a Greek deity, was a fully authorized member of the Blade of Verdict. The involvement of the Inquisition signaled a significant shift in the situation. This was no longer a private conflict among martial artists.


    It was now an official matter under the jurisdiction of the Star Council¡¯s highest enforcement body.


    "You two, step back immediately." The woman, Elizabeth, commanded authoritatively.


    Her stunning face remained icy and her tone carried an undeniable finality. "Return and reflect on your actions. Prepare to face interrogation by the Inquisition. Refuse, and you will be enemies of the Inquisition from this moment on."


    Her Mandarin was flawless. The Inquisition''s standard for deploying members to Great Xia required complete fluency in the local language. Mastery of Great Xia¡¯s language and culture was a non-negotiable prerequisite.


    "Hahaha!" Tsukiha Meiry¨± threw his head back and laughed heartily, elated to find a kindred spirit in Elizabeth.


    Meanwhile, the faces of Mr. Ruler and Long Zhengfei darkened. They had anticipated that the Inquisition might intervene, but the speed and decisiveness of their involvement had caught them off guard. The situation was only growing more tense.


    Below, countless martial artists from the slum, all Great Xia citizens, were filled with rage and frustration, yet they could do nothing. Scenes like this had played out countless times in Haijing City before.


    As Great Xia people, to be oppressed on their own soil by foreign forces without the power to resist was a humiliation and sorrow that only those who had endured it could understand. And today was worse.


    In the past, it had been ordinary martial artists who suffered such indignities. But today, even the slum¡¯s two most powerful Great Xia experts, who stood at the pinnacle of martial strength, were being threatened and reprimanded. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The anger smoldered like a fire about to erupt. Yet none dared to let it ignite. Just as despair began to settle over the crowd, a clear tapping sound echoed through the night.


    Tap. Tap. Tap.


    The steady rhythm of a bamboo stick striking the ground slowly, unhurriedly, grew closer. Everyone turned to look. An old blind man emerged from the dark alleys of the slums.


    He wore simple black robes and dark glasses over his sightless eyes. In one hand, he held a bamboo flagpole, its black cloth emblazoned with four ancient characters in white, Heaven Knows, I Know.


    In his other hand, he carried a folded stool. He used a slender bamboo branch as a cane to tap and probe the ground ahead of him. Step by steady step, he moved with an unshakable calm.


    When Luo Hong, the deputy leader of the Haisha Gang, caught sight of the old man, his expression changed instantly.


    Why is this old monster here too?

 Chapter 461: My Palm Readings Are Spot-On

    Chapter 461: My Palm Readings Are Spot-OnIn the slums of Haijing City, five top-tier factions held sway: Haisha Gang, Qiujin Boxing Gym, Justice Academy, Cloth Sect, and the Broken Gear Mutual Aid Society.


    These factions were led by five prominent figures, each considered a pinnacle master among Great Xia''s martial artists in the slum. Long Zhengfei represented the Qiujin Boxing Gym; Chi Chunshui, head of the Justice Academy; Hai Tiankuo, leader of the Haisha Gang; Su Banren of the Broken Gear Mutual Aid Society; and Li Buyi, also known as Li the Blind, leader of the Cloth Sect.


    Among them, Li Buyi carried a peculiar nickname of Li the Blind, the fortune-telling blind man. Every day, he would choose a random spot in the slum to set up a small fortune-telling stall. He offered two readings per day; one free and one for a fee.


    His practice was encapsulated by the phrase Heaven Knows, I Know, which was inscribed on his bamboo banner. Legend had it that his predictions were unfailingly accurate and had never once failed to come true.


    Li Buyi was a character unlike any other. He was always dressed in plain cloth garments, accompanied by simple cloth shoes and a pair of stone-carved sunglasses. With a bamboo flag and a folding stool in hand, he never changed his outfit or accessories.


    Beyond fortune-telling, he had another peculiar passion in teaching. However, unlike Chi Chunshui, who ran the Justice Academy and funded it out of his own pocket, Li Buyi never held lessons at a fixed location. Instead, he would share his wisdom spontaneously, wherever he happened to be.


    Each day, after completing his two fortune-telling readings, Li Buyi would wander aimlessly through the streets. If he encountered someone he deemed fated, he would stop to offer a few words of guidance or even teach them a martial technique. Remarkably, his teachings always produced immediate results.


    For those with no martial background, practicing the techniques he shared would instantly elevate them to the entry level, turning them into competent fighters. For those with prior martial training, his guidance often led to breakthroughs. Some would leap one or two minor stages, while others would shatter bottlenecks and ascend to major realms.


    As the days turned into years, the number of people in the slum who had received Li Buyi¡¯s teachings steadily grew. Out of gratitude, these individuals began to regard themselves as his disciples. They formed tight-knit bonds, supporting one another and uniting into a formidable force. Thus, under the organization of several exceptionally skilled disciples, the Cloth Sect was born.


    The Cloth Sect had risen in just a few decades to become one of the slum¡¯s five major factions. It boasted a vast membership and unparalleled unity. Proud of their humble cloth garments, the sect members stood together against outsiders, becoming a grassroots force even foreign powers dared not underestimate. Naturally, Li Buyi had become one of the five major figures of the slum.


    Under countless watchful eyes, Li Buyi slowly lifted his head. He appeared to peer through his thick black sunglasses on Elizabeth for a long, long time.


    Just as Elizabeth began to show signs of impatience, Li Buyi suddenly grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth, and said, "Beautiful lady, care for a fortune? My palm readings are spot-on."


    Thud.


    A ripple of disbelief swept through the crowd, with many stumbling to the ground in astonishment. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This is Li Buyi, one of the five great figures of the slum?


    Why did he seem... a bit sleazy?


    Yet, Elizabeth, the one under his scrutiny, did not take offense. The Inquisition¡¯s intelligence on Li Buyi had described him as a highly peculiar figure among Great Xia¡¯s people. Every time he volunteered to read someone¡¯s fortune, it signified one of two things: either they were about to face grave trouble or encounter great fortune.


    Elizabeth thought for a moment before responding cautiously, "Perhaps another time."


    Li Buyi gently shook his head. "There is no time to wait."


    "What do you mean?" Elizabeth frowned, her tone sharpened.


    Li Buyi¡¯s grin widened, revealing more yellow teeth. "I don¡¯t read the palms of the dead."


    Elizabeth¡¯s face darkened instantly. Li Buyi¡¯s words carried a chilling implication. He was suggesting that she would be dead within half an hour.


    Rage erupted within Elizabeth. Despite her outward composure and the mystique surrounding Li Buyi¡¯s reputation, she placed her faith in her unique status and formidable strength. When it came to matters of life and death, she trusted her abilities over the superstitions of fortune-telling.


    "What is your purpose here, Li the Divine Seer?" Elizabeth¡¯s voice carried a sharp edge. "Have you come to protect the killer as well?"


    Li Buyi nodded, his tone casual yet resolute. "He is fated to cross paths with me."


    Li Buyi always offered guidance to those fated.


    "But he is a criminal wanted by the Blade of Verdict," Elizabeth reminded him firmly. Her tone was unyielding.


    Li Buyi raised his hand and made a quick calculation with a playful expression. He chuckled softly and said, "From what I know, the Blade of Verdict hasn¡¯t issued any official order to apprehend him. It seems, young lady, you¡¯re bluffing."


    Elizabeth¡¯s expression faltered ever so slightly. It was true. She had come at Tsukiha Meiry¨±¡¯s invitation, lured by a hefty sum of money. She hadn¡¯t received any direct orders from her superiors, but she had used the name of the Blade of Verdict to pursue the so-called killer.


    It wasn¡¯t the first time she¡¯d done something like this. Her superiors usually turned a blind eye to such actions. What unsettled her, however, was how Li Buyi had uncovered this detail so effortlessly.


    "The matters of the Blade of Verdict are none of your concern, charlatan," Tsukiha Meiry¨± interjected, his tone sharp and derisive. "Get out while you still can, or today will be the day you meet your end."


    "Hehe..." Li Buyi grinned, his yellowed teeth visible as he responded, "Speaking to the doomed is pointless."


    Tsukiha Meiry¨±, known for his violent temper, was rapidly losing his patience. He snapped, "Old fool, are you truly intent on opposing the Jiepeng Empire?"


    Li Buyi laughed softly and replied, "And if I am?"


    His words were spoken lightly, almost casually, yet they carried the force of thunder. This simple statement made his stance abundantly clear. At the same time, more and more figures gathered around the apartment. They were bare-armed fighters, scholars clutching books and carrying swords, muscular laborers in coarse hemp clothing, street vendors, rickshaw drivers, assembly line workers, security guards; people from every walk of life.


    The Qiujin Boxing Gym! The Justice Academy! The Cloth Sect! In that instant, disciples and skilled members from the three most prominent slum factions converged on the apartment.


    In the blink of an eye, their numbers swelled to tens of thousands. They were streams flowing into the sea; shifting sands forming a desert. The masses, often looked down upon and dismissed as insignificant, now stood united, gathering their strength. Together, their combined presence and energy were enough to make even the most hardened opponents pale.


    Even the elite warriors of the Haisha Gang, equipped with combat suits, power armor, and power weapons, couldn¡¯t help but falter. Their eyes betrayed fear as they witnessed the sheer magnitude of the united crowd.


    "A filthy swarm of yellow-skinned pigs," Nathan Thomas muttered disdainfully as he looked upon the sea of people gathering like a tidal wave.


    His fury grew. These lowly ants dared to band together and challenge the dragon in the sky? Who had given them such audacity?


    "Kill." Tsukiha Meiry¨±¡¯s eyes gleamed with bloodlust as he issued the command.


    The battle erupted instantly. Without a word, Long Zhengfei sprang into action, throwing a punch. Known as the Boxing God of the slum, all of his martial prowess was concentrated in his fists. His martial technique was fierce and uncompromising. A beam-like force tore through the air as it hurtled toward Tsukiha Meiry¨±, shaking the very fabric of space.


    "Tsukizan[1]." Tsukiha Meiry¨± spat out in Jiepeng, unsheathing the Moon Splitting Blade from his arms.


    A crimson-silver arc of light cleaved through the heavens, its long silver trail splitting the night sky as though tearing through the very darkness.


    Boom!


    The fist force and blade light collided as the two powerhouses launched themselves into the air, clashing furiously above the apartment.


    Almost simultaneously, Nathan Thomas, the Undying Tyrant, also made his move. The warrior from the Yiggs Union extended his arms. The muscles of his forearms tore apart, revealing a pair of metallic, mechanical appendages. Each arm was equipped with four slim annihilation missiles that were no thicker than chopsticks.


    Hiss!


    Eight annihilation missiles were fired off in an instant. But they weren¡¯t aimed at Mr. Ruler. Instead, they targeted the disciples of the Haisha Gang and the other three factions below, who had already begun fighting.


    Collateral damage meant nothing to him. After all, they were all Great Xia people. If they died, they died.


    Nathan Thomas cackled madly, his face twisted with cruelty. "Die, you yellow-skinned pigs! Inferior beings like you don¡¯t deserve to exist in this world. All of you, die! Hahaha!"


    1. Moon Slash ?

 Chapter 462: Like A Celestial Being

    Chapter 462: Like A Celestial BeingNathan Thomas was a madman. To him, human lives were like wild grass¡ªeasily uprooted without hesitation. This was especially true of the lives of the people from Great Xia. Mr. Ruler, Chi Chunshui, had no choice but to intervene.


    ¡°Go,¡± he commanded.


    A ruler shot out from his hand like a streak of flowing light. The ruler seemed like a divine weapon, surpassing everything with unmatched speed. It struck and shattered eight annihilation bombs before they could detonate.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Blinding and searing energy exploded in an instant as eight spheres of blazing light formed in the sky. It was like eight miniature suns had appeared at once.


    ¡°Measure the heavens!¡± Mr. Ruler¡¯s voice rang out again.


    In a flash, he moved to appear in front of the ruler. He reached out and grasped it. The ruler was now firmly in his hand. When he infused the weapon with inner qi, the unassuming ruler transformed into a massive silver-white energy ruler before the terrifying blast waves of the annihilation bombs could fully spread.


    The colossal ruler stretched across the sky. It was like a towering shield, blocking the heavens. And it shielded the battlefield below! The nearly ten thousand Great Xia warriors engaged in the chaotic battle beneath were protected.


    ¡°Hahaha, die! Die!¡± Nathan Thomas laughed maniacally, his expression twisted with madness.


    The muscles on his back suddenly split apart like mechanical components, revealing eight spider-like mechanical arms. Each metallic arm was equipped with gatling power guns. The gun barrels whirred as they rotated.


    Ratatat!


    Powerful energy bullets, capable of instantly obliterating a Five Spirits Realm master, poured down. The bullets formed a distorted line of light in the air as Nathan Thomas moved at high speed, aiming to annihilate Chi Chunshui.


    This was all part of his plan. From the very beginning, Nathan Thomas¡¯s true target had been none other than Mr. Ruler, the renowned protector of the civilian district.


    The massacre of ordinary warriors was merely a diversion¡ªa ploy to pin down Mr. Ruler, exhaust his inner qi, and create the perfect moment to unleash an overwhelming barrage of firepower.


    In battles between the powerful, victory often hinged on the smallest advantage. Mr. Ruler had taken the full brunt of the annihilation bomb explosions to protect the Great Xia warriors below, leaving Nathan Thomas with all the momentum in their battle.


    Faced with this frenzied onslaught of bullets, Mr. Ruler had no choice but to defend. A thick book materialized like a massive shield before him.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The energy bullets exploded continuously as they struck the massive book shield.


    Meanwhile, on the other side, Elizabeth acted without hesitation. She followed the path of elemental abilities, having implanted the Inscribed Treasure Bone of a star beast attuned to elemental forces into her body.


    In her hand, she wielded a staff crafted from the horn of a lightning unicorn. The moment she swung the white staff, a terrifying sea of lightning spread from her body. A sharp jab of her staff and bolts of blinding silver lightning snaked toward Li Buyi.


    Li Buyi gently waved the bamboo banner in his hand. Using the banner as a pen, he quickly inscribed formation lines in the air. As the lines formed, they unleashed a strange and profound power. A Tai Chi diagram, shaped like the yin-yang fish, emerged and absorbed all the incoming lightning.


    The three powerful figures had engaged in fierce combat. In the skies above, the battlefield erupted with terrifying waves of energy. In an instant, the entirety of the slums was shaken. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Across the dried riverbed, many hidden experts in the foreign consulate in the Wanmao District, and even in distant parts of Haijing City sensed the overwhelming energy fluctuations and instinctively turned their attention to the scene.


    At the eye of the storm, on the apartment balcony, Li Xiaofei had already stepped out, leaning on the railing as he watched the battle unfold. Nan Hua stood behind him.


    To be honest, Li Xiaofei had never imagined that so many warriors from Great Xia would gather here, all with the singular purpose of protecting him.


    Chi Chunshui, Li Buyi, Long Zhengfei! Nan Hua had introduced all three to him and he had come to understand their remarkable deeds.


    "The Great Xia spirit remains unbroken to this day, all because of people like them," Li Xiaofei couldn''t help but clap his hands in admiration.


    His thoughts drifted to Huang Fulai. For centuries, regardless of the challenges they faced, be it in the courts of power or amidst the wilderness, heroes had always risen.


    They defied the odds, often at the cost of their own lives, burning themselves entirely to rescue the nation from peril in critical moments. These heroes were not just one or a few individuals. They were a multitude, just like now.


    In the chaos of Haijing City, where foreign invaders ran rampant and unchecked, even the slum dwellers, those struggling to survive like ants, had risen together. Their act of standing up in this moment made them heroes.


    Of course, Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t saying this just because they were risking their lives to save him. He understood the true reason behind their fearless sacrifice. It wasn¡¯t because he was handsome or famous. It was because he had killed Yokoyama Chizang, San Ten, and the other Jiepeng ronin.


    If anyone else had done the same, Long Zhengfei and others would have still offered their protection. How did the saying go? The people have long suffered under the tyranny of Qin. The Great Xia warriors in the slums had long endured the oppression of the Jiepeng ronin. So when Li Xiaofei killed a few Jiepeng masters, he was instantly hailed as a hero, gaining their unwavering and selfless support.


    The will of the people could be harnessed. The spirit of Great Xia was not extinguished. Li Xiaofei felt a surge of excitement in his heart.


    Nan Hua, standing behind him, quietly suggested, "Special Envoy, we must not let Senior Long and the others¡¯ efforts go to waste. Perhaps we should take advantage of this chaos to retreat and then plan our next move?"


    Li Xiaofei shook his head.


    "What if I killed them all?" Li Xiaofei pointed at the battling figures of Tsukiha Meiry¨±, Nathan Thomas, and Elizabeth as he posed the question.


    Nan Hua was momentarily speechless.


    Kill these powerful figures? Is it really that simple?


    Long Zhengfei and the other two seniors were already pushing themselves to the limit to hold off Tsukiha Meiry¨± and the others. Dragging the fight out further would only draw more foreign experts to the scene.


    The situation would spiral out of control. Even if they managed to kill these three, what about the trouble that would come afterward? Elizabeth would bring the most trouble, since she belonged to the Inquisition. Killing her would be tantamount to declaring war on the Inquisition, a catastrophe as destructive as the sky falling.


    Nan Hua suppressed her rising frustration and tried to formulate a reasonable argument. But before she could speak, Li Xiaofei suddenly broke into a grin, as though he had reached a decisive epiphany.


    "It''s settled, then."


    He shot forward like a streak of light. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before Nathan Thomas. His speed was almost otherworldly.


    By the time his palm pressed against Thomas¡¯s chest, the latter had only just realized what was happening. But it was already too late to evade. The icy energy of the Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword surged into Thomas''s body in an instant.


    The frost aura spread rapidly, instantly sealing and silencing the gatling guns. Nathan Thomas''s massive and muscular body was frozen along with them.


    The moment the cold seeped into his body, Nathan Thomas realized the danger he was. Without hesitation, he activated all the energy within him, using the power of his Inscribed Treasure Bone to ignite every mechanical component in his body, especially the two energy reactors in his abdomen and chest.


    The machinery inside him operated at maximum capacity as they strained to break free from the ice. But Li Xiaofei did not strike again. Instead, his figure flickered, cutting into another battlefield.


    In the next instant, he appeared at the center of the battle between Elizabeth and Li Buyi like a moth diving into a flame, plunging directly into the increasingly violent and chaotic lightning storm.


    Both combatants were stunned as Li Xiaofei took a deep breath and extended both hands.


    Star Shifting Reversal Technique.


    What happened next left Elizabeth utterly horrified. The countless bolts of lightning, which had been raging uncontrollably, were forcibly drawn into Li Xiaofei''s body. He then accelerated the energy''s flow before thrusting it outward with both palms.


    The amplified lightning storm surged from his hands, engulfing Elizabeth, who threw up her staff in a desperate attempt to defend herself.


    In the next moment, Li Xiaofei¡¯s figure flashed again, now appearing before Tsukiha Meiry¨±. The Jiepeng swordsman had already witnessed everything that had transpired.


    "Ultimate Moon Slash!" Realizing the dire situation, Tsukiha Meiry¨± roared in fury and alarm. His famed weapon, the Moon Splitting Blade, carved an intricate arc in the air, unleashing a crescent-shaped wave of blade energy that drew everything toward it with immense suction.


    Li Xiaofei used the Star Shifting Reversal Technique again to return the attack in kind. He absorbed the blade energy, enhanced it, and redirected it back. The overwhelming light of the blade energy instantly enveloped and swallowed Tsukiha Meiry¨±.


    Everything happened in the blink of an eye. By the time everyone regained their senses, the battle was already over.


    Li Xiaofei had returned to the apartment balcony like a fleeting shadow, as though he had never moved at all. His expression was calm as he clasped his hands behind his back. He stood there like a celestial being descended to the mortal world, serene and otherworldly.

 Chapter 463: Just Me

    Chapter 463: Just MeBang!


    The frozen body of Nathan Thomas, now an icy sphere, plummeted from the sky and crashed heavily onto the ground. Encased in ice, the so-called Undying Tyrant, the mechanical master of the Yiggs Union, remained trapped in his final, desperate struggle, his face twisted in agony.


    Bang!


    A charred figure followed as it too fell from the heavens. Elizabeth, the representative of the Blade of Verdict, had perished to her own lightning. Her scorched body shattered upon impact, disintegrating into blackened ash.


    Only the staff crafted from the horn of a beast remained intact, lying undamaged amidst the ruins.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    A grotesque rain of blood and bone rained down. It was all that remained of Tsukiha Meiry¨±, the Blade Master, who had been torn into countless pieces by the blade energy of his own Ultimate Moon Slash. His body had been completely shredded and his life extinguished.


    The Moon Splitting Blade, silver-white and shaped like a crescent moon, fell and embedded itself in the ground. Its blade reflected a crescent moon hanging in the sky above.


    In that instant, the once ferocious battle came to an abrupt end. On the ground, members of the Haisha Gang and the other three factions stood frozen as their gazes involuntarily turned toward the apartment balcony.


    There, the boy they had been hunting stood calmly, hands behind his back. Their shock turned into confusion, and then into disbelief.


    Have Tsukiha Meiry¨±, Nathan Thomas, and Elizabeth, all three formidable powerhouses, just been slaughtered by the very boy we were chasing?


    And not just killed, but dispatched within mere moments like chickens or dogs?


    Were we here to apprehend him? Or to offer ourselves up as sacrifices?


    In the air, Long Zhengfei, Li Buyi, and Chi Chunshui exchanged disbelieving glances. Things had turned out far differently from what they had imagined.


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    Two sharp sounds tore through the silence of the sky. Li Xiaofei, using the Dragon-Grasping Hand, effortlessly plucked the beast-horn staff and the Moon Splitting Blade from the ground.


    Turning to the three great masters in the air, he cupped his hands respectfully and said, "This junior will never forget the kindness of the three seniors in lending your aid."


    Long Zhengfei''s white brows twitched as he burst into laughter. "It seems the three of us were showing off in front of a true expert. If we had known your strength was this extraordinary, we wouldn¡¯t have worried so much."


    Li Xiaofei replied humbly, "It was only because the three seniors weakened their qi and diverted their attention that I could succeed so easily."


    Chi Chunshui put away his ruler as he voiced the question on everyone¡¯s mind, "Are you sure you¡¯re not some ancient monster with a youth-preserving technique?"


    The young man before them appeared no older than eighteen or nineteen. Such overwhelming power seemed utterly unnatural at that age.


    Li Xiaofei smiled lightly and said, "Genuine, without deception. You¡¯re welcome to test my bone age."


    Li Buyi, his fingers moving in intricate calculations, seemed to divine something unspoken. After a moment, he sighed, "It seems that a true dragon of Great Xia is about to rise in Haijing City."


    "You overpraise me, senior," Li Xiaofei replied, bowing slightly in thanks.


    Meanwhile, Nan Hua stood frozen, too shocked to speak. Earlier, when Li Xiaofei casually mentioned killing them all, she had thought he was joking. But now...


    Have I underestimated the Special Envoy again?


    Nan Hua raised a hand to her chest. Her heartbeat quickened as a wave of heat surged through her body.


    Without saying another word, she turned and walked toward the bathroom inside the apartment. It was too intense.


    Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei looked down at the scene below. The deaths of the three powerful figures had completely demoralized the Haisha Gang. Luo Hong and the other Haisha Gang leaders looked ashen-faced, drenched in cold sweat that soaked through their combat suits.


    "One''s own misdeeds lead to their ruin," Li Xiaofei muttered, shaking his head lightly.


    In his hand, the Moon Splitting Blade gleamed as if it was reborn. It shot forward like a streak of light and carved an intricate and mysterious arc through the air.


    In the next instant, the heads of Luo Hong and the other Haisha Gang leaders fell to the ground. The pupils of Long Zhengfei and the other two masters contracted sharply.


    Blade harnessing!


    Just like his earlier attack reflecting technique, this mastery over the blade was far beyond ordinary martial arts. It was a near-divine ability.


    Could this young man already be a Divine Realm expert?


    Heads rolled as the blade flashed past them. Below, the remaining members of the Haisha Gang trembled uncontrollably in terror. They wanted to run but dared not move. Who could possibly outrun the light of the blade? sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "After tonight, the slum will no longer have a Haisha Gang," Li Xiaofei declared, his tone firm and resolute. "Today, I eliminate only the ringleaders. Considering that you are citizens of Great Xia and that your cultivation has not come easily, I will spare your lives. Disband the gang of your own accord. From tomorrow onward, if anyone dares to operate under the name of the Haisha Gang in the slum, I will show no mercy."


    At these words, the Haisha Gang members collectively breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Thank you, great hero."


    "We joined the Haisha Gang out of desperation. Now that you''ve killed Hai Tiankuo and Luo Hong, we are finally free."


    "I hereby leave the Haisha Gang."


    One after another, the disciples voiced their declarations of departure. Li Xiaofei gestured with his hand, and the Moon Splitting Blade flew back into his grip.


    He then turned to the disciples of the Cloth Sect, Justice Academy, and Qiujin Boxing Gym. He cupped his hands and said loudly, "My heartfelt thanks to all of you, brothers and sisters, for coming to my aid. I am deeply grateful. Tomorrow, I will host a banquet at the Memorial Square. I hope you will honor me with your presence."


    Cheers erupted from the crowd below. The response was enthusiastic and unrestrained. The logic of the grassroots warriors was simple. If you kill foreign enemies, you are a hero. If you treat them with respect, you are a brother. If you offer them face, they will return the favor with loyalty.


    Li Xiaofei''s extraordinary strength, combined with his acknowledgment of them as brothers, left nothing more to be said. They would stand together through thick and thin.


    "Esteemed seniors, would you care to join me inside for a chat?" Li Xiaofei extended an invitation.


    The three great masters did not hesitate as they descended onto the apartment balcony and followed him inside.


    Nan Hua had already prepared a selection of fruits and tea. As the renowned White Cloud Dancer of the slum, Nan Hua¡¯s income was far from modest. Despite the high cost of fresh produce, she had no trouble presenting an adequate spread.


    Long Zhengfei, aware of Nan Hua''s somewhat enigmatic background, glanced in her direction. Her expression remained calm, offering no hints or explanations.


    It was Li Xiaofei who broke the silence with a smile, speaking openly, "Senior Long, there is no need to speculate. Indeed, I am a member of the Great Xia Dragon Group. This time, I have come to Haijing City in my capacity as a Dragon Group Special Envoy."


    Dragon Group Special Envoy!


    The three masters were momentarily taken aback by the revelation. Then, understanding dawned on them.


    No wonder he had been so decisive and powerful.


    "Truly, heroes rise from among the young," Long Zhengfei remarked with a sigh.


    Suddenly realizing something, he added, "How foolish of me. I had been trying to guess your identity, but I completely overlooked the fact that only the Dragon Group would dare strike so fiercely against the Jiepeng forces within Haijing City."


    In the slum, trust in Haijing City¡¯s government had plummeted to its lowest point. The actions of the bureaucrats had brought the government¡¯s credibility to the brink of collapse. Yet, if there was one government department that still commanded trust among the people, it was undoubtedly the Dragon Group.


    In recent years, as Haijing City gradually fell into the status of a semi-colony, officials at every level continually compromised and appeased the foreigners. They sacrificed their sovereignty and dignity, leaving the people deeply disappointed.


    Yet, the warriors of the Dragon Group had never bowed their heads. They bled, sacrificed, and fought courageously. They always stood on the same side as the citizens of Great Xia. Their stories and legends had quietly spread by word of mouth in the slum.


    "What brings the Special Envoy here?" Mr. Ruler asked.


    Recently, the arrogance of foreign forces in the Wanmao District had grown increasingly unrestrained as they acted with impunity to hunt down dissidents and silence any voice of resistance.


    The Dragon Group had suffered severe losses, forcing them underground. Its members had no choice but to lay low and wait for the right moment.


    The situation was just as dire for the slum factions unwilling to become lackeys of the foreign invaders. Haijing City was sinking into an ever-thickening darkness. But at such a time, the Dragon Group Special Envoy had finally arrived.


    Li Xiaofei pondered for a moment before answering, "I have come to restore the land."


    The three great masters immediately felt a surge of vigor.


    Long Zhengfei leaned forward, his voice urgent, "How many warriors and forces have you brought with you for this mission, Special Envoy?"


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly, raising his teacup and taking a slow sip.


    "Just me," he replied.


    His honesty was as awe-inspiring as it was despairing.

 Chapter 464: I Am Serious

    Chapter 464: I Am SeriousThe statement left the three great masters momentarily stunned. They turned their gazes toward Li Xiaofei. The young man didn¡¯t seem to be joking. But...


    Even if he was a Divine Realm powerhouse, it was doubtful he could single-handedly take on Haijing City. Not to mention that Haijing City housed numerous Divine Realm experts. There were also several Saints. To restore the land through sheer individual strength? How daunting a task that was.


    "Youthful ambition soaring to the heavens. It makes us old folks feel ashamed," Long Zhengfei remarked tactfully, offering a subtle compliment.


    Mr. Ruler, however, had another thought and spoke directly. "Young friend, do you intend to establish the Jingwu Sect and create a martial order here in the slum?"


    Li Xiaofei nodded and replied, "That is indeed my plan. I hope the three seniors will lend their full support."


    Mr. Ruler furrowed his brows. The courage of youth often drew attention. But courage without caution did not mean one could stand against the tigers.


    He asked bluntly, "First, you killed Yokoyama Chizang, then San Ten. Now, you''ve slain Tsukiha Meiry¨±. The Jiepeng Empire will not let this go. And today, Nathan Thomas and Elizabeth have also fallen by your hand. The Yiggs Union and the Blade of Verdict will not tolerate this either. All three factions have Saint-level powerhouses. If a Saint enters the fray, do you have any plan for escape, young friend?"


    "Why would I need to escape?" Li Xiaofei smiled as he countered, "This is the territory of Great Xia. I am a member of the Great Xia Dragon Group. If enemies come, I will slay them. The Great Xia martial lineage spans thousands of years. How could we fear these foreign barbarians?"


    Mr. Ruler and Long Zhengfei exchanged glances. The words were undeniably stirring. But achieving such a feat was an entirely different matter.


    Li Buyi chuckled and asked, "And what if foreign Saints come to crush you with their power?"


    Li Xiaofei remained calm and replied with just two words, "Slay Saints."


    Good heavens!


    The three masters collectively drew in a sharp breath.


    Slay Saints! To utter such words¡ªis this youthful arrogance and ignorance? Or does he have a well-prepared plan and hidden strength?


    Nan Hua, kneeling quietly to the side, kept her head down and remained silent. After experiencing two waves of intense shocks that evening, she was beginning to build some immunity to Li Xiaofei¡¯s bold proclamations.


    The only exception was Long Jing¡¯er, who sat nearby. Her bright, inquisitive eyes darted around, brimming with a spirited curiosity. She locked her gaze on Li Xiaofei, her expression full of a playful challenge.


    Li Xiaofei paid no mind to the inexperienced young girl. From her demeanor, he sensed a resemblance to Zhong Ling from his past. She seemed like another girl protected too well by her father and shielded from the harshness of life.


    "What if you fail?" Chi Chunshui''s voice broke the tension.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression remained calm as he replied, ¡°There is no if.¡± sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Then, glancing at Li Buyi, a thought struck him. "Senior, you are known as the one who knows all under the heavens. Why not cast a divination for me and see if I can achieve it?"


    Li Buyi¡¯s weathered face resembled an aged orange peel beneath his stone-tinted sunglasses as he shook his head repeatedly and chuckled. "Can¡¯t be done, can¡¯t be done. Young friend, your ambitions are vast, and your killing intent could swallow the heavens. My divinations cannot encompass you."


    Li Xiaofei grinned. "Then perhaps, Senior, you could divine for those foreign Saints instead. Let¡¯s see how their fate ends."


    Li Buyi¡¯s interest was piqued. He slowly rose and began pacing the room. First, he moved his fingers in rapid gestures, forming seals with one hand. The movements of his fingers created afterimages, like lotus petals blooming and withering in an instant.


    Then he began using both hands to form seals, his steps accelerating with each moment. This ritual continued for three minutes.


    "Ah!" Li Buyi suddenly halted, his expression shifting to one of mild surprise.


    "What is it, Old Blind Man?" Long Zhengfei asked eagerly.


    Even Mr. Ruler, Chi Chunshui, showed a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes.


    Li Buyi chuckled and said, "Heh, I didn¡¯t figure it out."


    Long Zhengfei and Chi Chunshui were speechless.


    "What are you gasping about, then?" Long Zhengfei scolded angrily.


    Li Buyi settled back into his seat, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. He sipped his tea and took a deep breath before saying, "The heavens are unfathomable. I glimpsed only a faint vision of mountains of corpses and seas of blood."


    Chi Chunshui seemed deep in thought. Li Xiaofei felt a flicker of curiosity. He didn¡¯t fully understand the art of divination.


    Could people truly foresee events of the future? Could such techniques really bridge the past, present, and future?


    "Young friend, are you truly unwilling to leave Haijing City?"


    Chi Chunshui stopped pondering the implications of Li Buyi''s vision and uneasily pressed him again. "You must know that when the Jiepeng forces retaliate next time, we won¡¯t be able to help you much even if we three old men stake our lives."


    Long Zhengfei nodded gravely. "Old Ruler speaks the truth. As the saying goes, ''Where there¡¯s life, there¡¯s hope.'' Don¡¯t let reckless courage be your undoing."


    Li Xiaofei slowly rose to his feet. He walked to the center of the room and then, facing the three great masters of the slum, bowed deeply.


    "Esteemed seniors," He began. "When I said I came to Haijing City to restore the land, I wasn¡¯t joking, nor was I boasting.I was being completely serious. When I said I plan to establish the Jingwu Sect in the slum, I meant it wholeheartedly."


    "When I spoke of slaying Saints, I was deadly earnest. I understand that you, esteemed seniors, don¡¯t know me well and thus have your doubts. That¡¯s only natural. But I will prove to you that every word I¡¯ve spoken can be fulfilled. The time it will take for me to prove this won¡¯t be long. This bow of mine is to sincerely request that the three of you lend me your support."


    Li Xiaofei bent deeply again in a profound bow. Long Zhengfei, Chi Chunshui, and Li Buyi were visibly shaken, rising to their feet in unison.


    By duty, Li Xiaofei was a Special Envoy of the Dragon Group, while they were merely grassroots fighters in the slum. By achievement, Li Xiaofei had already slain Jiepeng elites, a feat none of them had accomplished. Thus, Li Xiaofei¡¯s bow made them feel undeserving of such respect.


    "We three old bones have clung to life for long enough. If we can still contribute something to Great Xia in our remaining years, nothing could be more satisfying," Long Zhengfei thumped his chest with bold enthusiasm. "Tell us, what do you need from us?"


    Chi Chunshui added, "We don¡¯t fear death. Our only concern is that going up against Jiepeng¡¯s Saints might still achieve nothing even if we sacrifice ourselves."


    "You misunderstand, senior," Li Xiaofei explained. "I¡¯m not asking the three of you to fight against Jiepeng¡¯s forces with me. Instead, I¡¯m asking you to join the Jingwu Sect. With your influence and reputation in the slum, you can inspire many more to join the sect, train in martial arts and strengthen themselves."


    Long Zhengfei froze, processing the idea.


    Chi Chunshui looked surprised. "Are you suggesting that the three factions merge into one under the Jingwu Sect?"


    Li Xiaofei nodded.


    Where there were factions, there would inevitably be conflict. There would be divisions and sectarianism. The more factions there were, the harder it was to achieve unity. This was a truth Li Xiaofei had come to understand during his time in Liuhe Base City.


    Liuhe Base City was a small place with a limited population. Yet the slum in Haijing City housed over ten million people. According to Nan Hua, aside from the five major factions, there were at least several hundred other small, disorganized gangs scattered throughout the slum.


    No matter the original intent of these factions, once their interests were at stake, disputes were bound to arise. Conflicts over resources, territory, or power would inevitably escalate into bloodshed. Once grievances formed, hatred would continue to pile up layer upon layer.


    How could unity even be considered in such a scenario? One had to reduce the many into one. In these times of internal turmoil and external threats, the only way to unite everyone was to give them a single organization to rally around and a common belief to follow.


    Thus, from this moment onward, the slum of Haijing City would have only one faction.


    The Jingwu Sect.

 Chapter 465: The Ten Saints

    Chapter 465: The Ten SaintsLong Zhengfei, Chi Chunshui, and Li Buyi were deeply shaken after hearing Li Xiaofei''s words. They had initially thought Li Xiaofei was merely a martial prodigy; an ambitious youth unafraid of bloodshed and driven by passion to carve out a path with sheer determination.


    But now, they realized they had underestimated the boy''s ambition. He intended to unify the slum. It was important to note that while the slum occupied less than a tenth of Haijing City''s land, it was home to a third of its population.


    If someone truly managed to unify the factions, they would wield immense influence and potentially become a superpower within Haijing City. This ambition was even more astonishing than the strength and achievements Li Xiaofei had already demonstrated. Yet, they could not deny the logic in his plan.


    If the slum could be united and the wills of its more than ten million residents could be aligned, it could indeed bring a glimmer of hope to the crumbling chaos of Haijing City. But could it truly be done? Even if they were to lend their full support, would the other power players in Haijing City idly stand by as a new titan emerged?


    The people were not ignorant, but those in positions of power and privilege were often shortsighted, blinded by their own vested interests. Even if they recognized that unifying the slum would benefit Great Xia, they would undoubtedly work to sabotage the process for fear of losing their own influence.


    "If you can resolve the impending troubles from the Jiepeng and Yiggs forces, then we three old fellows will help you establish the Jingwu Sect. Why not?" Chi Chunshui finally decided.


    Long Zhengfei nodded in agreement. "Old Ruler is right this time. If the upcoming troubles aren¡¯t resolved, everything we¡¯ve discussed is just empty talk."


    After a brief moment, he added, "Young man, if you decide to run now, we three old fools won¡¯t mock you. After all, preserving your life is what matters most."


    Li Xiaofei merely smiled faintly. He had already mapped out his plan clearly and had no intention of fleeing. Besides, his three ¡®green hairs¡¯ were still unused. The reason he had been relentlessly decisive in killing his enemies earlier was to lure out the strongest foreign forces in Haijing City so that he could eliminate them all at once. His only concern was that his enemies might not show up.


    "Esteemed seniors, as someone new to Haijing City, I am not yet familiar with the Saints in this city. Could you enlighten me?" Li Xiaofei sat back down and asked humbly.


    While such information was already available in the Dragon Group¡¯s intelligence reports, hearing it directly from these three experienced masters might offer unique insights.


    Li Buyi chuckled and said, "We three are just minor figures with some reputation in the slum. That so-called list of powerhouses shouldn¡¯t be taken too seriously. After all, there are always hidden dragons and Saints who choose not to reveal themselves. That said, there is an overall ranking for Haijing City that is relatively more credible."


    He paused to sip his tea before continuing, "In Haijing City, there are twenty-three Saints in total. Nine are from Great Xia, and fourteen are from foreign nations."


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily taken aback.


    The number of foreign Saints exceeds those of Great Xia?


    "The reason is simple," Li Buyi explained steadily. "Haijing City is one of Great Xia¡¯s gateways, the largest city in the south, with an immense population and plentiful resources. It ranks among the top five cities globally in terms of economic development and resource abundance. The surrounding region holds vast reserves of resources, many of which are world-leading."


    "As such a juicy prize, everyone wants a bite. Unfortunately, Haijing City is home to dozens of Cave Beast spatial channels. These tunnels link directly to foreign territories, allowing nations and factions from other administrative regions to dispatch their emissaries here with ease."


    "This is the reason behind the establishment of the Wanmao District in Haijing City," Li Buyi continued.


    Li Xiaofei nodded. He was aware of these details but hadn¡¯t expected so many foreign Saints to be present on Great Xia¡¯s soil.


    Li Buyi went on to elaborate.


    "Currently, the top ten on Haijing City¡¯s power rankings are all Saint-level figures."


    "First place belongs to Lord Song Huaiyuan, Great Xia¡¯s Sixth Commander stationed in Haijing City. Recognized as the strongest across all factions, his undefeated record solidifies his title without dispute."


    "Second place is held by Aztast, a Beast Transformation Saint from the Yiggs Union, who also serves as an Inspector for the Star Council, stationed here in Haijing."


    "Third is Tsukiha Tens¨­ of Jiepeng, a master of the Flying Blade Stream. On the surface, he is a martial arts instructor at the Jiepeng Consulate, but in truth, he is Jiepeng''s top operative in Haijing City. Even their Consul General, Qimou Xun, takes orders from him."


    "Fourth is Mr. Lu Xufeng, honored by the title The Professor. He is the President of Zhendan University and a revered veteran Saint of Great Xia." sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Fifth is Yang Zhihou, who, despite his Great Xia name, is a naturalized citizen of the Yiggs Union. He serves as the Consul General of the Yiggs Consulate in Haijing City and is a leading expert on Great Xia. Many Yiggs Union policies concerning Great Xia were designed and implemented by him."


    "The sixth is Lord Chen Zhishun, the Commander-in-Chief of Haijing City''s stationed military forces under Great Xia."


    "The seventh is You Longzi, a veteran Saint who transitioned from ancient martial arts to modern techniques. He now leads Haijing City''s largest sect, the Heavenly Dragon Sect. However, his loyalties are fickle, swaying wherever profit lies."


    "The eighth is Bojinov, the military attach¨¦ stationed at the Bayer Federation Consulate."


    "Ninth place belongs to Glenn Johnson, the Consul General from the European Independent Nations Alliance stationed in Haijing."


    "And the tenth is Sharman, the Deputy Consul General of the Indi Empire in Haijing."


    Li Buyi introduced each of these ten figures in detail, then went on to describe other Saints, their power levels, preferences, and the factions they represented.


    As expected of someone nicknamed The Divine Seer, Li Buyi¡¯s knowledge far exceeded the intelligence reports from the Dragon Group. He even provided details about individuals not listed in official reports.


    This greatly benefited Li Xiaofei, who felt that asking was well worth it. After finishing these discussions, Li Xiaofei seized the opportunity to inquire about a few other topics of interest.


    Just then, Nan Hua¡¯s micro light-core device vibrated softly. She glanced at it, her expression instantly turning serious. Without a word, she rose and left the living room. Moments later, she returned in haste.


    "Sir, Deputy Leader Hua Wuying¡¯s whereabouts have been discovered," Nan Hua whispered as she leaned close to Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s mind stirred at the news.


    He stood up immediately, cupping his hands toward Long Zhengfei and the others. "My apologies, the Dragon Group has an urgent matter that requires my attention. I must leave at once.


    "I will prove everything I¡¯ve said to you very soon. In the meantime, I ask the three of you to begin preparations for the establishment of the Jingwu Sect without delay. Time is of the essence, and we must act swiftly and decisively."


    ***


    Haijing City. Anjing District. Lijing Hotel.


    A sudden influx of Jiepeng soldiers surrounded the entire hotel, locking it down and preventing anyone from entering or leaving. Huang Fulai, An Xiaohu, and others, who had just been released from house arrest, were stopped before they could even step outside.


    "This isn¡¯t the Wanmao District! How dare Jiepeng soldiers conduct a military operation here? This is outrageous!"


    "I heard they¡¯re here to apprehend an escaped fugitive."


    "What fugitive?"


    "No idea."


    The murmurs among the surrounding crowd made Huang Fulai frown slightly. Jiepeng¡¯s brazen behavior in Haijing City, forming a military lockdown outside the Wanmao District, was nothing short of humiliating to Great Xia.


    As for the so-called criminal they were hunting, Huang Fulai suspected it was likely another courageous patriot resisting Jiepeng¡¯s oppression. His mind began to work. He needed to come up with a way to help.


    Meanwhile, a pale beautiful woman with bandages wrapped around her waist and abdomen was crouched in the basement of the Lijing Hotel. She listened to the commotion outside, bow in one hand, her expression a mixture of vigilance and urgency.


    Four young girls in ragged clothing lay on a worn-out mattress beside her. Their appearances were almost identical. Each was a rare beauty, their icy skin and delicate features resembling artwork carved from white jade.


    Huddled together for warmth, they clung tightly to one another, fast asleep. Whatever they had endured earlier left its mark since the four girls trembled slightly even in their sleep, as though trapped in a nightmare.


    Outside, the sound of footsteps grew louder and closer.

 Chapter 466: Little Dragon Maidens

    Chapter 466: Little Dragon MaidensHow could Jiepeng catch up so quickly?


    This time, she had gone to great lengths to conceal herself. It was impossible for anyone to know where she was. Hua Wuying quickly considered her options, searching for a way to deal with the situation.


    The knocking on the door rapidly turned into loud banging, accompanied by a few angry curses in Jiepeng¡¯s language.


    Hua Wuying made a quick decision. Her snow-white left hand lightly brushed the bowstring. Her jade-like palm was cut open, and fresh blood gushed from the wound.


    She pressed her hand against the dust-covered ground. The crimson blood spread across the floor at an unnatural speed, quickly covering the entire surface of the basement storeroom and even climbing up the walls.


    She activated an illusion spell using blood as the medium. A second later, the blood vanished entirely and the storeroom appeared unchanged, as if nothing had happened.


    Boom!


    The door to the storeroom was violently smashed open. Several Jiepeng soldiers clad in armor rushed in and scanned the room carefully. What should have been a storeroom where Hua Wuying sat with four petite, snow-white beauties was seemingly completely empty. They could see every corner at a glance.


    ¡°There¡¯s no one here.¡±


    ¡°Search elsewhere.¡±


    The Jiepeng warriors swiftly departed.


    Hua Wuying let out a sigh of relief. The excessive blood loss made her elegant and spirited face even paler. Every time she used the Blood Illusion Technique, it inflicted severe damage on her body.


    Given her current physical condition, this one was the last one she would be able to perform. Fortunately, she had temporarily evaded the pursuers. However, Hua Wuying knew she could no longer remain hidden here.


    The Jiepeng forces must have obtained some sort of lead, which explained why they had come to search Lijing Hotel. Although this search had yielded no results, if they failed to make progress elsewhere, they would undoubtedly return to comb through the area again.


    When she glanced back at the four exquisite young girls who were still sound asleep, a trace of relief crossed Hua Wuying¡¯s face. Thankfully, they were in a state of dormant transformation and had not yet awakened from their developmental phase.


    Had they been startled awake earlier, it would have created a significant problem. Hua Wuying exhaled deeply once more and began treating the wound on her palm. In the dim light of the storeroom, her left palm revealed six deep cuts from the bowstring. These wounds, due to the nature of the secret technique, could not heal quickly. She pondered her next hiding spot.


    The good news was that, as the deputy leader of the Dragon Group, she knew the locations of several safe houses in Haijing City. Her familiarity with the city from years of activity gave her an edge. On the other hand, the bad news was that she would have to activate a few members again while everyone was currently lying low. This would inevitably lead to sacrifices she could no longer prevent.


    But when she thought about the origins of the four sisters and the secrets they carried, Hua Wuying understood that no matter the cost, she had to deliver them into the hands of the organization.


    A sudden soft moan startled her. Hua Wuying froze for a moment, her expression shifting to one of urgency. But it was already too late.


    One of the four deeply sleeping girls slowly opened her eyes. Large, round pupils as black as an abyss and devoid of sclera stared blankly around. The sight was both eerie and terrifying.


    She sat up slowly, her jet-black pupils contracting rapidly. The blackness condensed to a needlepoint before spreading outward again, transforming into a pale golden vertical slit.


    This was not the eye of a human being. It resembled the cold, predatory gaze of some kind of reptilian creature. The girl slowly opened her mouth.


    ¡°Ah...¡±


    A strange, piercingly sharp growl burst forth, filled with an otherworldly resonance and startling intensity.


    ***


    "Not on the first floor."


    "Not on the second floor."


    "Not on the third floor."


    The warrior squads conducting the search reported back one after another.


    Seated boldly in the center of the hotel lobby, his hands resting on the hilt of his katana, the Jiepeng consulate military officer, Yagyu Jueichiro, narrowed his eyes as he listened to their reports.


    "Not in the basement either."


    The last squad returned to deliver their findings.


    Yagyu Jueichiro''s narrowed eyes snapped open suddenly. His sharp and venomous gaze sent a chill through everyone in the lobby. Afraid of being targeted, they quickly looked away.


    "Mr. Yagyu, shall I lead another team to conduct a more thorough search?" A middle-aged man in a Police Department uniform approached with a sycophantic smile.


    This was Tie Shi, Deputy Director of the Anjing District Police Department.


    "No need, Tie-kun," Yagyu Jueichiro replied, shaking his head. His command of the Great Xia was stiff and unnatural. "My men have searched the place thoroughly. I trust their work. Perhaps the criminal has already blended into the crowd in the lobby."


    His cold eyes swept across the people gathered in the lobby.


    "You, you, and you." Yagyu Jueichiro raised his hand and pointed at several women in the crowd. "All of you are suspicious. You resemble the criminal. Take them away. I will interrogate them personally."


    The women he pointed at were all young beauties with fair skin. Panic instantly spread across their faces, and fear filled their eyes.


    "No, it¡¯s not me..."


    "My father is the owner of Derongxiang."


    "I¡¯m a hotel staff member. My colleagues can vouch for me. I¡¯ve been working here for two years..."


    The young women frantically tried to explain, their voices trembling with fear. A look of hesitation appeared on Tie Shi¡¯s face. How could he not understand the Jiepeng people''s intentions? It was clear they were using this as an excuse to abduct these innocent girls for their own indulgence.


    For a moment, Tie Shi hesitated, unsure of how to respond. But the Jiepeng ronin standing nearby burst into laughter and dragged the terrified girls out of the crowd. Anyone who dared to intervene was ruthlessly beaten and left bleeding on the floor.


    The lobby erupted into chaos, filled with screams and cries. Tie Shi clenched his fists tightly and lowered his head, unable, or unwilling, to speak out.


    "Move," Yagyu Jueichiro commanded with satisfaction as he turned to leave.


    From the shadows, Huang Fulai, who had been observing everything, could no longer hold back. Just as he prepared to step forward. Suddenly¡ª


    "Ahhhhh..."


    A strange, chilling roar echoed through the hotel. The sound was bizarre, as if it bypassed the air entirely and penetrated directly into the mind, clawing its way into the body through every pore. Everyone instantly turned pale, struck by dizziness and nausea.


    What is happening?


    Huang Fulai felt a flicker of doubt and unease. Yagyu Jueichiro halted mid-step and spun around abruptly, his face lighting up with ecstatic joy.


    "Dragon Maiden! That¡¯s the sound of the Dragon Maiden completing her evolution!" Yagyu Jueichiro tilted his head, listening intently, and immediately pinpointed the origin of the sound.


    It was coming from the basement.


    "Quick! Seal off the basement! Someone, go and drag her out for me! Hahaha!"


    Katana in hand, Yagyu Jueichiro made a sharp gesture. The ronin surged toward the basement like a tide.


    Whoosh!


    Suddenly, an invisible arrow shot out from the basement. The translucent arrow curved mid-flight, defying logic. It pierced through the leading group of ronin, skewering them like candied hawthorns on a stick. Their steps froze, and they tumbled down the stairs with heavy thuds.


    Only after they collapsed did the sound of the arrow cutting through the air reach the ears of those present. That single arrow had surpassed the speed of sound.


    Standing in the lobby, Yagyu Jueichiro felt a sudden chill run down his spine. Instinctively, he drew his katana and slashed, unleashing a powerful burst of blade energy.


    Boom!


    The formless arrow''s energy collided with the blade''s energy. The impact was so tremendous that Yagyu Jueichiro was blown out of the lobby of the Lijing Hotel. His feet carved two massive ditches into the ground as he struggled to maintain his balance.


    In the next instant, a graceful figure burst out from the basement. She was followed by four young girls, their tattered clothing fluttering as they moved.


    The moment Huang Fulai laid eyes on the four girls, he was utterly struck by their ethereal beauty.


    Autumn waters for their gaze, jade for their bones.


    This line of poetry sprang unbidden to Huang Fulai¡¯s mind. They looked like celestial beings or fallen spirits, with snow-white skin that seemed to emit a faint glow. It was as though their entire beings were sculpted from divine white jade.


    Thrum. Thrum. Thrum.


    The sound of a vibrating bowstring thrummed in everyone¡¯s ears. One after another, the Jiepeng ronin collapsed like wheat beneath a scythe. The female archer led the four girls in a daring breakout attempt, moving with astonishing speed.


    They were on the verge of escaping the lobby when suddenly, an unexpected turn of events unfolded!


    Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 467: Comrade

    Chapter 467: ComradeBlade light came down on them like the Milky Way from the heavens. The female archer, who was already at the doorway, reacted swiftly. She gripped her bow with both hands and raised it as a shield to block the incoming strike in order to protect the four girls behind her.


    Boom!


    The blade energy exploded and the female archer braced herself against the full force of the attack.


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    The relentless waves of blade energy kept striking. She struggled to hold her ground, her face flushing bright red from the effort. Blood began to seep from her nose and mouth. Her old internal injuries that had been suppressed until now flared up uncontrollably. She was forced to retreat step by step.


    The stone tiles beneath her feet cracked and shattered with each step back, leaving deep imprints before exploding into rubble. Eventually, the female archer and the four ethereal girls were driven back into the lobby.


    A Jiepeng man with a red-sheathed horizontal blade hanging at his waist stood at the entrance. He stepped forward slowly from behind Yagyu Jueichiro. He was unusually tall and broad-shouldered for a Jiepeng individual. His long black hair was tied back casually. His face was stern, his eyes sharp and bright like stars and moons.


    He appeared to be around thirty years old and radiated an aura of absolute confidence. His presence was akin to a peerless treasure blade, its edge concealed yet radiating a sense of imminent danger, as if ready to unleash its brilliance at any moment.


    "I¡¯ve heard that Hua Wuying of the Great Xia Dragon Group, known as the Lightning Shadow, is said to be peerless with her bow. It¡¯s said that her arrows are so swift that they''re invisible. But seeing you today, hmm... It seems your reputation was rather exaggerated," said the Jiepeng man as he strolled leisurely into the lobby.


    Everyone instantly felt a suffocating pressure. It was as if a massive boulder had been forcefully dropped into a pool already filled to the brim, threatening to push everyone else out of existence.


    "That¡¯s Chiyo Tsukio, the second disciple of Tsukiha Tens¨­, a Saint of Jiepeng. He is rumored to be invincible below the Divine Realm." An Xiaohu whispered into Huang Fulai¡¯s ear.


    Huang Fulai gave a slight nod. Invincible below the Divine Realm meant he was still at the Dao Union Realm. But even so, Huang Fulai knew he was not someone he could challenge.


    Huang Fulai had been quietly observing the female archer and the four peculiar young girls behind her. It was an odd group, especially the four ethereal and otherworldly girls. They lacked the aura of ordinary human beings, and faintly radiated a beast-like presence.


    Could they be the so-called Dragon Maidens that Yagyu Jueichiro had mentioned? What exactly is a Dragon Maiden?


    Huang Fulai had no idea. But judging by the situation, it seemed they were of great importance to Jiepeng. He continued to silently observe the situation.


    At that moment...


    "I am a member of the Great Xia Dragon Group. Your open pursuit of me is a blatant act of war!" Hua Wuying declared her identity outright.


    As expected, her words triggered a wave of commotion and whispers throughout the hotel lobby. The Great Xia Dragon Group was an official and legitimate organization of Great Xia.


    "And so what?" Chiyo Tsukio replied coldly, his tone laced with disdain. "Even if I were to kill you, would Great Xia dare declare war on the Jiepeng Empire?"


    Huang Fulai and the others turned pale at these words. The arrogance of the Jiepeng people was utterly insufferable.


    "Hand over the Dragon Maiden," Chiyo Tsukio demanded as he advanced steadily. "If you do, I might spare your life. Otherwise, my blade will surely taste blood, leaving no one alive in its path."


    Hua Wuying sneered coldly. "Dream on."


    The eyes of the four girls behind her betrayed their fear and hatred upon seeing Chiyo Tsukio¡¯s attire as they slowly retreated.


    "Then die," said Chiyo Tsukio as he gripped the hilt of his blade and suddenly swung it.


    The blade remained in its scabbard as he slashed, delivering a powerful blow. Hua Wuying gripped her bow tightly with her right hand, while her left hand¡¯s index and middle fingers plucked the bowstring in unison.


    Buzz.


    The bowstring vibrated, emitting an unusual sonic wave. Dozens of wind blades erupted from the bowstring, slicing through the air toward Chiyo Tsukio. However, his swing remained steady and unstoppable. The blade energy from his sheathed strike shattered the wind blades effortlessly.


    Forced to protect the four girls behind her, Hua Wuying once again used her bow as a shield to block the sheathed slash. But her body was already gravely injured. As a long-range archer, how could she possibly withstand such a brutal strike?


    Boom!


    Hua Wuying was sent flying, her body crashing heavily against a nearby Roman column. She fell to the ground with a thud, blood gushing from her mouth.


    "Pathetic trash, unworthy of a fight," Chiyo Tsukio remarked coldly as he put his blade away. "Take her."


    Four Jiepeng warriors rushed forward.


    Coughing up blood, Hua Wuying shouted desperately, "I am Hua Wuying, Deputy Leader of the Dragon Group in Haijing City. These four girls are descendants of the Divine Dragon and hold the truth behind the Jiepeng people''s plot to use star beasts to attack Haijing City!"


    She cast a pleading gaze toward Tie Shi, the police officer. But Tie Shi avoided her eyes. Perhaps there really was some conspiracy. But it wasn¡¯t something he dared to intervene in.


    "Help me!" Hua Wuying cried out again, her voice filled with sorrow and defiance. "The Dragon Maiden must not fall into the hands of the Jiepeng! Where are the warriors of Great Xia? Help me!"


    The lobby was filled with silence, and many people''s faces turned pale. Some seemed ready to step forward, but the murderous gazes of several Jiepeng ronin stopped them in their tracks. They shrank back, lowering their heads in fear.


    Huang Fulai knew there was no time to hesitate any longer. He stepped forward resolutely, positioning himself between the Jiepeng ronin and Hua Wuying.


    "Enough!" Huang Fulai declared firmly. "This is Haijing City, part of Great Xia. You will not be allowed to act with impunity here."


    The Jiepeng warriors glared at him furiously, reaching for their blades. But Huang Fulai was a master at the Five Spirits Realm. The aura he unleashed pinned the warriors to their spots, their faces contorting in pain as they struggled madly. Yet, they couldn¡¯t even draw their swords. At that moment, Yagyu Jueichiro stepped into the lobby, his blade at the ready.


    "Bakayaro! You, a mere Five Spirits Realm expert, dare to think you can stop us?" Yagyu Jueichiro, still seething with rage after being forced to retreat by an earlier arrow, charged forward with his blade aimed at Huang Fulai.


    "I am a city leader-ranked official of Great Xia!" Huang Fulai shouted, striving to dodge the strikes while maintaining his composure. "You dare attack an official in broad daylight? Are you not afraid of the Star Council¡¯s judgment?"


    "You lowly Great Xia scum!" Yagyu Jueichiro sneered maliciously. "Dead is dead, even if you''re an official. Do you really think the Star Council cares about your kind?"


    His strength, honed to the Golden Body Realm, far exceeded Huang Fulai''s. Within just a few strikes, Huang Fulai found himself teetering on the brink of death.


    "My lord!" An Xiaohu, Huang Fulai¡¯s secretary, rushed forward in a desperate attempt to intervene.


    "Die, you wretched insect!" Yagyu Jueichiro swung his blade backward in a deadly arc with a sneering laugh.


    Blade light cut through the air as An Xiaohu felt a cold sensation sweep across his neck. He tried to evade, but the overwhelming disparity in strength left him no time to react.


    Is this the end of my life?


    As death loomed, a sudden force pulled him back. An Xiaohu found himself stumbling half a meter backward, just far enough to evade the lethal strike.


    He stood trembling, unable to catch his breath as he survived by a hair¡¯s breadth. Instinctively, he muttered, "Thank you, thank..."


    He froze mid-sentence, his eyes widening in disbelief. "You?!"


    To his shock, the one who had saved him was a familiar young man. The same young man who had once tirelessly protected refugees during the Xu Base City evacuation and, in a fit of righteous anger, executed the cruel and exploitative Kong Xuanzhong and his ilk.


    The same young man who had willingly submitted himself to imprisonment in the dark dungeons to clear the name of City Leader Huang.


    "You... how did you..." An Xiaohu faltered, at a loss for words. He had assumed Li Xiaofei had escaped and left Haijing City.


    Li Xiaofei merely smiled, giving An Xiaohu''s shoulder a reassuring pat. "Leave this to me."


    He stepped forward, walking calmly toward the incoming blade light.


    "Bakayaro... die!" Yagyu Jueichiro¡¯s eyes gleamed with murderous intent.


    His blade slashed mercilessly down. To him, killing a few Great Xia people was no different from crushing ants; utterly inconsequential. Since someone dared to stand in his way, they would all die together.


    Li Xiaofei continued walking forward without breaking stride. He raised his hand slightly and caught the blade with two fingers. The strike, which was powerful enough to obliterate a Five Spirits Realm expert in an instant, came to an abrupt halt.


    Yagyu Jueichiro gritted his teeth as he attempted to force his blade forward. It didn¡¯t budge. Staring in disbelief, he looked from his blade to Li Xiaofei''s fingers.


    Li Xiaofei applied a bit of pressure.


    Crack.


    The blade snapped. Before Yagyu Jueichiro could react, Li Xiaofei flicked his finger.


    Whoosh!


    The broken half of the blade pierced directly into Yagyu Jueichiro¡¯s forehead.


    His overwhelming inner qi devastated the Golden Body Realm expert¡¯s life force instantly. The Jiepent expert collapsed backward like a decayed log, crashing heavily to the ground.


    Death had come suddenly and without warning. The lobby fell into an eerie silence.


    Huang Fulai and An Xiaohu exchanged a glance, each seeing the shock and exhilaration reflected in the other¡¯s eyes.


    The shock came from witnessing the young man¡¯s incredible strength as he killed a Golden Body Realm expert as effortlessly as cutting down weeds. The exhilaration arose from seeing him again, alive and unharmed, lifting the veil of worry that had hung over them for so long.


    "Who are you?" Chiyo Tsukio glanced at Yagyu Jueichiro¡¯s lifeless body, then focused his gaze on Li Xiaofei.


    This young man from Great Xia, who had appeared so suddenly, radiated an aura that posed a genuine threat... and that thrilled him.


    Li Xiaofei ignored him entirely as he turned and walked toward Hua Wuying. The gravely injured female archer looked as pale as snow as she struggled to her feet. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just as she tried to speak, her body seized with unbearable pain, and she fell forward, unable to control herself. Li Xiaofei reached out and caught her.


    "Please... protect them... they must..." Hua Wuying used the last of her strength to voice her plea, her gaze fixed desperately on the young man who had come to their rescue.


    He was her final hope.


    "I know everything," Li Xiaofei said softly, his voice calm and reassuring. "Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll handle it all, comrade."


    The last word, comrade, made Hua Wuying¡¯s battered body tremble slightly. Her dimming eyes suddenly sparkled with brilliant light as she looked at Li Xiaofei in utter astonishment.


    "Codename Jade Emperor. Comrade, I¡¯m sorry I arrived late," Li Xiaofei said calmly.


    In that moment, a faint smile appeared on Hua Wuying¡¯s face. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt a sense of relief. The loneliness of fighting alone had weighed heavily on her, but now, she had found her ally, her comrade. There was no one in the Haijing City Dragon Group with the codename Jade Emperor. That could only mean one thing, he was reinforcements from headquarters.


    A vial of fifth-generation pure Starforce Reagent was slipped into her hand.


    Li Xiaofei turned and smiled at Huang Fulai. "City Leader Huang, I¡¯ll need your assistance."


    Snapped out of their daze, Huang Fulai and An Xiaohu hurried over to support Hua Wuying, steadying her as she began to recover.


    Li Xiaofei then turned toward Chiyo Tsukio.


    "Be careful, that guy is strong," Huang Fulai warned from behind.


    "It¡¯s fine," Li Xiaofei replied indifferently. "He¡¯s just a mangy dog."


    The remark succeeded in thoroughly enraging Chiyo Tsukio.


    "You Great Xia dog, you¡¯ll pay for those words!" Chiyo Tsukio snarled, raising his blade and stepping forward.

 Chapter 468: God Slaying

    Chapter 468: God SlayingChiyo Tsukio was supremely confident in his abilities. If a Saint didn¡¯t interfere, he considered himself invincible within the Dao Union Realm. Moreover, he had mastered the essence of the Flying Blade Stream, a technique passed down by the Saints. He could even hold his ground against a Divine Realm opponent for some time so long as no divine abilities were unleashed.


    He swung his blade, still sheathed, in a powerful arc. His technique was sharp and ferocious, as though it could cleave the entire building in two.


    Li Xiaofei remained composed, his expression calm. He raised his hand, shaping it like a blade, and struck back in kind.


    Bang!


    The hand blade collided with the sheathed sword and energy erupted from the impact.


    Chiyo Tsukio¡¯s body trembled as he was nearly forced to take a step back. Only by forcefully channeling his inner qi did he manage to stabilize himself.


    A flicker of surprise passed through Chiyo Tsukio¡¯s eyes as he reevaluated the young man standing before him. Around them, both the Jiepeng ronin and the Great Xia martial artists watched in shock and amazement.


    No one had expected the young man to hold his own against a disciple of a Saint. What¡¯s more, he had clearly gained the upper hand using only his hand as a blade.


    "Who would¡¯ve thought," Chiyo Tsukio sneered, his expression now alight with excitement. "that there could be someone like you among the lowly Great Xia scum."


    His voice grew cold, his tone laced with malice. "Excellent. Killing a skilled opponent like you will only further prove the might of Jiepeng martial arts. This time, I won¡¯t give you any chance."


    His thumb flicked against the sword guard, loosening the blade from its sheath.


    Clang!


    A crimson blade light emerged an inch from the mouth of the red scabbard. In an instant, the lobby was enveloped in a suffocating aura of blade energy. The red glow from the blade painted the air itself in the color of blood. The sharp intent radiating from the weapon formed a deadly domain around Chiyo Tsukio, a space where nothing could exist unharmed.


    Dust, air, stray hairs; anything that entered the area was shredded by the blade''s aura.


    "This blade is called Chixia," Chiyo Tsukio said, holding the partially drawn sword horizontally across his chest, his voice calm yet cutting. "I claimed it after exterminating the Chixia Sect of Great Xia; all one hundred and thirty-six lives, including their sect leader, Zhang Chixia. This is a treasured weapon, and once it is drawn, it must taste blood. It does not return to its sheath without taking a life."


    His lips curled into a faint smile. "In recognition of your ability to withstand one strike from me, I¡¯ll allow you the honor of making the first move. Draw your weapon, and make your last attack."


    The oppressive aura spread outward. Every Great Xia citizen in the lobby felt an instinctive chill, their hearts filled with unease and fear. In this era, the unchecked atrocities committed by the Jiepeng people in Haijing City had inflicted deep psychological scars on many of them. The massacre of the Chixia Sect was particularly infamous.


    Once a prominent sect in Haijing City with a century of history, it had been utterly annihilated by Chiyo Tsukio alone. The event had shaken the entire city and remained an unhealed wound, a symbol of humiliation for the sects of Great Xia.


    Opposite him, Li Xiaofei¡¯s lips curled into a faint smirk.


    An attempt to break my spirit?


    He calmly reversed his grip, and in his hand appeared a crescent-shaped blade, as radiant as the moon.


    "This blade is called Moon Splitting Blade," Li Xiaofei said nonchalantly, holding the crescent blade aloft. "I acquired it after decapitating Tsukiha Meiry¨±, one of Jiepeng''s so-called elites. It¡¯s a broken and barely serviceable blade. Oh, right," He added with a smirk, "before killing that Jiepeng dog, I also took care of two hundred and sixty others under the command of San Ten. Oh, and while I was at it, I killed a cyborg named Nathan Thomas and some Western woman cosplaying as a not-so-successful Greek goddess."


    His casual words landed like thunder in the room, shattering the tense, oppressive atmosphere. Suddenly, the mood in the lobby lightened, as though a weight had been lifted.


    Clang.


    The crescent blade slid from its sheath. Instantly, the blade radiated an ethereal glow, like moonlight cascading across a stormy night. Electricity seemed to crackle in the air.


    "The Moon Splitting Blade?" Chiyo Tsukio exclaimed, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the weapon. "You killed Meiry¨±, my junior brother?"


    Tsukiha Meiry¨±, the son of their master, may not have been as talented or powerful as Chiyo Tsukio, but he was still of their master¡¯s bloodline. To think this young man had taken his life.


    "I will make you suffer the most excruciating death using the Flying Blade Stream''s ultimate technique," Chiyo Tsukio snarled, his rage boiling over.


    His thumb flicked against his sword guard.


    "Flying Chaos Slash!"


    The Chixia Blade leapt from its sheath like a streak of blood-red lightning. Chiyo Tsukio caught the blade and swung down. Blade light erupted, surging like a torrential sea of blood and hellfire, crashing forward with a seemingly unstoppable force.


    Li Xiaofei remained calm, stepping forward with measured precision. He casually swung the crescent blade in return. His blade light was subtle, as fleeting as a white shadow darting through the void. The silver gleam sliced through the bloody sea and was gone in a blink.


    Clang.


    The Moon Splitting Blade returned to its sheath. Li Xiaofei stood tall, his posture relaxed and composed. Huang Fulai and the others, still trying to process what had just transpired, stared in shock.


    The blood-red blade light, as vast and overwhelming as a sea of hellfire, had completely engulfed Li Xiaofei. Just as they were about to cry out in alarm... they saw it.


    The blade light, rather than tearing Li Xiaofei apart, blossomed like illusory fireworks around him, dissipating harmlessly into the air. On the other side of the room, Chiyo Tsukio remained frozen with his blade extended. He didn¡¯t move.


    "Jiepeng dog, how could you ever hope to wield a treasure of Great Xia?"


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s voice was calm as he stepped forward and gently plucked the Chixia Blade from Chiyo Tsukio''s hand. He also took the crimson scabbard, holding the blade and sheath together. The weapon was a heavy blood-red ox-horn katana.


    Its blade gleamed with a crimson radiance that seemed to flow like liquid light. At a glance, it resembled the most beautiful sunset glow stretching across the evening sky.


    Clang.


    The long blade returned to its sheath.


    Li Xiaofei held up the Moon Splitting Blade briefly, its crescent glow catching the light, and said, "But your Jiepeng blades, in the hands of Great Xia warriors, can be wielded with absolute control and ease. That is why you lost."


    A thin red line slowly appeared on Chiyo Tsukio¡¯s neck. He clutched at his throat with both hands.


    "You... earlier... What blade technique was that?" He struggled to ask.


    His Flying Chaos Slash was the pinnacle of his martial prowess. Even a Divine Realm expert would hesitate to face it head-on. Yet Li Xiaofei had dismantled it so effortlessly that it defied his comprehension.


    "A blade technique from Great Xia," Li Xiaofei replied calmly. "The move is called A Journey Begins, just an entry-level technique from a third-rate academy in Great Xia."


    "This... can¡¯t... be..." Chiyo Tsukio¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief as his body slowly fell to the ground.


    Li Xiaofei turned his gaze toward the remaining Jiepeng ronin. Once arrogant and menacing, they now trembled with fear, unable to muster even the courage to meet his eyes.


    "You¡¯ve won." One of the Jiepeng ronin, gritting his teeth, stepped forward and bowed deeply. "By the honor of a warrior, we acknowledge your victory. We only ask for permission to retrieve the bodies of Lord Chiyo and Lord Yagyu so their souls may find peace." sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly.


    "Jiepeng dogs do not deserve peace."


    He pressed his hand against the hilt of the Chixia Blade. The blade leapt eagerly from its scabbard, emitting a brilliant crimson flash. The red glow streaked through the air like lightning.


    Shhh-thunk-thunk-thunk.


    Inside and outside the hotel lobby, the heads of the Jiepeng warriors rolled cleanly from their bodies, as if harvested by an invisible scythe. Necks spouted crimson fountains of blood, creating a scene reminiscent of a midday fireworks display, dazzling in its grim artistry.


    Clang!


    When the Chixia Blade returned to its sheath, not a single Jiepeng warrior remained alive. Their lifeless bodies collapsed to the ground in unison.


    To the Great Xia citizens witnessing this, the sight was anything but terrifying. Instead, it was a breathtakingly beautiful moment, one that filled their hearts with unprecedented satisfaction and relief.


    To martial artists like Huang Fulai and the others, the Chixia Blade in Li Xiaofei''s hand seemed to come alive, radiating an inexplicable yet palpable sense of joy as if it had found its true master.


    The young man stood tall amidst the blood strewn scene, his waist adorned with twin blades. He looked like an incarnation of a god of death. In that moment, Hua Wuying couldn¡¯t help but feel her blood boil with fervor.


    The four young girls standing nearby, their eyes wide with awe, unconsciously took a few steps back, gazing at Li Xiaofei with a mixture of reverence and fear.


    In the silent lobby, only one person remained alive, but he was consumed by terror and on the brink of collapse.

 Chapter 469: Why Is It Her?

    Chapter 469: Why Is It Her?At that moment, Tie Shi wished he could crawl back into his mother¡¯s womb. He hadn¡¯t even had time to react before all the Jiepeng experts died.


    Not even butchering pigs happens this fast.


    When Li Xiaofei¡¯s gaze landed on him, Tie Shi felt as though Death itself was staring him down. His knees nearly buckled, and his legs twitched uncontrollably.


    This madman had the audacity to slaughter Jiepeng experts without hesitation. What chance did Tie Shi stand if he angered him?


    "Sir, I..." Tie Shi stammered, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace.


    "Relax," Li Xiaofei said calmly. "I won¡¯t kill you."


    Relief washed over Tie Shi, and he nearly wept with gratitude.


    But then Li Xiaofei continued, "Go to the Jiepeng Consulate and deliver a message to Tsukiha Tens¨­. Tell him I¡¯m waiting for him at the Lijing Hotel¡ªand that he should hurry here to meet his death."


    Tie Shi nodded instinctively, bowing repeatedly. "Yes, yes, right away... wait, what?"


    He froze mid-response as the weight of Li Xiaofei¡¯s words hit him.


    Tsukiha Tens¨­? That was the name of one of the Saints of Jiepeng!


    The sheer magnitude of this challenge left Tie Shi dizzy with disbelief. He lifted his head to look at Li Xiaofei, his face pale with shock. Huang Fulai, An Xiaohu, Hua Wuying, and the others wore similar expressions of stunned incredulity.


    He¡¯s challenging a Saint? Does Li Xiaofei truly have the strength and confidence to pull it off? Or is he so far gone that his audacity bordered on madness?


    "Hmm?" Li Xiaofei turned his gaze to the still-frozen Tie Shi and said, "Why aren¡¯t you moving yet?"


    "Y-Yes, I¡¯ll go now!"


    Terrified, Tie Shi dared not utter another word. He quickly turned and ran out.


    Huang Fulai watched Tie Shi¡¯s retreating figure with a faint trace of pity in his expression. It wasn¡¯t hard to imagine the chaos and fury that would erupt among the Jiepeng people when Tie Shi delivered the message to the consulate. Nor was it hard to predict what fate awaited Tie Shi himself.


    The enraged Jiepeng would never let him go. Perhaps a brutal death awaited him. No, there was no perhaps. It was certain.


    Li Xiaofei then turned to Hua Wuying and asked, "How are you feeling? Should we get you back to the slums to rest and recover first?"


    Hua Wuying, having already consumed the vial of Starforce Reagent, had regained some energy. Her injuries had temporarily stabilized.


    "You... are you really going to challenge Tsukiha Tens¨­?" Hua Wuying asked, still struggling to believe it.


    Li Xiaofei nodded calmly.


    "The situation in Haijing City has decayed too much," He said evenly, as though discussing a mundane matter. "A drastic cure is needed. So, we¡¯ll use Tsukiha Tens¨­¡¯s head as the key ingredient for that cure."


    Huang Fulai¡¯s astonishment was beyond words. He found it difficult to believe. Yet, at the same time, a flicker of hope ignited within him. If Li Xiaofei could truly slay Tsukiha Tens¨­, the third-ranked Saint on Haijing City¡¯s power hierarchy, it would undoubtedly serve as the drastic remedy the city needed.


    Not only would it deliver a crushing blow to the arrogance of the Jiepeng, but it would also serve as a deterrent to the other foreign powers.


    But... could it really be done?


    Huang Fulai gazed at the young man before him. He felt like Li Xiaofei was shrouded in an impenetrable fog. Despite being so close, he seemed enigmatic and unreachable.


    The others in the lobby had already left in haste. The scale of what had just transpired was as though the very heavens had been torn apart. None dared linger any longer, not even out of curiosity. As they fled, word of the incident spread like an unstoppable plague throughout Haijing City.


    But Huang Fulai and An Xiaohu remained behind. Hua Wuying, of course, had no intention of leaving either.


    "What¡¯s the story with those four?" Li Xiaofei asked, his attention turning to the four peculiar young girls.


    Hua Wuying glanced at Huang Fulai.


    "They¡¯re trustworthy," Li Xiaofei said, sensing her hesitation.


    Hua Wuying nodded and began, "The Jiepeng people secretly control the Haisha Gang and other factions within Haijing City. For years, they¡¯ve been involved in heinous activities, including human trafficking. They¡¯ve been abducting women and young adults for forbidden experiments. Recently, I discovered that twenty women were being held captive by them in an abandoned brick factory in the slums. Acting covertly, I rescued them. Most were safely relocated through Dragon Group channels, but these four girls stood out..."


    When Hua Wuying first encountered the four girls, she immediately noticed that they were not entirely human. Sensing something unusual, she decided to keep them close and observe.


    Over time, she discovered an astonishing secret: the four girls underwent a mysterious process every three days, similar to the molting of snakes. During these periods of dormancy, they would shed their skin and experience extraordinary biological transformations.


    In just three cycles of this metamorphosis, the girls had aged significantly, growing from what appeared to be seven or eight years old to their current state, resembling eleven- or twelve-year-olds.


    Hua Wuying¡¯s careful attention and care eventually earned the trust and dependence of the four sisters. Through simple communication, Hua Wuying learned a shocking secret from them. The star beast crises that had plagued Haijing City in recent years were not natural phenomena. They were deliberate. The Jiepeng people had developed a secret technique to control star beasts.


    They had driven massive numbers of terrestrial and aquatic star beasts to the outskirts of Haijing City, repeatedly orchestrating devastating beast tide assaults on the city. It wasn¡¯t just Haijing City. Several of Great Xia¡¯s base cities surrounding Haijing had suffered similar fates.


    This strategy had placed immense pressure on Great Xia''s city defenses, leading to heavy losses among stationed troops and martial experts. Eventually, Great Xia had been forced to seek assistance from the Star Council.


    Thus, under the Star Council¡¯s directives, Haijing City had been opened to foreign powers. The Wanmao District was established, allowing foreign military forces to station themselves within the city. Unfair treaties were signed, effectively opening Great Xia¡¯s southern gateway to external control.


    The reason Hua Wuying knew all this was because of the four sisters¡¯ mother. She was one of the Beast Kings driven from the ocean by the Jiepeng people. She was a cyan-scaled sea serpent imbued with the bloodline of a Divine Dragon.


    During a recent large-scale beast tide assault, this serpent, while in the midst of giving birth, suddenly awakened a trace of her latent bloodline. When she awakened, she had managed to break free from the Jiepeng people¡¯s secret control techniques. However, the bloodline awakening had come at a price. The majority of her vital essence and energy had been channeled into the four eggs she was carrying.


    The serpent hatched the eggs, giving life to the four sisters. But the Jiepeng people quickly realized what had happened and unleashed other Beast Kings to attack her. Weakened after transferring so much of her energy, the serpent had fought desperately, ultimately using her awakened bloodline techniques to teleport the four sisters to safety. She had ultimately perished in the shallow waters, holding off her pursuers.


    The four sisters, newly born and dazed, carried the memories encoded in their bloodline. Through sheer coincidence, the serpent''s bloodline technique had transported them into Haijing City. Drawing on the residual energy from their mother, the sisters had undergone multiple evolutions, eventually taking human forms resembling four or five-year-old children.


    Their intelligence quickly developed, enabling them to distinguish danger from safety. They survived for a time in the harsh conditions of Haijing City but eventually caught the attention of human traffickers. When they were captured, they were sold to the Haisha Gang, who specialized in abducting women to sell to the Jiepeng.


    The four sisters, who were all stunningly beautiful, were seen as rare treasures by the Haisha Gang. They were held in the abandoned brick factory alongside a dozen other young and beautiful virgins, awaiting inspection by the gang¡¯s executives. The plan was to offer them as gifts to the Jiepeng people.


    Hua Wuying¡¯s daring rescue had shattered the Haisha Gang¡¯s ambitions. Ordinarily, the loss of a few women, no matter how stunning, wouldn¡¯t have been enough to provoke the Jiepeng people into launching a city-wide manhunt in Haijing City.


    However, the Jiepeng people were already aware of the cyan-scaled serpent¡¯s evolution, her death, and the teleportation of her offspring.


    "Since the sisters possess bloodline memories, they can access their mother¡¯s perspective and expose the Jiepeng people¡¯s conspiracy. This is why they¡¯ve become the target of relentless pursuit and capture," Hua Wuying explained in a single breath.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression was filled with surprise. When he looked at the four sisters again, his gaze softened with a hint of kindness.


    So, they were born of a dragon. No, that¡¯s not entirely accurate. When the cyan-scaled serpent gave birth, she had already awakened her Divine Dragon bloodline.


    Calling the sisters Dragon Maidens isn¡¯t an exaggeration. They inherited the Divine Dragon bloodline. But why, then, are they not dragons themselves? Why had they taken on human forms?


    As Li Xiaofei regarded them with curiosity, the four sisters shrank back, hiding behind Hua Wuying. Peeking out from either side of Hua Wuying¡¯s waist, their little heads glared at Li Xiaofei, baring their teeth in a playful yet defiant manner. Their fierce demeanor was endearingly innocent, more adorable than intimidating.


    "To think the Jiepeng people have mastered such a secret technique," Huang Fulai said through gritted teeth, his entire body trembling with rage. "Does this mean the fall of Xu Base City was also part of their manipulation? They must have been after that..."


    He abruptly cut himself off, but the fury burning in his heart was evident as it threatened to erupt like an uncontrollable blaze.


    Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei was following a different line of thought. The fall of Xu Base City surely bore the fingerprints of the Jiepeng people. The chaotic state of Great Xia¡¯s southern territories was clearly the result of deliberate infiltration and meticulous scheming by the Jiepeng. The Yiggs, the Europians, the Bayerians, and the Indi people were all also complicit as they fanned the flames for their own benefit.


    As for the Star Council? This supposedly supreme human institution seemed far from innocent in its role during this crisis. Its actions, or lack thereof, were anything but honorable.


    "We must protect the four sisters at all costs." Hua Wuying said firmly. "Their testimony and the evidence they carry must be made public. We¡¯ll expose the Jiepeng people¡¯s despicable schemes to the entire world and make them pay for what they¡¯ve done."


    Li Xiaofei nodded faintly but did not echo her sentiments. If the sisters truly held the evidence to prove that the Jiepeng people had manipulated star beasts to engineer beast tides and mass slaughter, it might indeed bolster Great Xia¡¯s position on the international stage and create some level of global condemnation.


    However, Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t believe this would inflict significant damage on the Jiepeng people or force them to halt their plans. After all, in the current era, no nation would willingly abandon its gains because of external criticism.


    The lessons of five centuries ago, during a certain localized war, had already proven one immutable truth: only strength ensures a nation¡¯s survival. Control of public opinion has always been in the hands of the powerful.


    In this era of stark divisions between the strong and the weak, that reality had only been elevated to an extreme. There was only one path to seek vengeance. The blade.


    However, the value of the four sisters was undeniable. They must be protected at all costs. As this thought crossed his mind, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the hotel lobby. Large squads of Jiepeng soldiers were approaching rapidly. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Huang Fulai and the others immediately tensed, their expressions turning grim.


    Is the third-ranked Saint of Haijing City finally arriving? Is the ultimate battle about to begin?


    Soon, a figure stepped through the doorway. But it wasn¡¯t a towering, menacing warrior. It was a woman. She entered the lobby with measured steps, her presence commanding and poised.


    Her face was beautiful and elegant, exuding both purity and strength. Her striking features radiated a quiet confidence and grace.


    Li Xiaofei froze for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly.


    Why is it her?

 Chapter 470: Friendship Of Old Acquaintances

    Chapter 470: Friendship Of Old AcquaintancesThe woman turned out to be Tsukiha Yaiba, the Jiepeng girl from Quanye High School in Liuhe Base City. It had been a long time since Li Xiaofei had seen her, and she seemed to have changed slightly.


    Wearing a Jiepeng samurai robe and light makeup, she now appeared more mature than she had been during her student years.


    "So, it¡¯s you after all," Tsukiha Yaiba said with a faint smile as she took in Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei quickly regained his composure and smoothed his expression. He asked, "What¡¯s your relationship with Tsukiha Tens¨­?"


    "He¡¯s my uncle," Tsukiha Yaiba replied without hesitation. "When I heard reports from my subordinates and reviewed the video footage, I suspected it might be you. That¡¯s why I rushed here immediately. It¡¯s been a while, Li-kun."


    Li Xiaofei asked, "Did you rush here to fulfill the wager we made back then?"


    Tsukiha Yaiba smiled faintly. "If Li-kun wishes, I am at your service."


    Li Xiaofei shifted the topic. "Why didn¡¯t Tsukiha Tens¨­ come himself?"


    "My uncle is currently in seclusion," Tsukiha Yaiba replied.


    A flicker of disappointment went through Li Xiaofei. It seemed the old dog had managed to buy himself a few more days of life. Without Tsukiha Tens¨­¡¯s head as a warning, the plans ahead would inevitably face some complications.


    "How long will this seclusion last?" Li Xiaofei pressed further.


    "Saints in seclusion cannot be measured by time," Tsukiha Yaiba replied.


    Li Xiaofei cast a glance toward the hotel lobby entrance, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light. If Tsukiha Tens¨­ refused to show up, he might as well kill a few more Jiepeng people to make a statement. If he happened to take Tsukiha Yaiba down as well... That would undoubtedly force Tsukiha Tens¨­ to break his seclusion and come for revenge.


    As the thought took root, Li Xiaofei¡¯s hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his blade. Tsukiha Yaiba immediately sensed the threat. Her jaw tightened, and she gritted her teeth. She remembered very well how this young man harbored a seething hatred for the Jiepeng people back in Liuhe Base City.


    She hadn¡¯t expected him to change in the slightest despite their past acquaintance.


    So she hurriedly said, "Wait! I¡¯ve come for peace. Many things can be resolved at the negotiation table."


    "Negotiation table?" Li Xiaofei shook his head lightly. "What you can¡¯t take on the battlefield, you won¡¯t get at the negotiation table either. The Jiepeng people have run rampant in Haijing City for too long. It¡¯s time to collect some interest."


    As his words fell, the tension in the air thickened.


    Whoosh!


    The Chixia Blade leapt from its sheath, eager and jubilant. A streak of crimson light tore through the air.


    Before the Jiepeng soldiers inside and outside the hotel lobby could even register fear, their heads fell cleanly from their bodies, sending fountains of blood spraying high into the air. The daytime fireworks bloomed again in a gruesome, yet mesmerizingly beautiful fashion.


    Clang!


    The sound of metal striking rang out. Sparks erupted from Tsukiha Yaiba''s figure as a faint golden halo materialized around her, blocking the lethal strike. Her face turned pale with fright.


    "Stop! I can help you. Let¡¯s talk this through!" Tsukiha Yaiba shouted, her voice urgent and panicked.


    For the first time, she realized Li Xiaofei truly intended to kill her. This man had no intention of sparing her despite their shared past. The Chixia Blade traced an elegant arc in the air and descended toward Tsukiha Yaiba for a second strike.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s face remained devoid of any compassion. It was one thing for her to appear in Liuhe Base City under the guise of a student, but to show up here, in Haijing City, wearing the armor of Jiepeng¡¯s military?


    To Li Xiaofei, it was proof enough that Tsukiha Yaiba was an active participant in the invasion plans.


    Friendship? What friendship? That¡¯s worth less than nothing.


    Clang!


    Sparks flew again. The faint golden halo surrounding Tsukiha Yaiba dimmed further as it seemed on the verge of shattering completely.


    Desperation creeping into her voice, she shouted, "I know the secret behind how Jiepeng controls the ocean star beasts!"


    Whoosh!  S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Chixia Blade halted just three centimeters from her forehead.


    "Ah, the memories of the High School War God League," Li Xiaofei said with a sudden smile. "Tsukiha-san, it¡¯s been a long time. I¡¯ve missed you dearly. I hope this time, we can deepen our friendship."


    Tsukiha Yaiba was speechless. She panted heavily, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to calm her racing heart. It had been so close. Just a hair¡¯s breadth, and she would have been dead.


    Tsukiha Yaiba had always believed herself to be destined for greatness, someone who wouldn¡¯t die so easily. But Li Xiaofei¡¯s relentless ferocity had made her realize something chilling. Her life, at times, was entirely at the mercy of another¡¯s whim. This was the closest she had ever come to death.


    After catching her breath, Tsukiha Yaiba straightened and asked cautiously, "I¡¯ve told you what I know. Will you spare me now?"


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s smile widened. "Spare you? Why, Tsukiha-san, I never intended to kill you. You misunderstand me. I only thought our conversation could be... more in-depth."


    Tsukiha Yaiba gritted her teeth and said, "Have you considered that perhaps our goals might align?"


    Li Xiaofei glanced at Hua Wuying. She shook her head slightly, indicating that the Dragon Group''s intelligence on Tsukiha Yaiba was incomplete.


    Tsukiha Yaiba spoke quickly, "The imperial family of the Jiepeng Empire has obtained a divine weapon, an artifact capable of controlling star beasts. Once fully charged through a ritual, even king-grade and emperor-grade star beasts cannot resist its will. However, the Empire has yet to fully harness its power. However, even with only a fraction of its abilities, they¡¯ve already used it to command beast tides."


    Li Xiaofei, Hua Wuying, and Huang Fulai were all visibly shaken by this revelation.


    A divine weapon that could control star beasts?


    This was the first they had heard of such a thing.


    No wonder...


    Li Xiaofei thought back to what Hua Wuying had said about the four sisters. The cyan-scaled serpent must have been under the influence of this divine weapon. It had only managed to escape control by sheer coincidence during its bloodline awakening.


    Based on Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s information, the Jiepeng people hadn¡¯t yet fully mastered the divine weapon¡¯s abilities, which was why the serpent had been able to break free. Otherwise, even with a trace of Divine Dragon bloodline, the serpent would likely have become nothing more than another emperor-grade beast under Jiepeng¡¯s control.


    "Where is this divine weapon now?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    "It¡¯s, of course, within the Jiepeng Empire," Tsukiha Yaiba replied.


    "And they can control the beast tides along Great Xia¡¯s coasts from their homeland?" Li Xiaofei pressed further.


    Tsukiha Yaiba nodded. Li Xiaofei and the others exchanged glances, their hearts heavy with a growing sense of crisis. The notion of an artifact located in the Jiepeng Empire that could influence the territorial waters and lands of Great Xia was both terrifying and infuriating.


    If the Jiepeng people fully mastered this divine weapon, wouldn¡¯t all of Great Xia¡¯s lands fall under the control of these ambitious wolves?


    "You mentioned a ritual earlier. How is the divine weapon activated through this ritual?" Li Xiaofei pressed further.


    Tsukiha Yaiba replied without hesitation, "Through a sacrificial ceremony, using the blood, flesh, life, and soul of living beings as offerings. The more lives sacrificed, the stronger the weapon¡¯s power and the longer its duration."


    The faces of Li Xiaofei and his companions darkened again. This was nothing short of a monstrous, forbidden practice.


    "How many people are required for one ritual?"


    "At least one thousand," Tsukiha Yaiba replied.


    "And since the Jiepeng Empire obtained the divine weapon, how many times have they performed the ritual?"


    "To my knowledge, at least a hundred times," she answered. "This includes initial experimental phases and later full-scale sacrificial ceremonies."


    "That¡¯s insane," Huang Fulai exclaimed, unable to contain himself. "This is madness. It¡¯s like killing a thousand enemies while losing a thousand of your own. How many people does the Jiepeng Empire even have left?"


    Tsukiha Yaiba hesitated, glanced at him, and then asked a chilling question in return, "Why do you assume the sacrifices come from the Jiepeng Empire¡¯s citizens?"


    Huang Fulai¡¯s expression froze, then twisted as the realization struck him. His fists clenched tightly and his body trembled. His teeth ground audibly as an uncontainable rage boiled within him.

 Chapter 471: Sincerity Behind the Sunlit Glass Window (1)

    Chapter 471: Sincerity Behind the Sunlit Glass Window (1)If the people used were not Jiepeng Empire''s own citizens, then who were they? When one considered the madness of the Haisha Gang kidnapping and trafficking in the slums, the answer became clear.


    They sacrificed living, breathing people from Great Xia to the divine weapons. These weapons were then used to drive star beasts to slaughter the people of Great Xia, invade their lands, and seize their resources. It was utterly shameless.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes grew colder.


    Tsukiha Yaiba, fearing that the young man might start harboring thoughts of killing her again, quickly said, ¡°I can help you.¡±


    ¡°Help me with what?¡± Li Xiaofei asked.


    Tsukiha Yaiba replied, ¡°I can help you destroy the sacrificial ritual, prevent the divine weapons from activating, and delay the beast tide¡¯s invasion of Great Xia¡¯s coastal regions... Li Xiaofei, we can truly cooperate.¡±


    Li Xiaofei looked at her and asked, ¡°Why would you do that?¡±


    Tsukiha Yaiba responded, ¡°It¡¯s my own secret. Can I keep it? I swear, this secret poses no threat to you or your people.¡±


    Li Xiaofei shook his head. ¡°You see, this lack of openness makes communication shallow.¡±


    Tsukiha Yaiba gritted her teeth. ¡°Fine... It¡¯s for revenge. My enemy holds a high position within the Jiepeng Empire. To exact my revenge, I must rely on your strength.¡±


    Li Xiaofei fell into thought. From Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s expression and the hatred that surfaced in her eyes as she spoke of this matter, what she said was likely true. The Jiepeng were not a monolithic entity.


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll trust you this once.¡± After a moment of consideration, Li Xiaofei agreed.


    The words Tsukiha Yaiba had just spoken, especially her initiative in bringing up the matter of the divine weapons, had demonstrated her sincerity. Keeping such a mole within the Jiepeng forces might actually be beneficial. Moreover, Li Xiaofei had already devised a new plan.


    Meanwhile, Tsukiha Yaiba finally let out a sigh of relief. The young man before her was simply too unyielding. She had initially thought that she could leverage their past acquaintance to cooperate. However, death had brushed past her twice during this encounter. If it weren¡¯t for the protective heirloom that her father had left to her, she might already be a corpse.


    ¡°Go back,¡± Li Xiaofei waved her off. ¡°I¡¯ll contact you soon. There¡¯s something I¡¯ll need you to do.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wait for you,¡± Tsukiha Yaiba replied. She didn¡¯t bother with any questions as she turned and left.


    Her purpose had already been fulfilled, so she was content. Her expression didn¡¯t flicker as her eyes passed across the corpses of the Jiepeng soldiers and other elite fighters lying in pools of blood inside and outside the hall. Instead, the corners of her lips curved upward slightly. Clearly, she was in an excellent mood.


    ¡°What a pity that Tsukiha Tens¨­ is in seclusion,¡± Li Xiaofei remarked. ¡°It seems it won¡¯t be possible to kill him anytime soon. Well, the strongest rankings still have other troublesome figures. I might as well take care of them.¡±


    Huang Fulai¡¯s heart skipped a beat at his casual tone and quickly interjected, ¡°There¡¯s no rush. The others are officials from various nations. If something big happens, it could easily trigger international disputes.¡±


    Li Xiaofei glanced at him and nodded. It wasn¡¯t that he felt the need to hold back. He was simply planning something else in his mind. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He scanned the bodies and pools of blood scattered across the floor. Li Xiaofei turned to the police officers lurking fearfully outside the door and shouted loudly, ¡°Cops! Get in here and clean up this mess!¡±


    ***


    The slum.


    Li Xiaofei arrived at the Haisha Gang''s headquarters. As the former largest gang in the slum, the Haisha Gang''s base was a massive structure. It had been built atop an abandoned military base and repeatedly renovated and expanded over time, transforming it into an impenetrable fortress with both above-ground and underground defenses.


    Many gangs preferred to use abandoned military bases left behind during the early days of the star beasts'' emergence as their headquarters. In gang wars, these bases could indeed maximize protection for the gang and fend off attacks. But even the strongest fortress was useless in the face of a truly powerful individual.


    With the gang¡¯s elites, along with several leaders and deputy leaders, all slain by Li Xiaofei, the Haisha Gang had effectively collapsed. Thus, Li Xiaofei encountered no resistance upon his arrival. Nan Hua and dozens of Dragon Group members helped him swiftly take control of the entire base.


    Li Xiaofei met the key leaders of the Haijing City Dragon Group for the first time in the T0 conference room of the base. Apart from Nan Hua and Hua Wuying, the rest were all unfamiliar faces.


    There were ten district captains from various regions of Haijing City, who were examining Li Xiaofei curiously. They had already been briefed on the situation. They knew that this new envoy had killed hundreds of Jiepeng soldiers in just a day or two.


    This included top-tier fighters like Tsukiha Meiry¨± and Chiyo Tsukio. Even Elizabeth, a member of the infamous Blade of Verdict, hadn¡¯t been spared.


    All evidence pointed to one conclusion: the new envoy was a formidable and decisive war hawk with unparalleled strength and ruthless methods. This was undoubtedly fantastic news for the members of the Dragon Group. They did not fear battle, nor did they fear sacrifice. What they dreaded most was restraint justified by a so-called ¡®greater good¡¯.


    Li Xiaofei, in turn, was also studying the ten unfamiliar faces before him. Their appearances were entirely ordinary. They resembled an elderly vegetable farmer, a plump housewife, a landlady with her head wrapped in curlers, a balding middle-aged school teacher, an old thug with a plaster on his face, a bus driver, a nightclub dancer, an herbal doctor, a deliveryman, and a beggar.


    These people looked utterly unremarkable. No one would give them a second glance in a crowd. It was hard to associate them with the image of masters. Yet, Li Xiaofei could discern that all of them had cultivation levels beyond the Five Spirits Realm.


    Among them, the herbal doctor, the housewife, and the elderly vegetable farmer stood out as the strongest, since they had stepped into the Golden Body Realm. They were truly powerful. Anywhere else, they would have been showered with riches and privileges.


    But for the sake of their country, Great Xia, they had hidden themselves in plain sight and endured the grind of mundane daily life. They had accepted the hardship of risking their lives to achieve extraordinary feats while remaining unsung heroes. They were even prepared to die without the promise of honor. They were true patriots!


    ¡°This is my first time meeting all of you,¡± Li Xiaofei said as he stood up and bowed deeply. ¡°It is my honor to fight alongside you.¡±


    The group was visibly stunned. They had not expected the envoy, who was rumored to be domineering and ruthless, to show such respect and regard for them.


    Li Xiaofei continued without pausing, ¡°You¡¯ve endured much suffering and countless grievances these past days. For the so-called greater good, you have had to swallow your pride and bide your time. I know all of this.¡±


    His tone suddenly rose sharply.


    ¡°But today, I am here to tell you, you no longer have to endure humiliation or restrain yourselves from this moment on. Whatever you want to do, do it boldly. Don¡¯t worry about the consequences, because I will bear them.¡±


    The group was shaken to their core.


    ¡°Envoy, are you serious?¡± The old thug¡¯s eyes lit up.


    "Of course it¡¯s true. We, the Great Xia Dragon Group, operate within the borders of Great Xia. Why should we grovel? If anyone dares to stand in our way, we¡¯ll deal with them with no hesitation," Li Xiaofei said with a hearty laugh. "But there¡¯s one condition: always fight battles you can win. Don¡¯t be careless and get yourselves trapped. If you run into trouble you can¡¯t handle, come to me. I¡¯ll handle it. I have one defining trait, I protect my own."


    ¡°Haha! That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been waiting to hear!¡± The old thug thumped the table in excitement.


    The others also began to show signs of enthusiasm. The members of the Great Xia Dragon Group were largely drawn from grassroots societies, which had never lacked true heroes and remarkable figures.


    However, some still maintained a cautious, probing attitude. While the envoy spoke boldly, whether he truly had the capability to back up his words was something they needed to observe further. After all, the situation in Haijing City was a complete mess. Even a Saint would struggle to turn the tide under such circumstances.


    Though the envoy¡¯s words are inspiring, can he really change the current situation?


    They felt the need to proceed carefully. Li Xiaofei was fully aware of their doubts. Thus, he refrained from assigning any new tasks to the group.


    ¡°As I said, do whatever you wish from now on. If trouble arises, call on me for help. It¡¯s as simple as that,¡± Li Xiaofei reiterated with a calm smile. He stood up and added, ¡°This is my first time here. If I¡¯ve done anything wrong, I ask for your guidance. That¡¯s it for this meeting. Dismissed.¡±


    His approach was crisp and straightforward. Once the district captains had left the room, the atmosphere settled into a thoughtful silence.

 Chapter 472: Sincerity Behind the Sunlit Glass Window (2)

    Chapter 472: Sincerity Behind the Sunlit Glass Window (2)Li Xiaofei suddenly recalled something and asked, "By the way, why haven¡¯t I seen the Haijing City station leader? What¡¯s his codename?"


    Hua Wuying¡¯s expression darkened as she replied, ¡°The former station leader, codenamed Bajie, perished a month ago during a mission. He charged into a Cave Beast tunnel to cover the retreat of his comrades and perished along with the Jiepeng Sakura Samurai Corps.¡±


    Bajie? The name sounded familiar. Oh, right. He was the Dragon Group senior who had mastered the Dual Saint Body of Blade and Sword technique and the Beichen Sword Qi Meridian Severance Technique.


    Li Xiaofei had long admired him. He had even thought that he could exchange insights on cultivation techniques with him had they ever met. But now, it seemed that chance was lost forever.


    What a pity. To have mastered such rare and formidable secret techniques, yet to have lived such a short life.


    Li Xiaofei thought for a moment and asked further, ¡°Did you see Bajie die with your own eyes?¡±


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t,¡± Hua Wuying admitted. ¡°But the tunnel he entered leads directly to the Jiepeng Empire. Later, the Jiepeng forces reopened the tunnel, which is still in use. However, the station leader never reappeared. Based on the intelligence that our comrades infiltrating the Jiepeng Empire sent back, the station leader is presumed to have died for Great Xia.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s curiosity was piqued. ¡°We have operatives infiltrating Jiepeng?¡±


    Hua Wuying nodded. ¡°Yes, we do.¡±


    Li Xiaofei seemed deep in thought. After a moment, he asked, ¡°What are your plans for the Dragon Maidens?¡±


    Hua Wuying responded, ¡°I plan to escort them to Xiajing City headquarters.¡±


    Li Xiaofei shook his head as he replied, ¡°The journey is long, and delays could lead to complications.¡±


    After a brief moment, he added, ¡°I¡¯ll request guidance from Captain Xiao. Until a decision comes from above, you take care of them. I can see that they don¡¯t trust anyone else apart from you.¡±


    Hua Wuying nodded in agreement.


    A flurry of activity followed as Li Xiaofei decided to transform the Haisha Gang¡¯s headquarters into the new Jingwu Sect base. Though taking charge meant dealing with pressure from above, it had one undeniable benefit: having subordinates to delegate tasks.


    Thus, all renovations and modifications of the site were entrusted to Nan Hua. If money needed to be spent, she was authorized to spend it. If people needed to be hired, she was tasked to hire them. But there was one priority: speed!


    After arranging everything, Li Xiaofei used his portable light core to contact Tsukiha Yaiba and stepped out.


    *** S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Slap!


    ¡°Ah...¡±


    Slap!


    ¡°Ah...¡±


    The sharp crack of a whip and hoarse cries of agony wove an unending symphony within the dimly lit chamber.


    Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s beautiful face was contorted in pain as she stood facing the cold stone wall with her hands and feet shackled. Behind her, a hunched, bald old man wielded a thorn-covered whip to strike her relentlessly. Her white shirt shredded under the whip¡¯s lashes.


    Terrifying scars marred the flawless, pale skin of this Jiepeng prodigy¡¯s back as her flesh split open and fresh blood flowed freely. The crimson liquid pooled beneath her feet, forming a grim puddle on the stone floor.


    ¡°Have you submitted yet?¡± The hunched, bald old man barked.


    Tsukiha Yaiba gritted her teeth tightly and remained silent.


    Slap! Slap!


    The old man swung the whip twice more. His wrinkled, leathery face twisted into a sadistic expression of nearly deranged excitement. He only seemed to grow more excited as the long long whip carved marks across what seemed like a divine masterpiece of pure white skin.


    Soon enough, the twenty-one lashes were completed. The hunched, bald old man¡¯s expression quickly shifted from sadistic pleasure to fearful trepidation.


    ¡°Miss, you¡¯ve suffered greatly.¡± He said hurriedly as he put away the whip. He draped a white towel over Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s back and removed the shackles from her wrists and ankles.


    Once the restraints were gone, her inner qi began to circulate freely. Tsukiha Yaiba let out a cold snort as her injuries began to heal rapidly. Even the gruesome scars on her back faded away at a visible pace. Her skin returned to its flawless, snow-white state; it was as smooth and supple as though it had been untouched. She stepped barefoot over her own blood pooled on the chamber floor and walked out.


    The hunched, bald old man hurried after her, shouting, ¡°Miss, please agree to the Patriarch¡¯s request. Otherwise, how long must this go on?¡±


    Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s expression darkened, becoming chillingly sinister. Yet she still said nothing and left without a word. Behind her, bloody footprints stretched down the hallway.


    Twenty minutes later, Tsukiha Yaiba pushed open the door of a caf¨¦ across the street from the Jiepeng consulate in the Wanmao District. Dressed in a new outfit, she declined the attendant¡¯s offer of service and went straight to a private booth by the window.


    Inside the booth, Li Xiaofei, dressed in a crisp white suit, sat with one hand propping up his chin, lost in thought.


    Tsukiha Yaiba took a seat across from him, picked up the coffee already prepared for her, and sipped it.


    She said, ¡°You arrived faster than I expected, Li-kun. What do you need me to do?¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s gaze remained fixed on the Jiepeng consulate as he asked, ¡°How many people are inside?¡±


    Tsukiha Yaiba froze for a moment, then suddenly understood his intention.


    ¡°Are you serious?¡± she asked, her breathing quickening.


    Li Xiaofei nodded. ¡°It would be ideal if you could gather all the notable Jiepeng figures in Haijing City, those with a name and reputation, for some sort of meeting. Get them all in one place.¡±


    Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s mind began working rapidly as she made plans. She had witnessed Li Xiaofei¡¯s rise firsthand. It could be said that no one in the entire Great Xia understood Li Xiaofei¡¯s potential and audacity better than she did. And apart from her, no one would believe that Li Xiaofei was truly capable of an insane feat like slaughtering Tsukiha Tens¨­ and every expert in the consulate.


    There was no logical reason to believe it. She just did. Perhaps it was because she had witnessed this young man create miracle after miracle out of impossible circumstances back in Liuhe Base City.


    As an observer at the time, she had used her intelligence channels to uncover information that even many locals in Liuhe didn¡¯t know. She knew exactly how reckless and unrelenting Li Xiaofei was. With her options exhausted, there was nowhere left for her to retreat now. So she might as well place her bet on Li Xiaofei: the so-called Child of Miracles.


    "I¡¯ll do my best to summon them all back," Tsukiha Yaiba said, biting her lip. "I will cooperate fully with you."


    Li Xiaofei nodded and replied, "Then go do it."


    Tsukiha Yaiba hesitated briefly and asked, "Don¡¯t you need me to show my sincerity?"


    Li Xiaofei shook his head. "You¡¯d better be sincere. Otherwise, at most, it¡¯s just a minor inconvenience for me to waste a few more seconds and eliminate you as well."


    A chill ran down Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s spine. She stood up and knelt.


    She said, "I can prove my sincerity."


    She moved forward on her knees until she was directly in front of Li Xiaofei. Tsukiha Yaiba knew she had to do something to bind herself, even temporarily, to Li Xiaofei. Otherwise, with the killing intent he had shown multiple times, she wasn¡¯t confident she would survive after he carried out his plans.


    Li Xiaofei was slightly stunned. The once-proud heiress of Jiepeng¡¯s financial elite, ranked among the top high school prodigies of the Jiepeng Empire, was now kneeling before him.


    Sunlight streamed in through the glass window of the private booth and illuminated her slightly upturned face. The girl¡¯s skin was delicate and fair, and under the sunlight, a faint layer of pale yellow down could be seen. It was said that this faint layer of down was unique to virgins, and would only fade away after experiencing their first intimate union. It marked their transition into womanhood.


    Li Xiaofei was a fully functioning man. Moreover, due to his recent cultivation of the Meridian Severing Technique, his inner qi had become unusually turbulent, triggering a resurgence of the excessive desires he had experienced before.


    Desires churned restlessly within him. So he did not stop what Tsukiha Yaiba did next. Her delicate hands unfastened the leather belt of his trousers. The noble lady of Jiepeng used her teeth to tug the trousers downward. Her movements were awkward yet graceful.


    As Tsukiha Yaiba tilted downward and slid inside, the warmth and moisture caused Li Xiaofei to gasp involuntarily. He turned his head to look out the window.


    In this era, coffee was already considered a luxury. This coffee shop, situated in a prime location just a street away from the Jiepeng Consulate, could hardly claim to have no connection to the Jiepeng people. The smiling waitstaff might very well be disguised elite samurai warriors.


    Outside the private room stood the highest authority of the Jiepeng Empire stationed in Haijing City, but within the private room, the noble niece of Jiepeng, a martial arts prodigy, willingly bowed her head beneath the waist of a Great Xia man. She even feared that this Great Xia man might refuse her.


    Li Xiaofei leaned comfortably against his seat. He watched the bustling crowd moving along the street through the glass window. Perhaps, if one of those passersby paused and carefully studied the faint grayish glass and looked through the dappled light filtered through the swaying branches, they might catch a vague glimpse of the scene unfolding within the private room.


    Li Xiaofei sighed softly.


    The Jiepeng people truly are a perverse race. Their innate talents always seemed to enable them to discover intensely provocative angles to amplify already stimulating situations.


    Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s decision to demonstrate her sincerity in such an environment might not have been without this sort of intention. She probably understood that men often reveled in the degrading thrill of conquest. But Li Xiaofei¡¯s resilience exceeded her expectations.


    After more than twenty minutes, she made a certain decision. Without hesitation, she stood up and lifted the hem of her skirt.

 Chapter 473: Falling Petals

    Chapter 473: Falling PetalsLi Xiaofei remained silent. He simply raised his hand, gently pressing down on Tsukiha Yaiba''s shoulder, signaling with his eyes for her to kneel again.


    "Don¡¯t push your luck." He uttered the words in the calmest tone, delivering them with an air of arrogance.


    Tsukiha Yaiba seethed with frustration.


    Am I truly the one pushing my luck?


    She was not some fickle or promiscuous woman. Even now, she was as pure as untouched jade.


    Am I truly so unworthy?


    But one had no choice but to lower their head. She knelt once more and continued. Li Xiaofei narrowed his eyes, silently formulating a plan in his mind.


    After a while, he reached out, gently stroking Tsukiha Yaiba''s sleek, shiny black hair and holding her steady. He delved deeper.


    Moments later, he let out a soft, restrained growl. A faint gurgling sound followed before Tsukiha Yaiba wiped the corner of her mouth and stood up.


    "Go. I¡¯ll wait for your news," Li Xiaofei said as he buckled his belt.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to wait for my news,¡± Tsukiha Yaiba replied, licking the corner of her lips and wiping her cheek. ¡°You can take action in half an hour. I want you to kill everyone in the consulate except for me. Leave no survivors.¡±


    ¡°Deal.¡± Li Xiaofei agreed without a second thought. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After lightly fixing her makeup, Tsukiha Yaiba regained her lofty, aristocratic demeanor. She pushed open the door of the private room and stepped outside.


    ¡°Do not disturb the guests inside.¡± Her tone was as haughty as a pristine white swan untouched by the dust of the world, leaving no trace of the events that had transpired moments ago.


    After settling the bill, Tsukiha Yaiba turned elegantly and left the caf¨¦. She did not return to the consulate. Instead, she vanished down the street.


    Inside the private room, Li Xiaofei rested his chin on his hands out of sheer boredom. He gazed silently at the Jiepeng consulate across the street. The afternoon sunlight was warm and languid. Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but yawn.


    One luxury hover car after another started to make their way down the street and enter the consulate courtyard. Powerful figures from Jiepeng disembarked and quickly entered the building.


    Elite samurai troops were also assembling rapidly. The commotion drew the attention of many onlookers.


    ¡°It seems like something big is about to happen.¡±


    ¡°What are the Jiepeng up to?¡±


    ¡°Report this immediately.¡±


    ¡°Keep watching.¡±


    As one of the most influential powers in Haijing City, any movement around the Jiepeng consulate immediately captured the interest of various factions. In an instant, spies from various factions stationed nearby immediately reported the activity.


    Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye. Li Xiaofei stood up and stretched lazily. He pushed open the door of the private room and walked out.


    ¡°Sir, is there anything you need?¡± A waiter approached politely.


    Li Xiaofei glanced around the caf¨¦. His eyes landed on a cluster of flowers near the bar, and an impromptu idea popped into his mind.


    Flowers were a luxury in this era. He walked over and carefully selected yellow and white blooms from the arrangement. He meticulously arranged them into a large bouquet, intertwining the two colors thoughtfully. After tidying it up to his satisfaction, he nodded in approval.


    ¡°Someone will come to settle the bill,¡± he said, carrying the bouquet as he headed for the door.


    ¡°Have a good day, sir.¡± The waiter said respectfully, seeing him off at the entrance.


    As a distinguished guest of Miss Tsukiha, the man could have smashed up the entire caf¨¦ and the staff wouldn¡¯t have dared to stop him, let alone taking a few flowers.


    Still, the waiter found it a little peculiar.


    Why did this guest specifically choose yellow and white flowers?


    Those two colors together were hardly considered auspicious. Curious, the waiter¡¯s gaze lingered on the man¡¯s retreating figure.


    The sunlight was perfect outside. Dressed in an all-white suit, Li Xiaofei seemed strikingly handsome and radiated a commanding presence. With a bouquet of flowers in his hands, he stood out in a way that naturally drew countless gazes.


    Amid the honks of passing vehicles, he maintained an unhurried pace as he crossed the street and arrived at the gates of the Jiepeng consulate. His actions immediately caught the attention of the guards.


    ¡°Who goes there?¡±


    ¡°Halt and submit to inspection.¡±


    Four Jiepeng guards stepped forward to block his path. But Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t stop and continued walking forward. Strangely, the four guards didn¡¯t intervene further. Instead, they remained silent and stood motionless in place.


    Across the street, the waiter from the caf¨¦ witnessed this scene. His eyes widened in shock.


    What¡¯s going on?


    As someone who was connected to the consulate¡¯s external operations, he was well aware of their strict security protocols. Even if Miss Tsukiha herself were personally escorting someone inside, questioning and inspection were mandatory. There was no way a stranger could simply stroll in as though he were taking a casual walk.


    The waiter squinted and focused on the four guards. Suddenly, his eyes widened even further in disbelief.


    What is that?!


    Thin yellow and white petals were buried in the throats of the four gate guards. Those harmless petals had transformed into lethal weapons that had silently and invisibly claimed the lives of the guards.


    Crimson blood trickled down along the veins of the petals, drop by drop.


    When did that happen!? When did the handsome young man in the white suit make his move?


    It was well-known that the consulate¡¯s gate guards, all in the Meridian Expanding Realm, were among the elite warriors of the empire. Their reflexes and combat skills far surpassed those of ordinary practitioners at the same level. Yet they had been killed without a sound or struggle.


    Moreover, isn¡¯t this young man in the white suit supposed to be a distinguished guest of Miss Tsukiha? Why would he strike against his own allies?


    The waiter felt a chill run down his spine. Realizing that something was seriously wrong, he rushed back and pressed a concealed alarm button behind the counter. This should immediately alert his colleagues within the consulate to prepare for an attack.


    Afterward, he grabbed his weapons and equipment and quickly left the caf¨¦. Crossing the street, he stepped into the eerily quiet consulate courtyard. But his heart clenched as though an invisible hand had seized it with an iron grip. There were more than twenty Jiepeng patrol warriors in the courtyard standing frozen just like the four guards at the gate.


    They each sported a single yellow or white petal in their throat. The soft, delicate petals seemed to be the calling cards of death itself as they effortlessly took the lives of the empire¡¯s brave warriors.


    The waiter felt an icy dread envelop his entire body. He quickened his pace as he ran inside. But what he saw along the way only made his heart pound harder with fear. Every figure he encountered stood motionless. Upon closer inspection, each one had their throat slit by a petal.


    Even the consulate''s guard captain, Mori H¨­raku, an eminent expert at the peak of the Five Spirits Realm, was no exception.


    How could this be?!


    The waiter grew increasingly alarmed and terrified. He was certain he had activated the silent alarm in the caf¨¦. The consulate''s officials should have been alerted and joined forces to deal with the intruder in the white suit. Yet, there was no sound of fighting.


    The waiter hesitated, his fear urging him to turn back. But years of indoctrination in the empire¡¯s martial education gave him a miraculous burst of courage. He suppressed the dread in his heart and charged into the building. But what he saw next made him feel as though he had fallen into an icy abyss.

 Chapter 474: What He Saw

    Chapter 474: What He SawThere were countless figures in the grand hall on the first floor. More accurately, they were ice sculptures.


    Four to five hundred of Jiepeng¡¯s most elite, fully armed soldiers, along with their commanders, were encased in silver-white frost. Each figure looked as though it were a masterpiece sculpture crafted by a skilled artisan. They were vividly detailed and hauntingly lifelike.


    The layer of ice was no thicker than a finger¡¯s width, so their facial expressions were clearly visible. Some showed rage, some were roaring, and some displayed terror. Some held drawn swords, while others gripped firearms. Some were crouched, while others were lunging forward. But without exception, every single one was now a lifeless ice sculpture.


    Even the garrison commander, End¨­ H¨­gi , who was a Golden Body Realm expert, stood frozen. His blade was raised commandingly high, but it would remain suspended forevermore. The ice had stolen his life, and frozen his existence in time.


    The waiter¡¯s heartbeat quickened uncontrollably, drumming louder and faster with each passing moment. His throat bobbed as he tried to swallow. But his mouth was so dry that no saliva would form. It felt as though he could see Death itself grinning silently within this forest of ice sculptures as it mocked and taunted the living.


    Two minutes and forty-one seconds. The waiter was certain. From the moment he had triggered the alarm, crossed the street, entered the consulate courtyard, and stepped into the building, only two minutes and forty-one seconds had passed.


    In such a short span of time, the heavily fortified consulate had been effortlessly breached by the handsome young man in the white suit.


    The scene in the first floor hall was almost beyond belief. Though his scalp tingled with fear, the waiter mustered his final shred of courage and stepped through the forest of ice sculptures and headed for the depths of the consulate. There, he stopped before the grand statue of the great Emperor Akihito of Jiepeng.


    The statue stood atop a nine-tiered base of white marble steps. The nine meter tall statue symbolized the supreme authority of the Jiepeng Empire. It was an object revered as divine by every Jiepeng warrior and citizen alike. Unassailable. Supreme. But now, before this magnificent statue, which could be called a work of art, lay a bouquet.


    A cluster of yellow and white flowers, along with a few bare branches, sat quietly at its feet. They rested there, as if displayed before a tomb. Not in mourning, but in mockery of something... or someone.


    In that moment, the waiter suddenly understood why the handsome young man in the white suit had chosen those particular flowers back at the caf¨¦. He truly had come to pay his respects. But the grave was the Jiepeng consulate. He had come to slaughter every Jiepeng citizen within its walls.


    He had come to transform this fortress, the Jiepeng Empire¡¯s stronghold in the heart of Great Xia¡¯s Jiangnan region, into a tomb for the dead.


    Who is he? What exactly had Miss Tsukiha Yaiba told him in the private room?


    The waiter¡¯s heart churned with shock, fear, and anger. Yet, as he stared at the yellow and white flowers desecrating the feet of the Emperor¡¯s statue, he couldn¡¯t summon the courage to step forward and remove them.


    It felt as though taking one step closer would cause a petal to pierce his throat. He stood dazed before the Emperor¡¯s statue.


    Finally, gritting his teeth, he gripped his weapon, skirted the statue, and stepped into the elevator. He hoped he could find comrades to fight alongside on the second floor.


    ¡°May the Emperor protect me!¡± He rallied himself, trying to summon every ounce of courage.


    The second floor of the building housed the consulate¡¯s general office area. It was where the administrative departments operated. The open-plan layout consisted of rows upon rows of desks, where clerks worked tirelessly, racing against the clock to process business requests from all directions.


    For the past fifty years, the Jiepeng Empire had rapidly expanded its reach and established countless overt and covert operations in every corner of the world that they had access to through Cave Beast tunnels. This was especially true of the territory of Great Xia.


    As the largest and most authoritative consulate in the southern region of Great Xia, the Haijing Consulate was a massive administrative hub. These tasks were carried out on the second floor. The waiter had visited this place countless times before.


    Each time he saw thousands of Jiepeng¡¯s elite employees busily working, the vibrant and bustling scene filled him with a deep sense of pride. It was as if he were witnessing a new dawn as the rising sun of the empire shone brightly on foreign soil. It was as if he were glimpsing the empire¡¯s boundless, radiant future. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But now, the place had transformed into a hauntingly silent ghostly realm. The desks, once crowded with employees and piled with light cores, documents, and office supplies, were devoid of life. Only faint black scorch marks remained where people had once stood.


    Over a thousand workstations, and not a single exception. The waiter¡¯s entire body began to tremble violently. He understood with agonizing clarity that his comrades who, just moments ago, had been dedicating their youth and lives to the empire¡¯s rise were now dead.


    The faint humanoid black scorch marks on the ground were the only proof of their existence. The final remnants they left in this world. A surge of grief and rage exploded in his heart.


    Murderer. Executioner. Revenge!


    He gripped his weapon tightly and charged up to the third floor. The third floor housed the executive offices. This was where the consulate''s officials worked. Each official was an elite carefully nurtured by the empire through countless resources and years of effort. They wielded immense power and were exceptionally talented.


    Each one had their own private office, offering a better environment and greater privacy. But here too, without exception, every Jiepeng official was dead. Some had been transformed into ice sculptures. Others had become blackened scorch marks. But the essence of life no longer lingered here. Death had ruthlessly and mercilessly swept through this floor to layt claim to every soul.


    The waiter let out a guttural, anguished roar. Then, consumed by fury and despair, he continued his mad ascent to the fourth, fifth, and sixth floors...


    But the officials, guards, and staff on each floor had all been slaughtered. Even many powerful cultivators in the Five Spirits Realm and Golden Body Realm had not been spared.


    He didn¡¯t know how much time had passed as he stumbled into the top floor, the ninth floor. This floor was entirely open; it was a vast space spanning over six thousand square meters. It was the exclusive domain of the Consulate General of Jiepeng.


    At last, he heard the sound of a living person. Someone was cursing loudly in Jiepeng. A wave of immense relief surged through the waiter¡¯s mind. He rushed forward as fast as he could.


    He pushed past the intricately designed landscaping, through the winding shrines, and along the corridors adorned with 3D images of Jiepeng Empire¡¯s historical accomplishments.


    Along the way, he saw bodies sprawled across the floor. Blood was everywhere. These were the personal guards of the Consulate General. But they, too, had fallen in battle.


    Blood flowed freely. Yet to the young waiter, these lifeless, bloodied corpses brought an odd sense of familiarity and even excitement. Because this meant that, at least on this floor, the murderous devil in the white suit had finally met resistance. He could no longer kill as effortlessly and leisurely as he had before.


    ¡°Devil, I¡¯m here...¡± The waiter, filled with excitement and frenzy, charged forward.


    He finally reached the Consul General¡¯s desk. But the scene before him was nothing like what he had imagined.


    The young man¡¯s white suit was as pristine as freshly fallen snow on the peak of Mount Fuja.


    The waiter saw the Consul General¡¯s personal guard collapsed in pools of blood behind the young man. Severed limbs and shattered weapons were scattered across the floor, forming a grotesque, abstract painting of a hellish battlefield.


    He saw the Consul General himself, a man of ultimate authority in the consulate, easily identified by his signature three-pronged mustache, pinned to the wall behind his desk. A Chixia Blade had nailed him to the embossed map of Great Xia¡¯s Three Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains.


    He met the Consul General¡¯s lifeless eyes, his pupils dilated in death as blood poured from the freshly killed body, trickling down to stain the once-majestic map with a deep crimson hue.


    He saw how the noble figure of Jiepeng¡¯s most powerful man in the consulate had, in death, become pitifully small. His once-proud form twitched like a pinned caterpillar, limbs flailing feebly before going limp.


    The waiter¡¯s joy lasted no more than a second before his heart sank into an even deeper abyss. They were all dead. Everyone in the consulate, from top to bottom, was dead.


    At that moment, the young man in the white suit slowly turned to look at him. There was no ferocity or exhilaration on his face, no trace of bloodlust after slaughtering his way through the consulate. There was only a serenity, as if everything that had happened was utterly inevitable.


    He looked at the waiter and smiled faintly.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re here too,¡± Li Xiaofei said.

 Chapter 475: Line Of Death

    Chapter 475: Line Of DeathThe pungent scent of blood filled the air, leaving the attendant feeling like he had fallen into an icehouse. His face turned ashen as the boy in the suit across from him smiled. His grin was as chilling as the Reaper¡¯s.


    The attendant instinctively took a step back. His hands tightened on the horizontal blade in his grasp out of sheer reflex.


    "You... you butcher, executioner, demon..." He stuttered.


    His face flushed red, although it was unclear whether it was rage or sheer terror that fueled him.


    Li Xiaofei chuckled softly. He offered no explanation. There was no point in doing so. Yet he didn¡¯t leave. Instead, he leisurely settled himself in the luxurious chair of the consul general.


    He leaned back and propped his feet up on the desk that was a symbol of Jiepeng''s highest authority. He seemed utterly nonchalant as he started humming a tune from Great Xia that the attendant could not understand.


    The attendant remained rooted where he was, too fearful to approach. He could keenly feel the utter disregard the boy held for him. It was as if he was a dragon high above the heavens and had no interest in the barking of a stray dog wallowing in the dirt.


    The attendant shouted curses. He hurled accusations. His voice grew hoarse as he denounced the boy before him, condemning his inhuman slaughter. Thousands of lives had perished at his hands in an instant, yet here he was supremely calm and unperturbed.


    But Li Xiaofei never responded. Nor did he kill him.


    "The clanging of iron hooves echoes, traversing vast mountains and rivers. I stand at the forefront, tightly grasping the sun and moon as they revolve. May the world of mortals, filled with smoke and fire, find peace and prosperity..." He sang quietly.


    He was waiting.


    A few minutes later, the sound of sirens rang out outside the building. The military police of the Wanmao District were finally responding to the silent alarm. The shrill wail of the sirens tore through the tranquility of the neighborhood, causing many foreigners who had grown accustomed to the serene atmosphere to frown slightly in displeasure.


    Military Captain Zheng Ji, flanked by several trusted subordinates, arrived at the gates of the Jiepeng Consulate. The sight of four guards lying in a pool of blood caused Zheng Ji to inhale sharply.


    Who would be so brazen and audacious as to cause trouble at the Jiepeng Consulate? Moreover, the bodies have been here for quite some time. Why hasn¡¯t anyone from Jiepeng come out to deal with them?


    Sensing something amiss, Zheng Ji snuck a cautious glance into the courtyard. A foreboding feeling quickly rose within him. It was too quiet inside. Unnaturally quiet. Eerily quiet.


    "My lord, what should we do?" whispered Little Snake, one of his loyal subordinates.


    Zheng Ji hesitated for a moment before replying, "Select a few discreet, dependable brothers and follow me inside to check. Something big may have happened."


    "Understood," Little Snake responded promptly and went to grab the men.


    Soon, he had twenty fully armored power armor soldiers ready to go. Zheng Ji nodded, donned his protective helmet and lightweight outer armor, and led the group toward the gates of the Jiepeng Consulate.


    Just as they reached the entrance...


    Swish!


    A crimson blade of light descended from above. It was as if an enraged god had cast down a fiery ray of sunset.


    The light struck the ground, transforming into a peculiar long blade that was as red as burning dusk. It embedded itself precisely on the threshold, its blade humming as it vibrated.


    The blade caused a visible crack to extend across the gate as the aura of the blade spread out. One slash split yin and yang. One line divided life and death.


    "Anyone who crosses this line will die."


    The commanding voice struck Zheng Ji and his men like a heavy hammer. Their hearts pounded uncontrollably as dread filled their faces.


    "My lord, it''s the Chixia Blade!" Little Snake exclaimed in sudden alarm as he pointed at the crimson treasure embedded in the ground. "That¡¯s Chiyo Tsukio¡¯s personal blade; the prized weapon of the Jiepeng envoy. But it was rumored that it changed hands yesterday...¡±


    The events that transpired at Lijing Hotel were already circulating among the major factions. The details were whispered, but the implications were thunderous.


    According to the rumors, Yagyu Jueichiro, Chiyo Tsukio, and hundreds of Jiepeng ronin, warriors, and soldiers had been completely annihilated. That kind of tale sounded like something out of a myth or legend. It was impossible and utterly absurd. Yet, every investigation, every pieced-together account confirmed the same facts.


    As a senior officer in the Wanmao District¡¯s military police, Zheng Ji had, of course, heard of the incident. He had assumed the Jiepeng authorities would stop at nothing to exact frenzied vengeance and capture the perpetrator.


    Yet, to his astonishment, the Jiepeng forces had remained uncharacteristically quiet. Now, seemed like that very perpetrator had appeared at the Jiepeng Consulate? What kind of audacity and courage did this require? This was courting disaster on an unimaginable scale.


    "What now, boss?" Little Snake asked.


    Zheng Ji pondered for a moment before responding, "Order everyone to hold position and remain on standby. After some thought, I¡¯ve realized that without explicit orders, we have no authority to enter the Jiepeng Consulate."


    Little Snake froze in surprise, his expression a mix of hesitation and disbelief.


    "Yes sir!" He replied loudly.


    He could vaguely guess what had happened inside. But despite his shock, a faint sense of admiration also arose in his heart, mixed with concern for that so-called perpetrator.


    In this era, any warrior of Great Xia with even an ounce of backbone couldn¡¯t help but hope for the prosperity of their homeland. This was especially true of soldiers like them who were tasked with defending the Wanmao District, which had become a haven for these cursed invaders. They had long grown tired of the arrogance and tyranny of the Jiepeng people.


    But what could they do about it? When they were faced with Jiepeng forces, they still had to lower their heads respectfully. They had to bow and scrape to feed their families. They were forced to swallow their pride day after day. Yet deep down, how could they not admire those heroic souls who dared to resist?


    The military police formed a cordon around the consulate as Zheng Ji reported the strange situation to his superiors. However, before any response could be received, a new development unfolded. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A strange steed galloped into view. Its silvery-white coat gleamed like fine silk, suggesting a bloodline of high-grade star beasts. The creature ran with a steady, graceful rhythm, and its striking appearance instantly provoked a thought in every onlooker¡¯s mind.


    How can a horse look this majestic?


    Its value far surpassed that of luxurious hovercars. But alas, the rider was no prince charming. Instead, it was a hunchbacked, stooped, bald old man. His wrinkled face was both ugly and menacing.


    Everything about this man¡¯s appearance spoke of negligence during creation; perhaps the heavens themselves had been indifferent when crafting him. As time wore on, they seemed to have grown even more disgusted as they mercilessly ravaged him further.


    Zheng Ji¡¯s heart tightened as he recognized the old man. He was no ordinary figure. He was a close attendant to Tsukiha Tens¨­, the third most powerful individual in Haijing City, and a formidable expert in his own right.


    Immediately, Zheng Ji signaled his soldiers to step aside. The grotesque old servant dismounted from the majestic horse and approached the consulate gate. His eyes suddenly flashed with a cold gleam as they fell upon the Chixia Blade embedded in the ground.


    Realization dawned upon him in an instant.


    ¡°Baka!¡± He bellowed angrily, charging toward the consulate with blinding speed.


    Zheng Ji instinctively raised his arm, intending to call out a warning, but the words died in his throat as a horrifying scene unfolded in the next moment.


    The ugly old servant moved with astonishing swiftness. As he crossed the fissure in the ground and dashed roughly ten meters into the courtyard, his grotesque head suddenly stopped, as if it was unable to keep up with the rest of his body. His headless body kept moving, but then his upper torso came to a sudden halt. His legs continued pumping, carrying him another twenty meters before they faltered and collapsed.


    The instant he had crossed the line carved by the Chixia Blade, the invisible, omnipresent blade aura had sliced his body into countless fragments. Yet he had been utterly unaware. As his body fell, it shattered into sixty or seventy pieces. The pieces of his dismembered corpse fell to the ground one after another along his path, each fragment accompanied by a spray of fresh blood.


    Thud, thud.


    The grotesque, aged head rolled across the ground. The expression on its face remained frozen in the ferocity and arrogance it had carried moments before. Even at the very end, he hadn¡¯t realized he was already dead.


    Zheng Ji, Little Snake, and the other soldiers were instantly horrified. A chill ran down their spines as they stared at the crimson blade that glowed like burning dusk. To them, it was no longer a weapon but the embodiment of Death itself.


    They instinctively retreated further. This was a catastrophe. This wasn¡¯t just any death; it was the demise of Tsukiha Tens¨­¡¯s personal attendant. The closest shadow of the Jiepeng Saint, who had served faithfully at his side for decades, was now nothing more than fragments of flesh. Surely, the Jiepeng Saint would be alerted.


    As Zheng Ji''s mind barely formed the thought...


    Boom!


    The earth quaked violently as a discreet corner of Haijing City suddenly exploded with a pillar of energy. It pierced the clouds like a divine sword, cleaving through the heavens and rending the firmament. Its aura seemed so fierce that it might shatter the stars beyond the atmosphere.


    The presence of a Saint! The aura of Tsukiha Tens¨­, the Jiepeng Saint, had erupted at the very moment his servant had fallen. An earth-shaking event was about to unfold.

 Chapter 476:The Fourth Saint (1)

    Chapter 476:The Fourth Saint (1) Saints emerge and heaven''s will shifts. Death was inevitable for the target of a Saint¡¯s ire. In the current era, a Saint represented the pinnacle of personal strength. Since the emergence of the first Saints over five centuries ago, nearly ten thousand Saints had risen across the Earth.


    More than two-thirds of them had perished in wars against the star beasts. The Star Council, formed by Saints, now stood as the highest authority in the world, embodying the collective will and interests of humanity.


    To become a Saint was to stand atop Earth¡¯s summit. There was no true success without Sainthood.


    So when Tsukiha Tens¨­, the Jiepeng Saint ranked third among Haijing City¡¯s strongest, unleashed his overwhelming might in fury, the sheer force of his presence sent ripples of terror across hundreds of miles. To those within its reach, it felt as though the end of the world had arrived.


    In an unassuming inn located elsewhere in Haijing City, Tsukiha Yaiba watched the towering pillar of energy soar into the sky. It was only then that she realized that Tsukiha Tens¨­¡¯s secluded cultivation site was in that direction. So, he hadn¡¯t been meditating in the Jiepeng Consulate. Instead, he had chosen a secret location. This was entirely in line with his character.


    Even Tsukiha Yaiba, his niece whom he had long coveted and schemed to claim as his own, had no knowledge of his seclusion¡¯s location. The only one who knew was that grotesque attendant who had followed him like a shadow.


    ¡°So, that beast has finally been provoked?¡± A flicker of excitement crossed Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s face.


    This could only mean one thing, that wretched, pig-like servant must have already met his end at Li Xiaofei¡¯s hands. The battle between Tsukiha Tens¨­ and Li Xiaofei was finally imminent. Tsukiha Yaiba hoped Li Xiaofei would win. That outcome was the most beneficial for her. However, if Li Xiaofei failed to emerge victorious, she had already prepared to disguise herself and flee Haijing City. She was ready to escape into a life of exile.


    This was precisely why, after fulfilling her agreement with Li Xiaofei, she hadn¡¯t returned to the consulate. Instead, she had chosen a hiding spot located several dozen miles away. After all, one must always have a backup plan.


    At the same time, in Haijing City¡¯s government building, city leader Qin Weilong abruptly stood up, losing his composure. He rushed out from behind his desk to the outdoor balcony to stare in the direction of the blazing pillar of energy.


    Tsukiha Tens¨­ had been enraged. As expected, the reckless actions of the Dragon Group¡¯s unhinged envoy had finally provoked Haijing City¡¯s third strongest Saint. This was a catastrophe.


    ¡°Enough, enough! In the end, it¡¯s still up to me to clean up this mess,¡± Qin Weilong muttered angrily.


    In his mind, the Dragon Group¡¯s erratic envoy was already as good as dead. But Tsukiha Tens¨­ wouldn¡¯t stop at simply killing him. The Jiepeng forces were always on the lookout for an excuse to extort or exploit them. They would undoubtedly seize this opportunity to stir up trouble.


    When the time came, the Haijing City government would be forced to pay reparations, offer resources, and possibly even sign away mineral rights once again just to appease the Jiepeng¡¯s anger.


    What choice did they have? The government couldn¡¯t shoulder such financial burdens. The only solution would be to impose more hardship on the people.


    Qin Weilong¡¯s expression darkened with both frustration and rage. He harbored a deep resentment for the hardline war hawks in his administration. To him, they were nothing but troublemakers who accomplished little but created endless problems.


    They lacked the strength to back their convictions, yet they had no sense of restraint. As the city leader, Qin Weilong believed that his repeated acts of submission to foreign powers were, in fact, true patriotism. In his view, this was the only way to leverage foreign resources and forces to protect Haijing City and its citizens. After all, what was the point of dividing people into Xia or foreigners?


    Humanity was now a shared destiny and a collective under the Star Council. As a leader, one¡¯s vision must be expansive and one¡¯s perspective far-reaching. Collaboration and mutual aid were the only paths to survival and prosperity.


    ¡°Little Song, go and invite the head of the Du family and the representative of the Kong family to my office for a discussion,¡± Qin Weilong said as he made up his mind.


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± The secretary replied and turned to leave.


    Barely half a minute later, the secretary returned and said, ¡°My lord, Huang Fulai requests an audience.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡± Qin Weilong paused, slightly puzzled.


    The secretary quickly clarified, ¡°He¡¯s the former city leader of Xu Base City. He was detained at the Lijing Hotel due to the loss of his city, but was later cleared of charges thanks to the efforts of the seventh city leader, Xue Xuanqi. He has yet to be reassigned.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that hardliner,¡± Qin Weilong scoffed. He dealt with countless matters on a daily basis and had no interest in remembering such a small figure. Nor did he care why Huang Fulai sought him out. ¡°Send him away. I don¡¯t have time.¡±


    ¡°But my lord,¡± the secretary quickly said, ¡°He claims to have critical intelligence...¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Qin Weilong¡¯s expression darkened in irritation. ¡°Was I not clear enough?¡±


    The secretary dared not push further and quickly left. He walked through the long hallway to the first floor, where he found Huang Fulai waiting anxiously. Shaking his head, he said apologetically, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I tried my best.¡±


    Huang Fulai could only sigh deeply at the secretary¡¯s response. As he exited the building, he spotted his old classmate, Zhu Kunyu, waiting in the car. Huang Fulai got in and remained silent.


    Zhu Kunyu had already guessed the outcome and smirked with a hint of mockery. ¡°So, have you given up now? Didn¡¯t I tell you there was no way you¡¯d get an audience with Qin Weilong? Our esteemed first city leader thinks far too highly of himself, yet he¡¯s utterly clueless. He believes his tireless efforts are for the good of Great Xia, but he¡¯s just a selfish, self-serving opportunist.¡±


    Zhu continued wryly, ¡°He cloaks himself in morality and uses it to manipulate others, but his priority is always his own vested interests. Right now, he must be scrambling like an ant on a hot pan, thinking only of how to placate the Jiepeng forces. He¡¯s willing to pay any price to satisfy them, so long as that price doesn¡¯t affect his power, position, or wealth. Instead, the burden will inevitably be shifted onto ordinary citizens.¡±


    Huang Fulai remained silent in the face of his old classmate¡¯s well-intentioned rant.


    "Let¡¯s go to the teacher," Huang Fulai said quietly, leaning back against the car seat as a hint of exhaustion crossed his face.


    Zhu Kunyu piloted the hovering vehicle as they sped toward the Fudong District. On the way, both men keenly felt the immense pressure radiating from the rapid awakening of the Jiepeng Saint, Tsukiha Tens¨­.


    ¡°Old Huang, do you think that young friend of yours can hold his ground against Tsukiha Tens¨­?¡± Zhu Kunyu couldn¡¯t help but ask again.


    Huang Fulai thought back to everything that had happened at Lijing Hotel. Gritting his teeth, he nodded firmly. ¡°He can.¡±


    Zhu Kunyu offered no response, but his skepticism was clear. After a few moments of silence, he sighed. ¡°It¡¯s a pity that Commander Song is bound by the Star Council Charter and can¡¯t intervene. Otherwise, how could an old dog like Tsukiha Tens¨­ dare to act so arrogantly?¡±


    Song Huaiyuan, one of Great Xia¡¯s supreme commanders stationed in Haijing City, was widely acknowledged as the most powerful figure in the southern regions and the undisputed strongest Saint within the city.


    Unfortunately, as a deputy chairperson of the Star Council, Song was restricted by his position and could not involve himself in battles of this nature. The only scenario where he could take action would be a large-scale star beast invasion that threatened the fall of Haijing City.


    ¡°I wonder if Principal Lu, ranked fourth among the strongest, will step in,¡± Huang Fulai murmured, holding onto a sliver of hope. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although he had immense faith in Li Xiaofei, the boy was still too young. It was hard to come up with any strategy that could secure victory when one faced a Saint as a non-Saint. Even if Li Xiaofei managed to succeed, any clever tricks he used would only work once. Defeating Tsukiha Tens¨­ would not end the threat. There were other foreign Saints waiting in the wings.


    Huang Fulai quietly wished that one of the other three Great Xia powerhouses on the ranking list would lend a hand. If they could shoulder some of the burden and give Li Xiaofei the support he needed, there might finally be a chance to turn the tide.

 Chapter 477:The Fourth Saint (2)

    Chapter 477:The Fourth Saint (2)Wanmao District. Jiepeng Consulate.


    "Sun and moon revolve..." Li Xiaofei continued to hum quietly, his feet casually propped up on the desk.


    He found the lyrics particularly fitting for the moment. He could see the blazing pillar of energy soaring into the sky in the distance. The strength of a Saint was truly awe-inspiring.


    A smile slowly spread across his face.


    ¡°Haha! You¡¯re done for! You¡¯re dead!¡± The waiter¡¯s voice was a mix of glee and hysteria.


    He was so overwhelmed with excitement that he started shouting incoherently, ¡°It¡¯s Tens¨­ the Saint! He¡¯s coming! You demon, you butcher! You¡¯ll pay for your actions! You¡¯re dead¡ªyou¡¯re finished!¡±


    Li Xiaofei paid him no mind. Then, the overwhelming, majestic presence of a Saint descended upon the consulate, blanketing it in suffocating energy. Li Xiaofei took his feet off the desk and stood up.


    Is he finally here?


    It hadn¡¯t been nearly this troublesome when he¡¯d killed Saints in the past. As expected, the Jiepeng were a despicable bunch. With a single thought, he rocketed upward. In the blink of an eye, he broke through the ceiling and landed on the rooftop of the nine-story consulate.


    Li Xiaofei looked up.


    A tall, thin figure clad in a red-and-white kimono hovered a hundred meters above the ground. His face was sharp and sinister as he exuded an eerie aura. The oppressive force emanating from his body was divine in its magnitude.


    Tsukiha Tens¨­, the founder of Jiepeng''s Flying Blade Stream and a Saint of the highest caliber, had finally made his appearance.


    The waiter jumped up through the hole in the roof and prostrated himself. Overcome with excitement, he kowtowed fervently, shouting in the Jiepeng tongue, ¡°Please, Saint, avenge Jiepeng¡¯s warriors! Please avenge us!¡±


    Having recently awakened from his seclusion, Tsukiha Tens¨­ initially paid no heed to Li Xiaofei. This boy was merely a trivial pest in his eyes. A cultivator in the Meridian Expanding Realm was so insignificant that he wasn¡¯t worth a second thought.


    He felt a moment of confusion.


    Who could have killed my close attendant? Why is the consulate now a graveyard strewn with corpses?


    His gaze shifted to the attendant groveling below. Recognizing him, Tsukiha Tens¨­ casually gestured, lifting the young warrior into the air and bringing him closer.


    ¡°What happened here?¡± Tsukiha Tens¨­¡¯s voice was cold and commanding.


    The attendant, so overwhelmed with excitement that his tongue twisted, managed to stammer out the events as he pointed shakily at Li Xiaofei.


    Thud.


    The attendant was flung back onto the roof as if he were no more than a discarded toy. At last, Tsukiha Tens¨­¡¯s eyes landed on Li Xiaofei. His confusion deepened.


    How could this frail boy have possibly slain my disciple, Chiyo Tsukio? How could this insignificant insect have turned the Jiepeng Consulate into a graveyard and killed his loyal old servant?


    Tsukiha Tens¨­ examined him closely. To his astonishment, he discovered that although the young man had yet to cultivate the Five Spirits, his inner qi was exceptionally dense and potent. In fact, it far exceeded the typical standards of the Meridian Expanding Realm. This boy¡¯s qi was remarkable even compared to those in the Golden Body Realm.


    Moreover, the boy¡¯s physical body was extraordinarily resilient. There was no trace of leakage as it held onto his inner qi. This was a clear indication that he had reached the Qi Restraining Stage, a state of perfection where the body and qi operated in flawless harmony.


    The combination of such overwhelming inner qi and an indomitable physical body did indeed give him a combat strength that rivaled even the Dao Union Realm.


    Yet even with this realization, Tsukiha Tens¨­ felt no threat from Li Xiaofei. A stronger insect was still an insect. This dismissal was why Tsukiha Tens¨­ had initially ignored Li Xiaofei. Anyone beneath the Saint level was nothing but an ant.


    ¡°Who ordered you to do this?¡± Tsukiha Tens¨­ asked coldly, his tone laced with disdain. He was more interested in uncovering the mastermind behind this affront. A mere cultivator at this level wouldn¡¯t dare provoke the Jiepeng Empire without backing.


    Li Xiaofei smiled in reply. It was a broad, cheerful smile. He didn¡¯t answer, because words were unnecessary. He raised his hand and scratched the back of his head.


    And then it happened. Like a television screen flickering with static interference, reality itself seemed to distort. The space around Li Xiaofei shimmered, and suddenly, another figure appeared beside him.


    A middle-aged man in a neatly pressed Zhongshan suit, sporting a close-cropped black haircut, stood beside Li Xiaofei. He exuded a scholarly aura, as though he had just emerged from a library.


    ¡°Saint Tsukiha Tens¨­, it¡¯s been a while.¡± The man said calmly.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s you,¡± Tsukiha Tens¨­ replied, his gaze fixed on the man. A flicker of battle intent ignited in his eyes. ¡°Principal Lu, is this boy acting on your orders?¡±


    Principal Lu! In all of Haijing City, there was only one person who could be addressed by that title: Lu Xufeng. Ranked fourth on the list of Great Xia¡¯s strongest, Lu Xufeng was a Saint and the principal of the renowned Zhendan University.


    ¡°No,¡± Lu Xufeng shook his head.


    Tsukiha Tens¨­ paused, surprised. He didn¡¯t doubt Lu Xufeng¡¯s words. Principal Lu was well known for never speaking falsehoods.


    But if it wasn¡¯t Lu Xufeng, then who?


    A glimmer of doubt crossed Tsukiha Tens¨­¡¯s mind. Those who stood at the peak of power always calculated every possibility. From any perspective, Li Xiaofei¡¯s assault on the Jiepeng Consulate couldn¡¯t possibly be an independent act. It defied reason.


    What kind of power would dare to challenge the Jiepeng Empire and provoke me?


    His mind turned over the possibilities until only one answer emerged. There was only one individual in all of Haijing City with the strength, status, and motive to orchestrate such an audacious move. He was also the only person who had the influence to bring Lu Xufeng into the picture.


    Tsukiha Tens¨­''s rage burned hotter, yet his mind grew colder as he continued to calculate. He understood that this could very well be Great Xia¡¯s final act of defiance, a culmination of all their strength and courage.


    If this rebellion could be utterly crushed, then from this day forward, the backbone of Great Xia¡¯s warriors in Haijing City, and indeed the entire southern region, would be irrevocably broken. The martial spirit of Great Xia would be completely shattered. Their destiny as a martial nation would be severed for good.


    Everything will end in one decisive blow.


    Tsukiha Tens¨­ found himself growing impatient. The Great Xia people were plotting, but so was he. If this was the game they wanted to play...


    Swish! S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A radiant blade aura manifested out of thin air as it sliced directly toward Li Xiaofei. But Lu Xufeng flicked a finger and a piece of chalk shot through the air like a comet, colliding with the blade aura. In an instant, both the chalk and the blade aura dissipated into nothingness.


    ¡°Why bicker with a junior?¡± Lu Xufeng said calmly. ¡°Bullying the weak tarnishes the reputation of a Jiepeng Saint.¡±


    Tsukiha Tens¨­ sneered. ¡°He butchered thousands of Jiepeng warriors. He deserves a thousand deaths.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t look at it that way,¡± Lu Xufeng replied, his tone serious but with a hint of mischief. ¡°He only killed your servant, your disciple, your consulate¡¯s ambassador, and a few thousand Jiepeng people. But he¡¯s still a mere child. How can you stoop to his level?¡±


    This statement left Li Xiaofei utterly dumbfounded, his eyes widening in disbelief.


    What the fuck.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s mind reeled.


    What the fuck. This is the fourth-ranked Great Xia Saint on the strongest list? The esteemed principal of Zhendan University?


    His words... were oddly convincing.


    Tsukiha Tens¨­¡¯s fury reached its peak, yet he let out a cold, mocking laugh. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying this is my fault?¡±


    Lu Xufeng nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Ignoring the facts for a moment, can you honestly say you¡¯re entirely blameless?¡±


    Li Xiaofei almost burst out laughing.


    Unbelievable. This single verbal jab feels like it carries the weight of a million years of cultivation. Who could possibly endure such an attack?


    As expected, Tsukiha Tens¨­¡¯s rage erupted like a volcanic inferno.


    It was well-known that Principal Lu of Zhendan University had a reputation for being venomously sharp-tongued. Many had dismissed it as mere gossip. After all, Zhendan University was the foremost institution of learning in the southern region and was steeped in a long tradition of scholarly refinement.


    As its principal, Lu Xufeng always appeared genteel and cultured. He was a man who embodied intellectual grace. But now, it was clear: there was no reasoning with him.


    Tsukiha Tens¨­ didn¡¯t bother bandying words and moved decisively. At his command, a storm of blade light materialized, surging toward Lu Xufeng in a blinding torrent.


    Lu Xufeng remained unperturbed as he slowly raised his left hand. Using his finger as a brush and the air as his canvas, he began to write with flowing, serpentine strokes.


    It was then that Li Xiaofei noticed that Principal Lu was left-handed.


    A cold autumn alone, the Xiang River flows northward, to Orange Isle''s head.


    The magical sight of Lu Xufeng¡¯s fingertip carving words into the air was astonishing. Each stroke left visible impressions that lingered in the sky. He was inscribing lines from the poem of a great figure who had lived more than five hundred years ago.


    As the verse took shape, a phenomenon arose. An invisible force field spread out to envelop space. The storm of blade light slowed as if caught in a swamp, until it finally ground to a halt twenty meters away.


    Tsukiha Tens¨­ sneered and raised his right arm. A colossal qi blade, nearly a hundred meters long, coalesced before him. As his arm lifted, the blade rose high into the air, gathering the essence of countless smaller blade auras. It resembled a deity wielding an immense weapon.


    The mountains aflame with crimson, the forests dyed with vibrant hues... In frost-touched heavens, myriad beings vie for freedom. Facing the vast expanse, who controls the fate of this boundless land?


    Lu Xufeng continued to write. His strokes became faster and more fluid, as the characters grew more vivid and lifelike.


    Tsukiha Tens¨­ swung his arm down in a decisive strike. The massive qi blade followed his arm as it sliced through the air. The atmosphere itself seemed to transform into a tangible substance wherever the blade passed, splitting apart like ocean waves under a ship¡¯s keel. The shockwaves surged outward, carving the sky into two distinct halves.


    Lu Xufeng. calm as ever, pressed his right palm against the half-finished poem. Forty-four words soared into the air. The letters burst with radiant brilliance. It was as if they had become tangible, living entities.

 Chapter 478:The Fourth Saint (3)

    Chapter 478:The Fourth Saint (3)A cold autumn alone, the Xiang River flows northward, to Orange Isle''s head.


    The magical sight of Lu Xufeng¡¯s fingertip carving words into the air was astonishing. Each stroke left visible impressions that lingered in the sky. He was inscribing lines from the poem of a great figure who had lived more than 500 years ago.


    As the verse took shape, a phenomenon arose. An invisible force field spread out, enveloping the space. The approaching storm of blade light slowed as if caught in a mire, their advance grinding to a halt twenty meters away, unable to move further.


    Tsukiha Tens¨­ sneered and raised his right arm. A colossal qi blade, nearly a hundred meters long, coalesced before him. As his arm lifted, the blade rose high into the air, gathering the essence of countless smaller blade auras. It resembled a deity wielding an immense weapon.


    The mountains aflame with crimson, the forests dyed with vibrant hues... In frost-touched heavens, myriad beings vie for freedom. Facing the vast expanse, who controls the fate of this boundless land?


    Lu Xufeng continued to write. His strokes became faster, more fluid, and the characters more vivid and lifelike with every movement.


    Just then, Tsukiha Tens¨­ swung his arm in a decisive strike. The massive qi blade descended, slicing through the air.


    Wherever the blade passed, the atmosphere itself seemed to transform into a tangible substance, splitting apart like ocean waves under a ship¡¯s keel. The shockwaves surged outward, carving the sky into two distinct halves.


    Lu Xufeng, calm as ever, pressed his right palm against the half-finished poem. With a gentle push, forty-four words soared into the air. The letters burst with radiant brilliance. It was as if they had become tangible, living entities.


    The radiant words collided with the colossal qi blade in a symphony of metallic chimes that echoed across the battlefield. For a moment, it seemed like the words were overpowered as their formations were thrown into chaos and they shattered.


    A cold smile crept across Tsukiha Tens¨­¡¯s face.


    Fourth place is, after all, only fourth. What could Lu Xufeng possibly bring to challenge me, the third-ranked Saint?


    Yet, in the very next instant, the shattered words transformed. The fragments disassembled into countless individual strokes, dots, slashes, hooks, bends, horizontal lines, and vertical lines.


    Each stroke flowed and clashed like chaotic yet synchronized tools of war. They resembled blades, axes, and spears as they swirled together, striking the qi blade in rhythmic harmony. It was as if countless woodpeckers were relentlessly chiseling away at an ancient tree.


    In mere moments, the giant qi blade began to crack. It disintegrated piece by piece, until it finally shattered completely. The strokes, too, dimmed and dissolved into the air.


    The clash ended in a stalemate. Li Xiaofei quietly marveled as he watched the scene unfold. This was the strength that Saints possessed. Whether it was Tsukiha Tens¨­¡¯s raw, overwhelming ferocity or Principal Lu¡¯s intricate, almost divine technique, these were feats no warrior below the level of a Saint could ever hope to comprehend or replicate.


    When he reflected on how he had leveraged Liu Shaji¡¯s power to annihilate several Saints in one decisive blow, denying them any chance to display their true capabilities, he couldn¡¯t help but feel...


    Satisfying!


    Li Xiaofei felt a surge of exhilaration, but it also deepened his curiosity about the Cemetery of the Ancestors behind White Deer Academy. There were hundreds of tombstones in that solemn place. Each name carved into the stone belonged to someone as strong or stronger than Liu Shaji.


    How could such terrifying figures have met their end to be buried in the same cemetery? And with a cemetery housing such legends, how could White Deer Academy itself be anything but extraordinary?


    Shaking his head, Li Xiaofei pushed those thoughts out of his mind.


    ¡°Senior, let me handle this,¡± Li Xiaofei said as he stepped forward. ¡°This is my mess, so I should clean it up myself.¡±


    After all, this was the perfect opportunity he¡¯d painstakingly set up to show off.


    Don¡¯t steal my thunder, old man!


    Lu Xufeng smiled faintly.


    ¡°An adult¡¯s problem should be solved by the adult himself,¡± He said, patting Li Xiaofei¡¯s shoulder with an approving nod. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. With me here, I¡¯ll ensure nothing happens to you.¡±


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t decide whether to laugh or cry. The situation was still...


    "Great Xia has finally produced another prodigy. If we old-timers can''t protect him, we¡¯d truly be failing our ancestors," Lu Xufeng murmured.


    Li Xiaofei felt a warm current rise in his chest. At last, a Saint had stepped forward. Not all of Great Xia''s Saints in Haijing City were cowards hiding in their shells. Through Lu Xufeng, he could sense the dedication of the older generation to safeguarding their successors, as well as the love the ancestors of Great Xia had for their country and its people.


    In the sky, Tsukiha Tens¨­¡¯s expression burned with determination. The evenly matched outcome of their first exchange meant little. Battles between Saints were rarely resolved in an instant.


    Yet, he was confident about his ability to kill Lu Xufeng. This was not merely because he was ranked third, but because he had fully fused with the Inscribed Treasure Bone of the emperor-grade star beast, the Ocean-Walking White Ape, during his recent seclusion. He had mastered water manipulation and gained the divine strength of the White Ape.


    His strength had climbed to new heights. He even felt an impulsive desire to challenge Song Huaiyuan, the first-ranked of Great Xia¡¯s Saints. Of course, he had no intention of challenging the second-ranked Aztas; the infamous black gorilla from the Yiggs Union. The Jiepeng Empire, even at its peak, still didn¡¯t dare provoke the Yiggs Union.


    But killing Lu Xufeng would significantly elevate his influence in the southern territories of Great Xia and bolster his prestige within Jiepeng Empire. Such a victory would pave the way for him to secure greater authority and more resources.


    With that thought in mind, Tsukiha Tens¨­ attacked again. This time, there were no words. For him, battle was the only language needed to resolve everything.


    ***


    The Grand Commander¡¯s Residence.


    ¡°Please, follow me,¡± said the beautiful female steward, her grace and charm still evident despite the passing of years. She led Xue Xuanqi, Huang Fulai, and Zhu Kunyu through a classically designed courtyard that displayed the essence of ancient elegance.


    Soon, the three of them stood before the most formidable figure on Haijing City¡¯s ranking of powerful individuals: Song Huaiyuan, the Grand Commander. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Great Xia had seven Grand Commanders in total. Each one was a figure of unparalleled strength and supreme authority. Song Huaiyuan, who was stationed in Haijing City, hailed from the once-glorious but now fallen Song family, a lineage of Saints from the southern regions of Great Xia. By the time Song Huaiyuan rose to fame, the Song family had already been reduced to ruins.


    But even after ascending to the position of Grand Commander, Song Huaiyuan made no efforts to restore his family¡¯s former glory. Instead, he chose to remain secluded within this courtyard to live a quiet and solitary life.


    Each day, he devoted himself to a single task: sharpening his blade. He honed the weapon day and night. Rarely did he ever unsheath it.


    In the past sixty years, Song Huaiyuan had only acted once. He unleashed a single, distant slash from within his residence that had effortlessly killed a massive Beast Emperor attempting to make landfall. The feat of killing a creature known globally as the Atomic Godzilla had shocked the entire world.


    This single strike cemented Song Huaiyuan¡¯s position as the most powerful individual in Haijing City. For a full sixty years, no one had dared to challenge him.


    As Xue Xuanqi, Huang Fulai, and Zhu Kunyu entered the inner courtyard, the clear, rhythmic sound of a blade being sharpened reached their ears.


    Sunlight streamed through the skylight into the sharpening hall. A man in a long robe, with his hair tied neatly in a bun, sat facing away from them. He cradled a large chopping blade in his arms, grinding it against the whetstone in motions that alternated between swift and deliberate.


    His figure was not imposing. Standing at only 1.73 meters tall, he was slightly thin, with streaks of white in his hair. Yet his movements were precise and methodical.


    ¡°What do you want from me?¡± He asked, his voice as sharp and cold as the blade being honed.


    In this imposing atmosphere, neither Huang Fulai nor Zhu Kunyu dared to speak. Instead, Xue Xuanqi, the seventh city leader of Haijing, stepped forward, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect. ¡°I humbly request the Grand Commander to act and save a rare martial prodigy of Great Xia.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Song Huaiyuan replied flatly, his focus unwavering as he continued sharpening his blade.


    Xue Xuanqi froze in shock. He hadn¡¯t even had the chance to fully explain before receiving a curt and icy refusal.


    The Grand Commander¡¯s reputation for never involving himself in matters outside the war against star beasts was something Xue Xuanqi had heard before. However, this time, the situation was extraordinary.


    Li Xiaofei, a Dragon Group envoy, had displayed unparalleled prowess within Haijing City. His actions were not only astonishing but also brought great honor to the nation. It was this exceptional case and the ardent persuasion of his two students that had compelled Xue Xuanqi to seek out the Grand Commander.


    If anyone in all of Haijing City could save Li Xiaofei, it was the man sharpening his blade before them.


    ¡°But Li Xiaofei is a martial arts prodigy, brimming with passion and loyalty...¡± Xue Xuanqi tried to continue to persuade him.


    He recounted Li Xiaofei¡¯s deeds in detail. Song Huaiyuan did not interrupt, as though he was listening patiently. However, the seasoned female steward standing nearby knew better; he was simply sharpening his blade.


    As expected, when Xue Xuanqi finished, the response was one cold, simple word.


    ¡°No.¡±


    It was direct and unyielding. At this point, Huang Fulai could no longer hold back.


    ¡°Grand Commander, the situation has deteriorated to such a degree! Most officials in the city are incompetent and dishonorable; they do nothing but occupy their positions. It¡¯s rare to see someone like Li Xiaofei, a young man of Great Xia with such passion and courage, step forward...¡±


    His voice was filled with urgency as he laid bare the severity of the situation. But it was futile.


    ¡°No.¡± Song Huaiyuan¡¯s answer was carved in stone.


    Huang Fulai¡¯s expression darkened. His frustration and anger boiled over, and he couldn¡¯t help but sneer. ¡°No wonder Haijing City has fallen into such disarray, and the entire southern region is steeped in despair. Grand Commander, you preside here, doing nothing but occupying your position. It¡¯s truly¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish, Xue Xuanqi lunged forward and slapped a hand over his student¡¯s mouth. Saints could not be insulted. To utter such words here was nothing short of courting death.


    "See them out." Finally, Song Huaiyuan¡¯s words changed, but only to a single command.


    Xue Xuanqi sighed softly, cupped his hands in farewell, and turned to leave. The three were escorted out of the estate by the graceful female steward.


    Once outside, standing on the empty street, the trio exchanged glances with bitter smiles.


    In the distance, the overwhelming aura of a Saint continued to grow more intense, pressing heavily upon them.


    Huang Fulai gritted his teeth suddenly and declared, ¡°If reinforcements cannot be obtained, then I shall go to my death. I would have no regrets sacrificing my life for the nation alongside my friend Li Xiaofei.¡±


    He shot into the air, flying straight toward the Jiepeng Consulate without hesitation.

 Chapter 479: I’m Invincible Under The Heaven (1)

    Chapter 479: I¡¯m Invincible Under The Heaven (1)"Teacher, this..." Zhu Kunyu glanced anxiously at his teacher, Xue Xuanqi, his face filled with urgency.


    Xue Xuanqi knew there was no stopping his determined student. Gritting his teeth, he said in a deep voice, "We¡¯ll go too. Perhaps we can be of some help. Although... sigh, let¡¯s figure it out when we get there."


    He took off after Huang Fulai.


    ***


    Wanmao District.


    Above the Jiepeng Consulate, another exchange between Saints was on the verge of breaking out. Principal Lu and Tsukiha Tens¨­ stood opposite each other, their focus sharp and unwavering as they activated their cultivation techniques. The overwhelming aura of Saints began to slowly envelop the area.


    The oppressive atmosphere made the area seem like an uninhabitable wasteland. The entirety of Haijing City felt the terrifying pressure.


    The streets were deserted. Factory workers and school students trembled in fear, scrambling to evacuate under the guidance of supervisors and teachers to the city¡¯s defensive shelters. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Haijing City¡¯s defensive infrastructure was originally built to protect against star beasts or suicide attacks from flying variants. But a battle between Saints carried destruction no less catastrophic than a star beast assault.


    If the aftershocks went unchecked, most of the city would face annihilation; a scene reminiscent of the apocalypse.


    In the sky above, Tsukiha Tens¨­''s black hair danced wildly in the wind, each strand emanating a fierce and unparalleled blade intent.


    The air around him twisted like the vortex of an ocean¡¯s eye. Behind him loomed the towering, thousand-meter-tall shadow of a giant white ape. The faint figure resembled a guardian beast as it radiated a primal, ferocious aura of slaughter and chaos like it had just emerged from an ancient wilderness.


    As Tsukiha Tens¨­ slowly extended his arms, the colossal white ape mirrored the motion. Its massive arms stretched outward, and its five fingers closed into fists within the void. The Ocean-Walking White Ape was a mutated behemoth that thrived in the seas. Its presence alone radiated an overwhelming, otherworldly menace.


    This was the divine strength Tsukiha Tens¨­ had gained after refining sixteen Inscribed Treasure Bones of the Ocean-Walking White Ape within his body. Tsukiha Tens¨­ had initially ascended to sainthood through Jiepeng''s ancient martial arts. Later, he had turned toward New Martial Arts as he implanted Inscribed Treasure Bones into his body.


    By refining these treasures, he had unlocked the innate divine abilities of the Ocean-Walking White Ape, an emperor-grade star beast. The first ability was water manipulation. The second was divine strength.


    At this moment, he was displaying the water manipulation ability. Elemental water energy from the heavens and earth gathered madly, converging into the shadow of the Ocean-Walking White Ape above him.


    Li Xiaofei suddenly felt the air around him grow dry. From the corner of his eye, he noticed the vegetation on the rooftop withering visibly, their leaves and branches drying up and disintegrating into fine powder.


    He could even feel the moisture in his own body, his blood and fluids, being pulled away. If this continued, he would be drained entirely and reduced to a desiccated corpse.


    Panicked, he activated the Nine Yang Divine Art, circulating his inner qi through all 888 qi meridians in his body. The energy fortified his core, tightened his muscles, and sealed his pores, locking in his body¡¯s moisture.


    Meanwhile, in the sky above, the colossal white ape now wielded two massive, pale-white swords of pure water energy, each spanning a hundred meters in length.


    At the same time, Principal Lu was composing a poem: Ode to the Red Cliffs ¨C Changsha. This time, he wrote with both his left and right hands simultaneously so his speed had dramatically increased. Each stroke of his brush left vivid, glowing characters suspended in the void.


    Although Li Xiaofei was not a Saint, he could distinctly feel the disparity in strength between the two figures. The aura radiating from Tsukiha Tens¨­ was far more violent and domineering than that of Principal Lu.


    His hand reflexively reached for the back of his head, feeling for the three green strands of hair still intact.


    He couldn¡¯t allow these two to truly fight. If they did, how could he maintain his image of effortless superiority? However, just as Li Xiaofei prepared to activate his cheat-like abilities, an unexpected turn of events unfolded.


    Out of nowhere, an invisible, formless sword materialized to Principal Lu¡¯s right and struck like a streak of lightning.


    Principal Lu immediately sensed the blow, and his brush paused mid-stroke. The nine words he had just written, In times past, this land birthed countless noble lords, shot forth on their own.


    The nine words transformed into thirty-five strokes. Each stroke became a weapon in its own right, resembling swords, sabers, spears, and staves, converging to intercept the shadowy sword. The air resounded with the metallic clang of intense collisions.


    The sword''s momentum was halted, but the interruption blunted Principal Lu¡¯s rising offensive.


    "Die!" Tsukiha Tens¨­ seized the opportunity without hesitation as he unleashed his forbidden move.


    Massive water rings materialized around him like planetary rings around a celestial body.


    With a fierce downward slash of both hands, the colossal water-element qi swords wielded by the Ocean-Walking White Ape crashed down on Principal Lu with overwhelming force.


    Principal Lu had no time to complete the rest of his poem. Forced into a corner, he wielded the fragmented verses of Ode to the Red Cliffs ¨C Changsha as his sole defense.


    With a sweeping motion of his hand, the suspended words in the void surged forward.


    Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!


    A series of deafening explosions erupted instantaneously. Blinding divine light burst forth, radiating outward from the Jiepeng Consulate. The shockwave caused a colossal mushroom cloud to rise into the sky like the detonation of a nuclear bomb.


    The aftermath lingered for a long time. When the dust and energy finally dissipated, it revealed intact buildings. Both Saints had exercised remarkable restraint and meticulously controlled their energy.


    This was, after all, the Wanmao District, home to the consulates of various governments and influential factions. Any destruction here could lead to severe international disputes.


    Lu Xufeng staggered. He had lost both arms in the exchange. Saintly blood dripped from his wounds, staining the air with a faint divine aura. His face was pale, and his aura collapsed gradually as his strength waned.


    Blood, flesh, and bone churned faintly at the stumps of his arms. They were healing, but the process was agonizingly slow. After all, the one who had injured him was also a Saint. The relentless force of the water-element qi blade continued to eat away at his wounds, hindering their recovery.


    In the sky above, Tsukiha Tens¨­ remained composed. His presence was as imposing as ever. His aura was still at its peak. This was to be expected. His strength had always surpassed that of Lu Xufeng. Moreover, Lu Xufeng¡¯s focus had been disrupted at a critical moment by the surprise sword qi attack, leaving him vulnerable to Tsukiha Tens¨­¡¯s decisive strike.


    "Sigh..." Lu Xufeng let out a weary sigh, his gaze shifting to the void on his right. "Why did you do this?"


    The air rippled like a pond disturbed by a pebble as a tall, thin figure emerged from the distortion. The man was dressed in a black Tang suit and radiated a striking presence. His face was long and gaunt, with thick eyebrows that extended downward from the corners of his eyes, measuring nearly a foot in length. His forehead bore small, raised lumps that resembled a pair of horns.


    Li Xiaofei felt a deeply oppressive and terrifying aura emanating from him. This was another Saint. It only took Li Xiaofei a moment to deduce his identity. This was You Longzi, the seventh-ranked Saint on Haijing City''s list of powerful figures and the leader of the city''s largest sect, the Heavenly Dragon Sect.


    In his hand, he held a completely transparent jade blade. It had been him who had ambushed Lu Xufent in a critical moment earlier.


    "I''m truly sorry, Principal Lu," said You Longzi.


    Though his words carried an apology, his expression remained devoid of any remorse for the earlier sneak attack. His tone was calm as he added, "Someone offered a hefty price for your life. I couldn¡¯t refuse."


    "You¡¯re a citizen of Great Xia as well," Lu Xufeng said, his voice tinged with profound regret.


    You Longzi responded lightly, "In times of chaos, only the fittest survive. If one doesn¡¯t look out for themselves, the heavens and earth will conspire to destroy them."


    Lu Xufeng sighed deeply again. He turned to Li Xiaofei and said, "Don¡¯t lose faith in the Saints of Great Xia. Not all Saints of our nation are as disgraceful as him."


    Li Xiaofei nodded firmly, his expression resolute.


    Lu Xufeng then shifted his gaze to the eastern sky, his face betraying a hint of disappointment. It seemed that complications had arisen on that side as well. His old friend would not be arriving in time.

 Chapter 480: I’m Invincible Under The Heaven (2)

    Chapter 480: I¡¯m Invincible Under The Heaven (2)In the east, in the Great Xia military camp in Haijing City, the towering figure of Chen Zhishun, the camp¡¯s commanding officer, stood with an expression of growing fury.


    A golden-haired man with a broad, inverted triangle physique was standing across him. A cigar dangled from his mouth as he puffed smoke rings. His figure had an air of carefree arrogance.


    The man kept his eyes on Chen Zhishun as he chuckled. "Chen Zhishun, as long as I¡¯m here, you¡¯d best stay in your camp and abandon any foolish idea of aiding Lu Xufeng."


    "Move aside," Chen Zhishun said coldly, his voice filled with an icy resolve.


    Even knowing the man before him was Aztast, the second-ranked Saint on Haijing City¡¯s list of powerful individuals, Chen¡¯s patience was wearing dangerously thin. His friend was caught in a deadly ambush.


    The golden-haired man shook his head.


    "Chen, as a fellow soldier, I admire your commitment to duty. But I regret to inform you, I cannot disobey my orders. If you step out of this camp today, Great Xia will lose not one, but two Saints."


    He took another drag from his cigar, shrugged, and stood his ground. Chen Zhishun inhaled deeply, his chest rising and falling with restrained anger. Then, he lifted his foot and strode toward the camp¡¯s exit.


    ***


    "Principal Lu, it¡¯s time for you to go," Tsukiha Tens¨­ said coldly as he unleashed another forbidden technique.


    The shadow of the Ocean-Walking White Ape reappeared behind him as water element energy of heaven and earth began to gather.


    At the same time, the invisible jade sword in You Longzi¡¯s hand trembled slightly as sword intent started to condense. Swirling, visible sword qi formed a vortex, clearly signaling the preparation of a devastating strike. The two Saints were about to join forces.


    "How entertaining," Li Xiaofei suddenly laughed, his tone laced with mockery. "I always thought Saints would at least try to maintain some dignity. But ambushes and gang-style beatdowns? This isn¡¯t much different from a street brawl, is it?"


    Tsukiha Tens¨­ replied indifferently, "Victory or defeat defines the narrative. In the face of results, methods are irrelevant."


    You Longzi remained silent, his expression void of emotion. To him, Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t even worth a response.


    In that tense moment, Lu Xufeng¡¯s voice sounded quietly in Li Xiaofei¡¯s ear in a secret transmission.


    When the fight begins, I have a way to get you out of here. Remember, return to Xiajing City, and don¡¯t come back to Haijing until you¡¯ve become a Great Saint.


    It wasn¡¯t enough to simply become a Saint. Only a Great Saint could reclaim the dignity lost today.


    "Is it worth it?" Li Xiaofei asked, looking at Lu Xufeng.


    He understood now. Lu Xufeng had already dismissed thoughts of his own survival. Perhaps he had foreseen this outcome from the moment he decided to intervene today. Yet, despite that, he had come here. All to save a stranger he barely knew.


    "Is it worth it?" Li Xiaofei asked the question earnestly.


    Lu Xufeng smiled faintly. He was fearless in the face of an imminent combined fatal strike from two Saints.


    "I¡¯m a teacher," Lu Xufeng said softly. "From the plagiarism controversy to the admissions scandal, I know about it all."


    Li Xiaofei was startled.


    How could Principal Lu know about such minor and personal incidents?


    "Consider this Great Xia''s way of making amends to you," Lu Xufeng sighed. "Someone has to step forward and protect the younger generation of Great Xia¡¯s martial artists."


    His tone had never been so solemn. Li Xiaofei could feel a deep sense of reverence and sacred duty in it.


    "This country is sick," Lu Xufeng continued, his voice heavy. "There¡¯s rot in its flesh, maggots crawling through, and parasites feeding on it. But I still hope you can believe... that it can be saved."


    He sighed again, as the weight of his words lingered in the air.


    Li Xiaofei noticed something peculiar; Principal Lu seemed to sigh a lot. From the moment he appeared until now, less than ten minutes, he had already sighed nine times.


    What kind of experiences could have led a Saint like him to develop such an unconscious habit? Perhaps... It was the sheer weight he carried on his shoulders.


    When he looked at the man before him, clearly in his middle years, yet already streaked with premature gray at his temples, Li Xiaofei felt deeply shaken by his earlier words.


    Great Xia might not be at peace. The menace of the star beasts had never truly receded while the troubles caused by powerful clans were ceaseless. The times were far from tranquil.


    Yet, over a hundred millions citizens still lived securely within the walls of the nation. Why? They relied on those who quietly bore the burdens of the world.


    "Thank you," Li Xiaofei said, smiling sincerely. "But, Principal Lu, this time, I¡¯ll have to decline your kindness."


    Lu Xufeng looked at him with a hint of surprise.


    "Today, I really can¡¯t leave."


    Because I really want to put on a show.


    He raised his hand for the third time and finally succeeded in touching the back of his head. There, three strands of green hair stood out. Li Xiaofei pinched one between his fingers and gently plucked it out.


    In the next instant, the world changed. An invisible force spread from him almost like the manifestation of a universal law as it enveloped the entire area.


    Li Xiaofei felt an overwhelming, unstoppable surge of pure sword intent filling his body. It coursed through every organ, every bone, every fiber of his flesh, and even the deepest recesses of his cells.


    With a sword in hand, the world is mine to command!


    An unyielding and invincible aura of dominance and heroism erupted within him. He raised his hand and summoned it. The long-lost rusty sword materialized once again.


    Buzzing.


    The mottled, rust-covered sword began to tremble. The patches of rust on its surface fell away, transforming into specks of crimson starlight that swirled and danced around the blade. A radiant, gleaming sword blade shimmered like polished silver.


    Li Xiaofei was taken aback.


    This rusty sword... can actually transform into this?


    Holding the sword, Li Xiaofei felt an overwhelming surge of strength. He had the distinct impression that he could cleave the earth itself in two with a single swing.


    This immense power made him wary. So, he refrained from using too much strength. Instead, he simply swung lightly in the direction of Tsukiha Tens¨­, who had fully charged his forbidden technique.


    Shhhht!


    A streak of silvery-white sword qi sliced through the air. It wasn¡¯t grand or overwhelming, nor was it particularly fast. Yet, it glided forward with deceptive simplicity. It cut through the clouds in the sky. It sliced through the aura of a Saint. It pierced through the phantom of the Ocean-Walking White Ape.


    And finally, it cleaved through Tsukiha Tens¨­, who had just finished preparing his ultimate technique. The Jiepeng Saint''s face froze in an expression of utter disbelief as the energy within his body rapidly collapsed.


    The protective phantom of the Ocean-Walking White Ape vanished. The powerful, oppressive aura he had built up dissipated like smoke in the wind.


    "G-ghhh..." A guttural sound escaped from Tsukiha Tens¨­¡¯s throat.


    His face was etched with disbelief as his wide eyes filled with shock. With great difficulty, he lifted his hand to point at Li Xiaofei, as if trying to say something.


    Splurt!


    A thin crimson line appeared between his brows. In that instant, all strength drained from Tsukiha Tens¨­¡¯s body. The line of blood rapidly grew in length. Saintly blood sprayed through the air as the hair-thin crimson line scythed through the Saint¡¯s body, severing him into two perfectly symmetrical halves.


    The cleaved remains of the Saint¡¯s body crashed heavily into the dust below.


    For a moment, the world itself fell utterly silent. A Saint had fallen. Tsukiha Tens¨­ had been correct; today, a Saint would indeed die. But it wasn¡¯t Lu Xufeng. It was himself.


    "Ah... ah..."


    On the rooftop, the waiter from the nearby caf¨¦ lay sprawled on the ground, his mouth opening and closing in meaningless cries of terror. Even he didn¡¯t know what he was trying to say.


    In that moment, it seemed he had lost the ability to form coherent speech altogether. His body trembled violently, and his eyes were filled with sheer terror as they landed on Li Xiaofei.


    Yet, no one was more terrified than the seventh-ranked Saint of Haijing City, You Longzi. Despite his strength as the seventh most powerful individual in Haijing City, You Longzi had no understanding of what had just transpired.


    How did Li Xiaofei suddenly become so overwhelmingly powerful?


    How come Tsukiha Tens¨­, one of the city''s top three Saints, couldn¡¯t even manage to block such an ordinary-looking sword qi before meeting his end?


    The death of a Saint wasn¡¯t supposed to be so abrupt. Yet, it had undeniably happened. The third-ranked Saint of Haijing City, Tsukiha Tens¨­, had been felled by a casual swing from a junior wielding an unassuming blade.


    Li Xiaofei turned as his gaze fell on You Longzi, who felt like he had been plunged into a freezing abyss as a wave of icy dread washed over him. In an instant, You Longzi realized the dire truth. With Tsukiha Tens¨­ dead, the balance of power had irrevocably shifted, and he was in grave danger.


    If Li Xiaofei could kill the third-ranked Saint with such ease, then eliminating the seventh-ranked You Longzi would be no different from slaughtering livestock.


    The looming specter of death was undeniable. Letting out a strangled cry, You Longzi turned and fled without hesitation. He no longer had the courage to fight.


    Sword Escape!


    The invisible jade sword sped through the air like a flash of lightning, breaking through space with incredible speed. You Longzi had attached himself to the sword light. This was his most trusted escape technique, one that had saved him countless times from certain death.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at the rusty sword in his hand. A sudden flash of inspiration surged within him. He didn¡¯t bother to chase, and instead raised his hand and swung down lightly. A blade of sword qi emerged from his blade.


    It was still that plain, unremarkable sword qi. It still cut through the air effortlessly. Though it seemed slow, it immediately closed the several thousand meters to the fleeing You Longzi in an instant.


    "Please, no! Spare me..." You Longzi cried out in desperation as his soul nearly fled his body.


    But before he could finish speaking, the silvery-white sword qi had already passed through his body. The famous fence-sitter of Haijing City, ranked seventh on the power rankings, and the leader of the Heavenly Dragon Sect, was cleaved in two from his crotch to the top of his head. His two halves were sent flying forward, hundreds of meters away, before tumbling to the ground below.


    Another Saint had fallen. Li Xiaofei beckoned with his hand, and the invisible jade sword curved gracefully through the air, like a swallow returning to its nest, before landing gently in his palm.


    A fine sword indeed! In the hands of someone like You Longzi, it had been a waste of its potential, a pearl cast before swine.


    "This sword and I are destined for one another," Li Xiaofei said with satisfaction.


    Meanwhile, Principal Lu stood to the side, utterly stunned. He had witnessed countless strange phenomena and miracles in his lifetime. But what had just unfolded before his eyes could not simply be called a miracle. It was... a divine act! S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    No words, no matter how exaggerated, could fully capture the absurdity of what had happened. A boy who had yet to even reach the Five Spirits Realm had slain two renowned Saints with just two swings of his sword.


    Principal Lu¡¯s lips moved, as if he wanted to say something. But all the countless thoughts swirling in his mind condensed into one sentence: two words.


    ¡°Damn it.¡±


    The words that slipped out were far from appropriate for the esteemed principal of Zhendan University to utter. But within those two words was an immense joy, so palpable that even Huang Fulai, who was speeding toward them in the distance, ready to lay down his life, could clearly feel it.

 Chapter 481: Making A Fortune

    Chapter 481: Making A FortuneHuang Fulai landed on the rooftop, staring blankly at everything around him. He rubbed his eyes forcefully.


    The two halves of Tsukiha Tens¨­''s body on the ground below were no illusion. Farther away, You Longzi was undeniably dead. Principal Lu''s injuries were severe. Li Xiaofei stood in mid-air like a god of slaughter.


    Swish, swish.


    Xue Xuanqi and Zhu Kunyu also arrived at the same time. Both of them looked at Huang Fulai with the same bewildered expression and questioning gaze. Huang Fulai opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.


    Li Xiaofei held his sword and scanned his surroundings, his heart boiling with murderous intent. If he had already started, why not finish it completely? He might as well kill all the other non-Great Xia Saints on Haijing City''s rankings.


    "Principal Lu, where is the Yiggs man, Aztast?" He asked loudly.


    Lu Xufeng, who had lost both arms, did not respond. He understood Li Xiaofei''s current thoughts and had already figured out why this young man had been so reckless since arriving in Haijing City.


    Although he didn''t know what had just happened to Li Xiaofei, it was clear that this state would not last long.


    "Let¡¯s call it a day," Lu Xufeng said.


    Killing the Jiepeng Saint Tsukiha Tens¨­ was already shocking enough.


    Though the Jiepeng Empire had risen to prominence, it remained a small nation with a sparse population. Its aggressive militarism could only grant it a fleeting advantage. In the event of a full-scale war, the old veterans in the Great Xia parliament could still hold their ground and prevent the nation from suffering any truly crippling blows.


    But if they offended the Yiggs Union as well, the situation would spiral completely out of control. The Great Xia of today was already riddled with wounds and was being torn apart by constant struggles. It could only lie dormant to conserve its strength. A reckless, decisive strike was no longer an option.


    "This won¡¯t do. I¡¯m not someone who..." Li Xiaofei began to argue.


    But in the next instant, he felt the mysterious sword intent within him begin to rapidly wane.


    Damn it.


    The buff had expired.


    That was fast. Even the Barbarian King¡¯s ultimate lasted five seconds for the real heroes. And here I am, this little green-haired upstart, barely holding on for thirty seconds.


    "I¡¯m actually really good at listening to the advice of my elders, hehe," Li Xiaofei said with a sheepish grin, sheathing his twin swords as he slowly descended.


    At that moment, Principal Lu suddenly spoke up. "Ah, I think I¡¯ve remembered where Aztast is. The exact location is..."


    "No need, no need," Li Xiaofei quickly laughed. "I was just asking casually."


    Good grief, Principal Lu. You still have the energy to mess with me even after losing both arms. Where was the earnest, kind elder from before?


    Li Xiaofei swiftly changed the subject. His gaze shifted to the waiter nearby, who looked as though his soul had been sucked out. The young man was kneeling on the ground, as motionless as a wooden sculpture.


    "I..."


    When he sensed Li Xiaofei''s attention, he raised his head to meet his gaze. His eyes no longer held hatred or anger. There was only emptiness.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t say a word. He simply raised his sword and slashed.


    Slash.


    The waiter''s head fell to the ground.


    I only kept you alive to witness my glory. Now that I¡¯ve finished my performance, your time is up.


    Every Jiepeng national in the Wanmao District, without exception, had to die. None of them were innocent.


    Besides, he had made a promise to Tsukiha Yaiba earlier. Every single person in the Jiepeng consulate would be slaughtered without exception, not even chickens or dogs. Li Xiaofei had one rare virtue. Even promises made to his enemies might sometimes be kept.


    "You... you killed Tsukiha Tens¨­?" Huang Fulai finally snapped out of his daze, his voice trembling with disbelief.


    Li Xiaofei nodded, his face lighting up with a smile as warm as spring. "City Leader Huang, this is our third meeting. What brings you here this time?"


    Huang Fulai thought to himself that if he were a woman, he would have already melted under Li Xiaofei''s radiant smile.


    "Old Huang is here to die with you," Zhu Kunyu interjected bluntly.


    Huang Fulai felt a twinge of guilt. Deep down, he had not fully trusted Li Xiaofei and thought there was a chance he might lose. That doubt was what had driven him to rush over in such a panic.


    Huang Fulai quickly introduced the two men to Li Xiaofei.


    "This is City Leader Xue and Director Zhu." He said, gesturing to Xue Xuanqi and Zhu Kunyu.


    Li Xiaofei extended his hand in gratitude. "From now on, we''re friends. If you ever need anything from me, just say the word."


    In Haijing City, with its countless officials and powerful figures, and within the Great Xia¡¯s population of nearly thirty million, only Xue Xuanqi, Huang Fulai, and Zhu Kunyu had come with the resolve to face death alongside him at such a critical moment.


    The fewer the people, the more precious the sentiment. Li Xiaofei had never refused the goodwill of his compatriots. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this moment, Xue Xuanqi and Zhu Kunyu no longer carried even a trace of superiority in front of Li Xiaofei. Instead, they were more nervous than meeting the most influential figures in the political arena. After all, standing before them was a genuine Saint Slayer.


    A single battle had slain two Saints. From this day forward, the rankings of Haijing City¡¯s strongest were bound to change drastically. There might be some debate about whether Li Xiaofei deserved the top spot, but securing a place in the top three was absolutely certain.


    Zhu Kunyu was overwhelmed with excitement at this moment. He knew his fortunes were about to change. Even though his desperate rush to the battlefield had ultimately proved useless, this gesture of offering aid in a dire situation would undoubtedly win Li Xiaofei¡¯s friendship. Who in Haijing City would dare trouble him from now on?


    My brother Li Xiaofei would cut you down on the spot.


    Xue Xuanqi could barely contain his exhilaration too. He had left his post in the education sector to enter politics with the hope of enacting real change to save the nation. Yet, time and again, he found himself obstructed by insurmountable political barriers. Reform after reform had been thwarted, leaving him battered and disillusioned.


    The root cause was clear, he lacked a strong backer. But now, that backer stood before him. This act of risking his life had earned him Li Xiaofei¡¯s friendship. From this moment onward, if he leveraged this bond wisely, he could finally realize his ambitions, implement his ideas, and make a lasting impact.


    Huang Fulai, on the other hand, felt pure joy for Li Xiaofei. The journey that had brought them together still felt too surreal. But now, he was certain; this warm and innocent-looking young man before him was the very same unparalleled Sword Immortal who had protected him and over three hundred thousand refugees during their perilous journey. How could shackles or chains ever hope to imprison a figure like him?


    The group exchanged contact information. And so, it became a world where only Principal Lu was injured.


    I shouldn¡¯t have been on the roof. I should have been under the car.Had I known that this kid held such a trump card, why would I have rushed over so eagerly, only to lose both arms?


    But as the thought lingered, Lu Xufeng chuckled wryly. The younger generation had surpassed expectations. This was truly a blessing for Great Xia''s martial legacy.


    Hadn¡¯t he chosen to teach and nurture students for a lifetime for the hope of witnessing a moment like the one he had just seen, where Saints fell in battle? In that sense, hadn¡¯t he achieved his life''s dream?


    As for his severed arms? He only needed to rest and remove the water element energy in his wounds to restore them. There was no need to worry too much.


    "Let¡¯s go," Lu Xufeng said. "The Jiepeng Consulate has been annihilated. The Inquisition will undoubtedly investigate, and the troubles ahead will be many. We must tread carefully."


    The group departed. The oppressive aura left behind by the battle of the Saints continued to deter all the hidden spies from various factions from approaching.


    Twenty minutes later, agents from the Mirror of Traces arrived swiftly on the scene.

 Chapter 482: Night of Blood and Rain in the Slums (1)

    Chapter 482: Night of Blood and Rain in the Slums (1)After a thorough investigation, David Fuller, the lead detective, wore an expression of shock so deep that it seemed like it might condense into black water. His professional instincts told him exactly what had just transpired, but his rational mind urged him not to trust those damned instincts because what had occurred here was utterly beyond the capabilities of any human being.


    "Daishima, hurry! Go and check if any top-secret documents from the consulate have gone missing!" He suddenly thought of something and hastily ordered one of his subordinates, a detective of Jiepeng nationality, to investigate.


    Before long, a pale and dejected Daishima Yukafu returned. "Detective, it''s bad. All the electronic data from the top-secret archives is gone."


    David Fuller staggered upon hearing this and almost fainted. The top-secret archive room of the Jiepeng consulate housed an extensive trove of classified information that absolutely could not be made public. This included data from forbidden human science experiments and research on devastating biological weapons.


    The most critical part was that much of this data was tied to the Yiggs Union. Many of Jiepeng''s experiments had been covertly supported by powerful Yiggs corporations. If this data were to be exposed, the international repercussions for the Yiggs Union would be catastrophic. Moreover, Jiepeng had yet to fully transfer all the data to the Yiggs Union. If the data was gone, there was a high possibility it had fallen into the hands of the intruder.


    This data was the culmination of years of effort, countless human and star beast materials, immense risk, and a staggering cost of life. Fully fifty percent of Jiepeng''s researchers had perished or been injured during its acquisition. This was their latest breakthrough, and now it was lost.


    This was a matter of utmost importance. Its theft was the greatest loss of all. As the lead detective of the Realm of Traces division, David Fuller had only arrived on the scene so quickly to retrieve that data.


    He gazed at the chaos and destruction within the Jiepeng consulate, and a smoldering fury rose in his chest, threatening to erupt.


    Damn Jiepeng people. Useless fools. Tsukiha Tens¨­, that idiot, deserved to die a thousand times over.


    "Seal off this area. No one is allowed to enter," David Fuller ordered icily.


    This matter had already exceeded the authority of a senior detective in the Realm of Traces division. It needed to be reported up the chain. Let the big shots above deal with this headache.


    ***


    "Is it over?" muttered Tsukiha Yaiba as she looked in the direction of the Jiepeng consulate.


    She could clearly sense the disappearance of the oppressive aura belonging to a Saint. Most notably, the presence of Tsukiha Tens¨­''s energy had vanished almost instantly.


    Such a phenomenon was nearly impossible if he had died. It was more likely that Tsukiha Tens¨­ had voluntarily restrained his aura. After all, the fall of a Saint was never so simple or unremarkable. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If a Saint truly fell in battle, it would inevitably result in destruction on a catastrophic scale. Unless, of course, a Great Saint had intervened. Only a Great Saint could eliminate someone like Tsukiha Tens¨­, a Saint in his own right, in an instant.


    Is Li Xiaofei a Great Saint? He is not.


    Originally, Tsukiha Yaiba had immense confidence in Li Xiaofei. But the outcome of this battle made her question her certainty. It was simply the nature of humans. When it doesn¡¯t concern them, they remain rational; when it does, they falter.


    Could it be that Li Xiaofei has been defeated and killed, forcing Tsukiha Tens¨­ to withdraw his aura and leave?


    The thought sent a wave of terror through Tsukiha Yaiba.


    "It¡¯s time to leave," she murmured.


    The proud and coldly beautiful prodigy left the hotel with unparalleled speed. Her escape route had already been meticulously planned. As she walked through the bustling streets, she suddenly froze.


    Was sacrificing so much all for nothing?


    The memory of everything that had unfolded in the private booth at the caf¨¦ surged into her mind, and she clenched her fists tightly.


    I should go back and see. Even if it¡¯s just a distant glance! At least I¡¯ll know what truly happened in the end.


    In the final moment, Tsukiha Yaiba overcame the fear gripping her heart. She turned and sprinted toward the Jiepeng consulate.


    ***


    "Good, it''s decided." The first city leader declared in his office as their finalized plan was set in motion. "I agree to dispatch the military immediately to the slums, suppress the gangs, and arrest the culprits led by Chi Chunshui, Li Buyi, and Long Zhengfei. They will be handed over to the Jiepeng authorities as an apology."


    "However, this operation requires the full cooperation of the Du and Kong family heads," Qin Weilong added firmly. "You are both well aware that the slum is inhabited by strong, lawless individuals. If a full-scale conflict breaks out, we will need the experts from your families to handle it."


    The Du family was currently the newest and strongest martial aristocratic family in Haijing City. They were wealthy, boasted numerous martial experts, and even had a Saint overseeing their affairs. The Kong family, though relatively new to Haijing City after having relocated after the fall of Xu Base City, had been building their influence for years.


    Most crucially, the Kong family head¡¯s son, Kong Weilan, was a martial prodigy. Trained under a renowned reclusive Saint of Haijing, he had already reached the Divine Realm at a young age and was recognized as a quasi-Saint.


    As a result, the Kong family¡¯s status in Haijing had risen sharply, giving them significant sway in local matters.


    The head of the Kong family immediately agreed with a laugh. "Rest assured, city leader. My son has yet to demonstrate his skills since his ascension. This will be a perfect opportunity for his rise to fame."


    The Du family head also nodded. "The riffraff in the slums, those lowly fighters, scholars, and commoners, have joined forces to seize the Haisha Gang''s territory. I''ve long wanted to deal with them. Since you¡¯ve approved this plan, city leader, it¡¯s the perfect chance to uproot them once and for all and eliminate future threats."


    The Haisha Gang had ties to Jiepeng authorities, but its true controllers were the Du family. Having pledged their loyalty to the Jiepeng, the Du family had allowed the Haisha Gang to act as Jiepeng¡¯s enforcers in the area.


    Now, with the Haisha Gang wiped out in the slums, the Du family had effectively lost a vital part of their influence. How could such an insult be swallowed? They had only abstained from action before because the situation had erupted so suddenly and they hadn¡¯t had time to respond.


    But now, with the city leader''s approval, everything was set in motion, and the next steps were much easier to execute. The rogue who had killed Hai Tiankuo and the others had to die. Moreover, the head of the Du family planned to completely purge the gangs in the slums. They would make sure these lowly commoners tasted the fear of Du family domination once again.


    "Confiscate the wealth of the three major gangs and use it all to appease the Jiepeng authorities. Also, round up a thousand strong men and a thousand beautiful women and deliver them to the Jiepeng consulate as a peace offering. The Jiepeng people are fond of such gifts. Being able to sacrifice for the nation is their honor. In addition, I will personally meet with the Jiepeng Consul General. If necessary, we can cede a few more mines or gift them some factories. I¡¯m confident they will forgive us."


    "In short," Qin Weilong declared resolutely, "We must exhaust Haijing City''s resources and manpower to win the favor of the Jiepeng authorities. Only when the Jiepeng are pleased can Haijing City remain peaceful."


    Qin Weilong spoke with conviction. Since everyone present was an insider, there was no need for pretense. He laid his true thoughts bare, leaving no room for ambiguity.


    ***


    The smile on Aztast¡¯s face gradually faded. He could clearly sense that something unexpected had occurred in the battle at the Jiepeng Consulate.


    As the second-ranked Saint in Haijing City, he could discern that Tsukiha Tens¨­ hadn¡¯t voluntarily restrained his aura; he was dead. You Longzi had also fallen along with him.


    The deaths of two Saints might go unnoticed by ordinary people, but to someone at the same level, it was as obvious as two candles being snuffed out in the dark. There was no way to hide it. However, Aztast hadn¡¯t detected any signs of Li Xiaofei¡¯s explosive rampage. This made the situation seem eerily strange.


    Could Lu Xufeng really have managed to slay two Saints on his own?


    Without sparing a thought for Chen Zhishun standing nearby, Aztast immediately made a call using his light core communicator to verify the situation.


    Moments later, his expression turned increasingly shocked. After ending the call, Aztast realized that something truly monumental had occurred this time. He turned and left without a word. He no longer had the luxury of paying whatever was happening here any attention.


    "Hah, hahahaha!" Behind him, Chen Zhishun burst into joyous, unrestrained laughter that was full of exhilaration.


    Although he didn¡¯t know the exact details, Aztast¡¯s shifting expressions clearly indicated that whatever had happened wasn¡¯t good news for the Yiggs Union and Jiepeng. But if it wasn¡¯t good for them, then it could only mean good news for Great Xia.


    Chen Zhishun returned to the military camp and immediately ordered an investigation into the matter.

 Chapter 483: Night of Blood and Rain in the Slums (2)

    Chapter 483: Night of Blood and Rain in the Slums (2)In the slums, Chi Chunshui, Li Buyi, and Long Zhengfei, the three major gang leaders, had heavy expressions as they waited anxiously for the outcome. Li Xiaofei had assured them that he would prove Jingwu Sect could establish itself in Haijing City. Now, they had a faint understanding of how he was going to prove it. All they could do was wait for the result of this critical battle.


    The terrifying auras of the Saints had only dissipated moments ago. But what was the outcome? They were desperate to know.


    "Someone, go find out! Has any news come back from the disciples we sent to investigate?"


    Long Zhengfei, the oldest and most hot-tempered of the three, couldn''t contain his impatience and kept urging others to act.


    Turning to Li Buyi, he barked, "Hey, old blind man! Aren¡¯t you supposed to be good at divining things? Why don¡¯t you calculate who won already?"


    Li Buyi remained unruffled.


    "I told you before, the affairs of Saints can¡¯t be divined. But remember the reading I did that day? It clearly showed mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Think about it¡ªif Li Xiaofei lost, and only he died, where would the mountains of corpses and seas of blood come from?"


    He sipped his tea as he spoke, his tone calm and measured.


    Long Zhengfei retorted unfazed, "It could just mean that Li Xiaofei killed hundreds or thousands of small fry before being slain by Tsukiha Tens¨­. That would also result in mountains of corpses and seas of blood."


    Li Buyi fell silent.


    Damn. Since when did this muscle-brained old fighter start making such airtight arguments?


    In truth, Li Buyi himself was deeply anxious. This battle would determine not only the future of the three major gangs in the slums but also their very survival. Moreover, it could even influence the fate of Great Xia¡¯s martial destiny in Haijing City. How could he not be worried?


    Meanwhile, Chi Chunshui stood before a desk, holding a calligraphy brush as he practiced writing. He repeatedly wrote the word ¡®calm¡¯ on the white paper. But the more he wrote, the messier it became.


    Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the room.


    News?!


    The three gang leaders all turned to the doorway as Long Jing¡¯er burst in.


    She shouted, ¡°Father, Uncle Chi, Uncle Li! Government troops have entered the slums. It looks like they¡¯re coming for us! They¡¯ve already injured and arrested many of our disciples!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The army has moved in?¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s leading them?¡±


    The expressions of all three men changed simultaneously. The mobilization of government forces likely signaled that the outcome of the battle at the Jiepeng consulate was unfavorable.


    ¡°Are they regular troops or the police force?¡± Chi Chunshui pressed further.


    ¡°It¡¯s the police force,¡± Long Jing¡¯er replied, ¡°along with men from the Du family and the Kong family.¡±


    The trio exchanged glances, their hearts easing slightly. If it wasn¡¯t the regular army, the situation hadn¡¯t reached the worst-case scenario yet.


    ¡°They come with ill intent,¡± Li Buyi muttered, deep in thought.


    Chi Chunshui nodded faintly in agreement.


    However, Long Zhengfei let out a cold laugh and said boldly, ¡°The scum from the Police Department have been to the slums before. What can they really do to us this time? Pass my orders¡ªgather all the disciples of Qiujin Boxing Gym!¡±


    Li Buyi and Chi Chunshui, understanding that a major conflict was inevitable, each sent word through their own channels to summon the experts and disciples from their respective factions.


    If the slums had one strength, it was their numbers. As long as all the impoverished residents stood together, they would become a formidable force capable of defending themselves. Within seconds, members from the three major gangs scattered across the slums received emergency summons from their leaders.


    "The old man is calling his people."


    "Mr. Ruler is holding a class."


    "Second Brother, Third Brother, put on your uniforms. Fortuneteller Grandpa is taking action today."


    They all had different accents, but the same message spread like wildfire. People immediately abandoned their meals, left their businesses unattended, stopped their festivities, halted scolding their children, and even spared their kneeling wives. They quickly gathered their belongings, armed themselves, and marched out the door.


    From above, a stunning scene unfolded. Empty streets that had been deserted due to the oppressive aura left by the battle of the Saints suddenly teemed with people.


    They emerged shoulder to shoulder from buildings. Their steps were synchronized like streams of water rushing down tightly packed channels after a heavy rain. These streams merged into torrents, forming massive crowds. They surged toward the central area of the slums.


    This spectacle was immediately picked up by the surveillance teams of the Du and Kong families'' power armor fleets, which constantly monitored the slums. The information was promptly reported up the chain.


    When the two families¡¯ leaders reviewed the footage, their expressions darkened slightly. They had long heard about the remarkable unity of the slum dwellers. But they were taken aback by the sheer force and energy of the masses rallying together.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± the Kong family head said calmly. ¡°I¡¯ve dealt with this kind of rabble before. It¡¯s simple: kill a few, beat a few, scare a few, and bribe a few. That will be enough to break them. They may seem united now, but when real interests are at stake, they¡¯ll scatter like stray dogs fighting over scraps with no dignity or honor to speak of.¡±


    The Kong family had honed their methods of subjugating the lower class in Xu Base City through oppression and exploitation.


    The Du family head nodded in agreement. ¡°Exactly. This time, we¡¯ll need to kill more. Let rivers of blood flow. Only then will these wretches understand who truly owns this city.¡±


    The Kong family head¡¯s voice turned cold as he said, ¡°Give the order. Push forward without hesitation. Kill anyone who resists.¡±


    The combined forces of the Du and Kong families, along with several squads of Police Department enforcers, advanced like a red-hot blade slicing through butter.


    They charged into the slums determined to crush everything in their path. Along the way, scattered battles had already erupted. The warriors of the Du and Kong families, now granted permission, began a ruthless massacre.


    Any slum dweller who was too slow to flee was cut down in the streets without hesitation. Corpses were left discarded by the roadside, and countless innocent lives were lost.


    Those who dared to resist were riddled with bullets, their bodies reduced to mangled remains. Even those who took refuge in their homes weren¡¯t spared; residents were dragged out and beaten mercilessly. The cries of children calling for their mothers filled the air, their voices sharp with terror.


    Young men and women were subdued with electric shocks and hauled away like livestock. Blood began to seep through the slums, painting the streets red.


    The fighters from the three major gangs mounted a counteroffensive. But the attackers wielded an aerial advantage with power armor flying battle suits, who launched a relentless assault. They rained death from above as they mercilessly picked off the slum experts.


    ¡°Ha! Kill them!¡±


    ¡°This one¡¯s a beauty! Drag her out!¡±


    ¡°Kid, you¡¯re too noisy. Die already.¡±


    ¡°Old man, I hear your whole family follows the Cloth Sect? Hah! Let me cut off your head and hang it by the door. Let¡¯s see if anyone dares to avenge you!¡±


    The private army of the Du and Kong families were like demons incarnate as they cruelly massacred their way into the slums. Meanwhile, the retaliation from the three gangs grew fiercer by the moment.


    Boom!


    A loud explosion shook the slums. A low-flying power armor suit suddenly detonated, erupting into a ball of fire. Shattered remnants of the suit and charred body parts rained down like a fiery downpour.


    ¡°These wretches have archers!¡±


    ¡°Be cautious! Activate your power armor shields!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t hold back. Fire the mini-missiles. Kill them all!¡± S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The warriors of the Du and Kong families became even more reckless and brutal in their assault.


    ¡°Commander, what should we do?¡± Lin Yi, the deputy officer of the police force, leaned toward Commander Wei Congyuan and spoke quietly. ¡°The Du and Kong families are going too far. They¡¯re killing too many people and creating deep vendettas. This could backfire.¡±


    Until now, the Police Guard had largely remained on the sidelines, shouting commands and maintaining a presence without directly engaging in the violence against the slum dwellers.


    Wei Congyuan, a plump, pale-faced old man, squinted as he responded calmly, ¡°Quietly pass the word: tell our men to stay cautious and avoid unnecessary risks. Let the Du and Kong families take the spotlight if they want it. There¡¯s no need for us to get involved in this bloodbath.¡±


    The Police Guard had dealt with the slum residents enough to know their stubborn and unforgiving character.


    Creating a blood feud with these people would lead to endless nights of assassination attempts and retribution. The cost of such enmity far outweighed any short-term gains.

 Chapter 484: Night of Blood and Rain in the Slums (3)

    Chapter 484: Night of Blood and Rain in the Slums (3)The slums were soon engulfed in raging flames. Many makeshift houses that were hastily constructed from flimsy materials had caught fire.


    Countless impoverished residents were trapped by the inferno in rooms no larger than pigeon cages. The air was filled with the harrowing symphony of sounds of screams, struggles, and curses. It was a scene of pure human tragedy.


    "Sigh. This is the result of their sins." A young man with a jade-like face and earlobes that hung to his shoulders remarked, his voice tinged with a faint sense of regret. His expression remained detached as he watched the silhouettes of people struggling within the fiery hell and murmured, "Only through death can they atone."


    Four young women of striking beauty stood around him, their pale skin almost luminous. Each held a sword, their blades shimmering in hues of gold, silver, copper, and iron; yellow, white, red, and black.


    Escorted by a team of elite Kong family warriors, the young man moved through the burning slums with the calm air of a nobleman touring a chaotic world, serene and unbothered by the suffering around him.


    Yet, despite the horrors unfolding before him, he made no effort to extend a hand to save anyone. Suddenly...


    Crack! Boom!


    The sky rumbled with thunder as dark clouds gathered overhead. In an instant, a torrential downpour began. The cold rain fell like soybeans, pounding against the ground and extinguishing some of the flames. The icy droplets soaked the scorched earth, creating a stark contrast to the raging chaos of moments before.


    "Young Master, the family head sent me to inform you that the leaders of the three major gangs are all gathered ahead." The Kong family¡¯s chief steward bowed deeply in respect as he delivered the message.


    The young man gave a slight nod. Truthfully, he held little regard for tonight¡¯s operation. The weeds of the slums hardly deserved his sword. Grass was meant to be cut by sickles, not blades of distinction.


    Even figures like Long Zhengfei, Li Buyi, and Chi Chunshui, who had been highlighted in the dossiers, were nothing more than weeds in his eyes. How could such rabble merit his attention, let alone his sword?


    Killing them would add little to his name. Yet, for the sake of family interests, he had reluctantly agreed.


    "My teacher was right." He mused silently. "The family is a cage of bones. To be bound by it is to hinder the path to Sainthood."


    His four elegant sword-maidens flanking him, the young man parted the crowd and strode forward unhurriedly.


    In the central square of the slums, the two sides faced off in a tense standoff. At the forefront stood Long Zhengfei, Chi Chunshui, and Li Buyi, leading a sea of thousands of slum fighters.


    Their eyes, bloodshot with fury, burned with hatred as they glared at the warriors of the Du and Kong families. The slum dwellers¡¯ rage was palpable. There was a collective desire to tear these invaders who had stormed their homes with fire and death into pieces and reduce them to nothing but minced flesh.


    The heads of the Du and Kong families, standing behind their forces, felt a twinge of unease. The Kong family head only just realized that the slum dwellers of Haijing City were far more fearsome and formidable than the rabble from Xu Base City.


    In just half an hour of fighting, the Kong family¡¯s private armed forces had already suffered significant losses. Though they had managed to push in this far, the lackluster effort of the Police Department troops had stalled their advance. The combined forces of the two families were beginning to show signs of exhaustion.


    In the most recent skirmish, Long Zhengfei¡¯s iron fists had killed over a dozen of the Kong family¡¯s elite experts. The Kong family head finally lost his composure as he summoned his family¡¯s prodigy.


    "Weilan, kill them for me!" He bellowed, pointing at Long Zhengfei, Chi Chunshui, and Li Buyi.


    The eyes of the pale and refined young man, Kong Weilan, swept over the three leaders of the slum. His eyes, deep as the stars, glimmered faintly with disappointment.


    Famous by reputation, but disappointing in person. So these are the so-called three giants of the slum?


    He stepped forward slowly. The four sword-maidens by his side moved to follow, but Kong Weilan raised his hand, signaling them to stop.


    ¡°Gold, silver, copper, and iron; you are unworthy of any of these blades,¡± he declared coldly.


    His gaze shifted back to the three slum leaders as he continued, ¡°Killing you would only defile my sword.¡±


    ¡°Hah! You¡¯re quite the pompous little brat,¡± Long Zhengfei laughed heartily. ¡°State your name. My Divine Fist doesn¡¯t kill nameless nobodies.¡±


    Kong Weilan¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile as a flash of sword light burst forward.


    "Watch out!" Chi Chunshui¡¯s heart surged with alarm as he instinctively hurled the ruler in his hand.


    Clang!


    Sparks erupted as the ruler, a weapon he had kept by his side for years, was instantly shattered into fragments by the force of the sword qi. But the remaining energy of the sword qi showed no signs of dissipating.


    Long Zhengfei sensed danger. Channeling all his cultivation into his fists, he transformed his hands into what seemed like solid metal as he unleashed a devastating strike.


    Boom!


    The impact of the clash pushed the rain in a radius of several hundred meters clean away. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thud.


    Long Zhengfei¡¯s body crashed heavily to the ground. Both of his fists were shredded. The skin was flayed, as his fingers beneath them were crushed. His arms were riddled with deep gashes as the muscles and bones were utterly destroyed.


    "Father!" Long Jing¡¯er screamed, rushing to his side.


    On the other side, Kong Weilan extended his hand. An invisible force surged forth, lifting Long Jing¡¯er into the air, holding her captive as she struggled in vain.


    Li Buyi acted swiftly in this dire situation. The bamboo rod in his hand shot forward, aimed directly at Kong Weilan in a desperate bid to intervene.


    Whoosh!


    A sharp sound of air being pierced rang out.


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Kong Weilan raised an eyebrow in slight surprise.


    This fortune-teller¡¯s strength is far beyond the other two.


    Kong Weilan exhaled, and a streak of sword light shot forward.


    Swish!


    The bamboo rod¡¯s force was instantly shattered, and the sword light pierced through Li Buyi¡¯s left shoulder. The impact sent him flying backward as he crashed heavily into the crowd behind him.


    At the same time, Kong Weilan had already effortlessly seized Long Jing¡¯er by the neck.


    Everything had happened in the blink of an eye. Before anyone could react, the three major leaders of the slum had already been defeated by this pale, refined young man. A wave of unrest rippled through the slum fighters as murmurs and shouts filled the air.


    Kong Weilan glanced at the defiant young woman in his grip. Her fair skin and fiery eyes caught his attention, and a faint smile of satisfaction crossed his lips.


    ¡°A fine vessel indeed. A perfect cauldron. Master will surely be pleased... Bind her.¡±


    He casually tossed Long Jing¡¯er behind him. Kong family experts quickly moved to restrain her, gagging her and shackling her wrists and ankles.


    A disinterested Kong Weilan raised his hand. The rain within a hundred-meter radius froze as the droplets hung in midair.


    ¡°Go.¡±


    He pushed his palm forward. A piercing screech filled the air as each raindrop transformed into a tiny sword. A blinding storm of sword lights came down on the slum fighters like a rain of death.


    "Divine Realm?" Mr. Ruler¡¯s face twisted in shock, his eyes flickering with a sense of despair.


    He realized in that instant that the slum¡¯s three major gangs were doomed. Death had arrived. But just as the inevitable seemed certain¡ª


    Aaaang hou!


    A thunderous dragon¡¯s roar descended from the heavens. A crimson-golden dragon phantom appeared above the battlefield and dove in front of the crowd. A deafening bellow unleashed a shockwave that shattered the storm of swords into nothingness.


    Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms!


    A figure descended from the sky.


    ¡°Young friend!¡± exclaimed Chi Chunshui. His face lit up with unrestrained joy.


    Li Xiaofei had finally returned.

 Chapter 485: Body Went Numb

    Chapter 485: Body Went NumbLi Xiaofei had been delayed for a while at Principal Lu¡¯s place, since he had been acting as a protector. After Principal Lu successfully expelled the foreign water-element blade energy lingering on his severed arm, he had chatted briefly with Huang Fulai, Xue Xuanqi, and Zhu Kunyu before heading back to the slum.


    Unexpectedly, halfway through his journey, he received an urgent call from Zhu Kunyu, the head of the Police Department in Anjing District. Zhu Kunyu reported that there had been unusual troop movements. It was quickly clear that something significant had occurred in the slum.


    Li Xiaofei immediately quickened his pace, and fortunately, he had made it in time. Another second¡¯s delay could have led to a catastrophic incident.


    ¡°Who are these bastards?¡± Li Xiaofei turned to look at Long Zhengfei.


    The seasoned martial artist gritted his teeth and replied, ¡°Private forces from the Kong family and the Du family, along with some members of the police. However, the police are just here to make up the numbers.¡± He gave a brief account of the events that had unfolded.


    ¡°That kid is in the Divine Realm. Don¡¯t underestimate him,¡± Chi Chunshui reminded.


    Li Xiaofei smirked coldly and said, ¡°I killed the third-ranked expert in Haijing City, Tsukiha Tens¨­, and the seventh-ranked You Longzi as if they were pigs. Saints are nothing more than grass before my sword. Divine Realm? What a joke.¡±


    His words sent shockwaves through the surrounding crowd.


    Li Buyi exclaimed in horror, ¡°Are you saying... you killed Tsukiha Tens¨­ and You Longzi?¡±


    Li Xiaofei replied, ¡°I had no choice. They were too weak to withstand even a casual strike from my sword.¡±


    Chi Chunshui could hardly believe his ears. The claim was almost as outrageous as claiming that he had broken through the heavens. How could Saints fall so easily? They were not pigs to be slaughtered with a single strike.


    Across from them, the members of the two great families were visibly stunned by Li Xiaofei¡¯s words. The heads of the Du family and the Kong family exchanged glances, their eyes filled with both shock and doubt. Had the battle at the Jiepeng Consulate not gone as they had imagined?


    Kong Weilan, however, couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter.


    ¡°Such arrogance! How dare you boast of slaying Saints?¡± His tone was filled with disdain as he sneered, ¡°This nonsensical drivel might fool others, but it¡¯s nothing more than the babble of a clown before me. I can sever your head with just one strike from my Silver Sword.¡±


    Gold, Silver, Bronze, Iron were the rankings of Kong Weilan¡¯s four swords, and the Silver Sword ranked second. As a quasi-Saint in the Divine Realm, Kong Weilan could discern Li Xiaofei¡¯s true cultivation level and the extraordinary combat strength that transcended his realm. This was why Kong Weilan grudgingly acknowledged him as worthy of Silver rank.


    Otherwise, someone in the Meridian Expanding Realm wouldn¡¯t even qualify for Iron rank.


    The Kong family''s head quickly regained his composure.


    Yes, it has to be a lie. How could I have been momentarily intimidated by this junior? What a disgrace!


    "My son, kill this arrogant clown." The Kong family¡¯s head declared loudly. "Today shall be the day of your renown. Drench the slum in rivers of blood so that these lowly commoners will kneel. In the future, they won¡¯t dare raise their heads when they hear the name of the Kong family."


    ¡°You¡¯ve gone mad!¡± Li Buyi shouted from across the battlefield, ¡°These are citizens of Great Xia! You¡ª¡±


    ¡°Ha! You dare to call yourselves citizens of Great Xia?¡±


    The Kong family''s head sneered disdainfully. ¡°You¡¯re nothing but a band of rebellious rabble who should have been wiped out long ago. Show no mercy, son. Kill them all, and step on their blood and bones to forge your illustrious legacy.¡±


    Kong Weilan smiled faintly, his demeanor calm and unhurried.


    ¡°Father, rest assured. Today, as I emerge from my seclusion under my master''s command, I shall astonish all of Haijing. My sword will freeze ten thousand bones.¡±


    ¡°Keep posturing and pretending,¡± Li Xiaofei remarked, arms crossed over his chest. He clicked his tongue as he watched the scene unfold as if it were a circus performance. ¡°A mere quasi-Saint, and yet you¡¯re no more than dust in my eyes. I could crush you with a single finger. This father and son putting on a show, do you think you¡¯re fooling anyone?¡±


    Kong Weilan¡¯s voice grew colder as he said, ¡°Facing death, and still spouting nonsense.¡±


    ¡°Death? Your mother¡¯s head!¡± Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression turned icy, and his voice exploded like a thunderclap. ¡°Now, kneel and repent!¡±


    He had already witnessed the horrors wrought upon the slum as he had flown in on his sword. Homes were reduced to ashes as innocent commoners lay dead or grievously injured.


    The raging fire had been extinguished by the torrential rain, yet it could not bring back the fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, grandmothers, and grandfathers who had perished. Nor could it awaken even the faintest trace of conscience in the beasts that were the two great families.


    How many families in the slum had been torn apart in less than an hour? How many people had lost their loved ones? The devastation before him had long extinguished any exhilaration Li Xiaofei had felt after slaying two Saints. Now, his heart burned with a killing intent so fierce it scorched the heavens and consumed the earth.


    Earlier, he had hesitated. Using the thirty seconds of invincibility granted by the green hair to kill a newly emerged quasi-Saint and a group of insignificant lackeys had seemed like a waste. But now, he only wanted to kill.


    He wanted to completely and utterly wipe out this group of beasts wearing human skin. Even if it meant consuming another strand of green hair, he was determined to destroy the arrogant pretender and his vile followers standing before him.


    Li Xiaofei took a deep breath, struggling to calm himself. Yet, his reason continued to be devoured by the flames of his anger. Slowly, he raised his hand and placed it on the second strand of green hair on the back of his head.


    Across from him, Kong Weilan¡¯s eyes burned with equal intensity. He had lost interest in exchanging words with someone he considered trash. He gracefullyextended his hand.


    A young female sword attendant who cradled the silver sword in her arms stepped forward with a graceful sway. She placed the sword gently into Kong Weilan¡¯s palm.


    Kong Weilan gripped the sword and drew it. A flood of silver light erupted, filling the air with its blinding radiance.


    ¡°Embrace the gift of death,¡± Kong Weilan declared as he stepped forward with his sword.


    An invisible sword intent radiated outward, carrying the oppressive aura of the Divine Realm. Though it was not as overwhelming as a Saint, it was still the might of someone standing near the pinnacle of martial strength.


    The pressure spread like a suffocating grip around the throats of all the warriors nearby, leaving them frozen in terror. However, just as Kong Weilan took his first step, a voice like thunder erupted from behind him, shaking him to the core.


    ¡°My son, wait!¡± The Kong family''s head called out in panic. He was pale, and his hand trembled as he held a portable light core. Whatever he had just seen left his forehead drenched in sweat.


    Beside him, the Du family patriarch, once brimming with arrogance, now stood trembling like a leaf in the wind. His eyes were unfocused, and though he tried to maintain composure, the terror etched on his face was unmistakable.


    Kong Weilan froze mid-step.


    What¡¯s happening? S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Stand down immediately!¡± The Kong family''s head suddenly lunged forward as if he was possessed. He grabbed Kong Weilan¡¯s arm and placed himself protectively in front of his son.


    Kong Weilan was utterly confused.


    ¡°Forgive me, honored emissary.¡± The Kong patriarch stammered as he turned to Li Xiaofei, his voice quivering with fear.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s hand, which had been poised to pull the second strand of green hair, paused slightly. In the end, he didn¡¯t pull it. It was clear to him that they had somehow learned what had transpired at the Jiepeng Consulate. Now, this was getting interesting.


    The fear in the Kong patriarch¡¯s heart deepened. Once he saw the information and footage on the light core, every ounce of arrogance and superiority within him crumbled away. His courage had evaporated, leaving him hollow and exposed.


    The boy¡¯s silence radiated a chilling aura of death, suffocating the air around them. He cared nothing for dignity even as the patriarch felt the stunned gazes of warriors from both sides fixed upon him. He suddenly and resolutely dropped to his knees before Li Xiaofei.


    Lowering his hand, Li Xiaofei stood silently in place, his cold gaze fixed on the man now kneeling in the muddy rainwater, his luxurious robes stained and sullied.


    The Kong family patriarch began to kowtow, his forehead striking the muddy ground repeatedly with loud, desperate thuds.


    "Father!" Kong Weilan was instantly consumed by shame and humiliation. He couldn¡¯t suppress a furious outburst as he yelled, his voice trembling with indignation. Yet before he could act further¡ª


    Thud!


    The Du family patriarch suddenly stepped forward and dropped to his knees.


    ¡°I repent! I confess my crimes!¡±


    This man, who only moments ago had stood tall and declared his intent to bathe the slum in blood, now looked like a frightened seabird struck by lightning. He trembled as he bowed his head in abject fear.


    Behind him, the Du family¡¯s experts stood frozen, their faces blank with disbelief. Shock gave way to a wave of collective shame.


    This is our family patriarch? Why does he now look like a dog with its spine broken?


    As everyone remained stunned, a sharp sound pierced the air in the distance. The approaching figure was none other than Qin Weilong¡¯s personal secretary.


    This man, a renowned figure of unassailable authority and pride within the city government, was now rushing through the rain in utter disarray. His typically immaculate demeanor was replaced by soaked garments and a disheveled appearance. He hadn¡¯t even bothered to use his inner energy to shield himself from the downpour.


    He held a city leader¡¯s decree aloft as he shouted from afar, ¡°By the order of City Leader Qin Weilong! The Kong and Du families have committed heinous crimes by gathering forces and trespassing into the slum to incite chaos. They are hereby ordered to withdraw immediately, compensate the slum tenfold for all damages, imprison those who injured others, and execute those who committed murder on the spot!¡±


    His proclamation was still echoing across the slums as the secretary landed gracefully. He didn¡¯t spare a single glance at the kowtowing Kong and Du family patriarchs, nor did he look at Kong Weilan, the quasi-Saint.


    Instead, he hurried directly to Li Xiaofei. The secretary suppressed his evident fear as he bent low. His face wore an apologetic smile as he said humbly, ¡°I am Song Qianjin, the secretary to City Leader Qin Weilong, at your service, esteemed emissary.¡±


    The sudden shift stunned everyone present. Most of the slum residents were unsure what this meant, but the higher-ranking members of the Kong and Du families understood too well.


    This man was Qin Weilong¡¯s shadow, and a representative of the city leader¡¯s will. Yet here he was, bowing before Li Xiaofei like a servant, with an attitude even more servile than he typically displayed toward Qin Weilong.


    What happened?


    Finally shaken from his spiral of humiliation, Kong Weilan began to realize the strangeness of the situation and started to think deeply.


    Li Xiaofei, however, merely snorted coldly, his expression mocking but silent. But Song Qianjin showed no hint of dissatisfaction. Instead, he bowed even lower, his tone careful and reverent.


    ¡°To inform the esteemed emissary, the actions of the Kong and Du families were taken without the knowledge of City Leader Qin Weilong. Upon learning of the incident, he was enraged and dispatched me immediately with the decree. Regrettably, I arrived too late to prevent the suffering inflicted upon the innocent residents here.¡±


    The words struck the two family patriarchs, still kneeling in the mud, like a bolt of lightning. Their bodies went numb. It was over. They were scapegoats now.

 Chapter 486: Night of Blood

    Chapter 486: Night of BloodBut they dared not refute Song Qianjin¡¯s words. Offending Li Xiaofei could mean death. Offending Qin Weilong, a titan of power, would bring a fate worse than death not just for them, but for their entire families.


    ¡°Oh, so you didn¡¯t know?¡± Li Xiaofei glanced at Secretary Song and said, ¡°Then tell me, how should the Kong and Du families be dealt with?¡±


    Song Qianjin forced a smile as he replied, ¡°I am merely a humble secretary, here to serve. Matters like these are far beyond my authority to comment on.¡±


    Li Xiaofei stared at him in silence. Panic surged through Song Qianjin¡¯s heart as he realized he couldn¡¯t avoid giving an answer.


    Forcing another smile, he quickly added, ¡°If I must offer an opinion, then I would suggest that they be dealt with strictly according to the laws of Great Xia. There should be no tolerance or leniency for their crimes.¡±


    ¡°Heh.¡± Li Xiaofei let out a faint chuckle. ¡°Now you¡¯re talking about the laws of Great Xia?¡±


    Song Qianjin immediately replied, ¡°City Leader Qin has always been unwavering in enforcing the law. He has never let criminals escape justice.¡±


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t waste further words on such a cunning and slippery man. Instead, he stated his intention plainly.


    ¡°I want them dead.¡±


    Song Qianjin froze, a chill running down his spine. Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression left no doubt that his words were no joke.


    ¡°Esteemed emissary, perhaps we could arrest them and send them to prison for a public trial? That way, justice could be served through the law, and compensation for the injured and deceased in the slum would be guaranteed,¡± Song Qianjin suggested tactfully.


    Li Xiaofei shook his head. Cold sweat began to bead on Song Qianjin¡¯s forehead and started to drip down his pale face.


    Qin Weilong had tasked him with ensuring, at the very least, that the patriarchs of the two families were brought back alive. After all, they belonged to the same vested interest group. But now...


    ¡°Esteemed emissary, perhaps...¡± Song Qianjin attempted to speak again.


    Swish!


    A blade flashed through the air as a head fell to the ground. The expression on the city official¡¯s face froze. In the next moment, his sycophantic, smiling head tumbled to the muddy ground like a ripened watermelon severed from its stem.


    The city leader¡¯s decree, once held tightly in his hand, fluttered in the wind. The Dragon Group¡¯s intelligence records on this Secretary Song were extensive. Li Xiaofei had reviewed them. So Song Qianjin was dead.


    The decree drifted in the breeze; the symbol of the city leader¡¯s authority was now as lifeless as a withered leaf in the chill of autumn. Li Xiaofei lifted his foot and ground the decree into the dirt beneath him. He fixed his cold gaze on Kong Weilan.


    "Draw your sword," Li Xiaofei commanded. "In the final moments of your life, I grant you one last chance to swing your sword. Consider it my final act of mercy."


    Kong Weilan did not draw his sword. He dared not. He had just learned what had transpired at the Jiepeng Consulate. No matter how much he wanted to deny it, no matter how absurd and unbelievable it seemed, the evidence from multiple sources confirmed the truth. Tsukiha Tens¨­ and You Longzi, two Saints, had fallen at Li Xiaofei''s hands.


    The surveillance recordings from the streets outside the consulate were particularly damning. The footage, though taken from a distance, clearly captured the entire process of the Saints'' deaths.


    Those images had been meticulously disseminated by certain forces and were now spreading like wildfire across the light-network. Kong Weilan had seen them. That swordsmanship was beyond his comprehension. It was swordsmanship against which he had no defense.


    Though he was prideful, he understood that he was no match for Saints. And Li Xiaofei had slaughtered Saints as though they were dogs. Kong Weilan knew that he stood no chance against Li Xiaofei. The sword was in his hand. But the courage to wield it had deserted him.


    "Heh," Li Xiaofei sneered, his expression full of mockery. "Coward."


    Kong Weilan¡¯s hand bulged with veins as it tightened on his sword. Even a beggar would feel rage when he was humiliated in front of tens of thousands, let alone a quasi-Saint like him. Yet, he still did not dare to act. Faced with a choice between death and humiliation, he chose the latter.


    To endure when necessary is the mark of a true man.


    Li Xiaofei shifted his gaze to the two family patriarchs kneeling in the mud. They lay prostrate like soaked chickens, trembling violently as they looked up at Li Xiaofei with pleading eyes.


    "Honored emissary, I am willing to accept any punishment," one begged.


    "Please, have mercy," the other pleaded.


    Their earlier arrogance had been replaced by abject submission. Li Xiaofei shook his head and pointed to the distant crowd behind him.


    "Ask them if they¡¯ll agree to forgive you."


    The crowd of impoverished fighters, stunned by the earlier spectacle, suddenly snapped out of their daze. But in the next moment, waves of grief for their lost loved ones and seething fury for their enemies crashed over them like a relentless storm.


    Forgive them? Of course not. Letting this chance for vengeance slip away would mean a lifetime of regret. Though they said nothing, their expressions of hatred, the tightening grip on their weapons, and the slow, deliberate steps toward the kneeling men spoke volumes.


    "I¡¯m willing to compensate you! I can offer millions, billions, tens of billions!" The Du family patriarch¡¯s desperation erupted as he pleaded frantically for his life. "I can open factories in the slum to create jobs. I can provide free porridge to the residents. I can even¡ª"


    Swish!


    But he was answered by a breathtaking flash of blade light. The Chixia Blade carved a flawless arc through the air. His head fell to the ground and rolled away like a discarded stone.


    Li Xiaofei raised his hand to retrieve the crimson curved blade. He said calmly, ¡°I¡¯ll remember your promises. Let¡¯s hope the Du family fulfills the commitments made by their now-deceased patriarch.¡±


    He turned his cold gaze on the Kong family patriarch. The man who, until this day, had dreamed of restoring the Kong family¡¯s glory and building a super martial aristocracy in Haijing City now stood utterly defeated. His heart felt like it had frozen solid.


    "I am willing to atone with my life." The Kong patriarch said quietly, rising to his feet.


    He brushed the rainwater from his clothes, smoothed his disheveled hair with both hands, and straightened his appearance.


    "Honored emissary, I only ask one thing, spare my son. He followed me here today but has not drawn his sword, nor harmed a single person."


    "Father," Kong Weilan¡¯s expression was shaken as his voice trembled.


    "Remember this." The Kong family patriarch commanded sternly, his tone like thunder. "Today, I die by my own doing. You are never to seek revenge against the emissary!"


    Kong Weilan¡¯s entire body quaked, his heart heavy with grief and humiliation.


    "Did you hear me?" The patriarch shouted again, his voice filled with anger and desperation. "Will you let me die with regrets?"


    For a moment, Kong Weilan felt as though the rain had pierced through his protective qi barrier, drenching not just his face but his very soul.


    "I understand!" He cried loudly.


    Satisfied, the Kong patriarch spared no final glance for the son whom he had placed so much hope in. Instead, he turned to face Li Xiaofei with quiet resignation. There was no longer pride in his eyes, only the deep pleading of a father trying to save his bloodline.


    ¡°Such a tiresome and nauseating display,¡± Li Xiaofei remarked coldly. "If you had understood this sooner, none of this would have happened. Still, you¡¯re correct; your son hasn¡¯t drawn his sword or killed anyone today. I can spare him. I¡¯ll even wait for him to come and avenge you. But I doubt this coward has the guts." S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A fleeting look of wild joy flashed across the patriarch¡¯s face. Nothing else mattered. All that mattered was that his son would live.


    Without hesitation, he detonated his inner qi. His chest burst open, flesh and blood spraying out as his organs turned into mush in an instant. His life force collapsed, and he died on the spot.


    Kong Weilan stood there, trembling violently. Then, without a word, he spun on his heel and began to walk away.


    "Wait," Li Xiaofei¡¯s voice called out suddenly.


    Kong Weilan froze mid-step, then turned to face him, his eyes filled with seething emotion.


    "You made a promise to my father," he said, his voice trembling with suppressed rage.


    His eyes were blazing as he looked at Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei chuckled softly, his expression both mocking and amused.

 Chapter 487: One Death, One Rise

    Chapter 487: One Death, One Rise"I just remembered," Li Xiaofei said, his tone suddenly cold. "You may not have hurt or killed anyone, but... didn¡¯t you just threaten me?"


    "What do you want?" Kong Weilan¡¯s grip on his sword tightened once again. The veins on his hand bulged as his anger and shame simmered beneath the surface.


    "It¡¯s simple," Li Xiaofei replied, "Apologize."


    Kong Weilan exhaled in relief. Without hesitation, he said, "I¡¯m sorry."


    Saying "sorry" was difficult for someone like him. But after standing by helplessly as his father died before his eyes, what was there left to endure? After swallowing that humiliation, what was an apology but another bitter sip from an already poisoned cup?


    Li Xiaofei shook his head.


    "That¡¯s not how you apologize," he said, his gaze piercing through the self-proclaimed endurance of the quasi-Saint before him. "Kneel."


    Thud.


    Kong Weilan dropped to his knees in the mud. The sound of rain splattered against the earth as Li Xiaofei approached. He closed the distance step by step, each footfall deliberate and heavy. Then he lifted his foot and pressed it down firmly on Kong Weilan¡¯s bowed head.


    "Remember this feeling," Li Xiaofei said coldly, "If you don¡¯t want to be trampled underfoot, then push yourself with all your strength, at the fastest speed, and in the most astonishing way to become a Saint. I look forward to your growth."


    Kong Weilan¡¯s face was pressed deep into the muddy water beneath Li Xiaofei¡¯s foot. But he didn¡¯t struggle. He didn¡¯t even tremble anymore.


    Li Xiaofei lifted his foot.


    "Get out of here."


    Kong Weilan rose to his feet. He didn¡¯t even wipe the mud from his face as he turned and left. The four young, beautiful female sword attendants followed close behind, their swords still held in their arms.


    The remaining members of the two great families began retreating as well. But the fighters of the slum had already encircled them. From above, it looked like a furious tide engulfing a solitary island.


    Li Xiaofei did not strike again. Instead, the elite soldiers of the two families, who had rampaged through the slum earlier, were identified one by one and pulled from the crowd.


    After verification, each was executed on the spot. The rain mixed with blood as the entire central square turned into a chilling tableau of silence. The sound of blades cutting through flesh was the only noise in the rain-drenched night.


    Many would not sleep well that night, but the one who would find it hardest to sleep was Qin Weilong.


    "Dead? They¡¯re all dead?"


    Inside the secure panic room of his private villa, Qin Weilong received confirmation of the deaths of the two family patriarchs and Secretary Song Qianjin. The news plunged him into a frenzy of impotent rage and overwhelming fear.


    Why did such a monster appear in Haijing City?


    A being with such unrestrained, reckless behavior paired with the strength to slaughter Saints was a calamity for anyone in a position of authority.


    Where did this monster come from?


    Even within the supposedly impenetrable defenses of his safehouse, Qin Weilong had no sense of security. He paced back and forth like an ant on a hot pan as his mind raced. Suddenly, an idea struck him.


    "No, I must go to the Grand Commander!"


    Qin Weilong latched onto this desperate plan like a drowning man clutching at a piece of driftwood. He quickly disguised himself and set out for the Grinding Blade Hall, escorted by four of his most trusted guards.


    For someone of his stature as the city¡¯s First Leader, this level of desperation and disarray was unprecedented. What was even more humiliating was that Qin Weilong himself was a formidable expert in the Divine Realm.


    He quickly reached the entrance to the Grinding Blade Hall. He quickly spotted Xue Xuanqi. Qin Weilong snorted coldly, refusing to acknowledge him, and brushed past without a word.


    To Qin Weilong, Xue Xuanqi, the Seventh City Leader who had abandoned his religious teachings for politics, was nothing more than an irritating fly. He was always buzzing around and opposing him at every turn.


    If not for recent distractions, Qin Weilong would have already devised a plan to get rid of the meddlesome pest. Even as he wondered why Xue Xuanqi was at Grinding Blade Hall, Qin Weilong strode directly into the inner courtyard. As the First City Leader, he enjoyed certain privileges. For instance, he didn¡¯t need permission to seek an audience with the Grand Commander.


    Xue Xuanqi stood waiting at the entrance outside the courtyard. He had come to apologize to the Grand Commander on behalf of his student, Huang Fulai, who, in a moment of rashness, had made a sarcastic remark to the Grand Commander. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Such behavior was a grave matter. The Grand Commander held a position of absolute authority and respect in Great Xia. Any act of disrespect toward the Grand Commander was deemed unforgivable. Once Xue Xuanqi had confirmed Li Xiaofei¡¯s safety, he had hurried here, hoping to request an audience and offer an apology. But his efforts had been rebuffed.


    Grand Commander Song Huaiyuan had refused to meet him, which had left Xue Xuanqi anxious and unsure of what to do next. As he pondered his options, he saw Qin Weilong approaching hastily.


    Xue Xuanqi¡¯s mind raced, analyzing the purpose behind Qin Weilong¡¯s visit. Two possibilities stood out as the most likely. The first, Qin Weilong was here seeking refuge. The second, he intended to request that Grand Commander Song personally intervene and eliminate Li Xiaofei. Perhaps it was both.


    Xue Xuanqi¡¯s brow furrowed even deeper as he considered the two scenarios. Qin Weilong had spent years in Haijing City. He had signed countless treaties that humiliated the nation, ingratiated himself with foreign powers, and embezzled untold wealth.


    However Grand Commander Song Huaiyuan had always turned a blind eye to his transgressions even though they had occurred right under his nose. Even when officials risked their lives to bring evidence-laden complaints to the Grinding Blade Hall, not a single accusation had ever toppled Qin Weilong.


    Of course, rumors had abounded. Some whispered that Qin Weilong was the illegitimate son of the Grand Commander. Others claimed that the vast wealth and resources Qin Weilong embezzled were secretly funneled toward the Grand Commander to aid his cultivation.


    These tales painted a picture of a deep and unshakable bond between the two. How else could Qin Weilong have retained his position as city leader for so many years?


    Xue Xuanqi had never placed much stock in such rumors. The seven Grand Commanders of Great Xia were peerless figures, revered as near-immortals and legends who upheld the nation.


    Song Huaiyuan was no exception. How could someone of his stature be as vulgar as the rumors suggested? But now... Doubt crept into Xue Xuanqi¡¯s mind. When he remembered the earlier rejection when he sought help, he questioned himself deeply.


    Have I been wrong all this time? Has the faith I¡¯ve upheld been misplaced?


    A torrent of chaotic thoughts surged through his mind, overwhelming him like a storm. Just as Xue Xuanqi was about to turn and leave, footsteps echoed from the inner courtyard.


    Before the footsteps fully reached him, a heavy stench of blood wafted through the air. The sound of familiar high heels clicked closer and closer.


    A stunningly beautiful woman, her mature charm undiminished by age, emerged from within. In her hand, she carried a freshly severed head that was dripping with blood. Shock flashed through Xue Xuanqi.


    What just happened? Qin Weilong... is dead?!


    The severed head in the housekeeper''s hand was unmistakably that of Qin Weilong, the First City Leader of Haijing. The deceased city leader¡¯s face was eerily calm, as though he hadn¡¯t realized he was about to die even in the final moments of his life. He clearly hadn¡¯t even had time to react.


    Xue Xuanqi stood frozen in shock as his mind refused to process what he was seeing. When the housekeeper¡¯s gaze swept over him, he found himself unable to form words. For a moment, his mind felt utterly blank.


    ¡°Mr. Song says that from this moment forward, you are now the First City Leader of Haijing City,¡± the housekeeper announced.


    She handed Qin Weilong¡¯s severed head along with half a black grinding stone to Xue Xuanqi, who instinctively reached out and took them. It took him a full minute to process the sensory information from his eyes, ears, and hands before he could fully comprehend the reality of the situation.


    "What policies... should I implement to govern Haijing?" Finally, he voiced the most critical question.


    The housekeeper replied calmly, "You may govern however you see fit."


    Xue Xuanqi froze. That answer carried too many implications.


    The housekeeper pointed at Qin Weilong¡¯s severed head and continued, ¡°When he took office, he asked the same question. Grand Commander Song gave him the exact answer I just gave you.¡±


    For the rest of that long, dark night, Xue Xuanqi stood at the courtyard gate, his head bowed in contemplation.


    Inside the Grinding Blade Hall, the slow, steady sound of a blade being sharpened echoed rhythmically, filling the stillness.


    Xue Xuanqi didn¡¯t move a muscle. It was not until dawn broke and the crimson sun pierced through the darkness, rising above the horizon, that he finally lifted his head and exhaled deeply.


    ¡°I understand now,¡± he said.


    Xue Xuanqi bowed respectfully toward the inner courtyard of the Grinding Blade Hall before resolutely walking away.

 Chapter 488: Improving Strength, Three Distinct Forms (1)

    Chapter 488: Improving Strength, Three Distinct Forms (1)The three major gangs were making every effort to tend to their wounded. The remnants of the two great families had fled like stray dogs after paying a tremendous price. Li Xiaofei returned to Haisha Gang headquarters and immediately went into seclusion.


    The three-day cooldown had just expired, so Li Xiaofei entered the Secret Time Pavilion and began his accelerated cultivation. The experience of pulling out the green hair and feeling his body fill with invisible sword qi had provided him with great enlightenment. He needed to quickly organize the insights he¡¯d gained from the battle.


    With green hair infused with sword qi, I can slay Saints as easily as chickens. Without it, I¡¯m nothing more than a chicken myself. There are far too many experts in Haijing City.


    My current strength probably wouldn¡¯t even rank in the top fifty. I can¡¯t always rely on shortcuts. I need to improve my own strength as quickly as possible.


    Li Xiaofei reflected deeply in his heart. It wasn¡¯t that his cultivation speed was too slow. Rather, it was because he had become involved in national affairs far too quickly. Such matters should have been handled by influential figures. Yet the burden had fallen squarely on his shoulders.


    If Li Xiaofei truly had the strength to slaughter Saints, he wouldn¡¯t have needed to consume a second green hair to slay the two great families. Nor would he have wasted so much time arguing and posturing.


    If Kong Weilan, a quasi-Saint, had had the courage and determination to draw his sword, Li Xiaofei might have ended up pulling another strand of green hair.


    However, sparing Kong Weilan wasn¡¯t a bad decision. After all, he was a genuine martial arts prodigy. A quasi-Saint at the age of thirty was exceedingly rare. He had immense potential to become a true Saint. If he truly ascended to Sainthood, Great Xia would gain another Saint.


    Even though Kong Weilan was a representative of one of the great families, having one more Saint would undoubtedly provide a stronger guarantee for the base cities if star beasts were ever to invade. However, if he turned to aiding evil after becoming a Saint, it wouldn¡¯t be too late to kill him then.


    Li Xiaofei cleared his mind of distractions and began channeling his inner qi, activating the secret Beichen Sword Qi Meridian Severance Technique. He started slowly carving out new qi meridians within his body. A trace of pain appeared on his face as sweat beaded on his forehead.


    Slicing meridians meant slicing the physical body as well as the soul. The further one advanced in cultivation, the more excruciating the pain of carving out a new qi meridian became. Yet, Li Xiaofei pressed on without hesitation.


    The qi meridians within his body continued to increase as time passed. Ten days. Twenty days. Nine hundred and twenty-one... Nine hundred and seventy-eight...


    By the twenty-ninth day, Li Xiaofei finished carving the nine hundred and ninety-nine qi meridian. If he added his original twelve principal meridians and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, Li Xiaofei now possessed a total of one thousand one hundred and nineteen natural inner qi channels capable of circulating in a small heavenly cycle.


    In contrast, other martial artists in the Meridian Expanding Realm typically only had twelve principal meridians. Li Xiaofei nearly had one hundred times more meridians than an ordinary practitioner. Moreover, the benefits gained from each additional qi channel were far beyond a simple numeric increase.


    ¡°Phew...¡± Li Xiaofei exhaled a breath of stale air from his chest.


    The process of carving new qi meridians was excruciating. But once the meridians were completed and inner qi surged through them, it felt like a clear spring revitalizing a parched riverbed. He felt a profound sense of harmony between his body and soul.


    Li Xiaofei slowly rose to his feet. He slipped into the movements of the Yi Jin Jing as his body stretched and unfolded completely. His state reached an unprecedented peak.


    In the blink of an eye, Li Xiaofei had flawlessly completed all the movements of the Yi Jin Jing. His tendons, skin, blood, and flesh had undergone perfect refinement. The Yi Jin Jing had achieved mastery!


    At the same time, the technique Formless Sword Bone resonated with the terrifyingly vast number of meridians within his body that were now roaring with starforce qi. His bones glowed with a radiant light as a faint metallic sheen emerged. An indistinct yet chilling sword hum reverberated within him. His Black Iron Sword Bone had reached mastery!


    Li Xiaofei could clearly sense that the combination of the Yi Jin Jing and the Formless Sword Bone had pushed his flesh and bones to an unimaginable degree. The physical strength he had long struggled to break through finally surpassed its limits in this moment where quantity transformed into quality.


    His body began to grow rapidly. His height surged once more as he exceeded ten meters in the span of mere breaths. His muscles swelled to resemble towering hills. The thickness of a single finger now surpassed the waist of an average person. The breakthrough in physical strength also significantly increased his body¡¯s density.


    ¡°So this is the transformation that comes after breaking through the limits of physical strength?¡±


    Li Xiaofei carefully observed his altered body. In his heart, he speculated that this secondary growth was likely a natural adaptation triggered by unlocking some fundamental code of life. His original body could no longer contain such terrifying strength, so his body had grown to an unprecedented degree.


    ¡°When I was in Liuhe Base City, I also experienced this kind of muscle enhancement and body expansion during my earlier physical breakthroughs. I already resembled a monster back then, but now I¡¯ve surpassed ten meters...¡±


    He glanced at his lower body and couldn¡¯t help but inhale sharply. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "How is anyone supposed to deal with this?"


    Yet, the overwhelming sense of strength that accompanied his enlarged body filled Li Xiaofei with exhilaration.


    Whoosh!


    A casual flick of his finger alone produced a shockwave akin to the Finger Flick Technique he used to rely on.


    ¡°My current physical strength alone could easily crush someone in the Dao Union Realm. If I amplify my physical power with inner qi... perhaps I could even contend with someone in the Divine Realm?¡±


    Li Xiaofei focused intently on sensing his newfound power.


    The Divine Realm is the domain of quasi-Saints. Can I, at the peak of the Meridian Expanding Realm, rival a quasi-Saint?


    Even Li Xiaofei was startled by this bold thought.


    He immediately used Graceful Step of the Waves and began unleashing martial arts techniques such as the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, Great Strength Vajra Fist, Six Meridian Divine Sword, Dog Beating Staff Technique, and the Desperate Thirteen Swords.


    Every casual strike he performed carried unimaginable destructive power. The vast Secret Time Pavilion trembled as deafening roars echoed through it. Visible waves of energy distorted the air, surging violently in every direction.


    Li Xiaofei finally confirmed that his combat strength had indeed reached an inconceivable level. Perhaps, there had never been an individual in the entire history of Earth¡¯s martial arts sects and styles who shattered the Star Council''s rigid system of martial realm classifications in such a way.


    Li Xiaofei realized that his true combat strength could no longer be measured by any pre-established levels.


    Last time, when I broke through with my physical body, I defined three distinct forms for myself. This time, I can do the same.


    As the thought crossed his mind, Li Xiaofei used the disguise techniques from the Pity Flower Treasure Manual. He strained to contract his muscles and control his flesh and bones. Slowly, his figure began to shrink.

 Chapter 489: Improving Strength, Three Distinct Forms (2)

    Chapter 489: Improving Strength, Three Distinct Forms (2)Before long, his height stabilized at 1.85 meters. His streamlined muscles seemed almost sculpted as they lost their sense of overwhelming aggression. This was his original appearance.


    ¡°This first form, I shall name Disguise. It reigns supreme in the Golden Body Realm.¡±


    Then, he suddenly unleashed his physical strength. His body rapidly expanded to tower at over ten meters. He resembled an ancient giant descending upon the mortal world, emanating an oppressive aura that suffocated everything around him.


    ¡°This second form will be called Asura. It is invincible in the Dao Union Realm.¡±


    Next, he fully unleashed the inner qi within his body.


    The 1,019 meridians roared to life, every aperture surging with unrestrained power. The air around him twisted into whirlpools, and his entire being was engulfed by the dual energies of blade and sword qi. Ice and fire coexisted in perfect harmony around his form.


    ¡°This third form shall be called Demon God. It can contend with a quasi-Saint.¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s thoughts were crystal clear as he evaluated his newfound strength. He spent the next half day repeatedly testing and stabilizing his three forms, ensuring complete mastery over his strength. Once he was fully in control, he returned to contemplating the next steps in his cultivation journey.


    For now, he remained in the Meridian Expanding Realm. The twelve principal meridians and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians were the twenty innate meridians granted by nature.


    The 999 additional qi meridians were the result of painstaking work through secret techniques. Together, they formed a total of 1,019 channels. A perfect balance, a union of the innate and the acquired.


    This was exactly what Li Xiaofei had envisioned as the ultimate pinnacle of the Meridian Expanding Realm. Though he might still be able to continue carving more qi meridians with his current physical condition, increasing the postnatal qi channels beyond 1,000 or even further, he decided against it. This was because his aunt had once warned him, back when he was in the Qi Refining Realm:


    More is good. But one must not pursue more blindly. Nothing in this world is perfect. No realm is ever truly flawless. The so-called ''perfection lies in imperfection'' exists for this very reason.


    To Li Xiaofei, his aunt was a godlike figure. Listening to her advice and being a good boy was one of the mottos he lived by.


    ¡°Next, it¡¯s time for the Five Spirits Realm,¡± he muttered to himself.


    The Five Spirits refer to the five major organs: the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. Nurturing the five spiritual organs is a crucial step for martial artists to elevate their postnatal life essence. The Five Spirits Realm is also a significant barrier in martial cultivation. To cross it is akin to a carp leaping over the dragon gate. But how does one nurture the Five Spirits?


    Li Xiaofei pondered deeply as he began contemplating the next stage of his journey. Li Xiaofei had done some research. Since the Five Spirits were tied to the agreement with his aunt and determined when he could meet her again, how could he not treat it with utmost importance?


    Unfortunately, while the light-network contained numerous schools of thought and outlines for nurturing the Five Spirits, none were complete. The core secret techniques were all missing crucial components.


    The reason was simple. In this era, the higher the realm of cultivation techniques, the more tightly they were controlled by noble families, top financial conglomerates, governments, and nation-states. By controlling these techniques, they could control martial artists¡ªand, ultimately, the world.


    So far, Li Xiaofei hadn¡¯t managed to gather a complete method for nurturing the Five Spirits. However, he wasn¡¯t overly worried. It wouldn¡¯t be difficult to extort one of the Saint families in Haijing City and obtain the relevant manuals if it became necessary.


    There was still half a day before the Secret Time Pavilion would close. After some thought, Li Xiaofei decided to continue adapting to his newfound strength.


    He began practicing in the grand hall, starting a new round of rumbling. Every movement of his hands or feet carried immense destructive power.


    ¡°Woof! Kid, are you trying to tear this place apart?¡± The Moonlight Dog Box couldn¡¯t take it anymore and protested, ¡°Have you no sense of decency? Some of us have to work tomorrow!¡±


    Li Xiaofei paused.


    ¡°Is there a problem?¡± He retorted righteously. ¡°Isn¡¯t this my exclusive place to practice my open-hack cultivation? What¡¯s wrong with me throwing some punches here? Your complaint seems completely unreasonable this time.¡±


    ¡°Woof.¡± A husky emerged from behind one of the grand hall¡¯s towering pillars.


    It was the very same dog that had suddenly appeared five hundred years ago during a sparring session between Li Xiaofei and his junior schoolmate and teleported him to the future.


    When he saw the dog in front of him, Li Xiaofei felt dazed for a moment. That had happened over a year ago. He had experienced so much during that time that he had almost forgotten this troublemaking culprit.


    The chubby husky with mismatched eyes looked irritated, like a dog whose mate had been stolen mid-courtship. Its ears stood straight as it barked, ¡°You¡¯re too greedy! How dare you try to claim this place as your own? This has only been loaned to you temporarily for cultivation. It was custom-built as my den by the master!¡±


    Li Xiaofei froze.


    The Secret Time Pavilion is... a doghouse? I¡¯ve been cultivating in a doghouse this entire time?


    ¡°Who are you, exactly?¡± Li Xiaofei demanded.


    ¡°Woof. I am Little Nine, known as Little Nine in the martial world. Of course, you can also call me Little Nine,¡± the husky replied cheekily.


    ¡°Little Nine?¡± Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the fat, dim-witted-looking husky with its mismatched gaze. He suddenly raised his voice. ¡°Tell me, why did you send me to this era?¡±


    The husky¡¯s upright ears suddenly drooped. It now looked like a thief caught red-handed.


    ¡°This matter is quite complicated.¡±


    Little Nine tilted its head and wagged its tail, deliberately playing cute as it grinned mischievously. ¡°In short, it wasn¡¯t an accident. Stop asking, woof... Besides, woof, isn¡¯t this era where you truly thrive? Aren¡¯t you having so much fun here, woof?¡±


    Li Xiaofei wasn¡¯t about to believe the dog¡¯s nonsense so easily.


    He snorted coldly. ¡°I don¡¯t care. Either way, you owe me compensation.¡±


    ¡°How do you want me to compensate you?¡± Little Nine asked warily, its mismatched eyes narrowing in suspicion.


    ¡°What valuable things do you have to offer?¡± Li Xiaofei countered.


    Little Nine hesitated before cautiously suggesting, ¡°Cultivation techniques?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not a bad start,¡± Li Xiaofei said, nodding.


    Little Nine immediately agreed enthusiastically. ¡°Alright, alright! Come on, pick a technique, woof!¡±


    The husky opened its mouth wide. A swirling vortex materialized in midair where countless cultivation scrolls could be seen tumbling and spinning.


    Li Xiaofei froze in astonishment.


    What the hell? So I was pulling all the techniques of the Secret Time Pavilion out of this dumb dog¡¯s throat? Disgusting.


    Li Xiaofei scowled in disdain. ¡°Just spit it out directly.¡±


    ¡°Pfft, picky much,¡± Little Nine muttered, rolling its mismatched eyes. It opened its mouth wider and retched.


    Whoosh!


    Three or four dozen scrolls came tumbling out of Little Nine¡¯s mouth, landing haphazardly on the ground like a drunken dog¡¯s vomit.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at the pile and immediately found it impossible to look away.


    Tai Xuan Sutra! Longevity Technique! Heavenly Demon Manual! War God Records! Wind God Leg! Cloud-Piercing Palm! Heavenly Frost Fist! Three Qi Convergence! Ten Thousand Swords Return! S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    All these legendary martial arts techniques, thought to exist only in wuxia novels from five hundred years ago, were now casually strewn about like cabbages at a roadside market. Each title was enough to make Li Xiaofei, a martial arts fanatic, tremble with excitement and salivate uncontrollably.


    Jackpot!


    There were so many top-tier martial arts manuals. And they weren¡¯t just from the Jin Yong martial arts dimension; there were also supreme techniques from Huang Yi¡¯s high-martial dimensions.


    Li Xiaofei quickly turned to Little Nine. There had to be even more powerful techniques hidden within this husky. Perhaps it even had cultivation methods for immortality or celestial arts.


    For some reason, Little Nine¡¯s mismatched eyes suddenly seemed more charming; its plump and robust body exuded strength; its intelligent gaze held a profound understanding of the world; and its luxurious coat radiated a natural noble elegance...


    ¡°Brother, since fate has brought us together like this, why don¡¯t we swear an oath and become sworn brothers of different species and surnames?¡± Li Xiaofei suggested earnestly.


    Little Nine stared at him, dumbfounded. Its doggy face was frozen in an expression of disbelief.

 Chapter 490: You May Break Even, But I Profit Big

    Chapter 490: You May Break Even, But I Profit Big"This... doesn''t seem quite appropriate," Little Nine hesitated.


    It seemed reluctant on the surface; however, deep down, joy bloomed in his heart. This kind of sworn brotherhood, no matter how one looked at it, was a complete win for him.


    After all, Li Xiaofei was one of the chosen ones. As long as he didn¡¯t fall from the fractured or collapsing heavenly laws, he was destined to stand on equal footing with his master and those four other beings.


    If he and Li Xiaofei became sworn brothers, how would he address his master, Li Mu, in the future? Just thinking about it amused him greatly.


    Li Xiaofei quickly said, "What''s wrong with it?"


    Little Nine feigned restraint and replied, "As man and beast, you and I are of different paths."


    Li Xiaofei retorted, "We are both intelligent beings, each the best-looking among our respective kinds. We¡¯re kindred spirits who hit it off instantly. Why should we care about the difference between man and beast? You must know that fate connects us; we should cherish this bond."


    Little Nine asked, "Really?"


    Li Xiaofei affirmed, "Really."


    Little Nine pressed, "Truly?"


    Li Xiaofei insisted, "Truly."


    "Alright!" Little Nine smacked his front paw down before raising his thumb in a gesture of righteousness. He put on a noble air as he declared, "Since you have pleaded so earnestly, I shall graciously accept you as my little brother."


    A deeply moved Li Xiaofei responded, "Big brother."


    Little Nine, equally thrilled, exclaimed, "Little brother!"


    Li Xiaofei spoke generously, "One call of big brother, a lifetime of brotherhood. From this moment on, you and I are brothers, different in species and surname but bound by loyalty. What¡¯s yours is mine, and what¡¯s mine is yours. We shall share blessings and endure hardships together. We do not seek to be born in the same year, month, or day, but we vow to die in the same year, month, and day."


    Little Nine was stunned. "Woof! You''re going all in?"


    Li Xiaofei replied righteously, "Big Brother, your words lack understanding. Only such a vow can reflect the sincerity of our bond."


    This dumb dog can travel five hundred years through time, lives in a kennel that controls the flow of time, and has a small world in its belly filled with countless secret manuals. Isn¡¯t it basically a living god? A creature that can undoubtedly live for countless years? I must hold on tight to this golden opportunity.


    Besides, with a sworn bond like that of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei¡¯s[1], this dumb dog would be obligated to help him if he ever faced life-threatening danger.


    Little Nine excitedly clapped. "Good brother, you truly have sincerity."


    He then repeated the oath word for word.


    Oh my gosh. This is one of the chosen Li Mu and the others selected. Sooner or later, this human will leave Earth and step into the cosmos. If he ever reached the level of my master, Li Mu, my profit would be immeasurable.


    And so, one man and one dog, each with their own hidden agendas, officially became sworn brothers.


    Li Xiaofei put his arm around the dumb dog¡¯s neck as he said, "Big Brother, as you can see, your little brother here is penniless. I have no car, no house, and I¡¯m constantly being bullied. I''m just barely managing as a struggling worker. Can you, as my big brother, lend me a helping hand?"


    Little Nine stood on his hind legs and placed his front paws on Li Xiaofei¡¯s shoulder. Speaking in a tone filled with worldly wisdom, he said, "Little Brother, the meaning of life lies in struggle. You can¡¯t always think of taking shortcuts."


    Li Xiaofei asked, "So, Big Brother, are you saying you struggled to achieve what you have today?"


    "Not really," Little Nine shook his head.


    Li Xiaofei was speechless for a moment and then said, "You haven¡¯t struggled yourself, and yet you¡¯re lecturing me about struggling?"


    "I¡¯m a dog," Little Nine replied confidently. "As long as my master is powerful, I don¡¯t need to struggle to live well."


    Li Xiaofei was momentarily speechless.


    That... makes so much sense. I can¡¯t even argue with it.


    After a moment, Li Xiaofei said, "Since that¡¯s the case, I¡¯m willing to work hard too. But Big Brother, can you at least give me a meeting gift or something? Maybe an unused Zhuxian Sword, a Taiji Diagram, a Golden Cudgel, a Purple Gold Gourd, a Sky-Mending Stone, a Pangu Axe, a Wind-Fixing Pearl, a Lotus Throne¡ªanything will do. Just a couple hundred pieces will be fine."


    Little Nine¡¯s fur practically stood on end at the audacity of the request. This wasn¡¯t just asking for a lot. This was a lion attempting to swallow the heavens.


    "Little Brother, your life is still long. Don¡¯t aim too high too soon." He advised, his tone full of earnestness. "Even if I gave you those little things, you wouldn¡¯t be able to handle them. Being human is all about staying grounded and living happily." Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei squinted suspiciously. "Big Brother, are you sure you¡¯re not just saying this because you don¡¯t have those so-called little things?"


    "How could that be?" Little Nine vehemently denied the accusation. "Those trinkets? I have plenty of them. But I can¡¯t give them to you now. I¡¯m only doing this for your own good. Woof!"


    Li Xiaofei remained unconvinced. Little Nine scratched his head with his paw, visibly conflicted.


    Finally, he grit his teeth and said, "Woof! Let me think about what to give you. Woof... I¡¯ve got it! Three days from now, I¡¯ll give you a great treasure, one that will absolutely satisfy you."


    "Really?"


    "Really."


    "That¡¯s why you¡¯re my Big Brother!"


    "Don¡¯t worry. Big Brother¡¯s got your back."


    Man and dog finally reached a consensus. A thoroughly satisfied Li Xiaofei leisurely made his way to the small mountain of secret manuals. He picked up the one at the very top, the Tai Xuan Sutra.


    At last, he had obtained this legendary manual. It was the most powerful one in the world of Jin Yong. Having previously drawn multiple secret manuals from Jin Yong¡¯s universe, Li Xiaofei had mentally prepared himself for the day he¡¯d acquire the Tai Xuan Sutra. Now, that day had finally arrived.


    Who can inscribe this beneath the pavilion? White-haired Tai Xuan Sutra.


    Many believed that the Tai Xuan Sutra was the only cultivation manual in the Jin Yong martial arts universe. The illiterate mongrel Shi Potian had stumbled upon it and accidentally cultivated it to become the unrivaled champion of the martial world. He had reached a realm nearly akin to shattering the void. Shi Potian was often regarded as the strongest protagonist in the Jin Yong universe.


    Li Xiaofei opened the manual. As described in the original work, the first thing to greet his eyes was Li Bai¡¯s[2] poem, Ode to the Gallantry.


    From "Zhao''s guest donned the silken cap, Wu''s blade glinted like frost," to "Three cups sworn in sincerity, Five Peaks weighed as light," and finally to "Two heroes through a thousand years, radiant in Great Liang''s city. Even in death, their heroic bones held fragrance, unashamed of earthly glory. Who can inscribe this beneath the pavilion? White-haired Tai Xuan Sutra."


    Each line of the poem was accompanied by illustrations and annotations. The annotations provided detailed explanations of the martial arts principles hidden within the poem.


    In the original work, countless martial arts masters and prodigies had gathered on Gallant Island to study the secrets of the poem, but they had all gone astray. This was due to the diagrams and annotations in the island''s stone chamber, which pointed them in entirely wrong directions. These errors caused even the most brilliant and exceptional individuals to spend their lives in vain as they failed to unravel the sutra¡¯s mysteries.


    However, the manual in Li Xiaofei¡¯s hands contained the correct illustrations and explanations. This time, the path was clear. When Li Xiaofei glanced at the manual, his starforce qi began to circulate actively of its own accord. His body moved instinctively, his limbs shifting and flowing through movements.


    In the span of a single incense stick burning, Li Xiaofei practiced all the martial arts contained within the Tai Xuan Sutra, including body techniques, sword techniques, palm techniques, inner strength cultivation, and breathing methods.


    It¡¯s certainly an exceptional martial art, though it falls short of being a true cultivation method. However, its reputation as the strongest in the Jin Yong universe isn¡¯t exaggerated.


    That was Li Xiaofei¡¯s verdict.


    Yet, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this so-called "strongest" manual didn¡¯t provide him with a significant improvement. He stifled his faint sense of dissatisfaction and reached for the second manual sitting atop the small mountain of books in front of him¡ª The War God Records.


    Could it be fake?


    The thought crept unbidden into his mind. In the original story, the War God Records wasn¡¯t even a book, nor a painting, nor any form of recorded text. Instead, it was a collection of floating relief sculptures, suspended in the air, quietly waiting for a destined individual to discover them within the War God Hall.


    The War God Hall itself was hidden deep underground, surrounded by an isolated realm. It was guarded by a demonic dragon and adorned with rare, magical flora. Its ceiling displayed the vast constellations of the heavens, and the hall could even relocate itself autonomously, changing its position at will.


    So how could this small book in his hands possibly contain the entirety of The War God Records¡¯ profound mysteries?


    With doubt swirling in his mind, Li Xiaofei slowly unrolled the scroll-like manual. However, something completely unexpected happened.


    1. These are the characters of the Three Kingdoms Period of Chinese history. ?


    2. Li Bai, formerly pronounced Li Bo, courtesy name Taibai, was a Chinese poet acclaimed as one of the greatest and most important poets of the Tang dynasty and in Chinese history as a whole. ?

 Chapter 491: Contraceptive Divine Technique

    Chapter 491: Contraceptive Divine TechniqueAs the scroll opened, it revealed something entirely unexpected: a portal. Li Xiaofei¡¯s vision blurred for a moment, and he found himself in an entirely different space.


    It was a boundless grand hall that contained pavilions, towers, and terraces. There were also gardens and herb plots filled with all kinds of rare and exotic plants. The fragrant aroma of flora filled his senses as he walked forward. The smooth dome of the hall was intricately carved with the constellations of the heavens.


    Upon closer inspection, the ceiling seemed to be a three-dimensional projection of the vast universe itself. Staring at it for too long gave Li Xiaofei the disorienting illusion of being pulled into an infinite expanse of deep space. This grand hall felt like an entirely separate world.


    But Li Xiaofei could sense a terrifying pressure, a suffocating aura pressing heavily on him, emanating from somewhere outside the hall. The howling of the wind was the sound of the demonic dragon snoring in its slumber.


    The War God Hall!


    Li Xiaofei instantly realized he was inside the legendary War God Hall. A crushing sense of pressure weighed down on him. It wasn¡¯t just an invisible force but a tangible gravitational burden.


    Indeed, the War God Hall was no place for ordinary individuals. Li Xiaofei felt like a snail trapped in a swamp. Each step forward was met with immense resistance, draining his stamina with every movement. Summoning all his energy, he looked around the hall.


    Li Xiaofei could faintly make out a vast array of overlapping silhouettes to the east. His heart skipped a beat, but upon closer inspection, clarity dawned on him. Those were the legendary floating relief sculptures within the War God Hall that were said to aid in cultivation. Li Xiaofei began walking toward the reliefs.


    He channeled his inner qi and mustered all his strength, transforming into his demonic form. His pace quickened. Yet, after walking for over half an hour, he realized that the distance between him and the reliefs had not diminished in the slightest. They remained just as far away as before.


    He stopped and began to think. According to legend, only those with the right fate could approach the reliefs and gain the martial arts secrets hidden within. Although he had entered the War God Hall, he could not get closer to the reliefs.


    Is it because my fate has not yet aligned?


    Li Xiaofei did not believe that all the opportunities in the world should belong to him. He understood that everyone had their own destined fortunes. So, he did not feel disappointed.


    Instead, he gave up chasing the reliefs and began to explore the War God Hall at his own pace. Though the ever-present oppressive pressure of the hall greatly slowed his movements, Li Xiaofei discovered that this very pressure was aiding in the cultivation of his inner qi.


    "The time limit for the Secret Time Pavilion is almost up."


    After calculating the remaining time, Li Xiaofei knew he couldn¡¯t stay in this place for much longer. So he used the teleportation scroll and temporarily left the War God Hall. Back in the Secret Time Pavilion. Li Xiaofei reappeared in front of the small mountain of secret manuals. The War God Records scroll in his hands had already closed.


    His sworn elder brother, Little Nine, was sitting cross-legged nearby. When he saw Li Xiaofei return, Little Nine grinned and asked, "Woof! So, how was it? A good find, wasn¡¯t it?"


    Li Xiaofei nodded repeatedly. "Big Brother, you''re the real deal."


    This praise came straight from his heart. Everything in the War God Hall had far exceeded Li Xiaofei¡¯s imagination. It completely outclassed the stone chamber on Gallant Island. As expected of the strongest artifact in the high-martial world of Huang Yi, it was leagues beyond the Tai Xuan Sutra.


    Li Xiaofei turned his gaze back to the pile of manuals. He casually picked up the Longevity Technique. This, too, was an extraordinary manual.


    In Huang Yi¡¯s high-martial world, the protagonists Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling from Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty had risen to prominence relying on this very manual. The technique was a legacy from the ancient qi cultivator Guang Chengzi, who had comprehended and developed it during his cultivation in the War God Hall. He had then passed it down to the Yellow Emperor, who disseminated it to the mortal realm. It could be considered a simplified version of the War God Records.


    However, in the ages of Huang Yi''s universe, only a handful of individuals had managed to cultivate this technique successfully.


    The reason lay in its unique nature. Unlike traditional martial arts, which cultivated acquired qi, this technique allowed the direct cultivation of innate qi. This approach clashed fundamentally with the methods of ordinary martial artists, who cultivated acquired qi. Moreover, those attempting this technique could not possess even a shred of internal energy beforehand.


    Additionally, practitioners had to cultivate with intentless intention, resting their minds completely while absorbing the essence of heaven and earth through their meridians and acupoints to nourish themselves.


    The cultivation process was entirely unlike conventional martial arts and resembled the symptoms of qi deviation. For this reason, many people feared to practice it. However, it was worth noting that the Longevity Technique was strictly speaking not a martial art but rather a form of qi cultivation.


    Its philosophy revolved around the idea that the human body was a microcosm of heaven and earth, while the world outside was a macrocosm. By harnessing the natural forces of both these heavens, one can unify them into a single entity and achieve true harmony between man and the cosmos. In essence, it could be classified as a cultivation technique for immortality.


    For most people who lacked the innate spiritual root for immortality, it was exceedingly difficult to achieve success in cultivating this technique.


    Thus, only a few individuals in the Huang Yi universe, such as the protagonists Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling from Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty, had managed to cultivate it. Their success was largely due to sheer luck and their humble beginnings as outlaws with profound destiny.


    As for the strength of this technique? First and foremost, as its name suggests, the greatest effect of the Longevity Technique was longevity; it extended one¡¯s lifespan.


    Secondly, it granted its practitioners a youthful appearance, effectively halting aging. In addition, it enhanced the practitioner¡¯s health bar, providing faster recovery, increased durability, and resistance to physical damage. It included a boost to one¡¯s lightness skill and the ability to hold one¡¯s breath for extended periods.


    Of course, it also had one rather peculiar effect: contraception. Its core principle of refining essence into qi impacted reproductive capabilities. As a result, its practitioners often suffered from infertility.


    "To cultivate innate qi," Li Xiaofei mused thoughtfully.


    In the context of traditional martial arts worlds, this technique, with its harsh cultivation requirements, might not hold much significance. After all, only one or two among millions might succeed, making it impossible to widely adopt.


    However, in the current world, martial artists cultivated starforce qi. Starforce! This energy already resembled innate qi. The methods for cultivating starforce primarily involved breathing techniques, which aligned closely with the principles of qi refinement and breath regulation.


    Furthermore, based on his own experiences, when starforce was used to enhance techniques from martial arts worlds, the resulting power far surpassed the descriptions in the original works.


    Li Xiaofei had long suspected that the power of starforce qi far surpassed the internal energy described in martial arts novels because it fundamentally operated on a higher level of power altogether. So, who could guarantee that starforce wasn¡¯t actually innate qi?


    The thought of cultivating the Longevity Technique rose in his mind. After all, even celestial beings tirelessly pursued immortality. However, when he considered its side effect, infertility, Li Xiaofei found himself conflicted.


    He genuinely wanted to have children someday. Moreover, the young lady would likely feel the same way. Cultivating this technique would definitely require her consent. As such, Li Xiaofei refrained from opening the Longevity Technique manual.


    If starforce qi truly is the innate qi described in Huang Yi¡¯s universe, then promoting this technique in the modern era shouldn¡¯t be difficult. However, humanity on Earth is striving to reproduce and increase its population to prevent extinction. If everyone who cultivates The Longevity Technique becomes infertile, wouldn¡¯t promoting it make me the culprit of humanity¡¯s downfall?


    The thought gave him a headache. Clearly, spreading the Longevity Technique required careful consideration and long-term planning. Setting the manual aside, Li Xiaofei began browsing through other manuals in the pile. This included Three Qi Convergence, Ten Thousand Swords Return, Wind God Leg, Cloud-Piercing Palm, and Heavenly Frost Fist¡ªall techniques from the Wind and Cloud martial arts universe.


    The latter three weren¡¯t considered top-tier techniques in their original setting, but based on their described power, they belonged firmly to the high-martial category. Their effectiveness was nothing to scoff at. In the modern era, they would likely receive a classic-grade rating. These three techniques, in particular, seemed well-suited for promotion within the Jingwu Sect.


    Both Three Qi Convergence and Ten Thousand Swords Return were of an even higher grade. These two techniques were considered top-tier martial arts even in the Wind and Cloud universe. In the current era, they would undoubtedly be classified as mythic-level martial arts.


    Li Xiaofei found himself particularly drawn to Ten Thousand Swords Return. Having previously cultivated Sword Harnessing Technique from the immortal cultivation realm, he imagined that combining it with Ten Thousand Swords Return would not only look incredibly flashy but also deliver unmatched power and, of course, unparalleled opportunities to show off.


    After flipping through the rest of the manuals, Li Xiaofei found several techniques that, while valuable, no longer held much utility for him. These included Spirit Rushing Sword Technique, Hundred Flowers Misdirection Fist, Two Elements Sword Technique, Golden Snake Sword Technique, and Blood Saber Technique.


    While they weren¡¯t particularly useful for his own growth, they would be excellent additions to the martial arts library of the Jingwu Sect.


    ¡°Huh, this one¡¯s still here?¡±


    As he sorted through the pile of manuals, Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes lit up when he spotted three words on the cover of a book buried at the bottom of the stack. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Divine Illumination Sutra!


    ¡°Holy crap!¡± Li Xiaofei exclaimed, picking up the manual with both hands. "I can¡¯t believe this godly technique is here."


    The Divine Illumination Sutra was another legendary technique from the Jin Yong martial arts universe. It first appeared in the storyline of A Deadly Secret. That particular story didn¡¯t belong to the golden age of martial arts in Jin Yong¡¯s universe.


    During that period, the martial world wasn¡¯t in its prime, and the techniques cultivated by its heroes were far inferior to those from the eras of The Legend of the Condor Heroes or Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils. It could only be classified as a low-martial period. Yet, the Divine Illumination Sutra had emerged out of nowhere.


    This technique, Divine Illumination Sutra, was hailed by many fans as one of the strongest internal energy methods in the Jin Yong martial arts universe. Some even believed it rivaled the Tai Xuan Sutra.


    The reason lay in its incredible ability: resurrection. It wasn¡¯t a metaphor either. The sutra allowed one to revive those who had recently died. Additionally, it was rumored to allow lumbs to regenerate. In terms of sheer utility, it could easily be considered the pinnacle of Jin Yong¡¯s creations.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s first thought was that this sutra might be able to heal his aunt¡¯s blindness. He was about to step into the Five Spirits Realm, and soon, he would reunite with her. To acquire the Divine Illumination Sutra at this moment¡ª was this fate?


    Li Xiaofei glanced at Little Nine, who was sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion, counting on his paws. Suddenly, this dog elder brother seemed far more likable in his eyes. He silently vowed that, under normal circumstances, he would never betray him.


    "Little brother, why are you staring at me like that?" asked Little Nine, who found Li Xiaofei¡¯s gaze to be rather unsettling.


    Li Xiaofei replied, "Big Brother, you were so stingy about handing out manuals in the past. Why have you suddenly given me so many top-tier treasures this time? You¡¯re treating me so well that it¡¯s making me nervous."


    Little Nine chuckled calmly and said, "Don¡¯t worry. The reason is simple. Most of these martial arts manuals are of no use to you anymore. Keeping them serves no purpose for me, so I thought I might as well give them all to you. If you study them, they¡¯ll deepen your understanding of martial arts. As they say, ¡®draw on a wealth of sources and use them to illuminate each other.¡¯ It will benefit your cultivation of other techniques in the future.¡±


    "Besides, haven¡¯t you always dreamed of spreading martial arts across the world? These techniques will enrich the Jingwu Sect''s repository. Better they be used with you than wasted with me."


    Li Xiaofei was touched. He hadn¡¯t expected this dog elder brother to truly be thinking of his well-being. Once again, he silently vowed not to betray Little Nine unless absolutely necessary.


    Little Nine¡¯s expression turned unusually serious as he added, "There¡¯s another reason. Your growth rate has exceeded my initial expectations, so certain plans need to be accelerated. Focus on your cultivation. Not long from now, I might send you to a trial beyond the heavens. Use your time wisely to complete whatever you need or want to do."


    A trial beyond the heavens? The universe?


    Li Xiaofei felt a jolt of surprise.


    Isn¡¯t this map transition happening a bit too quickly and abruptly?

 Chapter 492: New Function

    Chapter 492: New FunctionI haven¡¯t even conquered Earth, this beginner¡¯s village, on my own yet, and now they want to take me beyond the heavens? Are they really planning to send me to the skies?


    Little Nine said calmly, "Don¡¯t worry, it won¡¯t be too challenging. Going out early to see the world will broaden your horizons. My master once said that perspective is crucial for a martial artist because it enhances your imagination." S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei mulled over those words carefully and felt like they made a lot of sense. But the time limit of the Secret Time Pavilion was about to run out.


    Something occurred to Li Xiaofei, who quickly said, "Big Brother, we¡¯re as close as real brothers, right? I need to discuss something with you."


    Little Nine puffed out his chest and said, "Little Brother, if there¡¯s anything, just tell me!"


    Li Xiaofei said, "Big Brother, since we¡¯re one family now, about this... doghouse of yours, ah no, this divine temple, could you remove its cooldown restriction? That way, I could enter and cultivate anytime, which would help me grow stronger faster. When the time comes for you to take me to the skies, it¡¯ll be much more impressive for you as well."


    Big Brother Dog showed a rare, human-like expression of hesitation. He said, "Brother, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to help you, but speeding up time like this isn¡¯t always a good thing. You might not have noticed, but your bone age is already older than people your age."


    "What do you mean?" Li Xiaofei froze slightly.


    Big Brother Dog explained, "It means you¡¯re older than others."


    In that instant, Li Xiaofei understood. Experiencing more time naturally made him older. Every three days, thanks to the Secret Time Pavilion, he gained thirty extra days compared to others. But because of that, he also aged thirty days more.


    If he kept overusing the Secret Time Pavilion recklessly, he might only live for three years while others could live for thirty years.


    Big Brother Dog comforted him, "However, you don¡¯t need to worry too much. Your physical body is unparalleled, and your inner qi is extraordinary. Naturally, your lifespan will far exceed others. Losing a little of it isn¡¯t a big deal. Besides, you¡¯re still young. If you achieve Sainthood, you could live at least a hundred years longer than others. Plus, once I take you to the heavens, we can find spiritual herbs and divine medicines to extend your life. But the Secret Time Pavilion shouldn¡¯t be overused. I initially set the three-day cooldown and the thirty-day time limit to protect you."


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but feel deeply moved again.


    Big Brother¡¯s love for me runs deep to always think of my future. I must never betray him unless absolutely necessary.


    At that moment, Big Brother Dog added, "However, I can unlock another feature of the doghouse for you."


    "What kind of feature?" Li Xiaofei asked curiously.


    Big Brother Dog replied, "A storage function."


    As long as Li Xiaofei wished, he could store items from the outside world inside the Secret Time Pavilion. He could then retrieve them at will with a single thought.


    Li Xiaofei was overjoyed.


    Isn¡¯t this just like a legendary storage space?


    Big Brother Dog added, "However, it¡¯s best to store durable and wear-resistant items. Don¡¯t put in perishables like fresh food. Time flows too quickly here, and they¡¯ll spoil before you know it."


    Li Xiaofei shook his head and said, "I don¡¯t see it that way."


    Big Brother Dog looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"


    Li Xiaofei grinned and said, "If I store fresh food here, Big Brother, you can enjoy it!"


    WOOF!


    Big Brother Dog immediately gave him a big thumbs-up. "Brother, your vision is truly broad. Good brother, for life!"


    "For life!"


    Man and dog embraced warmly, their bond stronger than ever.


    ***


    The underground base.


    Li Xiaofei stepped out of the Secret Time Pavilion. The first thing he did was find himself a set of clothes to wear.


    "It seems I¡¯ll need to prepare a special uniform with absolute elasticity. That way, I won¡¯t end up running around naked after transforming into the Asura or the Demon God state."


    As this thought crossed his mind, Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but think of the young designer from the Starry Sky Mall in Liuhe Base City.


    He quickly sent a message via LightChat. The other party responded swiftly and enthusiastically. Her excitement was evident in the voice message.


    After hearing Li Xiaofei¡¯s requirements, the young designer readily agreed, promising to create a suit that perfectly combined functionality and aesthetics to meet his satisfaction.


    "Thank you," Li Xiaofei said.


    "You¡¯re too polite! Thanks to Brother Xiaofei¡¯s endorsement, my clothing shop has been booming. I¡¯ve even received orders from outside the city and qualified to participate in the clothing exhibition in Lanfu Base City. I owe all this to you. This is the least I can do."


    The young designer expressed her gratitude warmly. After a slight moment of hesitation, the designer added, "Brother Xiaofei, will you be visiting Liuhe soon?"


    Li Xiaofei replied, "I probably won¡¯t have time to go back anytime soon."


    "Oh, I see," the designer said. Their voice was tinged with disappointment as they ended the call.


    Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t give it much thought. His focus now was on the Jingwu Sect. The pile of martial arts manuals Big Brother Dog had given him had arrived at just the right time.


    Originally, Li Xiaofei had planned to teach the martial arts from the Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s ancient martial arts livestream to strengthen the Jingwu Sect. However, with these new manuals in hand, Li Xiaofei realized that he could organize them into a completely new and systematic cultivation framework. This would allow the Jingwu Sect to walk a unique path that was distinct from the Grandmaster of Heaven¡¯s ancient martial arts.


    A single bloom does not make spring. It¡¯s only when a hundred flowers bloom that spring fills the garden.


    Li Xiaofei immediately got to work. With a single thought, he retrieved the manuals stored in the Secret Time Pavilion and began organizing them.


    Every martial art needed to progress from the basics to the advanced. Li Xiaofei had to first understand and comprehend each technique himself before refining and adapting them to create a system that was easy to teach and delivered quick results.


    Fortunately, Li Xiaofei¡¯s aptitude had been verified by no fewer than one hundred and nine teachers. His reputation was well-earned.


    The work progressed rapidly as time flew by. Li Xiaofei remained secluded, dedicating all his time and energy to this monumental task. Meanwhile, Chi Chunshui, Li Buyi, and Long Zhengfei, the three major leaders of the slum, acted with remarkable efficiency.


    Following their earlier agreement, they began unifying the slum, transforming the three dominant factions into the three main halls of Jingwu Sect: the Dragon Hall, the Cloth Hall, and the Pen Hall. These three halls were now directly under the jurisdiction of Jingwu Sect. Other organizational structures were also quickly taking shape.


    This marked the first major unification in the martial arts world of Haijing City¡¯s slum. It was an unprecedented event, and so, attracted widespread attention. Many established forces grew increasingly wary of this development. They understood all too well the potential of a unified slum. The so-called mud-legged people weren¡¯t lacking in talent, just opportunities.


    Some of them were undisputed martial arts prodigies. If they truly came together, who in the slum could rival them? This was especially concerning for the aristocratic Saint families.


    The situation left many on edge, as if sitting on pins and needles. However, no one dared to act against the Jingwu Sect at the moment. This hesitation stemmed from the shocking events that had unfolded when two major aristocratic families invaded the slum. The news they brought back shook all of Haijing City.


    Additionally, the obliteration of the Jiepeng Consulate had finally broken through the Inquisition¡¯s information blockade and begun spreading across the light-network. The revelations stunned countless people.


    On top of this, the fall of Qin Weilong, the former city leader of Haijing Base City, sent further shockwaves through the city. It was announced that he had been executed by Grand Commander Song Huaiyuan for corruption and treason.


    Haijing City had never seen such tumultuous events. The eruption of consecutive, high-profile events made every faction acutely aware that a massive purge was on the horizon. Whoever managed to survive this upheaval and seize the upper hand would determine the balance of power in the future.


    New forces were emerging, determined to take the stage. On the other hand, old powers, unwilling to relinquish their dominance, fought to maintain their position. The transition between the old and the new always demanded sacrifices of blood and life to complete its ritual. Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei¡¯s continued seclusion added an eerie tension to the air.


    It was during this unsettling period that the Star Council, which had remained silent until now, finally issued a statement on its official website.

 Chapter 493: Meeting an Old Friend in a Foreign Land

    Chapter 493: Meeting an Old Friend in a Foreign Land"We strongly condemn the attack on the Jiepeng Consulate, the murder of the Jiepeng envoy, and the killing of Jiepeng warriors. We have reported the events in Haijing City to Star Council headquarters, and we trust that professional personnel will soon bring the perpetrators to justice."


    This announcement was vague at best. Rather than targeting the so-called perpetrators, it seemed more like a procedural statement to appease various factions on the surface.


    Meanwhile, the newly appointed city leader of Haijing City, Xue Xuanqi, unveiled his initial governance reforms.


    The proposed policies covered a broad range of areas, including tax reform, personal income tax collection, business development strategies, insurance industry overhaul, increased support for essential livelihood enterprises, adjustments to the annual city government investment focus, vigorous development of military-industrial enterprises, support for emerging small financial groups, stricter regulation and guidance for martial arts factions, a crackdown on organized crime, increased investment in education, and policy changes in the Wanmao District.


    The initial reform plan caused an uproar. It was essentially a complete overhaul of the policies from the Qin Weilong era. It was a thorough repudiation of the previous administration¡¯s approach.


    Unsurprisingly, this struck a nerve with many vested interests. For the aristocratic families, major financial sources, and powerful martial arts factions, these policies not only threatened to cut off their revenue streams but also sought to take food from their mouths.


    The city grew increasingly turbulent beneath the surface. The calmer things appeared on the surface, the more intense the undercurrents of conflict beneath. Under the watchful eyes of all parties, a week passed after the announcement of Xue Xuanqi¡¯s new policies. However, the implementation progress and efficiency were far from ideal.


    Many within the bureaucratic system opposed the reforms, outwardly complying while inwardly resisting. The number of officials who genuinely supported Xue Xuanqi, the so-called Xue faction, was too small. Only a few, such as Huang Fulai and Zhu Kunyu, could provide meaningful assistance.


    The Xue faction officials worked tirelessly, often pulling overtime and staying busy from dawn to dusk. However, their valiant efforts had minimal impact in a sprawling city of thirty million people.


    But even more alarmingly, a silent storm was brewing. Over the course of several days, Xue faction officials became targets of assassination attempts. Dozens were killed in a short span, and even key figures like Huang Fulai and Zhu Kunyu only narrowly escaped death on several occasions.


    On the fifth day after the new policies were announced, the city saw large-scale, organized demonstrations. Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets, storming the city government, hurling Molotov cocktails, and holding massive banners denouncing Xue Xuanqi¡¯s reforms.


    Various media outlets, websites, and livestreamers joined the fray, criticizing Xue Xuanqi¡¯s sweeping rejection of the previous administration¡¯s policies with intense fervor.


    The storm was approaching. Even the air seemed thick with tension and conflict. Yet none of this deterred Xue Xuanqi¡¯s resolve for reform.


    On the fourteenth day of his tenure and exactly a week after the initial reforms, Xue Xuanqi made three additional announcements that threw Haijing City into an uproar. First, the immediate abolition of all privileges enjoyed by Jiepeng nationals in Haijing City. Second, the permanent closure of the Jiepeng Consulate in Haijing City. Third, the expulsion of Jiepeng Empire troops stationed in Haijing City.


    The announcement of these policies sent shockwaves through the city¡¯s media and public discourse. For over a decade, Jiepeng nationals had acted with impunity in Haijing City, exploiting local resources, monopolizing essential industries, and perpetrating countless atrocities. They treated the people of Great Xia as subhuman while committing heinous crimes, all while bleeding the city dry.


    The mere mention of the Jiepeng Empire evoked anger and resentment in any ordinary citizen of Great Xia, who had long suffered under their oppression. Under Qin Weilong¡¯s administration, the people¡¯s cries for justice had always been ignored. The government continually appeased the Jiepeng Empire under the guise of the greater good, using moral coercion to pacify the populace while the underprivileged bore the brunt of the suffering.


    But now, the government was finally taking a firm stance against the Jiepeng Empire. Cheers erupted across the city. Xue Xuanqi¡¯s reputation among the citizens soared, and for the first time, his influence began to rise dramatically.


    The public also remained deeply curious about and admired the mysterious perpetrator who had destroyed the Jiepeng Consulate and slain the Jiepeng Saint, Tsukiha Tens¨­. To the people of Haijing, this individual was a hero.


    Sadly, this hero had yet to reveal themselves. Even the Haijing division of the Star Council¡¯s official announcements failed to provide any detailed information about them. This hero seemed as elusive as a divine dragon, seen only in their actions but never in their true form.


    ***


    The warmth of human life was the balm for the mortal soul. Dressed in simple casual clothes, Li Xiaofei held a dozen skewers of grilled star beast meat in his hand as he strolled past the bustling stalls of the night market. A faint smile appeared on his face.


    He had finally managed to organize the manuals into a preliminary cultivation system. But the past few days of relentless hard work had taken their toll. While his body could endure the strain, the mental exhaustion had accumulated. He couldn¡¯t even begin to count how many brain cells he had burned before finally emerging from his secluded chamber.


    He had been utterly drained. So, without telling anyone, he quietly made his way to the slum''s night market to wander and decompress. He took in the cheap street food, the laughter of children, the shouts of vendors, the colorful neon lights, and the uneven cobblestones of the streets. This night market, seen by many wealthy individuals as filthy and undesirable, was, to Li Xiaofei, the most vibrant and heartwarming place.


    Watching his fellow Great Xia citizens, struggling yet alive with purpose, gave him a deep sense of fulfillment. It made him feel that the days he had sacrificed cultivating as he¡¯d poured his heart and soul into his work were all worth it.


    The people running the stalls came from all walks of life. There were office workers, who, after a day spent in high-end buildings, donned grease-stained aprons at night to sell grilled skewers. There were university students from impoverished families performing street acts to make ends meet.


    There were injured adventurers selling their collections: mostly beast bones, beast hides, or hand-drawn wilderness survival maps. They worked hard to attract customers, claiming they could also repair damaged weapons.


    A young widow, tirelessly raising three children, sat behind her small booth mending and tailoring clothes for others. She had even put up a sign offering pick-up and delivery services for dry cleaning. An elderly couple, their hair white as snow, sat on small stools by the roadside, selling handmade clay figurines at incredibly low prices.


    Each person was engaged in their own way of making a living. They toiled to support their families, struggling to survive in an era fraught with danger and uncertainty. This was the life of the most ordinary people at the very bottom. It was hard, yet it was vivid and full of life.


    As Li Xiaofei walked through the crowded night market, he felt an inexplicable sense of harmony with the people and the environment around him.


    Suddenly, his face lit up with surprise. In a small stall ahead of him, a figure he knew all too well was busy working away.


    What is she doing here?


    This young woman, someone he considered an old friend, should have been cultivating and studying at her university campus at this very moment. Yet here she was, selling herbal medicines and pills in the slum night market.


    Could it be that she¡¯s living in this slum now?


    Meeting an old friend in an unexpected place stirred a wave of emotion in him. Li Xiaofei quickened his pace, walking toward her with the intention of saying hello.


    S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 494: This Young Man Is Not Simple (1)

    Chapter 494: This Young Man Is Not Simple (1)Li Xiaofei walked over to stand in front of the young woman¡¯s stall. The girl looked up with a bright smile.


    "Are you here for medicine or a bone-setting?"


    However, she froze when she met his eyes.


    "Little Li?"


    Her tone was filled with both surprise and joy as a familiar nickname bubbled up. Li Xiaofei smiled and opened his arms. The girl leaped up, and to the astonishment of those nearby, gave him a big hug.


    "Ah, foul play! Charging with the ball!" Li Xiaofei teased.


    The girl puffed out her chest and grinned mischievously. "Hehe, I¡¯ve been waiting for a chance to bump into you!"


    "You win, I surrender... I didn¡¯t expect to run into you here," Li Xiaofei said with a helpless laugh. "Ren Dong, weren¡¯t you attending university? If I remember right, you even got a scholarship!"


    This young woman was none other than his former teammate, Ren Dong; the freckled, big-hearted girl who had been the medic of their high school battle team at Red Flag High School.


    Back then, Ren Dong was known for her skills and dedication. When she graduated, she had received offers from several universities. She had eventually chosen a prestigious 985 university in Haijing City.


    Li Xiaofei had known that Ren Dong was in Haijing City. He had planned to visit her once he had settled all his matters. He hadn¡¯t expected to meet her so soon.


    "I''m just working part-time to support my studies," Ren Dong said, scrunching up her nose as she grabbed a small stool and gestured for him to sit. "I come here after class to set up my stall. Herbalism needs to be applied in practice, and accumulating hands-on experience is crucial. This place is perfect for that."


    Li Xiaofei sat down as he asked, "But why the slum? Aren¡¯t there similar opportunities for internships within the city?"


    Ren Dong¡¯s eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled.


    She started mixing medicine for a customer as she replied cheerfully, "The people here need me more. There are fewer doctors in the slum, and the fees aren¡¯t affordable for many. So I thought I¡¯d do something good. And, to be honest, it¡¯s partly because of you."


    "Because of me?" Li Xiaofei leaned forward, intrigued. "How so?"


    Ren Dong handed the medicine pouch to the customer, looked up at Li Xiaofei, and grinned. "You made me curious about the slum. I enjoyed coming here to explore, and after a few visits, I noticed how hard life is for the people here. It¡¯s difficult for them to see a doctor or get medicine. Minor illnesses are left untreated until they become serious, and serious illnesses often turn fatal. So, I talked it over with a few classmates and started a volunteer group. We come here in our spare time to provide consultations, prepare medicine, and sell it at cost. Covering expenses is enough for us."


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but feel a deep sense of respect. A child who had grown up in a poor place like Liuhe Base City, molded by the teachings of their headmaster in ancient martial arts, would always carry a heart of pure compassion.


    He had killed Jiepeng nationals to serve his country. Ren Dong was doing the same in her own way by treating the sick and saving lives. Both were dedicating their youth, passion, and energy to the nation and its people. Neither effort was greater or lesser than the other.


    "I never would¡¯ve thought that the reckless little girl who used to poison herself for experiments has grown into someone so self-aware. I¡¯m proud of you," Li Xiaofei teased. But there was an undertone of sincerity in his voice.


    Ren Dong wrinkled her small, delicate nose and replied, "No need for such praise. Hehe, I already said it¡¯s because of your influence."


    Li Xiaofei smirked and asked, "I¡¯ve influenced you that much?"


    "Of course!" Ren Dong replied without hesitation.


    Li Xiaofei grinned and teased, "Hey, Ren Dong, tell me the truth. Are you secretly in love with me?"


    Ren Dong responded nonchalantly, "Yeah, I¡¯m totally in love with you."


    Li Xiaofei was struck dumb as Ren Dong burst into mischievous laughter, her chest bouncing with the force of her amusement. She looked entirely pleased with her successful prank.


    "Relax," she said with a playful smile. "I know you¡¯ve got that city leader¡¯s beautiful daughter as your girlfriend. There¡¯s no way I can compete with her. Besides, we¡¯re practically siblings! Even if I did like you, I wouldn¡¯t have the nerve to make a move."


    Her teasing tone made it clear she was enjoying herself immensely. As the two of them chatted, six or seven men in suits approached the stall. The men looked utterly exhausted, as though they had been trapped in a pitch-black prison for decades.


    "Ren Dong, give me ten Blood Recovery Pills," said one of the men, a middle-aged man with a scruffy beard. He laughed heartily as he sat on a small wooden stool next to the stall. "And while you¡¯re at it, give this old man a shoulder rub."


    "Got it, Uncle Chen. Have a seat," Ren Dong replied cheerfully.


    She gave Li Xiaofei a quick glance, silently telling him to wait while she worked. She opened her small medicine chest with practiced ease and carefully began preparing the requested pills.


    The other weary-looking men in suits also took seats around the stall.


    One of them, a middle-aged man named Zhang Xi, waved to a man down the street and shouted, "Liu, bring over a hundred crab claw skewers, two hundred wind dragon skin skewers, a hundred fish bubble and fish stick skewers, ten bottles of enzyme water, and six bowls of extra-rich sugar-flavored nutritional porridge!"


    "Got it, coming right up," shouted Liu, the man grilling skewers in the distance.


    It was clear from their interactions that everyone was familiar with one another. The men in suits seemed to be government officials who had risen from the slum through their hard work and academic achievements. Though they worked in city offices during the day, they still chose to live in the slum at night.


    Li Xiaofei quietly observed the scene from the side, his expression calm but focused.


    "Chen Long, why have you been working overtime every day lately? I haven¡¯t seen you leave work on time even once." A disabled adventurer at a neighboring stall asked with a friendly smile.


    "No choice," sighed Chen Long, the scruffy-bearded man sitting on the stool. "The city leader¡¯s new policies need manpower in order to implement them, so our team was urgently reassigned to assist Director Huang. The workload has been huge; we haven¡¯t had a proper rest for three days and nights."


    As he spoke, he leaned back and closed his eyes, enjoying Ren Dong¡¯s skillful massage. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Despite only having set up her stall in the slum for about six months, Ren Dong¡¯s expertise in herbalism and bone-setting massage had earned her a stellar reputation, making her a favorite among the locals.


    Nearby, Sister Ling, a seamstress working on an old-fashioned sewing machine, chimed in while stitching a garment. "I heard our new city leader doesn¡¯t know what he¡¯s doing, messing around with all these reforms. People are struggling to survive and have even gone to protest at city hall."


    "That¡¯s not quite right, Sister Ling," said Li Zhixue, a boyish civil servant who looked barely past twenty. He wasn¡¯t offended by her comment and replied cheerfully. "City Leader Xue is working for the common people¡¯s benefit. Didn¡¯t your family¡¯s income and business taxes get waived this year? Under the new policy, your three children will soon be able to attend school for free."


    "Really?" Sister Ling froze in disbelief.


    "Absolutely," Li Zhixue affirmed with a smile. "Once the reforms are fully implemented, a public school will be built here in the slum. The kids can also attend schools outside the district for compulsory education, all free of charge. If they excel in their studies or cultivation, they can even earn scholarships."


    Chen Long added, "That¡¯s right. If your kids do well, they¡¯ll have opportunities they¡¯ve never had before."


    Sister Ling¡¯s excitement was palpable. "If that¡¯s true, I¡¯ll set up a shrine at home and burn incense for City Leader Xue every day!"


    Her deepest concern was her three children. All her hard work was devoted to keeping her kids alive. It was her greatest, and simplest, wish as a widow. But now, someone was telling her that her children might have the chance to go to school, to cultivate and better themselves? She instantly became a loyal supporter of Xue Xuanqi.


    Li Xiaofei fell into deep thought as he listened in. Xue Xuanqi¡¯s unexpected rise to power had caught him off guard, but it was undoubtedly a positive development. The previous city leader, Qin Weilong, was universally recognized as a corrupt and despicable figure. Li Xiaofei had originally planned to deal with the foreigners first and then take care of Qin Weilong himself. Unexpectedly, Grand Commander Song Huaiyuan had already executed him.


    Now, Xue Xuanqi stood alone in Haijing City, facing numerous obstacles in implementing his reforms. Sometimes, having a higher rank didn¡¯t necessarily mean you could crush all opposition. The major aristocratic families and influential factions entrenched in Haijing City had infiltrated every industry and sector. Their strategies of nonviolent resistance and refusal to cooperate could easily reduce Xue Xuanqi¡¯s reforms to a farce.


    However, Xue Xuanqi had proven himself to be highly capable. He had seized the opportunity presented by the destruction of the Jiepeng Consulate and leveraged the subsequent collapse of Jiepeng¡¯s influence in Haijing City. Using this momentum, he announced the abolition of all privileges previously enjoyed by Jiepeng nationals.


    This audacious and almost reckless decision immediately won the support of the city¡¯s lower-class citizens. The sentiments of Great Xia¡¯s working and middle classes were straightforward; they supported anyone who opposed Jiepeng.


    Xue Xuanqi had firmly established his first foothold using this grassroots support. Next, Xue Xuanqi needed to rally more mid- and lower-level officials, gaining the support of these silent majority figures to further implement his reforms.


    From the moment he took office, the new city leader had been clear about his strategy. He chose to unite with the common people and abandoned any attempts to win over the aristocratic families. His path was one of grassroots mobilization, reminiscent of the historic strategy of encircling cities from the countryside.


    Li Xiaofei greatly admired this new city leader. Xue Xuanqi demonstrated decisiveness, boldness, and cunning. If his policies could be successfully implemented, Haijing City had the potential to undergo a profound rebirth.


    This was exactly the kind of change Li Xiaofei had hoped for. He began to contemplate ways to support Xue Xuanqi and accelerate the reform process. Furthermore, he considered forging a long-term partnership between Jingwu Sect and the city leader. Together, they could stand against the aristocratic families¡¯ entrenched power base.


    Around him, the atmosphere remained lively and cheerful. Chen Long, a man with a knack for seizing opportunities, began promoting the benefits of the new policies to the vendors around him. He especially highlighted how the reforms would favor small businesses, explaining their advantages in great detail. Before long, more and more people had gathered to listen.


    When they heard Chen Long and the others describe the promising future envisioned by the new policies, many in the crowd couldn¡¯t help but feel a spark of hope. Their faces lit up with anticipation for the city leader¡¯s reforms to be implemented as soon as possible.


    "As long as the new policies are successfully implemented, all of us here will be able to eat clean meat and drink fresh water," someone said enthusiastically.


    "Yeah, maybe even white rice once a day," another added with a chuckle.


    "And as much nutritional porridge as we want," a vendor chimed in.


    "That¡¯s right! Our kids will be able to go to school too."


    "We poor folks can finally live with dignity and stop worrying about being looked down upon by outsiders."


    The other civil servants joined in, passionately spreading the word. It wasn¡¯t just their job; it was what they truly believed.


    "Hehe, say what you want, but these past few days, even though we¡¯ve worked ourselves to the bone, it feels great not having to grovel to those aristocratic lapdogs just to get our work done."


    "Exactly," another agreed.


    Suddenly, Li Zhixue remembered something. "By the way, Chen, wasn¡¯t the porridge workshop we handled today owned by the Du family? The manager there was incredibly arrogant and even threatened revenge. Should we be on guard these next few days?"


    Chen Long nodded thoughtfully. "You¡¯re right, Little Li. Everyone should stay alert for the next few days. Let¡¯s try to travel in pairs to and from work. It¡¯s safer that way."


    Rumor had it that assassins had been targeting reform officials recently. It was wise to take precautions. Just as they were talking about it, a scream pierced the air from the far end of the market.


    Chaos erupted in the night market as stalls were overturned. Goods were sent flying as curses and cries filled the air.


    A squad of warriors in uniform police attire stormed down the street, shoving their way through the crowded market. In no time, they had surrounded Ren Dong¡¯s stall.

 Chapter 495: This Young Man Is Not Simple (2)

    Chapter 495: This Young Man Is Not Simple (2) "It''s them!" A short, stocky middle-aged man emerged from behind the police and pointed at Chen Long and his group. He shouted venomously, "You lowly slum-born bastards¡ªI¡¯ve finally found you!"


    The expressions of Chen Long and his companions darkened. This man was none other than Du Longqi, the manager of Kindness Porridge House , the porridge workshop they had penalized earlier that day for resisting the new reforms.


    Du Longqi, leveraging the influence of the Du family, had been caught red-handed committing a series of crimes, including selling expired and moldy nutritional porridge at high prices to slum distribution centers, forcing child labor, and engaging in illegal detainment. All these accusations had been substantiated.


    By rights, Du Longqi should have been detained in the police station¡¯s jail at this very moment. Yet here he was, released and swaggering around with vengeance in mind.


    Chen Long¡¯s heart sank. The very scenario they had feared the most, corruption undoing their efforts, was now unfolding before their eyes. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Heh, Chen Long, feeling scared now?" Du Longqi sneered maliciously. He turned to the police captain leading the squad. "Captain Zhou, what are you waiting for? Arrest them all for me!"


    Captain Zhou¡¯s eyes swept over the group before he raised his hand and barked, "Move in. Arrest them."


    The officers behind him immediately stepped forward.


    "Wait!" Chen Long abruptly stood, his tall and sturdy figure exuding a faint aura of authority. "Which police department are you with? On what grounds are you arresting us for?"


    His voice was firm and his gaze was steady, as if he was trying to assert some control over the spiraling situation.


    "On what grounds?" Captain Zhou chuckled coldly. "On the grounds that I feel like it."


    Chen Long and the others rose to their feet, preparing to confront them.


    Li Zhixue shouted angrily, "We¡¯re government officials under the New Reform Commission, led by Huang Fulai. You have no arrest warrant and no authority to detain us!"


    "What New Reform Commission nonsense?" Du Longqi sneered disdainfully. "What reforms? It¡¯s all a pile of garbage. Xue Xuanqi, that short-lived fool, won¡¯t last a few more days. And as for you slum-born trash¡ªCaptain Zhou, hurry up and arrest them. Take them back so I can kill them myself!"


    The police officers surged forward. Chen Long and his group braced themselves to resist.


    Captain Zhou barked, "If anyone resists, execute them on the spot!"


    The officers raised their specially modified energy rifles, aiming them squarely at Chen Long and his companions. Even Ren Dong was caught in the encirclement.


    "Hahaha!" Du Longqi burst into triumphant laughter.


    At that moment, Li Xiaofei stood up. He gently patted Ren Dong¡¯s shoulder, signaling her to stay calm, and slowly stepped forward.


    With a casual wave of his hand, the advancing police officers were sent flying backward as if they had slammed into an unyielding iron wall. Heads bloodied, they crashed to the ground in a sprawling heap.


    He pressed down in the air, and the energy rifles in the warriors¡¯ hands seemed to grow wings. They flew out of their grasp and neatly piled themselves at the feet of Chen Long and his group.


    Everything had been so sudden and surreal that everyone froze, staring at Li Xiaofei in stunned silence.


    "Hmm?" Captain Zhou was taken aback, but he immediately realized he was dealing with an expert.


    Yet, his arrogance, honed from years of unchecked power in Haijing City, prevented him from feeling any fear. Instead, anger flared in his eyes.


    He glared at Li Xiaofei and viciously smirked as he threatened, "Who do you think you are? How dare you obstruct the Haijing Police Department from performing its duties? You¡ª"


    Smack!


    Before he could finish, Li Xiaofei raised his hand and slapped him. Captain Zhou''s head twisted an unnatural 2,160 degrees on his neck. His head flopped to the side as his body crumpled lifelessly.


    Du Longqi was terrified. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he didn¡¯t dare utter a single word. He immediately scrambled backward as he tried to flee. But Li Xiaofei merely raised his hand and crooked his finger.


    Du Longqi¡¯s body jerked backward, soaring through the air until the back of his neck landed squarely in Li Xiaofei¡¯s grip.


    Crack!


    The sound of his neck snapping was followed by instant silence. Du Longqi¡¯s lifeless body hung limp in Li Xiaofei¡¯s hand. Li Xiaofei tossed the corpse aside like a piece of trash.


    "Go back and tell your director that if he wants to stay alive, he¡¯d better fully cooperate with City Leader Xue¡¯s reforms. Otherwise, his head won¡¯t stay on his neck past tomorrow," said Li Xiaofei as his cold gaze swept over the fallen police officers.


    The officers, already scared out of their wits, didn¡¯t dare utter a word. Scrambling to their feet, they fled in a panic.


    One of them, braver than the rest, hesitated for a moment and stammered, "Y-Your Excellency... but if the director asks me, I¡ª"


    "You only need to deliver the message," Li Xiaofei said calmly. "He¡¯ll know who I am."


    Terrified beyond reason, the officers stumbled over themselves in their rush to escape.


    The crowd, which had gathered to watch, stood frozen in stunned silence. Slowly, they began to back away, their gazes filled with a mix of awe and fear as they looked at Li Xiaofei. Only Ren Dong seemed entirely unsurprised. As his former classmate and a comrade who had once fought alongside him, she knew Li Xiaofei¡¯s character all too well.


    He was utterly intolerant of injustice and cruelty. He couldn¡¯t stand by when faced with corrupt merchants abusing their power or law enforcement officers aiding such atrocities. That was who he was. His legendary actions back in Liuhe Base City had already proven it.


    When she saw Li Xiaofei¡¯s swift and decisive actions, combined with his overwhelming strength, Ren Dong realized that the six months since they had last met must have been full of extraordinary and thrilling experiences for her old friend.


    Chen Long and his group were at a loss for what to do as they stared at the lifeless bodies of Du Longqi and Captain Zhou.


    As civil servants, they were obligated to apprehend a killer. But this young man had just saved their lives. For a long moment, no one spoke.


    Chen Long clasped his hands and said, "Sir, you should leave quickly and hide somewhere safe."


    Li Xiaofei glanced at him and shook his head slightly, offering no further explanation.


    Meanwhile, Ren Dong cheerfully began packing up her stall. "I¡¯m closing early today! Anyone who needs medicine or treatment, come back tomorrow! Bye, everyone!"


    With that, she slung her medicine chest over her back, grabbed Li Xiaofei by the arm, and made a quick escape through the crowd.


    Chen Long and his companions exchanged bewildered glances.


    So, this formidable young man is Ren Dong¡¯s friend?


    After some discussion, they decided not to take any chances and promptly reported the entire incident to their superior. Moments later, Huang Fulai arrived in a hurry.


    "Director?"


    Chen Long and the others were stunned.


    Such an incident had actually alarmed the big boss himself?


    "Where is he?" Huang Fulai asked urgently.


    Based on the report from his subordinates, especially the detailed description of the young man, Huang Fulai was certain it could only be Li Xiaofei.


    Li Xiaofei had remained in hiding for some time, despite Huang Fulai¡¯s repeated attempts to contact him. The city leader¡¯s reforms were facing mounting resistance and pressure from all sides. If they could secure Li Xiaofei¡¯s support, it might shift the tide in their favor. Yet Li Xiaofei had already disappeared by the time Huang Fulai rushed to the scene.


    When they saw the director¡¯s obvious urgency, Chen Long and the others grew even more curious.


    Who is this young man to warrant such attention from the boss?


    Chen Long stepped forward and said, "Sir, he¡¯s already gone."


    Huang Fulai sighed in disappointment and said, "Tell me everything that happened, in detail. Leave nothing out."


    Chen Long hesitated briefly before organizing his thoughts and recounting the entire event. When he finished, a smile spread across Huang Fulai¡¯s face.


    "You¡¯re saying the young man told the Haijing Police Department officers to inform their director to support City Leader Xue¡¯s reforms, or he¡¯d come after him personally?"


    Chen Long thought for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, that¡¯s exactly what he said."


    "Hahahahahaha!" Huang Fulai couldn¡¯t contain his laughter, throwing his head back in joy.


    Brother Li truly supported the reforms. Not only that, but he had already begun working behind the scenes to back them.


    With this unparalleled powerhouse who had once slain two Saints with a single sword on their side, Huang Fulai felt the chances of successfully implementing the reforms had skyrocketed.


    At last, he could breathe easier. This great news had to be shared with his teacher immediately.


    "Little Chen," Huang Fulai addressed Chen Long seriously, "What happened today must not be spread to outsiders. Especially that girl named Ren Dong; her information must be kept confidential and protected at all costs."


    "Understood, sir. I¡¯ll handle it right away," Chen Long replied, snapping to attention and saluting.


    Huang Fulai patted him on the shoulder in satisfaction. "You and your team, report to my office tomorrow. You¡¯ve all performed well lately. It¡¯s time to give you more responsibilities."


    He quickly turned and left. Chen Long and his group stood frozen, processing what had just happened.


    After a few seconds, Li Zhixue cautiously asked, "Chief, does that mean... we¡¯re getting promoted?"


    Chen Long nodded and said, "Now you see, if you work hard for the citizens and put effort into pushing the reforms, you¡¯ll be rewarded. But remember, a promotion doesn¡¯t mean you can slack off. Got it?"


    "Got it!"


    "Don¡¯t worry, Chief. We won¡¯t let you down!"


    Their voices rang with excitement as they answered.


    However, Chen Long couldn¡¯t stop wondering about the young man¡¯s identity. The way the boss had reacted made it clear that the youth was no ordinary person.


    A simple message from him had caused their normally stern and composed boss to laugh out loud in public. The weight this young man carried was undoubtedly far beyond anything Chen Long could have imagined.


    Who could he possibly be?


    The thought gnawed at him, and he couldn¡¯t help but feel the urge to ask Ren Dong for answers.

 Chapter 496: I Like You

    Chapter 496: I Like YouRen Dong held Li Xiaofei''s arm as they left the slum together and made their way to her school. Zhendan University was an impressive school.


    With the strength and talent Ren Dong displayed at the start of the second semester of her senior year, it would have been absolutely impossible for her to gain admission to the top university in the south.


    However, thanks to Li Xiaofei contributing a secret manual and the unique teaching model of Red Flag High School, the young girl finally excavated enough potential to shine. In the latter half of the High School War God League, she achieved an extraordinary performance and displayed exceptional talent.


    As a result, during the recruitment campaigns of various university admissions teams, Ren Dong, as one of the starting five on Red Flag High School¡¯s school team, attracted significant attention. At that time, many prestigious universities, including those in the 211 and 985 groups, extended offers to Ren Dong.


    She had been very close to choosing Zhongshan University, but at the last moment before graduation, Zhendan University, known as the best in the south and third in the nation, extended an offer. It even threw in a half-scholarship. Naturally, Ren Dong did not refuse and chose Zhendan University.


    Standing at the gates of Zhendan University, Li Xiaofei was visibly shocked.


    "Hehe, how about this? Bet you didn¡¯t see it coming," Ren Dong said, clearly pleased with his reaction.


    That¡¯s right. She had brought him here just to show off.


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but vigorously ruffle the little girl¡¯s hair, messing up her twin ponytails with a grin, ¡°You¡¯re killing me here. This is stabbing me straight in the heart.¡±


    They were on the same team, and he was even the team¡¯s MVP of the year. Yet, his teammate had ended up at the third-best university in the country. Meanwhile, the school he attended, White Deer Academy, probably wouldn¡¯t even rank third from the bottom nationwide. Comparison really could drive a person mad.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± A slightly angry voice suddenly interrupted from the side.


    Turning, they saw a boy dressed in a Zhendan University uniform walking out of the school gates. His narrow, slanted eyes squinted slightly as he stared at the hand Li Xiaofei had just pulled back from Ren Dong¡¯s head. His gaze was as sharp as a blade.


    The boy¡¯s fair skin and delicate features gave him a refined appearance. But his expression at the moment was anything but friendly. It was more like that of an enraged alpaca.


    Li Xiaofei froze.


    Were my earlier actions misunderstood by Ren Dong¡¯s classmate?


    Ren Dong, however, immediately grabbed Li Xiaofei¡¯s arm and glared at the boy as she shouted, ¡°None of your business... Get lost!¡±


    With that, she yanked Li Xiaofei along and strode through the side gate of Zhendan University. The tall, pale boy¡¯s face flushed red as he watched their backs, his anger almost palpable.


    It was lunchtime, so the school cafeteria was bustling as people came and left.


    ¡°Today, it¡¯s my treat,¡± Ren Dong announced, proudly holding up her student card. She smirked as she added, ¡°Let this third-rate university student experience the dining culture of a top-tier university.¡±


    This girl...


    Li Xiaofei gritted his teeth as the needling continued. Moments later, the table was set with two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a soup. A faint medicinal aroma wafted from the soup bowl.


    Ren Dong handed him a pair of chopsticks and a spoon. ¡°Don¡¯t hold back. I went all out today to make sure you eat your fill.¡±


    ¡°All out? Did you get your period or something?¡± Li Xiaofei wore an exaggerated sympathetic expression and said, ¡°What a pity. I thought... Ah, never mind, never mind.¡±


    Ren Dong squinted mischievously and said, ¡°If you¡¯d like, you can try the other three places.¡±


    ¡°Pfft.¡± Li Xiaofei nearly sprayed the soup all over the little girl¡¯s face.


    He was speechless.


    How long has she been in the big city? Her sense of humor is now sharp enough to crush me completely. But still, what are the other three places?


    The question flashed through Li Xiaofei¡¯s mind briefly before he raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. Changing the subject, he asked, ¡°You win. On a serious note, have you had any contact with the principal?¡±


    It had been six months and twenty-one days since their bandit-like principal had gone missing.


    Ren Dong shook her head and said, ¡°He doesn¡¯t answer calls or respond to LightChat messages on the old light core number. I even asked Director Qin, and he can¡¯t get in touch with him either.¡±


    Two people who used to be inseparable now seemed completely disconnected. There was no need to even mention anyone else.


    Old Chen, oh Old Chen, where on earth did you disappear to carry out your mission? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re... gone for good?


    Li Xiaofei felt a twinge of unease.


    The two chatted and laughed as they ate. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious. The friendship forged during their high school days was unbreakable, especially with countless shared life-and-death battles in the virtual battleground. Their bond went beyond ordinary friendship; it was more like family. Otherwise, they couldn¡¯t have exchanged such bold jokes so easily.


    Suddenly, Li Xiaofei sensed something. He turned and spotted the slender, pale-skinned boy sitting at a nearby table and glaring at him once again .


    What an intense sense of jealousy.


    ¡°Your admirer?¡± Li Xiaofei asked, turning back to Ren Dong.


    Ren Dong scoffed, ¡°A deranged stalker. The guy¡¯s brain is fried, and he¡¯s utterly relentless. Whenever someone so much as talks to me, he challenges them to a duel and beats them half to death. Now everyone avoids me, and even my charity group disbanded because of him. Damn it, if his dad weren¡¯t the department head, I¡¯d have poisoned him into impotence ages ago. He¡¯s such a nuisance.¡±


    Li Xiaofei chuckled. ¡°Doesn¡¯t that put me in danger?¡±


    Ren Dong grinned. ¡°Well, we¡¯re comrades-in-arms, aren¡¯t we? This time, you¡¯ll just have to take one for the team as my shield. Besides, it¡¯s not like I won¡¯t repay you. I could be your temporary girlfriend for a few days; a real one, no pretending. That is, if you¡¯re willing.¡±


    Li Xiaofei smirked. ¡°You¡¯re clearly after my body.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Ren Dong corrected him with a sly smile. ¡°I¡¯m after both your body and your soul.¡±


    Li Xiaofei gazed at the girl sitting before him. Her light blonde hair was tied into casual twin ponytails, and faint freckles across the bridge of her nose gave her a mischievous and lively look. Her delicate, petite features formed a picture of charm, and when she smiled, her eyes curved into crescent moons, sweet and playful.


    She looked like a pure, otherworldly spirit who had accidentally wandered into the mortal realm.


    ¡°You seem different from before today,¡± Li Xiaofei remarked.


    Ren Dong lowered her head slightly, bit her lip, then looked up and met his gaze directly. Leaning in just a little, she asked, ¡°More proactive, perhaps?¡±


    Li Xiaofei nodded. ¡°You¡¯ve got me so turned around I can¡¯t tell whether you¡¯re joking or being serious anymore.¡±


    Ren Dong replied, ¡°It¡¯s not that you can¡¯t tell. It¡¯s that you don¡¯t want to.¡±


    Li Xiaofei rubbed his temples, clearly at a loss. Ren Dong took a sip of her soup, dabbed her mouth with a napkin, and then leaned forward.


    Resting her chin on her delicate, snow-white hands, she smiled and said, ¡°Hehe, even someone as cold as Captain Yan liked you. So why can¡¯t I? Before, I kept it all to myself. Just seeing you every day was enough to make me happy. But in the past six months since we¡¯ve been apart, I¡¯ve been consumed by longing for you, day and night. Your school¡¯s internet restrictions only made it worse. There were so many times I couldn¡¯t even reach you. Do you know how that feels?¡±


    ¡°I never expected to run into you in the slum today. Maybe it¡¯s the heavens rewarding me for all those times I wandered through the slums, searching for places that reminded me of where you used to live. On the way back, holding onto your arm, I made up my mind. I won¡¯t hide my feelings anymore. I¡¯m going to face you head-on.¡±


    Li Xiaofei froze in place. He never could have imagined Ren Dong would be so direct in her confession. When she saw him sitting there dumbfounded, Ren Dong couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen you, the almighty King King, so flustered before,¡± she said, laughing gleefully.


    After laughing for a while, she added, ¡°It¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t like me. I¡¯ve already told you how I feel, and that¡¯s enough for me. Don¡¯t feel pressured, okay?¡± S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 497: Cornered

    Chapter 497: CorneredLi Xiaofei found himself instinctively raising his hand again to ruffle the twin-ponytailed girl¡¯s hair. This small gesture immediately reignited the fury of the male student who had been keeping a close watch nearby.


    The boy immediately sprang to his feet and stormed over to Li Xiaofei, anger written all over his face.


    ¡°You there! What¡¯s your name? Which department are you from?¡± He demanded, his eyes drilling into Li Xiaofei with an intensity that could cut steel.


    Before Li Xiaofei could even open his mouth, Ren Dong slammed her hand onto the table and jumped to her feet.


    ¡°Gong Qian, if you¡¯re sick, go take your meds already!¡± she snapped, her voice full of disdain. ¡°Stop bothering my friend, and don¡¯t you dare harass me anymore.¡±


    Her outburst drew countless stares from the students around them. Heads turned in the cafeteria, and all eyes were now on their table. When the students saw Ren Dong sitting with an unfamiliar boy and the fuming Gong Qian standing before them, most of them immediately pieced together what was happening.


    After all, almost everyone knew about Gong Qian¡¯s relentless pursuit of the well-endowed, twin-ponytailed girl from a remote northern region. It was a story that had circulated widely. Gong Qian himself had often bragged to his friends, claiming he would eventually win over the poor girl.


    Yet, despite his usual success with women, he had met nothing but frustration and failure with Ren Dong. No matter what tricks he tried, she rebuffed him at every turn, leaving him humiliated time and again. This ongoing rejection had fueled Gong Qian¡¯s obsessive desire to control her, to the point where it bordered on pathological.


    Thanks to his interference, not a single boy in the department, or outside it, dared speak to Ren Dong anymore. Even the girls kept their distance, not wanting to provoke him.


    But today, this same girl was openly dining in the cafeteria with a strange boy. To make matters worse, their interactions radiated warmth and intimacy. It was nothing short of a direct challenge to Gong Qian¡¯s ego; a blatant affront that struck his most sensitive nerve.


    A few of the students nearby couldn¡¯t resist the urge to document the drama. Quietly, they pulled out their miniature light cores and began recording the scene.


    Gong Qian''s breathing grew heavy as he said, ¡°Ren Dong, why are you treating me like this? Don¡¯t you understand my feelings for you?¡±


    Ren Dong rolled her eyes dramatically and replied, ¡°Oh, thank you so much. Thank your ancestors from eight generations ago too. I¡¯ve told you many times already, I have zero interest in you. Please, for the love of everything, take your true heart and feed it to some other fish.¡±


    ¡°You...¡± Gong Qian trembled with anger. ¡°Ren Dong, don¡¯t take my kindness and trample on it.¡±


    Ren Dong sneered. ¡°Funny, that¡¯s exactly what I wanted to say to you.¡±


    Gong Qian¡¯s entire body shook with fury.


    Turning his attention to Li Xiaofei, he demanded, ¡°Hey, you! Which department are you in?¡±


    Li Xiaofei shook his head calmly and replied, ¡°I¡¯m not from your university.¡±


    ¡°So, just an outsider,¡± Gong Qian scoffed, visibly relaxing. A cold smile spread across his face. ¡°Listen, I¡¯d suggest you back off and stop clinging to Ren Dong. Otherwise, you¡¯re going to find yourself in big trouble.¡±


    In Gong Qian¡¯s eyes, anyone not from Zhendan University, especially in Jiangnan, where it was considered the best, was nothing more than trash.


    Li Xiaofei sighed.


    This is a university. And this boy, unfortunately, is a fellow countryman. If we¡¯d been anywhere else, and if it had been anyone else talking to me like this, the grass on their grave might already be three feet tall.


    He wasn¡¯t one to hold back when taking action, but his restraint depended on the situation.


    ¡°Listen, my friend,¡± Li Xiaofei said with a patient but firm tone. ¡°This is not how you pursue a girl. An overwhelming, borderline-obsessive possessiveness like yours will only scare her away. Trust me, in any relationship, sincerity is the ultimate key.¡± S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But Gong Qian merely smirked disdainfully. ¡°And who do you think you are to lecture me?¡±


    Li Xiaofei shook his head, unimpressed.


    This kid¡¯s mindset is way too narrow. It¡¯d be a miracle if he ever got Ren Dong¡¯s affection.


    They had finished eating, so Li Xiaofei turned to Ren Dong and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Without giving Gong Qian another glance, he stood up, ready to leave with her.


    "Alright," Ren Dong replied, her face lighting up with joy. She affectionately took hold of Li Xiaofei¡¯s arm, gathered the dishes from the table, and turned to leave.


    ¡°You...¡± Gong Qian trembled in rage.


    He moved to block their way, glaring at Li Xiaofei. ¡°You dare steal what¡¯s mine? Are you bold enough to tell me your school and your name?¡±


    Li Xiaofei chuckled lightly as he replied calmly. ¡°I¡¯m not a university student. Just a nameless nobody from the slum. No need for you to waste your thoughts on me. Focus on your studies and strive to improve yourself.¡±


    He turned and walked away with Ren Dong, leaving Gong Qian standing there.


    Gong Qian¡¯s lips curled into a sneer.


    So, he¡¯s just a thug from the slum.


    He had heard rumors that Ren Dong liked going to the slum to set up stalls and practice her skills. But he¡¯d never imagined she¡¯d fall for a common hooligan.


    ¡°Ren Dong, you¡¯re degrading yourself,¡± Gong Qian shouted loudly at their retreating figures.


    Ren Dong didn¡¯t even glance back. She simply raised her hand and gave him a middle finger.


    Gong Qian took a deep breath, his face darkening.


    ¡°You¡¯ve left me no choice,¡± he muttered, a sinister smile spreading across his face.


    ***


    When they reached the gates of the girls¡¯ dormitory at Zhendan University, Li Xiaofei waved his hand. ¡°It¡¯s getting late. Go back and rest now.¡±


    Ren Dong, grinning mischievously, said, ¡°But I still want you to join me for a late-night snack.¡±


    ¡°Another day,¡± Li Xiaofei replied. ¡°It¡¯s really late tonight. If you don¡¯t head back now, dormitory curfew might kick in, and you won¡¯t be able to get back in.¡±


    ¡°Alright, fine,¡± Ren Dong said, but then she ran back and hooked her arm around his.


    Li Xiaofei froze for a moment before realizing what was happening.


    He tapped her lightly on the forehead and shouted, ¡°Do you have to ¡®drive¡¯[1] all the time? Can you survive without it?¡±


    This kid... she¡¯d definitely picked up some bad habits since coming to the big city.


    He couldn¡¯t help but think back to when she was just an innocent little girl always trying to feed him medicine. Now, her ¡®driving skills¡¯ had advanced to the point where she could weave metaphors so sharp they seemed to echo with the clash of steel and the crash of water.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget to properly cultivate with the Divine Illumination Sutra I gave you,¡± Li Xiaofei said, patting her head fondly. ¡°I¡¯ll be staying in Haijing City for a while. This is my new LightChat contact for Haijing. Call me if you need anything.¡±


    "Alright," Ren Dong said with a smile. She dashed forward, wrapping Li Xiaofei in a big hug before reluctantly turning to leave.


    When she reached the dormitory entrance, she turned around once more, her face glowing with a cheerful smile as she waved at him. Only after waving did she finally step inside.


    The moment the dormitory doors closed, Ren Dong rubbed her flushed face vigorously. The carefree demeanor of a seasoned flirt she¡¯d shown earlier was nowhere to be found. Nervously, she patted her chest to calm her racing heart.


    Feeling pleased, she hummed a little tune from her hometown, Liuhe Base City, as she made her way back to her room.


    Outside the dormitory, Li Xiaofei turned and began to leave. The playful afternoon spent with his old friend had been a refreshing break that had melted away the mental strain caused by organizing countless martial arts manuals.


    But he had barely walked a few steps when a group of students appeared to block him. Gong Qian stood in front, flanked by more than ten other students who surrounded Li Xiaofei.


    ¡°Well, well, didn¡¯t think we¡¯d meet again so soon, did you?¡± Gong Qian said with a cold smile.


    Li Xiaofei shrugged and replied nonchalantly, ¡°Not at all. I fully expected you¡¯d try to corner me.¡±


    Did something like this even require a guess?


    As someone who had been a campus tough guy five centuries ago, Li Xiaofei had lost count of how many love rivals he and his martial arts club brothers had cornered back in the day.


    This whole routine was practically second nature to him. Five centuries later, it seemed that campus courtship still followed the same old playbook.


    "So what if you guessed?" Gong Qian sneered. "Do you believe I won¡¯t make you leave this campus on a stretcher today?"


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe it,¡± Li Xiaofei replied calmly, shaking his head.


    Gong Qian gestured with a wave of his hand. ¡°Then let¡¯s make you believe. Get him!¡±


    Several students moved forward, ready to act.


    Li Xiaofei quickly raised his hands. ¡°Hold on, hold on. Don¡¯t be so rash, young men. Impulsiveness is the devil, you know.¡±


    Gong Qian smirked coldly. ¡°What¡¯s this? Are you afraid now? It¡¯s too late for that!¡±


    Li Xiaofei shook his head again, a faint smile on his face. ¡°Tell me something. Why do you think Ren Dong was so confident letting me walk around campus alone? Do you really think she doesn¡¯t know what kind of person you are?¡±


    Gong Qian froze for a moment, but his sneer quickly returned. ¡°She trusts you because I¡¯ve spoiled her. She doesn¡¯t understand just how much influence I wield in this school.¡±


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but shake his head in disbelief.


    Ah, the arrogance of a privileged student. If only he knew... Even your principal, Lu Xufeng, would greet me respectfully if he saw me.


    Li Xiaofei suddenly stepped forward.


    Boom!


    The ground beneath his feet rippled like water as a shockwave radiated outward. A burst of energy surged forth, radiating from him like an invisible tide.


    1. referring to having sex/fucking around. ?

 Chapter 498: Daring To Lead The World

    Chapter 498: Daring To Lead The WorldGong Qian and his group suddenly felt their legs go weak, as if an electric current had coursed through their bodies. A numb, tingling sensation overwhelmed them, and they collapsed to the ground, unable to move.


    ¡°This is just a warning. Next time, heads will roll,¡± Li Xiaofei¡¯s voice echoed in their ears.


    By the time they regained their senses, Li Xiaofei was already gone. They had no idea how he had vanished so quickly.


    After a few moments, the numbness in their limbs began to fade. They struggled to their feet one by one, their faces a mixture of anger and disbelief.


    ¡°That bastard ran away,¡± someone muttered.


    ¡°Looks like he¡¯s a skilled fighter from the slum,¡± another said.


    ¡°Probably at least in the Five Spirits Realm,¡± someone else speculated.


    ¡°He ran fast, though. I didn¡¯t even get a chance to show my moves,¡± one grumbled.


    ¡°Hmph, so what if he¡¯s strong? He¡¯s still just a lowly slum-dweller. He wouldn¡¯t dare actually harm us. All he could do was run away,¡± Gong Qian sneered, brushing off his bruised pride.


    Despite being completely overwhelmed in a single move, none of them showed any real fear.


    After all, they were the nation¡¯s elites, students at Zhendan University, the third-best university in the country. They were not only highly privileged but also protected as the future of Great Xia. Why would they be afraid of a nobody from the slums?


    ¡°We underestimated him this time,¡± Gong Qian admitted, rubbing his leg. ¡°But so what? A martial artist at the Five Spirits Realm is nothing we haven¡¯t dealt with before. We¡¯ll gather a few more people next time and corner him again. I¡¯ll cripple him for good, and then we¡¯ll see how he dares compete with me for my woman.¡±


    One of his companions, unable to hold back, added, ¡°Honestly, Gong Qian, why are you so hung up on Ren Dong? Sure, she¡¯s got a nice figure and a pretty face, but is she really worth all this trouble? If you¡¯re that interested, just use some tricks to get her into bed. Why bother degrading yourself trying to win her over openly?¡±


    "Exactly, Brother Gong. Just give the word, and I¡¯ll find someone outside to deliver her straight to your bed," one of the students suggested with a wicked grin.


    "That¡¯s too crude," another chimed in. "If it were me, I¡¯d pressure her through her family. Get some dirt on them, and she¡¯d have no choice but to kneel and beg."


    "Right, women from small places like hers are all the same, spineless and cheap. The nicer you are to her, the more she¡¯ll act all high and mighty," added a third.


    "Yeah, look at the department beauty from the Swordsmanship Division. She used to cry and resist, but now she clings to me every day," another chimed in, laughing.


    The tone of the conversation was far removed from that of university students. Their words were venomous and dripping with malice, more befitting seasoned thugs than scholars. They all encouraged Gong Qian to act, feeding his ego and frustration.


    Gong Qian¡¯s resolve wavered. His patience had long since worn thin. He¡¯d tried everything from soft words to harsh threats, but Ren Dong hadn¡¯t even spared him a glance. She had hurled more insults at him than he could count.


    Does she really think Gong Qian, the great son of the Gong family, is some kind of dough she can mold and shape as she pleases?


    He clenched his jaw, a sinister light glinting in his eyes. "We¡¯ll start with that boy from today. It¡¯s obvious she cares about him. If I take him down, she¡¯ll have no choice but to submit."


    With that decision, Gong Qian¡¯s mind settled on his plan.


    "Finally, you¡¯re thinking clearly," one of his companions exclaimed. "I¡¯ll head out and find some people for you right away."


    "No need," Gong Qian interrupted with a sly smile. "Ordinary gang members won¡¯t cut it to deal with a so-called expert from the slums. They¡¯re no real threat. I¡¯ll use someone with official backing. I already have a plan. Meanwhile, I need you all to handle something else for me."


    ***


    Li Xiaofei returned to Jingwu Sect.


    The headquarters of the Haisha Gang had now been transformed into the main base of the Jingwu Sect. Although the renovations were still incomplete, the place was already beginning to take shape.


    Inside the conference room, Li Xiaofei handed over portions of the cultivation framework and martial techniques he had compiled to the three Hall Masters, Li Buyi, Long Zhengfei, and Chi Chunshui.


    The comprehensive framework contained thirty-six true ancient martial legacies, including eight rare, treasured-level techniques and three of mythical caliber. As the three Hall Masters skimmed through the framework, their expressions shifted from curiosity to utter disbelief.


    So many true ancient martial legacies presented at once? Is this even real?


    Without a word, they opened the manuals and carefully examined each one, flipping through the pages with growing intensity. The more they read, the more their hearts pounded. The more they read, the more their expressions were filled with awe and shock. It was real.


    It was not just the three mythical-level legacies, which alone could cause unimaginable chaos in the martial world of Haijing City if even the slightest whisper of them leaked out. Even the other techniques were flawless and profound masterpieces. Not a single one was inferior in power or refinement to the techniques they themselves had passed down to their disciples.


    The three mythical-level ancient martial legacies were treasures of such value that even the faintest rumor of their existence would plunge Haijing¡¯s martial world into a storm of bloodshed and rivalry.


    If the three of them cultivated these techniques... Their strength could leap several realms in an instant.


    "Are these... really meant for the Jingwu Sect?" Long Zhengfei asked, his breath quickening.


    There was no shame in his reaction. The sheer value of these ancient martial techniques could establish a powerful family of Saints.


    Li Xiaofei nodded. ¡°This is only the initial framework. There will be more to come. As for the three mythical-level techniques, only the first halves are included. The second halves will be granted to those who master the first and render meritorious service to Great Xia. All other techniques can be released publicly.¡±


    Chi Chunshui took a deep breath, his expression serious. ¡°Releasing so many complete ancient martial legacies all at once? What if they fall into the hands of the wrong people?¡± S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Then we clean house,¡± Li Xiaofei said flatly.


    After a brief pause, he added, ¡°Great Xia is in turmoil. The international landscape is volatile and unstable. We cannot hoard these treasures like the great families and sects. Instead, we must take the lead for the greater good. If the techniques are made public, every additional practitioner who masters them adds strength to Great Xia.¡±


    Li Buyi nodded in agreement and said, ¡°It seems the three of us have been thinking too narrowly. Sect Master, your decision is right, and we will fully support and execute it.¡±


    Li Xiaofei said, ¡°I¡¯ll be counting on you three for this. I¡¯m new here and lack authority or reputation. The affairs of the sect will have to rely on you.¡±


    The three Hall Masters agreed in unison. As for the source of these techniques? They were well aware of Li Xiaofei¡¯s other identity as a special envoy of the Dragon Group. It made sense that the Dragon Group could produce such treasures.


    After the Hall Masters left, another meeting commenced. The ten team leaders of the Dragon Group, along with key figures like Hua Wuying and Nan Hua, gathered to report the latest intelligence on the movements and events in Haijing City over the past two days.


    Li Xiaofei reviewed the reports thoroughly.


    ¡°Proceed as per your recommendations. Eliminate whoever needs to be eliminated,¡± he said decisively.


    He trusted the Dragon Group¡¯s integrity completely, so he saw no need to micromanage. ¡°I¡¯ve said it before: act boldly. If you encounter something you can¡¯t handle, bring it to me.¡±


    The group¡¯s morale visibly rose at his words.


    Li Xiaofei continued, ¡°Starting tomorrow, investigate every official in Haijing City. I want clear distinctions between the righteous and the corrupt, the factions and the cliques. I need a comprehensive report within three days. Can this be done?¡±


    "This..." Nan Hua hesitated slightly. "Special Envoy, according to the Dragon Group''s operational guidelines, we cannot arbitrarily investigate Great Xia¡¯s officials."


    Li Xiaofei waved his hand dismissively and said, "Carry out my orders. I will take full responsibility for any consequences."


    "Understood," Nan Hua replied.


    The determination in Li Xiaofei''s tone left no room for doubt, and everyone present felt a surge of adrenaline. They had wanted to do this for a long time. Haijing City¡¯s deteriorating situation was largely due to the misconduct and corruption of many officials.


    By the time the tasks were assigned and the plans finalized, it was already early morning of the following day. The leaders of the action teams dispersed to begin their missions.


    Li Xiaofei, having gone through the entire night without rest, stood up and stretched. Suddenly, the sound of his light core phone rang. Ren Dong was calling. He answered.


    ¡°Get to the school, quick!¡± Ren Dong¡¯s urgent voice came through the phone, pushing him to act immediately.

 Chapter 499: Caught In The Act?

    Chapter 499: Caught In The Act?Li Xiaofei arrived at Zhendan University.


    ¡°Come on, accompany me for some cultivation,¡± Ren Dong said, grabbing his hand and leading him toward the shared light core mainframe room. ¡°My cultivation progressed the fastest when we used to spar together... You have to help me.¡±


    Li Xiaofei chuckled and agreed. At the moment, he didn¡¯t have anything particularly pressing to attend to. It was a good chance to experience university life.


    Compared to the rigid, ascetic, and ancient education model of White Deer Academy, Zhendan University¡¯s open, modern, inclusive, and free learning environment was much closer to Li Xiaofei¡¯s ideal of what a university should be.


    The two arrived at the lightcore mainframe room. They used Ren Dong¡¯s borrowed student card to gain access, enter the lightcore pod, and log into the virtual network. They selected the training ground scenario and began sparring.


    This time, the primary goal was to help Ren Dong cultivate the Divine Illumination Sutra. Li Xiaofei had chosen this martial art specifically for her, since it suited her talents and abilities perfectly.


    The two trained together all morning in the virtual scenario of the Great Snowy Mountain. By the end of the session, Ren Dong had successfully reached the beginner level, gaining a basic understanding of the Divine Illumination Sutra.


    At noon, the two went to the cafeteria for lunch. As expected, they ran into Gong Qian again. His face was dark, but this time, he didn¡¯t approach them. After realizing Li Xiaofei¡¯s strength, Gong Qian knew he couldn¡¯t match him in a direct confrontation, so he refrained from provoking them.


    Even so, Gong Qian, who had already laid out plans to deal with Li Xiaofei, found his jealousy boiling over when he saw the two laughing and chatting together. His emotions churned like a stormy sea, threatening to drown him in his own envy.


    At 2 p.m., Ren Dong went to attend a mandatory class. Li Xiaofei waited for her outside at the sports field. On the field, a group of students was playing an intense game of soccer.


    In this era, thanks to cultivation enhancing physical strength, speed, and reflexes, soccer had become even more competitive and enjoyable to watch. Although the sport now included some new rules to accommodate the changes, it still held Li Xiaofei¡¯s attention as he watched with great interest.


    Many students cheered and shouted in support of their teams around the field. Notably, a number of bright and lively girls dressed in breezy summer outfits stood at the sidelines, loudly encouraging their boyfriends on the field.


    ¡°Hello, do you like to play soccer?¡± A crisp, clear voice suddenly called out.


    Li Xiaofei turned to see a girl with long, flowing hair and a pleated skirt. Her face was refined and elegant, exuding a natural charm. She smiled warmly at him.


    Li Xiaofei glanced around to make sure there was no one else nearby.


    ¡°Are you talking to me?¡± he asked, slightly surprised.


    The girl laughed softly, covering her mouth with her hand before extending it confidently.


    ¡°Of course.¡± She said with a smile. ¡°Let me introduce myself. I¡¯m Lin Weiran, a sophomore in the Swordsmanship Division.¡±


    ¡°Li Xiaofei,¡± he replied, shaking her cool, delicate hand.


    Her skin was cold to the touch.


    ¡°Which division are you in?¡± Lin Weiran asked, her tone bright and curious.


    "I''m not from your university," Li Xiaofei said, his gaze returning to the soccer match. His tone was indifferent as he added, "I¡¯m just an ordinary guy, not even close to the level of you elite students from a prestigious university."


    Lin Weiran smiled. ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re ordinary. There¡¯s something very special about your aura.¡± Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Then you¡¯ve got it wrong,¡± Li Xiaofei replied. ¡°I couldn¡¯t be more ordinary. I only have one strength.¡±


    Lin Weiran¡¯s cheeks flushed pink. ¡°And what strength might that be?¡±


    Li Xiaofei glanced at her and said, ¡°Why ask when you already know?¡±


    Lin Weiran gave a soft huff, pretending to be shy. ¡°Then, can I see it for myself?¡±


    Li Xiaofei chuckled lightly.


    ¡°For some reason, my luck with women has been exceptional these past two days,¡± he said, looking directly at her. ¡°You¡¯re the second person in two days to confess to me.¡±


    Lin Weiran replied earnestly, ¡°It¡¯s because you¡¯re so handsome and have such a unique presence. Just one look, and you¡¯re unforgettable.¡±


    ¡°Heh,¡± Li Xiaofei smirked as he turned his attention back to the soccer field. ¡°Who sent you?¡±


    Lin Weiran¡¯s expression faltered slightly, her smile stiffening for a moment before she quickly recovered. ¡°No one sent me. I just saw you earlier, and I felt something, so I came over to say hello.¡±


    ¡°Is that so? Look into my eyes,¡± Li Xiaofei said with a faint smile.


    Instinctively, Lin Weiran lifted her gaze to meet his. There was no denying that the young man before her stood out from the crowd. His eyes were especially mesmerizing. They were as deep as the starry sky and as dark as an endless abyss. They were breathtaking...


    Without realizing it, Lin Weiran found herself drawn into the depths of his gaze.


    ***


    When the sound of the dismissal bell echoed through the halls, Ren Dong was the first to walk out of the classroom. She immediately saw Gong Qian waiting for her. She pretended not to notice him and began walking away, but Gong Qian swiftly moved to block her path.


    ¡°Good dogs don¡¯t block the way,¡± Ren Dong snapped, anger flashing across her lovely face.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get mad just yet. I have something important to tell you,¡± Gong Qian said hurriedly. ¡°Do you know what your friend was doing while you were in class?¡±


    ¡°None of your business... Get lost,¡± Ren Dong said impatiently, clearly unwilling to entertain him.


    ¡°He¡¯s out there fooling around with another woman, doing... indecent things. He doesn¡¯t care about you at all. Don¡¯t believe me? Look at this video,¡± Gong Qian said, raising his voice as he pulled out his light core and played a recording.


    In the video, Li Xiaofei could be seen standing by the sports field, chatting and laughing with a beautiful girl in a pleated skirt. The scene caught the attention of other students leaving the classroom, many of whom stopped to watch.


    Someone recognized the girl in the video and exclaimed, ¡°That¡¯s Lin Weiran, the Swordsmanship Division¡¯s beauty!¡±


    A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. Lin Weiran was a well-known figure in her second year and was admired by countless suitors. Rumor had it that she was exceptionally talented and had gained admission to Zhendan University from a remote base city through her hard work.


    ¡°Who¡¯s that guy with her?¡± Another student asked, clearly unaware of the full context.


    Even the dullest observer could see the intimacy between Lin Weiran and the boy in the video. Her gaze toward him was filled with a tender ambiguity, resembling that of a couple in love.


    Could it be that the beauty from the Swordsmanship Division has already been won over?


    Gong Qian seized the opportunity to raise his voice dramatically. ¡°Ren Dong, now you understand, right? I¡¯m the only one who truly cares about you. That guy is just a lowly thug from the slum. He¡¯s probably out there ruining the lives of countless innocent girls...¡±


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Ren Dong interrupted sharply. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare slander him.¡±


    Gong Qian¡¯s face twisted in anger. ¡°This is the truth! That guy¡¯s already gone to book a room with Lin Weiran, and you¡¯re still lying to yourself.¡±


    The crowd erupted in shock.


    Ren Dong frowned slightly. ¡°So what if he went to book a room? That¡¯s his freedom. He can do whatever he wants.¡±


    Gong Qian was stunned. He had never expected such words to come from the proud and stubborn Ren Dong. For a moment, he wondered if he had misheard her.


    ¡°You think I¡¯m lying to you?¡± Gong Qian shouted desperately. ¡°I¡¯ll take you to see for yourself right now!¡±


    The crowd erupted in excitement, their voices blending into a chaotic clamor. Ren Dong hesitated for a moment but ultimately followed Gong Qian.


    She was worried that Li Xiaofei might have fallen into some sort of trap. After all, Gong Qian and his group were utterly shameless. She knew they were capable of resorting to the dirtiest and most despicable tactics.


    Some of the other students tried to follow them, curious to see what would happen, but Gong Qian¡¯s sharp, menacing glare stopped them in their tracks.


    Gong Qian and Ren Dong arrived at a residential area within the campus grounds. This part of the university housed several small motels.


    ¡°Gong, they¡¯ve already gone in. Room 101 at Bayview No. 7.¡± Oof Gong Qian¡¯s cronies from the previous night said with a knowing look, loudly pointing out the location.


    Gong Qian brought Ren Dong to the room.


    Bang!


    He smashed the door open with one powerful kick and stormed inside.


    Both Li Xiaofei and Lin Weiran were inside the room. But their condition was nothing like what everyone, including Gong Qian, had imagined.

 Chapter 500: Reborn

    Chapter 500: RebornInside the room, Lin Weiran was in tears. She was slumped over the table, her shoulders trembling as she sobbed uncontrollably. Li Xiaofei sat across from her, his expression calm and composed. His clothes were perfectly intact.


    Gong Qian and his friends burst into the room.


    ¡°What did you do to Lin Weiran?¡± Gong Qian shouted, seizing the opportunity to escalate the situation.


    ¡°Beast! You¡¯ve made Lin Weiran cry!¡±


    ¡°Disgusting! Despicable!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t let him escape¡ªcall the police!¡±


    The others chimed in, their voices loud and accusatory. Lin Weiran reacted like a startled deer. She jumped up suddenly and hid behind Li Xiaofei, clutching his sleeve for protection.


    Li Xiaofei glanced at the group and calmly raised his hand in a casual greeting to Ren Dong. Ren Dong nodded in acknowledgment, curious to understand what had happened.


    Gong Qian, unwilling to let the moment slip by, shouted again, ¡°You lowly slum trash! How dare you defile a student of Zhendan University? Clearly, you¡¯ve grown tired of living. Lin Weiran, don¡¯t be afraid! Come over here and tell everyone what this piece of filth did to you. We¡¯ll make sure justice is served.¡±


    Lin Weiran glanced at them, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes brimming with deep-seated hatred. But she said nothing. Nor did she move from behind Li Xiaofei.


    Behind Gong Qian, another student named Liang Xun stepped forward, his expression darkening. ¡°Lin Weiran, you better think carefully before you speak. Don¡¯t be afraid¡ªwe¡¯ll make sure justice is served.¡±


    Lin Weiran¡¯s eyes flickered with a trace of panic as she looked at Liang Xun.


    Li Xiaofei asked calmly, ¡°Is he the one?¡±


    Lin Weiran hesitated for a moment before nodding. Li Xiaofei raised his hand and pointed at Liang Xun.


    Whoosh!


    A sharp gust of energy shot forth, piercing directly through Liang Xun¡¯s forehead.


    Liang Xun staggered, his expression still filled with confusion. He opened his mouth as if to say something, ¡°I...¡±


    Thud.


    He collapsed to the ground. The sudden, decisive killing left Gong Qian and the others in utter shock.


    What just happened?


    This guy actually killed someone right in front of us?


    How did he dare?


    For a moment, fear rooted them to the spot as they tried to process what had just unfolded.


    Li Xiaofei turned to Lin Weiran and asked calmly, ¡°Who else?¡± Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hatred flashed across her face as Lin Weiran pointed at one boy after another. ¡°Him, him, and him...¡±


    She methodically identified every one of the six or seven boys present, sparing only Gong Qian.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The sharp gusts of finger wind sliced through the air. The seven boys were all struck squarely in the forehead and collapsed into pools of blood.


    At the doorway, even Ren Dong was left utterly stunned. She didn¡¯t fully understand what had happened, but she knew one thing for certain. If her Brother Xiaofei had acted, it must have been for a reason. Though her heart was pounding with shock, she remained silent, trusting him completely.


    Meanwhile, Gong Qian was paralyzed with terror, his soul seemingly having fled his body. He had confidently brought along his friends to stage a dramatic confrontation. Every detail of the plan had been meticulously rehearsed, and he was certain it would succeed in driving a wedge between Ren Dong and Li Xiaofei.


    But he never imagined that this man from the slums would so decisively start killing.


    How could he dare? How could someone like him have the audacity to do such a thing?


    Gong Qian¡¯s entire body trembled. He wanted to flee, but he didn¡¯t dare move. He knew deep down that the moment he made the slightest motion, he might end up lying in the same bloody mess as his companions.


    Li Xiaofei, however, simply looked at Gong Qian as if he were nothing more than a piece of trash.


    ¡°You should count yourself lucky,¡± he said coldly. ¡°You didn¡¯t join those beasts in harming your female classmates. Your crimes don¡¯t warrant death... Now, get out.¡±


    Gong Qian stood frozen, unable to process the words.


    The truth was damning. After Liang Xun had first coerced Lin Weiran, he had bragged about it to his friends. Those same friends had all taken part in degrading and humiliating the Swordsmanship Division¡¯s beauty, treating her as if she were a disposable plaything.


    That scum deserved to die a thousand times over. Even now, Liang Xun had tried to force Lin Weiran into setting a trap for Li Xiaofei, proving yet again the depths of his depravity. This time, justice had been served.


    Under the influence of Li Xiaofei¡¯s mental manipulation technique, Lin Weiran, who wasn¡¯t skilled at deception to begin with, had revealed everything. When she regained her senses, an overwhelming sense of humiliation surged through her. However, with Li Xiaofei¡¯s comforting presence, she managed to recount the entire incident from beginning to end.


    As it turned out, Gong Qian, obsessed with his constant pursuit of Ren Dong, had never laid a finger on Lin Weiran. Thus, Li Xiaofei refrained from taking his life. For Li Xiaofei, killing someone simply for being an annoyance or for obsessively pursuing Ren Dong didn¡¯t align with his principles or way of doing things.


    ¡°You... you¡¯re not going to kill me?¡± Gong Qian stammered, stunned, before his face lit up with joy.


    ¡°You should feel fortunate,¡± Li Xiaofei said indifferently. ¡°At least you didn¡¯t stoop to the level of those beasts.¡±


    Gong Qian hesitated before blurting out, ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid I¡¯ll report you to the authorities?¡±


    As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them deeply.


    Damn it, how stupid can I be?


    He cursed himself for making such a reckless and suicidal comment.


    ¡°Go ahead,¡± Li Xiaofei replied impatiently. ¡°But for now, get lost.¡±


    Gong Qian stumbled shakily out of the room. At the doorway, he paused and glanced at Ren Dong. He wanted to say something, even perhaps plead his case or explain himself. But when he saw the look of utter disdain in Ren Dong¡¯s eyes, he gritted his teeth, swallowed his words, and left without another word.


    Once he exited the small motel and stepped into the sunlight on campus, Gong Qian took a deep breath. He felt as though his entire body was drenched in cold sweat as the damp fabric stuck to his skin.


    His limbs trembled, the aftershocks of fear still coursing through him. But a seething rage simmered beneath that fear, growing hotter with every passing moment. The memory of Ren Dong¡¯s scornful gaze replayed in his mind, fueling his humiliation and anger until it threatened to consume him entirely.


    ¡°This can¡¯t end like this,¡± Gong Qian muttered to himself.


    The warm sunlight seemed to restore his courage. He decided to seek revenge. But this time, he wouldn¡¯t foolishly confront Li Xiaofei directly. He needed a plan. He needed to orchestrate everything from behind the scenes.


    Over the years, thanks to his father, Gong Yunzhen, being both the Dean of Medicine and the Head of the Pharmacology Department at Zhendan University, Gong Qian had built up an extensive network of connections both on and off campus. This included the son of the Police Department Chief in Qiao Hong District.


    A murder case? Wouldn¡¯t that be easily handled with the right connections?


    Gong Qian quickly left the area and made a phone call. Inside the motel, Li Xiaofei also made a phone call. He briefly explained the situation to the person on the other end and provided the names of the students he had killed.


    ¡°Old Lu,¡± he said with a chuckle, ¡°you owe me for this one. I helped clean house for you and even covered things up. You¡¯d better treat me to a good meal later.¡±


    After exchanging a few casual words, Li Xiaofei ended the call.


    Ren Dong walked into the room just as he hung up, her curiosity evident.


    ¡°Who were you talking to?¡±


    Li Xiaofei smiled faintly. ¡°Your principal.¡±


    ¡°Our principal? You mean... Principal Lu, the Saint?¡± Ren Dong exclaimed in shock but quickly rolled her eyes at him. ¡°Forget it. I don¡¯t believe you.¡±


    The principal of Zhendan University was an immensely revered figure. He was a Martial Saint! He was among the most powerful and respected individuals in all of Haijing City.


    Li Xiaofei was undoubtedly strong in Ren Dong¡¯s eyes, but she couldn¡¯t imagine him speaking so casually with someone as lofty as a Martial Saint. Still, she didn¡¯t press the issue further.


    Li Xiaofei playfully ruffled Ren Dong''s hair, messing up her light yellow, fluffy locks. This scene didn¡¯t escape Lin Weiran¡¯s notice, and for a brief moment, a hint of envy flickered in her eyes.


    There was a time when, as she entered Zhendan University from her small base city, she had held so many dreams about her college life. She had envisioned improving her abilities, gaining status, and perhaps even falling in love with an ideal boy, someone handsome and kind, and enjoying the beauty of life.


    But now, her life had been shattered by those beasts. Earlier today, when she saw Li Xiaofei standing by the field, Lin Weiran¡¯s heart had genuinely stirred. Under the sunlight, the quiet boy watching the game was tall, handsome, and had a striking face. He had radiated a masculine and noble aura. He was the perfect figure she had imagined countless times in her mind.


    For a fleeting moment, Lin Weiran thought that even though she had been forced to approach him, she wouldn¡¯t have minded if something were to actually happen between them. It would be far better than being ruined by those twisted monsters.


    But now, Lin Weiran dared not hope for too much. When she saw the boy and girl before her, she felt as though she were gazing at a dreamlike version of herself. It was a picture of what could have been. But all those beautiful dreams were no longer hers. Her revenge was complete. There was nothing left for her to hold onto.


    ¡°I¡¯ll turn myself in,¡± Lin Weiran said firmly. ¡°I¡¯ll tell the Police Department that I killed those people. You should leave now.¡±


    ¡°Go back, continue your studies, and focus on cultivation,¡± Li Xiaofei said, smiling gently at the pitiful girl before him. ¡°Forget everything that happened before. No one will bother you again.¡±


    Lin Weiran let out a bitter smile but didn¡¯t argue. Li Xiaofei and Ren Dong left together, leaving her alone in the room. Lin Weiran sat there, her expression blank. She stared at the bodies of the beasts lying in their pools of blood. For the first time, she felt an immense sense of satisfaction.


    Soon, footsteps echoed from the hallway. The school¡¯s security team had arrived, led by Director Feng Xingyun. Lin Weiran extended her hands, ready for the handcuffs. But Feng Xingyun acted like he couldn¡¯t even see her.


    He ordered his team to remove the bodies, clean up all traces of blood, and delete every surveillance recording after copying it onto secured drives. Once everything was erased, they left without a word.


    Lin Weiran was stunned.


    What is going on?


    Before she could process it, a beautiful, unfamiliar woman entered the room.


    ¡°This is from Mr. Li.¡± The woman said, handing Lin Weiran a digital file. ¡°He said everything is in here. He hasn¡¯t seen it, and those who did are already dead. There are no other copies of this. Once you destroy it, no one else in the world will ever see it.¡±


    Lin Weiran¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. Her voice trembled as she asked, ¡°Mr... Mr. Li? Who is he?¡±


    The woman, Nan Hua, turned and walked towards the door.


    "You just met him," said Nan Hua, her voice fading as she left the room.


    Lin Weiran stood frozen before quickly opening the file. Her heart trembled. Inside were the incriminating recordings and photos Liang Xun and his group had used to threaten her.


    She screamed as she destroyed the file with every ounce of her strength. She tore apart the device holding it, shattered the remains, and set it all on fire, watching as the evidence burned to ashes.


    She left nothing¡ªno traces, no remnants. Then, sitting amidst the ashes, she began to sob uncontrollably.


    Her cries were heart-wrenching, echoing through the room as she vented all the pain and humiliation that had weighed on her for so long. But as her tears subsided, she felt an unfamiliar lightness. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt free.


    Half an hour later, Lin Weiran rose from the ashes. She stepped out of the motel into the sunlight, standing in its warm glow. For the first time, she felt how comforting and life-affirming sunlight could be. The hope that had disappeared from her life seemed to return piece by piece. And it was all because of him¡ªbecause of that boy.


    Who is he?


    The question burned in her heart. A new feeling blossomed within her, an impulsive yearning. How she wished she could meet him again.

 Chapter 501: I Truly Am A Genius

    Chapter 501: I Truly Am A GeniusThe Dragon Group utilized their power to assist Lin Weiran while Li Xiaofei returned to continue playing duo matches with Ren Dong. The rare leisurely moments of university life finally allowed him to experience the joys shared by his peers.


    Gong Qian had not appeared again until the end of the afternoon classes. In Ren Dong''s view, he must have been scared out of his wits. Li Xiaofei, however, did not care.


    After school, Ren Dong carried her small medicine chest, and together, they headed to the slum. This was the true essence of university life.


    ***


    "What? Father, you must be joking, right?" Gong Qian¡¯s face was filled with shock.


    As soon as he got home, he told his father about the tragic incident that had occurred at the Bayview No. 7 Motel. He had initially planned to leverage his father''s influence to pressure Ren Dong and make that girl truly feel his power.


    After all, he had already coordinated with the young master of the Qiao Hong Police Bureau''s director on a plan to deal with Li Xiaofei. Unexpectedly, after his father, Gong Yunzhen, made a call to the school¡¯s security office, he was instructed to drop the matter entirely.


    When he saw his son''s stunned expression, Gong Yunzhen said, "This matter has someone higher up involved. It has already been suppressed."


    "But Father, the dead include Little Liang and Liu Yun! They weren¡¯t just common lowlifes. How could such a major incident be simply swept under the rug?" Gong Qian asked in disbelief.


    His seven cronies all came from powerful, aristocratic families. They were treated like treasures in their households. But now that they were dead, not only had there been no uproar, but the matter had been buried. It struck him as absurd. In the past, they had always been the ones oppressing others.


    "Feng Xingyun, the head of the security office, personally intervened in the situation. Someone above wants this matter downplayed. It¡¯s normal for you to be concerned about your friends, but this is where it ends. Don¡¯t ask any further, or you¡¯ll land yourself in trouble," Gong Yunzhen warned.


    He cared deeply for his son and continued to advise him, "Your Uncle Liang and Uncle Liu have already backed off and dare not stir up trouble anymore. You should do the same. Remember, there¡¯s always someone stronger and more powerful in this world. I might have some influence at the school, but there are many more formidable than me. If we ever offend the wrong person, our family could be destroyed overnight."


    Gong Qian muttered an acknowledgment but still felt unconvinced. He asked, "Father, can you at least find out why someone higher up is protecting a nobody from the slum?"


    He then recounted the events at the motel in detail. Even Gong Yunzhen found it puzzling. After some thought, he made another call. This time, he called Feng Xingyun, the head of the security office, directly. The two weren¡¯t particularly close, but making a call was still within his reach.


    After hanging up the phone, Gong Yunzhen spoke thoughtfully, "Director Feng said that the school doesn¡¯t want this incident to spread and tarnish Zhendan¡¯s reputation. That¡¯s why it¡¯s being handled quietly. It seems the other party doesn¡¯t have any significant background, and the person who made the call was Vice Principal Guo Yi."


    Gong Qian let out a sigh of relief.


    "Father, haven¡¯t you always wanted the vice principal position?" He suddenly had an idea and said, "Guo Yi is the least experienced among the vice principals and lacks a strong foundation. If he steps down, wouldn¡¯t that give you a chance?"


    Gong Yunzhen¡¯s heart stirred. His son¡¯s words had hit the mark. Indeed. If he could use this opportunity to expose Guo Yi for covering up for a murderer, leak the news to the light-network media, and manipulate the narrative, it might truly be possible to bring Guo Yi down.


    Gong Qian added, "Father, this is a great opportunity. I know Zhang Fan, the son of the Qiao Hong Police Bureau''s director. I¡¯ve arranged to attend a banquet at his house today. Why don¡¯t you come with me? If you build a connection with Director Zhang, wouldn¡¯t it be easy to get rid of Guo Yi with the support of the police department?"


    A spark lit in Gong Yunzhen¡¯s mind. That could indeed work. Involving the police department would mean escalating the matter to the highest levels. Once the media amplified the situation, the school would have no choice but to cut ties with Guo Yi to protect itself.


    He glanced at his son and couldn¡¯t help but reveal a trace of satisfaction on his face.


    The boy is finally growing up. He is starting to use his brain.


    "How close are you with this Zhang Fan?" Gong Yunzhen asked to confirm.


    Gong Qian grinned. "Don¡¯t worry, Father. Zhang Fan and I are like brothers. We¡¯re very close. I¡¯ve even met his father, Director Zhang, a few times. He knows you¡¯re a professor at Zhendan and has always mentioned wanting to meet you."


    "Alright," Gong Yunzhen finally felt completely at ease. "We¡¯ll do it your way."


    Gong Qian broke into a delighted smile. If his father were to be promoted to vice principal, his influence at Zhendan University would grow exponentially. He would have free rein on campus.


    At that point, dealing with Ren Dong would be even easier.


    I truly am a genius.


    To come up with a solution so quickly¡ªbrilliant.


    He chuckled to himself.


    That little slum brat is as good as dead. A master at the Five Spirits Realm? In the face of true aristocratic power, they are no more than an insect that can be crushed at will.


    Gong Qian felt like an unparalleled genius. Not only could he take revenge and pursue women, but he also managed to pave the way for his father¡¯s career advancement. A triple win!


    ***


    The Principal¡¯s Office.


    ¡°Master, everything has been arranged,¡± Vice Principal Guo Yi reported respectfully. ¡°I contacted Feng Xingyun directly and didn¡¯t mention that it was on your behalf.¡±


    Lu Xufeng, the principal of Zhendan University, was sitting behind the desk. No one at Zhendan University had any idea that Guo Yi, ranked the lowest among the vice principals, was actually a disciple of the Martial Saint, Lu Xufeng.


    Guo Yi was also the candidate that Lu Xufeng had painstakingly groomed to succeed him in the future.


    ¡°I trust you to handle matters well,¡± Lu Xufeng nodded. ¡°How did the likes of those scoundrels even become students of Zhendan University? Who admitted them? It¡¯s outright negligence.¡±


    Guo Yi replied, ¡°In recent years, Haijing City has been far from peaceful, and some within the school have harbored ill intentions.¡±


    Lu Xufeng frowned slightly. ¡°Starting tomorrow, launch a rectification campaign across the entire university. Conduct a thorough investigation into the admissions of the last three years. Expel any students who lack moral character or have corrupted values. Zhendan University will not cultivate trash. This task is yours; show no leniency no matter who is implicated.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master. Rest assured,¡± Guo Yi replied firmly. However, curiosity flickered across his face as he asked, ¡°Master, who was the one who acted at the school today? Why does it seem that you hold them in such regard?¡±


    ¡°You, oh you,¡± Lu Xufeng said with a shake of his head and a smile.


    This was precisely the person he had chosen. Straightforward and direct, Guo Yi always spoke his mind without unnecessary pretense or finesse. It was this very trait that made him unpopular within the school.


    When everyone else played the political game, Guo Yi stood apart. How could he fit in with the rest? Like today. Anyone else in his position likely wouldn¡¯t have dared to voice the question Guo Yi had just asked. But it was precisely Guo Yi¡¯s honest and meticulous approach that Lu Xufeng admired. That was why he had chosen to mentor him and groom him as his successor.


    Only under the leadership of someone like Guo Yi could Zhendan University shed its superficiality, embrace pragmatism, and truly cultivate talent for Great Xia.


    ¡°I¡¯ll introduce him to you,¡± Lu Xufeng said with a smile. ¡°If you can earn his recognition, your position as university president will be solidified.¡±


    Guo Yi frowned slightly and replied, ¡°I have no interest in the power of the presidency, nor in networking with the influential. All I want is to do something meaningful for the children of Haijing City.¡±


    Lu Xufeng¡¯s expression softened, and he said, ¡°What if that individual is the hero you admire most?¡±


    Guo Yi¡¯s eyes lit up instantly. His entire demeanor changed.


    In an almost trembling voice, he asked, ¡°It¡¯s him? Truly? That¡¯s... that¡¯s incredible! Master, when can I meet him?¡±


    ¡°Very soon,¡± Lu Xufeng replied.


    He stood, gently patting Guo Yi¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Guo Yi, remember this, to accomplish great things for the country, you must hold a high position. Your dreams can only be realized if you firmly secure your place as the university president.¡±


    ***


    "Oh? That Director Zhang Yunchang really said that?" Li Xiaofei sat in the office of the Jingwu Sect headquarters, a faint smile playing on his lips.


    It seems there are indeed people in this world who aren¡¯t afraid of death.


    Across from him, Nan Hua replied, "Yes, he made a public statement, saying that you should come find him if you¡¯re not afraid to die. He said his head is ready for your blade. Moreover, tonight, he¡¯s hosting a banquet at his home and has invited prominent figures from all sectors. His goal is to form an alliance to collectively oppose City Leader Xue¡¯s new policies."


    After Li Xiaofei had issued his warning, he had been occupied by organizing the cultivation manuals and guidelines for the Jingwu Sect. He hadn¡¯t yet gotten around to visiting the Director of the Qiao Hong Police Department.


    Unexpectedly, a few days had passed, and the initially terrified Zhang Yunchang had grown increasingly arrogant. Not only did he refuse to support Xue Xuanqi¡¯s new policies, but he actively obstructed them.


    Behind the scenes, he aided those sabotaging the reforms and arrested numerous officials under the new policies on fabricated charges. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Tonight, is it?" Li Xiaofei chuckled.


    A banquet. It¡®s been a while since I attended one. I wonder what kind of delicacies and fine drinks will be served at a social gathering of Haijing City¡¯s elite. It wouldn¡¯t hurt to drop by and have a taste. And while I¡¯m there, I can teach these impolite individuals a lesson. If they refuse to listen, they can die.


    After all, I had already killed Saints from Jiepeng. What is the harm in killing a few corrupt officials? As long as no blood is spilled, the elites of Haijing City will never learn fear. They need to be taught to respect the city leader.


    "Prepare yourself. Tonight, you¡¯ll accompany me to the banquet," Li Xiaofei said, lightly tapping his fingers on the desk.


    "Yes," Nan Hua responded immediately and went off to make arrangements.


    As a seasoned socialite, she was well-versed in all the necessary protocols. It didn¡¯t take long for her to secure two invitations to the evening¡¯s banquet at the Zhang Estate.


    When night fell, a beautifully dressed Nan Hua, holding Li Xiaofei¡¯s arm, entered the estate grounds. As the director of the Police Department for District One, Zhang Yunchang wielded immense power.


    His family owned a sprawling estate of over 500 acres that had a luxurious mansion beyond the wildest dreams of ordinary people.


    The estate was already abuzz with activity. Crystal glasses clinked amidst the chatter of elegantly dressed men and women, their faces adorned with polite smiles as they mingled in small groups. The lively scene was one of opulence and grandeur.

 Chapter 502: The Deed Is Done.

    Chapter 502: The Deed Is Done.Thanks to the invitations, Li Xiaofei and Nan Hua easily entered the estate. Nan Hua drew countless admiring glances in her elegant gown. For a professional performer like her, this felt like a return to her element. She navigated the social scene with effortless poise.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind me. Go about on your own,¡± Li Xiaofei said casually, his attire plain and unremarkable.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Nan Hua replied respectfully.


    A gathering like this provided an excellent opportunity to gather intelligence. Nan Hua moved through the estate with unmatched grace. Before long, she was surrounded by a group of conversationalists who were outwardly polite but secretly scheming.


    Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei strolled leisurely through the estate. His simple appearance ensured that few people paid him any attention.


    ¡°What a vast estate,¡± he murmured.


    Haijing City, the southernmost metropolis of Great Xia, was second only to Xiajing City in size. Owning such a sprawling estate within the city required immense power, influence, and wealth.


    The estate boasted a swimming pool, lush greenery, flower gardens, and even a small lake. Such features, while commonplace five centuries ago, were now as extravagant as paving roads with gold and silver.


    For someone like Zhang Yunchang, the director of the Qiao Hong Police Department, his official salary alone could never have financed such a property.


    Li Xiaofei approached the buffet table. He moved along after grabbing a dozen plates and piling them high with a variety of delicacies. He stacked the food into small mountains and carried several beverages to a random table before digging in with gusto.


    Truthfully, with his current level of cultivation, he could go without food or drink for half a month without any adverse effects. But the pleasures of taste and appetite were among life¡¯s greatest joys. Why forgo them?


    The sight of him devouring food like a starved man reincarnated drew stares of shock and whispers from those around him. Eyebrows were raised, discussions ensued, and eventually, people distanced themselves from him.


    At this moment, Gong Qian and his father, Gong Yunzhen, arrived outside the estate. Both had invitations and entered without issue.


    ¡°This is what a true aristocratic family looks like,¡± Gong Yunzhen remarked with a sigh.


    His own 200-square-meter luxury apartment in the city center had always been a source of pride and something he viewed as proof of his superior status. But compared to the Zhang family¡¯s estate, it was utterly insignificant.


    He scanned the guests scattered across the estate. Many were figures he had only ever seen on the news or television. This was indeed the inner circle of true elite power.


    For a moment, Gong Yunzhen felt a trace of nervousness. However, he was no stranger to social circles, so he took a deep breath and put on a composed, yet relaxed expression.


    ¡°Qian, are you sure Young Master Zhang is truly your friend?¡± He confirmed again. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gong Qian chuckled, ¡°Father, are you actually nervous today? Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll make a call.¡±


    He dialed a number. Moments later, Zhang Fan appeared and greeted them warmly.


    "Uncle Gong, Qian, you¡¯re here! Come with me. My father has been waiting for you," Zhang Fan smiled.


    "Director Zhang knows me?" Gong Yunzhen asked, a bit surprised.


    "Uncle Gong, you¡¯re a renowned pharmacology expert at Zhendan University and one of the most authoritative figures in your field nationwide. My father has long wanted to meet you but never had the chance. Your presence at this banquet tonight is a great honor for us," Zhang Fan replied.


    Though Zhang Fan appeared to only be around twenty-one or twenty-two years old and looked rather ordinary, his emotional intelligence was exceptional. His words were eloquent and polished, giving others a warm and pleasant impression. Gong Yunzhen couldn¡¯t help but feel that his son fell short in comparison.


    Zhang Fan adroitly escorted them to Zhang Yunchang, the director of the Qiao Hong Police Department.


    Zhang Yunchang exhibited none of the arrogance or superiority often associated with powerful figures. Instead, he took the initiative to step forward and extend his hand to Gong Yunzhen.


    "Professor Gong, you¡¯re a titan in the academic world and a gentleman of impeccable integrity. Your visit to my humble bureaucratic household is truly an honor that lights up the Zhang Estate."


    Gong Yunzhen was taken aback by such high praise. As they exchanged pleasantries, the two quickly became well-acquainted.


    Zhang Yunchang added, "There are a few distinguished guests arriving tonight. I¡¯ll introduce you to them later, Brother Gong."


    The two were already addressing each other as equals. A short while later, when Gong Yunzhen laid eyes on the distinguished guests, he was stunned.


    The person who had entered was none other than Aztast, the Inspector of the Star Council''s Haijing City division. Aztast was ranked second on Haijing City¡¯s list of top Saints; a true giant standing at the pinnacle of power.


    But what shocked Gong Yunzhen even more was the familiarity between Zhang Yunchang and Aztast. The two greeted each other warmly, shaking hands and conversing like old acquaintances.


    Two more individuals followed Aztast. The first was Yang Zhihou, the Consul General of the Yiggs Union in Haijing City. Though he was of Great Xia descent, Yang Zhihou was a Yiggs national and ranked fifth on Haijing City¡¯s list of top Saints. The second was Glenn Johnson, the Consul General of the European Independent Nations Alliance in Haijing City. Also a Saint, he was ranked ninth on the same list.


    These three figures would be beyond Gong Yunzhen¡¯s reach under normal circumstances. Yet today, thanks to Zhang Yunchang¡¯s introductions, Gong Yunzhen found himself shaking hands with them and even exchanging contact information.


    The full extent of Zhang Yunchang¡¯s connections left Gong Yunzhen utterly stunned. He had never imagined that the police director¡¯s network extended to such extraordinary heights. Alongside his shock, excitement surged through him.


    If he had Zhang Yunchang¡¯s support, the plans he had been quietly devising seemed destined for success. Moreover, if he managed things wisely, he could even secure an alliance with Aztast and the other two. In that case, replacing Lu Xufeng to become the principal of Zhendan University would no longer be a dream but tangible reality.


    Determined to make the most of this rare opportunity, Gong Yunzhen composed himself. He strived to embody the poise of a cultured man as he maintained a balance of reserved dignity and the occasional interjection. His demeanor was elegant and refined, as he strove to leave a positive impression.


    ¡°You wrote a truly excellent paper, Gong Yunzhen,¡± Aztast said with a smile. ¡°Your research on using Lokiromycin to suppress immune rejection during the transplantation of Inscribed Treasure Bones from star beasts was groundbreaking. I¡¯ve read it thoroughly; it¡¯s truly ahead of its time. I hope we can collaborate in the future.¡±


    Gong Yunzhen¡¯s heart nearly leapt out of his chest. That paper was his proudest work. He was surprised to learn that even Aztast had taken note of it.


    Gong Yunzhen suppressed his excitement with difficulty as he tried to reply calmly, "I never expected that you, Inspector, would take an interest in pharmacology. Your praise is too kind. After all, the origins and authority of pharmacology all traces back to the Yiggs Union. My modest achievements are merely the result of studying the papers of Professor James of Vorha University and benefiting from his guidance."


    Aztast raised an eyebrow. "You know Dean James personally?"


    Gong Yunzhen nodded. "Indeed, we¡¯ve had some academic exchanges."


    Aztast burst into laughter. "I also had the privilege of studying under Professor James for a while. It seems we¡¯re quite connected."


    The conversation flowed effortlessly. Before long, Zhang Yunchang subtly steered the discussion to Zhendan University. Then, as if by chance, it moved to the matter of selecting the next principal.


    ¡°Gong Yunzhen, you truly are a paragon among Great Xia¡¯s scholars,¡± Aztast said. ¡°I will recommend to the Star Council that you take up the position of principal. A scholar of your caliber leading a university would be a blessing for all humanity.¡±


    Yang Zhihou, the Yiggs Union Consul General, injected in fluent Mandarin, "The Yiggs Ivy League Alliance looks forward to deeper and more frequent exchanges with Great Xia¡¯s universities. Brother Yunzhen, we see you as the ideal person to helm such initiatives. Rest assured, we will fully support your candidacy for principal."


    This open endorsement nearly caused Gong Yunzhen to faint from sheer joy. He understood perfectly well that this was the Yiggs Union and other foreign powers expressing their dissatisfaction with Lu Xufeng, a staunch nationalist of Great Xia.


    They wanted to install a representative in Haijing City¡¯s academic circles that could influence Great Xia¡¯s culture from the roots of its education system. Foreign powers wanted to control Great Xia. But so what? An opportunity to rise to the top was right in front of him; who wouldn¡¯t seize it?


    Gong Yunzhen immediately expressed his willingness to promote cultural exchanges and integration programs between Great Xia and foreign nations. The atmosphere grew even more convivial as the host and guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves.


    At this moment, Gong Yunzhen let out a soft sigh.


    ¡°Everyone has been so kind to me today; I truly feel unworthy. In fact, my visit tonight was driven by a matter for which I must ask for your help, Brother Zhang.¡±


    He quickly recounted the details of the murder case that had occurred within Zhendan University.


    ¡°Such a heinous incident was suppressed by the Police Department and left seven grieving families with no avenue for justice. This callous disregard for human life is truly infuriating,¡± Gong Yunzhen declared with righteous indignation.


    ¡°What? Something like this happened?¡± Zhang Yunchang and Aztast exchanged glances with the others, a spark of opportunity flashing in their eyes.


    If it was handled correctly, this scandal could shake Lu Xufeng¡¯s position as principal to its core. Despite Lu Xufeng¡¯s towering reputation as a master in the academic field and his immense popularity among the underprivileged, an incident of this magnitude could ruin his reputation overnight. This was a heaven-sent opportunity.


    ¡°Brother Gong, rest assured. The Police Department will investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure that no wrongdoer escapes justice,¡± Zhang Yunchang declared immediately.


    They quickly reached a consensus as they all decided to cooperate. Originally, Gong Yunzhen¡¯s goal had been to secure the vice principal position. Now, however, it seemed even the position of principal might be within reach. A few moments later, several more influential figures from Haijing City entered the parlor and took their seats.


    A small, closed-door meeting was in motion. The central agenda was devising strategies to dismantle Haijing City''s new policies. The banquet''s true purpose was now clear. It was meant to unite all opposition forces and create insurmountable obstacles for Xue Xuanqi¡¯s reforms. They would ensure that the new policies would fail before they even took root.


    ¡°We will eliminate Xue Xuanqi¡¯s two main allies, Huang Fulai and Zhu Kunyu within three days. Without them, Xue Xuanqi is nothing more than a toothless tiger,¡± Aztast promised the attendees.


    Assassinating government officials?


    The revelation left Gong Yunzhen¡¯s heart pounding with unease. He knew that being privy to such a plan meant there was no turning back. He was now fully aboard the Yiggs faction¡¯s ship.


    But it didn¡¯t matter. Birds risk their lives for food, while people risk their lives for fortune. He had already made his decision long ago.


    As the meeting wrapped up, Zhang Fan entered, pulling Gong Qian along. He said excitedly, ¡°Dad, Uncle Gong, you won¡¯t believe this! We just spotted the guy who committed the murders at Zhendan University. He¡¯s feasting outside like nothing happened.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Zhang Yunchang looked surprised.


    Could this person be a relative or a follower of some powerful figure?


    Gong Yunzhen¡¯s eyes flickered with an idea. ¡°Brother Zhang, if we capture this person, it will solidify the claim that Zhendan¡¯s leadership is shielding the culprit. Our plan will be unshakable.¡±


    Zhang Yunchang gave him a meaningful glance and smiled. ¡°Well, the meeting¡¯s over anyway. Let¡¯s all go have a look and see what kind of three-headed, six-armed individual dares to come to my banquet after murdering seven Zhendan students.¡±


    He led a group of a dozen or so guests outside, leaving only Aztast and the other major players behind. After all, such a minor matter wasn¡¯t worth their involvement.

 Chapter 503: The Ledger Of Life And Death (1)

    Chapter 503: The Ledger Of Life And Death (1)Li Xiaofei immersed himself in the joy of the feast by the poolside buffet. To be honest, Li Xiaofei had never truly indulged his taste buds like he did at this moment ever since he traveled five hundred years into the future.


    He had enjoyed delicious food at the high-end Qingya Pavilion in Liuhe Base City. However, due to the limitations of the region, many ingredients were scarce, and the variety of delicacies paled in comparison to those found in the grand megacities.


    When he arrived in Xiajing City, the poverty of White Deer Academy meant he rarely had the chance to eat anything particularly satisfying. But the extravagance of the Zhang family banquet was a perfect reward for Li Xiaofei¡¯s palate.


    It wasn¡¯t just delicious. It was comforting. The ingredients were also rare, capable of boosting vitality and energy. Not eating would have been a waste. Eating wasn¡¯t just worthwhile; it was rewarding. Who wouldn¡¯t indulge in such a free meal?


    So Li Xiaofei feasted unabashedly. He emptied plate after plate as he moved between his table and the buffet every time he was done. Soon, nearly all the dishes meant for the manor¡¯s guests became nothing more than neatly stacked empty plates. The female servers were stunned. The surrounding guests couldn¡¯t help but whisper and point in disbelief.


    ¡°This guy must be a human incarnation of a glutton, right?¡± S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Is he a starving ghost reborn?¡±


    ¡°So utterly rude! Behaving like this at such a high-class banquet¡ªwho brought him here?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely disgraceful.¡±


    ¡°Completely uncivilized.¡±


    Many of the guests looked at him in disdain. They all prided themselves on their noble status. They believed that they represented the upper echelons of civilized society, and as such embodied elegance and decorum. Yet, this crude anomaly was at the banquet as a glaring contrast to their refined sensibilities. It was downright degrading.


    Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t have cared less about their hushed condemnation. He continued eating with great relish. In his mind, one should never shortchange oneself, no matter the circumstances.


    His blatant disregard for their opinions only made the self-proclaimed dignified guests even more furious. Some began to inquire in hushed tones.


    ¡°Who exactly is this rude, uncultured man?¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± a voice suddenly interjected.


    All eyes turned toward the speaker.


    It was none other than Zhang Fan, the young master of the Zhang family. He strode confidently through the crowd with a faint, cold smile on his face.


    Pointing at Li Xiaofei, he declared, ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to clarify something. This person is not an honored guest invited by the Zhang family. He is, in fact, a vile murderer who snuck into the banquet.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    ¡°Heavens!¡±


    Gasps of shock rippled through the crowd.


    Zhang Fan looked apologetic as he continued, ¡°I must apologize to everyone. This is entirely my fault for failing to ensure proper security. To think that a murderer could infiltrate such a high-end banquet; I owe everyone here an apology.¡±


    ¡°Master Zhang, you¡¯re too hard on yourself,¡± the guests quickly replied.


    Gong Yunzhen observed the scene from the shadows in the distance. A deep sense of admiration welled up in his heart once again. The Zhang family¡¯s upbringing was truly exceptional. Despite his young age, Zhang Fan conducted himself with flawless poise, speaking and acting with the composure of a seasoned official. He left everyone around him feeling flattered and satisfied. And then, there was his own son...


    Sigh. If my son had even a tenth of Zhang Fan¡¯s ability, I would have counted myself lucky.


    In hindsight, the friendship between Gong Qian and Zhang Fan was undoubtedly deliberate on Zhang Fan¡¯s part. It seemed likely that the Zhang Yunchang faction had set their sights on him long ago as a candidate to take control of Zhendan University.


    Their foresight... was frighteningly accurate.


    At that moment, Zhang Fan turned to look at Li Xiaofei.


    ¡°Sir, I suggest you stop eating,¡± he said. ¡°Your atrocious crime of slaughtering Liang Xun and six other innocent students at Zhendan University has already been exposed. I advise you to surrender peacefully and spare yourself unnecessary suffering.¡±


    He took a few steps forward, his calm yet chilling smile still on his face. Li Xiaofei casually finished a serving of rosemary roast meat in a few bites. Then, without so much as a moment of hesitation, he picked up a portion of wind dragon sashimi, dipped it in sauce, and continued eating.


    He didn¡¯t even acknowledge Zhang Fan¡¯s presence. It was as if being accused of murder had nothing to do with him. Zhang Fan¡¯s expression darkened slightly.


    His voice turned cold as he said, ¡°I don¡¯t care why you infiltrated tonight¡¯s banquet or what backing you think you have. Let me make one thing clear, causing trouble in the Zhang family¡¯s manor is a grave miscalculation. Tonight, you¡¯re only destined to leave here in defeat.¡±


    ¡°Ptui.¡± Li Xiaofei spat out a bone.


    Just as the crowd expected him to say something, he simply went back to eating as though nothing had happened.


    This blatant disregard finally stirred anger in Zhang Fan¡¯s heart. He gestured and four Zhang family experts, who had been waiting in the shadows, stepped forward to act. Each one was a cultivator at the Five Spirits Realm.


    Gong Qian had already warned them that Li Xiaofei himself was a formidable expert in the Five Spirits Realm. But victory seemed certain if they set four against one. However, at that moment...


    ¡°Stop.¡± A voice that was as melodious as a lark echoing in a tranquil valley rang out.


    The stunningly beautiful Nan Hua walked gracefully to stand behind Li Xiaofei. With a slight bow, she paid him her respects.


    Then, her gaze turned sharp as she faced the crowd. Her voice was now coldly authoritative as she spoke, ¡°The Great Xia Dragon Group envoy from Haijing is here. Who dares to act recklessly?¡±


    The four Zhang family experts froze instantly as a collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

 Chapter 504: The Ledger Of Life And Death (2)

    Chapter 504: The Ledger Of Life And Death (2) The name Great Xia Dragon Group carried an undeniable weight. When it was paired with the title of Envoy, it became even more intimidating.


    Countless eyes turned to Li Xiaofei.


    Could this crude youth, who¡¯s been devouring food like a starving ghost, truly be an envoy of the Dragon Group?


    In the distance, the Gong father and son duo both froze, their expressions shifting dramatically. A chill ran through their hearts.


    Isn¡¯t this boy supposed to be some lowborn brat from the slums? But he has this extraordinary identity? Could the Dragon Group really be targeting us?


    The realization left the two feeling deeply uneasy.


    ¡°Hah! We¡¯re just supposed to believe you if you claim to be an envoy?¡± Zhang Fan quickly sneered, his tone dripping with mockery. ¡°Who are you, exactly? As far as I remember, there¡¯s no one like you on the invitation list for tonight¡¯s banquet. Yet you dare to spew nonsense here... Seize them immediately!¡±


    It didn¡¯t matter whether the envoy was real or fake. Tonight, both would carry the label of criminals and murderers. Both would die. The Zhang family, now backed by foreign Saints like Aztast, had grown so bold that even city leaders were no longer untouchable. Killing a so-called envoy from the Dragon Group was hardly a concern.


    The ever perceptive Nan Hua instantly saw through Zhang Fan¡¯s intentions. She responded with a cold smirk. ¡°You¡¯d better be absolutely certain of what you¡¯re doing.¡±


    Zhang Fan returned her smirk with one of his own. At his command, the four Five Spirits Realm experts attacked in unison. A powerful wave of starforce qi erupted, spreading across the space like a suffocating pressure.


    Cold light gleamed as the four experts drew their blades simultaneously. The flash of their swords was as swift as lightning. Although they restrained themselves to avoid harming the guests or damaging the manor, the might of Five Spirits Realm cultivators still shone through.


    The four slashes were perfectly coordinated and sealed off all avenues of escape as they traveled toward Li Xiaofei, who remained seated at the dining table, eating without a care in the world.


    Nan Hua stood gracefully behind him. Her expression remained calm and composed even as the deadly blade lights closed in.


    Li Xiaofei casually flicked his hand, and an invisible force surged outward. The four Five Spirits Realm experts felt like an unyielding divine mountain had just crashed down on them. It was a force beyond their capacity to resist. Any martial techniques or secret arts they deployed crumbled instantly in the face of such overwhelming strength.


    Thud!


    The four experts were sent flying through the air. They hit the ground hard, blood spurting from their mouths. A collective gasp echoed around the banquet hall.


    Such strength!


    This Dragon Group envoy, who had been eating like a starved ghost, turned out to be an unfathomably powerful figure. Yet, even this display of might failed to intimidate everyone present.


    The attendees that evening included members of prominent martial families and high-ranking officials from Haijing City''s government. Many of them possessed cultivation levels that were far from weak.


    "How bold!" A man with a face like a ripe date stepped forward and declared, "How could I, Guan Yunlong, tolerate someone causing trouble in Director Zhang¡¯s manor?"


    He was the captain of the Special Task Force of the Qiao Hong District Police Department and a cultivator at the late stage of the Golden Body Realm. Standing out first would obviously curry favor with his superior, Zhang Yunchang. Guan Yunlong had already noticed Zhang Yunchang and several other high-ranking figures observing the situation from a distance.


    Across from him, Li Xiaofei extended his hand. Nan Hua immediately understood and handed him something resembling an electronic ledger.


    "Guan Yunlong?" Li Xiaofei muttered to himself as he flipped through the ledger. It didn¡¯t take him long to locate the name. ¡°Listed on the record. Seems like you¡¯re not a good person. You can die now.¡±


    He raised a finger and a burst of sword qi shot forward. Guan Yunlong was shocked, but he had no time to react. The icy sword qi pierced through his forehead in an instant and obliterated all signs of life.


    Thud.


    The body fell to the ground. Li Xiaofei picked up a pen and crossed out Guan Yunlong¡¯s name in the ledger with a single stroke.


    After a brief moment of shocked silence, screams erupted. The blatant murder sent many noble ladies and socialites into a frenzy. No one had anticipated the youth to act with such speed and ruthlessness.


    Just a single burst of sword qi and he had instantly killed a high-stage Golden Body Realm expert. For a moment, those who had been itching to take action hesitated. Winning the favor of influential figures might be tempting, but it was not worth their lives. After all, life was irreplaceable.


    ¡°Oh? Giving up so quickly?¡± Li Xiaofei chuckled, a hint of mockery in his tone. ¡°In that case, let me call someone out myself... Who here is Zhang Qiansen?¡±


    In the crowd, a middle-aged man with a flushed face froze, his expression shifting dramatically.


    ¡°Looks like it¡¯s you.¡± Before the man could respond, Li Xiaofei flicked his hand, releasing yet another wave of sword qi.


    Whoosh!


    The sword qi pierced the forehead of the flushed middle-aged man, turning his body into an ice sculpture that shattered as it hit the ground.


    The crowd scattered in chaos.


    Unhurriedly, Li Xiaofei crossed out the name Zhang Qiansen in the ledger. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Next, Lu Bingyi. Who might that be?¡±


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s gaze swept across the room until it landed on his target. Another burst of sword qi shot forth to end another life. Li Xiaofei casually crossed off another name from the ledger. The electronic ledger contained records of officials who had been investigated by the Dragon Group. Each name belonged to someone guilty of treason and betrayal of the nation.


    Every one of them had committed heinous crimes deserving of death under the laws of Great Xia many times over. Thus, Li Xiaofei showed no mercy as he acted. His purpose in infiltrating this banquet was to dive deep into enemy territory and eliminate traitors who had sold out their country. He wanted to cut down the parasites who slandered the new policies and hindered the revival of Haijing City.


    He would destroy the leeches who exploited and fed on the common people while living lives of unchecked arrogance. Only by eradicating them all could Haijing City return to a state of clarity and prosperity.


    In the blink of an eye, six bodies lay on the ground. They all had been called out by name. That seemingly ordinary electronic ledger now seemed to be as terrifying as the book of life and death from the King of Hell.


    Whenever Li Xiaofei read out a name from its pages, the corresponding person would inevitably meet their end. The crowd was gripped by fear.


    Meanwhile, Zhang Fan¡¯s expression had shifted wildly. Even with his cunning and experience, he was utterly at a loss in the face of someone who disregarded all conventions.


    ¡°Stop!¡± A thunderous shout interrupted the scene.


    Zhang Yunchang, the director of the Qiao Hong District Police Department, was finally making a move. He had been observing from afar, giving his son, Zhang Fan, a chance to display his abilities. But he could no longer remain on the sidelines.


    Zhang Yunchang moved to the center of the chaos. The six officials who had been killed were all trusted confidants. If Li Xiaofei continued his slaughter, Zhang Yunchang feared he would be left with no allies.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care whether you are truly an envoy of the Dragon Group,¡± Zhang Yunchang said coldly. ¡°But since you¡¯ve decided to slaughter Great Xia officials so wantonly in my manor, you must die tonight.¡±


    At the same time, an oppressive aura belonging to the Divine Realm surged from Zhang Yunchang¡¯s otherwise unremarkable frame. As the director of the Police Department, Zhang Yunchang¡¯s position wasn¡¯t merely a result of his political acumen or ability to align with the right factions. His exceptional cultivation and combat prowess were also critical factors.


    When he revealed his full cultivation, his stature seemed to grow larger until he towered like a war god descending upon the battlefield.


    Across from him, Li Xiaofei smiled faintly.


    ¡°No need to be in such a rush, Zhang Yunchang, right?¡± He said with a chuckle. ¡°You¡¯re on the ledger as well. Since you¡¯re so eager to step forward, I¡¯ll send you on your way a bit early.¡±


    Li Xiaofei closed the ledger of life and death with a crisp snap.

 Chapter 505: Triple Kill (1)

    Chapter 505: Triple Kill (1) "I recall sending someone to give you my message," Li Xiaofei¡¯s gaze burned like a ghostly flame in the wilderness. It felt like it could pierce through the dark heavens. He declared, "Support the new policy with sincerity, and you live; oppose it, and you die."


    Zhang Yunchang chuckled coldly, "So, it¡¯s you."


    Li Xiaofei responded, "I heard you boasted that the new policy is doomed to fail, and that you would ensure City Leader Xue entangles himself in a web of his own making, leaving him with no place to be buried. Is that true?"


    "And what if it is?" Zhang Yunchang sneered. "What even are you? How dare you threaten an official like me? Hah! In my eyes, you''re not even worth as much as a fly."


    "Impressive courage," Li Xiaofei remarked calmly, "It seems that my duties kept me from acting sooner, and you''ve begun to think yourself untouchable. Since you¡¯ve admitted it with your own mouth, I¡¯ll personally send you on your way."


    Li Xiaofei stepped out slowly from behind the dining table. His body grew one or two meters with each step he took. By the time he had taken his fifth step, his figure had surged to a towering height of ten meters.


    Strangely, the unremarkable black suit he wore expanded with him, miraculously adapting to his size and staying intact without tearing. The peculiar black material clung tightly to his skin, revealing his muscular frame. A violent, primeval aura burst forth, overwhelming everyone present with an unbearable sense of suffocation.


    It was his Second Form, the Asura form!


    The crowd around them felt as though they were being stared at by a prehistoric beast. A primal terror gripped their hearts, sending chills down their spines. Faces turned ashen as they screamed and retreated, afraid of being torn apart.


    In the distance, Gong Qian shuddered.


    This isn¡¯t the Five Spirits Realm. The so-called murderer is not an expert in the Five Spirits Realm. He is a terrifying existence capable of rivaling the Divine Realm.


    Zhang Fan¡¯s face grew deathly pale.


    Did I really just try to provoke someone at the Divine Realm?


    Luckily, his father was present. Otherwise, he would already be a corpse. On the other side, Zhang Yunchang''s expression turned serious, a hint of gravity settling over his face.


    Still, it all made sense. After all, how could just anyone serve as an envoy for the Dragon Group? In the absence of the group leaders, who were at the Saint level, it was only fitting that a Divine Realm powerhouse would step in to represent the Dragon Group of Great Xia. Such a role demanded strength of that caliber. But it was just fitting and not extraordinary.


    The once-glorious era of Great Xia''s ancient martial lineage had long faded. It was now in decline and a mere shadow of its past brilliance. Great Xia no longer wielded the global prestige and dominance it had once commanded.


    The name Great Xia Dragon Group, which had once struck fear into the hearts of countless people, had lost its former potency after being eroded by the relentless passage of time.


    "You may be strong, but..." Zhang Yunchang sneered coldly, his tone dripping with contempt as he prepared to continue.


    However, Li Xiaofei had no interest in further conversation. He unleashed the Hundred-Step Divine Fist as his opening blow. It was a technique from a newly mastered martial manual.


    Given Li Xiaofei''s current physical strength and the sheer intensity of his inner qi, even a basic military boxing style would possess unparalleled power in his hands, let alone a treasure-tier martial art like the Hundred-Step Divine Fist.


    The twelve Inscribed Treasure Bones of emperor-grade star beasts embedded within Zhang Yunchang¡¯s body instantly roared to life. Behind him, a massive phantom of a Six-Boned Winged Dragon Whale took shape, its enormous wings spreading wide as it seemed ready to take to the skies. The act of spreading its wings unleashed a gale of qi-laden force.


    Each of the twelve Inscribed Treasure Bones of the Six-Boned Winged Dragon Whale was a priceless artifact. He had received them as gifts after allying with the Yiggs Federation. Today, Zhang Yunchang intended to use these gifts from his Yiggs allies to demonstrate his worth.


    "Dragon Whale Sky-Splitting Devour!" Zhang Yunchang brought his hands together with a thunderous roar, forming two massive Sea Eye Vortices. The vortices spun violently, resembling twin colossal dragon whales as they spiraled toward Li Xiaofei.


    This was the innate divine ability of the dragon whale. As a ruler of the seas, the Six-Boned Winged Dragon Whale stood at the apex of the marine food chain. The devastating power of this technique seemed capable of tearing apart the heavens and the earth.


    An unfazed Li Xiaofei sank into a stable stance, his knees bending slightly. His waist and legs moved as one as he unleashed his fists like a human pile-driver. In an instant, thousands of punches were delivered with earth-shattering force. The continuous barrage tore through the twin Sea Eye Vortices. Zhang Yunchang''s face filled with astonishment. His opponent''s strength was far greater than he had anticipated.


    "Interesting, but not by much," Li Xiaofei remarked, a spark of excitement lighting up his face.


    This was the first time since cultivating the Beichen Sword Qi Meridian Severance Technique to achieve 999 qi meridians and mastering his three transformation states that he was facing a Divine Realm powerhouse in actual combat.


    What defined the Divine Realm? It was when martial techniques approached the divine. The power of martial combat skills in the Divine Realm multiplied exponentially, far surpassing the comprehension of those below this level.


    Take, for example, Zhang Yunchang¡¯s earlier Dragon Whale Sky-Splitting Devour. Against any other martial artist, even one at the Dao Union Realm, such a technique would have torn them to shreds in an instant. But unfortunately for Zhang Yunchang, his opponent was Li Xiaofei.


    "Come on!" Li Xiaofei laughed, charging forward.


    He continued to fight using the strength of his Asura form. Martial techniques and combat skills flowed seamlessly one after another. Despite the relentless onslaught, Zhang Yunchang calmed his mind and focused.


    The twelve Inscribed Treasure Bones of the Six-Boned Winged Dragon Whale in his body surged with inner qi, their power roaring like thunder. The echoes resembled the long cry of a dragon whale as it unleashed a force of unparalleled strength. The battlefield erupted as each exchange shook the earth and sky.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The two powerhouses clashed repeatedly, sending deafening explosions echoing across the estate. Even though both fighters restrained themselves enough to prevent the shockwaves from damaging the structures within Haijing City, the thunderous blasts still left many guests bleeding from their ears and seeing stars. They had no choice but to retreat further and further.


    Five minutes into the battle.


    "Asura form is only sufficient to contend with a Divine Realm powerhouse," Li Xiaofei mused to himself. "It cannot truly defeat one."


    This Zhang Yunchang, having transitioned from ancient martial arts to New Martial Arts, has transplanted the Inscribed Treasure Bones of star beasts into his body. Yet, it¡¯s clear he cannot fully harness the true potential of the twelve Inscribed Treasure Bones.


    It makes sense. After all, his position demands much of his time for socializing and strategizing, diverting significant energy away from cultivation. Moreover, as a citizen of Great Xia who has submitted to foreigners, his martial spirit has weakened. It¡¯s as if he¡¯s severed a part of himself. His Divine Realm cultivation is impure.


    As the battle raged on, Li Xiaofei reflected deeply. The five minutes of combat had been more than enough for him to assess and measure his own strength. But he had already gained what he needed.


    It¡¯s time.


    Boom!


    A new surge of violent energy from within Li Xiaofei as an unstoppable force roared to life. His aura and oppressive presence multiplied exponentially with each passing second. His already massive frame seemed to grow even more imposing as he transformed into his third form, the Demon God form.


    Boom!


    Li Xiaofei unleashed a single punch and the air exploded with a deafening crack. The space in front of his fist collapsed instantly, creating a visible vacuum in the air. The sheer force and speed of the strike caused light itself to distort, carving out a fan-shaped void between the two combatants.


    Zhang Yunchang had no time to react. He was sent hurtling backward, blood spraying through the air. He crashed into a distant villa with the force of a cannonball.


    Boom! Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Dust and debris formed a towering plume, as rubble scattered everywhere, shaking the very foundations of the estate.


    A heavy silence fell over the manor. All eyes widened in shock, fixed on the swirling dust cloud. Zhang Yunchang, the formidable director, had been defeated. But he hadn¡¯t just been defeated; he had been crushed and sent flying with a single punch.


    Zhang Fan¡¯s mind buzzed like he¡¯d been struck by a massive siege hammer. He stood frozen, unable to comprehend what he had just witnessed. He couldn¡¯t believe it. The man he revered as a god, his father, who was invincible below the level of the Saints, had been defeated by a boy not yet twenty years old.


    Gong Qian gritted his teeth in frustration. Meanwhile, Gong Yunzhen felt a mix of shock and delight. The shock came from witnessing the terrifying power of the Dragon Group envoy, a strength that was almost beyond comprehension. But the delight stemmed from the presence of the three Saints, including Aztast. No matter what happened here today, even if the esteemed headmaster Lu Xufeng of Zhendan himself appeared, it would amount to nothing more than a ripple in the grand scheme of things.


    Gong Yunzhen shifted his gaze toward the cloud of dust, from which Zhang Yunchang was slowly emerging. The powerhouse of Haijing City''s political arena was now utterly battered. His fighting spirit had been shattered, his arm fractured, and his body covered in profusely bleeding gashes.


    He stepped through the haze. His movements were unsteady and his steps faltering. Yet, in his eyes glimmered a touch of manic amusement.


    "Impressive. Truly worthy of being a Dragon Group envoy," Zhang Yunchang said, his laughter eerie and unsettling. "But such a pity, what a pity."


    Li Xiaofei sneered but remained silent.


    What? Is he trying to bait me into asking, ¡®Pity for what?¡¯ To play along with his act? Dream on.


    However, behind him, Nan Hua suddenly felt a wave of unease. Anxiety surged within her as her eyelid began to twitch uncontrollably. She instinctively sensed that something was terribly wrong.


    Zhang Yunchang¡¯s voice grew even more deranged as he exploded into chilling laughter.


    "What a pity that such a powerful and talented young Dragon Group genius would fall here within this manor. Ha! Once you''re gone, what storms can Haijing City''s Dragon Group possibly stir? When the time comes, I¡¯ll uproot them entirely. There won¡¯t be a single one left behind, not even their dogs or chickens."


    "Just you?" Li Xiaofei grinned, the corners of his mouth curling into a mocking smile.


    "Of course not me alone," Zhang Yunchang sneered cruelly.


    With that, he stepped to the side and bowed deeply, bending at a full ninety degrees toward the figures behind him. His voice rang out loudly, filled with reverence. "I humbly request the aid of the honorable Inspector to slay this fiend!"


    As the dust fully cleared, the scene beyond became visible. Three figures stood before the half-collapsed ruins of the villa.


    A tall, broad-shouldered man with golden hair stood in the middle. He wore a silver suit and his entire being radiated a brilliance like that of the sun. The moment he appeared, it was as if the night itself had been banished to be replaced by the blazing light of day.


    Standing on either side of him were two others. To his left was an East Asian man with jet-black hair who had a cold and inscrutable expression. To his right was a calm middle-aged man with short, curly brown hair.


    Though these two men simply stood there, their very presence was overwhelming. They radiated an aura of unattainable might. They seemed as steady as mountains and their composure as deep as an abyss. The mere act of looking at them felt like an affront, forcing all who dared to avert their gaze in awe and fear.

 Chapter 506: Triple Kill (2)

    Chapter 506: Triple Kill (2) "Inspector!"


    Someone in the crowd gasped in shock.


    The golden-haired man standing at the forefront was none other than Aztast, the Star Council¡¯s appointed Inspector for Haijing City. Behind him stood two other equally imposing influential leaders in Haijing City. The first was Yang Zhihou, the Consul General of the Yiggs Union in Haijing. The second was Glenn Johnson, the Consul General of the European Alliance in the city.


    These men were not only political powerhouses but also wielders of absolute martial strength. All three were Saints ranked in the top ten of Haijing City¡¯s strongest.


    Their sudden appearance sent a wave of dread through the crowd. Nan Hua¡¯s face turned deathly pale. As a socialite well-acquainted with the city''s elite, she recognized all three instantly.


    But why? Why are these three martial titans, each a hegemon of their respective domains, coincidentally present at Zhang Yunchang¡¯s banquet?


    A flash of realization struck Nan Hua like lightning. She suddenly understood that tonight¡¯s Zhang family banquet was likely not just a casual gathering. It was, in fact, a carefully orchestrated assembly targeting the new city leader, Xue Xuanqi.


    And she, along with Li Xiaofei, had unwittingly stumbled into it. No wonder Zhang Yunchang had been so dismissive of Li Xiaofei¡¯s threats. Not only had he remained unshaken, but he had also openly declared his intent to defy Xue Xuanqi.


    It all made sense now. He had the full backing of the foreign powers. Tonight was bound to end disastrously. Her mind raced as she began frantically searching for a way to defuse the perilous situation before her. Meanwhile, the guests erupted into cheers, their initial anxiety giving way to excitement.


    The attendees recognized Aztast and his two companions immediately. If these three titans were present, who in Haijing City could possibly overturn the balance of power?


    "Hahaha!" Zhang Yunchang couldn¡¯t contain his laughter as his confidence swelled visibly.


    Beside him, Gong Yunzhen and his father joined in, their faces lighting up with glee. Li Xiaofei was undeniably strong. But strength alone was insufficient. His strength had merely been enough to draw the attention of figures like Aztast.


    Everyone was an ant beneath the Saint. Now, he faced not just one, but three Saints, all ranked among the strongest in Haijing City. The tense, fear-laden atmosphere that had gripped the grand estate earlier dissipated entirely, replaced by a sense of triumph and invincibility.


    The guests¡¯ faces lit up with smiles, and a relaxed atmosphere filled the air. Zhang Fan kept his eyes fixed on Li Xiaofei¡¯s face, searching intently for the fear and panic he so desperately wanted to see. But he was disappointed. He couldn¡¯t find the slightest trace of fear. In fact, he couldn¡¯t quite describe Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression at all. Unexpectedly, there seemed to be a hint of... delight?


    Delight? How could that be possible?


    Zhang Fan¡¯s confusion grew by the second. Across from him, Li Xiaofei¡¯s gaze moved calmly over Aztast and the other two until his eyes rested on Yang Zhihou.


    "You¡¯re from Great Xia?" He asked casually.


    Yang Zhihou¡¯s face remained composed, his silence cold and unyielding. To him, Li Xiaofei was nothing more than an ant, destined to be crushed, so he was unworthy of conversation. Li Xiaofei, however, didn¡¯t seem the least bit bothered by the lack of a response.


    Letting out a soft sigh, he spoke with a faint hint of melancholy. "I¡¯ve always wondered why there are always people in this world who could live proudly as human beings, yet choose to debase themselves as someone else¡¯s dog. And what¡¯s more, they somehow feel superior about it."


    Yang Zhihou¡¯s face, which had been impassive until now, subtly shifted. A flicker of emotion passed through his cold demeanor, betraying the sting of Li Xiaofei¡¯s words. He was of East Asian descent, with the bloodline of Great Xia flowing through his veins. Yet he had resolutely renounced it to join the Yiggs Union as a citizen.


    He regarded himself as one of the Yiggs people and had dedicated his life to serving their interests. His relentless efforts to undermine Great Xia had earned him favor and a high position within the Yiggs Union. He took pride in his identity. But deep down, it was also his Achilles¡¯ heel.


    Now, standing before so many witnesses, his heart seethed with rage when he was mocked so openly and scornfully by Li Xiaofei.


    "And I also don¡¯t understand," Li Xiaofei continued, his tone sharp as a blade, "why you foreigners feel the need to meddle in other people¡¯s homes. Don¡¯t you have your own families? Your own places? Is dying in a foreign land and being buried in someone else¡¯s soil really worth it? Is what belongs to others really that much better?"


    He shifted his gaze to Aztast and Glenn Johnson as he spoke. The two men narrowed their eyes slightly as their expressions hardened. Li Xiaofei¡¯s composure baffled everyone present.


    Why isn¡¯t he afraid?


    The thought rippled through the crowd, an unspoken question on their minds.


    At that moment, Li Xiaofei turned his attention to Zhang Yunchang.


    "You seemed to be enjoying yourself just now," he said, his lips curling into a smile. "Why is that?"


    Zhang Yunchang sneered coldly. "Why? Because your doom is inevitable. Do you think you¡¯ll survive against three Saints? You¡¯re nothing but a walking corpse."


    Li Xiaofei burst into loud and unrestrained laughter.


    "Thank you," Li Xiaofei said sincerely, his tone carrying a surprising warmth as he addressed Zhang Yunchang.


    Zhang Yunchang was momentarily stunned, his expression freezing in confusion. Li Xiaofei slowly raised his hand, pressing it against the back of his head as if gathering his thoughts.


    "You¡¯ve just helped me achieve... what I¡¯ve always wanted to do," he said, his voice trembling with excitement. He burst into laughter, the sound echoing boldly. "You¡¯ve saved me a great deal of trouble, Director Zhang. Truly, thank you!"


    Unbeknownst to the others, Li Xiaofei had long planned to eliminate the foreign Saints on Haijing City''s ranking of martial power in one decisive move. However, the challenge lay in gathering them together. Trying to take them out individually would waste precious time and energy. Each Saint was a menace that was capable of drawing out unnecessary complications.


    Now, thanks to Zhang Yunchang¡¯s scheme, all the foreign Saints had been conveniently assembled in one place. The opportunity he had been waiting for had arrived.


    Li Xiaofei activated the second lifesaving green hair without hesitation. In the next instant, a familiar swelling sensation filled his entire being as a flood of immense energy coursed through every fiber of his body.


    It was an indescribable blend of softness and sharpness as an invisible but terrifying sword qi engulfed every inch of his form. The sheer force was beyond words. It was like his entire being had been reshaped into a weapon of unparalleled power.


    Li Xiaofei extended his hand. The air around him seemed to shudder, trembling under the pressure of his rising might. With a single thought, Li Xiaofei summoned the rusty sword from the Secret Time Pavilion. As he infused it with sword qi, the blade began to hum and vibrate intensely.


    The rust that once coated its surface flaked off and started to revolve rapidly around the sword like satellites orbiting a planet. A flawless blade of pure, jade-like brilliance emerged from beneath the rust.


    This astonishing transformation sent shockwaves through the three Saints. The calm, aloof expressions of Aztast, Yang Zhihou, and Glenn Johnson shifted drastically. In that moment, they finally realized who stood before them.


    The intelligence they had previously received had been shrouded in mystery. There had not been any clear visuals or discernible sword intent. The overwhelming brilliance of the sword qi back then had obscured all details, leaving only uncertainty. But now...


    It was him!


    Aztast, Yang Zhihou, and Glenn Johnson reacted instantly, their bodies tensing as they prepared to act. Yet it was already too late.


    Li Xiaofei struck instantly. His flying sword soared into the air with a mere thought, delivering a swift, ethereal slash. A streak of silver-white sword qi cut through the void with a sharp hiss.


    The sound of the air splitting had barely registered before the strike found its mark. Yang Zhihou, ranked fifth on Haijing City¡¯s Strongest List, stood frozen, as if he were nothing more than a clay statue. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He didn¡¯t even have time to react as his body was cleaved cleanly in half. The two halves of his lifeless form collapsed to the ground, spilling blood across the broken earth.


    It was an absurd death. It was so abrupt and thorough that it almost seemed like he had been an imposter posing as a Saint. The others hadn¡¯t yet processed what was happening, but Aztast and Glenn Johnson, the two remaining Saints, reacted in an instant.


    "Wait, Your Excellency..." Glenn Johnson raised his hand, shouting urgently and desperately.


    Simultaneously, he began to unleash the power of a Saint, his energy flaring as he attempted to defend himself. But a streak of silver-white sword light flashed by. No amount of words, no Saintly principles or laws, could withstand that strike.


    All his defenses dissolved into nothingness under the brilliance of the sword. Ranked ninth on Haijing City¡¯s Strongest List, Glenn Johnson had fallen.


    At the same time, Aztast turned and fled without hesitation. Gone was any concern for his reputation or dignity. He knew, with absolute clarity, that he was no match for that sword. It wasn¡¯t something human hands could withstand. That sword qi was a force from the heavens; something no mortal could ever hope to comprehend.


    In Aztast''s memories, only the ancient, reclusive monsters within the Star Council itself possessed such overwhelming strength.


    "Don¡¯t run," Li Xiaofei said coldly.


    He had finally been presented with the perfect opportunity, so how could he let Aztast escape? The sword shot forward, piercing through the void with a mere thought. It flashed once, and then returned.


    Aztast¡¯s massive frame plummeted from the sky, crashing heavily into the manor grounds with a thunderous impact that shook the earth. Ranked second on Haijing City¡¯s Strongest List, Star Council Inspector Aztast, had fallen.


    The world fell into utter silence. The grand and luxurious estate grew as still as a midnight graveyard as an oppressive quiet settled over everyone.


    Zhang Yunchang, Zhang Fan, and the Gong father-and-son duo were paralyzed with fear.


    Dead?


    Three Saints, no, not three chickens, three of the strongest in Haijing City... wiped out, one by one, in mere moments?


    No. This must be a dream.


    It has to be a nightmare.


    If I wake up now, this nightmare will end.


    The two pairs of fathers and sons gasped for air like fish out of water, their wide eyes filled with confusion and helplessness. Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei¡¯s body had returned to its normal size.


    The special combat suit provided by Xiesheng Fashion Group had endured the intense expansion and shrunk back without losing its original shape or style. It remained intact, which was a testament to its exceptional quality.


    Only his shoes had been torn to shreds during the battle. Yet standing barefoot did nothing to diminish the imposing aura of the envoy.


    Li Xiaofei turned to Zhang Yunchang and asked, his tone dripping with mockery, "Now, remind me, who was it you said was destined for destruction?"

 Chapter 507: Though It May Cost Me Nine Lives, I Shall Never Regret

    Chapter 507: Though It May Cost Me Nine Lives, I Shall Never Regret Zhang Yunchang¡¯s face turned ashen.


    Since when did Great Xia have such a terrifying Saint Slayer?


    Three Saints, killed with three strikes. One sword for each. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This is utterly absurd.


    Zhang Yunchang couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Aztast, Yang Zhihou, and Glenn Johnson had been putting on a show.


    How could they die faster than anyone else?


    "I¡¯m willing to repent! I¡¯ll support the new policy..." Zhang Yunchang dropped to his knees with a loud thud, his voice trembling as he begged for mercy. "I was wrong! Give me another chance! From now on, I¡¯ll be the most loyal supporter of City Leader Xue Xuanqi!"


    At this point, survival meant everything to him. He was willing to do anything to stay alive.


    "Cowardly opportunist," Li Xiaofei remarked with a shake of his head. "A reed swaying with the wind. People like you will never know loyalty. Only your complete and utter destruction can serve as a meaningful contribution to Great Xia."


    "No, no! You can¡¯t kill me!" Zhang Yunchang cried out in panic. "I¡¯m a Great Xia official, appointed by the Grand Commander himse¡ª"


    A streak of sword qi sliced through the air and separated his head from his shoulders before he could finish. This man, who just moments ago had been brimming with confidence as he vowed to destroy City Leader Xue Xuanqi¡¯s new policies, the director of the Qiao Hong District Police Department and one of Haijing City¡¯s most powerful figures, had met his end.


    The curtain fell on Zhang Yunchang¡¯s reign, as blood pooled at the feet of the Saint Slayer.


    "Father..."


    Zhang Fan rushed forward, cradling his father¡¯s lifeless body in his arms as his face contorted with rage and despair.


    "You butcher, you murderer!" He screamed at Li Xiaofei, his eyes brimming with hatred and venom. "You won¡¯t live much longer. You killed the Star Council¡¯s Inspector! The gods above won¡¯t spare you!"


    "Zhang Fan, is it?" Li Xiaofei said, flipping open the electronic ledger. He found Zhang Fan¡¯s name within moments and continued calmly, "You may not be an official, but you¡¯ve been abusing your father¡¯s power from a young age, committing countless despicable acts without an ounce of remorse. You¡¯re as rotten as he was."


    Closing the book, he added, "Go join your father. The Yellow Springs[1] are cold and lonely. At least you can keep each other company."


    Li Xiaofei struck mercilessly and another lifeless body fell to the ground. The guests in the manor were now paralyzed with fear.


    What had begun as a grand banquet of Haijing City''s elite and powerhouses had descended into an unimaginable bloodbath. Their hearts were gripped by terror, yet none dared to flee. Who could possibly escape the hands of a Saint Slayer?


    Among the most terrified were the Gong father and son. Then, they paled as Li Xiaofei¡¯s gaze shifted toward them.


    With a loud thud, Gong Qian dropped to his knees.


    "I was wrong! Please, don¡¯t kill me!" he begged, tears streaming down his face. "I swear, I¡¯ll never bother Ren Dong again. Please... don¡¯t kill me!"


    His sobbing filled the silence, a pitiful plea for mercy in the face of certain death.


    "You coward, get up at once!"


    Gong Yunzhen roared, delivering a sharp kick at his son. "I¡¯ve lived my life with unyielding integrity, yet I somehow raised a spineless coward like you! Do you think begging him will save you?"


    Across from them, Li Xiaofei casually flipped through the electronic ledger. Gong Qian¡¯s name was not listed.


    "A man¡¯s knees are worth their weight in gold," Li Xiaofei said, eyeing Gong Qian. A mischievous thought crossed his mind as he added, "Since you¡¯ve knelt and begged, I¡¯ll spare you... As for your father, however..."


    His gaze shifted to Gong Yunzhen, and he chuckled coldly. "Dean Gong, you seem to have plenty of backbone, don¡¯t you?"


    Thud!


    Gong Yunzhen dropped to his knees without hesitation.


    "It was a momentary lapse in judgment," he said, his voice trembling. "I should never have colluded with a criminal like Zhang Yunchang."


    He slammed his head against the floor repeatedly as he pleaded, "Envoy, please have mercy. I have spent my life nurturing talent for Great Xia and was not deeply involved in the conspiracy against the new policy. Spare me, I beg of you!"


    The ledger did not contain Gong Yunzhen¡¯s name.


    "Death can be avoided, but punishment is inevitable," Li Xiaofei declared. "When you return, resign from your position at Zhendan University. You are forbidden from working in education or holding any official position again. Reflect on your actions and use what remains of your life to serve the nation and its people. The Dragon Group will monitor you. If you dare to betray your country again, don¡¯t expect me to show mercy."


    "Thank you! Thank you!" Gong Yunzhen exclaimed, bowing repeatedly.


    He couldn¡¯t believe his luck. Saints had perished tonight, yet he would walk away with his life. It felt like a miracle. Beside him, Gong Qian mirrored his father¡¯s gratitude, feeling as though he had narrowly escaped death and somehow gained more than he had lost.


    Li Xiaofei swept his gaze playfully over the remaining guests.


    "I have good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?"


    He smiled brightly, but his words sent chills down everyone¡¯s spine. The crowd shuddered, their fear reaching a fever pitch as they stared at him, too terrified to speak.


    "Speak up! Don¡¯t make me lose my temper," Li Xiaofei said sharply, his patience thinning.


    Do these people even understand how to play along?


    Finally, a trembling middle-aged man stepped forward, his voice shaky as he asked, "M-May I ask, Envoy, what¡¯s the bad news?"


    Li Xiaofei nodded approvingly. "The bad news is... your name is Wu Fatian, isn¡¯t it? Well, it¡¯s in the Ledger Of Life And Death."


    Wu Fatian¡¯s vision darkened, and he nearly fainted, his knees wobbling as he fought the urge to collapse... or wet himself.


    "T-Then... what¡¯s the... the good news?" He stammered, barely able to speak.


    "The good news is... today¡¯s execution quota has been filled," Li Xiaofei said with exaggerated regret, closing the ledger with a loud snap. "And tomorrow, well, my sword has to rest, so it can¡¯t kill anyone. So, you all have one day to redeem yourselves. The day after tomorrow, though... well, that depends entirely on your behavior."


    Wu Fatian¡¯s relief was so overwhelming it nearly brought tears to his eyes. He felt as though he¡¯d been gifted a second chance at life.


    "Thank you! Thank you so much!" he blurted out, bowing repeatedly.


    The other officials and guests, drenched in cold sweat, also sighed in collective relief. It felt as though they had snatched their lives back from the jaws of death. Silent vows filled the air as they resolved to seize this one-day window to turn their lives around and work frantically to ensure their names would no longer appear in the Ledger Of Life And Death.


    "Remember," Li Xiaofei continued sternly, "you have only one day. This applies not just to you but to every single official in Haijing City who resists the new policy. This one day will decide life and death."


    "Spread the word about what happened at tonight¡¯s banquet," he commanded, his voice ringing with authority. "Do it quickly and with absolute clarity. Let every official in Haijing City understand what happens to those who oppose the new policy."


    "The new policy benefits the nation and its people. It will be implemented. No matter who it is, whether they obstruct it through deception or outright defiance, I will eliminate them without hesitation."


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s words echoed like a great bell tolling, reverberating in the minds of every person present. His declaration left no room for doubt or resistance. The weight of his conviction crushed their spirits, ensuring his message would be carried far and wide.


    Everyone present felt the unshakable resolve emanating from Li Xiaofei, a force so firm it left no room for doubt or resistance.


    With a casual wave of his hand, Li Xiaofei signaled the end of the gathering. The guests fled the estate like frightened animals. Within minutes, the once-luxurious and bustling Zhang family manor was deserted, its former grandeur replaced by an eerie silence.


    Nan Hua, shaken to her core, finally regained her composure. Her steps were small and hesitant, her gait slightly awkward as she walked toward Li Xiaofei.


    "Sir," she said softly, unable to suppress her curiosity, "was it worth paying such a price?"


    She hesitated, then continued, "It¡¯s one thing with the others, but Aztast was an official appointed by the Star Council. Killing him will undoubtedly provoke their wrath. When that happens, the situation will become incredibly unfavorable for you."


    Li Xiaofei serenely looked up at the moon.


    "What my heart deems good, though it may cost me nine lives, I shall never regret." He recited the verse with calm determination, his voice carrying the weight of an unwavering will. It was as though even the heavens themselves could not alter his course.


    1. In Chinese mythology, the Yellow Springs, also known as Diyu or Hu¨¢ngqu¨¢n (»ÆȪ), is the underworld realm of the dead ?

 Chapter 508: Leave Your Last Words

    Chapter 508: Leave Your Last Words Nan Hua, though unfamiliar with the obscure verse, understood the essence of Li Xiaofei''s words.


    Though It May Cost Me Nine Lives, I Shall Never Regret.


    The words encapsulated Li Xiaofei¡¯s bold and radical actions, showcasing his unwavering resolve. He had slain Tsukiha Tens¨­. He had slain You Longzi. He had slain Glenn Johnson. He had slain Yang Zhihou. He had slain Aztast.


    The last of these, Aztast, stood out most of all. No matter how many despicable, exploitative acts he had committed against Great Xia in secret, Aztast''s official position as a Star Council Inspector made him untouchable in the eyes of the world.


    Since the outbreak of the star beast calamity, the Star Council had gradually risen to become the supreme governing authority on Earth, even overshadowing national governments. Aside from a few fringe resistance factions hiding in the shadows, no one dared to openly challenge the Star Council. To kill a Star Council Inspector was to openly provoke the council itself. The consequences of such an act were unthinkable.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s string of killings had indeed swept away the darkness shrouding Haijing City and carved out a bright, hopeful sky. But there was no doubt that the Star Council would retaliate.


    No matter how strong he is, how can a single man stand against the might of the Star Council?


    Nan Hua found herself filled with conflicting emotions. She deeply admired Li Xiaofei¡¯s courage and determination, but at the same time, she couldn¡¯t suppress her growing worry for him.


    Will his strength and resolve be enough to weather the storm he had summoned?


    "Seize the Zhang estate, auction it off, and allocate the proceeds to the Dragon Group¡¯s operational funds," Li Xiaofei commanded.


    "Understood," Nan Hua responded loudly, her voice filled with conviction.


    To serve under someone like Li Xiaofei, a Dragon Group envoy of unparalleled strength and determination, was an honor she could hardly put into words.


    "Let¡¯s go," Li Xiaofei said, turning to leave.


    However, as soon as they stepped out of the Zhang estate, someone was already waiting for them. It was a graceful, mature woman of undeniable elegance.


    Dressed in a deep green embroidered qipao, her jade-like calves were exposed, the curves so perfectly sculpted they seemed to belong to a masterpiece of art. But Nan Hua tensed in surprise.


    Grinding Blade Hall¡¯s chief stewardess, Qin Yueru?! What is she doing here?


    "Envoy Li." The middle-aged woman said calmly as she bowed slightly. "My master has invited you for a meeting."


    Li Xiaofei turned to glance at Nan Hua. She leaned in close, speaking softly into his ear to provide a quick introduction.


    Oh? The stewardess of Grand Commander Song Huaiyuan, the one who formally presided over Haijing City¡¯s highest authority on behalf of Great Xia?


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s mind stirred with interest. By all accounts, he should have visited Grand Commander Song long ago. After all, he had stirred up no small amount of chaos in Haijing City. Song Huaiyuan, as the nominal highest authority of Great Xia in the city, would naturally be concerned.


    "Big Sister Qin, may I ask what purpose the Grand Commander has in inviting our Dragon Group envoy?" Nan Hua asked cautiously.


    Haijing City was currently shrouded in intrigue and turbulence. Caution was paramount, especially with this woman. Though Qin Yueru appeared gentle and elegant, those familiar with her methods knew just how terrifying she could be.


    "Little Sister Nan Hua, there¡¯s no need to worry," Qin Yueru replied with a smile. "The Grand Commander has always generously rewarded the heroes of Great Xia."


    Li Xiaofei spoke up. "If that¡¯s the case, please, lead the way."


    They changed course for the Grinding Blade Hall, the domain of Grand Commander Song Huaiyuan. Moments later, they arrived at the courtyard¡¯s entrance. The steady and deliberate sound of a blade being sharpened echoed from within. The sound carried an almost hypnotic rhythm, a cadence that seemed to seep into the bones.


    Li Xiaofei paused, listening intently. To his surprise, he felt his heartbeat aligning with the rhythm of the grinding blade. Each pulse matched the eerie cadence, as though his very life force was being subtly influenced.


    Realizing something was amiss, Li Xiaofei immediately adjusted his inner qi, steadying his energy and suppressing the unsettling effect on his blood and heart. His eyes narrowed as he gazed at the courtyard, fully aware that this meeting would be anything but ordinary.


    "Please," Qin Yueru gestured, inviting him inside.


    Li Xiaofei stepped through the arched doorway into the inner courtyard. Inside the grand hall, he saw a man seated in front of a massive, dark-green grindstone, his back to the entrance.


    The man wore a black robe and had his hair tied in a traditional topknot, secured with a simple wooden hairpin. His movements were slow and measured, as if he were crafting a masterpiece. Every stroke across the blade was done with focus and precision, giving the impression that sharpening the blade was the most important task of his life.


    Strangely, there was no detectable inner qi emanating from this man. He appeared to be an ordinary person entirely unskilled in martial arts.


    "Greetings, Grand Commander Song," Li Xiaofei said, bowing in respect.


    He showed no arrogance in front of this man. He knew full well that Song Huaiyuan¡¯s contributions to defending the nation of Great Xia far exceeded anything he, a relative newcomer, had accomplished.


    "Sit," Song Huaiyuan said without turning, his hands still on the blade.


    Li Xiaofei seated himself on a nearby rattan chair and asked, "Grand Commander, to what do I owe this summons?"


    "Leave your last words," Song Huaiyuan said flatly, still focused on sharpening the blade.


    Li Xiaofei froze, stunned by the statement. In the next instant, the very atmosphere of the Grinding Blade Hall transformed. An overwhelming, terrifying blade intent filled every inch of the space, pressing in on him from all directions.


    Everything around him, the walls, the floor, the furniture, and even the air itself seemed to morph into countless lethal blades. Each blade was pointed directly at his vital points, ready to strike.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart raced as he felt the invisible yet palpable danger pressing against his entire body.


    ***


    The news spread like wildfire. In less than an hour, every official in Haijing City¡¯s political circles had heard about the events that unfolded at the Zhang estate banquet. The city was in shock. Those who had been covertly or openly resisting the new policy were terrified to their cores.


    Who is this ruthless man?


    This isn¡¯t how the game is played!


    The political arena had its unspoken rules with its balance of explicit and implicit power plays. But this envoy had disregarded everything, smashing both formal and informal rules alike, as he flipped the table in one fell swoop.


    The thought of the rumored Ledger of Life and Death sent shivers down the spines of officials everywhere.


    We need to fix this!


    They had to fix it immediately. Regardless of their previous positions or the interests at stake, it was time to abandon everything. Allegiances shifted overnight. From that moment on, every official became a fervent supporter of the new policy.


    Meanwhile, in his office, Xue Xuanqi was rubbing his temples, exhausted from the relentless challenges of pushing the new policy forward. But after receiving dozens of urgent calls, he began to piece together what had happened.


    Moments later, his students, Huang Fulai and Zhu Kunyu, arrived in high spirits.


    "Teacher," Huang Fulai said eagerly, "Envoy Li has publicly taken a stand. He¡¯s silenced all opposition with the power of a Saint Slayer. From now on, no one in Haijing City will dare to defy the new policy!"


    "Teacher," Zhu Kunyu added with equal enthusiasm, "your long-cherished goal is finally within reach!"


    Both students were visibly thrilled. They understood the gravity of this turning point. After this decisive act, the implementation of the new policy would accelerate like never before. Yet, despite their excitement, Xue Xuanqi¡¯s expression was clouded with deep concern. He recognized the monumental shift in their favor, but he also understood the storm this move would inevitably provoke.


    The cost of such ruthless action would soon come due, and it was a cost that even success might not be able to offset.


    "The new policy''s implementation should proceed without issue," Xue Xuanqi said, his voice calm but laced with concern. "But Envoy Li¡¯s situation... Sigh, I fear a great storm is brewing. He has single-handedly carved out a brighter future for Haijing City, but in doing so, he¡¯s taken all the blame and punishment upon himself."


    Huang Fulai and Zhu Kunyu nodded solemnly. They knew their teacher was right. The smoother the new policy¡¯s implementation became, the more precarious Li Xiaofei¡¯s position grew. He had cut a path to dawn with a single sword. But in doing so, he had plunged himself into grave danger.


    "Teacher," Huang Fulai said, "we should petition the Grand Commander to have Great Xia¡¯s leadership council intervene and protect Envoy Li."


    Xue Xuanqi nodded. "I will draft a petition, but the outcome is uncertain. The Star Council, the Yiggs, the Jiepeng, and the Europeans will all exert pressure on the council. Let us hope the Grand Commanders can withstand that pressure."


    The sun rose over Haijing City the next day. At the Zhendan University campus, Ren Dong was pacing back and forth.


    "Why isn¡¯t he picking up the phone?" She muttered, frustrated.


    She had called six or seven times, but there was no response.


    Could he be busy with something urgent?


    She grumbled under her breath, feeling dejected as she headed to the computer lab. Logging into the light-network virtual world, she began her usual training and trial scene runs.


    Her calls to Li Xiaofei were still unanswered by lunchtime. That evening, after school, Ren Dong went to the slums and set up her stall at their usual spot.


    She tried to contact Li Xiaofei for three days, but there was no word from him. On the morning of the fourth day, a piece of shocking news spread throughout the city. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 509: He Was Here Before

    Chapter 509: He Was Here Before The Grinding Blade Hall of Grand Commander Song Huaiyuan had become the site of an intense battle. Rumors swirled that an assassin had infiltrated the hall and attempted to take the Grand Commander''s life. The news, however, made no mention of the assassin¡¯s fate.


    What was certain was that the familiar sound of grinding blades within the hall had ceased for nearly twenty minutes. At almost the same time, the new city leader, Xue Xuanqi, made a bold announcement. He formally nullified the unequal treaties signed by his predecessor, Qin Weilong, with the Yiggs Union, European Independent Nations Alliance, and other imperial powers. Additionally, he temporarily shut down the key trade hub of Wanmao District.


    "Haijing City remains open to any nation or organization committed to mutual development and coexistence," Xue Xuanqi declared firmly during an official media interview. "However, the days when external powers could station their troops at will, oppress the citizens of Great Xia, and plunder its resources under the guise of trade are gone forever."


    Over the next few days, Xue Xuanqi became a ubiquitous figure in the news. He participated in interviews, delivered speeches, and visited communities, taking his city leader¡¯s office to businesses, residential areas, and even the slums. In just three days, he had already visited the slums twice.


    The Haijing City government also made a drastic move to unilaterally close nearby Cave Beast portals, cutting off transportation channels to other empires. As the new policies gained momentum, Xue Xuanqi¡¯s popularity among the general public soared. This ancient, timeworn southern giant of Great Xia began to stir with new life.


    Yet, the days felt heavy and joyless for Ren Dong. She still hadn¡¯t been able to contact Li Xiaofei. Her frustration and worry lingered until noon on the seventh day.


    After class, as she was gathering her things, she noticed a familiar figure waiting at the classroom door. It was the beautiful dancer who had once appeared by Li Xiaofei¡¯s side.


    "Did Little Li send you to find me?" Ren Dong dashed over eagerly, her voice brimming with hope. "Has he been really busy lately? It¡¯s fine, I can wait."


    Nan Hua looked at the youthful girl in front of her and sighed inwardly.


    Ah, the tender heart of a girl in her springtime of youth. Who wouldn¡¯t be moved by a man of such valor and charm like the envoy? But alas...


    "Yes, he sent me," Nan Hua said, producing a small box. "This is a gift from him."


    Ren Dong opened the box hesitantly. The box was divided into two compartments. The top layer held a manual titled Hua Tuo¡¯s Needles, an ancient book on needle techniques. The bottom layer contained twenty neatly arranged vials of fifth-generation, high-purity Starforce Reagents with no markings or labels.


    Ren Dong froze, her breath hitching as she realized the significance of the gift. Tears welled up in her eyes.


    "He¡¯s leaving, isn¡¯t he?" She asked softly.


    Nan Hua nodded. "He has a very important mission that will take him away for a long time. He said he hopes that he¡¯ll see you as a mighty and formidable master when he returns."


    Ren Dong held the box tightly against her chest, lowering her head as a heavy silence settled over her.


    "I will," Ren Dong suddenly lifted her head with a smile, her eyes sparkling with determination. "If you manage to contact him, tell him that by the time he returns, I¡¯ll be a renowned master who¡¯s become famous far and wide. He¡¯ll probably need me to protect him then, hmph!"


    She turned and walked away, her steps quick and purposeful. She didn¡¯t want the beautiful dancer standing before her to see the tears threatening to fall from her eyes. Deep down, she had an uneasy feeling. But it couldn¡¯t possibly be what she thought it was.


    It has to be just a mission. A very important mission. Important missions can be dangerous, right? I can¡¯t let him be distracted by worrying about me.


    Clutching the box tightly, Ren Dong made her way back to her dorm.


    From that day forward, her classmates noticed a subtle but undeniable change in her. She remained cheerful. She still loved to laugh. She continued helping others and still went to the slums after school to set up her stall.


    But something was different. No one could quite pinpoint what had changed. Maybe it was the faint sorrow that occasionally flickered deep in her eyes. Maybe it was the quiet sighs and moments of solitude she seemed to retreat into when no one was around.


    Or perhaps it was the unrelenting drive she displayed during her studies and cultivation, a kind of fierce determination that hadn¡¯t been there before.


    ***


    The slum had been renamed Longteng District, symbolizing a rise from the ashes.


    At the headquarters of the Jingwu Sect, the training grounds were bustling with activity. Long Zhengfei gazed through the one-way glass of his office window at the crowded field filled with disciples diligently honing their skills. A wave of emotion washed over his face.


    Behind him, Li the Blind and Mr. Ruler sat with somber expressions. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "He was like a meteor," Long Zhengfei said, breaking the silence. "A streak of brilliance that lit up Haijing City''s sky and left behind a boundless radiance... and then, he vanished completely. What a cruel injustice."


    He suddenly turned and slammed his fist down on the titanium desk with a resounding bang. The desk dented instantly, leaving a clear imprint of his fist. But neither Li Buyi nor Chi Chunshui spoke. The room hung heavy with the weight of unspoken grief.


    The rumors swirling through the city were hard to ignore. Li Xiaofei, the Dragon Group envoy who had ushered in Haijing City''s new dawn, had reportedly taken his own life in Grinding Blade Hall as a sacrifice to stave off the wrath of the Star Council.


    The loss of such an extraordinary Saint Slayer was immeasurable for Great Xia. It was said that several of Great Xia''s Grand Commanders had uncharacteristically lost their tempers during the Star Council''s plenary meeting at its headquarters.


    The details of the meeting remained a mystery, but the outcome was clear. Everything Li Xiaofei had achieved in Haijing City had been preserved. Great Xia had gained a thriving, independent megacity bursting with new life. But it had lost a man destined to become a future Saint.


    In the office, the three men sat in silence, their hearts heavy with frustration and regret.


    "We can only honor his legacy by building Jingwu Sect into a powerhouse, not just in Haijing City, but throughout Great Xia."


    "Those final days, when he locked himself in the chamber... perhaps he had already come to terms with his fate. That¡¯s why he spent so much time organizing those martial arts manuals for us."


    "In the last days of his life, he still burned with love for Great Xia and dedicated every ounce of his remaining energy to its future."


    "To live and die for Great Xia, with no regrets."


    The three men¡¯s gazes grew firm and determined. No matter what, they vowed to protect the Jingwu Sect and carry forward the legacy Li Xiaofei left behind.


    In an apartment elsewhere, Nan Hua stood before the mirror, lost in thought. She still couldn¡¯t bring herself to believe that the dazzlingly brilliant young envoy was truly gone. But she had seen his body with her own eyes. She had witnessed the Realm of Traces confirming his death. Everything felt like a dream that she couldn¡¯t wake from.


    Her reflection in the mirror stared back at her, as though sharing the same disbelief. The emptiness in her heart was a stark reminder of the void left by someone who had burned so brightly and so briefly.


    ***


    In the shallow waters of Jiepeng Archipelago¡¯s southwestern seas, the T232 Cave Beast Portal operated as usual.


    A silent, maglev-powered airship quietly docked and received several hundred individuals that had come through the passage. The ship then slowly rose into the air and began to glide toward the mainland. The passengers aboard were mostly adventurers and merchants from all over the world, representing a mix of ethnicities and backgrounds.


    Standing within the VIP observation deck of the airship, a young Jiepeng girl with a refined, heroic demeanor gazed through the glass at the azure ocean below and the distant land ahead. A hint of emotion flickered across her face. Finally, she had returned.


    "How does it feel?" A man¡¯s voice came from behind her.


    She turned to find a tall and well-built figure. Dressed in black, the man¡¯s sharp features carried a subtle hint of elegance, even femininity. His shoulder-length, naturally wavy ash-blond hair swayed lightly as he spoke in flawless Jiepeng, with a faint Kanto dialect accent.


    Her expression held a hint of surprise. Clearly, she hadn¡¯t expected his Jiepeng to be so impeccable.

 Chapter 510: The Purest Woman (1)

    Chapter 510: The Purest Woman (1)"I know I''m handsome, but could you stop staring at me with that sleazy expression?" The man spoke casually, "Or are you thinking about going for another round?" S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A faint blush immediately colored the young woman''s face. When she thought of everything that had just transpired in the VIP room, where she had been unusually assertive, her entire body felt electrified. Her legs felt slightly weak.


    "We¡¯re already within the empire''s territory," she said through gritted teeth. "Your current identity is my bodyguard, so you''d better watch your words to avoid being overheard."


    The man raised both hands behind his head, reclining in a carefree manner as he whistled. "I''m a bodyguard with personality, so a bit of frivolity is excusable. Remember this, the more something seems out of place, the more real it is. It¡¯s when I''m riddled with flaws that I have none."


    The young woman fell silent as she went over their next steps. The Empire''s operations within Great Xia had been completely dismantled due to the actions of the man beside her in Haijing City.


    Now that Great Xia had officially closed the T232 Cave Beast passage exit, it would take at least six months for the Empire to reestablish contact with their remaining forces in Great Xia. Moreover, she had made sure that only fragments of everything that had unfolded at the Jiepeng Consulate in Haijing City had made its way back to the empire.


    However, those fragments all worked to her advantage. She had already begun plotting her return from that moment. And most importantly, she had managed to secure him for her cause. Now, she was confident that she could achieve everything she desired. As the land below grew closer, an unrestrained ambition began to rise in her heart.


    She wanted to conquer this land and claim everything it had to offer.


    Moments later, the airship landed smoothly at Sapora Base City. The city had been built specifically for the T232 Cave Beast passage. It was a pure transport hub, designed solely for transit purposes, and only had a population of a hundred thousand people. The city primarily served transportation needs, including airship maintenance and ground crew operations. Ordinary permanent residents were scarce.


    When the young woman and the man disembarked from the airship, they were greeted by an escort team.


    "Miss, you¡¯ve finally returned." An elderly man in a black suit stepped forward with a warm smile.


    His snow-white hair and butler-like demeanor exuded an air of elegance, respect, and humility as he bowed in greeting. Twenty burly men in black suits and sunglasses, all emanating a menacing aura that clearly warned strangers to keep their distance, stood behind him. They were all at the peak of the Meridian Expanding Realm. They lined up in two orderly rows, their every movement disciplined and sharp.


    "Uncle Okamoto," the young woman nodded politely. "Thank you for your hard work."


    Okamoto Jiro bowed once more and replied with a smile, "It is merely my duty, Miss. The master and madam are currently attending an important meeting hosted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and cannot greet you in person. Once the meeting concludes, they will meet you at the Eastern Post headquarters."


    The young woman didn¡¯t bother replying, so Okamoto Jiro turned his attention to the man standing beside her.


    "This must be Mr. Shinzu Genshi, whom you mentioned in your letter. Truly impressive. Welcome to the Tsukiha family estate."


    His tone remained courteous and polite, but a faint sense of detachment could be discerned beneath the warmth. The man merely grunted in acknowledgment as his gaze wandered curiously over their surroundings.


    The vast landing field spanned over a thousand acres. Airships, painted and decorated to resemble various sea beasts, took off and landed in an orderly fashion. Ground crew workers in bright red uniforms moved like the cogs of a massive, well-oiled machine, each performing a small yet indispensable role.


    Behind them, other passengers aboard the airship were temporarily held back. The young woman¡¯s distinguished status had granted her the privilege of disembarking first.


    "Who are they?"


    "That girl is stunning. She must be from a prominent family."


    "Didn¡¯t you notice the emblem on the bodyguards¡¯ suits? They¡¯re from the Sanshang Group."


    "One of the empire¡¯s top ten conglomerates? No wonder."


    "It¡¯s not so certain anymore. Rumor has it that one of the Sanshang Group¡¯s Saints, Tsukiha Tens¨­, fell in Great Xia. Their current situation doesn¡¯t look good."


    "Then who is this girl?"


    "See that white-haired old man? That¡¯s Tsukiha Higashi¨­, the chief steward of the Sanshang Group. If he¡¯s personally welcoming her, she must be a direct bloodline descendent of the Tsukiha family."


    "Could she be the rumored prodigy, Tsukiha Yaiba?"


    "Eh? Now that you mention it, it¡¯s entirely possible."


    The passengers still aboard the airship whispered among themselves. When the name Tsukiha Yaiba started circulating, their excitement visibly heightened.


    She had once been among the Empire''s top one hundred high school students. A unique bloodline holder and the most beautiful flower of the Tsukiha family, owners of the Sanshang Group. But she had mysteriously vanished from the public eye for an entire year.


    Speculation had abounded. Some said she had been chosen as a divine maiden and had been taken into the temple to serve the gods. Others whispered that she had taken her own life after being unable to bear the scandals of her decadent family. Still others claimed she had gone into seclusion for cultivation after awakening her bloodline.


    Whatever the rumors, this prodigious girl who had once captivated the youthful hearts of countless Jiepeng boys had been absent from the public stage for a full year, turning her disappearance into an enduring mystery.


    But now, she had reappeared without warning in Sapora Base City, seemingly returning from abroad. This was major news. Many immediately pulled out their portable lightcores to snap photos from afar.


    This scene didn¡¯t escape Okamoto Jiro¡¯s sharp eyes. His aged eyes narrowed slightly and a young captain of the bodyguard team strode purposefully toward the airship.

 Chapter 511: The Purest Woman (2)

    Chapter 511: The Purest Woman (2) "No need to bother," the young woman said calmly. "My return as Tsukiha Yaiba is not something to be hidden."


    "Understood," Okamoto Jiro bowed in reply.


    The young bodyguard promptly turned back and resumed his position. Tsukiha Yaiba descended the final step of the stairs and stepped on a luxurious red carpet that stretched an impressive thirty meters to the door of a heavy-duty magnetic levitation luxury car.


    The gull-wing door gracefully rose upward, revealing a glimpse of its opulent interior. Being allowed to drive a private vehicle into the airship base was a privilege reserved for the elite. In Jiepeng, a nation with rigid class barriers, only those with genuine authority and influence could enjoy such an honor.


    Tsukiha Yaiba stepped into the car, followed closely by the man known as Shinzu Genshi. The young bodyguard captain instinctively moved to block him, but a subtle glance from the elder steward, Okamoto Jiro, told him to stand down.


    The gull-wing door slowly lowered, sealing the occupants in the lavishly decorated, soundproof cabin. The atmosphere inside was quiet and serene.


    "Let¡¯s go," Tsukiha Yaiba instructed softly, her crimson lips barely parting.


    "Yes, ma''am." The driver responded respectfully, starting the vehicle.


    Tsukiha Yaiba deftly adjusted the car''s internal controls. A concealed panel gradually descended, separating the driver¡¯s cabin from the rear compartment into two distinct spaces. While those seated in the back could clearly observe the driver, the driver could see nothing of what transpired behind him.


    Shinzu Genshi sprawled casually in the most prestigious seat, his posture relaxed and entitled. Meanwhile, Tsukiha Yaiba, the true master of the car, knelt gracefully by his side, her hands skillfully massaging his legs with practiced care, as if she were merely a servant.


    "There¡¯s no surveillance or listening devices in here, right?" Shinzu Genshi asked, his eyes scanning the intricate details of the cabin¡¯s design.


    "Don¡¯t worry," Tsukiha Yaiba assured him. "The Jiepeng nobility value privacy above all else."


    "Privacy, huh?" Shinzu Genshi smirked. "Is it about protecting privacy or digging into others¡¯ secrets?"


    "There¡¯s no difference," Tsukiha Yaiba replied coolly. "In any part of the world, the more valuable something is, the more it will attract greed."


    "Like what?"


    "Like me."


    "Oh?"


    "But at the very least, this car¡¯s interior has no surveillance or listening devices. I¡¯ve already checked," Tsukiha Yaiba added, her voice steady yet deliberate.


    As she spoke, she slowly lifted the hem of her dress. With one hand resting on the man¡¯s shoulder, she settled herself onto his lap.


    "Again?" Shinzu Genshi exclaimed dramatically. "Don¡¯t you ever get enough?"


    "Don¡¯t you enjoy it?" Tsukiha Yaiba responded, her hips subtly shifting as her eyes grew hazy. "You¡¯re the one who said that if I want to achieve my ambitions, I must seize every opportunity, regardless of time or place, to enhance my abilities. Being with you activates my bloodline far more effectively than traditional cultivation ever could."


    It was, indeed, an unexpected discovery. There had been nothing but humiliation and revulsion in the caf¨¦ across from the Jiepeng consulate. She had tasted no joy in intimacy there, only a severance from her past.


    Yet, it had inadvertently pointed her toward a new path. The three hours aboard the airship had given her a true taste of why so many stories of love throughout history drove people to madness. The pain of her initiation had long since been replaced by waves of overwhelming pleasure.


    But when she had succumbed to her desires, Tsukiha Yaiba had noticed something extraordinary. Her long-stagnant bloodline shackles, which had remained untouched for years, had started to loosen under the overwhelming waves of indulgence.


    Surrender came in two forms, none at all or endlessly. Now, she had no choice but to make the most of her time. If she could shatter the third layer of her bloodline shackles before returning to her family, it would grant her greater authority and a stronger bargaining position.


    Besides, the man beneath her truly knew what he was doing. Enhancing her strength through sheer ecstasy was a fortune greater than turning passion into a profession. And so... she gave herself over entirely.


    Shinzu Genshi, too, finally had his interest piqued. Gripping her waist with both hands, his movements became increasingly forceful and unrestrained. In no time, the car cabin was filled with the raw sounds of collision and heavy breathing.


    "The Nine Lives Nine Souls of the Nine-Tailed Fox is certainly remarkable. One life, one breakthrough," Shinzu Genshi muttered to himself. "Each time one dies, their strength doubles. Xiao Bieli... How does that bastard know the secret techniques of that sly fox family? Could he have had a fling with one of them too? And Old Song didn¡¯t hold back with that strike at all. When I return home, I¡¯ll make sure to give him three slashes to return the favor."


    His narrowed eyes gleamed with thought. Who would have imagined that being ambushed by Principal Hu back then, which resulted in a version of himself with a fox tail manifesting in his dantian, would lead to such an unexpected advantage?


    It seemed even that cunning fox, Principal Hu, wasn¡¯t entirely without merit. A tail would be severed with each death. The power of the severed tail was then absorbed to become part of the cultivator''s own strength. This was the cultivation principle of the Heavenly Fox lineage, the revered Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox.


    Even the miniature figure residing within Shinzu Genshi¡¯s dantian possessed this extraordinary ability.


    When Old Song had slashed at him in the Grinding Blade Hall, one of the fox tails had been severed. The tiny figure at the center of his dantian that was once adorned with nine tails now had only eight remaining. Yet, an immense and overwhelming energy had surged forth from that severed tail and scattered through every limb and bone to become boundless potential.


    By fully refining this potential, he could elevate his very essence of life to a higher level. At that point, the art of dual cultivation was clearly an efficient means to refine such potential.


    The noblewoman before him, a scion of Jiepeng¡¯s elite, bore a powerful bloodline, amplifying the effects of dual cultivation even further. If that was the case, then... The time for pleasure had officially begun!


    At the same time, in the second car of the convoy behind them, Okamoto Jiro sat alongside the young bodyguard captain in the cabin. The captain''s face was dark with displeasure. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I can¡¯t believe the young lady is sharing a car with that lowly, disgraced swordsman." He muttered, his voice brimming with frustration. "Even if they became friends in Great Xia and shared hardships, wasn¡¯t bringing him back to the empire already the ultimate gesture of gratitude? How could their relationship grow this intimate?"


    Okamoto Jiro cast a sidelong glance at him. "You disappoint me."


    "Uncle?" The young bodyguard, Okamoto Takeyuki, responded in surprise. "Weren¡¯t you the one who encouraged me to pursue the young lady?"


    "I did support your pursuit," Okamoto Jiro replied evenly. "But that does not mean I support you overestimating yourself and attempting to influence the young lady¡¯s will upon first meeting her."


    Takeyuki fell silent as his lips pressed into a thin line.


    Jiro¡¯s white brows lifted slightly as he sighed and spoke with measured patience. "Takeyuki, the young lady is not one of those lower-class women you toyed with in nightclubs and schools. She is a true noblewoman of the heavens. Though the Tsukiha family is facing challenges now, they remain an untouchable colossus to the likes of us. Set aside your arrogant demeanor from the past. Lower yourself appropriately while carefully revealing glimpses of your strength and potential in her presence. Only by doing so can you capture her attention and pique her curiosity."


    Okamoto Takeyuki exhaled a heavy breath, his voice steady yet tinged with reluctance. "Uncle, I understand."


    Okamoto Jiro continued, his tone growing stern. "I must warn you again not to let genuine feelings cloud your judgment. Do not be bewitched by the young lady''s beauty. Forsaking ambition for love is a fool¡¯s path. I will create opportunities for you. If you can claim her virginity, it will greatly benefit your cultivation of the Thousand One technique. If you can merge with her bloodline, you will undoubtedly become the next Saint of the Okamoto family."


    Takeyuki''s expression darkened with frustration. "But that Shinzu Genshi... it¡¯s clear his relationship with the young lady is far from ordinary. With him around, our plans will face significant obstacles."


    Jiro smiled faintly, the wrinkles on his aged face deepening with a wisdom born of countless schemes.


    "Do not worry. I¡¯ve already had him thoroughly investigated. Shinzu Genshi hails from a mere fourth-tier noble family that has been in decline for years and is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. He¡¯s an insignificant figure and will be easily dealt with. All we need is an opportunity to make him disappear. But remember, you must act outwardly respectful and friendly toward him. That way, when he¡¯s gone, the young lady will have no reason to suspect you, and you¡¯ll have the chance to step in."


    He patted his nephew¡¯s shoulder reassuringly. It was truly unfortunate, Jiro thought, that Takeyuki, despite being the most talented martial artist of the Okamoto family¡¯s younger generation and inheriting the true bloodline of the clan, lacked the composure and intelligence to match his potential.


    Takeyuki remained silent, his mind consumed by thoughts of Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s unparalleled beauty and her tall, dignified figure.


    If he could claim her first night, it would be the most extraordinary achievement of his life. She was a woman as pure and noble as a snow lotus blooming on the peak of Mount Fuji. If he could possess her...He vowed to cherish her with all his being.

 Chapter 512: I Don’t Like (1)

    Chapter 512: I Don¡¯t Like (1) Since the flying car of the Sanshang Group had airspace priority, it was accompanied by a specialized escort team equipped with power armor after taking off from Sapora Base City.


    Approximately four hours later, the convoy arrived in Urawa Base City. This was the headquarters of the Sanshang Group, and one of the top ten primary base cities of the Jiepeng Empire.


    Unlike Great Xia, where governance was centralized, the base cities within the Jiepeng Empire were largely dominated by various corporations, resembling the feudal lord era.


    Corporations and factions were allowed to maintain private armies and were granted rights to collect taxes, legislate, conduct inspections, and hold judicial power, as long as they swore allegiance to the Temple.


    This system led to internal chaos within the Jiepeng Empire''s major base cities, characterized by political disorder, rigid class hierarchies, and the proliferation of factions, gangs, and influential groups.


    As the headquarters of the Sanshang Group, Urawa Base City was fortified extensively and was an impenetrable stronghold. Its towering walls, thick fortifications, and robust defensive weaponry ranked among the top five in the empire''s base cities. The city''s internal governance was also relatively unified.


    The flying car landed in the private estate located in the heart of the city. The Tsukiha family resided in a mountainous area within Urawa''s city center. Spanning over 2,000 acres, the estate had grand pavilions, vibrant floral displays, medicinal fields, and exotic animal parks.


    The opulence of the estate far exceeded the imagination of most people. It was inconceivable for an individual in Great Xia to privately own such vast tracts of land. However, in the corporation-dominated Jiepeng, the possession of acres of land by a select few was both a privilege and a hallmark of the plutocracy.


    The flying car descended gracefully. When the gull-wing doors opened, Tsukiha Yaiba stepped out. Her face was a vision of unparalleled beauty and her tall and slender figure exuded an effortless air of nobility, like a favored daughter of the heavens.


    Shinzu Genshi followed leisurely behind her. An apple stalk dangled from his lips as his demeanor spoke of complete nonchalance.


    ¡°Miss, the master and madam are waiting for you in Snow Listening Pavilion,¡± said Okamoto Jiro as he stepped forward.


    Tsukiha Yaiba replied calmly, ¡°I will visit Grandfather first.¡±


    Okamoto Jiro paused for a moment, then nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll arrange a vehicle immediately.¡±


    Tsukiha Yaiba added, ¡°Genshi will stay in the estate for now. Uncle Okamoto, please prepare a room for him in the Suspended Blade Residence.¡±


    The Suspended Blade Residence was Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s personal quarters.


    Okamoto Jiro smiled faintly and replied, ¡°Understood.¡±


    Behind them, Okamoto Takeyuki¡¯s heart burned with resentment. If word got out about a strange man staying in the Suspended Blade Residence, wouldn¡¯t it invite ridicule and scorn from outsiders?


    Just as he was about to voice his objection, he caught a sharp look from his uncle that silenced him.


    Recalling the words Okamoto Jiro had spoken earlier in the car, Takeyuki swallowed his dissatisfaction and stepped forward. ¡°Miss, allow me to escort Mr. Shinzu to the residence.¡±


    Tsukiha Yaiba nodded in acknowledgment. She was well aware of the undercurrents of rivalry and scheming within the family. But she was utterly unconcerned about Shinzu Genshi¡¯s safety. After all, Shinzu Genshi had another name, Li Xiaofei. The same Li Xiaofei from Great Xia who was known for slaying a Saint with a single strike.


    The Tsukiha family¡¯s most formidable warrior, Tsukiha Tens¨­, had fallen to Li Xiaofei¡¯s blade. One strike had settled the score. If anyone within the family now harbored thoughts of secretly attacking him, it would be nothing short of seeking their own demise.


    Tsukiha Yaiba got into the car and sped away.


    ¡°Follow me,¡± said Okamoto Takeyuki, glancing at Li Xiaofei before leading the way toward the Suspended Blade Residence.


    Li Xiaofei followed without a word.


    The Suspended Blade Residence was some distance from the private airfield, so they walked. People continually bowed and greeted Okamoto Takeyuki along the way. As the foremost martial talent of the butler¡¯s lineage, he held significant influence within the Tsukiha estate.


    ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking,¡± Okamoto Takeyuki suddenly said.


    ¡°Oh?¡± Li Xiaofei replied, his tone calm and unhurried.


    Without turning back, Okamoto Takeyuki said, ¡°Don¡¯t think that you can marry into wealth and status just because the young lady holds you in high regard. The Tsukiha family doesn¡¯t welcome you.¡±


    Li Xiaofei chuckled lightly. ¡°That¡¯s not something a mere servant like you should concern yourself with.¡±


    Okamoto Takeyuki stopped abruptly and turned to face him.


    His gaze was condescending as he said, ¡°I¡¯ve seen far too many little men with pretty faces like you, thinking they can use marriage to change their fate and rise above their station. But let me remind you, fairy tales are just that¡ªstories. Reality is always harsher than any tale. The young lady may fancy you, but she doesn¡¯t control everything in this estate. If you stay here, you might end up dead.¡±


    Li Xiaofei asked curiously, "So, what¡¯s your suggestion?"


    ¡°If I were you, I¡¯d leave here immediately,¡± Okamoto Takeyuki replied.


    Li Xiaofei nodded seriously, his expression thoughtful.


    ¡°Your advice is professional and effective. I¡¯ve decided to take it.¡± He said with a smile. ¡°Would you mind escorting me out?¡±


    Okamoto Takeyuki was momentarily stunned. He hadn¡¯t expected Li Xiaofei to be so easily persuaded. He had thought it would take more intimidation to force Li Xiaofei¡¯s compliance. Yet, things were unfolding surprisingly smoothly.


    ¡°But if you leave like this, what about the young lady...¡± Okamoto Takeyuki started, hesitating midway.


    Li Xiaofei interrupted, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. If she asks, I¡¯ll simply say I had personal matters to attend to and left early.¡±


    Okamoto Takeyuki burst into laughter.


    ¡°You¡¯re a smart man.¡± He remarked before changing direction.


    Before long, Li Xiaofei found himself on the bustling streets outside the Tsukiha estate.


    ¡°Remember, never come back here again, and don¡¯t bother the young lady,¡± Okamoto Takeyuki said, stopping at the gate. ¡°A lowly commoner like you should consider yourself lucky just to scrape by. Stop dreaming about pies falling from the sky, or your end will be miserable.¡±


    Li Xiaofei turned back to face him.


    ¡°I appreciate you escorting me out,¡± he said with a calm smile.


    He suddenly slapped Okamoto Takeyuki across the face with a loud smack. Pulling out a handkerchief, Li Xiaofei wiped his palm and added, ¡°But I don¡¯t like your tone.¡±


    Okamoto Takeyuki stood there, completely stunned. He had never expected Li Xiaofei to strike him, nor had he imagined that the slap would actually land on his face.


    Despite his much-vaunted cultivation at the Golden Body Realm, he hadn¡¯t been able to react in time. By the time he processed what had happened, Li Xiaofei was already gone. However, the vivid handprint on his face lingered stubbornly, refusing to fade. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ***


    The architecture and roads of Jiepeng could be summed up in one word, small. The streets were narrow. The buildings were low. Everything seemed to be scaled down by a notch. Li Xiaofei glanced at the street signs and followed their direction toward South Street. His understanding of Urawa Base City was limited to a name from five hundred years ago: the J-League team, Urawa Reds.


    He had never been here before. The streets were sparsely populated and most shops had no customers inside. There were homeless individuals sleeping exposed on the sidewalks, and beggars dressed in tattered clothes. They looked emaciated, their eyes hollow yet filled with a fierce wariness as they scrutinized every passerby.


    It reminded Li Xiaofei of a saying, Beware of those who have nothing to lose.


    He had no doubt that if it were nighttime, and if no patrol squads were around to maintain order, these beggars would reveal their savage and brutal nature without hesitation. They would transform into wild beasts, ready to tear apart any lone, vulnerable passerby.


    There were no stray animals on the streets. They had long since been eaten. The air carried a faint scent of desolation. This was a stark contrast to the base cities of Great Xia, where such bleakness was unheard of. Here, Li Xiaofei could tangibly feel the aura of an apocalyptic world.


    He wound his way down South Street until he eventually reached the intersection of South Street and Cage Alley. There, he stopped in front of a micro auto parts processing factory named Dragon Bloom.


    A thin, frail-looking girl, seemingly no older than eleven or twelve, enthusiastically greeted him at the entrance. ¡°Customer, are you here to buy auto parts? We have the most complete selection on South Street for Type-1, Type-2, and pre-4th generation electric and maglev vehicle batteries and energy module parts. This is a century-old shop with guaranteed quality, great value, and fair prices!¡±


    Li Xiaofei studied the little girl standing before him. She resembled a waif from a desolate prison. Her entire being, down to the dry, lusterless strands of her hair, exuded an aura of severe malnutrition.


    Noticing his silence, the girl continued with the same spirited enthusiasm, ¡°If you¡¯re looking for custom specification parts, Dragon Bloom can also take on the job! Please, come inside to look at our price list and material sheets for a detailed discussion.¡±


    Li Xiaofei stepped inside.


    ¡°Where¡¯s your manager?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Please have a seat, sir. I¡¯m the sales manager here, Yokan Kasumi.¡± The girl replied, deftly grabbing a price list and materials sheet before bringing him a cup of water.


    Li Xiaofei ignored the documents.


    ¡°I meant your general manager.¡± He said, standing up. ¡°My name is Shinzu Genshi. Please inform Master Tanaka Kenichi that I¡¯m here. He¡¯ll know who I am.¡±


    ¡°Oh, oh, of course, sir! Please wait a moment,¡± Yokan Kasumi said hurriedly, grabbing a walkie-talkie and speaking a few words into it.


    A few moments later, a nearly two meter tall but gaunt Jiepeng man emerged from the back door. His work uniform was covered in oil stains, and his movements were brisk as he entered the storefront.


    ¡°Uncle Tanaka,¡± Li Xiaofei said as he stood up.


    The commercial smile on Tanaka Kenichi¡¯s face slowly froze. After a moment, a hint of helplessness flickered in his eyes, and he said, ¡°So, it¡¯s Young Master Genshi who has returned.¡±


    Li Xiaofei replied, ¡°It seems Uncle Tanaka isn¡¯t too pleased to see me back.¡±


    Tanaka Kenichi¡¯s face twitched slightly as he responded, ¡°This is the Shinzu family¡¯s business. Whether I¡¯m pleased or not is irrelevant to the young master¡¯s return to inherit the family estate.¡±


    Nearby, Yokan Kasumi¡¯s face revealed a look of shock. So this customer was the infamous prodigal son who had been missing for so long.


    She had occasionally overheard Uncle Tanaka and a few workers talk about him. From what she knew, this young master had left home six years ago, and his reputation was anything but good.

 Chapter 513: I Don’t Like (2)

    Chapter 513: I Don¡¯t Like (2) Rumor had it that this young master was lazy and indulgent, yet he aspired to become the Shinzu family¡¯s greatest samurai. When Lord Shinzu Ningoka opposed his ambition, he resolutely refused to inherit the family business, emptied the family¡¯s savings, and fled.


    The very act of embezzlement had caused Dragon Bloom¡¯s financial chain to collapse, leading to significant losses. Unfortunately, Lord Shinzu¡¯s best efforts to salvage the situation had not been enough. On the brink of bankruptcy, the lady of the house had taken her own life by burning charcoal. The devastating blow left Lord Shinzu bedridden, and within half a month, he passed away in his bedroom.


    Most of the workers at Dragon Bloom had left. Only Tanaka Kenichi, a veteran master craftsman and a gold-standard technician, managed to persuade a handful of workers to stay. Over the years, he worked tirelessly to keep Dragon Bloom afloat. No wonder Uncle Tanaka¡¯s smile had vanished the moment he saw this guest. The return of such a prodigal son could spell disaster for Dragon Bloom once again.


    If he betrayed them again by embezzling funds and fleeing, it would be a nightmare revisited. This time, it might lead to bankruptcy, and both she, Uncle Tanaka, and the twenty-some workers at the factory would be doomed to ruin and slavery.


    Yokan Kasumi was quickly overwhelmed with fear. Though life now was busy and far from comfortable since they never had enough to eat or wear, at least she had a meager income to support her family and keep them from starving. More importantly, she still retained her status as a free citizen. Losing her job would plunge her already impoverished life into the depths of despair.


    Li Xiaofei was well aware of this dark history. But he wasn¡¯t actually Shinzu Genshi. The identity was fabricated by the Dragon Group of Great Xia. The real Shinzu Genshi had squandered all his wealth before making a desperate gamble to strike it rich in Great Xia. Instead, he met his end in Haijing City.


    The Dragon Group had picked up his identity, refined it, and meticulously maintained the facade for years, ensuring the deceased left behind an enduring shadow in the world. Such covert identities were not uncommon; the Dragon Group maintained at least a hundred of them. Shinzu Genshi¡¯s identity had been activated specifically because his family estate lay within the Tsukiha territory.


    After Li Xiaofei killed Aztast, an inspector from the Star Council, the high command of the Dragon Group, along with several Grand Commanders, devised a solution. They would fake Li Xiaofei¡¯s death and send him to the Jiepeng Empire to avoid further trouble.


    Thus, under the guise of Shinzu Genshi, Li Xiaofei had traveled to Jiepeng with Tsukiha Yaiba. To make the cover more convincing, he needed to visit Dragon Bloom and reclaim his supposed family business. To be honest, even Li Xiaofei, the imposter, found the actions of the original Shinzu Genshi utterly unforgivable.


    ¡°I¡¯ll pay my respects to my parents first,¡± Li Xiaofei said, walking further inside.


    Tanaka Kenichi hesitated for a moment but didn¡¯t stop him. Instead, he instructed Yokan Kasumi to temporarily close the shop and follow. Due to the factory¡¯s poverty, the Dragon Bloom shop was partially on the grounds of the former Shinzu family residence.


    They passed through a corridor less than three meters wide and arrived at the original Shinzu family home. The ground floor had been converted into a small parts workshop and storage area.


    The second and third floors, once private family spaces, were now employee dormitories. The fourth floor, once a family living area, had become a storage room. The ashes and memorial tablets of Shinzu Ningoka and his wife were placed in the far corner by the window.


    ¡°Clean up the fourth floor,¡± Li Xiaofei said. ¡°From now on, I¡¯ll live here and spend time with my parents.¡±


    Tanaka Kenichi replied indifferently, ¡°Alright.¡±


    Li Xiaofei continued, ¡°Uncle Tanaka, you¡¯ve worked hard all these years. Now that I¡¯ve returned, I¡¯ll do my best to lead everyone in restoring the factory to its former glory and make up for the mistakes I made back then.¡±


    Yokan Kasumi¡¯s eyes lit up. It seemed like the young master had genuinely turned over a new leaf. But Tanaka Kenichi, having witnessed Shinzu Genshi¡¯s past countless promises to revive the family business only to sell off assets and flee with the money, remained unmoved.


    Back then, the master and madam were still alive and could exercise some degree of restraint over the young master. Now, with no one left, who among the workers could stop him if he went on another rampage?


    The thought of losing their hard-earned path to survival left Tanaka Kenichi feeling as if his throat were tightly choked. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to say a single word. He could only let out a heavy sigh and slowly nod.


    There was no other choice. In the Jiepeng Empire, where class barriers were like bottomless chasms, the resistance of the lower classes was as futile as striking a stone with an egg. Although they were nominally free citizens, their livelihoods were inextricably tied to Dragon Bloom. Without it, they would have no means to sustain themselves, and in the end, they would inevitably fall into slavery. Even if they knew what the young master intended to do, they had no way to resist.


    Yokan Kasumi quickly finished cleaning the cluttered fourth floor. Despite her frail and thin figure, she was fast and efficient. It seemed she had practiced some martial arts, but only just enough to enter the Qi Refining Realm. She hadn¡¯t even reached the first stage.


    After tidying up, Yokan Kasumi hurriedly left. Dragon Bloom didn¡¯t support idle workers. As the only salesperson at the storefront, she had to make the most of every moment to sell and earn money to sustain her life.


    Li Xiaofei sat alone in the room, pondering his next move. His primary purpose in coming to the Jiepeng Empire was to lay low and avoid trouble. The upper echelon¡¯s plan was for him to focus on advancing his cultivation. After a few decades, once the storm had passed, he could assume a new identity and find a way to return to Great Xia.


    By then, even the Star Council might have forgotten the matter, or at least have softened enough for there to be room to negotiate. But how could Li Xiaofei be content with that?


    He was on the cusp of entering the Five Spirits Realm and inches away from reuniting with Little Aunt. How could he willingly remain in a foreign land for such an extended period?


    If he had to come to Jiepeng, he resolved not to waste the opportunity. If he was here, he would turn this place upside down. Ideally, he would see this nation wholly and irrevocably become part of Great Xia¡¯s territory. That would be the best outcome.


    However, Li Xiaofei also understood that this matter would not be simple. The supreme authority in the Jiepeng Empire was the Temple. It was rumored that the Temple had beings known as Supreme Gods, entities surpassing even Saints in strength.


    Back at the Grinding Blade Hall, Song Huaiyuan had warned him, ¡°The Supreme Gods are not to be underestimated. Even a Saint Slayer might not be their match.¡±


    ¡°It''s a pity there¡¯s only one green strand left... I can¡¯t use it lightly,¡± Li Xiaofei sighed.


    Of course, the Dragon Group had operatives within the Jiepeng Empire. Some were deeply embedded, while others undertook dangerous covert missions. The underground espionage network never ceased its operations.


    Many Dragon Group members had spent decades undercover, growing from spirited youths to elderly shadows of their former selves. They could only stare longingly across the sea but never return to their homeland. Others had perished in foreign lands, their souls forever unable to return to Great Xia.


    Li Xiaofei hoped his presence in Jiepeng could, in some way, aid these unsung heroes of the Dragon Group.


    Tsukiha Yaiba seeks to take control of her family and ascend to the highest echelons of power in the Jiepeng Empire.


    This woman, stirred by my ability to slay Saints as though butchering livestock, awakened her latent ambitions. She¡¯s willing to invest everything in me. She is, undoubtedly, a useful ally.


    After all, she harbors no national loyalty or patriotic ideals. She holds a deep resentment toward Jiepeng¡¯s ruling class, particularly the Temple, which makes her ripe for exploitation. Then I¡¯ll help her become the ruler of the Sanshang Group first.


    As these thoughts coalesced, Li Xiaofei¡¯s plans became increasingly clear. Nevertheless, focusing on cultivation and enhancing one¡¯s strength remained the top priority. Li Xiaofei sat cross-legged and activated the Nine Yang Divine Art to begin cultivating his inner qi. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had reached the pinnacle of the Meridian Expanding Realm and was on the threshold of the Five Spirits Realm. To compensate for his contributions, the Dragon Group had provided him with several manuals for nurturing the Five Spirits, free of charge.


    Among them, he had chosen a manual titled Innate Art. The name seemed rather unremarkable at first glance. But its author was anything but ordinary.


    Li Mu. The name had echoed in Li Xiaofei¡¯s ears more than once, a legendary immortal who could stand shoulder to shoulder with figures like Lin Beichen and Ye Qingyu. It was solely because of this name that he chose the manual.


    At the time, Li Xiaofei had also browsed the Dragon Group''s website for reviews and cultivation records of Innate Art. Unsurprisingly, he had stumbled upon a review by a familiar figure, Bajie.


    This technique is... interesting. Hehehehehe. Bajie had written.


    The comment had a cryptic air, as if laden with hidden meanings. Li Xiaofei dismissed the distractions and opened the manual in his room, studying it intently as he began practicing the technique.


    Soon, his expression started to shift subtly. At first, he was confused, then curious, and finally, faint disbelief crossed his face.


    "Radio calisthenics?" exclaimed Li Xiaofei, staring at the foundational movements described in the Innate Art manual, wondering if he had somehow received a counterfeit copy.


    What he didn¡¯t know was that Li Mu, the original creator, had also been tormented by the Innate Art of Old Fish Spirit for over a decade. Back before Earth had transformed and the star beasts had invaded, the Innate Art was little more than a regimen for health and fitness, incapable of cultivating inner qi.


    It was only after Li Mu was transported to the Ziwei Starfield via the Blood Array by the Old Fish Spirit that the Innate Art and True Martial Fist revealed their true power. These techniques enabled Li Mu to crush his adversaries, paving the path for his legendary, invincible exploits across the stars.


    Li Xiaofei finished reading the entire Innate Art manual with a thoughtful expression. Then, he descended the stairs, stepped into the courtyard, and began practicing the so-called radio calisthenics, hopping and jumping according to the described movements.


    The moment he started, he noticed something unusual. These seemingly ordinary actions somehow stimulated his inner qi to circulate within his body along strange, intricate pathways in a subtle yet harmonious rhythm.


    This microcirculation, in turn, nourished his internal organs. He had studied how it could nourish his heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys. Now, he could feel his inner qi begin a microcirculation that nurtured his heart. Finally, he felt as though he had glimpsed the threshold of the Five Spirits Realm.


    ¡°Master, what are you doing?¡± asked Yokan Kasumi as she poked her head out, curiosity evident on her face.


    ¡°Cultivating martial arts,¡± Li Xiaofei replied without turning.


    In the distant workshop, the workers who caught sight of him began to murmur amongst themselves. They had never seen such a method of cultivation before. It looked more like a joke.


    Tanaka Kenichi¡¯s face darkened as he observed the scene. As expected. Even after five or six years, the wastrel hadn¡¯t changed. He was still frivolous and immature.


    Did he think that putting on a show like this would make others believe he was some sort of martial arts master?


    As dinnertime approached, the workers began leaving the workshop and heading to the cafeteria. At that moment, a sudden commotion erupted from the storefront. Yokan Kasumi¡¯s sharp scream followed, along with the sound of her crying.


    ¡°Uncle Tanaka, something¡¯s wrong! The Yamai Gang is here again to collect protection money!¡± a panicked worker ran in, his voice trembling.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t we just pay them the second half of the year¡¯s protection fee yesterday?¡± Tanaka Kenichi frowned, leading the workers quickly to the front.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s expression shifted. After a brief moment of thought, he quietly followed behind them.


    Yokan Kasumi was leaning against a worker behind the desk. A wound on her forehead bled profusely, covering her face in blood. Inside the shop, over thirty ronin dressed in uniform attire had barged in.


    They were led by a man with a scarred face and a mohawk hairstyle. He had a menacing smile on his face.


    ¡°Tanaka-kun,¡± he said mockingly, ¡°we¡¯re going to need you to pay the protection fee again. This time, let¡¯s settle it for next year and the year after that. 2,000,000 Star God Coins in total.¡±

 Chapter 514: The Return Of Yamai Gang

    Chapter 514: The Return Of Yamai Gang "Mr. Nathan, we really don¡¯t have that kind of money right now," Tanaka Kenichi pleaded. "The factory hasn¡¯t received any orders for over half a month. The workers won¡¯t even be able to afford mixed nutrient porridge starting tomorrow."


    ¡°Well, the protection fee must be paid even if you¡¯re starving,¡± Scarface said impatiently. ¡°If you can¡¯t pay, then hand over a worker. Sell their organs or blood; after all, they¡¯re worth something.¡±


    ¡°This...¡± Tanaka Kenichi¡¯s face turned grim.


    These damned gangs collected protection fees constantly, even for years in advance, yet offered no actual protection in return. The extortion never stopped even after paying. They didn¡¯t see free citizens as people. Over the years, countless free citizens had been forced into slavery by these parasitic gangs after being squeezed dry until there was nothing left.


    The workers in the shop were both furious and terrified. Hand over a worker? The outcome for whoever was chosen would almost certainly be death. In recent years, with the rise of New Martial Arts experiments in the Jiepeng Empire, countless human lives had been treated as raw materials and harvested for research.


    The empire had once allegedly been importing materials from the densely populated Great Xia. But recently, Great Xia had severed diplomatic ties with the empire and sealed off the Cave Beast passageways, causing a severe shortage of experimental materials.


    As a result, the corporations and gangs had turned their sights inward to target Jiepeng citizens. In recent weeks, even the number of young vagrants on the streets had noticeably dwindled. They had been taken and used as materials in these experiments.


    "Pay what? We already paid the second half of the protection fee yesterday! What the hell are you robbers doing?" Li Xiaofei stepped forward, his tone filled with irritation. "You come in here and immediately injure one of my employees. Are you bandits?"


    His words stunned Tanaka Kenichi and the workers into silence.


    How can someone speak to the Yamai Gang like that? Does he want to get everyone killed?


    Across the room, Scarface froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.


    ¡°Haha! This kid looks unfamiliar.¡± He said, his wolfish eyes narrowing as a glint of cruelty flickered in them. Turning to Tanaka Kenichi, he asked, ¡°Tanaka-kun, is he one of your apprentices? A new recruit?¡±


    Tanaka Kenichi gritted his teeth and said, ¡°I sincerely apologize, Mr. Nathan. Please forgive him; he¡¯s just a foolish child. Could you give us a little time? We¡¯ll scrape together the money and deliver it before sunset today.¡±


    Scarface shook his head, smirking.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that will be necessary. This kid looks strong and healthy. He¡¯s perfect for our experimental requirements. Hand him over to us, Tanaka-kun, and we¡¯ll call it even for next year¡¯s protection fee.¡±


    Tanaka Kenichi¡¯s mind was in turmoil. If he nodded and agreed to hand over the good-for-nothing Shinzu Genshi, the entire Dragon Bloom factory could be saved. They wouldn¡¯t have to worry about Shinzu Genshi ruining the factory.


    It would also cover next year¡¯s protection fee. It was a perfect solution. Yet, when the image of Shinzu Ningoka, the late master of the house, came to mind, Tanaka Kenichi hesitated. The late master had always shown kindness and care for the workers, and in the end, Shinzu Genshi was the only son of the late master. The last of his bloodline.


    "I''m sorry, Mr. Nathan, he''s young and doesn''t know any better. Please, I beg you to forgive him this time," Tanaka Kenichi continued to plead.


    But Li Xiaofei stepped forward, parting the crowd as he spoke calmly, "Leave 4,000,000 in medical fees and get out. Otherwise..,"


    "Otherwise what, you little brat?" Scarface sneered coldly.


    He always relished this kind of cat-and-mouse game, especially when the mouse dared to resist. Slowly grinding down their courage was the most entertaining part.


    Slap.


    Li Xiaofei suddenly swung his hand and said, "Otherwise, I''ll crush your dog head."


    Scarface¡¯s head exploded like a watermelon struck by a sledgehammer, bursting into a mist of blood on the spot. The headless corpse remained standing for a brief moment.


    For an instant, the shop fell into complete silence. Everyone froze as they struggled to process the sudden turn of events. It wasn¡¯t until a full ten seconds later that the members of the Yamai Gang turned to run.


    They had barely made it twenty meters from the shop when one of them screamed, "You bastard! Just you wait! The Yamai Gang will never let this go! We¡¯ll flatten this place¡ªyou¡¯re all dead!"


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes narrowed. With a flick of his finger, a burst of wind shot forth like lightning.


    Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!


    In an instant, all the remaining members of the Yamai Gang fell to the ground in pools of blood. Not a single one escaped.


    Damn. Killing these thugs felt exhilarating.


    ¡°Go search them and see if they have any money,¡± Li Xiaofei said as he turned around.


    Tanaka Kenichi and the others stood frozen, staring at him as though they had just seen a ghost in broad daylight. Their eyes were filled with both shock and fear.


    ¡°You... killed all of them?¡± After a long silence, Tanaka Kenichi snapped out of his daze, shouting in a mix of horror and fury, ¡°You¡¯ve offended the Yamai Gang! We¡¯re all going to die now! Dragon Bloom is finished! They¡¯ll come for revenge. We¡¯ll be done for!¡±


    ¡°Dead is dead,¡± Li Xiaofei replied calmly. ¡°Then let¡¯s die with full stomachs. Go search their bodies for valuables and prepare a lavish dinner. Let¡¯s eat well tonight.¡±


    He turned and walked toward the back door of the shop. As he passed Yokan Kasumi, an idea struck him. Reaching into his Secret Time Pavilion, he retrieved a potion vial and a tube of ointment. He cleaned the little girl¡¯s wound carefully and then applied the ointment to her injured forehead, securing it gently with a bandage.


    Although Li Xiaofei had no sympathy for the Jiepeng people, the sight of this timid, pitiful little girl reminded him of Little Jie. Both were unfortunate souls. Yokan Kasumi trembled in fear, too scared to resist. Li Xiaofei returned to the backyard and resumed his cultivation.


    Some time later, Tanaka Kenichi and Yokan Kasumi came back with a few cans of premium mixed nutrient porridge and a small hot pot. They began preparing dinner in the dining area off to the side of the backyard.


    ¡°Master, dinner is ready,¡± Yokan Kasumi said cautiously as she approached Li Xiaofei.


    The wound on her forehead no longer hurt. The ointment had worked wonders, but she still looked like a frightened little quail.


    Li Xiaofei walked to the dining area and took one look at the food.


    ¡°What the hell is this stuff?¡± he asked, frowning at the pot of black, viscous stew. It seemed to be a chaotic mix of spoiled meat, grains, and vegetables that gave off a strange smell. ¡°Even dogs wouldn¡¯t eat this.¡±


    ¡°Y-Young Master, this is blackfish stew. It¡¯s one of the best-tasting dishes in the world,¡± Yokan Kasumi said, staring at the pot, unable to stop herself from swallowing a mouthful of saliva.


    Tanaka Kenichi, standing off to the side, remained silent.


    ¡°And the others?¡± Li Xiaofei asked. ¡°Is this really all the money we got from those Yamai Gang scumbags? Who are you trying to fool?¡± Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Still, Tanaka Kenichi didn¡¯t answer.


    Yokan Kasumi timidly explained, ¡°We found some cash, but Uncle Tanaka didn¡¯t keep any. He gave it all to the workers so they could take their families and hide.¡±


    Li Xiaofei let out a cold snort.


    ¡°You can eat it,¡± Li Xiaofei said.


    There was no way he would touch something like that.


    Moments later.


    ¡°Hmm, the taste isn¡¯t bad.¡± He muttered.


    He had reluctantly taken a bite of the blackfish stew after Yokan Kasumi stubbornly insisted he try it. To his surprise, it had a peculiar freshness and was much better than he had expected.


    Before they could finish the meal, loud crashing sounds erupted from outside.


    Whoosh! Whoosh!


    The sound of something cutting through the air followed. Jiepeng experts appeared on the walls surrounding the courtyard.


    Boom!


    The front store was smashed through, as a group of men in black suits stormed in like a tidal wave through several large holes.


    ¡°Who killed my Yamai Gang members?¡±


    They were led by a red-haired man with his hands in his pockets. His long red hair was slicked upright with hair gel, and every pore on his face exuded arrogance.

 Chapter 515: Enchanting Leader

    Chapter 515: Enchanting LeaderThe Yamai Gang had clearly come for revenge. They had begun with reckless destruction, making it obvious they intended to completely level the Dragon Bloom factory.


    Tanaka Kenichi watched as the storefront was smashed to pieces, a trace of sorrow flashing in his eyes. Yet, he said nothing. He had already resigned himself to death. Yokan Kasumi shrank into herself like a frightened quail in the midst of a storm.


    Li Xiaofei slowly stood up. He didn¡¯t speak. He simply raised his hand and lightly waved in the direction of the surrounding walls. Invisible sword energy sliced through the air.


    The Jiepeng experts standing atop the walls and rooftops were cut down like stalks of wheat under a sickle. Their bodies silently split in two, collapsing in showers of blood as they fell to the ground.


    Then, Li Xiaofei pressed his index finger against his thumb, and snapped his fingers.


    Whoosh!


    Blades of sword qi shot forward. A small, precise hole appeared in the heads of the Yamai Gang members who had stormed in, save for the arrogant red-haired leader. They collapsed one after another, lifeless.


    Everything happened in the span of two breaths. Silence fell as the dust settled.


    Li Xiaofei looked at the red-haired man and said calmly, "What did you just say?"


    The red-haired man trembled violently, his body shaking like a leaf in the wind. Terror was etched into every pore of his face.


    Dead. All his skilled soldiers had been mowed down like grass by this young man with ash-blonde, wavy, shoulder-length hair. It had happened so fast that he hadn¡¯t even had time to react. The remnants of his rational mind screamed at him. The Yamai Gang had kicked a steel plate. No, not just steel¡ªa titanium alloy plate.


    This young man before him was unfathomable. The red-haired man had never encountered a powerhouse of this level. The youth stood there quietly, as if basking in the sunlight, yet his presence radiated the cold, grinning shadow of death.


    Thud!


    The red-haired man dropped to his knees.


    ¡°Forgive me, my lord!¡± He kowtowed, his voice quivering as he begged for mercy.


    "I won''t kill you," Li Xiaofei said calmly. "Go back and tell the leader of your Yamai Gang to come see me."


    The red-haired man felt as though he had been granted a reprieve from death.


    ¡°Yes, I will deliver the message!¡± He stammered before scrambling to his feet and fleeing like a beaten dog.


    "And tell your leader," Li Xiaofei added, his voice cold and measured, "that I¡¯ll only wait for ten minutes. If he hasn¡¯t arrived by the time I finish this bowl of porridge, then starting tomorrow, the Yamai Gang will cease to exist."


    "Yes, I¡¯ll make sure they get the message!" The red-haired man bowed deeply, retreating backward before bolting away.


    In the courtyard, the once-pristine gravel of the Zen rock garden was now stained red with the blood of Yamai Gang experts.


    Tanaka Kenichi stood in a daze. Even though he knew little about martial arts, it was clear to him now, the young master of his household had truly become the great martial artist he had once dreamed of being.


    At the very least, the strength to scare the third-in-command of the Yamai Gang, Red Maru, into kneeling on the spot was unrivaled in the entire district.


    Could it be... Dragon Bloom is going to be saved?


    The once-reckless young master, who had squandered his fortune and dreams, now seemed to have completely transformed, like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Yet, alongside this flicker of hope came a lingering worry. How would the Yamai Gang respond to such a provocation?


    Yokan Kasumi stood nearby, her eyes full of worry as she looked at the smashed walls and the wrecked storefront. She had no idea how they would fix it. Repairing the damage would likely require taking on debt, and the factory didn¡¯t have nearly enough money to cover the costs.


    Ten minutes wasn¡¯t a long time. Li Xiaofei patiently finished the bowl of blackfish stew. Jiepeng, being an island nation, had always favored seafood. The country was once renowned for its sashimi and various raw fish delicacies.


    Li Xiaofei had visited Jiepeng five hundred years ago. Back then, he thought the culture was downright bizarre to be obsessed with eating things raw and cold.


    Soon, the sound of hurried footsteps filled the air again. The surveillance screen soon made it clear that an overwhelming number of Yamai Gang warriors, numbering in the thousands, had surrounded Dragon Bloom from all directions.


    They were led by Hashimoto Mako. The woman who had inherited the gang¡¯s leadership from her father. She had then spent six grueling years solidifying her hold over the century-old Yamai Gang through bloodshed and countless battles. Now, her authority within the gang was absolute.


    Hashimoto Mako entered the courtyard, dressed in a cherry-blossom pink kimono. Her long black hair flowed freely, framing a delicate oval face with skin as pale as jade.


    A faint scar ran down her left cheek. But far from detracting from her beauty, it added a unique allure to the female gang leader. Her wooden clogs clicked softly against the ground as she walked with a graceful, swaying posture, taking small, deliberate steps.


    ¡°Greetings, Young Master Shinzu,¡± Hashimoto Mako said, bowing deeply in a display of formal respect, her demeanor surprisingly humble.


    ¡°Oh? You discovered my identity this quickly?¡± Li Xiaofei remarked, setting down his bowl of stew.


    ¡°The Yamai Gang does have its own intelligence network,¡± Hashimoto Mako replied, her tone carrying a hint of pride.


    ¡°Heh.¡± Li Xiaofei chuckled lightly. ¡°Do you know why I summoned you here?¡±


    Hashimoto Mako bowed again. ¡°It was my unruly subordinates who disturbed you, Young Master Shinzu. I sincerely apologize on behalf of the Yamai Gang and am willing to offer compensation.¡±


    Jiepeng people were known for their pragmatism. Gang life was about one thing, money. Unlike some martial artists in Great Xia, who often fought over pride or a sense of honor, the people of Jiepeng were more than willing to sacrifice their dignity for financial gain and survival.


    Faced with a master like Li Xiaofei, Hashimoto Mako quickly realized that confrontation was unnecessary. Even if they managed to kill Li Xiaofei, the losses to the Yamai Gang would be devastating. That¡¯s why she had come in person to apologize. If possible, she even hoped to recruit someone as powerful as Shinzu Genshi into the Yamai Gang.


    If she could recruit him, not only would the Yamai Gang recover from this incident, but their strength would also increase significantly.


    "Your idea isn¡¯t bad," Li Xiaofei said calmly. "It shows that you¡¯re not just a pretty face. But there¡¯s one thing you might have misunderstood."


    "Oh? Please, enlighten me, Young Master," Hashimoto Mako replied with a polite smile.


    "It¡¯s not about me joining you," Li Xiaofei said, raising his thumb and pointing to himself. "It¡¯s about you joining me."


    Hashimoto Mako¡¯s expression shifted slightly as she asked, "You intend to take over the Yamai Gang?"


    "You could put it that way," Li Xiaofei replied.


    "Young Master Shinzu, you should understand that the Yamai Gang has a history spanning a hundred and thirty-two years. It has weathered countless storms and bloodshed to reach where it is today, and it has always been under the control of the Hashimoto family," Hashimoto Mako said with a steady smile. "Many have tried to take over the Yamai Gang before, but none have succeeded. Do you know why?"


    "Because they were all useless," Li Xiaofei said casually.


    "Ha, Young Master Shinzu has a sense of humor," Hashimoto Mako said patiently. "The reason the Yamai Gang has remained unshaken in Urawa Base City isn¡¯t just because of our brave warriors. We also have the support of the Sanshang Group, one of the Empire¡¯s top ten conglomerates. Your strength may be impressive, but do you really want to challenge the Sanshang Group?"


    "It sounds like you¡¯re threatening me," Li Xiaofei said, his eyes narrowing.


    Hashimoto Mako instantly felt a chilling sense of danger.


    Just as Hashimoto Mako was about to speak, another commotion erupted outside. Moments later, several figures entered briskly.


    A strikingly beautiful and valiant young woman was in front. She wore a sleek black dress paired with knee-high combat boots. A black belt cinched her slender waist, accentuating her elegant yet powerful figure and her long, shapely legs.


    Her presence was like that of a black lotus ablaze in the dark night as she exuded an aura of unique danger.


    Hashimoto Mako¡¯s pupils constricted. She immediately recognized the newcomer. This was none other than Tsukiha Yaiba, the eldest daughter of the Sanshang Group, who had just returned earlier that morning.


    What is such a distinguished figure doing here? Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 516: Three Major Gangs

    Chapter 516: Three Major Gangs ¡°Miss Tsukiha,¡± Hashimoto Mako hurried forward to bow respectfully.


    In Urawa Base City, the Sanshang Group, controlled by the Tsukiha family, was akin to an emperor. Even a dog of the Tsukiha family held more prestige than the leader of an average gang, let alone this young lady who was rumored to have emerged after successfully completing her secluded cultivation training.


    Hashimoto Mako knew her place. She wasn¡¯t worth a single strand of Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s hair. Yet, despite Hashimoto Mako¡¯s ingratiating behavior, Tsukiha Yaiba didn¡¯t even glance at her.


    To her, someone like Hashimoto Mako was as insignificant as an ant. Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s gaze fell on Li Xiaofei instead. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°I told you to stay at the Tsukiha estate,¡± she said, a hint of complaint in her tone. ¡°Why did you leave so suddenly?¡±


    There was an almost vulnerable quality in her words, laced with a trace of grievance. Hashimoto Mako¡¯s heart pounded furiously.


    What is going on here? This fallen noble son actually had a connection with the illustrious daughter of the Tsukiha family?And judging by her tone, the relationship seems... very close.


    At the same moment, standing behind Tsukiha Yaiba, Okamoto Takeyuki discreetly tried to signal Li Xiaofei with his eyes.


    Li Xiaofei smiled at him, nodded, and said with a straight face, ¡°That big guy behind you told me that if I didn¡¯t leave the estate quickly, he¡¯d find an opportunity to kill me.¡±


    Okamoto Takeyuki¡¯s expression froze instantly.


    Damn it!


    He had been played. It was clearly Li Xiaofei who insisted on leaving!


    This damned commoner.


    Okamoto Takeyuki burned with fury as he imagined smashing Li Xiaofei into pulp.


    Slap!


    Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s hand struck Okamoto Takeyuki hard across the face.


    ¡°Kneel and apologize to Shinzu Genshi.¡± The proud and commanding Tsukiha Yaiba ordered, her voice filled with anger.


    ¡°I...¡± Okamoto Takeyuki clutched his face, utterly shocked.


    The young lady had actually slapped me in front of everyone for a lowly nobody like this? What did she think he was?


    His face twitched uncontrollably, but he couldn¡¯t form a response.


    Li Xiaofei said with a hint of amusement, ¡°Look at him: he still seems defiant. Is a bodyguard like that even worth keeping around? Why not just kill him and be done with it?¡±


    "Very well," Tsukiha Yaiba said calmly.


    Her hand grasped the hilt of the sword at her waist.


    Shing!


    A glint of cold light, like heavenly water escaping its sheath, flashed brilliantly. And in the next instant¡ª


    Thud, thud, thud.


    Okamoto Takeyuki''s head bounced on the ground. The sight left Hashimoto Mako utterly horrified. She knew Okamoto Takeyuki well. He was a high-ranking figure within the Tsukiha estate, someone who had genuinely climbed into the upper echelons of the Sanshang Group.


    But now? An offhand remark from Shinzu Genshi had been enough to get him executed on the spot, without hesitation or trial.


    What exactly is the relationship between Shinzu Genshi and Tsukiha Yaiba? Even if they are lovers, can such devotion justify this level of sway?


    Hashimoto Mako¡¯s heart pounded violently. She realized, with growing dread, that she had made a colossal mistake. At this moment, retreating or advancing was no longer an option for Hashimoto Mako. She didn¡¯t even have the chance to speak. Her mind raced as she desperately searched for a way to survive.


    Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei glanced at the head on the ground and chuckled. ¡°I was just joking, but you actually went ahead and killed him? What a mess.¡±


    Tanaka Kenichi, standing to the side, couldn¡¯t help but lower his head in disbelief, metaphorical black lines falling over his forehead.


    The young master is really something else. He was the one who suggested killing the bodyguard, and now he says it was a joke. Isn¡¯t this just toying with everyone?


    ¡°Are you satisfied now?¡± Tsukiha Yaiba asked gently. ¡°Come back with me. I need your help.¡±


    ¡°Did you face any danger at the Tsukiha estate?¡± Li Xiaofei asked.


    ¡°For now, there¡¯s no danger in Urawa Base City,¡± Tsukiha Yaiba replied.


    ¡°Then why should I go back?¡± Li Xiaofei countered. ¡°I¡¯ve drifted for half my life and finally returned to my family¡¯s home. I need to settle things here. Just look at this. Dragon Bloom, the factory my parents left behind, is on the verge of shutting down.¡±


    Tsukiha Yaiba smiled softly and said, ¡°That¡¯s easy to handle. I can allocate funds and send people. I can even transfer some Tsukiha family businesses here. Whatever conditions you set, I¡¯ll make sure this place becomes profitable and thrives in the shortest time possible.¡±


    ¡°What? Are you looking down on me?¡± Li Xiaofei said indignantly. ¡°I may look like a pretty boy, but I¡¯m not here to live off someone else¡¯s generosity. I don¡¯t need your help. I can do this on my own.¡±


    Tsukiha Yaiba quickly replied, ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant. I just think you¡¯re meant for greater things. Why waste your time on such a small factory?¡±


    Li Xiaofei chuckled. ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate a small factory like this. If it¡¯s managed well, it can grow into a massive enterprise. When that happens, it might even provide a huge boost to your plans.¡±


    ¡°But...¡± Tsukiha Yaiba frowned slightly.


    Her thoughts were on dual cultivation. Practicing daily with Li Xiaofei would greatly enhance the awakening and purification of the Golden Lizard King bloodline in her. She wasn¡¯t just planning for occasional sessions; she wanted to cultivate day and night. If Li Xiaofei stayed here, it would make the arrangements far less convenient.


    ¡°No buts,¡± Li Xiaofei said decisively. ¡°You should head back. If you need my help, you can always come find me. Most of the time, I¡¯ll be here at Dragon Bloom.¡±


    ¡°Alright then,¡± Tsukiha Yaiba said reluctantly, a hint of resignation in her voice.


    Li Xiaofei was not just her protector but also her master. She had no choice but to obey. Thus, the eldest daughter of the Tsukiha family, who had come so abruptly, left just as decisively with her entourage.


    Li Xiaofei turned to look back at Hashimoto Mako. Without a word, she dropped to her knees with a loud thud.


    ¡°Greetings, Leader.¡± She said, prostrating herself. Her entire body pressed flat against the ground, the motion accentuating her slender waist and the curve of her shapely hips. Her kimono traced an alluring silhouette on the ground.


    ¡°Well, at least you know how to behave,¡± Li Xiaofei remarked with a faint smile. ¡°Stand up.¡±


    Hashimoto Mako let out a quiet sigh of relief, knowing the immediate crisis had been averted.


    She rose respectfully and carefully. The loose front of her kimono opened slightly, revealing a glimpse of smooth, jade-like skin and the enticing curve of her cleavage. This woman certainly had ample assets.


    Li Xiaofei pointed toward the damaged storefront and said, ¡°Fix everything that was broken, exactly how it was before. As for the compensation, you decide how much your life is worth and pay accordingly.¡±


    Hashimoto Mako bowed deeply. ¡°Understood, Leader.¡±


    ¡°No need to be so formal,¡± Li Xiaofei said casually. ¡°Once you spend some time with me, you¡¯ll realize I¡¯m actually a very easygoing person. If you ever feel like I¡¯m difficult to deal with, perhaps you should reflect on yourself instead.¡±


    Hashimoto Mako was speechless.


    ¡°Yes, I understand,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Have a seat,¡± Li Xiaofei continued. ¡°Tell me more about the current state of the gangs in Urawa Base City. I¡¯m quite interested.¡±


    Hashimoto Mako¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She vaguely sensed the direction of Li Xiaofei¡¯s ambitions.


    This man... his aspirations are this bold?


    Quickly organizing her thoughts, she began explaining.


    ¡°In Urawa Base City, there are currently three top-tier gangs, the Asura Dragon Gang, the Urawa Dojo, and the Flying Blade Stream. These three gangs are all closely tied to the Sanshang Group. Each one is supported by a major figure within the Sanshang Group.¡±


    The Flying Blade Stream is the most powerful. It has the largest number of disciples and serves as the Tsukiha family¡¯s direct dojo. In addition, there are thirty-nine smaller organizations dependent on these three major gangs, each controlling different districts and streets within the city.¡±


    She bent slightly forward as she spoke, giving a detailed and thorough account of the gang situation.

 Chapter 517: A Gift From Brother Dog

    Chapter 517: A Gift From Brother Dog "Which of the three major factions does the Yamai Gang belong to?" Li Xiaofei asked.


    Hashimoto Mako respectfully replied, "The Yamai Gang operates in Sakura District, under the jurisdiction of the Flying Blade Stream. It is subordinate to the Flying Blade Stream along with five other organizations."


    Li Xiaofei nodded.


    The leader of the Flying Blade Stream had been the Martial Saint Tsukiha Tens¨­, who Li Xiaofei had slain. According to Hashimoto Mako, the Flying Blade Stream was directly connected to the Tsukiha family and was originally the strongest among the three major factions. However, with the fall of Tsukiha Tens¨­, the group had suffered significant losses. The Flying Blade Stream had been struggling lately. Urawa Base City was divided into four districts: Sakura District, Green District, Red District, and South District.


    The Dragon Bloom Factory was located in the Sakura District, where the Yamai Gang was also based.


    Li Xiaofei asked again, "What are the other five factions in Sakura District?"


    Hashimoto Mako replied, "Besides the Yamai Gang, there are the Hashi Town Dojo, the Screw Association, the Wind Chime Tavern, the Flying Dragon Group, and the White Suits. Their strength is roughly on par with ours."


    Li Xiaofei said, "Are they all primarily collecting protection fees as well?"


    Hashimoto Mako quickly explained, "Collecting protection fees is just one of the revenue sources for these factions. It¡¯s not even the primary channel. The significant income sources are commercial trade, running clubs, organizing martial arts tournaments, and sharing tax revenues, among other ventures."


    She explained in great detail. It was only then that Li Xiaofei understood that officially registered factions in the Jiepeng Empire functioned similarly to police departments. Even the local ruling families relied on these factions to collect taxes.


    The factions also had powers such as adjudication, investigation, and judgment within their respective territories. In short, it was extremely chaotic. This was no longer a well-structured and functioning nation. It had completely devolved into the private playground of major corporations and powerful factions.


    "Deliver a message to the leaders of those five factions for me," Li Xiaofei said, stroking his chin. "Submit to me. From today on, they will pay me protection fees and follow my orders. That¡¯s their only path to survival. Otherwise, I will personally wipe them out of Sakura District."


    Hashimoto Mako¡¯s face betrayed her extreme shock. Although she had long guessed that Shinzu Genshi had grand ambitions to insert himself into the power struggles of the factions, hearing this domineering declaration in person still caused an uncontrollable upheaval in her heart.


    The Flying Blade Stream¡¯s status in Urawa Base City had been plummeting after the death of their leader, the Martial Saint Tsukiha Tens¨­. The faction had faced severe provocations and threats from the other two top-tier factions, the Asura Dragon Gang and Urawa Dojo.


    Rumors suggested that these two factions had already secured funding from powerful forces outside the city. They were aiming to take advantage of the situation and completely crush the Flying Blade Stream. To deal with this crisis, the Flying Blade Stream had been spending money like water to hire powerful mercenaries and purchase modern equipment and weapons. Their cash flow had already become severely strained.


    As a result, they had pressured their subordinate factions in the Sakura District, such as the Yamai Gang, to aggressively extort protection fees from local merchants and freemen in order to amass wealth at a frenzied pace. The gang world of Urawa Base City was already on the brink of turmoil. Now, someone as ruthless as Shinzu Genshi had stepped into the arena, ready to stir up even more chaos.


    Chaos. Urawa Base City was truly about to descend into chaos. If Hashimoto Mako hadn¡¯t witnessed Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s tolerance for Li Xiaofei, she wouldn¡¯t have dared to accept his task.


    But now, this blood-stained flower of the gang world keenly sensed that a massive opportunity might be right before her eyes. If she seized this chance, there was a possibility that she could rise to prominence amidst the upcoming turmoil and become one of the dominant forces of the next era of balance.


    "Yes, my lord." She humbly knelt. "I will deliver your will to them without fail."


    Li Xiaofei waved his hand and said, "Go."


    Hashimoto Mako quickly retreated with her people.


    Not long after, a team of professional construction and renovation companies arrived to restore the storefront of the Dragon Bloom Factory. They also delivered 4,000,000 Star God Coins as compensation.


    It was an astronomical sum. When Tanaka Kenichi and Yokan Kasumi saw the sudden appearance of so much money in their corporate account, they were stunned for a long time. They repeatedly counted the zeros after the number 4, terrified of making a mistake.


    Happiness had come too suddenly. With this massive windfall, the Dragon Bloom Factory could not only repay all its loans and material costs but also afford to purchase some modern equipment and upgrade its industrial light core.


    Soon, the workers whom Tanaka Kenichi had previously sent home for safety were recalled. He paid no attention to their cheers of joy.


    Li Xiaofei returned to his room and resumed his cultivation. He carefully studied the Innate Art manual over and over again. According to Li Mu''s annotations, this technique was a combination of an internal breath circulation method and martial techniques that were designed to achieve both internal and external strengthening. It refined the body and also cultivated qi.


    Based on Li Mu¡¯s notes, to truly reach Five Spirits Realm and achieve the state of "Five Qi Converging to the Origin," one must attain a harmonious unity of internal sanctity and external mastery. Many cultivation techniques designed for the Five Spirits Realm emphasized only internal sanctity, which focused on nourishing the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys but neglected the strengthening of bones and muscles. This approach was incomplete. Li Mu¡¯s Innate Art addressed this shortcoming.


    Moments later, the cooldown for the Secret Time Pavilion was complete. Originally, he had intended to continue cultivating the Innate Art and use the time wisely to refine the potential of the severed tail he possessed, formally stepping into the first stage of the Five Spirits Realm. But as soon as he entered, Brother Dog appeared.


    ¡°Woof, your gift has arrived!¡± Brother Dog looked at Li Xiaofei with its wise, mismatched eyes and said, ¡°Ta-da... look! This is the treasure I carefully selected just for you, little brother.¡±


    Li Xiaofei followed the direction of Brother Dog¡¯s paw and found... a chubby... fluffy... little black dog?!


    Is this supposed to be a treasure?


    Li Xiaofei squinted and stared closely. He confirmed that this little black dog looked exactly like an ordinary mutt. A pure-blooded Great Xia rural dog, through and through. After carefully examining it, he realized it wasn¡¯t some Divine Dragon or an exotic beast in disguise. This was genuinely just an ordinary mutt.


    ¡°Are you messing with me?¡± Li Xiaofei said, ¡°What¡¯s the story with this thing?¡±


    Little Nine said proudly, ¡°Don¡¯t judge it by its plain, coal-black appearance. This little one has an impressive lineage. It¡¯s the descendant of Black Whirlwind, the number one mount under Sun Fei. It inherited its father¡¯s bloodline; it looks ordinary on the surface but holds endless potential. I nearly got shot to death by Elena to steal it out of Chambord City... Little brother, I paid a huge price for you.¡±


    Li Xiaofei vaguely understood. He knew of Sun Fei, one of the Five Supreme Heroes. He was a peerless figure on par with Lin Beichen, Li Mu, and Ye Qingyu. Naturally, a mount belonging to someone of such supreme existence couldn¡¯t be ordinary. But where exactly was Chambord City? And who was Elena?


    ¡°Woof woof!¡±


    The little black dog stumbled and rolled its way to Li Xiaofei¡¯s feet, its chubby little tail wagging like a fan. Then, it peed all over Li Xiaofei¡¯s shoe. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 518: Something Terrifying And Unmatched

    Chapter 518: Something Terrifying And Unmatched Li Xiaofei nearly passed out because of the stench. It stank like hell. The smell of dog pee was so pungent and overwhelming that Li Xiaofei felt waves of dizziness hitting him.


    Something wasn¡¯t right. He was, after all, a ridiculously overpowered existence who could obliterate Saints in an instant. And yet, a mere puddle of dog pee nearly knocked him unconscious?


    He looked down at the little black mutt wagging its tail like a black fan, tongue hanging out with an innocent expression on its face.


    Hmm. Could this really be a treasure?


    ¡°What does it eat?¡± Li Xiaofei grabbed the little black dog by the scruff of its neck, lifted it up, and turned toward Brother Dog.


    ¡°You¡¯ve never raised a dog before?¡± Brother Dog said, ¡°This breed is the easiest to care for. Whatever you eat, give it the same. It¡¯s not picky at all. But it hasn¡¯t been weaned yet so you¡¯ll need to get some beast milk or something.¡±


    Li Xiaofei pondered for a moment. ¡°So I just raise it like a regular mutt?¡±


    ¡°What else?¡± Brother Dog replied matter-of-factly, ¡°Anything I gift you has to be cost-effective, right? If I gave you a true divine beast, do you think you could afford to raise it right now?¡±


    Li Xiaofei blinked.


    Damn. That actually made a lot of sense. No wonder Brother Dog¡¯s mismatched eyes looked so wise. There really was knowledge behind them.


    ¡°So, its ability... is to pee stinkier than anything else?¡± Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but ask again.


    Brother Dog scratched its head with a paw and said, ¡°I¡¯m not exactly sure about that. For pets like this that grow over time, you¡¯ll need to discover its abilities yourself. When you achieve harmony between man and dog, it¡¯ll unleash its full power.¡±


    Man and dog in harmony. Li Xiaofei couldn¡¯t help but give the dog a thumbs-up.


    ¡°I get it.¡± He said. ¡°In that case, Big Brother, I¡¯ll leave it with you for now. I need to focus on my cultivation.¡±


    ¡°No problem!¡± Brother Dog thumped its chest confidently in response.


    Li Xiaofei headed to a quiet, secluded area in the Secret Time Pavilion. There, he began practicing radio calisthenics while simultaneously cultivating the Innate Art. He had to make the most of his time and refine the hidden potential within his body. He was aiming to break through into the Five Spirits Realm, the Heart Refining Stage, at the fastest possible pace.


    Time flowed on, as Li Xiaofei swiftly progressed. His inner qi transformed into a gentle force that strengthened his heart. It worked silently, like rain nourishing the earth. The Five Spirits Realm was a crucial stage for elevating the level of life itself. By strengthening the heart, its beats grew more powerful. It purified the blood and refined the bloodline like a furnace.


    The body was tempered further through the circulation of blood. The heart was one of the two sources of life within the human body. This was why Li Xiaofei chose to strengthen his heart first.


    Under the guidance of the Innate Art, inner qi flowed into his heart, nourishing it. At last, a wisp of innate ethereal energy ignited within Li Xiaofei¡¯s heart. It was born in perfect harmony and began to spread, wrapping around his entire heart.


    The Five Spirits Realm!  S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei exhaled deeply.


    It¡¯s done!


    He had finally set one foot into the Five Spirits Realm. The first stage, Heart Refining Stage.


    A small success!


    Li Xiaofei felt his heart beating powerfully. If his heart had previously been like a 3.0T engine, now it felt as though it had been replaced with a rocket engine. Both his cultivation speed and its quality would see a significant boost. Moreover, when he transformed into the Asura or the Demon God form, his endurance and durability would be greatly enhanced.


    Li Xiaofei emerged from his meditative state. The timing was just about right. He turned his head and was immediately stunned.


    Brother Dog lay sprawled on the ground, foaming at the mouth as his limbs twitched uncontrollably. His wise, mismatched eyes had rolled back, showing only the whites. It looked as though he was moments away from breathing his last breath.


    ¡°Big Brother, what happened? Big Brother!¡±


    Li Xiaofei was shocked and rushed over.


    Using the last of his strength, Brother Dog weakly pointed to the little black dog nearby and stammered, ¡°Quick... take it... go... go, just... go...¡±


    Li Xiaofei froze. And then the smell hit him. A stench so pungent and overwhelming it felt like it would explode through his skull. The little black dog, standing smugly near a support column, was proudly lifting its hind leg to mark its territory.


    Li Xiaofei suddenly realized...


    Was that why it peed on my shoe earlier? Was it marking me as its territory? Did this little mutt think it had taken me as its human pet?


    Looking around, he saw that the Secret Time Pavilion had been utterly ruined. The space had turned into a disaster zone. Columns, corners, even the floor was covered in yellow, wet stains. And at the very center of this bizarre formation was Brother Dog, trapped and suffering.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s eyes welled up with tears.


    ¡°Brother Dog, you¡¯ve suffered!¡±


    He grabbed the little black dog and bolted out of the Secret Time Pavilion.


    ***


    At the Dragon Bloom Factory. In a room on the fourth floor of the detached building.


    ¡°No more peeing wherever you like, got it?¡± Li Xiaofei was training the little black dog.


    This mutt, to be fair, had an impressive appearance. Its entire body was pitch black, but it had two striking white circles around its eyes. Additionally, its four paws were white, as though it were treading on snow. Its shiny black eyes were like two perfect onyx gems, shimmering faintly even in the dim room. But most surprisingly, its intelligence was remarkable.


    After a few stern words from Li Xiaofei, it actually refrained from peeing again. It simply followed him wherever he went. Sometimes, it even bit onto his pant leg and clung to him like a decorative charm.


    At dinnertime, Li Xiaofei decided to test it and gave the little guy a bowl of meat. It devoured the food without hesitation, smacking its lips afterward as though it was still unsatisfied.


    Right at that moment, Red Maru, the third leader of the Yamai Gang, the red-haired man who had nearly been scared into wetting himself by Li Xiaofei, came running in. He was delivering a large amount of exquisite food and fine wine on behalf of Hashimoto Mako, the Yamai Gang¡¯s leader.


    Li Xiaofei graciously accepted everything without hesitation.


    ¡°Go get some beast milk,¡± Li Xiaofei said, pointing at the little black dog. ¡°It needs proper nutrition.¡±


    ¡°Understood! Please rest assured, sir, I¡¯ll handle it immediately.¡±


    Red Maru beamed like a low-level player who had just received a hidden quest from a key NPC. He scampered off excitedly to complete the task.


    Li Xiaofei continued cultivating while occasionally playing with the little black dog. His strength had grown considerably since his time in Haijing City. It was time to stretch his muscles a little.


    Sure enough, Hashimoto Mako returned by evening. Inside the room, Hashimoto Mako, dressed in a formal kimono, knelt carefully behind Li Xiaofei and massaged his head.


    ¡°Young Master, all five factions have responded,¡± she said softly.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hear it,¡± Li Xiaofei replied, resting his head comfortably on the ample softness of Hashimoto Mako¡¯s chest. ¡°What did they say?¡±


    Hashimoto Mako straightened, ensuring Li Xiaofei¡¯s comfort as she reported, ¡°The Hashi Town Dojo and the Screw Association have rejected your proposal outright. Their attitude was very firm. However, the Wind Chime Tavern, the Flying Dragon Group, and the White Suits are willing to meet and discuss terms with you.¡±


    ¡°Good.¡± Li Xiaofei patted her thigh and said, ¡°Then let¡¯s have a chat. You make the arrangements.¡±


    Hashimoto Mako, savoring the tingling sensation from the pat, let out a soft, involuntary murmur.


    ¡°When do you want to meet them?¡± she asked.


    ¡°After I¡¯ve wiped out the Hashi Town Dojo and the Screw Association,¡± Li Xiaofei said with a sly chuckle. ¡°I hope the rest of them continue to be as cooperative as they are now.¡±


    Hashimoto Mako froze for a moment.


    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want to negotiate further with the Screw Association and the Hashi Town Dojo?¡± she asked hesitantly.


    ¡°No,¡± Li Xiaofei replied coldly. ¡°If they dare refuse me, they must bear the consequences of their refusal. Those who follow me live; those who oppose me die. I never give my enemies a second chance.¡±


    Hashimoto Mako¡¯s heart trembled. The young man resting on her chest exuded an overwhelming dominance and strength she had never encountered before.


    In that moment, she began to faintly understand why someone as proud and extraordinary as Tsukiha Yaiba had shown such tolerance. True dominance could only be established on a foundation of absolute strength.


    Hashimoto Mako realized that Tsukiha Yaiba must have seen something terrifying and unmatched in this man that she had yet to fully comprehend.

 Chapter 519: Ambush

    Chapter 519: Ambush Hashimoto Mako¡¯s heart was in turmoil, a battle raging between her desires and her fears. The admiration of strength was an intrinsic trait of the Jiepeng people. Even she, a female gang leader who had clawed her way through storms of blood and chaos, could not escape this reality.


    When someone stronger appeared, someone who could bring her greater benefits, she would not hesitate to offer up everything she had. Her fame, her status, even her body. So she carefully weighed her options.


    Would serving Shinzu Genshi provoke Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s jealousy and retaliation? That was crucial to consider. But Li Xiaofei didn¡¯t give her much time to dwell on it.


    He stood up, patted the dust off himself, and said lightly, ¡°Get to work.¡±


    Two hours later, the Hashi Town Dojo and the Screw Association were erased from Sakura District in Urawa Base City. The heads of the two factions¡¯ leaders were nailed to the gates of their respective headquarters.


    Drip, drip.


    Fresh blood trickled down, painting a terrifying picture. Countless other experts within the factions lay dead or gravely injured. The message was clear. Opposition was death.


    News of the events spread like wildfire. The nearby freemen and slaves erupted in joy. The two tumors that had plagued their lives had been eradicated in a single day.


    Is this the work of the Supreme Gods who had heard their prayers and sent a messenger of justice?


    At this moment, however, the so-called messenger of justice, Li Xiaofei, was seated at the Yamai Gang''s headquarters. He was in a meeting with the leaders of the Wind Chime Tavern, the Flying Dragon Group, and the White Suits to discuss their future.


    The three leaders were visibly trembling. The news of the destruction of Hashi Town Dojo and the Screw Association had already reached them before they arrived. Unlike the general public, they knew the truth. These two dominant factions had been annihilated by the clean and harmless looking young man in front of them. He had singlehandedly slaughtered his way through both organizations with a single blade.


    The entire process had taken less than ten minutes. Ten minutes, and two factions that had ruled over the Sakura District for decades were now nothing more than history.


    The Yagyu Blade of Hashi Town Dojo and the Thousand-Faced Armor of the Screw Association were both peak Dao Union Realm experts. Yet, in front of this youth named Shinzu Genshi, neither of them had managed to last even a single move before being violently crushed.


    The three leaders knew that their own fates would be no different if they resisted.


    ¡°Do you still have any objections to the idea of joining me?¡± Li Xiaofei asked softly, as though they were simply friends having a casual conversation. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Of course not!¡±


    ¡°It is an honor to serve Lord Shinzu,¡± said Senbee, one of the leaders, his voice shaking slightly.


    ¡°I feel the same,¡± echoed another leader, bowing deeply.


    The third quickly added, ¡°It is our privilege.¡±


    The leaders of Wind Chime Tavern, Cho Yanagi Gensei, Flying Dragon Group, Senbee, and White Suits, Umegawa Kuniko, all expressed their submission in unison. They were too scared to defy the messenger of destruction before them.


    Li Xiaofei¡¯s infamous declaration¡ª¡°I never give my enemies a second chance¡±¡ªhad already been passed on to them through Hashimoto Mako.


    It was not just a saying. After all, Hashi Town Dojo and the Screw Association had received no second opportunity after refusing him. They had been completely reduced to ashes.


    ¡°Very good.¡± Li Xiaofei nodded in satisfaction and said, ¡°Now gather your people. We¡¯ll march together and attack the headquarters of the Flying Blade Stream.¡±


    What?!


    This time, it wasn¡¯t just Senbee, Cho Yanagi Gensei, and Umegawa Kuniko who were shocked. Even Hashimoto Mako was stunned. Attack the Flying Blade Stream¡¯s headquarters? That was the direct martial sect of the Tsukiha Family. It was the true martial pillar of the Sanshang Group.


    Even though they had lost Tsukiha Tens¨­, the Martial Saint who had once been their backbone, the sect¡¯s heritage and strength were still formidable. At the very least, the combined strength and influence of everyone in the room fell far short of the Flying Blade Stream.


    But when Li Xiaofei stood up and strode straight toward the door, they all realized that this battle was inevitable. Should they follow Shinzu Genshi into the fight? With this young man¡¯s overwhelming, explosive strength, and the knowledge that Tsukiha Yaiba, the powerful noble, stood behind him, they still had a chance to survive.


    But if they refused to fight? Then they would immediately become enemies of Shinzu Genshi. Their heads would soon be nailed to the gates of their own headquarters.


    ***


    Headquarters of the Flying Blade Stream.


    The towering building that once symbolized the peak of martial strength in Urawa Base City suddenly looked old under the last traces of the sunset¡¯s glow on the horizon. The enormous horizontal blade that pointed skyward, representing the glory of the city¡¯s strongest martial sect, stood tall and unyielding. The sunset bathed the massive blade as though the long knife itself wept blood.


    Inside the office, Tsukiha Tokuhito reclined in his chair, his feet propped arrogantly on the desk, with a defiant and disdainful expression.


    ¡°Sister, you think you can take over the Flying Blade Stream? What do you have to rely on? That pretty face of yours, or the so-called unmatched talent that hasn¡¯t been seen in a century? You ran off to study New Martial Arts abroad in Great Xia. What a disgrace to the Tsukiha family. Do you think you deserve to take the sect¡¯s leadership from me?¡±


    He laughed contemptuously as he looked at the girl in the black dress standing before him. Anyone who had any connection to the low-born wretches of Great Xia was an enemy in Tsukiha Tokuhito¡¯s eyes. Such sentiments were mainstream in the Jiepeng Empire.


    ¡°You seem to have misunderstood something.¡± Tsukiha Yaiba replied indifferently, ¡°I¡¯m not here to ask you to hand over control of the sect. I¡¯m here under the orders of our grandparents. It¡¯s their decision and I¡¯m ordering you to comply.¡±


    Tsukiha Tokuhito snorted coldly. He slowly straightened, his expression hardening. ¡° Grandfather and grandmother must have lost their minds to let themselves be swayed by someone like you, a disgrace who set foot in Great Xia. But I refuse to accept such a ridiculous order.¡±


    Tsukiha Yaiba looked at her cousin with faint surprise. She wondered who had given him such courage. But she had no intention of wasting her breath.


    ¡°I hope you won¡¯t regret what you¡¯ve just said,¡± she replied calmly.


    She turned on her heel to leave. She had no desire to escalate internal family matters into physical conflict. That would only weaken the already precarious position of the Tsukiha family.


    ¡°Wait a moment.¡± Tsukiha Tokuhito suddenly stood up.


    He walked over, his gaze fixed on the long blade at Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s waist. Then, he smiled. ¡°That¡¯s the blade you used to cut off Okamoto Takeyuki¡¯s head, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    Tsukiha Yaiba stared at him silently, saying nothing.


    Tsukiha Tokuhito continued, ¡°The Tsukiha family¡¯s famed blade, Tiger¡¯s Deficiency. You don¡¯t deserve to wield it. Hand it over.¡±


    Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s slender hand pressed against the hilt of the sword. Her patience was not infinite. But in the very next instant...


    Boom!


    A palm struck heavily against her back. It was Okamoto Jiro, the loyal Tsukiha steward, who had suddenly betrayed her and attacked without warning. Caught completely off guard, Tsukiha Yaiba spat out a mouthful of blood. Her body was thrown violently forward.


    Already prepared, Tsukiha Tokuhito swung his fist. His fists, long modified into titanium weapons, erupted with sharp spikes as they smashed heavily into Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s shoulders. Blood sprayed through the air. Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s shoulders were instantly reduced to a pulp of shattered flesh and bone.


    Almost simultaneously, Tsukiha Tokuhito lowered his head. He viciously rammed it forward and a brutal headbutt collided with Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s forehead. A needle had burst out from between his brows. His skull had also been transformed into a metallic weapon. In an instant, the needle pierced into Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s forehead. A single drop of a hallucinogen was injected straight into her brain.


    Shing!


    Tsukiha Yaiba drew the Tiger¡¯s Deficiency Blade and slashed outward. Tsukiha Tokuhito¡¯s body was sliced cleanly in two at the waist, sending sparks in all directions. Beneath his artificial skin, bundles of cables snapped, and three thick tubes spewed a pale but viscous blue liquid. But that was all.


    The hallucinogen quickly took effect as Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s resistance vanished almost immediately. Meanwhile, quicksilver-like metal fluids began to wriggle and flow at Tokuhito¡¯s severed waist, rapidly repairing the damage.


    A cyborg! And not just any cyborg! He¡¯s an advanced, extreme mechanical augmentation. When did this happen?


    As Tsukiha Yaiba slowly collapsed, she realized that the information she had retrieved from the family¡¯s internal network had been completely false. The Tsukiha family¡¯s internal problems ran far deeper than she had ever imagined.


    ¡°Hahaha! It¡¯s done!¡± Tsukiha Tokuhito burst into triumphant laughter.

 Chapter 520: I’m Very Disappointed In You

    Chapter 520: I¡¯m Very Disappointed In You ¡°Why would you ever think that after killing Okamoto Takeyuki, his uncle would remain loyal to you?¡±


    Tsukiha Tokuhito sneered mockingly as he looked down at the utterly subdued Tsukiha Yaiba. Okamoto Jiro stood silently to the side. His situation was far more complicated. While part of his betrayal stemmed from the anger of seeing his carefully groomed nephew killed so mercilessly by Tsukiha Yaiba, the real reason he had chosen to turn against her lay deeper.


    He had sensed that the two elders who truly controlled the Tsukiha family were beginning to grow suspicious, perhaps even hostile, of him. He knew well that a loyal hound would always meet a grim end once it was mistrusted by its master. He had no choice but to act for the future of the Okamoto line.


    Tsukiha Tokuhito¡¯s gaze lingered on Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s stunning face, a flicker of desire flashing through his eyes. Though his body had been heavily modified, his mind¡¯s cravings and desires remained perfectly intact. Thanks to the breakthroughs of New Martial Arts surgery, he retained full functionality. He could still feel excitement and experience release.


    Tsukiha Tokuhito had coveted his proud and beautiful cousin for a long time. He had endlessly fantasized about forcing the family¡¯s shining jewel beneath him, crushing her pride, and defiling her beauty. But he had no intention of touching her at the moment.


    The Temple had specifically requested Tsukiha Yaiba as their God Awaiting Maiden, and her purity needed to remain intact. Still, his interest in her body went beyond mere lust. The super regenerative bloodline coursing through Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s veins intrigued him deeply. Before offering her as a tribute to the Temple, he intended to experiment on her and uncover the secret energy sources behind her miraculous self-healing abilities.


    "Thank you for your assistance, Uncle Okamoto." A smile surfaced on Tsukiha Tokuhito¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯m sure our cooperation will be very pleasant.¡±


    He was not as arrogant and brainless as he appeared to be on the surface. When he was dealing with allies, he revealed a carefully concealed side of caution and politeness.


    ¡°When do we take action?¡± Okamoto Jiro asked.


    ¡°No rush, no rush,¡± Tsukiha Tokuhito smiled in reply. ¡°The external forces have just entered Urawa Base City, and chaos is only beginning to brew. Let things unravel a bit more. Once everything truly falls apart, then we¡¯ll join hands. The timing isn¡¯t right just yet.¡±


    Okamoto Jiro gave a slight nod. He couldn¡¯t help but feel a hint of regret. If only his nephew, Okamoto Takeyuki, had the same cunning and composure as Tsukiha Tokuhito, he wouldn¡¯t have died at Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s hands.


    Among the younger generation of the Tsukiha family, only Tsukiha Tokuhito hid the deepest schemes, possessed the most ruthless heart, and employed the deadliest methods. As someone who had witnessed countless storms within the Tsukiha family, Okamoto Jiro knew better than anyone what kind of person could truly laugh last. That was precisely why he had chosen to align himself with Tsukiha Tokuhito.


    Just as they were speaking, a trusted lieutenant burst into the room, his face pale with panic.


    ¡°Young Master! Someone has broken in!¡±


    ¡°What? Broken in? Here?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Young Master. Something¡¯s wron¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish...


    Boom!


    The office doors were blasted open. A tall and imposing figure stepped through the shattered doorway. The moment the moonlight illuminated that silhouette, the half-conscious Tsukiha Yaiba, still caught in the haze of the hallucinogen, suddenly felt hope break through her despair. She knew she had been saved. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Hm? It¡¯s you?¡± Okamoto Jiro looked at the intruder in surprise. ¡°Shinzu Genshi! How dare you barge in here? Do you even know where this is?¡±


    On the other side, Li Xiaofei had a faint look of surprise on his face.


    ¡°Oh, Uncle Okamoto, it¡¯s you! You¡¯re here too?¡± He said casually. ¡°By the way, about your nephew, you know he¡¯s dead, right? Beheaded, poor guy. Such a tragedy. My condolences.¡±


    He spoke as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Okamoto Jiro¡¯s face darkened, and he opened his mouth to retort. But Li Xiaofei¡¯s sharp gaze had already swept across the room.


    He immediately picked up on Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s presence. Her aura was unmistakable to him. He knew her scent and essence all too well. She was sprawled on the floor, clearly having been made a prisoner.


    ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve run into trouble,¡± Li Xiaofei remarked casually.


    ¡°Kill them for me,¡± Tsukiha Yaiba forced the words out through sheer willpower.


    Li Xiaofei shrugged and said, ¡°Make sure you pay me a fee later.¡±


    He didn¡¯t waste another word and threw a single punch. Tsukiha Tokuhito didn¡¯t hesitate. His expression darkened as he met the punch with one of his own. The modified titanium alloy fists he wielded erupted once again, unleashing a burst of razor-sharp spikes.


    Boom!


    Fist collided with fist. But Tsukiha Tokuhito was stunned to find that the spikes on his alloy fists had been completely flattened by a mere flesh-and-blood hand. Reacting quickly, he lunged forward again.


    Bang!


    He delivered a brutal headbutt, the needle hidden between his brows shooting out in an instant. However, the needle didn¡¯t pierce Li Xiaofei¡¯s skull. Instead, it was forced right back into Tsukiha Tokuhito¡¯s own head by the sheer hardness of Li Xiaofei¡¯s skull. The lethal hallucinogen that had been meant for his opponent was released directly into his brain. Tsukiha Tokuhito had no time to react. The energy surging through his body dissipated instantly.


    Boom!


    Li Xiaofei struck with another punch, and Tsukiha Tokuhito¡¯s body exploded. In a matter of seconds, he had been reduced to nothing but shattered metal fragments and debris.


    Okamoto Jiro stood frozen in shock. He had watched, wide-eyed, as Shinzu Genshi obliterated his chosen candidate for the Tsukiha family¡¯s future leadership with a single punch.


    It had been complete, utter domination. Tsukiha Tokuhito, with his so-called invincible mechanical body, hadn¡¯t even had the chance to display his more advanced combat functions before being completely destroyed.


    Okamoto Jiro had previously suspected that this youth that Tsukiha Yaiba held in such high regard would be a troublesome adversary. But it was only now that Okamoto Jiro truly understood. This wasn¡¯t merely a troublesome opponent. This was a lethal threat. But it was already far too late.


    ¡°Okamoto, you old traitor, die!¡± Li Xiaofei roared, throwing a single punch.


    Moments ago, he had called him Uncle Okamoto. Now, it was old traitor. But the old traitor had no chance to resist. His half-step Divine Realm cultivation meant nothing in front of Li Xiaofei¡¯s overwhelming strength.


    Okamoto Jiro was obliterated on the spot by a single punch.


    ¡°You really disappoint me,¡± Li Xiaofei said as he walked over and helped Tsukiha Yaiba to her feet. ¡°To think that you¡¯d be plotted against and almost turned into someone¡¯s trophy in your own family. I think I need to re-evaluate our cooperation plans.¡±


    ¡°This will be the last time.¡± Tsukiha Yaiba spoke with a dark expression as her strength gradually returned. ¡°I promise, something like this won¡¯t happen again... And also, thank you for saving me.¡±


    She had still held hope for her family. Now, it was clear to her how foolish she had been.


    ¡°I never accept verbal gratitude,¡± Li Xiaofei said calmly. ¡°You¡¯d better fulfill your promises. Otherwise, I won¡¯t hesitate to find a new partner.¡±


    The battle outside had already come to an end. After Li Xiaofei had slain most of the high-level experts, the Flying Blade Stream could no longer resist the combined assault led by Hashimoto Mako and the other five faction leaders.


    The Flying Blade Stream headquarters had fallen in less than half an hour. Tsukiha Yaiba, having repeatedly assured Li Xiaofei that she would not fail again, finally earned his forgiveness and successfully took control of everything.


    When news of the events broke, Urawa Base City was thrown into chaos. It had happened far too suddenly. Even the upper echelons of the Tsukiha family were momentarily stunned into silence.


    But soon, the storm began to churn violently. Urawa Base City had officially descended into utter turmoil.

 Chapter 521: All Done

    Chapter 521: All DoneSanshang Manor. The Family Council Office.


    An elderly couple sat at the head of a long marble table. The white haired man, Tsukiha No, looked like he was in his sixties or seventies, but was in reality already one hundred and fifty years old. His complexion was ruddy, giving off an impression of vitality despite his age. He wore a meticulously tailored suit, and his hair was combed to perfection.


    Beside him sat an old woman with snow-white hair. Her face was marked with deep wrinkles, folded so intricately that they almost swallowed her facial features, making her look like a weathered shar-pei.


    Seated along both sides of the long table were the direct bloodline members of the Tsukiha family. Both men and women alike had uniformly grim expressions.


    ¡°Do you even realize what you¡¯ve done?¡±


    A man in his fifties, dressed in a formal suit and sitting in the third seat on the right, pointed angrily at Tsukiha Yaiba, who stood to one side. ¡°You actually conspired with outsiders to attack our own sect! You¡¯ve brought disgrace to Flying Blade Stream and made it the laughingstock of all Urawa Base City! At such a critical moment, you¡¯ve undone all the hard work and sacrifices of the elders!¡±


    He was Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s nominal father.


    Another middle-aged woman, her tone heavy with grief, accused her bitterly. ¡°Tokuhito is your brother. You share the same blood! How could you raise your hand against him?¡±


    She was Tsukiha Tokuhito¡¯s mother. The conference room was filled with gazes of reproach, all directed at Tsukiha Yaiba. The fall and takeover of Flying Blade Stream in less than an hour had dealt a severe blow to the Tsukiha family¡¯s prestige in Urawa Base City. It had also plunged the Sanshang Group¡¯s military dominance into a grave crisis.


    Urawa Base City had already been teetering on the edge of chaos. Now, this incident further exacerbated the crisis facing the Tsukiha family. The powder keg that was Urawa Base City was on the verge of igniting, so an emergency meeting had been convened to discuss countermeasures. As such, the instigator, Tsukiha Yaiba, had been forcibly summoned to provide an explanation for her actions.


    Li Xiaofei stood behind Tsukiha Yaiba, curiously examining everyone present. The high-ranking members of the Sanshang Group were all dressed in suits and exuded an air of sophistication and propriety. They were the very image of elites from a century-old family with deep roots. Yet, it was this very group that had orchestrated the infiltration and invasion of Great Xia. Liuhe Base City and Haijing City had both been scarred by the actions of the Sanshang Group.


    They were like a group of parasitic vampires, eager to drain resources from the fertile lands of Great Xia to strengthen themselves. Even if they were lined up and decimated, evil would still slip through the cracks.


    Tsukiha Yaiba simply projected a video of everything that had transpired in the Flying Blade Stream¡¯s headquarters office. The conference room erupted in gasps the moment Tsukiha Tokuhito and Okamoto Jiro launched a joint ambush on Tsukiha Yaiba. There was a sharp intake of breath at the sight of Tsukiha Tokuhito¡¯s mechanical body.


    No matter what, Flying Blade Stream was considered a sect of traditional martial arts under the broader Jiepeng system. The path of New Martial Arts surgery it followed adhered to the practice of Inscribed Treasure Bone implantation. A complete transformation into a mechanical body was seen as a betrayal of Flying Blade Stream¡¯s traditions. More crucially, the procedure for such full-body mechanical transformation was controlled by their rivals, the Redshirt Group.


    Had Tsukiha Tokuhito secretly defected to the Redshirt Group?


    The middle-aged woman who had been angrily berating Tsukiha Yaiba moments ago fell completely silent as her face went from stunned to bewildered and back.


    ¡°The family is already riddled with flaws,¡± Tsukiha Yaiba said in a calm and indifferent voice. ¡°Minor repairs won¡¯t suffice. It is only through blood and fire, that we can rise from the ashes and achieve rebirth.¡±


    The conference room erupted into an uproar once again.


    ¡°I propose,¡± Tsukiha Yaiba continued, her gaze sweeping across the uncles, elders, and other family members seated at the table; the ones who wielded the family¡¯s power but contributed little to its well-being.


    Finally, her eyes landed on the elderly couple at the end of the long table.


    ¡°I propose that Grandpa and Grandma step down. You¡¯re old now; it¡¯s time to rest and take care of your health. From now on, let me take over as the head of the family.¡±


    Her voice was soft but crystal clear.


    After a brief silence, the conference room exploded like a hornet¡¯s nest that had been kicked. The cacophony of furious shouting and yelling nearly lifted the ceiling off the room.


    Faces contorted in anger. Fingers pointed at her accusingly. The elderly couple sitting at the end of the table, the representatives of the family¡¯s authority, turned to look deeply at Tsukiha Yaiba. Their aged eyes gleamed with a sharp, icy light.


    ¡°Who put you up to saying such a thing?¡± The old woman whose face was as wrinkled as a shar-pei spoke in a crisp and youthful voice. It was like it belonged to an eighteen-year-old girl.


    Tsukiha Yaiba met her eyes directly. Her voice was steady, neither submissive nor overbearing. ¡°I am doing this for the future of the Tsukiha family and the Sanshang Group. Grandpa and Grandma, you¡¯re getting confused by age, and incapable of managing such a vast family. It¡¯s time for you to relinquish power and hand it over to me.¡±


    Bang!


    The elderly man slammed his hand on the long table and stood up abruptly. In an instant, the atmosphere in the conference room froze.


    ¡°You have deeply disappointed me,¡± he said with a sigh. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Tsukiha Yaiba let out a sigh of her own.


    ¡°I¡¯m disappointed too. Truly disappointed,¡± she replied. ¡°Grandfather, you have outlasted six successors. Over the past century, you have openly and secretly eliminated eighteen family prodigies who posed a threat to your position. What are you clinging to so desperately, grandfather? Are you truly acting for the good of the family? Don¡¯t you see that it¡¯s your unwillingness to step aside that has caused the Tsukiha family¡¯s current decline? That it was your inaction that led to the fall of Tsukiha Tens¨­, the sect master, in a foreign land?


    ¡°So today, I ask you. Please step down. Will you?¡±


    Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s tone grew sharper and more assertive as she spoke. Everyone in the room stared at her in disbelief. Was she mad? Was she trying to openly overthrow the tyrant and claim power for herself? What right did she have?


    ¡°I must admit, I underestimated you,¡± the elderly man behind the table said with a faint smile. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve been influenced by something you shouldn¡¯t have been during your time in Great Xia. Who was it? This young man behind you?¡±


    Tsukiha Yaiba shook her head lightly.


    When she thought back to her time in Great Xia, she felt the violent impulses within her grow like tender buds in the height of spring. In the blink of an eye, they transformed into wild black vines that consumed her entire being beneath her skin.


    So, she said nothing. Instead, she turned and walked away.


    ¡°Who gave you permission to leave?¡±


    ¡°Baka! Apologize to the family head immediately!¡±


    ¡°You should have been sent to the temple long ago!¡±


    ¡°Stop her!¡±


    ¡°Trying to leave? Get back here... Ah!¡±


    The curses quickly turned into commanding shouts. But Tsukiha Yaiba did not pause. She walked out of the conference room and slammed the heavy door shut behind her.


    The curses and cries were sealed away in another world as Li Xiaofei was left standing inside.


    Tsukiha Yaiba let her black hair sweep past her earlobes as she slowly stepped onto the open-air corridor outside. A cool breeze swept past her as she gently grasped the metal railing with both hands and gazed into the distance.


    It was late autumn. The streets of Urawa Base City were steeped in desolation. Withering yellow leaves, caught in the relentless grip of the autumn wind, finally surrendered, breaking free from the branches. They fluttered helplessly to the ground.


    Tsukiha Yaiba seemed to glimpse the future of the empire. Winter was coming. The people remained immersed in the dream of a great nation rising through the New Martial Arts, just like her family members in the conference room behind her. They were accustomed to controlling the fates of others, but in the face of true power capable of shaping destiny, they were easily shattered.


    Barely five or six minutes had passed before the doors of the conference room behind her opened. Li Xiaofei stepped out. He looked entirely at ease, as though he had just emerged from a refreshing experience. He casually wiped his hands with a white handkerchief.


    ¡°All done,¡± Li Xiaofei said, tossing the handkerchief into the wind.

 Chapter 522: The Unexpected Benefits Of Self-Healing

    Chapter 522: The Unexpected Benefits Of Self-HealingTsukiha Yaiba walked back into the meeting room. The air was thick with the stench of blood, as cooling, lifeless corpses lay around the room.


    Tsukiha Yaiba gazed at the remains of her family; it looked like they had all been torn apart by wild beasts. A chill involuntarily ran down her spine. Although she held unwavering confidence in Li Xiaofei''s strength, this scene still left her feeling uneasy.


    What kind of battle had just taken place?


    She could not begin to fathom it. Li Xiaofei''s methods always exceeded the limits of her imagination. Tsukiha Yaiba''s eyes landed on her father, who lay in a pool of blood. The lower half of his body was completely gone. The terror he had felt in the final moments of his life was starkly evident on his face, yet she felt no sadness at all. On the contrary, she experienced an unprecedented sense of relief.


    As Tsukiha Yaiba walked a little further, the corpses of the elderly family heads came into view. Both displayed grotesque beast-like features. They had cultivated the new Beast Transformation martial technique.


    The old man''s skin now resembled snakeskin, as a three pronged tongue protruded out of his mouth. His face had transformed into a semi-humanoid serpent. The old woman¡¯s skin had turned black and scaly as her face now resembled a monstrous catfish. This was the transformation wrought by the new Beast Transformation martial technique.


    Tsukiha Yaiba let out a faint, mocking laugh.


    So, the ones who had always claimed to uphold Jiepeng¡¯s martial traditions had, in truth, completely degenerated. They had secretly embraced New Martial Arts surgery and become beast-like humans to survive.


    Everything was so absurd. Everyone raised the banners of ideals, yet they schemed with sinister intentions in their hearts. She thought back to her time in Great Xia.


    The six months and more she had spent at Quanye High School had been the most carefree and joyous period of her life. Returning to Jiepeng, to her hometown, also meant returning to this land that had descended into utter chaos and filth.


    As she took in the bloodstained ground, Tsukiha Yaiba felt like she was laying on blooming red roses. The air carried a faint fragrance. She suddenly felt an inexplicable thrill. She turned toward Li Xiaofei and moved closer with measured steps. Her arms wrapped around Li Xiaofei''s neck like water serpents.


    "I believe it now," Li Xiaofei sighed. "You Jiepeng people truly are born twisted, always indulging in forbidden things."


    "So, are we continuing?" S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Yes."


    Moments later.


    "Huh?"


    Li Xiaofei paused as he sensed a thin, delicate ¡®barrier¡¯. He was momentarily startled, but he suddenly burst into laughter.


    "The regenerative ability of the Golden Lizard King¡¯s bloodline even has this kind of effect... Impressive!"


    He abruptly thrust forward to break through it. The forbidden sounds in the office lasted for a full hour. Afterward, Tsukiha Yaiba emerged from the meeting room with a radiant complexion.


    Her bloodline awakening had reached 75 percent; it had increased by a full 3 percent in one session. This form of training was more effective than any Starforce Reagents or star cores. Li Xiaofei followed her out shortly after with an unreadable expression.


    This kind of physical interaction was rather meaningless to him now. After all, when one¡¯s skills were honed too deeply, even an iron rod could be ground down into a needle. There were countless other beautiful things in life worth pursuing. The entanglements between men and women held no real joy for him.


    At this moment, his mind was as calm as a still lake. All he wanted was to light a cigarette and take a drag. However, after this ¡®training session¡¯, Li Xiaofei noticed that his cultivation had advanced yet again.


    The energy that had sunk into his limbs and bones after his supposed death had finally been fully refined. It had transformed into the purest form of innate energy that had circulated within and nourished his heart.


    Li Xiaofei felt a significant boost in his strength.


    Could the Golden Lizard King¡¯s bloodline¡¯s regenerative abilities have restored Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s purity, making each dual cultivation session far more effective than with ordinary people?


    What an astonishing perspective. Still, progressing any further by nurturing the Five Spirits and increasing his strength would now require higher-grade Starforce Reagents or star cores.


    This matter, of course, would fall to Tsukiha Yaiba. The Sanshang Group had accumulated a vast hoard of wealth over the years. It was only fitting that all of it should end up in his hands. Reaching the peak of the Five Spirits Realm would depend on the contributions of Jiepeng¡¯s people.


    "Next, we need to take over the Tsukiha family and the Sanshang Group as quickly as possible," Li Xiaofei said. "I¡¯ve cleared all the obstacles for you. If you can¡¯t manage to fulfill your objectives now, you¡¯re truly unworthy of cooperating with me."


    Leaning on the railing, he gazed into the distance.


    Tsukiha Yaiba responded, "Taking control isn¡¯t the hard part. The challenge lies in quickly discerning everyone¡¯s loyalties. The Tsukiha family has plenty of spies planted by other clans. Identifying them will take some time."


    Li Xiaofei pulled out a small bottle.


    "This contains a drug called the Three Corpses Brain God Pill. Once consumed, there is no antidote. The victim will endure agony worse than death. Even the toughest martial artists in the world cannot withstand the torment it brings," Li Xiaofei explained as he handed the bottle to her.


    Tsukiha Yaiba felt joy surge in her heart.


    Li Xiaofei continued, "Additionally, I will teach you a technique called the Life and Death Talisman. Once the talisman is implanted, you can control the life and death of the target with a single thought. When activated, the target will feel like thousands of insects are gnawing at their heart. It will serve as a perfect complement to the Three Corpses Brain God Pill."


    He couldn¡¯t deny that these bizarre, dark arts from martial novels were incredibly effective when it came to fighting evil with evil.


    Tsukiha Yaiba listened intently. With these two techniques, she no longer needed to waste time figuring out who belonged to her and who belonged to other families. She only needed to make everyone ingest the Brain God Pill and implant the Life and Death Talisman. Then, they would obey her completely.


    After all, there was no one else in this world she could truly rely on. She might as well take control of everyone¡¯s fate herself. Once Li Xiaofei finished teaching her the techniques, he turned and left. Tsukiha Yaiba, however, did not immediately start consolidating her power. Instead, she fixed her appearance and headed toward a quiet, secluded courtyard in the estate.


    She gently knocked on the door.


    Knock, knock.


    She pushed it open and stepped inside. The courtyard had a well and a cherry blossom tree whose flowers had long since withered. The leaves were slightly yellowing. The bark was weathered and scarred.


    It was an old tree, aged and weathered. A woman in her forties sat below the tree in a bamboo reclining chair. Her figure was slender, almost frail, and her slightly sickly complexion only accentuated her delicate and stunningly beautiful features. Yet, her thinness seemed unnatural.


    She carefully and tenderly cradled a rag doll in her arms. Her head was tilted to the side, as she whispered like she was sharing secrets with the doll.


    Tsukiha Yaiba approached quietly and rested her head on the woman¡¯s lap. The coldness on her face melted away as it was replaced by an unprecedented gentleness.


    ¡°Mother, I can visit you anytime now,¡± she said softly. ¡°I¡¯ve fulfilled the promise I made to you ten years ago. I finally have the power to avenge you and Father.¡±


    She smiled, but within that smile, tears glistened.

 Chapter 523: Partner

    Chapter 523: PartnerDragon Bloom Factory.


    Li Xiaofei was immersed in cultivation. Practicing the Innate Art and True Martial Fist required an immense amount of energy. After fully refining the energy of the severed tail within his body, Li Xiaofei distinctly felt his cultivation progress slowing down.


    He simply didn¡¯t have enough energy. Simply relying on breathing techniques to draw energy from the natural world was far less efficient than taking supplements. However, at this stage, only eighth-generation Starforce Reagents could meet his cultivation demands, which were almost impossible to find on the market. Even a single drop was worth a fortune.


    "I have to figure something out," Li Xiaofei muttered to himself as he dialed Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s light core phone.


    He explained his needs. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I¡¯ll have someone deliver them shortly," Tsukiha Yaiba replied without hesitation.


    She never refused Li Xiaofei¡¯s requests. An hour later, ten bottles of eighth-generation Starforce Reagents were delivered to Dragon Bloom Factory along with a piece of information.


    A blacklisted criminal, codenamed Poison Wolf, had escaped to Urawa Base City three days ago and was now hiding somewhere in the city. The individual in question was suspected to be from Great Xia and was currently wanted by the Jiepeng royal family. When Li Xiaofei saw this piece of intelligence, a thought stirred in his mind. Tsukiha Yaiba was aware of his official ties to Great Xia and understood his unwavering stance. This was likely why she had informed him.


    There shouldn¡¯t be any traps in this. But it raised a critical question, what kind of Great Xia martial artist would warrant such a high bounty and pursuit by the Jiepeng royal family? Could it be an undercover operative from Great Xia¡¯s intelligence network abroad? If that were the case, it was imperative to establish contact.


    After considering his options, Li Xiaofei sent an encrypted message to Tsukiha Yaiba¡¯s private light core, requesting detailed information about Poison Wolf as quickly as possible. After all, finding someone in a vast city like Urawa Base City was nearly impossible on his own.


    He then consumed a bottle of eighth-generation Starforce Reagent and resumed his cultivation. He couldn¡¯t help but relish the irony of using Jiepeng¡¯s resources to cultivate Great Xia¡¯s martial arts, only to turn around and eliminate Jiepeng operatives. The satisfaction was indescribable.


    ***


    Urawa Base City. South District.


    The South District was home to the renowned South Shore Mountain. The mountain was well-covered in vegetation and was home to rare, ancient springs with crystal-clear water that was safe for direct consumption. These springs were controlled by the Urawa Dojo, one of the three top factions in the base city. The spring water was supplied in limited quantities to the public.


    The shaded side of South Shore Mountain boasted a treacherous and intricate stone forest. The stone forest was littered with medical and surgical waste. It also housed maze-like caves. Sunlight barely reached this area year-round. This place was a slave camp, where Jiepeng slaves who had lost all dignity and freedom lived.


    Poison Wolf lay on a stone bed, his entire body drenched in sweat as he panted heavily. His expression was twisted with intense pain.


    "Finally, it''s all been removed," he muttered.


    The surgeon, Itou Makoto, who had just completed the operation, was also soaked in sweat as he nearly collapsed on the floor beside his patient. He had finally extracted all the nanomachines from Poison Wolf¡¯s body. Using a specialized magnetic device, they had all been collected in a metallic sphere about the size of a three-year-old child¡¯s thumb.


    "What a monster," Itou Makoto exclaimed as he panted. "To endure housing so many nanomachines in your body for such a long time."


    Poison Wolf slowly sat up, pulling out the various tubes attached to his body.


    "It''s just about enduring," Poison Wolf replied.


    He dressed quickly and wiped his face with a damp towel. The relentless battles and invasive surgery had pushed his body to the brink of exhaustion. Even with his Dao Union Realm cultivation, he could barely withstand such a grueling marathon.


    The infamous Poison Wolf appeared to be no more than twenty-one or twenty-two years old. His face was as delicate and youthful as a typical college student, and he had a perfectly average build.


    "Old Cheng, can the data inside the machine bugs still be extracted?" He asked, turning his head toward Itou Makoto.


    Itou Makoto was the Jiepeng alias of the doctor. His name in Great Xia was Cheng Tengyi. He was one of the covert operatives of Great Xia''s Dragon Group who had infiltrated the Jiepeng Empire.


    Doctor was his codename. He was currently operating in Urawa Base City as a low-level doctor treating slaves in the camps. This was a common profession among the lower classes of the Jiepeng Empire. In truth, Cheng Tengyi''s medical skills were exceptional. Otherwise, he would not have been able to remove all the nanomachines from Poison Wolf¡¯s body, gather them, and complete the operation in under an hour.


    But if someone like Poison Wolf had taken the risk to seek out Cheng Tengyi¡¯s help, it was evident that he, too, was a member of Great Xia¡¯s Dragon Group.


    After tinkering with the medical instruments, Cheng Tengyi said, "The nanomachine disassembly requires at least two hours. Data extraction will take even longer; it¡¯ll likely be tomorrow afternoon before all the information can be decoded. Old Wolf, were you executing this mission alone?"


    Poison Wolf remained silent. Cheng Tengyi immediately sensed something was wrong.


    His throat felt dry as he abruptly looked up and asked hoarsely, "Chong Chong... what about her?"


    "She failed," Poison Wolf said softly.


    Cheng Tengyi''s heart trembled violently. Chong Chong was Poison Wolf¡¯s partner and lover. Their mission to steal the secret of the Jiepeng Empire¡¯s divine weapons for controlling star beasts had been overseen by Great Xia¡¯s Dragon Group in Tokyo. The operation had not gone smoothly; Dragon Group had lost dozens of members as they sacrificed themselves to ensure the classified information was painstakingly smuggled out.


    The ones tasked with delivering the intelligence were Poison Wolf and his partner. But they had failed. For members of the Dragon Group, that one word signified the worst possible outcome.


    "Captured or killed?" Cheng Tengyi asked, his voice tight.


    "Captured," Poison Wolf said with a bitter smile. "But does it make a difference? There¡¯s no way for us to organize an effective rescue right now."


    Cheng Tengyi remained silent. With diplomatic relations between the two nations severed and the Cave Beast passages sealed, the number of Dragon Group operatives within the Jiepeng Empire had dwindled rapidly.


    The Star Council¡¯s Realm of Traces had also joined the hunt in recent days, intensifying efforts to track and eliminate Dragon Group members within the Jiepeng Empire. Barely completing a mission had become nearly impossible. The idea of mounting a rescue operation to break someone out of the heavily guarded prisons of the Jiepeng Empire was out of the question. The organization¡¯s strength could no longer withstand such losses.


    Cheng Tengyi patted Poison Wolf on the shoulder, but he offered no words of comfort. He understood all too well the anguish that Poison Wolf was feeling. He didn¡¯t even dare to imagine the horrors Chong Chong might be enduring under Jiepeng¡¯s brutal torture.


    In the crude operating room, the only sound was the rhythmic ticking of the machines as they slowly extracted data from the nanobots.


    Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside. Poison Wolf immediately tensed, his instincts on high alert. Cheng Tengyi glanced up as the surveillance feed abruptly went black.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± he muttered, his heart sinking. He instantly realized the gravity of the situation.


    The Jiepeng trackers had found them.


    ¡°You stay here. No matter what happens, you must finish decoding the information from the nanomachines. I¡¯ll go out and divert them,¡± Poison Wolf said decisively.


    Cheng Tengyi shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s too late.¡±


    As he spoke, the flimsy door to the operating room was blasted off its hinges with a deafening crash.

 Chapter 524: Die For The Country In Its Hour Of Need

    Chapter 524: Die For The Country In Its Hour Of Need"So, the little mouse has been hiding here." A short white man who was barely over 1.6 meters stepped through the shattered doorway. A gleeful smile spread across his face upon seeing the two people in the operating room. "Oh, and you even have a companion. This is going to be so much fun."


    A flicker of despair went through Poison Wolf''s eyes. He recognized this diminutive man. Nicknamed Bloodhound, he was the lead tracker of the Realm of Traces¡¯ Burrower Squad. He was a Yiggs mutant with a highly advanced sense of smell.


    It was this very man who had unearthed the Dragon Group squad in Tokyo, leading to the capture of many of his teammates, including his partner and lover, Chong Chong.


    If rumor was to be believed, Bloodhound''s superhuman sense of smell could distinguish a target scent from among thirty thousand different odors.


    Poison Wolf had specifically chosen to hide in the slave camp to use the overwhelming stench of the stone forest to mask his scent and evade Bloodhound¡¯s pursuit. Even if it couldn¡¯t completely shield him, it could at least buy enough time to finish the surgery and extract the data.


    But now... The sound of footsteps multiplied as they grew louder and closer. The entire makeshift operating room was surrounded. As seasoned operatives used to working underground, Poison Wolf and the Doctor instantly estimated the situation. At least fifty combat-ready elites were closing in. They could also hear the faint hum of power armor micro-engines in the distance. There were additional power armor squads stationed on the perimeter to cut off all escape routes.


    There was no doubt. The area had been entirely cleared and locked down. But when they realized that escape was no longer an option, Poison Wolf and the Doctor did not panic. Without a word, Poison Wolf lunged straight at Bloodhound. Meanwhile, the Doctor immediately activated the self-destruct protocol on the nanomachines.


    The data they contained, even if it was useless to them, could not be allowed to fall back into Jiepeng¡¯s hands. After all, it had details about the Dragon Group¡¯s covert operatives. If the information reached the Realm of Traces, it could easily jeopardize other Great Xia Dragon Group cells within the Jiepeng Empire. The consequences would be catastrophic.


    But Bloodhound clearly had no intention of engaging Poison Wolf in combat. He was far too familiar with the fighting habits of Great Xia¡¯s Dragon Group operatives. When they were cornered, these operatives fought with the ferocity of tens of soldiers. Fueled by their unshakable beliefs, they could exhibit strength beyond scientific explanation, especially when combined with the Dragon Group¡¯s unique secret technique, the Heart of the Pure Child.


    This technique allowed them to ignite their latent potential. It had often caught even far superior opponents off guard and turned the tide in an instant. Even elite combatants had fallen victim to such desperate counterattacks.


    "If you don¡¯t want her to die..." Bloodhound spoke as he swiftly stepped back to reveal a machine over a meter tall behind him.


    A semi-transparent casing on top of the machine displayed a mutilated head. It had been severed cleanly at the neck and connected to the rest of the machine by cables and wires. It was clear that only the head remained.


    "Ahhhh!" Poison Wolf let out a howl of anguish.


    It was his lover, Chong Chong. The woman who had stood by his side through all the years spent undercover in a foreign land, every mission filled with the clash of blades, and every perilous journey where death loomed at every corner.


    Though he had always known this day might come, Poison Wolf howled like a wounded lone wolf at the sight of her scarred and mutilated head displayed so brazenly. It was a cry that tore through the air with raw pain.


    "Don¡¯t worry, she¡¯s still alive," Bloodhound smiled cruelly as he placed a hand on the head¡¯s protective casing. "You know well enough what the Heart of the Pure Child technique does to the practitioner¡¯s body. The fact that we managed to preserve her brain and her consciousness is practically a gift of mercy. If you¡¯re willing, she could even have a new, perfect body that¡¯s stronger and more real than before. What do you say? Interested in making a deal?"


    Poison Wolf¡¯s chest heaved violently. His eyes were locked on the severed head beneath the transparent casing. Her face was marred by scars. Half her hair had been shaved off, exposing pale skin where two brain-machine interfaces were connected to a web of wires. Her eyes fluttered faintly.


    The Doctor stood silently on the side. In a situation where death was certain, even the smallest delay was an opportunity. If they could stall until the nanomachines were destroyed and the data erased, it wouldn¡¯t matter if they were both reduced to ashes.


    "Not speaking? That means you¡¯re hesitating," said Bloodhound.


    He was a master at breaking people down. He observed every nuance and every flicker of emotion that crossed Poison Wolf¡¯s face. When he saw the crimson haze of rage begin to cloud Poison Wolf¡¯s eyes, a cruel smirk crept across his lips.


    Having encountered countless members of Great Xia¡¯s Dragon Group, he knew precisely how to deal with these indomitable warriors. They were perfect soldiers. They had incredible combat prowess, unwavering faith and ironclad resolve. But their weakness was just as obvious. They cared about the lives of their loved ones. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Bloody tears streamed down Poison Wolf¡¯s face. Memories of their final mission surged through his head. In the end, it was Chong Chong who had used the Heart of the Pure Child technique, unleashing a surge of energy at the cost of her own body. She had held off the Realm of Traces agents in a desperate last stand, buying him a fleeting moment to escape with the intel.


    If not for his unique physique, which could better tolerate the nanomachines, he swore, it would have been him who had stayed behind.


    "Run.¡±


    "Go."


    "Little Wolf, I fucking love you."


    Those were Chong Chong¡¯s final words before she had been swallowed by the storm of battle. But now, that fiery, fearless, beautiful woman was enduring unimaginable agony.


    Poison Wolf¡¯s entire body trembled uncontrollably. He wasn¡¯t afraid of death. He wasn¡¯t even afraid of hearing that his lover had sacrificed herself. What he feared most was seeing her trapped in endless torment for all eternity. This was his partner, the woman he would die a thousand times over to protect. But now, he stood utterly powerless.


    "Heh," Bloodhound continued. "Her life or death rests in your hands. Let me tell you, if you refuse, she¡¯ll find no relief in life or death. The Inquisition has developed many new techniques, such as brain stimulation that induces pain a thousand times worse than death. Imagine torture that acts directly on the brain, a torment so horrific it makes physical suffering seem trivial. And the best part? No matter how many times it¡¯s inflicted, she won¡¯t die. She¡¯ll remain trapped in an endless hell with no escape."


    "Really?" A strange voice came from behind him.


    "Of course, it¡¯s tr¡ª" Bloodhound abruptly stopped mid-sentence as he realized something was amiss.


    None of his subordinates would dare interrupt him in such an undisciplined manner. And the voice... it was speaking in Great Xia¡¯s language. He wheeled sharply to find a man wearing a monkey mask standing in the doorway.


    "I think you¡¯re full of crap," the stranger said earnestly. "The most terrifying form of torture in the world is definitely my exclusive curse technique, the Life and Death Talisman. Don¡¯t believe me? Try it."


    Whoosh!


    Cold light streaked through the air and pierced Bloodhound¡¯s body. With his level of cultivation, Bloodhound should have reacted instantly¡ªbut he didn¡¯t.


    In the next moment, an indescribable ripping pain engulfed him. His hand fell away from the transparent casing as he collapsed. In a mere fraction of a second, he was drenched in sweat as he convulsed on the floor.


    The monkey-masked figure turned to the Doctor and Poison Wolf.


    He spoke quietly. "To die for one¡¯s country in its hour of need is an honor."


    Thirteen words. Thirteen simple words brought tears to the eyes of the two hardened Dragon Group operatives. Finally, their reinforcements had arrived.

 Chapter 525: San Zang (1)

    Chapter 525: San Zang (1)The two warriors didn¡¯t immediately trust the identity of the mysterious man. But the phrase, ¡®To die for one¡¯s country in its hour of need is an honor¡¯, ignited a spark in their hearts in this dire situation.


    Especially in the hell-like Jiepeng Empire, hearing a phrase in the language of Great Xia was akin to hearing the voice of heaven.


    Poison Wolf¡¯s first instinct, as he came to his senses, was to rush toward the strange metal apparatus. He guarded the transparent casing as if it were his own life.


    The man stepped aside gracefully. He was, of course, Li Xiaofei. It was only thanks to the timely intelligence delivered by Tsukiha Yaiba that he had managed to arrive at the last moment. After confirming that the two were indeed members of Great Xia¡¯s Dragon Group, Li Xiaofei turned his attention to the convulsing Bloodhound on the ground.


    He temporarily halted the effects of the Life and Death Talisman. Then, he squatted and slapped Bloodhound twice across the face. It wasn¡¯t necessary. But it felt satisfying.


    "How does this machine work?" asked Li Xiaofei as he pointed at the metallic device sustaining Chong Chong¡¯s brain.


    Bloodhound was drenched in sweat. The torment of the Life and Death Talisman had left him teetering on the edge of unconsciousness. He swore he had never experienced such unimaginable pain in his entire life. It was a form of suffering that cut straight to the soul.


    But even in his state of utter exhaustion, Bloodhound maintained the defiance befitting a lead tracker of the Realm of Traces.


    "Do you think I¡¯ll tell you anything, you foolish Great Xia monkey?" He sneered.


    "Well, well," Li Xiaofei remarked with a smirk. "Your whole body is limp, yet your mouth still manages to stay hard."


    Bloodhound retorted, "So what if you¡¯ve subdued me? There are still sixteen elite operatives of the Realm of Traces outside, along with three power armor combat squads. You¡ª"


    He stopped mid-sentence, realization dawning upon him. The torment of the Life and Death Talisman had occupied his thoughts, but now it struck him that there was no noise from outside.


    "It seems you¡¯ve figured it out," Li Xiaofei said, his mocking smile visible through the eye slits of his mask. "Give up, Ah Zou. Outside, it¡¯s all Jackie Chans now."[1]


    Bloodhound¡¯s throat went dry. He didn¡¯t fully understand the reference, but one thing was clear: his backup had been completely neutralized. A chill crept up his body. He knew all too well how strong his team was. Even a Divine Realm expert shouldn¡¯t have been able to silently eliminate them all.


    When did the Dragon Group produce such a terrifying operative?


    "So, you still don¡¯t want to talk?" Li Xiaofei asked casually. His voice was calm yet laced with menace.


    His eyes began to glow with a faint, eerie blue light. His pupils transformed into polished sapphires that shimmered with a strange brilliance.


    Bloodhound froze as he sensed something terribly wrong. But before he could react, his consciousness was swept into a vortex that pulled him deeper and deeper into an abyss.


    Mental manipulation technique! It was effortless for someone like Li Xiaofei to use a mental manipulation technique on someone like Bloodhound, who was only at the Dao Union Realm and already weakened by both physical and psychological torment.


    It didn¡¯t take him long to extract all the necessary information. The device sustaining Chong Chong¡¯s brain was called Life No. 1. What an utterly ridiculous, knock-off ad-sounding name. Fortunately, operating the device was not complicated. Aside from supplementing it with the appropriate nutrients, a specific type of energy needed to be added.


    This was manageable for Poison Wolf. But equipping Chong Chong with a new body was an entirely different matter. This process required cutting-edge New Martial Arts surgery technology; technology that had long been locked away on the international stage.


    Even many powerful conglomerates couldn¡¯t obtain it. Only the Redshirt Group¡¯s Distillation Research Institute, renowned for its advanced New Martial Arts mechanical augmentation, possessed the requisite technology and materials within the Jiepeng Empire.


    Moreover, if a new mechanical body couldn¡¯t be grafted within thirty days, Chong Chong¡¯s brain would completely perish. Life No. 1 wasn¡¯t capable of indefinitely sustaining a severed head.


    The doctor glanced at Poison Wolf. The news struck him like a bolt of lightning on a clear day. Obtaining the latest mechanical body from the heavily guarded Distillation Research Institute was nearly impossible while he had a massive bounty on his head.


    It meant Chong Chong had only thirty days left to live. She was in a vegetative state for now, and she might even be able to sense the world around her. But she couldn¡¯t respond to Poison Wolf in any way.


    Poison Wolf lowered his head, biting his lip. He remained silent.


    "Don¡¯t lose hope. There might still be a way," Li Xiaofei reassured.


    He didn¡¯t make any grand promises.


    "This time, I truly owe you my thanks." The doctor said, bowing slightly to Li Xiaofei. Then, he casually asked, "Are you also a member of Great Xia¡¯s Dragon Group? What¡¯s your codename?"


    Li Xiaofei paused for a moment and made one up. "My codename is... Pangu."


    His real codename, Jade Emperor, was now among the top ten in the Star Council¡¯s blacklist. Revealing it would mean losing everything he had worked for. The doctor appeared pensive at the response. He had already aborted the nanomachines¡¯ self-destruct process and had already gotten started on extracting data.


    However, the name Pangu didn¡¯t ring any bells. He had never heard of a Dragon Group operative with such a codename, nor had he known of any super-agent sent to operate within the Jiepeng Empire. Since communication with the main network was currently cut off, verifying this claim instantly was impossible.


    Years of underground experience had taught the doctor to remain cautious, and he stayed slightly suspicious of Li Xiaofei. Li Xiaofei, fully aware of the doctor¡¯s doubts, chose not to linger.


    "This is my emergency contact. If you need help, reach out anytime, and I¡¯ll come immediately," Li Xiaofei said, leaving behind a light core account number before disappearing through the door. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The doctor exhaled deeply as he relaxed. His instincts told him to trust the man in the monkey mask. Yet, organizational discipline and caution compelled him to maintain a safe distance from this apparent savior.


    "What do you think... is he really a member of the Dragon Group?" Poison Wolf asked, lifting his head.


    The doctor shook his head. "I can¡¯t say for sure. He has a similar aura, and he undoubtedly turned the tide. If nothing else, the fact that he killed Bloodhound and so many Realm of Traces operatives outside shows a level of sincerity."


    "But we still need to be cautious," Poison Wolf said as he grew calmer.


    In a soft voice, he added, "The Inquisition has used deception many times before. If one of their agents infiltrates the Dragon Group, all our efforts within Jiepeng will be for nothing. No matter what, we need to contact the organization immediately to verify his identity."


    The doctor said, "It seems we must reach out to Lord San Zang. But verifying his identity isn¡¯t urgent right now. The priority is getting this intelligence out. We must let Lord San Zang find a way to acquire detailed plans. The information that Jiepeng is collaborating with the Yiggs Union to retaliate against Great Xia and has already finalized their strategies must be delivered back home as soon as possible."


    A look of reverence involuntarily appeared on the doctor¡¯s face at the mention of San Zang. The name carried immense weight among the Great Xia Dragon Group operatives currently undercover in Jiepeng. He was a living legend.


    Poison Wolf nodded silently. His gaze shifted toward the machine holding the severed head of his lover. A shadow of grief flashed across his eyes.


    1. A reference to a line in the movie: New Police Story. ?

 Chapter 526: San Zang (2)

    Chapter 526: San Zang (2)"It¡¯s such a pity that I can¡¯t reveal my identity," Li Xiaofei mused with a touch of regret.


    Still, the feeling of secretly protecting his comrades wasn¡¯t bad at all. But the encounter made him realize it was time to bid farewell to his old martial arts style. From now on, he would rely on techniques he only rarely displayed in Great Xia and avoid anything that might expose his identity.


    In Great Xia, he was renowned for his swordsmanship. So he decided to use blade techniques in Jiepeng. Li Xiaofei pondered as he walked. Unfortunately, the two blades he had confiscated earlier weren¡¯t suitable for use. He lacked a weapon that felt like an extension of his hand.


    He picked up his light core and called Tsukiha Yaiba. Half an hour later, a famous Jiepeng blade known as Crescent Moon was delivered to him.


    The Crescent Moon was a replica of a Tang straight saber. It had a thin blade and even thinner edge. The entire weapon gleamed silver, while the blade was etched with an intricate design of a moon rising over a vast ocean.


    The rippling water gave the surface an irregular texture, while the razor-thin edge shimmered like a white line dancing in the light. A casual swing split the air as if flowing water had been neatly severed by the blade.


    "A fine blade for fighting Jiepeng warriors; it¡¯s as effortless as slaughtering dogs," Li Xiaofei remarked with satisfaction.


    After downing another dose of Starforce Reagent, he resumed his cultivation. Over the course of the next three days, numerous people came to the Dragon Bloom Factory. They approached with reverence and left in joy.


    The factory had become a forbidden zone for the surrounding factions thanks to Li Xiaofei¡¯s presence. The more perceptive groups even mobilized their affiliated businesses to support the factory¡¯s operations. They were essentially bringing offerings of money.


    Hashimoto Mako was not alone in attempting to curry favor. Driven by an increasing sense of crisis, Hashimoto Mako tried repeatedly to seduce Li Xiaofei as she dressed in light, provocative garments and relied on her beauty.


    Yet, Li Xiaofei treated her as if she were invisible. To him, the cheap charms of Jiepeng¡¯s women were unworthy of a Great Xia man¡¯s attention. Aside from the exceptional case of Tsukiha Yaiba, women like Hashimoto Mako didn¡¯t even deserve to share his bed.


    However, the transformation of the Dragon Bloom Factory left Tanaka Kenichi and Yokan Kasumi both stunned and overjoyed. Tanaka Kenichi made several attempts to initiate conversations with Li Xiaofei, but despite his efforts, Tanaka Kenichi couldn¡¯t find an opportunity to approach Li Xiaofei. The towering figure of Tanaka Kenichi gradually came to understand that beneath Li Xiaofei¡¯s seemingly easygoing demeanor lay a commanding presence beyond ordinary comprehension.


    What puzzled him even more was the occasional look of detachment in Shinzu Genshi¡¯s eyes, as if he had suddenly dropped all pretense of camaraderie toward people like himself.


    On the other hand, Yokan Kasumi remained blissfully unaware of these subtleties. She continued to deliver meals to Li Xiaofei¡¯s room every day. Her eyes sparkled with admiration for the extraordinary master. She had gained some weight thanks to the improved meals over the past few days. Her face visibly glowed with health, and even her hair seemed shinier.


    Yokan Kasumi felt grateful to the young master from the depths of her heart. She now hummed cheerful tunes as she went about her day.


    On the morning of the third day, Tsukiha Yaiba arrived at the Dragon Bloom Factory.


    "The Asura Dragon Gang and Urawa Dojo have issued a joint declaration," Tsukiha Yaiba said. "They¡¯re demanding that the Tsukiha family relinquish its absolute control over Urawa Base City. They also propose settling who will represent Urawa Base City at the annual consortium assembly in Kyoto through a combat tournament."


    The annual consortium assembly of the Jiepeng Empire, led by the royal family and attended by the nation¡¯s top financial conglomerates, was essentially a high-stakes meeting to divide the spoils of the empire.


    Securing a seat at the table was, in itself, a recognition of a conglomerate¡¯s status. For years, the Sanshang Group, built up by the Tsukiha family as one of the empire¡¯s top ten conglomerates, had naturally held the position of Urawa Base City¡¯s representative.


    But the death of Tsukiha Tens¨­ and the ensuing internal strife within the family had emboldened the Urawa Dojo and the Asura Dragon Gang, both renowned as equals to the Flying Blade Stream school, to seize the opportunity to challenge for dominance.


    "The Urawa Dojo has the backing of insiders from the Inquisition," Tsukiha Yaiba explained. "On the other hand, the Asura Dragon Gang has the support of the Redshirt Group, another one of the top ten conglomerates. Even the imperial royal family has tacitly approved of this combat tournament." sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Li Xiaofei listened, lost in thought.


    The Redshirt Group? Isn¡¯t that the owner of the Distillation Research Institute?


    His mind worked quickly to devise a plan.


    "What¡¯s your take on this?" He asked, looking up at Tsukiha Yaiba.


    She responded, "It seems like we have no option other than meeting their challenge head-on."


    Li Xiaofei nodded. "I can represent the Tsukiha family in the tournament on one condition. All rewards from the victory will belong to me."


    "That¡¯s not a problem at all," Tsukiha Yaiba replied, as relief flooded her. "But these tournaments don¡¯t typically offer anything of great value as prizes."


    Since most of the family¡¯s experts had been eliminated by Li Xiaofei during the infamous meeting-room incident, the Tsukiha family was now little more than a hollow giant. It would be difficult to stand against two major factions by relying on martial strength. However, Li Xiaofei alone could support the entire family.


    Li Xiaofei remarked, "As disruptors of order, if they wish to challenge the Tsukiha family, shouldn¡¯t they demonstrate their sincerity by offering a meaningful stake? Otherwise, why should we accept their terms?"


    Tsukiha Yaiba thought over his words.


    Li Xiaofei continued, "Respond as I¡¯ve suggested. The Tsukiha family has every right to reject their so-called tournament without stakes that carry real weight. Unless they dare to openly sever their subordinate relationship and attack the Tsukiha estate, they have no grounds to pressure us."


    The Jiepeng Empire was a rigidly hierarchical society, one that placed extreme importance on the subordinate relationships between different levels of power. Nominally, the Tsukiha family was still the ruler of Urawa Base City. For all their ambitions, the two factions were officially subordinates. Challenging their superiors directly would be a blatant violation of protocol.


    "I understand," Tsukiha Yaiba said, turning to carry out Li Xiaofei¡¯s orders.


    Half a day later, Li Xiaofei¡¯s private light core received a document. It detailed the stakes that the two factions were willing to offer. After reviewing it, Li Xiaofei rejected it without hesitation.


    Three hours passed, and the second proposal arrived. After reading it, Li Xiaofei rejected it again. This back-and-forth continued for two more days.


    Finally, Li Xiaofei found acceptable conditions in the latest proposal. After a bit more posturing, he agreed. No one outside the walls of the small factory knew that the true power center of Urawa Base City was living there. Nor did anyone realize that Shinzu Genshi, the returning prodigal son, had become the ultimate representative of the Tsukiha family¡¯s will. Soon, he would represent all of Urawa Base City.


    Once I take control of the Sanshang Group, I¡¯ll have access to Jiepeng Empire¡¯s core circles. Investigating the divine weapon used for controlling star beasts will be much easier.


    That was his ultimate goal. However, unlike what Tsukiha Yaiba might have imagined, Li Xiaofei had no intention of resolving the matter through combat alone. Instead... he planned to use another method.

 Chapter 527: The Rising Queen (1)

    Chapter 527: The Rising Queen (1)The first autumn rain arrived earlier than usual. It was a cause for great happiness for the freemen and slaves of Urawa Base City. In this era, water was more valuable than oil. Everyone collected the rainwater eagerly, since it could be stored for drinking after some simple purification. However, the radiation from star beasts had made natural rainwater unsafe for direct consumption. Still, every time it rained, it became a festival for the freemen and slaves.


    In the private backyard of the Urawa Dojo, a meticulously designed drainage system channeled precious rainwater directly into the sewer. The courtyard, styled like a traditional zen garden, was serene and minimalist.


    Faint white steam swirled gently in a four-cornered pavilion within the courtyard. It housed a ten meter wide hot spring. A short and stocky man sat on the stone steps by the edge of the hot spring, his eyes closed as he rested.


    His hair was shaved in the traditional Jiepeng-style crescent moon cut. His face was brutish, and his chest was covered in thick black hair resembling that of an uncivilized gorilla. He radiated a fierce and intimidating aura.


    Four young and fair-skinned women, all beautiful and in the prime of their youth, knelt beside him, their bare bodies carefully massaging and wiping him down. It was a scene of beauties surrounding the beast.


    The master of Urawa Dojo, Hankasa Mitsu, approached slowly in the rain. His tall and slender figure and scholarly air was accentuated by the bamboo umbrella he carried.


    "Lord Dragon Slayer, the Tsukiha Family has agreed to our latest terms. The reward for the victor of the duel will be the Orochi-01 mechanical body." Hankasa Mitsu spoke with a smile on his face, "The upcoming duel is in your capable hands."


    Dragon Slayer was the honorary title of the beast-like man soaking in the hot spring. He was one of the pillars of strength for the financial conglomerate known as the Redshirt Group.


    Dragon Slayer was also the seeded contender representing Urawa Dojo in the martial arts tournament in Urawa Base City. It was rumored that Dragon Slayer had undergone a total of 1,837 New Martial Arts surgeries. It was said that less than 10 percent of his body was still his original flesh. The rest of his body had been replaced by mechanical components. His powerful engines and weapons were comparable to an entire mech combat unit.


    His lifelong ambition was to destroy Great Xia, a nation that revered the dragon as its symbol. Hence, he named himself Dragon Slayer. After completing his suite of New Martial Arts surgeries, he began targeting Great Xia¡¯s martial artists with relentless drive.


    Three years ago, he had traveled to Great Xia. He had joined an underground boxing ring and achieved a terrifying record of 48 matches, 48 victories, and 48 lethal kills. Later, he was recalled to his homeland to undergo his final surgical enhancements.


    Now, Dragon Slayer was said to be the only cyborg within the Redshirt Group to possess the combat prowess of a Saint. Sending him to Urawa Base City was a testament to the Redshirt Group''s investment and determination to win.


    "A trivial matter," Dragon Slayer said as he slowly opened his eyes. "The downfall of the Tsukiha Family has already been set in stone. What a pity. One of the top ten conglomerates of the Empire that was instrumental to its rise to power, now destroyed by internal strife."


    Hankasa Mitsu looked humble as he replied, "The Tsukiha Family is no longer capable of ruling this land. It is only natural that someone more competent should take their place in serving the Empire. The Redshirt Group is undoubtedly the more suitable master."


    Dragon Slayer did not pursue the conversation any further and instead shifted the topic. "The Tsukiha Family is no longer a concern. Our primary opponent this time is the Asura Dragon Gang¡¯s representative. Do we have any intelligence on them?"


    The Jiepeng Empire and the Yiggs Union had always acted in unison on matters concerning Great Xia. In fact, the rapid advancement of Jiepeng Empire''s New Martial Arts technology had benefited greatly from emulating Yiggs techniques and receiving their assistance.


    At least on the surface, the relationship between the two nations remained in a prolonged honeymoon phase. However, even the sweetest of partnerships could experience conflicts of interest. Over the years, the Inquisition that was controlled by the Yiggs Union, had been infiltrating nations worldwide, including the Jiepeng Empire. The Asura Dragon Gang had entered the fray for control of Urawa Base City with the backing of the Inquisition. Their goal was to seize this strategic city.


    If the Asura Dragon Gang were to become the rulers of Urawa Base City, the Inquisition would gain full control over the region. This would effectively turn the city into a private playground for the Yiggs Union, reducing it to a true colony. Those in the upper echelons of power were fully aware of this looming threat.


    However, the Jiepeng royal family did not dare risk an open conflict with the Yiggs Union. Thus, a martial arts duel became the only viable solution. Both Dragon Slayer and Hankasa Mitsu understood the significance of this duel.


    "We have intelligence that the Asura Dragon Gang has hired a former Punisher from the Inquisition known as Huangshi, a retired member of the Blade of Verdict. He is said to have once slain an elderly Saint from Great Xia," Hankasa Mitsu reported as he pulled up a digital file.


    The digital file displayed a giant bear of a man who stood at an imposing height of 2.3 meters. He was bald and sported two intersecting scars on his face. His body was covered with red tattoos of a peculiar giant bear. The most striking aspect of the image was the lifelike roaring bear¡¯s head on his chest.


    "A retired Punisher?" Dragon Slayer sneered coldly. "He retired just a week ago? They dare call that retirement? This is clearly a shoddy backstop by the Inquisition. This man is a formidable opponent. I''ve heard of him. It¡¯s said he can transform into a Thunder Ice Bear, which has demigod bloodlines. He''s not easy to handle. I¡¯ll need to upgrade my weapon systems..."


    But before he could finish his sentence... S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Bang!


    Something crashed heavily into the hot spring. The metallic tang of blood immediately filled the air, accompanied by a bone-chilling cold that seeped into the surroundings.


    "Who''s there?!"


    Dragon Slayer reacted with astonishing speed. His body moved like a flash as he leapt out of the hot spring. A fine layer of pale golden scales surfaced on his synthetic skin, forming an armor that resembled the battle armor of ancient warriors.


    Hankasa Mitsu was no slouch either as he positioned himself behind Dragon Slayer in an instant. The two focused on the hot spring pool, where a massive, white bear head bobbed back to the surface. Its face was twisted and grotesque as it continued to exude a terrifying aura of cold. Blood oozing from it filled the air with an icy chill.


    In the blink of an eye, the expansive pool of hot spring water had frozen solid. The four alluring maidservants were also turned into ice sculptures as they were sealed within the frozen water.


    "Thunder Ice Bear?!" Dragon Slayer exclaimed in shock.


    The chilling bear head unmistakably belonged to the fabled Thunder Ice Bear, a creature reputed to carry demigod bloodlines. Without question, it had to be the fully transformed head of Huangshi, the retired Punisher they had just been discussing. Their most formidable competitor was dead.


    Judging by the scene, Huangshi had unleashed his ultimate divine abilities before being decisively defeated and beheaded in battle.


    But who could have done this?


    A shiver ran down Dragon Slayer''s spine. In the next moment, he suddenly sensed something.

 Chapter 528: The Rising Queen (2)

    Chapter 528: The Rising Queen (2)When Dragon Slayer looked up, he found a figure standing atop the wall in the distance. The man was wearing a crude monkey mask and holding a blade in his hand. Blood dripped from the blade and instantly transformed into ice as they hit the ground.


    The frozen ground spread rapidly, as if freezing not only the courtyard but also the hearts of Dragon Slayer and Hankasa Mitsu. A wave of fear surged through them. Then came the flash of the blade.


    Moments later, two lifeless bodies lay on the ground in the rain-soaked courtyard of the rock garden. Li Xiaofei sheathed his Crescent Moon blade.


    "The biggest flaw of cyborgs is that when their opponent¡¯s strength exceeds the calculation ability of their engines and light core processors, they collapse instantly and completely. This Dragon Slayer was even stronger than Huangshi. He was likely a quasi-Saint. But still not my match."


    Li Xiaofei carefully examined the remains. He discovered that Dragon Slayer¡¯s body was almost entirely composed of mechanical components. Only the head retained a fully intact brain. The brain served as the control center, transmitting consciousness to the body and commanding its movements. Simply put, the brain was like a driver piloting the steel body. The technology was truly extraordinary.


    It appeared that the Redshirt Group''s mechanical modification technology was not only the pinnacle of the Jiepeng Empire but likely among the most advanced internationally. This steel body was invaluable.


    Li Xiaofei stored it inside the Secret Time Pavilion without hesitation. He also took the head. He quickly found the so-called Orochi-01 mechanical body within the secret vault of the courtyard.


    This was the latest product from the Redshirt Group¡¯s Distillation Research Institute. Orochi-01 was the next generation after Dragon Slayer¡¯s body. Although its strength had not increased significantly, it featured more advanced integrity and adaptability. In simple terms, it allowed for a semi-automated interface with a human head.


    After studying the manual, Li Xiaofei felt a surge of urgency. If the Orochi series of steel bodies were to reach mass production, it would mean that the Jiepeng people could manufacture strong warriors en masse. This would be nothing short of a catastrophe for Great Xia. But now, everything had changed.


    "The Jiepeng people¡¯s research is excellent," Li Xiaofei remarked, feeling quite pleased as he stored the Orochi-01 into the Secret Time Pavilion. "But now, it belongs to Great Xia."


    After finishing this task, he prepared to leave. Suddenly, something occurred to him. He pulled out a small black dog and let it urinate all over the courtyard. In an instant, an indescribable, unbearable stench filled the air, even causing Li Xiaofei himself to feel an overwhelming urge to flee.


    All traces at the scene were completely destroyed. No divine ability, no matter how miraculous, nor any nose, no matter how sensitive, could recover a single useful clue from the site.


    ***


    When the news reached Tsukiha Yaiba, she showed no sign of surprise. As the only person fully aware of Li Xiaofei''s combat prowess, she would have been shocked only if he had failed to swiftly deal with both Dragon Slayer and Huangshi.


    Everything had gone according to plan. From the very beginning, Li Xiaofei and Tsukiha Yaiba had no intention of relying on the martial arts tournament to secure eligibility for the national conference. Or more accurately, Li Xiaofei had no interest in doing so.


    It was simply too troublesome. Why should he agree to a duel just because the opposition proposed it? There was no need to adhere to their rules. Crushing them outright was much more efficient. Tsukiha Yaiba planned to immediately report the situation to the Imperial Royal Family and the Star Council. She intended to distance herself from the mysterious expert.


    Simultaneously, she seized the moment to act decisively. First, she led her forces to rapidly occupy the territories of the Asura Dragon Gang and Urawa Dojo. Then, she carried out a thorough purge. Finally, using the Three Corpses Brain God Pill and the Life and Death Talisman, she took complete control of the mid-to-high-ranking members of the two elite factions. Thus, she gained full command over Urawa Base City in three clean and precise steps. Reversing the situation was that simple.


    The Asura Dragon Gang and Urawa Dojo had been backed by the Daikuu Family and the Hankasa Family, who had been secretly plotting for years. They had long dreamed of dominating Urawa Base City. This time, with the support of the Redshirt Group and the Yiggs Union, they had taken advantage of the Tsukiha Family''s Saint''s death and internal strife to overthrow the city¡¯s leaders.


    Their success seemed inevitable. But they had been utterly wiped out in a single autumn rain before they could even stir up a storm. By the time the Imperial Royal Family, the Redshirt Group, and the Inquisition learned of the events, Urawa Base City had already fallen completely into the hands of Tsukiha Yaiba.


    The die was cast. Any further attempts to alter the outcome were too late. It was said that Akasaka Chinron, the master of the Redshirt Group had been playing a game of chess with an old friend when he heard the news. He had then used the news as an excuse to sweep the chess pieces off the board, blatantly reversing a losing game under the guise of distraction.


    The Inquisition, however, reacted with remarkable speed. They immediately dispatched their most elite investigative team, the Realm of Traces, to uncover the truth behind the events. But according to reports, one of the Realm of Traces¡¯ top investigators fell ill after surveying the Urawa Dojo. The culprit? Toxic gases lingering at the site. The investigator was hospitalized, and their recovery was proving ineffective. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    None of this changed the reality in Urawa Base City. Tsukiha Yaiba, now hailed as the new queen of Urawa Base City, was on an unstoppable path to power. Her rapid rise made her a rising star in the Jiepeng Empire''s power structure. She became an object of admiration and envy for countless individuals.


    However, such power and influence held no meaning for Li Xiaofei. It was only when this newly crowned queen knelt naked before him that he would feel the fleeting sense of accomplishment that an ordinary man might cherish.


    Li Xiaofei had further enhanced his abilities by spending two stints in the Secret Time Pavilion. He had consumed ten vials of eighth-generation Starforce Reagents, depleting his entire stock.


    His heart¡¯s Spirit Core was now nearing perfection and his strength was growing at an astonishing rate. Li Xiaofei felt like he now possessed the capability to face ordinary Saints without relying on external aids. Quasi-Saint opponents like Dragon Slayer or Huangshi would be instantly obliterated if they crossed paths again.


    On the fifth day, Li Xiaofei¡¯s private light core received a contact request. The message bore no identifying information. But Li Xiaofei quickly deduced that it had to be someone from Great Xia''s Dragon Group.


    Li Xiaofei arrived at the designated location at the time specified in the message. It was another filthy and chaotic slave camp that reeked unbearably. When Li Xiaofei arrived as instructed, he indeed encountered Doctor and Poison Wolf.


    "Meeting again," Li Xiaofei had his mask on. "What do you need my help with this time?"


    The Doctor hesitated for a moment before speaking directly. "I ran a check through the organization¡¯s channels and found no record of anyone in Great Xia¡¯s Dragon Group with the codename Pangu."


    "Of course there isn¡¯t," Li Xiaofei replied candidly. "Because I made it up."


    The excessive honesty left Doctor and Poison Wolf speechless.


    "Let¡¯s get to the point. Why did you call me here now?" Li Xiaofei asked. He turned to Poison Wolf as he added, "Before we discuss business, I have a gift for you."


    He reached into the Secret Time Pavilion and retrieved the Orochi-01 mechanical body.


    "What is this?" Poison Wolf asked, visibly stunned. He stared at Li Xiaofei in disbelief.