"Damn it! You think you can insult the Nalan family and just walk away? You're seeking death!" Nalan Lin's eyes twitched violently. Finally, as Li Yi turned around, she fiercely flicked her wrist, and the whip in her hand shot towards Li Yi like a venomous snake. The whip's fiery red Yuanqi suddenly boiled, clearly showing Miss Nalan Lin was truly enraged. However, as the whip was about to hit Li Yi's back, he just frowned and turned around again. This time, with some buffer, his body's purple Yuanqi flickered slightly, forming a thin veil of Yuanqi that harshly collided with Nalan Lin's whip.
The collision of Yuanqi produced sparks, and tiny bolts of lightning burst out in the air as if responding to something. The people in the hall, being well-experienced, took a breath upon seeing Li Yi's move and exclaimed, "Lightning attribute Yuanqi!?"
"Sszzt—" When the Yuanqi veil lightly touched the whip, a strange noise was emitted. Then, the fiery red Yuanqi crumbled in front of the purple Yuanqi, which, accompanied by lightning, surged along the whip towards Nalan Lin. If this strike were to land, Nalan Lin would be severely injured if not killed.
Just when Nalan Lin was dumbstruck, a figure suddenly darted out to her, placing a palm on her wrist. She yelped as the whip flew out of her hand. The whip, like a venomous snake, wrapped around a beautifully carved statue, which was then shattered into pieces amidst a cacophony of cracking sounds, scattering on the ground.
The atmosphere in the hall turned awkward, making it clear to everyone that this black-clothed young man was not like those who merely pretended in front of Nalan Lin. With Nalan Lin's Fighter strength, the consequence of that strike... perhaps Nalan Ba, who treasured Nalan Lin as his life, would have killed everyone present on the spot. This thought caused everyone to break out in a cold sweat.
"This gentleman, please show mercy," a middle-aged man who suddenly appeared by Nalan Lin's side said, his face changing color slightly before he moved to shield her behind him. His trembling hands revealed that he had suffered from the lightning attribute Yuanqi.
More people recognized this man as a steward of the Nalan family, with strength between a Warrior and King. Unexpectedly, even with his strength, he was at a disadvantage when he acted rashly. Thus, this seemingly ordinary young man's strength was astonishingly beyond belief.
Li Yi, with a smile that was not quite a smile, extended his right hand and snapped his fingers. A bolt of lightning flashed and twirled around his finger for a moment before slowly retracting. He then casually asked, "Yes?"
"Cough cough," the middle-aged man coughed before saying with a clasped fist and bow, "This gentleman, my family's young miss is young and impulsive. Please don't mind her reckless actions earlier. Please, for the sake of the Nalan family... could we perhaps let this matter go?"
Clearly, this middle-aged man was not as impulsive as Nalan Lin. He understood that someone who dared to act so boldly against Nalan Lin must have a powerful backing. Otherwise, offending Nalan Lin would usually mean death without her needing to command it.
"The Nalan family?" Li Yi smiled lightly, "I've always heard how domineering the Nalan family is. I thought if you attacked me, I would just twist off your heads along with that little girl's to see just how domineering the Nalan family can be... But since you're so polite, I won't act. However, this matter cannot just be let go."
The onlookers were dripping with cold sweat and at a loss for words... thinking of twisting off Nalan Lin's head? This man was audaciously bold! Even members of the North Star Sect or Martial Deity Palace wouldn't dare such arrogance.
The middle-aged man's face twitched slightly, but he still managed a smile and asked, "May I know how you would like to proceed?"
Li Yi coldly smiled, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Originally, you should have left a hand behind. But since the Nalan family and I have some connection, let's forget it... However, I have business with your Nalan family tomorrow. Please pass the message to the Nalan family head and Nalan He. If things go well, we can let bygones be bygones. If not, we'll see what to do then."
"Yes... yes..." the middle-aged man nodded repeatedly, "May I know your name, so I can report to the family head?"
Li Yi smirked, "Do you think you deserve to know? Just leave... I need to find a place to rest. As for you, young lady... we'll meet again tomorrow."
With that, Li Yi's gaze intriguingly fell on Nalan Lin. Nalan Lin shivered, obviously frightened by the previous scene. She quickly hid behind the middle-aged man, a stark contrast to the arrogant miss from before.
The surrounding people were filled with questions. Coming to "discuss matters" before Nalan Ba's big celebration didn't seem to carry any good intentions. Who exactly was this black-clothed person, and what was his background? His apparent strength seemed to be that of a Fighter or Warrior.
The black-clothed person following him, although silent, seemed increasingly unfathomable... These two, are no ordinary individuals... Observing Li Yi's demeanor, the middle-aged man seemed to twitch at the corner of his eye before chuckling, "In that case, I will inform our family head to await your esteemed presence tomorrow. Also, not to conceal from you both, the hotels and similar establishments in Yunshui City are basically owned by our Nalan family and are currently not open to outsiders. If you two wouldn't mind, how about I arrange accommodations for you?"
Hearing this, Li Yi and Gong Wushuang exchanged glances. Naturally, they were not afraid of any underhanded tactics from the middle-aged man. After a brief hesitation, they waved their hands and said indifferently, "Lead the way."
The middle-aged man quickly nodded and signaled for two maids to come over, personally escorting Li Yi and Gong Wushuang to their rooms on the second floor. Once Li Yi's figure completely vanished from the hall, everyone let out a low whistle. It's been at least ten years since anyone dared to confront the Nalan family head-on in Yunshui City. Even the empires' top ten Kings behaved courteously upon arriving. While covert maneuvers were a different matter, this outright defiance was a first in ten years.
And now, this black-clothed person claimed he would visit the Nalan family tomorrow... It seems Yunshui City is about to get interesting!
Moments later, the hall was abuzz with whispers. Without guessing, one could surmise these people were speculating about Li Yi's origins and what he intended to do the next day. Nalan Lin's face, tinged with fear, only relaxed after Li Yi disappeared, her normally rosy cheeks now pale. She had never encountered such a scenario before, where Li Yi's genuine killing intent was starkly different from the usual sparring with nobodies.
Nalan Lin's delicate appearance prompted those who had been surrounding her to start comforting her in low voices, while those who had been acting as her protectors were now furiously vowing revenge. "Miss Nalan, rest assured! That black-clothed brute went too far! I'll bring our guards tomorrow to teach him a lesson and avenge you!"
"Exactly! No matter how strong he is alone, he can't fight against many. We'll bring our guards tomorrow and ensure he enters walking but leaves lying down!"
Seeing the determined faces of these young men, Nalan Lin sighed inwardly, thinking how these fools calling for more fools could ever match up to him. Numbers don't always make a difference.
Although Nalan Lin was typically arrogant and domineering, being a member of a noble family gave her a certain discernment. She had some affection for a few of the pretty boys around her, but comparing them to the black-clothed man made her feel indescribably mixed. How could these men, who only knew how to eat and play, compare?
"Hehe, why is Lin sister crying? In Yunshui City, who dares offend you? If there really is such a person, I'll casually help you vent your anger, how about that?" Suddenly, a gentle laugh came from outside the hotel, carrying a hint of amusement. Then, several people walked in from outside, the leader a young man in his twenties, not handsome but exuding a natural charisma and a smiling demeanor, making him seem distinguished.
Following him were two grim-faced guards radiating a faint killing intent, and accompanying them were an old man with a sage-like demeanor and a stunningly beautiful young woman. The woman, though silent, instantly overshadowed Nalan Lin's beauty, making her seem like an ugly duckling by comparison.
Seeing this group, Nalan Lin's face lit up with joy, quickly breaking away from the crowd to greet them, "Brother Hongyu, Sister Qingwu, why didn't you tell me you were coming to Yunshui City? I could have welcomed you personally!"
Hongyu, known for his pursuit of Shang Jie in the Naga Mountains, smiled, "I had some business nearby, and my father sent me to wish Lord Nalan a happy birthday. I thought to surprise you, Lin sister."
Nalan Lin smiled and took a few steps forward, grabbing Ye Qingwu's hand and whispering, "Why are you and Brother Hongyu together? Did you two get together?"
Ye Qingwu smiled, her smile blooming like flowers, instantly captivating the male audience in the hall. After her smile, she playfully scolded Nalan Lin, "Nonsense, little girl. I just had some family matters to attend to in Wanchao City and met Lord Hongyu on the way to Lord Nalan's birthday. He kindly invited me, so we traveled together... Are you jealous? Are you?"