On the outskirts of Yunshui City, within a quiet estate, Li Yi and Nalan Qing sat opposite each other. Nalan Qing smiled lightly, "Hehe, who would have thought you're the famous Li Yi from Wanchao City? This, I truly did not expect. As for that person, I presume she's not from the Li family? Although I'm aware the Li family has its Fighters, but it seems... hehe..."
Li Yi returned the smile, "Young Master Nalan speaks quite directly, which is good... She's not from our Li family, but it's enough to know she stands with me... Now, since we're both straightforward people, let's skip the roundabout talks. If you have something to say, just say it."
Nalan Qing nodded slightly, pondering for a moment before speaking, "I have a somewhat presumptuous request, and I hope Master Li Yi would agree."
"What request?"
"I ask that Master Li Yi defeats Nalan He in the duel three days from now, and if you could kill him on the spot, that would be even better..." Nalan Qing spoke softly.
Li Yi smiled faintly, "Young Master Nalan has quite the idea... I won't ask why you want Nalan He dead. I just want to know, do you think I would agree to be your free hitman?"
Nalan Qing responded lightly, "Naturally, I understand that without proper benefits, Master Li Yi wouldn't agree. Hence, I've prepared some gifts for this occasion, though I'm not sure if you'll accept them..."
As he spoke, Nalan Qing waved his hand, and a black Storage Ring glowed slightly, laying out three jade boxes neatly on the table. After this gesture, Nalan Qing shook his hand again, "Of course, if Master Li Yi doesn't agree to my terms, consider these three items as a token of goodwill... We may not cooperate this time, but there might be opportunities in the future. If you ever wish to collaborate, just notify me. The guards at the door are my personal guards; they can relay your messages. Now, I'll take my leave without further disturbance."
With that, Nalan Qing bowed slightly and retreated gracefully.
After a moment, Gong Wushuang, who had been sitting in the corner, suddenly spoke, "This Nalan Qing is quite a character... But that Nalan He is no simpleton either. It seems unclear who will take over as the head of the Nalan family."
"What does it matter to me who becomes the head?" Li Yi scoffed, "As long as it serves my purpose."
Gong Wushuang frowned, "It might not have mattered to you, but your actions today might have broader implications... It's clear now that the two Nalan young masters are vying for the headship. If Nalan He loses to you and has to call off the marriage, his reputation will be ruined... How could he qualify to inherit the position of head?"
"Then let him not take it," Li Yi stated indifferently, "Even if he's incredibly talented, I believe he's no match for me."
"That might not be the case," Gong Wushuang said seriously, "Your true strength is indeed weak, but you cannot freely use that Emperor-level power... We barely escaped the pursuit of two Emperors and seven Kings; you're not foolish enough to draw their attention again, are you?"
Li Yi touched his nose, "I'm not that foolish. If they found out, not just me, but our Li family would have no peace... But just with my own strength, should I fear him?"
Gong Wushuang gave Li Yi a peculiar look before slowly shaking her head, "I don't know, but spend these three days in seclusion. I'll guard you in the courtyard, ensuring not even a fly can disturb you."
With a slight flicker, Gong Wushuang was already sitting cross-legged in the courtyard. With a wave of her hand, a cold aura enveloped the area, wrapping Li Yi within.
Li Yi could only shake his head and smile bitterly at this gesture, understanding Gong Wushuang's concern—she was just afraid Li Yi would act recklessly if he lost.
"Let's not dwell on these matters. Let's see what Nalan Qing has brought me," Li Yi muttered, infusing a bit of aura into one of the jade boxes, gently opening it.
As the box opened, a chill rushed forth. Li Yi stepped forward for a closer look. Inside, a strange dagger, about the length of an arm, hovered slowly. The dagger's tip was slightly curved like a scimitar, shimmering with a greenish hue on both edges. The handle, making up about a third of the dagger's length, fit perfectly in Li Yi's hand, featuring a ring at the end connected to a dark chain, thin as a pinkie finger, which would be hard to notice without close inspection. At the end of the chain was something resembling a handguard, obviously intended to be worn on the arm.
Such an unusual weapon intrigued Li Yi. After a moment, he picked up a piece of parchment rolled beside the dagger and read aloud, "Soul Severing Blade, an eighth-grade weapon. Forged from millennium cold iron, weighing approximately 4.2 lbs, sharp enough to slice through hair and metal alike. It has a piercing effect, capable of penetrating the aura shields of Warriors and the aura armors of Kings..."
Afterwards, there were several simple drawings, showing how to use the Soul Severing Blade. Li Yi only glanced at them briefly, but was amazed in his heart. The person who forged this item was definitely a master. The Soul Severing Blade could not only be used for close combat but could also be used like a whip for long-range attacks. Its piercing effect was especially designed against things like Dou Qi robes and Dou Qi armor. Li Yi believed that with this item, combined with his own speed, it wouldn't be hard to make a few holes in the body of a Warrior class fighter unexpectedly! Thinking of this, Li Yi couldn't help but sigh and said, "This Nalan Qing really spends big!"
"Hmph, it's just an eighth-grade weapon, and that scared you?" The Serpent Venerable's figure slowly drifted out from the Cloud Wasteland Ring, then glanced at the Soul Severing Blade and said indifferently, "This thing is alright, but Wannian Cold Iron is most suitable for those who practice ice attribute techniques. It's not that you can't use it, but the effect is average... However, in a place like the Tianfeng Empire, an eighth-grade weapon is already quite precious. I see you using those broken things every day, might as well use this for now. As for how to use it, you don't need me to teach you, right?"
Li Yi activated his Dou Qi, carefully inspected it, and after confirming there was no problem, he smirked and said, "Old Coot, all that nonsense, why not get me a divine weapon to use... This is my first time seeing an eighth-grade weapon!" As he spoke, the Soul Severing Blade was already worn on his right wrist, and he gestured a few times with the dagger in his hand according to the usage method. Li Yi was quite satisfied. This kind of weapon, hidden in the sleeve and unseen until needed, capable of close and long-range attacks, was extremely suitable for his personality. After a light laugh, Li Yi's gaze fell on the second jade box, still carefully opening it with Dou Qi. When the box opened, a scroll slowly floated out.
Li Yi casually opened the scroll and couldn't help but gasp in surprise, "Cloud Step, a mid-level Zhuque mobility Dou Technique. Once mastered, when used, one's body will be as light as a floating cloud, moving like flowing water, unaffected by wind or thunder, uniquely elusive."
"A mobility Dou Technique?" The Serpent Venerable was also slightly stunned. After a moment, he casually drew the Cloud Step into his hand and looked at it for a while before saying with a bit of surprise, "Kid, this Cloud Step is not bad. Its sole purpose is to make your movements even more elusive, almost tailor-made for you. You'll definitely like this item... That kid from the Nalan family looked so plain, but I didn't expect him to be so generous. This eighth-grade weapon and a mid-level Zhuque mobility Dou Technique scroll, although not worth much money, would definitely cause a sensation in a place like the Tianfeng Empire."
Li Yi gave a bitter smile and said, "It seems he really wishes for me to kill his brother in the arena, that's why he's given so many generous gifts... Come on, let's see what this last item is." Saying so, Li Yi casually flipped, and after a moment, the last jade box opened. Unexpectedly, there was nothing floating out of this box, and it took Li Yi a moment to step forward and take a look, after which he couldn't help but smile wryly, shaking his head without a word.
"What, is it some good item again?" The Serpent Venerable said indifferently.
Li Yi sighed and said, "This item might not have been useful under normal circumstances, but now, it's extremely valuable... " After saying this, Li Yi slapped the jade box into dust, and dozens of scrolls appeared in front of the Serpent Venerable. There were at least twenty scrolls, each clearly labeled "Nalan He No.1", "Nalan He No.2", and so on.
The Serpent Venerable casually drew one over, flipped through it for a moment, and then sighed, "This Nalan Qing is really not simple... I guess from the day he became sensible, he has been doing this. Probably from that moment, how long Nalan He sleeps, how many meals he eats, everything has been recorded by him. As for what techniques he practices, what Dou Skills he has, his trump cards, he knows them all very clearly... Li Yi, Nalan Qing is a person you must be cautious of! It's not scary to offend people, but offending someone like him, I think, even if you hadn't appeared, Nalan He would have been doomed."
Li Yi said indifferently, "If he had given me the information I needed, that would have been enough. Giving me so much, does he want to see someone dead?"
"You don't see it?" The Serpent Venerable said indifferently, "He didn't intend for you to thoroughly go through these things. He showed you these things for one purpose only..."
"What purpose?"
"Nothing more than to tell you that everything about Nalan He is under his control. If the two of you cooperate, then naturally it would be twice the result with half the effort... Even the Soul Severing Blade and Cloud Step were prepared by him to deal with Nalan He, so now it's just right to give them to you, considering it a bargain for you..." The Serpent Venerable hesitated for a moment.
Li Yi frowned and said, "If he has planned everything so clearly, why does he need my help? I guess he himself could have made Nalan He disappear without a trace, right?"
The Serpent Venerable sneered, "It's not like that. I guess Nalan Qing, although cunning, probably doesn't have any strong experts under him... Otherwise, with his schemes, why would he have lurked for so long? After all, no matter how powerful he is personally, don't forget, the foundation of the Nalan family is not just for show. Or perhaps, he has reasons for not being able to openly compete for inheritance... But no matter what, your appearance this time, and obviously targeting Nalan He, seems to be the best timing for him... After all, with that girl's strength obvious, to drag you into this, he had no choice but to take out so many things... But looking at the current situation, if you want to achieve your goal, knowing it's a trap, you still have to go in!"