"Based on all the information I've gathered, I made a bold hypothesis that connected everything together," Lin Qiye continued.
Li Yifei sighed. "Let's hear it."
"The Nanda Naga arrived in this world much earlier than we thought," Lin Qiye said, meeting Li Yifei's eyes. "After it entered this world, relying on its extraordinary intelligence and impeccable disguise, it quickly mastered the rules of human society.
"In the process, it also became aware of the Nightwatchers' existence. Its innate caution drove it to silently blend into human society. Over time, to perfect its disguise, it subconsciously created a second personality.
"That personality's name is Li Yifei.
"He forgot who he was and his past, accepting the identity the Nanda Naga crafted for him. As a regular high school student, he lived in this city with no memory of his true self.
"Under normal circumstances, with its extraordinary longevity and abilities, the Nanda Naga could have enjoyed its life without care.
"That was until about half a month ago, when it personally witnessed the tragic demise of the Ghost Face lineage—a mythological being even stronger than itself.
"Feeling the fear emanating from the Nightwatchers, its primary personality panicked. It began to dread sharing the same fate as the Ghost Face King.
"Knowing it couldn't outmatch the Nightwatchers in combat, it decided to use its gift of disguise to infiltrate them, seeking a way to escape the chaos.
"Thus, it implanted a suggestion into Li Yifei's subconscious, leading him to request to join the Nightwatchers. But he was flatly rejected. Refusing to give up, it began to scheme.
"From the beginning, its aim wasn't to procreate or destroy the Nightwatchers. Its sole objective was to demonstrate Li Yifei's value.
"It staged an elaborate performance, driving Li Yifei into a state of delirium and subconsciously directing him to seek out the Nightwatchers. From there, everything unfolded as it had planned...
"However, there was an unexpected variable: me." Lin Qiye gestured to himself. "I joined the Nightwatchers as a temporary member half a month ago. It had no knowledge of my existence, let alone that my abilities could clearly identify its offspring.
"After testing me, it realized I couldn't see through its main body's disguise and decided to continue with its plan.
"It revealed its true form in the girls' dormitory to draw away Hong Ying, the strongest fighter present. Then it reverted to the unknowing Li Yifei to oversee the operation in the teaching building.
"From the shadows, it precisely controlled every move of its offspring, ensuring Li Yifei would gain recognition while avoiding any real danger.
"But then I, the unexpected variable, appeared again.
"I stole the spotlight that should have been Li Yifei's and slaughtered all the offspring in the building. Although it was furious, it saw that Li Yifei had already proven his value and refrained from further action.
"From there, things were simple. It would transform into its true form to fight the Nightwatchers, leaving behind a fake corpse to create the illusion that the Nanda Naga had been killed. Li Yifei, in turn, would use this as leverage to join the Nightwatchers, securing his future.
"Unfortunately... I saw through it again."
Lin Qiye glanced at Li Yifei with genuine regret. "This plan was brilliant, truly. If it weren't for me, you had a 90% chance of succeeding."
Li Yifei stared at Lin Qiye for a long moment before breaking into applause. "Bravo! Truly remarkable! I never imagined I'd fall into the hands of you two brats."
But his smile quickly vanished, his slit pupils filled with malice. "You've destroyed my hope for survival. Tell me… how should I repay you?"
Li Yifei's body swelled like a balloon, his skin sprouting black scales. In the blink of an eye, he transformed into a monstrous creature with a human torso and a serpent's tail.
The next moment, a piercing shriek echoed through the hall!
Hundreds of students, faced with the Nanda Naga's true form at such close range, lost their sanity. But with the only exit blocked by the serpent's offspring, all they could do was scream and huddle in the corners.
Meanwhile, An Qingyu had already retreated to a safe spot the moment Li Yifei began transforming. His wide eyes fixed on the Nanda Naga, brimming with excitement and curiosity.
The Nanda Naga zeroed in on Lin Qiye, its claws slicing through the air toward his throat!
Lin Qiye smirked faintly, reaching behind him. With a soft *click*, his blade was drawn.
*Clang!*
The clash echoed through the auditorium. The Nanda Naga's pupils contracted sharply!
This time, Lin Qiye wielded his blade with one hand, effortlessly parrying its strike.
"Sorry, but you're not stronger than me anymore," Lin Qiye said, glancing at the darkening sky outside. "Night has fallen."
At night, Lin Qiye's power increased fivefold. The Nanda Naga was no longer his match.
*Slash!*
Lin Qiye's blade flicked, easily deflecting the Nanda Naga's claws. With a twist of his wrist, the blade shimmered.
Four consecutive slashes struck the Nanda Naga's arm, forcing it to retreat with a shriek. It roared furiously at Lin Qiye.
In a blur, Lin Qiye closed the gap. The Nanda Naga's claws lashed out wildly, only to be deflected with ease.
"You're too slow," Lin Qiye said, his eyes narrowing.
The speed of his strikes surged, his blade leaving afterimages in the air. A wall of shimmering blue steel formed, pinning the Nanda Naga down.
As Lin Qiye's assault intensified, the Nanda Naga struggled to keep up. Wounds multiplied on its body, its black scales shattering piece by piece. It looked utterly wretched.
Even as it tried to slither along the walls, Lin Qiye's blade followed relentlessly, like a shadow.
The Nanda Naga's cries grew more desperate, its eyes burning with venomous hatred.
This time, it was utterly crushed—in both strategy and strength.
Expressionless, Lin Qiye struck blow after blow. He carved the monster as though perfecting a masterpiece. When the Nanda Naga was barely clinging to life, his golden eyes flashed, and he vanished.
The blade's azure edge traced a straight line through the air.
Lin Qiye appeared behind the Nanda Naga.
*Clack!*
His blade returned to its sheath.
A massive snake head tumbled to the ground, its slit pupils still glaring at Lin Qiye as if to drag him into the abyss.
Lin Qiye turned to the corpse at his feet and murmured softly:
"Sorry, Li Yifei.
Let's meet again…
In the asylum."