âIf you wholeheartedly follow Li Yufeng, everyone else will heed you!â the third elder growled, slightly enraged by Li Xingyun.
âIf you want my loyalty towards the family, consider it done. But if you want me to become Li Yufengâs dog, heâs not qualified! In the recent years, only one Dragon Bloodline God Level growth rate demon spirit has appeared in the Ashen Flames Family. Speak from your hearts. Back then, was my talent any inferior to Li Yufengâs? That demon spirit was originally meant for me, but just because he was the son of the previous Patriarch, he used an underhand method to merge with that demon spirit. Iâll admit, in these last few years, my strength canât be compared to his, but Iâm not resigned to it!â Li Xingyunâs voice carried traces of indignation.
For someone in Li Xingyunâs position, he shouldnât be saying those words. However, with a character like his, it was impossible for him to endure the injustice.
The third elderâs face was sullen. âLi Xingyun, youâve still not resigned from that matter? Back then, your talent was indeed inferior to Li Yufengâs. Everything is just a misunderstanding.â
âRegardless of whether it really is a misunderstanding, I donât want to pursue this any further. Even for elders like you, donât you have your own forces? Why should I let Li Yufeng have my brothers?â Li Xingyun looked at the other elder and said, âFifth elder, why donât you tell me the reason. Is there such a rule in our Ashen Flames Family?â
âLi Xingyun, this is the decision of the family. The forces that you wield are definitely a danger to the future of the Ashen Flames Family!â The fifth elder said with his brows scrunched up.
âHaha, youâve finally said the words in your heart. Although that kid, Li Yufeng, is indeed stronger than I am, he couldnât capture the hearts of the people and no one is willing to heed his orders. You guys are worried that as my brothers grow, Iâll start competing with him; therefore, you guys are trying to nip the problem in the bud, right?â Li Xingyun coldly laughed. âYou guys have indeed put in a lot of effort to give Li Yufeng that position!â
The two elders furrowed their brows. Li Xingyun was being too arrogant and unyielding. Trying to force Li Xingyun to agree would probably be very hard. After all, there was still an elder who stood behind him, so it wasnât good for them to do things too harsh.
However, Li Xingyun was indeed a cause for the familyâs uneasiness, especially since heâd recently acquired a huge quantity of demon spirits and had greatly enhanced the strength of his underlings. The danger towards their future had grown larger.
Nie Li heard the conversation from outside the hall and lightly smiled. So that was the situation. According to Nie Liâs previous life, Li Xingyun had eventually broken away from the family, probably because heâd been pressured to his limits. However, that wouldnât happen anytime soon, since Li Yufeng hadnât become Patriarch yet. Li Xingyun would only break away after that happened.
Nie Li rather admired Li Xingyun. He highly values loyalty and thatâs also why Li Xingyun had been able to assemble such an unyielding following of brothers. Often, when a group of people follows a leader, itâs not because their leader is stronger, but because their leader is reliable and would never do them injustice!
âTwo elders, I must ask you to leave. No matter what, asking me to give away my brothersâ loyalty and become Li Xingyunâs dog â thatâs absolutely impossible!â Li Xingyun coldly snorted.
âLi Xingyun, donât ârefuse a toast and have wine shoved down your throatâ!â said the third elder, enraged.
âI, Li Xingyun, have not violated any family rules. Third elder, fifth elder, do you two want to pressure me with your strength?â A chill of light flashed through Li Xingyunâs eye. âIn that case, go look for my Uncle!â
Li Xingyunâs uncle was the second elder of the Ashen Flames Family, an existence right beneath the Patriarch.
âHmph, thereâll definitely be a day when you regret this!â The third and fifth elder stood up in anger and left the premises.
After the third and fifth elder left, Nie Li and his group walked in.
âBrother Nie Li, I never thought that you guys would come!â Li Xingyun showed a smile.
âAnd you can still smile.â Nie Li smiled in reply.
âWhy canât I? Should I be crying then? It seems like you guys overheard from outside. However, itâs nothing much even if you guys hear it. Itâs just a family spat. It must have been a joke to you guys.â Li Xingyun shrugged as he continued, âI wonder what Brother Nie Li is here for? Iâve already prepared a hundred thousand spiritual stones!â Li Xingyun threw an interspatial ring towards Nie Li.
Nie Li caught the interspatial ring and quickly swept an eye inside and noted that there were indeed a hundred thousand spiritual stones inside. He lightly smiled and said, âYouâre not afraid that Iâd go back on my word upon receiving the money?â
âHilarious. I, Li Xingyun, have no other talent except for using my eyes to see the truth in people. I believe in Brother Nie Li!â Li Xingyun straightforwardly laughed.
âIâve already gotten the thing that you wanted!â With a flick of his right hand, Nie Li threw a demon spirit stone over to Li Xingyun.
âSo fast?â Li Xingyun was stunned for a moment upon receiving it in his hands. Originally, he thought that Nie Li would need at least half a month to get a demon spirit of this level! Li Xingyun quickly checked the contents of the stone in his hand and saw the Gold-Scarlet Blood Jiao-dragon inside. It really did have a God Level growth rate.
âFurthermore, itâs also a mutated one. I guarantee that itâs much stronger than the one that Li Yufengâs integrated with!â Nie Li lightly smiled.
Li Xingyun clenched his right fist and gave Nie Li a deep look. After a few moments of silence, he finally opened his mouth and said, âI wouldnât say any thankful words, if thereâs anything that you need from me, Brother Nie Li can just say the word!â
âActually, I do need some help from you this time around. This friend of mine was killed by one of Hua Lingâs underlings in the outside world and I want to borrow some men from you to annihilate them!â Nie Li said as he looked at Li Xingyun.
Li Xingyun looked at Nie Li as he said straightforwardly, âFriends of Brother Nie Li are also my friends. How many men do you need? When do you need them?â
âAt least two hundred. Itâs best if there are several Heavenly Star Realm experts. Iâll need them the day after tomorrow,â said Nie Li.
âRest assured, leave it to me. Iâll send several Heavenly Axis Realm brothers as well!â Li Xingyun said with his brows slightly twitched.
Indeed, Hua Lingâs forces were simply incomparable to Li Xingyunâs.
âThanks!â Nie Li lightly smiled.
âIs there really a need to thank me? If so, how many thanks should I say to Brother Nie Li?â Li Xingyun smiled. Nie Li had done him a huge favor. Li Xingyun wasnât terribly strong only because heâd been stuck with an Extraordinary Level growth rate demon spirit. It was a rather depressing fact for him. But now, heâd finally got ahold of a God Level one!
There would come a day when heâd prove to all his clansmen in the Ashen Flames Family that he, Li Xingyun, definitely wasnât inferior to Li Yufeng. He wanted to crush that despicable man beneath his feet!
Nie Liâs group conversed with Li Xingyun for a while before leaving his place.
Now that Xiao Ningâer knew that Nie Li was making use of Li Xingyunâs forces, she felt much more at ease. Since Nie Li was only a 1-fate, it was too dangerous for him to head outside by himself. After all, frightening demon beasts occasionally appeared that even a Heavenly Axix Realm or even more powerful experts falling prey to them.
âNie Li, are you going out as well?â Xiao Ningâer asked in concern.
âThatâs for sure, but donât worry about it. In two days time, Iâll reach 2-fate, since I reached the pinnacle of 1-fate just recently. And by using a certain method as a catalyst, it wonât take more than a few hours for me to break through to 2-fate!â Nie Li lightly smiled. After merging with the Myriad Miles Rivers and Mountains Painting, Nie Li sensed that his strength had undergone an obvious rise. With just a little more time, heâd be able to make a breakthrough. And all he had to do was spend a few hours inside the Myriad Miles Rivers and Mountains Painting to cultivate.
At Nie Liâs words, Xiao Ningâer lightly smiled and felt more assured. As long as Nie Li reached 2-fate, even if anything happened in the outside world, it shouldnât be too much of a problem. At most, heâd only a drop a stage in cultivation.
Xiao Yu felt touched in the heart. Nie Li was out to seek justice for him. However, after he saw the smooth dynamic between Nie Li and Xiao Ningâer, his heart became tangled.
After Nie Li and his group returned to the yard, they saw Gu Bei anxiously waiting for them. When he saw Nie Li and his group return, Gu Beiâs brows loosened.
âIâve been waiting for you guys for a long time!â Gu Bei said excitedly.
Nie Li looked at Gu Bei and asked, âIs there a problem for you to be waiting for us here?â
âIâll bring you guys to see a good show!â Gu Bei mysteriously smiled as he continued, âQuick, follow me!â
Although they had no idea what Gu Bei was talking about, they still followed him.
âIâve already sent someone to finish the matter you asked of me, so rest assured. Iâll definitely finish the task beautifully! Somethingâs going to happen tonight!â Gu Bei revealed a meaningful smile as his eyes flashed across a chilling trace.
Hearing Gu Beiâs words, Nie Li gained a vague sense of understanding as the three of them followed behind Gu Bei.
Skysoul Institute, Martial Field.
Tens of thousands of people were gathered in an arena that were all lit up. Roughly fifty to sixty battles were happening simultaneously, each surrounded by their own little crowds. A sea of heads bobbed around. This was the sparring gathering between the three major sects.
âOver here!â Gu Bei smiled.
Nie Li turned to look. He saw Gu Lan sitting on a chair with a blanket covering her legs. Her face was no longer the ashen white that sheâd had previously, and there were also several touches of pink that made her look more energetic.
The party walked to Gu Lanâs side.
âBig Sister Gu Lanâs colour seems much better!â Nie Li lightly smiled.
âI have to thank this good sir for bestowing that to me!â Gu Lan lightly nodded as her gaze fell onto Xiao Yu and Xiao Ningâer who were standing behind Nie Li and lightly smiled with a nod at them.
Nie Li looked out towards the front of the arena and noticed that everyone was paying close attention to the stage, where some people were sparring. People were yelling and cheering from the sidelines. The brother-sister duo of Gu Bei and Gu Lan were here. Were they planning something? Nie Li couldnât help smiling as he thought inwardly.
âMore than ninety percent of the people of the Gu Clan are here and there are also a few elders present. Right now, itâs the battle between the newcomers of the Gu Clan.â Gu Bei said in a soft voice.
âOh.â Nie Li nodded as he glanced into the distance. Watching from the front was Gu Heng who was smiling and chatting with several seniors who sat beside him. Those seniors should be the elders of the Gu Clan.