Chapter Fifty-One: Life And Death Arena Part 1

A sudden roar shattered the previously quiet area, turning it into a cacophony. Xianyu, awakened from his meditative state, sighed, "Ah, here we go... as expected."

Stepping out of his room, Xianyu spotted a person standing not far away. The figure bore a resemblance to the Shui family young master he had killed, and coupled with the elemental fluctuations, Xianyu had a good guess of the visitor's identity.

"Who are you? Talking about blood debts and revenge? Do we have a grudge?" Xianyu questioned.

Xianyu had a pretty good idea of why the person had come – likely to uncover the truth about Shui Xingkong's demise.

"Li Wen, stop pretending here. My nephew Shui Xingkong was killed by you! Don't think you can hide it, others can't figure it out!"

Xianyu wasn't about to tolerate such accusations. "You can eat a messy meal, but you can't spout nonsense. When did I kill your nephew? This is something that requires evidence; you can't just say whatever you want."

"Moreover, back when I was pushed into a corner by you, did I seek revenge on you? No, right? If I didn't retaliate then, it shows I've accepted my fate. So, there's absolutely no reason for me to harm someone's life now. Your accusation is baseless."

"Could it be that your nephew went outside, misbehaved, and got 'snapped' by some heroic figure?"

"But you can't find the person, and I happen to be here, so you thought of taking the opportunity to 'cut the grass and remove the roots,' right?"

Surprisingly, Xianyu's words did sound somewhat plausible, especially considering what kind of person Shui Qiancheng's nephew was. If it weren't for Xianyu's own servant witnessing it firsthand and recounting the story, Shui Qiancheng might have been swayed.

As the two conversed, a crowd had gathered around, with heads poking out of windows to watch the spectacle. They were pointing and gossiping about Shui Qiancheng.

Seeing this, Shui Qiancheng couldn't contain his anger. Disregarding the location, he immediately drew his weapon and attacked.

Witnessing this, Xianyu concealed a smirk.

Not afraid of your recklessness, but wary if you're both powerful and damn clever.

"Watch out!"

At that moment, a woman's voice rang out. Though Xianyu found the voice somewhat familiar, a glance revealed that he didn't recognize her. Despite her beauty, he paid no further attention.

"Kid! You, a wretched cur, don't behave yourself in the wilderness and dare to come to Liryue Harbor? You're simply seeking a path to your demise!"

Xianyu felt no emotional response to the dying person's last words. Considering the opponent's strength, it was probably slightly stronger than those who had just acquired the Vision, and this "strength" was only due to having the Vision for a longer period.

No one knew how the guy got the approval of the Vision. A waste like him was simply a squandering of divine gifts.

As the approaching fist neared, Xianyu didn't even draw his sword. He simply raised his sword finger, ready to strike, but suddenly halted his motion.

In the next instant, Shui Qiancheng was sent flying at an even faster speed.

"Well, what a pity. If it had been a moment later, that member of the Shui family would be undoubtedly dead."

Though Xianyu felt a bit regretful for not killing Shui Qiancheng, he made no further moves. Killing him earlier was indeed the optimal moment, but since someone intervened in Liryue, he couldn't continue; otherwise, trouble would escalate.

"Shui Qiancheng! You've got some nerve! Using elemental power to attack others within Liryue Harbor!"

"It seems your Shui family is becoming more lawless!"

"Any personal grievances can be settled in the 'Life and Death Arena.' It's not allowed to fight within the harbor. Don't you know that? Huh!?"

As Shui Qiancheng, who had just crawled out of the flowers, heard this, he immediately apologized, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Captain Xiao. I was just overwhelmed by hatred. I won't dare next time, I won't dare."

The person addressed as Captain Xiao glanced at Xianyu, saw he was unharmed, and merely said, "Humph! You'll receive your punishment at the patrol station!"

After saying that, Captain Xiao left on his own, not uttering a single word to Xianyu.

Xianyu didn't think anything was amiss. He was prepared for such "unfair" situations.

While Liyue thrived under the protection of Morax, after several millennia, some "decay" was inevitable.

"Humph! Kid, you got lucky today. Captain Xiao happened to be around; otherwise, you'd be dead!"

"But don't celebrate too early. I won't let this slide!"

"I remember your servant has a stall, right? I'll make sure he can't continue."

"Hahaha... How about that? Even though I can't act myself, I can still make your life miserable."

Hearing this, Xianyu, with his usual expression, uttered one word, "Boring."

Miserable life? What a joke! Could Zhang Feng's little business cause any trouble for Xianyu? He couldn't care less.

Moreover, doesn't Shui Qiancheng know about the incomplete transaction between me and the Fatui?

Hmm, it seems he genuinely doesn't know...

"You!"

"Kid, if you've got the guts, face me in the Life and Death Arena! Do you dare!?"

As Xianyu was about to return to his room, he heard this and paused. In his calm tone, he replied, "Sure."

For some reason, upon hearing these two words, Shui Qiancheng felt a bone-chilling coldness rising from within. However, the sensation quickly disappeared, leaving him to think it was just his imagination.

...

The Life and Death Arena, a place in Liyue specifically designed for settling disputes between individuals with grievances.

Xianyu had never heard of such a place, whether in reality or in the game. However, it didn't matter. After this encounter, although his exposure would significantly increase, in return, those who wanted to harm him in the future would have to consider the consequences.

On a high platform:

"Unexpectedly, the executive of the Fatui, would have the leisure to watch these weaklings fight. It seems I underestimated someone..."

"Lord Ningguang, you are the one with the leisure. I'm just here to see my friend. I don't care much about this battle. With someone like Shui Qiancheng, I could take him down with a single move. My friend should have no problem."

"Oh! So, Li Wen is quite powerful? But being friends with you, a warmonger, suggests he's not simple."

Ningguang smiled at Tartaglia's words and remained silent.

Tartaglia knew Xianyu's strength roughly. Without using weapons, Shui Qiancheng might withstand a couple of moves. However, if weapons were involved, one strike would be fatal. Even if Shui Qiancheng and Xianyu used the same elemental power, it wouldn't be enough to stop it.

Besides Tartaglia and Ningguang casually watching the commotion, there were many others outside the arena, including the woman who spoke earlier.

"Miss, isn't Li Wen down and out? Moreover, isn't he still at Exuvia Slope? Why is he in Liyue Harbor, and why is he confronting the Shui family?"

"Doesn't he know Shui Qiancheng has a Vision? This is simply seeking death."

The person referred to as "Miss" is Qingxue, the woman previously dismissed by Li Wen. When Qingxue spoke, she had no ulterior motives; it was just a friendly reminder between acquaintances.

"Why are you worried about him? Is it because you like him?"

Caught off guard by the question, Xia Zhu became a bit flustered and didn't know how to respond, stammering her words.

Seeing her reaction, Qingxue didn't continue teasing but rather became more restrained, saying, "I do know Li Wen. Although he used to be arrogant, he wasn't completely self-centered. He should be able to see the gap between them. The only explanation is... he has the strength to rival the other party."

Xia Zhu, taken aback, struggled to process the information.

"Miss, are you saying... Li Wen has... the Vision too!?"