Breaking Through

A series of long, piercing screams echoed through the air, emanating from a youth floating mid-air. His bare skin occasionally flashed with purple lightning before silently vanishing into the air, making his already muscular physique appear even more robust. However, upon closer inspection, faint purple cracks seemed to mar his otherwise creamy, jade-like skin, almost as if they didn't exist at all. Floating next to him, a spectral figure appeared tense, its expression changing unpredictably with the fluctuating intensity of the purple lightning surrounding Li Yi.

Finally, in an instant, as Li Yi took a deep breath, the purple lightning coiling around him swiftly retracted into his body, and he gently landed on the ground. "Success..." The Serpent Venerable's aged face briefly flashed with joy before he murmured. Hearing this, Li Yi slowly opened his eyes, glanced at The Serpent Venerable, and hesitantly said, "I'm actually fine?"

"Fine!? You dare say that!?" The Serpent Venerable's expression suddenly shifted, "You didn't progress step by step but rushed to refine all the Dou Qi seeds at once! If it weren't for your luck in resonating with the yuan qi of heaven and earth, you might have been shattered to pieces by now! And yet you dare say you're fine?"

Li Yi smiled slightly, "Alright, Old Coot... Since it's a success, let's not dwell on it. Do you think I have the time to take it slowly, given the situation outside?"

The Serpent Venerable sighed, his gaze slowly moving to Li Yi's chest, where a palm-sized tattoo had disappeared. Seeing this, The Serpent Venerable sighed again, "You... have managed the second transformation of the Heavenly Demon!"

"Really?" Li Yi looked puzzled, then quickly formed a hand seal and introspected. The Dou Qi cyclone, initially the size of a palm, had now expanded, especially noticeable were the five strands of blood-red Dou Qi mingling with the purple lightning, attracting attention. After a moment, he opened his eyes, a slight smile on his face, "It seems I've not only broken through to the rank of a five crystal Fighter, but the quantity of my Dou Qi has also significantly increased, indeed achieving the second transformation of the Heavenly Demon... I wonder, to what level has this Heavenly Demon Nine Transformations reached now?"

"Let me show you," The Serpent Venerable formed a hand seal, and as he moved, the blood-red Dou Qi from Li Yi's dantian circled above the Dou Qi cyclone before surging back into The Serpent Venerable's body. After a moment, he spoke lightly, "Now, the Heavenly Demon Nine Transformations has reached the mid-stage of Zhuque... This has tripled the amount of Dou Qi from before. Even without using your trump card, you could match an opponent two to three crystals stronger than you. With your fighting skills, even Emperor class opponents might not be much of a challenge... But, that's not what's important. What's important is that you've taken the opportunity of this evolution to rid yourself of a significant threat..."

Hearing this, Li Yi was momentarily stunned, then looked down at his chest. Upon seeing smooth skin, he couldn't help but laugh loudly! The counter-spying issue that had been a heavy burden was unexpectedly resolved while dealing with the Nalan family's troubles, as if by destiny.

Seeing Li Yi's reaction, The Serpent Venerable smiled lightly, "Alright, kid, now's not the time to be happy. Although you've successfully evolved, don't forget where you are right now..."

The stone chamber's door silently slid open, and Li Yi, dressed in black, stepped out. With just a light step, it seemed as if the yuan qi in the air rippled. Gong Wushuang, who was meditating, slightly frowned and looked up at Li Yi, then smiled lightly, "Another breakthrough? Your speed is truly astonishing! It hasn't been many days since your last breakthrough."

Li Yi touched his nose and replied lightly, "No matter how fast, it's nothing compared to Sister Gong, who is already an Emperor. I wonder how long it will take for me to reach your realm..."

Gong Wushuang replied lightly, "I actually think it won't take you much time to reach my level."

"Hope so," sighed Li Yi, then his gaze fell on the entrance, "Have you found a way out?"

Gong Wushuang's hand movements changed slightly, and the cold aura around her gradually retracted. After a moment, she lightly jumped up, her gaze landing on the stone door, and nodded slightly, "A way has been found, but..."

"But what?"

"But, after leaving, we'll most likely encounter that nine-headed serpent again, which is no big deal... But if we run into those two Emperor class and seven King class opponents, we..." Gong Wushuang shook her head slightly, the implication clear without further words. Although they seemed safe for now, facing a nine-headed serpent was already troublesome enough, not to mention the addition of two Emperor class and seven King class opponents. Even using Emperor class strength, they would likely have no chance of survival.

Li Yi's expression stiffened slightly, then he spoke lightly, "I can barely muster Emperor class strength, how about you?"

Gong Wushuang spoke softly, "Normally, I could hold on for a while, but if we encounter Haixin and he triggers the explosive fury within me, I might lose my fighting strength instantly." Li Yi nodded slightly. Gong Wushuang's considerations were all accounted for by him. However, the situation now left them no choice but to leave; otherwise, if the enemy called in reinforcements, their situation would only worsen. "Let's take it one step at a time!" Li Yi gritted his teeth, "I refuse to believe that with our strength, we can't escape if we really put our minds to it!"

"Now then..." "Open the door!" Li Yi said in a deep voice. Gong Wushuang nodded slightly, about to move towards it when suddenly, the previously shut stone door made a "creak" sound, followed by a burst of laughter that lightly transmitted inside: "Heh, I, Haixin, pride myself on my cleverness but was fooled just this once. I thought they were just two little mice... But these mice have capsized my ship in the gutter... Hehe, what a scheme! Truly a good scheme! I indeed underestimated you!"

A figure slowly emerged at the doorway, followed by seven or eight people, though they maintained a cautious stance towards each other... It seemed as though the two fighting parties had joined forces, but whether this partnership was genuine remained to be seen. Gong Wushuang's expression subtly changed, she stepped back to shield Li Yi behind her, and whispered, "Haixin, the Wind Emperor, and Balin, the Blade Emperor, joining forces... I wouldn't have believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes..."

"If someone said, under the alliance of Haixin and me, we would be at a disadvantage in front of a mere Fighter and a newly promoted Emperor, I doubt anyone would believe it..." With a light laugh, Balin's figure also slanted into the room. Despite the tomb chamber's size, the King class fighters didn't squeeze in, but both Emperors did, their cold gazes falling on Gong Wushuang and Li Yi.

Haixin's gaze was steady, but Balin's ugly face flashed with a hint of chill. After scanning the surroundings, his gaze settled on Li Yi, chuckling, "Kid... Actually, I have a question for you." Li Yi smiled slightly, "Feel free to ask, Blade Emperor." Balin glanced at Gong Wushuang, then continued, "What makes an Emperor class powerhouse listen to you? Background? Or identity? You know, among the Seven Emperors of Tianfeng, I recognize them all. Where did this little girl suddenly come from?"

Li Yi replied lightly, "If I told you she advanced to Emperor class after entering the Naga Mountains, would you believe me?" "Believe, believe! How could I not believe?" Balin said with a smile, though his insincerity was evident to anyone. "But kid, no matter what background you have, here and now, your strength is laid bare... With Haixin and me joining forces, you're no match... How about you hand over what you've obtained, and I'll ensure your safe departure?"

Li Yi nodded slightly, his tone tinged with irony, "I can give you the items, but the Blade Emperor and the Wind Emperor are known to be at odds... If you agree now and I hand over the items, but then you leave me here to be killed by the Wind Emperor, wouldn't I be wronged... So, if it's just talk, I can't trust you." "Oh, then how can I earn your trust?" Balin asked with a smile. Li Yi smiled, "If you, Blade Emperor, can twist off the Wind Emperor's head... Oh no, a hand, I'll hand over the scroll we obtained in this Emperor's tomb, how about that?"

At this, Li Yi casually slapped his hand, and a sealed scroll was in his grasp. The scroll emitted a faint glow, clearly a valuable item. With the scroll's appearance, the tense atmosphere intensified... At this moment, Li Yi clearly felt that both Balin and Haixin wanted to rush forward immediately... However, possibly due to mutual wariness, neither made a move... This was indeed an interesting situation! Despite being mortal enemies, the two had reluctantly joined forces due to mutual interests, but Li Yi believed that any slight dispute could lead to a fierce battle...

Haixin and Balin exchanged glances, Haixin then smiled, "Gentlemen, if you're thinking of making Haixin and me injure each other, you're mistaken. We have an agreement this time... At least until we get the item, we'll advance and retreat together... If you don't trust Haixin, you might as well give the item to me, and I, on behalf of the Beidou Sect, guarantee your safe departure, how about that?" Li Yi nodded slightly, then said, "Hmm, the reputation of the Wind Emperor has always been excellent. Alright! I'll trust the Wind Emperor this time! Here, the item is yours!"

As soon as Li Yi finished speaking, he tossed the scroll towards Haixin. Haixin's face lit up as he grabbed it, but at that moment, Balin sneered, his body shifting as a surge of Dou Qi collided with Haixin's, while he also lunged for the scroll. "Haixin! You dare!" "Boom—" The Dou Qi of the two collided, instantly breaking the harmonious balance, and they began to fight in the confined space. One aimed to snatch the scroll, the other refused to let it go, leading to a stalemate, with the scroll vibrating in mid-air, refusing to fall.

"Opportunity! Let's go!" Li Yi and Gong Wushuang exchanged glances, their Dou Qi manifesting as icy and blood-colored energies, respectively. With a flicker of Dou Qi wings, they soared over Haixin and Balin's heads, bursting out of the chamber. Li Yi then inhaled, pulling the scroll back into his hands, and with a slap, placed it into the Storage Ring. "Blade Emperor! Wind Emperor! Enjoy your fight! We're leaving first!"