Chaos

The phrase "You should be ashamed" was like a massive hammer, fiercely striking against Nalan Ba's body. He staggered slightly, his face instantly turning pale. At this moment, it seemed like the last layer of defense in his heart had been completely shattered. Nalan Qing also turned to look at him, wearing a face of disbelief. Instead, Nalan He just smiled faintly, his gaze falling on Nalan Qing, finally chuckling and saying, "Indeed impressive... My uncle..."

"Uncle," these two words caused Nalan Qing's body to tremble, his right hand uncontrollably shaking. But it was Nalan Tianzhe who still wore a ferocious expression. He ominously stared at Nalan Ba, and after a moment, continued, "Since we're already at odds today, Father, I want to ask one thing! I've been wanting to ask for years! Will you answer me?"

"Why?"

"Why! Since she bore your child, marrying her should have sufficed! Why did you make her come to me! Why!?"

"Do you not know that on the day I learned the truth, there would be no father-son relationship between us anymore?" Nalan Ba's face turned pale, and finally, he sighed softly before speaking in a low voice, "Tianzhe, I didn't want it to be this way... But I couldn't just watch her belly grow day by day, or watch her marry someone else, right? After all, the child in her womb is also of the Nalan family!"

"Then why didn't you marry her?" Nalan Tianzhe's lips curled into a sinister smile after a brief moment of silence. Suddenly, he sneered, "Haha... I understand now! It's simply because you and her father are sworn brothers! You couldn't bring shame upon yourselves! So, you sacrificed me, didn't you?"

"Haha... Truly, what a good father you are!" Nalan Ba's body trembled slightly. Like a dignified King of Fighters, he appeared extremely weak at this moment. He squinted, as if sighing, and then spoke softly, "Tianzhe, don't blame me... I also had my reasons! I..."

"Back off!"

"You shameless old coot!"

An abrupt rebuke interrupted Nalan Ba's words, but it couldn't halt the violent surge of dark energy beside him. At this moment, the veil of familial affection had been completely torn apart by both sides, revealing nothing but pretense! Regret, guilt, shock... all were just disguises! Did everyone truly understand these matters only when they reached this point? No, everything was for this moment, the true face of the battle for family headship.

Nalan He's figure moved swiftly. He had long been wary of Nalan Ba's sudden attack, while Nalan Qing, who had been disregarded, unexpectedly made the first move!

"Whoosh!"

A black surge of Martial Energy slashed towards Nalan He like a sharp sword. His expression changed slightly, and with a swift step, he retreated to the floating island behind him. However, under Nalan Qing's sudden assault, even Nalan Tianzhe couldn't come to his aid in time.

At this moment, it was clear to everyone that, willing or not, they had all been drawn into this intricate and sinister battle for family dominance. Only by killing either Nalan He or Nalan Qing could one of them smoothly inherit the position of family head. Otherwise, they would all be left to merely spectate in this dark and mysterious realm. So, regardless of their willingness, each person had already been enlisted into their respective camps.

Nalan He's vision blurred momentarily as the surge of Martial Energy struck before him. However, he was a decisive person. Performing a series of somersaults in mid-air, he swiftly landed safely on the floating island.

"What a Nalan Hao..." Nalan Qing suddenly sneered, "It seems like you've taken their side, haven't you?"

The three elders of the Nalan family, who seemed evenly matched, were now light and agile, landing on the floating island. Moments ago, they had joined forces to shatter Nalan Qing's sudden attack.

With this, the situation in the field changed drastically. On one side stood Nalan He with four others, while on the other side stood Nalan Qing with equal numbers. Regardless of his willingness, Li Yi had already been placed on Nalan Qing's side. Given his relationship with Nalan He, they could never join forces.

Nalan Qing smiled as he approached, his face returning to normal. He glanced at Li Yi and the others not far away, then slightly cupped his hands and said, "Young Master Li Yi, you understand the situation today, don't you? After this is over, the promised rewards will certainly not be lacking for you... What do you say?"

Li Yi shrugged, saying indifferently, "Too much talk. Let's just get to the action!"

"Well said! After so much blathering, why not just get to it!?" Nalan Qing laughed heartily, his figure bursting forth as he charged towards Nalan He. He knew very well that only by killing Nalan He could everything be resolved.

Nalan Hao and Nalan Hou exchanged a glance. Though they had both rushed forward, their charge was halted halfway by the sudden interception of Nalan Ba! Though both Nalan family elders were peak Fighters, Nalan Ba was a King of Fighters, more than capable of facing them both alone!

Li Yi and Gong Wushuang exchanged a glance as well before rushing forward. However, they targeted the most difficult opponent: Nalan Tianzhe.

Nalan Tianzhe smirked, watching the oncoming figures. With a low growl, he exclaimed, "Excellent!" Then, with a sudden sway of his body, a pair of ink-black Martial Energy wings appeared on his back, revealing his Emperor-level strength.

Palace Wushuang also lightly tapped her feet, ice-flame wings appearing as she raised her hand, unleashing a massive burst of Martial Energy. Nanlan Tianzhe sneered, swiftly tapping his hands in mid-air, and a surge of black shadows rushed out, heading towards the flying Martial Energy. Intense energy fluctuations collided in mid-air. At this moment, Li Yi seemed somewhat redundant, but he was decisive. With a swift turn in mid-air, he lunged towards Nanlan He, his Broken Soul Blade flying out ahead of him. However, in an instant, chaos engulfed the Ghostly Obsidian City, making every outcome unpredictable.

Seeing Li Yi lunging, Nanlan Qing suddenly sneered, retreating while shouting, "Li Yi, you deal with this little brat! Let me handle Nanlan Tianzhe. Even if he survives, he'll be useless!" Li Yi remained silent. After Nanlan Qing flashed past, his right hand swiftly spun, sending surges of Martial Energy towards Nanlan He. Nanlan He, under Nanlan Qing's pressure just now, appeared flustered. But because of his Fire-Wind Dual-Attribute Martial Energy, he evaded Nanlan Qing's fatal attacks like a fish, which led to Nanlan Qing abandoning him. It was because Nanlan Qing judged the situation accurately, understanding that if Palace Wushuang couldn't hold off Nanlan Tianzhe, they would all perish together. As for Nanlan He, Li Yi could kill him if possible, or at least engage him. However, Li Yi wasn't as weak as Nanlan Qing imagined.

Since they were already in combat, there was no room for compromise. Li Yi's Broken Soul Blade barely blocked Nanlan He's attempt to escape, and in that moment, his Phantom Kill Technique was activated. With each move, Li Yi aimed for a killing blow, causing cracks to spread across Nanlan He's fragile Martial Energy Armor. Perhaps, with the power of the Serpent Venerable, Li Yi could instantly turn the tables. But he wasn't foolish; under these circumstances, revealing his trump card wasn't an option.

Li Yi's movements became faster, his Broken Soul Blade striking relentlessly, nearly every blow landing at a vital spot. Nanlan He's temporary Martial Energy Armor was on the verge of collapse under Li Yi's relentless assault, threatening to leave him vulnerable. In the face of Li Yi's fierce barrage, Nanlan He, accustomed to bullying the weak, found himself struggling to keep up. Surprisingly, his speed couldn't match Li Yi's, a fact Nanlan He couldn't believe. He was confident in his speed, but he lacked the innate talent or training that Li Yi possessed.

Finally, after Li Yi forced him to retreat dozens of times, he found a vulnerability in Nanlan He's defense. Swinging his Broken Soul Blade, Li Yi aimed a palm strike at Nanlan He's chest. With a splattering sound, Nanlan He's Martial Energy Armor disintegrated into powder, and Li Yi's palm landed squarely on his chest, shattering ribs with audible cracks. However, it wasn't fatal.

As Nanlan He staggered back, Li Yi prepared to pursue and finish him off. But at the same time, he felt a chill down his spine, sensing danger from behind. In an almost impossible instant, he turned around to see Nanlan Hou rushing towards him, wielding a surge of Martial Energy that seemed to condense into a Martial Art. However, just moments later, Nanlan Ba arrived and intercepted the attack. Though Nanlan Hou was violently thrown back, the mere few meters he was pushed away created a chasm between them.

In the blink of an eye, Li Yi had already turned back. By now, Nanlan He had regained his footing, his Martial Energy Armor gone but his composure intact. However, when his eyes met Li Yi's, his expression turned extremely ugly.