The Challenge

"A challenge!?" Nalan Tianzhe snorted, his gaze falling on Nalan He beside him, speaking indifferently, "He'er, what do you say?"

Nalan He's gaze, sharp as a viper's, landed on Li Yi. After a moment, he sneered, "What can I say? If someone covets my betrothed before our wedding, even without a challenge, I would have made him a cripple! Now that there is a challenge... don't blame me. But, I was worried that Master Li Yi wouldn't dare to accept!"

Seeing everyone's eyes in the hall turn to him, Li Yi smiled lightly, "Since Elder Miao Ke has such a good solution, it wouldn't be right for me not to accept... However, if Young Master Nalan He loses, and refuses to call off the marriage, then Elder Miao Ke, you will be responsible!"

"Hehe, I am confident. With someone from the Beidou Sect as a witness, there's no one in the Tianfeng Empire who dares to break a promise... whether it's the Nalan family or you! Right, young friend!" Miao Ke's eyes sparkled, and an astonishing aura spread from him.

A Fighter... Li Yi's eyes slightly narrowed. The Beidou Sect really was no simple matter; even a random elder was at the Fighter level. Although it seemed like they had just broken through to this realm, a Fighter was still a Fighter.

With this thought, Li Yi smiled lightly, "Since the elder has said so, I naturally have no objections. Elder, rest assured, if I lose... I'll just walk away, no fuss. That makes you feel relieved, right?"

Hearing Li Yi's words, Miao Ke finally let out a sigh of relief. Honestly, he wasn't afraid of the Nalan family turning hostile; their strength was well-known, and with his backing, there was no fear. But Li Yi's apparent strength was nothing much, yet his hidden background was even unclear to him, hence the caution.

Miao Ke's actions made Nalan Tianzhe and Nalan He exchange glances, both slightly frowning. They could tell Li Yi had some background that made the old man cautious... However, from the strength Li Yi had just displayed, he was merely a five-crystal Fighter! His future achievements might be limitless with such cultivation at his age, but a five-crystal Fighter wasn't enough to be taken seriously.

"Very well," Miao Ke nodded with a smile upon seeing both parties agree, "Let's end today's matter here. Neither side shall cause trouble for the other... The challenge, then, will be in three days! Patriarch Nalan, if I'm not mistaken, that's also the day of Elder Nalan's birthday banquet, right? Adding a duel to such a grand occasion might be an interesting choice, wouldn't it?"

Nalan Tianzhe frowned, then said indifferently, "Agreed!"

"Good, then I shall preside over this duel... The nature of the duel means for learning, so the stakes need not be mentioned by me. As for this challenge, it certainly won't be a fight to the death... so, let's stop at the right point... Unless..." Miao Ke went on.

"Elder Miao Ke." Nalan He, who had been silent, suddenly stood up, bowing slightly.

"Oh? Young Master Nalan, do you have any objections to this challenge?" Miao Ke asked, puzzled.

Nalan He sneered, "Elder Miao Ke, what I learned at Roland Academy is the art of killing, I don't have any moves that hold back... If we are to truly challenge, then it's fate will decide our lives and deaths! This talk of stopping at the right point is just fooling around, not a challenge!"

"If you don't have the guts, leave now! Don't embarrass yourself here!" Nalan He then turned sharply, glaring fiercely at Li Yi.

Li Yi smiled faintly, his gaze meeting Nalan He's without flinching. Nalan He's face, still calm, couldn't hide the anger and malice in his eyes... It seemed that this Second Young Master Nalan wasn't as composed as Nalan Qing. Was he unable to mask his emotions, or did he see Li Yi as a major threat, looking for a legitimate reason to kill him? If it's the former, Nalan He was overstating his capabilities. But if it's the latter, well, this challenge just became interesting.

After a moment, Li Yi finally exhaled lightly, "Since Second Young Master Nalan wishes for a battle of life and death, then let it be... Honestly, even if you hadn't asked, I would have suggested it!"

Miao Ke frowned, then sighed lightly, "I originally thought there was no need to escalate to this for such a matter, leaving room for future interactions... But since both of you insist, I have nothing more to say! Thus, let's make a vow with a clap, witnessed by all the Martial Deities. If anyone breaks this vow, they shall have no place to bury their corpse!"

"Please..." Li Yi said slowly, extending his right hand.

Nalan He also sneered, stepping forward, his figure emerging in front of Li Yi. Their palms extended almost simultaneously, lightly clapping together.

"If anyone breaks this vow, they shall have no place to bury their corpse!"

"Puff—" Purple and red-blue auras flared simultaneously but separated upon contact. The moment their palms touched, the ground cracked around the point of contact, and a fierce wind blew out.

"Squeak—" Nalan He shook off the purple lightning in his hand, his face wearing a mysterious smile, "Lightning attribute Qi, truly troublesome and domineering."

Li Yi responded with a light smile, easily dispelling the turbulent red and blue aura between their palms, "Fire and wind dual-attribute aura, Young Master Nalan is indeed a rare talent... It seems the outcome of the battle in three days is unpredictable!"

"Hmph, unpredictable? It's just thunder attribute aura. Do you really think thunder attribute aura is the best in the world?" Nalan He sneered repeatedly, "In three days, I will make you understand what regret means!"

"I'll be waiting!" Li Yi replied with a gentle smile, his demeanor far calmer than the irritable Nalan He. By this point, Li Yi was even more convinced that Nalan He's volatile facade was likely a ruse. As for why, well, that added an interesting layer to ponder...

After a moment, Li Yi glanced at Nalan Tianzhe and slightly bowed, "In that case, Patriarch Nalan and everyone present... since today's matter is settled, I will take my leave. As for the duel in three days... I hope everyone will come to watch."

"Wait!" Nalan Tianzhe coldly interjected, "Li Yi, although you've been quite presumptuous today, since Elder Miao Ke has proposed a solution, our Nalan family is not unreasonable. Within these three days, I guarantee no one will harass you... Qing'er, escort Master Li Yi to a suitable inn to stay and focus on his cultivation. For these three days, stay by his side, fulfilling any requests he has, and don't let others say the Nalan family bullies with power!"

"Yes!" Nalan Qing, seated at the end, quickly stood up and bowed. He then turned to Li Yi, gesturing, "Master Li Yi, this way, please..."

As Li Yi and the others vanished from sight, Nalan Tianzhe snorted and sat down, murmuring, "Elder Miao, you have a long-standing relationship with our Nalan family. Why assist that reckless youth? Do you believe I couldn't have crushed him into dust with a single command?"

Miao Ke frowned, "Nalan Tianzhe, do you genuinely not know, or are you pretending? That 'youth,' not to mention the person behind him, can't you sense it? That person, even among Fighters, is not merely a novice. I suspect she's at least a six-crystal Fighter; otherwise, I wouldn't have been unable to gauge her depth. Had you truly confronted them, I believe only Nalan Ba himself could have possibly handled them, and you wouldn't want Nalan Ba to act before his birthday, would you? Wouldn't your family be ashamed?"

"Besides, I've encountered this youth in Wanchao City before. His careful thinking is extraordinary; he wouldn't dare come without full confidence. I may not know his ace, but I can't let him act recklessly, Nalan Tianzhe... Have you become so out of touch as the patriarch that you can't even see who I'm really assisting?"

Nalan Tianzhe slightly frowned, then glanced at Hong Yu and Ye Qingwu, asking, "What do you two think?"

Ye Qingwu shook her head silently, while Hong Yu frowned, "I feel a familiar sense about this Li Yi, but can't quite place him... However, the aura he carries is very dangerous, Nalan brother, be very cautious when facing him in three days."

This final comment was directed at Nalan He. At this moment, Nalan He appeared calm, smiling lightly, "I've also heard of Li Bing's cousin... A once deemed worthless young master transforming to this extent is indeed noteworthy. Brother Hong, do you think I would overlook anyone? Anyone who dares to be arrogant has their reasons... But no matter how strong their backing, it can't compare to mine... Hehe..."

"That's good to hear," Hong Yu tapped the table, then smiled slightly, "I'm genuinely looking forward to this duel in three days..."

In the warm study room, a fire burned quietly, dispelling the evening chill of autumn. Nalan Tianzhe sat at the head, slightly frowning before sighing, "Li Yi really knows how to pick his moments. Had I not met him a few years ago, I might have thought he was a pawn brought out by Nalan Qing!"

When mentioning Nalan Qing, Nalan Tianzhe's tone lacked any familial warmth, rather speaking of him as if he were a stranger. Nalan He, standing by the window, chuckled, "Father, why worry so much? Whatever arrangements big brother has, are all within our control. As for Li Yi? At most, he's just an appetizer, not even the first course... As long as we deal with him before the birthday banquet starts, it won't affect our plans at all..."

"No impact?" Nalan Tianzhe tapped the table, feeling a headache, "If it comes to it, deliberately losing to him is also an option... Remember, preserving our strength is most important. That old ghost has been favoring Nalan Qing more these years! If we don't act this time, all plans will turn to dust."

"Our ten-year plan cannot be disrupted by a Li Yi! He'er, do you understand my meaning?" Nalan Tianzhe stood up, "What does one loss matter in the grand scheme? What does a woman matter?"

"No, no, no... Father, you're overthinking it..." Nalan He's face was serene, "This time, I cannot and will not lose. Otherwise, wouldn't that give big brother further considerations? With his cautious nature, if he sees me holding back, intentionally losing, perhaps his meticulous preparations would not be triggered... Thus, for myself and for big brother, I cannot lose..."