The Difference Between Victory and Defeat

"Spare his life!" Just as Li Yi was about to deliver the final blow, a sudden loud shout rang out. This expected cry made Li Yi involuntarily curl his lips, then his gaze slowly shifted towards the high platform. At this moment, the protective shield set up by several strong individuals had dissipated, and the white-haired elder standing before the platform was looking at Li Yi with a peculiar face. After sizing him up for a few moments and confirming he was the speaker, Li Yi smiled lightly and said, "This must be Elder Nalan Ba, right? May I know what you wish to say?"

Nalan Ba smiled faintly and said, "Indeed, heroes emerge from the youth... Li Yi, you have won today's battle! As for He'er, I ask that you spare his life..."

Li Yi shook his head slightly and responded, "Elder, it's not that I don't want to spare his life, but the rules set before the duel are clear. Without meeting the conditions, I haven't won... If your Nalan family concedes today but reneges tomorrow, to whom shall I turn?"

Nalan Ba's expression changed slightly, "With so many witnesses here today, how could our Nalan family renege on our word?"

"That remains to be seen..." Li Yi said, half-smiling, yet he applied a bit more pressure with his foot, causing Nalan He, already in a dire state, to spit out another mouthful of blood. "For instance, our dear young master Nalan He is threatening me, isn't he? I've always heard that Nalan He is the pride of the Nalan family, presumably nurtured by your family? Like father, like son... hehehe... So, it's better for me to kill him! If Elder Nalan Ba feels aggrieved, feel free to strike me down... After all, having offended your Nalan family, I don't mind worsening our relations!"

"Enough!" Nalan Ba shouted loudly, then turned to look at Nalan Tianzhe with a peculiar expression and said lightly, "Now, you are the head of the family. According to our family rules, you are responsible for handling all matters. Let's hear what you have to say!"

With that, Nalan Ba stepped back and returned to his chair. Nalan Tianzhe coughed and stepped forward, looking at Li Yi from a distance before slightly shaking his head and gesturing towards the referee's seat, "This matter, I leave to Mr. Miao Ke to decide."

Miao Ke nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, then said, "According to the rules set before the battle, falling out of the arena means defeat... Although both are still where the arena once stood, since the arena has disappeared and Nalan He fell to the ground first... Li Yi wins!"

"Is that so?" Li Yi coldly smiled, glanced at Nalan He on the ground, and after a moment, softly said, "It seems even if you don't want to admit it, young master Nalan, you have lost... Today, I won't kill you... but remember, don't provoke me again, or don't blame me for what happens... hehe..."

With that, Li Yi's figure shifted slightly and he floated in front of the high platform, slightly bowing to Nalan Tianzhe, "In that case, head of the Nalan family, according to our agreement, should you not..."

"Take it!" Nalan Tianzhe snorted coldly, throwing a wooden box. Li Yi caught it, knowing well that under the watchful eyes of the public, no trickery would be attempted. He opened the box to find a large red envelope inside, which contained the marriage agreement made between the Li and Nalan families years ago.

After confirming it several times, Li Yi smiled lightly. With a sudden rub of his hands, the marriage certificate symbolizing the union between the two parties was crushed by his Qi, turning into ashes! At this moment, the people of the Nalan family had unpleasant expressions on their faces, and many others had peculiar expressions to the extreme... Today, the Nalan family's reputation had taken quite a hit! However, Li Yi seemed to pay no attention to this scene. He just nodded politely to Miao Ke on the referee's seat, as a form of greeting. Then, he swiftly drifted away towards the rear, his faint laughter echoing throughout the arena, "So, today's duel is considered over! Well then, Li takes his leave!"

High above, Gong Wushuang also descended slowly and came to his side. Both of them had a slight flash in their figures, heading towards the wide street. However, just at this moment, a gentle laughter suddenly sounded.

"Young Master Li Yi, please stay!"

Li Yi's figure hesitated slightly, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Nalan Qing... What does this guy want to do!?

To everyone's surprise, Nalan Qing, who had been standing behind Nalan Ba, took a few steps forward. He bowed politely from a distance to Li Yi and said, "Young Master Li Yi, today's duel between you and my second brother is a matter between the two of you. It doesn't affect the relationship between our Nalan family and your Li family. So, if it's convenient, please stay... Hehe, if the family celebration is missing members of the Li family, it wouldn't be the same!"

Nalan Qing's words subtly changed the atmosphere around. Li Yi had just stepped on the Nalan family's pride, and now, you're inviting him to the family celebration? Has he lost his mind? As expected... Li Yi just turned around with a light smile and said, "Young Master Nalan Qing's kindness is acknowledged. As for the celebration, I'm just an extra person, so I won't attend... Well then, Nalan Young Master, until we meet again!"

With that, Li Yi didn't look back this time and swiftly flew away, with Gong Wushuang following closely. At this point, sighs with profound meanings began to echo in the square, and the pit where the blood-red lightning had flickered still made people's eyelids twitch...

"Is it really him? Could it really be him?" Ye Qingwu's face paled, her lips bitten, looking utterly distraught. Meanwhile, Miao Ke had already approached her, seemingly sighing lightly as he said, "It seems we need to inform the sect to withdraw our covert support for the Long family... Offending such a terrifying individual over the Long family... It's not worth it."

Elsewhere, two expressionless white-robed priests gathered, their gaze also falling on Li Yi. After a moment, the one on the left said, "It has been nearly a hundred years since someone in the Tianfeng Empire mastered the Baihu martial skill. To think we would see it today... Should we report this to the temple master?"

"No need," the one on the right slowly shook his head. "I've heard of this Li Yi. Xia Chen has already designated him as a must-participate individual for this Divine Ceremony. We need not pay him extra attention... If he survives and enters the Martial Deity Temple, then we can focus on him more. If he doesn't make it out, then it's all meaningless."

The one on the left nodded slightly, asking, "What about Nalan He?"

The one on the right coldly smiled, "I had initially considered Nalan He as well, but if I'm not mistaken, even if we invited him to the Divine Ceremony, he wouldn't go... Although our Martial Deity Temple doesn't fear their Roland Academy, there's already an order from above to avoid provoking those from Roland Academy if possible. Besides, today's incident won't end so easily. I always feel that Yunshui City is on the verge of chaos!"

"The position of family head, huh? To stir up such trouble over such a position... hehehe..."

"Everyone, today's events have concluded! We've witnessed a little drama among the younger generation, hehe... Please don't take it to heart..." Nalan Tianzhe had somehow appeared in the middle of the square, bowing slightly to those around him and speaking lightly.

"Hehe, Patriarch Nalan jests..." Those present were no fools and could discern Nalan Tianzhe's underlying warning not to spread word of the incident.

"In that case, I invite everyone to visit the Nalan residence. Today is my grandfather's birthday, which is of utmost importance! Please, this way!" Nalan Tianzhe said, laughing heartily. Nalan family members emerged from the corners to escort the guests away, acting as if they saw nothing at the scene.

"Are you alright..." Standing at the edge of the crater, Nalan Tianzhe suddenly spoke softly.

"Cough cough... I won't die..." After a moment, Nalan He staggered out of the crater, his appearance somewhat disheveled but the rage in his eyes gone.

"As long as you're alive," Nalan Tianzhe nodded, "I've told you before, if it's impossible, it's better to accept defeat... Now, you've exposed all your cards too early, and Nalan Qing..."

Mentioning his eldest son, Nalan Tianzhe also sneered, calling him by name. Nalan He patted his hands, his Dou Qi swirling slightly around him, seemingly regaining some spirit, yet he still coldly smiled, "Father, do you really think that was all I had?"

"Isn't it?" Nalan Tianzhe asked.

"If you think so, that's for the best," Nalan He's face showed a cold sneer, "I suppose Nalan Qing thinks I have less than half my strength left now? And you, father, he's always been aware of your strength, surely he has measures prepared. Plus, with my reputation now tarnished, he won't miss this chance! We just need to wait for him to make a move! Hmph, I want to see what this elder brother of mine can do!"

Nalan Tianzhe said lightly, "I've watched Nalan Qing grow up... If it weren't for..." He trailed off, a hint of resentment in his eyes, "Although I wish he would die sooner, I must admit, his schemes run deep. Whatever arrangements he has made, they definitely won't be as simple as we imagine!"

"Are you worried about me, father?" Nalan He coldly smiled, "Just be at ease. No matter how formidable Nalan Qing is, the family forces he can mobilize are extremely limited, and the external forces are all within our grasp... Right now, while we wait, we need to deal with a variable first!"

"A variable? Are you talking about Li Yi?" Nalan Tianzhe frowned.

"Who else but him?" Nalan He clenched his teeth, "Had I not been worried about exposing all my cards, would I have lost this battle? Li Bing, I will never give up! So, Li Yi must die!"

"How do you plan to deal with him?" Nalan Tianzhe looked towards the direction Li Yi had left, "We've confirmed that the person in black following him is at least a King-level powerhouse... Plus his own strength, even if our Nalan family's shadow guards were to go all out, we might not be able to detain him."

"When did I say we would use the Nalan family's forces?" Nalan He's face showed a cold sneer, "If people found out, wouldn't they think our Nalan family lacks magnanimity? Father, just be at ease... Have you forgotten, we still have a trump card?"

"You mean... them?" Nalan Tianzhe's frown deepened, "I know their strength is formidable, but... our agreement with them was to intervene only at a critical moment. How could they act over something so trivial?"

"No matter, father, let me ask you... If you knew someone far weaker than you had mastered a Baihu-level martial skill, what would you do?" Nalan He smirked darkly.

"Nonsense! Capture him at once and force out the martial skill's secrets!" Nalan Tianzhe stated coldly.

"There you have it..." Nalan He smiled lightly, "Those individuals may be twisted, but they are still people..."