Inside the meeting hall of the Celestial Yang Gang, numerous higher-ups and elders stared solemnly at a formal letter of challenge.
Seated at the head of the room was the Gang Leader of the Celestial Yang Gang, a Second-class Expert, Li Tianyang!
Ever since Li Tianyang defeated the Sect Leader of the Hundred Battles Sect, Lie Zhenyue, in the arena, the Celestial Yang Gang's prestige had grown by the day. Consequently, Li Tianyang's personal reputation in the Martial World had skyrocketed. The past few months had undoubtedly been the most glorious days for both Li Tianyang and his gang.
However, trouble had now arrived at their doorstep.
This letter of challenge had been sent by the Hundred Battles Sect.
"Does the Hundred Battles Sect still have an Expert?" Li Tianyang asked in a deep voice.
"Gang Leader, we've been monitoring the situation at the Hundred Battles Sect. They don't have any Experts. In fact, their disciples have been fleeing almost every day, leaving them with only a handful of people. Their strongest fighter is Lie Yingniang, but she's merely a Third-class Martial Artist."
"Then what is the meaning of this letter?"
Faced with Li Tianyang's questioning, the higher-ups of the Celestial Yang Gang exchanged bewildered glances. They couldn't figure out why the Hundred Battles Sect would dare to send a challenge to Li Tianyang. Were they courting death?
"Gang Leader, according to our investigation, Lie Yingniang released word that she would use gold, silver, and Martial Arts manuals to lure Experts from the Martial World to fight on behalf of the Hundred Battles Sect."
"Lie Yingniang..." A ruthless glint flashed in Li Tianyang's eyes. He shouldn't have been so overly concerned with his so-called reputation in the Martial World back then. If he had simply torn them out by the roots and wiped out the Hundred Battles Sect, none of this would have happened. Instead, he had given them a chance to retaliate!
"Who exactly is this 'Li Mu'?"
"Gang Leader, we've asked around about all the Experts in the Martial World, and there is no mention of the name 'Li Mu.' He is either an Expert emerging for the first time or using an alias."
Li Tianyang fell deep into thought. Should he accept this challenge or not?
"Gang Leader, you cannot accept the challenge. You are the honorable leader of a gang with thousands of brothers whose fates are tied to you. Why should you risk your life?"
"Exactly! If any random nobody can just waltz in and deliver a challenge, what does that make our Celestial Yang Gang?"
"Even though you have formidable Martial Arts, if the unexpected happens... the consequences would be unthinkable!"
"Gang Leader, I say we just wipe out the Hundred Battles Sect. If they are gone, what meaning does a letter of challenge have?"
The elders and higher-ups all opposed Li Tianyang accepting the challenge. No matter how incredible his Martial Arts were, a duel was unpredictable. One could never be too careful. At this critical juncture, Li Tianyang could not afford a single misstep.
Weighing the pros and cons for a moment, Li Tianyang nodded in agreement.
"Fine. We won't accept this challenge for now, but don't outright reject it either. Tell them I am temporarily away from the gang and stall for a few days.
"And go fetch Chu Shidao."
Soon, a man dressed in black arrived at the hall.
"Chu Shidao, take your men tonight and exterminate the Hundred Battles Sect! Especially Lie Yingniang—do not let her escape. As for that 'Li Mu,' he is very likely a Second-class Expert. Tell him not to act rashly. Give him all the benefits the Hundred Battles Sect promised him; your only target is the sect itself!"
"Yes, Gang Leader."
Chu Shidao took his leave.
Li Tianyang was highly satisfied with Chu Shidao. The man was his hidden blade, used specifically for doing his dirty work. When Chu Shidao's men joined forces, they weren't even afraid of a Second-class Expert. Sending Chu Shidao to wipe out the Hundred Battles Sect was practically guaranteed to succeed!
At the Hundred Battles Sect, Ji Qing remained in the Library Pavilion.
Lie Yingniang brought him food.
"How did it go with the challenge?" Ji Qing asked.
Lie Yingniang shook her head and replied, "Li Tianyang is cautious. He didn't accept the challenge, and his people even made excuses saying he isn't at the gang headquarters. To me, it's an obvious stalling tactic. They're probably trying to investigate you, Hero Li."
"It seems this Li Tianyang is no reckless fool..." Ji Qing mused thoughtfully. If Li Tianyang wasn't reckless, why did he agree to a life-and-death arena duel with Lie Zhenyue in the first place? He must have been absolutely certain of victory!
However, none of this concerned Ji Qing. He had only agreed to fight Li Tianyang. Whether or not his opponent accepted the challenge was a problem for the Hundred Battles Sect and Lie Yingniang to worry about.
"Li Tianyang's reputation in the Martial World is immense right now, but reputation can sometimes be a burden. He can stall for a while, but he can't delay forever. Eventually, he will have to accept the challenge." Lie Yingniang's judgment was spot-on. It was impossible for Li Tianyang to refuse it entirely.
After Lie Yingniang left the Library Pavilion, Ji Qing finished his simple meal and resumed browsing through the Martial Arts manuals within the pavilion.
By studying so many texts, Ji Qing aimed to perfect his current Martial Arts system. Currently, his Martial Arts relied primarily on Saber Technique. His Saber Technique sought absolute speed. Although acquiring the Hundred Battle Saber had greatly increased his destructive power, speed remained the core aspect.
Yet, Ji Qing felt there was still a flaw in his Saber Technique. For instance, the act of drawing the blade took time. That fraction of a second was a vulnerability.
He had carefully analyzed it: his Saber Technique needed to be lethal the very moment it left the scabbard. The initial draw had to transition instantly into the most violent, fierce, and rapid strike, carrying smoothly into the execution of his formal Saber Technique. The strongest Saber Technique would leave absolutely no pause for the opponent.
Within the Hundred Battles Sect's Library Pavilion, Ji Qing found a manual for a Blade Drawing Technique. However, it wasn't as profound as he had imagined. It was simply a Third-class Saber Technique that launched an attack from the moment the blade was drawn. Moreover, it was highly straightforward, focusing entirely on speed. The faster, the better!
Pondering over it, Ji Qing thought that this Blade Drawing Technique might actually pair perfectly with his current Saber Technique. If combined, his Saber Technique would undeniably become even stronger!
However, even mastering the basics of the Blade Drawing Technique would require time. Thus, Ji Qing spent his time inside the Library Pavilion drawing his saber over and over again, practicing the Blade Drawing Technique to reach the entry level as soon as possible.
Besides, Ji Qing didn't have many Source Points left. He couldn't casually waste his Source Points on a Saber Technique. Therefore, he intended to practice the Blade Drawing Technique on his own to see if he could cultivate it to Great Success.
While Ji Qing was practicing inside the Library Pavilion, a group of men dressed in black had already silently approached the perimeter of the Hundred Battles Sect.
SWISH SWISH SWISH.
The men in black vaulted over the walls and dropped into the compound. Their luck, however, was not on their side.
Lie Yingniang was on her way to the Library Pavilion to collect Ji Qing's dirty dishes, and as a result, she came face-to-face with a large group of masked intruders.
She froze for a moment before her expression drastically changed.
"Who are you? What are you trying to do?!"
Lie Yingniang's shout alarmed the entire Hundred Battles Sect. Several disciples hurriedly rushed out, drawing their sabers and standing behind Lie Yingniang to confront the men in black.
The leader of the intruders glanced at the sect members before shifting his gaze toward the distant Library Pavilion. He knew that "Li Mu" was in there.
"Li Mu, we are only here on business with the Hundred Battles Sect today. Since you are not a member of this sect, Hero Li, there is no need for you to get involved in this mess. As long as you stay quietly inside your room, after we wipe out the Hundred Battles Sect, everything they promised you will still be yours.
"In fact, we won't take a single thing from this sect. We will leave it all to you, Hero Li!"
The man's voice echoed throughout the courtyard; "Li Mu" inside the Library Pavilion would definitely hear it.
"You are from the Celestial Yang Gang..." Lie Yingniang realized, her face paling in an instant.
The intruder's words made perfect sense. If everyone in the Hundred Battles Sect died, wouldn't Ji Qing have all their belongings at his disposal? Gold and silver? Martial Arts? It would all be his! So why would he bother meddling in this affair?
After all, only Lie Yingniang knew that the "Li Mu" sitting in the Library Pavilion was no true hero. He was a mass-murdering Demon listed on the Evil People List!
Time ticked by, but there was no movement from the Library Pavilion.
The men in black smiled, while the members of the Hundred Battles Sect fell into despair.
"Hahaha, thank you for your cooperation, Hero Li. Today, not a single person from the Hundred Battles Sect will be spared!"
With the leader's command, the intruders were just about to strike.
BANG.
Suddenly, the doors to the Library Pavilion swung open!