Golden light surged with an overwhelming aura, forming a massive, almost tangible hand that sought to grasp everything.
Geshu Tian roared, his demonic flames erupting skyward, staining half the heavens as if a demon god had descended.
Everyone could see—he was truly fighting for his life.
In an instant, all eyes, including those of the many grandmasters around the arena and even the six figures high in the distance, grew more focused.
They stared intently, not daring to look away.
A top-tier expert fighting for his life wouldn't normally warrant such caution, but the one he was fighting forced them to.
In the blink of an eye, the golden hand, without hesitation or pause, reached down toward the towering demonic flames.
*Bang!*
A soft sound rang out, and the surging demonic flames, like an inflated balloon pricked by a nail, collapsed instantly like an avalanche.
Geshu Tian, struck as if by a heavy blow, spat out a mouthful of blood. The power he had forcibly summoned vanished without a trace, his aura plummeting to a low ebb.
Then the golden hand seized him, dragging him before Li Daoqiang.
At that moment, every grandmaster was silent and horrified.
They watched helplessly as a top-tier expert, like a helpless chick, was captured by Li Daoqiang without any resistance.
The shock and impact were beyond words.
Because they saw themselves in that chick.
Even Ouyang Feng, Xuan Cheng, Vajra Patriarch, Nian Lian Dan, and the others fell silent, their brows furrowed in disbelief.
"So strong!"
Fang Yeyu clenched his fists, a breath caught in his chest, unable to exhale. In a daze, he seemed to see his master.
That kind of incomprehensible, unstoppable strength.
His eyes flickered. Li Daoqiang was definitely not just a newly ascended peerless expert.
In the woods, Ding Chunqiu and the others couldn't help but show varying degrees of shock.
Then, one by one, reverence appeared on their faces.
Especially the newest member, Gongsun Zhi, whose hands trembled slightly.
So this was Li Daoqiang's true strength!
The infamous Lord of the Heavenly Desire Demon Palace, top-tier expert Geshu Tian, had been captured just like that.
Like an adult bullying a child.
High in the distance.
The six figures' eyes flickered with different expressions.
Gravity, surprise, and wariness.
Even Wang Chongyang and Si Hanfei frowned silently.
In another patch of woods.
Zhu Yuyan and the three behind her, including Wan Wan, were all equally solemn.
"Are peerless experts this strong?" Wan Wan couldn't help but whisper, her starry, beautiful eyes unblinking.
Zhu Yuyan paused, her hands already clenched, and said gravely, "It's Li Daoqiang who is this strong."
Wan Wan's eyes flickered as she understood.
Li Daoqiang was definitely no ordinary peerless expert!
Then, a thought crossed her mind.
How did this lecher train?
Amid countless stunned gazes, Li Daoqiang, as if oblivious, brought Geshu Tian before him, his eyes cold.
"Chief Li, why?"
Geshu Tian, forcing himself to stay conscious, gritted his teeth in resentment.
"Heh, forgotten what happened that day so soon?" Li Daoqiang's lips curled slightly in disdain.
Geshu Tian's heart jolted.
On the other side, Zhu Yuyan, who had been thinking about recruiting Li Daoqiang, suddenly seemed to recall something, her face darkening.
"Let's go."
With a low command, Zhu Yuyan led the way, fleeing into the distance.
Wan Wan and the other two, though confused, obediently followed.
But the next moment, a light laugh echoed around them, rolling toward the sky.
"Yin Empress, since you're here, why rush to leave?"
Under countless eyes, Li Daoqiang, holding the dog-like Geshu Tian in the air, his faint smile turning colder, looked toward a certain spot.
With a flicker, he closed in rapidly.
Everyone followed his gaze. Ouyang Feng and the other's fight had completely stopped, all eyes on the unfolding scene.
In just two breaths, Li Daoqiang halted. Before him stood Zhu Yuyan and her three companions.
"It's Zhu Yuyan of the Yin Gui Sect! She came to the Hero Conference too!"
"Did Zhu Yuyan also offend Li Daoqiang?"
"Zhu Yuyan's in trouble now. Li Daoqiang is inhumanly strong."
...
Around the arena, amidst tension mixed with excitement and shock, many couldn't help but murmur quietly, as if to ease their nerves.
Fang Yeyu couldn't help but ask, "How did Geshu Tian and Zhu Yuyan offend Li Daoqiang?"
"Could it be about the Six Finger Villa incident?" someone speculated hesitantly.
Fang Yeyu frowned, recalling.
Under the spotlight of countless eyes.
"Yin Empress, we're old friends. Why leave in such a hurry?" Li Daoqiang said with a warm smile, even glancing at Wan Wan with a grin.
Wan Wan's face stiffened. Li Daoqiang was clearly not here for pleasantries.
Zhu Yuyan's heart sank further. "I have matters to attend to. What urgent business does Chief Li have?"
"Alright, since you're busy, I won't waste time. Let's settle the account from that day."
Li Daoqiang's smile remained warm.
"I don't understand what you mean, Chief." Zhu Yuyan said, quickly thinking of an escape.
"Yin Empress, you have a short memory. Fine, as a friend, I'll remind you."
Li Daoqiang's smile faded, his tone turning cold. "That day near Six Finger Villa, you and Geshu Tian injured my wife. We should settle that."
Zhu Yuyan gritted her teeth, feeling wronged.
At the time, Huang Xuemei wasn't Li Daoqiang's wife, and no one knew what would happen next. Injuring her was normal.
Now Li Daoqiang was acting righteous, bullying her and Geshu Tian with his strength.
The thought was infuriating, but she had to endure it.
Geshu Tian's face had long darkened. He forced himself to stay alert, eyes closed, silent.
Everyone around understood now.
The Six Finger Villa incident had spread across the land.
The Heavenly Demon Qin's emergence, Huang Xuemei becoming Li Daoqiang's wife, Li Daoqiang's reputation for greed and lust.
It had stirred the martial world, few unaware.
Thinking about it, Li Daoqiang seeking revenge on Geshu Tian and Zhu Yuyan made sense.
He had likely used the Hero Conference to pinpoint their locations and strike, aiming to catch them all at once.
The timing was clear—after the conference, they'd scatter.
With the reason clear, most people felt a bit relieved at Li Daoqiang's sudden, shocking move and watched the drama with more interest.
Fang Yeyu silently relaxed too.
As long as it wasn't deliberate.
He glanced at Ouyang Feng and the other, not rushing.
When a powerhouse like Li Daoqiang acted, stepping aside was no big deal.
On the arena.
Guo Jing and the others discussed briefly, relieved.
Li Daoqiang hadn't targeted the righteous faction, as seen with Yi Jifeng.
So it wasn't their concern.
And...
Huang Rong and other sharp minds glanced at Fang Yeyu's group.
As long as Li Daoqiang didn't side with the Mongols, his presence might not be a bad thing.
In the woods.
Blood Saber Patriarch and the others exchanged glances, understanding.
The Chief was about to make a big haul.
High in the distance.
The six figures heard the reason, felt a bit speechless, but had no intention of intervening now.
They had to give face.
Under countless eyes, Zhu Yuyan's face darkened, uncertain.
Wan Wan, knowing her proud master well, understood she wouldn't bow her head.
Even to Li Daoqiang.
After a pause, she put on a pitiful smile. "Chief, I didn't expect you to come after us so soon."
"Wan Wan, this isn't coming after you. It's revenge." Li Daoqiang said flatly, looking at the little vixen.
Wan Wan faltered, annoyed by his bluntness.
Couldn't he be more tactful?
"What revenge is there? My master didn't know Lady Huang would become your wife back then. It wasn't intentional." Wan Wan pouted, sounding aggrieved.
Every gesture radiated endless charm and allure.
Li Daoqiang openly admired her, smiling gently as if amused. "If it were intentional, it wouldn't be like this. And if it weren't for our friendship and your sake, Wan Wan, look at Geshu Tian."
Geshu Tian's face twitched, seething with resentment.
Just because she was beautiful, the treatment was so different?
Many around felt speechless too, especially the experts, shaken.
He really was a lecher, and unashamed.
Wan Wan, at Li Daoqiang's gesture, glanced at the pitiful Geshu Tian and suddenly felt a bit better.
But then she cursed inwardly.
What an unrepentant, blatant lecher.
Even more open than her, a Saintess of the Holy Sect.
Gritting her teeth, she suppressed her emotions and said sweetly, "Could you, for my sake, let bygones be bygones?"
Zhu Yuyan's brow twitched. Having her disciple beg for her was unbearable, but she had to endure.
Li Daoqiang raised an eyebrow and said without hesitation, "No."
"Why?" Wan Wan's face crumpled, eyes pleading.
Many around, knowing she was a true demoness, still felt their hearts stir, showing infatuation.
"Wan Wan, this is adult business. Step aside and be good. If you're not good, I won't like you anymore." Li Daoqiang said with a straight face.
Wan Wan's face froze, barely holding.
Adult?
I'm small?
Bastard, who's small?
Who wants you to like me?
Cursing internally many times, she barely kept her pitiful expression. "Chief, she's my master. You said you like me, but you're going after my master?"
Her meltingly soft tone stirred countless men's hearts.
Of course, there was plenty of hostility too.
"Mother, that vixen has no shame, in public, she..." Guo Fu tugged at Huang Rong's sleeve, glaring with hostility.
Hearing bits, she felt intense displeasure, wanting to draw her sword and kill the vixen.
Huang Rong frowned, glaring at her foolish daughter to stop.
Knowing her daughter well, she understood it was envy, no, jealousy.
"Wan Wan, I like you and want you as one of my wives. But you haven't married me yet, so why shouldn't I go after your master?" Li Daoqiang blinked, as if genuinely puzzled.
(Chapter two, sleep now. Just these two chapters today. Tomorrow's Monday, should be back to form.)
...