Li Daoqiang remained composed, simply watching Zhu Yuyan as if waiting for her to explode.
"Master!"
Wan Wan hesitated for a moment, then still grabbed Zhu Yuyan's hand, shaking her head pleadingly.
She knew that if Zhu Yuyan truly struck, it would be with only one move—a desperate, life-forcing attack meant to deal with Shi Zhixuan. Given her master's temperament, she might very well use that move against Li Daoqiang, giving Wan Wan a chance to escape.
She didn't want that. In her eyes, things hadn't reached a dead end yet.
Zhu Yuyan looked at Wan Wan, her furious mind calming slightly. She gritted her teeth and held back. Her gaze turned sharp as a blade, glaring at Li Daoqiang with icy resolve. "Li Daoqiang, if anything happens to Wan Wan, I, Zhu Yuyan, swear I will give everything to make sure you don't get off easy."
"Heh, no need for threats, Empress Yin. This stronghold leader only loves wealth and beauties. But when it comes to wealth, I'm reasonable, and with beauties, I never force—it's all voluntary. That's Li's principle in life." Li Daoqiang wasn't the least bit angry, cheerfully assuring her.
Zhu Yuyan had already agreed to pay—125 million taels of silver. With that much silver, a little threat from her was acceptable; he could understand and be tolerant.
As soon as he said that, Zhu Yuyan suddenly felt even more uneasy. She wished she could bite Li Daoqiang hard right then.
Wan Wan, standing nearby, also shot Li Daoqiang a look of utter contempt.
She had seen plenty of shameless people, but this was truly her first time encountering someone this shameless—and a peerless expert at that. Even though she considered herself, as the Holy Maiden of the Yin Gui Sect, to be quite free-spirited, she felt utterly outmatched by this man.
All she could say was that he truly lived up to the name "Li the Bandit." What a disgrace to his terrifying strength.
More strange glances came from all directions.
Li Daoqiang ignored them all, acting as if he hadn't noticed, and casually smiled at Wan Wan.
Wan Wan couldn't help but glare back.
Li Daoqiang found it even more amusing, his smile deepening.
Zhu Yuyan snorted coldly, gave Wan Wan one last look, then flew away. As for Bian Bufu and the other two, she only spared them a glance before ignoring them. Though they were Grandmaster-level experts, no one had time for them at a moment like this.
Li Daoqiang watched Zhu Yuyan leave, glanced at Wan Wan and the other two, then turned his gaze to the arena. With a hearty laugh, he said politely, "Just handling some personal matters. Sorry for the interruption."
"You're too kind, Chief. I'm Fang Yeyu. I've long heard of your reputation and admired you from afar. Meeting you today is an honor." Fang Yeyu stepped forward, cupping his hands in a respectful bow.
"Polite—good." Li Daoqiang looked at Fang Yeyu with approval.
"You flatter me, Chief. Everyone in Great Yuan has heard of your fame. If you have time, please visit Great Yuan as a guest. The Great Khan will personally host you." Fang Yeyu smiled sincerely, showing no discomfort at being praised like a junior by this senior figure.
The man had earned that right.
But Guo Jing and the others' expressions shifted. This was a blatant attempt to recruit Li Daoqiang.
Just as they were about to speak, a gentle voice rang out from afar: "Daoist Li, since you're here, why not join us?"
Guo Jing and the others breathed a sigh of relief—the True Man had intervened.
Fang Yeyu's eyes flickered, and he dared not say more. That was the realm of peerless experts; he had no standing to interfere now. Besides, the Prince was there too, so he didn't need to speak out of turn.
Li Daoqiang, who had been about to say something, turned his head toward the direction of the voice and said calmly, "Wait a moment."
Then he shifted his gaze to Ouyang Feng and said frankly with a smile, "Mr. Ouyang, where do you plan to go next?"
The others frowned.
Ouyang Feng's eyes narrowed. What was Li Daoqiang up to? After a moment's thought, he said cautiously, "I haven't decided yet. Chief, do you have something in mind?"
"Haha, I guessed right—Mr. Ouyang hasn't joined any faction yet." Li Daoqiang laughed heartily a few times, then his expression turned slightly serious. "Mr. Ouyang, my Black Dragon Stronghold welcomes the strong above all. Would you be willing to join us?"
Fang Yeyu's face stiffened. Ouyang Feng was someone he and even the Princes held in high regard. He wanted to interrupt but found it inappropriate. Li Daoqiang was only extending an invitation; he couldn't ruin that face.
Guo Jing and the others frowned, feeling conflicted. Li Daoqiang was actually inviting Ouyang Feng to join the Black Dragon Stronghold. Suddenly, they weren't sure whether to be pleased or worried.
Even Ouyang Feng, with all his deep cunning and firm resolve, couldn't help but be surprised. He instinctively began pondering Li Daoqiang's true intentions.
Suddenly—
"Chief Li, isn't it a bit improper to poach a Great Jin expert right in front of me?"
A heavy, oppressive voice came from the same direction as before.
Many were startled. That was—Martial Honor Bi Xuan!
From that remark, they easily guessed the voice's owner. Gradually, everyone grew quieter, even more tense. One peerless expert after another appearing made it impossible not to be nervous.
Ouyang Feng narrowed his eyes but said nothing, watching Li Daoqiang.
Li Daoqiang's expression didn't change. He said calmly, "Working with Wanyan Honglie of Great Jin was years ago. Now Mr. Ouyang himself says he hasn't joined any faction—how can he be considered a Great Jin expert? Besides, the conditions here at my stronghold are better. It's only natural for Mr. Ouyang to join the Black Dragon Stronghold."
"Better conditions at the Black Dragon Stronghold?" The voice grew even more oppressive, as if the distant sky had slightly collapsed, tinged with a hint of doubt.
Instantly, everyone grew more solemn and tense. They vaguely sensed that a conflict among peerless experts might be brewing. Just the thought was enough to make them nervous.
Li Daoqiang smiled without speaking, not answering the doubt. Instead, he said to Ouyang Feng with a grin, "Mr. Ouyang, I've always been straightforward. Here, I formally invite you to join my Black Dragon Stronghold. If you do, you won't have to worry about any pressure. And I'll do my utmost to help you take the next step. You've seen my sincerity. Think it over. Give me your answer after the battle."
With that, he turned and flew toward the direction of the voice.
Everyone watched his fading figure, growing even more tense and curious. Without a doubt, that was a higher level of existence—a clash and confrontation among peerless experts. No one wasn't curious, tense, and yearning for it.
Ouyang Feng, Fang Yeyu, and the others all burned with desire.
Even Wan Wan, seemingly unnoticed, watched for a while, then her dark, lively eyes rolled. That bandit Li is off dealing with peerless experts—does he still have the energy to watch me? Her mind raced with ideas.
Suddenly, a voice tinged with laughter reached her ears: "If you try to run, I'll spank your bottom until it's swollen."
Instantly, Wan Wan's eyes widened, a flush of shame and anger rising. She glared fiercely in the direction Li Daoqiang had disappeared, grinding her teeth. Li the Bandit, you're ruthless.
Her earlier schemes vanished because she knew that bastard would actually do it. He had no regard for the dignity of a peerless expert—that damned bandit didn't care at all.
She snorted in frustration, then began pondering how to escape.
At the arena.
Ouyang Feng remained calm, his expression unchanged, but inwardly, after his yearning, he was deep in thought, replaying Li Daoqiang's words. They lingered, refusing to settle.
Across from him, Hong Qigong stared intently in that direction, worried.
By now, few had the heart to watch their fight. Everyone was wondering what was happening in that unseen place. What would unfold? The thought wouldn't stop, couldn't calm.
Huang Rong, Fang Yeyu, and other sharp minds were the first to refocus, each frowning at the scene.
Huang Rong and her side felt a mix of worry and relief—worry about the situation over there, relief that the crowd's enthusiasm for the match had waned. If Hong Qigong lost, the impact would be lessened.
Fang Yeyu and his group felt the opposite. Now that the martial artists' attention was on the peerless experts, even winning this match would do less to dampen the Song Empire's martial morale.
After a moment's thought, he ordered the match to continue. The affairs of peerless experts weren't his concern; his task was here.
Soon, the roar of battle resumed. Dragon roars and frog croaks clashed, neither yielding.
But the atmosphere among the spectators had cooled significantly. Most eyes were fixed on that direction.
Meanwhile.
Far from the tense, drawn-bow atmosphere many imagined, Li Daoqiang approached the six figures, where the mood was quite lively.
"Chief Li, I've long admired your name. I'm Prince Si Hanfei. Meeting you today is truly a pleasure." Si Hanfei was the first to greet him with a hearty, respectful bow and a smile.
"Haha, you flatter me, Brother Si. I've heard of your fame for ages and wished we could have met sooner." Li Daoqiang returned the bow with equal warmth.
The two smiled like old friends reunited after years apart, both very enthusiastic.
Wang Chongyang couldn't help but frown slightly, looking at Li Daoqiang, and cut in, "Daoist Li."
"True Man Wang, we meet again." Li Daoqiang was equally polite and warm.
Then he looked at the Holy Monk and smiled, "Holy Monk, we meet again too."
"It's been days, and your skills have deepened, Benefactor Li. I admire that." The Holy Monk replied with a mix of politeness and sincerity.
"You flatter me, Holy Monk. What's a little strength like mine? I've got a long way to go." Li Daoqiang said casually.
The others couldn't help but twitch their brows.
Li Daoqiang acted as if he hadn't noticed, glancing at the rest and smiling, "True Man Wang, Holy Monk, Brother Si—won't you introduce me?" His expression showed a hint of curiosity, as if eager to get to know everyone.
Wang Chongyang and the others frowned inwardly but didn't show it.
Si Hanfei immediately said heartily, "My apologies for the oversight, Brother Li. This is the Prince of Leisure of Great Yuan."
The Prince of Leisure and Li Daoqiang exchanged smiles and nods in greeting.
"And this is Martial Honor Bi Xuan of Great Jin." Si Hanfei introduced again.
Li Daoqiang's eyes brightened as he looked over.
At the same time, Bi Xuan was also watching Li Daoqiang.
Their gazes met, like solid forces colliding in the void.
(Chapter 2, thanks for the support. Go to bed first—my apologies.)