Chapter 464: I Am Serious

The statement left the three great masters momentarily stunned. They turned their gazes toward Li Xiaofei. The young man didn’t seem to be joking. But...

Even if he was a Divine Realm powerhouse, it was doubtful he could single-handedly take on Haijing City. Not to mention that Haijing City housed numerous Divine Realm experts. There were also several Saints. To restore the land through sheer individual strength? How daunting a task that was.

"Youthful ambition soaring to the heavens. It makes us old folks feel ashamed," Long Zhengfei remarked tactfully, offering a subtle compliment.

Mr. Ruler, however, had another thought and spoke directly. "Young friend, do you intend to establish the Jingwu Sect and create a martial order here in the slum?"

Li Xiaofei nodded and replied, "That is indeed my plan. I hope the three seniors will lend their full support."

Mr. Ruler furrowed his brows. The courage of youth often drew attention. But courage without caution did not mean one could stand against the tigers.

He asked bluntly, "First, you killed Yokoyama Chizang, then San Ten. Now, you've slain Tsukiha Meiryū. The Jiepeng Empire will not let this go. And today, Nathan Thomas and Elizabeth have also fallen by your hand. The Yiggs Union and the Blade of Verdict will not tolerate this either. All three factions have Saint-level powerhouses. If a Saint enters the fray, do you have any plan for escape, young friend?"

"Why would I need to escape?" Li Xiaofei smiled as he countered, "This is the territory of Great Xia. I am a member of the Great Xia Dragon Group. If enemies come, I will slay them. The Great Xia martial lineage spans thousands of years. How could we fear these foreign barbarians?"

Mr. Ruler and Long Zhengfei exchanged glances. The words were undeniably stirring. But achieving such a feat was an entirely different matter.

Li Buyi chuckled and asked, "And what if foreign Saints come to crush you with their power?"

Li Xiaofei remained calm and replied with just two words, "Slay Saints."

Good heavens!

The three masters collectively drew in a sharp breath.

Slay Saints! To utter such words—is this youthful arrogance and ignorance? Or does he have a well-prepared plan and hidden strength?

Nan Hua, kneeling quietly to the side, kept her head down and remained silent. After experiencing two waves of intense shocks that evening, she was beginning to build some immunity to Li Xiaofei’s bold proclamations.

The only exception was Long Jing’er, who sat nearby. Her bright, inquisitive eyes darted around, brimming with a spirited curiosity. She locked her gaze on Li Xiaofei, her expression full of a playful challenge.

Li Xiaofei paid no mind to the inexperienced young girl. From her demeanor, he sensed a resemblance to Zhong Ling from his past. She seemed like another girl protected too well by her father and shielded from the harshness of life.

"What if you fail?" Chi Chunshui's voice broke the tension.

Li Xiaofei’s expression remained calm as he replied, “There is no if.”

Then, glancing at Li Buyi, a thought struck him. "Senior, you are known as the one who knows all under the heavens. Why not cast a divination for me and see if I can achieve it?"

Li Buyi’s weathered face resembled an aged orange peel beneath his stone-tinted sunglasses as he shook his head repeatedly and chuckled. "Can’t be done, can’t be done. Young friend, your ambitions are vast, and your killing intent could swallow the heavens. My divinations cannot encompass you."

Li Xiaofei grinned. "Then perhaps, Senior, you could divine for those foreign Saints instead. Let’s see how their fate ends."

Li Buyi’s interest was piqued. He slowly rose and began pacing the room. First, he moved his fingers in rapid gestures, forming seals with one hand. The movements of his fingers created afterimages, like lotus petals blooming and withering in an instant.

Then he began using both hands to form seals, his steps accelerating with each moment. This ritual continued for three minutes.

"Ah!" Li Buyi suddenly halted, his expression shifting to one of mild surprise.

"What is it, Old Blind Man?" Long Zhengfei asked eagerly.

Even Mr. Ruler, Chi Chunshui, showed a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes.

Li Buyi chuckled and said, "Heh, I didn’t figure it out."

Long Zhengfei and Chi Chunshui were speechless.

"What are you gasping about, then?" Long Zhengfei scolded angrily.

Li Buyi settled back into his seat, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. He sipped his tea and took a deep breath before saying, "The heavens are unfathomable. I glimpsed only a faint vision of mountains of corpses and seas of blood."

Chi Chunshui seemed deep in thought. Li Xiaofei felt a flicker of curiosity. He didn’t fully understand the art of divination.

Could people truly foresee events of the future? Could such techniques really bridge the past, present, and future?

"Young friend, are you truly unwilling to leave Haijing City?"

Chi Chunshui stopped pondering the implications of Li Buyi's vision and uneasily pressed him again. "You must know that when the Jiepeng forces retaliate next time, we won’t be able to help you much even if we three old men stake our lives."

Long Zhengfei nodded gravely. "Old Ruler speaks the truth. As the saying goes, 'Where there’s life, there’s hope.' Don’t let reckless courage be your undoing."

Li Xiaofei slowly rose to his feet. He walked to the center of the room and then, facing the three great masters of the slum, bowed deeply.

"Esteemed seniors," He began. "When I said I came to Haijing City to restore the land, I wasn’t joking, nor was I boasting.I was being completely serious. When I said I plan to establish the Jingwu Sect in the slum, I meant it wholeheartedly."

"When I spoke of slaying Saints, I was deadly earnest. I understand that you, esteemed seniors, don’t know me well and thus have your doubts. That’s only natural. But I will prove to you that every word I’ve spoken can be fulfilled. The time it will take for me to prove this won’t be long. This bow of mine is to sincerely request that the three of you lend me your support."

Li Xiaofei bent deeply again in a profound bow. Long Zhengfei, Chi Chunshui, and Li Buyi were visibly shaken, rising to their feet in unison.

By duty, Li Xiaofei was a Special Envoy of the Dragon Group, while they were merely grassroots fighters in the slum. By achievement, Li Xiaofei had already slain Jiepeng elites, a feat none of them had accomplished. Thus, Li Xiaofei’s bow made them feel undeserving of such respect.

"We three old bones have clung to life for long enough. If we can still contribute something to Great Xia in our remaining years, nothing could be more satisfying," Long Zhengfei thumped his chest with bold enthusiasm. "Tell us, what do you need from us?"

Chi Chunshui added, "We don’t fear death. Our only concern is that going up against Jiepeng’s Saints might still achieve nothing even if we sacrifice ourselves."

"You misunderstand, senior," Li Xiaofei explained. "I’m not asking the three of you to fight against Jiepeng’s forces with me. Instead, I’m asking you to join the Jingwu Sect. With your influence and reputation in the slum, you can inspire many more to join the sect, train in martial arts and strengthen themselves."

Long Zhengfei froze, processing the idea.

Chi Chunshui looked surprised. "Are you suggesting that the three factions merge into one under the Jingwu Sect?"

Li Xiaofei nodded.

Where there were factions, there would inevitably be conflict. There would be divisions and sectarianism. The more factions there were, the harder it was to achieve unity. This was a truth Li Xiaofei had come to understand during his time in Liuhe Base City.

Liuhe Base City was a small place with a limited population. Yet the slum in Haijing City housed over ten million people. According to Nan Hua, aside from the five major factions, there were at least several hundred other small, disorganized gangs scattered throughout the slum.

No matter the original intent of these factions, once their interests were at stake, disputes were bound to arise. Conflicts over resources, territory, or power would inevitably escalate into bloodshed. Once grievances formed, hatred would continue to pile up layer upon layer.

How could unity even be considered in such a scenario? One had to reduce the many into one. In these times of internal turmoil and external threats, the only way to unite everyone was to give them a single organization to rally around and a common belief to follow.

Thus, from this moment onward, the slum of Haijing City would have only one faction.

The Jingwu Sect.