Chapter 674: Two Men of Unparalleled Brilliance

Time flew by and the day of the life-or-death duel had arrived in the blink of an eye. Only an hour remained before the match. Li Xiaofei finally emerged from his secluded training chamber, his expression radiant with confidence. After days of rigorous practice, he had finally mastered the Three Spears of Storm and Cloud.

Although he had yet to fully comprehend the final technique, Demon Suppression, he had grasped its basic form. It could now be seamlessly combined with the first two moves, Star Shatter and Void Annihilation.

“Greetings, Hall Master.”

Vice Hall Masters Huang Dinggou and Wang Shaowei, along with thirty Incense Masters under their command, stood outside the chamber and bowed respectfully.

The scene was quite imposing. Li Xiaofei nodded in acknowledgment.

Huang Dinggou stepped forward and spoke in a respectful tone, “The Gang Leader has already gone ahead to Jiuyang Tower. He ordered us to escort you there immediately upon your emergence.”

Li Xiaofei’s gaze swept over Huang Dinggou, and suddenly, he frowned.

“Today is the day I make my name known. Why are you dressed in rags?”

His tone carried a hint of displeasure. Huang Dinggou was wearing a patched-up outfit. Though it was clean, it was clearly old and worn.

Had this idiot lost his mind? Was he trying to make some kind of statement by dressing humbly on such an important day? Could he have been embezzling Red Shield Hall’s funds all this time?

He had heard that many top-tier corrupt officials liked to present themselves as humble and frugal, dressing in tattered clothes to cultivate the illusion of integrity while secretly hoarding wealth.

Huang Dinggou pulled a long face and lamented, "Hall Master, I'm... broke."

Li Xiaofei frowned. "What happened?"

Did this guy fall into another high-interest loan scam?

Huang Dinggou sighed. "Black Emperor ate me into poverty... That damn dog eats like a bottomless pit."

Li Xiaofei was momentarily stunned, but then he threw his head back and burst into laughter. He patted Huang Dinggou on the shoulder but said nothing more.

Before long, their group arrived outside Jiuyang Tower. The streets were completely packed. A massive crowd had gathered, eager to witness the life-or-death duel firsthand.

Of course, most of them weren’t here for Li Qingchen.

They had come to see Nangong Longjian, the King of the Arena, up close. To maintain order, the Heavenly Patrol Division, one of the four branches of the Inner Division, had deployed a large number of elite constables. Their presence ensured that no one would exploit the chaos to incite large-scale disturbances.

The entire district had been placed under temporary traffic control.

The Azure Swallow Merchant Guild had mobilized over two thousand personnel, all dressed in uniform, armed with various weapons and equipment. They had surrounded Jiuyang Tower, sealing off every possible exit.

Not to be outdone, the Exploding Star Gang had also sent thousands of their most battle-hardened elites, fully armed and ready for action. They watched the situation like hawks, prepared to react at the first sign of trouble.

The moment Li Xiaofei appeared, countless eyes locked onto him. Yet, he did not immediately enter Jiuyang Tower.

Instead, he stood at the entrance with his hands clasped behind his back, assuming an audaciously dominant posture as he surveyed the scene with a haughty gaze. That moment was instantly captured by countless cameras and spread across the light-network in real time.

Li Xiaofei finally noticed that the Azure Swallow Merchant Guild had taken full control of the city's large billboards and building facades in the surrounding district. Everywhere he looked, screens were replaying his most embarrassing moments over and over again.

“Petty tricks, unworthy of the main stage.”

Li Xiaofei couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Greetings, Hall Master!”

Thousands of elite warriors from various branches of the Exploding Star Gang stood in perfect formation. They were clad in identical black combat suits, with an array of weapons slung over their shoulders.

They bowed in unison, their synchronized voices booming through the streets like a wave of thunder. The display of force was nothing short of breathtaking.

“You’ve all worked hard,” said Li Xiaofei, nodding in acknowledgment.

At this moment, his towering physique, despite its obvious bulk, exuded an undeniable aura of authority. People who once sneered at his weight now turned their heads, their eyes filled with uncertainty and surprise.

After instructing the rest of his men to wait downstairs, Li Xiaofei strode confidently into Jiuyang Tower. He was also accompanied by his two closest aides, Huang Dinggou and Wang Shaowei.

This was his second time setting foot inside Jiuyang Tower. The first time, he had been just another hunched-over nobody who was easily lost in the crowd. But this time, he was the undisputed main character, commanding the attention of all.

The security was airtight inside. Countless high-ranking figures and social elites had secured their exclusive entry tickets and had already taken their seats inside private rooms and VIP halls. Here, they could watch live professional broadcasts of the duel, receiving real-time updates on every moment of the fight.

Beyond that, Jiuyang Tower offered an exclusive feature. The guests were allowed to monitor the reactions and expressions of powerful figures in the audience, something no other broadcast platform provided.

For many, this was an unparalleled networking opportunity. It was a chance to rub shoulders with the elite and form connections that could reshape their fortunes. In the end, this high-stakes duel had transformed into a grand arena of power and ambition. Everyone wanted a piece of the action.

Li Xiaofei and his two men quickly rode the elevator to the top floor. Access to Jiuyang Tower’s rooftop level was strictly reserved for the city’s most influential figures. Even the previous Hall Master-level duel between the Exploding Star Gang and the Twin Shadow Tower had only been held on the eighth floor.

The moment Li Xiaofei and his men crossed the threshold and entered the top floor...

Swish. Swish. Swish.

Countless eyes locked onto Li Xiaofei. Elegantly dressed socialites gazed at him with eyes filled with curiosity. There were also noble heiresses from powerful families, their backgrounds as illustrious as their beauty.

Talented prodigies from prestigious sects stood tall, their expressions filled with intrigue. Then there were the leaders of the city’s top factions. Their expressions were solemn, their presence exuding a natural aura of authority.

Across the room, a sharp-featured, square-jawed middle-aged man stood motionless in the core VIP area. His eyes burned with searing hatred as he glared at Li Xiaofei.

His gaze was like a flaming blade, as if he wanted to skin him alive and slice him into mincemeat on the spot. This man was none other than Nan Wushuang, President of the Azure Swallow Merchant Guild.

"You little bastard," said Nan Wushuang through gritted teeth, his voice low yet filled with venomous hatred. "I will watch you be torn apart, piece by piece. I want you dead!"

A tall, slender young man clad in a traditional cyan long robe was standing beside Nan Wushuang. His phoenix-shaped eyes gleamed with intelligence, his sharp brows resembling finely honed blades. His dark hair was neatly combed into an impeccable ancient-style bun, and held in place by a snow-white jade dragon hairpin. Every inch of his demeanor was refined and efficient, exuding an air of quiet dominance.

His eyes flickered with an eerie glow, akin to the depths of a black hole. They were so deep and so vast that a single glance felt as though it could pull a person in. It felt like it could strip away all secrets and expose the depths of their soul.

Locking eyes with Li Xiaofei, the cyan-robed young man suddenly stepped forward.

"You’ve given me quite the unexpected surprise," said the young man, smiling at Li Xiaofei. His voice was tinged with excitement. "The world has misunderstood you, passing on rumors like blind fools. Seeing you in person is entirely different... Li Qingchen, you are worthy of being my 2,466th opponent."

He was none other than Nangong Longjian, Li Xiaofei’s opponent for the night. This was the undisputed King of the Arena, worshipped by countless fans across Chongque City.

Yet, Nangong Longjian was nothing like the arrogant, battle-hungry maniac that Li Xiaofei had imagined. Instead, he exuded absolute confidence, coupled with an undeniable sincerity. He was a man who respected his opponents rather than belittling them.

His eyes were deep, filled with an anticipation that was neither bloodthirsty nor cruel. Rather, it was the exhilaration of a warrior, one who truly longed for a battle to the death.

For a fleeting moment, a strange thought crossed Li Xiaofei’s mind.

If we had met under different circumstances, this is the kind of person I might have called a friend.

But now was not the time for such musings. He simply nodded at Nangong Longjian, offering no words in response. Then, he turned and walked toward the Exploding Star Gang’s leadership.

Wei Xiaotian, the most handsome man in Chongque City, stood like a crane among chickens amidst powerful warriors and ruthless gang leaders. His presence was utterly transcendent.

Anyone who laid eyes on this white-clad swordsman would feel an immediate sense of inferiority. But in the very next instant, they would find themselves drawn toward him. They would find themselves yearning to get closer and befriend him.

Once they spoke a few words with him, they became his friend. They would inevitably begin to revere him.

Li Xiaofei stopped in front of Wei Xiaotian and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Gang Leader."

Wei Xiaotian smiled. Every inch of his being radiated an unparalleled brilliance, like a blazing sun illuminating the entire top floor. Yes, an unparalleled brilliance.

It was a phrase typically reserved for describing the most breathtaking beauties. Yet it fit Wei Xiaotian perfectly.

"Fight well," said Wei Xiaotian with a light, almost casual tone. "My face is counting on you."

Li Xiaofei nodded.

Wei Xiaotian then added, "After the fight, I’ll introduce you to someone."

"Alright," replied Li Xiaofei, he didn’t ask who.

He knew he would find out soon enough. At that moment, a sudden premonition flickered through his mind. He turned to find Si Kongxue, standing beside her parents.

Dressed in an elegant crimson gown, she stood like a blooming flame rose, radiant and breathtaking. Her gaze burned like fire, locked onto him with an intensity that bordered on obsession.