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"I’ll give you one day to prepare. Tomorrow at noon, at the Li Family’s life-and-death stage, I will wait for you." Seeing that Li Xiaoyao had agreed, Li Gu’s sinister smile spread across his face—it was the smile of a conspiracy coming to fruition.

"No need for tomorrow, let’s do it now." Li Xiaoyao forced out a drop of fresh blood, merging it into the life-and-death contract. An invisible energy emanated from the blood, turning into two beams of light that entered the foreheads of both men.

A six-pointed star mark clearly appeared on their foreheads.

This was the mark of a life-and-death duel. If neither died within three days, both would suffer the backlash of the life-and-death contract.

"He really accepted, Li Xiaoyao actually accepted!"

"My heavens, he really dared to accept it—that’s Elder Li Gu we’re talking about."

"Could it be that he thinks just because he was lucky enough to kill Third Elder Li Shisan, he’s qualified to challenge Elder Li Gu?"

"He’s really overestimating himself."

Almost no one within the Li Family Clan had faith in Li Xiaoyao.

Li Xiaoyao’s actions didn’t win their respect; instead, they felt that such behavior was stubborn pride at the cost of enduring suffering.

"Today?" The cold smile on Li Gu’s face was undisguised murderous intent: "Since you are seeking death, I will certainly not refuse. Fine, then today at noon sharp, at the Li Family’s life-and-death stage."

After dropping those words, Li Gu turned and left.

The news of their life-and-death battle spread at hurricane speed, reaching every corner of the Li Family in just a few minutes. Everyone was shocked to hear that Elder Li Gu had initiated a life-and-death duel with Li Xiaoyao, and what was even more shocking was that Li Xiaoyao had accepted the challenge!

"Has that kid gone mad? He actually dared to accept the challenge? That’s Elder Li Gu we’re talking about!"

"He’s probably gone insane, thinking that just because he killed Third Elder Li Shisan, he can look down on everyone else."

"I saw the video. The day he killed Third Elder Li Shisan, it seemed that he used a magic weapon. If we take away that magic weapon, Li Xiaoyao’s combat ability is far less than that of Third Elder Li Shisan."

"He has a magic weapon, but does Elder Li Gu not have one? Heh, this time, the Clan Leader might get angry. His newly acknowledged son dying on the second day, and moreover, by the hands of someone from the Li Family—that’s quite the irony."

...

In Dongyuan’s side rooms, after the family members dispersed, they decided to quickly finish up their affairs and then head to the life-and-death stage as soon as possible to secure good spots for watching the fight.

It had been many years since the Li Family had seen a life-and-death duel, and now one was about to unfold today. Such a grand spectacle was simply not to be missed.

"Xiaoyao, let me know if you need anything." Li Chengfeng was still somewhat worried. Although Li Xiaoyao was strong, Li Gu was not weak either. Even Li Chengfeng couldn’t predict the outcome of this life-and-death duel at this moment.

Li Xiaoyao shook his head and said, "I need nothing. Dad, don’t worry too much; a mere peak in the Spirit Cultivation Realm doesn’t put pressure on me."

Seeing that Li Xiaoyao didn’t seem to be just putting on a brave face, Li Chengfeng felt slightly more at ease. And he could sense that Li Xiaoyao’s attitude towards him had greatly changed from the day before.

A single "Dad" made his heart surge with emotion; he knew that Li Xiaoyao had finally acknowledged him as a father.

...

"You’re saying that Li Gu initiated a life-and-death duel with him? Didn’t your father try to stop it?" Xie Nan’s eyes lit up as she asked.

Li Pengcheng shook his head and scoffed, "Even if Dad tries to stop it, what can he do? Life-and-death battles don’t violate the clan rules, and even as the Clan Leader, he can’t prevent it."

"Li Gu is hot-tempered and direct, prone to impulsiveness," he shook his head, Xie Nan asked, "But what’s the use of that? The kid isn’t an idiot, how could he possibly accept the challenge?"

"He accepted the challenge," Li Pengcheng said with a faint smile.

"Accepted it?" Xie Nan was taken aback and asked, "Are you saying he accepted the challenge?"

"Yes, he did indeed accept it. Probably because he couldn’t bear to lose face in front of so many of our clanspeople. If he didn’t accept, he’d feel ashamed. He really likes to show off," Li Pengcheng said disdainfully, "I used to think his possession of a Ninth Grade bloodline was such an extraordinary thing, considering him a formidable rival. Now, it seems, even with his Ninth Grade bloodline, with his personality, his future achievements will be limited; he won’t make much of an impact."

Xie Nan’s eyes shone brightly; Li Xiaoyao’s acceptance was indeed unexpected.

"Hehe, if he wants to rush to his death, we can’t stop him. Only, your dad probably won’t just watch him die in vain. If there’s real danger, your dad will certainly intervene," Xie Nan said with understanding of Li Chengfeng’s character, despite many years of not sharing a room with him.

Li Pengcheng became somewhat anxious, "Then what should we do? If Dad intervenes, won’t he be unable to die?"

"Don’t worry," Xie Nan patted the back of his hand, saying, "If he really meddles in this affair, then his position as Clan Leader is also at its end."

"Ah!" Li Pengcheng gasped, "Then what should we do?"

Xie Nan smiled and said, "The only way to save Li Xiaoyao is to kill Li Gu. If your dad actually does this, he will certainly face opposition from the clanspeople, and the Elders will come together to impeach him. Originally, Li Xiaoyao was the primary heir to succeed the Clan Leader, but because of the life-and-death battle, he has already lost the opportunity to be a candidate for the Clan Leader’s position. You, however, will become the next in line to inherit and directly become the new Clan Leader of the Li Family."

"This time, Li Gu has done us a big favor," Xie Nan outlined a complete strategy with just a few simple sentences.

"The position of Clan Leader, huh?" Li Pengcheng felt somewhat dizzy. Before Li Xiaoyao appeared, he never worried that he wouldn’t become the next Clan Leader of the Li Family.

But then Li Xiaoyao appeared, and he began to worry.

This unexpected elder brother made him doubt and worry about his own status.

This anxiety reached its peak when Li Xiaoyao awakened his Ninth Grade bloodline.

He began to understand that some things were no longer provided to him unconditionally. It was like having been able to eat a whole cake by himself, but now, with another person sharing, to be fully satisfied, he had to use other means. Like taking by force.

The position of Clan Leader of the Li Family was that cake.

The one sharing it was Li Xiaoyao.

...

It was already eleven o’clock. Li Xiaoyao sat calmly in his room, as if the life-and-death battle that was soon to come had nothing to do with him.

"Xiaoyao, aren’t you worried at all?" Li Tu was exasperated. The opponent he was about to face was Elder Li Gu.

"What’s there to worry about? Can worrying prevent me from having to fight him?" Li Xiaoyao asked with a faint smile, "Tell me about this Li Gu, what capabilities does he have?"

Knowing both your enemy and yourself, you can win every battle.

He certainly wasn’t worried about his own strength, but Li Gu, who grew up in the Li Family of Xuan Country, his actual combat power was certainly stronger than what his surface Cultivation Level showed. It was always better to understand in advance than to respond hastily when the time came.