Chapter 131 - 122: Friend from Nowhere_1

Li Wenxin’s residence, the conference hall, fell into a deadly silence.

What should they do now?

Originally, among the five realms of Martial Marquis, they had an absolute advantage in three, and victory was within grasp.

But now, Li Suifeng, who was at Martial Marquis Level Three, unable to compete, they were destined to fail at this particular level.

The number of Martial Marquises was limited to begin with.

According to the rules, neither Li Wenxin nor Li Cangqing could participate in the match.

Among the dozen or so remaining Martial Marquises, most were at Martial Marquis Level One and Level Two with very few at Level Three. There were only three.

After Li Suifeng was injured, only two could compete, but their combat prowess was mediocre and not a match for the Martial Marquis Level Three on Li Wenxuan’s side.

Now they only have Martial Marquis Level One and Level Five which would lead to certain victory. Their defeat was inevitable.

"We could also have someone wound their participants..."

Yang Zhihuan angrily suggested, but quickly realized it was futile.

Since Li Wenxuan came up with this strategy, they had probably safeguarded against retaliation. Their fighters were likely hidden in Li Wenxuan’s residence. How could they be injured there?

"Fellow members, do you know of any friends at the Martial Marquis level, with strong abilities, who could assure us victory? They could be anywhere from Martial Marquis Level Two to Level Four."

Li Wenxin asked.

The others glanced at each other, trying hard to think of someone, but came up empty-handed.

Despite knowing a few Martial Marquises from other feudal lords, none of them were up to the task.

"Forget it. If we lose, we lose. We’ll pick two slightly subpar Blood Land Veins. In five years, we will win them back."

Li Wenxin sighed.

"I do know someone."

Just then, a voice rang out in the conference hall.

All eyes turned to Lu Yan.

"Shanchuan, do you know a high-level Martial Marquis?"

Li Cangqing asked, a hint of joy in his voice.

Lu Yan nodded and said, "I have a good friend who is at Martial Marquis Level Two. His combat power is tremendous and has been unbeaten for ten years at the same level."

"Unbeaten for ten years at the same level?"

The people in the hall turned to each other in surprise. Although they didn’t speak, their expressions clearly showed disbelief.

Who dared to claim to be unbeaten at their level?

Not to mention other regions in Da Chu, even in their region of Lingdong, there were many strong innately gifted martial artists. Who knew if a more potent innate martial body could spring up?

If you believe that triple Qi-blood was unbeatable, a martial body with four times the Qi-blood could emerge.

If you think four times the Qi-blood was strong enough, a martial body with five times the Qi-blood might appear.

Being unbeaten for ten years at the same level, wouldn’t it be because they were hidden-off somewhere that they had not met many competitive high-level martial artists?

"Shanchuan, Gu Yun is probably the one who will be competing on Li Wenxuan’s side. He’s a master swordsman, and his swordsmanship has reached the peak of perfection. Even Uncle Suifeng, who is stronger than him, would only be slightly better. Are you confident?"

Li Cangqing murmured, detailing how strong Gu Yun was, so Lu Yan could judge clearly.

"My friend is a master of the knife, a first-class knife expertise, which has reached a transcendent state."

Lu Yan replied.

His so-called friend was naturally him.

But he couldn’t possibly appear on the stage himself.

If he were to do so, he would have to assume another identity.

Hence, he fabricated a good friend.

"Transcendent first-class knife technique?"

The crowd was slightly taken aback, with expressions of surprise on their faces.

To cultivate a first-class martial arts to the transcendent level at the Martial Marquis stage was incredibly difficult. There were very few who could achieve it.

Even Li Wenxuan and Li Wenxin, who were known as the pride of the Li family due to their exceptional talents, only managed to cultivate their first-class martial arts to a transcendent level after reaching Martial Marquis Level Five and broadening their horizons.

Even then, they had become famous in the six counties of Lingdong, and were among the most powerful individuals in all Martial Marquis circles in Lingdong.

It was not uncommon for an Inner Strength Master, who had a long lifespan, to cultivate a first-class martial art to the transcendent stage. However, it was rare among those at Martial Marquis Level Two.

Both Yang Zhihuan and Wang Dao were particularly intrigued.

"There’s such a person? Brother Lu, you must introduce me."

Yang Zhihuan said, his itch for competition ignited.

"My friend prefers tranquility and solitude for his cultivation. If not for a favor I owed them, it would be quite hard to persuade them. But I guess it could be possible once."

Lu Yan gave a wry smile.

"With a transcendent first-class knife technique, we are certain of our victory. Shanchuan, I’ll trouble you to invite your friend over. Let me toast you with tea as a stand-in for wine."

Li Wenxin stood and walked over holding a teacup.

"Master Wenxin, you’re too kind. This is what I should do."

Lu Yan raised his cup in return, then excused himself. He left Li Wenxin’s residence and the city, heading north into a forest area, where he paused.

"I’ll wait here for a few days."

Lu Yan muttered to himself.

At the same time, Li Wenxuan at his residence was concerned about Li Yue’s situation.

"Did you encounter that old man Yang Zhihuan?"

Li Wenxuan’s eyes turned cold for a moment before returning to normal. "You should go and recuperate."

Li Yue took his leave.

"Father, it’s good that you prepared an extra hand. Although we didn’t injure Wang Dao, but we did injure Li Suifeng. This battle, we are sure to win."

Li Canglin laughed.

"Inform everyone to stay within the residence in the next few days, to prevent Li Wenxin from retaliating."

Li Wenxuan ordered.

...

Days passed steadily, and the day of the competition between the two factions grew closer.

But the friend that Lu Yan spoke of still hadn’t arrived.

Li Cangqing and others gradually grew impatient.

Li Wenxin, however, remained as calm and composed, giving nothing away.

On the evening before the competition, Lu Yan finally arrived at Li Wenxin’s residence.

Having appeared under a different identity, he himself could not show up.

Both could not appear at the same time, so the later he appeared, the less chance of a loophole being discovered.

"My name is Xie Yan, please announce my arrival."

Lu Yan introduced himself at the entrance of Li Wenxin’s residence to the gatekeeper, who immediately went to report. Soon, Li Cangqing personally brought people to usher Lu Yan in.

"Where is Brother Lu Shanchuan? Why isn’t he here with you?"

Wang Dao looked at Lu Yan curiously, asking.

"When Brother Lu found me, he sparred with me using knife techniques, gained some insights and decided to go into closed-door cultivation for a few days. So I came here alone," Lu Yan replied.

"Brother Xie, according to Brother Lu, your first-rate knife technique has reached a transcendent level. May I ask you for some pointers?" It was Yang Zhihuan speaking. He was getting itching for a fight.

"Of course."

Lu Yan nodded his head.

Everyone else quickly moved aside, leaving sufficient space for Lu Yan and Yang Zhihuan.

"Please."

Yang Zhihuan drew his sword.

Lu Yan also drew his black iron sword from his back.

Swipe!

Two sword glows collided with each other.

Lu Yan, of course, used the Nine Heavenly Blade technique.

The Nine Heavenly Blade is a new first-rate knife technique created by combining nine second-rate knife techniques. He had never demonstrated it in public before, so he wasn’t afraid of being recognized.

Yang Zhihuan, suppressing his cultivation level to Martial Marquis Level Two, sparred with Lu Yan.

Just after a few dozen strikes, Yang Zhihuan was completely on the defensive, finding it hard to counter-attack.

On the defensive, his sword glow was continuously shrinking. By the fiftieth strike, his defensive sword glow exploded with a bang and he staggered backwards, a piece of his sleeve flying in the wind.

"I yield."

Lu Yan clasped his hands together.

"Brother Xie’s knife technique is truly stunning. I admire it greatly," Yang Zhihuan exclaimed with a look of admiration.

"It was just luck," Lu Yan humbly replied.

"Good, haha, please come inside for some tea, Mr. Xie," Li Cangqing laughed heartily, feeling elated.

With Xie Yan joining, victory was assured.

The night passed without any incidents.

The following day.

The field for martial arts demonstration in the Li Family’s main residence.

In the middle of the field was a massive stage.

This stage wasn’t constructed on the spot; it had been there for a long time and was cast from steel, incredibly sturdy.

You could see the uneven surface of the stage, covered with marks of swords, knives, fists, and palms. It had clearly been through countless battles.

Chairs were arranged around the stage.

Li Wenxin’s faction sat on the eastern side.

Li Wenxuan’s faction sat on the western side.

"The Family Head is here."

A long shout echoed throughout the field.

A group of people walked through the corridor and took their seats in the north.

Sitting in the chief seat was an old man with white hair but a vibrant spirit.

This was Li Xingyuan, the current head of the Li Family. It was said that he was over two hundred years old.

"Greetings, Family Head."

All present stood up and bowed in salute.

"Let the competition begin."

With a slight sweep of his hands, Li Xingyuan indicated for everyone to sit, and announced the start of the competition.

"This time, we shall start the competition from Martial Marquis Level Five. What do you think, cousin?" Li Wenxuan stood up and spoke.

He was slightly younger than Li Wenxin, so he addressed him as ’cousin’.

"Of course, it will be arranged as you wish," Li Wenxin replied with a smile.

On the surface, the two appeared harmonious, completely concealing the life-and-death competition brewing beneath.

Swipe! Swipe!

Two figures leapt out from the east and west and landed on the stage after jumping several dozen meters.

Without uttering a word, the two Martial Marquis Level Five experts collided with each other and began an intense fight.

Lu Yan watched intently.

Martial Marquis Level Five represented the peak of the Martial Marquis, having unlocked all bone spaces with immense bone strength that was continuous and fierce during combat, creating impressive power.

Any move that hit the steel stage would leave a mark.

Comparing the strength of the two against his own, Lu Yan concluded he stood no chance.

To compete with Martial Marquis Level Five, he would need to further his cultivation level and step into Martial Marquis Level Three.

After about a hundred exchanges, Li Wenxin’s side had the upper hand. One of their Marquis struck his opponent and began a relentless onslaught, finally knocking his foe off the stage to claim victory.

Neither side showed any particular emotion.

As this was expected.

Soon, it was the turn of the Martial Marquis Level Four practitioners.

Representing Li Wenxin’s side was Yang Zhihuan.

Representing Li Wenxuan’s side was Li Changshan, the one who had probed Lu Yan’s capabilities previously.

The two were old rivals; they knew each other well and didn’t hold back, going all out as soon as the fight began.

Nine Divine Lightning Slash versus Ink Jade Zombie Palm.

The Nine Divine Lightning Slash was domineering and open, but it drained bone strength rapidly.

Li Changshan seized on this, embroiling Yang Zhihuan in a drawn-out battle. His Ink Jade Zombie Palm technique, once mastered, turns not only the palm but also the body into a zombie-like state, tough as copper and iron and equally strong in offense and defense.

Moreover, his palm concealed a deadly poison. In the prolonged fight, Yang Zhihuan was poisoned. While he needed to attack, he also had to fight off the poison, gradually weakening.

However, he didn’t want to admit defeat easily. He engaged Li Changshan for over two hundred moves before he was hit in the chest, coughing up blood and retreating.

Martial Marquis Level Four, victory to Li Wenxuan’s side.

With one victory and one loss each, the fight went on to the third round.