Chapter 270: The Nighttime Probe

When the carriage was about to reach the gate of the Li residence, Li Yi, who had been slightly tipsy, suddenly sensed something. His gaze shifted, looking in one direction.

In the darkness, his eyes shone with a clear light, exceptionally striking. Even at night, he could instantly perceive everything around him; no abnormality could escape his eyes and ears.

At this moment, as Li Yi's gaze turned, a middle-aged man suddenly appeared on a wall not far away. The middle-aged man's aura was steady and restrained. He seemed to have sensed something, and his gaze also looked toward this side. However, at this moment, there was a hint of surprise in the middle-aged man's eyes; he seemed not to have expected that he would be discovered by Li Yi immediately from such a distance.

"This kind of insight is truly incredible. I originally intended to visit after Li Yi returned to his residence, but I was discovered just by passing by... And it's very strange; he seems to have known that I would appear on this wall, as if he had been waiting for me."

Fan Gao then realized something and felt that the glance from just now seemed to have some significance.

But for a moment, he couldn't put his finger on it.

But now that he had been discovered, there was no need to hide. He immediately shouted, "Zhao Mingyue, Qi He, you two come out. Li Yi has already discovered us. Instead of sneaking around, it's better to show ourselves and say hello, so as not to cause any misunderstandings."

As his voice fell, two other figures darted out from nearby. They were elders from the Zhao and Qi families, and their strength was extraordinary.

"Three Qi Refining experts?" Li Yi sensed the aura on them, which was very similar to Meng Kuohai, whom he had shot dead with a sniper rifle. However, judging from the feeling, they should be weaker than Meng Kuohai was back then.

But anyone who could reach the Qi Refining Realm in a place like the Four Seas and Bazhou was no simple character; without exception, they were all martial arts geniuses.

"Brother Yi, did something happen outside?" Zhao Qian felt the carriage stop suddenly and couldn't help but poke her head out to ask.

Li Yi flipped off the horse directly and said, "Rong Niang, you drive the carriage and take Zhao Qian back to the residence to rest. You are not allowed to go out without my permission."

"Alright, Senior Brother." Rong Niang in the carriage responded immediately. She then climbed out of the carriage and drove it toward the residence in front without the slightest hesitation.

"Brother Yi, be careful." Zhao Qian also realized that something had happened and hurriedly shouted.

Li Yi didn't speak, just waved his hand to signal.

After the carriage left, the three Qi Refining experts came together. Their figures were as fast as ghosts, their Qi bursting forth. They actually flew through the air and instantly landed around Li Yi, surrounding him in a triangular formation.

"Fan Gao of the Fan family in Xingzhou."

"Zhao Mingyue of the Zhao family in Yanzhou."

"Qi He of the Qi family in Jinzhou."

"Greetings to Young Master Li Yi. We apologize for the offense of visiting late at night. We hope Young Master Li will forgive us."

The three Qi Refining experts cupped their hands and bowed to show respect.

"Descendants of the Eight Kings, the Three Great Families?" Li Yi's expression shifted, "It seems the commotion I made last time was a bit too big. I didn't expect it to attract the attention of so many families. However, I am curious, why didn't the Meng family come? Logically, the Meng family should be more concerned about my situation, after all, I killed so many of their experts back then."

Fan Gao smiled and said, "The Meng family didn't dare to come, fearing that the misunderstanding would deepen. Moreover, the Meng family also intends to reconcile with Young Master Li and has agreed to apologize to Young Master Li in person at the City Lord's Mansion tomorrow in front of the other families. With our three great families guaranteeing it, the Meng family will definitely not dare to act recklessly again. So, we hope Young Master Li can give the Meng family a chance to turn hostility into friendship."

"I don't object to the apology, but you three coming together late at night shouldn't be just to act as lobbyists for the Meng family. If you have any purpose, why not just say it directly?" Li Yi asked.

"We heard that Young Master Li is known as the most courageous in history. We martial artists admire talent, so we privately agreed to spar with Young Master Li. We hope Young Master Li will not hesitate to enlighten us," Fan Gao said, cupping his hands and bowing.

"We hope Young Master Li will not hesitate to enlighten us," Zhao Mingyue and Qi He also said immediately.

Li Yi glanced at them and said, "Just sparring?"

"Just sparring, stopping at the point of contact, absolutely nothing else," Fan Gao said solemnly, "I can swear to heaven."

"It seems your great families want to send the three of you Qi Refining experts to probe my bottom line and understand my current strength," Li Yi said. "It is indeed a clever approach. If I cannot win against you today, I fear I won't be able to stay in Sanyang City. However, if I win today, what will you do?"

Fan Gao immediately said, "If we lose, whatever conditions Young Master Li sets, as long as it is within our power, we will grant them all without refusal."

"Very good. In the Four Seas and Bazhou, it ultimately comes down to fists. I like this place; it's much more straightforward than the last world I went to. It just so happens I haven't moved in a few months, so I'll loosen my muscles. However, I haven't fought a Qi Refining expert yet. If I can't hold back my strength and someone dies or gets injured, don't blame me."

Li Yi also understood that he couldn't avoid this battle today, so he simply let go. He took a few steps forward, and the Qi and blood that had been dormant in his body began to mobilize.

After becoming a Meridian Cultivation martial artist in the Spirit Perception Realm, he had never truly fought. This was a perfect opportunity to test his strength.

"Injuries during sparring are unavoidable. Young Master Li need not take it to heart," Fan Gao said.

At the same time, Zhao Mingyue and Qi He, the two Qi Refining experts, also became serious. Their Qi and blood surged, and their surrounding Qi coiled, ready to strike at any time.

"That's good. In that case, I won't be polite," Li Yi said, cupping his hands.

"Please!"

Fan Gao signaled, and his expression became solemn.

Before coming, he had already learned almost all the information about Li Yi in the Four Seas and Bazhou, so he knew very well that even if Li Yi was in the Meridian Cultivation Realm, he must not be careless, because this person in front of him killed across realms as easily as eating and drinking.

As soon as Fan Gao's voice fell.

Li Yi's long-suppressed, surging Qi and blood instantly poured out. A scorching aura spread from his body, kicking up a cloud of dust. At the same time, a visible Qi and blood filled his whole body, and this Qi and blood became increasingly dense, eventually rushing into the sky from the top of his head like a wolf-smoke signal.

"This Qi and blood is truly a monster. Just being hit by this Qi and blood, any Yin soldiers or fierce ghosts would have to retreat three times."

Sensing this Qi and blood aura, the three Qi Refining experts, Fan Gao, Zhao Mingyue, and Qi He, suddenly changed their expressions.

This was only Meridian Cultivation. If he really stepped into the Qi Refining Realm, and this terrifying Qi and blood condensed into Qi, how terrifying would that be?

"Kill!"

At this moment, Zhao Mingyue of the Zhao family made the first move. He let out a long whistle, and a vigorous aura erupted. At the same time, he grabbed with both hands, and a burst of Qi condensed into two indestructible blade Qi, slashing toward Li Yi.

Although the two were nearly ten zhang apart, the blade Qi arrived instantly, as fast as thunder.

If an ordinary Meridian Cultivation martial artist couldn't dodge such blade Qi, they would be cut in half immediately, unable to even throw a punch.

At this moment, Li Yi's glowing eyes instantly shrank, turning into vertical pupils, like an extraordinary creature awakening. He immediately entered a hunting state, and under his Spirit Perception, he knew about the danger around him before it even appeared. Trying to sneak attack him was useless.

Bang!

Accompanied by a slight crisp sound, the thick bluestone slab where Li Yi had been standing shattered immediately, and his whole body suddenly disappeared from the spot.

The two blade Qi slashed over and missed, only tearing two hideous gashes in the ground, which were several zhang deep, extremely sharp.

"Such fast reaction."

Qi He approached closely, his body wrapped in Qi, trying to drag Li Yi down, but he was a step too slow and missed.

"Coming for me?"

At this moment, Fan Gao was suddenly startled. He felt a scorching aura approaching. Years of fighting experience made him wake up instantly. Without the slightest hesitation, his Qi erupted and condensed, not dispersing. Within a zhang, it was like a huge meat grinder; anyone who approached would be ground into powder in an instant.

This was the Fan family's Qi Refining method, called Zhou Tian Qi.

However, almost at the same time he reacted, Li Yi's punch had already arrived. This punch was wrapped in extremely vigorous Qi and blood. This Qi and blood had already turned into fist Qi, surging like a great river, majestic and imposing. At this moment, it poured out, with a feeling of shaking mountains and moving the earth.

In an instant.

This fist force forcibly tore through Fan Gao's Zhou Tian Qi, and before it even touched his body, the fist force had already arrived through the air.

"Not good." Fan Gao was shocked.

Li Yi's Qi and blood were too vigorous; even Qi couldn't grind it, and the fist force was too terrifying; he could actually kill the enemy just by hitting the air with his force.

Without divine strength and extremely tough muscles and bones, one could never throw such a punch.

Boom!

The collision of Qi and blood exploded like a muffled thunder.

The next moment.

Fan Gao only felt a tightness in his chest, and his whole body retreated more than ten zhang. Wherever he passed, the ground was messed up by the overflowing Qi, kicking up bursts of dust. Finally, the remaining power was exhausted, and he barely stopped his steps.

"What?"

This scene stunned the two Qi Refining experts, Zhao Mingyue and Qi He.

The opponent tore through Fan Gao's protective Qi with a single punch and knocked him back?

"If I didn't have protective Qi, my body would have shattered and died from this punch." Fan Gao felt his muscles and bones wailing, and his body couldn't help but tremble.

Only after truly taking a punch from the opponent did he know how terrifying the opponent's fist force was.

This was definitely not the strength a Meridian Cultivation martial artist should have.

"Li Yi!"

However, Zhao Mingyue let out a shout, flying close to the ground, rushing over. He extended his hands into sword fingers, and Qi condensed on them. Two invisible and extremely sharp sword glows condensed. Before they even got close, they fell, and in an instant, they wove a dense sword net around Li Yi.

This was the Zhao family's Qi Refining method, called Hundred-Refined Qi.

He thought Li Yi would rely on his speed to dodge such sword glows, but he didn't expect that Li Yi glanced at him, his vertical pupils locking onto Zhao Mingyue. His feet exploded with force, and he met the attack head-on. His fists shone brightly, as if a burst of energy was condensed and not dispersing. Under the blessing of Qi and blood, he swung out, and every punch hit the sword glow accurately.

The opponent's sword Qi was fast, but Li Yi's fist was faster.

The sound of steel clashing echoed, making people's heads buzz.

The next moment.

A scene that Zhao Mingyue couldn't believe appeared. Just from the clash, the sword glow he condensed instantly broke and shattered, turning into a burst of collapsed Qi splashing in all directions.

"Impossible." He couldn't believe this scene.

His Zhao family's Hundred-Refined Qi actually collapsed in one go?

You know, his sword Qi even had the confidence to tear through the Fan family's Zhou Tian Qi, but he didn't expect that he couldn't even last one round in front of Li Yi.

"I have seen swords sharper than yours. You are not good enough, step back."

Li Yi shouted. Under the guidance technique, his Qi and blood, fist force, and the energy in his body mixed together. The resulting fist Qi was brilliant and gorgeous. After defeating the opponent's sword Qi, he took advantage of the situation and punched the opponent in the chest.

Zhao Mingyue was worthy of being a Qi Refining expert. He sensed the crisis, and the Qi in front of him condensed, turning into armor.

But the next moment.

The armor shattered, he spat out a mouthful of blood, and his whole body flew backward again.

And at this moment, Qi He, the Qi Refining expert, arrived with a fist, and his fist Qi instantly enveloped Li Yi.

Spirit Perception warning.

Li Yi seemed to know beforehand. He tilted his body and directly avoided the opponent's killing move. At the same time, terrifying Qi and blood condensed, and he took the opportunity to throw another punch.

Boom!

This punch was like a thunder god's hammer, shaking the sky and the earth.

Even though Qi He had protective Qi, he was knocked back several zhang by this divine force. Although there was no major problem, he was very shocked.

Because he didn't understand, at that moment, why could this Li Yi still dodge his fist Qi?

It was almost as if he had predicted his attack.

If knocking back the first two relied on the explosion of divine strength, then knocking back him relied on pure technique.

"An incredible person. Both strength and technique have been honed to an unimaginable level. I should have guessed it when he dodged Zhao Mingyue's blade Qi just now. This person already possesses the Spirit Perception that only the Soul Transformation Realm has. Our attacks haven't arrived yet, and his soul can sense it in advance."

"This battle, there's no way to fight."

Although Qi He hadn't lost yet, he understood that no matter what, he couldn't win today.

The opponent's physique was astonishing, and his Qi and blood were as vigorous as a monster. If he continued to fight, he would surely die.

Not only did he realize this, but Fan Gao and Zhao Mingyue also understood that they couldn't win.

Zhou Tian Qi was pierced, and Hundred-Refined Qi was shattered.

The things they were most proud of had lost. Continuing to fight was just asking for humiliation. Moreover, this was originally a spar, not a life-and-death struggle, so there was no need to continue.

"Young Master Li, I admit defeat." Fan Gao took a deep breath, calmed his Qi and blood, and said immediately.

"I also admit defeat," Zhao Mingyue and Qi He said in unison.

Li Yi stood with his fists clenched. His vertical pupils shone, and his fists were brilliant. He said immediately, "Admitting defeat just as the battle has begun? You were only suppressed by one punch of mine. You still have the strength to fight, and I can feel that you still have some things you haven't displayed."

"One against three is unfair to Young Master Li in the first place. Not to mention that Young Master Li can suppress us with one punch, he can suppress us with a second and a third. Defeat is only a matter of time. Continuing to fight will only hurt our harmony. We said before, it's just a spar, stopping at the point of contact, not a life-and-death struggle," Fan Gao said.

"What a disappointment."

Li Yi's Qi and blood dissipated, and the cosmic energy went dormant. His pair of vertical pupils gradually returned to normal: "Since you have admitted defeat, does what you said before still count?"

"Naturally, it counts. Tomorrow at noon, please come to the City Lord's Mansion for the banquet. Our great families will definitely give Young Master Li a satisfactory answer. I apologize for ruining Young Master Li's mood today." After Fan Gao finished speaking, he cupped his hands and bowed, apologizing respectfully.

"That's fine. Tomorrow I will go to the City Lord's Mansion to see what kind of surprise you have prepared," Li Yi said. "Since there is nothing else, you three please return. I am going to rest."

"Young Master Li, please rest well. We will take our leave."

Fan Gao, Zhao Mingyue, and Qi He cupped their hands and bowed again, then did not hesitate and left quickly, soon disappearing. ===== CHAPTER 271 =====