Chapter 701: Long Yu

While the Dragon Blood Warrior in the cage stared at Li Yi, Li Yi was studying him in return.

Through observation, Li Yi realized this so-called Dragon Blood Warrior was more like a hybrid of human and dragon—possessing a human form yet bearing dragon traits, fused together to birth such an aberration.

Yet he couldn't understand how a human and a dragon could produce offspring; in the Wildlands, monstrous beasts never took human form, so human-monster romance was impossible.

Or had someone suddenly conceived a bold idea, giving rise to this Dragon Blood Warrior?

As Li Yi wandered in thought,

the old slave master approached and said: "He's called Long Yu, a powerful warrior. But because he carries true dragon blood, his temper is as proud as a dragon's—untamable. I've lost two loyal guards, their skulls crushed by him when he seized an opportunity."

"Guest, if you cannot tame him, abandon him. Don't invite disaster."

He didn't wish his guest to suffer loss due to a slave he'd sold.

"I'll ask him if he's willing to recognize me as his master. If he agrees, I'll give you a thousand gold immediately," Li Yi said. "If not, I'll go look at other slaves."

"Of course." The old slave master smiled and gestured.

After receiving permission, Li Yi walked straight to the cage.

"Guest, don't get too close. He moves fast—my guard died because he got too near." The old slave master warned again.

"Thank you for the warning. I'll be cautious," Li Yi said.

Yet as he neared the cage, Long Yu inside made no move—his golden vertical pupils remained fixed on Li Yi.

"You smell of dragon," Long Yu rumbled. "But you bear no dragon traits. Besides dragon scent, you're also a Divine Blood Warrior—reeking of lightning."

"Your nose is sharp, but that's irrelevant. Long Yu, will you recognize me as your master and leave this cage?" Li Yi asked calmly. "I've heard dragons, as aberrant beasts, cannot be confined—they cannot tolerate losing freedom. I imagine you feel the same. You don't want to spend your life in this cage until you die."

"Becoming a slave means losing freedom too," Long Yu replied.

Li Yi said: "I only need you to follow me as a warrior—this won't bind your body or spirit. A strong leader is worth following, isn't he? This is already your best chance. Since you became a slave, your opportunities have dwindled. I may be your last. The next buyer might not treat you as I do."

Long Yu fell silent.

Clearly, Li Yi spoke truth.

Some buyers wanted him to breed offspring, preserving dragon blood. Others wanted him to fight for gold. Some merely desired a powerful slave.

Only this man asked only for his loyalty.

This was indeed better than the others.

If Li Yi left, Long Yu would only slowly die in this cage, never again finding a better chance.

Though a Dragon Blood Warrior, he was no beast—he could think and weigh choices.

"If you can show me strength worthy of submission, I will follow you," Long Yu said after a brief silence.

"Of course." Li Yi immediately smiled, then pulled ten Red Gold coins from his Five Elements Bracelet and handed them to the old slave master.

"I'm buying this Dragon Blood Warrior. Let him out."

The old slave master squinted. "A true dragon escaping its cage is dangerous. Guest, beware."

Still, he took the ten Red Gold coins and signaled his slaves to open Long Yu's cage.

The slaves approached the bone cage with great tension, carefully unlocking it—they'd seen Long Yu kill, his speed too swift to react to.

Since then, few dared approach the cage; only occasional feedings brought them near.

The bone cage opened.

Instantly,

a gale erupted. Long Yu, who had been sitting inside, vanished—his speed immense. He burst from the cage, ignored everyone else, and charged straight at Li Yi.

He raised his palm—scaled like a dragon's claw—and as it extended, it tore the air, unleashing terrifying power.

Under this force, all nearby buildings seemed ready to be ripped apart.

Yet Li Yi didn't dodge or retreat. At the instant of attack, he raised his fist and struck.

At that moment, the true dragon roared, the mighty tiger bellowed.

The divine power of dragon and tiger revealed itself unmistakably—as if Li Yi were the true Dragon Blood Warrior, and Long Yu merely an impostor.

BOOM!

The two forces clashed—and the outcome was decided swiftly.

Long Yu, the Dragon Blood Warrior, was flung backward, crashing hard into the ground and sinking deep beneath it. The surrounding earth split open with jagged, grotesque fissures from the residual force.

Fortunately, the power channeled into the earth; otherwise, Li Yi's Dragon-Tiger force could have overturned the entire marketplace.

Even so, the ground shook violently—greater than the earlier chaos caused by the fire beast.

"Such terrifying power," the old slave master murmured, showing rare surprise.

Merely standing and throwing a punch yielded such might—this Divine Blood Warrior was extraordinary. He hadn't reached the level of a true Divine Blood lineage, hadn't learned divine arts, yet his strength far surpassed ordinary Divine Blood Warriors.

Especially that power—it was astonishing.

"Is this the power of Da Yi?" Shan Guo's eyes narrowed sharply behind him. Just now, she'd glimpsed, as if in a dream, a young god swinging a fist.

Even the entire Shoucun Village combined couldn't have withstood such an attack.

And this wasn't even Da Yi's full strength—only a fraction revealed.

"Your strength and physique are indeed formidable—you endured my punch without harm," Li Yi remarked.

People of this world were extraordinary—each possessed astonishing physical resilience and terrifying vitality. In any other world, they'd have been pulverized by his punch, dead instantly.

Next moment,

the ground trembled again.

Long Yu, the Dragon Blood Warrior, burst from the earth. His golden vertical pupils held disbelief: "How did you manifest true dragon power?"

His palm bled, scales shattered on his back, his arm drenched in blood—he'd clearly been badly injured.

Yet Long Yu cared nothing for his wounds—he urgently wanted to know how Li Yi could condense and manifest true dragon power, while he could not.

"Want to learn? I can teach you. But you must follow me, recognize me as your master," Li Yi smiled.

He wielded the Dragon Subduing, Tiger Taming Art—subjugating the dragon and divine bloodlines of this world, transforming them into Dragon-Tiger power for his own use. Such manipulation was beyond even cultivators of the Three Flowers Realm. Only a cross-worlder like him, who practiced multiple arts, could achieve it.

Yet this Dragon Blood Warrior possessed potential to learn the Dragon Subduing, Tiger Taming Art.

But the Dao isn't lightly given. Though Li Yi didn't withhold the art, he required Long Yu's loyalty to prove his worth.

After their clash, Long Yu understood their power gap. If Li Yi wished to kill him, it would be effortless. Following such a powerful warrior was clearly a fine choice.

"Master, you are a mighty and broad-minded warrior. I pledge my loyalty—I will fight for you." Long Yu bowed his head, accepting Li Yi as his master.

Li Yi nodded. "Good. You'll one day be glad you made this choice. Come with me. From today, you're no longer a slave—you're a warrior who follows me. Prove your loyalty, and I'll cultivate you, teach you true combat ability."

"Thank you, Master," Long Yu said solemnly.

Li Yi turned to the slave master. "Is this the only Dragon Blood Warrior you have? If you have others, sell them to me too."

"Dragon Blood Warriors are rare treasures. But if you desire them, I'll search," the old slave master smiled.

Clearly, selling Long Yu for a thousand gold had put him in high spirits.

Li Yi said: "Good. I'll return when I have time. Also, find the two other slaves for me—I won't short you on gold."

The two slaves referred to Jiang Mingtian and Zhao Fangji.

"Yes," the old slave master replied without further words, making his promise.

Hearing the word "yes," Li Yi felt reassured—it meant the old slave master would indeed help search. Though success wasn't guaranteed, holding onto hope was better than none.

After all, Hu Fei had been rescued this way.

With no other slaves catching his eye, Li Yi led the group away—but didn't rush from the market. He planned to wander further; he had gold, and if he could acquire something truly valuable, it would be worthwhile.

"E Ji, you said the slave master who sold you knew of divine arts. Where is he? Can you guide me to see him?" Li Yi suddenly asked.

E Ji replied: "Da Yi already spent a hundred gold learning about divine arts from this old slave master. The one who sold us knows roughly the same."

Li Yi said: "I'm not just asking about divine arts. Did the slave master who sold you have other secrets? I'm not a careful man, but I sense you have something you need my help with."

E Ji and Su Ji exchanged glances, then immediately knelt before Li Yi and bowed: "Da Yi, you are a benevolent master. We beg you—with our remaining lives and loyalty—to help us rescue one person."

Li Yi said: "Is this person also a slave, held by the same slave master who sold you?"

"Yes," E Ji and Su Ji replied, still kneeling, tense and rigid.

For a slave to request aid from a noble guest like Li Yi was an outrageous act—if he grew angry, they'd lose everything, even their lives.

Yet Li Yi smiled: "I've heard only those who bestow grace earn love and respect—and gain followers. I'm about to become your master, yet I've done nothing for you yet. Since you've made this request, I accept it—I'll rescue that person for you."

"Don't be nervous or afraid. Rise. The one you'd risk everything to save must be profoundly important."

"While time remains early, lead me to the slave master who sold you. I hope the person you wish to rescue is still in his hands."

"Thank you, Da Yi," E Ji and Su Ji cried, tears streaming. They felt they'd found a master worthy of lifelong devotion.

For a beauty like them, this was the greatest fortune.

Shan Guo watched silently. She realized one thing: anyone who didn't oppose Da Yi would find him easy to be with—benevolent, with an extraordinary heart.

This, perhaps, was the bearing of a true lord.

(End of Chapter)